In today’s video I’m sharing step by step how I achieve this super easy, sleek long braided ponytail using braiding hair on my relaxed hair. This has been my go-to style lately. I love the chic look it gives. This is a no-feed in method, no got2b freeze spray either! I think I may rock this style all spring and summer :)
Oh, and don't forget to LIKE & SUBSCRIBE:)
PRODUCTS/ITEMS MENTIONED OR SHOWN:
360 Mist Spray Bottle - https://amzn.to/3e5WyBp
As I Am So Much Moisture - https://amzn.to/3xx3YFv
Jojoba Oil - https://amzn.to/3vxwOU6
Ebin 24 Hour Edge Tamer - https://amzn.to/3gSi3aj
Xpressions Sensational Kanekalon Braiding Hair - 96” Long 1B Colour
Magic Star Wide Tooth Comb - https://amzn.to/3aA1Hzj
Scarf for Edges - https://amzn.to/3xlBxKj
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Hey luvs! New video here.
Today I'm sharing with you my updated moisturize and seal routine for my relaxed hair. I've received several requests to do an updated video. I share specific details on how I moisturize and seal effectively and efficiently for maximum moisture and length retention. I show you my products that have helped to lock in moisturize, soften and prevent breakage in relaxed hair.
Since my last moisturize and seal video, I’ve changed a couple things i.e. the way I section my hair and my moisturizer! I’m using As I Am So Much Moisture Hair Lotion to moisturize and Jojoba oil to seal. These two together are excellent for dry relaxed hair. It’s been in my hair regimen for over a year and it’s quickly become a staple moisturizer. My relaxed hair loves it and I hope this video is useful to anyone who is looking to increase hydration in their relaxed hair.
Thanks for watching!
Xoxo
First, let's back track a bit.
I started my journey with damaged shoulder length hair. It was over processed, thin and damaged. Then, I knew nothing about healthy hair practices and my hair was a display of that.
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| My damaged relaxed hair |
Within 7 months I nursed my relaxed hair from SL (shoulder length) to APL (arm pit length). It was great - but short lived. Overtime, my ends began to thin out. I experienced a lot of breakage and as a result I did a big chop back to SL.
At the time, I thought my regimen was solid but to my surprise, there were things I need to improve i.e. methods/techniques and overall just getting a better understanding of my hair. This back and forth phase in my journey, taught me a few things that I'm thankful for 'till this day!
Below are a few lessons I've learned to correct my damaged hair, including the setback that took me from APL to SL. The re-evaluation my routine, research and patience allowed me to grasp a better understanding of my relaxed hair while helping me achieve healthier hair overtime.
Here are the 5 Lessons I've Learned To Achieve Healthy Relaxed Hair.
PROTECT YOUR PREVIOUSLY RELAXED ENDS
Not doing this is what caused my dry, damaged, overly thin relaxed hair in the first place! I had a stylist who would run the relaxer from my roots to ends, with no care in the world. This was my 'norm'. I was totally unaware that this method of processing a relaxer touch up was incorrect and damaging even though my hair was screaming for help.
It was only once I started my hair journey, I began to understand proper relaxing methods. No questioned asked, I switched stylists. Though my stylist relaxed the new growth only, he overlapped like crazy! Trying to change this habits just wasn't working.vHe was set in his ways, as most stylists tend to be. I had to come up with a method that would preserve my previously relaxed ends from being re-relaxed without having to fuss and fight with my stylist. This is what sparked my process of using Coconut oil down the length of my hair (now I use Porosity control w/ DAX). OMG, problem solved! With time, I noticed that my hair was no longer over processed but filled with more texture and strength. It was healthier and felt 10x better.
My over-processed hair taught me that previously relaxed hair needs protection. In order to prevent overlapping, relaxed ends need to be coated with a thick oil or grease. Failing to do this can lead to thin damaged ends overtime.
ADDING OILS TO DEEP CONDITIONERS
Though my hair is coarse, it was always weak! Early on in my hair journey, I learned the benefits of adding oils to deep conditioners. Not just any oils, but the 3 penetrating oils! That includes Avocado Oil, Coconut oil and Olive Oil. I'm attracted to these specific oils because of the properties and benefits they deliver:
Avocado oil - Humectant/supports moisture. Contains amino acids & vitamins A, B, D, and E.
