This week's hair stuff

December 19: I pre-pooed overnight with Evco and shampooed that out with my watered down Nexxus. then I followed that with my Tresumme Moisture rich and detangled in four sections the shower and plaited each section. When I got out, I blotted the hair and added my leave-ins in this order:

*Aphogee leave-in

*Aloe vera

*Cream of nature creamy leave-in

*Fantasia Ic Serum.

I combed each one through each time I add

Then, I let my hair air-dry in a rollerset and flat ironed the root with a little Nexxus heat protectant spray. FYI: NO HEAT touched the ends of my hair!

To maintain over the next four days, I just moisturized nightly with evco and wrapped the hair with my hands. I loved the softness and manageability of my hair so I think this regimen is a keeper!

December 22: I rinsed my hair with luke-warm water for 5 minutes then I slathered on some Dove daily moisture and did my workout. After that I gently rinsed the hair and co-washed it with some Tresumme. I used a t-shirt to soak up the water and then I moisturized and sealed with Herbal Essences LTR and evco. Then I plaited in 6 plaits.

-- On some long hair board I found, I was told to sleep with the hair in a position (like plaits) that inflicts the least amount of friction, movement, and stress. So, I think I may do that with the co-washes after workouts.

The star product for Decemeber: extra virgin coconut oil

I went from texlaxed to relaxed and this is the regimen

My new staple routine since August - October 2010:

*I use this 1 - 10 weeks post relaxer.

- Prepoo/dc (OVER SATURDAY NIGHT) on scalp & hair w/castor oil or evoo or coconut oil - Condition-wash-condition: with Dove on ends only,
- Use a 30-70 mix of NTM, CON, or Nexxus Humectress poo on scalp only (lather and rinse well) and water (1 time only!!!)
- DC w/ matching conditioner and plastic bag w/heated cap for 15-20 minutes.
- Let hair cool down then cool water rinse.
- De-tangle in shower and in sections with Tresumme. Plait each section OR part hair for rollerset in shower.
IT WORKS!

Clarify after pool and use Aphogee 2-min before DC (if needed)

Leave-ins: Aloe spritz and 911 for dry hair

Moisturizer: 1/2 water 1/2 Clairol DR in s-curl bottle OR Ltr

Roller-set w/watered down 911 for dry hair and Fantasia IC heat serum then bun M-F knot-out or twist-out updo on weekends.

Nightly:
-Aloe spritz (keep refrigerated)
-911 leave-in for dry hair
-Pea-sized amount of LTR to ends and edges
-Seal with SAO
Wrap, tie down, baggy (<---my hair loves baggying)


Products to ditch: NTM line.

Staples: Tresumme, Dove, Nexxus, Cream of Nature and natural oils

Wigging/Bunning until: End of Spring semester 2011

This came from my KISS blog for July

I just want to say thank you to those ladies that have read these crazy long post of mine and left wonderful tips and comments. I started this blog as sort of an online journal because I couldn't properly track my progress, products, techniques, and overall journey. That is why you see the same format month to month. I found that monthly regimens help me listen to my hair's needs because I was not so responsive my first year. So, thanks for critiquing my hair care diary. Keep 'em coming!

Setback(s) & Problems:
June 2010: I'm still stretching, so that's a problem within itself. But, my overall breakage, especially at my line of demarcation, has slowed tremendously. I am about 22 weeks post and I am trying to keep things soft and strong like I am supposed to. Still recovering from January's braid/matting issue which won't be fully resolved until I get a 1 inch trim with my relaxer in August.

Solution to June's problem: oil pre-poos, C-W-C method, Mane 'n Tale detangler,
TRESemme vitamin e conditioner mixed with sweet almond oil (sao) as a co-wash, Aphogee green tea, Ion Repair solutions, LOADS of PATIENCE, and my new friend: CHI Keratin Mist.

