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Crazy about Hair Care! (updated 01/31/09
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I'm still on a personal "use it up" challenge so I have purchased anything new. But here is a list of my favs (be back to update later):
Pre-Poo:
Shampoos:
Conditioners:
Leave-In:
Heat Protectant:
Daily Moisturizer:
Oils:
Other:
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**Washing while Stretching**
The best way for me to wash my hair now is by placing my hair in small ponytails with Goodie Ouchless bands. I start by parting a small section of hair and detangling it carefully with my Denman brush. I then apply my cheapie conditioner starting at the roots and apply the band. I do this all over and I usually end up with around 16 ponytails. I leave the ponytails in my hair all the way thru rinsing, shampooing, DCing, final rinsing, applying leave-ins and serums. From time to time one of the bands may slip out and I just simply reapply it. What I do next depends on how I wish to wear my hair but either way, using the ponytail method helps decrease the tangles and the breakage.
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**Stretching Hair styles**
Lately, I've been washing once a week, blowdrying, and flatironing. Because my hair is already sectioned off, its easy to blowdry each section starting from the nape area. I use PinkSkates (LHCF) tension method with a heat protectant. After I'm done with all sections, I use more heat protection before I flat iron. I have a 1/2 inch HAI flatiron that works great on my new growth but I recently traded my 1.5 inch Sedu for the new 1-in Sedu revolution and its great on my new by itself.

I did a ponytail rollerset once. With my hair already being sectioned off it was soooo easy. Only thing was that the hair under the bands didn't dry as fast as the rest. I'll definitely will be trying again.

Other styles I intend to try:
Braid & Twist Outs
Buns (baggy buns, donut, and anything else that makes sense)
Updos with clips
Braided in front w/back curled with rollers, ...
One day, I'm going to try & limit my Flat Iron and blowdryer use...
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**Health**
-I'm getting back on my 5 am workouts. A little is more than nothing at all so I'm committing myself to a 30 minute video workout in the mornings.
-I love running (outside preferred) and will make sure I take a 30 minute jog on the 2 days that I will be washing my hair each week. Definitely once on the weekend. Its the weekday that I'm have a problem fitting in.
-My water challenge is 4 bottles a day. I can drink my first bottle with no problems. Working on getting 2 down.
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**Wash & Conditioning**
Based on my exercise days, I will:
--Sun--
Pre-poo with Suave Tropical Coconut Conditioner
Wash with Aphogee Shampoo for Damaged Hair followed by a moisturizing shampoo (currently KeraCare but looking for a replacement). Next comes conditioning w/2 min. Aphogee Protein conditioner for 5 minutes under shower cap. Then I DC under dryer 20 min or around house for 45 min. until hair is soft with KeraCare Humectant/Silk Elements Mega Conditioner. Apply leave-ins and heat protectors and style.
--During Week--
Pre-poo with Suave and or other conditioner. Apply leave-ins and oils. Try a no heat style and let air-dry over night.
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**Daily Moisture**
I've come to love BB's Castor Oil in the jar. I find that I don't have to seal after using this because it is water-based and contains an oil. I use mainly at night and sometimes in the morning depending on the feel of my hair.
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**Growth Aides**
I have used WGHO only on wash days to seal in moisture. By the time my hair dries the scent has disappeared. I've also used Lenzi's Request every other day starting the day after I wash and have gotten good results. Newest aid is a MN mix that I've only used 1x/week and got results just from that.
Currently I'm not using any growth aids but I have been researching MegaTek.
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**Supplements**
I take a liquid multivitamin - Vemma. Sometimes I'll enjoy a glass of Carnation's Instant Breakfast drink mix. Neither of these do I do consistently. Something I have to work on.
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**Old Relaxer Method**

Base hairline, scalp, and previous relaxed hair with vaseline/what comes in the box. Relax with Phyto II for bone straight hair and Phyto I for texturizing. I relax in 4 sections starting at crown since hair is coarser in that area.
(Note: Be sure to rotate starting sections when relaxing. March - back right. June - back left. September - front left. December - front right)
Wash out thoroughly and neutralize repeatedly until poo turns white. With Phyto, I usually have to rinse and re-neutralize about 5-6 times. I leave the last poo on hair for 2-3 min. before final rinse. Apply Phyto Milky Reconstructor, cover with cap, and sit under hood dryer for 10-15 minutes. Wash out (I may shampoo here with moisturizing poo if hair still feels stringy and dry) . Detangle with Lacio Lacio (or KeraCare leave-in to use it up). Apply a little oil and a heat protector (Redken Smooth Glide and WGHO or other combo). May use a Foaming Wrap lotion or setting lotion before sitting under dryer for 1 hour or until dry. I have the pink Ion dryer from Sally's. No blowdrying after a relaxer unless dire emergency.