DUSTING TECHNIQUE VIDEO

RELAXER DAY IN DOMINICA

Once again, I got a relaxer in DA and I am super pleased. I went to Caprice's and spent $103 (less than $50 US). Optimum relaxer was used. My hair is super straight and I am very pleased with the results. After the relaxer, I deep conditioned and then my hair was wrapped and I was placed under the dryer. My hair unfortunately did not dry properly so it was blowdryed. I opted for cocoa butter in my hair and no curling irons. Even Inez the stylist was pleasantly surprised and sked me more about cocoa butter. My hair felt soft and light and as it was blow dried with a round brush, like the Dominincans, it was bouncy and nice.

Unfortunately, as usual, I did not like how thin my hair feels after a relaxer but, I can't wait to take a picture to keep track of any length I might have gained. Will definitely come back to this hair salon.

COCOA BUTTER IS THE BOMB!!!

have been using 100% cocoa butter as a sealant and I am in love!!! It is light and makes my hair feel yummy and luxurious and I just can't help but love it. it was recommended by Arlene for Funmi who had rashes on the first day in Dominica and one day in the car, my hair felt dry and I needed to seal it. I remembered that I had the CB in my bag and opte to try it - SUCCESS!!!! Hope I can find it in the states.

GOT MY HAIR DID IN DOMINICA

I got my hair washed and set at Caprice's salon (448-0800). Inez did my hair and I got a Deep condition with my ORS packet. She was heavy with the hair sheen and setting lotion but my hair came out nice. I opted for less heat which threw her off of course, but, my hair was better for it.

VACATION HAIR

I will be 11 weeks post when I arrive in Dominica and will be there for approximately 2 weeks. However, I am unsure what products to take with me and what exactly to do with my hair while there.

I plan on taking my castille soap. For conditioners, I will buy some small pamphlets of SECon (2) and Keratin 2-min reconstructor (1). I will take some of my moisture mix and my olive-castor oil mix.

While there, I will look for aloe (fresh) and also look for black castor oil or anything else that could be nourishing to my hair and skin.

The hope is to keep my hair clean and the moisture-protein balance intact. I will also aim to keep it sealed always. I hope my hair will stay healthy and in fact grow while I'm there.

As to whether or not I will go get my hair done, I think its a possibility. I would love to go have a DC with heat but it depends on whether or not I can find that silly woman in DM to do my hair without asking me too many questions. argh.

WASH DAY & DUSTING

I love my hair!

Yes, I do.

I washed with castille soap, followed up with SMP and left that on for almost 30-40 minutes. After rinsing, I put KOProtein Con and rinsed. My ends felt good and I let my hair airdry. Once it had dried a little, I applied KODL, Chi Kertatin Mix and CHI Silk Infusion. I sealed with Castor Oil.

The next day, my hair felt okay but was rather puffy, and I opted to dust my ends using the KISS method. I didn't lose any length in the end. I took sections, combed from the root and then brushed as well.

The next day, I applied my moisture mix and then sealed with castor oil pomade. my hair felt okay but all the snow during the day got in my hair and I will simply apply keratin mix and seal again tomorrow.

MY POST AT HAIRLISTA

Lacefront Wig on a Baby?

Its even getting comments, yay!

BOUNDLESS TRESSES PROGRESS

I have used BT for at least 7 weeks, but this last week, I didn't use it once. I had to take a break from the super sweet smell. In retrospect, I would not have bought the scented variety. It was fine the first time, but nowadays, the smell reminds me that I need to keep my skin away from my pillowcases and wherever my hair has been as I am paranoid that the product will exacerbate my acne.

That being said, I will start using it again on Monday and will likely continue using it until my trip to Dominica in about 2 weeks. I will also wait at least 3 weeks to get a relaxer after that point. I hope that i can get my NG to an inch and a half before my relaxer date.

MY PROTEIN BALANCE IS OFF

For the last few weeks after my henna treatment, my hair has felt a lot more soft than strong lately. Now, that in itself is not a problem, because my hair is not mushy and is not over breaking/shedding.

However, I like the way my hair felt when I used to get the protein-moisture balance right. Well, I think I am simply going to follow the same procedure of a TJCS shampoo, protein con for 15-20 mins, SMP for 10-15 mins, and then clarify with an ACV rinse.

I hope that will help to reset my hair somewhat. If that does not work, then this weekend, or if Moji comes into town, I will go to the salon and get my hair washed, DCd but not blown out.

