My Hair Regimen

Hey guys!!

I get tons and tons of questions from my You Tube subscribers on how to get healthy hair. I find myself writing the same things over and over and over again. So I've decided to put all of my findings here.

I'm not a professional...not by a long shot. What I am about to share with you is what I've learned over the years. These tips are from trial and error, pro-tips, and chatting with friends.

My hair has always been thick. But It's always been no longer than just below my ears. I've always had some level of breakage, shedding, something. I've always been very aware of my hair. I would absolutely NOT leave my house without curling my hair. It was a no no. That lasted throughout my teen years, and most of my 20s.

By my 30s, I realized that something had to change. My hair was strong, why wouldn't it grow past my shoulders? I started to experiment with different brands. I've used Creme of Nature, Motions, Nexxus, Nioxin, Suave, Biolage, Pantene, you name it!! I've used shampoos, conditioners, conditioning shampoos, serums, anti-frizz creams, blow dry lotions, leave-in conditioners, protein packs, deep conditioners, mousse, hairspray, gel, grease, oil, again...you name it!!

Then, one day, I was watching YouTube, Ateyaaa's channel to be exact, and came upon these natural products that she was raving about. Nugro. I figured I'd tried everything else, so why not give this a try as well. My first order was in January of 2009. I ordered the hair grow oil, the shampoo and conditioner. I noticed a difference in my hair right away. Like literally the first use. My hair felt silkier, smoother, and was more manageable while it was wet. When I started using the Nugro, my hair wasn't shedding or breaking, it was just not as thick as it has always been and I wanted my thickness back and some length. I wanted maximum results, so here's what I did:

My Nugro regimen January 2009

--I Shampooed and conditioned with the Nugro once a week following the instruction on the bottle.

--I parted my hair in half inch sections and applied the hair oil to my scalp twice a day religiously. The hair grow oil (which was really a grease) made my hair so greasy and heavy, I couldn't do anything with it but put it in a ponytail or wear a wig or half wig.

--I used the moisturizing spray twice a day. I loved it to wrap my hair with at night.

--I wrapped my hair every night as well, no exceptions.

I notice my hair was getting thicker and longer by June. I decided that I wanted to wear it out more, so I went from applying the oil twice a day to twice a week, but it was still super thick, so I went back to the website. It seemed like there were new products every time I went back to order more products. I ordered the dry hair formula conditioner, and the coconut oil based hair oil, because it was lighter. I incorporated both into the regimen above.

By December, my hair was past my shoulders and super thick, yay!!! I started using the oil free spray at this point. It was chock full of alcohol, so I used it sparingly so as not to dry my hair out. I used it two times a week, directly on my scalp. I kept the same regimen above, but only used the oil once a week and the moisturizing spray once a week as well.

I kept my Nugro regimen up for a little less than two years. My hair is doing pretty well now. I've noticed some changes in Nugro, so I'm not as diligent with the product as I am with my regimen. Here is my healthy hair regimen:

My Current Hair Regimen:

--Wash with a good moisturizing shampoo every week or every other week.
--Condition with a good moisturizing conditioner with every wash.
--Deep condition every two weeks
--Towel dry
--Blow dry to 85% dry
--Add quarter size (depending on length) silkening or anti-frizz serum,(I use Chi Infusion)and work through damp hair, finish blow drying.
--Add your favorite flat iron/thermal protectant (I use Fantasia's IC spray) and flat iron.
--Wrap EVERY night to avoid breakage, if necessary, use a light touch of the serum or a leave in spray to help wrap and keep in moisture.
--Touch up every 8 weeks or better AT THE SALON ONLY
--Trim with touch up
I may oil my hair during the week if my ends feel dry (I use the liquid Nugro hair oil)

******I never do my own touch ups anymore******
I know it can get expensive, but if you think about it, you can save $10 every week and by week 8, you will have $80. That should cover your touch up plus a tip (hopefully).

Hair Tips:

~~Never curl your hair dirty. Only curl it right after you wash it. The dirt and oils from the week can help lead to breakage. Plus, the more you curl your hair, the weaker it becomes and will break easily.

~~Be aware of what you eat. A healthy diet leads to healthy hair.

~~Medications and an excess of vitamins can also harm your hair growth and health.

~~When all else fails, talk with your physician, stylist, or a dermatologist


Whew! That was a lot!! I'm including some of my regimen videos and you can always google your questions or search topics on You Tube. There are lots and lots of fantastical gurus out there who know what they're talking about. I'm just a girl with a lot of life experience.









Hope this helps.

Let me know if you have any input or questions...

xoxo

Bath and Body Works!!

Hey guys and gals...

Bath and Body Works are having their 2 for $20 sale on their huge candles!! The candles are usually $19.50 each. They have some new fruity (my fave) scents too...get yours while they last, I just ordered mine.

Also, I found a great coupon code on RetailMeNot.com that allowed me another 20% off with basically gave me free shipping!!! Don't miss out!!

Makeup on men

So...

When you look at that fine guy in the magazine, do you realize that his skin is so smooth and silky looking because he has makeup on? Yes girls (and boys)...that amazingly bronzed Adonis is wearing foundation.

Tell me, how do you feel about it?

What about in real life now...YOU are the one with makeup on your shirt when he leaves....

For all my shopping girls!!!

GIRLHAUL.COM

GirlHaul.com, a social networking site for girls to share shopping "haul" videos, how-to tutorials, and fashion & beauty product reviews is seeking "Alpha Haulers" and regular spokeswomen/hosts talent for its site. Amy McKeever, casting. Shoots early Feb., plus periodic assignments as needed.

Seeking—Alpha Haulers: female, 16-24, should be genuinely interested in fashion and familiar with hauling, will be asked to upload four haul video segments on the site describing fashion purchases, opinions, etc. within one week of selection. Note: Based on site response, producers will select several stellar "SpokesHaulers" to interview fashion personalities, report on fashion trends, fashion shows, and convention events. All assignments are on the talent's own time, wherever they have access to Girlhaul.com, with various on-location assignments for the spokeswomen.

Open call interviews will be held Jan. 26, 4-8 p.m. at Ripley-Grier Studios, 520 Eighth Ave. (btwn. 36th & 37th sts.), 16th fl., NYC. Interviews will be held in five- to 10-minute increments. Producers guarantee face time. For more info, visit www.girlhaul.com. Pay, plus credit, meals, travel, and lodging provided.

Sabotage...

Good day yall!!!

Ok, seriously, I've been doing well on my 'eating right' kick. I totally refuse to call it a diet because I'm not dieting. I'm just eating better and calculating everything. Plus, I'm still nursing...so I have to keep my calories up for Mason. Not too high though.

So this morning, I ran to CVS just to pick up some baby bananas and some wipes...and what did I see...aside from the 75% off on quite the bit of makeup (yes, I bought too much that I don't need)...they had 75% off on Christmas stuff including...

Reeses Peanut Butter Cups Minis (in the holiday bag)

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHh

Why did I purchase it? I've been poppin' Reeses like tic-tacs...so at this point, I've wasted 660 calories, like a third of my calories for the day blown on crap. Do we intentionally sabotage ourselves...?? Not only with food, but in life. Do we put ourselves in situations that we KNOW we shouldn't be in and then have the deer-in-the-headlights look...??

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Hey yall!!

Don't you hate that people you don't see until February STILL say Happy New Year to you? LOL...whatever. I'm sayin' it to ya, a week late, and I'm meaning it. I'm wishing you the best year yet!!

So I figured I'd come and do a quick damn-them-all blog to begin the year. Happy time, right? LOL...

I just got off the line with my neice who is getting married this year...YAY...she's such a good girl. She tells me how she had to postpone her wedding because this person wanted this, that person wanted that...the date wasn't good for everyone...blah blah blah.

Really?

Ok, here is where the real Dyna comes in to play. WTH?!?! I told her that this is going to be HER day. She should not have to make it convenient or comfortable for anyone (unless of course it's her future mother-in-law...and only to a degree) but her and her future husband. People will try your last nerve. I can't even imagine that someone would tell anyone that their colors are wrong, there dress style is wrong, they don't like the food choices or ANYTHING...that they have chosen for their own wedding is wrong. OMG people have NERVE!! And do you know what she said to me at the end of the call? Auntie, I know that the kids' birthdays are in September (yes, all 3 of my kids were born in September), and the wedding is going to be then too, so what day would be best for you?

-Blank Stare-

THIS IS GOING TO BE YOUR DAY!!!! DON'T ASK ANYONE ANYTHING, TELL THEM, INCLUDING ME!! I will make it my business to be there...She's such a sweetie.


So, my 'New Year' advice to you (and to me) is THIS IS GOING TO BE YOUR YEAR...MAKE IT ABOUT YOU...DAMN WHAT "they" SAY...THEY DON'T KNOW SQUAT!!! Seriously, you can listen, but it's all about you and what you want. Stop letting others decide your fate and alleged happiness. Make 2011 yours!!

XOXO
-Dyna

Holiday Blues...

Hey guys and gals!!

Is it me, or does it seem like the drama always begins around the holidays? Is it the excessive shopping on a limited budget that drives people insane? Is it the frustration from the entire year that culminates at the end and makes folks crazy?

Whatever it is, it's not worth getting yourself all flustered over. It usually clears itself up around February, but in some cases it won't. There are so many other pressing issues to worry about...the little things are just that.

If you are feeling some-kinda-way, here are some sites to check out...

Coping with Holiday Grief

Bereavement Articles and Poems

Grief.net

7 Ways to Deal with Grief