Hairlicious Inc.

Put It Up!
The best thing to do while working out is to pull all of your hair off of your shoulders whether that’s in a ponytail, high bun or low bun. Protective styling the hair is best while keeping it wrapped with a silk or satin scarf. Tying the hair down helps keep the hair controlled, smooth and sleek during your exercise. Quick tip: do not take down your hair until it completely dries! This will help lessen the chance of your hair texture reverting.

Be Smart About Drying
Ditch the flat irons and blow dryers for a healthier option. Try air-drying your hair while it’s in loose braids or a low bun overnight or grab the blow dryer and dry your hair on the cool setting. Cool air helps to close the hair cuticles encouraging them to lay flat and smooth resulting in healthier hair.

Ditch Itchy Scalp
Those who sweat a lot in their scalp tend to experience excessive itching and overall discomfort in their scalp. Applying Coconut oil to the scalp 2-3x/week along with frequent Apple Cider Vinegar rinses in the scalp can help to eliminate the itching and remove dirt.

Less Shampooing is Better
Using shampoo in the scalp is a great way to remove excess dirt, build up and sweat; however, using it after each workout can cause excessive dryness. Washing the hair with shampoo daily or every other day can strip the hair of natural oils and moisture. Eventually this can cause damage to the hair. If you must cleanse your scalp with shampoo, use one without sulfates for added hydration.

Be sure to check out the original article over at ESSENCE.com | Straight Talk: On Maintaining Relaxed Hair While Working Out

Introduce yourself! what's your name? where are you from?
My name is Rebecca, I was born in France from French West Indian (Caribbean) parents. And I live in France!

How would you describe your hair? What's your hair type?
My hair is mostly type 4 although it is coarser in some places like at the back (4b) and looser in the middle (3c). In its natural state, my hair is thick yet fairly supple and I would say I have high hair density (loads of hair follicles so loads of hair). At the moment, I would describe my hair as healthy... although it can always be better :-) The length is currently at bra strap after having cut a few inches back in September last year. I have no specific length goal.

When did you start your relaxed hair journey? What is your hair regimen? Share a few of your "go-to" hair products.
I first relaxed my hair when I was 13 or 14 years old and have not stopped since. My mum would take good care of my hair and she would spend hours each week doing my hair. There came a point when we both felt that relaxing my hair was probably a good idea, giving us much needed 'help'.

I have experimented quite a bit over the years with products, techniques etc. and it all helped me understand how to handle my hair.

When it comes to my hair routine, I try to keep it very simple, although I am always keen to try out new products. I wash my hair every couple of weeks and on wash days (usually Saturdays or Sundays), I typically wash my detangled hair with a gentle shampoo, I deep condition with my favorite conditioner mixed with oils for at least 2 hours. I air dry as much a possible. I dry my hair with a leave-in until almost dry (using a comb attachment). I then follow with the hair straighteners for a smooth effect.

When I feel my scalp and hair are a little bit on the dry side, I will pre-poo with a combination of oils and conditioners and leave it on overnight or for a few hours.

I relax my hair only twice a year and in between I tame my new growth with oils and loads of moisture. I trim as needed (or after my relaxers).

In terms of products, my 'staples' of the moment are the Yucca & Baobab thickening moisture mist from Shea Moisture - I use it as a leave-in: it smells sooo good and leaves my hair moisturized and flawless without feeling weighed down.

Here are my go-to products for my hair routine:

Shampoo: Palmer’s Olive Oil formula with Vitamin E
Deep conditioner: Organic Roots Stimulator Replenishing Conditioner (also used for hair detangling) and Organic Roots Stimulator Hair mayonnaise.

What #1 hair tip you would pass on to other relaxed haired ladies who are starting their hair journey?
My #1 advice is patience, patience and more patience. You will need loads of it to get to know your hair, what products and routine work best for it.

Nowadays it's becoming more uncommon to see relaxed hair or products geared towards relaxed hair. Do you feel a 'pressure' to go natural? Why or why not? What are your thoughts on the natural hair movement?
I don't feel pressure to go natural. My sister went natural 4 or 5 years ago. She had had longer hair than me; she’s very passionate and dedicated to her natural hair and I admire her for that! To me, it's not about being in 'team natural' or 'team relaxed' but more about having a healthy head of hair you feel good about. We need to do what makes us happy!

Why do you choose to remain relaxed while many are transitioning back to their natural hair?
Today, this is not my personal aspiration, but I do respect all women who decided to transition. I choose to stay relaxed because I love my relaxed hair. I feel completely at ease with it. I am able to understand it, manage and take care of it. Maybe in 5/10 years, I will change my decision, you never know!

What do you absolutely love about your relaxed tresses? And why?
I love my silky lengths, the sleekness and the fact that my hair is very very easy to maintain. I also like the versatility; I’m able to move from a sexy voluminous hairstyle to a strict bun or braids.

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So you’ve decided to grow your hair long and healthy and you’ve set your hair goals. Now what? In order to achieve those goals, a regimen needs to be set in place.

PROTEIN RECONSTRUCTORS
Reconstructors are packed with proteins small enough to penetrate and repair the cracks and gaps along the hair shaft. During relaxers, protein is stripped from the hair making it weak and fragile. Reconstructors infuse protein back into the hair. Light reconstructors can be used weekly and heavy reconstrcutors can be used every 6-8 weeks. Start off by using a light protein reconstructor weekly for 15-20 minutes.

LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER
Using a leave-in conditioner, after a deep condition, is essential as it aids in closing the cuticles so that the nutrients stay inside of the hair shaft. Closed cuticles mean the hair remains smooth, tangle-free with shine. Most leave-in conditioners provide moisturizing and protein properties for added benefit. Use a leave-in conditioner after every deep condition.

MOISTURIZING DEEP CONDITIONER
A moisturizing deep conditioner is an essential part of any regimen. Moisturizing deep conditioners are crucial in adding moisture, softness, and smoothness in the hair. It’s perfect to use after a protein reconstructor as it restores moisture and elasticity back into the hair. Use a moisturizing deep conditioner at least once a week under a heat source (i.e. hooded dryer, heat cap, steamer etc.) for 20-30 minutes.

DAILY MOISTURIZER
Moisture is the key! Using a daily moisturizer is the quickest way to replenish moisture in dry hair. The only way to effectively moisturize your hair is by using a water-based moisturizer (make sure water is the first ingredient on the list). Focus on moisturizing your ends first, then work your way up to your roots. Moisturize daily to increase elasticity and hydration. Above all, listen to your hair! If you notice excessive shedding and/or breakage, use the process of elimination and cut back on one product at a time to see what is causing the issue.

Be sure to check out the original article over at ESSENCE.com | Straight Talk: Tips On Creating A Regimen For Relaxed Hair

Late night🌙 deep conditioning!! What did you do to your hair today? #hairlista #hairlistacastoroilchallenge #healthyhaircare
A photo posted by Sunshyne☀️ (@hairlicious) on Mar 19, 2015 at 7:46pm PDT

If you follow me on Instagram (@hairlicious) then you already know what my wash day consisted of in terms of products. I brought out my trusty ol' Keracare humecto to maximize the hydration in my 12 week post new growth! It was heaven!!

Lets break it down:

Deep conditioner: Keracare Humecto Cream Conditioner
Oils: Extra virgin olive oil (1tsp), Jamaican Black Castor Oil (1tsp), Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (1tsp)
Co-wash conditioner: Aussie Moist Smooth
Leave-in: Scurl No Drip Activator

Lately, my new growth has been pretty much unbearable! Since I'm in the Castor Oil Challenge, my growth has been noticeably thicker, and stronger! It literally takes me longer to style my hair and my hair is drinking up my products like no other!!

I decided to apply my deep conditioner to dry hair (saturated from root to tip), leave it on with heat for 30 minutes then co-wash it out. I t-shirt dried for approximately 15-20 minutes.

As I was air drying, my new growth and relaxed ends came out buttery smooth and moisturized! This is exactly what my hair needed. I applied my leave-in on damp hair and let my hair air dry in a middle part ponytail overnight to tame my new growth. My hair was secured with a satin scarf.

This is how it turned out in the morning. No gel, no edge control. Distinct line of demarcation! LOL

Simple yet effective!

Until next wash day....

Promises: This intensely conditioning deep treatment infuses hair with a powerful dose of moisture and nutrients. Certified organic Shea Butter, Honey, Mafura and Baobab Oils are blended with antioxidant-rich African Rock Fig to restore and lock in moisture. Smooths and fortifies follicles for stronger, healthier frizz-free hair.

Directions: Section clean, wet hair. Apply generously. Use a wide tooth comb to distribute evenly from root to ends. Leave in for 5 minutes. Rinse thoroughly. For extra-conditioning, cover hair with a plastic cap. Apply moderate heat for up to 30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly. When using a hair steamer do not cover hair. Moist heat will add to masque's hydration.

Ingredients: Water, Cetyl Alcohol, Coconut Oil, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Shea Butter*, Glycerin, Stearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Panthenol, Mafura Seed Oil, Honey, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Fragrance, Baobab Seed Oil, Centrimonium Chloride, Avocado Oil, Fig Extract, Mango Seed Butter*, Tocopherol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol.