Coconut oil - Provides strength & fortifies the hair. Reduces protein loss in the hair.
Olive oil - Fatty acids help increase elasticity & strength.
These oils are packed with nutrients that support healthy hair. They provide strength, elasticity, but more importantly they penetrate right into the cortex up to 90%. I add these oils to my deep conditioners - approximately 1tsp per oil. The heat allows my cuticles to raise open to accept all the goodness each oil has to offer! Too, it doubles as a hot oil treatment and deep conditioning session in one, without the extra steps. My weak, overly thin hair transformed! I noticed a change in the health, bounce, shine and fullness of my relaxed hair with each session. These oils changed the game for me!
My weak hair led me to incorporate high quality natural oils in my deep conditioners. This new process taught me that not only can these natural oils lubricate my hair, but they drastically enhanced and fortified my strands for healthier fuller hair.
DO EVERYTHING IN SECTIONS
My big chop from APL to SL was a result of thin ends due to breakage. I was about a year into my hair journey and I thought I was doing everything right. I had a small arsenal of products, I had set wash days, I had a regimen. I was committed and eager to reach my goals. However, my ends were thin, see-through, weak, and breaking off!! I called my sister in a panic and she came to my rescue. She observed the way I applied my products, what I used, and when I used it.
She said "Val, you need to do things in sections!"
I said "What?, I am! Look, I'm splitting my hair down the middle and applying product to both sections." She said "That's the problem! You need smaller sections!"
The light bulb went ON! I had an "Aha" moment.
It was in that instant that I suddenly understood where I went wrong. The trade off to not applying products in sections was my thin damaged ends. Not properly sectioning off my hair was preventing products from penetrating into my strands. Certain areas were neglected. My strands were starving and lacking proper nourishment. My strands weren't getting the full attention they deserved. Once I changed my methods and started applying my deep conditioners and moisturizer in sections (at least 6-7 sections), my hair began to take off! No longer did I experience extreme thinning.
My thin ends taught me to always work in sections when applying products to ensure my strands get the care and attention they deserve.
START WITH THE ENDS FIRST
We all know now that the ends of the hair are the oldest and need the most care and attention - I never knew this until 1 year, or so, into my hair journey and it costed me length! Once I understood that my thin ends were a result of me not sectioning off my hair, I also started pampering my ends by applying product there FIRST!!
Why?
Well, as I mentioned before your ends are the oldest part of your hair and experience the most wear and tear. Excessive manipulation or lack of attention in this fragile area can cause breakage. Since then, I vowed that my ends will be the first to get my moisturizer, deep conditioner, prepoo etc. and then I work my way up to my roots. I carefully finger detangle and gently comb from the ends up, too.
My thin starving ends taught me that applying products to my ends first, while doing everything in sections, is the winning combo for healthier fuller ends. Nothing gets neglected!!
LEAVE SOME TEXTURE BEHIND
My relaxed hair used to be bone straight while wet and dry. To be honest, it was over processed because my ends were relaxed with every touch up and I sat in the relaxer as if it were conditioner. Thinking about this really makes me cringe! Luckily, I’ve discovered that bone straight relaxed hair lacks volume and elasticity, making it easier to snap off and break. No wonder why my SL hair lacked thickness and couldn't retain length.
When I switched stylists in 2009, my relaxer process improved drastically in that he never overlapped or left the relaxer on for too long. Once the relaxer was applied, to the roots only, I didn't have to wait or sit in the relaxer in order for it to "take". It was rinsed out immediately and neutralized. I continued those same steps when I decided to self relax. My relaxed hair would always come out straight but with a slight wave to it.
Leaving the relaxer on for too long rids the hair of that much needed texture. Leaving behind some waves isn't a bad thing. With added texture your hair will feel and look stronger, you will experience less breakage and your hair will be thicker (whether you have fine or coarse/thick strands).
By no means am I saying you should texlax your hair, unless you want to, but I am saying that you shouldn't relax to the point of having bone straight relaxed hair, especially if it isn't benefiting you in health and in length. I noticed a huge increase in the thickness and strength of my hair. Seriously! My breakage decreased and my hair felt resilient to daily manipulation.
My over-processed hair taught me that it's not okay to relax to the point of being bone straight. It's perfectly okay and recommended to leave a small amount of texture behind in the hair for strength, fullness and elasticity. My hair continues to thank me for it, and your relaxed hair will too!
In addition, below are processes I've included in my regimen - over the years. All of these steps, methods and techniques have contributed to me achieving healthy relaxed hair. Of course, being consistent produced the results!
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| Quick visual of my hair regimen now |
I hope my hair lessons have equipped you with a renewed mindset and better understanding when it comes to achieving healthy relaxed hair. Everyone's hair is different and what works for me, may not work for others - vice verse.
I encourage you to pay attention to your hair. Take in how it looks, feels, behaves etc. as these indicators will prompt you to adjust, add or omit certain steps or processes from your routine to become closer to achieving healthier relaxed hair.
Hey luvs!
In this video I share with you how I was able to grow my hair out from my cut in April 2019. I know- its long overdue, but hey, better late than never! My hair went from BSL (Bra Strap Length) to MBL(Mid Back Length) in just 5 months - despite having trims with each relaxer. After I cut my hair, I implemented these healthy hair care tips and they truly worked for me. I swear by them!
So today, I’m sharing with you my relaxed hair regimen, products, a few methods and tips I used during those 5 months to retain as much length as possible. As a result, my relaxed hair was stronger, softer, and longer! I hope this video is useful to anyone who is looking to improve their length retention and grow longer healthier relaxed hair.
As always, thanks for watching! Oh, and don't forget to LIKE & SUBSCRIBE :)
Enjoy!
Video: Retain Length - 7 Best Ways to Retain Length for Healthy Hair Growth!
Breakage Monday, January 28, 2019
Hey Hairlista!
In this video, I share with you my length retention tips that I swear by! I know I should have done this a long time ago, but..better late than never :)
I constantly get asked:
"How can I grow my hair long?"
"What products can I use to grow my hair?"
"How can I grow my hair fast?"
"What can I do to make my hair long?"
Let me just set the record straight...there are NO shortcuts to longer, healthier hair! All of the tips that I mention in this video, I still incorporate into my hair regimen and they WORK. And product usage is just a portion of the equation when it comes to retaining length!
Achieving longer healthier hair is all about having healthy hair care habits and being consistent with those habits everyday, every week, every month. To retain your hair growth, you have to keep in mind that the longer your hair gets, the older your ends become which means you will need to give more attention and care to your ends! Simple.
Retaining length is a combination of healthy techniques and methods, products that agree with your hair along with consistency! So again...
Healthy techniques + Great products + Consistency = Length Retention!
Be sure to check out my 7 Best Tips to Retain Length for Hair Growth PLUS additional healthy hair care habits that you should include in your regimen that will maximize your length retention so you can get to your healthy hair goals quicker and effectively!
Enjoy!
Retaining Length | The Ultimate Guide To Retain Length For Relaxed Hair
Hair Health Monday, March 26, 2018
"What are your top tips for retaining length on relaxed hair?" See below.
Great question!
[Please note there are no miracle products that will make you retain length. It's all about the methods and techniques you incorporate daily, weekly and monthly into your regimen.]
First things first, length retention starts with the care and protection of your ends and strands overall. The condition of your ends will determine the amount of length you retain. Here are my 7 Steps For Retaining Length On Relaxed Hair:
Step #1 - Moisturize and Seal!
One of the most important things you can incorporate into your hair journey is moisturizing and sealing your ends - Period! The ends of your hair are the oldest part of your hair, and not to mention, easily prone to dryness. Hair that is dry and brittle will snap and break off, thus leading to shorter hair. Using a water based moisturizer and sealing with an oil will lock the moisture into the hair increasing elasticity; therefore, preventing dryness and breakage. Breakage is the #1 cause for not retaining length; therefore, it's best to prevent it from happening in the first place. My advice is to moisturize your hair anytime it feels dry, rough, brittle etc. Remember, Dryness = breakage = shorter hair.
Step #2 - Hide Your Hair!
