Operation Restoration: Volume

Hey, guys!  So I’m not even gonna beat around the bush.  Operation Restoration is still going strong and I gotta quick update for you that I wanna share if you’re ready.  Are you ready?  Well, alrighty then!  Let’s go...

After washing, blow drying and flat ironing my hair the other day, I noticed immediately that the “hole” in the middle of my hair where my hair was missing has gotten smaller - which elicited a huge smile of relief to spread across my face.  I’m not totally there yet, as you can see, but my hair is growing in nicely.

I have noticed over the past few weeks the shedding subsiding and a closer look at my "hair gap" has left me confident that I have successfully staved off the significant breakage that has plagued me since last we spoke.

Using the gap as a guide, I cut my hair as close to its fullest point as possible, cutting just shy of getting rid of the gap completely.  Believe me - there's a method to my madness.  I am trying to keep my hair at this length simply because it's easier for me to handle as far as styling, wrapping it at night, etc., but recognize that there may be one more chop on the horizon needed to completely regain its thickness before setting sail for longer length.

But I must say that I am loving the fullness I currently have right now.  I can feel the weight coming back onto my shoulders.  I can also feel the increased volume of tresses on my head as I bounce and walk and turn.  And guess what?  It feels so good, y'all!

I am feeling more and more like my old self, guys.  Like I said, I'm still in the process, but everyday I feel better and better.  And I can see the fruits of all my laboring.  Besides my skin clearing up (gotta update y'all on that soon), my hair has gained much needed volume.  Been trying new products (a few for my face and one for hair) and, ooh-wee, I am loving them!  Dare I say it, but I'm starting to have a little fun with it all now, just like the old days.

So the final report: no length gained, however, the volume has been turned up, up, UP!  I am totally encouraged and ready to step into the next phase of the operation, which is coming sooner than later.  Gotta be paaaatient... remember?  #WINNING

Operation Restoration - Maintenance

Hey, guys!  So I wanted to give you all a quick update on how my hair has been doing these past few weeks as I become more entrenched in "Operation Restoration" (my all-out/all-in plan to regain the health and length of my hair).  It has been quite the struggle, I must say, but I've been steady in my implementation of said plan - focusing first and foremost on regaining its density via a stringent diet of trims and cutbacks until its thickness has been restored.

I haven't changed too much, including the products I use and the schedule in which I use them.  I still wash my hair once a week and use the same shampoos/conditioners I've always used along with the Olaplex I recently added to my regimen to guard against breakage.

Next, I trim, trim and trim some more.  As you can tell, my hair has a ways to go as far as it getting thicker; you can clearly see the white of my tank through the back of my hair still.  And so I cut it, maintaining the same length every time I snip so that the shorter hairs can eventually catch up to the longer ones, allowing my hair to become more dense.

Consequently, I have no new gains - as far as length - to report.  My hair, in fact, appears to be the same length as when I initially chopped it off.  But it lays pretty nicely after I curl it with my flatiron, keeps a nice sheen and feels good, too...

BUT... I've been having some major breakage recently.  Now, for the record, I did stop using the Olaplex for two washings because I thought it was making my scalp slightly sensitive.  It wasn't burning or anything drastic like that.  I just... hmm... I guess I thought it was feeling a little tender after weekly use and I wanted to be careful.  AND while I did have an occasional smattering of small broken ends here and there while using Olaplex (too modest to even cause concern), it does not even compare to what I had experienced without it.  In fact, during all my adult days of taking care of my hair, I've NEVER had breakage like what you see above.  For me, this is not normal.  Nor acceptable.  And so back to Olaplex I go until my hair gets back to normal.

Welp, that's my update, guys.  Not much gained as far as length, but slow and steady will win this contest.  It's not really a "contest", I know.  But you get my point.  Once I tackle the thickness issue (or lack thereof), then I will address length.  And I feel encouraged.  I know I'll be back to form soon enough.  Just gotta be patient.  Paaaaaaatient....

Operation Restoration moving right along!  

Through Thick and Thin

Hey, guys.  You see this plant?  Do you see how thick it is?  How robust and full the leaves are?  How densely packed and healthy it looks?  Well, that's how my hair USED to be.  Thick, healthy and full... just like this rubber tree plant.

But then things changed.  My health took a slight turn and, despite the continuous care and devoted effort, my hair fell out.  My once thick mane turned into an emaciated mess.  Hard to manage and style resistant, my tresses and all that I worked so hard to gain - the length, shine and overall condition - literally went down the drain.  My full head of hair was no more... just like this rubber tree plant.

