From Short To Long

Cone Build Up

2010-01-30T10:49:00.003-05:00

I recently had cone build up from using so many products with cones (Herbal Essences, Neutrogena, Lustrasilk, and so forth and so on). This was of course just trying out new products with dimethicone for a time.

It was so bad that no product was really working on my hair, so I decided to clarify with the strongest clarifier in my arsenal, Aveda Detoxifier. I mean that stuff can take the grease off the inside of a tire. The funny thing was my build up was so bad that the first application of the shampoo did not even lather! It took two applications for the Detoxifier to get the build up off.

Well I certainly learned my lesson, no matter how cones may make the hair feel for a time, regardless of the fact that I shampoo once a week, I cannot use cones in my hair. Its a good thing that I found products that work well for my hair without cones. Geeze!

Moral of the story, if you use cones, please use a strong shampoo once a week or every two weeks to prevent build up or just do not use cones. Your hair will Thank You in the end!

My Regimen Explained: Protein Conditioner

2010-02-09T09:59:00.005-05:00

This is another simple aspect of my regimen. I do a protein treatment once a month to ensure that my hair remains strong. If I use heat I will use the protein treatment the wash the week after I use heat. This ensures that any breakdown in strength that occurs through heat usage is restored.

I use Elucence Extended Moisture Repair Treatment for my protein treatments. It uses wheat protein and plant polysaccharides to strengthen and moisturize the hair.

I do not use heat often, so I don't worry about doing hard protein treatments. My hair is strong and does not lose its strength very fast, which I contribute to using coconut oil regularly as well as faithfully doing a protein treatment once a month (in place of the co-wash conditioner in my regimen).

Henna also strengthens my hair in a more artificial way, does not repair the actual keratin bonds in the hair, but it does temporarily strengthen the hair. In an attempt to simplify my regimen and to just cut out the mess I have stopped using henna, but I still recommend it to those who want to use it.

I Drove 40 minutes to the Post Office......

2010-02-04T19:33:00.002-05:00

So, I ordered the Vatika Enriched Almond Oil on ebay from India. I could not find the ingredients on the net ANYWHERE. I figured it would be similar to the Vatika enriched coconut oil, so I took a chance.

I waited 3 weeks for it to arrive.

I drove 40 minutes to the Post Oiffice.

It is 75% mineral oil.

With a splish-splash of almond oil and other extracts.

My Regimen Explained: Oils

2010-01-09T11:56:00.007-05:00

So, I thought I would go into more detail about my regimen and specifically explain how I use my products. I have also changed the placement of my regimen and moved it to the side bar on the right. So to begin with this series, lets talk about the oils in my regimen.

I have tried many oils but I only stick to three for good reason. First and foremost Castor Oil. This is really the end all and be all of oils for my hair. I mix this oil with my other oils for the best possible results. It has antibacterial qualities which means it keeps the hair clean while adding moisture and strength to the hair. It really is the only oil that I have not strayed away from since the beginning of my hair journey. When I get the notion to add oils to conditioners, Henna treatments, etc. I always use Castor Oil. I usually use cold pressed castor oil and when I was trying to regain the thickness in my hair damaged from my setback I used jamaican black castor oil on my scalp daily.

The other two oils in my hair regimen are made by Dabur. They are my Ayurvedic oils and are infused with Ayurvedic powders such as Henna, Alma, Brahmi, etc. They are Dabur Vatika Enriched Coconut Oil and Sweet Almond Oil. These oils do not contain mineral oil or petroleum. I have used coconut oil for awhile and I changed specifically to Vatika Enriched coconut oil for its Ayurvedic properties. Coconut oil has been proven to prevent protein loss in hair strands and has also been proven to penetrate the hair shaft, so I use it for that purpose. Sweet Almond oil is also another common Ayurvedic oil known to prevent moisture loss and add softness and shine to the hair. I use both of these oils in combination with castor oil as hot oil treatments and the coconut oil mix for sealing.

