How To Get A Big Bun Without Mesh Donuts or Weave

Healthy Hair Question: 
Q: First, do you use mesh donuts for your buns? If not, how in the heck do you get those bigggg buns?

A: I love me a BIG ol doughy bun! I have used mesh donuts for some of my buns in the past, but I've never used a weave. Here are my secrets to big doughy buns without a mesh donut, heat, or a weave on about shoulder length or longer hair:

1. Air Dried Stretched Hair- My fluffiest buns are started on hair that has been detangled, air dried, and stretched. Moisturize your hair however you want. Seal it with whatever you like. But be sure to detangle and stretch your curls without heat. Because I have 18 weeks of curly post relaxer roots, I faux band my hair and bantu knot it (without a holding product in my cocktail). My favorite moisturizing triple threat has been my Aloe Tea Spray, Jessicurl Too Shea Extra Moisturizing Conditioner and Tangerine Vanilla Whipped Hair Butter.
2. Banana Clips and Hair Pins- I don't know about you, but finding a hair tie in my house is like panning for gold. Most of the time, I'm totally unlucky. However, I can always find a Scuni Banana clip. They are super cheap, less than $3USD and extremely durable. Plus, I feel like there is less stress on my edges and I have a smoother look. How To: Gather your hair into a pony, high or low, its your pleasure, then secure with your banana clip. Separate strands to fill out clip, then guide hair into a bun around the clip. Your hair should completely cover the flip. Keep it loose and big.
   Secure your fluffy bun with hair pins. Two of the longer pins are usually enough for me.
3. Aloe Vera Gel- I know that not everyone is about that fuzzy roots and frizzy curl life. So if you slap a little Aloe Vera gel on your edges and then use a silk scarf to tie your hair down, after 10-15 minutes you'll have tamed hair.

Thanks for your question chica!

Besitos!
KLP

Do You Believe In Protein Sensitivity?

Joico K-Pak

Healthy Hair Question: 
Q: Do you believe in protein sensitivity?

A: I'm a fan of protein. I use a heavy protein treatment at least once a month and I've started using a protein leave-in on my ends 2-3 times a week in hopes of keeping my ends strong and healthy this winter. Does this mean that all protein products work well for me? Absolutely not. But I do, believe that all rizado hair will benefit from a dose of protein. You just have to find the right product for you and the right frequency of use. Before you banish all protein products from you stash, consider this:

1. Change your protein product's place in your regimen: Perhaps applying a medium protein conditioner after shampooing but before deep conditioning will work best.. Shelli from hairscapades-- one of my favorite bloggers---as gorge length retention and uses Joico K-pak Reconstructor with every wash day for 15 minutes before rinsing and deep conditioning.
2. Reformulate your leave in cocktail: Some products play better together than others. So if you're getting a stiff or sticky feeling when using a protein product, switch out some of the other items in your cocktail to see how it plays with others. Remember that when you apply 3 products you are actually adding 15-20 or more ingredients to your strands.
3. Date other types of protein: There are so many types of protein that you can use, ranging from extreme to light. Urban Bush Babes has this awesome list of proteins and what it affect will have on your hair. Pick a new contender. Follow him up with a super moisturizing conditioner. See if you like the results. If not, try again---there are definitely more fish in the sea. 

If all of this fails, load up the protein in your diet and keep your hair as moisturized as possible. But should you ever you start to notice more breakage than normal or your hair just feels "off," whip out you favorite clarifying shampoo and deep condition with heat + a medium protein conditioner. I promise you that you won't regret it!

Besitos!
KLP

Reader Question: What's In Your Organic Aloe Tea Hair Rinse?

Organic Aloe Tea Rinse

Healthy Hair Question-

Q: What's in that organic aloe tea rinse that you used last wash day and how to you plan on using it as a moisturizer?

