Mini Wash Day

Extreme Deep Condition Products

Notes: Even after daily drenching workouts, my hair still felt incredibly soft last week. It was almost impossible for me to keep my fingers out it my head! Honestly, I didn't even feel like it was my hair. After reviewing my post from last week, I couldn't find the magical "it" that made my hair sooooo soft. I didn't deep condition as long as I usually do, I didn't use as many tea bags in my tea rinse as I usually do, and I used all of the same products that I always do when I flat iron. The only variable was my week of moisturizing with tea. Hmm...


(0) Detangled with my Magic Star Jumbo Rake in vertical sections.
(1) Extreme Deep Condition: Applied Philip Kingsley Flaky/Itchy Scalp Toner and my essential oil blend to my scalp, and Carol's Daughter Monoi Repairing Conditioner to the length of my hair. Then I coated my strands with Argan oil, covered with a plastic cap  and the sat under my heating cap for a couple of hours.

After adding Extreme Deep Condition Products

(2) Tea Rinse with 2 green tea bags and 2 cups of water in a narrow tip applicator bottle.

(3) Smoothing Treatment- Then I massaged Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Daily Treatment into my hair (without rinsing the tea first) and let sit for about 10 minutes. I rinsed with cool water. 
(4) Air dry- I let my hair dry 85% in a cotton t-shirt. Next, I detangled and add my leave-ins. 
(5) Leave-ins- This is week 2 of moisturizing with tea using the LOC method. LOC- Liquid, Oil, Cream simply refers to the order in which you apply your leave-in products. In sections, I detangled, sprayed my hair with green tea, applied argan oil, and then sealed with Jessicurl's Too Shea Conditioner. 

Results: Moisturized, soft, big, fluffy hair plus very little shed hair. I attempted to install individual twists, then I saw my hubby's face half way through the process. He looked like he saw a ghost. I looked in the mirror---and agreed. I untwisted, bunned then called it a day! You win some and you loose some. Ha-ha!

My first impressions of Carol's Daughter Monoi Repairing Conditioner: Meh--I.hate.the.scent. Ugh. Again---another "natural" product with an awful scent. Its not "stinky," I just don't care for earthy, heavy, musky scents. I'm more of a citrus, flowery, sweet, light scent lover.  However, It absorbed into my hair like butter. I've never had a conditioner do this before. When I was done putting in the conditioner, I felt like all the product was gone. So weird. Its not oily and even though I would stick it with a protein conditioner label, it's well balanced. Meaning that my hair feels soft yet very strong after use. Carol's Daughter makes tons of claims about the use of this product that I'll reserve my comments on until I finish the bottle then post a complete review. But to be brief: I'm not believing in that "96% less breakage after one use?" line. Then again, I don't experience much breakage to begin with.

Anywho, I'm excited to be on week 2 of LOCing with tea. I'll continue the experiment for one more week after this one, and then I have a wedding, so I'll be straightening. Fingers crossed the same soft and silky results from last week! You guys want to help me pick a bridesmaid hairstyle?

Un mil besitos!

KLP

[Review] Nexxus HydraLight Moisture Root Lift Mist

Price: $19.99

Purchased at: Local Grocery Store or Amazon

Promises:

Provides hair with up to 4X volume boost and all over shine

Features silicone-free formula, infused with an advanced blend of deep sea minerals, antioxidants and nutrients

H2O Nutrient-Rich Technology is included in the formula to delicately nourish hair strand by strand

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), VP/VA Copolymer, Polyquaternium-11, SD Alcohol 40-B (Alcohol Denat.), Propylene Glycol, PEG-2 Oleammonium Chloride, Fragrance (Parfum), Citric Acid, DMDM Hydantoin, Dipropylene Glycol, Methyldibromo Glutaronitrile, Hydrogenated Coconut Oil, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Sea Salt, Red 33 (CI 17200), Blue 1 (CI 42090)
Directions: Towel dry hair after washing, hold bottle 20 cm from head and spray on hair from roots to ends for all over volume and lasting style. OR spray closer to head to target more lift at root. Dry hair: spray lightly into root area using round brush to lift and dry roots for style boost.

