Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Wash Day/Regimen



I love wash day because it gives me a chance to feel pampered and baby my hair! To me it is like going to the Salon, because it takes hours to get to the results I want (by choice) but in the comfort of my own home, which is the best part! Who like sitting in a salon for 3-4 hours? Not Me! lol

 My wash day comes once per week, and that is the day my hair gets the works. Everybody does not have the same washing ritual, whether natural, relaxed, or texlaxed. Some people wash once a week like me, some people twice a month, or once a month, so it varies depending on the person an the hair type.

I decided on once a week because I found that after two weeks my scalp is dirty, and hair is limp, and packed with product I have been adding over the days. Plus it starts to itch then lol.

I start by prepooing. Prepooing is a lot like deep conditioning, except that it is done on dry hair before Shampooing. It depends on my mood, but I do oil only prepoo's, and conditioner prepoo's. For my oil only I use Home Health Castor Oil, and Africa's Best Organics Ultimate Herbal Oil. For my conditioner prepoo I use V05 Tea Therapy Calming Chamomile with a few drops of the same oils I use in my oil prepoo. I like to leave it overnight with a plastic cap, if not done that way I do my prepoo a couple of hours before I plan on shampooing, same method.

I then rinse, and then do my Cayenne Pepper Treatment for an hour or two, rinse, then shampoo. I clarify 1-2 times a month using V05 Herbal Escapes Clarifying Kiwi Lime, if I clarify I use the matching conditioner to cowash, if not I use V05 Moisturizing Milks Strawberries & Cream.  Cowashing can be done in between wash days, as it helps keep your hair moisturized and clean. When I am not using my clarifying shampoo, I am using my moisturizing shampoo, V05 Moisturizing Milks Shampoo Strawberries & Cream. I tend to wash my hair in one big bunch, some braid their hair in plaits and wash their hair in sections. 

I then deep condition using one of my three conditioners which I alternate, Africa's Best Hair Mayonnaise, which I use as my protein, Organic Root Stimulator Replenishing Conditioner as my in between, meaning it contains both protein and moisturizing ingredients, and Hollywood Beauty Olive Cholesterol, which I use as my moisturizing. I believe Mineral Oil is an ingredient in the (bolded) conditioners I use, but I does not bother me if it is far down in the list of ingredients. Many people try to stay away from mineral oil, and petroleum in products, because it is said to coats, and acts as a barrier, but it works fine for me. I have great results using all three of these conditioners.

After, I seal with my mix of Home Health Castor Oil, Africa's Best Ultimate Herbal Oil, and Lavender Jamaican Black Castor Oil. I put pure LJBCO on my balds spots and edges.

Sometimes I use V05 Moisturizing Milks as a leave in, and then I style!

I what is called low manipulation styling, which means to style without direct heat. Styles such some featured on my blog, and others such as braid/ braid outs, (two strand/flat) twist/ twist outs, bantu knot outs, puffs, pin curls, roller/rod sets, etc.

Every once in a while I may do a protective style, which is styling that keeps ends protected. Such as individuals, and kinky twists, but you can also do buns, pony tails, wigs/lace fronts, cornrows, etc. This type is styling is suppose to help in retaining length.

My low manipulation styles usually last me two to three days. Unless it is wash day, I then cowash, seal, and style again!

I find that it is good to have a regimen to know what products works for you, and to know what treatments your hair may need throughout the week. Remember it is different for everyone, and some products may work for others, may not work for you, so it is trial and error, but at least it gives you a chance to get to know your hair!


Until Next Time, HHG to All! Naomi <3

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Part II of, Why Use Cayenne Pepper?






I have been meaning to post a picture of the mixture I use to give you guys an idea of what it looks like, in paste form, I almost forgot again, when I used half of my batch up lol. I use to make a batch for the week, but in order to keep it fresh, I left it out unopened, and it would dry out a little bit, and I would have to add water to get it to turn into a paste again, but I figured doing that to a batch 1-2 times over would ruin the potency, so I only make enough for one use. It can be covered if stored in the fridge, but if you leave it out, it cannot have a lid on, or else the batch will get moldy lol.

