Sunday, November 24, 2013

The Benefit of Using Natural Products


There are hundred if not thousand of websites that provide recipes for natural and organic hair care, beauty products and remedies including shampoo, conditioner and hair color, that you can make using essential oils and ingredients found in your own kitchen and garden! If you have read and are not utilizing some of the ideas found in my article on Getting Creative with Homemade Recipes   then you will find that creating your own homemade products are easier than you think. Below I've created a list of ingredients to try when creating your own unique products

*Please use extreme caution when using any products for the first time, natural or not. If you are allergic to any of the listed ingredients then do not use it on your hair/scalp:

Almond Oil - This carrier oil is both nourishing and protective. It is high in linoleic acids, which account for its anti-inflammatory, acne reduction and moisture retention properties. Almond oil is a commonly used ingredient in beauty products as it treats and prevents dry, chapped and irritated skin (scalp). In addition to skin, Almond oil is great for hair. It helps condition, nourish, and soften hair while stimulating hair growth!

Aloe Vera - Aloe Vera improves the skin's ability to hydrate itself, aids in the removal of dead skin cells and encourages skin rejuvenation. Some have raved about its ability to encourage hair stimulation and hair growth! This product also has incredible moisturizing properties!

Avocado/Avocado Oil - This oil is rich in potassium, sulfur, vitamins A,D and E and fatty acids. It is very nourishing for dry hair and scalp as it replenishes oils lost through washing and coats the cuticles. It is especially valuable for those with eczema, dry scalp and other scalp ailments. It leaves the hair feeling smooth and soft.

Banana- The pulp is a great biodegradable moisturizer and lubricant, excellent for dry hair. It is an excellent humecant, locking in moisture and coating the hair shaft, leaving the hair smooth. The pulp is rich in potassium and vitamin A, B, C.

Calendula Oil - Moisturizes and conditions. Very good in soothing scalp and skin conditions like eczema. 

Carrot Seed Oil - This oil is a true powerhouse in the hair growth category! Carrot Seed oil is rich in Vitamins A, B, C, D and E. As you know Vitamin A, B and E are excellent for hair growth as it improve moisture for increased elasticity, conditions hair and stimulates growth.

Chamomille (Roman) Oil - This essential oil has anti-inflammatory properties and is very calming to the skin. It is both emollient and healing and thus is a wonderful addition to any skin care product!

Clary Sage - Astringent, stimulates  growth, kills bacteria. It is also believed to darken gray hair. 

Coconut Oil - Coconut oil is an amazing carrier oil! This is a great oil for general moisturizing and serves as a protective layer, helping to retain the moisture in your hair. Coconut oil does not clog pores (which can inhibit hair growth--and even kill hair follicles), making it great for the hair. It stimulates hair growth, softens the hair and conditions the scalp. It also can also help eliminate dandruff!

Evening Primrose Oil - Moisturizes and conditions the hair.

Glycerine - Natural emollient, pulls moisture into the hair.

Henna (Lawsonia Inermis) - Henna is believed to help provide stronger, smoother and shinier hair when used regularly. The dye is believed to penetrates the hair shaft, binding with the keratin in the hair while coating the hair, filling in rough spots on a frayed cuticle. This adds a second layer of strength and makes hair stronger. With its ability to smooth over rough cuticles, damage during combing and manipulation is reduced a great deal.

Honey - is a natural wonder full of properties beneficial to the hair. It is a natural humectants - meaning it attracts moisture and holds it in.

Jojoba Oil - The structure of Jojoba oil closely resembles that of your own skin oil (sebum). Jojoba is readily absorbed into the skin, is non-pore clogging and helps balance production of your natural sebum. Jojoba is moisturizing and helps prevent dry scalp. It contains linoleic acid and myristic acid, which account for its anti-inflammatory and moisture retention properties. It adds moisture and gives your hair extra protection, shine and body. It also cleanses and is revitalizing to hair and scalp!

Lavender Oil - This essential oil has multiple properties that make it important for overall general health and well-being. In hair care, Lavender is used as a scalp treatment for itchiness, dandruff, and even lice!

