Petite Diva Directs!!!!!

Today we feature Omowunmi of journalofapetitediva.blogspot.com . She is the original diva! She is the PETITE DIVA! I hope you can learn something from her. Also, chack out her blog. It is full of awesome randomness!!

1.Your hair is........(relaxed includes texlaxed, natural, loc'd)
(Include how you started your journey)
  I am texlaxed for now (I am thinking of going back to natural). I had gone natural before in 2009 but relaxed it in 2010. Then one day i realised that my hair seemed to have been stagnant so i decided to go back to natural because i believed that my hair would only grow in its natural state. I didn't realize until later that my hair seemed to thrive better when natural because i took care of it better than when it was relaxed. So after being a natural again for 19 months, i texlaxed my hair again.

2. What's your current length? 
  I think that majority of my hair is almost at armpit length (my hair is unequal due to some set backs and my growth rate).

3. How long have you been on a hhj and how long did it take to get to your current length?
 2 years and 9 months.

4. What's your daily and weekly regimen like?
 My daily regimen whether in a protective style or not involves the use of my diy moisturising spray, a light moisturiser, oils and my diy whipped Shea butter. When my hair is not in a protective style, before washing I prepoo always with my hot oil treatment. I prepoo because my shampoos are sulfate based. Then I wash once and depending on if i am installing a protective style like braids or weaves i do a hard protein treatment. I always do a moisturising deep conditioning treatment when i wash my hair. Sometimes i do a tea rinse before applying my deep conditioner and an apple cider vinegar rinse.

5. How do you like to wear your hair. ( i.e your go to protective style)
 My go to protective style used to be a boring sock bun but now I like using faux buns and extensions to create a sleek fun chic bun.

  6.  Have you suffered a setback on your journey? How did you deal with it? If no, what's the one setback you would like to avoid? And how are you avoiding it?
How did you deal with it? If no, what's the one setback you would like to avoid? And how are you avoiding it? Yes! A lot. I made the mistake of installing faux dreads that is sewn to the hair and while loosening it I think I lost half of my hair. I was devastated but I knew that my hair would grow back. I just continued with my regimen and I am trying to be very careful with what I do to my hair now.  

Protective style.

7. Are you on any diet or are  taking any vitamins to promote healthy hair growth?
No, I am not on any diet. I don't take any hair vitamins. I tried taking perfectil by vitabiotics but it was not compatible with my system. I just take my routine vitamins of high strength vitamin c (1000mg), folic acid, iron tablets and vitamin b complex (on days that I remember). I recently decided to add cod liver oil because of my eyesight and knees.

8. If you could have 5 hair related items, what would they be and why? (Briefly)
I would love a hooded dryer, magnetic rollers basically so that I don't have to go to the salon except when necessary. I would love a microwave (yes a microwave) so that I can get a cordless conditioning cap to use for deep conditioning. 

 9. What do you wish you knew before your hhj?
That relaxed hair can grow long too!!

10. Encourage someone also on a hhj.
 Your hair journey is different from others so try not compare yourself with others too much. You would get there when it is time for you to get there. 

Visit her blog journalofapetitediva.blogspot.com

Stay Awesome

Relaxer Update|| 23 Weeks Post (The End of a Long Stretch)

Today, 6^th December 2014 I ended my longest relaxer stretch yet, at 23 weeks post relaxer. 

I used “ORS HAIRepair No Lye Conditioning Relaxer System,” instead of my usual “Profectiv Color Restore.” I wanted to give this one a try because I heard such good things about it and I wasn’t disappointed. 

I’m in school right now but I went to home to get this touch up done and with a new stylist. This stylist created such a good impression for herself last week.

The Story- I washed my hair at home and deep conditioned. Left my DC in my hair and went to the stylist who lives right across my house, to rinse and get a roller set. My hair was so tangled and clamping together and the stylist, using a wide toothed comb and a large needle (The ones used for weaving) detangled for more than an hour and then used a big comb for my roller set as I was 22 weeks post. I knew instantly, I wanted her to relax my hair this week.

Before the process began

 The Relaxer Process:

Soon as I got to the salon, I told her exactly what I wanted;

1.       No overlapping

2.       Nape and edges last

3.       We are working fast and with time.

And she complied. She was ready to do it the way I wanted it done.

I usually use Vaseline to base my edges and already processed ends before relaxing but I knew the relaxer kit had a cuticle shield which served the same purpose so I skipped that.

She sectioned my hair, coated my ends and based my hairline.

Then started to apply the relaxer at which point I started the stopwatch on my phone

Her relaxer process was a bit different than I’m used to and I loved it. She applied the new growth to all sections on my head before returning to the first section to smooth.

  

She used her fingers to smooth, but after 6 months my new growth was a beast so she asked if I wanted a comb and I said yes.

Smoothed out and no overlaps. She listens!

The application and smoothing process took 26 minutes!

Right after smoothing in the relaxer, literally right after, she indicated it was time to wash out.

Shampooed 3 times, with the “ORS HAIRepair Conditioning Neutralizing shampoo with color cue” that came with the kit.

Followed with the “ORS HAIRepair Nourishing Conditioner” and sat under the hooded dryer for 10 minutes”

Deep Conditioning!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rinsed out, searched for the leave in in the kit…….lol, found none.

