My game plan to return to APL with a vengenace by April 30, 2015

It is said that there is no use crying over spilled milk so I have come to accept my shoulder length hair and has been plotting, planning and researching how to get back to full thick and luscious APL  with a venegance!

[1] I will be relaxing twice a year, my next relaxer with be April 30, 2015. I have stretched my relaxer for a year without any little or no problems except for shedding which I mastered through the use of Black and green tea rinses as well as coffee.

[2] I will be consistent in my regimen , if you subscribe to hair bloggers and youtube hair gurus you will recognise that one common thread that has been reasoned to aid in hair growth and length retention is consistently. From October to December 2014 I will continue with the following regimen:

Mondays

1. Prepoo with Light to Moderate Protein Deep Conditioner.
2. Alternate non SLS shampoo with co washing weekly.
3. Moisturising Deep Conditioning with honey, castor oil and other oils.
4. Apply Castor oil treatment to scalp only.
5. Apply Moisture Leave in and seal with a light oil such as grape seed oil.
6. Air dry and style in a bun

Thursdays

1. Moisture Deep Conditioning Treatment - mix with honey + castor oil + other oils
2. Co-wash
3. Apply leave in and seal with light oil
4. Roller set/ bantu knots out

[4] For the period from January to February my regimen will as I plan to use Combo protective styles such as crochet or marley braid styles.

Prior to installation I will be doing the following :
1. Clarifying hair with clarifying shampoo
2. Hot oil treatment
3. Deep Condition with Medium to Heavy Protein Deep Conditioner
4. Rinse out and co-wash
5. Apply Moisturising Deep conditioner
6. Apply leave in and seal with light oil
7. Install crochet or marley braid.

My braiding regimen will now include

1. I will be utilising Audrey's braid cleansing method once a month to cleanse my hair (see pg. 137 of The Science of Black Hair Care). Essentially I will be braiding the braided hair into 4 sections and washing and conditioning with diluted products .The length of the braid will be cleansed by  a 'squeeze and milk motion'. Followed by drying under the hooded dryer then apply leave- in and seal.

2. Daily misting with moisturiser leave -in mix  (vegetable glycerine+ kinky curly knot today, aloe vera juice (inner fillet, water,  and grape seed oil) , followed by a protein leave in every 3 days to retain strength.

3. Apply Castor oil treatment to scalp every 2 to 3 days.

4. For weekly refreshening baby wipes or damp paper towel could be used to wipe the roots of the hair

[5] From March 2015  since I would have  been regularly deep conditioning my hair , I intend to  take  my regimen up a notch by deep conditioning 3 times a week. Monday Wednesdays and Saturdays using the regimen outlined in [2].

[6] For April 1, 2015 I hope to return to braiding for at least 3 weeks using the Braiding regimen outlined in [4] above.

[7] For the final week in April I will take down braid and proceed to carry out the pre installation braiding steps outlined in [4] in preparation for a relaxer the following week.

[8] In addition to my  external focus, internally I will be:

1. Reinforce my hair goal daily through positive affirmation along with a vision board.

2. Drink 3-4 litres per day to assist with internal moisture + weekly green juices and smoothies.

3. Maintain a balanced diet -  lean protein, complex carbs and lots of vegetables and fruits.

4. Vitamin regimen - Omega 3 + MSM+ Biotin . Not sure about the biotin and MSM because I tend to get break outs while taking them.

5. Exercise daily.