6-Month Stretch Ended :-/

Hey All,

Yes you read right...

I ended my 6-month stretch yesterday. My new growth was very thick and unmanageable despite the moisturizing and deep conditioning.

I think I made the best decision for my hair to end this stretch at 18 weeks and texlax my hair.

Often times we do more harm than good during the long stretches and at that moment we have to ask ourselves is it the best decision to relax or continue stretching.

The results were beautiful and I did receive growth!

I did not blow dry or flat iron my hair this relaxer because I will be going to the salon next week for an event.

So I will be stretching indefinitely this time but most definitely will be reaching 12 weeks.

Thanks for reading!

Update: Wash Day, Castor Oil Challenge, Stretching

Hey Ladies!

I washed my hair and deep conditioned my hair today. I sat under my steamer for 25 minutes and my hair felt luxurious!!

I air dried using the scarf method which helped keep my edges flat.

My hair is very thick during this stretch so finding ways to keep my hair in line is crucial.

I am going to continue with the castor oil challenge seeing that the past couple of weeks have been going ok. I think it has aided in the thickness as well.

I have decided to go on my second 6-month stretch! :)

I will be relaxing on DECEMBER 28th, 2013 at the conclusion of the castor oil challenge.

Stay tuned for updates on my stretch and I will check in periodically as the weeks go on as I did on my last 6-month stretch.

Any additional tips would be great for this stretch!
Thanks for your support!

Update: 8-31-13

Hey Guys!

I am officially back and I am able to write again!

Over the past month I have been in the processing of moving and starting a new job so making the transition took up a lot of my time.

Now to the goodies...MY HAIR!

I have noticed two major changes with my hair since my move.

1. Rapid build up on my scalp

I understand that naturally our hair and scalps will get dirty. However, I was noticing a seemingly rapid increase in the amount of buildup I was recieving. I would wash/cowash my hair and within 48 hours it would appear that my hair was never even washed! I wasn't applying anything directly to my scalp so there no extra oils being added.

I have been monitoring the buildup and find that doing a cleansing wash weekly has helped decrease the amount of buildup. Cowashing twice weekly also helps me keep my scalp clean as well. I have also started using a tea tree oil, lavender oil, and Vitamin E oil mixture to help keep my scalp clean and ease with any itchiness that I may experience.

2. Increased shedding

I am sure that the increase in shedding has to do with the amount of braidouts I do. While they are a great go-to hair style having to detangle a 2 or 3 day old braidout can shows signs of increased shedding compared to when I do a bun. But I going through a stressful move and change in environment could have also been a reason why my hair started to shed more than usual.

Again this is something that I am monitoring and if things don't slow down I will do a garlic and onion rinse or a black tea rinse.




Thanks for reading!

Be on the lookout for more updates!

RELAXER DAY!!: Picture Heavy

Today I reached the 6-month mark of my stretch!

I followed the same route outlined in my previous post for relaxer preparation and my relaxer process. I ended up only needing 14 minutes instead of 16 and my results are lovely!

For a detailed update check out my latest video on my YouTube channel.

Texlax Update

I loved the experience with this stretch and really learned a lot about my hair. I was able to narrow down my staple hair products and learn to care for hair. I got length, thickness, and an added boost of confidence in knowing my regimen is working!

Will I do another 6-month stretch? Yes, but no time soon. I will relax every 3-4 months for now. My next relaxer will be September 21st, 2013.

ORS No Lye Relaxer Normal + EVOO

Africa's Best Super Gro Hair & Scalp Conditioner 

*main ingredient is petroleum so it makes for a good scalp base*

100% Natural Coconut Oil for previously relaxed ends

Relaxer Kit Contents

COUPONS! :)

Before

Total application and smoothing time

Texlaxed hair washed

After: BSL

Front view

Ponytail length

I am considering going for MBL because I had not anticipated reaching my goal length so soon. I believe it is attainable at this point. If I reach MBL I am going to maintain that length with no plans of going past that.

I am LOVING my results and am excited for what this next 3 month stretch has for my hair :)

Thanks for the support!

Week 25 of 26 Week Stretch

That's right ladies!! I have just one week remaining in this stretch and I am so excited.

What is the week ahead looking like in terms of preparation for my relaxer?

Very simple.

Wednesday I will be doing my final wash. This will include a heavy protein treatment using the Vitale Hair Mayo, a moisturizing deep conditioning treatment, and pre-basing my scalp.

I do base my scalp again on my relaxer day but I found during my last relaxer in December that pre-basing kept my hair moist leading up to the relaxer.

I will be sure to moisturize and seal my hair generously as I will not be redoing my hair from the time I wash it until its time to relax.

On my relaxer day I am still going to use the ORS Relaxer in normal strength. The mix will be the same (1/2 activator + 1/2 EVOO + relaxer cream)

I will be applying the relaxer in 6 sections instead of 4 because my new growth is out of this world!! And because of the extra thickness I will be adding on an additional 2 minutes to my application and smoothing process which will be 16 minutes.

I'm going to blow dry and straighten my hair. And finish with a trim using the Split Ender.

I'll be sure to post pictures of the results.

Week 20 of 26 Week Stretch

I reached the 20 week mark!!

I am really learning to work with my hair and wash days aren't as horrific.

I deep condition for 2-4 hours instead of 30 minutes with heat. I find my results to be much smoother and more long term moisturizing. I still use the steamer for my hot oil treatments.

I also detangle under running water and either put my hair plats while in the shower or bun.

This makes my styling process a lot easier. Once my hair is somewhat dry I apply my oils and leave ins and bun for a few days. My new growth isn't as dry this way.

I really want to trim my ends because I noticed some dry areas so I plan to take off an inch on my relaxer day.

Overall, I'm happy with my progress thus far and praying that the next 6 weeks will be a breeze!

20 weeks down...6 more to go!!!

Wash Day 3-27-13 + Castor Oil Challenge

Today I did a cowash using my ORS Replenishing Conditioner. I felt that my hair needed some protein in it and surely enough my hair feels LOVELY! I didn't follow up with a moisturizing conditioner like I usually do because I wanted my hair to take the protein in.

I detangled my hair in 4 sections and applied my castor oil mix to my scalp. Which brings me to my next personal challenge for the remaining 3 months of my stretch.

I am doing a personal Castor Oil Challenge from March 27-June 19th.

My mix is similar to my EVOO Mix

Castor Oil Mix

4oz Castor Oil

25 drops Lavender Oil (for scent)

25 drops Eucalyptus

I was unable to take starting photos but the closest length I had was from a photo I took the day before my box braids got installed and the day I last flat ironed my hair in December.

My regimen will only change slightly.

• Wash 1x/week (Deep Condition)
• Cowash 1x/week
• Air Dry
• Apply castor mix only on wash/cowash days.
• The only exception is during the week that I am doing the EVOO inversion method.

I am going to protective style 100% of the time now until my relaxer!

So excited for this challenge and if anyone wants to join me feel free to comment below so I can check in with you :)

Cheating on My Hair: Long-Term Protective Styles

So I have been in these box braids for almost 4 weeks (Tuesday).

And what I have come to learn about long-term protective styles is the fact that I miss MY hair.

I miss the washing, deep conditioning, and all around TLC that I give my hair. With that I have decided to take the braids out and get back to the basics of MY hair.

I think wigs are the all around best option for me so I will do some research and get wig closet stocked so that I can add some versatility to my hair without any full time commitment.

I feel like I'm cheating on my hair with these braids lol.

If any of you are on a healthy hair journey you can relate to this love-hate relationship with long-term protective styles! :)

And with that I am....

12 weeks down...14 weeks to go!!! 

Texlax Day: 12/23/12

Hello!

I decided to go ahead and relax my hair today. I was going to wait until December 31st but due to my hectic work schedule I knew I wouldn't have the time to really wait that long.

Last week I did a heavy protein treatment and moisturizing deep condition. I had my hair in two pigtails all week and did NO manipulation whatsoever until today.

I used the ORS Olive Oil No-Lye Relaxer in normal formula. I used 1/2 of the activator and added extra virgin olive oil to the relaxer.

The entire process took a little over 14 minutes from start to finish to give me the texlaxed look that I always go for.

I rinsed and shampooed with ORS Creamy Aloe Shampoo and followed up with the ORS Replenishing Pack.

I towel dried for about 30 minutes and then blow dried and flat ironed my hair. The heat protectant that I use is called Silk Elements Olive Oil Heat Protectant (GREAT STUFF!)

These are my results!

I only gained a 1/2 inch this month due to the fact that I did not use any growth aids or take my vitamins. So I can say that taking my vitamins and using my Green Magic has helped me gain my length. But even though I didn't gain much length my hair is thicker and a lot healthier!

Now I'm ready for the 6-Month Stretch :)

Stretched

Unstretched

Texlax #2 & Other Updates

Hello All!!

I did my second texlax yesterday night and it was another huge success!!! I used ORS Relaxer in the Normal formula and mixed in Avocado Oil which replaced the 1/2 of the activator that I didn't use.
I have found that with me texlaxing my hair is growing in a lot faster so I may have to tweak the number of weeks I stretch from 13 to maybe 9 or 10 weeks.

I did see some growth! (Excited) So today is the only day I am wearing my hair down then it's back to buns, braid outs, and half wigs until my next relaxer. I am hoping by the end of the summer to be Full SL :)

PICS...

 Looks like maybe 1" of growth

The Summer Hair Challenge is going well and thanks in large part to that challenge and my daily updates in my log, I am able to actually track my progress.

Also, I have incorporated exercising daily into my regimen. 15-30 minutes and on my "down days" I usually just go for a walk. If you have an iPhone or iPad download the "Nike Training Club" app. It's great and easy to use!

I still eat a fruit and one salad a day so I'm getting tons of good nutrition that will help my hair.

I am only using Hair Trigger Growth Elixir and Gro Aut Oil on my scalp and love how BOTH of them make my hair feel and have seen great results from consistent usage!

NOTE: I did not trim my ends this relaxer but plan to trim them during my next relaxer or in December.

FIRST TEXLAX= SUCCESS

Today I had my first texlax and I was 9 weeks post. This is the shortest I have stretched since last year. My new growth was out of control so I needed something to tame it ASAP. I will stretch for 4 months and see if I can go two months with a sew-in and two months without. The sew-in will be my protective style because I find them to be much better on my hair.

I used Soft Sheen Carson Optimum Care Relaxer Brand in Regular strength.

The total time I had the relaxer in my hair from start to finish after application and smoothing was 12 minutes.

My mom started at the back of my hair which was the most coarse and then did the front half.

I was VERY pleased with the outcome and am excited for my transition from relaxed to texlaxed.

Pros:

• loosed curl pattern without losing texture
• quick
• relaxer wasn't left on hair long
• cheap to do at home
• got results I was looking for

Cons:

• I had to wash over sink (will use shower next time)
• hair felt dry form using products in the box (will use my own protein treatment and moisturizing conditioner, currently DC now)

Hair Journey: Take 2

*My last trim was April 9, 2012*

*I am currently 8 1/2 weeks post relaxer*

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