A: Lo siento chicas for not elaborating. My Aloe Tea Rinse a 3:1:1 ratio of organic tea to hot water to aloe vera juice. I prepare it by steeping 3 heaping tablespoons of CC's Naturals Lavender & Chamomile Tea in 1 cup of barely boiling water then add 1 cup of aloe vera juice. I cover with a lidded mason jar for a few hours. Then sptriz a little on my hair in sections before layering on my deep conditioner and sealing it all the yummy goodness with an oil. To help everything marinade into my strands, I add heat via my awesome Gold n Hot heating cap.

Here's a bit of a warning: This tea has a ridiculously powerful scent. Its not what I would consider floral, whilst it's not terribly funky either. It most definitely is that totally yucky natural-earthy smell that I just don't care for. So, I added a few drops of Tangerine Essential oil to mask the scent and worked like a charm! To maximize the shelf-life of your tea hair rinse, store in the refrigerator WITH A LABEL (One time, my hubby thought that my hair butter was cake icing. Ha-ha!) and it's best to use within 4-5 days of mixing.


I intend on using this mix as a daily moisturizer then seal with my Kitchenista Hair Butter.
Using the same technique that kept my roots smooth, moisturized, and ends protected ends while my hair was straightened a few weeks ago. 

Keep sending your questions chicas!

Besitos!
KLP

Reader Question: OMG! Your Hair Regimen Is Too Expensive!

$40 or less Hair Regimen

Q: OMG! Your Hair Regimen Is Too Expensive!

A: Chica you've got a good point! 

I may adore the products that I use on the regular but they definitely aren't for everyone. Many have limited availability in brick/mortar locations, are expensive, and can only be found in the continental US. Before you buy, regardless of who raves about it or what the ingredients are, understand that good technique will beat any uber expensive regime every day of the week. Detangling properly, keeping your scalp clean, deep conditioning regularly, and being gentle with your tresses will lead to healthy hair.

If I had to skimp back on my hair obsession, I'd turn to Organix and Herbal Essences. Both lines are sold at all major drugstores, mass retailers, and available internationally. Here's what my regimen would look like on a $40 or less monthly budget.

$40 or less Regimen-

Mid-week:
Co-wash with Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Conditioner + Extra Virgin Coconut Oil on the length of my hair.

Full Wash:

(1) Detangle with my fingers in vertical sections using EVCO to aid in detangling if necessary
(2) Shampoo with a diluted solution in a narrow tip applicator bottle

(4) Extreme Deep Condition- layers an oil over conditioner covered with a plastic bag and then under indirect heat for at least 30 minutes before rinsing.
(5) Green Tea Rinse-with 2 tea bags and 2 cups of water applied with a narrow tip applicator bottle
(6) Smoothing Treatment- Tea rinses make my hair feel a bit stiff so I massage a conditioner with tons of slip and moisture into my hair then let sit for about 5 minutes to soften my tresses. 
(6) Air dry- I let my hair air dry 80% wrapped in a cotton t-shirt
(7) Leave-ins/Sealants- Moisturize with creamy leave-in and seal with an oil.

Products I would use:

Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk Shampoo $7.99

Yogi Green Tea $3.99 

Herbal Essences Hello Hydration $3.99

Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk Conditioner $7.99 

Herbal Essences Touchably Smooth Split End Protector  $3.99

Extra Virgin Coconut Oil $4.99
Narrow Tip Applicator Bottle $1.99

Total: $34.93!  

Leaving $5.07 for taxes and/or shipping costs. If you are a couponer, be on the lookout for Organix and Herbal Essences coupons in your Sunday paper plus many drugstores offer in store discounts. A few weeks ago, I caught a B2GO free deal on Organix and a 2/$6 deal on Herbal Essences from Walgreens.com, which offers free shipping on orders over $25. This just goes to show that frugal-hairlistas can exist!

How low can the price of your regimen go?

