Scalp Oil Treatment

Today I combined a mixture of the following oils for my scalp:

Peppermint Oil

Ylang Ylang Oil

Rosemary Oil

Avocado Oil

I mixed the ingredients in a small applicator bottle in applied to my scalp.  This is needed to help me maintain a healthy scalp.

One Month Post Healthy Hair Progress

My hair is improving more than ever; even though I have some ways to go, thanks to regular trims and protein & moisture balance hair care regimen.

Healthy Hair Progress

10-14-2013 Hair parted in two sections and later cross-wrapped; has shown improvement due to my regular hair regimen. Here are two unedited photos of how the hair looks three days after using the Joico K-Pak line, including the Deep Penetrating Reconstructor and Moisture Intense Hydrator.

Comparison & Contrast

February 2013, Post Relaxer & Hair Cut

October 9, 2013  Inches Grew Back

Post Relaxer Regimen

With my day off from work, I've decided to apply my post-relaxer hair regimen, using the Joico K-Pak Line:

- I shampooed my hair with the Joico Reconstruct Shampoo

- I followed it with the Joico's Deep Penetrating Reconstructor; I applied the contents to my wet hair combed through with a wide-tooth comb and placed a plastic cap over it.  The next, I sat under a pre-heat dryer for ten minutes, and later rinsed out.

- I then applied the Joico's K-Pak Moisture Intense Hydrator with plastic cap and left it in for ten minutes.

- After rinsing, applied the following leave-in:

- Kenra's Daily Provision

- Joico's K-Pak Reconstruct Leave-In

- Salerm Silk Protein Leave-In

 

I comb through my hair and sit under the hooded dryer for an hour and allow my hair to air dry afterwards.

Relaxer Update

After relaxer touch up and conditioning, here are unedited photos as how my hair now looks after a five month stretch.

Relaxer Touchup

 As of Saturday, October 5, 2013, I have given my hair a relaxer touch up after a five month stretch. I originally planned to touch up my relaxer in November, but due to change of plans; I decided to relax my hair today.  Following my relaxer touch and neutralizing, I applied the Dudley's DRC 28 Hair Treatment And Fortifier; to restore the protein to my hair. I later follow it with Kenra Mango Butter moisturizing conditioner for five minutes and rinsed out.  I then applied the Giovanni's Moisturizer Leave-in along with the Joico's K-Pak Reconstruct Protectant and sealed it with the Elucence's Silk Hydrating Elixir.  I smoothed out my hair, pinned it up and sat under the hair dryer for one full hour under cool settings.  Now I'm letting my hair air dry so I can comb out and style.  Happy Hair Journey!

Homemade Moisturizer

During my relaxer stretch in this hot and humid weather, I created a homemade moisturizer where I used the following ingredients:

Aloe Vera Gel

Vegetable Glycerine

Water

Peppermint oil

I would combine those ingredients in a blue spritzer bottle and keep refrigerated.  I spray every three days when on the go. This helps keep my entire hair hydrated during the heat wave; especially when it is humid.

 My next relaxer touch-up is due in November; since I touched up my hair last May of this year.  I'll be stretching my relaxer every six months during winter, and every four months during spring.  

Leave-ins

I have incorporated two leave-in conditioners into my regimen: 

Cantu Shea Butter Grow Strong Strengthening Treatment

Salerm 21 Silk Protein Leave-In Conditioner

Cantu Shea Butter, I use as a post-shampoo & conditioning treatment on dried hair; while I would use Salerm 21 on wet or damp hair and comb through for even distribution.  

Summer Stock

I'm currently stocking up cosmetics and skincare for the summer and to replace old cosmetics with new ones. So far I have purchased some more eyeshadows and powder besides Concealers and foundations, etc. I'll be doing some stock ups until I'm complete.

MAC Concealers & Primers

Today, I took a trip to MAC cosmetic store to purchase some concealer, 242 Shader brush, eye shadow base and skin primers:

Paint Pot Painterly

Studio Finish Concealer SPF 35 Broad Spectrum SPF 35

Care Blends Essential Oils

Prep+Prime Natural Radiance Base Visage

242 Shader Brush

Braidout

My hair after four days of braid ins

 

Today's Regimen

This morning, I did the following hair treatment:

- I shampooed my hair with the Joico's Chelating Shampoo

- I followed with the Kenra's Moisturizing Shampoo

- After rinsing the shampoo from my hair; I applied a combination of the Kenra's Moisturizing Conditioner with Joico's Revitaluxe. I then placed a plastic cap on and left the conditioner in my hair for 40 minutes.

