Hello ladies,
I hope you are well and that this year has been good to you so far.
I’d intended to write two blog posts by now; a hair update and a products update. However, I didn’t have time to wash my hair till last night and so I’ve decided to roll both topics into this blog post.
MY HAIR UPDATE
I relaxed my hair 21 weeks ago. Normally, I would be prepping my hair for relaxing however I have decided to increase the length of my relaxer stretch from 5 months to 6 month. Just want to see if I can do it. I was initially aiming for 7 months, but after detangling my hair for what felt like eternity last night I have decided that 6 months is my limit. Stretching this long is not for the faint hearted.
My hair has been hidden under wigs for the last 4 weeks and I have been following my wig regimen. I washed, deep conditioned (I used a mixture of protein and moisture deep conditioners) and air dried. My hair looks deceptively tame in this picture. I have just over 2 inches of new growth which I am pleased with.
All in all I am happy with my hair. The only thing I am trying to improve is the thickness of my ends. I can only achieve this by cutting of the thin ends gradually. By the look of it, I have roughly 3 inches of thin ends to cut off gradually between February and maybe June. We’ll see how it goes.
PRODUCT UPDATE
When it comes to hair products, I believe in sticking in what works for you and maybe trying a new product every once in a while because new/better products are always being created. I personally don’t believe in experimenting with new products every few weeks (except you are still searching for products that work well with your hair).
Although I was happy with the products I use, I was on a search for a better moisturising deep conditioner and daily moisturiser that works better with my hair. Last year I tried and loved a few products which I have decided to include in my regimen on a permanent basis.
The first is Creme of Nature Argan Oil Sulfate Free shampoo.
To be honest I am still crazy about my Elasta QP Crème Conditioning shampoo, and I wasn’t looking for a new shampoo, however I was buying some hair products for a friend and decided to try this product. I am so pleased I did.
I loved how my hair felt when I rinsed the lather off. It left my hair feeling cleaner than the Elasta QP shampoo but my hair didn’t feel stripped at all. It felt just right. Sometimes with the Elasta QP, it feels as though there is some product residue left in my hair.
I have decided to keep both shampoos in my regimen. Both work well with my hair so why not. I use the Creme of Nature shampoo when my hair feels really dirty because it lathers more than the Elasta QP . This also means that it lasts longer than the Elasta QP so I am spending a little less.
Please note that I use a shampoo that contains sulfates to clarify my hair once a month or every two months to remove stubborn product build up.
The second product that I have introduced into my regimen is Tresemme Naturals Nourishing Moisture Conditioner.
Believe it or not despite being on my hair journey for over 4 years now I still hadn’t found a moisturising deep conditioner I was completely happy with. Over the years, after trying several brands I settled for Motions Moisture Plus but I wasn’t happy that it contained mineral oil.
I bought the Tresemme in October and must say I am really pleased with it. It is has a lighter consistency than the Motions but it still moisturises my hair effectively. The best thing is that it is mineral oil, petroleum, silicone and paraben free.
I think the scent is a little strong; it isn’t a bad smell, it’s just more perfumy than I am used too.
I am pleased with this conditioner enough to say goodbye to my Motions Moisture Plus.
From online reviews I have read, apparently the older formula of this conditioner was better than this version. However I never tried the old formula so I don’t know any better.
How are your hair journeys going ladies? Are you trying out a new product or new technique with your hair?
X
Lade
Learn | Change | Grow
Have you tried Jessicurl Deep Conditioner. Ridiculously Moisturizing! I used it after the Aphogee 2-Step and there was not a hint of residual hardness.
Author
Hey Rasheda
No I haven’t. Maybe I will one day. I am glad it works for you.
x
Lade
Beautiful progress chica! My favorite deep conditioner is Matrix Biolage Ultra-Hydrating Balm
savingourstrands.com
Author
Hello KLP, thanks for sharing. Ive heard good things about Matrix Biolage products.
x
Lade
I have been on my hair journey for 5 years now and still have yet to find a moisturizing leave-in conditioner that I like. Most of everything I have tried has either been too fragrant, leaves my hair feeling dry and crunchy afterwards, or not moisturizing enough. I cannot wait to find a leave-in that works perfect for my hair. I congratulate you on finding a deep conditioner you like after 4 years of hard work!
Author
Hi Sunny, thank you.
I know the feeling, definitely keep looking till you find something that works well for you.
x
Lade
I’m quite happy to read this post. My hair had been breaking for a while and i was wondering what was wrong. i was moisturising and sealing daily and all that but it still seemed like i had overdone protein meanwhile i wasnt using much protein (or so i thought) i started researching only to find out that my daily leave in moisturisr (elasta qp mango butter moisturiser) is actually a protein moisturiser! I started using it after my herbal essences beautiful ends finished and i couldn’t find to buy. i should pay more attention to the ingredients list! On researching, i realised anything that has hydrolyzed stuff, keratin etc contains protein which my hair doesn’t need at the moment. I bought motions moisture plus in december for conditioning to see if it would be better than keracare humecto which had also finished. I still prefer humecto and finally got more to buy so i guess i’ll stick to it for now. in the meantime till i find beautiful ends again, i have made a leave in conditioner (learnt how on youtube) with herbal essences hello hydration, water & glycerine. It works amazingly on my hair and is cheap to boot. I’m 8 weks post and my new growth is still singing alleluya for the softness. In the past i’d have been planning to retouch about now. Heading to 16 – 18 weeks before my next touch up baby :D. All the work is paying off **dancing**. What a long reply! Bear with me.
Author
hi Tolu!!!!
Unfortunately a lot of products that are labelled as moisturising contain protein in them. Definitely paying attention to the ingredient list helps. I am glad that you are experimenting with products and learning what works well for your hair. I tried a mix with glycerine which my hair didn’t seem to like but its really cool that it works for you. Shows how everyone’s hair is unique.
I am glad your new growth is happy and your stretch is going well.
Long replies are good.
x
Lade
Hi Omolade,
I have been a fan of your blog ever since you were featured on justgrowalready.com. It’s really inspiring seeing how far you’ve come since beginning your hair journey. I started from locs and just over a year ago began my hhj by safely unlocing my hair and taking care of my natural hair ever since. I am interested to know how you wear your hair under your wigs. is it cornrowed, is it in plaits and how often do you redo them when wearing your wigs?? Also given the length of your hair, how do you ensure that your wig does not appear bulky?
Author
Hello Alana
Aww thank you so much. Ive always been fascinated by ladies who manage to unlock their hair. How long did it take you?
I put my hair in small box braids under my wigs and use pins to keep them flat, this works for me. This is why my wigs sit well over my hair and don’t look bulky. You can try wearing cornrows under your wigs.
Hope that helps
x
Lade
Hi. It’s nice to know that there are ladies out there on their hair journeys. I found your blog after surfing the net for quite a while. I’m however having a hard time getting good deep conditioning shampoos. Are there others apart from Aphogee that I could get? Also, I would like to know common protective styles that could be done. Thanks.
*I meant deep conditioners*
Do you use the two protein conditioner, moisturizing conditioner at the sane time(wash days). Likewise the shampoo.??
Author
Hello Felicia
No I don’t, I use one protein and one moisture. I just have two options of protein conditioners I can choose from and two options of moisture conditioners.
The same applies to my shampoo.
Hope that helps
x
Lade
What makes a conditioner (rinse -out) to be classified as a “deep conditioner”? Is it from the length of time it sits in the hair?