It’s been about six or seven months since I last thought to straighten my hair with any sort of heat implement, but a couple of weeks ago I had a hankering to see how the tresses had been progressing in the length department.  I knew I’d gained some inches because I’ve been able to style my hair in two genuine Afro puffs, and when I extend my coils I’m impressed by just how long they are, but I wanted to see how a full press would turn out.

Well lo’ and behold, I took the straightening comb to the kinks and was pleasantly surprised by the results:

Of course, you can see the slight humidity had a semi-field day with my coils after awhile, but as you can see, there is lengthy along with that body, and a glorious healthy shine.  I didn’t use my normal thermal protection product because I’d left it in Detroit, so I had to dial down the temps on the comb as to not totally fry my hair, but I am pleased with the results.

I finished the press off with a coating of Healthy Hair Butter and styled it simply in two ponytails.  I didn’t measure it but am guessing I’m not at ~ 8 to 10 inches, which is a gain of about two since the last time I measured.

I’ve gotten more than one comment about pressing my hair from the aspect of “purists” who believe any type of texture alteration brings one from up under the “natural” umbrella, but you know what… Natural is as natural does.  I love the versatility of my hair, that I can go from puff to pressed to Fro to twist whenever I feel urge.  The way I feel, as long as I am not chemically straightening my hair I feel I am still on the journey.  I know enough about my grade of hair to know that all I need to do to take my hair back to its roots is add moisture and *BOING* I’ve got my curls, kinks and coils back.  So it’s all good.

So, here is what six to seven months of keeping my hands and heat out of my hair has brought me to!  WOOOOOO!  I don’t plan on straightening my hair often, as I still believe heat in abundance — no matter how far you go to protect it from damage — it’s a death warrant waiting to be served.  But since I like the results, I will return to the style ever so often, and enlist the aid of a satin wrap (which I also left in Detroit) to help maintain the style for as long as possible.

Healthy Hair Wishes,