Relaxer Update - February 2013

   

     Prior to Relaxer: On Monday 28th January I oiled scalp with Hairveda Almond Glaze, and moisturised edges and nape with Elasta Qp Mango Butter. Some hairs around the front looked a bit straggly, but that could have been due the fact that the relaxer was due. Overall hair did not feel bad, length of hair looked pretty healthy and shiny. The back felt a bit gummy in texture  when I applied the Mango Butter so I opted out of a full moisturise and seal. My next deep condition after my relaxer was will include a protein treatment. On the Friday I oiled the ends and length of the hair using the Proclere Argan oil serum  and finger combed there was no manipulation of the hair between Monday and Friday.  

     I relaxed my hair at 10 weeks post on February 2nd 2013. My hairdresser relaxed my hair using the Organic Root Stimulator lye relaxer - normal. She applied the relaxer in 4 sections, starting with the back right section. Application of the relaxer took about 10 minutes overall. The smoothing process took another 10 minutes. My hair was neutralized using the Motion Neutralizing Shampoo, then deep conditioned using the Organic Root Stimulator Replenishing conditioner. I had a small trim, (no scalping) my leave -ins were applied ( Doo grow leave- in growth treatment, ORS rich moisturising lotion and ORS wrap foam lotion) and then roller-set. After my hair was dried it was very shiny, moisturised and full of body. 

My Doo Gro leave in growth treatment DECANTED into the Aphogee Keratin and Green tea bottle.  

xx

Review - Qhemet biologics Amla and Olive heavy cream

    

What they say

     Amla and Olive heavy cream - Softens and moisturises extra dry, coarse, hair. distribute a small amount on damp or dry hair. this product also can be used as a regenerative scalp butter to soften growth and smooth edges or as a overnight deep treatment. (Top ingredients include Castor oil, Olive oil and distilled water ---> in that order.)

     What I say

     I love, love, love, love this it is a rich thick cream enriched with loads of nourishing oils. I applied it to my relaxed hair after washing and deep conditioning. I specifically applied the heavy cream to my edges  my edges as I moisturised my hair for the air drying process. My edges felt moisturised and soft, yet were not greasy or wet looking or limp which can be a by product of some haircare products. The heavy cream sunk into my hair quite quickly and there wash no remaining residue. 
       I would say that it reminded me of the Elasta QP Mango butter however it was much more creamy, and had a lighter texture. The full size of this product is $16 for an 8oz jar, so it is a bit expensive. There is a 2oz jar which retails for $5.50. The 2oz jar would last quite a while, if like me you only used this product on your edges when you washed your hair. However there are edge/temple balm recipes online that any recessionista could use to whip up some product for herself.

 I have also used this to do a twist out on freshly washed hair and it really tamed the strands and made the twists nice and juicy (yes juicy)

To check out a picture of this product check the link here Amla and Olive Heavy Cream

Miss Mai
xx

Updated Hair care regimen August 2011 to January 2012

      This is my updated hair care regimen, mainly due to the new products introduced to my haircare regimen. I had not planned to start using Elasta QP products, what happened was that my aunt forgot that she had these products (mainly due to the fact that I was in Antigua all summer and not around to bug her about her hair) and bought a completely new set. So being the Economic student that I am, I asked her for them and she said yes I could have them, These products consisted of the Elasta QP Stop Action Shampoo, and the Elasta QP Intense fortifying conditioner. 

       I had been using these products on her hair for roughly 8 months so I knew that the Elasta QP products were a good line to use. Later I was gifted with a Elasta QP Shampoo for Relaxed Hair and a Elasta QP Mango/Olive butter. In December after being pleased with the results, I purchased the Elasta QP Breakage control serum, this is also a great product. The shampoos in the Elasta QP range maintain a ph of 4.5 - 5.5 so they are not overly drying to my hair and all off the products are full of vitamins and lovely oils such as Avocado, Coconut and Olive oil. 

My regimen as far as my wash day still remains the same I detangle my hair thoroughly using my wide toothed shower comb and comb all my hair back so that it is in 1 direction. 

- Next I run water over my hair in the shower for 2-3 minutes. 