I like my paste to be on the thick side, because I found if it is made to watery it will run. The batch depicted in the picture is consisted of only ground cayenne pepper, and water. I find that it is stronger this way, because I get more of a tingle, to me that indicates that it is working. If you do not want it to tingle you can add an oil. I sometimes use olive oil, canola oil, or castor oil. I also like adding paprika, when I remember too.

If you are wondering why I use cayenne pepper for hair growth, check out part one of this entry!


Until Next Time, HHG to All! Naomi <3

Chunky Two Strand Twists Results

I shingled with gel the day before, but it left my hair crunchy! I will invest in some ecostyler, a lot of people say it's comparable to Kinky Curly Curling Custard. Well anyway, I had to cowash to get the stuff out! I did my Cayenne Pepper Treatment for about an hour I used V05 Tea Therapy Calming Chamomile, and detangled during my cowash. I sealed with my mixture of oils (Home Health Castor Oil, Lavender Jamaican Black Castor Oil, and Africa's Best Ultimate Herbal Oil). I used pure LJBCO on my bald spots. I then put V05 Moisturizing Milks Strawberries & Cream as a leave in, and did about 16 chunky twists throughout my hair. I put on my satin bonnet, and left them overnight. I took them out in the morning, and untwisted them, and put on a head band, and voila! lol.

Sorry about the picture, will be taking better one's when I get batteries for my cam lol.






Until Next time HHG to All! Naomi <3

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Shingling, Mini Product Review

Not sure if you guys know, but, today was hair day! I prepooed with V05 Tea Therapy Calming Chamomile, mixed with a couple of drops of Home Health Castor Oil, Africa's Best Ultimate Herbal Oil, and Herbal Infusions Hair Mayonnaise. The concoction was mixed in my spray bottle, and I put it through out my hair, and put on a plastic cap which I left on for about two hours.

Then I did a cayenne Treatment ( I have to remember to take a pic of!) and left it on for close to two hours as well. Then I washed with Miracle 7 Color Protect Shampoo. I never tried it before, nor is my hair colored, I got it free with my sally's order, I guess to replace the fact that they did not ship my Roux.

Anyway, the Miracle 7 Color Protect Shampoo was pearly white, and thick, and had a really nice lather. My hair did not feel stripped after using it, it actually felt soft. I do not know how good it is as far as maintaining color treated hair, but my hair felt clean, so I am pleased, but I would not purchase this product only because it is pricey in my opinion. From Sally's it is $12.99 USD for a 10 ounce bottle. I would give it a 4/5 based on it's cleaning ability, not as far as protecting/preserving color on color treated hair.

After Shampooing I followed with my Hollywood Beauty Olive Cholesterol (moisturizing dc) I left it in for an hour with a cap, and rinsed and detangled. I then put LJBCO on my bald spots, and then used my applicator bottle to put my oil mixture to seal. (mixture of Castor oil, LJBCO, and Africa's Best Ultimate Herbal Oil).

Then I used New York Style Gel (14 X-treme hold) which I purchased for $1.19 USD from a store called Conway, in New York City, to shingle. Put it throughout hair, and then combed through. I blow dried my hair, did not dry, it is actually still drying. Anyway here are the results.


Until Next time, HHG to all! Naomi <3

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Two Strand Twist out Results

I did super tiny two strand twists last Saturday, and decided to untwist them today. I was planning on doing a prepoo subsequently. But I liked the way it looked, so I kept it for the look of today. I did not use any products to untwist, just used my fingers, and slapped a headband on, and the results were that in the picture.







I ordered the Ion Color Brilliance Spray Bottle and  Sally's Wide Tip Color Applicator Bottle, of course they take forever to get here, well, at least in my opinion. So the applicator is what I expected, I like that it has the liquid level on the side, so measurements are done easily. I am not too sure if I like the spray bottle though, the tip screws off, so it's really a cap, and the spray is not really forceful, it kind of just comes out in glops, but I only tried it out with water, so I suppose we'll see.


What really ticked me off is that I also ordered Roux Mendex conditioner, which was 99 cents, which is why I jumped at the chance to purchase it, even though I have not used it before, purely the junkie in me lol. Anyway, order gets here, and it is not in the package, but it it's place is two sample packets Miracle 7 Color Protect Shampoo. (Didn't even have the nerve to send me the conditioner) I was not charged for it, but in the payment sheet, it stated that the item was not available in their warehouse, and is no longer offered on their website, I have got to say, that I am a little bummed, because I was looking forward to trying it out, but I guess I'll be trying out the shampoo next wash day.


