Wash Day: Using the Co-Cleansing Method

Hello loves! Looks like it's wash day time around here again. My plans were to co-cleanse yesterday using my Hair One Cleansing Conditioner with Olive Oil. But as I was gathering my items to prepare for wash day, I realized I was totally out of Hair One! Since it's one of my staple co-cleansers, I don't know how I forgot to purchase another bottle. So instead of pouting because the closest Sally's is now many miles away, I decided to give KLP's method of co-cleansing a try. I didn't want to shampoo cleanse, as I didn't want to strip my hair of its moisture. Nor did I want to co-wash with an instant conditioner either, as my hair felt a little heavy from doing scalp massages with Hair Trigger Growth Elixir for the last week. So here's how it went!
relaxed hair journey

The Experience
1.Pre-pooed with coconut oil down the length of my hair.
2.Combined Mill Creek Biotin Shampoo with grapeseed oil and Tresemme Naturals Nourishing Moisture Conditioner (it's inexpensive and it gives GREAT slip) for my co-cleanser mix.
**Making your own co-cleanser calls for 1 part shampoo, 2 parts oil, and 3 parts conditioner.**
3. Deep conditioned with OGX Macadamia Oil Conditioner x Macadamia Natural Oil Healing Oil (won in this giveaway) while in the shower.
4. Rinsed conditioner and removed excess water with a t-shirt..
5. Applied GVP Silk Remedy to my hair then wrapped hair in t-shirt to dry.
Leave Ins- Aloe Vera Juice, Elasta QP Olive Oil & Mango Butter Leave-In Conditioner, and grapeseed oil/JBCO on ends and edges (using the LCO Method)

The Results
For starters, I think my co-cleanser needs a little tweaking. After co-cleansing, my hair felt dry and wiry--like it does when I use the Mill Creek Biotin Shampoo alone. While I didn't use exact measurements, I know I used more conditioner than shampoo. But since my hair felt clean, I didn't take my first time co-cleansing as a complete loss. After conditioning, however, my hair was soft and smelling great! And I love the tingly feeling the Macadamia Natural Oil Healing Oil gave my scalp! I love a little scalp stimulation from time to time (more like all the time).

I did notice that there was more shedding with this wash than I have experienced in the last month. Hopefully spritzing with Aloe Vera Juice this week will help combat this. I'm making a note to make next week's DC a deep protein conditioning also. Just when I thought I had my shedding under control, this happens! Le sigh.

My protective style for the next couple of days will be this quick 5 minute side braid I did with a half-wig, as demonstrated here. I'll actually take the time to do something to it Saturday morning, hopefully!



How was your most recent wash day?
What products did you use?

The Wash Day Experience

Co-Wash Day: Mommy & Me Edition

This week I decided to do a little something different with my wash day post. Since I didn't get around to cleansing my daughter's hair earlier in the week, I combined our wash days. And boy, two-in-one wash days can be a lot to handle at times! But since we were both only due for a light co-wash and conditioning, I made things as simple as possible. We even use a couple of the same products so I planned for an easy, breezy wash session yesterday afternoon.

wash day relaxed hair

My Experience
1. Pre-pooed with extra virgin coconut oil down the length of my hair and applied Hair Trigger to my scalp.
2. Co-washed with Aussie Moist 3 Minute Miracle. I usually use this as a deep conditioner mixed with other products, but decided to go against the grain with this co-wash.
3. Deep conditioned with Aphogee 2 Minute Reconstructurizer with no heat for about an hour while I cleaned house. I needed a little protein in my life, so I decided to use up the last of this baby so I can add it to my shopping list for Friday. You guys know I'm on a strict no-buy and am only repurchasing staple products when I collect two empties.
4. Rinsed the Aphogee thoroughly and did a quick moisturizing condition with OGX (formally Organix) Macadamia Oil Conditioner
5. I completely rinsed the conditioner and removed as much excess water as I could. I then applied Elasta QP Leave in Conditioner to the length of my hair and sealed with grapeseed oil
6. Air-dried with my hair wrapped in a grey a-shirt for the rest of the day.

