I Thought My Hair Was Normal Porosity....WTF?

Hello lovelies!

Well here I am, 8 months natural and still learning all manner of new things about my hair. To be more specific: I'm learning that what was true for my relaxed/transitioning hair is not necessarily true for my natural hair.

Over the past 8 months, I have been the stereotypical wash and go natural because (let's face it), I'm lazy. However, one thing I have noticed is that my hair gets dry rather quickly. Like tumbleweed dry. I could put the most moisturizing of DCs and moisturizers in my hair and my hair would just soak that ish up. This really perplexed me for awhile because I am not used to my hair doing this. Then today I figured it out.

My hair is high porosity.


Waaayyyyy back at the start of my journey when my hair was relaxed and super damaged, my hair did this exact same 'soak up all the moisture' routine. With love and care, I got my hair to normal-ish porosity and moisturizing my hair wasn't a super big issue. The problem was, I have carried this routine with me even though the condition of my hair (going from relaxed to natural) has changed. I failed to adjust!!!

So what to do with this newfound knowledge? Well, I have to treat my hair like the high porosity hair that it is. I have a plan of action based on a few things I have noticed. Product-wise, thick DCs and moisturizers make my hair sing. Here are the products that are working thus far:

DCs
TGIN Honey Hair Mask
Camille Rose Algae Renew DC
Kandy Kurls Hair Mask
Alikay Naturals Honey and Sage DC
Shea Moisture Manuka Honey and Mafura Oil masque


Moisturizers
Oyin Hair Dew
Oyin Whipped Pudding
Camille Rose Moisture Milk
Kinky Curly Knot Today (I swear this product is bae)

See the trend here? My hair just doesn't respond well to thin DCs or moisturizers (I'm looking at you Mielle Organics Babbasu DC....my hair just laughed at it. Now it's sitting my my bathroom collecting dust. Same goes for liquid leave ins.....waste o'time). Now the trick is making sure my hair holds on to the moisture that I give it for longer than a few hours. Which brings me to my next point.......

I'm also not sure why I shifted from regularly using protein conditioners. I know their benefits in helping my hair hold on to moisture but for some reason I just stopped. In this sense, I need to get back to what I know works (Komaza Protein Treatment here I come!).

I also am willing to give the Shea Moisture High Porosity line a go. I've used the finishing elixir on my hair this week and I am noticing a difference in the appearance and moisture levels of my hair. I've also seen the rave reviews of the deep conditioner. I'll purchase it this weekend and give it a go.

So the moral of the story is this: you can be that natural that thinks being natural is enough for your hair so you don't have to do anything extra or you can be that natural who is so used to routine that you fail to adjust your routine to meet the new needs of your hair. Both ends of the spectrum are equally terrible and can result in much frustration. Thus, a big lesson my my natural journey that I'd give to any new natural is to 'ADJUST if you MUST!'

Just something to think about......

First Impressions: Creme of Nature with Argan Oil Moisturizing Milk Masque

Hello lovelies!

Today I am back with a product that I received in July's Curl Kit but I didn't get a chance to try it until recently. If you been following my transition ( and I know you have!), you know that I have mentioned how my new growth needs increasingly more moisture. My current mission has centered around finding super moisturizing products for my hair and let me tell you, this product definitely makes the cut!



Price: ~$6.99 for 11.4 oz +tax (from local BSS--I received mine from a Curl Kit I ordered)

Ingredients: Water (Water) (Eau), Glycerin, Dicetyldimonium Chloride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Parfum (Fragrance), Polyquaternium-37, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Cicaprylyl Carbonate, Mica, Cetrimonium Chloride, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Isopropyl Alcohol, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Argania Spinose Kernel Oil, Panthenol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Polysorbate 60, Dimethiconol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Ceteareth-20, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Acetate, Benzyl Benzoate, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylisothiazolinone, Cl77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Cl19140 (Yellow 5), Cl 14700 (red 4), Cl 42090 (Blue 1)

Their claims (per the label): No Frizz, No Shrinkage, No Dryness! It's time to reclaim healthy curls with our Moisturizing Milk Masque, packed with repairing nutrients from Argan Oil and Argan Butter. This essential deep treatment is formulated for all curl types to strengthen, restore, and hydrate distressed hair, preventing damage.

