I LOVE MY HAIR!

I thought I would get a touch up by now but was sick last week. Instead I struggled with dryish hair and combed through from root to tip once.

On Friday night, I shampoos and conditioned with SE olive oil con. I left that in for about 40 minutes and of course my hair felt like butter. I let my hair airdry and then sprayed moisture mix (which has plenty if black castor oil) and applied some of my oil mix sparingly. In the morning, I combed through and blow-dries. I also applied some silk infusion. My hair was huge and puffy.

Then I flat ironed Very small sections, applied a bit more silk infusion, sprayed more moisture mix sparingly and then sealed with castor oil pomade.

That day my hair was glorious and even though I was rained on and snowed on, it looked great. My hair was wrapped up all day on Sunday and when I combed it out today it was wonderful. I applied some moisture mix and used a little oil in it. I focused moisture on my ends, nape and temples. I wish my hair felt like this all the time. It has density, shine and movement. 

I will get a touh up tomorrow to take advantage of the $15 off on Tuesday promotion. Hope my hair will look and feel as good as it does now, but I doubt it. I will immediately moisturiZe and seal after a touch up and will dust my ends to ensure maximum health. 

ARRRRGHHHH!!!!

I fucked up!!!!!

Yes, I had my first set back in many months and I want to scream!

I shampood as usual and then followed up with a Suave moisturizing conditioner. After rinsing (immediately), I applied Silicon Mix bambu. I immediately started to regret not springing the money to buy a new Silk elements olive oil con.

My hair was full of KNOTS!!!! I can't remember the last time that happened. It was horrible.
I immediately shampooed and then put KO protein conditioner in my hair. I wanted to run to Sally's but chose instead to manage my hair as it was. I applied my moisture mix, and sealed with a little oil.

However, when combing out the knots, I ended up with a HUMONGOUS hair ball. Very next day, I ran to Sally's purchased my conditioner and even paid to join their members club so I can get some savings when I stock up on conditioner later in the year.

Later that evening, I applied con like relaxer, massaging it into my NG and left it on for about 1.5 hours.

My hair felt like BUTTER once I washed out the con. No knots at all. There were a few tangles that easily gave way to my fingers.

That was last night and today, I applied silk infusion (CHI) and blow dried. I then sealed by dividing my hair into several sections. It felt even better afterwards.

I am never buying that suave conditioner again. I should have known better, do not mix silicon products!!!! Also, stick to what works! NEVER ALLOW YOURSELF TO RUN OUT OF SILK ELEMENTS CONDITIONER!!!!!

As for my touch up: I think it should happen after my bday. As such, I will likely go get a deep con sometime next week.

Arrrrgggghhh!!!!

NEW PRODUCTS ON MY LUST LIST

I think its time I become a lot more conscious about not using products that contain parabens, sulphates and other problematic chemicals. It it especially important for my daughter's hair as I need to ensure that I limit her exposure to dangerous chemicals wherever possible.

At Marshalls yesterday, I saw a deep moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. Both are 33.8 ounces and cost $12.99. I didn't purchase because I am broke and there was a silly line. I think I might head over there tomorrow so I can get it though. That combined with my Silk Elements con and Silicon Mix bambu should be alright. I only use silicon mix once in two to three months, and I hardly use it on my daughter's hair, thankfully. Can't wait to add these products to my regimen.

I must mention that it has been hard to get Silk Elements Olive Oil Megasilk con at the price I like. They want me to join their membership program which requires payment. Anyway, will keep my eye open as I know it will go on sale again. When it does, I will purchase at least 4 containers.

I'M LOVING IT!

So, about a month ago, I used my Aphogee 2-min keratin reconstructor and since then, I have loved my hair.

I have also learned a very good lesson. When you use a reconstructor, do not use a protein product for at least a month or until your hair lets you know that it needs strength.

Now I understand why I experienced so much breakage, it was because I would use the reconstructor and then use the KO protein conditioner as well. It makes no sense now that I think about it.

My hair has been perfect and today it is excellent. I washed yesterday with moisturizing shampoo and then followed up with Silicon mix Bambu conditioner, which I left in my hair for about 40 minutes.

I let my hair airdry and then sprayed my moisture mix into it. After about 30-40 minutes, I followed up with too much Chi Silk Infusion and allowed it to dry. By morning, my hair felt soft. I also noticed that I had less shedding than I have had in the past.

I hope I can go to the hair salon this weekend in preparation for my upcoming touch up. I hope to get one once mommy arrives, so I can leave Folabi with her and relax at the salon.

