ME: Tired.

"I don't understand Alexis, you're educated, very well spoken, smart, you carry yourself well, what  is it? Why haven't you found something yet?"

-What my coworker/friend said to me yesterday

Those words have been stuck in my head since yesterday and I'm tired. Tired of being underappreciated, under utilized, under valued, underpaid, and under stimulated at work. So right now, today, I am planning my escape. Now I know we're in a recession I ain't crazy so I will be working towards a 6 month living fund to live off of while I'm in between jobs. I also plan on working part time during this time work on some of own personal goals while Im still in my youth. I'm probably going to have to sacrifice a few things but I know its not anymore than Im sacrificing now. Sacrificing my youth, not making the money I know I deserve, stressed out because Im not making the money I know I deserve, I need a change. Ive requested a week off to which my boss is taking her time in approving and if she doesnt approve Im going to call in sick for that week, and have my doctor write a note for stress. Because I just know there has to be a better way of life. Working 40 hours a week and not being able to even take a vacation or barely make ends meet is not the business. So today...even though I cant lie im scared as shit....I will be working towards that plan. For my sanity and happiness.

Tester

Tester

Cut Hair For Locs?

Now I recently blogged about people assuming and suggesting that I should get locs and me not wanting them (at this time). But I wonder if I would have to cut my hair to start growing locs? I saw this picture (above) of singer Valerie June on Black Girl Long Hair today and lubs her hair!  Its a shame how much I change my mind, I also want a weave for the summer. #KanyeShrug  Im on year 2, so Im going to start focusing more on retaining length so I can start making 4b versions of the pineapple ponytail that Curly Nikki talks about. BTW I still hate the hair typing system, but whatever its hump day! Oh yeah Im also considering vlogging.

Combating HIH Syndrome

The longer my hair gets the more and more I suffer from HIH (Hand In Head) syndrome. I've ruined quite a few hairstyles by simply playing my hair. It's even gotten to the point that I don't even notice it, my hand somehow just magically puts itself in my hair and twirling hair..pulling fairy knots and taking names. But Houston we have a problem lol! I long for the days of all day hair do's. How do you combat the HIH syndrome?

Review: Clairol Natural Instincts

Soooooooooo I guess its about time for my 1st review =) unplanned but I figured since I tried it I might as well share my experience. In hopes that one day it may help someone because I had a hard time finding reviews of this product on natural Afro hair. Now, I had been thinking of coloring my hair for quite some time now. I said that after my 1st year natural I would do so to give me some time to see what my natural hair could...you know reach its full potential without any chemicals in it BUT I couldnt take it anymore so I went to my local Wal-Mart and picked up a bottle of Clairol's Natural Instinct in Auburn. I was going for a red / burgundy color and this was the closest I could find to it. I had read color reviews that said if you were doing at home color, you should really try Clairol products because they had been doing this the longest and had spent alot of money on research of hair color so that really pushed me in that direction. The product has no ammonia, so I felt it would be pretty safe and it also washes out after 28 washes so if I didnt like the color it wasnt forever. The kit comes nicely packaged with hair color, color activator, decent quality gloves (even though mine had a hole in one), and a post conditoner (which I must admit was bomb! I wish they sold it by itself).  The application was fairly easy and there wasnt a mess but I have to say I just about ran out of color for my hair. I wish there was a little more in the package and for those that have hair longer than mine I doubt that it would seriously work to color their entire head. Now the directions said to leave it on for 10 mins but if youre natural you can leave it on a little longere but no more than 20 minutes. I had did a strand test before I started so I knew 10 wouldnt work, so I set my trusty timer for 20, washed out, used the kick ass conditioner, and voila! No color LOL. Checked in the light...no color. Finally my sister came over and what'd ya know? She notices color =)

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Eventually I did too but I do have to say it was more of a tint than a color for my naturally black hair. I thought I would have more color but this just doesn't work so Im going to have to try a permanent next time. I keep debating on going to a professional or not but the last time I had my hair professionally colored, it broke off soooo bad and I didnt even have full color, just highlights at the top. Every strand that was color popped at almost the touch, so I figured if Im going to get my hair colored I might as well do it myself. But I digress, I dont think I will be using this color again as long as my hair is this dark. It may work better on lighter colored hair if your going darker, but if your darker going a little brighter the color doesnt really work well IMO. I also noticed that since coloring Sunday, after using Cantu Shea Butter (which flakes in my hair if Im using other products) the red is combining with the Cantu leaving small color bits on my shirt. Which is no bueno. So Clairol gets a slight thumbs down!