Hits and Misses for 2010, 2011 and 2012....

LOL! I found these entries that I thought I posted, but clearly didn't. Better late than never...

2010
Original post date: Dec 27, 2010 (Relaxed)
As the year comes to a close I am thinking about my future hair goals. I have had some real success this year in terms of hair growth and retaining length, so here's hoping--or ensuring that this can be maintained in the new year. Here are a few products (and techniques) that created magic as well as a few disasters for my hair over the last year:

Hits

Aveda Dry Remedy Shampoo

Aubrey Organics GPB
Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Moisturizing Conditioner
Aubrey Organics Rose Mosquette Conditioner
Aphogee 2 min Reconstructor

Avocado Oil

Jamaican Black Castor Oil
Komaza Shea Butter Lotion
Neutrogena Triple Moisture Leave in Conditioner 

Olive Oil

Jojoba Oil

Virgin Coconut Oil

EOs

ACV

Clarifying once a month

Finger combing will in the shower

Adding oils to my conditioners

Sleeping with a satin scarf and satin pillowcase

Overnight deep conditioning treatments

Misses

Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Moisturizing Shampoo

Aubrey Organics Island Naturals Shampoo
Burt's Bees Avocado Butter Pre-Shampoo Treatment 
IC Fantasia Aloe Vera Complex Leave In Treatment 

Protectiv Healthy Ends Daily Leave in Strengthener

Protectiv Mega Growth Daily Leave in Strengthener
Aussie Moist Conditioner
Protective styling (twist extensions) 

Dry combing hair

Neither Hit nor Miss/Just There:

Aveda Dry Remedy Conditioner
Henna Treatment (only here because of what it does to my scalp)
Lustrasilk Shea Mango Cholesterol Conditioner

Mizani Kerafuse Strengthening Treatment

Mizani Hydrafuse Moisturizing Treatment

Protectiv Break Free Daily Leave in Strengthener

Giovanni leave in Conditioner 

Using a filtered shower head

2011
Original post date: Dec 29, 2011 (Transitioning as of June 2011)

As you know I have tried a few new products/techniques over the year with some progress. I have learned some more things about my hair and I'm happy for it. :

Hits

Giovanni Direct Leave in

Organiques Amla & Holy Basil Conditioner

Homemade Avocado Protein Mask

Weekly scalp tonics

ACV Herbal Rinse 

Co-washing mid week

Low Manipulation

Protective 99% of the time

Detangling prior to pre-poo

Finger combing

Combing hair only after hair is completely dry

Washing hair in 4 braided sections 

Oyin Lightweight Lotion

Mild protein treatments 2x month

Argan/Jojoba/EVCO blend as a sealant

Alternating between protein and moisture based moisturizers

Misses

Black tea rinse

Vegetable Glycerin 

Cream of Nature Shampoo

Quick Weave

Self-Relaxing

Henna with ACV

Neither Hit nor Miss/Just There:

Liquid Black Soap
Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo  (hit for natural hair; miss for relaxer)

What I learned about my hair and products in general over the last year:

• CON  and other hair stripping shampoos were prolonging the issues with my scalp. Once I got rid of them, I could minimize the amount of times I needed to oil my scalp; itchy dry scalp no longer an issue over time.
  
• Henna is okay if I do not add acid. It was too drying and cause breakage despite following up with moisturizing conditioner. Need to add conditioner to henna mask
• Alternating between moisture and protein daily help maintain my moisture-protein balance.
• Moisturizing and sealing 2x day in the winter was necessary.
• Heavier creams and oils are a must in the colder months
• I need to trim my ends (myself) once every other touch up is key to seeing progress

2012
Original post date: December 31, 2012 (Natural)
Well new hair, new hits and misses. Last year was a lot better than the previous year since I was growing out my relaxer. Snipping off those last bits of straight ends was liberating and kind of fun. My hair has progressed nicely (almost at collarbone when stretched), so I am thinking about my future hair goals. I have had some real success this year in terms of hair growth and retaining length, so here's hoping--or ensuring that this can be maintained in the new year. Here are a few products (and techniques) that created magic as well as a few disasters for my hair over the last year:

Hits

Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo
Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl and Shine Shampoo
Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Conditioner
Aubrey Organics White Camellia Ultra-Smoothing Conditioner
Homemade Avocado Protein Mask  
Giovanni Direct Leave in  

Avocado Oil

Jamaican Black Castor Oil

Olive Oil

Jojoba Oil

Virgin Coconut Oil

EOs

ACV Herbal Rinse

Detangling in the shower

Adding oils to my conditioners 
Combing hair only after hair is wet/damp

Sleeping with a satin scarf and satin pillowcase

Overnight deep conditioning treatments
Washing hair in braided sections

Oyin Lightweight Lotion

Mild protein treatments once every 3 weeks

Weekly scalp tonics

Avocado Butter blend as a sealant

Misses

Deep conditioning less than once a week

What I learned about my hair and products in general over the last year:

• Relaxer, while I enjoyed my hair when it was straight, I did not realize how much it negatively effected my scalp. All of the issues I had when I first began my journey are gone! Now I use my herbal scalp oil to aid in growth only.
  
• I no longer have an issue with my protein-moisture balance since going natural.
• Patience when styling my hair is key

Well that's me and my journey thus far. I want to send out a big "thank you" to all my subscribers and to the ladies (YouTube, K.I.S.S. Hairlista) that have helped me a long the way ...much luv!

Happy New Year to all my followers...and may you achieve all your many hair goals in 2013!!!!!!