Cowash and Garnier

I cowashed my hair today. I used a VO5 conditioner as a pre-poo and Garnier for the cowashing. My hair felt good after rinsing. Let me say, that I'm really falling for the Garnier conditioner. I had the thing for about a year and I only used it once, it left my hair dry and tangled at the time. Maybe its like wine, it gets better as it ages.

After the shower I detangled using my bone comb and the Garnier leave-in. I'm not entirely sure I like the leave-in but I like to use complimentary products together when I have them.

Right now I'm airdrying my hair straight in four sections. I set it with shea butter and coconut oil and used clips on the ends to keep the sections seperated. When my hair is almost dry I plan on just putting it up in one big bantu knot.

On Sunday, I'm considering straightening my hair, so I'll do a proper wash and condition then. I've been trying to condition my hair as often as possible in preparation for the heat on Sunday.

My Hair Today

I've been going a bit cam crazy lately, but here is how I wore my hair today.

Last night I put some VO5 conditioner in my hair and put my hair in 3 bantu knots.

The conditioner wasn't heavy at all, my hair felt really good. Its just been a good hair week.

Bad Touch Up

The first time I washed after my most recent perm I noticed something was up with my hair. The hair at my roots was fine and my ends were fine also. Its this region of hair thats about a inch out from my scalp thats the issue. The are is about an inch or two long and its not completely straight.

Since I moved I switched stylist. One stylist that I visited, by reference from my Aunt, gave me a perm and I think she is the woman that gave me the bad perm. I had a bad experience with her besides that, so I'm not really surprised.

Now I really don't know what to do. At first I was just ignoring it because I thought its not really that much of an issue. But now, thinking about it more, I believe its way more of a problem than I thought. I had problems with detangling my roots before my last touch up and I really believe that this was why. My hair was not completely relaxed, it was still textured and I was treating it like relaxed hair.

Then the other night when I was airdrying straight that particular part of my hair dried horrible while the rest of my head behaved.

There has got to be something I could do to fix this. Any suggestions?

I know my old stylist from Miami would actually do what she called a "comb through." Which was when after she permed your roots, right before she rinsed out she comb the relaxer through the rest of your hair. She would do this once a year on each of her clients and I had it once. I didn't see any adverse effects to it, so I'm thinking this might be a possible but very risky solution.

Monday Wash Day

**Edited to add pictures**

Yesterday I washed and conditioned my hair. After going through and organizing all of my hair products last week, I came up with a bunch of products that I haven't used in years. So I decided to start using these products in an attempt to get rid of them.

Last night I discovered an old favorite, the Dove line. So, I used Dove Sheer Moisture Shampoo. This shampoo is really good. Its not drying, but it does the cleansing job. Since I had shampoo last Thursday I just did one lather.

Next, I used my Garnier Conditioner again. I left it in while I bath and then rinsed it out. I got out of the shower and applied Lekair Cholesteral to my strands. This I had originally planned to deep conditone with for about 30 minutes, but I didn't realize that it was so late. So, I left it in for about 5 minutes and hopped back into the shower and rinsed it out.

To set my hair I divided my hair into 4 sections and used the Garnier Leave-In on each section, then detangled. I then spritzed my hair with my spray bottle mixture of distilled water and coconut oil.

Finally, I let my hair airdry straight for about 40 minutes. Went back and put my hair into a ponytail and applied coconut oil; and finally did a twist bun.

This morning my hair feels soft, but not mushy. I took down the bun and left the ponytail, since I was just doing a few errands. I applied a bit more of the Garnier Leave-In and coconut oil, and I was good to go.

Campus Perfect Styles - Messy Up-do

After a failed attempt with bantu knots, I was left with a head full of horrible curls, nothing to do with them, and class the next morning. So Sunday night, I put in five new bantu knots in order to keep some curl to work with in the morning.

I believe I pulled off an acceptable look.

I put a side part, and put my hair in a smooth ponytail. Then I simply started bobby pinning down curls in random locations in order to give it a messy bun look. In all I used about six bobby pins for the curls and two more to keep my shorter side strands from falling. Lastly, I smooth my hair down with a bit of coconut oil. It came out cute and it gave my hair the appearance of way more hair then was actually there.

And the best part it took me less than 10 minutes to do. Nothing better than a quick and easy style.

Here are the pictures. Tell me what you like to do on those bad hair days.

