I did it! I cut off all my hair (again)!

Before:

After:

I thought long and hard about cutting my hair. After the dye removing fiasco, I knew it was a matter of time. It's only hair, and thank God for lace wigs (when I want to wear them). I cut it to the new growth. 15 minutes after I cut my hair off today, I had an appointment with my eye doctor. As I walked to his office (his office is that close to my house), I felt liberated, walking through a tony town with short curly hair. I thought my boyfriend would shit bricks when he came home, but he just said "oh, you cut your hair." He wasn't surprised. What led me to this drastic move was last night, when I finally removed the new Rex virgin malaysian, I washed my hair, and as I combed it with the large shower comb, it was coming out like I was picking cotton. I've grown tired of hiding that short side (the left side). I've grown tired of being scared to comb my hair. All of that has led me to start over. I know my hair inside and out, and I betrayed it, with color fickleness. No more. From now on, back to lace wigs and textlaxing every 3-6 months. It wasn't the textlaxing that damaged my hair, it was when I used the dye remover. That was too harsh of a treatment. I should have left well enough alone. This is my punishment/liberation. Back to Megatek, Biotin, homemade oil mixtures, and wearing lace wigs. I filmed me cutting my hair, so I can put it on YouTube.

Speaking of lace wigs, I frankenlaced a wig tonight. I cut the nape off of the Indian Remy Body Wave from Lace Wig Secrets and the front off of my old virgin malaysian loose curly (frankenlace #1) and sewed it to the nape of the IRBW. It looks great. I'll take pics tomorrow, when I put it on. I'm ordering a 14" Virgin Malaysian loose curly on 12/31.... and that will be it.

What a day!

Look at this lovely hair!

My new 18" Rex Virgin Malaysian Natural Straight. First off, I swear this bad boy has about 150% density. It's so thick. There are no polyurethane strips inside the cap (love it!). I used the CreaClip on it on Monday. Just one cut, and I got these results. That thing is amazing. Just brush the hair into your hand, place the clip around the hair, cut with sharp scissors (or hair clippers is what I used), and voila! Layers! It's about due to come off, but I don't have that much Goo Gone spray, so I'll remove it next Wednesday.... wash it and put it on again. My Indian Remy Body Wave has a huge bald spot in the back from me rubbing that incessant itch (I think I'm allergice to Walker No Shine tape on my nape). I have the hair to re-ventilate, but I don't have the time. I'm going to order a virgin malaysian body wave from Rex at the end of the month. I think maybe 16" or 14"... Selma Hayak's hair in "Grownups" is gorgeous! I hope this doesn't turn into an addiction again. I just need 1 straight unit and 1 body wave/loose curly unit, and I'll be fine.

My best app pictures, as promised:

It's just a tan wigcap underneath. My usual tape layer with a layer of Vapon, then a layer of Hair Direct White Adhesive on top. Look at me trying to struggle with those Caruso's.... I love them though. I know, I know... my grids are showing.... I don't care... too much work... no one should be all up in my head like that anyway. As I always said, bleaching knots leads to shedding.

Weekly Update, Monday morning, 1:37am

I must say that my current application is the BEST app I've ever done (must post pics tomorrow/today). I'm wearing the Indian Remy Body Wave from Lace Secrets. I was so triflin' that I left it in the plastic bag soaked in Goo Gone from the last application in early October. I was too lazy to wash it. I finally washed it this past Wednesday, let it air dry overnight, and carefully put her on Thursday. I fretted about what to do with my hair, considering bulky braids from the last app (last week). I settled on wrapping my hair: I combed MegaTek through it then slathered the clear alcohol free EcoStyler gel through my hair and wrapped it. Then I put a wig cap over it, and put the self adhering bandage around my hairline. It's the second flattest app I've ever had - the first being when I shaved my head. It's so natural looking. I got compliments today. I love this wig... which leads me to say, I finally purchased the 18" Virgin Malaysian straight from Rex and it should be here on Thursday (I WON'T CUT THIS WIG!!!). Depending on how this app is doing, I may not remove it until it starts to lift, and it's still on good and tight. Very itchy nape though... I can't figure that out. I thought my nape was allergic to Walker No Shine tape, but it's so good back there, with the Vapon No Tape on top of it. The itching is unnerving. I used my Caruso Ion Steam Curlers on the hair Friday morning, and the curls were beautiful.... still don't have the hang of curling yet, but I'm getting there. I rinsed the water waves back into it today. I will take pictures when I wake up. This app is too beautiful to not show it.

