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.