Hair Plans Week Beginning 30/05

Hi tomorrow I am due to (finally) take my weave out, honestly I feel like I don't want to wear a weave till Winter, it's too hot in Summer and also I work out 3x week. In total I have had it in for 6 weeks (well 5 weeks 6 days) and washed it a total of 4 times. The washing process (washing, putting leave-in conditioner on my real underneath, drying, caruso roller setting then wrap) took aaages at least an hour and a half. So I am glad to be rid of weave at the moment. I am basically 5 months post. I almost bought ORS no-lye relaxer box perm to self-relax yesterday but thought I should wait to take my weave out before deciding on relaxing. This is my new growth by the way (underneath my weave):

Yup I am not looking forward to tackling this!

My hair plans for tomorrow is to take down my weave (I do use scissors to cut the weave thread) and then undo the braids underneath. I plan to wet my hair - there's no way I am going to attack my new growth when dry - and do a protein deep conditioning treatment (ORS deep replenishing treatment) then clarify my hair.

On Saturday (4th June) I plan to use a moisturising DC and detangle with my wide tooth comb. I plan to shampoo and then air dry.

Here are my pros and cons of weave as a summary:
Yays:

• Great protective style- hair is not manipulated could help to retain growth
• Quicker and easier to style daily, less time consuming
• Using human hair means you can wash, tong, flat iron
• Adds length if you're SL or CBL (like me)

Nays:

• Not versatile if you have a sew-in you can't do ponytails or bantu knots etc
• Human hair can be quite expensive (esp Remy hair)
• Tight sew-ins can lead to hair breakage especially on your edges
• If you wear a weave during Summer or work out a lot it can get very hot/dirty
• Washing and gaining access to the scalp is difficult/time consuming
• Hair can tangle/mat very easily if you do not wrap the hair consistently

London Girly Monthly Run Down

I have been buying… nothing spent too much last month! Though I did pick up a pair of denim shorts for £8 ($12) at Matalan
I have been eating at… Nandos loveeee it! I generally get chicken wrap with rice. Though I am loving their new butterfly chicken. I ALWAYS get lemon and herb I just can't handle spicy food :(
I have visited… a few bars and clubs. I've decided to start going out to a variety of bars/clubs especially around Bank, had good times :)
Best Bargain… hmmm eating at Pizza Hut (starter, main, desert and drinks) for £10 this is due to my friend's discount she's assistant manager there! I definitely reccommend the cookie desert (yum!), lasagne and garlic bread
I have achieved… a new career! I got a job last week as a Psychology Teacher at a school I am so proud and extremely happy definitely made my month
I've been listening to... ALOT of African music- I love afrobeats, if you're interested youtube artists such as D'Banj, Wiz Kid, Ice Prince and VIP. Here's my top songs atm:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A576XVrgD4 - Ice Prince: Oleku
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeH5YyJdA7I - Wiz Kid: Don't Dull
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtAzoQ0_paQ - 5ive: Muje Baya Have a listen! I never used to listen to afrobeats but I've fallen in love with them since about 2008
I've been reading... Glamour Magazine as I do every single month
Next month I’m looking forward to… my holiday woooo! 7 days in a spa resort in Cyprus
Next month I hope to splash some cash on… a few things for my holiday, definitely need to get a good book

Quick Update!

I felt a lil bit bad not updating this blog for almost 2 weeks now so I'll do a quick blog post. Things have recently been hectic but I am glad to say at the end of June will mark the end of me being a postgraduate student and September will mark the start of me beginning a proper teacher post. Yay I got a job!!! Anyway that aside, here's what's up:

• I am still in a weave and I plan to remove it on Bank Holiday Monday or the day after which will make it almost 6 weeks
• My regrowth is crazy there is no longer a parting between the cornrows underneath the weave lol so I am not looking forward to taking out the weave and detangling
• I like weaves but I'm going to avoid getting another one for probably another year, it's a good protective style but honestly I miss my hair :(
• Have I decided to transition or not? Hmm still not sure definitely leaning towards continuing to relax but being a self-relaxer
• I miss my hair, I said that already but I doo I miss the versatility of it- sew ins lack flexibility
• I am keeping to my weave regimen (I just need to ensure I keep moisturising my real hair). Tomorrow after spin class will be the 3rd time I have washed this weave and the last! It takes aaaages
• I received my brahmi and shikaki powder but it is unopened, I don't plan to make this paste until my weave is out
• The regrowth is making it very difficult for me to wear this weave atm- I'm always self-conscious it is noticeable
• And I want to purchase a hairdryer with a comb attachment and use this for my heat pass 1x month
• I need to do more reviews/updates on this blog! I have a week off next week so hopefully I can do that then

Anyway it's been brief HHJ!

