Rice Water Rinse for hair Growth - video

Hiya!!

I have seen so many videos, posts and recommendations for using rice water for hair growth. I have wanted to try it but couldn't face the smell of the fermented rice water.
I decided to do a modified version where I let the rice ferment for a short while and then longer in the fridge.

I recorded a wash day using the rice water rinse and also a hair update.

enjoy xxx

Eco Style Coconut v Black Castor and Flaxseed.

Hiya!!
I finally managed to get this video up!!

It's been such a nightmare as I'm still having problems with storage and lap top issues. I tried uploading to YouTube in parts with the idea of using the video editor.... they only went and removed the video editor didn't they! Gahhhh so I had to download my videos and put them together with movie maker which took 4 hours to open them in the first place!! Gahhhhhh I kid you not, I actually recorded the video in May or June!!

Rant aside I was so excited when I saw the two gels as I had seen them around online on Blogs and Videos from people in the US and thought it would be ages until we got it here.

I also talked about my updated Wash n Go technique.

I chatted on so much I had to split the video into two parts:

Part One - First Impressions and Demo:



Part Two - Results and Thoughts:



Thanks for watching xxx

Wash Day after Protective Styling.

Hiya!! as usual, I forgot to post that I added a video up.

This is (another) wash day video. I thought it would be fun to record one after a semi longterm protective style.
I was sent some activated charcoal shampoo and conditioner and it came at the right time as I wanted to get my hair and scalp squeaky clean after my ps.









I'd love to hear what you do to treat your hair after a protectve style.

Thanks for watching xxx

Straight Hair - Using Beautiful Textures TMS

Hiya!! I know I promised to come back and do a follow up post to my Straight Hair Temptation post but time ran off as usual and I didn't get a chance.

I did however upload the video with a more in depth - read CHATTY - look at the TMS

You can see the Unboxing and Application here:






Here's the Blowdry, Straighten and the finished results:







I will be uploading a maintenance video soon. Bye for now xxx

Wash Day Recap - Part 1

I realise I haven't published a wash day post for ages!! I have obviously been washing my hair lol. I just haven't been documenting them. I have been posting on Instagram as it is somewhat easier and quicker but as it's easier to look back on what works wash day wise on the blog I thought it was a good idea to post a few "lost" wash days to keep an eye on what I have been doing/using.



Jan 18th (Two Cane/Cornrows/Cameroes):

Jan 18 wash day

I was trying to combat the scalp issues I was having (see This post for further info) and wanted to keep my regime(n)/routine as simple as possible and also use products to target the problem and/or as natural as it could be.

Cleanse -  Sheamoisture African Black Soap shampoo.
Tea Rinse - Nettle, Fennel and Peppermint tea mix.

Deep Conditioner - Coconut Milk Powder, Avocado Oil, Manuka Honey and Sheamoisture African Black Soap Purification Masque.

Leave Ins - Eden Bodyworks Peppermint Tea Tree oil and Jojoba Monoi Hair Milk, Sheamoisture African Black Soap Elixir, Avocado and Pumkinseed oil mix.

The deep conditioning mix felt great and applied to my hair like a dream. I used a shower cap, hottie and scarf to generate heat while I cooked. (I actually forgot about that!! I will deffo use the hottie next week) It was getting late so I'm went under the dryer for a little while then plait my hair in two cane/corn/cameroes.

Feb 16th (Wash and Go):

Feb 16 wash day

I was sooo excited to use the Aubrey, Anita Grant and Jane Carter products I was given.

Overnight Pre-poo - Jane Carter Restore Moisture Mist, Aubrey Honeysuckle Rose Conditioner, and Anita Grant Organic Sapote Castor Oil. (I applied them as if I was moisturising and sealing).
Tea rinse - Hibiscus Petals, Essential Oils (Lemongrass and Peppermint) infused in boiling water.
Deep Conditioner - Manuka Honey, Coconut milk powder, pumpkin seed and mustard seed oils mixed into a paste and added some Aubrey Island Natural Avocado Oil and Mango.
Leave Ins - Sheamoisture African Black Soap Dry Scalp Elixr and Coconut&Hibiscus Curl and Style Milk, Anita Grant Sapote Castor Hair Oil, Avocado oil (for scalp and mixed with the castor oil for sealing). Eco styler gel (argan) and Curls Pasion Fruit Curl Control Paste (I wanted to "weigh down" my hair).

The tea rinse smelt really nice as did the conditioning mix!! Both really agreed with my hair and it was soooo soft. The conditioning mix had great slip.


 18th March Quick Wash and Go:

March 18 wash day

The video for this wash day can be found in This post. I thought it would be beneficial to add them in "written form" for a reminder.

Cleanse - Pantene for naturals Cowash 
Deep Conditioner - Capilo La Aplanadora Treatment and Cantu Deep Treatment Masque
Leave Ins - Nexxus Encapsulate Caviar Serum, Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl and Style Milk, Eden Bodyworks Hair Milk (Jojoba Monoi) Kokolicious Hairlicious Hair Growth Oil, Aunt Jackies Don't Shrink Flaxseed Gel.

I loved the way this wash and go turned out!


March 24th Clarifying Wash:

Pre-poo - (overnight) Aunt Jackies In Control Conditioner.
Cleanse - My hair needed a good clarify so I grabbed my Ors Creamy Aloe Shampoo. I noticed my bottle is almost finished!! I have about two more washes left in this one. 
Deep Conditioner - After the shampoo, I needed a moisture boost so grabbed both my Kanechom Karite Butter Hair Mask and Capilo La Aplanadora Hair Treatment. (Trying to use up my conditioner stash.)
 
