Ending 1 year stretch??

This is what I did to my hair about 7 months ago (August 2010):

After a 6 month (Jan/Feb 2010 - Aug 2010) stretch I relaxed with ORS normal for 20-30 minutes.

Prior to that, I clarified, d/c-ed with Nexxus and flat ironed 1 week prior, wore bun all week, and did not scratch.

Then relaxer day:
-Based all week HB castor oil, then Proline on relaxer day.
-Rinsed relaxer for 10 minutes
-I did a mid-protein step with the Optimum normalizer (5 mins)
-Shampooed with (in the following order:) ORS chelating, Color alarm (til white lather), and Porosity control.
-Conditioned with Porosity control (3 minutes)
-Deep Conditioned with Nexxus, ORS rep pak, SAO and other oils
-Co-washed and detangled with Dove daily moisture

-911 leave-in for dry hair (my favorite)
-Nickle-sized amount of LTR to ends and edges
-Sealed with SAO and serum

-Air-dry in pony tail with roller-set on bangs and ends.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What NOT to do while stretching...

So.... last week, I thought that I could get creative and co-wash my half-natural, half-relaxed cornrows WITHOUT TAKING THEM DOWN. Let me repeat..... I TRIED TO CO-WASH MY HAIR WHILE IT WAS IN 1 WEEK OLD BRAIDS THAT I HAD WORN UNDER A WIG ALL WEEK. Neglecting all of the following rules of long-term stretching like:

• Detangling the hair before putting water on it


• Making sure not to stress the hair at the line of demarcation


• Keeping the hair clean (but still moisturized) to help ward off tangles in the first daygum place!

You might be wondering how I thought co-washing was going to help. Well I kept hearing this screeching chant in my head saying: "low-manipulation, low-manipulation, low-manipulation", that I let get the best of me so I tried it. Let me just say that by doing so, I managed to:

• Lock in the tangles from the week by adding water to my hair w/o pre-poo or detangling


• Put undue stress at the line of demarcation by trying to "work" the conditioner into and out of the braids (I saw the breakage to prove it when it was all over).


• Not rinse my hair clean because too much condition got caught up in the braids.

In other words...I won't go down that road, ever again. Ladies, do not try this at home (or anywhere else) !

Wigs and Stretching

Well for February 2011 I basically did what I had been doing since the beginning of the year. But, with all of the extra new growth I was getting tired and I almost relaxed during I break I had the first week of March. But, then it hit me: BUY A WIG (or two), and that is what I did.

With the wig regimen, I have been wearing my hair in 6 cornrows and spraying them daily (almost, maybe every two days) with:

- Aloe vera juice and 911 leave-in spritz
- African Royal Braid x
- Mane 'n Tale detangler (only if I encounter a knot)

Also, I try to take each braid down at least twice in the week, spritz it with my moisturizers, remove any shed hairs and moisturize with my ORS green lotion (which has also been watered down with aloe for a creamier consistency).

- Sealing nightly, especially on ends and edges with Doo Gro oil or SAO.

I am trying so hard to stretch until August 2011, but I still, still, still experience some breaking. Although, I think that I only get about 5-10 broken strands per week. I don't know if I am paranoid or what!

What I want to do on wash day May, June, and July to get me to August 1 is:

- Detangle dry hair using Mane' n Tale spray (gently of course from ends to root)

- Deep condition on dry hair with my Lustrasilk mix (CON, Lustrasilk Shea butter mango, Roux porosity control, peppermint oil, and other oils)

- Shampooing with Hair one 3x's a month and Cream of nature only once a month when I do my ORS rep pak (possibly after my Aphogee 2-min) OR for a lighter protein route, I may just add Mane 'n Tale to my dc mix up above because my new growth does not like the medium protein.

- Co-wash often with Tresumme or Dove (something ULTRA moisturizing)
(especially after each workout)

- M/S nightly with my sprays and light oils (my hair responds better). I will only use ORS green lotion on the ends on each wash day before I seal.

- I will try to rollerset (with Fantasia IC) before I braid with endpapers (my hair responded to this well also).


If this does not work in May, I will be relaxing and trimming.

Reggie for the second half of my first 1-year stretch.

