My Straightening Products

I haven't straightened my hair myself in almost two years and lately I've been wanting to try my hand at it again for a little bit now. I think that now I am better equipped and more knowledgeable so the experience can go a lot smoother. You all already knew that I purchased the Give It To Me Straight Collection from Mane Choice. Today I went to Sally Beauty Supply and purchased new tools, the Hot Shots Tools Black Pearl Flat Iron and a Hot Shot Tools Helen of Troy Turbo Ionic Tourmaline Dryer. Yes, I already own several flat irons and a blow dryer but being that I am 41 weeks post I wanted something new that I hope stands up to this task. lol I mainly wanted a new blow dryer because I hate the comb attachment that goes with my old dryer.   It looks like the one pictured. Those type of teeth I feel will ripe out my hair. They are flimsy and also the attachment is missing teeth which is just asking for broken and split ends. My new blow dryer has shorter more sturdy teeth that I feel more comfortable using.

I also bought a Denman Brush to help aide in detangling. I will definitely be concentrating more on the detangling process because that is definitely key. Do you all have some pointers on having a successful flat ironing experience? If all goes well, I will be giving salons a break. Although I enjoy going to the Huetiful Salon, it's hard for me to find a good appointment time because each stylist is very busy and a lot of slots are times are taken. Please leave any tips in the comment section!

Wash Day Chronicles & First Impressions: Carol's Daughter Hair Milk Cleansing Conditioner

{1} Rinsed my hair thoroughly with water to loosen any dirt and oil on my hair and scalp.
{2} Applied the cleansing connditioner to each section and let it sit while finishing up shower duties.
{3} Rinsed conditioner out and tshirt dried my hair for abour 10 minutes
{4} Applied my Mango and Coconut Water conditioner and sat under my steamer.
{5} Applied my leave~ins, detangled and used the tension method to stretch my new growth. My hair is very soft and moisturized.

First Impressions

I think that I am in love with this cleansing conditioner. I think I fell in love the moment I put it on the first section of hair. I could feel just how much slip this conditioner has. It has a lotion like texture that is very loose. It glides onto the hair very easily and sinks right in. It lightly cleansed my hair and left it feeling moisturized. I can't comment on the smell due to sinus issues. I can't smell a thing. Lol I think this has made it onto my staples list. When I'm finished with this bottle I will have my final review.

New Products: Mane Choice Give It To Me Straight Collection

Mane Choice had their 1st Annual Anniversary Sale this weekend at 25% off your entire purchase. I've had my eyes on their Give It To Me Straight Collection ever since they announced it awhile ago. But since I haven't straightened my hair myself in almost two years I decided to put off purchasing it. But when I saw this sale I went ahead and got it. I plan on straightening my hair myself sometime in June. I can't wait to try these out. My only obstacle will be the blow drying process. After watching the stylist from Huetiful do my hair I will go and buy a denman brush to help with drying my hair.

NOTE: There is a free shipping sale going on for Memorial Day ONLY! {Code: MDAY2014} If you want to try out the vitamins or any products now is the time!

Here is a little rundown of each product from the website:

Price for the collection: $40.97 (they are sold separately as well)

No Parabens, Sulfates or Sodium Chloride.

Give It To Me Straight Collection is designed with the straight hair girl in mind. Formulated to protect the hair from chemicals and straightening appliances.

Give It To Me Straight Moisturizing Shampoo is a gentle yet strengthening cleanser. Infused with Moroccan Argan oil to nourish, protect, and hydrate. Leaving the hair feeling soft and shiny while eliminating the dry and stripped feeling. Thermal protected so you can enjoy straight hair anytime.

Specially formulated:
• Routine shampoo for chemically treated hair.
• Shampoo of choice for natural hair before using heat appliances.
• Gentle enough to clean extensions.
• Safe on colored treated hair.

Usage:

Wet hair thoroughly with warm water, squeeze a small amount into palm of hand and massage through hair. Rinse with cool water. Repeat if necessary. Follow with Give It To Me Straight Moisturizing Conditioner for best results.

Give It To Me Straight Moisturizing Conditioner is creamy and adds the ultimate hydration and shine. Enriched with vitamins and antioxidants to help strengthen the hair and eliminate dryness, tangles and frizz. Infused with Moroccan Argan oil to nourish, protect, and hydrate. Thermal protected so you can enjoy straight hair anytime.

Specially formulated:
• Routine conditioner for chemically treated hair.
• Conditioner of choice for natural hair before using heat appliances.
• Gentle enough to condition extensions.
• Safe on colored treated hair.