Hope things work out for me because I currently have an inch of NG in most places and will likely wait until I return from Dominica to get a relaxer.

HAIR LENGTH COMPARISON

I was looking at old length check pictures and I am so sad about the length I ost earlier this year.

Here was my hair in January 2009.

Had I not had a horrible set back and had to cut my hair in February 2009, I can only imagine how much length I would have now. That being said, I look back at those days when I had little idea of what I was doing and what my hair truly liked and I am consoled by the the fact that I am now in control of my hair journey. Consequently, regaining the length I lost should not be an impossible task.

Here is the length I have now, end of October/November 2009:



I just have to remain focused and continue to do what my hair needs to grow. I pray to God that I can reproduce my previous success.

ITS A HENNA DAY

This morning, I prepared some henna. I used my modified henna recipe put the following (approximately)

1. Cinnamon (1 tbs)
2. Henna (5 tbs)
3. Lemon juice (2 tbs)
4. Amla oil (4 tbs)
5. water (2 tbs)
6. VO5 conditioner

I mixed everything until it had a smooth, creamy, relaxer-like texture and let it sit for 4 hours. Then I put some castor oil throughout my hair as a prepoo.

I applied it in sections to my hair and left it on for an hour, then rinsed out. I then washed my hair with TJCS to really get it out of my hair. Then I co-washed, leaving the VO5 on while I showered and rinsed. I then applied SMPCon (silicon mix perla) and left that on for about 20 minutes and rinsed.

My hair felt good. Very little breakage or shedding, as compared to last week. I let it airdry then sprayed my moisture mix. That dried and then I added KODL to my ends and then the length and finally tied my hair into bantu knots. My hair is shiny, soft yet strong. Loves it. Will try and do a henna treatment every 4 weeks if possible.

HAIR UPDATE

After the usual protein & moisture wash, my hair feels good. It looks like I am able to reproduce the results I like with my hair using the protein and then SECon methods.

However, unlike last wash, this time, I am beginning to notice breakage and some shedding. I think its because I have NG coming in already. Nonetheless, I will do a henna conditioner this weekend, just to increase the strength of my hair and follow up with my new conditioner the fancy Pearl extract Silicon mix. I hope it will prove a sufficient replacement for SECon and if not, I will head to the BSS to purchase SECon.

Hope it all works out.

SILICON MIX PROTEINA DE PERLA

SMPPCon is my new purchase. It is actually a moisturizing and strengthening conditioner with silkening proteins. I hope it will work similarly to the ordinary Silicon Mix and also hope it will be comparable to Silk Elements/Olive Oil conditioner which just finished over the weekend.

It doesn't smell anything like Silicon Mix and its blue in color. I purchased it for $11.99.

KEEPING THE MOISTURE-PROTEIN BALANCE

Sometimes, my hair gets dry, which is normal considering the changing weather conditions. When that happens, I sometimes apply KODL to my ends and then throughout the length of my hair, followed by castor oil or my oil mix (castor/olive/lavender). At otehr times, I spray my moisture mix into my hair and then follow up with oil for sealing.

There are other times when I notice that my hair is breaking or shedding. When that happens, I break out my CHI keratin Mist and spray it throughout my hair. I then follow up with CHI Silk Infusion and maybe my oil mix, depending on how my hair feels.

I have been using BT as a growth aid about 3-5 times a week and also applying castor oil to mys calp 2-3 times a week. I hope to grow at least an inch and a half before relaxing and must stop the BT applications at least a month prior to my touch up.

LOVIN' IT

So, about 8 days after my relaxer, I washed my hair. I used TJCS, focusing on my scalp, then applied KOProtein con and DCd for 10 minutes. After rinsing, I applied SECon for another 10 minutes.

After washing, I allowed it to air dry and then applied my Keracare creme. I left that on for approximately 10 minutes then put some COpomade in it and left that for over an hour. I later applied CO and when it dried I combed and brushed. My hair felt excellent! Strong, yet soft.

The next day, I applied Silk Infusion and brushed. My hair feels heavenly and I am soooo thrilled. I can't remember the last time I loved my hair so much and I am so pleased.

OPERATION CREAMY CRACK WAS SUCCESSFUL

Not only did I get a touchup, but I also got my ends cut. In some places I lost an inch and in others I lost 3 inches. Sad, yes, but my ends look great. I am still generally around collar bone or shoulder length and can't wait for some more growth.

Once I got home, I applied COpomade to my scalp and applied Castor oil to my ends. It made my hair feel heavy and healthy.

