Healthy Hair Insight: My Favorite Detanglers

SOS Approved Detanglers

Every one and their mama has an opinion on when, how, and why you should detangle your tresses. My suggestion: do what works best for your hair in whatever order you prefer. Try out all of the methods and date a few products. Your journey is just that--yours. To help along the way, here are some of the best detanglers that I've tried, when I use them and why they're special to me:

Best Pre-Wash: Mizani D'Tangle
My thirsty roots soak up this milky detangler within seconds of spraying it on. Whilst it's rather thin, it gives awesome slip allowing me to remove shed hairs and tangles with ease. I love using it pre-wash to help the rest of my session roll smoothly. I'd probably never use it post wash because it leaves my hair with this icky coating that I'm not a fan of.

Best During Wash: Matrix Biolage Detangling Solution
I bought this detangler with the intentions of using it for a detangling leave in. Bad. Idea. It's just not moisturizing enough by itself for my hair. It is however, awesome for melting in wash tangles. I especially love it after my tea rinses. It rids my hair of that stiff feeling. It's slip + my high water pressure shower head gets my hair detangled in minutes without me having to manipulate my hair while wet.

Best Post Wash: It's a 10! (without keratin)
Hello slip! Which is why its my go to leave in late in my stretch to help me alleviate tangles and SSKs. If I have a particularly unruly tangle, I just spray one more pump of the leave-in on it then work out the tangle strand by strand. Its not oily and it truly does make you feel like you've added silk to your hair. I love the smoothness and softness it creates whether I air dry or use direct heat. I can't say that its an excellent moisturizer or that it gives me tons of shine---but I love having a product that I know will melt my knots but not weigh my hair down. 

What's your favorite detangler and when do you use it?

Besitos!
KLP

Wash Day

WOW---I survived two weeks without washing! Although moisturizing with Aloe Vera Juice and sealing with Kitchenista Hair Butter had my hair in heaven---I actually missed the feeling of washing my hair. With today's wash day---I grabbed a little shampoo to clarify and rid myself of two weeks of product application. Then, to add a little strength to my 12 weeks post hair, I went for a protein packed extreme deep condition.

Wash Day Products

1. Detangled- with my fingers.
2. Clarifying Shampoo- with diluted KeraCare 1st Lather Shampoo.
3. Moisturizing Shampoo- with diluted Matrix Biolage Hydratherapie Hydrating Shampoo.
4. Extreme deep condition- with JBCO and Philip Kingsley Flaky Itchy Scalp Toner on my scalp then Carol's Daughter Monoi Repairing Conditioner on the length of my hair. Then I sealed the conditioner with coconut oil, covered with a plastic cap and relaxed under my heat cap for about 2 hours. 
5. (Aloe) Green Tea Rinse- After rinsing the conditioner, I applied 4oz of steeped green tea + 4oz of Aloe Vera Juice, using a narrow tip applicator to my strands. I let it sit for a few minutes then rinsed. 
6. Smoothing Treatment- with a large dollop of Matrix Biolage Detangling Solution.
7. Air Dried- 90% with silk scarf.
8. Leave-Ins- Jessicurl Too Shea Extra Moisturizing Conditioner and my kitchenista Tangerine Vanilla Whipped Hair Butter.

The Annoying:
After shampooing my hair felt clean and light, but definitely not moisturized. I probably should have ditched my plans to use a protein conditioner here, but I didn't. Then when I went to rinse the Carol's Daughter Monoi Repairing Conditioner, I really wished that I would have listened to my inner hair voice. My hair felt stiff, matted and tangled. I've never had results like this before using this conditioner, so I won't place the blame there. I have just enough for another wash session left, so I'll reserve my review until then. 

The Indifferent: 
This was my first attempted at the Aloe Green Tea Rinse that I featured 2 weeks ago in the Sunday Hairology Medley. Meh...I don't have much to say about it. It wasn't awful---but I wasn't impressed either. I'll definitely give it another try though. 

