Healthy Hair Tips for 2011

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Are you looking to achieve healthy hair in 2011?  Start with these suggestions:

1. Eat Healthily
Healthy hair starts from within.  If you are not getting sufficient nutrients from your meals, invest in a good multivitamin.  (For more info: hair foods, multivitamins.)

2. Drink sufficient water
Water helps to move nutrients throughout the body.  (For more info: water.)

3. Design a hair care regimen
Start with a basic routine (wash, condition, detangle, and moisturize) and build upon it as necessary (e.g., cowash, prepoo, etc.).  Example regimen, Featured regimens.

4. Find your staple hair products & tools
Clean out your shelves. Keep products and tools that work on your hair.  Donate those that do not.  Learn your hair and what ingredients it likes and doesn't like.  (For more info: moisture.)

5. Protective style more often
Protective styling helps to retain length and maintain healthy strands.  (For more info: Length retention.)

Twist Series: Growth Questions

Hey ladies!  I'm in the process of writing about "Growth & Length Retention" in the Twist Series.  Feel free to add questions in the comment section that I can address in the post.

~Loo

Twist Series: Washing & Matting

• How do you wash your hair when it's twisted?

I use diluted shampoo, do one lather only, and focus on massaging the scalp.  I try not to manipulate the roots and strands much.  This helps to minimize matting.  (When I feel like it, which is rare, I will put my twists into 6-8 plaits prior to washing.)  More details below ...

After every wash, I airdry my twists in two big frenchbraids.  This helps to minimize frizzing.
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• Hi! Thank you so much for the twist series. I'm making a twist regimen of my own and it helps to see yours. I have a question-- When you say "twist for 3 weeks and 1-2 washes", do you mean 1-2 washes after the inital wash (the same day you twist your hair)? I want to avoid matting.

Yes, I do.  After the initial wash/twist day, I usually wait 2 weeks then do my first wash.  On week three,  I do my second wash.  (When I'm able to, I wait the full three weeks then do my first wash.)
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• weekly, i washed my hair in braids (10-15) and detangled every two weeks. most of the time it was fine, but sometimes i found that the base of the plait was matted. i could feel it -- straight + whatever that was + straight.  how do you avoid matting at the base of your twists/plaits?

For my hair, it really comes down to a) how I wash and b) how often I wash.

a) How I wash: The method of washing is more important than how often you wash.  Avoid manipulating the roots much.  I purposely use the shampoo that I use because it lifts the oils/dirt without me having to do much work.  I don't massage the scalp haphazardly while washing.  I kind of do a pinch method ... pinch the base of each twist with my thumb and index finger.  I also focus on cleansing the visible scalp between sections.  (Let me know if this makes sense; otherwise, I'll try to post a photo the next time.)

b) How often I wash: I keep washes to a minimum - about 1-2 washes during a twist session.

"Soul" Food Mondays || Love Is Patient ...

Spread the love this season.  Love is good for the soul!

1 Corinthians 13 (NLT)

1 If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn�t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. ...  3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it;[a] but if I didn�t love others, I would have gained nothing.


4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Reader's Question: Low Comb Routine

• Hello! I am currently experimenting with detangling my hair less often. I read that you do a low comb routine. Can you do a post on your detangling routine? How often you detangle? What you use to detangle (conditioners, combs, brushes, etc) What you do between combing sessions (finger comb, etc)?

Great question!  I have a two-part answer that depends on hair length:


FROM TWA to BSL:
(I actually started this routine at APL, but it works for shorter lengths as well.)  When my hair was this length, I comb detangled every 1-3 months.  I would soak my hair in LustraSilk Cholesterol mixed with olive oil for about an hour.  Then I would comb through each section of hair with a wide-tooth comb followed up by a medium-tooth comb.  After I completed each section, I would twist/braid it up, rinse out the conditioner, and proceed to style my hair as usual. Every 1-2 weeks (between comb detangling sessions), I redid my twists and used that opportunity to finger detangle on dry hair.  


FROM BSL to BEYOND:
I currently detangle about once every 3-4 weeks.  I soak my hair in LeKair Cholesterol mixed with olive oil for about 20-30 minutes.  (As my hair has gotten longer, the ends require just a little bit of protein to remain strong, hence my switch to LeKair.)  Then I run through the ends with a wide-tooth comb followed by a paddle brush from from roots to the ends.  (I use a paddle brush instead of a medium-tooth comb for ease and speed.)  At this length, I no longer finger detangle since my twist styles last from one comb detangling session to the next.


