Lovin' my fluffy.

Foto dump.

2009-08-14T02:34:48Z

I was hanging out in Blackfolks earlier and realized I haven't updated here in awhile.

I'm still bunning but I've learned some new stuff.

I learned how to do a super cute faux bob with hair pins and a headband.

I have learned how to do a messy knot thingy with pins that is very cute for days I cowash and go.

Pics and details under the cut. Some of the pics are big for detail.

First couple of pics are the aforementioned messy knot thing. My best friend came up from AZ and had a family engagement that she needed me to be there for. I was going to flat iron but it was a.) super goddamn hot and b.) I didn't have time.

So I cowashed with White Rain tropical coconut conditioner, detangled, put some break free and a wee bit of coconut oil in my wet hair. Then I screwed around with pins and this is what I came up with. These pics my hair was still kinda wet but it dried so pretty and crinkly and wavy I was very impressed with myself.

This is a good shot of where I have weirdly always straight hair on my nape there. Right in the middle the hair that grows, grows in quite straight.

Here you can see where I stuck the pins in. I used those giant bobby pin looking roller pins. My hair eats regular bobby pins then laughs.

I also recently tried doing some curls. It worked and didn't work. My hair still takes a curl wonderfully, I used my satin covered foam rollers overnight on dry hair. My curls were BANGING shiny and pretty. But I neglected to use any styling product and it was pretty damp out that day and by the time I got home yeah, myhair was a big hot mess.

I also learned that my hair has gotten a little bit too long for my method of rolling and my curls tend to need a lot of rearranging.

I've also learned recently that my hair is too long for some of the methods I knew for bunning. Weird.

Like I wore two mini buns last week.

Time time last summer I didn't really have enough hair to make two actual buns and just folded my ponytails over. This year, I have two full buns and it is awesome.

My relaxer stretch is going very well. My baking soda treatments have worked like gangbusters as a mild texturizer to keep my NG manageable.

I am really quite pleased with my hair and what I've been doing with it.

If it's not too hot this weekend I might ponytail rollerset or just henna and DC and call it a day.

Cheap and easy deep conditioning.

2009-06-22T05:00:12Z

I did some research and I tried out a new deep conditioning recipe that has left my hair feeling buttery with lots of slip and easy to detangle.

All you need is your deep conditioner of choice. I used a mix of Queen Helene's cholesterol and the Ors replenishing pack. And a few tablespoons of baking soda.

Mix very well and get the conditioner into your hair. Now it will feel weird. I didn't really like how liquid the conditioners became at first but got it all into my hair, covered with one of my dollar store shower caps and let it sit for about an hour.

I also added a wee bit of olive oil to it.

I rinsed and while I'm not wild about the baking soda smell (I am weird about that kind of thing) my hair feels really moist, my shedding has slowed quite a bit. I am very impressed.

So next weekend I'm going to try using baking soda with a banana/avocado based conditioner and will share.

Since I'm still bunning I'll airdry overnight with my hair wrapped. This seems to work really well for me.

That's it.

Updates and plots.

2009-06-18T01:38:09Z

So my relaxer stretch was ended over the weekend.

I forgot I'd done a milk protein treatment last week with coconut milk and my hair is pretty protein sensitive.

So after my relaxer I did my usual henna treatment and my hair was kind of crunchy and I thought my relaxer didn't take.

It did.

My hair is fine after some moisturizing.

So I do have some stuff to report on.

I've changed my product line up a wee tiny bit.

I ran out of Profective about a month ago and -thought- I could do without it. Nope. My hair really likes small amounts of gentle protein daily or every other day. I had some breakage. So yeah needless to say I stocked up.

Next. I bought some whipped shea butter on a whim from a seller on Ebay and OH EM GEE.

This stuff smells lovely and my hair loves it. Even more than the shea butter from Treehut I was using. And this stuff is cheaper and homemade. I could do my own whipped shea butter but I don't really wanna right now. This cuts down on my frizz factor, and even better gives my hair some necessary weight. My hair is naturally really fluffy and I like having a leave in that's weighty. Also it's great on my new growth.

I also learned that if I'm going to do long term stretches I need to invest in some good spray conditioner/detangler. I'm looking at Oyin Hand Made juices and berries. My big issue is tangling. My texlaxed hair tangles and then the new growth tangles and it's a hot mess.

So I am hoping to stretch from now until December.

Whoa.

Huge stretch.

I am really thinking if I stay consistent I can make it to APL (armpit length).

I will post some update pics this weekend. I'm going to do a super moisturizing mask, ponytail rollerset and flat iron.

For now under the cut a shot of my henna and a couple of pre relaxer shots. Also note to self make new icon.

That sparkly bit is my one perfect white hair.

