Breaking issues

Recently I had a serious bout of breaking, I was almost tearful each time I combed my hair or just ran my fingers through it. My house floor looked like two cats had been fighting. I was a good pair of scissors away from cutting it off. I decided to do a moisturizing cowash and have realised that I was probably overloading on the protein. So will reduce the protein from once a week to once every two weeks. I know that might sound strange especially if you read my last post but I find too much protein ON the hair makes it very brittle.

I am not badmouthing a product but the Joico Reconstructor has been "shelved" and will stay there for a while.....

Changes

Firstly, I dont know if you guys know but I am a vegetarian and have been feeling pretty lousy for some time now. I then started to compare my hair and before and after I became a vegetarian. I was more alert and my hair grew longer and thicker. The Castor oil challenge, DC and stretching really cannot compare with adequate nutrition especially the protein content. Taking multivitamins does help but they don't contain protein. So I am "Drinking my way to waistlength challenge", I noticed the smoothies are essentially high in protein. I have also been forced to review my diet to get my 50-60g of protein a day.

I have also started going to the gym, a much needed decision, drinking more water and just taking better care of me. I have been feeling better already after just two days!

Relaxer Update

I did my hair, it was almost a disaster, I self relaxed with the help of my boyfriend and probably it wasnt such a good idea to use real relaxer as the test run. Well we pushed through and it came out pretty well. I used the now trusty ORS lye relaxer, and some pre-chemical treatment before on the previously relaxed hair. I rinsed thoroughly with luke warm water and left my Affirm sustenance conditioner for 5 min. I then proceeded to neutralize 5 times and deep con with ORS deep penetrating conditioner for 45 mins. To finish off I did a roller set with aphogee provitamin leave in and was under the dryer for 1 hour.

My hair now is about 2-3 inches from BSL and I am pushing to make it for my one year HHJ. I have come a long way. I still I have major breaking issues and problems with the moisture/protein balance. But one step at a time. The pics arent that great did it with the camera phone but i guess this would be useless without a pic right?

My rollerset at 10 weeks

I seriously thought a rollerset at 10 weeks would have been a disaster. But this has me wanting to stretch to 6 months. But of course I won't push my luck; the key to stretching for me is more moisture and occasionally protein. This what I did;

1) I clarified with Mizani clarifying shampoo

2) Used the last of my Alter ego garlic condish. Now this is definately a staple, can be a bit expensive but if you can you must buy it.

3) Steamed my hair for 30 minutes. This step is key at this stage of stretching it really makes the new growth soft. I warmed a damp towel, placed it on my hair covered with a shower cap and went under the dryer.

4) Rinsed and then left the ORS deep condish for 1 hour with a steam cap while I messed about at home.

5) Rinsed with cold water and set my hair with Aphogee Provitamin leave in. I was really pleased with the results.

I know this hair journey can be frustrating at times. Sometimes you just cant be bothered, well dont be. Just make sure you deep condition at least once a week, tie your hair at night, moisturise your hair daily and pay special attention to your new growth. You will soon realise that cant be bothered can equate to low manipulation and your hair begins to look better than ever.

Revisiting Cowashing

What have I been missing, I could never understand what all the fuss was about, I even decided to stop cowashing as too much manipulation was causing my hair to break. I have been noticing that I suffer from a serious case of dryness especially when I am stretching, its as if the oil from my scalp just does not go down the hair shaft. Each time I comb all I hear is crackle and snap and I am losing hair.

I have found my solution after months of my HHJ. Oil rinsing peps, oil rinsing. In additon I found the greatest cowashing condish Herbal Essense long term relationship.

Last night I cowashed with HE LTR and then poured about 1/4 cup of almond oil and 1/4 cup of olive oil on my head, paying special attention to my roots. Left it for about a minute and rinsed, thats it. The hair is oily but not dripping with oil just soft. I then air dried with HE LTR leave in. I will do this more often and as long as my hair does not break I will stretch as long as possible.