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Updated Regimen & Natural Face Wash

Been noticing a few things over this break and over this hair journey...

I'm not sure if my hair likes Pre-Poos. I could be wrong. But, for now, I'm officially switching to Deep Conditioning before Co-washes. I found a great DC mix that my hair loves (Lustrasilk, Honey, Salt, EVCO, Aloe Vera Gel). I rarely shampoo anymore and my hair seems to be happy. So here is my updated regimen:

Co-wash 2x week.
DC 2x week before co-washes.
Moisturize/Seal 2x daily.
MN 1x day at night.
Heat (w/ protectant) 2x month (no more than).
Light Protein before and after Heat.

*Add salt to DCs.
*Add honey to DCs.
*Apply leave-ins before MN.

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Also, I experimented and found a great face wash that you can make from household items. Since the hair journey, my face has been extra oily from all the oils I use on my hair. I use Walmart-brand facial cloths to wash my face but wanted to find something a little stronger. I mixed

lemon juice,
baking soda and
salt


and made a thin paste. I used a cotton pad and applied it to my face. I let it sit on for a few minutes and then wiped it off with a warm wash rag, before doing a final rinse with cold water. I then mixed some of my aloe vera gel with my facial moisturizer and... voila! My skin looks youthful, bright and clean... almost like I have makeup on! I took pictures so they should be on Fotki in the next week.

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Trying Bantu Knots tonight... hope they come out good for New Year's Eve!

God bless and Happy New Years.

All Big Lots are not created equal. New Pics

So, yesterday, after my LAST UNDERGRADUATE EXAM (yay!), I ran off to Big Lots hoping to find some new leave-ins and the Micanozole.

I got to Big Lots, with a big grin on my face, and went straight for the hair aisles. I walked to the basic one and than started wandering around for the mega-aisle that had all the great conditioners like the one back home.

Didn't have it! I was so disappointed!

Ah, well, I'm going back home tomorrow, so I'll stop by then.

I did manage to get some Anti-fungal for $1.50 (the main ingredient in Monistat), but it's actually called Tolnaftate. I googled it and saw that it actually had a pending patent for hair-growing agents.

Side effects? I noticed somewhat of a headache while applying the cream (think how your hair feels when you just get it braided) but it wasn't major i.e. didn't require a Tylenol. I also noticed that this tube of antifungal is only 1% when most of the ladies had been using 2% or 4%. Also, the itching that I had experienced since my last perm has gone away. Anti-fungals are purposed to relieve anti-itching and burning.

I don't know why so many people find it weird to put it on their scalp. It's prescribed to go on other topical areas (your little lady down there and your feet and skin!). Your scalp is skin! I do feel like I'm "cheating" on this healthy hair journey. But I want SL hair by May... and, dang-it I'm going to get there! I'd like to find some MN with no mineral oil or petrolatum though!!

I'm uploading all of my pics (finally @ http://public.fotki.com/Gaela/)

Also, here's how I want to use the Antifungal:

-Every day directly to scalp. Until I see bad side-effects (shedding, headaches).
-Leave-in conditioner, applied directly to scalp/new growth:
1 parts Aveda Rosemary Mint conditioner
1 parts Water
2 parts Aloe Vera Gel
2 parts Antifungal

Shake and spray!!!

Co-Wash, Cayenne, Garlic, Hair Hater, Monistat?

Bored... tired of studying! Ah... when will it end? Oh, Friday.

Anyway, finally co-washed today. The last time was Saturday. I wanted to try the cayenne pepper mix because in all honesty I did notice some thickness where I used it at. I thought hair there would NEVER grow or change because I use to scratch the mess out of it in my high school days. The hair was literally half an inch long on the crown of my hair (a big patch of it in that area, actually). Now, it's mostly about an inch long (still a few really short parts) and the hair is way thicker...

Anyway, I was reading on LHCF about coffee adding circulation the hair? LOL... I won't knock it till I try it, but I'm not wasting my Folger's on chance. And the circulation talk got me thinking about the cayenne pepper that I had bought and only used once.

