AYURVEDIC POWDER ADVICE + Excerpt from: Cherie Ayurveda Vol: 1

[Dposh167]

#1) would u say that shikakai powder stregthens the hair the same way a protein treatment does. (not a heavy one but a light one)

#2)if i use the powder rinse, do i skip shampooing? if i am supposed to skim shampooing, does ur hair truly feel clean from this?

 

[Candy_C]

Candy C, your hair progress is amazing. I just have a few more questions I wanted to know.

- Does the powder water ration matter a lot since you're rinsing out the powder anyway?

- How would you incorporate using henna once a month into this method? I wanted to do this but i was wondering if there was some kind of powder i can use to wash the henna out instead of shampoo

Thanks in advance for your help

Good question! i have often discussed that with myself, i think it does matter because if you apply say 1 teaspoon of powder and use a pint of water, it is too diluted in the first place to recieve all of the benefits that powder has - and therefore a waste. so i wouldnt say it matters a LOT but it matters when doing the strengthening treatments that include shikakai and the growth treatments that contain brahmi.

hmmmmm henna is a toughy, cos you cant have any of it left over as it can cause breakage. i would say use hair soaps i nreplacement for shampoo when henna'in; also mix moistuzing powders into your henna to increase conditioning - i would add amla and bhringeraj to my henna if i were to henna.

 

[Candy_C]

#1) would u say that shikakai powder stregthens the hair the same way a protein treatment does. (not a heavy one but a light one)

#2)if i use the powder rinse, do i skip shampooing? if i am supposed to skim shampooing, does ur hair truly feel clean from this?

#1) would u say that shikakai powder stregthens the hair the same way a protein treatment does. (not a heavy one but a light one)

Yes, definately! depending on how much shikakai you use, it could even be classed as a moderate strength protein treat, thats why its sooo important to mix powders together. I think because it is "natural" its assumed it wont be as strong as those treatments sold in the BSS - but nature can be as strong and better than those chemical treatments, and you have to be careful.

#2)if i use the powder rinse, do i skip shampooing? if i am supposed to skim shampooing, does ur hair truly feel clean from this

Yes, its better to skim the shampoo to recieve the natural benefits, and you may end up having dry hair if you powder rinse AND shampoo. UNLESS your doing a moistuzing treatment such as bhringeraj and amla - then its possible to shampoo - but personally i would lose all the nice softening effect if i shampooed and the difference in your scalp is remarkable - the scalp is so free of chemicals, when you finally do shampoo the difference is quite scary, you will want your ayurvedic feeling hair back!

if your wary of the cleansing benefits, try aritha, neem and amla!!!! clean clean clean hair - and soft!

 

[Jazzy413]

This is such helpful info -- Candy C, what is the link to your Ebay store? I would love to order some of the premixed products.

Also, I am trying to retain as much length as possible to get over the hump and get to full APL and beyond - What mix would be best? I have had some slight breakage that seems to have come under control a bit since Ive started mixing shikaiki(sp) and amla powders (2:2 ratio) after my oil rinse; should I continue a 2:2 ratio or should I do a 1:2 ratio? Also I saw you talk alot about bhrami or is it bhringeraj(sp - thats awful--i know its not right!) being for growth - should I be adding that powder into my mix as well, and if so in what ratios compared to the other powders?erplexed

TIA - I feel like this is a help column "Dear Candy C...."

 

[growingbrown]

Hello Candy C. I have talked to you through email several times. You have given me great advice. I have to let you know that your mixture did work without me adding my own brahmi to your mix of shiamla. I received your mix of hrahmi, aritha & amla and loved that! After my touch up post 18 weeks I plan to continue with this regime. My question is:

1: When should you continue/stop using Ayurvedic powders before/after a touch up?

 

[Candy_C]

Hello Candy C. I have talked to you through email several times. You have given me great advice. I have to let you know that your mixture did work without me adding my own brahmi to your mix of shiamla. I received your mix of hrahmi, aritha & amla and loved that! After my touch up post 18 weeks I plan to continue with this regime. My question is:

1: When should you continue/stop using Ayurvedic powders before/after a touch up?

