Benefits Of Using Coconut Oil In Your Hair

Coconut oil is one of the most multitalented oils around; it has amazing benefits and is used from head to toe, inside and out. I love coconut oil.

Healthy Hairology Medley

This is late this week as I was dealing with my Haircut From Hell and did not get around to reading many blogs. My haircut aside, take a look at what these lovely ladies posted this past week.

How to Retain Length and Grow Long Hair with Wigs and Weave Longing 4 Length: Ebony shares some great tips for using wigs and weaves to help retain length and grow your hair long. If I ever need advice on wigs or weaves I know she is the first person I would turn to.

Quick Curlformer Tutorial Brown Girls Hair: I follow both relaxed and natural hair blogs because I think we can still learn a lot from each other. This Tutorial is on natural hair but can be used even if you are relaxed.

5 Ways Social Media Can Tank Your Job Interview.......Before It Even Happens! The Martini Chronicles: This professional diva shares some Social Media don’ts for people who plan is to get hired.

25 Popular Oils, Butters and Natural Ingredients and How to Use Them on Natural Hair Black Girl Long Hair (BGLH): Another post that I can benefit us relaxed ladies also. Relaxed or natural, we basically use the same oils and ingredients.

Going Natural: How to Help Friends Decide Longing 4 Length: Monet gives some tips on helping your friends and family decide on going natural but these tips can apply to anyone wanting to help friends and family take better care of their hair.

5 Tips To Help Edges Bounce Back Just Grow Already: Jeni has one of the most beautiful head of waist length relaxed hair that I’ve come across. Check out her tips for one of the most common hair problems.

Visit the ladies over at Saving Our Strands for more on the Healthy Hairology Medley!

Trim Turned Haircut From Hell!

I could not wait to get rid of the space at the centre of my nape since I am all for health before length, I felt like I had enough growth to get rid of my uneven ends and still have a reasonable amount of hair left, I fully expected to lose some length but linger somewhere around APL (Arm Pit Length). I was both excited and nervous but still opted to get my hair trimmed at a salon since I wanted a fresh start for 2014.

The salon I went to was Jean Paul Unisex Salon, when I got there a young lady wanted to wash my hair and I told her no, all I wanted was a haircut and I did not need 10 people’s hand in my hair to get it done. I ask that Jean Paul do everything or I don’t get my hair cut that day. I waited until he was finished with his client then he proceeded to shampoo then condition my hair with Rusk Deepshine Smooth Keratin Care Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner.


This is where I was before the cut

Before he started I showed him the picture of my hair and he suggested layers which I refused, I showed him where I wanted my hair cut to, both in the picture (line 6) and on my body, I also asked for a blunt cut.

After he was finished washing my hair I asked for a roller set only to learn that he don’t do roller sets, he has not one roller in the salon! I was shocked beyond belief; I never expected a salon to not have rollers! I had to meet a friend after so it was either leave with my hair wet or blow it out.



After the cut I ended up with damaged ends

From the picture you can see that he clearly ignored what I asked for, he is a very scissor happy stylist who also loves to use too much heat. There were times when I had to stop him from redoing sections with the blow-dryer because he was trying to flip the ends of my hair since I told him I did not want my hair flat ironed after blow-drying. I went to the salon for a simple blunt cut and came out with SL (Shoulder Length), U-shaped fried ends!

Dry, frizzy ends! SMDH

Extremely dry ends even after moisturizing

As you can see from the pics my ends are dry, it feels very coarse and looks horrible and no amount of moisture I put has made it look or feel any better, I will have to cut some more again, at least an inch.  My hair has NEVER felt or look like that after a hair cut/trim.

As if all that was not enough, five minutes after leaving the salon my scalp started to itch like crazy so I take a look in my car mirror only to see my scalp white! I have no scalp problems so I knew immediately that it was because my hair was not washed properly, I still had shampoo on my scalp! I had on black pants, when I looked down I had a white coating on my lap. I had to go home and oil my scalp before going to meet my friend since my scalp was on fire from me itching it; she had to wait quite a while for me.