Ayurvedic Hair Products/Regimen

These are natural hair products (originating in India- correct me if I am wrong) and are increasingly being used by both natural and relaxed women because they heed many benefits including thicker and stronger hair. Here are some of the benefits of Ayurdvedic hair powders as typed by Hairlista Ulanie:
"Hesh" Amla Powder (Conditioning)
Dark and Healthy Hair Naturally
Has the following advantages: Promotes hair growth, Controls hair fall, Cures scalp infection, Controls premature graying of hair.

"Hesh" Brahmi Powder (Conditioning)
Ayurveda's most potent hair vitalizer
Has the following advantages: Cools the scalp, Controls dandruff, Makes hair long, dark, Dense & lustrous, Strengthens hair roots.

"Hesh" Maka Powder (Cleansing)
Clean scalp
Has the following advantages: Removes scurf, Cures Alopecia, Makes hair dense and promotes hair growth.

"Hesh" Neem Leaves Powder (Cleansing)
The Trusted antibacterial & antidandruff powder
Has the following advantages: Clears dandruff, Powerful natural antiseptic, Cures skin disorders, Controls Natural oil balance of skin.

"Hesh" Shikakai Powder (Cleansing)
Dirt Buster for your scalp
Has the following advantages: Provides new life to hair strands, Strengthens hair roots, Increases bounchiness and silkiness of hair, Clears dandruff, Keeps the scalp clean and cool.

"Hesh" Tulsi Leaves Powder (moisturizing)
Cures Dandruff, protects your skin
Has the following advantages: Effective antibacterial quality, Protects and moisturizes the scalp, Helps to treat acute dandruff problems, A very effective anti pollution properties thus helps to protect the hair.

How I will incorporate Ayurvedic hair products in my regimen:
You can also buy some of these powders in oil form (vatika and amla). I personally plan to buy vatika oil (my mum already has some) and prepoo with this.

I have already ordered amla powder and shikakai powder from Ebay- bargain £4.62 ($7) including postage and packaging. I will create a deep conditioning mix using 5 tablespoons of each powder and adding hot water. I will use this deep conditioning mix prior to shampoo or co-washing bi-weekly.

I am sure many of you have heard of Henna which can be used to colour the hair. I am definitely not an expert on Henna all I know is that it can colour hair and if you are relaxed and order henna it must be of body art quality. I was tempted to order Indigo henna from Lush to darken my hair but I am scared because Henna is permanent!!

I am quite excited as this is a new thing for me to try (I will post reviews as my hair is still in a weave)! If you wish to try out these products or just want information about Ayurvedic hair products here is an excellent link from Moptop Maven:
http://moptopmaven.blogspot.com/2010/12/2011-haircare-challenge-simple.html

Caruso Roller Set

Products: Caruso Rollers (Jumbo & Large) and Elasta QP design silk (heat protectant & provides hold).
Results (after rollers in for 2 hours):

(can't rotate ;/)

^ back of the hair
:)

Self-Relaxing!!! Warning.

I have self-relaxed and ended up texlaxing. However I would still self-relax in the future (if I decide to remain relax), so yesterday I was curious and youtubed a few self-relaxer videos. Please be warned not to adhere to all of the advice in those videos, here's a few bits of "advice" I saw in the videos:

1. "Leave the relaxer in until it burns or you can't take the pain anymore": No! Unless you want a burn in the back of your head, do not do this. Adhere to the timings in the instructions that come in the relaxer box (this do differ for different hair textures so take note).
2. "Don't time how long  the relaxer has been in your hair": I suggest you do time and again adhere to the timings in the instruction manual. You can always add a teaspoon or two of oil to the relaxer mix to slow down the processing time (or to texlax) if you don't do this, follow the timings otherwise you may end up with burns/scab hair.
3. "Don't use gloves": If you don't use gloves you could end up with yellow nails for a week or so. I use gloves because I don't want the relaxer coming into contact with my sensitive skin.
4. "I apply my relaxer to my edges first because I want them to lay down"- Actually it is advised to apply the relaxer to your edges last because this is a very sensitive part of your hairline.

The moral of the story is to take heed when following youtubers, here are three good youtube videos (in my opinion) of how to self-relax:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aJNdCH3c38   > ulovemegz- although note she doesn't use gloves
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ny8DVa2YggE  > ms kibibi of K.I.S.S
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8CD18WZNiA > how to relax in two halves by Lonei

HHJ!

Flexi Rod Style

I decided to do a flexi rod set using 10 flexi rods. I put 10 in and left them for 4-5 hours, I was very pleased with the results and will definitely do it again. Beforehand, I put Elasta QP Design Silk in my hair in order to increase the hold.

And nope, I haven't come any closer to deciding upon continuing to relax or transition.