- Then I apply the Elasta QP Stop Action Shampoo for the first lather. (I use a mixture of 50% water/ 50% shampoo this helps the shampoo spread better and it is not just a glob of product in 1 place. Also you save money, because the products last longer) This is a clarifying shampoo so it will gently remove all of the product buildup from my hair. I massage the sides of my scalp then the back and the front. Then I rinse.

- For the second wash ( I only wash my hair twice ) I apply the Elasta QP Shampoo for Relaxed Hair (here I also use a mixture of 50% water / 50% shampoo, sometimes I make it or 75% shampoo / 25% water). Again I massage the sides of my scalp then the back and the front, then I rinse the shampoo from my hair. 

- Next I blot my hair with a clean towel, and I apply my deep conditioning treatment "Elasta QP Intense Fortifying Conditioner + 2 tablespoons olive oil" mixed together to my semi dry hair. I cover with a 2 plastic bags and wait 30- 60 minutes. I usually watch a tv show during this time. My natural body heat allows the conditioner to work, penetrating the hair shaft. 

- After rinsing out the deep treatment I blot my hair 90% dry using a clean towel and I apply my leave in conditioner Infusium 23 maximum body formula (75% Infusium 23 + 25% water). Then I apply my Aphogee Green Tea and Keratin reconstructor spray.  Then I comb through with my wide toothed shower comb. 

- Next I apply my Matrix Biolage Sleek Look Iron smoother "heat protection spray" (yes the same bottle from August 2010, it is still going strong) and I comb that through my hair.

-  Then I blow dry my hair in sections. If I am going to flat iron my hair I will add some Fantasia IC Heat protection serum to my hair after blow drying comb that through my blow dried hair and then flat Iron my hair. 

- To maintain my hair between washes (I was washing my hair every two weeks at this point) I would moisturize my scalp using Olive oil. I would moisturize and seal my hair using Elasta QP Olive / Mango butter, Or my Elasta QP Olive/Mango butter Mega Mix and seal my ends using olive oil. 








** Due to the fact I started stretching my relaxers from 8 weeks to 12 weeks. I began to use the Hairveda Almond glaze on my scalp/ new growth during week 6 -12 of my relaxer stretch. See my review on this product here http://miakhymai.blogspot.com/2012/01/review-hairveda-almond-glaze.html

Also other things I have been doing include half heat--> blowdrying but not straightening (flat ironing) my hair. Blowdrying my hair with NO heat. Basically I keep the heat setting button off but I use the speed setting so I get cool air but no heat. Keeping my hair in french braids and pinning up my ends. Also I have been occasionally spraying some leave in conditioner on my hair, just here and there one or two sprays to keep moisture levels up. 


Love your tresses
Miss Mai 

Products I am using right now: Hair

Products that I am currently using at the moment in my Winter Hair Care Regimen

Washing
Elasta QP Shampoo for Relaxed hair 
Elasta QP Intense fortifying Conditioner (deep Treatment)
Ojon Damage Reverse Restorative Conditioner (deep treatment)

After washing - Leave ins
Infusium 23 Maximum Body Formula Pro-Vitamin leave in conditioner
Aphogee Green tea and Keratin Reconstructor (protein spray)
Matrix Biolage Iron smoother (heat protectant)
IC fantasia heat protection Serum (heat protectant) ------> if I am going to blow dry my hair and then flat iron it I will use this then blow dry, after blow drying I will apply the ic fantasia heat protection serum comb that throughout my hair to distribute evenly and then flat iron my hair.
IC Fantasia heat protection serum (heat protectant) ---> If I am going to blow dry my hair alone I will apply this after my leave in conditioner and protein spray in place of the iron smoother,  comb it through then blow dry my hair. This is also very good if you are air drying, it helps to keep the hair tangle free.   

Moisturizers/Sealants 
Coconut oil for scalp
Elasta QP Olive/Mango Butter (moisturize)
Organic Root Stimulator hair moisturizing lotion(moisturize)
Olive oil (seal)

Triple kick (sample of lush R&B hair moisturizer + sample of Hairveda whipped creme ends hair moisturiser + some Elasta QP mango butter + 1 spoonful olive oil + a little bit of ors hair lotion = Triple kick.  I did this because I had a sample of the Lush R&B moisturizer and though it smelled lovely and the shop attendants had told me of the great value of it, the sample was tiny, I would have needed 3-4 more samples to be able to moisturize my entire head. So I just threw  few things together and mixed them up.