Wednesday, June 30, 2010

DIY DC Mishap

As you all know, I am conducting a Deep Conditioning Challenge (you are more than welcome to join) on forum.blackhairplanet.com, which is the (which is the 4th one being held on BHP) anyway, this week I wanted to switch it up a bit, so instead of having everyone dc regularly (either with a protein or moisturizing conditioner), I gave everyone a chance to show their creative side, and create their own DC. No rules, the only requirement was for participants to post the mixtures they used and their experiences.( If you are looking for a for


I don't have much stuff laying around the house, I'm running low on products, so my 'dc' was simple. I planned on using my light protein dc before, so I thought it would be a good idea to try to make my own light dc. It consisted of Coconut Milk infused with Omega-3 Oil, VO5 Free Me Freesia Conditioner,  one beaten egg, JBCO, and Africa's Best Ultimate Herbal Oil (ABUHO)

I made the mixture the night before I planed to use it, so I stored it in the fridge. I clarified with VO5 Herbal Escapes Kiwi Lime, cowashed with matching conditioner, and then added the dc. It was runny so I tried adding a little bit more oil and VO5.

Of course it was cold, that was not a problem, but man was this stuff runny! It would not stop dripping! I tried to combat it by putting on shower caps, I put on four, but it was still running down my neck and face. I originally planned on deep conditioning 1-2 hours, but I only kept it in for a half hour, because of how runny it was.
 I rinsed, and parts of my hair smelled like egg, and had bits and pieces, even though I rinsed with cool water, perhaps it was not cool enough.

I had to cowash again, but afterwards my hair felt great! I think next time I try making my own dc, I will use something thicker as a base, like Shea Butter. I  know my experience must sound like a horror story, but I encourage you all to try making your own dc's at home, there is nothing like knowing, and being able to pronounce all the ingredients in the things you use!

Until Next Time, HHG to All! Naomi

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Hair Update

Last week I decided to do some two strand twists, which came out nice (sorry no pics) and I left them in for two days, and wore a twist out for two or three. When I started to take those things out, man did I have some knots.

Remember those pesky little single strand knots I mentioned not too long ago? Well, they got me, again!

It could be that my hair was dry, as I did not add any moisture to my hair nor cowash while they were installed. I did manage to save a few strands by catching them before they turned into true knots but undoing them with a bobby pin. With that being said, I think I am going to stay away from two strand twists, at least until I can figure out how to moisturize them without getting them frizzy.


Anyway, my hair felt really dry and stiff after taking the twists out, so I had my hair soak in some conditioner- VO5 Herbal Escapes Free Me Freesia, mixed with Coconut Milk, and Canola Oil, on dry hair with a plastic cap.

I left in for a few hours do not remember how many, but my hair felt a lot better, moisturized and soft! I did not wash my hair after, but decided to try something new. I wanted to try an Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) rinse, which is Apple Cider Vinegar mixed with baking soda, as I've heard that this combination does well for cleansing the hair and smoothing.

Thing is, I just had regular ol' vinegar, but I decided to go for it anyway. I did not measure, I put about 3 spoonfuls in a tiny plastic bowl, probably around 4-5 cap fulls of vinegar, mixed, and poured the mixture on to my scalp.

It felt grainy, but I rubbed my scalp just as I would if shampooing, or cowashing, and rinsed out. My hair felt clean afterwards, but different from when I shampoo, almost if it had been stripped of product, but was still left soft. I cowashed with VO5 Free Me Freesia, and detangled afterward. I am going to purchase Apple Cider Vinegar, and actually try to do measurements so you guys can have a recipe. You can also wing it and see how you like it!


I always style my hair after cowashing, and sinceI had not done a rod set in a while, that is what I settled on.  I oiled my scalp with my usual mixture, used Coconut Milk, as a leave in, sealed with the same mixture of oils, but instead of using Motions Foaming Wrap Lotion, I wanted to try using Olive Oil Eco Styler Gel. I added a bit of gel to each strand of hair when I was about to roll it onto the rod ( I used gray cold wave rods). I kept the rods in overnight wearing a satin bonnet, and this were the results.

Before Separating Curl

After


Until Next time, HHG to All! Naomi

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Single Strand Knots- A Natural's Nemesis





Lately I have been experiencing Single Strand Knots also called Fairy Knots. A single strand knot, is hair that has tangled itself into a ball on the end of a single strand of hair. (I have been getting rid of them though!)

This knot forming, is usually a sign of dry hair. When the hair is dry it rubs against itself. Another way is through shampooing. When Shampooing, you are suppose to add the shampoo to your scalp, and not pile the length of your hair on top of your head (I am guilty of this). Cotton Towels can also cause dryness in hair, however, I have heard of those using cotton T-shirts, which does not take as much moisture out of the hair, as a cotton towel would.

Hair accessories can also cause knots, if your hair becomes tangled in them. If you like to bun or wear pony tails often I suggest using Goody's Ouchless Hair Ties, or any brand of hair ties without metal.


To get rid of these troublesome knots, it is best to snip them off with hair shears, you want to make sure to use hair shears, as these are sharp and are made to cut hair, regular scissors can cause more damage due to the blade's bluntness (it can bend hair, and cut jagged/unevenly). You can try to untangle the knot possibly with a needle, or if you catch it before it tightens, otherwise, I would try the search (for single strand knots) and destroy (remove) method. I have been guilty myself of snagging knots, but that is not suggested! Remember, the ends of your hair is the oldest, and most delicate, you want to hold on the them! Of course not if damaged, it is not good to hold on to damaged ends, but if it can be salvaged, then so be it.