Nb, For some reason my hair was quite tangly when It was time to rinse conditioner out. So I had the detangle with my wide tooth rake comb.


Since this post is getting so long and I keep stopping and starting *blush*
I'll split it into two. I have really enjoyed looking back and having a look at the products I used, hopefully this is interesting for you too.

(catch up) Demo - Quick Wash and Go

Hiya! Still Catching up!! I forgot to post the video I uploaded showing my requested Demo of my quick Wash and Go.
I hope you enjoy. Please let me know any tips or fave products you have for Wash and Go's

90 Day Hair Growth Challenge - Wash day

Hiya!! I completely forgot to post the wash day videos I recorded for the 90 Day Hair Growth Challenge. I have had a few questions about my wash day process so thought I'd do a video. It was quite odd doing wash day in front of the camera so please excuse me lol.

This wash day was specifically aimed at the challenge so I hope it helps.

Part 1 - Cleanse, Coffee Rinse, Protein Conditioning Treatment.




Part 2 - Moisturising Deep Conditioning Treatment




Part 3 - Style and Trim

Wash Day - wash and go with lots of pics.

Woooww!! We are in June already!! JUNE!! the year is half way through..... whoahhh.

This wash day I was able to style my wash and go and let it dry a little before I had to go to sleep. I also managed to take some photo's of each stage too.

I started off as usual with an overnight pre-poo of Raw Organic Coconut Oil, I sectioned my hair into four, applied liberal amounts to my scalp and hair from root to tip and bantu knotted each section then covered with my scarf.
When I took my hair down, I had the prettiest bantu knot out!!

Why does that happen when I'm gonna wash my hair? it looked like I had styled it, no worries it gave me an idea of how I can stretch/refresh my wash and go later in the week.
It was half term week so no school run meant I could go straight into washing my hair. I used my L'Oreal Professhinnel Serie Nature Riche Macadamia Shampoo - {Its nearly finished so I am thinking about what I will buy to replace it *sob* I love it so much, why oh why didn't I go back and get another one when they were available? If anyone has any moisturising sulphate free shampoo suggestions please do let me know x}

My hair is getting curlier week by week, My mum and family seem to remember me having curly hair as a child but I can only remember it being tough andhard to manage, by the time I was old enough to style it myself it was terrible as I really didn't know how to look after it and just wanted to relax it to be like the other girls who had straight hair and thought that I would be able to manage it better. Fast forwarding to my adult years, I do seem to remember that I used to leave the time between relaxing my hair for ages and my regrowth was curly but I thought it was because the relaxer ma have changed the way my hair grew (yeah I wasn't clued up lol) anyway.... history over back to wash day.....

tea rinse mix.

I rinsed with a tea mixture of sage, star anaise and "relax" and a few drops of chamomile eo. The tea mix stewed to a much darker colour and smelt amazing!! I will make mix to drink -minus the eo's.

Deep Conditioner Mix.

I wanted a moisturising deep condition so grabbed La Aplanadora Macadamia Oil, Kanechom Karite Butter Hair Moisturising Cream, Coconut milk powder, ORCO and added rose, rosemary, cinnamon and jasmine eo's.

I applied the mix to my hair in sections, bantu knotted, covered my hair with my gold conditioning cap and scarf and got on with my day.

Conditioner in hair.

In the evening I rinsed the conditioner out of my hair and did a cold water rinse (I must buy some ACV) and removed the excess water, rubbed some ORCO through my hair and then wrapped it up in a vest.

Hair rinsed out.

After my hair had dried a little, I took my leave ins and sat with hubby and watched a couple programmes while I styled my wash and go and left it to dry for a while.

Leave ins for wash and go.

 I think this was my most defined wash and go so far, I don't even know what I did differently lol. I do know that hair can "remember" the way you style it and recreate it in a way or maybe my hair is just happy when I leave it to curl up as it likes and leave the comb out of it. I am thinking of plaiting it up for a week though as I want to leave it alone. I will miss my curly fro I bet.

I allowed my hair to dry more before bed and the back was completely dry, the middle was a little damp at the roots and the front mostly dry.

Air dried wash and go.

I decided to band my curls to stretch them for the morning, I placed some gel at the front and tied it down with my scarf.
The next day I clipped one side up with a few hair pins and styled it with some fibres tied into a headband. My mummy returned from Jamaica so I went to see her, oh how I missed her while she was gone, I always do lol, I go to phone her and remember she's not in the country. It was lovely catching up and getting lots of hugs (yeah I'm a big baby) She really liked my hair and complimented me loads, awwwww.

Styled wash and go.

I'm joining in with the wash day experience again and can't wait to have a look at all the wash day posts.

Wash Day - Change of Plans

The best laid plans and all that, I had good intentions for this wash day but the "delightful" English weather had other plans.

I oiled my scalp with ORCO and applied some to the strands the night before all ready to follow last weeks routine of Pre-poo - School run - Wash - Deep Condish - School run - Rinse and Style buuutttt things went skewiff.

I successfully applied my pre-poo (Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl & Shine Conditioner and Sweet Almond Oil), Put my hair in a bun and tied my trusty slim scarf round the front and went on my merry way.... 5 minutes into the school run (or scoot as it's become) the heavens opened and down came rain... alot of it.

