I'm back!!

Hello World!

I disappeared from the blogosphere last year amid health problems and other drama.

I dyed my hair red for my birthday (August 2013) and my hair health took a serious hit. So...1 July 2014 I am committing to getting my relaxed hair back on track to health and length.

From February I decided to give my hair a break and some growing time by using a "full" weave as a protective style. I will update the blog with more details about the hair I got...

Anyway - I hope others managed to stay on track over the last year; please feel free to comment below and let me know how you're doing.

Ms Henissi

2nd 2013 relaxer and 10 month check-in

My second relaxer of 2013.

My hair is growing and thickening up nicely. I have achieved shoulder length at the back but the sides (which were badly damaged) haven't caught up yet.

First healthy hair relaxer

Today I did my first relaxer since starting my healthy hair journey; my mum relaxed my hair and I got her to do a few things differently and I have to say I'm really pleased with the results

 Relaxer used: I was in the beauty supply shop and I noticed that Creme of Nature have a new relaxer out which includes a bit of coconut oil that you add directly into the relaxer. I was intrigued so I figured I would give it a try. I usually use super strength but I also downgraded to regular to see how this would work for my hair.

1. Timing: Whenever I've relaxed at home in the past we have never timed it, but in order to avoid over processing (and because I am now less concerned about being bone straight now that I'm learing to manage my hair better) I stuck to the instructions in the box and limited the whole application and smoothing process to 20 minutes.
2. Avoiding the dreaded rat tail: Usually my mum uses a tail comb to art my hair and apply/smooth the relaxer. This time I got her to use one of the brushes hairdressers use for applying colour, and I made her section my hair with her fingers to avoid snagging on comb teeth or the seam on the "rat tail" bit.
3. Mid-Relaxer Protein Treatment: If you follow me you'll know that I am using the book "The Science of Black Hair" as a guide to my hair journey. In the book the idea of restoring some of your hair's protein immediately after you have broken it down with the chemical process of relaxing, and BEFORE you bring the PH down to normal with neutralizing shampoo, is introduced. I decided to give this a go too and used my Aphogee 2 Minute Restructurizer conditioner for this step. We left it on for 5 minutes and then neautralised, deep conditioned (30 minutes with heat) and styled as usual.
4. 
   

As I said, I am really pleased with how my hair turned out...sadly I forgot to take a photo, but it felt strong and thick...perfect! :-)

How to travel in style....

Here's a quick tip on how to arrive in style when you're travelling...

When I travel I don't do my hair at the start of the journey. My go-to style for a long haul flight is to have my hair wrapped and tied under a pretty headscarf - I also don't do my makeup either.

Once I get off the plane my first stop is the ladies room where I do my face and my hair - then I step out to meet whoever's picking me up looking fresh and having them wondering how I look so put together after a long flight :-)

Ms Henissi x