caribeandiva
Human being
Thank youno makeup tired and frizzy but still smizing with the best of them. U look great!!!!
Thank youno makeup tired and frizzy but still smizing with the best of them. U look great!!!!
As you ladies know I got my hair cut in March 2019. It was needed after not going to the salon for over 2 years. I stopped posting progress pics or measurements because I need more taken off as I progressively get rid of my damaged thin ends from the past. I should be done by September with that. I saw no point in measuring my hair for that reason. Anyway, I kept my hair straight for a month and washed it out in April. That’s when I took the before shot. I made good progress for 2 months! I have my next appointment today and I’ll see what my stylist has to say about the condition of my hair overall now. She was worried about my hair being dry because of protein overload. I have done zero protein treatments since and only focused on moisture.
View attachment 447897
You’re right! I was so focused on length that I didn’t even noticeCome through!!! Even your braid is thicker!
As you ladies know I got my hair cut in March 2019. It was needed after not going to the salon for over 2 years. I stopped posting progress pics or measurements because I need more taken off as I progressively get rid of my damaged thin ends from the past. I should be done by September with that. I saw no point in measuring my hair for that reason. Anyway, I kept my hair straight for a month and washed it out in April. That’s when I took the before shot. I made good progress for 2 months! I have my next appointment today and I’ll see what my stylist has to say about the condition of my hair overall now. She was worried about my hair being dry because of protein overload. I have done zero protein treatments since and only focused on moisture.
View attachment 447897
Okay been using the shea nilotica for about a month now, and man that stuff is the TRUTH. Hair is so shiny and moist after I seal with it. I didn't think I would notice much of a difference between the nilotica and ivory shea, but they are quite different. Both are great, but the nilotica takes my hair to another level.
I got my hair did tonight... and promptly got caught in the rain. I swear I should start charging for my services in areas where they are having droughts: “I know it hasn’t rained here in decades, but if you pay me $50 I’ll go get my hair done and as soon as I do it’ll be raining. Trust.” On the bright side no trims were needed. We’re gonna start regular trims as needed from now on until all the old hair is gone naturally. No more drastic cuts like last time.
View attachment 447919
I neglected trimming my ends for almost a year and when I finally got to it today my hair was mostly in pretty good shape. I only had to trim about an inch (stretched) from most parts, no more than 1.5" anywhere. I mostly credit that to using Shea butter.
I neglected trimming my ends for almost a year and when I finally got to it today my hair was mostly in pretty good shape. I only had to trim about an inch (stretched) from most parts, no more than 1.5" anywhere. I mostly credit that to using Shea butter.
Do you think the Nilotica butter is penetrating your hair better? Or, is there something in it that is giving your hair even more support that you need?
That's an interesting question. Now that I think about it, I can say that the nilotica does seem to sink in a little faster than the ivory. I'll pay more attention to it next wash day and let you know. I'd be curious to know if the nilotica composition is different than the other varieties. Off to research.
Do you think the Nilotica butter is penetrating your hair better? Or, is there something in it that is giving your hair even more support that you need?
Good information, thanks for sharing!Although I have not tried it, it is probably yes and no. Nilotica Shea butter contains a higher amount of oleic acid, which is what its creamy texture and moisturizing properties are attributed to. Additionally, the hardness of West African Shea butter can be attributed to the stearic acid content, which is present in a higher amount than in the Nilotica variety. However, there are multiple oils (Avocado and Olive) that contain a higher amount of oleic acid than both of such butters and can be easily whipped with the West African variety to produce a creamy mixture and moisturizing properties-- a fact that I am sure that you are well aware of!
I personally believe that the East African variety is likely the better choice when used on its own based on its ease of application (however, I doubt that it has the hold that West African Shea butter does), but there is no such need if the butter is to be whipped with other oils-- especially when considering the cost difference in favor of the West African variety. The oleic acid content in a whipped butter will probably be similar if not higher, on average, in comparison to unrefined, non-whipped Nilotica Shea butter. Lastly, both still contain vitamins A and E, whereas other oils contain other vitamins and antioxidants that may be beneficial to hair. Either way, it may be practical to mix the Shea butter with some other beneficial oils.
For more reading:
Contents of fatty acids found in several samples of West African Shea butter: http://www.agbangakarite.com/science_bulksheabutter.php
Factsheet about Nilotica Shea butter: https://dlgnaturals-bw.com/Nilotica Shea Butter-Technical Data.pdf
Naturally Curly's very own article about the properties of oleic acid: https://www.naturallycurly.com/curl...inoleic-acid-the-reason-you-love-oils-so-much
Been reading through these posts all day...think I’ll see what Shea can do for me...off to buy some 3CayG Nilotica Shea...
