Wash Day

I gave my hair some much needed TLC on Saturday. I bunned all last week and my new growth was extra dry despite trying to tame it with moisturizer. I wanted to co-wash, but it was Thursday when I finally had the time to do it. I decided to just wait to and shampoo wash it. My wash day was pretty quick and simple. Here are the steps.

1. Sprayed my hair with water and applied the ORS Olive Oil Hair Masque. I love the smell of this stuff? I applied my plastic cap and winter hat and let it sit in about 2 hours.
2. I shampooed in the shower one time L'oreal EverStrong Hydrating Shampoo and one time with CON Argon Oil Moisture and Shine Shampoo. I'm very excited that the CON shampoo left my hair a moisturized. The L'oreal EverStrong dried it out a bit which I have never noticed before. I also discovered how to make the CON shampoo sud! 
3. I applied NTM Daily Deep Conditioner for about 5 minutes and rinsed with cool water.
4. I detangled under running water and I'm very pleased with the small amount of hair I have been loosing lately. 
5. I t-shirt dried for about 10 minutes. I parted my hair into 6 sections and added Cantu Shea Butter leave in and EVCO individually. I then plaited each section for a braid out. The only part made with a comb was my off center part. The rest was done with my fingers. 
6. I applied foam rollers at the end of each braid, tied my hair down with a satin scarf, and put of my bonnet. I let it air dry overnight.

I have yet to take my braids down. I don't plan on leaving the house today so I probably won't take them out until tomorrow. I'm going to try to make this braidout last until Wednesday. I plan to rebraid each section every night. To see the results follow me on twitter @blutifullyblaq or Instagram @2kizmet. Hope your wash days was as simple as mine. HHG!

My Current Products: Moisturizers and Oils Edition

In my previous post I discussed the shampoos and conditioners that I am currently using. In this post I will be discussing the different moisturizers, oils, and serums I am currently using.

Moisturizers

1. Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Moisturizing Hair Lotion: This moisturizer is kind of thick. It works best on freshly relaxed hair until about 5 weeks post relaxer.
2. Elasta QP Olive Oil and Mango Butter: This is the newest addition to my moisturizers. I'm still trying to figure out how it works on my hair. I have used it on straightened and air-dried hair and it works well on both. I love how it leave my hair super soft and smelling lovely!!
3. Hawaiian Silky 14-N-1(Green & White Bottle): This is a thinner moisturizer and works best on my new growth. I notice it weighs my hair down a bit so I don't use it when wearing straight styles. I use this moisturizer only when I'm further post relaxer (about 6+ weeks).
4. Pure Honey: I mix this in my deep conditioners (mainly the CON argon Oil deep conditioner) and as a pre-poo. It leave my hair very moisturized. I like to use it as a pre-poo when I'm further post because this is when my hair is the driest and it leaves my hair more manageable. Staple!

As you can tell I don't have a staple moisturizer that I use before I seal. I'm not necessarily looking for new ones, but I'm open to try others. I know I would like to try NTM Silk Touch leave in one day. In the mean time these will have to do. 

Oils

1. Peppermint Oil: I recently purchased this oil and so far I have used it in my deep conditioners as well as mixed with Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) to use on my scalp. I love this stuff. If smells wonderful and I love the tingling sensation it has on my scalp.
2. EVOO: I use this oil on my scalp, in my deep conditioners, to shave, as hot oil treatment and to seal when I am further post. It's a thick oil and will weigh my hair down if I use to much. This is why I use this to seal only when I am bunning.
3. Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (EVCO): I use this oil the most so it is probably my favorite oil. I use it to deep condition, on my entire body including face, on my son's and SO's head, as a hot oil treatment, and to seal. I use everyday! I love the shine it gives my hair! Staple!
4. One and Only Argon Oil: This is a light oil and I loved this oil when I first started my hair journey. A little goes a long way and it has a very light scent. I use this oil to seal and on my face. I don't use it in my pre-poo or deep conditioner because it's a bit pricey for the amount you get. I also use it as a heat protector before blow drying. I like to use this oil during the beginning of my relaxer stretch. It gives the hair an amazing shine! Staple!
5. Hemp Oil: I use this oil in my deep conditioners as well as to pre-poo. I don't really like the smell so I only use it in ways in which I wash/rinse it out.

Serums

1. GVP's Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum: This is the generic brand from Sally's BSS. I love this serum. Love, love, love, love, LOVE!! It leaves my hair super smooth after air-drying. I use it throughout my stretch and I always get great results. Staple, of course.
2. Fantasia IC Hair Polisher Heat Protector Straightening Serum: This stuff is amazing. It leaves my hair super smooth and shinny. I use this before flat ironing. Staple!
3. Proclaim Glossing Polish with Aloe and Natural Oil Heat Protector: Hate it! I used it one time and I vowed to never use it again. It does not leave my hair smooth. I will be giving this away.
4. Proclaim Glossing Polish and Frizz Eliminating Shiner: This serum is ok. It give great shine, but weighs my hair down if I use too much. I don't use it often, but I plan on using it to roller-set to see how it will work for my hair.

