August 2010 THANK YOU giveaway is here!

This is my first giveaway! I am SUPER excited!

First off here are some boring details:

1. I won't choose a winner until the end of August. Why? I have 60 plus readers and they are relaxed & chill people like myself, that is, they don't stop by every day or even every week so I want to make sure everyone gets an opportunity to enter.

Here's what you'll win - a combination of my favorite products and accessories.

Alter Ego garlic conditioner (16.9 oz)**, goody banana clip, & decorative hair flower [image pending]

Requirements: Be a follower & leave a comment on this post. Also be prepared to send photo(s) of cute hair styles you have created using the hair accessories (this is just for fun).

**if you aren't interested in this product, and you win, I am willing to switch out the conditioner for the Sedal SOS Ceramides conditioner.

DRAW DATE: TUES AUG 31st.

Weekend wash

I cowashed with some Silk Elements MegaSilk Olive Conditioner I found then roller set. JC solutions was my sole leave in. Air dried overnight. I was exhausted and couldn't take my hair to church with my hair a mess. I got the headband from this accessory store I just discovered. Also the blue one in my post below (I put another pic of it below). I'm gonna be visiting often (& once I get the stuff from there for the giveaway & pic, I'll be posting it). I'll DC on Tuesday eve.

*Yea, I'm trying to make sure I give plenty notice for the giveaway because I want everyone to enter & have the chance to win*

Happy rinser here! (long & pic heavy)

So it's been awhile. But I didn't forget you (hence the ton of pics)....I've been storing it all up :) Anyhow, I've been very curious about the various rinses and have managed to try 2 this past week. I would recommend both.

Black Tea Rinse

The black tea rinse is supposed to help stop shedding, add shine, and in some cases add color (temporary) to the hair. It can be drying but conditioning will help to prevent your hair from becoming dried out after use. To be honest I wanted to incorporate something new to my regimen. I wanted my hair to get an infusion of something new and refreshing. I loooove looove tea so I already had some in my cupboard. I used Stash Chai Black Tea this time but plan to buy a cheaper brand for regular hair usage. I boiled an entire saucepot and put 2 teabags in to steep last Thurs night. I poured it in a jug Fri morning and left it for later. Fri I cowashed with my Mane n Tail (seems like I forgot abt HE LTR but I haven't) then rinsed it out in the shower and did the black tea rinse. I left it on my hair while I scrubbed the tub and showered. Then I rinsed it out, and put my alter ego garlic cond in my hair, covered w a plastic bag and hat and headed out to choir. Approx 3 hours later I rinsed and roller set (w HE LTR leave in and JC Sol spray). I allowed my hair to air dry over night, then sat under the dryer for 20 minutes in the (Sat) morning. My hair felt dry right after the black tea rinse but after the DC was back to feeling soft.

What was different? My curls didn't hold one bit. I don't know if it was that my hair needed shampooing (product heavy - I hadn't shampooed in about a month or more at that point) but they curls died in minutes. Like 5 minutes. That has never happened before...

I wrapped my hair Sat night for a funeral I had to attend on Sunday. Loved the shine!

What didn't change: I still had the same amount of shedding I usually do.

I don't plan to stop doing this just yet. This was my first experience and it wasn't bad. I'll keep trying and see how things work out. Apparently I can incorp it into every rinse without ill effect. I'm gonna try in once or twice a month.

Since I've stuck with washing my hair on Fridays, during the week (esp when I keep up with the gym) my hair can get limp and almost greasy. Tues I sat at work highly unhappy with my hair. It was DEAD. My bun looked sick, my braid was greasy. Worst part is I hadn't been to the gym yet so there was no reason for all this yucky-ness. So I decided that after the gym that Tues I'd cowash. However, I remembered how my hair came out Sat morning & how I was thinking it needed a poo. I just didn't want to shampoo my hair though...I really want to get away from it. So, I decided to take the plunge and do an Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) rinse.

Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse

ACV rinses are acidic and because hair is acidic also (unlike most hair products which are alkaline), it is supposed to be good for our hair. Apparently, it is especially good for curly hair. Why? Because it rids the hair of product residue naturally without all the stripping of the shampoo, and because it helps close the cuticles of the hair (helps hair to retain moisture, and be protected from damage). I'm writing all this info (also for black tea rinse) from memory of what I read so feel free to add more info or google for more details.

I mixed 1/4 cup of ACV with 3 cups of tap water. I co-washed with Mane n Tail then did my Aphogee 2 min keratin reconstructor rinsed in the shower then did the ACV rinse. Now, some people leave it on their hair and other rinse it out. I'd like to think I did the in between. I rinsed it in the shower for like 5 seconds. I just wanted to get some out. I air dried using the scarf method from Sunshyne (w HE LTR leave in). My hair felt so soft! It dried soft too!

What was different? The hugest thing for me was little to no hair in my comb after detangling WOW. I have never seen this little hair at almost 7 weeks (7 weeks tomorrow)...I was impressed! It's been awhile since I took a pic of the hair coming out (I don't want to start obsessing again) but I was amazed. Oh, people complain about the smell but for me it was gone once my hair dried.

I love this! Some people do ACV rinses weekly. For now I think I may do it monthly.

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OMG I have 60 followers now!

The first giveaway is on it's way! I can't wait to share something special with you loves!

Thank you. You really are a great bunch. This blog is really a hair journal. I didn't know if my hair journey would be good or bad or if I would have any advice (since my hair is growing as I blog instead of me already growing my hair and then teaching y'all) so it may have been repetitive (since I'm journaling) and may not always have great info (but always photos lol) since I'm learning and undecided a lot but you still come and read & comment...I truly appreciate your support :)

My braid

Remember when I said I couldn't braid? Well I have been trying to learn. I don't think anyone would pay me to braid their hair but I did a pretty decent job of it this morning. It is secured at the end with 2 tiny elastic bands.

I am 6 weeks tomorrow (& I am still amazed that normally (that is, before Hairlista, Sunshyne, & Traycee), I'd be relaxing tomorrow...thank goodness for this healthy hair journey)

July 4th hair

Did my orange rollers Fri night for Sat.

Then wrapped Sat night for Sun.

Then the heat won on Mon lol.

Products: Alter Ego garlic cond for DC on dry hair all Dri, Aphogee 2 min reconstructor for my protein then rinse, HE LTR and JC leave in. Air dry over night plus 20 mins under dyer in the morning.

My husband is loc(k)ing

Yup. & I'm in charge :)

I don't know much about locs but I did the same thing I did at the beginning of my HHJ...I went researching online (hours upon hours). I am really excited about this.

So to begin, I part his entire head (had to make sure they were neat) and sectioned it off. Then I back combed very little and palm rolled using Mango & Lime's resistant locking gel. Then I sprayed with Jane Carter's natural hold locking spray and he went under dryer. I forgot to mention that before we started he washed and air dried his hair with no product at all.

The regimen

Daily - Proclaim 7 or EVOO on locs, sleep with scarf nightly

Weekly - at the beginning he'll spray some Mango & Lime hair n cense (we won't wash for a about 4 weeks) then spray the JC locking spray then dry. After that we'll use the M&L locking gel to palm roll (also tighten if necessary) and then dry again.

After a month, he can start a washing regimen (NO HOT WATER - Luke warm).

*Shampoo with a non-residue shampoo like a clarifying poo or one made for locs (M&L tingle shampoo is what we will use)

----> for the first few shampoos, I'm gonna have him put a stocking cap over locs

*Condition with M&L protein conditioner or JC nutrient replenishing conditioner

*Apple cider vinegar rinse every now and again

*Get some excess water out by towel drying

*Spray with JC locking spray

*Dry completely under dryer (fight mold and smells!)

*Use M&L locking gel to palm roll

*Dry again (hood or hand dryer)

NO WAXES, PETROLEUM

The new locs

2 days old

He had texturized hair to begin