Hair Journey Update: IM Thinking micro braids!

Today I will be washing my hair again. Simply because it feels a little dirty.

I just got my hair in mail yesterday from hairwiggharlem. The hair I ordered is not any of the hair I posted in my previous post for “Summer Ideas”. Its hair I saw last minute. I bought 11 packs of hair for $62. I know 11 may sound like a lot but I never know how much I will need and if I will rebraid my hair in certain areas. Like for my box braids I bought 10 packs but only used 8 and then when I went back to rebraid some hair I ended up using 1 more pack and thenaaome some. So its always worth it to buy extra just in case.

Right now I am just focusing on moisturizing my hair and less manipulation. Next week I have off from school so during that week I plan on rebraiding my hair with the hair I got in mail.
I’ll be doing a review of the hair and taking pics.

I’ve seen 1 review of it on youtube and the way the girl had it wasn’t too flattering on her so I’m hoping that I can really WORK the sexy into this hair lmao.

That’s it for the updates. Thanks for reading!

-Jazzie

Hair Journey Update: My 4c Hair Tangles When I Wash It..

One thing I have been battling with since my big chop is washing my hair. I have never been a fan of washing my hair, I usually try to skip it unless my hair feels dirty or build up in it. The reason why is even when I detangle my hair, it still tangles and if it doesn’t tangle then it leaves my hair/scalp squeeky clean and dry. Even though naturals shouldn’t use sulfate shampoo, if the organic shampoo tangles my hair too much then I have to result to using sulfate shampoo to get it untangled.

My solution:

I will only wash my hair when it is braided and use acv (apple cider vinegar). My hair doesn’t tangle or anything when it is braided…not only that but it doesn’t clean my hair completely or get rid of all the moisture that is in it. The acv stinks something horrible so I never tried to use it until recently…I used it to loosen the dirt in my hair and rinsed it with luke warm water and it already felt clean so I washed it (which required less shampoo) just to make sure the smell was out. So this is my alternative to tangled 4c hair…if anyone else has this problem 🙂

-Jazzie

Hair Journey Update: I Dyed My Hair Using Textures & Tones…Carson Roots of Nature Products Suck!

So I have not updated on my hair journey since Dec. 16. Lets start with what I have been going through since then…

The first couple of days after taking my box braids out I was experiencing some dryness and rough hair from product build up. It turns out it wasn’t me it was the actual product that I was using as a moisturizer. I had been using softsheen carson roots of nature feathered curl whip cream to moisturize my hair and over time I began to notice how my hair looked and felt very dry the next day but when I spritzed it with water it felt dry. So I took it to the internet and try to find out what was going then I read some reviews on carsons products. Turns out I’m not the only ne having this experience in fact, a lot of women who use the product said over time their hair just doesn’t like the product anymore or the product causes build up…which is exactly what I’m going through. So I have the deep conditioner, 2 bottles of whipped cream curl, the shampoo and 2 bottles of moisturizer…none of them work on my hair properly. So as my moisturizer I had to switch back to using my conditioner “Jason Super Shine Apricot Conditioner” which is an organic product. Its the only conditioner that moisturizers my hair good and right now I’m completely out of it so I’m going to have to run to the store to get some more. This time I will get a different fragrance because the Apricot, no offense/don’t judge me, smells like breath.

So now my regimen is:

1. Spritzing my hair with water mixed with rosemary oil…A lot of women have told me that I should hold back on the rosemary oil but it works great on my hair, in fact it actually makes it easier to detangle my hair. Something abut rosemary oil penetrates my scalp like a hot shower opens up the pores.
2. After spritzing my hair I moisturize my hair with Jason Super Shine Apricot Conditioner then I put a shower cap n for 30 min to an hour to make sure the conditioner penetrates my hair.
3. After the time has passed I take off the shower cap and seal my hair with olive oil/rosemary mix. Olive oil works good on my hair…better than any other oil I have tried.