Lost Hair: (L) Shower | (R) Detangling

The Good:

I only had a pea sized amount of loss hair from shampoo to deep conditioner to tea rinse/smoothing treatment. Was it the Philip Kingsley Flaky Itchy Scalp Toner that I've put back in rotation over the last two weeks? I don't have a clue. What I do know is that every time that I use this one on a regular basis, my shedding decreases. 

Matrix Biolage Detangling Solution is slowly winning me over. I love love love how much slip it provides to my roots, but hate that the moisturizing feeling completely disappears once its rinsed. Am I asking for too much here?

The Best:

Banana Clip French Twist

My hair screamed hallelujah when I began to apply Jessicurl Too Shea and hair butter. I'm very happy that I can always count on it to melt knots and moisturize the multiple textures on my head like crazy. Today's wash was definitely an example of how a great leave in cocktail can save your hair. Finger detangling took a little over an hour, but I didn't have to cut not a one SSK, I didn't lose anymore hair than normal in the process, and my hair definitely feels strengthened---which was my goal, I suppose.

Ah...it feels good to have my big hair back!

Besitos!
KLP

[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

 

Battle of the Leave-Ins

Battle of the Leave-Ins

A good leave-in can make or break your hair's shine, elasticity, and most importantly---your moisture swag.  My hair has been  dating a few leave-ins here and there, in search of it's ultimate soul mate. It's been a fun discovery process that I intend on sharing over a few posts. Before we get started, let me give you my perfect leave in run down:

What makes a moisturizer good...to me?

1. Hydration- My forever leave-in has to be the boost of moisture that wards of breakage in drought-like conditions and maintaining my post wash day moisture levels. I love my texlaxed hair because it's sassy, big, and very temperamental. The ideal leave in has to roll with the punches, warding off frizz and fuzz.
2. Nourishment- Read: ingredients that prevent the evaporation of said moisturizing product, preventing me from having to re-up daily. I need a margin of error for when I forget to moisturize at night and want to crash in bed---life is always trying its best to sabotage my hair.
3. Absorption- My strands have to want to soak up every bit of the moisturizer that I add. I'm not about that sticky-repelling-coated-icky feeling-hair-life. Yep. I just made that up. But y'all know what I mean. I'm all about smooth and soft strands. If it just sits on top of my hair and looks back at me stupid---it will be disqualified immediately! I'm looking for silkiness when spread plus a thick and creamy consistency. This leave in also has to play nice with whatever I choose to seal my hair with. Right now, I'm all about butters.

A little about my mane:

1. My strands are thick- Super thick. Many a bobby pin have been lost for days thick.
2. My strands are inconsistent- Thanks to my last relaxer, the back half of my hair looks like I'm transitioning. I have about an inch of super curly, 3-4 inches of not quite super curly, with the rest being wavy fluff. Not a bad thing. I actually kinda like it. But this leave in will have a few textures to keep muy contenta.
3. My strands are hydrophilic- Water loving. All day. Everyday. The first ingredient will have to be water.

If you are a regular SOS_Hair-ista, then you've seen these leave-ins here and there before. They were great contestants and I would have loved to keep them all, but there can only be one (for now...lol) winner!

Our first contestant: Jessicurl Too Shea! Extra Moisturizing Conditioner

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 Kitchenista: Tangerine Vanilla Hair and Body Whipped Butter

Top: Ingredients | Left: Cocoa, Shea, and Mango Butter | Right: Mixing in Action

If you're an SOS regular, then you know that I've mentioned wanting to DIY some hair butter. A few weeks ago, I feel in love with Koils by Nature Nourishing Hair and Body Butter (Heavenly Delight). I ran out of my sample size; Because KBN is relocating, I couldn't repurchase more. And yes---this made me a very sad chica. Anywho, I loved this hair butter too much to wait any longer, so last Sunday, I pulled out my hand mixer and went to work! As soon as their website is back to business, I'll repurchase. In the meantime-- here's how I whipped up my own: 