So that's it.

OH HAI FAIL.

2009-05-24T03:04:37Z

Okay I just spent the whole afternoon trying to give myself yarn braids and failed spectacularly.

I took some photos.

I will be honest, I am so bad at braiding I cried a little bit. But, on the upside my hair looks really lovely.

So under the cut my afternoon in pictures.

Big pics, not dial up friendly.

First up my conditioner mix. I'm all addicted to mixing super conditioners up for myself and this one is a winner. I use- (yes these are my amazon links) 1 Organic Root Stimulator Olive OIL Replenishing PAK, a little bit of Palmers Coconut Oil Hair Conditioner - 5.25 Oz, a few squirts of African Royale Hot Six Oil Hair & Body Mist - 8 Oz and a little silk elements luxury conditioner.

How it looks mixed. I use a tint brush to mix it.

This is my pre-shampoo'd dry hair that I'd treated the night before with coconut oil. I parted my hair in four sections, detangled, then after applying the coconut oil I made little buns, wrapped them in plastic, wrapped with a satin scarf and went to bed. My hair LOVES coconut oil.

Also to prevent breakage I coat elastics in oil before using them.

Thus far in the process I was happy. I conditioned for about an hour under a heat cap, rinsed and my hair looked like this. (BIG pic here).

My hair is combed there and I love how it looks. I sectioned my hair again in four sections and used oiled elastics to air dry a bit. I used the ponytails to stretch my new growth some so braiding would be easier.

And here is where the fail started. It took me about two and a half hours to do two rows of braids and the ones I did at the beginning started to slide out immediately. Also I am not a good braider and they were so ugly. UGLY I didn't think to take pics except for this one. And yeah it was not working.

So I sat and stewed then started to take them out. It took me more than an hour, some tears and whining. And okay I give up I am not a braider and need to accept that. I can do some regular plaits that are chunky and ugly not fit to be worn out of the house but I need to not do the fancy things.

HOWEVER.

Silver lining is I took some pics of my air dried hair with no product and goddamn I am happy with my hair. My progress is really showing. My hair is thick lush and beautiful.

So it's eight o clock and I have no braids. But I do have fluffy gorgeous hair.

Moral of the story is, some people (me) just can't braid.

If you wanna skip the pics.

Braids failed but my hair is awesome.

I am going to try and continue my relaxer stretch. It's going pretty well still and it's been a little over four months. I'd like to make it to July. I will probably henna in a couple of weeks and keep doin what I'm doing. Buns, deep conditioning and glee.

Just a quick update.

2009-05-02T08:23:07Z

Just a quick update.

I had a bit of a setback due to some breakage I was having. I wasn't consistently wearing my scarf at night so I've lost a little length.

But overall my hair is in excellent condition right now.

Good news, I finally got my soft bonnet dryer and last week did my first rollerset. It didn't come out like I wanted, I didn't use enough rollers and small enough sections and I don't think I got the right tension but I kind of got it. Since I as on a roll that day I flat ironed my hair too and almost a week later under the cut see my results.

It wasn't nearly as difficult to keep my hair straighter as I thought it would be. However, I do feel kind of weird with my hair that straight so I will probably not flat iron all the time.

I'll be hennaeing this weekend and probably relaxing my hair mid month or so.

I think I am going to start letting more of a dye release happen when I henna since it's Spring and sunny I want my head to glow again this year.

I don't know if I'll make armpit length but I'm keeping doing what I'm doing because my hair is healthy, strong and beautiful.

What to do?

2009-02-08T05:20:42Z

So I'm out of some of my staple products and had to make some quick mixes.

Mix #1 Coconut milk/lime treatment.

I like to use this mix while stretching relaxers because it tends to keep my new growth a bit smoother. I'm not far into my stretch currently but, my hair has been a tad frizzy lately.

This is an excellent recipe for naturally curly hair, or other hair that tends towards frizz.

Most awesome thing is, this recipe costs maybe 3.50$ depending on where you live.

You will need the following:

Container. I used one of those smaller plastic drink containers like this. I got mine at biglots for a dollar.
1 can of coconut cream. Like this one Savoy Coconut Cream 14oz
Head to your local small Asian grocer to get these for the best price. Make sure you check the label and it doesn't have added sugar, high fructose corn syrup or anything that can make you hair sticky. (And to be honest the amazon links are my affiliate links)
Your cheapy conditioner of choice I use White Rain Tropical Coconut conditioner. I buy mine at the dollar store 5-6 at a time.
The oil of your choice. I use African" Royale's Hot Six oil. It's handy and has no mineral oil in it. Excellent to keep around the house.You can use it on your skin, hair in the bath etc. Also inexpensive.
And last but not least, one or two limes. Also again check your local Asian market. There are tons of them in my neighborhood and for one or two things they are always my first choice. I think the two I got cost .75
And a plastic bag or shower cap.

