Looking Good!

I had a very good co-wash this week!  So since last week, I've started using the Tresemme first and the Herbal Essences (or what's left of it) second.  This past Tuesday (I traveled on Sunday night, so it threw my schedule off), I started with a quick shampoo because we're I'm staying at this week has Bath and Body Works products - which smelled great - so I used the shampoo.  I did everything quickly, but I did allow the Herbal Essences to stay on a tad bit longer - I was watching The Office on TV. 

I did a towel dry for about 10 minutes and then added the usual travel leave-in conditioners.  I finally went back to the scarf method and let my hair air dry.  When my hair was dry, it looked great, felt great and soft, and I liked the look that the scarf caused.  I felt semi-natural and I loved it!  But I did moisturize and seal, which caused some of the fluffiness to unfluff, and then I had to tie my hair down so I could sleep, so when I woke up in the morning, the only option I had was to wear a ponytail.  However, my hair doesn't feel extremely dry (at the moment it's somewhat dry).  I'm thinking of maybe somewhat wetting my hair in the morning so I get that sexy natrual look, but that would require me to wake up early... Maybe one day. 

My Magic Potion

This past weekend, I did a Saturday shampoo instead of Friday.  My hair has been EXTREMELY dry lately (moisturizing and sealing has not been working so well), so I wanted to make sure I moisturized and deep conditioned a lot more than I normally do.  The dryness is that serious. 

So I started out by wetting my hair and using ORS Hair Mayo with a splash of olive oil and the heat cap for about 15-20 mins.   I rinsed it out and then I shampooed with my sample size bottle of Cream of Nature Moisturizing shampoo that I got when I bought the leave-in conditioner.  I shampooed quickly and then I decided to shake things up for my deep condition.  I've been watching some ladies on youtube recently on how they deep condition.  They mix their conditioners with oils and vitamins and veggies and stuff... So I said hmmmm, what can I mix together for my extra dry hair?  I knew I wanted protein, so I cracked open 2 eggs and mixed them in the bowl.  I wasn't sure if 2 would be enough, so I figured I'd rather have more than less... I also put in a dab of regular Olive Oil since I didn't have any EVOO.  Next, I ran and grabbed my conditioner and poured some in.  It didn't look as thick as what I'd seen on the internet, but I didn't want to use all my good conditioner, so I mixed in another conditioner that I had.  It was the rest of my dark and lovely conditioner for extremely dry hair.  After mixing that in, it still wasn't as thick as what I had seen in the videos.  I assumed it was because I had too much egg.  So I had to kind of pour the conditioner onto my hair - which was a huge mess.  I was still able to section my hair and add it all in, but it took forever and the conditioner kept dripping all over me and the bathroom.  Not fun :(

After that, I put a cap on my head and used the heat cap for about an hour.  I got in the shower and rinsed out, but my hair did not feel soft at all.  In fact it felt quite dry.  And a little dirty... Just by chance, I ended up air drying while spending time with the hubby, in which he commented on the flaky build up in my hair... As I was moisturizing and sealing, I noticed chunks of crusty build up in my hair... More uncoolness...

So I do a quick blow dry with the brush, which I'm still having trouble getting used to, and just pulled it back into a bun.  I did notice less breakage in the blow dry, which was great, but overall, I give Saturday two thumbs down. :(

Trying to Get into the Routine

I always read everyone else's regimen and wonder, how on earth do they have time to do all that they do to their hair? If I didn't work from home on Fridays, there would be no way in the world that I could find the time to do so much for my shampoo days.

FYI - I'm 2 weeks post relaxer. I began last night by applying a generous amount of olive oil to my hair and scalp and I covered it with a plastic cap. When I got up this morning I applied my Hair Mayo and put the cap back on. I only intended to leave it in for 15 mins, but I had a few meetings this morning and I didn't get to rinse it out until an hour and a half later, LOL. I rinsed and then shampooed with my Aphogee Olive Oil shampoos. I only lathered once for both. When I finished, I applied the DPR-11 deep conditioner and used my heat cap for about 45 minutes. I applied the conditioner by sectioning my hair and making sure I applied it root to tip for each section. I then rinsed, applied my Aphogee leave-in conditioners plus the Cream of Nature creme conditioner and combed my hair down. I'm now letting it air dry for a while, before I attempt to use my new Tourmaline Ionic Ceramic blow dryer. I'm just damp at this point, so I think I'm ready to dry.

