My Nexxus Hair Care Experience

So I love the Nexxus Line of shampoos and conditioners.  I had been tweeting about this brand the other day and realized I never blogged about so here it goes.

 

Background

Now before I began transitioning I was a use whatever type of girl.  Well that's not entirely true I try products and if I absolutely fall in love with them, they become my staple until I either can't afford it or run out and didn't replace them or I find something new.  At the point of discovering Nexxus I had decided I was going to transition and had been doing so for about 6 months.  At six months into my transition I was still getting used to this new process.  My hair was extremely dry.  All I knew was to do protective styles, protective styles, protective styles, if I wanted to keep my length.  The only protective style I was good at was mini twist so that is what I did.  I kept my hair in these twist because they prevented me from combing it and it resembled a wrapped style so I was used to that.  The product I used on my hair before this was basically the Suave brand.  I only used the Suave brand because it was Christmas time and I was cutting cost to be able to give the kids a nice holiday.  But before then I was using the Pantene relaxed to natural line. 

Typically I begin with a Shampoo.  That is if I had been faithful to my routine and didn't need to give my hair any extra TLC.  The Shampoo smells really good.  Its thick and has great lather.  The slip is nice and it's ultra moisturizing.  At first I pump 2 to 3 pumps on my hands and rub into my hair.  Because of the product build up and dirt on the hair the lathering will be tough.  Once that is massaged through I rinse and repeat.  The second Wash I will only need 1 pump sometimes 2 but I rarely need to use two.  The lathering is great at this point.  If you use too much it will be hard to rinse out.

Next I condition. And the Humectress Ultimate Moisture Conditioner is whats happening. I mean it has a medium consistency. Softens the hair beyond belief. Detangles like a champ, is true to its word in moisturizing and smells wonderful--almost tropical. Your hair is definitely more manageable, hydrated, and has a silky sheen to it. I love love love this product. Its definitely my favorite out of all the products.  

When I need a protein treatment I go for Keraphix conditioner. It smells really good. and stops my breakage. The only thing is this product dries my hair out tremendously so I have to replenish my hair with a hot oil and an extensive conditioning treatment.

To combat frizz I use the Silken smoothing conditioner. Its an added step that is purely based off my preference. But its also moisture rich and softens the hair. Lots of people says it combat the frizzness and I suspect that it does but I don't mind frizz!

So that's my review of the Nexxus line.  no matter what I have been trying lately I have come back to these products to rescue my hair.  When I am experiencing breakage.  I come back to this.  When I experience dryness I come back to this.  When my hair is just not acting right I come back to this.

If you are having difficulty with your transitioning hair, I strongly encourage you to try this product line out.  It not only restores your damaged, dry, brittle, lifeless hair.  But it brings a manageability to it that is unheard of if you have two totally opposite textures of hair.  The Nexxus line has help me to presevere through this transition.  I honestly believe  if it was not for this product line I would not have been able to transition as long as I have been!!

Check out the video:

Tips for the perfect twist out on Transitioning Hair

So I'm sitting here trying out a new technique for a twist-out on my hair and thought I should write a post about doing a twist out so here goes! You know since its my favorite Transitioning style!

The Basics:

First, I start off on clean just washed hair, whether its shampooed washed or co-washed doesn't really make a difference!

Then detangle, beginning at the tips combing up towards the roots. 

Next, I apply my styler/leave in.  I am using Suave tropical coconut conditioner currently. Rake through strands.

Then, I apply a holding agent. I switch between eco-styler gel olive oil or olive oil by ampro.

Next, I seal it all with an oil blend. Whatever works well with your texture will suffice.

The Style:

So, I begin by first planning how I want my hair to fall.  I decide if I want my waves going off to the side, or if I want a part in the middle or if I want all my hair to fall towards the back.

After that, I began sectioning and parting.

Once that is all done I style my hair in flat twist.

Note: Flat twist are the two strand version of cornrolls. 

I like flat twist because:

A) They allow me to grab my roots (which are much more flufflier than my relaxed hair)

B) Gives a more defined wave pattern

C) Fits nicely under a cap or bonnett if I have to make a run while they are still in the drying process

D) Are comfortable to sleep in

Lastly, I allow them to COMPLETELY dry. (sometimes this process can take a day or longer). 

Note: the longer you keep your hair in the twist the more defined the wave pattern will be.

The Takedown:

Now to take down the twist. I oil my hands and run them across my twists. Also oil helps to cut down on the stress your fingers can put on your hair.

Then I unravel them carefully and leave them in the sections/chunks until they are all taken down.

Once they are all down, I seperate each section until I get the fullness I want.

After that, I pick them out at the roots for height/volume.

Then, I position my strands in the desired look I was going for (or sometimes the direction my hair choose to fall in)

And lastly (comepletely optional) I adorn with accessories. 

If this new technique turns out good.  I will definitely do a vlog/blog about it.  Until then I really appreciate you taking the time to read this.  If you find it helpful share!

Catch me at  www.twitter.com/ExquisiteTresse on twitter,  www.youtube.com/ExquisiteEsteem on yoututbe and www.facebook.com/NaturalExquisiteTresses on Facebook.

  

Moisture is Magic for your transitioning hair!!!!!!

