Shea Growth And Retention Regimen 2018

[caribeandiva]

This is so simple. Why didn't I think of it?

Can’t see the forest for the trees. Outsiders can usually see what we cannot because we’re too close to our stuff. Your post reminded me of something. I too had a hard time throwing things away especially if I paid good money for them. Now I realize what I had was a spirit of lack and a poverty mentality (not saying that’s you). So I held on to everything I had even if I didn’t particularly like it or not useful to me because I wasn’t using it. So I’m fighting to release those thoughts of lack and embrace abundance. I now know that holding on to things I don’t enjoy or love blocks me from receiving things I WILL enjoy. The universe is cyclical you see. So make space for those things to come to you by getting rid of the things you’re not crazy about. Imagine all the things you currently have are held tightly in your closed fist. Nothing can escape but nothing can come in either. And it feels stressful. Now open your fist. Yes you release those things but now you have an open hand able to receive new and better things. Hope that helps.

 

[sunflora]

Can’t see the forest for the trees. Outsiders can usually see what we cannot because we’re too close to our stuff. Your post reminded me of something. I too had a hard time throwing things away especially if I paid good money for them. Now I realize what I had was a spirit of lack and a poverty mentality (not saying that’s you). So I held on to everything I had even if I didn’t particularly like it or not useful to me because I wasn’t using it. So I’m fighting to release those thoughts of lack and embrace abundance. I now know that holding on to things I don’t enjoy or love blocks me from receiving things I WILL enjoy. The universe is cyclical you see. So make space for those things to come to you by getting rid of the things you’re not crazy about. Imagine all the things you currently have are held tightly in your closed fist. Nothing can escape but nothing can come in either. And it feels stressful. Now open your fist. Yes you release those things but now you have an open hand able to receive new and better things. Hope that helps.

That was beautiful. I started reading it and thinking about my overflowing vanity, and finished reading it almost out-of-body. Thank you for that note of wisdom.

 

[sunflora]

Now for the reason I came here (lol) here's today's kinda failed braidout. One of the bigger braids in the back didn't dry all the way so it was too frizzy. I also had frizz in the middle of my head for unknown reasons. I tried to style it half up, but ended up just sticking it in a bun. I liked the messy curly bun look.



ETA: Good LORD my roots. I'm torn between trying indigo or just growing them out, but this picture is helping me make a decision LOL

 

[Chicoro]

Now for the reason I came here (lol) here's today's kinda failed braidout. One of the bigger braids in the back didn't dry all the way so it was too frizzy. I also had frizz in the middle of my head for unknown reasons. I tried to style it half up, but ended up just sticking it in a bun. I liked the messy curly bun look.

View attachment 436829 View attachment 436831

ETA: Good LORD my roots. I'm torn between trying indigo or just growing them out, but this picture is helping me make a decision LOL

Pretty!

 

[caribeandiva]

Now for the reason I came here (lol) here's today's kinda failed braidout. One of the bigger braids in the back didn't dry all the way so it was too frizzy. I also had frizz in the middle of my head for unknown reasons. I tried to style it half up, but ended up just sticking it in a bun. I liked the messy curly bun look.

View attachment 436829 View attachment 436831

ETA: Good LORD my roots. I'm torn between trying indigo or just growing them out, but this picture is helping me make a decision LOL

Your hair is pretty regardless of which color you go with!

 

[caribeandiva]

That was beautiful. I started reading it and thinking about my overflowing vanity, and finished reading it almost out-of-body. Thank you for that note of wisdom.

Thank you for the kind words. I started writing a different response but felt compelled to write that one. Someone must’ve needed to see it.

 

[cocomama]

Hello Ladies,

I just started... I put shea butter/avocado oil(high ceremides) in my whip butter. So the last year or so my hair has been gaining length like nobodies business. I have several reason why but give me a minute I will write about it soon. I'm a natural researcher so I have been studying this hair thing like I'm back in college. Combing scientific papers, hair theories etc.

With that being said I still have not master how to finger detangle without getting breakage or single strand knots. So I stumble up on this thread and though why not? So I decided to heavily apply the mixture to about the last 2-3 inches of my hair. The rest of my hair I just cover with a leave in/avocado oil.

