My Prior Preparation For Hair Relaxer Day

Now normally I stretch my relaxer for up to 17 weeks, or until I cannot stretch any more. But because my birthday and new years day are just around the corner, and I do not plan on wearing a full protective style, I will be relaxing my new growth. My last relaxer was in late September. So as of today (12/22) I am 13 weeks post, which is still pretty good in my opinion! In this post, I will be listing what I do to prepare my hair for a relaxer. Please note, the products specified are what works for me from experience!

First before any treatment services are applied to my hair, I shampoo my hair either using the ApHogee Shampoo for Damaged hair or a clarifying shampoo. This particular time I used a clarifying shampoo because I was out of the shampoo for damaged hair. I do 2 washes to assure myself that my hair is completely clean and free of any product buildup.



Then I do a protein treatment on my hair ONCE 7 days before relaxing. I use a mixture of ApHogee's 2 Step Protein Treatment and ApHogee's Treatment for Damaged Hair. Reading the instruction and ingredient content, I believe that these two products are very close in similarities. Both products are magnesium and modified protein infused which activates with heat into the hair follicles, making your hair extremely hard and reduces the possibility for breakage when combed or brushed for up to 6 weeks, even between washes and everyday manipulation. "I" mix the two products together because "I" noticed that I gotten better results other then using 1 or the other alone.


I apply the ApHogee 2 step protein treatment/ApHogee treatment for damaged hair generously to my hair, lightly comb it through for even distribution, then sit under a dryer until my hair is extremely hard. I then let it sit for 30 additional minuets to an hour before I rinse the product out. (NOTE: These products STINK!!)

Once all of the protein treatments are removed from my hair, I then use the ApHogee's Balancing Moisturizer. This product is crucial if you are doing treatment services. It helps correct and restore your hairs pH and moisture balance. High protein treatments can strip your hair of its moisture causing it to become hard and fragile to breakage. Using the balancing moisturizer helps seal in moisture which is essential for the strength and elasticity of healthy hair.



I apply the moisturizer to my hair, put on a plastic shower cap and allow it to penetrate my hair for an hour then thoroughly rinse out.

After that I then apply the Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Deep Conditioning Replenishing Pak to my hair, re apply my plastic shower cap/scarf, and allow that to sit in my hair over night. This process reassures me that I am getting the proper moisture nourishment I need to be confident that I wont be dry or endure any breakage.



Now finally, I rinse the conditioner out, allow my hair to air dry (I usually do this on my off days from work/school) then braid my hair into two sections. My hair will remain in the 2 braids with little to no manipulation, until relaxer day just to avoid any burning to my scalp. In the meanwhile, I wear my hair in protected style (wigs...) until then.

Products I use and will recommend...

Keratin green tea restructionizer
Keratin 2 minuet reconstruction
Shampoo for damaged hair
Moisturizing oil sheen
Pro-Vitamin Leave in conditioner (in spray bottle)
Smooth-n-Shine Silk-n-Sleek strengthener hair polish

**Products listed are what generally works for me from experience.**

It's A Wig Lace Front Bright

I purchased this wig from SamsBeauty.com. I have this wig in the color #2. It is about 16" long, loose curl.
I started wearing this wig in early January. Without continuous wear, this wig lasted about 2-3 weeks with great wig care. If you are someone who wear the same wig continuously, this wig may last about a 1-2 weeks with great wig care.

PROS: Good value, true to color, decent length, snug fit, very soft.

CONS: Very thin, curls very loose, some pieces of the hair didn't have a curl and was straight, 1/2" of parting space, lace was shiny, tracks were detectable, adjustable strap broke, lace very hard, frizzed up within one day of wear, no volume or body, tangled very much at the nape, hair shed.

Rating: 5

Sensationnel HZ-T007 Lace Top Wig

I purchased this wig from samsbeauty.com. I received this wig in a color #2. This wig is about 14-16" of medium sized curls. I began wearing this wig mid December 2010. Since I have only wore this wig twice, it is still in "like new" condition. If you are someone who wears the same wig occasionally, this wig should last you about a month with great wig care.

PROS: Hair is very soft, lace top lays flat for a natural hairline appearance, great wig for the value, very minimal shedding.

CONS: Color runs darker (#2 looked more like a #1b), wig cap is very tight, front comb is too long, you must pull some of your own hair out for a natural appearance, curls easily tangle in back combs, curls are flat toward the top of the wig giving a "helmet" looking affect.