Current hair status: A little past SL/CBL in the back and CBL and NL on
the sides, moderate/light breakage, with some under-processed sections,
soft but ends are still not as healthy as I would like. I am exactly 22 weeks and 1 day post relaxer. My goal is to get my stretching regimen down while my hair is not very long, and so far...it's working!


Current solutions to try: Continue to listen to my hair, day-to-day, week-to-week- and month-to-month. Summer school has forced me to stretch 8 more weeks than I intended. So I am going with the flow and learn along the way.
I will list below my techniques followed by products because while products are good, techniques make the outcome of using products great.

A. Using a lighter touch when combing, detangling, and braiding/setting. I know it sounds redundant, but I am naturally heavy-handed and I have to keep reminding myself. I only use my shower comb when detangling.
B. Detangling: I like detangling in the shower with my hands first then the comb next, in four sections with TRESemme Vit e (only). I have not found any other conditioner that gives me the kind of slip I can trust. This month I am testing Dove daily moisture as an alternative, but TRESemme Vitamin E is my staple. Detangling outside of the shower requires Mane n Tale Detangler and a moisturizing liquid leave-in. Right now, my favorite is Aphogee's leave-in spray.
C. The weekly protein treatments with the Aphogee system that helped me combat my breakage are now going to be monthly. The Aphogee shampoo, green-tea, and 2-minute will be replaced with Ion Repair Solutions (from Sally's) and CHI keratin mist. I like to clarify before using protein and follow up with a moisture d/c.
D. Styling: Buns all month did not work in June. Instead I ended up wearing my hair in braids and putting on a head-wrap and hat. I will wear the head-wrap (or wig) until the end of July because it's so easy.
E. Moisturizing: I totally fell off the boat with the nightly moisturizing bit. But, I did seal my ends with castor oil, doo gro oil, or sweet almond oil and extra conditioner.
F. Shampooing: I learned I really must pre-poo every time! Castor oil on my scalp every time (for the castor oil challenge); evoo, coconut, and/or sao overnight before wash day; and a moisturizing conditioner on the ends for the C-W-C method. For June I used HE HH or hydralicious or TRESemme (Note to self: I have been having so much fun trying different cheap moisture conditoners. HE conditioners work well 1-10 weeks post while lighter cons like TRESemme vitamin e and Dove daily moisture work well 10+ weeks post for my pre-poos. When I run out of hydralicious, I will try LTR).
G. Luke warm and cool water rinses worked well and I will continue to do this in July. I also did one ACV (1 part acv to 7 parts water) rinse that month which my hair loved! So I will do one this month. I also want to fit in black tea once a week before I d/c so that it can slow up some of this shedding.
H. I didn't have time to even look at my hair during the week so absolutely no combing during week was easy to do. With the braids and head-wrap, it is very easy to not manipulate my hair. But, it is also easy to neglect it as well, so I will co-wash my braids daily in the shower and use that time to m/s until wash day.

Products to try : - Nexxus Therapee and Humectress (alone or mixed into my Lustrasilk with evoo and sweet almond oil (sao)) for wash days - Dove Daily Moisture as a pre-poo/co-wash (testing this, it may replace my HE line because they are really thick which works right after a relaxer, but not at 10+ weeks post) - Nexxus Heat Protexx - Schwarzkopf zero frizz corrective serum extra strength serum w/UV protection (it was a buck at Publix and has panthenol, vitamin e, ceramide 2, and hydrolyzed wheat protein in it) -

Products to purchase - satin rollers (for my ends) - parachute unrefined coconut oil - HE LTR when hydralicious and Dove Daily moisture are used up - Lustrasilk's shea butter cholesterol (the new growth tamer) - TRESemme Vitamin E in the largest bottle possible - a cute, short, full wig (maybe) - bone comb (maybe) - 100% silk shirt (from the thrift store to turn in to scarfs) -

New Staples added to my reggie: Hair One olive oil for dry
hair (for cleansing hair after 10+ weeks post) and Lustrasilk Shea
butter cholesterol (for prepoos 10+ weeks post), CHI keratin mist (for a protein boost, especially at line of demarcation).

