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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Starting Your Hair Journey (Regimen building)

source: pinterest

Healthy, long hair will not come to you over night. It takes commitment and a little extra effort to get it where you want it. One thing that has kept me focused on my Healthy Hair Journey has been a regimen.

What is a regimen? A regimen is the set of guidelines and routines you create for yourself that you follow using your own personalized systems and techniques to help grow and retain healthy hair. See post on length retention here

A regimen doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive, but, in the past year I have identified some things that are worth making an investment on if you want to get beautiful hair. These are:

• Shampoo- Shampoos are cleaning agents for your scalp. This is necessary to get rid of product build-up. It’s also worth noting that a clean scalp absorbs products better
• Conditioner- A hair care treatment used to improve the health and status of hair. Conditioners work on the hair strands. There are different types, and the all have different uses.

1. Moisturizing Conditioner- Adds moisture. eg. Suave Almond Oil and Shea Butter Conditioner
2. Protein Based – Mainly for the strengthening of a hair strands.
3. Balanced- Moisturizes and Strengthens a strands. eg. ORS Olive Oil Replenishing Conditioner
4. Deep Conditioners- These are conditioners with smaller molecular sizes and can penetrate the hair shaft.
5. Leave In Conditioner – They are mostly moisturizing conditioners that do not have to be rinsed out.eg. CON Argan Oil Leave In Conditioner.

• Protein Treatments – A hair treatment designed to ad strength and elasticity to the hair by adding protein to the cortex [source: lamasbeauty.com] Protein treatments should be done at least every 6 weeks, before a relaxer update, and after the take down of a protective style that is older than 4 weeks.

A DIY treatment with eggs, mayonnaise, honey and olive oil is a cheap way to do a protein treatment. If you are not into DIY you can get a tub of hair mayonnaise.

• Daily Moisturizer: To provide the hair with moisture and improve hair elasticity.

• Oils – Oils can be used for pre-poo (pre shampoo treatment), hot oil treatments and/or sealing of moisture. Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, and Castor Oil are oils that are easily accessible here in Ghana.

• Satin Bonnet/ Scarf/ Pillowcase - To protect your strands at night.
• Wide tooth comb- For styling, combing and/or wrapping hair.

So now what? Now that you have the products, it’s now time to create a schedule of the hair tasks. You can create a weekly regimen which can look like this:

Or, a general regimen which can look like this:

Remember, it’s not only about creating a regimen but sticking to it too. It’s also worth noting that regimens are subject to change. Not everyone’s regimen is the same. Be consistent and the progress will follow. See my regimen here

Also, it is important to drink loads of water, eat healthy and stay healthy. 

Stay Awesome!!!!!!!

Ruby Directs

1.Your hair is........(relaxed includes texlaxed, natural, loc'd)

My hair is Relaxed

2. What's your current length?
Shoulder Length

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

I have been on my HHJ for 16 months .

4. What's your daily and weekly regimen like?

I do not have a strict regimen, I just give my hair TLC. When my hair is not in braids, I moisturize everyday with Emily Millionaire and Seal with Castor or Coconut oil. I co-wash my hair every week and wash with shampoo once a month. When I braid my hair, I GHE every night, apply T444Z on my scalp weekly and on my edges daily. I also wash my braids twice a month.

5. How do you like to wear your hair? ( i.e your go to protective style)

I mostly wear corn rows or bun my hair as they are my favorite protective styles.

6. Do you use direct heat? If so, how often?

I seldom use heat on my hair. I air dry after every wash.

7. Are you on any diet or are  taking any vitamins to promote healthy hair growth?

shoulder length

I am not on diet and not taking any vitamins for now.

8. If you could have 5 hair related items, what would they be and why? (Briefly)

. Hooded Dryer: It will make Deep Conditioning easier
. Satin Bonnet: To protect my hair whilst I sleep
. Grogarnics Hair and Nail pills: Cos I want long healthy hair and beautiful skin
. CON Argan Oil Range: My hair just loves it.
. Lots of Castor Oil: It grows, thickens and makes my hair shiny and healthy.

bantu knot out

 9. What do you wish you knew before your HHJ?

I wish I had known too much heat was not good for the hair as I used to flat iron my hair daily which made my hair weak and light.

