Hits and Misses for 2009

As the year comes to a close I am thinking about my future hair goals. I haven't had a lot of success this year in terms of hair growth, but here's hoping--or ensuring that this will change in the new year as I begin to get more serious about my hair by taking matters into my own hands. Here are a few products (and techniques) that created magic as well as a few disasters for my hair over the last year:

Hits
Aveda Dry Remedy Shampoo
Cream of Nature Ultra Moisturizing Formula (green label)
Aubrey Organics GPB
Aphogee 2 min Reconstructor
Henna Treatment
Aveda Elixer Leave in Conditioner
Protectiv Break Free Daily Leave in Strengthener
Jojoba Oil
Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
Protective styling (twist)
Sleeping with a satin scarf and satin pillowcase
Overnight oil and deep conditioning treatments

 Misses 
Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Moisturizing Shampoo
Aubrey Organics Island Naturals Shampoo
Aphogee Balancing Moisturizer
Mizani Kerafuse Strengthening Treatment
Mizani Hydrafuse Moisturizing Treatment
Protectiv Healthy Ends Daily Leave in Strengthener
Protectiv Mega Growth Daily Leave in Strengthener
Shea Butter 
Safflower Oil
Washing hair upside down (in sink)
Not detangling properly BEFORE washing hair (you'd think I would know this huh?) 
Too much protein based products
Using the straightening iron once a week

Neither Hit nor Miss/Just There:
Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Moisturizing Conditioner
Giovanni leave in Conditioner
Avocado Oil
Jamaican Black Castor Oil
Olive Oil
Using a filtered shower head

What I learned about my hair and products in general through this process:

• Oil based leave ins do not work on my hair, ends up making my hair feel dry and crunchy
• My hair would thrive right after a relaxer because I was using protein based products--duh this was obviously because the protein was being stripped from my hair. After it had it's fill it started to wreck havok on my hair!
• Only use medium strength proteins as needed after three weeks post relaxer rather than trying to use on a regular basis (e.g. weekly/biweekly)
• Read labels carefully to determine what is in fact a moisturizing product and strengthening (or protein) based product vs just believing what is stated on the front of the bottle (e.g. Relax and Naturals Moisturizing Creme--really?!) . Thanks again with that one
• Conditioner can not sit on my scalp--hair only!
• I need to base my own scalp and protect hair rather than trust that my hairdresser will do a sufficient enough job (still love you though M!)
• Natural products (or as natural as possible) works much better for my hair than most commercial products

Well that's me and my journey thus far. I want to send out a big "thank you" to all the ladies that helped me a long the way ...much luv!

Happy New Year to all my subbies...and may you achieve all your many hair goals in 2010!!!!!!

                                 

Castor Oil Challenge: Week Ten

Day 63 (Dec 27, 2009)

Making my way back to Scarborough and I can't wait to get back home. I don't know what it is about being home, but I just feel like I can function better. Focus and stick to what it is I'm suppose to be doing with my hair. I mean my things are there. I have a groove in MY bathroom.  I am comfortable in MY bathroom.  Once I get home I will oil my scalp, no matter how tired I am. Promise!

Day 64 (Dec 28, 2009)

So that promise I made to myself to oil my scalp no matter what--a bust.... Well there's always tomorrow.

Day 65-67 (Dec 29-31, 2009)

 I have neglected my hair (and this blog) big time. I did not oil my scalp all week and I am feeling the consequences of my actions (or lack there of). My scalp has been dry and itchy all week and you would think that would put a jump start in my butt to do something about it right? Well that would make the most sense, but noooo....It's sad, but true--I can be THAT lazy sometimes. Truthfully, this week has just been tougher than usual. For starters I returned from my trip sick. Also, it's quite cold here in Toronto right now . So needless to say it's been extra hard to drag my butt around anywhere. So when I get home from work I just want to curl up and take refuge and hide under the covers and not come out . Alas, I know that if I want to truly come out on top and give my hair the best possible chance to thrive, then I need to really commit to doing my hair on a regular basis. Well see how that works out. I'll keep you posted!

