Week 9: Half Up Half Down

This week I chose the half up half down approach. I parted my hair in two sections from ear to ear and airdryed each section in a braid. When dry I undid the braids, I let the bottom hang and put the top in a ponytail. Simple enough!

Lustrasilk Shea Butter Cholesterol

I usually use really thick conditioners for adding my ayurvedic powders to and I especially like to use cholesterol for this purpose. I have been using Lekair cholestrol because I have always thought that to be a good product and I still do. However it is mostly strengthening (which I do not need) and contains mineral oil which I try to stay away from. So I decided to find a cholestrol that is moisturizing and does not have mineral oil.

Well I checked all of the cholesterols and the only one that did not seem to have mineral oil is Lustrasilk. I wanted a moisturizing cholesterol to be sure that I did not add more strength when the powders are strengthening and I also use proetin every other week, so the added strength is unecessary and potentially damaging. In answer to my quest I turned to Lustrasilk Shea Butter Cholesterol. It has cones, but no mineral oil and not to mention its cholesterol.

Cholesterol is increadibly nourishing for the hair. Hair is made partially up of lipids, these hair lipids contain cholesterol. The cholesterol benefits the inner root sheath whose function is to layer and protect the development of the hair fiber. African American hair actually contains more lipids than Caucasion hair. In other words cholesterol is great for the hair, lol.

So, I tried the Cholesterol alone as a cowash first, after shampooing with the shikakai bar 2nd and mixed with Ayurvedic powders third. I must say that this is a great product! My hair had a long lasting moisture content each time and it only cost $2.80 for a 20oz. Jar. You can't beat that. I really think that I will use this as a deep conditioner from now on. It may have parabens and cones, but its amazing! I will probably add some olive oil to add more slip and honey to it just to be sure that I am getting the maximum moisturizing benefits!

If you are looking for a Deep Conditioner that really works, I say buy Lustrasilk Shea Butter Cholesterol.

Shescentit Banana Brulee

In my search for mineral oil and paraben free great moisturizing deep conditioners I tried Shesentit's Banana Brulee Moisturizing Deep Conditioner. I have read so many great reviews on this product, its cheap and so I figured it couldn't hurt to try it. I comes in a simple clear 8oz. jar with a yellow label. I chose the Fresh scent (there are 4 choices) and it smelled fresh, not overpowering and not especially great, just fresh. It is very very very thick.

As per the direction I applied the product to wet hair after shampooing and went under my dryer for 15 minutes and rinsed. Well, this deep conditioner did absolutely NOTHING for my hair. I was incredibly surprised. I think that I used a good amount of product, matter of fact I used a lot, but it did nothing for my hair. It didn't add even a little moisture, so I will never buy this agian.

If you ladies have any suggestions as to what I can do with this product let me know. I will probably just throw it away otherwise because it really did nothing for my hair. Oh well, at least I tried!

ETA: I have been told that this product really works best when coupled with the other products from this brand. So if you do buy this, I would buy one of the shampoo's from this company and try them together.

Godrej 3 in 1 Shikakai Soap Bar

I decided to try this bar because of the 3 ingredients Amla, Shikakai and Bahringraj. Ironically this is a mix that I have been using for months now. I love how my hair feels after this mix, so I decided to try a soap bar with the same ingredients, I figured it couldn't hurt.

The Packaging actually looks different than this, its new and updated packaging, but none the less great. The bar actually smells pleasant, not the same as the Swastik bar, but still pleasant none the less.

IT WAS GREAT!

My hair came out clean, not stripped, feeling a little moisturized, strong and NOT coated. So, I will continue to use this bar instead of buying the Swastik Bar again. Don't get me wrong, the Swastik Bar is great, but if I can get a bar that does not leave a coating I will. I'm so glad I tried the Godrej bar and I just love how Ayurvedic products make my hair feel. I give this product an A++

I comb ONCE a week

You know, it really is not necessary as a relaxed head to comb several times a week. In fact combing too often can cause breakage and thinning. I never comb when I co-wash, I just finger detangle. Shampoo can and often does cause tangling, which is why I only comb my hair once a week when I use my shampoo bar. So re-evaluate your comb and brush usage, is it really necessary to comb often? I have to say this may not be true for the natural heads. When I was natural I still only detangled once a week (the one time a week I washed my hair), but some people find their hair gets more knots with this method. However I would still see how long your hair can really go without the comb and brush!


*Tomorrow I will be back with three product reviews

Protein in Moisturizing Conditioners

Did you know that not all protein in conditioners is strengthening? Sometimes you may see protein in what are considered moisturizing conditioners. That is because some proteins aid in the absorption of moisture instead of strength. Really the only protein that acts as an actual reconstructor is keratin protein.

Wheat, soy and silk proteins act as humectants. The amino acids in these proteins are easily absorbed by the hair shaft while the protein coats the hair shaft. In other words these proteins help the hair retain moisture and adds to the overall health and shine of the hair.

So, don't disregard your moisturizing conditioners because they have protein instead embrace the protein :-)!!!!

