Source: Style Bistro

If you're like me, you co-wash (wash with conditioner) your hair  (when it starts to itch) style it, and keep it moving. In my mind, the conditioner would get to my hair and provide enough moisture to last my hair several weeks. I was wrong! The areas I paid the least amount of attention to were my temple and nape. Needless to say, this is the part of my hair that is the most damaged.

What Should You Do?  Along with co-washing your extensions every 1-2 weeks, you should make sure you're oiling your scalp after each wash (or every other day if you can!). I found that using a dropper helps me to get in between braids or weave nets. You should also practice massaging the oil into your temple and nape to maintain your hair's health. Performing a deep treatment after taking down your extensions is also a good idea

Neglecting your own hair while donning a luxurious extensions is a recipe for disaster.

-RB

Today, this same quirk is what drives our adoration for singer. Solange can wear just about any outfit and she can also rock any hair. For Complex, she opted for big hair and I LOVE it! I'm pretty sure this is a Kinky Curly Wig with about 16-20 ounces of hair. Either way I am LOVING all of the photos for the magazine spread. Check them out below:

Shampoo & Leave In Conditioning:

Shampooing- When it comes to shampoo, I use just about whatever I can find at the moment. I'm usually between my Wella Enriched Shampoo and my Aussie Moist. I've been told that Herbal Essence's Totally Twisted is good for natural hair too (I'll be reviewing it soon)

Conditioning:  I use Cantu's Shea Butter Leave in Conditioning Repair Cream to lock in moisture in my hair. I comb through a generous amount of the conditioner and let it sit until its time for braiding.

Braiding:

Braid Pattern: I braid my hair with the leave in conditioner. This can get a little messy, but it helps with keep my hair moisturized while wearing my weaves. My hair is braided with two braids in the direct middle of my head going straight back and the rest of the braids going down the sides of my head. The two braids in the middle are necessary for my middle part wig. Since the lace wig aligns with my scalp, I make sure the braids have enough spacing in between.

Oiling My Scalp:

Simplicity Oil: After braiding my hair, I drop 5 drops around my nape and the temple of my head (10 total). I work this into my scalp by massaging the areas for about 1-2 minutes. With the oil that's left on my hands, I work it into the rest of my scalp.

Coconut Oil: I heat 1-2 table spoons of extra virgin coconut oil in the microwave and then I work a generous amount around my edges and throughout my braids.

Wig Installation:

After the Leave in Conditioner and Oils have air-dried, I place my full wig on and sew around the parameters for a more secure fit.

I have been doing this for a bout 3 weeks and I can already see my edges beginning to grow in thicker and healthier. The oils have softened my hair and are helping to stop breakage.

Have a regimen you'd like to share!? Let me know info@iamrochelle.com

My hair had never felt so soft! After shampooing my hair, I comb through the Shea Butter and let it sit in my hair. Since I wear a custom wig, I braid my hair down (with the leave in cream) and let it air dry. Braiding your hair with the conditioning cream can be a little messy, but this helps to lock the moisture in really well. For those wanting to do the twist out look, I've heard twisting your hair with the conditioning cream works wonders too!

While this is a new product for me, I'm sure it's no secret in the natural world. I've adopted this along with a few drops of my simplicity oil into my weekly regimen.

Product Specs:

Formulated for severely damaged, dry or coarse hair and made with pure shea butter, Cantu Leave In Conditioning Repair Cream stops and mends hair breakage while leaving hair soft, shiny, and manageable.

Cantu Shea Butter Leave In Conditioning Repair Cream is an intensive deep penetrating leave in cream conditioning treatment that is made with pure Shea Butter and other natural oils to stop and mend breakage, repair split ends, and add manageability and shine with every application. When used daily, Cantu Shea Butter Leave In Conditioning Repair Cream helps promote strong, long healthy hair.Cantu Shea Butter Leave In Conditioning Repair Cream helps stop and mend hair breakage. Repair split ends and reduce frizz. Protect hair from heat damage hydrate and moisturize with Shea Butter and natural oils. (Source: Cantu)

At first, I was a little scared that since the oil was being heavily promoted by celebs that I wouldn't be able to afford it! Not True. The .68 fl. oz./20 ml bottle of simplicity oil retailed for $28.50. The oil ships with a small dropper and it smells heavenly!

How much do you need?  A little goes a long way with this oil. Because I am concentrated on repairing my edges and nape, I use about 5 drops (after a wash) along the front and back of my head. I massage the oil into my scalp and let my hair air dry. I usually have enough oil left on my hands to work it throughout the rest of my hair with ease. The oil is NOT heavy and is light enough to use on your extensions as well.

I purchased my Simplicity Oil in April and I've been using it for about 2 1/2 weeks. My hair is noticeably softer and its ability to hold moisture has improved. I have included the oil in my new hair growth regimen that I will share in a follow-up post.

Product Specs:

Simplicity hair oil is an all natural blend of Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grapeseed) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Oil, Laurus Nobilis (Bay Laurel) Oil, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus (Eucalyptus) Oil, Lavendula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Citrus Limonum (Lemon) Oil, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary Verbenone) Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil, Cananga Adorata (Ylang Ylang) Oil and Daucus Carota (Carrot) Oil. It can be used as a daily moisturizer, ends protector, hot oil treatment or to boost luster and shine. (Source:  Simplicity Oil)

I searched around YouTube and found reviews on a lace closure from aliexpress with pre-bleached knots.  The closure retails for $80 and ships within 3-7 days! It's light weight and looks SO natural even my mom couldn't tell. Since the knots are already bleached, all I had to do was align the part with a part in-between my braids.  Photos & Vendor info below!

Pre Bleached Knots:

On my Head:

(No Glue, No Tape)

Vendor Info:

Ann Tsang, Queen Beauty Weave
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-s...

Specs:
14"
Brazilian Body Wave
Color: 1B

Breakage

My edges were the first to go. When washing my hair, clumps of hair would come out. I started noticing bald patches around the back of my head. Choosing to ignore the obvious signs of chemical damage, I figured my hair was breaking because of other factors (diet, stress, etc.). I changed my eating habits completely-- still no change.

A Second Big Chop

My edges continued to break well into March, three months after my initial perm. I consulted a friend at work who is fully natural and she suggested that I cut off the permed ends of my edges. I must mention that since the breakage was so bad, there wasn't much to cut. Still, I got my scissors out and cut all the straight ends that I could find. My hair was so low I wanted to cry!

Why cut the permed ends? Cutting the permed ends stops the hair from continuing to break up to your roots. After cutting my ends, my hair started to grow back-- although not immediately. I had to adopt a healthy hair regimen which I'll share in an upcoming post.I also took to wearing full wigs with lace closures so that none of my hair is left out (post coming about these too!).

In all, I would give ANYTHING to rewind and go back to my natural hair before this disaster. But there is a blessing in every lesson and I intend on sharing with you my journey back to healthy hair!

-RB

Source: Instagram