Wash Day/Last Length Check of the Year

Disclaimer: This was on last Sunday's Wash day (10/14/12). I was so busy that I didn't have time to finish the post and publish it.

Sunday night/Monday morning were my wash days. I spent all day Thursday through Sunday moving in to/setting up my new home and the time blew past before I knew it. It was about 10pm (if not later) Sunday night when I applied my deep conditioner. Here are the steps to my wash day.

• Deep Conditioned on dry hair with ORS Replenishing Conditioner mixed with 1 tsp of EVCO, EVOO, and Hemp Seed Oil each. I also added about 4 drops of Peppermint oil. I applied the conditioner as if I were applying a relaxer. I know my hair needed the TLC.
• Shampooed 1x with L'Oreal EverStrong Sulfate Free Shampoo.
• Conditioner Rinse with NTM Daily Deep Conditioner.
• I added GVP's Paul Mitchell's Super Skinny Serum and blow-dried on medium high heat.
• I put my hair in a loose bun, wrapped it up and went to bed.

I got up early Sunday morning to flat iron my hair. Here are the steps.

• Added IC Fantasia's Heat Protector 
• Flat ironed in small sections with my Babyliss Pro Nano Titanium Flat Iron on a setting of 25 out of 40? 

I wore my hair out the first day. The next day I wanted curls so I added a little foam wrapping lotion and set my hair on about 6 flexi rods. That was my simple yet late wash day! This week I plan to purchase my hooded dryer from LCL Beauty. I'm soooooo excited that I can finally get my dryer for better DC sessions and to perfect rollersets. 

I almost for got to announce that I am grazing APL! If you follow me on twitter on IG this is old news to you. I'm almost certain I will be APL by Dec. My goal is to be full APL by Feb and I'm well on my way!

10/15/2012

Emergency Co-wash

Source: Google

This blog post was written 9/27/12. I just didn't have the time to post it. I've been busy setting things up to relocate so this has been a super busy time. I probably will not be posting much until I get settled in. If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter you may see some updates. I appreciate all of your support and patience as I make this transition in my life.

My hair has been feeling extremely dry these past two days. I tried moisturizing my hair with Hawaiian Silky 14-n-1 and Elasta QP Olive Oil and Mango Butter moisturizer to no avail. Yesterday I went to a farewell dinner for my Hunny's co-work as well as being my my Hunny's birthday. My hair needed some serious TLC so I decided to co-wash my hair. Before I co-washed,  I pre-pooed with EVCO and Hemp Seed Oil as "suggested" by ECP's latest post. I will say that this combination was amazing. It left my hair feeling very soft and moisturized! I miss pre-pooing with oil. I now DC on dry hair to prevent having to jump in the shower twice. It just seems to cut out a lot of time on my wash day. I co-washed with HH Hello Hydration Conditioner. I love the smell of this. It doesn't give me as much slip as the V05 did so I will not be purchasing the regular size.

 I applied CON's Moisture and Shine Leave in and GVP's Paul Mitchell's Super Skinny Serum before blow drying on cool. This takes sooooo much time! I just didn't have the time to air dry. After blow drying I added Fantasia IC heat protector to my roots only and flat ironed ONLY my roots on low heat. This made my new growth much more manageable. I styled my hair with an EZ Comb pic (due to lack of time I didn't take a picture).

After blow drying my hair yesterday I realized how thick it has become due to stretching my relaxers and texlaxing. I'm loving it! The only thing I have to get use to is trying to get my hair into a ponytail after air drying or blow drying. I will try to remember to take a picture of my hair after I blow dry next time. In the mean time enjoy the picture of my hair taken a month ago.

Check out the thickness of my hair. I should have texlaxed long ago!

                              

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.