Specific Oil Breakdown Ratios:
2 oz. Vatika Enriched Coconut Oil
3 oz. Cold Pressed Castor Oil
I mix both of these oils in an applicator bottle.

2 oz. Sweet Almond Oil
3 oz. Cold Pressed Castor Oil
I mix both of these oils in another applicator bottle.

Once a week before tea rinsing I do a hot oil treatmentl. I put a mug of hot water in the microwave for three minutes. I then put the applicator bottle in the hot water until the oil is warm but not so hot it will burn my scalp. I then apply the oil, pin my hair up in the center of my head, and then cover with my platinum conditioning cap. I condition anywhere from 1 hour to overnight. I do the same before a Henna treatment using a whole lot more oil.

When sealing I apply my moisturizer and then I pour a nickel sized amount of oil in my hands, I rub my hands together to warm the oil and then I apply to my hair.

That's it! I only use three oils in my regimen. There are plenty of other incredibly great oils out there like olive, macademia nut, avocado and more, but these are the three that I use. They are the best for my hair and I am at the point where I just like to stick with what works. Let me know if you have any more questions about this part of my regimen. More explanations to come!

Switching it Up

2010-01-30T10:58:00.002-05:00

So I am going to try doing my regimen a little differently this next month to add more Ayurveda and to manipulate my hair even less. Since I am not using cones and not a lot of product in my hair on a daily basis I am going to cut my shampooing back to once a month. Instead I am going to use an Ayurvedic tea rinse once a week. Small and simple change, hopefully my hair loves me for it!

Parabens

2010-01-21T08:37:00.003-05:00

Contrary to popular belief parabens do not hurt your hair at all (let me qualify this statement buy saying that some women do find them too harsh for their hair, but it does not block moisture like mineral oil or petroleum and it does not build up silk silicone). In fact they are used as a preservative in cosmetic products. However, the general fuss over not using parabens is internal.

A UK study (conclusions published in the early 2000s) found high concentrations of parabens in breast tumors. Parabens have been found to mimick the hormone estrogen when released into the bloodstream; this can cause abnormal cell growth, cancer, hormonal disruption, etc. Let it be known that this study states that LARGE doses created this result. However, this study does not say that parabens CAUSED the tumors, but instead they go on to say that deodorants (which all contain parabens) and are used underarms are directly related to causing cancer. The American Cancer Society was quick to put out a statement saying that they disagree with the conclusions of this study, but further research needs to be done on the subject of parabens.

On the flip side a 2009 European study shows that propylparaben and butylparaben (two most common cosmetic parabens) are not entering the blood stream through cosmetic products. They found that the parabens were only partially absorbed and metabolized before entering the blood stream. Thus no traces of parabens were found in the blood stream.

Info from:
Daily Beauty
FDA
Wikipedia

There is so much more info, so take a look around google and see what you can see.

Please be an informed user or nay sayer of parabens, not an uninformed fanatic. I completely understand the studies done with parabens and I choose to continue to use them. Eating parabens worries me more than topically applying them to my hair. I choose to be an informed unconcerned user of parabens.

My Regimen Explained: Shampoo

2010-01-25T18:30:00.004-05:00

My shampoo regimen is quite simple, I shampoo once a week. Once a week I use Elucence Moisture Benefits shampoo to strip any product from my hair that might be causing it to reject moisture. I find that Elucence Moisture Benefits Shampoo is very gentle and very concentrated so that a little goes a long way. Its perfect for weekly use.

Occassionally, maybe once every two months, or earlier if necessary, I use Elucence Volume Clarifying Shampoo. This shampoo is used to get rid of any calcium deposits from water and any left over product build up that the Moisture Benefits shampoo might have missed. Most often I use this shampoo after using loads of conditioner to get henna out of my hair. I do this to ensure that all of the Henna particles have left my hair.

That's It!!!