It was quite shocking.  It IS quite shocking, I should say.  Patchy.  Uneven.  Incredibly thin.  Totally unrecognizable.  I mean, those who are familiar with my hair story know that I had an incident where a girl burned my hair off with a super hot, unchecked Marcel curling iron before, causing the majority of my hair to go down my shower drain while washing it the week after said incident.  So losing my hair in such a devastating way is not necessarily new to me.  But that was EONS ago.  I've gained so much haircare knowledge since that time that I just knew that I would never, ever go through anything like that again.  And, lo and behold, this happened...

And it's one thing for your hair to be burned off mid-strand - at least it's still tethered to your scalp.  But it's a totally different animal for those strands to FALL OUT.  Bald spots and thin patches usually cannot be remedied simply with a short haircut.  No - more often, one must seek a more creative, concerted solution for hiding a scantily clad scalp.  I have a visibly small patch above my right temple and don't dare wear a part on that side anymore.

And so I've started the process all over again.  I have cut my hair to right below my shoulders and operation "Grow Back" (eh... it's not the official name, but will suffice for now) is in total and full effect.  Objective: to grow my hair longer, stronger and better than it was before... or, at least, than it is now.  Thin sides and bald patches be damned!

When I started my hair journey years ago, its length was just past my shoulders.  I paid close attention to caring for it properly and it flourished.  And now what was once old is now new again.  I am starting from scratch, practically from the same point length-wise, but with an additional hurdle to clear.  And that's OK.  It has to be.  I mean, it is what it is.  And the same dedication I employed all those moons prior, I am pairing it with a pound of patience so that I can return my "crown" to its regal glory.  And I will be chronicling my process of reinstatement right here... every step of the way. #operationgrowback #operationrestoration #herewego #yesIcan

B-Girl and B-Boy Do It Again

Hey, guys!  Well, it's that time of year again - my BIRTHDAY!  Yes, time does certainly zoom by and this year was a small, but significant, celebration that involved a dash of shopping and a huge dollop of food (courtesy of B-Boy, of course!).  But instead of laboring through all the particulars of the former, I'll just focus in on the latter.  So I've put together an abridged synopsis of the day's culinary events if you're at all curious.  And judging from the fact that you're still reading this, I'd venture to say that you are...

The day started out early with a hearty breakfast at a well known local eatery (Roscoe's, anyone?) where I ordered my usual when in attendance: a leg, wing and two waffles.  B-Boy ordered something similar that I now cannot totally recall, but it did include a waffle as well.  My chicken was piping hot and surprisingly well seasoned.  I say surprisingly because I don't really consider their fried chicken to be all that great, but just OK.  My waffle, on the other hand, was the polar opposite as  it had arrived the luke-est of warms, hovering just a hint above butter melting status.  I didn't complain, though.  I muscled through it.  However, when I asked B-Boy about his dish, he replied with the same disappointment.  Even the extra waffle he ordered after finishing the first round of waffles arrived at a bland temperature.  I'm beginning to think that perhaps it may be this particular location's (they have several) issue with quality control as this is the second time he and I have had this problem with our food.  At least I HOPE it's an isolated issue.  Either way, we weren't going to let this influence the day and so we pressed on...

We zigzagged through the city and hit up a couple of retail spots to, you know, treat moi to some treats.  Some colorful thangs and some cute thangs...  You know - birthday treats.  Gifts.  Thoughtful gestures.  Anywho, as dusk settled onto the horizon, he surprised me and pulled up to the Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park.  I had never been, but the initiated already know that I'm totally down for new adventures as this particular venue has large trampolines on which you can play games like dodgeball or shoot hoops OR simply bounce around until you run out of steam.  Sounds cool to me, so we went in... and when I tell you it was a madhouse in there, please believe it.

Kids running, screaming, falling, crying...  Little kids, big kids, medium kids...  It was ten times worse than Chuck E. Cheese!  (Yes, THAT bad!)  After inquiring at the front desk, we were told that general admission (the kids) would be ending soon and then it would be "adults only", complete with DJ and strobe lights.  Sounded cool.  Waiting around 45 minutes wouldn't be too bad, right?  Well, we sat around on their hard red bleachers for about a full five minutes before hunger compelled us to give up the fight and find sustenance instead.  So we made our way outta there and shimmied over to my fave spot... my birthday staple...

