Shea Growth And Retention Regimen 2019

[caribeandiva]

Last Friday, I was at McDonald’s with a coworker. She’s an early 30 something Jamaican. She’s natural. From the time I met her I knew her hair was damaged. I could tell it was very dry. It had that gray cast look to it (you know the look) that hair that is dying of thirst has. It’s around ear length (maybe SL) right now. I’ve seen her glance at my hair from time to time but she’s never said anything. I didn’t say anything either because I figured out a long time ago that people who want help will come ask for it.

Anyway, we were at McDs to talk business but afterwards the conversation turned to hair (as all conversations between me and black women always seem to ). We had window seats. She looked at my bun and said: “Wow you have such nice hair! And it’s so black too! It’s glistening in the sunlight right now!! I bet you were born with hair like that! I wish mine could look this nice but I know it’s genetics in your case. And wow it’s SOOO black! I can’t get over the color and shine!”

Y’all I just about fell off my seat laughing at the genetics comment. I showed her my before pictures when my hair was brown, dry and broken off during my relaxed days when I first joined the board. I told her if she was serious, I’d teach her how to get her hair like that. You’d think I just gave her the winning lottery ticket she was so excited! I said: “You too have curly hair if only you’d take care of it!” I asked her regimen. She shampoos with Suave shampoos then uses coconut oil. That’s all. No wonder her hair was so dry! I told her to take out her notebook to take notes and off we went!

I took the next hour and carefully helped her craft a regimen modeled after mine. Told her all about how Queen Shea get the credit for my hair color and the crazy shine. Let her touch my unraveled braid. She was amazed at how soft and moist my hair was. She wrote it all down and went shopping on her own. Well today she showed me her hair and it’s looking so hydrated!! It’s black, soft and no more gray cast! She ordered her Shea online so she hasn’t been using it to seal with yet but she did have the Shea Moisture hair mask at home to DC with. I’m so excited for her! Told her to take pictures, measurements and everything! I know this was long but if you read this far thank you for letting me share.

 

[water_n_oil]

@caribeandiva That's awesome! I bet her hair will thrive now.

 

[keranikki]

@caribeandiva

Word. I love teaching moments.

 

[Daina]

Last Friday, I was at McDonald’s with a coworker. She’s an early 30 something Jamaican. She’s natural. From the time I met her I knew her hair was damaged. I could tell it was very dry. It had that gray cast look to it (you know the look) that hair that is dying of thirst has. It’s around ear length (maybe SL) right now. I’ve seen her glance at my hair from time to time but she’s never said anything. I didn’t say anything either because I figured out a long time ago that people who want help will come ask for it.

Anyway, we were at McDs to talk business but afterwards the conversation turned to hair (as all conversations between me and black women always seem to ). We had window seats. She looked at my bun and said: “Wow you have such nice hair! And it’s so black too! It’s glistening in the sunlight right now!! I bet you were born with hair like that! I wish mine could look this nice but I know it’s genetics in your case. And wow it’s SOOO black! I can’t get over the color and shine!”

Y’all I just about fell off my seat laughing at the genetics comment. I showed her my before pictures when my hair was brown, dry and broken off during my relaxed days when I first joined the board. I told her if she was serious, I’d teach her how to get her hair like that. You’d think I just gave her the winning lottery ticket she was so excited! I said: “You too have curly hair if only you’d take care of it!” I asked her regimen. She shampoos with Suave shampoos then uses coconut oil. That’s all. No wonder her hair was so dry! I told her to take out her notebook to take notes and off we went!

I took the next hour and carefully helped her craft a regimen modeled after mine. Told her all about how Queen Shea get the credit for my hair color and the crazy shine. Let her touch my unraveled braid. She was amazed at how soft and moist my hair was. She wrote it all down and went shopping on her own. Well today she showed me her hair and it’s looking so hydrated!! It’s black, soft and no more gray cast! She ordered her Shea online so she hasn’t been using it to seal with yet but she did have the Shea Moisture hair mask at home to DC with. I’m so excited for her! Told her to take pictures, measurements and everything! I know this was long but if you read this far thank you for letting me share.

You're awesome, look at you creating Shea Unicorns in the wild!

 

[Daina]

Thanks @Daina I didn’t count but they’re on the larger side than I usually do. It took 3 hrs since I stretched first. Previous twists w/o blow dry took 5-7. My hair is high porosity & looses moisture quick! easily mattes at the root if not thoroughly detangled and lubricated.
Your experience may be COMPLETELY different. Put on your favorite show or movie and give it a go
I attached another pic of some smaller twists that took too long. My front perimeter is not as dense as the rest of my head
View attachment 442141

Beautiful bun, thanks sis!

