2018 Curlyproverbz-inspired Regimen Challenge

[kxlot79]

So I came across this wonderful vid by Green Beauty showing her results with onion juice. In the video is a snapshot of a subscriber’s progress too.
I believe this to be relevant particularly for those of you with sensitivities or reservations or curiosity about using MSM and/or Vitamin C in your CP oil. The active component of MSM is thought to be sulfur and I believe Vitamin C has proven to optimize absorption of MSMs critical attributes.
Onion prepoos may be a nice alternative for those of you considering.

 

[kxlot79]

I had my first wash day of 2018. I thought I was gonna rock straight hair for a month. Idk who I thought I was kidding. My hair was cornrowed about 4 days after straightening it. Bounce back game is strong though. Luscious, springy, juicy curls awaited me.

I did an onion juice prepoo. I had it marinating for about 3 hours while I did chores. The smell shockingly did not linger (because I strained and filtered it). I had a very nice tingly/warming sensation for about 15 minutes of every hour. Felt like something was happening and I’m excited to add this into my routine for this year.
I did shampoo #1 with Elucence Moisture Benefits and shampoo #2 with Black Soap. DC’d with Ion Repair solutions. Did LOC with the tea spritz, CP oil and Shea butter. I now have 12 juicy twists awaiting a nice twist out.

 

[Aggie]

So I came across this wonderful vid by Green Beauty showing her results with onion juice. In the video is a snapshot of a subscriber’s progress too.
I believe this to be relevant particularly for those of you with sensitivities or reservations or curiosity about using MSM and/or Vitamin C in your CP oil. The active component of MSM is thought to be sulfur and I believe Vitamin C has proven to optimize absorption of MSMs critical attributes.
Onion prepoos may be a nice alternative for those of you considering.

Great video @kxlot79, all I heard was it helped with her graying hair. That's definitely enough reason for me to try it.

 

[kxlot79]

I know a few members in this challenge mentioned graying hair (so they may also find this of interest). I have personally known people to attest reversing it.
She also said it increased her density and shine and strand thickness.
She doubts it affected her growth but I’ve seen other people have their growth increased by using onion juice regularly.
I’m willing to be a guinea pig for all possible positive outcomes! Lol

Great video @kxlot79, all I heard was it helped with her graying hair. That's definitely enough reason for me to try it.

 

[Aggie]

I know a few members in this challenge mentioned graying hair (so they may also find this of interest). I have personally known people to attest reversing it.
She also said it increased her density and shine and strand thickness.
She doubts it affected her growth but I’ve seen other people have their growth increased by using onion juice regularly.
I’m willing to be a guinea pig for all possible positive outcomes! Lol

I'm indeed going to try it for sure but I may add some aloe vera fresh from my garden to it. I really need a blender for my hair stuff too.

 

[weavepat]

I've decided to change my regimen from washing every week to every two weeks. I'll apply a gloss the night before, then just rinse out with a cleansing conditioner, DC, and style. Still using my semi-diy spritz on my length for strength and moisture. I think I'll mix up my true diy spritz today to see how it compares.

Tentative mix:
3 oz Ayurvedic tea
2 tsp Aloe juice
1 tsp Glycerin
1/4 tsp Optiphen

 

[Honey Bee]

I've decided to change my regimen from washing every week to every two weeks. I'll apply a gloss the night before, then just rinse out with a cleansing conditioner, DC, and style. Still using my semi-diy spritz on my length for strength and moisture. I think I'll mix up my true diy spritz today to see how it compares.

Tentative mix:
3 oz Ayurvedic tea
2 tsp Aloe juice
1 tsp Glycerin
1/4 tsp Optiphen

Make sure your 1/4 tsp of Optiphen is exact* and you should be good.

Glycerin is soluble in water, but if you add any oil, you'll either have to shake it every time or add an emusifier.

*For the benefit of those who are new to using preservatives: The usage rate of Optiphen is .5- 1.5% and you should always use the max when dealing with teas and stuff you make yourself. 1.5% of 3 oz= .o45 oz= .27 tsp. Also, fyi...

Humectants: More about glycerin!

While researching the post on the possibility that glycerin might draw water from your skin in low humidity environments, I learned more than I could have possibly imagined about this plentiful and inexpensive humectant. I'd like to share a few of those findings with you. I know many of us avoid glycerin due it its stickiness, but I think after reading this, you might be willing to endure a little sugary sweetness on your skin to get these great benefits! (If you haven't read this post on an overview about our skin, please do so before reading this post as you might feel a bit lost with all these acronyms!)

