M.I.A. and new hair products

I'm been in-between nothing and 'vacations' so forgive me for my extended absences. I also just got a new laptop (today!) and haven't had access to a working computer for a while. When I have less time to do my hair I will have to do different styles therefore I will not be wearing small twists as much therefore I will post more and have more to post about. My hair is considerably longer, since I ended up basically doing a grow-out challenge through the twists, so I'll be able to try more styles. I'm looking forward to doing bantu knot-outs, twis-n-curls, and I also will be working so I'll be able to let my PJ run wild. I did get A LOT of the products I wanted to try.

My wonderful mother got me (from Target):

• Jane Carter Leave-in conditioner
• Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie
• Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Shea Butter Wash
• Taliah Waajid Protective Mist Bodifier
• Ten Thousand Villages Cucumber and Jasmine Vegetable Bar Soap

So far I like Jane Carter, Shea Moisture CES, and Taliah Waajid. I'll post more in depth reviews as I have more time to feel out the products. I was painfully neglectful to my twists for the last week and they were dry and felt like straw at the ends (I know, I need to deep condition) and I applied the CES in small amounts to all the twists, and sprayed both JC and TW all over my head. My hair today feels MUCH stronger and more moisturized already. My hair tends to be dryer in the summer and I need to put a moisturizer (leave-ins and oils don't work, I need a cream or something usually) to keep my hair healthy. I also plan on trying Brahmi oil or some products that have the oil in them because my edges are suffering as of now. Just around my temples they have thinned out a lot due to shedding and the twists. It's all grown back VERY fast (about in an inch as of now) but I want to try and prevent it and to correct it.

I have yet to use the to soaps, I will soon though. I like to use soaps with the right ingredients on my hair sometimes. I have been using the South of France Organic Shea Butter bar soap to clarify before hennaing. Speaking of hennaing, I need to do that ASAP. I haven't hennaed since... I don't even remember SAAAAADDDD. I also haven't DC'd in about the same amount of time. I'm been neglecting not only my hair, but myself as well. Something about having summers off because of school throws me off. Anyways, I'll have some pics up in the near future of this last bout of twists (done in 3 days for a concert [Warped Tour]) and my in-between style.

I just hennaed!

Let me clarify, cause that verb is insane looking: I just applied henna about 2 hours ago so my head feels really heavy and floppy. My skin is pretty light, so I hope it doesn't stain.

I have pictures:

I used the Curly Nikki's method, only I added lemon juice.

Supplies needed:

• HENNA!
  I bought my 2008 summer crop Jamila henna for $6 ($5 shipping) from mehandi.com. It shipped in 1-2 days.
• Green tea.
  I used Twinings Green Tea, because it was cheap and I don't mind using on my hair because it tastes bitter. (Fact: Rooibos tea is my favorite to drink)
• a container with a lid.
  Make sure is is big enough for you to stir without making a mess. When mixing the henna it can make a mess if you're not careful.
• a disposable spoon.
  I used a plastic spoon which made it difficult to stir, so I would advise using a cheap metal spoon.
  
• a measuring cup.
  you will need around 2 cups of water for 100g depending on the consistency you want it.
  
• honey.
• lemon juice (optional)
• measuring spoons.
  I winged it because I am a poor ole' college student and don't have any. :P
• plastic/latex gloves.
  mehandi.com sells gloves, but I bought some latex gloves from Krogers for about $1. I was afraid that the gloves would snag my hair at first, but they worked well and can be used again.
• plastic shower cap.
  I bought a pack of 15 for a dollar from Walmart.
• newspaper or a plastic bag.
  this is for covering your counter or floor. I used both; Newspaper for the floor and plastic for my counter/table. I took a plastic bag and cut out the shape of the counter or sink I was using before I applied it.