My thoughts: So, I bought this product based off of the excitement of KLP! :) My first time using this product, I sprayed it all over my hair while probably 60% air dried. I actually think I sprayed too much because my hair felt coated. However, when I spray just a tad bit all over, I luvss it! My hair feels super soft and with a touch of chi silk infusion...super shiny. I have used this product on my dry hair with a focus on my roots. My roots, especially during this long stretch, have been loving this product. They feel extra moisturized with this lovely bounce about them! I think this is definitely a staple for my roots during the stretch and a good rotating product as a leave-in. This product is definitely a potential staple assuming nothing changes!

Has anyone else tried this new line!? Thoughts!?

Muahz
Keyda

Travel Mini Wash

Hola!

So, I went on travel for work with a bunch of bright teenagers! :) Our future leaders! I decided to do a mini-wash that Friday with plans to complete another full wash or mini this wednesday. I know a late post.... really busy weekend! I shall be also posting reviews and my process of perfecting the best curls! :D


(1) Detangled with my magic comb and I forgot my oils! So, I did not have them for my scalp :(
(2)DC: I placed Emergencia Intensive Moisture Split Ends Conditioner  with Coconut Oil and Organix Moroccan Argan Oil Moisturizing Treatment on length of my hair ....then chilled in hotel..fun work times! lol
(3) Tea Rinse: After figuring out the coffee machine that morning... after my DC...I did a tea rinse with my CC's Naturals Lavender & Chamomile Tea (Yummm! Review soon). Trying something different almost thinking like KLP! .. I kept tea in my hair for a bit and massaged my Nexxus HydraLight Conditioner and kept that in my hair for a few mins.

My Hair Reality: My hair loved the conditioner with the tea rinse... My hair was extra soft and I was almost tempted to hold off moisturizing/sealing next day! I shall be continuing the process of conditioning with my tea rinse to see how I like it. I believe it is basically my "smoother"like what KLP does. I did a braid out and love my fluffy curls! I plan on doing flexi-rods next full wash but I think I shall be sticking with braid-outs for my stretch! My roots have been super soft too! I luvss it!

#noheatftw #9 weeks post relaxer

Sorry no pics! :(  I forgot my camera but promise pictures shall accompany my next braidout this week!

[Review] It's A 10! Miracle Leave-In (Plus Keratin)

It's a 10 Miracle Leave in (with and without keratin)

Price: $24.95 for 10oz
Purchased at: Amazon.com
Promises: Does 10 things instantly-

1. Repair dry damaged hair
2. Adds shine
3. Smooths & controls frizz
4. Seals & protect hair color
5. Flat iron spray & thermal protector
6. Detangles
7. Stops hair breakage
8. Creates silkiness
9. Enhances natural body
10. Prevents split ends

Ingredients: Purified aqua, cetearyl alcohol, behentrimonium chloride, methylparaben, propylparaben, propylene glycol, panthenol, cydomethicone, silk amino acids, sunflower seed extract, tea leaf extract, quaternium80, fragrance, eugenol3, coumarin3, cinnamal3, linalo

Directions: After shampoo and conditioner, spray product all over hair and comb through.

My Thoughts: 
The scent is pleasing. The consistency is quite thick so a little goes a long way. After air drying 80-90%, I section my hair, spray 4-5 pumps into my hands, rub between my palms then apply to my hair. Considering the price---only having to use a little is a very good thing. The first time that I used it, I used too much (I also used it on soaking wet hair) and it did make my hair feel weighed down. I purchased the 10oz bottle in November and I still have 2/3 of the bottle left. I call that a great value. It provides tons of 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 (which is why I use it in conjunction with my fave shine provider Chi Silk Infusion) but I still love it and will repurchase until the makers give me a reason not to (ie: If they change the formula. Grrr! That grinds my gears!)

I've also used the Plus Keratin version, but I wasn't very happy with the results. My hair felt weighed down, coated and stiff. No smoothness, no softness no fluffiness. I've come to realize that my hair doesn't really like protein leave-ins on a regular basis. If your hair isn't a fan of protein---don't risk it---I'd skip this version all together.

