Random Hair Thoughts/Thinking out loud

[YvetteWithJoy]

I think that would be best. I stopped all wash and gos until I got to a length where it looked how I like my wngs to look. It helped me not to obsess over length and criticize my wngs. It also forced to to experiment with other styles.

Thanks for the affirmation and encouragement! I really, REALLY appreciate it.

Yes!: The black bolded is what I'm hoping for. And the bolded blue is neat! Agreed: I've already made strides by doing my first flat twist out (yay!), and I like having fewer tangles and a little more length shown.

It just occurred to me one day: I'm upsetting myself trying to get a wash and go I like at this length. Later lengths might be better, and I can have fun with other styles in the meanwhile.

 

[KinkyRN]

I did a henna glaze this morning. My hair feels absolutely fantastic! Strong, soft, smooth, with a nice sheen. My coils are nice and defined (it made them clump together).

What recipe did you use? I have the henna but haven't done it because I'm unsure of what to put in the mix.

 

[spacetygrss]

What recipe did you use? I have the henna but haven't done it because I'm unsure of what to put in the mix.

I eyeballed my amounts, but it consisted of:
Henna (about 2 heaping tablespoons if I had to guess)
amla, brahmi and fenugreek (about 1/2 teaspoon each)
I add water to make a paste and let it develop overnight (about 12 hours).
In the morning I added about 1 tablespoon of avocado oil and my deep conditioner to make a nice cake batter consistency paste.

I let it sit on my hair for 2 hours without heat and then another hour under the dryer. I rinsed it thoroughly and then rinsed again with conditioner for good measure. That's it. My hair feels good.

 

[Sharpened]

Interesting... When I use the links in my siggies, it takes me to the last post on the thread. Using the link in the forum (without any new posts) takes me to the very first post.

"I do not need any more oils." I keep telling myself that, that I need to finish trialing the stuff I got first. But then, I hear about the wonderful properties of another oil...

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

Interesting... When I use the links in my siggies, it takes me to the last post on the thread. Using the link in the forum (without any new posts) takes me to the very first post.

"I do not need any more oils." I keep telling myself that, that I need to finish trialing the stuff I got first. But then, I hear about the wonderful properties of another oil...

I'm doing EVERYTHING I CAN to resist starting the purchasing of butters. I want to purchase
jojoba butter,
aloe butter,
macadamia nut butter,
cupuacu butter,
kokum butter,
etc.

 

[Sharpened]

I'm doing EVERYTHING I CAN to resist starting the purchasing of butters. I want to purchase
jojoba butter,
aloe butter,
macadamia nut butter,
cupuacu butter,
kokum butter,
etc.

Oh yeah, I got a butter list, too, but I love the ease of oils. I will take a break for buying more for a few months, or until I use up something.

 

[AgeinATL]

Can anyone recommend a good fog-free shower mirror?

 

[ItsMeLilLucky]

My twin cousins, mother, and I went to the Chicago Children's Museum with the kids. I saw this lady who had the most luscious head of natural hair. She was with her husband and two kids. I wanted to ask her if she heard of LHCF cause she looked like she could be a cousin lol.

 

[rileypak]

Has anyone tried the Creme of Nature ACV Clarifying Rinse yet?

 

[gorgeoushair]

Has anyone tried the Creme of Nature ACV Clarifying Rinse yet?

Guess this is the new trend like I knew it would be. Lol

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

Mrs. @Sharpened, I'm ready to give your awesome-sounding regimen a go myself next wash day.

Here's my plan, and I'm okay if it doesn't work for my hair. It's just something that sounds great to TRY. I did not like the feel of last wash day, and that's pushing me the opposite way back to more natural products for a spell.

I'm going to give it several trials.