Hey!!! how are you?

give it at least 7 days before using the powders, 7days before relaxer should be the last and 7 days after should be the first. Use more oil than usual after the relaxer, before using the powders as your hair will be extra dry from the chemical process. give it a few powder washes and your hair will be back to its balanced state! i hated having to wait for my hair to go back to "normal" after relaxing. it was so lank and dry due to the relaxer!

 

[growingbrown]

Hey!!! how are you?

give it at least 7 days before using the powders, 7days before relaxer should be the last and 7 days after should be the first. Use more oil than usual after the relaxer, before using the powders as your hair will be extra dry from the chemical process. give it a few powder washes and your hair will be back to its balanced state! i hated having to wait for my hair to go back to "normal" after relaxing. it was so lank and dry due to the relaxer!

Thanks again. Is amla oil good enough to use? What powder combination should I use after my relaxer? Skikamla or brahmi, aritha, & amla?

 

[Candy_C]

This is such helpful info -- Candy C, what is the link to your Ebay store? I would love to order some of the premixed products.

Also, I am trying to retain as much length as possible to get over the hump and get to full APL and beyond - What mix would be best? I have had some slight breakage that seems to have come under control a bit since Ive started mixing shikaiki(sp) and amla powders (2:2 ratio) after my oil rinse; should I continue a 2:2 ratio or should I do a 1:2 ratio? Also I saw you talk alot about bhrami or is it bhringeraj(sp - thats awful--i know its not right!) being for growth - should I be adding that powder into my mix as well, and if so in what ratios compared to the other powders?erplexed

TIA - I feel like this is a help column "Dear Candy C...."

Haha!!

At the moment i'm only selling my book on ebay, but there will be a store set up in the Spring....

http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQsassZcandy_c123

The homepage has my products available though, http://www.myspace.com/naturalhairsecrets


I think its time your hair had some moisture treatments now. 1:1 mix is err'ing on the protein side; maybe your breakage was due to too much protein? to make sure, do one amla and bhringeraj powder tonic and see how well your hair responds. If it responds very well, then it was due to protein overload, if not so well, you need more protein (shikakai/aritha (which is milder))

OR, do the 1:2 ratio 1shik 2amla and you can analyse the same thing. amla = moisture shikakai = protein

 

[Candy_C]

Thanks again. Is amla oil good enough to use? What powder combination should I use after my relaxer? Skikamla or brahmi, aritha, & amla?

Hey, its completely up to you which combo you want to use. If you can get your hands on bhringeraj powder, amla and bhringeraj would be a great combo after a relaxer as moisture is a big issue after relaxing - and yes amla oil is great!

 

[Lioness]

Candy_C when it comes to Indian powders, you know your stuff!!!! Daaammmn.

I haven't yet really gotten into using ayurvedic powders, but when I'm ready to be 'full on' with it, I will definitely be looking at your advice.

Again, Congrats on your book. Is it an E-book or a paper book?

 

[Candy_C]

Candy_C when it comes to Indian powders, you know your stuff!!!! Daaammmn.

I haven't yet really gotten into using ayurvedic powders, but when I'm ready to be 'full on' with it, I will definitely be looking at your advice.

Again, Congrats on your book. Is it an E-book or a paper book?

LOL am still learning, theres powders i havent even heard of out there...I really need to go to Dubai sometime this year.

The book is paper book and theres also a e-version (pdf)

 

[MuslimahTresses]

Do you always mix 1cup hot and 1cup cold water to any powder of your choice if using 2tablespoons of one powder and 1tablespoon of another powder?

 

[phyl73]

Candy, I started the powders after you did your first post. I just had to see it for myself. It made my hair feel so strong and it didn't shed as much. I can hardly wait until December 2008 to see how much my hair has progressed having been on the powders for a full year! Thanks!!!

 

[Dposh167]

have u (or anybody else) experienced porosity problems when using the powders?

 

[jewel]

Hi Candy C, this thread is great!!!! Okay, My question is, what benefits does rose powder have and what powders should it I mix it with?

 

[Lovelylocs]

Man! This thread is making me want to wash my hair. I'm trying to hold out until Saturday b/c I just got a retouch on Sunday.

 

[Eiano]

Candy:

D oyou sell your powders and cream/oil on ebay too?
I use paypal....

 

[Candy_C]

Hey gonna get back to you all in an hour or so xx

 

[Lioness]

LOL am still learning, theres powders i havent even heard of out there...I really need to go to Dubai sometime this year.

