I've recently read about this challenge, it seems to be every where lately so I had to read up on it and see what it was all about. The link is posted at the bottom.
I use both shea butter and castor oil in my hair so I thought why not see what all of the hoopla was about. They made a lot of great points in this article and there were also things I hadn't thought about. My hair is very frizzy at times and it has me wondering if the problem could be the shea butter or castor oil. I figured there's only one was to figure it out. Challenge accepted!!!
I won't hurt anything to stop using certain products. During this challenge you are suppose to stop using coconut oil, shea butter, castor oil, or eco styler gel. This is going to be interesting. I do use the gel but not really that often. It took me almost a year to go through the container. I'm really interested to see how this work and I'm going in truly unbiased. If this can help to get the kind of hair I want then I will try it. I will try to remember to update on how its going and also will take a before and after picture so you can help me see if there is really a difference.
I know this is a short post but I just got off work and it is wash day.
http://blackdoctor.org/470909/7-reasons-to-stop-using-coconut-oil-and-shea-butter-on-your-hair/
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Hair in General while sick
It doesn't matter what kind of hair you have natural, relaxed, or even if you aren't black when you get sick your hair suffers. The thing is when you are sick you aren't thinking about your hair.
I was disgustingly sick last month, so much so that I miss four days of works. I had my hair in twists. I did the crochet thing and I was good to go. I got sick and during that time I felt I needed to take my hair down towards the end because in my mind every time I coughed the hair caught some of the germs. Its ok to wash your hair when you are sick, in fact I recommend it. When you are sick your body is sucking up every bit a nutrients you have in order to get better and this includes water. You hair might look dull and/or dingy while you are sick and you have to think about where all the water is actually going while you are sick. Your is probably the last place for water to travel so when sick I suggest drink more water. While I was sick this last time I just stood under the shower and let the water hit my head and I felt a little better.
If you hair is in a weave protective style I would use one of those bottles with the nozzle thing and fill it with water and conditioner as well as one of your favorite oils and lightly moisturize your scalp. Being sick with a protective style is so much easier but if you don't have a weave then I would use a spray bottle. Now if you have pneumonia don't say I read this blog that said its ok to get my hair wet. You have to judge your own level of sickness.
I know its not typical sickness that people think of but consider cramping. When I wash my hair during the cycle I get horrible stomach cramps. I learned this in high school and after I made the connection I planned getting my hair done. I was also rocking relaxed hair back then. This may not be for all women but this is true for me. I have to take ibuprofen about 30 mins before I wash my hair.
Different things work for different women. If you find that this doesn't work for you then at least you know what doesn't work. Some people think because they don't know what works for them then there is a problem. I don't believe that's the case, its better to know something isn't working than to be clueless altogether.
Sunday, February 21, 2016
hair stretching photos
I had someone take photos for my because I'm just not that flexible. I like to pull my hair tighter but for the purposes of this post I did it loose so you could see how it looks. After the pictures I pulled the twists tighter to actually stretch the hair.
Another example of hair stretching is getting scrunchies without the metal clasp and lining them up on the hair until the end and letting the hair dry. You have to be careful when removing the scrunchies because it can and will pull out your hair. I would suggest using an oil on you fingers and then remove them. I don't want to buy scrunchies so I use this method. In another post I will talk about the different oils I've tried and when I use them most. If you want me to talk about something specific please let me know
Another example of hair stretching is getting scrunchies without the metal clasp and lining them up on the hair until the end and letting the hair dry. You have to be careful when removing the scrunchies because it can and will pull out your hair. I would suggest using an oil on you fingers and then remove them. I don't want to buy scrunchies so I use this method. In another post I will talk about the different oils I've tried and when I use them most. If you want me to talk about something specific please let me know
Hair Stretching Described
I'm just here to share my experiences with my hair. I'm in no way trying to encourage anyone to do what I do.
That being said, I live in FL and we have a lot of humidity here and I've been struggling to combat this major issue. I've been lucky the past few weeks and its been chilly and that has zapped the humidity out of the air. With humidity comes the dreaded shrinkage. I said I would explain hair stretching and as I'm deep conditioning my hair tonight (remember once a week) I will try to take some pictures so that it makes sense.
Tonight I will be shampooing my hair with a clarifying shampoo, this I do once a month. Some of my friends like Kinky Curly Come Clean shampoo this is a little too tough on my hair but if you use it I've heard that diluting it will help. I prefer Eden Products Peppermint and Tea Tree shampoo. Depending on where you live you can get it from Walmart but its most Sally's Beauty Supply.
Since I deep condition every week I still pre poo but I cowash instead of shampooing the rest of the time. The keep is keeping moisture in your hair especially the ends. After all is said and done with pre pooing, shampooing (cowashing), deep conditioning, and leave in. Its time to stretch you hair.
I personally like to section my hair into 4 sections. This is done with the hair still wet. Each section you will do a large twist and you will pin them front to back and back to front. To break it down even more on the right side you will take the twist from the back and pull the hair as far as you can without hurting yourself or pulling hair out and pin it to the front of the head or as far as it will go. You will then take the front twist and pin it as far to the back as it will go on the same side. You will then do the same to the left side. Let you hair dry over night and you will have some of the length you want.
The next day is when I will then do two strand twists, or do a perm rod set. I will also do medium size plaits in my hair and wear for a week for a braid out. I will try to remember to take pictures and post them this evening or tomorrow. I'm very forgetful and tomorrow is national margarita day so that's a good reason to forget.
That being said, I live in FL and we have a lot of humidity here and I've been struggling to combat this major issue. I've been lucky the past few weeks and its been chilly and that has zapped the humidity out of the air. With humidity comes the dreaded shrinkage. I said I would explain hair stretching and as I'm deep conditioning my hair tonight (remember once a week) I will try to take some pictures so that it makes sense.
