My Random Thoughts

After repeating the same process pretty much every wash day, I think I have pretty much established a regimen and as such, I have made a tab for it.

I pretty much ran out of all three of my deep conditioners, one of which I am absolutely positive I will be repurchasing. I am also going to be on the look out for a reliable protein based deep condish. 
I need to repurchase my Cantu Shea butter shampoo and conditioner because my hair loves them at this point in time.

Even though I love my Cantu shea butter leave in, I was searching for a water based moisturizer. last week a bought a Kera Care Conditioning Creme Hairdress at the recommendation of a stylist. I don't know anything about this product, but the ingredients that I could recognize sold me. I may be at fault with how much I apply, but it has made my hair feel oily.  Last time I buy anything without reading up on it first. I won't toss it aside yet though. My hair is excessively thick right now and is literally gulping down all moisture placed on it, so I'll wait before I decide what to with it.

Relaxer day is quickly approaching, and I have already decided that I will be blowing my roots on my next wash day to ensure that my root isn't too compact for the hair dresser to handle.

Even though it may be hard to fathom, after I'm done with this protective styling challenge I will be going on a personal hide your hair challenge for the rest of the year. I need to regrow my nape desperately, and the reduced manipulation will help to both regrow and strengthen this section.  The length retention that I will undoubtedly get from this if done correctly is also an enticing factor. I will be working out exactly how I want it to go and post about it soon.


Belle Moi

Enough already.

Yesterday, I just sat down and began to take down my braids. After waking up that morning to hair that felt like I hadn't moisturized in days despite the fact that I did the night before, I think I reached my breaking point. In all honesty I haven't been feeling my braids for awhile, but was unsure if I should take them out even though I hated the way my scalp felt in some places. I made it to a month this past Sunday which is good I suppose. After washing my hair which I should be washing it within the next couple of days (should be fun lol) I'm going to do it into two braids. 
For now I'm wearing my hair in two curly bun type things.

Amazed at how clean my roots are after a month of being in those braids. My little experiment worked well yay! Really loving this challenge and can't wait to see my results.



Belle Moi.

Digging my Hair!

All week long I have had to force myself not to play with my hair, but it's just sooo hard when it feels so GOOD! I don't know what it is, but it's just soft. Apart from trimming, the only thing I did differently this past wash day was an hot-oil treatment, which I haven't done in awhile. I guess my hair is just responding to all the moisturizing products I use. I also can't deny that moisturizing and sealing more consistently has been beneficial.

However, I noticed that I couldn't feel just how soft my hair was until after I had trimmed. I therefore cannot deny how beneficial it is to know and understand what your hair is saying to you, and to also follow through.
 I am usually on my game when it came to my ends, each relaxer I would either ask for a trim or asked my hairdresser how my ends looked to determine whether I needed a light dusting. For some reason I fought tooth and nail with myself during my last relaxer, and I ended up having to re-visit the salon anyway; wasting unnecessary money.

On a different note...

January flew by so quickly, I lost track of how long I had my hair in the plaits that I had put in. I had to reassure myself that I only had them in for two weeks. smh. Anyway, the protective styling challenge I am participating in is going well. Although I haven't been creative in styling my hair, I'm not beating myself up, after all, the less I manipulate my hair the better.




Belle Moi

Wash Day

 Let me start by saying I did everything in sections. I parted my hair and applied my pree-poo and ended up with six plaits. From washing out the oils to applying each product and washing it out, I undid each section one at a time and held the ends in my hand in order to reduce tangles and re-plait each after I was done. I picked up this trick awhile back from a naturalista on YouTube, and I must say I am glad I used it today. Though it was tedious, it saved me some troubles.

• I pre-pooed overnight with a mix of EVOO and eucalyptus oils on my scalp and the length of my hair and conditioner on my ends.

• Shampooed with Cantu Shea butter moisturizing cream shampoo.
• Did a heavy protein treatment with aphogee two-step protein treatment.
• Deep Conditioned with Every Strand Aloe Vera Treatment: Deep Conditioning Hair Cream for a little more than an hour (fell asleep during this session).
• Finished up with an ACV rinse.

My hair felt soft throughout, and fortified after the protein treatment. However, it continues to feel rough, and my ends seem to be in love with each other. When all was said and done, I tied my scalp around my hairline and left it to air-dry. When it was 80% dry, I detangled with my wide-toothed comb then moisturized with my trusted Cantu Shea Butter leave in conditioning repair cream and sealed with coconut oil.

Once completely dry, I got my cousin to plait it for me; this is how I will be wearing it for the next two weeks. Gotta keep protecting them ends babeee! lol.




Texture shot at almost two weeks post.


Belle Moi.

Protective Styling: Love It!

 


Living in an area where it snows, I am very conscious of the effects that the cold has on my hair. As a result, I bun whenever I feel it getting cold. I love buns, LOVE EM! In fact, any up-do that slenderizes my face is okay by me. If I have to hide my hair in a bun for a few months I have no problem with it because I know that it will be worth it in the end.

It was therefore no surprise that when I saw that Ebony C. Princess over on http://longing4length.com/ will be hosting a protective styling challenge that will run from January 7-April 15, that I would be joining! I can't wait to be inspired and for my hair to reap all the benefits!

Here is my starting point

You can't really tell, but I'm arm pit length; won't claim it just yet though.

First Ever Hair Challenge!

 I joined my first ever hair challenge a while back. It is called 1in 3 and it is about retaining an inch of hair in three months (depending on individual growth rate). Even though I checked out everyone who has joined and realized that I am the only one with relaxed tresses, I am intrigued with the stress on protective styles and other healthy challenges that it entails.

I had long decided that I would be installing a weave to help out with my current stretch, but this challenge will help me through the promotion of being a little healthier :). As a result, I have been wearing my hair in plaits and will continue to do so for maybe another three weeks before getting a weave.
 I posted not to long ago about, relaxing at four months post, but it seems I might even extend this a bit longer. Will keep updating on my process.




Belle Moi.