Gab's Experience
1. Pre-pooed with extra virgin coconut oil.
2. Rinsed hair and detangled with fingers.
3. Applied As I Am Coconut Cowash generously throughout her hair and let it sit for a few minutes. Then worked my fingers through her scalp and hair to clean.
4. After rinsing the cowash, I applied the rest of the Aussie Moist 2 Minute Reconstructurizer to her hair for a moisturizing deep conditioner. Now I have two empties!!! I put her under the dryer with a plastic cap for about 30 minutes (or until she started complaining).
5. I rinsed out the conditioner  and removed as much excess water as I could with a tee-shirt.
6. Applied a light mist of aloe vera juice to her hair and detangled with my fingers. 
7. Separated her hair into sections, applied Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Leave In Conditioning Cream throughout her hair, and sealed with extra virgin coconut oil
8. Twisted the sections of her hair and put her hair in a scarf + bonnet to dry overnight.

Our Results
My hair felt very soft and moisturized. I love how soft the Aussie Moist left my hair after co-washing with it! I had such great slip for 5 weeks post! I may start using this product exclusively for my co-washes, alternating with my Herbal Essences conditioners from now on. I'll still continue to deep condition Gab's hair with it though, as her hair seems to love it as well. And thanks to the OGX Macadamia Oil conditioner, I love how great my hair still smells today. That stuff made my hair feel like butter after my final rinse! I hope Walgreens still has the OGX products on sale for BOGO this week, as I may get a couple more tomorrow.

Gab's hair loves the As I Am Coconut Cowash. I've been using it since hearing MahoganyCurls rave about it on YouTube and have not been disappointed! It's very cleansing, yet moisturizing to her hair and really helps define her curls. It also smells like a dream! I thought the Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Leave in Conditioning Cream would beat the frizzies and define Gab's curls more so than the Shea Moisture Curl Defining Pudding that I normally use, but it did not. It's another product that I was trying to finish up, but I don't think I'll be repurchasing so soon. Since I have no plans of going far until the weekend, I'm done up with a rolled bang and messy bun inspired by Keyda and Gabs is rocking a bun. Next time, I promise to take better pictures!

 


 How was your most recent wash day?

The Wash Day Experience

Married & Dating: The Initial Conversation


When you saw the phrase "Married & Dating," what things initially came to mind? When Teems, Carissa, Tia and I began discussing a collaboration about married couples and their experiences with dating, I had no idea what we would call this series. And when the phrase "married and dating" came up, I thought it was perfect. That is, in fact, what we were and what we would be doing, right? We were collectively four married women who wanted to share how dating fosters healthy relationships with our spouses. But when I began to discuss this link-up series with my hubby, he seemed to be a bit put off by the title. 

Why is it called " married and dating?" he asked. "Who are you dating, anyways?" Of course, I assured him that in participating and co-hosting this series, I would blog about things we do together to keep our marriage fresh. I assumed he would know what I meant by married and dating, just as I assumed all of you out there would know exactly what we were talking about. But boy, was I wrong! 
Somehow my husband's idea ran along the lines of escapades similar to those of women involved in reality tv shows like "pregnant and dating." Why would he think we were talking about dating other people outside of our marriages is beyond me, but ladies and gentlemen please don't get it twisted. We're talking about healthy relations between married couples around here, not extramarital relations. I'm sorry if this may have confused anyone, including my babe!

What began as a simple question about being married and dating slowly evolved into a discussion on dating in general. As a man who admitted he was never "big" on dating overall, he asked me what it meant to be dating. I mean, this guy actually asked me the definition of dating. I questioned if he recalled all the things we've done together romantically together for the last 11 years but he didn't think that was considered dating lol. So I consulted ever-so-trusty GOOGLE via phone amid our conversation and gave him a simple definition of dating.

Dating means spending time with someone in which one shares a romantic interest.

Well, what do you know. He said we do that all the time! But he had no clue "people" called that dating. He thought we were just hanging out :)

Unfortunately, hubby and I haven't had the chance to spend time together doing anything we would consider a date lately. We have an anniversary coming up in a couple of days, so we've been saving all of our energies for that (don't worry, I'll share a post + pics too). However, he reminded me that if my definition of dating was just that, we definitely were sharing time (in the absence of our children) watching the Duke and UVA game yesterday. Lol. Mind you, this was my view. Right from our living room, completely uninterrupted by the little ones. 


