NEW! Nexxus Hydra Light Product Line NOW IN STORES!

The Nexxus Hydra-Light, KLP drooled over (hah!) has arrived! At least in my neighborhood lol. I have only noticed it in GIANT grocery stories and I have checked other spots. I have been semi-hesitant but I shall be purchasing the Shampoo and Conditioner to give it a try. I'm so in love with Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger Shampoo...that I have become reluctant to other shampoos. But I suppose that you should (in my opinion) rotate products, reasonably... so who knows!? Could this be a potential staple in my regimen!?


We shall see... try it with me! Is it out near you yet!?

Muahz
Keyda

SOS Protective Styling: Interviewing Edition

Front: Added a lil bump to bangs

WooooooooooooooHooooooooooooooo! I had another interview...This was a final interview! So, I truly hope I have some positive news to share soon with you SOS Divas!

I did a simple yet elegant style with my fave black flower clips :) I have actually seen this style done nicely/bigger with longer hair on Pinterest. I will definitely be playing with the "bun" more so as my hair grows! 

Back: With my flower pins 

Quick How to: 

1. Place back hair into pony tail. 
2. Separate from middle of head (without untying the pony tail). Take hair that is out and put it through that space made (like up and over). 
3. Tuck your ends inside of the pony and pin away. 

What do you think!? What is your interview style!?

Muahz
Keyda

[Review] Organix Coconut Milk Anti-Breakage Serum

Price: $7.49 for 4 oz

Purchased at: Amazon (also at CVS/Walgreen/any regular store)

Promises: Indulge your sense with this exclusive blend of organic coconut milk to help nourish your hair while ultra whipped egg white proteins help add strength and elasticity, along with weighless coconut oils for added hydration and balance.

Ingredients: Cylomethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, C12-15, Alkyl Benzoate, Silk Amino Acids (Silk Amino Acid Complex), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Cocos Nucifera Extract (Coconut Milk), Cocus Nucifera (Coconut ) Oil, Albumen (Egg White Protien), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Parfum

Directions: Apply a small amount to palms, rub together then apply to surface of damp hair evenly working through ends.

My Reality: I admit, it has a thick consistency, so you sometimes feel like it is to heavy or too much. However, I have noticed that a little is all you need. You can put this in your hair wet or dry. I feel the strength right away after my hair dries. I have also notice less breakage in my trouble areas (middle back) once I began using the product consistently. I am in love! This is a staple product in my regimen because breakage is my worst enemy due to the thickness of my hair/my laziness at times! I also love the smell and find that when I did not use it, my hair did not feel as strong as it does now! :)


Have you used anything from the Organix line!?

Muahz
Keyda

Celeb Style Inspiration

Teyonah Parris-19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards

I'm not one to keep up with celebrity hair, but when I came across this photo of Teyonah Parris, I was in love! Although, big styles like this one, just aren't my thing. I would definitely at least attempt it. (In the privacy of my own home. Ha-ha!)

What celeb-dawned protective styles are you in love with?

Un mil besitos!

KLP

Reader Q&A

My typical shed hair

Q: How much do you typically shed each day?
A: Great question! I finally remembered to snap a pic of my shed hair after detangling then moisturizing. Whilst, I didn't bother counting each strand. This amount is pretty typical for me lately. I (think) that I suffer from seasonal shedding (in the Spring/Fall) which is why I've been trying to be proactive to try to keep my shedding at a minimal by instilling products and techniques in my regimen to keep my hair on my head and not on the bathroom floor. It's said that most women shed up to 100 strands a day. 

Q: Is your hair colored/highlighted?
A: Nope.  My color is all natural thanks to genes and the sun. My son's hair is auburn (the only thing that he's seemed to pick up from my gene pool!) and my daughter's hair is streaked with blonde highlights.

Q: How long have you been tex-laxing?
A: Since March 2011. My hair is about 90-95% tex-laxed. 

Q: Why do you write in "spang-lish?" (Spanish and English)
A: I blog in the same manner in which I speak. My soul lives in Mexico, my husband is Puertorican, and we proudly speak a mixture of both Spanish and English in our home. (Keyda has a similar heritage) SOS Hair embraces latina culture and loves being a representation of brown skinned, kinky haired, sophisticated Latin women. *steps off soapbox and drops mic* 

We love your questions! Keep 'em coming!