Tangerine Vanilla Hair and Body Whipped Butter 

    Ingredients:
    1/2 cup Shea Butter
    1/2 cup Cocoa Butter
    1/2 cup Mango Butter
    2 tbsp Jamaican Black Castor Oil
    1/2 cup Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
    1/2 cup Sweet Almond Oil
    2 tbsp Vitamin E Oil
    1/2 cup Aloe Vera Gel
    Tangerine Essential Oil
    Vanilla Oil (I purchased from my local farmer's market)

    Directions:

1. Melt the solid butters together over a double boiler (pot of boiling water and a glass/metal bowl).
2. Remove from heat. 
3. Using a hand mixer add the remaining ingredients, except the tangerine oil. 
4. Mix until completely blended (no lumps, hard bits, and homogenous color) and add Tangerine oil. 
5. As the blend cools, keep mixing until light and fluffy. Simple enough right?

How does this kitchenista verison stack up to KBN's butter:

So um---The fragrance is fantastic! I told my bestie that after using, I smelt like a Florida Orange Grove. She replied " Your so weird." <shrugs> That was totally a compliment, she just doesn't know it yet. Ha-ha! I love light, sweet, and citrus-y scents. The downside (imo) is that the scent doesn't linger as long as my KBN butter. The consistency is as light and fluffy as the KBN butter, but I wasn't quite able to incorporate the mango butter as well as I would have liked. I've noticed a few lumps in the mix. Will it prevent me from using it? Nope---I just rub a little between my palms, wait for it to melt, then apply to my hair (or body). A little goes a long way and putting it in a tub makes access to the product super easy, just like the KBN butter. I used it last wash day to seal and then every other day since. No real complaints. I do notice much more shine with the KBN butter than with my knockoff, but I think this can be cured by adding more oils to the next batch. I think that I'll also add a little aloe vera into the next batch to lighten things up even more. I'm using this batch for my curls this weekend--fingers crossed for fabulousity!

My Verdict:  
I'll definitely make this again. It was fun experimenting and getting to put exactly what I want in a product. Of course, I'm probably still buying the BIG JAR of KBN butter once the site is back up for business! My wallet hopes that it will be on sale!

Have you ever tried a whipped hair butter?

Besitos!
KLP

[Review] Koils by Nature Nourishing Hair and Body Butter (Heavenly Delight)

Price: $5 for 2oz sample size

Purchased at: Koils by Nature website (I purchased from the BHK Expo)

Ingredients: Shea butter, coconut oil, kokum butter, mango butter, avocado butter, aloe butter, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, *organic extra virgin olive oil, illipe butter, *Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Vitamin E, Pro-Vitamin (B5), *organic essential & fragrance oils.

Directions: Nourishing Hair & Body Butter is made from the best butters & oils nature provides, it will moisturize, revitalize, heal, and protect your hair and skin. The lightly scented heavenly butter will have you thinking of cookies, cakes and pies oh my! This butter smells delightful, please do not ingest, for external use only.
 

My Thoughts: I've tried a lot of products and techniques in my healthy hair journey, however this was the very first "hair butter" that's touched my strands. And I'm not sure if you noticed, but I LOVE IT. There is nothing about this product that my hair doesn't want. 

The scent is heavenly? Absolutely. It smells sweet, light, and slightly citrus-y; A lot like cake batter. The consistency is light and creamy. *shame face confession* I did think about tasting it.  It looks exactly like the whipped butter from my fave restaurant Mike's "American." Yum! *drools a little while deep in thought* Okay, okay. Back to the review... If you love the sealing properties of butters like shea and coconut but hate the heaviness, then this butter is a winner. Yes, it does sit a little on your hair, but within seconds, all of that buttery goodness absorbs into your strands sealing in moisture and locking out fuzzy frizz. It's super easy to apply---it melts with the warmth of your hands and you'll only want to use just a dab at a time because a little goes a long way. Here are a few ways I've used it: 

