Shea Growth And Retention Regimen 2019

[Chicoro]

Grease-Free Drain Maintenance
(Shea butter is great for your hair but bad for your drain!)​

To help keep your drains clean and grease free, another alternative is to use Dawn dish soap after you do your hair.

Process is to pour a cup down the drain and let it soak for about 20 to 30 minutes. Then, pour hot water down the drain to rinse away the broken down grease from your Shea butter and other oils.

 

[Chicoro]

Shea'd Ends:

I posted this in the Luscious Ends thread. I keep my ends moist and lubricated. You could also say the ends are wet and greasy. I use a baggie so that keeps the grease contained.

There are still some knots and some splits.

What I have noticed: No more mid-shaft splits on my hair strands!

 

[Chicoro]

Just a reminder about the satisfaction of concocting and mixing down your own Shea blend!

 

[Chicoro]

Ah! The pleasure of whipping Shea butter...

 

[Chicoro]

Have you always wanted to be able to do a hair flip with your very own luscious, healthy afro-textured hair?

For those of you who are visual learners, please see gif for 'how to' instruction:

Then, consider getting on the Shea Train: Choo, choo!!!!

 

[Chicoro]

If it's all about that thickness and fullness, then this may be more your thing:

No matter what your hair goal, consider hoping on that Shea Thang Train!

 

[CurliDiva]

I made a whipped shea butter blended with avocado oil, castor oil and alma oil - it looks like a yummy cake batter!

 

[caribeandiva]

All of that is to say that even though I am sleeping good and pampering myself, the results may not be instant. Or, more importantly, the transformation may be gradual with some 'not looking so cute moments' that arise in the midst of the changes.

I didn’t know that so thank you for sharing. I laughed at onesie, Shea baby and you thinking you’re chunky. You’re thin!! I too wanna be transformed by Shea butter. My body’s skin is dry and I’m embarrassed to admit that I don’t put on lotion everyday (or even every week) out of laziness. I wear pants or maxi dresses so I don’t walk around looking ashy. I’m changing that ASAP.

 

[sunflora]

I didn’t know that so thank you for sharing. I laughed at onesie, Shea baby and you thinking you’re chunky. You’re thin!! I too wanna be transformed by Shea butter. My body’s skin is dry and I’m embarrassed to admit that I don’t put on lotion everyday (or even every week) out of laziness. I wear pants or maxi dresses so I don’t walk around looking ashy. I’m changing that ASAP.

Girl what?? My skin literally begins to remove itself from my body if I don't use lotion. I have to oil rinse in the shower, then put on lotion, and now that it's winter I gotta go over that with shea or cocoa butter... by the end of the day my skin is dry like I never did any of that. I *might* be able to lotion only once in the summer.

 

[CurliDiva]

@snoop
I'm not sure if I didn't whip it properly or didn't use the right combination of oils or perhaps the way that I was applying it, but when I've tried it previously, I didn't like it. At the end of last year, I was gifted some whipped shea butter by [URL='https://www.etsy.com/shop/FENETI']Feneti[/URL] who is an Etsy seller and so far I'm not getting that hard feeling that I previously had.

The way that I applied before, if I remember correctly, was LCB. Now I apply as LCOB and the shea butter only is applied to the ends of my hair. For the first two days after washing (so wash day plus the next) I've been using a water + glycerine spray, then my normal spray as my L for the remainder of the week. I'm not sure if that is making a difference. I haven't really looked at my hair since I started using it (loose texture), but I'll try to take down a few twists this weekend and report back.

Thanks for the insight, @snoop!

I too think straight shea butter was too much for my strands, and just made blended some with three oils - alma, castor and avocado. I'm determined to develop and document my hair regimen and reach new length this year

 

[fluffyforever]

Last night I used AVG, It's a 10 keratin leave in, and a whole lotta whipped shea. Then I did 4 large box braids with the ends twisted into a bun. I will keep my hair like this for maybe a week and let Queen Shea work her healing magic.

I want to rewhip my shea butter. It does the job, but the application could be easy and faster if it wasn't so thick and stiff. But with the cold, I'm wondering if a thicker butter is better....

 

[ElevatedEnergy]

I've found a way to to incorporate Shea butter into my hair while wearing a protective style. I like that I can still get it in my hair without taking down the style or manipulating it. I mist my hair really well with Rosewater, take my whipped Shea butter and rub it in my hands until it returns to its oily state; then pat it into my hair. If I do it at night & tie my scarf on...I wake up to well moisturized hair, that is layed down for the day. My goal is always to reduce manipulation as much as possible, so I may now be able to push my curly hair into 2 weeks washing increments instead of having to wash after one week.