EDITED - MBL and BEYOND: I no longer use a paddle brush.  I only use a wide tooth comb.


I hope this helps!

Hair Playlist for the Holidays!

Currently playing: 4 weeks of flat twists into twist-hawk

Sounds like: Willow Smith (whip my hair)

Chorus: Bi-weekly washes, moisturize as needed

Twist Series: How to Flat Twist

More answers coming soon.  Keep the questions coming....

This is my new favorite way to spice up regular twists ... flat twisting!

This is a great tutorial for beginners:


Another great tutorial, and with a style you can imitate: Tutorial #2

Twists Series: Method II

(Left) Twisting with "flat" strands vs. (Right) twisting with "coiled" strands.

How do I prolong the wear of my twists?  I use the "rope twist", or "senegalese twist" method.  This technique keeps my twists neater longer.  It also prevents the "puffy roots" look.  Check out these video tutorials ...

... by BlackOnyx77: tutorial.

... by BlackBeautyTips: tutorial.

Henna CONDITIONER Recipes

DISCLAIMER: If you are new to using henna, please do your research before trying it.  This is particularly true if your hair is color/chemically-treated OR whether you desire a color change (e.g., red henna) vs. conditioning alone (e.g., neutral henna).

4th henna treatment. Performed with henna melt from TheHairSheBang.

As some of you may know, henna may be used to strengthen and 'thicken' the hair (amongst other benefits).  Unlike most conditioners that rinse out with the next wash, henna is long lasting.  Below are some conditioner recipes you can make at home:

YOGURT HENNA CONDITIONER

- henna

- yogurt

Recipe and instructions

FIA'S HENNA GLOSS - for minimal color change and deep conditioning
- henna powder
- lemon/lime juice
- conditioner or plain, unsweetened yogurt
Recipe and instructions

MIXOLOGIST'S DREAM
- henna powder
- curd
- egg
- lemon juice
- (optional) olive oil or coconut oil
Recipe and instructions

Winterize Your Washes!

With winter weather practically around the corner, how does one minimize the dryness that can come with washing?  Here are a few tips:

1. Wash less often
Rather than washing 2x a week, try washing 1x a week.  Rather than washing weekly, try washing biweekly.  Opt for a dry shampoo in between washes.

2. Add oils to your shampoo
Some have minimized the drying effects of shampoo by adding a little oil.  Recommended oils: olive, jojoba, grapeseed, safflower, or castor oil.

3. Pre-poo with oils and/or conditioner
Before washing your hair, pre-poo (i.e., pretreat) with a concoction of oils and/or your favorite conditioner.  Allow the mix to sit on your hair for at least 20 minutes.  Then proceed to wash as usual.  Recommended oils: olive, coconut, castor, or soybean oil.

4. Focus on the roots and scalp rather than the strands
While cleansing the hair, apply shampoo to your roots only.  Massage your roots and scalp then rinse.  Allow the water (mixed with shampoo) to run through your strands.

5. And, of course, follow up with a good conditioner
A "good" conditioner is one that helps to retain the moisture in your hair.  (Optional: a "good" conditioner will also strengthen the hair.)

6. Speaking of winter - Dry hair completely before ...
Going outside.  Freezing cold weather + wet hair = not a good outcome.  Let your hair dry completely before opening the door.

Other tips: dilute your shampoo, perform your final rinse with cold water, use a shampoo created for dry hair

Twist Series: Frizz and Knots

More replies coming soon ... :o)

• Do you have alot of shorter strands of hair that contribute to the frizzy look? I noticed that I have alot at the top and middle of my head and was wondering if that is natural or if something is wrong since to me it seems to be increasing in number!

Yes, I do have some short strands that contribute to the frizzy look but not a lot.  I think it's natural to have some shorter hairs whether natural or relaxed.  Given that each hair on our head is in one of three cycles (anagen/growth phase, catagen/transitional phase OR telogen/resting phase), some of the strands may be shorter than others.  Additionally, normal wear and tear can contribute to this outcome.


On the other hand, if the short strands are prevalent or increasing in number, then that is not a good sign and may be the result of breakage or other issues.  Try manipulating the hair less and handling it gentler.

• Second, does having alot of single strand knots at the ends of my hair mean its definitely time for a trim?

I agree with JC's comment here.  If you have the patience (or there aren't too many SSKs), you can do a "search and destroy" whereby you only snip the affected strands.  Otherwise, yes; it's time for a trim.

• Since you mostly keep your hair in twists, are single strand knots a big issue for you?

No, they are not a big issue.  I will admit that as the twists shrink over time, I do get a few SSKs, but they are nowhere near the amount I would get if my hair were left loose.

Someone once asked why I don't dip my ends in water to make them re-curl after twisting.  SSKs is why.  I find that if the ends of my hair shrink up, SSKs are more likely to form.

Label of the Day: Skin Care!

Here are some posts on "Skin Care" in case you've missed them:

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1. Hey Med School ... Skin Care, Please?
2. Fall & Dry Skin ... Rescue Me, Shea
3. Nail Health 101
4. Natural Blemish Lighteners
5. Household Makeup Removers
6. Sugar, Acne, and Skin Care Recap!
7. Hyperpigmentation in Black Skin
8. Kojic Acid: Natural Alternative against Hyperpigmentation
9. Building a Skin Care Regimen
10. Natural Skin Care ... On a Budget

Moisturizing Spritz Recipes

The moisturizing spritz is ideal for those with fine hair or those who prefer a lighter alternative to thick butters.  Additionally, it may be used to revive twists or another style that has gotten dry over time.  Below are a couple of quick, easy recipes.  Feel free to tweak to your own liking!

H2O Spritz
- water
- few drops of essential oil (your favorite)

ROSE-GLYCERIN Spritz
- 4 parts rosewater
- 1-2 parts glycerin

LEAVE-IN Spritz
- 5 parts water
- 1 part conditioner (your favorite)

THE WORKS Spritz
- 3-4 parts water
- 2 parts aloe vera juice
- 2 parts glycerin
- 1 part coconut oil
- 1 part olive oil
- few drops essential oil (your favorite)

NOTE: Some of these spritzes have a short shelf life (few days to a few weeks), so be sure not to create too much in one sitting.  Refrigeration may extend the shelf life a bit.

Twist Series: The Method I

More replies coming soon ... :o)

• When you put in your shea butter mixture can you indicate how much exactly you put, because I find that when I do my hair I can't lean up on anything afterwards...lol Should it be a dime sized amount or should I not worry about the oil slick!
• Can you show a picture to give any indication to how you part the twists?
• When you say that you "reapply the whipped shea butter" weekly.. do you just rub the butter along the twisted hair? Or untwist, apply shea butter, and then retwist?
• I find when I go to remoisturize my twists, whether I re-wet my hair and apply moisturizer or just apply the moisturizer alone, my twists are sooo frizzy and fuzzy afterwards. How can I prevent this? I have about 6 inches of hair just to give you an idea.

1. After washing, deep conditioning, and detangling, I plop my hair (while in 10-12 jumbo twists) in a towel. (Time: 1-2 hrs.)

2. After plopping, I undo each jumbo twist and apply a half-dollar-sized amount of whipped shea butter to each section.  Then I redo each jumbo twist and airdry (in a satin scarf) until 80-90% dry. (Time: several hours.)  I suggest applying enough butter to seal your hair and not so much to coat it.   

Plop, moisturize, then airdry in jumbo twists under scarf.

3. Once airdried 80-90% of the way, I begin to twist my hair.  I take down a jumbo twist and begin parting.  I find it easiest to part a horizontal section and then grab-and-go within that section.  I make smaller parts along the perimeter ... larger parts within the perimeter.  (Twist time: 1-3 hrs, depending on size.)  If needed, a small amount of whipped shea butter is reapplied to the ends of the twists only.

Part horizontally, then grab and go.

Smaller parts near nape.  (Not too small though.)

Long, slender parts along hairline.  (Too small = bad for my edges.)

4. When I reapply the whipped shea butter weekly (after a quick spritz with water), I just rub the butter along the twisted hair from the mid-shaft to the ends.  Afterwards, I immediately put my twists in 1-2 frenchbraids and wrap with a satin scarf to combat frizz formation.  Once the hair has "set", I take off the satin scarf. (Time: 30 minutes - 1hr.)

Twist Series: More to Come!