By the time I went to school and back I was drenched! There was no way I was gonna wash my hair after that....and go back out in the rain.
I thought the best thing to do was to leave the conditioner on my hair until evening, rinse it out and do a cowash as I wouldn't be doing my deep condish and didn't want the shampoo remove all the moisture. I used Pantene Truly Natural Co-Wash Cleansing Conditioner - LOVE this cowash!!
I realised my ACV was finished (bah!) so I had to leave out the acv rinse and just did the last wash with cool water. (I was a chicken and hopped out the shower and just held my head under the water NOT my whole body lol).

I removed the excess water with a vest then rubbed some Organic Raw Coconut Oil through my hair.


I wanted to use my new purchases to see how they worked in a wash and go (erm wash and style and sleep) so grabbed my Beautiful Textures Curl Control Defining Pudding and Beautiful Textures Moisture Butter Whipped Curl Creme, I sectioned my hair into 4, then worked in subsections. I mixed/rubbed the two products together in my hand (The directions on the tubs suggests adding the butter to the pudding for "custom blend" to get "even greater curl definition, elongation and moisturization") I am really liking these two products so far.
I applied Eco Styler Krystal Styling Gel from root to tip smoothing with my fingers. I smoothed a small amount of JBCO and ORCO and moved on to the next section. When my whole head was done, I let it air dry for a while. I couldn't stop touching my hair to see if it had dried!! I also kept playing with the curls... even though I know it will cause frizz!! Ugh I had to distract myself with 'Sims Freeplay' to stop lol.
When my hair was almost dry (some parts where completely dry and some slightly damp but I had to go to sleep) I banded the curls into two "bandtails" - I don't know what to call them as they aren't exactly pigtails or ponytails haaaaa - slicked some gel on my hairline/edges and tied with my scarf.

I'm hoping my hair won't cry at me with all the omissions to my wash routine (no tea rinse, no acv rinse, no deep condish mix..... I think that's all).

Here's my day 2 and 3 hair:

I'm really loving my curly fro, I don't know if my hair is becoming more curly, training itself to hold a curly style, or changing texture altogether but I am noticing that my curls are becoming more defined. Maybe it's the added length that's stretching it down. Anywhoo I am enjoying wearing my hair curly.

I'm joining the Wash Day Experience fun again this week:

Wash Day - Wash and GO

As I may have mentioned ( a zillion times lol) I've been wearing my hair curly for the last couple months and this wash day I set my hair in a wash and go.... I'm not sure why it's called that as I don;t literally wash and go.... more like wash,style and sleep :p

My hair was really in need of a wash this time round as I had missed my normal day due to a very packed week and I really got some good use out of my Herbal Essences Clearly Naked (0%) Dry Shampoo. 

I had the school run to do so I put my pre poo on before I left, this time round I used the american Aussie Moist and some Organic/Raw Coconut Oil. I smoothed it through my hair, put my hair in a low bun and tied a slim head scarf round the front.

When I came back, I washed my hair with L'Oreal Professhinnel Serie Nature Riche Macadamia Shampoo, rinsed with tea rinse (today's was a mix of Nettle, Peppermint, Star Anaise, lavender and a "relax" blended tea with rosemary EO)

Deep Conditioner Mix

I removed excess water and applied my deep conditioning mix, I wanted to add a small amount of protein as I had been using a moisturising condish to refresh my wash and go all week so grabbed my Kanechom Leite de Cabra (Goat Milk) Hair Moisturising Mask and mixed it with NAAT Silicon Moisturizing Hair Mask (my silicon mix bambuu is finished *wail*), Sunny Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil and some essential oils (Jasmine, cinnamon, rose) I knew I would be doing the afternoon school run with the condish on my hair so I didn't add coconut milk powder.
This mix was fantastic!! It was soft and went thru my hair so well. I had curls on my curls ;) and the "slip" was amazing.
I covered my head with my conditioning cap and a head scarf. When it was time for school run I slicked my hair into a low bun and tied the slim head scarf at the front again. It was quite a sunny day so my hair had a lovely sun generated heat. I replaced the cap and scarf when I got home.

Now I must own up, I did plan on washing the deep condish out and styling the wash and go so that it had a chance to airdry before bed buuuttttt..... I had so much to do that it was bedtime before I knew it and the condish was still on my hair waiting..... Ugh, I almost just left it on and slept but I knew my hair would be angry and mushy! so I dragged my self to the shower, rinsed it out, finished with an Apple Cider Vinegar  rinse and wrapped my hair in a vest to remove excess water.

Leave Ins

I decided to follow a tip I picked up from a few vlog/bloggers and styled my hair while it was wet instead of allowing to dry a little as usual.
I rubbed some Organic/Raw Coconut Oil  through my hair then sectioned in 4. I then worked in two sections of each 4.
I was gonna use my Kanechom Karite Butter Hair Moisturising Cream(condish) as my styler but decided to use the  Kanechom Karite Butter Leave In Styling Cream instead as I had used it to refresh in the week as I needed a lighter moisturiser and fell back in love with it (should have went with first choice) oiled my scalp with an oil and eo blend. I really liked how the JBCO made my hair feel during the condish session and thought I'd use it with some ORCO to seal. I finished off with my well loved Eco Styler Krystal Styling Gel.
I put my hair in four twists, banded in two pigtails either side, slicked the front down with more gel, tied the front down then covered all with a light scarf - it came off in the night but I didn't bother to re-tie it as I was sleeping on my satin pillow case and thought my hair may dry better without scarf.

