Struggles, Revelations, Progress, and of course LOTS of pics

I love the definition of your twistout!

And congrats on 5 months of being chemical free!

congrats~~!

me too! congrats! My 2 month is today!!! Yay us!

flickted used to be my favorite word! Wait a minute, I think i was called that once!!!

Thanks all. I do like the camera. It's funny tho I think I look better in pictures that I do in real life.

Great twist outs and Happy Five!! I am just stopping by to see how you are doing. Your twist are really defined. How u do dat?

Juices-n-Berries wrote:Thanks all. I do like the camera. It's funny tho I think I look better in pictures that I do in real life.

I'm so sure that not true! Was the concert last night? or tonight? If it was last night how was it?

ktoliver5303 wrote:Great twist outs and Happy Five!! I am just stopping by to see how you are doing. Your twist are really defined. How u do dat?

It took me a while to get it right. But it has to do with the size of them. The smaller you make them, the more defined. Also, I had to work on the pattern and amount of space in between. When there are too many parts or hair not falling in the right places, even if it's defined, it still looks flickted. Lol. So you end up having to fluff too much or pick or separate more and you lose the definition.

Curly_Aquarius wrote:

Juices-n-Berries wrote:Thanks all. I do like the camera. It's funny tho I think I look better in pictures that I do in real life.

I'm so sure that not true! Was the concert last night? or tonight? If it was last night how was it?

You were right. Your daughter would have loved to come. It was entirely too many young people there. I felt sooooo out of place.

You were right. Your daughter would have loved to come. It was entirely too many young people there. I felt sooooo out of place.

I know all the young un's love "Heartbreak Drake" . But JnB you look like a teenager! LOL I am still getting over him being on Degrassi I used to watch that with my younger cousins, lol

Curly_Aquarius wrote:

You were right. Your daughter would have loved to come. It was entirely too many young people there. I felt sooooo out of place.

I know all the young un's love "Heartbreak Drake" . But JnB you look like a teenager! LOL I am still getting over him being on Degrassi I used to watch that with my younger cousins, lol

Yes, I know I "look" like a teenager. But not only am I 24, I am quite the old soul. So I feel much older than I am already. Plus Drake himself is 23, so I didn't expect the entire crowd to be under the drinking age. Smh. Lol. But I also used to watch Degrassi. It does take some getting used to because it was such a wholesome show, and now he's anything but... Lol.

Juices-n-Berries wrote:

Curly_Aquarius wrote:

You were right. Your daughter would have loved to come. It was entirely too many young people there. I felt sooooo out of place.

I know all the young un's love "Heartbreak Drake" . But JnB you look like a teenager! LOL I am still getting over him being on Degrassi I used to watch that with my younger cousins, lol

Yes, I know I "look" like a teenager. But not only am I 24, I am quite the old soul. So I feel much older than I am already. Plus Drake himself is 23, so I didn't expect the entire crowd to be under the drinking age. Smh. Lol. But I also used to watch Degrassi. It does take some getting used to because it was such a wholesome show, and now he's anything but... Lol.

It's quite a shame, but I still remember him as Jimmy from the Block! Don't forget where you came from Drake ...

Alright, this might be my longest post ever as I've updated my regimen and decided to share it with you.

Now I'm probably late on the sectioning bandwagon. It's nothing new. But it's new to me. Because my hair was shorter, I would wash, condition, and deep condition my whole head at a time. I suppose doing it that way was fine. But one day I was about to rinse my deep conditioner and I parted my hair in a spot and realize there was like no product there. And it occurred to me that with the density and volume of my hair, simply applying a product with my hands and running it through all over was not allowing everything to saturate my entire head of hair. However, how would I section it? My hair is thick and dense like I said, and because of it's current length, it will not hold large twists. I know many people (Kimmaytube who's technique I use to wash, etc) use twist and then wash and condition in sections. But I've tried and failed large twists. I end up having to make too many to accommodate the volume and it takes too long. Well last week when I did the banding, it occurred to me that I could use this technique to section my thick hair for washing and conditioning. Not only will it ensure that I don't miss any spots when applying products, but it will also help ensure that I am getting enough poo or cowash on my scalp during the actual washing process. Quite frankly, my hair is so thick it's hard to get to my scalp. So, I wonder if all the times I wash washing it ever really got clean, and that's why I had so much itching. With my hair sectioned, my scalp is more accessible.

So here is what I did today. I wanted to retry this Ghee because it's been getting such great reviews. So I decided to use this for my prepoo shed hair detangling process. (I know I'm on the product challenge and am doing Oyin, but as I stated prior, my goals for the product challenge is more focused on what happens after the washing and what comes before may vary) So I sectioned my hair, applied the Ghee and ran it through, finger detangling. Awesome! Awesome! Awesome! This is a keeper.

I sectioned and my hair into 10 sections and applied the band. Not to the length just at the root like a ponytail. See.







