My Henna Gloss

So I decided to revisit the whole henna experience since I am "attempting" a 16 week stretch. I began experimenting with henna earlier this year and I liked (strength) but not loved (dryness) the experience. However I did see some benefits that kept me coming back, (my hair responded better to henna than to regular protein treatments). The issue was I didn't balance my moisture and protein levels and ended up with a protein overload so I had to cut back for a while. Obviously the benefits were good enough to peak my interest enough to revisit it and I did so on Sunday. The results were great. My ng is very soft and ever so manageable. I get this hard "crunchiness" as I like to call after so many weeks post that makes it very difficult dealing with my 4a/b hair. Dont get me wrong my ng is still bushy as idk what but there is no more crunch, the curl pattern is so much looser and the added softness is incredible. I have really perfected my mix and found what works for me. I feel so much more educated and confident in my hair care abilities lately and this henna gloss really proved it. My ng is tamed like never before. This mix really has me optimistic that I can reach the full length of my stretch if I keep getting results like this. My mix wasn't too drying, it kept my hair way more moisturized than my other experiences. I am finally in love.

My henna gloss was comprised of the following *Everything is approximate, I didnt measure, sorry :-(

1/2 box of Hesh Mehandi and Reshma Henna mixed

1/4 box Amla powder

1 can Coconut Milk (warmed on the stovetop)

2 tbsp Sesame Oil

2 tbsp Olive Oil

Honey

1.5 cup Suave Naturals Wild Cherry Blossom Condish

Remeber - Henna binds with keratin and mimicks protein in strengthening your strands. It is known to be very drying for some so be sure to deep condition your hair after a henna treatment. Also when rinsing out be sure to cowash , shampoo or whatever you choose your hair a million times to make sure it's all out, okay not literally a million but yeah a million.

Are You Serious?!

So, I am writing this post as an extension to my return from vacay post. While in North Myrtle Beach on vacay I decided to take my fam on a hair shopping trip to Sally's (they were seriously devouring my products...lol). As everyone was turning to me for haircare advice with the chlorine and beach water etc., I thought it was the perfect time to give them some hair knowledge and help them buy products. Okay, so we walk in the store and I ask for Hair One for my cousin. An older caucasian rep says they don't sell it....I say are you sure I believe it's manufactured by Sally's and explain what it is and its purpose...blah blah blah...After all my explaining (which kinda pissed me off b/c she shuld've known this as the sales rep..anyway) this LADY (I'm being nice) had the nerve to say to me, "You should try one of the stores in YOUR neighborhood b/c we really don't sell that many ETHNIC products at this location" OH NO SHE DIDN'T (I am cracking up right now b/c it's over but I was HEATED to say the least). I remained calm b/c to go off at this point would've been the "typical" response her stereotypical behind would've expected and well I couldn't give her that?! (My how hitting 30 matures you). I said what I needed to, again educating her on the product and informing her that it wasn't an ethnic specific product and again this LADY (being nice again) had the nerve to look at me crossed eye and say "Oh it's not an ETHNIC" product?! As if my black behind can't use anything else?! Are you serious?! And she was looking at my hair while she said it!!!! At this point there a couple of names I wanted to call her and even still as I type I am taking a deep breath cause I am still adding some names to that list as I type, but long story short another sales rep comes out, also caucasian...helps me and the fam look for the product, politely says she's unfamiliar herself and can't find it and leads me to the Mane N Tail detangler in which I am also searching for. Well what do you know as we look up at another product a whole mess of Hair One in every variety sitting right above our heads. Since she heard the original convo I suggested that she might want to advise her colleague of where the product is and have her research it to become "better informed". She yelled to the front and said hey we have it here, look it's the one in the pump the display we got a while ago to which that HEIFER (sorry I couldn't help myself and it's the nicest one that come's out..lol) replied, "Well she shoulda said olive oil, that's been here since the beginning of the month, Idk it by that name! (And why did she have the nerve to be using the matter of fact tone..AGAIN...OH NO SHE DIDN'T!!!) Needles to say I had to go give her a piece of my mind and inform her of the four diff varieties it comes in so WHY do I need to say Olive Oil when that's not what it's called nor the only type it comes in?Amongst some other things I let loose.... don't worry I represented and told her off Maya Angelou style, my mom was with me and I made her proud ;-). Needless to say Sally's Corporate Headquarters has a detailed complaint headed to them in the mail as we speak. It's a crying shame that in 2009 we are still judged by our skin and our HAIR!