Ways to avoid getting Single Strand Knots, is Moisture! It is important to keep your scalp as well as your ends moisturized.

Make sure you are shampooing properly (not piling hair on top of head), if using a cotton towel to dry hair, try squeezing excess water out of hair instead of rubbing vigorously, or try the T-shirt method.

Cowash in between wash days, as this helps keep hair clean and moisturized, it is also important to detangle (using wide tooth comb, or paddle/denman brush) while cowashing.

Deep condition regularly.  Using moisturizing and protein based conditioners, as it is good to have a balance to avoid moisture or protein overload. (protein overload will result in shedding/ breakage, and moisture overload will result in limpness/loss of elasticity)



Seal & Moisturize. To seal means to lock in moisture from a water based conditioner with an oil. This helps hair to retain moisture. (It is not necessary to seal if your conditioner is oil based)


If you have a regimen, you should be doing these things on a daily/weekly basis, which means you should be knot free, congrats! If not, then just follow the tips listed, and it should prevent future knots. Hope that helps!

Until next time, HHG to All! Naomi ~

Friday, June 11, 2010

Braid Out Results on Natural Flat Ironed Hair

Last posting I promised you guys that I would do a braid out, on my straight hair, and post results...here is how it came out.





I did not use any product, didn't even part to be honest, just braided my hair in plaits, and added yellow cold wave rods which are 3/16th of an inch, to the end of each plait. I covered my hair with a satin scarf, kept them overnight.

I took the curlers and plaits out individually, and used a paddle brush to tease the front pieces for volume, separated the rest of using my fingers, and put on a headband, and voila! 

Hair turned out big and curly, which I liked, I kept it really for that day to be honest, but it was cute while it lasted.


Until Next Time, Naomi <3

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Rod Set on Dry Flat Ironed NATURAL Hair

As you all know, I flat ironed my hair not too long ago for dusting purposes, I decided that I will leave my hair that way for the rest of the week. Thing is, I haven't really styled it, just thrown it into a pony/bun, and called it a day. 

Last night I decided to do a rod set, since I wanted to change it up a bit. Only this time, I did it on dry hair without any product. I used gray cold wave rods, to my knowledge there are three brands. Salon Care, which I believe is a Sally Beauty brand, and Diane & Annie brands, which are sold in beauty Supply Stores. I believe the gray colored ones are 3/8ths of an inch in size.I use this size rod for medium curls (I have SL hair). 

I also have the blue rods which are 1/4th an inch , which are for tiny curls. The largest size I have used is the pink/orchid 9/16th an inch which are for bigger curls. Pretty much, the larger the roller the less tight the curl, but more volume, and the opposite for smaller rods.

These rods are great because the are easy to use, because they have a cap like thing at the end of the rod to close it, so there is no need for metal clips or bobby pins. They come in a pack of 12, and the price varies where you go, but they are usually less than 1 dollar (USD). I also believe the larger the roller the more it costs. I believe the biggest size still is less than 2 dollars, so it think they are still relatively cheap.


I put my hair in rods last night, in the same fashion as usual, left them overnight, slept with a satin scarf, and took the rods out. I picked the curls out a tiny bit, and that was the extent of my styling.


Glad I took the pics before heading out today, as natural flat ironed hair does not like moisture, well more like it does, because my hair fluffed right on up. At least I know it can revert! Anyway, it is a good style whether you have straight or natural hair, I plan to do plaits tonight, so I will be posting about that soon too!




Until Next Time, HHG to All! Naomi <3

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Dusting (Natural) Hair

I felt it was about time that I went ahead and gave my hair a good dusting, so yesterday, I went ahead and flat ironed my hair. I do this because it is a lot easier to see ends fully and get to uneven or even split ends, that you cannot see as well when hair is it's natural state.

* To dust means to cut a very minimal amount of hair, that it resembles dust.


I twisted my hair whole, not two strand twists, and tried to trim most of the hair that poked out of the 'twist', as well as dusting the end of the 'twist'. I got this method from a video by Dprincess28 called How To Trim Split Ends on youtube. I used hair shears, it is important to use shears, as the are made to cut  hair, and are sharp, scissors can be blunt and cause more damage than good.


As this was the first time I've tried to dust my hair, I found that video to be extremely helpful. It was a bit tough to dust the back, but I did the best I could.


Dusting is a good way to scan your hair for split ends, without having to trim inches off your hair! I believe hair only grows 1/4-1 inch a month. So if you trim every three months and you get an inch of growth each month, and you 'trim' 3 inches, you just cut off all your growth. Which could explain how one's hair can stay at the same length for a long time. Which is why I feel trimming should only be done when necessary.

If you go to a stylist to have your hair trimmed, ask them for their honest opinion, if they really feel you need one, if they are a good stylist and value their customers hair, they will tell you the truth. I would also specify how much you wold like to cut, some stylists, not all, not only trim, but try to cut hair to a length where it all looks uniform, which can be great, but that can mean cutting more hair then YOU intended.

So to counter that, I would not only tell the stylist how much you would like trimmed, but also to show you how much they have cut, sure, it may be overbearing, or seem so, but it is your hair! You can also ask for a mirror so you can look at the back of your hair, so you can see what is going on back there. 


I just wanted to share my experience dusting my hair, and the methods I used to do so, and a few tips! 


Until Next Time, HHG to All! Naomi <3

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