BRB

So as you know I'll be gone for a week or so. I've decided not to blog while away. I want to just relax, let loose and be free...of everything. But that's OK cuz don't nobody got time to be reading blogs during the holidays right?! Everybody will be gathered around a Christmas tree getting ready to eat, pray, love...

If you do have time, feel free to reread ;-)

I'll definitely catch you up when I get back. Have a good one guys.

XOXO,

Abbi

Relaxing with yo' Girl - Update

Hey guys! This is just a quick relaxer update. 

I relaxed on Dec 17th (I already posted the relaxer process, if you missed it, click here ). I have already rewashed and styled my hair (yesterday). I also did a clear rinse - review coming up in short order. 

Below is my hair now after being flat ironed. (I am not a huge fan of my flat-iron, the max temp is quite low and it doesn't give me hair that is as straight as I'd like.) As it turns out, my hair was not relaxed as bone straight as I first thought. It seems that only the very front (near the hairline) is straight, which I can deal with as it makes sleek styles that much easier. One thing I noticed and don't like is the multiple textures. It caused a bit of tangling (or maybe it's because I didn't spend enough time on the actual relaxer day to properly detangle). I may look into correcting this issue at a future date if it continues to bother me. OK let's get to the pics.

Results

12/17 relaxer results

Fly Away With Me - At Home Acrylic

 I decided I wanted some french acrylics, I ordered the requirements in my last hair haul (I also had some stuff from last time around) and got to work. I do them myself because here in Japan the girls pretty much only sport gel nails (I'm not the biggest fan) and the salons rarely do acrylics, if they do, it's tens of thousands of Yen.

DIY french acrylics

Tools needed:

Birthday Flex - HOTD

Happy birthday to meee! lol

I had work today (booo!), but I still tried something different and fun so I wouldn't feel just ordinary on my fave day of the year lol. 

Just a simple style which took only a few minutes, but I kinda like it. Take a peek...

birthday hair

OK, You Win - Relaxer Day

When relaxer day actually rolls around (and some wash days too) I totally wish I was back home with someone to do it for me or at least help. Oh well, I have no choice so let's get down wit' da get down.

How I did it:

the arsenal

Step 1 - gather accoutrements:

timer, gloves, cape, clips and pins, relaxer, EVOO,

products to be used after relaxing (Aphogee 2 minute, ORS Creamy Aloe Shampoo, Queen Helene Cholesterol, Roux Porosity Control)

*There is no comb, sprush or other application tool listed, as in the interest of moving as quickly as possible, I will be using my gloved hand to apply

Fly Away with me - My Makeup Bag? Why Not?!

I suppose this is turning into a series...

This one is dedicated to my make-up/ skin care items.

The list:

face wash, toner & moisturizer - set by CLEAR

sunscreen

primer & finishing spray

foundation & powder

concealor

eye shadow - e.l.f. little black book in cool

blush

lipsticks, lip balm, lip gloss

eyeliner

mascara

make-up brushes &sponges

cotton & q-tips

Fly Away with me - Constructing my Hair goodies Travel Bag

So it's the holiday season and many of us are flying back home to be with family, taking a break from everyday life with a trip to some faraway land or opting for some QT with your other half somewhere relaxing. Whatever the case is, before we can enjoy the merriment of the vacation, we have to get pass the tedious packing stage. I am no good at packing. There I said it. I have been known to take a large case on 5-day trips and even weekends (hides face). I'm getting better though, last trip wasn't so bad, I managed to take only a carry-on for a 6-day trip. This time...it's eight days long! Can I do it?

The first thing I do is a construct a list of all the things I will want need on the trip. I would post the entire list, but I think that may overwhelmed you lol. So this post is dedicated to the hair goodies.

Nailed It - Fall Colors

Just a quick post showing a few of my favorite nail colors for this time of the year. You can't get your hair done without doing the nails too right?! I usually go very simple when I'm doing my own nails. 

Salon Nail (97)

Setting the Tone - Pre-relaxer Wash Day

It's funny how before I started delving into the world of hair care I'd relax my hair on a whim. No preparation, no real thought put into it. Just spotting the new growth and getting rid of it. There was no 'pre-relaxer wash', no fortifying the hair with protein, and prorosity who??

Fast forward some years and relaxer day has to be thoroughly planned: enough time for the process itself, steps to be taken before the act and the follow-up thereafter. All of which are important to the success of the relaxing process. Let's talk a little about the preparation aspect of the process, shall we?!

Wash Day

Finding a Middle Ground - Moisture:Protein Balance

Upon starting our hair journeys we hear that chemically treated heads are the most in need of protein, so we stock up on our protein-containing products to give our hair that much needed boost, only to end up in a situation where it turns out you didn't actually need that much and now your hair is hard and dry. womp!

Now that I have overcome my protein overload, I suppose it is time to speak on the moisture/protein balance. This is the area of any hair 'journey' which is perhaps the most fundamental and yet probably the most difficult to grasp. It certainly was for me. 

Quickie - Stylin on em

Christmas is in the air, and relaxer day is coming up for many of us relaxed ladies who want easy, breezy, beautiful hair for the holidays. So today's quickie is a short and sweet video from SistaWithRealHair. She's a naturalista who often rocks straight hair. In this video she shows us 11 gorgeous styles to do on straight hair. Take a look:

Soft, Supple and Smooth - Hair Update

I'm in love. I really am. Here I am at work, my hair is in a half up/ half down style. But I'm conscious about the fabrics and their interaction with my hair, so I decided to pull it up and off my clothes. After doing so, I had to stop and write this post! The hair I gathered to put into a 'bun' was sooo soft and moisturized! and in winter at that! It has never felt softer and more moisturized since...probably ever, but certainly since my hair journey.

Enjoying the soft, moisturized feel a few weeks ago :-)

Too much of a good thing is a bad thing

Celebrity Crush - Hair Style File {Lashontae}

I know it's not #WCW, but this girl has some gorgeous hair on her which always has me drooling! Whether she's rocking it straight, in a bun or just some good ole cornrows, her hair always looks fierce and fab!Check her out:

CORNROWS/ BRAIDS

All I Want for my Birthday...

...is a big booty h

My birthday is less than 2 weeks away! My boyfriend and I are taking a trip this December on the weekend of my birthday, it'll last about a week, so it doubles as our Christmas trip. This vacay doesn't come cheap so I won't bother asking for any expensive gifts. Here's my birthday/ Christmas wishlist, it includes things I might get for myself as well. 

Checking Me Out - HOTD2

Stretching relaxers is great, but being 19 weeks post can make it really difficult to style your hair. You may be tempted to break out the flat iron more often because the new growth can be something special!  But you don't have to! Below is a pic of my hair today, which is a kind of go-to style for me. 

Flat twist w/ bun - 19 weeks post

A Necessary Evil - Hair Product Haul

I just love paying 120usd for $50 worth of goods! (umm not so much) but it's a must when products are not available. Check out what I got below.

What I got:

Quickie - Health y Hair (get it?)

You've heard it time and time again. You've got to eat your way to a healthy body and lengthy hair. Below are some images to help guide you.

eat less of the foods as you ascend

The Trickery! - Wash Day 29/11

It was my intention to wear my protective style for 6 weeks, it really was. However, I made it to 4 and was like F this. lol I just grew tired of wearing a wig and wanted my own hair again. 

So on Friday night, I got to undoing my braids and finger detangling. This process took me a mere 25 mins, as opposed to last time when it lasted about 2.5 hours, and with minimal shedding too. I laughed in the face of the small amount of shed hair.

                     

 

Jazz it Up a Little - Clear Rinse

I am really ready to get these next 3 weeks over with so I can get to enjoying my break and my hair.

One of the things I'm excited about, besides relaxing and seeing my progress, is trying out a clear sinse. I looked back into my hair journey and noted that at the very start, it made my wishlist. I guess I forgot about that through the course, but thanks to some lovely bloggers, I have been reminded and my curiosity once again sparked.