And while this wasn't a typical date, there was nothing sweeter than sitting up under him watching the game during those moments. My husband is a die-hard Duke fan and it really meant a lot to him for me to take part in something he was interested in--even if it wasn't at the bar or sports lounge. And though his team lost, it was cool to watch. It was somehow refreshing to kick back and relax on the couch in sweats, cuddled up under J, in peace. That is, until he begins to scream and yell at the TV with his brows furrowed and fists clenched! Oh how I wish Duke would have caught that win yesterday!

Have you had a recent date night with  your spouse? I would love for you to tell me about it! Please grab the button below and link-up!


So She Writes by Miss Dre

Married & Dating: WE WANT YOU!


Calling all married couples!  Baby Teems, Green-Eyed Carissa, the Chic SAHM, and myself have teamed up again to spread the love all over social media once more. This time are collaborating on a link-up series called "Married & Dating." We all agree that keeping the fire going in our marriages means spending quality time with our spouses. And each of us thought it would be awesome to see more stories from other married folks about their experiences with dating.  So in an effort to support and highlight these precious moments, we're doing a link-up every third Monday of the month on our blogs. And we want you to participate! 

All you have to do is share a post on your blog about your date night (or date in general). It doesn't have to be a lengthy post, either. Just share a few pics and notes on what you guys did, where you went, what you wore, or whatever you feel comfortable sharing. Our first link-up kicks off next Monday and we would love it if each of you that can will take part.  I know many of you have a few pics stored in your phone from your last date night that you'd love to share with us!

And if you're reading this and don't have a blog, you can still share! Feel free to upload your pics to Instagram, Twitter, and or Pinterest using the hashtag #MarriedMondays. We love seeing happily married couples on the Interwebs and we know you do, too! 

So remember, all you have to do is go on a date (or have gone on a date) and share your experience. The first link-up will be available Monday, March 17, so be on the lookout. I can't wait to see your posts and read all about your experiences with being married and dating!

If you would like additional information about this link-up or have questions, feel free to comment below or email me at missdre910(at)gmail(dot)com. 

Be sure to grab the button below to participate:

So She Writes by Miss Dre

Wash Day: 4 Weeks Post Relaxer

Since my last wash day, maintaining my hair has been pretty easy. I've been keeping things simple. My hair has either been pinned up in a loose bun or pinned down and to the side in a loose bun. So much for avoiding buns, right? I did, however, discover my shedding and thinning edges were both due to post-partum changes. Now that I know that, all I can do is continue to nurture my hair and hope a turnaround happens soon.

wash day experience

My wash day came around last night. And for once, I was actually excited about washing my hair. Here's how it went:

1. I co-washed my hair with Herbal Essences Honey I'm Strong Strengthening Conditioner. I love using this as a co-wash because it smells great and gives great slip. I cleansed and rinsed my hair twice with it and warm water.

2. After rinsing the Herbal Essences Honey I'm Strong Strengthening Conditioner, I applied my Nexxus Humectress Moisturizing Conditioner Mix generously to my hair. For this mix, I simply added a few drops of peppermint oil and Jamaican Black Castor Oil to the conditioner. I then put on my plastic cap and let the conditioner steam while I was in the shower.

3. I completely rinsed the conditioner and removed as much excess water as I could with a tee-shirt. Then I sprayed Aphogee Keratin and Green Tea Reconstructurizer all over my hair.

4. I saturated my slightly damp hair with Elasta QP Olive Oil and Mango Butter Leave In Conditioner and sealed with grapeseed oil. I finished by gathering my hair into a loose bun and tying it up with my silk scarf to air-dry overnight.

I had a pretty simple wash night, didn't I? This mama was sleepy and tired so the less fuss with the hair, the better!

RESULTS: I'm happy to report that I've seen very little shedding after this "wash." There was none during the entire process, but I saw some shed hair as I created my bun this morning. My hair felt soft, thick, and full of moisture. I truly believe the Nexxus Humectress and the Elasta QP Olive Oil and Mango Butter Leave In have contributed the most to my soft, moisturized hair. I guess I will put them both back into heavy rotation, especially with this on and off cool weather. Overall, I was pleased with my results this week!

