snoop
Well-Known Member
A new batch of moisturizer. I've been making my own for about 10 years because everything in store has either aloe vera, coconut oil, or shea.
Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2023
- Thread starter Chicoro
- Start date
A new batch of moisturizer. I've been making my own for about 10 years because everything in store has either aloe vera, coconut oil, or shea.
Theresamonet
Well-Known Member
Luscious Healthy Hair Ends February Thought
I’ve been interested in and focused on hair for many years, yet I don’t have hair to my knees. Meaning, and inferring that if I truly ‘got it’ my hair would be super long by now.
But, that’s not how I look at it. I’ve been standing on the side lines observing and documenting all this time. Making assessments and extrapolations. As my hair has grown out, as I’ve encountered setbacks and breakthroughs, many of them have been consciously noted.
As a result, my knowledge about hair is deep and wide. It’s concentrating over time like a thick, rich, delicious bouillon.
Had I been able to gain and retain length rapidly, this world of hair growth would have been obscured and remained hidden from my view and would have been totally outside of my purview.
I say that because years ago I would ask every person I encountered with long hair what was their process to gain their length. About 95% couldn’t ( or wouldn’t-but I think couldn’t) articulate what they did. The others gave information that was either not helpful in a practical sense or not applicable for me.
As you continue along on your hair journey, understand that you are already in a tremendously advantageous place.Why? Because you are conscious and aware of the fact that you ARE on a journey. If you are oblivious, information and knowledge and clues about your hair can more easily escape you.
As you continue along on your hair journey you are cultivating knowledge that no one can ever take from you.
Every time you delve deeper into your hair journey, you are better able to purposefully produce a more beautiful head of hair over time.
To reiterate, a setback ain’t nothing but a set-up for a fabulous comeback!
Jump into this journey and this life with both feet!
Love,
Thread MonitorChicoro
(Just playin' bout the thread monitor part!)
Such a beautiful message @Chicoro! And it applies to so many journeys in life.
Chicoro
5 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
Can you share what's in it without compromising or revealing or divulging your secrets?A new batch of moisturizer. I've been making my own for about 10 years because everything in store has either aloe vera, coconut oil, or shea.
snoop
Well-Known Member
I'm constantly changing the recipe for the lotions while keeping certain percentages in place. With this one, I've always used silk amino acids in my hair lotions, but I've never tried incorporating any other hydrolyzed proteins. This time I used baobab protein. I'm also testing out cetrimonium chloride. I've been adding it to my clay masks, but figured that it was about time to try it in a lotion. (I've added hydrolyzed proteins to my clay masks as well.) For the oils, I used black seed oil, babassu oil (as a substitute for coconut oil), abyssinian oil, and capuaçu butter.
It is a lot runnier than I wanted it to be. I think because I used less butter than I normally use. Interestingly enough, I also used less water than I used in my last batches. I haven't tried it yet, I got busy last night, but I can report back soon.
Chicoro
5 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
Thank you! It looks like a creamy, drinkable, delicious, thick milkshake!
caribeandiva
Human being
Same! That’s what led me to hair books and eventually this site.
ckisland
Well-Known Member
I'm back!!! It's been basically 1 month since I tried changing up my regimen.
First pic is from Jan. Second pic is from today
I did like 2 weeks of cowashing and switched back to my beloved shampoo LOL!! I also did weeks of smoothing and no raking and I've decided to do my styling technique based on the styler. The thing I am the happiest about is that I found out that I don't need to DC!!! Conditioning in the shower is good enough. Overall I'm very happy and can't wait to do my length check in April.
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Chicoro
5 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
You can clearly see the length gain you received in one (1) month. It looks to be about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch gain. That's really good growth and retention. Document, document, document your process as it is indubitably effective.
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keranikki
Natural, 4a, Fine, medium density
Just checking in. I completed my wash day around 2am. Why? Because I fell asleep with conditioner in my hair, lol. My scalp was a mess, but my hair faired pretty well. I smoothed my hair with APB 3n1 Leave-in and my Shea butter concoction. My hair is currently in picky plaits, until I style it for a WNG.
I realized something from my previous wash day that I don’t think I mentioned here. I relearned that my hair grows in layers. I noticed this years ago, but never properly documented it. This gave me an aha moment, which helped me to better understand why @Chicoro told me to hold off trimming my ends last month. If I would have trimmed my ends at that time, I would have interrupted my hair’s growth cycle. I also would have cut more than was required in order to have an even hemline.
My hair is doing well. I’m enjoying the process. I’m using up the products that I have, while discarding the products I can’t repurpose. Design Essentials is on hold right now. I can’t seem to will myself into throwing the whole line away. I still use the serum to blowdry my hair, but that’s it. The shampoo was definitely chewing through my hair and the conditioner was barely alleviating it. I’m so thankful to you guys, for documenting your journey. I wouldn’t have known the flaws in this hair care system and how to alleviate it if it wasn’t for you all. Thank you!
