Deep Conditioning Challenge For Balance!

Hey all! I am conducting a Deep Conditioning Challenge for Balance, on Black Hair Planet, (I encourage you all to join me!) for a three month period. This time around I really want to focus on on balance since I was suffering from single strand knots, and shedding.

To have balance you need to use both moisturizing and protein based deep conditioners. It depends on the person as to how many times they decide to use protein and moisture based dc's. It is healthy to deep condition weekly, and that is what the ladies participating in this challenge and myself will be doing.

The Deep Conditioning Challenge For Balance will Begin Saturday, October 16th, 2010. This Challenge will run until December 16th for a break during the holiday season, since I know how hectic it can be!




In the challenge we have check in dates. It is so we can post about our experience, and any results we've been getting from our weekly deep conditioning. The dates are

Starting Date: October 16th, 2010
November 16th, 2010
December 16th, 2010 (Check Out)
 Everyone has two main deep conditioners that they will use for the challenge (1 protein/1 moisturizing) if you would like to use another dc that is not one of the two of your main conditioners, you can use a pass. You are allowed two passes a month.


Here are the rules

1. You are required to deep condition for at least once a week!
2. You can deep condition on wet or dry hair (whatever your preference)
3. Deep condition with heat for at least 30 minutes
4. If deep conditioning without heat, leave it in for at least 1-2 hours
   
5. You can make any additions to your deep conditioner, just post what you added(Oils, honey, eggs, or any ingredient of your choosing)
6. Passes are to be used when you do not use one of the two conditioners you listed to be your main conditioners for this challenge
7. You are allowed 2 passes a month.
8. Please post when a Pass is used.

You guys are more than welcome to join, or to incorporate weekly deep conditioning as well!


Until Next time, Naomi~

The Mother of all Single Strand Knots!

You guys, a couple of days ago I did the unimaginable...I tried to detangle my dry hair! Now if you know anything about healthy hair care, you know that is one of the hugest no-no's. It is because your hair is more susceptible to breakage or splits in it's dry state, as well as knotting!

Single strand knots are caused when a strand of hair rubs against itself and forms a ball at the end of the strand. (Click link for more descriptive definition on how SSK are formed, and how to avoid and fix!)

It had been a while since combing my hair, as I have been putting my hair in a ponytail, and tucking my ends, so I wanted to use my fingers to detangle a little bit. that was a huge mistake, I found myself forming knots my trying to pull my hair apart, and in doing so, I found a THREE strand knot.

It was three separate strands of hair, all connected at the end, so it was strand of hair, then a knot connecting the next strand of hair at the end, then another strand connected by a knot at the end. (I tried taking a picture but the flash on my camera made it so you couldn't see the strand, I didn't think to hold a piece of paper behind it)

I have not gotten down to the bottom of it just yet, but I think I will be stepping up my moisture intake, so we'll see.


Until Next Time, Naomi~

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

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 ~

Deep Conditioning (4) Challenge

I am a loyal member of Black Hair Planet as I post daily! Absolutely love the forum, and the ladies on there, they are all very helpful, and many have come to be true friends.

One of my friends from BHP has created and been the leader of a Deep Conditioning Challenge. I'll tell you a little about it, and what the rules are, at least generally.

Each time the rules tweaked a bit, but for the most part the participants have to have two main conditioners, a protein and a moisturizing conditioner. Participants have to deep condition at least once a week, using one of their main conditioners, and are allowed to use other conditioners if they chose, after fufilling the use of both main conditioners for the month. They are also granted passes, if they do not want to use a main conditioner for one week or so on.

The last challenge, Deep Conditioning 3 Challenge included mini challenges, which were told ahead of time, and were things such as oil oil deep conditioning week, or add an ingredient to your deep conditioner, or use a specific ingredient, times like these the rules change a bit, but according to the leader. It's a lot of fun, and also gets you in the habit of deep conditioning, which can provide your hair with moisture, as well as protein, providing you use the proper conditioners, and know what is moisture and what is protein.

Anyway, I'm telling you all this, because the leader of the challenge is not able to do it this time around, so she has allowed me to take over until September 16th. The Challenge begins May 16th.

To Join: Please post a starting picture, if not possible, please post about your interest in joining, and the deep conditioners that you will be using.

So every 16th of the month to post progress, please post pics on check in day, if not please post as soon as possible. For those without camera's, you can simply just post about progress, and give us a detailed description of how things are going for you, in this challenge(progress/setbacks/ect). Please mark these dated in your calender's so you do not forget.

Also when signing up, again, please post pics, and let us know a few things about your hair, ie. whether you are relaxed, texlaxed, transitionining, or natural. Also your hair length, and whether you will be deep conditioning with/without heat, or using a cap. Again, listing conditioners that you will be using is mandatory. It is required for you to have Two Deep Conditioners: One Protein, One Moisturizing.

RULES
You are required to deep condition for at least once a week! (As Evanny has said before, cowashing does not count!)
You can deep condition on wet or dry hair (whatever your preference)
You can deep condition with heat for at least 30 minutes
If deep conditioning without heat, leave it in for at least 2 hours
You can make any additions to your deep conditioner if you like, just post what you added(Oils, honey, eggs, or any ingredient of your choosing)
Again, it is required for you to have 1 Moisturizing and 1 Protein Deep Conditioner, so that is 2 Main Conditioners
You may use other deep conditioners besides your main 2, two times out of the month.
If you would you would like another conditioner besides your main 2, for more than twice a month, you may be granted a pass.
You are allowed 2 passes a month.
Please post when a Pass is used.

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