Volume Check

My hair is stupid dense.

Sometimes I feel like I have a million of the world's teeniest tiniest curls.

The changes that I've made in my regimen have made a world of difference in the way that my hair feels.


But does it look longer? Meh...not really.

When I found this picture from 2015; I had to really mediate on what indicators actually mark progress for my curls. Length is great, but it can't be the only factor worth considering.

My hair is probably 2-3x more voluminous than it was last year.

My hair is shiner, fuller and much more defined.

My ends clump and form these perfect little coils.

My hair has evolved and I think that it's time for my mindset on progress to evolve too because all of this volume and definition is giving me LIFE.

So I'm wondering, should I start doing volume checks in addition to length checks?

Besitos!
KLP

Is Your Hair Regimen Working? | The #WashDayExperience

 

I noticed that my hair has been on its very best behavior over the last 3 weeks. Think super moisturized curls pump, clumped and shiny. So I checked my previous #washdayexperience posts to see what exactly had I been doing.


And to my surprise--I'd used the same exact product lineup and the same exact setting techniques.

So obviously I had to do it again...

Here's what I used:

Pre-shampoo- DIY Moisturizing Mist (tutorial here) + Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Conditioner  (review here)
Clay Rinse- Here's the dets on my recipe
Deep Condition- Jessicurl Deep Treatment Conditioner (review here)
Leave-Ins- Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (Why EVCO is AMAZING here) + Jessicurl Too Shea Conditioner (why I love this stuff here) + DIY Hair Butter (tutorial here)

RELATED: My Minimalist Natural Hair Regimen


And here's how I did it:

I started my spritzing the ends of my hair with my DIY Moisturizing Mist (tutorial here). Then I slathered my hair in Herbal Essence Hello Hydration. I talk about this combo every week so if you're still sleeping on it---shame on you! BUT if you want tangle melting madness You can read my full review here!

RELATED: How I got these curls to POP!

I hopped in the shower, rinsed the conditioner section by section then applied my Clay Rinse with a narrow tip applicator bottle. This is my third consecutive clay rinse and I'm still tickled pink with how moisturized and defined my curls are afterwards. Next, I deep conditioned with my all time fave conditioner Jessicurl Deep Treatment Conditioner (review here), coated my ends in Extra Virgin Coconut oil (here's the kind that I use $) to seal in the conditioner and plopped under my hooded dryer for about 30 minutes.


RELATED: Why I'm in love with the Coco (Coconut Oil of course!) 

I t-shirt dried for about 10 minutes then installed Curlformers using a little more Extra Virgin Coconut Oil + Jessicurl Too Shea Conditioner (why I love this stuff here) + DIY Hair Butter (how to make your own Hair Butter here) as my leave ins.

Can I just get a hand clap and dust of pixie dust for these curls?!?

I think that my hair regimen is working! Hopefully you won't get bored with m!

How did you style your hair this week? Do you think that your hair regimen is working? Share the dets below!

An InLinkz Link-up

[Tutorial] How To Do A Heatless Blowout on Natural Hair

Here's a close up look at how I achieved my Heatless Blowout from my last #WashDayExperience along with step by step instructions on how you can do it too!

1. Start with stretched hair. (I stretched my hair using Curlformers a few days before)
2. Divide your hair into 8 sections. I made 4 sections in the back and two on each side of my hair. Secure each section with a hair clip.
3. Beginning with a small section of hair from the back, very very lightly mist the section with water. You'll want a good misting bottle for this. I use this cool gem from the Vitamin Shoppe. One spritz could do the trick.
4. Next, start to gently finger detangle from our ends up to the roots.  
5. Apply a little oil or hair butter to seal your ends. I'm using Camille Rose Whipped Butter in the pictorial. 
6. Then to achieve a more stretched look, further detanlge gently using a modified Denman Brush.
7. Secure the detanlged section with a hair clip then move on to the next section. 
8. Repeat until all of your hair is "blown out"
9. (Optional) Fluff hair using a wide tooth comb

 

Have you ever done a heatless blowout? What are your secrets to smooth stretched hair?

 

Besitos!

KLP

[Hairystyle] Heatless Blowout on Natural Hair + Length Check!

I walked into 2015 knowing that the likelihood of me retaining length would be slim to none. I loved my long bob cut---but after the first wash---I realized that I still had a few inches of texlaxed hair on the ends.

Thus, I began Operation Curl! I dusted every wash day for the first month, conditioned like crazy, and tried protein treatments. It really helped me to be able to distinguish between my texlaxed ends and the rest of my unprocessed hair.

So in April, I just went in for the kill. BUH-BYE straighter ends.

