Update week 9

I'm in week 9 of my stretch. My new growth is visible and my hair is officially tangley. I watched a few youtube reviews for the Tangle Teezer after a suggestion from P.S. I Love this and I think this is something I really should get. Especially now when my hair get's a tangled mess! Anything that can prevent hair loss while detangling I'm all for!

This week I prepoo'd with grape seed oil and another tea tree conditioner I picked up at Wh.ole F.oods called Shi kai.  It's really a good conditioner and stopped my itching scalp. Shut it down! LOL!

I co washed with the Giovanni Tea Tree conditioner I reviewed last week. Further cooling comfort for my scalp.  But it didn't get my scalp as clean as I wanted so I washed just my scalp with the Giovanni Tea Tree shampoo. I really like this shampoo! I think I'll just re-purchase that. I like the Shi kai tea tree con better!
I am being extra cautious with my scalp because my relaxer is coming up in 2 1/2 weeks and my last relaxer I really burned because my scalp was in such an irritated itchy state.

After I rinsed the shampoo my hair was stripped so I conditioned with ORS con for 10 minutes then I deep conditioned with SE Mega Moisturizing Con my favorite staple. I didn't sit under the dryer this time. I walked my treadmill for an hour and let it condition an additional hour. I rinsed and did my leave-in with a mix of aloe vera juice and S-curl no drip and air dried. Once dry, I detangled. Then I moisturized and sealed with 6 and 1 Leave In moisturizer and coconut oil.

This week I'm protective styling. I'm bunning until my relaxer March 12, 2011.

Best bun I've ever done!

Product Review No.3 Giovanni Products

On the hair forums I read that Giovanni hair care products are good for all hair types including relaxed hair.  The line is all natural and organic. So yesterday while perusing the aisles at Whole Foods I went down the hair care aisle and saw they had trial sizes. I have had a few problems with itching scalp and bought the Tea Tree shampoo and conditioner.  Each bottle was 1.99 for 2 ounces.

TEA TREE TRIPLE TREAT SHAMPOO
Tri-functional shampoo - alleviates dry, flaky scalp; unclogs pores, removes product build up.

TEA TREE TRIPLE TREAT CONDITIONER
A natural blend of essential oils, minerals, vegetable proteins, tea tree, eucalyptus, rosemary, and peppermint oils. Nourishes and restores strength and shine. Tingly sensation invigorates the scalp.

My hair felt really clean! I mean really clean. So that means the shampoo is moisture striping
and clarifying. It seemed good as a clarifying shampoo. I usually only co-wash and I made sure to only wash my scalp but the shampoo that got on my hair did make it a bit dry. However, I really liked the tingle I felt during the wash.  I think I will be able to use just the  tea tree conditioner to co wash with in the future when my scalp feels itchy.

Update: Not able to just use the conditioner it did not get my hair as clean as I needed it to be.

I recommend following up with a good deep conditioner like Silk Elements Mega Moisturizing

 
Overall I liked it!  I think if your scalp is having a real problem with dandruff and/or itching both products together will help! You can check out the products at the link below.

http://www.giovannihaircare.co.nz/products.htm

UPDATE WEEK 6

I am in my 6th week of this relaxer. I plan to relax at 10 weeks but if my hair is doing well I may stretch to 12 weeks. I know I keep switching up but I really want to stretch to 12 weeks each relaxer. I always get tangly around 9 weeks so that will deterimine if week 10 will be my relaxer week.

Last night I pre-pooed my hair with olive oil and EQP Intense. Today I washed with Hair One for dry hair. I like the tingle of this product and my scalp is really clean.  I DC with ORS Hair Mayo for 30 min. It is a light/ med protein. I felt like my hair needed some strength. I hope I did not protein overload my hair. I then moisturized with  Aphogee Balancer Moisturizer for 10 min  and Silk Elements MM for 5 min.

My hair felt so soft and strong after I air dried. I wanted to know what my hair would feel like without a leave in and it feels GREAT!!!

So  I will be washing with Hair One weeks 1-6 and I have to find a really good detangling shampoo or conditioner to wash with weeks 7-10 or 12. Any suggetions??? I miss the original version of CON!

My next step is to begin a vitamin regime for strength, health and growth. My blog friend at P.S. I love this... told me about the use of  B vitamins and how they help your hair. So I plan to follow Traycee from K.I.S.S. vitamin plan she used to go from APL to WL with relaxed hair.

This came straight from K.I.S.S.

GNC Women's Ultra Mega Vitamin

Super B-Complex with vitamin C & Folic Acid -
Helps Convert Food Into Energy Supports energy production
Helps offset the wear and tear of stress
Assist homcysteine metabolism

Specifically the B's are responsible for the health and maintenance of nerves, eyes, digestion and skin, as well as the processing of carbohydrates, fat and protein, growth, the production of hormones and digestive enzymes, prevention of anemia, maintenance of the sex glands, sebaceous glands and bone marrow.


MSM
provides Sulfur that is a building block for joints, cartilage, skin, hair, and nails, and methyl groups,
that support many biochemical processes in the body and energy production


Biotin is also known as Vitamin H or B7...It helps skin , and hair health..It is important for metabolism of carbohydrates,, proteins and fats

Fish Oil Omega-3....Great source of protein
Doesn't have high saturated fat that fatty meat products have
Omega-3 fatty acids benefit the heart of healthy people and those that are high risk of cardiovascular disease

UPDATE 7 WEEKS

So I've kept up with my co washes and black tea rinses. My protective hair style is a curly ponytail. I been moisturizing nightly with 6 oil mixed with the last of my castor oil.