Birthday Buys

Last weekend, I celebrated my birthday by doing all of the things that I love: spending time with my wonderful family, cutting up with my besties, and shopping for goodies for my hair. I know---I'm a dweeb and ridiculously easily satisfied (This is a #judgementfreezone though!) Nonetheless, I had a great time. Here's few of the cool things that I picked up:

Birthday Buys

1. Carol's Daughter Coconut Shuffle- I received this body cream free with a $25 CD purchase at my exchange. Perfect for softening rough elbows and knees after a dry winter.
2. Carol's Daughter Hair Milk (Original) Leave-in- I fell in love with the Hair Milk Conditioner when I started using it on my little ones' hair a few months ago. I think (please tell me if I am wrong), since then that conditioner was discontinued, so I picked up the Hair Milk Original Leave-In. I hope that it works just as well.
3. Carol's Daughter Monoi Repairing Conditioner- I only bought this one to get to the $25 limit and get a free gift. Ha-ha! #judgementfreezone! I've never been a big fan of CD for my own hair, but one of you could win this in our first giveaway in a few weeks. Stay tuned!
4. Nexxus Hydra-Light Conditioner- Y'all know that I've wanted to try this since January. I just refused to pay full price though. When I saw that my commissary finally had it for less than $9 and I had a coupon for $1 off, I had to buy it and I can not wait to try it!
5. Nexxus Hydra-Light Foaming Leave In- After Keyda's review of the conditioner and reading up on the ingredients in this leave in, I thought to myself: either Hydra Light sucks or its amazing but there is nothing in between. Let's hope for the latter!  Castor oil, glycerin and coconut oil in a conditioning foam? Is it too good to be true?  I'll see in a few weeks!



I love snagging a good deal!

6. Hair accessories- May begins our 30 in 30 series where we plan to feature a new protective style each daily. It's definitely going to be a challenge but you guys keep us honest and truly motivated. Flashy accessories make updos, braids, and twists so much more fun! The silver cuff is a pony holder. (Think Madonna 90s Blonde Ambition sky high pony.) The pink band is a jeweled headband. (Think chic boho pin up) 

Have you tried any of my recent buys? Share your thoughts below!

Un mil besitos
KLP

Healthy Hair Insight: Daily Moisturizing Tea Treatment Experiment

Tea Spritz, JessiCurl Too Shea!, & Argan Oil

Healthy Hair & Tea: A Match Made In Heaven?

I've been faithful to tea rinsing for about 4 months now in an attempt to prevent the shedding that caused me to loose a couple of inches last Spring. I can say without doubt that tea rinsing has decreased my shedding; It's also made me wonder--if a spritz of tea on my scalp daily could decrease my shedding even more? This brillant idea hit me as Keyda and I penned our Your Hair On: Tea Rinses post a few weeks ago. I was already deep into my stretch and I didn't want to experiment with 2 inches of super curly roots, because breakage is a long term stretcher's worst enemy. I feared that the tea would dry out my hair, cause reversion, and could increase SSKs. Unconsidering that my stretch had been uneventful, why fix it if it ain't broke?

Let the experimenting roll!
Last wash day, I put my fears aside, I decided to start an experiment applying tea as a leave-in using the LOC method of moisturizing. LOC- Liquid, Oil, Cream simply refers to the order in which you apply your leave-in products. Daily, in sections, I finger detangled, sprayed my hair with green tea, applied argan oil, and then sealed with Jessicurl's Too Shea Conditioner. Now, this is my right time using the LOC method. I'm a moisturize with a cream/seal with an oil kind of girl. So, just getting the hang of the new order of operations will take some time to sit right. I thought that the products would cause a build up on my hair, it didn't. I thought that my hair would feel weighed down, it didn't. I thought that my hair might feel dried out; it didn't. In fact, after a week of moisturizing with tea then washing, my hair felt AMAZING. Silky. Smooth. Soft. Straightening took no time.I had no shed hairs in the shower and very very little while flat ironing.

While I can't call this experiment exactly scientific and I won't call daily tea spritzing "the best ever!" just yet, I am encouraged enough by the results from my first week to try it again for a week after my next wash. To be sure that the benefits were from the tea, I plan to change my moisturizing cream to Herbal Essences Touchably Smooth Split End Protector for a week, then change the sealing oil to grapeseed for a week. Y claro que sí, I'll share my first impressions in the next weeks and then after a month, I'll do a final wrap up.

Would you ever consider using tea as a daily moisturizer?

Un mil besitos!
KLP 

 

Mini Wash

Notes: Last week, I decided to start an experiment applying tea as a leave-in using the LOC method of moisturizing. LOC- Liquid, Oil, Cream simply refers to the order in which you apply your leave-in products. Daily, in sections, I detangled, sprayed my hair with green tea, applied argan oil, and then sealed with Jessicurl's Too Shea Conditioner. More details about my week one results in another post. 

