My Second Big Chop = My Now Happier Hair!

   On Feb. 20th 2015 I made the decision to big chop for a second time. My reason for chopping again was due to color damage and not being able to keep my hair moisturized and healthy, no matter what I did. I tried the greenhouse effect, and the steamer both required too much time to maintain the moisture. I needed to get my hair healthier without consuming so much of my time and something that actually showed results and that would stop the breakage. my hair was regressing and I needed to do something drastic!
   Big Chopped! and it really helped. I have had faster hair growth, Thickened hair, Shinier hair, Softer hair and No more breakage. my hair has maintained the Moisture/Protein balance; which has helped with detangling (a breeze). my ssk have diminished. After the second chop I tweaked my regimen by adding  the tangle teaser (a true life/hair saver). I have also been more consistent with my monthly henna/herb use.

My Regimen - Monthly

1hr - Pre-poo _  Oil Mix (Olive oil, Coconut oil, Cocoa butter, Hemp seed oil, Rose hip seed oil, Lavender ess. oil, Lemongrass ess. oil)

Cleanse_ Bentonite Clay

1hr - Deep Condition _ My Mix ( Creamy conditioner, Cocoa Butter, Honey, and Aloe Vera Gel)

Apple cider Vinegar Rinse_ Water, and Apple cider vinegar

Leave-in_ My Mix ( Water, Aloe Vera gel, Light conditioner, Lavender ess. oil, Rose hip seed oil)

My Regimen - Weekly

Pre-poo
Conditioner wash
Leave-in







Have you ever had to chop more than once and why? Comment below!

My Protein Sensitive Hair!

     Well! I am still on my moisture journey. I have been paying very close attention to what I am using on my hair. I have upped my steaming to at least two times a week, I am doing deep moisturizing conditioning treatments and doing the L.O.C method. My poor hair was still feeling a little funky. The cream I was using for the L.O.C method was the "Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie"I didn't think anything of it, Until I bought the books "The Science Of Black Hair" and "The Science Of Transitioning" and in the back of the books their is a product index listed by its specialty like Moisture, Protein, or Sulfate-free. 

       So I am looking through the list and Shea Moisture is listed under protein rich leave-ins. I knew it had silk protein but for it to be listed under protein rich makes me believe that the coconut oil being at the top of the list must be why my hair is having issues with it. The good news is I found a new love "Oyin Greg Juice" and "Oyin Burnt Sugar". I really love the Greg Juice, its main ingredient is Shavegrass (horsetail) and NOT the extract! 

      I will see how it goes with Oyin, but so far so good. 








Leave a comment below.

The Downside of Using Permanent Color On Natural Hair

                                                                                  

      

    I have always used hair dyes; since I was a teen. A little after I big chopped I made a decision to color my hair as a way to add spice to my new look. Let me tell you color can make any hair style look ten times better, but part of my reason for using the dye to lighten my hair was to see the color affects of henna. But because of the chemicals in dye of course it made it harder for me to keep the damage at bay. The henna of course is a big help, but that chemical is something to contend with when you are not on your consistent hair care game.
   
   This weekend was almost big chop again rough! Let me explain what happened, so I bought some bentonite clay and did a well needed cleansing. I started by pre-pooing with coconut oil using my steamer afterward I applied the clay mix. I let that stay on for 20 mins, after washing the clay out I did a deep conditioning with coconut oil using my steamer again. After rinsing the clay; my hair was super soft, more definition, and thick. After using the coconut oil as my deep conditioner my hair felt a little different but I didn't pay close attention to it.
     
    So my styling process was to do twists to stretch my hair. When it was mostly dry I used my blow dryer (cool setting) to stretch my hair some more, not straight at all still had crinkles in it. Right after; I put my scarf on and went to bed. I woke up on Sunday and my hair was sooo dry and crispy, I was so frustrated. I talked my cousin (Michele) who is also natural and yes we have the same name! And I was telling her about my issues and what I was thinking of doing; of course she was against the whole big chop idea. A little later I call my friend, Marie. She was also against the big chop idea. They both said the same thing which was use the steamer and then do the green house effect. And I used the steamer first using my deep conditioning mixture of Cocoa butter and Honey. At bedtime I did the greenhouse affect (baggy method) using just water for hydration, and oh my,” it worked.