Un mil besitos!

KLP

Your Hair On: Sweat

Sweat isn't the enemy

AIDS Run 2k12

Don't pretend like you've never heard this one before. (Ha-ha!) Once upon a time, circa 2000, I would avoid strenuous activity like the plague. Not only did I believe that I could sweat out a "perm" but so did all of my friends. Puffy roots were signs of defeat. We'd halt gym time if anyone dropped a bead of sweat and ditch the club early if it got to crowded and/or hot. It was a very serious matter. I'm not ashamed to admit it.

Fast forward to the present--now I'm all about the sweat life. I adore my 60 minute spin classes twice a week and live for Pilates and cardio-kick boxing once a week. I trained for almost 6 months in 2012 for my first 5K and I'm counting down the days until I can get more daylight so that I can get to pounding the pavement again. When I don't work out, my brain feels congested and my body balance feels out of lined. I get tons of questions on how to keep your hair smooth and sleek while working out. My answer is super simple: pull your hair back into a bun and put on an elastic head band. Post workout, smooth your hair back and tie down. Boom. When I go heat free, it's even easier--my hair can frizz up all it wants to. When you can't beat 'em--join 'em.

Why I'm On Team Sweat

1. Healthy Body: Sweating helps prevent sickness. According to the the Office of Minority Health Services, in the U.S. about four out of every five African-American women are overweight or obese. Obesity can lead to serious health problems like heart attack, stroke and diabetes. I love my hair--but I love my body just a tad bit more.
2. Healthy Skin: Sweating detoxifies skin releasing build up in pores. Frequent, sweat sessions help maintain clean and clear skin.
3. Healthy Hair: Ay, You've been waiting for this one. How can having puffy roots be good for the hair you ask? Exercise increases blood circulation all over. Including to your brain and to your scalp. And increased blood circulation can equal faster growth. Need.I.Say.More.

So when I sweat, I actually don't think about my puffy roots or a "ruined style." I think about getting fit, entrenching in my little ones that being healthy is cool and claro que si growing long flowing tresses. Keep sweating. *in Dos Equis guy voice* (don't judge me!)


Un mil besitos

KLP

Mini Wash Day

Notes: The moisture and strength that I gained from my previous wash day lasted all week. I was able to style with ease and I even came up with another 5 minute or less go to style. No heat weeks are definitely more fun when I can experiment with different looks. Let me know if you enjoy the "Minute to Win it" protective styling series! We'll add more styles if you're interested. 
I skipped pre-poo and shampooing this week. I want to keep my moisture levels up now that I'm in the thick of my stretch. Last year, I stretched for 16-20 weeks, but I think that this year, I'm going to shorten my stretches to see if it curbs breakage. Plus air drying and styling 16+ weeks post relaxer hair was no fun. (Which is why my flat iron used to be my bff!) On with my mini wash:

Mini Wash Day Products

(0) Detangled with my Magic Star Jumbo Rake in vertical sections. 

(1) Extreme Deep Condition: Applied Philip Kingsley Flaky/Itchy Scalp Toner and my essential oil blend to my scalp and Matrix Biolage Hydratherapie Conditioning Balm to the length of my hair. Then I coated my strands in extra virgin coconut oil watched a movie under my new heating cap for about two hours. 

(2) Green Tea Rinse with 2 tea bags and 2 cups of water. Today I used a narrow tip applicator bottle to apply my rinse to my scalp while I was showering. I let the rinse sit on my hair for about 5 minutes. I'm in love with this technique! Its so much easier and it prevents me from having to disturb my roots (and thus tangling up my at least 1 1/2 inches of nuevo crecimiento). Plus I feel like I'm getting the rinse on my scalp--which is where I really want it to be!

(3) Smoothing Treatment- massaged Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Daily Treatment into my hair and let sit for about 7 minutes. I rinsed with cool water.

(4) Air dry- I decided to go heat free again this week so I let my hair air dry 85% then applied my leave ins and detangled.

(5) Leave-ins- It's a 10! and Chi Silk infusion. No SSKs! Woot!