Until Next time, HHG to all! Naomi <3

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Two Strand Twists on Natural Hair

Not sure if I mentioned in my previous post, but after conditioning, and all yesterday I used Redken Curlwise14 to see if it could define my curls, which it was not too bad at doing, although it left my hair a bit crunchy.
(Results of Redken on natural 4a/3c Hair)


Playing around with my hair a bit I ended up making small twists, and decided to keep doing them since I liked the way the looked. I still had the Redken in my hair from earlier, and this helped give my ends a bit of a curl.


(Two Strand Twists with Redken)





 Until Next Time, HHG to All! Naomi <3

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Hair Day

I prepooed overnight with a mixture of Home Health Castor Oil, and Africa's Best Ultimate Herbal  oil, after saturating, my straight hair melted into curls, which gave me relief. I am always afraid of getting heat damage.

 My Hair felt strong, I then did a Cayenne Pepper Mixture, left on for a half hour, will post a pic of mixture, when I remember lol. Then I used my samples from Frederic Fekkai, which were the glossing shampoo and conditioner. I hated the scent of both, way too perfumey, the shampoo's consistency was thick, and had a decent lather, and my hair felt soft afterwards, but the conditioner was not too great. Maybe it was because there was not enough, but my hair felt hard after rinsing it out.


I was so glad to deep condition, used Organic Root Stimulator Conditioner, the one in the bottle, for a couple of hours with a cap. Hair came out great, and well moisturized. Sealed with Lavender Jamaican Black Castor Oil.

Used Redken Curlwise14 to define my curls, it was okay in doing that, but it left my hair hard and crunchy! It also feels dry, at least my ends anyway, it could be the mixture of the castor oil, and the curlwise, but I don't think I will be using this product again anytime soon.

Will cowash either Tuesday or Wednesday, and will be trying my new V05 Tea Therapy Calming Chamomile. That is all until then.

Braid out On Flat Ironed Hair Part II

 Update:
I believe the braids were loose, or maybe the shower was too hot, either way, I did not like the results of the braid out. Not upset about it though, sometimes it just takes a bit of practice. So I brushed my hair using my paddle brush, and just through on a hat lol.

Flat Iron, and Mini Product Review

After taking out my kinky twists last Saturday, I decided to flat iron my hair, using my Power IQ Mini Mojo Tourmaline Ceramic flat iron. Used Organic Root Stimulator Moisturizing Olive Oil Lotion as a heat protectant.

  Results: (didn't like the way this pic came out, which is why face is boxed off)


I decided  to seal I believe either Tuesday or Wednesday, and tried out a new oil a just purchased, Africa's Best Herbal Oil, that I purchased for $2.99 at CVS, which happens to have a lovely scent, and is loaded with all natural oils, can be used to seal, to prepoo, as deep conditioner, or even for skin! It's amazing! Left my hair shiny. Can't wait to try it on my hair in it's natural state.




Anyway, I decided to seal again on Thursday, because my hair hair, well more so my ends felt dry. So I tried another product I purchased recently, Softee Mango Butter, for about $1.50 at a BSS (Beauty Supply Store).  Natural ingredients, except for Petroleum, which is listed as the first ingredient. But anyway, it did smell of mango, but it's consistency was exactly that of Petroleum or Vasaline, which I did not mind much, it also gave my hair a nice shine, not sure if it is a mixture of the oil, and this product, but after using this, I found that my hair is a bit oily. I think I will be using the Mango butter as a heat protectant.

So I plan, on doing a Cayenne Pepper Treatment, using ground cayenne, water, and possibly paprika, then wash and using my Frederic Fekkai Samples from the Brilliant Glossing Collection (the Shampoo, and Conditioner), and my Redken CurlWise 14 Sample, Tomorrow or Sunday. We Shall See. Oh and I will probably Deep Condition with Organic Root Stimulator Replenishing Conditioner, following the Fekkai samples, and seal with LJBCO. (Lavender Jamaican Black Castor Oil) Hair day is a busy day lol.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Braid Out on Flat Ironed Hair



I recently flat ironed my hair, I believe was last Sunday, and had done nothing to my hair besides put Lavender Jamaican Black Castor Oil, on my spots, which is amazing!(Castor oil is suppose to help with hair growth, because it is known to thicken hair, Jamaican Castor oil is more "natural" so I think it's suppose to be better) I decided to seal my hair and try out this new product I just purchased for 1.50! Softee Mango Butter,which was not creamy, felt more like a serum, or an oil, and gave my hair a nice shine, felt soft too. Well anyway,I decided to do plaits then after. I did not use a comb to make parts, I just braided in sections, and put blue rod rollers in as well. 


