Shea Growth And Retention Regimen 2019

[Sarabellam]

Few questions to anyone who wants to share - any learnings from whipping up your own shea mixes in the prior year? Which specific oils do you like/dislike in your mixes? Do any of you bother to melt down the shea before whipping or do you find that is an unnecessary step? What is your staple mix?

I have a cheap hand mixer. To get a smooth consistency I whip the shea by its self first. I found this leads to fewer small lumps in the final product.

I only add 2 oils, castor (JBCO) and safflower (ceramide). I add enough oils to get a frosting like consistency.

If you aren’t sure about what Shea mix to make I’d recommend starting off slow with small 2-3 ingredient mixtures. And make your recipe more complicated over time. This way you can learn what your hair really likes and can avoid feeling like you have to buy a certain oil when it’s not actually adding much benefit.

 

[sunflora]

How is the pillowcase/satin bonnet/scarf situation with these Shea mixes?

Lol @ that gif!! I don't have any issues at all, but as I've mentioned I don't use very heavily. Still, I don't find shea greasy, my low po hair seems to absorb it (literally the only thing my hair absorbs) and I believe that's due to the ceramide content.

http://science-yhairblog.blogspot.com/2013/06/oils-which-ones-soak-in-vs-coat-hair.html

Shea butter is categorized as 98% composed of 'lipids less than 18 carbons long', which are small enough to seep into cuticles.

 

[Chicoro]

How is the pillowcase/satin bonnet/scarf situation with these Shea mixes?

My stuff is greasy. At night I put a towel on my bed. During the day I wear a baggie to protect my ends.

 

[Artemis24]

My starting point. I'll try to measure the same way every time. I hope I can get some back pictures next wash day. My nape surprised me by being MBL instead of BSL. Last time I flatironed, maybe 3 months ago, I was full BSL but not really touching MBL. My nape is now level with my navel when stretched. I think I'll be hip length by the end of the year.

via Imgflip Meme Generator

@Chicoro Is this better? It's my first time trying to upload anything since the forum upgrade so idk what I'm doing.

 

[Chicoro]

via Imgflip Meme Generator

@Chicoro Is this better? It's my first time trying to upload anything since the forum upgrade so idk what I'm doing.

Yes, baby, we can see the ends of you hair. Your hair is long, too! Good job. This will be a good starting point for YOU, so you can see how far you have come in December 2019.

 

[Chicoro]

@ElevatedEnergy ,

You've started something now! I went and got some coffee beans. I don't even drink coffee. They were in a dispenser bin in the health store and it was empty. So I took the 'display beans' that were covered and protected.



I put in mostly whole beans, then ground up some of them
in my blender. I put them in a glass jar with some sunflower
oil. Then, I put in some ground beans like you said.






I put some water in a boiler and put my jar into the water. It smelled so delicious while I was grinding it and spooning it into the oil filled, glass jar. I have it on low heat now. Then, I will store it in a dark place for about two weeks. After that, I will make an oil that I can blend in my Shea butter for my body!

I'm so excited!

Hurry up coffee bean oil so I can make my Shea butter blend.

 

[ElevatedEnergy]

I've been wearing my hair in a low bantu knot bun for the last 2 weeks, so I transitioned it into a Shea filled braid last night.



Pinned it up of course....too cold to be trying to wear my hair down.



Excuse the yellow outline...it's from my bathroom lights behind me.

I put even more Shea on the braid even though it didnt need it. I know I wont be touching my hair for another full week, so I wanted it exxxxxxtra greasy.

 

[ElevatedEnergy]

@ElevatedEnergy ,

You've started something now! I went and got some coffee beans. I don't even drink coffee. There were in a dispenser bin in the health store and it was empty. So I took the 'display beans' that were covered and protected.

View attachment 440789

I put in mostly whole beans, then ground up some of them
in my blender. I put them in a glass jar with some sunflower
oil. Then, I put in some ground beans like you said.

