Latoya Stokes

Patience is a virtue. I have been on a roller coaster when it comes to my hair health and growth for five years after joining the military. Never have I had this problem in the past. My hair was chemically treated but healthy and I was satisfied with the growth of it while using my old products and routines. However, this all have changed. I lost grip of my hair care and began to panic. My hair grew and broke often and I didn't know what to do. So, I started wearing partial sew-ins and every once and a while paid to get micro braids braided in. Micros were a mistake. I found that I was making quite a few mistakes that affect my hair health and growth and now I am successfully restoring my hair health and length.

I usually do my own hair. Since, I was a workaholic, "get up and go styles" that were stylish was my thing. Nothing less. I wasn't into the "bed head" look, nor the "I don't give a care" look that some women may fall into with havoc and chaotic schedules. Therefore, I wore weaves a lot. Braids mostly. Never did I refer to these as protective styles, but instead, referred to them as styles of convenience. They became addicting. However, as my hair grew and grew and I cut and cut, since I loved my permed bob.

I then joined the Navy. I don't know if it was the stress, the sun, outside pollutant elements or me panicking, my hair was continuously damaged in some way. It was way too witchy. I also found that partial sew-ins, micro-braids and some water treatments were a threat to my hair.

My hair goal is to reach neck length by July. I am hasty, so I need calming. Weaves calm me, for real. I don't panic about breakage or length. I am a genuine, heartfelt Black woman, so I am no way into the weave wearing stereo-types except I think glue and micros are a waste. They do nothing for good hair health.

Skin care is also on my agenda. I have just retired from using Clinique and trying a new line. I will be updating blogs regarding this too.

Hope you get something out of my blogging. This is my first blog aside of poetry so bear with me. Happy hair journeying. Chat with you soon.