I went to the salon on Tuesday evening and paid TT $280 for the crap that I got, I had to wash my hair the following day because of the issue with my scalp. I had hoped that my ends would feel and look better after the wash but it did not also my nape is now my problem area again since it did not revert when I washed my hair, it stayed bone straight. I now feel like the 19 months that I’ve been on this journey just went down the drain, I am now back to the length that I was at last November.

I need to trim my ends again but I am going to hold out as long as I don’t get breakage. I know my hair will grow back but I am still mad. I intend to do all cuts and trims myself from now on. This is officially my first set back, I am down but not out, the journey continues!

Do you have any advice for me? Leave me a comment below.  

November 2013 Relaxer Touch-up

Friday 29th November 2013 Touch-up at 17 Weeks 1 Day Post

For my final touch up this year I used my Affirm FiberGuard Conditioning Cream Relaxer. It is the lye version in mild strength. These are the steps I took:

·         Part 1 ½ inch all around my hairline and twisted it.

·         Section off my problem area at the centre of my nape. This area has not been relaxed since November 2012; it was practically non-existent at the beginning of my hair journey.

·         Part my hair in 1 inch sections from ear to ear, detangling each section as I went along using my wide tooth comb and twisting it. I started using this method last year and stuck to it because I finish applying my relaxer a lot faster.

·         I based my scalp and hairline with petroleum jelly then coated my relaxed ends with castor oil follow by petroleum jelly, can’t be too careful right?!

·         I then applied my relaxer starting at the back, smooth once then applied to my hairline. After I finished smoothing my hairline I applied relaxer to the centre of my nape. I use my hands to apply my relaxer because it is easier for me than using a comb. I also smooth with my hands but use the back of the comb to smooth my hairline once. I finished applying and smoothing my relaxer in less than 10 minutes. My scalp started to tingle, which didn’t surprise me since I did not refrain from itching my scalp leading up to my relaxer touch-up.

·         Hopped in the bathroom two minutes later and washed out the relaxer.

·         Did my mid-relaxer protein step for 5 minutes using a mix of Affirm FiberGuard Sustenance Fortifying Treatment and Aphogee Two Step Protein Treatment.

·         Neutralized with Affirm FiberGuard Normalizing shampoo 4 times even though I did not see pink after shampooing the first time. I left the shampoo in my hair for 5 minutes the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th time I shampooed.

·         Deep Conditioned with a mix of Keracare Humecto Cream Conditioner and Roux Porosity Control Corrector and Conditioner under my heat cap for 30 minutes.

·         Wrapped my hair in a t-shirt for 30 minutes to get rid of the excess water after rinsing my deep conditioner.

·         Applied my leave-ins, Aphogee Keratin and Green Tea Restructurizer and Matrix Biolage Daily Leave-in Tonic.

·         Then applied some Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum.

·         Air dried until my hair was about 90 percent dry then used my blow dryer on the cool setting to finish dry my hair.

The following morning I applied my heat protectors, Redken Smooth Down Heat Glide and CHI Silk Infusion, then flat ironed my hair using my Hana 1.5 inch Titanium Ionic Flat Iron.



November 2013

The heat setting I used was 300 ͦ but I still felt like my hair was too straight when I was done flat ironing. I did not do a length check for my last relaxer touch-up in August since I know the urge to cut would be strong, I ended up trimming about an inch or so a few weeks later anyway lol. My nape has finally grown out enough for me to get rid of the space at the centre of my nape and still be at a reasonable length, I plan on getting my hair cut by a professional since I want a blunt cut.

Healthy Hairology Medley

The beautiful ladies over at Saving Our Strands, KPL and Kedya, are running a series called Healthy Hairology Medley and I decided to participate. Spreading the love

Black Hair Myths!

This will be a two part series, yes, there are a lot of myths about our hair floating around out there! In a past article

Liebster Award!!

My First Blog Award!!! *does happy dance*

Protective Style Update

I did a sew-in to help give me and my hair a break; we both needed it, he has been giving me a little attitude! This is my 3^rd time getting a sew-in; the last time was over 3 years ago. This is my first sew-in since starting my healthy hair journey.

Weekly Goals 07th - 13th October 2013

Quick check-in to look at how I did this past week!

Weekly Goals 30th September - 6th October 2013

 

I have not done any weekly goals in awhile, my last set was a total fail but as usual, I’m not giving up! I mentioned before that I’m setting my weekly goals from Monday to Sunday since it is more convenient.

Wash Day - 8 Weeks Post

 

Yesterday was a holiday so I took the opportunity to have my wash day which was also my sew-in prep. My hair was still feeling incredible from my last wash day so even though I was not ready to wash my hair I was not taking any chances;

Feeling Like A Magician!

I am starting to feel like a magician when it comes to this blog! This disappearing act, here one minute gone the next, is not working, so I am trying to find a way to make this work no matter what obstacles are in my way.

Healthy Hair Essentials - Products

We often hear that some women take better care of their weave than their own hair, this is sad but true, I can attest to that because I have seen it firsthand. I am one of those women that want it all;

Relaxer Update.........

 

01st August 2013 Touch Up at 18 Weeks Post

Since my shipping company is trying to sin my soul, I bought two boxes Soft Sheen Carson Optimum Care Salon Collection Relaxer regular strength to do my touch up. I chose this relaxer because I have used it in the past. I was nervous as hell since I have been using a mild relaxer since starting my hair journey

Unhealthy Hair Habits!

 

We have all at some point or the other done our hair a disservice. Bad hair habits are hard to break but if your aim is to have healthy hair there are some unhealthy hair habits that you need to kick.

Goals Recap 28th - 03rd August 2013

I am late checking in but better late than never. Take a look at how I did on my last set of goals.

Goals Recap! 21st - 27th July 2013

Doing my goals weekly seems to be working out, I did not get a perfect record this week but I have decided to give this a test run for the coming month.

My Misikko Order - Hana Flat Iron

These are a few pictures of what I got in my box from Misikko. It has been used once on my leave out when I wore a half wig two weeks ago.

Goal, goals and more goals!

It is almost the end of July and since I did not do any goals at the beginning of the month I’ve decided that it’s never too late to start.

Wash Day - 16 Weeks Post

It is more than two weeks since my last wash day so this one is way overdue. This wash day actually started yesterday

I Plan. God Laughs.

Hi Lovelies! It’s been a while!

June Goals

I’ve decided to make my mini goals public, the last few months I did not do so well with them. I never write them down because they are usually just one or two simple things.

Wash Day - 9 Weeks Post

Wednesday 29th May 2013

The last time I washed my hair was two weeks ago and sad to say it has been even longer since I did a wash day post. This is the longest

Going Natural!?

I’m going natural!!!

Beyonce's Sleek Updo

Check out my first contribution in the COCO Magazine! Show some love and support :)

Ramblings

I haven’t done a wash day post in a few weeks but I have been keeping up with my wash days. There are times when I have gone more than a week between wash days but it was not intentional. Most times I wash my hair so late I go to bed with it damp.

Freetress Equal Nari Lace Front

A last minute decision to head to the movies met me with deep conditioner in my hair so on that occasion it was Freetress Equal Nari to the rescue!

One Year Healthy Hair Journey con't

Read the first part of my story here!

OK, so I went from having hair this length,

One Year Healthy Hair Journey

Oh my how time flies! It is already one year since I started this obsession my healthy hair journey, one whole year since I’ve been taking better care of my hair! 365 days! 52 weeks! 12 months!

30 Day Squat Challenge Update!

 

Yesterday was the last day of my 30 day squat challenge and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all the wonderful ladies that joined me.

