2-Month Update & Length Check

Hello All!

Coming with another update.

I officially hit 2 months on July 3rd.

As many of you know I had my hair in kinky twists as a protective style. Originally I had planned to keep my hair braided until about August 3rd. Well coming back from vacation I was getting restless with the twists and were ready to take to them down....so I did!

I am so geeked! I have gained more length in the last 2 months and that is such a great feeling.

 Freshly washed hair; no products added

 Left Side 3"

 Front 3.25"

 Right Side 3.25"

 Nape 3.5"

Wash Day

I took my hair down late Monday night. Tuesday I used for a wash and deep conditioning day. I washed with Carol's Daughters Black Vanilla Sulfate-Free Shampoo and deep conditioned with ORS Replenishing Conditioner. I did a oil rinse using extra virgin olive oil. (LOVED THIS).

Once out of the shower I lightly oiled my hair with grapeseed oil because it isn't as heavy as the olive oil. For my twistout I used the Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie and Eco Styler Gel. I haven't seen the results yet but my twists are holding much better this time around.

What's next?? I am going to have my hair crochet braided as a protective style. I have seen so many people achieve this look and it looks really great. I want all of my hair braided and I want it just about APL in length. So my hair will be taking a breather until August 6th. This gives me plenty of time to prep my hair and play in my curls! :)

Stay tuned for more updates and thanks for reading!

ASR

1st Natural Length Check...

I realized that I had not done any kind of length check since I did the big chop. So here are some (not so good) pics of where I am right now.

 Front: 2.75"

 Right Side 2.5"

Left Side: 2.5"

Nape: 2.25" *NOT PICTURED*

The shrinkage is real! But I think this is a good start for a big chop.

These are just some bonus pics from the wash that I did after I twisted my hair up.

 

Happy Hair Journey!

Another Mini Chop...

Hey hey hey!!

I did another mini chop. This chop was mostly out of shear frustration with dealing with two textures.

I was sitting on the couch massaging my scalp and could feel all of my new growth. I could feel my ends and how straight they were and I literally said to myself that I could not take it anymore. I was talking to my boyfriend and I said "I'm going to go wash my hair because it's the only way that I can do anything with it"

I sat in front of the mirror and examined my hair. Looked at the curls....the straight ends....the curls...the straight ends. I got mad. That's pretty much the best way to sum up how I felt at that moment. I detangled my hair and stretched it. (It was a little past shoulder length from the last mini chop). 

I called my boyfriend into the bathroom and said "Babe cut my hair." He looked at me and said "Are you serious?" and I nodded yes. Before I knew it my once shoulder length hair was now ear length. He went ahead and cut the other side. He jokes and says that he cried cutting it. But as I explained to him (and as he knows) it's just hair and it will grow back. 

Although my hair is much shorter I am closer and closer to getting rid of the relaxed ends permanently. 

I am getting my hair braided this week for a cruise that I will be going on here in a couple of weeks. I want to get my hair braided early because I want the braids to loosen up for styling purposes. I am trying to save some of the length for the braids without fearing the them slipping out from my hair being too short.

I am going to leave the braids in for approximately 8-12 weeks and take them out and completely do the big chop.

This mini chop was definitely freeing and I am looking forward to seeing the rest of my curls come later :) 

These are the ends of my hair. I cut about 2-3 inches off.

Thanks for reading!

Stay tuned for more updates!

AR

Dry Scalp...WHAT!?

Hey all,

Talk about issues! So for the first time in 20 years I am having a strange case of dry scalp. It is the weirdest thing because I have not had this issue since I last saw a dermatologist for it.

I removed some braids that were installed for approximately 2 weeks and did my normal routine (wash and deep condition)

What I noticed the day after my wash was crazy. FLAKES! I almost freaked out because I'm like no way. So I cowashed my hair and made sure to apply a light oil to my scalp to prevent any dryness. Epic fail.

Today when I was at work I looked at my hair and low and behold MORE flakes! It was as if I never washed or oiled my scalp. At this point I'm thinking back on changes in my regimen, diet, water intake, products, etc. I couldn't point anything out so I went online and did a mass search on dry scalp and dandruff. I found some things that could be applicable

• Changes in weather
• Severe dehydration
• Hard water
• Shampooing/Washing too frequently

The list could go on but I knew I needed to fix this sooner than later especially with my plans to big chop next month.

I remembered what my dermatologist recommended from when I was a child that worked for me. So I decided to pick up a bottle of Selsun Blue and Sulfur 8 from WalMart. Both products combat dandruff and dry scalp. As an added bonus sulfur has been used in growth aides so I may see some increased growth from applying the Sulfur 8 to my scalp. I only plan to apply it every other day.