All of the hair from the entire
 wash process including pre & post detangling

Results: Beautifully moisturized and soft, big fluffy hair and the smallest amount of hair shed during a wash day in about a year! I'm not sure if this is a fluke or not, but I'm excited. I haven't done much differently except, I've been applying Philip Kingsley Flaky/Itchy Scalp Toner mid week to my scalp (Without fear of reverting my roots) and being sure that I detangle and moisturize at least every other day. I just hope that this trend continues!

How was your wash day? Do you have a mini wash day routine?

Un mil besitos!
KLP

Simple SOS Fluff --Art Convention!

Hola Chicas!

The Art Convention in DC was very lovely... I realized halfway in there that I was not able to take pictures of items! :( But anyhooo I did see some lovely unique hair pieces but they were expensive!! (Of course!) However, there was more art pieces....lovely! Should always think about taking in the arts! :D

I put some rolos in my hair over night ...and it added a bounce to my hair! I did not use heat either...except for the little blow dry due to my quick exit from wash day!

Added a simple clip


I had a great time! How was your weekend!?


Muahz
Keyda

Wash Day

Hola Chicas!

Some tidbits: This was suppose to be a lengthy wash day however it turned into a super quick one. As I prepooed my hair, my friend called about a Master Class taught by Beyonce's Choreographer (at least one of them hah!) and I could not resist. Down fall was I had leave in an hour ....and you know it takes looonnnnggerrr than an hour for the process of SOS DIVA HAIR CARE lol. Anyhoo... I made due and I gotta admit..it did not turn out soo bad and I plan on putting some satin mesh rolos in my hair tonight!

(1) Detangled with Magic Rake Comb (2) Prepoo: JBCO, Essential Oil mix (warmed) on my scalp and Emergencia Intensive Moisture with Coconut/EVOO on length of my hair with a warm washcloth under cap (3) Shampoo: KeraCare Hydrating Shampoo on my scalp mainly and then PM Wild Ginger all over 2nd time (4) 2 min Aphogee protien treatment (5) DC: Baba de Caracol and Organix Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil  Moisturizing treatment (literally was on my head for as long as I cleaned up hehe) (6) Leave-ins: (Dried with 100% cotton t-shirt) Aphogee with Keratin and green tea, Organix Coconut Serum,  and PM Skinny Serum

I actually light blow dried my hair so it wouldnt be wet as I danced....yuckky... but I left it semi-damp so it could air-dry!

My Reality: I really wanted to do a black tea rinse and sit longer with DC but ah wells... My hair came out super soft and little shedding/no tangles :D My scalp felt 10 times better and it didnt itch once during dance class! There are no pics to post :( but I shall be going to a Jewelry/Art Convention Tomorrow... I will be posting about their lovely hair accessories/showing my style!

How quick have you had to whip your hair together!?

Muahz!

Keyda

SOS Protective Styling: Only Mins to Win It! (On-the go style!)

Hola Chica!

Taking notes from my fave DIVA :) KLP, I shall be adding my quick/easy/lovely styles to the Only Minutes to Win It protective hair styling series!

These two simple styles can be done quickly at any red light, if you're like me in a hurry for work (most of the time lol)! These two styles are HEAT FREE and have can be easily done on air dried tresses. All you need are your fave/cute hair accessories and it'll take you less than 5 mins!

Style 1, Take a Bow! (aka My hair is a gift! lol) :

 1. Do a quick side part (to side of preference).

2. Gather side with most hair, and twist over from edges to back from part down the side of head.

3. Bobby pin it! To hold in place.

4. Gather hair from both sides and place in pony tail..I also put a little Organix Coconut Anti Breakage Serum (review coming!) before pony tails..Protect your hair!

5. Fold under and bobby pin ends...into bun! And place lovely bow over your hair band! Vallll la!

Style 2, Twisted Flowers! :

Front!

1. Part in center or a lil off center and gather hair. Similar to above style, twist hair from edge to middle down side of head. However, do this to both sides! Bobby pin in place. I always make sure to have a little height with mine but you can twist close to scalp if you wish!

2. Take back of hair (not twisted) and gather together to twist upward! And clip it with your fave clips! That is it! My fave style and it looks like work! lol

Back!

Let me know what you think! What is your go-to red light style!?

Muahz!
Keyda

Inspiration

Un mil besitos!