Ok - I most definitely notice a difference with the new blow dryer. My hair is dry, but it doesn't feel DRY. It just feels like my lovely hair. It looks great, it feels great, and I don't have that same puffy look that I always have. It just looks 'regular'. No it doesn't feel silky smooth like it did at the Brazilian's, but I haven't flat ironed yet either. Nevertheless, it is still very nice to the touch. My ends still feel healthy. It was somewhat difficult to get used to. I kept blow drying my neck and my face for some reason... It wasn't hard though. The steps I followed are:

1. I sectioned my hair in 4 parts.
2. I started in the back and sprayed heat protectant on that section only.
3. I brushed my hair from the top and then when it was dry, I blow dried it from underneath. Blow drying underneath was the most difficult part.
4. When that section was dry, I sprayed heat protectant on the next section and did step 3 again.

It didn't take long at all for it to get dry. Maybe 2 minutes per section at the most. I would just brush it a few times and it was dry. Also, I put the dryer on a Medium Heat but used it on High. I can report that I had a LOT LESS shedding than what I'm used to.

On to the flat iron!

Flat ironing went lovely. Whoever said heat doesn't add shine is a LIE! LOL. I haven't added anything to my hair and it's perfectly shiny and silky and bouncy. When it was done last week, it was very straight and flat. It didn't even look like I had a roller set. Now it's so full of life and super healthy looking.

It took me all day to complete, but I can say that I am very happy with my results!

I've Bought more Products... Ugh!

OK, so I've been talking into purchasing more hair products. However, this time it wasn't something to put on my hair, but to use for my hair. I purchased a:

• Gold N' Hot Professional Conditioning Heat Cap - $29.99
  
• Revlon Tourmaline Ionic Technology/Ceramic Technology Hair Dryer - $24.99
  
• Conair - Ceramic/Tourmaline/Ionic Hair Brush - $12.99

I just finished using Heat Cap and I have to say I like it. I didn't burn up like I do with a hooded blow dryer. My hair was heated like it was supposed to. It was a very nice experience. It's intended purpose is just for using treatments on your hair. Not drying. So it doesn't dry your hair out. It just allows the treatments to work. It's small and lightweight, plus it doesn't make any noise! So this will be perfect for traveling.

I picked the Revlon dryer for the obvious choice - more bang for my buck - plus the travel benefits. It has all the technology as the more expensive dryers, it came with two attachments: Volumizing finger diffuser, and a airflow concentrator, plus it has a retractable cord and the handle folds down. It has 3 heat and 2 speed settings, plus a cold shot button.

I wasn't sure what size brush to buy, so I picked the medium one. I remember when the Brazilians did my hair, she used a small brush, but she almost did it straight. I want body and a bit of curl, so I picked the mid-size one.

I'm going to air dry for about 30 mins or so and then give my new blow dryer and brush a try.

I had the BEST Hair Last Week!

As we all know, I relaxed on Friday, November 20th because I wouldn't stand to look at myself anymore... LOL. So I went on Holiday vacation during the next week, so I didn't plan on washing my hair until I got back home. After relaxing, I didn't put any heat in my hair (outside of the blow drying and flat ironing that day) and continued to wrap and oil my hair. I have fabulous hair during that time. It was shiny, silky, and didn't shed, wasn't itchy, and felt oh so right. That Wednesday, I joined the family and we went to a Dominican/Brazilian/somebody's hair shop. She did a quick shampoo and conditioner and had me in a roller set before I knew it. After I baked under the dryer for WAY too long, she used more instruments of heat in my hair. She used a blow dryer and a brush - along with a CHI heat spray - and brushed from my scalp out. She topped it off with a sweep of the flat iron and a dab of CHI gloss serum. I was worried about all the heat damage to my hair - until I touched it! My hair has never felt that soft before in my life. It felt like someone else's hair. I've never said that before about my hair. I had the most beautiful hair that I have ever had. She then wrapped it with bobby pins, which she called giving me a Dubie, and I've been good ever since.

I'm back in Pittsburgh and I think this cold, freezing air is giving me scalp itch. I haven't done much to my hair since having it done, but yesterday I did moisturize and seal and I will do the same tonight. Due to the extreme disappointment I've had in co-washing, I plan to only co-wash 1x a week (Wednesdays) and shampoo 1x a week (Fridays). I also haven't been wearing my protective bun (shame on me), but will pick it back up tomorrow.