Off the wig wagon!

Okay, after staring at the pitiful pictures below, and to also stop wetting my hair for the winter season, I put on the only viable wig I have left... which I hate... my fault because I cut these ridiculous bangs into it. It's all I have for right now, so I slapped it on my head. I put it on Thanksgiving Eve night, and I've been wrapping it every night. My own hair is so thick underneath, and I have this ridiculous braid bump in the front, which brings me to this blog. For the next time (next week), to keep it flat, I'm going to wrap my own hair flat before I put the ace bandage on. I forgot that I have to buy a new hair dryer because my old one broke... damn. Which brings me to my new point: finally, I'm buying a new wig on Friday. I know I talked about getting a 12" virgin malaysian for awhile, but I'm going to check out the 18" virgin brazillian (2 Ls or 1?) I want it fairly straight, and 18" is a good length for a pigtail option. I'm still on the fence with believing the origins of the hair. I'm craving the least amount of fuss at this point in my life. I'll keep you posted.... I may even take pictures of this app before it starts to clown and get ugly.

Hello Fall!

Where do I start? I changed jobs! Hopefully, my new job will be a much better fit than the last job. It will free up a lot of time in the morning for me to do "my" stuff (writing, knitting, making music, and my new passion: jewelry making). From what I've learned over the last 3 years, I will not become this job. This job is just a means to fund my life. I will not take the job home with me. I do wish to get better hours though.

On the hair front, my hair is still coming out, even after the Aphogee 2 Step Treatment. To protect what I still have, I decided to go back to basics, and put on a lace wig (see above photos). Hopefully, I can grow out the weakend hair (my fault - I've pinpointed it to the color remover fiasco from a couple of months ago). Since I haven't gotten around to getting my new 12" virgin malaysian straight (from Rex, of course), I decided to cut my old 18" RVMS and cut some bangs into it. I'm happy with the results. I didn't paint the inside of the cap. I just put the self adhesive bandage around my head. I don't even have a wigcap on. I was being lazy about it, but very happy with how it turned out. My skills are still there. I thought I would have to add some lace to the back and ventilate some hair back there, but it fits my hairline perfectly. I will probably need to redo it the Sunday night before the first day of work.

Okay, even though it's knitting season (yeah!), I'm getting into jewelry making. It started with the sale of two of my Rearden bracelets. I still have enough blue metal to make several bracelets, but being proactive, I started to look for more blue metal. From there, I found jumprings, which led to learning how to make chainmaille (think Dark Ages, Middle Ages, King Arthur), which led to wire wrapping. I have an (empty) Esty store and I will sell bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and anything else I can think to make. My Esty store will also carry my handknit goods, and eventually my music (mp3s), my photography, my lacefront DVDs, and my books. I love knowing that I have an outlet for all this creativity.

Hair Growth Update!

I've fallen off with updating the blog with hair growth pictures. I only thought to do it tonight because I was wanting to do something to my hair all weekend, but stopping myself for my own good. I was tossing back and forth if I should textlax, but it's only been a little over a month since the last time.

I wanted to add some blonde to the tips of my hair, but I thought against it. I ended up Mega-Tekking tonight, during the commercials of the season premiere of Mad Men. It took me an hour and a half to do my whole head, parting and putting the Mega-Tek in the parts (see the middle picture). I'll be putting on my IRBW for the Rush concert the weekend before August 9th. It's been awhile since I had on a wig. It's so funny but I never thought I'd say I have more hair than I know what to do with. My hair has never been this long, maybe by choice, but the last two years have been a HUGE experience with learning how to let my hair grow. I don't even Mega-Tek as often as I used to. I'm still taking Biotin (5000 mcg). I was taking 10,000 mcgs, but I was breaking out all over my body, so I scaled back. I can't believe it's been more than a year since I've put heat on my hair. I don't miss it one bit.

I Can't Seem to Catch My Breath!

