10 minutes into my deep conditioning tonight, my hooded dryer stopped working. I just got it a MONTH ago. I'm so upset. I have a very strong feeling the BSS won't give me a refund, and it will be SUCH a drag to have to send it back to the manufacturer. Argh! *(&^(^&%%^$()_P)(*&& / Anyway, now I'm airdrying, and I guess I'll flat iron for the first time in about a month tomorrow morning. What a drag.

Jilbere de Paris Shower Comb

I must admit, when I heard people raving about the Jilbere de Paris shower comb, I didn't understand what the fuss was about. I had never used or even see one before, but I figured it would be just as good as any other wide-toothed comb. As I mentioned in my previous post, I came across one, and for the sake of being out of town and finding products I may not find at home, I decided to buy one.

I didn't get to use it much though; since the day trip, I've only wet my hair once, and forgot to bring the comb in the shower with me LOL! I used it to detangle once I got out though. My hair glided through the hair pretty smoothly actually. Tomorrow will be the real test though, when I wash and deep condition. I'll follow up ;)

My First Trip to Sally's

I went to Plattsburgh, NY last week for the first time in a few years, simply to get out of Montreal for the day. Browsed through the mall, went to Price Chopper's. We were going to end off the day with TJ Maxx, and on the way there, I noticed the infamous Sally's that Americans are always talking about, so I decided to stop in.

I didn't buy much though. For the most part I've found my "staples" already. I did treat myself to a pair of hair trimming scissors and a Jilbere shower comb. Had I known I'd come across one of these stores, I would have done some research on their Generic products. I know that I've seen people raving about their knockoffs being just as good, if not better, than their brand name counterparts.

Anyway, I'll be going to Burlington sometime this summer, so I'll make sure to be prepared for then.

Product Review: Chi Silk Infusion

Product: Chi Silk Infusion

Maker's decription:

• Leave in, alcohol free reconstructing treatment.
• Enriched with pure natural silk, wheat and soy proteins.
• For soft manageable hair with incredible shine and no build up.
• Protects the hair against thermal styling and environment

My Review:

I had been debating trying this product out for a while. I thought I had seen it at the Walmart in my area, but when I finally decided I would buy it, I could no longer find it. I ended up getting a 6oz bottle on eBay for $12. Usually I would never spend that much on such a small quantity of a product, but I did extensive research on it first. I read tons of reviews, and most were positive, and mentioned that a little goes a long way where Chi Silk Infusion is concerned, so I knew it'd last a long time.

The first time I used it was when I was about 12 weeks post-relaxer, and wanted to flat iron my hair for an event. My hair turned out extremely soft. The product definitely was not oily and did not weigh my hair down in any way.

I've been using it for the past few weeks during my rollersets. After deep conditioning, and applying my leave-in conditioner, I section my hair into four sections and distribute the Chi Silk Infusion throughout each section, then proceed to put in the rollers. My hair comes out really shiny and bouncy once I take out the rollers.

This product is surely one of my staples. The cost and somewhat of a hassle to acquire it was definitely worth it.

First Roller Set On Freshly Relaxed Hair

1. Was too lazy to do a long pre-poo, so all I did was apply coconut oil to the ends of my hair right before washing.
2. Shampooed using Head and Shoulders Dry Scalp Shampoo
3. Applied Motions CPR Protein Reconstructor to my hair and let it sit while I washed my body.
4. Rinsed out the Motions and squeezed out the excess water.
5. Stepped out of the shower. Covered hair with ORS Olive Oil Replenishing Conditioner. Covered my head with a plastic cap and sat under the dryer for about 25 minutes.
6. Rinsed in the shower.
7. Applied Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship Leave-In followed by Chi Silk Infusion.
8. Set under the dryer for about an hour and a half using twelve magnetic rollers.

I hope I'll be able to preserve it for work tomorrow. I might put in some pin curls, but I'm not sure.. Everytime I've slept on them, they were smashed in the morning and the curls obviously weren't the same. I guess it's better than nothing. I will follow up ;)

DO NOT WANT TO BECOME A "PJ"!

