Caramel Treatment: Tutorial

Click below for the video of how I mixed my caramel treatment.

I still had great results and will continue to incorporate this in my hair journey!

Hope you enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azCNhkuY7D4&feature=youtu.be

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Current Regimen

I am following a rather flexible regimen but I am making sure to incorporate all the things my hair needs

I've dumbed it down to the point that I am only messing with my hair when I absolutely have to.

Sunday: Wash Day
Tuesday: Co-wash Day

Deep condition on wash way
Light or Heavy Protein treatment on Co-wash day

Always air dry.

Apply my Liquid Gold Sulfur Based Growth Oil every other day and do a scalp massage.

Moisturize with my whipped shea butter and seal with coconut oil.

Only finger comb until wash days.

My Almost Setback -_-

Ok guys...

At some point I was experiencing severe breakage. There were long pieces and short pieces coming out of my hair whenever I barely touched it. I was so scared because it was almost like my hair was falling out! There were 1-4 strands every time! I didn't know what had caused it aside from the fact that I was actually taking time to moisturize and seal my hair on a more regular basis compared to the every 1-3 days that I used to do.

I was so frantic and got on Hairlista, YouTube, and Google looking for any information I could find about breakage and the more I looked and listened I assessed my hair. It was mushy and gummy so I knew exactly what was going on...MOISTURE OVERLOAD!

I immediately hopped in the shower and did a protein treatment and that helped my breakage almost instantaneously. For fear of more breakage, I wore my hair in plats with a beanie and gave my hair a serious break from manipulation. Once I finally took it down to allow my hair to breathe a little I had a BEAUTIFUL braid out!

I had an "almost" setback but I caught it in time before any real damage could be done! The lesson I learned was simply to listen to what my hair needs. And she and I have been really talking these days :)

Hairlista provides a great article about breakage and ways to pinpoint what is going on with your hair. Check it out!

http://www.hairlista.com/forum/topics/moisture-protein-balance

Co-wash Day

Did an unexpected co-wash today.


This summer heat has my hair feeling dry and my scalp was itchy so a quick relief was a co-wash.


I deep conditioned on dry hair and then rinsed and applied my Eden's Body Works Jojoba Monoi Conditioner.


I have my hair in 6 bantu knots that I plan to just wear in a bun tomorrow and Tuesday.


I plan to do a heavy protein treatment on Tuesday evening with a moisturizing wash to prep my hair for box braids that I plan to get installed on Thursday.


I also have been exercising and drinking tons of water! :)


There is a challenge on Hairlista that begins June 1st so that's perfect timing for everything.


The only change I will be making is my growth aide. I will use Gro Aut Oil and Hair Trigger Growth Elixir. (HTGE)


The only vitamins I'm taking now are Biotin, MSM, GNS Hair Skin and Nails, and Garlic Supplements.


I am still using the summer heat to my advantage and praying for some great results over the next few months!!


UPDATES coming soon!

Random

Yesterday was my last wash day before I get my sew-in installed tomorrow. I deep conditioned and did a protein treatment.

Today I used the Split-Ender for the first time and LOVED the results! (posting a video later)

Moisturized with my Tresemme Split Remedy Leave-In Treatment and sealed with coconut oil!

More updates to come!

Breakage?

After applying my MN mix to my scalp I noticed my ends were fairly dry and a little brittle. I knew immediately this would lead to breakage so I grabbed a bottle of water and my moisturizer and I dampened the ends of my hair and put on my moisturizer and then put saran wrap over the ends of my hair and did the baggy method.

Baggying is a quick-fix to get rid of dry ends. Considering the ends of our hair are the oldest parts of our hair we have to be sure not to neglect them. It does us no good getting all this new growth if the the ends of our hair are breaking off.

Since I did a co-wash Tuesday, I feel that my hair may need another wash and protein treatment tomorrow to get strength back to my hair and then a good moisturizing deep conditioner to bring the balance back.

But for the moment I will baggy for a few hours. I don't want my ends too mushy so I will only keep this on for 2-3 hours.

Gro-Aut Oil Challenge

I stopped my JBCO challenge because I was experiencing more shedding than I could tolerate and I will just use it in my deep conditioner instead.

With that being said I am going to start a Gro-Aut Oil Challenge starting May 12th, 2012-July 12th, 2012. I will be applying it to my scalp 5 days a week. I am having a sew-in installed next week as a long-term low manipulation style and I will adjust my normal regimen accordingly to avoid any disruption with hair underneath. I will only be using GAO as my growth aid and nothing else just to determine if that is the reason for increased growth in my hair.

Saturday is my last wash day before the sew-in gets installed and I will do a protein treatment and apply my Gro-Aut Oil.

This is the site where Gro-Aut Oil can be purchased:

http://www.myfasthairgrowth.com/pages.php/page/affiliate/?ref=3

*Updated Regimen*

Monday

• Apply growth aid
• Moisturize and Seal

Tuesday

• Co-wash
• Tresemme Split Remedy 
• VO5 or Eden Body Works Peppermint and Tea Tree Conditioner
• Air Dry 85-90% 
• Tresemme Split Remedy Leave-In Treatment
• Apply Coconut oil to ends and hair shaft (*castor oil may be used on ends if needed)

Wednesday

• Apply growth aid

Thursday

• Apply growth aid
• Moisturize and seal

Friday

• Prepoo overnight with EVOO, PPO, CO

Saturday

• Wash with Eden Body Works Jojoba Monoi Shampoo
• Deep Condition for 30minutes-1hour
• Air dry 85-90%
• Tresemme Split Remedy Leave-In Treatment
• Apply growth aid
• Apply coconut oil to ends  (*castor oil may be used on ends as needed)

Sunday

• Apply growth aid

Daily

• Take vitamins
• Drink 1 liter of water
• Scalp massage

 

*Saturday will also be a protein treatment day. I will use the Organic Roots Stimulator Replenishing Conditioner or Roux Porosity Control 3 weeks out of the month as a light protein treatment and use Africa's Best Hair Mayonnaise, Aphogee 2 Minute Reconstructor, or MegaTek Conditioner as a hard protein treatment. 

Protective Style Challenge

I am putting myself on a protective style challenge for the remainder of this month and see how much length I can retain. I will only be washing on Tuesdays and Saturdays from now on and applying my JBCO every other day. I will moisturize and seal as needed. There will be no manipulation during the week aside from making sure my hair looks presentable.

I will use plats, half wigs, and buns (minimal). I want to stay away from braided weaves as much as possible but a sew-in may be a possibility later in the summer.

I did a much needed cleansing wash, protein treatment, and moisturizing deep condition tonight to get my hair ready for the week. 

Below are pictures of the protective style I will be using. It has braids all over and the ends are bobby pinned. It looks crazy but with a hat its not half bad lol.

I am under a few challenges but they have actually become my normal routine so it just works!

Final Product

Product Review

This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending the Atlanta Natural Hair Show. 
I purchased the Eden Body Works Jojoba Monoi Collection for $20!!


This included:
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Deep Conditioner
- Hair Milk
- Hair Oil


Yesterday night I did my wash and deep condition using only this line and I absolutely LOVED it! My hair felt extremely soft and clean! 


My plan is to use this line until it is all gone and if I see good results I will repurchase. 


I know you guys are thinking "JEEZ you change products a lot!" The thing is I have to find what works for MY hair and the only way I will find out is through trial and error. I will use the Follicure line twice a month and the remaining wash days I will use the Eden collection. 


I will post a picture of all the products that I will actually use the next 3-6 months depending on how long I decide to stretch this time.

For those people looking for a great nourishing and moisturizing line Eden Body Works is definitely the best place to start. Unfortunately the online prices are a lot higher compared to the deal that I got from the Hair Show but it is worth it!

Also I did a protein treatment using the Olive Oil Hair Mayonnaise. This treatment left my hair feeling soft AND strong at the same time. It felt different compared to my other hair mayonnaise. This is another staple in my regimen. I will still use my Aphogee 2 Minute Reconstructor once a month but this will a bi-weekly treatment for me until further notice.

Restarting My Hair Journey

Hello!!!

Today is April 8, 2012. I am restarting my hair journey because I am not afraid to say that I gave up on the first go around.

I am making some changes starting today and look forward to seeing my progress.

1. From now on I will be TEXLAXING only.
2. NO MORE TRIMS!
3. I will be drinking only water for the next 6 months.
4. Eat 1 fruit and a salad daily.
5. Take vitamins daily (Biotin, Nioxin, Garlic Supplements)
6. Stop purchasing hair products until I use the ones I have.
7. Focus on my ends and length retention.
8. ULTIMATE GOAL: BSL 


Along with these changes I am going to continue to wash, co-wash, deep condition, and do protein treatments as needed.

I will post starting pictures soon!

Please watch and support.

ASR