Goals for 2019

I don’t do resolutions for the new year, because I never keep them. Ever. But I do have goals. Since I will be moving to Japan in about 4 years- I have things that need to be in place before I go. The first thing was to identify products and find a maintainable hair routine for Japan. I think I have found that.

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Hello 2019!

I meant to post this earlier in the month, but time has gotten away from me (again).

I managed to survive my first semester back in school (barely) with a nice solid B.  Yay, me!  If you are returning to school, and it’s been more than a year since you were last in school- I advise you to never EVER take an accelerated language class.  Even if you were previously near-fluent.  It will kick your butt, guaranteed.

What is good hair?

Tyra Banks Good Hair Episode

[Hair Journey] Week 5

Wash Day

– Shampoo: Purposeful Hydration Shea Butter and Sandalwood shampoo (http://www.lovebeautyandplanet.com)
– Conditioner: Purposeful Hydration Shea Butter and Sandalwood conditioner
– Moisturizer: Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioning Repair Cream and Water (5%/95%)
– Leave-In/Styling Cream: Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioning Repair Cream

Can I just say that I find this shampoo / conditioner combo to be a refeshing change of scent. Sooo many products out there are either some sort of tropical scent, or a generic purfume-y type smell. This one smells kind of woodsy… kind of musk-y. It’s the sandalwood, and it’s just a refreshing change to the norm. The shampoo and conditioner work slightly better than Suave (and with less harmful ingredients).

I have found the shampoo, conditioner, and body wash (which I did not buy) at Walgreen’s, Kroger, and Wal-mart.

Stop What You’re Doing (Part 3)

I’m almost finished with this subject, I swear.

Stop What You’re Doing (Part 2)

So as a helpful commenter pointed out on my last post- there are actually SEVEN ingredients commonly found in beauty products that are formaldehyde releasers. I have nicknamed them the 7 Deadly Sins.

Alright STOP what you’re doing!

…cause I’m about to ruin the image and the style that you’re used to.

A little Digital Underground for you, but seriously. I need you to check all your hair care products RIGHT NOW. Right now.

You are looking for this ingredient: DMDM Hydantoin

[Hair Journey] Week 4

Wash Day
– Shampoo: Creme of Nature Pure Honey Moisturizing Dry Defense Shampoo
– Deep Conditioner: Creme of Nature Pure Honey Repair Mask
– Moisturizer: Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioning Repair Cream and Water (5%/95%)
– Leave-In/Detangler: Creme of Nature Pure Honey Leave-In Detangler
– Styling Cream: Creme of Nature Pure Honey Moisture Whip Twisting Cream

Upkeep
– Moisturizer: Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioning Repair Cream and Water (5%/95%)
– Styling Creme: Pantene Truly Natural Defining Curls Custard

Yes, I realize that the Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Hair Smoothie is NOT a styling cream. However- it does work well as one, and my hair has not fallen out yet. But I did finally read the proper instructions, and in Week 6- I use it as it was intended.

I added the Creme of Nature Pure Honey Repair Mask. It doesn’t seem to make much of a difference. It’s an okay hair mask, and I intend to find out how it stacks up against the regular Pure Honey Conditioner soon.

[Hair Journey] Week 3

Wash Day
– Shampoo: Creme of Nature Pure Honey Moisturizing Dry Defense Shampoo
– Deep Conditioner: Nature Republic Argan Essential Deep Care Hair Pack
– Moisturizer: Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioning Repair Cream and Water (5%/95%)
– Leave-In/Detangler: Creme of Nature Pure Honey Leave-In Detangler
– Styling Cream: Creme of Nature Pure Honey Moisture Whip Twisting Cream

Upkeep
– Moisturizer: Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioning Repair Cream and Water (5%/95%)
– Styling Creme: Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Hair Smoothie

Yes this looks like the same as last week, but the difference is that I used the detangler and the twisting cream TOGETHER this week. They work BETTER together, and you will get better curl definition by using them together.

Also, yes- I realize that the Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Hair Smoothie is NOT a styling cream. However- it does work well as one, and my hair has not fallen out yet. But I did finally read the proper instructions, and in Week 6- I use it as it was intended.

I’m also giving up on the Nature Republic Argan Essential Deep Care Hair Pack. I think my hair just DOES NOT like Argan oil. Every time I use it- my hair is very dry and feels brittle. Although I can use some products with Argan oil in them (just like I can with products containing coconut oil)- I think my hair is sensitive to large amounts of argan oil,

[Hair Journey] Week 2

Wash Day
– Shampoo: Suave Daily Clarifying Shampoo
– Moisturizer: Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioning Repair Cream and Water (5%/95%)
– Leave-In/Styling Cream: Creme of Nature Pure Honey Leave-In Detangler

Shampoo
Lord, WHY did I use my hubby’s shampoo? This stripped my hair soooo much! No more clarifying shampoo. Next time I will make the effort to get out of the shower and grab my regular shampoo.

Conditioner
If you didn’t notice- there was no regular conditioner, OR deep conditioner. Basically I was afraid. I had planed my deep conditioning routine to be once every two weeks, so it was not time to deep condition. And the only regular conditioners near me (in the shower) were my hubby’s clarifying conditioner (NO! We saw what the shampoo did to my hair, I’m not letting the conditioner finish the job!) And the second conditioner was a protein colored hair conditioner that my hair doesn’t like much anyway. So I decided to rely on the leave-in as my only conditioner. THIS TIME. I don’t plan to make this a habit.
My routine: I generally shampoo and condition, then once my hair is damp (not soaking wet)- I section my hair, apply the moisturizer, then the detangler/styling cream. Then I twist. My twists usually last 2-3 days before I take them out. The twist out usually lasts 2-3 days. Which leaves one or two days of just throwing it back in a ponytail or two French braids. The twist out could probably last longer, but by the second or third day of wearing my hair down- I’m tired of hair on my forehead, so I’m usually itching to pull it back anyway.

 
Upkeep
– Moisturizer: Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioning Repair Cream and Water (5%/95%)
– Styling Creme: Creme of Nature Pure Honey Moisture Whip Twisting Cream
– Styling Creme: Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Hair Smoothie

Yes, there are two styling creams this time around. I did a twist out just using the detangler this week. That didn’t work too well, so on day three I did another twist out, using the twisting cream. That worked a bit better. However- the detangler and twisting cream work better TOGETHER.