Day 68-69 (Jan 1-2, 2010)
Not much to report. My hair felt dry, but not as itchy because I got back to regular oil massages.

Castor Oil Challenge: Week Nine

Day 56 (Dec 20, 2009)

Okay so I am a day behind I apologize. December just has so much going on that I don't always get the chance to record my progress. I have been keeping up with my regimen though. I am a little alarmed by my hair this week, and I'm not sure if it's because the products I've used thus far or because of something specific I used this week. Here's why: I washed my hair as usual yesterday, but did a few things differently.  Okay, okay I am obsessed with this whole coconut thing that I tried to use it an overnight pre-poo vs. my beloved GPB. Nothing special the next morning...hair felt a little stiff after rinsing. Softened up with my Aveda Dry Remedy (if I doubted its power before I don't doubt it anymore), which then led to my deep moisturizing treatment (Hydrafuse, 1/4 tsp each of olive, avocado, castor and coconut oil). I actually left it on for 5 hours! When I washed my hair, it was soft...all good. Followed up with regular products of (Elixer, Mega Growth and Break Free). When my hair dried however it was dry, greasy and it was breaking!!!! I really need to shape this up and quick. I can't afford any setbacks, so as of next week I am going back to my regimen--and I will be following it to the letter.

As an aside I think I may need to start doing regular clarifying poos. I am finding that a product will work well for me then just stop all of a sudden. Not sure if it's build up, but I will look into it and see my results.

Day 57 (Dec 21, 2009) 

Finished my twist today and followed up by oiling my scalp. No, it was not my traditional JBCO/jojoba oil blend...Even though I really want to stay true to my experiment, I felt that the added coconut oil really helped with my itchy scalp so I am going to continue with it (equal parts JBCO, coconut and jojoba). If I get great results, then great. From what I see there was no real significant hair growth thus far. None that I wouldn't have seen without the JBCO. My new growth is softer as I stated before,  but that is the only thing that has changed.

Day 58 (Dec 22, 2009)  
My hair felt so much better this morning....as I write this it is itchy in spots, but for the most part my scalp feels pretty good. Adding coconut oil is definitely a staple. Perhaps I have this itchy scalp thing licked.

 Day 59 (Dec 23, 2009)
Like they say "no sleep for the--" well let's keep my behaviour out if it, but I'm on my way to New York and still committed to completing my entries and following through with my JBCO challenge, so here I am getting in my last entry before taking off. I didn't get a chance to oil my scalp, but I'm not seeing (or feeling) any negative effects. Here's hoping it stays that way. Now I did go ahead a add some coconut oil to the mix, I'd say 2/3 vs.1/3 as planned. A little worried it will get hard in the bottle, but hopefully it won't be too bad.

Day 60-62 (Dec 24-26, 2009)
Well, given the fact that I was pretty busy celebrating the holiday one can't blame me for not posting an entry. My bottle was completely frozen so I didn't oil my scalp. Yeah I could have ran it under some hot water, but I was also just too tired. Alas, by Christmas my scalp was itching the hell outta me!! But did I oil my scalp...... 

                                 

Going (Coco)nuts!

Coconut oil is believed to be one of the best natural sources for hair. Coconut oil is extensively used in the Polynesia and the Indian sub-continent for hair care providing Polynesian and East Indian women with their trademark thick and shiny hair. Prolonged use of coconut oil has been known to lead to healthy looking long hair, suggesting that it may prevent damage to the cuticle in grooming procedures involving abrasion. Obvious is the lubricating effect of oil on fiber friction, which reduces abrasive damage, especially in combing.  Regular massage of the head with coconut oil is also said to help keep your scalp is free of dandruff, lice, and lice eggs, and reduce dry scalp. It is an excellent conditioner and helps in the re-growth of damaged hair. It is therefore used as hair care oil and used in manufacturing various conditioners, and dandruff relief creams.

With regular use, you can treat yourself to intense moisturizing that strengthens and nourishes your hair. Certain components in it keep the hair strong, vitalized, nourished and protected from effects of aging:

• Vitamin-E: It keeps scalp healthy and hair rejuvenated.
• Moisture Retaining Capacity: Coconut Oil has high moisture retaining capacity as it does not break down easily and is very stable. It does not let moisture escape which allows the hair to retain it moisture level and stay soft. This prevents breakage of hair. Coconut Oil is a far better conditioner for hair than any synthetic product available on the market.
• Anti-Dandruff: The various fatty acids present in Coconut Oil serve as very good anti dandruff agents and are way better than any anti dandruff shampoo. A regular application can help you get rid of many difficult dandruff conditions.
• Lauric Acid and Capric Acid: High in Lauric Acid and Capric Acid, coconut oil can prevent hair fall and hair loss with regular use.

Shampoos strip your hair of it's natural oils. That's why you have to use a hair conditioner to prevent dry, brittle hair. The only problem is some hair conditioners don't really replace your natural hair oils. They simply coat the hair shaft, giving you the illusion of healthy hair. Virgin coconut oil is proven to replenish* the vital oils that give your hair shine and bounce. Coconut oil is also one of the few penetrating oils that will absorb into the hair strains* when applied to the hair and it will prevent the hair from absorbing too much water. This is a good thing because too much water absorption can cause hygral fatigue, which has the ability to weaken and damage the hair. 

Dry damaged hair can easily break and leads to split ends. Virgin coconut oil strengthens the hair shaft, reducing split ends and hair breakage*.

Some women contend that EVCO is the ultimate in organic hair care and is one of the best ways to treat and moisturize the hair shaft. If you're looking for a natural way to strengthen and moisturize your hair, give it a try! 
                                 

*studies have shown that EVCO needs to be left on the hair for a minimum of 8 hours (overnight) to 14 hours prior to washing to see the benefits discussed above. 

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Castor Oil Challenge: Week Eight

Day 49 (Dec 13, 2009)

Oiled my scalp, which it desperately needed. Boy did it itch!

Day 50 (Dec 14, 2009)

I've noticed that my new growth has changed. As I already mentioned last week it feel softer, but I notice that my hair seems much more moisturized than it has been in the past. can't complain about some of the benefits I am seeing.

Day 51 (Dec 15, 2009)

Scalp was a little itchy so I oiled it and gave it a good massage. I think it really needed it. I was reviewing a few things from my previous post and I think I want to add avocado oil to my oil blend. I'm going to hold off until I've finished this experiment to see 1) if I will even continue to use Castor oil 2) to actually give myself enough time to do a fair comparison of the different oils. 

Day 52 (Dec 16, 2009)

Oiled my scalp, but I cheated a little bit by adding some coconut oil. I can say almost immediately the itching stopped ! Have I found the magical combination? I wonder...

Day 53 (Dec 17, 2009)

 Scalp still feels good...

Day 54 (Dec 18, 2009) 
I decided to stay true to this challenge by sticking to the JBCO only, so now my scalp is a little itchy. I figure one day using EVCO won't matter ...right?

Day 55 (Dec 19, 2009)

Again I will have to do wash day a day early. This month has been really hectic. I have stayed pretty focused thus far, but it is getting colder and I am a Bear in the winter....I don't want to do anything except to hibernate!

Castor Oil Challenge: Week Seven

Day 42-48 (Dec 6-12, 2009)

So I am away on vacation, and although I am dedicated to keeping my journey updated I have my limits. I mean it's called a vacation for a reason--and it's the Maya Riviera ! Anyway, I am committed to completing this experiment, so I brought along a pre-mixed bottle of my jojoba/castor oil/EO oils blend. I oiled my scalp three times during the week, on alternate days and boy did my scalp itch (on my non oil days). I guess I really need to find a pattern that works for me. Oiling it enough that it minimizes my itchy scalp, but doesn't causes other aliments in the process (e.g. sores, excess oily scalp).