By keeping your ends protected and away from the elements i.e. weather, harsh fabrics etc. your ends can remain healthy and strong. Look to incorporate buns, braids, updo's, weaves, wigs etc. into your regimen, if possible, as a way to preserve your ends. Protecting your ends will not only prevent moisture from escaping the hair but also keep the ends reinforced and preserved by not exposing it to the elements. My advice is to protective style 99% of the time, if you are just starting out your hair journey or have a specific goal that you are trying to attain, in order to retain length. Oh don't forget, always tie your hair at night with a silk or satin scarf and/or bonnet to prevent your hair from drying out!
Step #3 - Deep Condition!
Deep conditioning with heat is the foundation to any healthy hair journey. Deep conditioning for at least 25-30 minutes with heat (steamer, hooded dryer, heat cap etc.) restores strength and increases elasticity making the hair manageable and fortified to resist damage i.e. breakage. The hair is nourished from the inside out. Strong hair = less breakage = increased length retention. Maintaining a proper moisture/protein balance is crucial to achieve strong yet moisturized hair aiding in better length retention. My advice for those looking to increase their length retention quickly, incorporate deep conditioning into your regimen 2x/week with heat for 30 minutes mixed with Avocado oil, Coconut oil and Olive oil (3 Penetrating Oils that fortify the hair preventing damage). You will see a big difference!
Step #4 Leave Your Hair Alone!
Low manipulation is key in successfully retaining length. Put down the comb, hot comb, flat iron, blow dryer and just let your hair be. No, seriously! The less you do to it, the better. Opt for finger combing, that way you don't loose hair unnecessarily. Incorporate no heat/protective styles into your regimen i.e. buns, braid outs, twist outs, perm rods, weaves, braids etc. to give your hair a b r e a k. If you need to comb your hair, use a wide tooth comb to do so, but finger detangle first! I finger comb my hair daily and detangle on wash days - which is twice a week. Less manipulation i.e combing, styling etc. prevents the loss of protein in the hair and reinforces the integrity of the strands over time resulting in better length retention. Trust me LESS is MORE!
Step #5 Listen To Your Hair!
I hate to break it to you, but if this skill isn't developed, the success of your hair journey is at risk. Why? Because if you fail to listen to your hair when it reacts to certain products, the health of your hair could suffer causing a setback. My advice to you is if you notice your hair is dry - moisturize it! If you notice your hair is extremely limp - do a protein treatment! If you notice that your hair breaks easily to the touch - do a moisture treatment! Sit back and listen to your hair, it will speak to YOU and guide YOU to longer tresses, just trust the process.
Step #6 Don't Overlap!
Overlapping is a term used to describe when you apply fresh relaxer on top of previously relaxed hair. This is OVERKILL on your relaxed strands – don’t do it! Why? Because your creating a weak point in your strands which will become dull and excessively brittle leading to breakage = shorter hair! It's important to let the new growth grow out to at least 1" before you do a touch up. Relaxing your hair every 4-6 weeks is simply too short of a time frame for enough new growth to appear. My advice is to stretch your relaxers to at least 10-12 weeks (or more) giving you more than enough new growth to work with for a touch up. By doing this, you can clearly see where the line of demarcation is to apply your relaxer. For extra measures, I like to protect my previously relaxed hair with conditioner or a thick oil to prevent possible overlapping. Applying the conditioner to the length of my hair also prevents "relaxer-run-off" (the length of your hair being processed by the relaxer during rinse out) which can lead to thinning and breakage.
Step #7 Don't Overprocess!
Leaving relaxer on way too long, longer than the recommended time on your relaxer jars, is considered over-processing. Going past the suggested time frame can make your hair overly straight, harm your scalp and make you prone to breakage i.e. shorter hair. Sitting with relaxer on your hair like its conditioner is not the way to go! Over-processed hair tends to be thin and extremely weak (remember your new growth eventually becomes your ends as your hair grows so treat it with care). I apply and smooth my relaxers in 20-25 minutes. I don't sit with it in my hair. As soon as I'm done, I immediately hop in the shower, rinse thoroughly, and proceed to neutralize for 20 minutes. I can always expect straight hair with texture left over. Because there's texture is left over in my hair, my strands are stronger and thicker resulting in better length retention.
That's it! I incorporated all steps into my regimen early in my hair journey and they never failed me. I swear by each and every one of the steps listed above as without them my hair wouldn't thrive, be healthy and retain length. I hope this was helpful!
