Bsl/mbl 2018 Challenge!!

AbsyBlvd said:
The other day, I got the crazy idea to straighten my hair. I haven't done so in 4 years.

Yesterday in preparation, I shampooed twice; 1st Redken Cleansing Creme, 2nd Kerastase Nutritive Bain Satin 1, followed by the Masquintense. Now I know my hair doesn't like wheat protein so I made sure to follow with a mix of SM Low Po Boabab etc (my hair seems to really like this) + CRN Algae Renew.

I rinsed, and wrapped my twisted hair in a T until about 60% dry. I smoothed a little C.HI Silk I.nfusion and L'anza serum throughout and blow dried using my Denman for tension. After blow drying, I touched my roots and ends with a little Sabino, before retwisting the section.

I flat ironed 1-3 passes on 200°C, using a brush-chase method. I'll take pics tomorrow, as long as it's not a mess come the morning.
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Can't wait to see!
Once I get the idea to straighten my hair I just watch youtube videos of straightening routines for like two days and then the feeling passes lol.
 
LushLox said:
I think I may try the Extentioniste range, I like the sound of the serum.

Looking forward to hearing your review of the mask etc @Prettymetty and Happy Birthday!
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Thanks boo!

So let me review the Extentioniste line. First, all the products smell really clean and light. The shampoo is very thin and lathers nicely. The mask is also thin compared to some of their other masks. I feel it's better suited for thin/fine hair. I let the mask sit for 25 minutes with heat, then followed up with the conditioner. My hair was sooooo tangly. Like super tangly...

Despite the tangles, I was able to blow dry and flat iron.

A friend of mine came over tonight and I was outside for about 15 minutes. Within that time my hair reverted about 20%. It was extremely fluffy. Still soft though. So I touched it up with a different iron and put it in 2 large bantu knots. I guess I'll see what tomorrow brings. Overall I think the shampoo isn't needed. From now on I'll just use the cleansing conditioner and mask. The cleansing conditioner is from the Discipline line.
 
Yesterday I went to a salon in Arlington that carries Kerastase products. I told a stylist that I have fine hair and plan to straighten every 3 weeks -- what should I purchase? I mentioned my reasoning about the masque I had my eye on.

She told me that since my hair was healthy, I probably didn't need the mask. Once I held it in my hand, I wasn't gonna be able to drop $59 on those ounces anyway! My whole being said :sad:. :lol:

She recommended the heat protectant below in the bottle. She said heat reactivates it 3 times. Interesting.

IMG_20180613_100059-1728x2304.jpg
 
Thanks @AbsyBlvd and @YvetteWithJoy. So did you get the heat protectant?

Kerastase usually drops a few new products a year and their fan base is so dedicated, we can't wait. Unfortunately this new Extentioniste line is not it :cry3:I might use the shampoo as bubble bath. I'm willing to give the conditioner and mask another chance.
 
Prettymetty said:
Thanks @AbsyBlvd and @YvetteWithJoy. So did you get the heat protectant?

Kerastase usually drops a few new products a year and their fan base is so dedicated, we can't wait. Unfortunately this new Extentioniste line is not it :cry3:I might use the shampoo as bubble bath. I'm willing to give the conditioner and mask another chance.
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No. I thought about, but I had just done my hair straightening routine purchasing haul. I haven't even tried the Tresemme heat protectant I bought yet.

Despite what she said, I really want a great masque with silicone from Kerastase.

Regarding the bolded, I'm right there with you. At these prices, :cry:.

Thanks for taking one for the team.
 
AbsyBlvd said:
The other day, I got the crazy idea to straighten my hair. I haven't done so in 4 years.

Yesterday in preparation, I shampooed twice; 1st Redken Cleansing Creme, 2nd Kerastase Nutritive Bain Satin 1, followed by the Masquintense. Now I know my hair doesn't like wheat protein so I made sure to follow with a mix of SM Low Po Boabab etc (my hair seems to really like this) + CRN Algae Renew.

I rinsed, and wrapped my twisted hair in a T until about 60% dry. I smoothed a little C.HI Silk I.nfusion and L'anza serum throughout and blow dried using my Denman for tension. After blow drying, I touched my roots and ends with a little Sabino, before retwisting the section.

I flat ironed 1-3 passes on 200°C, using a brush-chase method. I'll take pics tomorrow, as long as it's not a mess come the morning.

ETA: Pics
Click to expand...

Your hair came out really nice, how long will you leave it straight?
 
My new wng products FINALLY arrived. :clapping:

I really hope they work. I'm not really a cowasher type, nor a RO conditioner type. However, I'm very hopeful about the Cre'gel product, and I want to replicate the brand creator's complete process. Maybe cowashing and RO conditioner will make a difference!