 

[caribeandiva]

@caribeandiva That's awesome! I bet her hair will thrive now.

@caribeandiva

Word. I love teaching moments.

Thank you ladies! Her hair is already turning after only 4 days! Today we met up again and she had so many questions for me. Such as can I use JBCO? Should I use a small tooth comb or a wide tooth comb? That’s when she realized that I hadn’t told her everything about haircare. I didn’t wanna overwhelm her so I kept it very simple. Well she wanted to know everything. She has a science background too so I went into details about the why behind why we do what we do. Taught her about protein moisture balance, detangling techniques, etc... She wanted to know everything I know. She should’ve been careful what she asked for.

 

[caribeandiva]

You're awesome, look at you creating Shea Unicorns in the wild!

Thank you!!

 

[Chicoro]

@caribeandiva said:

"Last Friday, I was at McDonald’s with a coworker. She’s an early 30 something Jamaican. She’s natural. From the time I met her I knew her hair was damaged. I could tell it was very dry. It had that gray cast look to it (you know the look) that hair that is dying of thirst has. It’s around ear length (maybe SL) right now. I’ve seen her glance at my hair from time to time but she’s never said anything."


@Chicoro asked using a previous post:

Is her name Sheila? Because...

How Sheila be looking at your hair, with her weave , when you walk away with your gorgeous , fluffy, twist out done on your REAL hair. Don't be stingy, though. Drop some knowledge and some Shea on Sheila. There's plenty of both to go around.

 

[Chicoro]

Last Friday, I was at McDonald’s with a coworker. She’s an early 30 something Jamaican. She’s natural. From the time I met her I knew her hair was damaged. I could tell it was very dry. It had that gray cast look to it (you know the look) that hair that is dying of thirst has. It’s around ear length (maybe SL) right now. I’ve seen her glance at my hair from time to time but she’s never said anything. I didn’t say anything either because I figured out a long time ago that people who want help will come ask for it.

Anyway, we were at McDs to talk business but afterwards the conversation turned to hair (as all conversations between me and black women always seem to ). We had window seats. She looked at my bun and said: “Wow you have such nice hair! And it’s so black too! It’s glistening in the sunlight right now!! I bet you were born with hair like that! I wish mine could look this nice but I know it’s genetics in your case. And wow it’s SOOO black! I can’t get over the color and shine!”

Y’all I just about fell off my seat laughing at the genetics comment. I showed her my before pictures when my hair was brown, dry and broken off during my relaxed days when I first joined the board. I told her if she was serious, I’d teach her how to get her hair like that. You’d think I just gave her the winning lottery ticket she was so excited! I said: “You too have curly hair if only you’d take care of it!” I asked her regimen. She shampoos with Suave shampoos then uses coconut oil. That’s all. No wonder her hair was so dry! I told her to take out her notebook to take notes and off we went!

I took the next hour and carefully helped her craft a regimen modeled after mine. Told her all about how Queen Shea get the credit for my hair color and the crazy shine. Let her touch my unraveled braid. She was amazed at how soft and moist my hair was. She wrote it all down and went shopping on her own. Well today she showed me her hair and it’s looking so hydrated!! It’s black, soft and no more gray cast! She ordered her Shea online so she hasn’t been using it to seal with yet but she did have the Shea Moisture hair mask at home to DC with. I’m so excited for her! Told her to take pictures, measurements and everything! I know this was long but if you read this far thank you for letting me share.

For real though, have you considered making some money off of your process? I'm not talking about following your passion and the money will come idea. I'm talking about consciously CHARGING MONEY and following and seeking money purposely, so the money will come! How you can make a business, I don't know. But, have you thought about it? You out here 'turning out' more women than Iceberg Slim. The difference is, you are setting them on the path of building their self- esteem while teaching them how to build their hair care regimen. The comparison is not meant to be insulting. It is to highlight the POWER in what you are doing. I say, figure out how to get paid for it. Your information is valuable. I know, because I taught you that information. Perhaps you may want to consider how to get paid for what you are doing. You are providing a very valuable service. Consulting can always be done as a side hustle and in conjunction with your main job!

 

[Chicoro]

FYI - this post was directly responsible for getting me to up and spontaneously make some whipped shea. I haven't whipped it up before - not that I remember...I have evidence that I attempted Naptural85's whipped and fluffy shea mixes before but I don't remember how I did it (it was pre- any mixer I have now...) and it was so long ago that I don't remember how it came out. I clearly used it up but that's all I got....

