Wash day…after the twists

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Yesterday I took out my senegalese twists and was excited to give my hair a good cleaning.  Unfortunately, it really didn’t turn out that way.

1.  I washed with the Suave Rosemary Mint shampoo thinking that because it is a sulfate shampoo my hair would get really clean.  I found out later that was not the case.  It could also be due to the fact that I was being lazy and washed my hair as a whole in the sink as opposed to sections.

2.  I deep conditioned with Hydratherma Naturals Amino Plus Conditioning Treatment.  This stuff smells exactly like Nexxus Humectress and my hair smells like it still the next day.  It was my first time using this conditioner and I think I should have just used the Aphogee Two Step Treatment.  I may do that next week actually…maybe…

3.  I detangled my hair with a comb for once using the Qhemet Biologics Cocoa Tree Detangling Ghee sample.  I really didn’t care for it as I’ve used better detangling products.  I used a wide tooth shower comb to detangle.

4.  I applied Qhemet’s Burdoct Root Butter Cream to moisturize and when I used up my teeny tiny sample, I started using the Qhemet Biologics Amla and Olive Heavy Cream.

5.  I combed each section of hair with a fine tooth comb before two strand twisting.  I wanted to make sure all the knots and tangles were out from having my twists in so long.  I rubbed a little coconut oil all over my hair to seal when I was done.

The result:  This morning my hair was extremely soft.  Too soft.  I now know what people mean when they say their hair is mushy because that is exactly how mine was this morning.  I did not like it.  And to top it off, my hair is still dirty and dull as ever!  The twistout was just horrid so I wore it in a ponytail.  I hope this gets better soon.

Straightening Natural Hair…Self Reminder

I have had my natural hair straightened three times now.  The first time was at a Dominican salon and I had so much breakage after that.  I thought my hair would never recover!

The second time was at JcPenney when I got color added as well.  Unfortunately, my hair still experienced breakage, although nowhere near a much as before.

Done at JcPenney

The third time I decided to straighten MYSELF because I know I handle my hair better than anyone else…and guess what…NO BREAKAGE!

Done by ME…longer and stronger!

To do the job, I first washed and conditioned with the Carol’s Daughter Chocolat Smoothing line.  After that, I applied Kinky Curly Knot Today as a leave in followed by the CD Chocolat Blow Dry Cream.

The shampoo and conditioner were okay.  This is the second time I’ve used the blow dry cream and I feel I can say that I don’t care for it at all.  It coats my hair and when it dries it has a feeling as if it is waxy and hard.  I want my hair to be soft when I blow dry.

Once my hair was dry, I separated it into small sections and applied my generic Paul Mitchell Super Skinny serum as a heat protectant and then Aqua Net hair spray for hold.

Both of these items have been a staple since my relaxed days.  The serum holds in the moisture and the hair spray holds the hair while not making it too hard.  I can use the spray and still wrap my hair at night no problem.

I don’t have a video of me straightening, but the process I used is shown in the video below.

Next time, I’m going to skip the blow dry cream and use the serum to blow dry instead. I’ve used it to do so before and my hair was soft to my liking. To maintain my hair, I used Mi-Me Handmade Fascin8ting Hair Elixr and wrapped each night.

I don’t know what was so special about this time, but my hair lasted longer than it has in the past. I think in the future I’m going to continue to do it myself. I had no breakage and no heat damaged straight ends to cut.

Product Review: Pouts & Winks Makeup Boutique + Coupon!

Note:  I have no clue why my photos look so blurry, but feel free to click on them for a much clearer view.

Last week I got the chance to try the awesome makeup from Pouts and Winks Online Boutique.  This line is owned by Memphian Rhonda Boutte’ and is available for purchase at  www.poutsandwinks.com.

There are numerous eye and lip colors to choose from, as well as falsies for your eyes and a primer made for eyes and lips to provide long-lasting color.

One of the items I purchased was the Socialite Lip Gloss, $12.00

This gloss has some serious staying power and I love that it adds a soft touch of color without being dramatic.  It also smells of vanilla and I can’t keep my nose out of it.

The second item I purchased is the Seduction Butterfly Palette, $20.00.

I’ve only played around with two of the colors and they lasted pretty much all day.  For optimal wear, I would definitely use with a primer.  Using a primer would really make the colors pop.

Below are a few pictures I took with the gloss and eyeshadow colors.  I used a burgundy liner with the gloss because I wanted a berry color.  I did not use any primer with the eyeshadow.

If you would like to purchase any of the items from PoutsandWinks.com, visit the site and use the coupon code “PUCKERUP” for a 15% discount.

Finally, below is a video of the launch event I attended last week…

NO BUY CHALLENGE 2012: Hair Product Version

 

From this day on, I am on a NO-BUY until Black Friday 2012.  I will not purchase any hair products until I use up what I have or Black Friday, whichever comes first.  I have way too much stuff and I need to use it up!

Used on straight hair only

 

Rinse Out/Deep Conditioners

 

Gels

 

Leave-In Conditioners

 

Pomade/Butter/Hair Grease

 

Oils

 

Shampoos

 

Moisturizers

 

Black Rinse

 

Curl Definers

 

Serums

 

Curl Definers for Wash n Gos

 

I will only make two exceptions to this challenge.  One is the Ouchless headbands by Goody.  I cannot find these anywhere!  Last time I purchased some online from LuvNaturals, and she doesn’t even have them anymore.  The other exception is for the B.A.S.K. sampler pack.  The one I want has been out of stock since forever and I’m patiently waiting to try this line.

I’m going to keep track of things I want on a separate page up top so that I can be ready to purchase in November.

Anyone else wanna do a No Buy Challenge with me???