Shea just keeps on amazing me!

 

[ElevatedEnergy]

Shea'd Ends:

I posted this in the Luscious Ends thread. I keep my ends moist and lubricated. You could also say the ends are wet and greasy. I use a baggie so that keeps the grease contained.

There are still some knots and some splits.

What I have noticed: No more mid-shaft splits on my hair strands!

View attachment 441805

Now those are some Luscious Ends indeed!

 

[GGsKin]

Rant:
My crown wont let me be great! Last night, I took my hair down from my pinned up braids to go through it again with the scissors smh, and apply more Shea.

I keep trimming and dusting and dusting and trimming and still finding splits in the top half of my hair, no matter how much protein I use. On one hand I think, ok cut now and I probably wont feel bad by the end of the year. But on the other hand, its frustrating because I just trimmed and I'm cutting away all my progress. My scissors are sharp and I have no idea why my crown is so prone to splits. It never used to be like this when I was a relaxed, heat-loving fiend.
I've fallen off with my henna and I think I need to get back on it to protect those super fine strands. I measured my hair after Chicoro made her 'sectioning' post, but I'll have to do it again now. Anyway, after trimming I slathered my ends and length with my mix and braided it back up. Ends are pinned up. And no more pieces are snapping off in my hands. I hope it remains that way.

 

[Chicoro]

Rant:
My crown wont let me be great! Last night, I took my hair down from my pinned up braids to go through it again with the scissors smh, and apply more Shea.

I keep trimming and dusting and dusting and trimming and still finding splits in the top half of my hair, no matter how much protein I use. On one hand I think, ok cut now and I probably wont feel bad by the end of the year. But on the other hand, its frustrating because I just trimmed and I'm cutting away all my progress. My scissors are sharp and I have no idea why my crown is so prone to splits.
It never used to be like this when I was a relaxed, heat-loving fiend.
I've fallen off with my henna and I think I need to get back on it to protect those super fine strands. I measured my hair after Chicoro made her 'sectioning' post, but I'll have to do it again now. Anyway, after trimming I slathered my ends and length with my mix and braided it back up. Ends are pinned up. And no more pieces are snapping off in my hands. I hope it remains that way.

@GGsKin said:

"It never used to be like this when I was a relaxed, heat-loving fiend"

But when you wear a 'heat loving fiend', your words, were you REALLY paying attention to and seeing your hair? When one starts to take better care of the hair, the attention shifts. Thus, I am not sure it wasn't happening before. The possibility exists that in the past you overlooked the things that you are seeing today. Eyes filled with wisdom from a discerning mind take in far more than eyes focused solely on the cuteness of today's style. Basically, as it relates to your hair, I think you are a different woman today than you were when you were relaxed and loving the heat. This is not to say that a person with relaxed hair is not discerning. That is not my point. Had you stated you were natural and loved heat, my point would be the same.

I would strongly suggest you put the scissors down. Your process is not regressing. You are progressing. You have a specific area of focus to which you have given your full attention. The goal now is to identify the problem or source of this issue. Prior to getting on your journey, I doubt if you could have pin pointed and communicated to any of us your specific problem area.

Remember this is a thinking game, rife with analysis! As magnificent as Queen Shea may be, she is not even a bit as enigmatic as afro-textured hair. Afro-textured hair makes you EARN her respect. And once you do, she rewards you in a way with hair that is so unbelieveably gorgeous-no matter the texture- in a way that no product or process ever could match.

You may be closer than you think to your answer. But, you just may be cutting away and discarding the 'secret' information your hair may be trying to communicate to you.

 

[Chicoro]

Now those are some Luscious Ends indeed!

Thank you!

 

[GGsKin]

Thank you for the words of encouragement @Chicoro. I just needed to vent my frustration. Even though I believe trimming those splits is for the best. I must say that I've always cared for hair and been observant of my hair just shy of the point of obsession, even before this journey.

The majority of strands in my crown are much finer than the those at my nape and need more protection- why I believe henna helps and I want to get back on it. Especially looking at pictures of my hair from 1-2 years ago. It's just funny (and frustrating) that I rarely use tools or heat, the top half of my hair is communicating with me like this.

 

[Chicoro]

Thank you for the words of encouragement @Chicoro. I just needed to vent my frustration. Even though I believe trimming those splits is for the best. I must say that I've always cared for hair and been observant of my hair just shy of the point of obsession, even before this journey.

The majority of strands in my crown are much finer than the those at my nape and need more protection- why I believe henna helps and I want to get back on it. Especially looking at pictures of my hair from 1-2 years ago. It's just funny (and frustrating) that I rarely use tools or heat, the top half of my hair is communicating with me like this.

"I must say that I've always cared for hair and been observant of my hair just shy of the point of obsession, even before this journey."

Understood. That's good to know! It sounds like you have identified the problem and even better, you have a plan to remedy the situation. Bravo!

 

[caribeandiva]

Girl what?? My skin literally begins to remove itself from my body if I don't use lotion. I have to oil rinse in the shower, then put on lotion, and now that it's winter I gotta go over that with shea or cocoa butter... by the end of the day my skin is dry like I never did any of that. I *might* be able to lotion only once in the summer.

That’s why I’m always covered up!! Duh!! I’m supposed to lotion up twice a day too. Otherwise my skin looks like lizard-like.

 

[Honi]

My whipped shea looks like a mousse when I dip into my container but it works much, much better. I washed, deep conditioned and blew my hair out. Applied my moussy butter and it melted right in. Not dull at all. My significant other touched my hair and asked me why was my hair so soft. HA!!!! I just spritz and oil my hair and ends every night or so. I may just start wearing my hair stretched out more now that I can do a pony. Yippee!

 

[ElevatedEnergy]

Rant:
My crown wont let me be great! Last night, I took my hair down from my pinned up braids to go through it again with the scissors smh, and apply more Shea.

I keep trimming and dusting and dusting and trimming and still finding splits in the top half of my hair, no matter how much protein I use. On one hand I think, ok cut now and I probably wont feel bad by the end of the year. But on the other hand, its frustrating because I just trimmed and I'm cutting away all my progress. My scissors are sharp and I have no idea why my crown is so prone to splits. It never used to be like this when I was a relaxed, heat-loving fiend.
I've fallen off with my henna and I think I need to get back on it to protect those super fine strands. I measured my hair after Chicoro made her 'sectioning' post, but I'll have to do it again now. Anyway, after trimming I slathered my ends and length with my mix and braided it back up. Ends are pinned up. And no more pieces are snapping off in my hands. I hope it remains that way.

I had similar issues with my crown....my nape as well, but we wont get into that. I'm not sure of all you've tried so far, but here is what has helped me:

1) Isolating the area on wash day. Not only the crown but grouping the stronger hair surrounding it in with it. It helps eases the tension and places it on the stronger hair instead of the already weakened crown.

2) An uber moisturizing treatment done pre wash. I wont get into all the benefits of each individual ingredient, but know they work very well together for repair.
1 tablespoon melted Shea butter
1 tablespoon of Warmed Creamed Honey
1/2 tablespoon each of Argan Oil & Ricebran oil
A Super Slippery Conditioner. I don't think the brand really matters, just as long as the conditioner is pretty thin in texture. I like Trader Joes Tea Tree Tingle for this.

Apply it to your crown first, then all over if you so desire. (I use it all over). Pull your hair back so its all flowing in the same direction. Preferably how it falls naturally and sit under a steamer if you have one. The steam will really get in there and help the treatment nourish your strands. I usually steam the treatment in, put on a plastic cap & allow it to continue marinating overnight. Try it once a week for around 3 months and see if the area improves.

If you need extra protein: 1/2 teaspoon of Ayurvedic powders, A cap full of Neutral Protein Filler, or some hydrolyzed protein (I like oat protein) works really well in this. Believe me I've tried them all. Thankfully, my crown is now thriving...but I do this treatment often.

HTH!

 

[GGsKin]

I had similar issues with my crown....my nape as well, but we wont get into that. I'm not sure of all you've tried so far, but here is what has helped me:

1) Isolating the area on wash day. Not only the crown but grouping the stronger hair surrounding it in with it. It helps eases the tension and places it on the stronger hair instead of the already weakened crown.

2) An uber moisturizing treatment done pre wash. I wont get into all the benefits of each individual ingredient, but know they work very well together for repair.
1 tablespoon melted Shea butter
1 tablespoon of Warmed Creamed Honey
1/2 tablespoon each of Argan Oil & Ricebran oil
A Super Slippery Conditioner. I don't think the brand really matters, just as long as the conditioner is pretty thin in texture. I like Trader Joes Tea Tree Tingle for this.

Apply it to your crown first, then all over if you so desire. (I use it all over). Pull your hair back so its all flowing in the same direction. Preferably how it falls naturally and sit under a steamer if you have one. The steam will really get in there and help the treatment nourish your strands. I usually steam the treatment in, put on a plastic cap & allow it to continue marinating overnight. Try it once a week for around 3 months and see if the area improves.

If you need extra protein: 1/2 teaspoon of Ayurvedic powders, A cap full of Neutral Protein Filler, or some hydrolyzed protein (I like oat protein) works really well in this. Believe me I've tried them all. Thankfully, my crown is now thriving...but I do this treatment often.

