Co-Wash Day!!!!

Today was the day I designated for co-wash day. As you guys know, I decided to revamp my regimen by cutting out the full head weaves and incorporating more conditioning to my weekly routine.
As I was at a company event today, all I could think about is "what time can I leave so that I can make it home to co-wash?" I left the event in time to do my full regi and I'm happy about that.
Lately my hair has been breaking while i'm combing my hair and I didn't and don't liked that ONE BIT! So I applied my ApHogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor to wet hair for 5 mins under my heating cap. Rinsed and then co-washed with my VO5 Kiwi Clarifying Conditioner. I lightly poured my Infusium 23 leave in treatment to my hair...and as a leave in I used my VO5 Moisture Milks. I then squirted my Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea Restructurizer to each section of hair before rolling into my rollerset. I sat under the dryer until my hair was completely dried (about 1hr), applied my EVCO to my hair, squirted my S-Curl to my hair and then wrapped it. The ends of my hair was a bit thick and frizzy because my hair dryer SUCKS, so I squirted the S-Curl to the ends which helped lay it down. And of course to end this regimen, I put on my silk scarf and called it a night.
This regimen surprisingly took about 1hr and 45 mins. Not bad at all!!! Let's see how long this regi will be when i'm 20 weeks post.

Here's some facts about the products I used in this regimen:

ApHogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor - ApHogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor is a powerful, one step treatment that should be used for home use, between salon visits. This concentrated blend of keratin amino acids, botanical oils, and vitamins does wonders to restore strength and softness to hair that requires a deep, penetrating treatment. It is recommended on tinted, bleached or relaxed hair. It soothes irritated scalp and may be applied following each shampooing until the healthy condition of the hair is restored. Apply on clean hair in shower and rinse to treat brittle hair with cuticle damage and moderate breakage.

Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea Restructurizer - It helps reduce breakage and split ends and adds body to limp, lifeless hair. Active ingredients bond into the hair shaft with natural body heat or heat from styling tools. This one step formula combines the strengthening properties of keratin protein with the antioxidant benefits of green tea. Apply to wet or dry hair without rinsing.

Infusium 23 (Repair)ologie Leave-In Treatment - (Repair)ologie. Infuses the hair cuticle to help nourish and restore healthy texture and strengthens against damage. Science - Inspired by beauty, grounded in science, Infusium 23 offers specialized hair care solutions that are proven to enhance the texture and condition of your hair. Infusium 23 has combined decades of knowledge and experience with scientific advances to create (repair)ologie leave-in treatment. Solution - Specially designed with our unique i23 essential treatment complex, (repair)ologie leave-in treatment infuses the hair cuticle to help nourish and restore healthy texture and strengthens against damage. (Repair)ologie leave-in treatment instantly detangles wet or dry hair and is light enough to provide everyday manageability.

Luster's S-Curl Activator/ Moisturizer - With Vitamin B5. S-Curl Activator and Moisturizer may be used daily to maintain and condition your curly hair style. It contains glycerin and Vitamin B5, which together eliminate breakage and keep your curls, waves and natural hair soft, healthy and with a lasting sheen. This special No Drip Formula allows you to use S-Curl Activator and Moisturizer without fear of ruining your clothes or pillow cases. S-Curl Activator and Moisturizer can be used daily by the entire family and will not leave a greasy build-up.

Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (EVCO) - Recent research shows that coconut oil has the ability to penetrate the hair shaft and reduce protein loss as compared to other oils such as sunflower oils or mineral oils and provide great conditioning. For that reason it’s better than many other oils – both natural AND synthetic. So it may help keep your hair from breaking, which means you may be able to grow it longer. It replaces the natural oils your hair looses on a regular basis. When combined with other essential oils, coconut oil makes an excellent dandruff treatment. Coconut oil keeps protein loss at a minimum because of its close association with hair proteins. It contains medium chain triglycerides (MCT) which can pass freely through the cell membrane. Its low molecular weight enables efficient penetration inside the hair shaft.

Nite All

Install Take Down + Product Review

I'm finally relaxing my hair next Saturday, which means that I had to take this weave out. I usually like to let my hair breathe for a week before I relax. Last night I pre-poo'd with Amla Oil, Coconut Oil and L’Oréal EverStrong Overnight Repair Treatment. I covered my head with a plastic bag and 2 wool hats and went to sleep. This morning I had a doctor's appointment and was too lazy to get up early to wash it out so I took the wool hats off, placed a wig cap on and threw my short wig on.

When I got home I started my regi....

1. I washed the Amla Oil, Coconut Oil and L’Oréal EverStrong Overnight Repair Treatment out and shampoo'd with Suave Humectant Shampoo. Ladies, this shampoo is da bomb! A little went a long way! It lathers up nicely and left my hair moisturized and oh so soft.
2. I deep conditioned my hair. I mixed: Organic Root Stimulator Hair Mayo, 1 pack of my Organic Root Stimulator Replenishing Pak, 1 tablespoon of EVCO (extra virgin coconut oil) Aussie Moist - 3 Minute Miracle Deeeep Conditioner, Aphogee 2 Min Reconstructor, 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 tablespoon of EVOO. Yes, that's a lot to mix together and to be honest...i didn't know what the heck I was doing....but lets just say that my hair felt soooooooooooooooo soft and moisturized when I was putting it in my hair. I dc'd for 4 hours (I dc'd under heat for 1 hour and then got sleepy so I put on my 2 wool hats and took a nap....lol) and then rinsed.
3. I washed out my dc and applied the Suave Almond and Shea Butter Condish and left it in my hair for about 10 mins. I wasn't happy with the way it made my hair feel. My hair felt hard and didn't have much slip to it. My hair could have felt hard because of the amount of protein I had in my dc mix but that shouldn't stop this condish from softening my new growth. I'll pass on this condish and give it to little sis who is natural. She co-washes all the time.
4. Lastly I applied my VO5 Moisture Milks and my Chi Straight Guard to my new growth. I then blow dried my hair in sections and then began to straighten it with my Izunami flat iron. This flat iron is really expensive, but definitely worth the money. This joint made my hair look like it was freshly relaxed. I've found that using the chase comb method works the best when tackling new growth...especially new growth like mine.
   

I loved the end results. My hair is nice and straight and feels strong. After my regi, I poured some EVCO into my hand and passed it through my hair, wrapped my hair and then put on my silk scarf. I really can't wait for my relaxer next Saturday! I'm planning on weaving again on the 14th of May (for a wedding). While I'm out of a weave, I will dc weekly and continue to apply my MN/MT mix every other day, bunning and co-washing weekly.

Good Night All! :-)

Another Install - Bohyme Brazilian Wave aka Bobraz

Last weekend I decided to install my last weave before I end my 7 month stretch. I'm officially planning on relaxing May 8th and I seriously can't wait. The new growth isnt really bothering me, i'm just anxious to see if I will make my goal of APL.

Since i was snowed it, i used that opportunity to install my weave. Before installing my weave i took care of my hair underneath. First I pre-poo'd with Amla Oil for 1 hour. Co-washed (condition washed) with Herbal Essence Hello Hydration (HEHH)and then dc'd with ORS Hair Mayo, 1 tbsp or Honey and EVOO for 1 hour. Rinsed and then co-washed again with HEHH. Remember, since i'm 20 weeks post my new growth makes it hard to detangle, so i always braid my hair in 8 box braids. After the washing and drying process i continue to cornrow my hair in the pattern below.

After finishing my braid pattern/base, i applied my MT, MN, Castor Oil and Peppermint oil mix to my scalp and then started to add my Bobraz. I followed SenCiti's sewn in pattern and blending method to achieve the final look.

Weekend Regi Update

First I would like to apologize for the late post. I've been sick since last Friday
with a throat infection. Anywho, I wanted to share with you guys what I did to
my hair last weekend.
I decided to take my weave out on Friday after work. Aah if felt so good to feel
my hair again. Since I'm 19 weeks post-relaxer I had to be very gentle with my
new growth and relaxed ends. I applied some Amla Oil to my hair, covered it with
a plastic bag and 2 wool hats. By putting on the two wool hats, I'm able to give
myself an overnight hot oil treatment (since your head creates its own heat). I
kept that in overnight and woke up Saturday morning to start my wash regi.
Because I'm 19 weeks post I had to braid my hair in 8 box braids so that it will
not tangle during the whole wash and dry process. *If you have problems with
detangling you hair, I would suggest using this method.

Wash Day Regimen-
I shampoo'd my hair with Suave Clarifying Shampoo since I didn't wash my hair
when I had my weave in. Then to put the moisture back in, I followed up with
Herbal Essence Hello Hydration Shampoo.
After I shampoo'd I then deep conditioned my hair with ORS (Organic Root
Stimulator) Hair Mayo, 2 tablespoons of EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) and Honey.
I warmed this concoction up in the microwave for 30 seconds, mixed then applied
to my hair. I dc'd (deep conditioned) for 1 hour under my conditioning cap and
then rinsed with cold water. Finally, I applied Herbal Essence Hello Hydration
Condish and then proceeded with the rest of my regi.
Tired yet?
After washing and deep conditioning my hair I sprayed my Aphogee Keratin & Green
Tea Reconstrutor to protect my hair from the heat of my overhead hair dryer.
After my hair was dry, I cornrowed my hair in 8 braids and sealed the ends with
pure coconut oil and castor oil. I spritzed my hair with my moisture mix,
applied my Mega-Tek mix to my scalped and tied my hair down with a silk scarf.

I plan on keeping my hair braided like this for two weeks until I install my
curly weave on the 26th. Remember, try to give your hair a 1-2 week break after
taking out an install.  So ladies, its Friday....what are your hair plans for
this weekend?