Regimen For Box Braids.

For real this time I have decide to get box braids. Some of you may have read past posts of me freaking out, scared of breakage, but I am doing it!! This Sunday!!! So I cowashed today with V05 Clarifying Conditioner, and used Aphogee 2 min Recon. to give my hair a bit of a protein boost. I did not do an all out protein treatment because the last time I used Aphogee was Jan. 28, and since then I had been alternating between protein and moisturizing DCs..as well as using a protein moisturizer once a week. So I did not want to go into protein overload. After rinsing the Aphogee out, I cowashed one more time, using Mizani Moisturefuse. I blow dried it, and now I am bunning. Tomorrow, I plan to baggy while I am asleep, jus to get some moisture in before the braids are installed.

So if anyof you are inquiring Box Braids, I found this helpful website.

Q&A How To: Tell Hard Proteins From Soft or Medium

I have decided to document my own questions, that I had as a newbie, in hopes to help some others with the same questions.

Some may or may not know but hair is about 70% keratin protein by nature. Protein is what gives the hair its strength and structure.

There are a wide variety of proteins that serve different functions and roles in hair care. Some enhance elasticity, while others reduce it. These proteins bind to the hair cuticle and help temporarily rebuild any weakened areas. Protein-based products reinforce the hair shaft, and help it remain strong enough to fight breakage.

When choosing a protein product these are the ingredients you may be looking for:


Proteins in Hair Products

Cocodimonium hydroxypropyl hydrolyzed casein
Cocodimonium hydroxypropyl hydrolyzed collagen
Cocodimonium hydroxypropyl hydrolyzed hair keratin
Cocodimonium hydroxypropyl hydrolyzed keratin
Cocodimonium hydroxypropyl hydrolyzed rice protein
Cocodimonium hydroxypropyl hydrolyzed silk
Cocodimonium hydroxypropyl hydrolyzed soy protein
Cocodimonium hydroxypropyl hydrolyzed wheat protein
Cocodimonium hydroxypropyl silk amino acids
Cocoyl hydrolyzed collagen
Cocoyl hydrolyzed keratin
Hydrolyzed keratin
Hydrolyzed oat flour
Hydrolyzed silk
Hydrolyzed silk protein
Hydrolyzed soy protein
Hydrolyzed wheat protein
Hydrolyzed wheat protein
Potassium cocoyl hydrolyzed collagen
TEA-cocoyl hydrolyzed collagen
TEA-cocoyl hydrolyzed soy protein

But looking at all of that may be like reading spanish if you don't know what any of it means, so here's a closer look at these proteins and their purpose:

Collagen Proteins – known for increasing elasticity in the hair.

Silk Proteins – known for softening the hair.

Wheat Proteins – a moisturising and strengthening protein. Known for increasing the hair’s ability to maintain and receive moisture.

Vegetable Protein – Vegetable protein absorbs more easily into the hair shaft (than animal protein) and does not create build-up, leaves the hair very shiny, radiant and healthy.

Animal Protein – Animal protein breaks down into fatty acids, which coats the hair and can create residual build-up.

Silk Amino Acids/Protein – Natural silk is the strongest, natural fibre known to mankind. Discovered in Japan, it has been used for centuries in all kinds of products that require durability. Silk has a tiny molecule that can penetrate the entire hair shaft deeper than all other proteins without adding any weight and leaving the hair feeling clean and non-greasy.

Keratin Protein – responsible for keeping the hair strong and pliable. This is the strongest of the proteins found in hair products and is actually the one hair is made from. Keratin Protein re-structures hair that has been damaged or broken down by chemicals. It helps to replace the amino acid cysteine which is the main one lost during chemical processing. This is what is known as a heavy duty protein. You can identify it as the following:

* Keratin Protein – this will re-structure and strengthen the hair cuticle.
* Hydrolyzed Keratin Protein or Keratin Amino Acids – this means that the Keratin molecules have been broken down and are small enough to go beyond the cuticle and penetrate the hair shaft. It will strengthen all 3 layers of the hair.
* Hydrolyzed Human Hair Keratin – This is an exact match for the keratin your hair has (or has lost due to chemical processing). This is the highest quality and most potent keratin that can be used in hair products.

Hope you all enjoyed this post and perhaps even found what you've been looking for! Take care and HHJ!!!

Feburary Goals

1.Maintain regimen
2.No direct heat
3.Minimal manipulation
4.Protective style 95%
5.Finally reach 150 pounds.....I gotta get my sexy back!

Look of the Week 1/29-2/4

All this week, I have rocked a braid out!! Here are the steps.

Parted hair in sections.
Moisturized using Kimmaytubes moisturizer.
Applied Paul Mitchell Supper Skinny.

Parted hair in desired style that I would want the braids to fall.
Braided in small braids, about 20 braids, using ecostyler gel with each braid.

Slept in braids overnight, and unraveled in the AM.

I re-braid them every night before going to bed...reapplying the product every other night. So far so good!

I'm Baaaaaack!!!!

Ok so I could totally use YT as an excuse to the neglect of my blog....but the truth is, I have also laxed on my regimen. If I write down everything that I actually do it would look like this :

Sunday CoWash, DC, apply Leave in, Air Dry, & Bun
Moisturize as needed
Oil Scalp 3x a week (randomly no set days).......

and that's it.

No M&S'ing
No rinses
.........

Some would say enjoy the simplicity of it, but I feel like I am being lazy. Granted I am wigging, and my hair pretty much stays moisturized bc it's always pulled back and under my satin cap, unless I am oiling my scalp. I am currently in school & work both full time...my plate is pretty full, but I need to re-evaluate some things and get back to my hair.

Also on the weightloss side of things.... TOTAL FAIL!!!!!!I went out and bought alllll this diet food/healthy crap...and ate out ALL WEEK!!! UGHHHH! SOME BODY SAVE ME!!!! & I have noticed when I eat all heavy and crappy I feel weighed down and sluggish, so I didn't even work out. It was so bad, I didn't even drink any green tea...smh I'm jumping back on board bc boy did I lose myself!!!

The Valentine's Day Challenge!!

Hey love bugs!! Nothing much has been new with my hair or regimen. I hve been sticking to wigging and bunning. Tho I have been trying to wig more for a low manipulation style. Is it just me or do any of you have to re-comb/brush your bun daily. I just want to leave my hair alone!!!

Ok regarding the title...This Valentine's Day Challenge is actually not hair related...It's goal oriented!! I have been struggling with this weight since 2010...it's now 2012 #ComeOnSon I'm #Losing...lol...anyway I am calling it the V-Day Challenge bc so far NOTHING has motivated me...but when I think of my baby boo (husband) I get the urge to fight...like my love for him is stronger than Wendy's chicken nuggets....maybe if every time I get the urge to eat out of order, I remind myself who it is for...I can check myself!! We will see how this goes. My plan...

Jump rope -7 days a week...to build stamina
Zumba 2x a week
Walk 3x a week
Circuit Training 2x a week!!
Water only!! 5x a week!!!

From now until V-day, I hope to lose 10 lbs. Right now my dieting focus will be porportion size bc eating healthy can get a bit costly!!
Will keep u guys updated!! I just need to focus, and be disciplined!!! Pray for me!!

Look Who's YT'ing Now =-)

GUESS WHO'S JOINED YOUTUBE!!!!!

Yes yours truly =-)
I'm super excited and now I just have video ideas out of this world!!! I hope I do well on it. Any of you guys on YT, shoot me your link so I can subscribe to you!!