I received my Trader Joes Nourish Spa and Tea Tree Products in the
mail from a little birdie. Next, I applied a very small amount of Trader Joe's Tea Tree Shampoo in the parts. I am a tingle fanatic. So I was so excited that I could actually feel the tingle on the scalp. I rubbed that in and let it sit so I could enjoy. Then, I took down a few of the sections at a time, and applied TJ Nourish Spa Shampoo to the length of my hair. Now, why didn't I just use the Tea Tree you ask? Two reasons 1) When I used Giovanni Tea Tree Shampoo my hair felt like straw. So I had concerns about using a similar product to my hair. 2) I do not have a TJ in my area. And it's been very difficult for me to find shampoos and conditioners that meet my tingling/coolness addiction. So I will only use the goodness of the products where needed, which is on the scalp. And that way it will last longer.

Next, following Kimmaytube's procedure, I wrung out the shampoo with my hands. then applied the TJ Nourish Spa Conditioner. I detangled my hair with a wide tooth comb. Then I rinsed thoroughly and applied the TJ Tea Tree Conditioner. Massgaed it through my scalp and the length, and further detangled with my medium tooth comb. This step was unnecessary. Not the detangling part, but the switching of the conditioners. But I just got the stuff in the mail, and the PJ in me wanted to try everything. Lol. Then I rinsed again and put that part back in the pony. After doing this all over, I let water run all over just to ensure that all the product was out of my whole head.

Next, I removed the ponys and applied Giovanni Smooth as Silk Extreme Protein Treatment to each section and put the pony back on. I left that on about 10 minutes and then rinsed. Let me just say wow. I suddenly realized that I haven't been including any protein in my reggie. And my hair needed it! Let me tell you. My hair responded sooo well. It actually made my curls go Pop Goes the Weasel. Like, I had curls I didn't know I had. When I was rinsing it out, I could literally feel curls I'd never felt before. And not only that, they were clumping together, something my hair only does every now and then. I will most definitely be adding protein treatments to my regimen from now on.

Now after all of that. I took down each section. Applied in this order (water, oil, creamy) a spray or two of JnB, Oyin Honey Hemp, EVCO/ECOO mix, and Oyin Whipped Pudding. Then I banded most of the section into two sections (some were already small enough). This resulted in approximately 20 sections. I will give a report on how I'm feeling about Oyin this go round later.







Now, the only thing about this entire process is that it's terribly time consuming (heck, it's taking me an hour to write this and you've probably stopped reading by now. Lol) Grrrr. But I think it is going to be the best thing for my hair in the long run. So here is the plan.

Week 1- Do the entire sectioning process to wash with shampoo and condition. And do a protein treatment. I don't think I'm protein sensitive (this was my first time using), so I won't follow with a DT. The Giovanni Extreme made my hair both strong and soft, so I'll stick to it for now. If I use something that else that does dry me, I'll do a DT too. Sometimes, I will do henna instead. If I do, I will also follow with a DT.

Week 2 and 4- Cowash hair using original all over method. No sectioning. (I don't want to overmanipulate by doing the sectioning too often, and I also don't have that kind of time. Lol) Deep condition with heat cap.

Week 3- Cowash hair. No deep condition or protein, but of course as with every week, do the Chicoro steps for proper moisture. I also might try some random treatments in here like ACV n tea rinses. Cherry lola or caramel or bentonite. It'll be like my experimental week. Lol.


What was I doing before you ask? I have no idea. I was trying to develop a product regimen. But completely forgot about the actual routine. I forgot the when's where's how's and why's. I was only focusing on the what's!

Now it's summer. So my styles will vary. For now I'm loving how banding stretches my hair, so I'll probably do that quite a bit and wear puffs or fros or do some things with flat twists and the like. I won't throw protective styling completely out the window though. I'll still be rocking twists and braids as well. And as my PJism rises, I'll probably vary my products. But I'm in the product challenge, so this month, I'm only doing Oyin for styling and moisture. Poos and condishes are whatever I feel at the moment. Lol.

Now if you're still there and haven't fallen asleep reading this. I'll give you a treat. Here's the frohawk I rocked yesterday. Ya'll have seen these earrings and outfit before, but it's one of my faves, and no one had seen it where I was going, so I did the fashion no no and repeated and ensemb. Sue me. Lol.















You survived my longest post ever! Yay! Now, because this post is so long and due to some personal reasons, I will be MIA next week. I'll keep up with my neighbors the rest of the weekend, but after that I won't be back till probably next Saturday. However, even though I won't be posting, I'll be reading your comments. So please write and let me know what you think. Don't forget about me. Lol. Later all!

Whoa that was a lot! But good info. I started washing my hair in bands and I agree it's a lot easier. Especially when it comes to detangling.

Hey JnB...

Your post wasn't long just very informing!! So where do you get this trader joe stuff. I'm not buying...my next purchase will be hairveda. I was going to purchase today...but I really have to study the products to make sure I get what I really need!!!

Anyway...(sorry I got off track) I thing you have a good plan for your hair. I think I need to look closely at the whole process instead of the end result (styling) like I've been doing.

I'm going to keep up with you to see your results each week. Looking good in that fro-hawk and of course love the earrings!!

Have a great weekend!!