One thing I noticed was that since my ends were heavy coated I didn't have the snap, crackle, and pop like normal when I was finger detangling. Also I have noticed far less single strand knots. I mean like 90 percent improvement. I believe this is the last thing I need to master my hair..no matter how much conditioner I apply ... I still had breakage when finger detangling. Now I must say that since I started finger detangling I have way less breakage. I wanted to try to stop even what I suspect my finger detangling was causing.

After my weekend wash day I will check back in. I have tried several other methods to heavily seal my ends but they just have not been cutting it for me. But so far this shea mix is doing it for me. THANKS SO MUCH LADIES!!!!

 

[SunkissedLife]

Monthly progress. Sorry for the delay. I hesitated to post this because I’m not seeing any progress in the pictures. Heck it looks shorter! Is this breakage or shrinkage? I don’t know but I didn’t like it one bit. I was discouraged so I measured my hair. I mean numbers don’t lie. right? I got at least an inch since August 2018! I’m shocked because I’m not seeing it. Oh well. I’ll take it!
View attachment 436821

Shrinkage!

Natural hair is insane trying to measure or pull straight. It’s like working out you won’t see real progress until it’s inches different. Trust the process and keep feeding your hair

 

[caribeandiva]

Shrinkage!

Natural hair is insane trying to measure or pull straight. It’s like working out you won’t see real progress until it’s inches different. Trust the process and keep feeding your hair

Thank you! Will do!

 

[Chicoro]

AHA!
I finally figured out why I'm losing whole curls ​

When I braid my hair, sections spin and curl within the section. I thought I was finger combing well because I would straighten and smooth the hair at the roots and at the ends.

But those secret little sections were curling and spiraling within the interior of my braided sections. The curls would flatten, get tangled, then get matted. Then, when I would comb, I'd lose the curls. I never really noticed this interior twisting, flattening, tangling and matting before.

So, now I painstakingly run my claws and paws (fingers and hands for the uninitiated) gently through my hair. I try to thoroughly unravel curls that have twisted within any of the 3 sections that I use to create a single braid.

Sometimes I have to STOP, and untwist a section for a few minutes. So, let's see how I fare from now until December 31st, 2018.

 

[Chicoro]

I've made a lot of new discoveries about my hair during this Shea butter journey of 2018. The breakage and the tangles have greatly plummeted. It's amazing.

If my latest discovery about the reason for whole curl loss proves to be accurate, then I will have identified about 85 to 90% of my hair issues that have limited my length gain in the past. Thus, in 2019, I hope to be solidly on track. It will be all about retention and not problem solving.

I messed up my hair by accident, in 2012. It has taken me 6 years to go from bra-strap back to waist length. I thought I knew all there was know to know about afro-textured hair.

Hah!
I.DID.NOT.
HUBRIS is real.
(hubris: excessive pride or self-confidence.)

I did not know NUTHIN'! (Well, okay, I know a lot but still...)​

The butchered hair was a blessing in disguise because it helped me seek out more information, knowledge and processes. Because of @ThatJerseyGirl and her shrewd observations and genius insight about Shea butter and long, afro-textured hair, I re-thought using Shea butter. Glad I did.

For me, the journey to waist length is different from the journey to tailbone and beyond. I would never have thought that prior to my recent experience.

 

[ashbash]

So after reading a few pages of this thread I was convinced and bought Shea butter
So last night I add oils and start whipping
And whipping
And whipping

And it was getting fluffy but not nearly as fluffy or white as I expected


Then I realized maybe I used too much oil and my wheat germ oil is really yellow

Any ways misted my hair with my water/aloe mix and placed some Shea butter on top of that baggy scarf and bed


Woke up to some super soft really smooth feeling hair


Gonna keep reading thread for more tips and tricks while playing with Shea mixtures

 

[Chicoro]

So after reading a few pages of this thread I was convinced and bought Shea butter [...]

Woke up to some super soft really smooth feeling hair [...]

Gonna keep reading thread for more tips and tricks while playing with Shea mixtures

Welcome to the Shea side!

