Best of 2008

[Smiley79]

I'm a newbie and I've really enjoyed the "Best of" lists of past years on this forum. Do you all plan on doing this again this year? With all the new products and ideas out now, it's fun to compile what every one's diggin' for their hair regimin. Wow...sorry it's such a long list.

Natural or Relaxed:
1. Clarifying Shampoo -
2. Shampoo-
3. Protein conditioner -
4. Moisturizing conditioner -
5. Flat iron -
6. hair oil -
7. Leave in-
8. Dialy Moisturizer-
9. Homemade concoction -
10. Relaxer-
11. Growth aid -
12. Co wash -Yes or No
13. Regimin-
14. Tip of the Year-

 

[soulie]

Natural or Relaxed: Relaxed
1. Clarifying Shampoo - Redken Cleansing Cream
2. Shampoo- NTM or PhytoNectar or Phytospecific Vital Force
3. Protein conditioner - Nexxus Emergencee
4. Moisturizing conditioner - Nexxus Humectress (after Emergencee), or NTM DDC/Mask, or Phytospecific Vital Force Creme Bath
5. Flat iron - FHI til I Die!!! 1" Runway; 4/10" Platform
6. hair oil - JBCO
7. Leave in- Lacio Lacio for roller sets; Phytospecific Integral Hair Care; experimenting with Hawaiian Silky 14 in 1
8. Dialy Moisturizer- Phytospecific Moisturizing Balm for length; Phytospecific Beauty Cream for ends
9. Homemade concoction - Aloe vera juice and glycerin for NG when stretching
10. Relaxer- Phytospecific Type 2
11. Growth aid - Megatek - sometimes, maybe (didn't use it regularly after about week 10 of stretch because I didn't want to manipulate NG enough to get near scalp between co-washes)
12. Co wash -Yes or No Yep
13. Regimin- DC 2-3x/week, roller set 1x/week, bunning most of the time, attempting 6 month stretch
14. Tip of the Year- Find your hair twin (or at least sibling) who has been very successful on her journey and use her regimen as a starting point for developing your own. Remember: what works for some doesn't work for everyone, so don't force something that doesn't work for you. Move on while you still have hair left.

 

[Smiley79]

hello?erplexed

 

[Smiley79]

yeah! We have an entry!!!

 

[Smiley79]

Natural or Relaxed: Relaxed
1. Clarifying Shampoo - Redken Cleansing Cream
2. Shampoo- NTM or PhytoNectar or Phytospecific Vital Force
3. Protein conditioner - Nexxus Emergencee
4. Moisturizing conditioner - Nexxus Humectress (after Emergencee), or NTM DDC/Mask, or Phytospecific Vital Force Creme Bath
5. Flat iron - FHI til I Die!!! 1" Runway; 4/10" Platform
6. hair oil - JBCO
7. Leave in- Lacio Lacio for roller sets; Phytospecific Integral Hair Care; experimenting with Hawaiian Silky 14 in 1
8. Dialy Moisturizer- Phytospecific Moisturizing Balm for length; Phytospecific Beauty Cream for ends
9. Homemade concoction - Aloe vera juice and glycerin for NG when stretching
10. Relaxer- Phytospecific Type 2
11. Growth aid - Megatek - sometimes, maybe (didn't use it regularly after about week 10 of stretch because I didn't want to manipulate NG enough to get near scalp between co-washes)
12. Co wash -Yes or No Yep
13. Regimin- DC 2-3x/week, roller set 1x/week, bunning most of the time, attempting 6 month stretch
14. Tip of the Year- Find your hair twin (or at least sibling) who has been very successful on her journey and use her regimen as a starting point for developing your own. Remember: what works for some doesn't work for everyone, so don't force something that doesn't work for you. Move on while you still have hair left.

That's an excellent tip. I do find myself always paying special attention to the regimins and product recommendation of the posters who's hair looks closest to mine.

