How to Keep Your Hair Moisturised

One of the many complains by black women, whether they have relaxed or natural hair is that their hair lacks moisture and can often be extremely dry. In an effort to combat this dryness here are a few tips to ensure that your hair is well hydrated.

1.Deep Condition, deep condition, deep condition. This is one of the most obvious ways to introduce some moisture into your hair however I have found that consistency is the key. Deep conditioning with heat for approximately 30 mins is an integral part of my weekly regimen. I have a a few deep conditioners that are on my favourites list that I keep in regular rotation. These are Creme of Nature Nourishing and Strengthening Treatment, Creme of Nature Intensive Conditioning Treatment and a new addition Design Essentials Natural Moisturising Conditioner.

2. Use a clarifying shampoo at least once a month. You may be wondering why are you moisturising andsealing every day but your hair still feels dry as a bone. Maybe you need to remove some of the build up on your hair that is preventing your daily moisturising from penetrating your hair. My favourite clarifying shampoo is by V05. It's a cheapie but it works.

3. Moisturise and daily regularly. Most people advise that you sould do this every day but I do not agree. Your moisturing and sealing schedule is totally up to you. You have to know what is best for your hair. Personally I moisturise and seal daily but only at night. 

4. Using the correct products for your hair will also assist in moisture retention. Finding out which products are good for your hair is strictly a process of trial and error. the mere fact is that not all products will work for you but I suggest that you note the ingredients in the products that do work in order to assist you in your product search.

5. Drink plenty of water. Your hair needs lubrication from the inside and out  and if your body is deficient in adequate water levels your tresses will eventually become dry, brittle and may stop growing at your maximum genetic rate. Drink up folks!!

Best Drugstore Nail Polishes

Like most of you out there I thin I have a healthy obsession with my nails and nail polish. In order to get my quick fix I generally tend to purchase drugstore brands and there are a few brands out there that I go back to all the time. These are Kleancolor, L.A Colors and Color Club.

Although I love each of these brands, they have their own unique personalities.

Kleancolor

Pros: Wide range of colours, highly pigmented, long wear

Cons: Slow drying

L.A Colors

Pros: Wide rang of colours, quick drying

Cons: Several coats required for even film, some re-coating is required

Color Club

Pros: Highly pigmented, long wear, quick drying

Cons: Does not produce a high shine finish

 Don't sleep on these brands people because they can help you achieve your nail polish fix on a budget.

Pantone Colour of the Year

Emerald
with Shoes, Oscar de la Renta, Angelina Jolie

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas!!

Winter Hair Care
with John Frieda , Creme of Nature, Crane

Do you Pre-Poo
with Barlean's Organic Oils, Tropic Isle Living, v05

Beauty Must Haves
with NYX cosmetics, Nivea, Neutrogena

Interesting Read

Hey guys, I just saw this article over at Beautylish. I found it quite interesting. I what are your thoughts on lash application at beauty counter.

You can check it out here.

Airdrying Relaxed Hair

In an effort to reduce the amount of heat that I use on my hair weekly, I usually air dry my air after my weekly washing. In order to achieve smooth, frizz free hair I employ a few techniques.

Step 1: Dry soaking wet hair to about 20% dry using the T shirt method. This technique can be seen here. When my hair is this wet I do not apply any products to it. I just think it would be a waste.

Step 2: After my hair is 20% dry I apply my leave ins. Currently I use a few products at this step. These are Hawaiian Silky 14 in 1, Smooth and Shine Therapy Silk Fusion. I use a wide tooth comb to evenly distribute the products through my hair. I follow my leave ins with a few drops of Kemi Oyl which I also comb through my hair.

Step 3: I comb all my hair back and put on a headband and allow my hair to hang loose in the back. I leave my hair like this until it dries, which is usually about 3 hours.

I know many people may use a different air drying method but I have found that this works for me.

I hope this helps.

Stephanie

Flexi Rod Set

As promised here are the results of my flexi rod set.I took these quick pics before running out the door to work.

Contact Lenses

Anyone who knows me well knows that I wear glasses and that I have a phobia of things going into my eyes. However, I have been growing progressively tired of wearing glasses so despite my fear I have decided to get contacts.

Last week I was examined and fitted for my contacts and I am currently wearing them on a two week trial basis. Surprisingly, it is not as bad as I thought it would be. Taking them out is harder than putting them in.