Will see how it comes out in the morning!

Sunday, March 14, 2010

My Regimen

Regimen, everyone should have one, no matter what hair type you are, it's like having a hair schedule. Doing so helps keep you keep track of what needs to get done, and what is great about it, is that it's your own, you can adjust it and make as many changes as you'd like.

I am a natural and have many different textures in my hair, but I like (try) to keep my regimen simple. I am still learning about my hair, and what it likes and dislikes, so it changes accordingly, so as of now it is,

Cayenne Pepper Treatment 2-3 times a week, using ground cayenne and water, and sometimes oils, and paprika. (For hair growth)

Wash 1x a week, alternating with V05 Moisturizing Milks Shampoo Strawberries & Cream, and V05 Herbal Escapes Clarifying Shampoo Kiwi Lime. Following with quick cowash.

Cowash 2-3 times a week, Alternating with V05 Moisturizing Milks Conditioner Strawberries & Cream, V05 Herbal Escapes Clarifying Conditioner Kiwi Lime, and V05 Tea Therapy Nourishing Conditioner Caliming Chamomile Tea.

Seal with, Home Health Castor Oil, or Lavender Jamaican Black Castor Oil, or Africa's Best Ultimate Herbal Oil (help with hair growth as well)

Deep Condition 1x a week with, Hollywood Beauty Olive Cholesterol (moisturizing), Africa's Best Organics Hair Mayonnaise (protein) , and Organic Root Stimulator Replenishing Conditioner (in the bottle) (light protein, and moisturizing) .

Low Manipulation Styling after Sealing, such as finger coils, roller or straw sets, braid outs, twist outs, flat twists, etc. I usually leave in for 2-3 days, and repeat process. Hope that was not too confusing. :)

Why use Cayenne Pepper?

I have bald spots on both sides of my head, and have had them for years. Last year I made the decision to transition, and decided that I wanted to do something to see if I can get my hair to grow. I went to dermatologists when I was younger, but no growth came from the medicine they prescribed. So from there I decided to do my own research. I went and looked for things that promote growth, and then came across this thread that said cayenne pepper could help with hair growth. I decided to look more into it, and it is true!



Cayenne Pepper contains Capsiscum, Capsicum contains Capsaicin , which is the chemical that produces that burning sensation, when you eat peppers. When made into a paste, and is placed on the body, it has that same 'burning sensation' (if you only use water), the 'burning' sensation, produces blood flow to the affected area, which helps stimulate hair follicles, and an in essence, helps produce hair growth.

To furthermore prove the efficiency of  Cayenne pepper, it is used in as a key ingredient in hair growth aids such as:
Organic Root Stimulator Scalp Scrub
Organic Root Stimulator Fertilizing Temple Balm
Organic Root Fertilizing Serum

Now I love me some Organic Root Stimulator, but I refuse to pay for something I can make at home, and have in it's purest form.


I do not use exact measurements, but just to give you guys an idea of how you can make your own, I use for my own paste
A Small Plastic Bowl
Cayenne Pepper, and Water (if I want the mixture to be strong)
If  I do not want such a strong mixture, and have that 'burning' sensation I add an oil, you can use any oil you like, but I personally have used,
Vegetable Oil, Canola Oil, Olive Oil, and Castor Oil (Cold Pressed, Cold Processed)
I also add Paprika if I feel to


Whatever liquid I use whether it is just water, or both water and an oil, I do not add too much so that it is loose, it will not still to your scalp if it is watery, it will also drip, which is not great because it can burn your eye, it won't damage it or anything as far as I know, but it would hurt momentarily.


