HOTD: Hair of the Day

This is my very first HOTD post!  Today I was having such an incredible hair day that I had to share. I couldn't wait!

I did what I said in my last post about preparing my hair for bed. I just applied a dab (literally a dab) of Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie to the ends and then put them in chunky twists.

This morning I had to run (I did 8 miles) so I put a headband around the perimeter of my head and then my workout headband. When I showered I wrapped my hair in a scarf so that the condensation wouldn't frizz my hair out.

After I got dressed I untwisted and this is what I was left with.

This is by far the absolute BEST twist-out that I have ever had! I was so excited when I saw my hair! I hardly ever wear my hair out, as in I  never do, because I don't like how it looks. It's usually frizzy, dry and has no movement.

The curly girl method is doing wonders for my moisture retention with very little effort on my part.

The only thing I had on my hair was the conditioner from when I detangled my hair. With the CGM I don't rinse out the conditioner I apply to my hair to help me detangle. To put in the twists I just applied some gel.

I wore my hair out yesterday and today without applying anymore products. Tonight I'm going to try putting it in a bun to see how my hair looks. However, I'm going to wear a protective style because I said I'd only wear it out twice a week.

Tomorrow I should re-wet my hair but I think I will wait until Friday afternoon to redo my hair. I'm loving this style and can't wait to try it again next week!

Don't you love it when you have a complete hair success day?

Week 46 Hair

I haven't done too much with my hair these past months. Like the above pics show I've been sticking to the basics: twists and puffs. During the week I have my twists and I either pull them back into a bun, pin them up or do a combination of both.

Tomorrow, or tonight, I will take out my twists in preparation for my wash. I do this at the end of the week before a wash to aid the detangling process. Currently, I wash my hair every two weeks because of time restraints. This will be week three since last weekend was super hectic.

I did recently purchase some headbands just to spice up my 'dos. I've been doing the same styles and just popping one of these on for some flare. I love headbands and flowers!

If you don't know this youtuber, BlakIzBeautyful, then check her out. She also has a website, kinkycurlycoilyme.com. She hosts tons of natural hair gatherings as well as provides tips, tricks, and inspiration for naturals. 

Jenell also has a shopping service for those naturals (like me) who are abroad and can't find their favorite products. She shipped me the headbands, 2 bottles of coconut oil, jojoba oil and another container of Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie. 

I also wanted to try some African black soap so she shipped me two bars. I paid for the products, the shipping costs, as well as her fee, which you can find on her website. I live in Spain and my products came in less than a week with all the recepts included in the box. It was great.

My sister (yay for sisters!) also sent me the Aussie Moist shampoo and its  3-minute miracle. I've used the shampoo once and have yet to try the other product. I think I'll probably use it more in the summer when I need a "quick fix." I start my training over the summer and the heat here is intense. So I will need it to protect my hair so that it doesn't dry out, especially since I sweat a lot.

Here are the products I got from BlakIzBeautyful and my sister.

This weekend I have another Henna treatment. This will be the second time so I hope the process goes faster. I definitely like how my hair looks and feels afterwards even though I don't enjoy the long process.

Week 37 Hair

Want to know how to go from this

To this

In 10 seconds flat?

Well, wonder no more!

Introducing....

Janet Collection Afro Puff (Color 2)

CandidAnn, a youtuber that I love, hipped me to this afro puff after I saw her rocking it on her channel a few times. (She also has an awesome blog that you should check out as well). It is so realistic looking and SO EASY to put on! This is my first hair piece. So I needed something easy, and natural, for my first experience.

I doubt that I could even attempt to rock a wig. Plus, I'm not really into straight hair. This puff though was right up my alley. I kid you not on how realistic this thing is. My mother and siblings all thought it was my  hair! Seriously. I went to work and got compliments all day long. Of course, I didn't bother to tell my co-workers that it wasn't my hair.

What I do is I open it the widest I can get it and then just pin the ponytail on. Since I'm using it as another option for a protective style, I want it to cover as much of my hair as possible. I plan on wearing this all week to take a break from rocking twists.

