Week 27 Hair

A new product has been added to my routine:

My current focus is to make sure that I'm incorporating protein. I feel like my hair is always moisturized and it looks and feels healthy. However, I'm not sure if any of my products have protein.

My next monthly protein treatment is on December 11th. Between those times I will deep condition with a light protein. This means shaking off my laziness and sitting under the hooded dryer for 15-20 minutes.

This past Sunday I endured it for 17 minutes. I probably won't notice any real difference for about 4 weeks but my twists are definitely less frizzy today. I've heard a lot of people talk about the Root Stimulator Deep Conditioner and so I figured I would try it.

One particular youtuber (sunshower143) has used it since her HHCJ and she has beautiful hair. She discussed it when talking about her winter hair regimen for 2011.

Be sure to check her channel!

It's done well for her. Plus, my Bear Fruit Hair product has run out. I love that product. But the Root Stimulator I can get at Sally's for $12 in a big bottle. No shipping or handling required. I can always go back to it if I find I don't get the same results.

That's about all that's changed. I will sit under the hooded dryer each time I wash my hair to help the deep conditioner penetrate. In addition, I will give myself a protein treatment with my Aphogee each month. I think this will just be an added boost for my hair and give it more strength.

I've also started wearing my hair out once a week. I know it's better to do "protective styling" during the winter to protect the ends of my hair. But the weather here hasn't turned cold yet and I'm starting to miss seeing my hair out. Chema is missing my 'fro too! So usually on a Saturday I'll wear it out while I run my errands. 

Stay tuned for a pic next weekend!

Week 28 Hair

• Detangle with conditioner
• Wash hair
• Deep Condition + hooded dryer for 15-20 minutes
• Kimmaytube leave in
• Twists

Training and Hair Updates

I was completely lazy this weekend and did not wash my hair. That's why I didn't post. But this is how I wore my hair Friday to work and this weekend:

I love hats! My mom made me this one for me. I need more in other colors.

Sunday made it Week 20 in my HHCJ. There haven't been many changes in my routine, which is probably why I haven't done a formal update in awhile. I FINALLY picked up my protein treatment. I'll use it next week and let you all know how I like it.

Even though I didn't wash last night I still prepped it before going to bed so it wasn't a dry mess in the morning. 

• I put my hair in sections and sprayed it with a mixture of water, aloe vera juice, and rosemary essential oil. 
• After that I applied my Bear Fruit Hair Desert Moisture Leave-in Conditioner and then sealed with olive oil.
• I twisted up each section and then put on my scarf and satin bonnet. In the morning to refresh my hair I just applied some of my Shea Moisture Milk. 

I LOVE this stuff and will definitely buy more. It's so nice and creamy and makes my hair feel super soft. I put my hair in a simple bun, gelled down the sides, and twisted my bangs. No, I didn't take any pics of that because it was nothing special. :)

In about 3 week or so I'll be at 6 MONTHS! Time goes by so fast. Interestingly, that's when I run my half-marathon, which brings us to the training update.

I'll talk more about my preparation and thoughts for the half-marathon (November 6th) next week.

I just want to say: MY FOOT IS HEALED!! I ran 8 miles on Sunday (instead of the 10) only because I didn't want to push myself too hard. But I felt fine. Perfect. No pain whatsoever. It took me 60 minutes.

So next week I will run 12 miles and the week after 10 miles and then I have the half-marathon.

My foot has NOT been hurting at all during this time. 

I just felt like my body would thank me for taking some "time off" from running. I've been running three times a week but not surpassing 30 minutes for the past two weeks.

I'm itching to start doing some real miles! So come November I'll be in perfect shape to start re-incorporating my speed training (Fartlek) and my 12+ miles.

This is how the week is shaping up:

Today

Had my weekly walk with my brother. I'm opting not to do my weight training because I'm a bit tired. If I do go to the gym with my mom this evening I'll just do the static bike for 30 minutes and maybe some arm exercises.