*No: Sulfates, Parabens, Mineral Oil, Petrolatum*

**Perfect for: Deep Conditioning or Co-Washing**

I have to admit that I was excited to use this product because it says that it is for all curl types and transitioners. As someone who is 8 (almost 9 months) into their transition, I really wanted to see how beneficial this product would be for my hair. I used this product as a deep conditioner, immediately following my protein treatment with Komaza Protein Strengthener. I applied this to my hair in sections (to ensure that every part of my hair got the moisturizing goodness) and DCed with a heat cap for about an hour.

When I first opened the product, I couldn't believe how thick this conditioner is! It really is like a butter! I initially thought that with my hair and the thickness of this conditioner, I was going to run through that jar in a wash and a half. To my surprise, a little really went a long way! This conditioner spreads easily and my hair absorbs it with no problem. I can see one jar lasting me 4-5 washes (since I wash my hair weekly, about a month).

As far as smell goes, this product smells like any other Creme of Nature with Argan Oil product---kinda sweet, kinda medicinal. The smell doesn't bother me too much and it goes away once you rinse the product out of your hair. It may bother those who are sensitive to scents, however. If you look at the ingredients, you see that fragrance is pretty high up in the list (it's the 5th ingredient!!). This means that there is a scent and a lot of it. So for my scent sensitive folks...you've been warned!

Another potential red flag is that this product contains isopropyl alcohol and it's high in the ingredient listing (the 12th ingredient). Isopropyl alcohol can be found in holding hair sprays and can be drying to the hair. It seems counterintuitive to put a drying ingredient in a product that claims to moisturize hair and that alone can make you reconsider putting this product in your hair.

Ok but how did the product perform!?!


After I DCed for an hour (with heat) and rinsed my hair out, I was blown away by how soft my hair was, especially my new growth. My comb was able to glide through my hair with absolutely no problems. I also saw my new growth begin to curl up--which is my indicator that it is moisturized. To that end, the claim that this conditioner hydrates hair is absolutely, 100% true. My hair definitely got some moisture. As far as strengthening, I can really speak to that since I do a protein treatment prior to deep conditioning....so I know my hair is being strengthened but not by this product. Quickly glancing at the ingredient list, I don't see any ingredients that would suggest strengthening capabilities. For that reason alone, you should consider this product a moisturizing deep conditioner.

Finally, I have only used this product as a deep conditioner, not a co-wash. Going forward, I would only use this product as a deep conditioner. While I'm sure that it would be great as a co-wash, I prefer to use cheapie conditioners that I can run through and repurchase without putting a significant dent in my pocketbook. If I were to use this as a co-wash daily, I could see myself running through a jar a week, easily. Over time, that adds up!


Bottom Line: This is a solid moisturizing DC for those who are transitioning. It provides hair with the moisture that it needs and a little goes a long way. It is a great DC to add to your rotation! However, there are 2 red flags with the amount of fragrance added and the presence of a hair drying alcohol. These two ingredients alone may be enough for some to pass on this product.

First Impressions: Shea Moisture Superfruit Complex 10 in 1 Renewal System Hair Masque

Happy Snow Day lovelies! Or if you're in the South like me, Happy Ice Day! I figured that I take some time and write a post about something that has actually earned its way into my product rotation but I haven't done a review on. So really, this review is more like a sixth impression rather than a first but whatever.


I first picked up Shea Moisture Superfruit Complex 10 in 1 Renewal System Hair Masque in November 2014. I was about to take some kinky twists out ( yeah, I had kinky twists from the end of September to early November. I got them out of pure laziness and the price was right) and I knew that my hair was going to need a shot of moisture. I found myself in Ulta because I needed to get the Mizani Thermasmooth System. While there, I stumbled across this Shea Moisture product. I haven't had too many bad experiences with this line (except for my experience with the the deep treatment masque which was allegedly a moisturizing DC) so I decided to give it a shot. It is been pure LOVE ever since.

With that said...let's get to the review

Price: $12.99+ tax at Ulta (for 12oz)

Ingredients: Water, Cetyl Alcohol, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Glycerin (Vegetable), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*, Stearyl Alcohol, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Behentrimonium Chloride, Panthenol, Biotin, Cetrimonium Chloride, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter*, Fragrance (Essential Oil Blend), Tocopherol, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Fruit Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Ipomoea Batatas Extract, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride *Certified Organic Ingredient.

