Nail Your Regimen Challenge 2014

[sissimpson]

Cocoa powder contains magnesium, which is said to help reduce hair loss. It also has a load of vitamins and anti-oxidants, which can only be good, right? LOL! It leaves my hair with lots of shine. AND it helps mask the smell of the mayo!

 

[faithVA]

Had a pretty regular and unexceptional wash day.

I am trying to go through my products slowly, but they are just finishing left, right and center. When I had a huge stash and wanted to bring it down, nothing ever seemed to finish. Now, I have just my staples and I want them to last, everything seems to run out after a few uses. I am really trying not to be heavy-handed.

That's how I know I like a product when I feel panicky when it is disappearing Product that I don't like I don't even feel any concern if it falls on the floor

 

[faithVA]

goddessG[/USER];19672531]Natural - Relaxed – Texturized/Texlaxed - Transitioning: I am currently transitioning from an ORS relaxer in December 2013 after almost two years natural
Current Length: I am ear length
Current Products: My current products include:
Aphogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor
Whole Foods Castor Oil
100% natural honey
Apple cider vinegar
ORS Olive Oil replenishing conditioner
Taliah Waajid The "Great Detangler" Leave-in conditioner
Current Techniques: Every Sunday I Pre-poo my hair with the 2 minute reconstructor mixed with castor oil. Next I clarify my hair with 1/3 cup of apple cider vinegar to 32 oz of water (in a spray bottle then rinse). After that I apply my Deep conditioning replenishing pak mixed with castor oil to my hair and sit under the dryer. After about 20 minutes I rinse with cool water and apply my leave in conditioner and seal my ends with the castor oil.
What in your regimen are trying to nail: I have been doing my regimen since September 2013 and I am trying to nail consistency.

I know that my regimen may not be as accurate as it should be but it has been keeping my hair hydrated. Let me know if there is something you would recommend to make my regimen even more beneficial.

Welcome to the challenge. If your regimen is keeping your hair hydrated, I wouldn't change a thing. Just work on the consistency. As you transition more you may want to to the protein treatments less but listen to your hair.

 

[Beany]

I'm supposed to color my hair next weekend (12 weeks), but my grays aren't really bothering me that much yet (sometimes they drive me absolutely insane) so I thought about just waiting another month, then I remembered I'm going to a wedding this weekend... I feel like I should color. I'm planning to wear my hair in a flat twisted up do and I know they'll show. hmmmm decisions. Rinses, semi, and demi permanents don't work on my coarse, low porosity hair so I can't even do something "light" just to cover the grays around my temples until next month. I don't know what I'm going to do.

 

[faithVA]

Beany[/USER];19675411]I'm supposed to color my hair next weekend (12 weeks), but my grays aren't really bothering me that much yet (sometimes they drive me absolutely insane) so I thought about just waiting another month, then I remembered I'm going to a wedding this weekend... I feel like I should color. I'm planning to wear my hair in a flat twisted up do and I know they'll show. hmmmm decisions. Rinses, semi, and demi permanents don't work on my coarse, low porosity hair so I can't even do something "light" just to cover the grays around my temples until next month. I don't know what I'm going to do.

If you really don't want to color, get one of the gray color sticks from the bss. They work well and you can just wash it out. Just keep your hands out of your head. They are made like lipstick or mascara. They probably also have them at Sally's. They work well. I just have hih, so they don't work for me

I'm holding off on the color as well. When I wear a rollerset, it really isn't noticeable.

 

[alanaturelle]

After much consideration, I decided that mid week co washes and overnight baggying are not for me. I was just trying too hard to make it work and was getting frustrated. However, during my weekly wash session, I will make sure that my hair is well moisturized and will moisturize every other day. Daily application coats the hair and doesn't penetrate really well.

 

[jennwantslonghurr]

Yea, I think it's about time I join this challenge -_-

Is it too late?

 

[faithVA]

jennwantslonghurr[/USER];19678419]Yea, I think it's about time I join this challenge -_-

Is it too late?