Besitos!
KLP

Mini Washing Secrets Exposed

Example Mini-wash product selection

You may notice that I frequently skip pre-pooing and shampooing. I'm not being (totally) vaga (lazy); I've just noticed that my hair seems to respond better to less shampooing and more extreme deep conditioning. It's so important to listen to what your hair likes and what it doesn't like regardless of how unconventional it may seem. A mini-washing is nothing but a glorified co-wash with heat. I only have to get into the shower once and it literally cuts my wash day time in half. I still clarify once a month and I'll whip out a hydrating shampoo like Matrix Biolage Hydratherapie Hydrating Shampoo when I feel like there is an icky build up on my strands. Here's how I cleanse and rehydrate my hair with a mini-wash session:

1. Detangle first with my fingers and then if necessary my Magic Star Jumbo Rake in vertical sections.  
2. Extreme Deep Condition- layers an oil over a conditioner to steal in the moisture covered with a plastic cap and then under indirect heat for at least 30 minutes before rinsing with cool water. (My favorite deep conditioners are Halka Baba de Caracol and Matrix Biolage Ultra-Hydrating Balm)  
3. Green Tea Rinse with 2 tea bags and 2 cups of water (SOS: Shed Dread)  
4. Smoothing Treatment- Tea rinses make my hair feel hard so I massage Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Daily Treatment into my hair and let sit for about 5 minutes to soften my hair again 
5. Air dry- I let my hair air dry 80% wrapped in a cotton t-shirt then apply my leave ins. I just find it easier to detangle dry vs. dripping wet tex-laxed hair.   
6. Leave-ins/Serums- I finger detangle using Jessicurl Too Shea! Extra Moisturizing Conditioner and seal with an oil, my DIY hair butter, or Chi Silk Infusion.
7. Styling- I've been sporting either bantu knots or sassy protective styles. 

Does anyone else mini-wash?

Besitos!
KLP

Healthy Hair Insight: Should you detangle when wet or dry?

After detangling 70%-80% dry and adding leave ins

Simple question; complicated answer. I'll just tell you guys what works for me. 

Post wash, I detangle when my hair is 70-80% dry. How did I get this number? Trial and error. When I first started my journey, I always detangled my hair soaking wet. Why? Because that's what my favorite YouTube vlogger did. Y'all remember Ateeya? Throwback joint. Any who, it took me about a year to realize that my hair HATES being detangled soaking wet. However, when it's completely dry, it's not as easy to stretch my roots. By chance, I let my hair air dry for about 30 minutes then detangled and applied my leave-ins. My hair was smoother, I lost less hair in the process, and the single strand knots/tangles that I experienced prior were reduced.

Detangling is my least favorite part of wash day, but I know that its crucial if I want to retain length. 

I want to know what you do. Are you a wet or dry detangler and why?

Besitos!
KLP

Reader Question: Why do you texlax?

Bantu knots on stretched texlaxed hair

Q: Texlaxing seems counter-productive. Why relax at all?

A: You're right. Sometimes, it feels counter productive. It can be hard to control frizz, you'll encounter some wicked SSKs, and sleek straight hair can require just a tad bit more maintenance than a bone straight relaxed chica. It takes trial-and-error to process your desired texture and just one bone straight relaxer touch up can throw you off. But honestly, right now, my texlaxed hair works for me. I like that my hair is easier to detangle, thicker root to end, and more voluminous. I feel like I have the best of both worlds. If I was completely natural, I'm certain that I would always wear my hair stretched, never in a puff, and at least 90% in an updo (I just get annoyed too easily when my hair is in my way. Ha-ha!). Texlaxing allows me to get the "stretched natural" hair look in half the time or effort that it would take if I didn't relax. 

Thanks for the questions and keep them coming!

Do you feel that texlaxing is counterproductive?

Besitos!
KLP

Healthy Hair Insight: The Rhyme Behind the Reason

Self-relaxing isn't for the faint at heart. One wrong move can take years to recoup from. I've self-relaxed for a few years now and my relaxer days are long and tedious but there is a definitely a method to the madness.

