Wash Day - Co-washing for the Win!

Contrary to my last wash day post, this was day went a LOT easier, thanks to...drum roll pleeeaasee......CO-WASHING! I actually prefer using shampoo because I know that some of the products I use in my hair do contain cones.  Too keep my hair follicles from clogging up and to thoroughly cleanse my scalp, I usually lean toward shampooing. However after that last wash day, I just wanted a break, so I kept it simple. Here's how my "Co-Wash Day Experience" went.

1. I parted my hair in my usual four sections and then pre-pooed and detangled with Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque mixed with Extra Virgin Olive Oil.  This mixture definitely helped with detangling.  I braided each section (4 braids) and left this in my hair over night for a good deep conditioning.

2. Next I rinsed out the pre-poo and co-washed using Aussie Moist Conditioner.  I un-braided a section rinsed, co-washed while finger detangling, re-braided, then repeated with the next section. This conditioner has very nice slip.

3. Next I t-shirt dried my hair for maybe 20 minutes, then applied my leave-ins which were:  JessiCurl Too Shea Extra Moisturizing Conditioner, ApHogee Keratin and Green Tea Restructurizer, Matrix Biolage Thermal-Active Repair Cream, and DermOrganic Leave-In Treatment.  I blow dried my hair on cool (or more lukewarm setting) using the tension method.







I was so much happier with this Co-wash Day and detangling with these leave-ins was a breeze. I'm going to try incorporating co-washing a lot more into my regimen, because it definitely helps with stretching/transitioning.



I tried to take a few shots of my new growth.  There are several different textures throughout my hair. I think there's a mix of type 4 a,b, & c.  In the second image I think you can kind of see the looser section from where I texlaxed after my last long stretch back in February this year. I had about 7 months of new growth at that time.  I did not get relaxer to all of the new growth. I guess I underestimated how much there was.

right front quadrant (freshly washed and towel dried hair
no products)

back left quadrant (freshly washed hair without product)

I hadn't intended to relax then, but I had one bad tangle-filled wash day that made me think that natural was not for me. Then after, I regretted that I had relaxed my hair.

I've been really interested in learning more about my natural hair and how to manage it.  It's possible but it definitely takes patience.  One thing I've learned is that co-washing is my natural hair's best friend right now. :-)



So how was your wash day? Does co-washing work for you? What's your favorite conditioner to use when co-washing?



Thanks for reading!

10 Weeks Post and No Plans to Relax Just Yet

I just had to share this because I cannot believe that I'm not mid relaxer at this point. I usually couldn't wait to crack open that tub of relaxer and go to town on these naps! Lol!  I must be ill or something. But seriously, I've been doing really well. I haven't used any heat since the last time I flat ironed. I've been trying to use some more creativity with my styles. Early in the week I used my curlformers to achieve heatless curls. Before that I tried out a "twist" and curl which did not turn out the way I hoped, but I still got compliments.  I washed my hair on Thursday night and allowed my hair to air dry in a bun. Heat free, kinky roots, and still not relaxing.

It seems to be getting easier for me getting through my wash day with the longer stretch.  Before I was just so worried about causing a lot of breakage.  I would also worry about how I would style my hair with all that new growth popping.  Using all of the proper techniques my wash days have been a breeze. Washing in sections, DC-ing, proper detangling, using my Magic Star Jumbo Rake, and making sure I have the time to dedicate to my hair. Age in ATL shared some amazing wash day tips on her blog for stretchers and transitioners which I definitely incorporate into my wash days.  Check out her two part post here and here.

On my wash days I have been trying to incorporate a lot more moisture lately.  It is SO important to keep your new growth moisturized; but you also need protein to add strength. I've been trying to use the wet strand test to determine what my hair needs.  The last couple of washes the strand snapped without any stretching from what I could tell, so I  think I need to take a little break from protein.  Last night I DC'd with a new deep conditioner (I am a severe product junkie; well I may have witnessed worse lol). I tried out the ORS Curls Unleashed Moisturizing Conditioner and so far I really like it.  Could become a possible staple.  I will do an official review after a couple more uses. I've also tried to throw in a co-wash here and there. Keeping my hair soft and moisturized is helping with my stretching and getting through my wash day.  I think I had about 5 shed hairs and VERY minimal breakage during my wash.  I could not believe I did not find a clump of hair in the shower with 10 wks of new growth. No clumped, matted, or tangled hair.  No ripping, tearing, or breaking (which I would have experienced pre-HHJ.).  I must be doing something right.

