Ms Direction HHJ Challenge :: Check- in Week 1

Hey lovelies, this is the first challenge check in. In the next 23 weeks, we’ll have weekly check-ins on the blog. If you are participating in the challenge, it will be wonderful to have you take part in the check-ins.

This first check-in is to get us acquainted with each other’s hair journey.

THE HEALTHY HAIR JOURNEY

Long hair has been considered a beauty standard for a really long term. Healthy, long hair enhances the beauty of most females. (I wouldn’t say all because, some ladies really rock the short hair look.) A lot of the time most females go in for the long hair look, by using wigs, weaves, clip-ins and braids expensive or cheap, to meet this idea of beauty. African women spend a good amount of money on hair care, hair extensions and almost all things hair related.

The healthy hair journey is a deliberate attempt at growing and maintaining healthy, long hair. Through good hair practices, products, tools and maintenance routines. I started my hair journey in July 2013.

My reason: I had short hair for the longest time, and was actually called names because my hair “was not growing.” This led me to start researching and watching videos. So far the journey has been smooth sailing but I seem to always have a problem with my nape and edges area.

CHECK IN QUESTIONS:

1.  Why and when did you start your healthy hair journey?

2.  Has the journey been smooth or have you had difficulties?

Leave your answers in the comments below.

**If you haven’t already joined in the challenge, it is unfortunately too late. Hopefully, we’ll have you in the next challenge

Stay Awesome

WASH NIGHT: 6 weeks post

I’m currently 6 weeks and 4vdays post relaxer. This week’s wash day was full of me trying new things. New product, new technique and new hair tool.

I got myself the “Dark and Lovely Amla Legend Rejuvenating Ritual” Hair mask about a week ago. Abena of ghanaianemprezz.com always had good things to say about this mask, so I had to try it. And yesterday, after researching for about a week, I bought myself a “Hair Therapy Wrap.’’ I decided to get this because school starts and this would make this easy to deep treat my hair while on campus. And I used it for this wash day because, once I got something new, I got to play/use it.

Wash Day:

• First, I pre-pooed with coconut oil for almost 2days because, I was feeling quite lazy, and I didn’t really have any place to go.

• I shampooed with ORS Creamy Aloe Shampoo, because, I felt the need to clean my scalp real good.
• Did an oil rinse*new technique* by applying coconut oil on my hair strands.  
• Then I did a medium protein treatment with ORS Mayonnaise, put on my thermal wrap *new tool*(yay) and finished an episode of Orange Is The New Black for about 25 minutes, the rinsed out.

• Rinsed out, and applied the Amla Legend Mask *new product*on my strands and used my thermal wrap again.

• Rinsed it out and then used my wide tooth comb as the water flowed through my hair.
• Wrapped my hair in a t-shirt to soak up the excess water, and then applied my leave in: Cantu Shea Butter Leave-in cream and air dried in twists.
• Moisturised with Elasta QP Mango Butter Moisturizer. It made a section of my hair feel hard, the rest felt fine. (If you have any idea why this happened, please leave a comment)

I didn’t seal last night as I moisturized and sealed this morning before getting back in my cornrows.

Over all, my hair felt great. strengthened but not lacking in moisture.

Stay Awesome!

Wash Day [5 weeks post]

Hello people,

So, I am about to make my first wash day post. I plan on making these posts more frequent. What better way to start than with the first wash day for 2015!

I hadn’t washed my hair in 2 weeks, because, I am currently wigging it, and I have scheduled wash days 2 weeks apart. And it is too cold and too dry to wash my hair frequently. I am 5 weeks post relaxer, and wash day was a breeze.

1. I finger detangled and twisted my hair in four sections.
2. I pre-poo’d with a mixture of ‘Suave Almond and Shea Butter Conditioner’ and Coconut Oil. I usually just do oil, or just conditioner but with the harmattan, I decided to mix the 2. I let it sit for one hour and proceeded to wash
3. I shampooed with ‘Crème of Nature Argan Oil Sulphate Free Shampoo’                                               
   
4. I deep conditioned for an hour, with ‘Creme of Nature Argan Oil Intensive Conditioning Treatment
5. Applied my leave-ins at 50-70% dry with ‘Cantu Shea Butter Leave-in Conditioning Repair Cream’     
   
6. Moisturized with ‘Elasta QP Olive Oil and Mango Butter Moisturizer
7. Put my hair in 4 twists, and slept in my satin bonnet.

And then today, (Saturday) went to the salon, and got cornrows installed for my wig.

I love how thick my hair looked after washday. My hair felt moisturized today even after 2 days, I am going to attribute that to my pre-poo mix.

Stay Awesome!

FUNGI DIRECTS!

 I get to feature the beautiful and lovely Fungi!

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

2. What's your current length?
 Arm Pit 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 healthy hair journey since March 2013 and it's taken me 22 months from neck length to get to Arm pit length.

Neck Length

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

• Moisturize and seal with a water based moisturizer my sealing oils are either Extra virgin olive oil, castor oil, and coconut oil at times i love my shea butter as a sealant.
• Do 2-3 min mini scalp massage and wear a protective style.
• Cover hair with satin scarf.

Weekly

• Detangle
• Prepoo treatment 
• Shampoo/ Cowash 
• Deep condition with a light protein/moisture deep conditioner 
• Apply a leave in conditioner always then airdry

5. How do you like to wear your hair. ( i.e your go to protective style)
 I like running and soooo comfortable with cornrows and wigs maybe braids twice a year.

6. Do you use direct heat? If so, how often?
I am now on a very strict no heat regimen i only use heat on my relaxer days which is at least 3 times a year were i either blow dry on low heat or flat iron

7. Are you on any diet or are  taking any vitamins to promote healthy hair growth?
 I have started eating healthier, I drink more water, about 2-3 litres a day. 3/4 of my meal consists of vegetables. And I'm taking Manetabolism healthy hair vitamins. I am on bottle number 2 now.

Shoulder length

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

• Tangle teezer brush- pain free detangling.
• Boar bristle brush - for wrapping my hair 1-2 weeks after relaxer.
• Satin braid bonnet- to protect my hair when in braids full cover.
• Clip in extensions - easy and quicker protective styling
• Huetiful steamer-  multiple benefits both my hair and skin

9. What do you wish you knew before your HHJ?
 I wish I knew everything I''m doing now to have grown my hair to terminal length by now and I wish I had not put my trust into hairdressers.

Armpit length

10. Encourage someone also on a HHJ.
Planning is very important, review your current hair care habits then create a healthy hair regimen that suits you and allows your hair to thrive during that time you have to tweak your regimen till it's perfect for you, it takes effort, commitment and patience it will not happen overnight but the end result will be satisfying.

FIND HER ON HER BLOG curlyeva.blogspot.com
Stay Awesome,