Recovery - Moisturizing Pre-poo

So after yesterday's hair lightening fail, my hair felt dry.  I decided to try a pre-poo in hopes that my hair would forgive me:

5 oz Aloe vera gel ( food grade )
3 tbls of coconut oil
1 teaspoon wheat germ oil
2 teaspoons honey

I mixed the ingredients, but since the aloe vera gel was cold, the coconut oil didn't melt.  I wet my hair with hot water in an effort to aid the oil melting. 

That didn't work so I went under the dryer for 15 minutes. Then I washed it out using a basic natural shampoo.  Running my hands through my hair, it felt great.  My scalp felt lubricated, but not greasy. Yay!

I followed up with a retwist using my latest batch of loc butter.

Loc Butter Take 3

I think I did it this time:

2 tbsp shea butter
2 tbsp mango butter
3-4 tbsp coconut oil
glycerin
aloe vera gel

After melting the butters, I added the aloe vera gel and glycerin and whipped for 1-2 minutes and placed the bowl in the refrigerator.  When the mixture looked like lotion, mixed a little more before placing it in the jar. 

I used it today to retwist and it was soft.  The aloe vera gel didn't separate either.  I was quite pleased.

Hair Lightening Fail?

As I already said, my hair doesn't usually take color well without first being lightened.  Sitting on the couch this evening, I started getting restless and decided to start on my 2012 goals.  I pulled out the ingredients for the hair lightening recipe I found on http://www.nappturality.com and got to work. 

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup Raw uncooked honey
• 2 Cups Distilled water
• 1 Tablespoon Ground cinnamon
• 1 Tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil
• some Plastic Wrap
• a Bathing Cap

Method:

• Mix all the ingredients in a cup at room temperature and let it sit for at least an hour. This allows the peroxide levels to be released and it becomes more effective.
• Use a long nose root applicator bottle, a spray bottle or a tint brush to apply it to the hair. 

Right here is where things start to go wrong.  I didn't have a big enough cup and made the mixture in a Cool Whip container.  The container is pretty flimsy and when I tried to bend it to pour the mixture into the spray bottle, it spilled out.

I had some more honey left over and started again.  This time, it I just put enough water to fill the 22 oz bottle the honey was in.  I figured I'd just add the rest of the water directly into the spray bottle.

• You can also try applying it only to those areas you want lightened, and wrap the other parts of your hair in plastic wrap to prevent seepage.

I tried spraying the mixture all over my hair, but the cinnamon and olive oil were sticking to the sides of the bottle and clogging the sprayer.  I eventually just poured in onto my head.

• Wrap your entire head up in plastic wrap and put on the bathing cap over the top. You may need to put a towel around your neck to catch any drips.

I'm not pleased.

• It can be left for as long as you want - from an hour to the entire night. 

As I type, I'm about 30 minutes into the process and ready to wash it out.  I'm getting a headache from the swim cap and think it's starting to burn.  It has the burn of relaxer.  That "hmm, can I really manage this?  I want to because it's going to be so worth it."  The thing is, I'm not sold that it will be worth it.

• To wash it out, rinse gently with warm, running water several times.  If you feel any grit, you haven't washed it out thoroughly. Follow up with your normal shampoo and wash and condition as usual.

Since, the site says, "If at any stage you experience itching or a rash or any reaction, discontinue using the treatment." I don't feel bad washing it out now.  I do feel bad for $16 on the honey.

Guess I'll see how badly this turned out tomorrow.  For now, I'm just rinsing it out.

Thanks to the hubby most of the cinnamon is out.

2012 Goals

I've got a few hair goals for 2012:

1. Dye my hair.  I've dyed my hair before, but had to lighten it in order for it to show.  This time around, the plan is to use a recipe I found for hair lightening naturally.  Then, hopefully in time for my birthday, I'm aiming for a reddish color using henna.

2. Build my regimen. I'm in need of a gel/butter recipe that will help my locs to come together.  I've got lots of hairs that stray from the bulk of the loc and make  it look a bit like a loc-fro. I'm also thinking a deep conditioner may be necessary.  I love my daily moisturizer, but think I want to experiment with something that could be easier to apply.

