Wash Day: Hair Mask

Banana Smoothie Hair Mask

Once again, my hair dried out because I was sweating hard at work in that kitchen. I also found out that I have High Porosity hair. Hairlista’s found Sunshyne, has two pages talking about High Porosity Hair (You can check them out here and here.

I decided to try something new…

Banana Smoothie Hair Mask

You Will Need

·         1 Ripe Banana (or more determined by length)

·         EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)

·         Honey

·         Grapeseed Oil

Bananas are good for your hair because it is rich in natural oils, vitamins, potassium and carbohydrates. It protects the hairs natural elasticity and helps to soften the hair. Bananas protect the hair from sun and wind damage and helps to retain moisture

[Source]

The benefits of honey are that it gives hair sheen and adds moisture to the hair. Honey contains sweetners that naturally nourish the hair and encourages hair growth. It is also a natural care for dull, brittle dry hair.

[Source]

The mixture smelled so weird because I do not eat bananas. I smashed the banana then proceeded to add the oils and honey. I parted my hair in 4 sections, added coconut oil in my hair then applied the hair mask. I wrapped my hair with plastic wrap and kept it on my hair for 1.5 hours. Once I took off my plastic wrap, my hair was steamed and very moisturized. I washed it out with cold water.

Well my hair kept drinking up the water so I had to constantly run it under the water. Instead of squeezing the excess water, I just t-shirt dried my hair with soaking wet.

Before I started air drying, I used Purified Water, ORS Olive Oil Hair Lotion, and Garnier Fructis Serum to seal in everything.

This concoction really does help with the dry hair! This is defiantly becoming a staple!!!

 

How was your recent wash day?

Mid-Week: Wash Day

Wash Day: Ambiguous Hair

I’m so late with my posts; I washed my hair Tuesday (January 21)

I did not post my last washday, Friday, because I was so upset with the results! Seriously me and my hair was not getting along the whole weekend. My hair was always tangled, extremely dry and a mess. I Moisturized & Sealed twice a day but that wouldn’t help because my hair would be dry by that night as well as crunchy!

Monday came around and I wanted to keep doing the inversion method from Sunday night. By that afternoon, my hair was dried out.

FML!

By Tuesday, my hair decided to matt down into an afro. I was done. But I found out what the problem was…

Ambiguous Hair

[am-big-yoo-uhs]

1. Open to or having several possible meanings or interpretations

I’ve tried adding more moisture to my regimen due to dry hair and it’s not working! I came to the conclusion that my hair does not want to respond to anything and realized that I have ambiguous hair. I went to The Science of Black Hair by Audrey Davis-Sivasothy and re-read the section on how to treat ambiguous hair.

I saturated my hair with warm water to remove some of the build-up on my scalp. I clarified my hair using Suave Clarifying Shampoo.

I then proceeded to mix ORS Repenishing Conditioner, LeKair Strenghtening and Conditioning Crème, and Herbal Essence Hello Hydration Moisturizing Conditioner in my plastic bowl. I wanted to combine my protein conditioner and moisturizing conditioner steps together because I didn’t want to step in and out of the shower too much. I left it on my hair for 30 minutes then rinsed it out with cool water.

After applying my leave-ins, oils and air drying, I figured out that I just needed more moisture a few days later….

Just Purchased: African Pride Olive Miracle Leave-in Conditioner

Olive Miracle Anti-Breakage Formula Leave-in Conditioner

Vs.

Shea Butter Miracle Moisture Intense Leave-in Conditioner

Pt. 2

This is the product that turned me off about African Pride Hair Care Line. This product made my hair feel soft at first then made my hair feel very crunchy. I came to find out that this product is a protein based leave-in conditioner, in my opinion. I believe that it is because it is a hair strengthener.
Price: $2.00
Product Purchased: Dollar General
Promises: African Pride Olive Miracle formula is enriched with Extra Virgin Olive Oil for the ultimate in silky smooth deep conditioned hair and a moisture-rich healthy scalp. Our new featherlight leave-in conditioner helps protect hair from damage while strengthening hair deep inside for a stronger healthier look.

In just one easy step, this unique daily treatment conditions and moisturizes hair to help repair and strengthen on dry, brittle, damaged hair.

·         Use daily on dry hair or after shampooing on wet hair.

