Building My Fall Reggie

Hey there,

Guess what…..I finally got a trim. Its been 6 months and was long over due with me going wash and go crazy. This also means my hair is currently straight and I have tons of updates including new product reviews and an official length check.

I was browsing one of my fav blogs, Mane and Chic and she posted some questions we should all answer when building a reggie.  Be sure to check out her full post. In the meantime I will put my answers to the questions as I continue to update my reggie and stash for the fall:

• How often can you wash? I co-wash every other day for the most part. My goal is to only wash twice a week or less but at one point I washed daily with no probs. When my hair is straight I don’t wash for a week or two.
• Are you going to trim, how often? I trim every 3 to 6 months with only a light dusting.  At least every 6 months by a professional. I am trying to do the search and destroy method but it’s a bit crazy at times.
• How often do you want to deep condition? I deep condition weekly…its a must!
• Are you going to straighten, how often? Lately its been every 6 months with heat. I plan to do it every 3 months alternating heat and  some none to low heat alternative.
• How will you straighten if you decide to do so — roller sets, hot combs, flat irons, etc.? Alternating flat irons or the silk wrap method but as of now I get my hair blowdried and flat ironed.
• Are you going to do protein treatments, how often? I wish I would have done one last week before I straightened but plan to in the future whenever I decide to straighten. (Helps prevent heat damage)
• Will you use shampoo or just conditioner, apple cider vinegar or herbs to wash? I only will use a shampoo after I straighten because its the only time I use silicones. I co-wash and do weekly or bi-weekly acv rinses. I also use amla powder but I use it more as a deep treatment.
• How are you going to protect your hair when you sleep? I take my satin pillow case or bonnet ever where.
• How will you moisturize your hair? I moisturize with a leave in condish sealed with shea butter. When I refresh my hair in the morning I use something water based.
• Are you going to pre-wash your hair? I’m still researching this. I do oil my scalp with coconut oil overnight and add more in the morning to my hair before I wash.
• Are you going to do scalp massages, how often? At one point I was faithfully even did inversion when I had a TWA… I will try to do them daily again as winter approaches with my coconut oil or evoo infused with oils like lavender, peppermint, and sage.
• What are your go-to styles going to be — braid-outs, curl former sets, buns, etc.? I have to switch it up so I don’t get bored. Flat twist outs were working great for a bit.  My bantu knot out is still my signature never failing stying. I’m still working on prefecting braid outs and TnCs. I also loved the results of my flexirod set so thats a keeper. For the most part protective styling will be all I do as winter appoarches i.e. buns, braids, sew-ins, maybe a wig.

Well good luck building your fall reggie these questions should definately help.

XOXO,

Angelique

Guess Whose Bizzack!!!

I know you guys are like what the heck where did she go. Well I actually have a good excuse….. I did the Master Cleanse again and let’s just say this time I was a bit grumpy and definite sign my body was detoxing. I will have all the details and some more tips for you later.

I also have been wash and go crazy and have almost used up my second 32 oz jar of my Eco Styler gel. I also have been on a budget and been very creative whipping up some awesome DTs with coconut milk and oil.

I wish I could say the same about my Oyin products…I’m not really having much success.

I’m also working on my fall regimen so D&C University will be back in session. It’s already getting cold and windy, hence this is the Windy City so I need to calm down on the gels and put more butters and creamy products in my reggie.

Well I gotta get to all this blogging… and don’t forget to comment, send any questions, or even share your experiences.

BTYL,

Angelique

The Journey Never Ends…

Hi there curlies,

I’m currently in search for a new co-wash. I’m thinking about Trader Joe’s Norish condish.

 I am a PJ but I just don’t buy things with out a ton of research. I start by stalking the Natural Curly.com’s reviews and boards, then I use website like Good Guide.com and the Cosmetic database.com to determine how safe the ingredients are, then I stalk my fav youtubers, and my fav blogs like Mane and Chic and Curly Nikki.