3. Start styling.  I love my hair crinkly so I'm hoping to be able to do a braid out by the end of the year.  I'd also like to try pipe cleaner curls.

4. Fix the bald/thin spots.  When I was about sixteen I noticed that I had to bald patches near the front of my hairline.  I stopped relaxing my hair in hopes that that would help, but to no avail.  Eleven years later they are still there, but haven't seem to gotten better or worse.  Hopefully there's a recipe out there that can help.

5. Wear makeup.  I'm about as low maintenance as it gets.  That's great, but there are some days when I want to be more.  I want to get jazzy.  I want to feel different.  So we'll see how the eye makeup goes.

Love, Jasmine Shampoo Bar Review

Love, Jasmine are handmade, natural shampoo bars. On the website you can find a listing of ingredients all of which are easy to pronounce.  I decided to give them a try for several reasons - I will probably never make my own, I travel a lot and could put this in my carry-on without restriction, and why not support small business?

After 19 days without washing, I decided to put the Avocado Bar to the test.

19 days dry no wash

 

I've been using the daily moisturizer at least once a day, in the morning, but have used it right before bed some nights.  Surprisingly, my scalp still looks good.  I had one friend who actually thought I washed my hair on day 19 (before I actually did).

After wetting my hair, I was scared that it would get the grey look of product buildup and/or start to stink.  Neither happened.  Yay!

Following the product directions, I massaged the bar into my scalp and let it sit for a about five minutes.

Lather, rinse, repeat, and I was done.  My hair was clean and there was no desire to followup with another shampoo.  My hair was dry when I was done, but that was expected since the website says, "For optimal results, a deep conditioning regimen or moisturizer after washing hair is recommended."

Overall, I was pleased with the product.  I'm excited to try the Cinnamon bar.  I recommend this product to those with oily hair and/or frequent travelers.

Time To Buy Pins

11 months

Headed out to game night. Decided to do something different.  So excited it actually looks decent.  Looks like it may be time to buy some pins.

Interview with a Locstar: Celeste

When I decided to add "Interview with a Locstar" to the blog, I wasn't really sure where to start.  I thought of just interviewing people on the street, but that's a bit intimidating.  So I decided to start in my comfort zone.  I took a look at those with locs around me who I consider to be locstars.  To me, a locstar is someone you see who makes you proud to have locs.  They are poised and own their look.  They wear the locs, the locs don't wear them.

Celeste is the editor and publisher of a magazine which is housed in the building I work in.  I've seen her in the hallways and she stands out.  She has a cheerful smile, but don't be fooled you can sense that she's no pushover.  And, she's the only other person here with locs.

I know I may get dinged for some of this - did I already say that Celeste is a magazine editor - but I tried to quote her as best I could.  Consider this a paraphrase of our talk:

Celeste isn't new to locking.  She tried once before when her hair was short.  After a while, that wasn't working for her and she went back to twists and braids and let her hair grow out.  She wanted to be locked before she had a first child, but didn't start the current go round until her first child was about a year old.  She's been locked for almost two years now.

Me: Why did you decide to loc?

Celeste: I wanted to be a good example to my girls.  We're taught that straight, flowing hair is beautiful.  God made us all beautiful. Celebrities from Beyonce on down are wearing weaves.  Some days I'd like to be straight and flowing too, but what type of message [would I be] sending my daughters if they're not good enough the way they are?

In an effort to promote a speaking engagement, Celeste was asked to send in a photograph.  She selected one where she felt healthy.  She had lost about 75 pounds.  The coordinator wasn't impressed and requested a different picture.  Celeste sent in one pre-weight loss and it was accepted.  Both pictures were head shots so her weight couldn't be that big of a deciding factor.  There was very noticeable difference, in the first picture, Celeste has locs.  In the second her hair pressed.  According to the coordinator, the second picture was "more professional." This is the type of thing that makes her wonder, "Would I be taken more seriously if my hair was straight?"

Hmm

Of note: Celeste goes to Urban Nature Silver Spring and is styled by Ebony.

Daily Moisturizer

I originally selected this recipe because it is for hair growth. When I actually got around to making it though, I was interested in using it as a daily moisturizer so I didn't bother buying carrot or argan oil.

3/4 cup of coconut oil
2 tbsp jojoba oil
1/4 cup of olive oil

The original recipe called for 1 tablespoon of carrot or argan oil.

When the ingredients were combined, I had enough for three 2 ounce bottles.  The coconut oil causes the mixture to solidify, but if the room is warm or your rub it your hands first, it spreads easily.

As part of my test of how long I can go without washing my hair, I've been applying the oil at least once daily.  It's been 12 days since I washed it, but you couldn't tell by looking at my scalp. : )

How long have you gone since washing?

Yesterday I read a Facebook post by a woman who has not washed her locs in 6 months. She still moisturized and groomed, but the labor of washing her waist length hair was a bit much for her current schedule. Also, she wears her hair covered reducung the amount of debris which might otherwise land in her hair.

Different strokes for different folks. Depending on the loc forum you subscribe to, you will read a wide range of recommended grooming intervals. Most say that clean hair is healthy hair. Some say that dirty hair locs faster. I say you need to know your hair and know yourself. Quite a few are more concerned with how often you retwist. Retwisting too often can lead to thinning hair. Test different regimens and determine what your hair responds to best and keeps your confidence up.

When I got my hair done last week, Lauren commented that locked hair doesn't need to be washed more than every two weeks. I usually wash and retwist my hair every week. After about that long, my scalp sends out a reminder.

I don't think I can last 6 months. The longest I think I've gone without washing my hair and I didn't have braids is two weeks. I'm going to try to beat that and go a month. If I reach the three week mark, I might as well keep going, right?

The plan: Shower without a cap so that the steam can permeate my hair. Apply a daily moisturizer.

Today makes one week since my hair was washed. Wish me luck.

1 week since washing

Lauren F. Stylist Review

Website: www.urbannaturestyles.com
About: A New Yorker transplanted to the DC area.

Why I went: Lauren had several very good reviews on the website.  And she has locs - plus!

Location:  She works at the DC and Silver Spring Locations

Making the Appointment: Online, so that was easy

My Experience With the Stylist: Lauren arrived several minutes late for my appointment, but her personality won me over.  I felt like I was talking with a friend.  

The Process: Lauren paid attention to me and my hair.  She noticed my scalp issues and gave me a treatment to help combat them.  She inquired of how I usually wear my hair.  Since I can go with the flow, I let her do what she was in the mood for. When the appointment was over, she gave me her number in case I needed to ask questions or needed to get in contact when running late.
 
Overall Take:  It was truly a  pleasure to have Lauren take care of my hair.  I didn't feel like she was doing me a favor by taking my money.  I walked away feeling more confident and like I had a new ally on my hair journey.

Would I go back? Yep

Would I request the same stylist? Yep

Would I recommend them to others? Hmm, yes!

I forgot to take a before picture, but here's the after:

Side view

10.5 months

Natural Shampoo Recipe I

When I first decide to loc I looked up how to wash my hair.  Dr. Bonner's Liquid Castille Soap came up quite a few times.  I knew I had to dilute it, but couldn't figure out the right measurement.  Every trial left my hair cloudy.  So, I just stuck to my Garnier Nutrisse and added tea tree oil to the bottle.  Then I came across a concentrate recipe:

1/4 cup water
1/4 cup liquid castille soap
1/2 tsp of olive oil

My hair reacts well to tea tree oil so I added it along with rosemary oil.

I put all the ingredients in a plastic bottle in a twist tip bottle.  All this was done last week.  This week, I applied the concentrate directly to my scalp and massaged it in.  I got a pretty good lather.  Lather, rinse, repeat, and I was done. Miracle of all miracles my hair looked black rather than the grey it looks when it's still dirty.

I'm so excited.  I have one more shampoo recipe to try, but for now I'm glad that I finally found one that works.

