Ouidad Double Detangler

 Well great googamooga.....I've done it, not all the way, but I've done it.  I planned on conquering a 6 month stretch and although I am relaxing tomorrow at 5 1/2 months (24 weeks) post, I am still claiming my victory (even though it's 2 wks earlier than scheduled).

Suprisingly this has been a fairly easy stretch, much easier than I thought.  Thoughts of transitioning even occurred from time to time but I will say it's something I may do one day but it won't be anytime soon.  During this stretch I opted to not try anything new, techniques, products, nothing....but that all changed when I came across the Ouidad Double Detangler.  Let me just say this comb is heaven sent.  I detangled the mess out of my hair in preparation for tomorrow's re-touch w/little to no hair loss.  Like all things nothing is perfect and the only flaw is this comb does absolutely nothing for me prior to any new growth appearing.  However, once the kinks start coming in, they don't stand a chance against this thing.  I purchased this comb from Sephora some months ago for 24 bucks.  I didn't have to start using it until I was about 3 months post.  My suggestion to all the stretchers out there, run don't walk and buy this comb in a hurry!

Only Me

The good news ....on Oct 1 I officially made 5 months post.  This is a big HUGE deal for me.  I 've never gone past 3 months in my life. So far so good great.  I have not had one single bump in the road and it's been much easier than I thought, that is until Sunday afternoon.

Last week I got pretty lazy. I'd gone the whole week only washing once so I had to buck up.  I moped around the house pre-pooing and dc'ing and then it was time to shower out the condish. Well b/c I didn't feel like the whole process I thought to myself let me head to the sink this one time, it won't hurt....I've been lucky enough for my detangling to be a breeze so I'll just do it when it's semi-dry.  Big rather HUGE mistake.  I am still checking for matting and tangles and it is 2 days later.  I want to slap myself, I thought how could you be so stupid, I felt extremely guilty.

 Last night I had to grab my Bee Mine Luscious moisturizer and go to town, Hairveda just didn't seem like it could do the job.  I made sections in my hair and parted with my fingers and applied the Bee Mine to the new growth in the same fashion as you would a relaxer.  I followed this procedure throughout my entire head.  I than detangled and massaged any knots and matting out as best as I could with my fingers.  This stuff really softens and melts my new growth  It's funny b/c I have this love hate relationship w/the Lucscious Moisturizer but after this fiasco I have a new found respect for it.  Anyhoo, can you believe after 2 separate days of detangling and de-matting that I felt my hair and found another knot.  I am done, this is just too much. Sometime tonight I will repeat last night's process using my Bee Mine and detangling.

Moral of the story, 5 months post is not the time to get lazy, laxed or unmotivated.  Proper procedure in handling your hair is just as important as the products you use.  It can make or break you and your hair!  When stretching and that ng starts kicking, stick to what you know. We should all be open to new practices and ideas, it's how you learn, but I suggest you test and try to incorporate new practices and techniques during your early weeks post relaxer.  This way if something doesn't work out to well you don't end up doing more harm than good.  Remember, stretching is meant to help us gain healthier, thicker strands by using less chemicals over time.  So if you're gonna do damage with improper techniques what's the point?

PR: Kinky-Curly Knot Today

So I've finally found my Holy Grail leave-in/detangler.  That's right, move over Giovanni Weightless Moisture there's a new sheriff in town and her name is Kinky-Curly Knot Today.....My affair began a few months ago...at first it was nothing, curiosity at best, I would see KCKT everywhere I went, as I was searching the forums, hair boards and blogs, I noticed a lot, and I mean a lot, of natural women* were using this KCKT as their detangler and leave-in.  It sparked my interest and on numerous occasions while shopping in Whole Foods it was calling me on the shelf, but I rejected the urge as I had a "couple" of bottles of my Giovanni left......And then there was 1.....Since I am far into a stretch I decided to stock up so that I wouldn't have any last minute disasters as this new growth is kickin!  Now don't get me wrong, I have like 4 stores in a 5 block radius that sell Giovanni but of course this was my excuse to appease the inner pj in me.  So the day b/4 my trip I took the ultimate chance and purchased the KCKT, something I would not normally do esp. while travelling with all this new growth.  Ok, so to balance it out I decided, to wash and curl my hair before I left for my vacay, of course it was an excuse to try out my new leave-in. And so our affair began!  Let's just say I was not disappointed in any area; this stuff smells amazing, feels amazing, works amazingly, good gosh ya'll!  I used this everyday on my vacation, even had the hubby dipping his grubby paws into my stash!  The slip is like no other, now don't get me wrong Giovanni definitely holds its weight, but it's something about KCKT that just takes it up a notch. Is it the fact that it just melts the kinks away in my new growth and makes the comb glide, or b/c a little definitely goes a long way, or maybe b/c if you happen to use a lot, your hair still doesn't feel weighed down, heavy or greasy, or how about the fact that everytime I smell it, it put's me right back on an island with a tropical drink in my hand!  Folks, it's not just one thing, it's ALL of these things that make me say to Giovanni, honey I ain't never coming home!