Tuesday

Run 20-30 minutes, abs

Wednesday

Weight training and maybe a gym class (body combat!). This is supposed to be my last day but if you check out my post on Love Life Project I'm debating whether or not to purchase a gym membership!

Thursday

Run 20-30 minutes, abs (and gym with my mom if I do decide to purchase a membership)

Friday

Weight training

Saturday

Rest day

Sunday

12 miles (roughly 90 minutes)

This week I figured I'd try to do weights on the days I don't run. See how my body feels, switch it up a bit.

Have an active and productive week everyone!

Week 15 Hair

Adapting to new surroundings is not only hard on the mind and body, but also on the hair!

Googleimages

Last week I had to use my Bear Fruit Hair leave in conditioner because I didn't have a chance to pick up aloe vera juice for my kimmaytube leave in. (It sucked) That kimmaytube leave in works like magic.

Although I do really like Bear Fruit Hair products. At least the ones I've tried are amazing.  The Desert Moisture leave in and the Banana and Avocado deep conditioner are incredible. I will probably try something else once I finish with them but I would definitely buy them again.

I'm almost out of the deep conditioner actually and have no idea what product to try out next.

So all suggestions are welcome. 

I'm thinking of purchasing a Giovanni product online. I love their light moisture conditioner as part of my kimmaytube leave in.

Anyway, I bought some aloe vera juice last week and made my mixture yesterday. That all went smoothly.  

What didn't was the entire hair washing procedure. 

Since I had already showered I didn't want to get in again just to wash my hair. Instead I had to lean over the tub. We have a super tall tub and it doesn't have one of those removal shower heads I've grown to cherish in Spain.

So that made washing annoying. I had to detangle at the sink, which was messy. It also took me twice as long. From now on I'll just have to get in the shower.

A good thing is that my mom has one of those hair dryers. I've been wanting to use one since I started my HHCJ. This weekend I'm going to buy a protein treatment from my local beauty supply store and sit under the dryer for 30 minutes or so. I plan to do this every week for a month. After that, if I see results, I will continue to do it twice a month.

I'm not experiencing breakage but I haven't been incorporating protein into my routine. There has to be a balance of protein and moisture and to date there has only been moisture.

My twists are in now and I hope to stretch them until Friday like I did last week. I did one of my updo styles on Friday for work and also on Saturday since I went out.

Almost forgot...

I changed my shampoo and conditioner. I had to leave them in Spain when I moved so I purchased the Trader Joe´s Tea Tree shampoo and a Suave conditioner as my detangler.

They are ok but once I finish them I will probably try something different. I do, however, like the Trader Joe´s Nourish Spa conditioner as a detangler. It is so nice and creamy. That will be purchased again.

That's all for now folks.

Week 16 Hair 

• Shampoo
• Detangle with conditioner
• Deep condition
• Kimmaytube leave in
• Twists

Week 13 Hair

You can't see it well because of the lighting and the angle. But my hair is clipped with a banana clip and then twisted in individual twists. I pinned the ends under the clip to make it look like a bun.

 The edges are gelled and pulled back.

I gave myself a bang. It's nice and crinkly from my twist out and gives the front some volume so my hair doesn't look flat.

Nothing too interesting to update about my hair this week. I didn't change a thing. I am really 

LOVING my hair! 

I hope I can keep up this rhythm once I start working a 9-5 and have things to do like decorate an apartment, buy a car and get my driving license!

Week 14 Hair

• Shampoo
• Detangle with conditioner
• Deep condition
• Kimmaytube leave in
• Twists

Week 8 Hair

I tucked the end in and added a clip when I went out. It's flat twisted down for a faux french braid (my twists are in) and then the front of my hair is also flat twisted.

Not too eventful this week, thankfully! I'm still getting over the hair fiasco from last week. I wore my hair in an updo for most of the week. I had my twists in and then I put them in an updo that same day because we went out. I didn't take pictures (not sure why!) but I got the inspiration from this youtube video. I have to say, although we have different hair types, it looked pretty darn close!