Glycerin (aka glycerine or glycerol) is what's called an endogenous humectant, meaning it's part of the natural moisturizing factor (or NMF) we have in our skin.

When applied to mice with deficient AQP-3, only glycerin helped restore normal hydration in the stratum corneum, increased skin elasticity, and improved impaired barrier recovery. Other humectants, like propylene glycol, did not have the same effect. (Page 25, this paper) "In a moisturizers set of 10% urea, 10% propylene glycol and 10% glycerol in oil in water (o/w) emulsions, only the latter produced a significant increase of SC hydration. (Page 27, same paper). (And keep in mind, it could be that your dry skin is a result of mutated or lacking AQP-3, so glycerin might be a great choice for those of you with really dry skin!)

The effects of glycerin lasts well beyond the usage of the product containing it. "Even in the wash-out period (2 weeks) after the end of application, the corneometry values of patients previously treated with glycerol-based cream remained higher than in the placebo group. Hence, glycerol exerts its hydrating effect not only on healthy skin but also in subjects with diseased skin primarily characterized by xerosis and skin barrier impairment." In other words, it keeps working even after you've stopped using it!

"Glycerol has been suspected to ameliorate dry flaky skin by facilitating the digestion of superficial desmosomes in subjects with dry skin." (page 675, this paper) And glycerin "...possesses a keratolytic effect (revealed by desmosome digestion (p. 23, this paper). "Reduced activity of the corneodesmosome-degrading enzymes in dry skin results in retention of corneocytes on the skin surface and formation of scales." (page 23, same paper)


An aside..."Desmosomes appear as thickened patches in the cell membrane region between two cells. Desmosomes contain specialized proteins–such as keratin (the same protein found in fingernails and hair), desmoplakin, and desmin filaments–that increase the rigidity of tissues. The most common type of desmosome–spot desmosomes–are found in epithelium, smooth muscle, and many other animal tissues. These are buttonlike junctions that bind cells together and also function as anchors for fibers in the cytoskeleton." (This site)

In other words, desmosomes bridge the space between adjacent epithelial cells and keep them connected. Glycerin can help to break these cells apart when they don't otherwise want to do so, which means we don't get those big flaky patches of skin but nice desquamation. This is a very convoluted way to say that glycerin can help exfoliate our skin by breaking apart these connectors and allowing our skin cells to shed.

Studies of mice with impaired sebaceous glands showed that the application of 10% glycerin twice a day for four days completely restored stratum corneum hydration, while the same application of sebum like lipids did not. (Page 25, this paper)

To quickly summarize: It looks like glycerin can keep working to moisturize our skin for up to two weeks after we stop using it, it can help exfoliate our skin so it won't come off in giant sheets of dry skin, it can help restore stratum corneum hydration, and it could increase skin hydration and skin elasticity even in people with deficient AQP-3. Not bad for a really inexpensive humectant!

How should we use glycerin to get maximum results? "The moisturization effect of glycerol is depending on the quantity of absorbed humectant. Therefore, the concentration and the composition of the formulations are critical for a maximal benefit of glycerol treatment. A dose dependent improvement of SC hydration is characteristic for glycerol. A rise in the glycerol content from 5% to 10% in an o/w emulsion improved the SC (stratum corneum) hydration and the protective effect against dehydration...In addition, on dry skin of the lower legs a dose-dependency of the hydrating effect was evidenced, with maximal benefit at 20–40% glycerol concentration. However, application of undiluted glycerol results in dehydration of the skin, based on osmotic water extraction from the SC." (page 27, same paper)

In other words, using 5% to 10% in the heated water phase of our product seems to be the ideal amount with the best benefits coming at 20% to 40% glycerin in a product. (I make a foot lotion with 25% glycerin that feels very sticky, but it feels like it takes my feet from really dry to amazing in one night! I put on a pair of socks and all is well!) It also says that don't just put glycerin on your skin because it could draw water out of your skin, which defeats the purpose. As we know, adding an occlusive ingredient to any product with glycerin will trap the water in, so let's follow the advice in the previous paragraph and in this post to include an occlusive ingredient with our glycerin and only use it in an oil-in-water lotion!

http://swiftcraftymonkey.blogspot.ca/2012/04/humectants-more-about-glycerin.html

 

[SunkissedLife]

Took a trip to the Indian Market today and picked up the items pictured below. My hair is crazy dry and in need of some TLC. So I did a hot oil massage with Alikay Naturals Oil and followed up with a henna gloss:

• Nupur henna 3 spoons
• Bhrinja powder 1 spoon
• Rose petal powder 4 spoons
• Coconut Milk 1/2 can
• honey 2 big squeezes

I am hoping this mix will inject my hair with the moisture it so desperately needs. After this going to get on my regi hard. Will be twisting it up after rinsing and a good deep condition.