So, she used the Dark and Lovely leave in conditioner, some setting lotion and proceeded to roller set.

I used magnetic (smooth) rollers instead of the brush rollers which I prefer because she suggested it. Went back under the hooded dryer for what I’m going to assume was 20-25 minutes.

Roller sets and music!

 And then she gave me a trim. Cutting almost an inch in the back, which was expected, and about ½ inch in the front. She said my ends didn’t look weak but after a year without trimming, I felt the need to.

 

Went home and took pictures…….haha. I loved how this relaxer update went especially after 23 weeks. I would love to stretch again, and I hope to make my goal of Armpit Length pretty soon.

Stay Awesome!

 
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Musings!!!!!!!!

This healthy hair journey is work. No lie! At the same time it's like sooooo worth it.  Like really!
I'm starting to feel frustrated as the year is ending.

1. MY GOAL OF APL HAIR BY DECEMBER!!!!! Where do I even start? I'm scared, plain and simple. I'm scared because I do not see myself making my goal and I know this and I'm disappointed. i know I'm probably being too hard on myself and I know it was an 'impossible' goal when I set it, but I still did. Has me so engrossed in hair thoughts. Plus I'm afraid I might have a setback. Lol. I'm just paranoid and afraid of the unknown. I'm currently in braids which is a good thing because my hair would have suffered.

2. I AM READY FOR A RELAXER TOUCH UP!!!!!! 20 weeks 4days post currently and ready. I'm in braids but I just know it's time I got a touch up. I plan on using ORS HairRepair Creme Relaxer. It will be my first time using it. I have gotten used to and fallen in love with the Profectiv Color Restore Relaxer. But for some reason, I'm drawn towards this one. I already made my order and I will have it on December 5th from Urban Makes. If you are in Gh and want to get a hair product or styling tool, head on to Urban Makes.

3. HAIR PRODUCTS AND TOOLS!!!!!!! I'm needing and wanting quite a number of hair products. I am going to get some and some I won't even think about due to monetary factors. Any one on a hhj know s how this feels. Plus I'm thinking of ways, I can spend less on my hhj with respect to praoducts. I have recently ordered from Urban makes; a Deep Conditioner (Elasta QP-11+), Processing caps,Peppermint Oil, JBCO. I'm wanting; Curlformers, A moisturizer, and a hair straigthener with heat settimg (YES!! I won't risk it though because I might straighten my hair e'rr day. lol).

4. UNHEALTHY HAIR!!!!!! My! My!! My!!! It is like I have an 'unhealthy hair' radar. I keep spotting hair that will do with a good deep condition, a trim, a wash and a BIG CHOP!!!! CUT IT ALL OFF. lol. And it is because I am on a hhj. It is slowly becoming a pet peeve. Welp! Plus unhealthy pony tails with rubber bands. Like you think they would know that rubber bands did that. Oh well!

5. HEALTHY HAIR AND HAIR ENVY!! Amazing thick hair be it relaxed or natural got me drooling. I pass by ladies with thick ponytails and I always look twice. I need to weave check some of these ladies. Seriously though!!!!

Anyway! Follow my Fb page!! MS DIRECTION GH

That is all with my reflection or thoughts. Let me know I am not alone! Do y'all feel like this too. Leave a comment.

Stay Awesome!!!!!

Relaxer Touch Up & Hair Update :)

Previous  and recent relaxer comparison

 shot

I got a relaxer touch up on June 28^th 2014 at 12 weeks post relaxer. It was impromptu but I was able to get prepared for the process. I didn’t mind also because I had deep conditioned a week prior to making the decision to get a touch up. At first I was a bit unsure because I couldn’t feel much new growth. I also was sure I wasn’t going to see any or very little progress, but, on the whole I’m extremely pleased with the outcome. And I’m more and more in love with my hair.

PRE-RELAXER TREATMENT

• I coated my already relaxed ends with petroleum jelly to avoid over processing just in case some of the relaxer got on there.
• I tried to base my scalp but my new growth was a bit dense and after getting the petroleum jelly on some of my new growth I decided to stop because, I really didn’t want my new growth under-processed
• I use some petroleum jelly around my edges (forehead), ears and nape to avoid burns.

THE RELAXER PROCESS

                     

I used PROFECTIV RELAX AND REFRESH ANTI DAMAGE NO-LYE RELAXER PLUS COLOR SILKY BLACK #19

• I mixed the relaxer creme with the activator myself. :P
• My stylist applied the relaxer on my new growth ONLY. It’s important to avoid over processing. She smoothed out the relaxer with her fingers only. And I waited to allow the relaxer process. Application plus processing took a little over 17mins.
• She rinsed out the relaxer and washed my hair twice with the Anti- Breakage Neutralizing Mousse. And then put the mousse on my hair and covered it with shower cap.
• I sat for almost 12 minutes because I wanted my hair darker but not too dark and also because the mousse kept running down my face through the shower cap.
• Roller set and sat under the hooded dryer.  That’s it.

My, oh my! When I saw my hair it was unbelievable. I had retained and gained length. I was super pleased. And even more pleased with the compliments I received. This relaxer touch up was a success  .