Throwback Hair Picture: Braid Out

Here's a picture of my braid out in August 2008. This was taken one month before my stylist induced setback. My hair had a blunt cut and was mid back length. I'm still trying to get my hair back to this thickness. This was my regimen during that time:

I've Been Bad (and Good)

The past two weeks have been very busy, especially with my hair book. My third draft was due yesterday, so I hunkered down to get it done. Unfortunately, that meant my hair got neglected. I haven't washed my hair in two weeks and you do not want to know what's going on with my scalp at this point. Suffice it to say, it is not happy with me. Oh, the irony.

I have been moisturizing so that alleviates some of my guilt about being neglectful. Tomorrow I'm going to wash my hair and I'm nervous about detangling it. Yep, I haven't detangled it in the past two weeks either. I'm going to do a pre-poo treatment with coconut oil, which should soften up my roots before I detangle. Hopefully it will be an uneventful wash day.

Has anyone else been bad about their regimen recently?

Beach Regimen

Hibiscus I picked from my grandma's garden

On Sunday, I went to the beach with my family and had a blast. I didn't plan to swim, but I knew that my hair would get wet so I needed a plan to protect my hair while I enjoyed the water.


I decided to wear two fish braids as my protective style. This was my first time doing fish braids but I remembered watching a tutorial that Traycee from KISS did a few months ago. I parted my hair down the middle and made two ponytails, one behind each ear. I am right handed, so doing the left braid was easy and I got it right on the second try. The right braid was more tricky and it took about 5 attempts before I got it to look exactly like the left braid. I'm a stickler for balance, so I wanted them to look the same. It turned out great, but good grief it made my arms so tired LOL.

Jamaica Regimen

Although I'm on vacation, my hair care regimen is not on vacation. The weather right now is hot and dry.  There is no humidity so I don't have to worry about frizz. I've been using jojoba oil to lightly oil my ends, but I haven't been using the moisturizer because I'm trying to avoid making my hair weighted down with product. I'm going to a wedding on Saturday, so I need my hair to look fluffy and bouncy for the event. At night, I do 4 pin curls and cover with my silk bonnet as usual. During the day, I've been wearing my hair down but I put it in a bun when I get  hot and secure the bun with bobby pins or just make a loose bun knot and my hair holds itself in place.

Bun knot.

Pin curls at night

Wash Day Update

In my January Hair Update, I talked about how the plastic bands I used to secure my braids on wash day were breaking my hair.  I got some great suggestions and your input was appreciated. I decided to try out the mini scrunchies and I really like them.  I only have to wrap them twice around my braids, they stay put and they don't appear to cut into my hair.

What's interesting is that I noticed that when I would wash with the plastic bands, there would be a hair caught in the hair drain guard. But now, there is no hair caught in the hair guard.  The plastic bands were cutting into my hair as I washed, but I didn't realize anything was wrong.  Although I never had this problem with the black mini rubber bands, I decided to stick with the mini scrunchies.

Winter Wig Regimen

I will post a summary of my winter regimen shortly.

SNOW!

To my surprise (and chagrin), it started snowing today.  I suspect that this was just an anomaly, and the snow probably won't continue past today.  Don't get me wrong, I love snow and seeing the seasons change.  But today caught be off guard.

Winter officially starts on December 21, and I want to enjoy my hair as much as possible before I start my winter regimen.  That being said, I know that many of you already have consistent snow and severely cold temperatures.  To help those in that situation, I will make a video soon on my winter regimen.

In order to make the video the most helpful, please leave a comment below and tell me what your biggest challenge is when it comes to winterizing your hair.   

The Missing Link...

After my mishap with the Mane n' Tail Detangler, I reevaluated what I did with my hair during the week.  Then I realized that an integral part of my regimen was missing.  You may already know that I usually apply extra virgin organic coconut oil to my scalp a couple times a week.  Well the past few weeks, I unintentionally stopped applying the coconut oil to my scalp. 

