New in: Summer Highstreet Hair Care Haul and other bits

Hi lovelies, I hope you all are well. I am back with a tiny haul. 

In February/ toward the end of March I made 3 changes to my hair care routine. Before I would shampoo and deep condition my hair twice a month (usually on a Saturday morning. I have always done that, ever since I have taken care of my own hair. "To have a change, you need to make a change." With that in mind I decided to shampoo and deep condition my hair 3 times a month (instead of only twice) and  I have added a pre -poo step to my hair care routine. 

Pre-poo-ing  (pre-conditioning before shampooing your hair) is not a new concept all the naturals I know pre- poo and a fair amount of the relaxed/ texlaxed girls. It is just something I haven't made a part of my hair care routine until now. For the last month or so I have been using the L'oreal Extraordinary Oils shampoo and hair mask. the shampoo has been lovely on my hair, not stripping at all and the hair mask has been great on its own as well as mixed with oils as a moisturizing hair mask. 

If you know me you know I like a good bargain, I saw that Boots and Superdrug were having 50%  off sale on L'Oreal hair products. I thought let me try a few of the other products, since I have been having a good experience with the Extraordinary oils range. 

I picked up a few other hair care products as well. plus some bits and bobs. 

1st Row

Tresemme Breakage Defense Restructuring Treatment Masque - this replaced the Herbal Essence Bee Strong Intensive hair mask as my pre-poo.

Vatika Virgin Oilive Deep Conditioning Hair mask - moisturising deep conditioner. This was 50p in Superdrug, total impulse purchase. 

2nd row

L'Oreal Elvive colour Protect Masque - moisturising deep conditioner 

L'Oreal Elvive Full Restore 5 Repairing masque - Protein/ strengthening deep conditioner. 

3rd Row

Trevor Sorbie Colour Enhance Mask - moisturising deep conditioner. 

5 conditioning masks might seem like a lot but, deep conditioning is the foundation of any good hair care routine. Plus I am conditioning my hair more often now. 

Gold packaging - L'Oreal Elvive Extraordinary Oil in cream leave in - all hair types. 

Brown packaging - L'Oreal Elvive  Extraordinary Oil in cream leave leave in - dry, rough, hair

Holland & Barrett

Avocado Oil

Peppermint Oil

Lavender and Coconut Hydrating Mist (don't do it)

Superdrug

Astral soft Face and Body Moisturiser - this is super light, absorbs quickly, perfect moisturiser for summer holidays. 

Marks & Spencers

Lemon Verbena Room Spray 

Well there you are my lovelies. 

My tiny haul of hair care and other things. 

If you have bought anything new hair things for the summer,

comment below and let me know. 

xx

April Favourites

Hey lovelies, I am tucked up in bed with a cup of hot chocolate, it is raining cats and dogs outside. 

So I have decided to share with you what were my favorite products for the month of April. 

Some of these products you might have seen before, some of them are new. 

Everyday Favourites: 

Armani shades - between low glare in the mornings and the dazzling sunlight in the afternoons, having these bad boys in my hand bag have been a necessity. 

Jack Wills umbrella - did you know umbrellas are pricey? Like seriously this umbrella was "12 and it was half price!!!!. I came to the rude awakening, that I have never actually purchased  an umbrella, (when I bought this umbrella).  I mean for an every day product, they are pricey, especially if you want a sturdy one to hold up against these hurricane rains /tornado winds we seem to be getting these past few months. 

Body Favorites:

Garnier 7 day Intense moisturizing lotion - good moisturizer not to light and now to heavy  perfect for the fluctuating temperatures of Spring. 

 Dove Hibiscus and Almond shower cream - has been keeping my skin clean as well as soft. Sanctuary body spray - great for spritzing on the go, as well as topping up during the day, the scent is very light. I know you are wondering why I have two body scrubs/exfoliators as well as exfoliating gloves. Exfoliating gloves are the business, I use them every day, with my Dove Almond and Hibiscus shower cream.  