Stay Fab

Pic post relaxer but pre-beauty shop:

I did the Unthinkable

Last Friday, I just couldn't take it anymore. I thought I could wait 10 weeks, but I had to follow what my body was telling me and go for the relaxer jar ASAP. My head was sore, my hair was not co-operating, and I was NOT happy.

I followed the same regimen as before with my relaxer - except I didn't get to do the protein treatment one week prior. But I thoroughly moisturized with olive oil on all of my relaxed hair. I relaxed for no longer than 20 mins. I neutralized 3 times. During the shampoo my hair felt extremely soft. I then used Aphogee 2 min resonstructor and more olive oil. I then used ORS Hair Mayo as my deep conditioner and followed with Aphogee Essential Fatty Oils. My hair felt GREAT! I added my leave-in, air dried a bit, blow dried a few mins, flat ironed (with the heat protectant added) and my hair was fabulous!

Its still doing great today, however I had some scalp itchiness last night. I will admit that I did not put anything on my hair or scalp until that point because it felt so great.

I haven't washed since last Friday and I'm wondering if this has something to do with the itchiness. Maybe my hair is use to being super clean now? Maybe the super clean caused my hair to grow more?

I can say that I have not used any heat in my hair since the relaxer and I don't plan to until Thursday and it will be followed by a great deep condition on Friday.

Until then...

How long does this take?

[Source]

Ok, I'm getting very frustrated. I assumed that if I continued to co-wash and air dry, my hair would eventually get used to it and maybe even like it. So far, not so much. I'm sitting here in the airport with a bushy-head mushroom style looking a hot mess!

How did I get to this point - let me explain. I co-wash and air dried on Monday night. It went okay. I wasn't thrilled about it. It never really dries and its hard to wrap afterwards. I'm not even thrilled about the conditioners I'm using. So Monday, not so good.

I do my bun for Tuesday and Wednesday then that night, I co-wash again. This time I condition on dry hair (so I don't have to get in and out of the shower so much) and then I condition again in the shower. I air dry a bit and then I add the leave-ins and then I blow dry. Why blow dry? My hair is TOUGH! And I mean tough. I thought the conditioners would make the new growth softer, but nope. This stuff is not taking. So I figure a little heat will do me some good. So I blow dry, my hair is super fluffy and its soft, but still tough. So I bought yet another product - the wave activator moisturizer. And I use that to seal with my castor oil. It feels more moisturized than when I use the other products, however, that isn't saying much. Plus I don't like the smell.

That leads me to today. The bun didn't really work well. My hair is super fluffy, my head is sore with new growth, and I am hating my hair...

I want to relax, but I haven't done a protein treatment. I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I'm thinking cut down on the co-washes. Add more heat. And get a relaxer. When is this stuff supposed to start working? When does the frustration end and the fab hair begin???

The Road Less Traveled

Morning!

This weekend was great socially, but I feel that my hair was a bit drab. I'm at that length where I would normally get it cut into layers because I can't do anything with it. However, having the layered look makes me curl my hair, because what's the point of layers without curls?! So I'm wearing my hair in a straighter wrapped look instead of the big fluffy curls that I'm used to. I'm trying to feel like this hairstyle is sexy... But it isn't. I keep thinking what can I do that isn't a bang and my mind goes blank. Any ideas???

I have vowed to only get my ends trimmed and no more layers. I need to learn how to do something different in my life anyway. Maybe with all of this washing and conditioning, I should learn how to do a wet set or something? I just need to be able to keep it low maintenance.

This past Friday, I shampooed with 2 shampoos - Aphogee and ORS - and I bought some more products! Yes, I need to stop. I think I'm good now for a while. But I bought Elasta QP Deep Conditioner (I'll update later with full name) and Creme of Nature Leave-in conditioner. Both left my hair feeling lovely. I'm starting to think a creme leave-in conditioner is a MUST. I see an extreme difference when I use them (unless they are just very good products). I didn't have an opportunity to air dry, but I did do an extended towel dry and then blow dry. And I used my 2 heat protectants (Nexxus and Paul Mitchell). I did see less shedding during the blow drying and during styling. I'm still hoping that over time, major shedding will be a thing of the past.

