The braids have finally come off!

Hey queenies, it's been a while.

Yesterday, I took my braids off (after 6 weeks). I experienced a lot of shedding (as I always do after removing braids). However, I managed to reduce the amount of shedding by spraying each braid with conditioner (Murray's Spray Unlock) for sleek removal, and detangling and combing sections with a wide tooth comb. Requires a lot of time and patience!! I cried a little inside as I pulled out shed hair. But it was worth it. Anyway, my hair was dry, but it had grown a couple of inches since I put the braids in.

After taking the braids out, I went on to pre-poo using a mix of EVOO, coconut oil and a tsp of castor oil. Wrapped it in shower cap and hot towel for 2 hours. It would've been faster and better with a steamer but I'm still waiting for my voltage converter to arrive... bummer. So, after pre-poo, I went on to clarify my hair with VO5 Kiwi Lime Squeeze to remove all the buildup. This product smelled good, only requires two washes, my hair felt squeaky clean. However, my hair tangled and I lost a couple more strands detangling. Not sure of the cause yet... but I'll find out later.

After clarifying, I went on to deep condition with GPB Balancing Conditioner (mix of protein and moisture) which my hair desperately needed. Wrapped it in shower cap and hot towel (microwaved every hour) for 6 hours. Washed it out and my new growth felt soft and hair smelled real yummy. After this, I applied my Dermorganics leave-in (argan oil), then the ORS wrap/mousse, then put it in rollers for straightening. Wore my silk bonnet and went to bed. Woke up, removed rollers, applied coconut oil to entire hair for shine, moisturized the ends and sealed with almond oil. My hair felt more manageable/calm. Then I pony-tailed it into a bun! LOVE the hair donut! See end result.

I'll be relaxing either next week or the week after (depending on my patience with combing and maintaining my thick as a mutha...new growth). See the new growth....




Stay tuned!

Where are you and where would you like to be?

Mine is currently neck length, aiming for shoulder length by the end of the year at least.

Sweat Your Way to Fabulous Skin - Tips for Flawless Skin

I do love a great steam! In addition to hair care, I'll be starting casual Hot Yoga (that's yoga in a moderate steam room...yes) this Friday. I'll also be starting at-home steam facials (steam -> mask). I have just ordered Montagne Jennesse Squeezed Lemon Green Tea Peel Off this chick recommended. I did research on it of course and found that many love their products (as in it works) and best of all - ingredients are au naturale. So thumbs up. I'll be doing reviews later on. Gotta get that skin glowing. Stay healthy!

A working regimen I've drawn up (UPDATED)

BEGINNING OF EVERY MONTH

Step 1: Pre-poo/hot oil

            : - Coconut + EVOO + Castor oil

Step 2: Clarify

            : - Alberto Vo5 Kiwi Lime Squeeze Clarifying Shampoo

            : - Lanza daily clarifying shampoo

Step 3: Protein treatment

            : - ORS Hair Mayonnaise

Step 4: Moisturizing DC

            : - Crème of Nature Argan Oil Intensive Conditioning Treatment

Step 5: Leave-in

            : - Dermorganics Argan oil leave-in treatment

Step 6: Setting lotion

            : - ORS Olive oil wrap/set mousse

            : - Nairobi wrap-it shine foaming lotion

Step 7: Rollers and dryer

Step 8: Oil Sheen

            : - Motions oil moisture extra conditioning oil sheen

EVERY SATURDAY (washday)

Step 1: Pre-poo/hot oil

            : - Coconut + EVOO + Castor oil

Step 2: Moisturizing shampoo

            : - Elasta QP Creme Conditioning Shampoo

            : - Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Moisture and Shine Shampoo

            : - V05 Deep Nourishing Elixir Shampoo

: - Crème of nature argan oil moisture shine shampoo

: - Neutrogena triple moisture shampoo

Step 3: Moisturizing OR protein DC (alternate weekly)