Funny thing is I was never dissatisfied with Giovanni so I'm not sure why subliminally I was never "complete" with her either.  I had no complaints, even referred her to many a person but the reviews and the Whole Foods shelves were just calling me w/KCKT.  To be honest, I am upset that it took me this long to give in to my inner pjism.  This is a good and a bad thing but I won't go into that now. Bottom line is, run don't walk to the nearsest store (or websites) and order you a bottle of KCKT Natural Leave-In Detangler.  I highly doubt you will be disappointed! (Btw I used it on dry hair once or twice to moisturize and it was very moisturizing as well).  A new staple, esp for stretches.

Ingredients: organic Mango fruit extract, organic slipper elm, organic marshmallow root, organic lemongrass, cetyl alcohol, behentrimonium methosulfate, citric acid, phenoxyethanol and natural fragrance

*(I watch a lot of products referenced and used by 4a/b naturals.  When these ladies say something "softens" or makes their hair more "manageable" I quickly take heed. I mean during a stretch your new growth IS your natural texture and IS what's actually causing all of the breakage and manageability issues at the line of demarcation so for me it not only makes sense but it IS effective.  However this is a theory and practice that works for ME)

Test of Time

So I've got a big challenge ahead of me next week.  I am leaving on Sunday for vacay and am officially 13.5 wks post.  Yep, I went past the 3 month/12 week mark that I am accustomed to.  It's not too bad but the only thing is I'm not sure how this is going to pan out with the sun, the beach, cowashing, detangling etc for 7 days....... I've past the point of no return so I'm determined to make it work.  Needless to say I will probably need an extra bag for hair products alone :-(

 I am not going to announce how long I plan on stretching, b/c it seems whenever I do so I have to eat my words.  I am just gonna take it one week at a time.

Washing in Braided Sections!

I've read about washing in braided sections last year . It's a method you will may find necessary as the length of your hair and your stretches become longer.  I've incorporated the method into my wash routine over the last month and  whoo, it's a life saver!  This is something I find will benefit you as you get deeper into your stretches, however you may not need it when you have a fresh relaxer.  I've read it works wonders for naturals, I will be trying on my nieces hair next time I wash and braid it for school.

To wash in braided sections just follow these steps:

1. Gently detangle your hair b/4 beginning the process.
2. Part your hair into 4 sections.  Make a part down the middle of your head (from forehead to nape) and another part across the crown (from ear to ear).
3. Optional - If you are going to pre-poo, here's where you would do so, if not skip to step to step 4. Thoroughly apply the product to each section of your hair. (Let it sit w/or w/o heat however you work your pre-poo magic!)
4. Braid each section in a plait style braid.  (Think Celie plaits)
5. While in the shower wet hair thoroughly and apply conditioner to the scalp of each braided section ( I co-wash hence the conditioner but if you use shampoo then do so). Focus on one braided section at a time, using the pads of your fingers, not your nails, to "scrub" your scalp clean.
TIP: I use an applicator bottle to apply the product to scalp.  It makes it so much easier to navigate through the new growth and evenly distribute the product.
6. Rinse thoroughly
7. Unbraid a section, apply your conditioner to that section and then re-braid the section after the product is thoroughly applied.  (Repeat on sections 2-4).  Let your condish sit for as long as you like!
8. Again focusing one section at time, rinse the condish from your hair under running water.  You have 2 options here:
      a) unravel while rinsing and detangle with either a detangling comb or your fingers and rebraid
                                                                            OR
      b) leave the braid in while rinsing and detangle further down -
                ***whichever option you choose you should end back up in your 4 braided sections
9. Towel or t-shirt dry the hair for at least 10 minutes in order to absorb excess water from the hair
10. Unbraid a section, apply your leave in (here is where you would detangle before re-braiding if you didn't do so in step 8) and:
     a) re-braid to airdry
                                                                           OR
     b) proceed with your styling option of choice

That's it! I hope I didn't confused anyone, I tried to make it a simple as possible. Let me know how it works for you!

HHG

Relaxer Prep

 I did it yet again and made it to 12 weeks, I am an official 3 monther!  I will be 12 weeks post and relaxing on Sunday.  The best part about it is that it's so dang easy now, so there is no turning back.  What's also great is the fact that I feel confident that I can stretch longer; the only reason I don't is b/c of this patch of alopecia and it's location really minimizes my style options.  Anywho in preparation of my relaxer this Sunday here's what I did last night:
1. Prepoo'd w/a mix of Aubrey Organic GPB (review coming soon), an egg, wheat germ oil and olive oil and Nature's Gate Condish.
2. Chelated w/L'anza Healing Hair Care Swim & Sun HPF 30 Daily Chelating Shampoo -Sulfate and EDTA free(review coming soon)
3.Deep Condish w/Jessicurl Weekly Treatment
4. ACV Rinse for porosity control

I didn't apply any leave-ins, I simply put some distilled water in a spray bottle and saturated my hair, sealed w/olive oil and let air dry using Sunshyne's scarf method.  When my hair was about 90% dry I applied Hairveda's green tea butter (review coming soon) on the ends and mid-shaft down the hair, wrapped in a bun and went to bed.  I woke up to soft, moisturized hair and new growth.  I will  be using the distilled water and olive oil solely to moisturize and seal until my relaxer in order to minimize product build-up on the hair which can cause under-processing and/or uneven relaxer results.

11 1/2 Weeks

Yup, I did it.  Finally a 3 month stretch, one of my resolutions for better hair care in 2010.  Greatest part about is no shedding or breakage.  That's what's up!  It was a lot easier than I thought, which made me realize it's all about the products!  Folks, you need the RIGHT products for YOUR hair.  In the beginning I tried everything that worked for anybody who seemingly had healthy hair.  I thought it must work for me and my issue if its working for them, but that's so wrong.  Don't get me wrong it takes experimentation but the bandwagon can cause you more harm than good at times.

Learn to read ingredients and see the common denominator in different brands that make your hair feel a certain way after use i.e. silicones makes my hair stiff and tangly, I am VERY protein sensitive, olive oil is just too heavy for my hair (I don't my prepooing w/it though b/c of the fact it will get washed out), my hair loves coconut oil and the list can go on but the point is I had to pay attention to what works and what didn't in order to get the perfect regimen for MY hair.  So as I've stated before, I prefer the more natural, organic lines, doesn't mean I shun the rest, I still have a few in the stash, but you get the point.

I will relax this weekend.  I was thinking of going another 4-6 wks but its becoming a pain in the butt and I don't want to overdo it.  One week and one stretch at a time, right?

Happy New Year!

12 days late, I know but better late than never right?!  I always get so wrapped up in the holiday season and festivities that it can take me a while to get back in the swing of things when it's all done but I am back.

Lets see whats new: I am currently 8.5 weeks posts and there is no major news to it.  Usually I'm like whoa I can't take it anymore but so far so good.  I am moseying along with little to no breakage and/or shedding.  Can you believe it?  My original plan was to relax at 10 weeks post but b/c of the manageability I am going for 12.  Of course if I see too much breakage etc surface I wont push it.  Remember health 1st.  With this, my new goal will be Feb 15 which will put me at 3 months solid.  This will be my longest stretch ever, let's hope I can make it.

Now here are my goals for the new year:
Strengthening and lengthening my nape
Conquering this alopecia patch (once and for all!!!!!)
3 month stretching from hereon in
Consistency with the current products in my regimen (not promising I won't try anything new)
More photos

What are your goals?

Almost Time

I am officially 9 weeks post and patiently (ok impatiently) waiting to relax my hair. Not sure if I'm gonna relax next weekend or the weekend after. The dilemma is my 10th anniversary is next saturday so I wanted a fresh one, but we don't have any big plans so I figured I can get the extra week of stretching in and relax b/4 thanksgiving. Not sure. It'll be bitter sweet however. I have mucho new growth (ng) but my alopecia patch is just not good. It's the biggest its ever been and I'm not happy about it!!! On the plus side it's growing back but it's way behind the length of my hair. It's the lenght of a twa and since my hair is on its way to APL (couple of months, hopefully), I think my only option is to add a track to it after this relaxer. I tried to swear off weaves but what's a girl 2 do. One track won't hurt, and it'll add the length to that spot for special occasions when I want to wear my hair out! I began miconazole nitrate in hopes of getting rapid growth, but I'll post on that later when I have a couple months of usage. I have a couple of products to review in the near future. I'll post more on them after the next relaxer. My hair is in a good state right now (sans alopecia) and I don't wanna throw off the balance b/4 the relaxer. So stay tuned more to come. Have a gr8 weekend!