 

[Theresamonet]

In this video, what the heck is she doing with the msm and vit c powder? Diluting it with water?

Start at 5:43.

 

[mzteaze]

In this video, what the heck is she doing with the msm and vit c powder? Diluting it with water?

Start at 5:43.

I believe she was showing how she takes them orally.

 

[Theresamonet]

I believe she was showing how she takes them orally.

Thanks. I missed where she said "take it on a daily basis" the first time I watched. Didn't she used to add it to the oil mix?

 

[Keen]

So I came across this wonderful vid by Green Beauty showing her results with onion juice. In the video is a snapshot of a subscriber’s progress too.
I believe this to be relevant particularly for those of you with sensitivities or reservations or curiosity about using MSM and/or Vitamin C in your CP oil. The active component of MSM is thought to be sulfur and I believe Vitamin C has proven to optimize absorption of MSMs critical attributes.
Onion prepoos may be a nice alternative for those of you considering.

I think I'm going to try this for pre-poo. I've been looking for something other than the CP oil. I feel like the CP oil a bit redundant for me to prepoo since I use the same ingredients in my other products.

 

[mzteaze]

Thanks. I missed where she said "take it on a daily basis" the first time I watched. Didn't she used to add it to the oil mix?

Yes, she also added it to the oil mix. However, I think she said she wasn't taking either right now since she was pregnant.

 

[Sharpened]

With the onion juice, please try the boiling method first. I grated an onion, strained out the juice and applied it to my scalp. It was too potent; the smell lingered for weeks!

I am going to try neem oil on my edges to see if that will help with greying.

 

[kxlot79]

One cool thing is that heat apparently doesn’t destroy the active ingredients.
I think it must depend on the blender and strainer. Even with my little Hamilton Beach blender, I got a pretty smooth purée, which I first strained in a regular fine strainer then what was left I put through my coffee filter.
I left it on for about 3-4 hours and no longer smell after two lathers and a DC.

With the onion juice, please try the boiling method first. I grated an onion, strained out the juice and applied it to my scalp. It was too potent; the smell lingered for weeks!

 

[jennex]

With the onion juice, please try the boiling method first. I grated an onion, strained out the juice and applied it to my scalp. It was too potent; the smell lingered for weeks!

I am going to try neem oil on my edges to see if that will help with greying.

The smell is the only reason I didn't want to use onion juice. I don't like it when my hands smell like onions, let alone my hair! I'm going to try the boiling method.

 

[Taleah2009]

I used my CP oil this morning. My scalp loves me today. It feels soo soothed.

 

[Colocha]

The Nupur 9 henna stretches my hair right out. I love it. I'm going to start letting the dye release with water the night before even if I'm only adding a little bit to conditioner.

 

[kxlot79]

So I made my second and third batch of CP oil. I reused my herbs for Batch 2 (out of curiosity) and I made a new blend for Batch 3. I’m going to sun cure these batches for 2 weeks.
So the blend for Batch 3 was 2 tablespoons of the following powders/petals/buds/leaves:
Rose, Lemon, Neem, Brahmi, Amla, Fenugreek, Henna, Hibiscus, Nettle, Rosemary, Moringa, Green Tea pearls and Lavender. Then 2 tablespoons of Meera Herbal Hairwash Powder.
I’m quite excited about letting the herbs steep in the oils in the sun.
Batch 2 has about 10 ounces of olive oil. Batch 3 was about 2oz coconut oil, 2oz avocado oil, and 8oz of olive oil.
Two weeks ladies!!!

 

[TamaraShaniece]

What do you hope to gain from trialing a CurlyProverbz-based regimen?

Beast-mode hair growth, better knowledge of an herbal regimen for natural hair.

What products or mixes do you intend to use?

-BelleBar Wikaiki Mask + Shea Moisture High Porosity Mask.

-BelleBar Amazon Mask + Kinky Curly Steller Mask

-2018 Clay & Ayur Cleansing Challenge ( recipes inside thread)

-CurlyProverbz Fenugreek Growth Oil

How frequently will you cleanse your hair?

At least 1x a week (I put in Naptural85 box braids 1/21/18 for 3 weeks to see Wild Growth Oil + Scalp Massage + Chlorella to check my hair growth rate)

How frequently will you apply your various products, mixes, etc?

Curly Proverbz Growth Oil - 3x weekly

How frequently will you trim or search and destroy?

Maybe 1-2x every 3 months or as needed.

Anything else you'd like to share?