Cayenne Pepper mix:
5 parts CP
1 part coconut oil

Then I just mix it up and try to have a paste consistency (really really thick). I apply it to my nape, the crown, and my front hairline. I spritzed my Aveda Rosemary Conditioner (diluted w/ Water) and did a quick scalp massage, baggied, and studied.

I also made a garlic powder paste and applied it to my ends (yes, I was walking around smelling like a steak restaurant!) But when I used GP last time to stop the mega-tek shedding, I loved the way it left my hair feeling. I've noticed a little more shedding this week than usual (probably because I failed to moisturize last week). I applied my Isoplus orange oil conditioner and baggied. Left it on for about 2 hours.

Washed out the pre-poo, co-washed with VO5 peaches and milk. Spritzed leave-in, oiled a little, wrapped, studied. :)

I'll have to research it, but that GP really makes my hair thicker, softer and instantly stops the shedding. I found a few hairs in my shower comb, but they all had "white bulbs" which I read somewhere is a good thing.

HAIR HATER APPROVES OF HAIR

My mama is my #1 hair hater! She's just a skeptic in general but has always made sure to assure me my hair is horrible and just will never grow. Well, a few days ago she came up to visit. I had my half-wig on, but took it off when we got inside my apartment, and had my hair in 2 pig tails LOL. I had been moisturizing and sealing with the coconut oil this week, so my hair was fresh! She noticed that it HAD gotten longer (she said I was imagining things when I told her T-giving wkkd that my hair had grown). And she noticed it was softer and looked way healthier. I'm still trying to get her to believe that Traycee's hair is real... but that's a whole 'nother issue.

VA-JAY-JAY CREAM?

So... I wanna try monistat! I've been reading about it on LHCF and since it's supposedly only $1 some places... why not? Those girls were saying there hair grew like crazy. And I am determined to have my full bob by May 3 2009 [graduation!!] They said some of the side effects were shedding (oh no... another mega tek?) and headaches (eww!). A few ladies talked about the embarrassment of buying the cream... but uh, I don't care! As long as the cashier's female LOL Idk, though, cause some guys probably don't know what it is... Anywho, I'll probably pick some up Friday... AFTER WORK... AFTER MY LAST UNDERGRADUATE EXAMS!!!!!! yay Take some before pics and be on the lookout for shedding...

Working on a Budget

So... I'm a college student. And I work on a budget. Throwin' a healthy hair journey into the mix was a bit of a challenge cause I'm broke. And a lot of times I'm in Sally's trying to decide if I want to eat this week or take care of my hair. lol It's not that bad :) But overtime, the conditioners, brushes, products, etc can add up.

So, I just about hit the JACKPOT of all hair products Thanksgiving Day weekend. I was actually at Big Lots to return a product (VO5 deep conditoner) because I read on its label, after I bought it, that it has protein. I don't need any more protein products (had enough overloads as it is).

Anyway, so I wander over to the hair aisle after my return. I see a few items but nothing strikes my interest. I go an aisle over the shampoos/conditioners/body lotion (their aisle setup is so weird! lol) and ...HEAVEN! Huge bottles of shampoo's and conditoners with GREAT ingredients for really cheap. I didn't see anything over $5 and these were huge bottles... like the one's you see in BSS's for "salon use only".
Various oils, no harsh sulfates, etc

I didn't want to become a product junkie so I'm trying to finish off a lot of the products I currently own before I feed my PJism at Big Lots (probably this Saturday). I've really become attached to my Aveda Rosemary Mint Conditioner. I dilute it with about 2 parts water and use it as a leave-in. It has rosemary, peppermint, jojoba and several other oils and I usually apply it to my new growth/scalp and massage it in; leaves my hair so soft.

I'm running low on the Aveda RMC and it's retail value online is $10. I found an Aveda supplier near my hometown, but don't think I'm willing to pay $10. So hopefully I'll find a good knock off at Big Lots.

I also need a Deep Conditoner and want to try Aubrey's Organic's Honeysuckle Rose Conditoner or find a cheap knock-off at Big Lots. Click here for ingredients

If you have a Big Lots near you, I'd suggest going! And if you strike gold somewhere else for cheap, let me know!

