Hair Updates

March-April '08

These are my results after using my Maxiglide.

Hair Updates 2/9

Who Made It Rain in '07

This year, 2007, was the year of umbrellas. No, we're not for the bad weather, but the constant saturation of stylish celebrity hair. Everywhere you turned was hair inspiration, and the competition was so stiff that I could hardly decide who was the Queen of the perfect 'do. Today, I count down the cream of the crop and you can let me know in the comment box your thoughts. Also, if you didn't see your fave hair fashion on the list, tell me about it below.

Petroleum and Mineral Oil Works, what gives?

Right now I am using a sample of Sunsilk HydraTLC cream and my hair is so soft. But it has Petroleum in it. What gives?


I've had a couple of experiences with Petroleum or Mineral Oil that when terrible. Case in point: Organic Root Stimulator. No matter what product I use from this line, my hair always becomes brittle and hard. Eventually, it would break off, causing my problems with dry scalp and hair to just increase. After I stopped using Petroleum-based products, I've notice a change in my hair. Its never as dry as it used to be and has become strong and resilient. I've also gotten many compliments from people about its shine and darkness.
However, not ever moment spent with petroleum has been a horrible one. Some products that I have used have worked moisturizing wonders on my hair, and they have Petroleum in them.What gives?
Well, I've noticed that these products don't always have petroleum at the very top of the ingredients list. I've also noticed that they were leave-in creams and worked best when applied to wet hair. Go figure!
I guess I learned not to judge a product by its ingredients alone. The best thing to do when you are faced with a dilemma is to consult a professional.

My stylist uses Arosci Ultra Shine Hair Dress on my and my hair always looks and feel moisturized. . This feeling even last days after the salon visit.
Also, try experimenting with the product. Can it be applied to wet hair? What about putting it on the scalp alone and using an oil with it to make it work better. Or, it can make a wonderful heat-styling cream.
Most importantly, read the directions on the back. Some product work best with those from their own line, or must only be used one way. Some products aren't a universal fit for all hair textures. If it says for wavy or oily hair and your hair is kinky, you might want to leave it alone.

Coming From Where I'm from...

I was just looking back at my previous hair photos and I can't believe how far I've gotten.
I have always had naturally thick hair, but maintaining it was still a feat. Now, its only getting thicker and thicker.
My temples, especially the left side, was always a problem area for me. They would grow and then become short and picky again. At one point, I was completely bald in that area. Now, Its completely filled in. However, I still want to have length there, so I'm still working on it.

I know you are probably wondering when I am going to take pics and prove my progress. Hmm... I don't really know if I should...
I kind of wanted to hold out until my next relaxer ( around January 7-10th). Maybe If I get some free time and batteries this weekend, I might attempt to fully straighten my hair.

July 2006

Chopped my shoulder-length hair off to rock the Sienna Miller cut. I so jockin' her style.

November/December 2007 Took my micros out, joined LHCF and decided to transition


May 2006- My hair got Super-de-duper thick and healthy. My mom would braid it regularly and I would use Boundless Tresses and Lenzi's Request for growth.


Around April/May 2007
Had to chop off my hair and I relaxed after a braiding mishap


Huge growth spike in the summer of 2007












































Last Relaxer October 2007: Since then, I've had 1 inch of new growth and still progressing.















January 2008???

Photos belong to LeAnne@hairsmystory.com
Not for fair use.

Close to semester's end: CRUNCH TIME

Hey readers,
Its getting close to crunch time and I really need to focus on schoolwork. Plus, I'm doing more research on certain topic for the blog. Look out for them around Thanksgiving break.
Also, my hair is doing GREAT. I can wear it in a ponytail again! My ends are getting better because of the coconut oil that I have been adding into my Mizani conditioners. I'm trying to use up all the products I have already in my closet, so I am deep-condtioning more than once to week to combat the crazy winter weather.
Don't forget! Contest for the Hamadi Beauty giveaway ends next weekend.