The book is paper book and theres also a e-version (pdf)

That's brilliant.

The book will be a great success as there are very few sources of such detailed information for black hair in relation to using Aryuvedic powders.

Rock on sistah! and good luck!

 

[Edie]

Yeah i guess there's so many different methods to airdrying that suit your hair type.

What if your hair is natural. If I rinse and let my hair air dry, I will need to touch it. To plait it and pin it down if nothing is. If not, my hair will be all over the place.

Also is shikakai and Bhringeraj powder an acceptable combo to wash your hair with?

 

[lisana]

Oh goodness, I am so torn! I love this thread, it is so informative. I keep going back and forth between giving up on all of this ayurvedic regimine, but I don't think I ever tried it the right way, now I may have to try it again the right way...thanks Candy.

 

[mzsunshine]

Hi Candy C,

How would you use these powders on braids?

 

[natieya]

Subscribing...so I can download this when I get home from work. Thanks, Candy!

 

[Lovelylocs]

What if your hair is natural. If I rinse and let my hair air dry, I will need to touch it. To plait it and pin it down if nothing is. If not, my hair will be all over the place.

Also is shikakai and Bhringeraj powder an acceptable combo to wash your hair with?

You can touch it. I don't think that Candy_C doesn't touch her hair after b/c she used the powders. I think that she just believes in low manipulation in general. But, I'm sure that she will be back soon to answer this herself.

I comb my hair after I rinse the powders and deep condition.

 

[Meli]

Re: AYURVEDIC WARNING!!!

Here is a except from my book, front cover/contents/and intro.

http://download.yousendit.com/F0F5394B2987EB90

(let me know when this has reached its limit again)

ps. you need adobe acrobat - pdf reader software

Also, its come to my attention that some folk are having difficulty using these Indian powders. so please TAKE NOTE and follow the instructions. There's no other successful way of utilizing these powders unless:

1. theres one moisturizing powder
2. you have pre-poo'ed with OIL
3. you rinse properly and condition

I'm doing this because i care, and i don't want to be responsible for peoples hair falling out or breaking.

So hold your horses, and take note. If you buy any powders from ME, they are PRE-MIXED to the proper ratio, do not ADD ANY MORE POWDERS and follow all instructions given to you.

From my book:

"You will need:"

· Wide toothed comb
· Boar bristle brush
· Oils (one for hair, one for scalp)
· Soft hair towel, absorbent
· Good water – check if your area has hard water – if so, invest in a water filter as you will reap the benefits as will your whole family, health wise, skin wise and hair wise.
· 45 minutes to 1 hour spare time
· Access to a shower or water basin
· Clothes to get into once your finished (there’s nothing worse then scrambling for clothes when your hair is damp).
· Your ready mixed powders [see ‘utilize your products’ for instructions] (SHIKAKAI + AMLA OR SHIKAKAI + BHRINGERAJ ETC! - NEVER SHIKAKAI ON ITS OWN, OR ARITHA OR BRAHMI!!!)· Any good conditioner – price doesn’t matter, make sure it contains natural oils or you can add your own.
· Hair cap to allow conditioner to process for a few minutes
To cleanse correctly:


"Cleansing"
Continued…

· Coat hair with oil a night before washing (pick any oil and swap and change sometimes to avoid boredom and resistance to change
· Scalp massage as usual [see ‘head massaging’ section], this can be before or after hair oiling, do this for 10-15 minutes in a comfortable room where you will not be disturbed.
· On the day of washing, slowly and gently detangle the hair [see ‘detangling’ for thorough instruction] for you to detangle.
· Comb the hair straight back
· Use a boar bristle brush afterwards to distribute the oils
· Rinse your hair in the shower [or basin] for around ten minutes, the water should be very warm – as hot as you can safely tolerate
· Pour your powder mixture over your head slowly, focusing on scalp and hair ends
· Rinse this out immediately for a good ten minutes
· When you feel you have removed most of the powder particles, run a conditioner through your hair as though you were using shampoo
· Rinse this out immediately and repeat, this time keep the conditioner in your hair for ten minutes, and add an oil combination such as Wonder 8 oil or Keracare Essential Oils (although olive oil will do just fine and is perfect for this treatment)· When your ten minutes is up, rinse out with lukewarm – tolerable cold water until all the ‘slick’ of the conditioner is gone and you are left with moisturized detangled hair.
Do not comb your hair until your next wash date, if you feel you must comb your hair, only comb it within the ten minutes when conditioners and oils are in the hair – and please take time. Air dry the hair, only blow-dry once every 3 weeks minimum if you have to.