1. Apply Camille Rose Naturals Coconut Water Penetrating Hair Treatment to section hair into 6 or 8 sections using Ouchless Goody barrettes.
2. Deep condition with the CRN CW PHT overnight.
3. The next day apply Colorful Neutral Protein Filler to ends and prepoo for 30 minutes with fresh aloe (get fresh aloe from ??? Whole Foods? Sprouts? A local Mexican or Indian grocery store?).
4. Elongate strands under shower water, lightly finger detangling and removing shed hair.
5. Using CurlyProverbz DIY Ayurvedic Hair Growth Oil, oil rinse and lightly finger detangle (use nozzle bottle to focus oil onto ends at first; detangle; don processing cap while completing showering).
6. After completing showerly duties, cleanse scalp and strands with Soultanicals Soulvedic Strands Poo Bar.
7. At the sink, hydrate with catnip tea spritz (purchase organic catnip tea from the Vitamin Shoppe).
8. Seal with CurlyProverbz DIY Ayurvedic Hair Growth Oil.
9. Apply gel of choice (Alikay Naturals? Curl Prep Curl Crush?).
10. Style in chunky twists for an elongated wash and go.

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

Mrs. @Sharpened, I'm ready to give your awesome-sounding regimen a go myself next wash day.

Here's my plan, and I'm okay if it doesn't work for my hair. It's just something that sounds great to TRY. I did not like the feel of last wash day, and that's pushing me the opposite way back to more natural products for a spell.

I'm going to give it several trials.

1. Apply Camille Rose Naturals Coconut Water Penetrating Hair Treatment to section hair into 6 or 8 sections using Ouchless Goody barrettes.
2. Deep condition with the CRN CW PHT overnight.
3. The next day apply Colorful Neutral Protein Filler to ends and prepoo for 30 minutes with fresh aloe (get fresh aloe from ??? Whole Foods? Sprouts? A local Mexican or Indian grocery store?).
4. Elongate strands under shower water, lightly finger detangling and removing shed hair.
5. Using CurlyProverbz DIY Ayurvedic Hair Growth Oil, oil rinse and lightly finger detangle (use nozzle bottle to focus oil onto ends at first; detangle; don processing cap while completing showering).
6. After completing showerly duties, cleanse scalp and strands with Soultanicals Soulvedic Strands Poo Bar.
7. At the sink, hydrate with catnip tea spritz (purchase organic catnip tea from the Vitamin Shoppe).
8. Seal with CurlyProverbz DIY Ayurvedic Hair Growth Oil.
9. Apply gel of choice (Alikay Naturals? Curl Prep Curl Crush?).
10. Style in chunky twists for an elongated wash and go.

I'll likely PONYTAIL the wash and go, but we'll see.

 

[rileypak]

Can anyone recommend a good fog-free shower mirror?

Please tag me if you get an answer! Thanks

 

[Sharpened]

@YvetteWithJoy can you give me a breakdown of the why for each step? If you are going to use straight aloe (you can use the bottled gel, I found my leaves in the Mexican section of an international grocery store), you can eliminate the protein filler and coconut water treatment.

I worry about the pH of the shampoo bar negating the smoothing effect that the aloe gives. Maybe try cowashing the excess oil out instead?

With your cottony texture, making sure your hair likes an oil that isn't too heavy is paramount. Does the growth mix make your hair geasy, rough, or hard? If it is more penetrating, it is fine for detangling, but not sealing. I don't use coconut oil, so I cannot say.

Also, what exactly is your curl pattern? Does it just coil on the ends? What do your dry sheds look like? Small waves or crinkles? Have you tried shingling yet?

There is a spiritual symbolism connected with hair. The words "will of God" popped into my head today; I will wait for the full revelation. Father Yah is the God of the minutia since He created the little things. Don't trust me; trust that above all else, if nothing else.

 

[Colocha]

@Sharpened, @YvetteWithJoy,

Have you found success with catnip tea? I used it several years ago faithfully but got bored with it. I use it to mix henna now.

 

[spacetygrss]

I was wondering what my version of Curly Proverbz oil reminded me of smell-wise, then it hit me. The peppermint oil that I added makes it smell like the NJoy growth oil, just without the sulfur undertones. Maybe I'll actually use this since it's just minty smelling.

 

[Sharpened]

@Sharpened, @YvetteWithJoy,

Have you found success with catnip tea? I used it several years ago faithfully but got bored with it. I use it to mix henna now.

