Wash Day Experience | Featuring Shea Moisture Yucca + Baobab

Happy December, loves! How is the hair journey coming along for you guys? With the changing of the seasons and a bit of neglect over the last couple of weeks, my hair journey is in desperate need of a breakthrough! Speaking of breakthroughs, I've noticed some breakage in my nape area and I'm not happy at all about that. Though I do tend to have some breakage when I get past the 12th week mark in my stretching, I don't want to let that stop me from continuing my stretch. So here, at week 16, I decided to pull out my trusted SheaMoisture Yucca & Baobab Anti Breakage Masque to give my tresses some strength. And since the weather has cooled, I'm switching to my winter moisturizer, SheaMoisture Yucca & Baobab Thickening Growth Milk. Read more to see if I got my desired results from using these products in yesterday's wash day regimen. 

Co-Wash Day: Mommy & Me Edition

This week I decided to do a little something different with my wash day post. Since I didn't get around to cleansing my daughter's hair earlier in the week, I combined our wash days. And boy, two-in-one wash days can be a lot to handle at times! But since we were both only due for a light co-wash and conditioning, I made things as simple as possible. We even use a couple of the same products so I planned for an easy, breezy wash session yesterday afternoon.

My Experience

1. Pre-pooed with extra virgin coconut oil down the length of my hair and applied Hair Trigger to my scalp.

2. Co-washed with Aussie Moist 3 Minute Miracle. I usually use this as a deep conditioner mixed with other products, but decided to go against the grain with this co-wash.

3. Deep conditioned with Aphogee 2 Minute Reconstructurizer with no heat for about an hour while I cleaned house. I needed a little protein in my life, so I decided to use up the last of this baby so I can add it to my shopping list for Friday. You guys know I'm on a strict no-buy and am only repurchasing staple products when I collect two empties.

4. Rinsed the Aphogee thoroughly and did a quick moisturizing condition with OGX (formally Organix) Macadamia Oil Conditioner. 

5. I completely rinsed the conditioner and removed as much excess water as I could. I then applied Elasta QP Leave in Conditioner to the length of my hair and sealed with grapeseed oil. 

6. Air-dried with my hair wrapped in a grey a-shirt for the rest of the day.

Gab's Experience

1. Pre-pooed with extra virgin coconut oil.

2. Rinsed hair and detangled with fingers.

3. Applied As I Am Coconut Cowash generously throughout her hair and let it sit for a few minutes. Then worked my fingers through her scalp and hair to clean.

4. After rinsing the cowash, I applied the rest of the Aussie Moist 2 Minute Reconstructurizer to her hair for a moisturizing deep conditioner. Now I have two empties!!! I put her under the dryer with a plastic cap for about 30 minutes (or until she started complaining).

5. I rinsed out the conditioner  and removed as much excess water as I could with a tee-shirt.

6. Applied a light mist of aloe vera juice to her hair and detangled with my fingers. 

7. Separated her hair into sections, applied Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Leave In Conditioning Cream throughout her hair, and sealed with extra virgin coconut oil. 

8. Twisted the sections of her hair and put her hair in a scarf + bonnet to dry overnight.

Our Results

My hair felt very soft and moisturized. I love how soft the Aussie Moist left my hair after co-washing with it! I had such great slip for 5 weeks post! I may start using this product exclusively for my co-washes, alternating with my Herbal Essences conditioners from now on. I'll still continue to deep condition Gab's hair with it though, as her hair seems to love it as well. And thanks to the OGX Macadamia Oil conditioner, I love how great my hair still smells today. That stuff made my hair feel like butter after my final rinse! I hope Walgreens still has the OGX products on sale for BOGO this week, as I may get a couple more tomorrow.

Gab's hair loves the As I Am Coconut Cowash. I've been using it since hearing MahoganyCurls rave about it on YouTube and have not been disappointed! It's very cleansing, yet moisturizing to her hair and really helps define her curls. It also smells like a dream! I thought the Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Leave in Conditioning Cream would beat the frizzies and define Gab's curls more so than the Shea Moisture Curl Defining Pudding that I normally use, but it did not. It's another product that I was trying to finish up, but I don't think I'll be repurchasing so soon. Since I have no plans of going far until the weekend, I'm done up with a rolled bang and messy bun inspired by Keyda and Gabs is rocking a bun. Next time, I promise to take better pictures!

 

 How was your most recent wash day?

The Wash Day Experience: Week One

Hello, loves! Today I'm co-hosting The Wash Day Experience with KLP & Keyda from Saving Our Strands. We're sharing on our blogs today about one of the most important routines within the hair care regimen, the wash day. We encourage you all to join in and take part in this experience as well!

My most recent wash day was on Sunday, March 2, 2014. 

It went a little something like this.

1. I begin my wash day experience with pre-pooing. Instead of using a conditioner + an oil of my choice per usual, I simply applied oil to my dry hair the night before I did my cleanse. I massaged my scalp and coated my hair generously with Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. Then I covered my hair with a plastic cap, stocking cap, and hair scarf and left it overnight. 

2. Since this was my first cleanse after relaxing my hair, I used a clarifying shampoo the next morning instead of co-washing with conditioner. I used ORS Creamy Aloe Shampoo, which is currently my staple clarifying shampoo. I cleansed and rinsed my hair twice with shampoo and warm water. 

