My Regimen

Even though my product vault is pretty healthy, I like to keep my routine simple. I just like trying different things!

Cleanse: weekly shampoo with Shikakai coconut bar or Shea Moisture moisture retention; tea tree shampoo about every 4 weeks to clarify

Condition: cowash 1-2 times per wk during cooler temps, 2-4 times per week in warmer temps; weekly or midweek condition with a good hydrating conditioner

Detangle: I usually finger detangle with cowashes during the week, thorough detangle with a shower comb once a week

Henna: henna conditioning treatment every 4-6 weeks

Moisturize: I always apply a leave in conditioner to keep my curls extra soft and hydrated, and to keep the hair from tangling. Sometimes I use a lightweight moisture lotion over the leave in depending on the temp conditions for wash and go styles. For twists/braids, I apply a leave in, then a heavier moisture butter or cream.

Sealing: sealing is using an oil or butter to lock in moisture. I seal more so during the cooler months using a homemade oil concoction containing castor oil or Shea Moisture Reconstructive Elixir. *Castor oil is my ultimate favorite oil for the winter and grapeseed for warmer weather. No dryness here!

Protective Styling: I usually wear two strand twists as a protective style alternating weeks with wash and go's, and cover the hair with scarves or lined hats. From time to time my alter ego requests to indulge in a wig lol.

I'll Take My Eggs Scrambled, Please!

With the rising popularity of natural home hair care, there aren't many people who havent heard of egg protein treatments. Protein is a very important part of the diet, when ingested. It is attributed to tissue repair and construction of new tissue. our muscles, vital organs, hair, skin, and nails are all made up of protein.

Protein and Hair
Protein is made up of amino acids that form peptide bonds. It is what gives hair strength and elasticity. Complete protein comes from meat, fish, eggs, soy and dairy. Incomplete proteins come from vegetables, plants, and legumes. In order for proteinss to be useful for hair, it has to be broken down into smaller parts since the linked peptide bonds are just too large to attach to the hair strand. Amino acids, on their own are too small. Amino acids are very water soluable meaning that they rinse out easily and pass through the strand. Protein broken into smaller strands are called hydrolyzed protein... just right. In order to benefit from protein it must be able to bond to the hair. Complete and incomplete proteins are simply to large to bond. Hydrolyzed protein helps to temporarily patch and repair the cuticle damaged from heat, bleaching, manipulation, washing, combing, and so on.

So why do so many people swear by this old wive's tale? Well, anything slippery will make the cuticle feel smoother, right?

And since I'm on the subject, neither coconut oil or henna contain protein. Coconut oil is not as viscous as other oils, meaning it is not as slippery. It solidifies at temps lower than 76 degrees F.
Henna reacts with the collagen, keratin, and protein already in hair and deposits a protective layer over the strands. It aide in strengthing the hair because it reduces protein loss.

So what does all this mean for me? I wont stop using a product because it contains amino acids, maybe it works well with everything else! I do henna treatments every 4-6 weeks. I'm now thinking of adding a protein treatment somewhere in between. Curl Junkie Repair Me may be the lucky winner!

What are your thoughts? Does this change your routine?

Coming Soon: different hydrolyzed proteins

I've Got Henna Hair!

I have been debating whether or not to use henna for about 6months. Every few weeks checking to see if the package was where I left it last. Seeing reviews stating curl pattern changes, drastic color changes, excessive dryness and some brands containing unnatural additives oh my, just assured my reservations. And so the research continues...
I've also been on the search for a good deep conditioner. After been less than satisfied with Mixed Silk Deep Conditioner (MixedChicks dupe) I felt as if I had returned to square one.
Wait a minute, I really like my co-wash conditioners.. lightbulb!

                                        Henna Conditioner Recipe

100% natural henna (found at local Indian or Asian Store) $3 for 200g       1/3 cup
this should provide several applications

Suave Naturals Conditioner 33oz for $2 ( or your fav)                              1/3 cup

Olive Oil (already on hand, may sub coconut or avocado)                        1 oz

Neem Powder (already on hand, also found at local ethnic stores) $4       1 tbsp

Aloe Vera Juice (already on hand)                                                             1 oz

50/50 H2o & lemon juice mixture (already on hand :)                               1/3 cup

your choice of essential oils if desired

I chose to leave in for 8 hrs covered with a plastic cap and scarf. More or less time may be required or desired. Some choose to leave in overnight. I did not want it to harden on my hair, but I believe the conditioner counteracts that.

The results: Amazingly conditioned hair!
My hair tends to appear an ashy dark brown color in the winter, and lightens in the summer. The henna conditioner left a natural looking end of August sun kissed vibrant brown! My hair got it's tan in March lol. It washed out very easy. I have a very sensitive scalp, and had no irritation at all. After shampooing and conditioning, I did chunky twists with my KCKT stretching mixture and allowed to air dry for 1 day before taking out. I will admit to being a little worried since it is so lightweight, but kinks and curls alike were very soft and hydrated. All of my worries were put to rest. I even got 5 day hair without feeling the need to shampoo, I hate that oil buildup feel on the scalp, and still had well defined hydrated curls. (with the help of my refreshing method) Also, its very budget friendly! No more expensive DCs for me! Throat clearing, at least for a while.

I even received a compliment from a type1 hair person (that knows nothing about highly textured hair might I add) I see on a weekly basis! "You did uh something to your hair?... it looks really good!
I mean it wasn't under conditioned before.. but anyway lol she meant well.
Let me know if you try!