I realized something from my previous wash day that I don’t think I mentioned here. I relearned that my hair grows in layers. I noticed this years ago, but never properly documented it. This gave me an aha moment, which helped me to better understand why @Chicoro told me to hold off trimming my ends last month. If I would have trimmed my ends at that time, I would have interrupted my hair’s growth cycle. I also would have cut more than was required in order to have an even hemline.
My hair is doing well. I’m enjoying the process. I’m using up the products that I have, while discarding the products I can’t repurpose. Design Essentials is on hold right now. I can’t seem to will myself into throwing the whole line away. I still use the serum to blowdry my hair, but that’s it. The shampoo was definitely chewing through my hair and the conditioner was barely alleviating it. I’m so thankful to you guys, for documenting your journey. I wouldn’t have known the flaws in this hair care system and how to alleviate it if it wasn’t for you all. Thank you!
Chicoro
5 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
Ya'll, I'm looking like a mink. I do NOT mean in my face or body, even though they are really cute and probably do look better than me !
My hair is so silky and luxurious. I would never have thought some dirt (clay) could make my hair beautiful, but truth can be stranger than fiction. The clay in conjunction with the removal of shampoo from my routine, and the retention of Shea butter in my regimen and adding back doing the baggy method with Vaseline, all combined are helping me to, "Help keep hope alive", as it relates to retaining length. This means MAYBE, just maybe, I may be able to avoid a micro-breakage and tangles in 2023 and finally reach a length and state of hair health I've not reached before.
Chicoro
5 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
Congratulations on enjoying the process! That really is what will keep you going to the finish line of your next goal! Regarding hair growth, I'm a HUGE proponent of the idea that hair drops strand by strand, NOT in bulk. Thus, when one is working on gaining length, the hairs need time to drop to form the bulk of the hemline, at the newer length. I am happy to hear that you were able to see that with your hair in practice and not just in theory! It may not be true for everyone, but I think it is true for most heads of hair.
ckisland
Well-Known Member
I'm about to go into uncharted territory because I always switch things up when I get close to this length. And when I switch things up, I end up cutting my hair. Documenting my process is helping me stay on track! It's helping me to trust the hair growth process.
Chicoro
5 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
Fabulous!
Off topic: From which side of your family did you inherit that beautiful, heart-shaped face of yours? From your mom's or your dad's?
ckisland
Well-Known Member
You are so sweet!!!!! This is definitely my dad's face! I look just like him LOL!!!
Chicoro
5 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
I have my daddy's face, too! Thanks for responding to my nosey question!
GettingKinky
Well-Known Member
I’m still chugging along. Another wash day of only using my all purpose shampoo on my older hair and my gentler moisture shampoo on all of my hair.
Chicoro
5 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
Growing afro-textured hair long and healthy is a thinking game. I always say this. Your actions demonstrate this: analysis, thinking and thought based action. Bravo!
GettingKinky
Well-Known Member
I use alligator clips to section my hair when I’m conditioning/detangling/styling. I’ve noticed that the metal wires inside the clip sometimes snag my hair so I’m going to see if I can find plastic duck bill clips. I’m just worried that they won’t hold as much hair as my alligator clips.
Napp
In hair purgatory
OK I'm done flirting with other styles. Back to my protective styles. I will skip the sock bun and instead grease my ends and make one big chunky braid and call it a day. My hair is too unpredictable while I'm transitioning. Since I have my new work from home job I am going to just wear my own hair and wear the ponytails when I'm going out. I look super plain but i like not having to second guess if my hair is going to look right every day. Plus I can sleep comfortably with out worrying if my hair will be a mess the next morning.
I also purchased a FHI Unbrush to detangle my hair instead of using my Felica leatherwood. It is much gentler on my strands. I will reserve FLW brush now just to do one pass to smooth my hair for bunning.
I also purchased a FHI Unbrush to detangle my hair instead of using my Felica leatherwood. It is much gentler on my strands. I will reserve FLW brush now just to do one pass to smooth my hair for bunning.
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snoop
Well-Known Member
My hair was feeling stiff when I checked it today. I think that there might be a bit too much protein which means that I have to make more lotion using my other recipe. I'm going to GHE overnight to see if my hair just needed more moisture to soften it up. I also added unpetrolum jelly to my ends. So far, everything seems to be going well.
Chicoro
5 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
Congratulations on your new work from home job!!
Napp
In hair purgatory
I’m starting over and my goal is to retain at least 5 inches this year. These last two months so much stuff has went on and I neglected my hair. I lost so much hair. So I tweaked my regimen to address the breakage I had.
Styles:
Head wraps
Ponytails
Ocassional wash and goes
Wigs
Weekly
Rinse hair thoroughly
Protein prepoo for 5 mins
Shampoo 1x and gently finger detangle in sections
Deep condition for 10 minutes ( use w/ heat every other week)
Detangle with Unbrush
Apply Leave in
Smooth hair with Felicia Leatherwood brush
Apply curl activator for moisture
Apply styler Gel for Hold
Apply Moisturizer on ends
Apply Selant on ends
Braid hair into one single braid and tuck under
Put phony pony on top
Tie down with durag
Air dry overnight
Daily (if wearing ponytails)
Remove synthetic ponytail
Put hair on satin covered bun maker
Apply human hair ponytail on top
Slick edges with edge control
Nightly
Gently Unbraid
Moisturize hair with curl activator or moisturizer
Apply styler gel for hold
Apply sealant on the ends
Gently rebraid
Apply synthetic phony pony on top
Tie down with durag
Air dry overnight
Things I’m stopping:
Baggying: my hair stayed wet for too long and made my hair weak
Sleeping with a bun maker in the hair: I think this cases breakage because it’s so rough
Not deep conditioning with heat. I don’t think I’ll use heat every wash day but my hair thrived when I used heat with my dc.
