So…a few days before New Year’s Eve, I decided I wanted to wear my hair loose for the night out. I rushed and tried to get all my braids out in about 3 days. I gave up when I had about 10 braids left and just stuffed them into my wash and go.

I bought a Joico hair product gift pack after Christmas for $10. I thought it was a great deal. I don’t know why I chose to use new products at a time like this…but I did and I regretted it.

After I took the majority of my braids down, I used Tresemme Naturals conditioner and oil to detangle. I shampooed with the Joico shampoo. I’ll do a full review on it later. I don’t mind it really but I think I used too much of it because it suds a lot in kinky/curly hair. I followed up with the Joico conditioner and this is where things went wrong. It was not at all moisturizing. It disappeared in my hair. It made my hair extremely frizzy (my hair is usually frizzy after mini braids but this conditioner threw off the pH as well). It was very difficult to detangle with my Denman but I wanted to make sure my hair looked okay for NYE and that there was no shed hair left in it.

I made several mistakes during this whole take down process…I was in a rush. I hadn’t used a brush or comb since October. The first time detangling in months and I used a new conditioner which turned out not to work for my hair. I didn’t have time to grab something else so I just powered through. I then used another product for the first time- Miss Jessie’s Curly Pudding…which also left my hair a frizzy mess.

I’m still undoing all that was done since the take down. I dc’d on New Year’s  Day to try and get some moisture back into my hair. I think the pH of the Joico products plus the protein just make them not right for me. My hair is looking more normal but it still has some way to go.

And now to the braids themselves. I left them in for a little over 4 weeks. I had about 1/2″ of growth…it varied depending on the area. The roots were frizzy from the new growth but the rest of my braids were in good shape.

I’m not entirely sure what my plans are for 2013. My last relaxer was March 2009 so I may straighten for the nappiversary. My birthday is also in February and I want my hair loose for that occasion as well. I may not braid my hair until late spring. I really want to make mid back length by March so I need to work out a good regimen to get me there.