Cleaning scalp and moisturizing: Diluted ACV + tooth brush, and more!

So I watched a couple of youtubers talk about how they maintain a clean scalp with braids on without using shampoo. I decided to use ACV to clean my scalp as I've got crochet on. I used:

* 2 glass cups of warm water
* 4 caps of ACV
* Medium bristle tooth brush


I dipped the brush in the mixture and scrubbed each line gently (I used that opportunity to tighten the crochet loops). I hope it works. I felt refreshed after the clean and itchiness stopped. But we'll see what happens in a few days!

Also, after cleaning a track, I applied my moisturizer (s-curl) and oil (coconut oil). Then I did a little trimming. And that's it! I'll be repeating these on my washdays.

Crochet is ON!

Crochet braiding is a GREAT protective style because your hair is secured underneath to minimize potential breakage from exposure. You can also moisturize your corn rows and clean your scalp whenever you require. So I've installed CROCHET braids to carry for 2-4 weeks.

I used Freetress Loose Deep. I've used these braids before for 'pick & drop' style and carried it for 2 months. I got compliments literally everyday AND the braids lasted (didn't tangle; kept its curls) which is unusual. Besides, it looked GORGEOUS in pictures. So I decided to bring back these feel good points by installing them again but this time, as crochet.

This will be MY FIRST TIME installing braids on myself (ain't nobody got money for hairdressers in this economy...). It literally took 2 days of fiddling with it to get it right. Here's the final look:

The same braids a year ago:

Learn how to CROCHET braid here

Protective styling: Bun with aloe vera gel finish

All you need:

Aloe Vera gel is optional.

My first co-wash!

This is out of the blue but remember I'm crocheting this week? So on Tuesday, I examined my scalp and when I noticed a little bit of dandruff, my next thought was co-washing. I wanted a clean scalp for crochet so that I won't have to start itching too early. I hear co-washing's advantage over shampoo is removing dandruff without drying. And I gotta say y'all, it's so true. It does wash dirt off while moisturizing the hair. I used Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Moisturizing Conditioner (for dry/damaged hair). I couldn't find one for normal hair but I don't think it made a difference.

This product smells DELISH. It felt nice, lathers great, turns out awesome. After wards, I blow dried my hair (instead of airdrying as I needed to corn row for crochet immediately), and applied leave-in conditioner. Then I applied S-curl moisturizer throughout and sealed with olive oil. I haven't used olive oil in a while (minus the egg treatment). My hair is now in cornrow.


P.S: That egg/olive/honey/mayo mixture I did last week works wonders! I haven't had breakage and shedding since! I noticed because as I was blow-drying and combing my hair after co-washing, nothing came out compared to how it was before doing the protein treatment. My ORS Mayo jar has also arrived. Loving them both.

Wash day 7/09: Eggs, Schwarzkopf Shampoo, & Flat Ironing

Three things I did differently in my wash routine today are: new shampoo, egg protein treatment, flat ironing.

NEW SHAMPOO

My goal: Clarifying

Product: Schwarzkopf Deep Nutrition Shampoo Shea Cashmere

Lathering: Moisturizing. I think it's OK for clarifying 'cuz it contains Sodium Laureth Sulfate (the stuff that CLEANS). And you'll feel that squeak when you step outta the shower.

Results: Great! But you have to detangle immediately before your hair dries out into tangles. Will use again.

PROTEIN TREATMENT

My last protein was 3 weeks ago & my hair felt that loss! Broke easily today! Thought I could rely ORS Replenishing Conditioner's lil protein. I'll revert to protein treatment 2ce a week now!


My protein mix: 
2 egg yokes
1 tbs of Mayo
2 tbs of honey
2 tbs of olive oil

Process: Applied to shampooed hair, wore plastic cap and sat under dryer for an hour or so. The mix isn't runny & the egg didn't cook lol thank God.

Results: Silky soft! Just like how my hair feels after using the ORS Mayo.

FLAT IRONING

After blow drying (with cold air), I decided to flat iron. I'm really skeptical about using heat on my fragile hair but I just really wanted to see how it looks before I install crochet this week. As always, I applied Tresemme's Heat Protectant and my friend flat ironned. And here's the final results!!

p.s: I DC'd after protein treatment. It's very important to soften the hair and restore moisture. Also applied leave-in afterwards. And that's a wrap!! I'll be installing crochet this week x

Coming up: Egg, Olive Oil, Honey Protein Treatment

I ran out of my ORS Hair Mayo a while ago and my wash day is in two days. Beauty supplies in this side of the world is so freaking expensive and I prefer to buy my products via eBay or other online stores. I've just ordered the Mayo but since it can't arrive before the wash day, I've decided I'll go DIY this weekend!



As you may know, my new regimen involves a protein treatment once per month (beginning of every month - also my clarifying day). I've heard and read good things about egg/olive/honey treatment. I'll be mixing:

- 2 eggs, 2 tbs of olive oil, 1 tbs of honey.

I'll do this before my deep conditioning, as always.

This potion does exactly the same thing as the ORS Mayo... repairs dry/damaged hair, infuses protein, even repairs split ends. This will be my first time trying it. I'll be back on my wash day to review the results so watch this space. x

Hair regimen tweak: Updated

I'm in the process of simplifying my regimen since I'm in the second term of my hair journey. My hair's fragile and I'm still a student balling on a budget so I gotta keep it simple. So here's the plan:


Wash: Shampoo (I'm still looking for the perfect shampoo because the Creme of Nature Intensive Moisture Shampoo just had to have freaking mineral oil in it; Dermorganics shampoo even though it has all the goodness of argan oil, it really doesn't clean my scalp; and Alberto Kiwi Squeeze just tangles my hair - urrgh). So I need the perfect clarifying and moisturizing shampoo. I'm considering the ORS line since I love their mayo and deep conditioner.

Deep condition: instead of alternating weekly between protein and moisturizing DC, i've decided to use the ORS Replenishing Conditioner (mixed with coconut oil) every week.

Protein treatment: every two weeks - ORS Mayonnaise or DIY (egg/honey/olive/mayo).

Leave-in: I think I'll stick to my Dermorganics argan oil leave-in. It keeps my hair shiny and it's argan oil so double thumbs up.

Moisture and seal: I'm sticking to my S-Curl moisturizer and now sealing with castor oil because castor oil thickens my hair. I notice thinning when I use coconut oil (even though I love sealing with coconut oil).


Note: I'll randomly do a porosity test maybe once every 3 months to see if I need to do ACV rinse.

So...VOILA! That is as simple as I'm going to get. So in summary, here is my staple regimen for this second chapter of my HJ:

1. Moisturizing shampoo (to source - every washday)
2. Clarifying shampoo (to source - first washday of every month)
3. Protein treatment (ORS hair mayonnaise or DIY - once every two weeks)
4. Moisturizing/light protein deep conditioner (ORS replenishing conditioner - every washday)
5. Leave-in conditioner (Dermorganics argan oil - for now - every washday)
6. Moisturizer (S-Curl - everyday)
7. Sealant (Castor oil - everyday)
8. Peppermint + Jojoba oil (scalp massages - twice a week - Sat & Weds)
9. Hair vitamins (Biotin...everyday!)

Extras (if I feel the need to)
1. Prepoo (coconut oil)
2. Porosity balance (ACV rinse)
3. Aphogee 2min reconstructor (quick protein infusion; I also use it on relaxer day)


That's as simple as I can get with a hair regimen! x