Shea Growth And Retention Regimen 2018

[Chicoro]

@Chicoro answered it perfectly! At first I didn’t see much difference either. Thank goodness for pictures!

I took new pics just now. I hope it answers your questions @CurlyWhoCrux and shows you what @Chicoro explained so beautifully above.
View attachment 430057

What your photos demonstrate and document are how length is gained on some Afro textured hair. It's a quiet, subtle, gentle process. It is slow and steady and doesn't call attention to itself.

Many people can't see this process on their own heads. Or worse, they don't value it. So they cut and trim these gains. Then complain that their hair won't grow past a certain length. Natural, Afro textured hair doesn't grow thick and full all at once, at the same length. You only get that when you buy and sew on a weaved, track of hair.


Due to a lack of knowledge, in some cases but not all, the person judges the process as "thinning ends". I consider that judgement, in the example I set forth above, to be incorrect.

Thinning ends is when one maintains one's hair at the same length. And if the ends of the hair start to become sparse at that length, then one could likely correctly state that the ends are thin.

This is my personal philosophy and have no right to impose it on other people. In addition, I could be wrong anyway. But I don't care. I'm going to continue to share. I don't ever want a woman with Afro textured to come into my sphere or span of control and have her feel that her hair can't be beautiful, healthy and long-IF that is what she wants!

 

[caribeandiva]

What your photos demonstrate and document are how length is gained on some Afro textured hair. It's a quiet, subtle, gentle process. It is slow and steady and doesn't call attention to itself.

Many people can't see this process on their own heads. Or worse, they don't value it. So they cut and trim these gains. Then complain that their hair won't grow past a certain length. Natural, Afro textured hair doesn't grow thick and full all at once, at the same length. You only get that when you buy and sew on a weaved, track of hair.


Due to a lack of knowledge, in some cases but not all, the person judges the process as "thinning ends". I consider that judgement, in the example I set forth above, to be incorrect.

Thinning ends is when one maintains one's hair at the same length. And if the ends of the hair start to become sparse at that length, then one could likely correctly state that the ends are thin.

This is my personal philosophy and have no right to impose it on other people. In addition, I could be wrong anyway. But I don't care. I'm going to continue to share. I don't ever want a woman with Afro textured to come into my sphere or span of control and have her feel that her hair can't be beautiful, healthy and long-IF that is what she wants!

Thank you for taking the time to explain all of this. I’m one of those who made the mistake of regularly trimming my thin ends because I thought they were split ends and damaged. I was unknowingly keeping myself at shoulder length, wondering why I’m not making any progress. I would compare myself to other women who seem to have no trouble at all growing theirs and feeling inadequate. I kept trying new things and nothing worked because I wasn’t doing the right thing for MY hair. That’s why I’ll always be grateful for @Chicoro for setting me straight so to speak. When the student is ready the teacher appears. This is further proof that God answers prayers and that you should never give up on your dreams. No matter how long they take to come true.

 

[Saga]

I clarified my hair today. Dced with Silicon mix, then dried it with a microfiber towel. I was gonna blow dry but then decided to simply put my hair in a braided bun. I used Scurl as my liquid, argan oil, crème of nature leave in, and sealed only the ends and my edges with the shea butter. The particular batch I had on hand was a bit too thick to spread throughout my hair, and the one I keep in my purse had melted and re-solidified! So I couldn't use that one. Right now my hair feels good, my layers are finally beginning to even out in the back, now I just need this front piece to catch up so I can achieve my long awaited nice full length single braid. I aspire to be able to wear the Sade braid as my long-term signature Protective style.

I think it's a lot harder to detangle my hair when I wear styles in which Shea butter cannot be utilized. For example when I wear single braids beneath my wig I can apply shea as often as need be. With the cornrows, however, it's not as practical to use shea because it doesn't coat the entirety of the strand in order to accomplish it's task. I'm debating on how to get around this when I install kinky twists for the month of June.

 

[kupenda]

Cowashed with Oyin Ginger Mint (love that stuff. I need a liter. I never want to shampoo again!) and conditioned in the shower with Trader Joe’s Nourish Spa. Then finger detangled lightly, sprayed my hair with Aphogee Green Tea and Keratin spritz (mostly mid shaft and down) and applied CareFreeCurl Gold before twisting. Gonna add some shea on the ends and put my hair in Bantu knots to stretch my roots. My little regimen is coming along quite nicely

 

[IDareT'sHair]

Whipped Up a Blend of:
Unrefined SB
A few drops of: Onion Oil & Nettle Oil
Kalchi Kapoor Ayurvedic Powder

Whipped up very nicely.

*a little 'smelly' but....... we'll see how it works*

 

[Chicoro]

Okay! I got to meet a real unicorn: @lalla ! Of course, she is beautiful.

