Wave Nouveau Coffure

Wave Nouveau Coiffure Product Review

I love to use this product on wash days as my moisturizer of choice. It is great for relaxed hair to help in retaining moisture. It is very light and makes the hair feel so soft. It never leaves a greasy feel. A little goes a long way. I use about a quarter size amount in the palm of my hand and I distribute it evenly throughout my hair. The bottle says that is is good for permanent waved hair and natural hair. This is a must have product if you are a relaxer stretcher. This keeps the roots moisturized at the line of decarnation and helps reduces breakage.

Generic Value Products

Generic Value Product moisturizing Conditioner ~ Generic Humectress

This is a daily rise out conditioner and it best used as a co wash conditioner, pre shampooo or pre poo conditioner, or leave-in conditioner. This product is not a deep conditioner because it coats the hair shaft. When the product is rinsed out of the hair most of it is rinsed out in the final rinse. The directions state to leave this in the hair for 3 minutes and that it can be used as a leave-in. I use it sparingly but I do like to have it around. It has a mild scent and it is light. I would recommend this product but not as a deep conditioner.

ORS Replenishing Conditioner Product Review

Many people are often misled to believe that this product is a light protein conditioner. The first ingredients listed in this product is water and glycerin. I use it weekly in conjunction to other products. This is one of the best moisturizing conditioner that I have ever used. It get rave reviews.

Hair Mayonnaise Product Review

Silk Elements Revive & Restore Hair Mayonnaise

This product claims to be a damaged hair treatment but I beg to differ. I do believe that this product is a balance of protein and moisture in one. The directions states to use weekly. Cover hair with a plastic cap and sit under the dryer for 15 minutes. I use this product quite differently. I do use it weekly but I use it in conjunction with other products to make it better. This product would be considered light protein / extreme moisture. In my opinion, there is not enough protein in it to constitute it being a protein treatment. I would not recommend this product as a deep protein treatment but it would be best to apply to the hair to re moisturize after a protein treatment.

Care Free Curl Instant Moisturizer Product Review

This product has glycerin and protein. Glycerin is a humectant so it has the ability to absorb moisture. Protein is normally for strength and rebuilding. This product has hydrolyzed wheat protein which helps aide in the retention of moisture. This product is strictly for achieving a certain level of moisture in the hair. Many people may not know this about this type of product but it is actually very good for relaxed hair because is gives relaxed hair the much needed moisture that it need to thrive. The product is very light and it doesn't weight the hair down. A little will go a long ways, so you need not be heavy handed with this product. I like to spray a dime size amount in the palm of my hand and spread it through out my hair to the ends. This is a very good product to use if you are baggying the end. IF you are growing your hair out then it is imperative to keep the ends moisturized to keep them from breaking. I recommend this product to aide in moisture retention.

How to Grow Hair Long

1. Frequent washing ~ shampooing / co washing ( at least twice a week)
2. Scalp conditioning ~ MN, MTG, Cell Ovation Therapy, Mega Tek
3. Low Manipulation ~ Keep your hands out of your hair
4. Protective styling ~ wig, phony pony, braids
5. Relaxer stretching ~ 12 - 16 week
6. Balance moisture / protein levels
7. Deep condition at every wash
8. No trimming ~ dusting is allowable
9. No / low heat ~ blow dryers, flatiron
10. eating a balanced diet
11. Sticking with a regimen that works / consistency
12. Patience
13. Supplements ~ multivitamins, iron
14. Drink plenty of water
15. Sleep in a silk / satin scarf at night
16. Keep ends moisturized by baggying ends
17. Hot oil treatments
18. Prayer

A Protein Guide

Here is a handy guide for understanding the different types of protein products.

All proteins are strengthening proteins to some degree but here are the more specific characteristics of these proteins:
Collagen Protein--known for increasing elasticity in the hair Silk Protein--known for softening the hair

Wheat Protein--a moisturizing and strengthening protein. known for increasing the hair's ability to maintain & receive moisture also.

Keratin Protein--responsible for keeping the hair strong and pliable. This is the strongest of the(hair product) proteins and is actually the one that hair is made from. This one re-structures hair that has been damaged or broken down by chemicals. It helps to replace the amino acid cysteine which is the main one lost during chemical processing. This is the heavy duty protein. If you see the following as an ingredient

*Vegetable protein -- Vegetable protein absorbs more easily into the hair shaft [than animal protein] and does not create build-up, leaves the hair very shiny, radiant, luxuriant, and healthy.