As hair accessories go, I'm loving this one! I even purchased two more:

In May, I purchased two Goody Clips in black and brown but they are a bit small now to fit my twists in. I mentioned in this post that I like them more than ouchless bands because they never pull out my hair. This is a large one I purchased on Amazon. The headband is so cute! I have to get more of those. It jazzes up any style in 1 second or less.

Like I said, I will be rocking my afro puff this week and am excited about it. Underneath I have my hair twisted and pulled back into a bun. 

It is kind of awkward to place it on because my bun is big so I try to flatten it out as much as possible. With time I will become a master. Now I just need to figure out how to do flat twists! This is my favorite video explaining how to do them:

It's cute to have the flat twists in the front and the puff in the back. I know how to cornrow...other people's hair. When I have some time (and above all, PATIENCE) I will take a stab at practicing some more. For now I don't mind slicking the hair in the front and then just tying it down at night so I don't have to reapply everyday.

Other than that, I did a protein treatment and bought some other hair products since my staple ones are running low:

• Giovanni Direct Leave In Conditioner -- 3 bottles for $19 on Amazon
• Cantu Shea Butter -- I wanted to get my Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie but my local area Targets and Walgreens had run out. Then they wanted to charge me $22 on Amazon! So I bought the Cantu for $5. I've been wanting to try it anyway.
• More castor oil -- 32 oz bottle for $7 on Amazon
• Darcy's Botanicals Organic Coconut & Aloe Moisture Pudding -- I've heard good things about this brand of products so I decided to try it. I, currently, don't have any styling products and this serves that purpose. It's supposed to help braids, twists, and locs look fresher longer.

Week 38 Hair

Detangle with conditioner

Shampoo

Deep Condition

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 9 Hair

So here is my hair wet before starting my hair process. 

I took my hair down Friday and but them in big, chunky ones to sleep in. I also exercised in them on Friday, packed in them on Saturday, and ran in them today --13 miles. That's why they look rough!

Today I'm doing my caramel treatment.

Here's what it looks like

So I left the twists in because it's easier to apply in sections.

Typically I undo each one individually

Apply the mixture and then twist it back up.

I do this over all over my head and then put on a plastic cap for 1-2 hours. I ran out of plastic caps and had to improvise with a grocery bag. No, I did NOT take a picture of that!

The hair is heavier and shinier.

I then undid all the twists so that I could shampoo the mixture out well. I didn't want any residue left over.

I had to take the pic myself!

So I washed my hair and then detangled in the shower in sections with my Trader Jo's conditioner. I applied my deep conditioner in the same manner as the caramel treatment.

I rinsed out the deep conditioner and then followed that with my herbal rinse.

BEFORE

AFTER

Once that is done I apply my leave in conditioner.

Kimmaytube Leave in

As you can see the pH is 4.5. Anything from 4.5-5.5 is perfect for the hair.

Then I twisted my hair up using the Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque. I don't like it as a deep conditioner so I am going to try it as a styling agent. It says on the container that you can leave it in "for a frizz free moisturizing styling creme". So we'll see.

This is how my hair looks most of the week when I put my twists in. It's easy to do, maintain and stays neat.

It's flat twisted in the front and pulled back with a clip.

At the end of the week I take out my twists and do some sort of an updo. For example:

 

Week 10 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!

Hair Regimen Part 1: journey and products

Shampoo. leave ins, and regular conditioners: I have yet to try the VO5, the Suave or the Trader Joe's nourish spa.

Moisturizers: The water bottle has plain, tap water in it. I haven't tried the Qhemet Biologic's product yet.

Oils: My shea butter cream is in the circle container and the two little bottles are my essential oils, rosemary and orange.

Styling products: Scissors to trim, bobby pins, gel, hair clips and the pH testing strips.

The (condensed) Beginning

Before starting college, I put braids in my hair. I didn't know when I would get my next relaxer. In a new state, a new city, living on campus, perhaps there was nowhere to buy a relaxer or get one put in. Of course then I didn't know the term "transitioning", but that's what I was doing. I transitioned until about March of 2003, exclusively in braids. 

After my hair was cut I wore twists mostly, since that's all I knew how to do. I wasn't creative when my hair was straight and I suppose I was less so with it natural. When I was sick of twists I'd ask someone to put it in braids and I'd wear them for as long as I was able. Sometimes even a puff if I felt adventurous.

