My Natural Hair Journey

I thought I would tell you about my natural hair journey.

I started using relaxer when I was about 14-15 years old, I wanted my hair to look sleek and straight like all the people you see on TV. My hair didn't need the relaxer though and my mom warned me about using it but I was adamant and my mom finally caved in. My hair was long, quite curly and had a lot of frizz. After using a relaxer for about 9 years I noticed that my hair wasn't as long as it used be and it was quite damaged. I decided to stop using relaxer and had my last relaxer on the 10th May 2010. I didn't do a big chop as I was afraid to see what I would look like with short hair so I opted for a transition where I would have relaxed ends and new hair growth, I would occasionally get my split ends cut. I felt like the new hair growth was quite "harsh" but after a year the hair started to soften. The transition was really hard, it took a long time to finally manage it and then problems began.

Around November/december of 2011 I noticed that my scalp was itching and really dry, I went to the doctors and they gave me shampoo for fungal infections. When that didn't help I was sent to the dermatologist. Here I was told that I had psoriasis. I had to come in for five days straight and get coal tar massaged in to the scalp, I couldn't wash it out until the sixth day. It smelled horrible and it was almost unbearable but I had to hold it out until the last day. I was then given a coal tar shampoo that I'd have to use twice a week. After that ordeal I haven't had any problems and my hair started to grow again.

Alopecia: Fast forward to end of February 2014, I started to notice some hair loss at my right temple. It wasn't much but I still went to the doctors, here I was told that it was a fungal infection again and got a prescription for a shampoo. I kept losing hair but the doctor told me to keep using the shampoo and that it would be fine. By March/ April my hair loss had gotten a lot worse and I started to loose hair at my left temple too (hence why I've been MIA) and by May I had two big bald spots and each side of my temple. It had gotten to the point where I was afraid to comb my hair as it would just come of in a big chunk. I told this to my doctor who finally sent me to a specialist. I was here given a penicillin (that I've since been on three times) but they couldn't give me a reason for why I was losing my hair, I was just one of the unlucky ones that this happened to and that the majority who has had alopecia has had regrowth. For the first time since I started to lose hair, I've seen some progress here in July, I can see some new hair growth and the bald patches has gotten smaller. I can comb my hair without massive chunks of hair falling off. I've been wearing headbands for a long time now and get wait to get rid of them as soon as the hair growth is long enough.

I've been relaxer free for four years now (seen hair growth on my two bald spots) and couldn't be happier.

Alpha H Liquid Gold - A Midway Review

Alpha H Liquid Gold

I made a wishlist a while back that included the Alpha H Liquid Gold and a month ago I finally caved  in and purchased it. The Alpha H Liquid Gold has many qualities among them are tightening pores, helping with sun damage, pigmentation and wrinkles therefore giving a brighter and clearer skin.

My expectations were high as the reviews overall are positive if not great for this product.
I've been testing it out for about a month now and I'm sorry to say that I'm disappointed. I haven't noticed or seen any mayor changes to my skin. It says on the package for best results that you should skip the moisturizing part and here I saw that my pores had gotten a little smaller.

My expectations were as I stated above maybe to high as this was a raved about, holy grail skincare product and I expected fast and great results. This is what I have experienced with the product so far. I haven't finished the product yet but when I do, I'll let you know.

Have you tried the Alpha H Liquid Gold and what were your thoughts on it?

Morning Skincare Routine

My morning skincare, I do this every every morning and I've made it as simple as possible. I've condensed down to four steps.

Step 1: I start cleansing with The Body Shop Seaweed Deep Cleansing Facial Wash. After applying and rinsed off, you feel refreshed. I have an oily T-zone and it has helped a lot with keeping the oil way and has a mat effect. Its soap-free and therefore isn't drying on the skin.

Step 2: Then cleanse with a micellar solution and this time I'm testing out the La Roche Posay Micellar solution and so far I'm liking it. The fragrance isn't as strong as the Sephora Micellar solution. The LRP micellar is for sensitive skin and it doesn't contain alcohol, parabens and colorants. For all the ladies with sensitive skin, I recommend that you try this one out if you haven't already.

Step 3: I apply eye cream and the Avéne Soothing eye contour cream is still going strong. My eyes tend to get puffy in the mornings and the eye cream helps calming it down. It ads moisture without being creasy and is quickly absorbed.

Step 4: The last step is moisturizing. Currently I'm using the Estée Lauder DayWear Advanced Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant Creme SPF 15. I got it as a sample when I purchased the Estée Lauder DayWear foundation. I've been using this moisture for some time now and on me it feels kinda greasy on the skin. The only thing I like about the creme is that is has SPF in it.
If you have any recommendations on a good moisturizing day creme please let me know.

This is my morning routine and I'm quite happy about it at the moment. You can read my evening skincare routine here.