Usage:

After shampooing with Give It To Me Straight Moisturizing Shampoo squeeze a small amount into palm of hand, work through hair concentrating on the ends. Rinse thoroughly. Follow with Give It To Me Straight Moisturizing Leave-In Detangler if needed for best results.

Give It To Me Straight Leave-In Detangler is a strengthening leave in conditioner formulated to repair damage, detangle and nourish the hair. Infused with Chamomile and Aloe to smooth and shine.

Specially formulated
• Pro Vitamin B5 infusion for shine
• Adds body and volume
• Enriched with botanicals
• Repairs damage and split ends

Usage:

After conditioning with Give It To Me Straight Moisturizing Conditioner shake well. Spray lightly and evenly through damp hair and comb through.

Ingredients:

Give It To Me Straight Shampoo: Water/Aqua/Eau, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamidopropylamine Oxide, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Acrylates Copolymer, Glycol Stearate, Silicone Quaternium-16, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Lauryl Methyl Gluceth-10 Hydroxypropyldimonium Chloride, Fragrance/Parfum, Panthenol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate, Undeceth-11, Butyloctanol, Undeceth-5, Polyquaternium-59, Butylene Glycol, Methylisothiazolinone, Limonene
Give It To Me Straight Conditioner: Water/Aqua/Eau, Cetyl Alcohol, Dicetyldimonium Chloride, Stearyl Alcohol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Cetrimonium Chloride, Dimethicone, Fragrance/Parfum, Panthenol, Phospholipids, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus (Lemongrass) Extract, Quercus Alba Bark Extract, Geranium Maculatum Extract, Symphytum Officinale Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hamamellis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Aspartic Acid, Glycine, Alanine, Proline, Valine, Isoleucine, Histidine, Serine, Threonine, Arginine, PCA, Phenylalanine, Methyl Gluceth-10, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, PEG-90M, Citric Acid, Triethanolamine, Methylisothiazolinone, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Glycerin, Limonene, Linalool, Sodium Benzoate
Give It To Me Straight Detangler: Water/Aqua, Polysorbate 20, Cetrimonium Chloride, Panthenol, Propylene Glycol, Fragrance/ Parfum, Wheat Amino Acids, Glycerin, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Extract, Geranium Maculatum Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract, Quercus Alba Bark Extract, Hamamellis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, Rosa Canina Seed Extract, Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract, Acrylates/PEG-10 Maleate/Styrene Copolymer, Tetrasodium EDTA, Benzyl Alcohol, Coumarin, Methylisothiazolinone.

Updates and Summer Plans

Mini Update:

Vegas Selfie from last weekend

Hey ladies! It's been a while since my last post. I haven't really been doing much to my hair. In fact, I have been down right lazy. I've been washing only once a week and some weeks not even deep conditioning just a cowash. I am coming up on 40 weeks post this Thursday. Despite my laziness my hair is still thriving. I got it done at the Huetiful Salon on the 16th. My experience was very good just like my first visit. I don't have any pictures because I couldn't get a decent one so I don't have a length check for you guys but I'm getting close to the line 14. Just a bit of personal info. I had a nice mini vacay in Vegas last weekend. My hair held up pretty nicely despite the high temps. The pic to the left is how my hair looked 2 days after getting it done.

Summer Plans:

Here is what I plan on doing for the summer.

Vitamins:
I have been taking Manetabolism Vitamins since the of October. I've been on a very small break from the vitamins just to give my body a break. I will be starting back taking them daily on June 1st.

Deep Conditioning:
I will be steaming once a week. The warmer weather should help with moisture retention. So DCing twice a week might not be necessary.

Limit Heat Usage.:
I'll give myself a heat pass once a month.

Exercising:
Working out 3 times a week.

Diet:
I don't eat fruits and vegetables like I should. I will be incorporating them into my eating habits. Also I will be drinking more protein shakes. I will be ordering more Shakeology soon.

Wash Day Chronicles: 33 Weeks Post (Plus a few texture shots)

Wednesday, April 9, 2013

Yesterday was a good wash day.
{1} I started with using the Coconut Water Cleansing Conditioner from Naturelle Grow. Parting my hair into four sections I applied the conditioner through the entire length of my hair and I also focused on the cleansing my scalp. I clipped each section back up and allowed the conditioner to sit on my hair while I finished my other shower duties.