*Animal protein -- Animal protein breaks down into fatty acids, which coat the hair and create residual build-up.

Silk Amino Acids/Protein--Natural silk is the strongest, natural fiber known to mankind. Discovered in Japan and has been used for centuries in all kinds of products that require durability. Silk has a tiny molecule that can penetrate the entire hair shaft deeper than all other proteins without adding any weight leaving the hair feeling clean and non-greasy
　
Keratin protein More Indept:

*a) Keratin protein--this will re-structure and strengthen the hair cuticle (the outer layer only & the most important layer) The keratin in some reconstructors should not leave your hair hard like the Aphogee Treatment for damaged hair (which contains hydrolyzed animal protein). This treatment hardens on your hair for a reason and is used with mild heat. A moisturizing conditioner is a must with this in order to soften like Keracare's humecto. Reconstructors that contain keratin and other proteins are supposed to have enough moisture to soften the hair therefore leaving your hair with a nice protein/moisture balance."

* b) Hydrolyzed Keratin Protein or Keratin Amino Acids--this means that the Keratin molecules have been broken down and are small enough to go beyond the cuticle and penetrate the hair shaft. It will strengthen all 3 layers of the hair. That is why the term "deep conditioning" technically only refers to this kind of treatment using penetrating proteins.

*c) Hydrolyzed Human Hair Keratin--This is an exact match for the keratin your hair has (or has lot due to chemical processing). This is the highest quality and most potent keratin that can be used in hair products.

My Regimen

********** Subject to Change *************

My Regimen

Shampoo 2 x per week

d/c 2 x per week moisturize

2 x per day or 1 x per day after 8 weeks.

I wash my hair twice a week on Tuesday and Saturday. I am doing my Maximum Growth Challenge and will stretch between 10 and 12 weeks with the help of protective styling. I clarify when needed. I think I am getting this regimen thing down pat. My hair is getting use to the routine. My hair type is a 4w a category all of my own. It grows thick, full, woolly, wiry, and coarse. My protective styles of choice are full wigs.

Products that I'm using:

Relaxer SE Megasilk Regular Lye

Shampoo any shampoo the is formulated for dry, damaged, or color treated hair.

moisture d/c: I mix the following products

ORS replenishing conditioner & SE R&R Hair Mayonnaise

or

Mendex SE & R&R Hair Mayonnaise

or

Ion Effective Care &Hot Oil Treatment

Other Conditioners that I use Queen Helene Cholesterol & Nexxus Emergencee

** note **

I am also using Mega Tek so I don't need a protein d/c. I am focusing on balancing moisture with the mega tek. I will also be adding Ayurvedic Powders and Oils to my regimen this year. This is my basic hair care regimen.

Motions Weightless Conditioning Shampoo

Product Review

This shampoo seems to be gentle. It doesn't strip the hair and leaves the hair feeling clean. The bottle states that it is oil fee and has not build-up. It also state that it smoothes and detangles. I did not have any problems with detangling my hair while using this products.

Pros: gently cleanses, oil free

Cons: none

The Basic: A Regimen for Newbies

This is the basic regimen that I recommend if you are just starting out on your hair care journey. I call myself trying to keep it pithy so this is it without all of the other wordiness that you find when you vist other sites.

1. Shampoo the hair 2 times per week. The rule of thumb is to shampoo every 3 or 4 days. When choosing a shampoo you want to go with a shampoo that is for damaged, relaxed, permed, or color treated hair. These shampoo are the gentlest for hair that have been chemically processed and will not strip.

2. Moisturize the hair 2 times daily with a cream or spray moisturizer.

3. Deep condition hair after every shampoo with a combination of protein and moisture.

* Check out the product list that I have compiled from various sources. I have done a product review of all of the product that I have used.

Ion Silk Drops Product Review

Ion Silk Drops

I highly recommend this product. I like to use the silk drop after a rollerset. It is a very light weight serum that improves the managability and condition or the hair. You only have to use a dime amount because a little goes a long ways. It fortifies normal to dry hair, infusing it with silk for shiny, smooth, silky hair. It is safe for color-treated, relaxed, or permed hair. I thelps to prevent styling damage and breakage. This serum is for normal or dry hair with hydrolyzed silk proteins for exceptional shine. Ion Silk Solutions Silk Drops smoothes and conditions while adding incredible shines. This formula instantly makes hair silky, smooth and shiny. It conditions and detangles dry, damaged hair, prevents frizz and helps prevent breakage.