The Beginning
Okay so those who follow me on social media know that I am a natural newbie. I decided to go natural last year around the summer and went through the transition stage and protective styles(Wigs). This year June I decided to cut all the permed ends of my hair and become 100% natural. I loved the way my hair felt and looked. Although it was more work, it was definitely worth it. I'm very low maintenance so I never did cool natural styles or rods or anything, just simple wet my hair, gel my edges and go.
Natural hair- Wash N Go style
The End
So this past week was a busy one. I left New York Tuesday afternoon to head to Orlando Florida for the Stella & Dot fashion show I told you all about in my previous post ( pictures from the show coming soon!). But before I left, my agent in NY booked me for an editorial spread for Monday morning in New Jersey. I knew it was a time crunch but I went for it anyway. This shoot was very stressful to say the least. Tons of people were late and clothes were not fitting, it was borderline a disaster. But me being the optimistic soul I am, I made sure the room was constantly filled with smiles. Once the hair stylist arrived she begin working on my hair. My agent already told the team and photographer that my hair was natural and should stay that way. Of course when you get on set the conversation changes, They wanted to do a wet and wavy look on me since I was shooting in a pool. Their hair inspiration pictures were Kim Kardashian... my hair is nothing like Kim Kardashian. Long story short they braided up the back of my hair and added pieces to it. But before even asking me, the hair stylist immediately started straightening the front of my hair. I panicked, asking her why she was straightening my hair and if she used heat protection. She assured me she did. She was wrong.
Then the tears came..
After finishing the shoot I dashed home to immediately wash and deep condition my hair, I knew it was damaged.. I could feel it, I just didn't know it was dead. While washing I saw these little stringy pieces in the front and panicked again.No curls, tears started to flow, I knew something was wrong.
Fix it KP, Fix it!!
Knowing I had to catch a flight in a few hours. I couldn't fix anything that night. I waited until I got in town and began to start surgery. I am not a hair stylist. I know very little about hair, especially damaged hair since I have been so fortunate to have pretty strong hair. My first initial thought was to chop it all off. But it was so much I was too scared, especially with a very important fashion show in three days! With the help of some Facebook friends I started trying a protein treatment ( mayo hair mask) . I was proud that I didn't throw up because I hated mayonnaise and now it was dripping down my back and ears from my hair. Results: fail.
Your hair way too damaged you need to CUT IT!
Being that the protein treatment didn't work and another deep condition was a fail. I started to cut it. Yes I know hair cuts should only be done by a professional but I had no time for a salon and needed a fast solution.
After cutting I needed a quick curling solution using no heat, to make it all blend together. Again, I am not a stylist. I tried to rod curl my hair. I wouldn't say it was a fail but it definitely was not a win. It was .. okay. I think.
Conclusion
So The rod curls worked for a short minute and got me threw my fashion show without getting cursed out. Good job KP! Thank you Facebook family! So what now? I immediately started working when I got back in town, But I plan to speak with my main hair stylist in Brooklyn about some protective styles until it grows back. I will keep you all updated on my frustrating hair journey.
P.S. Yes my agent totally ripped the whole production team about the situation and I will never be working with them again.