KEEPING IT COOL IN 2012 CHALLENGE - CLOSED

I feel like I haven't updated in a while!  Whelp, I used my last heat pass for the year and had a few revelations.  At first I was like lawd I'm still not BSL?  But then I remembered that in February I was ONLY APL due to a trim that the stylist turned into a cut and here I am 8 months later and I am nearly BSL - I'm doing something right because last year I barely had this much progress the entire year.  Also, I used the Optimum Care Heat Protectant Polisher (I am a partner with Soft Sheen Carson now...whoo hooo) and I am telling ya'll that stuff is heaven sent!  I have never had such smooth, shiny NON DRIED results from flat ironing.  Ever.  Which is one of the main reasons I don't do it much, hell I'm bad at it, lol!  But this product made my jaw drop open.  I'm actually going to try rollersetting with in tomorrow to see how that goes cause I loved it that much.  For some reason, although I do love the Optimum Care relaxer, I wasn't expecting much from this product just because I've never been wowed by a heat protectant before.  Anywhoo, lemme stop rambling and post pics, that's what we want!  Sorry about the weird watermarking...long story.

I'm getting a sew in Monday and then riding with the Hollywood 10 minute Sew In I mentioned a earlier in the thread.  Hiding for the rest of the year and got my finger on the trigger to buy some Hairfinity vitamins!  I'm going super hard in 2013!  :-)  *going back to read everyone else's updates*

I have some catching up to do. Sorry for my lack of posting, but I am currently in the middle of finding a bigger apartment. I swear, when two people move in together, its like every month there becomes less and less room lol. Hopefully I will be settled within the next few months, lol!

Hair wise, I'm happy to say I've found my regimen, and I'm sticking with it. I'm telling you, DC'ing can really make or break a reggie. So instead of finding that 'one perfect DC', I just decided to start mixing my own...

 I mix V05 (sometimes Tressemme Naturals) with Coconut Oil, Lisa's Hair Elixir, and Aloe Vera Juice.. I end up banding my hair, putting on a plastic bag (because I'm too cheap to buy plastic caps lol) and rinse out the next day.

I then do my wash n go on freshly Dc'd and cleansed hair. The products that I've made my 'ride or dies' (or staples lol) are Shea Moistures Anti-Breakage Masque, KCCC, and just a thin layer of Ecostyler Argan Oil gel for multiple day hold. I can usually go about 4 days now with this method.  For night care, I usually give it a quick mist with water, and then put my hair into what I call two Chun Li buns and sleep on a satin pillow case. I then repeat the same steps every 4 days. I also forgot to mention I Dry DC. I find I really get each strand coated that way.

All in all, I've learned just to stick with what works lol. I am excited for my 2 year HHJ Anniversary next month! Especially with what all I have learned thus far! :)