Happy New Year everyone! With each new year, there is a resolution...or two...or three. And the new year's resolutions that I have are to:
❤be more studious
❤focus more on me and what makes me happy
❤grow my hair to 18in
Now of course I'd love to share my journey to 18in with you all. I've gotten lots of growth from these past months. I should also probably measure my current length and show you guys what I have thus far. Until then I'm going to explain what products I am currently using and what I do to my hair.
Clean Slate: Wash Day
I wash my hair with Head & Shoulders Clean and Fresh shampoo. I use this sulfate shampoo because I have a troubled scalp: dry, itchy, irritated and this shampoo is gentle enough to rid of my dandruff and the itchiness. I am looking for a sulfate free shampoo that I can use to not only nourish my hair but also make my scalp feel the same way that H&S does. I condition my hair with Organic Root Stimulator's Olive Oil Replenishing Deep Conditioner. I use this conditioner as a deep conditioner every time I wash my hair and leave it in my hair for about an hour or longer.
I know, I know the ORS Olive Oil Deep Conditioner is a protein conditioner. I forgot about that and then I remembered and then I forgot again and then remembered and said : "Whatever..". I use this conditioner every week and I haven't noticed a difference in the texture of my hair or noticed extreme shedding. Which means...I'm going to replace this conditioner with a moisturizing conditioner or anything. I've been using this for over a year...and yeah. That's it.
Leave-In/Moisturizers
Right now I'm out of leave-in conditioner. My favorite leave-in conditioner is Kinky Curly's Knot Today. They now sell it in the Target in my neighborhood (bought my leave-in online before Kinky Curly products went commercial). When I get back to St. Thomas I would need to order Kinky Curly's leave-in online because we are very limited to products there (i.e.: everyone shops at K-Mart because...that's all the shopping marts we have...2...K-Marts). BUT...I was thinking maybe the larger K-Mart in country has the Herbal Essence Long Term Relationship. I've never tried it but I've heard only great things about this product and I'm willing to give it a go the next time I see it.
I am currently looking for a new moisturizer. I used to use the Biologics Olive Oil Moisturizer (spelling? I don't have a bottle with me here in Chicago, it's at school). I hate the smell. I hate the smell. I hate the smell. Did I mention that I hate the smell? Because of that I don't use it. It just sits there staring at me and I'm staring at it. When I want my hair to stay still in a ponytail with little to no fly aways, I use it sparingly.
I've been having problems with my hair here in Chicago (yes I am home for Winter break, I leave in 4 days). The weather has really gotten to my hair BADLY. My hair was feeling dry and shedding A LOT. I left all of my hair products at school (never again, lesson learned). I was literally freaking out the first two times I washed my hair because so many strands were falling out. I had to do something. I did deep conditioning and hot oil treatments. I even used the dreaded Blue Magic products in my hair to save it from being hay stack dry. It helped some but not much. I needed to get down to why my hair was so dry and falling out by the strands. I checked the ingredients of the products I was using. Lo and behold, the conditioner that I was using was a full on SMACK protein conditioner: (i'll fill in the name of the conditioner here). I was SO pissed. So I've been co-washing with Shea Moisture's Shea Butter Conditioner and I LOVE it. It's so moisturizing and makes my hair feel amazing. I also went out to buy 100% Pure African Shea Butter to help with shedding and lock moisture in my hair. I also bought Organic Root Stimulator's Dry Scalp Relief Oil. I love this oil!! The first two ingredients are: Safflower and Soy Bean oil. Both oils are said to help with hair growth and keep the hair moisturized. I washed my hair yesterday and my new growth agrees that this ORS D.S.R.O. is a keeper. I also want to buy some other oils to make my own 100% oil mixture.
Heat Pass...es =/
During the Winter I do not air dry my hair. Especially in Chicago. It's TOO freaking cold for that. Yes, there was no snow that stuck to the ground. But nevertheless the winter in the Windy City is no joke. So I blow-dried my hair 3 times since I've been here and I've flat-ironed my hair twice. After every wash, I think I used heat protectant only once (Chi ???) before I flat-ironed. I know shame on me. But I used the ORS oil and Shea butter on it before I flat-ironed :). Today, after my wash yesterday, my hair is back to normal! I can't wait to get back to STT so that I don't have deal with this weather conflicting with my hair. When I'm in STT I only use heat on my hair ONCE a month. I try to have my flat-ironed hair last as long as possible and I do braid outs for the most part.
Protective Styles
I currently don't wear my hair in ANY protective styles. I am trying to learn how to braid via YouTube. I am not gifted by the African gods the hands of a natural braider. So it's taking me quite a while to get the hang of it. I want to start myself on a bunning challenge when I get back to school until my next texlax. I think this would help me keep my hands out of my hair and reduce the shedding that I'm experiencing. We'll see how that goes...
In Between Washes
I don't do anything but re-moisturize my hair with oil.
That's everything that I have to say now that concerns my hair. I hope that I can keep up with maintaining my hair in a healthy state this year so that I could meet my goal of 18in of thick luscious hair.
❤❤❤
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