Meh....

I've had a very busy past 7 days or so with my hair.  It started off on a high note when I received my Jamaican Black Castor Oil (JBCO) about 2-3 days after I ordered it on Amazon.   JBCO and Castor Oil in general is said to be great for maintaining moisture in your hair, which can help with breakage.  Also, from what I've observed, castor oil also helps promote growth.  I'm not sure if it's because your messaging your scalp more or maybe just because you start taking better care of your scalp period... But I've seen some miracles with castor oil, so I impulsively replenished my stash.

Since I have quite a bit to work with now, I decided to go ahead and test it out.  I had already applied JBCO to my scalp with the remainder that I had left from the first time I purchased it, but this time I wanted to do a deep condition and use the JBCO to, first, do a hot oil treatment, and second, mix with my conditioner. 

Can we start over?

As I posted last night, I washed, deep conditioned, and then air dried my hair. Typically when I air dry I only use the scarf method which leaves my edges somewhat straight and the rest of my hair frizzy. I always sleep with my hair tied down, but it's really hard to tame my mane...

Help me please!

So I started looking at some posts on YouTube and decided to start over again. I remoisturized my hair by over saturating it with my leave in moisturizer (mostly Aloe Vera Juice) and then sealed with (believe it or not) the tiny remainder of my Jamaican Black Castor Oil. Speaking of JBCO, I placed an order for more last night on Amazon around 1 AM. I saw pics of results from a 2 month challenge and I am JEALOUS!!!  So I'm hoping for a maricle in a bottle - along with a little discipline of course. It actually shipped today, so maybe I'll have it by the end of the week? 

In the meantime, we'll count today as day one of my personal JBCO challenge.  Will you hate me in 2-3 months?  I sure hope so :-)

My First Hairacle of the Year

Hairacle:  A term used to describe when you have a miracle breakthrough with your hair (Hair + Miracle = Hairacle).

Yes, I'm claiming it!  I had a hairacle Saturday morning.  In my last update, I was under the blow dryer and letting the conditioner marinate into my hair.  After another 30 minute heat session, I followed with a through rinse.  My hair didn't feel spectacular under the water, but it didn't feel the same as when I started. Next, I added a bit of leave-in conditioner and proceeded to roller set my hair.  I figured since air drying straight leave my ends dry and my hair frizzy, attempting a roller set would provide better results.  As I've only done it once, roller setting my hair was a bit of a challenge.  My hair was super easy to comb and detangle, but getting it to stay on the roller without wrap lotion was a new factor for me.  In order to supplement, I used Shea Moisture to moisturize while wrapping and to seal afterward.

When I finished it was about 2 AM and I was beyond tired, therefore I attempted to sleep in the super hard, huge rollers...  Aside from waking up with a head ache in the morning, the roller set proved to be a success!  I had relatively smooth hair that felt silky to the touch and believe it or not, my hair was HYDRATED!  It didn't have a hint of dryness and that's from root to tip.  I then wrapped my hair and proceeded to get ready for the day.  Since I was going to my sister's b-day party (shot out to Jo Jo, happy 15th!), I wanted to wear my hair down.  I flat ironed, only to realize that down did not look at all like I thought it would.  My hair was super fluffy and stiff.  So I went with option 2 and attempted a bun.  I think it turned out cute : ) but then again, my opinion is biased, LOL. 

Side Note:  I didn't apply any oil to my scalp because I plan on relaxing my hair at the end of this week.  Since this is my first week back on the road after 2 weeks at home, I wasn't sure how much I'd stick to the regimen. 

I gifted my thirsty hair Sis with the Roux Moisturizing Shampoo, Conditioner, and Treatment & Shine.  I also picked up a bottle of the Treatment & Shine for myself, in hopes of reaching the 103% increase in moisture retention as claimed on the bottle.  When I took my hair down on Saturday night, it still felt as hydrated and healthy as when I took out the rollers.  To sleep, I wrapped my hair - and in wrapping, I did notice a bit of dryness - and applied the Treatment & Shine as my moisturizer (which can be used on wet and dry hair, but it claims to only add shine to dry hair) and sealed with Shea Moisture Oil. 

This morning when I awoke, my hair was still very soft, healthy and hydrated.  I'm going to do a quick ends check and see if I notice any improvement.  I may way until my next relaxer before giving my ends a trim again.  I just want to get rid of the damage asap so that I can have healthy growth. 

I also have to do a quick assessment of my products and determine if I want to travel with any or buy new... If I buy new, I will most definitely hit up a Sally's and probably try the Silk Elements products that were DEEPLY discounted.  I currently only have 1 moisturizing conditioner and 1 deep conditioner, so I may leave those at home and buy new.  I just hate to check luggage! LOL, I think I just answered my question. And I've already decided that my bonnet attachment is a must have on the road.  Now if I can just find a better baggy solution... 

