WashDay Post: Theme - Dry Scalp Remedy

I've not been up to to much with my hair. After my last protective style, I've been using a wig. Wigs help me reduce manipulation to my hair and my ends will be well protected. Wigs also give me have great access to my scalp and hair daily. I either put my hair in cornrows or calabar braids (single braids) when using wigs.

Wig, Handmade by me

I kept the cornrows in for 2 weeks. During this period, I co-washed once with VO5 Kiwi Lime Clarifying Conditioner and deep conditioned twice with Megagrowth profectiv daily leave-in strengthener. I noticed rapid moisture loss from my hair despite my moisturising and sealing. This is probably because I don't have a moisturising leave in conditioner currently. I plan to fix this ASAP, by buying a moisturising leave-in, and my favourite lotion moisturiser - Cantu Shea Butter Natural Hair Creamy Lotion.

Pre-poo: In line with this week's #washdayexperience theme, I added few drops of Estella Pride Peppermint Oil and Tropic Isle JBCO (Rosemary) to my pre-poo mix . Peppermint oil, Rosemary oil and castor oil are known for alleviating dry/itchy scalp among other benefits they possess. The base of my mix was Organics Hair Mayonnaise. I  also added a tablespoon each of Estella Pride Vitamin E. oil and Estella Pride Vegetable Glycerin for added moisture. I pre-pooed for about 20 mins with heat ( I used the electric heating cap I got recently).

Shampoo: I used Creme of Nature Moisture and Shine Sulphate-free Shampoo and lathered twice using warm water. I then wrapped my hair in a cotton tshirt for about two minutes absorb excess water.

                   

                     

Deep conditioner: The deep conditioner for this washday was Aussie 3 Minutes Miracle Deep Conditioner. I applied it generously to my hair, especially my new growth. I covered my hair with cling-film and used the electric heating cap for just 10 minutes. I then rinsed my hair with cold water and t-shirt-dried for about 45 minutes.

Leave-in Conditioner/Styling: I divided my hair into about 6 sections and applied Megagrowth Profectiv Daily Leave-in Strengthener, my oil mix and HairvolutionbyBee Whipped Shea Butter to each section. I detangled and put my hair into 18 single braids. I'm still wigging and I moisturise and seal with Luster's S.curl activator moisturizer once in two days. I also oil my scalp with JBCO + Tea tree oil + peppermint oil + Vitamin E oil using my root applicator bottle twice a week to prevent dryness.

HairvolutionbyBee Whipped Shea Butter 

This Washday was a breeze and I could not believe my luck. Normally, at 11 weeks post relaxer touch-up, my arms would be achy and sore from detangling and unravelling knots. This relaxer stretch is going so well. I pray it continues this way.

Anyway, how was your last washday and how do you prevent dry/itchy scalp? What works for you? Please share by dropping a comment below.

xxx,

Bee

Texlax/Relaxer Update #1

Hello darlings,

This post is coming later than I planned but the past week has been SUPER busy for. Even right now I'm so knackered. Anyway God is my strength always. So let's cut the chase, I did my relaxer touch-up on 04/12/15. Yay! my new growth was driving me crazy so I glad for the opportunity to do away with new growth for a while.

I have been self-relaxing (texlaxing) since the beginning of my healthy hair journey. So I would highlight the steps and processes I take since this is my first relaxer touch-up post.

1. I always have a pre-relaxer touch-up washday. This is usually a week/5 days before touch-up day. On this washday I clarify and do a hard protein treatment using aphogee two-step protein treatment. This is done to fortify my hair against the impending chemical treatment  (relaxer)
2. The day before the touch-up or early that same day, I detangle thoroughly, part my hair into four quadrants and I then make 1 inch sections in each and twist up. I do this this to make application of the relaxer easier and faster. I texlax so pre-parting my hair makes sticking my time limit a breeze. 
   
3. I apply olive oil/coconut oil on my scalp and all over my hair (new growth and length). Then I apply vaseline to the previously relaxed/texlaxed ends, the perimeter of my hair and my ears. The vaseline is to protect the previously relaxed/texlaxed ends from relaxer run-off while washing out the relaxer as this could lead to over processing and eventually breakage. 
4. I use ORS lye relaxer in normal strength and usually use half of the jar per touch-up. So i scoop a half of the jar into a small bowl that i use only for this purpose, the I add about 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and mix well. 
   
5. Then I apply the relaxer to the pre-parted sections. The application usually takes about 8-10 mins (approx. 2 mins per quadrant). I then smooth with my fingers only making sure the relaxer is well distributed to the new growth. Smoothing usually takes about 5 - 8 mins. So the entire process usually takes about 15- 18 mins.
   
6. I wash out all the relaxer using warm water then I do a mid-step  protein treatment with aphogee two minutes reconstructor. Then I rinse the conditioner out and start washing my hair with neutralising shampoo. I'm currently using  Vitale olive oil  anti-breakage neutralising shampoo. I usually  lather 3 to 4 times and I leave the 3rd and 4th lather in for about 3 or 4 minutes. 
7. I wrap my hair in a cotton tshirt to absorb excess water. Then I deep condition with ORS replenishing conditioner for 20 mins with heat.
8. I then wash the deep conditioner out with cool water and apply roux porosity control conditioner for about two minutes then rinse out. 
9. I tshirt dry for about an hour, then I apply my leave-in conditioners (Aphogee pro vitamin leave-in or Aphogee green tea reconstructor and/or megagrowth profectiv daily leave-in strengthener). I apply my oil mix to my scalp and seal with either my oil mix or fantasia ic carrot oil serum if I want to flat iron.
10. I usually air-dry or blow dry with cold air but I wanted to do a proper length check this touch-up so I sealed with fantasia ic carrot oil serum and blow dried in small sections using medium heat. After this I flat-ironed in one-inch sections at the lowest heat of my Babyliss flat iron (140°C.)

                  Flat-ironed hair...BSL?
Overall, I was happy with the results of this relaxer touch-up and Yay!!! I got to BSL....drum roll!!!!!..... However, I have decided not to claim BSL just yet as I would prefer thicker ends. Seems my hair prefers to grow into a V-shape though. So i took off about 1.5 inches all round. I should be Full BSL by my next touch-up.
                     

                   1.5 inches trimmed off

                     
                         Post-trim hair

                       So far....so good...

I hope I didn't bore you with my longgggg post.

Later Darlings, 

Stay fabulous.  mwwuaaah!