PHASE ONE - Research
Over the last weekend I have been doing lots of research on how to get started on strengthening, growing and maintaining my hair. I am not one to stick to my hair care regime but I am going to attempt it for at least 6 months. Now the first thing you have to know is that I am Black/African-St.Lucian/African-American, however you want to say it and I am not mixed with any other race. Second is that my hair has been relaxed, bleached, colored, weaved, braided, over relaxed, cut and shaved (so you can say it has been through it all).
After much research (which I am going to share with you) I have come up with an array of ideas that I am going to use in my quest. And I am looking forward to hearing what you think.. :-)
So I have now started mixing oils... castor oil as the main oil then vitamin e, argon oil, jojoba oil and tea tree oil.. now a couple of reasons why I need all those oils:
- Castor Oil to promote hair growth and thickening
- Vitamin E to promote longer, stronger & healthier hair
- Argon Oil to nourish dry hair & help manage over stressed hair
- Jojoba Oil to combat breakage & shedding
- Tea Tree Oil to use on dry, itchy scalp & re-hydrate the scalp
So my plan is to combine all these oils into an empty plastic bottle with a nozzle end so that application can be easy. I would apply the night before liberally all over my scalp and then massage. Applying more where necessary (thinning edges or nape etc). Then shampoo and condition in the morning.
Lets see how it goes.. Will update my results as I go along.. Wish me luck..
Hey love good luck on your journey. Castor oil, vitamin E and jojoba oil have worked wonders on my hair and I've only been using them for 4 months. Thanks for the tip on the tea tree oil, my scalp is soo itchy and I was just about to research natural itch relief so you saved me the time :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you hun... I am hoping it really works and trying to stick to it..
DeleteWow so many products! I hope you find the solution you're looking for! I know caring for hair can be difficult at times. My hair has finally relaxed, but when I was younger it seemed impossible to tame! Good luck on your hair journey!
ReplyDeleteThanks... I am trying... I need to get it back on track and after much searching I hope this works.
DeleteDesiree - Good luck on your hair ventures - I have curly hair and it sometimes has a mind of it's own. I know my hair is different than yours but I understand you trying to figure it out. Good luck to you - Essential Oil Lover - Tina (www.essentialoillover.com)
ReplyDeleteJust visited your website and love love love essential oils and heard so much about all the different uses (even for hair care)..
DeleteI use jojoba or almond oil mixed with my conditioner for extra moisturizing. I'm also a big fan of tea tree oil for it's antibacterial properties. You may want to go light on the tea tree oil, it can really tingle/burn!
ReplyDeleteI havent tried the almond oil as yet but still doing research, will be updating my 2 weeks progress soon
DeleteAs you can tell from my picture I don't have too many hair issues, its easy when its that short all the time lol. But the itchy scalp I do get, definitely trying out your suggestion, just don't tell my wife!
ReplyDeleteLol.. I wont.. but definitely I would recommend the tea tree oil and even vinegar
DeleteI hope you find your solution. I had heard that Vitamin E was really great for strong hair. Its even used with dogs to give them a nice shiny coat. Vitamin E is really great for women going through menopause. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou welcome... I have a black cat whose coat isnt as shiny as it used to be, I may just trying added a couple of drops to her shampoo to see how it works/helps
DeleteGood luck!! I wish at times I wish bald women would be in fashion and taking care of my hair is an issue for me too!
ReplyDeleteBeauty resounds in a persons personality... Bald is always in fashion and I love to see a confident woman with a bald hair
DeleteGood Luck on your hair adventure. A hair care regime has always been a struggle for me especially since my thyroid was removed. My hair is thinner then it once was.
ReplyDeleteCastor oil works wonders especially the Jamaican Black Castor oil for growth and thickening ..
DeleteGood luck! I hope it helps!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure your tips will help others as well. I definitely want to try the tea tree oil for itchy scalp.
Most shampoos and conditioners now are putting in their ingredients.. definitely need to look into it
DeleteI can't wait to see how it works for you. I tried baking soda, but it just didn't work for me. I do love apple cider vinegar for conditioner, but haven't found a shampoo (or something like this) that works for me. Good luck--I hope it works so I can do it, too.
ReplyDeleteThe apple cider vinegar is great.. i love the feel (no so much the smell) and I also heard it balances out the ph in your hair..
DeleteI cant wait to see how this works out for you! I knew about tea tree oil for itchy scalp but the other tips were all new to me
ReplyDeleteWill definitely be updating the progress
DeleteThis will really be a test to see what works, it is probably just getting the right amount of everything.
ReplyDeleteMost likely it may be lots of trial and error but eventually finding something that will help me and be able to share to others
DeleteGood luck! I was kind of surprised to see your recommendation for tea tree oil to rehydrate because IME it can be rather drying. I use it in my mouthwash to combat toothaches. Tastes horrible, but works better than anything else.
ReplyDeleteWell it claims that and this is the research.. hopefully I am able to give more insight but thanks for the tip on its use for toothaches..
DeleteBest of luck on you hair journey. You might want to look into coconut oil as well. My hair dresser suggested along with the argon oil when I totally fried my hair from a color job gone wrong.
ReplyDeleteI have had a color job gone wrong from my hands... will definitely look into it.. thanks for the tip :-)
DeleteI'd love to know how this turns out for you. I didn't know about tea tree oil for dry itchy scalps. I've had multiple shampoos with the oil in it, but I've never used it on its own. I'll have to look into that!
