Relaxer Update (Very Overdue)

Hey ladies! It has been a looooong while since my last post it seems.  Like many of you all, life has been happening and so I haven't been making the time to post any updates on my hair, although I have continued to stalk you all's blogs.  I get excited to see you ladies' progress. I feel like we are all in this together, supporting and rooting each other on.  It's amazing!



Length check before trim

So what's been happening with my hair since my last post?  Well, I ended my 12 week relaxer stretch back on August 9.  This stretch seemed so easy.  I've been incorporating a lot of the techniques I've learned from many of you ladies and it has made life so much easier. Seriously!

For my relaxer, I did the half and half method as I usually do.  I was worried that I ended up with bone straight results; especially on the left back side which is the side I started on, so it had a bit longer processing time than the right side.  The rest of my hair seems to have reverted a bit since my last wash, but the left back still feels a bit straight.  I'm hoping this will not cause any issues at my next relaxer. My plan is to coat my new growth with my Silk Remedy (Sally's comparison to Chi Silk Infusion).  I usually only try to coat my previously relaxed hair, but next time I will try to coat the new growth as well.  I also plan to begin relaxing on the right side instead of the left.

Other than the "over-processing" scare (well not really), my relaxer touch up turned out to be successful.  I did a regular roller set and tried out the saran wrap method again. I've tried this before unsuccessfully, but never posted on it.  This time was definitely a success.  It was like I had flat ironed my hair without a flat iron. Perfect!



Finger combed hair into bun

After my relaxer I decided to go for a trim at Super Cuts.  My ends were in pretty good shape as far as health, but I've mentioned before that my ends are much thinner than I like, so I've decided to gradually snip away until I'm happy with the thickness.  I snapped a length check pick before the trim but never got around to taking a post-trim pic.  The day I went for my trim it was raining and humid. My hair turned into a puffy mess so I didn't bother.  As far as length, it looks like I reached around line 6-ish again which was the length I was at before my last trim back in April. I think she took about an inch off for this most recent trim. Not too drastic.

Since relaxer day I have been in bun city and loving it! I've barely been manipulating my hair other than to moisturize or massage castor oil into my scalp.  I'm hoping this is good enough for my M&S-ing though it doesn't seem to be too thorough  I've been trying to get the moisturizer into most of my hair as much as possible without having to part or manipulate it into sections.  It seems to be working so far.




Back view

I'm hoping to do an update on my nape soon. It's not where I want it to be but definitely making progress.  I've definitely gained some length and thickness there.  I can even get some small rollers back there.  This was not possible before starting my journey.

So far so good on this journey of mine. I may be starting my wash day tonight. I have not washed in two weeks. I have been so busy studying I couldn't even take the time for my weekly wash and my hair is screaming for a cleanse.




I hope all is continuing to go well with everyone's journey!

Thanks for reading,

   Andrea

Relaxer Touch-up at 11 weeks post

So yesterday I finally relaxed after an 11 week stretch.  I decided to end my stretch mainly because I just wanted to get my relaxer out of the way and I was ready to have some "straight-er" hair.  Relaxer day was pretty long of course, but I think it went well. It was a long day/night I'll just say.

I started out by detangling and sectioning my hair into four parts.  I then coated the length of my hair with  GVP Silk Remedy that I got from Sally's (it's supposed to compare with CHI Silk Infusion) and Roux Porosity Control to protect from relaxer runoff.  I planned to begin with the back half (doing the half and half relaxer method that I've used before).  I placed metal duckbill clips along the horizontal part between the front and back half to separate the front section of my hair.  I clipped the two front sections with butterfly clips and covered with a plastic clap.

Used metal clips to separate front half

Clips help to keep plastic cap in place

I finished prepping the back half by parting each section into one inch sections and twisting to keep them separated.  I based my scalp with Vaseline as I went along.  I relaxed the back half using my green sprush. For my relaxer I used the same on that I used the last time: ORS Lye Relaxer in Normal Strength. I had my timer set for 11 minutes but I went quite a bit over.  I immediately jumped in the shower and rinsed then applied Redken Extreme Strength Builder for my midstep protein treatment.  Neuatralized with ORS Creamy Aloe Shampoo 3 times and then I used my Elasta QP Neutralizing Shampoo to double check that all the relaxer was gone.  This particular shampoo turns pink when there are still traces of relaxer so it made me feel better to see the white lather.  I followed up next with French Perm Stabilizer Plus for extra precaution (low pH conditioner that also aids in stopping the relaxer process.  Man oh man does my hair feel smooth after using this stuff!

Next I relaxed the front half in the same manner, first making sure that my hair was not damp from working on the back half.  Since I am texlaxing, I was almost worried that I'd left the relaxer on too long.  The roots in the back half seemed to be straighter than I expected, but I'm hoping to see some reversion there after my next wash.

I deep conditioner using my ORS Curls Unleashed under my heating cap for several hours.  I fell asleep wearing the heat cap then I just took it off and went on to bed.  When I rinsed again my hair felt so soft and smooth.  After rinsing the DC I t-shirt dried for maybe 30 min and then applied Darcy Daily Leave In and Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum.  I allowed my hair to air dry with my silk scarf tied around my edges and then ended up pulling it into a bun.

Looks a little thicker and fuller than usual :-)

I think this relaxer day went well even though it was long.  I can't wait to do another almost 3 month stretch.  I figure I'll wait a little bit before going for another trim/dusting since I just had one last month.  Planning on a lot of PS-ing and no heat during this stretch next stretch.  Well until the next post folks! :)

How was your most recent relaxer touch-up?  Do you self relax and if so what's your method?

Thanks for reading,

   Andrea

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

8 Weeks Post and Counting

So in many of my posts I have mentioned my biggest obstacle in my HHJ is stretching my relaxers.  Some of you ladies make it look SO easy, but I've been having the hardest time.  Well lately it seems not to have been so bad.  I'm at 8 weeks post now and feel like I can make it to 10.  This could be because I have straightened my hair since the end of the L4LPSC.  Speaking of, I DQ'd on this one as I broke the one heat pass rule a while back.  However I was not happy with the state of my hair before the challenge anyway, and knew I would end up losing length from my need to get a trim.  Back to my stretching, I flat ironed my hair on April 16 to do my length check shot (couldn't get any good ones on my own) and I had planned to get a trim because if you've been following me I had been noticing some breakage and split ends which I was dying to get rid of for a while.  Unfortunately I didn't make it that day to get my trim so a week later I tried again.  Of course i had to flat iron again to make sure my roots were straight and went on down to Super Cuts.  My girl was not there so someone else did my trim (I couldn't wait any longer). He probably could have taken off a little more so I may make another trip soon, but we'll see. I may wait until after my next relaxer.  This was the best I could do with no help taking my pics. Sorry about the quality.

Looking close to APL

At line 5 or maybe 6 but ends kind of stringy

About an inch away from APL

After Trim(between line 3 & 4) :-(

The bad thing is, I'm going to have to flat iron yet AGAIN after this wash because I have an interview on Monday.  I'm not trying to be fighting with these kicking roots so easy solution is to flat iron.  That will be 3 weeks in a row :(.  I contemplated going ahead and relaxing but I would have to flat iron anyway.  Besides I really want to keep this stretch going, and once I get to closer to week 10 I may decide to push it up to 12 weeks. WOW 3 months without a relaxer.  That was just unimaginable for me!

So what's been helping?  Washing my hair in sections for one.  It has made it SOOO much easier to detangle which can be an issue when the new growth starts "kickin". Lol! Also thanks to my Magic Star Jumbo Rake I've been seeing much less breakage.  I'll have to say that my French Perm Stabilizer is helping with softening and detangling as well.  I've been using it at the end of my washes. Moisture Moisture and more Moisture! This makes my new growth happy. Also after washing, I let my hair air dry until its about 80% dry and then I will pull it into a little bun to finish air drying with my silk scarf tied around my edges.  This helps stretch out my new growth.  I also have to give credit to my Sedu Revolution for the past couple of weeks. I don't plan to use this after this week for a while.  I have been taking precautions though.  I DC to boost moisturize, I use a heat protectant and I'm using a low heat setting (about 220 degrees).  So hopefully I'm not doing too much damage.

I'm not sure what I'll be doing from here since I'm not planning to flat iron anymore.  I wanted to continue my rollersets, but for some reason I feel like I've been getting a lot of breakage doing these so I'm afraid to continue. Am I applying to much tension  maybe?  I especially worry about how much tension I've been applying in the back which I feel is my weak area as it always seems to be very thin there.  I even let my hair dry a little so detangling is easier and re-wet when I get ready to set the roller, but that's when I notice the hair coming out.  I would air dry, but then my hair would look like a big poofy mess. If anyone has any tips to get smooth airdrying results, please let me know. I tried on some wigs last weekend and I just felt like I looked silly.  Some can really rock them, but unfortunately not me.  I'm still trying to figure this out, if anyone has any suggestions please comment below! Maybe I'll try braid outs again or a braid and twist.  I don't do them much because I hate how they look with my thin hair, but it may be worth a try to keep my stretch going.

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

Today's Hair - Kind of Messy

Okay, so I'm trying to get this protective styling down.  Not very good at it as far as variety.  I usually will wear my hair down the first couple days after my wash, and then when it starts getting oily I just clip it up in the back. Very BORING.  Now I'm starting to get quite a bit of new growth and it is becoming unmanageable.  It's not even 6 weeks yet and I'm worried that I'm going to cave in and abort my relaxer streatch.  Last night I thought maybe doing a wavy look would help my length kind of match my roots.  I braided my hair (messily) in cornrows and used a little hair spray.



The next morning I took the braids down for a messy wavy style.  I think it turned out okay.  I still ended up pulling it back in a clip, but it gave me a different look to try.  I may try this again, but man putting cornrows in your own head can be tiresome. LOL!



Does anyone else know of any simple and easy protective style ideas to try for medium length hair?

Thanks for reading,

Andrea :)