Ciao

Before & After -- Mom's Henna

So this Saturday I was able to convince my mom to let me do her very 1st Henna Gloss...Yay!!!! Mommy, who is 5 months post,again 1st

time ever (congrats),is stretching in order to achieve and

maintain thickness for her 4a fine hair. Now keep in mind,she was very very skeptical about me choosing not to relax her hair.She'd just taken her braids out and detangled and washed and called me

the night b4 she came over saying "change of plans I just cant do it

anymore" I asked her to trust me and she was leery but in the end she did just that and boy oh boy both her and I were glad she is a believer.

Check out the b4 and after photos and step by step guide below:

Here are the steps I took to achieve these results:

1. Baking soda rinse to rid goo

2. Applied henna gloss

3. Rinsed thoroughly

4. Co-washed w/Wen

5. dc'd for 30 mins under hair dryer

6. Roller set and dried

7. Flat ironed

To Relax or Not To Relax.....

Okay, so I'm glad I said I was "attempting" a 16 wk stretch and that I didn't commit to it b/c I'm having second thoughts and if I commited I would have to stick to it so whew! I am seven wks post and my oh my I am a fiend for the creamy crack! I am pleased that I was able to really tame my ng after yesterdays wash. I am working out 6 days a week, so this week dealing with workout hair and ng will really let me know if I am up to the challenge for another 2 months.

Yesterday's routine included:

Clarifying - Nexus Aloe Rid

CoWashing - Wen

Deep Condish - Matrix Biolage and NTM Deep Recovery Mask, Sweet Almond Oil

Rinse Condish - Moisture Maniac & Roux Porosity Control

Leave In - Silken Child Detangle, Mane & Tail, Moisture Maniac

I rollerset, sat under the hooded dryer and then flat ironed the ng and length of my hair. It came out great, roots were layed down and both hair and roots were really smooth. IDK ya'll right now it's lookin like I can do it but let's see what happens after 2nites workout!

The End is Near

Hey All,

So I've officially decided to end my stretch this coming Sunday after 9 weeks. I just can't take it anymore. My hair is like whoa and I know it's just 1 more week to get to 10 as before but I am just aggravated. It was one thing when the weather was rainy almost every day but the sun is shining, my hair requires what seems like a half a jar of product to lay down and I just cant have this. It's just a week right (this is what I'm telling myself for approval so just agree...lol). On top of that I went and tried the L'oreal Hair Fixer and let me just say never again, no way, no how. My hair was left a dry, thirsty, parched, hard, brittle, stiff mess. Just when I had restored the perfect moisture/protein balance, here I go with my fast self trying something new. (something i said a wasn't doing over and over again....hard headed me). The good thing is I wasn't left with breakage especially since my hair was so rough to the touch. I was kinda scared but thank God that part was okay b/c I can NOT afford any set backs. I've been moisturizing like crazy and I'm just about where I need to be. I am sooo glad I've learned to listen to my hair. Folks the best advise I can give is to pay attention to how products leave the state of your hair. Not knowing is a recipe for pure disaster!

What a Difference a Day - Uh - 9 Wks Makes!!!

Hey Girlies,

I have never, ever, gone 9 wks w/o a touch up.  Prior to my hair journey and all these new beginnings I've never gone more than 6 wks.  As I'm here airdrying a sense of nostalgia has come over me. I remember many yrs ago when I tried to see how far I could strecth, my hairstylist got upset w/me when I went in for a wash and set.  Her words "Oh my, what are you doing, you can not wait this long to get a relaxer, you don't have that type of hair.  You're causing waaaaaay too much breakage."  Well from what I can see on ALL the blogs, a WHOLE lot of people have type 4a hair!  That day she made me feel like the nappiest person in the world, the world Craig!!! lol.  Seriously, I am proud to say next Sunday, I will be relaxing at 10 wks post and I feel soooo dog on good about myself.  My hair feels thicker and stronger since I haven't been relaxing as often.  I could even go a lil longer but have a couple of events and thangs coming up and besided my hubby is looking at me cross-eyed so I better add some chemicals b/4 he files for divorce because of napdom....lol.