Macadamia Deep Repair Masque Review

 

 

Price: US $17.95 for 8.5 oz or US $24.84 for 16.9 oz on Amazon

The prices vary; the last time I stocked up I paid US $15.95 for 8.5 oz on Amazon. In Trinidad it cost between TT $245 - $350 for 8.5 oz and TT $350 - $460 for 16.9 oz

Wash Day - 3 Weeks Post

I have product junkie ways; the first step is to admit it right? Because of this I tend to use different products almost every week, so to put a handle on this I have been trying to stick to products until they are done. I think I did ok the last few weeks, I was consistent with my Pantene Pro-V conditioner to pre-poo and Redken Real Control as my deep conditioner. This week, wash day was a little different,

Wash Day and a Hair Cut!

This is a loooooooooong overdue post, as in it happened last week Monday, yip, the 8^th of April. I wish I could give a valid reason for now posting it but I can’t so I’ll just jump right in.

KeraPRO Restorative Treatment Review

KeraPRO Restorative Treatment for Dry to Very Dry Hair

Price: US $10.99

Claims:

KeraPRO Restorative Treatment is an intense nourishing treatment saturates hair from roots to ends for the ultimate restorative therapy for extra dry or stressed hair. Contains scientifically-advanced glucose, lipid and keratin protein actives. Locks nutrients deep inside the hair fiber leaving hair soft, shiny and healthy.

KeraPRO Review

KeraPro Restorative Shampoo for Dry to very Dry Hair

Price: US $10.99 for 5.1 oz

Claims:

KeraPRO Restorative Shampoo for Dry to Very Dry Hair is a deeply restorative daily shampoo that provides extra nourishment for dry to very dry hair. Contains scientifically-advanced glucose, lipid and keratin protein actives. Strengthens and replenishes thirsty strands leaving hair soft, shiny and healthy.

Wash Day and Trim

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter, I know I did; lots of fun in the sun!

Hair Ramble

In a few weeks from now it’s going to be one year since I’ve been on my HHJ (healthy hair journey). I don’t feel like my hair has grown at all. Yes I went from NL (neck length) to SL (shoulder length) but it still doesn’t seem like its growing. Hair grows on average 6 inches per year but how do you deal with the realization that if you get 4 inches for the year you’re lucky?

March 2013 Relaxer Touch Up

28th March 2013 Touch Up at 16 Weeks 5 Days Post

This is my first touch up for the year. I use the Affirm Fiberguard Sensitive Scalp Relaxer System; these are the steps I took,

30 Day Squat Challenge

I’m working on my drop dead booty! Yes, I’m willing to accept charges when people start dropping dead behind me!

REDKEN Real Control - Intense Renewal Super Moisturizing Mask

Redken Real Control Intense Renewal Super Moisturizing Mask

Price: TT $200 for 8.5 oz, almost US $31 (converted) 
 

Claims: Real Control Intense Renewal super moisturizing mask helps provide moisture, control and repair to dense, dry, sensitized hair. Formulated with Redken’s exclusive Interbond Conditioning System and Care Adjust Complex, it delivers discipline, smoothing control and internal strength. Hair texture is transformed with increased manageability and shine.

Wash Day - 15 Week 5 Days Post

 

I’m almost 16 weeks post relaxer and I’m not sure if I’m ready to relax my hair. So, for this wash day I prepared as though I will be relaxing next week, just in case.

Still Going

 

This is my third week doing Insanity and so far I’m doing OK. The programme has workouts six days per week, which I feel makes it even harder for me because I rather use weekends for fun activities. I’ve missed two days but

Stocking Up!

I stocked up on some stuff!

 

Mission Healthy

I am one of those persons who suck when it comes to exercising on a regular basis. At the beginning of every year I buy new DVDs or join a gym and never stick to it.

Wash Day - 14 Weeks 2 Days Post

My last wash day was a week ago. Today, I pre-pooed my hair with a mix of coconut oil, Mega Care vitamin E oil and Pantene  pro-v conditioner for about an hour.

Welcome!