With this regimen I dyed my hair. I was sooo scared but I just went for it. I didn’t do any research except googling if you should wash your hair before dying which is a huge NO and if you do, wait one day after you have done so

The dye I used was Texture & Tones with the hair color 3rv Plum. Let me just say I failed. I had no clue how to put the color on my hair and I was scared to leave it on because I know dying your hair could cause dryness and breakage so I took it off after 20 minutes even though your suppose to wait 30 minutes if you are natural. So heres the result and as you can see theres not much of a difference. The color only shows when I’m in the light outside, it was dark out yesterday when I took these photos so I could not use natural light.

So the question for me is, Am I still natural even if I dyed my hair?

My answer: Fuck yeah am I!

I wear half wigs, I dyed my hair and I’m still natural, problem?

Last but not least here is my growth since now the big chop! So proud of myself.

-Jazzie

My Routine For Washing My Box Braids

Alrighty, so heres my routine for washing

The products I used for washing my hair:

-4 large clips or butterfly clamps ($1.99 from beauty supply store or bss)

– SOFT SHEEN CARSON ROOTS OF NATURAL REMEDIES shea butter green tea nurturing repair shampoo (cost $7.49 from bss)

– SOFT SHEEN CARSON ROOTS OF NATURAL REMEDIES shea butter green reconstructing deep treatment ($7+ from bss)

What I did for shampooing:

I started by braiding my braids into 4 separate sections then I used the clips to keep the ends from unraveling. Then I got in the shower and made sure that my hair was completely wet (I always take a complete shower whenever I wash my hair….force of habit).

After that I unraveled one section of my hair and went through each row of my braids in that section applying my shampoo and massaging my scalp…when you go to shampoo your hair, you may notice that it doesn’t bubble as much as would when your hair is out, that is completely fine. After I finished applying the shampoo I rinsed that section with water thoroughly then braided it back up and put the clip at the end. I did this to each section. Then after I was done I did a quick rinse to make sure all of the shampoo was out.

I  knew  my scalp was clean and clear from the shampoo because..well some water from my hair had gotten into my eye and it didn’t burn lol. But seriously when my hair is clean and clear of shampoo; I can see my scalp better when I part it, it feels lighter, my braids were tighter when I braided them into sections and sometimes theres a squeak of clean to it (might only be my hair).

What I did for conditioning:

As for conditioning, I used the deep treatment and I followed the directions on the bottle. I applied it to my hair the same way I did with shampooing. Section by section…then I let the deep treatment in my hair for a few minutes…while I waited on the deep treatment to kick in, I just took a shower. Then after I was done I rinsed it out section by sectioned and rebraided my hair back into for sections.

The green tea in the deep treatment REALLY penetrates the nostrils in a good way…this will definitely be my go to conditioner and shampoo.

Drying My Hair:

Ever since my whole high porosity dilemma I have not put any type of heat to my hair and I wont! So what I did was take my hair out of the four braided sections. Wrapped my hair in a towel and began to wring them out. I then re-braided my hair…I keep rebraiding it because it helped get the water out but try not to manipulate your hair as much as I did…you don’t want to put too much stress on your hair.

Afterwards I took out the braids again because they felt a little damp I had gotten most of the water out. I let them air dry a little then I moisturized my hair..I have other posts on how I moisturize…I put my satin bonnet on the ends of my braids as much. As I could, I put the bonnet on my head and wrapped a silk scarf around the rest of my hair and the bonnet (so the bonnet wouldn’t come off) and I went to sleep like that…with a towel on my pillow, just in case it got wet.

When I woke up my hair was still a little wet but not noticeably….when I went out and about my hair eventually dried on its own.

Hair Journey: Big Chop Progress

My big chop progress has been going great. Right now I am in the progress of doing my hair in box braids. I started this natural journey back in June and now I  am in the big chop stage. So far I have completed my goal of finding a usual moisturizer (Lusters Pink GrowComplex), shampoo (SoftSheen Carson) and deep treatment/conditioner (Softsheen Carson Shea Butter Green Tea Reconstructing Deep Treatment).  As my protein treatment I will just be using cream peanut butter…yes the type that you make  sandwich with…its cheap and easy to put on.

