Wash Day | Post Relaxer - 2 week {Keyda}

Hola Chicas!


As you saw I had a two week show stint so I felt it was NECESSARY for a touch up.... I am not KLP hehe...I have so much love for how she can last so long ..Her texlaxed hair is what I strive for! Ahhhh every strand has their own journey! :P

My new growth this winter was thicker and curlier than ever. I do not remember another time my hair as been like this. This could be due to the consistency of my tea rinses or scalp massages with JBCO. I will have to see the next go-round with some tweaks (possibly) in my regimen. There were many tangles due to ... my laziness in the last two weeks...I also realize I was kinda lazy when it came to moisturizing and sealing at times. As expected, I had to cut a significant (1inch) amount of my ends. #bloop :(

I touched up my hair with Optimum and I only blow dried my hair on low after air drying about 85%. I wore my hair in low manipulation styles the entire week.

Now on to my wash day!

Wash Day:


[A] Detangled with my fingers.

[B] Prepoo with warm EVOO on length of my hair and my essential oil mix (with yummy argan oil) on scalp.

[C] Shampoo with KeraCare First Lather Shampoo... I skipped out on tea rinse, since I did not have black tea...I really want to mix that back in!

[D] DC with ORS HAIRepair Intense Moisture Crème (I have been trying it out the last month...meh...it does the job but it will be my go-to if I do not find my faves!) with CHI Silk Infusion as a sealant. It sat in my hair for roughly an hour under my heating cap!

[E] Leave-ins were Nexxus Root Lift Mist -- focus on my roots-- and Aphogee Keratin and Green Tea Spray --focus on length.


I actually air dried for roughly 80% then lightly blow dried my hair.

The Experience:

I have not been a huge fan of the ORS Moisture Crème, because it does not seem to give me that same softness that I love from my main DCs. However, my hair has felt strong! I may also just be picky...maybe. The main thing I realize my scalp misses, is the tea rinse! Obviously, I am a chica that needs to constantly have a tea rinse if I want a breathing scalp. My hair has a fullness and thickness about it that I am not used too recently. Normally, this close after a touch up, my hair still would not be as thick or full, however that is not the case now. I like this change in my hair....It is becoming more texlaxed! #Woot


xoxo

Keyda

**Length check in next post!

How To Do Bantu Knots

I don't know if you noticed but Bantu Knots have been my go to style for this air drying heat free summer. (Say that 10 times fast.) Here's a breakdown of how I get my big fluffy curls. 

1. Detangled and Air Dried: I start with detangled air dried hair. I get the best results when my hair has been washed 24-48 hours before I try to install the knots.

2. Large Sections: I prefer my curls in big sections because I love volume. Big hair; KLP don't care. Ha-ha! The smaller your sections, the smaller the curls. You can experiment to see which curl you like the best. I usually end up with 10-12 knots. My knots take about 15 minutes to install.

3. Cocktail: Moisturizer + Oil + Holding product. Use whatever floats your boat. My go to cocktail has been Jessicurl Too Shea! Extra Moisturizing Conditioner + Argan oil + Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie. I do believe that order of operations matter on this one. I've found that many products that "hold" aren't particularly moisturizing and can make my hair feel or look very dry over time. Layering on a moisturizer and oil prior to the holding product traps that moisture in and keeps the frizz at bay.

4. How to knot: Bantu knots can be best explained as mini coiled buns that are twisted around itself and secured in place. It's easier seen than explained. Anybody else in love with Whoissugar on YouTube? She is hilarious honey! *in my best whoissugar singing voice* She has some of the best natural hair tutorials on the block and her bantu knot tutorial can not be beat. Watch it a few times, until you get the hang of the technique. 

5. Troubleshooting: Chicas, I can not count how many bantu knot fails I've had since I started my HHJ. One time, my knots were so bad that I had to go and re-washing my hair just to leave the house with my hair in a high bun. Simply. Terrible. Here are the 3 biggest reasons that my knot-outs were so awful:

• Poor product selection- My cocktail selection can make or break my curls. The wrong products make my hair dry, frizzy or won't provide enough hold. End result: chia pet.
• Not drying completely- I've attempted wet bantu knot sets and well----y'all will never see pics of that. I waited 8 hours and my hair never dried. When I took them down, I looked like I got stuck by lighting. *shudders* I achieve my best results when my hair has been air dried. Also, note that if you use too much of anything in your cocktail, the knots either won't set and it will frizz. End result: chia pet.
• Knots un-raveling: First, be sure that your knots are coiled tightly. Not so tight that your scalp hurts, but tight enough that your ends are tucked securely near the base of the knot. When in doubt, use a pin to secure your ends. If your knots unravel unbeknownst, in that section your curl will be wonky. End result: chia pet.

So your first set was awful. No sweat. You're totally not alone. Throw it all up and rock a curly bun or tuck it under and work a faux bob. Whatever you do, do not give up!

Besitos!
KLP

Mini Wash

I love the summer months. They are filled with birthdays, anniversaries, block parties, and BBQs. I've been on the go without much time to fiddle with my hair. Since my last wash I've co-washed twice using Herbal Essence Hello Hydration Conditioner and I've been moisturizing and sealing using Karen's Body Beautiful Hair Nectar Leave In Conditioner and Koils by Nature Nourishing Hair and Body Butter (Heavenly Delight). I'm totally in love with this combo, especially the hair and body butter. I've never been a "butter" person, in fact this is the first butter that I've used, and I truly don't want to be without it. Keep a lookout for this review! 

After dousing my hair with so much moisture all week, I opted for a light protein deep condition in this week's mini wash to keep my hair balanced. 

Mini Wash Products

Tea Rinse and Smoothing Treatment

1. Detangled- using my Magic Star Jumbo Rake seamless comb.
2. Extreme Deep Condition- with JBCO on my scalp and Carol's Daughter Monoi Repairing Conditioner on the length of my hair. Then I massaged my stands with Extra Virgin Coconut oil, covered with a plastic cap and relaxed under my heat cap for about 2 hours. 
3. Tea Rinse- I rinsed the conditioner then with 2 green tea bags steeped in 2 cups of water plus a few drops of peppermint, eucalyptus, and rosemary essential oils, I applied my tea rinse using a narrow tip applicator. I let it sit for a few minutes and rinsed. 
4. Smoothing Treatment- Next, I applied a dollop of Nexxus Hydralight Weightless Moisture Conditioner, massaged it in from root to tip for a minute or two then rinsed. I'm all out of my go to smoothing conditioner, Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Daily Treatment. Keyda raves about this conditioner, but my hair just isn't feeling the same love; I figured that I needed to use it up so that I can make room for more goodies.
5. Air Dried- 50% wrapped in a cotton t shirt. 
6. Leave-ins- Karen's Body Beautiful Hair Nectar Leave In Conditioner and Koils by Nature Nourishing Hair and Body Butter (Heavenly Delight)

Results:

From Left to right: pre-wash,
shower shed and post wash

Hair after EDC with heat

Moisturized, soft, big, fluffy hair plus very little shed hair. Very very little. I didn't believe it myself. I only had about 5-10 lost strands in the shower. Impressive to say the least. I'd love to attribute it to the Carol's Daughter Monoi Repairing Conditioner, but I want to use this one just one more time before I'll believe their "96% less breakage after one use?" line. However, once again, It absorbed into my hair like butter. When I was done putting in the conditioner, I felt like all the product was gone. It's not oily and even though I would stick it with a protein conditioner label, it's well balanced. Meaning that my hair feels soft yet very strong after use.

Why did I mix my essential oils into my tea rinse? Meh. No real reason. I just forgot to EDC (Extreme Deep Condition) with my essential oil mixture. I'll definitely do that again. My scalp felt refreshed and super clean after my wash. 

Post wash, I usually detangle when my hair is 70-80% dry. I decided to attempt wet detangling, hoping to have smoother air dried hair and less knots. I didn't loose anymore hair than normal but I was super gentle with my hair. The week shall reveal if it was worth it!

How was your most recent wash day? 

Besitos!
KLP

Wash day

Hola Chicas!

Well, I had a wedding to go too this weekend so I had all plans to heat it up! lol but surprisingly I actually went kinda no heat (i did curl my bangs lol)  with my style. Can I say...My table got a shout out by the wedding dj! lol we were turnt up! Best wedding EVER! :D

(1) Detangled with my magic comb! - There were not many tangles in my hair, thankfully!

(2) Prepooed with Essential Oil Mix/JBCO on my scalp and Emergencia Intensive Moisture Split Ends Conditioner (I need to use the rest of this!) on length of my hair.

(3) Shampooed with Nexxus Therappe Luxurious Moisturizing Shampoo (I only have a little bit left!) I also cowashed my scalp with Creme of nature before shampoo.

(4) DC with Biolage Matrix Conditioning Balm and cleaned around house for a 2 hours!

(5) Tea Rinse with one of my faves Lavender and Chamomile Tea! I also placed some Nexxus Hydralight Moisture Conditioner on my hair to massage it a bit before rinsing it all completely out.

(6)Leave ins were my Organix Coconut Anti-breakage Serum, and Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea Restructurizer

Hair Reality: My hair was sooooooooooooooooooooo SOFT and I almost felt like there was still product in my hair lol. Too good to be true! I air dried 100% and it was soo lovely! I just realize I seriously need to buy me some philip kingsley asap! I got my hair style inspiration from Beyonce! Countdown video :D

Directions: First, I seperated out my bangs then placed my hair in a high ponytail. I took the hair of my pony tail and pin curled it up towards my forehead. Due to my layers, I had to spread my hair out to have a even look. Then bobby pinned away. Curled my bangs with my flat iron! Then placed a cute headband. Vaalaaa!

**I tweeted a closer look at my style sooo follow us @SOS_Hair

How was your wash day!?

Muahz
xoxo
Keyda!

Mini Wash

Notes: Last week, I decided to start an experiment applying tea as a leave-in using the LOC method of moisturizing. LOC- Liquid, Oil, Cream simply refers to the order in which you apply your leave-in products. Daily, in sections, I detangled, sprayed my hair with green tea, applied argan oil, and then sealed with Jessicurl's Too Shea Conditioner. More details about my week one results in another post. 

Today, I washed with flat ironing in mind. My bestie took me out this weekend for my birthday and I wanted my tresses straight and flowing. 

(0) Detangled with my Magic Star Jumbo Rake in vertical sections. Again, detangling 2 week post hair is a breeze compared to 15 week+ hair. (1) Extreme Deep Condition: Applied Philip Kingsley Flaky/Itchy Scalp Toner and my essential oil blend to my scalp, and Matrix Biolage Ultra- Hydrating Balm to the length of my hair. Then, I covered with a plastic cap  and the sat under a heating cap for 45 minutes.

(2) Mini Tea Rinse with 1 green tea bag and a few ounces of water of water. I let the rinse sit on my hair for about 5 minutes.

(3) Smoothing Treatment- Then I massaged Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Daily Treatment into my hair (without rinsing the tea first) and let sit for about 5 minutes. I rinsed with cool water.  (4) Air dry- I let my hair dry 85% in a cotton t-shirt. Next, I detangled and add my leave-ins. 
(5) Leave-ins- It's a 10! and Chi Silk infusion
(6) Flat-ironed with my Solia iron.
Results: The most moisturized and soft post straightened hair that I've ever had! Ladies---I just can not believe how silky my hair feels. I'm not going to give all of the credit to daily LOC moisturizing with tea all week, but I won't say that it wasn't either. For my night on the town I installed a few hot rollers to give my hair a little bounce. Even though the curls fell before I left the house, like I anticipated, I still loved the results. Sorry no pics. :(

I'm really happy with how little I've been shedding. I had just a little shedding in my pre and post wash detangling, none in the shower, and 6 strands during flat ironing. Plan Shed Dread is working thus far!

Pre-wash shed hair

Post wash shed hair

How was your wash day?
Un mil besitos!
KLP

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