So far, it is like a step up from plain water. I will make my next batch a bit stronger (1 tb to 8 oz) and hope it does not become astringent.

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

@Sharpened, @YvetteWithJoy,

Have you found success with catnip tea? I used it several years ago faithfully but got bored with it. I use it to mix henna now.

I've never used it! I'll see next wash day.

 

[Sharpened]

@Colocha I forgot to add, the only tea that made me go wow so far is guava leaf tea.

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

@Colocha I forgot to add, the only tea that made me go wow so far is guava leaf tea.

Wow 'cause why?

 

[Sharpened]

Wow 'cause why?

I used it as a leave-in rinse, and it behaved like a conditioner on my hair. My hair was soft, smooth, cool to the touch, and the feeling lasted for days. @IDareT'sHair likes it as well.

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

@YvetteWithJoy can you give me a breakdown of the why for each step? If you are going to use straight aloe (you can use the bottled gel, I found my leaves in the Mexican section of an international grocery store), you can eliminate the protein filler and coconut water treatment.

I worry about the pH of the shampoo bar negating the smoothing effect that the aloe gives. Maybe try cowashing the excess oil out instead?

With your cottony texture, making sure your hair likes an oil that isn't too heavy is paramount. Does the growth mix make your hair geasy, rough, or hard? If it is more penetrating, it is fine for detangling, but not sealing. I don't use coconut oil, so I cannot say.

Also, what exactly is your curl pattern? Does it just coil on the ends? What do your dry sheds look like? Small waves or crinkles? Have you tried shingling yet?

There is a spiritual symbolism connected with hair. The words "will of God" popped into my head today; I will wait for the full revelation. Father Yah is the God of the minutia since He created the little things. Don't trust me; trust that above all else, if nothing else.

Thank you for these questions! This helps a lot.

Rationales:
1. I was planning to DC because I experienced some breakage of my ends recently. My last DC was new to me, and it felt very ineffective. I didn't want to go 2 weeks without an effective DC session.

2. I was planning to apply the protein because of last week's breakage and because it had been awhile.

3. I was planning to poo because I thought that's how you had defined oil rinsing: as a step between DCing and shampooing. I don't mind simply rinsing the oil.

4. Fresh aloe: I'm okay with store bought (pre-made). I just thought I'd read you say that the two were very different. I assumed that meant fresh aloe was better, and I thought you were using it. Lol.

5. My CurlyProverbz oil contains both penetrating and sealing oils: For this first wash I just wanted to test whether it would work well for both steps. It makes my hair feel moisturized and weighed down, but not greasy unless I apply too much.

I could try broccoli seed oil or jojoba oil or a castor oil mix for the sealing step.

My shed hair is coily.

The actual shape of my strands is . . . thousands of little slinky toys. Lol. The diameter of my coils is small, like the springs you find in an ink pen. Some of my hair is wavy. I never see zigzags or crinkles, shed or not.

I shingled once. Definition was nice. Shrinkage was massive. Took a super long time to dry.

 

[Sharpened]

Thank you for these questions! This helps a lot.

Rationales:
1. I was planning to DC because I experienced some breakage of my ends recently. My last DC was new to me, and it felt very ineffective. I didn't want to go 2 weeks without an effective DC session.

2. I was planning to apply the protein because of last week's breakage and because it had been awhile.

3. I was planning to poo because I thought that's how you had defined oil rinsing: as a step between DCing and shampooing. I don't mind simply rinsing the oil.

4. Fresh aloe: I'm okay with store bought (pre-made). I just thought I'd read you say that the two were very different. I assumed that meant fresh aloe was better, and I thought you were using it. Lol.

5. My CurlyProverbz oil contains both penetrating and sealing oils: For this first wash I just wanted to test whether it would work well for both steps. It makes my hair feel moisturized and weighed down, but not greasy unless I apply too much.

I could try broccoli seed oil or jojoba oil or a castor oil mix for the sealing step.

My shed hair is coily.

