HOTD: Flat Twist Out Fail…

I have been admiring some gorgeous twist-out on Instagram lately and decided to give it a try.  I carried out my usual wash day but used Fruit of Earth Aloe Vera Gel to help define my twist-out. I started on the right hand side of my head and realized the twist were extremely loose and didn't know how to tighten it. I figured it will turn out as a loose wave and I was fine with that.  Can you believe when I got to the last two twists I figured out how to flat twist tighter.  Since I used gel and my hair was starting to get hard, I didn't bother to re-do all the twist.

Flat Twist Out on Relaxed Hair

Co-Wash Day: Flexi- Rods @ 4 Weeks Post

The initial plan was a full wash day which was to comprise of prepooing (pre-shampoo treatment) with a protein conditioner and deep conditioning with a moisturizing conditioner but that didn't happen and opted to co wash instead.

Flexi-rods @ 4weeks post

Flexi-Rods @ 4 Weeks Post…

I can’t believe I’m 4 weeks post already and my new growth is extremely manageable. Let’s dive into how my wash day went.

[1]   Scalp massage with Extra Virgin Coconut Oil with a couple drops of peppermint oil

       (warmed) for 5mins. Applied EVCO on the length of my hair. On the last 4inches of my 

       ends I applied Creme of Nature Intensive Conditioning Treatment. From my review here 

       this is my preferred product to pre-poo with after doing styles that may end up frizzy.

       I rocked a loose braid-out last week. I went under my heat cap for 20mins. While rinsing

       out my hair my hair especially my ends felt so moisturized and silky.

[2]   Shampooed with Crème of Nature Moisture & Shine Shampoo

[3]   Applied Aphogee 2 mins reconstructor for 2mins and rinsed.

[4]   Deep Conditioned with my old faithful of Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair            Mask for 40mins under my heat cap.

[5]   Wrapped my hair in a Tshirt for 10mins to absorb the excess water.

[6]   Applied my leave in’s of Aussie Moist Conditioner, Herbal Essences Split End Protector 

       and sealed with Hot Six oil.  Since I was going out I put my hair in 11 Flexi-rods and I 

       rolled it how I used too when my hair was much shorter.

Flexi -Rods

Christmas Day Hair: Flexi-Rods…

At 14weeks post relaxer, the only way to blend both textures is doing some form of curls because flat ironing isn't even a question for me . Since I just had a full wash day I opted for a quick co-wash. Don' forget to check out Miss Dre Liebster Award questions here.

[1]   Deep Conditioned with my Queen Helene Cholesterol mixture on dry hair for 20mins 

       and rinsed.

[2]   Cleansed my scalp with Aussie Moist Conditioner.

[3]   Wrapped my hair in a t-shirt for 45mins to absorb the excess water.

[4]   Before applying my leave in conditioners I sprayed my hair with Mane n Tail detangler 

       on my roots. This detangler is no joke, it literally melts my tangles away. Applied my

       leave in conditioners of Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea Restructurizer , Aussie Moist 

       Conditioner, Herbal Essences Split End Protector(on my ends) and Coconut oil to my

       hair and detangled again carefully. I had no issues detangling at all.

[5]   I sectioned my hair in 4 (2 at the front & at the back) and used my wide width comb first, 

       then a smaller comb to make sure there were no knots or tangles before rolling the hair.

I had my moisturizing spray bottle on hand to keep my hair moist before rolling unto the flexi-rods.  I used end wrap papers to secure the ends as the rolled the hair up in a spiral set.

It took me about 1hr & 15mins to install 25 rods. Before getting under my hooded dryer I used my trusted Tresemme Heat Tamer spray and sat under the hooded dryer for 30mins.  Since I was going to the midnight service I let the rest of my hair air dry.

 

Please click on the image to enlarge

 I only pulled apart the curls at he back and side  to eliminate the spaces but pretty much left the 

Wash Day with Bantu-Knot Out #Fail...

I felt so lazy that morning because I couldn't decide how to style my hair after my wash day perhaps Flexi-Rods, Roller Set, Bantu –knots I don’t know.

Note: I ALWAYS detangle prior to starting my wash day.

[1]   Prepooed with Extra Virgin Coconut Oil mixed with some peppermint oil on my scalp and 

       a bunch of conditioners that I’m trying to get rid of, mixed with some honey on the length 

       of my hair for 20mins under my heat cap.

[2]   Shampooed with Aussie Moist Shampoo diluted with water and a few drops of peppermint 

       oil because it strips my hair. Followed up with CON Moisture & Shine Shampoo and rinsed.

[3]   Applied Aphogee Two Minute Keratin Reconstructor for 3 mins and rinsed.

[4]   Deep Conditioned with Elasta QP Intense Fortifying Conditioning Treatment (first use) for

       30 mins under my heat cap.  First Impressions it smells great and has a lot of slip. I did not        mix anything with it because I want to see if the product proclaims its word.

