WANTED: Clarifying Wash!

Hey there!

Once I came accross a car that was so dirty that someone finger wrote on the dust: "LAVAMI!" i.e. from Italian "CLEAN ME!". Well,my hair just did the same: "CLARIFY ME!".
I haven't clarified for a month, maybe more, I do not even remember the last time I did it.

 

What made me realized my hair was needing it desperately? Dry frizzy hair no matter how much moisturizer I put in. I've ventured out of my confort zone experimenting with a mix of Herbal essences hellow hydration conditionner mixes with rose water and aloe vera juice as a spritz. Boy, I should know better that my hair does not like when a rinse out conditionner is left on it for days. The only exception so far being Hairone in small amount as leave-in conditionner. I've cowashed in between but no real wash. It was time to bring out the arsenal and bring my hair back to its normal status.

I started the washing session by lathering with Redken Hair cleansing creme to get out all residues. It left my hair squeeky clean as usual.
I then followed with Paul Mitchell Super Strong treatment which I left on for 20 minutes under my heating cap.
After rinsing it out, I applied Roux Porosity control for 3 minutes before rinsing.
I applied then Paul Mitchell The conditionner as leave-in and sealed lightely with my mix of oils.
Right now my hair is buttery soft yet strong and no frizz around.

I've been doing more protein treatments this time as I feel that my hair needs it a bit more than usual. I've been shedding also more than I do this time of the year. I think it's because I do not take anymore hair vitamins. We will see in the coming weeks how it goes.

I'm getting over experimenting here and there new products, yes I've said it. I will clean my stash in the coming weeks, getting rid of any non/under performing products. The dryness and frizzyness beside the desperate clarifying need, was also due to the unconsistency of my regimen, experimenting with products. Sometimes, you have a good hit and sometimes not. Lately the underperforming ones were way too many for my hair to handle it. I'm gonna go back to basics....... for now ;-)

Ciao ciao

Wash day: finishing up products

Hey there!

There are certain products I have a love/hate relationship with that I wanted to get rid of. Because of the price, I did not want to throw them away. One of them is the Kiehl's argan hair mask.
The product is efficient but I have this on and off thing with the smell.
I decided to used it up for this wash day as there was not much left in the jar.

My ends were frizzy because I travelled  to cold areas this past week. I started by prepooing yesterday with grapeseed oil and left it over during the night.

This morning, I shampooed my hair out with Paul Mitchell Super skinny conditionner once and followed with Hairone argan oil. I could feel how smooth my hair was while rinsing of these products.
I slather then the Kiehl's argan hair pak on and covered with Paul Mitchell Super skinny treatment. I sat under the steamer for 25m minutes. I left it cool down before rinsing with lukewarm water. I finished rinsing with cold water.
I left the turby twist on for 10 minutes to soak up the water. I applied then Paul Mitchell Super Strong leave-in treatment, a dime size of Kinky curly knot today, grapeseed oil and few drops of Kerastase oleo-relax serum.
I airdried before detangling and styling. Even though my wash process starts with detangling, I like to detangle with all my leave-ins to finish the process.

Have a wonderfull and sunny sunday!
Ciao

Wash day

Hey there
Wash day is back here.

I prepooed overnight wih a Swharzkopf bonacure mask that I wanted to finish up. I coated my hair with grapeseed oil then.
I kept this prepoo until late this morning before I washed my hair. I used Paul Mitchell Moisture shampoo once and then lathered again with Paul Mitchell Super strong shampoo. After rinsing, I slathered on Paul Mitchell Super strong daily conditionner and cover it up. I left it on my hair for 3 hours without heat before rinsing.
I then applied my Chi Keratin mist as my leave in, grapeseed oil and a small amount of Kerastase oleo relax serum.
I detangled my hair with my Hercule Sagemann 5660 comb and then air dryied.
Thanks to this comb, I had only few strands on the comb.
Low manipulation is key.

Ciao

Kiehl's Superbly Smoothing Argan Hair Pak

Hey there
I went to restock on the Kiehl's olive oil deep treatment and on whim decided to purchase this product instead.

After trying the Olive oil ask, I was pretty convinced that Kiel's might have other gems to discover.
So I went ahead and purchased a few more products, among them this Superbly Smoothing Argan Hair Pak. The nice lady at the Kiehl's counter gave me samples of the argan oil shampoo and conditionner to try the full system. The hair mask is the only one I've used several times so the only one that will be reviewed here.