The actual shape of my strands is . . . thousands of little slinky toys. Lol. The diameter of my coils is small, like the springs you find in an ink pen. Some of my hair is wavy. I never see zigzags or crinkles, shed or not.

I shingled once. Definition was nice. Shrinkage was massive. Took a super long time to dry.

OK, I am going to make a suggestion that I had made to you last year: embrace your texture. Let the coils clump, then you can start stretching them. The hair has to be trained where it is supposed to go. A good gel will clump most of your coils for you as you rake it through. I do not aim for root-to-tip definition, either; ain't happening, don't care. You have a blow dryer, so use it on your shingled hair.

You compared your hair to Nap85's: I don't see the similarity because she has a looser curl pattern and her hair is thready (mine is spongy, if you were wondering). She also embraces her texture unstretched from time-to-time. You have beautiful hair and you got the length to do various styles now.

I do not shoot for 100% shed- and tangle-free hair except twice a year. Sacrilege, I know, but my hair is fine.

Yes, raw aloe is better, but you have to process it and freeze the leftovers. I suggested the bottled inner leaf gel so as to not overwhelm you. I would not use protein and aloe during the same session until I had trialed it first with my normal products. I have used it before a protein treatment for my scalp only to exfoliate.

Relax... You are still learning to get to know a part of yourself. I never expected to take a decade to get to the point I am at now, but I never had preconceived notion about kinky hair either. Or, simply put, I ain't got straight, wavy, or curly hair; I never expected my hair to behave like that even when I had used chemicals and heat; and I had no intentions of beating it into submission anymore. I wanted my hair (and scalp) to tell me what it wants and hates. My only regret was not trying water-only when my scalp had produced enough sebum for it to work.

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

OK, I am going to make a suggestion that I had made to you last year: embrace your texture. Let the coils clump, then you can start stretching them. The hair has to be trained where it is supposed to go. A good gel will clump most of your coils for you as you rake it through. I do not aim for root-to-tip definition, either; ain't happening, don't care. You have a blow dryer, so use it on your shingled hair.

You compared your hair to Nap85's: I don't see the similarity because she has a looser curl pattern and her hair is thready (mine is spongy, if you were wondering). She also embraces her texture unstretched from time-to-time. You have beautiful hair and you got the length to do various styles now.

I do not shoot for 100% shed- and tangle-free hair except twice a year. Sacrilege, I know, but my hair is fine.

Yes, raw aloe is better, but you have to process it and freeze the leftovers. I suggested the bottled inner leaf gel so as to not overwhelm you. I would not use protein and aloe during the same session until I had trialed it first with my normal products. I have used it before a protein treatment for my scalp only to exfoliate.

Relax... You are still learning to get to know a part of yourself. I never expected to take a decade to get to the point I am at now, but I never had preconceived notion about kinky hair either. Or, simply put, I ain't got straight, wavy, or curly hair; I never expected my hair to behave like that even when I had used chemicals and heat; and I had no intentions of beating it into submission anymore. I wanted my hair (and scalp) to tell me what it wants and hates. My only regret was not trying water-only when my scalp had produced enough sebum for it to work.

Thanks, @Sharpened

You may be right! My hair may not be like Naptural85's. I watch her old videos when her hair was shorter, and I feel like I'm looking at my hair but I may be so wrong about that.

Thanks for mentioning that you don't shoot for 100% shed-and-tangle-free hair. I don't detangle nearly as fully as I used to, and I've just been crossing my fingers that this will be okay in the long run!

I loved the change in your hair over those 4 pics you shared in the "Everyday Hair" thread, and I have been ITCHING to try your regimen (especially the oil rinsing), but maybe you're right!

Thanks so much for the message.

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

@trueheartofgold, how is your hair?

@lulu97, @theRaven, @faithVA, and @Coilystep, I usually post a lot in the different threads you lead, and I'm about to start training to run a marathon, so I may be MIA from time to time. I just didn't want to disappear! I'll be lurking, journaling, and continuing the hair and health stuff. Thanks for all the help.

 

[trueheartofgold]

@YvetteWithJoy, how are you? My hair is getting there. I'm learning how to take care of it so it's definitely an experience. I just have to know what it needs and likes. As you know retaining moisture is the biggest problem for me. I'm hanging in there.