So thankful to finally have a job... my mild Aspergers makes it hard to adapt to the shock to my system (too many people, too much talking, not enough training, too much phone). I'm just trying to take it one day at a time. I'm actually losing weight too! I'm fitting my old work clothes really well, at least the pants, but my upper torso is too much for my pretty button front shirts that I've never been able to wear (sounds like a trip to Dr. Yoho, the liposuctionist, next year). I think I'm losing weight because we've really stepped up the walking and we got a treadmill. I never was an overeater, so eating too much was never my problem. My problem was not eating enough, for fear of overeating - vicious cycle. Anyway, things are going good in this area.

We had a nice Saturday in San Francisco. We spent the early afternoon at Ocean Beach (on the ocean side of the Golden Gate Bridge). After the beach, we went to Sausalito, just to see the sunshine. It's so beautiful. Then we came back across the bridge and drove down crazy ass Lombard street (that's shaped like a Z). After that, we got a wild hair and decided to find LucasArts (LucasFilms and ILM). Lo and behold, we found it:




We ended the day by eating 3lbs of my favorite butter/garlic soaked crab at The Crab House on Pier 39. We were pre-celebrating our 2nd anniversary and it was so fun. I love Andrew!

My hair... MY HAIR! I need to put on a wig because I'm getting that "do something to my hair" jones. Since I'm working now, I can freely buy a wig if I want to. I've already "prepped" my co-workers, and it's no biggie to them how I wear my hair. It's been so hot here for too many days, so I didn't want to be bothered with glue, tape, clowning, and itching. I've been proudly wearing my wash and go's daily. Nothing is more convenient than wetting my hair, and dousing it with whatever conditioner is on deck. No curling. Sometimes I'll get fancy and wear a headband! I'm too tempted to textlax again, but it's too soon. I'm seriously going to wait until August or longer (since I'm wearing my IRBW to the Rush concert). I'm really jonesing for a 12-14" virgin malaysian cut into layers with long bangs. Maybe a 14-16". Maybe both. I don't think my new vendor is selling anymore (wtf?) so I'll go back to Rex. I think I may do customs for these new wigs.

I almost forgot to report: my BHM friend, Tootsie, introduced us to a method her mom uses. She sews a strip of elastic between the nape and the ear and attaches it to the other side. Then she sews wig clips at the temples. This enables the wig to stay on WITHOUT GLUE OR TAPE.... let me repeat this.... WITHOUT GLUE OR TAPE! I purchased some elastic yesterday (3/4" width) and I dyed it with the ever universal cocoa brown Rit Dye. I'm going to make a video of me sewing it onto the lace. I may do this next weekend, when I'm off from work. I hope this works. If it does, it will an unprecedented step forward in the world of Lace Wigs. Although the BHM has more than enough unnecessary drama, I love it for the innovations the women come up with. I'll keep you posted, in my YouTube sort of way.

My latest obsession: Batman TV episodes, circa 1966-1968 on YouTube. I've got to get my spending under control, so I can get my credit back in order, so I can buy me an old Jeep Wrangler. I did splurge and buy those Madonna motorcycle boots, but ever since the company charged my CC, I haven't heard from them. I'm getting suspcious. I'll give them another week before I put the smack down. After than, no more extraneous spending... other than the Halle Berry Air Rift Nikes, that are so freakin' hard to find. Hey, I ain't working for nothing! My personal recession is over!

Textlax Day!

I textlaxed today. I was trying to hold off until maybe August, but I've gotten several requests to do a textlax video. I did the video today, and I'm in the process of editing it. I think reaching my goal of shoulder length by December is more reality than dream. I was scared that I left the cream on too long, and that I would run out, but I didn't in either case. I did run out, but I had enough to finish. I like my new method, of parting from ear to ear, still working with the front section first, then I made two parts to create three sections (middle, right and left). I do vertical partings, then I do horizontal partings, still combing the roots just a bit. The ends are safe and curly, so I'm going for hangtime now. I'm very happy with the results:

^^before the textlax


^^after the textlax, wet with Noodlehead Leave-In Conditioner scrunched throughout


^^air dried

Hopefully, I won't text again until September. I won't even buy anymore until then, just to be on the safe side. I'm still using Silk Elements MegaSilk Mild formula. I think I'll MegaTek tomorrow. I'm so close to having my beach hair, I can feel it (the wind blowing through my hair). I just realized that I totally missed May's growth update picture, so I have to blow it out sometime this week and take a June pic.

