Inspirational Nigerian Rapunzel: Akan Bassey

This is amazing! She is AMAZING!! (Miss Akan Bassey, that is). She is the ultimate African Rapunzel. I really cannot wait to start my hair journey! Below is an interview the Nigerian site bellanaija did with her in terms of her hair care/regimen. Inspirational moments like this keeps me going. Hope y'all enjoy her story :-)


http://www.bellanaija.com/2013/02/25/meet-akan-bassey-of-lushstrands-blog-the-nigerian-girl-with-waist-length-hair-find-out-how-she-did-it-how-you-can-do-it-too/?utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=twitterfeed



Her blog is: http://lushstrands.blogspot.co.nz/

What NOT to do when using heat!

And the moral of the story is: never leave heat for 20 seconds on the same section! Most especially, use low-medium heat. That is all.

Pre-Journey: Braid Maintenance

It is important to get the hair in good shape for a regimen. That is why I wore braids so that it can give me time to get everything ready for my hair journey. But it doesn't and shouldn't stop at just braiding as the hair can actually be suffering while braids are in. For instance, braiding too tight is not appropriate, dry braids means dry hair, unwashed scalp means dandruff, tying braids too tight means suffocating hair strands, each braid being bigger than the portion of hair it's braided on will cause unnecessary stress on the hair, and so on. So here is how I've been taking care of my hair underneath.

Protein and Deep Conditioning: I did a hard protein treatment with the ORS Mayonnaise a week and a half before installing the braids. Then I deep conditioned my hair the day before installing the braids with the ORS Replenishing Conditioner. This is so that my hair is balanced with protein and moisture in other to withstand the braids (basically so it doesn't break off). Besides I wouldn't have the chance to deep condition again for the next 4 weeks.

Scalp Oiling: I oil my scalp whenever I feel it's needed (about twice a week) with coconut oil. Coconut is known to contain lauric acid that protects hair strands and keeps it from breaking. It also seals in moisture and penetrates the shafts to condition hair it from inside out. It prevents lice, dandruff and dry scalp and the Vitamins E and K in it gives the hair a healthy shine. Besides, it smells nice!

Moisture and Seal: After oiling my scalp, I then apply the Wave Nouveau moisturizer to the braids - I just rub it on my hands and transfer to the hair in and out. This is to penetrate the strands to keep my hair moisturized or it'll dry out and break when I remove the braids. After this, I apply coconut oil on my hands, rub it together and transfer to the hair to seal in the moisture I'd just applied. Coconut again is a great sealant on its own; it also makes my hair shine so no need for oil spray!

Side Note: I've used the Wave Nouveau on my relaxed hair itself before and I didn't really fancy it due to its creamy thickness...makes my hair feel soggy so I'm thinking of trying a moisturizing spritz in the future. But on my braids, it feels nice and light! It doesn't weigh the hair down.

Hairline Treatment: This is not important but I do it anyway. I apply Castor Oil to my hairline all the way around just to stimulate hair growth as my hairline is short. Jamaican Black Castor Oil is a great hair growth oil. I even sneak it up on my eyebrows occasionally :)

Shampoo, Conditioner and Leave-in: I wash my hair on my washday (Thursdays). Just because we have braids on doesn't mean we're restricted from washing our hair. Imagine not showering for a month...lol. But I only wash my scalp and not the braids itself or they'll loosen! So yeah, then I condition and apply the leave-in conditioner to towel-dried hair. Finally I seal the moisture from the wash (water) with coconut oil.

I'm doing all of these so that my hair can be easier to handle, moisturized and healthy when I remove the braids. I'll be repeating this till the journey begins on the 9/10/11th April!!!!


FOR SIMPLICITY
If this is too much work for some, just remember to oil your scalp when needed, spray your hair with an oil sheen or water, and wash your hair at least once a week.



Stay blessed
xx

Products I have now

Hey queenies!

Side note: Why do I call you queens? Well, my personal philosophy is that my hair is my crown so is your hair, and who wears crowns? QUEENS. lol

Back to the topic...

So after reading up on numerous blogs and watching heaps of tutorials, I have selected and purchased a few hair products to begin with. Most of them were recommended and people seem to love it. One thing to remember about hair products is that if it works for someone else doesn't mean it'll work for you. So I've purchased some of these popular products and plan to see which works for me. I'm still in the process of getting everything together so I'll be buying a few more products. Here are my current ones:

(From left to right)

Organic Root Stimulator Hair Mayonnaise (big and small jars): For medium-heavy protein treatments

Creme of Nature Argan Oil Intense Conditioning Treatment: For deep conditioning

Softsheen Carson Wave Nouveau Moisturizing Finishing Lotion: For moisturizing

DermOrganic range (shampoo, repair and leave-in conditioner): For moisturizing cleansing and conditioning

Tropical Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil (Coconut): For scalp/hair food

Babyliss Argan Oil spray: For hair sheen

ApHogee two-step treatment and balancing conditioner: For heavy protein treatment

Empty bottles: For storing mixed oils and conditioners

Application brush: For applying deep conditioners and protein treatments

Mythic Oil: I don't know what this is yet because I got it in a pack! I'll find out and let y'all know :)
Storage Basket: Of course to keep things tidy in the bathroom! I'll be getting two more.

ESSENTIAL + CARRIER 100% PURE OILS

Tropical Isle Jamaican black castor oil (JBCO), coconut oil, sweet almond oil, argan oil, shea butter, jojoba oil, Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)

That's it folks!

I've just ordered 50ml of Peppermint Oil and Eucalyptus Oil. I also have the ORS Replenishing Conditioner (for deep conditioning) on the way.

I've started using some of these products but their effects will be more obvious when I begin the regimen.


Till then, peace, love and healthy locks!

Starters

Summary

Last relaxer: mid-January, 2013

Currently: installed braids on 12/02/13

Next move: Remove braids on 28/03/13

Retouch: 9th/10th/11th April, '13


Currently, I have braids in just to give me time to get ready for this journey. I have been researching and buying products the past couple of weeks and I'm almost done! I am also close to polishing up a set regimen that I can start the journey with. The regimen of course will be tweaked as I go as I monitor products that work/doesn't work for my hair (until I reach a staple regimen).

I got the braids installed on 12/02/2013 and I have decided to keep it in for almost 2 months and take it out on the 28th of March. This is because I relaxed my hair mid Jan and part of my regimen is to relax every 3 months (later on maybe 4 if I can handle it!). It will be three months in April so I plan to retouch again the second week after removing the braids. I should get all my products ready by the 28th of March when I take the braids out (fingers crossed!).


So...the journey will officially start in the SECOND WEEK OF APRIL, 2013. Yay!


Peace, Love & Healthy Locks! x

Kick off...

RELAXED HAIR JOURNEY PLAN

VISION

1 - To reach AT LEAST armpit-length hair by 2015!

GOAL

Grow at least armpit-length healthier, stronger and fuller hair in 2 years.

OBJECTIVE
Keep my hair: CLEAN, MOISTURIZED, PROTEIN-BALANCED, PROTECTED

STRATEGY

Creating a daily/weekly/monthly regimen and keeping up with it!

Learning more about hair care and relaxed hair journey

TACTICS

Through trial and error, choosing which products my hair loves

Garnering information on hair blogs, sites and YouTube vids

$$$ Budgeting! Buying products at intervals and not at once

Keeping the blog updated with pictures, products I have/want, etc

EVALUATION

Measuring hair length every 3 months because hair grows 1/2 inch per month!

Dedication is key! So.......

Can I get a witness!?