Loc Butter Take 2

So the first run at making the loc butter didn't go so well.  I decided to make some tweeks to the recipe:

2 tbsp shea butter
1 tbsp mango butter
1/2 tbsp coconut oil

I melted those in the double boiler on medium.  Then I added:

1 tsp sweet almond oil
1 tsp jojoba oil
1 tsp avocado oil

I poured the mixture into a glass bowl and mixed it on low for a few minutes before adding:

5 drops lavender
10 drops of tea tree oil

I alternated between mixing and freezing the mixture until it whipped up like a thick lotion.  On the last run in the freezer, it ended up solid so I think I should have quite while I was ahead. I whipped it one more time before putting it into the old shea butter container.

Tomorrow, I'll do my hair and see how it works out.

Follow up: I left the ACV rinse in my hair for 3 hours then rinsed it out with warm water. After washing with a shampoo concentrate, I retwisted my hair. I was being lazy so some of it dried before I got to it. I palm rolled the locs this time. Then I sat under the dryer for an hour.  I'm pretty sure I was under there for too long, but I wanted to make sure that it was fully dry.  I didn't get the same shine I got from the shealoe recipe, but I'll try tweeking the recipe later.

Loc Butter Take 1

The shealoe was okay, but I think I'll pass on further use until I find or come up with a different recipe.  I found a loc butter recipe and I'm trying it out today.  Using my newly purchased double boiler, I melted:

2 tbsp shea butter
2 tbsp mango butter
2 tbsp coconut oil
1 tsp liquid lanolin
1 tsp sweet almond oil
1 tsp jojoba oil
1 tsp avocado oil
10 drops ylang-ylang oil
10 drops lavender essential oil (my personal touch)

I poured the mix into a cleaned out hair grease jar and let it cool.  It did not solidify so this "butter" is more of an oil.

This is a 4 oz jar.  It was filled, but I poured some out into two other jars.

I washed my hair this morning and rubbed a mixture of  liquid lanolin, avocado oil, and tea tree oil onto my scalp. To add some moisture back, I applied aloe vera gel to my hair section by section before starting in on the "butter."  I put the "butter" to my finger tips and retwisted my roots.  After clipping them down, I finger (instead of palm) rolled the rest of the loc.

The plan is to spread this batch over three uses before tweeking it:
1. Use aloe vera gel to "wet" hair
2. Retwist right after washing
3. Retwist dry

Initial reaction:  Not sure that my hair is at the point where finger rolling works.  At least not when done dry with an oil.  The roots look good, but the rest of the loc is a bit puffy and dull looking.  My scalp does feel good.  If all else fails, this may be the moisturizing product I've been looking for. Based on how this came out, there is no need to do #3.

5 days in: My scalp is not happy.  It looks moisturized, but it is flaking.  Actually peeling is more like it.  I've been adding avocado oil, but it doesn't seem to be making it through.  I think the lanolin was a bad move.

Verdict: Take 1 was a fail.

Tweeks to come:  More shea butter, some tea tree oil, no lanolin

JR Review

Website: None (contact me if you need his info)
About: Barber Stylist who does locs and has them.

Why I went: A lot of the people I know personally go to him to get their locs done.  He did his wife's and they were great.  He seemed like a good person to start with.

Location: Laurel, MD

JR did my big chop.

Making the Appointment: Via text message or phone call.  I can't really plan ahead with JR.  I make contact the week I want my appointment.  Too far in advance, and I'm worried he'll forget.  When I do it that week, I'm worried I won't get in.
 
My Experience With the Venue: JR works out of shops that have one side for barbers and the other side are typical salons.  He can be found on the barber side.  The atmosphere is laid back.

My Experience With the Stylist: JR is concerned with your life.

Before I started going to JR.

My first set of twists.

The Process: JR washes and twists.  He uses a variety of products.  Twisting is done using Barry Fletcher Hair Serum.  The effect is glossy hair that's a bit sticky, but clear.

Time to Pay: Cash only.  After your first service, JR doesn't usually tell you how much the is due.

Overall Take: The only draw back is the ease of making an appointment.  Since my schedule gets so busy, like knowing that I can get in when I need to been seen.  His products aren't all natural, but they get a nice look.

Would I go back? Before finding Urban Nature? Yes.  Now, I'm not sure.

Would I recommend to others?  Yes especially men looking to a masculine atmosphere.

Urban Nature Silver Spring Review

Website: http://www.urbannaturestyles.com
About: Natural hair care salon with three locations in the DC metro area.

