Relaxed Hair Journey: What Should I Do???

This weeks topic I would like to shift it from products to "technique." You could use the healthiest, most expensive products around, but your hair will not flourish without the proper regimen and care.

The basics of maintaining healthy relaxed hair, is to balance moisture and protein. That is it in a nutshell.

All that means is to implement measure that will promote hair moisture such as daily spritzers, deep conditioning, oil treatments, ect.

Methods of adding moisture to hair:

• Deep Conditioning
• Spritz
• GHE
• Baggy your ends
• Oil Rinses
• Moisturizing Hair Lotions

Implementing most of these in your daily,weekly, or monthly regimen, then you will need to balance the moisture out with a protein treatment.
When you fail to moisturize your hair properly you may experience what is known in the world of hair journies as " Protein Overload".

Signs of Protein Overload:

Excessive dryness

Stiff hair

Hair that breaks off easily with little to no effort

No Shine

Hard Hair

Rough Hair

Read more at http://www.hairliciousinc.com/2010/01/protein-overload-lets-fix-it.html#qVTGE6cojMV3A29A.99

Likewise, if you moisturize so much, and fail to maintain your protein balance, you will end up in Moisture Overload

Signs of Moisture Overload:

• Hair feels mushy
• Stretch excessively then breaks off
• Stretch excesively and does not return to normal length.

The remedy for moisture overload is much quicker and easier than that of protein overload.


To correct your hair in "moisture overload" you will simply need to perform a hard protein treatment. Generally one treatment will be enough, and you should be able to return to maintenance level; where as with "Protein Overload" it will take time, and several moisture treatments to correct hair balance.

In addition to maintaining a proper balance between moisture and protein, a great way to grow your hair out is PROTECTIVE STYLES!!!!!

Protective Style is simply wearing your hair in a way that hides your ends, or "protects" them from the environment.

Common Protective Styles are:

• Braids

• Wigs or Sew ins:

• Or simply Buns or Bantu Knots.

Keep Hair Cleaned, Moisturized, Strong (protein), & Protected and you are on your way to long healthy hair!!!

Relaxed Hair Journey : Choosing and Using Oils

Okay on the last post we discussed Mineral Oil. Now I will talk about a few other popular oils, that benefit both natural and relaxed hair care. As always I will also share which oils, I often use and how I use them.

First thing first, the hair oils that I will discuss are all natural (pure) oils, meaning you will not go into your local beauty supply store and find these oils, instead you will go to your nearest grocery store, or Whole Foods.

Remember the ingredient list?
Let's go back to Argan Oil:
Remember Argan Oil is listed as the sixth ingredient, amongst a list of "fillers." It is NOT a pure oil.
Now let's take a look at Coconut Oil...
As you can see it is 100%...there are no other ingredients other than pure coconut oil. These are the oils that I will be discussing.

 

BUT FIRST???

Ingredients Petrolatum, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Microcrystalline Wax, Cyclomethicone, Isopropyl Myristate, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 60, PEG-150 Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, PEG-20 Hydrogenated Lanolin, PEG-40 Stearate, Lanolin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum (Fragrance), Benzyl Benzoate, Coumarin, D-Limonene, Linalool, Methyl Ionone, Propylparaben, Zea Mays (Corn) Oil, BHA, BHT.


^^^^^ Is this "Coconut Oil" 100% coconut oil???

If you answered No...YOU ARE CORRECT!!!! You may proceed.
If you answered Yes....You may want to re-read the infor above or need to do more researching.

and if you look at the first ingredient...you will see that it is Petrolatum (mineral oil) which I discussed in my previous post.

Anywho since discussing Coconut Oil, I will go on into usage for Coconut Oil for hair.

Name: Organic Coconut or Extra Virgin Coconut Oil.

Benefits for hair.
Moisture: Coconut Oil is the only oil whose particles are small enough to penetrate the hair follicle. When used on the hair, the oil adds shine and softness to the hair shaft.

Prevents Breakage: Coconut can reduce the amount of protein loss.

Uses:
Prepoo: Prevents hygral fatigue, adds moisture, preventing sulfate shampoos to strip hair entirely of moisture.
How  To:  Take 1 to 2 teaspoons of oil and massage it thoroughly into the scalp. Completely coat the hair and scalp with the oil without letting it become dripping wet. Leave the oil in for at least 15 minutes and for an hour or more if time permits. Once you have given the oil time to work its magic on your hair and scalp, wash thoroughly to remove all traces of oil.