Tonight I will be shampooing my hair with a clarifying shampoo, this I do once a month. Some of my friends like Kinky Curly Come Clean shampoo this is a little too tough on my hair but if you use it I've heard that diluting it will help. I prefer Eden Products Peppermint and Tea Tree shampoo. Depending on where you live you can get it from Walmart but its most Sally's Beauty Supply.
Since I deep condition every week I still pre poo but I cowash instead of shampooing the rest of the time. The keep is keeping moisture in your hair especially the ends. After all is said and done with pre pooing, shampooing (cowashing), deep conditioning, and leave in. Its time to stretch you hair.
I personally like to section my hair into 4 sections. This is done with the hair still wet. Each section you will do a large twist and you will pin them front to back and back to front. To break it down even more on the right side you will take the twist from the back and pull the hair as far as you can without hurting yourself or pulling hair out and pin it to the front of the head or as far as it will go. You will then take the front twist and pin it as far to the back as it will go on the same side. You will then do the same to the left side. Let you hair dry over night and you will have some of the length you want.
The next day is when I will then do two strand twists, or do a perm rod set. I will also do medium size plaits in my hair and wear for a week for a braid out. I will try to remember to take pictures and post them this evening or tomorrow. I'm very forgetful and tomorrow is national margarita day so that's a good reason to forget.
Friday, February 19, 2016
Newer hair photos
I'm going to start with the most recent photos of me. All of these photos were within the last year. I started this at the end of 2013 so this year will be 3 years and boy has it been interesting. If you have any questions please let me know.
sorry for the long break
Many things have happened with with my hair since my long break. My hair has gotten healthier, longer, and shinier. I didn't realize I'd been away from here for so long until my cousin said I should youtube my hair success and failures. I don't like the idea of youtube there are millions if not billions of videos on there already so nothing I say or do will make a difference but at least this way I can express myself and be ok with out potentially negative comments.
I stopped using the term going natural a long time ago. I was born with this kind of hair so I'm not going natural, I'm returning to my form of natural. I didn't decide to do this as some tribute to my culture, I did this for me. I hated what the relaxers were doing to my hair and I decided only I could change what was happening to my head.
Right after this I'm going to be posting pictures of what my hair looks like now and some pictures of it along the way. Do I have this down pact? No, but I know what works for my hair and what doesn't. Some of my friends love Shea Moisture products and I do think they are great but my scalp is so dry after using it. I liked beautiful textures as well but didn't want to deal with the sulfates. I know shampoo my hair once a month but I pre poo and condition once a week. Remember water is the best moisturizer, if you find a product that says moisturizer you need to make sure water is the first ingredient.
I make my own pre poo. I use 8 oz. coconut milk, 1 tbl spn each of the following oils, olive oil, jamaican black castor oil with peppermint infused, pumpkin seed oil (i found this at wholefoods). I leave it on for an hour, its very messy so be prepared. I always put my hair in sections and then rinse in sections that way my hair stays detangled.
I make my own leaving in conditioner. I use 8 oz plain yogurt, 1 tbl spn honey, 1 tbl spn molasses, 1 large egg, 2 tbl spn liquid aminos (or coconut oil), and 1 over ripe banana (or avocado). I leave it in for about 30 mins and rinse out. I then use a leave in conditioner, personally I prefer Kinky Kurly Knot Today but again what ever works best for you. I then use shea butter. I've been opting to stretch my hair over night and then style the next day. I don't use a lot of heat on my hair.
If you want pictures of the stuff I use from my kitchen let me know in a comment or message or whatever works on here and I will gladly post pictures of the products I use.
I was told only listen to people with the same hair goals as you and make sure some of those people have the hair you want. If you decide I'm not the one to listen to that's fine but don't listen to someone who's hair isn't growing because its damaged.
Pictures next
I stopped using the term going natural a long time ago. I was born with this kind of hair so I'm not going natural, I'm returning to my form of natural. I didn't decide to do this as some tribute to my culture, I did this for me. I hated what the relaxers were doing to my hair and I decided only I could change what was happening to my head.
Right after this I'm going to be posting pictures of what my hair looks like now and some pictures of it along the way. Do I have this down pact? No, but I know what works for my hair and what doesn't. Some of my friends love Shea Moisture products and I do think they are great but my scalp is so dry after using it. I liked beautiful textures as well but didn't want to deal with the sulfates. I know shampoo my hair once a month but I pre poo and condition once a week. Remember water is the best moisturizer, if you find a product that says moisturizer you need to make sure water is the first ingredient.
I make my own pre poo. I use 8 oz. coconut milk, 1 tbl spn each of the following oils, olive oil, jamaican black castor oil with peppermint infused, pumpkin seed oil (i found this at wholefoods). I leave it on for an hour, its very messy so be prepared. I always put my hair in sections and then rinse in sections that way my hair stays detangled.
I make my own leaving in conditioner. I use 8 oz plain yogurt, 1 tbl spn honey, 1 tbl spn molasses, 1 large egg, 2 tbl spn liquid aminos (or coconut oil), and 1 over ripe banana (or avocado). I leave it in for about 30 mins and rinse out. I then use a leave in conditioner, personally I prefer Kinky Kurly Knot Today but again what ever works best for you. I then use shea butter. I've been opting to stretch my hair over night and then style the next day. I don't use a lot of heat on my hair.
If you want pictures of the stuff I use from my kitchen let me know in a comment or message or whatever works on here and I will gladly post pictures of the products I use.
I was told only listen to people with the same hair goals as you and make sure some of those people have the hair you want. If you decide I'm not the one to listen to that's fine but don't listen to someone who's hair isn't growing because its damaged.
Pictures next
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