View attachment 440793


View attachment 440795

It smelled so delicious while I was making it. I have it on low heat. Then, I will store it in a dark place for about two weeks. After that, I will make an oil that I can blend in my Shea butter for my body!

I'm so excited!

Hurry up coffee bean oil so I can make my Shea butter blend.

I'm excited for you! Woot Woot!

 

[ElevatedEnergy]

@ElevatedEnergy, yasssss thank you sis! Prayerfully from your lips to God's ears...you let me get some bootie hair, 2 or 3 times per year when I straighten I'm going be a mess in these streets! Or pregnant cause DH stay chasing when my hair down...hmmm might need to reduce straightening to 1 or 2 times cause I ain't making no more babies!!!

@Daina I call dibs on being e-God Mother, cause you know when our menzzzz get to chasing us....it's hard to resist.

*says this 3 later*

 

[Chicoro]

I've been wearing my hair in a low bantu knot bun for the last 2 weeks, so I transitioned it into a Shea filled braid last night.

View attachment 440799

Pinned it up of course....too cold to be trying to wear my hair down.

View attachment 440801

Excuse the yellow outline...it's from my bathroom lights behind me.

I put even more Shea on the braid even though it didnt need it. I know I wont be touching my hair for another full week, so I wanted it exxxxxxtra greasy.

That braid is so thick and long. It looks fake! A hallmark of Shea Made Hair: otherworldly, length and thickness.


Who else wants that? A braid that doesn't look real.
*raises hand with unbridled enthusiasm:

"Oh, oh, me! I do!"

Digs in jar for two handfuls more of Shea butter mix and slathers vigorously over already greasy hair on head, from root to tip.

 

[GettingKinky]

Okay, thank you. I need to research what is demi and how is it different than semi.

Demi-permanent color has a little peroxide to lift the cuticle before depositing the color. It’s supposed to last around 20 washes.

But now that I think abuout it, I don’t have any new gray growth around my hair line and it’s been almost 8 weeks since I had my hair dyed. Maybe the SB is actually preventing my hair from growing in gray. If that’s the case, I’m all the way in and I need to get better coverage when I use it. I think my mix is a bit thick. I’m going to add more oil next batch.

 

[sunflora]

Washed and set my hair today. As an experiment, instead of doing LCO + SB on the ends, I slid everything to the right and used my GF Legendary Olive as my leave-in, then whipped shea as my cream and followed with an oil. I'll see in a day how my hair comes out.

 

[Chicoro]

Demi-permanent color has a little peroxide to lift the cuticle before depositing the color. It’s supposed to last around 20 washes.

But now that I think abuout it, I don’t have any new gray growth around my hair line and it’s been almost 8 weeks since I had my hair dyed. Maybe the SB is actually preventing my hair from growing in gray. If that’s the case, I’m all the way in and I need to get better coverage when I use it. I think my mix is a bit thick. I’m going to add more oil next batch.

Hmmm... the plot thickens! That's quite interesting there. Can we continue to ask questions about your dye process, results and Shea butter? Not saying you should become a ....

But...I have no idea WHY Shea would be turning gray hair back to black. This is so interesting.
Most people have been delaying their dye process because the hair color is not fading. Now, you are saying that hair that used to grow in gray may be starting to grow in black again! Keep documenting for us, please!

 

[syrk]

I have a cheap hand mixer. To get a smooth consistency I whip the shea by its self first. I found this leads to fewer small lumps in the final product.

I only add 2 oils, castor (JBCO) and safflower (ceramide). I add enough oils to get a frosting like consistency.

If you aren’t sure about what Shea mix to make I’d recommend starting off slow with small 2-3 ingredient mixtures. And make your recipe more complicated over time. This way you can learn what your hair really likes and can avoid feeling like you have to buy a certain oil when it’s not actually adding much benefit.

