Stretching Woes..

Yesterday was a frustrating day to say the least.....One thing for sure my hair grows faster in the summer...My last relaxer was the end of June....I want to say about the 21st....I would have to go back and double check to be sure...But it was the end of June ....Its only the end of August and I'm ready to scream...Most of the new growth is in the crown and center of my hair ..I planned on stretching to the end of Oct and this growth spurt is only going to make it harder to make it without relaxing..


After my workout yesterday I went into the locker room to do my normal routine...I jumped in the steam room to deep condition ...Then showered , rinsed and co washed in the shower there...The plan was to put my hair into one ponytail to air dry...At least try to look half decent while the Hubby and I run errands leaving the gym...

Well that was the plan...I struggled with the thickness trying to gather it all together...Then to make matters worse ...I broke 3 different bands trying to get this stuff in a ponytail....Left with nothing to tie my hair up with ....I was so irritated...I just let it air dry hanging loose ..After getting home I had a little more patience and got this stuff pony tail...

I will be doing a cut this next relaxer...I don't know if I can manage if my hair gets any longer than what it is...I  will be keeping the 2 inches which I wanted ...Anything else will be cut off..

Conditioner Talk

I went to Sally's today and bought another bottle of my Proclaim Natural 7 Oil with Olive Oil, and Roux Porosity Conditioner...

Alot of people ask how I use the Roux Conditioner...I usually wash my hair using my Hair One ....Then I deep condition...Rinse and run the Roux Conditioner through my hair and leave on for about 30 seconds to a minute or so and rinse....Whew you talking about very happy hair following this...I also use it following relaxing as extra conditioning step to bring down my Ph level....This stuff is amazing and it helps so much in my stretches...

To Learn More About Hair Porosity

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I have been using up my conditioners in my stash for my frequent co washes and deep conditioning.You know down sizing my stash...I just want to get rid of mostly everything before buying new products again...I'm only restocking products in my current regimen ..Conditioners I don't like I have been mixing them with other conditioners , glycerin and oils ..Making conditioner cocktails to get rid of all this stuff..And giving others away...

Today after my work out...I used out of my stash...Lustrasilk Olive Oil Cholesterol mixed with a little Jojoba Oil and Eucalyptus Oil...I forgot how much I love this stuff...I have two tubs of it so I will have no problem using that up...The first 6 months of my journey I prepooed with this stuff overnight a couple times a week...Its good stuff....My hair is so soft right now ....I'm trying to remember now why I stopped using the Lustrasilk Cholesterols...hahahahaha

K.I.S.S. Complete Challenge

This challenge is designed to target your Spirituality , Hair and Body.....

Your Invited to Join...

Rules are simple....


Hair Rules:

Deep Condition at least 1x weekly
Heat no more than 2x monthly
Moisturize and seal nightly

Fitness Rules:

Must commit to working out 3x a week..( Workouts will be different based on indivdiual fitness goals)


Spiritual Rules:

3o mins of scripture reading 5 days a week
5-10 mins of prayer daily

This may take some sacrifice ...You may need to set your alarm clock earlier, or go to bed a little later.

Click Here To Join

August In My House

August is always a month I gain weight...See everyone's birthday is in August in my house (except for myself and the youngest)....Lets see it goes like this...On the 5th is Jay Jay's , on the 11th is Ant mans, on the 15th is Lil Curtis , on the 23rd is my Nieces Daijah's, and on the 31st is my Husbands..Between all of the birthday cakes and celebration meals I usually gain about 10 pounds or more by the end of the month...

I have been working out really hard lately so this month wasn't as bad as usual but I have gained 5 pounds..So before this 5 pounds turn into 8 , 10 etc...I'm about to get on the grind...Increase my calories burned ( Increasing cardio) , and stop eating after 5 30 in the evening..Drop my calorie intake to about 1200, and seriously watch the carbs ...I usually start August damage control after my Husband's bday but ...I'm going to start now ...I want no setbacks...

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By 8:30ish tonight I was starving...This not eating after 5:30 is really going to take some getting used too..I may change it to 6...Doing this always helps me drop a few pounds whenever I need to.... So I'm going to stick with it..So to keep my mind off the hunger...I grabbed a bottle of water..I did some reading...Packed my gym bag and headed back to the gym for the second time today..I had 2 good workouts today and a good total of cardio for the day..So I know I'm going to feel it over the next day or so....

Twist & Snip

This morning...I dusted my hair really well and moisturized and put back into a bun...My oldest Sister's husband of 32 years died and we celebrated his life yesterday...Between the road trip there and back , and seeing my Sister and all of my nephew's pain ...It was just a emotional draining day..I guess it took a toll on my body..Because I slept most of the day today...



Dusting my hair was about the only thing I got done ...



Here is the method I use:



First I get in front of a light so I can see my ends better...

I take small sections and first do the search and destroy method...Next I take the section and twist downward... The layered ends and the split ends stick out from the twist. Going up the line of the twist.. I carefully snip off the split ends .....



This method actually helps get rid of split ends throughout the hair..I don't lose any length doing this...It does give a little bit of a natural layered effect that no one can even notice....( Just be careful because a few years ago ...I was snipping away so fast I cut right through the twist...Yeah I was pretty mad) .


After I do my entire head ....I brush my hair down and shape the ends...By clipping just the tips of my ends..

I do this at least 1x a month ...This keeps my ends so healthy and this is a method anyone can do at all different lengths.

Sometimes We Can Be Way To Hard On Ourselves

Tonight after I finished my work out I was emptying out my locker and a young lady about my age was like... " Girl you was out there doing your thing ...You made me work on that tread mill trying to keep up with you".....I laughed and said some work outs are easier than others..By that time two other women much younger than us was like you are in such good shape ...They went on and on and on....

While they were going on and on...I'm looking at myself in the mirror thinking ..What in the world are they talking about ???? All I see is its taking forever for me to get cut up and gain more muscle..I forced out a smile and thank you

Funny how we don't see what others see because we are so caught up in reaching that final goal..We can't enjoy the different stages along the way

Bringing it to our hair journey....We can't enjoy reaching shoulder length, arm pit length , bra-strap length etc...Because we are so stuck on where we want to be at the end...We miss out on enjoying each individual accomplishments...

So I decided to reward myself every time I reach one of my small goal because I deserve it...

After I reach physical goals ...I will get a new work out outfit or work out toy....When I reach a new hair goal...I will reward myself with a small product or hair accessories haul..Well those are the rewards I'm going to share anyways

So You Call Yourself A Diva ???? Hahahahaha

A Real Diva Patti Labelle


Wikipedia ..The Free Enclyclopedia.


A diva (English pronunciation: /ˈdiːvə/, Italian: [ˈdiːva]) is a celebrated female singer. The term is used to describe a woman of outstanding talent in the world of opera, and by extension in theatre, cinema and popular music. The meaning of diva is closely related to that of "prima donna".



Urban Dictionary



A diva



1. a bitchy woman that must have her way exactly, or no way at all. often rude and belittles people, believes that everyone is beneath her and thinks that she is so much more loved than what she really is. selfish, spoiled, and overly dramatic.



2. a true diva will do anything to get what she wants.



3. Also known as a prima donna ("first lady"), and especially in an opera. Refers to the leading lady of the production. The male counterpart is the divo. Plural, including male and female singers, is "divi" (DEE-vee), or, if just female singers, "dive" (DEE-vay).



4. A talented but imperious female performer. Originally used to describe opera starts, the word is now commonly applied to female performers in virtually any medium.



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Most women think that the way they dress , make up , or shoes and hand bags makes them a diva...



Wrong...The true definition of a Diva....Is a extremely talented female singer....Yes I said true definition...



Even in the updated Urban Dictionary says this and adds the street version...A bitchy woman ( read above)



So let me ask you this what are you trying to say about yourself when you claim to be a Diva...If your not a talented singer you are claiming to be the latter of the definitions....Yes I know some women will wear that with a badge of honor....But I ask you...What are you ????



I will go first...



I don't claim to be a Diva...And never would want to be put in that category unless you are referring to my talent to sing...



I AM ...A LADY, A MOTHER, A WOMAN THAT FEARS GOD.

Hair Talks

I tell people often ..." Learn to listen to your hair " ...Most people don't really understand what that means..

Listening to your hair means ...Knowing when its dry that it needs moisture...Knowing when its over moisturized that it needs protein and how much protein...Knowing what your hair needs by the way the hair feels and acts...And knowing how to give your hair what it needs to fix the problem...