In the morning my hair still wasn't dry so I used dryer on cool and warm to finish drying, pulling each twist gently.
I did like the results but wished I'd used the kanechom condish instead of the styling cream. I pulled the top section of my hair back, clipped it up, leaving the back section down and put on two thin double alice bands. (ugh!! the band was twisted and knotted up at bedtime!)

I am loving the curly hair styles and aim to wear my hair this way for the next couple of weeks. I am getting the straightening bug more and more but want to keep off the heat for a while longer.
Maybe I'll do another no heat rollerset to stretch and slick my hair out in a few weeks time - compromise lol.


{It's been a while but I am joining the wash day experience this week, can't wait to have a browse at everyone's wash day posts (glad I'm not the only one that loves having a nosey at wash days lol) }

NAAT Silicon Moisturizing Hair Mask i

NAAT Silicon Moisturizing Hair Mask i

NAAT Silicon Moisturizing Hair Mask iV

NAAT Silicon Moisturizing Hair Mask i

They see me rolling......

Firstly where did the last couple of weeks go?
We have been busy buy here with school, college, homeschool, courses....... whoooaaah not to mention house stuff. I am STILL trying to find the special life balancing card that will grant me the secret of juggling every area my life annnd allow me to have enough spare time so I can relax and enjoy a hobby or two... oh and sleep. Since I haven't found it yet my blogging has taken a nose dive... AGAIN!!

Last week, I tried another roller set to stretch my hair, my last attempts were fails+ but I have been seeing such great results from vloggers/bloggers/Intagrammers and decided that I'd have another go and if it was a fail I'd just brush my hair up in a bun and call it a day. I think the fact that I have wearing my hair curly for a while has allowed me to be less stressy when it comes to shrinkage and frizz etc.
I needed to stock up on my Dominican conditioners so while I was at the hair shop I picked up some magnetic rollers along with some hair goodies and couldn't wait to roll up (my hair of course... not... well you know what.... anyway...).

I washed my hair and wanted to add some protein as I had been using alot of moisturising conditioner during the week to refresh my wash and go. I didn't however want to do a heavy protein treatment so I added some Motions Professional Oil Moisturizer Deep Penetrating Silk Protein Conditioner
in my deep conditioner mix.

When my wash day routine was done I started with the rollerset. Originally I planned to wash my hair and deep condition for a few hours and then rollerset allowing my hair to air dry before I went to bed or maybe use the dryer on cool, something came up which meant I had to scrap the plans and ended up rollersetting right before bed and sleeping on the rollers, surprisingly not as bad I thought it would be, turned out not painful but awkward.

I followed some tips that I gathered from the many different posts/videos:
*Making sure my hair was wet.
*Using adequate amount of wrap lotion ( I used Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Frizz Free Curl Mousse)
*Keeping the rollers taut while rolling and clipping
*smooth the hair onto the roller.

I had to re-roll a couple rollers and to be honest I need a little practice to perfect my rolling technique but it was much better than the times before. I used bobby pins when needed
I placed my hairnet over the rollers and went to sleep.

I kept the rollers in for a while during the day to make sure my hair was fully dry and when I took the net off I was surprised to see the hair on the rollers was smooth! when them down my hair was smooth and shiny, I was amazed as I hadn't used any heat at all!! As the whole point of the rollerset was to stretch and straighten my hair, I brushed it out and wowww I loved the results. I could also get a looksie at my hair growth so far, I was shocked at how much it has grown in the last 2 months or so, it may be the wash and go's and twist outs that's doing it as I don't need to comb my hair so often plus I used conditioner to style them so my hair has been loving the moisture.

I forgot to take pics straight away and remembered a day or so after doh, soooooo the following pics aren't as straight and slightly frizzy and my face looks very strange in one and my eyes weird in the other so I blocked it out buttttttt it's the hair that counts right? ..... yeah:

rollerst: Fluffy and stretched

rollerset: side part

When I got tried of wearing my hair down, I put it into a side parted low bun, the rollerset made the bun very sleek indeed:

I'm thinking of rollersetting again soon as I really did like the results, I will probably try the saran/cling-film wrap method and see how that goes.

Wash Day "chronicles"

Clarifying Wash Day Items

I realise my blogging has been sporadic... ok it's been baaaad. I am trying to juggle so many things and getting everything done is becoming a dream rather than a reality and the things that are not absolutely essential remain undone, blogging is one of those things and all the ideas, posts and thoughts remain in my head and not on my blog *sigh*

My last Wash Day post has been ages ago but I (obviously) have been washing my hair since then, every week actually and I have been making little changes and reintroducing items that I stopped using for some reason. I thought it would be a good idea to post about the changes so I can see if they make a difference to my hair - for the good or bad.

Only one pre-poo - I put oil in my hair and leave it in overnight and use that as my pre-poo rather than doing one before the shampoo. I use coconut oil overnight, depending on the way my hair feels/looks I decide whether I need to add a conditioner or not and also if I need to use a different oil altogether. This has helped to cut down on time and hasn't caused any problems.
Coconut Oil right after last rinse - Another thing I stopped doing for no reason at all, I don't even know what made me start again but I am glad I did, it really makes a difference.

Essential oils - For some reason, I stopped using EO's during wash days but I added them again a couple of weeks ago (or more, I'm losing days lol) I add them to my tea rinses and also to my conditioner mix. 

Adding oil(s) to my Conditioner Mix - I have started to add oil again, I stopped as I thought it was overkill with the oil as I use oil overnight but I love the way my hair feels after deep conditioning with the oils and my hair is soft and shiny.

