WIG UPDATE

I have been using a Freetress Equal Lace front Perry wig. I bought it at myprettywig.com and in my opinion, it took too long to arrive.

That being said, I really like the wig. It is easy to throw on and allows me to leave my hair unmanipulated. However, I have not been moisturizing my own hair which has been problematic. Given the dry, cold weather, my hair has been prone to breaking and shedding. As such, I am committed to keeping my hair moisturized and getting heated DCs every 2 weeks. I visited Reflexions 2 on Thursday, February 10th. I spent $35, gave a $5 tip to josephina who washed and set my hair. I also gave $2 to the lady who combed out my hair. I took my own DC - silicon mix bambu, my paddle brush and wide tooth comb for use after the rollers were removed.

I will add pics of my short hair, plus pics with wig on.

I plan to purchase another Perry wig. I must note, however, that the wig is wayyyy too small for my head and the lace is hard! My next wig will be a back up. The wig is fine for about a month or so and I will learn how to extend and preserve them. I do not add any product and there is some frizz on the sides. I will purchase from mimibeautysupplyplus on ebay. I am also considering purchasing another straight wig from donnaluxury on ebay because I prefer the swiss lace.

RELAXER PREP

So, there's another You + 1 event this Friday and I'm going to have to put my best face and hair forward. =0

In order to get my hair in order, I have to get a relaxer. Thus, I will wash my hair today and take care of my NG in order to get it ready for Friday. I just called Reflexion II and Evelyn said I can bring my kids with me. Since the salon opens at 9:30 am, I will aim to be there by 10am or 10:30 am with the boys strapped into their stroller. I will take crackers, bags of chips and juice boxes for them. The entire relaxer will likely take 2-3 hours. As long as I give them a snack every 30-5 minutes they will be fine. I will also take strawberries in their spiderman containers.

As for prep work - I will shampoo then apply Aphogee 2 min Keratin con for about 5 minutes. Then I will apply Silicon mix for about 30 minutes and rinse. Once the hair airdries, I will apply some KODL, CHI silk infusion and blow dry. I will blow dry in sections and will comb and brush out the NG. I will also put castor oil pomade on my scalp. Once completed, I will seal with castor oil.

RELAXER UPDATE & NEW SALON

So, after 9 weeks, it was time to get a relaxer and on June 5th, i got one. Being that my last relaxer at Sintia's was whack and that their management insinuated that I was lying about the underprocessing, I opted to go somewhere new. I went to Reflexion instead, located on MLK Blvd.

Nice spot, clean, friendly staff. Lila (sp?) gave me a touch up and could not believe I was barely 2 months post. I used Alter Ego and experienced some burning, but the Lila was very careful and worked hard to not only keep me comfortable, but get my hair straight. The burning was obviously a result of the major scratching I engaged in just the days before.

I got blown out by Rosie/Rosa and she was very careful to not burn my scalp which is a skill no Dominican has exhibited before while doing my hair. Still, my scalp has been itching and I wonder if it is the relaxer or something else. I got a trim and spent a total of $60 because there was a $15 off sale on all procedures. It took the same amount of time as it would have at Sintia's and quite frankly, I don't think I will go back to Sintia's anytime soon, especially since it wasn't like a hair factory at Reflexion.

Currently, I need approximately 1-2 inches to get to APL (AGAIN!) Frustrating as it is, I just have to stay focused. I plan on stretching for 13 weeks until September 4th. I will then try to stretch another 13 weeks with a relaxer on the 4th of December.

MISS KEYS 10 EN 1

My good Lord! What a horrible product.

I purchased this and was so excited to use it only to be disappointed. It did not moisturize my hair, but instead left it feeling crunchy and dry. I am not sure why. I added some oils and then used it on TE's hair, with the same result.

I am not quite sure how I would implement this product into my regimen and therefore, I will not try.