 

[cocomama]

Starting next week, it's a full gallop or sprint. We'll be in October with only three short months left. Now is an incredibly good time to start due to the colder weather which brings on wig, scarf and hat season!

It's never too late to start using Shea butter. Three (3) months, is 90 days and that's still enough time for some goals to be accomplished.

Do you only detangle with warm water ?

 

[Sosoothing]

AHA!
I finally figured out why I'm losing whole curls ​

When I braid my hair, sections spin and curl within the section. I thought I was finger combing well because I would straighten and smooth the hair at the roots and at the ends.

But those secret little sections were curling and spiraling within the interior of my braided sections. The curls would flatten, get tangled, then get matted. Then, when I would comb, I'd lose the curls. I never really noticed this interior twisting, flattening, tangling and matting before.

So, now I painstakingly run my claws and paws (fingers and hands for the uninitiated) gently through my hair. I try to thoroughly unravel curls that have twisted within any of the 3 sections that I use to create a single braid.

Sometimes I have to STOP, and untwist a section for a few minutes. So, let's see how I fare from now until December 31st, 2018.

Shea-sister, you have confirmed something that I have been pondering these past few weeks.
I was perplexed to lose the same amount of hair (more or less) when doing mini braids without adding extensions. I initially assumed adding extensions caused the tension. But my experience says not. This must be it.

 

[NaturalShe94]

Stopping in once again lol!

I didn't actually "join join" this thread because I can't use Shea Butter year round like you ladies are able too. ESPECIALLY in summer. I leave heavy products alone in the warmer months. So I've just been in and out, watching from time to time. Lol.
But, it's big time winter now and I have pulled my Shea Butter right out for this season for consistent use. Walking up in winter fighting dryness with SB on my side
It has been working out very well so far. Whipped up some SB in a seperate container with no added oils or heat. Just for easier application. So far day 6 and my hair is still moisturized and shiny.

 

[sunflora]

I hope this wasn't mentioned up thread (it's a very large thread) but is there any benefit to whipping the shea until it comes white, or is that a texture thing? I think I do maybe 75:25 sheail, so it's pretty cake-battery and yellow. I think it is too thick to use any other concentration of on my hair. I haven't tried whipping a smaller amount but I didn't know it would turn white even if it was unrefined. Even when I whipped, it never got fluffy, so I was just like whatever, good enough! lol.

 

[Chicoro]

Do you only detangle with warm water ?

Short answer: Yes

Longer answer: It depends on what I'm trying to do. The more tangled the hair and the more product buildup I have on the hair, the more important it is for me to use warm to hot water.

 

[Chicoro]

Shea-sister, you have confirmed something that I have been pondering these past few weeks.
I was perplexed to lose the same amount of hair (more or less) when doing mini braids without adding extensions. I initially assumed adding extensions caused the tension. But my experience says not. This must be it.

Let us know what your analysis turns up!

 

[Chicoro]

I hope this wasn't mentioned up thread (it's a very large thread) but is there any benefit to whipping the shea until it comes white, or is that a texture thing? I think I do maybe 75:25 sheail, so it's pretty cake-battery and yellow. I think it is too thick to use any other concentration of on my hair. I haven't tried whipping a smaller amount but I didn't know it would turn white even if it was unrefined. Even when I whipped, it never got fluffy, so I was just like whatever, good enough! lol.

The color depends upon the butter you start out with. It seems to get somewhat lighter whether you use the yellow one or the ivory colored one.

It seems that when you whip it automatically gets a little bit lighter. The benefit for some of us is that when the butter is whipped, it goes into the hair easier. The application is easier.

How are you whipping your butter? Which type of instrument are you using exactly? An electric wire egg beater gives a buttery texture. A stick blender or blender give a cake batter appearance.

 

[Chicoro]

I love this lady's hair and her videos. I found this one on Shea butter. She mixes it with her homemade Moringa powder. She uses natural products (diy). Her hair is so pretty. It is jet black and super shiny.

 

[Chicoro]

Another product alert: Shealife Aloe Vera Gel.
THIS product can mix well with your Shea Butter. I saw the product in the video by OnePraise which is posted above this one.