 

[LovelyLionessa]

Love these threads.

Natural or Relaxed: Relaxed
1. Clarifying Shampoo - Crisptophe Beverly Hills Purely Natural Clarifying
2. Shampoo- CON green label original formula, Crisptophe Beverly Hills Purely Natural Daily poo
3. Protein conditioner - ORS Replenishing
4. Moisturizing conditioner - Aussie Moist
5. Flat iron - Maxiglide, FHI
6. hair oil - HairVeda Cocasta & Vatika Frosting
7. Leave in- Lacio Lacio (for rollersets)
8. Dialy Moisturizer- Cantu Shea Butter Leave-in Repair Cream
9. Homemade concoction - ORS Replenishing + LeKair Cholesterol Plus as a DC
10. Relaxer- ORS Lye
11. Growth aid - ayurvedic oils containing amla, bhringraj, brahmi
12. Co wash -Yes or No No not really, although in the summer when washing frequently, I skip poo, just rinse and condition
13. Regimin- Most of the year wash 2x a week, DC on dry hair, alternating between braidouts & rollersets, summers wash more frequently, winters wash1x a week
14. Tip of the Year- no combing dry hair

 

[tiffers]

Clarifying poo- ORS Creamy Aloe
Shampoo-Sally's GVP Extra Gentle poo
Protein- Millennia Mud Reconstructor, although henna is lookin pretty tempting lately :scratchch
Moisturizing Con- Sally's GVP Conditioning Balm and Kenra MC
Flat iron- FHI 207 RVI
Oil- Grapeseed
Leave-in- Sally's GVP Conditioner
Daily Moisturizer- Hawaiian Silky 14 in 1 Miracle Worker
Homemade concoction- None at the moment. I wanna try the Aloe juice and glycerin mix
Relaxer- Silk Elements Olive Oil
Growth aid- None
Co wash- Used to do it daily. I'll probably go back to it once the weather gets warmer. Love it.
Regimen- 2-3 times a week, poo and dc. Daily, saturate hair in Hawaiian Silky and bun it up. Monthly, chelate. Relax every 16 weeks.
Tip of the year- DEEP CONDITION!!!

 

[Msstarr718]

Clarifying poo- ORS Creamy Aloe
Shampoo-Sally's GVP Extra Gentle poo
Protein- Millennia Mud Reconstructor, although henna is lookin pretty tempting lately :scratchch
Moisturizing Con- Sally's GVP Conditioning Balm and Kenra MC
Flat iron- FHI 207 RVI
Oil- Grapeseed
Leave-in- Sally's GVP Conditioner
Daily Moisturizer- Hawaiian Silky 14 in 1 Miracle Worker
Homemade concoction- None at the moment. I wanna try the Aloe juice and glycerin mix
Relaxer- Silk Elements Olive Oil
Growth aid- None
Co wash- Used to do it daily. I'll probably go back to it once the weather gets warmer. Love it.
Regimen- 2-3 times a week, poo and dc. Daily, saturate hair in Hawaiian Silky and bun it up. Monthly, chelate. Relax every 16 weeks.
Tip of the year- DEEP CONDITION!!!

Tiffers I have a question.. Being that you wash 2x to 3x's a week do you use heat to dry or do you arirdry?

 

[msa]

Natural or Relaxed: Natural
Clarifying Shampoo/Shampoo: Baking soda/water
Hair Oil: Castor oil (and coconut and evoo)
Daily Moisturizer: Water
Cowash: Yes, but not very often.
Regimen: Usually, braids underneath a half wig. Rinse everyday or every other day then apply castor oil. Clarify with baking soda/water when I feel it's necessary. Use fingers to detangle, sometimes with evoo. Don't usually use combs. Wear a wash-n-go or airdried rollerset sometimes.
Tip of the year: Use castor oil on your ends. Water is the best moisturizer. Keep your regimen as simple as possible so that you can maintain it for years to come. Eat healthy and exercise.