After two weeks of bunning, I'll be twisting again this weekend.  Answers to the following are on the way:

• When you put in your shea butter mixture can you indicate how much exactly you put, because I find that when I do my hair I can't lean up on anything afterwards...lol Should it be a dime sized amount or should I not worry about the oil slick!
• Can you show a picture to give any indication to how you part the twists?
• When you say that you "reapply the whipped shea butter" weekly.. do you just rub the butter along the twisted hair? Or untwist, apply shea butter, and then retwist?
• Do you have alot of shorter strands of hair that contribute to the frizzy look? I noticed that I have alot at the top and middle of my head and was wondering if that is natural or if something is wrong since to me it seems to be increasing in number!
• Second, does having alot of single strand knots at the ends of my hair mean its definitely time for a trim?

If you have more questions, feel free to leave a comment with this post.  Until next week!

REVIEW #8: Jane Carter Nourish & Shine

NOTE:  I am not paid to review this and other products.  All products are purchased via my own pocket and curiosity.

Purpose: To moisturize dry hair, scalp, and/or skin.

Ingredients: shea, illipe, mango, kokum butters, grapefruit and pear essential oils, vitamins A, D, & E. 

Number of trials: Multiple (80% of the container)

How I used it:

� Seal my hair after washing or spritzing with water
� Create a braidout

� Moisturize dry elbows, knees, ankles, and lips

_____________

THE REVIEW:

My favorite characteristics about this product are the natural ingredients, mango-like smell, thickness, moisturizing capability, and versatility. For me, Jane Carter Nourish & Shine was most effective as a sealing agent after washing or wetting my hair ... AND on my skin (particularly, on my elbows, knees, and ankles) after bathing.

My not-so-favorite characteristic is the $22 price for the 4 oz.  This pricing may be due to the ingredients being all natural and shea butter being high on the list (number one to be exact).  Thus, one is paying for ingredient richness when purchasing this product.  Additionally, a little bit of Jane Carter Nourish & Shine goes a long, long way.

Will I purchase it again?  If it were cheaper and weren't a mixologist, then yes.  At the moment, I'm just fine whipping my own butters for less than half the price.  However, I do recommend Jane Carter Nourish & Shine to those desiring to purchase a thick, moisturizing, all-natural, rich, butter-based product that actually works. Here's a less expensive finding including more reviews on Amazon:







_____________

PROS: moisturizing, thick, versatile (use on skin, scalp, and hair), a little goes a long way, nice scent (if you like mango), shea butter as #1 ingredient

CONS: expensive, has a scent (if you're not a fan of mango or fragrances, in general)

RATING: Overall, I give the Jane Carter Nourish & Shine 4 out of 5 stars.  If it were inexpensive, I'd probably give it a full 5 stars.


Ideal for those with: thick hair prone to dryness
Not ideal for those with: fine hair, or hair prone to oiliness

Healthy Hair on Youtube: Afrostory

Afrostory is another one of my favorite healthy hair youtubers.  She has the length and thick ends to show for it.  What's more?  She's a doctoral student specializing in an area about which she is clearly passionate - anthropology.  In the following video, Afrostory gives the "Inside Scoop on Healthy Hair".  Your thoughts?

Playlist for mid-October

Loo - Wavy

Currently playing: 2 weeks of semi-straight natural hair

Sounds like: Leela James

Chorus: Nightly plaits to maintain the style, daily buns, moisturize as needed

Leela James

Loo - Wavy Bun

Healthy Hair on Youtube: Rusticbeauty

Rusticbeauty is one of my FAVORITE youtube hair ladies, and I've been following her since my early natural days.  She's achieved long, healthy natural via twisting and certainly has a hair care routine that works well for her.  In her earlier videos, she was big on using shea butter, Infusium 23, Organix, and coconut oil.  I share her channel with you for inspiration.

Some Rusticbeauty videos with which to start:
Ten tips for natural hair: video
Hair care regimen - pre-shampoo: video
Hair care regimen - after washing: video
Hair care regimen - after moisturizing: video
Hair care regimen - night-time prep: video

DISCLAIMER: Other people's hair care routine may or may not work for you.  Rather, use the suggested hair care routine as guidance and tweak for your hair.

Coming Soon: Jane Carter Nourish & Shine REVIEW

For hair and skin.  Review coming soon!

Winterize Your Conditioner!

Okay, it's not officially Winter yet, but it doesn't hurt to prepare ...

My obsession with shea butter does not stop at hair and body butters but extends to deep conditioners.  A few tablespoons will infuse an inexpensive conditioner with moisture and slip.  Try adding some melted shea butter to V05, Suave, or White Rain ... or mixing it with honey, egg, oil, or avocado to deep condition your hair this Winter ... and even Autumn!