Ready?

Put half (if your hair is longer than shoulder length or super thick this should be enough, if not add more cream) of the coconut cream in your container, a couple of tablespoons or squirts of oil, another few squirts of oil. Roll your limes under your palm to get them juicy, cut them and squeeze the juice into your mix. Mix well. I like the drink container because I can shake it.

Next up, saturate your hair with this mix. Do it over the sink so you don't make a mess. Gently squeeze or press out the excess and put your plastic cap on. You can leave this in for a few hours to overnight. I usually do a few hours.

Next saturate your hair with the remaining coconut cream (it doesn't keep well so I always use the whole can) rinse, use your cheapy conditioner to do a nice conditioner rinse, shampoo with gentle shampoo, I'll be using some Tree Hut herbal shampoo (got that on sale yonks ago at Big Lots). Next deep condition.

I am out of my usual so I'm mixing up something very moisturizing.

If you remember my youtube slide show of my favorite products.

I'll be using stuff from the video.

In a smallish bowl (I'm using a butter bowl) mix a good spoonful of the cholesterol conditioner, a couple of smallish squirts of the hot six oil, and more importantly a few good dollaps of coconut oil. Now I'll melt the coconut oil with warm water first to make it pliable.

Now make sure you coat your hair really well with this. Use your plastc cap then use a heating cap, a warm towel, or a knit hat (I got spares at the dollar store) and go on about your business for awhile. I leave mine on for a couple of hours.

Rinse and enjoy your fabulous silky non frizzy hair.

New Style.

2009-01-14T07:46:55Z

Last night after I moisturized my hair with breakfree and shea butter I parted it loosely with my fingers, made some medium fat twists. I put these into bantu knots and slept with my satin bonnet on.

This morning I undid them and finger combed my hair into some submission. The bangs were curlier earlier this morning but I still dig it. I got a lot of compliments and maaaan in the sun when it was out for a quick minute my hair was blinging. Random lady on the street stopped to tell me how pretty it is.

Pics under the cut.

Oh and also, check out that face. My milk of magnesia primer is the shit. This is proof. These pics are twelve hours after putting on my make up, I didn't blot not once today and my make up was totally rushed this morning. I'm a little shiny but nowhere near the blinding greasies that I usually get.

Front.

Taken by my other half, with my head tilted back for a good view. That is the first clip of this sort that I've had in the last six months that I haven't broken. My hair usually eats these.

Next time I will take pics as I do the twists and knots.

Laters taters.

New years pics and adventures.

2009-01-05T03:01:27Z

So happy New Years.

I forgot to take before pics but here is my starting point picture for this year. Hopefully, this day in 2010 my hair will be about APL.

That's my freshly relaxed (yesterday I'll talk more about that in a minute) finally mostly shoulder length hair. Soaking wet and just about ten minutes ago.

OKAY.

So I decided instead of relaxing the coily areas of my hair straightish, I planned to relax my hair in odd sections so I could get the zshaped kinks more of an elongated S shaped kinks. I also wanted to take care with the hair that grows almost straight towards the front of my head.

So I did the odd sections, right in the middle of the back of my head first, then the nape, then up my crown a bit, then around my face. I did this in about 3 minute increments with a total processing time of 12 minutes.

Then I used some extra thin henna. Instead of lots of conditioner I used more water and a crapton of coconut oil in it. Left that in for a few hours, rinsed and put some conditioner in my hair topped with Hot6 oil. I bunned and went to bed. Then I rinsed my hair a bit ago and put some hot6 oil in it and am air drying now.

So my routine is as follows.

I wear buns most days.

Over the weekend I overnight deep condition with cholesterol conditioner and coconut oil with my hair under a satin bonnet. Wash. DC with Replenishing packs. At least twice a month I am making a commitment to try to rollerset my hair. My dryer is on the way and I am determined to learn.

I am also stretching relaxes for about 20 weeks or at least that's my goal. So next relaxer in April/May.

Overall while I don't have as much length as I might have liked, I have retained a lot of what I got which is excellent. Also my hair is thick, healthy and strong which is awesome. So I am going to keep on doing what I'm doing.

And please don't laugh at the upcoming OMG rollersetting entries. There will probably be whining and angry crankiness ahead but I would really like to learn if for no other reason than to have some other options for how I wear my hair.

A few product quick hits.

2009-01-02T07:03:37Z

I'm sitting here and my hair is a hot tangly mess that I will be fixing tonight. I think my hair gremlins have been in there making fools of themselves. I'll be moisturizing and detangling when I get home.

