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" 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!

Product Review, Take Two!

Since I have updated my regimen I have been going through the various hair products I use on my hair so I can re-evaluate how my hair (now 90% natural) responds to them. As I have mentioned in that post, I have found that many of the products that I loved or found beneficial for my relaxed hair just aren't doing anything for my natural hair. More importantly, I have noticed that a few products that I couldn't make work for the life of me now work beautifully on my natural hair now, namely Shea Moisture and shea butter (well my adaptation of it). That, along with a few other products have made my hair feel absolutely wonderful, so I feel its only fair that I do another review for a few of the products I have given poor reviews on in the past. Now please keep in mind, I have very fine hair with low and high porosity. I was experiencing several hair/scalp issues during my relaxer days. So when I used the products I am mentioning below, my reviews were based on it providing me with what I needed to make my hair look and feel the way I wanted. Given my hair condition, I have different needs. So with that said, let the review begin!

Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo ($9.99 US, $15.00 CDN)

Promise: Hydrates, smooths and repairs strands leaving hair manageably soft. For dry, damage hair. Heal, grow and strengthen. Sea kelp trace minerals detoxify hair follicles of impurities and residue. Argan oil restores shine and rebuilds hair elasticity. Shea butter deeply moisturizes and repairs damage to hair and scalp.

Ingredients: Deionized Water , Decyl Glucoside (Sugar Beets) , African Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) , Aloe Vera Leaf Juice , Argan Oil , Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5) , Rosemary Extract , Sea Kelp Extract , Vitamin E, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract (Honeysuckle) , Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract (Japanese Honeysuckle)

Results: So once again, I must start off by saying that I was very happy to finally find an all natural shampoo that lathers well and doesn't make my hair feel like straw *cough* Aubrey Organics--*cough*. When I used this product a few weeks ago I was really just trying to use it up because it had been sitting in my cabinet for months. I actually never used it again since my first review. When I was relaxed I didn't like this product because I felt like it was stripping my hair too much. Not horribly, but enough that I didn't want to use it anymore. My scalp also began to itch a lot shortly after washing my hair, which truthfully I have not experienced in a long while since using my Aveda Shampoo. The itchy scalp actually continued days after washing my hair despite oiling my scalp, so I was not impressed. 

Now? As I pointed out in my previous review, the shampoo is on the thicker side, providing a rich lather, so a little goes a long way. I used less than a dime size per section (I section my hair in fours) and only needed to wash my scalp once. This time around my hair felt clean, smooth, detangled, moisturized and VERY SOFT. Better still, my scalp did not itch at all. I was so happy ! I'm still not a fan of the smell, but overall I was very pleased with the way it cleaned my hair/scalp, and how it made my hair feel. Overall, I will give this product a . I would have given it more, but the smell bothers me. Given these changes I will be replacing my Aveda Dry Remedy. Review on that below.

Aveda Dry Remedy Moisturizing Shampoo ($24-$45 CDN)

 Promises: Drenches even the driest, most brittle hair with moisture, leaving it soft, supple, touchable. Instantly improve dry hair up to 63% when used as part of the Dry Remedy Moisturizing System. Deep moisturizing complex penetrates hair to deliver lasting, intense moisture, powered by buriti oil, pomegranate and palm-derived conditioners.

Ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Babassuamidopropyl Betaine, Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Ethyl Macadamiate, Maurita Flexuosa (Buriti) Fruit Oil, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Sterols, Orbignya Specoisa Kernel Oil, Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract, Hordeum Distichon (Barley) Extract/Extrait DOrge A Deux Rangs, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter Tapioca Starch, Canola Oil/Huile De Colza, Palmamidopropyl Trimonium Methosulfate, Fragrance (Parfum), Geraniol, Limonene, Citronellol, Eugenol, Linalool, Citral, Polyquaternium-10, Citric Acid. Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Gluconate, Phenoxyethanol.

Results: Initially when I tried this product I thought was doing a beautiful job on my hair.

Although DR is not chemical free it was working well on my hair (e.g. soft, moisturized hair). For that I initially gave Aveda Dry Remedy Shampoo a .  However, since I have been transitioning it is actually making my hair feel a little stripped and dry--funny how that works. I am actually very surprised. As a result I now have to give it a .

Shea Butter ($10-21.99 CDN)

Promises: Soothes dry, itchy, irritated scalp or dandruff. Provides moisture for dry or damaged hair and is easily absorbed into the hair and scalp and does not clog the pores. It is helpful in locking in moisture without leaving the hair greasy and heavy, softening the hair. Said to be very beneficial for relaxed, coloured and heat-treated hair.

Ingredients: Organic/Unrefined Shea Butter

I first wrote about shea butter when I started my hair journey, and at that time I definitely did not feel it was for me. When I was relaxed I tried it on my scalp and my scalp itched like crazy. I tried it on my hair, it felt weighed down and too heavy. In my conditioners, again a weird feeling on my hair and scalp.  It just didn't work for my hair. Now? it works about the same. It is a bit better in the sense that my hair responds to it much better, but there seems to be a weird film on my hair. I tried it as a styler and as a sealant and in both situations I was a little disappointed. Consequently, I have to give it a , which is a lot better than my previous rating. However....I've been seeing a lot of natural women reviewing hair locking butters, which they use for their twist outs and braid out, so I thought hmmmm how can I use this product differently? I decided to do some research on these locking butters and when I looked at the ingredients I thought, why would someone pay for this when they could easily whip up a batch of their own. Most of these products are made of nothing more than butters, oils and beeswax (in most cases).  So that is what I did. I created my own hair butter using shea butter and can I say it works on my hair beautifully. I use it as a sealant when I twist my hair and it leaves my hair soft, shiny, gives me a soft hold and really defines my twist out. I know I can't rate my own "product", but if I could, I would give it a.

Nature's Gate Aloe Vera Moisturizing Conditioner ($5.99-$7.95 CDN)

Promise: Gently effective, this exotic combination of herbs packed with natural proteins help condition, moisturize, nourish and restore natural softness and shine, giving you silky soft and tangle-free hair.

Ingredients: Water, Cetyl Alcohol**, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Hordeum Distichon (Barley) Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Panthenol, Coffea Arabica (Coffee) Seed Extract, Viola Tricolor (Wild Pansy) Extract, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Stearalkonium Chloride, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Butylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance.

*bold/highlighted ingredients are synthetic and/or potentially toxic in high doses.
** plant derived source said to be safe

Results: When I first used this product I was pleasantly surprised. It still isn't the greatest conditioner for deep conditioning in my opinion, but it is a good "cheapie" conditioner for co-washing. When I was relaxed I swear my tangles just fell out with very little effort when I applied it directly to a tangled section for a few seconds. My comb just glided through my hair with such ease I did a little happy dance in the shower.  The smell is pleasant and fruity, yet mild, so overall, I was very pleased.  Now however, it does not do anything for my hair. It doesn't feel horrible or anything, but my hair just doesn't feel as soft or moisturized as it use to. Consequently, I feel I have to change my rating to a .

Giovanni Direct Leave In Conditioner ($6.99-$10.99 CDN)

Promise: Restores strength, luster and nourishment to abused hair. Moisturizes and builds body. This conditioner infuses each individual hair with proteins. Detangles for easy comb-out, easy styling.

Ingredients: Aqua (purified water) with *rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) oil, *nettle (Uritica dioica) oil, *thyme (Thymus vulagris) oil, birch leaf (Butela alba) oil, *chamomile (Anthemis nobilus flower) oil, *clary (Salvia sclarea), *lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), *coltsfoot leaf (Tussilago farfara), *yarrow (Achillea millefolium) oil, *mallow (Malva sylvestris), *horsetail (Equistetum arvense) oil, *soybean protein (Glycine soja), cetyl alcohol (plant derived), tocopherol (vitamin E), trace minerals, citric acid (corn), sodium hydroxymethyglycinate, grapefruit seed (citrus derived).

*bold/highlighted ingredients are synthetic and/or potentially toxic in high doses.