I DID IT!!!

I gave myself a mini-haircut!!!

I was working on an article about hair health and realized the time had come. I promptly walked upstairs to my bathroom, brought out my shears, clips and a fine tooth comb and got to work.

My last hair wash was on Saturday and I let it airdry, using only my moisture mix and CHI silk infusion. My hair felt great on Sunday after I sealed with castor oil pomade. But by the evening, it was dry and my NG felt crunchy.

As such, I added my moisture mix to my roots and worked through my scalp and NG. I then wrapped it up for the night.

Today, I combed out my hair and it looked as if it received some heat.

When cutting, I took off between 1/3 of an inch and 2 inches in certain places. I then went through the entire head and took off about 1/3 inch of ends. I cut to ensure that my hair fell at my collar bone in front.

Once satisfied, I flat ironed my hair and it looked FANTASTIC! It looks thick and healthy.

Even more impressive is that FINALLY since Caprice chopped off my hair last winter, I like my hair length and am confident that I can actually just go out with my hair and not a wig or have it in a bun at all times. =)

I know I was supposed to wait until after my January relaxer to cut my hair but honestly, this was the best thing I could do for myself. I feel a lot more confident. I still have a gentle V shape in the back.

When I get my next touchup, I will again go through and remove approximately 1/3 inch of hair and make sure that this 'clavicle' look remains intact.

I am approximately 8 weeks post and have anywhere from 3/4 of an inch to an inch and a half in certain spots. I will stretch for 5 more weeks and use my growth aid for about 3 more weeks at 2-3 times a week. I applied it today already.

I'M GONNA CUT MY HAIR MYSELF!!!!

Yes, indeedy, I will!

After watching a few Youtube videos, I realize that I can literally give myself some layers in the front and make my hair look the way I need it to look.

I will hold off on cutting my hair until January. In fact, I will take my shears and other hair tools to DA with me God-willing in January and do it there.

Until then, I will continue to visit the hair salon every 2 weeks and get a cellophane rinse with each relaxer. I continue to use my BT mix and will do a seek and destroy after my next salon visit.

RELAXER REVIEW

Got a relaxer!!!! I was about 9 weeks late and my NG was WOAH!!!!

Gloria at Reflexions II HOOKED ME UP as usual. God bless that woman.

Pre-relaxer prep:
The day of my relaxer, I combed out my NG, aggressively and moisturized my straight hair. I also used my blow dryer to soften my NG. Then I divided my hair into 4 sections and went to the salon.

At the salon:
Gloria based my hair and didn't need to comb it. She applied the 'Hawaii' relaxer (I really think it is Hawaiian silky) and it NEVER burned. I can't believe it, considering the fact that I combed my hair like crazy.

She carefully worked the product into my hair and then washed it out. We followed it with KO Protein con and then put Silk Elements con. I was asking about how much a cellophane rinse would cost and Gloria, kindly, put a clear rinse in my hair. I sat under the steamer for about 30 or 40 minutes and then it was rinsed out. BTW, the rinse was added on top of my SE con.

I left the store with my hair in a wrap and must say that when I combed it out, I realized that my hair felt very healthy. It could be the rinse, but I honestly think it has more to do with the DC combo and my BT-mix. My hair has more life to it and I am happy.

I am still tempted to cut it, but after talking with Mariama, I realize I should be patient and stick to my original plan. Here's why: My hair is growing. I would have to cut at least 2 inches of my longer lengths to make my hair a wee bit more uniform. That would leave me at about collar bone length again. But, if I just leave it alone for another 6 months, I may be able to cut it about an inch or less from APL in January.

DREAMING OF A HAIR CUT...

I am leaning towards cutting my hair so I no longer have to have my hair bunned up or wear a wig on special occasions.

So, my hair inspiration right now is

ZOE SALDANA!!!!!

I have downloaded tons of pictures so, here we go...

Pictures 3 and 4 make me want to go to a salon right now. Anyway, I will get a relaxer, analyze my hair over a week, check with Cole Stevens salon for someone to cut my hair, and decide whether or not to take the plunge.


*sigh*

I',m tired of setbacks and hair disappointments. I just want to get to BSL already!

HAIR UPDATES july

So, I've been getting my hair dCd at Reflexions and i take my protein with me. So far so good.

My ends are thin, which is technically normal when stretching. I have at least an inch and more than that in some spots. I have to say that my BT alternative worked wonders because by 7 weeks I was an inch.

Okay, I plan to relax this week and will evaluate my hair. I am hoping to see some length so I can get a hair cut. More to come....