I thought I'd post the links to my products and some new stuff I'm in love with.

First, I am a fool for multi use products. Top of my list for those is:

TreeHut Almond&Honey shea butter. I also have a jar of the coconut lime scent as well. I've had to wear a knit hat a lot this winter and this stuff has been a life saver. It's thick and heavy, moisturizes very well and smells nice. Also I can use it from hair to bum to feet and this is awesome. It can be kind of pricey so if you want a body butter to use look for one without mineral oil filler, a scent you like and for one of the first few ingredients to be whatever the base butter is. Check the sale section of your drugstore. Keep your eye on the fancy bath/body products. I got my Treehut from an outlet store. Keep in mind that when they change their packaging the price drops on the left overs.

You can also try a lotion if you want something lighter. Again check for mineral oil in it, and try it on a small section of your hair to see if you like how it turns out.

Another way I use this is on my ends when I baggy them at night. Works quite well.

(Warning these are my amazon affiliate links)

And I buy these two or three at a time. Profectiv Breakfree. If your hair craves both a light frequent protein and moisture this is an excellent product. It's not super thick, it has a nice scent and I find it works really well for bunning and has kept my hair from breaking. I love this stuff.

Next up coconut oil. Plain unrefined coconut oil. Multi Uses include, as a pre shampoo treatment, hot oil treatments, in your food, on rashes this shit clears up flaky dry skin (also random peeling, sore scalp) like WHOA. It's harder to use daily when it's cold but having it around for an oil treatment is great. For a non heated oil treatment, saturate your strands. Put a plastic cap on, go on about your day for a few hours, wash and deep condition and voila silky silky hotness. Dry hair will suck this stuff up and it is love. LOVE. Plus how can you not love something you can eat too? Spectrum Naturals - Coconut Oil Organic, 14 oz liquid Good stuff.

Uh.

OH I need always need elastics that don't pull or break.

I am still using that giant bottle of tresemme for dry hair shampoo. I probably use three tablespoons or so per wash. Not much at all and it's lasting forever. For ease of use I put some in an empty Hot6 oil bottle I had.

I think that's about all. I'm relaxing my hair this weekend so I will put my length check pics up and announce my plan for the year.

Happy New Years peeps!

16 Weeks and counting.

2008-12-25T01:07:01Z

I'm in week 16 of my relaxer stretch and I am so excited it's gone so well. I've never stretched so long without breakage or massive shedding.

I am plotting some new oil infusion moisturizing things. I've got a couple of recipes in my head that I need to work out.

Currently I need a few things so I can get to sciencing.

I need:
Candy thermometer
Amla powder
Raw bulk shea butter
Horsetail
Rooiboos tea
Fenugreek

I also need some more larger containers.

And I should set aside an area on my computer for my recipes so I make sure I remember them.

Mainly I want to customize a heavy creamy buttery moisturizer for my hair that will help with my long stretches.

That's about it.

Videos tutorial and oh my.

2008-12-21T04:50:38Z

I can't believe I forgot to post this.

The first video is my how to henna your hair tutorial. Enjoy.

And a little fun video of some of the products I use.

It's important to me that I find quality inexpensive products. My budget for hair care is pretty tight and I've done well so far.

Save for some ayurvedic stuff I have almost everything I get, I get on sale at the beauty supply or drug store. Or I order things in lots of 5-10 online for cheap prices.

The most expensive things I buy are my relaxers which are usually 8 bucks, once every 3-4 months. Coconut oil from Puritan's pride on sale. I believe I got 3 for the price of one aat about 18$, breaks down to six bucks per bucket, and each bucket lasts me upwards of three months. Longer now that it's cold out because I use it far less.

Um.

Nothing else too new.

New pics when I get my bantu knot out right.

Successful flat iron and actual update.

2008-12-08T01:54:09Z

Okay I've had a flat iron for more than a year and have used it less than five times. This is the first time it turned out beautiful and I am really happy with my results.

I overnight dc'd Friday. Washed and deep conditioned Saturday. I also coffee rinsed and had way less shedding so I'm adding that to my reggie. I let my hair air dry with a tiny bit of Hot6 oil and profectiv break free in it to detangle. I put my hair in four fat twist sections, put a scarf on and went to bed.

I used a mix of methods (I've been watching flat iron videos on youtube like whoa). I took section by section with the comb chase method. I used the Ion anti frizz, flat iron spray as my heat protectant.

The curls from the twists were actually super cute and I will probably do smaller ones to go to a holiday party in a couple of weeks.

The first section before. Supa cute curls.

Also ignore my lighting it's dark in my apartment already.

First section. Way straighter than I've gotten it before. I didn't burn myself or my hair YAY.

