Heat Damage

2:22p

I wanted to blame the Ecostyler gel for my damage, but quite honestly, I thought back and realized that it couldnt have been the gel that damaged my hair.

The culprit is the blow dryer and the flat iron. I have been doing both weekly and my hair is suffering greatly for it. I have been wanting to wear my hair straight and haven't done any airdry or protective styles for the last month.

I have used heat protectant, but at a certain point, even a heat protectant won't fully protect hair from heat. It was simple over use.

I bought ORS Hair Mayo, which is a mild protein, which should help with the weakness of my strands. I plan to use that with heat after a clarifying wash and then I will do a moisturizing deep condition overnight.

I know that there are some strands that are still going to suffer from this, but I figure the best things for me to do is to try to stop the damage now that I know what was causing it.

I'm banishing the flat iron and the blow dryer and now will only be doing twistouts, braid outs, bantu knots and anything that doesn't require heat.

I'm sad and feel a bit defeated but just like I had to tell myself when I got my hair cut: It's just hair. It will grow back.

UPDATE: Eco Styler Gel

11:40a

Last night I deep conditioned, washed, conditioned again, blow dried and flat ironed my hair.

I have done this before and my hair has turned out excellent. Moisturized with movement and body.

This time, my hair is decent, but it's cruncy on one side and it would not hold the curl. I wracked my brain trying to figure out what would constitute this change in my hair.

The only different product that had been added to my hair was the Eco Styler gel. So of course I had to go look up the ingredients.

Ingredients:Water , Carbomer , Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein , PVP , Glycerin Triethanolamine , Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate , Polysorbate 20 , Tetrasodium EDTA , Fragrance

Of course number 3 on the list would be protein. Water fine, Carbomer is a thickening agent and HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN.

I did some research and HWP is a moisturizing and conditioning protein derived from whole wheat. It increases the hair's ability to retain moisture and impart shine and gloss to damaged and dull hair. Due to its low molecular weight, it easily penetrates the hair shaft. Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein attracts and retains moisture, builds body, reduces porosity, improves hair manageability, improves luster and smoothness.

My hair is extremely protein sensitive so even though HWP is supposed to be moisturizing, I wonder if that's what caused my damage.

I'm immediately cutting the use of the Eco Styler, doing a moisturizing deep condition with heat and I will reassess the damage to my hair. My ends look horrible and I'm afraid a trim may be in order.

REVIEW: Eco Styler Krystal Styling Gel

8:51a

Product Description: Eco styler krystal gel is a maximum holding gel with the added advantage of PVP to allow for styles that need a strong holding gel. It can be used to hold hair in place for tapered sides, upsweeps and wraps without the fear of flaking. It is a perfect hold for natural or synthetic hair, ideal for use with curling irons.

My Finds: I love this gel. I have been using it for about a week and a half and it's become a staple for laying my edges down. The great part about this gel is that it doesnt take much at all. It doesn't leave hair stiff or flaky. I used this on my daughters hair quite a bit. I used it on the length of their curls and it's not sticky, leaves no residue and their hair is still brushable after the gel dries. And at just over $2 this gel will stay stocked in my cabinet.

Flat Iron Update

1:21p

It's day 5 of my flat ironed hair and so far so good. I'm still enjoying straight, bouncy, sleek hair.

But of course there's a but.

I'm tired of flat, pin straight hair. I need some body.

So tonight I will be doing pin curls.

Flat Ironing - MOISTURE MOISTURE MOISTURE

8:21a

Yesterday I came across a post on LHCF about flat ironing and how to achieve that fresh from the salon look at home yourself.

Since becoming texlaxed, straightening my hair has been harder than ever but a technique I learned last night revolutionalized the way I will flat iron my hair from now on.

It's all about moisture. But the thing that was stressed was to NOT add any products to freshly washed hair.

Why?

Because that weighs it down and causes buildup on the hair causing a limp (and for me a hot greasy mess) less than stellar flat iron.

So how does moisture work if I'm not adding any moisturizing products BEFORE I flat iron?

The trick is in the deep conditioning step. I followed this youtube video about deep conditioning to a T. I even added the mayo. Then I watched this video on flat ironing, which didn't help me with my technique but it really provided excellent step by step instructions.