Twists Series: Maintenance II

FUTURE TOPIC: The Method I ...

"I have short hair (about 4 to 5inches) and whenever I twist my hair it twists up on itself so they look like they're sticking out all over my head. How do I get them to all lie straight down?"

I had a similar situation when I was at that stage.  What helped was to twist my hair wet as opposed to dry.  Doing that allowed for the water to weigh down the twists.  Once the twists airdried, they would remain down with the help of wrapping with a scarf nightly.  The longer your hair grows, the less they will stick out.  When I hit about 8-9 inches, my twists no longer stuck out.

"How do you keep them moist?"

I spritz weekly with water until damp and then apply whipped shea butter.  I also wear updos 95% of the time, which involves tucking the ends of my twists under.  

"What do you do to the ends when they are dry or ragged looking (or is it just time for a trim!?)"

�When my ends are dry, I revive them with water and whipped shea butter.  Sometimes, my dry ends call for a fresh wash.

��When they get ragged looking and even thin, I tend to trim them.  Raggedness sometimes implies damaged ends.  Additionally, such ends may cause damage to the healthy ones.  Ragged, thin ends make it harder for me to undo my twists and easier for tangles and knots to form.  Thus, I trim them away.  In between trims, I try to minimize tasks that contribute to thin, ragged ends ... such as impatience during detangling and twist takedown, sleeping on cotton pillowcases without a protective barrier (e.g., satin scarf), etc.

"Is it more important to not touch the hair in the twists for say a week minimum or to keep it in a style that will retain moisture and protect the ends? I ask this since the front of my hair especially gets extremely fuzzy after 2 to 3 days of fresh twists!"

�In order to retain length, it is more important to wear styles that retain moisture and protect the ends than to not touch one's twists for a week. It is more important to pin up the twists daily and take it down nightly than to wear the pinned style 24-7 and risk hairline damage.  It is more important to touch the hair with moisture and risk fuzz than to not touch the hair and risk dryness.  In other words, properly caring for your twists may require some touching within the week, which is fine.  Health supersedes no fuzz.
��For a future topic, I'll talk about how to twist such that fuzz is minimized.

"Did you experience alot of matting and knotting when leaving the twists in for even short periods of time?"

Short answer: It depends.  What I've learned is that I get the most matting and knotting when: 1) I wash more than twice during a twist period and 2) don't detangle thoroughly between twist sessions.  Even if it's a short period in twists, matting and knotting will occur if I do #1 and/or #2.  With my current regimen (twists for 3 weeks, 1-2x washes), I get no matting and very little knotting.

"I noticed some ppl do twists for say a week then use the twist out on the weekend...does this act as being counter - productive?"

I used this method during my in-between stage (between TWA and BAA) and it worked out well.  It's ideal for those who like to wear their hair out but do not want to sacrifice the health and length retention. It is only counter-productive if one is pinched for time; such a method requires weekly detangling and re-twisting.  Other than the time factor, it is a good method.

"Soul" Food Mondays || Increasing Patience

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Increasing Patience.

Patience is necessary to attain a healthy soul.  It goes hand in hand with perseverance.  With strength.  With wisdom.  With faith and hope.  Patience keeps stress, anger, and anxiety at bay.  It is always rewarded and brings peace of mind.  Patience is what you'll find in the strongest and healthiest of relationships.  

Increase your patience, and your soul will thank you for it.

"Learn the art of patience. Apply discipline to your thoughts when they become anxious over the outcome of a goal. Impatience breeds anxiety, fear, discouragement and failure. Patience creates confidence, decisiveness, and a rational outlook, which eventually leads to success." ~Brian Adams

"If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow." ~Chinese Proverb

"One minute of patience, ten years of peace." ~Greek proverb

"Our patience will achieve more than our force." ~Edmund Burke

REVIEW #7: Desert Essence Lemon Tea Tree Shampoo

NOTE:  I am not paid to review this and other products.  All products are purchased out of my own pocket and curiosity.


Purpose: Thoroughly cleanse scalp and hair without stripping of all the natural oils.  (Recommended for oily scalp/hair.  Try other flavors for dry scalp/hair.)

