First Wash after Texlaxing

I relaxed on Thursday, and washed today. I washed using Creme of Nature's Neutralizing Shampoo. I definitely won't be repurchasing this shampoo, if I choose to continue self-relaxing. It's supposed to have a colour indicator (supposed to be white when hair is back to a neutral pH), but it seems to wash out white from the get-go.

I then deep conditioned for 25 minutes under the hooded dryer with ORS Replenishing Olive Oil Deep Conditioner, coconut oil, and olive oil applied to my scalp using an applicator bottle.

I rinsed in and detangled in the shower.

Once out, I applied Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship leave-in conditioner and a tad of CHI Silk Infusion. I rolled my hair using gray rollers, and am now sitting until the dryer for about an hour and ten minutes. My hair most likely won't be dry once that time is up, but I have to be out from under the dryer to watch Gossip Girl ;)

I will probably roll my hair with 2-3 flexi rods before bed.

It felt so great not to have to battle with my hair after washing it. This means my relaxer was much more successful than it was the last time. I still have a lot of texture, which I am happy about. I really don't think I will ever feel 100% confident self-relaxing my hair because I am scared of having a setback. I guess practice makes perfect, but there isn't really that much room for error when using caustic chemicals..

Wash Day

ORS Replenishing DC + Applicator Brush

I practiced relaxing today, using deep conditioner. I am going to attempt to self-relax next week, and I really can't afford a disaster, so I need all the practice I can get. I used an applicator brush that I bought at the BSS for $2. I think I might use my hands (wearing gloves) though. I think I'd prefer to feel what I'm doing. I will definitely continue deep conditioning this way though. It was a really thorough treatment!

My hair after DCing for 30 mins with heat

I rollerset on burgundy rollers, then flat ironed (flipping my wrist to curl it at the same time, for some body).

December 11 - Wash Day

I washed my hair on Friday.

1) Prepooed with EVOO; I definitely need to increase my prepooing time. I've only been leaving it on for a few minutes, but I need to increase that to at least half an hour. I'm not even sure it's beneficial right now.

2) First wash was with Head & Shoulders Refresh. I'm really loving this shampoo. It has naturally-sourced mint in it. It leaves my scalp with a really nice tingling feeling.

3) Second wash was with Organix Coconut Milk Shampoo. I'm not feeling particularly attached to this shampoo yet. I'm also not a big fan of the price.

4) Deep conditioned with ORS Replenishing Deep Conditioner. This is the first deep conditioner I've ever used, so when the bottle is done, I intend on trying something different. I'm sure there's something better out there for me.

5) Conditioned with Aussie Moist. Detangled as I was rinsing out the conditioner.

6) Applied Herbal Essences LTR Leave-in, followed by coconut oil.

7) Rollerset withburgundy-purple magnetic rollers, and some orange ones towards the front.

Fresh Rollerset

I slept with a satin bonnet. I didn't really do anything to try to maintain the style for the next day. I had been unsuccessful with pincurling in the past, so I didn't bother trying again. Big mistake - My style really was not maintained for the next day. The following night, I decided to give it a second whirl. I was pretty happy with the results.

Result of Pincurling

Review: Organix Coconut Milk Shampoo

Maker's Description: Coconut Milk Shampoo and Conditioner is an exclusive blend of organic coconut milk to nourish your hair, while ultra whipped egg white proteins add strength and elasticity, along with weightless coconut oils to add hydration and balance. The luxuriously creamy, foaming, hydrating formula leaves your hair feeling clean, glowing, softly scented and super soft.

Since the beginning of my HHJ, I've wanted to try this shampoo. There's a lot of talk about sulfates, and the drying effect they can have on your hair. I am not one to believe all the hype, but I admit that I have always been curious what difference cutting them out from my shampoo would have. I bought this at Walmart for $6.99. It's somewhat pricey, but I decided to fork out the cash, since I would end up wasting it away on fast food here and there anyway.

I relaxed my hair last Friday after a 20-week stretch. I personally hate how I look with freshly relaxed hair (flat), so I was excited to wash it. I washed on Sunday using this shampoo. It lathered nicely and smelled heavenly. My hair has felt really shiny and healthy this week. After the wash, I did a light protein DC with Motions CPR and roller set using Aphogee ProVitamin Leave-in, coconut oil and CHI Silk Infusion. I cross-wrapped my hair every night.

Usually by now my scalp would feet itchy, but so far I'm good. The only thing that was different this week was the shampoo that I used. Ironically, I usually use Head and Shoulders. Perhaps that shampoo was too drying, making my scalp more flaky and itchy?

All that being said, I will be using Organix consistently until the bottle is done, to see if these results will be consistent.

Wash Day Pics

1. Prepoo-ed with coconut oil




2. First lather with Aussie Moist Shampoo. Second lather with Head & Shoulders. Applied Motions CPR Protein Reconstructor. Let sit for about 7 minutes. Rinsed. Then deep conditioned with ORS Replenishing Conditioner under hooded dryer for about 25 mins.



3. After rinsing out conditioner, applied Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship Leave-In throughout my hair. Then evenly distributed Chi Silk Infusion throughout the hair. 4. Set in rollers for about an hour and 15 minutes under hooded dryer.




5. Removed rollers. The bottom of my hair wasn't fully dry, so I pin-curled the sections that weren't yet dry enough to hold the curl. Went to bed wearing a satin bonnet.




6. In the morning, I applied some NTM leave-in, and a little bit of Chi Silk Infusion for some shine and to seal.




Tonight I'll very loosely cross-wrap my hair. In the morning, I'll apply some more NTM Leave-In and just a touch of Chi Silk Infusion. Thursday, I'll try to deep condition again.

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 ;)

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.