I saturated my strands with coconut oil and let that sit for about 20 minutes. I made a concoction of Aussie Moist, Hollywood Beauty Olive Cholesterol, 100% Aloe Vera Juice, Olive Oil, mayo, honey and a squeeze Aussie Deeeeep and left that on for close to an hour.

In the shower I washed the deep conditioner out with a moisturizing shampoo (Hello Hydration Shampoo) and then added Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle Conditioner and covered with a shower cap for about 15 minutes.

When I washed out the conditioner, my hair was soft and extremely silky. I dried using the t-shirt method. After my hair was semi dry I added my blow drying heat protectant and blow dried in small sections. After my hair was dry, I added my Tressemee heat protectant and let it soak in before I flat ironed.

The trick with getting a really good flat iron is to take really small sections. I only required 1 to 2 passes for each section and my hair was silky, shiny and straight.

I slept with my hair wrapped in a silk scarf and a bonnett. This morning I put an extremely small amount of shine serum on my hair. My hair is bouncy, silky, soft and so smooth. I will be using this method from now on when I flat iron.

Shot of the back. More accurate picture of length. Silky, smooth and bouncy

My hair feels fabulous!

REVIEW: L'Oreal EverStrong Reconstruct Conditioner

9:59a

Product Description: Introducing formulas so gentle, yet so strengthening. Free of harsh sulfates, the EverStrong Sulfate-Free Fortify System* contains our patented Bio-Ceramide Complex, which strengthens the hair fiber after just one use, helping it resist breakage. Natural aromatic properties from rosemary and mint help energize and invigorate the senses.

EverStrong Reconstruct Conditioner gently conditions while strengthening hair to prevent breakage and tame frizz. Nourishes damaged hair and leaves hair strong and silky.

100% sulfate-free

No drying salts

Natural botanicals

100% vegan - Formula not tested on animals, no animal byproducts

For frizzy, damaged hair


My Finds: I bought this at CVS for $6.99. The reason I picked it up was because the bottle said that it contained ceramides and I have been wanting to try ceramides for quite some time. Part of me was convinced that this conditioner would just not work. I thought that I wouldn't be able to tell the difference after I washed out this conditioner and I would be horribly disappointed by it.

However -- I was happily surprised.

First, the good. This conditioner has a nice consistency and spread nicely over my hair. I had to use much more conditioner than I would normally use but I am not sure if that was because my hair is getting longer or if the product really soaks in, giving an illusion that the hair is not completely covered. I like to get my hair really covered in conditioner. The instructions say to let the conditioner sit for 1-2 minutes, but I pinned it up and covered with a shower cap and left on for at least 10 minutes.

After washing out the conditioner, I will admit that my hair felt noticably stronger. It was great. During my detangling session, I had only a few shed hairs. Much less than normal.

Now for the bad. The smell of this product seriously stinks. I hate it. It smells like men's shaving creams which has always given me the heeby jeebies (I'm weird). I even put another conditioner on afterwards to combat the smell, but the smell of this product has staying power. I can smell it as I type this.

Smell aside, this is a pretty great conditioner. I'll continue to use to determine if my hair benefits from repeated use.

REVIEW: Maybelline Lash Stiletto™ Ultimate Length Washable Mascara

10:04a

Product Description: The only mascara that does for lashes what stilettos do for legs. The Grip & Extend brush grasps each lash and coats from every angle. Elastic formula stretches lashes for provocative length. Pro-Vitamin B-5 formula conditions and smoothes for black-patent shine.

My Finds: I love this mascara. It really highlights my eyelashes and makes them super long and defined. It delivers on it's promises and at $5 it's a pretty good bargain. I'm guilty of loving mascara so I actually use this as my second coat of mascara. The first coat I use another brand that thickens my lashes and then I use this one to lengthen and define. Together, it's a winning combo.

Used alone, I find that this mascara made my eyelashes seem to thin. Maybelline has a Lash Stiletto Voluptuos that both thickens and lengthens. I plan to try that next.

