The Luquisha Renáe Chronicles: Two Years Post Chop

Last month, Luquisha and I hit the two year milestone since I big chopped for the second time. It feels like it’s been longer but alas it has not.

In the last two years, Luquisha has grown faster than she ever did the first time. Of course, it is quite possible her length is the same as it was in 2008. The difference between 2008 and now is that I was obsessed with Luquisha looking mane feeling like another natural’s mane. I didn’t realize how different Luquisha was from other naturals. I didn’t take care of her as I do now. she’d tell you differently tho.

It’s been an interesting two years. I have found a hair support system which is nice to have because it makes me not feel so lonely in this journey. I often receive random compliments on Luquisha which is always ego boosting. Someone even tried to touch Luquisha which lemme say I handled quite calmly and rationally. The only aspect of being natural that Luquisha absolutely hates is my laziness which unfortunately for her will not be remedied anytime soon. I keep saying I need to do right by her buuuuuuut I ain’t keeping my word. certainly that’s not a surprise

She desperately needs some attention from Miss May. It’s definitely time for a trim or a mildly major cut because my ends are so rough and knotty. To make matters worse, I can’t keep my fingers outta my hair. I’m sure if I could at least accomplish that I wouldn’t have half as many knots as I do. Ni modo one day I’ll learn. NOT!

Thanks for reading…
The Southern Yankee

Sunday Funday Washday… NOT

So I surprised myself today. I completed wash day in record time. Usually by this point of wash day, I’d still be in my bathroom detangling, moisturizing and twisting my hair. Mind you that’s if I start the process of wash day at a decent hour i.e. noon. If I start any later then I might as well not even begin wash day because I wouldn’t get done until well after 23:30. that’s 11:30PM for you non military or broadcast media types.

But today was different somehow. I did indeed start my wash day routine around 12:30 this afternoon. The Houston Texans offense was playing like they ain’t never played a lick of football before and rather than sitting in the kitchen yelling at the TV I decided to do my hair.

So first, I clarified my hair with apple cider vinegar, distiller water and coconut oil. This helps to get rid of a month’s worth of product build up as well as start the process of moisturizing my hair. Some naturals let the ACV H2O mixture sit on their hair for a few minutes. I can’t get past the smell even though today I noticed the smell wasn’t too incredibly bad.

Next, I deep conditioned my hair with a packet of Creme of Nature Argon Oil Intense Conditioning Treatment. I absolutely love this product. Not only does it make my hair soft and shiny but I love how easy it is to detangle Luquisha with this product. Since I didn’t have a lot left over from the last time I deep conditioned my hair plz don’t ask me when that was I had to get creative because I have an over abundance of thick hair. So to make this product stretch, I added a few drops of Garnier Fructis Marvelous Oils to each palm full of the deep conditioner. Once I finish working the product through my hair and pinned the sections, I put on two plastic shower caps and a bonnet and let the deep conditioner stay on my hair until the middle of the second quarter of the Broncos/Dolphins game.

Next, I thoroughly rinsed out the deep conditioner and began the process of washing my hair. I bought a bottle of SheaMoisture Baby shampoo thinking it might be good for Luquisha since she is at a stage where she is getting tired of the shampoo I’m currently using. Yeah no! It made my hair feel so rough and rubbery. That was a waste of time for Luquisha and I. But it will not go to waste because I’m going to get it to boo’s sister to use on my nephew’s hair. Talk about a head full of soft curls. Thankfully, my Herbal Essences Hello Hydration conditioner reversed the rough rubbery feel caused by the baby shampoo. I had to drown Luquisha in conditioner but at least she didn’t feel like wet rubber anymore.

Okay home stretch! Are you tired yet?! cuz I am!!

So at this point, I’m outta the shower and drying off but I didn’t towel or t-shirt dry my hair. Since my hair is so thick, it tends to dry out faster when I towel or t-shirt dry my hair. Plus I want to be able to work the Miss Jessie’s Leave in Condish through Luquisha easily and quickly because I want my hair to still be fully damp when I layer the SheaMoisture or Carol’s Daughter hair milk for added moisture.

As I said, on a normal wash day occasion I would still be twisting and pinning my twists at this very moment instead of blogging about it. So today, I decided to twist my hair into chunky Bantu knots. Not only did this allow me to get done HOURS faster a whole four hours to be exact but the Bantu knots should stretch my hair out pretty well. Unless it’s still damp when I wake up in the more which then shrinkage that sounds so dirty will take over and there will be nothing I can do but rock a cute fro with a bow.

So there’s my wash day. How did your wash day go my naptural bruhs and sistas?!

Thanks for reading…

The Southern Yankee