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][ January 2010][

Here's to another year natural and another update of my hair care aids.  I hardly ever use commercial products anymore, especially when it comes to moisturizing.  Instead, for the past year I have been opting for healthier alternatives that can be found in your local grocer's, limiting my commercial purchases to styling and cleaning items.  And the updated list reads as such:

1. Garnier Fructis Wonder Waves Fortifying Conditioner - I'm actually new to this little gem, but given my "loyalty" to the Garnier brand due to how well it works with my hair, and the fact that the Wonder Waves is formulated for wavy hair, I figured it was worth a try.  Because I know cream conditioners work wonders for detangling and smoothing, I picked this up to try.  It will be used for bi-weekly co-washes and for use after shampooing.

2. Garnier Fructis Wonder Waves Fortifying Shampoo - I've taken my shampoo use down to once a week for deep cleaning purposes, and am a fan of cream based cleansers because gels tend to make my hair feel dry and brittle.  I suspect this shampoo will work pretty much the same as other Garnier cream shampoos, but I'll only know more after continued use.

** HERE is my review on both products

3. Avocado-Coconut Milk Conditioner (in the plastic container) - A staple favourite for the last two years, this tropical conditioner is used as a deep conditioner alternately with the above conditioner.  Using one avocado and a half cup of coconut milk, this product is as easy to make as it is versatile.  Ingredients such as honey, coconut oil, sage and rosemary can be easily added to give the mixture extra benefits, and with each mixture yielding up to four applications (depending on how much you use) it is definitely an economic alternative to shelling out the big bucks at your local beauty supply.  I apply it after washing (or as a co-wash), cover it with a plastic grocery bag (reduce, reuse, recycle) and let stand for us to 30 minutes.  The result if thick, full looking hair and extremely defined coils.  Works wonders for twisted styles and wash outs!

4. Carol's Daughter Hair Milk - If you've been on the JB2M scene long enough then you already knew this product was going to make the list.  This is the one and only commercial product I refuse to compromise on.  I use it whenever I choose to wear a wash out or two strand twists and it defines my coils so well it often amazes me.  It is a light hair dressing with a clean smell that can be used on wet hair, dry hair, natural hair, relaxed hair... Whatever hair you got, CD's Hair Milk works on it!  I've tried similar products and kept coming to the same conclusion: nothing compares to CD's Hair Milk.  It could possibly be the only product you will ever need.

5. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) - Used as a clarifier after each shampoo/conditioner or co-wash session.  This universal elixir works to eliminate product build up on the hair and scalp, aids in detangling and returns hair to its natural ph levels.  Can be infused with herbs to increase its benefit (I mostly use it with rosemary).  Leaves hair soft and manageable.

The following products are used individually or in combination as needed for moisturizing need.  Admittedly, I use the first one most often:

6. Coconut Oil

7. Grape Seed Oil

8. Sweet Almond Oil

See HERE for my post on these oils and their respective benefits.

NOTE: With the exception of the shampoo, conditioner and Hair Milk, I'm not really brand specific, so you can ignore the product lines on the vinegar and oils.

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][ January 2009 ][

As one would suspect, the more you get to know your hair the more you know what works best for it and helps maintain a manageable style for you.  And so, my products of choice have changed over the past year to include these "MUST HAVES":

From right to left:

1. Garnier Fructis Shampoo And Conditioner 2-In-1, Normal Hair - Used twice a week for combined cleansing and conditioning.  I have grown extremely partial to the Garnier Fructis line because it leaves my hair soft, manageable and virtually tangle-free.  I only lather up a maximum of two times, utilizing a wide tooth comb to massage my scalp and distribute the product evenly from root to tip (I am very careful not to "disturb" the natural growth pattern of my hair).  This poo & co product is very light and creamy and rinses well.  I can't say much for the "anti-dandruff" properties, as I've still noticed a few flakes here and there when my hair was dry (which may be more a result of me not drinking enough water) but I love the way it leaves my hair, and the extra step it eliminates in the care process.

2. Homemade ACV/rosemary clarifier (not pictured) - Equal parts water and apple cider vinegar with about a teaspoon or two of dried rosemary leaves, boiled into a tea, and poured over the hair twice a week after poo & co'ing, or when I need to cut down on the product build up in my hair.  ACV is a natural detangler, and rosemary is believed to stimulate hair follicles and aid in eliminating dandruff (which had helped cut down on my flakes), so this elixir is definite must hair in my arsenal.  As recommended, I do not rinse the mixture out after rinsing, but allow it to set on the hair and aid in keeping my coils from coiling up on themselves as style my hair.  Leaves my tresses soft, and the ACV smell dissipates as the hair dries.  HIGHLY recommended.

NOTE: If you are pregnant, rosemary is not recommended for use.

3. Carol's Daughter Healthy Hair Butter - This right here is hair love in a jar!  I use it particularly for my edges to keep them smooth and relatively "silky" when styling.  Very light with a delicious lemongrass aroma, this gem of a dressing is good for both natural and relaxed hair to keep it moist, manageable and healthy.  Outside of using it on my edges, I have employed this creamy concoction to help revitalize my first ever "wash out", and it brought body and life back to my coils like water does when I wet it.  Again, hair love in a jar, people!

4. Carol's Daughter Hair Milk - I can not find the words for how in love I am with this magic potion of milky loveliness... But let me try to dig some up. *lol* It defines curls, it "relaxes" kink... It virtually turns wool to silk!  I use this for wash outs mainly, although I have friends who use it for dry styling as well.  As with the Healthy Hair Butter, this works on both relaxed and natural styles, and comes highly recommended by not just me but a nation of  CD product users.  Light on the tresses with a lemongrass scent, this is indeed a must have in my hair care collection.  Works beautifully with natural shrinkage, and keeps hair soft to the touch all day long!  Used, so far, directly after washing, conditioning and clarifying.

