Hair Blabber

* I'm still on board with the rollersetting challenge! Rollersetting is an amazing way to style your hair and keep it moisturized without using heat. Just 2 nights ago I rolled my hair in flexi-rods after moisturizing and sealing, and left them in overnight for a curly updo the next morning. I've also been staying away from heat, and bunning a lot. Keeping it oh so simple.

* I can't help but feel like my retention needs to be kicked up a notch. I've been seeing great update posts lately from other bloggers and I must say that everyone is on the grow! Except me?! Still (quite happy) at MBL but still have a way to go until waist. maybe the new growth is hiding some length?

* Honeyfig Wishlist: Curl Junkie Hibiscus & Banana Deep Fix Conditioner, and/or Salerm Wheat Germ Conditioning Treatment.

* Sulfur 8: I purchased this product a few days ago to (hopefully) increase my hair growth. There are a ton of sulfur challenges on the hair boards and many people swear by sulfur or sulfur-containing products (ie. MTG, MSM supplements etc) to boost hair growth. So I though what the heck. I found this product at my local beauty supply for 5 dollars, and the sulfur content is 2%. Pretty low risk experiment.

Usually for me, grease/pomade on the scalp means my hair will get greasy and will definitely get itchy the next day. I've been using this product and haven't washed my hair in a couple days. While my scalp and new growth is an oil slick (I'm heavy handed), my scalp is NOT itchy in the least! Which is really strange! I did a little research and this product is supposed to help with dandruff too. Note that it smells absolutely horrendous. But it makes the length of my hair pretty soft. Did I mention the intense and refreshing tingle? Probably from the menthol content. Love it. Makes it feel like my hair is growing lol! I'll be using this until the jar finishes. If I see any results I'll post about it and repurchase. 


* Hairstyles: I've been wearing my hair in a bun an awful lot. Or under a wig. Last week I wore my hair straight to my aunt's birthday party but that's about it. Protective styling for the win! I need to buy more wigs though because it's getting to that point in my stretch when just can't be bothered to fuss with my hair. 


* Speaking of stretch I will be 9 weeks post as of next Wednesday. I have no ambition to relax any time soon. Especially Since I've been using the Sulfur 8. I can go to at least March, maybe even April. The idea of using a Just for Me texture softener instead of full-out relaxer is intriguing. Either that or my favourte Optimum No-Lye with EVOO mixed in. A local BSS started carrying the Optimum Smart-Lye relaxer which has caught my eye. 


* I want to wash my hair either tonight or tomorrow morning. The plan is to: 
1) Hot Oil treat, pre-poo and deep condition all at once with Coconut Oil and EVOO (both oils can penetrate the hair shaft)
2) Shampoo with a drugstore shampoo and 2nd lather with Keracare Hydrating Detangling Shampoo
3) Condition w/ a drugstore conditioner
4) Leave-in, moisturize and seal

TGIF!

Wash Day (6 Weeks Post)

Today's wash day was pretty uneventful. Right now my hair is 50% dry and I can't help but notice how soft it feels :) Here's how the wash went..

Step 1) Pre-poo. I mixed the following ingredients in a bowl:
- 1 tablespoon JBCO
- 2 tablespoons EVCO
- 2 tablespoons EVOO
- 12 drops peppermint oil
- Cheapie conditioner (I used Suave Tropical Coconut)

I left that mixture on for several hours. 30 mins with heat and the rest of the time just at room temp under a shower cap.


Step 2) Shampoo. I did the first lather with Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat shampoo, and second lather with Keracare Hydrating detangling shampoo. Both of these shampoos are sulfate-free.

Step 3) Condition. I used Roux Porosity Control Corrector and Conditioner in the shower for a few minutes. I don't use this product every wash but its a staple.

Step 4) Leave-in. Aphogee Green Tea & Keratin restructurizer. Another staple, I use this nearly every wash.

Step 5) Air dry. (currently doing this now)

Step 6) Will moisturize and seal tomorrow when my hair is fully dry.

I plan to wear my hair in a bun this whole week, moisturizing and sealing daily or as needed. No comb.

TGIF!!! Hope you have a safe weekend :)

Haircare Ain't Easy | Hair Blogger Bloopers

I was tagged by the lovely Fiona at Love Your Tresses (check out her blog and follow if you haven't done so, it's very nice!)

I've been on my hair journey for YEARS and I haven't reached my final goal of waist length yet! That goes to show I am a very slow grower, and I've had some BLOOPERS along the way! Going to share them with you so we can both learn from my mistakes :)

5) Protective styling blooper: Last year when I detangled cornrows, I combed through my hair like it was a regular 2-minute detangling session. FAIL. In the end I had to cut out a small knot at the back. It just wouldn't budge!

4) Build-up Blooper: my skin broke out because of product build up. Now I make sure to clarify twice a month with Quantum Clarifying Shampoo to keep breakouts at bay.

3) Protective styling blooper 2: If you're going to protective style with halfwigs, make sure you're not wearing one while with your man, or make sure it's pinned really tight. That's all I'm gonna say for now!

2) Anyone who knows me knows I'm a total DIYer when it comes to hair. I style, treat and trim my own hair (with the help of my mom when it comes to relaxing). After finals I had the bright idea of getting my hair done at the salon. Long story short it was a bad experience...I learned the hard way that no one will ever be as gentle with my hair as me! Especially when I'm 12 weeks post!

1) Electricity fail: I rollerset my hair perfectly and it was ready to go. I was sitting under the dryer with my laptop handy. An hour into drying time, I heard a pop sound and my entire room went pitch black. My dryer blew a fuse! Smh!! I had to air dry the rest of the way.

What was your most recent hair care blooper? Comment below I'd love to read it!

EbonyCPrincess Rollersetting Challenge Update (month 1)

January was the first (of 6) months of the rollersetting challenge.

So far the purple Hot Tools rollabout dryer been a great investment. I use it for everything (DCing, rollersetting, air drying etc).

Revisited flexi-rods this month and I love 'em!!

Heat usage: Minimal. The flat iron has only been used on my leave-out hair when half-wigging...haven't even looked at my blow dryer, and gave away the curling iron this month :)

After a month of trial and error, here's the setting regimen:
1) Shampoo and deep condition
2) Leave-in Aphogee Green Tea and Keratin, Mosturize with Lacio Lacio
3) Rolletset using plain water
4) Sit under dryer for an hour
5) Apply serum and wrap

Been tweaking the products and techniques this month too!
Three January Favorites:

• Nioxin Thermal Bliss Heat protector
• Keracare Intensive Restorative Masque, Hydrating Detangling Shampoo, and edge tamer (I've liked every keracare product I've tried)
• Aveda Brilliant Emollient Finishing Gloss (My CHI SIlk Infusion ran out so I decided to give this a try)

Looking forward to more roller-setting and flexi-rodding in February. But most of the time I'll continue protective styling with a bun.