Product Review: Sitrinillah Masque-Ultra Moisturizing Deep Conditioner

2009-11-16T16:39:00.005-05:00

This is IT! The holy grail conditioner. My search is over. I have been using this for a little over a month and I LOVE it!

It comes in a simple small white jar with a white and yellow label. The scent is very pleasant, light and smells of citrus. The consistency is thick, but not thick like a butter. A little goes a long long way and its priced quite well.

I first used the conditioner after shampooing with my godrej bar, I left it on my hair under a plastic cap without heat for one hour per the instructions. My hair felt so soft and after rinsing so very very very moisturized! The next week I used the conditioner on dry hair before shampooing and it worked just a well! Who new! I also tried it with heat, went under the dryer for thirty minutes and then sat around another thirty before rinsing. My hair was not as moisturized, but it still did the job.

I tried using this conditioner in three different ways and I have to say the product works best WITHOUT heat. So for you ladies that do not have a bonnet dryer, this product is perfect for your needs.

So I will continue to buy this product and use it WITHOUT heat because it works so well without it. Best part, no mineral oil and no cones. Its a keeper! I have finally replaced my beloved Organic Root Stimulator Replenishing Conditioner!

My Regimen Explained: Ayurvedic Powders

2010-01-13T20:32:00.006-05:00

If you have followed my blog at all you know that I have tried so very many ways to use Ayurveda. It is through these various experiments that I have come to a good way to use these powders that is catered to my hair.

I use the powders usually once a week as a tea in two combinations:

Cleansing and Strengthing = Bhringraj + Amla + Shikakai
Moisturizing and Strengthening = Brahmi + Fenugreek + Hibiscus

That is right, two combination! I try to keep things as simple as possible.

I keep these combinations mixed in two separate mason jars and I make 25 tea bags of each tea combination (1 good sized teaspoon of powder in each bag). I then store these tea bags in two separate zip lock bags in my product bin. This makes the tea process easy as pie each week.

I always do a hot oil treatment before applying a tea rinse to protect my hair from the harshness of the powders. I never ever comb my hair after a tea rinse much like a co-wash. I discovered awhile back that combing my hair after a tea rinse leads to hair loss. I could speculate why, but instead I will just say, don't comb your hair after a tea rinse.

After the hot oil treatment (this would be a good time to detangle) I hop into the shower, rinse my hair for 5 minutes, co-wash, rinse and then apply the tea rinse first to my scalp and then to my strands. I massage my scalp for a couple of minutes and then I go about the normal shower business. When done I rinse the tea out for another five minutes and follow with the usual leave-in, sealant and air dry.

I also do a henna gloss every six weeks or more ( my hair may not need it). I also store my henna in a separate mason jar. The mason jars are really one of my best ideas for storing the powders. I do not have a bunch of powders laying around so I know exactly when I need a new powder or set of powders.

C&S Combo Ingredients:
50g Bhringraj
100g Amla
100g Shikakai

M&S Combo Ingredients:
100g Brahmi Powder
100g Fenugreek Powder
100g Hibiscus Powder

Tea Rinse Instructions:
9 oz. Rose Water
1 tea bag
1 tbsp. Apple Cider Vinegar

1. Fill ceramic cup or mug with warm rosewater
2. Insert tea bag and let steep for 1 hr. to overnight
3. Trash tea bag and pour tea into applicator bottle
4. Add ACV and shake well

Product Review: Nature's Gate Aloe Vera Moisturizing Conditioner

2010-01-18T09:51:00.004-05:00

All I can really say to express the feeling that this product creates is WOW!

My hair is sooo very soft and even DETANGLED in the minutes that I wash my body in the shower when co washing.

This is really the best instant conditioner I have ever encountered and I have tried many (Herbal Essences Hello Hydration, Long Term Relationship, Vo5 Moisture Milks, Suave Humectant, J/A/S/O/N's, Tresemme and soo many more).

Naturals if you are looking for a conditioner for detangling purposes only, this is it!