This list is not nearly as substantial as list of conditioners. If you have any questions about the products I use please leave me a message. Stay tuned for the last edition to this series: Styling tools. As always HHG!

Wash Day

Wash Day was Saturday and it was easy-peasy! Here are the steps to my wash day:

1. Deep conditioned for like 12 hours with ORS Replenishing Conditioner. I'm thinking of mixing this with oils and honey to see if it works better. 
2. Shampooed with CON Argon Oil Shampoo (This is not the official name). Lathered twice and massaged my scalp thoroughly. It had my hair very clean. I guess I wasn't doing that great of a job previously.
3. Conditioner rinse with NTM Daily Deep Conditioner.
4. Detangled in the shower under running water
5. T-shirt dried for about 10 minutes.
6. Cantu Shea Butter Repair Cream Leave-in and sealed with GVP's Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum.
7. I air-dried over night in a bun.
8. Sunday morning I let the bun down so that my ends could dry completely.

Results: My hair came out very soft, smooth, and frizz-free. The GVP serum is definitely the reason for the frizz-free. I plan to bun for a few days and maybe try a braidout. I'm going to be  very busy these next couple of weeks so I know my hair will take a backseat. 

My Current Products (Shampoo and Conditioner Edition)

I have been on my healthy hair journey for 9 months now and I think it is safe to say I have discovered what products work for my hair. I also know when to use certain products during my relaxer stretch. What I am still trying to distinguish is what products to use when doing certain styles. I think my lack of styling has contributed to this issue. To address this issue I have been experimenting with more styles. In this post I will address each product I am currently use. I will discuss how and when I use each product. I hope this post is not too boring. I'm doing this one for those who asked me about the products I use on other social networks as well as for me.

Shampoos

1. L'Oreal EverStrong Hydrate Shampoo: I love this shampoo and it is definitely a staple! It's sulfate free, but it gives a little sud. I can use it anytime during my stretch without my hair feeling stripped of moisture. The only thing I don't like about this shampoo is that I don't always feel as if it is cleaning my scalp thoroughly. I think I will alternate bi-weekly between this and a sulfate shampoo or clarify 2x/month. 
2. Creme of Nature Argon Oil Moisture and Shine Shampoo: This shampoo is also sulfate-free. It does not sud very well so I will not be repurchasing when I'm done with this bottle.
3. Ion Clarifying Shampoo: It does what is suppose to do. I hate that it strips my hair of moisture which is why I make sure I follow with a great moisturizing shampoo. I'm not sure if I will repurchase. I may try Organic Root Stimulator Aloe shampoo if it is cheaper.

Conditioners

1. Neutrogena Triple Moisture Daily Deep Conditioner: My hair loves this as a pre-poo. It even works well as a conditioner rinse after shampooing. This is a staple and I will now be using this only as a conditioner rinse.
2. V05 Moisture Milks Passion Fruit Smoothie: I use this to co-wash. My hair only likes this when I am freshly relaxed. Since I co-wash more when I am further post, I will not be repurchasing this product. 
3. Herbal Hessence Hello Hydration Conditioner: I use this to co-wash. I have only used it once so it's too soon to determine if I will add this to my permanent product list.
4. Queen Helen Cholesterol Hair Conditioning Creme: I hate this product. I don't like the smell and I'm not impressed with how my hair feel after I use it. I rarely ever use this product. Mainly I mix with other deep conditioners. I will not be repurchasing and probably will be giving or throwing this product away.
5. Creme of Nature Argon Oil Intensive Conditioning Treatment: I love this deep conditioner only when it is mixed with oils and honey. It leaves my hair feeling like butter. I probably will be repurchasing if I don't like the Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Hair Masque.  
6. Organic Root Stimulator Replenishing Conditioner: I LOVE LOVE LOVE this conditioner!! It is amazing and is my staple light protein conditioner for biweekly use. 
7. Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Hair Masque: I have only used this product once, but so far I like it. I'm not sure if I will be repurchasing this or the CON Argon Oil conditioner as my staple deep conditioner.
8. Aphogee 2 Minute Reconstructor: I only use this product during my mid-step protein during my relaxer. For those who is not familiar with that phrase I will briefly explain. After I rinse out my relaxer and before I neutralize my hair I do a protein treatment. This leaves my hair feeling strong! This is more of a  moderate protein for my hair. It leaves it a little stronger than the ORS Replenishing Pak, not not as firm as the Aphoghee 2 Step. It is a staple.
9. Aphoghee 2 Step Protein Treatment: I use this product about every 15 weeks. It use it the week before I relax my hair. It leaves my hair very strong, yet kind of dry. After using this product I make sure I follow up with the balancing conditioner provided as well as an additional deep conditioner. My hair still has that protein feel, but I usual only bun during this week anyway. This is a staple.