 (See minute 1:55-3:55 for the style tutorial)

Yesterday I did another take on the freestyle updo from last week. The only difference is that I left the right side out, so it was like a swoop. I was going to take pictures but was too lazy. I will get better about taking pictures! I plan to do the same updo today with my twists so I will be sure to take a picture for next week.

I left the twisted updo in for at least 3 days. I did it on a Sunday and slept with it in on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. I didn't touch it, add more product, or anything, until that afternoon on Wednesday. 

I just sprayed it with my spritz and then added my moisturizer. I did the same on Thursday. I took out my twists Saturday and did my updo and then twisted them in big twists for bed. I didn't apply any extra product.

When I took my twists down they were super moisturized and I didn't have any problems with knots. So I will mimick what I did to my hair for the same results this week. 

I am finding that manipulating my hair almost not at all between wash days works best for me. Meaning, not adding any extra product or touching it, helps my hair thrive. 

I am sure to moisturize and seal enough on Sunday. With that my hair lasts 3 days or more without doing anything to it. This is including exercising and sweating. 

This week I'm a lot happier with my hair.

For wash day today I'm using the same routine but trying some other products I have in my arsenal.

Week 9 Hair

• Shampoo
• Detangle with Trader Jo Nourish Spa conditioner
• Deep condition with my Bear Fruit Hair Banana and Avocado product
• Herbal rinse
• Kimmaytube leave in
• Twists with Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie and seal with my scalp oil

Week 6 Hair

"Freestyle Updo"

We, finally, went out this weekend so I had to find something to do with my hair. I took out my twists on Thursday because I was sick of them and they were frizzy. Usually I leave them in until Friday but we had plans! I wasn't about to walk out the house with hideous hair so I had to come up with something. 

When I took my twists out Thursday I still prepared them for bed. I spritzed them with my mix of water, Infusium 23 leave in, rosemary essential oil and aloe vera juice. Then I twisted them in 8 big twists. 

The next day I refreshed them with my leave in conditioner, Qhemet moisturizer and a dime-sized amount of castor oil. I put my hair in a high puff with the help of some Ecostyler gel, to slick the sides, and a piece of old stocking. It was super cute (no pics though because I forgot). 

Yesterday (Saturday) we went out again and so I had to come up with something else to do. The style above I call my "Freestyle Updo." I just pinned my hair up with bobby pins and left the front out. I didn't have to apply ANY extra product! Nothing at all! My hair was soft and moisturized from the day before! 

I was beyond surprised. I attribute it to the castor oil because it's the only thing I changed. I normally only use it in my kimmaytube leave in but I used some this time just because. To try something different. 

I love it! 

I'm going to do it again to refresh my hair when I take out my twists because it was like magic. I simply used a dime-sized amount, maybe less, and my hair looked and felt fantastic. 

It stayed hydrated for two whole days without applying anything else.

Week 7 Hair

• Hot oil treatment
• Shampoo
• Detangle with conditioner
• Deep condition (I want to try something new this week so look for the recipe below)
• Herbal rinse
• Kimmaytube leave in
• Twists

Mango Moisturizer

1 vitamin E capsule (or 1 tsp.)

1 ripe banana

1/2 ripe mango

Puncture capsule, peel fruit, combine until mixed. Apply to hair while wet and cover hair with a plastic cap for 20 minutes. Rinse.

I was inspired by my friend Sprina who told me about her hair routine last week. She used this luscious sounding deep conditioner with avocado and banana and then finished with this divine sounding macadamia nut oil. 

I know I always say it's best to stick with one thing but I can never do it! There are just so many things I want to try! So stay tuned for the update next week on how I liked (or disliked) this deep conditioner recipe.

I also received my Bear Fruit Hair purchases. 

The cutest bottles right?

Check out the yummy ingredients.

The deep condition mask smells SO GOOD! I can't wait to use it! I mean it even smells better than the Shea Moisture one I talk about all the time. I doubt I'll wait until my first 3 months are over.

