Flat Iron Regimen (No Heat Damage!)

Hey All!

I am pleased to announce, that my flat iron regimen was a complete success! How do I know,  because I did not suffer from any Heat Damage! I have 100% reversion. Now, I feel comfortable enough to share my regimen. I was afraid that I used too much heat, but apparently my delicate strands can handle it. It was a two day process.


Flat Iron Regimen
Day 1
Wash my hair. I used Suave Naturals Juicy Green Apple. Yes I use sulfates, (LOL) I know, I am horrible
Cowashed quickly, because I used a sulfate poo.
Protein Treatment using Organic Root Stimulator Replenishing Conditioner, mixed with Mayonnaise, for extra umph. Covered with baggy for 1 hour.
Moisturizing DC I used Suave Professionals Almond & Shea Conditioner mixed with Ginseng Miracle Wonder 8 Oil, and Shea Butter. I ended up heating everything up in the microwave because the Shea Butter would not melt (Lol). I covered with a baggy for an hour.
Rinsed and Detagled with Tangle Teezer
Oiled scalp with my Sulfur infused Olive oil
Moisturized using Aphogee Green Tea and Keratin Restructurizer (Sprayed in sections)
Sealed using Ginseng Miracle Wonder 8 Oil (Sprayed in sections)
Put my hair into plaits (10) covered with a satin scarf, and let it air dry overnight.

Day 2
Undo plaits
Paddle brushed hair
Blow dryed hair using paddle brush
Combed out each strand before...
Flat ironing 

Sidenote**: I used two flat irons. Just to draw a comparison to the two, to see if one is better than the other.. My MaxiGlide Xpress on level 7 about 420 degrees, and my other I received from Cosmetology school, to which I have used on clients. It is a Diane Jetz #4010, which to my surprise, works amazingly. (I will do this regimen again this weekend minus the protein treatment, using the two flat irons so I can give a proper review next post, with pictures!)


I would say I was done in a little over an hour, and my hair came out silky straight. You would think I had gotten a fresh relaxer, and that is saying a lot because I have 4a hair.

Oh, and to finish, I sprayed my hair with....

Straight Sexy Hair Smooth & Perfect. It is not a sheen spray, but a flat ironing spray; which means you could use during the flat ironing process, I prefer to use it after, as I find it helps block humidity!


 It worked for me, so I wanted to share the wealth! I will be back with pictures!


~Naomi

I can do a review on the spray at a  later post as well.

Anyway, that is my Flat Iron Regimen. I kept my hair straight for 2 weeks, with flat ironing my edges and nape in between, and again, still did not suffer from heat damage. This is what works for me!

Oh and hair burns at 450 degress, so do not use your iron that high! (You will know because that is when your hair will start smelling like you are cooking it. Lol)

That's it, I'm claiming it!

Hey All!

I am not sure if you guys know, but my ultimate goal is to grow my hair out to WL stretched, so that would be MBL-ish unstretched. My short term goal for this year was to make it to APL by June of this year, but unfortunately I did not meet my goal. Hey, it happens. I continued on with my regimen, I do not let things like not meeting goals discourage me, it makes me want to try even harder!

I think I got a lot of growth from my hair being in braids during the summer, since it is a protective style, even with me not washing my hair. Which is something I totally do NOT advice. Don't believe that myth about hair growing on a dirty scalp. It does not, a clean scalp is best environment for growth.


I am part of a challenge; The Six Inches Challenge for 2011 over on BHP, and still my goal was to reach APL. We recently had another check in to do. So my growth comparison was from when I flat ironed my hair back in April.

Well I flat ironed my hair with my MAXIglide Xpress a couple of days ago.I did not blow dry before hand. My hair was in a Bantu Knot Out from the day before, and I really got the urge and I had an important interview to go on, and it worked out because of the check in. I did make sure to moisturize with my Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea Reconstructerizer, and sprayed my Beyond the Zone heat protectant on each section before flat ironing.  Here is what my progress looks like.

