Taking Care of your Hair while Living in a Foreign Country

You want to go/ or are already on a healthy hair journey, but you are living in a foreign country where the resources aren't readily available. It's hard to find a stylist, products and even support to assist you on this voyage. I get it! I live it! It's definitely hard, and can even seem frustrating at times. Your hair buddy in the USA or UK has access to a slew of products and gagdets and you have to make do with zero, zip, zilch, nada. Look at the bright side though, you won't waste as much money trying something that you happen across in a beauty supplies store, because well, you probably won't happen across much lol

Anyway, here are some tips to make your life a little easier...

Sayounara Sucker - 5 reasons I Said Good-bye to (Multiple) Mid-week Co-washing

Co-washing - using only conditioner to cleanse your hair - is a very useful technique in the milieu that is our hair regimen. In addition to cleansing, it can be used to replenish the hair with much-needed moisture. It can replace the shampoo wash altogether. It is done anywhere from every day to weekly, fortnightly or at even greater intervals. I personally happen to like co-washing as I like to wash once per week, but don't think I need to shampoo that often, so co-washing is a great alternative.

What I am speaking of in this post is the multiple-times-per-week cowashing. Last week I performed the inversion method. Rinsing every day of the seven days was a requirement, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. For right now once a week is my max, why?

Two the Hard Way (braid n bun) - HOTW

I love the styles KLP chooses for her pinspired link-up and this one is no different. I thought it'd be a good style for my HOTW stint, so I got to recreating it after my last wash. I thought it was going to be pretty easy but my 10-weeks-post hair just did not want to cooperate. I usually prefer styles that allow me to work in smaller sections when stretching, so this style was a little bit of a challenge. Anyway, I got it done and I am enjoying the finished product. Check it out:

HOTW - braid & a bun

All-inclusive Wash Day - 2/21 (10 weeks post)

This wash day, I decided to incorporate some protein. It's been a while, so why not?! I also needed to clarify my hair this week. Much to do, so let's get to it.

• Finger-detangled, then with a wide tooth comb. My hair was a little bit tangled since I didn't do much to it last week (read didn't detangle at all lol). So I pulled out my trusty Mane n' Tail detangler to help get the job done. I hadn't used this in a while! It worked wonders. It really softened my hair and loosened tangles. I didn't lose much hair at all.

shed hair + my 4 braids for wash day 

Love Potion - natural moisturizing & strengthening hair masque

I haven't had a protein treatment in about 9 weeks, since my post-relaxer wash, so I guess I am due for one now. But I am not protein's biggest fan, so rather than going for a strong or even a regular strength, full-on treatment, off to the kitchen I go to whip up a moisturizing hair masque with a strengthening twist. Come along!

ingredients for moisturizing + strengthening hair mask

Inversion Method Update - 1 inch in 1 week?

A few weeks ago I executed the inversion method. I did it for seven days and now I'm here to share the results with you. But first, here's what I did:

• Apply an oil mix* to scalp and massage for approximately 3 minutes. (On one occasion I also applied some cayenne pepper for increased stimulation, not much difference felt.)
• Stand touching my toes for four minutes (timed)
• Return to upright position slowly, so as to minimize dizziness
• Rinse - Here is where I deviated a little. I rinsed maybe every other day after observing that many ladies for whom this method worked, did not rinse daily.

*The oil mix was a concoction I threw together using small amounts of many oils I was trying to finish up and get rid of. It included avocado, coconut, castor, and henna oil. The mix though, had a base of EVOO, with EVOO making up more than 50%.

RESULTS

My Substitute for... Applicator Bottles

I love finding substitutes for gadgets that I can't get my hands on. I also like to upgrade to make this hair journey thing a little easier. Sometimes you have to look far and wide for a substitute and at other times it's right there under your nose, or in today's case, the bathroom sink.

Lazy Days - HOTW

So this HOTW post is not really a HOTW style at all...well kinda. You see, I washed my hair on Friday and I removed my single braids on Saturday night for an event and wore a braid-out. Before bedtime at around 5am Sunday morning, I barely managed to LOC and put my hair up in two braids at either side of my head. I couldn't be bothered to style my hair on Sunday evening so I have been rocking this style since then. And you know what, it's serving it's purpose so I aint tripping lol.

Lazy Days - HOTW

Tough Love - Stop with the 'Health over Length' Already!

First and foremost comes a disclaimer of sorts: Of course I know that the health is most definitely more important than the length of our hair. After all, who wants long, beat-up hair with thin, scraggly ends? NOT ME. However, another thing that I know is that WITH health comes length (unless you truly don't want long hair and keep cutting it). Why then do I continually hear 'health over length', 'health over length' health over length' ? As if it's one or the other, when in actuality, they are not mutually exclusive, they occur together!

(Fitness) Friday Frolic - Look Good, Feel Great

It's Valentine's Day and fitness is in the air...wait, no love is in the air. Well, I'm not big on Valentine's Day and I am in love with fitness, so let's go with fitness instead.

After today's workout

The other Side of Relaxer-stretching - Under-lapping

We all know the perils of overlapping, so we stretch our relaxers to prevent it. But what about 'under-lapping'? You don't know what that is? Yeah, I just made that up. But on a serious note, what I'm referring to is when you have lots of new growth and don't get to all of it when relaxing, leaving you with a tad bit of curly (natural) hair between your processed parts.

unprocessed bits shown on damp hair

Inversion Method - take 2

I have tried the inversion method before, but not completely. Because while it appears simple - massage scalp with oil, invert, rinse - I just find that in actuality, it's a hassle for me.

Oil mix + cayenne pepper for inversion method

Singles Mingle - HOTW

Hey hey hey! I'm back with another 'hair of the week' post. This week I tried something a little different. I was inspired by Rachel to give single braids a try. I had not done this style in YEARS, since I was a child with natural hair. But I think this style will be perfect for what I'm about to embark on this week, but that's a whole 'notha post. Check it out:

Single Braids - HOTW {Protective style}

January faves - Hair, Health & Beauty

Better late than never, is what they say. So I have decided to do a "monthly faves" for January, posting it on February 8th. Here are my picks:

January Faves

Left Me Wanting More - VO5 Shea Cashmere Moisturizing Conditioner

Alberto VO5 Silky Experience Moisturizing Conditioner With Shea Protein & Warm Vanilla

•Sensual indulgence from a formula with shea protein & vanilla extract.

•Moisturizing formula helps restore softness & shine.

•Conditions & revitalizes leaving hair very manageable.

Ingredients

Water (Aqua, EAU), Cetyl Alcohol, Stearalkonium Chloride, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbic Acid, Biotin, Niacinamide, Cetrimonium Chloride, Glyceryl Stearate, Alcohol Denat., Polysorbate 20, Disodium EDTA, DMDM Hydantoin, Fragrance (Parfum)

Directions

After shampooing, apply to wet hair. Leave on as desired. Rinse thoroughly. Avoid contact with eyes. In case of eye contact flush thoroughly with water. Ingredients Silky Experiences Shea Cashmere with Shea Protein & Warm Vanilla Conditioner

Claims

Silky Experiences Shea Cashmere with Shea Protein & Warm Vanilla Conditioner Treat yourself with the luxury of shea protein and warm vanilla. Enjoy the sensual indulgence from this moisturizing conditioner that helps restore softness and shine.

My Take

What Has Changed? - Relaxer Stretching + New Growth

I am sitting here at 7 weeks post. My new growth is there, not overbearing, but certainly noticeable. I started thinking to myself "How the heck did I used to relax my hair at 4 - 6 weeks post??" There isn't nearly enough of the coils there to handle that process without causing damage through overlapping. Additionally, damage aside, there really is no need to relax because my hair is still very manageable during wash and styling and can still look very presentable. What has changed?

7 weeks post relaxer

A Trio - Hair of the Week (HOTW)

Another week is upon us and another protective style upon my head. This one is also pretty simple and is reminiscent of the single cornrow. Take a look-see:

Protective style - HOTW - A trio

How To: