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.

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.

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.

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.

SINTIA DOMINICAN HAIR SALON

Website is here.