Setback(s) & Problems:
I'm still stretching, so it is quite a challenge. But, my overall problem is light breakage. I am about 24 weeks post and I am trying to keep things soft and strong like I am supposed to. Still recovering from January 2010's braid/matting issue which won't be fully resolved until I get a 1 inch trim with my relaxer in August, which will put me at 1 year post relaxer!!!

Solution to breakage problem: oil and/or conditioner pre-poos overnight, (C-W-C method), detangling with Mane 'n Tale detangler before every pre-poo and wash, TRESemme vitamin e conditioner mixed with sweet almond oil (sao) as a final rinse-out quick conditioner, Aphogee 2-minute, Ion Repair solutions (not currently using), LOADS of PATIENCE and GENTLENESS, air-drying in braids or rollersets and my new friend: Lustrasilk Aloe Vera super detangling cholesterol. Washing and conditioning in 6 braided sections and super low-maintanence styles like my headwrap and clipped up-do's.

Current hair status: A little past SL/CBL in the back and CBL and NL on
the sides, moderate/light breakage, soft but ends are still not as healthy as I would like. I am exactly 24 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. DO WHAT WORKS. Using my blog as a journal to remind me of what is going on AND getting off of the product-junkie bandwagon. I research now for techniques versus products.

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.

C. The bi-weekly protein treatments with Aphogee 2-minute, ORS replinishing pak and Aphogee leave-in are helping me combat my breakage issue.

D. Styling: Since school is in, I have been wearing my head-wrap and so far, I like it.

E. Moisturizing: I will re-committ to moisturizing, sealing and baggying every night. My hair likes Doo grow, olive oil and coconut oil over the ORS carrot oil (for the winter).

F. Shampooing: I learned at 6 months + post relaxer I really must detangle with a detangler and pre-poo overnight every time! Castor oil, evoo, coconut, and/or sao overnight before wash day; and/or my Lustrasilk Aloe Vera detangling conditioner (a moisturizing conditioner on the ends for the C-W-C method) For June 2010 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 after my next relaxer).

G. Luke warm and cool water all the time works well and I will continue to do this indefinitely. 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: - Lustrasilk Aloe Vera Detangling Cholesterol-

Products to purchase - ORS replenishing pak in the bottle - Dove Daily moisture (large) - TRESemme Vitamin E and Smooth n Silky (largest bottles) - a new black hat (maybe) -

New Staples added to my reggie: Hair One olive oil for dry hair and V05 clairifying conditioner (for cleansing hair after 10+ weeks post); Lustrasilk Shea butter cholesterol and the Aloe Vera cholesterol (for prepoos/DC 10+ weeks post), peppermint oil (for a relaxing deep conditioning experinence).

Products to modify or ditch: modify plastic hair combs and rollers with a
file and clear nail polish. Ditch: V05 clarifying shampoo (I will use this to clean my combs and brushes. If I want to clarify, all I need to do is lather twice with a moisturizing shampoo), Schwarzkopf zero frizz corrective serum (way too much protein), Profective Anti-breakage strengthening mega moisturizer (was using for braids, but I do not plan to braid my hair any more) Nexxus line except the heat protexx spray (when used up because less expensive products work just the same).

Challenges:

1.No Trims (personal): April 1, 2010 til April 1, 2011 (only S&Ds)

2.Clipped Bun (Head-wrap/wig) Challenge (KISS): January 2011 til December 21, 2011
(With 3 heat passes ONLY: June, November, and December (graduation))

3.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 Lustrasilk Aloe vera 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.

Spritz hair with aloe juice and 911 leave-in root to tip

a. Seal with a light oil and serum then rollerset. OR

b. M/s on ends with ORS carrot oil and an oil (castor, evoo, sao, coconut, whatever) and braid.

Air dry in braids or rollerset. Always air-dry

•Wear head wrap, or braid/twist-out BUNS in clip all week with ends moisturized and tucked away.
•Nightly: m/s with aloe spritz, ORS carrot oil doo grow or evoo and seal ends and edges with castor oil and braid or cross-wrap. Baggy and go to sleep.

If my new growth becomes really unruly, then coconut milk d/c every 6 weeks or so will do the trick!

I have not touched my hair in two weeks!!

Over the past two weeks, I have been very busy. My hair has been in 4 very crappy braids under a head-wrap. So when I could remember my hair, I slapped anything I could on it ( olive oil or liquid leave-in) and baggied 3 out of the 14 nights of neglect.

However, I replenished some staples and I am going to get to work on my hair.

Items I bought:
-Lustrasilk cholesterols (the shea butter and the aloe vera)
- 911 liquid leave-in
- Cream of Nature moisture-active deep conditioning treatment with jojoba and olive oil
- Mane N' Tale detangler
- Magenta magnetic rollers
- Silk rollers (finally)

This weekend I plan to:
1. Detangle with my afro comb in very small (1 inch) sections with Mane n' Tale detangler
2. Pre-poo (from root to tip) with Lustrasilk's Aloe Vera detangling conditioner
3. Rinse (luke warm water). Shampoo (scalp only in 6 braids) with CON kiwi-lime
4. D/C for 30 minutes with heat with the following mix:
- 1 tbsp evoo
- 7 drops each of peppermint and tea tree oils
- 1 cap full (1 tbsp) of porosity control
- 1-2 tbsp (about 4 pumps) of Nexxux humectress
all mixed into 1/4 cup of each: Lustrasilk shea butter and CON moisture-active deep conditioner
5. Rinse in braids, detagling each section and re-braiding.
6. Spritz and comb through 911 leave-in and aloe vera juice; seal with serum.
7. Rollerset and air-dry.
8. M/S nightly with aloe, ORS carrot oil, coconut oil and cross-wrap.

Wear head-wrap this week.

2011 Staples for Year long stretch!

The conditioners I love to use are:

• Lustrasilk's Shea Butter and Mango (moisturizing deep conditioner, mainly preferred on dry hair with grapeseed, vitamin e oil, and evoo mixed in)
• ORS Replinishing conditioner (protein-based deep conditioner; used every other weekend with heat)
• Herbal Essences Hydralicious (used sometimes mixed with the Lustrasilk)
• Dove Daily moisture (mainly used as a d/c without heat while working out)
• Mane 'n Tale (rotated with Dove)
• V05 clarifying conditioner (used as a shampoo/cleanser [NO MORE SHAMPOO FOR ME])
• Hair One olive oil for dry hair (used as a shampoo/cleanser - love it!)
• Tresumme moisture rich vitamin e (My quick-conditioner, works well mixed with sweet almond oil. I use this to detangle the hair. I USED THIS BEFORE EVERY FINAL RINSE)

My favorite leave-ins are:
( after 2 years of experimentation, I have found that my hair prefers liquid leave-ins versus creamy)

• Cold Aloe Vera juice (my #1leave-in. It seals the cuticle, moisturizes and helps with detangling)
• 911 emergency leave-in (moisturizing)[DISCONTINUED] (Can you believe they took this off of the market???)
• Aphogee pro-vitamin leave-in (keeps the line of demarcation strong!)

My water-based moisturizers are:
(after 2 years of experimentation, I have found that I have to water down most of these a little bit more for my hair)

• Herbal Essences long term relationship
• Tresumme vitamin e (works well as a moisturizer too!)

My Oil-based moisturizer:

• ORS carrot oil (for the occasional straight hair)
• Coconut oil (for straight hair as well)

I may use the following shampoo to clarify (maybe once a month) and after a relaxer

• ORS creamy aloe shampoo
• Nexxus Therapee Moisturizing shampoo

OILS!!!

• EVOO ( pre-pooing overnight!)
• Cocounut ( straight style moisturizer/sealant/occasional scalp treatment)
• Doo grow Mega thick growth oil ( for nightly sealing and for coating my hands before taking down sets)
• Castor (for sealing damaged ends and for slicking and thickening edges. Occasionally used as a scalp treatment)
• Grapeseed, vitamin e, peppermint, and sweet almond oil (for adding to conditioners).

Heat protection and other styling aids:

• Water (as a spritz)
• Fantasia IC serum
• Nexxus Heat protexx
• Frizz ease super serum

That's all for now!

Coconut Milk?

