I will try and share my nail of the wash day (NOTWD) with you all as often as I can remember to take a picture. Lol! Nails are my second favorite beauty obsession. Of course hair is my first!
Do you have any wash day traditions?
23.11.12
Wash Day Traditions- Nails
It is pretty common after a wash day that I will change up my nail color. I guess it has become a sort of tradition. The only times I don't do my nails on a wash day is if I am way too busy with school stuff or it is a really quick cowashing day. I have a pretty extensive polish collection so I like to change up the colors often. This wash day I went with China Glaze "Secret Periwinkle."
Wash Day- Another Rollerset
I wanted to wear my hair down for the Thanksgiving holiday, but I was opposed to straightening it. I had an entire day to myself so I felt like it was a great opportunity to practice rollersetting again (the traditional way-- as opposed to the ponytail method). First I...
Some of the rollers had too much hair on them. It was a situation where I had a section where I couldn't put two rollers because there wasn't enough space, but it was too much hair in the section to go on the roller smoothly. After rolling and re-rolling some sections I gave up and went under the dryer. After 90 minutes here's how the set came out...
- Prepooed overnight with castor oil on my scalp and Organix Macadamia Oil Hydrating Mask on the length of my hair
- I shampooed my hair with Kera Minerals Smoothing Shampoo
- Applied Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion Smoothing Conditioner and left it on my hair for 5 minutes before rinsing
- Deep conditioned for about 3 hours with Kera Pro Restorative Treatment under my heating cap
- Did a clear rinse with Jazzing Clear Rinse
- T-shirt blotted my hair before adding leave ins Aphogee Keratin Green Tea Reconstructurizer and Creme of Nature Argan Oil Leave In
- I applied Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion Serum before detangling.
- Rollerset my hair in four sections
Some of the rollers had too much hair on them. It was a situation where I had a section where I couldn't put two rollers because there wasn't enough space, but it was too much hair in the section to go on the roller smoothly. After rolling and re-rolling some sections I gave up and went under the dryer. After 90 minutes here's how the set came out...
So it wasn't tragic! The ends set really nicely however since the rollers weren't placed strategically enough for the roots to stay taut, my roots stayed pretty textured. Even though I wanted to stay away from the straightening, I decided that straightening only my roots wasn't as bad as going through the length of my hair and ends. After doing only one pass on 320 degrees through my roots with my GVP straightener here is what I got...
Overall I was pleased! Going through and sectioning my hair to straighten my roots made my hair a little frizzy so I applied some more serum. I really loved how soft and bouncy my hair was. I do wish that I used Lottabody setting lotion this time around because I could tell that my hair was going to frizz up really soon (the Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion Serum didn't do the best job at minimizing the frizz-- then again I didn't apply too much of it). When I used Lottabody with my previous ponytail set I got very little frizz and the set lasted a while. Next rollerset I will use it again.
Practicing rolleseting is showing some improvement in my skill. I have a little bit more patience for the process and I am excited for the next time I rollerset.
Quick comment about the clear rinse...
I am loving the clear rinsing! My hair is so smooth and easy to detangle after I rinse it out. While combing through my hair with a fine tooth comb for the rollersetting process there was very little hair coming out. I as very pleased and I wish I could do the rinse every week lol. It is definitely going to be a staple in my regimen. Does anyone know how frequently I can do these clear rinses? I'm thinking every 6 washes?
Have you been practicing your rollersetting lately? How's it going?
21.11.12
Product Review: Carol's Daughter Monoi Repairing Collection
I am finally reviewing the Carol's Daughter Monoi starter kit! I bought the starter kit from Macy's at the end of August for $24.00 and I do not regret making this purchase!
The starting kit includes:
Monoi Repairing Shampoo, 2 fl oz
Monoi Repairing Conditioner, 2 fl oz
Monoi Repairing Hair Mask, 2 oz
The kit promises:
At first I felt like the sample sizes were way too small but I got about three uses out of the hair mask, about five uses out of the conditioner, and I just recently finished the shampoo (I am not heavy handed with shampoo) after definitely more than seven uses. Overall I am extremely happy with the kit but I will break this review down into pros and cons.
