Naturally Famous

One of the things I loathe about having natural hair is reading the ingredients of products.  In the real world, who has time to do that??  Really?!

One of the things I LOVE about having natural hair is reading the ingredients of products.  Although time consuming, knowledge is power…and a beautiful head of hair.

As a naturalist, there are some synthetic ingredients that you absolutely must avoid.  Unfortunately, they’re in almost everything we use.  For example, Propylene Glycol (PEG). 

Propylene Glycol (PEG)

It is one of the most common ingredients in cosmetics and is highly controversial. Many say it is a harmful irritant known to cause damage to the kidneys whilst a few believe it is safe. But consider this: the Material Safety Data Sheet for propylene glycol warns workers handling this chemical to avoid skin contact.

WELL WHAT DO YOU KNOW!!  My conditioner from last night has PEG.  How delightful (sarcasm).  If I had this list beforehand, I probably would’ve avoided this product. :-/

I highly suggest running through your the list when purchasing your products (or reviewing the products that you already have).  Your hair and health will thank you.

With natural hair, you absolutely have to have a hair regime.  When I wore a relaxer, I didn’t have a hair regime.  Tsk, tsk, tsk.  Apparently, I took that bad habit with me with natural hair.  I’m trying my best to change and this is what I’ve done!

1. Quit the daily ”Wash and Go.”  Although convienent, this regime (co-washing, conditioning, and applying gel) causes crazy dryness on to my hair and scalp because I can’t oil my scalp.  Oiling is important and sometimes necessary.  The convienence is causing chronic laziness.  Because of the heavy gel (and my thick hair), I often get tangles which leads to overshedding.
2. Shampoo my scalp.  I used to ONLY co-wash my hair and shampoo my scalp once every 4-6 weeks.  Eww.  I spoke to my mom about my regime and she practically went off on me.  She believes (which makes sense) that just as your ends needs conditioning, you need to cleanse your scalp.  Think of your scalp like your armpit (I know, gross).  In a day, you sweat and get collect dirt.  You can’t just rinse your armpit, you gotta scrub that thing down!  Shampooing the scalp is damaging, its the type of shampoo that is damaging.  For now, I only have Cream of Nature which can be a wee bit drying.  Today, I used ACV to cleanse my scalp thoroughly.  I then followed up with my Paul Mitchell Conditioner.
3. Baggy at night.  Last night, I did my first baggy treatment!  Baggying is a wonderful treatment that I learned from Mane & Chic.  She has beautiful hair and an amazing texture.  I used Cantu Shea Butter Leave In Conditioning Repair Cream.  I believe their products are primarily for women who wear relaxers but so far no issues.  I’ll update my statement if necessary.

Those are a few external things that I’m doing.  I’ll give my details soon!

Redpumpz

Mine have!  I think I’m too young to have gray hair but I know I’m cursed because my mom started greying at age 28.  I’m not even near that age!!  Ugh!  My sister’s hair is already undergoing the gray transformation and she’s in agony.  She’s the Pluck Princess.

I decided to leave the plucking alone because it only frustrates me when the strands grow back.  When I went natural, my gray strands also grew out gray and curly which I think is kinda cute.

Having natural hair (and wanting to grow strong hydrated hair) prompted me to drink more water.  Recently, I was combing my hair and LO AND BEHOLD, my gray strands were growing in black!  I’m not sure why or how this phenomenon happened but I believe the main contributor is drinking more water.  I try to drink almost 60 oz. a day (pacing through out the day).  Some days are better than others, but I do eventually get most of it down.

Another thing I did was change my diet.  I didn’t change it dramatically as I wanted but I made gradual changes.  Food is literally a drug to the body and can be your friend or enemy.  I’m a huge sweet junkie which really effects my skin and mode.  This summer, my roommate and I have gotten better at eating more veggies, fruits, and WORKING OUT.  We work out at least three times a week for at least 30 minutes.  Its wonderful.

If you have grey hair, don’t despair!!  Try drinking more water and making subtle changes to your lifestyle.  Give it some time to see changes.  However, the back of your head looks like this…

you might want to let it go and embrace the white that’s not right. 

I attended a wedding on the spur of the moment and couldn’t do much with my hair.  Naturally (no pun intended there), I wore it in a ‘fro because…I only had 2 hours to get ready for a wedding.  If given the opportunity, I would’ve split re-co-wash it and wear a small side split like in my family reunion.  Granted I wasn’t in the bridal party but we all know that we have to step it up extra because we have natural hair.

I wore a headband earlier in the day thus I have a funky pre-made headband.  Also, the wedding was on the beach…HEAT…not always great for hair that’s naturally drier than others.  I didn’t do much but tried my best to dress it up with pearls.

My cousin Katholic (another natural belle) forwarded me some great information about natural products.

Beauty for Ashes (http://www.discoverb4a.com/7%20Beauty%204%20Ashes%20HC.html)

Top Ranking African-American Hair Products (http://www.articlesbase.com/advice-articles/top-ranking-of-african-american-hair-care-products-176252.html)

Question/Advice Re: GodHead Products (http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070802113159AAnijJd)

More links on their way!

