Wow, my hair is growing!

My hair is definitely growing.  I don't have an official routine but I do have a typical daily regimen.

Every morning before I get in the shower I spritz with a water, aloe vera juice, and rosemary EO mix then I throw my shower cap on.  I have the cap on for about a hour or so.  After I take my shower I immediately remove the cap so my hair can dry.  I'm currently using curls coconut moisturizer for my dryness issue, and it seems to be working, no more straw hair for me!
After the moisturizer I style and go!

Me at 1 month

As far as washing I'm still on a 2 week cycle.  I'm not putting so much product in my hair so the buildup doesn't get too bad.  But, around the 10th day I get a little nervous that people will start noticing my hair may be a bit "dirty".  Thankfully my last retwist lasted a while so I think my roots truly are locking so I may take my self to a weekly wash.  I'm going to wait and see how bad things look after tonight's wash!

Falls almost to the tip of my nose!

Covergirl Eye Enhancers Review

I decided to do a few product reviews.  I get quite a few people asking me what I use, how I use it etc.  So here we go!

The packaging for the product is simple and sleek (a bit bulky).  Although I didn't care much for the color label located on top.  It was very difficult to peel off, and the product labeling info (color & product #) are on this label that I removed!  There is another abbreviated reference to the color name on the bottom.

I purchased 3 colors from my local Woodman's grocery store.  They were $2.49 each.  The 3 colors I picked up are below.  I ended up dropping the Turquoise Tempest and it shattered horribly.  Still usable but I don't find that with a lot of my higher end products (MAC, Bobbi Brown, Nars, Sephora).  I'm clumsy as heck so I've dropped quite a few pots!

Indigo Impact

Turquoise Tempest

Lime Alive

Initially the application was easy, smooth, and vibrant.  But when I started blending the colors muddled pretty bad. I wouldn't recommend if you're looking for something highly pigmented or want your colors to be really vibrant.  Although if you are going for just lid coverage the colors are okay with primer!  

Top to bottom: Indigo Impact, Lime Alive, Turquoise Tempest

I create a simple eye using all 3 colors.  I did apply primer to my eyes and used a few additional products to complete the look.  

The Good: Inexpensive, good portion, easy application

The Bad: Not vibrant, may need to really pack on, not good for blending, colors fade fairly quickly

Final Opinion?  These won't go in my working kit, but will be great for wearing at my day job, as well as for when my girls and I have "makeup fun".  I was disappointed with the vibrancy of this product as well as the blend ability.  

3 months in!

Boy time flies!  My hair is growing!  Yay for me!  I'm experiencing some major dryness issues.  I have no idea what the problem is.  The only new product I've incorporated has been raw aloe vera.

Here are a few photos of me now!

They're growing!

Rocking a zebra look!

Update - Week 6

Things are coming along very nicely.  I came to the realization that I shouldn't oil my hair daily.  I had been using EVO daily but the buildup was getting horrible.  It has been about 2 weeks since my re-twist and wash and I'm seeing about a 1/4" of new growth. I'm starting to bud so that's a good thing!  This week I made my own EVO, water & rosemary mix and I'm loving that.  I sprayed pretty heavy last night and walked with a shower cap on for about 3 hours.  My hair feels so soft now.  Love it!


  

  

Long day at work!

First wash!!!

I had my first "real" wash this week.  I was using a lather less shampoo as needed but it didn't give the refresh you get from a real shampoo wash.  For pre-wash I coated my hair with a Motions brand conditioner mixed with EVOO, Aloe Vera gel, and Jojoba oil.  I covered it with a shower cap let sit in my hair for about 2 hours.  After the pretreatment I washed my hair with Palmers Olive Oil shampoo.  Not exactly what I "should" use but its what I have.  After washing I did an ACV rinse and let that sit for about 15 minutes.  After rinsing I immediately noticed my hair was refreshed and clean.  I had a lot of unraveling so re-twist was a definite yes.

Post Wash.  

 This is not lint, just the flash catching the oils.  