*Certified Organic Ingredient

Truth: Every time I use this deep conditioner, my results are consistent - in a good way that is! My hair is always soft, fluffy and full of body. I think Hydrolyzed Rice Protein contributes to that, check this out:

Hydrolyzed Rice Protein - Low molecular weight penetrates the hair shaft to rebuild and strengthen damaged hair. Rice Protein strengthens and expands the diameter of the hair shaft to create a noticeably thicker, more luxurious look.

It's such a rare ingredient but I'm glad it agrees with my hair. Here's a post of what my hair looked like after using the Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Masque - Wash Day - Soft & Fluffy. The smoothness and volume was lovely! Though there are no silicones (my hair loves silicones) in the ingredients, while rinsing out the conditioner, the tangles melted easily making my hair feel slippy. I was able to finger detangle with no problems. That's impressive. Overall, it provides great hydration to the strands. I would definitely repurchase. The only negative I found was the fact that this product is not offered in Canada and that the jar was so small. With MBL hair, I tend to go through conditioners quite fast so a bigger jar would have been a plus for me. The thickness and consistency of the conditioner is great and it spreads easily onto wet or dry hair for deep conditioning.

Pros:

Moisturizing
Softening
Silicone free
Smooths cuticles
Give hair volume

Cons:

Jar too small
Only available in U.S.

Price:$12.99 USD

Hairlicious Rating:

(4/5) Very Good

(Source)

I remember when India Arie released “I Am Not My Hair” in 2006 and the popular phrase swept the hair care world by storm. Everywhere you turned, ladies were chanting this phrase to declare that they were more than just their hair journey. According to the song, whether it was a press and curl, jehri curl or a relaxer, India Arie stated that hair does not define nor consume her. She has encouraged women to look inside and go beyond that. While that is true, reality illustrates that women believe the opposite of the statement.

It’s easy to agree that our hair can depict how we feel; it’s an extension of our personality, even our spiritual beliefs. I think our hair is an accessory that can be manipulated to how we see fit. We use it to express ourselves in anyway we feel and chose. It’s possible that we are our hair only because our actions prove otherwise. Women spend countless amounts of money and energy in making sure their hair is looking top notch. We go through great lengths (pun intended) to obtain long hair, a certain hair style or product. At times, our self-esteem increases and decreases depending on how our hair is looking and feeling, according to our preferences.

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with one taking pride in making sure their hair is up to their standards. Healthy hair is beautiful and it can really transform the way you feel about yourself. Our hair is an extension of ourselves.

However, we must also understand that our hair should not be the sole deciding factor on how we are to be perceived by others and ourselves. Though our hair a part of us, it’s not all of us. As India Arie greatly put it, we are the souls that live within. At the end of the day, it’s just hair.

Share your thoughts! Do you agree or disagree with the “I am not my hair” statement and why?

Be sure to check out the original article over at ESSENCE.com | Straight Talk: Do You Agree With ‘I Am Not My Hair’ Statements?

I've been using this conditioner on and off for the past few months. It has become one of my favourite "go-to" deep conditioners. If you haven't already, be sure to check out my review!!

Here is the link to my written review on the Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Masque.

Enjoy :)

#hairlista #birthdaygirl🎈
A photo posted by Sunshyne☀️ (@hairlicious) on Mar 31, 2015 at 8:38am PDT

My Wash Day Run-Down:

Pre-poo: I applied Extra Virgin Coconut Oil to my hair while dry. I left my pre-poo on for 20-30 minutes with a plastic cap.

Co-wash: Rinsed out the EVCO and grabbed my lovely Aussie Smooth conditioner to co-wash my roots/hair. Love this stuff - it's truly moisturizing and detangling!!!

Air dried: I t-shirt dried for 15-20 minutes until my hair was just slightly damp. I applied some Scurl No Drip Activator mixed with Creme of Nature Argan Oil Foaming Wrap Lotion to set my hair for increased definition in my braid-out. I sealed my hair with the Creme of Nature 100% Pure Argan Oil to lock in moisture. I then started to section off my hair in 5 sections and began to braid. I added perm rods to the ends of each braid. I air dried my hair overnight and removed my braids in the morning with a little bit of CON Pure Argan oil on my finger tips to prevent frizz.

Style: Since I'm freshly relaxed, braid-outs don't always come out looking 100% because I have no new growth. It can be a hit/miss. I opted for the half up top knot for a more chic trendy look, plus I was celebrating my birthday so I wanted something fun and cute :)

I gently used a boar bristle brush on my hairline and edges for smoothness. I secured the section with a ponytail holder and began to two-strand twist the remaining hair - wrapped it around & pinned it down! My hair felt so soft and smooth - just the perfect combination for a braid out :)

Results: My Birthday hair :)... out and about!

Until next wash day....

Introduce yourself! what's your name? where are you from?
Hey everyone! My name is Texlaxedcutie and I love to post informative tips and document my hair journey on my instagram! I was born in New York. As for my culture/ background, I am of West Indian heritage and have parents who are Guyanese and Barbadian.

How would you describe your hair? What's your hair type?
I would describe my hair as high-maintenance, although I love it for that particular reason! If I had to put my hair in any category, in its natural state, it would be 3c (and 4a in some spots). My hair is naturally very thick and probably the healthiest it's ever been in all the years of my hair journey! I am also recovering from a big set back in my journey. Last summer I cut my hair from mid back length to shoulder length! But I am definitely back to my original length but my hair is much thicker and healthier! I'm very exited to reach my goal of waist length. My hair is anywhere between bra-strap and mid back length - I'm not completely sure because I haven't straightened it in about 8 months. I do plan on clearing that up next relaxer which will be in May!

When did you start your relaxed hair journey? What is your hair regimen? Share a few of your "go-to" hair products.
I started my relaxed hair journey when I was 14 and discovered youtube and wonderful hair forums like Hairlicious Inc.! I was so determined to have long relaxed hair because I was extremely bored with my shoulder length relaxed hair. It was then that I devised a healthy hair regimen that I still use today! I start my regimen by detangling my hair and prepooing with EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil). I then rinse out the oil and proceed to cleanse my hair with a moisturizing shampoo. Then I whip up my favorite concoction of ORS replenishing pak, EVOO and coconut oil and sit under my Huetiful hair steamer for about 40 minutes. After I rinse that out, I t-shirt dry for 30 minutes and apply my leave in and style.

My go to hair style is a braidout but I also love buns and curl former sets. I only texlax my hair two to three times per year and my favorite relaxer is Creme of Nature Straight from Eden relaxer in formula B.

My two absolute "go-to" products are:
1) Shea moisture curl and style milk and the
2) ORS replenishing Pak.

What #1 hair tip you would pass on to other relaxed haired ladies who are starting their hair journey?
The number one hair tip I would pass on to other relaxed ladies would be to "baby your ends!" If length is the goal, you'll love this tip because it's easier to retain length. The best way to do this is to apply extra product to your ends and "baggy" them after you moisturize and seal.

Nowadays it's becoming more uncommon to see relaxed hair or products geared towards relaxed hair. Do you feel a 'pressure' to go natural? Why or why not? What are your thoughts on the natural hair movement?
I do not feel pressure to go natural because I am head-over-heals in LOVE with my texlaxed hair! I think the natural hair movement is great, I love seeing big, beautiful natural hair pictures on my Instagram! But it's not for me at this time because I love the versatility of my texlaxed hair. I can have sleek straight hair one day, a loose curly wash n go another or rock my big voluminous braidout the next!

Why do you choose to remain relaxed while many are transitioning back to their natural hair?
I choose to stay relaxed because, like I said, my hair is high-maintenance, as it is, and I do not have the time right now to care for my natural hair properly. I am totally comfortable with my hair right now and do not plan on stepping out of my comfort zone any time soon!

What do you absolutely love about your relaxed tresses? And why?
The texture, versatility and the therapeutic nature of caring for it! I love everything about my texlaxed hair!

Hang Out With Me!!

Follow me on Instagram @TexlaxedCutie

Coconut oil mixed with my protein reconstructor are my "go-to" combination when I'm due for a protein treatment. I apply my protein treatments once a week (typically on Sundays) on dry hair for 20 minutes with heat. Using protein on a weekly basis has assisted in my hair growing strong allowing me to retain length and increase the thickness of my hair.

The reason why I frequently use Coconut oil, specifically on my dry hair, is because Coconut oil prevents hair damage - period!! Not only does Coconut oil smell so good, it stops protein loss, prevents split ends, reduces hygral fatigue, prevents breakage due to manipulation and it penetrates deep into the cortex to fortify and strengthen the hair!

I mix 1-2 tsps of Extra Virgin Coconut oil along with 4-5 tbsp of my protein reconstructor to cover my hair from root to tip. Since I apply coconut oil to my dry hair, and then shampoo after, the Coconut oil naturally aids in preventing my hair from swelling and contracting when water is entering and leaving my hair shaft. It's absolutely one of my favourite penetrating oils.

