Washday | Inspired by 42

It's time for another wash day post. These are seriously my favorite posts to read and write! I  switched things up a bit this wash day and also went back to some of the basics that have worked for me in the past. Just because I'm loving my cut doesn't mean I'm trying to make a habit of it! Here's what I did:

• Cleansed with KeraCare Hydrating Detangling Sulfate Free Shampoo
• T-shirt dried my hair for about 20 minutes
• Applied Keracare Humecto to the length of my hair and ORS Hair Mayonnaise to my ends. 
• DC'd for about 35 minutes
• Rinsed and applied a quarter sized amount of the generic Matrix Biolage Detangling Conditioner
• T-shirt dried my hair for about 30 minutes.
• Applied leave ins using the LCO method (Chi Keratin Mist, Kimmaytube Leave In Mix, GVP Smoothing Serum).
• Blow dried my hair in sections using cool air only
• Moisturized and sealed using my beloved Giovanni Direct Leave In and Coconut Oil.

Style: My Fiance is a huge baseball fan, which means that everytime HBO shows the Jackie Robinson movie 42 we watch it! I love the movie so I don't mind, however while watching it this time I was fascinated with Rachel Robinson's (Jackie's wife played by Nicole Beharie) hair in the movie. I loved her 60's inspired curls! While I rocked a bun on Saturday due to time constraints I decided to recreate her style on Sunday for church. I seriously loved my results!

How was your washday? If you haven't yet, check out our Washday Experience Linkup!

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Washday...Messy Textured Bun & Curls Galore!

I was so ready for this washday. I don't know about y'all, but I'm convinced that I only like flat ironed hair for length checks! Other than that I love curls and volume! I swear the bigger my hair got as it air dried the happier I was. Here's how my wash day went.

• Prepooed with coconut oil for 20 minutes (I just recently joined the Hairlista Coconut Oil Challenge. Check it out here).
• Detangled with Mane N Tail Detangler.
• Deep conditioned with Keracare Humecto Creme Conditioner on the length of my hair and Macademia Natural Repair Masque on my ends for about 30 minutes using my Gold N Hot conditioning cap.
• Rinsed and shampooed with Shea Moisture Retention Shampoo.
• Rinsed and applied a quarter size amount of the generic Matrix Biolage Detangling Conditioner.
• Did a final rinse and t-shirt dried my hair for about 20 minutes.
• Applied my leave ins using the L-Chi Keratin Mist, O-GVP Smoothing Serum, C- It's A 10 Miracle Leave In **Newbie Alert** method.
•  Air dried my hair for about 2.5 hours.
  

Style: On Saturday I had an early appointment so I just threw my hair into a textured high bun for the day. On Sunday I wanted some volume so I opted for flexi rods! I dry set my hair on 10 flexi rods using a bit of my Dark N Lovely Au Naturale Curl Souffle. The results were awesome. I had the softest curls with a soft hold that lasted all day!

How was your wash day? If you haven't checked out The Washday Experience Linkup yet join us! 

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Washday | The Low Bun Experience

This past Friday couldn't get here fast enough. For some reason my scalp was itching like crazy! Well actually I know what the reason was. My hair just needed a good washing. Here's how the washday went:

• Detangled with Mane N Tail Detangler
• Applied Keracare Humecto conditioner
• DCed with Gold N Hot conditioning cap for about 20 minutes
• Rinsed and shampooed with Shea Moisture Retention Shampoo
• Rinsed and applied a small amount of the Generic version of Matrix biolage detangling conditioner.
• Did a final rinse and t-shirt dried my hair for about 30 minutes.
• Applied my usual leave ins using the L (Chi Keratin Mist) O (GVP Smoothing Serum) C (Kimmaytube Leave In) method. 
• Allowed my hair to air dry and then moisturized and sealed using my Giovanni Direct leave in and coocnut oil. 
• Massaged JBCO into my scalp and sealed my ends.

