May Relaxer Update!

I've been keeping my schedule and relaxing on a 60 day time period and this month was no exception.  My relaxer date was May 29 and here are my results:

I continue to use ORS and after rinsing and shampooing I follow up with ApHogee Kertain 2 Min Reconstructor.  There are still some sections around the nape that I need to find some way to address, but overall I'm very happy with my results. 

Relaxed - Long and Strong

I actually relaxed my hair on March 29th, 8 weeks to the day and here are my results.  My hair looked awesome and super long.  I plan to post some before and after since I did my Castor Oil challenge. 

Enjoy!

Day after Relaxer

 

Hang Time!

Out to dinner with the Hubs!

Recipe for Success

I am happy to report that I successfully met my goal of waiting 8 weeks between relaxers!  And the main reason (and probably the only reason) I was able to achieve this goal is with the use of oils.  With the help of Amazon, I have assembled a team of oils that have provided moisture and balance for my hair.

Minus the Smooth-n-Hold Pudding, which I'll discuss later, I purchased online:

• Almond Oil
• Grapeseed Oil
• Jojoba Oil
• Cocoanut Oil
• Jamaican Black Castor Oil

I'm Bringing Sexy Back (Literally)

As we all know, I like to show up and show out.  This past Friday was no exception.  Given the fact that I had been awakened to a whole new world of makeup that I didn't know that I didn't know about, I just knew that this past Friday was going to be extra special.

Last weekend I did a flexi-rod set mainly because I couldn't really comb through it the week before (it was thick and dry) and therefore wanted to do a minimum amount that week.  Plus, I went to a holiday party that Saturday and I wanted it to be fresh and super cute. Overall, it turned out well and lasted until I was ready to relax my hair that Thursday.

Casual Party Attire w/Fresh Curls

Arm Pit Length!!!!

Ok, I'm saying it loud and proud, I am ARM PIT LENGTH!  I relaxed my hair again about 2 Saturdays ago my hair was soooooo long!   I curled it that night and my hair was so full, long, and sexy!  I put my feather in my hair and said "how ya like me now?"

Corrective Relaxer

Hello!  I'm back from vacation, bronzed and all, and I'm so ready to go back to the islands!  I did spend a lot of time in the sun and sea, so each day I had to was my hair thoroughly and still look nice for dinner each night. Believe it or not, I kept the styles very simple. No braid outs, no hair down, nothing but buns and ponytails every day and night. Overall. It was a great and much needed break from the norm.

Just Some Fun I had with my Hair

When I returned from the trip, my hair and skin were extremely dry. Even though I tried to stay moisturized on the trip, it didn't do much when I returned home. Also I had my issues with the two textures in my hair, so I began to research a corrective relaxer. It looked pretty simple. Most forums just said to wait a few weeks and to ensure that you don't keep it in longer than needed. I followed all the rules this time and only relaxed the krinkly parts of my hair. Its crazy how much of my hair wasn't relaxed. I had relaxed the roots pretty well, but had quite a few inches of unprocessed hair. I totally underestimated the growth of my last stretch! I did make sure to keep the roots untouched. I must say that I like that - not processing the roots. I might continue with that process. I did complete the remainder of the hair growth pills. Not sure if I will immediately purchase more. Since I'm going to be home more often, due to a career change, I'm going to try to get back on regimen. I must keep the growth coming!!!

Rules Smules...

Hair Updates!  I'm going to make this post quick -- I cut the remainder of my sister's relaxer out, I relaxed my hair (my hair is super long now), I bought Aloe Vera Juice (AVJ) and Veggie Glycerin, and I made KimmayTube's Leave In Condish.  Whew!  Ok, now to the details. Up first, JoJo.

She is now natural and loving it!  I cut the remainder of her relaxer up, gave her a good shampoo and condish, and did my first twist out!  It took me at least 2.5 hours to twist up her entire head, but it was worth it to get the results.  Next up, I relaxed my hair!

Horrible pic, but it's all I took.

Regimen and the Road

 After being at home the past two weeks (one due to the snow storm and one due to training), my motivation and hair plans were put to the test last week.  I began with a workout Sunday night.  I worked out at home (aka played with my Wii), so it wasn't too intense and I didn't feel the need to co-wash.  Being 9 weeks post relaxer, my hair was super thick, but I was able to manage with a bun on Monday.  The Roux products have left my hair very soft and shiny, I am a happy customer. 

