Hairdrenalin- The Potion, Growth Aide

Hey All!

I am sure most of you know that I am a member over on Hairlista, (which is a great hair forum, so check it out if you have not already. Also my beloved Black Hair Planet.) and the big buzz over there has been about this hair "Potion" that promises to help speed up hair growth, to as much as 3 inches in 7 weeks. Of course all cases, and hair is different, so you may not experience those exact results.

There is also a group dedicated for those who are using the potion on Hairlista, which I joined, and lurked (lol) for weeks, before deciding that I wanted to try this for myself, after seeing so many great progress pics, and updates. So she has a fan in me, I also subscribed to her page.

The creator of the "Potion", comes from a lovely woman on  Youtube, who's name is Valerie, Her user is OhValeriMonCherie. She experienced growth from creating this potion and was generous enough to share how she makes it. She also sells her "potion".

Here are the how to's (it is a two part)

Here is the link on where to purchase the "Potion". http://www.hairdrenalin.com/ , once on the page, click on where it says, buy potion.

The "Potion" has ingredients that are know to help stimulate growth like
Castor Oil
Cayenne Pepper
Onion/Garlic Seed Oils
Biotin
Black Tea (to help soothe itch)


I figured that this could help put me over the edge to reaching my goal of APL, and possibly BSL by the end of the year. (For acronym definitions, check out this post ) As I just a bit past SL right now.

Using the exact ingredients she used, to make 16oz you will need
45 cut  Black Tea bags
1/2 large bottle (1.75oz) of Cayenne Pepper
30 Biotin pills (blended or powder form)
2-4 drops onion seed oil
1-2 drop garlic seed oil
2:1 ratio of onion seed oil to garlic seed oil
I decided to make my own variation to the "Potion", as did not have all the ingredients on hand. I wanted to do a video, but my camera decided it did not want to read my memory card, so I also could not take pictures during either. Smh Thankfully dh was nice enough to let me take pics with his phone, so I have after pics.

I used
16oz of (Home Health) Castor Oil
15 cut (Bigelow) Black Tea Bags
1/2 large bottle of (McCormick) Cayenne Pepper
50 Biotin pills (300mcg) (Known for treating hair loss, and promoting growth)
30 MSM pills (500mcg) (A form of sulphur, that is also growth promoting, which is why I chose it to replace the Onion Seed Oil)
1/4 large bottle of Onion Powder (McCormick 2.65oz) (Also to help replace the use of Onion Seed Oil)
1/4 large bottle of Garlic Powder (McCormick 2.65oz) ( For growth, help replace the use of Garlic Seed Oil)

Like Valerie's "Potion" I infused mine in the oven ( you can use a crock pot on low, as well), and I set mine for 220 degrees, and left it in for 5 hours.

(In her videos she says your temperature should not exceed 225, or be any lower than 200, and you should keep it in the oven for a minimum of 5 hours, but to not exceed 5 1/2)

After it is done, you have to strain your oil, you can use Cheese Cloth, Coffee Filters, or a Knee Hi/Stocking. I used a Knee Hi.

You put whatever one of those over a cup, and pour your mixture into that cup, you can choose to let what's left strain or bottle it.

I strained mine for a extra few minutes, and I got about 10oz out of the batch.

She suggest that if you use a clear bottle, to keep it in the fridge to prevent direct light hitting the bottle, as that could ruin the potency of your "Potion". I used a regular plastic water bottle for my extra 2oz, and an old Africa's Best Ultimate Herbal Oil bottle, which is 8oz, so I am storing mine in the fridge. If you are storing in a dark bottle, or container, your "Potion" will not have to be refrigerated.

Here's how my variation of the "Potion" came out

A lot of ladies are using the GHE effect (Green House Effect, the act of applying an oil, and placing a plastic cap/or saran wrapping your hair, and then tying a scarf around the plastic cap or saran wrap. I also put a satin bonnet on top for added effect.

GHE is suppose to help the oil penetrate the scalp better.) for use of the oil, 7 days a week. I will not be using it that often, maybe 4 times a week.

Last night was my first time using it, did GHE, and I did get a nice itch/tingling feeling, and it smells like a everything bagel (lol), which I do not mind, too much.

I will be taking progress pics in between (June 30th- July 5th), probably the latter, since I started on the 4th of June.

Here is where I'm starting from.

