High Maintenance

I am loving my curly hair, however, I feel that it's a bit high maintenance.  Or maybe it's just the right amount of maintenance?  I should be DCing more frequently... Especially with me stretching longer than 8 weeks...  But back to my point.  Over the weekend, I had to re-do many of my curls - which wasn't that bad.  I just took a dab of foam, let it sit for about 10-15 mins, and tada, I was finish with my hair.  But to keep it at that level where all I have to do is fix a couple of curls is the problem.

Sunday Afternoon

Case and point - I can't sleep.  I probably didn't get any sleep the first 2 nights.  My arms would go numb throughout the night and I was practically uncomfortable the entire time.  Yes, I pinned up my hair and wore a satin bonnet, but I still cannot SLEEP on my hair.  I have slept on it the past couple of nights and I now have the flat curls.  It's semi-cute, but overall looks a mess.  But it has been about 4-5 days.  It's time for a co-wash.  I just keep wondering if I should re-do my hair and be sleepless again.  Especially if I'm not going anywhere in particular...

Another issue is the tangles. For some reason, I've gotten a lot of knots in my hair.  I need to work on that.

For today, I'm doing an EVOO treatment and I'll probably DC with heat for an hour.  However, I just finished my last meeting for the day and I'm feeling extra tired... We'll see how much longer I last.

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!

WFH

Work From Home - That's my excuse and I'm sticking with it!  I've had a very busy past week or two, coupled with the fact that I've been working from home and being able to enjoy it, I have just not wanted to talk hair because outside of last weekend, hair has not been on my mind.  I have gone days without touching my hair.  I did a full head baggie for a few days, I've co-washed a few days, but nothing major.

I am slightly disappointed by the fact that I thought through regular maintenance my new growth would be more manageable when it grew this time.  With all the scalp massaging and oil treatments, I thought I'd be able to comb it this time.  Nope.  I'm about 7 weeks post and I can barely detangle.  I can say that my scalp isn't sore.  Yay for small victories.

A few pictures from this past weekend:

Going Out Friday Night

Going Out Saturday Night

The Full Ensemble

Relaxed Look for Sunday

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!

Sick - On Multiple Levels

This week did NOT go as expected for me.  I had planned to fully take advantage of working from home and really treat myself and my hair to some TLC after a week of neglect, only to have my body come under attack and suffer from a few illnesses all week long... Nevertheless, I am doing alright at the moment and contemplating doing a late night co-wash.  Hmmm, maybe I should do an all night oil treatment instead?

I did spend a little time on facebook during the week, reminiscing over the 500 plus tagged photos of myself.  As I went through, I saw picture after picture of beautiful layered hair.  It made me sick!  Oh, how I wish to CUT MY HAIR!  I'm at a crossroad right now.  Do I try to find new ways to style my hair or do I go back to what I know and love?  Cutting my sister's hair has really given me the confidence I need to put layers in my own hair.  Maybe I'll just chop a little around the frame of my face? I probably won't do anything but continue to talk about it, but you already know - I'll keep you posted.

Setback or Set Up for Success?

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This past week was tough.  I didn't workout and I didn't take care of my hair.  I can't say that I noticed a difference with my body, but my hair has certainly lost a bit of momentum. 

The week started out normally.  I had a great flight Monday morning, got some coffee, had a great day at work, checked into the hotel, then I felt really tired.  I laid down, but I couldn't fall asleep.  I was too tired to get up, so I didn't feel like working out.  So I just stayed there.  And stayed up.  I was up until about 3 AM.  That was the first night I wasted.

Tuesday, same typical work day, however, after work, I went to visit family.  I came back to the hotel at a reasonable hour, however, I didn't feel encourage enough to make up for yesterday.  So I went to bed.  Albeit, I was extremely tired from 2 days of little sleep.  Nevertheless, that was the second night I wasted.

Wednesday, same typical day at work, however, after work I went to this huge mall to go dress shopping for an event I have coming up in a couple of weeks.  After wards, I went to a restaurant for dinner.  Needless to say, after having steak, I did not feel like working out or co-washing my hair.  That was the third night I wasted.

By Thursday, my head was BEYOND itchy and I was shedding hair everywhere.  Not to mention, it looked and felt an absolute mess!  I had been moisturizing and sealing, somewhat, but the condition of my hair definitely changed over the course of the week.  On Friday, I had a ton of meetings - in and outside of the home - so I could not co-wash that day.  I got up a little early Saturday morning because I had a dentist appointment and I couldn't take it any longer, so I co-washed my hair with the remainder of the cheapie Suave Humectant conditioner that I had remaining in the shower.  I followed up with my Roux Leave-In conditioner and then just used a head band and allowed my hair to really "air dry" as I ran a few errands around town and had my appointment.  By the time I made it back home, I had a mouth full of clean teeth and a head full of dry hair - physically and literally.  It's like the outside air sucked all the moisture out of my hair.  Because I had quite a bit more to do that day, I left my hair down and the head band on and went about my business.  At times I liked the style, but many times I didn't.  It just looked unfinished and did not work well with dresses... (Yes, I did more dress shopping).  That night I moisturized and sealed and my hair really appreciated it.

That brings me to today, I'm sitting under the blow dryer with my Silky Smooth DC mix in my hair.  I plan on DCing quite a few times this week because I'm working from home.  My curls are coming in quite nicely and I"m excited about all of the growth.  I have noticed that my scalp gets extremely dry when my hair starts to grow so I'm going to pay closer attention this week and make sure it receives the nourishment that it needs.