How was your last wash day?
What products are you using?

The Wash Day Experience

Ask Away Friday with Sonya K

Happy Friday, loves! I'm excited to be participating in another round of Ask Away Friday, as it has been a while since I've done so. Today, I'm tag-teaming the link-up with the lovely Sonya K. of Saving Everyday with Sonya K. I get hyped every time I get an update from Sonya's blog, as I know she has some good sale alerts coming in! And we know I love a good deal, right? This exchange has been a great way of getting to know the woman behind the blog.

Now if you aren't familiar with #AskAwayFriday, it's a weekly link-up hosted by The Real Housewife of Caroline CountyMrs.Tee Love Life and Laughter, Bold Fab Mom, and This Momma's Ramblings. It's a great way for bloggers to meet and get to know each other better. Partners exchange ten questions and answer them on their respective blogs. Sounds pretty cool, right? 


AskAwayFriday


Below are the questions Sonya asked me and my responses to them.

We are both 90's kids so lets start with some questions about the 90's.
1. As a kid I thought that 90's fashion was "all that", who doesn't love bright colors, spandex, and overalls to name a few. What were some of your favorite fashion trends from the 90's? I loved the entire "around the way girl" look of the 90's. Combat boots, bamboo earrings, and overalls were definitely among my favorites. And thanks to Aaliyah, I've worn my share of oversized Tommy Hilfiger Jeans, Timberlands, swoop-bangs, and batman sunglasses. The 90's were a great time to be a tomboy, indeed. 


 

2. You mentioned watching TGIF on Fridays in one of your recent posts. I loved Family Matters. Laura with Steve Urkel or Laura with Stephan Urquelle- which couple did you like the most? Don't get me wrong, I loved Stephan! He was something cute and charismatic, wasn't he? However, I wish Laura would have just went for Steve. Do you remember that one episode where she kept having dreams about Steve and eventually kissed him in front of everyone? I can't remember all of the details because it was so long ago, but I remember rooting for Steve instead of Stephan in that episode. Steve was so sweet and sincere. He deserved a woman who loved him for who he truly was--geekery and all!

3. A few months ago I asked Mrs. Tee this question. "King of Pop" Michael Jackson vs. Prince, who reigns supreme in your opinion? Now you know the purple royal highness reigns supreme around these parts, Sonya lol. I can't imagine how he would react if he saw this question on my blog. Lol :)



4. A few weeks ago you have a post about when you first fell in love with Hip Hop. MC Hammer made rap mainstream for a lot of people. I LOVED me some MC Hammer. Were you a fan, if so what was your favorite song by MC Hammer? I used to love MC Hammer back in the day! Oh, the memories I have of the MC Hammer doll and the Hammerman cartoon. Even though I had no clue what he was talking about in his songs, I was a fan. I was an adult before I even knew what "pumps and a bump" meant!  Nonetheless, I was singing along with his songs on the radio and begging my mom to let Aunt Nancy sew me a pair of hammer pants. I think my favorite Hammer song is "Too Legit to Quit." I loved his rendition of "Going Up Yonder" too, as that is one of my favorite gospel songs.  

I know you like to write, so here are a few literary questions.
5. Do you have a favorite poet, if so who? My favorite poet is Maya Angelou. Though I love many others, it was Maya Angelou's works that inspired me to share my voice through the written word.

6. Do you have a favorite book that you can read over and over again? Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison, hands down. I discover something new in this literary gem each time I read it. 

You post a lot about fashion, so lets talk fashion.
7. Has your sense of fashion changed since becoming a mom? If so, what are some of the ways your style has changed? I wouldn't say my style has changed because I became a mom, but I will say my style has matured through time. Before I was a mom, I was a nineteen year old kid. I wore graphic tees with bright accessories and Nikes to nearly every event. And though I still love my tees, jeans, and Jordans, I know how to get dressed for the occasion. Oh, and I do wear less skin-tight clothing now. Lol. 

8. I love a good deal and hate to spend a lot of money on clothes. Are you a bargain shopper or do you like to splurge when it comes to fashion? I'm a bargain shopper all the way. I rarely splurge on apparel. Every now and again, I'll buy a really nice pair of shoes or bag. And I might just buy wardrobe staples at retail price. But everything else is with a deal, a coupon, on sale, or possibly thrifted. I love to save a dollar.

