Hair Tip #3 - Hair Products - Washing

Time for some hair product talks ladies!!

I've been asked over the last year what I use in my hair on a daily basis. So to make it easier, I will break it down into 3 posts. This first will be 'Washing', the second would be 'Moisturizing' and the third will be 'Styling'.

Shampoo

I've used many shampoos and conditioners in the past year. As mentioned in an earlier post, I'm a big fan of the 'Conditioner Only' washing method. But a good shampoo doesn't hurt once in a while.

One of my favorite hair product brand has to be Doo-Gro, which explains why their shampoo is at the top of my list. One of the reasons is they have many types of regimen, depending on what you are looking for. For my own need, I use the 'Mega Thick' collection.

I use the Doo-Gro Mega Thick Anti-Thinning Shampoo roughly once every three weeks, as well as the first wash after removing braids/weaves.

Compared to shampoos I've used in the past, this one doesn't leave my hair dried out. Keep in mind that I only do one shampoo instead of the suggested two.

Conditioners

Climate Control

Moisture Rich

As for my conditioners  my current obsession is my TRESemmé Climate Control Conditioner! Before my recent trip to Cuba, I went looking for a new, better conditioner than my old Doo-Gro one. Don't get me wrong, the Doo-Gro works well, but my curls were not as bouncy as I wanted them to be. So the clerk recommended I try TRESemmé! I fell head over heels in love ladies. I was in the sun all week long (and we all know what salt water and sun can do to your hair) and I did not have one problem. My hair remained bouncy, soft and silky. And for the price, you have enough for months!


Recently, I went to the store and they were out of the Climate Control :(, so I decided to try the TRESemmé Moisture Rich Conditioner. So far I like it, but I find it lacks the instant softness that I found in the Climate Control. Just like Doo-Gro, TRESemmé has a wide selection of products for various tastes.

Deep Conditioner

Just like many of you, I've tried many deep conditioners in my day. I've tried various mayonnaise, heat therapy deep conditioners, etc. My favorite one so far comes from (SHOCKER) Doo-Gro. Their Mega Thick Intense Repair Rebuilding Thickening Treatment is absolutely amazing! Though the packaging says to leave it for 10 minutes, I leave mine on for approximately 30 minutes. I put a foil cap on and do chores around the house, and 30 minutes later, I wash it out thoroughly and do one more round of conditioner. (Yes, I love my conditioners!) I use the deep conditioner every 3 weeks or so, when I shampoo my hair usually.


Using these products regularly have contributed greatly to my hair growth. They are healthier, stronger, bouncier and shinier than they have ever been. Hopefully these will work for you too.

Keep an eye out for Part 2 where I will be tackling moisturizers!!

-Stay Beautiful xoxo

Hair Tip #2 - Flat Iron and Blow Dryer

Hello beauties!!

As promised, I will be giving you all the information on my flat iron and my blow dryer.

Flat Iron

I've been using my flat iron for about 5 years now and it hasn't failed me or any of my friends yet. Boy could this thing tell you stories!! The brand is Corioliss. I came upon it while on a trip to Boston. I was walking around in a shopping mall as they were testing the iron out on a 'Natural Beauty'. What is good about this piece of equipment is that it doesn't burn the hair. It uses your natural moisture to straighten the hair. I even tried spraying my hair with a little water before ironing and the results were incredible. No burning whatsover! Just smooth, and silky hair.

Some major shopping centres carry the Corioliss brand (in their flat iron stands). However, if you can't find one near around you, I left a link where you (or a loved one - it's almost the holidays after all!) can purchase one online. There are tons of different models and designs for every taste. If you are into bold prints, they carry multiple irons fit that Bold Beauty Queen in you! Keep in mind that it's not the least expensive flat iron on the market, however it's one of the best!!

http://corioliss.com/

Flat Iron Expert - Where you can purchase one of the Corioliss Irons

Corioliss Info as per Flat Iron Expert - All Rights Reserved FlatIronExperts.com

Blow Dryer

As for my blow dryer, I've been using the Vidal Sassoon 1875 Ionic. I purchased it at my local Wal-Mart about 4 years ago for around $30 and it works wonders. It came with the drying comb, which makes it easier to dry without breakage and extensions.