3. After washing my hair, I used a tee-shirt to remove some of the excess water from my hair before applying conditioner. I conditioned with ORS Replenishing Conditioner, a great light protein fix, under a plastic cap while in the shower. 

4. After rinsing the ORS Replenishing Conditioner, I applied my Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Conditioner (infused with peppermint oil) to my hair and let it sit for about ten minutes. I used the Herbal Essences to add a little moisture back into my hair and added a few drops of peppermint oil into the conditioner to stimulate my scalp.  

5. I completely rinsed the conditioner and removed as much excess water as I could with a tee-shirt. Then I sprayed Aphogee Keratin and Green Tea Reconstructurizer all over my hair. 

6. I moisturized my slightly damp hair with Elasta QP Olive Oil and Mango Butter Moisturizer and sealed with grapeseed oil. Then I applied just a bit of GVP Silk Remedy to my hair, paying close attention to my edges and ends. I finished by gathering my hair into a loose bun and tying it up with my silk scarf to air-dry for the rest of the day.

RESULTS: My hair felt very soft, strong, and thoroughly moisturized. It didn't feel heavy, as it does sometimes when I use the Elasta QP Moisturizer. And it smelled great! That counts for something, right?

Now how was your wash day? Go ahead, tell us on your blog and LINK UP!

The Wash Day Experience Linkup RULES (via SavingOurStrands)

​Follow your host SavingOurStrands via Bloglovin', Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest.

1. Healthy Hair is the theme. Entries completely unrelated to the theme or linked to your homepage will be deleted.
2. Share it! Your blog post must link back to this site so others see. We even made this nifty button below which links back to The Wash Day Experience page! Just copy and drop the code from Saving Our Strands into your blog post. 
3. Encourage the wash day experience contributor that linked up directly before you with an inspiring  comment. We are each here to support each other and build a community of determined women and hair-friends. Don’t worry, the chica ​who links up after you will do the same; comment love for everyone! 

An InLinkz Link-up

Hair Journey Update: Winter 2014

Hey guys-- do you know what today is? Today marks my first hair journey update of the year! While my relaxed hair care regimen has remained the same for the most part, I've seen a few changes in my hair over the last few months. While most of the subtle changes are positive, others have been a bit disappointing. On the brighter side of things, I've experienced some growth, I'm even more in tune with what my hair needs, and I'm finally buckling down with my consistency. On a sad note, however, I've experienced some postpartum shedding and thinning edges. I'll get into that in a minute, though. Thank you all for continuing to check in and read about my updates. Sharing them here have really helped with my goals! Now on to the good stuff!

Hair Stats

Last relaxer: February 15, 2014

Next relaxer: May 24, 2014
Last Trim: January 21, 2014

Current Length: slightly APL (after trim)

Current Goals:

1. Obtain overall thickness, as opposed to length.

2. Grow back crown breakage. 

3. Try new low-manipulation hairstyles 

(twist-outs and braid-outs) ✓

4. Stick to my routine! Remain consistent in my hair care. ✓

5. Keep it simple- moisturize and seal. cleanse. deep condition. ✓

In remaining consistent, I must make sure to stick to these tasks:

1. Use little to no direct heat.

2. Moisturize + seal and wear bonnet each night.

3. Deep condition weekly under the dryer.

4. Massage scalp with Hair Trigger 2-3x weekly.

5. Apply JBCO to edges and ends nightly.

6. Use what I have- no purchasing of any new products. 

Exception: running out of staples.

The Stretch

Prior to February 15, 2014, my last relaxer was on October 25, 2013. I stretched for exactly 16 weeks and one day. And honestly, I think this was one of the toughest stretches since being on my healthy hair journey. Not only did I experience lots of shedding in December, my edges began thinning. So I stopped wearing my everyday bun and tight wig cap to see if these things were contributing factors to my thinning edges. I learned later, however, that post-partum shedding was the culprit for my more-than-usual bout of shedding.

Since I had abandoned my bun and heavy weave/wig wearing, I decided to try more low-manipulation styles. I must say, this is the best thing I've done during my stretch. I finally mastered bantu-knot outs and had even started using flexi-rods!

 

As far as products and practices, I've stayed true to keeping it simple. In a nutshell, I cleansed, moisturized, sealed, and protective styled my way through. I did, however, do more deep conditioning with protein conditioners under heat (or while in the shower under a cap). My two favorite light protein conditioners are still Aphogee 2 Minute Reconstructor and ORS Replenishing Conditioner. And because I am on a strict no-buy, I still haven't purchased any new products. I've only repurchased staples.

When winter finally did set in, I started moisturizing with my beloved Elasta QP Olive Oil and Mango Butter Moisturizer. I continued to seal with grapeseed oil nightly or every other night. I also continued to add a drop of JBCO to the ends of my hair every other night after moisturizing and sealing. Since using the grapeseed oil and JBCO, my hair has become much thicker.

The Process

Per my usual relaxer process--I applied the Optimum Care No-Lye Relaxer. Directly after relaxing and rinsing out the relaxer, I applied ORS Replenishing Conditioner to replenish the lost protein.  After rinsing out the protein I neutralized, cleansing thoroughly, and conditioned once more with the conditioner that comes with the relaxer. I then rinsed, squeezing out the excess water with a t-shirt. Then I applied a spray of Aphogee Keratin and Green Tea Reconstructurizer as my leave-in conditioner.  I moisturized and sealed with Elasta QP Olive Oil and Mango Butter Moisturizer and coconut oil, then just a drop of GVP Silk Remedy before wrapping it and putting it in my scarf + bonnet for the night.  