How did that happen?  It's another case of having my products stored in several places around the house.  I have a 54oz tub of coconut oil that I keep in the upstairs bathroom.  I don't use the coconut oil straight out of the tub, rather I pour it into an applicator bottle and keep it in the master bathroom.  When I used up all of the oil in the applicator bottle, I completely forgot to refill it.  I didn't realize because I've been using my jojoba oil to seal after I moisturize.

So last week I applied the coconut oil to my scalp and when I washed this weekend, I noticed a huge improvement in my hair.  My hair detangled much easier than it has been in the past few weeks.  The only reason I got the Mane n' Tail Detangler was to help me detangle my dry hair before I washed.  Well as it turns out, I was having difficulty detangling because I stopped applying the coconut oil to my scalp.  The coconut oil soften my newgrowth and makes detangling much easier. 

This is a great example of how being consistent with your regimen is key to retaining length and avoiding setbacks.     

This Weekend's Wash Day Routine

Here is what I did today:

1. Detangled,
2. Clarified with diluted Elucence Clarifying shampoo (first time in a few weeks),
3. Shampooed with Elucence Shampoo,
4. Applied reconstructor, let it sit for 5 minutes, and rinsed,
5. Applied Kenra Moisturizing Conditioner and sat under hair steamer for 25 minutes.

I usually apply my reconstructor with my deep conditioner and sit under the hair steamer with both products in my hair.  However, the Aphogee 2 Minute Reconstructor directs that it should be used for up to 5 minutes.  On the other hand, the Elucence reconstructor directs to leave it in for 15 minutes.  So, I rinsed out the Aphogee before I deep conditioned. 

There are times when it is okay to improvise with products, and then there are times when you should follow the directions.  With protein products it is a good idea to follow the directions.     

After I rinse out the conditioner (yes, its still in my hair as I type lol), I'm going to air dry and either do a braid out or do bantu knots.  I will post pictures tomorrow.  

Regimen Update: Co-washing

As you may already know, I take horseback riding lessons once a week.  I love taking lessons but I realized last week that the helmet, low ponytail, and humidity are taking a toll on my hair.  Specifically, the humidity causes my hair to revert back being to curly, and the low ponytail rubbing on my shirt lead to knots on the ends of my hair.  To mitigate any future damage, I started wearing a low bun secured with my claw clips and I've decided to try co-washing after my riding lesson. 

Co-washing or conditioner only washing is a great option if you exercise often or prefer to limit your use of shampoo.  Today was my first day co-washing and so far so good.  It took me only 1 hour to detangle, braid, co-wash, shower, apply leave-in and re-braid.  I used Tresemme Moisture Rich Conditioner for my co-wash.  My regular conditioner, Kenra Moisturizing Conditioner, is a deep conditioner so co-washing would not be the best way to use it.  I will try other conditioners for my co-wash and write reviews on them also.

Braids secured with perm robs and end paper

Usually when I do a braidout, I wait for my hair to be about 90% dry and then do cornrows.   To save time and minimize manipulation, I rebraided my hair in the sections I use to wash and added perm rods to the ends.  I will show you the results tomorrow. 

Do you co-wash? If yes, what conditioner would you recommend?  

 

How I Cross Wrap My Hair

Hi friends!

Cross wrapping is another option for wearing your hair to bed.  I rarely wrap my hair but when I do, I cross wrap rather than doing a regular "doobie" wrap.   I prefer to cross wrap my hair because regular wrapping makes my hair limp and it causes my hair to "bend" in the direction of the wrap.  The bend makes my hair look uneven or slanted from the back.  With cross wrapping there is also less tension applied to my ends and edges.

I hope this is helpful.  

Happy Growing.

How I Moisturize and Seal

I moisturize daily, usually at night before I go to bed. Moisturizing at night allows my hair to absorb the product while I sleep, so I wake up to moisturized hair that is not weighted down.

My Regimen

Updated 11/2011

Hi friends!

My warm weather regimen is slightly different from my winter regimen, in order to accommodate the humidity and increased manipulation.

