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

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 

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

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 

Hair Update

      My last relaxer was in September after a 3 month stretch, I am exactly 8 weeks post relaxer. Stretching my relaxer for 3 months instead of 2 months definitely  worked in my favour hair wise. I was able to see more clearly,  how much length I had retained when I took length check pictures. So I have decided to stretch my relaxers for 3 months at a time from now on. In 2012 I will only be relaxing my hair 4 times, compared to the present where I  relax my hair 6 times (every 2 months/8weeks) a year. At the moment I am in university, so I do not know how this might change later on when I get a full time job, but with everything in life we change and adjust. I have been wearing my hair in protective styles roughly 80% of the time. I did try bunning but combing my hair every day to put it in a bun is not the one for me, most days my hair is in two plaits and pinned up. I am 8 weeks post relaxer with alot of new growth, my hair is really thick. I have not seen anyone with hair as thick as mine on youtube or any hair blogs, For these persons whom I have seen their hair types and textures might be conducive to bunning every day, but  for my hair type it cannot work. Also after week 6 in my next stretch I wont be using coconut oil to moisturize my scalp/new growth anymore, instead I will be using Hairveda's Almond Glaze. I have a sample that I am using at the moment and this stuff is great. it keeps my new growth moisturized and helps it to lay down flat. I am going to try it a few more times though to make sure that it is not a fluke. If it works then I will be purchasing a full sized jar of it. I wont be using it on my freshly relaxed hair, because it is slightly thick and would just weigh my hair down, also it would be a waste of the product. I will begin using it from roughly week 6 to week 12 when the new growth is prevalent. I haven't had much shedding during this stretch, I am experiencing slight  breakage you know the little drabs from the ends, but that should be sorted out with a protein treatment, so I am not panicking or worried. My shower comb has been great during this time, along with my 2 other wide toothed combs.  

     I am undecided when to relax my hair lol, at first I wanted to relax my hair on the 31st December so that I would be fresh for the new year. However we don't have classes til the 16th January, and I don't want to show up the first day of class, which is a Monday with my head looking stale. Exams are from the 2nd January til the 14th of January so everybody usually looks a hot mess inCORporated during those two weeks.  Next problem is that My birthday is the 25th of January, and I usually get my hair done fresh for my birthday, that would mean me relaxing around the 21/21nd January. I have narrowed  it down to next relaxer being anytime between the 16th -22nd January.