I guess one other reason I'm not slapping that cream on my head is because now that I'm self relaxing I don't look forward to it as much.  Relaxer day can be long and exhausting. This may be my motivation for stretching....or even going natural. Hmmm....

Tiny curl I tried to capture at 8 wks post;
just makes me want a head full of curls :-)

I am still trying to see how long I can go.  If I don't relax next weekend, I will definitely be relaxing for sure at  12 weeks post. Another week down, two more to go???

How is your stretch going?

Thanks for reading,

   Andrea

Curlformer Set at 9 Weeks Post

So yesterday I decided to cowash my hair and try out my new curlfomers. I ordered them online from Sally's while they were offering their 20% discount on online purchases.  I purchased the Curlformer kit in extra long and wide which includes 40 curlformers and two rods.  I also ordered 3 more packs of 6 to make sure I had enough, and it's a good thing because I ended up using 51.  I probably could have gone with the long and wide instead of extra long and wide, but I wanted to be able to grow into them...they are not cheap.

Tried to get a pic of the back;
two different colors spiral in different directions

I got the urge to try these out after watching Naptural85's youtube video tutorial.  After seeing the smooth results she got on her natural hair, I definitely had to give them a try.  Please check out her video below.

They were pretty easy to install and I did them while I was sitting on the couch watching TV. Lol!.Like in Whitney's video above I started from the back and worked my way up. It probably took me an hour and a half or so(probably because I was sitting on the couch watching TV...Ha ha!).  I kept my spray bottle(setting lotion diluted with distilled water) at my side to re-wet as I installed.  I ended up sleeping with the curlformers in my hair so they could air dry and so I could wake up with fresh curls in the a.m.  I will admit that they weren't the easiest to sleep in, but I've dealt with worse to wake up with cute hair. The things we go through...lol! My hair was completely dry by morning. Check out my results.

Smooth shiny air dried curls

Side view (Just woke up...lol)

Separated curls for fullness and threw on a headband
(got a weird flash on this pic...sorry)

I was very pleased with how my hair turned out.  Smooth, shiny curls with absolutely no heat.  I am currently about 9 weeks post.  The curlformers definitely helped a bit with stretching out my new growth. This will be a new option for me to go to during my stretches. I'm almost at 10 weeks post and squeaking with excitement! I was an every 6 week touch up girl before starting my HHJ so I'm pretty proud of me right now.  I was able to get up to 8 week stretches, now working on 10.  Woot woot!

Has anyone else tried using curlformers? How did you like them?

Thanks for reading,

   Andrea

Wash Day

So Saturday I decided to wash my hair.  I'll also mention that I tried out a cowash on Thursday with my ORS Hair Mayonaise.  I applied it and sat under my heating cap for about 30 minutes.  I'm not sure if this technically counts as cowashing since it was a DC, but isn't cowashing just washing with conditioner only? So thats why I call it that.  I rinsed and did not shampoo, applied my leave-ins and air dried overnight.  It looked a poofy mess! lol! Threw it up in a clip for work (after taming it of course).  I just thought I might need a little moisturizng and protein.

Anyway, back to my wash day.  I pre-pooed with grapeseed oil and platted my hair into 14 braids (thought I'd give the braids another try, but don't think I'll be doing it again; to tedious for me and hard to get all the conditioner out while my hair is braided).  I shampooed with Clean Slate shampoo diluted with water in an applicator bottle applying to my scalp.

Next I applied a green tea rinse (first time with this).  I finally ran out of my black tea stash and decided to try out the green tea.  I let it steep and cool off that morning for a few hours (I usually don't do this because I'm always getting it ready at the last minute).  I was hoping it'd be more effective this way.  It was REALLY cold by the time I applied it to my hair.  Other than that my hair felt amazing no hardness or dryness.  I actually let it sit longer on my hair and scalp than I usually do.  I had been only leaving the black tea on for maybe 2 or 3 minutes while in the shower.  This time I got out and let it sit while I attended to other things.  I ended up DC'ing on top of the tea rinse with Redken Heavy Cream Super Treatment under my steamer for 20 minutes.  After my hair cooled off, back into the shower I went.  I rinsed out the conditioner and tea and then applied Roux Porosity Control for 30 seconds to close up my cuticles.  By this time I had abandoned the braids.  My hair was very easy to detangle with my seamless comb as I rinsed. 