{2} After rinsing the cleansing conditioner out, I t-shirt dried for a few minutes then proceeded to apply the Mango and Coconut Water Infused Deep Conditioner. I sat under my steamer for 20 minutes. Afterwards I let my hair cool down and then rinsed it out in the shower. Getting in and out of the shower is a pain in the rear but I noticed less knots when I do it this way versus rinsing in the sink.

{3} I t-shirt dried for about 20 or so minutes. Applied my Hairitage Hydration Marshmallow Springs Leave-In and my Simplicity Oil to detangle my hair.

{4} I stretched my roots out using the tension method. After that was done I let the rest of my hair air dry. This morning my hair was soft, very well moisturized, and easier to manage.

So, yeah, like I said it was a good wash day. If they continue to go like this, I can see myself making it to August without a hitch.

Below are a few texture shots. Please bare with the quality as I am doing this myself. lol There is no product in my hair.

This is my texture at the top of my top of my head. As you can see my curl pattern is kinda just there. There are no waves or coils in this section. But right at the temple on the right (not pictured), there is a very small section that is coily.

Another shot of the top section

Now as we move to the back, the texture is looser. I wish I could have gotten a better pic. This does it no justice.

Another shot of the back

Message: Enjoy YOUR Hair Journey

Being on hair journey can be quite the rollercoaster. From trying to figure out what techniques and products work best for you hair to wondering if you should get that next relaxer or go natural. Yes, social media can be a big help but it can also be a bit of a distraction. You have one blog telling you that heat is the absolute devil for your hair and another telling you that there is nothing wrong with using heat. You have one person telling you that you should stop relaxing your hair and being natural is the best way to go and someone showing you that when used responsibly that relaxing and having healthy hair can be achieved. There are so many conflicting views and they can cause confusion especially when if you are just starting your journey. My advice would be to enjoy your hair. Do what you feel is best for your hair. All the information that is floating around are just GUIDELINES. There is no natural hair rule book. There is not relaxed hair rule book. Just guidelines. Don't let the views of others deter you from what it is you want to achieve with your hair. If you want to relax, do it! You want to go natural, do it! You want to wear your natural hair straight majority of the time, do it! You want to wear that afro, go for it! You want to transition for 2 years, do it! Make sure you are doing it for you because if you are not, you will not be happy with your decisions.

What I love about our hair is the versatility. We have options. Natural, relaxed, locs, weaves, wigs, braids, etc. We can do it all! Why keep each other in boxes. Do you and be happy. Enjoy your hair and enjoy the journey. I use to set a time frame for how long I would go without using heat in my hair. Not anymore. If like getting my hair straightened. I'm going to do it. Why? Because I can and I don't need anyone else's approval. Don't look for that approval or validation from anyone but yourself.

What Has Been Helping Me During This Stretch (32 weeks post)

I am currently 32 weeks post. That is a feat in itself for me. I went from panicking if I went past the 4 week mark to being 8 months post. I've pretty much just decided to continue to go with the flow and follow my hair's lead. Just like Jeni from Just Grow Already, I am at a point where I have no clue what I want to do with my hair. I don't have an overwhelming sense to relax my hair or to decide to just go natural. Me and my hair are just chilling to say the least. lol I'm over the whole relaxer prepping and not being able to scratch my head. The latter being the most annoying because my scalp decides to itch like crazy the week of my relaxers. It's nothing but the devil I tell ya. lol I am not cutting my relaxed ends off anytime soon because I am still trying to grow my hair out. Anyway, I digress from the point of this post.

Here are some things that have been helping me get through this stretch.

1. Detangling in the shower... I have start my detangling sessions in the shower. I wash my hair in 4 sections. Under running water, I gently pull my hair apart to release any tangles that I come across. This helps to make detangling after I have applied my leave-ins much easier.

2. Midweek Cowashing - Doing this helps to give my hair the boost of moisture it needs. Moisture is definitely a must when stretching.

3. Deep Conditioning with steam - This is another thing that helps with adding moisture to your hair. I try to steam at least once a week but I have been steaming twice a week lately.

4. Tension Blow Dry Method - I am an avid air dryer and being this far into a stretch, the shrinkage is outrageous. But using the tension method helps to stretch it out and also makes bunning a lot easier.

5. Getting my hair straightened - Whenever I feel like my hair is getting on my nerves and I need a break from it, I go to the shop and get it done. This gives me the chance to enjoy my hair and to see how my hair is progressing.

These are just some of things I do help with stretching. What do you do to help with stretching?