Where it can be found: Local grocery store or Whole Foods, in aisle with vegetable (or cooking)oil ect.

Spritzer: You can use mist a spritzer for a quick daily moisture maintenence. Or lightly dampen hair, if needed for a style.
How To: Get a spray bottle and mix 2 or 3 Tablespoons of  Coconut  Oil and fill the rest with water.



Name: Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
Benefits for Hair: It’s rich in biotin, niacin, vitamins A and E and antioxidants

Uses:
Prepoo: Using EVOO before you wash your hair as a preshampoo treatment can help your hair retain moisture.

Hot Oil Treatment: . A dry scalp can also benefit from a therapeutic hot EVOO treatment. Hot oil treatments work by penetrating the hair shaft and scalp to nourish and restore damage resulting from harsh chemical treatments and heated styling tools.
How To: Put a little EVOO into a plastic bottle and place it in a bowel of hot water to heat. Massage the oil into your scalp and hair, then wrap your head with a heated towel or sit under a dryer for 15 to 30 minutes. Rinse your hair thoroughly and wash with mild shampoo. Style as usual.

Dandruff Treatment: EVOO contains vitamin A and E, both known for the regeneration and repair of skin cells. A healthy scalp is essential for healthy hair. Regular scalp massages with EVOO will increase circulation and help keep your scalp nourished and your hair in the best condition
How To:  wash your hair and scalp thoroughly after treating, to remove all traces of oil and dandruff from your hair and scalp

Scalp Massage Oil: EVOO contains vitamin A and E, both known for the regeneration and repair of skin cells. A healthy scalp is essential for healthy hair
How To: Regular scalp massages with EVOO will increase circulation and help keep your scalp nourished and your hair in the best condition. Massage your scalp and leave in the oil for 30 minutes or overnight before washing with a mild shampoo

Leave-in Moisturizer: Dry, frizzy or overprocessed hair may be porous, lackluster and lose moisture rapidly. Applying EVOO to damp hair as a leave-in moisturizer can dramatically improve your hair’s condition.
How To:Section your hair and apply a small amount from the roots to the ends. Style your hair as normal. EVOO is also useful in conditioning coarse gray hair, making it more manageable.


Name: Grapeseed Oil
Benefits for Hair:  

Moisture & Conditioning: Grape seed oil is ideal for moisturizing and conditioning dry hair because it is lighter than olive oil or coconut oil and won't leave your hair feeling greasy. Grapeseed oil helps to lock in moisture and prevent frizz, split ends, and brittle hair

Reducing Dandruff and Dermatitis

Dandruff and other dermatological conditions caused by a dry, flaky scalp can be treated with grape seed oil, which is full of emollients and nutrients that can help nurture the growth of healthy skin cells

 

Strengthening:  If your hair is brittle or weak, treating it with grape seed oil can help to restore its strength and shine.

 

Uses:

Includes all of those listed with Extra Virgin Olive Oil; Hot Oil Treatment, Scalp Massage, Leave In, and Dandruff Treatment.

 

Heat Protectant: Grapeseed Oil can withstand up to 425 degrees of heat.

 

Name of Oil: Castor Oil

This oil will more than likely be found in the medication portion of your grocery shopping, clearly!

 

Benefits for hair:

Stimulates Hair Growth: Massaging castor oil into the scalp helps hair loss in two different ways. First, the massaging action stimulates the hair follicles, encouraging new and faster growth. Second, the castor oil soaks in to the root of the hair,

 

Conditions Scalp: Castor oil also conditions the scalp and existing hair, making it healthier and improving its appearance. Even though initially a person may have the same amount of hair, that hair will appear thicker because it is healthier. Healthy hair strands appear thicker than unhealthy hair strands

 

Strengthens Hair: The application of castor oil also helps strengthen each hair strand, preventing breakage and hair loss. The hair stays in the follicle longer, and the hair itself doesn't break as easily. Broken hair strands can make hair appear thinner.

