MY HAIR LOVES!

                    LOVE - an intense feeling of deep affection

Hi Ladies! I currently have my hair in a weave as a protective style and intend to write an article on weaves, but in the meantime, I decided to write one on the Products I love.

Let me warn, I am a Product Junkie so I tend to buy a lot of products to try. For me, I believe growing your hair is a journey and how best can you understand your hair if you don't try different products, plus my hair is founded on the principle of 'listening to my hair' which means, my hair needs various things at different times and it's best to be prepared....I know!

So here's a list of the things I love for my hair! Enjoy reading!

Cleansing my scalp - apple cider vinegar

Shampoo - Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Moisturizing shampoo

                  Aphogee Deep moisture shampoo ( has sulfa yes but I prefer to use this when I am doing a    strong protein treatment)

Moisturizing Conditioner - aubrey organics white camellia ( I swear by this during a stretch)

                     Queen Helene cholesterol treatment ( I love this and it's cheap and cheerful)

                     Kanechom Chocolate hair conditioner and silicon mix (too yummy)

Protein Conditioner - aubrey organics GBP ( mild protein)

                                 ORS Replenishing conditioner ( mild protein)

                                 Aphogee 2 step (strong protein)

Shedding - Alter ego garlic hot oil treatment

                  Black tea ( every home has loads of this)

Oils - coconut oil

         Shea butter

         Jamaican black castor oil

Products I intend on trying soonest

              Egyss Megatek equine rebuilder

               Shapeless MTG

             Kanechom karite butter

            Pura body murumuru leave in conditioner ( Jen from Just grow already raves about this and it appears to be sold out , so that makes me wonder how effective it must be)

            Hairveda Sitririllah deep conditioner ( I hope I spelt it right....this is another from Jen....her hair looked really moisturized after using it and it's currently sold out as well)

2014 Hair Goals

 

So, its 2014 and this diva has some New Hair Goals.

1.       To Focus on Growth and Length retention.

I intend to do the Inversion Technique every month ie 4 minutes a day for 7 days a week. For those who do not know about the Inversion Technique, check out these youtube videos. Inversions work! During my Inversions will GHE my hair each night and ensure my moisture protein balance is maintained.

2.       Practice GHE at least 3 times a week even if I am not Inverting. I can swear by the Green house effect as it helped my hair especially when I had 3 textures to deal with after my botched relaxer attempt. I love the moisture it gives.

3.       Record all my hair dealings in my hair diary so I can check my progress and see what’s working and what isn’t.

4.       Relax my hair every 3 months. Last year I relaxed my hair every 4 months and whilst I liked stretching relaxers, it was such a headache to deal with. Plus I noticed I tend to flat iron my hair more regularly whenever my hair has new growth so I am avoiding this

5.       Naturally, stay away from the flat iron. If I want straight hair, will roller set my hair instead.

6.       Grow my hair to MBL ( Middle back length)

7.       Aim to drink at least 2 litres of water each day and eat healthier with a focus on Proteins, fruits and vegetables.

8.       Continue to follow my Hair regime tweaking it with the various methods I try that work for me.

What are your hair goals for the Year?

WHATS BEEN GOING ON WITH MY HAIR?

Happy New year Lovelies!

I know! I know, I took a hiatus off blogging but I’m back now with a clear head. Here’s what’s been happening to me on my hair journey –

End of November, whilst in the UK, I had my hair flatironed as it was very unmanageable being 16 weeks post relaxer and I had just taken out my braids. Whilst the lady was straightening my hair, I felt the settings of the flat iron were too high, but she assured me that the flat iron was ceramic and that my hair would not get damaged. I should have followed my instincts as it turned out that my hair got damaged and I was left later with split ends about two and a half, three inches long!

 my flat ironed hair

 

November Ending, i started taking Biotin pills as well. Started with 5000mg and then upped to 10,000mg.  I had heard it causes acne but I still went ahead taking it as I had researched that if you drank a lot of water it would help in avoiding the acne that comes along with taking the pills. I took them for abour 3 weeks and while I did notice that my hair became thicker, I had to stop as I suddenly became pizza face. I had acne all over my face, it was really so irritating. On stopping, the first week, I broke out some more. I have had to take 3000mg of vit c daily as well as 8500 iu of vit a to help clear my face. I’m also using my Clarisonic Mia to help with this. My skin has started clearing though, and I cannot wait for this nightmare to be over.

Deacember 2^nd- I had my hair relaxed at a famous salon on the island,. The lady running it is supposedly great with natural and relaxed hair. A friend had earlier told me That the lady ruined her hair with a protein treatment and her hair broke, but I ignored my misgivings and followed the hype. She ended up using a relaxer my hair did not like (Designer Essentials Relaxer- Regular) and not only did my hair not relax, but I was left with a burnt scalp. I had to spend over a week babying my scalp, gheing and massaging with castor oil everyday in order for the hair not to break off and I be left with a baldspot. The area is healed now though. In the meantime, being unable to relax my hair again until 6 weeks, I have had to deal with 3 textures (my relaxed hair, inches of texlaxed hair and 2 and a half inches of kinky hair)

 first day of relaxer

split ends galore

 

At the end of December, I started Inversions, and I can happily say this has worked for me and I am so glad, since I don’t have to take any pills orally. I mixed Neem oil and a few drops of peppermint oil each night which I massaged into my scalp and then would follow up with 4 minutes of my Inversion pose ‘Standing forward fold’, which is known in yoga as ‘Uttansana’. I did this every night for 7 days and would ghe (green house effect) my hair. My hair ended up growing by 1 and a half inches and I am very happy as I had to cut off the 3 inches I grew.

my hair after the cut....still have a few splits but it's way better than before

hair is healthier now in above pic and wasn't even straightened just used mane and tail detangler and shea butter oil

my hair after my Inversion technique.....note I am 4 weeks post relaxer. In this pic my hair has not been combed, just plaited after airdrying

Will post my hair goals for the year shortly!