Me + Vital Hair Mayo = No Longer Friends!

Yup, that's right. Sad but true.

Ever since I made the change to use a light protein conditioner weekly (2009), Vital Hair Mayo and I became best friends but as of late, we are just not getting along! SMH

I used this light protein conditioner weekly as a prepoo back in 2009. It made my hair fuller, stronger and hydrated. It never failed to give me that extra boost I needed. At the time, this conditioner really helped to keep my moisture/protein balance in check.

However, since the end of '09 'till now, this conditioner did a complete 360 on me :(. Whenever I use it, my hair feels coated with film, it appears to be very limp and mushy whether I clarify, use it alone or prior to a moisturizing DC. I find myself praying for the next wash day to come quick so I can wash my hair out. SMH. I still don't understand this. Am I the only one? :( This situation just goes to show how somethings in your regimen will never be stable. Be prepared to change and adapt quickly. Don't get too attached.

I've come to the conclusion that Vital Hair Mayo doesn't fortify my hair like it used to, if anything it feels like a moisturizing deep conditioner on my hair. I can't afford to have another moisturizing deep conditioner in my regimen (right now I have 4 staples). I'm terrified to go into moisture overload since that was one of the main reasons why my 2008 set back took place.

I gave it to my cousins, they can now benefit from it. We were good friends. It gave me what I needed at the time but we no longer have an understanding, so my hair needs have to be met elsewhere. There is another product in the picture that fulfills my needs on a weekly basis. It contains keratin in it and we all know that Keratin is the elite of proteins. With that being said, I will introduce my new lover in a future blog post. Stay tuned :)

FYI - Joico KPAK is still in my regimen.

I'm curious...Have you ever used a product for a period of time and then all of a sudden it just stopped working for you? Please let me know :)

♥ Sunshyne

How I Went From SL to APL in 7 months - My Old Regimen!

Hair Question:

"What was your regimen that made you get from shoulder length to arm pit length?"

Answer:

I get this question frequently so it's better that I answer it in a blog post. It took me 7 months (October 2007 - May 2008) to get from shoulder length to arm pit length. My regimen was pretty simple, however I used way more products back then.

Here's what I use to do:

I shampooed and deep conditioned with heat & oils every 3-4 days (Mondays and Thursdays). My deep conditioners were always moisture based mixed with oils & honey since my hair was moisture deprived at the time. I did my protein treatments 1x/month. I air dried 99% of the time, moisturized & sealed twice a day, put my hair in a bun daily, and co-washed maybe once a week. Overall, I did more moisture over protein, which helped me retain a lot of length and prevent breakage.

Here are the products I used to use:

Shampoo:

Creme of Nature Detangling Shampoo (green label)
Elasta QP Creme Conditioning Shampoo

Moisturizing Deep Conditioners:

Elasta QP DPR-11
AtOne Botanical Reconstructor with Moisture Recovery
Creme of Nature Nourishing Conditioner
Herbal Essences Replenishing Conditioner

Protein Conditioner:

Mane N Tail Original Conditioner
Aussie Moist mixed with 1-2eggs and EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)

Leave-in Conditioner:

Elasta QP HTWO Leave-in
Elasta QP Oil Recovery
Neutrogena Triple Moisture Silk Touch Leave-in Creme

Moisturizer:

Wave Nouveau Moisturizing Finishing Lotion sealed with Safflower Oil or Hollywood Beauty Castor Oil

Co-wash Conditioners:

Neutrogena Triple Moisture Daily Deep Conditioner
Herbal Essences Replenishing Conditioner
Herbal Essences None Of Your Frizzness
Suave Tropical Coconut
Pantene Fortifying Conditioner
Aussie Moist

Some Techniques That Helped Me:

1. Baggying overnight
2. Damp Bunning daily
3. Doing the scarf method to lay down my new growth in the front while stretching.

Tip: As you carry on in your journey, your hair needs will begin to change. What worked back then wasn't going to get me to BSL because the extra moisture was thinning out my ends - so changes had to be made. Going from APL to BSL, my hair required more protein, less shampoo and less products. Be open to making changes in your hair regimen so that your hair will continue to progress allowing you to reach your hair goals quicker.