Tonight's wash was simple and to the point. I washed with the Selsun Blue and applied the Sulfur 8 to my scalp. I applied raw shea butter to the length of my for moisture and put my hair in bantu knots to dry.

My new growth feels amazing! I enjoy seeing the little curls coming through.

Today started my week for the inversion method as well so I have to keep a good plan from week to week until this big chop so I can reap all of the benefits!

#60days #BigChop #Countdown 

Product Review & Prepping for Protective Style

Hello All!

Just checking in about the changes going on with my hair.

I am experiencing rapid growth from drinking more water and taking my Biotin and MSM! The new growth is manageable but I am going through a very tough time dealing with breakage on the left side of my hair. I am starting to think that my line of demarcation is extremely fragile and the amount of TLC I am providing is simply not enough but I fear that too much manipulation will cause breakage too.

So of course I have been digging really deep to recover my hair from this drought so to speak. I have been diligent in moisturizing and sealing my hair, incorporating the greenhouse effect in my daily routine, and sealing my ends with a heavier oil.

I have started feeling my hair get back to normal but in my opinion this has been what feels like the worst bout with my hair since I started my journey. I am listening to my hair and what I feel it needs is to be left alone to grow but also to be moisturized.

With that being said I decided to do a "short" long-term protective style. I am getting the style from my previous post put in my hair on Friday and in preparation for that install I am taking a night to pamper my hair.

I washed my hair with a clarifying Mint Conditioner from my local whole foods store. This conditioner soothes my itchy scalp and also cleans my hair to welcome the treatments I set up for my hair. I followed up with Tea Tree Conditioner to again soothe my scalp but also condition my hair. Once that was rinsed I applied my new moisturizing conditioner as a deep treatment mixed with a little coconut oil and JBCO:

As soon as this conditioner hit my hair I immediately felt a difference! When I say smooth as silk....SMOOTH!! It has definitely transformed my hair drastically. It has some pros and cons but overall it is a great product

Pros

• Great size bottle with dispensing nozzle (32 oz)
• Great scent
• Easy to distribute throughout hair

Cons

• It is a thin conditioner which can't really be used again as a "deep conditioner" but more like a cowashing conditioner

So after I rinsed my hair I applied Vitamin E oil to my hair and put my hair in a bun and baggied my ends for additional moisture.

I am looking forward to giving my hair a much needed break and seeing the growth I will gain over the next month or so.

*Additional details about the Argan Magic Moisturizing Conditioner*

This conditioner came in a set with the matching shampoo. My friend recommended this product to me and I went to get it from Marshalls. The set was $19.99 plus tax.

I think for the size of the bottles are great and for the price you really can't beat it!

Hair Prep For Sew-In!

That's right Ladies!

I am getting a sew-in installed for my sister's wedding. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my own hair so I opted to have a sew-in installed.

I started the process of caring for my hair last night.

These are the steps and products I used.

1. Prepoo with extra virgin coconut oil for 30 minutes.
2. Clarifying wash with ORS Creamy Aloe Shampoo.
3. Heavy protein treatment with Africa's Best Hair Mayonnaise.
1. Let it sit for 30 minutes
4. Moisturizing deep conditioning treatment with Shea Moisture Anti-Breakage Masque. This product was my "base". I added Organix Luxurious Moroccan Argan Creme Conditioner, EVOO, and ORS Replenishing Conditioner. 
1. This mix has my hair feeling AMAZING!

Currently I am experiencing a patch of broken ends on the nape of my hair and plan to have her cut my hair prior to the installation.

While I am uncertain of why this area is breaking, I have confidence that it will grow back as with the rest of my hair. :)

I want to leave out the entire perimeter of my hair so that I have the ability to wear my hair in a ponytail. I will not being using a lot of heat on my hair during this installation because I don't want heat damage or breakage along those parts from constant heat being on it.

I am 4-weeks post today will leave the hair installed until October 8th.  By that time I will be 12-weeks post. After I take my hair down I will treat my hair with a protein treatment, moisturizing deep conditioning treatment and prep my hair for my next texlax.

I have a great plan mapped out and can't wait to receive growth from leaving my hair alone for two months.

Happy Hair Growing!

Kimmaytube Leave-In Recipe

Hey Guys!

Today was my wash day after a week of the Inversion Method.

As I have always said doing the inversion method during the week makes my hair feel like it is being constantly conditioned and it makes my wash day marvelous!

I did a cowash because I didn't want my hair to lose all of the moisture that I gained over the course of this week. I used Carol's Daughters Black Vanilla Conditioner.

I rinsed my hair in 2 sections, T-shirt dried my hair for 15 minutes, and proceeded to apply the Kimmaytube Leave-In Conditioner Mix.

I put my hair in 4 granny plats to dry overnight.