Results: Now that I am natural I have found that this product is now making my hair a little hard when I use it on its on. My hair feels detangled, but when it dries it seems to have a film on it making it look a little dull. On my second attempt I used it before applying some of my homemade hair butter and it was much much better. My hair felt soft and moisturized. So I will say, based on that, it's a keeper and I'll give it a  .

Oyin Homemade Hair Dew Lightweight Quenching Lotion ($12-$19 US or $24.00-$36.00 CDN--oh yes you read that correctly!!!!)

Promise: This creamy, conditioning leave-in is light enough for every day. it's great on 'naked' hair immediately after a cleanse, or as a way to reinvigorate tired hair all the way through your hair care cycle. Looking for a product to wake up and moisturize your 'second day hair'? Looking for a way to make your hair pliable enough to re-style without a full rinse? Just want to refresh your coils and curls and give them a shot of moisture before sealing? This leave-in is your answer! As always, mineral/paraffin/petroleum free and full of nourishing castor, olive, and coconut oils instead. We also combine with aloe vera to quench the thirstiest hair... and since it's glycerin-free it's appropriate for even the driest of climates. Give your hair a drink today!

Ingredients: purified water, castor oil, olive oil, organic aloe vera gel, behentrimonium methosulfate (emulsifier), coconut oil, olive squalane, optiphen (preservative), cetyl alcohol, fragrance, and love!

Results: Overall, this product is still moisturizing, but nothing amazing. I find I have to add a lot of this product to make my hair feel soft (apply and reapply), and even then it wasn't anything special. When I sealed it with my homemade hair butter (something I am noticing I have to do now), my hair felt "alright". Not bad, but it could have been better, especially since I saw a huge difference when I used the Giovanni and got more hold, shine and definition. I will continue to use it because I want to have a good moisturizing product in my regimen and for that reason I have to now give it a  because the price is still hurting my pocket. I plan to play around with the ingredients so I can create my own handmade lotion (which is still a work in progress), but that is for another post.

So that's it. My hair has really changed a lot and apparently, so its needs. Hope that helps!

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

- = neither hit or miss; just okay

- = good product; really worth trying.

= amazing product!

Avocado Magic

Now that I am going natural washing my hair seems to be a bit more of a chore sometimes. Eh, there are pluses and minuses with any hair type, so I have no real complaints.  Its all about finding a routine that works for you. My last protein treatment was about 6 weeks ago (which was a mild conditioner) and my hair was just feeling a bit off, so I decided to do an avocado mask treatment and I loved the results.

The last time I did the mask I was relaxed, so I wasn't sure how my hair would respond this time, but I must say, I am still loving this treatment for my hair.  Once again, my hair felt very dense/full. It also felt strong and the curls definition/shine after the mask was washed out was very impressive (see pics below). My hair doesn't shine like this without the support of hair products.

This is my hair prior to adding my leave conditioner (pics). Similar to before, I blended 1 ripe avocado with oils (EVCO, EVOO and JBCO), 1 egg and some honey. The mask was thick, smooth and silky and looked like a green coloured creamy mayo--it will smell like that too.

I applied the mask to dry hair, from root to tip, wrapped my head with saran wrap, a plastic cap and then two scarves to protect my pillow. I left it in over night and in the morning rinsed it out. I then used a moisturizing shampoo gently on my scalp in sections allowing the suds (not my fingers) to wash my hair and followed with my moisturizing conditioner/oil mix for 2 hours with and without heat. I don't actually think you need to moisturize for that long, I just got caught up on my computer and lost track of time. Finally I applied my ACV rinse as a final rinse, (I did not rinse out the ACV herbal rinse), applied some Giovanni Leave in and air dried as usual. That's it.

Even as I was washing out the mask I could feel the difference in my hair. My curls felt so defined, dense and strong. I was careful not to over manipulate my hair while washing it though because it wasn't very pliable, but not as stiff/hard like most protein conditioners.Overall, I am happy with the results. Moreover, I am happy that I can keep one of my favorite conditioners in my regimen despite my walk to natural side.