She was kind enough to meet me in Paris. She took me to St. Denis to get some hair products. I was in northern France for the week and had run low on my Scurl and didn't bring any bobby pins. So, that's what I got when I came to meet her in Paris. It was a beautiful day. If I hadn't had my bag, I might have galloped from the train station to St. Denis.

We met at Starbucks and I left greasy fingerprints all over the table. She just looked and smiled. Then, in the metro, I left greasy fingerprints where I was balancing myself during the ride. I showed her those with pride, too!

 

[Chicoro]

I was looking at the hair is this beautiful, girl on the metro. I noticed that her hair was was braided. But the braids were stiff and they stuck out kind of like Pippi Longstocking, but not that extreme. Then it hit me!

THAT'S the reason I like the results of Shea butter so much! My braids always draw up and stick out or are stiff, too. But with the Shea butter, not only do my braids hang and fall downward, my braids SWING and MOVE! The Shea butter makes them heavy and I love, love, love the way Shea makes my braids hang. I don't think I ever mentioned this before. I know I said it made my braids heavy, but it also makes my braids lay and fall toward the ground. I do have shrinkage, but it's still quite different than my pre-Shea hair life.

 

[Chicoro]

Thank you for taking the time to explain all of this. I’m one of those who made the mistake of regularly trimming my thin ends because I thought they were split ends and damaged. I was unknowingly keeping myself at shoulder length, wondering why I’m not making any progress. I would compare myself to other women who seem to have no trouble at all growing theirs and feeling inadequate. I kept trying new things and nothing worked because I wasn’t doing the right thing for MY hair. That’s why I’ll always be grateful for @Chicoro for setting me straight so to speak. When the student is ready the teacher appears. This is further proof that God answers prayers and that you should never give up on your dreams. No matter how long they take to come true.

And NO CUTTING!

 

[Chicoro]

(African Women are moving up the Shea butter value chain! The are getting control of more and more aspects of the Shea butter industry. I did note that the farm was her husband's but, it's a start.)





GSA Trains 2,086 Women on Parkland Management and Publishes Guidelines

From January to March 2018, the Global Shea Alliance trained 2,086 women on parkland management and restoration in Burkina Faso and Ghana. Trainings included grafting, natural regeneration, community bylaws, and biodiversity. Mary Sampson, a participant from the Tangbini women’s group of Ghana said: “I wish to plant more trees on my husband’s farm. Trees give me income and welfare for my family.”

http://www.globalshea.com/uploads/f..._manual/parkland_management_guideline_901.pdf

 

[Chicoro]

Do we have any candidates for the Shea Made Hair Unicorn Hall of Fame for the month of May? We had like 80 in the month of April but none yet for the month of May. Where are you Unicorns in the making?

 

[GettingKinky]

I used Shea butter in my wash n go on Saturday as my hair seems less tangled today as I prep for my mid week wash. I was worried that the Shea wouldn’t play with my Kinky Curly products but there was no problem. I’m going to keep doing this as long as it works.

ETA I spoke too soon. I found lots of knotted hair towards the back of my head. :-(

 

[ArrrBeee]

Shea siblings I need help with a summer style. I will be traveling, exercising outdoors, and it's too hot for wigs.

My hair is natural and shoulder length but very fine. Should I get braids, weave, or rock a phony pony?

 

[niknakmac]

I flat ironed my hair 7 days ago. At night I apply Shea butter to the ends, just a little to the length and then roll it with 3 flexi rods. Usually I use coconut oil but I actually think the shea butter helped fight the humidity more. My flat iron never lasts 7 days!

 

[caribeandiva]

I flat ironed my hair 7 days ago. At night I apply Shea butter to the ends, just a little to the length and then roll it with 3 flexi rods. Usually I use coconut oil but I actually think the shea butter helped fight the humidity more. My flat iron never lasts 7 days!

Good to know! Living in humid FL that’s a constant battle when I wear my hair straight.

 

[caribeandiva]

Shea siblings I need help with a summer style. I will be traveling, exercising outdoors, and it's too hot for wigs.

My hair is natural and shoulder length but very fine. Should I get braids, weave, or rock a phony pony?

Twistouts?

 

[caribeandiva]

Do we have any candidates for the Shea Made Hair Unicorn Hall of Fame for the month of May? We had like 80 in the month of April but none yet for the month of May. Where are you Unicorns in the making?

I know right? Where are they? I’m just itching to engrave more golden pails!

 

[ArrrBeee]

Twistouts?

I may try it this weekend but twistouts aren't my best look.

 

[caribeandiva]

(African Women are moving up the Shea butter value chain! The are getting control of more and more aspects of the Shea butter industry. I did note that the farm was her husband's but, it's a start.)


View attachment 430167


GSA Trains 2,086 Women on Parkland Management and Publishes Guidelines

From January to March 2018, the Global Shea Alliance trained 2,086 women on parkland management and restoration in Burkina Faso and Ghana. Trainings included grafting, natural regeneration, community bylaws, and biodiversity. Mary Sampson, a participant from the Tangbini women’s group of Ghana said: “I wish to plant more trees on my husband’s farm. Trees give me income and welfare for my family.”

http://www.globalshea.com/uploads/f..._manual/parkland_management_guideline_901.pdf

She reminds me of my grandma. Love this!