[5]   Wrapped my hair in a t-shirt for 1hr to absorb the excess water

[6]   Applied Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea Restructurizer, Aussie Moist Conditioner, 

       Herbal Essences Split-End Protector (on my ends) and Extra Virgin Coconut Oil to my

       hair and detangling has been a breeze so far since I’m only 3 weeks post relaxer.

[7]   After an hour my hair was completely air dried and so moisturized and shiny.

[8]   Oiled my scalp with Jamaican Black Castor Oil and moisturized with my 

       Elasta QP Olive Oil & Mango Butter

Please click on image to enlarge

After seeing KLP from (Saving Our Strands) doing some fabulous Bantu-Knot Out not stop, I 

NEW VIDEO: Flexi-Rods on Relaxed Hair (Install & Take Down)

As promised I have uploaded the Flexi-Rods video that I did last week @ 12weeks post relaxer.  Hope this is helpful for those of you who want to try this method of achieving spiral curls.

I hope you enjoyed the video.

Be Inspired…  
 

Food | Drinks | Great Convos + Laughter = Girls Night Out

                “It’s nice to have friends that know all about you and still love you anyway”

                       “To have a friend and be a friend is what makes life worthwhile”

It’s so relaxing and refreshing to hang out with your girlies to chit chat about everything in life whether you are the topic or otherwise it’s always a fantastic time. These girls crack me up all the time and definitely never a dull moment with them.

Date night with my girls almost didn't happen because all the places to eat were all booked up and we forgot to make a reservation. We drove around to two main eating places and ended up at TGI Fridays. Thank goodness they had some available tables and we were seated within 5mins.

In a blink of an eye our waiter came over and introduced herself and we placed our orders. She was very friendly and made us feel comfortable while we waited for our food.  Charlia had a Southwest Burger with regular potato fries, Nicole had a Jack Daniel Burger with sweet potato fries and I had a Cheese Burger with sweet potato fries *yumyum*and of course the drink of the night was Mudslides.  This has been the best mudslide I have ever tasted in my life, kudos to the bar tender for making such amazing drinks.

  

Cheers to making great memories and good friendships. Here are a few pics of how our night went:

(Left-Right - Tomi, Charlia & Nicole)

Flexi-Rods @ 12 Weeks Post

Today’s wash day is filled with loads of moisture and peppermint, such a great wash day with no issues *sigh of relief @ 12 weeks post*

[1]   Prepooed with coconut oil on my scalp and Aussie Moist Conditioner mixed with Extra

       Virgin Olive Oil and Coconut oil with a few drops of peppermint on the length of my hair 

       for 30mins under my heat cap.

[2]   Shampooed with Elasta QP Creme Conditioning Shampoo.

[3]   Poured my black tea rinse mixed with a hint of peppermint oil from my roots to my ends

       for 5 mins, then applied Aussie Moist Conditioner over that for 2 mins and rinsed. My hair

       felt sooooooooooooo good at this point, very soft and moisturized which made me 

       contemplate skipping my DC but I really wanted to try out this new Deep Conditioner and 

       old habits are hard to die.

[4]   Deep Conditioned with Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask for 45 mins

       under my heat cap.  This DC lives up to its words, my hair felt like butter and so 

       moisturized, really liking this so far.

[5]   Wrapped my hair in a t-shirt for 1hr to absorb the excess water.

[6]   Applied Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea Restructurizer , Aussie Moist Conditioner,    
       Herbal Essences Split End Protector (on my ends) and Hot Six Oil to my hair and 
       detangled carefully.

I sectioned my hair in 4 (2 at the front & at the back) and used my wide width comb first then a smaller comb to make sure there were no knots or tangles before rolling the hair.

Please click on image to enlarge

I had my moisturizing spray bottle on hand for when my hair starts to get dry before I was ready to roll them.

Tomes Edition Hair “TREATS” ::Spotlight:: Dionne’s Wash Day...

Over the course of my life I have been blessed with a lot of supportive friends that have been cheering me on from the sidelines, since I started my Healthy Hair Journey. So I decided as a token of my appreciation, to give some of them hair “Treats” compliments Tomes Edition. Without further adieu let’s introduce the lady that knows me inside and out and our friendship is 18 years strong and today’s highlight Ms Dionne..

Dionne isn't on a hair journey and wants to start a Healthy Hair Journey but she’s just too darn lazy even though she has thick beautiful full shoulder length hair.  

::Let’s get to know Dionne alil bit more::

Dionne has been relaxed for 14 years and gets a relaxer 4 times a year. Straight off Dionne is practicing healthy hair habits by stretching her relaxer but she doesn't even know she is lol.  I had a look at the products she uses on her wash days which comprises of Elasta Soy OYL UltraHydration Shampoo and Deep Conditions with Elasta Dpr 11 Deep Penetrating Conditioner and moisturizes with Mizani Coconut Souffle Light Moisturizing Hairdress.  As you can see her products are protein heavy and I felt it on her strands which were rough. She also uses heat every wash day by blow drying and on relaxer day as well.