My doctor suggested  Acuvue brand soft contact lenses for me that can be worn for 30 days. So far I have found these lenses to be quite comfortable to wear but I find that my eyes can get a little dry at the end of the day.

Lets see how this goes.

Side note: Apparently I dont close my eyes all the way when I blink. Who knew?!

New Shoes!!!

In case you didn't realise, I love shoes!! I think I buy a new pair every month.

Here are this month's purchases. I might have gone a little overboard with my purchases but a girl can never have too many shoes.

Thickening Those Edges and Other Stuff

As part of my renewed hair care and growth journey I have been taking better care of my edges; especially those on the left side of my head. This side of my head just looks a little thinner than the right and I want full, thick edges.

During one of my many visits to the beauty supply store I came across this product.

After reading the label and remembering some of the good things that I read about Profectiv products, I decided to give it a try. I know that is not a huge surprise to you. PJism in full effect.

I also bought some other goodies for my hair; Kemi Oyl and flexi rods.

I bought the flexi rods to do a rod set on this weave that I am wearing. I will take pics of the results in the morning. Hopefully it comes out the way that I want it to. I have also decided to reincorporate Kemi Oyl into  my regimen. I have decided to go back to the products that I used when my hair was at its healthiest.

Hair Progress and Product Review

Hi guys I just wanted to check in to let you know how the hair regrowth process is going.

Although I have not been following my regimen as I should lately I still see some good progress.

My hair has been doing well but I do need a trim. I will do that sometime this weekend. Overall I am happy with my progress even though I have slacked off a bit.

This weekend I introduced a new product to my regimen out of force not choice. My local BSS was out of my Creme of Nature Moisture Rich Conditioner as well as my Pantene Restorative Conditioner so I was forced to purchase another brand. 

The first thing that caught my eye was Elasta QP Soy Oyl Ultrahydration Conditioner.

This product promises to restore strength, manageability and strength and contains Soyabean Oil which is rich in fatty acids.

First Impressions. I like the smell. It has a sweet, flowery smell that lingers but it is not overpowering. The texture and colour reminds me of the DPR 11 deep conditioner however it has more slip than that product. Overall i like this product. I am not blown away by it but I like it. After I use this conditioner for a few more weeks I will be in a better position to tell you more.

Bye for now.

Recent Purchases

Hi guys I just wanted to show you a few things tat I bought over the last few days. I know that I have been MIA for a while but I have just been super busy. there are so many things going on in my life right now. However, I will be back to my regular posts soon.

Although I have been wearing bright nail polishes for the last few months I think its now time for more muted shades and I was really drawn to this shade for grey from NYX. I also bought this fuchsia lip liner to go with my favourite shade of lip stick called Shiva from NYX. This product can be seen here. 

Have a great weekend guys!!

OOTD

Just another hot Saturday in Barbados.

I am so loving this necklace.

Hard Protein Treatments

Ladies, I have a confession to make. I NEVER do a hard protein treatment on my hair.

I have only tried the Aphogee 2 Step Protein once since I have been on my hair journey and it was not a pleasant experience. Instead of making my hair stronger and more resilient, I felt that this product made my hair worst. My hair broke like crazy. I thought I was going to have a melt down.

I know many hair gurus swear by doing a hard protein treatment every 6 six weeks but this just does not work for me. Instead I prefer to perform weekly light protein treatments using Fantasia's IC Reconstructor and Organics Hair Mayonnaise. This combination works really well for me and I experience very little breakage.

What are your thoughts on hard protein treatments?

Do they work well for you? 

FOTD

Today I was just not in the heavy foundation mood and since I was just running out to do some errands I went relatively bare faced. I am having a good face week so I am taking full advantage of it. In addition, Barbados was just a little too damn hot for make up today.

I am wearing NYX concealer in Nutmeg, some random black eyeliner, Maybelline Great Lash Mascara and NYX lipstick in Shiva (my favourite shade btw).

I didn't even fill in my brows. I just couldn't be bothered to day.....oh well. Speaking of brows, I have started to put a little JBCO on my brows every night to help them fill in a little more. I think they are a little sparse, especially at the ends.

OOTN

HI guys I just want to show you what I wore to a staff function last night.

Manicure of the Week

This week I felt like being bright and sparkly.

Yes, I am wearing silver balls on my nails.

New Shoes

I know they are basic black but I just love them. I believe that a girl can never have too many pairs of black pumps.

