Product Reflection

I don’t know what is going on with my hair right now, but I. don’t. like. it. I’m sure a lot of it has to do with the post partum shedding earlier this year. It just feels thin to me. It’s also been harder to keep it moisturized lately. I’m starting to re-evaluate some of my products. I haven’t been trying a lot of different products, but I do feel like I need to go back to what has worked for me in the past and stick with those products:

Pre-poo: I’ve been pre-pooing lately with either just vatika oil, or the Jason’s conditioner, which I don’t like, but wanted to use it up. I should just toss it, because it’s not good as a pre-poo either. I used to use Organix conditioner, so since it’s on sale at CVS this week, I’ll get some and use that to pre-poo later this week.

Shampoo: For my last couple of washes, I’ve been using Hair One for color treated hair with jojoba. I find that products for color treated hair do well for me even though I don’t have color. Also, the other kind of Hair One was the olive oil formula, and my hair doesn’t like olive oil. I’m going to stick with the Hair One for a few more weeks, because I do think it’s better than using shampoo for me.

Leave-in: I used to be able to tell a distinct difference when applying my leave-in, but it hasn’t been happening lately. The Giovanni Direct Leave-in formula has changed, but I thought it was better once I started diluting it with water. I just don’t have that same feeling anymore. I used Infusium 23 leave-in this weekend, and I had instant slip, my hair detangled super easily and my hair felt stronger and moisturized after I took my rollers out. I think this will be a consistent part of my regimen.

Deep conditioner: I still really like the ORS Replenishing conditioner. This weekend I mixed in some of my grapeseed oil mix and I loved how it made my hair feel. I will continue to add a few drops of oil to my conditioners.

Protein: I’ve been slacking on the protein ever since I got rid of my Aphogee 2 minute treatment—it wasn’t doing anything for my hair. Not using enough protein is probably the source of my problems. This weekend I used the Ion protein pack (it was 99 cents at Sallys). It helped a little, but nothing makes my hair strong like mayonnaise, so I’ll be doing a mayo treatment in a couple of weeks.

Moisturizer: I just remembered that I’m 6 weeks post relaxer, and my hair usually changes around this time, and I need to increase my moisture level. Also, I have a lot more new growth than usual, so I definitely need to use more moisturizer. I’m going to start applying castor oil to my scalp twice a week.

I recently bought some aloe vera juice and glycerin, so I will experiment on incorporating them into my regimen.

As far as styling goes, I’m getting better at the bantu knots. I actually went out- to a social function- with them this weekend. My hair looks a lot thicker when it’s textured like this, so I’m going to try do more of them this summer and maybe even try them during the week. Besides, it’s too hot to sit under the dryer with rollers every week!

7/1/10 Update: After writing this, I went home and took action. I oiled my scalp with castor oil and moisturized my ends with some B&B Oil. I think I used a little too much castor oil, but my hair was so much happier regardless of that. I usually only use the B&B Oil Moisturizer when I'm past 6 weeks post relaxer. My hair loves it. Ever since then, my hair has felt and looked much better. I will clarify this weekend because maybe I just have too much product in my hair.

Summer Protective Styles

I saw these styles on realsimple.com. I think they're all great summer protective styles. I wear the first style a lot around the house, but I think I'll wear it when I go out on the weekends too, even though my bf doesn't like it! The second style is cute and reminds me to get some nice headbands. The third style is great for a casual look or with a nice dress. It's also a little like bantu knots, so you could have a wavy style the next day.

Bantu Knots 2.0

Thanks to Traycee, I tried Silk Elements Designing Silk Mousse for my bantu knot out this weekend. This is what I did:

1. Co-washed with V05 Moisture Milks
2. Applied Salerm 21 leave-in, some serum and a dime-sized amount of Aussie conditioner to my hair
3. Put a scarf on my edges and air dried for about an hour
4. Applied Silk Elements Designing Silk Mousse to my hair and did 5 bantu knots. I also put some KeraCare Essential Oils on the ends
5. In the morning my hair was still a little damp so I sat under the dryer for about 15 minutes

My hair definitely had more waves, and they kept all day. It actually looked like a braid out. My ends were not straight at all, which is what I wanted. Overall, I was pleased. The only thing I did not like was that my hair wasn't as smooth as I wished. I think I need to do only 4 knots, and I also either need to let my hair air dry completely before the knots, or do the knots immediately and sit under the dryer. I think sitting under the dryer will make my hair smoother.

June 2010 Hair Update

I haven't been posting recently, mainly because nothing new is going on with my hair. I've just been trying to keep it as moisturized as possible, and deep conditioning to get my thickness back- I lost a lot from postpartum shedding.

I have also been experimenting with bantu knots and braidouts. I've decided to concentrate on the bantu knots. Braidouts take too much time and I feel like it's too much manipulation on my fine strands. I have been doing the bantu knots on the weekends, before I wash my hair. I'm not ready to risk it by wearing the style during the week when I have to work. So, I usually like how they come out, but the waves don't last- maybe I need some kind of product that will help them hold? The only product I used was Hawaiian Silky 14-in-1 on my dry hair. Yesterday, I thought my hair was too curly, but after spending 10 minutes outside, parts of my hair were straight again. I also think my ends are too straight, so I need to work on getting the ends a little more curly. Here's how I looked as soon as I took the knots out:




I tried a black tea rinse last week. I want to do it one more time before I have a definitive opinion!