Why I went: Doing my hair myself is a lot of work.  I like the freedom it gives me, but there somethings that I need someone else to help with.  Since I started maintaining my hair, I noticed that the sizing of my locs was uneven.  There were some that were way too small and one at the front that was too big. I could go back to JR, who started them, but I wanted someone who was using natural products.  Why put all the effort in on my own to have it reversed by someone I was paying? And I didn't want to have to bring my products with me especially since I haven't figured out what mixtures I like best.

I started doing searches for salons that had stylists who did locs.  I eliminated places which did not show a product listing.  Then I read through the products listed for the remaining salons.  There was only one left standing: Urban Nature Styles. They listed the buttes used for maintenance.  In addition to that, I was able to make appointments online.  I was sold.

Location Selected: Silver Spring, MD

Making the Appointment: After selecting the location, I was able to read reviews left by other customers for each of the stylist.  I read through them and picked the stylist who had a review on loc service with a time that worked for me.  After I submitted my request, I waited for confirmation.  Confirmation was sent via email and text message after a few days.

My Experience With the Venue: I arrived for my appointment a few minutes early.  I was greeted by Angela.  While I waited for my stylist to arrive I was able to look at the products which would be used in my hair.  I smelled the butters available and selected the one to be used in my hair - TAMU, mango scented.  I started reading one of the books they had on natural hair while I waited.  There was only one seat up front so that led me to believe that they don't overbook and I wouldn't have to wait a long time.  The reception area isn't as professional looking (no desk, just a card table and two bookshelves one of which housed the credit card machine), but it serves its purpose.  And since there didn't seem to be a receptionist, no real point in doing too much.

Before

Before

My Experience With the Stylist: Kim started on time.  I first wanted a consultation.  I wanted a chance to go over my needs and get a feel for her.  She listened to my concerns about the sizing and asked me to point out the locs in question.  She then walked me to the back where she washed my hair.  That was followed by a herbal rinse.

Once back in the chair, Kim started to comb out the over sized loc up front.  She commented that it reminded her of when she combed out her locs.  That provided the opening I needed to find out about her loc experience.  Turns out she only had them for 8 months.  She didn't like being limited. Hmm.

The Process: Kim used the comb to twist the unlocked roots.  The rest was palm rolled.  In addition to the butter, a gel was added.  I failed to ask what it was, but based on feel, the lack of description on the jar, and the feel of my hair afterwards, I think it was aloe vera gel.  Drying took place under a hooded dryer.

After

After

Time to Pay: When it was time to pay, I expected about a $65 total.  If you book a consultation, you receive a $15 credit on any service greater than $65.  I assumed that would net out and just leave you with the price of the service.  My actual total before tip and the $1 charge for a credit card transaction was $75.  When I asked about it, she let me know that she didn't charge for the consultation, but since my locs had to be clipped all the way down, she charged by for beginner locs.  Really wish there was a description of what the differences in services were on the website.

Overall Take: The venue was nice.  The staff was professional, but not friendly.  Aside from Angela and Kim, no one said hello although I said so to each of them.  Kim was good, but not great.  I'm not really pleased by the fact that she didn't have the patience to keep her locs for longer.  How is she going to be able to help me when I get frustrated?  Also, there were two locs I asked her to join that now look less than perfect.  She didn't comb them out to combine them. Instead, the unlocked portion is twisted together and the two separate locs have been palm rolled as one.  The effect is a puffy loc.  I liked the process though.  I felt that she cared about my hair and the things that should be put in it.

Would I go back? Yes

Would I request the same stylist? Maybe.  I'd like to have Angela do my hair.  She was more personable, but she has an afro.  I may need to send an email to inquire of her personal loc experience.  If that doesn't work out, I may have to try a different location.

Would I recommend them to others? Definitely

Twist Like This Review

Twist Like This Herbal Putty

Per the website if its creator (www.barryfletcherproducts.com), "Twist Like This Herbal Putty [is a] multi-purpose styling [product which gives] firm hold [and a] glossy finish. For natural hair styling, twist, locs, braids texturizers. Contains african butter, soybean oil, bees wax, Aloe Vera, wheat germ, selenium, vitamin B&E."