I think I've written so much that my faithful follwers shouldn't be bored. Keep reading and keep telling your friends all about Hairs My Story.
Leanne@hairsmystory.com

A Coconut A Day Keeps The Splits Aways

After writing the story on coconut oil, I decided to put myself on a challenge. I've been using the oil exclusively in my deep conditioners and sometimes a couple drops in my moisturizers.

Remember I told you that I recently had a problem with breakage and dryness? Well, I tried replacing coconut oil for a week. Here's how I did it:

• Use Giovanni Direct Leave-in when I wash my hair. Then mix coconut oil and vegetable glycerin in the palms of my hands and rub all over my hair. If I need added moisture after my hair has dried, then I'll use Qhemet Biologics Amla And Olive Oil Heavy Cream.
• Use coconut oil in my deep conditioners.
• Use Coconut Oil only everyday before heading out to work.
• Hot oil treatments with coconut oil

Since adhering to this routine, I have noticed less breakage and more moisture. My hair so so shiny and has so much swing. Its also very soft to the touch and not overly greasy or oily. Plus, my scalp is conditioned to combat the unpredictable winter weather in Florida and my hair smells so tropical.

<----What I use
look out photos as soon as I am able to put batteries in my camera.

Hair updates

This is my progress so far( both for the month of October). Its been a little slow these last couple of months. I had a few "boo-hoo" moments of breakage from trying new products that didn't agree with my hair. Nonetheless, I've seen the growth. I am still using Lenzi's Request ( I actually need to buy a new bottle), but I stopped taking Maxihair vitamins (not sure why). My hair is thickening up nicely, and absolutely loving Mizani. My next relaxer touch-up is in January, and I am hoping to have made it to shoulder-length by then. I must say, my ends are horrendous, but I plan on getting them trimmed when it reach my shoulder. What do you think?

Discovering Mizani for the first time... and loving it

I was disappointed last Saturday that I wasn't able to use Phytospecifc relaxer. I searched all over, but Jacksonville only has one Sephora. Unfortunately, that sole standing beauty shop is the only place that carries Phyto. You see, this is Mizani and Affirm country, and all other relaxers need NOT apply.
So, I was not very happy that I had to use the Mizani that Jay had at the salon. I know my roommate reassured me that Mizani was top of the line, and I would not believe the wonderful results of my hair. However, I was still very skeptical of this product. How do I know that I can trust this stuff? I don't care how many women refer Mizani to me, I'm still going to look at it as if it was the cheap previously packaged box of relaxer. I mean, I don't know this company like that! We don't have that type of history together!
I trusted Jay, however. She is well-trained and has been good to me thus far. So, she applied the base and relaxer (Mizani Rhelaxer Regular) to me head. Never burned...not even once.
I sat patiently as she apply the paste throughout my head. She rinsed with the MIZANI Phormula 7 Neutralizing and Chelating Shampoo, and then another rinse with the Bontanifying Shampoo.
Afterward, she used the Fufyl Conditioning Treatment and the Moisturefuse Deep Conditioner.
Now, remember I told you that the stylist at Clara's Hair Designers used some conditioner on my hair that made it incredibly smooth and shiny? I genuinely believe that these was the "mystery" products that were used on my hair previously. If they weren't, I most certainly didn't care. I knew that I HAD to buy both conditioners because me hair NEVER felt so amazing. Three days later and my hair is still full, STILL moisturized, still soft, still shiny. Mizani goes in my book as a staple product line.
Jay also did a Saran wrap on my hair (I think a fellow LHCFer dropped the hint about using Saran plastic wrap instead of a straightening iron). If you've never had someone wrap your hair and then apply Saran Wrap over it to keep it smooth, then I recommend you find Jay so she can do it for you. In my opinion, there is absolutely no reason to use heat the first month after a relaxer. I will soon create a tutorial on the subject.
Thank you so very much, Jay. I know you are probably reading this and I will see you in a couple of weeks. I will post photos of my hair soon.

