Let's Talk About...My Hair!

I've been mulling over this post for more than a month. I wasn't sure about what to talk about or how...meh so here goes
History
I had a big *ss fro up until I was 21, at which I point I decided I wanted straight hair. I relaxed and then texlaxed for about 7 years.

Afro puff at 3 years old

 In the last 2 years before going natural I cut my hair for the first time in my life into a Cleopatra bob...I loved it but as you all know manitaining hair cuts is a mission. So I grew it out and then in April 2014 I did my last relaxer and decied to transition (for 24 months) back to natural hair. 

December 2010: My hair had already started breaking.

I wasn't happy with the texture or the feel of my hair. It felt dry and brittle, I couldn't retain length and truth be told..I just MISSED MY AFRO!
So fast forward 18 months (I couldn't take it anymore); I chopped off the relaxed ends. Best. decision. ever. 

Braidout, 8 Months post big chop

I've been natural for 8 months and I'm in love with my hair once again. For the most part, I keep my hair in box braids and twists. It's just easier that way (I get lazy).

Kinky twists

Silver box braids

Before relaxer, I had bra-strap length hair...so my immediate goal is to get it back to that. 
I'm currently at armpit length (I've already had one trim this year, and I'll probably do another in November).
 
So below is a summary of my current hair regimen, which contiunes to evolve as I discover new products. Also, I've linked to the products to the supplier websites for more information. I haven't included any of the products that I use to straghten my hair. I'll deal with that in a later post (it's not something that I do very often).

Hair regimen
Co-wash (I'm trying not to shampoo every week, so I alternate: shampoo every 2 weeks)
As I Am Coconut Cowash
Shea Moisture African Black Soap Purification Masque
 
Pre-shampoo/detangling (I like to detangle my hair before I wash it. So I mix my cheapie conditioner with JBCO and add that to sections of my hair before detangling with my fingers, wide tooth comb and finally denman brush).
Tresemme Naturals Vibrantly smooth & Colour radiance conditioners (No longer available in South Africa :-( I've got 1and 1/2 bottles left).
Sunny Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil
 
Shampoos (every 2 weeks)
Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen and Grow shampoo
Giovanni Ecochic Wellness System shampoo
 
Deep conditioners (every week)
The Body Shop Rainforest Radiance Butter
Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen and Grow deep treatment masque
 
Leave-in conditioners
Cantu shea butter for Natural hair Leave-in Conditioning Cream
African Black Soap Balancing Conditioner
Jamaican Black Castor oil Strengthen & Grow leave-in conditioner
  
Styling products (I use these after adding my leave-in for a braidout or a twistout. I prefer braidouts because I get better definition and longevity).

Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Styling Milk
Jamaican Black Castor oil Strengthen & Grow styling lotion
Shealoe butter mix (Shea butter, Coconut oil and Aloe vera juice)
Ecostyler Argan oil gel 

Protein treatments (I've lightened my hair and I use semi-permanent colour, so I need all the help I can get).
Light (Once a month): CHI Deep Brilliance Silkeratin 17 & Moisture Treatment
Heavy (Every 8 weeks): Aphogee Two-Step Protein treatment


Done! I'm feeling very accomplished :-)

See you in my next post, 

xoxo, N

Wash Day - Kinky Twists are Gone

Hello everyone, thanks for dropping by. Today I'm going to chronicle my latest wash day. 

I removed my latest protective style - waist-length kinky twists ...what was I thinking? 
Anyway, after 5 hours I was finally done removing the extensions and it was time to detangle and pre-poo; I do this in one step and this time I mixed the Garnier Ultimate Blends The Nourishing Repairer conditioner (available at Clicks, Dischem and major supermarkets R 39.95-59.95) with Jamaican black castor oil from Sunny Isle (I purchased this from www.african-flair.co.za 236ml for R 249.00).

Pre-poo treatment: conditioner and Jamaican black castor oil

I have thick hair, so I divide my hair into 4 or 5 sections for wash day; I applied the mixture to my hair focussing on the tips and finger detangle before using my Denman D7 brush to finish the job starting at the tips (I could write songs to my D7...it's that good!) and then I twist each section. after I'm detangling all my hair, I cover it with a plastic cap or cling wrap and wait a minimum of 30 minutes before shampooing.

On to the next step; I rinsed out my pre-poo treatment and proceeded to shampoo with the Don't be Flaky anti-dandruff shampoo from Giovanni. I apply the shampoo to each section focussing on the scalp and then massage with my fingers, and keep it on 5 minutes before rinsing it out. One application is enough to cleanse my scalp and hair without stripping it. 

I dry my hair with a t-shirt and since I wanted to refresh my colour I mixed my Crazy color in peacock blue with the CHI curl preserve low pH treatment. After applying it generously, I coverred my hair with cling wrap and waited 90 minutes before rinsing it out. My hair was really soft afterwards and my coils were popping!

Deep condition and colour in one step: CHI Curl Preserve System and Crazy color in peacock blue

Cantu Leave-in conditioner and Body Shop Beautifying Oil

I covered my hair with a t-shirt to dry and then followed up with the LOC method to moisturize and seal: Cantu leave-in conditioning cream, Body Shop Brazil nut beautifying oil and hair butter cream (with shea butter and Jamaican black castor oil).
Because the weather is wet this week, I decided to wear my hair in 12 braids and wear headwraps. I'll unwrap and unravel for a braidout over the weekend since I'm going to a wedding on Saturday. 

...that's a wrap!

xoxo, 
N