2014, My Year In Review….

Just yesterday it was January and we were planning our goals and objectives for the year. We’re now at the end of 2014, hoping to have retained every possible inch. We either excelled at the lofty goals and objectives set earlier this year OR we’re making our list and checking it twice of things to revise for 2015. This post is my moment to reflect on the good and the bad of 2014.

My 2014 in Review

After years of salon hopping, I finally grew tired of hit and miss results. I then returned to a salon I once frequented where my hair flourished best. SN: I left this salon because of overbooking not because of performance. Upon my return, it was like old times. I was comfortable, I was at peace and I felt my hair was being treated with kindness.

I went from relaxing to texlaxing and even changed relaxers. I’m no longer using Design Essentials Lye. I now use Naked by Essations. I’m so glad I made this decision because relaxing bone straight with Design Essentials Lye was over processing my hair. Now that I’m texlaxing with Naked by Essations, my hair is healthier. SN: My stylist leaves the relaxer on for 6 minutes after she has applied and smoothed the hair. [divider]

My Komaza Care Analysis revealed shocking facts about my hair: my hair had signs of damage and showed early signs of thinning. The damage was from over processing and the thinning likely resulted from medication. As per Komaza, my hair’s health can be restored with the proper vitamin and hair regimen. Therefore, I revised my regimen as recommended and things are going great! I feel like I have a new head of hair. My hair is retaining moisture, breaking less, tangling less and is far more manageable.

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Split-ends and mid-shaft splits were a dark, rain cloud hanging over me all year. I’ve never dealt with split-ends or mid-shaft splits aside from those caused by the tangle teezer. It took months to figure out the source of the issue — relaxer runoff! In other words, over processing. It wasn’t until I started stretching my relaxers beyond the norm of 10-12 weeks did I see an improvement in my split-ends. I’m happy to say my split-ends are now under control (thank goodness!).

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Learning my hair was damaged and thinning gave me the determination to stretch my relaxers by any means necessary. Not every wash day was a great one but I didn’t allow it to discourage me. Fast forward, I’m 25 weeks post and very proud of it!

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I went from talking about to being about it – I am officially wig hair, don’t care! I’ve been protective styling with wigs for a few months and I’m in love with the ability to alter my look at a moments notice. Here are some of my looks:

[divider]My last trim/cut was July 2014 so I was long overdue. I reached out to my stylist, hoping she’d trim up my ends but she prefers to trim/cut when I relax. I’m not sure when that will be so I took matters into my own hands. I simply parted my hair in small sections and removed whatever I felt needed to go. Some sections received a bigger cut than others and I knew the risks of {uneven hair} but I was totally ok with that. After trimming each section, I evened up the hemline with using the Feye’s Method. My next major cut (of thin relaxed ends) will be February 2015.

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Overall, I rate this year successful. Although I had a few struggles, they served as motivation to travel a path I would have never considered otherwise: relaxer stretching, wearing wigs, revising my regimen, etc. Even though my hemline took a beating, I’m still at my goal length of mid-back length, surprisingly.

What were your highs and lows of 2014?
Did you have a successful or setback kind of year?