Guess Who's Back......

End of Summer Greeting to All,

I just got back on Saturday from a great family vacay in Myrtle Beach. It was much needed and to tell the truth I wasnt ready to come home but hey, back to life as usual. So while away I realized I how impressed I was with myself and my hair care regimen. I was really on the move. I remember when I 1st began my journey it would take forever, which condish to use, EO's to mix in, oils etc. Now it's simply second nature. I assess and feel my hair during the process and immediately know what product to grab. For all you newbies out there please dont' get disouraged!! I know it's a lot of information to soak up at once, and you're very eager to see your hair reach optimal health and its longest length's but know it doesn't happen overnight so TAKE YOUR TIME!!! It will come to you and before you know it you'll be advising others on the state of their tresses.

On another note: I was browsing over at LHDC a couple of weeks ago and she was having a contest giving away her moisturizer of choice. Bed Head by Tigi Moisture Maniac. Needless to say I won (yay me) but the story doesn't stop there. My pkg came approx 2 days b4 I left for vacay and I figured what a perfect time to try it out! Ladies lemme tell you something....I am in love. All hail Moisture Maniac and a huge shout out to Long Hair Don't Care for having this contest! This product is now one of my staples, the moisture and slip are absolutely RIDICULOUS. I won the large bottle which would've typically lasted a long time however my family bum rushed me during the whole 7 days of vacay and now I am down to a mere half a bottle. Yes that's how good this stuff is! I use it as my rinse condish to detangle in the shower after my deep condish and then I apply it along with my leave ins while still wet. The comb just runs right through and I'm almost 6 weeks post. Woohooo...This will replace NTM Deep Recovery Mask as my rinse condish and since I am considering a 16 week stretch for the 1st time ever, it's really swaying me to push forward and do it! Run out and get you some....It was heaven sent, at the right time and just what the doctor ordered!

Alter Ego Impac Ego with Garlic

Product Description: Impac Ego with Garlic still the best Hot oil treatment with (Garlic). This special cream, rich of peptydes, vitamins and mineral salts which derivate from wheat and garlic represents an excellent substitute for hair treatment with animal extract. It leaves the hair soft and strong and it is ideal to use on treated hair, such as bleached, dyed and permed.

So I am in love with the Alter Ego line, at least the products that I have used thus far. I've been swearing by thier drops for years (will do a post soon) and also their moisturizing masque although I've stopped using the masque over this past year. Anyhoo I've revisited the Impac Ego w/Garlic hot oil treatment. I've never purchased for home use but during my days when I would frequrent the salon my stylist used this product. I never paid it much attention but let me tell you, doing things for myself has helped me show a great appreciation for the products that truly work. This product leaves my hair so so soooo soft and manageable. Just like the claim it feels soft but yet strong following use. I LOVE this stuff. Now it is a light protein condish and because the protein is way down some consider is just a moisturizing condish. However, for those of you who are protein sensitive, like me, you may want to follow up with a light moisturizing treatment afterwards ( I usually put a moisturizing condish on for 5 mins or so with a plastic cap while I shower and then rinse). Run out and get this today, it's definitely one for the record books!

INGREDIENTS: Aqua (Water), Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Dipalmytoylethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate, Parfum (Fragrance), Cyclomethicone (Cyclopentasiloxane), Limonene, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Glycol, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Methyldibromo Glutaronitrile, Benzyl Salicylate, Citric Acid, C.I. 11680 (Pigment Yellow), C.I. 74160 (Pigment Blue 15:1), Triticum Vulgare (Wheat Extract), C.I. 12085 (Pigment Red 4), Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Allium Sativum (Garlic Extract), Cochlearia Armoracia (Horse-radish Extract), Ferula Assa Foetida (Asafoetida Extract), Methylisothiazolinone.

Bye Bye Wen

Okay,

So you all know I prefer Wen over Hair One, but it looks like Hair One will get my money from here on. If there is one thing I hate it's poor customer service. Since I own a small business, I cant, in anyway form or fashion get away with this b/c people remember and at anytime can choose to go to a much larger agency for services identical to what I'm offering, so I pride myself on making clients happy. Why the hell then can larger companies feel they are so big that they can just handle your account so poorly and get away with it?!