Lemon Oil - Besides having a refreshing and clean aroma, Lemon oil helps balance cell fluids and sebum and increases circulation. In hair care, Lemon oil helps control oily hair and gives golden highlights. It is also helpful in controlling lice.

Neem Oil - Neem oil has amazing healing properties and has long been used in Indian and Ayurvedic medicine. It moisturizes and protects skin. Its anti-inflammatory and pain relieving activity make Neem potentially useful against eczema on the scalp.

Olive Oil - Olive oil has been used for generations in natural soap products. It attracts external moisture to the skin yet allows the skin to "cleanse" and release sweat, sebum and shed dead skin. Olive oil is high in the antioxidants Vitamins A and E providing anti-aging properties and it has disinfectant properties, is moisturizing, soothing and healing. Simply a wonderful and gentle component in skin care!This oil stimulates cell regeneration, increases elasticity and decreases wrinkles. Pomegranate oil is a savior for mature, irritated, and dry, cracked skin!

Rosemary Oil - This is a well-known remedy for improving hair growth.It stimulates growth and has antiseptic properties. Rosemary also increases the circulation to the scalp therefore promoting hair growth and imparting shine to dark hair. Additionally, it helps control oily hair as well as dandruff.

Shea Nut Oil - This oil glides on the hair and scalp smoothly and helps heal and repair dry, damaged hair. It also creates a protective moisture barrier against the dry, harsh elements! (see shea butter for more information on properties).

Sweet Almond Oil - Contains Vitamin E and F, great properties for itchy scalp. It is mild and easily absorbed.

Tea Tree Oil - Tea Tree Oil has so many beneficial properties that it is a must for all medicine cabinets! This oil soothes irritated, inflamed skin and stimulates healing while minimizes scarring. It is a natural antiseptic, antifungal and anti-microbial and treats dandruff.

Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol) - As an anti-oxidant, Vitamin E prevents free radical damage from the sun and environment (yes your hair need UV protection too!). It improves moisture and helps soften the hair. Vitamin E also helps maintain the integrity (preventing rancidity) of product formulations.

Play around with different products. Remember what works for one person may not work for you. Have fun!

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Qhemet Biologics

Continuing from my previous post I wanted to share my thoughts on a few  more products that I have been using over the past few months. I wanted to wait before posting my thoughts on these product in an effort to give them a fair chance. I am noticing overall that my strains are very particular and a lot of the products other naturals have been raving about simply aren't cutting it for me. I will address this in another post, but I will say I can't really blame the products for failing me. So with that said, let's take a look at the products. Again, please keep in mind this is based on my very tightly coiled, fine, densely packed type 4a hair.



  
Amla & Olive Heavy Cream ($17.00 US, $28.00 CDN)

Product Description: Our nourishingly rich blend of world oils, organic herbs and natural humectants leave course, dry and brittle hair extra soft, healthy and supple. This thick, rich formula leaves extra dry, course hair soft and supple for days!

Ingredients: Castor & Olive Oil Blend, Distilled Water, Amla Extract, Organic Brahmi Extract, Organic Aloe Ferox Extract, Vegetable Glycerine, MSM, Sorbitan & Cetearyl Monoesters, Essential Oils Scent, Phenoxyethanol and Ethylhexyglycerin.

Results: I found this product to be very heavy for my hair, hence the name. Mind you, I can be heavy handed, so I had to be careful. Unfortunately, even using the lightest touch seem to be too much for my fine hair strains. I also noticed that it just sat on my hair, leaving a light white film. I wasn't a fan and quite disappointed given the price tag.  I used it on damp hair, which may have been the problem, but I also watched a lot of YouTube tutorials using this product to see how other women were using it and they were using it the same way. I currently use it as a moisturizer prior to twisting and have no plans to repurchase it when I finish the jar. It gets aSmiley from me.

ETA: I recently began testing my hair products to determine their pH level and this product had a test reading of 7.0. Given what I now know about pH level and its effect on low/high porosity hair, I understand my results a bit better now. To manage this, I added a touch of aloe vera juice and lemon juice to this product to lower it to 4.5 (for my low porosity sections) and 4.0 to my high porosity sections and it has worked much better on my hair. With this adjustment I would now give this product a Smiley .