 

[tiffers]

Msstarr, I airdry

 

[myronnie]

Clarifying poo- ORS Creamy Aloe
Shampoo-No favorite..
Protein- Henna/Indigo, Aphogee 2 minute
Moisturizing Con-Lustrasilk Shea Conditioner
Flat iron- None
Oil- Coconut, Castor,Avocado
Leave-in- Redken Butter Treat!!
Daily Moisturizer- Redken Butter Treat
Homemade concoction- My Hemp-Shea-Mango Butter
Relaxer- Switching to ORS Lye..
Growth aid- None
Co wash- N/A
Regimen- (cold weather) Wash once a week with shampoo DC weekly. Protein every 2 weeks. Henna/Indigo every 3 months. Relax every 3 months. Moisturize and seal two times daily. Spray hair with water, moisturize and seal at night.

 

[jahzyira]

Natural or Relaxed: jus switched to ors lye
1. Clarifying Shampoo -ors creamy aloe
2. Shampoo-ntm
3. Protein conditioner -redken xtreme, aubrey organics gpb
4. Moisturizing conditioner -aubrey organics honeysuckle and rose
5. Flat iron -
6. hair oil -emu, amla,ghee
7. Leave in- matrix biolage fortifying leave in, ntm leave in cream
8. Dialy Moisturizer- my mixture of aubrey organics rosa mosqueta lotion,
elasta qp mango butter, emu oil, biolage cera repair fortatherapy(1 vial)
9. Homemade concoction -my ultimate deep conditioner mixed with redken,
mizani, bumble&bumble etc....
10. Relaxer- jus switched to ors lye
11. Growth aid -emuamla oil
12. Co wash -Yes or No- all day
13. Regimin- deep condition 2x a week, clarify once a month, bun daily no
exceptions
14. Tip of the Year-Ceramides, ceramides, ceramides! Switchng to lye was the best thing that even happened to my hair, i think im actually reaping the benefits of my hair products now...

 

[Lucky's Mom]

Natural or Relaxed: I am natural1. Clarifying Shampoo - Baking Soda2. Shampoo- Castile Soap, Amla/Shikakai3. Protein conditioner - Yogurt, Shikaikai, Eggs, Ceramides, Coconut Milk & Lime4. Moisturizing conditioner - Homemade, Caramel5. Flat iron - 2 times a year...6. hair oil - Several.... all plant based7. Leave in- homemade8. Daily Moisturizer- Same as above.9. Homemade concoction - Umm.... All of the Above....10. Relaxer- Never Again.....11. Growth aid – Vitamins12. Co wash -Yes or No – Yuck13. Regimen- Pretty complex, yet simple.... Pre poo, shampoo, post poo...like clockwork14. Tip of the Year- Steam Your hair. You will LOVE it….

 

[shtow]

Natural or Relaxed: Relaxed!
1. Clarifying Shampoo -Kenra Chelating
2. Shampoo-Kenra Moisturizing
3. Protein conditioner -Eggs+any conditioner
4. Moisturizing conditioner -Kenra Moisturizing
5. Flat iron -Sedu
6. hair oil -coconut, jojoba
7. Leave in-KENRA
8. Dialy Moisturizer-jane carter nourish and shine
9. Homemade concoction -coconut oil + tea tree oil or jojoba oil+tea tree oil helps with flakes
10. Relaxer-PURE ESSENCE!!!!!!!!
11. Growth aid -a clean scalp
12. Co wash -Yes or No Rare b/c I wear my hair straight
13. Regimin-chelate every other week. wash with kenra Ms.DC with Kenra MC. Add kenra leave in, elasta foam wrap, IC heat protector for color treated hair (blue bottle)Dry loose under pibbs till 80 percent dry, blow dry with comb attatchment, flar iron with sedu at 360. Moisturize with Jane Carter Nourish and Shine every other day. Protein as needed (every 6 weeks or so). Thats it! Swanging, healthy, hair!
14. Tip of the Year- A good DC will get u far!!!