Ok, so I have packing to do - if you have any moisturizing product recommends for the cheap, please send me a comment!

If you Can't Stand the Heat

After my horrendous results this morning, I had to give my hair another try.  I will not accept defeat easily!  So I got online and read about Moptop Maven.com's Healthy Hair Challenge 2011.  It started Jan 1 and is supposed to last for 6 months, so I'm already late and I don't think I want to officially participate, but she did offer a lot of great tips.  One being a reinforcement that heat works wonders for deep conditioning.  With that being said, I began my search for an inexpensive fix.  What did I find?  A blow dryer soft bonnet attachment from Conair for $9.99 at Sally's Beauty Supply.  Can you say, bought it?!  I went to my local Sally's and not only found the attachment, but I also stumbled upon a S-A-L-E!  They had Roux products buy one get one free and a lot of other products deeply discounted.  I wanted to buy a TON of products, but I kept with the attachment, Roux Moisturizing Shampoo and Moisturizing Conditioner, and a box of Motions for my next relaxer. 

 

Roux Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner - hopefully magic in a bottle!

After I took down my buns, my hair was very dry, stiff, and looked horrible.  Considering the fact that I'm going to a party tomorrow, this hair style was not going to be acceptable for the weekend.  Since I feel like my hair is still in dire need of moisture, I went with the Moisturizing products and stuck with Roux: 1 - because the porosity control has worked wonders 2 - it was on sale.  When I started my wash, I wet my hair for about 1 min and was easily able to lather and shampoo with my ORS Clarifying Shampoo!  That's a major improvement.  I wanted to wash with that shampoo first because as I mentioned before, my hair felt like it had a coating on it.  The shampoo didn't really change that.  When I washed with the Moisturizing Shampoo, I can't say that it felt much different.  It lathered well, my hair felt squeaky clean, however, it still felt thick and coated.   Next I applied the Moisturizing Conditioner, generously, to my hair and let it remain 3-4 mins while I created my "Silky Smooth" DC Mix.  After I rinsed, I still didn't really feel a difference...

My Silky Smooth Deep Conditioner Mix

Next, I applied my SSDC Mix to my hair in sections and covered my hair with a baggy.  I'm now using my blow dryer and I must say, it's getting hot in here.  It was super easy to attach and it works really well.  The only gripe would be that it does blow off my head from time to time.  I either have to hold it or tie it to my head.  It does provide an even heat, it heats very well, and it's doing the trick.  I've sat under the dryer for about 30 mins and I think I'm going to do about 30 more. 

I found it easier to sit on the floor and to hold the cap.
(SN: I just realize how tired I look...)

Back to the heat!

It Feels Good - Ya!

My hair is doing lovely this week!  Monday I wasn't too thrilled about my ponytail/bun.  It came out okay, but I needed a clean head.  So I ended up working out and sweating SUPER hard.  My hair was a complete mess!  So when I returned to my room, I immediately jumped in the shower and co-washed with my Tresemme (Yes, I'm still using it because I would just hate to throw it away - it's almost gone).  I only used one conditioner (I don't have another travel conditioner yet).  However, I did use the Aphogee balancing moisturizer that came with my protein that I bought (I already have another bottle at home).  You leave it in for 3-5 minutes and rinse it out.

After I got out the shower, I towel dried a bit and then used my Biolage and Neutrogena leave-in conditioners.  I wanted to try something different this week and since I had the space in my luggage, I packed my blow dryer and brush.  I blow dried while my hair was still mainly wet becuase I've found that I get better results that way.  I did make sure to use my Redken Anti-Snap as my heat protectant.  I blow dried like I noramally do now - no sectioning and just brush it down first and then underneath to get it all dry.  When I finished my hair looked okay, but I wanted more.  I wanted to know how on earth the Dominican lady got my hair so silky smooth!  So I hit the net and went to youtube.  I found many videos and I noticed that everyone started with DRY hair first.  Then I noticed that you had to section the hair, take your time and get really close to the scalp, and then brush the rest.  I decided to test it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JtyB-HrEHg&feature=related - relaxed hair blow out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-cMEThw0Os&feature=related  - natural hair blow out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PVe224cKe4&feature=related - at home styler

I made sure I used Anti-Snap and the Shea Butter oil on each section that I did.  I started in the back and worked my way to the front.  It wasn't hard, but I did burn my fingers a few times.  My hair turned out great!  I did not feel like I'm 7 weeks post at all!  More like 2.  It didn't come out as shiny and silky as when it was done before, but I'm hoping to get it there soon!  When I finished, I just wrapped it and when to bed.  When I woke up in the morning, I flat ironed and it was so pretty, I wore my hair down!  And it looked great!  Additionally, I made sure to moisturize and seal before I went out the door. 

Overall, it was a great experience and I can't wait to do it again!

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.