Knowledge is Beautiful!

It goes without saying that I have been feeling very frustrated and depressed with the state of my hair. So much so that I have decided to do something about it. Now, anyone that knows me knows that when I put my mind to something I won't quit until I have accomplished what I have set out to do. So with that in mind, I have been searching high and low for information regarding hair care, obtaining moisture-protein balance and the science of hair structure. Whoa! There is a lot out there, which can be both exciting and overwhelming. What struck me the most was the fact that there are so few products that actually benefit our hair, which frankly pisses me off. Now I don't want to turn this into a huge rant about the use of harsh chemicals on the hair, because who am I kidding? I relax my hair!* As far as chemicals go it doesn't get any harsher than that. This isn't even really about commercial vs. natural products. It's about something else...I urge you to read on.

In an effort to build a solid regimen I have been pouring over products and reading labels to get a better handle of protein vs. moisture based products--remember I've been having an issue with protein overload. As a result, I currently have some brittle dry hair that is breaking (nothing too serious, but enough for me to take notice). I am hoping to correct that. Anyway, as I am reading through these labels I keep coming across some familiar ingredients and a few that I was not aware of . I believe you should always know what you are putting in your body and the same goes for what you are putting on your hair (and inevitably your scalp). So, I've been doing my research. 

As I stated earlier, this isn't so much an issue about chemical laden products vs. natural product as it is the fact that there are companies out there totting so called "high end" ingredients at ridiculous prices when they are loaded with a lot of synthetic or just plain cheap crap--some of which is very harmful to our bodies or create more issues for our hair! Now there are many women out there that have beautiful hair and they use these products, so clearly they can have a positive effect on the hair--I don't doubt it. My issue is that I don't get why I am paying $24.00 for an "all natural shea butter" hair lotion when it is loaded with palm oil, which is natural yes, but far from effective on the hair as, let's see--actual shea nut butter (e.g. Komaza Shea Butter Lotion)! As a result, I will have to work that much harder to counter some of the effects of these synthetic or cheaper ingredients with other moisturizers just to maintain the moisture levels in my hair. 

Examining these products made me question: would I have to use as much product on my hair, for example a daily moisturizer 2 times a day if I wasn't using a product that blocked moisture and coated my hair in the first place? I truly believe that there are natural products that I can use that will benefit my hair as well as if not betters than these  cosmetic products and I am determined to prove it. I mean the very challenge I am doing right now (e.g. EVCO Challenge) has shown to benefit the hair in such a way that some women no longer have to do protein treatments or use commercial products. You can't tell me that with patience and diligence I can't find (or even create---oh yes!) healthier and equally effective products. I am determined to find out.

Knowledge is power (or can be beautiful in the case of hair)! HHG!!