Bantu Knot Out Results (On wet/damp hair)

I wanted to do an ‘intense’ cayenne treatment yesterday, so instead of my usual hour and a half, I went for three and change with a cap. It was a water only mix, and boy did my scalp pulse, which is great! lol 

I had to cowash, to get my hair clean, and aid in getting all they cayenne pepper out of my hair. I did so with VO5 Herbal Escapes Kiwi Lime. I blotted my hair with a towel, and sealed with my mixture of oils, I have in an applicator bottle, which consists of LJBCO, HHCO, and ABUHO. 

*LJBCO- Lavender Jamaican Black Castor Oil (Pure)

    HHCO- Home Health Castor Oil (Cold Pressed Cold Processed)

    ABUHO- Africa’s Best Ultimate Herbal Oil (Brand, mixture of natural oils, fragrance is only unnatural ingredient) 

The great thing about an applicator bottle is that you don’t have to make parts to oil your scalp. Just use the nozzle and squeeze the bottle. I wanted my bantu knot out to have some length to it, so I did not use a leave in conditioner, I sealed again with my mixture of oils.

   *Seal– Is to seal in moisture applied to hair like a leave in, or any other water based moisturizier, by coating  hair with an oil. 

Then I used made parts as I went, and to each section I added Motions Foaming Wrap Lotion (which I normally use for rod sets) mixed with a little of Softee Mango Butter (Hair Dress). I brought this product from a 99 cent store because of it’s price. Since it both Petroleum and Mineral Oil, I don’t use this product too often. So I wanted to find a use for it. 

Not saying that products containing P&MO are bad, but I find the are not moisturizing, and just coat the hair, instead of providing moisture. It is because they are more so barriers, they do not allow moisture in, but it does help keep whatever moisture that is in, stays in.

I do not know how many knots I did to be honest, I would say less than 30 knots all together. My hair does not hold the knots well, so I use bobby pins at the end of the knots. I could not find my satin bonnet, so I used my satin scarf, and kept them overnight. I took them out in the morning, and fluffed, and threw on a headband. This style usually lasts 2-3 days.

Before (Ignore the Date)

 

 

Until Next Time, HHG To All! Naomi ❤

Dry Two Strand Twist Out

I recently took out the twists I installed in my hair, and wanted to share the results with you guys. I only used my fingers to take the twists out, and it took no more than hour.

Until Next Time, HHG to All! Naomi ❤

Two Strand Twists on Dry Hair

Last night while watching a movie, playing with my hair, I decided to twist it. I did not use any combs, or make an parts, except a short one, down the middle. The only products I had in my hair was my oils I sealed with. All mixed in my applicator bottle, which is Lavender Jamaican Black Castor Oil (LJBCO), Africa’s Best Ultimate Oil, and Home Health Cold Pressed Cold Processed Castor Oil (HHCO). Since it was an applicator bottle, I did not make parts, just used the nozzle to get to my scalp, Coconut Milk, and  about two quarter sized amount, of VO5 Herbal Escapes Free Me Freesia Conditioner.

It was pinned, and was mostly dry, I twisted by getting a strand of hair, and separating it, and twisting, and rolled the end of my hair around my finger to get it to curl. The whole process probably took 2 1/2 hours, possibly 3, I was not paying attention to the time. It could also be that the twists are small/medium sized as well.

Anyway, this was not my idea to try it out on dry hair honestly. One of my good friends on my home forum said she was thinking about trying it, and I thought it was a good idea myself. Especially being that natural hair tends to shrink as it dries. Doing it on already dry hair, means that the hair would have to stretch! So that is what influenced my decision to give it a try.

My hair still feels moisturized, and it turned out really well for the first time. I really like that I can almost see my true length with these twists as well. I say almost because I feel like natural hair will always have a little recoil to it, and can be stretched further with pressure, like using your fingers or flat ironing/pressing.

Here are my results.

Coconut Milk for Moisture

I know the idea of using Coconut Milk for your hair is a bit out there, but I thought, since Coconut Oil is so moisturizing, why can’t the milk be? So last week in the supermarket I decided to grab a can of Coconut Milk, can’t remember what brand I used.

Anyway I was really eager to try it so I decided to incorporate it in my wash day, to mix with my deep conditioner. I think I mentioned this in a previous post, but since Coconut Milk is a liquid, it made my deep conditioner a bit runny. So in all honesty I could not truly say that I had fabulous results from using it with my deep conditioner. My hair felt stronger though.

I used it again as a leave in, again, drippy, so I mixed it with conditioner, this is all after sealing with Africa’s Best Ultimate Oil, and put my plaits in. Results were posted in last entry, my hair came out super soft, and shiny, could have been the oil, or the milk, or the combination, who knows, but I think it is great as a leave in!

