Summer School

Today was the beginning of the second session of summer school. And even though I'm stuck in class for four hours (2 hour lab followed directly by the 2 hour lecture), it's not all bad... yet.

My biology professor is a curly! Think Lorraine Massey, but much better!

And today we learned about the "important molecules," which include lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins (there's a fourth, but we didn't get to it today)! I knew pretty much everything she talked about related to proteins solely because of my curl knowledge! How cool is that?

There was an interesting discussion on the structure of proteins and what can change them. Proteins are functionally dependent on their structure, and this has awakened the inner geek in me. It took a while, but it's here! I'm wondering if I do something to change the structure of a protein, if it will stop the effect it has on my hair and allow me to use products I normally wouldn't be able to use.

That goes down a whole other road. I have a major headache right now, so am not thinking about or looking to experiment anytime soon, but it's an interesting thought.

Bouncing Back

Just a quick update - this morning I decided to use Curl Junkie's Curl Assurance Leave-In as my rinse-out. It has some oils in it, but I'm going to shampoo again anyway after my GVP Conditioning Balm gets here. My curls are much better today. There is a little frizz in the back, but it's curling again and there are a few ringlets.

Speaking of shipments, Sally's website is out of Lustrasilk. So my order shipped without it. I may go down to my store and see if they have it. Of course I would go to the store after all this!

I'm officially out of my dorm. Very happy about that!

Lustrasilk On Sale at Sally's

Yes, I caved and bought online. So what?

Since I was already on the site, I decided to check out Lustrasilk's Shea Mango conditioner. I didn't have an amazing experience with the Olive Oil version, but I decided to try it for a few reasons.

1. I didn't experiment much with it after that inital testing.
2. The weather has changed dramatically since then (dews are a whopping 60 degrees higher, lol)
3. Curlies with the same texture/porosity as me did quite well with it
4. It's on sale for $1.99
   

Less than $2 for a giant tub - I'm sold!

I know it's semi-hypocritical/probably stupid to purchase since it does contain oil and I did just shampoo for the second time in two months due to oil build-up problems, but... it's $2! And hopefully the shea butter balances it out.

Here's to hopefully fast shipping!

I'm also on the lookout for a new dryer/diffuser. My first one started acting up in October (it was four years old, but I had only used it for four months at that point). I bought another Revlon dryer (different model) and have been happy until now. I have to reset it at least twice every time I plug it in, which is followed by a burning smell for a second or two, and then it gets very hot. So I've been sort of looking around. I want to get a better one that will last me longer than a few months. There is a GVP dryer on sale at Sally's, but it's less wattage than the one I have now. Not sure how much of a difference that will make. So we'll see.

And Once Again, I'm Reminded...

of how much my hair HATES sulfates! I cannot believe I used to do this on a tri-weekly basis! My poor hair!

I shampooed yesterday to get rid of oil build-up.

Not pretty.

At.

All.

It's actually embarrassing. My hair will be in a bun for the next few days (perhaps with a secret DT) until it recovers.

Thankfully my new bottle of KCKT and some duckbill clips will be here by then. I have a new bottle of V05 for my co-wash - blackberry sage tea - but have still not made it to sally's. Part of me is embarrassed to go in there with hair like this (ok, most of me). I may cave and order online... is that sad?

On a more positive note, this is my LAST WEEK living in a dorm! From now on, I'll be home with a regular bathroom with a regular electrical outlet strategically placed near a mirror. Finally.

Allergic to Suave

Sorry I've been MIA for a while. Between school, visiting family, and an underwhelming birthday, I've been busy. In hair news, the repeated use of BB's Smoothie has finally built up on me. My hair is frizzy when wet and not curling as well as I know it can. It only has a small amount of palm oil in it, so I'm now weary of all oils. I was thinking about taking advantage of the 4th of July sales and getting some of the CJ DT, but I really don't want to spend that much on something that might make my hair look worse. Thankfully I have not used any of the samples I got from KM. That would have been a waste.

I'm so in need of conditioner right now, it's crazy. I'm out of V05, so I used Suave Lavendar for yesterday's co-wash. BAD IDEA. I stopped using Suave conditioners a few weeks ago, thinking it was contributing to my allergic reactions after getting out of the shower. I was right. By the time I had finished co-washing yesterday, some hives and red patches had popped up on my back. I'm not sure what it is about those conditioners (maybe a preservative?) but it's bad.

I'm also out of a rinse-out - well technically I have some of BB's Smoothie left, but I don't feel a great need to finish it. I wish I liked it, but unfortunately I don't. I think that about Jessicurl as well. Sigh. But I've been meaning to pick up some GVP Conditioning Balm for a few weeks now (!) and just haven't gotten around to it. Today or tomorrow for sure!

And of course, I'm thisclose to being done with my first bottle of KCKT. It lasted six months - that's a good thing right?

Off to do some shopping - happy 4th, everyone!

Why Is It That...

...you always get the most and best compliments when you personally think your hair looks like crap?

Just one of the many rules of curly hair that I just don't understand.

Pink Boots & KCCC Revisited

OMG - why did I ever stop using this combo? I'm in love! Frizz-free clumps with root curl and shine - what more could a curly girl ask for?

Did I mention our temps are in the high 90s to low 100s? With dew points in the 60s and 70s??

As I said in my last post, I revisited this combo on Friday (after my previous blog entry on the subject was referenced in a post on nc.com -whoot!). I had really good second day hair on Saturday (enough to get some compliments, which hasn't happened in a long time!). I wasn't feeling well yesterday, so it spent most of the day in a bun. I decided to wash last night, and it actually looked pretty good when I took it down. So potential 3rd day hair!

I washed last night, scrunched out most of the crunch, and put it up in a modified pineapple. It was AMAZING this morning! I didn't even have to do anything to refresh it! I'm really hoping for third day hair. Not only would it be awesome to accomplish, but it's a serious pain to do my hair in this dorm room. I have two more weeks (but home on Thursdays for the weekend) after this that I'm stuck here. If I never have to wash my hair here again, I will be one happy curly girl!

I really wish I had pictures to post. My hair looked very similar to the way it did at my sister's confirmation a few weeks ago (at which time I also failed to take pictures!). I think it also has something to do with GVP Conditioning Balm. I've been using BB's Smoothie and not getting the same results. I pretty much scraped the bottom of my last bottle last night. Really need to get some more!