Steps I took:

1. I heated up 2 cups of water in a pot until there were bubbles covering the bottom and starting to run up the sides.
2. I put the heated water into the measuring cup and added 3 bags of Twinings Green Tea.
3. I let the tea steep for 5-6 minutes while stirring and blowing on it to cool it down. I then took the tea bags out and put the tea in the fridge for about 5 minutes to cool it more quickly.
4. I put the henna powder into the container and poured the tea in and began to stir. I started by pouring half a cup of tea and mixing that as well as possible. Then I poured about a tablespoon of tea at a time and would mix until the mix resembled mashed potatoes.
5. I kept stirring until there were no dry spots and less lumps. I covered the henna and went to wash my hair.
6. I put down the newspaper and plastic and then hopped into the shower.
7. My intentions were to co-wash, but I felt like there was too much residue on my hair so I used my South of France Shea Butter soap bar ( again, i love that thing tremendously). What I did was strange. I ended up half co-washing with HE Hello Hydration then rinsing out the conditioner and shampooing, and then applying HE Totally Twister and Aussie Moist conditioner for 4 mins at a time twice. It made detangling very easy.
8. After getting out of the shower I took a towel and squeezed the dripping ends with a towel.
9. I split my hair into 2 sections by parting from ear to ear and clipped the top half of the hair.
10. I added 6-8 teaspoons of honey and 2 teaspoons of lemon juice (rough measurements, remember?) to my henna mixture and stirred until it was the consistency of yogurt. Note: my mixture had clumps in it, but for the most part was like thick yogurt. That was after mixing for 5 minutes (doesn't sound like a long time, but when mixing vigorously it feels like an eternity to your arm!).
11. I donned my latex gloves and an old wifebeater. I suggest wearing old and non-cherished clothes because if you can't tell by the below picture, it can get messy if you aren't careful.
12. I split the mixture in half (with the spoon just drew a line down the middle) and started glopping it on the back section. I started in the center and worked outwards, then I glopped it on my ends upwards. I also made sure to get my edges (that part ended up really messy and all over my face, neck and back. After the back was done I unclipped the top half and flopped the hair forward and glopped. then I pushed the hair back and glopped and smoothed. after the hair closest to my head was covered I used the rest of the henna to make sure the my ends and the body of my hair were covered. (I love my verb usage in the step (glop, plop, flop lol)
13. I twisted the extended end of my hair not slicked down by henna in a circular motion and smooshed it to the top of my head and covered my hair with a shower cap.
14. I used a damp washcloth to wipe the henna off of my face, arms, neck, and back (I'm a mess lol) And that's it for now.

I will do the steps to my rinse tomorrow. I have a funeral of a classmate (R.I.P. Bernard) to go to tomorrow at 11a, so I don't know how I will fit in rinsing and deep conditioning. I think I may just put a beanie over my shower cap and call it a day.

On another note, I went to the grocery store to get my meds and some other stuff today and found this gem:

This. stuff. is. AMAZING!!! , although quite the money suck ($10 for 16 oz.). It's called EfaGold Coconut Oil. The ingredients are. . . not are, the ingredient is organic extra virgin coconut oil. It is lovely. You put a little flake on your skin and within seconds it melts into a light oil that smells just like a coconut. JUST like a coconut and isn't too heavy or greasy. I am curious to see how with the incoming cold weather it will look on my hair.

The listed uses are:

Supplement: take 1 tablespoon 1-4 times daily. May be used as a spread (delicious on toast!) or added to salad dressings & smoothies (I will most certainly try this with my usual strawberry-banana or mango-pineapple smoothies. Most likely on the latter. Reminds me of Pina Colada-ness)

For cooking: Use in place of butter, margarine, shortening, or other cooking oils for baking or frying in temperatures up to 350 degrees F.

For skin care: Use as a moisturizing lotion. Place jar in warm water to liquefy, then massage small amounts onto skin.

For hair {:D} care: Use as a conditioner. Place jar in warm water to liquefy, then apply 2 teaspoons to hair 1-2 hours before washing.

I like their recommendations, but I think I will just use it on toast and my hair. ( <--this made me laugh)

While at the store the weather was iffy and when I left it was pouring rain and the wind blew my umbrella to pieces. So I got to the store like this after taking out my french twist braid out

And I got home like this (soaking wet lol)

Rinsing results tomorrow! ( I can't wait to see the results)

Twists and stuff (including PJ; it never ends! lol)

As I said yesterday, I'm going to try and make these twists last for 1 1/2 - 2 weeks. So far so good. it is pretty cold today, so I wore/am wearing a hat today.