To me, tex-laxing isn't a product; It's a technique. Some ladies cover their hair in oils, others use milder strength relaxers, while a few, mix conditioners to intentionally under-process their relaxers. I simply don't smooth the relaxing cream with a comb to achieve my tex-laxed results.

I relax in two halves at 12-16 weeks, which usually requires two relaxer kits and double jumping in and out of the shower. I first discovered this process from fellow blogger Ms. Kibbi of www.kibibihair.com. Here's how I tex-lax:

Prep- To strengthen my strands, I like to reinforce my strands with a protein treatment the wash before my relaxer day. My favorite protein treatment is Nexxus Emergencee. 

Protect Products

Protect- I first section my hair into four quads. Then I take each quad and split into 1" sections, detangling as I work. Next, I base my scalp with JBCO (and after my recent experience Vaseline) then lightly cover my previously relaxed ends with Roux Porosity Control Conditioner, Chi Silk Infusion, and Joico Moisture Recovery to protect from relaxer runoff. Lastly, I double strand twist each section, starting the twist at the line of demarcation, so that I know where to apply the relaxer. The only part of my hair that's "naked" are my roots. I cover the front two quads with a shower cap for each side then 2 more covering both sides to keep it from getting relaxer or water on it while I work on my front half. 

Apply Products/Tools

Apply- I started my application process on the front quads using a (green) Sprush. Because I know exactly where to apply the relaxer and I only apply the relaxer to my unprocessed roots, the fear of overlapping the relaxer is minimal. Once I apply the relaxer, I smooth with my fingers. Application and smoothing takes about 6 minutes for the front and 9 for the back.

Fortify Products

Fortify- Next, I thoroughly rinse removing the top plastic cap because it usually has relaxer on it. Then I massage a mid-relaxer strengthening treatment into my strands. My favorite is Nexxus Keraphix. I let it sit for 1-2 minutes then rinse again.

Neutralize Products

Neutralize- After rinsing the protein conditioner, I neutralize 3 lathers with a neutralizing shampoo plus a 5 minute ACV rinse just to be ensure that the relaxer has been rinsed away and the chemical process has been stopped. My ACV to water ratio is 1:3.








Remove- Until my most recent relaxer touch-up, I've used a no-lye box kit. Commonly after the relaxer service, you can loose a little shine and luster. This might be because of the dulling mineral deposits in most no-lye relaxer kits. To prevent this, I shampoo with a chelating poo. such as Kenra Chelating. For my lye touch-up, I followed with Roux PC Shampoo to balance my hair because I didn't know how my hair would react to the ORS. Then I did my usual green tea rinse and smoothing treatment. 

Restore- Every relaxer touch up ends with an extreme deep condition. I apply vitamin e oil to my scalp, to soothe possible irritation, KeraCare Humecto on the length of my hair and massaged argan oil throughout. I covered with a plastic cap then condition with my heat cap for at least an hour.  








After relaxing the front half, I cover with conditioner and plastic caps then relax the back. The process from beginning to end takes about 4 hours. 


Whew. That's a lot right? 

What's your secret to self-relaxing?

Besitos!

KLP 

Bun, Top Knot, Chignon, & Rolls/Twists

Sounds like I'm talking about food right? Or maybe I'm just hungry. Ha-ha! Any who, I get asked a lot what are the differences between a bun, top knot, chignon, and roll. While all four are tend to be used interchangeably, I do think that there are subtle differences between them. Here's the low down on up-dos:

Bun: Your hair is pulled up away from your face, twisted or braided, and wrapped in a circle around itself. Can be on the back of the head or neck. Buns can be worn messy or pulled together depending on your mood.

Top Knot: A cute name for a bun positioned at the very top of your head.

Chignon: Typically a formal, low up-do where your hair is pulled back away from your face. Instead of coiling the hair around itself in a circular motion, chignons have your hair gathered together then tucked under to secure.

French Rolls/Twists: A very neat classic up-do traditionally sitting on the back of the head and twists up from the nape of the neck creating a vertical "roll"

What's your favorite: Buns, Top knots, Chignons, or French Rolls/Twists?

