A Lil Over 8 Weeks Post Random

I'm fiiiiiiinally taking the plunge and long-term transitioning! :)  I've been wanting to do this for a year lol no real excuses besides the fact that I was being too lazy lol.  Reasons for transitioning?  I don't ever want to see those stringy, thin strands that I had and I LOOOOOOVE the way my NG feels.  I'm really excited to hit my 6 month mark in Sept, can't wait to see how much growth I'll have. Here's my new goals: increased growth, increased shine, increased length retention, decreased shedding and grow back my edges.  Of course, this is going to take a regimen update! YAAAAY!

Co-Wash (mid-week):
[1]  Pre-poo w/ cheapie conditioner, honey and oil in sections using body heat for 2 hours
[2]  Lightly finger detangle to remove shed hair
[3]  Rinse pre-poo w/ cool water
[4]  Co-wash w/ SD Whip My Hair in sections
[5]  Rinse w/ warm water
[6]  Apply MegaTek to scalp for 5 mins or light protein treatment
[7]  Rinse w/ warm water
[8]  DC w/ heat for 30 mins
[9]  Rinse w/ cool water
[10] Final rinse w/ SD Wheat Germ Butter Conditioner
[11] Rinse w/ cool water
[12] T-shirt dry for 30 mins
[13] Apply Darcy's Daily Leave-In and finger detangle

Wash Day (Friday or Saturday):
[1]  Pre-poo w/ cheapie conditioner, honey and oil in sections using body heat for 2 hours
[2]  Lightly finger detangle to remove shed hair

[3]  Rinse pre-poo w/ cool water

[4]  Wash w/ moisturizing shampoo in sections

[5]  Rinse w/ warm water

[6]  Tea rinse

[7]  Rinse w/ warm water???

[8]  DC w/ steam for 30 mins (w/ conditioning cap)

[9]  Rinse w/ cool water

[10] Final rinse w/ SD Destination Hydration

[11] Rinse w/ cool water

[12] T-shirt dry for 30 mins

[13] Apply Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea Reconstructor and Darcy's Daily Leave-In and finger detangle

After typing this out I'm seeing that it's going to be difficult to fit in my light protein treatment but I figure that I can alternate between light protein and MegaTek.  Anyone know if I should rinse with warm water after a tea rinse?  That has been my biggest problem lately, OPEN cuticles smh.  Just now figuring it out, my hair has been drying faster and has absolutely NO shine, even after my clear rinse...completely unacceptable lol.  So I'm concentrating really hard on making sure I follow the proper order of things.  I'm still taking my supplements and I'll be hitting the gym harder so I'm expecting a lot of grow (shaking my fist at my hair).  I'll be limiting the clear rinses to once per month and will schedule an appointment for a deep trim next month.  Oh, and the reason I have so many steps is because I'm trying to use up my stash...wish me luck!

Wash Day - 18 May 14

I'm really not happy with the way my hair feels lately.  It might have something to do with the products I have been using lately but I'm leaning more towards the lack of TLC: lack of patience when detangling, not DC'ing twice a week, failing to moisturize my new growth and neglecting to trim my ends.  I haven't had a lot of time to devote to my hair and it really doesn't help that at almost 16 weeks post relaxer it takes A LOT of maintenance to keep my hair looking/feeling right. I recently made the decision to long-term transition to natural, and my hair is definitely feeling the pain from my inexperience.  Luckily my schedule is lightening up a little which should free up a little more time for my hair.  A couple things I've noticed:

[1] No matter how I use the Kozama Califia Moisturizing Spray, my hair just doesn't like it. I tried it as part of my L.C.O. method, a detangler and as a moisturizer with the same results: dry, stringly hair.  I'm giving up on this for my hair, might decide to sell it ir give it away.

[2] Still trying to find a use for my Hairitage Hydration Hemp Nostalgia.  I was mainly trying to use it with my L.C.O. method but it made my hair feel weird and a little dry but oily.  Leaving this on the shelf for now...

[3] Finally figured out the best way for me to use SDVS: I t-shirt dry my already sectioned hair to about 50%.  This works for me because I always have badly tangled hair no matter what I do so leaving my hair sectioned allows me room to apply the DC to my new growth on my entire head.  

[4] Actively using the SD and my hair loves it as a co-wash or rinse out conditioner.  It always leaves my hair so soft and if I apply it in smaller sections I'm able to detangle (finally!) in the shower.  It really helps to detangle when using a rinse out conditioner.  I still haven't used it as a DC yet, but I might do that soon.