Burdock Root Butter Cream ($16.00 US, $28.00 CDN)

Product Description: Our Burdock Root Butter Cream is a light, water based leave-in for fine haired naturals, straight styles and those looking for a light penetrating moisturizer. It conditions and softens while nourishing the scalp. Leave hair healthy, soft and supple!
Ingredients: Distilled Water, Burdock Root Extract, Nettle Leaf Extract, Oatstraw Extract, Olive Oil, Vegetable Glycerine, Wheat Extract,  Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Stearalkonium Chloride, MSM, Essential Oils Scent,  Maltodextrin, Phenoxyethanol and Ethylhexyglycerin.
*Please note,  as of 1/20/12 the ingredients list on this label has been modified for better FDA compliance. Dimethyl Stearamine, which was erroneously omitted from previous labels, is now included on the current labels.

Results: Well, first off I want to state that I am not impressed with any company that "omits" ingredients from their packaging. I think it's dishonest, misleading, potentially dangerous and it makes me wonder what else are they leaving out because they haven't been forced to include it by the FDA. Once I run out of this product I will not purchase it again.

Now for the results. This product was quite moisturizing. I am noticing (through trial and error) that any product that contains vegetable glycerin does not provide the best results on my hair. It "swells", shrinks like crazy and looks dull. This may be because of the nature of vegetable glycerin as a humectant and the challenges that can come with this ingredient.  Did it leave my hair soft and supple? Yes. Did it give me the desire effect (shine, definition)? No. Sadly, I didn't even get good results when I paired it with a styler. I'm giving this product a Smiley because it definitely is not worth the money in my opinion.


Aethiopika Hydrate & Twist Butter ($14.00 US, $26.00 CDN)

Product Description: Softens, thick, extra dry hair with an ultra rich blend of pure olive oil,, mango butter and rice oil! A touch of plant wax helps reduce frizz and smooths edges and soy extract adds humectancy. Use sparingly. A little goes a long way. Use this thick, rich butter to soften and maintain twists, braids and loose hair! Ideal for highly porous hair!

Ingredients: Olive Oil, Mango Butter & Rice Oil Blend, Behenyl Ester, Cetyl Alcohol, Soy Extract, Plant Wax, Phthalate Free Fragrance.
Results: This product was okay. I like the scent, it is really pleasant and fruity. It provides a nice shine and made my hair feel soft. I used it as a sealer, but truth be told I have seen better results with simple avocado butter. Compared to the Aethiopika Hydrate & Twist Butter, avocado butter provides a lot more shine and makes my hair feel just as soft . I will not repurchase this product when I finish the jar. It's has too many unnecessary additives, provided little hold (despite the addition of the wax), it did not give me the results I wanted and therefore is not worth the price. It gets aSmiley from me. 



Smiley - Smiley = not worth the money, don't waste your time.

Smiley - Smiley = neither hit or miss; just okay

Smiley - Smiley = good product; really worth trying.

Smiley = amazing product!

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Komaza Care

Now that I am natural I have different needs. I've had to adjust my regimen, which is still a work in progress. Styling my hair is another matter entirely. Wearing a relaxer, weaves, extensions and twists for so many years it's been a bit challenging to style my own hair. I wanted to wait before reviewing these product to give them a fair chance. It's been a while and I have tried them on a few occasions styling my hair in various ways that I feel I can review them. Please keep in mind this is based on my very tightly coiled, fine, densely packed type 4a hair.


Komaza Care Califia Styling Pudding ($15.00 US, $24.00 CDN)

Promise: This is a soft holding styling product designed to elongate curls helping to control shrinkage without drying or flaking. Gives hair softness and shine. Works well to control frizz and smooth hair line. 

Ingredients: Distilled Water, Shea Butter, Aloe Butter, Cocoa Butter, Sunflower, Behenetrimonium, Cetyl Alcohol, Aloe Vera, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Acrylates, Alkyl AcrylatesSodium Benzoate, Fruit and floral essence (humectant), Phthalates-Free Vegetarian FragrancePolysorbate 20, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol.