Today, I washed with flat ironing in mind. My bestie took me out this weekend for my birthday and I wanted my tresses straight and flowing. 

(0) Detangled with my Magic Star Jumbo Rake in vertical sections. Again, detangling 2 week post hair is a breeze compared to 15 week+ hair. (1) Extreme Deep Condition: Applied Philip Kingsley Flaky/Itchy Scalp Toner and my essential oil blend to my scalp, and Matrix Biolage Ultra- Hydrating Balm to the length of my hair. Then, I covered with a plastic cap  and the sat under a heating cap for 45 minutes.

(2) Mini Tea Rinse with 1 green tea bag and a few ounces of water of water. I let the rinse sit on my hair for about 5 minutes.

(3) Smoothing Treatment- Then I massaged Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Daily Treatment into my hair (without rinsing the tea first) and let sit for about 5 minutes. I rinsed with cool water.  (4) Air dry- I let my hair dry 85% in a cotton t-shirt. Next, I detangled and add my leave-ins. 
(5) Leave-ins- It's a 10! and Chi Silk infusion
(6) Flat-ironed with my Solia iron.
Results: The most moisturized and soft post straightened hair that I've ever had! Ladies---I just can not believe how silky my hair feels. I'm not going to give all of the credit to daily LOC moisturizing with tea all week, but I won't say that it wasn't either. For my night on the town I installed a few hot rollers to give my hair a little bounce. Even though the curls fell before I left the house, like I anticipated, I still loved the results. Sorry no pics. :(

I'm really happy with how little I've been shedding. I had just a little shedding in my pre and post wash detangling, none in the shower, and 6 strands during flat ironing. Plan Shed Dread is working thus far!

Pre-wash shed hair

Post wash shed hair

How was your wash day?
Un mil besitos!
KLP

SOS: Protective Styling- Only Minutes to Win it

I love the "Minute to Win it" protective styling series because all of the styles have "legs"; Meaning that once you've mastered it, you can change up small pieces of the puzzle and create a completely different style! Today, I want to introduce you to my take on Keyda's French Braid style.

  
Quick How to: 

1. Detangle and moisturize your hair. 
2. Split your hair in half from front to back. Flip out of the way. Then create a deep side part. Pull this section (only) into a double strand flat twist. Twist complete to the bottom of your hair. 
3. Take this twist and coil it into itself, to create a pseudo-bang. Secure the coil with a bobby pin. 
4. Dutch braid the back two sections and use a metal-free elastic to secure a ponytail. 
5. Twist your pony into a bun. Secure with bobby pins.

I love jazzing this style up with flower accessories to make it just a little more special. It also holds up extremely well. Simply cover with a satin bonnet at night and it can last for 2-3 days. Who says that heat free protective styling is boring?

Enjoy!
Un mil besitos
KLP

[Review] Tropic Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil

Price: 15.09 for 8oz

Purchased at: Amazon

Promises: Topic Isle Jamaican Black Castor oil is made the traditional hand processed way. Use in hair, skin moisturizer, and massage oil for aces and pains.

Ingredients: 100% Natural Jamaican Black Castor Oil

Directions: Apply to hair like hair grease for moisturizing purposes Massage into scalp for healthy hair growth and scalp problems. If you have dry, perm and colored hair, add 3 tablespoon black castor oil to your favorite conditioner. It adds extra moisture to your hair and seals it in. Use for hot oil treatments: warm three tablespoon castor oil and massage into hair then put on heating cap for half hour. Or massage 3 table spoons of black castor oil into hair, put on heating cap then go under dryer for 10 minutes. 