SHEDDAGE

I lost some hair after I neglected to moisturize for a few days AND didn't wear my scarf at night. In my defense, it's finals week! I've been studying like crazy and not getting enough sleep. But after my friend mentioned how dry my hair was on Friday, I moisturized on Saturday. My hair was HARD and breaking off so bad!!!!!! I made sure to moisturize and have been keeping up with it since but definitely a set-back for my hair growth

Listening to My Hair....

I've been "listening" to my hair recently ... and it seems like I got good ears! lol

I had to flat iron my hair 2x this week... once for my friend's birthday dinner and the second for my senior pictures.

I "deep conditioned" before flat-ironing the first time. Actually, I just used Aphogee 2-minute reconstructor and left it on for about 20 minutes and rinsed. Then conditioned with VO5 peaches & milk conditioner.

I noticed a lot of build up on my scalp, but continued on to my leave-ins. Let the hair dry a little, and used the heat protectant.

Yesterday, I needed to flat iron for the pictures. But I noticed my hair was looking kind of dull and weak. So the night before I used my clarifying shampoo (no i didn't pre-poo, but PP's aren't seeming to do anything for me). I pooed 2x, then still felt that "weakness" in my hair. I decided to try the IC Fantasia protein deep conditioner... the one I used for my very first DC that made my hair extremely hard. I was a little scared because I didn't want hard hair. So I used a little less than normal, and concentrated on my ends. I put a cap on for about 5-10 minutes and rinsed. HEAVEN! My hair felt so strong and soft. I co-washed and got out of the shower. Leave-in's and wrapped.


So now I know that particular DC is good when my hair is "weak" or has been flat ironed a lot.

I have a question. My scalp is STILL having a lot of build up, even after the clarifying poo. It doesn't itch or anything but it's really flaky. Any tips on how to poo to get them out? Or products... or anything??????????

Update

It's been a minute since I've updated. Some changes:

-Protein Overload last week! I prepooed with Loreal Nature Therapy. It looks something like this:



This was actually a light protein conditioner compared what happened when I used fantasia conditioner. But I noticed in the shower, my hair was hard, so I followed with Suave clarifying shampoo and VO5 conditioner. This helped a lot but I still noticed some tangles.

-

Bought some Aloe Vera gel and I mix it with Wave Nouveau to Moisturize. It made my hair a little hard when I first started using it, but it's not bad now. Really helps to lay down my edges and softens my hair.

I'm going to relax this weekend because I have a ceremony to attend on Saturday, and Thanksgiving day is next week also.

So glad I'm on my way to healthier, longer hair!

$2.49 Coconut Oil

Found 12 oz Natural Coconut Oil for $2.49

http://musclemaster.net/virgin-coconutoil-1.html

I'm running out of my 7-oils, and since this is so cheap, why not!

Nov. 5. 2008!!!!!

Yo, we have a black president? Who would've thunk it? I'm happy that my grandparents get to see a black president, but I'm not jumping on Obama's bandwagon just yet... congrats to him and his fam!

On the hair tip, I'm a few days away from 8 weeks post. 4 weeks ago, I was tempted to perm my hair, which would've resulted in some overprocessing galore. My hair's looking okay, still rocking the half wig. I braid the hair that doesn't need to be "out", and put the half wig over the braids. I find the braids help retain moisture and keeps my hands out of my hair.

I wanted to rock a braid out with my short hair this morning but it wasn't lookiing right, so I threw on the half wig.

Last night, I tried something new. After my 2x weekly MegaTek application ONLY on the areas that need it (edges in front and back, few spots on crown of head), it was time to moisturize. I mixed about even amounts of my Wave Nouveau moisturizer & Shea Butter plus. I squirted in a bit of my 7-oil and mixed this with an applicator brush. I used the brush to apply the mix to my scalp and hair between my braids (about 10 of them). I then moisturized my hair (the actual braid) and the front where my hair was left out at. I sprayed my Aveda Rosemary-Mint conditioner (diluted) onto my scalp and hair, applied some more 7-oil and massaged my scalp, wrapped and went to bed.