It's time to re-stock products.  I was recommended to get Aphogee 2 min reconstructor for my shedding so I will try this. I'm getting coconut oil, argan?? oil and jamaica black castor oil this go round. I will still use Chi protein spray.

I need a new good detangler.  My hair tangles so much  at 4 weeks. Any recomendations??????????

Update 4 WEEKS post

Last wash I had a LOT of shedding. More than normal. I didn't like it at all.  I tried the black tea rinse.
I'm currently pre pooing with oil and I'm about to wash so I'll see how much the tea helped today. I will be using the tea again and DC while I go workout.


UPDATE: It looks like the black tea slowed down the shedding some. I rinsed with black tea again and DC with the Loreal and I love how my hair feels after rinsing. I applied my CHI and a leave in 911 and air dryed. I'm currently wearing a protective ponytail. I will wash this Friday. I took my vitamins and my iron. Hope that helps too! All this week I am moisturizing with a castor oil mix.

1 week post wash

I'm currently dry conditioning with Mane and Tail. I will be cowashing today with V05 con. I'm deep conditioning with Loreal's. I slacked off on my hair vitamins but I'm back on that as of two days ago. I want to take advantage of the hair growth the summer brings. I hope to reach BSL by my August relaxer. I will be using a black tea rinse to combat shedding per Tracee at K.I.S.S. My hair usually doesn't shed at all after my relaxer. I am going to wash with a neutralizing shampoo before I deep condition. Just in case my hairdresser did something funny.

It's time to relax

I washed on Sunday. My hair has about a 2 - 3 inches of new growth. It tangles and is hard to manage I have to get a relaxer this week. I'm 9 weeks post. I thought I could stretch like the other bloggers but my hair texture won't allow it. I tangle as soon as my new growth is kinky.

PrePOO

Today I pre poo'd with castor oil and the Loreal Everstrong. My scalp gets itchy exactly 7 days.  So far I've pre poo and co-wash every seven days.

Next because of the itchy scalp I'm going to start adding different oils to my castor oil to thin it out and help my scalp. I read on K.I.S.S. to add peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil and rosemary oil.

I'm also going to try black tea rinses to stop my shedding. My shedding has slowed down. However Thursday night I was not nice to my hair I SLEPT on it no scarf on a cotton pillow case BOOOOOO.

I have to stop that!

Update

Prepoo and co-wash
on April 21 and 22 for an event Friday April 23. I blow dryed I put in a leave in for protection.
I prepoo'd with the castor oil. I tied my hair with a scarf and cap and plastic bag.

I used VO5 extra body conditioner for my co-wash and I used Loreal's new EverStrong sulfate free conditioner to deep condition.

Pre poo'd and Co washed again April 30. My hair is itchy and in need of a wash every 5 days.

there was minimal shed this time. i think the castor oil, vitamins an Everstrong conditioner is strengthing my hair.

I bought a CHI leave in spray that i have used most nights when i wrap my hair up for the night.

Update: Prepoo and co-wash

I prepoo'd with the castor oil. I braided and tied my hair with a scarf and cap and plastic bag.
I will co-wash tomorrow. I'm not sure what conditioner I will use.


Update: I used VO5 extra body conditioner for my co-wash and I used Loreal's new EverStrong sulfate free conditioner to deep condition. It left my hair feeling very strong and I loved the scent it smells minty fresh.

Update 3

 On 3/7/10 I Co washed and deep conditioned with hair mayo and real egg for extra protein. I have been shedding a lot! I am still trying to wrapp my hair it work a little better. I want to master wrapping so when my hair gets longer I will be a pro. I had a lazy week. I guess I have been protective styling. I wrapped and mostly kept it wrapped all week. I wore hats.

I am contemplating buying a wig. Yes me a wig!!!!!! that is big for me I NEVER have before and I don't know....

 I need more products. I plan to get the coconut oil and cator oils for sealing my ends, and I need new conditioners.

Update 2

Dry conditioned over night with olive oil conditioner and oil. I co-washed with same conditioner. I attempted to wrap my hair again. It shedded a lot while trying to wrap. I will give it one more try. I still can't get the top smooth, used a roller. I sat under the dryer for 45 min. I'll update with results tomorrow.

*Update: I combed out the wrap. It was a little flaky an really dry. I moisturized with a natural oil sheen. My hair was a little puffy.*

I diluted the wrap lotion a bit more for next time

I think its time to real wash. I'll be using CON which is creme of nature detangling shampoo.

Update:

I c o-washed on Wednesday with the olive oil conditioner. I deep conditioned with hair mayo. I am still experiencing shedding. I was diagnosed anemic but I am having a hard time taking the iron pills. I'm about to start taking hair pills and doing some protein treatments. I have to read a few blogs to get the best suggestions on protein treatments.

This was my first time attempting to wet wrap my hair. My hairdresser is seriously old school and she can wet wrap like nobody's business. Since I am starting this hair journey I want to be able to maintain my hair without direct heat. I will be co washing every three days so have to figure out something.

The wrap was whack lol. I used Pantene Relaxed and Natural wrap and setting lotion. This stuff needs to be diluted a lot. It made my hair very hard and it flaked white at comb out. I was only able to get one side smooth but the top OMG I could not do it.

I'll keep trying. I was able to master attaching lashes and doing my eyebrows so I'm sure I'll be able to get this.