Wash Day + Some Goals for 2012

Today I decided to give my hair the ultimate treatment. I haven't been treating it very well this past week and it deserves some nourishment and nurturing. Why am I talking about my hair as if it's a baby LOL. Anyway here's what I used:

DC Mixture: Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Conditioner, EVOO, Honey, a squirt of Aphogee 2 Minute for protein, applicator bottle contains extra virgin coconut oil

DC Mixture

DC'd with a mix of the above for 2 hours and 15 mins. I used a heating cap to help the mix penetrate.

Shampoo, conditioner and leaveiin

After that, I thoroughly rinsed with water, then shampooed using Dove Damage Therapy Intensive Repair Shampoo. Final (quick...like 30 seconds quick) rinse with Porosity Control Corrector and Conditioner.

Leave-in: Aphogee Green Tea & Keratin Restructurizer

Done! Now air drying

And for my 2012 goals:
1. Consistency in the products I use (will improve when I get rid of my PJ stash)
2. Stick to a monthly hair budget
3. Reach waist length
4. Relax no more than 3 times

QUESTION: What did you do to your hair this weekend??

Weekend Hair Recap

MBL

I flat ironed using CHI Silk Infusion. I also tried the saran wrap method for the first time and O M G....it made my hair come out super silky

This weekend I was planning to give my hair a nice treatment. But my weekend has been so busy that I won't have time to do anything. So I'll continue to saran wrap till next wash day (probably Tuesday).

What did you do to your hair this weekend? Leave a comment below!!

Class of 2012

Jeni from Just Grow Already made a post advertising her newest creation, class of 2012 length check tees. Which got me thinking. I haven't been worrying about my length, which is evident by the fact that my last length check was over 3 months ago. Anyway, don't think I'll make waist length this year (2011). I'm estimating that I will be full MBL by Dec 31, 2011. Which I am absolutely freaking ecstatic about!! Health before length. I did trim my ends a few weeks ago so I hope they are holding up.

2012 is also a big year for me because I graduate university (finance major, human resources minor). Can you imagine how amazing it would be to be on that graduation stage, receiving my degree with healthy hair down to my waist? That would be awesome!! But even if I don't make waist length by my grad, I have come such a long way and I will still be happy. Besides, what if I decide to go natural tomorrow? Being on that stage with a moisturized TWA I would feel just as amazing and accomplished. I guess the point is that I'm ready to graduate after 4 years lol -- four long years, but great nonetheless!! Well it's not done yet, I still have over half a year to go. Note to self: finish strong. Anyway, back to hair!!

I don't like how my hair looks and feels today. But I'm gonna fix it when I get home tonight. Here's how:
- Lightly detangle
- Shampoo with something that contains sulfates
-  Condition in-shower with Aphogee 2 Minute Reconstructor. My hair needs this tonight.
- Rinse and detangle under the shower
- Leave-in: Aphogee Green Tea Keratin Restructurizer
- Air dry overnight.

Operation P.U.M.P.

The excessive amount of products in my stash has barely changed since I last complained about it in May.


So I need to change something. Either stop buying stuff or start being heavy handed. Or both.


I've actively used up my stash before and that's when my hair was really thriving the most. Which makes sense because for example I was deep conditioning more and even though my goal was to use up the product, my hair reaped the benefits.


So I'm doing it again, with a fancy name...
Operation PUMP = Pick Up My Products. And finish them up!!!!

My regimen will be the same. Everythings the same. Just gonna start using my "less favourite" products more often. Because I really don't wanna throw products away.

Sometimes my room feels like a BSS...and it's not a good feeling #confessionsofaproductjunkie

Below is a list of the products I'm trying to get rid of. I will cross out things as I use them up! Just because I don't want to repurchase these products doesn't mean it's a bad product, just means I wouldn't repurchase for various reasons (i.e. not sold in stores anymore, too expensive, too hard to find, found something that my hair likes better etc;)

Tresemme Naturals Nourishing Moisture Shampoo
Hair One Jojoba
1 Packet Lisa Rachel Jojoba Cleanser & Conditioner
Amla Oil
Redken Heat Glide
Taliah Waajid Protective Mist Bodifier
Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum
Lacio Lacio Leave-in Conditioner
Fantasia IC Styling Gel (olive oil)
Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Gel
Darcy's Botanicals Transitioning Creme
Surge Plus 14
One n Only Argan Oil
Black n Sassy Wrap Creme
Lotta Body
Aussie Mousse
Aussie Mega Hairspray
Isoplus Oil Sheen
Aveda samples
Miss Jessie's Baby Buttercreme

EDIT: I removed my staples and only listed the products I want to use up.