This morning my hair was so soft and shiny! It looked and felt so great. I'm going to try to do this "deluxe" moisturizing after every wash. My new growth has been defeated! lol It's laying down so good.

DOMINICAN BLOW-OUT: Nov. 26 (11 weeks-post)
SELF-PERM: Dec. 11 (13 weeks-post)

I might get weak and get a Blow out and Perm before thanksgiving, let's hope I hold out!!!

I'm going out of town this weekend to see Joyce Meyer, Kirk Franklin, Christian rapper Da Truth, I'm so excited :) I want to try bantu knots tonight after I co-wash, but I think the long half-wig would better suit the weekend! We'll see.

Laters and Blessings,

2 week update

I believe it's officially 2 weeks since starting a hair care regimen. I'm learning a lot a long the way. Few updates:

#1: My Mega-Tek use is being cut down DRAMATICALLY as of now. My hair never sheds, even in its driest, worse state. Since using MT, I see shedding everywhere --- on my hair bottles, all over the sink, in the comb, in the shower, etc. Yes, I'm seeing growth, but what's the point if my hair is just going to shed. I've been mixing garlic powder with MT and oil since day 1, but it's not seeming to help. I'm cutting back to using it once a week (the night before I shampoo, so I can rinse it off in the morning) and only on my edges.

#2: SHRINKAGE IS KILLING ME! With every passing week of post-relaxer, my hair looks as if its getting shorter and shorter. This shouldn't bother me, because I know that the new growth is curling and making it look that way, but it's a little frustrating when I look in the mirror and see shorter hair than yesterday. *sigh*

#3: My hair is almost fully restored from the "protein overload" incident last week. Yay! I put protein on my hair for the first time since last week (a few sprays of my Motions leave-in) and its seeming to do fine. I'm just going to spray a little more each day and see how it goes.

#4 I really need to upload pics soon but I'm so busy and my camera is a headache. The batteries die so quick, and blah blah blah. I'm hoping to get a new camera soon, so we'll see.

#5 HALFWIG SUCCESS! Everyone loves my hair. In my first post, I mentioned I bought some $5/pack human hair track, and a wig cap to make my own half-wig. I have a half-wig but the hair is down my back and I wanted something a little closer to my real length. I glued the hair onto the cap Friday, played with/clipped it on Saturday and Sunday, and curled it this morning before class and... bam, I was looking good for 6 weeks-post! The hair looks layered, it's so nice. Pics coming (one day!) This is my new protective style for now.

#6: I want to try Bantu Knots! Saw some videos on youtube and want to try it out. Maybe next week?

#7: My new relaxer goal/date is Nov 19th (10 weeks-post). If my hair is looking REALLY rough, i'll get a relaxer. If not, I'll try to wait until Dec. 16 (14-weeks). My friend found someone who does Dominican blow outs in our home town so I might get that Nov 19th instead of the relaxer if I feel my hair (or my anxiousness) can wait.

# 8:GOD IS SO AWESOME!

:)

Protein Recovery!

My hair seems to be back in good shape. That same day, I pre-pooed overnight and then co-washed the next day. It was still somewhat hard in the shower but a lot better than the day before. Because my hair wasn't 100%, I decided to wear the half-wig again yesterday. BUSY BUSY BUSY... I didn't even moisturize yesterday and didn't get in until this morning. My hair was dry. I applied MegaTek to my scalp (currently applying 3x week) and then moisturized and sealed.... my hair is currently wrapped up and a little damp from the moisturizer so we'll see what it's looking like when I go out later today (Homecoming weekend @ my college! yay)

I'm noticing some shedding that I'm guessing is from the MegaTek. I would say the protein overload, but it wasn't shedding that day. I am noticing some good new growth where I'm applying Mega Tek! Because of the shedding, I think I'm going to try applying it only the nights I pre-poo, so 2x week and than of course rinse it off the next morning. **Crosses fingers**

Happy weekend!