The Results

The day after relaxing, my hair felt soft, yet strong. The shedding had definitely decreased, as I didn't notice many shed hairs as I was taking my hair down. My crown is growing back pretty fast, too. The added protein, low-manipulation styles, and scalp massages have probably contributed to that. So despite the minor challenges in the last few months, I can say that I've seen improvements in my hair health.

In the upcoming months, I will be trying more protective and low-manipulation hairstyles. Since I had so much success with the flexi-rods and bantu-knots, I'm going to try perfecting my braid-outs and perm rod sets. 

I will continue to use JBCO on my edges and ends and implement more ceramides into my regimen. I may take the plunge and buy hempseed oil and wheat germ oil to add to my deep conditioning soon. I will also continue to do scalp massages every other night.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HAIR GOALS?

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE HAIR PRODUCTS?

Wash Day + Bantu Knot Results (8 WEEKS POST)

Ladies, you really have to forgive me for this one. I said I was going to share more about my hair journey here, but I only share relaxer updates. Now it's time for all of that to change! Though this was a bit spur of the moment, I thought I would begin to share more about goals and practices starting today. Since yesterday was wash day, I'll start with that.

The Cleanse

As my first cleanse of the month, I clarified with shampoo instead of co-washing. I used my staple clarifying shampoo, ORS Creamy Aloe Shampoo. I then conditioned with Aphogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor in a cap while in the shower. After rinsing the conditioner, I applied Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Conditioner (infused with peppermint oil) to my hair and let it sit for about ten minutes. This was an attempt to add a little moisture back into my hair and stimulate the scalp a bit.

After cleansing and conditioning my hair, I noticed it felt stronger, but not as moisturized as I would have liked it to be. I generously sprayed my Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea Reconstructurizer all over my hair as a leave-in conditioner. I moisturized and sealed with African Pride Olive Miracle Maximum Strengthening Moisturizing Lotion and Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (EVCO). Then I wrapped it in my knotted head scarf and let it air dry for most of the day. 

The Aftermath

Last night, I got the bright idea of trying bantu-knots again. When I tried doing them the first time, I did them on wet hair and woke up the next morning to something like a bird's nest. It was a mess! This time I decided to do them on dry hair to see if I would get better results. Since my hair was already 80% dry, I added a drop of Silk Remedy to my hair and blow-dried the rest. Then I proceeded to bantu-knot my hair all over.

The Bantu Knot Process

To style my dry, relaxed hair, I used this method here, adding a bit of African Pride Olive Miracle Moisturizing Lotion and Grapeseed Oil to each section. After completing about 12 or 13 knots all over, I put on my bonnet and went to sleep.

This morning, I woke up and took down each of my knots carefully. They felt so soft and moisturized! And they were each (almost) perfectly coiled! I was beyond excited as I took them down. I continued to separate them and shake them out until I achieved a fuller, more desired look. These are my results:

They're not perfect, but they work for me! I'm happy that I've finally tried another protective/low manipulation hairstyle and it looks decent. Next time I try them, I'll make sure to take a picture of what they looked like before I took them down. 

HAVE YOU EVER TRIED BANTU-KNOTS BEFORE?

Hair Journey Update: Fall 2013

Since fall has been upon us for a while and I've recently done a touch-up, it's high time for another Hair Journey update! Sharing updates here on the blog and taking notes has really helped me keep up with my hair goals and needs. While some things have been the same since the last update due to pregnancy, I have seen a few changes as well.  I really think that after using a cocktail of products and practices, I'm starting to learn what my hair likes, hates, and needs.

This is one of the days I wore my hair out.  

I did it up with that side bang from back in the day lol

Hair Stats

Last relaxer: October 25, 2013

Next relaxer: February 1, 2013

Hair Length Goal: Full APL, then BSL

Current Length: APL--except in crown area

Hair Wants: huetiful hair steamer, hempseed oil

Loving: scalp massages, JBCO, and Hair Trigger Growth Elixir

Current Goals:

1. Obtain overall thickness, as opposed to length.

2. Grow back crown breakage. 

3. Try new low-manipulation hairstyles 

(twist-outs and braid-outs)

4. Stick to my routine! Remain consistent in my hair care.

5. Keep it simple- moisturize and seal. cleanse. deep condition.

In remaining consistent, I must make sure to stick to these tasks:

1. Not using any direct heat at all.

2. Moisturize + seal and wear bonnet each night.

3. Deep condition weekly under the dryer.

4. Massage scalp with Hair Trigger 2-3x weekly.

5. Apply JBCO to edges and ends nightly.

6. Use what I have- no purchasing of any new products. 

Exception: running out of staples.

The Stretch

Prior to October 25, 2013, my last relaxer was on July 5, 2013. This time I stretched for 16 weeks, and boy was it tough! Just like with my last stretch, I kept my hair away for the most part.  I moisturized with African Pride Olive Miracle Moisturizer and sealed with grapeseed oil nightly or every other night. I also continued to add a drop of JBCO to the ends of my hair every other night after moisturizing and sealing. With the ceramides from the grapeseed oil and the JBCO, my hair seems to be getting a little thicker!

Unfortunately I didn't get around to trying new protective styles this stretch, either. After a failed bantu-knot attempt, I told myself trying something new now was so not worth it. I was always tired in my last semester of pregnancy, so I gave myself a bit of a break and kept my hair in a bun for the most part. I made sure not to wear my bun in the same position for too long, as I am trying to correct the breakage in my crown.

And of course, as I have mentioned before, the Aloe Vera Mix is absolute love to new growth when the stretch starts to run long. The mix of aloe vera juice, vegetable glycerine, and rosewater made my new growth very soft and a breeze to manage for the remainder of the stretch.

The Process

Per my usual relaxer process--I applied the Optimum Care No-Lye Relaxer. Directly after relaxing and rinsing out the relaxer, I applied the Aphogee 2-Minute Reconstructor to replenish some of the protein that was lost in the process. After rinsing out the protein I neutralized, cleansing thoroughly, and conditioned once more with the conditioner that comes with the relaxer. I then rinsed, squeezing out the excess water with a t-shirt. Then I applied a spray of Aphogee Keratin and Green Tea Reconstructurizer as my leave-in conditioner.  I moisturized and sealed with my African Pride moisturizer and a bit of grapeseed oil, then just a drop of GVP Silk Remedy before wrapping it and putting it in a scarf + bonnet for the night.  

The Results

I think this was the first time my hair has actually felt full after a relaxer.  Usually after I relax, I will air-dry and take my hair down the next morning (with the exception of my spring relax). Instead of combing down limp, lifeless hair, it seemed to have a bit of thickness to it. This NEVER happens after a relaxer. It also felt stronger too, like I had just had a protein treatment.  

Everything is looking great so far. While I don't think I've had a tremendous amount of growth, others around me notice that my hair has definitely grown.  I think I'm finally APL everywhere except in my crown area. I do have a game plan on getting it back on track, though. I'll share more about that in a post next week.

In the upcoming months, I will be looking to finally test out these protective and low-manipulation hairstyles.  For one, I am tired of wearing a bun. And for two, I need a break from my wigs and weaves for a little while also. I'm either going to try again with the bantu knots or try to perfect the twist-out and braid-out. And if that doesn't work out, I'm getting braids or a sew-in. I will update with pics in whatever choices I make so stay tuned (for real this time lol)!

I will still be using my JBCO for my edges and ends, I will still find more ways to add ceramides into my regimen (more than likely deep conditioning with oils), and I will continue to do scalp massages every other day with Hair Trigger Growth Elixir.  Look out for a review on the Hair Trigger Growth Elixir soon, too :-)

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HAIR GOALS?

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE HAIR PRODUCTS?

Hair Journey Update: Summer 2013

Summer is here and for me and my hair journey goals, it's time for another Hair Journey update! I've been on this journey for a couple of years now, complete with its peaks and valleys.  Nonetheless, I'm continuing to make note of everything going on with my hair through journaling and sharing updates here on the blog with you guys.  I've enjoyed reading so many of your hair journey related blog posts, so I hope I can get some feedback from you guys concerning mine!

Hair Characteristics: (Thanks Fancy Flair Lady)

Curl? Relaxed

Strand Thickness? Fine

Porosity? High Porosity

Overall Hair Density/Volume? Thin

Chemical Treatments? No-Lye Relaxer

Hair Stats: (Thanks Worldly-Journey)

Last relaxer: July 5, 2013

Next relaxer: October 11, 2013

Last Trim: ???

Current Hair Goal: Obtaining overall thickness; Growing back crown breakage

Hair Length Goal: Full APL, then BSL

Current Length: Grazing APL--much shorter in the crown

Recent Purchases: Hair Trigger Growth Elixir

Hair Needs: Repurchasing of HE LTR Leave-In Conditioner (my favorite summer time moisturizer)

Trying Out: Pre-pooing and Scalp Massages with Hair Trigger Growth Elixir

Disliking: My thin ends

The goals I set for myself this year are as follows:

1. Achieve APL length by Summer 2013  ✓

2. Try new low-manipulation hair styles (such as roller sets, twist-outs and braid-outs)

3. Stick to my routine! Remain consistent in my hair care.

4. Achieve more thickness to my relaxed hair, as opposed to length (new goal as of Spring 2013)

In remaining consistent, I must make sure to stick to these tasks:

1. Only one heat pass per 6 weeks.  Try not to use any direct heat at all.

2. Moisturize and seal nightly.

3. Deep condition weekly under the dryer.

4. Massage scalp with hot oil mix Hair Trigger 2-3x weekly.

5. Baby my edges with JBCO nightly.

6. ALWAYS sleep with my scarf or bonnet on. No excuses!

The Stretch

Prior to July 5, 2013, my last relaxer was on March 29, 2013.   So this stretch lasted 14 weeks, which was 2 weeks less than my last stretch.  During my 14 week stretch, I think I've been consistent with my regimen, considering I kept my hair away for the most part.  I moisturized with my Herbal Essences LTR Leave-In until it ran out and then started using African Pride Olive Miracle Moisturizer. Instead of sealing my moisturizer with jojoba oil, I've been using strictly grapeseed oil. Grapeseed oil contains ceramides, something I felt I needed to add to my hair care regimen if I wanted to achieve thicker relaxed hair.  And I must say I'm already noticing a difference as my ends weren't as see-through as before.  To take it a step further, I added a drop of JBCO to the ends of my hair every other night after moisturizing and sealing. It seems to be doing the trick!

excuse the "just got out of bed" look lol

I will admit I've had a lot of lazy days during this stretch. When I didn't feel like doing anything to my hair, I simply spritzed my Aloe Vera Mix all over my hair and put it in a bun.  If you haven't heard me rave enough about the Aloe Vera Mix, let me tell you it is very moisturizing and makes my new growth so soft!  And I made sure not to wear my bun in the same position for too long, as I am trying to correct the breakage in my crown.