LITTLE DIDDY ABOUT ME AND MY HAIR

My Current length: 1/2 away from shoulder (nape-length)

What my regular hair routine:

• Co-wash every evening with Bumble and Bumble Alojoba Conditioner and/or Herbal Essences Hello Essences Hello Hydration Conditioner. I love the way both of them smell and the Bb. Alojoba is so protein and vitamin-rich. It gives me the perfect balance of moisture and shine, plus detangles well. The Hello Hydration is cheap and detangles to well. I also love the smell of flowers and coconut milk.
• After I conditioner-wash my hair, I apply Africa's Best Organics Hair Mayonnaise leave-in and ApHogee Green Tea & Keratin Spray to my ends.
• I apply either Hamadi Shea Cream or Qhemet Biologics Heavy Cream on my hair hair for moisture (usually mix with water).
  
• After, I seal my ends with Hamadi Healing Serum or with oil (Coconut, Amla, Jojoba or Olive oil)
• On the weekends I pre-poo with Queen Helene cholesterol mixed with v05 Strawberries and Cream, sweet almond oil, olive oil and honey. I use heat with this conditioner for about an hour (sometimes I just sleep with it overnight). Or, if I decide to do a protein conditioner first, I will use my own personal mix of Africa's Best Organics Hair Mayonnaise Treatment and Molasses. I wash with Oscar Blandi Hair Crema Shampoo and conditioner.However, since I am loving Hamadi Beauty line, so right now I am using their Honey and Soymilk Shampoo.
  
• I deep condition my hait afterward with either the Cholesterol mix or Bumble And Bumble Deeep Conditioner. I am thinking about repurchasing that Hamadi Shea Mask because it was so hydrating.
• Every month, or when my hair needs it most, I clarify with Sauve Daily Clarifying poo.Every two weeks, I use Roux Porosity Control to reset the pH and give it bounce.

So, lets recap:

• Shampoo every week and deep condition.
• Clarify every month or as needed.
• Moisturize and whole heady baggy at least, 3 times a week.
• rollerset daily.
• Airdry as much as possible.
  
• Use little heat.
• Porosity control every two weeks.

"Shampooing for a Week?" Challenge updates

As I told you earlier, I tried shampooing for a week. I mostly used The Body Shop's Honey Moisturizing Shampoo and the corresponding conditioner. I also used Mixed Chicks Shampoo. I encourage everyone to give this challenge a try, just to so how your hair will react to water everyday and shampoos. For me, the constant moisture from the water and the conditioner allows my new growth to shoot out, giving me longer and stronger, more pliable hair in a matter of weeks.It was a very informative study for me and I did it mostly to dispel some myths about black hair and its care. Now, on to my findings:

1. I learned that my hair cannot handle being shampooed everyday. It just can't. Using SLS-free shampoos did nothing for me, either. At first, they give my hair the impression of being very moisturized, but after a couple of days, by hair felt limp and weighed down. My rollersets started to fall, and by the end of the evening, my hair was a big mushy mess.

2. The buildup from sulfate-free shampoos was entirely too great. In fact, it defeated the purpose of me shampooing in the first place. I wanted my hair to feel clean, not dead and lifeless. Relaxed hair is very porous (because of the chemical processing) so to have heavy deposits into those pores just made matters worst. However, trying to use a shampoo with a sulfate in its ingredients list on a regular basis is simply asking for damaged hair. This detergent is simply too strong and will break of dry tresses.

3. I am, however, going to stick to co-washing. My hair does amazingly with conditioner washes. I am also going to encourage you to give challenge a try. Try washing your hair for a week. Maybe leaving a deep or a rich conditioner on for 5 minutes, then rinsing it out before you leave the shower. There are some women with very long and healthy kinky hair and their growth has flourished from frequent washing. You can even try washing your hair with conditioner for a week to see how well it works for your tresses. You might need to wash or clarify more often, probably every two weeks, if you decide to go with an SLS-free shampoo. When I co-wash daily, I shampoo vigorously and deep condition on the weekends. Your routine might vary from mine as you go on this challenge. But, you never know, your hair might like it.