Style Post: Washday Ft. Easy 5 minutes Knotted Updo

When I saw KLP @ SavingOurStrands' knotted updo a while ago, I made a mental note to try it out someday. The day finally came on my last washday. I was not even sure it would look good enough for me to leave it as my protective style for the week. No harm in trying right.

Of course I had to make my hair clean and conditioned first.

• Deep conditioned on slightly damp hair with ORS Replenishing Conditioner for 20 minutes with heat.
• Shampoo'd with Creme of Nature Moisture and Shine Sulphate-free Shampoo.
• Conditioned for 5 minutes with Alberto VO5 Herbal Escapes Sun Kissed Raspberry with chamomile extract Balancing Conditioner.
• Tshirt-dried for about 30 minutes, sealed with Grapeseed oil, applied Megagrowth Profectiv Daily Leave-in Strengthener, detangled in sections and air-dried.
• I oiled my scalp when my hair was dry and followed the pictorial below

Credit: KLP @ SavingOurStrands

My Result

I love love love this updo, so easy and quick to do but looks intricate and complex. I also love the fact that the ends of the hair are well tucked away. This updo has come to stay in my look book. It's my numero uno lazy protective style for now. 

If you have never tried it you should. Check here for a more detailed tutorial.

xx,

Bee 

Henna Washday + Flexi rod set using "Horseshoe Method"

This is a recap of my first washday post texlax touch-up. It also doubled as my Henna application day.

• I mixed 100gms unbranded natural henna powder with cooled green tea (made with 2 bags) in a plastic bowl, covered it and left it overnight for dye release.
• The following day, I was feeling quite lazy so I used the Henna mix as a prepoo. I added 2 tablespoons of honey to the henna mix and applied to my slightly damp hair. I dampened my hair to make applying the henna easier and less messy. For more details on how I mix and apply henna, read this post 

Just after applying the henna mix

• I  left the henna on  (covered with clingfilm) for 4 hours. I rinsed the henna out and then shampoo'd twice with Creme of Nature Moisture and Shine Sulphate-free Shampoo.
• I then deep conditioned with Hairveda Sitrinillah Deep Conditioner for 20 minutes with heat from my Electric heating cap. I then rinsed with cool water and tshirt-dried.
• Now to styling, some weeks ago, I stumbled on a video on youtube with a new approach to flexi rod sets. The Horseshoe Method, what I really loved about the technique is the fact that you would use less flexi rods. Hence, sleeping with flexi rods would be easier, so I decided to try it. Watch video below. 

 CurlDaze Horseshoe Method  (Flexi rod set)

• For my flexi rod set, I oiled my scalp, applied African Pride Shea Butter Miracle Moisture Intense Leave-in Conditioner and detangled in sections. I then applied Cantu Shea Butter Natural Hair Moisturising Curl Activator Cream and sealed with Grapeseed Oil. I used a total of 8 small flexi rods. 
• I tied my hair with my satin scarf and went to bed. The following morning, I checked and some sections especially in front were not completely dry. I was a little worried but I think the curls still came out fine. I applied Grapeseed Oil to my palms and seperated the curls.

I will definitely use the "Horseshoe Method" again. 

Third day curls still popping

How was your last washday? Would you try this new flexi rod set technique?

xx,

Bee 

Hurray!!! It's My Second Hairnniversary!!!

Today two years ago, I officially started my healthy hair journey. It's been a great learning process but also very rewarding. I'm really thankful that all the mistakes and blunders I've made while getting to know my hair better did not lead to any setback. Let's take a little trip down memory lane.

My hair and I have come a very longgggg way and sometimes I can't believe the progress myself. Thank God for pictures. To think there was a time I believed my hair just could not grow beyond shoulder length. Cheers to new year of more thickness, strength and length!!!

A big thank you to all the ladies that have been sharing tips and information that have helped me on my healthy hair journey so far. Keep inspiring ladies!!!

xx,
Bee.

How I Trimmed My Hair

This is a picture post of how I trimmed my hair after my last texlax touch-up

I divided my hair into 6 sections 

Trimmed thin ends of each section  (about 0.5 inches)

Made a low ponytail with 3 more spaced out bands (banding method) 

cut off about 0.8 inches off the ends, removed the bands and....

Voila!!! Result

Ladies, do you self-trim? Yes? How do you trim your hair? 

xx,

Bee.

Texlax/Relaxer Update #2

I did my first texlax touch-up of the year on 20/4/2016 at 20 weeks post touch-up. This was my longest stretch and it wasn't so bad at all. Although, I have not decided if I would stretch for that long again. Read how I prepared my hair HERE.

Pre-application: I parted my hair in 4 quadrants and detangled thoroughly. I then further divided each quadrant into one inch sections and twisted each section. I always do this to make the relaxer application easier and faster. I discovered the night before that I had run out of vaseline, so instead, I used raw shea butter to base scalp, edges and to protect my ears. I also applied a lot of shea butter to the length of my hair not sparing my new growth. I added 2 tablespoons of Extra virgin olive oil to about half jar of ORS lye relaxer in normal strength and mixed thoroughly.