·         Quick absorbing, non-greasy featherlight formula

·         Excellent for added protection before blow drying

Directions:

Dry Hair: Use as a daily treatment. Work into hair from roots to ends, leave in. do not rinse out. Style as usual.

Wet Hair: Use after shampooing, relaxing, perming, curling, or coloring (always follow manufacturer’s instructions). Towel dry hair. Comb through. Do Not Rinse Out. Style as usual.

Ingredients: Aqua, Paraffinum Liquidum/Mineral Oil, Propylene Glycol Polyquaternium 37, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Petrolatum, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil/Olive Oil, Glycine Soja Oil/Soybean Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Fruit/Shea Butter, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil/Jojoba Oil, Cocous Nucifera Oil/Coconut Oil, PersiaGratissima Oil/Avocade Oil, Hydrolyzed Glycine Soja Protein/Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Panax, Ginseng Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract/Rosemary Extract, Equisetum Hiemale Extract/Horsetail Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil/Tea Tree Oil, Steareth 2, Steareth 20, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Lanolin Oil, Avrylamidopropyltrimonium Chloride/Acrylates Copolymer, DMDM Hydantoin, olysorbate 20, Cl 19140/Yellow 5, Parfum/Fragrance, Benzyl Enzoate, d-Limonene, Lanalool

Just Purchased: African Pride Shea Butter Leave-in

Olive Miracle Anti-Breakage Formula Leave-in Conditioner

Vs.

Shea Butter Miracle Moisture Intense Leave-in Conditioner

Pt. 1

Okay so I lied I might go back to African Pride Hair Line because one of their products got me interested. I was in the store and African Pride Shea Butter Miracle Moisture Intense Leave-in Conditioner caught my eyes. It says that it’s for Natural Curls but I feel as though relaxed ladies can use it as well because of their new growth.

Price: $3.82

Product Purchase: Family Dollar

To me, the smell of this is so amazing! It smells really sweet and light, in my opinion.

Promises: Gives amazing manageability, softness, and shine to naturally curly, wavy, kinky-coily mixed textures. Perfect for transitioners.

Enriched with Shea Butter, nature’s superior detangling moisturizer. Helps eliminate dryness enhancing body, bounce, and shine.

Regular use of leave-in conditioner helps:

·         Intensely moisturize and instantly detangle

·         Turn frizz to smooth curls, coils and waves

·         Nourish for Greater Shine and Softness

Usage Directions: Apply a Generous amount in the palms of your hands. Smooth onto wet or damp hair. Work through gently from roots to end. Always finger comb to help loosen tangles and elongate curls. Excellent for use before blow-drying hair or using hooded dryer.

Natural Styling Suggestions: Allow hair to air dry to achieve a tighter natural curl pattern. To get looser elongated curls, try blow drying while finger combing and twisting curls. For straighter styles use a diffuser or blow dry while gently brushing with a wide-tooth comb. Try applying a light amount every day to styled curls for definition and shine.

Ingredients: Aqua, Butyrospermum Parkii Fruit/Shea Butter, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil/Olive Oil, Argania Spinosa Nut Oil/Argan Oil, Glycine Soja Oil/Soybean Oil Cocos Nucifera Oil/Coconut Oil, Mangifer Indica Seed Butte/Mango Butter, Rosmarinus Oficinalis Leaf Extrac/Rosemary Extract, Aloe Barbadennsis Leaf Extract/Aloe Vera Extract, Dimethicone, Panax Ginseng Root Extract/Ginseng Extract, Polyquaternium 37, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Glycerin, DMDMHydantoin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth 20, Polysorbate 20, Propylene Glycol, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Phenyl Trimethicone, Cl 15985/Yellow 6, Parfum/Fragrance, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Coumarin, d-Limonene, Hexyl Cinnamal, Lyral, Methyl lonone Gamma.

Deep Conditioning Wash Day

I haven’t been giving my hair the TLC like I’ve been supposed to so I have her all the love she needed. I haven’t been moisturizing and sealing everyday  so I noticed that my hair was a little dry and needed some life. I grabbed a few bottles and decided to mix up my own concoction. I’ve been on the search of an actual DC, something that I didn’t have to make myself so until then, I believe that my mix is the winner.