9. Unlimited funds fantasy shopping spree for one store only. What store would you choose for the ultimate shopping spree? If I had unlimited funds, I would still be in the stores budgeting. It's just in me. So this question is really hard. I suppose I'd go to a department store that has everything, like Macy's or Nordstrom.

10. My daughter is about to turn 2 and she already wants to pick out her clothes (she will actually say no if you pick something from her drawer that she does not want to wear). Is your daughter a budding fashionista or are you still able to pick out most of her clothes? Aww, that's too cute! My daughter is 9, so she pretty much wants creative control over her style. But since I buy simple mix and match pieces for her, she could put just about anything together and it "goes." She came up with this look all by herself last week and was very proud! When it comes to church and family functions, however, I will pick out a couple of outfits for her and give her options.



It's been so much fun answering Sonya's questions! To get more familiar with Sonya while scoring cool deals and savings, click the button below and show her blog some love. Her answers to my questions go live today as well, so make sure you check them out and tell her I sent ya!

Saving Everyday With Sonya K

The Wash Day Experience: Week One

Hello, loves! Today I'm co-hosting The Wash Day Experience with KLP & Keyda from Saving Our Strands. We're sharing on our blogs today about one of the most important routines within the hair care regimen, the wash day. We encourage you all to join in and take part in this experience as well!

healthy hair journey



My most recent wash day was on Sunday, March 2, 2014. 
It went a little something like this.

1. I begin my wash day experience with pre-pooing. Instead of using a conditioner + an oil of my choice per usual, I simply applied oil to my dry hair the night before I did my cleanse. I massaged my scalp and coated my hair generously with Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. Then I covered my hair with a plastic cap, stocking cap, and hair scarf and left it overnight. 

2. Since this was my first cleanse after relaxing my hair, I used a clarifying shampoo the next morning instead of co-washing with conditioner. I used ORS Creamy Aloe Shampoo, which is currently my staple clarifying shampoo. I cleansed and rinsed my hair twice with shampoo and warm water. 

3. After washing my hair, I used a tee-shirt to remove some of the excess water from my hair before applying conditioner. I conditioned with ORS Replenishing Conditioner, a great light protein fix, under a plastic cap while in the shower. 

4. After rinsing the ORS Replenishing Conditioner, I applied my Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Conditioner (infused with peppermint oil) to my hair and let it sit for about ten minutes. I used the Herbal Essences to add a little moisture back into my hair and added a few drops of peppermint oil into the conditioner to stimulate my scalp.  

5. I completely rinsed the conditioner and removed as much excess water as I could with a tee-shirt. Then I sprayed Aphogee Keratin and Green Tea Reconstructurizer all over my hair. 

6. I moisturized my slightly damp hair with Elasta QP Olive Oil and Mango Butter Moisturizer and sealed with grapeseed oil. Then I applied just a bit of GVP Silk Remedy to my hair, paying close attention to my edges and ends. I finished by gathering my hair into a loose bun and tying it up with my silk scarf to air-dry for the rest of the day.

RESULTS: My hair felt very soft, strong, and thoroughly moisturized. It didn't feel heavy, as it does sometimes when I use the Elasta QP Moisturizer. And it smelled great! That counts for something, right?

Now how was your wash day? Go ahead, tell us on your blog and LINK UP!

The Wash Day Experience Linkup RULES (via SavingOurStrands)


​Follow your host SavingOurStrands via Bloglovin', Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest.
  1. Healthy Hair is the theme. Entries completely unrelated to the theme or linked to your homepage will be deleted.
  2. Share it! Your blog post must link back to this site so others see. We even made this nifty button below which links back to The Wash Day Experience page! Just copy and drop the code from Saving Our Strands into your blog post. 
  3. Encourage the wash day experience contributor that linked up directly before you with an inspiring  comment. We are each here to support each other and build a community of determined women and hair-friends. Don’t worry, the chica ​who links up after you will do the same; comment love for everyone! 
The Wash Day Experience