Wash Schedule 

• Wash once every week with diluted shampoo; Clarify at least once a month,
• Light protein/ reconstructor every week,
• Deep condition ("DC") every week under my hair steamer,
• After DC, seal cuticles with low ph product (more details to come),  
• Apply a liquid, creamy, and serum leave-ins, in that order (the products vary, more details to come),
• Either air dry, roller set, or blow dry and then flat iron to style.

Wash Day Products  - Elucence shampoo (moisturizing and clarifying) or Kenra Moisturizing shampoo, Aphogee 2 step Keratin reconstructor or Elucence reconstructor, Kenra Moisturizing Conditioner.

Daily - Moisturize with Bioinfusion Olive Oil Hair Lotion, use coconut oil or jojoba oil to seal.

Relax every 14 weeks with Affirm lye regular.

That's it!  I keep my regimen very simple and follow it religiously.  The key for my growth retention is consistency.  I will post updates on which products I use, and any modifications I make.

Bedtime Style - Bun

Here is a quick video showing one way that I style my hair to go to bed at night.

How I Blow Dry With A Diffuser

Here is a quick video showing how I use a diffuser to speed up my air drying process.

I'm currently at 11 weeks post my last relaxer.  My roots are insanely thick right now, so I plan to do my relaxer next weekend.

How I Air Dry

Hi friends!

Air drying is a great way to avoid using direct heat, thus reducing the chance of damage.  I air dry my hair in the winter, while I am wearing my protective style.  Air drying is also a great option for the summer time, when the humidity may not allow you to wear straight styles.

One common complaint about air drying, is your hair may feel hard and start to break.  If this is your experience, try using a creamy leave in, and skip the protein when you condition your hair. 

How I Apply Conditioner

Hi friends!

This is how I apply reconstructor and conditioner to my hair. In the interest of time, I mix the two products together and deep condition under my hair steamer.

It is important to condition your hair after each wash.  If your hair is relaxed, then make the time to deep condition with heat at least twice a month.  I understand that we have busy lifestyles, but you will see improvement in your hair, if you make the time to deep condition with heat.

As an alternative to using a hair steamer, you can use a shower cap and sit under your dryer, or use a heat cap to deep condition for at least 15 minutes.    

How I Shampoo My Hair

Hi friends!

Shampooing your hair may seem like a simple and thoughtless process.  But, for those of us who get tangles when we wash our hair, shampooing can be a source of frustration.  If you are frustrated when you wash your hair, then you are more likely to cause damage to your hair.

Here are two videos demonstrating how I shampoo my hair, and what products I use.  This process helps me to reduce tangling and saves time on wash day.

I hope this is helpful.

MsKibibi

Winter Protective Style Regimen

Here is my winter protective style regimen. This post supplements the video above, so please watch the video in addition to reading this post.

Wash Schedule:

• Frequency - I wash my hair every two weeks (or once a week if my scalp gets itchy).

• Cornrow Removal - I unbraid each cornrow and thoroughly comb out all of the shedded hair. If you do not remove the shedded hair before you wash, your hair will get tangled and matted.

• Shampoo - I shampoo three times. First, with diluted clarifying shampoo. Then twice with diluted moisturizing shampoo.

• Deep Condition - To save time, I mix my reconstructor and deep conditioner together. I apply and comb the mix through my hair, then deep condition under my hair steamer for 40 minutes.

• Leave-in Conditioner - I use a liquid and creamy leave-in and comb them through my hair.

• Drying Technique - I let my hair air dry hanging down, with a silk scarf wrapped around my neck.

• Edges - I apply a heat protectant and flat iron the hair I leave out. Although I have a lace front wig, I use it like an instant weave. For me, this looks more natural than having the wig sit on my forehead.

Daily Care:

• I remove the wig at night and spray the cornrows with braid spray mixed with Infusium 23 leave-in. I seal with either coconut oil or castor oil.

• I comb the wig daily to remove tangles. I do not apply any product to the wig. 

I have a different regimen for the Spring/Summer seasons and will update my regimen when the time comes. 

Please let me know if you have any questions in the Comments section.