One Year Hair Anniversary…

Time flies so quickly and I can’t believe I have been on my Healthy Hair Journey for a year now and feeling really blessed to see how well my hair is blossoming. June 2012 was when I started my hair journey, you can check out how and why I started my (Healthy Hair Journey).

My Hair Journey hasn't been a walk in the park but I have thoroughly enjoyed it so far.  I don’t have any regrets but I do wish I started my Hair Journey sooner, better late than never right.

Have a look at how my hair has been over the year so far and looking forward to meeting many more goals in the future. I started off at Full Neck / Shoulder Length and now I’m grazing APL. Over the last year I wore braid-outs (still have to master this), Bantu Knots, Buns, Flexi-Rods, Inside Cornrow/French Braid and Faux Bobs.

First 4 month stretch:

Please click on image to enlarge

Wash Day with Flexi-Rods...

*Have you checked out our latest feature of the mouse over yet? Well just place your mouse over EVOO or any other abbreviations below to get the meaning*

I hope everyone had a wonderful and Blessed Easter (sorry this post is alil bit late).  One of my good friends was hosting a dance show over the weekend and I was planning to go and show some support.  The show was very well attended and the performances were awesome, Barbados has great talent.  For my dress I was thinking of an artistic look (did not happen, just slapped on a jeans and nice top) and for my hair I wanted some form of curls and decided to do a Flexi-Rod set and I’m 8 weeks post relaxer.  To achieve the look I wanted, this is how my wash day went:

1)      Prepoo with EVCO & EVOO on my scalp and Herbal Essence Long Term Relationship 

         Conditioner on the length of my hair for 30 mins under my heat cap 

2)      Shampoo with CON Argan Oil Moisture & Shine Shampoo [two lathers] 

3)      Apply Aphogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor on my hair for 2 mins without heat. 

4)      When I took the mixture of my Queen Helene DC from the fridge I noticed it wasn’t 

         enough for my whole head.  I decided to try (CON Intensive Conditioning Treatment) 

         [first time using this as a Deep Conditioner], with a few drops of peppermint oil for 

         45 mins  under my heat cap. From 8 weeks post I increase the amount of time I DC     

         because my new growth is kicking up and I want to ensure that those coils are 

         properly conditioned. My hair felt silky and moisturized but I think I prefer this as a 

         pre-poo. 

5)      Wrapped my hair in a t-shirt for 10 mins to absorb the excess water 

6)      Applied Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea Restructurizer , Herbal Essences Split-End 

         Protector and Organix Coconut Milk Anti-Breakage Serum  to my hair and detangled 

         carefully. 

7)      I parted my hair in 3 sections (2 at the front &  at the back) and used my wide width 

         comb first, then a smaller comb to make sure there were no knots or tangles before 

         rolling the hair.

Please click image to enlarge

 8)     My hair wasn’t soaking wet but damp and I had my spray bottle filled with water on 

Wash Day + Bantu Knots / Cork Screws

Ever since Sonyia from the Hairlista Facebook group talked about preferring oil rinsing as opposed to pre-pooing, I decided to try it out to see which one my hair prefers, although I ALWAYS pre-poo and love the results.  Here is how my wash day went: 

1)      Section my hair in 4 (2 in the front & 2 in the Back) & detangled my wide width 

         tooth comb. I ALWAYS detangle before the start of my wash day as it makes it 

         so much easier when I detangle just before air-drying. 

2)      Shampoo with CON Argan Oil Moisture & Shine Shampoo (2 lathers) 

3)      Apply Aphogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor for 3mins without heat and rinse 

4)      Used a towel to soak up the excess dripping water and saturate my hair from root 

         to tip with EVCO & EVOO mixed together in an applicator bottle, placed a plastic 

         cap on my head and sat under my heat cap for 25mins 

5)      To avoid taking 3 baths, I decided to apply my deep conditioner on-top of the 

          oil and I used the KeraPro Restorative Intensive treatment for 30mins under 

          my heat cap.  This method is great for deep conditioners that you don’t 

          normally add oils to them, to boost the effectiveness.  I normally add oils to 

          my Queen Helene, so with this step I could apply it without mixing oils since 

          my hair will be adequately saturated with oils. 

6)       Rinsed and wrapped my hair in a t-shirt for 30mins to soak up the excess water 

7)       Applied my leave-in’s of Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea Restructurizer & HE Split 

          End Protector 

8)      Air dry for 45 mins

At this point my hair felt moisturized and also very oily and my strands felt heavier than normal. I believe this contributed to the amount of oil the shampoo left on my hair and the oil rinsing.  I have only being using the CON shampoo for 2weeks and want to use it for at least 4weeks before I can give you my thoughts on it.

9)      Moisturized and with Elasta QP Olive Oil & Mango Butter and sealed with Hot Six oil 

10)    In the hair world the hair style I wanted to try is called Bantu Knots whereas in 

         Barbados it’s known as Cork Screws. I decided to do 14 knots (6 to the back & 

         8 to the front).

*To see the images of the products used, please click on My Regimen & Products (Click Here)*

Here are the results of my Bantu-Knots/Cork Screw attempt:

Please click image to enlarge