 

[natstar]

Natural or Relaxed: Natural (for now )
1. Clarifying Shampoo - Elucence Clarifying
2. Shampoo- Elucence Moisture Benefits
3. Protein conditioner - Aubrey GPB
4. Moisturizing conditioner - -->Abba Creme Moist Deep Condish
5. Flat iron - -Solia (I don't use often)
6. hair oil - coconut
7. Leave in- MOP Leave In-The best-I detangle with this stuff!
8. Dialy Moisturizer- Humectress sealed w/coconut oil
9. Homemade concoction -none
10. Relaxer-none
11. Growth aid - none
12. Co wash -Yes- 1x per week
13. Regimin- deep condition co wash on tuesday, pre-poo, wash w/poo & DC on Friday or Sat.
14. Tip of the Year- Deep conditioning @ least 30 mins a week is the best!--->Remember to use a conditioner MADE for DC-(like the instruction say leave it on for 15-20 mins)

 

[LovinLocks]

Natural or Relaxed: Natural
​

1. Clarifying Shampoo - VO5 Vanilla Mint Tea
2. Shampoo- Creme of Nature Moisture Active
3. Protein conditioner - Cathy Howse's product
4. Moisturizing conditioner - Hairveda product(s)
5. Flat iron - Maxiglide (only used 2x thus far)
6. hair oil - Vatika Frosting, Ayurvedic oils, Coconut oil, CoCasta Shikakai Oil
7. Leave in - CoCasta Shikakai Oil
8. Daily Moisturizer- Healthy Hair Butter (Carol's Daughter)
9. Homemade concoction - n/a
10. Relaxer- n/a
11. Growth aid - MT, Boundless Tresses (Adding Bee Mine as soon as my pkg arrives
12. Co wash -Yes or No: 4+ x/week - DEFINITELY!
13. Regimine - Still working it out, leaning heavily toward Cherie's Ayurvedic program
14. Tip of the Year- Deep Condish w/regularity (oh yeah)

 

[Smiley79]

This is great so far...I need to scrape a list together myself...but I'm still testing out my regimin. lol

 

[LeeLeea770]

Natural or Relaxed: Relaxed
1. Clarifying Shampoo - Design Essentials Organic Cleanse

2. Shampoo- Design Essentials Moisture Retention or Nexxus Therapee (from Costco)

3. Protein conditioner - Aphogee 2 Minute Reconstructor or Emergencia

4. Moisturizing conditioner - Design Essentials Stimulations Conditioner or Nexxus Humectress (from Costco)

5. Flat iron - FHI heat Platform 1 inch

6. hair oil - Jojoba oil, castor oil, olive oil

7. Leave in- Design Essentials HCO Leave-in or Rusk Smoother Leave-in

8. Daily Moisturizer- Design Essentials Silk Essentials or Frederic Fekkai glossing cream

9. Homemade concoction - The day before my wash day I apply an olive oil and shea butter mixture to my hair and put it in bun. That night I reapply the mixture and massage my scalp for about ten minutes. This has really help with dryness and has given my hair a nice natural sheen even after I wash.

10. Relaxer- Affirm Fiberguard

1. Growth aid - I take supplements everyday if that counts (Omega 3 fish oil, Women's One A Day, Pantothenic Acid, and Super Biotin)

12. Co wash -Yes or No- Rarely

13. Regimine- I usually wash and deep condition my hair every 4 to 5 days. I deep condition for 30 mins to an hour before I shampoo. I alternate between Design Essentials and Nexxus every 2 washes. I alternate between rollersetting and flat ironing my hair. I try to only flat iron my hair twice a month at the most and I set it at the lowest possible temp for my hair type.

14. Tip of the Year- Do your research and find out what your hair likes and doesn't like. It took me years to find out what really worked for my hair.