On the lace front (ha), my last application, that I removed yesterday, was an all adhesive app, with tape just behind the ears. It felt lighter, if that makes sense, and the removal was quicker, but I'm going back to tape. The front began to peel back, and if I'm not mistaken, with it being so hot here lately, I was in a job interview and when I got out (two hours later) I looked in the mirror, and I could see the adhesive in the very front. Instant mortification. I'm sure that when I use tape and adhesive, the lace does not slide back. Lesson learned.


The babies are so out of control, but sometimes they're really sweet. Cygnus has an independent personality, and Lyra has an almost needy personality. Most times, I can't tell them apart by looking at them. Lyra loves to snuggle up on my chest while I'm working at my laptop. They love to steal drinking straws. Overall, they're sweet babies.

Back to the Regular Grind

We're back. We came home a day early because we were worried about the kittens (still very out of control). This was a good trip. We actually rode the horses I took pictures of (last year). A whole hour on a horse is an extremely long time. Now I know what saddle sore means. I wanted to take the camcorder, but I put safety first. I kept pretending I was Charlotte in the episode when she conquered her fear of horses (because Tatty threw her). My horse was a 15 year old filly named Camillia. It's a lot different than I imagined.

I did film our Yosemite hike (see above). Getting that close to the waterfall was... unbelieveable. I had a run-in with a dead bat back at the cabin (almost traumatizing).

The indian remy body wave behaved. My nape began to itch, so I'm going to forego using tape on my nape for my next app. I had a couple of lift issues on the sides of my nape, but my trusted Hair Direct White Adhesive took care of it. I removed the app and cleaned the unit today. I'm debating if I'm going to put it back on tomorrow.

Memorial Day

I'm wearing the Indian Remy Body Wave, and it's got to be the best wig I've ever had. The reverse ventilation makes the hairline look so realistic:

The hair is a bit darker than a #2, but it's lovely. I have to take care of this wig. No cutting off the nape, no cutting of the hair, No coloring it... maybe a couple of sprays of the Sun In.

I got this wig from Lace Beauty Secrets From A 2 Z.

Memorial Day Weekend 2010

We went to see Sex and the City 2 tonight. I'm still processing it. I thought the Abu Dhabi portion was too long. Aidan looked gorgeous, Big looked thinner, not enough screen time for Steve, great scenes for Charlotte and Miranda, hot guy for Samantha, Smith looked gorgeous, Liza Minnelli looked just like her mother Judy, not enough of Penelope Cruz (she and Big should have had an almost affair), I totally missed Mariah Carey (just as well too), and Carrie was Carrie. I'll get it on DVD just because it's SATC, but the first movie was better... there, I said it. I wish I could walk in heels like they do.

I got a new LF wig delivered today, from Lace Beauty Secrets From A2Z. It is gorgeous. It's an 18" #2 Indian Remy Body Wave. I've never had a body wave before. The cap is perfection (meaning no PU). Charlotte (the owner) is great. They are based in Washington (state). She also included 99% alcohol, a 2" self adhesive wrap, a tan wig cap, orange wood sticks, a 1oz tube of Vapon, a pkg of Supertape, a small bottle of Nearly Natural Softening Spray, HPH Knot & Tape Tab Sealer Spray, and a tube of Fray Block. She hooked me up! Here's hoping to adding her as my new vendor. In turn, I'm going to make her a couple of application videos tomorrow. I'm so excited, because I will be able to attach my nape. I concede - the wigs look so much better with the napes. I'll just have to deal with the pulling of the nape hairs. I haven't had a new wig since the curly malaysian debacle. I've got the hybrid on the canvas wig head right now ready to be ventilated. I sewed the lace onto it, but that lace (from ebay) looks just like the lace I bought from Beverly's Fabrics and Crafts. My angel mama Dede (Nrrrlkl from YT) is sending me some good (authentic) lace.

I'm definitely wearing this wig to the Rush concert (Aug 9th).

Thursday's Adventures

I can't help it. When they're not fighting, they're always posing.

I braided my hair up for my next application, but also to make a head template for my first attempt at making a wig from scratch. I think this is my best braid job thus far:





The object is to keep my hair braided for as much as I can. I'm on such a great growth surge. I'm back on the Biotin, but I don't know if it's doing anything.

