I thought I was going to have lovely, long waves today, but it was not to be... sigh. I decided to wash my hair last night in the tub for a change because I wanted to relax and read while I conditioned my hair. I was also very sore from lifting weights and just didn't want to stand in the shower. I poured some Epsom salts (good for sore muscles) into the water and then slid my head under ... I could have floated like that for a long time it was so relaxing. I pulled my hair out of the water and put on
Avalon's Organic Botanicals Therapeutic Conditioner - Revitalizing Mint Thyme on my length. Let that sit for a couple of minutes and then washed my scalp with the Avalon shampoo that matched the conditioner. I rinsed my hair using a pitcher I keep near the tub, and then put more conditioner on my length and put it up in a cheap plastic shower cap and laid back in the tub to read. I turned the jets on and the little bit of shampoo that was rinsed out of my hair made some nice bubbles. I added a bit of
Burt's Bees Vitamin E Body and Bath Oil and read for about 30 minutes.
I rinsed my hair in the shower, and it felt very soft and moisturized. I let it air dry for about an hour and decided to braid it while damp so that I would have pretty braid waves today. I did two braids actually. I put my hair up like I was doing a half updo and braided that section, and then I braided the section below it. I rolled the ends of both the braids and went to sleep.
When I took the braids down this morning, the waves were EXACTLY what I wanted. Yay! But, by the time I got to work, my hair had poofed out like I'd stuck my finger in an electrical socket.
It IS humid today, but holy cow, why couldn't the humidity just accentuate the waves? So I spritzed it to calm it down some (I always carry my little distilled water bottle with me) and now have it pulled back in a banana clip. It IS
very full looking - I'll give it that!
Regarding Epsom salts and hair, here are some tips I found while meandering around online:
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Add Body to Your Hair
Combine 3 tablespoons of deep conditioner with 3 tablespoons of Epsom Salt. Microwave the mixture for 20 seconds. Work the warm mixture through your hair from scalp to ends and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Promotes body and life in your hair and restores curl to permed hair.
(hmmmm... I'm wondering if putting about a cup of Epsom salts in the tub ballooned my hair out and helped cause the frizz and poofiness???)
Remove Hairspray and Gel Buildup
Combine a gallon of distilled water, a cup of lemon juice (fresh or bottled), and 1 cup of Epsom Salt. Cap the mixture and let it sit for 24 hours. The next day, pour the mixture into your dry hair and let it sit for 20 minutes. Then shampoo as normal.
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I liked the Avalon poo and conditioner; I'd had it in the back of my cupboard for over a year. I'd not liked it a year ago, but it works for me now.
I hadn't worked out in two weeks due to a crazy schedule, friends visiting, etc. and after my weight lifting class on Tuesday I was
sore yesterday - ALL OVER (well, except my head and the bottom of my feet - lol). So, it's back to the gym regularly again. Tonight is the weight lifting class again and I'm looking forward to getting back to my routine. I still need to add more aerobic stuff. I really want a bike, especially this time of year. We have some great trails for jogging and biking and with the cool, crisp weather, it would be another wonderful way to get the heart rate up.
Autumn Trail by Tan Chun