Since I began my hair care journey back in 2007, I've literally received thousands of questions on how I grew my hair to the length that it is now. I know many hope to believe that there's a "magical" product that will keep your hair healthy and grow it all the way to mid-back length overnight - but there isn't! Growing long healthy hair takes commitment, of course, and a combination of doing several hair care practices - consistently!
Let me be the first to let you know that products alone will not help you retain length. There are five "necessary" things you need to be doing in your regimen in order to increase your length retention and enjoy healthier longer hair.
Honestly Hairlistas, products are important to help you manage your hair, whether you are relaxed or natural; however, it doesn't end there. I would say 90% of a successful hair routine (i.e. retaining length) is comprised of healthy practices and consistency throughout the process - no s e c r e t s!
Here are the things that you're not doing when it comes to retaining length and growing your hair longer than ever before.
MOISTURIZING & SEALING YOUR ENDS
This is huge! Probably one of the most important things you can incorporate into your hair journey is moisturizing and sealing your ends. How often? Well that all depends on your hair i.e. porosity level, density etc. Your ends are the oldest part of your hair. Since my hair is mid-back length, my ends are approximately 3-4 years old and they are the most fragile area of my hair. I've learned that the health of your ends determine whether or not you will retain length or not (trim, breakage, split ends). Oh don't forget, dry hair breaks! Failing to moisturize your ends on a consistent basis can lead to dryness which can result in split ends and breakage. Breakage is the #1 cause for not retaining length; therefore, you need to prevent it from happening in the first place. Moisture, moisture, moisture!
LEAVING YOUR HAIR ALONE
A big mistake I made when I first began my hair journey was the constant amount of manipulation in my fragile over-processed relaxed hair! Back then, I felt as though "the more I do to my hair, the more my hair would grow", for example, frequent detangling/brushing/combing, constantly changing hairstyles, trying tons of products at once etc. I thought the more attention I showed my hair i.e. manipulating it, the more it would grow. That was quite the opposite :( Keep things simple and leave your hair alone! Stick to your usual wash day routine and try to leave your hair alone until next washday. Try detangling once a week, instead of styling your hair daily. Throw it up in a bun, rock a wig, or opt to keep it in braids or weave for a couple months. Most importantly, use less direct heat i.e. flat ironing, blow drying, curling etc. Less manipulation i.e combing, styling etc. prevents the loss of protein in the hair, hold ups the integrity of the strands and decreases breakage = healthier ends = more length! LESS is MORE!
WASHING FREQUENTLY
Contrary to popular belief, washing your hair often is a good thing. By often I mean every 3-4 days or once a week. The reason I say this because water is the ultimate moisturizer and the more your hair touches water, the more moist it will be, helping to preventing breakage. Frequent washing not only cleanses the scalp but it stimulates blood flow which then helps to increase growth to longer hair = length retention!
DEEP CONDITIONING WITH HEAT
When your hair is healthy, length will come! Deep conditioning is imperative to achieving and maintaining overall healthier hair. All of my hair idols deep conditioned at least once a week for 20-30mins, more importantly, using a heat source i.e. heat cap, hooded dryer, steamer. Deep conditioning treatments assist in making the hair manageable and fortified to resist damage i.e. breakage. Using a heat source helps to open the cuticles along the hair shaft so that the nutrients from the treatment can penetrate to the cortex of the hair shaft. Deep conditioning helps to heal damage from the inside outward for longer stronger hair.
LISTENING TO YOUR HAIR
This is such an under developed skill in the healthy hair care community! Many tend to silence what their hair is truly telling them, instead they are listening to others and tuning themselves out. I hate to break it to you, but if this skill isn't developed, the success of your hair journey is at risk. Just because a hair friend endorses a product but your hair is screaming for you to stop using "said product", that doesn't mean you continue. If your hair begins to excessively break, shed, become rough or dry to the touch, after repeated use...STOP and listen to your hair. If you notice your hair is dry - moisturize it. If you notice your hair is extremely limp - do a protein treatment. If you notice that your hair breaks horribly every time you blow dry and flat iron - stop using direct heat! Your hair will speak to YOU and guide YOU, you just have to sit back and listen.
I hope you enjoyed these tips. They are the real deal and I've sworn by them as they've helped me retain and maintain my length over the years.
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