My Current Regimen: One Year Post ReChop!

Normal Regimen Schedule:

Sunday - Wash, Deep Condition, Style for the week
*Take down - (if twist or braid out) at least 24 hrs later.
*Nightly - oil (JBCO) on edges for post partum regrowth
Retwist/ Mini pineapples at night w.scarf or bonnet.

Protective Style Regimen Schedule:

Sunday - (starting style) Wash, Deep Condition, Set protective style
*Nightly - oil (JBCO) on edges for post partum regrowth.
Bun (if done with extension hair)
Scarf on edges/ usual scarf or bonnet
Style with own hair - Co wash if/as needed the leave in/LOC in a bottle.
Style with extension hair - Co wash/shampoo if/as needed. Style in for 4 weeks tops. Scalp spray for itching if/as needed.

Treatments:

Hot oil - Monthly
Protein - Monthly
Rinses - As needed

Trim:

As needed without straightening. Hair is sectioned into 6 sections, 4 or more twists in each, dust ends with shears.

Products I currently use:

Cleansing - Cantu Shea Butter For natural Hair Sulfate Free Cream Cleasning Shampoo (Great stuff!!!!)
VO5 Tea Therapy Clarifying Conditioner (I co wash with this. It has NO silicones which makes it better for co washing! Less chance of build up issues) -OR- As I Am Cleansing Co wash

Deep Conditioner - Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque (will be trying other soon)

Leave in - My LOC in a bottle (VO5 Free Me Freesia, water & EVOO)

Protein Treatment - Elucence Extended Moisture Repair Treatment or ApHogee 2-minute Keratin Treatment

Oils - EVOO, Coconut, JBCO

Essential Oils - Peppermint, Tea Tree (trying rosemary and lavender soon)

Butter - Whipped Shea Butter Mix

Itch Spray - EVOO, lemon juice, Tea Tree oil, aloe Vera juice or water

Multi Purpose - Aloe Vera Juice, ACV

5 Reasons Why Your Hair is Dry

Oh dryness! This has ALWAYS been my biggest problem with my hair. Here are my top 5 Reasons why your hair might be dry!

1. You Don't Know Your Porosity.

Porosity is so very very important when it comes to battling dryness. Porosity in a nut shell is your hair's ability to absorb and retain moisture. There must be a balance between low porosity (little to no absorption) and high porosity (absorption with little to no retention). Porosity issues can be fixed once porosity is identified.

2. You Only Use Stylers/Puddings

Many people get so focused on definition, the don't realize if they moisturized properly they'd get definition without the use of gel, stylers and puddings. Moisturizing properly and controlling porosity eliminates frizz and the need to "tame". If you're not using conditioners or water based moisturizers to first moisturize THEN a styling product and only using a styling product your hair might be experiencing dryness.

3. You Wash Your Hair in Hot Water

Washing our hair in hot water can have adverse affects over time. It can open the hair cuticle making the hair more and more porous causing dry, dull, frizzy hair and more and more frustration. Warm washes and cold rinses help to first remove dirt and excess oils then seal and close the cuticles when a wash is complete.

4. You Don't Seal/Well Enough

Sealing in moisture is essential. Two of the best oils to seal with on dry hair are EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) and castor oil, especially during the winter months. If you're not sealing, the moisture is evaporating and drying right out of your hair! Now on the other hand you may be sealing but not well enough. Like running your hands through your head with a dime size of oil on your hands KNOWING you no longer have a twa! Lol. Section by section is the way to go, Sis!

5. Product Build Up

We all love cowashing but product build up is a mother! And cowashing cannot cleanse your hair of gunk!!!!! Though it is great on a weekly basis or daily depending on your needs, try to shampoo at least once a month to keep product build up to a minimum. Product build up can cause the hair to become weighed down, suffocated and dry. Not a a good look! Remember a good sulfate free gentle shampoo won't hurt!

Thanks for reading!

*Upcoming post: How To Test for Porosity*

I DID IT!: Lady

Name: Lady (fellow blogger)

Age: 31

Location: Paterson, NJ

My Story:I big chopped one year ago
Ive had very long permed hair since I was 10.

I DID IT because...Turning 30 prompted me to make a drastic change and I love it!!

Stay Tuned for the launch of Lady's Fashion and lifestyle blog!

*Follow Lady on Twitter & IG: @innercitylady*

Post Partum Shedding: OH My Edges!

So I took down my twists..

*sigh* Before I continue to go on a rant about post partum shedding, thinning edges and aggravation let me just say I'm excited to be celebrating one year post rechop this month!!! Woohoo!!! Now back to the regularly scheduled program.

OH MY EDGES!!! As soon as I took out the first twist on the perimeter of my hair, I knew what was up (lol). I am 4 months post partum and the shedding has come :( Why oh why my edges though?? Okay, getting sidetracked. So you may be thinking that I had my twists too tight or I was using a brush and its breakage. Nope! Entire hairs left my scalp. (Come back!)

As I mourn my edges whatever have I begun to do to restore them? JBCO also known as Jamaican Black Castor Oil baby!! When my edges broke off from permanent color, I grew them back with this stuff and I plan to so it again! Bald edges? No ma'am, not me!

More updates to come! If you know how to pray, pray for the speedy return of my edges! Lol.

Til next time,
Samantha Michelle