Style: I'm about 2 weeks away from getting my next relaxer and this is normally about the time my
hair decides not to cooperate. Meaning high buns, mid-cenetered buns, etc are out of the question. Previously I used to force my hair into a high bun, but this time around I decided to rock a low bun. Because I air dried my hair I had the biggest, softest low bun I think I've ever created without using a filler! I was so amazed I even took a comparison shot to see how far my hair has come in terms of growth! Oh and to jazz up my low bun I threw on a cute headband and a fun pair of earrings. I'm all for low maintenance no muss no fuss hair styles and that's exactly what this low bun did for me!

How was your wash day? Have you checked out our washday linkup? If not join us!

Sidenote: My latest beauty favorites video went live on my youtube channel! I mentioned some awesome affordable products! 

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Weekend Washday!

I'm back with another wash day post! Some of you may have noticed that I did not post any wash day related posts for 2 weeks, but I have good excuses! The first of those 2 weeks I did a bantu knot out and it was awful! so awful that I had to re-wash my hair in order to bring it back to normalcy. The second week I went to the salon and it was my birthday. Anywhoodle I'm back with a fabulous wash day and tons of pics! As of lately my wash days have been on Fridays. I normally wash my hair after leaving the gym or immediately after I get home from work. This allows my hair to be fresh for the weekend without actually spending my weekend washing my hair :). Here's how this weekend's wash day went:

• Detangled with my Mane N Tail Detangler.
• Applied Keracare Humecto conditioner and sat under my Gold N Hot cap for about 20 minutes.
• Rinsed and shampooed with my Shea Moisture Retention Shampoo.
• Rinsed and applied a bit of the generic version of Matrix Biolage Detangling conditioner.
• T-shirt dried my hair for about 15 minutes.
• Applied my usual leave ins using the L (Chi Keratin Mist) O (GVP Smoothing Serum) C (Kimmaytube Leave In) 
• Sat under the dryer on cool setting for about 30 minutes.
• Moisturized & sealed with Giovanni Direct Leave In & Coconut Oil
• Massaged JBCO into my scalp and sealed my ends

Style: Saturday was the honey's birthday so I decided to do a caruso pin curl rollerset. I seriously adored this hairstyle! *Sidenote* Can we just take a moment to disucss how my makeup was BEAT *two snaps*! On Resurrection Sunday I decided to recreate my side curl updo. Unfortunately by the time I could snap a picture the wind had disrespected my curls and turned my hairstyle into a bit of a mess! Either way I totally enjoyed my hair this weekend. For the week I'm back to my soft fluffy buns!

How was your wash day? If you haven't already check out The Washday Experience Linkup!

How was your wash day? If you haven't already check out The Washday Experience Linkup!

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Wash Day With Side Swept Curls

This wash day was awesome if I do say so myself. On Friday after work I felt my hair and knew that it was time to wash it. In the name of prevention I like to wash my hair when I can feel that it's becoming dry and heavy with product. Here's what I did:

• Detangled using Mane N Tail Detangler.
• Dampened hair with water and applied KeraCare Humecto conditioner.
• Sat under my Gold N Hot conditioning cap for about 30 minutes.
• Rinsed and shampooed with Shea Moisture Moisture Retention Shampoo
• Rinsed and applied a small amount of the Generic Version of the Matrix Biolage Detangling Shampoo.
• Applied my usual leave ins (Kimmay tube leave in, GVP Smoothing Serum, & Chi Keratin Mist).
• T-shirt dried my hair for about 40 minutes.
• Air dried for an additional 20 and sat under the dryer for about 10.
• Moisturized & sealed using my Holy Grail product Giovanni Direct Leave in & coconut oil. 
• Applied JBCO to my scalp and sealed my ends with it. 

Style: I was so over my boring old bun. I needed some spice in my life and after being inspired by an Instagram post from a college classmate I decided to recreate the style with my own twist! This lovely lady is natural and have a side updo created from an old twist out. Well I haven't yet mastered twistouts or braidouts for that matter, but I have learned how to use the heck out of Flexi Rods! I twisted my hair around my head and used caruso steam rollers to create the curls. Throughout the week I just reset my hair by throwing a few flexi rods in it each night with a bit of Dark N Lovely Au Naturale Curl Moisturizing Souffle (Review coming soon!).

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Wash Day...Mixing The Old With The New!

This past Saturday made me officially 1 week post relaxer! As much as I enjoyed how simple it was to style my hair all week it was definitely time for a good shampoo and deep condition. Here's What I did:

• Detangled using my Mane N Tail Detangler and braided my hair into two pig tails.
• Slathered on a bit of my Macademia Oil Deep Repair Masque (This was my light protein treatment. I will do a heavier protein treatment at 3 weeks post.).
• Sat under my Gold N Hot conditioning cap for about 10 minutes.
• Rinsed and then applied my newest product Mizani Moisturefuse Conditioner. This conditioner smells AMAZING!
• Sat under my Gold N Hot Conditioning cap for about 15 minutes.

• Rinsed and shampooed with my Shea Moisture Retention Shampoo. 
• Rinsed and applied a small amount of Harmon Face Values Detangling Solution.
• Did a final rinse and wrapped my hair in a t-shirt for about 40 minutes.
• Applied my normal leave ins (Chi Keratin Mist, Kimmaytube leave In, GVP Smoothing Serum) and air dried my hair in a bun for about 30 mins. 
• Sat under the dryer on cool for about 15 minutes. 

Style: For church I decided to rock some caruso steam rollers. Throughout the week I will be rocking a bun. Boring I know, but I've been inspired to try an updo for next week's wash day so stay tuned! How was your wash day?

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Wash Day!

So after rocking my fabulous twisted bun updo for a week it was time for my hair to be washed. Here's what I did:

• Prepooed with the last bit of my GVP Nexxus Humectress for about 2 hours 
• Rinsed and shampooed with my Shea Moisture Retention Shampoo. You can check out my review here. 
• Rinsed and deep conditioned using my Gold N Hot Conditioning cap with Kenra Moisturizing conditioner on the length of my hair and Macademia Natural Deep Repair Masque on my ends for about 30 minutes. 
• Rinsed and applied my Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Daily Treatment for about 2 minutes. 
• Did a final rinse and applied my turbie twist for about 20 minutes. 
• Applied my leave ins using the LCO method (Chi keratin mist, quarter sized amount of my kimmaytube leave in, Macademia Natural healing oil)

Style: Honestly I had the best of intentions to try an infiniti bun inspired by one of Mahogany Curl's youtube tutorials, but between packing to go home for the holidays and last minute Christmas preparations I just didn't have it in me. Instead I decided to go with a chic low bun that I accentuated with a cute side part. Of course I used my kanekalon hair to create this style! Even though time didn't permit me to recreate my infiniti bun I'm totally pleased with what I came up with. It's cute, simple, and best of all low maintenance! 

Want to try out the Macadamia Natural line for yourself? Finally Growing along with the lovely ladies of SavingOurStrands and Relaxed Thairapy are hosting an awesome Giveaway!
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Wash Day!

I thoroughly enjoyed rocking my hair out this past week, but it was definitely time for a good ol washing! Here's what I did:

1. Mixed an egg with grapeseed oil and some of my GVP moisturizing conditioner and applied to the length of hair. 
2. I left my homemade protein treatment on for about 15 minutes and then rinsed with cool water. 
3. Next I cleansed my scalp with my Shea Moisture Retention Shampoo
4. Wrapped my hair in a towel for about 20 minutes to absorb the excess water
5. Deep conditioned with the Macademia Natural Deep Repair Masque (*Newbie Alert*) for 20 minutes under my Gold N Hot conditioning cap.
6. Rinsed and applied a bit of the Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Daily Treatment. 
7. Rinsed and wrapped my hair in my turbie twist for about 30 minutes
8. Applied my leave ins using the LCO method (Chi Keratin Mist, Kimmaytube Leave in mix, Macademia Natural Healing oil). 
9. Sat under my dryer on a low cool setting for about 30 minutes.