Anyway, I kept it simple - shea and sweet almond oil (I wanted to do jojoba, but didn't have much in the house). I used an immersion blender. Either the 2018 thread or Nap85 (or both) spoke to the differences between whisk/immersion/the beaters in the gif below. I'll have to revisit that comparison...

My mix came out very light and smooth. I didn't measure my ingredients - I used about 1 - 1.5 cups of shea butter and covered it (tall narrow-ish container) with the sweet almond oil - maybe half to 3/4 cup...I doubt it was more than that. We'll see how my hair likes it and I will adjust from there.

I don't have a starting picture - I can take one but I am in deep need of a trim right now so it would be kind of pointless, but I will try to make a point of tracking after I get a trim if not sooner (I may decide to take a pre-trim shot afterall...).

Okay...I'm officially in it now...

Shea butter got you.

 

[caribeandiva]

@caribeandiva said:

"Last Friday, I was at McDonald’s with a coworker. She’s an early 30 something Jamaican. She’s natural. From the time I met her I knew her hair was damaged. I could tell it was very dry. It had that gray cast look to it (you know the look) that hair that is dying of thirst has. It’s around ear length (maybe SL) right now. I’ve seen her glance at my hair from time to time but she’s never said anything."


@Chicoro asked using a previous post:

Is her name Sheila? Because...

How Sheila be looking at your hair, with her weave , when you walk away with your gorgeous , fluffy, twist out done on your REAL hair. Don't be stingy, though. Drop some knowledge and some Shea on Sheila. There's plenty of both to go around.

I knew I had to post my story when you mentioned Sheila a few days ago!! Her name’s not Sheila though and she’s not nosy at all. Total sweetheart. She’s an even bigger extrovert than me (If such a thing could exist)!

 

[caribeandiva]

For real though, have you considered making some money off of your process? I'm not talking about following your passion and the money will come idea. I'm talking about consciously CHARGING MONEY and following and seeking money purposely, so the money will come! How you can make a business, I don't know. But, have you thought about it? You out here 'turning out' more women than Iceberg Slim. The difference is, you are setting them on the path of building their self- esteem while teaching them how to build their hair care regimen. The comparison is not meant to be insulting. It is to highlight the POWER in what you are doing. I say, figure out how to get paid for it. Your information is valuable. I know, because I taught you that information. Perhaps you may want to consider how to get paid for what you are doing. You are providing a very valuable service. Consulting can always be done as a side hustle and in conjunction with your main job!

I didn’t think of that. But now I am...

 

[ItsMeLilLucky]

Ladies, if you’re gonna neglect your hair definitely use Shea Butter

I don’t remember when I put my faux locs in, but I just took them down yesterday, and took my actual hair down today. A lot of the hair I removed had the white bulb on it and less breakage than I expected. And that’s with me just completely neglecting my hair for probably a week lol.

 

[ItsMeLilLucky]

Also I forgot to mention that I trimmed my hair before I installed my faux locs (maybe an inch or two?) and it has seemed like it grew back to the length it was and finally reached my eyebrow lol I’m gonna take a picture in a bit. I’m just really tired and don’t feel like washing my hair right now lol.

 

[IDareT'sHair]

@caribeandiva

Each One. Teach One.

Glad you dropped that knowledge.

 

[sunflora]

I almost feel like it would be a crime to charge people for hair advice. First of all, all of the information is out on the internet for free. Some time and research is all it takes. Second, nobody should have to pay to learn about how to care for their hair. It was hard enough for us to figure out back before the internet had a huge wave of haircare resources. Charging a woman to teach her how to grow her hair just seems like taking advantage of her IMO.

I think it is very kind to share with someone how to care for their hair, and the excitement and hope you gave her. A woman's mane is her pride and joy after all, and when it is beautiful, she feels beautiful too.

 

[caribeandiva]

I almost feel like it would be a crime to charge people for hair advice. First of all, all of the information is out on the internet for free. Some time and research is all it takes. Second, nobody should have to pay to learn about how to care for their hair. It was hard enough for us to figure out back before the internet had a huge wave of haircare resources. Charging a woman to teach her how to grow her hair just seems like taking advantage of her IMO.

I think it is very kind to share with someone how to care for their hair, and the excitement and hope you gave her. A woman's mane is her pride and joy after all, and when it is beautiful, she feels beautiful too.