Their Claims (per the container):" This intensive antioxidant rich treatment helps perfect and renew vibrancy to brittle, lackluster hair. When used weekly in out 10-in-1 Renewal system, it treats damaged hair while providing anti aging benefits, color protection, hydration, nourishment, rejuvenation, strength, anti-stress, deep conditioning, softness,and shine. Counteract signs of aging with our Superfruit complex and infusing hair with ultra-moisturizing Marula oil and Biotin"

I cannot state enough how much I love this product. When I first purchased this product, I placed it onto my hair , put on a plastic cap, and sat under a heat cap for about an hour. When I rinsed the product out, my hair felt incredibly soft and I was able to detangle my 4 to 5 months post hair with ease. My hair loved the stuff. I followed this same protocol for the next couple of washes. When winter hit ENC with all it's coldness, I decided to up the ante and try this DC while I was using my steamer. I place the product onto my hair and sat under my steamer for about an hour. It felt like all the good things about this product were AMPLIFIED! My hair was soft and moisturized.....my hair got its LIFE with this product. That's when I knew that I had stumbled across a good thing. I can definitely say that all the moisturizing claims presented on the container were true for my hair.

This DC is particularly creamy but not too creamy. I had no problems distrubuting this product throughout my hair. It's white in color and has a scent that I can't quite place. On one hand, it smells fruity but on the other hand it has the smell that most Shea Moisture products have. I don't know. I can't call it. However, if you are sensitive to scents it is something to be aware of.



Bottom Line:This is a solid DC from the Shea Moisture line. I found it to be creamy with a scent that kinda fruity but not overpowering. While it provides slip and softness when I use my heat cap, I absolutely love using this DC with my steamer. It gives my hair all the moisture that it needs and my hair detangles like a dream. This is definitely a DC to try, especially if you're a fan of Shea Moisture products!


P.S.--Let's throw some confetti for the fact that I surpassed the number of posts I posted last year! So happy to be back!

Mission [Im] Possible: Babying My Ends...

The other day, I did a search and destroy on my hair since I had straightened my hair during my last wash. Thankfully, I didn't have too many splits to get rid of. That in and of itself proved to me that all that blowdrying I was doing last year really did a number on my hair. Now I know for certain that for my hair, I have to keep blowdrying to the absolute minimum. However, I did notice that I still have splits and caused me to really re-evaluate what I have been doing.

And then it hit me: I'm probably still being too rough with my ends.


Let me explain. Throughout your hair journey, you're told that if you want long hair that you have to protect your ends, stay away from heat, etc. So you do that...and your hair grows. And that is fantastic. Until your growth stalls and you can't figure out why you're still at APL or BSL or MBL even though you're doing the same things that you have always done. Your hair growth is probably stalling because you're being too rough with your now fragile ends. I have found that during my hair journey, no one ever tells you that once you hit these great lengths of growth that you have to modify your regimen to ensure that your ends don't break off. Otherwise, you may find yourself stuck at one length. In my case, the ends of my hair have been growing with me since 2009. They're pretty old and weak now. As a result, they really can't take too much direct heat (as I found out) and I think that they are constantly being snagged by the combs that I currently own (all of which have seams). Additionally, I don't really make a focused effort to moisturize my ends. All of these factors combined have kept me at full BSL for a year. It is time to make some changes.

Starting today, I am making some serious modifications to my regimen so that I can give my ends the TLC that they need.

1) I will start using bone combs. On Friday, I ordered two bone combs from Hairsense. These combs are supposed to be really good for your hair because they do not have the seams in the teeth of the combs that can lead to snagging and breakage. I am really excited about these combs and I think that they will keep my hair from splitting and help me retain my length.


2) I will start ponytail baggying. For some reason, I have always overlooked this technique. I just thought it wasn't necessary. However, now I see that baggying may just be the thing to get some extra moisture to my ends. For those unfamiliar, ponytail baggying just requires you to put a small amount of water based moisturizer on your ponytail, seal with your favorite oil, and cover that ponytail with a plastic cap for a period of time (some do it for 2 hours while others do it overnight). I just tried it last night and I have to say that it works! Right now, I am moisturizing my ends with Hawaiian Silky 14 in 1 and sealing with Kemi Oyl. However, on Friday I ordered Hairveda Whipped Creme. As soon as I receive that (and it may take awhile), I will begin moisturizing with that and sealing with Kemi Oyl. To prevent moisture overload, I will only baggy once or twice a week.


3) I will continue my '1 form of direct heat' rule. When I straighten my hair, the only form of direct heat that I use is my flat iron. Every other form of heat that I use is indirect (via my hooded dryer). My hair simply cannot handle 2 forms of direct heat.

4) I will continue to protective style. This is self explanatory. Of course I'm not going to go months at a stretch PSing (since I am trying to enjoy my hair more) but it will continue to be a central part of my regimen.


