Wash Day Diary @ 1 Week Post: 11.04.12

“I am currently 1 week post and usually at this stage I would have already washed my hair at around 4 or 5 days post, chelated/neutralised again and given my hair a serious shot of protein. This time around I’ve decided to do things a little different to see if I can keep the texture in my hair under my control!”

So, today is wash day and it has around quickly, but at the same time, not a day too soon!!! I went completely overboard last night with the moisturising and sealing so now my hair is feeling soft and manageable but at the same time, very weighed down.

After I'd finished pratting around in my new Sleek Pout Paint ~ shade Port, these were the steps I followed:

1.  First I made some tea for a black tea rinse, however this time I decided to make the brew using 2 x PG Tips and 2 x Green Tea bags and I used boiled water from my shower filter to make the brew.

2.  Next, I sectioned my hair in two halves and clipped up one side using one of my new wash day clips.  Oh how I love wash days at only a few weeks post! 

This is the only time when I can wash my hair with gay abandon, without the worry of a ridiculous amount of tangles if I wash in any less than 4 sections. 

3. Next, I applied grapeseed oil to one half and then began finger detangling in small sections starting from the back. 

I probably didn't need to finger detangle and could have just used a wide tooth comb, but I get way less breakage and shedding when I finger detangle, even though it takes AGES! 

After I finished detangling one half of my hair I applied more grapeseed oil twisted in two sections and then clipped them up before moving onto the other half.  When both sides were detangled and covered in oil I removed the clips and then donned a plastic conditioning cap and sat under my heated cap for an hour.

4.  Once the hour was up, I removed the conditioning cap and jumped in the shower.  I then saturated each half of my head with water before shampooing with ORS Creamy Aloe Shampoo.  I only lathered once and left this to sit for 2-3mins before rinsing.

5.  I then squeezed out the excess water from my hair and left it for 2 mins before applying one of my recent bargain purchases Redken Extreme Deep Fuel which is an intensive strengthening treatment which is now discontinued (hence the cheapo £3 price I paid for it!). 

I should have towel dried before applying the Deep Fuel, (I will do that next time) but I was still impressed with the results and best of all it didn't make my hair feel hard the way that some other protein treatments do.  Part of me is hoping that this stuff doesn't work out to be perfect for my hair as I will never be able to purchase it again.  In the meantime I will use it sparingly as I like the results so far. 

I left the Deep Fuel on my hair for 5mins and then rinsed.

6.  Next I applied my Black&Green Tea Rinse concentrating the application of the brew on my scalp.  I  only  massaged in for about 15 seconds as I didn't want to agitate my hair too much as the tea rinse makes it go really hard. I didn't want to risk any breakage.  I then clipped up my hair using hair pins whilst I finished my shower.  I then covered my hair with a plastic conditioning cap and sat with a towel on my head for 30mins.   When I took the cap and towel off I was surprised at how soft my hair felt. 

This is definitely the way forward for me when it comes to tea rinses, i.e. leaving it on and covered for at least 30mins to really soak in and soften my hair. 

I then did another scalp massage this time for 30 seconds, before moving onto the next step.

7.  Next, time to deep condition.  Actually, my hair really felt like it didn't need to be deep conditioned, but I did it all the same.  Instead of mixing copious amounts of deep conditioner in a mixing bowl, which is what I usually do, I just mixed a little conditioner in the palm of my hand!  I mixed Roux Porosity Control (40%) and KeraCare Humecto (60%) stirred together with my finger, rubbed my hands together and then applied to one side and then repeated on the other side.  I then made a little 50:50 mix of AO HSR conditioner and Roux Porosity to add a little extra moisture to my nape, edges and not forgetting the hair directly behind my ears!

I remember seeing a post about a year ago on a blog (I forget which one but it's a great tip to remember the area behind your ears.  I always remember that post every single time I moisturise & seal or deep condition my hair!  If it was your blog that I saw it on THANKS for the tip!

I clipped the ends up using a hair pin, covered with a plastic conditioning cap and towel and left the deep conditioner on for 30mins.  I then rinsed over the bath whilst tilting my head to the side.  I do not pile the hair on top of my head when I wash my hair over the bath, I use a side to side motion so the hair is always falling downwards, instead of forwards.  I may adapt my relaxer application in future so I can rinse it out and shampoo with less tangles this way as otherwise I end up piling the hair on top of my head and getting tangles.

8.  After rinsing I covered my hair with a T-Shirt for 5mins and then used it to squeeze out the excess water.  It  was now 10pm and I'd started the process at 6.30pm and I wanted to be in bed by 10.30pm. 

9.  I then applied my leave ins to each half, paying particular attention to the ends.  The leave ins were Infusium 23 (liquid) followed by Taliah Waajid Bodifier (creamy and undiluted).  I then follwed this with a little grapeseed oil, Giovanni Frizz Be Gone Serum and a little Organix Coconut Milk Serum.  I applied a little Bee Mine Deja's Milk to my nape, edges and behind my ears.

10.  Lastly, I covered my shoulders with a satin scarf so my ends wouldn't rub on my robe and sat with my hair airdrying for 45mins.  After this time it was dry enough to detangle with my HS Jumbo rake and put in three 2 strand twists before covering with the satin scarf and jumping into bed.

Airdrying and a picture of the total amount of hair lost due to shedding and breakage.

Air dried and ready for bed

11.  When I uncovered my hair this morning my hair felt super soft and had a lovely shine to it.  I carefully unraveled the twists, starting at the back, and finger detangled before adding more Taliah Waajid Bodifier to my hair along with grapeseed oil and Organix Coconut Milk Serum.  I then popped my hair in a bun sans the phony pony and was out the door.

OH YEAH!!!!  This is my lil bun made with my own hair and I'm proud of it!  Can't believe I can now make a semi-decent bun without a phony pony.

Shedding = Normal

Breakage = Low

This is a picture showing the areas of my hair which are STILL underprocessed from my relaxer in December.  I won't be attempting to correct this again as the rest of my hair seems to be at the desired degree of being texlaxed.

I'm a happy bunny this wash day.  Long may it continue!!!

Ciao 4 Now