My Vitamins...

It has crossed my mind for a while now, the thought of taking Vitamins to boost my hair growth even though I use JBCO on my scalp once or twice a week (wash days for sure), and I have seen my growth rate increase.  I know everyone has been raving about Hairfinity  but I couldn’t bring myself to paying US$24 for a bottle (60 capsules for 1 month) when I would need at least 3 months supply to really see progress, so I went on the hunt for an alternate vitamins supplement that works.

I started to research  and I saw all kinds of Vitamins but the brand I decided to try is the Spring Valley - Hair, Skin & Nails, Plus Biotin Dietary Supplement Vitamins that can be found at Wal-Mart for US$12.88 for 240 tablets.  Initially I asked people in the hair boards about the different dosage of biotin that should be taken and I heard really bad reviews when starting with high dosages, which led to bad break-outs and increase growth in abnormal areas. Yes I wanted to try out 5000mg of biotin; ummm that’s a no no.  Who wants to grow facial hair? Certainly not me, but I did recognize that when they said “hair vitamin” it didn’t specify which ‘hair ‘but we all hope that its the hair on our head which would benefit the most. With that been said I asked my aunt to pick up two of the regular bottles [which only has 3mcg of biotin] as I was skeptical of the biotin one but instead she brought back the one which has 1000mcg of biotin.  This was sitting on my table from November and I decided to try it out after I got a fresh relaxer to see if it will really work.  On average I believe my hair grows at ½ inch per month especially the crown of my hair, the other parts like my nape [back of my head] grows at a slower rate, so if I see the same amount of growth or more growth, then I’ll know if the Vitamins work or not.

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How I Moisturize & Seal My Hair

Check out the visual of How I Moisturize & Seal My Hair

Hope you enjoyed my video....
 
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Navigating Tomes Edition...

When thinking about setting up this blog, my aim was to reach out to everyone not only the bloggers in the hair, make-up and fashion world but to ALL persons. It was brought to my attention by one of my good friend Dionne, that some of the hair jargon used are not readily understood in my posts [while reading right then and there] - my FAQs tab seeks to explains the hair jargon and other abbreviations you will come across while reading our content, more to follow below. With that being said, I therefore designed this tutorial to show you how to navigate through my entire blog. Please note that some Internet Browsers display Tomes Edition differently...

Overview of Navigation to be discussed below:

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Easy Breezy Wash Day…

Prior to my Hair Journey. I hated my wash days but now I look forward to giving my hair some well deserved TLC.  Technically this weekend passed would have been my relaxer day prior to my Hair Journey and I can’t believe why I made soooo much fuss to relax my hair every 6-7 weeks because my new growth is so manageable although my coils are kicking up, Knowledge is Power. After my last wash day where my hair was saved by my DC I decided to approach this wash day differently and add more moisture from the beginning. I ALWAYS detangle my hair before I start my wash day, and I part my hair in four sections.  My entire wash day process is done in these four sections (2 at the front & 2 at the back)

Pre-poo with EVCO & EVOO mixed together in an applicator bottle on my scalp and (CON Intensive Conditioning Treatment) on the length of my hair for 35 mins under my heat cap. I love how this conditioner gives my hair so much slip. After rinsing, my hair was instantly moisturized, very silky, soft and tangle free.

Shampoo with (CON Argan Oil Moisture & Shine Shampoo) [two lathers] and rinse

Apply (Aphogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor) on my hair for 5 mins without heat. As I stated in my last wash day after applying this product to my hair, it didn’t respond as it should, but this week was a complete turnaround. As I rinsed my hair it was immediately soft and silky as per usual

I used my (Queen Helene Cholestrol) mixed with EVOO, EVCO,JBCO, Jojoba Oil, 5 drops of Peppermint Oil, 5 drops of (Roux Correction Conditioner) [I usually mixed a big bowl to last 3-4 weeks and I store it in the fridge], for 45 mins under my heat cap. I have been using this Deep Conditioner since the start of my Hair Journey and my mixture is the bomb.com lol. My hair felt sooo good rinsing this out, it was soft, moisturized and I could feel my scalp tingling from the peppermint. So far so good, as my hair has been soft and moisturized from the beginning until now

I wrapped my hair in a t-shirt for 30 mins to absorb the excess water

Applied (Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea Restructurizer), (Herbal Essences Split-End Protector) and (Organix Coconut Milk Anti-Breakage Serum) to my hair and detangling was as easy as 1,2,3...