Never too late. For some reason I thought you were in this one. We must be in another challenge together

 

[jennwantslonghurr]

Relaxed
Current Length: no definite length due to my crazy trimming/cutting... apl in the back and some v shape thing grazing bsl
Current Products:
Mizani bb sensitive scalp relaxer
Shampoo: Loreal everstrong sulfate free hydrate, Kerastase bain nutri-thermique Quantum clarifying shampoo
Conditioner: Loreal nature's therapy mega moisture, Kerastase nutri-thermique
Scalp treatments:
Keracare dry itchy scalp antidandruff moisturizing, Quidad Mediterranean bay leaf exfoliating hair and scalp treatment, TPS pepermint scalp pomade
Leave ins/serum/oil: Qb mtcg & PB mmm With heat Kerastase nectar thermique, Sedu antifrizz polishing treatment, cermides like gso, safflower
Moisturizer: ----
Current Techniques:
Prepoo with oil or oil honey mix; Wash; Scalp scrub every other wash; Deep conditon with heat every wash; Air dry or set damp hair with 3 bantu knots/flexirods or 1 top knot
What in your regimen are trying to nail:
Basicly
1 Optimum moisture/protein balance
Specifically
2. Properly moisturized hair that stay moisturized for 3-5 days at a time like how I read low porosity hair should be Therefore
3. Eliminating build up and the need of frequent washing
Resulting in
4. Healthy ends/retention
What's your starting strategy:
Finding then up grading products that contain ingredients that agree with my hair while leaving me with a beautiful silky mane... lol
Anything else you want to share:
Mastered air drying with hair loose and set on rods. Want to master braid outs and learn to rollerset eventually.

 

[goddessG]

Thanks for the advice!!!

 

[spellinto]

Tonight I confronted the detangling and trimming part of my regimen. I'm excited but also unsure of things...

I used three new techniques to detangle: smaller sections (I made 3 on each side, and my bangs were their own section), horizontal parts (vertical parts first, then dividing the individual sections horizontally for better access to roots), and folding my thumb over the hair in my palm to help hold it in place. All three tips worked tremendously and my hair feels detangled thoroughly from root to tip at about 11 wks post . BUT, the process took about 2 hours to finish (...I was a little tired/distracted towards the end which probably prolonged it though ), so I'm not sure if this is something I want to do every week. Especially since my ends seem pretty sensitive to combing. I might reserve thorough comb-detangling for my biweekly washes and just finger detangle the rest of the time.

I was also supposed to dust today, but it ended up being a full blown trim. I was really adamant about removing any ends that looked scraggly. (I also trimmed the broken, shorter pieces of hair near my ears, and I cut lots of hair off of my bangs.) I really don't know how to "dust" anyway, I always take off little "chunks" of hair instead of the millimeters of hair you're supposed to. I have no idea how this is affecting my length retention...I won't really know until I relax. I have so much new growth that it might compensate for anything I cut off (as long as I'm not cutting off long inches of course). I'm not too worried, I guess I'm a little more focused on health and "pretty ends" more than length. (Once I can figure out the best way to preserve my ends, I can focus on length again.) I might be one of those people who trims every 6-8 weeks...but I really have to get my combing issues together before I can judge how much of and often my ends truly need to be trimmed.

Side note: I'm also searching for a staple shampoo. I don't think sulfate-free shampoos are for me. They're usually horrible at cleansing my scalp and hair, even if they do give lots of moisture and slip. I'm looking for a moisturizing shampoo that can do both really well. I'm planning on picking up the NTM Cream Lather Shampoo next month.

 

[uofmpanther]

spellinto I just did two blog posts on the various cleansing agents that might help you find an ingredient that works for you.

I'm not at my computer to send you direct links, but they are my two most recent posts - silkendove.blogspot.com

 

[uofmpanther]

Checking in. I just looked back at my original post and the only goals I've consistently worked on are finding moisturizing DCs and figuring out how to airdry. The DCs I've tried so far are still not right, so I'm continuing my search. I think I'm going to try Hairveda Sitrinillah as soon as I finish off the conditioner I'm on.

I think stretched styles are best for me for airdrying, so I'm going to try to set aside some time this weekend to use my curlformers. If I get my hair stretched enough, I may also do a trim with my Split Ender, which I have yet to open.

 

[jennwantslonghurr]

Information overload. Maybe I'm over thinking everything. I'm going to chelate, deep condition and get my hair braided (with my own hair) until I figure some things out. I'm about 7 weeks post.

 

[Beany]

After steaming last night I noticed alot of buildup on my scalp, As I Am Coconut Cowash isn't working for my scalp. I like it on my hair though. I need to find something that is gentle on my hair but can really get my scalp clean. SSI Blueberry cowash is next on the list to try.

 

[faithVA]

I'm experimenting steaming my twist. Want to see if I can rehydrate them. Need to see how much they frizz.

 

[Ogoma]

After steaming last night I noticed alot of buildup on my scalp, As I Am Coconut Cowash isn't working for my scalp. I like it on my hair though. I need to find something that is gentle on my hair but can really get my scalp clean. SSI Blueberry cowash is next on the list to try.

Looking at the ingredients, I don't know if the SSI would be better at getting your scalp clean. The cetrimonium chloride looks promising though. Please let me know. I am thinking of putting cetrimonium chloride with a mild surfactant in my co-cleanse conditioner.

Purified Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Marshamallow Althaea Officianalis Root Extract, Rice Bran(Oryza Sativa) Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado Oil), Behentrimonium Methosulfate (and) Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearalkonium Chloride, Yucca (Yucca Schidigera) Root Extract, Cetrimonium Chloride, Vegetable Glycerin, Vaccinium Corymbosum (Blueberry) Seed oil, Panthenol Vit B5, Fragrance, Germall Plus, Lactic Acid.

 

[ckisland]

Dang, I haven't posted in here in awhile. I keep thinking that I did though .

Everything's going well!! I was able to shampoo again with no scalp flair up . The only "issue" (more like an irritation) I'm having now is still with my underprocessed ends. I was so close to buying a relaxer just to correct my length, but decided to keep waiting. Instead, I'm going to try my hand at keeping my hair straight to stop the knotting I'm experiencing. I already moisturize, double seal and do braidouts with perm rods on the ends, and still my ends want to act up . I have no qualms about introducing a little heat. I would have done it sooner, but I'm lazy .

Heat Plan
1) DC with moisture on the length, protein on the ends
2) Airdry/ t-shirt dry and apply leave-in (will experiment between Aphogee Green tea and GF Sleek & Shine)
3) Apply heat protectant serum, detangle, and blowdry
4) Flatiron using the comb-chase method
5) At night, set my hair on flexirods, loose bun, and maybe try wrapping
I would aim to only use heat twice a month.

 

[Beany]

Ogoma, will do. I read shawnyblazes 's review about it (I think) and it made me want to try it. Does the Yucca root help with cleansing?

I think this is shawnyblazes 's review if anyone else is interested
http://www.cerendipitystheone.com/2013/12/shescentit-product-reviews.html

 

[Nightingale]

I'm Transitioning

Currently BSL

Current Products: Suave Tropical Coconut Cond &Essential Wholesale poo & conditioner. I'll be using ITDF products after they arrive in the mail.

Current Techniques: currently, infrequent washing and ratty buns

What in your regimen are trying to nail:
1. Consistently following my regimen
1-3x week rinse and detangle
daily moisturizing - test LOC, LCO, and LC with new products
2x month DCs- alternate protein and moisture
1x month henna

2. protective styles or long lasting styles
improve my flat twisting and french braiding
lots of Curlformer sets
twist and curls

3. No more
Starting after Christmas, no direct heat and no straightening
No Silicones or mineral oil

What's your starting strategy:
Get my hair professionally trimmed and do a strong protein treatment.

Ok, I've gotten a better idea of what works best for my hair.

Hit:
Rinsing and restyling at least twice a week.
Applying leave in and cream on damp hair.
Moisturizing daily.
Ingredients to Die for products and AsIAm Cowash and CamilleRose Curlaide
Braid and Curls
Hendigo
Finger detangling

Miss:
LOC and LCO. The oils gave me stiff hair.
Flat twisting. I still suck at it.

I still need to find a good sulfate free poo. I may try Shea Moisture deep cleansing poo.

 

[uofmpanther]

Ogoma, will do. I read shawnyblazes 's review about it (I think) and it made me want to try it. Does the Yucca root help with cleansing?

I think this is shawnyblazes 's review if anyone else is interested
http://www.cerendipitystheone.com/2013/12/shescentit-product-reviews.html

The yucca root is a cleanser. I'm using the blueberry cowash right now and I like it. I was skeptical about its ability to cleanse at first, but I'm over halfway through the bottle and I haven't noticed buildup on my hair.

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

Ogoma, will do. I read shawnyblazes 's review about it (I think) and it made me want to try it. Does the Yucca root help with cleansing?

I think this is shawnyblazes 's review if anyone else is interested
http://www.cerendipitystheone.com/2013/12/shescentit-product-reviews.html

Yup, that's me. I liked it a lot. I'm just on the fence about repurchasing due to her preservative in the cowash.

Great lather though and I could see the dirt rinsing off as I was using it. Very moisturizing Beany

 

[alanaturelle]

Prepooing overnight with coconut oil. I'm not using the milk this week just to try out the oil on its own.

Sent from my GT-P3113 using LHCF

 

[Angel of the North]

I've been slacking on the moisturising and sealing this week , I think I got a little complacent with the good results I've been getting from using fenugreek. I know from experience that I should M & S at minimum one day a week in addition to wash day, I also know that my hair looks lack lustre as I'm not getting the shine I would normally get from sealing properly with oils.

I have decided that I am not going to try too hard to find a leave in, I have a few that I will use up, there is an amino acids protein one that I want to try and I may stay with the aphogee green tea to help with shedding, but I have to be careful not to give myself protein overload. I think I need to focus on creating my own leave-ins and moisture spritzes, I'm not quite ready for that yet as I'm extremely time deficient at the moment so I will focus on maintaining moisture for now.

I feel like I'm on the right track to having my regimen locked down by the end of the year if not before, my main problem is products. I know which ones work well for me out of the ones I have used it's the unknowing of what else is out there and how they compare, I'm not trying to jump on every bandwagon but there are products that I would like to try before I commit to HG and staples.

There is not that much I want to try that is not already in my stash, I've got lots of products in my stash at the moment that I am trying to use up, this will be easier to achieve when the weather improves and I can resume my mid-week co-washes. I've worked out I use 2 oz of conditioner on wet/damp hair to DC, my hair is somewhere around BSL and MBL (I think my bra sits lower on me than MBL) as my hair grows I will need more and more, I'm thinking WL/HL/TBL

 

[snoop]

Going to do a clarifying was wash today on loose hair. I won't have time to stretch my hair afterwards so going back to two strand twists if I have the time.

 

[faithVA]

My hair was really dry by yesterday night. I definitely need to water rinse mid-week. I just need to find a style that will make it easier to do my hair twice a week. My twist were ok until Thursday. They went downhill from there.

Water rinsed and then did a tea cleanse. My hair was very soft after the water rinse. I baggied for 15 minutes then applied my NO conditioner and baggied for another 15 minutes. I didn't let it sit long. I put a little hazelnut oil on each section and twisted with QBRBC.

This morning I spritzed my twist with tea and marshmallow balm and am baggying. I will throw in some flat twists. Hopefully, it won't take too long.

 

[uofmpanther]

This weekend I re-learned a valuable lesson -- don't be lazy with your hair. I frequently flat twist my hair under wigs, but depending on the product, the flat twists become fuzzy after about a week. Last week, my flat twists were fuzzy, but I was too lazy to take out my flat twists to wash my hair and I washed my hair in the flat twists and let them air dry. Big mistake! This week, my hair was so matted when I went to wash it. It took forever to detangle, and I'm sure I lost some ends.

The only time I can wash my hair in flat twists is where the flat twists are still neat because then my hair will dry stretched. Otherwise, the fuzzy hair shrinks up and mats.

On the upside, I did follow my plan this week to use Curlformers to stretch my hair. The install was a pain because I used my extra wide curlformers, which I'm not used to (I usually use my wides). However, my hair was super stretched. It is almost straight. I will be doing this again, but only when I want a straight look. The extra wide does not look good on me for curly styles. My hair is too short.

 

[ckisland]

I bought three new products and tried them out today. On first impression, all I have to say is O.M.G!!!!! Shampoos are kinda whatever to me in general, but these conditioners right here!!!!
What I bought:
L'Oreal Total Repair 5 Balm
L'Oreal Power Moisture conditioner
L'Oreal Power Moisture shampoo

I would like to thank spellinto for being the one to kick me over into trying the balm . I've never felt a DC effect my hair like the balm did. For me it's a protein DC, and my hair felt sooo fortified . The Power Moisture conditioner was the perfect thing to follow it up with, but if you are prone to moisture overload, I could see this ruining your hair . In the midst of the hairgasm I was having in the shower, I made a shopping list . I want the Smooth Intense serum and creme, and the Power Moisture Balm . I wish the line had a moisturizing leave-in though

 

[Ogoma]

I pre-pooed with a paste of slippery elm and marshmallow root for the first time. I loved the slip this gave me. It cut my hair time in half and my hair was fully detangled rinsing it out. I need to figure out how much to put in the mixture. I used a tablespoon of each and it coagulated. I think I need less powder and more water.

 

[spellinto]

I bought three new products and tried them out today. On first impression, all I have to say is O.M.G!!!!! Shampoos are kinda whatever to me in general, but these conditioners right here!!!!
What I bought:
L'Oreal Total Repair 5 Balm
L'Oreal Power Moisture conditioner
L'Oreal Power Moisture shampoo

I would like to thank spellinto for being the one to kick me over into trying the balm . I've never felt a DC effect my hair like the balm did. For me it's a protein DC, and my hair felt sooo fortified . The Power Moisture conditioner was the perfect thing to follow it up with, but if you are prone to moisture overload, I could see this ruining your hair . In the midst of the hairgasm I was having in the shower, I made a shopping list . I want the Smooth Intense serum and creme, and the Power Moisture Balm . I wish the line had a moisturizing leave-in though

Thank you for the shoutout, I'm so glad that the Repair 5 Balm worked for you ! As much as I liked it, I had to take mine back because it would make my hair feel great when wet but super dry afterwards. Still, I'm really happy that you're trying it and getting great results!