1st Impressions: Sofn’free GroHealthy Milk Protein & Olive Oil Really Deep Conditioning Treatment

I have only used this once, and received the 1.7 oz packet from June’s Curl Box.  The packaging emphasizes milk protein, olive oil, and omega-3 as it’s main components.  From the back…

  •  Milk Protein:  Soothes the scalp, strengthens & adds shine
  • Olive Oil:  Promotes a healthy scalp, repairs damage & adds even MORE shine
  • Omega 3:  Rebuilds, strengthens & protects hair from within

It’s time to treat your hair and scalp to something special and nourishing.  Pamper them both with oils and proteins essential for nourishment and growth.

The directions mention to use the entire packet on the hair and sit under heat for 10-15 mins. or without heat for 30-45 mins., covering your hair with a plastic cap for either option.

Texture:

This packet is very generous in product and it is super thick and creamy.  I have been looking for a thick deep conditioner like this for a long time!

Scent:

The smell of this is horrible!  It smells like Nyquil or any other type of medication.  At first, this was a deal breaker, but that all changed once I rinsed it out.  One good thing is that the smell doesn’t linger.

Performance:

When I applied this to my hair, my scalp was tingling like crazy.  If you have ever used Dr. Miracle’s new Curl Care line, it feels just like that.  It feels like menthol and I definitely felt it.  I did not like the feeling at first, then it started feeling good and really soothing.

Even though this is a thick conditioner, there is no slip whatsoever.  I would definitely not recommend detangling with this in.  After rinsing this out, my hair was sooooooooo soft, that finger detangling was not a problem (I don’t use combs or brushes so I can’t speak on that).  My hair felt awesome and made me forget all about the smell.

Ingredients:

If you are big on not using certain ingredients, you might not like this as mineral oil is the 2nd ingredient.  All of the highlighted ingredients that I listed above are much further down in the list.

Would I use again?

YES!  I would definitely purchase and use this again, as my hair was just too soft to ignore.  My hair hasn’t felt this soft in a long time and I am in love with the consistency of this product.

Purchase info…

I have found this product at Wal-Mart and I’m sure you can find it at Sally’s as well.  The packet will cost a just about $2.00 or you could purchase a 16 oz tub for $7.00.  More information about this product can also be found at www.mmproducts.com.

CharyJay is coming to Memphis!!!

I know that I have been MIA for a long time, but I know that I have several readers in the Memphis area and I had to share this.  One of my absolute favorite You Tubers, CharyJay, is coming to Memphis!  I’m so mad because I will be in the hospital recovering from surgery, but this just gives me an excuse to take a road trip to see her and others another time.  Deets are in the flyer posted below….

CharyJay has some of the thickest hair I have ever seen and it is so beautiful!  I was first drawn to her channel through her protective styling videos and whenever I am feeling down about my hair, I go to her videos.  She makes styling and hair care seem so easy.  Below is a video she has regarding the event…

If you are in the area, please make sure to check out this event.  I know that it will be lots of fun and I bet there will be a lot of good vendors there too.

Below is one of CharyJay’s recent styling videos – a fab twistout with Qhemet Biologics!

May 2012 CurlBox!

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I got my May CurlBox today! Its contents include…
Elasta QP Olive Oil and Mango Butter Moisturizer (full size)
Kynx Texture Defining Gel (full size)
Design Essentials Natural Daily Moisturizing Lotion (full size)
I Love My Fro Shea Butter Whip, Orange-Vanilla
Luster’s Renutrients Slick Stick
Versed Well Hair Journal
ORS Hair Repair Anti-Breakage Creme
ORS Olive Oil Hair Masque
ORS Olive Oil
ORS Shea Butter Hair and Scalp Lotion

I haven’t sniffed and played with it all yet, but I can’t wait to do so!!!

Fighting Hair Breakage…

I have been dealing with huge amounts of breakage ever since I washed out my dominican blowout.  My bathroom sink has been covered with small little hairs and I’ve been dealing with straight pieces in my hair.

My hair is slowly making progress and I credit it all to the following…

  1. Weekly deep conditioning.  I’ve been deep conditioning every week since.  What I use has varied because of me trying to use up some stuff, but I make sure to leave it in for either a few hours or overnight.
  2. Moisturizing and sealing daily.  I know for a fact now that I am a water and grease type of girl.  My hair is happiest when I use the two added with a leave-in.  Every night, I make sure to spritz my hair lightly with water, apply a leave-in conditioner, and apply my pomade.  I make sure to do this in sections so that the product is distributed evenly.  Doing this helps keep my strands happy and helps to minimize knots and tangling.  My favorite combo so far is Eden Bodyworks Hair Milk and Mahogany Roots Jasmine Peach Pomade.
  3. Twisting my hair nightly.  Some people may say that this is too much manipulation for the hair, but my hair loves it.  If I don’t twist my hair each night it will be tangled in the morning.  I always twist using 10 big twists and I will either wear a twistout or a tuck and bun for the day.
  4. Application of a heavy duty protein treatment.  My hair really doesn’t like protein, but when I saw all those little hairs I figured that it could not hurt anything.  I purchased a packet of the Aphogee Two-Step Treatment and applied, making sure that I used a moisturizing deep conditioner afterwards.
  5. Trimmed my ends!  Before the trim, I had not trimmed m hair since my BC!  I guess you can say that I was hanging on to the length.  To trim, I simply twisted my hair and snipped the ends or I trimmed without twisting on the angled parts.  Now that I’ve trimmed, my hair feels amazing and its behaving a little too.
  6. Stopped using a comb/brush.  Using either one causes a lot of breakage for me, so I use my fingers to get the job done.  My hair is not tangled or matted at all.
  7. Stopped using any type of heat.  I’m not adding fuel to the fire.  My hair will be 100% when I add heat again!

Have you had to deal with hair breakage before?  How did you overcome the situation?