When I first used it in December 2012, I was more than 12 weeks post relaxer. I was dealing with a bunch of new growth. What a better timing to try a smoothing product, right? Well, mmm, how can I say it?
I was expecting my new growth to lay down and finally behave but.... none of that happened! My relaxed ends were thrilling when the new growth was just laughing at it. I was mad at myself because of my pjism that pushed me not to restock on the olive oil mask but to try this one. Hell no!
Beause this baby cost 33 euro, I was fully motivated to make it work for me and not wasting my money.
Since only my relaxed ends liked it, I saved the product for later.
I used it again after my first wash day post relaxer and I must say, the same thing happened again.
My hair was soft city, buttery soft yet strong. A big plus: my hair stayed moisturized between the washs, so for 6 to 7 days!!!! Amazing! Same results as the Super charged mositurizer from Paul Mitchell! I was so happy!
Now the only downside is the smell. If you do not like strong spicy smell, pass on this one. I purchased without smelling it as there was no tester on the counter . I know, I know, but since I love, love the smell of the olive oil mask, I was expecting this one to be nice also. Well, the first wash day I hate it. Since I DC before cowashing with hairone, the smell did not linger too much on my hair.
The other wash days, I DC after washing and man, the smell is no joke! I hate it so much that I tried to cover it with my leave in, oil and moisturizer but, still I could smell it for days.
After the 3rd DC with it, I started to get used to it and it does not bother me any more. That's when the hubby came in.... Mind you: he is fully supportive on this hair journey and does even listen when I speak about APL, BSL; enough to have the patience when I'm hunting for new products.  Sooooo, the hubby after the 3rd DC asked:
Hubby:  -" what's this nice smell? Did you change your perfume?"
This would mean that I'm acting up as I wear faithfully Chanel n°5 and Chanel n°19 for years now.
Me: - "Me? No, not at all!"
He went on:
Hubby:  - "it's really nice. Is it your hair?"
Me: - " You're kidding. This smell is not nice at all and so strong! It's just acceptable"
Hubby: - "Well, I like it a lot" walking away...

I was shocked. He never reacted before to any of the hair product scent I was raving about except for the Elasta QP mango butter.

Well, all this to tell you that this is a particular scent, you like it or you leave it.

This product can be purchased
- online at www.kiels.fr
- counters: Printemps Haussmann or Le Bon marché Paris

Rating: A, because of the smell
Ciao Ciao

First wash day after relaxer

Hey there
I've started today with a hot oil treatment which consist of a mixture of grapeseed oil, wheat germ oil, few drops of essential oils (pepermint and rosemary). I let it sit for 30 minutes before shampooing.
I shampooed once with the neutralizing shampoo from the kit I used last week and then shampooed once with Paul Mitchell Super Skinny shampoo.
I applied then Affirm 5 in 1 as my protein treatment and let it sit for 15 minutes under heating cap. I followed up with Paul Mitchell Super charged moisturizer for 30 minutes with heat.

I applied Aphogee green tea reconstructurizer and Kinky Curly knot today as my leave-in conditionner.
I let my hair airdry afterwards.
It was stranged feeling my scalp without any new growth: I seriously missed it!!!
My hair is super soft but strong.

Wash day before relaxer

Hey there
Today I'll be preparing my hair for the relaxer to come. I planned to relax on January 04th.
First I claridied with Redken Hair cleansing cream and then shampooed once with Paul Mitchell Super skinny.
I used then Affirm 5 in 1 as protein treatment and left it for an hour under a heating cap.
After rinsing, I applied Paul Mitchell Super skinny daily treatment to tame a little bit my new growth and DC with it for an hour under under the heating cap.
I airdried after appliying Aphogee keratin and green tea leave in together with Neutrogena triple moisture silk touch leave in.

I then moisturized and sealed. My hair will be styled in a bun for the party tonight.

Drive safe and enjoy the new year eve!

Much needed deep treatments!

Hey there!

I've relaxed my hair on August 30th and did something that I should never be doing!
I forgot a product needed for one of the crucial steps of my relaxing process:Affirm 5 in 1!
With all my travelling I forgot the back-up of the Affirm 5 in 1 and I was pretty sure that I still had some. The huge bottle went away that quick! I was there after rinsing the relaxer looking for the affirm 5 in 1 for a deep protein treatment before neutralizing. No ma'am, you will have to pass this! Yep sad I know!