Week 8: French Braid

(Old Picture)

This week classes begin again for me, so I am keeping my hair simple while I work out my semester's logistics. This is also an easy style when exercising because I do not have to redo my hair until the evening when I moisturize and seal. Talking about keeping it simple!

Randomness

I'm currently looking for a more natural deep conditioner. One without mineral oil, lanolin, parabens, cones or anything of the like. I just have never liked the idea of using products with mineral oil on my hair, knowing what that does to hair. So, I have been looking and of course reviews will come sooner or later.

My recent Henna gloss made my roots really really straight, still the same texture of new growth, but really straight. I have to remember that for later in my stretch, that could be quite useful.

Ayurveda is still my hairs one true love! I'm currently using the powders in the form of tea's, conditioner mixed pastes, and a spritz. I am going to stop using the ayurvedic spritz because I feel like it is unnecessary. My scalp is not getting that dirty with me washing my hair twice a week at the moment, so that's enough of that.

I'm not sure if JBCO is working, but its not doing any harm so I will continue to apply it twice a week.

That's enough randomness for one day!

Giovanni Smooth as Silk Conditioner

After reading the regimen of one of my hair idols I decided to try this conditioner. The formula has changed, but its the same ingredients, the company has just changed from using oils to extracts of those oils. I have used this conditioner as a part of my co-wash mix for my ayurvedic pastes and as a rinse when washing them out. This is the BEST detangling conditioner I have come across. Its is not incredibly moisturizing, its thick and it really is not a special conditioner except that it detangles like a Dream. This product with be invaluable in the later months of my stretch. I'm so glad I tried it.

Week 7: Classic Bun

I really did not feel like doing anything special with my hair this week so I am going to sport the classic bun. I really do like buns and instead of playing with my hair I will play with my jewelry by wearing some fun earings and maybe a fun necklace, who knows!

The Elusive Six Month Stretch

Well, ladies and gentleman I have decided to go for a six month stretch. Why do I call it the "oh so elusive" six month stretch? Because it never fails with me, around the fourth month I get sick of the trouble and just relax. This time though I think that I am going to do it no matter what.

Why do a long stretch? Because this is like a pick me up. After six months I will see a whole lot of growth as opposed to two 3 month stretches. Thats why long stretches always "seem" to make your hair grow longer. Plus I like a challenge. So wish me luck!

Week 6: Bantu Knot Out

I LOVE Bantu knot outs. They give great waves and curl, plus they mask new growth so very very well. Once they start to not look so great you can comb your hair out and do a saran wrap treatment for a straight look with great results. I air dried my hair in 13 knots overnight and today I took them apart and styled. Pics:

Knots:


(Please ignore the new growth)


Taking them down:


Back:


Side One:


Side Two:


Want to know how to achieve Bantu knots? Check out this video:
(By the way, I use hair pins to secure my knots)

Hair Skin and Nails Vitamins

I have talked about Futurebiotics Hair Skin and Nails Vitamins before, but my favorite Hair Skin and Nails Vitamin is the GNC Hair Skin and Nails Vitamin.

I like this vitamin the best because it has just the right balance of vitamins. It has 3000mcg of Biotin which is a significant dose, but it also has Vitamin's A, B and E which are also just as important for healthy hair growth. I have never had any skin issues from using this product, unlike when I just use Biotin by itself. Not only that, but my skin seems to really benefit from the continued use of this product as well. My skin seems to have more of a glow to it than with the Futurebiotics vitamins.

The one down side to this vitamin is the price, a whopping $18.99. I recently bought it during a buy one get one free sale, so I have 4 months worth. I try to catch those sales as much as possible because it really makes the product worth the money. On the other hand the GNC bottles contain 60 days worth of capsules, so in the end I pay the same for the Futurebiotics as I do for the GNC if not less.

*Do not confuse this with their Hair Skin and Nails program, I have never tried that one because you only get 30 capsules for $19.99!

"It Smells in Here"

That is what my SO says every time I wash my hair. He absolutely hates the smell of all of my haircare products, lol. Whenever I put Amla oil on my hair to pre-poo he makes a face, looks at me and says "You have that stuff on your hair" and walks away. I find it pretty funny.

He thinks my shikakai soap smells like urine. He hates the citrus smell of my Organic Root Stimulator Replenishing conditioner. I find that ironic because most people find the orange smell pleasant, however he currently seems indifferent to the Keracare Humecto, but time will tell!

On the other hand he has no problem with my Herbal Essences leave-in, coconut oil, or odorless castor oil.

When I wash my hair I just close the room door and stay in that area. That is his cue to stay away because I am doing my hair. When all is said and done I open the door and he can bask in the results. He loves my hair, but definitely not the products I use to maintain it.

Ironically, he would have a caniption if I cut my hair short :-)

Anyone else have similar experiences?

I am Full Bra Strap Length

I am 1 inch away from Mid-Back Length. I rollerset my hair, blew out the roots and wrapped. This means that my hair is still a little bigger than if I had flat ironed so this is not completely representative of my truth lenght. Regardless its safe to say that I am full bra strap length. I am very happy with this. My hair just looks so much more full with this cut. So I will hit waistlength again probably in March of next year. Woohooo!!!!



After Cut: