Wash Day

I was so spoiled by deep conditioning over night two weeks ago, that I tried it again with today's wash. Winter is a harsh mistress and my hair just hasn't been its moisturized self. I'm considering adding weekly overnight deep conditions to my regimen to combat the dryness that's been plaguing my hair, skin, and nails:

Wash Day Products

1. Detangle- with my fingers.
2. Pre-poo- with extra virgin coconut oil.
3. Shampoo- one lather with Macadamia Natural Oil Rejuvenating Shampoo.
4. Protein Treatment- I applied Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque to only my texlaxed ends then covered with a plastic cap and sat under my heat cap for 15 minutes.
5. Extreme Deep Condition- I applied Matrix Biolage Ultra-Hydrating Balm to my strands (root to tip), then massaged my strands in extra virgin coconut oil. I covered with a plastic cap, relaxed under my heat cap for about 2 hours, then left it in overnight.
6. Air Dried- to 80-85% wrapped in a cotton t-shirt.
7. Leave-Ins- Jessicurl Too Shea Extra Moisturizing Conditioner and my kitchenista Tangerine Vanilla Whipped Hair Butter.

Results: 

Bantu Knots

The Rookies: This was my first time using Macadamia shampoo and conditioner together. My hair still hates shampoo. After rinsing my pre-poo, my hair felt really good. My strands weren't tangled and or clumped. After rinsing the shampoo, my hair felt stripped, matted, and just a hot mess. I don't see myself using shampoo more than once a month. After all, if it ain't broke then don't fix it right? Adding the protein treatment on top of that tangled mess wasn't the best idea that I've had in a while, but I'm committed to fighting breakage and strengthening my ends (to increase my length retention) so it was a necessary evil. I don't have much to say about the Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque except that it claims to strenghten hair---and that claim is definitely true. My hair definitely felt stronger, but I'd never not follow this protein packed conditioner with an ultra-moisturizing treatment. 

The Sophomores- I introduced Tea Rinsing and a smoothing treatment into my regimen earlier this year. With this wash, I skipped Tea Rinsing; not so bad. I also skipped my Smoothing/Detangling treatment using Matrix Biolage Detangling Solution. *Le sigh* I've been on the fence for months now about this detangler but now that I've experienced a wash day without it---I will never go back! The slip and detangling abilities that this product has on my 21 week post hair is ridiculous! Now I see why I've been able to manage my roots so well with it. 

The Seniors- Extreme deep conditioning has been a must for me for a long time. But Overnight deep conditioning kicks things up a notch and it's exactly what my hair needs this winter. Moist soft but strong ends+ elastic springy roots= a happy me! Matrix Biolage Ultra-Hydrating Balm always does my hair good. Detangling was tedious and my lost hair was a bit more than I'm used to, but it wasn't extreme. I've made a mental note not to skip tea rinsing or smoothing treatments any more! 

After I air dried, I bantu knotted my hair (without holding product) for about 2 hours, unravelled and went with the hubby to see The Best Man Holiday. If you haven't seen it. Go! 

How was your latest wash day? 

Besitos!
KLP

C'mon---you know that you want to enter!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Busted Braidouts Into Beautiful Updos

Braidouts hate me. No seriously. I can't get a defined fluffy big braid out to save my life. I try. I fail. I try again. I fail again. However, the best part of a busted braid out is the way that it gives an updo life, honey! Y'all have met my Old Faithful 30 Second Style many many times. I've sported this style on straightened hair, air dried hair, bantu curled hair, and now {busted} braid out hair. I've done it so many times that I can do it without a mirror, one bobby pin, and in 30 seconds with a baby on my hip. Sometimes, I add a braided bang. Occasionally, I do a deep side part. Whilst, other times, I throw in a great hair accessory. No matter how I change this style up, it always begins these steps:

Old Faithful 30 Second Style-

1. Moisturize and detangle hair.
2. Split hair into two sections.
3. Bring your hair from one section to the front. Begin a french braid, instead of braiding to the back, braid to the front. (If this doesn't make sense at first, watch and re-watch the video.) Continue your braid to the end of your length.
4. Repeat on the other side.
5. Take one of the braids and cross it over the back of your head. Secure with a bobby pin. Repeat with the other side.
6. Tuck in all of the loose ends.