     I still needed to figure out the cause of my dryness so of course I searched every natural hair queen’s blog, nothing stood out. I ended up just saying screw it. What ended up happening was I found the answer to my problem on Pinterest.com as soon as I signed in. COCONUT OIL! Packed with protein. Remember I henna every month, I over proteined my hair and my hair is protein sensitive; that really didn't help. So now I that I know; coconut oil will not be used on my hair right now. I have vowed to never color my hair unless it’s coming from henna (Red Raj).



What have your experiences been like when using a chemical dye?

Length Retention

    
     So I am sure a lot of naturals are looking to retain length, as I am. Retaining length has been a pet peeve to me. When I think it looks like I am making gains my hair starts to show signs of breaking. So I step my game up.  I have stopped using combs regularly, my hair has been in mini twists for the past two weeks now and I am still seeing signs of breakage. I have clipped my ends, I keep my ends moisturized and, I use Henna treatments for my protein. I will say it’s not as bad as it was. But to me breakage is breakage. 
    
     Well what I didn't mention was I am a serious soda drinker. I have tried to stop drinking soda and the longest I have gone without was maybe 3 weeks. I bought a Vitamix and started making smoothies to trick my taste buds, and it worked; FOR 3 WEEKS! I was doing so well. I started drinking dandelion root tea every night before bed and lemon water in the morning, I was so proud of myself! And then I fell off. So I said OK, if I am going to drink soda I have to at least drink water and I kept a bottle of water by my bed. I drank the water as soon as I was up, yep! That didn't last.

   OK, fast forward to winter. My skin has been itchy and dry so I started using my oils in the shower. I rub myself down with my mixture (see below); to moisturize my skin. But my skin seemed to be suffering. My facial skin is dry; I have dry skin patches forming on my abdomen. I mean my skin has been suffering.  I have been on a soda binge for the past two and a half months now and my hair and skin are just suffering. So you know what that means, RIGHT! I am going to give it another try with this water thing. The only difference is I won't be nixing the soda, because I want it more when I am not supposed to have it! But I will drink more water than soda.

So here is a good meme tip for Length Retention just remember to add water to your diet for greater results:

My Hair and skin oil mix:

• Macadamia nut oil

  Babassu oil

  Jamaican Black castor oil

  Rose hip seed oil

  Hemp seed oil

  Horsetail powder

   

                                                                   

My Struggle to Support SOME African-American Owned Natural Hair Businesses.

  

     Since returning to natural (Nov. 2010), I have tried lots of different products. In the beginning I was so fascinated with styles and curl pattern, so I just used anything that said DEFINE. I didn't pay attention to ingredients at all because I did not have an understanding of how important it was. As I continued to research I learned of how bad mineral oil, Sulfates and petroleum were for our hair. So I stopped using things with mineral oil, petroleum, and Sulfates and I really thought I had made a huge change, But NO!
  

   It was a small change. So I decided to stop using the average shampoo, no more grease and I was very picky about my oils. I REALLY thought I was doing something, NO! weell in a way! I was but those were not the worst of the ingredients. I continued to research and just stopped using shampoo and regular conditioner all together. I decided to start using mud and clays, huge difference and that's what gave me the definition I was looking for, But I still had a problem! My styling aids; they were made for natural hair by an African-American owned company. I absolutely loved it, bragged about it. 
   
   Upon more research I was heartbroken to find out that the product I fell in love with was deceiving me. By listing things the product did not contain and making the label very simple and the ingredients list being easy to read I was fooled; because there was an ingredient I never paid attention to (phenoxyethanol) which in simple terms is "ether" a chemical solvent. I really doubt that I would need a chemical solvent to style my hair. If the ingredient was close to or at the bottom of the list I would say, it isn’t too bad but it is close to the top which means it contains a lot. 

                                                   
   
   I stopped using major commercial brands to avoid health hazard ingredients and started using home grown brands to support my fellow naturals. I didn't expect some of them to have health hazard ingredients in their products but they do and I am irritated by it. Some of them are using xanthum gum (synthetic) when they can use guar gum (natural). I know it’s all in the cost but that’s the price of starting your own thing. the idea was to create a product that was healthy and helpful for naturals that the big brands wasn't doing; but some of these homegrown companies are doing the same thing and are no better.
   