Things I’m changing:
Satin covered bun makers: less friction, moisture loss and tension
Moisturizing with curl activator: to prevent styler gel from getting too hard and causing breakage
Putting my hair in one braid instead of a bun: less tension and tangling of ends
Using a synthetic ponytail at night: keeps ends protected while preventing durag and pillow case from becoming greasy and provides some adoration to the ends
i am also planning on switching from petroleum greases to whipped Shea butter once I finish my stash of greases. Shea works better imo.
I think this new regimen will work out for me. I will be mainly wearing turbans while I work from home and save my short ponytails for every days errands and my long ponytails for going out. I plan on doing one trim this year at the end of the year when I do my reveal. I am very confident this new regimen will bring me to success.
it looks like it’s a lot of work but if I can get close to WL on this regimen it will be worth it.
Styles:
Head wraps
Ponytails
Ocassional wash and goes
Wigs
Weekly
Rinse hair thoroughly
Protein prepoo for 5 mins
Shampoo 1x and gently finger detangle in sections
Deep condition for 10 minutes ( use w/ heat every other week)
Detangle with Unbrush
Apply Leave in
Smooth hair with Felicia Leatherwood brush
Apply curl activator for moisture
Apply styler Gel for Hold
Apply Moisturizer on ends
Apply Selant on ends
Braid hair into one single braid and tuck under
Put phony pony on top
Tie down with durag
Air dry overnight
Daily (if wearing ponytails)
Remove synthetic ponytail
Put hair on satin covered bun maker
Apply human hair ponytail on top
Slick edges with edge control
Nightly
Gently Unbraid
Moisturize hair with curl activator or moisturizer
Apply styler gel for hold
Apply sealant on the ends
Gently rebraid
Apply synthetic phony pony on top
Tie down with durag
Air dry overnight
Things I’m stopping:
Baggying: my hair stayed wet for too long and made my hair weak
Sleeping with a bun maker in the hair: I think this cases breakage because it’s so rough
Not deep conditioning with heat. I don’t think I’ll use heat every wash day but my hair thrived when I used heat with my dc.
Things I’m changing:
Satin covered bun makers: less friction, moisture loss and tension
Moisturizing with curl activator: to prevent styler gel from getting too hard and causing breakage
Putting my hair in one braid instead of a bun: less tension and tangling of ends
Using a synthetic ponytail at night: keeps ends protected while preventing durag and pillow case from becoming greasy and provides some adoration to the ends
i am also planning on switching from petroleum greases to whipped Shea butter once I finish my stash of greases. Shea works better imo.
I think this new regimen will work out for me. I will be mainly wearing turbans while I work from home and save my short ponytails for every days errands and my long ponytails for going out. I plan on doing one trim this year at the end of the year when I do my reveal. I am very confident this new regimen will bring me to success.
it looks like it’s a lot of work but if I can get close to WL on this regimen it will be worth it.
Lylddlebit
Well-Known Member
Hair still soft, but was starting to stick together. I don't usually get that on week 2. I decided to wash and deep condition. Back moisturized braids for now.
Chicoro
5 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
I took a bus ride to go to a health food store that is about five (5) minutes by bus from my house. It's a health food or 'bio' store. I picked up a giant bag of xylitol for my teeth and then I came upon the motherlode:
A whole section of clays!!!!!! I don't have to go into town to Aromazone for clay anymore. They have white, green, rose, red and rhassoul clay. They also have pre-made clay mixes in the tubes on the upper shelves. I couldn't believe it! I was so excited!
A whole section of clays!!!!!! I don't have to go into town to Aromazone for clay anymore. They have white, green, rose, red and rhassoul clay. They also have pre-made clay mixes in the tubes on the upper shelves. I couldn't believe it! I was so excited!
Chicoro
5 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
Then, I came across this:
This is a clay bar made with silica. It is slightly abrasive so I don't plan to use it on my hair. I got it because I am into clay ever since @snoop gave me her Super Clay Mix.
I used it on my body. It cleanses odor without leaving behind a chemical perfume scent. You should have seen me after I applied the bar on my body while still in the bathtub. I looked like Rae Dawn Chang from that movie,"Quest for Fire".
Like this:
This is a clay bar made with silica. It is slightly abrasive so I don't plan to use it on my hair. I got it because I am into clay ever since @snoop gave me her Super Clay Mix.
I used it on my body. It cleanses odor without leaving behind a chemical perfume scent. You should have seen me after I applied the bar on my body while still in the bathtub. I looked like Rae Dawn Chang from that movie,"Quest for Fire".
Like this:
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