From day 1 Wen has not been on point. I didn't receive an april order until June, then they supposedly were sending me out a new kit to replace the one I didn't receive. Then I notice they've charged me for the 90 day supply for the past 3 months but where the hell is it? Maybe you have it but I sure don't. On top of that, add insult to injury, and I know when Im being insulted the heifer on customer service line had the audacity to ask me "why did I wait till now to call or cancel if I've been charged for 3 months" with an attitude!!! I replied "since we are asking WHY, WHY am I not receiving my orders when you are clearly taking my money". Now of course she has nothing to say but come on this is unacceptable and the attitude. Oh no! I could go on and on about the call but I'm finished ranting right now so all I've got to say is Hair One - your easily accessible, better affordable and now a cleanser of mine!

My Regimen

So I was out today running around and stuff and I realized I had to wash today b/c I missed my Wed cowash. Then I realized that I had to pick up certain items that I had to have to do my hair which then made me realized how solid my regimen was b/c I just couldn't do anything w/o these particular items. And of course I realized it was time to post my regimen..lol:

Prepoo (One of the following):
1. Herbal Essence Hello Hydration mixed w/Essential Oils & Oil of Choice (EVCO, EVOO, Jojoba, Olive or Grapeseed)
2. Hot oil Mix - Blend of all the oils listed above mixed w/Essential Oils & Honey

3. Cayenne Pepper & Olive Oil Mix

Wash 1x per week
Wen cleansing conditioner

CoWash 1-2x's per week
Suave Naturals Ocean Breeze or Wild Cherry Blossom Condish

Condition:
LIGHT protein condtitioners 1x per week or biweekly (followed by a moisturizing conditioner):

Aphogee Keratin 2 min Reconstructor

Alter Ego Impac Ego w/Garlic (Absolutely LOVE this stuff)

deep/moisturizing conditioners 1-2x's per week:

Aubrey Organics Honey Suckle Rose mixed w/KeraCare Humecto (Original Formula)

Pantene R&N Breakage Defense Deep Conditioning Mask

*Either combo mixed w/Essential Oils and oil of choice as listed in prepoo above

NTM Deep Recovery Hair Mask - Used to detangle in shower after I rinse condish from hair

Leave Ins (used together):

Silken Child Leave In Detangler

NTM Silk Touch Leave In Cream

IC Fantasia Hair Polisher for Color Treated & Chemically damaged hair

*Alter Ego Herb Ego -Works Wonders- (1x per wk/on scalp/only when experiencing hairloss)

**Mane & Tail Detangler (only added into the bunch at approx 5-6 wks post)

Moisturizers:

Organics by Africa's Best Olive Oil

Elasta QP Mango Butter Moisturizer

Jamaican Black Castor Oil (Scalp Only)

Relaxer:

Affirm FiberGuard every 9-10 weeks

Porosity Control

Roux Porosity Control - As needed

ACV Rinse - At the tail end of EVERY relaxer process

Air Dry & Protective Styling (Buns) 99% of the time

Relaxer Results/Progress

Okay so I havent posted pics since I began this blog. You know either I couldn't find the camera, the wire to connect to the comp, 4got to take photos etc etc. I decided to just use my phone so sorry if things aren't clear. Anyhoo as you all know I relaxed on Sunday July 12. I am very happy with the results. In March I was chin length and now in July I am shoulder length. I think I'm growing at a good rate and since I can see significant progress I have no complaints, well maybe one. As you can see on the left side in the back there are see through spots. Well that's b/c that's the infamous alopecia patch underneath the hair. Thank God my hair has thickened up a lot or it would be completely see through. I am working on this spot diligently but Idk ya'll sometimes I feel like my efforts are in vain. Of course I will never give up hope, I am sooooo NOT a quitter but I have to be completely honest, I get truly discouraged at times. Oh well que sera sera!

Moving on, here are my steps in preparing for and conducting the relaxer process:

1.Night before use detangler and GENTLY detangle.
2.Lightly oil hair and scalp with coconut oil.
3.Morning of LIGHTLY coat hair with Affirm Fiberguard Preservo Strenghtening Serum
4.Apply Affirm Fiberguard Relaxer
5.After rinsing out apply Aphogee 2 min
6.Rinse and neutralize with Affirm Fiberguard Neutralizing Shampoo
7.Cowash 1x w/Vo5 Moisture Milks Passion Fruit Smoothie (love the smell oh so much!)
8.Deep condition w/Aubrey Organics HSR & KeraCare Humecto Mix, then rinse
9.Apply Silken Child Detangler, NTM Silk Touch Leave-In and Fantasia IC Hair Polisher for color treated/damaged hair.
10.Let air dry 95% then blow dry (hence the "frizness")