   Yes, I know some ingredients are needed for preservation, however there is a company that does not have any bad ingredients and it is preserved with no problem and it is my favorite mud wash. So now I am in the process of researching to create my own products, because I know there are all natural Emulsifiers, Preservatives, Thickeners, and Emollients. I did not stop using chemicals and Synthetics for nothing. This is not just about my hair; it’s about my health!




THE END OF MY RANT!



Please leave a comment below! Your respectful opinion matters.

Youtube Vlogger Naturally Ya Ya: On Trimming her THICK Natural Hair | Her Two Methods

I thought this was very informative to me. Naturally Ya Ya showed me a technique I never tried. Especially trimming the shorter hairs that is inner mixed with the longer lengths of hair.

I am so sure you guys will find it very helpful!



Comment below! Thanks for coming.

The Inpiration to return to Natural

  
    I just want to share who Inspired me and helped me with my natural journey. my number one cheerleader and inspiration for my journey. Her name is Marie Glover(@couponlifer). Marie also did my BC.
    I also did a lot of research as I mentioned before. and there are a few Natural Veterans that were and are helpful to me and anyone that is looking for advice (remember to tweak to your hairs liking and needs). These ladies are so positive and I will repeat HELPFUL!

 https://www.youtube.com/user/HairCrush/videos

 https://www.youtube.com/user/Naptural85/videos

 https://www.youtube.com/user/MsVcharles/videos

https://www.youtube.com/user/KinkyKurlyQueen/videos

https://www.youtube.com/user/Nikkimae2003/videos

https://www.youtube.com/user/kimmaytube/videos


If you are a newly Natural Queen or Prince or if you have been struggling on your Journey, Please be sure to checkout these ladies videos for inspiration and reassurance that it WILL be OK!




Please Leave a comment or suggestion below I am new to Blogging any helpful comment or suggestion is so appreciated!

Natural Hair During the Winter Months:

    It can be difficult at times but it really depends on your tolerance and patience. What helped me was doing research and learning through experience. their will be those times where it seems like its not working for you, but all is needed is a little tweaking to your hairs liking.

   For some people coconut oil is enough, however; there are those that need thicker and Castor oil is best, then their is me. the oils I need to keep my hair in its most moisturized condition is:

• Raw Cocoa Butter
• Jamaican Black Castor oil                      
• Macadamia Nut Oil
• Argan Oil
• Rose Hip Seed Oil
• Hemp Seed Oil
• Wheat Germ Oil (Monthly)
• Babassu Oil
• Coconut oil

I mix (3) of the lighter oils for semi daily use and, I mix (depending on my hairs situation) three or more heavier oils for my pre-poo and deep conditioning.



During the summer months I ditch the Raw Cocoa Butter and Jamaican Black Castor oil.



 What has been your ride or die Techniques for the Winter?

A new beginning for an Introvert!

Hello to all of you New and Vetted naturals. I have decided to start a blog because:

1) I have been thinking of blogging for some time now.

2) I am an at home mom and I am bored and needed something to do that was worth the time and effort.

3) I am preparing to start my own haircare line (still in the process of researching absolutely natural products).

My Rant:

  My experience so far has been a roller coaster ride. One minute my hair is perfect and all of a sudden what I have been doing is not working anymore. I am NOT the average commercial product junkie/buyer. I hate mass produced products (Revlon, L'Oreal, etc.). my go to for styling purposes only is Shea Moisture Coconut Milk. As for cleansing; I use Terressentials Mud Wash,  Raw Black soap or Bentonite clay.

 My Conditioning method is also DIY. Coconut oil, Babassu oil, and Raw Cocoa Butter are my go to. My hair is protein sensitive so I only use henna which I purchase through Hennasoog.com (Red Raj) or Amazon (Nupur Herbal Blend). I have started doing a brown sugar scalp scrub,  Looove It.

 Gaining length has been my struggle due to the bad decision to continuously color my hair (I wanted my hair lighter to see the Henna color). So keeping my ends moisturized is my whole struggle right now.
My hair length is little past my shoulder (the back), my front is shorter just below my bottom lip (my struggle since going natural).

As for styling, my go to is two strand twists, and mini twists, because they are sooo easy to tuck into a nice and cute style.

How has it been thus far for you? Please comment below!