Ignore the pieceyness of it, I only flat ironed a small section. (For those who do not know. I am natural, and have 4a texture hair)

I took this pic for the  The Six Inch Challenge over on BHP, on June 1st, so it really came in hand.

So look out for my progress, updates! Hopefully my progress will encourage you all to jump on board!

~Naomi

Sunny Isle Rosemary Jamaican Black Castor Oil Review (and Spot Comparison)

Hey All!

I'm back as promised, and I am here to do a review on Sunny Isle's Rosemary Jamaican Black Castor Oil. I have to admit, that this was an oil to get use to, as I usually use Tropical Isle Lavender Jamaican Castor Oil, and the are some differences!

* Please note that I did not purchase this JBCO. It was given to me, so I have no idea of how the shipping process works.

If you buy Sunny Isle Rosemary directly from the distributor's site, this JBCO goes for $10.99 USD for an 8 ounce, excluding shipping costs, which I am assuming will vary, depending on where you live.

Rosemary oil, which I assuming makes the "Rosemary" part to this JBCO, is an essential oil. Essential oils are oils that have an aromatic compound, which makes it great addition to hair care products to give it a pleasant scent. This essential oil in particular has been know to help with stimulating hair growth, which is why it is a good combination to have with JBCO having the ability to help thickening ones hair.

Do not use Rosemary Oil while pregnant.

For easy application, I put this oil in a applicator bottle, I like to be more careful with oils that are harder for me to restock, or a bit pricey!

This is around the time where I do my Cayenne Pepper growth comparisons, but this has been the only "growth aid" I have been using, as I ran out of Cayenne Pepper, and have yet to restock. I refuse to buy a small tin for 5 bucks, so as soon as I see some reasonably priced Cayenne pepper, I will get back to doing my treatments. I have to admit that my regimen has been a teensy bit easier without doing them though, less stuff to do on wash day!

I have been using the oil alone, for a little over a month now, and like I have said before, there are some slight differences between Sunny Isle brand, and Tropical Isle Brand.

Sunny Isle has a thicker consistency, than Tropical Isle. It also has a darker coloring, which could mean a higher ash content.

The Ash comes from the process in which JBCO is extracted, it comes from a seed. The seeds are roasted to release the oil. It is believed that salt can be added to extract more oil, but this is what causes more ash, this ash is carbon, which also effects the consistency.

It is believed that the less ash in the JBCO, means more potency.

Although this oil is thicker than the Tropical Isle Lavender JBCO I usually use, it is still no where close to being as thick as regular clear Cold Pressed, Cold Processed Castor Oil. Which is easier to access, and is also good for thickening, it is just said that JBCO is a bit more potent, and it absorbs easier. For more comparisons check out this post http://beautifulkinks.blogspot.com/2010/07/jamaican-black-castor-oil-vs-regular.html

I can say that it has helped with growth! My bald areas are still filling in, slowly but surely.

It's not amazing progress, but I do see a slight change, I also have been using it along my hair line, and I have seen little baby hair pop up, so I like it. Oh and this JBCO also gives me soft roots as well. My hair also feels thicker, which is a good thing for me, as I have fine hair.

I have not used it long enough to truly tell which brand is better to be honest, so maybe after another month or so of use, I will get more of a feel for it. As for right now, I think Tropical Isle brand is still my favorite.
In the light of comparing the two, I will give Sunny Isle's Rosemary Jamaican Black Castor Oil, a 4/5, (though I have no idea as to which product line has better service/delivery) as I am still a bit weary on how dark this oil is, and it has a thicker consistency than Tropical Isle brand Jamaican Black Castor Oil.

I will revisit, and see if I like it any better...or worse. I hope this info helps a bit!

~Naomi

Cayenne Pepper Comparison 5th Edition

Hey All!

It is time to do my bi-monthy comparison of my bald spots. I see if the hair on my bald spots have grown in a bit more since December. To be honest, I have not been using cayenne pepper lately, since I have recently ran out. So I cannot really track my growth with the cayenne, as I would usually. So I have strictly been using my JBCO.


Instead of using it 3 times a week as I did when I was doing the cayenne pepper treatments, I now use JBCO 5-7 times a week directly on my spots, and 3 or 4 times throughout my entire scalp.

The only difference with these comparison pics, is that I took them while my hair was wet, so the hair there is sticking together.



The first set of pics were taken, December 2010. The Second set is from this month.