 

[Coilystep]

@trueheartofgold, how is your hair?

@lulu97, @theRaven, @faithVA, and @Coilystep, I usually post a lot in the different threads you lead, and I'm about to start training to run a marathon, so I may be MIA from time to time. I just didn't want to disappear! I'll be lurking, journaling, and continuing the hair and health stuff. Thanks for all the help.

Good luck ma'am on your marathon I've done a couple of half marathons I was already going to miss you in the wash N go thread. Now I'll miss you even more. Your hair will definitely benefit from the increased exercise.

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

@YvetteWithJoy, how are you? My hair is getting there. I'm learning how to take care of it so it's definitely an experience. I just have to know what it needs and likes. As you know retaining moisture is the biggest problem for me. I'm hanging in there.

Glad to hear it! I'm so glad your hair is getting there.

We're doing pretty well over here. School starts up soon, so that's going to be a huge change. I'm trying to shift things around so that everyone can get where they need to get in the morning. It's a little tricky.

There's a job I'm in the process of applying for, and it's great given my schedule and interests, but it kind of feels like a step back. I've been really down about the situation. People around me have just encouraged me to trust the baby steps.​

Hair-wise:

I've shaved a TON of time off of my wash day (I can't thank God enough!). Also, I've been trying and liking flat twist outs. I don't yet know if it's worth doing it on stretched hair or not.​

Products-wise:

Even though I'm making progress in trialing things I've been really curious about and either crossing them off my list or putting them on the "Staples/HG" list, for every 3 products I do this for, 2 new-to-me products or substances pop up. I am moving in the direction of wanting to use products containing ayurvedic ingredients so that I can assist my ages edges and aid my hair's growth. I got the Natty Naturals sample pack (very glad she made the sample available again, because last time I refrained from getting the samples, and they'd been unavailable for a while).

I wrote to the Soultanicals creator and asked her if she had plans for an ayurvedic line (not just the poo or a product here or there). She said likely later on. Of course, special edition.

Abena has been raving about EarthTone Naturals gel over the butter for wash and go's. Even though I am ignoring this , people keep mentioning it to me. I just can't jump, though: I have SEVERAL gels already, and that natural hair conference swag bag contained something like SIX MORE! I'm dying.

So, I am about to do a huge product purge. There's a local product swap meetup on the 13th. First I will sell some of my products to an LHCF friend, and the rest I'm just going to bite the bullet and give away at the swap. I'm just going to walk into the swap with a banker's box full of products, mingle, and leave the box.​

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

Good luck ma'am on your marathon I've done a couple of half marathons I was already going to miss you in the wash N go thread. Now I'll miss you even more. Your hair will definitely benefit from the increased exercise.

I'm impressed! I'm scurred. I have to run every day for the next 7 weeks to prepare.

Thanks, ma'am! I hope my hair benefits from the exercise!: I didn't get much growth at all last month, and I figure it was partially the decrease in exercise. With our oldest home from school for the summer, it's VERY hard getting it in.

I'll still be hanging around: I just need to put as much time into my health as I do my hair, and I haven't been very disciplined about pulling back hair-wise and LHCF-wise. Thanks for all the encouragement, too. Some days I was so sad about my hair or my wng, and your thread and feedback helped a lot.

Congrats on the growth, too! Lovely nappiversary pics.

 

[Bibliophile]

I think neem oil & Dudu Osum soap have been gentrified.

I can get 8 or 12 oz of neem oil for ~$4 and Dudu Osum bars for $3 on the ground.

Last week I go to restock and they're scarce. When I finally find them to my horror:
1. My Indian grocer now sells neem oil in 2 oz bottles for $8
2. A bss had Dudu Osum for $5 per bar
3. The owner of the bss was telling mixed company how wonderful Dudu Osum was for oily, flaky & blemished skin.

Indians and African people were using neem, camwood (red sandalwood/rakta chandan/African sandalwood) in hair & skin care for centuries. Darn it, the secret is out...