After work on Monday I began my search for a adequate leave-in liquid moisturizer.  I use the Shea Moisture cream at home, but I prefer a liquid moisturizer so I wanted to have one for my road regimen.  I went to Sally's and I couldn't find anything worth purchasing.  This one has significantly less products than my local store, however I did buy ORS Olive Oil Replenishing Conditioner.  It was the ONLY "deep" conditioner in the store, so I didn't have much of a choice.  One positive outcome of that scenario is that the lack of products have inspired me to create my own leave-in moisturizer.  The actual execution date is TBD, but TRUST, it's going to happen. 

Monday night I worked out for about an hour.  If you know me, you know I sweat (a lot) and therefore feel the need to co-wash after every workout (hence the reason for Mon and Wed co-washes).  The workout was great and I felt amazing.  After, I co-washed with the ORS Conditioner and sat under my hood dryer attachment for about 15 mins.  I can't say that I noticed a significant difference using the heat - maybe it gets better over time?  I then used the scarf method to air dry, as I chatted on skype with my sister.  The next step, I did a little different.  Instead of pulling my hair into a ponytail to sleep, I used 2 big rollers and rolled my hair at the top.  I figured I'd keep my ends protected some more and get a nice curl.  It turned out to be a success!  In the morning my hair was super soft and shiny, plus my ends didn't frizz up as usual. 

Tuesday morning I tried something else new - head bands.  I've never been a head person.  My head is large enough on it's own.  I feel like extra items enhance the size... However, I decided to give it a try.  I used a black and brown band and pulled my hair back in a ponytail.  I was concerned about looking "professional" and not like a teenager, however, with my suit on I didn't look child-like at all. 

Tuesday night I hung out with family after work which lead to me being exhausted Wednesday night.  Therefore, no workout or co-wash.  On Friday night I did my relaxer.  My product of choice - Motions.  They claimed 85% less breakage and I've tried it before and liked it.  It turned out very well and I'm more than happy that I did it.  I had experienced more shedding than I cared to during the past week and this remedied the problem. 

After relaxing and neutralizing, I used 3 conditioners:  ApHogee 2 Min Reconsructor, what came in the box, and Roux Moisturizing Conditioner.  I had fantastic results.  

The success of the regimen on the road will be dependent on my energy levels.  It takes a considerable amount of time and dedication each day to have healthy hair.  I'll can only do my best each day.

On to the Next One!

You heard me correctly, I am on to my next relaxer!  And it feels so good!  My hair is so thick and healthy looking.  Can you say - silky smooth my friend?!  I did the relaxer on Friday, April 2nd.  I made sure that I put oil on my already relaxed hair and I did not exceed the 25 minute mark.  It's so weird how my hair cannot take a 40 minute relaxer like I used to do.  I actually BURN now.  Like around the 23 minute mark, my hair is going - ok, it's time to start moving a little bit faster...

I didn't do a deep condition or anything special, just relaxer, rinse well, shampoo 3 times, Aphogee 2 minute constructor, condition in the shower, leave in conditioners, blow dry, flat iron, and out the door in about 2 hours total. 

I have noticed that I CANNOT go more than 3 or 4 days without washing my hair now.  If I don't wash, my hair gets beyond itchy.  Co-washing has trained my scalp to loath build up and dirt.  I like keeping my hair light and fluffy, but I can't stand the itch.

Goals for this week include working out, co-washing, and keeping it down and swinging.  But my ponytails are growing on me again.  As my hair gets longer and thicker and the ponytail hangs and sways, it looks really great.

Has it Been a Month Already?

Yes.  I have been MIA for about a month and a half now.  Any particular reason? Nope.  So hopefully all is forgiven and I can give a brief run down of the past few weeks.

So about a week after my last post I did a relaxer.  I made it about 7-8 weeks.  I had a terrible experience with my relaxer though... I don't burn easily or normally at all, but that time was ridiculous.  I'm not sure what was going on, but prior to the relaxer, I had soreness out of this world and I'm assuming the tenderness also meant some types of sores/bumps on my scalp that lead to the easy burn.  I had been giving myself extra head massages because of the tenderness of the new growth...

I had some very successful going out hair styles after the relaxer.  I was very pleased.  I kept the regimen for the weeks after that.  Continued with the pony/bun.  But I got bored.  I was tired of not knowing what to do with my hair.  The limpness.  The same old/same old.  So last weekend, I decided to switch things up.  I got a hair cut.  Not really a "hair" cut hair cut, but I got my ends trimmed, a few layers put in around the face and in the top, and I topped it all off with a bang!  I haven't had a bang since middle school.  So far, I'm loving the variety in styles - I can wear it up, down, bang, no bang, curly and fluffy, or straight.

I'm about 6 weeks post relaxer again and I'm hanging in there.  My head is tender, but it's manageable.  I have lots of different styles - some protective, some not - so I don't feel like a fluffy head all the time.

Until next time ; )

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...