Leave-In Conditioners

1. Creme of Nature Argon Oil Strength and Shine Leave-in Conditioner: I especially like to use this leave-in when I blow-dry and flat iron my hair because it's a light spray that doesn't leave my hair weighed down. This is a staple and I will be repurchasing. 
2. Cantu Shea Butter Leave-in Conditioning Repair Cream: I have been using the CON leave-in so much I almost forgot I had this product. I like this product. It smells wonderful. I can only use this product on wet hair because my hair dries out when I use it on dry hair. I'm not sure if I will be repurchasing. I need to use it a little more often before I make a final decision.

Wow, I use a lot of conditioners!! I didn't realize it until I wrote out this list!! I don't feel bad because I was on a quest to find out what worked best for my hair. I can say that it has all paid off. Be on the lookout for part two: Moisturizers and oils as well as part three: Styling Products and Tools. Thanks for reading and HHG!

Wash Day

My wash day took place on Tuesday, just in time for my interview (which I got and accepted the job). I sprayed my hair with water and applied my Organic Root Simulator Olive Oil Hair Masque deep conditioner. This was my first time using this conditioner and I was pleased with the results. I left it in my hair for about an hour before rinsing it out in the shower.  It left my hair buttery soft and moisturized. I will be posting a review for this product in the near future. I shampooed with CON Argon Oil Shampoo and did a 1 min conditioner rinse with NTM Daily Deep Conditioner. I then t-shirt dried my hair and added my leave in, which was the CON Argon Oil leave-in spray. I added a small amount of GVP's Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum and blow dried on medium warm heat. Next, I added a nickle sized amount of IC Fantasia Heat Protectant serum. I flat ironed and styled my hair in a traditional wrap. My hair was light and silky. I was in love with the results!

After my interview

After two days of wearing my hair down and straight, I curled it with about 6 bantu knots. Due to the heat my hair reverted back straight by the end of the night. Surprisingly, I didn't have a lot of frizz. It was nice while it lasted. Today I wore a mid-bun. I don't think I will be adding any more heat to my hair for a few months. I'm thinking until the end of the year. I plan to roller-set frequently during the fall. If I want a straight look I will more than likely do a silk wrap. In the meantime I plan to perfect my braidouts and bantu knotouts. 

Texlaxed Update #2 (*Updated)

Styles for the Month of July

It has been a few weeks since I published a blog post which is very unusual for me. I'm currently going through a transitional stage in my life and it is time consuming. I will share more details in the future as things begin to unfold. In the mean time I will blog as often as I can.

I texlaxed my hair 2 weeks ago (August 14) at 15 weeks post with ORS Lye Relaxer. Texlaxing meaning to purposely under process the hair during the relaxer process. It leaves your hair with more texture and overall a more healthy option for relaxing hair. I used the Half and Half method shown by Jeni of Just Grow Already. The only difference is I parted my hair straight down the middle to have a right and left section instead of top and bottom. This method is perfect for self-relaxing and I will be using this method from here on out. It allows you to process your hair the way you desire without having under processed hair due to lack of time during application process.

This was my first time using this relaxer and I was impressed. I left the relaxer on for 13 minutes for each half and it left my hair with the perfect amount of texture. I rinsed the relaxer out and did a mid-step protein treatment with Aphogee 2 Step Reconstructor. I then shampooed 3 times with ORS neutralizing Shampoo. I DCed with ORS Replenishing Conditioner for about 30 minutes. I air-dried to about 80%.

New Growth VS Texlaxed 

I applied CON Argon Oil Strength and Shine Leave in Conditioner and GVP's Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum to my hair. I blow-dried with warm heat on high. I then applied a few drops of IC Fantasia's Heat Protectant and flat ironed my hair with my BabyLiss Pro Flat Irons. I did 1 or 2 heat passes. After flat ironing my hair I used my Tweezerman Stainless 2000 5 1/2 Shears to trim my hair. I used Feye's Method to make a blunt cut. I used the updated method which was to hold my head down slightly when putting my hair in the ponytail holder.

I trimmed about 2 inches off. After I trimmed I realized I could have trimmed about a half an inch less.

Overall, I am very pleased with my results. Since my relaxer I have washed my hair twice and have been playing around with a few styles. I completed my first successful flexi-rod set on dry hair that reverted in 2 hours due to the Alabama humidity and a gorgeous high bun that I didn't really capture well on film. I plan to do another flexi-rod set on dry hair,  a few bantu knotouts, and a few curly updo's before my next relaxer. Follow me on twitter @blutifulblaq and Instagram @blu2kizmet for faster updates!

Freshly flat ironed and trimmed

Next Day Hair

I hope you all enjoyed this update. Check out my progression tab for photos of my entire journey thus far. HHG!

*Corrected date of relaxer