Healthy Hair Challenge 2011 - 2012 : 31 Days On

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Blessings and love beauties!!

It's been since 31 days since I started my Healthy Hair Challenge. Here's a little resumé of what's been going on : 

● I've washed my hair once a week since I've started the challeng. I went on a search and destroy spree and I have done an overnight rhassoul clay treatment along with a bentonite clay treatment another time and clarified with neutral henna once

● I've been styling my hair in "lazy", low manipulative styles such as updos and I've also been  wearing scarves to keep my hands from my hair

● I've been moisturizing my hair with just water [and sometimes with] my leave in conditioner and sealing at least once every two days

● I've been flat twisting my hair in two parts and tucking in the ends and I always wear a satin bonnet to sleep

● I've been washing my hair in parts 

● I've been using heavy butters and using more oils to deep condition as Fall has begun

Here are my observations after the first 31 days : 

●  A lot less shedding

● Practically no breakage

● Breakage and tangles when I do not let my hair dry in small sections after washing

● Hair is more moisturized

I am happy with the results I have after these 21 days and have learnt some valuable lessons. The changes I am experiencing might not be evident yet but I am sure they will be in time.

For those of you that have been in this challenge with me, how has it been going? What are your observations?

♥♥

Healthy Hair Challenge 2011 - 2012 UPDATE

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Blessings and love beauties!!

I pray all is well with you all and you have started your week well.

Some of you might have noticed that I stopped posting for a few days, which is not really me since I try to post at least once a day. I have actually been quite busy, been having a tiring week, both physically and psychologically. I have started the exams I'd mentioned and my heart has just been heavy. But I trust God. He has really been the pillar in my life and has upheld me through. Whatever happens, I know my future is sealed in His hands. THough things might look foggy, I have decided to look to my future through the eyes of faith and abandon the eyes of the flesh. I truly appreciate all your love! Thank you and God bless you!

My primary reason for posting today is to update my Healthy Hair Challenge Guidelines. Yes, I know it starts tomorrow, but I have been having a lot of though over the guidelines I'd set in the original post.

I have reconsidered many things and have decided to adjust the rules. Here are the updated criterion for the challenge :

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 Cleansing :

● Shampoo hair every 3 weeks every week with sulfate - free shampoo : to keep the scalp clean

-- I will be using my liquid black soap shampoo

● Do an ACV rinse every 3 weeks every week : to avoid hard water/product build up // cleanse the scalp thoroughly

● Clarify every 9 weeks once a month : to cleanse thoroughly // to strengthen the hair strands

-- I will be alternating between shikakai powder and neutral henna

Treatments :

● Pre - poo every 3 weeks every week : for extra moisture // for a bit of protein

-- I will be using my conditioner and olive oil mix

● Deep condition every 3 weeks  every week: for moisture // for vital nutrients

-- I will be using my rhassoul clay mix once every 6 weeks twice a month

-- I will also be using bentonite clay once every 9 weeks once a month

● Conditioning every 3 weeks every week : for moisture // detangling

-- I will be detangling with both my fingers and paddle brush

● Tea rinse every 3 weeks  every week: to avoid with excess shedding 

Styling :

● Style by using : leave - in conditioner // hair butters // daily spritz

● Wear protective styles at least 5 times a week : buns // two strand twists // flat twists // updos Wear  low manipulation styles with maximum care

● Wear scarves/beanie/bonnets/beret at least once a week : to cut down on manipulation Wear scarves, beanies, berets, bonnets on days where there is no style inspiration. DO NOT attempt to manipulate hair without having an idea what to do

● Only wear "out" styles maximum once a week : twist outs // braid outs // pin up updos

Miscellanious

● Avoid styles that pull the hair like puffs : to keep edges from breaking // to avoid weakening the hair through tension

● Moisturize hair at least once every two days, especially the ends

● Search and destroy single strand knots/spit ends once every 3 months

-- I will only be using my shears specialized for my hair alone to avoid damaging the hair while cutting off the damaged strands

● Absolutely no heat styling

● Always wash in sections

● Keep hair as stretched as possible : to avoid knotting

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I have decided to keep washing my hair every week like U have been doing all Summer because I have realized and recalled that it's not in the washing that causes harm to your hair, but how you wash. In fact, washing the hair and scalp is a very vital part of healthy hair growth and maintenance. Therefore, if I want to grow and keep healthy hair, I should in no way shy away from washing my hair.  My initial reason for deciding to wash every 3 weeks is because of the time it takes me to wash my hair...but I was being lazy in my mind because my wash days have been so much better than they used to be and actually go by faster that before.

I have realized that taking care of the scalp is very important. Not washing means, all the sweat, dirt you accumulate will just sit there and clog your scalp and hinder proper growth. I have realized that, it's not in the number of times you wash your hair but it's really the method applied and methods used. It is even advised to wash the hair more than once (at least shampoo and condition) a week.

I have also decided to not put in the "wear protective styles at least 5 times a week" rule. To tell you the truth, I am not sure how much I can keep up with this rule since I have fallen so in love with my hair being out and always end up missing it after a few days of protective styles. Of course, I will still be opting mostly for styles that protect my ends and all ...

I know what you are all thinking, protective styles grow hair...um no they don't, not really.

Again, it's not the protective styles but how you do them. YOu can protective style and still not retain length depending on how you care for your hair. And you can not protective style and grow healthy hair! Yes, it is possible. I grow weary of the way I used to think and many of us still think sometimes. Protective styles are good, don't get me wrong, I love them but to say they are the key to healthy hair is not exactly true. Check out this post and you'll see what I'm taking about. 

Therefore, I will be experimenting with different styles, but how I care and manipulate my hair is truly the key.

I will be focusing on low manipulation styles and try and be much more gentle when styling.

Another addition is, as the challenge goes on, I will be giving myself little goals, weekly/monthly etc.

Those are the updates for now. I am really excited about starting this challenge! 

Thank you to all those that have joined! I can't wait to see how it goes for you!

Remember, you can always join us anytime!

♥♥

Healthy Hair Challenge 2011 - 2012

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After a lot of thought and considering the condition of my hair, I decided to go on a Healthy Hair Challenge. I first spoke about it here as a Protective Style Challenge but I have decided to broaden it and tackle the real problems I have with taking care of my hair.

This challenge will run from the 1st of September 2011 to January 31st 2012
- 6 months in all.
Anyone can join in at anytime, in fact, I would love to have some of you natural queens on this challenge to healthier hair. If you are joining the challenge, just leave a comment at the bottom of this post and when I do my weekly/monthly updates, be sure to leave comments at the end of the posts to tell me how it is going and if you have a twitter account, please watch out for my tweets (@DatFunkyFro about the challenge and tweet me to let me know how it's going. You can also send me pictures of your hair and share any tips!
I would really appreciate it!

Now, here is what the challenge entails :


 Cleansing :

● Shampoo hair every 3 weeks with sulfate - free shampoo : to keep the scalp clean

-- I will be using my liquid black soap shampoo

● Do an ACV rinse every 3 weeks : to avoid hard water/product build up // cleanse the scalp thoroughly

● Clarify every 9 weeks : to cleanse thoroughly // to strengthen the hair strands

-- I will be alternating between shikakai powder and neutral henna




Treatments :

● Pre - poo every 3 weeks : for extra moisture // for a bit of protein


-- I will be using my conditioner and olive oil mix

● Deep condition every 3 weeks : for moisture // for vital nutrients


-- I will be using my rhassoul clay mix once every 6 weeks

-- I will also be using bentonite clay once every 9 weeks 

● Conditioning every 3 weeks : for moisture // detangling


-- I will be detangling with both my fingers and paddle brush


● Tea rinse every 3 weeks : to avoid with excess shedding 




Styling :

● Style by using : leave - in conditioner // hair butters // daily spritz

● Wear protective styles at least 5 times a week : buns // two strand twists // flat twists // updos


● Wear scarves/beanie/bonnets/berret at least once a week : to cut down on manipulation

● Only wear "out" styles maximum once a week : twist outs // braid outs // pin up updos


Miscellanious

● Avoid styles that pull the hair like puffs : to keep edges from breaking // to avoid weakening the hair through tension

● Moisturize hair at least once every two days, especially the ends

● Search and destroy single strand knots/spit ends once every 3 months


-- I will only be using my shears specialized for my hair alone to avoid damaging the hair while cutting off the damaged strands

● Absolutely no heat styling


● Always wash in sections


● Keep hair as stretched as possible : to avoid knotting



Now here are my goals for this challenge :

● healthier hair 


Yes that's really pretty much it. If length comes with it, then so be it, but I have nearly become distracted with length that I've almost forgotten my ultimate goal : healthy hair.

This challenge does not only help me work towards healthier hair but it also is a great way to worth with my hair during the cold months of winter where our hair needs maximum TLC.

As I stated above, please let me know if you will be joining this challenge. The challenge starts on the 1st of September 2011 and if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to let me know!

Please note that I might be adding other things to the list, before or after the challenge starts... but I will surely be letting you know.

Have you challenged yourself lately?

♥♥

Mixology : Homemade Leave - In Conditioner Do Or Don't?

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Blessings and love beauties!!

I pray you have started your week wonderfully...

Today, while going down memory lane in my mind, I realized there were a few interesting experiences of mine I had not shared yet with you all...

I remember early in my natural hair journey, while I was still experimenting with a whole lot of products, (products that were great for other natural queens but not me) and trying to establish my staple products, I really needed a leave in conditioner. I didn't even have one that did the job right....While searching on the internet, I came across a few videos and articles where naturals said they used their regular conditioner as a leave in. At first I was skeptical about this, like I was about putting a lot of things in my hair at the time. I did some more research and finally decided to give it a try.

Here's what I did :

● I mixed about two tbps of my regular conditioner with about 200 ml or so of water (I eye balled everything so I cannot say precisely how much of what I used) in a spray bottle

● I used the mix as a leave in a few times

Why this should work :

● a leave in conditioner is supposed to do the same thing as a regular conditioner but on a lesser scale 

● diluting a regular conditioner would lessen it's effect

● using water to dilute a regular conditioner makes it a great for moisturizing and sealing in moisture

My results :

● itchy scalp

● sticky hair

● hair got dirty much faster

● moisturized hair

● semi stiff hair

Why it didn't work :

● regular conditioner is heavier than a leave-in conditioner

● regular conditioner is meant to be washed out because it is more potent than leave-in conditioner and can thus irritate the scalp and cause build up

Though this method did not work out for me at all, I do believe it could be great for some natural divas. I believe the results depends on the type of conditioner you use and how much diluting you do. To me, a light, moisturizing conditioner (with non scalp - irritating ingredients) would be great and the more you dilute the better, depending on your hair needs.

But it's also good to note that when using this kind of leave in, it is best to shampoo regularly because since you are using a spray bottle, some of the product would be getting to your scalp and over time, this can cause build up on the scalp (thus clogging your pores) and build up on the hair over time.

Another thing is, if you are using this as your leave in, try avoiding using it everyday, or instead, try making it as light as possible (diluting it as much as possible).

I used a very thick and heavy conditioner with some protein and moisturizing properties and I also did not dilute it so much...I believe all this contributed to my bad experience. Whatever the case, I doubt I will be trying this again anytime soon because I really believe regular conditioner is best washed out to avoid any scalp issues or problems with build up.

When it comes to doing what it should do, yes, I believe this kind of leave in delivers in that department but when it comes to dealing with the issues that comes with it, I would say, just grab a leave in conditioner.

Have you ever tried this kind of leave in? 

If so, what are your results and how do you make it?

♥♥

The Search For The Ultimate Deep Conditioner : Rhassoul Clay Mix

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Blessings and love beauties!!

After falling immediately for rhassoul clay after my first time using it, I quickly decided to incorporate it into my hair regimen and experiment with it.

Two wash days ago, I decided to try it out as a deep conditioner and see if it was just that good.

Here's what I used :

● 3 portions of rhassoul clay

● 2 of virgin olive oil

● 3 of coconut milk

● 3 of diluted ACV

Here's what I did :

● I mixed everything together into an homogenous mix

● I applied it to my hair after shampooing and applying and doing a small ACV rinse

● covered my hair with a plastic bag and went about my business around the house

● waited for nearly six hours before rinsing everything out

My results :

I fell deeper. Yes, this mix left my hair feeling so soft it was surreal; strong; shiny; mega moisturized! My hair loves it! Therefore, so do I. For now, this is one of my favorite deep conditioners and I will try to be doing this at least once a month! It sure is a keeper for me!

I do believe the longer you leave this mix in your hair, the better and the more wonders it will work! I had actually wanted to use this deep conditioning mix on my last wash day and leave it overnight but I didn't get the chance. I will try leaving it for a longer period and compare the results!

I purposely mixed these ingredients, let me tell you why :

● rhassoul clay : for moisture, strength and deep cleansing

● virgin coconut oil : for conditioning and shine 

● coconut milk : for strength, protein and vital nutrients

● ACV : to remove hard water build up, correct pH, for moisture, for shine and to increase manageability

I believe these ingredients work wonderful together! 

[I just love getting what I expected from a mix and much more!]

When trying the mix out, you can lay around with your favorite oils and so on just make sure you are balancing out the mix and know exactly what you want from each ingredient!

What is your favorite deep conditioning mix? 

Have you tried rhassoul clay? If so, what were your results?

♥♥