Trying to incorporate rice water

 

[beauti]

Wrong thread

 

[kxlot79]

I’m checking in with an update.
So, I’m doing for this challenge: henna, Ayurvedic clay washes, tea spritzes/tea rinses, the CP oil, and an occasional Ayurvedic paste from CP’s older videos.
But this year, I also added onion juice prepoos and rice water rinses.
Writing it all out makes it seem like a lot.
It’s been 5 weeks and the only thing new are the onion and rice (Ayurvedic technically but not really CP). I’ve dabbled in various components of Ayurveda my whole hair journey so when I say I’ve noticed something new, it’s fair to say what's doing it.
All that rambling is to say, “Guys! I’ve got crazy thick new growth!”
Like, I’m seeing a bunch of short hairs all throughout my hair. And my twists are noticeably thicker in the first 1”-1.5” from my roots.
I’m one of those weirdos who occasionally saves her shed hair to examine it. And because I do that, I KNOW the short hairs aren’t breakage. I think I’ve legit awakened some sleepy follicles!
I’ve also noticed my edges filling in kinda dramatically.
I think with a lot of regimens, you don’t always see the results until they accumulate, then it seems kinda sudden.
I’m so excited for what 2018 is bringing to health and hair!
Hope everyone is keeping up with their regimens!

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

I'll post a check-in prompt and mini-challenge soon!

I hope all are well!

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

February 1, 2018 Check In



Hey, ladies! Can you believe it?
An entire month has already gone by in 2018!

So how are your ayurvedic regimens coming along?
Have you had the chance to trial a few recipes and/products by now?​

Do you have any insights, tips, or progress to report?

What do you like about the experience so far?

What do you dislike?

What do you plan to do for the month of February?

Tomorrow I will post a mini-challenge. We'll start simple, but fun. Get your mixtures, labeling pens, and cameras ready!

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

Mini-Challenge #2
SHARE YOUR FAVORITE AYURVEDIC RECIPE or PRODUCT!​

Greetings, ladies! I hope this post finds you and your hair well!

Now that we've got a few months or so of ayurvedic hair care under our belts, let's share a little about what we've liked and noticed so far!

Please respond to the questions below by February 15th!

1. What's your favorite ayurvedic recipe or product so far?
2. Why is it your favorite?
3. How has it affected your hair and/or your routine?
4. What is the recipe? Or if you share a PRODUCT and not a recipe, what is the ingredients list?
5. Please upload a photo (or 2 or more!) of your mixture, product, and/or hair!

That's it! I can't wait to see what we all share in our posts!

Thread participants (note: please let me know if I have inadvertently omitted someone or if you would like to be omitted! ):
1. @Aggie
2. @aquajoyice
3. @beauti
4. @BlessedXs2
5. @Britt
6. @CICI24
7. @Colocha
8. @Daina
9. @DanceOnTheSkylines
10. @douglala
11. @ElevatedEnergy
12. @fifigirl
13. @gawcjw
14. @grownwomanaz
15. @Hairties
16. @halee_J
17. @Honey Bee
18. @Jade Feria
19. @jamaica68
20. @jennex
21. @Jetblackhair
22. @Karmi
23. @Keen
24. @keranikki
25. @kxlot79
26. @LadyPBC
27. @larry3344
28. @long.hair.dont.care
29. @MizzBFly
30. @MkLaShay
31. @mzteaze
32. @naturalagain2
33. @NaturallyATLPCH
34. @NCHairDiva
35. @Nightingale
36. @Nini90012
37. @prettywhitty
38. @Rozlewis
39. @Sally.
40. @Saludable84
41. @SimplyWhole
42. @Soaring Eagle
43. @spacetygrss
44. @SunkissedLife
45. @SunkissedSiren
46. @TamaraShaniece
47. @tapioca_pudding
48. @ThatJerseyGirl
49. @Theresamonet
50. @tolly
51. @trueheartofgold
52. @uofmpanther
53. @victory777
54. @weavepat
55. @YvetteWithJoy

 

[Keen]

I’m checking in with an update.
So, I’m doing for this challenge: henna, Ayurvedic clay washes, tea spritzes/tea rinses, the CP oil, and an occasional Ayurvedic paste from CP’s older videos.
But this year, I also added onion juice prepoos and rice water rinses.
Writing it all out makes it seem like a lot.
It’s been 5 weeks and the only thing new are the onion and rice (Ayurvedic technically but not really CP). I’ve dabbled in various components of Ayurveda my whole hair journey so when I say I’ve noticed something new, it’s fair to say what's doing it.
All that rambling is to say, “Guys! I’ve got crazy thick new growth!”
Like, I’m seeing a bunch of short hairs all throughout my hair. And my twists are noticeably thicker in the first 1”-1.5” from my roots.
I’m one of those weirdos who occasionally saves her shed hair to examine it. And because I do that, I KNOW the short hairs aren’t breakage. I think I’ve legit awakened some sleepy follicles!
I’ve also noticed my edges filling in kinda dramatically.
I think with a lot of regimens, you don’t always see the results until they accumulate, then it seems kinda sudden.
I’m so excited for what 2018 is bringing to health and hair!
Hope everyone is keeping up with their regimens!

