Oils to Smooth the Grind...and Itch!

Hi guys,

 

I'm so excited about the new additions I've made to my hair products collection. I got some new oils courtesy Twentysix85 some days back and I'm impatient as to seeing the results. I bought the Grapeseed Oil, Haitian Castor Oil and Organix Moroccan Argan Oil.

 

For a while now, I've been trying to get my hands on any essential oil especially Tea tree oil as I heard it is really good dandruff and I have always suffered from that. Luckily, on Sunday, I strolled into a HealthPlus pharmacy and discovered a wide array of carrier oils and essential oils. Honestly, it was like oil heaven. I couldn't believe such a place was so close all this while! As I had already made an order of oils from Twentysix85, I didn't want to overdo on the spending. I bought Tea Tree Oil and the pharmacist on ground even helped me further by selecting one from an organic range of essential oils! I probably should take my camera there one of these days and show you guys all the wonderful oils they have on display.

 

Tisserand Organic Tea Tree Oil

 

I have said a couple of times here that I love using coconut oil for my hair as it is very agreeable with my hair. Well, I am going to have to cut out coconut oil and shea butter for a while. The reason is because I suffer from scalp eczema. I guess it was inevitable that I was going to get some scalp eczema as I am always battling dandruff (eczema is caused by the same fungus that causes dandruff). I have found out that coconut oil, shea butter and olive oil fuel scalp eczema. Add castor oil to that mix. Those who have read about my regimen know that those are all I use! You can read about scalp eczema on Natural Haven's blog here. When I see it on my scalp now, I just sigh. I have battled eczema since I was a kid. FYI eczema is a skin allergy and most times, hereditary. Mine's definitely hereditary. Everyone on my mother's side is saddled with it. There is probably nothing that I haven't used to treat it. And I always found that if I used something that worked for it, after some time of consistent use, my body grew resistant against it. I really don't want to have that battle with my scalp too.

 

The last time I had scalp eczema some months ago, I used Damatol. I was well aware that it had lanolin and mineral oil but I was desperate enough to use it. It worked. But now, I don't think I want to do that and set myself back again. So, I've decided that since Tea Tree Oil is well acclaimed to be good for dandruff, then it'll work for scalp eczema. I know that Natural Haven said one should stop all natural oils but I can't really see myself doing that. How else am I expected to lock in all that moisture? So, I'm switching to my new Grapeseed Oil mixed with Tea Tree Oil. Grapeseed Oil is known for its moisturising and conditioning properties. It is a hair loss remedy and also aids in the relief of dandruff and is absorbed into the scalp. Perfect, eh?

 

I am also stubborn enough to use the Haitian Castor Oil mixed with Tea Tree Oil. I will update you guys on the results.

 

Haitian Castor oil 4oz/118ml



Grapeseed Oil 2oz/59ml

 

 

I was a bit let down with the Organix Moroccan Argan Oil when it arrived. I actually thought it was the real pure stuff. Whereas, this came with several things mixed in. More concerning was the fact that it contained cones :(. I have always avoided silicone products whenever I am shopping for hair products. I read that they're bad and cause build up on your hair so I stay away. I don't particularly know if my hair hates them. You can read about the effect of cones on your hair here. Well, the good people at Twentysix85 assured me that hair is relative and encouraged me to try it out before discrediting it. So I'm going to try out the Organix Argan Oil for a while and see how my hair responds to it.

 

 

I fear I may have rambled on for too long. This post was supposed to be very brief. Laters people!

Here's to a Healthy Mane Regimen!

Hi guys,

 

It occurred to me that from most of the views I get on this blog are from people here for the Natural Hair care posts. Just as a sort of disclaimer, everything I post on my hair is based on what I have found to work for MY hair. Natural hair is so versatile and interesting that most times, there is no one size fits all. You can only borrow people's ideas and try to see if it will work for you. Some of you will see that I try out a couple of stuff on my hair that do not work out and I move on. I urge you to do same. Visit different blogs and try out whatever interests you (but with some caution) and see if it works for you.

 

That said, I wanted to give my visitors/readers an insight into my hair regimen. Daily or otherwise. I like to keep my regimen very simple. I used to think I'm not very adventurous with a lot of things. So when I find something that works for me, I tend to stick with it and move on. Natural hair has taught me otherwise. Truth is, if you really are curious about natural hair, it's hard not to be a tad adventurous. In fact, making the change from creamy crack to natural hair is a major adventure on its own. Finding a new regimen is an adventure on its own. Having a regular DC mix you use but wanting to try something new is an adventure on its own. So, hard to be a natural hair enthusiast and not be that little bit adventurous.