  10. Encourage someone also on a HHJ.

To all the lovely ladies on HHJ’s, I want to encourage you that it is possible to get healthy long and beautiful African hair provided you give your hair all the love and care it needs and also using the right hair products and sticking to good hair practices. No matter how short your hair might be, it will surely grow to your desired length if give it your attention.

Have A Nice Hair Day

progress

Stay Awesome!!!! Mucho Amor. :*
 

Loretta Directs (Hair feature)

Hi Lovelies, Today we interact with Loretta. She shares some bits of her hair journey with us and shares some tips. P.S Her hair is amazing.

1. Your hair is .......(relaxed this includes texlaxed, natural, loc'd)?
Texlaxed

 2. What is your current length?
Full Shoulder Length

3. How long have you been on a hhj and how long did it take to get to your current length?
I have been on a HHJ (healthy hair journey) for 1 year and 4 months. I went from neck length to full shoulder length withing the period with TWO MAJOR trims. I still have some damaged relaxed ends that also have to go. :)

4. What's your daily and weekly regimen like?
I don't really have a daily regimen but I moisturise every other day and ensure I sleep in my satin scarf (sometimes I don't because I'm just too tired).
I shampoo with a moisturising shampoo and deep condition weekly. I rarely miss DCing sessions even when I have a super busy week.

5. How do you like to wear your hair? (i.e your go-to protective style)
Buns are my favourite protective style. I bun 75% of the time. I do weaves 10% of the time, in braids 10% of the time, and I wear my hair down 5% of the time

6. Do you use direct heat? If so, how often?
I'm not heat disciplined but I try to cut it down to blow-drying with heat 2-3 times a month and flat ironing one in 2 months but I beak the rule sometimes. ;)

7. Are you on any diet or are you taking any vitamins to promote healthy hair growth?
I'm not on any diet or pills. I have tried GNC and Hairfinity at different times in the past and had terrible breakouts so I stopped. I just take lots of fruits and vegetables and drink loads of water

8. If you could have only 5 hair related items, what would they be, and why?

• A water base leave-in moisturiser to combat dryness
• Olive oil to seal in the moisture and also for hot oil treatments
• Moisturising Deep Conditioner to hydrate my hair
• Protein DC to strengthen my hair
• A satin scarf to protect my hair from damage. And for use when I sleep.

9. Encourage someone also on a healthy hair journey.
Afro textured hair really grows with the right hair acre practices. It may take a while to notice significant progress, but, it will come. Don't Give Up!


Really readers, DON'T GIVE UP! Stay AWESOME :*

My Direction (regimen)

Over the course of my hair journey, I have had different regimens that have helped with my journey, but this is my usual regimen and the only changes that occur are with products. I'm not going to be stating all products but, I will state the processes.

• Wash my hair at least once a week. In protective styles, at least once every 2 weeks.
• Apply my growth aids at least 3 times a week. Over the months, I have used t444z, Doogro mega thick grow oil, Dr Miracle's Gro Oil and I'm currently using JBCO JBCO,Olive oil and peppermint oil mix.
• Drink at least 2 litres of water daily. I usually push myself to drink more.
• Moisturise and Seal almost daily. my go to oils are Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Coconut Oil. I recently got Shea oil and I use it in the dryer seasons.
• I do scalp massages often, at least 5 times a week. 
• I do the green house effect when my hair feels exceptionally dry.
• I do NOT co-wash. TRied it once and my hair didn't feel clean so NO. I am Giving co washing a try in 2015!!
• I ALWAYS always sleep with a satin scarf. My grandma's church scarf which I have taken. :) I have upgraded to satin bonnets. I have 3!!!! I occassionally reach for my scarf.
• I'm currently on no growth supplements. I have had a history with growth supplements. See my history with hair growth pills here.
• I protective style almost 60% 75%. I will say 90% but that will be lying. I like to play in my hair. My biggest HHJ flaw. My go to protective styles are weaves, wigs and braids.
• Inversion for one week in a month, on selected months.
• And finally i try to relax my hair a MAXIMUM of 4 times year. Means I stretch my relaxer for at least 12 weeks

My regimen is subject to change but for now. this is my go to regimen.
Updated 2nd January 2015