I recently added onion juice prepoo. I will add rice water rinse/leave in.
@kxlot79 How do you prepare your onion juice?

 

[Keen]

1. What's your favorite ayurvedic recipe or product so far? Fernugreek
   
2. Why is it your favorite? My hair detangle like a dream with Fernugreek. It makes my hair feel strong yet moisturized.
   
3. How has it affected your hair and/or your routine? I'm not dreading wash days. My routine actually feels feels straight forward because I trust the process
   
4. What is the recipe? Or if you share a PRODUCT and not a recipe, what is the ingredients list? Whatever I have on hand, I add to my mask (Henna/Cassia, Amla, Bharhami)
   
5. Please upload a photo! (or 2 or more!)

ps: I would like to add Shea butter is a game changer for me. At first I didn't like the Henna tea because my hair felt rough when it dries. But now, I seal it with SB. My hair feels so strong and moisturized!

 

[Colocha]

1. What's your favorite ayurvedic recipe or product so far?
   • Definitely Nupur 9 henna + any conditioner.
2. Why is it your favorite?
   • I get lots of ayurvedic benefits in one go plus moisture from the conditioner.
3. How has it affected your hair and/or your routine?
   • My individual hairs are looking thicker and feel stronger, almost like wire in a lot of cases. It hasn't really change my regimen though.
4. What is the recipe? Or if you share a PRODUCT and not a recipe, what is the ingredients list?
   • I mix either a lot or a little of Nupur 9 with green tea until I get a pancake batter paste. Then I add it to conditioner. So I either get a henna gloss or a DC with a little extra love.
5. Please upload a photo! (or 2 or more!)
   • These are pictures from last week's roller set. I finger comb out the curls and bun. I think the color from the henna is showing a bit.
   • 

 

[SunkissedLife]

1. What's your favorite ayurvedic recipe or product so far?
   • Definitely Nupur 9 henna + any conditioner.
2. Why is it your favorite?
   • I get lots of ayurvedic benefits in one go plus moisture from the conditioner.
3. How has it affected your hair and/or your routine?
   • My individual hairs are looking thicker and feel stronger, almost like wire in a lot of cases. It hasn't really change my regimen though.
4. What is the recipe? Or if you share a PRODUCT and not a recipe, what is the ingredients list?
   • I mix either a lot or a little of Nupur 9 with green tea until I get a pancake batter paste. Then I add it to conditioner. So I either get a henna gloss or a DC with a little extra love.
5. Please upload a photo! (or 2 or more!)
   • These are pictures from last week's roller set. I finger comb out the curls and bun. I think the color from the henna is showing a bit.
   • View attachment 423495 View attachment 423493

Nupur 9 is my favorite too because of all the benefits, I can just buy one product vs 50-11 powders (although I'm starting to build up a stash). Can I ask what you used to set your curls? Curlformers or Magnetic Rollers? They look so thick and healthy.

1. What's your favorite ayurvedic recipe or product so far?
   • Nupur 9 henna + coconut milk + honey
2. Why is it your favorite?
   • breathes life back into my curls. super moisture and love the color effect (because it's really more of a tint and only in sunlight)
3. How has it affected your hair and/or your routine?
   • I think it's helping me retain my damaged ends and the new hair is growing in much stronger and thicker. my new goal is to do a henna mask every month
4. What is the recipe? Or if you share a PRODUCT and not a recipe, what is the ingredients list?
   • Nupur 9 henna + coconut milk + honey
5. Please upload a photo! (or 2 or more!)
   • I will take a photo next henna treatment

 

[Colocha]

Nupur 9 is my favorite too because of all the benefits, I can just buy one product vs 50-11 powders (although I'm starting to build up a stash). Can I ask what you used to set your curls? Curlformers or Magnetic Rollers? They look so thick and healthy.

Thank you! It's something like 30 turquoise perm rods and 5 black ones. The turquoise ones give the actual curl and the black ones just stretch the section out and slightly curl the end. I just roll up as if they were magnetic rollers. I also set on dry or mostly dry hair.