When you first start your hair journey you should start with a simple regimen...But many Ladies that have been on their journey for awhile will tell you that as you learn to listen to your hair sometimes you will need to need change your regimen for a moment to give your hair what it needs..Once you learn that...Your off to retaining your length and reaching your goals.

Example:

I got really dehydrated a few days ago....Besides not feeling well...The first thing I noticed was my skin being very dry....A day or so later my hair was so so dry ....My hair hasn't been this dry since I first started my journey...First came taking care of my body...I started drinking water and a little Gatorade...

So I used my Hair One and deep conditioned with Silk Elements Moisturizing Treatment for 45 mins ...Used my normal leave ins and oil..Air dried in plaits for a braid out....When I took my braids out my hair felt OK...Better... But just OK....By the end of the day my hair was back to being dry...

Obviously at this point my normal routine wasn't going to fix it.....Very next day I went to the gym and after my work out I CLARIFIED ..Then applied my with Silk Elements Moisturizing Treatment again and deep conditioned in the steam room...When I got home I rinsed in the shower and then co washed....

This time my hair felt amazing....Basically I just needed to clarify ....Product build up just prevents your conditioners from working properly...Blocks out anything good your trying to put in your hair .

To make sure right now that my hair stays moisturized I have been co washing every night...Wrap my hair in a towel for a few minutes...Then I spray my hair with CHI Keratin Mist from root to tip...Next I apply Vo5 Moisture Milks as leave in and my Natural 7 Oil ...Put a little Aloe Vera Gel on my edges and brush my hair back into a low ponytail...I braid the pony then put a satin roller at the end...

Next morning my hair is about 90% dry and by 10 or 11am my hair is nice and dry....I un braid the ponytail . I have been wearing the wavy ponytail everyday...Or I will just leave the braid in

The protein in the CHI Keratin Mist is keeping my hair from being over moisturized.....I must say I'm loving this stuff....It does it's job under neath my leave in..... So far its a serious keeper...But I will do a review on the product once I have been using it for a least a month and let all of you know if I see any differences in my hair...

Now the co washing everyday is the bomb...I wish I had tried it a long time ago...I guess I better enjoy it now because when its starts getting cold ...I won't be able to do this..

Just Venting

As my Husband and I lay in bed...Our 5 year old son lay curled up inbetween us sleep and or dog Noah on the right of me sleep....I can barely move....Someone please tell me what is wrong with this picture ??? I JUST WANT OUR BED BACK.....

Thats it ...Im kicking everyone out ....Hahahahaha...And no I'm not buying a bigger bed

Two Strand Twist On Relaxed Hair

Small Product Haul

No Way I'm Paying That

Marrakesh Oil

While I was at my local Beauty Supply Store..I go to this white owned hair salon that has beauty store attached to the front...I go there to pick up my higher end/ or salon quality products...The owner is such a sweet older lady...

Anyways the owner was so stuck on me buying this oil that she swears by....She said its gold in a bottle...Needless to say I didn't bite...No way in the world was I spending $23.00 on a 2oz bottle of oil....Not going to happen...At least not today...hahahaha...

Have any of you ever heard of this ?? Here is the link....http://www.earthlybody.com/marrakesh.htm

Are you willing to pay this much for a oil

Hair IDOLATRY.....

All in fun...Not written to hurt anyone

Definition: Idolatry or to Idolize ( Verb)

A simple definition is:
"1 To make a god of; rank among the gods
2 To look upon or worship as a god
3 To glorify, exalt, or adore in an extreme way; idolize"

Reading about hair whenever you can, joining hair sites, watching you tubes etc. Can be self improving, educating, and can become a really fun hobby and interest...Education never ends because one is always learning..It is impossible to know everything..

But how do you know when your hobby or goals has become a God in your life...

If you answered yes to 2 or more of these listed below..You may have been bitten by the bug !!

1. You have random depression or sad days because of your hair


2. You have tried more than 3 growth aids in the past year


3. You have written and spoken goals for your hair but you have no life goals


4. You have more hair products than you have space to store them


5. You have started buying hair products on credit


6. All your extra money goes on hair products


7. You hide hair purchases from your spouse


8. You have hair pics in your cell phone but none of your kids or family


9. You count your loss hair when it sheds


10. You use the term hair idols instead of hair inspirations


11. You harass your hair inspirations by repeated emails, Instant Messages etc. ( Yes I have hair stalkers)


12. You stop people on the street with beautiful hair to find out what products they use

Please feel free to add the list...hahahahaha

After My Workout

I had a great work out tonight...After my work out I did my normal routine...

