Using Protection - Arming Hair for Heat Styling

I've been talking a lot about heat in the last few posts (find them here and here). But no discussion about heat-styling is ever complete without mentioning heat protectants. As with any category of products, there are a mountain of options out there to cater to your whim and fancy. For the sake of brevity, I will speak on my methods in this post and of course you can chime in in the comments section about how you do things in your neck of the woods. Let's go.

L-R: LottaBody setting lotion, Nioxin Thermal Bliss, Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea Reconstructurizer,
Elasta QP Design Silk & ORS Thermal Protect and SHine

The way I use heat protectants depends on whether I'm using direct heat versus indirect heat.

If You Like it Then You Shoulda Put a Rinse on it...? - Clear Rinsing

I rambled about my interest in clear rinses before. I shared with you some of the benefits and reposted some testimonials from a few bloggers. The time has finally come for me to try it out.

I did the rinse on the wash day following my relaxer. I skipped it on relaxer day for a few reasons: I didn't have much time and I didn't plan on styling my hair properly. I simply air-dried and went on my merry way. I wanted to see the full effects of the rinse so I wanted to wait until I was able to style properly.

I started the following wash day with a coconut, EVOO, and grapeseed oil hot oil/ pre-poo treatment. I followed that with a mini clarifying wash with ORS (to fully remove any relaxer that may still be present, although I highly doubt that), then I deep conditioned with ORS HaiRepair Nourishing Conditioner (light protein), followed by a moisturizing DC with Queen Helene Cholesterol creme (ginseng) to be on the safe side. **You may remember I struggled with protein overload a little while ago ad I don't want to risk that agin. I think it's important to have the moisture/ protein balance on point as the clear rinse will 'lock' your hair in it's current state.** Finally, I cooled and sealed with Tresseme Moisture Rich conditioner and then did my clear rinse.

Back for More - with a few new things

I'm baaackk! lol

Initially, I only planned to refrain from blogging for the week that I was in the Philippines, but then I was so caught up when I came back to Japan that no blogging was done. Anyway I'm here now and I thoroughly enjoyed my winter vacay! The weather, the food, the people and spending time with my boo thang lol but one of my favorite things was the shopping. I was really pleased to find that they have a wider array of western products including hair goodies and I took advantage.

I had just stocked up on a few of my must-haves in December, but who can resist trying out some new stuff?!

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

How Could I Live Without You?? - 5 Hair Must-Haves

There was a question in my Liebster award post about the products I would want with me if I were stuck on a desert. I gave it some more thought and came up with the 5 products that I absolutely can't do without. Check 'em out:


1.

natural oils

Out of the Cold - Winter Hair Issues Solved!

Dry, Dull, Brittle Hair

Our hair is dry anyway, when winter comes around the dryness is amped X10.

solve it: Deep condition with a moisturizing product. Don't be afraid to add oils to make your moisturizing deep conditioner a match for winter dryness. Skip the humectants such as honey, glycerin and panthenol as they can work against you during this time of the year. While during summer they are your best friends as they pull moisture from the air into your strands, in the winter it's vice versa. Instead, grab heavy sealants like castor oil, shea butter and even cone-containing oils.

5 Hair Mistakes I Made That Stayed!

On any journey you are bound to make a few mistakes. Luckily, some of those blunders can lead to unexpected results, and the creation of new hair habits which can take your hair journey to the next level. Here are a few of mine.

Left Me Wanting More - Queen Helene Cholesterol Cream

As per website 

Between chemicals, styling and the elements, your hair takes a beating everyday. Reverse the damage and protect your hair with Cholesterol Hair Conditioning Cream. The original alcohol-free deep-conditioning treatment was created to save dry, damaged, chemically-treated and over-processed hair. It leaves a natural healthy shine with extra body and resilience.

Ingredients:

Water, Stearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Mineral Oil, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Lanolin, Ceteth-24, Choleth-24 (Cholesterol), Disodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Benzyl Salicylate, Fragrance (Parfum), Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Yellow 6 (CI 15985), Red 33 (CI 17200), Red (CI 16035)"

Directions

Sleep in it - Pros and Cons of Overnight Deep Conditioning

There are mixed feelings in the healthy hair world about deep conditioning overnight. Some advocate for shorter periods of deep conditioning with the aid of heat, while others say they get great results from it. Let's dissect it.

Pros:

Underneath it All - Protective Styling (Wig) Regimen

One of the things I love most about wigs for protective styling is the fact that I have access to my hair. I am still very much able to execute my hair care routine while protective styling with them, unlike with sew-ins and to some degree braids.

Current protective stlye

This is a rundown of my routine during the periods I spend wearing wigs.

Budget-Friendly Journey - Making the Most of your Products

Let's face it, times are hard and not everyone is a billionaire YET. Some of us are students, budding entrepreneurs, mothers and the like. We just don't have money to throw around on 6 bottles, tubs or jars of product for each step of our regimen. So how do you make-do with a few products and still have a successful hair journey? Milk those MUHGS for all they are worth!

Here are a few tips: