Protein/Moisture Balance

OMG. I didn't know there was so much chemistry behind my hair.  I always knew that moisture was important for my hair (although I failed to keep my hair moisturized on a consistent basis before the beginning of this month), but I didn't realize the importance of protein on my hair.  I learned that too much moisture can cause my hair to be very soft and mushy like fine baby hair, which can lead to breakage.  To counteract that, a protein treatment can be used to strengthen the hair back to its normal state.  However, too much protein can make the hair very hard and brittle, which, too, can lead to hair breakage.  This is where moisture will come in handy to help counteract that.  Also, too little moisture and too little protein can cause breakage. So, there must be a balance between the two to ensure your hair is both strong, moisturized, and elastic. (I think I am understanding this correctly...::shrugs::)

I am still learning more about this balance but at least am aware on some probable causes for hair breakage.  Honestly, I haven't done a protein treatment or a deep conditioning in a very hot minute because I didn't really understand the purpose of doing these two things.  Now that I have been reading about other women's routines, I might consider incorporating protein treatments and deep conditionings to my regimen if necessary.

However, I think I am going to do a protein treatment on May 1st when I take my braids out.  But first, I need to find some good natural products to use for the treatment. I know some women use eggs and mayo for their protein treatments so I might use these myself since I don't really want to have to spend money on something when I have stuff already in my kitchen.  I am not entirely sure but I think you are supposed to deep condition after the protein treatment to help rebalance your hair but I need to look up some more information. I just wanted to jot down what I have been looking up lately.  I really want to perfect my regimen so I can stick with it for the long run (if that is even possible). I know hair acts differently in the winter because of dryness and summer because of heat and humidity.

AHHHHH, there is so much to this hair journey!!!  Hopefully it won't be so overwhelming once I get the information pat down and find out what works best for my hair.

Here is a video I want to use as a reference:


Another video explaining the moisture/protein balance:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODoekkLrbIo&feature=related

Box Braid Challenge--April 2010

I got a new laptop...a netbook actually so I can hopefully update my blogs a little more often.  Anyway, this particular post is about my hair.

My hair has been pretty neglected for a long time now.  It is time for a change. I have been natural ever since February 2004, and I have YET to embrace my hair like I should.  I know I am not my hair, but my hair is a part of this vessel God has given me so it is my responsibility to take care of it as well.

So I have been doing some research on nappturality.com and lurked the forums for information on products I can experiment on my hair.  If I am to restore my hair back to a healthy, fuller, and longer state, it is imperative I find out what my hair needs.

After doing a little bit of searching around on the homemade products thread, I went to buy the following:

Organic Virgin Coconut Oil (Unrefined)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Honey
Vegetable Glycerin
Distilled Water
Pure Almond Extract (for fragrance)

Here are the products I already have on hand:
Castor Oil
Shea Butter
Safflower Oil
Rosemary EO (essential oil)
Lavender EO 
Peppermint EO
Apple Cider Vinegar (my replacement for shampoo)

The only commercial products I have in my possession are:
Herbal Essence Totally Twisted Conditioner
Herbal Essence Hello Hydration Conditioner
Garnier Fructis Triple Action Conditioner (with shea, avocado, and olive oils)

(I am debating whether or not I will continue to use this three products. I am still researching what ingredients are bad for natural hair. But these are some products I have read from curlynikki.com that other natural haired women are using. So once again, I don't know the fate of these products just yet).

So yesterday, I mixed some olive oil, castor oil, honey, shea butter, almond extract, peppermint EO, and distilled water in a spray bottle to create a daily spritz for my hair. Today, I added some vegetable glycerin ($9 at Whole Foods...wow!) and after spraying it on my hair tonight, I noticed a difference in the softness of my braids.  They really felt moisturized. This made me feel good. I even sprayed a little on Zakiah's hair after her bath. Her hair felt soft too.  Yeah!

Lets back this up!   I didn't even mention anything specifics about my hair challenge. SOOOO, my goal is to establish a healthy regime to help my hair grow fuller. I am not so concerned about length because my hair grows at a pretty good rate as long as I keep my hands out of it and don't get scissor happy (I am notorious for cutting over 2 inches off at a time).  I figured what would be best for now is to braid my hair in box braids and wear my wig in order to keep my hands out of my hair. I actually started off with big braids about 2 weeks ago and ended up rebraiding my hair Wednesday night into smaller sections/braids.  I don't really remember exactly when I started my braids so for the sake of setting an official challenge date, I will say I started my challenge on

April 1, 2010

I plan on doing this challenge for at least six months (October 1, 2010). By the end of the challenge, I am expecting to have grown at least 2.5 to 3 inches of hair from now (I need to take a before picture even though I am dreading it because my hair is no way cute).  I am excited because this is my first challenge. I even hopped on the bandwagon with others doing the 6 month challenge on nappturality.com. I am hoping to do a monthly update on my progress either by a blog post or video.

The hair regimen I am hoping to follow is:
Spritz my hair (daily before bed)
ACV rinse (every 2nd and 4th Saturday)
Rebraid my hair (every four weeks)

Simple, huh?  Well that is how I like it for now until I learn more about deep conditioning, co washes, and baking soda clarifying.  I really want to keep things low maintenance.

Oh, and I plan on drinking AT LEAST 8 cups of water every day. So far, so good! I met that goal ever since I started recording on my calendar (since April 1st).

As far as my wig, I am only wearing it when I go out or have a tendency to put my hand in my hair.  Other than that, I allow my braids to breathe.  Underneath my wig, I wear this really wide crotchet headband to protect my hair from the wig and to allow some breathing room.

Hmm, I think this is it for now. I need to remember to post a before picture as a reference point for my challenge.

My Hair Routine: Apple Cider Vinegar and Herbal Essences

I have reading so much on CurlyNikki.com about different hair products for women with natural curly hair.  I found out that a lot of the products out there contain very harsh chemicals that break down the hair shaft and can lead to pretty serious damage. I have been using a Pantene shampoo and conditioner and discovered that it contains some of these harmful agents. No wonder my hair has been so unmanageable and rough.

I have heard of women rinsing their hair with apple cider vinegar but never thought it would be something I would try. However, upon reading lots of reviews and watching youtube videos about it, I found that it actually rejuvenates the hair by removing all the gunk on the hair and scalp, closing the hair shaft to lock in moister, easily detangling the hair, and creating a nice sheen.  The only side effect I have read so far is that if you use too much (and too often depending on your hair), your hair will become very dry.

So I thought I give it a go.

But FIRST, I wanted to find a good conditioner to use after I rinse my hair with the apple cider vinegar (ACV).  Once again, through research, I saw that a lot of women with naturally curly hair use Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Conditioner. I mean A LOT of them use this. Therefore, it must be good for something especially since it is specially formulated for curly hair textures. So I went to CVS today to pick up a bottle of Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Conditioner (HE TT), Herbal Essence Hydralicious Conditioner (HE H), and Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition Conditioner for $2.88 each (sale price). I wanted to test out several products to see which one will work better (and since they were on sale...regular price is around $5).

So, I mixed up one tablespoon of ACV with a cup (8 ounces) of filtered water in a bottle. Before I got into the shower, I was sporting a flat twist out that was about two days old (I believe...lol.). I didn't detangle my hair or anything before I got into the shower. Once I got in, I wet my hair and applied the ACV rinse to my scalp (while letting any extra drip toward the ends of my hair).

O.M.G.

My hair transformed IMMEDIATELY!!!

Instantly, my hair texture started to feel smoother as a result of the ACV chalking away that gunk of shea butter, olive oil, and gel from my hair. My hair began to feel softer as I began combing my hair with a wide tooth comb.  And tangles?  What tangles?  That comb ran so easily through my hair better than any conditioner I have used (I started combing at my ends, of course, and worked my way to the top). The smell was hardly an issue. I let the vinegar sit in my hair for a few more minutes and then rinsed it out under warm water. I then proceeded to put a wallop of the HE Totally Twisted Conditioner in my hair, focusing on the ends. I finger combed the conditioner throughout my hair and then rinsed the conditioner out of my hair after a few minutes (while I washed up) as the shower water was starting to get cold.

After I was done, I shook my hair lightly and noticed some curl definition in my hair. Next time I will take a picture of the process. I was rushing so my daughter can get into the bathroom for her routine bath. Anyway, I felt my hair and it was OH SO SOFT! It was crazy! I asked my boyfriend to feel my hair and he said it felt stronger. I was like "ok" as if he has enough experience with my hair to know when it feels weak or strong. But then, maybe he just knows. I don't know. But it is amazing how something so simple and natural as ACV can do wonders to the hair.

I am HOOKED.

I am going to add this ACV rinse to my hair routine unless I found something bad about it otherwise. The HE TT is a keeper also. I liked how it wasn't too thick or too thin and it has a nice smell to it.  I am not sure how often I will do the rinse. It depends on how long I decide to go between styles. I flat twisted my hair into nine sections and curled the ends with flexirods. On each section, I added my shea butter/olive oil mix to seal the ends mainly and some lock and twist gel. I need to invest in a spray bottle so I can keep my hair moist while I am working on a section of hair at a time. I tied down my hair with a scarf before I worked out and hopefully it will be dried in the morning.

I am getting so much better with my flat twist. I am glad because I need to get the technique down before my daughter grows a head full of hair.

I will post a picture of the hair results. Hopefully it will turn out ok.