 

Below I will list a few other popular oils used for hair growth, most of them provide the same purposes as the ones listed in detail. Choosing Oils are completely up to you and what agrees with you hair.

 

Jojoba Oil

Macadamia Nut Oil

Safflower Oil

Tea Tree Oil

Neem Oil

 

If needed you can do further research on those listed above.

 

...and the Best Protective Style Goes To!!!!

Yayy I finally figured out how to do the flat twists, tightly and neatly!!
Things I love about this hair style?

Low manipulation

This is done on old (maybe 1.5 week flat ironed hair). All I had to do was moisturize, I spritzed with a water & oil concoction and finger detangled. I only used a combe to do the side part, other than that, no combing utensils were used.

If done properly there should be very litte to no breaking! It was just that EASY!

Protection.

I am currently on day 2. After work, I wrapped  a satin scarf over it, and went to sleep. I woke up, and when I took the scarf off, I needed no touching up, still looked like yesterday. I just had to tighten up a few bobbie pins and I was good to go!

 I actually didn't take the scarf off until I made it back in to work. It is freezing outside, wanted to keep it wrapped up to prevent drying.

Convenience

I love that I can wrap it up in a satin scarf to further protect it...and simply take the scarf off and wa-la that is it.  So I can walk around the house and look decent, in case anyone just pops up, they can't catch me looking ratchet. Also my husband can't get tired of me looking like Ms Ceily with the four plaits, or Aunt Jamama with a bonnet on.

One thing that I have always hated with wigging, is that I can sometimes, get lazy with my own hair.
It can become dry, and not only that, it does not usually give me the benefit of looking cute without the wig on. I don't always feel like putting on a wig when taking the kids to school or picking them up, and this style gives effortless cuteness. I love it!


Now this is day two.
I will probably squeeze one more day, if not two in. Ultimately that will equal out to how often I usually manipulate my hair when wigging, because I try to cowash 2x a week, especially now that it is cold out. I hope to retain great length with this quick and easy style. I hope it will be as easy to do on my true texlaxed texture as well.

Do YOU have a go to style?
Favorite protective style?
TELL US ALL ABOUT IT :-)

The Hair Journey: Where To Start: Choosing Hair Products Part 1.

So beginning this blog and my own hair journey, I began just journaling my own journey. I was posed with the question "Where do I start?", after going back to my older posts, I realized that I was pretty much all over the place, trying to find my niche.  Referencing her to any one of my older posts would be no help at all.

With that being said I decided to make a post dedicated to those who want to start and have no clue.


If I begin using terms that you have never heard of, such as cowash, APL, EVOO, or any of the sorts, no problem....just click here.

SO..You want to grow your hair long??? Now what?

One of the first things that someone will ask is "What products do you use?" Now let me say it is not really the products that GROWS your hair. Your hair will grow regardless, the products assist with manageability and length retention. So keep in mind products that are heaven to one, may not always be the same for others. Instead of getting into specific hair products, I will talk about common ingredients, and what they do.

First I will talk about MINERAL OIL.

What is Mineral Oil?
Mineral oil is a clear, colorless, odorless, petroleum derivative. It's chemically similar to petroleum jelly and is produced in heavy and light grades, or viscosities.

What is it used for?
It is commonly used in beauty products, including hair products.
Is it good or bad?
Well that is a personal decision.

Pros of  using Mineral  Oil?
Like many types of hair oil, mineral oil will lock in moisture, prevent frizz, and add shine to the hair.

Mineral oil will define curls and improve the appearance of hair without leaving behind an oily film.
(Keep in mind, what "oily" feels like is relative to the user, and how much of the product is applied.)

Because it is a lubricant, it is great for detangling.

Cons of using Mineral Oil?

It attracts dirt, so after 2 or 3 days of use, you will need to wash your hair.

If you are a "co-washer" this is not the oil for you, it is a thicker oil, that can cause build up, so you will need to use a sulfate free shampoo, and clarify hair more often, than with any other oil.

It's molecules are to big to penetrate the hair shaft, therefore this oil, alone does not moisturize your hair.

The reason that it locks in moisture, and prevent frizz so well (as listed in Pros section) is because it coats the hair, locking in any moisture that you have previously added... YOU MUST moisturize before using mineral oil. Like it prevents moisture from leaving your hair, it also prevents moisture from being added to your hair (which prevents frizz).