KLP

Keys to the Castle

Deep conditioning under the hooded dryer for at least 30 minutes is the key to my hair's happiness. My hair feels like silk when I wash it out and styling is just ridiculously much easier. The down side? Sitting under a loud hooded dryer for at least 30 minutes! Ha-ha! I usually wash wee into the morning hours whilst my little ones are dreaming peacefully and I'm terrified to hear a frantic cry of an awakened child. Just terrified. Do you know how long it takes to get a "Mommy--I'm not that sleepy anymore" child back into bed? *le sigh* I digress---Any who--back to hair. My suegra has this old school heating cap that I use whenever I need to wash my hair (or my sister-in-law's hair or my cousins' hair or my etc etc relative's hair). I always giggle when I pull it out because when I say old school--I mean OLLLDD school. This heating cap is circa 1980s. You can tell by the chica with the Farah Fawcett hair on the box. 

We affectionately call it the alien hat. Here's the kicker---this thing is as old as I am and it still works! I mean it runs like a gem and it's whisper quiet. In fact, my sister-in-law usually watches a movie or does her homework while she wears it. After sitting under the dryer last week, I realized that if I didn't get a conditioning heat cap soon, that I was just asking the universe for trouble. THEN--I received a 15% off coupon to Sally's. That's when I knew that the meeting of this Gold N Hot Heat Cap and I was fate. (Y'all already know that I'm dramatic---so just roll with it!) 

I can not wait until my next wash day to put this bad boy on. Hmph--and they think that diamonds are a girl's bestfriend. I'll take a wicked awesome deep conditioner and a sexy quiet as a church mouse heating cap instead!

Un mil besitos chicas!

KLP

SOS: Protective Styling- Only Minutes to Win it

Time is a precious commodity in my world. Often times I find myself tired of being tired of being stretched thin. So if I want to cross off everything on my to-do list--I've gotta be fast, efficient, and claro que si cute! Without further ado, I present to you the first in SOS hair's Only Minutes to Win It protective styling series. These styles will be created on heat free (when you don't have time to do rolos or whip out that flat iron) and air dried tresses. You'll be able to recreate in just a few simple steps with only a few hair pins, some moisturizer, and less than 5 minutes. After all, we only have minutes to win it!

Here's my first style:

Quick How to:

1. Detangle and moisturize your hair.
2. Split your hair into a deep side part. Then part that section from crown to ear. Pull this section (only) towards your face then flat twist starting at the roots and down to the ends.
3. Flip the twist back then secure with a bobby pin near where you want the base of your bun. 
4. Finger comb the rest of your hair back and use a metal-free elastic to secure a ponytail
5. Twist your pony into a bun. Secure your bun with bobby pins.

I also love varying this style with a double strand twisted or braided. 

Enjoy!
Un mil besitos! KLP

First Wash Day After Relaxer!

Hola Chicas!

Sidebar: I think this wash went really well, and I decided to stay away from heat. I have also made my very own/first essential oil mixture! I took alot of notes from KLP when deciding what I wanted within this beautiful concoction. I shall post soon about my experience of mixing concoctions!

I detangled with the MAGIC COMB! I must say...KLP is right! :D

(1) Prepoo: Warm essential oil mixture on scalp and Organix Intense Moisturizing Treatment Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil on length of my hair.. I like this line...

(2)  Shampooed first with Suave pH balance shampoo (chelating shampoo) to wash more of my relaxer out then I shampooed with PM Wild Ginger

(3) Black Tea Rinse: I used two bags and two cups of water. I decided to skip out on any type of protien treatment (normally with 2 min Aphogee..till I use the bottle lol and can return to nexxus!) this wash.

My leave-ins

(4) Deep Condition: I used my fave, Baba de Caracol (and with some help from KLP), I also placed a little CHI Silk Infusion on my hair...just to see how it would turn out! I also plan on rotating another moisturizing deep conditioner into my regimen..I just can't decide for a solid second after baba...ummm...we shall see!

(7) Leave-ins: Aphogee with Keratin, Organix Anti-Breakage Coconut Serum and Super Skinny Serum... I had like 3 strands of shedding literally!!..and I checked shower! NADA! :D

(8) Air Dried my hair...I decided to go NO heat! I liked the texlaxed style of my hair...it is pretty wavy when dry..(and manageable for now lol) soo I did some twists and bun for a cute wavy do!