I hate that urge of always wanting more. I've decided that I am pretty much set when it comes to products. The only things I need to get now are more magnetic rollers (because I only have 12 of the red/burgundy ones and they aren't even enough to properly roll my whole head of hair) and the little metal clips to keep them in place. I'll probably allow myself to try out a smaller roller sometime in the near future as well, for when I want a curlier look.

I took a picture of all of the hair products that I own, as a reminder that I really don't need anything else for now. I've pretty much found my staples*.

Left to right: Africa's Best Kids' Organics Shea Butter Detangling Moisturizing Hair Lotion, Chi Silk Infusion*, Hollywood Beauty Castor Oil*, KeraCare Oil Sheen w/ Humidity Block, ORS Olive Oil Professional Replenishing Conditioner*, Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship Leave-In Split End Protector*, Motions CPR Protein Reconstructor*, Neutrogena Triple Moisture Silk Touch Leave-In Cream, ApHogee ProVitamin Leave-In Conditioner*, Dove Daily Moisture Therapy Replenishing Mist*, Kissan 100% Pure Coconut Oil*, Hollywood Beauty Sulfur*, Dove Heat Defy Therapy Heat Activated Protect and Shine Mist

My shampoos and cowash conditioners are not in the photo, but they include Head & Shoulders Dry Scalp Shampoo, Aussie Moist Shampoo and Conditioner, and Holista Tea Tree Shampoo and Conditioner. I started using Head & Shoulders again within the past couple of weeks because nothing else seemed to be working to help my flaky scalp. I definitely won't be repurchasing the Holista Tea Tree shampoo and conditioner; they did nothing for my scalp, and I really didn't like the fact that the shampoo barely lathered. I will buy Aussie Moist again in the future for cowashes, but the shampoo was just average (definitely "Nothing to write home about", as my mother would say).

It took a long time for me to get around to following up on the light protein treatment I did using Motions CPR. Well, it was a success. The treatment stopped my shedding in its tracks. At the time, I didn't own a moisturizing deep conditioner to follow it up with. Well, I have two hours to kill tomorrow between work and my hairdresser's appointment, so I'll be heading to the BSS to purchase one. I still have some research to do before coming to a decision, but I'm leaning towards ORS Replenishing Packs. I've read so much about them at LHCF. There's been a lot of Packs Vs. Bottle controversy though. I think my decision will basically come down to the price in the longrun.

Here are two pictures of my rollerset that I did the night of my protein treatment. I used dark pink rollers, so my hair is not very curly. I wore my hair in a ponytail the following day.

Hairdresser's Appointment

So my relaxer appointment is set for tomorrow. Before my last relaxer, I had decided that I'd attempt to stretch as long as possible. I lasted 14 weeks. It's now been 12 weeks and it feels like I was just at the salon yesterday! Anyway, the only reason I ended my stretch is because I have a wedding reception to go to next Saturday and I need to look fresh.

My hair is also in desperate need of a trim. I HATE getting my hair trimmed, but I have to admit that my ends are looking extremely "scraggly". I hate the feeling of cutting away the same amount of growth during this stretch, but I guess I prefer to have a fully healthy head of hair.

Shedding: What's normal and what isn't

I am 10 weeks post-relaxer, and have been experiencing a great deal of shedding. I'm still somewhat new to this hair care thing, so I was not sure what diagnosis to give myself. I've never done a deep conditioning with heat, so I decided it definitely wouldn't hurt to try that.

I applied Motions CPR to my hair in the shower, and went under the dryer with a plastic cap for 10 minutes. I hopped back into the shower, rinsed, squeezed out the excess water, then applied Aussie Moist to my hair (I want to get an actual moisturizing deep conditioner sometime in the near future). I am currently under the dryer, and will stay about 20 minutes or so. I wish I could stay longer, but I plan on rollersetting once I rinse out the Aussie, and being under the dryer is so hot, not to mentioning time and energy-consuming.

The feeling of warm hair, doused with conditioner felt amazing. I hope I see a difference in my hair after it dries from the rollerset. Fingers crossed!