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.