Wednesday 12 June 2013

Hair update!



Since I do not do regular wash day posts which is where I would probably talk about what’s been happening with my hair, I have decided to be posting regular hair updates  just to let you guys know what’s going on with my hair and any new products, tools, homemade recipes or techniques I may have tried out. Sort of like a combined post on various things that have been going on with my hair over a certain period. I wore my hair out for just a little over seven weeks after texlaxing. I mostly wore braid outs (I tried a bantu knot out once or twice as well) and buns achieved with the help of a curly drawstring ponytail and a DIY braided braiding hair bun during this time. I wore my hair down and straight for one week. I currently have afro kinky twists installed; I hope I can keep them in for at least 8 weeks. I will take care of my hair using my braids regimen that can be found on my “hair regimen” page at the top during this period. I plan to have the perimeter redone at around week 4 when they start to get real messy thanks to new growth and carry them for another 4 weeks.

Top left to right; Bantu knots, straightened hair and kinky twists
Bottom left to right; braid out and DIY braided braiding hair bun
I have learnt to rely on my fingers more and my combs less. Most times I finger parted to oil my scalp and to moisturise my hair, finger combed and detangled especially when re-braiding at night for braid outs. This has helped tremendously with my breakage issues. I have started doing something I like to refer to as co-poo-washing as opposed to co washing. I use a ratio of 4 parts conditioner or thereabouts to one part shampoo mixed together and I prefer this method to plain co washing with conditioner alone. It took one co wash that left my hair feeling greasy (I had been a bit heavy handed with oils the previous day) for me to start co-poo-washing. Don’t forget to check out my “DC Recipes” page at the top for a new papaya/pawpaw recipe that I recently tried out. I must be doing a lot of things right, the other day I was at a friend’s place and another friend of hers who I had never met before comes in introduces herself, stares at my hair for a while and remarks “wow your hair is so healthy!” that was just the motivation I needed to keep going.  

That's the papaya/pawpaw homemade deep conditioner in the white bowl
In products news I have been using what is marketed as a kiddies moisturizer for a while now and love how it leaves my hair feeling soft, it’s the Sofn’Free’n’Pretty Carrot Oil Crème it’s quite thick but spreads easily and a little goes a long way, I might just dilute it a little with aloe vera juice or distilled water when I take down my twists just to make getting it out of the bottle much easier. I infused my castor oil which I use primarily for my scalp with dried rosemary leaves added a few drops of eucalyptus and tea tree oils to it and that is how I am currently using it on my scalp and edges. A new oil added to my stash is avocado oil which is a nourishing oil. I started using Elasta QP Olive Oil and Mango Butter Moisturizer the last week before I had my kinky twists installed and I absolutely LOVE this moisturizer the only regret I have is not having started using it sooner. It is thick but not too thick the consistency is lighter than the kiddie carrot oil crème that I also use, it leaves my hair incredibly soft and moisturized in a nutshell this moisturizer is a keeper. Having fine thin hair I always thought thick crème like moisturizers would weigh my hair down, I was so wrong the trick is not too use too much product or dilute them down a little. Well that’s it for this edition of hair updates ladies have a fab day wherever you are whatever you’re doing!

What new products and/or techniques have you tried out lately?

14 comments:

  1. i like the kinky twists :)
    is your braid spray more moisturizing with the aloe vera juice/gel in it?
    if so, is this the reason why you dont need to spray it daily?

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    1. The braid spray is definitely more moisturising with the AVJ in it and I have found that it really softens my new growth. I don't spray daily as a personal preference and also because my hair tends to stay moisturised for longer even when I am out of braids I do not moisturise daily, more like every other day so spraying daily would be overdoing it for me personally. But if your hair tends to dry up quite fast then I recommend spraying daily.

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    2. mhmm, i think i will add the avj to my products whishlist for july.
      my hair in the back which is fully natural tends to get really dry even with spritzing that area twice daily. maybe avj would help it to stay moisturize a lil longer.

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  2. Your hair is still looking great. It's good when you know it but feels even better when someone else notices! I need to jump on the Elasta QP Olive Oil and Mango Butter. He keep hearing great things about it, but I thought like you that it's too thick for fine thin hair. When I get my stock down I'm planning to try it out.
    Great update! :)

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    1. Thanks Andrea! Elasta QP Mango Butter is amazing you should try it out!

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    2. elasta qp mango butter is really amazing but i cant stand the smell, though.

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  3. Hair is looking great :)
    I really need to keep up with using just my fingers to detangle rather than combs, and you've just reminded me to do so.
    Thanks for sharing.

    mixed-hair.blogspot.co.uk
    x

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    1. Thanks Chantelle! The fingers do a much better job than a comb especially when it comes to detangling. Once you start it becomes a habit:)

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  4. Thanks for sharing your update! Can't wait to see your retention after this season in braids!

    www.savingourstrands.blogspot.com

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    1. I am so looking forward to seeing it as well! Will keep you guys updated of course:)

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  5. Nice update! I finally tried my L'Oreal Total Repair DC with ceramides and I really like it. Happy Hair Growing!

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    1. Thanks Kim! Glad you liked your L'Oreal DC!

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  6. I'm not purchasing anything this month, it's one of my goals. Getting compliments does put an extra pep in your step, let's us know we are doing something right.

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    1. That's good same here now that my hair is in a protective style I avoid my local BSS's and hair section in stores like the plague lol. I usually go in for one item and come out with three! The compliments really make all the work we put in worthwhile.

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Thank you for reading...feel free to add a comment, suggestion or question. I am always happy to hear from you! Lydz.