On My Radar... Max Hydration Method

I love it when new methods are introduced to the hair world. I love to learn new things that could potentially take my hair journey to the next level. My interest has been piqued lately by the myriad of ladies singing the praises of the Max Hydration Method. This method was developed by PinkeCube for ladies with low porosity, type 4 natural hair. What's this got to do with me you ask? Absolutely nothing! My hair is medium to high porosity, and yes it's type 4 but it's relaxed so nothing there. However they had me at Max Hydration. I mean who doesn't love moisture. You may remember that I struggled with dry hair in the past and any regimen which promises optimum moisture levels has my attention.
 

So what is this method?

It consists of 5 steps:

 

 

 

DIY Edible Masks

Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food

                                                                                     Hippocrates (+ Chronixx lol)

 

 

I used to be a master mixologist. I loved to check my cupboards for awesome ingredients to whip up a delicious-looking batch of soft, fluffy...conditioners? Yep, that's right! These days I find myself reaching for a store-bought conditioner (maybe it's the availability in Ja compared to Jp), but last wash day (and a time or 2 before then) I wanted a kick of protein and decided to make my own strengthening treatment. It was love all over again. It's no secret that many natural ingredients make great conditioners. Here's why:

Maximum Length Retention - My Current Routine

You may remember that I am on a self-imposed 6 month "no-heat + protective styling" retention-focused challenge. So far it's been going quite well. I already introduced to you how I had been wearing my hair for work-outs and for maintaining healthy hair, i.e twists. I wore them for about 4 weeks pre-relaxer, and at 2.5 weeks post relaxer, here I am rocking twists again. I can't help it! They are just such a convenient and sensible do.
 

 

How to Prevent Breakage with Under-processed Hair

A while back, I wrote an article about one of the major pitfalls of stretching your relaxers for extended periods - Underlapping.

 

The discussion which followed made me realize that there are many of us out there struggling with this issue. Just to recap, "Under-lapping" is what results when all your new growth isn't reached when you relax, leaving you with a pattern which resembles a) and in more severe cases, b). Oh Dear! 
 

 

 

Now if we are not careful, some major breakage can result since we are dealing with a number of demarcation lines which represent vulnerable points on the hair shaft. So how do we avoid breakage in this situation? Let's find out:

Loving Lately... (2)

This is the second of my loving lately posts. The first was regarding Avene Eau Thermale Spring Water (read more here) and this one is about yet another moisture-based product and that's this deep conditioner here:

 

L'OREAL Power Moisture - Moisture Rush Mask

Your Job is Causing Your Hair to Break!

Now that I am not in a 9-5, I suppose it's a good time to poke fun at all of those who are. I'm kidding!! But looking back I realize that while on the job, we find ourselves in a barrage of situations which can, and indeed will, cause breakage.

 

Quick Relaxer Update

I relaxed my hair on Thursday, August 28 at 22 weeks post. This session was much like the others and so I'll only do a synopsis. The only difference this time around is that I didn't dilute the relaxer with oil or anything at all, I let the time limit be my key to a non-bone-straight texture.

*photo taken 2 weeks post*

 

30 Tips for Moisturized Hair

Moisture is everything to a kinky-haired girl, whether relaxed or natural. Length-retention and your hair journey as a whole hinge colossally on the moisture levels of your hair. Many a curly-haired lass, myself included, has or has had an issue with dry hair. But that shouldn't be the case since there are a cornucopia of ways to get and keep moisture in our hair and prevent dry, thirsty tresses.

 

 

Birthday Hair Tag!

Hey hey hey!

I'm still in celebratory mode (we turned 1 yesterday), so I decided to do something different and create a tag. This tag is none other than the ....

 

BIRTHDAY HAIR TAG

Commemorating our First Year!

 

 

I am stopping in today to say a big big thank you to all the readers of Below The Waist over our first year of existence. I started this blog simply to document my hair journey while allowing others to share in it so they too may benefit. I appreciate the support from all the lovely readers and I'm grateful to have you guys be a part of BTW!

To commemorate this 1 year mark I will give a rundown of what took place during the period: