Hair Update

So far, my hair has been responding very well to the Jessicurl products. I haven't used the Kinky Curly Custard that often, but when I do, I'm pleased with the results. My normal regimen is to wash my hair weekly with Jessicurl Hair Cleansing Cream and then follow-up with Jessicurl Deep Treatment as my leave-in. I skip the conditioning step because it seemed like a waste to use the deep treatment, wash it out, and then put it back in.

There is one thing I'd like to try for my regimen and that is to use a plastic cap with a hooded dryer and heat to really get the ingredients from the deep treatment into my hair. And then follow up with some cool air to seal the cuticle. I think this will help to keep in moisture, though I'm not really seeing a problem in this area since I've been using the Jessicurl products. I think I just want to see if using this method will help me from having to put product in my hair every 2-3 days, but maybe once a week. We'll see how it works out.

On another note, my hair has been growing back nicely where I had the psoriasis issue. It's all just about the same length. Once again, I have to give thanks for the Jessicurl products because my hair has NEVER felt as moisturized and strong as it has now. When I started with the Jessicurl shampoo around September/October 2011, my hair was dusting my shoulders. Now it is about 2 inches from my bra clasp. My hair has never been that long especially in the days of relaxers.

Hair Analysis Update

A couple months ago, I posted about getting a professional hair analysis done and what I planned for my regimen.  To date, I've stuck with shampooing and conditioning once a week and using a leave in every 2-3 days.  Below are my results from the products that were recommended. 

• Jessicurl cleansing cream - isn't bad; my hair is clean but not as squeaky clean as I would like; island fantasy has a nice smell and my hair was soft and not feeling stripped; will use rest of bottle but may not purchase again.
• 50:50 Giovanni conditioner (as a wash out and a leave in)- did not like this as a wash out or leave in; hair felt moisturized for a few hours then felt soft but extremely dry; finished the bottle but won't purchase again.
• Jessicurl weekly deep conditioner - only used this once, but so far I love it (but not the citrus version smell, to mediciny); hair felt great while putting it in, detangling, and after washing it out; I did sit under a dryer for an hour with a plastic cap before washing out; I will use this as my regular conditioner but may not do the plastic cap or an hour each week; as of right now, I would purchase this again.
• Kinky curly curling custard - I was leary about purchasing this after reading other reviews; so far the product has been great especially after washing, conditioning, and using kinky curly knot today as a leave in; I found the key to using this is that hair should be wet and to use sparingly; my hair did not feel crunchy at all and when time to refresh (3 days later), I just needed to spritz my hair with water and put a little knot today in; and my curls were nicely defined; I would purchase this again.

My Hubby's a Part of the Natural Hair Community - Yayyyyy!!!

When I decided to go natural over 2 years ago, my husband was not really thrilled. He thought I'd walk around with a big tight afro resembling Florida Evans more than anyone else in the world. He had fears and reservations. But after 2 years and many products later, my hair has grown quite a bit and there's no afro in sight. Hubby has been pleased with the progress. In fact, within the last month he has started to use some of my natural products (which is good considering the hair analysis findings). He admits that his hair feels a lot better and that he doesn't have to go for hair cuts every week like before due to the unruly look contributed to frizz. Overall, he's not completely on the natural hair bandwagon, but he's at least trailing very closely behind. :-)

For those who are natural, have you been met with positive or negative remarks from loved ones when you made the decision to go natural?

Hair Analysis

I had an analysis done by Live Curly Live Free and was quite amazed at the findings. I just knew that my hair was low porosity and fine. Instead, the analysis showed that my hair is normal porosity, medium-coarse texture, and normal elasticity. Also, if I read it correctly, my hair is pretty receptive to things like perms and hair dyes. Now that really throws me for a loops because perms just never really "took" like I thought they should and hair dye doesn't last long at all....maybe a couple days. My hair doesn't grow fast so I know that's not the case.

At any rate, the analysis also provided a list of products that work well with the type of hair that I have. None of the products I've been using were listed. So this means buying new products to try. :-( On the plus side, I can see some of the recommendations (Jessicurl Cleansing Creme and using Giovanni 50:50 conditioner as a conditioner and leave in) can help to maintain more moisture than my current regimen (Giovanni Deep Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner followed by Kinky Curly Knot Today Leave in). I'm willing to give it a shot. I'll keep you posted on the results.

Crystal Essence Deodorant and the Babyliss Pro Scalp Massager

This video features a product review of the paraben-free deodorant Crystal Essence and the Babyliss Pro Scalp Massager for detangling hair. If you have used these products, share your experience.

Henna for Hair & Aveda Anti-Humectant Pomade

The transition to natural hair began for me in August 2009.  The decision was made because I was tired of relaxers not getting my hair as straight as I'd like, hair thinning, and just the overall look of my hair was awful.  After hearing success stories of some of my co-workers, I decided to give it a try.  After all, if it didn't work or was worse, I could go back to the creamy crack.

Now 2 years later, I am a lot happier with my hair.  One of the methods to the happiness was to stop using shampoos with sulfates and conditioners with "cones".  In addition, there have been two products that I've added to my arsenal this year that have helped to keep my hair soft, nicely colored, and hair frizz free.

Henna

After going natural, I had my mind set on using more natural products.  This meant that I needed to re-think how I dyed my hair.  My past experience with over-the-counter dyes was not a good one.  Either the color did not cover my gray or it did not last long.  In researching alternatives, I came across henna.  I had heard of it before, but in regards to tattoos.  One site in particular, http://www.hennaforhair.com/ , provided a wealth of information and products on henna and how it could be used to color hair naturally and safely. 

I purchased the dark brunette kit, and JACKPOT!!!  The first application was done to my entire head about 4 months ago. The pros are that it colored the grays and left my hair feeling soft.  Since then, I've been using the kit to touch-up new growth.  The hair that was already henna'd has not faded, changed, or altered, and I have about half of the ingredients left which should last until the end of the year.  The only con that I have found is in the smell.  It's not really bad, but is reminiscent of the way grass smells when it is first cut.  To diminish this, I add some of my conditioner to the henna mix.  This works twofold in that it reduces the smell and serves as a deep conditioning treatment.

Aveda Anti-Humectant Pomade

When I was a child, my mom used to press my hair with grease and a straightening comb whenever we had a big event at church or school .  After the popping, sizzling, and ear burning, my hair was shiny, manageable, and looked great.  All that came to an end after playing outside or going to bed with the headwrap falling off.  Long story short, my hair would either revert to a tight afro state or have frizzes.  Even as a teenager and into adulthood, I had problems with keeping my hair straight (relaxer or not).  I just could not get the frizzes to disappear.  That was until I found Aveda Anti-Humectant Pomade.

This product is applied to my hair after I've washed, conditioned, and used a leave-in conditioner.  Then I use a hand-held dryer to make sure the hair is dried.  Next I flat-iron the hair to straighten.  The immediate results are great.  My hair was straighter than any relaxer and it lasted until my next wash (which was a week later).

Products mentioned in this post were purchased by the blogger.  The experiences detailed are the expressed opinion of the blogger and are not influenced by the product makers or manufacturers.