In my gym bag I carry a spritz bottle ...In this bottle I have V05 Moisture Milk Conditioner, glycerin, Natural 7 Oil , and water.....I love my aloe mix..But I can't carry it in my gym bag ....Anyways after spritzing my hair ... I applied my Vo5 Moisture Milk Conditioner to my hair and Natural 7 Oil...Put my hair in a bun and jumped in the steam room.

When I got home I jumped in the shower and rinsed my hair...I co washed with Mane n Tail Moisturizing/Texturizing Conditioner...I needed a shot of protein...I have several bottles I need to use up...But I know these will come in handy further into my stretch...

I applied my Herbal Essence Long Term Relationship and Natural 7 Oil...Braided my hair in my two plaits w/satin rollers on the ends...

Thats it...

15 mins in the shower

5 mins on my hair after the shower

Keeping It Simple

Sorry to my regular readers...But no matter how many times I post my after workout regimen ...I still get countless emails from new readers...Hahahahaha

Random....

The Hubby and I hung out on Sat. at Long Beach Jazz Festival....It was nice ....I enjoyed the music and the time with Hubby..That's the one compliment I can honestly give to him...He has never stopped courting me...And I love that....

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Future Hair Plans :

I'm basically at my final goal...I want to grow maybe 2 0r 3 more inches and that's it...I won't be growing past Waist Length or Hip Length...Anything longer at this point would be too much....At least for me...Not too much to handle...But not a look I want being such a petite person..

I plan to trim every 2 or 3 months to maintain my length once I get about another 2 inches ...I'm so excited about being able to trim often...Its like out with the old ...Hahahahahaha

Tips For Short Hair Ladies

On one of the blogs I follow...She actually just started her blog called the Awkward Stage....Well anyways she posted a blog I wanted to share with all of you....It gives great tips for those who are starting your hair journey with shorter hair...

Check out this post...What To Do When ...

Did You Know ???

Need body and shine....

Next time you shampoo and condition ...Use a can or bottle of flat beer to rinse your hair..Then rinse out with warm water...The proteins from the malt and beer coat and rebuild your damaged strands..Pick a beer thats doesnt have a strong smell.

K.I.S.S. & Tell

Email :

I'm really curious of how you wear your hair daily. Not when u r out and about but when your in the house chillin with the family. When Im home I just want to lounge around with out lookin like a bum. Im just really want hair and clothes ideas that allow me to be comfortable cute without any real work.

My Answer:

I get asked this a lot by my readers...So many wives and mothers feel like they have let themselves go...I personally don't walk around the house in a evening gown...But I'm not running around in my husbands over sized shirts, sweats and a baseball cap either...I personally shop for cute t-shirts and shorts to lounge around the house in...One of my favorite places to shop for lounge clothes to wear around the house is Victoria Secrets .

Well my hair ....This is my choice most of the time..

This is a favorite...Because its easy and cute to lounge around the house ....Its looks good enough to run to the super market ...Plus it easy to transform into Ms Hot Momma...Hahahaha

If my Husband comes home and say lets drop the kids off and go out , or I expect company ..All I have to do is unbraid and I have beautiful soft waves. The perfect braid out...

Also lounging in the braids allows my hair to stay moisturized ...I just co-wash apply my leave in and oil...Part down the middle and do two french braids with satin roller at the ends till it curls..When I take the roller out the curl at the end allows my braids to stay in with out using a band at the end.

Another favorite style I wear around the house is a ponytail or bun either high or low with a hump at the top...The Hump jazzes up the boring bun or pony...

Silk Elements Moisturizing Leave In Hair Creme Reveiw >>>

Last night I deep conditioned overnight with Silk Elements Moisturizing Treatment....It was just what the doctor ordered after flat ironing last week...hahahahahaha...I always feel the need to baby my hair after....Like I feel guilty.....Crazy I know...Especially since I plan to flat iron more often when I get to about 4 months post...



To the subject at hand...OK I know you noticed I used the Silk Elements Moisturizing Leave In Creme in the last few videos....



Well I tried it on wet hair as a leave in...and it was not enough moisture....I tried it while flat ironing and it was smoke city and it weighed down my hair....I tried it on dry hair a moisturizer and it feels great when I first apply it then later it feels like my hair is just coated ....

