13 Weeks Post Relaxer Mid Week Wash Day

I honestly have to say that as much as I love wash days, there are some days when it is simply a chore. On these days it's tempting to take short cuts, but I try to overcome the urge as much as possible. :D

Pre-Poo - Coconut Oil

When I got home from work I took my hair down (was wearing a halo flat twist protective style), and applied coconut oil to my hair with my new Misto Oil Sprayer. (The jury is still out on how I like using the sprayer.) I then twisted my hair back up and went for a run.


Shampoo - Nutress Hair Stop Break Sulfate Free Shampoo

This is my all time favorite sulfate free shampoo. It contains protein and aloe. It has an incredible amount of slip and leaves my hair soft. I'll do a more detailed review in a later post.


Deep Condition - Giovanni 2Chic Ultra-Moist Deep Deep Moisture Hair Mask and Coconut Oil

The Giovanni moisture mask contains avocado and olive oil. I blended the mask with 1 1/2 tablespoons of coconut oil and wore a heat cap for about 45 minutes.

Leave-Ins - Rosewater, Aphogee Keratin and Green Tea Restructurizer, and Elasta QP Olive Oil and Mango Leave in Conditioner

I applied my leave-ins in the above order. I targeted the rosewater to my scalp and did a mini massage in an effort to stimulate hair growth.

After this I knew I wanted to air dry but was at a loss on how I wanted to proceed with styling. Don't you hate those days?


Style

I air dried and after my hair was about 80% dry I applied some Organic Moroccan Argan Oil Serum made by Spring Valley. I did four Bantu knots (1 on each side and 2 in the back) and went to bed.

The next morning I took my Bantu knots out and the results were so-so.

However, my curls were more defined than I thought considering I didn't use a styling custard or pudding of any kind. I did have a bit of frizz.

Overall this wash day was fairly successful. My new growth at 13 weeks post relaxer is definitely something to contend with, but the continued use of coconut oil and product favorites makes it bearable.

Thanks so much for reading and if you believe this article may help someone, please share! If you any questions please leave them below.

Blessings and Happy Hair Journey!

~Candra

Stretching My Relaxers Comes With Its Struggles

As of July 31^st I am eleven weeks post relaxer. My goal is to reach a relaxer stretch mile stone and stretch for sixteen weeks. 

Before my hair journey I went to the salon to get my hair relaxed every six weeks. Now that I am relaxing my hair every three months or beyond, my hair has thickened up beautifully. No more over processing!

While relaxer stretching has been great for my hair, it comes with its struggles.

1. Detangling two different textures

2. The delicacy of the line of demarcation

3. Creating desired hairstyles

Extending my stretch from three months to four months may not seem like a big deal, but I know I need to be proactive and have a plan. After all, I have found that not every relaxer stretch is the same.

For example, I am currently eleven weeks post relaxer, but because of a change in my regimen my hair is a lot thicker and therefore more difficult to manage than during my previous stretches. 

My Plan For... Detangling Two Textures

• Deep condition twice a week. – This strategy is actually a part of my ongoing coconut oil challenge, but keeping my hair moisturized and soft helps with detangling. I plan to use my conditioners with the most slip.

• Finger detangle often. – The last few weeks of this stretch, I’m going to reach for my comb less and finger detangle more. I'm less likely to cause breakage. This includes finger detangling after each step of my wash day to prevent knots. I have experienced a few knots this stretch already! 

• Work with my hair in sections. – I’m going to take my time and prepoo, wash, deep condition, rinse, and style my hair section by section. 

My Plan For... Line of Demarcation (Where my relaxed hair and natural hair meet.)

• Protein treatments – Every other week I deep condition with a light protein treatment. My go to product is the ORS Replenishing Conditioner. The week before my relaxer I will apply a medium to hard protein treatment, most likely, the Aphogee Two Step treatment.

• Finger detangling – I can be more gentle using my fingers, preventing breakage at the line of demarcation. 

• Minimal heat usage – I do have plans to flat iron my hair this weekend but will use a heat protectant and the lowest setting possible on my flat iron. The line of demarcation is the weakest point of a two textured hair shaft and too much heat can cause breakage…which defeats the whole purpose of relaxer stretching.

My Plan For... Desired Hairstyling

To be honest the jury is still out on this one. “Doing” hair, as far as styling is concerned is a struggle for me on any day. So, I’ll stick with what I can do best. These styles are not always what I feel like wearing, but at least my hair looks presentable and there’s little manipulation.

• Buns

• Medium to Large Bantu Knot Outs

• Roller Sets
  

My ultimate goal is to get to the point where I only relax my hair three times per year. If I have issues or get too frustrated I will relax earlier than planned... But never again will I do the 6 to 8 week thing. It works for some, but it wasn't the healthiest time frame for my hair.

Thank you for reading and HHJ! Blessings! 

~Candra

My Summer Regimen Using Coconut Oil

Week one of Hairlista's Coconut Oil Challenge is almost complete! This challenge will run through Saturday, August 23rd so it's not too late to participate.

Here is a recap of the advance level requirements for the challenge...

ADVANCE:

• Apply Coconut oil to your hair and scalp, prior to washing, for 20mins – 1 hour or overnight. Massage it in focusing on damaged areas. Proceed with regular washday routine. Do this 2x/week.
• Apply 1-2 tsp of Coconut Oil to your weekly deep conditioner with heat. Rinse thoroughly.
• Apply Coconut oil to your scalp 2-3x/week. Do not rinse.
• (OPTIONAL) Seal with Coconut oil on wet or dry hair.

If you are not a big fan of using coconut oil on your tresses then maybe the Basic or Intermediate level may work for you. (Check the link below for more info.)

You can also choose a favorite oil of your choice to add to your pre-poos and conditioners for added hair nourishment.

Just a Few Benefits of Coconut Oil:

1. Coconut is easy to find and all natural (Use organic, unrefined coconut oil)

2. Conditions Hair

3. Decreases Shedding

4. Promotes Hair Growth

5. Fights Against Dandruff and Other Scalp Issues

6. Prevents Breakage

7. Prevents Split Ends

When reviewing the benefits of coconut oil, taking part in this challenge for the summer is a win-win! 

In order to comply with the advanced level of the challenge, I have put together the following regimen for this challenge.

My Summer Regimen With Coconut Oil

Tuesday & Saturday

• Apply coconut oil to hair and scalp for 1 hour or longer before washing hair...(include scalp massage)
• Add 2 teaspoons of coconut oil to my moisturizing deep conditioner...sit under heated dryer for 20 minutes

Monday & Wednesday & Friday

• Apply coconut oil lightly to scalp only and massage
• Moisturize hair and seal lightly with coconut oil

I will try this schedule for the month of June and if necessary, do some tweaking. Now of course I have to make sure that this all falls in line with the styles I would like to wear. This may be tough going for three months, but that's why they call it challenge!

What are your thoughts on my current summer regimen? Do you incorporate coconut oil in your hair regimen?

Happy Hair Growing, Love, and Blessings!

~ Candra

Hairlista's Coconut Oil Challenge

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