For my mixture, I used my oil mix: Grapeseed Oil, Eucalyptus Oil, Avocado Oil, Olive Oil and Vitamin E Oil. As for my conditioner, I used Suave Scalp Solutions Anti-Dandruff Conditioner, Suave Professionals Almond & Shea Butter Conditioner.

For additional oils, I used Vitamin E Oil and Grapeseed Oil.

I wrapped my hair with Glad Wrap, not loose and not too tight. I then added a plastic cap over my head. I gave my hair all the love she asked for by leaving my DC Mix on for 6 hours & 30 minutes.  I went to take off my cap and plastic wrap and I noticed that my hair really loved it because my hair was steaming and the caps were very warm. Usually my hair would feel crunchy at the front and nape but this time, my hair still had conditioner. I was so happy because this was the first time where my DC didn’t make my hair feel crunchy in the front and back. I used luke warm water that was still on the cold side. I detangled my hair with my Denman Brush and I experienced a lot of slip!!Me and my suitemates got a new shower head and started to dislike it until my hair began to love it. My hair took in all of the moisture that it wanted and felt very soft and puffy. After taking my shower, I rinsed my hair out one more time with water just to make sure that all of the conditioner was rinsed out. I just really loved how my hair was really soft and silky.

I t-shirt dried my hair for 15 minutes then proceeded to add in my leave in, grapeseed oil and African Pride Leave-in Conditioning Cream.

I air dried my hair overnight and experienced something crazy. I detangled my hair and used the scarf method to lay my hair down and tie it up. I woke up the next morning and my hair was so puffy, soft but tangled! I had to part my hair in sections, use my leave-in mix + grapeseed oil then finger detangled. I wanted to cry at how many tangles I had but THANKS to the leave-in mix + grapeseed oil, it was easier to manage.

 Overall, my hair did really good this week! My hair is very soft, no tangles and I’m starting to see a little new growth coming in. I welcome it all.

How Was Your Recent Wash Day?

 

 

With Love, Tamara

Happy New Year + January Goals

For my New Years resolution, I’m not going to do a “New Year, New Me” motto because I know that’s not going to happen. The year 2013 wasn't really good for me because I got really sick all of the time, I felt like crap and I didn't want to do anything at all. One the days I did feel good, I felt stupid because I wanted to hang out or just enjoy the world but I couldn't because I'm always sick. I took a good look at myself and decided that I wanted to change some things physically and mentally. For each month, I plan on setting myself new goals and if I couldn't fulfill them in the previous months, I'll either add it on or I'll compromise by tweaking a little bit of changes to make it better for me.

Here we go!

January Goals

 

Drink More Water It’s kind of sad to say that I never really drink water. Soda is a bad habit and I’m willing to stop.

M&S Daily I want to make my hair healthy by keeping my hair moisturized.

Exercise More I want to start walking more then work my way up to the harder stuff.

Be More Open I’m always a turtle in a shell when it comes to making friends.

Update My Journal I haven’t written anything in my journal in months since I’ve been sick. I’m thinking about creating one for myself. Something personal.

I honestly want to buy one from Jeni from www.justgrowalready.com but everything is tied into school and I can’t afford it right now.

This is going to be a long process but I’m willing to fulfill my goals.

What are your New Year Resolutions?

 

Wash Day

I washed my hair January 1, 2014
Happy New Year!!

Pre-Poo

1.  I decided to try out some new things for the New Year which consisted of a Hot Oil Treatment. My hair started to get crunchy and dry. For my pre-poo I used warmed EVCO & EVOO.
2.  For 10 minutes, I used heat using my blow dryer and my hair felt dry but moisturized.
3. I proceeded to shampoo my hair using Suave Professional Almond & Shea Butter Moisturizing Shampoo.

 

 Deep Condition

1.  I do not actually own a deep conditioner so I decided to use a mixture of Suave Scalp Solutions Anti-Dandruff Conditioner, EVOO, EVCO and VO5 Moisturizing Conditioner. I deep conditioned my hair with heat for 15-18 minutes and my hair felt very very soft.
2. I washed it out cold with cool water and there was a lot of slip.
3. After air drying for 15 minutes, I started to get really cold so I added my leave-in: Aussie Hair Insurance Leave-in Conditioenr, EVCO; Aussie Heat Protectant and Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum.

