Week 9 of 26 week Stretch

Yes! I am a third of the way into my stretch and I'm actually doing really well.

Of course last week I got my box braids installed so I am in this protective style for a few weeks.

There really isn't much of an update aside from the fact that I oiled my scalp last night with the EVOO mix and used my moisturizing spritzed. With these braids I will be able to knock out 10-14 weeks of my stretch without worrying about my hair too much.

Of course I will still be washing, conditioning, moisturizing, and sealing these braids but my ends being exposed won't be an issue.

So here's to week 9!


                                   

9 weeks down...17 weeks to go!

                                      

Box Braids/ Sew-In: Hair Care

These are a few tips that I found very useful for me in terms of prepping for a braid or sew-in installation as well as care for the duration of having a long term protective style.

1. Wait 2 weeks after you have received a chemical treatment before you install any braids or a sew-in. When you apply a chemical treatment you are weakening your hair strands and immediately doing an install will cause extreme breakage or hair loss.

2. Do a good protein treatment and moisturizing deep conditioning treatment 1-2 days before your install. This will put that protein and moisture balance into your hair strands prior to the installation.

3. NEVER BRAID BREAKING OR DAMAGED HAIR! Too many times people think the solution to damaged hair is hiding it under braids or a sew-in. This is a recipe for disaster when you take down your install. Correct any damage before putting braids or sew-ins into your hair by conditioning and trimming any dead ends.

4. Don't braid your hair too tightly. Braiding hair too tightly will cause hair loss along your edges and nape. Ensure that the braids are secure without excess pull.

5. Alternate between a protein and moisture spray. Again, keeping the protein and moisture balance is imperative even though your hair is hidden. Spritz your hair 4 days with a moisturizing spray and 1 day with a protein spray.

6. Lightly seal hair with an oil. This is the same as moisturizing and sealing your hair. Find an oil that will light enough not to create build up.

7. Oil scalp as needed...not daily. You don't want to create build up on your scalp because you won't be washing your hair as often since it is under braids.

8. Shampoo and condition every 7-10 days. Once a week is enough to shampoo/condition your hair. Any more than that will of course create frizz. If you choose to still deep condition it is recommended that you dilute the products with water to help with the process of rinsing all of the product out.

9. Cover hair with a satin bonnet. Treat your installs like you would treat your real hair. You wouldn't go to bed with a scarf so why would you go to bed without one since you have an install?

Hopefully these tips will help you to retain as much length as possible with your installs!

Length Check: 2-18-13

I did my last wash before my box braids on Sunday. Today I was chatting with a hair buddy and she wanted to see my growth from doing the EVOO inversion method. So I surprised myself as well when I got this...

My hair grew! Although this isn't the most accurate length check due to shrinkage I am still very proud of the length that I've retained thus far on my stretch!

It makes me even more excited to get to finish line and do my texlax and straighten it.

So this is the length before I put in the box braids and I will post another picture after I take them down in a few months.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: GROWTH!!

Hey Guys!!

So I found yet another hair growth technique that I believe really worked!

It requires very little effort and the results are apparent in 7 days!

I watched a video with a girl who used Extra Virgin Olive Oil and the inversion method to grow her hair in a week.

I did this for 5 days using my mix (EVOO, Lavender Oil, and Eucalyptus Oil). I laid upside down over the edge of my bed for 4 minutes (2 minutes on my stomach + 2 minutes on my back)

I did see growth! Of course I couldn't get an actual length check because I am on a no heat challenge for the next six months but I could feel the difference in wear my hair rested on my back!

The thing I love most is that I was basically prepooing my hair and it was really moisturized. However, I have to wash 2-3 times a week to avoid build-up and I also have to start incorporating a light protein treatment weekly to keep my hair in balance.

Overall it makes a great growth technique.

You only have to do it 1 week per month and then start again the next month. So I will start this again March 1st!

Give it a go! You have nothing to lose but LOTS of hair growth to gain :) 

Wash Day 2/6/13 + Week 6 of 26 Stretch

Hello All!

Today I did my wash.

I washed with my ORS Creamy Aloe Shampoo and did a light protein treatment using the ORS Replenishing Conditioner. I deep conditioned for 1 hour without heat.

I rinsed and detangled.

I applied a new Extra Virgin Olive Oil mix that I just came up with out of no where. I have found that EVOO is really moisturizing for my new growth so I wanted to try an oil mix with EVOO as my base.

EVOO MIX:

4oz EVOO

25 drops of Lavender Oil

25 drops of Eucalyptus Oil

I mixed it together and applied it my scalp and massaged it in. 

I sprayed my hair with my oh so lovely Silk Elements Silken Child Leave-In Conditioner and put my hair in 6 french braids to prep for a braidout this Saturday for my birthday.

Of course my hair feels really soft and I can't wait to see the results of the braidout.

In other news, I am a little over 6 weeks into my stretch! My regimen has not changed. I only wash on Saturday and moisturize and seal on Sunday and Wednesday.

I realized my hair is APL without heat so I can only imagine what my length will be in June :)

I am really focusing on my ends and making sure they are properly tucked away so I am considering box braids again now that I am able to keep up with maintenance.

I am still going strong on my NO-Heat and Water challenges! I feel a difference in my hair and my overall energy.

More updates to come!

6 weeks down...20 more to go!