Moisture Moisture Moisture.  Yea us transitioners really need moisture.  Moisture helps prevent breakage, moisture allows manageability, moisture promotes growth, moisture aids in elasticity, moisture helps with shine/sheen, and moisture feeds your curls.





Moisture is vital for your overall hair health.  So lets talk about what moisture is and what it is not.


Moisture is:

1. Water
2. The base of all styling
3. Conditioning
4. humectants such as: glycerin, honey, aloe vera, vitamin E, sorbitol, CoQ 10
5. most water based products

Moisture is not:

1. Oils
2. creams
3. heavy
4. waxes
5. alcohols     

Some of us confuse the needs of our hair.  We tend to cake our hair down with oils when it feels dry and brittle.  When in fact all we need to do is add water.  Now I know it may confusing, you may ask well "how do I add water onto my hair when I need to style it and have it not look "afro-y" or puffy?"  well the thing is you may need to increase your washes.  I know in the African American hair community we are used to washing any where from once a week to once a month because we've had to maintain that hairstyle, not wash that relaxer out so fast, or to prevent us from hours of styling to maintain controlling our tresses.  But now that we are tranistioning, part of this journey is to promote hair health so we have to change our way of dealing with our hair.  Increasing your wash days will definitely make a difference for your hair.  It is recommended that you wash your tresses anywhere from everyday to every 4-5 days if you are experiencing extreme dryness,  I am sure if you are a dry haired sufferer and you take heed and wash more often, you will notice your moisture retention increase. In fact I'm willing to bet the farm on it- if I had a farm!

In between washes a spray bottle filled with just water will do just fine or you can add one of the other moisture aids listed in (Moisture is).  All you have to do is allow the water to mist onto your hair if you are afraid that the direct spray will ruin your style (Spray the water into the air above your hair and allow the droplets to fall ever so lightly onto your hair). Do this when you feel your  is drying out too much.

Oil is a great sealant but it cannot and must not be substituted for a moisturizer.  This is because oil repeals water (remember that from chemistry class).  So any kind of moisture that your hair wants to contract, the oil will "push" it away.  So when the moisture that is beneath the oil is all absorbed into your scalp or hair fibers new moisture has no way of entering or penetrating them.  Which is why you may be oiling your hair over and over and the texture is not changing. Again use oil as a protectant.  As if its protecting the water from leaving your hair never use it as a replacement for water.

One last point, and I know we say it over and over and over and over again.  But you have to hydrate from within in order to aid all that you are doing to you hair on the outside. You want to maintain overall good hair health.  Yea moisturizing on the outside will definitely provide a great improvement for your hair but on those days when you forget to moisturize or are just too lazy to do so hydrating from the inside is your back up.  Drinking plenty of water is great for your physical health now you know its also great for your vanity!   

Grab your partner man!!!!!

Working out with a partner is so much better than going at it alone.  So I suggest that you ask around to family and friends and get moving.  In my small town we started a 90 day challenge.  Ppl in the neighborhood along with family and friends have all joined in to get healthier in 90 days.  Everyone has picked their own method but the goal for all is the same.


At home my whole family is involved in this new lifestyle change.  I workout with my fiancee and my children workout together.  It helps so much having a partner.  When I don't want to workout he pushes me and vice versa.  I see the same with my children.  When one don't feel up to it the others will give them that needed push.  Working out with a partner also makes the time fly by.  We talk and laugh during the workout, it helps take your mind of the exercise even if its for a few seconds.  Sometimes its those last seconds that you need distracting from to get to through the burn.  Also I enjoy watching his transformation and I hope he enjoys watching mine.  The other day I commented on how he looks as if a sculptor is molding and reshaping his body.  I see him gaining muscle in so many areas and loosing fat in others. 

After P90X my fiancee grabs a few of his friends and they go for an hr long walk, then hit the weight room (mainly bc his friends aren't doing the p90X  and he just wants to be their encourager) to get a little extra weightlifting in with the guys, then he's off to work (he's a barber) After my workout I go to work.  Lol I have been thinking of incorporating walking hopefully next week to help prepare me for my summer goal of running.  I have dreams of running along side Lake Michigan. 

Go out and grab someone and ask them if they are interested in some support.  It will be good for both of you!!!  There's no better gift to share than the gift of health.  You never know you may inspire someone to get up and make a life changing decision to get fit for life.  Know that healthier eating habits and exercise should be a lifestyle change....after all its good for you right?  So until next time:


REMEMBER TO BRUSH YOUR TEETH IN THE SHOWER!!!!

First clasps hook on my bra!!!!

So, now that I have your attention........ I know the title is funny sounding.  But that is exactly what happened this morning.  I was able to clasp my bra on the first row of hooks.  Some of you may not share my excitement but some of you do understand what that feeling is like!!!!  So, when I got dressed this morning, I was thinking I should try a bra that was at the bottom of my under clothes container, (they were now my too little bras) not really believing it was going to fit.  But wait......not only did it fit it was too loose when I attached the latch to the last row of hooks.  That made me so excited that I skipped the 3 row, 2nd row and went straight for the 1st row of clasps and I still had room after I clasped....sweet victory!!!!! Maybe I can get these DD's down to a nice D or a full C (fingers crossed).  Ok I just wanted to share my  P90X accomplishment today.  Still Bringing it on day 32.  Small victories help you stay on track.  Until next time remember:

Brush your teeth in the shower!!!!