Whilst, I'm not giving up on braidouts by any means, I am going to stick with what I do best: bantu knots. What style to you turn to when your braidout hates you?

Besitos!
KLP

[Hairstyle] Messy Side French Roll | Mini Wash

How I wore my hair last week

Deep conditioning overnight might not be an every wash day event, but let me tell you this chicas, it's my new must do after a protein treatment now. My hair felt so amazing after my wash last week. Think soft, cottony, and springy. My roots were happy. The texlaxed length was happy. KLP was happy! I skipped my mid-week co-washing session and even thought for a second to delay my wash day because my hair felt so good. But, I figured that I wasn't so smart and went with a light protein conditioner to keep my tresses balanced.

1. Detangled- with my fingers.
2. Extreme deep condition- with JBCO on my scalp, a mix of Aphogee 2 Minute Reconstructor and Organix Repairing Awapuhi Ginger Instant Recovery Mask on the length of my hair and sealed the conditioner with coconut oil. I covered with a plastic cap, relaxed under my heat cap for about 2 hours.
3. Green Tea Rinse- After rinsing the conditioner, I applied steeped green tea, using a narrow tip applicator to my strands--focusing on the roots. I let it sit for a few minutes then rinsed.
4. Smoothing Treatment- with a large dollop of Matrix Biolage Detangling Solution.
5. Air Dried- to 80-85% wrapped in a cotton t-shirt.
6. Leave-Ins- Jessicurl Too Shea Extra Moisturizing Conditioner and my kitchenista Tangerine Vanilla Whipped Hair Butter.

   

   Wash Day Products

Results:

30 Second Ol' Faithful Style

After applying my leave-ins, I wanted to do something different with my hair and decided to attempt a braid out. Bad. Idea. Very. Bad. Idea. I double strand twisted my hair into 8 sections and secured the ends with a satin roller. In the morning, I unraveled to a bloody mess. Oh gosh, It was a fail on sooo many levels. The bird's nest in my front yard looks better.The definition was wonky, I had neck length shrinkage, and my ends looked ever so pitiful. Never have I been more thankful for the Bun Effect. I pulled my hair into my all time favorite 30 second updo (here's a how to tutorial) and went to church. The good news was that my hair still felt soft with a renewed strength and my shedding/breakage was low. Woot for happy endings. 

What styles do you use to save failed twists outs, bantu knots, or curls? 

Besitos!
KLP

November's Mizani Giveaway is totally awesome and you can enter every day!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wash Day - 10/11 weeks post (Late Post)/ Touch up!

Hola Chicas!!

Yesssss! I actually wash my hair still... I had a lovely wash day on last week..concluding with a braid out! ( I will tweet out pic of my braidout :P)

Notes: I decided to do a braidout as I stretch through the week before my touch up! I am sure there will be tangles galore eeekkkk...but I really wanted a cute no heat style. I will be getting my touch up this Friday at the salon! Yes, after my last experience it is very shocking I would but I am going back to my main squeeze who hates the thought of cutting my hair :)  She used Affirm for my touch up and I LOVED it!! I actually stayed for the entire time! Woot Woot!

Products

Wash Day

(1) Detangled/Pre-poo: I combed through my hair with my lovely MAGIC COMB! (s/n: I plan on getting another comb to really help at my roots) with my Essential Oil Mix/Philip Kingsley Scalp Toner on my scalp and EVCO/Chi Moisture Brillance on length of my hair. I literally cleaned my place for about 1 hr and half. haha

(2) Being a little different, I did a tea rinse with my new CC's naturals Happy Hair Tea right away. I placed Roux Moisture Recovery over it before rinsing out of my hair.

All my shedding :D

(3) DC with AS I AM Hydration Elation Intensive Conditioner.... smelled like cake! yummyy...must say my first impressions were good but I shall have a full review after a few more uses. I sat under some heat (my bf calls it a UFO shield lol) for about 40 mins. :D

(4) KLP gave me some goodies last time I saw her...so I let my hair dry for a bit then used a sample size of Taliah Waajid Curly Curl Cream to moisturize my hair as I braided it up then went to sleep!!

Results: Look at the tweet! But I loved it!! The curls actually held mainly due to the cream Im sure! It was just a KILLER detangling for my touch up ekkk! I also used Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk Leave In as well, first impressions I like it a lot! 

October 2013 After Touch up

June/July 2013

Touch up results: After waiting what felt like forever, I finally got a touch up using Affirm. I like to interchange between doing my own touch up and the salon! Although, many around me having been saying/asking me about transitioning to natural...I am not there yet personally. Due to my time, I just need my hair manageable for me... I totally can/will in future but for now I am happy! :D Anywayss, I loved the results and am really pleased with my growth/trim.

I am heading out to LA this Thursday!! Visiting my one of my besties!! Look out for my Travel Hair :P via tweets and I shall post when I get back!

Muahzzzz
xoxox

Keyda

Did you know that you can enter to win the Taliah Waajid Sample Pack Giveaway daily? 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

[Review] Herbal Essences Touchably Smooth Split End Protector

Herbal Essences Touchably Smooth Split End Protector

Price: $3.99 for 6oz

Purchased at: 
Amazon or Walgreens

Promises: 
"Stop feeling like you're in splitsville. This is the beginning of beautiful ends. My formula quenches your strands for smoothness and helps strengthen them against breakage. Your hair will feel as smooth as silk. Go ahead, touch, toss, or twirl.

Ingredients: 
Water (Aqua), Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Dimethicone, Glutamic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Fragrance, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Chloride, Methylisothiazolinone, Zea Mays (Corn) Silk Extract, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Silk

Directions: 
Massage through wet or dry hair. Leave in to give your tips a kiss of conditioning"

My Thoughts: To me, the keys to any successful stretch is moisturizing your roots and then guarding your line of demarcation from breakage (the place where your new growth meets your relaxed hair).  My first use of HE TSSEP was last year at the tail end of a 6 month stretch. After being disappointed with most creamy leave-in products that I've tried I was pleasantly surprised by this little gem. When I read the promises, my brain zoomed in on the words "quench" (moisture) and "strength" (protein). But it was the price that got me to toss it into my cart. At $3.99, I've spent much for for products that have turned out to be duds.  

Amount that I use to moisturize daily

I've used it two ways (1) after washing as a leave-in conditioner or (2) on dry hair as a daily moisturizer. Two birds. One Stone. It absorbs very nicely in both methods. It doesn't revert my roots and it doesn't weigh down my ends. The scent is pleasant and the texture is quite creamy. The pump top allows me to use as much or little as I need (and a little goes a long way). I moisturize and seal daily, but one bottle (6oz) lasts for 8 weeks. It worked well last autumn to keep my hair moisturized but the real test came last winter. I paired it with Argan oil as sealer and it worked great. This summer, I've used it as the moisturizing component for my Bantu Knot cocktail with pretty good results. Not as great as when I use Jessicurl but much much better than when I used Bee Mine. At this price, I'm in love. 

The only bad thing that I have to say about this product is that it doesn't come in larger sizes and its been very hard to find in a brick & mortar store lately. (which means that I can't use my coupons! Grr...) I could probably get away with skipping one day of moisturizing but two days would be asking for trouble. This product has the best price of all leave-ins that I've tried. Just goes to show that even though because a product isn't marketed to ladies with textured hair, doesn't mean that it can't be what your hair needs---without breaking the bank.

Have you had experience with HETSSEP?

Un mil besitos!

KLP   

[Review] Karen's Body Beautiful Hair Nectar Leave In Conditioner (Battle of the Leave-Ins)

Pomegranate Guava

Price: $16 for 8oz

Can be purchased at: 
Karen's Body Beautiful/Select Target Brick & Mortar/Complimentary sample received at BHK Expo

Promises: 
Detangles. Softens. Moisturizes. Works best for- Medium thick to loose curls, relaxed, color treated or dry hair.

Ingredients: 
Purified Water, Grapeseed, Jojoba and Coconut Oils, Vegetable Glycerin, Vegetable Wax, Panthenol, Yucca, Horsetail, Nettle, & Melissa Extracts, Essential and/or Fragrance Oil, Ascorbic Acid & Vitamin E
Directions: 
Apply a generous amount to hair when damp or dry to refresh and moisturize. Can be used several times a week or daily.  Use before you apply heat (flat ironing, blow drying, etc.), since this product is water based.
My Thoughts: 
I received this 2oz sample as a part of an awesome swag bag during at the BHK Expo back In July. After chatting with the KBB reps during the expo about my hair's needs, they recommended the Hair Nectar line of moisturizers. I checked out the ingredients. Water first---perfect. Grapeseed, Jojoba and Coconut oil---even better. Vegetable Glycerin---Hmm..jury's out on that one. I haven't had much experience with glycerin. All that I do know is that many discourage its use during cooler weather. Of course my weird self had to smell it. Yeah. I did it right in front of the KBB reps. (I've got to work on my home training.) OMGosh--- Pomegranate Guava---I love you. No joke. The scent of this moisturizer is amazing. It's right up there with hibiscus coconut scent from Shea Moisture that I love more than puppies, glitter, and rainbows combined--and I really LOVE rainbows. Never have I met a natural product with a better scent. 
Aside from the scent, I love Hair Nectar's consistency. It absorbs into my hair instantly, leaving all three textures almost plumped, fat, and full with moisture. I was a little shocked that my hair felt so hydrated but light. I've applied to damp hair and completely dry hair with the same results- smooth, shiny, soft tresses. I can't speak much to its detangling properties, but I can say that my hair stayed tamer longer (read: little to no SSKs during my next wash session) with this leave in than many others that I've tried in the past. There were days when I didn't really feel like I needed to moisturize but I really wanted to. (Blame the intoxicating scent chicas) Even with daily use, my hair didn't feel coated or weighed down. With each use, my roots did feel refreshed, light and fluffy all over again. It spreads evenly, I never needed a lot to reap its full benefits, and best of all---it plays so well with my hair butter. Using this product as the "moisture" component of my bantu knot cocktail was a success each and every time. I'm not sure if the winning ingredients are the oil blend or the glyercin but either way, I'm not complaining. I started using this at 2-3 weeks post, so it didn't get as much testing as Jessicurl deep into a stretch but the back half of my hair is just barely processed and loved this hair nectar.
My only gripe is THAT PRICE. Yes, the ingredients are top notch, but the price tag on a full size bottle hurts. It's the pricest of all of leave ins in this battle. Good thing that a little goes a long way. My 2oz sample lasted for a month. Thus, the 17oz full size bottle that I'm craving should last at least 8 months. (Is my math is right y'all?--I have a BA in English---not Math. If that's wrong don't sue me. #highereducation) If it can last for that long, then maybe a $24/bottle price isn't that scary. I think...

Has anyone else tried KBB before?

Besitos!
KLP

[Review] Bee Mine Daily Leave-In Conditioner (Battle of the Leave Ins)

Price: $12.97 for 8oz 

Purchased at: Bee Mine

Promises: Dramatically improve the moisture balance of your hair with the natural and organic nutrients in our new Daily Conditioner "Bee Lovely." With the soft & creamy consistency of Cupuacu Butter, offers exceptional daily moisture for the hair also provides some protection against UV-A and UV-B rays.  Enjoy hair that feels soft and smooth all day after just a single use without weighing it down. With daily use, even dry, brittle and damaged hair can see noticeable improvement in softness, smoothness and manageability.
 