=(

NEW PRODUCTS

I now am the proud owner of

Silicon Mix Bambu which I took to the salon some weeks ago for a deep condition.

 And,

Miss Key 10 en 1

My hair felt good after using Silicon Mix bambu but all that heat left my scalp dry and unhappy. No mas!

VISIT TO SINTIA'S

I went to Sintia's to get a DC last night but was a little disappointed.

The lady who washed my hair, Elise, was just fine. However, she only put me under the dryer for about 10 minutes. After about 5 minutes of being under, the lady that usually relaxes my hair asked me to come out. I told her I had only been under for 5 minutes. Then, this big lady, used to work at the Bowie Dominican place that shut down, said that 5 minutes is fine, to which I responded that I planned to stay under a little longer. The dryer soon shut off and because all the ladies were busy with other people's hair, I sat for another 5 minutes with conditioner for almost a total of 20 minutes. I mentioned to the evening manager, Heather (I think) that I did not appreciate having a conversation on the matter.

I did not get a blow out and am very happy about that. My hair did not need the extra heat and it swangs and has incredible bounce without it. Based on this experience, I don't think I will get a blow out EVER again. It just isn't necessary unless there is something going on.


Anyway, before going to bed, I put some oil on my scalp and wrapped my hair. I left my hair wrapped the next day until it was time to pick TE up from school. My hair looks and feels great. I am convinced that my hair is doing okay. It could be doing better but so far so good. I will do a seek and destroy/dusting this weekend and when next I wash my hair, I will use the Silk Elements con I purchased. I wish I had a hooded blow dryer so that I could sit under for a little bit. I think that would help prepare my hair for the next relaxer which is in 2 weeks.

Well, overall, I am happy with my hair. The shedding/breakage of earlier this week has stopped for now. The thinness I was experiencing for all these months is done for now and I simply need to keep my hair happy between now and my next relaxer. I hope to accomplish that with head massages, low manipulation and not exposing my ends and hair to the elements as much as I can.

Once I get relaxed, I will go back to BT and use it 2-3 times a week for the first 8 weeks. For the last 2 weeks, I plan to relax before traveling to Nigeria, I will moisturize my scalp once a day with oils.

Hoping for the best

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

CREAMY CRACK DAY!!!!

I went looking for Sintia's Dominican Salon today and upon arrival, I was told that i could get my hair done while the kids hung out with me.

So, I got a relaxer which burned!!!!! But, overall, the process was nice. I was in and out in less than 3 hours with super straight, swangin' hair!

My hair was relaxed by Raquelle (sp?).

The relaxer, plus conditioning treatment, cost $65.

Will update with pics as soon as I can.

SUNDAY HAIR

I did a garlic treatment (see last post for details) but left it in for over an hour. I then washed with Suave Tropical Coconut shampoo and applied Silicon Mix for 5 minutes and wow, my hair felt incredible! It felt soft and strong. I think it is a protein conditioner with some moisturizers. I then washed with some VO5 strawberry champagne and that added a tad bit more moisture.

Then I added my new rosewater mix and KODL. I then sealed with coconut and applied BT. I made some bantu knots.

This morning, my hair felt incredibly soft. I loved it! It was still damp so I decided to moisturize again. I applied some Mango Butter and KeraCare. I then sealed with Castor Oil pomade. Now it seems that i should have done a lot less because my hair feels a little sticky. Anyway, I will hold off on doing a henna treatment until Wednesday. I will apply it in the afternoon and leave it on until the evening. At that point, I will wash it out and apply some conditioner over night.

SILICON MIX

I put this product on dry hair and left it on for an hour. After washing it out, my hair felt strong, almost like I had a protein DC.

Afterwards, I put MN/Sulfur mix, SCurl, Castor oil, Vatika on my hair and roots and scalp. I then put on a shower cap and slept. The next day, I combed out my hair the next day and it has tangled spots. But, my hair felt okay. Not great. I then put my hair oil mix in it.