 

[lwilliams1922]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Natural or Relaxed: Natural
1. Clarifying Shampoo - none but I rinse with ACV
2. Shampoo- suave coconut conditioner
3. Protein conditioner - none
4. Moisturizing conditioner - Aubrey HSR
5. Flat iron - CHI (I don't use often)
6. hair oil - EVOO, castor oil
7. Leave in- none at the moment??
8. Dialy Moisturizer- conditioner -no cones
9. Homemade concoction -water, aubrey HSR, castor oil
10. Relaxer-none
11. Growth aid - none at the moment
12. Co wash -Yes- most days with bun, every 5 days with twists
13. Regimin- I really need to deep condition but I have 3 kids now and it's hard to find time.
14. Tip of the Year- my hair likes to be cone free -only touch cones if I straighten (every 3 months)

 

[tiffers]

lwilliams1922: I have three kids too

To sneak in my dc's, I either wake up an hour before them, do it while they take their afternoon nap or after they go to bed at night.

You GOTTA dc, girl!!!

 

[MJ]

Natural or Relaxed: Natural

1. Clarifying Shampoo - Diluted Trader Joe's Nourish Spa and baking soda.
2. Shampoo - None to recommend. I didn't use shampoo much this year.
3. Protein - Henna and Aubrey Organics GPB.
4. Moisturizing conditioners - Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose and White Camelia.
5. Cowashing conditioner -Diluted Trader Joe's Nourish Spa.
6. Flat iron - I have a solia. But I haven't used it over 2 years.
7. Hair oil - Castor oil.
8. Leave in - Giovanni direct mix.
9. Daily Moisturizer - Giovanni direct mix.
10. Homemade concoction - I mix everything I use in my hair. I love creating....
11. Relaxer - None.
12. Growth aid - I've been using a sulfur mix I created a few weeks ago.
13. Co wash - Yes, 3-6 days each week.
14. Regimen - I'm always tweaking my regimen. But the elements that stay constant are cowashing, baggying, weekly deep conditioning, protective styles (currently, cornows under wig), daily moisturizing, and periodic protein treatments.

15. Tips of the Year:
~ Use deep conditioning, daily moisturizing, and/or cowashing to help keep your hair moisturized.
~ Use protective styles, low manipulation styles, and/or satin or silk scarves and pillowcases to help retain growth.
~ Use proteins periodically to help strengthen the hair.
~ Eat well and reduce stress to keep the body healthy, which helps to produce healthy and beautiful hair.
~ Find something to appreciate about your hair and focus on that, this helps during periods of frustration.
~ Enjoy and appreciate the growth you receive.
~ Focus on your ultimate goal. It will help you to avoid despair if your hair is in a state that makes you unhappy.
~ Find a way to simplify your hair regimen (even if you use a lot of products), this helps to create consistency.
~ The persons who started out with some of the rattiest-looking hair are some of the best sources of inspiration .

 

[Noir]

Natural or Relaxed: Natchel baby (with a few texturized ends )


1. Clarifying Shampoo - Purelolgy purifying shampoo (staple!)

2. Shampoo - Ayruvedic powders, home made ayurevdic poo bar and liquid poo. Pureology hydrate poo.

3. Protein conditioner - AO GBP condish (condish only I didn't list treatments) and egg.

4. Moisturizing conditioner - All AO conditioners (I didn't list DC's either not sure if you wanted that)


5. Flat iron - GHD FO LIFE!!!


6. hair oil - coconut and Homemade Ayurvedic oils

7. Leave in - L'anza noni fruit and L'anza trauma treatment.


8. Dialy Moisturizer - rosewater/glycerine/aloevera/brahmi spiritz. Homemade ayurvedic whipped butter creme

9. Homemade concoction - Ayurvedic poos and butter creme

12. Co wash - heyal yes!

13. Regimin - prepoo with oil and wash 2x week (with ayurvedic poo or poweders) DC, moisturize, seal. Co wash when needed with protein or moisture condish (AO). Nightly scalp massages with ayurevedic oils. bun hair or W&G. Full baggy everynight.