This is great advice, thank you. I only did sweet almond oil for my first mix, but I was planning on adding a bunch of stuff for my next one. I'll keep it simple, I might just add one addl oil. Ceramides in safflower oil, you say? That might have to be it.

 

[Chicoro]

To Shea Made Hair Unicorns, those in the making and those not yet decided:

Clean your pipes to avoid clogs! ​

Be sure to treat your sinks. Baking soda mixed with white vinegar, followed by hot water can help keep those pipes clog free. You can also use a cleanser made for pipes as a preventative process, too. Some cleansers are recommended to be used on a weekly or monthly basis. Please don't wait until you get a clog. Plastic pipes are more fragile than metal pipes. Please respect your plumbing. You don't want to put something to eat through the clog AND your pipes.

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
~Benjamin Franklin~ (written a long time ago)
​

Night, night ya'll!

 

[Chicoro]

@ElevatedEnergy ,

This is the last time I'm going to bug you for the night. Can you please explain, one more time for us, what is a ceramide oil, give us some name of some examples of ceramide oils and the important impact they have on our hair and our Shea mixtures, please? I'll leave you alone until tomorrow.

 

[ElevatedEnergy]

For all new to mixing and asking for advice: Hope this helps.

My Whipped Shea Recipe & Process

16 ounces Shea butter
16 ounces oil
1/2 ounce fragrance oil

Melt Shea using double boiler method
Add in oil & Fragrance
Place in Freezer for 40 minutes

Whip for 8 minutes, scrape sides and re-whip for 2 minutes. This amount should last you a long time....probably the entire year.







*Use whatever oil your hair likes. I know my hair prefers Ceramide Rich oils so thats what I use. There is no right or wrong oils to mix with.
*I have a professional standing mixer, so whipping times may vary with a hand mixer

 

[ElevatedEnergy]

@ElevatedEnergy ,

This is the last time I'm going to bug you for the night. Can you please explain, one more time for us, what is a ceramide oil, give us some name of some examples of ceramide oils and the important impact they have on our hair and our Shea mixtures, please? I'll leave you alone until tomorrow.

There is a thread here talking all about Ceramides. I'll search & link it Hold on one sec

 

[ElevatedEnergy]

I did a search and found my own post on the 1st page of the old Shea thread LOL Here is a summary:


Ceramide Rich Oils and Shea Butter Tutorial(courtesy of @ElevatedEnergy ) Sure! You know I got my Shea Siblings! I love Ceramide rich oils and have been using them consistently in my routine for close to 3 years after being inspired by this particular thread and the OP documenting her progress.

https://longhaircareforum.com/threa...mony-and-the-evolution-of-my-bun-pics.488440/

And this:

http://www.bellemocha.com/2010/01/stronger-cuticle-layer-with-ceramides.html

I would highly recommend reading those but for a quick wrap up of them both: Ceramides are the "glue" that bind the cuticle and the cortex of the hair together. It helps in the prevention of split ends. Ceramides help protect the cuticle layer of the hair which in turn slows down moisture and protein loss. They are high in linoleic acid and helps to flatten the cuticle. When cuticles lay flat; hair is shinier, retains moisture better, feels smoother, porosity and elasticity are improved.

For my own personal experience, the biggest change I noticed right away was the difference in my split ends. I was transitioning and was dealing with tons of splits. Once I started using the ceramides, it was almost as if the splits just repaired themselves and I haven't had an issue with splits since.

My favorite Ceramide Oil hands down is Safflower Oil and I use it on my hair and face. However, here is a list of some Oils and their ceramide percentages:
Safflower oil 78%
Grape seed oil 73%
Poppy seed oil 70%
Sunflower oil 68%
Hemp oil 60%
Corn oil 59%
Wheat germ oil 55%
Cottonseed oil 54%
Soybean oil 51%
Walnut oil 51%
Sesame oil 45%
Rice bran oil 39%
Pistachio oil 32.7%
Peanut oil 32%
Canola oil 21%
Egg yolk 16%
Linseed oil 15%
Lard 10%
Olive oil 10%
Palm oil 10%
Cocoa butter 3%
Macadamia oil 2%
Butter 2%

 

[Chicoro]

Somebody can't log off...that would be me. I have to do things when I remember or they won't get done. So, I'm back.