 If everything seems ok I make the purchase and see how it works. Its not always a success but you never know until you try and after a while you begin to notice what ingredients work best on your hair.

So far TJ’s Nourish is looking pretty good but I am accepting recommendations so feel free to leave a comment.

XOXO and Fab Curls,

Angelique

Step:1 Research, Research, Research!!!!

Someone once told me “without a plan there is no purpose”….with that having a regimen is the most important part to having healthy hair and being in love with your hair.

The Perfect Reggie: Step 1 Research, Research, Research

 

• read books from hair professionals

The book that started it all for me was Curly Girl: The Handbook By: Lorraine Massey. This book explains the famous “cg method” aka the conditioner only method. I’m not a fan of books that come with a product line but this one was worth it.

I can’t say the same for Anthony Dickey’s book Hair Rules!: The Ultimate Hair-Care Guide for Women with Kinky, Curly, or Wavy Hair. I felt like I was obligated to buy his products. There was some good info for newbies but stay tuned for the full review.

Lisa Akbari, a natural hair care expert has several books that are packed with so much info especially when it comes to taking care of Black hair. I recommend everyone to read her book The Black Woman’s Guide to Beautiful Hair: Positive Approach to Managing Any Hair Type and Style. This book not only gives different techniques in care for hair but it starts with the mental before getting to the scalp.

Paula Begoun’s “Don’t Go Shopping for Hair Products Without Me” was also an interesting book. Although I didn’t agree with everything it was packed with reviews on almost all hair products. She breaks it all down by ingredients and even puts company’s on blast about ingredients that are so called “natural” but do more damage than good.

I’m currently reading Riquette Hofstein’s Grow Hair Fast: 7 Steps to a New Head of Hair in 90 Days. This book is packed with info and I’m taking my time with this one. From the importance of scalp massages to natural recipes to grow hair all organized step by step this is one of the best books out there on growing hair.

Beautiful Black Hair: Real Solutions to Real Problems By: Shamboosie is another good, easy read and covers relaxed hair, weaves, color, natural hair care, and children’s hair care.

I have learn so much from these books and plan to give a full reviews throughout the week. I also have others on hold at the library. I am not an advocate of buying books at first because saying money is more important and if its not worth buying I wont have to worry about having a book collecting dust on my shelf.

 

• visit several hair websites

The number one site in my book is NaturallyCurly.com…. its jammed packed with articles, product reviews, and a forum that’s like no other. Most of the information I got from lurking around the site then officially joining in on discussions on the forum. What I got from the forums I back up with the books I read and my next step (what other people were saying).

Motown Girl was another resource for me and I would visit it multiple times to make sure I didn’t mess up the recipe or style I was trying, she outlined on the site. Like NC.com she has product reviews and articles but she also has tons of recipes and hair styling suggestions and explanations.

 

The newest site I have stumbled across is Tightly Curly.Her hair is super long and absolutely gorgeous. Personally I’m more comfortable getting advice from someone that’s already achieved what I’m on the road too. She was great conditioner recommendations, an ingredient dictionary, and she breaks down her reggie which is similar to mine.

 

Overall I wish I would have done more research especially when I began the CG method. I treated silicones like the devil and after overlooking one in one of my conditioners I realized they aren’t all bad. I was also able to put together a basic reggie with this step alone but trust me there needs to be more  if you want absolutely fabulous hair. None of this happens over night its indeed a journey… but a fun one.

Thanks for tuning in to another edition of Diamonds and Curls University…..and look out for the full book reviews on these and others….

 

XoXo,

Angelique

D&C Univ: Step 1 of Creating The Perfect Reggie

Hey curlies,

For this weeks edition of Diamonds and Curls University….I’m dedicating the majority of this week to Step 1: Research, Research, Research on how to create the perfect regimen.From the books I currently have to some of the hot curly website I want you to have it all and not make the same mistakes I did.

Leave me any feedback if there’s something you want me to review this week..