IMG_20180614_171514_crop_1132x780.jpg
IMG_20180614_171717-1382x1843.jpg
IMG_20180614_171741-1382x1843.jpg IMG_20180614_171727-1382x1843.jpg
 
I burned a chunk from my left side. I think I've made a note about that earlier this year. Well, now, I noticed a huge section broken towards the back. I have no idea how it got that way. It could have broken because it was dry and tangled and I tore through it. It could have rubbed off. It could have also been burned. Idk. It's about 2 inches long. I have two sections about 2 inches long.

I cut all my ends including the ends of the short sections. I think I have an old blow out. I cut all the ends that were not as straight as the shaft.

I need to stop wearing halo twists because I've torn out my sides again.

Ok. Well. I'm considering going to get it braided by someone else. I wish I had the time, energy, and ability to not be disturbed until I finish. I think it will be easier if I were not at home, but I'm really worried about them being too tight and causing further damage.... so idk.

On this note, I'm going to move myself back to APL 2018 and stay with that next year as well. These really short sections should be fine in a year and a half.
 
The Urbanbella Cre'Gel is not a winner on my hair. It looked really nice on Day 1: Elongated, shiny, defined. Just pretty. By Day 2, my hair looked like not-quite-fuzzy-but-wanting-to-be-fuzzy zig zags instead of coils.

I liked the Urbanbella cowash (was very minty, ever-so-slightly tingly, moisturizing, and slippery). I liked the RO conditioner. I haven't tried the moisturizing leave-in, the moisturizing cream, or the butter.
 
I'm prepping my hair for straightening. I'm trying SistaWithRealHair's method of banding the hair tightly in satin strips (please see one of two of my banded sections in the attached photo, and please see the video below for her method).

My hair feels SO GOOD. I have been chelating way less and using The Mane Choice Ancient Egyptian Shampoo instead. I have in my hair Beyond the Zone Protein Cocktail (from Sally's) and Jane Carter Solutions Curls To Go! Untangle Me Weightless Leave-in.

I think I would have been completely satisfied with my hair today if I had been able to French braid it into one ponytail.

 

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I just finished straightening. Here are pictures of the results and process:

https://blossomingfitnatural.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/img_20180621_194904.jpg

https://blossomingfitnatural.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/img_20180621_194946.jpg

https://blossomingfitnatural.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/img_20180621_165007.jpg

https://blossomingfitnatural.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/img_20180621_181220.jpg

https://blossomingfitnatural.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/img_20180621_181338.jpg

https://blossomingfitnatural.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/img_20180621_194847.jpg

Details:

I started out with hair stretched via SistaWithRealHair's satin strip banding method. I brushed Tresemme Heat Tamer through each section. Then I used the Ion Steam Pro Brush on 375. I then went over it with a flat iron on 375.

I sustained a little damage. I'm not sure if the benefits will outweigh the costs. Also, I don't know how humidity resistant this will be. If the humidity tomorrow is a problem, I'll add another product next time (something humidity blocking,).

Overall, I am happy with the results.
 
Last edited:
Lol so I’ve been totally MIA. I been made it to MBL, but I’m like “meh” about it now. Haha. My hair length in the nape is about 15 inches, which is MBL on me. I’m gonna be satisfied with what I got and not even care about WL. I really don’t put much thought into my hair now. It’s like mundane routine so.
 
YvetteWithJoy said:
:wavey:

I went in for my semi-annual professional trim, and below are the pre-trim and post-trim photos. I blogged about my experience at the new-to-me salon (phenomenal!), about the extent of my split ends (photos included), and about the stylist's and my ideas to reduce the extent of my split ends. For those interested, here's the address of the blog post: https://blossomingfitnatural.com/2018/05/18/length-check-trim-and-a-new-to-me-salon/

As I discuss in the blog post, I will definitely be purchasing, trialing, and evaluating The Mane Choice Split-End Treatment (the Sally's reviews here are compelling) . . . and I'm also going to try some styling and detangling and brushing changes. :smile:

May 17, 2018 before the trim. It had been 6 months since my last trim, I believe.

View attachment 430393

May 17, 2018 after the trim:

View attachment 430395

Other photos after styling (next day, after the Texas heat and humidity got a hold of it ;) ) :
  1. https://blossomingfitnatural.files.wordpress.com/2018/05/img_20180518_140437.jpg
  2. https://blossomingfitnatural.files.wordpress.com/2018/05/img_20180518_140327.jpg
  3. https://blossomingfitnatural.files.wordpress.com/2018/05/img_20180518_140442.jpg
Overall:

My yet-trimmed hair went from line marker 9.5 in 2017 to line marker 11 in 2018 at its longest points. My trimmed hair went from line marker 8.5 in 2017 to line marker 9.5 in 2018. This means that my hair split more this time around. It means that I retained 1 inch of healthy hair in 5 months. That’s 0.3 0.5 (?) inches of growth per month, and 1/5 an inch of healthy hair retained per month.

That's my update. I've been keeping up with yours while logged out. :up: :smile:

Back on social media hiatus I go! (Thus I won't be able to respond to any posts here, but I can reply to comments at the blog.)

Take care, and happy healthy hair growing!

:heart:
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Your hair is gorgeous.
 
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