To make it even better, I like to add it to my protein reconstructors for double the benefits! So not only am I getting the benefits from my Coconut oil in preventing damage, my hair is also absorbing the Hydrolyzed Keratin protein from my reconstructor, which does a great job in strengthening my chemically processed strands against breakage!

What Oil + Conditioner (protein) combination works best for your hair?

What do you mix with your Protein treatments? Let me know :)

It's that time of year where Spring Cleaning is a must! Why not start with hair care - right? So I have this "leaning tower" of hair products in my bathroom that simply get's on my nerves every wash day, no actually, every time I walk into the bathroom!! The drawers are so packed (notice my son's toys in there too), they cannot close - or open properly for that matter. Since my products cannot stand up right, they tend to leak out into the drawers causing a huge mess - thus wasting product :( The struggle is real!!!

So this past weekend, I made it my mission to grab some new shelving and put this struggle to rest! I took myself to Ikea and picked out the KALLAX Shelving Unit to fit all my products! I liked this unit because the shelves are deep - not shallow - allowing me to store more product per shelf. I'm so happy to see the new set-up. It was well overdue. I'm proud to say that my products have a new home!! Not to mention, wash day is a much more pleasant experience since I can easily access my products and more importantly nothing is leaking out!

I must say, the Ikea KALLAX Shelving Unit is very simple and quick to set-up. It took me about 45 mins to set-up (start to finish). Cleaning out my products and deciding what to keep and toss, took the longest. I mainly threw away products that I haven't used in the last year. I really tried to keep it simple and keep products that I intend on using/trying-out in the next few months. Also, I was harbouring a lot of empty bottles, which took up tons of useful space. I picked up two (2) storage boxes and placed them in the shelves for items such as my flat iron, curling iron, heating cap, plastic shower caps, mixing bowl, Flexi rods, perm rods etc. These storage boxes are a gem!! Love them :)

So far I'm loving my new shelving. I've organized my products by category i.e. shampoos, co-wash conditioners, protein treatments, moisture deep conditioners etc. if you haven't noticed :) Organization is key!! I love how functional my shelf is now - plus it's a time saver and it looks much more appealing to the eye!

Have you done your product spring cleaning? Where do you store your hair products?

A recent topic on Hairlista.com surfaced regarding the comparison between going to the Salon verses At-home hair care.

Take a look:

I thought this was a great topic to discuss and get your opinion on. Personally, I've noticed nothing but positives since the beginning of my hair care journey. Since taking back control of my hair, my hair has increased in thickness, length, over strength and my hair remains much more moisturized than ever! At-home hair care has changed my hair for the better.

Don't get me wrong, I have seen some improvement with frequent salon visits; however, I have to deal with long wait times, limited healthy hair care knowledge/guidance/product suggestion, and the fact that my hair not in my control - not always the best feeling. I still have flash backs of my stylist relaxing my hair from my roots to my ends every 8 weeks! Little did I know. I'm surprised I still had hair on my head!!!!

It's no wonder why I remained at shoulder length for years while visiting the salon on a bi-weekly/monthly basis. Now that I take care of my hair at-home, I've been maintaining MBL (mid back length) hair for 5 years. It's been a drastic change for the better!

I'm curious to know your opinion on this topic! Let me know what works best for you?
Salon vs. At-Home? and Why?

This is the most recent photo of my hair since the Castor Oil Challenge Pt. 9 ended! If you follow me on Instagram ( @hairlicious) you would have seen this picture already. This photo was taken shortly after I finished rinsing out my deep conditioner. I t-shirt dried for 15 minutes and then I began to air dry. My hair was approximately 70% dry in this photo. I had a few questions regarding the method I use to air dry my hair. It's nothing complicated; however, I'll do a quick video demonstrating the steps I take.

Here's the original photo I took and posted:

Air drying! Successful wash day💁🏾🙌🏾 #hairlista #relaxedhair #healthyhairjourney
A photo posted by Sunshyne☀️ (@hairlicious) on Apr 26, 2015 at 6:15pm PDT

Regarding the Castor oil challenge, I participated in the Extreme level (applying Castor oil every other day and using 1tsp in my deep conditioners) using Jamaican Black Castor Oil. I must say it was definitely a challenge with my hectic schedule. Most days I was too exhausted to oil my scalp - yet I did my best to not fall behind.

I'm happy to say that my hair has grown quite a bit and it has increased in thickness as well. Because I had so much new growth, my hair is slightly under-processed so I will be relaxing around the 10 week post mark. Using 1 tsp of JBCO in every deep conditioner really kicked my DC up a notch! In addition, JBCO did an excellent job in softening my hair and new growth, which was a bonus for me!

Castor oil challenge Pt. 9 is now over! I'm grateful for all who took the time to participate in the challenge - thank you very much! It was such a success!!

