Stretching Or Transitioning?

Hair stretched with Shi-Smooth Transitioning Kit

Hello everybody i know it's been a while since i last blogged. Once again i'm debating stretching or transitioning. I have not relaxed since July. I have about 3 inches of new growth. I don't plan to relax any time soon. Since July  i have been trying to deal with the new growth and the many textures of my hair. I have 4a, 4b and some 3a textures plus the relaxed texture. The one common thing about all the textures is that my hair is very dry and brittle, even more so stretching! I am at the point of being so tired of the relaxed ends breaking and shedding all the time. So, i'm leaning once again toward transitioning. I have been using the Shi-Smooth Transition Kit to help me along with this process, just in case i decide to transition. So far the kit is really helping with taming the new growth and helping with the dryness and breakage.

My new regimen

1. co-wash 2x weekly

2. deep condition 2x weekly

3. air dry

4. moisturize & seal

5. henna gloss 1x monthly

Technique

Braid hair in 8 sections

apply growth oil to scalp while in braids

moisture and seal daily while in braids

I will do everything to my hair while in braids/and only take down braids to wash

then re-braid.

Wear protective style ( wig, weave or braids all winter)

Products

Shi-Smooth Transition Kit

Moisture Balance Deep Conditioner

Apple Cider Balancing Kit

Mane & Tail Detangler

My moisture mix

Any oil  for sealing

 Henna gloss

any questions/suggestions?

Summer Hair Update

I have decided to keep my hair in protected styles for the rest of the summer in order to help with achieving my goal length. I installed these crochect braids. These crochet braids are 3 weeks old and holding up well. I plan on keep this style for 1 month. So far so good!!

The Maintaining the style

1. Wash every 2 weeks with diluted shampoo(Peppermint stimulating shampoo) in applicator bottle on the scalp only. Let the run-off from the shampoo clean the entire length.

2. Oil scalp every other day (Grow Potion Light Formulation)

3. Seek out fuzzy areas and cut them off. This keep the style looking neat!!

4. Sleep with style clipped up or in a ponytail to keep from hair getting frizzy and not looking neat.

That's it. Any questions? I will keep you all updated on how it holds up in this New York heat wave we are having

Product Review

Shi-Naturals Coconut Creme Deep Conditioner

Coconut Creme Deep Conditioner

This creamy coconut conditioner coats your strands in moisture and strengthens with coconut oil.

How to use :
1. After washing or co-washing, apply generously from roots to ends.

2. Put on plastic cap and wrap a towel around head. Let your body heat process conditioner, or put on plastic cap and sit under a hooded dryer or steamer. Conditioner can also be applied on dry hair (then follow #2-3)

3. Process 15-30 minutes with heat (optional)
    Process 30-60 minutes without heat (optional)


Ingredients: Distilled water Coconut milk, coconut oil, btms, silk protein, coconut essential oil

ph balanced - 16 oz

My Hair With the conditioner 

This conditioner is so creamy and thick. Just the way i like conditioners to be. I applied generously starting from the roots first. I then applied to the length making sure i covered every strand with this thick, delicious mixture. I could feel the softness right away!!! This conditioner smells fantastic too!! After applying. I put on a plastic cap. Wrapped a towel around my head and processed for 1 hour. Without heat. It felt so good going on, so very creamy and i could feel the slip. When i rinsed the conditioner out!! OMG!! Talk about soft and strong.I had no problems with detangling and lost no hair. I am in love with this conditioner. I know i said that about the Moisture Balance Deep Conditioner, but that one is on the back burner now, LOL. This one is definitely a keeper and will be one of my staples.

The Result

I'm extremely happy with how my hair turned out. No drama, no stress. I have shine (I don't usually have any shine to my hair after air drying) I air dried with no product!! My hair came out straight, no heat.The best thing is. My hair feels strong, and as you can see it is really thickening up too.

Price : 18.00

16 oz

Rating :

 

 Henna for thicker hair?                                 