Results: Incredibly soft, fluffy, shiny hair! My hair felt AMAZING! In fact it felt so good that I almost skipped moisturizing and sealing, but I know better so I didn't. Overall this is the most successful wash day I've had in a while. Let's hope I can get these type of results consistently! Here are some pictures of my hair with nothing except my leave ins. 

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Totally Twisted (Part 4) | How To Safely Remove A Braid Install

Here's part 4 of my Braid series! In this video I give tips (hopefully helpful) as well as demonstrate how I safely remove my braid install. I will also have a pictorial of sorts coming soon showing how I removed my Senegalese twists as well!

Wash Day!

 After reading tons and tons of wash day posts while rocking my Senegalese twists I finally am back to doing my own wash day posts! Don't worry though I do have a video and pictorial of sorts showing how I removed my Senegalese twists. 

So after the long process of removing my braid install (the next day) I began my wash day process which went rather well if I do say so myself.

• Detangled (FOREVER) using my Up and Up Spray Detangler from Target and a bit of coconut oil making sure to remove as much shed air as possible. Of course the amount hair was much more because of my 8 week braid install. 
• Prepooed with a mix of my GVP Moisturizing Conditioner, coconut oil, and JBCO under my heating cap for about 20 minutes.
• Shampooed with my beloved Shea Moisture Moisture Retention Shampoo. 
• Deep Conditioned with my Kenra Moisturizing Conditioner (Newbie Alert!), which I sealed in with a mixture of grapeseed oil and EVOO. I sat under my heating cap for about 30 minutes.
• Applied my leave ins which were a bit of my Kimmaytube Leave in Mix and GVP smoothing serum.
• Dried my hair using my salon dryer for about 1 hour on a medium cool setting.
• Finger detangled to remove any remaining shed hairs.
• Moisturized and sealed using my Giovanni Direct Leave in, coconut oil, and JBCO for my ends. 

Left: Hair lost post wash. Right: Hair lost prewash. 

After finally finishing I looked at my 11 weeks post hair and tried to figure out what I was going to do with it for the week until I visit my stylist next Saturday! My hair felt so soft, but honey my roots were on another level! After a bit of thinking I remembered the pack of braid hair I'd purchased a few weeks ago and decided to try my hand at Goddess/milk maid braids. My plan is to rock this style all week until it's time to go to the salon. Of course if my hair starts to feel thirsty I will cowash and restyle. Here are the final results. What do you guys think? 

Product Review | GVP Hair Reconstructor Compare to Joico K-PAK

Price: $5.79 ($5.19 with Sally's Card)

Place of Purchase: Sally's Beauty Supply

Ingredients: Water (Aqua) Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine Glycol Stearate Ceteth-2 Mineral Oil PEG-8 Distearate Hydrolyzed Human Hair Keratin (Triamine Complex), Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Human Hair Keratin (Cationic Triamine Complex), Sodium Chloride, Myristyl Myristate, Citric Acid, Fragrance (Parfum), Sorbic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Yeast, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Methylparaben, Propylparaben

Promises: This moisture-rich product will bathe your tresses and nourish the scalp, leaving you with silk for hair. No other product can ressurrect your hair from the grave of damage and dry brittleness and give it new life free from frizz and breakage.

My Thoughts: I've had this product for quite a while and randomly rediscovered it one day while rummaging through my product stash. I've officially been using this hair reconstructor as my bi-monthly protein treatment for at least 6 months. What I like about this product is that it does not leave my hair feeling hard or like hay as many protein based conditioners can. However, my hair was never left feeling moisturized either (perhaps I'm expecting too much from my protein treatment!). Overall I enjoyed the product well enough until one day I read the ingredients and almost died when I saw that mineral oil was one of the top ingredients. I'm always disappointed when hair companies especially companies that make higher end products decide to use mineral oil as a key ingredient. I feel that if I'm going to pay a top dollar price ($20-$30) for a product then I expect the best ingredients. For me personally I know that my hair does not react well to mineral oil and could kick myself for not noticing this on the ingredient list sooner. On the bright side I've basically used up my bottle and do not plan to repurchase. If you are interested in learning more about mineral oil and why I dislike it so much you can check out my post here.