The product smells wonderful and the bottle is definitely not hard on the eyes. I paid $4 for an 18 oz bottle! That is an amazing buy considering how thick the conditioner is. This bottle will last awhile, but when it runs out I will try another from this collection. I'm telling you, don't sleep on Nature's Gate!

My Quest

2010-01-12T09:22:00.006-05:00

Since the beginning of my journey I have been searching for one product line from which I love the shampoo, deep conditioner and leave-in all from one line. You may say to yourself, that shouldn't be too hard. What makes it hard are my requirements:

1. No mineral oil or petroleum
2. No parabens
3. No dimethicone (my hair hates dimethicone)
4. No cones
5. No SLS or ALS
6. Good prices, I want to feel like I'm getting my money's worth

So, I know that I could find this in Aveda, so if all else fails I will turn to Aveda, but it is extremely expensive. I am trying Elucence (has parabens but very low on the list) right now, but after that I will have tried everything I know of that meets my requirements. If they fail I will just stick with Aveda forever and ever. We shall see.

Don't Have a Hooded Dry for DC? Solution!

2010-01-07T14:21:00.003-05:00

Before I had a hooded dryer I used to think that I had to only buy deep conditioners that could work best without heat. I was reading on LHCF one day, as I often do and ran across a viable solution. Heat the conditioner and then apply to the hair. I tried it and it works just as well as going under a dryer and I still do it sometimes even though I have a dryer now. I basically do what I have to in order to not have to pull out the dryer for something so simple as deep conditioning. So give it a try and let me know what you think!

Kenra Moisturizing Conditioner

2009-03-31T16:42:00.002-04:00

Well what can I say. It does do its job, it moisturizes the hair. Just not as much as I would like it to.

To use bother conditioners I just pre-poo and use my ayurvedic tea. Then I rinse and I put the conditioner on my hair, put on a plastic cap, and sit under the dryer for 10 minutes as directed to on the label.

The ORS Replenishing conditioner leaves me with no doubt that my hair is fully moisturized. After you come from under the dryer your hair definitely feels mushy and after washing it out its very moisturized (not mushy anymore).

The Kenra really doesn't feel like much until after you wash it out. It feels like lots of moisture is trapped in the hair and its not coming out. So, I consider it a good deep conditioner and it does its job well, but its not what I'm looking for. I will use it up before moving on to another conditioner.

Ayurveda, Next

2009-04-02T10:20:00.005-04:00

So, I used up my tea, now I'm bored with it, lol. That happens with me. That's one of the reason's I love Ayurveda, I can change things up easily. I am going to start using pastes again, but this time on wet hair. I will use one moisturizing powder and one other mixed together every week.

Of course I'll blog about each experience.

What do I attribute my hair growth success to?

2008-12-31T16:24:00.007-05:00

I've been asked this before and I have to say :
low manipulation
protective styling
moisturizing
vitamins

Low Manipulation: Not combing, brushing, or extensive styling often ensures that I am not causing breakage or thinning through constant manipulation.

Protective Styling: Buns, braids, weaves and more buns ensure that outside sources/the elements are not damaging my hair.

Moisturizing is a MUST!: Without constantly puttin the moisture back in your hair it will become dry, brittle and break.

Vitamins: They not only keep my body happy but my hair strong and they have definitely helped my hair maintain its thickness as it gets longer. I take Centrum and Futurebiotics Hair Skin and Nails Vitamin's daily. I have also taken Flaxseed Oil, Fish Oil, Biotin, and Omege 3, 6, 9 for my hair. Vitamins really work especially if you're not eating healthy 24/7.