There has been so much debating about henna's ability to thicken hair. What's true and what's myth? I know my fine hair loves henna. Yes i do firmly believe henna does thicken hair. I've had fine hair all my life, so i know when there is a different feel to my hair, and also i can see the thickness. Although henna's thickening is temporary. You must continue to use henna to hold on to the thickness. I apply henna gloss 2x a month to keep my fine strands thicker.

What is henna?

Henna is a plant.  Its leaves contain a property called lawsone, a red-orange pigment.  The leaves are crushed into a powder. This powder can be used to color hair temporarily. It does not lighten, only deposits color.

How does henna work on the hair?

Henna: Think of Henna like a natural protein treatment. Henna works to stop breakage by strengthening the hair shaft and attaches itself to the keratin bonds of hair to thicken. Henna also works to seal and repair the cuticle which makes for more manageable hair, a plus when it comes to detangling. Although Henna is mainly known as a mega strengthener, Henna has conditioning properties as well, which leaves the hair shiny, soft and full of body.

Shi-Naturals Henna Gloss

How i apply the henna gloss

1. starting from the nape - part hair in 1 inch sections straight across
2. apply to roots (apply generous amount)
3. continue applying until all root areas are covered
4. apply generously to the length
5.put on a plastic cap
6. cover with a towel to trap body heat (i process for 1-2 hours)
7. Rinse
8. proceed to styling (this henna gloss has a moisturizing conditioner mixed in, so i do not use another conditioner after rinsing)

Results
Thicker, stronger hair with a touch of color :o)

Product Review

MEGA GROWTH ANTI-BREAKAGE STRENGTHENER GROWTH LOTION 

By PROFECTIV 

Product Features

• Light-weight daily moisturizer that smoothes and protects
• Guards against heat-styling damage
• Replenishing moisture and shine
• Restores vital nutrients
• Non-greasy formula

 

Product Description

Size: 8.0 oz 

Price : 4.99

7x Stronger Hair. Protects, restores, repairs & rebuilds fragile, damaged hair for healthier hair growth. Fortified with Pro-Growth Complex - a deep penetrating blend of natural minerals, oils & proteins MegaGrowth strengthens hair from the inside out to promote. Stronger, longer, healthier hair. Pro-Growth Complex: Strength +Growth - Wheat Protein, Oat Protein, Soy Protein, Horsetail Extract. Restore + Rebuild - Wheat Germ Oil, Olive Oil, Flax Seed Oil, Jojoba Oil. Hi-Shine + Heat Protection - Silk Amino Acids, Avocado Oil, Coconut Oil, Grape Seed Oil. Stops breakage. Promotes healthy growth. Boosts hi-shine.  

    

Directions

Apply daily to dry hair & scalp before styling. Squeeze lotion into the palm of your hand. Rub hands together & run fingers through hair to evenly distribute from roots to ends. Tips: For deep moisture infusion & soft silky hair, apply Growth Lotion immediately before blow drying, using flat iron or other heat styling. For deeper penetration, apply overnight to dry hair.

                     Ingredients

Soybean Oil, water, Propylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Steareth-2, Steareth-20, Laneth-15, Lanolin, Dimethicone, Parfum (Fragrance), Hydrolysed Vegatable Protein, Amino Acids Various Oils (Fruit Derived)

(I think the formula has changed because my lotion has about 10 more ingredients, lol)

                  My Opinion 

I'm on a quest to find and use only natural products and ingredients. So last week i decided to clean out my stash of products i no longer wish to use. So i thought, lol. I saw some products that i haven't seen in years. Yes, i had products all piled up. While going through these old half used products (some were new too), i came across a product i had used a while ago. I remember having really good results with it. I threw everything else out but this product. Mega Growth Anti Breakage Strengthener Growth Lotion. So after washing and conditioning with my beloved Shi-Naturals products. I air dried and applied this lotion in sections. I didn't even seal with oil. I love this lotion. I don't have a clue as to why i stopped using it. Oh yeah. Not all the ingredients are natural, but i don't care. This is going back in staple products!! My hair felt moisturized and strong, and had lots of shine.

I give this product the big thumbs up!!!