My goal is to cut this list in half by the end of the year.

Any ideas for using up my stash?
If you live in the GTA and want any of these products, let me know!

Styles I plan to do when I reach WL

I saw this thread on BHM and it got me thinking about what styles I want to do when I reach my final goal. Here are the styles I'm planning on wearing when I reach waist length. I'm in no way "restricting" these styles for my final goal...in fact I'm experimenting with these styles now and I'm really enjoying my length. It's just that I think they will look even better at my goal.

Down and out:
- Huge braidout (basically re-create my favourite halfwig)

- Spiral curls with a clampless iron/curling iron
- Pin straight w/ center or side part

- Half up, half down

Protective styles:
- Fishtail braid
- 2 french braids on each side
- Massive braidout bun
- donut bun sans donut
- messy bun on the very top my my head

Just a few celebrity inspired

Kelly Rowland's rocking a weave but I think this can be re-created with a 1"curling iron

Can we just take a second to appreciate Keshia Knight Pulliam's hair? *le sigh*

Ashanti is rocking a weave too but this style can be re-created using a 3-barrel waving iron or a deep waver

Pretty....can be re-created by a braidout w/ gray perm rods on the ends

What styles are you planning to do once your hair gets longer??

Weekend Hair Plans

Nothing special....

Yesterday (Friday) I thoroughly moisturized and sealed in sections with S-curl and extra virgin coconut oil. Baggied overnight with a plastic cap and when I woke up this morning my hair was completely damp.

Here's how today's wash went:

• Shampooed with Giovanni Triple Tea Treat Shampoo (first impression: this stuff is AWESOME for my scalp...it really helped soothe it and minimize the itchies. Not so great on my hair because it is stripping, my hair was left feeling dry even though I diluted 2oz of shampoo with 1oz water in an applicator bottle. This shampoo lathered up very well for sulfate-free. It looks like I'm only gonna get 3 more uses out of the bottle...I tend to be heavy handed with it especially since I like to rinse and repeat.
• Conditioned with Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose (really like this conditioner)
• Leave-in: Aphogee green tea & Keratin restructurizer...a staple since the beginning
• Moisturize with S-Curl
• Now air drying in 8 braids and a flat twist in the front.

Tomorrow: I'm going to a party...gonna protective style it up with a h/w.
Then on Monday morning, unravel and blend braids for a nice braidout ponytail on Monday.

For the rest of the week I'm very tempted to do a simple braidout bun/braidout ponytail every day :)

What are you doing to your hair this weekend, and how are you planning to wear it for the rest of the week?

Toronto Ladies: Where's NTM?

Anyone know where I can find Neutrogena Triple Moisture Silk Touch Leave-in Cream in Toronto? It used to be available at Walmart but not anymore. If you know where I can find some I would really appreciate it. Comment here or e-mail me myhealthyhairjourney@hotmail.com please :)

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?

Finally learned how to wrap (thx to this vid)

 

I actually learned how to wrap a while ago, but I still find myself watching this vid as a guide until wrapping comes naturally to me. It is the most helpful technique I've seen on youtube. My hair is currently flat ironed and wrapping has been a great way to preserve my straight styles. 

I read that wrapping can cause thinning on one side, but honestly I'm not too concerned because I rarely wear my hair out (and therefore rarely wrap). But I'll still keep an eye out for an adverse effects.

Speaking of hair, I flat ironed my hair on Sunday night. I must say I'm really enjoying wearing my hair straight. Here are some pics I took today (as requested):

Nightly maintenance: 

1. apply a little serum/pomade (only if needed...I didn't use any tonight because my hair was already a little weighed down). 

2. Wrap like in the video

3. tie a satin scarf

that's it. This is just as simple as protective styling with halfwigs. I'm planning to wear my hair straight for the rest of the week.

Another September Wash Day

This week has been pretty hectic. I protective styled every day of the week - updo 2 days and halfwig 3 days.

I couldn't take the itchies anymore so I went ahead and washed and conditioned my hair today. here's what I did:

• Applied Amla Oil to my hair and detangled
• Shampooed with diluted sulfate shampoo (1 part shampoo to 2 parts water)
• Conditioned with Aphogee 2 Minute
• Rinsed, and applied my leave-in (Aphogee Green Tea and Keratin)
• Air dried with a scarf until my edges were dry, then blow dried

Thoughts: During the whole wash process I was losing a lot of hair. I know it's shedding because majority of the strands are long with a little white bulb at the end. At least its the lesser of the 2 evils (shedding is better than breakage). But my shedding is excessive right now so I'm going to pop a couple garlic pills and hopefully that stops the shedding.

