Double-Bun

I decided to try Reecie @ LHCF's signature double-bun. At first I wasn't sure I liked how I looked with that style, but as I was getting ready for work, I kept looking in the mirror to get used to myself. I got a few compliments on it at work even.

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

Update

I used my Tresemme Deep Cleansing (clarifying) Shampoo on the 2nd of December. I could definitely feel a difference in my hair and scalp just as I was rinsing out the shampoo. I know a lot of people talk about a "stripped" feeling in a negative way, but for me, it felt like a release. I definitely had a lot of buildup because I had never clarified before, and had been using products with "cones" consistently for the past year.

I'm not sure how often I'll be using it. From what I've read on LHCF, it seems that most women who clarify do so on a monthly basis. I'm thinking maybe I'll do it monthly or semi-monthly. This product is definitely one of my staples.

Another development since the last time I blogged is that I bought a Caruso Steam Roller Set on eBay. I've heard so many positive things about it, and have seen so many beautiful results (ie. Bronzeg on YouTube) that I was convinced my hair would benefit from steam sets. Rollersetting under the hooded dryer are so time consuming. I would love to just airdry and follow up with a Caruso set as an alternative. It's being sent out tomorrow.

Healthy Scalp for 2010

2009 was a pretty bad year for my scalp. It was very flaky and itchy. I started my healthy hair journey this year, and testing so many products has wrecked havoc on my scalp. I stopped using sulfur grease and Head & Shoulders, and I've definitely seen a change. I got swept up in some of the LHCF hypes, but I have to go back to employing whatever works for me.

I don't want to go back to using Head & Shoulders because I am afraid my hair will feel dried out, but I will definitely implement sulfur grease back into my regimen.

One change I want to make which I hope will make a difference is clarifying my hair and scalp once a month. Yesterday, I bought some Tresemme Deep Cleasing Shampoo from Zellers for $5.49. I can't wait to try it (Sunday!).

3-Month Comparison

Here is the first comparison shot I've done since starting my HHJ. For three months of progress, I must say I am pretty satisfied with it. I really believe stretching my relaxer for 20 weeks made a huge difference. It seems to be 1.5-2" of growth, and considering i trimmed about half an inch off, I'd say it's pretty good. I wish I could start protective styling. I'm sure that would make a difference as well. But I am enjoying wearing my hair out, and for now, that's more important to me. Perhaps I should at least put in the effort to hide my hair during the winter. Maybe I'll start my own personal challenge.

Self-Trim

Yesterday, I did a flexi rod set. I was rushed to leave the house, and my hair was not fully dry. By the end of the day, it looked like a complete disaster. All that work down the drain. I guess it was my fault for attempting it with such time constraints.

Today I co-washed the curls away, and air dried with some Aphogee ProVitamin Leave-In and a touch of coconut oil.

One dry, I applied some Dove heat protectant and CHI Silk Infusion and flat ironed. This wasn't originally part of the plan, but I decided I would trim my ends for the first time myself.

Anyway, here is the result:I'll try to maintain it for a few days. As I previously mentioned, I have some mesh rollers on the way, so once those arrive, I know I'll be really excited to test them out, so will perhaps co-wash again this week. I guess it all depends on how the current style holds up. I really don't believe I have the correct moisturizers needed to maintain flat ironed hair. I also feel like my hair ends up being neglected because I don't use any coconut oil on my hair when I'm wearing it straight.

Memories: 20 weeks of new growth

My longest stretch ever. Couldn't have done it without religiously deep conditioning, moisturizing, protein treatments, coconut oil and styles such as flexi rod sets, braid outs and bantu knot outs.

On the way.. Goody Brush Rollers

I've used my FHI Platform to straighten my whole head of hair twice since I got it. I've been using it daily to straighten my bangs, that's it. In order to resist the temptation to use it, I've been roller setting, using magnetic rollers. I have a Gold N Hot hood dryer, and I can only bear to sit under it for an hour. At that point, most of my hair is dry, but the nape is always fairly damp. I end up having to airdry the rest of the day, which is annoying because I can't lay down with the rollers on my head.

I got the idea of using mesh rollers from the lovely ladies at LHCF. Since the rollers are way more vented than magnetic ones, drying time should be drastically reduced. The brushes inside the roller supposedly cause too much manipulation, so I made sure to ask the vendor if they are removable (which they are).

$17.99 for 36 rollers. It was the best deal I could find :(

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.

First Flexi Rod Set

Last weekend, I finally got to try out my first flexi rod set. I've never stretched a relaxer this long, and I was really getting tired of wearing braidouts every day. It was time for something new. I used about 20 rods to achieve this look. Here are some pics of the results.





Maintaining it during the week was extremely simple. Before bed, I would toss my hair upside down, and put on my satin bonnet. In the morning, I would apply some NTM Silk Touch Leave-in and a tiny bit of coconut oil. Towards the end of the week, I was applying a bit more oil than I did towards the beginning of the week since I knew it would soon be time to wash it anyway.