Daily Archives: August 3, 2011

Aug3

Travelling w/PJs … And No, I Don’t Mean Pajamas

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by Weusi

So let’s make sure we’re all on the same page before we discuss this …

We, your significant others (SOs), understand that you want to be prepared to address any reactions from your hair due to changes in social protocols and shifts in elemental/environment influences and “aqua-tech” issues. Moreover, we want you to continue to feel as beautiful as you are … but … Most NORMAL people pack one toiletries bag … not a bag for shampoo, another bag for conditioners and another bag for stylers (I told you, I’m learning the lingo! I peep the lexicon section!).

So …

That extra bag of hair care products adds weight to the bag that I already had to sit on in order for you to get it to close. And, although you’re packing it all in one bag, the airline limit is 50 lbs! For real … I shouldn’t be able to feel the difference between 50 lbs and your bag that is significantly over 50 lbs!

And, although your SO isn’t gonna complain about it, I’m speaking up for all those that travel with PJs … that extra weight makes a difference and we don’t wanna pick up/LUG that bag! Remember … it doesn’t count just because you got it all into one bag when it weighs the same as two!!

But PJs, know that even with all that, we SOs love you just the way you are … co-pooed and/or conditioned and moisturized or not.

Please note, this is a fun blog entry that happens to hold some truth … things are amplified and exaggerated and it isn’t all about Shelli (I’m still trying to schedule that date!).

Also note … that this was just in response to the abundance of hair care products often packed … not the extra bag that you pack to hold numerous pairs of footwear.

And finally … this may not be funny to you … but read it to your SOs … I’m sure you’ll hear a chuckle somewhere!

(p.s. In the interest of full disclosure, I like to pack a couple pairs of sneakers myself, so that  I can dress to match my mood of the day!)

SHiNE
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Aug3

JessiCurl Confident Coils Styling Solution – Update

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A little over a week ago, I posted two video reviews related to the JessiCurl Confident Coils Collection. My review was mixed but, I thought that the Confident Coils Styling Solution might be a keeper. The only problem? I had serious product residue flakes once my hair dried!! However, I vowed to give it another try as I suspected that the leave-in I used that day, DevaCare One Conditioner, might not want to play too nicely with Confident Coils. So, the next wash day, I used styling solution with the Kimmaytube recipe leave-in. Here are my recent results and an updated review.

(p.s. I did my hair Monday morning and it still feels good on Tuesday evening with no additional products applied. Let’s see how it feels and looks on day 3.)

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Have you tried any of the JessiCurl line? What’s a keeper and what do you leave behind on the (online) store shelf?

Aug3

GOC Contenders – The Fifth Wave

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I totally cheated. I put on my workout clothes and sneakers when I got home with every intent to exercise. But, between being exhausted from work and sore all over from doing kettlebell on Monday, I allowed myself to sit at this computer in my exercise gear and write four posts until almost midnight:(. No excuses today!!.

I know, I know … but, you get five more contestants!!!  “Wanna’ hear it?  Hear it go!”

R e c e

Current State: Jaw length (front), between shoulder length/SL and armpit length/APL (back)

Goal: Shoulder length/SL (front), Armpit length/APL (back)

Regimen: 

Weekly:

  • Pre-poo with EVOO or coconut 0il
  • Wash with a sulfate-free shampoo
  • Deep condition
  • Apply leave-in conditioner
  • Seal with EVOO, castor or jojoba oil

Mid-week:

  • Co-wash
  • Apply leave in conditioner
  • Seal with EVOO, castor or jojoba oil

Daily:

  • Moisturize
  • Sleep with satin bonnet
  • Take mulit-vitamin and supplements
  • Drink at least 50 oz of H2O

Reward: Big, sexy hair! 🙂

Follow me online: http://AHairStory.Wordpress.com

K y

Current State: Scalp concerns, dry, thinner temples and nape

Goals: A healthy scalp, moisturized hair, increased growth in certain areas for fullness (temples and the back of my head under the hook) and more growth in the crown (so that I can wear my hair parted down the middle without looking like Simon Cowell)