I totally see your point. I also see Chicoro’s point. Honestly right now I don’t mind doing it for free. @Chicoro didn’t charge me a dime to help me out with my hair regimen. Even though she’s a top selling author, hair expert and researcher. So I see it as my way of paying it forward because of how grateful I am. I want to give them the same joy and excitement I felt when I got a hand up! They pay me in love, gratitude and friendship.

 

[Bun Mistress]

Um hello is this mic on?

I made my first whipped Shea butter tonight. I had no idea what the hype was about until now. dang. DANG.

 

[Silverstreaks]

Preserving every Bit of Growth and Length Gain from Queen Shea Usage


Yesterday, my ends were 'tangly'. I thought it was karma from my ends. You know I had boldly said, "I tell my ends when to be cut, not the other way I round. I control when I need and want to trim my ends."

I thought my hair was putting me back in my place and letting me know IT was still running things.

But, that was not the case. I think my scraggly hairs have dropped in length again. Hence, due to the new , thinner and longer hairs, those hairs tangle more easily. Once more hair starts to drop in length and thicken up those thinner ends, then, the tangling becomes less of a problem.

I wanted to share with you all what I am doing that is allowing me to retain every single, little hair I grow and retain that length of it, too.

It's my Ends Routine! (I know I've shared it before...but still...)

At night, I wet 1/2 of the lower part of each braid. Then, I slather it with castor oil. Remember now, my braids have already been well saturated in Shea butter. Then, I pull the braids to the top of my head...perhaps I am trying to simulate the look of a unicorn [just playing...sort of.] because it bothers me in the back of my head when I try to sleep with that 'bump' back there.

I just wrap the hair around itself and then using a knee-hi, I secure the bun. Then, I put on that same baggie I was wearing during the day, over the top of the bun. I tie it with the ends of the knee-hi or add another one. It takes me 2 minutes to do it. I put a bonnet over all of this but the bonnet is usually on the floor 95% of the time when I wake up in the morning.

It is NOT SEXY looking! Some of ya'll wake up looking better than Beyonce. I am not one of those women. In fact, I don't even go to sleep at night looking sexy. But, that's okay.


Picture 1: When I wake up, the front of my hair is still nice and neat. I woke up like this!
My braids are moist and kind of gummy, but I like it like that. That's 8 hours of protection.
This is why I think I am able to preserve and save [almost] every amount of growth and gain
that I receive.
View attachment 442131


Picture 2: For me it's so easy and effective. I really think
this is a huge part of me being able to 'see' and notice the length gains
every 2 months, no matter how minuscule those gains are.
Those tiny length gains help keep me inspired and encouraged
on my hair journey. We all know it's not the set-backs that
doom us, it's the giving up and quitting that does.

View attachment 442133

Everything doesn't work for everybody. I'm sharing this here and perhaps
you can try it as is, modify it to fit your hair, or use it to get an AHA! for how
you can optimize the protection of your hair.

I just might start doing that again to see if it works better with my current routine and products. February 1st is my 10 year anniversary in starting my hair journey to longer, healthier hair. I’m slowly getting to my initial goal of waist length. I hope to go even much further than that.

 

[Chicoro]

Um hello is this mic on?

I made my first whipped Shea butter tonight. I had no idea what the hype was about until now. dang. DANG.

What was your experience with your first batch of your very own whipped Shea butter?

 

[caribeandiva]

Um hello is this mic on?

I made my first whipped Shea butter tonight. I had no idea what the hype was about until now. dang. DANG.

Even us all the way in the back of the room heard you.

 

[caribeandiva]

First of all, all of the information is out on the internet for free. Some time and research is all it takes. Second, nobody should have to pay to learn about how to care for their hair. It was hard enough for us to figure out back before the internet had a huge wave of haircare resources. Charging a woman to teach her how to grow her hair just seems like taking advantage of her IMO.

To add to what I posted earlier and for further clarification let me expand on it some more. Yes, I agree with you that the information is out there for free on here, YouTube and hair books at public libraries. The problem is it’s A LOT of information to sort through. It can be overwhelming. Where do you begin? Plus the some of the women who need this info are not very tech savvy, are recent immigrants from poor countries, or don’t know enough access to the resources mentioned above. Let’s be honest most black women with kinky hair have resigned themselves to having damaged hair that never grows or rely on fake hair. If you know your hair will never grow because that’s what you’ve seen around you your whole life you won’t even THINK to seek out info on how to change that. What difference will it make?