When used carelessly mineral oil can cause hair to become dry, and cause breakage, because it gives the illusion of healthy moisturized hair... from the coating, however again, this oil is not moisturizing.

So Now What?

Now that you know what mineral oil is, what it does, and a few pros and cons of usage. Now you can make a conscious decision as to whether you want to include this ingredient into your regimen.

There are some women with thriving hair that avoids mineral oil like it's the plague.
While there are, too, some women with thriving hair that shamelessly use and encourage the use of mineral oil.

Like anything in your hair journey, this will be trial and error. Maybe you will say that, mineral oil is no different than any other oil, only to find that it does not agree with your hair...Or perhaps you decide not to use it, then one day try it and absolutely love it!! Whether or not to include it, is 100% up to you. There is no right and wrong.

I only brought it up because a LARGE amount of hair products will include this ingredient, and upon "searching" for tips when starting a hair journey, I am sure you will run across some who are against it, and some who are for it, it can be quite overwhelming when you are wanting to do right by your hair by all means, and don't know which way to go.

Try it, and listen to your hair. Don't force products that it doesn't like.
"Listen to your hair", funny that line shows me just how far I have come. I remember I began searching, and almost every blog post said "Listen to your hair"...mann how I wished my hair could literally talk to me, because I had no clue what that meant or how I would go about doing it. LOL, now it is like second nature and the minute, I use something that my hair disagrees with, it lets me know!!! So with that being said, you may start off dibbling and dabbing into everything...and you may not know what your hair likes or not...but just hang in there, it's a process!

just a peek of my progress...That bun life :-)


Back to using mineral oil, if you choose to use it or not, moreso if not then you want to be aware of the ingredient lists on your products, because as I stated before, mineral oil is used in A LOT of hair products.

 

 

So where do I stand on the matter???

 

Keep in mind it's 100% personal, and should not make you feel one way or the other. Before my hair journey I had no hair care knowledge, let alone a regimen. I came in green, as some of you may. When reading on it, I made a personal decision not to use mineral oil, and I have stuck with it. Yes I am that girl, that stands in the hair aisle reading the ingredients on the list, and I will put it back on the shelf if it contains mineral oil.

 BUT!!!!

There is one more thing you should know....if all of the ingredients look yummy except that dreaded mineral oil, depending on where it "mineral oil" is listed on the ingredients,I may go ahead and get it.

 

Don't know what I mean on "Where" it is listed in the ingredients?

If you will look at the first picture that I have above, you will see that mineral oil is listed first. That means that 79% of that container is mineral oil.

 

To learn more about the order of ingredients and why it matters...read here.

 

So in short, I try to avoid using mineral oil, but I am not totally afraid of it. Whenever I use it, I make sure to use a water based moisturizer BEFORE applying the product that contains mineral oil, just to be safe.

 

Now this has totally turned out to be longer than I expected it to be. In order to not lose you or bore you out, I will continue in Part 2, talking about a few other oils and what they are good for!

 

In the mean time, I have a list of other names used for MINERAL OIL!!!

 

Homework: Look at the ingredient lists on some of your products that you already have and tell me what you find... COMMENT BELOW!!!!

 

HAPPY HAIR JOURNEY LOVE MUFFINS!!!


Other Names for Mineral Oil

Petrolatum

Paraffin

Clearteck

Drakeol

Hevyteck

Filtrawhite

Frigol

Kremol

Kaydol

Albline

Nujol

Paroleine

Saxol

Adepsine

Glymol

Lignite

Carnea 21

Ervol

Gloria

Hydrocarbon oil

Adepsine oil

Albolene

Cable Oil

Baby Oil

Peneteck

Primol

Triona B

Blandlube

Crystosol

Molol

Protopet

Bayol F

Crystol 325

Fonoline

Bayol 55

Kondremul

Neo-cultol

Parol

PenrecoPerfecta

Petrogalar

Primol 355

Primol D

Tech Pet F

Drakeol

Lignite Oil

Paraffin

Mineral Seal Oil

White Oil

 

 

 

 

The Truth About My Hair!

Facts About My Hair:

1. It is relaxed. I relax anywhere from every 4-6 months.

2. I don't shampoo...like ever except after a relaxer....
(clarify with ACV once a month)

 3. I deep condition every week.

4. I Moisturize 2x a week.

5. Favorite seal oils are Argan Oil & Grapeseed.

6. Favorite hot oil treatment is EVOO.

7. Favorite moisturizing oil... Coconut Oil.

8. Favorite CoWash Aussie Miraculously Smooth

9. Oh back to oils...favorite scalp oils Castor Oil.

10. Growth Aid??? Liquid Gold!!! Castor Oil!!! Never noticed any results from Biotin or MN(yes I tried it) lol

11. Fav moisturizers??? SCurl No Drip & Elasta QP Mango Butter.

12. Use heat once a month or less.

13. Do not comb unless detangling in the shower.

14. Go to style: Braid outs!

15. I hate manipulating my hair a lot, which is why I don't often wear it straight!

16. Goal length is WL just to show that it's possible!See More

Product Review: Aphogee Two Step Protein

Hello my luvs!! First let me thank you all for reading. Now on to the product, I have always heard good things about Aphogee Two Step Protein Treatment, but never used it personally, until now. I started off using their 2 minute Reconstructer which I absolutely loved. I ran out of it a few months ago, swore to repurchase it, but kinda forgot. Well up until then, I had been using the Reconstructor once a month and my protein level had been pretty much in check. Even after using the last of the product, I felt like my hair was "okay".

 

Well that the thing, by the time you realize that you NEED protein, it's probably already to late. You probably noticed that you NEED it bc you are already in moisture overload. That is precisely what happened to me. Just running my fingers through my hair ,my hair would stretch and then break. Immediately I knew who to turn to...Aphogee.

 

Tho I did debate, creating my own egg based protein treatment, I felt like it was messy, and I just didn't have a good experience with it the first go round, that was due to lack of knowledge tho.

 

Anywho on to the review part.... Did it work??? OF COURSE!!!! What other than the best, do you expect out of Aphogee products? Part 1 of the process is the protein part...what I wasn't expecting tho was for it to be basically liquid. I had the packets, as pictured, squeezed it into my hand, and kinda got it everywhere. When applying it to my hair, it made my hands all sticky...I say that, to say that I probably could have just went along with my own egg based treatment, seems as if the mess factor would have been equal.

 

After you have applied it to your hair, make sure it is distributed evenly.

Then you will sit under the dryer, no plastic cap, let it dry.

It will make your hair EXTREMELY HARD, so don't try to comb it through before rinsing it out.

 

Me personally, after even rinsing it out, I did not attempt, to comb through, until after applying step 2, the balancing moisturizing treatment.

 

With step 2, I actually mixed it with a deep conditioner and let it sit a few hours, but it instructs, to allow to sit on for 2 minutes, before rinsing.

 

Afterwards, my hair definitely felt stronger, and I felt as if I had a new head of hair. I will return to maintenencing with 2 Min Recon.  monthly.

 

Would I repurchase this?                   Yes!!

Would I reccomend this to friends?   Yes!!!

How would I rate this?                       Pretty much a 5 out of 5.

November Goals!!!

Yessss! I am going back to making and trying to accomplish those goals. Writing them down, thoroughly thinking about them and planning them out is the only way to make them happen.
Lately I feel like my hair has been breaking off easily. When I think of the last time, that I gave myself a serious protein treatment, I can't remember. So for the month of November, I really plan on baby'ing those ends, and getting back into achieving maximum health of hair, over maintainence.

GOALS!!!

1. Deep condition with heat weekly; preferably on Mondays.
2. Alternate protein conditioning treatments with moisturizing ones.
3. Oil Scalp with Liquid Gold Sulfur oil every other day.
4. Buy Hairfinity on Black Friday!!! LOL
5. GHE 2x a week; followed by sealant
6. No heat
7. Protective Style 100%
8. Update Blog every Thursday.
9. Length check at beginning and end of month.

Weight loss related goals include:

1. Limiting sweets to 2x a week (no binnging)\
2. Only consuming alcohol during social events.
3. Exercise 5x/ week.
5. Drink half gallon of water daily.
6. Stick to meal preping.
7. Stay 100% dedicated.
8. Log into MyfitnessPal daily.
9. Weekly Weigh ins- Wednesday.