Some New Hair Toys

Bought a couple of banana clips today. I had one in mind, for $3. When I went to the cash to pay, they told me there was a minimum of $5 to use my debit card, so I had to go back and choose a second one because I had no cash on me. They were 2 for $5.

My Hair Today

I flat ironed my hair on Thursday after relaxing, and have been sleeping in 2-3 flexi rods/night since. Before bed, I would lightly spritz my hair with some Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea Restructurizer and seal with a dime-sized amount of One 'N Only Argan Oil. The pictures above are the results. I'm really feeling this look. It's so effortless! :) Addicted to flexi rods. I only have really small ones right now, but maybe one day I'll allow myself to get a bigger size (when I merit them).

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..

Self-Texlaxing: Attempt #2

My original plan was to self-relax sometime this weekend, but my scalp was starting to itch, so last night, I decided I would do it right there and then.

I based my scalp with Hollywood Beauty Castor Oil (it's basically a mineral oil-free hair grease, IMO). I did the half-and-half method (relaxed half of my head of hair, rinsed it, then relaxed the second half). I pre-parted all of my sections, and applied the relaxer (ORS lye) using an applicator brush. I smoothed the sections with my gloved hands. The application + processing totaled 15 minutes per side. I did a quick protein treatment using Motions CPR in the shower, then neutralized with Cream of Nature. I followed up with a deep conditioning treatment under the hooded dryer for about 20 minutes, using ORS Olive Oil Replenishing Conditioner.

It was getting late, and I did not have time to rollerset, so I blowdried on cool till maybe 50% dry, then blowdried on warm until fully dry. I also flat ironed, put in two flexi rods then put on my satin bonnet. (As leave-ins prior to drying, I used Aphogee Green Tea + One 'N Only Argan oil. I applied a tad of CHI Silk Infusion before flat ironing).

I can't even tell you what percentage I texlaxed to. I'll have to see this next time I wet my hair. I think I'll deep condition by Monday or something.

My camera batteries are dead, so I took a picture just now with my webcam. It's pretty dark, but wtv. I did not do a length check. I've been doing them way too often, so I am going to try my best to hold out on that until at least early May ;)

All in all, it seems to be a success. On the other hand, I must admit that I don't enjoy relaxing my hair myself. My new growth is so hard to part, and I have a lot of hair, so it is a lot of work. I might end up going back to a salon next time.. my next dilemma will be trying to choose who to go to.. I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

Maybe the 2nd Time Will be a Charm?

It'll be 20 weeks this Friday since I last went to my hairdresser for a relaxer, and 7 weeks since my botched self-relaxer attempt. My hair is so underprocessed that it basically feels like I didn't relax at all. It's getting really hard to deal with the two textures, that I think I will be relaxing this weekend.

There are a couple of things that went wrong the last time that I surely will not repeat:

- did not leave the relaxer on to process. Don't ask LOL I was so nervous about overprocessing, that I basically rinsed the relaxer out a couple of minutes after it was applied. I did this even though I used a mild relaxer and added oil to it. The paranoia of having an overprocessing setback got the best of me.

- I didn't smooth the relaxer over my new growth once I had applied it to my whole head

My hair is really coarse and resistant. I don't think I'll be adding any oil to it this time, because I cannot risk being underprocessed again. My goal was to begin texlaxing, but I obviously not been able to achieve that happy medium yet. I'll see if using the mild relaxer without oil will be it.

-------------------------------------

I deep conditioned on dry hair today with ORS Replenishing Conditioner. Prior to adding the conditioner to my hair, I applied EVOO to my scalp using an applicator bottle. Once I added the conditioner, I applied coconut oil over my hair. I covered my hair with a plastic cap and sat under the dryer for about 25 minutes. I rinsed in the shower, did a protein treatment with Motions CPR Protein Reconstructor, and a quick condition with Aussie Moist.

Once out of the shower, I sprayed Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea Restructurizer on my hair, and applied One 'N Only Argan Oil. I sectioned my hair into 4, and blowdried on a warm setting (it was too late to rollerset, and too close to bedtime to airdry). Once dry, I rolled with 5 flexi rods, covered with my satin bonnet, and now I'm laying in bed ;)

Will post some pics tomorrow.

ETA:

A Couple of Purchases from Walmart Today

I went to Walmart today with the intention of buying a blowdryer and a round brush. As I've mentioned, I've been rollersetting more lately, but with the amount of new growth I have right now, I need a way to straighten my roots. I have been using a flat iron, but I wanted to try blowing my roots out instead, to see what kind of look I could achieve.

I've never had a blowdryer with a concentrator nozzle. Since I can't afford to splurge on something super fancy, so I bought the Vidal Sassoon Professional 1875W Ionic Blowdryer for $20. It comes with a brush (nothing fancy) as well as a diffuser attachment.

I wanted to get a boar bristle round brush, but they were $15 - which is way more than I want to spend. I'll check out the BSS sometime next week instead..

Anyway, on my way out, I couldn't help but resist checking out the new Live Clean hair products. I've been on the prowl for a creamy leave-in conditioner, so I decided to read the ingredients of their Exotic Nectar Argan Oil Smooth & Shine Cream.


Ingredients: Aqua (purified water), argania spinosa extract, argania spinosa kernal (argan) oil, vitis vinifera (grape) seed oil, olea europaea (olive) fruit oil, glycerin, glyceryl stearate, vegetable oil & hydrogenated vegetable oil & euphorbia cerifera (candelilla) wax, cocoglycerides, stearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, phenoxyethanol, sodium benzoate, parfum, polyquaternium-7, xanthum gum, sodium stearoyl gluatamate, brown 1.