The Tragedy

The summer of 2004 I got a trim from a place near campus. Instead of a trim it was, essentially, an unwanted hair cut. I was left with only one inch of hair on my head! I panicked! I kept pulling on it, convincing myself it was shrunken because it was still wet. Nope, when it dried there was still only one inch of hair on my head! I wore braids, again exclusively, until I felt like my hair was at a comfortable length for me to wear it out. I was definitely ashamed of my short hair.

In 2007 I got my hair colored. It was a light brown color, which I definitely enjoyed. It was time for a change. While in England studing for my MA I noticed my ends felt really dry. So, I decided to go to the hair shop for a trim every six weeks. I must have read somewhere that said this was the "right" amount of time to wait. It was washed, conditoned, blown out, and then flat ironed each time. My hair did grow but I didn't retain length. The color was being trimmed off slowly but surely.

The Epiphany

When I graduated in 2008, my husband and I started making plans to leave the country. We arrived in Spain in March 2009. That's when I initially decided I needed to start being proactive about my haircare. We lived in a small town where there were few, if any, people of color. So I had to learn how to take care of my own hair. 

I researched online, found homemade deep conditioner recipes, hot oil treatments, caramel treatments and the like. There were few herbal stores around. But I went to the few I could find to pick up natural products. I was focused. I made sure to do my hair every week. At this time I wore my hair out 90% of the time and only wore twists occasionally. I guess I just wanted to prove to myself I was comfortable with my hair.

Discovering Youtube

This process worked for awhile. I would shampoo on a Sunday, condition wash (co-wash) on a Wednesday, do hot oil and caramel treatments every four weeks. My hair was also deep conditioned every week. I even bought some scissors to clip my ends when I felt I needed to. Right after a wash my hair would feel soft and manageable and glorious. This would only last two days. Then my hair would feel dry, brittle, look dull and ashy and I couldn't wait until the next wash.

I thought this was the normal condition of my hair. I didn't discover there was a problem until I discovered youtube in April of 2011. I learned about pH levels of the hair and products. I knew I had to find a good moisturizer or it would start to break off. Of course there was nowhere in Spain for me to buy these products and to ship them was a small fortune.

Healthy Hair Care Journey

Luckily, I got to visit my family in the US (thank you mom for buying those tickets!). I was prepared! I sent package after package after package to my mom's house. I bought things from all kinds of websites. I even made sure to stop by Walmart to get some cheap conditioners. I also had my younger sister pick up things like coconut oil and flaxseeds. I was on a mission.

When I got back I started my healthy hair care journey. This is week three and I already notice the difference in how my hair feels and looks. It isn't dry or ashy. My husband said that my hair looked darker and that's because it's finally getting the moisture it needs! I was shocked that at the end of the week my hair was not a disaster. Usually it looks like it needs to be washed and re-styled asap! But my hair looked fresh, moisturized and soft! I know I'm on the right path.

Current and Future Products

As I've said before, the purpose of this blog isn't only to help myself. It's to help anyone and everyone who needs it. So below (in recipes) are some things I use in my hair that I really like. Above you can see the pics of all the products that I use. Tomorrow I will tell you how I use these products by detailling my current hair regimen.

So far I really like the Shea Moisture, curl and style milk. It is light, smells delicious, and leaves my hair soft, moisturized and not greasy. I also like the kimmaytube conditioner (recipe below). Mainly because I don't have to add more product to my hair until day three after my wash. Even when I exercise and sweat! However, there are still some products I would like to try in the future:

• Qhemet Biologics--Honeybush Tea Soft Gel

•  Bee Mine Products Inc.--Deja's Hair Milk and Juicy Moisturizing Daily Spritz

• Identity Hair and Skin Care--Nature's Silk Hair Lotion

• Giovanni--Giovanni Direct protein deep conditoner

• Vegetable glycerin

•  Lavender and grapefruit essential oils

•  Jojoba oil

• Saw palmetto (used to prevent hair loss) and catnip (used to stimulate hair growth)--both are herbs 

Don't worry, I will be sure to use what I have now. I realized when taking the photos that I have A LOT of things right now to keep me satisfied these first three months and beyond.