Unfortunately, my roots at the back on the left did not relax but texlaxed and my scalp started burning almost immediately. I once again used Mizani Butter Blends which did wonders on my hair.

Glennis styled my hair but it seems that a stylist called Emily (with a piercing in her cheek) is super popular and I might try her next time.

I hope to go to Sintia's once every 2-3 weeks until about 8 weeks. at which points I will probably hide my hair under a wig.

I will relax my hair in Dominica.

I will also apply castor oil at least 3 times a night and Boundless Tresses at least 1-2 times a week. God help me!

CREAMY CRACK DAY IS UPON US...

Let the church say..."Amen"

lol

Okay, so on Friday, I shampood with Suave, then applied Keratin 2-min reconstructor for just about/over 5 minutes. Rinsed and was left with incredible hair. But, I opted to apply SEcon to my roots , massage it in, then rinse and do an ACV rinse as well.

My hair ended up okay but because I had to run out of the house I was unable to do a thorough post wash process. Nevertheless, the next day, I applied moisture mix, COpomade. Later on at night, I moisturized my scalp with castor oil and then combed my roots and applied castor oil all over my hair. It will be a prepoo and I hope that it will not impede the relaxing process.

Leaving the house in about 15 minutes... will update once I return.

THE CREAMY CRACK COUNTDOWN BEGINS...

Make your own Countdown Clocks

ALMOST BOUGHT A NEW PRODUCT TODAY...

I went to the BSS and almost bought Silicon Mix Proteina De Perla today. I was going to buy it because it has silk proteins in the ingredients. I already like Silicon Mix so the addition of silk proteins would be a good addition, I think. Will do some research before making that purchase.

Instead, I loaded up on TE's protein conditioner, which both her hair and mine love. I also bought a packet of Aphogee's Keratin 2 minute reconstructor. Being that I am about to relax my hair, I feel that I need a good shot of protein. I considered buying a packet of the two minute protein conditioner, but the word 'reconstructor' won out.

I will wash my hair with hubby's suave shampoo (I don't normally use stripping shampoos, but my scalp needs some serious cleaning), then apply the reconstructor for about 2-5 minutes, rinse and then apply my con for 20 minutes and clarify. Hope that leaves my hair strong and ready for a relaxer on Sunday.

MY HAIR FEELS...

different...

The last time I washed, I only used my Silk con and well, my hair felt a little too soft for my liking. Actually, limp is a much better description for it. There was less breakage than I have seen in the past though, so that was a blessing. Anyway, I think I will definitely stick to the protein then moisturizing con procedure.

ONLY MOISTURIZING CON

I washed my hair yesterday because my scalp was on fire!!!! Now that I am close to my relaxer, I have cut down on how often I wash my hair so I don't have to detangle as often and lose hair.

Anyway, as I have runo ut of both Silicon mix and TE's protein con, I decided to only use my Silk Elements CON.

I washed with TJCS and focused on my scalp, then put SECon in my hair for about 30 minutes. Detangled (without losing a huge amount of hair), rinsed and then did an ACV rinse. Afterwards, I applied my moisture mix, Keratin mix (for protein), Silk infusion, Kera Care and then sealed with CO Pomade.

My hair  feels okay but not great as it usually does when I use silicon mix or at least protein. Since I will be relaxing this coming weekend, I will have to purchase some proteing and especially a hard protein to prep my hair for a relaxer on Wednesday or Thursday. Or maybe i can just simply make my own protein conditioner/prepoo instead. Hmm, we'll see...

13 WEEKS POST & LOVELY HAIR

Oddly enough, my hair feels great!

My hair went for over a week without a wash, because I was tired post-San Francisco and i ran out of Silicon mix.

However, I washed my hair yesterday to great results. I washed with castile soap and focused on my scalp which had build up and dandruff. Then I used TE's moisturizing shampoo, again concentrating on the scalp. I put on a protein conditioner and left it on for about 20 minutes. After rinsing, I applied my Silk Elements con and left that on for about 20 minutes as well. I made sure to rinse everything out properly, taking my time, but I also combed my roots out. (Lost some hair, though and that was traumatizing, as usual!). After a proper rinsing, I clarified with an Apple cider vinegar rinse.

I let my hair air dry a bit and put some KODL in it. Then I used my Kera Care creme and the sealed with Castor Oil pomade (COP). I brushed my hair a little and went for a walk and let my hair airdry, constantly running my hands through it to ensure that it dried straight.

