Cowash...lots of pics

So this is my last wash before my relaxer. Did a cowash with V05 then 2 minutes of Aphogee 2 min reconstructor, then 2 hours no heat DC with Aussie Moist, honey & vatika enriched coconut oil. Not too much came out in the shower.

Last look. I really don't see a diff but I guess I won't really know until Thurs.

Close up...looks longer here for some reason (where it stops relative to armpit)

First detangle. I decided to really detangle today because I don't want the hairdresser being harsh with my hair when it is tangled. So this was from first go over with big shower comb. I then used a smaller comb then rat tail comb and rollerset.


Right side

Left side....ewwww

Detangling tools....not too bad

Sloppy rollerset but I really went lazy with it.

I don't really know what I'll do this week with the gym and all but as I think of something I'll share I guess. Right now I'm thinking ponytails....

Switching relaxers...

I used Just 4 Me kiddie's relaxer for normal hair for almost 7 years and after all the recent breakage and dryness I experienced, plus with the beginning of my healthy hair journey (hhj), I decided to make a switch. After reading loads and loads, I am fairly sure I'll be using a lye relaxer. This requires that I get my relaxer professionally done though...I do not want to burn.

My next relaxer is less than a week away and I'm still not certain what particular relaxer to use. I am currently torn between Mizani BB for normal hair and Linange Shea Butter. Everyone who has used Linange loves it but Mizani is a very popular brand. I should mention I use the Alter Ego garlic cond & I love it...thats the same company that makes Linange.

I am also wondering if I should clarify or shampoo before I relax. I'm thinking not. The more things between my hair and the relaxer, the better.

Anyhoo, let's do a lil learnin' to grow:

Linange Shea Butter Reviews it is long but a good read
Mizani Butter Blends Reviews there are lots more but I thought I'd stick with this forum since you won't need a sign in

Lye vs. No Lye

Best article (associated content) <--click there
Another pretty good one <--click there

This one is confusing. It says lye relaxers are harsher on our hair but that is not true...in fact it is harsher on our scalps but better for our hair (well, this is the version of the story I'm buying) and no lye is not good for our hair - drying and tangling - but will usually take longer to burn the scalp (hence, I am heading to the salon to use my lye relaxer). You can add oil to your lye relaxer to make it less abrasive for your scalp but keep in mind this will affect the potency.

Here's the confusing one <--click there

Forum opinions: Long hair care
Forum opinions: Black hair media

My wonderful cowash experience!

I cowashed after the gym last night (one night late) with my V05 and then DC'd on wet hair with my alter ego garlic cond mixed with vatika oil and honey for 3o mins under dryer.

First, almost nothing came out in the shower (I haven't combed since Sun)...woooooot!!!!! I think this may be because I already experienced a little dry shedding.

Then when I detangled (boy, the middle is a BEAST!). Not so bad.

I air dryed in a bun so it is still damp this morning.

~looking forward to next Thursday~

The decision (& a new challenge)

So, I checked with the ladies at Hairlista - they have my back - and they say relax early and that's what I'm gonna do. I don't wanna fail my no direct heat for a year challenge and 9 weeks is good enough.

I have decided to join yet another challenge...the Castor Oil challenge. I'm gonna have to purchase castor oil (can't use the Hollywood beauty castor oil I have since it isn't pure) and apply it to my scalp after washing. I'll just apply it to my parts and massage it in I think. So off to GNC this weekend to get it. Challenge runs from Feb 7th - April 7th. This works particularly well cause I'll be close to relaxing then too.

I need to keep track of my challenges:

*DC 2x a week for 2009
*No direct heat for 2009
*Lose 20 lbs in 2009
*APL by Dec 2009
*Thicken that hair up 2009 (1st round ends July 25, 2009) - already failed this one. Not taking the vitamins, not drinking 6 glasses of water a day...
*Moisturize and bun challenge (ends March 14th 2009) - m&s twice a day & bun 5 days out of 7
*Castor oil challenge (ends April 7, 2009) - use castor oil on scalp 2 x week on wash days

NO MORE CHALLENGES - unless they fit with my current regimen

8 weeks post NG

Ruined pictorial - twist out

Very short.

So here are the prods. The balancing moisturizer was very so-so. Seriously so-so. I don't think I will replace it.

Can I say heart attack???!!!!! This is why I'm not stretching a day past 10 weeks. In fact, I may relax 5 days early. First is shower, second is detangle.
Meet the twists and the soft rollers on end (I soaked them in EVOO about 2 months ago)
This is the texture...eeek!!! (not too clear - taken with the bberry)


I will have to redeem myself. Maybe this weekend lol

Bad results but pictorial still coming!

I didn't post the pictorial yet. So sorry! First, I did it Fri night and have all the pics home on my camera BUT I didn't like how it came out. Not sure if that's because I used the Aphogee 2 min re constructor. My hair just didn't feel as soft as it usually does. I did use the Aphogee balancing moisture after. I have decided I don't like how that leaves my hair. It isn't very thick for one thing, and it does nothing for me. I think I would have been better off using my Aussie w honey and oil. I think that's what I'll do Fri after my Aphogee 2 min. Anyhoo, I have no pics of the final product (it looked diff from the one below) but I'll still post what I have.

In the end I co-washed on Sunday morning again because I didn't like the feel of my hair. I used Aussie moist and then did 20 minutes without heat with the garlic conditioner - I forgot to use it Fri night. My hair felt much better. I dusted the very tips of my hair. Quite a bit came out while washing Fri night - none came out on Sun night. Quite a bit came out in both detangles but I haven't been combing so Idk if it's good or bad. I can say it was more than 3 weeks ago. But not as much as when I pull out my 2 week cornrows from back in the day.

I was thinking to either get a blow out on Thurs Feb 12th for Sat Feb 14th or relax my hair 5 days early. I am not which but now that I'm typing this I'm thinking I'll get the blow out Thurs. That way I can start basing scalp and prepping my hair for Tues relaxer - I'm not sure if that relaxer should postponed to the Thurs. I'm so indecisive. Thing is, I go to the gym Mon-Thurs so whats the point of a Tues relaxer?

It is 2 weeks to relaxer and I still don't know what I am using to relax!! Decisions, decisions!

Pics tonight when I get home.