NEW GOODIES: Silk Elements Olive Oil Conditioner & Deep Conditioner

So, I had to get me some more of this good stuff!!!

Silk Elements Megasilk Olive Moisturizing Treatment is crack for my hair and I love it! "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" is the common saying and I am living by it via this product. I realized while doing my daughter's hair, that it would be good to purchase a normal conditioner as an alternative to the conditioning treatment we currently use.

So, while at Sally's I decided to take advantage of their 2 for $12 sale and purchased the Silk Elements Megasilk Olive Conditioner.

I can't wait to use it. This will help my moisturizing treatment last a little longer. I hope. My daughter and I run through conditioner! We can't help it as our hair soaks that stuff up!

Another product on my hair lust list is the Nature's Gate Tea Tree Oil Shampoo. Hopefully, I'll get it soon! I also think I would like to do a shikakai conditioner soon. hmmm....

HAIR WASH UPDATE

I washed my hair the other day.

I prepood with conditioner (silk elements olive oil) and left that on for about 2 and a half hours. Then I rinsed out and put Aphogee reconstructor in my hair for anywhere between 7 and 10 minutes (probably closer to 5 - 7).

After rinsing, I didn't like the way my hair felt because it didn't feel very moist. But I let it airdry a bit and then sprayed moisture mix, applied a lot of chi silk infusion and sealed. Then I wrapped it and left it alone for over 24 hours. When i finally combed it out, it felt very soft and nice. My hair didn't feel thin, unlike whenever I go to the hair salon.

I will try this again.

HAIR WASH

I washed my hair on Sunday. I put some oil in it as a prepoo in the morning.

When I finally washed later that day, I shampood with Suave coconut shampoo, then put keratin treatment for about 3-5 minutes. I later put the Silk Elements con in my hair and left it on for about an hour. When I rinsed it out, my hair felt a little too mushy so I applied the keratin treatment again and my hair felt better.

I then let it airdry. Once 90% dry, I applied my moisture mix, CHI silk infusion, CHI keratin spray and sealed.

My hair feels fine. I moisturized it after my run on Monday and I continue to moisturize my edges and ends. I am aiming to hide my ends this week and keep my hair moisturized, as winter is coming and the weather is getting cold/dry.

Will apply BT on my scalp today. I need to maintain a regular 2-3 times a week regimen with that. Hopefully, I will grow about an inch by my next touch up.

NEW PURCHASE: SILK ELEMENTS MEGASILK INTENSE CONDITIONING MAYONAISE

Just bought the above mentioned product at Sally's. Once opened it looks very different from the previous conditioner I used to buy and this has little bits of what look like herbs in it. Will see how it works.

NEW PURCHASE: APHOGEE 2-MIN KERATIN RECONSTRUCTOR

So, I gave in and bought the bottle for $10. I have been using the product's sample packages for a while and decided to simply buy the bottle. It works on my hair.

I used it on Thursday evening and left it in for approximately 5 minutes, rinsed and then put Silk Elements Con in my hair for a few minutes in the shower and rinsed. My hair felt just fine.

Today, at exactly one week post wash, my hair feels crappy, but that is because I have been sweating. It also feels a little under moisturized, I must confess. I have put some of my oil mix in it and will wash tomorrow (Friday) after our trip to the pool.

I have avoided going to the hair salon, but I think I will go there next Thursday when Husband is home from work. It will be nice to get my scalp cleaned and get a heated DC.

ANOTHER FAB HAIR WEEK!

I washed my hair on Tuesday to excellent results, again.

I shampooed, then put KOProtein con in my hair for 20 minutes and then Silk Elements Olive Oil Con for 10 minutes

Once washed, i left my hair to air dry for about four hours My hair was silky and straight. I applied moisture mix, Silk Infusion and a little jojoba oil. I also applied castor oil to my scalp the next day and sealed with castor oil pomade My hair looks lovely and feels fabulous.

I am really enjoying the results i am getting from these deep conditioners. My next wash, I will try the same regimen and see if the results are similar. If not, then the following weekend, i will go to Reflexion and get a DC without the blowout.

