Hair Needs

I am still trying to figure out what my hair really likes and dislikes. I know that she hates a lot of protein or products with protein in it. So I had to revisit what products that I can use. it has need very difficult. I have found conditioners that are void of protein. I did but SheaMoisture Leave-in conditioner but it has Aloe Vera in it, which has protein in it, but I will see if my hair likes it anyway. I will be using Jamaican Black Castor Oil and Sweet Almond Oil for my scalp. The Castor Oil has really got rid of my dandruff. I just need to find a good daily moisturizer. I will probably have to create my own with a glycerin concoction with Sweet Almond oil and Castor Oil. I am ordering avocado butter for protect my hair strands for the winter. My hair is getting somewhat long enough for two strand twists. But I will probably pin them up with bobby pins and wear but head bands and flowers as a cute protective style for the winter time. So my hair care regimen for the winter months of 2009 is:

1. Use conditioners, leave in conditioners and styling products void of proteins
2. Henna twice a month until starting October 2009 - December 2009 to see if my hair health will improve
3. Oil scalp using Jamaican Black Castor Oil at least 4 times a week. Sitting under my heat cap for at least 15 minutes
4. Lubricate strands with Avocado butter and olive oil
4. Wear two strand twist protective style for the winter months

Henna Revisited

So I am revisiting Henna because my first attempt at Henna from Lush was horrible. I am also found out that I have been overloading on protein and my hair is a rough, mess. In doing research I have found that good quality Henna is like a deep protein conditioner, but without the protein in it. Plus I want to color my hair without chemicals. lastly, after about 3 to 4 applications I should see major improvements in my hair. So I decided to buy better quality Henna from Mehandi.com . I bought 100g of Henna from Yemen for 7.50. The sift was very fine without the bits and twigs, much better than Lush.

1. I poured the mixture in a plastic bowl
2. Poured in liquid lemon juice. I did not measure I just poured stirred, poured and stirred until I got a yogurt consistency. I did want it to be too stiff like the last time.
3. Covered the bowl with plastic wrap and let it sit until the next morning.
4. I poured about 2tbl olive oil to give my hair condition and to rinse out the mixture more easily
5. Wrapped hair in plastic cling
6. Sitting under my dryer throughout the day in 30 minute increments
7. Wash out hair in shower

Can I just say the application was easier than last time. It reminded me of when I used to relax my hair (Trembling).

I will post results tonight

Protein Sensitive

So I have been irritated and overwhelmed with the dryness and, roughness and non-touchableness (is that a word? lol) of my hair. It seemed as though nothing I used, whether leave in cream conditioner, moisturizer etc., will keep my hair touchable soft like I so crave. Then I realized after looking at blogs and other sites that my strands may have protein overload and the products that I have been using (conditioners, styling products) all had some sort of protein in them. So I decided to examine all of my hair products and use only those that was void of any type of protein. All the products that I had had some sort of protein in it.

I am a little bit upset because I just ordered a plethora of products.

1. Lacio Lacio Leave-In Conditioner (Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein)
2. SheaMoisture Leave-in Conditioner (Aloe-Vera)
3. BB Oil Moisturizer w/Castor Oil & Aloe Vera

Products that I had to give up:

My whole Giovanni line because they all had some type of protein in them

But I did buy some conditioners without any protein

1. Suave ColorCare Conditioner - Good price
2. Herbal Essences Totally Twisted - Curlynikki.com loves it
3. Herbal Essences Hello Hydration - I likie
4 Herbal Essences Hydralicious - Moisturizes very well
5. Suave Naturals Fresh Mountain Berry - Best bang for the buck 22.5 oz for under 2$. I will use this to wash out my henna.

Some common protein names found in many haircare products:

Some common proteins found in hair care products
Protein Major Amino Acids (generally many more amino acids are present)

Collagen- Glycine, proline

Keratin Proline, lysine, cysteine (a sulfur-containing amino acid)

Silk- Glycine and alanine

Soy- Glutamic acid, aspartic acid

Rice- Glutamic acid, aspartic acid, arginine

Milk- Glutamic acid, proline (contains all eight of the “essential” amino acids)

Oat- Glutamine, lysine

Wheat- Arginine, Leucine, Methionine

Aloe Vera