February Beauty Favorites


Hello loves! It's been too long since I've posted my monthly beauty favorites here on the blog. So I decided today would be the perfect time. Lately, I've been obsessed with a few products, some new and a couple that I shopped my stash for. I just wanted to take a moment to share some off the goodies I've been reaching for the most. Perhaps you're looking to try these beauty products yourself or you have tried them and could share more about them with me. Check them out below and be sure to tell me your thoughts in the comments!

rimmel eyeshadow palette purple reign

Rimmel HD Union Jack Palette in Purple Reign- If you follow me on Instagram, you saw that I picked up this eyeshadow palette (along with True Union Jack) from Walgreens several weeks back for only $1.59! I wasn't familiar with the Rimmel HD Union Jack Palettes, but I believe these palettes had been out for quite some time. As a lover of purple shadows, I was elated to add this palette to my collection. The eyeshadows are rich and pigmented, and with primer, they are quite long-lasting. Have you seen this palette at your local drugstore? Have you tried it?


I've been using these three products on my eyes almost every day for the last month. Purchasing Wet n Wild Mega Impact Mascara has been a pleasant surprise! I got this mascara for around $3, as I searched for a quick-fix mascara that wouldn't break the bank. It gives my lashes just enough volume with one application and doesn't clump if I use two applications. I decided to try Rimmel Scandal Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner in Nude some weeks back after Lisa raved about it. I use it on the waterline above my lower lashes and it doesn't budge! It gives my eyes a bright, awakened look when I venture out in the mornings, whether I'm fully alert or not. Rimmel Glam'Eyes Precise Design Liquid Eyeliner in Black Glamour is totally holding things down as far as my liquid eyeliners go. The applicator is precise and the application lasts until I remove it!


Rimmel Stay Matte Primer may be my favorite beauty product out of the bunch. I came across this item in passing recently when I was out looking for a new primer. On the hunt to find an affordable primer that would give my foundation a long-lasting matte finish, I scoured the shelves of my local drugstores. There was a display at Walgreens for Rimmel Stay Matte Primer along with a $1 off coupon. When I got to the register, the primer rang up for $1.99 with the coupon, making it the cheapest primer I've ever purchased. I won't say it's the best yet, as I haven't had the chance to wear it on warmer days. But it has kept my makeup matte and fresh lately. I'm in love! If you would like to see a more in-depth review of this product on the blog, let me know in the comments!


I've been using the Makeup Forever HD Kabuki Brush I got in the MUFE HD Complexion Starter Kit for some time now. I've been grabbing it more often here lately because it's so multi-purposeful! I've used it to apply my MUFE HD Microfinish Powder, e.l.f. HD Powder, and MAC Mineralized Skinfinish powders. I've used it to blend in blushes, highlighters, and to buff in powder foundations. The synthetic bristles of the brush are so soft and feel like luxury when smoothed around the face. It's small so it travels well in your purse or makeup bag while you're out and about too, unlike my other makeup brushes.


Wet n Wild Fergie Shimmer Palette in Carnaval in Rio is one of the prettiest face products I've ever purchased. I just love the warm glow this product gives my complextion. I've been looking for a bronzer to give my skin a nice sun-kissed glow and I was quite satisfied in finding this highly-pigmented shimmer palette. It's rather huge, so there's plenty of product for the low price of $5.99. Many have compared these palettes to the MAC Mineralized Skinfinish powders, but these shimmer palettes are pressed (not baked) and are larger. Have you tried this product or any other products from Fergie's Wet n Wild lines?


I switch up lip products quite often. I love trying different shades, finishes, and lipsticks. But these last few weeks, I've used these two products quite frequently! Jordana Twist & Shine Moisturizing Balm Stain in Sweet Pink is a girly bubble-gum shade of pink that I'm loving so far. It applies as a smooth pigmented balm, and later fades into a stain. And I scored it for the low price of $2.99! I would recommend this balm stain to anyone who is a fan of the balm stains that have been circulating the beauty scene. This one is a steal as it is great quality for a low price. NARS Lipgloss in Orgasm is a reoccurring favorite of mine. Whenever I want to add a hint of shimmer and shine to any of my lippies, I apply a coat of this gloss over it. And who doesn't love adding a little shimmer to their life? I can't wait to add Turkish Delight to my collection. Have you tried either of these lippies?

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR CURRENT BEAUTY FAVORITES?
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