I also started using Hair Trigger Growth Elixir in May, as I wanted to try something new for my hair.  I think it may be too soon to see if my hair has had a huge amount of growth due to this product, but I can say that my new growth got super thick really fast! And I got the honeydew melon scent added to my elixir so I have received a lot of compliments on how great my hair smells. 

I've also made sure to add some protein to my regimen this stretch also. I decided to re-up on my Aphogee Green Tea & Keratin and 2-Minute Reconstructor.  Both have helped decrease any shedding I was experiencing before and my hair really does feel fuller after using them.

The Results

I was pretty pleased with my results from this stretch.  I can't say that I've seen a dramatic amount of growth, but it was not as thin as it was after the last relaxer.  Of course, I decided not to flat-iron anymore, whether I wanted badly to measure growth or not. Following my final rinse (after the relaxer process), I sprayed my hair with my Aphogee Leave-In, moisturized with my African Pride Olive Miracle Moisturizer, sealed with coconut oil, and followed up with a tiny drop of GVC Silk Remedy all over my hair.  I loved how soft and shiny my hair was the next morning after I took my bonnet and scarf off.  

In the upcoming months, I'm still gonna be focusing more on the overall health of my hair.  I'll be adding more ceramides to my regimen as well as making sure my moisture/protein levels are balanced so that I can achieve the thickness that I desire. Paying close attention to my crown is also a main objective of mine, as I will make sure to give it just as much moisture as I do the rest of my hair and refrain from doing styles that will create tension in the crown area.  Hopefully I will finally style my hair in a few braid-outs or twist-outs also. And last but not least, I will also continue to baby my fragile ends with JBCO.

ARE YOU ON A HEALTHY HAIR JOURNEY?

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HAIR GOALS?

Hair Journey Update: Spring 2013

Starting at the beginning of the year, I decided to join Traycee's KISS Boot Camp Challenge on the K.I.S.S. site. I have been on a hair journey for quite some time, and have had quite a few challenges while on the journey.  Nonetheless, I've learned a lot about my hair and what it likes as well as what it doesn't like.  I've even built a pretty basic regimen that I tend to tweak from time to time (depending on the changing of seasons and discovering new hair needs). I felt that taking part in this challenge would be great because I had already set goals for myself this year.  Joining the challenge gave me a way to hold myself accountable for my goals and chart my progress.  I also decided it would be cool to share a blog post with you guys every season to let you know how I'm doing with my hair goals.

The goals I set for myself this year are as follows:
1. Achieve APL length by Summer 2013
2. Try new low-manipulation hair styles (such as roller sets, twist-outs and braid-outs)
3. Don't buy a new hair product without completely using up another.
4. Stick to my routine! Remain consistent in my hair care.

In remaining consistent, I must make sure to stick to these tasks:
1. Use the least amount of direct heat as possible.  Only one heat pass per 6 weeks.
2. Moisturize and seal nightly.
3. Deep condition weekly under the dryer.
4. Massage scalp with hot oil mix 2-3X weekly.
5. Baby my edges with JBCO nightly.
6. ALWAYS sleep with my scarf or bonnet on. No excuses!

The Stretch
My last relaxer was on December 6, 2012.   So my stretch lasted exactly 16 weeks and one day.  During my 16 week stretch, I've been pretty consistent with my regimen.  I started moisturizing with my Elasta QP Olive Oil & Mango Moisturizer instead of the Herbal Essences LTR Leave-In because I felt that the Elasta QP was more moisturizing for the cold winter months.  I even tried the LOC method I saw Sdestra use after washes.  My liquid of choice was my Aloe Vera Mix, the oil was alternated between Jojoba and Grapeseed Oil, and my cream was of course the Elasta QP Moisturizer.  All in all,  I love how it locked the moisture into my hair! This is a practice  I will probably continue doing after each clarifying wash.

One thing I regret is that I didn't do much styling.  Something came along mid January and started sapping all of my energy, making me only want to wear my hair in a bun.  So if my hair wasn't in a ninja bun on the top of my head, it was probably pinned in a bun to the back.  And if I left the house wanting to look extra, I put on my blonde shorty-do I like to call Susie. I guess this approach made it very easy to just leave my hair alone and keep things simple!

ladies, meet Susie! lol

Two things I've noticed that my hair loves a lot during the stretch are my scalp massages and the aloe vera mix.  In fact, I can almost guarantee that the scalp massages aided in growth.  In my scalp massage oil mix, I use my three favorite oils: peppermint oil, jamaican black castor oil, and coconut oil.  I gently massaged the oil mix in my scalp 2-3 nights weekly and boy did the new growth get thick on me quick!  But the beautiful thing about my new growth was that my aloe vera mix made it soft, gave it great curl definition, and made it so easy to manage.  

The Results
I will admit that I was only partially pleased with my results from this stretch.  While I could tell that my hair had grown since my last relaxer, it definitely looked a bit thin. Perhaps this was because  I never use heat on my hair, and I flat ironed my hair after washing and conditioning this time.  I haven't used a flat-iron in over a year, so I was amazed at how bone-straight and thin it was.  I guess I was so eager to see the accurate length that I couldn't wait for it to air-dry.  I probably won't be doing that again! But I can say that I am pleased that I'm finally grazing APL. I've haven't passed SL hair since I cut it from APL at the start of high school!

Another great thing I have noticed, is that when I add the protein step into my relaxer regimen, my hair feels so much stronger!  And there was hardly any shedding.  I've added a light protein (ORS Replenishing Conditioner or Aphogee Two Minute Reconstructor) before neutralizing with my last three relaxers and I will never go back to relaxing without this step.

In the upcoming months, I will focus more on the overall health of my hair.  I'm trying to get some thickness going on about my tresses, so I will be doing more research and perhaps tweaking a few products so that I can achieve the thickness that I desire. I will also pay close attention to my fragile ends as well.

ARE YOU ON A HEALTHY HAIR JOURNEY?

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HAIR GOALS?

My Updated Hair Care Regimen

I can't believe it's been almost a year since I've shared anything about my hair journey on the blog!  I looked in my hair journal this morning and saw that I've switched a few things up since my last share, so I decided to share an updated regimen.  Also I'm taking part in Traycee's 2013 KISS Boot Camp Challenge so making note of these changes on the blog helps me stay on task and remain accountable.  Check out the details below.

Daily: Moisturize and seal.  

Nightly, I moisturize my hair and seal it with oil. Then I wrap or pin my hair, covering it with a silk scarf.  2-3 times a week I do scalp massages, using a fusion of coconut oil, castor oil, and peppermint oil (which stimulates the scalp).

Moisturizers I Use:

Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship 

Elasta QP Olive Oil & Mango Butter Moisturizer (alternate with the above)

Wave Nouveau Moisturizing Lotion (during long stretches)

Various Oils I Use:

Castor Oil, Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Coconut Oil, Peppermint Oil, Tea Tree Oil, Jojoba Oil

Weekly: Washing/Co-Washing, Deep Conditioning

On Sunday, I clean my hair by co-washing (washing with conditioner) or shampooing with a moisturizing shampoo such as Nexxus Therappe.

On Wednesday, I clean my hair by co-washing again. After co-washing, I deep condition my hair, rinse, apply leave-in conditioner, moisturize and seal, and place in a protective style (usually a bun).

I always air-dry unless I’m away from home.

Conditioners Used for Co-Washing:

Hair One Hair Cleanser and Conditioner with Tea Tree Oil

Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Conditioner

Conditioners Used for Deep Conditioning:

Nexxus Humectress infused with Coconut Oil, Castor Oil and Peppermint Oil

Herbal Essences Hello Hydration infused with Coconut Oil, Castor Oil, and Peppermint Oil

Bi-Monthly: Hot Oil Treatment 

I do this more often in the Winter months, as my scalp and hair are more prone to dryness in the Winter.  This hot-oil treatment is usually a mix of Jojoba Oil, Coconut Oil,  Castor Oil, and Peppermint Oil.  

Monthly: Clarifying Wash, and Protein Deep Conditioning

Once monthly, I do a clarifying wash with ORS Aloe Shampoo. I also deep condition with a light protein conditioner such as ORS Replenishing Conditioner infused with Castor Oil and Peppermint Oil. Afterwards, I apply leave-in conditioner, moisturize and seal, and place in a protective style.

4 x Annually: Relaxer and Protective Style

I relax by using Motions No-Lye Relaxer. Before applying neutralizer, I rinse relaxer from hair and apply a light protein to the hair such as Aphogee 2 Minute Reconstructor. This replenishes the protein I lost from the relaxing process. I let it stay on for 5 minutes, then continue with the neutralizing and deep conditioning process. Afterwards, I apply a leave-in conditioner, moisturize and seal, and place hair in a protective style.

Use as needed: Hair Spritzer

To keep my hair moisturized, especially during stretches, I spritz my hair with a mix of aloe vera juice, rosewater and vegetable glycerine.  It helps with detangling also.  Find out more about the mix here.

**My Hair Essentials**

silk scarf/bonnet (to protect my hair from moisture-stripping cotton)

plastic caps (for deep conditioning)

one a day women's multi-vitamin (self-explanatory)

biotin (growth aid I've been using on and off -but mostly on)
plastic applicator bottles and spray bottles (to apply products to hair)

**About My Hair**

Relaxed

Between Shoulder Length and Armpit Length

Type: 4A

**Protective Styling**

Sew-Ins

Half-Wigs

Buns

**Hair Goals**

Thicker, healthier hair

Middle Back Length (MBL)

What is your current hair care regimen? 

My Skin Care Products + Regimen (Updated)

It's been a while since I've shared a skin care post with you guys, so I thought now would be a good time to give an update!  This is the current skin care regimen I'm following and have been following for several months now. Though the product line-up may seem pretty simple, it does a great job of keeping my skin in check.  I have combination skin, which causes my t-zone to be more oily in the warmer months and fairly dry in the winter months.  My biggest skin concerns are keeping my skin radiant and firm (yes, anti-aging concerns ALREADY) and correcting my acne-scarring and hyper-pigmentation   Through this regimen, I've been able to take care of these issues quite well.