Now you are educated in the correct way to wash your hair (according to my own experience, many others and Ayurveda) what are you waiting for? If you are not an advocate of Cherie Hair products you will need to find the following, either online or at your local Indian market:

· 1 box (or 3) of selected powders; to name the best: Amla (moisture and strength), Shikakai (cleanse and strength), Neem (dandruff and deep cleansing), Brahmi (growth and stimulation), Aritha (oily scalp, build up), Maka (bhringeraj) (deep moisture).
· Boiled kettle water (do not ever heat your mixture up in the microwave, this will destroy most of the properties)
· Plastic spoon
· Variety of oils, choose brands such as Ancient Formulae, Hesh & Dabur – check before purchasing that these oils are: 1. In date 2. The ingredients are full of natural goodies 3. Are full to the top or near the top (and are unopened). You can also use KTC or KIC brands; who usually specialise in cooking oils. These do not label their ingredients though, but its better to assume they are not 100% natural unless stated.
· Mixing jug, or cup

The consistency of your powder mix shouldn’t be too thick or too watery – it also should never be lumpy or hard to stir. Its colour depends on what powders you use, but it should never be transparent, and you shouldn’t be able to see to the bottom of your mixing jug. Hair soaps are also popular in Ayurvedic hair care, but I personally prefer powders, as they do not contain the ingredients that soaps contain, which are non-natural. Powders are straight from the plant and are composed of nothing but the herb. Shampoo only once every 4 weeks with your favourite westernised shampoo or hair soap to avoid build-up. Do not be afraid to mix different powders together, although using more than 3 powders at a time can cancel out the abilities of another powder.

i hope this helped

much love xxx

Thank you so much my hair owes you....I was using a whole bag of shikaki by itself. It had a drying effect on my hair so I will stop this immediately. But I had another question. Just with the overall procedure...this is what I have been doing. Please let me know if I need to change anything....

1) Oil rinse day before with Avocado oil under a plastic cap (don't like this oil...want to use Amla as I like that better)

2) Rinse the oil out of my with water

3) Use the rinse (shikakai and amla-2 tsp each in 1 cup hot water and 1 cup cold water + another mixture of brhami and bhringeraji) and pour this on my head. Question: how does this clean my hair and is this really used like a tonic?

4) Rinse the powder out of my hair with conditioner

5) Deep condition

Did I miss anything? Thanks in advance

 

[Lovelylocs]

On second thought, do the ayurvedic texts say not to comb your hair?

Can I add Vatika oil to my conditioner? I'm kind of weary about adding oil to my conditioner.

 

[4mia]

okay im a little confused i have 2 questions

first Candy C i noticed when you talke about the alma and bhring(sp) combo you use 1 tablespoon of each

when making the other combos ex. 1- shik + 2-alma is this teaspoons or tablespoons
and are you adding this to each cup of water or do you mix with 1 cup of hot water then add 1 cup of cold water
hence 2 cups of water for 1:2 ratio?

and if your using 3 powders for cleansing would i use 1aritha/1neem/2alma or 4alma since im using 2 cleansing powders?
sorry if the ?'s are dumb
tia

 

[JustKiya]

Is there a proper way to strain the powder mix so that I dont have grit leftover in my hair? I had a problem with not getting all the powder rinsed out it and caused some breakage...and trust me I stood under the shower FOREVER!

I strain mine through a knee high stocking - it works wonderfully! I jsut read through this whole page, and now I'm itching for an Indian store - I need to go to a bigger one than the one I went to last time though.....

This information is FABULOUS Candy_C!! Thank you!

 

[God's Anointed]

I will definitely get my powders sometime this week or next. I need some progress ya'll!! BTW, what brand of powders are you guys using?

 

[JustKiya]

I've been using Hesh, because that is what my local stores had, but I'm on the hunt for a cheaper source.