Pros: The smell of the products is absolutely amazing! In my opinion it has a sort of tropical relaxing smell. I know that can mean different things for different people, but whenever I smell the product I think of being in the Caribbean. The smell might be my favorite aspect of the products. The shampoo is sulfate-free which is always great because it does not strip the hair, but this does mean that there was no lather. After shampooing my hair it felt so moisturized! I didn't even feel like I needed to deep condition afterwards because my hair had a good amount of slip and it felt super hydrated. I have never come across a shampoo that has made my hair feel so soft.
I also really liked the hair mask. It had a very thick consistency and went onto my hair really nicely. After washing the mask out I could not get over how soft my hair was! The mask also gave really great shine to my hair. While detangling in the shower (which was a breeze), after washing the mask out, I got very little breakage and my hair did feel very strong. I really appreciate the combination of monoi, bamboo, hydrolyzed silk, and hibiscus because they all seemed to work well together to get my hair soft and manageable enough for me to avoid damage. Days after my wash day with the Monoi products, I still got whiffs of the tropical scent which I loved!
The products also have no parabens, no sulfates, and no mineral oil, and no artificial coloring!
Cons: I don't think the conditioner did too much for me. When I used it after the shampoo, my hair felt soft but no softer than the shampoo had already made my hair feel. In my opinion, I could've done without the conditioner. In fact, once the shampoo ran out and I had to use the shampoo alone, my hair was super soft. I didn't need to follow up with a rinse out conditioner after using the shampoo.
Measuring the claim of "96% less breakage and "13x stronger hair" is pretty tricky, I don't know how Carol's Daughter expects their customers to measure such a thing, but it seems like a great way to get people to buy the product. I did experience less breakage and my hair did feel much stronger after using the products but I don't know if I would go so far to say that I got 96% less breakage and 13x stronger hair.
The kit was sort of pricey and the full size products are even pricier. It makes me want to search for products that work just as good for a cheaper price.....put the amazing smell though....
Overall: I would definitely repurchase the Monoi shampoo and repairing mask but I would hold off on the conditioner. The great smell that the products have and the strength that it gives my hair makes it worth spending the money.
Ingredients:
Monoi Repairing Hair Mask: Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Glycerin, Cetyl Esters, Dimethicone, Fragrance (Parfum), Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oiol, Gardenia Tahitensis Flower Extract, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isohexadecane, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Moringa Pterygosperma Seed Oil, Phyllostachis Bambusoides Juice, Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract, Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccaride, Helianthus Annus (Sunflower) Seed Extrac, Panthenol (Pro-vitamin B5), Cetrimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethiconol, Octyldodecanol, Ceteareth-20, Quarternium-91, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Methylisothiazolinone.
Monoi Repairing Shampoo: Water, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, PEG-150 Distearate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids, Coconut Oil Glycereth-8 Esters, Shea Butter Glycereth-8 Esters, Polyglyceryl-3 Laurate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Gardenia Tahitensis Flower Extract, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Phyllostachis Bambusoides Juice, Moringa Pterygosperma Seed Extract, Helianthus Annuus(Sunflower) Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract, Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide, Hydrolyzed Silk, Panthenol (Pro-vitamin B5), Glycerin, Glycol Distearate, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Quaternium-91, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Methylisothiazolinone, Fragrance.
Monoi Repairing Conditioner: Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Glycerin, Isododecane, Fragrance (Parfum), Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Isohexadecane, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Gardenia Tahitensis Flower Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Moringa Pterygosperma Seed Oil, Phyllostachis Bambusoides Juice, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Hydrolyzed Silk, Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract, Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Extract, Panthenol (Pro-vitamin B5), Cetrimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Methosulfate, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Octyldodecanol, Ceteareth-20, Quaternium-91, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sorbic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Methylisothiazolinone.
The starting kit includes:
The kit promises:
- 96% Less Breakage. After 1 Use, 13x Stronger Hair.
- Stronger, longer, invincible hair for over-processed, overheated and over-stressed brittle hair.
Highlighted Ingredients (full list of ingredients at the end of this post):
- Monoi Oil: Intensely conditions hair.
- Bamboo Water: Helps to reinforce hair's structure.
- Hydrolyzed Silk: Helps fortify hair against future damage.
- Hibiscus Extract: Helps to quickly detangle any hair type, but especially delicate, damaged hair.