Another good thing is that it seems like it'd be easy to mix up my own batches of these products. The ingredients are easy enough to find. So if you don't want to spend a lot of money that's an interesting option.

Other Thoughts

Lately, I've been enjoying a channel on youtube by a licensed trichologist (someone who studies hair). Her name is Lisa Akbari and she answers questions that people have concerning all sorts of hair issues. It's quite informative. She also has her own institute where you can go and she can diagnose problems that you may have. In addition, she has her own line of hair products that I might try at some point.

She always talks about keeping things simple. I can't do her research and expertise justice here so do check out her channel. But in her last episode she talked about hot oil treatments. She said that they don't help much because the molecules of the oil are too big to penetrate the hair shaft. So right after a treatment your hair feels great but the effects aren't long-lasting.

That made sense to me. I mean, that's my experience. My hair feels soft and moisturized but it only lasts a day at the most. Now I'm considering whether to do my hot oil treatment or not. If I have time I will but if not I doubt it will affect my hair one way or another. Just something to think about.

There's also this new book (The Science of Black Hair) creating buzz around the natural hair community. I don't know if I'll buy it but it does seem to have interesting topics in it. It's for those with relaxed and natural hair so check it out if you're interested.

Week 4 Hair

Courtesy Bear Fruit Hair

Courtesy Bear Fruit Hair

 

I feel a little guilty. 

Yes, I do. My husband doesn't even know yet what I did. Not that I have to consult him for everything that I do, but we are trying to save money.  

I bought two new products online! 

I know, I know. I have enough stuff already. Plus. I'm not trying to turn myself into a "product junkie" as the saying goes. I just haven't found a deep conditioner I like yet.

Granted, I've only been using one so far:  

Shea Moisture, raw shea butter deep conditioning masque. 

Yet, I'm not completely convinced with it. It smells amAZing and is nice and creamy, but it doesn't do much for my hair. It doesn't damage my hair or anything but it doesn't add to my hair.

So I bought one from a website that others (yes, on youtube) seem to really like. It has all-natural ingredients and they make products for all hair types and for all races. I also bought a nice leave-in conditioner that is for especially dry hair in especially dry climates. Made for me!

The website is called: Bear Fruit Hair and I got:

• Banana Avocado Deep Mask
• Desert Moisturizer & Leave-in Conditioner

I also have another motivation:

I've been wanting a really good protein treatment. But I haven't heard anything truly special about any, one, product. So I want to try Henna. 

The positive is that I found some here in Spain at a local health food store! I think I'm going to pick up a few boxes. 

I probably won't try this, or the above products, until August, which is the end of Month 3. 

Henna tends to dry out the hair so you have to moisturize really well afterwards. Including a rich, deep, conditioner. Hence, the aforementioned purchases right?

A lot of people use Henna as a natural way to color their hair but it also works as a protein treatment. People say it strengthens hair, makes it thicker, fuller, and silkier. Sounds great. I'm willing to try it. Especially since it's all-natural, it's plant based. 

When I do I will take photos (maybe video!) and do a complete review of the experience. As well as detailing the benefits of Henna more in detail. 

If it works for me I will probably use it every month. I've already been researching what brands to buy, how to apply it, how often to use and everything. I'm excited!

Week 4 Hair

As for my hair last week: no pictures this time. I put it in the same protective style as Week 3. 

I am, however, going to try a new protective style for this week (Week 5). So look for photos next week!

I plan to two-strand, flat twist the top half of my hair. Then medium twists for the back half and just clip them together in a clip of some sort. I think this will help my hair to be less frizzy. I might incorporate some gel, not sure though. I do need to use the eco styler gel that I bought and I do like it.

Here's the inspiration video:

I was anxious Friday and took out my twists.  

My twist out looked fabulous! 

I didn't take any pictures though. I was just playing in my hair a bit prepping for this weekend. But next weekend we have plans so I think I'll wear my hair out and take some pics! 

I love how my hair feels and looks with the products I've been using!