I have been dancing around the thought of coconut milk for the past 4 months. I have just recently discovered (since looking up from my busy life) that I am 4 months post relaxer!!! I have made up my mind that I will not be relaxing for another two months. I will put in my traditional "start-of-the-spring-semester"semi-individual braids, do that regimen for two months, nurture my hair for the three weeks following, and relax sometime in March.

Back to the coconut milk, so I was browsing various hair care boards and decided that it was time to try the milk. Tonight I plan to put in in a spray bottle and use it to saturate my hair like a pre-poo. Then I will D/C with some Dove Daily moisture and co-wash it out with VO5 kiwi clarifying conditioner. I plan to roller-set with my Aphogee leave-in and Fantasia IC heat protection serum.

RESULTS

Well, I thought that the Coconut oil was going to aid my d/c, but I was wrong. When I sprayed it on the new growth, I immediately noticed that it became silkier and more manageable (as far as detangling is concerned. I saturated my entire head root to tip and only used Dove only on the edges to stop the drip. I added a plastic baggy and wrapped that with a towel for over an 1 hour ( my intentions were 15 minutes but I fell asleep).

SO I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DEEP CONDITION AFTERWARD BUT...I was so wrong!!! My heart said stop when I rinsed each half of my head with luke-warm water. As I let it air-dry in two loose french braids, I realized that my hair felt soft and a little stronger and the new growth was a little looser!. I decided that it was okay to just detangle using my Aphogee leave-in and Fantasia serum.

Loved this experience!!!

NOTE: It is very important to avoid heat and hot water while using the coconut milk or the thicker substance in the milk will curd in your hair.

My wash day: Christmas day

Well this week has been a good week for my hair in general. I mean REALLY GOOD!

I have been looking at naturals and taking tips from them because I want to transition in 2011. I have about 2 inches of new growth that is making me want to relax. And at 18 weeks post, I am really hoping this works during the next semester of college. So, I have a full thing of Silk Elements that I have been itching to try since I ran out of ORS on standby. My relaxer journey is not what I expected (<---which is to be expected). Nonetheless, I am greatful for all of the discipline and understanding of my hair that has taken place over the last two years.



On to the week. I was really good about listening to my hair this week. I co-washed 1x. I moisturized and sealed every night starting with a water spritz first, then following up with a dab of LTR and ORS carrort oil sealed with coconut oil. I skipped the ORS on the nights I did not co-wash.



To co-wash, I rinsed the hair well for 5 minutes and slathered on Dove Daily Moisture from root to end while I did my workout as like a deep condition. After that, I rinsed my hair and co-washed with my Tresumme moisture rich in sections and plaited each section. Lastly, I moisturized with HE LTR and ORS carrot oil and sealed with coconut oil.



Friday, I pre-pooed (all day) with olive oil sealed with coconut oil. Then, I rinsed the hair with warm water for 5 minutes and cleansed it with Hair ONE for dry hair. I let that sit for 5 minutes. My hair felt soooooo good after I rinsed. Why did I go back to shampoo?! Anyway, I thought that it was time for some protein so I did the Aphogee 2-min (honestly for about 10 mintues under a cap). Rinsed and added my deep condtioner: ORS replenishing pak. I dc-ed with no heat overnight. When I got in the shower on Saturday, I sectioned the hair down the middle, then in fours on each side (this made it real easy to detangle). Since I had more time, I had more patience with my hair and I used my Jibere shower comb after detangling each section with my hands from the ends to the root. By using my hands first, I was aslo able to find those stubborn knots which I was able to clear using the rub method for knots.



**To clear out stubborn knots I just gently rub the knot in between my fingers until the hairs loosen and I pull them out a few at a time. LOVE IT!



I braided my hair in the shower in eight braids and moisturized each braid with LTR, ORS and Fantasia serum, combed it all through and re-braided putting a little curl at the end with my fingers.



Lastly, I sat under the dryer for 30 minutes (on low) to dry my hair for a braid-out.

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

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

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.

Tonight's reggie

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 my mix of Lustrasilk's Shea Butter Cholesterol plus, HE HH, and a tablespoon of each of the following oils: Vitamin e, tea tree, grapeseed, and sweet almond.