 

[Chicoro]

Here's another one of Praise Onatural's videos showing her hair texture and her shrunken and stretched length. Her hair is about armpit length. ! She has another video where she straightens the hair and you can see the long length in that video there. But, I'll not post that one and I will let you all check that one out on YouTube.

I KNEW she was a Shea butter user. The health of her hair is magnificent!

 

[Chicoro]

How to: "My Save An Entire Curl" Process

(I love creating different processes and process titles!)​

In this first photo, I have just taken out my braid. My hair has been braided the entire week. As much as I love hair, I dislike doing my own hair daily, except when I am on vacation! So as expected, the hair is in three (3) somewhat distinct sections.



Here's another view and you can see the ends and the three sections. Those Cobra Curls may be cute but they EAT UP my length because they tangle badly.



Now, here I'm pulling the hair up to show you how this section of hair is in the form of a curl. Before, I would just smooth this into the section and call it a day. Nope! Can't do that. This curl will continue to twist around itself, within my braid. Then, it will flatten, tangle and get matted. Prior to my "AHA!" I thought finger detangling was good enough. It is not. I have to intentionally remove the hair and deconstruct that curl until it is broken down and the three distinct sections have been broken down as well.



Here, I am trying to give a closer view of the hair sectioned out in one of three sections, having just been unbraided.



Here's one more view of that innocuous looking curl that is DEADLY for trying to gain length. This is a slightly larger version of the 'Entire Whole Curls' that I can lose. It is clear [NOW !] that I must de-section and break down this curl before re-doing my hair. Otherwise, it
stays like this and it gets tangled near the root and the Entire Curl breaks off!



Now, I've gone in and de-sectioned the pieces on dry hair. I don't even consider this detangling because I used to do that to the tune of a BIG FAT FAILURE. I have to make
sure every single curl or section is separated and that there are NO sectioned off curls.



Next, I wet my hair from root to tip with warm water. It tries to go into those separate sections and clump together. Clumping hair is gorgeous, especially for women who do braid outs and twist outs. BUT clumped hair within a braid, for a week, is an invitation to lose an entire, whole curl. No thank you!



Here, I saturate the hair with oil. I used some Moringa oil and Castor oil, from root to tip. You can see that my hair is still trying to clump. The saving grace is that the oil will help my hair to slide and separate easier. Without the oil, it could get dry and matted. Dry, matted hair is a horrible combination for hair, unless it is your goal, as in the case of developing beautiful dreadlocks.



Once the hair is oiled I put it in a bantu knot. I do this the day before I want to re-braid my hair. I will leave these bantu knots in all day and go to sleep in them.



Tomorrow, I will undo these bantu knots. I will re-wet the hair, add Scurl and slather and bathe my hair in Shea butter. Then, I will re-braid and put it in a baggie. Except for wetting and making my hair neat each morning, I will not unbraid and do this until the next 7 days.



Conclusion: I trade 26 hours over the year, to save 6 years of growth of a curl. I'll take it!

• It does take longer to do my hair. I would say it adds a minimum of about an extra 30 minutes per week.
• BUT, it takes me about 6 YEARS to get my curls/hair at the current length.
• 30 minutes, over a 52 week period is about 1,352 minutes. That's about 26 hours total. I can sacrifice approximately 1 day [ 26 hours] of time, over the course of the year, to save a curl that took me 6 years to grow. I think it is great investment of hair time.

 

[cocomama]

Short answer: Yes

Longer answer: It depends on what I'm trying to do. The more tangled the hair and the more product buildup I have on the hair, the more important it is for me to use warm to hot water.

THANK YOU!

 

[sunflora]

The color depends upon the butter you start out with. It seems to get somewhat lighter whether you use the yellow one or the ivory colored one.

It seems that when you whip it automatically gets a little bit lighter. The benefit for some of us is that when the butter is whipped, it goes into the hair easier. The application is easier.

How are you whipping your butter? Which type of instrument are you using exactly? An electric wire egg beater gives a buttery texture. A stick blender or blender give a cake batter appearance.

Mine is a rich, deep yellow. I was using the stick (rotating blade) and then following with a whisk. For some reason I didn't think the whisk would be able to get through on its own, but I didn't try. I'll give it a shot on my next batch.