My Ayurveda Mix

2009-01-08T20:40:00.004-05:00

I've tried several Ayurvedic powders on their own in my Ayurvedic research: Amla, Brahmi, Shikakai, and Henna. This is my review of each powder directly from my fotki, each journal entry was written either the day of or the day after each wash:

Amla Powder
Yesterday I did a wash with Amla powder. I'm trying to follow the directions on the box for the best results. I used 100g of powder. I pre-pooed with Amla oil for 8 hours, detangled and then I mixed the paste. I made a somewhat thick paste, it wasn't runny, but it wasn't too thick. I applied, let it sit for 30 minutes and then I washed it out. I washed thoroughly, co-washed once with Vo5 moisutre milks, and DC with ORS Replenishing conditioner for 45 minutes (no heat). I towel dried for five minutes, used HE LTR for a leave-in and sealed with my coconut/evoo mix. I put my hair in two French braids and dryed overnight. OMG! My hair loves Amla everything. After washing the powder out with conditioner my hair had so much slip and was soo soft, the ORS only made it more so. My hair is dry now, but it feels so soft and moist, yet not wet. My hair loves Amla Powder. I'm gonna try Brahmi as indicated on the box next, or maybe its time to Henna. By the way I think CON will no longer be necessary in my life.

Henna Powder
So I tried using my Henna in a different manner today because I just wanted the conditioning effects, not the color. Now of course, the moment you add water to the Henna the color begins to release, but it is less likely to penetrate my hair as much doing it this way. So, I pre-pooed overnight with Amla oil, in the morning I mixed the Henna with water and applied to my hair. I didn't let it sit before applying, but after applying I let it sit for an hour. I rinsed and co-washed to be sure that all of the powder was out and then I DCed. I added leave-in and sealed. My hair is airdrying right now, but this method is definitely a keeper. My hair is as soft as it is when using the other Ayurvedic powders, but it is very strong. I'm so happy I tried this. Next I will use the Shikakai powder, wooohoo!

Shikakai Powder
The consistency of this paste was very very different. It was more grainy, but hey it still worked. My hair was stronger after this one and the conditioner really worked after this powder. It was like the powder made it possible for the conditioner to fully penetrate my hair. This of course means that it cleared out any buildup and dirt while strengthening which is what I wanted. So, this powder is like a clarifying shampoo. Also, my scalp felt kind of itchy after using this, but once the process was over it was fine. Not sure what to make of that at the moment, but I will observe this in the future. Exciting! Next up Brahmi powder.

Brahmi Powder
I'm really not sure what to think about Brahmi Powder. I have to say that I didn't need as much of this powder as all of the rest of the powders. It didn't leave my hair unhappy, but I'm not sure that it did anything special. It did blur the lines of the new growth and my relaxed hair, but beyond that I just don't know. The jury is still out, but it was just fine. I'm thinking of going in between these powders every wash and then the Shikakai or the Aritha powder once a month as clarifiers or mixing them all together. I love Ayurveda either way, I'm glad I decided to jump on the bandwagon. ETA(edited to add): Okay, so now I can describe the feeling. I could tell that each strand of my hair was strong, I do mean each one and it created a pleasant moisture balance within each strand. Perfect for a mix.

Now that I know how each powder effects my hair, I have effectively created a mix especially for my hair. I have used it three times now and my hair absolutely loves it. Here it is complete with journal entry review:

2 Tbls. Amla Powder
2 Tbls. Brahmi Powder
1 Tbls. Aritha or Shikakai Powder
1 Tbls. Henna Powder

Thus creating something that is very moisturizing, cleansing, as well as strengthening, in theory. Well, this was perfect for my hair! My hair feels sooooo good, this is a keeper. I'm so happy that I tried each powder first instead of just using other people's recipes. Ayurveda is a very personalized type of haircare. Its a keeper! I'm going to go online and find a reliable website to buy the powders in bulk Now my regimen is completely complete and I will just wait for my waistlength goal to happen.

Ayurveda and Stretching

2009-01-18T15:17:00.003-05:00

I am four weeks post and I always have new growth at this point. When I look at my hair the day before I wash I can see the new growth, but its still a lot straighter than usual, especially after being washed. I have to attribute this to ayurveda because it is the only new thing in my regimen. I remember Brahmi powder having this effect, so that is what I attribute it to.