Today is my wash day,  Below is what I did: 

[1] Pre-poo'd with HairVeda Vatika Frosting and vitamin E oil on NG and grapeseed oil on my ends overnight in 6 sections (the back sections have the most sections so usually divide the back into 4 sections)
[2] Shampooed with CON Argan Oil Moisture & Shine Shampoo in 6 sections and lightly finger detangled under running water

[3] Applied Roux PC (new formula) for 30 seconds to each section
[4] T-shirt dried for about 10 minutes to get rid of the excess water
[5] DC'd with SDVS with steam, no conditioning cap for 30 mintues and left it in for an additional 2 hours out of pure laziness lol
[6] Rinsed out DC with warm water
[7] Clear rinsed with Adore Clear Rinse and left on for 10 minutes
[8] Rinsed with warm water while finger detangling

[9] T-shirt dried for 30 minutes

[10] Per section: Applied Marshmallow Root Detangler (justgrowalready.com) lightly finger detangled, applied leave-ins: Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea Reconstructor and Darcy's LTC, detangled and blow dried using the tension method

[11] Tied down hair with silk scarf

Results: As I rinsed out my DC I could tell I was going to have a bunch of tangles, but SDVS never helps with my detangling so I'm not surprised.  I thought applying the clear rinse was going to be a lot easier but at least it isn't runny so I'm not complaining. I didn't see any improvement before or after using the clear rinse but I'm sure I did something wrong lol I always do.  Any way, my hair ended up hard to detangle, even with my fingers smh bout ready to give up but I'm going to keep with it.  There's a plus though...my NG is sooo moisturized, I've never felt it like that :) so it looks like I did SOMETHING right lol. 

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<a href="http://www.savingourstrands.com" title="The Wash Day Experience"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2mkfjAhmFrJ1kGpeSc84UCAPGLhDo-BvtnULNRuOJgVtRp1peJgy_6Ur_Fwk6lSW85n7UWfc7aYWhmeuF-zEDrsK-0lU-I8f_BhHahNPs5YF1HkNs0-WaQfj2ArINwE-ss3UcfxbMGw/s1600/The+wash+Day+experience+badge.jpg" alt="The Wash Day Experience" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Co-Wash - 14 Mar 14

I really, really didn't want to do anything tonight after working over 12 hours and getting home around midnight, but I knew I wouldn't have much time tomorrow.  Plus I really need to stay on schedule.  Today is supposed to be a wash day but I didn't feel like the in-and-out of the shower routine today so co-washing it is.

[1] DC'd Sitrinillah DC
[2] Co-washed w/ SD Whip My Hair
[3] Detangled under running water in sections
[4] T-shirt dried for 30 minutes
[5] Applied Darcy's Daily Leave-In and air dried
[6] Moisturized w/ Darcy's LTC and sealed w/ grapeseed oil
[7] Applied LG HGO (sulfur based) (inversion)

Results: My hair felt a little different after rinsing compared to when I first used the Sitrinillah.  My NG was defined and soft, a much better feeling than the last time I used this DC.  I didn't notice any shed hair either, which is a plus :). 

Co-Wash - 11 Mar 14

Had to postpone my 1st DC of the week, they got my work schedule all jacked up. Between bouncing around from nights to days all in one week and taking 3 classes...I just didn't feel like it. I finally got around to it today. I had to start adding a little light/medium protein weekly, didn't know how much my hair liked it and MISSED it. 

[1] DC'd w/ mix of Sitrinillah DC & SD MSI w/ body heat

[2] Co-washed w/ SD Whip My Hair & detangled under running water

[3] T-shirt dried for 30 mins

[4] Applied Darcy's Daily Leave-In, air dried & finger detangled

[5] Moisturized w/ Darcy's LTC & sealed w/ grapeseed oil

[6] Applied LG Hair Growth Oil (sulfur-based) to scalp and massaged (inversion)

Results: I loved, loved, LOVED the way my hair felt after using my DC mix. It's amazing how little I had to use on my entire head. And once I started rinsing it out my hair felt soft but strong, it actually provided a decent amount of slip...no where as slippery as HE Hello Hydration but definitely enough to safely detangle under running water (whew!). I also rinsed and co-washed under cool water instead of using warm water, it definitely made a difference for my hair. #8wkspost

Wash Day - 7 Mar 14

It's time for some protein!  I've made up my mind, I'm definitely going back to weekly light protein treatments.  I'm not experiencing any abnormal breakage but my hair seems to be shedding a lot more than I like and most times a little protein works.

Here's what I did today:

[1] Prepoo w/ safflower oil & cheapie conditioner for 1 hr w/ heat
[2] Wash w/ CON Argan Oil Moisture & Shine Shampoo in 4 sections
[3] Tea rinse w/ black tea & CC's Naturals Marshmallow & Burdock Tea
[4] DC/protein treatment w/ Sitrinillah Deep Conditioner and SD MSI w/ steam for 20 mins
[5] T-shirt dried for 30 mins
[6] Applied Darcy's Daily Leave-In, air dried and finger detangled
[7] Applied Komaza Califia Moisturizing Spray on NG
[8] M&S using LCO method (Komaza Califia Moisturizing Spray,  HH Hemp Nostalgia, grapeseed oil)
[9] Applied GM to scalp and LG Bald Spot Treatment to edges