I'm hoping with these changes to my regimen, I can get to full MBL within the next few months (I'm grazing it now...and yes I know, 'pics or it didn't happen' lol). Ultimately, I hope to get to WL (something I decided a few days ago). What do you guys think?

A Method Revisited: Air Drying

Way back in March '08 when I started my hair journey, I air dried my hair (in addition to various other techniques lol). However, every time I would do that my hair would be a puffy, fluffy mess. So I began to not do it so often. Not when I first cut my hair and definitely not when I'm 10 weeks into a 12 week stretch. However, a few months ago, I began to notice that my hair can't take blow drying as well as I thought it could. I mean, if I blow dry every once in awhile my hair is ok but do to it after every wash? Yeah, my hair was NOT pleased.

So, with caution,I approached this air drying thing again. I have to admit that I was kinda scared b/c my hair is much longer and thicker than it was back in '08....if I don't air dry correctly the results could be catastrophic. Anyway, I had heard great things about the scarf method for air drying and after doing an exhaustive Youtube search about the method, I decided to give it a try.

Here's what you need:
-Your favorite leave-in
-A wide tooth comb
-Your favorite anti frizz serum (I use Fantasia IC Frizz Buster)
-Ponytail holder
-Scarf

Here's what you do:
-Section your hair into 4 parts
-Individually spray each section with your leave in then detangle with your wide tooth comb
-Apply the frizz serum (not too much! I use a quarter sized amount)
-Gather your hair into a a ponytail and secure it with a ponytail holder
-Tie on your scarf
-Let your hair dry (however much is up to you-you can wait til it's 80% dry or 100% dry or whatever floats your boat)


When your hair dries, it will not be puffy. Actually it will be pretty smooth and ready for whatever style you are gonna put it in.

So the moral of the story is this: air drying doesn't necessarily have to end with unruly hair. It's all about what products you use and what methods you use.

Awesomeness :)

I'm Going Heat-Free

....for 2 weeks. What did you think I was gonna give it up completely? LOL
This winter has been a huge learning experience for me. My hair has been a little on the dry side this winter and I have been at my wits end trying to figure out how to remedy it. I've been buying moisturizer after moisturizer after moisturizer to no avail. My hair wasn't feeling completely, 100%, undoubtedly moisturized. A few days ago, I figured out why my hair has been dry. I stopped using my staple deep conditioners: Aubrey Organics White Camellia and Aubrey Organics GPB. Instead, I had been primarily using ORS Replenishing (which I love and will do if I don't have my GPB) and Mizani Moisturefuse (I have huge tub of this that I am trying to finish). I used the ORS and the Mizani during the summer with no ill effects. However, I am finding that during the winter, that combination is HELL for my hair. So, yesterday, I drove to the Whole Foods on Highway 280 and picked up my loves. I DCed with it last night and.....my hair is back to normal! It feels like it is moisturized! That is the feeling I have been searching for all winter long! :)
I say at that to say when you find your staples, stick with them.

Moving on to my next point....about the heat and everything. I'm just gonna bun for the next 2 weeks. If I bun longer than that so be it. I'm just tired of straightening every week. It's starting to feel like a chore so that tells me I need a break from it. So, for now I will be washing, DCing, putting my hair in a bun and letting it air dry. I guess I can call it a no-heat challenge but really I'm just being lazy.

Anyway, that's it for today. Happy Sunday everyone!

Hats, Hats, and mo' Hats!

LOL

I can be so lame sometimes.

Anyway, it has been downright FRIGID in the 'Ham as of late (it was 17 degrees this morning plus whatever the windchill was when I headed out to lab smh) and I found out that my hair doesn't like it at all. So this morning, I put some shea butter on my ends, bunned my hair, and placed a slouch beret thing on my hair and called it a day. It turns out that my ends love shea butter...well in this winter weather they do. My ends are definitely nicely moisturized and it's cutting down some on this breakage I have been seeing (nothing major, just a few more broken pieces than I'm used to seeing).

So far this week, I've been wearing hats and I just wanted to post my looks from Monday and today. Now, be warned, I've latched on to this slouch beret thing. I purchased a rack of them at Rue21 and my local beauty supply store.





I'll probably incorporate different types of hats as the winter progresses. I just need to find styles that I like. I definitely need to find satin/silk lined hats. As of right now, I have a satin scarf on underneath my hat lol. I gotta protect my hair man!


Happy Tuesday everyone!