Wash Day #1 of Week of May 25 2014

EXXTREME MOISTURE CHALLENGE!

It's more extreme if you add another x, right?

I'm doing a self imposed challenge of doing a major DC session three to six times in two weeks. I've done the first two on Sunday and today, Thursday. I plan on doing another one Sunday depending on if I have any major plans [though now that I have a soft bonnet I can probably dry my hair fast enough to not ruin any plans.] Basically, the very first sign of moisture loss is a signal for a DC. We'll see if I get over conditioned or something. Due to how awesome my new homemade DC, it's been three/four days instead of 1.5!

As you know, I've been bad. Cones and mineral oil abounded in my poor locks, but I found my last can of coconut oil and decided to begin anew.

Sunday Wash

I began with a clarifying shampoo to remove all the crap. I actually used two shampoos but kind of quit halfway through with the second one since it wasn't a clarifier. I used Ion Clarifying Shampoo and Paul Mitchell Super Skinny's shampoo line [I still have like 1/4 of that tiny trial bottle I got several years ago!] The one I quit on, obviously, was the non-clarifier. I did this in 10 sections, five on each side and when I finished rinsing I applied my homemade protein treatment and bantu knotted the section back up. I waited for about 45 minutes before rinsing it out and cowashing [I was determined to get my hair clean.] with As I Am Coconut Cowash, which I bought on a whim at Sally's a while back. I then applied my homemade moisturizing DC twice. Once after each two sections [I do one from left and one from right at the same time] were done, [then I'd hop back into the shower to do the next two sections] and again when I was done. I proceeded to work out hard for about 30-40 minutes, letting my body heat warm up the conditioner.

Now, I put a ridiculous amount of conditioner on my hair. I was afraid it'd either get over-conditioned or hard. It was one of those where you could see the product sweating out as I twisted my hair up. When I took it down to put the rollers in, my hair looked like I'd just applied a normal amount. My hair ate that conditioner like some sort of bawse. It was glorious. Anyway, I applied my hair moisturizer [this is new but I don't remember the ingredients and frankly, it isn't necessary.] and set.  I woke up the next morning to the smoothest, shiniest set I've ever had, but guess what? It was still damp! :(

I washed my Curlformers the night before and wet rollers = really long drying time. I had an appointment I couldn't miss, though, so I just lightly blow dried from far away with cool air. My hair has never looked that good while still partially wet, and dry was even better. I wish I had a picture, but my electronic devices tend to hate me. My day hair style was the bantu knot out you've seen:

 In a mirror

I dunno why I had on my homemade lip balm that day. Boredom?

Selfie

Dat moisture doe. Mmm.

Thuesday I rocked a twistout and on Wednesday I was about to retwist just to get my hair out of the way and get more twisting practice. Here's a pic of it half done:

 Sorry, this was the only camera I had!

I want to get better at twists, and at making my fro more round. I just subscribed to a YouTube hair girl I'd actually been following for a while and I noticed how beautifully round her hair is. I think mine might be weird because of all the relaxed hair pieces at the ends, but I'm planning to play around with it on Sunday's wash day.

Ion Clarifying Shampoo: I really like this because it gets my hair squeeky, horribly, definitely clean. I know a lot of people hate that feeling but I only use it when I know I've done something bad and need to start over. It works really well for that and I'd give it a 10/10 for this purpose. However, because of all the above, I wouldn't use it for anything else.

Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Shampoo: I enjoyed this back when I was actually using shampoo every wash day. It got my hair clean but not rough, and it smelled great. As far as actual shampoos go, it's wonderful. I just don't really have a need for them anymore. It's my favourite of the ones I've used, though. Not that that's saying much.

As I Am Coconut Cowash: This product is amazing. I used to use VO5 to give my hair a nice cleaning without taking out too much of the bad stuff, but this is better in every way. I don't have to use nearly as much of the product, and so I've realised that I can actually just buy this because I get more mileage [yay, math!] per bottle than I would buying an equivalent amount in dollars of VO5. If you use it once, you get more defined, slightly more moisturized and much cleaner hair. If you go through a second time, you get really clean hair. It's versatile and wonderful. It also has a lot of slip for detangling.

The Walgreens near my house had/is having a HUGE sale on As I Am and Shea Moisture products. Since I liked the SM so much, I got some. You'll see my reviews tomorrow for m Thursday Wash Day blahblah post.