Got Dry Roots? Try These Tips...

By: Divachyk of RelaxedThairapy

Dry matted and tangled roots is the stretchers worst enemy. Check out Divachyk's 8 tips to combat breakage:

1. Shed hair removal Allowing shed hairs to remain trapped within your roots can block the road to hydration. Think of it this way, removing shed hairs creates an open path for moisturizer to travel to all the right spots to penetrate down into every inch of your roots.
2. Hydrating spritz Spritzing your roots simply with your favorite water-based hydrating leave-in really kicks things up a notch. You are able to control the stream and get to those trouble spots that are easily missed.
3. Deliberate application Be deliberate and intentional about moisturizing your roots. I have attempted this method with my fingers and a applicator brush. Both methods work great.
4. Work in sections Tackling your entire head at once can be a bit overwhelming and increases the opportunity for uneven product application. Working in sections makes navigating through thick curly roots easier plus it ensures product application is maximized and reaches all areas.
5. Co-washing Hydration city. Co-washing is a creamy dreamy moment and literally softens hair on the spot. Check out My Faves for product ideas!
6. Avoid Shampoo You don't have to shampoo your hair with every wash. Some times, shampoo can be overly drying which leads to tangled, matted and unmanageable hair. Ain't no body got time for that! Opt for a cleansing conditioner as it gets the hair clean without robbing moisture and keeping tangles at bay. Check out My Faves for product ideas!
7. Baggying Simple yet effective. It involves using a plastic processing cap (or equivalent) to cover your head for several hours or even overnight. The process works by using your body heat to generate moisture. This is a great moisture boost throughout the week. The baggy method can be done with or without product. I prefer using product as the baggy magnifies the moisturizer and softens roots.
8. Steaming Steaming is accomplished by using moist heat to open the cuticle and allow better penetration of product. No hair steamer? Don't fret. Check out: How to Steam Hair Without a Steamer!

Suggested Technique:

1. Moisturize in sections--this separates the hair so that you can get into your roots and moisturize really well.
2. Applicator tip bottle--use an applicator tip bottle to apply a creamy, moisturizing product to your roots.
3. LOC method--product application order matters. Liquid, oil then creamy moisturizer. The oil seals in the liquid and the creamy product boosts hydration. Sounds weird but I promise it works.

Which of these tips would you try?

[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] 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

SOS Hair Heroes: Age in Atl

Have you ever seen a gorgeous head of hair out and about and wanted to just pick their brain about what they've done to grow it without being rude, obnoxious, or weird? *Looks around and timidly raises hand* That's how I felt when I first discovered Age in Atl's blog Loving MY Hair. She's so encouraging and helpful. Plus she graciously agreed to be featured in SOS Hair's first Hair Heroes Interview!

When and at what length did you start HHJ?
I started my HHJ in May of 2009 at full APL. I never had broken off or damaged hair. I was originally searching the internet for cures for a dry scalp and came across Traycee's  page. I. WAS. IN. AWE of her hair. I had never seen waist length hair on an African American woman (that wasn't weave). I knew right then and there that I wanted it too! I have reached WL three times but I was never in love with my ends. The first time I reached WL, I had to chop because of a bad haircut. The second time was due to transitioning to texlaxed hair. I wanted to get rid of the relaxed ends quicker. This past time, my ends were holding up well, but due to a scissor happy stylist, I am no longer WL.

Currently, how long is your hair and what's your goal length?

I am currently full BSL and transitioning. My goal length is WHIP length (between waist length and hip length) but right now, I am just trying to maintain the overall health of my hair as I transition long-term. My short term goal is to reach full MBL by the summer and maintain it until the end of the year. I want to trim about 3 inches each year until I am at a comfortable length to big chop. I am in no hurry to be fully natural nor do I hate my texlaxed hair, so I am fine with a long transition!

What's your hair regimen?

I currently wash or cowash twice a week (on Sunday and Wednesday). I DC after every single wash for a minimum of an hour. I am now cowashing more often, so I may shampoo once every 3rd or 4th wash. I clarify once every 6-8 weeks. I damp bun after every wash unless I want to wear my hair out for a twist/plait/braid/bantu knot out (usually just on the weekends). I flat iron about 4 times a year, but I have cut that down since I started transitioning. I will flat iron in April but won't again until my birthday in September and maybe again for New Years. I leave my hair alone between wash days. I spray my hair with a moisturizing mix (distilled water, EVCO, and some camille rose hair milk) to keep it moist, but I do not manipulate it. It helps to keep breakage at bay. I keep it VERY simple. You can also check out my regimen for more details: http://wwwlovingmyhair.blogspot.com/p/current-regimen.html

If you could only give 3 pieces of advice, what are the things that have helped you achieve and maintain your hair the most?

1. Keeping my scalp clean has contributed to my growth. It allows the hair to grow uninhibited without your pores being clogged. 
2. Deep conditioning has definitely helped with my retention. It keeps my hair moisturized, strong and healthy.
3. Moisturizing and sealing. Even though I do not do this between wash days, I do it ON wash day. After I am done t-shirt drying, I apply my leave in and seal with an oil. Deep conditioning and moisturizing and sealing on wash day keeps my hair soft and hydrated for days. That is why I am able to just spray my hair down between wash days.

One tip has contributed to my growth while the other two have contributed to my retention. But, I have to add ONE more! Proper detangling. Improper detangling can cause thinned out ends and breakage. Use the right tool, work from the ends, and be gentle with your hair.

Oh, a chica after my own heart. I just love her tips: proper detangling, deep conditioning, and moisturizing/sealing #ftw.

Un mil besitos
KLP