 

[CurlyWhoCrux]

When you ladies apply SB to your hair, is your hair dripping wet? Where is your hair on the spectrum of wet to dry before Sheapplication?

Reading a post above by @Chicoro, made me really wonder about this. Her hair swings with the Shea. My hair is more like the woman on the train with stiff braids. Maybe my hair needs to be really wet before applying SB to actually make it feel like my hair is moisturized? Idk...

 

[reallynow]

I need to figure out a way to incorporate shea in my regimen now that I'm back to being all natural!!! Wore a wash n go all weekend until Tuesday. It was a bit crunchy so I used some almond oil instead of shea to soften it up because I was scared of a cast. Today it's up in a puff, same almond oil seal. I'll be so busy the next few weekends I'm not going to have time to experiment. Going to search this thread since I know it's been discussed a lot.

Keep sliding my shea sisters!

 

[caribeandiva]

When you ladies apply SB to your hair, is your hair dripping wet? Where is your hair on the spectrum of wet to dry before Sheapplication?

Reading a post above by @Chicoro, made me really wonder about this. Her hair swings with the Shea. My hair is more like the woman on the train with stiff braids. Maybe my hair needs to be really wet before applying SB to actually make it feel like my hair is moisturized? Idk...

My hair is damp. Think towel dried.

 

[Chicoro]

My hair is damp. Think towel dried.

Do you braids hang heavier or swing or move, yet?

 

[Chicoro]

When you ladies apply SB to your hair, is your hair dripping wet? Where is your hair on the spectrum of wet to dry before Sheapplication?

Reading a post above by @Chicoro, made me really wonder about this. Her hair swings with the Shea. My hair is more like the woman on the train with stiff braids. Maybe my hair needs to be really wet before applying SB to actually make it feel like my hair is moisturized? Idk...

I apply my Shea butter to hair that is damp. I usually put my braids under running warm water to soften and unbraid. Then, I rinse off the old product and wet my braid from root to tip. Then, I squeeze out the excess water, add Scurl and then Shea butter.

BUT, prior to Shea I did the same thing to my hair and it didn't really hang or swing. For years I had drawn up, dried and crispy, stiff braids. Then, came Scurl into my life and I had drawn up and crispy braids that were not as stiff. Then came Shea, and the rest is history... and love.

 

[Chicoro]

When you ladies apply SB to your hair, is your hair dripping wet? Where is your hair on the spectrum of wet to dry before Sheapplication?

Reading a post above by @Chicoro, made me really wonder about this. Her hair swings with the Shea. My hair is more like the woman on the train with stiff braids. Maybe my hair needs to be really wet before applying SB to actually make it feel like my hair is moisturized? Idk...

You know what else I do? While my braids are still damp, I pull them back into one (1) ponytail to stretch them. I leave my hair like that for about 30 minutes to an hour, or until I get to my destination and keep a scarf on top of it. Then, after about 30 minutes my hair is stretched from the roots. Although my hair still draws up, it's 'laid' around the edges and the top. There are no fuzzies to be seen.

I think that stretch-drying adds to swangability.

 

[Chicoro]

Anybody else get swangability with Shea butter?

 

[caribeandiva]

Do you braids hang heavier or swing or move, yet?

Hanging heavier for sure. They’re not swinging yet but that’s probably because they’re not long enough yet.

 

[Chicoro]

Hello!!! Is anyone out there?

 

[LivingInPeace]

I ran out of my Shea mix over a week ago and I had been too lazy or stressed to make a new batch. So I just mixed up a batch of Shea butter, cocoa butter, grapeseed oil, olive oil, coconut oil, dark chocolate fragrance oil and sandalwood vanilla fragrance oil. I have two 8 oz jars. I’m going to give one to my mother.

Tonight I’m going to moisturize my mini twists with aloe Vera juice and water and then seal with my new mix.

 

[guyaneseyankee]

Hi Shea Sisters
I just detangled and retwiated my hair with the intention of trimming my ends. They are not split but a bit rough. Not horrible but it has been over five months since my last trim (Dec ‘17)
I thought about how @Chicoro wouldn’t trim her ends because of a goal of growth. So now, I’m wondering if I should even do mine.

Is there something I can use to repair rough ends without trimming? Like even though they sell split end repair products, the only way to get rid of them truly is to cut. Know what I mean? I’m asking for your opinions. These are the best pics I could take, I wish you could feel them to tell me. I am planning for a professional trim in December 2018. Will I be making it worse that she’ll have to cut more then, idk

 

[GettingKinky]

@guyaneseyankee your twists are so plump and juicy!! And so thick from root to end. I LOVE them.