The results were incredible! My hair is soft and shiny. My new growth is soft and detangled. I am definitely ready for a relaxer! My goal is to relax anywhere from Thursday to Sunday. I will moisturize my scalp nightly with COP. Every day, I will add silk infusion in the morning, and then KODL + COP at night (in tiny amounts, to avoid build up). On Tuesday night, I will use my Denman to detangle again and then hope for the best!

NOTE: Do not buy Mango Butter until Kera Care creme is finished. Also, make another moisturizing mix and get silicon mix because it is essential once you are 8 weeks post.

NOTE 2: ALWAYS DO A PROTEIN DC ONCE A WEEK!!!!! Your hair loves it!

PROTEIN & MOISTURE

My hair was looking and feeling a hot mess, so I did the following.

Protein prepoo, which included -

1. 2 eggs
2. mahabhingraj oil
   
3. amla oil
4. castor oil
5. olive oil
   

The prepoo stayed on for an hour. I rinsed out with Castille soap, and then some VO5.

I followed up with an hour and a half with Silk Elements conditioner.

My hair felt alright and airdried fine. 2 days later, I sprayed some moisture mix, put some mango butter and then sealed with castor pomade and it feels pretty good. I have decided to relax my hair in the middle of September, at which point I will be about 13 weeks post. Hope my hair doesn't act up during this time.

SILICON MIX RETURNS...

Washed my hair on Sunday evening. I used my Castille Soap (TJCS) and then followed up with silicon mix which I left on for about 5 minutes or so. After rinsing my hair felt great, silicone and all. I followed up with my usual routine and let it air dry before going to bed.

My hair feels pretty good and looks healthy. It is clear to me that my ends need to go. I only hope I don't lose too much length. But once I get a relaxer, I am sure my hair will look great.

TRADER JOE'S CASTILLE SOAP

I have used Trader Joe's Castille soap twice to wash my hair, and love it. I use it as a shampoo and it does not dry my hair, but leaves it super soft. This last time, I washed and then cowashed with VO5. My hair came out soft and luxurious.

I followed up with my moisture mix, some Silk Infusions (CHI), Mango Butter and sealed. Feels good. This product is definitely a keeper.

MOISTURE DOES MY HAIR GOOD

Again my hair is doing good. I keep it in a bun and keep it moisturized everyday so as to keep it from getting dry and breaking uncontrollably.

The moisture-protein balance seems to be working. But, I will now simply do a cowash with VO5. After that, I will next do a shikamla rinse in a couple days. I hope my hair stays the way it is which is nice.

HAIR NEEDS SOME HELP!

I purchased some Silk Elements Olive Oil conditioner for $12.00!!! I am pissed I spent that much because the ordinary one was $6.99 but the price for both was not indicated! Yeah, I'm a sucker for some nice smelling hair products. I guess.

Anyway, I put it in my hair because it was feeling pretty hard after the last protein conditioner. I left it in for about 2.5 hours and the next day I had a lot of breakage. I have decided to just leave my hair for a little bit but will do a protein conditioner on Monday or so and follow up with the Silk Elements OO con (SEOO) and see how that works. If no progress, I will take my behind to Sintia's next weekend for a deep conditioner and just ask them not to blow dry my hair after the set.

HAIR IS DOING FINE

A week and a half after my relaxer, I opted to wash my hair. I used TE's moisturizing shampoo and then used the sample of Soft Sheen conditioner. I left it in for about 6-7 minutes and when I rinsed, my hair felt great. I opted to not follow up with a quick VO5 conditioner.

So far, my hair feels good. I keep it moisturized and even added a little Silk Infusion then sealed with olive oil. Last night, I added some Mango Butter to my ends and then sealed my entire hair length with castor oil pomade.

Hope my hair stays healthy and grows at least an inch and a half during this stretch.

GOT A RELAXER

Got a relaxer at Sintia's and used the Butter Blends from Mizani relaxer. It worked pretty well. There was a little bit of burning but I did not end up with burns on my scalp.

I opted to not get the cellophane color treatment and saved $30! The lady who blew me out opted to not trim my ends, but they are looking a little see-through so I have to work on them.

My hair is growing out thankfully. After a 13 week stretch it looks like I just might get to APL by the end of the year. I will try to use my Boundless tresses for at least 8 weeks and then allow 3-4 weeks without before a relaxer.

Hope it works.

GREAT HAIR

On Tuesday morning, I cowashed with VO5 and decided to only use the products I had used to do TE's hair a couple days earlier.