At first I felt like the sample sizes were way too small but I got about three uses out of the hair mask, about five uses out of the conditioner, and I just recently finished the shampoo (I am not heavy handed with shampoo) after definitely more than seven uses. Overall I am extremely happy with the kit but I will break this review down into pros and cons.
Pros: The smell of the products is absolutely amazing! In my opinion it has a sort of tropical relaxing smell. I know that can mean different things for different people, but whenever I smell the product I think of being in the Caribbean. The smell might be my favorite aspect of the products. The shampoo is sulfate-free which is always great because it does not strip the hair, but this does mean that there was no lather. After shampooing my hair it felt so moisturized! I didn't even feel like I needed to deep condition afterwards because my hair had a good amount of slip and it felt super hydrated. I have never come across a shampoo that has made my hair feel so soft.
I also really liked the hair mask. It had a very thick consistency and went onto my hair really nicely. After washing the mask out I could not get over how soft my hair was! The mask also gave really great shine to my hair. While detangling in the shower (which was a breeze), after washing the mask out, I got very little breakage and my hair did feel very strong. I really appreciate the combination of monoi, bamboo, hydrolyzed silk, and hibiscus because they all seemed to work well together to get my hair soft and manageable enough for me to avoid damage. Days after my wash day with the Monoi products, I still got whiffs of the tropical scent which I loved!
The products also have no parabens, no sulfates, and no mineral oil, and no artificial coloring!
Cons: I don't think the conditioner did too much for me. When I used it after the shampoo, my hair felt soft but no softer than the shampoo had already made my hair feel. In my opinion, I could've done without the conditioner. In fact, once the shampoo ran out and I had to use the shampoo alone, my hair was super soft. I didn't need to follow up with a rinse out conditioner after using the shampoo.
Measuring the claim of "96% less breakage and "13x stronger hair" is pretty tricky, I don't know how Carol's Daughter expects their customers to measure such a thing, but it seems like a great way to get people to buy the product. I did experience less breakage and my hair did feel much stronger after using the products but I don't know if I would go so far to say that I got 96% less breakage and 13x stronger hair.
The kit was sort of pricey and the full size products are even pricier. It makes me want to search for products that work just as good for a cheaper price.....put the amazing smell though....
Overall: I would definitely repurchase the Monoi shampoo and repairing mask but I would hold off on the conditioner. The great smell that the products have and the strength that it gives my hair makes it worth spending the money.
Ingredients:
Monoi Repairing Hair Mask: Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Glycerin, Cetyl Esters, Dimethicone, Fragrance (Parfum), Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oiol, Gardenia Tahitensis Flower Extract, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isohexadecane, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Moringa Pterygosperma Seed Oil, Phyllostachis Bambusoides Juice, Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract, Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccaride, Helianthus Annus (Sunflower) Seed Extrac, Panthenol (Pro-vitamin B5), Cetrimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethiconol, Octyldodecanol, Ceteareth-20, Quarternium-91, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Methylisothiazolinone.
Monoi Repairing Shampoo: Water, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, PEG-150 Distearate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acids, Coconut Oil Glycereth-8 Esters, Shea Butter Glycereth-8 Esters, Polyglyceryl-3 Laurate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Gardenia Tahitensis Flower Extract, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Phyllostachis Bambusoides Juice, Moringa Pterygosperma Seed Extract, Helianthus Annuus(Sunflower) Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract, Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide, Hydrolyzed Silk, Panthenol (Pro-vitamin B5), Glycerin, Glycol Distearate, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Quaternium-91, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Methylisothiazolinone, Fragrance.
Monoi Repairing Conditioner: Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Glycerin, Isododecane, Fragrance (Parfum), Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Isohexadecane, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Gardenia Tahitensis Flower Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Moringa Pterygosperma Seed Oil, Phyllostachis Bambusoides Juice, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Hydrolyzed Silk, Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract, Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Extract, Panthenol (Pro-vitamin B5), Cetrimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Methosulfate, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Octyldodecanol, Ceteareth-20, Quaternium-91, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sorbic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Methylisothiazolinone.
17.11.12
Texlax Update
I texlaxed this past Thursday (at 13 weeks post) because I was having trouble dealing with my new growth. In a effort to avoid any excessive breakage I texlaxed earlier than usual. I used the half and half method with ORS Lye relaxer and only left the relaxer in for 11 minutes this time around. The last time I texlaxed the results (pictured below) were too straight.
So this time around I made an effort to leave a lot of texture in. Here were the results I got this time around.
 |
| Previous relaxer (August 2011) |
So this time around I made an effort to leave a lot of texture in. Here were the results I got this time around.
There is just the right amount of texture left. I can comb through it much easier now without it being completely straight. I am trying really hard not to worry about length right now so after neutralizing, deep conditioning, and leave ins I decided not to straighten my hair. Instead, I air-dried in a bun over night and tied my hair down with a silk scarf.
 |
| Air dried bun in the morning. It was only about 60% dry. |
I'm satisfied with the results. I might not stretch too long anymore because I enjoy getting through my hair with ease. I may take my stretched from 4 months down to three.
I am trying not to length check until the end of December. At that point I am thinking of cutting off an inch of hair. The goal is to get as much relaxed ends gone as possible by graduation (May 2013)..
10.11.12
Success?: Another Attempt at a Ponytail Rollerset
Yesterday I decided to try another ponytail rollerset. My first attempt didn't go so well because I didn't use enough rollers and I didn't let the set dry completely. This time I had some extra patience so I gave it a try. After I deep conditioned, shampooed, put in my liquid leave in conditioners, and detangled, I went ahead with the rollerset using the items pictured below.
I put in 8 ponytails (three at the front, three in the middle, and two at my nape) using ouchless ponytail holders. Before rolling the ponytails, I sprayed my hair with a mixture of 3 parts water and 1 part Lottabody Setting Lotion. I hadn't used setting lotion in my previous attempts at rollersetting, but I thought that since my hair likes to frizz up I could use some extra hold. I smoothed my already detangled hair with a rat tail comb and I used two rollers per ponytail. I sat under my Gold 'n' Hot Elite Ionic Stand Bonnet Dryer (which I love and will do a post on soon) for an hour before I took a break and went back under for about 20 minutes. My hair felt completely dry at this point, but to be safe I went to sleep in the rollers before taking any out. Surprisingly, sleeping in the rollers wasn't too uncomfortable.
Here's what I got when I took the rollers out in the morning. Not much frizz and everything was dry! I noticed that some ponytails would've come out even smoother if I put three rollers as opposed to two but overall I was happy with the progress! At first, I thought the setting lotion has my hair too crispy feeling, but after I fingered through the curls it wasn't crispy at all.
When I took off the ponytail holders there was a pretty apparent crease. I didn't have time to try and do a saran wrap to get rid of the creases, but I also didn't want to comb through my roots to wrap it because my new growth is crazy.
I decided to finger comb the sections out and wear it curly. The creases were a little more apparent on the left side so I pinned my hear back to camouflage. I think i'm getting better! As far as the 12 week post roots, I decided to let them be. I'm trying to use the least amount of direct heat as possible.
4.11.12
That's That Stuff I Don't Like Hair Bloggers Edition
I don't know if you all have been watching 'That's That Stuff I Don't Like' tag videos on YouTube but I sure have. Youtubers have been talking about all types of pet peeves and it is so funny to watch! I thought it would be fun to take the tag to my blog because, since I am a slave to academia, I don't have much time to record and edit a video. So this will be the That's That Stuff I Don't Like Hair Bloggers Edition.
1. I don't like it when people touch my hair. I'm not talking about the very light petting or polite caressing... that's fine...I mean more of the running unfamiliar fingers through my strands and invading my scalp...I don't like it...
2. I don't like products with mineral oil in it. They weigh my hair down and they do nothing for the healthy of my hair. They only act as temporary fixers...
3. I do not like it when I invest in a hair product that has been raved about and then it gives my hair zero life. This has nothing to do with the people that rave about the product...its more so me being mad at myself for not sticking to what works for me....I don't like wasting money...
4. I don't like when I am looking through products like Tressemme, Suave, or Herbal Essences in the hair aisle in Walmart or Target and I get questionable stares from people who don't look like me. I just want to say "Yes, 'your' products work for me too..."
5. I don't like when people ask me why I wash my hair so often....it makes me want to ask them 'why do you wash your body so often?'
6. I do not like VO5 conditioners. I know that its almost everyone's favorite cowash conditioners but they dry my hair out more than any other conditioner I have tried. I prefer Suave.
7. I do not like natural hair nazis. Can we educate each other about healthy hair in general and not try to convince others that some hair textures are better than others?
8. I do not like when the plastic from bobby pins get stuck in my hair. It really annoys me to see those little black things falling out of hair on detangling days. I haven't found a brand of bobby pins that don't deteriorate with every use...or maybe I'm not willing to pay for the ones that don't.
9. I don't like it when everyone chooses their new hair cut or color based on the newest celebrity fad. I love Rihanna just as much as the next girl but everyone does not need to look like her..
10. I don't like it when I go on very detailed rants about how great a product is and how much it give me life and all my boyfriend says is "O that's nice baby..."
That's That Stuff I Don't Like....
I tag...
Jeni at Just Grow Already
EbonyCPrincess at Longing 4 Length
Shika at Hair I Am World
Yulli Blue at Caught Between a Cream and a Curl
Lesley at Fresh Lengths
Amber C. at Hair Mary
Southern Girl at Pecan Pie and Pin Curls
Nadine at Textured Strands
Sdestra at Sdestra Hair Journey
Tracyee at Keep It Simple Sista
And anyone else who wants to do this tag!
What's the stuff you don't like?
1. I don't like it when people touch my hair. I'm not talking about the very light petting or polite caressing... that's fine...I mean more of the running unfamiliar fingers through my strands and invading my scalp...I don't like it...
2. I don't like products with mineral oil in it. They weigh my hair down and they do nothing for the healthy of my hair. They only act as temporary fixers...
3. I do not like it when I invest in a hair product that has been raved about and then it gives my hair zero life. This has nothing to do with the people that rave about the product...its more so me being mad at myself for not sticking to what works for me....I don't like wasting money...
4. I don't like when I am looking through products like Tressemme, Suave, or Herbal Essences in the hair aisle in Walmart or Target and I get questionable stares from people who don't look like me. I just want to say "Yes, 'your' products work for me too..."
5. I don't like when people ask me why I wash my hair so often....it makes me want to ask them 'why do you wash your body so often?'
6. I do not like VO5 conditioners. I know that its almost everyone's favorite cowash conditioners but they dry my hair out more than any other conditioner I have tried. I prefer Suave.
7. I do not like natural hair nazis. Can we educate each other about healthy hair in general and not try to convince others that some hair textures are better than others?
8. I do not like when the plastic from bobby pins get stuck in my hair. It really annoys me to see those little black things falling out of hair on detangling days. I haven't found a brand of bobby pins that don't deteriorate with every use...or maybe I'm not willing to pay for the ones that don't.
9. I don't like it when everyone chooses their new hair cut or color based on the newest celebrity fad. I love Rihanna just as much as the next girl but everyone does not need to look like her..
10. I don't like it when I go on very detailed rants about how great a product is and how much it give me life and all my boyfriend says is "O that's nice baby..."
That's That Stuff I Don't Like....
I tag...
Jeni at Just Grow Already
EbonyCPrincess at Longing 4 Length
Shika at Hair I Am World
Yulli Blue at Caught Between a Cream and a Curl
Lesley at Fresh Lengths
Amber C. at Hair Mary
Southern Girl at Pecan Pie and Pin Curls
Nadine at Textured Strands
Sdestra at Sdestra Hair Journey
Tracyee at Keep It Simple Sista
And anyone else who wants to do this tag!
What's the stuff you don't like?
2.11.12
Twisted and Bunned
This week I knew I wasn't going to have any time for my hair, so at the beginning of the week I decided that I was going to put my hair into individual twists and not touch it (other than to moisturize it) until the end of the week. I pre-poo'd with ORS Hair Mayonnaise and then washed my hair with Carol's Daughter Monoi Repairing Shampoo. I then deep conditioned with Organix Hydrating Macadamia Oil Intensive Moisture Mask (which I will do a review on soon because I love it!) and did a final rinse with Roux Porosity Control. I t-shirt dried my hair for about 20 minutes, applied Cantu Shea Butter Leave In and the last bit of my Moroccan Oil before I air-dried. Once my hair was about 80% dry I started twisting medium to small sized twists and I applied a pinch of Carol's Daughter Healthy Hair Butter to each section before twisting it.
I put the twists in a sock bun for most of the week and sprayed my new growth (which is getting out of hand) with S-Curl at night. I may do these twists more often because I didn't have to manipulate my hair much so I didn't see any broken hairs all week long!
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