Recipes

Kimmaytube Leave-In

1oz (or 2 Tbsp.) your favorite leave in conditioner

2 Tbsp. aloe vera juice

2 tsp. jojoba oil

2 tsp. castor oil

Put this on your hair (concentrating on the ends) right before you style.

Hot oil treatment

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1 Tbsp. coconut oil

1 Tbsp. grapeseed oil

1 Tbsp. shea butter

You will probably have some left over but I also put this mix on my scalp. Just heat to warm and put on wet or dry hair in sections. Leave in 20-30 minutes, rinse, then shampoo. Great as a detangler as well.

Caramel treatment

6 Tbsp. honey

6 Tbsp. olive oil

2-3 overripe bananas

3 Tbsp. molasses

4-6 Tbsp. water

1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

1-2 Tbsp. cornstarch (depending on how thick you want it to be)

1 tsp. wheat germ oil (can be substituted for any other natural oil of your choice)

Place all ingredients except the water into a blender, blend until smooth. Add water bit by bit if the misture is too dry. Sieve to remove the banana bits. Pour mixture into a suacepan over medium heat, stirring constantly. You don't want to "cook" the mixture but you want the cornstarch to cause it to thicken. It only takes a few minutes. Add more water if it's too thick or more cornstarch if it's too runny. You want to end up with a caramel colored mixture that is the consistency of a thick batter. If it's too think it will drip from the hair. Put it into a container. This is enough for two applications. To apply, divide hair into three or four sections and put generously on the roots and all the way to the ends. Cover hair with a plastic cap, let sit for 1-2 hours or overnight for really dry hair. Wash with sulfate free shampoo and deep condition. Freeze the remainder until you are ready to use it.

 Herbal rinse

2 Tbsp. horsetail (treats brittle hair)

2 Tbsp. sage (treats brittle hair)

2 Tbsp. rosemary (stimulates growth)

1 Tbsp. lavender (stimulates growth)

1 Tbsp. camomille (softens hair)

Put the amounts in a pot with water, bring to a boil. Then lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Once it's cool pour over hair after you shampoo and deep condition and don't rinse out. This makes my hair smell really good! (The kitchen as well when it's cooking). Be careful though because it can stain your bathtub.

Shea butter cream

(Put in 1 Tbsp of all the ingredients. You can use any essential oils and regular oils you like.)

shea butter

olive oil

grapeseed oil

vitamin e oil

almond oil

coconut oil

rosemary essential oil

orange essential oil

castor oil

honey

Mix everything together with a hand mixer or a blender. It will come out nice and creamy.

Be sure to check out Part 2 tomorrow!

Protective Style #2

As you can see I took out the twists, except the ones that form the bang in the front. I was going to keep them in the whole week, or rather try. However, they don't look fresh after about three days. I did moisturize with shea butter and water last night but when I woke up this morning they were a shrunken, frizzy, mess!

So, before taking them out I spritzed my hair with water until it was a little less than damp. Then I applied one of Shea Moisture's products: the organic coconut and hibiscus curl & style milk. It has coconut oil, silk protein, and neem oil. This was the first time using it and I love it!! It made my hair soft, mosturized, and my curls popped! It is also very light so my hair doesn't feel greasy. I didn't seal with oil afterwards because I still had some in my hair from my leave in.

I tamed the frizz on the edges of my hair with some homemade flaxseed gel. (Click here for a youtube video that shows how it's done). I don't use a brush on my hair. Instead, to smooth my edges I use a toothbrush. It works wonders and is gentle on the hair. The rest was just done up with bobby pins. Super easy, super quick, super cute.

Tonight I plan to cleanse my scalp with a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water. Again, I usually cleanse once a week but this week I am noticing some build up. This will be done after my run. Then I'll mosturize with the rest of my leave in and put it in big twists for the night.

I haven't mastered the french roll but I might try that tomorrow. I also like the roll and tuck styles but they don't work with the motorcycle helmet. I'll probably do that more on a weekend or when classes end and I don't have to be on it everyday. It's more of a mix between a scooter and a motorcycle. Maybe I'll take a pic of it and post it.

So, that's it for my hair today. Look for much more material coming soon! Bear with me as I get the hang of blogger because I have TONS of interesting things to share!