WASH DAY AFTER SWEARING IN

I was sworn in as a US Citizen, yay!!!

Well, I needed to wash up my hair so, I shampooed with Castille Soap and then conditioned with KOProtein condition and left it on for 25 minutes. I then DCd with Silicon Elements Olive Oil for 40 minutes.

My hair felt incredible afterwords. Very strong and I noticed little to no breakage or shedding.

However as a week approached, I started to notice shedding and am preparing to wash and DC with Miss Key 10 en 1. I hope my hair will like it, but we will see. I will simply leave it in for about 35 minutes.

PRE RELAXER TIME AGAIN

I just washed my  hair on Sunday. I prepood before going to  the gym - some Silk Elements con, and oil mix in my hair. Left my hair looking really good, actually. When I returned about 3 hours later, I washed with castille soap and then did a quick protein con in the shower. I then put silk elements olive oil con in my hair for less than 30 minutes, rinsed and my hair felt alright.

I let it airdry and then blow dried. When I pull my hair on my chest for a length check, I am almost at APL.

Although i want to get a relaxer this weekend, I think I will wait until next weekend. I spent most of my money buying domain names and hosting for a project that might not even happen. So, I'm very low on funds right now. So, i will spend the time between now and relaxer day, prepping my scalp and hair for the process.

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

PROTEIN SUNDAY

I had planned on doing a henna treatment this weekend, but the weekend flew by so quickly, it just never happened. So instead, I turned to what I had at my fingertips and got it cracking.

I did a KOProtein DC for almost an hour. Once I rinsed, my hair felt alright but it clearly needed some more strength. So I mixed some of my oil mix, an egg, and some Silicon Mix, put it in my hair for about 25 minutes. The results were what I was looking for. My hair felt heavy and strong. After that I put some more Silicon Mix in my hair and combed it out. Lots of shed hairs, which was disturbing as usual. But my hair felt so silky smooth after that, it was amazing.

I let my hair airdry and then applied some moisture mix. I am going to put some silk infusion in it later and hope for the best. Because of an upcoming interview, I will put some heat in my hair this week, just to see how it behaves, as it has been a while since I have applied heat myself. If it works out, then I will style my hair for the weekend. If not, I will go to Sintia's to get my hair done.

Hoping for the best.

IT'S BEEN A WHILE...

I didn't wash my hair for 3 weeks! And when I did I used the ORS Olive Oil Replenishing pak (45 minutes deep condition) and it left my hair super soft. However, I used my Keracare foaming wrap lotion and followed up with my moisture mix to horrendous results. I ended up with a sticky film in my hair but it seemed to evaporate each time I went outside and that cold air whipped my hair.

Anyway, as of today, my hair feels great! I have been moisturizing since Wednesday and sealing with my grapeseed/olive/castor oil mix and that seems to work. I will likely wash my hair again on Monday. I need to dust my ends though because in the last few weeks, I haven't hidden them as I should.

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.

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.

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.

UPDATE

Since getting my relaxer, my scalp itches. I think it is from all that heat, coupled with the cold, dry weather.

I washed my hair on Monday, just over a week after my relaxer. I shampooed with TE's moisturizing shampoo. Followed with her protein con and then with Silk Elements CON.

My hair came out nice but there was build up on my scalp. I then followed up with KODL, Mango Butter and some Vatika. I re-moisturized a few days later by moisturizing my scalp with castor oil pomade, applying mangi butter and vatika to my strands.

Its been 5 days and my scalp is itching again. I also have noticed much less shedding/breakage.

Thus, I am going to make my own anti0shedding potion with the following:

1. 5 tbs castor oil
2. 3 tbs garlic/ginger
3. 3 tbs mahabhingraj oil
   

I will heat the mixture in the microwave for 5 minutes and then apply to my hair, wear a shower cap and sleep on it. I will then wash with the shampoo, apply some VO5 clarifying con, and then Silk Elements mixed with mahabhingraj oil. I will leave that on for 30 minutes and wash.

