I've Got a Natural Hair Consultant? Wow.

Because I'm the "worst blogger ever", this post is about two weeks after the initial happening...

If you haven't heard of Nia Phoenix, it's time you did.  She's a natural living blogger who's really dedicated to doing the research and posting pictures.  One day may I be like her.  In the meantime, I'll be satisfied with just being her friend.

Two weeks ago, she contacted me about becoming my natural hair consultant.  For her it's about getting hands on experience with locs - hopefully she'll do them sometime.  The styles she does on loose natural hair are so cute.  But, I digress.  For me it about..I'm not sure.  Well, at least one bonus is it will give me something to post about.

When we met up for the consultation, she inquired about the state of my hair - length, porosity (how well it retains moisture - or at least that seems to be the meaning), current regimen, scalp issues.  Then she asked about my goals.  Honestly, my only real one is boob-length hair, but she managed to come up with more based on what my hair is looking like at this point.

For the next six weeks (or four from the date of this post) we're working on two goals - getting my hair to grow at those thin spots and getting my locs not just my scalp to retain moisture.  So far the moisture one has been the easiest to work on.  Nia has recommended that I steam my hair or use a moisturizing product (not just oil) every day and follow that the oiling (or sealing) the locs to retain the mositure. For the record, that really takes a lot of effort.  Steaming is easy since I no longer use a shower cap, but rubbing down my locs every day does take a bit out of me.  It's not that I have super long locs, I just have other things to do in the morning.  Since starting, I've only missed on day - yay me! I do notice a difference.  It makes me want to whip up some daily moisturizer - I've just been using coconut oil for now.  [On a side note, since the first batch, I haven't been able to recreate that perfect balance I experienced and it really pisses me off.]  This week I'm going to try castor oil, not the Jamaican Black one though since my scalp was not pleased with it.  We'll see how that goes.

For my thinning edges, I've been using a rosemary and olive oil blend.  This I do at night.  I've only been doing this a week now so no results that I've noticed yet.  Here are some before pictures:

Gosh that looks dry.

Thinning edges? Give these a try

Many thanks to Nia Phoenix for helping me with my thinning edges.  Here are some recipes she shared with me which I now share with you:

Rosemary Oil

Rosemary herb in olive oil massaged into scalp. Use olive oil based on head size. Approx 2 tbsp and a piece of rosemary herb. Allow it to mix well before applying.

This is what I'm using at the moment.  I used rosemary essential oil since I already had some.

Bayberry Tea

Make a strong bayberry tea and rub it in well at night. Wash off in the morning thoroughly and apply again, possibly add a few drops of lavender oil.

I haven't been about to find this in stores and online it's about $15 so this recipe is on hold for now.

Pre-Wash

1 tbsp jojoba oil, 3 drops rosemary oil,3 drops lavender oil, 1 drop lemon balm and 1 drop atlas cedar wood oil. Mix with wooden or plastic utensil not aluminum. Massage mix into scalp, leave on for 30 minutes. Wash hair, adding 1 drop of rosemary oil to each shampoo application. As a final rinse, add 1 drop each of lavender oil and rosemary oil to a quart of cool water and pour over your head.

I don't have any lemon balm at the moment, but this will get a try eventually.  Hopefully.

If you try one, let me know how it worked for you.