...Until next time :)

Start Date: January 25, 2015

End Date: April 25, 2015 (Total of 3 months!)

As you may or may not know, the winners of the Hairlista Inc. Castor Oil Challenge Pt 9 have been selected. I would like to extend a HUGE Thank you to everyone who participated. This challenge was a success.

Winner #1

Name/Hairlista Inc. Name: Lavan
Participation Level: Intermediate
Challenge Requirements: Apply Castor oil to scalp twice a week followed by a scalp massage (2-5mins focusing on damaged areas). Add 1 tsp to your weekly deep conditioner. Congratulations on your retaining all that length!

Winner #2

Name/Hairlista Inc. Name: Rochelle Belle
Participation Level: Intermediate
Challenge Requirements: Apply Castor oil to scalp twice a week followed by a scalp massage (2-5mins focusing on damaged areas). Add 1 tsp to your weekly deep conditioner. Congratulations on your progress!!

Congrats ladies!!

The wonderful people over at Tropic Isle have supplied the winners with generous prizes for having the most improved hair!

Prize:

Each winner has received a Tropic Isle Living Hair Care System (as shown in the picture above)!! Thank you Tropic Isle Living :)

Enjoy your awesome prizes Lavan and Rochelle!

Introduce yourself! what's your name? where are you from? HEY! I'm Whitney, also known as Prettywitty77. I'm from Austin, Texas.

How would you describe your hair? What's your hair type?My hair is very dense & thick. It has tons of texture as well. According to the hair typing system and months of stretching my relaxers, I believe that my hair is 4A.

When did you start your relaxed hair journey? What is your hair regimen? Share a few of your "go-to" hair products.
I started my relaxed hair journey in January of 2011. I keep my regimen simple: Deep condition 1x a week, co-wash 1x a week & protein treatment about every 3 weeks. I only comb through my hair in the shower with conditioner in it under running water. My hair is moisturized & sealed nightly. My hair seems to LOVE Herbal Essences' Hello Hydration conditioner. Extra virgin coconut oil is another thing that my hair loves.

What #1 hair tip you would pass on to other relaxed haired ladies who are starting their hair journey?
Don't be afraid to trim your ends. In most cases, people who start hair journeys are seeking length. So many people get caught up in the "length hype" that they will lightly trim their immediate ends or don't trim at all. If your ends are split and/or thinning, doing so will only hurt you in the long run.

Nowadays it's becoming more uncommon to see relaxed hair or products geared towards relaxed hair. Do you feel the pressure to go natural? Why or why not? What are your thoughts on the natural hair movement?

I don't feel pressured to go natural. For me, it's a mind thing. Are you truly relaxing your hair because it's convenient for you and your lifestyle? If so, it's sort of hard to feel any pressure at all. I think that the natural hair movement is amazingly uplifting. I love the fact that they are embracing their natural texture. I'm totally here for all black women, period.

Why do you choose to remain relaxed while many are transitioning back to their natural hair?
I've never been a "follow-the-leader" type of individual. I love natural hair but I'm enjoying my relaxed hair at the moment.

What do you absolutely love about your relaxed tresses? And why?
I love the thickness of my hair. I always air dry my hair after cowashes and washes so 9 times out of 10 it's full of texture and fluffy goodness. I feel like the thickness of my hair makes styling more versatile. *flips hair* LOL

Let's Be Friends!!

Hairlista Inc. Profile:Pretty Witty

Google +: +prettywitty77

Instagram: @PrettyWitty

Promises: Don't flip out - help get the frizz out! Miraculously Smooth Conditioner will settle your frizzed hair so you can be the cool-headed, smooth-haired beauty you really are.

Directions: Work into damp hair. Rinse it clean and be on your way.

Ingredients: Water, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Fragrance, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Flower/Leaf Extract, Silk Extract, Bis-aminopropyl Dimethicone, Benzyl Alcohol, EDTA, Glutamic Acid, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone.

Truth: I've been using this conditioner for months and I absolutely love it! I've gone through my first bottle, now I'm half way done my second bottle. Actually let's re-cap! I've been using Aussie Moist (the original) for quite some time. It has been one of my cowash staples in my regimen for years. Aussie Smooth was recently created and I must say that they really stepped up in the "slip" and moisture department. Not only does my tangles melt away upon rinsing it out, my hair is incredibly soft, smooth (no frizz) and fluffy days later. The consistency is thick yet very easy to apply to wet or dry hair. The scent is refreshing yet not overwhelming. I love the pump-style dispenser that it comes with. The pump makes it very easy to get the product out while in the shower - it's a time saver. Overall I'm sold! I will definitely repurchase Aussie Smooth! I no longer have the need to purchase the original Aussie Moist with this product around :)

Pros:

Smoothes out hair
Thick in consistency
Easy to apply (spreads easily onto the hair)
Fresh fruity scent
Great slip
Provides moisture
Removes tangles
Affordable

Cons:

Nothing!