Results: I tried tea rinses in the past and they never seemed to work for me.  Every time I used a tea rinse I would do it after my DC, BIG mistake lol.  This time I tea rinsed before I applied my DC.  I washed my hair like I normally would but instead of immediately applying my DC I poured the tea rinse over my hair.  My hair was so hard, it was scary at first.  I also didn't rinse it out, I instead applied my DC right over the tea.  I could feel my hair softening up once the DC was on.  I was being lazy (of course lol) so I ended up mixing a little SD MSI in my Sitrinillah DC to save a little time and sat under the steamer for about 20 minutes.  My hair felt soft but not as soft as I expected.  The tea rinse and DC didn't make it any easier to detangle my hair or make my hair any more moisturized than it usually is.  So let's talk about this Komaza Califia Spray...it's no good for my hair.  I had so many high hopes for this spray.  I planned to use it to moisturize my NG and to use in my LCO moisturizing routine but my hair was having none of that lol.  I've been using it for almost two weeks with the same results--gunky feeling stringy hair.  At first I thought it was the HH Hemp Nostalgia I was using as the cream in my LCO method but even my NG felt that way and I don't apply nothing over the Komaza spray in that area.  My NG would feel dirty.  Another thing I don't dig about this spray is it "evaporates" fast, sometimes before I can get it on my hair.  As far as detangling, I think it does the trick, it provides a good amount of slip but I'm not sure I'd want to use it because of the build-up/coated way it makes my hair feel.  I know a lot of ladies have had huge successes with this spray but this is proof that what works for some doesn't always work for others.  I'm going to keep trying this spray in different ways because I hate wasting products...Any suggestions?  I ended up going back to my Darcy's LTC as a moisturizer but maybe I'll try the Komaza with LTC instead of the  HH Hemp Nostaglia.  I did a little research and saw that some ladies don't like it because of the shea butter and both products (Komaza Califia Spray and HH Hemp Nostaglia) have shea butter high in the ingredients list, maybe my hair doesn't like the shea butter.  My hair felt normal, soft and moisturized after going over the Komaza fail with my LTC.  Did I stop the shedding?  Unfortunately, no.  My hair is still shedding a little bit more than what I'm comfortable with but I'm upping my light protein treatments to once a week, hopefully that'll do the trick.  I forgot to do length check but I'll do it after my next DC.

7 Weeks Post Random

I'm experiencing a little shedding lately.  I know I'm supposed to shed like 100-150 hairs daily but that don't mean I have to like it lol.  I'm not shedding quite that much, actually considerably less but I hate seeing it.  Currently taking garlic pills to decrease the shedding but lately it hasn't been working. A little protein fix usually keeps it at bay, I'm due anyway...so next co-wash I'll b mixing a little protein in my DC and I'll probably go back to doing a light protein treatment every week and see how my hair responds.  Trying to get that thickness :)

On another note, most of my new products are in.  I'll be incorporating tea rinses but this time I'll be doing them BEFORE my DC and not after lol.  Lessons learned!

Co-Wash - 4 Mar 14

I really didn't feel like doing anything to my hair after the horrible day I had but my hair was crying out for a little attention and I had to oblige :).

[1] DC'd w/ HH The Deep C w/ heating cap for 1 hr
[2] Co-washed w/ SD Whip My Hair
[3] Rinsed w/ SD Wheat Germ Conditioner and detangled in sections under running water
[4] T-shirt dried for 30 mins
[5] Applied Darcy's Daily Leave-In and air dried
[6] M&S using LCO method (KC Califia Moisturizing Spray, HH Hemp Nostalgia, grapeseed oil)
[7] Scalp massage w/ GM and LG Bald Spot Treatment

Results: My hair is learning to like HH The Deep C more and more each time I use it.  It seeps into your hair like a good moisturizer after applying. Still no complaints on the SD Whip My Hair, definitely placing another order soon.  I decided to use Darcy's Daily Leave-In instead of HH Marshmallow Springs, last time I felt like it made my hair feel a little hard and it was definitely heavy.  Maybe next time I'll only use a dollop on each section and see how my hair responds.  I really want to like that product... After air drying my hair felt light, fluffy and soft like it always does after I use Darcy's Daily Leave-In.  I'm not sure how I'm liking KC, I don't know what it is about that product but you can spray a good amount in your hand and before you know it absorbed somewhere lol I say 'somewhere' because a lot of times I barely have enough time to get my hand to my hair.  Maybe that's a good sign that it's a good moisturizer...I don't know.  It's definitely a keeper for my NG.  I tried spraying it to my NG to keep it moisturized and it seems to be doing the trick.  Grapeseed oil...where have you been all my life? lol I love that oil soooooo much!  It continuously lays my hair DOWN.

Overall, my hair felt SUPER soft and smooth with LOTS of body!  I was amazed how my hair felt.  It was fairly easy to finger detangle.  I usually just leisurely finger detangle while watching TV or something else, letting it air dry at the same time.  I'm loving the products I'm using for the LCO method.

I'm thinking about texlaxing my hair in a couple of weeks.  I texlaxed in January but I'm feeling like I want to SEE some growth, maybe I'll just flat iron a piece this weekend and length check...that should set me at ease :).