Protein Overload Disaster

Since I didn't co-wash the other day like I was supposed to, I decided to today. I Prepooed w/ Isoplus overnight, got up and co-washed this morning. I was really wanting to clarify and deep condition my hair as well. I could've used Suave Clarfying shampoo or Aphogee 2 minute Reconstructer. I decided to go with Aphogee; the label said it has protein in it as well.

I washed out the Reconstructor after 5 min, and then co-washed with VO5 conditioner. I noticed my hair was a little hard, considering that I had pre-pooed.

I shrugged it off and grabbed my deep conditioner. I noticed on the label that it had protein. I was scared I would overload, but at the same time really wanted to deep condition (even though I DCed last week after my shampoo). So I applied the DC with my 7-oils and blow dryed. My hair felt so soft...until....

I washed that mess out! Knots and tangles in the shower and my hair seemed dry. I again shrugged it off and went to apply leave ins that's when I noticed my hair was REALLY hard and just brittle. I went to try and rinse the DC out more... no use, still had hard hair!

So know I know... don't Aphogee 2MR w/ my DC!!!! My DC, Leave-ins and Shampoo all have protein. And I used Mega-Tek every other day.

Thank God for my half-wig cause I'd be looking a mess today... and my hair was so nice yesterday! :( What a setback, cause I noticed more shedding when I rinsed out too. :( :(

Oh well, life goes on... I'm prepooing right now under my half-wig (nobody knows but me... shhh lol) and I have an exam and a 2-hr shift at work tomorrow, so I'll probably add more conditioner tonight and just rinse out tomorrow and try to solve this mess.

Regimen Shake-Up

I am absolutely loving my hair right now. It's so soft! I never would've imagined that at almost 6-weeks post-relaxer my hair would be feeling and looking like this. My mom came up this weekend and complimented my hair (very rare for her). This must be working.

I got my Mega-Tek in yesterday! So exciting. I was mad when I realized I only got the 2 oz jar, but at least this way I can try it out. I mixed it with my 7-oils and garlic powder (the girls on different forums says the garlic powder keeps from shedding). It smells like medicine and seems to me really potent. I could feel it "warming" on my scalp when I first put it on and later it was itching a bit. I don't like smelling like garlic! I only plan on using Mega-Tek 3 days a week, probably the days before I shampoo/co-wash.

I was driving around the other day, and saw the County Feed & Supply store and stopped to see if they had Mega-Tek. They do! The bigger jar is $25.95, which is cheaper than the online price (and also no shipping). So if all goes well with my 2 oz jar, I'll be upgrading to this bottle.

I've changed products, and I now think I'm showing early symptoms of PJ --- product junkie-ism. I've been using as my moisturizer, and then sealing with . The Shea Butter Plus is basically water and all oils. So using that and then sealing with MORE oil caused the oils to really build up my hair. Gross, greasy residue (but still soft hair) was the result.

So, this weekend I went looking for another moisturizer. I looked around, sniffed this, tried that... and then I saw I'd heard a lot about this moisturizer, but wanted to find "my own" moisturizer. lol I put some lotion on my hands and wow... I'd never seen a "gel" type moisturizer. It looked so cool! lol I tried it on my hair, and it looked pretty good. But when I realized it was only $3.99 for this big container... I was sold. lol

Now I moisturize with W.N. and seal with the Shea Butter Plus. There's been no nasty residue on my hair! Yay! I use as a leave-in conditioner for my dry scalp and new-growth (dilute it 1/2-1/2 with water, and a few squirts of oil).

I was supposed to co-wash and deep-condition yesterday, but I had family over. And honestly, my hair is so soft right now, I'm not sure if it needs it. Oh, more good news. I found a bonnet dryer attachment marked down at Sally's for $2.99! It says it was the original bonnet dryer and had a girl from the 90s on it painting her fingernails... so I'm a little scared. lol

Wish me luck as I continue to push back my relaxer date. I'm now hoping to at least wait 7 weeks (next Friday). We'll see...!

(((Pictures coming Friday)))

Goals

My hair is currently above my hairline in the back. The bottom 1/2 inch is shaved.