I used it again as a leave in, after sealing, mixed with VO5 Free Me Freesia, and just pinned my hair in three sections, as I had errands to run today, and tossed on a hat. I have also taken a nap with no scarf or bonnet, and my hair still feels soft and moist.

It is definitely something to try if you are willing to experiment! I love it, so it will become a part of my regimen!

Braid Out Results

I know I promised you guys that I would share my braid out results with you, when I decided to take my plaits out, so here we go…

The picture about is the plaits I installed, I detangled and parted to make these plaits.There were about 25 in all. when taking down the plaits, I did not use a comb to separate the plaits, nor any product, simply just took my time and used my fingers to separate each braid, and fluffed.

 If you would like to know how I achieved these results, please go the the Deep Conditioning Challenge 4 Update post.

Until Next Time, HHG to All! Naomi ❤

Deep Conditioning Challenge 4 Update

As you all know, my Deep Conditioning Challenge officially began yesterday May 16th, 2010, and will end September 16th, 2010, with official update posts from participants on the 16th of the month until September 16th, which is the ending date, rules are posted in the original Deep Conditioning Challenge 4 post , even though I am doing it on my home forum BHP you guys are more than welcome in joining the challenge!

I am using Organic Root Stimulator Replenishing Conditioner as my protein, and Hollywood Beauty Olive Cholesterol as my moisturizing deep conditioners, as the challenge requires participants to have both a moisture and protein deep conditioner.

I started off my wash day and the official first day of the challenge by doing a cayenne pepper treatment, water only paste, which I left on for a little over an hour with a cap. I then, washed my hair with VO5 Herbal Escapes Kiwi Lime which is a clarifying conditioner (which strips the hair and scalp of product build up and oils) I  did a quick cowash with VO5 Herbal Escapes Free Me Freesia, and then added my deep conditioner. I chose to use Organic Root Stimulator Replenishing Conditioner, and added coconut milk, mixed with a tiny bit of oil to my hair after applying the dc, by using a spray bottle.

I have never used coconut milk, but I thought it would be cool to try something new. I put on two plastic caps, and also a towel around my neck, as the coconut milk made the dc very runny. I left that in for about an hour as well. My hair did not come out feeling as soft as usual, but it was not exactly rough either, it did feel stronger though.

I also used the coconut as a leave in, as sprayed coconut milk in my hair, again it was runny, I used Africa’s Best Ultimate Herbal Oil to seal, and VO5 Free Me Freesia to add some softness to my hair, as well as to stop the coconut milk from running. I also put LJBCO on my spots and edges.

I parted my hair and did about 25 plaits in my hair, and left it alone. I still have them in and will probably take them down tomorrow. I will post the results then!

Until Next Time, HHG to All! Naomi ❤

Side Part Swoop Rod Set

I decided to do a rod set yesterday, but wanted it to be a little different from usual, as I do rod sets usually on a weekly basis.

I went about my regular regimen, my cayenne treatment, cowash with VO5 Herbal Escapes, detangled with a wide tooth comb, deep conditioned with Organic Root Stimulator Repenishing conditioner(in the bottle), sealed wtih Africa’s Best Ultimate Herbal Oil, without doing parts, added LJBCO on spots and edges, and then began to start the process of rod setting my hair.

I made a side part, and used Olive Oil Eco Styler Gel  and a tough bristle brush, to slick the front parts down. I then used Motions Foam Wrapping Lotion, with a couple of drops of Africa’s Best Ultimate Oil in my hair in sections. Then used (pink, I forget what size) cold wave rods, which I believe were Salon Care, or Diane Brand.

I put my rollers in vertically, and it took me about an hour to complete sealing, and rodding, and I slept with the rollers overnight, and I took them out this morning.

This was the results!

Hope you like it, and maybe try it at home for yourselves!

Until Next Time, HHG to All! Naomi ❤

Deep Conditioning (4) Challenge

I am a loyal member of Black Hair Planet as I post daily! Absolutely love the forum, and the ladies on there, they are all very helpful, and many have come to be true friends.

One of my friends from BHP has created and been the leader of a Deep Conditioning Challenge. I’ll tell you a little about it, and what the rules are, at least generally.

Each time the rules tweaked a bit, but for the most part the participants have to have two main conditioners, a protein and a moisturizing conditioner. Participants have to deep condition at least once a week, using one of their main conditioners, and are allowed to use other conditioners if they chose, after fufilling the use of both main conditioners for the month. They are also granted passes, if they do not want to use a main conditioner for one week or so on.

The last challenge, Deep Conditioning 3 Challenge included mini challenges, which were told ahead of time, and were things such as oil oil deep conditioning week, or add an ingredient to your deep conditioner, or use a specific ingredient, times like these the rules change a bit, but according to the leader. It’s a lot of fun, and also gets you in the habit of deep conditioning, which can provide your hair with moisture, as well as protein, providing you use the proper conditioners, and know what is moisture and what is protein.

