Yesterdays Wash Day

Yesterday was an interesting wash day for me for two reasons:

• it was the first time I had to wash my hair before going to work
• I didn't mix anything into my DC (as requested)

On saturday, I put a lot of Africa's Best Herbal Oil into my hair before going to bed. Then in the morning I pre-pooed with ORS replinishing pak and it went great. (click here for more details) After I rinsed my hair out, I washed with HE Reconditioning Shampoo/Conditioner- it went well as usual. Then I tried something different. I was requested to use the Kenra Moisturizing Conditioner with out any added oils into it just to see how it went. It was good! I liked it! My hair was soft after using it. A lot softer compared to the first time, but not as soft as last time. (which was expected because I didn't add any oils)

Then I used Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine Anti-Humidity Smoothing Milk. I think I'm going to stop using that. My hair feels less soft after using it, on top of that I don't think my hair is that frizzy with out it, so it's not adding any benefits to my hair. If I notice an increase in frizz, I'll continue to use it. Until then, its OUT the regimen. I also added Fantasia frizz buster and aphogee green tea and keratin mist. I think I'm going to get a relaxer this week so I keep using small doses of protein.

S-Curl No Drip Acitiviator and Moisturizer

Today I bought what many people call their staple product. It's called 'S-Curl No Drip Activator and Moisturizer'. I think it was originally made to be used to 'activate' a jheri curl, but a lot of women now use it to moisturize and seal their hair. I bought it because I wanted to try a wash-n-go with it. BUT THEN I came home and watched a video you youtube and the lady said she didn't like to use it on wet hair because it made her hair feel funny and weird. I know that everyone's hair is different so I'll continue  to consider using it to activate my curls. Until then I'll keep using my Garnier and Africa's Best for moisturizing.



Michael Jackson's Jheri Curl
RIP

 But just as a very first impression: I like that I can pump it right on to my new growth. I've been noticing that I don't really moisturize my new growth very well and this is a spray that I can use directly on it. When I came home I sprayed my hair with it and I automatically felt it on my scalp so I was excited about that.

Herbal Essences 1st Wash

I used the regimen that I said I would last time. I LOVED the shampoo and conditioner. But after the deep condition, it went down hill. The DC was bad. I could have done with out it. It actually took away from the softness that the herbal essences gave me. Then I took used Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine anti-frizz serum and smoothing milk. I didn't like the serum, but the milk was good. I might use the serum as needed, but not as a weekly leave-in conditioner.

I hope the Herbal Essences works for me for a long time. I've noticed that I either hate a product at first and continue to use it then like it, or like a product and then hate/dislike it. (Lustrasilk, Aphogee)

I've made my descision.

Apparently Target doesn't sell GF sleek and shine in travel sizes, they only sell daily care.

Since I've already bought the HE Hydraliscious conditioner, I'll just buy the shampoo and find another pre-poo to use. So I'll use Herbal Essences shampoo and conditioner, but I'll use Garnier styling products and leave-ins. 

Tomorrow's Shopping List:
HE Hydraliscious Reconditioning Shampoo
GF anti-frizz serum
GF anti-humidity smoothing milk

I normally don't have frizzy hair. (when it's straight) But when I wear it curly, its always so frizzy so that's why I need so many anti-frizz products.

I also joined another challenge on KISS, its neck length to shoulder length by April 2011. the rules are:

Must Moisturize and seal every night!-With either Castor oil, almond oil, avocado oil, or any type of oil you have
Deep condition 2x a week

Co-Wash 1x every 2 weeks
-depends on what you like
Oil scalp everyday other day like Monday then Friday.
- a good oil (Castor oil )
Wear protective styles :
-Buns.
-Weave's
-Draw string
-Braid outs

Like I did for the heat challenge, I will alter some of the rules to suit my needs.
-I don't think I'll co-wash once every 2 weeks, more like 1x a week.
-I oil my scalp with Castor oil every day-not a few times a week. (when I get closer to my relax date then I'll stop oiling with Castor oil so often)

Wash Day

Yesterday I washed my hair with Silk Elements. (it's almost gone!) I pre-pooed with HE Hydraliscious Reconditioning Conditioner. It did make my hair kind of soft, which surprised me because the first time I try something usually, I really hate it and it later starts to work for me.


What worries me a little bit was I left it in my hair for about 45 minutes and it was only kind of soft. It wasn't great or wonderful, just okay. In my opinion, if you leave something in your hair for that long, it should feel like butter. *SOFT* But I do have to take into consideration that it was my first time using it.


Even though it was okay, I'm kind of leaning towards Garnier. I really love the leave in conditioner as a moisturizer. I didn't go to work on Tuesday like I was scheduled (had to call in because of the snow..did I mention this crazy blizzard?), so I couldn't pick up the travel size shampoo and conditioner I wanted to try. Also, If I do decide to use Herbal Essences, there are certain products from Garnier that I'll use to fight frizz for my braid outs. (anti-humidity smoothing milk, anti-humidity styling cream, anti-frizz serum)


Bottom Line: I'll use the travel size, if I like those, then I'll use Garnier. If I don't like those, I'll use Herbal Essences Reconditioning shampoo and conditioner and find another pre-poo.

GARNIER???

I think I'm done wanting to try Elasta QP. I wanted to try it because it had a full line of things that I needed and wanted to try/use. (Moisturizer, shampoo/conditioner, leave-in, ect.) I know you're probably thinking that I made my decision to use Herbal Essences, but now I'm kinda wanting to try Garnier Fructis.
Why?
Well, I wanted to try a new moisturizer. I just don't feel like the ones I'm using (Pantene Daily Oil Cream Moisturizer and HE LTR) are really 'doing it' for me.
Pantene's okay, not as great as I remembered a few years ago, plus it contains a high amount of mineral oil. And HE LTR has too much protein in it.

So after work I decided to buy Garnier Fructis sleek and shine Leave in Conditioning Cream for about $3.00. I've only been using it for a few days now, but so far I LOVE it. It makes my hair super soft and it smells great. It does have some protein in it, but not a significant amount. Also, it is nice and thick which is great for the winter.

The BEST thing about wanting to try Garnier Fructis is that Target sells the shampoo and conditioner in 1.7 fluid ounce travel size bottles! So all I have to do is buy the little bottles (for $0.97 each!) and give it a try. If I don't like it then I can switch to Herbal Essences quicker than if I bought a full size bottle of something else. What worries me is that I know my hair-typically I don't like things the first time I try it so I'm going to have to try it for a few weeks before I fully commit to Garnier. Which is fine.

I also bought Herbal Essences Reconditioning Conditioner to use as a prepoo since I ran out of the Pantene I was using/decided to stop using Pantene.
If I like the Prepoo, then I will start to use it as my regular conditioner.
If I like the Garnier then I will use it as my regular shampoo and conditioner.

Now all we have to do is wait....