Measuring Your Hair
​

All of our heads are different, but yet in many ways they are the same. Up thread, I noticed some of us were having some struggles with measuring. Don't worry. Just do the best you can.

The method I've adopted is to measure my hair in the same bantus every time. My left and right sides of my head tend to be congruent, if not the same. I take a picture and label my head. I started out by doing a drawing. Then, I got the idea to take a photo and label it electronically.

I divide my hair into right side and left side.
Then, I divide my bantus by numbering them. I also label them as:

Right side

• front crown #1
• front side burns #2
• back crown #3
• back nape #4

Left side

• front crown #1
• front side burns #2
• back crown #3
• back nape #4

Right Side of Head:


​

If this seems "extra and obsessive", well that's because it is. But, I am so meticulous about measuring because so often, women with afro-textured hair have been deluged with information that says their hair is unattractive and doesn't grow. So, when you measure like this, and when you get growth, those [toxic] thoughts of self doubt can't argue with this concrete information.

If you measure casually or haphazardly, and you get a gain, it will be TOO EASY to dismiss it as a figment of your imagination, a fluke, or a misreading of the measuring tape, or just some stray hair. Don't do it.

WE TEND to TREASURE WHAT WE MEASURE!

So treasure your precious hair and your precious selves. You don't have to post anything here.
You are always encouraged and welcomed to celebrate and toot your own horn, here!
If you measure, perhaps it will help you to believe in the magic of what your fabulous
afro-textured hair can achieve with a little assistance from Queen Shea.

Believe in the Magic of You, Your Hair and Queen Shea!

​

I'm going to bed FOR REAL this time!

​

 

[GettingKinky]

Hmmm... the plot thickens! That's quite interesting there. Can we continue to ask questions about your dye process, results and Shea butter? Not saying you should become a ....

But...I have no idea WHY Shea would be turning gray hair back to black. This is so interesting.
Most people have been delaying their dye process because the hair color is not fading. Now, you are saying that hair that used to grow in gray may be starting to grow in black again! Keep documenting for us, please!

Ask away. I’m definitely curious about this.

 

[GGsKin]

...

 

[GGsKin]

Somebody can't log off...that would be me. I have to do things when I remember or they won't get done. So, I'm back.

Measuring Your Hair
​

All of our heads are different, but yet in many ways they are the same. Up thread, I noticed some of us were having some struggles with measuring. Don't worry. Just do the best you can.

The method I've adopted is to measure my hair in the same bantus every time. My left and right sides of my head tend to be congruent, if not the same. I take a picture and label my head. I started out by doing a drawing. Then, I got the idea to take a photo and label it electronically.

I divide my hair into right side and left side.
Then, I divide my bantus by numbering them. I also label them as:

Right side

• front crown #1
• front side burns #2
• back crown #3
• back nape #4

Left side

• front crown #1
• front side burns #2
• back crown #3
• back nape #4

Right Side of Head:

View attachment 440859
​

If this seems "extra and obsessive", well that's because it is. But, I am so meticulous about measuring because so often, women with afro-textured hair have been deluged with information that says their hair is unattractive and doesn't grow. So, when you measure like this, and when you get growth, those [toxic] thoughts of self doubt can't argue with this concrete information.

If you measure casually or haphazardly, and you get a gain, it will be TOO EASY to dismiss it as a figment of your imagination, a fluke, or a misreading of the measuring tape, or just some stray hair. Don't do it.

WE TEND to TREASURE WHAT WE MEASURE!