I enjoyed not having to worry about my hair over the weekend, so I think I'm going to modify the regimen to Mon, Wed, and Fri washes and co-washes. Let's see if I can do it this week. Oh, I am happy to report that all signs of dandruff have been eliminated!!! My scalp is healthy, but it was a little itchy this morning.

I'm about to catch my flight, so I will catch you later.

Stay fab

The Morning After...

Air drying can work for me! It must be the neutrogena leave-in conditioner... I have to find out why this works some times and not others! So let me give you the run down. Last night, my process was:

- Leave towel on hair for about 30 mins to remove excess water
- Add Leave-in conditioners
- Use a scarf for my edges
- Chill and let my hair dry

And it went well. My hair looked like I had blown it dry (once again) and it looked healthier than the first time I air dried. Maybe it's because I put extra leave-in conditioner on my ends? Then I didn't apply any additional conditioners, but because it was still SLIGHTLY damp in some area, I applied my Castor Oil to my hair and scalp and then wrapped it and went to sleep. I woke up this morning and my hair felt great! It looks shiny and healthy! Now I have SUPER thick hair and with the new growth it is still a bit difficult to get a comb through at times, but the bun is fabulous again! But with all this oil in my hair, I know I wouldn't be able to flat iron it and wear it down like I've become accustomed to.

This weekend, I'm partying a bit, so I'm going to want my long flowing sexy hair look, so I'm going to wash again on Friday and not seal. Hopefully it will still turn out great. I'll provide my next update at that time. Until then - stay fabulous!

Co-Wash number 2

Last week, co-washing went very well. I washed on Sunday and so far, my hair has not been doing so well... I have a very good amount of new growth and it has been dry and brittle for some reason. I am still experiencing quite a bit of hair loss each day, along with tangles and thickness at the roots. I would have assumed with all of the conditioning going on that my hair would be a lot softer, but it isn't. I am going to work HARD to train my hair. I know what I'm doing is right, but it just doesn't feel right yet.

This week, I forgot to pack my jojoba oil (among other things) and so I purchased Isoplus Castor Oil and an Olive Oil Replenishing Pak to aid in my co-wash. Today's process consisted of:
- Herbal Essences conditioner (5 mins)
- Tresemme conditioner (30 mins)
- Olive Oil Pak (15 mins w/heat)

When I first wet my hair, I felt like it started scream 'aaaahhhhhhhhhhh, this is nice' LOL. It felt very soft and plush (unlike how it felt dry). And the Herbal Essences conditioner went over very well. Tresemme... it was okay. I sectioned my hair and messaged it in. I'm currently still wearing the Olive Oil treatment. It felt so nice going on my hair. I could feel it working immediately. I'm about to go add heat, rinse, and I shall return during the scarf method and air dry.

Overdue Update

I'm going to have to do a lot of back-tracking, but here I go.

Air drying on Wednesday:
It went well. The scarf method kept my edges straight and my hair was still fluffy as if I had blown it dry. It worked for me. What didn't work was the amount of time it took to dry. I never did get completely dry, it dried in patches for some reason. So I just sealed with the leave-in conditioner and jojoba oil and my hair felt fabulous! It was in a much better condition on Thursday.

Out and about on Friday:
Thursday night, I mositurized and sealed and wrapped my hair. Friday morning, I attempted to flat iron and wear my hair down, NO MA'AM, it did not look good. So I pulled it back into my daily bun. I was not happy. It was just way too stiff and adding heat did not help.

The weekend:
Saturday, my hair continued to go down in quality. It just didn't feel good at all. Even my bun looked a mess. Once again, I was not happy. I didn't have a chance to do anything to my hair Saturday or Sunday until that night. Sunday night, I did shampoo with my Aphogee for damaged hair, followed by using up the rest of this Doo Grow deep conditioner mixed with olive oil and an additional layer of my Dark and Lovely deep conditioner for dry hair. It felt okay in the end, but not great. I added my leave-in conditioners and started the scarf method. It was late and I waited a few hours and still no good. So I pulled it in a ponytail so that I could sleep. I woke up Monday morning still very wet. So I HAD to blow dry my hair (I had a plane to catch). Then it still doesn't look how it normally looks, and I pull it back into a terrible looking bun. Not cool.

In conclusion, I have not been happy, LOL.

More to come later...

About Me

Hello Reader!

Thank you for visiting my blog. This one is completely dedicated to my hair care journey, as I go from newbie to guru and find what works for me and my body to get healthy, strong, luxurious hair.

