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My First Breakdown
Friday, October 30, 2009
I've finally done it. I've reached my first breakdown. Last night I sat on my bedroom floor, crying to my boyfriend about how much I despised my disastrous wavy hair. "It won't curl," I shouted. "It won't lay flat," I whined. "It just won't do anything. It's stuck in between, confused and ugly. I wish I had something else."Unfortunately, it didn't end last night. I went out and bought small metal clips before bed, and today after conditioning I wrapped chunks of hair into spirals around my fingers and pinned them up with these little metal evils. I could hear, and feel, them tugging and ripping at my hair, but I didn't care, so long as I could have one good hair day, just one for Halloween. However, when I took them out, my hair looked worse than ever. It would have been fine, since I had the time to rinse and restyle, but my stomach is still turning at the thought of all the damage I had done with these clips.
So now I'm stuck. I know that I should wait it out, but I can't help but feel as though the storm may never come to a clear. I feel as though the best thing to do right now is to just leave my hair alone, and if it still wants to be an ugly, wavy mess, then so be it.
Oink, Oink
Saturday, October 10, 2009
I realize that I am past due for a post, but unfortunately I've contracted swine flu. I am extremely apologetic and will update as soon as possible.
Everyone Makes Mistakes
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
I've had a revelation. No, a celestial being did not come in the dead of night to discuss the changing of my ways; it was a hair revelation. Though the generalization of society has convinced me that I was, in fact, a curly girl, I am not. I am a proud display of waves, a relatively uncommon hair type. The hallmark of wavy hair is such: despite the fact that it may look curly, it lays flat at the crown. I won't say that I'm not somewhat disappointed, curly hair can be coerced into waves without much difficulty, while wavy hair is quite resistant to further curling. I am, however, quite pleased that I have a hair type considered to be a minority. Oh, the joy of being unique.
So It Begins
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Despite the fact that I snapped this photo nearly a week ago, here it belatedly is: my curls before CG. I intend on posting photo updates every now-and-again as a means of tracking my progress and sharing my development. For those of you interested in my modus operandi, I am full CG. Hopefully, my results will come apace, and I can post my next photo update before long.
Plopping and Practicality
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Albeit a bit gross, I must admit when I first heard of plopping my phantasm was lavatory-related. As it turns out, it has nothing to do with that at all. Plopping, also known as plunking, is the term used to refer to a method of promoting curl structure. It is very popular in the curly community, and rightfully so. Plopping decreases drying time, adds definition, and keeps your dripping wet hair out of your face (making this method ideal for applying make-up).As described by a [NaturallyCurly.com] member, after one washes and conditions the hair, you apply product to wet hair and get ready to ‘plop.’ Put a t-shirt or Aquis towel down on a chair - some use the toilet with seat down. Leaning over the towel/t-shirt with your head hanging down bent over from your waist, position the wet hair onto towel so the curls are all concentrated on top of the head. Then pull the towel taut against the top and sides of the head, grabbing the 2 sides and twisting them into long sausage rolls near each ear. Take these rolled up towel extensions and pull them to the nape of the neck and secure them by tying them together.
To Plop or Not to Plop, NaturallyCurly.com
For your convenience, I have provided a video with clear visual instructions.
One of my favorite things about plopping is its practicality. While curl definition itself is praiseworthy, the auxiliary benefits are really something worth raving about. For those of you who weren't paying attention, not only does plopping promote curl structure, but it also cuts down on drying time and pulls your hair out of your face in preparation for your skincare and make-up routine. Plopping truly is ingenious.
On a final note, here are a few things to remember about plopping:
- Avoid touching your curls unecessarily.
- Apply product to dripping wet hair.
- If available, use a microfiber towel. If you do not have access to a microfiber towel, use an old t-shirt. Do not use terrycloth towels, as they induce frizz.
A Very Basic Lesson in the Science of Curls
Have you ever wondered why your hair coils? I'm no scientist, but after having done some research, I can at least begin to explain why. The hair type gene, which I will refer to as HTG, comes in two versions: curly and straight. It is also an incomplete dominance gene, so unlike other genes you may have learned about, the HTG does not rely on dominance and recession. Consider the HTG similar to mixing colors. If you have two curly genes (CC) you will have curly hair, and likewise, if you have two straight genes (ss) you will have straight hair. However, if you have one curly gene and one straight gene (Cs), you will receive a mixture of the two, or wavy hair.Let's discuss each gene. As you know, the HTG consists of two genes, the curly gene (C) and the straight gene (s). These genes determine the amino acid sequence and tertiary structure of the proteins which make up your hair. Amino acids are the 20 molecules which string together in unique combinations resulting in a proteins unique structure and chemical behavior. Tertiary structure is the unique and complex three-dimensional shape which proteins form.
Amino acids in a polypeptide chain (several amino acids joined together) begin to fold as side chains come together and hydrogen bonds form between various atoms in the chain. This is called peptide bonding, in which the amino group of one amino acid is bonded to the carboxyl group of another. The protein eventually folds and bends upon itself, and additional bonds continue to form between the atoms in the side chains of amino acids that are near each other. Thus, we have the tertiary structure.
To make things even simpler, imagine having 20 beads, all of different color. Now, imagine stringing those beads together. The beads are equivalent to the amino acids, and the string of beads is equivalent to the protein. Imagine that those beads start linking with other beads in different parts of the chain. This is peptide bonding. As each bead links to more and more other beads, it begins to form a unique three-dimensional shape: the tertiary structure.
Amino acid chains are more or less coiled depending on the extent of covalent and hydrogen bonding between different parts of the coil. Imagine straight hair as having less peptide bonds and curly hair as having more, thus giving it a more unique, three-dimensional shape. This also explains why hair is capable of being styled, particularly when wet. When hair gets wet the water is able to disrupt some of the hydrogen bonds, causing some amino acids in the protein to form hydrogen bonds with the water molecules rather than each other. This is what causes hair to straighten out and resist hold when wet. With a little manipulation, for example wrapping your hair around curlers, it can hold a different shape. As the water evaporates and your hair dries, the hydrogen bonds to water are replaced by other hydrogen bonds between amino acids of the hair protein. Once your hair gets wet again, however, unless styled it will return to its natural shape.
Hot Mess
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Hot Mess - nounToday I look a hot mess, and while it could almost be mistaken for a compliment, it clearly is not. Over the past week it has become blatantly obvious to me that my efforts for perfect curls will not prove valiant until I can extricate myself of my damaged hair. This means that I am no longer authorized to use my flat iron, but because I have been using it for so long, if I forgo the assuage my hair ends up nothing but a frizzy mess of matted curls. Not to mention, the average monthly growth of human hair is ½ inch. Allow me to point out that my hair currently measures an approximate 18 inches. That means that it will take three years to completely regrow my hair. Three years of the most unimaginable, uncooperative frizz possible. Three years of dry, untamed spirals. Three years of that awkward in-between stage. I think it is safe to say that someone needs to annex my flat iron. Now.
(slang, idiomatic, chiefly US South) A person, thing, or situation in such a state of disarray or disapproval by peers, often in reference to physical appearance, perceived to be disastrously embarrassing, pitiful, or beyond repair.