 Rating: 4



Me wearing the wig as a total half wig (more of my hair pulled out.) (Note: It was a bit difficult blending my hair in as I have a lot of new growth.)

Louisiana Crunch Cake With Vanilla Almond Glaze

Cake:
3 c. cake flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
2 c. granulated sugar
1 c. (2 sticks) butter...softened
1/4 c. sour cream
4 large eggs...room temp.
1 c. buttermilk
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 c. white granulated sugar
1/4 c. sweetened coconut flakes

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees...Have a non stick tube cake pan ready.
In a medium bowl sift together cake flour, salt, baking powder and soda...Set aside.
Beat softened butter and sugar together until very fluffy (about 5 minuets). Mix in sour cream. Add eggs one at a time and beat until mixture becomes light and fluffy. Mix in vanilla extract.
Add in buttermilk and the cake flour mixture in alternates and beat until fully combined (see video for example)
PLEASE DO NOT OVER BEAT OTHERWISE CAKE IS GOING TO BECOME ROCK HARD!!!
Thoroughly grease a non stick tube pan! If your pan in not a non stick pan, you will need to grease and flour it.
Add approx 1/4 cup of granulated sugar to the pan, and tap around the sides and bottom until evenly coated. Sprinkle coconut flakes to the bottom of pan...You may add more or less coconut, its totally up to you. Pour in batter. Bake for 50 minuets to an hour, or until a wooden skewer inserted into cake comes out clean. DO NOT OVER BAKE!!!!! Otherwise cake will become dry. Once cake is finished baking, remove from pan and let cool.

Vanilla Almond Glaze:
2 c. powdered sugar
4 tbs. butter...melted
4 tbs. canned evaporated milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. almond extract

Directions:
Whisk together powdered sugar butter and milk. Add vanilla extract and almond extract and mix. Add more milk for a thinner consistency.
Drizzle glaze over cake and let set for 10 minuets.
Serves about 8-10.

Sensationnel Empress Jane Natural Lace Front Wig Futura

I purchased this wig from SamsBeauty.com. I received this wig in color #1b. This wig is about 16" long, straight with layers and bangs. About 1" of parting space. I began wearing this wig early November 2010. With continuous wear and great wig care, this wig is still in ok condition. If you are someone who doesn't wear the same wig often, this wig may last about 1 1/2 months with great wig care. If you are someone who wears the same wig often, this may last you 3-4 weeks with great wig care.

PROS: Futura Fibers, Can be flat ironed up to 400 degrees F, very soft, has nice layers, snug fit, comfortable combs, very versatile, nice length great value.

CONS: Sheds a lot, matting at the nape, tangles at the ends, synthetic shine, hair runs darker, texture very silky, not very much parting space, extremely thin, doesn't curl very well, hairline not very natural.

Rating: 7

Ranch Fried Chicken Wings, Honey Brownsuga BBQ Chicken Wings & Cheesy Bread

Cheesy Bread-
Dough:
2 1/2 c. all purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. sugar
1 tbsp. active dry yeast
1 c. warm water
1 tbsp. olive oil

Topping:
3 spoonfuls Parmesan cheese
salt to taste
garlic powder to taste
Italian seasonings to taste
dash of black pepper
1/3 c. Italian salad dressing or to taste
Cheese to taste or pile it on
**Serve with tomato sauce**

See vid for instructions...

Ranch Fried Chicken Wings-
Enough chicken to feed
1 packet of ranch dry dressing
salt and pepper to taste
1 large egg
approx 1-2 tbsp. buttermilk ranch dressing
seasoning salt
1 c. all purpose flour
oil for frying
**Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing**

see vid for instructions...

Honey Brownsuga BBQ fried Chicken Wings-
Enough chicken to feed
BBQ seasonings
seasoning salt/slap ya mama cajun seasoning
1 large egg
1 c. all purpose flour
1 18oz. bottle honey BBQ sauce
2-3 tbsp. honey
1-2 tbsp. brown sugar
2 tbsp. crushed pineapple (optional) I used it, but didn't document it
Oil for frying
**Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing**

See vid for instructions...

Outre Batik Jerry Curl Weaving Hair

I purchased this hair from samsbeauty.com I received this hair in colors 1b/30 and 2. The hair is 16" of tight jerry curls in which I made a wig with.

**Review Not Yet Available**