All DONE. The back isn't quite as straight because the texture and NG different than the rest of my head. And this is a good shot of my color from hennaing.

No swang but lots of bounce. It's a bit straighter than I know what to do with but I like it.

But YAY I did it.

Additional thoughts. I don't really care for my hair being so straight. It's weird and unless it's for length or trims I will probably not be doing this too often.

also, the curls from my twists were super freaking cute. Hopefully I can replicate that for the holiday party.

Um.

And yes, in case you were wondering I was buck ass naked while doing my hair and taking pics.

And it looks like my hair will be APL by mid next year which is awesome. More bunning for me.

News...news and some news.

2008-11-21T23:18:22Z

SO I've surpassed my first big hair goal.

My hair (Except for bangs) is almost all shoulder length. The back is longer.

And my hair has gotten super thick. See pic below.

That is how my hair looks at night after I take my bun down but before I comb it. So even after being tied down all day it's still big and fluffy and fabulous.

The next shot is mid detangling. I hadn't moisturized yet. Also you can see just how much shrinkage I have which is awesome.

So yes, relaxed hair can be healthy and fabulous.

Also my care schedule has gotten refined enough that I don't use a crapload of products. And the basics are working like gangbusters for me.

The most complicated things I do these days are trying new techniques.

I am going to do a henna tutorial with pics and everything this weekend.

I will have to retry my ponytail rollerset tutorial because frankly, my pictures turned out terrible because it was spur of the moment. Also I have more rollers and pins coming in the mail from Sallys.

I think that's it. So my next update will be fairly huge and I'll probably repost at The Cheekan.

Sorry Friendslist.

2008-10-19T01:13:28Z

Apologies in advance.

One of my favorite hair sites is going pay and I am trying to move my hair blog entries. So if you see a crapload back dated that's why.

Sorry about that.

New Adventures.

2008-10-19T01:10:59Z

Now that I am almost to my first big goal of full SL I have had a terrible want to try some new things.

I made a list of things I do well, things I can't do and things I want to be able to do with my hair.

I still can't braid. I have Braids by Breslin, I watch videos on youtube I practice and I can just about plait and that's all. I'm a little upset about that but not freaking out over it like I was.

I am not ready to try rollersetting again yet. That last experience was traumatic enough that I don't want to give it another go yet.

I can roll my hair when it's dry. So I ordered a multi pack of those satin covered sponge rollers. I used to do (years and years ago) a super cute curly style when my hair was shorter than this with foam rollers and I think I could do it again.

My main goal for the rest of the summer is to wear my hair out at least once every couple of weeks.

My hair is so dang pretty now. I love it. It's full and thick again, the henna has it such a pretty color and i feel like it's a bit of a shame to rely so much on my bun.

And a word about my bun. I am ROCKING these ballerina style buns at the top of my head. I can't believe my hair is long enough to make a good sized donut looking bun up there. I am getting better at keeping my edges a bit less fuzzy but I do really like how my bun looks when the sides aren't super slick.

I think that's all.

Lime coconut and fluff.

2008-07-14T07:00:14Z

I did a lime and coconut milk treatment yesterday and as opposed to many people who get a loosening on their curl pattern with lime+protein my hair actually gets more defined waves which is awesome.

Basically to keep my hair from drying out I make sure to be very aware of how dry or moist my hair is that day. My hair has been super moist lately so I used little more lime.

All you need is 1 can of coconut milk a lime, a squirt or three of whatever oil you like and a few squirts of your favorite cheapy con. I like to drain most of the watery part of the coconut milk and mix then add more. Slather on your hair, put on a shower cap for an hour to a few hours depending on how you're feeling.

I shampoo'd then DC'd.

Today I hennaed. I mixed up my henna and now I'm DC'ing again.

I'll rinse in a little while then run some Profectiv break free through my hair, airdry to about 80% dry then moisturize with my olive oil cream and coconut oil, bun and put on my scarf to sleep.

Under the cut a shot of my naked hair post coconut milk yesterday. No moisturzer or con in it yet.

Adventures in styling.

2008-07-08T01:17:44Z

So over the weekend I decided to give flat ironing another go after watching this tutorial on youtube.

After I deep conditioned and let my hair air dry to about 80% dry and still damp at the roots I dug out my hot air brush for a blow out.

Discovered two things.

First thing, my poor little hot air brush just is not powerful enough to create enough air or heat to combat or dry the Fluff. It took about twenty minutes on two sections so I scrapped that idea.

Second thing I learned, even low heat air blowing my hair out, makes it enormous.

See here, however my digi cam was in need of new batteries and my webcam did not quite capture the bigness. It was huge.

So then I used my profectiv breakfree as my leave in, both right after washing and a little towel drying and then a little more after/during blowdrying.