Normally, I air dry with my hair parted down the middle and let it hang down but I decided to try the traditional scarf method as seen below for 30 mins

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My edges were extremely flat and a sleek bun would have been perfect to do now. But I ended up with a headache and not sure if it was from the tightness of the scarf around my head or the fact I had not eaten yet for the day (it was 10 am). Perhaps I should try it on a full stomach next time.

This is where doing the scarf method was a waste of time because once my hair was dry I parted my hair back in four sections to oil my scalp with JBCO and moisturize with (Elasta QP Olive Oil & Mango Butter) and seal with (Hot Six Oil) The flatness disappeared but not completely.

I was feeling really lazy but wanted to try out some cute, yet fun protective styles. First I tried the Twisted Crown Updo from (Ebony's Tutorial @ Longing4Length) and it was a total fail. I just couldn’t get the last part sit flat as my hand felt awkward twisting the left side of my hair by my left ear and it didn’t look decent enough for work (I started at my left ear to end back there).  I ended up throwing my hair in a French braid/Inside Cornrow and although it wasn’t perfect, I thought it was good enough for work this week.

To see my French Braid/Inside Cornrow, check it out on my Hairstyles Page (Click Here)  

Were you happy with your last wash day?

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Wash Day…

I didn’t post my last two wash days because time just flew by and I realize oops, that I didn’t take any pics to show you guys, so I just slapped my hair into a bun for the week as seen (here)

On Friday while at work I noticed my hair looked dull in the mirror so I knew my hair had a lot of build-up and it was time to restore the shine.

This is how I approached my wash day (Link to Product):

1)      Prepoo with EVCO & EVOO on my scalp and on the length of my hair for 30 mins 

         under my heat cap

2)      Shampoo with ORS Creamy Aloe Shampoo [one lather]. This Shampoo makes my 

         hair squeaky clean but this time around it felt a little dry

3)      Shampoo with CON Moisture & Shine Shampoo [one lather]. I love how 

         this Shampoo instantly moisturized my hair but it still felt *blah*

4)      Apply ApHogee 2 Min Keratin Reconstructor  on my hair for 3 mins without heat.

         Normally when I wash this out my hair is instantly soft and silky but this wasn’t the 

         case today and I was really surprised and confused   
5)      I used my Queen Helene for the past two wash days but decided to apply 
       )  KeraPRO Restorative Intensive Conditioning Treatment  to my hair for 35 mins under
          my heatcap. When I went to wash it out, my hair felt stiff like if I did a protein treatment.

         As the water ran along my scalp my hair was instantly soft, silky and felt really
         moisturized.  My DC saved my hair today

6)      Wrapped my hair in a t-shirt for 30 mins to absorb the excess water
7)      Applied Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea Restructurizer, Herbal Essences Split-End
          Protector and Organix Coconut Milk Anti-Breakage Serum  to my hair and detangled
          really easy although I’m 5 weeks post

I was planning on going out tonight with one of my really good friends so I decided to full wrap my hair for a straight look.

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8)      Air dry for 30 mins

My Typical Wash Day

Since the start of my journey and the launch of my blog I have been approached by many asking what I do, when I do and how long it takes?  As soon as I start to mention what I have listed below, their first reaction is “oh no that's just too much and it will take up too much time.”

A week has in 168 hours and I think devoting 2 or even 3 hours (neither here nor there) into the care of your hair is the least you could do for general hair care maintenance. If you really want to have healthy hair, you need to invest your resources into it because results will not happen overnight. For example, you just might find useful products laying around the house like Extra Virgin Olive Oil [EVOO] in your kitchen which can be used as a hot oil treatment bi-weekly or monthly, but DO NOT go using normal cooking oil now because it will not have the same effect, lol.

Initially it may sound like a lot of work but it really is not, and once you get into a routine it will become a norm and you wouldn't even notice the amount of time you are spending on your hair.

A lot of people want long healthy hair but expect miracles instead of putting in the effort to achieve the desired results wanted. Instead of making excuses why you can’t have long healthy hair, challenge yourself to start practicing healthy hair habits and overtime you will see results. Remember consistency is the key and practice good techniques; also what you put in your body is a reflection of what happens on the outside, therefore practice good eating habits as well.

Take A Look At How Long It Takes Me To Give My Hair Some TLC:

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Depending on how long your hair is and how quickly you move your hands in the above

My Daily, Weekly & Monthly Regimen

I am finally entering into the Youtube world / Vlogging world yayy!!! I am planning to do a practical series of my actual regimen, so stay tuned and don't forget to Subscribe to my Channel (here)

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