Results: well this product is not 100% natural, so it already loses points for that alone, but I have really been at a loss for products that will give me the look I desire.  I was told it gave a firmer hold that the Coconut Pudding (see below), so I thought I would give it a try because I am still figuring what my hair needs in term of styling products. This product did not live up to my expectations at all. I used it as a styler (on top of moisturizer and oil) and on naked hair. In both situations my hair looked dull, "dusty" (which may be due to another issue) and a bit hard. I did not elongate my hair at all and it most definitely did not add any shine. It did make my curls "pop" a little bit, but my hair is so coily, I don't know if I am willing to give Komaza credit for that. The hold was decent enough. Truth be told I just wanted to wash it off when I saw my hair.

Overall, I will give this product a Smiley.


 Komaza Care Coconut Hair Pudding ($14.00 US, $24.00 CDN)

Promise: This soft holding styling gel is great for all hair types and is among the favorites in the more humid regions. The combination of, Cocoa Butter, Coconut Oil and Aloe Vera allows the hair to receive and retain moisture while eliminating frizz. 

Ingredients: Water, Coconut Oil, Cocoa Butter, Sunflower Oil, Aloe Vera, Acrylates, Alkyl Acrylates, Sodium Benzoate, Phthalates-Free Vegetarian Fragrance, Polysorbate 20, Caprylyl Glycol,  Phenoxyethanol.


Results: I had similar results as the Califia Styling Pudding, but I did give some shine, especially when used over a moisturizer. The hold was lighter, but good enough for any twist out. I'm giving it  a Smiley


Overall, I don't seem to have much luck with Komaza products. I purchased them because they were on sale, but I won't fall for that again.  I am still looking for a styling product that is all natural, provides good hold, nice shine and nice definition.

ETA: I recently began testing my hair products to determine their pH level and these two products had a test reading of 7.0. Given what I now know about pH level and its effect on low/high porosity hair I understand my results a bit better now. I will give these products one last try after I play around with the pH. I've done this with another product and had much better results, so here's hoping it will in this case. I would hate to waste my money.


Smiley - Smiley = not worth the money, don't waste your time.

Smiley - Smiley = neither hit or miss; just okay

Smiley - Smiley = good product; really worth trying.

Smiley = amazing product!


Sunday, March 31, 2013

Hits and Misses for 2010, 2011 and 2012....

LOL! I found these entries that I thought I posted, but clearly didn't. Better late than never...

2010
Original post date: Dec 27, 2010 (Relaxed)
As the year comes to a close I am thinking about my future hair goals. I have had some real success this year in terms of hair growth and retaining length, so here's hoping--or ensuring that this can be maintained in the new year. 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
Aubrey Organics GPB
Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Moisturizing Conditioner
Aubrey Organics Rose Mosquette Conditioner
Aphogee 2 min Reconstructor
Avocado Oil
Jamaican Black Castor Oil
Komaza Shea Butter Lotion
Neutrogena Triple Moisture Leave in Conditioner 
Olive Oil
Jojoba Oil
Virgin Coconut Oil
EOs
ACV
Clarifying once a month
Finger combing will in the shower
Adding oils to my conditioners
Sleeping with a satin scarf and satin pillowcase
Overnight deep conditioning treatments

Misses
Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Moisturizing Shampoo
Aubrey Organics Island Naturals Shampoo
Burt's Bees Avocado Butter Pre-Shampoo Treatment 
IC Fantasia Aloe Vera Complex Leave In Treatment 
Protectiv Healthy Ends Daily Leave in Strengthener
Protectiv Mega Growth Daily Leave in Strengthener
Aussie Moist Conditioner
Protective styling (twist extensions) 
Dry combing hair

Neither Hit nor Miss/Just There:
Aveda Dry Remedy Conditioner
Henna Treatment (only here because of what it does to my scalp)
Lustrasilk Shea Mango Cholesterol Conditioner
Mizani Kerafuse Strengthening Treatment
Mizani Hydrafuse Moisturizing Treatment
Protectiv Break Free Daily Leave in Strengthener
Giovanni leave in Conditioner 
Using a filtered shower head