- I rinsed out the contents from my hair and applied my regular leave-ins. I'm now under the hooded dryer on cool setting allowing my hair to dry.

Skin Nails Makeup & Fragrance

NAKED by Urban Decay

Today I stopped at Sephora's on my lunch break to purchase some items that I wanted to try out. I'm someone who likes to try new things; so what I did was purchase Urban Decay's foundation and eyeshadow palette as well as the bronzing powder. I'm going to give this product a try just to see how it looks and feel on my skin.

Protein Treatment

Today, I've given my hair a protein treatment, following a shampoo. I then parted my hair in four sections and applied the "Dudley's Q DRC 28 Hair Treatment & Fortifier." I then placed a plastic cap and sat under the pre-heated dryer for 20 minutes. This is what I will be using once a month to help keep my hair strong. Following my protein treatment, I applied the Kenra's platinum Mango Butter Moisturizer and placed a plastic cap on for 30 Minutes. This helps to balance out my hair after a protein treatment.

I would rinse out the moisturizer after 30 minutes and apply my regular leave-ins and once my hair is fully dried, I would just style.

Nail Colors

OPI nail colors to match your mood, outfit, etc; here are the colors that suits me:

Goldeneye

Gold Shatter

It's A Doozi, Says Suzi

Russian Navy

Malaga Wine

Black Onyx

Polka.Com

Yoga-Ta Get This Blue

You Only Live Twice

Sprung

Silver Shatter

Today's Regimen

Today, I have used the following regimen:

- Shampooed with Mizani's Botanical shampoo

- Conditioned using heat and plastic cap with Mizani's Fulfyl for ten minutes

- I rinsed out an applied the Roux Porosity Control and Corrector conditioner and left in my hair for five minutes and rinsed.

- I followed with my regular leave-ins.

Porosity Issues Between Relaxer Stretches

Based on my own experiences, having porous hair while stretching my relaxer, can be a headache. I later discovered the solution to my dilemma by using a conditioner I purchased from a beauty supply store "Roux Porosity Control Corrector & Conditioner." Not only did the product did wonders for my hair; I have experienced less tangles and nearly no shedding while wet. Prior to using the porosity control conditioner, I would shampoo my hair with a moisturizing shampoo and use my regular leave-ins after shampoo and conditioning.

The end results, my hair is left balanced with smooth ends, indicating hydration. Between relaxer stretches and post relaxer touch-ups, Roux Porosity Control Corrector & Conditioner leaves my hair detangled and stronger while wet; and hydrated when my hair is fully dried. I am considering in purchasing the shampoo once my new growth began to show. In the mean while, I am trying out this other product from the Mizani line, The Botanifying Shampoo and The Fulfyl Conditioner. Let's see how that works out.

Post Hair Treatment

Post shampoo, conditioning and leave-in, the end results are shiny and healthy look and feel.

Today's Regimen

This morning, I have used the following treatments:

- shampooed with Joico Chelating shampoo

- Applied the Kenra Moisturizing Shampoo

- Then I used the Roux Porosity Control & Corrector Conditioner leaving it in for ten minutes

I used the following leavings after the conditioner:

- Kinky Curly Knot Today Detangler

- Kenra Daily Provision

- Giovanni's Direct Leave-in Weightless Moisture Conditioning

- I applied the Joico's K-Pak Reconstruct Leave-In Protectant

- I finally sealed with the Elucence's Silk Hydrating Elixir

My Fragrance Of The Day

My Haircut

One week prior to my relaxer touch up, I decided to cut nearly four inches of my hair, ridding what was left of my damaged ends. Since then, my hair has been fully restored back to health.

Hairline Update

My hairline continues to improve through proper care and less frequent relaxer touchups.

Post Relaxer Touchup

Relaxer Touchup Routine

After parting my hair in four sections, I would perform the following steps:

- Apply the scalp protector to my hairline and scalp of my entire head.