XoXo,

Angelique

Curly Kitchen: Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse

After putting wayyyyyy to much product in my hair I decided I need to start fresh. After co-washing and detangling with my VO5 Tea Therapy in the shower I made two twists and poured my ACV rinse all over my head. I did one finally rinse then proceeded with styling  (my trusty Bantu knots)  because I might go out tonight.

To make your own ACV Rinse all you need is:

1-2 tbsp. of  ACV

16 oz. of warm water

Mix, pour and go!

The smell does not last long you really don’t need to rinse it out. Once your hair dries you are all good.

Since I am not using shampoo at the moment this does what shampoo does and more. It makes your hair shinier than usually as well as removing any build up from the scalp.

I have used baking soda rinses in the past but over time its extremely drying now I just use it to clean my combs, brushes, and hair accessories.

Anyways if you have any questions or comments do so below 🙂

 

XoXo,

Angelique

D & C University:Creating A Regimen

The most important part to having healthy, fabulous looking hair is creating the perfect regimen. No regimen should be set and stone…and what works for one person might not work so others. I have been trying to create the perfect reggie but as the seasons change so does the needs of my hair. There was a lot of trial and error the first few months, but I think I finally have it down. The 5 steps below I think are key and I will expound upon them throughout the week

How To Create The Perfect Reggie

Step 1: Research, Research, Research!

Step2: See What Other People Are Saying

Step 3: Experiment

Step4: Keep It Simple

Step 5: Have Fun!

Due to me being a full-time college student and the current state of the economy I only buy what I will be using for the month. I am a product junkie so its not easy but I have had luck finding products that are reasonably priced.

My Current Reggie

Co-wash: Vo5 Strawberries and Cream or Tea Therapy

Conditioner/Leave-in:Giovanni’s Direct Leave In,  Kinky Curly’s Knot Today

Deep Conditioner:Generic Value Product Joico K-PAK or Aubrey Organics GPB Rosemary Peppermint

Butters and Oils:Unrefined Shea Butter, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, EVOO,  or Carol’s Daughter Lisa’s Hair Elixir

Gels and Stylers:Ampro Clear Ice, Fantasia IC (clear), Organic Root Stimulator Lock and Twist Gel

Kitchen Cosmetics:  Apple Cider Vinegar Rinses, Caramel Treatment

Ayurvedic/Indian Herbs:Amla Powder, Brahmi Powder, and Dulhan Henna

 

Products I Used Last Month

Co-wash: Suave Naturals Lavender , Lustrasilk Shea Butter and Mango Cholesterol

Conditioner/Leave-in:Lustrasilk, ShiKai Everyday Conditioner or Nature’s Gate Grapefruit and Ginger

Deep Conditioner: Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose

Butters and Oils:Unrefined Shea Butter, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, EVOO,  or Carol’s Daughter Lisa’s Hair Elixer

Gels and Stylers:Herbal Essence Set Me Up, Ampro Clear Ice, Fantasia IC (clear), Organic Root Stimulator Lock and Twist Gel

Ayurvedic/Indian Herbs:Amla Powder and Dulhan Henna

 

My Routine

• co-wash 2-3 times a week
• seal ends with butter or oil daily 
• clarify with acv rinse when needed
• scalp massages with oils 2 times a day
• baggy overnight with coconut oil before co-wash day
• dc weekly (overnight mask with amla or brahmi then dc with heat cap)
• henna bi-weekly (considering monthly I made a mess the last time)
• protective styles (buns, bantu knot out, experimenting with Curly Nikki’s Twist N Curl, Outre Half Wig)
• shampoo almost never I had to last week after realizing my ShiKai had amodimethicone (I have been doing the CG thing since January)
• i take a multi-vitamin, biotin, and sometimes msm (gives me headaches) daily
• try to drink 64-128oz of water

 

Feel free to share what products you like and don’t like. If you think you have the perfect reggie or routine feel free to share that too!

 

XoXo,

Angelique