Quick Update/ Hair Babble

I just wanted to give you all a brief update on what I have been doing to my hair. I use this blog to give out information to those seeking as well as a journal for myself. So here it goes.

• Co-Washing has been myFF! It makes my hair feel very soft and moisturized.
• NTM Daily Conditioner works wonders on my hair when I DC on dry hair. I may be purchasing this product again.
• I think I HE LTR is a keeper. I love how soft my hair is when I use it further into my stretches. If the new formula is anything like the old one, it may be a keeper.
• The last two bullets have proves that you need to try out a product for a few months before you can truly give a review. I thought HE LTR and NTM were not for me, but I guess I just had to find out how they work for me.
• I'm terrible when it comes to oiling my scalp. I think the reason is because I ran into trouble with transferring EVCO in my applicator bottle and the EVOO was causing my scalp to itch. I then remember that I had some Hemp Seed Oil I had yet to open. I used that to oil my scalp and I'm not sure I will use it for that purpose again. It smells like egg yolk.
• I have done 2 flexi rod sets on dry hair so far. The first set I used only two flexi rods and on the second set I used 6. I like the results of the one where I used six. I used HE LTR and this products works great for Flexi-Rod sets.
• I purchased Proclaim Polishing Gloss and so far I'm not sold. IC Fantasia definitely works better. I use the proclaim for flexi sets and buns. I will continue to use in order determine if this is a keeper.  
• I used the ORS HAIRepair Intense Moisture Creme on my scalp and I love the way it felt. I only had two small sample packs. I'm thinking of purchasing this product in the future.
• My edges have improved since the beginning of my HHJ. I may purchase some Castor Oil to help speed up the process some time in my.
• My stretch is finally coming to an end! I will be relaxing some time next week before my graduation. I will have a post soon on how I plan to prepare for my relaxer.

Until next time you all stay blessed!

50 Book Summer Reading Challenge (Non Hair Related)

As I've stated in a previous post I absolutely love to read. This was my favorite past time ever since I was a child. My reading for enjoyment as declined tremendously since entering nursing school. During the summer months I try to pick back up on my reading, but lately has become a little difficult due to being a new mother. Now that my son is a little more independent and school will be completed in 14 days, I will have a little more time to read. With this being said I've decided to create a summer reading challenge for myself. At first I wanted to read 100 book by August, but thought I might be stretching myself just a bit.

This challenge will be from today 4/19/12 through 9/22/12. I chose September 22, because it is the first day of fall. Anyone is free to join in on the challenge. You can set your own number of books to be completed by the date and read any type of books you would like. I will be updating my blog on my progress at least once a month. I will also be starting a challenge for my son. I plan to have 100 books read to him by 9/22/12. The books can be read by anyone. Last summer I took him to the reading sessions for infants at my local library. I plan to continue that this summer as well as incorporate the ones at Barnes and Noble now that is a little older and more interactive.

My first book for the challenge is The Help by Kathryn Stockett.

March Recap and April Goals

Lets see how I did with my March goals

1.At least least 3 Flexi-Rod Sets- Pass! I did one full set and two flexi-ponytail sets. I wish I had taken pics of those sets. 
2. Wash Day Weekly (Sunday is wash Day)-Pass! I co-washed some weeks and didn't use shampoo, but a wash is a wash.
3. Stick to Regimen-Pass! I'm starting to see great results too! Can't wait to see my progress when I relax next month.
4. M&S every night- Fail!! I'm so terrible with this.  I have to do better this month, especially since my new growth is extremely thick. I can't afford breakage at my line of demarcation. 
4. Oil Scalp at least 3 times per week- Fail! Laziness!
5. No direct heat- Fail. I only say this because I flat-ironed my roots when I did my flexi-set. This is permitted in the roller-set challenge though. I should have been more specific with this goal.

 April Goals

1. M&S nightly
2. Oil scalp at least 3x/wk
3. wrap hair with a satin scarf nightly
4. Co-wash at least 1x/wk- This is very important since I'm further along in my relaxer stretch.
5. DC 1x/wk- I'll probably do this with my co-wash on dry hair because my responds well to DCing on dry hair. Doing it this way also eliminates a step when washing. 
6. Wash at least bi-weekly- I will attempt to wash weekly, but with 25 days left before graduation I have an exit exam, paper, last exams, and finals. I don't want to commit to more than I can handle.
7. Low manipulative styles 95% of the time. I will probably bun so that I won't have to manipulate my new growth.
8. No direct heat- I only plan on one set this month for the roller-setting challenge and then it's back to bunning.

Happy Resurrection Sunday

Best Wash of My Life!

Yes my wash last night was that great! I was in need of a serious wash last night. After putting it off for a few days I finally decided that it was now or never. Well not really, but I'm sure you get my drift. I pre-pooed with EVOO. I'm trying to use the last in my applicator bottle so I can use the bottle for EVCO. It very oily but the results were amazing. After rinsing my hair it felt so soft! I clarified with my usual Ion shampoo. It left my hair dry as expected so I did a final wash with CON with Argon Oil Shampoo. I think this shampoo may be a winner. It literally made my hair soft and detangled it without a comb. Can you say amazing!!???

After washing I DCed with ORS Replenishing Conditioner for maybe 7 minutes. It made my hair even more soft. Who knew that mad possible? I did a final rinse with cold water as always and my hair was left smooth, soft, and feeling like amazing! I applied CON Argon Oil leave-in and GVP's version of Paul Mitchell's Skinny Serum. It left my hair smooth. I then did a low wet bun, tied my hair with a silk scarf and bonnet, and went to sleep. I'm very pleased with this wash. I don't know what I did differently, but I must keep this up!

Co-wash

I don't co-wash a lot. It's not for any particular reason. I just find that washing my hair several times a week to be a bit much right now. My hair was feeling a tad bit on the dry side so I decided to co-wash.

For those who don't know what co-washing is, it's just washing. Your hair and scalp with conditioner. It's usually done with a cheap conditioner. I use whatever I have on hand at the time. This wash I used V05 Moisture Milk. I believe the scent was tropical smoothie. Before I co-washed I DCed with NTM Daily Conditioner. My hair likes his much better than DCing after washing. I still will not be repurchasing this item, but I now know how to to finish the product. After co-washing I applied my Cantu Shea Leave-in, put my hair in a pony tail, and went out the door.

My hair loved the co-wash. My hair was much more moisturized than when I shampoo even though I use a sulfate-free shampoo. I think I will co-wash more. Maybe once a week. I'm still enjoying the way my hair feels!! I just may change up my regimen.

Black Tie Gala Hair and OOTN (Pic Heavy)

Last Saturday I attended a black tie affair for my formal band director at Tuskegee University. He was celebrating 40 years with the university and a gala was held in his honor. It was absolutely beautiful! Well I told you how my hair didn't come out the way I wanted and I wasn't too pleased. I totally forgot my blog automatically posts to my FB page and some people who went to the gala commented and told my they thought my hair looked nice. I even received positive feedback from my in-laws. They were very impressed when they found out I did my own hair.

After looking back at pictures I realized my hair was not as bad as I thought it was after all. My thoughts may also have been swayed by the various comments I received. But at any rate I am much more receptive to trying another wet flexi-rod set. Before I share pictures let me share what I learned from this experience:

1. Keep a positive attitude- This definitely affects my level of motivation. 
2. When using end papers I still need to roll my hair over the ends- I didn't get this concept at first and I ended up with some frizzy ends.
3. When rolling the front of my hair I need to put my hair under the roller.
4. If the curl does not come out right I can always re-roll on dry hair using a moisturizer.
5. Do not be heavy handed on the foam lotion or it will result in hard hair.

I know you came here mainly to see the pics so here they are. Enjoy!

My son with his tux on looking so handsome!

Outfit

Dress, Flower Belt, Shoes & Earrings- White House Black Market