Hair Progress

Yesterday I self relaxed at 7 weeks post. I wanted to stretch my relaxer a little longer but I have a function this coming weekend. 

This relaxer session was pretty uneventful but it took a little longer than usual because I had so much new growth. I have just added the famed JBCO to my regimen and my hair has been growing like wild weeds.

As usual, I relaxed my hair with Bantu Mild Strength Relaxer with Shea Butter.

 I love the results that I get from this relaxer because my hair still retains some body and is never limp and lifeless.

I am pretty happy with my progress so far although I think I need a trim.

Hair Progress

Hi guys I just want to show your how far my hair has gotten so far. It has been eight weeks since I decided to regrow my hair and I have not been doing too badly. However I must admit that I hate the current length of my hair because its not long or short. Its just there. To aid with my hair growth quest I purchased a bottle of Jamaican Black Castor Oil. Although I use castor oil regularly I have never used the JBCO only the regular castor oil that can be purchased from the pharmacy. Other than that I have not changed anything n my regimen I just have been doing what I know works for me.

After removing my last sew in I noticed some breakage at my left temple so I have been concentrating on bringing that side of my head back to life. Every morning and night I rub a little JBCO and peppermint oil on the spot where I am having the breakage.

Anyway here are the pics. My hair is about 4 weeks post relaxer in these pics.

Since I am not liking my hair right now I will be making a U part wig to see me through the coming weeks. This will be my first attempt so wish me luck.

Bye for now.

Caring for Your Sew In Weave Part 2- Wash Day

To some, the thought of washing your hair while you have a sew in installed is a daunting one but it is absolutely necessary especially if you want to keep your natural hair and scalp healthy. To accomplish this task I once again enlist the help of my spray bottle. Even when I am wearing a sew in I use my hair products in the same order as when I am wearing my natural hair but the application method varies.

Shampoo- Conditioner-Light Protein- Moisturising Deep Conditioner

I use the following steps to wash my hair when wearing a sew  in.

1. Detangle your weave, starting at the ends, using a wide tooth comb or your fingers.

2. Dilute your favourite shampoo with water in a spray bottle and shake well to mix.

3.Separate the tracks and spray the shampoo mixture at your roots. Spray enough of this mixture on your hair to saturate your roots.

4.Rub your scalp between your tracks with the pads of your fingers to loosen any build up that may be present on your scalp.

5. Wash the shampoo from  your hair by tilting your head back and allowing the water to flow through your hair.

6. Condition your hair in the same manner using diluted conditioner in a spray bottle

7.At this point it is time for protein. When I am wearing weaved styles I do not like to spend too much time with my hair wet. I just don't like it. Instead of my usual protein treatment I use Fantasia's IC One Minute Reconstructor. 

Since this product is not very thick you may apply this directly to your hair between the tracks and then cover your head with a plastic cap for 1 minute.

8. Wash the reconstructor from your hair using the above mentioned method and follow this by a moisturising deep conditioner.

9. Mix your deep conditioner with water as well in your spray bottle. You may also add your favourite oils to your mixture as well. My deep conditioning mix consists of Creme of Nature Argan Oil Intensive Treatment, Peppermint Oil, Coconut Oil and Hot 6 Oil.

 

10. Spray your conditioning mixture to your hair between your tracks, ensuring to fully saturate your hair with the conditioner mixture.

11. Cover your head with a plastic cap and it under a warm drier or heat cap for 15 minutes.

12. Rinse your hair with water and then perform an ACV rinse to remove any dulling residue.

13. At this point you may style your hair as you desire. Usually I air dry but sometimes it is necessary to dry my natural hair between the tracks with my blow drier.

I hope this was helpful.

Bye 

OOTD

Just another outfit of the day post. I wore this to the open day at the community centre where I tutor.

This jacket is another one of my eBay purchases. I am trying to add some more saturated colours to my closet and I really like the colour of this jacket. 

Btw I changed my hair again. I am now wearing a short inverted bob cut. It's so much lighter than the curly weave I was wearing a few weeks ago.

Bye for now.

Manicure of the Week

I have been wearing this rather subdued manicure for the last week and I love its cool neutral colour.

I used LA Colours Nail Lacquer in Mauve Glaze and Nabi Nail Lacquer in New Multi Glitter to achieve this neutral sparkly look and I am very surprised that it has not chipped as yet.