When my hair is natural, I tend to let it air dry. On cold winter days (and nights) however, I use the finger diffuser attachment to create bouncy curls with tons of volume.

Finger diffuser attachment

Soft Wide Tooth Drying Brush - The back is open so hot air just passes through. No burning at all.

This unstoppable duo has helped me go from Frumpy to Glam many times over, with both Relaxed and Natural hair!

Hope it will do wonders for you guys too!! ;)

Stay beautiful xoxo

Hair Update: April-May 2012

Ola beauties!!

Here are more pics of my hair journey. This time, I took my time to flat iron my hair :)

Hair after Curl Activator

Hair Flat Ironed

Another Picture of Hair Flat Ironed

I will be posting pictures and descriptions of my flat iron and blow dryer soon for those of you looking to purchase one.

Hair Tip #1

Hello beautiful sisters!

Have any of you ladies noticed that washing your hair too many times in a week dries out your beautiful locks? Or that after using expensive shampoos, your hair doesn't feel as soft as when they were 'dirty'? Yeah, I've been there!

My curls would often lose their mobility after a wash, it would take days for the bounce to come back. I told a hair stylist about my problem and she recommended that I wash my hair with conditioner. The Conditioner Only system is amazing ladies!! Not only does it wash as thoroughly as shampoo, but your hair feels soft and silky after. Shampoo tends to strip hair of their moisture, while conditioner adds to it.

Another trick I was given is to leave some conditioner in your hair after the wash. Just a little, of course. Here is what I do; I wash my hair with the conditioner, rinse my hair quickly (not thoroughly), then I shake out my curls. Voila! I noticed a difference instantly!!

As for the expensive shampoo you bought, keep it handy. I tend to wash my hair every 3 days (with conditioner only) and shampoo every two to three weeks. I will say that I have seen major hair growth and a renewed fullness to my hair in the last 4 months of me doing this regimen!

Hopefully you guys will get results too!

I will post the exact products I've been using soon :)

-Stay beautiful, naturally ;)

*Here is a link where you can learn more about Conditioner Washing

3 Months After Chop

Here are some pictures 3 months after the cut. The first picture shows my hair combed out after taking out my braids :)

*My first straightening attempt was not the best, I have to admit. :S

**More to come, enjoy!

Hair combed out

   

First attempt at straightening my hair

  

After Curl Activator

Big Chop: August 2011

In August 2011, I had my friend cut my hair! She's an amazing natural hair stylist in Montreal. She was my motivator and 'helper' through this process!

The PonyTail (Ahhh)

Final Cuts

Activating the curls with a little gel (ouuhh la la)

Final Product!

All done :) 

About the Blog

Hello to all my natural beauties!!

Google Images (Straight to Natural hair)

My name is Lexi and I've been natural for a little over a year now. I had my first relaxer when I was 9 years old and, at 22 years old, decided it was enough. I've always been fond of the kinky curls and hated the fact that some people would tell me that my natural hair was not 'proper' or 'conventional' enough. So, I went with my heart and did the big chop! Boy was it liberating! After going natural, I met so many women going through the same things I did, which was absolutely amazing. We all shared the same insecurities, as going natural is not easy, especially due to this unjust stereotype about black hair. If it's not straight and smooth, it's not pretty. Through this journey I've learned that us curly/kinky haired sisters have to stick together. So I thought I would write about my ongoing journey and the troubles of being a 'natural beauty' in my world and maybe help some people out. I will be posting pictures of my big chop and my hair journey, as well as products I have been using. Hopefully all of you will too. 

Thank you for visiting and stay tuned for more :)