My Thoughts: In 2010, after struggling with scalp irritation after my relaxers, I started using regular castor oil to base my scalp. The results were great; the itchy, tight, and flaky scalp that I has come to associate with the days following a relaxer was gone. I researched other ways to use it in my hair regimen, but I found it too greasy to use daily with my sleek, straighten hair. Most hair boards and blogs are run a muck with Castor Oil challenges and have advertised its benefits for years. I just couldn't convince myself to buy into the hype. That is until last September. Whilst chatting with my good friend (a natural diva who runs I DO Wedding Connection in Maryland), she mentioned the growth that her sister-in-law saw with she committed to daily JBCO scalp massages. That's when I said, "Self: YOU need to get on this." That night I ordered my first bottle. 
After almost 7 months of using JBCO weekly, I'm just running out of my 8oz bottle. This product is very very thick and a little goes a long way. Once I realized how little I needed to use, I was able to avoid that greasy feeling that had turned me off in the past. My nose is easily offended by smells; I actually don't care for the scent at all. It's that same earthy/burnt scent that accompanies a lot natural products. When I first started to use it, I swear that it felt like my scalp couldn't breathe. I guess that I just needed some time to adjust to the tingly feeling on my scalp and the scent. Now, I don't notice either.

How I've used it:
(1) Pre-poo: I'll massage in my essential oil blend then top it with a little JBCO and conditioner. 
(2) Mid Week Scalp Massage: Once a week I'd use a tiny amount to massage into my scalp whilst moisturizing and sealing. I just couldn't convince myself to do it and more than that. 
(3) Sealer: When I went on my heat detox, I didn't have to fret over weighing down my straight hair with oil. I would moisturize, seal with JBCO, then pin my hair into whatever style I fancied. 

Will I replace my bottle? Yep. Here's why:
- I can't say that my hair is thicker, because it is naturally very thick.
- I can't say that my hair grew any faster, I experienced the same 2 1/2 - 3" of new growth that I see every 12-16 week stretch. 
- My ends fared much better this stretch than ever before during my HHJ. This just be because they were more moisturized and I was participated in the L4LPSC for the last 3 months. 
- My roots well much more manageable during my most recent stretch. They felt more moisturized and seemed to retain moisture better throughout the week.

So, If I can protect and nourish my roots plus maintain my ends with JBCO--then it is definitely a winner in my book!

How do you use JBCO in your regimen?

Un mil besitos!
KLP 

Sleek and Straight Styles

I took full advantage of my post relaxer heat pass by styling it up to the moon. All of my styles required little manipulation,  low maintenance and high on sass. Here's my sleek and straight style week in review:

Tousled waves at Keyda's baptism. (Congrats again chica!)

Half down loose curls for my family photo shoot (Thanks guys for the suggestion!)

Double Dutch Braid into a bun

Loose up sweep for my sorority sister's bridal shower

Un mil besitos!

KLP

[Haistyle] Two Strand Twist Updo | Wash Day

Notes: This wash day was long over due. I had a super busy weekend, full of traveling and events that I wanted my hair sleek and straight for. So, instead of using direct heat twice, I just didn't wash. Gross. A bad idea---my scalp hated me after day 8. But it was worth it. Ha-ha! On to my much needed wash day.

Pre-poo

(0) Detangled with my Magic Star Jumbo Rake in vertical sections. Detangling took mere seconds versus 30-45 minutes on my 15 weeks post relaxer hair.  
(1) Extreme Deep Condition: Applied Philip Kingsley Flaky/Itchy Scalp Toner and my essential oil blend to my scalp, JBCO, and Joico Moisture Recovery Conditioner to the length of my hair. Then I coated my strands with argan oil, covered with a plastic cap  and the sat under my heating cap for a couple of hours emptying my DVR.

(2) Tea Rinse with 2 green tea bags and 2 cups of water in a narrow tip applicator bottle. I let the rinse sit on my hair for about 5 minutes.

(3) Smoothing Treatment- Then I massaged Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Daily Treatment into my hair (without rinsing the tea first) and let sit for about 5 minutes. I rinsed with cool water. 
(4) Air dry- I let my hair dry 85% in a cotton t-shirt. Next, I detangled and add my leave-ins. 

Leave-ins

(5) Leave-ins- This week I decided to start an experiment applying tea as a leave-in using the LOC method of moisturizing. LOC- Liquid, Oil, Cream simply refers to the order in which you apply your leave-in products. In sections, I detangled, sprayed my hair with green tea, applied argan oil, and then sealed with Jessicurl's Too Shea Conditioner (that I won in the Love My Hair Giveaway! Thanks again Age!)  I'll chat more about this experiment at the end of the week. 