I dug around in my haircare stuff box and found I had a tube of Smooth 'N Shine Polishing Straight Out Non-Chemical Relaxing Balm found a fine toothed comb and went to work.

First of all, hot DAMN I can do that technique. Mostly. I am a little uncoordinated so It took me a bit to get the hang of it as you'll see in the pics under the cut. My straightening job isn't really consistent.

But that balm+flat iron in the sections I did the technique right came out so gorgeous soft and way straighter and shinier than my couple of previous attempts at flat ironing.

However.

My flat iron is a half inch model and doing small sections takes for goddamn ever. Also I got way too hot and lost my comb when I was almost all the way done. My hair didn't come out swinging but it still looks very nice. I also did the wrap+back under the dryer for a few minutes thing and then the front of my hair came out swinging but not the back and I'm not sure why.

I moisturized last night with a little coconut oil, slapped some more profective on the ends, bunned, baggied my bun and wrapped with a scarf.

This morning my hair was shiny and fabulous.

So fabulous a girl on the bus was very suspicious that my bun is a piece or had something in it. She was kind of bitchy when I said I don't use pomade or gel and that it was just coconut oil and the breakfree.

Whateva my hair is luxurious.

Pics under the cut.

My hair after being blowdried and bunned for a little while before flatironing.

And during the flat iron the man unit snapped a picture because he thought I was all cute trying to flat iron my hair while laying by the open window and not sitting up at my desk because I was fucking hot.

Hopefully in the next couple of weeks after I start up my coconut milk treatments I can play with trying to accentuate my waves and texture some more.

Mah fluffy let me show you it.

2008-07-01T08:02:57Z

My naked (no products) hair This is what my hair looks like when I take down my bun at night to moisturize:

Blurry sorry but there it is.

Now if the fluff is stretched (in this case meaning pulled taut) I am almost at full SL. I may or may not flat iron at some point soon to test this theory.

It looks dry probably due to yesterdays hardcore protein treatment and my hair being thirsty.

This morning when I got up my hair was HUGE. HUGE.

I think I will probably continue bunning (boooooring) and doing what I'm doing until the end of the year. With breaks so I can master flat ironing. However I think I'm giving up on braiding I just don't get it.

Now I'm going to go moisturize like hell, and take my tired ass to bed.

I will probably post my whole hair routine later on this week.

Nexxus emergencee Review

2008-07-01T00:32:02Z

I picked up some Nexxus Emergencee at Biglots a couple of weeks ago and gave it a try. Here's my review as posted on LHCF.

I used Nexxus Emergencee for the first time this weekend.

I read a bunch of threads about it and decided to use this method. However it was hotter than Hades in my apartment so I would up shampooing with my Nature's Gate gentle herbal shampoo, then I put on the Emergencee and put a shower cap on and sat sweating for about a half hour then I rinsed and dc'd.

Holy WOW protein. I have used the Aphogee hardcore protein treatment and not had results quite like this.

After I dc'd my hair felt pretty well moisturized and really strong. Rinsing I lost a significantly lesser amount of hair than usual and that was fantastic.

However, for some reason my ends came out kind of crunchy so I used extra EVCO and baggied to sleep, ends are fine today.

After I rinsed out my DC I CO rinsed as usual, then used my Profectiv break free as usual to air dry. I fell asleep and woke up a bit later and my hair was enormous like I'd blow dried it.

I don't know if it was the Emergencee or what but my hair was still hugely fluffy when I went to bun it this morning so I will probably Cowash tonight to try and take it down a notch.

But I am keeping the Emergencee around it's good stuff.

Before I cowash tonight I'll make my boyfriend take some pictures of the floof.
~

Also several coworkers have commented on how long my hair has gotten which rocks.

I think that's about all for now I'm not feeling well and don't feel like going into super details.

WOOT.

2008-06-20T22:55:26Z

Okay so as I've said over and over again I'm really not great at styling my hair.

However today (I'll take pics later) my hair looks super cute I think.

I did a low bun on the back of my head with a good swoop of slightly wavy bangs in front.

My hair is very shiny, I'm back to my every other day complete moisturizing, daily oiling my ends with coconut oil and using either my Profectiv leave in or olive oil cream mixed with a little Elasta QP silk gel for styling.

Next big thing is I remembered I can roll my hair in regular old school rollers dry really well and always have been able to. I'm going to buy a 48 pack of satin rollers for some dry sets. I'm excited about that. when my hair was shorter and shaved in the back I wore that kind of look quite a bit. Granted I also used a mega butt ton of cheap pink gel but I won't be doing that anymore.

That's it for now. New pictures over the weekend.

Weeeeeee.

2008-06-19T07:50:52Z

So my relaxer stretch is officially over hallelujah.