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REVIEW: Elasta QP Feels Like Silk Leave-In H2

9:56a

Product Description: New and Improved Organic Infusion, vitamin-rich/ with olive oil. Softens and detangles. Superior moisturizing. For natural and relaxed styles. QP H-Two leaves hair incredibly soft, silky-smooth with great body, movement and shine. Perfect for natural, braided and relaxed styles leaving hair texture feeling like sik without build-up, dryness or frizz. Advanced Vitamin-rich Organic formula infuses healing restorative moisturizers that instantly detangle and strengthen hair deep inside. Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Avocado Oil and Organic Extracts rich in Vitamins help protect hair from thermal styling damage.

My Finds: I love this leave in. I use it only for specific purposes, which is normally when I play to blow dry or flat iron. I spray this on wet hair and then blow dry or air dry and then proceed to flat iron. I also use this on flat ironed hair since it is so light weight and with my fine hair, a moisturizing product that's also lightweight is really hard to find. Instead of spraying when I use it as a moisturizer on flat ironed hair (for fear of reversion), I spray it into my hands and evenly smooth it over my hair.

This product is light weight, very moisturizing and has a pleasant scent. I love this and it's a staple for my flat ironed hair.

Length check

9:43a

reminder of my starting length - though it was a tad shorter than this after my recut. At the shortest, my hair didnt even touch my shoulders. It reached the lower part of my neck.

I should have combed my hair straight before taking the picture but this pretty much shows my current length

REVIEW: Star Lacio Lacio High Shine Leave in Hair Conditioner

9:36a

Product Description: HIGH SHINE LEAVE IN HAIR CONDITIONER "LACIO LACIO" CONCENTRATED SILK PROTEIN LACIO LACIO: It is a leave in high shine scientific developed formula to provide softness shine and new life to over processed, porus or dry hair. LACIO LACIO is an intensive hair treatment that restores split end over processed hair.

Ingredients: WATER, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, HYDROLIZED SILK, DIMETHICONE COPOLYOL, CETRIMONIUM CHLORIDE, PANTHENOL, DMDM HYDANTOIN, METHYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN, FRAGRANCE, COLORANT FREE

My Finds: I bought this product awhile ago and have been using it for a few months. Every time I use it, I fall deeper and deep into love with this product. It provides a softness and shine that has been unparalled. I use this only when I blow dry or flat iron and it has consistently given me the results I love to see when I flat iron. For soft, silky and shiny hair, this product gets an A+.

Hollywood Beauty Olive Cholesterol Deep Conditioning Creme for Damaged Hair

9:28a

Directions: For quick conditioning while in the shower, shampoo and rinse hair. Apply a generous amount of Hollywood Beauty Olive Cholesterol to hair scalp. Leave on for two minutes and rinse hair thoroughly. For deep conditioning, follow the above but mix in a few drops of Hollywood Beauty Olive Oil to the cholesterol before applying to hair. Wrap hair in a moist towel for 5-10 minutes, then rinse hair thoroughly.


Ingredients: Deionized Water (Aqua), Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Stearalkonium Chloride, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Olive Oil, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Mineral Oil, Tea Tree Oil, Jojoba Oil, Avocado Oil, Coconut Oil, Egg Protein, Cholesterol, Aloe Vera Extract, Calendula Extract, Lemon Extract, Rose Mary Extract, Great Burdock Extract, Ivy Extract, Pine Extract, Sage Extract, Watercress Extract, Chamomille Extract, White Nettle Extract, Capucine Extract, Fragrance, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Diazolidinyl Urea, DMDM Hydantoin, Disodium EDTA, D&C Yellow 10, FD&C Yellow 5, FD&C Blue 1, FD&C Red 33.

My Finds: I really liked this conditioner. Even though it does contain mineral oil, it effectively softened my hair and it was really moisturizing. I'm becoming a firm believer that just because one person (or a million) swears off mineral oil, that it doesn't mean that it's not okay in moderation. I have to do what's best for my hair and this product really did the trick for me.

The smell is delicious. I found myself wanting to lick my hair and the smell linger so even after my hair was dry, I would get a delicious wiff every time I turned my hair.

The consistency is thick and covers nicely. Overall this is a great deep conditioner and for under $3 it was very pocket friendly.

For a naturalista's review on this product check out the all natural Renise B's review here.