March 2011 Updated Hair Routine/Products.

My routine is not carved in stone because it is based on how my hair feels/ and my schedule. This is a typical routine that changes according to my hair's needs/seasonal changes.

Prepoo: With a mixtuer of oils [such as coconut, olive,vatika oil] and/or conditioner. I typically detangle in sections as I apply the prepoo or after it has conditioned my hair.

Detangling Tools: Fingers, Paddle Brush* (new found love thanks to 1mits1 on the YT), Tangle Teezer, Wide Tooth Comb (See Detangling Tools Blog).

Detangler: a light conditioner, currently using Tressemme Naturals- I do NOT dilute. I braid it up as I detangle

Washing: Shampoo at least once a week in the same braids. Clean scalp with witch hazel as needed/inbetween washing. Depending on the style I have in, I may rinse my hair/scalp especially to remove sweat from working out.

Shampoo: Dr. Bronner Castile Soap (Baby Mild)

Deep Conditioning: I use a protein/moisture conditioner on a regular and tie a plastic bag on my hair. I use the hair therapy wrap for heat.

Deep Conditioner: Organic Root Stimulator Replenishing Conditioner. Works well on its own, I sometimes stretch the product with oils. 

Aryurvedic Treatments: I plan to do this once a month [ last week of the month prefereably] using: amla, Henna, or Kalpie Tone[it's what I got]. I freeze it and defrost with hot water for easy access. I rinse with Tressemme Conditioner- will try shampoo if it's taking too long. I get most out when I detangle again w. leave in.

Protein Treatment: I do this when my hair feels weak and does not bounce back quickly when I gently tug and release. I may opt for Henna or Elasta QP intensive serum or even a homemade egg/mayo mix. When in doubt, moisture over protein or a balance such as ORS replenishing conditioner.

*Always follow a protein treatment with a moisturizing treatment such as Tressemme Naturals and/ or Honey/Olive oil mask*

Final Rinses: Apple Cider Vinegar (I use spritz it on my scalp and hair and massage after rinsing shampoo/conditioner. **Back again** Black Tea Rinse. I steep 2-3 bags in hot water overnight and use as a final rinse after rinsing ACV with water (oprional). I focus on my scalp and pour excess on hair shaft to strenghten it.  I DON'Y RINSE OUT THE BLACK TEA-*optioal*.

 Black Tea and Shedding:

I get alot of shedding and caffein in black tea is meant to slow down the hormone ADT which causes hair loss/shedding. Do your research. I will update you on my progress.


Moisturizing:

H2O
I seal damp hair with an oil (such as sweet almond or Trex- massage in scalp oil). If my hair is mostly  dry after using a Cotton T shirt, I spray with water/aloe mix then seal in the moisture.

I may use shea moisture Leave in on top or use it on its own as a leave in styler [ I like this stuff but will not repurchase after this bottle bc I have alot of sheabutter in my arsenal].

Stylers: I am not big on stylers. I use aloevera gel or shea butter to set my hair. Works well for me. I have tried flax seed gel  but it spoils too quickly. I may revisit and make a very small batch to refrigerate.



PRODUCTS I WANT TO USE UP:

• Mane n Tail Deep Moisturizing Shampoo/Conditioner/ Afro Detangler (I will use together bc sulfates wash out cones).

• Care Free Curls Moisturizing Shampoo [*New*-Full Bottle].
• Honey Hemp Conditoner ( I have had for a while bc I was saving for summer).Uses:Deep Conditioner /Leave in. 
• Avon Naturals Moisturizing  Hair Spray (Macadamia & aloe).[*New* Full Bottle].
• Jamaican Mango & Lime Cactus Oil  (New formula with mineral oile tc.) [ Full Bottle, uses- sealant, prepoo*].
• Bottle of Jasmine scented Mineral Oil [**New, gift**Full Bottle, May try to wash hair w. it].
• Dry Shampoo (**New** Full bottle, I bought it for the bottle (£1 lol It's an applicator bottle-green.white).

Products for next few wks.till finished. After the hennawax is done (green jar) I will use Honey Hemp as DC/Leave in. I will do rinses after washing then apply it. I may even try shea moisture leave in as dc/leave in b4 hand.

 
NOTE: I have put most of the above products  in the bathroom to use for the
next few weeks [I will do my ACV/Black tea rinses weekly]. I will return to my more natural products/products I know are working.
If after a few weeks they are causing irritation, I will discontinue use. I use a mixture of products ranging from commercial, ayurvedic and natural- depends on what works for my hair.

My goal is to keep it simple. I am not one to jump on product bandwagons without deep research/need.

Q: If you have tried any of the above products, how did you find it?

How I store my products w. the exception of the basket in the bathroom.

~Akwaaba/Welcome to my Arsenal.~ -------------------------->
 Top shelve: contains mostly Tools, accessories
Middle: contains mostly raw material ie. Sheabutter,mango butter/carrier,essential oils, mixed oil, prepoo oil etc
Bottom: Products I can easily grab for regular use, homemade shea butter/ unused products. My aloevera gel is stored here too but not in the picture. Notice the pink tangle teezer. lol

Loc Diary: Month 1 Starter Locs Thoughts (Locs are Out).

*These noted were typed when I still had in the starter locs*.


Washing:

First Wash: 24.02.12 (2 days after installing starter locs).

I confirmed my inkling that it is fine even for starter locs, I suppose it depends on one's hair texture and loc'ing method. My tightly coiled hair works to my advantage, as the size of my twists will not unravel when washing. Some loc newbies put a stocking cap on ther locs and wash in that manner. I have yet to try that. I love the feeling of water on my hair and scalp. Also, water tames and encourages my starter locs (2 strand twists) to lay down. H20 also encourages the locing process since clean hair causes more friction, especially clean tangled hair.

Second Wash: 28.02.11  Apple Cider Rinse
Not sure whether the black soap bar is leaving residue... because I saw a white film under my nail at a front section on my hair. I may have to do a buildup treatment  using applecide and bakingsoda  within the month or next wash. Now sure if its too abrasive for my baby locs though.



Conditioning: I have not used conditioner and plan to keep it at bay until my hair starts to loc. I will do this unless I find enough sources that say otherwise. Hot oil treatments are a GO.



Moisturizing: I have been using a spritz I made for my gf who has mature locs to combat dry itchy scalp.
Ingredients: Cool Boiled water/aloe gel/sweet almond oil/rosemary/teatree/lavender essential oil. I made my own using the same ingredients except sweet almond oil. The bottle is 100ml and I added lot of kettle water so had no room. I oil my scalp with a blend I made using emu and other stimulants.

Retwisting: I don't plan to retwist my roots after every wash. I will try and stretch it too 8 weeks/end of Month 2. I did some research to see which direction one should retwist and I found that retwisting to the right or clockwise is fine because most people's hair grows in a circular motion. However, the lovely 'FollowingHerBliss' on the YT explained that a loctician at the salon she visited retwisted to the left or anti-clockwise, claiming that all salons do this.

Whatever direction you retwist in, be consistent.

B.A.B.Y L.O.C.S- D.E.V.E.L.O.P.M.E.N.T.S

27.02.11 : A few shed hairs seem to have travelled to the end of some twists. I think it will form knots which is fine with me.


28.02.11 I started using lemon juice spritz on the baby locs to encourage loc'ing. The lemon juice is meant to stiffen the locs, making it more course so it will loc.Ha! As if my hair needs help at what it does best! Still, this works for all hair types. I have heard rave reviews and I hope to rave about it soon.

I think I have figured out which direction to retwist! Anti clockwise because of how I twisted by  starter locs. I have caught myself play twisting my dry locs.Its necessary that I run my hands in my roots to seperate creeping strands so they don't cross over to other starter locs. Retwisting establishes a spinning/loc system for starter locs. My hair is looking a little frizzy unlike the first few days I had in my started locs but I don't mind. I like the way them lay down and the hand time when freashly washed. March 22nd will be month 1 of my locs!

18.03.11 No noticeable budding. Roots are marrying their neighbours, parts are disappearing. Popping /seperating must be done on wet hair. Unsatisfied with parts but don't want maicured locs and pay the price of thin/weak locs from over twisting.
19.03.11  I decided to seperate the two strand twists and soaked them with Tressemme Naturals (loving it) and detangled with paddlebrush/Tangle Teaser, braids, popped on satin scarf and stocking cap and called it a night! This is the end of these locs. Young, nearly 1 month. I will miss them.

I will post a piccies ( word adopted from TheNaprika) slide show on the very short journey. lol ^.^

Be Blessed! x

Why I took my starter locs out after nearly 1 month.

I took them out because I wanted to. lol I started them with wax which made me paranoid and I washed them after 2 days. My parts are very uneven and as my thick newgrowth came in, I know it would be hard to keep my hair twisted. I had imagined semi forming and planned to re-twist after 4-8 weeks. I rinsed and washed them alot. Hair loves water, locked or not. I learned alot in the 3 2 weeks. March 22 2011 would have been one month loc'ed. I had no noticeable budding. I know it takes time.

I had alot of unfinished business with my loose kinks such as: Frozen henna/Kalpie Tone to use, Molasses treatment and products to go through (new and old [ Most can probably be used on locs but recommended for more mature locs]. I like to keep it simple and with loced hair this principle is best. However, I had buildup from the wax and prehaps my artificial black soap bar even after using ACV rinse . I tried lemon juice which turned my scalp white from dryness. Lemon juice is meant to loc hair faster. I used it for a few days and said, 'HELL NAW'. LOL. I use it on my skin as a toner alternating with ACV.

Anyways, I guess the three weeks can be seen as a protective style. [ a friend of mine had her sisterlocs in for 5 months an coincedently took them out a few days before me- very long protective style indeed. She's loving her new lenght.] ;O)].

My hair started to look rough as I knew it would and I managed fine. I originally planned to take them out, wash with newly arrived 'Dr. Bronner Castile Soap in BabyMild' and put them back in, taking time to have even parts. Instead, I decided to keep my fro out and thought of putting them back in next winter when hats are very much a common-do. I may and I may not. Tis my perogative.

Thanks to all for the support. ;O)

I will post an entry on the notes I had on my starter locs (observations) during the almost 3 weeks and some pics of them.


Much Love <3 [Remember, it's hair at the end of the day. I missed my fro' and it's back.


-EbonyLocs are currently out. ;O)