GOALS

JANUARY 2009 -
Neckline-length hair (I think I just made up a new acronym for those w/ shorter hair! NLL, lol) My Mega Tek should be in soon and if I continue taking great care of my hair, this is highly obtainable.

MAY2009 -
Shoulder Length Hair
In time for my college graduation! SLH would be about a 3-4 inch gain for me. Wish me luck! I want my hair to be swaying with each step I take across that stage! lol

Soft hair... me?

Okay, black hair advocates. You've made a believer out of me! My hair has never been this soft to the touch. I mentioned I'm 5 weeks post, and was tempted to relax my hair today after some of the new growth was getting ridiculous. Now, I think I might be able to stretch 2 MORE WEEKS!

I pre-pooed last night with my Isoplus Orange conditioner (which I love) but I'm running out of it so why not? I also added my 7-oil mix (bought it from Sally's a while back). I put on a shower cap, tied it down with a scarf, went to sleep.

Woke up this morning, shampooed with Motion's Shampoo, conditioned with VO8, and deep conditioned. DC took me forever... okay, not really. Like 20-30 minutes, but I had to rush since I had classes later today. I wet a hand towel, microwaved it for 2 minutes and put it over my DC-ed hair. The towel cooled off really soon so I'm not sure that's an effective way to apply heat. I guess I'll use my blow dryer on warm setting until I can afford a hooded.

I rinsed out, and felt the softness immediately! My hair was actually soft after shampooing! It was great. I have to work REALLY HARD usually to get soft hair, and it usually ends up oily and greasy!

I used my Leave Ins & moisturizing, clipped my ends (thank the Lord...way overdue!) and combed my hair back to clip it!

Was off to class! With SOFT hair.

Oh happy day.

Gaela's Hair Journey

Hey, I'm Gaela and I want longer hair! I got a short cut 2 years ago (1 inch all over, shaved in back) and my hair has never seemed to grow past my nape since then.

BASIC ROUTINE SINCE 2006:
Wash hair with Dove Shampoo once a week.
Condition with Isoplus Orange conditioner.
Leave in Conditioner: VO8 or John Frieda products
Light moisturize every few days (Motions or Pink Lotion).
Use natural 7-Oil usually after wash.
Flat iron once a week, after wash.
Blow dry, rarely. 3 - 4 times a year (natural air dry)
Relaxer every 5 weeks (My hair is course and resists perms. I have serious new growth 3 weeks after a relaxer and couldn't possibly imagine waiting an extra week)

So, as you can see, I did some things right, some things not so good. After my friend directed me to www.hairlicious.blogspot.com on Monday, I've been trying to adapt some of my ways. Actually, all of them. I've spent about $40 on products and hopefully that'll be it! lol I'm a college student, so money is tight right now.

WHAT I'VE BOUGHT FOR '08:
Pair of Cutting Shears ($6)
Assorted Head Bands ($3)
African's Best Organics Shea Butter PLUS moisturizer ($4)
Fantasia IC Deep Conditioner w/ Aloe ($8)
MegaTek 2oz Rebuilder ($13)
Wig Cap & Weave to make my own wig when I'm w/o a perm ($6)
VO5 Conditioner ($1...yes!)

WHAT I HAVE ALREADY:
Aveda Rosemary Mint conditioner(found under the sink! has many good oils in it, works great for co-wash/diluted leave ins)
Motions Leave in Conditioner
Motions Lavish Shampoo (ditched the Dove that was drying my hair out)

STILL NEED:
A good wide tooth comb
Clarifying Shampoo
A better moisturizer than the Africa's Best (want to try Elasta QP Mango, but my Sally's doesn't have it!)

PROPOSED REGIMEN:
Co-wash 1x week
Pre-poo 2x week
Deep Condition 2x week
Moisturize/Oil 2x day (extremely dry hair)
Shampoo 1x week
Protein 1x month
Mega-tek 3x week (for the first week, to see if it works/doesn't shed)
Clarify 1x week
Relaxer every 6 weeks

PICS WILL BE POSTED SOON & A LINK TO MY FOTKI