Finger detangling only - I didn't mean to omit the comb during my wash day routine, I just forgot to comb my hair out lol, I normally comb the conditioner through my hair when applying in sections and then again just before I rinse it out. Somehow I forgot to detangle on wash day, I only realised that I forgot when I was putting in my leave ins. I didn't notice any added problems caused by the lack of comb. When I forgot again I decided to leave comb detangling out for a while to see how my hair gets on without it.

Allowing my hair to dry more before adding leave ins - I found that doing it this way made a difference to how my hair felt and looked the next day. I used to just remove the excess water but letting my hair dry more has become part of my routine that I will keep. I think adding the coconut oil straight away makes this work so well.

Banding - When I wanted to stretch my hair I reached for my trusty thread and did the African thread technique but it takes soooooo long and I found my ends would keep getting ripped off *gasp* I am sure its my technique that's wrong as I sometimes knot it in a way that tangles up my hair but I bought a couple packs of hairbands and went back to banding, I loved the way my hair looked and can't even remember why I stopped in the first place.... I think maybe it was harsh on my hair or something but for the time being it's going well. I'll keep an eye on the bands to see if and hair gets caught in them.

Sulphate-free Wash Day Items

Sooooooo there it is, wash day changes, additions and omitions (is that even a word?) so far it's working well for me.

Catch Up - Wash Day - Protective Style Prep.

Oh my goodness!! I was looking forward to this wash day in a way!

I missed not washing it while it was hidden away. I decided to give my hair an intensive wash day including a protein treatment as I was planning to plait my hair up for the next PS stint.

Washday; Overnight Pre-Poo

I removed the extensions, undid the cornrow/canerow/cameroes, put my hair in 4 sections and finger detangled.
I sprayed Shea Moisture C&H H&S MM onto my hair and oiled my scalp with my Hairlicious. Next I finally got to use the Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Moist I couldn't wait to try it as I have been hearing so much about it. I found it in my local Hair Shop in it's "import" section. I have been using the 3 minute aussies that are available here but haven't been able to get the ones available elsewhere till now. Firstly I love the scent, the ones here have a 'balm mint' fragrance and although it's ok, I love the purple one so much better.The formula feels more creamy and was lovely on my hair. I smoothed it through my hair using a generous amount and seled with lots of Virgin Coconut Oil. I put rhe 4 sections up into bantu knots, covered with a scarf and left overnight.

Washday; Teas and Conditioners

When it came to washing time I decided to change the order of my protein treatment. Instead of putting it on my hair before shampooing, I washed my hair with ORS Creamy Aloe Shampoo to clarify my hair and then applied the Hask Keratin Protein Smoothing Deep Conditioner. I left it on for around 20 mins and rinsed with water and followed with a Sage, Peppermint, Rooibus, (unpictured) Rosehip and Hibiscus Tea Rinse.


I deep conditioned with a moisturising mix of Kanechom Karite Butter Hair Moisturising Cream, Avanti Silicon Mix Bambú Nutritive Hair Treatment and Organix Hydrating Macadamia Oil Intensive Mask.
I left on my hair for the rest of the day then rinsed with lukewarm water and followed with an ACV rinse.

Washday; Leave Ins.

I smoothed some Virgin Coconut Oil through my hair and airdried for a while then stretched my roots with my hairdryer using cold air as I didn't have much time and wanted to canerow my hair.

I oiled my scalp with Hairlicious and M&S'd with Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Hold & Shine moisture mist, Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie and Organix Smoothing Liquid Glass Serum. I sectioned off the perimeter of my hair ready for the plaits and camerowed the rest ready for the crochet installation the next day.

Wash Day - return of the overnight conditioner and hello lime juice.

This wash day saw the return of the overnight conditioner, My hair felt like it could do with some extra moisture so instead of my usual oil based overnight pre-poo I decided do a conditioner one instead.

My scalp was unusually itchy that night so splitting my hair into 4 sections, I mixed some tea tree essential oil and Orgainc, cold pressed Grapeseed Oil and used it to massage into my scalp. I added a little hairlicious to the scalp and massaged further. I spritzed Aphogee Keratin and Green Tea Restructurizer on my hair and smoothed Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Beach Mate  through each section sealing with some more Grapeseed Oil. I bantu knotted each section and covered with a scarf.

The next morning my hair was soft and slightly damp. As I had put conditioner in the overnight treatment, I didn't need to do a day pre-poo so went straight to the washing part with L'Oreal Professhinnel Serie Nature Riche Macadamia Shampoo. I applied and rinsed, applied again and left on my hair while I showered then rinsed it off.

My teas rinse was Sage, Rooibus and Peppermint. I do miss my essential oils in my rinses and will add them next time.

The Deep Condish Mix I choose this time around was Kanechom Karite Butter Hair Moisturising Cream, Avanti Silicon Mix Bambú Nutritive Hair Treatment, Capilo La Aplanadora Macadamia Oil New Hair Growth Maintenance Treatment and Tropical Sun Coconut Milk Powder.  Whoooaaa this mix made my hair feel wonderful! Using my trustee 4 sections, I applied a little of the mix, detangled and smothed more of the mix from root to tip. I loosely bantu knotted each section, applied some mix with the conditioning/colouring brush to my edges/hairline and put my gold conditioning cap followed by a scarf.


 I got on with my day and popped to the hair shop I visited last week. I purchased some hair for my next protective style annnnddd a bottle of Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Hold & Shine moisture mist .... I know! I tried to hold out but the yumminess that is SM Coconut and Hibiscus caught me in it's juicy web.