Remind you I'm freaking nervous about getting all the products ready before starting to relax my hair. I remember once driving 80km to get another box relaxer when I realized that the box of relaxer I picked, had been opened and resealed in the store after basing my scalp. No, a relaxer is no joke for me.

In desperate need of a protein treatment, I grab Aphogee 2 minutes as a replacement, so mad at myself!
I proceeded with the rest of the steps and the overall results were pretty good.
At the first week's wash, I noticed that my hair did not feel as strong as with the Affirm 5 in 1 as a step in the relaxer process.

So today, I've clarified my hair with Paul Mitchell Two shampoo and then applied the Aphogee 2 step treatment. This product worked well in the past for me when my hair was pretty damaged. I sat under the dryer to make it harden and then rinsed in the shower. My hair felt immediatly stronger after rinsing but not hard.

I'm now under the steamer with a mix of Paul Mitchell Super charged moisturizer, Kerastase Oleo-relax mask, glycerin and wheat germ oil. Super moisturizing DC, right! I fear so much protein overload and the associated breakage that I mix together all the most moisturizing elements possible.

Hopefully, my hair will come back to its normal state after air drying: moisturized and strong!

Rule of thumb: Always, Always make sure you have everything you need before starting with the relaxer process!!!

Ciao Ciao

Wash day

Hi there!
This last week I've been cowashing almost every day because of the heat: it's 34/35°C out there!
The weather is also very dry and windy sometimes. I just slathered any conditionner I wanted to use up, let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing.
So during yesterday's washing session, I knew I had to shampoo my hair to get rid of all the products coating my hair.
I started first with DC on dry hair. I mixed ORS replenishing conditionner with CON argan oil conditionner, wheat germ oil, hemp seed oil, lineseed oil and castor oil. I added also some glycerin for extra moisture.
I let it sit 1 hour under my heating cap and left it at room temperature for 2 to 3 hours before rinsing. I then shampooed with "le petit marseillais shampooing 2 en 1 à la framboise". This kid shampoo is sulfate-free, moisturizes and detangles. After rinsing, my hair smelt raspberry, yummy!

I followed up with a cheapie rinse out conditionner that was sitting in my stash.
I then toweled dry my hair before applying Kinky curly knot today as my leaving and sealed with coconut oil.
I let my hair airdry in a damp bun. I moisturized last night with my homemade concoction.
I woke up with very soft hair and new growth.

I planned to use up all the OK products in my stash before the switch to the Paul Mitchell products.

My 13 weeks new growth is requested more products with each wash and DC sessions so I hope to use up most of the products by my next relaxer.
If they are not finished yet, I'll donate them.
Ciao Ciao

Ojon damage reverse review

Hey there!
I hope you're all OK.
Today I would like to tell you about my experience about Ojon damage reverse shampoo and conditionner.
I've postponed this review for a while as my previous experience with Ojon products was not satisfactory.
This time, it was way different.

First the shammpoo: this shampoo is a lot more creamier and hydrating respect to the hydrating shampoo from Ojon. That's very strange to me as I was expecting this shampoo to work like a protein based shampoo because of the name. Besides, this shampoo cleaned and detangled my hair without stripping it! Amazing!
Then I moved to the conditionner. Since the hydrating conditionner did not do much for my hair, I did not left the damage reverse conditionner for a long time like a regular DC. I left the damage reverse conditionner on the time I was showering. I detangled my hair which did not need it after the shampoo. I was left with the softest hair.
Then I added my leave-ins and air-dried. The softness was still there even after air-drying.

Overall, the Ojon damage reverse fulfilled all the claims from the bottle. I even wanted to try the treatment as it was such a pleasant experience.

This is a good line to add in the product list that agrees with my hair.
Ciao ciao

First wash after relaxer

Hey there! I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the week-end.

Today, I've washed my hair for the first time after my relaxer.

I started with detangling my hair.
Then I prepooed with a mix of wheat germ oil, macadamia oil, hemp seed oil for 30 minutes under the heating cap.
I clarified with ORS chelating shampoo. I always use this shampoo the first time I shampoo after a relaxer. I use no-lye relaxer and this shampoo removes the calcium deposit from my hair for less dry hair. I lathered once with this shampoo. I used Keracare hydrating detangling shampoo for the second lather.
I then applied Affirm 5 in 1 conditionner as a strong protein treatment, leaving it in my hair for 30 minutes with heat.
After rinsing, I deep conditionned with a mix of ORS replenishing conditionner, Keracare Humecto (tub version), glycerin, castor oil, wheat germ oil for 1 hour under heating cap.
I then rinsed and towel dry my hair with patting motions.
I applied Aphogee green tea restructurizer, Cantu Shea butter as my leave-in. I planned to air dry and did not want my hair to frizz up. Therefore I applied Kerastase oleo-relax serum to my hair.