• Daily sealing after moisturizing my hair with a creamy leave-in. 
• As the "oil" or sealant in my bantu knot cocktail
• To moisturize my entire body. (Perfect for rough knees and elbows)

Did I mention that this stuff smells AH-mazing? *reads back* Yep--I did. Okay, but I just want to reiterate. It is the best smelling product in my hair stash. This butter delivers a low product build up with a high sealant ability. Being in a tub, allows easy access to every nook and cranny. The 2oz sample lasted me for a little over a month (even with use as a body butter on both myself and my kiddos). Would I buy again? Heck yeah! Why haven't I? Keep reading---

As I alluded to in my last wash day post, I made a kitchenista Tangerine Vanilla Whipped Butter mimicking the ingredients in this butter. I bet you are asking why in the world would I go through all the trouble to make it myself? Well---KBN is in the process of moving their headquarters from the DMV to Atlanta, GA (Congrats, Pamela!). But they have temporarily closed their website. *sad face* Long story short, I love this hair butter too much to wait any longer, so last Sunday, I pulled out my hand mixer and went to work! As soon as their website is back to business, I'll repurchase. The BIG JAR this time!

Have you ever used a hair butter or any products from KBN?

Besitos!
KLP

Mini Wash Day

*This mini wash occurred on Sunday 8/18.

My boring weekday hair- a variety of buns: low, high, and pulled to the side. My sexy weekend hair- big bouncy curls courtesy of bantu knots. I haven't really fussed with my hair during the week because my weekends have been super busy. Last weekend, my hubby and I traveled to Atlantic City for a little fun in the sun. I was worried that my hair would become a big old fuzz ball from the humidity and wind, luckily my knot cocktail of Jessicurl Too Shea! Extra Moisturizing Conditioner + Shea Butter + Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie kept my curls looking amazing. 

I considered using a little shampoo this week because I wasn't sure if I would be able to get a good deep condition because of product build up---then the thought of jumping in and out of the shower made me shudder. I'll definitely shampoo next week. Here's how my wash day went:

Wash Day Products

1. Detangled- using my Magic Star Jumbo Rake seamless comb.
2. Extreme Deep Condition- with JBCO and my essential oil blend on my scalp and Carol's Daughter Monoi Repairing Conditioner on the length of my hair. Then I massaged coconut oil into my strands, covered with a plastic cap and relaxed under my heat cap for about 2 hours.
3. Tea Rinse- I rinsed the conditioner then with 2 green tea bags steeped in 2 cups of water. I applied my tea rinse using a narrow tip applicator. I let it sit for a few minutes and rinsed. 
4. Smoothing Treatment- Next, I applied a large dollop of Nexxus Hydralight Weightless Moisture Conditioner, massaged it in from root to tip for a minute or two then rinsed in sections. I probably manipulated my hair a little too much while rinsing because I noticed more tangles than usual post wash--Note to self not to do that again.
5. Air Dried- 90% with silk scarf.
6. Leave-Ins-  Herbal Essences Touchably Smooth Split End Protector and my kitchenista Tangerine Vanilla Whipped Hair Butter.

Results: 
Say it ain't so; Have I really found a product by Carol's Daughter that I like? Meh---I won't say it just yet. Ha-ha. But I do adore the soft, fluffy, strong hair that I was left with. My scalp felt clean in spite of not using shampoo and my ends look decent. After detangling and applying my leave-ins, I pulled my hair back into a low bun to finish drying. This week will be full of buns and of course my big curly hair will make an appearance this weekend! We'll be celebrating our anniversary in the city so y'all know that I gotta look cute! Ha-ha!

How was your last wash day?

Besitos!
KLP

Mini Wash

I'm so happy to be back to mini washing. Jumping in and out of the shower several times in one day is pure torture. This week, I moisturized with my Kitchenista Loco Leave in of Herbal Essences Hello Hydration thinned out with Aloe Vera Juice. Meh---I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. But it wasn't a disaster. Ha-ha. I'm going to try a few more weeks and report back my results.