My hair after it was washed! :D

Any ideas on a good go-to DC to be rotated in?

Muahz
Keyda

SOS: Protective Styling -- Braiding it up!

Hola Chicas!

I loved KLP protective go-to hair style! Very simple...and it made me think ..what is mine? I have realized that I love a simple twist or french-braid-esque updo style as my go-to protective hair style :)
It is very simple...and I have even mastered it while driving! lol (Do not try...stay safe!) Below is a pic of how I kept my hair for majority of the week. I work with children in an afterschool program...veryyyy active...soo I need some professional but young/fun/manageable so I can comfortably do activities with my chlidren.

Back of it..I clipped it in bun for time!

I simple did two french braids and a bun! I am playing with another braid style (a la Kourtney K.) sooo once I figure that out, look out for a post! :)



Muahz! How do you braid your hair!?

P to the S... I always comb out my hair..I DO NOT sleep with braids unless I will be letting it out next day! :) Less knotss...



Side view





DIY Divas- Handmade Sugar Scrub

DIY: Handmade Sugar Scrub

Sugar scrubs are kinda my thing. I bought my first one almost 7 years ago on recommendation from a friend to soothe my super dry skin from my apartment's hard winter water. Since, I've made it my business to exfoliate using a smoothing oil and sugar scrub at least once a week regardless of the season. After purchasing them for years, it finally dawned on me that I was spending a small fortune and helping put someone else's kid through college! (Okay---I'm being dramatic here---but it was A LOT of money) Then I decided that I had sugar and oil in my pantry, why not make my own? I've made scrubs using all kinds of fragrances and all kinds of different oils. They are all based off of my starter recipe here:

Formula: 
Juice of one citrus fruit (orange, lime or lemon---whichever is your pleasure) 
2 cups regular sugar
1/4 cup of your favorite oil (sunflower, safflower, and sweet almond are my faves) 
1 tbsp Pure Vitamin E-oil 

Mix all ingredients together then use during an evening shower to smooth skin. Take handfuls massage gently over skin then rinse thoroughly. I guarantee that you won't even feel like you need lotions or creams afterwards! 

Enjoy! You deserve it!

Un mil besitos

KLP

Wash Day

Notes: Last week, I just let my styling creativity run a muck with braids and buns. I'm still kicking myself for not taking as many photos. Ugh! I'll remember next time. On to the mane event! (get it get it? Mane?---ha-ha!) Anywho...

(0) Detangled with my Magic Star Jumbo Rake in vertical sections. 

Pre-poo

(1) (Overnight) Pre-poo with Jamaican Black Castor Oil, my essential oil blend, on my scalp and Extra Virgin Coconut oil on the length of my hair.
(2) Shampooed first with Kenra Chelating Shampoo to clarify and then with Matrix Biolage Hydratherapie Hydrating Shampoo
(3) Protein Treatment- I haven't treated my tresses to a hard protein treatment in over a month. So, I saturated my hair in Nexxus Emergencee then cleaned my house.It air dried for about 3 hours.
(4) Green Tea Rinse with 2 tea bags and 2 cups of water. I wasn't sure that I actually wanted to do a green tea rinse today because my hair would already be hardened from the protein treatment but then I figured that if I was doing an extreme deep condition afterwards anyway that it wouldn't hurt. I stood under the spray of my shower for about 7 minutes to rinse the Emergencee completely. Then poured on the green tea and let it sit for another 5 minutes.
(5) Smoothing Treatment- Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Daily Treatment to the rescue. As usual, the tea rinse left my hair feeling very brittle and the smoothing treatment completely reversed that. After massaging it into my strands for 5 minutes (and doing a little detangling in the process) I rinsed to find my hair soft and very strong again! Hallelujah!

Deep Conditioning #ftw

(6) Extreme Deep Condition: Deep conditioning with heat after a protein treatment isn't suggested---it's mandatory! That is if you want to keep the hair on your head. I deep conditioned for an hour under my hooded dryer with 1 part Nexxus Humectress, 2 parts Matrix Biolage Hydratherapie Conditioning Balm and then coated my strands in extra virgin coconut oil. Then sat under the hooded dryer for an hour. I rinsed with cool water.