Products to modify or ditch: modify plastic hair combs and rollers with a
file and clear nail polish. Ditch: V05 clarifying shampoo (I really do not need clarifying shampoos. If I want to clarify, all I need to do is lather twice with what I have), Care free curl gold, and Profective Anti-breakage strengthening mega moisturizer.

This month's challenges:

1. No Trims (personal): April 1, 2010 til April 1, 2011 (only S&Ds)
   
2. Bun (Head-wrap/wig) Challenge (KISS): March 21 til December 21, 2010
3. Healthy Ends/Protective Styles Challenge (Hairlista): January 2010...
4. KISS Ultimate Challenge: for life and will continuously improve! ^_^
   

Reggie of the month:
Workout days (5x's a week):

• Put hair in bun coated with Tresemme (or Mane n Tale), evoo, and sweet almond oil (sao) and baggy hair while working out. Alternate protein and moisture.
  
• Co-wash with Tresemme moisture rich/sao (every time) and do a cool water rinse.
• M/s in four sections with watered down V05 and doo grow oil
  
• Air dry in four twists or braid with castor oil and silk roller at end (be sure to add extra oil and conditioner to ends).
• Wear head wrap, or braid/twist-out BUNS all week with ends moisturized and tucked away.
  
• Nightly: Mane n Tale detangler on n/g, m/s with watered down v05, doo grow or evoo and seal ends and edges with castor oil and twist/braid.
  

Weekly on Sunday:

• Make black tea and let steep overnight (Saturday), then put into a bottle with a nozzle on Sunday
  
• Pre poo scalp with castor oil and ends with any oil (over Saturday night)
• Coat ends with a little Dove Daily moisture for C-W-C
  
• Shampoo with Nexxus Therapee
  
• Rinse with black tea
  
• D/C with Nexxus Humectress (15 - 30 minutes w/heat)
  
• CHI keratin mist (concentrating on demarcation line)
  
• LTR leave-in (a small amount)
  
• Seal with doo grow (castor oil on edges and ends) and twist in sections
  
• Braid or twist to air-dry
  

Last Thursday of the Month:

• D/C on dry hair with coconut oil for 30 minutes then rinse with water
  
• C-W-C method with Dove Daily moisture on ends
• Shampoo with Aphogee for damaged hair 1-2 times (to clarify)
  
• Condition with Aphogee 2-min no heat 15 minutes with
  cap
• D/C with NEXXUS/CHOLESTEROL mix 15 minutes under dryer
• Rinse with ACV water and blot dry with t-shirt
  
• Add aphogee leave in, and CHI keratin mist (especially to line of demarcation)
  
• Seal ends with castor oil and add zero frizz corrective serum
• Twist or braid and air-dry

Co-washing contender to my TRESemme: Dove Daily Moisture Conditioner

I picked up this little goodie at Kroger on sale for around 3.00 for 12 fl. oz. I have been co-washing with it everyday this week. I am almost 23 weeks post and I am enjoying this as a co-wash in the place of my depleated favorite: TRESemme vitamin E with added sweet almond oil (sao).

Likes:

• VERY moisturizing (brought me back from a slight protein overload cause by a new serum)
• Cheap and accessible
• No additives, like sao, needed
• Rinses clean; Leaves no residue or smell (<---unlike HE HH)
• Small bottle for easy handling and space saving
• Upside down dispenser for easy dispensing
• Consistent results everytime

Dislikes:

• Not as cheap as TRESemme (40 fl.oz for 4.oo) versus Dove (12 fl.oz. for 3.00)
• Finshed bottle in about 8 days

Overall...IT IS A KEEPER!

My co-washing friend: TRESemme Vitamin E Moisture Rich Conditioner

I started using this as a pre-poo/dc at the beginning of my hhj. I used to workout with the conditioner in my hair.