HTH!

Thank you for this suggestion @ElevatedEnergy. I have all the ingredients, and use them regularly (apart from honey) but I've been considering bringing it back into the fold recently so this is right on time. I'm in the prepoo thread and will be trying out your combo this weekend.

 

[Aggie]

This morning I poured my new batch of herbal tea rinse on my hair and scalp.

This afternoon, I Heavy moisturized and sealed with SCurl Curl Moisturizer, B&B More Moisture, shea butter and BM Grease.

 

[keranikki]

Girl what?? My skin literally begins to remove itself from my body if I don't use lotion. I have to oil rinse in the shower, then put on lotion, and now that it's winter I gotta go over that with shea or cocoa butter... by the end of the day my skin is dry like I never did any of that. I *might* be able to lotion only once in the summer.

Same. It’s a struggle. I did notice that the days I stayed hydrated, I wasn’t as dry by the end of the day.

 

[water_n_oil]

Left the room to grab a comb and came back to my 21mo old putting shea in her hair. This shea baby knows what's up lol. Thankfully her hair was freshly washed and about to get buttered up anyway. 10 braids for her this time. I washed my 4yo's hair last night and gave her twists. Looking at her hair today, you'd think the twists were 2 weeks old smh. It's moisturized though. Rocking a puff myself right now. I find with shea even a puff stays properly moisturized and knot-free. Next wash I plan on experimenting with a DIY shea deep conditioner. I'll make it as needed if it works out since I don't have any preservatives at the moment.

 

[VictoriousBrownFlower]

I had similar issues with my crown....my nape as well, but we wont get into that. I'm not sure of all you've tried so far, but here is what has helped me:

1) Isolating the area on wash day. Not only the crown but grouping the stronger hair surrounding it in with it. It helps eases the tension and places it on the stronger hair instead of the already weakened crown.

2) An uber moisturizing treatment done pre wash. I wont get into all the benefits of each individual ingredient, but know they work very well together for repair.
1 tablespoon melted Shea butter
1 tablespoon of Warmed Creamed Honey
1/2 tablespoon each of Argan Oil & Ricebran oil
A Super Slippery Conditioner. I don't think the brand really matters, just as long as the conditioner is pretty thin in texture. I like Trader Joes Tea Tree Tingle for this.

Apply it to your crown first, then all over if you so desire. (I use it all over). Pull your hair back so its all flowing in the same direction. Preferably how it falls naturally and sit under a steamer if you have one. The steam will really get in there and help the treatment nourish your strands. I usually steam the treatment in, put on a plastic cap & allow it to continue marinating overnight. Try it once a week for around 3 months and see if the area improves.

If you need extra protein: 1/2 teaspoon of Ayurvedic powders, A cap full of Neutral Protein Filler, or some hydrolyzed protein (I like oat protein) works really well in this. Believe me I've tried them all. Thankfully, my crown is now thriving...but I do this treatment often.

HTH!

You are a wealth of knowledge!!!! Especially with your diy mixes!!!!! Loving this recipe!!! Keep them coming!!!!!!

 

[BeautifulRoots]

Question for those who order their shea butter from 3cayg. Do you recommend Shea Nilotica or Unrefined Ivory? What is the difference in how it performs on your hair/skin?

 

[ElevatedEnergy]

You are a wealth of knowledge!!!! Especially with your diy mixes!!!!! Loving this recipe!!! Keep them coming!!!!!!

Thank you! Over the last 2 years, I have experimented and done tons of DIY. Most include Shea butter....so I included some in the 2018 Shea thread. There is an OatMilk, Shea & Honey conditioner as well as a Shea butter conditioner made from scratch that includes BTMS. I love DIY. There is such power in knowing that you don't have to depend on premade products for your hair to thrive. If formulas change, or people go out of business....bye....I can still do what it do. These days, I use a mix of DIY & Premade mostly out of convenience but I definitely don't need to.

I have a journal of all things DIY...from hair, skin...even sacred baths....it's really a fun hobby.

 

[ElevatedEnergy]

Question for those who order their shea butter from 3cayg. Do you recommend Shea Nilotica or Unrefined Ivory? What is the difference in how it performs on your hair/skin?

I always wanted to try her Shea Nilotica, but I still have over 40 pounds of 3cayg's Ivory in my house so I can't justify the purchase!

 

[cinnespice]

I'm coming through to be a shea unicorn. I need my hair to be great.
I bought some shea butter from Madina, was thinking of mixing it with mango butter.
I have a nutribullet that i don't use so I will be using it to concoct my mix.