            : - Moisturizing DC: - Neutrogena triple moisture daily deep conditioner

                                          : - Crème of Nature Argan Oil Intensive Conditioning Treatment

            : - Protein DC: ORS replenishing conditioner

Step 4: Leave-in

            : - Dermorganics Argan oil leave-in treatment

Step 5: Setting lotion

            : - ORS Olive oil wrap/set mousse

            : - Nairobi wrap-it shine foaming lotion

Step 6: Rollers and dryer

Step 7: Oil Sheen

            : - Motions oil moisture extra conditioning oil sheen

           

EVERYDAY

Overnight

Step 1: Moisture

            : - S curl activator moisturizing spray

            : - Homemade moisture spritz: jojoba + olive + glycerin + distilled water

Step 2: Seal

            : - Almond oil (Because it’s odorless and light)

Step 3: Protect

            : - Wrap in silk/satin scarf

Daily

Step 1: Shine/moisture

            : - coconut oil

            : - Motions oil moisture extra conditioning oil sheen

            : - Nexxus Humectress Luxe Ultimate Moisture Leave-In Spray

Step 2: Short-term protective styling

            : - Hair donut

Every Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday night

Step: Massage scalp with oil (alternate mix monthly)

            : - Peppermint/Jojoba/Eucalyptus

            : - Peppermint/Jojoba/Rosemary

            : - Coconut/Jojoba/Peppermint

            : - 2/3 drops of lavender + 2/3 tsp. of castor oil (warm)

If after heavy gyming or swimming

Co-wash with:

            : - Pantene Daily Moisture Renewal Conditioner

: - V05 Moisture Milks conditioner

LONG-TERM PROTECTIVE STYLING REGIMEN

Braids/Weave Removal ON WASHDAY

Step 1: Condition

            : - Crème of Nature braid & weave ease out

: - Murray’s Spray Unlock

Step 2: Detangle with tail comb as I go; then comb with wide-tooth comb

Step 3: Pre-poo/hot oil

            : - Coconut + EVOO + castor oil

Step 4: Clarify

            :- Alberto Vo5 Kiwi Lime Squeeze Clarifying Shampoo

            :- Lanza daily clarifying shampoo

            :- Giovanni 50:50 Balanced hydrating-clarifying shampoo

Step 4: Moisturizing & protein DC

            : - Aubrey Organics GPB Balancing Conditioner

Step 5: Leave-in

            : - Dermorganics Argan oil leave-in treatment

Step 6: Setting lotion

            : - ORS Olive oil wrap/set mousse

            : - Nairobi wrap-it shine foaming lotion

Step 7: Rollers and dryer

Step 8: Oil Sheen

            : - Motions oil moisture extra conditioning oil sheen

RELAXER REGIMEN (every 3 months)

1 WEEK BEFORE RELAXER

Step 1: Pre-poo/hot oil

            : - Coconut + EVOO + castor oil

Step 2: Clarify (if I clarified the week before when I would’ve removed a long-term protective style, then I would just use a moisturizing shampoo)

            :- Alberto Vo5 Kiwi Lime Squeeze Clarifying Shampoo

            :- Lanza daily clarifying shampoo

Step 3: Protein treatment

            : - ORS Hair Mayo

Step 4: Moisturizing DC

            : - Keracare humecto crème conditioner

Step 5: Leave-in

            : - Dermorganics Argan oil leave-in treatment

Step 6: Setting lotion

            : - ORS Olive oil wrap/set mousse

            : - Nairobi wrap-it shine foaming lotion

Step 7: Rollers and dryer

Step 8: Oil Sheen

            : - Motions oil moisture extra conditioning oil sheen

RELAXER DAY

Step 1: Base scalp

: - Creme of Nature Professional Scalp Protector  

Step 2: Relax

            : - Beautiful Beginning

            : - Olive oil

Step 3: Wash relaxer with water

Step 4: Apply Aphogee 2-min reconstructor

Step 5: Neutralize

Step 6: Moisturizing DC

            : - Crème of Nature Argan Oil Intensive Conditioning Treatment

Step 7: Leave-in (kit) with my dermorganics leave-in (take pic for length check)

Step 8: Blow dry

Step 9: Protect and flat iron (trim and take pics)

            : - Tresemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray

Step 10: Shine

            : - Motions oil moisture extra conditioning oil sheen

1 WEEK AFTER RELAXER

Step 1: Pre-poo/hot oil

            : - Coconut + EVOO + castor oil

Step 2: Moisturizing shampoo

            : - Elasta QP Creme Conditioning Shampoo

Step 3: Protein treatment

            : - ORS Hair Mayonnaise

Step 4: Moisturizing DC

            : - Keracare humecto crème conditioner

Step 4: Leave-in

            : - Dermorganics Argan oil leave-in treatment

Step 5: Setting lotion

            : - ORS Olive oil wrap/set mousse

            : - Nairobi wrap-it shine foaming lotion

Step 6: Rollers and dryer

Step 7: Oil Sheen

            : - Motions oil moisture extra conditioning oil sheen

DAMAGED HAIR REGIMEN

Washday

Hot oil treatment with Keracare Essential Oils for the hair

Shampoo with Dove damage therapy daily moisture shampoo

Condition with Dove damage therapy daily moisture conditioner

OR if dry hair, with:

Herbal essences hello hydration moisture & shine shampoo

Herbal essences hello hydration moisture & shine conditioner

Deep condition with either:
            Aussie 3 minute miracle deep conditioner

Garnier fructis fortifying DC 3 min masque

Neutrogena triple moisture deep recovery hair mask

Macadamia natural oil deep repair mask

ORS HAIRepair Nourishing Conditioner

Elucence Moisture Balancing Conditioner

Apply leave-in and roller set

Hard Protein treatment (once every 6 weeks)

Aphogee 2-step treatment

Aphogee balancing conditioner

Detangling

Paul Mitchell The Detangler

Instruments: Wide tooth comb, satin/silk scarf and pillow case, plastic shower cap, hooded dryer, rollers, supplements

Handy reminder

Essential oils: lavender, chamomile, peppermint, rosemary, tea tree, lemon, myrrh, eucalyptus

Carrier oils: jojoba, olive, coconut, castor, vitamin E, avocado

Best way to start a relaxed hair journey by Lauren Hansle

For fellow starters out there ,this is a very informative and easy-to-understand/implement video. Enjoy.

Resolution 2013 #2: Working Out!

Hey queens!

Blogging about my upcoming relaxed hair journey is seriously motivating me. I am so excited I can't wait. So I thought why not share my other resolutions here as well. Besides starting a hair journey, my 2013 resolution list also contains cooking new meals and wait for it....gyming! Now if you know me, you'll know I can demolish a mountain of food and I'm still not going to go past 60 kg. This is what I've weighed for a very long time, so I had no motivation to visit the gym.

So why am I starting now? If Halle Berry didn't exist I wouldn't even consider toning up, building strength and being fit! Besides, exercising has many health benefits so I have nothing to lose. Halle's body at 44 or so is to faint for. God bless that woman and her trainers. A personal motivator of mine wouldn't let me be this week and somehow I found myself at the gym for the first time in 2 years on Thursday. Coincidentally a few days before, I stumbled upon a statement made by 'Relaxed & Natural' which reads:

"Exercise helps to promote blood circulation to the scalp and hair follicles. This eases the supply of nutrients in the blood stream to the hair follicles. It promotes hair growth and controls hair loss. It also keeps the scalp healthy and prevents pore clogging. With regular exercise, hair follicles are nourished by oxygen-rich blood flow that rushes antioxidants to the area to destroy free radicals before they can damage your hair. Make exercising a part of your weekly routine."

So you can imagine my excitement and determination to get this ish popping! If exercise can assist my hair growth then I've really got nothing to lose - motivation #3! So I hit the gym on Thursday and did a few cardio and weights. As I'm writing my muscles ache like hell but hey...no pain no gain. I'll be doing this 3 days a week with one day rest period. I'd really love to incorporate dance and yoga/pilates into my routine.

I am really taking sexy to another level this year huh? lol. Thanks for reading y'all!


Peace, love, healthy locks xx

Indulge....