 

Judging by the picture I think I made APL. So I really retained a lot of growth since then. My head is a teensy tilted, but even if it was not, I would be APL because I am a little over the armpit mark. I am ecstatic! I think Hairfinity has something to do with it. :)

Oh I am layered by the way, it is how my hair grows. Not everyone likes, wants, or has a blunt hair cut, and just because you do not have one does not take away from your length. I pay no attention to "Full" length titles, (Full SL, Full, APL, etc.) because I feel it limits you to having your hair look a certain way. It's like those who's hair grows in a V shape, or U shape. I actually like the V look and I think my hair has a natural V shape.

Getting to this length means a lot to me because I have not had hair this long since I was a kid (before relaxers), and I thought I would never get my hair to grow past CL for the longest time. With BHP and other forums for advice, tips, and learning new methods, along with educated myself on hair, and proper hair care, my hair is the healthiest it's been in years.

Anyway, I just wanted to share my good news with you guys! Now I'm on to my next short term goal; BSL. I will aim for June of 2012. We shall see!

~Naomi

2 Product Reviews- Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea Reconstructurizer & Hask Placenta Henna 'n' Placenta Dual Action Pack

Hey All!

I received Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea Reconstructurizer as a gift! It was a product that I had been wanting to try for a long time, mainly because it is a 'two-in-one' product. It's main purpose is for it to be used as a heat protectant, but it can also be used as a leave in.

I have tried it as both. Once to blow dry. My blow dryer is not the best (in terms of quality). I have a remington, which is what you call a 'drug store brand', meaning I can find it any CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aide, etc. At some point I will be purchasing a professional blow dryer, but that is what I am rocking with right now.

Prior to use. I went about my wash day routine, shampoo, cowash, dc, oil scalp etc. I used a Deep Conditioner I have never tried before. Hask Placenta Henna 'n' Placenta Dual Action Pack. It states that it  "Strengthens and repairs dry, brittle, lifeless hair." This 'Henna' product does not change hair color. Although eventually, I would like to invest in purchasing some real Henna, for color.

The consistency was very much like creamy petroleum, and it felt waxy going on. It was easy to apply none the less, and the package was just enough to cover my hair thoroughly. I left it on for about an hour, and covered with a plastic bag. I did not use heat. My hair felt nice after rinsing, not super soft, but nice, and it was pretty easy detangling. It is hard to pinpoint the scent with this one, to me it smells like scented crayons. You know the kind Crayola makes. It was nice, not sure if I would repurchase, but for a pack dc, it did a good job. Maybe I will have to try it again to see if I feel any different about it. For now it gets a 3/5.


I sprayed my hair with the Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea, after rinsing out the deep conditioner and oiling my scalp. This product made it easier to blow dry, and my hair did get straighter, near my roots, but it took a little doing with my ends. Again it could be my blow dryer, but to get my ends dried thoroughly, and with ease, I had to respray my ends, and blow dry them. I did this in sections with my ends after getting done with my roots.

The only thing that I was a bit disappointed by, is that it did not give my hair any sheen, but I am sure this coupled with oil sheen, spritz, or simply sealing can fix this. Something else I am not crazy about, is the scent. It smells like cleaning product to me. The smell dissipates quickly, so that too, is not a big issue. It works well as a leave in. This is a spray, and not cream based like my homemade leave in's, so I definitely have to make sure to seal after using this product, or my hair will dry out.

Although I am not crazy about the smell, this product does a great job at straightening my hair in time for heat styles, and works as a leave in, so because of that it get's a 4/5 from me!

I used it again last night, as a leave in, and used my Shealoe to seal, for a twist out. I did about 12 twists, and used Yellow Perm Rods on my ends, so they would be uniform with the rest of my hair. These rods are too small for Rod Sets, so that is mainly what I use them for.

Here is how it came out.

I think I got pretty good results, so I think I will be sticking to this combination for my twist outs!


Just wanted to share with you all!

~Naomi