Product Review: Silk Elements MegaSilk Moisturizing Treatment

After reading such a good review on this product, I bought the sample packet when I was in Sallys this weekend. It's usually $1.39, but was on sale for 99 cents. I know I wrote that I don't want to risk any setbacks, but the ingredients seem pretty good, so it didn't seem like a big risk.

Product Description
- Deep conditioning properties reduce tangles
- Gives an intense shine and manageability without product buildup
- Great for detangling and ease of combing

Adds an intense shine To give your hair amazing shine without the gunky build up, this product is great. Detangle and soften hair with the deep conditioning properties of this treatment. Use is for everyday conditioning or deep conditioning treatments and watch your hair transform into beautiful, healthy hair.

Directions: Apply to wet hair. Allow to sit for 3-5 minutes then rinse. For intense conditioning, cover hair with plastic cap and use moderate heat for 5-7 minutes. Style as usual.

Ingredients
Water(Aqua), Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium, Methosulfate, Glycerin, Amodimethicone, Cetyl esters, Sodium PCA, Fragrance (Parfum), Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Trideceth-12, Silk Amino Acids, Helianthus, Annuus (Sunflower Seed) oil, Chlorhexidine, Dihydrochloride, Cetrimonium Chloride, Yellow 5 (CI 19140)

My Experience
I used this as a deep conditioner for my wash yesterday. It's a lot thicker than I thought it would be, which worried me, because in general, super-thick conditioners don't do well on my hair. I used about a third of the packet, and deep conditioned under the dryer for a little over 10 minutes. When I rinsed it out, my hair felt moisturized, but I didn't feel the slip that I'm used to. It also didn't de-tangle my hair as well as I wished. I softened it up with a quick rinse of Pantene R&N conditioner and roller set my hair as usual. My hair came out pretty good. It feels moisturized and full, and my roots feel good, which is what I look for in conditioners now. So I liked it, but not as much as I like my ORS Replenishing or Pantene R&N Breakage Defense. I will use up the rest of the packet, but I'm not sure I will buy it again. I'm sure it's great for many heads, but like I said, my hair doesn't really like super-thick conditioners.

In a Rut

I've been feeling like I'm in a rut lately- hair-wise and overall life-wise. I know a lot of it has to do with the days getting shorter, the weather getting colder and the fact that I haven't been exercising lately. My dog had surgery on his leg about a month ago, so now I don't take him for our 2-mile walks every day. I need to just walk without him I guess...

As far as hair, I keep telling myself to be patient as my hair grows out of this awkward phase. It's not short anymore, but it's not long either. I've just been sticking with my staple products and continuing to not use any direct heat. I'm not trying to risk having a set-back, but I also don't feel as pretty. My hair is getting thicker and longer, but some days I think I look like an old lady! At night, I've been alternating between cross-wraps, pin curls and full wraps. Each of those techniques have their pros and cons:

Cross-wraps
Pros: my sides look great
Cons: the back looks messed up- it doesn't fall too well

Pin Curls
Pros: my hair looks curly and full
Cons: inconsistent curls- some areas look great, while others look bent or frizzy; I also don't like that my hair loses some bounce and doesn't lay well

Full Wrap
Pros: my hair looks full and put together
Cons: one side is usually sticking out and frizzy; I lose curls after the first 2 days

Some other observations this week:

- I did try alternating the direction I wrap in every night this week. I was afraid my hair would look a mess, but it came out okay. I don't think it would work for a whole week, though.

- I used castor oil on my ends last night before I pin curled, and my hair came out so thick-looking and shiny! I tried castor oil earlier this year as a pre-poo, and it was too heavy, but using just a drop on my ends seems like it will work for me.

- I tried my half wig on last night and I hated it! I don't know why, because when I wore it last year I loved it. I guess I'm going to shop for a new one, or maybe ask my stylist to cut this one in a style or something.

Hopefully, in another month or so, my hair will be long enough to put it in a bun!

The First Family

Words cannot express how I feel today. No one and nothing can ruin this day for me!!!

October '08 Relaxer

I got my relaxer last weekend. I went 8 weeks. I was aiming for 9 weeks, but like I wrote earlier, my vanity got in the way, and there wasn't much time for me to get a relaxer during week 9. I was experiencing a lot of shedding and breakage, so for now, 8 weeks is my limit. My hair stylist, D, gave me a Mizani regular relaxer again. The woman who rinsed my hair put in Nexxus Humectin conditioner in it. It smelled really good! D wrapped my hair and gave me a very little trim. She bumped my ends with the curling iron just to give me some bounce.