The Products

1. Ambi Complexion Cleansing Bar- This bar is boss at keeping my skin clear without being too drying.  It does not, I repeat, IT DOES NOT lighten your entire face. People sometimes see the Ambi name and assume such, but I use it to fade scarring.  
2. Aveeno Smart Essentials Daily Detoxifying Scrub-  This scrub has skin brightening properties, which helps my dark spots fade quicker.  It sloughs off dead skin so gently, it can actually be used daily.
3. mark. See Things Clearly Brightening Moisturizer- This moisturizer has radiance-boosting properties also.  Though very light in texture, it is chock-full of antioxidants such as lotus flower, that help keep the skin clear.
4. Avon Anew Clinical Eye Lift- The Eye Lift Cream helps to decrease fine lines and puffiness around my eye area.
5. Olay Professional Pro-X Brush- The Pro-X brush used in conjunction with my cleansing bar, gives me a deep cleansing for a fraction of the price of a Clarisonic.  This brush is very budget-friendly!
6. mark. For Goodness Face Antioxidant Skin Moisturizing Lotion- This moisturizer doubles as a sunscreen, as it has an SPF of 30.  Its main ingredients are dark chocolate and blueberries, which are both antioxidants. 

The Regimen

Daily: I cleanse with Ambi Complexion Cleansing Bar using the Olay Professional Pro-X brush to cleanse deeply.  I then moisturize with mark. See Things Clearly Moisturizer or mark. For Goodness Face Moisturizing Lotion. I alternate between moisturizers when the seasons change, as For Goodness Face has an higher SPF which is better for summer months.

Nightly: I repeat the same cleansing and moisturizing routine in the above step.  Before moisturizing, however, I use a cotton ball to apply lemon juice to my scarring. I do this 2-3 nights weekly.  I follow up by using Avon Anew Clinical Eye Lift around the eye area to decrease fine lines and puffiness. 

Bi-weekly (Tuesdays and Thursdays): along with daily cleansing and moisturizing, I add an additional step to my routine by exfoliating with Aveeno Smart Essentials Daily Detoxifying Scrub. 

On Fridays I add an at-home steam facial to the regimen: I simply heat distilled water and rosewater, grab a towel, and bask my face into the steamy goodness (just not too close to the water)!  At times, I replace the rosewater with an essential oil, such as tea tree oil or peppermint oil. 

The Lifestyle

Doing these seven things consistently have definitely kept my skin in check, with little to no breakouts and acne scars fading into the abyss. Check them out:

1. Drinking more water- As someone who has been plagued with acne-prone skin and scarring since adolescence, I learned to eliminate sodas from my diet back in my teens.  Though I've always been keen on drinking water, I haven't always drank as much as I should.  According to a Daily Water Chart (that my friend Drea shared with me via fullspike.com), someone my size should have a daily water intake of at least 1/2 gallon.  So after seeing this, your girl definitely had to step it up!

2. Eating healthier foods that are good for my skin . It's amazing the difference your diet can make in your skin.  I'm telling you, whatever you're feeding yourself internally definitely shows on the outside.  Just adding superfoods like yogurt, salmon, spinach and green tea into my diet have improved my skin's clarity and radiance.  For more great foods for your skin, click here.

3. Changing my pillow case at least twice weekly- Planting your face on not-so clean linen nightly is a no-no.  This is self-explanatory.

4. Cleaning my satin hair scarf twice weekly- Yes, I religiously wear my scarf to bed.  I have to keep my moisturized tresses in place!  But if one doesn't routinely keep her scarves clean, the breakouts are soon to come.  To find out the easy, economical way I keep my scarves clean, click here for Youtuber jmarie's instructional video.

5. Keeping my cellphone clean or away from my face, if possible- We all know that cell phones can carry several germs from all of the handling.  The same goes for our hands.  That's why I keep my hand sanitizer on deck at all times and carry electronic cleansing wipes (like the ones you use to clean your computer and tablet screens) to keep my phone clean.

6. Wearing less makeup- Contrary to popular belief, I do not wear makeup everyday.  As a WAHM, it really does me no good to be all made up with no where to go EVERY.SINGLE.DAY.  But when I am out and about during the week, I've been wearing minimal makeup as you saw last week.  Not wearing a full face all the time definitely helps my pores breathe! Now the weekends are another story lol.

7. Pampering myself and eliminating stress- It has been said several times that stress is not good for the skin. Now I'm not sure of the scientific facts linking stress to breakouts, but I do know when I'm stressed, it shows on my face.  In my case, it may have lots to do with the fact that stress causes me to indulge in poor habits, such as eating junk food.   But when I pamper myself, by getting manicures and pedicures, enjoying a night on the town, or simply having quiet time alone in my home space with my music and candles, my overall health reaps the benefits. Skin included.

*One thing my skin care regimen currently lacks is a nightly serum.  I was using Avon Clinical Luminosity Pro Brightening Serum, but it's getting to be a bit too greasy for my taste.  So if anyone has any suggestions for an anti-aging serum with retinol, please let me know in the comments!*

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE SKIN CARE PRODUCTS?

March Skin Care Update

Hey ladies and gents! I just wanted to share an update on the Skin Care Challenge I am participating in.  In my last post, I shared with you the products I used as well as my weekly routine.  I have been using all of these products for quite some time now, and I am very pleased with the results.  I haven't experienced any dryness, I haven't experienced as many breakouts, and my dark spots are fading!  Sounds great, right?