I remain unapologetic in my overt affection for The Cheesecake Factory as I always enjoy the food there and absolutely L-O-V-E cheesecake!  I mean, this noshery never disappoints, which is why it remains my "born day" staple.  Now, we had made plans earlier to go to a different restaurant, but we were so far out because of Sky Zone that it just made sense to go to CCF since it happened to be in the vicinity (#YAY!  #WINNING!).  And so we ate.  First on the menu for me was a tropical smoothie made with mango, raspberry puree and coconut milk.  #YUM

Now, we did order an appetizer - fried calamari - but it had no chance of getting its picture taken as I immediately tore into it as soon as it made port at our table.  And when the main dish finally came out - a robust serving of truffle honey fried chicken over mashed potatoes and asparagus - I mean, I completely lost myself and almost forgot to document the tasty victuals before quickly disappearing from my plate.  But somehow I managed to put my fork down, if not for a brief moment, to do my due diligence.

And since it was my birthday (as well as just about every other patron's in attendance that night), they brought out a complimentary mini-sundae, complete with birthday candle, and - YES - sang their version of "Happy Birthday" to me.

But who the heck goes to CCF for a sundae?!  I certainly do NOT!  And so my night of eats did not - COULD NOT - end there and I took home a slice of their celebration cheesecake.  A layered decadence of vanilla confetti cake, strawberry/chocolate/vanilla mousses, cheesecake and cheesecake icing, it's quite a collection of confection.  One that I had never tried before.  But I'm so glad I did because it is sooooo good!  #DOUBLEYUM!

And just look at who was able to tag along for the festivities as well!  B-Boy brought my two babies to celebrate with me!  He's been taking care of them while I've been in "hustle mode" and seeing them in person made my heart sing.  #JOY

Yep, so my birthday this year was pretty cool.  But it usually is.  I made a bunch of plans prior to the day to go here and do this and there and do that, but ended up doing something more casual and laid back.  And you know what?  It was good.  Seeing my babies?  Good!  Spending time laughing and yucking it up with B-Boy?  GOOD!  Eating good food and good dessert the entire weekend?  GOOD-GOOD!

No matter what, I always ring in my birthday like it's a major holiday, even if it's just me flying solo.  Life is way too short and every year/day/hour above ground is an absolute blessing.  No day is promised, which is why I like to make an extra effort on my day.  And besides - birthdays are fun.  At least mine are.

So with an emphatic shout, I'd like to send a resounding Happy Birthday to me!  Yepper!  And may I have many, MANY more...

The Comeback Kid

First I had to get my bearings after taking the big step of moving from one place to a totally different place.  Then, not long after, my laptop's battery pretty much imploded, causing it to herniate from its underside and render it useless.  My trusty camera - old, but faithful - started to glitch (I have no idea of its status right now since, out of tremendous frustration, I haven't picked it up in months).   My phone - the alternate source of my picture taking and alike - was having memory issues and had grown senile in its recall of data and temperamental in its diminishing use of space.  In between there's been some other mishaps and one-caboose train wrecks... and then, of course, my health got wonky.

But just as soon as I was ready to take a timeout from everything, something happened.  Well, some things happened.  I got a huge gale in my sails and started to right the ship.  I have comfortably nested in my new place (well, I have a few more things to tend to, but I'm almost there!); my friend has loaned me their laptop until I replace mine (yay!); new phone (yippee!) and new camera (coming...).  And best of all, I FEEL BETTER!  My energy bar is flashing green - hovering around 80% - and I'm working hard towards my goal of 100.

So what does all of this mean?  Well, I'm back!  Umm... I guess I shouldn't say I'm back because I never really left.  But I got my mojo back.  Yeah, that's more accurate.  My mojo is back and I'm ready to get back into the swing of things, including my writing and other creative pursuits.  I have officially turned the proverbial corner.  I am starting to feel like my old self again.  And guess what, y'all?  It feels darn GOOD!  #ComebackKid  #WINNING

Hair Love: Olaplex No. 3

Hey, guys!  Well, as you know, I've been going through some things as far as my health is concerned. This includes changes in my skin, nails and - more noticeably - hair.  My hair had been shedding at a rapid rate, leaving what was left on my head looking an emaciated, patchy, unruly mess.  I decided to keep with my hair staples since I knew they had always done well for me.  And once I had gone back to the subtle heft of my "old faithful" Lacio Lacio, the unruliness subsided (my hair would actually stand on end after washing and would NOT lay down).  But I did decide to add one more element to the arsenal.  I wanted to reinforce the diaphanous groups of strands that I had currently and ensure the strength of the ones that would be coming in.  I wanted something that was straight forward, no fuss and no mess.  I had heard about the product from hairstylists on Instagram and, after reading the glowing reviews on Sephora's site, decided to give it a try.  It's Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3... and it's garnered quite the following.