At the end of the day I rinsed out the condish and realised my Apple Cider Vinegar was downstairs in the kitchen, everyone was sleeping so I couldn't even ask anyone to get it for me..... I had a choice - run through the house in my birthday suit dripping water through 3 storeys or just cold rinse without the ACV... Then I had a thought... the lime juice was up here as I used it in my toilet cleaning mix.... hmmmmm would that do? It was acidic afterall.... I had my phone so quickly searched lime juice rinse on hair just in case it was a huge no-no. I heard nothing but great things so going through with my bright idea I did a Lime Juice Rinse and I must say it was very good. My hair had the nice shine that ACV rinses give it.


I allowed my hair to dry more or less fully then applied my leave ins - Hairlicious on my scalp and  Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Hold & Shine moisture mist (I couldn't wait to give it a try),
Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie, and OCP Grapeseed Oil to seal I worked in 8 sections and African Threaded each one.

The results the next day was FABTASTIC!! I'm deffo getting somewhere with trying to combat the Day-After-Washday-Dryness. My hair felt moisturised and soft, I had that no-heat blowout look for real.

Big hair :)

I styled my hair in a side parted low bun/ponytail/puff using some Eco Styler Krystal Styling Gel, to slick it back and a little Creme of Nature Argan Oil Perfect Edges around the hairline, set with my scarf and was pleased with the final results. (my sleek look was messed up by my huge headphones coming on and off while Christmas food shopping, along with all the rushing, sweating and heavy bag carrying lololol - see what I go through for my lovely family? =P )










I'm linking up again with the #WashDayExperience and am going to have a nosey at some washday posts. I love seeing how others go through wash days.

Wash Day - Spontaneous Cowash and Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie first impression.

{{Woaaaaa Lonnnng title alert}}

Wash Day
When I went to bed last night and started my Nightly Routine, I took my hair down from it's bun and planned on combing my hair all the way through rather than maintaining the curls as I had been doing for the past few days, however felt knotty, coated and my scalp had that kind of *covered* feeling.

It was late - like 2am - and I contemplated moving wash day to today and pre-pooing overnight but I knew I wouldn't have time today to do it all. Sooooo I decided to cowash my hair- yes at 2am!! - and do the curl setting thing with Bantu Knots that I'd been doing for the past week but it would be more like a wash and go - although I used to think wash and go was literally well...wash and go, not wash, set, rake, dry and go lol.
I did a pre-cowash of sorts. I knew I wasn't going to do a deep condish treatment and wanted to nourish my hair a little so I slathered Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Beach Mate through my hair and put some Meridian Grapeseed Oil over it, left it on for around 1/2 hour and then cowashed with Pantene Truly Natural Hair Co-Wash Cleansing Conditoiner.
I blotted with a towel and let it air dry for a short while.
I put my hair in sections and sprayed the first one with Aphogee Keratin and Green Tea Restructurizer as I wanted to add a little strength. That;s when I realised I didn't detangle my hair! Not before I washed, Not during my wash, nothing. I don't know if it was because I was tired or if it's just another thing my stressed brain forgot about but I just clean forgot! I sealed the moisture with Grapeseed Oil, tried to detangle but was put off by the dry ripping feeling, grabbed my Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie, stroked the tub, smiled, opened said tub and sniffed... mmmmmm, smiled some more then told myself to get a grip and smoothed it through my hair.... LOVE!!
I detangled my hair and can I say LOVE again? I put a little Eco Styler Krystal Styling Gel from root to tip, brushed with my denman and bantu knotted. I repeated until all 8 sections were done, smotthed the front sections with a little more gel, put on my scarf and bonnet and that was a wrap.

This morning my hair hadn't dried through (not surprising given the time I went to bed...ahem)
So I dried it a little with my dryer on cool air.
My hair was fluffy and soft, and sooooo shiny. whooohooooo. I styled it into a loose high puff smoothing the front with some Eco Krystal and Creme of Nature Argan Oil Perfect Edges I put my scarf on to set and left it till I had to go out.


{{I'll insert a photo soon as my phone is crying}}
**Edited to add pics**

Items used to style hair

Trusty scarf (looove this scarf)

All set

Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie - First Impression

I really wanted to like this product - I wanted it to live up to all the hype and be worth the wait and yet a secret part of me hoped I didn't as it's sooooo expensive.
My goodness I LOVE IT!!! like straight up, first crush, LOVE.
I know I shouldn't get all ahead of myself and wait for at least a week to see how my hair likes it but Goody Goody Gumdrops I LOVE IT!!

I love the Smell - A sweet but not sickening creamy smell of tropical islands and triffle.
I love the Consistency -Thick, rich and creamy without being gloopy.
I love the Feel - Smooth and slightly blancmange like. I can feel oils but it doesn't feel greasy.
I love the *slip*
I love the way it makes my hair shine
I love the way it springs the curls I'm finding out I have.
I LOVE IT lol
The only thing I don't love is the PRICE - why Shea Moisture? WHY??

I am very tempted to try another product in this line and that was what I was dreading!! I will see how this one works out for me first though. I always need leave in spray/conditioner so If there's one is this line I may try it. I did see the much talked about Jamaican Black Castor Oil line at the shop I went to and it was a toss up between the JBCO leave in conditioner and the CAH curling smoothie.
I'm wondering how the CAHCES works like as just a moisturiser? I often use my Aunt Jackies Curl La La Defining Curl Custard as a moisturiser and it's great and has great slip so can't imagine CAHCES to be anything but great to.