There is a method to the madness with the 2 body scrubs. Gigi No Bump Scrub - is for use in delicate areas such as the bikini line and decolletage.  The Body Shop Raspberry Body Scrub this is for use every where, but I moistly focus on the back of my thighs and arms with this. 

Face Favourites:

 Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer - medium coverage plus spf, this has been my regular base not that the morning have been lighter. 

 Garnier Micellar water -this has been a great makeup remover, plus at 400ml for £4.99, this has been great value for money. 

MAC Mineralise Skinfinish Natural - great face powder on its own as well as topping up my Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer. 

 Murad perfecting day cream with spf 30 - it goes on and gives my skin a grey  tinge, which does not last. My skin totally absorbs it  and it leave no residue, plus it doesn't interfere with the application of my Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer which contains spf 20.

 (I am all for the spf, I am going to be as well preserved as possible, no leather face here. Moisturizer, water and spf are my friends) 

Hair Favourites:

ORS Oil Moisturizing Hair Lotion - I've been using this for years. It works great as a hair moisturizer I just continue using it. 

Almond Oil (decanted into the Tresemme liquid gold bottle) - this is what I use to seal in the moisture of the Olive oil hair lotion. 

There you have it my April favourites,

xxx

Relaxer Touch Up - June 2013

My stylist used Organic Root Stimulator lye relaxer in normal strength on my new growth. She applied the relaxer in 4 sections, starting with the back right section. For the two  sections at the  front she relaxed the left side first and then the right. Application of the relaxer took about 10 minutes overall. The smoothing process took another 10 -15 minutes. 

 After rinsing out the relaxer from my hair, she neutralised my hair using Organic Root Stimulator Neutralising Shampoo. Then she applied Sta fro hair dye in the colour dark brown. I went under the dryer for about 20 minutes to help the colour  set properly. Then my hair was rinsed, shampooed with Luster's Pink oil Moisturizing Shampoo and then the Organic Root Stimulator Replenishing Conditioner was applied. I was then back under the dryer for another 20 minutes. Organic Root Stimulator Wrap/Set Mousse along with the Organic Root Stimulator Incredibly Rich Moisturizer Lotion was applied to my hair and then some medium sized rollers. (yes I love roller sets.)

Check the pics below for results of my relaxer day.

Check out my 2 bottles of ORS Incredibly rich hair lotion,
 upside down in the corner of the photo. lol 

Curls 

Curls 

Curls 

Curls and an ear

Curls

Getting ready for bed 

The morning after. 

Products Used:
Organic Root Stimulator Incredibly Rich Hair Moisturising Lotion 
Organic Root Stimulator lye relaxer in normal strength
Organic Root Stimulator Neutralising Shampoo
Luster's Pink oil Moisturizing Shampoo
Sta fro hair dye in the colour dark brown
Organic Root Stimulator Replenishing Conditioner 
Organic Root Stimulator Wrap/Set Mousse

Hair Stats
Current length: Line #2 on my length check t shirt**
Last Relaxer:  June 29th 2013
Next Relaxer: August 31st 2013
Short Term Goal: line #3 on my Length check T-shirt by June 2013**
Long Term Goal: Bra Strap Length by December 2013
Wish List: Phillip Kingsley Elasticizer, Grapseed Oil
Recent buys: Organic Root Stimulator Hair Mayonnaise,  Organic Root Stimulator Incredibly Rich Moisturizing hair lotion, Waitrose Baby Bottom Butter


to be amended

Wash Day

I detangled my hair using my Conair shower comb, then parted it into 4 sections. 

Then I applied my Elasta QP Intensive Breakage Treatment to each of the four sections, saturating as much of the hair as possible. I applied the serum working  up the hair shaft from the ends. Covered with 2 plastic bags, a large towel waited 40 minutes (aka watched 1 episode of Rizzoli and Isles).