Instantly---I was obsessed with my curls! I twilled my fingers in them. I picked and pulled at them.

And 4 months later---I had frayed, split, dry, didn't really wanna curl, ends as a result.

Ugh.

It was time to get my life together for reals y'all.

I got a fresh trim. Throw in some clip in extensions. And rocked it all Autumn.

And now I'm back with my final length check of the year!

I actually didn't wash my hair today. It was still super moisturized from my Curlformer set a few days before, so I went for a Heatless Blowout!

Here's what I used:

• My DIY Moisturizing Mist (Recipe here)
• Camille Rose Whipped Butter (Or make your own using this tutorial)
• Denman Brush (with 3 rows of teeth removed. Those extra teeth are the devil)
• A handful of hair clips
• (Optional) Seamless Comb (Like this one)

And here's how I did it:

1. Start with stretched hair. (I stretched my hair using Curlformers a few days before)
2. Divide your hair into 8 sections. I made 4 sections in the back and two on each side of my hair. Secure each section with a hair clip.
3. Beginning with a small section of hair from the back, very very lightly mist the section with water. You'll want a good misting bottle for this. I use this cool gem from the Vitamin Shoppe. One spritz could do the trick.
4. Next, start to gently finger detangle from our ends up to the roots.  
5. Apply a little oil or hair butter to seal your ends. I'm using Camille Rose Whipped Butter in the pictorial. 
6. Then to achieve a more stretched look, further detanlge gently using a modified Denman Brush.
7. Secure the detanlged section with a hair clip then move on to the next section. 
8. Repeat until all of your hair is "blown out"
9. (Optional) Fluff hair using a wide tooth comb

Once I was done with my faux blow out, I trimmed my ends, and did a length check for you guys!

My bangs area is still the shortest at 8 1/2" (it was 7 3/4" at the end of September). Which didn't come to me as a surprise. because I know that my bangs grow slower than the rest of my hair. The left and right sides of my hair are 10" each (previously 9"). While, my left and right nape is 10" (previously 8" and 9" respectively)

December 2015 Length Check

Considering that the average hair growth rate is 1/2" per month + the fact that I trimmed about 1/4- 1/2" off each section---I think that I'm right on track. I'm not gonna make any promises but I do hope to do another length check in a few months. I can't promise to do heatless blowouts often either, as it is a TON of manipulation, I do really love this big fluffy hair!

September Length 2015 Check

How was your #washdayexperience? When was the last time that you did a length check? Share it below!

An InLinkz Link-up

Natural Hair Length Check 2015 | The #WashDayExperience

I just realized that I haven't done a length check ALL YEAR! Why didn't one of y'all tell me! *smh*

You see, the thing is that I've only ever done "straight hair" length checks. Always after a fresh relaxer and a good trim.

But---the problem with this logic, now that my hair is completely curly---I have NO desire whatsoever to straighten my hair. I don't wanna blow it. I don't feel like flat ironing it. I just don't wanna. *Pouts and crosses arms*

The likelihood of me straightening my hair any time soon is extremely low. So, today---I'm bringing you curly haired length checks via ruler! *the crowd goes wild* Ha-ha! (Ain't this better than a boring ol #washdayexperience anyway!?!?)

I washed and deep conditioned my hair per my usual routine then applied my leave ins and grabbed a ruler.  My bangs area is the shortest at 7 3/4". Which didn't come to me as a surprise. I had to snip the most from this section when I trimmed a few weeks ago. I also know that my bangs grow slower than the rest of my hair. The left and right sides of my hair are 9" each. While, my left nape is 8" and my right nape is 9".

The biggest shocker to me was how much healthier my hair looked. My ends aren't as frizzy and my hair looks moisturized from root to tip. My guess is that getting back to basics (deep conditioning with heat and co-washing at least once a week) is actually improving the health of my hair. I also suppose that the Jamacian Black Castor Oil on my scalp and ends is helping too.

I'm not gonna make any promises but I do hope to do another length check later this year (maybe on the anniversary of my BIG CHOP eh?). Then I'll actually have a good reference point.

How was your #washdayexperience? When was the last time that you did a length check?

An InLinkz Link-up

Wash Day | Length Check + Big Chop

So, this isn't going to be a typical #washdayexperience post. For one, I haven't washed my hair since last week. (Yeah...I know---gross right?! But keep reading, I have good reason) And for two, y'all deserve a length check update.