Do you see any difference? I am hoping that I can speed this process up by using another growth aid. I will keep you guys posted when and if I do.

Oh , and I will be using Sunny Isle Rosemary Jamaican Black Castor Oil, for the next month or two, since some was given to me, I have yet to use it, but I can tell you right now, that it is super dark. I am assuming because of the ash content (all JBCO has ash, because of the process it takes to extract the oil from the seed), but this is way more than I am use to seeing with my Tropical Isle Lavender Jamaican Black Castor Oil, so we will see. I will of course review, after a few uses.

Then I can draw a real comparison between Tropical Isle brand, and Sunny Isle.

~Naomi

Soft Roots

Hey all!

I oiled my scalp last night with my JBCO mixture (Lavender Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Home Health Castor Oil, and Africa's Best Ultimate Herbal Oil) and my roots feel so soft! I am not sure whether my braids have slipped on it is new growth but either way, it feels lovely!

I should not be surprised though, JBCO has always left my roots feeling soft and moisturized, which is why it is a necessary staple in my regimen.

So if you are looking for an oil that promotes growth and thickness, while softening your new growth, this oil is it!

I have still been applying JBCO on my bald spots, and I am feeling more fuzz, so I guess that is a good thing. I will be doing an other comparison with pictures, sometime this week, so look out for that post.

You will have to give a little with expectations, as I have not used Cayenne Pepper (promotes growth through circulation) in about 3 weeks, and I usually do 1-2 four hour treatments, with a shower cap.

I also will be washing my braids this weekend along with redoing some braids, at least the ones along my hairline, so they will look decent for Christmas.  I hope I can come up with a hairstyle for Christmas, instead of the usual bun or ponytail.

Anyway, I just wanted to give you all a quick update!


~Naomi

JBCO Is The Truth!

I'm sure you guys have heard me mention that I have been using Tropical Isle brand Lavender JBCO (Jamaican Black Castor Oil) for a while now. I mix it with Africa's Best Ultimate Herbal Oil, and regular Home Health brand Castor Oil (it is Cold pressed and Cold processed) to stretch it, as JBCO is expensive! (I use an 8 ounce applicator bottle, 4 ounces of JBCO,  and make up the other 4 ounces using regular Castor Oil, and Africa's Best Ultimate Oil) However this stuff is amazing by itself.

I have heard of people experiencing an itchy scalp due to JBCO. If you are experiencing that, I suggest you cutting (mixing) your JBCO with another oil. It will help dilute it. I have not experienced this, I mix my JBCO by choice, and you guys can too if you so chose.

I have been using this oil on my scalp since sometime near the beginning of the year, and the amount of thickness I have obtained, is unreal! I just recently started using it along my hairline, and even my 'baby' hair has grown longer and thicker, thing is, it does not quite look like baby hair anymore, as it too long to lie down, and does not blend in with the rest of my hair (it is a shorter length). I can tell it is indeed 'baby' hair, because the front and sides of my hairline were super thin, and now it's filled in. You can see my side edges in my last post.

I also love the way it smells, I know a lot of people complain about it's smokey scent, but it has really grow on me, the lavender adds a nice touch too. It is good for those who are not too fond of the regular/natural scent of JBCO. I swear it is gold in a bottle! If you do not mind paying the shipping fee, it is definitely worth a try if you are looking to thicken your hair, pr to fill in a bald/thinning area.

From my understanding JBCO can be found on Amazon, BeautyofNewyork.com (I have not ordered from these places myself, but some ladies from one of the forums I frequent does, and of course from the official site for Tropical Isle Brand JBCO, Sams247.com.  I have also heard you can buy it from BSS (Beauty Supply Store(s)), however this is tricky. I think you will have some luck if is a Caribbean/African owned, but that is just my opinion.

There is another brand of JBCO, Sunny Isle Brand, and from what I've seen comes in different colors, and 'flavors', if you will, but I have not used it before, so I cannot give an opinion. I would suggest that you guys do your research before making a decision on which to purchase, of course my vote is for Tropical Isle. Check out forums, other blog/vlog reviews, hair forums, and even youtube. These are the best tools when trying to figure out what products are favored, or are considered the 'best'. Please do keep in mind, that what works for one, may not work for another, so use your judgment.

 Also both brands have branched out from JBCO, and have come out with pomades, shampoo, and other goodies, so you can also check those out on their websites.


Anyway, I just wanted to share my good news with you all!

Until Next Time, Naomi~