Next I towel dried my hair lightly and allowed my hair to air dry until it was about 90% dry.  I then applied my leaveins (Darcy's Daily Leave-In and PM Super Skinny Serum).  Tied my new 100% silk scarf around my edges to make them lie flat.  My scarf had arrived just in time for my wash (right in the middle of it actually). LOL! Love it by the way. Got it on amazon.




30" x 30" | was supposed to be fuschia but looks more pink
still love it! :)

Once my hair was mostly dry, I decided to try out a twist on the rollerset. I've seen it done on other blogs but don't know the name for it.  I basically put my hair into several little ponies (hoping it would help to stretch my ng).  Then I moisturized the loose hair with DB's Coconut Lemongrass Transition Creme, wet my hair, and set with my magnetic rollers.  Let them air dry overnight (not fun to sleep in); however the results were smooth manageable hair. Yay! This may be my new routine.  With a regular rollerset I was worried about having to flat iron my roots and I do not want to do that.  This was a good alternative.  I don't plan on wearing it down I just like for my hair and ends especially to feel smoother after my washes and the last couple I haven't achieved this.  Very happy about it.  Now I'm throwing my hair up in my clip. LOL!


Sorry if this post is a bit disorganized. Thought I throw it up right quick, because I started to feel a little lazy I almost didnt post at all.  Shame on me.  I was much much happier with this wash so I had to post. :)   I am about 4 1/2 weeks post right now.  Still having the texlaxed hair issues going on so this new rollerset method helped.  On my next relaxer I plan to use ORS Olive Oil Lye Relaxer in Regular Strength instead of the Mild Relaxer I have been using.  I still want to try to stay texlaxed but just not with so much texture.  Hoping this will work out better for me.  I will probably stretch around 8 weeks this time (not quite a long term stretcher yet).  Plus I am going to visit family around that time so I want my hair to look decent.

Another side note, I've been all over the Long Hare Care Forum for new hair tips and have so many things I want to try.  Several ladies expressed that they use S-Curl to help with stretching.  I also got a good tip on Aloe Vera Juice rinses from Lydz at Crowning Glory and I've heard tell of it on the LHCF as well.  Another one I read about on a LHCF thread was the french perm stabilizer.  I'd like to do some research on this. There are so many things I want to try and I'm learning so much from the ladies on the LHCF and my fellow hair obsessed bloggers.  I am still on that search for my perfect regimen, that's what a journey is all about, right?

Well, thanks for reading and Happy Hair Growing!!! :)

Andrea

Checking In - Random

Where have I been?  I haven't done a post in a few weeks it seems.  Just been a little busy and stressed, but back to it I go.  I have to update everything I've doing since, if I can even remember. 

Relaxer Touch Up
Well, I ended up doing a relaxer at a little past 6 weeks post (Jan 16, 2013). I know its soon but since my previously relaxed hair is not completely processed I shouldnt need to worry about any damage.  I used the half and half method as in my previous posts.  I just couldnt hold on any longer.  I have not got this relaxer stretching thing down and especially since I'm using a mild relaxer it seems like my hair does not stay straight for very long.  I want the benefits of texlaxing (thicker, stronger hair) but at the same time I want straight, smooth hair without having to use direct heat.  I usually like to just wash, wrap, and go.  But with my roots still having some texture to it, my wraps are not working out too well.  I guess what I want is juuuust barely texlaxed.  I may not be getting that down yet.  Since I'm using a mild lye relaxer I think I may switch to a regular strenght lye relaxer to see how that works for me.  I am eyeing the Organic Root Stimulator Lye Relaxer in regular strenght, but i think I will finish off my Elasta QP first.  Also, I'm going to try to make more time to start practing my rollersets.  No length check.  Think I'm going to wait until March for that. Oh I also wanted to mention an article I read  about switching between mild and stronger relaxers,  I need to try finding it again,  It might be a good option for someone like me who can't handle the long stretch between relaxers.  The longest I've done is 8 wks.  I may have more to come on this.