I have received my hairfinity pills and I start taking them today. I know some people are against that but its my choice and your problem. So far without pills my hair seems as though it has grown. But since I am putting my hair in box braids then I won’t see the progress until I have taken them out which is why I am posting my progress now instead of Dec. 11.

So just a quick zip through my pictures. My first photo is the big chop, I started off with dry hair along with uneven and still some relaxed hair attached. My second photo I trimmed all the relaxed hair and had just moisturized my hair with conditioner and African pride moisturizer (that moisturizer sucks!) and combed it out. In my 3^rd photo I had just finished spritzing my hair with water and combed it out with my wide tooth comb.

So that’s my journey so far! Thanks for reading!

-Jazzie

Natural Hair Tip 101

The conditioner you select is perhaps the single most important element in your regimen. We demand a lot from our hair, and conditioner products are what make (or break) a healthy hair care regimen. Conditioners restore moisture lost to the shampooing process and improve the hair’s manageability. Because they are meant to adhere to the hair’s cuticle and produce long-lasting effects that remain after rinsing, conditioners play the most critical role in maintaining the hair’s protein /moisture balance. Conditioners are important because they are specifically formulated to help us achieve one of the two healthy hair characteristics: strength or softness. Although conditioners are usually formulated to both strengthen and soften the hair, they almost always tend to be better at one than the other.” ~Audrey Davis-Sivasothy, The Science of Black Hair. p.83,84

List of Natural Shampoos, Conditioners, Deep Conditioners, Moisturizers..

I was going to make this just a post or a sticky but I’m going to make a page and update it with links linking to the products on this list just in case some natural comes along and wants to know some good products 🙂

 

SHAMPOOS

Anita Grant Shampoo Bars

Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Shampoo

Aubrey Organics Island Replenishing Shampoo

Bee Mine Botanical Moisturizing Shampoo

CURLS Curlicious Curls Cleansing Cream

Elucence Moisture Benefits Shampoo

Giovanni 50/50 Balanced Shampoo

Giovanni Smooth as Silk

Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat Shampoo

Jane Carter Solution Moisture Nourishing Shampoo

Jessicurl Hair Cleansing Cream

Kinky-Curly Come Clean Moisturizing Shampoo

Koils by Nature Replenishing Lavender & Eucalyptus Cleanser

Metamorphosis Coconut Lime Moisturizing Shampoo

Metamorphosis Honey Citrus Hair Detox

Metamorphosis Mint to Be Therapeutic Shampoo

Qhemet Biologics Egyptian Wheatgrass Cleansing Tea

SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Shampoo

Terressentials Pure Earth Hair Wash

Yes to Carrots Shampoo

 

CONDITIONERS

Aubrey Organics Island Replenishing Conditioner

Bee Mine Avocado Cream Balanced Conditioner

CURLS Coconut Sublime Conditioner

CURLS Curl Ecstacy Hair Tea Deep Conditioner

Curly Kinks Satin Roots

DevaCare One Condition

Elucence Moisture Balancing Conditioner

Giovanni Smooth as Silk Conditioner

Hair Rules Quench Ultra Rich Conditioner

Jane Carter Solution Nutrient Replenishing Conditioner

Koils by Nature Complete Hair Conditioner

Koils by Nature Hydrating Shealoe Creamy Conditioner

MyHoneyChild Coconut Hair Milk

MyHoneyChild Honey Hair Mask

Qhemet Biologics Cocoa Tree Detangling Ghee

Qhemet Biologics Moringa Tree Conditioning Ghee

Terressentials Pure Earth Hair Wash

Yes to Carrots Conditioner

 