Besitos!
KLP

Reader Q&A

Updated: 5.21.2013

Internal Healthy Body Support

Q: Do have recommendations on supplements or tried made any dietary changes to increase hair growth? 
A: Great question. However, I think that I have a complicated answer. I've never taken supplements (pills) specifically designated to "increase hair growth." This isn't to say that I haven't thought about it! Creo que todas las chicas pensado en eso. I think that all of us have thought about it! The only reason that I haven't gone through with it is because I've been with child or nursing for my entire hair journey. (I have two little ones, 3 and 1) Plus, I'm petrified of the possible side effects. (More hair in places other than my head, more breakouts, more migranes or a serious allergic reaction) I do, however, take 2 gummy multivitamins and 1 prenatal vitamin (my youngest is nursing). Diet-wise: I'm all about water, carrots, and greens. I've been drinking 1/2- 1 gallon of water daily for weeks now. I also faithfully swig my carrot juice (I even like the taste now), and I have a green salad (think spinach, kale, romaine, arugula, or broccoli) daily. None of these things, I do solely for hair growth purposes. Which is the cool thing about attempting to take care of you. One small change for the better pays it forward in other areas of your life.  

Before considering a supplement, think on the reasons why your hair is unhealthy. Is it your external practices or could it be an internal issue that you need to speak with your doctor about?

After my first 5k

Q: You seem equally obsessed with working out and longer hair. Isn't that like trying to mix oil and water? Why spend so much time with your hair only to ruin it by sweating?
A: Obsessed? Well maybe a little! Ha-ha! Succeeding in areas of life where others have said that I would fail repetitively, makes me ridiculously happy. While pregnant with my first child, I gained 53 lbs. I remember telling my husband, "I hope that this little girl is 50lbs when she's born." Ha-ha! She wasn't---she was 8lbs 3oz---and the rest was me. I thought that the weight would just fall off; it didn't. I didn't recognize myself in mirror and decided that I wasn't going to complain about it anymore. I put in work; lost the weight plus some in about 10 months. Exercising became a way of life and I really love it now.

When I was a kid, my brothers would tease me and call me Simba because my hair was sooooo big when I had to wash it. It would grow, break, shed---grow, break, shed. I decided to make a change, put in the work, and nurture my hair so that it would continue to grow, but not break and I work to curb shedding.

Viola! Fit body; healthy hair. They can coincide. My hair does get frizzy at the gym and I'll take pride in pulling it up into a big 'ol messy bun! Plus sweat isn't the enemy. Check out our Your Hair On Series: Sweat edition. 

Thanks for the questions guys!  

[Review] Just For Me Texture Softener

Price: 6.99 

Purchased at: Sally's (Also available in most grocery stores)

Promises: "Introducing a breakthrough in hair manageability! This naturally gentle product mildly softens curly, coarse or kinky hair while maintaining its natural texture. Contains the exclusive anti-breakage sunflower oil formula to prevent damage from combing and styling."

Kit Contents:  Relaxer cream, activator, sunflower oil, neutralizing shampoo and moisturizer.

Directions: Complete instructions inside box.

How I use it: To texlax my hair every 12-16 weeks. I mix the entire bottle of activator and sunflower oil into the relaxer cream. I've never used the moisturizer.

My Thoughts: 
First, bear with me---please allow me to step on my soap box, just for a sec:

A. This kit is a relaxer. Period. Please do not be fooled by the packaging and branding that the marketing gurus at Just For Me came up with. Granted, it is a mild relaxer, made milder with the use of sunflower mixed into the relaxer cream. However, it's still a relaxer. The active ingredients are the same ones from typical relaxer systems. If you are natural (ie: your not is not chemically processed) and you are looking for a "curl softener" that doesn't contain chemicals, please do not use this product.