Wash/Co-Wash
I have also had a couple wash days and a cowash day in between.  Actually, I cowashed a couple days after my relaxer, wrapped my hair, and flat ironed my roots the next morning because I had planned to get a trim at Super Cuts.  My friend told me she didn't think I needed it.  My hair and ends did feel really smooth so I ended up not getting the trim.

Moisture/Protein
I don't know if I'm just crazy, but I think I'm starting to notice less breakage. Most of the hairs from my head have been shed.  I have been checking for bulbs like crazy, trust me!  I truly am hair obsessed. LOL! I must be getting my moisture/protein balance down.  I try to incorporate light protein treatments and ceramides into my regimen and occassionally I'll do a medium protein treatment using ORS Hair Moyannaise.  Been sealing a lot with grapeseed oil (which contains ceramides) and a new oil I got from a friend called It's A 10 Miracle Oil plus Keratin.  He works in the warehouse where they manufacture hair products and he sometimes gets freebees! I've gotten a few goodies from him! :)  Will have to start doing some reviews.  I'm hoping having completely texlaxed hair will add to this reduction in breakage.  My nape seems to be getting in better shape as well.  I want to wait a while before posting pics of my nape.  It is growing I can say that much.

Currently Reading
Jeni at justgrowalready.com did a give away of the The Five Hair Archetypes by Sharifa Barnett (aka Ms. Kibibi).  I had entered, but could even wait and went ahead and purchased the eReader copy on my Nook. Can't wait to finish.

Wish List
Been doing some research with the hopes of purchasing a hirer end ceramic flat iron.  I've also been thinking about investing in a wig or getting a weave.  Ever since I was little, silly me, I always thought people wore wigs and weaves to hide their short hair.  I didnt want to be a "perpetrator" I wanted my real hair to be long so I could show it off.  Now I realize that a big benefit of wigs/weaves is to protect your hair (depending on the type of weave you get).  This is an excellent option for the cold winter months.  I also want a really good quality hair dryer for when I start doing my rollersetes.

Other Things
I have recently become a member of the Long Hair Care Forum.  I am new at it and still trying to figure out my way around.  My username is Andrea2012 if anyone's a member and might want to add me.

More Randomness
We got snow this morning!  I live in Tennessee and this is the first snow I've seen all winter here! :)
It has atopped now and is already starting to melt a little. Ah well....

Does anyone have any new and exciting revelations about their HHJ? Please share! :)

Thanks for reading,
Andrea

So I Have Noticed

1.  That coconut oil has been making my hair feel so soft and smooth (but my hair does look thinner when it is oily as you can see from some of my picks; the strands stick together); remembering that it's good for me

2.  My most recently relaxed hair is straighter but does appear to have some texture.  Texlaxed maybe...I think so. Which means stronger thicker hair for me.  I cant wait for it to grow out.  I think this is the perfect amount of texture for my hair.

3.  My wrap comes out a LOT smoother when I sit under the hair dryer.  If I let it air dry, it is not as smooth (even though it's been tied down).

4.  I think my nape and front edges are getting longer.  I want to give it some time before I take anymore picks.  I try to keep moisurizing and sealing every night especially my nape and front edges of my hair.  Sometimes I'll just find myself grabbing my Darcy's Transition Creme and rubbing it in whenever throughout the day.  This is a REALLY BIG goal of mine.  To get my nape in tip top shape.  I was told it would not grow and aim to prove this wrong.


Just a few tidbits of info that I thought I'd jot down.  Still learning my hair and its wants and needs.  I feel like there's more to add, but can't think at the moment.


On a side note....I did a cowash last night.  I guess it's a cowash since I used the Wen cleansing conditioner.  Purchased it for my mom to try out, but she didnt like it too much.  I guess its okay.  I followed the directions and then applied my leave-ins, wrapped and air-dried overnight.  My hair was full but not as smooth as if I'd sat under the dryer.  It wasn't bad but it wasn't great.  I'll have to try it another time.   Alrighty I think I'll hit the pillow.

Thanks for reading,

Andrea