As D put in the relaxer and as she styled my hair, she kept commenting on how good my hair was doing. I didn't tell her about all the extra conditioning I've been doing, but I did tell her that I think the key is not using heat. She couldn't believe that I haven't used any heat since July. She asked me if it was really hard not using the curling iron or flat iron, and I told her no because a) I like my hair to look as full as possible, and I don't get that look with curling irons, and b) I honestly don't think I know how to use heat appliances correctly anyway.

I had a good experience this time at the salon. I was out of there in just under 2 hours, which I think is great, especially for a Saturday morning. I definitely see growth. I was excited that my hair is long enough that I don't even need to get my nape shaped up with the clippers anymore!

Product Review: Roux Porosity Control Conditioner

I bought the small, 2oz sample of this from Sallys a few months back. I had used it once before my relaxer and then forgot about it until now. I used it this week because I might get a relaxer this weekend.

Product Description
Use before a chemical service to prevent chemical shock, to equalize hair porosity and ensure predictable results. Moisturizes, detangles, lusterizes. Helps create more uniform color, perm and relaxer results. Leaves hair natural looking, vibrant and manageable.

Directions: Apply to damp hair before a chemical service. Leave in hair 30 seconds then rinse. Perform the chemical service (color, perm, relax, bleach). Can be used after a chemical service when additional conditioning is required.

Ingredients
Propylene gycol, oleyl betaine, dicetyldimonium chloride, lecithin, guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, lactic acid , coumarin, eugenol, hexyl cinnamal , methylparaben, propylparaben, dmdm hydantoin, titanium dioxide, mica

My Experience
The first time I used this product, I applied it after I shampooed and followed up with a deep condition. My hair felt stronger when I went in for my touch-up. This time, I used it as a 2-minute rinse after my ORS Replenishing deep condition. It didn't de-tangle my hair as much as I thought it would, but when I took out my rollers...wow. I didn't even use a moisturizer, I just rubbed coconut oil on my finger tips as I fingered out the curls. My roots were so moist! I have never experienced moisture like that in my new growth at 7 weeks. Three days later, my roots were still moist without adding any other moisturizer. Because I may get a relaxer tomorrow, I oiled my scalp with Hollywood Beauty Castor oil, but I really didn't need the moisture.

Can I use this product weekly or every other week?? I'm buying the larger bottle the next time I'm at the beauty supply store. Sunshyne did a good analysis of this product last month, with different ways to use it! I may try to mix it with my deep conditioner next time!

Yes, I might get a relaxer tomorrow. I made the appointment a few days ago. I know I can go another week, but my vanity is getting in the way . I'm just not feeling pretty with all this new growth and I don't know how to blow out or properly flatiron my roots. I'm also not happy about the shed hairs in my sink and on my shirt every day. Also, my nape (aka "kitchen") is really bad. Maybe when my hair is a little longer, I'll be able to stretch longer without worrying about how my hair lays or the beady b's showing. The other reason is that I don't have any time next week to get my hair done. I have to work late every day next week, and have to work next Saturday morning and attend a wedding in the afternoon. I'm proud to have gone 8 weeks. This year has been the first time I've ever gone past 6, and even then I would sometimes go 4 or 5 weeks. I can definitely see more thickness, which is also attributed to the fact that I haven't used a flatiron or curling iron on my hair in over 3 months (whoo hoo!). So, the guilt I feel about not making it to 9 weeks is trumped by the discipline I've had since starting my hair journey!

October '08 Hair Update

I know I haven't been writing here much lately, but honestly, I don't have much to write about. That and the fact that my job has me working like a slave! I've just been trying to stick to my regimen. I've been drinking a lot more water every day and I started taking daily prenatal vitamins about a month ago. What I notice most is that my new growth became very noticeable at about 2 weeks post-relaxer, which is hopefully a sign of growth and thickness. My nails are hard as nails too- I can't remember the last time I had a split or broken nail!

It's been 7 weeks since my last relaxer and I'm hanging in there, hopefully for another 2 weeks at least. I've been working on finding products when I'm past 5 weeks post-relaxer. I find that most of my techniques stay the same, but I need products that have more moisture when I'm past that 5 week mark. I'm striving to go 9 weeks this time (I've never gone past 8), so I need to put in some extra effort to keep my hair healthy and presentable. It's still a work in progress, but here is what I have so far:

Pre-poo: Vanilla Organix Conditioner and Vatika Oil - the Vanilla Organix seems to soften my new growth and loosen the curls a little more than the other Organix conditioners I use to pre-poo. I apply it like relaxer to my roots and use heat for about 15 minutes before washing my hair. I'd like to try neem oil in the future since I've heard how much it softens new growth.

Shampoo (1x a week): Creme of Nature Shampoo - I just used this shampoo (green label) for the first time last weekend, and I liked it. My hair wasn't tangled and felt as moist as it could be, I think. I don't really know what moisturized hair feels like when wet, but I know what stripped hair feels like, and I didn't get that feeling from the CON. This is a keeper.