- I apply the honey shield onto my previously relaxed hair to protect my hair from overlapping.

- Using a tint brush, I apply the relaxer beginning with the crown section; since the section is more coarse and had more growth.

- Once crown section is completed, I worked towards the nape area and the side sections

- Last section, is the hairline, I apply the relaxer.

- Once straightness is achieved, I rinse out and apply a conditioner following the neutralizing shampoo.

Once the relaxer process is completed, I will perform the following steps in this next phase:

- Apply a combination of the deep penetrating Reconstructor and Hydrator onto my hair.

- I would them place a plastic cap on my head and sit under the dryer on medium settings for fifteen minutes.

- Once fifteen minutes is up, I remove the cap and wait a few minutes to cool and rinse out.

- I apply the Microfusion and leave on my hair as instructed.

- I rinse out the contents and complete it with the following leave-ins:

Braidout

 

Restarting My Hair Journey

I have decided to restart my hair journey by removing more than three inches of what was left of my damaged ends.  Now that all of my damaged hair has been eliminated, my goal is now to achieve strong healthy relaxed or dual textured hair with more length retention.  Relaxing my hair less frequently (twice a year), is a good thing for me, and I have since gave up on hair coloring (permanent hair coloring).  Rather, I use semi-permanent hair color that does not contain peroxide or ammonia, for it is safe on relaxed hair and therefore, causes no damage.  My relaxer touch up is due next month on Saturday; following my touch up, conditioning and neutralizing, I will be applying a protein reconstructor along with a hydrating conditioner.  This of course, will restore the protein that was lost through relaxer process, giving back my hair strength and elasticity.  Healthy hair is what I prefer to have over long hair that has thin and damaged ends.

QP Mango Butter Leave-In

After using this product for over a week, I give this product four in a half stars; because it helped keep the natural part of my hair moisturized while it was in plaits. It left my hair soft and not greasy. What made try out this product, was that it was water-based moisturizer which my hair loves. I would use this product at least three times a week.

My Pre-school Years With Very Short Hair

circa-1968
 

circa-1976

As a toddler, I remember, I started out with very short nappy hair that was either worn in little plaits or cornrows, that never reached ear-length when worn out.  My hair was often unkempt due to not being properly cared for and that left me depressed and sometimes, I would be cruelly teased by children of my peers because of my uncombed hair.  As a little girl, I knew nothing about hair care, nor did I understood damage and breakage due to bad hairstyling;  my hair was often worn in braids whether it be cornrows or plaits, and very seldom, was my hair worn out, unless it was in a afro puff.  After years, of hair setbacks, my hair began to improve due to more knowledge through research, of what types of regimens that my hair type requires and what elements that causes damage and breakage. The end results of my knowledge through research, I have been achieving the length that I thought I would  never have. In contrast, as to how my hair looked in the previous years, I am quite amazed of how my hair looks now.  I finally done something that would make my hair become healthy and lengthy.  It was the two key elements I have used to help me achieve those goals, and those two elements are protein and moisture balance and protective styles.


 The first photo taken in April 2012, I have trimmed more than a half inch of my hair for the purpose to reduce split ends and to maintain its health.  I strongly believe that healthy hair comes first before length.  In this second photo (8-24-2012), once my hair has been completely air dried, I trimmed off less than a half inch.  As you can see in this second photo, as well as the first one; my hair was never flat-ironed, nor blow-dried, rather I avoid using heat on my hair. 

 

Regimens For Relaxer Stretches

Natural hair needs less protein and more moisture; relaxed hair needs a balance of protein and moisture. Since my hair is five months post of my relaxer, I would do the following steps:

Shampoo my hair with a moisturizing shampoo.

Use two conditioners, one moisturizer and one protein conditioner.

I would apply the moisturizing conditioner to the natural part of my hair; and apply a combination of protein and moisturizer to the relaxed section of my hair.

I use them with heat or without heat, the end results leaves my entire hair strong and soft. Throughout my relaxer stretch, I have experienced only minimal shedding and no breakage. Reason, is due to my hair now being well-balanced with protein and moisture, in addition to keeping my ends trimmed and wearing protective styles.

To conclude, I discovered a way to maintain strength and healthy hair throughout my relaxer stretches.