♥ Sunshyne

Castor Oil Challenge Results

(click photo to enlarge)

The Castor Oil Challenge on Hairlista.com began Feb 7th 2009 - April 7th 2009. I ended the challenge a bit early (March 31st 2009) because I had to relax April 1st. I have to admit the challenge went really well. The pictures and growth speak for itself. I didn't face any adversities along the way, which is a plus.

I applied Jamaican Black Castor Oil to my scalp every wash day (twice a week). I immediately noticed more growth, softer new growth, thicker roots, and an increase in moisture. I even notice the hair around my nape is much longer and thicker than before, which is a huge plus. This challenge came in at the right time.

I desire to be BSL by summer 2009 and I think I'm very close to my goal. Jamaican Black Castor Oil is now a staple of mine, well let's just say Castor Oil period!

I highly recommend Castor oil to be a part of your regimen if you desire more hair growth.

Tip: Try not to stretch your relaxers out too long when applying Castor oil to your scalp. Once you reach 10 weeks post or so, you have more than enough new growth to relax. Anything longer than 10 weeks would be quite difficult to manage.

♥ Sunshyne

Steps On How I Detangle in the Shower

When I first started my hair care journey, I never knew what it meant to "detangle in the shower". It was very foreign to me. After a lot of practice, I can finally say that I've nailed it (November 2008). Here are the steps that I take:

1. Remove twists in the shower (from my DC video, you notice that I twist my hair once it's filled with conditioner)
2. Make a part down the middle, so it's split in 2 halves
3. Put one half of your hair under the shower head
4. Begin to detangle with your shower comb from the bottom up (you gotta work fast)
5. Repeat steps 3-4 for the other side.
6. Squeeze all excess water
7. Apply t-shirt on hair to dry.

♥ Sunshyne

Hair Update

• I'm 9 weeks post and I will be relaxing in the next couple of days (shortest stretch ever!!)
• I'm still on my Personal MBL Challenge and so far so good. I've completed these things:

Year 2 Goals:

- Hit FULL BSL by Spring 2009 (March-April)

- Reach MBL (Oct. '09)

- Simplify my regimen & products even more

- Keep breakage to a minimum

- Baby my ends and Moisturize & Seal in Sections

- Increase thickness of ends

- Dust ends frequently

- Use low pH products (shampoos & DC's)

- Increase moisture level

• I found amazing Deep conditioners that make my hair feel lovely i.e. Silk Elements Mega Cholesterol & Moisturizing Treatment. Thank God for my pjism :-)
  
• I'm using Hollywood Beauty Castor Oil again as my sealant along with Hot Six Oil. Hollywood Beauty Castor Oil is much thicker for this harsh winter weather. I l♥ves it.
• S-Curl No Drip Activator is back in my regimen.
• Currently using Mane N Tail as part of my protein treatment. i.e. 1 Egg & Mane N Tail w/ EVOO.
  
• Narrowed down my staple products.
• I use the Wet Look wide tooth comb from Sally's instead of the Jilbere comb. The teeth are slightly wider and detangles like a dream.
• Done with towel drying, I only t-shirt dry my hair now.
  

♥ Sunshyne

How to Moisturize and Seal Your Hair

Quick tutorial on how to Moisturize and Seal your hair to prevent dryness and breakage. This method ensures your ends and hair stay soft and moist. I've been faithful to it and it has been working like a charm! Just wanted to share it with you all.

I used:

Wave Nouveau Moisturizing Finishing Lotion (my favourite moisturizer)
Hot Six Oil as my sealent.

For you ladies in the Moisturize & Bun for Length Challenge on HAIRLISTA Inc. Social Network, this is a really good way to moisturize and seal.

♥ Sunshyne

Youtube Alert: The Scarf Method

I get questions from ladies asking me how I air dry? how does the hairline lay so flat? do I use heat to make my hair straight....the answer is, No. I always air dry (99% of the time). I don't put heat in my hair often, maybe 4-5 times a year. This is how I air dry EVERY wash day!!!! Check it out.