 Rinsed out the Elasta QP Intensive Breakage Treatment Serum, shampooed twice using the Avon 360 Nourishment Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo. 

Followed up with a deep conditioner blend ( 2 large spoonfuls of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 1 large spoonful of Sweet Almond Oil, 4 large spoonfuls of Avon 360 Nourishment Moroccan Argan Oil Conditioner (NOT the treatment masque) and 1 large spoonful of Mazuri Hair Mayonnaise Steam treatment.) 

 

Applied to my hair paying close attention to my edges/nape/ends. Then covered with  1 plastic bag and the towel again for 40 minutes (aka another episode of Rizzoli and Isles.

Rinsed out the deep conditioner, then applied my leave ins. Infusium 23 Maximum Body Formula Leave in Conditioner, Doo Gro Leave in Growth Treatment,  Matrix  Sleek Results Iron Smoother, combed through, then applied a bit of ORS Deep Moisturizing Hair Lotion on my ends. (In that order)

 


Dried hair using T shirt method, then finished off using blow dryer with heat settings turned off. (yes your hair dries, if you do this)

Applied Hairveda Almond Glaze to my scalp, combed my hair into a pony tail and covered with my satin scarf.

Hair Stats
Current length: Line #2 on my length check t shirt
Last Relaxer: February 2nd 2013
Next Relaxer: April 27th 2013
Short Term Goal: line #3 on my Length check T-shirt by June 2013
Long Term Goal: Bra Strap Length by December 2013
Wish List: Phillip Kingsley Elasticizer, Grapseed Oil
Recent buys: None 

http://miakhymai.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/a-review-avon-advanced-techniques-360.html

http://miakhymai.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/review-hairveda-almond-glaze.html

http://miakhymai.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/hair-fave-organic-root-stimulator-olive.html

http://miakhymai.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/wash-day-25022013.html

Love and Light

xx

February Favourites 2013

Avon Advances Techniques 360 Nourishment Hair Care Range Shampoo/Conditioner/Deep Treatment

Emporio Armani Sunglasses

Converse Clite Ox Colbalt

Kleenex Tissues (got to love the 4 ply)

Kurt Geiger Ballet Flats

Dune - for their after sale shoe service

Zara Rose EDT 

Soap and Glory Mist you Madly Body Spray

ORS Deep Moisturizing Hair Lotion

The Richest man in Babylon - by George Clayson  I cannot even tell you how good this book is.

Cod Liver oil Tablets

Mac Studio Fix + Powder

Almond Oil

My woolly hat (it has been freezing cold)

xx

Wash Day - 25/02/2013

     This Snowing, frosty weather has had my scalp going crazyyyyyyyy. I was trying to hold out until Saturday which would have made 2 weeks since my last wash/deep treatment/roller set but I could not take it any more. The scalp at the front of my head has descended into a pile of large crackly flakes. If you know me I am not about that dry, flaky head looking life. 

     To wash my hair I used my Avon Advanced Techniques 360 Nourishment Moroccan Argan oil Shampoo. I had separated my hair into two parts front/back after de tangling  I applied the shampoo to the front of my hair and then massaged it into my scalp. After what I deemed a sufficient enough time I rinsed the shampoo from the front f my hair. I then applied shampoo all over my hair and proceeded to wash my hair in its entirety. 

     After rinsing the shampoo from my second wash. I applied my  Avon Advanced Techniques 360 Nourishment Moroccan Argan oil Hair mask (deep treatment conditioner) working from the ends up the hair shaft. I also applied some of the hair mask/ deep treatment conditioner to my crown and around the edges of my hair. After combing that through I covered my hair with a plastic bag (I think it was from tesco) and then wrapped the entire concoction with a large towel to trap the heat. After 40 minutes (aka 1 episode of Blue bloods, check it out great show) I rinsed the hair mask/ deep treatment conditioner from my hair.