(7) Air dry- I decided to go heat free again this week so I let my hair air dry 85% then applied my leave ins.

Leave-ins aka SSK fighters

(7) Leave-ins- It's a 10! and Chi Silk infusion. I only found one SSK! Woot!


Results: I've committed to going heat free until my next relaxer in a few weeks. It's a good thing that I'm finding more and more protective styles to rock with my Lion King fluffy mane! Instead of dreading the spring--I'm actually looking forward to it and thinking about how I want to wear my hair!

How was your wash day?
 
Un mil besitos!

KLP

Heat free curls

This winter I've incorporated a new moisturizing shampoo (Matrix Biolage Hydrating Shampoo) into my regimen, attempted (easier said than done) to stay away from direct heat and protective styled like my life depends on it! But at times---my hair looks blah!---and lifeless. When I start to feel like a want a little pep in my locks--I turn to "no heat" curls. There are tons of methods that you can try to get the best curls. Here are a few that work my tex-laxed tresses:  

• Over night bun. I gather my hair in sky high pony then twist into a bun then secure with a pin. I use it on either completely dry, moisturized and detangled air dried hair or hair that is still a little damp for a tighter curl.    
• Satin rollers. I'll wrap 1-2" sections of my hair around satin covered rollers for soft bouncy curls over night.My favorites are Hype Hair satin rollers.

You can also use flexi-rods, bobby pins to create pin curls, braids of different sizes or even different types of knots. The best part about finding a method that works for you is getting to test out new products!


Un mil besitos
KLP

SOS: Protective Styling--Twisted Bun

I love protective styling, but I've always found it difficult to come up with styles that suit my big fluffy air dried tresses. I usually resort to a high bun with a cute head band or accessory and call it a day. Well, this week I was feeling sassy and wanted to change it up a little. I think that this style is super easy and takes just minutes to whip up. I. Heart. Simple. Sophisticated. Spicy. Protective. Styles.

Quick How to: 

1. Detangle and moisturize your hair.
2. Part your hair from ear to ear then split this section on a sharp diagonal from front to back. Pin away. (I usually finger part)
3. Gather all of your hair in the back into a semi high bun.
4. Tightly flat twist (braid or double strand twist) the right section from crown to ear. Extend the twist down to the ends, then wrap the ends counterclockwise around bun. (if your hair doesn't quite make it around the bun, just use hair pins to secure it.)
5. Repeat with the left section of hair. Wrapping the ends clockwise around the bun.
6. Add some spice with with a cute hair accessory. 

Enjoy!

Un mil besitos!
KLP     

Uh Oh! It's Valentine's Day/Weekend and I'm SINGLE :)

Hola Chicas! 

Do not PANIC or HATE! hehe It is absolutely wonderful to be single during Valentine's day. I never understood the anti-valentine's day or just eating ice cream alone type of day. I have newly become single and I thought to myself....now what should I do..then it dawned on me! Sex and the City style...here are my three steps to having the perfect date by and for yourself to show LOVE on Valentine's day! 

1. Get dolled up! Dress up over the top..Get your Beyonce on! For no reason...Just because you are fabulous. :) 

2. Get a pedicure/manicure or just one (depending on funds.. get a massage!) Just get pampered!

3. Go watch that movie you've been dying to see! YEsss...ALONE! Don't knock it till you try it! Even while in a relationship..I always enjoyed films by myself :D Go see SAFE HAVEN (loved it!) or Hansel & Gretal!

End your night by ordering carry out from your fave restaurant! (Famous Daves for this gal! lol) And enjoy a night of watching "Life is but a dream: Beyonce" or reading your fave book!

There is nothing wrong with having "ME" time and showing some love to yourself! Do this whenever you need you time and not just on Valentine's day!

:D

Muahz!

How did you spend vday?