B. It truly does bother me that this product is "marketed" to little ones. To each his own, but my daughter's (who is 3 now) head will never see a relaxer or flat iron until her quince. This is the law in my home. No discussion necessary. Although, not illegal, its not cool to me that JFM seems to try very hard to pretend that this kit isn't a relaxer and play on your "mama trying-to-do betta card." I would not recommend this kit for use on a child. 

Whew---the air was light up there! Ha-ha! On to the review. I just need to stress that this kit is a relaxer. I believe that texlaxing is a technique---not a product. I've used this kit since 2006. Back then--I used it to relax bone straight. Today, because I've changed my technique, my results are texlaxed. I'm reviewing this relaxer because I get tons of questions asking which system I use.

For touch ups, I usually need two kits, because I have 2-3 inch roots.  I apply the relaxer to only my roots (never the previously relaxed section) with a sprush and use my fingers to smooth. My total application and smoothing time is 9 minutes (I always use a timer). I rinse thoroughly and massage in a protein treatment (not kit contained. My favorite mid-relaxer protein conditioner is Nexxus Keraphix). After rinsing the conditioner. I neutralize 3 lathers with the neutralizing shampoo that is contained in the kit plus a 5 minute ACV rinse (Not kit contained. 1 part ACV 3 parts water) just to be ensure that the relaxer has been rinsed away and the chemical process has been stopped. Next, I lather up my strands with a chelating shampoo to remove the dulling minerals deposited by the relaxer (My favorite is Kenra Chelating. Lastly, I always end my relaxer touch up with an extreme deep condition to restore moisture to my hair. I use my favorite deep conditioners (Halka Baba de Caracol or Matrix Biolage Conditioning Balm). I've never used the moisturizer in the kit. Honestly, I have no reason. I just like my products better and I know that they work.

Final Cut: 

I'm more than sure that there are better relaxer kits out there. I've stuck with this kit for this long because my results are predictable, I've never had an averse reaction to it, and I just don't have the courage to try another relaxer system. 


I would definitely recommend to an adult that wants to transition from relaxing bone straight to texlaxing. But please, please, please read the directions---all of the directions. Every. time. You. Relax. Things change and you don't want to have regrets. Non-chemically processed ladies---think long and hard before using this product. The results---whether you love or hate it---are irreversible. 

What's your favorite relaxer system?

Un mil besitos
KLP

Reader Q&A

October 2010

Q: I noticed in your "Imperfect Progress" section that your hair grew a ton from 2010-2011. What was your regimen then?
A: I started my healthy hair journey in late 2010 with shoulder length (SL) hair. Unhappy with my ridiculously thins ends, I started tex-laxing in the beginning of 2011 then spent the rest of the year snipping away at my over-processed length. My regimen then is much the same as today; focusing on keeping my moisture levels up, shedding down, and styling with care. (You can check out my regimen here).

Q: Have you ever been natural or have any desire to grow out your hair without chemical relaxers?
A: Si, claro---(Even excluding childhood) I've had "natural" hair as an adult. When I was in college, I discovered the flat iron and forgot allllll about needing to relax my hair to get it straight. Without even realizing it--I went for 2 years without a relaxer. So, I guess that you could say that I was heat-addicted naturalista. As you probably guessed, I had some seriously heat damaged hair. I didn't even know what "heat protectant" was, I cranked my flat iron as high as it would go 400degrees+, and I would flat iron multiple times a day. I got a neck length cut then I went back to the relaxer and decreased my flat ironing to una vez per day. *hangs head* 
Would I ever kick tex-laxing to the curb? Hey, anything is possible. I do love my super curly roots and I've been told that "natural hair" looks "good on me"---whatever that mess means. However, for the time being? The answer is no. Tex-laxing gives me the thickness, strength, and overall health that bone straight relaxed hair lacked with a greater ease of straightening which "natural" hair lacked. Best of both worlds! Now that I'm truly detoxing from the flat iron, lots of folks have asked if I've hopped on the "natural" band wagon. The answer is: "No!! Let me live!"

We love your questions! Keep 'em coming!

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