Although I have not tried it, it is probably yes and no. Nilotica Shea butter contains a higher amount of oleic acid, which is what its creamy texture and moisturizing properties are attributed to. Additionally, the hardness of West African Shea butter can be attributed to the stearic acid content, which is present in a higher amount than in the Nilotica variety. However, there are multiple oils (Avocado and Olive) that contain a higher amount of oleic acid than both of such butters and can be easily whipped with the West African variety to produce a creamy mixture and moisturizing properties-- a fact that I am sure that you are well aware of!
I personally believe that the East African variety is likely the better choice when used on its own based on its ease of application (however, I doubt that it has the hold that West African Shea butter does), but there is no such need if the butter is to be whipped with other oils-- especially when considering the cost difference in favor of the West African variety. The oleic acid content in a whipped butter will probably be similar if not higher, on average, in comparison to unrefined, non-whipped Nilotica Shea butter. Lastly, both still contain vitamins A and E, whereas other oils contain other vitamins and antioxidants that may be beneficial to hair. Either way, it may be practical to mix the Shea butter with some other beneficial oils.
For more reading:
Contents of fatty acids found in several samples of West African Shea butter: http://www.agbangakarite.com/science_bulksheabutter.php
Factsheet about Nilotica Shea butter: https://dlgnaturals-bw.com/Nilotica Shea Butter-Technical Data.pdf
Naturally Curly's very own article about the properties of oleic acid: https://www.naturallycurly.com/curl...inoleic-acid-the-reason-you-love-oils-so-much
I didn’t notice that! Yay!!Oh, forgot to say that there are sections of hair that are about four (4) inches beyond your collarbone. Did you notice that?
I didn’t notice that! Yay!!
I called my stylist the same day my hair got ruined and she offered to fix it the next day!! For free! She lightly re-ironed it, said she’ll trim next time and it was all good. I worked outside all weekend and the humidity got me so I put my hair in a ponytail. I took it down to take this shot. You can really see the thin ends here.
View attachment 448007
You can really see the leading strands on the sideAhm... hair doesn't grow thick like a weave track. It drops down in length strand by strand. The hair needs time to thicken up. But, dang, L'il Bamboo your hair looks to be 1.5 to 2 inches longer in the June photo! And, your head is leaning FORWARD in the June photo, making you look like you have less length than you really do.
How many inches are you from armpit length?You can really see the leading strands on the side
View attachment 448011
View media item 130243View media item 130239 Late to the party but here are my starting length pics taken at the end of April. I have been using a homemade growth oil that contains Shea oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, aloe vera oil, and avocado oil, infused with Moringa leaves, aloe powder, alma, bringraj, brahmi, bamboo and Rose powders for the past year. I’ve got my 3CayG Shea Nilotica on the way and I have some shea butter and shea nut oil to use until it arrives. I’ll be using rose water for moisture and sealing with a combo of the butter and oil whipped. Thanks for all the useful info in this thread!
I've been using an almond oil and shea mix on dd1. Works really well for her.I love the Almond Oil 3cayG has.
Mixes perfectly with pretty much anything.
Haven’t bought the Nilotica yet, but if it matches up to my other favorite butters I’ll be using it for quite a while as my current go to.
So far the almond oil and Shea Butter mix I have has been preserving my Indigo color treatment really well. My hair has never been shinier or softer.
I can’t deny myself Herbal Essences Hello Hydration any longer and bought three bottles of it. Going all the way back to the OG product.
To be honest it’s the best leave in for my hair, and I’m secretly a silicone addict. But my Shea Butter gets along so well with the leave in that I have had no need to detangle.
I legit haven’t detangled in almost a month, and for the most part, when I go to moisturize and seal second day hair, I can get through my hair with such ease. So I’ve just been washing, conditioning, and then sealing.
I’ll measure when I get homeHow many inches are you from armpit length?
Gorgeous hair!!View media item 130243View media item 130239 Late to the party but here are my starting length pics taken at the end of April. I have been using a homemade growth oil that contains Shea oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, aloe vera oil, and avocado oil, infused with Moringa leaves, aloe powder, alma, bringraj, brahmi, bamboo and Rose powders for the past year. I’ve got my 3CayG Shea Nilotica on the way and I have some shea butter and shea nut oil to use until it arrives. I’ll be using rose water for moisture and sealing with a combo of the butter and oil whipped. Thanks for all the useful info in this thread!
Thanks! I hennaed for years then switched to semi perm auburn dye but decided to go back to my natural blonde in 2017. The lighter ends are from the color removal process. I sometimes miss my red hair.View media item 124729View media item 125999Your hair color is fabulous !