Regimen + Goals

My Hair Regimen: I moisturize and/or oil my hair daily. As needed (usually weekly) I cleanse my hair and scalp with a moisturizing shampoo (or a clarifying one if there's build up). I do a moisturizing OR protein treatment with every shampoo. I stretch my relaxers 3-4 months.

My go-to protective/low manipulation styles: buns, braid-outs and halfwigs. In 2012 I want to start experimenting with more heat-free styles. I air dry most of the time and flat iron for length checks only.

I'm currently midback length (MBL) and actively working towards reaching waist length by my graduation in mid-2012.

Thursday 29 December 2011

2011: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly, & The Sometimeish

The great thing about blogging is the ability to go back and see what worked and what didn't -- not just recently but overall in the last 12 months. Here's my recap of 2011:

The Good:
  • Using halfwigs as a protective style. This will always be a win. Specifically Outre Tammy and Sensationnel 7047.
  • (Recent purchase of a) professional hooded dryer! ♥
  • Sally's One n Only products. I really loved these products in the Spring. The serum and the Restorative Mask (in the tube) are definite keepers.
  • Extra virgin olive oil -- a great all-purpose hair oil used for anything from pre-pooing, diluting relaxers, to sealing. Definite keeper along with JBCOOptimum Care Relaxer. What I like most about this relaxer is very consistent results: smooth, shiny, silky results.
  • Finally learned how to wrap my hair lol
  • Diluting shampoo in an applicator bottle. Saves money, can get the shampoo directly to the scalp and makes thicker shampoos easier to spread and lather.
  • Dark and Lovely Reviving Colors Semi-Permanent Haircolor in natural black
  • Creme of Nature Argan Oil Shampoo. It's very comparable to the old shampoo.


The Bad:
  • Ayurveda. I really wanted to use brahmi, Vatika and amla oil permanently in my regimen. Although I like the results I just can't bear the smell and the MESS of using the brahmi and amla oil. The Vatika is good but hard to find where I live so I'll settle with regular extra virgin coconut oil instead. Ayurveda was fun while it lasted but will not repurchase...trying to keep my regimen as simple as possible this year...
  • Natural products. Don't get me wrong, some are very VERY good. But some (every one I've purchased) are the over-priced result of great marketing. For example, after I got over the honeymoon phase of Miss Jessie's Baby Buttercreme I realized that it was not moisturizing my hair at all but rather leaving a pretty layer of mineral oil over it, to give an illusion of softness. Donna Marie Baby Buttercreme was way to expensive to be seperating into oil and base when I got home. DB Transitioning Creme is decent -- but for $20 I want something a little better than decent! I didn't like the smell either so I gave it to my sister. Overall I won't continue to buy natural products regularly only because they're too expensive for my jobless student self to be trial-and-erroring with


The Ugly:
  • I went to the salon ONCE this year to get my hair washed, flat ironed and blow dried. Two words: never again. I was left with burnt-smelling hair and mediocre results. Not to mention the price switch when I was ready to pay. Since I was 13 weeks post I apparently that counted as having to pay the "natural hair" price. WTF1! You can bet I only paid what was discussed over the phone. And at $35 for just a wash and set that's already overpriced. SMH.
  • Cornrows give me a lot of retention and new growth. But cornrow removal wreaked havoc on my ends this year.

The Sometimeish:
  • ORS Edge Control. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't. Sometimeish. But will still repurchase.

    What was your good, bad, ugly and sometimeish for 2011?


    9 comments:

    1. That salon experience you had sounds treacherous man :( I hate when they try to charge you extra at the last minute! Not to distract from your experience, but the last time I went into a salon the stylist charged me twenty dollars extra for the *impromptu* 10 second trim he gave me. Ugh! Also, I felt the same way about ORS Edge Control. It's just one of those wavery products...sometimes it slicks my edges down and looks nice and shiny, other times it just feels crunchy/looks gray and dull. Anyway, very interesting post :)

      ReplyDelete
    2. Ugh! I hate that salons try to change ish up when they find out how long your hair is or that you have NG (13 weeks?! Really? That's considered natural now?!)

      Sounds like you had more good than bad/ugly this year though!

      ReplyDelete
    3. I never thought of putting shampoo in an applicator bottle. That's something I might have to try. As for the salons they will try to get you. I went to a shop and they tried to charge me $25 for trimming my ends. I was like hell no!! But I like my stylist now. Don't love her but I will continue to let her do my relaxers and salon trims.

      ReplyDelete
    4. omg, the salon price jack! i went into a "mall" type salon for a cut for my sew in. Cuts are $27. she finished and began to flat iron it out. part-way through she asked if it was OKAY if she finished. I agreed. When I was done, she tried to charge me $63! Same as you, when I left, I only paid around $30. UghhhhhhH!

      My hair doesn't like ayervedic products last I tried and I'm scared to do it again. Just gonna pass on that I think...

      ReplyDelete
    5. Being a hair stylist myself as well as a long-time consumer receiving hair services. I see both sides. Different hair textures and curl patterns can demand different price points based on the time it takes and the amount of product that the hair soaks up. Natural hair is definitely not an exact science. Regardless, I am sorry to hear about the "price jack."

      On a separate note, I eliminated ionic flat irons completely! That is the best move that I made all year! Secondly, I started taking Viviscal tablets. They were the second best move that I made. My third discovery that I am proud of is my introduction to the True Indulgence relaxer system. There is a time and place for all things. It may not the right fit all the time, but it definitely is a keeper! Fourthly, I am more cautious about "wig weight/heaviness" and breathability of the scalp. I try not to overindulge.

      Now, the worst move that I made was experimenting with the Chi Super strength relaxer. The difference between the Chi regular strength and the Chi super strength was planets away from each other. Unfortunately, the only Chi product or tool that I still like is their Deep Brilliance Moisture Binding Shampoo (paraben free), but I am not diehard on it!

      Well, that's my good/bad/and ugly for 2011! Happy New Year!

      ReplyDelete

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