Whole Foods Haul (Featuring Aveda)

Today I stopped at Whole Foods here in Toronto and picked up some things:

1. Giovanni Triple Tree Treat Shampoo - $9.99

In my last post I was saying how my scalp is driving me nuts. Well I got so many great suggestions (thanks to everyone who commented in that post!!). Namely, Jeni from Just Grow Already directed me to a post about the oils she uses to soothe her scalp. I decided to buy this shampoo because it contains Eucalyptus,Tea Tree, and Lavender oils...many of the oils in her mix. I wish I could afford all the oils separately but my wallet wasn't letting that happen so the shampoo is the next best alternative. Also, Prettyjwatts did a youtube video raving about the product. This is my first Giovanni product so I'm excited to try it :)

2. Extra Virgin Coconut Oil - $19.99

Another popular recommendation. I've been meaning to try this for the LONGEST time. Thanks for giving me the nudge to finally invest in this stuff.

3. Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Conditioner - $12.99

This is a repurchase, I used it towards the beginning of my hair journey with great results. This is a great cone-free moisturizing conditioner.White Camellia is next on my wishlist.

4. Aveda Damage Remedy shampoo, conditioner and daily hair repair (free samples)

I stopped in at an Aveda store because of a large sign outside saying "Free Damage Treatment". I'm not usually drawn in by signs but as a hair fanatic I just couldn't pass it up lol! I got sample sizes of the Damage Remedy shampoo, conditioner and daily hair repair. Looking forward to trying these eventually.

I also bought some cling wrap for my DC sessions (I usually do cling wrap then a plastic cap over the cling wrap).

Dry, Itchy Scalp: Help

Ever since the weather started cooling down, my scalp has been acting crazy. It gets really itchy only a few days after washing. And I never used to have an issue with dandruff but when I rub/itch my scalp I can see a whole bunch of flakes falling down.

I've tried co-washing and lubricating my scalp with JBCO to no avail. Moisturizer directly on my scalp just makes the itching worse. I would really like to go at least a week between washes but by the end of the week my scalp is extremely itchy to the point where small scabs are forming...yeah it's that bad :(


Any tips to help soothe this dry, itchy scalp of mine?

Week Recap & Weekend Hair Plans

This week I wore my hair in a braid-out bun every single day. Each night for maintenance I would apply product (s-curl and/or One n Only Argan Oil treatment). Then do 6-8 braids, set the ends on perm rods, and sleep on it. Take the braids down in the morning and put it all in a bun. Super easy, cute, no-heat and low-manipulation.

Last night I detangled/combed out the braid-out and these pics are what I ended up with...big fluffy hair. After taking some pics I gave my hair a much needed wash...here's how it went:

• Shampooed 2x w/ Quantum clarifying/chelating shampoo
• Shampooed 1x w/ Tresemme Naturals Nourishing Moisture Shampoo
• Conditioned with Dove Damage Therapy Intensive Repair Daily Treatment Conditioner
• Leave-in: Aphogee Keratin Green Tea
• Air dry, then moisturize and seal

It's the next day and my hair is still wet. I think this means my hair retains moisture well? Bet it's from all the Roux porosity control I've been using...Anyway this is my first time using the Dove treatment (in the tube) and I really like the smell, I keep getting whiffs of it here and there. The slip is alright. The consistency isn't very thick but it's only a "daily" treatment. 

Plan for the rest of the weekend is to moisturize, seal, and protective style. Mon-Fri I'll probably continue with the braid-out bun style. And incorporate another shampoo+condition on Tuesday

Stretching until Jan 2012

After watching a video by Buildable Beauty on youtube, I decided to join her on her challenge to delay the relaxer until next year. I'm currently 5 weeks post so that means no relaxer for at least 9 more weeks. 14 total. I think I can do it...I've gone 16 weeks before with good results and more thickness. So I'm ready for it again.

Problems: Christmas/end of year reveal. I was really planning on showing the fruits of my labour on here and in person with a fresh relaxer. But I guess I can get a similar result with a flat iron...

Another problem is that during final exams I really do not want to deal with my hair...like seriously not at all....I know that I'll be impatient with so that might be an issue with tons of new growth. I guess I could throw it in a bun for exam week and hope it doesn't turn into one big deadlock?

With those off my chest, looking at them they don't seem major so I'm gonna go ahead with stretching until 2012.

Anyone else avoiding something hair-related for the rest of the year?

Kreativ Blogger [Award]

Thanks to Tommie @ Hair De La Creme for awarding me :)

RULES

1. Link back to the person who passed you the award
2. Complete the form below
3. Award 10 Blogs & drop them a line about it
4. Share 7 random things about yourself 

 Here are my answers..