 

[ashbash]

I think my batch won’t fluff up because too much oil

I think if I didn’t co-wash/wash 2-3 times a week it would be too much for my hair

But I think for my next batch I will definitely use a lighter hand on the oil



So far my hair likes it... so we shall see

 

[sissimpson]

How to: "My Save An Entire Curl" Process

(I love creating different processes and process titles!)​

In this first photo, I have just taken out my braid. My hair has been braided the entire week. As much as I love hair, I dislike doing my own hair daily, except when I am on vacation! So as expected, the hair is in three (3) somewhat distinct sections.

View attachment 436857

Here's another view and you can see the ends and the three sections. Those Cobra Curls may be cute but they EAT UP my length because they tangle badly.

View attachment 436859

Now, here I'm pulling the hair up to show you how this section of hair is in the form of a curl. Before, I would just smooth this into the section and call it a day. Nope! Can't do that. This curl will continue to twist around itself, within my braid. Then, it will flatten, tangle and get matted. Prior to my "AHA!" I thought finger detangling was good enough. It is not. I have to intentionally remove the hair and deconstruct that curl until it is broken down and the three distinct sections have been broken down as well.

View attachment 436861

Here, I am trying to give a closer view of the hair sectioned out in one of three sections, having just been unbraided.

View attachment 436863

Here's one more view of that innocuous looking curl that is DEADLY for trying to gain length. This is a slightly larger version of the 'Entire Whole Curls' that I can lose. It is clear [NOW !] that I must de-section and break down this curl before re-doing my hair. Otherwise, it
stays like this and it gets tangled near the root and the Entire Curl breaks off!

View attachment 436865

Now, I've gone in and de-sectioned the pieces on dry hair. I don't even consider this detangling because I used to do that to the tune of a BIG FAT FAILURE. I have to make
sure every single curl or section is separated and that there are NO sectioned off curls.

View attachment 436867

Next, I wet my hair from root to tip with warm water. It tries to go into those separate sections and clump together. Clumping hair is gorgeous, especially for women who do braid outs and twist outs. BUT clumped hair within a braid, for a week, is an invitation to lose an entire, whole curl. No thank you!

View attachment 436869

Here, I saturate the hair with oil. I used some Moringa oil and Castor oil, from root to tip. You can see that my hair is still trying to clump. The saving grace is that the oil will help my hair to slide and separate easier. Without the oil, it could get dry and matted. Dry, matted hair is a horrible combination for hair, unless it is your goal, as in the case of developing beautiful dreadlocks.

View attachment 436871

Once the hair is oiled I put it in a bantu knot. I do this the day before I want to re-braid my hair. I will leave these bantu knots in all day and go to sleep in them.

View attachment 436873

Tomorrow, I will undo these bantu knots. I will re-wet the hair, add Scurl and slather and bathe my hair in Shea butter. Then, I will re-braid and put it in a baggie. Except for wetting and making my hair neat each morning, I will not unbraid and do this until the next 7 days.

View attachment 436875

Conclusion: I trade 26 hours over the year, to save 6 years of growth of a curl. I'll take it!

• It does take longer to do my hair. I would say it adds a minimum of about an extra 30 minutes per week.
• BUT, it takes me about 6 YEARS to get my curls/hair at the current length.
• 30 minutes, over a 52 week period is about 1,352 minutes. That's about 26 hours total. I can sacrifice approximately 1 day [ 26 hours] of time, over the course of the year, to save a curl that took me 6 years to grow. I think it is great investment of hair time.

 

[sissimpson]

Could careful use of a wide tooth comb after you've finger detangled help to better separate those lovely little curls?

 

[Chicoro]

Could careful use of a wide tooth comb after you've finger detangled help to better separate those lovely little curls?

My curls said thank you to you for the compliment. They may be vicious and hair eating, but they know to be polite!


No, I only comb after I wash. I'm too tender headed to comb other than wash day. So in between washes I have to finger detangle my hair. Combing dirty hair is an awesome invitation for breakage. My optionns are finger detangling and breaking down those deadly and dangerous, length eating curls between washes. I could never get a comb through my butter saturated hair on a non wash day.