Once a month chelate, wash, DC and straighten hair, using Pureology and L'anaza products and my trusted GHD

Ahogee 2 step every 6 weeks.

14. Tip of the Year - k.i.s.s -Just leave it alone. DC - alternate between protein and moisture. concentrate on retention more so than growth. Get that circulation going.

ETA.

Deep conditoners Pureology nano works. Biolage ceramide treatment. pantene B&D mask.

 

[MJ]

concentrate on retention more so than growth.

I agree with this .

 

[suburbanbushbabe]

Natural or Relaxed: Natural
1. Clarifying Shampoo - None
2. Shampoo- Chagrin Valley Soap Bars
3. Protein conditioner - None (protein sensitive)
4. Moisturizing conditioner - Curl Junkie Hibiscus Banana Deep fix, Mop Top Daily conditioner, Jessicurl TooShea, Robert Craig
5. Flat iron - None
6. hair oil - Jamaican Black castor oil, Hairveda Shikaika, Argan oil, Grapeseed oil
7. Leave in- Knot Today, Abba Nourishing, Qhemet Burdock Root Butter cream, Alba Botanical, KBB Hair Milk, Jane Carter Nourish & Shine, KBB Hair cream
7a. Gel - Kinky Curly Curling Custard, Theraneem Leaf and Aloe Vera Gel
8. Daily Moisturizer-Devacurl Set it Free, Qhemet Burdock Cream, Claudies Hair Revitalizer Satin Moisturizing lotion, Afro Detangler, Jessicurl Weekly Deep Treatment
9. Homemade concoction - Clay deep treatment
10. Relaxer- None
11. Growth aid - Vitamins - Country Life Maxi Hair Timed Release
12. Co wash -Yes - Suave Naturals, GVP Matrix Conditoning Balm
13. Regimen- in my Fotki Journal
14. Tip of the Year- Oil rinse; or butter under your leave-in; baggyless baggie (tuck ends under)

 

[suburbanbushbabe]

sorry double post

 

[suburbanbushbabe]

I agree with this .

Totally agree. Retaining hair at the ends is key for this natural. As long as I eat healthy and maintain internal balance appropriate to my age (vitamins, hormonal), my hair grows fine.

 

[Smiley79]

Great tips!!!

 

[lwilliams1922]

thanks tiffers,
I really need to get on it.

do you use heat when you DC?
Right now when they sleep I'm trying to clean .

I'm making that my new years resolution to work it in!

lwilliams1922: I have three kids too

To sneak in my dc's, I either wake up an hour before them, do it while they take their afternoon nap or after they go to bed at night.

You GOTTA dc, girl!!!

 

[msa]

bump!

great tips ladies.

 

[Cleve_gryl]

Natural or Relaxed: Relaxed
1. Clarifying Shampoo - ORS Creamy Aloe, or Nexxus Aloe Rid
2. Shampoo- Redken Real Control, CON Green, Aveda DR
3. Protein conditioner - Aveda DR Treatment or Nexxus Emergencee
4. Moisturizing conditioner - Redken Real Control Mask, AO HSR
5. Flat iron - FHI, but it gets no love
6. hair oil - Jojoba
7. Leave in- Lacio Lacio, HE LTR, Redken Real Control Crema
8. Dialy Moisturizer- NTM Silk Touch
9. Homemade concoction - Whipped Shea butter and avocado oil...also yummy on dry winter skin
10. Relaxer- ORS No Lye
11. Growth aid - None
12. Co wash -Yes or No Yes, In summer
13. Regimin- Wash, DC, rollerset once a week in winter, 2x in summer. Lots of buns or pinups when its cold. Moisturize and seal at night, wrap with satin scarf.
14. Tip of the Year- DC is your friend!! Stay away from scissors.