Thus, I let my hair airdry about 90%, then sprayed it with my moisturizing spray, applied Mango Butter and sealed with castor oil pomade.

Once my hair was completely dried, I noticed that it felt very soft but certain parts of my hair did not receive adequate product, so I combed my hair out around my head (not backwards as usual) and applied products to the parts that felt dry.

I wrapped my hair up and wigged it per usual.

On Thursday, I combed out my hair to moisturize my edges and nape only to discover that my hair was super soft and hardly needed any product! I used KODL on my edges and nape, then decided to apply it to my new growth. Great idea! My new growth felt super soft and was immediately manageable/combable. I used very small amounts of KODL on each section and then sealed the entire length with olive oil. I am amazed at how soft my hair feels. There was minimal breakage as well.

I plan on getting a relaxer next weekend and will likely continue to moisturize my NG every other day. On Saturday/Sunday, I will use DPR-11, mixed with olive oil, castor oil and maybe even Mahabhingraj oil as a prepoo for about 15-30 minutes, rinse and then clarify with Vinegar.

On Wednesday of next week, I will use the last shea butter green tea sample I have and leave it in for the recommended 5-10 minutes so my hair won't be as hard as it was the last time. Then after rinsing and using DPR-11 to moisturize, I will make sure to base my scalp with castor oil pomade and do that every morning until I get a relaxer.

I GOT A WIG!

I purchased a lace front wig for about $96 about 2 weeks ago and have been enjoying the length it gives me. I have to say, that this wig, is definitely the hair length I would love to have - just around BSL.

The wig is a synthetic lace front wig and it works for me. Here are a couple pics.

I visited Black Hair Media forum and got some additional sites with great wig options -

1. The Luxurious Hair Boutique: I like the 'Chanel' wig
   
2. The Hair Network: I like the 'Beyonce' wig
3. Love My Lace Wig:
4. List of recommended sellers available here
5. Another site to buy synthetics at a cheaper price here
   

I am now searching for the Afro Beauty Love Lace Wig. I spoke to the distributor but am yet to find it in this area. Hopefully, I will.

BEEN A WHILE...

As of today, I will be 8 weeks post on Saturday and continue my hair journey.

I haven't updated in a while, so here is the skinny of the past 5 months.

HORRIBLE HAIR EXPERIENCE
I went to Costa Rica where my hair was literally falling out. Not sure what caused that but a visit to a hair stylist there, helped to keep my hair in check, but once I got back, I started going to the Dominican salon every 3 weeks and got a mini-trim at one point, but that didn't stop the shedding despite the frequent deep conditions.

In January, or is it February-sometime, I got a relaxer and a real trim. I went from grazing APL/full APL to collar bone and it hurt! I think that that is why I stayed away from here for so long. Losing all that length was painful and remains so, but I am thankful that my hair no longer sheds too much and looks relatively healthy.

NEW REGIMEN
I have been washing it about twice a week - cowash and then deep condition on the weekends. I try to moisturize every other day. I have integrated CHI;s Silk Infusion and Keratin Treatment into the mix. I use silk infusion to moisturize and silken and use the Keratin to infuse strength (protein) on cowash days.

PROTEIN
For protein I have just started making my own concoction -

1. 4 spoons Elast QP DPR11
2. some Silk Infusion
3. 1 egg
4. some olive oil
   
5. some castor oil

I hope it will keep my hair strong because it likes protein and I want to do a protein deep condition at least once a week.

NEW MOISTURIZER
I just created a new moisturizer to use in my hair right after washing and if/when I want to baggy.

1. some castor oil
2. some glycerine
3. some olive oil
4. about 3oz of Rose water
5. some Silk Infusion
6. some KODL

I hope this will help me simplify my moisture routine which I find cumbersome. Hopefully, after spraying some of this, I can let it airdry, apply a tiny amount of silk Infusion and Mango butter then seal with Castor Oil pomade or Olive oil.

PROMISES
I have promised my self that once I reach the 8 week mark, I will be at the salon at least every 2 weeks. And, when my hair needs some pampering, I will go whenever the need appears. I no longer want to do long stretches and think I will go for 10-12 week stretches to reduce breakage at the line of demarcation.

GOALS
I aim to be APL (AGAIN) by my 30th birthday. I am not sure if I will get there, but I hope that the summer months will be kind and allow for a serious growth spurt. Currently I have approximately 3/4" of new growth and I hope to grow at least 4 inches before the year ends. So, at least, I should be APL by December.