Sorry that I’ve been away.  I’ve been uninspired and unmoved to write.  Natural can be like that sometimes…I’ll try to get better!  :o)

After jogging yesterday, my roommate and I thought it was best to go swimming to cool off and treat ourselves.  Know the damaging effects on chlorine, I used my Glycerine concoction heavily.  The refreshing water was wonderful and I got brave enough to dunk 1/2 of my head in the water.  From the days of my relaxer, I’ve been trained never to fully submerge.

Results?  CRUNCH CITY!  I’m not sure how strong that chlorine was but holy mackerel!!  My kitchen felt so crunchy-licious!  I’m also not sure if it was the Glycerine’s response to the chlorine jacked me up but oh my Jesus!  I co-washed with my Suave Natural’s Conditionerand entered the Sahara Desert.  Also, triple shrinkage sprang out of nowhere!  No pun intended.  It was sheer devastation.  This weekend, I’m planning to deep condition my hair with olive oil.  I will probably use my shea butter and perhaps another type of butter to supplement any natural oil lost. 

I highly suggest staying away from the swimming pool at all cost because the chlorine is WAY too damaging and to strong to fight.  If anyone has any advice, I’d love to get some and report on it.  Thanks!

Redpumpz

Praise the Lord for some Flax Seed Oil!!  I was lost but now I’m found!!

My mother takes Flax Seed Oil religiously and her hair is up to her underwear strap.  LOL, yes, the panty line.  Although she straightens her hair, she has 2B/3A natural hair.  Then again, Cuban blood will do that.  Either way, she got me on a regime of Flax Seed Oil and Fish Oil.  Flax Seed Oil is my friend.  I saw two of my friends recently and they couldn’t stop talking about my hair length.  I only saw them 3 weeks ago!!  I told them that I’ve been taking Flax Seed Oil and one of them said “oh, that makes sense.”  Apparently Flax Seed Oil has a great reputation.

I typically take it as a daily supplement but I am considering using it as hair oil.  I can purchase the oil as is or be cheap and break the gelled capsules.  Either way, I highly suggest taking this supplement because, not only is it good for you, it makes your hair grow!!  

my family reunion.  Yes.  I’m still alive.  My family reunion went fairly well.  People were so caught up in joy that most of them didn’t even notice my hair.  A few of my Uncles were like “WHY?  WHY?”  I simply smiled and said, “Good to see you too!”  One of my Uncles said “wow, it looks fresh.”  I wasn’t sure if he was trying to be slick or what, but whatever.  I heard nothing overtly negative but did get a few stares.

My Aunt, who I hadn’t seen in at least 11 years, said (and yes, I do quote) “OMGosh, I want to go natural but its so hard and I don’t know what to do!  Can you help me?“  I wasn’t sure if this was a genuine plea for help or if she was just caught up in the excitement.  I’ll follow up with her when I get a chance and see where’s her mind at.

I stood next to my sister the whole night which was great because we both looked fabulous.  We hosted the event so we got tons of attention.  On another note, it made my hair look shorter because her freshly relaxed sleek strands were beautiful.  It was fine though, I was comfortable enough in my own skin and hair and I refused to let anyone take that from me.   Love it!

Everyone knows I’m a beach head.  However, THE BEACH IS NOT NATURAL HAIR FRIENDLY!!  The salty water and the sun can rip your hair apart if you let it.  OR you can always use the heat to your advatage!!  For Memorial Day, I went to the beach (yes, before giving myself the protein conditioner) for about two hours.  If you live in Florida, you understand my drama!!  

Before going, 1) I picked my hair out, 2) sprayed my Glycerine mixture in my hair, 3) lightly sprayed Ion’s Heat Protector on, 4) then slightly twisted my hair in small Bantu knots.  Okay, yes I was looking crazy but there’s definitely a reason to my madness.  It’s called health.  

I’ve used Ion products for some time and I really enjoy them!  The spray is made to withstand flat iron heat so it is definitely strong enough for natural hair in the sun.  The combination is a great moisturizer and is so needed to battle this Florida heat.

Either way, I kept the Bantu knots in for about 30 minutes or so as I flipped from side to side appropriately tanning away my pale legs.  Afterwards, I just let the knots free and fingercomb my hair.  Once I returned home and protein conditioned my hair, my hair was just WONDERFUL!!  It was soo soft and looked amazingly soft too.

Next time I am planning on going to the beach, I may do the same routine and wrap my head in Saran’s wrap before leaving my house.  I hope this info helps!!     

P.S. I said it first!!!

Sorry everyone!!  I started a new job (albeit unpaid) and I’ve been trying to brace myself with the busyness. 

Over the Memorial weekend, after going to the beach, I gave myself a deep protein condition.  I simply used 2 eggs, mayonnaise, and olive oil.  I fairly eyeballed the amount so that it was a creamy light yellow color.  After putting on the plastic bag, I wrapped my head in a towel for about 30 to 35 minutes.  DO NOT GO UNDER THE DRYER.  It was an excellent conditioner and obviously cheap.  If you need a quick deep condition, go for the gold. 

CAUTION!!  Because this conditioner requires the use of animal products, you want to be very cautious in case your hair is “protein sensitive.”  If you have protein sensitive hair, your hair will get very brittle and can tangle easier amongst the strands and begin to break if you condition too much with protein conditions. 

Fortunately I don’t have that issue.  I condition with soy milk, eggs, etc.  If your hair is generally sensitive, you might want to avoid animal protein conditioners overall.  Good luck!

Redpumpz