I am so close to full shoulder length save for my bangs it's maddening.

I also got myself 900 grams of henna from Mehendiskinart. They have a super sale going see my post at LHCF here on that.

I'm also getting itchy to figure out a new kind of bun. I only know how to do a donut bun and my current length is a little awkward in places so I have weird lumps in places and I do not want.

I am also going to (tonight) try a flexirod dry set if I can find my damn bag of flexirods. My last attempt at rollersetting was so traumatic I might've hidden my magic bag o rollers/flexirods.

It's strange that now that I've got the care and feeding of my hair down pretty well I'm astonished at how hard styling it is. Mainly because I just don't know how.

It kind of freaks me out because I feel like I should know how to do this but it's okay.

So I'm off now to find my rollers, get in bed, put my growth cream on my scalp (the one I mixed up forever ago and forgot about), moisturize and roll my hair. I'm a little tempted to try some pin curls but yeah maybe another day.

Wish me luck.

fluffy_lvr @ 2008-06-11T16:05:00

2008-06-11T23:10:45Z

I decided that I am going to relax my hair this weekend. I think I've reached the point where stretching is more harm than good.

I've never successfully stretched this long (since March 16 my birthday) and my shrinkage is amazing. I was detangling a couple of weeks ago and wow. I have read about shrinkage a lot on the forum but hadn't really had experience with it like this and holy crap.

Goodness.

I decided to start cowashing mid week.

Not much else exciting going on when it comes to my hair. I'm still bunning away. Trying hard to retain length.

Hopefully, I will be at full SL by the end of Summer.

I will probably start using my growth aides again, I didn't realize I'd kind of stopped until the other night. It's nice to know my growth has been all due to good care, good hydration etc.

Wee so yeah.

Update pictures this weekend I promise after I relax and hopefully henna.

More recipe madness.

2008-06-02T23:49:13Z

I've been on a quest lately to make sure I use up products that I buy. I'm not too much of a product junkie however I find I tend to have odds and ends laying about.

First a list of the stuff I always have on hand, my staples let me show you them. Also please note that I have not achieved my growth and retention with expensive ass products. I'm too poor for that.

Hollywood Beauty olive oil cream hairdress for dry hair. My hair just cannot get enough of this stuff. It's odd because straight my hair doesn't really absorb olive oil but, in this form wow. Lots of moisture retention and bonus it's cheap and available locally.

TRESemme Smooth & Silky Shampoo for Dry or Damaged Hair I just love this shampoo. It leaves my hair smooth, not quite as tangled as other shampoos and bonus I got the huge bottle on sale and it will last me forever and a day.

Various kinds of cholesterol conditioners. These are a staple from even before I started learning to take care of my hair. You have your classic Queen Helene cholesterol conditioner. Great stuff, it's been around forever and a day. I'm currently using an aloe enriched formula that is great for my overnight conditioning but for deep conditioning it doesn't quite do it.

Coconut milk. I usually buy the Arroy-D brand at the local Asian Market for something like .75 cents a can or something. I have started using it weekly as a milk protein pre shampoo mixed with various things for varying effects. I love coconut milk so much.

Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. Quite honestly of all the products I've ever used/tried this is one of the absolute best. Not only can you use it for a ton of things, (skin, hair, cooking, etc) my hair absorbs coconut oil really well. A little goes a long way and the shine is amazing.

Other things:
Cheap plastic bowls. You know those ones you can buy to carry your lunch in? I buy a few at the dollar store every now and then and use them constantly.

Another dollar store find, silicon small spatulas. I use these for mixing everything from henna to my crazy conditioner mixes.

I always reuse bottles. Whether it's empty oil bottles or shampoo bottles I use them for storing easily used amounts of shampoo, to pour all my cheap conditioners in for CO washing. Good stuff.

Okay now onto some recipes.

Okay first up a coconut milk based deep conditioning preshampoo treatment.

You will need:
1 plastic bowl
1 smallish spatula
1 can coconut milk
Cholesterol conditioner (I used the free small one that came with my Hollywood beauty cream)
Few squirts oil of your choice (I used the last of my grapeseed oil. Use what you have)
Few squirts essential oil if you want
1 plastic shower cap

First take a couple of good dollops of your cholesterol and drop them into your bowl. Slowly with your spatula add in coconut milk like you are making a batter. Get it mixed really well. I usually wind up with about a half cup. Add in your oil, your essential oil. If your end result is runny try adding a bit more cholesterol to thicken it up. Saturate your hair very very well. Gently squeeze out the excess, put your shower cap on and do something for an hour or so. Save the rest of the coconut milk and add a little more oil to that. Rinse really well under warm water, then use your remaining coconut milk/oil mix as a rinse. Shampoo with gentle shampoo, condition and yer done.