2011
Original post date: Dec 29, 2011 (Transitioning as of June 2011)
As you know I have tried a few new products/techniques over the year with some progress. I have learned some more things about my hair and I'm happy for it. :

Hits
Giovanni Direct Leave in
Organiques Amla & Holy Basil Conditioner
Homemade Avocado Protein Mask
Weekly scalp tonics
ACV Herbal Rinse 
Co-washing mid week
Low Manipulation
Protective 99% of the time
Detangling prior to pre-poo
Finger combing
Combing hair only after hair is completely dry
Washing hair in 4 braided sections 
Oyin Lightweight Lotion
Mild protein treatments 2x month
Argan/Jojoba/EVCO blend as a sealant
Alternating between protein and moisture based moisturizers

Misses
Black tea rinse
Vegetable Glycerin 
Cream of Nature Shampoo
Quick Weave
Self-Relaxing
Henna with ACV

Neither Hit nor Miss/Just There:
Liquid Black Soap
Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo  (hit for natural hair; miss for relaxer)

What I learned about my hair and products in general over the last year:
  • CON  and other hair stripping shampoos were prolonging the issues with my scalp. Once I got rid of them, I could minimize the amount of times I needed to oil my scalp; itchy dry scalp no longer an issue over time.
  • Henna is okay if I do not add acid. It was too drying and cause breakage despite following up with moisturizing conditioner. Need to add conditioner to henna mask
  • Alternating between moisture and protein daily help maintain my moisture-protein balance.
  • Moisturizing and sealing 2x day in the winter was necessary.
  • Heavier creams and oils are a must in the colder months
  • I need to trim my ends (myself) once every other touch up is key to seeing progress
2012
Original post date: December 31, 2012 (Natural)
Well new hair, new hits and misses. Last year was a lot better than the previous year since I was growing out my relaxer. Snipping off those last bits of straight ends was liberating and kind of fun. My hair has progressed nicely (almost at collarbone when stretched), so I am thinking about my future hair goals. I have had some real success this year in terms of hair growth and retaining length, so here's hoping--or ensuring that this can be maintained in the new year. Here are a few products (and techniques) that created magic as well as a few disasters for my hair over the last year:

Hits
Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo
Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl and Shine Shampoo
Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Conditioner
Aubrey Organics White Camellia Ultra-Smoothing Conditioner
Homemade Avocado Protein Mask  
Giovanni Direct Leave in  
Avocado Oil
Jamaican Black Castor Oil
Olive Oil
Jojoba Oil
Virgin Coconut Oil
EOs
ACV Herbal Rinse
Detangling in the shower
Adding oils to my conditioners 
Combing hair only after hair is wet/damp
Sleeping with a satin scarf and satin pillowcase
Overnight deep conditioning treatments
Washing hair in braided sections
Oyin Lightweight Lotion
Mild protein treatments once every 3 weeks
Weekly scalp tonics
Avocado Butter blend as a sealant

Misses
Deep conditioning less than once a week


What I learned about my hair and products in general over the last year:
  • Relaxer, while I enjoyed my hair when it was straight, I did not realize how much it negatively effected my scalp. All of the issues I had when I first began my journey are gone! Now I use my herbal scalp oil to aid in growth only.
  • I no longer have an issue with my protein-moisture balance since going natural.
  • Patience when styling my hair is key
Well that's me and my journey thus far. I want to send out a big "thank you" to all my subscribers and to the ladies (YouTube, K.I.S.S. Hairlista) that have helped me a long the way ...much luv!

Happy New Year to all my followers...and may you achieve all your many hair goals in 2013!!!!!!



Transitioning....

So it's been 1 year and 8 "magical"Smiley months since I last had a relaxer. I've had a few issues with breakage and shedding here and there, mostly due to neglect, but my hair has bounced back nicely (pictures to come). My Homemade Avocado Mask and a few other recipes I have tried has helped out nicely--I actually have it in my hair now. I am trying out a new recipe, which I will discuss if it turns out well. 

During my hiatus I've been trying new products, trying to work through older products and learning to style my natural hair. I have a lot to share. Stay tuned!