Ingredients: Aqueous Infusion of Certified Organic Extract of Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Fruit (2), Cocoamidopropyl Betaine*, Sodium Coco-Sulfate*, Coco-Glucoside**, Polyquaternium-7*, Panthenol, Certified Organic Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil (1), Leptospermum Petersonii Oil, Certified Organic Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil (1), Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Gluconate.1 Certified Organic by QAI 2 Certified Organic by QCS * Derived from Coconut **Derived from Sugar

Number of trials: Endless

How I use it:
� Rinse my hair under lukewarm water for 1-2 minutes
� Apply diluted shampoo to scalp ONLY using a color applicator bottle
� Massage my scalp and roots for 5 minutes then rinse

THE REVIEW:
My favorite characteristics about this shampoo are the natural ingredients, thorough yet gentle cleansing, and lathering capacity. In my transition to more natural shampoos, I've had a difficult time finding one that lathers and cleanses well ... until I met Desert Essence Lemon Tea Tree Shampoo.  It works like a sulfate shampoo but without the harshness and dryness.   It also pH-balanced according to my home test with litmus paper - about 6-7.  Additionally, it leaves no residue and the scent is not overpowering.  Though the product is expensive, I find that a little goes a long way.

PROS: lathers, thorough yet gentle cleanse, contains no EDTA (for you environmentalists), no SLS (if you're a sulfate-free fanatic), a little goes a long way, pH 6-7
CONS: expensive ($8.99 for 8 oz; you may find it for half that if you really hunt online)

RATING: Overall, I give the Desert Essence Lemon Tea Tree Shampoo 3 out of 5 stars because of the price. If I can find it for cheaper, I'd give it a full 5 stars.

What's Your FALL Regimen?

With Autumn around the corner, will you adjust your hair care regimen?  If so, what changes will you make?  Longer protective styles?  Fewer washes? ...

Loo's SUMMER Regimen
�Prepoo, Wash, and DC every 1-2 weeks
�Airdry
�Twist every 2-3 weeks
�Moisturize weekly

Loo's FALL Regimen
�Prepoo, Wash, and DC every 2-3 weeks
�Airdry
�Twist every 3-4 weeks
�Moisturize weekly

Kojic Acid: Natural Alternative against Hyperpigmentation

Mushroom extract.  Used effectively to lighten dark spots.

MORE ABOUT KOJIC ACID
WEBMD ON KOJIC ACID #1
WEBMD ON KOJIC ACID #2

Twist Series: Maintenance I

It's official!  The twist series has begun.  Today, I start by answering some of your questions.  The remaining questions will be answered in the weeks to come ...  Feel free to continue adding more questions/comments.

How long do you keep yours in?
2-3 weeks. I no longer keep them in for 4 weeks at a time since my current lifestyle requires that I look more "polished".

How many twists do you make?
About 40 twists on average.  Sometimes 30, sometimes 55.

How large do you make them?
Medium to large. Sometimes I make them small. I no longer do jumbo since they don't last as long. I haven't had time for micro/mini twists since my last set.  (My micro twists can be seen here.)

What products do you use?
On twist day, I start off with a Coconut Oil prepoo, followed by a wash with Desert Essence Lemon Tea Tree, followed by deep conditioning with Lekair Cholesterol. I then detangle before rinsing the conditioner. I airdry about 80-90% of the way in plaits. Then I apply a homemade Whipped Shea Butter to my whole head and begin twisting. (The whipped shea butter recipe can be found here.)

Do you do any daily/weekly/monthly maintenance?
Yes. I wear a satin scarf or bonnet nightly to keep the twists moisturized and intact. Before putting on the scarf/bonnet, I put my twists into a french roll or three big twists. (No bobby pins, ouchless bands, or anything; just hair.)  Weekly, I spritz my hair with a little water ... just enough to make it slightly damp and no more than that. Then I reapply the whipped shea butter and wrap my hair with a satin scarf. If it is a wash week, I may redo the perimeter of my twists.

How do you keep your ends moisturized?
I spritz water and apply whipped shea butter weekly (unless it's a wash week). I then follow up by wrapping my hair with a satin scarf until it dries ... otherwise, it'll be frizz galore. Before wrapping my hair, I put my twists in a french roll or three big twists.

How often do you shampoo/condition your hair while it is twisted up?
About 1x every 1-3 weeks, depending on the season. I tend to wash more frequently in the summer versus the rest of the year. I tend to wash more frequently if I've been sweating or if my hair is extremely parched.

Silk Amino Acids - Smooth and Shimmery Hair

What comes to mind when someone says "silk"?  Smooth.  Shimmery.  Soft.  Shine.  Well, imagine bringing all these characteristics to your hair.  How?  Silk amino acids (SAAs).

