Fun With Flexi-rods, Chelators and Ceramides!

For the past two weeks, I've been conducting a clarifying vs. chelating experiment. I relaxed my hair with a no-lye relaxer, this relaxer requires some serious chelating before the next relaxer. I researched and researched and found out clarifying and chelating are not the same, first hand. 

But why? They both contain EDTA. My guess is chelators have a higher concentrate of EDTA. Side-note,  I found EDTA in my Powerade.

Clarifying products remove product build-up and chelators remove minerals and chemical build-up. Chelators can clarify, clarifies don't chelate. Oh I learned first-hand. In 2012, my stylist swore she used ORS no-lye, but my hair has never felt this horrible before and I know it's because of the calcium build-up no-lye leaves in your hair. 

In order to chelate, I needed a product with EDTA. Cool, I had plenty, Ultra Swim and Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Shampoo. I really didn't want to buy more products and these items already had EDTA. My hair felt clean but a few days later...I had t co-wash. I've probably co-washed 3 times this year. My hair was a mess, I was scared to blog about it. 

It seems I brought my hair stash to about 10 items...however, I've added ORS Creamy Aloe Shampoo, GVP Moisturizing Conditioner (Nexxus Humectress) and a 32 oz. bottle of Herbal Essence Hello Hydration. Three new items and I want to add avocado oil to my stash. Sigh, but I needed these items. Is that what we tell ourselves when we buy hair products?

Firstly, I knew one day I had to buy ORS Creamy Aloe. Secondly, this past week I was introduced to ceramides. Again I researched and researched. I found the scientific name(2-oleamido or 1-3 octadecanedio) and checked my stash. No luck. Also I learned companies have different names for ceramides. This product I wanted contains Ceramide 3.

So off to to Sally's I went. I've used Nexxus Humectress before and I loved it years ago, so I decided to try the Sally version because I couldn't find the trail size (I love trail size hair products).

Right: After ORS Creamy Aloe Shampoo (my hair had me nervous) Left: GVP Moisturizing Conditioner (Nexxus Humectress)

This wash I kept it oh so simple-

1. Shampoo with ORS Creamy Aloe
2. Deep Conditioned with GVP Moisturizing Conditioner (sunk into my damp hair, sealed with grapeseed oil)
3. T-shirt dry
4. Giovanni Direct Leave-in and sealed it with grape seed oil(ceramide).
5. Six purple flexi-rods, two grey flexi-rods overnight.

I have a flight to Orlando Sunday night. I will be out galavanting for two weeks. I can't ignore more hair for that long. There will be pools, humidity and parties! For my extended vacation (2 weeks) I packed-

1. StyleHouse Curling/Flat Iron
2. Ion Guard heat protectant
3. Hello Hydration
4. Shea Butter Mixture
5. Flexi-rods
6. KeraPro Restorative Treatment
7. Giovanni Direct Leave-in

No shampoo, risky? No. I have apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle!!! Plus I'm sure the hotels will have some stripping shampoo.  I'll probably shampoo once when I deep condition. JUST CO-WASH ALL DAY! NO HEAT STYLES! 

What are your thoughts on ceramides? Flexi-rods? Chelators?

Peace&Love!