I hope my hair comes out moisturized, with no shedding or breakage. If that works, then I will repeat a few days later.

NOT TOO HAPPY

Last Friday, I was depressed. I opened up the drain in the shower and it was filled with my hair.

It was so saddening and I was going to relax my hair first thing in the morning.

On Saturday, I decided to nurse my hair back to relative health before getting the relaxer. So, on Saturday, I used TE's protein conditioner and followed it up with Silk Elements. My shedding stopped and the hair felt better.

Yesterday evening, I shampood with TE's moisture shampoo, then conditioned with her protein conditioner and then slept overnight with Silk Elements (SE).

After rinsing this morning, I applied KODL, Vatika (which I have been using for a week to close cuticles), then I sprayed some moisture mix, added some Castor oil pomade and some mango butter.

My hair looked much better. Less shedding as well.

I will try to relax on Thursday or friday.

AAAAAHHHHH

Today, I did an ayurvedic rinse. I followed it with a Dove Advanced Color Care Reviving Mask for Lightened or Highlighted Hair.

I have had it for a while and now, remember why I ever used it again. My hair felt funny afterwards. (I will never use this product again. It goes straight to the bin.) I followed it up with the Silk Elements conditioner and my hair felt much better. But when I combed my hair in the shower, I lost so much hair, it was nerve racking!

I used KODL, then Mango Butter, then Castor Oil pomade and vatika. I then did some bantu knots and when I checked much later, my locks felt incredible. however, my hair is still falling out, so I will be making a protein conditioner for my hair rtomorrow. It shall contain

1. Coconut oil
2. 2 eggs
3. Castor Oil
4. Coconut milk (maybe)

I hope that it helps to give my hair the strength it needs. I will follow up with TE's moisturizing shampoo and then use the Silk Elements again. Hope it works.

OOH! GREAT HAIR!

After three weeks of applying direct heat to my hair, it was time to get back to my air drying routine. And yesterday, I applied Mahabhingraj oil, Amla oil as an overnight prepoo.

So, today, I did a shikamlarithaneem rinse then cowashed with VO5. I applied some MT to my hair, left it in for a few minutes and washed it out. I conncluded by applying NTM Mask and leaving it in for about 5 minutes. The result, after n ACV rine, was clean, soft, yet strong hair. I combed in the shower and did not experience much shedding and no breakage.

Once out of the shower, I let my hair dryfor about 30 minutes and then sprayed my moisture mix. After about 15 minutes, I applied KODL and left that in for another 15 minutes. Then I applied some Mango Butter and ran around for about 10 minutes. I finished up with abour 3 quarter size amounts of my oil mix and ran it through as many sections of my hair as possible. About 30 minutes later, I threw in a little more Mango Butter, focusing on my roots and was good to go.

My hair dried while we were at the book reading and by the time I got home, my hair was super soft and not mushy. My roots were mostly detangled and the curl had loosened tremendously. I originally thought the loose curl was the result of heat but now I know it is because of the NTM Mask.

All this raises the question of how much longer I can continue to strerch. As of today, I have hit the 21 week mark and frankly, my hair is great. I could stick to NTM Mask, and use Silicon Mix/ TE's KO Protein Con for my protein once a week and just continue to watch my hair and baby my ends.

God give me strength!

SILK ELEMENTS MEGASILK MOISTURIZING TREATMENT

i AM ABOUT TO BUY THIS PRODUCT AS A replacement for DPR-11 and NTM Mask.

The only reason for this is that DPR-11 does not give me slip, NTM Mask gives great slip and softness but is too expensive for a 6oz container. I also like the fact that this contains silk amino acids. That is a product I have not really tested on my hair and at this point, I need to rty anything that will keep my roots soft.

Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask

I purchased the Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask2 weeks ago and have use dit twice. I needed a quick replacement for my DPR-11 which I ran out of and was not ready to go to the BSS to a new one.

Anyway, this product has given loads of sliip and is great to use when I am applying heat to my hair. It leaves my hair soft and manageable and I only need to leave it onf or 5 minutes to get those results.

This is definitely a keeper!