So, I am going to stretch until my hair tells me to stop. I was going to stretch until the end of February, but if my new growth continues to act this way I will stretch at least until the end of June and maybe longer.

Combing my hair is still incredibly easy at four weeks post and so I will just watch what my hair tells me and keep on keeping on. I'll do a co-wash at the end of the month, no powders, so I can show/see my new growth.

Ayurvedic Tea

2009-02-02T10:39:00.004-05:00

The tea worked wonderfully! It worked just as well as the paste and was so much easier to apply. Later that day I had my hair in a chignon and my sister said to me, so "Is that how the Ayurvedic stuff makes your hair look?" My new growth still looks non existent and I am now 6 weeks post! So here's the breakdown, I followed the method of kiesha8185, an lhcf member.

Materials:
Water
Brahmi Powder
Amla Powder
Henna Powder
Shikaka Powder
Aritha Powder
Amla Oil
Vatika Oil
Spoon
Sizeable Tupperware Container
Strainer
Applicator Bottle (s)

How to make the Tea:
To make the tea I put two tablespoons of each powder, except Brahmi and Amla which I added three tablespoons, into the tupperware container. I mixed them up and then I added 3 cups of water and mixed. I put the tupperware container's top on and let that sit overnight. In the morning I shook well and strained the tea (Use a strainer that will allow you to keep the water while getting rid of the really fine granuales of powder). I threw away the powder and mixed 2 cups of oil (I used one cup of amla oil and one cup of Vatika Oil) into the herb infused water. Shook and put into an applicator bottle. This makes a little over 24 ounces of tea.

How to Apply the Tea:
Pre-poo with Oil Overnight
Part the hair in four sections and apply the tea to each section (I apply like you would a relaxer)
Put on shower cap and fiddle around the house for 1 hour
Rinse for 5 minutes with warm water
Deep Condition
And Voila!

Simple as pie and I only used a little over 1 oz of tea on my hair! This is going to last me Awhile!!!!!!!!!! I am so happy that I decided to try the tea's, it is a lot less messy, get's the same result and goes a lot further. Woohoo!!!!!!!

ETA: So far I have used 8 ounces after 4 washes.

Ayurvedic Tea and more

2009-03-07T13:52:00.005-05:00

So, I have changed this post a total of three times because I want to do a paste, but I don't want to. Instead I am going to use my Ayurvedic tea on wet hair. I haven't done so yet and I want to know if having wet or dry hair makes a difference. Wish me luck!

I still have lots more Organic Root Stimulator (the original version), so I will not be switching anytime soon, but I do intend to get a sample of Aveda Damage Remedy conditioner and treatment as well as the Dry Remedy conditioner from the local Institute. If its just as good as the Dry Remedy Masque then I will use it instead because I wouldn't have to rotate with the Aphogee because the Damage Remedy already has protein in it. I'm trying the Dry Remedy conditioner just to cover my bases and compare. So eventually I will review that conditioner.

Tomorrow is wash day and I will rollerset again. I am trying to shave time off, so when I do start wearing my hair down I have that option. It currently takes me an hour to set (a huge improvement from my starting time of 2.5 hours!) and 45 min - 1 hour to dry. I tend to do some cleaning or sit around the house awhile before getting under the dryer so that I am not drying soaking wet hair. This cuts down on possible damage from intense heat and cuts down on drying time.

So, tomorrow pics of the rollerset and results of the tea on wet hair.

Ayurvedic Tea Wet Hair

2009-03-09T11:59:00.002-04:00

Okay, so I wish I would have tried this sooner. My tea on wet hair is sooo much better. My hair felt stronger and more moisturized.

I put Vatika Oil on my hair before yoga and jogging

Rinsed my hair for a couple of minutes

Applied Tea, put on a shower cap and left it on for 30 minutes

Washed it out with Suave Humectant

Deep conditioned with ORS Replenishing Conditioner

Rollerset, Wrap and

Voila!

