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

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.

Master of Many Trades

I've gone from mastering curls to mastering the braid out.  Yes, I did say the braid out and no, I didn't look like Sho Nuff this time around.  I've saw this video quite a while ago on youtube, but I finally decided to give it a try since I have flexi-rods now. 

I went swimming on Thursday and afterward I did a quick co-wash with Long Term Relationship.  My hair has been freakishly soft and moisturized lately and I'm loving it!  I'll also comment that I have not missed one day of taking the Ultra Hair Plus supplements.  I can't say that I've noticed any significant growth yet, but with the less shedding and breakage, maybe I'll have thicker hair?  So after my co-wash I braided up my hair and used the flexi-rods to curl it up.  I let it air dry for a few hours and the results were fantastic!

Tangled!

No, not the movie, but my hair, LOL.  So I think I've just learned the reason why my hair gets so rough and tough as I air dry with a lot of new growth.  I'm not de-tangling properly!  Therefore, when it dries it just bunches together and forms these big patches of fuzz.  I'm going to invest more time into properly de-tangling my hair and not doing my usual 2-5 minute comb through.  I really want to stretch and I'm hoping this will help. 

Not only am I going to start de-tangling, but I'm also going to start taking a supplement!!!  One of my gorgeous and lovely girlfriends recommended GNC Ultra NourisHair.  It cost $11.99 so I figure why not?  I'm going to go pick up a bottle today.  I can't wait to get started!

To Health: Making Smoothies with Veggies

My Blender, sweet Blender.  Oh, how I love thee!  How did I come to have a love affair with my Blender you ask?  Well, being the smoothie enthusiast that I am, it is only natural that I also make them at home.  I bought my first blender about a year ago.  It was a Black & Decker Cyclone that I bought at Wal-Mart for around $30-$40.  It did alright.  It made smoothies and I was satisfied.  That was until it started acting up and smoking... and it finally broke last week.

So I began my search.  Site after site, reading reviews, watching videos... until I came across my love.  It has over 400 5 star reviews on Amazon.com.  It cost $99 in stores (but I was able to snag a 20% off coupon from Bed Bath and Beyond).  What is it's name?  It is a Kitchen Aid KSB560OB 5 Speed Blender.  I didn't realize how crappy my previous blender was until I learned about this one.


Some of the pros:

• Durable Steel-Reinforced Coupler
• Jar coupler is coated for quiet operation
• Built for continual blending
• Powerful motor (.9 horsepower)
• Intelli-Speed control
• The pitcher is ONE piece
• Easy to clean
• Sturdy metal base
• Soft, Non-Slip Grip Pitcher Handle

Getting Excited....

10 AM
Yay! I've done a little better this week.  I was able to get in a 24 hour deep condition and today I am ready to deep condition again, along with.... wait for it...

Attempting a Flexi Rod Set!!!

First, I'm going to shampoo and condition with Roux porosity control.  Even though my hair is fairly soft and not brittle, it still doesn't feel all that great for some reason.  My new growth is giving me a run for my money!  I did notice improvement after my 24 hour deep condition because my hair was really in a FUNK.  I thought I had completely shook my dry spell, but maybe I haven't? Also, despite my lack of conditioning with heat, I have been pretty consistent with moisturizing and sealing at night. 

Earlier in the week, I was able to make a quick run to Sally's and I bought a couple packs of Flexi Rods.  I've been studying on YouTube and I think I'm ready!  I have a few work related tasks to get done, but then it's on to a shampoo, quick condition, maybe a deep condition, and then experimentation with the flexi rods.

 
The purple pack is 7/8'' thick and the orange pack is 5/8'' thick and they are both 10'' long with 10 rods in each pack.  I figured since my hair is thinner around the outside I'd use the smaller ones there and the bigger ones up top.   Since I only have 20 rods, I'm not exactly sure how big or small mine will turn out, but I have my fingers crossed that it will be cute!

Making the Most Out of the Day

With my stomach still upset, but less fragile than the previous days, I'm attempting to get work done along with taking care of my hair.  This will be another ALL day update. 

Friday, 1:30 PM:
Per last night's update, I was contemplating doing an overnight treatment.  I sat on the couch one minute too many and became too tired to implement that idea.  So I woke up this morning and applied EVOO, did a brief massage, and baggied.  As I wore the cap, in between looking at PowerPoint files, I also looked at a few youtube vidoes and some threads on Long Hair Care Forums.  As I watched/read a few ideas ran through my mind - I wanted to deep condition, but I didn't feel like washing my hair first.  So I started planning out a dry hair deep condition.  That eventually lead me to thinking about a protein treatment.  I only used an egg about 4 weeks ago and that wasn't the best experience.  I decided to do the later.

On another note, looking through the forum of relaxed ladies with super long hair, confirmed that I am taking the right approach in my hair journey, if not doing too much.  It appears that DCing once a week, not using a lot of heat, and using protein at least once a month are the commonalities for hair retention and growth.  Yay!

I just washed with ApHogee Shampoo for Damaged Hair.  My hair felt SOOO nourished and moisturized while wetting and shampooing.  I absolutely love wetting my hair now.  I then applied ApHogee Protein Treatment very generously all over my hair.  I paid a lot of attention to my ends and edges. I prefer to let it air dry versus using a dryer.  The only thing I don't care for with a protein treatment is how sticky it can be.  I prefer to pour it directly out of the bottle into my hand, so it could be my own fault.  Either way, in about an hour or so, I'll rinse, use ApHogee Balancing Moisturizer and then apply my Silky Smooth DC mix.

Stay Tuned!