Wash Day - Hurray for Coconut milk powder and shout out to banana.

Coconut milk powder, why did I leave you?

I cannot believe that I left Coconut milk powder out of my wash days for so long. I don't even know why I stopped using it. I think because we have moved and everything is still all over the place, it's just been easier to grab whatever I come across.
It was when I was in Tesco and saw a sachet of CMP that I remembered it had been such a long time since I used it and dropped it into my basket smiling and looking forward to the next wash day.
Three wash days later and it's deffo back into my wash day regime, whether mixed into my Pre-Poo or added in my Deep Condish mix it has been welcomed open armed.

I have to admit that banana made a guest appearance last wash day and it was like a visit from an old friend. It made my hair so soft and bouncy. I'll be mixing up my handmade mixes more often. Honey, CMP and Bananas - and their many friends - will once again be found in my bathroom.

This wash day I wanted to focus as much on the leave-ins as I did on the actual wash and condish products and techniques. My hair has been a little dry of late and I always have the *day after wash day dryness* that makes my hair cry.
I know the washing and lovingly mixed condish leave my hair feeling great but I'm wondering if it's time to invest on some high end leave-in products.

I used my Hairlicious and EVCO overnight and didn't do a pre-poo the next day as I felt the oils were still in my hair and enough to double as a pre-poo.
I washed my hair with my sulphate free L'Oreal Professhinnel Serie Nature Riche Macadamia Shampoo, 
** (It just hit me that I haven't used it since we moved as I had to remove the cellotape I placed on it to stop leaks. I've used the shampoo I use to clarify every time I washed my hair. I need to clarify after my crochet braids/plaits, before I straightened and after I straightened too- could that be the reason for my dry hair? )**
It felt soooooo good I love the way this shampoo feels and I am dreading the day when it finishes as I don't even know where I can get it from again. I rinsed and then added some more and left it on while I showered. When I rinsed it out again my hair felt clean but not stripped, I dried it it a little then
poured my tea rinse over my head this time I used Rooibus, Sage and Peppermint this time round.
I blotted the excess rinse out my hair and proceeded to Deep Condish. I wanted to use my Baba de Caracol intensive treatment and applied it to my hair, I decided to layer it up with a Condish mix. I like to use it directly on my hair rather than mixed in with anything else but I like to add something creamy ontop so I mixed up Silicon Mix Intensive Hair Treeatment- so glad it's finished as the smell is overpowering, great results just too strong. - and Organix Hydrating Macadamia Oil Intensive Mask with a bit of my Hairlicious and applied that  to my hair in four sections, de-tangling and looslely bantu knotting each one. On went the gold conditioning cap and a scarf.

I left the mix on my hair for a good few hours and rinsed it out late in the evening and finished off with an ACV rinse and wrapped my hair up in a vest and let it dry for awhile.

I wanted to try a slightly different leave-in method so instead of putting my leave-ins straight away I waited till my hair was around 60% dry, put it into  8 sections and reached for my new Herbal Essences Strengthening Cream and sprayed it into my hand. - I had thought it might replace my beloved HE Beautiful Ends but the consistency is all weird, not thick enough to be a cream and not thin enough to be a spray -  I decided to use it as the liquid part of my leave-ins and as my hair had a little moisture from washing left it worked well.
I used my Hairlicious to oil my scalp, massaged it lightly and then smoothed Profectiv Mega Growth Break Free Daily Leave-In Stregnthener, through my hair. I used my wide tooth comb to de-tangle then sealed with EVCO and pure Shea Butter from Ghana. I worked on each section individually and twisted it up and moved on to the next. When I had worked through all of my hair, I covered it back up with my vest and left it to dry for a bit more.

When my hair was around 85% dry I was tired lololol, I then untwisted a section at a time, smoothed with my denman brush and African Threaded it up.
I massaged my hairline with Hairlicious and tied my small silk scarf, put on my satin bonnet and was happy to have finished.

Doing my leave-in like that seemed to have helped the *day-after-wash-day-dryness* and also Threading it up when it wasn't so wet gave me smoother results.
All in all a successful - if not loooooong - wash day.





After months on end of ummming and ahmming about adding my wash day to the #washdayexperience I am finally joining in. I have silently visited the lovely ladies who add their links and have found many great blogs that I read regularly that way so here we go, no longer hiding lol
Click the badge to visit the main page and have a look at everyones wash day,,, well ... experiences :)

 

Catch Up - Wash Day and Heat Passss!! -

Whooooooopppp! haaaaaa

Yes I used heat on my hair!! Its been such a long time I'm rusty. To think I used to use heat from my blowdryer every time I washed my hair, plus the straighteners..... and I'd touch up my hair with them when my hair got frizzy. Oh gosh not to mention the curling tongs too.
It's fair to say I used heat with no care or second thought.
Before starting my HHJ I didn't even bother about heat protectants, I just used what I new would make my hair straight and shiney, thankfully I used oil moisturisers alot and they actually have Heat protecting properties but I cringe to think of the times I just "dry" tonged or straightened my hair..... and not always when freshly washed either(shudder).
Now I'm on my HHJ I air dry and use no-heat techniques to stretch my hair and to curl it.

I wanted to ensure I gave my hair the best protection starting from the actual washing. I also wanted to get my hair smooth as possible so I wouldn't need to use too much time with my straightners.