TBH Since I relaxed my hair, I’ve been using Aussie Hair Insurance Leave-in religiously and my hair got a little more thicker. I never knew that this product contained hydrogenated castor oil. Is that a good or bad thing?

I then blow dried my hair realizing that I’m getting tenderheaded all over again. Ugh. I hate this because I wanted to cry the whole time blow drying.

Pros:

• Holds Moisture
• Deep Conditioning with heat makes a lot of difference
• Had a lot of slip

Cons:

• Feelings of tenderness
• Hot Oil Treatment made my hair dry but shiny

 For the first wash of the year this went really well and I’m looking forward to more wash days like this.

How was your recent wash day?

                                                                                                                               

2013 Hits & Misses

I’ve only been on my hair journey for a few months now but I’ve learned so many things in a little bit of time. I had a lot of set-backs due to products and a lot of growth due to them as well. This is a few days late but I managed to have to time to write this blog.

HITS

Promoting healthy hair and healthy hair growth and never giving up                                            
You all know that I’ve struggled with bad hair since I was in middle school. My hair always stayed the same length. I wanted to give up  until I watched YouTube videos and became inspired. Now that I understand my hair and know what to do now, I will never stop.

Herbal Essence Moisturizing Conditioner
I will always keep this product in stock! Every time I used this conditioner, it made My hair very soft and curly. I used this for my co-wash, moisturizing mix and deep conditioner.

Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Breakage Serum
This product saved my life. It helped to tone down my Frizz and made my hair very soft and shiny.

Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
I had a love hate relationship with ACV Rinses but overall it did help my hair out.

 

MISSES

African Pride Leave-In Conditioner
This product made my hair feel very crunchy But maybe next year I might come back to it.

LeKair Cholesterol Plus Strengthen Conditioning Cream
My hair felt very weird and strong. By the next day, it would feel Very crunchy

Constant Battle with Shedding & Breakage
Dryness
Frizziness

What are your favorite products of 2013?

 

Relaxer Touch Up

 

 

I couldn’t take the two textures anymore so I had to relax my hair at 18 weeks. I relaxed my hair December 22, 2013. Sorry, I tried to take pictures but my camera wasn’t working.

 

Pre-Relaxer

 

I’ve only been in my hair journey for 5 months and I learned so much about relaxing my hair. Exactly a week before I relaxed my hair, I did a hard protein treatment using Africa’s Best Organics Hair Mayonnaise. My hair was in dying need of protein!

Relaxer Day

This day consisted of a long process because I had so much to do in a little bit of time. I was really scared because it’s been 4 months since I relaxed my hair and I was scared about my progress.

1.        I divided my hair in 4 sections and applied Vaseline on the scalp and a cheapie conditioner on the length of my hair.

2.       I used Africa’s Best No Lye Relaxer in Normal. This time, I only used about 2/3 or the activator and added 2 tbsp each of Extra Virgin Coconut Oil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil into the relaxer.

3.       The relaxer stayed on my new growth for 12 minutes. My last relaxer back in August only stayed on my hair for 10 minutes. But adding that 2 minutes on really made a big difference.

4.       Once I washed out the relaxer, I used my sister’s Aphogee 2 Minute Keratin Reconstructor, washed   my hair out the proceeded to use the neutralizing shampoo. After reading the book, The Science of Black Hair, I learned that when I’m neutralizing my hair, I should leave the shampoo on for 5 or more minutes each lather so that my hair can return to its natural pH level and to have no traces of relaxer in my hair. That alone made a huge difference.

5.       I DC’d my hair using a mixture of the deep conditioner that was in the relaxer box, Suave Anti Breakage Conditioner, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

6.       Finally, I used an ACV Rinse

7.       My hair looked so different now that I’ve been on my hair journey since I texlaxed my hair. This is my second relaxer in my texlaxed hair journey and I’m loving the texture that’s still in my hair.

Once again, I apologize for my camera but trust me, my hair has been a lot better for me to style. For the past four months, I had trouble keeping my hair moisturized; my hair was always frizzy and would never lay down. Plus, when my pH level was way too high in my hair and I did an ACV rinse, my hair would seem to get worse. Since I texlaxed my hair once again, everything went back to normal. My hair holds moisture, my hair is not frizzy anymore and I want it to stay that way.

 

How was your recent relaxer day? What were your results?