My hair looks and feels better than it did after my last rollerset without Ayurvedic products and my hair just felt so good after washing it out with the Suave. Now I know to Use the tea on wet hair for maximum benefits.

Ayurvedic Paste on Wet Hair

2009-04-06T14:59:00.002-04:00

So, yesterday I made an Ayurvedic paste for my wash since I am done with the tea. I pre-pooed with a mix of amla and vatika oil overnight, I detangled and then rinsed my hair for about 5 minutes. Then I applied the paste on wet hair, something I've never done before, lol. I then rinsed it out with suave humectant and then I deep conditioned under the dryer for 10 minutes. I then applied leave-in and coconut oil, air dryed with my hair hanging down and this week I am wearing the donut bun.

It turned out wonderful! The paste on wet hair is where its at. Now that I've tried the tea and paste on dry and wet hair I will definitely say that the paste on wet hair is the best. My hair is so incredibly happy right now. I was even amazed at how pliable the new growth was even though its already been a lot easier with Ayurveda anyway.

I'm going to keep experimenting with pastes just because there is no downside to doing so. This week I used a paste of:
1 tbls. Amla Powder
1 tbls. Shikakai Powder
2 tbls. Brahmi Powder
This made my hair soft and my new growth very happy, however the shikakai powder is always a challenge to get out, so I will not use Shikakai weekly. I think I will use Amla and Brahmi weekly mixed with other things because they seem like a good base.

*By the way last week I wore the braided bun.

Lye vs No-Lye: An Experienced Perspective

2009-09-22T18:45:00.004-04:00

I have done a post before about the scientific differences between Lye and No-Lye and its affect on the hair. Basically Lye is more damaging to the scalp and No-Lye is more damaging to the hair. After experiencing both types for a good period of time I have to say that I prefer Lye.

Now I will never tell anyone to use one over the other, this is just a point of view based on my experience.

I have to say that No-Lye is great because it can get the hair straighter, so a + for No-Lye. No-Lye relaxers are less damaging to the scalp so there are no scabs to speak of, no unsightly dandruff, and so ++. However, No-Lye causes the hair to become porous (meaning the pH level can be off which causes dry or over moisturized hair), more so for some than others. I know that the hair that I have that is No-Lye does not absorb product as well as my hair that is Lye, so -. This can be solved by using a chelating shampoo at least once a month and a porosity controled shampoo to be sure the hair has a balanced pH. My hair is balanced with the use of Roux porosity control and I do chelate occassionally. However, this is not necessary if I use lye!

On the other hand Lye relaxers are better for my hair. The hair that is relaxed with Lye is smooth, moisturized and so ++. I do not burn from Lye, but since it is harsher that is always a possibility, so -. If this ever happened my scalp would have to heal and then the hair could start growing again, so not ideal! However I have yet to experience this, so no harm no foul. Really I have not experienced any adverse affects from using Lye and so I will use Lye from now on. My hair air dries better with Lye.

This is not true for everyone, but as I said this is my experience.

How I Began Ayurveda

2009-07-02T12:09:00.004-04:00

I have had a few questions from friends and blog readers alike on the best way to begin using Ayurvedic products. You know, I can't say that there is a best way, but I can say what I have done.

To begin with I found an Ayurvedic oil, coconut oil. After using it for a while I realized how much my hair loved it and so I decided to try another, Amla oil. My hair also LOVED that. It is a seriously great pre-poo.

I then did my first Henna Treatment. I wanted to color my hair without using commercial dyes and after doing lots of research on Long Hair Care Forum I decided to try my hand at Henna. I continue to do Henna Treatments once a month to enrich each hair strand with as much strength as possible.

After getting such great results with Henna I decided to move on to more powders. I first used each powder separately as a paste to determine how each one affected my hair. After trying each paste I created mixes of the pastes based on the direct needs of my hair at the time. I still find the use of pastes to be the most immediate way to get the benefit of the powders, but it is very messy.