Results: Beautifully moisturized and soft, big fluffy hair and very little shed hair. Detangling was absolutely a breeze. My first impressions of the Jessicurl's Too Shea Conditioner: Meh--I.hate.the.scent. Its not overpowering, extremely floral or perfumey. It smells "earthy"--honestly---It smells like wet dirt to me. However, It absorbed well, its not oily, and the ingredients make me feel like its a miracle in a bottle. I'll definitely use the bottle and then post a complete review. This wash day was fairly un-eventful, which is to be expected at 1 week post relaxer. I'm ecstatic to be back to mini washes. Jumping in and out of the shower can be uber annoying at times.  

Back to heat free Minute to Win it styling for me.  This is my take on Keyda's French Braid style. If you guys want a tutorial---just let me know! 

How was your wash day?
 
Un mil besitos!
 
KLP

Wash Day - 8 weeks post relaxer

Hola Chicas!

Some tidbits: I was veryyyy excited to do a full completed wash day for my hair! :D I have also realized how my hair truly misses Philip Kingsley Scalp Toner... I like to take breaks when I finish a product to see if that product "really did wonders" or was it in my head. lol Well SOS DIVAS, since I have not used the scalp toner.. my scalp is more irritable even with tea rinses, however my it isn't overload lol but still... I miss that soothing feeling! I now know that my toner is a keeper! It works well with my other products and is a good teammate lol to my tea rinses to help with my scalp/dandruff! :D

My Products! (Forgot my tea)

(1) Prepoo overnight (1st time) with my Essential Oil Mix/JBCO on my scalp and grapeseed oil on length of my hair. -I admit, it was interesting doing an overnight prepoo...i might try with other products next time...

(2) Detangle with my magic comb!

(3) Shampoo with my FAVE, Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger Shampoo -really focusing on my scalp!

(4) Tea Rinse with CC's Naturals Lavender & Chamomile Hair Tea, I steepened overnight (first time) and I LOVED IT! My hair feels awesome after this rinse.... Can not wait to share my review/try other tea mixtures! :D

(5) DC with Matrix Biolage Conditioning Balm (Check KLP Review of their Ultra Conditioning Balm) sealed with CHI Silk Infusion ... I actually sat under my dryer for 30 minutes! (If you know me, you know I hate sitting under the hood lol...sooo this is good) then I chilled for another 30minutes before washing it out!

(6) My Leave-ins included Nexxus Hydra-light Weightless Moisture Root Lift Mist (My roots really love this product...review coming!) and my fave Organix Coconut Anti-breakage Serum!

Air Dried 100%, Excess water was dried with 100% cotton t-shirt .... Doing lovely NO HEAT styles till my MINI WASH! (Yess, I shall do another!)

After Leave-ins

My shedding! :D

My Hair Reality: My hair felt sooo soft and luxurious! lol My roots also seemed very moisturized and I loved how plushh they have been feeling. My hair dried much softer this wash time which I was very pleased about. I really loved the Matrix balm and I think not overloading with Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea is beneficial for my hair. My shedding is picking up a tad due to the weather change (Spring is here!), however I think with my tea rinses and scalp toner in tow...my shedding will be "normal"!

How was your wash day!?

Muahz
Keyda

[Review] Nexxus Hydralight Weightless Moisture Conditioner

Price: $15.69

Purchased at: Amazon (I purchased from Giant Grocery Store for roughly same price)

Promises: "Contains Coconut Oil and helps condition while strengthening hairwithout weighing it down. Infused with lightweight deep sea minerals for 85 percent more fullness and body that won't weigh hair down. Silicone-free formulation provides weightless look and feel for hair."

How to use it: Apply to damp hair focusing on ends, which are prone to dryness. Comb through and leave-in for at least 60 seconds. Rinse with warm water.

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Hydrogenated Coconut Oil, Behentrimonium Chloride, Fragrance (Parfum), Dipropylene Glycol, Potassium Chloride, Lactic Acid, Disodium EDTA, DMDM Hydantoin, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Sea Salt

The Reality: So, I have used this product as cowash and prepoo... both times my hair felt soooo soft! The smell is fine and the texture of the product is not too thick. There is definitely enough product in the bottle to last a month or more depending on how you rotate it into your regime. My hair really likes this product and I have noticed that it makes my hair feel clean and soft as a cowash. However, it isnt like WHOA lol...basically it is a good conditioner. I definitely would keep it in rotation (I love nexxus!) but it didnt completely change my hair or I just was already using good conditioners lol. It does what it says it will and when I use it, I just want to be done but I still continue with the process of DC. It is definitely worth a try! Only time will tell if this product is a HUGE game changer lol.


Tell me how you like it if you give it a try!

Muahz!
Keyda

Reflections on 15 weeks of stretching

Oh, relaxer day has come and gone. Overall, I'm very excited that this stretch was ridiculously uneventful! I handled my tangles with grace, deep conditioned and protective styled with poise, and even went heat free for weeks! Especially, considering that I used to live and die by my flat iron, I'm very proud of myself. Here's what I've learned along the way: 

1. Tangles and Knots Beware: The massive tangles and knots from yester-year's stretching were virtually eliminated this stretch by: detangling thoroughly daily, and also before/after washing, extreme deep conditioning, and only tackling tangles when I have the time and patience. Seems simple? It is. The hard part was actually doing it!
2. Trimming: I trimmed after my December relaxer and then again in early January. Even though my ends weren't terrible, I still felt the need to say buh-bye to about an inch. I think that my ends are loving daily moisturizing and sealing plus all of this protective styling!
3. Layers: My front layers are thriving! I want to keep growing them out until they are the same length as the rest of my hair....I think. Ha-ha!

December 2012

March 2013

I'm definitely very happy about the retention. My goals for this next stretch is to go the entire way heat free. (With the exception of my birthday in a few days!) I want to continue "attempting" to prevent shedding and to find cute protective styles so that I'm not stuck in a bun-rut for weeks. However, there is no way that I'll be able to do this alone. Please share your shedding prevention treatments and uber chic updos with me! 

Sharing is caring!

Un mil besitos
KLP

[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

Your Hair on: Nature

Al Fresco Jogging #getoutside

Fresh air will do you good
After last week's snow, in my part of the world, I had to recheck my calendar. I could have sworn that it was Spring! Right? Isn't Winter supposed to be long gone? Thankfully, today, the weather cooperated with the calendar and we had a 62°day! After spending a few hours outside with my little ones, I felt amazing. I'm not sure if it was the fresh air, the wind on my face, or the singing of the birds, but that dose of Nature definitely hit the spot. 

Crush stress, frustration, and lose a few pounds
It looks like I'm not the only one who's digging a little dose of Vitamin Nature. According to a survey from Women's Health Mag, 86 percent of stressed-out women said that their moods improved when spending time outdoors in nature. Other studies found that the further that you live away from a green space, the more probable that you are to be in inferior health. But if you're not convinced, yet another report has linked reduced exposure to nature to higher risks of obesity, cancer, heart disease, anxiety, and even depression. So what does this have to do with your hair? Stress and tension has long been linked to hair loss. Yep. Stress=shed. It's time that we learned to veg out and become one with Nature. And our hair will thank us later!

My next 5k is in approximately 6 months and I can't wait to get back to training al fresco! Besides---my local park trails definitely smell better than that sweaty guy that always seems to want to hop on the treadmill in front of me at the gym. Ugh!

No more excuses chicas. Let's #getoutside!

Un Mil Besitos
KLP

#NOHEATFTW!?

This week was very LOOONNGGG and BUSY for me! I have had 6 weeks of NO HEAT! However, I got a dance casting call and I had to do a photoshoot for my head shots...what to do!? These are the moments that make it difficult to stay on a hair diet of no to limited heat usage. It also did not help that my hair was drenched due to my baptism (Proud moment of course for me :D) the night before of my chaos...

The Reality: I did not have a great wash day this weekend. I prepooed for a short time with my essential oil mix and Nexxua Hydra-Light Weightless Moisture Conditioner on my length. I shampooed with my PM Awapuhi Wild Ginger Shampoo. I did no tea rinse because I had no time to steepen it ...Ironically, my hair was still SUPER soft. My leave-ins were  Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea Restructurizer, Organix Coconut Anti-breakage Serum and Kiwi Blow Serum (when I know I need heat protection!) I blowdried and used my Sedu Ionic Ceramic Pro Flat Iron.

My hair was flowy...with movement and shiny! I missed this lol.... but I shall go back to my noheat routine this coming wash day! I may do a mini-wash this week... I know I owe my hair tho with its normal routine!

Check out the results!

 

 

 

 

Have you rushed through a week?

 

 

 

Muahz! Keyda