 I did some interlocking previously but found it too time consuming.  I was able to palm roll my entire head in about 2.5 hours.  I use Organic Root Stimulator's Twist & Lock Gel.  

I tend to do my hair in spurts and since today was a snow day I had more time than usual!  

Thursday's Giveaway!

Today's giveaway feature is from The Candy Shoppe.  Hop on over to her pages for your chance to win a delectable cupcake in a jar.

 http://www.facebook.com/THECAVITYSHOPPEWHERETHEFILLINGSARESWEET

 http://www.thecavityshoppe.com

Day 2 of giveaway!

Today's featured giveaway is from The Party Animal.  Visit the links below the photo for instructions.  Good luck!

http://www.facebook.com/KidsBirthdayParties

 http://www.thepartyanimal.org/

http://www.thepartyanimal-blog.org/

Everyone loves a giveaway!

Hop on over to my buddy's blog & FB fan page for your chance to be entered in an awesome giveaway!  Check my blog daily for 7 days of giveaways!  

DECORATED ELEMENTS FACEBOOK LINK

DECORATED ELEMENTS BLOG LINK

Product Spotlight - Jamaican Mango & Lime Island Oil

Jamaican Mango & Lime Island Oil I paid $4.99 as local hair care supplier

I started using this product once I heard all the claims of how great it is.   I'm still forming my opinion because I'm not sure if I'm using too little or too much.  I tend to have very dry hair and a very itchy scalp.  As I'm learning more about natural hair care I'm starting to think I may use too much product which is why my hair itches so much (dirty & build-up!).  The product smells great not too fragrant!  The consistency is definitely an oil but doesn't leave an oily mess everywhere.  But only time will tell me about that one!

Ingredients:
Mineral Oil - used for sealing in moisture & sealing the hair cuticle for a smoother look.
Castor Oil - coats the hair shaft & helps seal the cuticle retaining moisture
Carrot Oil - is an effective conditioner for your scalp, helps strengthen the roots, & helps smooth the shaft - contains natural vitamins (A & E + beta-keratin)
Jojoba Oil - conditions and helps return the hairs natural luster & sheen
Olive Oil - increases elasticity and flexibility, adds sheen, reduces split ends
Europea Oil - appears to be an olive oil derivative
Tea Tree Oil - has a lot of anti-fungal properties which assist in destroying bacterial build-up that can contribute to dandruff
Dyes & Fragrances - Not too many~

2-weeks in

Well I've been semi-locked for 2 weeks now.  Why do I say semi?  Well I didn't exactly read or learn about locks when I started twisting away at the mess I had on my head.  This process started about June 2010 when I decided to stop relaxing my hair.  Why did I decide to stop?  Well I was tired of the shop drama, the lengthy waits, gossiping, etc.  Not to mention the $80 bucks it costs me to get that toture treatment known as a relaxer. .

 From June - October I was wearing my hair in a blow-out w/ permed ends and it was a hot mess.  I decided in October to get some micros and they were nice.  I decided to wear braids during my transitioning stage.  They were nice.  Suddenly life became very busy for me and my microbraids were kept in wayyyyyy to long.  3 months to be exact.  Guess what happens to Type 4 hair when it is kept in a specific style toooooo long?  It locks!  I had hell removing the braids, and more hell was left behind.  I had this matted mess of hair.  Each individual micro had left a mini-lock ball on the ends.  I decided to make due with what was left of my hair and begin to twist it.  

This what I ended up with!

Well that was week 1.  Well I'm now rounding the end of week 2 and have been researching and watching tons of youtube videos on lock care and maintenance.  I decided tonight to retwist the front and a few in the back that have come down.  Here is what my hair looks like now.  

I like how the front is coming along, I will clean it up as they progress

Oh yeah, I have new glasses now :)

My edges look thin but actually my hair never grows out in that area, weird, I know!  

The products I used were Jamaican Mango & Lime oil for moisture & Organic root stimulator twisting Gel for holding.