I'm currently 9 weeks post and hair is starting to get tangled more, and harder to work with. I have a good inch of new growth so I'm glad about that. 


Plans: I'm planning to wear my hair straight this week. I haven't flat ironed since August 22 so I'm looking forward to using heat finally.

Due to the new growth and excessive shedding, it may be time to relax soon.

Things They Don't Tell You About Being Relaxed

...the good and the bad:

1. We still have to straighten it. Just because a relaxer chemically alters the strand to make it straighter, doesn't mean the job is done until the next relaxer. Still gotta use a flat iron if you want the polished look.

2. It's not easy. We always hear about how hard transitioning is. Well being relaxed is literally transitioning over and over again.

3. It's easy. On the other hand, it's pretty easy to get relaxed hair to do what you want it to do. For example, detangling is not a challenge when you're a few weeks post.

4. Kink & coil envy. Every time you see healthy, nicely styled natural hair in real life, you're intrigued. Sometimes you start thinking about what your own hair would look if you went natural. This is when braid-outs, twist-outs etc come in very handy.

5. Natural products work for us too. This emergence of the "natural" hair care market is benefiting relaxed heads too by giving everyone better alternatives and quality ingredients. The products that drench natural hair in moisture do the exact same thing for relaxed tresses.

Weekend hair plans

Here are a few random pics:

Work bun

I flat ironed at the end of August. Sorry for black on black but you can see the silkiness of my hair in this pic. I applied a little DAX Light Pomade before flat ironing. I still am loving and using this stuff. My hair also had some CHI SIlk Infusion in it. Those are the only 2 products I used after my hair was dry.

Crappy pic but you can kinda see how long my hair is after I trimmed it a little while ago

I don't think I've so much as moisturized and sealed my hair since Monday. It's been a pretty hectic week back to school and I've decided to wig for convenience. Well my hair is still feeling great and today I'm looking forward to pampering it:

Pre-poo with Queen Helene Cholesterol + Honey
Shampoo (Dove Intensive Repair Shampoo)
DC with heat (Kenra Moisturizing Conditioner)
Apply leave-in (Aphogee Provitamin Leave-in - trying this for the first time. Lets see if my hair likes it)
Air Dry w/ scarf method

What are your weekend hair plans??

Wig it or not??

I'm debating between whether I want to wig it for the rest of the year or not.

On the one hand, I can save a LOT of time every morning and it is soo convenient to just throw on a halfwig, blend a little, and go. I wont have to worry about bad hair days or anything. Also, my hair will be 100% protected for maximum length retention. If I want a change I can always just do an updo with my real hair every once in a while.


On the other hand. My hair is at a length where I feel comfortable with wearing it out. Halfwigs are pretty expensive over time.

What to do?? How are you wearing your hair this fall/winter?

Random Hair Thoughts

• So after major shedding, breakage and dryness issues this past week, my hair is back to normal for the most part. I shampooed with Queen Helene Garlic Shampoo and conditioned, that helped but I still had a lot of shedding and breakage going on. I tried deep conditioning with Kenra Moisturizing Conditioner -- that helped bring my hair's moisture level back but I still had a lot of shedding. It wasn't until I took 2 garlic softgels that my shedding literally STOPPED in it's tracks. 

• My hair has outgrown regular shower caps. It doesn't all fit in the shower cap so when I'm DCing or baggying, there's heat/steam escaping from the perimeter where the elastic isn't snug against my head. So I'm going to start applying a layer of plastic wrap first, then put on a shower cap. I did it for today's DC and it works pretty well. I got the idea from Shorty2sweet59 on youtube.

• Today is wash day. I deep conditioned on dry hair with Queen Helene Cholesterol (LOVE this stuff...When my current jar is done I'm gonna just suck it up and just get the $20 tub). I left this on for about 3 hours while working out and just doing stuff around the house. Now my plan is to wash it out with Dove Damage Therapy Shampoo and Conditioner, apply Aphogee Green Tea & Keratin Mist and air dry.
• The search for a daily moisturizer might STILL be on. I thought S-curl would be the end-all but I read http://longing4length.blogspot.com/2011/08/time-to-shelve-s-curl.html Ebony's post and come to think of it my s-curl hasn't been as moisturizing lately and it makes sense for the reasons she mentioned. I may just need to clarify my hair. But I will keep using it until I notice a major difference.