Bantu Knot Out Adventures

I have taken an interest in using Bantu Knots as a style and not just as a way to get my hair up and out of the way. I'm talking about a Bantu Knot Out.

I've tried this style before, a few years ago, but it was a major flop. But the other day, I was pre-pooing my hair and had it in three bantu knots. I had taken it down to add more conditioner and my cousin saw. She thought I was done styling it, and that really made me want to try again.

That night I tried it again, but it didn't work so well. The curls were cute, but they fell in the matter of an hour and I was left with flat hair. Not only that, but some product I used left a waxy cover on my hair, my hair just felt awful.

That night I redid the bantu knots and added more product hoping to get more hold. The next day when I first went out the curls looked even better than the day before, but again they dropped.

Last night I decided to cowash. I added a cheapie VO5 condish and put on a plastic cap. Then I exercised. In the shower I decided to also try and clean out my hair products, so I used my Dove Sheer Moisture Shampoo (I only did one very light wash since I had shampooed earlier this week) so I used a Garnier conditioner and creme that I bought before. I loved the conditioner! It felt really good when I rinsed it out, which was very surprising since I hated it before.

After the shower I used the Garnier creme and proceed to detangle which was a breeze! Something was just going right for me. I also used Coconut oil, focusing on my ends. After I let my hair airdry for a while then I twisted my hair and put the twists in bantu knots.

I have yet to take down the knots, but tomorrow I'll see how it'll work out tomorrow, which is actually my birthday! I'll be 19! 0.0

Campus Perfect Styles - Upside Down Pony

As promised, I've started experimenting with different styles that are simple to do, but are a good change.

Today, I got the idea from a magazine to turn put in a ponytail and then kind of "flip into itself." I hope you like it.

I did a side ponytail and flipped it up into itself leaving half of it out.

On the other side, I had a side bang that I twisted and pinned.

I like it! Its very easy to do and is great for hair that needs to be washed. The only thing is that my ends are very exposed in the position they're in, so still this isn't a style I would wear everyday.

Better Hair Care Kit

Here I put together a list of things that everyone relaxed head should have to better take care of your hair. This list is based on my experiences, so it may not contain everything you use. If there is something you recommend don't be afraid to comment.

Shampoo

• Moisturizing and Detangling Shampoo
• Clarifying Shampoo - I just add a bit of Baking Soda to my shampoo.
  

Conditioner

• Deep Conditioner - This is, in my opinion, the single most important item when it comes to hair care.
  
• Protein Conditioner
• Leave-In Conditioner - You will want a heavy and a light one.
  

Combs/Brushes

• Wide-Tooth Shower Comb
• Soft Boar's Bristle Brush - Be sure its 100%.
  
• Bone Comb - I don't personally have one, but have heard good things and in the process of getting one.
  

Styling Products

• Non-Alcoholic Hair Gel
• Heat Protectant - Use this every time you use heat or use a product that contains "cones."
• Moisturizers
  

Styling Tools

• Ceramic Flat Iron
• Blow Dryer
• Stand-Alone Dryer
  

Accessories - This section is very relative to your personal style.

• Sleep Scarves
• Sleep Bonnet
  
• Plastic Caps
• Pins and Clips
• Rollers
• Headbands
• Banana Clips - My favorite for an old twist or braid out.
  

Hot Oil Treatment

Any person first diving into the world of hair care will soon realize the big role that oil takes in achieving your dream hair. One treatment that incorporates oil is known as a Hot Oil Treatment. This tried and true method will replenish the moisture in dry strands while also protecting your hair from damage. And its easy too!

Hot Oil Treatment

• 1/4 Cup - 1/2 Cup Oil
• Plastic Cap

Warm up the oil in the microwave. Be sure not to make it too hot (for me about 20 seconds was enough). Apply the oil to your scalp in sections. Put on your plastic cap and let the oil sit for about 30 minutes. Heat will help the oil penetrate better so use a warm towel or sit under a dryer. Then, simply wash your hair as usual.

Hairstyle Experimenting

I have been wearing my hair curly for months now. My main style has been braid outs and twist outs. This is getting pretty boring for me and now that my hair is straight I realize that I've missed it.

Now I want to experiment with updos and different ways to wear my hair up and off my shoulders. The only thing is that I'm not that creative in this department so this is going to take a lot of experimenting.