Still, I like to keep my regimen very simple.

- Co-wash: This works twice a week but my busy work life moved it into weekly. Hey! I work hard! I co-wash with my V05 Moisture Milk Conditioner which I got a while ago and mentioned here. I also detangle during my wash. I do each co-wash in sections of 8 or less (as my hair grows, the number reduces). I usually put in the Conditioner twice and rinse respectively.

- Deep Conditioning: I do this every 2 weeks when I don't have a weave in. My DC mix is usually done at home because I'm generally more trusting of using a mix made of natural foods than anything else and also, there is a dearth of natural hair products in Nigeria. I put in my DC mix in my hair and in sections and then wear a plastic bag (or 2) for about an hour or more, depending on how busy I am. I wash with a shampoo and condition twice after every DC. I also finish with an ACV rinse and/or tea rinse. As the spirit leads.

- Moisture and Seal: I moisturise and seal in the moisture after every wash. I first put in my Profectiv 3-in-1 solution which I use as a leave-in conditioner

 

  then I put on Coconut oil/olive oil (I prefer Coconut oil)

 

 

and afterwards, add on a little shea butter.

My mum helps me get these from the local market and she can tell the original product from the altered.

I make sure to massage my scalp with some Castor Oil. Castor Oil is a heavy oil and shouldn't be too concentrated on your hair, lest it weighs it down. Very good for the scalp. Did wonders for my iya iyabo hairline ^_^

I use this oil very sparingly as it took me a long time to lay my hands on this bottle.

- Spritz, Spritz, Spritz!: I try to spritz everyday! Our hair loves and needs moisture. No better moisturiser than water. Just try not to soak your scalp in too much water. If you're like me, you'd just catch a cold if you do. My Spritz bottle contains 80% water, 10% coconut oil and 10% olive oil. The oils help to seal in the moisture once spritzed. I don't have any elaborate spritz bottle. I just use an old Body splash bottle that does the job. Put it in your bag and spritz when you remember. You may not be able to avoid the occasional curious look from strangers or friends when they wonder why you're spraying Body Splash on your hair though. Lol. I even had a friend once return from a trip to the States where he bought me several bottles of Victoria's Secrets Body Splash cos he "knew I love to use this a lot". No, I don't!

Handbag accessory

- Night, moisturise, seal, braid: That's what I do. I moisturise and seal in sections as above. Then I braid the hair and tie on my silk scarf.

- I style in the morning.

Note that in doing all of these, I almost never comb my hair. I do more of finger combing. The only time I tend to comb my hair is when I want to style it. It helps for length retention so there's less breakage.

I want to try my first hot oil treatment soon. Will post on the results.

Everyone should have a regimen. What's yours?

Ciao now!

Stay beautiful.


 

My Summary Hair Story

This will probably be my first something akin to a post and it's going to be about my hair. :D
Yes, I am presently on a transitioning journey from relaxed hair to natural. Excited much! \(^_^)/ This natural hair journey just came upon me when I realised my once extremely full mane was now really thinning out and I was slowly but surely developing Iya Iyabo type hair (my edges were chopping off) >_<. Upon some research, I came to the realisation that my hair was losing it's life and essence because of the relaxers I was using to weaken it. I wanted my hair back in all of its glory and hence made the decision to go natural. Yes!
And so! 6 months post relaxer and transitioning - I never got to rock a TWA :( (Story for another day). I am still at that stage where I am finding what works best for me. I hope to update my blog on my discoveries, failures and successes in this respect.
Here's a photo of my hair before I put in braids last weekend for protective styling. You can see I'm a bit gone with the natural hair.

Here's my braids photo. I love them, by the way ;)

I would (notice the use of "would" and not "will". #LazyWomanTalking) post an update on how I care for these braids and progress so far.
Ok, so today, I got 2 hair products from Park n Shop. Park n Shop is right next to my office (which is just pure torture, btw!) so I get most of my hair care products from there. Which means I spend at least 2 days in each week, ogling their hair aisle. The hair aisle is not exactly favourable to black naturals but you can see get some pretty interesting stuff over there. So today, I got myself a Parachute Coconut Oil which I've been using from the get-go and totally love!

And also, Alberto V05 Moisture Milks Moisturising Conditioner which I heard a lot of wonderful reviews about.

I am going to try out the V05 and see if my hair loves it. Good thing is, it's not pricey so experimenting will not be a problem.
Oh yes! Almost forgot! I got this too :D For my tea rinse. Details on that subsequently

Ciao now!
Stay beautiful!