Conditioner Wash (1x a week): I continue to co-wash with V05 Moisture Milks. I've been using the Passion Fruit Smoothie flavor. It's good, but I'm in love with the Strawberries n Cream scent!

Deep Conditioner: ORS Replenishing - I like Pantene Breakage Defense Mask, but the ORS gives me moisture and slip that can't compare. Even though it has some olive oil in it (my hair hates olive oil), this conditioner seems to really penetrate my hair, not only moisturizing it, but also allowing other moisturizers to work better. I have been doing the Aphogee 2-minute treatment every week before deep conditioning.

Leave-In Conditioner: Giovanni Direct Leave-In - I went back to Salerm 21, and although both do a good job at de-tangling and moisturizing, the Giovanni softens my new growth much better.

Roller setting products: coconut oil + water spray/serum + water spray/setting lotion - Since my last relaxer, I've been setting my hair by spraying all over once with coconut oil mixed with water, and once with serum mixed with water, then using water to keep it wet. However, as my new growth got longer, this mix left me with a nice set with a rough afro underneath. This past weekend I added diluted Lottabody into the mix, and my roots were straighter and softer.

Moisturizer: B&B Oil Moisturizer and Coconut Oil - The biggest stretching challenge for me is keeping my hair moisturized. KeraCare Creme Hairdress is great, but after about 5 weeks, it doesn't keep my hair moisturized all day. I thought of bringing it to work with me, but that's just too much- I don't have time to moisturize my hair during the work day! I remembered when I first started using the B&B, it was almost time for a touch-up and it worked really well. So I started using it again about a week ago, just on my ends, but my roots were still dry and hard. The other day I started applying it to my new growth at night, and my roots have been moist and soft ever since. I've been doing this every night, even though my roots already feel great. I have also been pin curling, since my curls don't seem to stay as long after 5 weeks, and applying the B&B to my ends before I pin curl has been fabulous. I seal with coconut oil in the morning when I comb out my curls. Pin curling has also helped to keep my hair off my collars (yes, my hair is hitting my jacket collars!).

I know I haven't been posting photos much either, but I'd like to wait until my next relaxer so I can see if I had any growth!

Product Review: Neutrogena Triple Moisture Cream Lather Shampoo

I bought this last week in CVS- it was on sale for $4.99. I've been trying to find a good moisturizing shampoo, so I bought it. I know I wasn't all that happy about the mask from this line, but I thought it might be better if I used the products together.

Product Description
Developed to treat extra dry or over-processed hair. The gentle, deeply moisturizing shampoo for soft, smooth, totally touchable hair all day. For soft, smooth, totally touchable hair, begin with this gentle, deeply moisturizing shampoo. This revolutionary cream hair cleanser gently dissolves away impurities and helps provide intense moisturization throughout every hair strand. Salon-approved and scientifically proven to help even severely dry, over-processed hair feel soft, smooth and totally touchable all day, after a single use.
Three naturally derived extracts penetrate to help moisturize each layer of the hair strand:
Olive: penetrates to the center
Meadowfoam Seed: helps moisturize the middle
Sweet Almond: wraps the surface


Ingredients
Water, Sodium Trideceth Sulfate, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Sodium Chloride, Cocamide MEA, Meadowfoam Seed Oil (limnanthes alba), Olive Fruit Oil (olea europaea), Panthenol, Ethyl Ether, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Polyquaternium 7, Amodimethicone, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Castor Isostearate Succinate, Dimethiconol, Sweet Almond Oil (prunus amygdalis dulcis), Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Cetyl Alcohol, Guar Gum (cyamopsis tetragonoloba), Citric Acid, TEA, Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Fragrance

My Experience
I pre-poo'd with amla oil (after not using it for about 8 months) for a few hours. I didn't like the amla before, but now I realize I was using too much. I still like vatika better, but amla is good every now and then. Anyway, I shampooed with this product twice, and even the first time I got a lot of lather- which I'm not sure is a good thing or not. After rinsing, my hair didn't feel much different. It didn't feel drier or more moisturized than it did before I washed it. I followed up with the NTM Deep Recovery Mask, and dc'd with heat for about 25 minutes. I did my normal routine of leave-in and rollerset. When I took my rollers out, my hair was stiff and dry-looking. It felt somewhat moisturized, but looked horrible.

The only reason I did not immediately re-wash and condition my hair was because I was tired and defeated. Wrapping with saran wrap under the dryer for 15 minutes helped my hair lay down some, as did sealing the ends with a good amount of coconut oil.

I returned the shampoo last night. I felt bad about taking back a product I used, but not that bad. I could take or leave the shampoo, but I was so disgusted with how my hair came out from the shampoo/mask combination. I never say never, but I will probably never use anything from the NTM line again. Back on the hunt for a good shampoo...