New growth after 4 weeks |
{1} After removing all of the twists, I coated my braids with PM Tea Tree Moisturizing conditioner and my garlic oil mix. I put on a plastic cap, scarf and left it on overnight.
{2} When I took the braids out my hair felt great. I finger detangled, but some how forgot to fully detangle before shampooing. Always a mistake after protective styling!
{3} Sectioned my hair into 4 and shampooed with ORS Creamy Aloe three times. My hair wasn't feeling the best at this point. I could tell detangling was not going to be good.
{4} Towel wrapped my hair to soak up excess water.
{5} Applied L'oreal Damage Erasing Balm and Aubrey Organics Replenishing conditioner for several hours under a plastic cap.
{6}Rinsed with cool water followed by an ACV rinse. I did not rinse this out of my hair. I let it sit for a few minutes before squeezing out the excess. My hair was back to feeling pretty good, but still tangled.
{7}Towel wrapped my hair to soak up the excess liquid.
{8} Section by section, I detangled and applied my leave-ins (Elasta QP H2, Shea Moisture Reconstructing conditioner and safflower oil). Detangling took about 45 minutes. It was definitely due to not thoroughly removing my shed hair in the beginning. A lesson I shouldn't have had to repeat. It could have been a lot worse though.
{9}Put some Eco-styler gel on my edges, brushed them smooth and put on a scarf. Let my hair continue to air dry.
So, initially my hair felt great. But the more my hair dried, the more the moisturized feeling disappeared, which left my hair feeling so dry and crunchy. Ugh. I knew I was going to be co-washing pretty quickly. I moisturized it again to give myself a day before I had to wash it. I think protective styling spoiled me because I really was not thinking this wash day. I didn't detangle properly. I didn't think about how far into my stretch I was and how that changes things, i.e. I should've washed in braids and used more moisturizing products. Thankfully, my mistakes didn't leave me with any damage and I already know how to fix my dry hair issue.
Your hair might feel dry but it definitely looks soft and fluffy! Congrats on making it to 12 weeks post. What's the longest that you've ever stretched?
ReplyDeleteKLP | SavingOurStrands
Thank you, KLP!! The longest I've ever stretched is 6 months, 25 weeks to be exact. It wasn't intentional and I don't know if I'll ever do it again before I'm ready to transition!
DeleteThat last pic is so cute! Your hair looks soft and fluffy.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tomes! It was soft and fluffy while it was still drying smh I wish it stayed that way!
DeleteAwww! You look so cute with your hair like that.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nerline!
DeleteI agree with KLP, you would not know u are having dry hair issues. Protective styling does spoil us!! I am craving some low maintenance PS! Your hair though....it gives me life!
ReplyDeleteAww thanks, Yvonne!! I am loving protective styling right now. It's just so easy!
DeleteYour hair doesn't appear dry whatsoever. I'm glad you didn't get crazy breakage. Looking good! Hope your next wash day is a total hit.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Diva!! I am glad my hair didn't look the way it ended up feeling.
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