I couldn't stand the feel and texture of my ends since my last relaxer in July 2012... so I decided to get a trim. I still have length, which I'm happy about, and my ends look much healthier. In this photo, my hair was flat ironed with my "1 Hana Flat Iron. My hair feels much better overall.

Health first, always!

So it's been about 1 month since I've joined the Castor Oil Challenge Pt. 7 at the Advance level (applying Castor oil every other day). In the beginning it was a struggle to get used to applying my JBCO (Jamaican Black Castor Oil) frequently.

No blog posts means ..... Sunshyne is away! LOL

This video is about my absence from YouTube & making videos. I had MANY requests to do a new video/update video so here it is. You will hear about my current hair length, regimen changes, new goals and much more :)



♥ Sunshyne

I relaxed May 18th with Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Normal Strength for 20 mins. Here are the results.

Wet Hair:


Air Dried Hair with Scurl No Drip Activator as Leave-in Conditioner:


I'm really pleased with how well this relaxer took. I was 3 months post and it was a task getting through all of my new growth. My hair is pretty straight this time but has some texture. I decided not to put heat in my hair as yet. Maybe in a couple weeks or so. I'm trying to maintain my goal length of MBL (Mid Back Length)...so far so good even though I got a trim back in March! My next trim will be in August 2011.

♥ Sunshyne

It's been a longggg time since I purchased products for my hair. For the past few months I was just living off of the surplus of products I had. I didn't see the need to purchase anything new until my staples ran out i.e. S-curl No Drip Activator. Everything else you see in the photo is new to me (except for Aphogee). I'm just curious to see how my hair reacts to them :)

I've used the Aphogee 2 min reconstructor in the past and I remember it being so-so on my hair. I never wrote a review neither did I write about it in my hair journal so I'm going to try it out again (just for my records). Lately I've been learning about ceramides and how they are good for the hair, lo and behold, they are in the Aphogee 2 min reconstructor ingredients - Nice! Most importantly, I would also like to compare it to Joico K-PAK Deep Penetrating Reconstructor and observe the differences as I mentioned I would here.

This Elasta QP Soy Oyl Ultra Hydration deep conditioner caught my eye. I've NEVER seen this product before so I immediately I picked it up. I'm anxious to try it out. Based on the ingredients it looks like a moisture/ultra light protein conditioner...I guess we'll see.

I recently tried out the Mane n Tail Detangler so expect a review on that shortly and last but not least, Wild Growth Oil. I'm excited to try this oil. I hear nothing but good stuff about it from my Hairlista ladies. Although I've found my staple oils, I'm willing to try this one out for recommendation purposes.

On to the depressing News...

I've become a victim of excessive split ends due to dull hair scissors. It's sad but true. I've had these Eclipse Hair Sheers from Sally Beauty Supply since fall 2008. I've only used them for dusting my ends, nothing else! However, I consistently noticed the re-occurrence of split ends. I'm there thinking to myself "I'm doing everything right so why on earth am I repeatedly seeing split ends? This makes NO sense!"

So I started doing research and I came across several articles stating that dull scissors will only encourage the hair to split further since the dull blades leave the ends open effectively creating a new split where it just removed one. Horrible cycle huh? There I am dusting my ends only to realize that I'm making the problem worse! SMH. I even explained my situation to the people over at Sally Beauty Supply and they mentioned that my particular scissors do not stay sharp for long and should be sharpened at least once a year, if not more, depending on how often you use them.

Now my main mission is to invest in high quality scissors (if you own a pair fill me in on where you got them from and how well they've work for you) or get mine sharpened every 3-6 months. I'll figure something out *sigh*. Learn from this experience folks, assess & evaluate the scissors you are using. I wouldn't want you to become a victim either :(

With that being said, I had my stylist trim the split ends off. I'm starting fresh - again. I believe I'm hovering around Bra Strap Length. It's all good. With the Castor Oil Challenge taking right now until summer, I should bounce back.

Man, when stuff like this happens I quickly remember that this Hair Journey is definitely a marathon not a sprint *wink*.

Happy Hair Growing☺

♥ Sunshyne

I relaxed today(6.18.09). Everything went well. Applied coconut oil the day before and the day of my relaxer. I used ORS Olive Oil Lye Normal Strength (as you all know), did a mid step protein treatment with Hollywood Beauty Carrot Oil Cholesterol (stylist's choice), Neutralized (3x's), trimmed, roller set, blow dried a bit and that's it!

I got a little trim since I haven't had one since November 2008. I don't notice a huge difference in growth this time around. I SLACKED OFF big time applying the Castor oil to my scalp. I'm kicking myself right now. In total, I missed about 2-3 wks of the challenge i.e. vacation, busy with business and just straight up forgetting :(

However, I do see and feel a difference where thickness is concerned. My hair feels like it has more weight (stronger & heavier - Thanks to the Protein Is My BFF) and the health has improved tremendously. I'm happy with my hair right now :)

I barely have photo's of this relaxer b/c I have NO CAMERA. I'm deeply saddened by this. I was lucky to take photo's of my braid out since I was at my girls house. I have more photo's on Hairlista. You can also check out the Right hand column "Recent Hair Photos" for more pics.

Oh - I picked up a bottle of my beloved Jamaican Black Castor Oil so I'm back in businesssss.



♥ Sunshyne

I relaxed my hair with Mizani Butter Blends system at the salon and it went well, I don't have much to say about the relaxer to be honest. I just don't see the hype. It relaxed my hair just like any other relaxer I've tried. I didn't notice a difference. I also got a BIG CHOP on my ends. I disliked them for a long time (since August 2008) but I was so scared to get them trimmed (from my previous hair updates). I haven't trimmed my hair since May 1st, 2008. I just thought "babying" them would do the trick...it didn't... oh well.

I wanted it done because they just didn't feel healthy, and healthy hair is NUMBER 1 on my list...not raggedy ends. I decided to cut it this length and straight across. I feel like my hair will grow better and not in a "V" shape (I personally don't like it). So I'm pretty much at APL. It may be a setback but I don't look at it that way. Right now it's all about maintaining my ends!! I'm happy since it looks much healthier.

I'm in the "Moisturize & Bun for Length Challenge" on HAIRLISTA INC. , come and join me!!

Here is a pic to show you ladies what I'm talking about: