Bantu Knot Out Results (On wet/damp hair)

I wanted to do an 'intense' cayenne treatment yesterday, so instead of my usual hour and a half, I went for three and change with a cap. It was a water only mix, and boy did my scalp pulse, which is great! lol 

I had to cowash, to get my hair clean, and aid in getting all they cayenne pepper out of my hair. I did so with VO5 Herbal Escapes Kiwi Lime. I blotted my hair with a towel, and sealed with my mixture of oils, I have in an applicator bottle, which consists of LJBCO, HHCO, and ABUHO. 

*LJBCO- Lavender Jamaican Black Castor Oil (Pure)

    HHCO- Home Health Castor Oil (Cold Pressed Cold Processed)

    ABUHO- Africa's Best Ultimate Herbal Oil (Brand, mixture of natural oils, fragrance is only unnatural ingredient) 

The great thing about an applicator bottle is that you don't have to make parts to oil your scalp. Just use the nozzle and squeeze the bottle. I wanted my bantu knot out to have some length to it, so I did not use a leave in conditioner, I sealed again with my mixture of oils.

   *Seal- Is to seal in moisture applied to hair like a leave in, or any other water based moisturizier, by coating  hair with an oil. 

Then I used made parts as I went, and to each section I added Motions Foaming Wrap Lotion (which I normally use for rod sets) mixed with a little of Softee Mango Butter (Hair Dress). I brought this product from a 99 cent store because of it's price. Since it both Petroleum and Mineral Oil, I don't use this product too often. So I wanted to find a use for it. 

Not saying that products containing P&MO are bad, but I find the are not moisturizing, and just coat the hair, instead of providing moisture. It is because they are more so barriers, they do not allow moisture in, but it does help keep whatever moisture that is in, stays in.

I do not know how many knots I did to be honest, I would say less than 30 knots all together. My hair does not hold the knots well, so I use bobby pins at the end of the knots. I could not find my satin bonnet, so I used my satin scarf, and kept them overnight. I took them out in the morning, and fluffed, and threw on a headband. This style usually lasts 2-3 days.

Before (Ignore the Date)

 

 

Until Next Time, HHG To All! Naomi <3

Review and Results of using Olive Oil Eco Styler Gel

I have tried shingling with cheap dollar store gel, and it left my hair a stiff mess. Now that I know I am to add moisture in my hair like an oil or a leave in, that could have then the reason it turned out crunchy, but it also turned out flaky, and I am sure it would have still turned out flaky.

Everyone has always compared Eco Styler Gel, with Kinky Curly Curing Custard, so I wanted to give it a try myself. I went out to CVS and purchased a 32 ounce tub of Eco Styler Olive Oil Gel, (for 4.99) because I felt that it would dry my hair out a bit less than one without it. I went to a Beauty Supply Store, and found  that the same one I had cost 3.49, so I would look around before buying it somewhere, because it is priced differently, depending where you go.

It does not have a very pungent scent, which is pleasant. It was thicker in texture/density, than I thought it would have been, but it was not very hard to distribute. It gave me great curl definition, but, not air drying could be the reason my hair came out slightly crunchy, and maybe not as elongated, or simply me not adding moisture to the top layer,  and drying with a blow dryer. I am going to try again sometime soon and test my theory.

I think Eco Styler Gel is an awesome alternative for those cannot afford KCCC, or are simply on a tight budget, (and people like me who cannot bring themselves to spend 20 dollars on one product) (lol). 

4.5/5- I am going to try it another time to see if I like it any better by air drying.

Until Next Time, HHG to All! Naomi <3

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