I leave it on for a minimum of 30 minutes, and then rinse it out by cowashing or shampooing my hair afterwards, to make sure all of it comes out. In my opinion, doing this process 2-3 times a week can help fill in bald spots. After doing this for a year, my hair is filling out, if you have a smaller spot, it would not take as long, that and the fact that I do take 1-2 month breaks when I get my hair braided, but if I stay on it, it will be filled out this year.

I will post a picture of the mixture, and pics of my spots a bit later.

Kinky Twist Removal

I know I was suppose to wait until next month to take down my twists, but I couldn't take it! They were getting loose, and my scalp had a lot of buildup. Taking them down was so simple, and quick I was surprised! Individual braids take forever for me to take down, probably because I do not cut them, or at least try not to, for fear that I will cut my own hair, so it would take at least 6-8 hours. Where as with my twists, I'd say I got it done in about 4 hours, didn't exactly keep time, but I watched a movie, and some tv, and I was done before I knew it. Can't wait to wash!

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Hollywood Beauty Olive Cholesterol Deep Conditioner



I purchased this product because I was searching for a moisturizing deep conditioner, but also reasonably priced. I paid about $3.50 USD at CVS, and comes in a 20 oz jar.

This product is suppose to " super shine & moisturize" and is for damaged hair.

The directions says that this product can be used as a cowash conditioner if used 2-3 minutes, as well as a deep conditioner if used for 10 minutes, and hair is wrapped in a moist towel.

I use this product as a deep conditioner, and I use it for an half hour to an hour, and wear a plastic (shower) cap, while the product is in. I believe they tell you  to use a moist towel, because this conditioner is meant to lather, when mixed with water. Again I do not use the moist towel, I just put the product throughout my hair, until it is saturated, and then add warm water, and then I massage it in, so it lathers, and then I put on my cap. This product has a sweet smell to it, like a candy, can't say a particular one though. The consistency is sort of like something that was pureed, it is also thick. But it changes once you add water. Which is sort of slick. I like the ingredients, because most of them are natural, and promote growth. It also leaves my hair smooth.

Ingredients: DEIONIZED WATER(AQUA), CETEARYL ALCOHOL, PEG-40 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, STEARALKONUM CHLORIDE, CETYL ALCOHOL, STEARYL ALCOHOL, OLIVE OIL, PROPYLENE GYCOL, GLYCERIN, MINERAL OIL, TEA TREE OIL, JOJOBA OIL, AVOCADO OIL, COCONUT OIL, EGG PROTEIN, CHOLESTEROL, ALOE VERA EXTRACT, CALENDULA EXTRACT, LEMON EXTRACT, ROSEMARY EXTRACT, GREAT BURDOCK EXTRACT, IVY EXTRACT, PINE EXTRACT, SAGE EXTRACT, WATERCRESS EXTRACT, CHAMOMILE EXTRACT, WHITE NETTLE EXTRACT, CAPUCINE EXTRACT, FRAGRANCE, METHYL PARABEN, PROPYL PARABEN, DIAZOLIDNYL UREA, DMDM HYDANTOIN, DISODIUM EDTA, D & C YELLOW #10, FD & C YELLOW #5, FD & C BLUE#1, FD & C RED#33.

Rating:4/5- Only because it is a bit messy.

Review of V05 Moisturizing Milks Shampoo & Conditioner, Strawberries & Cream.

 

V05 Moisturizing Milks( with Soy Protein) Shampoo and Conditioner can usually be found at any drugstore, or supermarket, and comes in 15FL bottles.

 I first purchased V05 Moisturizing Milks Shampoo & Conditioner, simply because it was cheap, which I purchased for 99 cents each (at CVS), my being frugal, has helped me find a true gem!



The Shampoo has a slightly thick consistency, and is a bit creamy in my opinion, which I love. It smells of Strawberries, as it should. It leaves my natural 4a/3c hair soft and smelling good.

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Fragrance (Parfum), Glycol Stearate, DMDM Hydantoin, Polyquaternium 7, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Disodium EDTA, Guar Hydroxypropyltriminum Chloride, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Red 40 (CI 16035), Red 33 (CI 17200), Red 4 (CI 14700), Polysorbate 20, Propylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Soy Milk, Panthenol, Fragaria Vesca Leaf Extract (Strawberry), Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Niacinamide, Biotin.

Rating: 5/5! Only wish it came in a bigger bottle.

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