♥ Sunshyne

I Prepoo'd & Loved It

I prepoo'd last night and it went very well! I will definately be incorporating it in my regimen. (For those of you that don't know what Prepoo is, please refer to the FAQ section). I mixed 3 tsp of Extra Virgin Coconut Oil & 4 tsp of Herbal Essences Replenishing Conditioner and applied it to my dry/unwashed hair. I placed a plastic cap over it, tied my satin scarf around it and then finished with my bonnet over everything.

In the morning I washed it out, shampooed then deep conditioned with heat for 30mins. My hair came out very very soft, no broken hairs (since my protein treatment..YAY!) and my hair was very easy to manage/style. Ever since the protein treatment, I noticed that my hair is holding/retaining moisture even better! It's true when they say that protein helps to fill in the cracks/open spaces along the hair shaft thus allowing the hair to keep more moisture.

I believe the Extra Virgin Coconut Oil was a good addition to the mix since it helps to reduce protein loss in the hair and since I was using a moisturizing conditioner, it was a great balance. Prepoo'ing overnight is a great way to give your hair a moisture treatment while you sleep & it prevents your hair from being stripped by shampoos the following morning. Some opt for oils as prepoos, it all depends on you. I like the mixture of both oil & conditioner.

♥ Sunshyne

My Hair Regimen

Last Revised July 16th, 2010:

My regimen consists of a moisture/protein balance! I'm really focused on keeping my regimen as simple and easy as possible. My wash days are Mondays and Thursdays.

Mondays :
→ Prepoo with a light protein for 15-20mins with heat, rinse
→ Shampoo
→ Deep Condition with a moisturizing conditioner for 25-30mins with heat, rinse
→ Apply Leave ins and lightly comb through
→ Air dry with the Scarf Method.
→ Moisturize and seal then I apply JBCO to my scalp in sections

Thursdays:
→ Deep Condition on dry hair with a moisturizing treatment for 25-30mins under hooded dryer, rinse
→ Co-wash with a Moisturizing Conditioner
→ Apply Leave-ins and lightly comb through
→ Air dry with the Scarf Method
→ Moisturize and seal then I apply JBCO to my scalp in sections

Saturdays:
→ Co-wash with a cheapie moisturizing conditioner
→ Apply leave-ins
→ Air dry in twists/bun or Blow dry on cool air.
→ Moisturize and seal then I apply JBCO to my scalp in sections

Daily:
→ Moisturize in sections & Seal in sections

Others:
- Relax every 10-12 weeks
- Dust ends with every relaxer
- Only baggy when ends are dry
- Light Protein Treatment 1x/week
- Clarify 1-2x/month
- Wear protective styles 99% all the time (buns).

Products:

Shampoo:
- Abba Pure Color Protect Shampoo

Clarifying Shampoo:
- Ion Clarifying Shampoo

Protein Treatment/Conditioner:
- Joico K-Pak Deep Penetrating Reconstructor

Moisturizing Conditioners:
- Silk Elements Mega Cholesterol Treatment
- Abba Pure Color Protect Conditioner
- Creme of Nature Nourishing and Strengthening Treatment
- Phyto Organics Humectin

Leave-In Conditioner:
- S-Curl *Love it*

Moisturizer:
- Wave Nouveau Finishing Lotion
- S-Curl

Sealants:
- Hot Six Oil
- Hollywood Beauty Castor Oil

Scalp Oil:
- Jamaican Black Castor Oil

Deep Conditioner Additions:
- EVOO
- Avocado Oil
- Virgin Coconut Oil

Heat Protectant:
- Fantasia IC Heat Protector Serum (pink bottle)

Gel:
- Fantasia IC Gel w/ Sparkelites

Co-wash Moisturizing Conditioner:
- Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship Conditioner
- Aussie Moist

Relaxer Prep:
- Base my scalp with Extra Virgin Coconut Oil or JBCO as well as my hair & ends.

Relaxer:
- ORS Olive Oil Lye Normal Strength

**** I stopped combing the hair often, since Oct 2007. I just finger comb the hair, moisturize & seal then style. Low manipulation is important****

Question: Do you find that a regimen has benefited you in your hair journey?? or Has your hair responded better to a "go-with-the-flow" type of regimen? Lemme know... I'm curious :)


♥ Sunshyne