Application: I started the stopwatch onmy phone and simply applied the relaxer to my NEW GROWTH ONLY on both sides of each pre-parted section. I started application at the back and finished in the front. After applying relaxer to all the sections I smoothed each quadrant once with my fingers. Application, smoothing and waiting took 15 minutes.

Rinsing + Neutralising: Just before I started rinsing out the relaxer, I applied Roux Porosity Control Conditioner to my previously relaxed hair to further prevent relaxer run-off. I rinsed with warm water starting from the first quadrant I applied relaxer to, to the last. I rinsed thoroughly then did a mid-step protein treatment with Aphogee Keratin Two Minutes Reconstructor. I then started washing with Vitale Olive Oil Neutralising Shampoo. I left the 4th and 5th later on for about 5 minutes each. Although the shampoo has colour alarm but better safe than sorry. I rinsed out the last lather and wrapped my hair in a cotton tshirt.

Deep Conditioning: I deed conditioned with a mix of ORS Replenishing Conditioner + Roux Porosity Control + 1 tablespoon Grapeseed Oil + 1 tablespoon JBCO ( Rosemary ). I used my Electric heating cap and rinsed with cold water after about 20 minutes.

After - Care: I tshirt-dried for 15 minutes, detangled and then blow-dried on low heat using the comb attachment.
Products used: Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea Restructurizer, African Pride Shea Butter Miracle Moisture Intense Leave-in Conditioner, Fantasia IC Hair Polisher Carrot Growth Serum.
I decided to give my hair a break and not flat iron plus the result I got from blow-drying was satisfactory.

 Results & Length Check: I gained about 2 inches since my last major trim (after my last touch-up). My thickness/volume has also increased.

I trimmed my hair taking off just about an inch. The longest part of my hair (crown) before I trimmed measured 17 inches. I'm also glad that my right side is now catching up with my left side which has a faster growth.

Post-trim hair - BSL!!!

 

I'm loving the increase in thickness 

Overall I'm happy with my progress. 

xx,
Bee 

Texlax/Relaxer Touch-up Preparation WashDay

I took down my Crochet Havana Twists after keeping it in for 3 weeks. I took the twists out in a way that would make them re-usable. I simply did this by "un-looping" each twist. After removing the all the twists, I unravelled the cornrows but I ensured my fingers and palms were well oiled. This made finger - detangling easy and also reduced breakage as the oil would provide some slip.

Before detangling 

Pre-wash detangling: I divided my hair into about 8 sections and sprayed a generous amount of Mane n Tail Detangler on a section. I then detangled with my finger and followed with a wide-toothed comb. I repeated this for all the sections. I tried to be as thorough as possible in removing shed hair strands. They are usually the cause of post-wash knots and tangles. During washing, they curl around the strands that are still intact and form a knot or tangle.

Pre-poo: I mixed some HairvolutionbyBee Whipped Shea Butter with about 2 tablespoons of honey and coated my hair with the mixture. I wrapped my hair in clingfilm and went to bed.

Pre-poo ready

Washing: I washed the following morning with ORS Creamy Aloe Shampoo using warm water. I lathered twice, squeezed out excess water and wrapped my hair in a cotton tshirt.

Protein treatment: As usual, to prepare my hair for the impending chemical  treatment ( relaxer ), I used Aphogee Two Step Protein Treatment. I made sections, sprayed the protein treatment and twisted each section off. To keep the twisted hair off my back and cloth, I pinned all them up with one large bobby pin. I applied heat with my Babyliss hand dryer till my hair felt hard and crunchy to touch. I DID NOT manipulate my hair in this state. I poured warm water on my hair it felt soft and then I removed the bobby pin. I unravelled the twists and rinsed thoroughly with warm water.

Deep conditioning: To restore the needed moisture after the protein treatment, I mixed Aphogee Balancing Conditioner + Aussie 3 Minutes Miracle Deep Conditioner + 2 tablespoons Grapeseed oil + 1 tablespoon Vegetable Glycerin. I wrapped my hair in clingfilm and left it on while I did my daily workout. I rinsed my hair with cool water  and tshirt-dried for 30 minutes.

Post-wash care : Working in sections as usual, I sprayed Aphogee Pro Vitamin leave-in conditioner and sealed with Fantasia IC Hair Polisher Carrot Growth Serum. I detangled with a wide-toothed comb first and then blow-dried with cool air using the comb attachment. I worked through the stubborn knots and tangles with my finger carefully.

Styling: I applied some Cantu Shea Butter Natural Hair Creamy Lotion to my hair focusing on the ends, and put my hair into a low bun. The bun kept my hair safely tucked away till texlax/relaxer day.


How do you prepare your hair for relaxer or  chemical applications?

xx,
Bee