Only thing I liked was the shine...I will not be repurchasing this....I really wanted to like this stuff too...I will use up the rest of the jar on my edges to slick my ponys so I wont waste my money completely....

Finally Got A New Flat Iron

I got my 15% coupon in my inbox yesterday from Sallys...Yay...Because I need a new flat iron...I was so excited a while back when my Mother bought me a FHI Iron ...Until my lovely readers brought it to my attention that the one I had did not have temp control...One setting is all it had and that is for 410.......Don't get me wrong I love my FHI but if I was to use it all the time it would cause some serious damage...



All of you know my last relaxer stretch was just shy of 6 months...I hoping to get a good flat iron to help me through those final weeks and maybe help me stretch a little longer...That means I need a flat iron I can control the heat temp.....I was not trying to spend another $100-$200...



I went to Sally's today and got the GVP Flat Iron on sale for $59.99 and used my coupon and got a addition 15% off...

1" ceramic plates
Professional salon quality model
Curved edge plate design to curl, straighten and flip
Ceramic ionic technology eliminates frizz, creates silky shiny hair instantly
Heats up to 410°F with adjustable temperature range from 140°F to 410°F
Dual Ceramic PTFC Heaters
Ceramic plates generate far infrared heat to straighten hair from the inside out
Emits ionic Reflectives which enhance hair's condition and shine
Locks in hair color and resists fading
Ceramic will maintain even temperature all the time and is gentle to hair - No damaging hot spots
Squeeze sensitive – styles hair with minimal tension, no pulling or tugging
Lightweight ergonomic design
9-ft. 360° tangle free swivel power cord
Beveled edges for straightening, styling and volumizing

The versatile GVP Ceramic Flat Iron has an ergonomic design and curved edge plates to create any style from straight to curly and everything in between. A powerful heating element and 5 heat settings gives you the power to create the style of your dreams. The GVP styling tool uses Far Infrared Ceramic plates that maintain an even temperature all the time, eliminating hot spots that can cause damage and breakage to the delicate hair strands. This ceramic technology also produces negative ions that seals the cuticle, repels humidity and locks in hair color while smoothing and straightening.

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I also saw on the web site that Sally's now have the FHI Heat Hot Sauce....I have been wanting to try this heat protector for a while now..Well none of the Sally's in my area actually have it in the stores yet..I will wait to see if they will get in soon ...If not I will order it from Sally Web Site

K.I.S.S. & Tell....

Traycee, I have struggled for almost a year trying to get past shoulder length. Why is it so hard to pass shoulder length ? I know a lot of people on LHCF said I need to do protective styles . But there are alot of ladies that did not use protective styles to get past shoulder length. I love wearing my hair down. Is there another way ? Oh I'm relaxed if that helps


My Response

Shoulder length hair is more prone to breakage because rubs up against the collar of your clothes and your shoulders..I agree with the other ladies in response to you needing to try protective styles . Yes some ladies are able to pass shoulder length without using protective styles...But you are not one of them if you have been trying and failing for a year...That means you are not retaining length..

Albert Einstein explains insanity " Doing the same thing and expecting different results"...

If you continue to do the same thing ...You will continue to get the same results.....

Its time to change it up...

I suggest...

• Protective styling....Buns , Ponys...Anything that keeps your hair protected...If you don't like updos...Try wigs , weaves....


• Moisturize and sealing nightly


• Deep conditioning at least once a week


• Stretching your relaxers


• Make sure your stylist isn't trimming your hair faster than your growth rate


• Give direct heat a rest....Put down the blow drier and flat iron..Try roller sets, braid outs etc that don't require direct heat

Small changes can take you to the next level...But you may have to sacrifice some of the styles you love for a few months to do it...

Emails & Request

I have always taken the time to answer emails from all of you @ KISS, You Tube and other sites....

K.I.S.S site and Blog has grown and is still growing...

Due to the overwhelming amount of emails and request...I am no longer able to answer every email.... Only emails that are sent with a confirmation number for One on One Hair Consulting will be handled...Please remember all other emails are answered out of common courtesy and not obligation ....

Most of the questions are common ...Out of courtesy...I will post selective email questions through out the week and answers on my blog
www.keepitsimplesista.blogspot.com

God Bless All Of You

Traycee

Two Braid ...Braid Out On Dry Hair

Updated Regimen

Flat Iron Tutorial