They also have an argan oil, but since I recently bought the One N Only version, I will have to wait until that's done before I can allow myself to buy it.

They have a few other products that I would love to try:

• Apple Cider Vinegar Clarifying Shampoo
• Argan Oil Shampoo & Conditioner
  

I plan on deep conditioning, washing and rollersetting tomorrow, so I will be trying the new appliance and products then.

Flat ironed on Sunday..

I flat ironed my hair on Sunday. I wore it bone straight on Monday. Since then, I've been adding 2-3 flexi rods at night to give it some body for the following day. Here are some pics:




I've flat ironed a few times recently, and should try to cut down. I plan on buying some 2" magnetic rollers tomorrow, to achieve a straight rollerset. Hopefully my head will fit under my table top hood dryer with rollers that big. If I really improve my rollersetting game, a Pibbs will become VERY tempting.. ;)

Review: One N Only Argan Oil

Maker's Claim:

• Premium finishing, smoothing and conditioning product
• Non-greasy, alcohol-free formula
• Instantly absorbs into the hair
• Creates brilliant shine without leaving an oil residue
• Reduces drying time and speeds up styling time
• Smoothes cuticle for silky, conditioned and healthy looking hair
• Eliminates frizz and leaves hair more manageable
• Helps protect against damage caused by the environment or heat styling
• Mix with color/chemical processes for enhanced results and added depth to color
• For all hair types
• UV protection
• Compare to Moroccan Oil

One of the world's rarest oils, argan oil is derived from the Moroccan argan tree. Rich in essential fatty acids, Omega 6 and Vitamin E, it is valued for its ability to regenerate and nourish dry and damaged hair.

One 'n Only Argan Oil is a non-greasy, alcohol-free formula that is instantly absorbed into the hair, creating brilliant shine without leaving an oily residue. Smoothes cuticle for the silky, conditioned and healthy looking hair. This precious oil helps protect against damage caused by the environment, chemicals, or excessive heat from stylers, and provides long-term conditioning while reducing frizz, split ends and breakage. Ideal for all hair types, One 'n Only Argan Oil is a premium styling finishing, smoothing and conditioning product that produces consistently silky smooth results.

My Thoughts:

I read so many good things about this product. Many ladies at LHCF raved about the shine and softness this product gave their hair. I had an American buddy send me some, and I received it on Wednesday. Even though I wasn't due for a wash, I did anyway, because I could not wait to try this product out on a clean slate.

I washed, and rollerset my hair. Once dry, I removed the rollers and added a dime-size amount of the One N Only Argan oil to my hair. The first thing that I noticed was its scent: ORGASMIC! I could literally inhale the scent this oil all day!

I have been adding a bit of the Argan Oil to my hair daily and I do see a noticeable difference in shine. Until now, I had accepted the fact that my hair would only be shiny when I was wearing it in a braidout when I could add either olive or coconut oil to it. The argan oil is not greasy or heavy at all, so I am pretty sure I will be able to add some to flat ironed hair and not have it go limp. I can't wait to try it! I will definitely take pictures when I do.

One thing about this product is that it is cone-heavy. Cones work well in my hair, so it's not an issue for me personally.

If only I could get this product in Montreal!

It's been 3 weeks since I texlaxed my hair. I was so worried about overprocessing that I actually didn't leave the relaxer in long enough. It barely took. I am going to wait another 7 weeks at least before I give it a second try. I'm loving not having to go to the salon, so I really hope the second time will be a charm.

Lately I've been in the rollersetting mood. I've been Fotki-stalking pictures of rollerset hair, and it's really inspiring me to step up my rolling game.

Some of the curls in this video are unbelievably gorgeous:

As a matter of fact, I have my [magnetic] rollers in now. I deep conditioned on dry hair with olive oil and ORS Replenishing Conditioner. Following that, I shampooed with Head & Shoulders Refresh, then conditioned with Aussie Moist. I didn't use a lotion/butter leave-in this time. I decided to only use some Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea Restructurizer, to see how it'd turn out. I was under the hooded dryer for an hour, and I am airdrying until bedtime approaches. I just received Sally's Argan Oil that a buddy sent me from the States, and I will use some of it for the first time once I take out the rollers. Can't wait to see what it does for my hair. I've read nothing but good reviews for it on LHCF.

Speaking of rollersets, here are a couple of random pics that I took on my webcam a couple of weeks back that I never uploaded:




ETA: Here are the results of tonight's rollerset

First Attempt at Self-Texlaxing

I ventured out today in the -35C cold to get the supplies for my first self-texlax.

I bought:

• ORS Lye Relaxer for Fine-Medium hair
• Cream of Nature Neutralizing & Conditioning Shampoo

I based my scalp with Hollywood Beauty Castor Oil (basically a hair grease).

I mixed the relaxer with olive oil. I pre-parted my whole head, because I didn't want to worry about parting my hair as I applied the relaxer because my new growth was REALLY thick. I relaxed half of my head, rinsed it, then did the other side. I applied Motions CPR, let that sit for a few minutes, then neutralized.

I was so nervous during this experience. As I was rinsing out the relaxer, I had this fear that my hair was going to start falling in clumps. Thankfully that didn't happen.

What I regret though was not leaving it on longer. Considering that my hair is coarse, the fact that I bought a low-strength relaxer and diluted it, I should have known that I should give it a bit more time to process.

I dried my hair loose under the hooded dryer, then flat ironed. It was still somewhat tough to part the back of my hair (the coarsest area of my hair). I hope I won't need to correct this relaxer.. I'll wash it again after a few days with neutralizing shampoo, but will rollerset, to give the roots some more smoothness.

Hair divided into small sections, to ease relaxer application

Flat ironed hair

"Swang" LOL