• Name your favorite song: This changes all the time but right now it's Adele - Cold Shoulder
  
• Name your favorite dessert: White Chocolate Brownie from Moxies!
  
• What pisses you off: That I spent $100+ on each textbook and can't even sell it for the full amount because the publishers change the edition every year
  
• When you're upset, you: listen to music or take a walk while I relax and think about how to handle the situation
  
• Your favorite pet: I've only ever had pet fish. But I think a hamster would be so cute
  
• Black or white: Black
• Your biggest fear:  I`m pretty terrified of spiders *shudders*
  
• Best feature: My smile.
  
• Everyday attitude: Don't blame other people but instead see what you can do to make the situation better
  
• What is perfection: An epitome.
  
• Guilty pleasure: Anything hair related, and fast food

 7 Random facts about me

1. I hate the feeling of wet substances on my finger tips (including lotion, oil etc...which is probably why I wash my hands all the time)
2. In high school I won the performing arts award
3. I think Adam Levine (lead singer of Maroon 5) is sexy
4. #TeamBlackberry
5. When others around me feel warm/hot, I feel cold...and vice versa
6. I'm turning 21 soon
7. I have 5 piercings...2 on each ear and belly button

Here are the bloggers I'm awarding. I tried to pick people who haven't been awarded yet

Hairlicious Inc (fellow Canadian)

Thick Beautiful hair Journey (fellow Canadian)

From Short to Long

My World of Hair

Healthy hair by special k 

 Diva Locks

 My Pure Beauty

Seven Things [TAG]

I am pleased to announced that I have been tagged by Shika over at Hair I Am World in a 7 things about me tag. Here's it goes...

1. I'm Canadian (Toronto).

2. I failed math in grade 2. Which is funny because now I'm studying Finance in university.

3. I'm a really quiet person. I guess you could say I'm an introvert? On a Friday night I'd much rather read, surf the net, and deep condition my hair rather than go out and party. But I'm really outgoing and talkative with my friends, co-workers and classmates.

4. I like when people doubt me. This is because it motivates me to work harder or find creative solutions. My life has been a series of people thinking I can't do something, and me proving them wrong (not out of revenge, but for my own satisfaction).

5. I'm addicted to chocolate. I love food in general but something about chocolate does something to me

6. I like winter better than summer. My friends think I'm crazy for this but I love to bundle up, and not to mention all the events that are in the winter (Christmas, new years, my birthday etc etc).

7. I love writing to-do lists. I have an agenda where I write my plans for the day and the major things I want to get accomplished. I guess it's because I'm a student, but I seriously think I will continue to be an avid "planner" even when I'm done school. You know what they say..."if you fail to plan you plan to fail"

If you're reading this, you've been TAGGED!

Winter Wishlist !

I've been really trying to watch my spending this month because Christmas shopping is right around the corner. Generally, this is my spending habit: I don't buy things often but once in a while I will splurge on things I really love and are of good quality. So I plan on getting these things before the end of the year:

• A cute knit hat. I've never really been a hat person but I think this winter is a good opportunity to protect my hair and keep warm with a silk-lined one.

• Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Conditioner. I've used this conditioner in the past with good results. I'm looking for a strictly moisturizing conditioner that I can use for deep conditioning, co-washes etc. This product does not contain any protein and I've had good results from it in the past (soft, moisturized, shiny hair....it also has natural ingredients and no cones - which is a bonus for minimizing build-up).

• Natural oils. I took a good, hard look at my product stash and I realize that I basically have NO natural oils. I have a full bottle of Amla (which I can't stand the smell of by the way, no idea how I'm gonna use it up) and Sally's One n Only Argan Oil which doesn't count since it's filled with cones. I'm thinking of getting coconut, extra virgin olive, and/or avocado oil. Also definitely getting Jamaican Black Castor Oil which is a long time staple, I just ran out. 

• A dry shampoo. Winter means washing my hair less often so I want to use something to freshen up my hair in between washes.

• A drugstore shampoo and conditioner combo. I liked the Dove Damage Therapy Intensive Repair line so I might repurchase that. Right now I can't justify this purchase because I have a shampoo and conditioner I'm trying to use up, but I will get this combo at some point this season.

 

• Large barrel curling and/or clamp-less iron. You may be wondering...why do I want a heat tool if I'm on a HEALTHY hair journey? Well I don't plan on using heat more often but it would be nice to try a different type of direct heat when I choose to use it. I figure that I've worked so hard this summer (with protective styling especially) that I deserve to reward myself with something that will help me "enjoy" my hair!

What's on your winter wishlist?