A year and a half later, I realize this is an excellent co-wash when mixed with sweet almond oil.

I got the oil for $6.99 at Whole Foods and the TRESemme at Sally's for only $3.89 for a 40-ounce bottle! I added 1 tablespoon of oil for every 10 ounces to get wonderful results.

I used this as a co-wash last night, at almost 18 weeks post, to reduce manipulation, increase moisture (as a co-wash and leave-in), and to style hair while in the shower.

METHOD:

• I rinsed my hair thoroughly for about 5 minutes under the warm shower
• I gently squeezed the excess water from my hair and brushed my teeth (this gave my hair about 5 minutes to get rid of some of the water)
• I added the conditioner in 3 sections from root to tip (and lathered, so this let the conditioner sit for 5-10 minutes).
• Rinsed with luke-warm/cool water
• Squeezed out excess water and added a dime-sized amount to ends and edges and put in a wet bun with my silk wrap scarf.
• Once my hair was 30% dry, I removed the scarf, moisturized and sealed and tied my hair down with a dry silk scarf and baggied my ends.

RESULTS: The next morning, I lightly moisturized with TRESemme and sealed with castor oil and bunned my soft hair.

My HHJ Mainstays

There are a few quick things I need in my hair journey.

1. I love tweaking my regimen every 30 days. See my format here: http://keepitsimplesista.ning.com/profiles/blogs/may-2010-reggie-note-to-self. I'm only a year and a half into my hhj and my major set back was not listening to my hair. Trying to put it on a schedule was, for lack of a better term, stupid.
2. I must, must, must take my vitamins. Besides being for my overall health, they are great for energy (I feel slightly sluggish without them), and excellent for rapid hair growth.
3. I MUST work out everyday. I may rest on some Sundays, but usually I am doing something daily. Even if my family and I dance for only 30 minutes, I have to move. My favorite routines are on bodyrock.tv. These intense workouts are reminiscent of P90X or Insanity. MOST IMPORTANTLY: tracking my weekly exercise takes my mind off of watching my hair.
   
4. Flat irons, hot curlers, and pressing combs are a NO-NO in my regimen. As much as I am tempted, I do not use these tools because I have abused them in the past. So now I am forced to learn what to do with my hair without them because I don't own any.
5. Oils for: prepooing, mixing with co-washes and dc's are a must! Coconut oil, olive oil, sweet almond oil and cold-pressed castor oil have helped me tremendously on my hair journey.
6. Blogging is best for tracking what I do in a chronological manner without the fuss. I've tried the hand-written thing, taking pics, forums, Microsoft word, Microsoft one-note, notepad and other methods, but blogging seems to be the neatest, easiest, and most fun.
   
7. Last, but certainly not least: A GENTLE HAND WILL RULE THE LAND. My main issue with breakage is that I am a heavy-handed chick and that needs to stop (not to mention I rarely get manicures).
   

A regimen to stretch with...

So, I am 17 weeks post and so far this stretch has been the most successful yet. I am learning to change my reggie every 30-60 days to keep up with my hair's ever-changing needs. Right now I have sl relaxed strands sitting on top of a 1 and 1/2 inch afro. The different textures are driving me crazy!!! So it's time to braid it up. Prayerfully the braids will last me all summer semester (I'm almost a senior in college!! Glory be to God!).

Tonight I plan to:

• Pre-poo with evoo (it would be castor oil but I ran out, I am a big fan of castor oil)
• Wash with hair one olive oil
• D/C with steam from my bath with my mix of Lustrasilk's Shea Butter Cholesterol plus, HE HH, and a tablespoon of each of the following oils: Vitamin e, tea tree, and grapeseed oil.
• M/S with V05 and water mix in my s-curl bottle and doo grow oil
• Air-dry in bantu-knots
  

This by far my favorite regimen for hair that has 1 inch or more of new growth. It softens both textures so that I am able to style more easily.