That’s where @Chicoro ’s idea for a business comes in. There’s nothing like the human touch. Someone guiding you one on one through this. Someone who cares, who’s been in your shoes, knows your struggles and has overcome them triumphantly. People will pay for that! It really could be a good side hustle. So if any entrepreneurial ladies are reading this, go for it! Ive got a lot on my plate right now so that’s a no go for me right now.

 

[VictoriousBrownFlower]

I whipped up a new batch of shea with hemp seed, avocado, jojoba, and jbco infused with a dried herb mix of Horsetail, Stinging Nettle, Oatstraw, Rosehips, Burdock Root, Fenugreek Seeds & Rosemary. I'll wash my hair next wk sometime and use it. Can;t wait!!!!

 

[fluffyforever]

This morning I took down my braids, applied some more whipped shea, then rebraided. I wasn't planning on doing that but I was at my parents house and I saw my mom's jar of whipped shea just sitting there, begging me to to slather it all over my head. I did. And it felt good.

 

[Chicoro]

Stand back everyone, stand back! The Queen of the LHCF Unicorns is afoot. Hello @Nay! When are you going to post a picture of that hair for us. That is statement, thus, I left off the question mark.

*Taps foot, crosses arms and continues to add another minute to the already 8 years of wait time, for picture from @Nay.*

 

[Jas123]

I almost feel like it would be a crime to charge people for hair advice. First of all, all of the information is out on the internet for free. Some time and research is all it takes. Second, nobody should have to pay to learn about how to care for their hair. It was hard enough for us to figure out back before the internet had a huge wave of haircare resources. Charging a woman to teach her how to grow her hair just seems like taking advantage of her IMO.

I think it is very kind to share with someone how to care for their hair, and the excitement and hope you gave her. A woman's mane is her pride and joy after all, and when it is beautiful, she feels beautiful too.

I disagree. People charge for consultations ALL THE TIME, what's does it matter whether it's a hair consultation or a business consultation or a relationship consultation etc... Also, women pay to get there hair done all the time, why not pay to learn how to do your own hair to promote health and growth. Women, specifically black women, need to learn how to monetize their knowledge. There's a chick right now on ig who gives consultation, for pay, on how to style, coordinate and put together outfits. I don't knock her hustle. There's tons of services to provide and people who will pay for said services.

eta Also, even though ladies like the board members, myself included, here may not be willing to pay, I'm sure there are many who would.

 

[Bun Mistress]

What was your experience with your first batch of your very own whipped Shea butter?

Amazing. No really I didn't think it would be that light. I tried it because my edges were dry when I woke up the other morning. I ended up using the whipped butter and water on the length of my hair.

 

[MizzBFly]

I want to thank you ladies... I’ve moisturized and Shea’d all this week. I’ve stopped handling my ends so rough to manifest more care to the leading hairs, thanks @Chicoro
Tonight I redid the front perimeter of twists & the shed hairs slid right out in addition, my ends felt amazing. It’s humbling in a sense I can’t explain.
*I* or rather-my whole family, kids included have been using whipped Shea for over a year on our bodies ( the kids love it, dipping their fingers through the Shea, feeling and smelling buttery...lol yet I really thought the butter just doesn’t work for my hair although it is the *first* ingredient I look for listed as one of the top 3 listed in products.
My hair does.not.like.coconut.oil
Shea on the body is great! I have completely transformed the texture my feet (soles) after frequenting over zealous nail salons. My cracked heel is no more and the flexibility, softness of my feet (soles) returned

 

[Nay]

Stand back everyone, stand back! The Queen of the LHCF Unicorns is afoot. Hello @Nay! When are you going to post a picture of that hair for us. That is statement, thus, I left off the question mark.

*Taps foot, crosses arms and continues to add another minute to the already 8 years of wait time, for picture from @Nay.*

Chicoro, you are silly.

Nowadays, my hair doesn't feel all that photo ready. I swear as I've gotten older it has gotten -- I don't know. It just seems less voluminous and not as "special." I still have my good days, but I feel like my best hair days are behind me I don't shed a lot of hair, yet my hair seems thinner and softer.

But I promise if I have a really good hair day, I will take a picture and post it. But I'm more of an old princess now, instead of a queen

 

[divinefavor]

You all my hair is still looking great since getting a blow out two Saturdays ago. I've been using Shea butter mixed with a little pumpkin seed oil and pin curling at night. My hair is sooooo soft. I'm going to miss my hair, as I'm going back to the protective crochet bob tomorrow morning. I'm going to wash, condition, blow dry, and slather in Shea butter before going to the salon tomorrow.