Regimen:

  • Drink 80 oz of water daily
  • Wash once a week (or as needed) with Shea Moisture Organic African Black Soap Deep Cleansing Shampoo
  • Deep condition with Shea Moisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner
  • Leave conditioner on the hair and detangle
  • Style: Twist hair with Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie to stretch it for future styling (typically start with large twists and separate them into smaller twists) or leave it alone and brace for shrinkage

Monthly:

  • Herbal treatment (starting with cassia, then henna and potentially amla)

I’m starting with cassia because it was on sale and I’ll work my way up to henna. I also ordered amla powder but i can’t decide whether to use it in a mix with cassia, make a paste by itself, or maybe infuse it with oil. I want to incorporate other herbs such as brahmi and bhringraj eventually, but I don’t want to be that weird lady who has more herbs in her freezer than food.

Reward: I can’t think of anything that I really want right now.

Follow me online: http://www.hairtodayhealthyhairtomorrow.blogspot.com

C o i l y N P

Current State: Hair – Shoulder length/SL (front/side=8 inches, back=7.5 inches); Weight – 148 lbs

Goals:  Hair – Armpit length (APL); Weight – 135 lbs (lose 13 lbs)

Regimen for Hair:  I transitioned for 16 months, and I recently cut off the rest of my relaxed ends 6 weeks ago.  My natural hair routine is still evolving. I will only use heat twice in the next 6 months:  September and January.  I last flat-ironed my hair in March of 2011.

Weekly or Bi-Weekly (every two weeks):

  • Pre-poo with Vatika or coconut oil (15-30 minutes)
  • Shampoo with diluted Giovanni Smooth as Silk shampoo using an applicator bottle to reach scalp
  • Deep condition with Nature’s Gate Aloe Vera, Hemp conditioner or Karen’s Body Beautiful Luscious Locks Hair Mask (my fave, but pricey) (minimum of 30 min., heat optional)
  • Rinse DC
  • Apply leave-in (currently experimenting with Kinky Curly Knot Today, Giovanni Direct Leave-In, Curl Junkie Smoothing Lotion and Oyin Handmade Hair Dew)
  • Seal with jojoba oil or shea butter
  • Style:  Small twists for 1-2 weeks or a twist out with Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie.

Daily:

  • Moisturize with water
  •  Seal with jojoba oil or shea butter.

Weight Loss Regimen:

  • Exercise at least 3 times a week
  • Cardio for min. 30 minutes
  • Drink 9 glasses of water a day
  • Eat 1500 calories a day
  • Eat at least one fruit or vegetable with every meal
  • Continue “Meatless Mondays”

Reward: If I grow my hair to APL, I will buy myself a hair steamer (hair); If I lose at least 2 pounds a month, I will buy one hair product or accessory. At the end of the challenge, if I accomplish my weight loss goal, I will have a spa day!!!

Journal:  I will keep a journal with at least 2 entries a week to chronicle my activities.

V i v

Current State: Hair – Neck length (5 to 6 inches); Weight – 40 lbs to lose

Goals: Hair – I would love to gain an additional 3 inches (1/2 an inch per month); Weight – Lose 2 lbs per week = 40 lbs in 6 months

Hair Regimen: My hair growth since my BC has been essentially easy. But now I am starting to notice a few SSKs and some bushiness at the ends. My aim is to figure out how to combat these problems and to maintain optimal hair health for retention. I’ve searched frantically for splits, but haven’t found any so I’m not sure if I should trim or not. I intend to place more focus on properly moisturizing my ends during the week, and if there is no change by September, I intend to trim an inch. I’m also looking into oil rinsing to ease detangling, lessen breakage and am purchasing a half wig to use as a protective styling option for the cooler months.

Weekly:

  •  Shampoo with SheaMoisture Raw Retention Shampoo
  • Section hair into 10-12 sections using claw clips
  • Detangle with Tresemme Naturals Moisturizing Conditioner and twist as I go
  • Rinse conditioner out while hair is still in twists
  • Apply Curl Junkie Curl Rehab or Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose and EVOO thoroughly to each twist
  • Deep condition with heat cap (1 hour)
  • Rinse with cool water
  • Apply leave-in conditioner (Curl Junkie Smoothing Lotion or Curl Junkie Argan and Olive Oil Conditioner)
  • Allow hair to air dry until damp (approx. 20 min)
  • Style: Twist/braid for an out style* using Enso Naturals Twisting pudding and my cupuacu/ shea butter mix
  • Air dry overnight
  • Wear a twistout for 3-4 days
  • Re-twist at night as needed, re-moisturizing and sealing ends with extra care
  • Co-wash on the 4th day and wear a wash and go (WnG)* for the balance of week or a half wig (dependent on the weather)

*My hair is still too short for professional looking protective styles with my own hair and I find that I manipulate my hair much less with a WnG.

Monthly:

  • Re-incorporate henna/indigo gloss
  • Clarify Giovanni’s Clarifying Shampoo

Weight Loss Regimen:

Exercise:

  • Mon:   Power Walk (30 minutes), Kettlebell routine with Lauren Brooks (12 min)
  • Tues:  Outdoor Run with Couch to 10K App/C25K (51 min)
  • Wed:   Pick one – Rest, Power Yoga, Turbo Fire DVD or Shred with Jillian Michaels DVD
  • Thurs:  Outdoor Run with C25K (51 min)
  • Friday: Power Walk (30 min) and Kettlebell routine with Lauren Brooks (12 min)
  • Sat:     Outdoor Run with C25K (51 min)
  • Sun:    Rest

Diet:

  • Eliminate white starches, white breads and sweets**
  • Pescatarian diet
  • Increaes vegetables, bean and fruit intake
  • 5 meals per day, which include 2 health snacks
  • No carbs or dairy after 3 pm
  • 1 multivitamin per day
  • Plan and prepare lunch and snacks at home to take to work

**I have a terrible weakness for chocolate chip cookies and it only takes 1 to make me fall off! Better to avoid it period. I’ll allow sugar in my coffee though, since I only drink 1 cup per day. NO MORE MOCHA CAPPUCCINOS. *sigh*

I’ve followed this regimen for the past two weeks and I’m down 3.8 pounds (thanks to you for the Kettlebell post!). I love that the Brooks DVD has a 12 minute workout I can squeeze in my busy mornings. With two kids, finding time to exercise is a challenge.

Reward: A new wardrobe after I lose those extra pounds! I also plan to get a trim at a fancy smancy salon at my 1 year Naturalversary. (I need to find one in the NY/NJ area)

Follow me online: http://public.fotki.com/dimplesonme2/

J a s m i n e   M i t c h e l l

Current State: Collarbone length (CBL) stretched

Goal: Armpit length (APL)

Regimen: I will be doing a length check on August 10th 2011 on straightened hair. I only straighten my hair once every 3 months. My goal within this 6 month period is to achieve APL hair. That would be close to where it was before I BC’d. My 1 year mark will be January 16th, so this challenge is really on-time for me.

Weekly:

  • Wash with Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Shampoo
  • Condition with Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Conditioner
  • Deep Condition with Aubreys Organics HoneySuckle Rose and GPB
  • Apply leave-in conditioner, Kinky Curly Knot Today and Trader Joe’s Conditioner
  • Moisturize with a rich thick styler: SheaMoisture Products
  • Seal with coconut oil
  • Style: Protective styles for at least a week at a time (twists, buns or braids)
  • Style: Occasionally wear hair out in flat twist-outs and puffs

Monthly:

  • Henna

Reward: At the end of the GOC I will be rewarding myself to a dominican blow out and trim in order to do a length check.

Follow me online: http://members.fotki.com/mitchj35/about/

Looking good ladies! Twelve more "contenders" to go!!