I can say just from the initial application of this mix to my hair that it will be very moisturizing.

I still have not used a heat pass so my hair and scalp feel great.

Below is the recipe for the mix. After this batch is used up I will change up the ingredients to see if the exact mixture makes a difference in the feeling of my hair. I want to swap Aloe Vera Juice for Aloe Vera Gel and Jojoba Oil for Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Kimmaytube Leave-In Recipe

• 1oz Kinky Curly Knot Today Leave-In Detangler
• 2 Tablespoons Aloe Vera Juice
• 2 teaspoons Castor Oil
• 2 teaspoons Jojoba Oil

*This recipe yields 2oz of mix. It is advised that if you plan to make more to not exceed 3 times the original amount due to the shelf life of some of the ingredients.

My Hair Post-Braids

Hey All!
I finally took my box braids out after having them in for what felt like the longest 5 weeks ever!

I removed the braids and began to detangle my hair in 4 sections.

I was able to do this successfully with no problems because during the entire five weeks I made sure to keep my new growth and braids properly moisturized. This made my hair very soft and I had about 2-quarter sized amounts of shedding altogether.

I did a cleansing wash twice using the Shea Moisture Deep Cleansing African Black Soap. I had no tangling at all!

I followed with a moisturizing deep conditioner which was the Aussie Moist Conditioner mixed with the Shea Moisture Moisture Retention Conditioner.

I let it sit on my hair for 30 minutes and rinsed with cool water.

I air dried by hair for 30 minutes and then applied an EVOO mixture directly to my scalp. I then applied the Elasta QP Olive Oil & Mango Butter Moisturizer to the length of my hair and did a crown braid style.

It has been braided for going on 3 days so I will take it down and moisturize and seal my hair again tomorrow.

I am coming up on 19 weeks on Friday so I am doing ok.

I think I am going to do my Caramel Treatment this weekend as well to help with manageability.

Read my old posts for recipe and tutorial:

Caramel Treatment Recipe

Caramel Treatment Tutorial 

Thanks for reading!

Caramel Treatment Recipe and Review

As many of you know I have been having the time of my life dealing with my new growth.

Knots...tangles...dryness...the list could go on.

No matter how much I deep conditioned and moisturized and sealed my hair it didn't seem to help.

So I went online and researched different tips, recipes, or ideas to soften my hair.

I came across a recipe called the Caramel Treatment that helps to soften and stretch "kinky" hair. My assumption is that is a treatment that is famous amongst women with African American hair textures.

The ingredients are fairly inexpensive and was easy to prep.

The directions can be found at this link.

I followed the recipe and directions from start to finish.

I let it sit on my hair for  1 hour and 20 minutes exactly without added heat. The only thing I hated was the smell. It was not a pleasant smell but something that I could get over.

I washed my hair using the Organix Moroccan Argan Creme Shampoo and followed with their conditioner. I let that sit on my hair for 10 minutes and rinsed with cool water.

I applied my leave-in and grapeseed oil.

To my surprise I had great slip and my hair was actually manageable to the point that I could put it in a bun!!! I seriously have not been able to bun my hair since the beginning of my stretch because I hate fighting with my hair trying to fully detangle it. I found that though my hair is still very thick it is much softer and the curl pattern is slightly looser but the texture is very noticeable.

The website says that this treatment should only be done once a month and from these results it will be in my regimen for good!

If anyone has issues with the manageability of their hair or new growth this is definite must! You have nothing to lose and they don't call it a hair "journey" for no reason :)

Wash Day in Box Braids

Hello all!

I did my first wash in my braids on Saturday. Very successful might I add and I wanted to share my experience and hopefully be a help to someone reading this post about caring for the braids.

Once in the shower, I spent about 10 minutes just massaging my scalp with warm water to help remove some of the dirt before applying my conditioner. 

Then I applied a small amount of conditioner only to my fingertips and massaged it in small sections until my entire scalp was covered. I then took the length of the braids and coated them with conditioner and left it on for about 20 minutes. 

I rinsed it all out and towel dried as much of the water as I could.

Then I immediately coated the length of my braids with EVOO and oiled my scalp with my EVOO mix. This was to make sure my hair was moisturized and prevent any unnecessary dryness.

Once my hair was about 95% dry I spritzed my Silk Elements Silken Child Leave-In Conditioner over my entire head.

My braids feel moisturized and I count that as a plus considering how drying they can be without proper care.

Thanks for reading!

ASR

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!

Week 4 of 26 Week Stretch

Hello All!

I am officially 1 month into my 6-Month Stretch!

I'm seeing some growth so far and I've been doing great.

I have been following a low manipulation routine to help keep my hands out of my hair. Washing once a week and moisturizing and sealing twice a week has been doing great things.

