You might remember me as...

CrysMelis

HairCare Enthusiast
DominicanBrazilian82... who went on a SUPER long hiatus...

Well I'm back ladies as CrysMelis. I had so much going on in my life (family death, house purchase, moving, 150% client-ship increase... the list goes on) and had very little room for LHCF or even my own personal haircare.

I had a horrendous setback that I won't elaborate on, but it was due to lack of care and stress (especially since I was transitioning). It wasn't falling out by the handfuls, but the shedding became depressing. Even garlic supplements couldn't help.

Then I decided to do the Design Essentials Transitioning Mousse (which ultimately saved my hair) and also I started Hairfinity. I don't necessarily buy into the Hairfinity "make your hair grow" mantra, but I am successful with my hair growth when I couple haircare with what I put into my body (i.e.: supplements). I am very happy with the results I have garnered and can finally say I am back at APL.

I don't have many pictures to upload as I barely had time to take any pictures, but I will say that if I had continued with the regiment I followed from June 2012 - May 2013 (no direct heat, M&S every other day, DC with heat, co-wash frequently, seal my hair with cool water/silicones, indirect heat only (rollersets), relax every twenty weeks, and properly balance my protein and moisture), my hair would be waaaay further than it is now.

I started transitioning in August of 2013 (twenty weeks from the last relaxer I had). To date I haven't had a relaxer in 79 weeks and my hair is 60% natural. I have 4a in some places, 3c in some and 4b/c in others. I love my natural texture and am very excited to see growth so that I can be rid of my relaxed ends. I refuse to BC.

I mostly wear straight styles and am recovering from heat damage and dry hair. Heat/protein damage is part of what brought me to this site the first time. You would think I would've taken heed to that first warning and limited my heat... Nope.

I learned a lot on this site when I was an active (obsessive) member. This site also introduced me to my staple line which is SheScentIt; full of panthenol, ceramides and all around natural ingredients. I also fell in love with PBN and Hydroquench. But I haven't been using much of either of those (but I plan to stock up for Black Friday; and a few other things I've always had my eye on).

I also need to trim my hair. I haven't done so in over three years in an attempt to get as much length as possible before I trimmed. I know better now. I really need to get a good trim (probably a cut by the time its evened up).

All-in-all I am super happy to be back. I have a long road to still travel and I look forward to learning and imparting.

Here are some photos of my journey:

June 2012 - Hair was paper thin and see through.


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July 2012 - Really started taking better care of my hair.


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August 2012 - Hair was starting to thicken up. My longest length was actually in the middle which why my hair looks like there is a "space" in it at the bottom.


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October 2012 - A Cute braidout.


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November 2012 - First magnetic rollerset in years! And I did them religiously after that day for about 6 months straight.


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December 2012 - Cute Flexi Set on dry hair. Hair is becoming fuller.


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March 2013 - Porosity issues! Hair looks very fluffy because it is very frizzy. My hair has high porosity and swells whenever moisture is in the air. My only combat to this are treatments like BKT and Design Essentials.


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April 2013 - Thickems!


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April 2013 - The day before my last relaxer. Roots are very thick. My hair is very shiny in this picture.


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May 2013 - Bahamas trip! Hair was just silky and flowing this trip!


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June 2013 - Best rollerset to date! I do them myself and it takes me between 10-15 to set, I use a Pibbs dryer (40 minutes) and then I usually press the roots.


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Summer 2013 - Started to slack a bit. But still heavy on the regiment. Around this time I stopped taking my supplements (Biotin, MSM, Multi, Garlic, Aloe and Bamboo Extract).


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Nov 2013 - The decline begins. You can see that here at this Drake concert that my hair looks a little dull. Around this time I did the most damage to my hair.


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My birthday 2013 (Nov) - Length is getting there, but thinning.


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Christmas Party 2013 - Hair is on the decline. Looks dull and thin. Plus breakage has really started.


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January 2014 - Roots are super thick, hair is super thin.


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March 2014 - Roots are thick, hair is more porous than ever, this is right before the DE treatments started.


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August 2014 - 12 weeks into my treatment, hair is flourishing. Thick and strong. I just started Hairfinity here as well.


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September 2014 - Hair in the rain.


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October 2014 - Me


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Yesterday (10/21/14) - Me again...


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But I'm back!
 
I remember you! Welcome back! :) Great pictures. I'm sorry to hear about your setback, but I'm glad you're back on track with your hair.
 
Welcome back! I was wondering where you were in the Oils and Deep Conditioning threads.

ETA: Wow your hair is so pretty and voluminous. Swang girl!
 
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