Keyda

P to the S... I still love my couples! :D

SOS: Single Strand Knots

April 2012

My first relaxer stretch was painful. Every.wash.day. And that's putting it nicely. Then, in the Spring of 2011, I tex-laxed for the first time after stretching  for 5 months. Yep. 5 whole months, 20 weeks, 100 days. When I think back to those days now--I still shudder. Still fresh in my memory are the massive tangles that I would go to war with every wash day. These weren't your ordinary-run-of-the-mill tangles--that I was accustomed to while my hair was relaxed bone straight every other month. No sir, I'm talking about dozens of matted tightly curled new growth entangled and intertwined with my bone straight ends plus shed hairs throughout my entire head. It was a nightmare. There were a couple times when I would sit on the floor of my bathroom for hours upon hours with a bottle of conditioner on left and coconut oil on the right carefully using both to slowly work through each matted clump of hair. While it was a great exercise to test my patience and tone my arms. I never  (sola que nunca would be entirely too soon) ever ever ever ever never wanted to deal with those monsters again. Today, I'm thankful for that tremulous time. Why? You ask. Well, my last wash day was almost a complete fail because: THEY'RE BACK!!! My enemies have reared their ugly heads once again. Luckily, I (and you) have a plan of action to first reduce and second prevent silly single strand knots from driving us batty.

Although completely eliminating single strand knots is basically impossible, after that first stretch, I sat down and brainstormed ways to keep them at bay. Here's what I came up with: 

1. Ten Paciencia Mamita (Have Patience). You'll never know the meaning of patience until you are plagued with gazillions of large single strand knots every time you wash. And since scissors are the very last resort--the only way out is to go through layer by layer slowly and methodically detangling each knot. I've found that being rid of these knots are much easier on my dry hair than on wet hair--simply because my wet hairs are far more prone to breakage. 
2. Thorough Daily Detangling. Although I (thought that) was detangling my hair throughout the week, I often ignored my roots. The shed hairs would catch near the line of demarcation and hangout for a while. Throughout the week, I had more the hairs coiling up around themselves thus forming huge knots. I didn't think to gently uncoil/stretch my roots out then take the time to tackle, unravel the knot, and simply ditch the shed hairs. Duh!
3. Everything in sections. From detangling to styling. I now know that everything works better in sections. During my first stretch, I had the unfortunate habit of rubbing shampoo into my hair. This was completely and utterly counterproductive. Why detangle before shampooing only to rub all the strands back together while trying to work the hair into a lather creating friction and you guessed it--more knots. Now I rub a quarter size amount of shampoo  between my hands to work into the thick later that I love. Then massage with as little focus on the length of my hair and concentrated cleansing on my scalp--where the shampoo is actually needed. I've also diluted shampoo in an applicator bottle then squeezed only on my scalp in sections.
4. Trim if necessary. Oh the dreaded "T" word! When you start to notice knots closer to the end of your hairs, it could be that a trim is in order. Rough, dry, thin, and damaged ends easily attach themselves itself to other strands wrapping around and creating knots. Try micro trimming with very sharp scissors to be rid of split ends then be sure to keep your hair especially the roots and ends moisturized, sealed and protected from the elements. 
5. Rethink your styling choices. The curlier the style--the more knots I found. Weird right? Well not so much if you think about it like this: What's number 1 thing that you can do to kill a perfect braid out, bantu set, or wash-n-go? Combing it! So I didn't. Big mistake. Enough said about not detangling.

Old Ben Franklin said it best "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." With Spring getting ready to knock on our doors, I'm getting excited about unleashing my curls, but not without preparing myself today to prevent a setback's tomorrow

How do you prevent single strand knots?

Un mil besitos

KLP

$5 Mizani Intense Moisture & Softeness Valentine's Day Discovery

Dear God--Thank you for the world's greatest suerga. Amen. 

Mizani Value Pack

I sincerely believe that my mother-in-law and I were made for each other. She supports my dreams, can talk me down from a ledge, and always knows how find the comfort in the uncomfortable. She thinks that my healthy hair journey is totally wicked. Plus, she can spot a 50% off sale from 3-4 miles away. Sometimes I wonder where she keeps her Superwoman cape hidden at? She is just that awesome. As usual, she caught the most amazing sale at her local Hair Cuttery---a Mizani value pack for just $4.99! This bundle contains Mizani's Moisturfusion Milk Bath (8.5oz), Moisturfusion Silk Cream Conditioner (8.5oz), and D'Tangle Moisturizing Leave-In Milk (8.5oz). When she called me to give the good news---I really didn't believe her. No way all three bottles were (A.) packaged together or (B.) only $5. But its true! It's true! I can't wait to give reviews on all three products!

Treat your hair to some moisture this Valentine's Day!

Un mil besitos

KLP