I Feel Like I've Made It!!!

I feel like I've made it! I'm on Amazon.com, well the book is on Amazon.com:

Magic Hair: My Experiences with Lace Wigs

As much as I shop on Amazon.com, and to see a product of mine on there... it's mind blowing.

We're in the process of moving... I just wanted to let you all know this.

Now What???

The book is done. Two copies have sold (yea me)! Now what? It's time for the music. I promised Andrew that I wouldn't pick up another project (other than trying to find a job). Once the royalty checks start coming in from book sales, I'll buy ventilating tools. I'm going to start off ventilating the three wigs I have. Then I'll move into making the wigs.

I'm so excited, because it was announced that my favorite musical group is coming to Mountain View on August 9th - RUSH!!! I saw them last in 2008 (2007 before that, same tour). I still love them, and I still listen to Snakes & Arrows like it was released yesterday. They're touring behind 1981's Moving Pictures (Tom Sawyer anyone?). I think that's the new trend, to play an album in its entirety. Moving Pictures only has 7 songs on it, so we're all wondering what other songs they'll play. This concert will also be poignant for me and Andrew, because when we met, our first conversation was about RUSH. We have RUSH tattoos - we're crazy about them. I can't wait!
9-7-2007
4-24-2009

It's Available for Purchase!!!

Click on any pink book on the page, and it will take you to the e-store. I'm so excited! If my book helps one person, then my job is done. If I don't remove it, I've used "Entrance of the Gladiator" as the music for the book video (composed in 1897 by the Czech composer Julius Fučík). I think it's appropriate, but I may change it because it might get on some people's nerves.

Next up, moving! I can't wait.

Today Should Be the Day!

I'm waiting on the mailman to deliver the last proof. It should be perfect. I've put up all the links, but the cart isn't ready, because they're still waiting on me to approve the proof. I want to so badly, but I don't want to, and then I see a glaring typo in the book. How embarrassing. I'll update in a couple of hours.

I'm about to do another app. I washed my hair last night and took pictures, but these aren't official April pics. I'm going to wait until April 19th - the official 1year anniversary of the Big Chop. I'm also textlaxing on that day. I'm in love with my hair!

The 1st Proof!!!

I'm a published writer! I can't even describe the feeling. I think once I see the Amazon.com page with my book and the "add to cart" button, then I'll cry. There's nothing like holding this book in my hands though. I've got two more proofs to see, and I actually jumped the gun on this one. I should have waited for this one before I reuploaded the book file for the second proof, because I could have added onto that one the minor changes I made. I think the font size is too big on the back. I'm still working on the final proof, but I won't reupload the file until the second proof is in my hands. It's all happening! I think I may be two weeks away from the book being on sale. Stay tuned!

I'm More Than Excited!

The proof is on its way to me! I should have it within 2 weeks (maybe sooner). I have the link to the book already: Magic Hair. I'm so excited. I'm going to link this sucka any and everywhere I can. I'm obsessed with my page; I can't stop looking at it. Stay tuned!

Things Are Moving Right Along!

The book was approved by the publisher (CreateSpace - still a publisher to me). The dpi was too low on all of the pictures, so I skipped receiving a proof, re-scaled all of the pictures in GIMP, put back the ones I took out, added a few things here and there, and re-uploaded the PDF. The members of CreateSpace's forum are so helpful. I almost wanted to include in my acknowledgements two of the people that really helped me with my photos. Hopefully, I'll get an email tomorrow telling me the proof is ready. I'm so excited. I have a feeling that I'm going to experience a little hateration from the BHM, but I don't care. This is my experience. I had to give a visual shout out to my favorite show - Sex & The City; the cover of my book is SATC pink! I'm so excited. I hope people buy it. If the ventilating DVD is $50, I think $14.99 is reasonable for lace wig knowledge. I'm broke and I'd buy it, lol. It should be available at Amazon.com, and other outlets. Stay tuned.

In lace wig news, I've officially killed my new Rex virgin Malaysian curly. I don't even want to talk about it. I should have just ordered a virgin Malaysian loose curly. Other than my own hair, I'm never ordering tight curlies again. Instead of throwing the hair away, I'm going to use it to ventilate the front of my wig.