     I then applied some of the  Avon Advanced Techniques 360 Nourishment Moroccan Argan oil Conditioner throughout my hair and then rinsed it out. Next I towel blotted my hair sprayed it with my Infusium 23 Maximum body Formula leave in conditioner, followed by my Doo Gro Leave in Growth treatment  (aka my bootleg Aphogee Green Tea  and Keratin Restructurizer, check it out ingredients are nearly identical, plus it is half the price and has more in the bottle), then my Matrix Sleek Look Iron smoother (Heat Protectant). I de-tangled my hair and then blow dried it on low heat, then I applied some Hairveda Almond Glaze to my scalp and massaged it in for about 2 minutes. I asked my little sister to flat iron my hair for my using my vidal Sassoon 2 inch ceramic hair straightener. 

     After allllllllllll of that I applied some ORS Deep moisturising Hair lotion into my palm and mixed it with a bit of Almond glaze, a few drops of Almond oil and applied that all over my hair. This morning my hair was suuuuuuuuuuper soft and lovely. 

Notes

  - I am still going heatless/no heat for 2013/ airdry/ roller set, I flat ironed my hair to do a length check, since I had not done one in such a long time. Currently my hair is at the #2 line on my length check t shirt. 

 - The DOO GRO Leave In Growth treatment comes in a pop top bottle.  What I have done is to decant it into my EMPTY Aphogee Green Tea bottle, this decanting products into spray bottles give them a much much much longer life.  see picture below.

Almond Glaze my review -->  Almond Glaze

Organic Root Stimulator Deep Moisturising Hair Lotion my review--> ORS Olive Oil Hair Moisturiser

Almond Oil --> Almond Oil (I need to check this out, because the website says it is Almond and Wheat Germ Oils, But the label on the packaging lists Almond Oil as the only ingredient.) 


Hair Stats
Current length: Line #2 on my length check t shirt
Last Relaxer: February 2nd 2013
Next Relaxer: April 27th 2013
Short Term Goal: line #3 on my Length check T-shirt by June 2013
Long Term Goal: Bra Strap Length by December 2013
Wish List: Phillip Kingsley Elasticizer, Grapseed Oil
Recent buys: Almond oil 

Wash Day

     

     I am 4 posts away from my 300th blog post. whew Sometimes I wonder about post number 1 and now here I am post number 296.

     Wash day was fairly simple I shampooed twice using the Matrix Total Results Repair Shampoo, my hair felt soft after. Next the Matrix Total results Repair Deep Intensive Mask was applied, combed through and left to sit for 3 minutes (like the instructions said) then rinsed off. My hair felt funny like it was a bit stripped (this could be due to the fact that I did not apply the regular conditioner after Rinsing off the mask, it could have possibly injected some moisture back into my hair) so ORS Deep Moisturising lotion was applied and combed through, followed by ORS wrap/set mousse. My hair was roller set and I went under the dryer. I came from under the dryer and took out my rollers, the curls were soft and full. I oiled my scalp with Bontle Hair food, massaged my roots  and then my curls were pinned into a style. 

Now I know some people might be thinking didn't she post her hair routine the other day and these products were not listed. This is true.

 I purchased these products in June of 2012, when I had my hair done at Cococheno Hair Salon. I was instructed to use the mask only once a month since it is a protein based line, meaning that I would have to alternate it with another line of hair products. I only had this line of products at the time and I used them consistently for about 2 or 3 washes, in turn they made my hair feel very stripped. I have not thrown them away (I am not about that life) I intend to use them until they are completely finished. What I will do is use them as the stylist suggested and only use them once a month, alternating with my Avon Morrocan Oil products (don't sleep on AVON the Morrocan Oil line has been very very good to my hair)

Hair Stats
Current length: Just past should length 
Last Relaxer: February 2nd 2013
Next Relaxer: April 27th 2013
Short Term Goal: line #3 on my Length check T-shirt by June 2013
Long Term Goal: Bra Strap Length by December 2013
Wish List: Phillip Kingsley Elasticizer
Recent buys: None