I went to Krogers to pick up some prescriptions, and ended up buying 4 products and 2 other things I need to prepare myself to henna. I got Lemon juice, Green tea, South of France Shea Butter Vegetable Soap Bar (I've been wanting to try this), Lustrasilk Moisture Max Olive Oil Hair Mayonnaise, Lustrasilk Olive Oil Cholesterol, and Lustrasilk Herbal Cholesterol Deep Conditioning Cream. I will list the ingredients of each.

Lustrasilk Olive Oil Cholesterol: Water (Aqua), Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Olive (Olea Europaea Fruit) Oil, Cholesterol, Soybean (Glycine Soja) Oil, Safflower (Carthamus Tinctorius) Oil, Wheat Germ (Triticum Vulgare) Oil, Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) Extract, Fragrance (Parfum), Vitamin E ( Tocopherol Acetate), Methyl Paraben, Propyl Paraben, Phosphoric Acid, DMDM Hydantoin, Disodium EDTA, Yellow #5 (CI 19140), Blue #1 (CI 42090)

Lustrasilk Herbal Cholesterol Deep Conditioning Cream: Water (Aqua), Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol (and) Polysorbate 60, Cetyl Alochol, Cholesterol, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, DMDM Hydantoin, Yellow #5, Yellow # 6, Fragrance (Perfume)

South of France Shea Butter Vegetable Soap Bar: Palm Oil, Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Vegetable Glycerin, Organic Shea Butter, Mineral Pigments, Natural Oil, Essential Oils, Parfum.

Lustrasilk Moisture Max Olive Oil Hair Mayonnaise Deep Conditioning Treatment: Water (Aqua), Stearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetremonium Bromidem Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Egg Protein, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Peanut (Arachis Hypogaea) Oil, Fragrance (Parfum), DMDM Hydantoin, Methyl Paraben, Propyl Paraben, Polyquatentium-32, Trideceth-6, Disodium EDTA, Yellow #5 (CI 15985), Red # 33 (CI 17200).

The soap bar smells like soap (haha), and out of the conditioners they all smell pretty bad. The Hair Mayonnaise smells like cough syrup, and the other two smell like normal cheap conditioner. I spent a little under $20 and got almost everything I need, so I am happy with my purchases. Now I have to see if they work. I'll try them in a week or so, if my twists last that long.

Walmart

I went to Walmart to get a few essentials (i.e toilet paper, paper towels, fruit, etc.) and I ended up getting:

9 headbands, 2 clips, Cantu Shea Butter Leave-in Conditioning repair cream (I was very

disappointed to find that the Hair Dressing Pomade has petrolatum in it)shower caps (preparing to henna with indigo, but I am missing the main component HENNA!) and my fav purchase *drumroll* HAIR SCISSORS.

I have been skeptical about getting hair scissors because I will go through moods when I want to cut all my hair off and others when I REALLY don't. But I got these for my ends and knots. I'll post pics of how my hair turns out tomorrow. Well it is "tomorrow" so later today.

I have Italian homework, and it feels like 10PM when it's actually 1:30AM yikes! I missed The Mo'Nique Show :( Wendy Williams :( and Chelsea Lately. I am a talk show junky. HAHAHA.

Until next time, some Tuesday superhero penguins.

Results capitolo due. di parte due

I went to the grocery store to pick up some prescriptions, and I ended up getting 4 hair products:

I am trying to find something to get more curl definition without a lot of damage or heat, so I will try this. I have tried a different type of Garnier gel before and I did not like the results AT ALL, so I'm crossing my fingers for this one.

I love the way this smells. I've wanted to try Organix for a while so...

I had to restock this one. I made the mistake of buying the 12 oz. of this and I used more than half of it in about a month or so lol I bought the 24 oz. size this time. I bought the 24 oz. size of HE Totally Twisted, so I won't need to stock up on that for a while (although it's half gone too!) what can I say? haha. I have a lot of REALLY thick hair.

Again with my PJ. I bought this at the same time I bought HE Hello Hydration a month or so ago, so I bought the 34 oz. (HA!) size. It has. a pump. There is so much of it it makes me happy.

The products are sitting on my desk and I can't stop smelling them. I am going to go wash my hair now. I think I'm just going to let my hair air dry, because I don't feel like waiting for my braids/twist/rollerset. I REALLY need to get a hood dryer.

Until next time bby. Says a casual monday penguin.