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