How To Flat Iron (Transitioning, Relaxed, or Natural Hair) | #WashDayExperience

I can't believe that it's been 6 months since the last time that I straightened my hair! I'm utterly flabbergasted. Once a upon a time, I used to flat iron daily---then I cut back to weekly---now I'm down to three times a year. I think that it's safe to say that my hair is benefiting from much less direct heat but I'm actually excited for the change!

Straightening my hair is a tedious process. So, I have a love/annoyed relationship with my straight hair. Detangling is most of the annoyance. I ditched my combs for finger detangling this year, so I find that when it's time to straighten, I have to combat tons of tiny single strand knots. I work slowly---probably toooooo slowly trying to be gentle and use a little less manipulation. It's definitely a 2-3 hour labor of love. Here's how I straighten my hair:

1. Pre-shampoo- I started by fully detangling using my fingers and slathering each section with Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Conditioner. Pre-shampooing with conditioner elongates my curly roots which makes everything else on wash day easier.
2. Shampoo- Next, I hopped into the shower for 5 minutes to rinse the conditioner completely. I clarified with KeraCare 1st Lather Shampoo to remove build up and then once more shampoo with KeraCare Hydrating Detangling Shampoo to get my hair squeaky clean. Clean hair = light bouncy straightened hair.
3. Extreme Deep Condition- Next, I deep conditioned with Matrix Biolage Hydrasource Conditioner then put my hair into 6 loose bantu knots, covered with a plastic cap and let it sit for a few hours. In hindsight, I should have sat under my hooded dryer or heat cap to help the conditioner penetrate more effectively.
4. Leave ins- After I fully rinsed each section, I wrapped my hair in a cotton t-shirt to remove some of the water. Then I applied a little It's 10 Miracle Leave In then Chi Silk Infusion. Then I finished by cool air tension drying with my Solia Blower.
5. Flat iron- I coupled my Ferrum Iron with a Sedu Carbon Flat Iron Comb to do the comb and chase method as I flat ironed my hair in 1/4' sections. Two passes were enough to get my hair smooth and super straight. But it still took forever to do.

You can get the full details on how I flat iron my hair here.

The Results:
My hair has body and is soooo soft. I've never been able to say either in the past when I was flat ironing weekly.It's actually voluminous. And I LOVE IT! My bangs are still thriving hoovering between BSL and MBL. By my ends definitely took a hit from my detangling debacle a few months ago. This straightening session was totally bitter sweet.

I gave myself about an inch trim as I flat ironed and slightly rolled the flat iron around the ends for my feathered wavy Christmas Eve look. I promise length check pictures are coming down the pipeline. But now---it's time for me to go sing happy birthday to Jesus, celebrate, and enjoy my minions/hubby!

Merry Christmas chicas!

An InLinkz Link-up

[Review] Redken Heat Smooth Glide {Kedya}

Price: $19.99 at Amazon (Few dollars cheaper at hair/grocery store) 

Ingredients: Macadamia Oil - helps nourish, Candelilla Wax - helps smooth and Cationic Refiners - frizz control. 

Promises: Protective smoother is a leave-in serum that provides heat-safe control to tame frizz on even the most unruly hair. Gives an ultra-smooth, glossy finish. Redken's exclusive interbond Conditioning System delivers a unique Ionic Smoothing Complex of macadamia oil, candelila wax and cationic refiners to help replenish oils, provide intense smoothing and a long-lasting, frizz-free finish.

Why It Works: Heat protective serum smooths and tames frizz on even the most rebellious hair, leaves hair smooth and shiny with a lightweight, frizz-free finish. Can be used with or without heat, however when used with heat, smoothing and shine are intensified. 

My thoughts: I have always only used this product when placing heat on my hair. My first experience was not super great, I think primarily due to me using certain leave-ins (Aphogee Green Tea & Keratin Spray) that made my hair feel thick/heavy/oily after straightening. So, next time, I only used Nexxus Hydralight Leave-in Mist and I fell in love. Now, when planning to heat my hair, I use it by itself and a minimum of leave-in products. 

My hair seems protected with limited to no damage from the heat. I really notice by the life within my ends. The shines and sleekness lasts much longer then previous times. There doesn't seem to be a smell in my opinion and it does not weigh my hair down. It still has volume without an "over" shine from the product. I can place my head back and leave no product behind! haha.. 