KNH

.:Eden:. wrote:Whoa that was a lot! But good info. I started washing my hair in bands and I agree it's a lot easier. Especially when it comes to detangling.

That's the other thing I forgot to mention. It definitely helps with detangling. Before, I wasn't breaking down each section but just trying to detangle all over. And when I went to twist, I noticed how ineffective it was.

KinkyNappyHappy wrote:Hey JnB...

Your post wasn't long just very informing!! So where do you get this trader joe stuff. I'm not buying...my next purchase will be hairveda. I was going to purchase today...but I really have to study the products to make sure I get what I really need!!!

Anyway...(sorry I got of track) I thing you have a good plan for your hair. I think I need to look closely at the whole process instead of the end result (styling) like I've been doing.

I'm going to keep up with you to see your results each week. Look good in that fro-hawk and of course love the earrings!!

Have a great weekend!!

KNH

I posted in the swap, and one of our CN friends sent it to me. I believe you can order it on Amazon but it's terribly overpriced. I think it's only 3 bucks in stores, but like 9 (not including shipping) on there.

Thanks for sitting through the post. Lol. I'll keep ya posted.

Very good info JnB! I might try this (banding)with my daughter's hair for length. Also I am a old soul too I prefer to hang out with persons older than me , But I love getting to know folks of all ages. I don't just always felt like I am out the loop with some people... But anyway please keep us updated about how your new reggie is going.

Great post!!! Very informative. I know it will definitely help someone.....if they read the whole thing.

I wash my hair in four sections but I am changing up my wash routine this weekend. I will only finger detangle in the shower and do the "real" detangling after I moisturize. I also plan to try your banding method to stretch and dry my hair overnight. I know you will be gone next week but the results will be on my thread.

You tend to your personal things, and we will be waiting for you next Saturday...

Wonderful post!!! Thanks!

Curly_Aquarius wrote:Very good info JnB! I might try this (banding)with my daughter's hair for length. Also I am a old soul too I prefer to hang out with persons older than me , But I love getting to know folks of all ages. I don't just always felt like I am out the loop with some people... But anyway please keep us updated about how your new reggie is going.

Thanks for listening to me. Will do.

Lynnieluve wrote:Great post!!! Very informative. I know it will definitely help someone.....if they read the whole thing.

I wash my hair in four sections but I am changing up my wash routine this weekend. I will only finger detangle in the shower and do the "real" detangling after I moisturize. I also plan to try your banding method to stretch and dry my hair overnight. I know you will be gone next week but the results will be on my thread.

You tend to your personal things, and we will be waiting for you next Saturday...

When my hair gets as long as Roxie, I'll probably be able to make fewer sections. I'll be back soon. Don't be be

swoodward wrote:Wonderful post!!! Thanks!

Glad I could help

i looooovvvvveeeed the frohawk! see you next week!

hold up....LMAOOOO@ drake being "23" is this a JOKE!! his eyebrows clearly put him at 34, he must be telln his hollywood age cuz if he's 23 im preggers by p.diddy and co-signed a car for bill gates!

dont apologize for long posts, i do it all the time and i enjoy reading them cuz i can visualize it since u really break it down. the banding technique is really workin for you, now i need to go out n get me some bands! really good job and u got them fro hawks down packed...i see u...mmmm hmmm!!

im gonna try washin in sections next time and i need to get back on to keepin a calendar to keep track of acv rinses and incorporating protein in the reggie!

NubieNatty wrote:hold up....LMAOOOO@ drake being "23" is this a JOKE!! his eyebrows clearly put him at 34, he must be telln his hollywood age cuz if he's 23 im preggers by p.diddy and co-signed a car for bill gates!

he really is 23...and u dont wanna be preggers by diddy ...he got issues w/ child support and a pack of off spring already lol

iri9109 wrote:i looooovvvvveeeed the frohawk! see you next week!

NubieNatty wrote:hold up....LMAOOOO@ drake being "23" is this a JOKE!! his eyebrows clearly put him at 34, he must be telln his hollywood age cuz if he's 23 im preggers by p.diddy and co-signed a car for bill gates!

dont apologize for long posts, i do it all the time and i enjoy reading them cuz i can visualize it since u really break it down. the banding technique is really workin for you, now i need to go out n get me some bands! really good job and u got them fro hawks down packed...i see u...mmmm hmmm!!

im gonna try washin in sections next time and i need to get back on to keepin a calendar to keep track of acv rinses and incorporating protein in the reggie!

iri9109 wrote:

NubieNatty wrote:hold up....LMAOOOO@ drake being "23" is this a JOKE!! his eyebrows clearly put him at 34, he must be telln his hollywood age cuz if he's 23 im preggers by p.diddy and co-signed a car for bill gates!

he really is 23...and u dont wanna be preggers by diddy ...he got issues w/ child support and a pack of off spring already lol

Lol. Thanks ya'll. Nubie you always keep me laughing. Drake's eyebrows are somethin serious. Lol. I usually date older men, but I'd make an exception. Lol.

And yea, Diddy got like 8 kids or somethin. No bueno. Lol.

hey girl!