I used it for maintenance on the recommendation of the stylist that started my locs. He let me know ahead of time to only use a small amount.  What he should have said was stuff will leave your hair ashy and sticky if you don't use just dabs.  If it was giving my hair the hold I was looking for, I wouldn't feel the need to put on more than just a dab.  I didn't try this product just once though.  On several occasions, I used the putty to retwist after washing and even without washing.  After washing, this product doesn't give the hold I need. Without washing, it worked pretty good to refresh my look.  Unfortunately, like regular putty this product is sticky. Overall, I'm sad I spent $10 on a 4 ounce bottle I probably won't touch again.

Pat Downs Not For Afros Only

Yesterday, I sat at my gate at Dayton International Airport replaying my security screening - my hair got pat down! For many naturalistas this is not an uncommon occurrence.  Although not an excuse, who knows what they may be concealing in that carefully sculpted coiffure? But for me, a person still forming her dreads, I was quite confused. To make matters more interesting I went through the body scanning machine. It decided that there was a square on my head that specifically needed to be examined.

The scanner fully highlighted in yellow what needed to be pat down.

So tell me, which of you put a metal plate in my head when i was asleep? And, have these machines been programmed for racial profiling?
 

A Natural Hair Affair: Shea Butter

This is a post by MzDezy of A Natural Hair Affair. I found it useful and hope you do too.

A Natural Hair Affair: Shea Butter: Shea butter is one of my favorite products to use for my hair and skin. It's definitely something that can always be found in my house. Ther...

I Can Do It Myself - Basic Retwist

Paying someone to do my hair is quite costly and pretty inconvenient so I've decided to keep cost low and not walk around scratching my hair all day, I would do it myself.

The first time it retwisted my locs, they were four months old.  I washed using Dr. Bonner's Liquid Castille Soap and twisted with Twist Like This Herbal Putty.  End result, I was able to make it another two weeks, but I felt like I was messing with the size of the locs.  And my hair was sticky.

At nine months, I tried again.  This time I used a super diluted ACV rinse followed by a baking soda rinse.  Unimpressed by that, I went ahead with some regular shampoo.  When I finally felt my hair was clean, I retwisted using Hair Putty. Job complete? Yes.  Hair sticky? Yes.

A week later, I used by the 50/50 ACV rinse followed by regular shampoo and added tea tree oil.  Way less work to feel and look clean.  Hair Putty was still in rotation, so my hair was still sticky.

The next week I gathered all the ingredients to make shealoe and had a long afternoon ahead of me.

Before I started

1. 50/50 ACV rinse for 3 hours

After rinse

2. Garnier Nutrisse shampoo with a few drops of tea tree oil

After shampooing

3. Made shealoe

4. Retwist

5. Sat under dryer on low for 2 hours

I loved the shine though I'm not sure I comes through in the picture.

Shealoe Recipe

I found a recipe for shealoe (combination of shea butter and aloe vera gel) and decided to try it out.

 Ingredients

1/2 cup. Check out the Hair Affair link for shea butter descriptions.

2 tablespoons

1/4 cup

Plus some tea tree oil and peppermint oil

Directions
1. Microwave shea butter.  This wasn't in the original recipe, but since the butter is hard I seemed like the best way to get a nice consistency.  I made this twice.  The first time the butter was room temperature.  Mix with hand mixer until fluffy.
2. Mix in olive oil and aloe vera gel.
3. Mix in essential oils.

Final product using the warmed shea butter.

I stored it in an old hair grease container.

Once the mixture cools, it becomes firm again.  Rubbing it between my fingers before applying made it easy to use.  Also, when I went to use it the next week, I needed to add some olive oil to loosen it up.

Overall, shealoe was easy to make.  The only equipment I used was a bowl, hand mixer (with one blade), and tongue depressor (to mix by hand - I'm sure a spoon would have done the job too).  My hair was shiny, but almost greasy to the touch so I'm pretty sure I used to much.  I didn't need to use any spray or other moisturizer all week though.

Verdict: After 4 uses, I've decided that this isn't for me. I love all the ingredients, but the final firmness of the product is a turn off.  I'll keep searching for my perfect loc butter.