Have you used Redken? What are your thoughts!? 

xoxo
Keyda   

[Review] Chi Silk Infusion

Chi Silk Infusion

Price: 27.99 for 12oz

Purchased at: Amazon.com

Promises: 

•     Silk Reconstructing Complex no pH
•     Rich leave in treatment
•     Enriched with pure silk along with wheat and soy proteins
•     Alcohol free
•     Ceramic heat will insure deep penetration of silk proteins
•     Strengthens the hair
•     Provides incredible softness
•     Adds manageability and shine without any build up

Ingredients: Cyclomethicone, Dimethiconol, Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Panthenol, Ethyl Ester of Hydrolyzed Silk, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance, D&C Yellow 11, D&C Red 17, Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Mica, Boron Nitride Powder.

Directions: Apply a small amount into palm of hand and work evenly throughout the hair. Leave in and proceed with styling.

My Thoughts: When I first purchased Silk Infusion about 4 years ago, I thought to myself "Surely I have lost my mind." I bought it from Ulta (The only place where I could locate it) and it was $40! Today, you can find this amazing elixir anywhere. Its sold in my local grocery store, Wal-Mart, and tons of online retailers. Because there are more distributors, now the price is a little easier to swallow. The good news is that my 12 oz bottle (the bottle in the picture is my 6oz size that I travel with) lasts for 6 months! Yes---no type-o: that's six months. 

Before a product makes it onto my "must have list," it has to have a great scent, live up to its promises, and it must have more than one place in my regimen (I heart multitasking products). The scent is amazing. Between you and me, it reminds me of my husband's cologne, but a little better. He-he! #judgementfreezone chicas On it's promises, Silk Infusion never fails to deliver. I actually don't have breakage issues and I can surely can give Silk Infusion some of the credit for that. (If only it stopped shedding too. Then I'd have to buy the company!) The consistency is that of a serum; silky and very light. I don't feel that its oily and even with daily use, my hair doesn't feel weighed down from build up. I learned not to be heavy handed with this one, because a little goes a long way. I love the smoothness, shine, and tameability that it gives my hair. I've used it in tons of different ways all with fabulous results: 

• To lock in moisture during a pre-poo
• To aid in protecting the previously relaxed portions of my hair during touchups
• To assist in detangling
• To strengthen my hair while using direct heat
• To provide a daily protein/strengthening treatment to my ends
• To provide shine and softness

Have you ever used Chi Silk Infusion? 

Besitos!
KLP 

[Review] It's A 10! Miracle Leave-In (Plus Keratin)

It's a 10 Miracle Leave in (with and without keratin)

Price: $24.95 for 10oz
Purchased at: Amazon.com
Promises: Does 10 things instantly-

1. Repair dry damaged hair
2. Adds shine
3. Smooths & controls frizz
4. Seals & protect hair color
5. Flat iron spray & thermal protector
6. Detangles
7. Stops hair breakage
8. Creates silkiness
9. Enhances natural body
10. Prevents split ends

Ingredients: Purified aqua, cetearyl alcohol, behentrimonium chloride, methylparaben, propylparaben, propylene glycol, panthenol, cydomethicone, silk amino acids, sunflower seed extract, tea leaf extract, quaternium80, fragrance, eugenol3, coumarin3, cinnamal3, linalo

Directions: After shampoo and conditioner, spray product all over hair and comb through.

My Thoughts: 
The scent is pleasing. The consistency is quite thick so a little goes a long way. After air drying 80-90%, I section my hair, spray 4-5 pumps into my hands, rub between my palms then apply to my hair. Considering the price---only having to use a little is a very good thing. The first time that I used it, I used too much (I also used it on soaking wet hair) and it did make my hair feel weighed down. I purchased the 10oz bottle in November and I still have 2/3 of the bottle left. I call that a great value. It provides tons of slip, which is why its my go to leave in late in my stretch to help me alleviate tangles and SSKs. If I have a particularly unruly tangle, I just spray one more pump of the leave-in on it then work out the tangle strand by strand. Its not oily and it truly does make you feel like you've added silk to your hair. I love the smoothness and softness it creates whether I air dry or use direct heat. I can't say that its an excellent moisturizer or that it gives me tons of shine (which is why I use it in conjunction with my fave shine provider Chi Silk Infusion) but I still love it and will repurchase until the makers give me a reason not to (ie: If they change the formula. Grrr! That grinds my gears!)

I've also used the Plus Keratin version, but I wasn't very happy with the results. My hair felt weighed down, coated and stiff. No smoothness, no softness no fluffiness. I've come to realize that my hair doesn't really like protein leave-ins on a regular basis. If your hair isn't a fan of protein---don't risk it---I'd skip this version all together.

[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