Ingredients: Distilled Water, Chamomile Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-40 Castor Oil and Stearalkonium Chloride, Cupuacu Butter, Organic Coconut Oil, BTMS (mild emulsifier), Organic Raw Honey, Preservative (Paraben & Formaldehyde Free), Fragrance (Phthalate Free)

Directions:
Apply to hair from roots to ends on wet hair. Rinse it out or use use it as a light leave-in. Good for daily use very moisturizing, and doesn't weigh down the hair.

My Thoughts:
As soon as I received this 2oz sample size as a part of the Loving MY Hair giveaway sponsored by the lovely Miss Age in ATL back in March, I smiled. One of my favorite bloggers Ebony @ Longing4Length has raved about this company for months. Next, I checked out the ingredients; Water first--excellente. Castor Oil--not exactly what I expected as a number 2 ingredient. Cupuacu butter---I had to google that one. Ha-ha! Lastly, I smelled it. (I see that judgey look in your eyes. Y'all know that my nose is particular!) To my surprise, its scent was very faint and that weird smell that I usually associate with natural products wasn't present!

I tried applying this to damp hair and completely dried hair with similar results. While the product appeared to be light and creamy---it was very oily. My hair seemed to absorb it well, but it doesn't play so nicely with my hair butter. Adding the butter on top of it lead to very oily next day hair---yet moisturized hair. The curliest inches of my strands seemed to like it. The straightest bits were overwhelmed. My multi-textured hair just wasn't on one accord. I moisturized every other day in an futile accept to prevent icky build up. But my hair was still pretty oily by the next wash day---BUT when I hopped in the shower, my hair felt like butter. This got me thinking, If it had just a little more slip, this would be an interesting co-wash. I also used it for a bantu knot out that you guys will never see. I did not take a single pic. Yep--It was that bad. Ha-ha! It has been hard to want to use this one consistently. I just kept choosing other products over it. If this was a battle of the best co-wash; this would would have a real potential. But, Bee Mine Daily Leave-in--- I got asi asi moisture but super oily hair. Meh, I don't think that I'm a fan.

Have you ever tried any other product in the Bee Mine Collection? 

Besitos!
KLP

 

[Review] Jessicurl Too Shea! Extra Moisturizing Conditioner (Battle of the Leave Ins)

Price: $16.95 (USD)

Purchased at: jessicurl.com or Amazon.com

Ingredients: Water (Aqua) infused with Equisetum Maximum Lam (Horsetail), Mentha Piperita (Peppermint), Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary), Laurus Nobilis (Bay Leaf), Ocimum Basilicum (Basil), Arctium Lappa (Burdock Root), Althaea Officinalis (Marshmallow Root), Origanum Vulgare (Oregano), Cymbopogon Flexuosus (Lemongrass), Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme), Salvia Officinalis (Sage) and Urtica Dioica (Nettle); Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Behentrimonium Methosulfate (and) Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Hydrolyzed Oat Flour, Soy Lecithin, Diazolidinyl Urea (and) Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate

Directions: 
Apply to wet hair, comb through and rinse after 3-5 minutes. Follow with your favorite Jessicurl styling products. Too Shea can also be left in for all day moisture on dry curls or used as a deep conditioner for finer hair that gets weighed down easily.

My Thoughts:
I received this product as a part of the Loving MY Hair giveaway sponsored by the lovely Miss Age in ATL back in March. She promised that my texlaxed hair would adore this conditioner and I was absolutely skeptical but excited. Does anyone else drool over her hair or is it just me?!? I digress---I've been searching for a daily light yet nourishing leave in to keep my hydrophilic roots happy, so I gave Jessicurl a try. 