I started off with a Oil Baste overnight. The next day I prepared to pre-poo and as I needed to go to the shops I decided to brush my hair up into a bun with the condish in. I learned from last time that putting honey and coconut milk in my pre-poo mix and going outside was not a good move - sticky icky - so I left them out.

I sprayed my hair with Paul Mitchell's Awapuhi Moisture Mist (love that stuff) I sprayed quite a bit on to make my hair very damp. I then slathered(is that a word?) Aldi's Carino Herbals Hydration Conditioner (this is the dead stamp of Herbal Essences Hello Hydration), And smoothed Raw Coconut Oil on top.
I LOVED the curly afro the pre-poo left me with, I actually contemplated going without a hair band but thought if it ever dried out I'd be left with a ball of fuzz on my head.... nah... haaaaaa.
My curls are really starting to come through now and I love it!!(how many times can I say love in a post??)
I brushed my hair up into a curly bun. It's amazing that I didn't use any gel but got a slick bun..... I'm very tempted to try the curly girl or tightly curly, or whatever method it is that uses condish to style your hair.


I went around the shops in our new area, Mello needed school shoes so we went out specifically for them. I wanted to buy a heat protectant as I cannot find my Tresame one. I didn't want to buy another Tresame because I know it's in a box but I really want to try a heat protectant that also keeps hair straight too. I looked at the different types - whoooaahhhh there's soooooo many choices, my head was whizzing lol. After reading and re-reading and reading again nearly every straightening product in the shop(superdrugs actually) Mello was more than bored and kay was about to pull an almighty strop so I picked up Frizz Ease 3 Day Straight Semi-Permanent Styling Spray For Curly Hair(John Freida) and left....and the rain just fell out of the sky like buckets!! OHMYGOSH!! I can't even begin to explain the downpour.

When I came home, my hair was wet but the condish wasn't running down like I thought it may have been.

I decided to use my travel size Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Daily Shampoo(smoothing) to see if it got my hair smooth from the get go. It promised to smooth, soften and not strip my hair and it did just that.

I did a tea rinse with Sage, Peppermint and rooibus teas.

Next it was time for a Deep Condish Treatment. True to form I chose to mix a few conditioners/masks together but opted for the ones that smooth and
silken my barnet. I mixed Kanechom Karite Butter Hair Moisturising Cream,
Avanti Silicon Mix Bambú Nutritive Hair Treatment, Capilo La Aplanadora Macadamia Oil New Hair Growth Maintenance Treatment(all time dream product), Organix/OGX Hydrating Macadamia Oil Intensive Moisture Mask(not Pictured)
I also added some Coconut Milk Powder as I had left it out of the pre-poo and I know it deffo softens my hair.

After doing chores and getting dinner sorted, I rinsed the condish mix out of my hair in the shower.
I decided to use my travel size Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Daily treatment conditioner to further smooth my hair out.
and the time it was time to do my ACV rinse there was on way I was going to do it in the shower so I stood outside the shower unit and put my head over the base and poured it over my head. That's how I'm gonna do it from now on and will also do my tea and coffee rinses like that too.
I wrapped my hair in a vest and left it to dry a little.


In the meantime I had put the same condish mix I had on my hair into eldest son's hair as he wants to wear his hair out of plaits for a while. I rinsed it out, detangled and blowdried it for him. Wowww!! His hair has grown and is great!! I can't believe how it's gotten so nice after I have been looking after it for growth rather than just for keeping it neat.

Omy!! I was Ti-y-ered after all that - but the thought of having my hair straight gave a second wind. I sprayed the Frizz Ease 3 Day Straight Semi-Permanent Styling Spray on my hair and blowdried it. I was gonna use cool air to minimise heat on my hair but the instructions said overwise and kept emphasising that it was activated by heat so I went along with them and prayed I wouldn't get heat damage.
The Spray made my hair feel weird, like a little coated and hard.
I really liked the way my hair looked though, all fluffy and roots stretched out.
I then started the task of Straightening.... Out came the GHD's and the anxiety.... I have become soooooo cautious with using heat on my hair.
It's been soooo long since I straightened that I couldn't even remember which serum I liked the best!! I took out my Hask Straight Solution, Chi Keratin Silk Infusion and Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum and decided to use each on a section and see which one I liked better.
I used the chase method (where you place the comb/brush in front of straighteners) I bought the flat iron chase comb agggeessss ago and  decided to give it a try.
borrowed pic:

I just couldn't get to terms with it so swapped for my denman. 
I used the Hask serum but it was a bit sticky and then left my hair feeling odd so used the Chi but that was too light. So I mixed the two and carried on, halfway through I tried the comb again and for some reason, it just clicked and it worked great so I continued with that. I then tried the Paul Mitchell serum and remembered why I fell in love with it..... Yummo!! So with a combination of the Hask and PM I finished up:

Fluffy and Straight.

I was more than pleased with the growth!! whoooaaaa I was sooooo amazed, I couldn't see it before as clearly due to shrinkage and curling. really made my efforts seem worthwhile lol.
I can now claim shoulder length whoooopppp in fact i'm just past double whoooopppp the front of my hair always grows asthough it's cut in a style that is layerd so that part isn't at my shoulders but it has grown too.

I wrapped my hair with a little coconut oil so it would lay nicely for church and went to sleep - it was crazy o'clock. The next day this is how it looked:

straigggght!!

The front is reverting something chronic but hey ho, I'll take it. Getting ready was a breeze as I didn't have to detangle. It will be odd having straight hair again and the dodging of rain returns.