So next I tried using Ayurvedic Teas. My first tea was quite complicated and storeable. I liked it, but I really wanted to use less oil in teas because I used oil to pre-poo and I felt like my hair didn't like that double oil infusion. Now I use a tea that is steeped like most teas. I put two teaspoons of powder in a tea bag, seal the tea bag and steep the bag in hot water for at least an hour. I then pour it on my hair when wet, go about my business in the shower and then I rinse before getting out.

The other most current use of Ayurveda for me is a Swastik Shikakai Shampoo bar. I love it! I use it once a week and my hair is always soft and strong after each use.

Lastly, an Ayurvedic spritz. I use a spritz after exercising which my hair loves. After using this spritz my hair is very soft and it smells great too!

Now as far as what I would recommend for how to begin Ayurveda. I would:

1. Start by choosing two oils
Include them into your regimen somehow (pre-poo, oil rinse, seal, etc.) and see if your hair likes it. If so, then step 2.

2. Shikakai Shampoo Bar
By using this bar you can get a good feel for what your hair should feel like after using the Ayurvedic powders and you can get all of the benefits of the powders if you choose not to go any further. If you do choose to go further, then step 3

3. Tea
The teas are easy to make and are easy to gauge how the paste's should eventually feel in your hair. If you want to still do more, then step 4

4. Paste
I would then use a paste of some sort. I prefer a Henna paste first because it's somewhat easier to rinse out than other powders. However, if you don't want to change your hair color at all I would not use this powder. Otherwise I would start with a Brahmi paste and work my way into using more pastes from there. Remember you must always pre-poo with oil before using Ayurvedic pastes. If all is still well, then at this point you have it and can make up your own stuff.

Remember that I am no Ayurveda Guru and that you should do lots of research before jumping into Ayurveda. Make sure you listen to your hair- if it hates Ayurveda then stop!

My Braids regimen

2008-11-30T17:55:00.001-05:00

From being in Braids so long I developed a pretty good regimen (remember I was natural). Here it is:

Products:
Creme of Nature Ultra Norishing Professional Conditioner
Salon Care Honey and Almond Conditioner
African Royale BRX Weave & Extension Spray
Infusium 23 Leave-In Original Formula
Empty Spray Bottle

Braids Regimen:
Shampoo once every two weeks
-I diluted the shampo by mixing the shampoo and water in a 16 oz. cup
-I would pour this over my head half, rinse, then the other half, rinse
Wash with Conditioner every other day and after shampooing
-After washing out the conditioner I put a beach towel over my hair until there is no more dripping
Spray Hair with Leave-in and African Royale every other day
-I would mix the African Royal and Infusium in a spray bottle 50:50
-I would be sure that the mixture reached all of the hair in the braid as well as on the scalp.
I would re-do the braids around my ears every 2 weeks

This was a really simple regimen and my hair would always grow healthy and happy.

My Grow Out Regimen

2008-11-30T20:17:00.005-05:00

In 2007 I decided to grow out my hair and began with my first LHCF Challenge.

This was my regimen:
Products:
J/A/S/O/N's Sea Kelp Shampoo
Organic Root Stimulator Replenishing Conditioner
Giovanni Direct Leave-In
Castor Oil
Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Moisturizer
Suave Humectant Conditioner
Aphogee Protein Treatment

I washed Once a Week
Pre-poo
-Apply Suave, put on plastic cap and sit under dryer for 15 minutes
Shampoo
Deep Condition
-Sit under the dryer for 15 minutes
Apply Leave-In and Seal
I would then airdry with my in 4 Braids
I would do a protein treatment once every two months

*I was still natural
This was my regimen from April 2 to July 4, not to say that it changed much, but for the sake of progress, here it is. I didn't use any growth aids.

For me, these pictures show that your hair has to get healthy first and then it will grow by leaps and bounds, but I'll leave that for another post.