So treasure your precious hair and your precious selves. You don't have to post anything here.
You are always encouraged and welcomed to celebrate and toot your own horn, here!
If you measure, perhaps it will help you to believe in the magic of what your fabulous
afro-textured hair can achieve with a little assistance from Queen Shea.

Believe in the Magic of You, Your Hair and Queen Shea!

​

I'm going to bed FOR REAL this time!

​

I'm going to do this tonight. I haven't measured my hair properly in ages!

 

[Soaring Eagle]

Length check December 2017 vs January 2019

I promise that I am pulling a few strands of hair at the bottom of the right picture (thought it may not look like it.) Lol

I was barely touching my bra strap then, now my hair is comfortably passing BSL and I am actually bowing my head a bit.

I use Shea butter every wash day and when I am remoistursing my hair. I look forward to getting to even longer lengths this year.

 

[Lita]

To my Shea experts?

Is East African Shea butter more creamy in texture when whipped or West African Shea butter?

*I heard East African Shea Butter gives better whip appeal..I don’t know???????

Happy Hair Growing!

 

[divinefavor]

Sooo, I'm not on LHCF much anymore, especially not like I was back in the day. But I do lurk maybe once a month or so. I'll be doggone this here Shea thread, may reel me back in. I've been wearing my hair in a crochet bob protective style for about two years now. I usually wear the style for 6 weeks, then rest my hair for 1-2 weeks and back in the crochet bob it goes for another 6 weeks cycle. I want to do this challenge, but not sure how to incorporate the shea butter mixes when my hair is in a protective style most of the time.

 

[caribeandiva]

Actually, I didn't. (If I understand your point correctly. Sometimes I get confused. Excuse me!)

Remember what I've said before, naturals with super long hair have regimens that are uncannily similar. It's not because we copy one another, either!

I came up with my own regimen. I've been using it for two years. But, there was some fine tuning I was missing. Once I figured out the fine-tuning, I was able to see the same process across the board of other long-haired naturals. Prior to tweaking my own process, I couldn't see or didn't notice these fine points and similarities. I taught my process to you after I was sure it was working for me. The main difference was the addition of Shea butter. The rest, I've been doing for years, but without the fine tuning and tweaks, I was staying at or above waist length for years!

I just realized that i hasn’t explained myself. I thought you had helped her with her regimen too.

 

[IDareT'sHair]

@syrk
I usually make various 4oz Jars - but I use only one oil in my Mix (per 4oz Jars).

I've used (in no particular order):
Fractionated Coconut Oil
Hemp Seed Oil
Sweet Almond Oil
ED Jamaican Black Castor
Haitian Black Castor
Rice Bran
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Emu Oil
Pure Argan Oil
Black Seed Oil
Avocado Oil
Vitamin E Oil
Ayurveda Oils *various* Amla, Brahmi, Bhringraj etc....*

My Unrefined Shea is usually already soft, so I do not melt. I just whip with a hand-held mixture until frothy smooth.

 

[caribeandiva]

Sooo, I'm not on LHCF much anymore, especially not like I was back in the day. But I do lurk maybe once a month or so. I'll be doggone this here Shea thread, may reel me back in. I've been wearing my hair in a crochet bob protective style for about two years now. I usually wear the style for 6 weeks, then rest my hair for 1-2 weeks and back in the crochet bob it goes for another 6 weeks cycle. I want to do this challenge, but not sure how to incorporate the shea butter mixes when my hair is in a protective style most of the time.

Slather your hair with Shea before you get your crochet bob.

 

[sarumoki]

For my own personal experience, the biggest change I noticed right away was the difference in my split ends. I was transitioning and was dealing with tons of splits. Once I started using the ceramides, it was almost as if the splits just repaired themselves and I haven't had an issue with splits since.

I will chime in on this and say that a very long time ago I found a blog post by someone who claimed to have completely eliminated her split ends by using grapeseed oil on her ends every night which is high in ceramides. I will have to see if I can find it again.