SAAs are hydrolyzed from silk protein and help to impart smoothness and shine to the hair and skin.  In the hair care community, they are a popular addition to leave-ins and deep conditioners.  In the skin care community, they may be added to lotions and moisturizers to achieve silky skin.

SAAs are on my 2011 wish list, so unfortunately, I do not have a personal review to share with you all.  However, the following links are good places to start for anyone interested in experimenting with SAAs:

ABOUT SILK AMINO ACIDS
BUYING SILK POWDER
BUYING LIQUID SILK (contains preservatives)

Type 4 Series: Styling Fine/Thin Hair

This is a series on how to style and manage type 4 hair healthily. It doesn't matter whether you are natural, transitioning, or stretching relaxers.

Today's topic: Styling fine/thin hair

Tip #1: Use conditioners that leave a protective layer behind after rinsing.

Though my hair is super dense, I have some fine/thin strands, particularly in the back of my head.  When it comes to styling that section, I find that it is best to start with a protective or volumizing conditioner.  My favorite is LeKair Cholesterol Plus Strengthening Conditioning Cream, which I use as a deep conditioner every 3-4 weeks.  When on a time crunch, I use V05 Volumizing Conditioner with Collagen Extra Body for 5-10 minutes.  Such conditioners coat the fine/thin strands and prepare them for the rigors of styling.

DIY conditioner options: Egg & mayonnaise; egg & olive oil; egg & avocado.

More tips coming soon ...

Twist Series: Your Questions

I'm considering doing a short series on "Twists and Length Retention".  Twists, while not for everyone, have helped me achieve hair goals I never thought I would.  If you are interested in learning more, leave a question/comment below in the comments section.  Thank you!

Countdown to MBL Update

Despite a salon setback months ago, MBL is in sight (or already here?).  This length check was taken the first week of August 2010.  It is further proof that black hair can grow.

So what helped me reach this goal?

� Staying DIY (do-it-yourself)
� Coconut oil prepoos
� Leaving my hair alone (i.e., protective styling 2-4 weeks at a time)
� Regular detangling (not too frequent and not to seldom)
� Twists galore

Reaching WSL is next on my list!

Homemade Lip Balm Recipes

BASIC LIP BALM
Ingredients: beeswax, carrier oil, essential oil, honey
Recipe and Instructions


CRANBERRY LIP BALM
Ingredients: sweet almond oil, fresh cranberries, honey
Recipe and Instructions


COCONUT LIP BALM
Ingredients: beeswax, coconut
Recipe and Instructions


APRICOT & LEMON LIP BALM
Ingredients: beeswax, apricot kernel oil, calendula oil, lemon essential oil
Recipe and Instructions

For more recipes, check here

Good or Bad ... Pantene Curl Defining Mousse

While at Walmart yesterday, I stumbled upon the "Pantene Curl Defining Mousse".  It boasts anti-frizz in high humidity without the use of silicones ... which drew my attention.  Here's a short description of the method:

"Pantene uses a polymer system that helps control friction and results in a voluminous and shapely curl. This curly hair mousse contains polymers that provide a strong hold to protect your style from frizz without sacrificing softness and shine."

So I purchased this product and used it this morning.  Needless to say, I love it so far and was looking forward to writing a review after several trials.  That was until I checked the hazard rating at the Cosmetics Database ... http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/product.php?prod_id=15332

... "7 out of 10 (high hazard)"

Umm, yea.  Hmm.  Will I continue to use the "Pantene Curl Defining Mousse"?  With that high of a hazard rating, uhh ... I'll seriously rethink this.  Ladies, research your product ingredients!

"Soul" Food Mondays || Encouragement

For those who believe in Scripture, here are verses to encourage you ...


1. If a friend, family member, or significant other has betrayed, abandoned, or rejected you. Recognize what "real" love is ...

1 Corinthians 13
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.


2. If you question your self worth, self image, self value ...

Genesis 1
27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, �Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.�


3. If you've lost a job, are in a financial bind, lost a home, cannot pay your bills ...

Matthew 6
25 �Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
28 �So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; ... 31 �Therefore do not worry, saying, �What shall we eat?� or �What shall we drink?� or �What shall we wear?� ... 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.


4. If you're going through trials, tests, ordeals ...

James 1
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.


5. If you're dwelling on your past transgressions. If you cannot forgive yourself for the past ...

Romans 8
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.