Price: $6.99 CAD

Hairlicious Rating:

(5/5) Excellent

Question:

"I'm new to this journey and have been in search of a great regimen to follow for relaxed hair. I have BSB length hair but it is beginning to thin. I want to retain length and thicken as well. Can I get some guidance or be pointed in the right direction to obtain healthier hair?"

Advice:
Congratulations on starting your hair journey! First things first, I would definitely recommend you start off with a basic regimen that's simple to follow. Things may seem a little overwhelming in the beginning, but an easy guideline will help ease the stress. When I first began my hair journey I followed these simple steps and obtained great results:

Shampoo (sulfate-free) and deep condition every 3-4 days
Always deep condition with heat
Moisturize and seal daily (*Key in length retention)
Use a moisturizing leave-in conditioner and air dry after each wash day
Bun my ends 99% of the time (*Key in length retention)
Cover your hair with a satin scarf or sleep on a satin pillow case
No direct heat (flat iron, blow drying, curling iron etc.)

I would suggested you follow a basic regimen, similar to what I've outlined above. Of course, you will have to tweak it to your liking as everyone's hair is unique.

Now, you mentioned that your hair is beginning to thin, this raises a bit of concern; however, it can be corrected with a couple of suggestions:

When was the last time you trimmed your ends? You may be due for one as your ends are splitting causing thinning and breakage.
How often are you doing protein treatments? Hair is made from protein (Keratin); therefore, it's the only ingredient that will adhere to the hair making it stronger, thicker and increase the diameter of your strands. Protein treatments should be done weekly/biweekly/monthly (with heat) depending on your hair's tolerance/need.
Incorporate Coconut oil into your regimen! I would suggest you use Coconut oil as a pre-treatment before you shampoo on dry hair. This will prevent the loss of protein in your hair. It will help strengthen and thicken your hair.
Protect your hair from relaxer run off! When you relax, always protect your hair from relaxer run-off by coating your previously relaxed hair with vaseline or a very thick oil i.e. Castor Oil. As you rinse off the relaxer, it still has a chance to process your previously relaxed hair, making it bone straight, over processed and thin over time. The thick oil/vaseline creates a barrier between your hair and the relaxer preventing damage. Always remember to only relax your new growth!

Last but not least, consistency is key! Keep up with the regimen and with time you will notice an improvement in your hair, just keep at it!

Good luck hun!

This wash day was by far fun and full of uncertainty for the simple fact that I decided to try out Perm Rods for the very first time! These perm rods are part of a mini Beauty Supply Store haul I did a couple days ago. I'll share that in another post soon! Perm rods have been on my 'must-have' list for a while now. To be honest though, putting rollers of any sort scare me due to the lack of comfort at night - my sleep comes first!!! Sleeping in the rods wasn't as bad as I anticipated. It just takes getting used to. Next time, as an alternative, I'll just go under the dryer for an hour or so to speed up the drying time.

I'm loving the curls! It's the perfect heat-free low manipulation style for the summer. This healthier alternative just might be my go-to style for special occasions for the next couple months.

Anyway, I must say that for my first perm rod set, my results came out better than I expected - especially dealing with my 10/11 week post new growth. My hair came out fluffy, full of movement, shine and moisture! Ohhh the shine!!! I can't get over the amount of shine in my curls. I think the 'As I Am Twist Defining Cream' was the culprit. It does exactly as promised! Overall, it was a happy wash day indeed. Check out the dets below!

Wash Day Products & Steps:

Deep Conditioned: Applied Keracare Humecto (mixed with Olive Oil, Coconut Oil and Avocado Oil) to dry hair for 30 minutes under heat.
Cowashed: Cowashed with Aussie Miraculously Smooth under running water focusing on roots/scalp.
Air dried: No product used while air drying. Detangling was a breeze!
Moisturized: Applied As I Am Twisting Defining Cream section by section from root to tip!
Styling Product: Applied a tiny layer of Creme of Nature Argan Oil Foaming Mousse in sections for extra hold.
Perm Rods: Finger parted my hair and began to wrap each section around the Perm rods (I refused to make defined parts due to lack of time so I basically placed the perm rods all over).
Take Down: Carefully separated each curl with a bit of Argan oil to prevent frizz.

Styling Products:

Perm Rods in place:

Results:

Until next wash day...