I have been wearing protective styles 99.9% of the time (braidouts as a bun, bun, granny plats, french braids)

I only comb my hair once a week on wash days and I'm deep conditioning with every wash.

I noticed less breakage and shedding with this regimen and I'm sure as the months go on I will change it to fit what my hair needs.

I am considering a long term protective style but that won't happen until I am 3 or 4 months post.

Basically I am keeping it simple for this stretch but I am keeping track of changes along the way.

4 weeks down...22 more to go!

Week 2 of 26 Week Stretch

Today was such a great wash day!

Detangled on damp hair using my spritz that I mixed up. 

Placed my hair in 4 sections for easier detangling later during the process.

Washed using my Roux Porosity Control Shampoo.

Deep conditioned with a plastic cap and sat under the dryer for 45 minutes
          --I don't know why I stopped deep conditioning with heat but my hair LOVES it!

Rinsed with cool/cold water (SO HARD TO DO IN THE SHOWER! FREEZING! lol)

Kept my hair in 4 sections and detangled again.

Applied my Beautiful Textures Tangle Taming Leave-In Conditioner and Coconut Oil.

Now my hair is braid in 10 plats to air dry and probably leave in for my protective style for the week (with a beanie)

My hair feels really good and my scalp feels clean.

2 weeks down...24 more to go!

Product Review: Silk Elements Silken Child Leave-in Detangling Conditioner

Rating: 5 Stars

Pros: Smells REALLY good, inexpensive

Cons: The bottle is difficult to spray.

Will I repurchase: Definitely! Love the way my hair feels after a day!

I cowashed this morning using the V05 Moisturizing Conditioner. Today for my leave in I spritzed my hair with the Silk Elements Silken Child Leave-In Detangling Conditioner. It does smell really good and provided great slip for my detangling process. I air dried and monitored my hair throughout the day to see if it got hard. IT IS STILL SOFT!! I didn't even have to apply an oil at that point and was still in awe at how great my hair feels.

I am happy to say that I have FINALLY found my water based leave-in conditioner that is moisturizing! I would definitely recommend this product to anyone.

I paid $3.79 for a bottle at Sally's Beauty Supply.

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

Last Wash Before Box Braids

I did a wash today using the Roux Porosity Control Shampoo and Conditioner and a light protein treatment using the ORS Replenishing Conditioner. I followed up using the ever so lovely Eden Body Works Jojoba Monoi Conditioner for moisture.


I air dried with the Aphogee Keratin Restructorizer and moisturized and sealed my hair.


I am getting box braids installed tomorrow so I want my hair to be strong before I put them in. I will be moisturizing my hair again tomorrow to ensure my hair underneath is not dry to avoid breakage when I take the braids out.


My regimen for the braids is really simple:

• Wash bi-weekly with a diluted shampoo.
• Use ORS Dry Shampoo 1-2 times a week to keep scalp clean
• Moisturize hair daily with a  water based spritz
• Haven't decided on a mix yet
• Apply Gro Aut Oil and Hair Trigger Growth Elixir daily alternating products

That's pretty much it!!

I have no idea how long I want to keep them in. I am toying with 6-8 weeks but it depends on how much growth I get and how they look after weeks of wearing them. I don't know if I want to take the hair down and touch up around the edges or just do a final take down.

Since I am doing the Hairlista Summer Challenge I am excited to have a protective style that will allow me to keep my hands out of my hair and just let it GROW!

I am currently at 10 1/2 inches at the top of my hair and roughly 9 1/2 or 9 3/4 inches in the middle and back of my hair so I want to gain at least 3-4 more inches by the end of August.

I know I can do this and length retention will be key...

WATCH ME GROW!

*Sally's Beauty Supply Store has ALL Roux products on sale Buy One Get One FREE until MAY 31st! I picked up a bottle of the Porosity Control Shampoo and Conditioner which aids in keeping my hair balanced.

*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. 

Wash Day :)

Today I did my wash using the Avalon Peppermint Shampoo and Conditioner and also the Roux Porosity Control Conditioner.


My hair feels really good and clean.


I let the hair air dry and then I applied my JBCO to my scalp and moisturized and sealed my ends.


I have it braided up in two pig tails as my protective hairstyle for the next couple of days. Since I am out of school for the summer I can focus on my hair more and also many women say that their hair grows faster in the summer so I am hoping for a nice growth spurt.


I love how my texlaxed hair looks and feels after a wash day and I'm excited to keep going! However, I am nervous about managing the 3 textures (natural, relaxed, texlaxed). The new growth will need care and having so many lines of demarcation I fear a great deal of breakage. I am doing research to find the best ways to prevent a setback with this kind of issue and I am hoping for the best.


HHJ :)

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.