This past week posed a few challenges, but I'm hoping to come back strong -- Let's see if it works. : D

Hair 101: Hair Porosity

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Porosity is the measure of the hair's ability to absorb moisture. This is determined by the condition of the hair's cuticle layer (the overlapping scales of the hair shaft), and is rated as low, normal, and high. In normal, healthy hair, the cuticle is compact and inhibits the penetration of the hair shaft by moisture - both moisture going in, and moisture coming out. When the cuticle is overly compact and prevents the penetration of the hair by moisture it has low porosity. Hair with low porosity is harder to process, and is resistant to hair color and perms. Low porosity hair must usually be softened prior to other chemical services. Hair with high porosity is hair whose cuticle layer is open and the hair too-readily absorbs moisture. Overly-porous hair also releases moisture easily and becomes dry and is easily damaged. Acid-balanced conditioning treatments are used to contract the cuticle layer and lock-in moisture on overly-porous hair.

Extreme caution must be used when performing chemical services on overly porous hair to prevent damage. Hair color will take much more quickly and strongly in overly porous hair (and semi-permanent and demi-permanent hair colors will fade much more quickly). Perms and straighteners will process much faster in high-porosity hair as well.

To determine the porosity of your hair, simply feel it - both when wet and when dry. If the hair feels straw-like and rough when dry, or if it feels gummy or slightly rubbery when wet, then you probably have a problem with overly porous hair.

My Two Cents: 

I struggled with overly porous for a number of months before I realized the true issue.  Moisturizers didn't work, conditioning didn't work, I had to lather several times before my hair actually got wet, etc.  

I finally found relief after 2 weeks of almost continuous use of Roux Porosity Control Shampoo and Conditioner.  I now use it 1-2 times a month as needed, along with adding a bit to my deep conditions. 

Also, a natural alternative is to this hair problem is to use an Apple Cider rinse. 

Drab --> Glam

Talk about the ULTIMATE hook up!  My younger sis received a great treat this weekend, a beauty consultation and treatment by yours truly.  Jovann aka Jo-Jo aka J Breezy, came to me in a funk.  She's about 6-7 months post relaxer and in the middle of a transition.  She's having a tough time keeping it together and hasn't been reading my blog!  Needless to say, she was in need of a lot of help.  She texted me on Thursday asking for a relaxer... Knowing she had come so far, I didn't want her to just jump to back to relaxers. 

We started out with a chat about hair.  Unfortunately, she's had a lot of bad experiences with relaxers - keep in mind she's only had them for the past 4-5 years.  Her hair has fallen out several times and she just wants to start over.  I made sure that she understood that no matter what decision she made with her hair, it was going to require work.  I shared that she's going to have to learn her hair, her curls, and determine what it needs and when.  As with all things worth having, great hair is work!  Next we followed with a hot oil treatment with EVOO.  She has a serious dandruff problem and I knew she needed extra care on her scalp.  We warmed it for about 15 seconds and I applied it generously to her scalp.  She then massaged her head off and on for about an hour.  I went ahead with my weekly coconut oil 30 min massage.

EVOO Hot Oil Scalp Massage

We then played Dance Central for a few hours and I cooked a little dinner.  Then it was time for the shampoos.  I gave her a quick lather with ORS Clarifying Shampoo and then followed with the Roux Porosity Control Shampoo and Conditioner (she's been complaining of dry hair).  I then created my Silky Smooth DC Mix for 2 and shampooed my hair with Roux Moisturizing Shampoo and used the Moisturizing Conditioner.  I went a little heavy on the coconut oil and honey this time around, no particular reason.  I also was a little light on the ORS Hair Mayo because I wasn't aware of how little I had left, so I supplemented with a little extra Roux (both conditioners).  I applied generously and let put her under the bonnet for about what had to be around an hour.  We were watching TV, talking, playing games, so we lost track of time, so I'll say 1-2 hours... I rinsed her and let her air dry for a while and put the bonnet on my head.

I finished with Roux Leave-In conditioner and proceed to blow dry and flat iron her hair.  Talk about soft, shiny, gorgeous hair!  I saddened me to kill her curls, but I was able to successfully get her hair SUPER manageable and beautiful.  It was super late that night, so I had to wait a day to give her a quick trim - yes she did trust me to cut her hair - but it turned out amazing!  I had never really cut a full head of hair before, so that was a great experience.  I trimmed about an inch of relaxer off her ends and it was much needed because it is falling off like crazy.  We even tricked our mom into thinking we had given her a relaxer!  It was that dramatic of a change.  She's loving it and I'm happy and proud of her.  I can't wait until the relaxer is gone and I see her in her curls!  We're hoping in another few months she'll be ready.

Dress shopping... but the hair looked Fab (The pic is pre-cut)

I finished with the usual, air dry and Roux Leave-In.  I applied JBCO to my scalp and tied it all up.  I planned on doing a quick trim of my ends, but haven't gotten around to it yet.  A quick update on myself - I've experience quite a bit of new growth in my 2 weeks post relaxer.  I thought maybe I just hadn't relaxed evenly all over at first, but now I really think I've just gotten a significant amount of growth!  I'm excited!  I can't wait to see how much length I get in the next few weeks.  I was finally able to keep my commitment and workout on a Wednesday last week (woooohoooo!), so I got in 2 co-washes.

I'm excited for this week coming up and keeping my goals.  I'm watching the Grammy's right now, but I plan on getting in a workout as soon as it's over - or when all the performances I see are over.

Stick with your regimen if you want to see results!