Creating a regimen was easy for me because through lots of trial and error, I have learned what products work for my skin type (and budget).  My main problem in taking care of my skin, however, has been being consistent with my regimen.  Participating in this challenge, charting my progress, and sharing information with you guys here has helped me stay on task so far!

As an incentive to sticking to my regimen, I have decided to reward myself for consistency and progress.  For being consistent these last couple of months, I purchased myself a few skin-care related goodies.

I grabbed these goodies from Ulta.  These are Earth Therapeutic's Recover-E Cucumber Eye Pads, Rejuvenal-C Orange Eye Pads, and an Anti-Bacterial Complexion Towel.  I haven't used the eye pads yet, but I now use the complexion towel each time I cleanse my face.  

Another problem I had with my skin care was dealing with break-outs.  Though it hasn't been much of a problem during this challenge, I did have two minor breakouts while PMSing.  So I tried mark's Break Out Plan in hopes to do away with this issue.  During "that time" I replaced my normal moisturizer (mark's See Things Clearly) with mark's Break Out Plan.  And I was soooooo IMPRESSED!  Every bump that surfaced dried up overnight after using the product.  Even better was the fact that there was no scarring.  My skin also felt very moisturized after using it. This was a surprise, as products that promise to rid one of break-outs are usually very drying.  Another plus is that it doesn't take much product to achieve desired results!

This is definitely being added to the regimen!  

Other things I've been doing differently are as follows:

-Drinking more water (2L daily)

-Eating healthier (NO FAST FOOD)

-Eating foods that are good for my skin (see link)

-Changing my pillow case twice weekly

-Cleaning my satin head scarf twice weekly (click here for jmarie's video on how to do this)

-Wearing less makeup 

-Pampering myself and eliminating stress

Are you participating in the Skin Care Challenge?  What skin care regimen do you follow?  If you have any tips to share or would like to share anything related to your own skin care journey, please feel free to do so in the comments!

Also, if you would like to try a sample of any Avon or mark. skin care product, feel free to e-mail me at missdre910@gmail.com!

Guest Post: No Makeup & Smaller Pores in Minutes

By Guest Blogger Neosha of RatedN-GEE

The secret to beauty is not packing piles of makeup onto your face or sleeping in it hoping it'll still be picture perfect when you wake up. The secret is all in how you care for your skin at home. Like many, we may get an occasional breakout from satisfying cravings we need to avoid but we're only human, right? I often get complimented on my skin. "OMG, are you wearing foundation? Your skin is flawless." Not everyday. I recently started wearing liquid foundation from a luxury salon brand not sold in stores. It's amazing and nothing compared to filler-filled formulations. Before using that however, I would only do cleanser, moisturizer and eyeshadow. I still do, of course, but foundation is only whenever I'm working in the salon.

Some women will NEVER leave the house without "cake on the face". But I achieved the power to do so through the use of something we all can get for free. ICE. One secret to flawless looking skin and even better makeup application is using ice to close your pores. Reducing the look of your pores will allow you to retain moisture after cleansing the skin and also will allow your makeup to look even greater.

Want to achieve smaller pores and be able to look flawless without all the crazy foundation? This is a good trick if you aren't planning to wear makeup. Check out the ice facial regimen I follow:

Step 1
Prepare your pores for cleansing by giving yourself a steam treatment. The heat from the steam will gently open your pores so you can clean them more effectively. You can do this by using a facial steamer or bringing a pot of water to simmer on the stove. If steaming in the kitchen, remove the pot from the heat and make a tent by placing a towel over both your head and the pot. Breathe in the steam for about three to five minutes as your pores begin to open. If you're feeling fancy or want a little luxury at home, place a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil into the water for some added aromatherapy.

Step 2
Exfoliate your skin. You can use a store-bought exfoliating cream of choice. I found that most estheticians recommend using an exfoliator that contains alphahydroxy acids to dissolve dead skin. You can also make your own exfoliating cream by mixing brown sugar and olive oil, creating a paste and rubbing it gently on your face. Alternatives could be using sugar and honey or sea salt with olive oil. This will help to slough away those pore-clogging dead skin cells camping out on your skin.

Step 3
Cleanse the exfoliator off your skin with a mild skin cleanser that does not contain soap, which causes irritation to the fresh layer of skin. The cleanser should help remove any dirt or oil particles that could be stretching out your pores. Using soaps can be drying and result in an overproduction of natural skin oil. Look for an oil-free, gentle cleanser.

Step 4
Now, take a cube of ice alone or you can choose to put it in a thin cloth or piece of fabric and apply it to your face. I rub the ice all over my face in counter-clockwise motions. The cold from the ice will shrink your pores, allowing them to look tighter and smaller, thus, you looking younger. Cold compresses from frozen foods can also be used. It seems silly, but people do use them.

Step 5
You're done! You can now apply your favorite moisturizer or a pore-minimizing cream. Pore-minimizers go on as lotion but dry as a powder to help fill your pores for a more smoother appearance. Look for a lotion formulated to be pore-minimizing, with ingredients such as retinoid.


****If you don't have time to steam, no problem. Simply cleanse your face and rub the ice cube as instructed. KUDOS TO YOU!! You just gave yourself a mini face lift. lol.****