So approximately a week ago, I originally went to my local BSS, Clorè Beauty Supply, to grab some perm rods for a heat-less curls set I planned on doing. However, I came out with more than expected. Has that ever happened to you? :)

With that being said, I grabbed two sets of perm rods (used them to create Heat Free Curls) and while I was walking down the isle, I noticed the new Creme of Nature Argan Oil Co-wash and Buttermilk leave-in. I just had to get it! Threw it right in the basket. Though it's geared towards natural hair, I'm anxious to try them out to see how my relaxed hair reacts to them both. Maybe you're the same way, but I always have to feel a little bit of the product on my fingers just to see how it feels. The Buttermilk leave-in feels very smooth and slippy, which should help with detangling and smoothing out cuticles/tangles. So...we'll see!!!

I then picked up some As I Am Twist Defining Creme to help define my curls for my perm rod set. It has a jelly/thick consistency; however, just from using it once, I notice that it's very easy to apply to the hair and it locks in moisture. The Softsheen Carson Hydra Steam conditioner was something new that I've never heard or seen before. Interestingly enough, it has absolutely no protein in the ingredients. It's all moisture! This conditioner caught my eye as it encourages you to use the product under a steamer for 20 mins. If you know me, I'm such a huge fan of steaming - it was a no brainer to throw it in the basket too :)

A review on each product will follow!

What product haul have you done lately? What did you purchase and why ?

Introduce yourself! what's your name? where are you from? My name is Manuelly. I'm from the Republic of Congo, a little french speaking country geographically situated in Africa.

How would you describe your hair? What's your hair type? My hair is a type 4b-4c ish. My hair is of high density with a mixture of medium to thick strands and I believe I have normal porosity hair. When it comes to my hair length, I'm currently maintaining my hair at Mid back length.

When did you start your relaxed hair journey? What is your hair regimen? Share a few of your "go-to" hair products.

In February of 2011, I severely damaged my already unhealthy shoulder length hair with the use of products that weren't suited for it. My hair kept breaking over and over and before I knew it, I was left with damaged, brittle, broken ear length hair. At that point I felt that it was time to do something about my unhealthy relaxed hair and that's when I started my hair journey.

My current hair regimen is pretty simple. I moisturize my hair every 2 to 3 days with a home made leave in conditioner mixture made of water, vegetable glycerine and HE Hello Hydration conditioner, and I always make sure I seal with some of my home made whipped shea butter to keep my hair hydrated longer. I also like to apply a blend of castor oil and peppermint oil to my scalp every 2 days. I wash my hair once a month because my hair hates frequent washes. I use any Shampoo I have at hand (I don't have a favourite brand), I then deep condition for 30 minutes with my garnier ultra doux Masque and then rinse out with cold water and apply my Elasta QP H2 Leave-In Conditioner followed by a bit of grapeseed oil, I then proceed to air drying my hair. I always like to pre-poo my hair with a blend of natural oils and conditioner before washing my hair, I sometimes do it overnight, sometimes just an hour, it depends on how my hair feels that day. I like to keep my hair braided under a wig 99% of the time.

My go to product would be my castor oil and peppermint oil mix, it definitely speeds up my hair growth and keeps my scalp feeling fresh and revitalized every time I use it.

What #1 hair tip you would pass on to other relaxed haired ladies who are starting their hair journey? My #1 tip would be "Have faith in yourself, be patient, gentle, loving and caring to your hair and you will see what great things it can do".

Nowadays it's becoming more uncommon to see relaxed hair or products geared towards relaxed hair. Do you feel the pressure to go natural? Why or why not? What are your thoughts on the natural hair movement? I don't feel pressure to go natural because I tried transitioning once but then I realized that my hair is fine the way it is. It's cool that many women are going natural. I love natural hair as much I love relaxed hair. To me, hair is hair, and it's beautiful as long it's healthy.

Why do you choose to remain relaxed while many are transitioning back to their natural hair? Like I said earlier, I tried transitioning back to natural but I gave up a few months after attempting to do so, because I realized that I just can't start my journey from scratch. I have finally reached the length that I desire, why cut it all off ? My hair is perfectly fine, it's at the length I want it to be, it's healthy and it's beautiful. So why change it ?

What do you absolutely love about your relaxed tresses? And why? So many women keep saying that relaxed hair is not versatile. But it is versatile and that's why I love it. I can wear it curly, in braids-outs, twists-outs, bantu knot out styles or straight (without having to use heat). I also like the manageability, it's much easier to maintain. Thank you Sunshyne for giving me the opportunity to be featured on your amazing blog !

Let's Be Friends!!

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