Next one, for more protein and easing some of the frizz out.

You will need:
1 plastic bowl
1 spatula
1 plastic shower cap
1 can coconut milk
1 small-med lime. Going a little mushy is just fine
1 egg
Some cholesterol conditioner
If your hair is extra dry add in a going brown small avocado.

Mash up all your ingredients together. If you're using an avocado try using a hand mixer or blender go get it super smooth then add in the rest of your stuff. Slather it into your hair, make sure you get it down to the roots, gently squeeze out excess put on your showercap and let it marinate for a couple of hours. Remember absolutely no heat if you are using a product with raw egg because getting cooked egg out of your hair is gross. Also when you rinse make sure the water isn't too hot to avoid any cooked bits. Rinse very very well, gently shampoo and use a highly moisturizing conditioner to deep condition.

Also if you want to just rev up your regular deep conditioner you can always add to it. Add oils, an egg for some protein.

And none of this stuff costs more than 10$.

Next update will probably be in a couple of weeks when I'm done with LHCF bootcamp and I get my hair texlaxed.

Hair updates.

2008-05-10T03:20:05Z

I posted something similar on LHCF a minute ago but I'll put the big pictures here.

The other night after taking my hair out of my bun I messed around and got a couple of good pictures of my henna'd hair finally. And my NG and the spot in my hair where it grows in a whorl.

That isn't a bald spot it's a cowlick I've had since I was a little kid. If you put your fingers in my hair in that spot you can feel that it naturally grows in a little circular type direction. When my hair is wet it parts there and falls in an odd pattern. And YAY for new growth!

And this is the best shot I've gotten of my hair since I started henna'ing last November. In the sun it's pretty red but I haven't gotten a good shot of that yet.

Sorry it's kind of blurry I'm still getting the hang of taking self portraits.

On the back of my head there where it looks to be sitting in a weird shape my NG is HUGELY fluffy. This picture was taken after having my hair bunned for a couple of days and right before I was going to moisturize.

~

That was the end of my post at LHCF.

Other wee updates. I'm working on my list of supplies to keep myself in haircare products for at least 3 months.

I am thinking about buying a quick weave or half wig to wear for summer because frankly I am still not good at styling. And even though I'm bored as hell bunning is working out really well. I want some natural looking curls.

I am hoping to keep going with my relaxer stretch until June. I found if once a week or so I saturate my new growth in conditioner/coconut oil it's super easy to detangle and less breakable.

I still have that one spot that tends to break but overall my hair is in excellent condition.

That's about all.

Next update will probably be if I attempt any curls/etc this weekend.

A small update.

2008-05-05T05:09:16Z

Not much exciting going on with my hair.

I'm still bunning because I am retaining a lot of length and I don't want to screw with that.

My reggie is pretty rock solid. Here it is.

Daily-
Bun
Moisturize with Hollywood Beauty Olive oil Cream/coconut oil.
At night section hair into small bantu knots, seal ends. Wrap them in plastic.
Or at night make bun, seal the ends, wrap in plastic wrap head with scarf.

Weekly-
Shampoo w/Tresemme shampoo for damaged hair.
DC (Currently using hair mayo)

Bi weekly-
Protein treatment of some sort. (new protein recipe under the cut)

I'm in LHCF bootcamp so no heat, bunning and more bunning. Also nightly protection.

Growth is steady. I have a huge amount of new growth in one area. My hair grows so unevenly it's not even funny.

But I'm doing well.

I made up a protein/moisture recipe and it made my hair feel very nice.

1 cup plain organic yogurt
1 egg
1 can coconut milk
Few squirts of Grapeseed oil
I Ors replenishing pak
Juice of 1 small lime
Few squirts of cheapy con for consistency/scent

Mix your egg and yogurt up first, add half the can of coconut milk. Drop in your Ors replenishing pak and your lime, few squirts of con and mix very very well.

I concentrated the mix on my NG then ran it through the length of my hair. Then I poured the remained over my head and gently squeezed out the excess. I put a plastic cap on then a turby twist.

I left it on for about 2 and a half hours, rinsed, poured the other half of the coconut milk over my hair, worked it through with my fingers and let it sit for a few minutes then rinsed. Lightly shampoo'd CO wash/rinsed w/White Rain tropical coconut con.

Rinsed very very well again.

My NG feels very strong, I was having some breakage and that's not going on.

Caution this is super messy. Wear a towel around your neck for when it starts dripping. Also if you need extra moisture DC after all this.

Update pictures next weekend or the one after I think. I'm hoping to make it to the end of the month before I relax again however I'm getting a little breakage so I'm going to look at that and make up my mind.