The makers of Olaplex No. 3 would like to impress upon its consumers that it is NOT a conditioner, but rather a hair treatment that literally builds the bonds of hair strands, making them stronger and more resilient during potentially damaging chemical, thermal and mechanical processes.  It is also touted as an effective breakage reducer, thus improving the overall look and feel of stressed out tresses.  Created by a team of science-oriented industry professionals, including chemists, the Olaplex line numbers from 1 to 5 - the first two being solely available to salon personnel; the latter three being offered to laypersons and at-home hair technicians alike.

Although No. 3 comes in a petite 3.3oz bottle, a little goes a long way.  Paraben- and sulfate-free, the milky white elixir, of which you only need a dollop, spreads nicely over wet/damp strands... from root to tip.  It does have a light smell, but it's not intrusive nor does it linger after washing.  I leave mine on under a shower cap for about 15 minutes and then wash it out.

Now, again, my issue has NOT been breakage, but extreme shedding/fallout.  I haven't had an onslaught of split ends or damage to my actual hair, so I cannot directly speak to its claims of correcting those issues.  However, I CAN attest to the way it makes my hair feel... or not feel.  It has not been heavy, keeps my hair shiny and complements my rotation of products perfectly.  I do believe it has helped to keep my new growth intact and free of breakage, as well as my ends not feeling fried when I upped the dial on my flatiron the last few sessions.

So do I like it?  Why, yes.  Yes, I do.  Do I feel it lives up to its claims?  Well, unless I'm under the heavy sedation of some type of placebo effect, yes.  Yes, I do feel like it lives up to its claims.  At least the ones I have personally experienced.  And the litany of stellar reviews on Sephora's site as well as from the many salon professionals that use the Olaplex system cannot be denied.  So, yes, Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3 is number one in my book.  It has been quite helpful in my road to recovery, hair-wise, and it's not bluster when I say that it has earned a permanent place in my product roster when my ordeal is over, said and done.

Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3 can be found at Sephora and Olaplex(.)com, and retails for $28/3.3oz.

Changes...

Hey, guys. You know, it's really important for you to be in tune with your body.  You may not immediately notice little changes here and there, but should be aware enough to pick up on signals your body is trying to send you - both the subtle and the loud.  Sickness often presents itself in the hair and nails and when I noticed a huge change in the former, I grew very concerned.  Over the past year, I noticed that my nails had become brittle and were breaking constantly, but chalked it up to me doing dishes bare-handed combined with the water being harsh, perhaps.  Annoying, but no biggie.  However, it was when my hair started falling out that I really started to become alarmed.  I would comb my hair and the comb's teeth would be filled with an inordinate amount of hair.  I would run my hands through my hair and multiple strands would fall to the floor.  My hair had become wiry, wouldn't lay down after styling and, after months of shedding, THIN!  I could actually see through my hair!  That's when I really started to panic.  What in the heck was going on?!

Well, my Google fingers went into overdrive and I soon had my answer.  The painful leg cramps, chronic fatigue, pale complexion, constant hankering for ice, my hair thinning and falling out... dizzy spells.  It was all adding up.  And there it was - my answer in black and white.  I had anemia: a fairly common condition that is not fatal, but it can be extremely disruptive and serious if not addressed.

Anemia is when your red blood cells do not have enough oxygen-carrying hemoglobin in it.  A lack of hemoglobin or healthy red blood cells leads to a lack of oxygen being properly distributed throughout your body, including your organs.  Hemoglobin needs iron to maintain a healthy status in your cells.  Therefore, an insufficient amount of iron can cause iron-deficient anemia (which is the type I have).  So I need to up the ante when it comes to my iron intake and have taken a double-fisted approach with regard to getting better.

I've slacked on my vitamin intake for the past couple of years, so I re-upped on my multi-vits and have now added iron pills to my regimen to keep a steady course towards recovery.  These iron pills are small and I take them with orange juice as Vitamin C is recommended to help with iron's absorption.

I have also taken on the challenge of imbibing a hearty teaspoon of blackstrap molasses every night before I go to bed for good measure.  Not only is it high in iron, but it also has potent amounts of potassium and other minerals that are super beneficial.  Now, I'm not gonna lie.  The taste of this dark, thick elixir is one that could be duly called "acquired", but I take this, too, with a swig of OJ to help get it down and I think my taste buds have now adjusted.

So there you have it.  I've been on this iron-rich regimen for almost two months now and I am slowly seeing improvement.  I no longer have muscle cramps or the other symptoms, and my hair shedding has significantly slowed down.  But my feelings are still a little hurt.  I don't know how long it's gonna take for my hair to rebound and get back to its full glory, but I'm doing my best to be patient... and am ever so thankful for it not being a more serious issue.