Grow-Out Challenge 2005

Yes Honeydoo, growing and enjoying is what it's all about. Happy Belated birthday by the way. Good to hear that you found some products that work even better than the ones u had before.

Sound like u are doing the dang thang @ Carameldiva.  Also, when i read your posts on the forum it sounds like a perscription so I'm giving you the nick name as the hair doctor! Alrighty...who else has updates?!

I don't have much to update except that I will be going to the salon on Tuesday morning.  I decided I'd better not get braids right now because I don't think my hair is in good enough condition for that just yet.  There is this salon in Baton Rouge called Panache that I've heard people rave about for a long time.  A friend of a friend of mine gets her hair done by this guy & her hair is gorgeous.  She hasn't had a relaxer in almost a year.  When I saw her Wednesday night, her hair looks very healthy and is so soft and shiny - she gets it shampooed, blown out & pressed by this guy once every two weeks.  I made an appointment with him and hopefully he can get my hair to a healthy state w/out the relaxer as well!  Well, I'm sure I have to get some cut because I want layers, plus my ends are damaged.  I emailed them and after reading my email their response was that I probably need deep conditioning treatments and hydrating conditioner treatments as well.  I'll come back Tuesday and let you ladies know how it turns out!  Have a wonderful weekend!

Hello all...i've been M.I.A. because of school. (midterms were last week and my hair didnt fall out because of stress.  yaaayyyy!  lol)

okay...nothing to report...i fell off my vitamin regimen (boo)

BUT i've been surprising myself at how disciplined i've been about the protective styling...(yaaayyy)...i'm in a 2 weeks of twists, wash and repeat sort of routine which i like.  my aunt threaded my hair and I was able to get 3 weeks out of that, so I was very pleased...it was a little tight though, so I can't do that too often, but I figure once every few months is cool just for a change.

I desperately need a trim to get rid of some more of this residual damage from my blow out fiasco 11 months (already?) ago.  but i've been putting it off...1. because i've been lazy and i need to get new hair scissors and 2. i'm really starting to see some growth (sometimes tuff w/ a natural and all that shrinkage) so i'm not really trying to cut it now.

i want to try a reconstructor because of the damage (or would that be a protein conditioner?), but i'm afraid because of the horror stories i've heard about people ending up with really hard hair.  i'm constantly fighting a battle to keep my Sahara-dry hair moisturized (daily application of Aveda leave in and Organic Root Olive Oil have been working nicely), so i'm afraid if i do the wrong thing with a reconstructor or protein conditioner (both of which i'm curious about but too scary to attempt) my hair will just break off.

Savantrice -

I understand you are hesitant to try protein treatment or reconstrucor.  But there are lighter protein treatments out there that may work for you (Joico K Pak, ORS Hair Mayonaise w/ added egg yolk) and others that have been mentioned on these boards.)  One that I used and liked a lot was Frederic Fekkai Protein RX Hair Mask.  Also, there is one that forgot about but recently used again called Phytonectar Ultra Nourishing Oil Treatment (pre shampoo treatment w/ egg yolk nectar).  I have relaxed hair and sometimes when I my hair is overdue for wash or relaxer, I use a tiny bit of this in the more fragile areas of my hair.  Really helps prevent breakage.

I'm still here too. I have been wearing cornrows and using Surge/MTG/WGO and I no longer have any WGO (til I get off of work) and I plan on wash/cond etc and take pics to see how long it has grown in 3 weeks and then cornrow again.

Anyone ready for the Winter yet??? I'm not still trying to get a regimen down with braids for the winter (the east coast gets brutal)

Update:

Last nite- i added rosemary oil to my castor oil and then applied this to my ends and scalp, then put a thin plastic cap on my head.

This a.m.- i sat under the dryer for 10 mins. with the rosemary/castor oil mix.

Shampooed with Sally's generic version of Nexxus Aloe(clarifying shampoo)- noticed more shedding than usual- conditioned with Salon Care all-purpose remoisturizer conditioner- then applied my dominican roostertail- sat under my soft bonnet dryer for 50 mins. rinsed out- then spritzed with my glycerin/water/aloe juice/rosemary oil mixture. Great results.

then i pulled out a jar of lekair gel(the pink one) and twisted my hair. I love it- turned out great for a first timer.

Welcome Nixx-Nixx. Glad you could join!!!

I "tweeked" my regimen alittle bit and it seems to be working quite well. Here it is:

Wed~ wash with CON. Rinse and comb through Capilo Milk and Rinse. I rinse and apply Milk and Honey Conditioner with a heating cap for 20 minutes. After rinsing, I apply Salerm21 and alittle WGO. I put into four braids to dry. The next morning I just unbraid and put into a clasp.

Sun~ I condition wash with Sole and Cinnamon RInse followed by S and C COnditioner for 20 minutes with heating cap. I apply the same products and wear the same style.

I don't wear my hair in too many buns but I make sure my ends are well moisturized and kept up off my clothes to prevent snagging. I relaxed on October 9th and so far I have about and 3/4 to and inch of new growth. So far so good.

Glad everyone is doing well.

Cmesweet- your hair will grow back soon.

Kbaby-glad you found a product that you like.

Honeydoo-glad all is well with you.

I will probably trim on friday- my ends feel rough in the rear(where i primarily sleep at) and i have one dry patch back there- i was trying to hold out until december 18th but it is not looking good.