Flat ironing my hair last wash day was a bit surreal. My roots were voluminous, thick, and all kinds of fabulous. I flipped and whipped it around singing to Taylor Swift. #dontjudgeme #youdoittoo #yepyourighttheregivingmethesideeye

Then came the matter of my ends. Ugh. Or rather the reminding 4-5 inches of my hair. Because my unprocessed hair is so thick, It made my processed ends look pitiful. Plus the damage that I did to my hemline when I had to cut 3-4 super long knots from my nape last month, ...well..you get this:

I considered letting it be for about a day. Eventually the ends will fill in. Eventually my hemline would thicken up. Eventually it would be all fine and dandy. But for real--ain't no body got time for that! So I grabbed my scissors, and with the assistance of my sister-in-law and cousin, we pulled my hair back into a pony tail and cut straight across.

BOOM POW!

So I cut a little more. And then a little more. And a tad bit more. My bangs still have a few inches of texlaxed that need to go, but the rest is totally curly.

How does it feel to chop it all off?

Thrilling- My sister in law and cousin thought that I was loca for being so happy about the cut. I let them snip my hair because they'd trusted me to do their big chops earlier this year. #familyaffair for real huh? LOL. The excitement hasn't worn off. And it makes me giggle every time someone sees my cut then screams. No worries guys, it will definitely grow back!

Freeing- I threw my length goals out the window months ago and it felt amazing. Now I'm relatively free of my texlaxed ends. I'm so proud of the path that lead me to this point. I proud that I did it my way in my own time.

Nerve-racking- OMG...Did I REALLY just start my journey all over again? Ha-ha. I'm a little nervous to see what works for my new cut and what doesn't. Plus I promise to share all the wonderfully gory details with you guys!

Cheers to 2015. It's gonna be great!

Besitos!
KLP

An InLinkz Link-up

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

Length Check & One Year Post Relaxer

 
My ultimate goal has always been to reach MBL with blunt ends. After 3 years of slowly but surely cutting off my ridiculously over-processed thin ends, a shedding fiasco, and the worse relaxer experience of my life---I think that I finally made it!

My bangs are finally the same length as my hemline; something that I've lusted after forever. It's safe to say that protein layering is working, that my hair loves whipped butter, and that my hair is thriving without frequent direct heat. 

One Year Post Relaxer Feels Like...
Accomplishing. I expected my ends to be a hot mess. I expected breakage galore. I even gave myself a pre-flat iron pep talk. I reminded myself that my ends might not be able to withstand 52 weeks of detangling several textures. I didn't want to be disappointed if my hemline was a crooked mess.

Liberating. The freedom of not having length goals is exhilarating. I love my air dried hair---especially when my hair is set in bantu knots. The bigger and fluffier my hair the better. I'm in the celebration zone with my hair. I'm actually having fun with my hair on a regular basis. 

Frightening. I'm claiming MBL. I'm claiming healthy ends. I'm claiming my reaching my goals. So...hmm...what do I do now? I have no desire to relax my hair at all. I really don't want to chop my relaxed ends off....today. For the first time in 3 years, I have no idea where this journey is going, but I like it. I like it a lot.

While I figure out where this journey is going, I've promised myself to have a great time on the ride. Where is your healthy hair journey going? What are your goals?

Besitos!
KLP

SOS Mini Wash Day - 8 weeks post {Keyda}

Hola Chicas!

Products

So, I realized that I did not post about my last relaxer! It was a very quick decision because I wanted to fly out to Hawaii with sleeker hair (less stress in managing my hair) hehe. It was a self-relaxer and I used Creme of Nature... I love this brand for my hair. I will have a length check at my next relaxer. I also plan on stretching to at least 12-15 weeks this time....we shall see. I think a good stretch is perfect during this time because it is too cold!! haha I have been relaxing at 10-12 weeks prior because I noticed my hair retained more length/roughly same without the stretch.

Side w/ individual braids

[1] Detangled with my magic comb... There is somewhat more shedding from my hair, WINTER is here! :( However, I will say that the shedding is extremely far less than I have had in previous years so I do not feel as though I am LOSING ALL of my hair.

[2] Pre-poo with JBCO/Essential Oil Mix/Philip Kinglsey Scalp Toner on my scalp and Organix Moroccan Argan Creme Conditioner with focus on the roots and CHI deep reconstructor with focus on the length of my hair. I sealed with Virgin Coconut Oil.

[3] Co-wash with Herbal Essences Hello Hydration

[4] Tea Rinse with CC's Natural Happy Hair Tea 

[5] Air dried 50% then I braided up my hair. I decided to braid it into a style. Individual braids that were braided into a larger one with a side french braid. 

French Braid 

My hair was very soft and manageable. I am hoping for little shedding as I comb it out over the weekend. I plan on curling my hair in the coming weeks to help stretch with a few braid outs. I really hope I can last haha. My scalp has been lovely. I admit that I can have a DRY/ITCHY scalp however my scalp has been rarely if at all irritated in between my washes recently. I am soo relieved with this. 