This week, I pretty much alternated low, high, and side buns. Saturday I attempted a bantu knot out. It was gorgeous while en route to visit my sister-in-law. Then, after about 3 hours, I looked in the mirror. BIG HAIR CENTRAL. I gave in and just pulled it all up into a high bun messy style. Heat and humidity- 1. KLP- 0. Gracias a Dios por buns. Later that day, I got stuck in the rain at a baseball game so I was glad that my hair was already up and tucked away. Rain- 1 KLP- 0. When I got home, I rinsed my hair and applied a little Matrix Biolage Hydratherapie Detangling Solution once my hair was about 90% dry. Omgosh, this stuff has the most amazing slip. Even though the directions said that it was a rinse out detangler. I thought that it would be great as a leave in. And I was right---until my hair was completely dry and completely moisture-less. So, I re-read the ingredients: BOOM Isopropyl alcohol. Wack drying ingredients- 1 KLP- 0 <hangs head>. I'm so not #winning right now. Ha-ha. Luckily, wash day was the next day. Here's how my wash day went:

Wash Day Products

1. Detangled- using my Magic Star Jumbo Rake seamless comb.
2. Extreme Deep Condition- with JBCO and my essential oil blend on my scalp and Halka Baba de Caracol on the length of my hair. Then I massaged coconut oil into my strands, covered with a plastic cap and relaxed under my heat cap for about 2 hours.
3. Tea Rinse- I rinsed the conditioner then with 2 green tea bags steeped in 2 cups of water. I applied my tea rinse using a narrow tip applicator. I let it sit for a few minutes and rinsed. 
4. Smoothing Treatment- Next, I applied a large dollop of Nexxus Hydralight Weightless Moisture Conditioner, massaged it in from root to tip for a minute or two then rinsed. I love Nexxus products and I was super anxious to try this one, but my hair just isn't feeling the love; I'm forcing myself to use it up so that I can make room in my stash.
5. Air Dried- 90% with silk scarf.
6. Leave-Ins- Bee Mine Bee Lovely Moisturizing Daily Conditioner to moisturize and Almond Oil to seal.

Naked 90% Air dried hair

Results:
#WINNING! My big fluffy soft moisturized hair is back! Baba de Caracol always does the trick y'all! I will never doubt this conditioner. And you can win it in our Dominican Giveaway. There's only one day left to enter!

How was your latest wash day?

Besitos!




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Healthy Hair Insight: To Trim Or Not To Trim

To trim or not to trim

April 2011

Before Cut March 2013

After Cut March 2013

I've struggled repeatedly (at least 2-3 times a year---every year) with whether or not I should trim or let my uneven ends grow out. I do believe that some individual hairs grow faster than others and that unevenness isn't necessarily attributed to breakage. I also believe that regular micro trimming keeps split ends at bay by preventing the split damage from going up the hair shaft.

I'm a cheerleader for health over length. I understand that there is no sense in holding on to raggedy ends make the hair appear longer; but how can you tell if your ends look scraggly because of the pace that your hair grows or because you're having a setback, if you trim as soon as a hair in your hemline is out of place?

Thus far along this journey, I've opted to trim as soon as a hair is out of place. I cut over 6 inches of my hair last year at random times so I vowed to keep the scissors hidden this year. Now, I micro-trim after each relaxer touch up about every 12-16 weeks. After my first touch up of 2013, I trimmed. Probably a bit too much; My ends didn't really need it and I'm wondering if it would do me more justice to just protect, baby, protect, then trim at the end of year. Decisions. Decisions. What's a girl who loves blunt ends to do?

Besitos!