In the past, I've done the regular: I am relaxed (typically every 5-6 weeks), wash once a week with a shampoo and conditioner, use a leave-in conditioner every now and then, blow dry, and I flat ironed my hair EVERY SINGLE DAY. I used oil sheen every now and again, but only to give my hair extra shine. It's a miracle I still have hair! I have beautiful hair, however, it sheds a lot, is thin in some areas, and just hasn't been given a chance to thrive. I'm ready to make a change in my health and my hair care regimen is included.

I travel for work, Mon-Thurs, so I may type like you know where I am, which will be a hotel room most of the time (but hopefully not for much longer). I'm not sure how I'll keep things consistent with so many products and techniques from place to place, but we'll see...

Since I've been learning more, I've stopped flat ironing my hair each day, I've started using more oil to moisturize my hair, and I've started wrapping my hair at night instead of wearing a ponytail. I'm making strides towards finding that perfect regimen that fosters maximum growth and I'll be sharing my setbacks and victories along the way.

I hope you enjoy.

My First Co-Wash

Ok, so I'm making an attempt to do my first co-wash. Being on the road doesn't make it any easier, either...

For those of you who don't know, a co-wash is only washing your hair with conditioner. I wanted to use a regular conditioner - as a kind of warm up - and then use a deep conditioner with heat for around 30 minutes. Being that I only have a Rite Aid to shop from, I couldn't find a deep conditioner, so I bought:

Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Moisturizing Conditioner
TRESemme Remoisturizer
Neutrogena Triple Moisture Silk Touch Leave-In Cream
Biolage Hydra-Seal Leave-In Creme

Right now I'm attempting to use heat with the hotel hand dryer, which I actually like. When I finish blow drying for a few more minutes (which I'm not even sure if it will do any good because it's not a deep conditioner), I'll rinse in the shower and try the scarf method of air drying. I used Herbal Essences for my first conditioner and TRESemme is my fake deep conditioner.

Back to the dryer, I'll follow up when I finish air drying.

TBC...

Here We Go!

People -

Ok, so I'm finally starting my hair blog. I've taken the pictures, I have my products, I know my goal, I've done my research, and I'm finally ready. Here's the game plan:

The Regimen:
Co-Washes 2x a week (Mondays and Wednesdays)

• 1 moisturizing conditioner in shower
  
• 1 deep conditioner w/heat for 30 mins
• add a cream and liquid leave-in conditioner
• air dry
  

Shampoo/Deep Condition 1x a week

• pre-poo with light protein conditioner and oil
  
• 1 shampoo for damaged hair (1 lather)
  
• 1 moisturizing/clarifying shampoo (1 lather)
• deep condition for 30 mins w/heat
• add a cream and liquid leave-in conditioner
• air dry for 30 mins
• apply heat protectants
  
• blow dry with Tourmaline Ionic Ceramic technology dryer and brush
  
• apply shine serum
  

Less Heat

• Flat iron 1x a week
  
• Changed to a Ionic and Tourmaline blow dryer
  

Protective Styling

• More Ponytails/buns

Protein Treatments 1 week Prior to Relaxer

• Still undecided on exact product
  

Relaxing No Longer than 20 mins

Moisturize and Seal Daily

• 1 moisturizing spray applied to ends and hair shaft
  
• 1 oil massaged on scalp and applied to ends and hair shaft
  

My Home Products:
Aphogee Shampoo for Damaged Hair
Aphogee Deep Moisture Shampoo
2 Minute Reconstructor
Organic Root Stimulator Hair Mayonnaise

Aphogee Two Step Protein Treatment
Balancing Moisturizer
Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor

Essential Oils for Hair
Jojoba Oil
Pro-Vitamin Leave-in Conditioner

My Travel Products:
Herbal Essences Conditioner
Tresemme Conditioner

Neutrogena Leave-In

Castor Oil
S-Curl Mositurizer


This looks like a lot of stuff, but I have my staples. Good shampoos, conditioners, deep conditioners, Leave-Ins, and Oils.

My Goal: Bra-strap length hair by November 2010


That's the plan and I'm sticking to it!

Pictures taken after my last relaxer (10/16/09)



It's very thin in the middle...



My layers are growing out because I am not cutting it anymore (unless necessary). I'm trying not to live and die by layers.



And no where near as long as I want it to be... hence, my goal.