I detangled and then clipped up the end during the air-drying process. My hair dried in a couple of hours as it's very windy today. Sunny but windy.
My hair is now completely dry and frizz free.
I'm considering dusting or trimming the ends. They do not seem bad as I do not see any split end but it's been a while I haven't had one.

Ciao ciao

Wash day

Hi there!

I made it, finally I got it in my schedule! I will keep it close now, what may you ask? The mid-week wash and deep conditionning! I managed to keep my schedule on track in order to wash and DC today. I'm so glad I did.
I washed with the Kerastase Oleo-relax line that I use on and off. Do not get me wrong: it's an excellent product line but the price tag and I are not friends. In France, it's less expensive respect to the US price tag but I think it's too expensive for what it is. I do not know why but I always end up repurchasing it. I gess I could add it to my staple list and make it permanent in my product stash. For some reason, I can't get myself to stick to it.

Back to the products.
I shampooed once with the Kerastase Oleo-relax shampoo. This shampoo instantly makes my hair soft like butter. I detangled my hair before rinsing the shampoo. I got absolutely no tangle. This is the only shampoo so far that I can detangle with.
After rinsing the shampoo, I squeezed the excess water and then apply the Kerastase Oleo-relax slim mask. This product always leave my hair the softest it can be but I prefer the old formula Kerastase Oleo-relax. I've used in the past faithfully this old formula and saw good results. Even though I was having a dominican blow out every week with a lot of heat, my hair was very healthy.
The new formula has a stronger smell but is thicker than the old version. The smell is nice but too strong and lingers in your hair for days.
I went under my steamer with the Kerastase Oleo-relax slim DC.
Soft city! My hair is thriving right now.

I accidently textlaxed during my last relaxer. I was not happy for a while but I have to admit that I'm loving the texture it leaves in my hair.
Some texture shots: first with the deep conditionner and after rinsing the conditionner, no product added

Who knows, I might start texlaxing from now on. I haven't decided yet.

Ciao

Wash days

Hi People!
From months now, I've been struggling to get back to DC x2 a week.
When I started my hair care journey, it was the easiest thing. I dedicated time to all the steps of my regimen.
Life became more hectic in the past months and the mid-week DC is now skipped.
I've been trying to add it back but I have not succeed yet to be consistent again.

Yes, consistency! I believe that this is the main driver of any success in most life goals.

I've made wash days easier now that I mainly DC on dry hair. My hair likes it, so the mid-week wash should be a simple cowash after DCing on dry hair.
I'll try to implement it this coming week and be consistent.

Wash day program for 3 weeks:

• DC on dry hair
• Wash with hairone
• Apply leave-in conditionner and coconut oil to seal
• Air dry and then style

Mid-week cowash

• DC on dry hair
• Cowash
• Apply leave-in conditionner and coconut oil to seal
• Air dry and then style

4th week wash program: clarifying wash:

• prepoo with oils
• clarifying shampoo
• DC
• Apply leave-in conditionner and coconut oil to seal
• Air dry and then style

This will be the program I'll try to stick to for the coming 3 months.
I'll be throwing protein in some of the DC sessions in order to avoid moisture oveload.

Ciao

Wash day

Hey people,

I've been missing for a while now . I was busy with life.
During this period, I also slacked a bit to take care of my hair. I know, I know, too bad.
 I haven't DC for 2 weeks now when I used to DC twice a week.
But tonight, I'll try to recover from it.

After lathering once with Paul Mitchell moisture shampoo, I cowashed with Hair One Olive oil for dry hair. I left it on the time of a shower and detangled before rinsing.
I DCed under the steamer with Paul Mitchell Super Charged moisturizer mixed with Paul Mitchell Strength conditionner and a teaspoon of castor oil.
I applied Cantu Shea butter leave-in and Coconut oil.
I'm currently air drying and my hair feels super super soft but strong at the same time.

Hopefully, it will recover from the bad days.

Ciao Ciao