Does you scalp get irritated more easily in winter or summer? 


xoxoxo 

muahz

Keyda 

Length Check

After last wash day's marathon detangling session, I flirted with the idea of cutting my hair into a sexy blunt long-bob. That's how bad it was, y'all. I also forgot to mention that about 2 weeks ago, I got the brilliant idea to dust my hair whilst I was sectioning off for my twist out. The intent was to take off no more than 1/4" but I managed to clip 3/4" - 1" off of one section. Smh.The twist out was banging but I'm so not winning in the hair department right now! So, when I went to trim my ends, I attempted to even everything out. I'm not sure how much I snipped, but I'm relatively content with the results. 

Whilst flat ironing, I decided that I wasn't going to place any more length expectations on my journey. It's time for me to really put emphasis on health over length! If I'm stuck in BSL/MBL purgatory for life but have sexy blunt ends---I'll be a happy lamb! Last year, I gave up on using direct heat frequently and I'm happy to say that I've totally mastered the air dry. I went 20 weeks without using direct heat. Wow! That feels so good to say! Just a year ago, I was flat ironing at least once a week! *it's officially confetti time* And I'm actually surprised that how well my ends are holding up since my last relaxer in July. Usually by now, I would be experiencing complete and utter chaos but my hair feels so soft and my bangs are arm-pit length. 


Sometimes, I feel like I have so many shoulda, coulda, woulda moments with my hair. If I would have done this, if I hadn't done that, etc etc. Then I remember what progress is really about: a forward or onward movement for gradual betterment. This hair journey isn't a race nor will it ever be perfect. As long as I am learning from yesterday to make today better, then there is progress. 

Besitos!
KLP

Oo Hey Stranger! It's Keyda! - 10 Weeks Post

Hola My Loves!!!


I feel sooooo bad for not updating as frequently as I would like through this transition in my life! But I know KLP has been holding down the fort!! :D As for my MIA, I am a high school counselor and this is a hectic/stressful/time consuming/anything else you can name hehe time of year dealing with students...parents...teachers etc. etc. However, I have missed you ALL tremendously and posting...

So, What have I been doing??

Well since you asked .... lol..I have been keeping up with my normal regimen, however I have been doing more mini-washes and really depleting the shampoo from regimen on a constant basis! I just love the silky smooth softness of moisture in my hair. I shampoo when my hair is really REALLY tangled or needs clarifying but I definitely cowash frequently.

I am been consistently tea rinsing with CC's naturals tea mixes (new review coming!), moisturizing and sealing....and NO HEAT!! I have also been balancing my protien use more as well...trying my best not to forget about it!

So, What will I be working on??

I need to really focus on my scalp through the week...keeping track of when I touch up...I think I have been overstretching :/ due to the chaos....DC with more heat! I know I know...I have been lazy...and I have noticed how my hair NEEDS a good DC...soooo note from the wise..NEVER ever go lax on your DC!

Hair Update!

May/June 2013



Sep/Oct 2013

I can not believe my hair grown sooo much :D I shall be continuing to grow it out and only trim my ends!

I plan to post about new products I have  "On deck", and more frequently about my washes! There will be a touchup in the next two weeks ...maybe one! I am pushing 10 weeks! ekkk

Miss you lovesss!!! Give all props to my hair goddess KLP! :D

Muahzzzz xoxo

Keyda

Snip, Clip, Trim (Official Length Check Results)

January 2013

Yesterday, I took a little more than an inch off of my freshly straightened tresses. Uneven ends are the devil to me. After snapping a few pics, I still wasn't happy with the quality of my trim; for some reason I felt like my hem line was a bit crooked, so I asked a friend to assist. She very reluctantly took off just a smidge more to even things out and called me loca.

September 2013

I'm pretty happy with the results. But I'm sorta kicking my self in the pants for snipping so much off last March. (You can check out my Imperfect Progress for more pics) I'm pretty much right back to where I was before I got a little scissor happy. The silver lining is the my front layers, formerly known as my bangs, are getting creeping closer and closer to my hemline. When I first started my healthy hair journey, I had this awful "mullet" type hair: long in the back and much much shorter in the front. *shudders* Although, I probably won't make MBL by the end of the year, but I'm very happy about my hair's overall thickness. I'm estimating that I have about a little more than 2 inches to go before I'm flirting with my ultimate goal. Once there---I'm just gonna kick up my feet and hang out. I really can't imagine having hair any longer...for now. Ha-ha!

How are your length goals looking for 2013? 

Besitos!

KLP

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