Anyway, I’m telling you all this, because the leader of the challenge is not able to do it this time around, so she has allowed me to take over until September 16th. The Challenge begins May 16th.

To Join: Please post a starting picture, if not possible, please post about your interest in joining, and the deep conditioners that you will be using.

So every 16th of the month to post progress, please post pics on check in day, if not please post as soon as possible. For those without camera’s, you can simply just post about progress, and give us a detailed description of how things are going for you, in this challenge(progress/setbacks/ect). Please mark these dated in your calender’s so you do not forget.

Also when signing up, again, please post pics, and let us know a few things about your hair, ie. whether you are relaxed, texlaxed, transitionining, or natural. Also your hair length, and whether you will be deep conditioning with/without heat, or using a cap. Again, listing conditioners that you will be using is mandatory. It is required for you to have Two Deep Conditioners: One Protein, One Moisturizing.

RULES
You are required to deep condition for at least once a week! (As Evanny has said before, cowashing does not count!)
You can deep condition on wet or dry hair (whatever your preference)
You can deep condition with heat for at least 30 minutes
If deep conditioning without heat, leave it in for at least 2 hours
You can make any additions to your deep conditioner if you like, just post what you added(Oils, honey, eggs, or any ingredient of your choosing)
Again, it is required for you to have 1 Moisturizing and 1 Protein Deep Conditioner, so that is 2 Main Conditioners
You may use other deep conditioners besides your main 2, two times out of the month.
If you would you would like another conditioner besides your main 2, for more than twice a month, you may be granted a pass.
You are allowed 2 passes a month.
Please post when a Pass is used.I tried to keep the rules as close to the original of the first three challenges as I could, these are the same rules that I posted on BHP for the challenge.

Anyone is welcome to join!

Until Next Time, HHG to All! Naomi ❤

V05 Herbal Escapes Free Me Freesia Review

I’m sure that you all aware that whether you are relaxed, texlaxed, transitioning, or natural, hair needs moisture! So it’s always a great idea to follow cowashing (to cleanse hair by using conditioner as you would while shampooing, ie. saturate hair, rub scalp, and make sure it gets on hair and ends, and detangle while rinsing. This helps hair stay moisturized and clean in between washes) with a leave in conditioner.

Now I have never invested in an actual leave in conditioner, but double my cowashing conditioners as leave ins. I have not experiences film or build up using cowashing conditioners, but up until now, I have always used VO5’s Moisturizing Milks Strawberries & Cream, which I absolutely swear by. However, VO5’s Free Me Freesia, also does a great job at leaving my hair feeling soft and moisturized. Now if you have ever used Alberto-Culver Products, you would know that their conditioner, is a bit thin in consistency, so it something that you cannot use sparingly, which I feel is fine, because if it’s price, it is 99 cents at CVS and some drugs stores, but some try to Charge 1 (USD) dollar and change, so I always try to get it where I can get it for the cheapest.

I was long due for a shampoo and cowash last night, as I had been using Olive Oil Eco Styler Gel, for a good portion of the week, for shingling, and slicking my hair down for pony tails. So I shampooed and cowashed, and used Alberto-Culver’s VO5 Free Me Freesia, as a leave in, and decided to put my hair in chunky twists overnight, with a satin bonnet. My hair felt like silk in the morning! Very soft, but not mushy, smells great, if you like the smell of lavender/floral , and it helped my hair hold some curl! The ingredients are pretty decent as well, better than some more expensive products, in my opinion.

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Cetyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Stearalkonium Chloride, Stearoyl Alcohol, Steareth-21, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Glycerin, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Extract, Freesia Refract Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Biotin, Niacinamide, Polysorbate 20, Ascorbic Acid, Panthenol, Propylene Glycol, Benzophenone 4, Disodium Edta, Dmdm Hydantoin, Fragrance (Parfum), Ext. Violet 2.

 This product will definitely be a staple in my arsenal! 5/5!

 Until Next time, HHG to All! Naomi ❤

First Pony!

I have been natural for close to 7 months now, and have never been able to catch it all in  pony tail.

Yesterday, I was in a rush to get ready, and had not done anything with my hair the night before but slap some LJBCO on my scalp. So I rinsed my hair in the shower yesterday morning, and made a side part, and put some Olive Oil Eco Styler Gel, throughout my hair, and brushed to slick it down and put it in a little pony, with the ends tucked! I am so pleased! 

The gel shows off my natural pattern!  It did dry hard, but that could be because I did not add any moisture to my hair before applying, but I like it because it lets me be able to wear it again without having to apply any gel or other products. All I did was put on a satin bonnet last night, and it looks the same as it did yesterday, will be rocking the pony again today!

I finally found a simple PROTECTIVE style. Before, the only protective styling I could do was wear individual/box braids (which I do myself) with extensions, and Kinky twists.

I Just wanted to share my good news with you all!

Until Next Time, HHG to All! Naomi ❤