DEEP CONDITIONERS

Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Conditioner

B.A.S.K. Cacao Bark Deep Conditioning Hair Treat

Bee Mine Bee-U-Ti-Ful Deep Conditioner

Curl Junkie Curl Rehab Moisturizing Hair TreatmentCurly Kinks CurlyCue Renew

Jessicurl TooShea

Jessicurl Weekly Deep Conditioner

Karen’s Body Beautiful Luscious Locks Hair Mask

Metamorphosis Super Whipped Hair Fudge

MyHoneyChild Olive You Deep Conditioner

Ouidad Deep Treatment Intensive Conditioner

Qhemet Biologics Alma & Olive Heavy Cream

 

MOISTURIZERS/ LEAVE IN CONDITIONERS / BUTTERS/ CREAMS / STYLER

B.A.S.K. Palm Tapioca Deluxe Hair Cream

Bee Mine Bee Hold Curly Butter

Bee Mine Deja’s Hair Milk

Curl Junkie Hibiscus & Banana Honey Butta Leave-In Conditioner

CURLS Curl Souffle

CURLS Whipped Cream

Darcy’s Botanicals Herbal Leave-In Conditioning Spritz

Darcy’s Botanicals Vanilla Delight Daily Leave-In Conditioner

DevaCurl B’Leave In

Hair Rules Nourishment Leave in Conditoner

HoneyChile Hair Love Lush Curl Custard

Karen’s Body Beautiful Butter Love

Karen’s Body Beautiful Hair Nectar

Koils by Nature Nourishing Hair and Body Butter Sweet Almonds Joy

Jane Carter Solution Revitalizing Leave-In Conditioner

Metamorphosis Kinky Kocktail Leave In Conditioner

Natty Butter

Oyin Handmade Hair Dew

Oyin Handmade Juices and Berries

Oyin Handmade Whipped Pudding

Qhemet Biologics Cocoa Tree Detangling Ghee

Reve Essentials Hair and Body Moisturizer

SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie

Texture Me Natural’s Aunt Cookie’s MoistureCream

Texutre Me Natural’s Healing Hair Butter

 

NATURAL OILS

Check your local grocery or health food store for your vegetable/fruit oils

Alma

Avocado

Brahmi

Bhringraj

Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Grapeseed

Jamaican Black Castor Oil

Jojoba

Safflower Oil

Sesame Oil

Sweet Almond

Vatika Oil

 

NAPTURAL85 WHIPPED SHEA BUTTER RECIPE

-Unrefined Shea Butter at Room Temperature

-About 1 Tbsp Coconut Oil

-About 1 tsp Olive Oil

-About 1 tsp Castor Oil

-About 1 Tbsp Jojoba Oil

-About 1/2 tsp Vitamin E

LINK TO VIDEO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3Ok14CgADM

 

OILS/SEALANTS

Aubrey Organics Sea Buckthorn Leave-In Conditioner

Brazil Nut Oil

Burt’s Bees Nourishing Baby Oil

Carol’s Daughter Lisa’s Hair Elixir

Darcy’s Botanicals Organic Coconut & Hibiscus Conditioning Oil

Jessicurl Oil Blend for Softer Hair

Metamorphosis Eucalyptus Hair Elixir

Metamorphosis Rehydrating Oil

Metamorphois High Gloss Almond Oil

Monoi De Tahiti Oil

MyHoneyChild Intensive Hair Oil Treatment

Oyin Handmade Burnt Sugar Pomade

Qhemet Biologics Castor and Moringa Softening Serum

Unrefined Shea Butter

 

SPECIAL TREATMENTS

Ayurvedic

Bentonite

Henna (BAQ)

Rhassoul

 

Credit goes to Texture Me Natural on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Texture-Me-Natural/194003070625953

Recipe: Homemade Coconut Milk Shampoo

• 1/4 cup coconut milk
• 1/3 cup liquid castile soap
• 1 tsp vitamin E, olive or almond oil
• 10 to 20 drops your choice of essential oils