Tracking

Starting Line - mid-January 2011

I need to start tracking my progress. That was part of my issue when I started on this journey.  My wedding was months away and I had no idea what to expect.  Unfortunately, I hardly ever remember to take pics.  Hoping to get better.

6 months

5.5 months

Essential Oils

 Essential oils are concentrated hydrophobic liquids containing volatile aroma compounds from plants.  They are essential because they contain the "essence" of the plant.  They should be diluted since most should not be applied directly to the skin.

Lavender

• Encourage new follicle growth - fight alopecia
• Disinfects scalp 
• Antifungal

Peppermint

• Stimulates hair follicles
• Promotes hair growth
• pH balancer  - good for oily and dry scalp
• Moisturize hair shaft
• Remove dandruff
• Add shine and gloss

Rosemary

• Promote hair and scalp health
• Increase circulation
• Stimulate follicles
• Remove dandruff

Tea Tree

• Disinfectant
• Promoting hair growth
• Helps with dry and oily hair

Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse

Basic ACV Rinse

Mix ACV and water in a spray bottle using a 1:1 ratio.  Spray onto hair and scalp and massage in.  Leave on for 15 minutes to 3 hours.  Rinse out with warm water.

Different ratios work for different people - or so they say.  I've decided to try this one for 4 weeks, to determine what changes should be made for me.  I've hoping for shiny hair and less dandruff.

Verdict: After 7 weeks of weekly usage before shampooing, this is a yes.  I have less dandruff and that's huge.  I'm going to see what happens if I space out the frequency.

The Why

A Listing of Ingredients in the Recipes Provided and the Purpose They Serve:

*My scalp is extremely dry and I suffer from seborrheic dermatitis so most of my recipes are geared toward scalp relief.*

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) - the benefits go on, but I'm concentrating on the aspects that matter to me.

• Balance pH of scalp
• Thicken hair
• Remove dead skin cells
• Aid with itchy scalp and dandruff
• Give hair body and luster
• Hair cleanse
• Remove buildup and residue
• Close cuticles

Shea Butter

• Moisturizes
• Adds luster to hair - Truth,  I made some shealoe to twist my hair, and there was a definite difference.
• Treats dry scalp - hmm, undecided

Aloe Vera Gel

• Contains enzymes which stimulate hair growth
• Reduces dandruff
• Can be used to tighten locs
• Drys out scalp (helping to give that dread look?) so be sure to mix with oil before applying to retain moisture

Olive Oil

• Moisturizes
• Improve strength and elasticity
• Natural conditioner - adds shine and makes hair soft
• Helps with split ends

Mango Butter

• Relieves itchy skin
• Moisturizes and smooth rough skin
• Treats eczema and dermatitis

Coconut Oil

• Conditions
• Helps regrow damaged hair
• Dandruff relief
• Helps retain moisture
• Contains fatty acids which are anti-dandruff agents

Liquid  Lanolin

• Moisturizes
• Helps heal chapped skin (winter is coming)

Sweet Almond Oil

• Protein source
• Contains Vitamin E
• Shiny hair
• Conditions
• Carrier oil

Jojoba Oil

• Relieve dryness
• Mend split ends
• Smooth frizziness
• Conditions
• Antibacterial
• Cleanse scalp
• Protect hair when swimming
• Prevent thinning hair
• Natural sheen

Avocado Oil

• Carrier oil
• Contains proteins, vitamins A, D, E and B6, magnesium, copper, iron, amino acids and folic acid
• Natural sunscreen

Ylang Ylang Oil

• Hair re-growth
• Conditions
• Anti-seborrhoeic
• Balances oily and dry skin

 Wheat Germ Oil

• Increases lost moisture to the hair while adding shine, strength, and softness.  
• Helps keep the hair cuticle closed and free of breakage.
• Tends to build up on scalp.  Hmm
• Of note: It has a "nutty" scent which I am not a fan of

Honey

• Moisturizer
• Low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide which had lightening properties

Glycerin

• Attracts moisture (from the air or you)

Jamaican Black Castor Oil (JBCO)

• Moisturize, thicken, strengthen and increase hair growth