5. Refined African Shea Butter - So far I have only used this on my edges to keep them soft and prone, but I have heard many good words about this compound.  It is a multipurpose product, good on both hair and skin, with a low melting point that blends well in a variety of recipes.  With a consistency like cocoa butter, shea butter is good for all hair types, and since it comes from West Africa, especially good for our Napturals of colour.  Is absorbed into hair and skin easily without leaving a greasy feel.

6. Murrays Loc Lock Gel - Light and clear I have used this for my twists and as a "lay down" gel for wrapping my hair.  A little goes a long way for this water based product, and can be used with dry hair as well as wet.  Does not leave an oily or sticky residue and helps to maintain moisture.

7. Murrays Liquid Beeswax (not pictured) - For keeping my twists twisted.  Used only when I need to touch up twists and tame the hairs that have "broke loose".  Paired up with the Healthy Hair Butter this keeps my twisted tresses moisturized, full of sheen and body.

So, I have come a long way since I first started.  Since my hair was still partially relaxed when I began my journey, I leaned more towards products which kept the relaxed parts strong, while promoting the health of my natural hair grade.  Now, I lean more towards products with organic ingredients which promote production of my hair's own oils and balances its ph with the elements I add to it.  Because I rarely use heat in my hair I have very little need for "protective" type products.  My deep conditioner of choice is a blend of avocado and coconut milk that I mix myself, and apply once a month, and it compliments my natural hair grade promoting body, natural oil production and softness.

So, it has taken almost a year and a lot of experimenting but I think I have found the products that keep my hair up to its Naptural best.  It may change in the next couple months (except for the Carol's Daughter's products... at this point I'm thinking of adding more), but for now, my deck is set!

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][ May 2008 ][

Being a newbie on the natural scene, I can’t say I’ve really tried a wide range of products just yet, but here’s what I use to keep my current tresses soft, well moisturized, and manageable:

From left to right:

1. Hask Placenta No-Rinse Instant Hair Repair Treatment – Used twice a week after washing and conditioning. I’ve been using this for about two months now and thus far I see a difference in how well my hair maintains its own moisture and resists breakage. I recommend this ONLY if your hair is in need of repair, which mine was.

2. Olive Oil nourishing sheen spray – Used as often as needed between washing to keep my hair from looking dull and dry. I’m VERY big on olive oil (for both cooking and hair/skin care), but find it too heavy sometimes. This is a lighter alternative and does not contain heavy a fragrance. Highly recommended.

3. Pantene Pro-V Relaxed & Natural daily oil cream moisturizer – Despite its title, I only use this when my hair is extremely dry, i.e.. the morning after I’ve forgotten to wrap my hair the night before (*lol*) or am opting to blow dry my hair. It’s pretty heavy so I don’t recommend it for daily use, unless your hair is a moisture hog or the place you spend most of your time is extremely dry.

4. Pantene Relaxed and Natural Intensive Moisturizing Shampoo – Used twice a week, and contrary to the directions, I only lather and rinse. No need to repeat because no matter how "moisturizing" the label claims it is, I know my natural oils are much better for my hair. Plus, no need to add a whole bunch of gunk in the process. While this shampoo is relatively "light" and rinses well, no sense adding second layer to what it leaves behind already.

5. Pantene Relaxed and Natural Intensive Moisturizing Conditioner – Used in conjunction with the shampoo of course – twice a week for the recommended 5 minutes. Also relatively "light" and great for detangling use.

NOTE: I am no more partial to Pantene’s Relaxed & Natural line than I am to any other products. I just happened to see it in the store and thought I’d try it out. As with any hair products, they work best in tandem with products from the same line. So far I’ve had satisfactory results with Pantene’s Relaxed & Natural, but I don’t swear by it, and may just change as my hair changes.

6. Africa’s Best Ultimate Herbal Oil – Used once a month for hot oil treatments, and occasionally as an after shampoo dressing as I air dry my hair. Helps keep the hair moist and breakage resistant when combing or brushing once the hair is dry. And a little goes a long way, trust me. I’ve had the same bottle since I started transitioning, and it’s just now a little under half used. The oil is light with a baby powder fragrance. Also very good for skin.

NOTE: No I did not buy it because of the great big "AFRICA" on the bottle. I bought it because the store was out of Hot Six Oil.

7. Proclaim Professional Care colour and heat protection glossing polish – For those days when I just gotta do the "straight" thing, it keeps the heating implements from doing too much damage. Used maybe three or four times a month and so far my hair has stood up to the torture. Yes, yes, I know heat = baaaaad, but old habits are hard to break, and until my hair grows out a little more or I learn to do those fantastical twists and whatnot, I do all I can to protect myself. *lol* The gloss works very well, with a slick texture and a strawberry like fragrance.

NOTE: For those of you who prefer to keep the heat away from your kitchen, the regular glosser works too, I’d imagine.

 

~*~

So there you have it. Each of these products are relatively inexpensive and can be found at most beauty supply or drug stores. If you don’t want to go brand name, I know Family Dollar and Walgreens carry their very own brand that works just as good as Pantene’s – same ingredients, less pricey (I used their Garnier Fruitis knock-offs for a while… did me good). Since the most I do to my hair now is wrap it or wear it in a pick out, I haven’t experimented with any styling gels or puddings, but once I do I’ll be sure to post what I use and what I think of it.

If you have suggestions, you’re more than welcome to leave a comment here to give me a heads up. *wink*

Healthy Hair Wishes,