KLP

Kitchenista Hair Products That I'm Anxious To Try

Shocker alert: I love mixing my own hair cocktails and concoctions. I know---that's no surprise if you've been following SOS Hair for a little while. Ha-ha! My husband just shakes his head when he sees tea steeping or me mashing up an avocado hair smoothie. After being married for 5 years, he doesn't even bother asking. Any who, here are some recipes for a few kitchenista hair products that I'm anxious to try:

Loco Leave-In

Ingredients:
1 part of your favorite moisturizing co washing conditioner (Mine is Herbal Essence Hello Hydration Conditioner)
1 part Aloe Vera juice

Directions:
Mix the ingredients together well. Apply this leave-in daily when your hair needs a moisture lift then seal with an oil or butter. 

Whipped Butter

Ingredients:
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp coconut oil
¼ cup aloe vera gel
½ cup shea butter

Directions:
Mix the ingredients together using a hand mixer on low speed. Apply this whipped butter to freshly washed damp hair for locking in moisture or use it for twisting.

What are you favorite kitchenista cocktails?

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

Vacation Wash Day

With my sister-in-law in Florida

Hola Loves!

It's holiday vacation time! I've spent the last week or so shopping, relaxing, and kicking it with family. It really can't get any better than this! I've co-washed every three days, air drying then setting my hair with Bantu Knots. However, after a day at the pool and a few sweat drenching runs in 90+ degree weather, it was beyond time to give my tresses a good wash.

1. Detangled in the same sections that my hair was knotted in. Then added a little coconut oil to aid in detangling and moisturizing.
2. Shampoo- with my favorite clarifying product KeraCare 1st Lather Shampoo to clarify first and then Matrix Biolage Hydratherapie Hydrating Shampoo to give my back some moisture. Don't forget to enter the Matrix Giveaway so that you can win your very own bottle!
3. Extreme deep condition with Halka Baba de Caracol and a bit more coconut oil massaged into my hair. I really concentrated on my roots and ends. I covered with a plastic cap and relaxed under my heating cap for about an hour.
4. Air dried for about 30 minutes then speed detangled using It's a 10 Miracle Leave in.

I pulled my hair up into a high bun then bantu knotted my bangs for soft curls. This wash I skipped my tea rinse and I hope it wasn't a mistake. But I totally forgot my smoothing conditioner and I didn't want to deal with hard or brittle hair. My hair has been on its very best behavior especially considering that I'm 3 months post.

Hope you guys are having a great start to the summer!

Besitos!
KLP

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[Review] Matrix Biolage Hydratherapie Hydrating Shampoo

Price: $14.25 for 16.9oz
Purchased at: Amazon.com
Promises: Gently cleanses and moisturizes very dry, thick, coarse hair. Formulated with nurturing silk amino acids to help smooth and control unwanted volume, resulting in intesely soft, rich and sumptuous hair.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Cocamide MEA, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance, Benzyl Alcohol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Citric Acid, Glycol Distearate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Tetrasodium EDTA, Polysorbate 20, Hexyl Cinnamal, Coumarin, Linalool, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Hydroxycitronellal, Amyl Cinnamal, Geraniol, Algae (Algae Extract), Pollen Extract, Saponaria Officinalis (Saponaria Officinalis Extract), Salvia Officinalis (Sage Leaf Extract), Cymbopogon Schoenanthus (Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract), Triticum Vulgare (Wheat Germ Oil), Yellow 5 (CI 19140)

Directions: Apply to wet hair massage gently and well.  Rinse well.

My Thoughts:
This is my all time favorite shampoo! It cleans my scalp whilst being very gentle and super moisturizing for my strands. I had religiously use KeraCare Hydrating Detangling Shampoo until my mother in law introduced me to this little gem earlier this year. I like it better than KeraCare because it just does a better job of cleansing my hair without stripping it. Plus the scent is better. It has the same light, fresh and clean scent that the Hydratherapie line is famous for. You don't have to use much to get a good lather, so the bottle lasts for months. It's paraben free but not sulfate free. If you're avoiding sulfates you'll want to avoid this one. 

Enter the Bun Effect Giveaway for a chance to win this product!
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Besitos!
KLP