My first impressions: Meh--I.hated.the.scent. I still don't care for it. Island Fantasy it is not! The scent isn't overpowering, extremely floral or perfumey. It just smells "earthy." Real talk---It smells like wet dirt to me. Which is typically why I shy away from natural produced products. They tend to smell weird. Ha-ha! So, I don't like the scent. However, it absorbs well, its not oily, and my hair adores that ingredient list! 

I love that this product is multipurpose. I've used it as a daily moisturizer, to cowash, and a post wash detangler. Used daily caused no build up. Cowashing with it was absolutely amazing; even my 14 week post relaxer roots were smooth and springy. Plus, this is my go to moisturizer when I want to create lasting, defined, and shiny bantu knots. It plays along nicely with hair butter as a sealer. Lucky for me---there is an unscented and citrus lavender version!

If the only thing that I can honestly complain about is the scent---then this one is leading the pack out of the gate.

The next challenger in my battle of the leave-ins: Bee Mine Daily Leave-In Conditioner.

Besitos!

KLP

Mini Wash Day -- Pool Hair, 6/7 weeks post

Hola Chicas!

It has only been two weeks of summer camp...and I feel like it has been a month! lol Well, I have not actually been in the pool too much this past week but here is an update on what I have done mid-week, and my most recent wash!

Pool day: I actually massaged a bit of Nexxus Hydralight Conditioner in my hair and pinned it up. After reading KLP's post, I plan on buying/trying Herbal Essences Hello Hydration! After swimming, I was running around with kids lol so my hair dried simply then I ran to shower to rinse my hair. Cowash...Cowash!! I just do not think my hair would survive if I didnt after swimming so frequently! .. Mid-week..I clarified with KeraCare Hydrating Detangling Shampoo...

Whole lotta New Growth!

Current Wash!

(1) Detangled with my fingers...I had some knots at my roots :/ soo I had to be gentle...Then I combed through with my Magic Star Jumbo Rake!


 
(2) Prepoo with my essential oil mix on my scalp, Matrix Biolage Hydration Conditioning Balm and CHI Deep Brillance Moisture on my length...I ran out of EVOO for my mix soo I actually put some extra virgin grapeseed oil in my mix (as a carrier)....WOW...I felt soooo much more tingling...and my scalp was sooooooooooooooo just whoa after the wash...pretty sure it is por que grapeseed oil is sooo light! I shall continue to experiment! :)

(3) Protien Treatment with Aphogee 2 step protien treatment... I realized I have not done a protien treatment in a while...but I do not personally like to keep it super long in my hair...soo I kept it in for about 2-5mins...

(3) Moisture Recovery Roux treatment for roughly 15-20mins (while I got sooo fresh n clean lol)

Back with a bow :)

(4) Tea Rinse with my fave tea! CC's Chamomile & Lavendar Tea! I shall be purchasing another batch of tea soon from CC's because mine is coming to an end :(

(5) Smoothed my hair with my last lil bit of Emergencia Intensive Moisture Split Ends Conditioner!

Leave-ins were Nexxus Hydralight Moisture Root Lift Mist, Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea and CHI silk infusion!

Side: Braids pulled to bun

My Hair Reality: I did some unique/different lol things this wash...but I loved it...My hair was manageable..and I was in love with my scalp! I decided to braid up my hair into SOMETHING lol...I have no clue..but me n my bro were late for "The Heat"! AWESOME MOVIE...any way..I ended up with a braidout for the week ...It started off strong Sunday but lol...my hair is not loving this humidity or rain...those in DMV area... I decided to do big twists (like french braid almost) for the night with satin roller on my ends for the night...Had beach waves :) hehe kinda...for the day... I will prob do some bantu knots ...idk..imma get it!


KLP has been rocking her curls...quite lovely! I gotta get on that level! lol

How are your braidouts!? Bantu Knots!?

Muahz!

Keyda

**Check out my full braidout through my instagram! :) It was a SundayFunday! lol