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

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. 

Hair-iversary

     In between Biffy Clyro and Beyonce I realised that it has been a year since I have been on my hair journey August 28th 2010, "confetti in the air". I haven't posted any pics all summer because I wanted to take a break so I could really check the length against my last set of pics which I have uploaded. It wasn't always smooth sailing, at first it was a real chore to deal with my hair and get the routine going. The products I had to throw away/stop using,  stuff I had to buy.  It was a real investment I had to make going in, not only financially (£10 on a shampoo whew) but time wise, and knowledge wise. I really wanted my hair to grow and grow as long as it possibly grow, go the distance so to speak. I know so much about hair now, my attitude towards hair care has completely changed. Not only relaxed hair but natural hair as well. My roomate has been on her hair care journey as well at this time and she is natural. So it has been good being able to bounce ideas off of her and get advice etc. Mishaps have happened my hair completely reverted whilst I was home on summer vacation. Humidity tried my patience no end, leave in conditioner is my "best hair friend" lol.

Second half of the 2010 -2012 hair journey starts in 33 minutes (its currently 11:27gmt).

For this second year I will be embracing more protective styles. I am not totally going to be wearing my hair in protective styles 100% of the time but I am aiming for 90%. The first 2 weeks after a relaxer I tend to wear my hair down, but I am going to be wearing it up more. Also I will be using different products during this leg of the journey. I think that the Matrix products that I was using in the past my hair has benefited, but now I am able to try new products since my hair is in a really healthy state. When I started this journey I was a year into recovering from damaged hair, in terms of dryness, and slight breakage. The Matrix products were lovely full of Argan oil and avocado oil. However I think that I am at a stage now where I can use other things. Going in for the next leg of my healthy hair journey I will be using Elasta QP products on my hair.

Elasta QP stop action shampoo

Elasta QP shampoo for relaxed hair

Elasta QP Intense fortifying shampoo

Elasta QP olive and mango butter moisturiser (3tblspoons of olive oil added and mixed in thoroughly, or 2tblsppoons olive oil + 1tblspoon of castor oil)

These are the products which will make up the base of my regimen. I will continue  using my coconut oil to moisturise my scalp, my olive oil to seal my ends (spray my hair occasionally), Infusium 23 leave in conditioner, Matrix sleek heat protectant. Will continue to wash my hair and deep condition every 2 weeks, moisturising and sealing every week minimum 2 days a week (possibly every other day during the winter). Also I will be stretching my relaxers from 8 to 12 weeks  (3months) at a time.

Thank you for all the support, questions, suggestions over the last year and thanks in advance for all of them to come in the future.

xx

Kae-Toya's Top 10 Hair care must haves.

As a budding hair care enthusiast I have been asked a few questions by friends who have become interested since I recently posted pics on my facebook of my new healthy locs. I must admit even my aunts were surprised with my growth on a recent trip home. So I am sharing with you my fellow girls (and guys) the products which I have used and they have been tried and tested and not found wanting in any way. These are products which I have bought with my own money and used for years. I have black type 4a/b hair (yes them naps).  I relax my hair every 8 weeks and deep condition every 2 weeks.

1. Matrix Biolage colorcaretherapie Delicate care Shampoo (for sensititized/colored hair) this shampoo is sulfate/paraben free and contains organic acai+ argan antioxidant complex.................its the business.

2. Matrix Biolage colorcaretherapie Delicate care Conditioner (for sensititized/colored hair) this also sulfate and paraben free and contains organic acai+ argan antioxidant complex.

3. Matrix Biolage colorcaretherapie Delicate care Masque (for sensititized/colored hair) aka the deep treatment this also sulfate and paraben free and contains organic acai+ argan antioxidant complex. This has is a high dose of avocado oil, followed by argan oil and also acai berry and is a colour fade fighting forumula..............this is a product that you the feel the difference from the first use.

4. Matrix Biolage colorcaretherapie Delicate care Organic Certified oil............this is pure argan oil. I use this after or before my blow dry, or maybe mid week on my ends a dime sized amount I just rub it in my hands and then apply it to my ends and all over my hair.

5. Inecto Pure coconut oil deeply nourishing leave in conditioner...........I spray this in after I have blotted the excess moisture out of my hair.

6. Matrix sleek look smoothing system step 4 Iron smoother......this  is my heat protectant it protects up to 200 degrees and protects from humidity. I used the ghd heat protectant for 2 years before I started using this sleek one and in my opinion the sleek one works alot better.

7. Organic root stimulator Olive oil incredibly rich moisturising  hair lotion.............I've used this is small amounts over the last 3 years but I have finally committed and purchased a bottle to see my through the winter .......( and I got 25% free...go girl its yuh burfday). This is that I used to moisturise my hair twice a week.

8. Fantasia IC pm nightime oil treatment .............I have warrrrrrrrrrrrred with family members over bottles of this stuff. This is one thing that ever relaxed girl should have in her arsenal. It even comes in a travel size so no excuses ladies. This  have been using for about 5 years now. I love this stuff. If  I'm wearing my hair wrapped I spray this on my hair 4 sprays every other night. ( this is the first 2 weeks of my perm)  I also use this mixed with a little castor oil to seal my ends after I have moisturised my hair twice a week. SERIOUSLY ladies if you don't have this you are sleeping on your hair care.

9. Fantasia IC Hair polisher daily hair treatment .............I apply this all over my hair after I have finished blow drying and then I straighten my hair with the flat iron.  this gives my hair a lovely sheen and a sleek smooth finish.

10. Organic root stimulator coconut oil ................... this is what I use to oil my scalp twice a week the same time that I moisturise and seal.

These products have been my staples for the last year I  some longer than a year and they have worked brilliantly.