ReplyDeleteIf you dont want to use it on its own just try adding it to the shampoo and conditioner you already use
DeleteI may have to try the Castor Oil. My hair has thinned a lot over the years. Thanks for the suggestion.
ReplyDeleteThat is a must... it really works.. i just dont like to use it on its own unless it is to absorb over night then wash it out in the morning..
DeleteI would love to try these products. Can't wait to order some.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely worth the try
DeleteI have just been taking prenatal vitamins for years and my hair grows like crazy. It's thick and shiny and my nails grow really well, too!
ReplyDeleteI heard that but was scared to try if I am not pregnant lol
DeleteI am curious to know if all of these products will work well together. You have displayed different tubes of product and I am wondering if they will have the same strength if they are combined with each other. I guess I can only wait to see what your results will be. The discoveries with hair continues...Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteThis is my what I call my test tubes.. for testing purposes also.. I am still worried about how effective it might be.. Although I have seen an improvement in my hair.. It is a lot more shinier naturally without adding lots of chemicals before styling
DeleteI can only imagine how hard it's going to be to get castor oil of our your hair. I bet it leaves it absolutely beautiful and shiny though. I love to use Moroccan Oils to smooth my frizzies. Can't wait to hear how it goes!
ReplyDeleteWhat I do now is apply it my conditioner instead of applying it directly, although the mixture of all the oils are applied directly the night before I shampoo and wrapped in a silk wrap to be absorbed.
DeleteWow, that sounds like a really healthy mix. Have you ever considered coconut oil? I am a Pacific Islander, so the texture of my hair is different, but coconut oil smells so good and is so nourishing. It might be an indulgent oil to add to your mix. I like how you included argan oil too--so good for your skin and hair. Good luck!!
ReplyDeleteI love coconut oil, but always have to wait for my mom to make it for me and bring it up twice a year from St. Lucia. I use it to seal after I moisturize. And love it on my skin too
DeleteThis looks like a really great regimen hope it works for you. My niece is half black half white and my sister in law is always struggling with her hair because it's very fine hair like hers but curly, dry and breaks super easy. I wonder if this would regimen would work for her.
ReplyDeleteI also have cousins that are mixed and their hair is ever so curly. What they do is apply a few jobs of castor oil in baby vaseline and smooth it throughout the hair which causes the hair thicken but remain soft and shiny
DeleteDefinitely interested in seeing how this turns out for you. I love argan oil, works great.
ReplyDeleteThanks will be updating in a few weeks
DeleteSounds like a great plan, indeed! I've heard that head massage is a great way to stimulate the cuticle to bring upon more rapid hair growth. Hope it works for you!
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot @Jelli B
DeleteInteresting, can't wait to see what you're results were.
ReplyDeleteMarissa
http://raysofgraceandjoy.blogspot.com
Will be updating in a few weeks and also visiting your blog
DeleteI knew some of these but I didn't know about Tea Tree Oil for the scalp! I may have to try this out! How did it go?
ReplyDeleteGood luck on your journey! I started mine a year ago and have seen tremendous results. I've used castor oil, but wasn't a fan of how thick it was, but I will still use as a pre-poo (pre shampoo) at times. My main routine is:
ReplyDeleteShampoo once a month (condition hair as well)
Co-wash (wash your hair with conditioner only) the rest of the month
Apply essential peppermint oil on your scalp to stimulate hair growth
No Heat! (I only use a flat iron or hot comb to check my length maybe once a couple of months - spray heat protectant on your hair before use)
Minimize Relaxers to twice (possible 3 times) a year
I'm not a beautician - this is just what's worked for me. I had severe hair damage from several of the things you've mentioned above, and my hair has flourished over the past year.
Good Luck!
I love how your regime sounds.. I wash (shampoo & conditioner) my hair every week. Still doing research I found that shampoo strips so I will be doing it less. Maybe once every 2 weeks and co wash instead every week (it will take some getting used to). The essential oil is something I really really need to look into because I keep hearing so much about it. I relax 4 times a year (hopefully that isnt too bad) and I try not to flat iron but since I do not know how to apply rollers I tend to flat iron once a week to keep it soft and flat for the entire week and thats with applying heat protectant first ofcourse
DeleteGreat post! I too recently tried to find perfect products. I'm caucasion with naturally curly hair. My hair falls straight very easily and it has kind of dumb wave to it that is not consistent. I recently started buying shampoo from the african/american section of the hair products and it's really important to have sulfate free shampoo. So far it's working like a charm! I use an aveda product called Be Curly and my curls stay in big curls all day now! I too have heard wrapping your hair with coconut oil at night can help. You can buy a big ol can of it at most grocery stores now, too! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI am working on incorporating the coconut oil into my regime.. thanks
DeleteI hope this works for you. I currently am doing the whole "no 'poo" thing. It works great! Just baking soda and apple cider vinegar, every once in a while a deep conditioning with coconut oil. My hair has never been softer or more manageable.
ReplyDeleteI am reading up more on the the "no poo" stuff.. I am a little anxious to this since I am always shampooing my hair.. but it sounds like it works great with everyone so I might suck it up and do so
DeleteThis was exciting to read, because as I am getting older, my hair is definitely changing. Do you have a recommendation for hair growth? I plan on seeking a few of the other oils you mentioned to help manage dryness and breakage!
ReplyDeleteThe castor oil works great when massage into the scalp.. it grows and thickens hair.. try to put it in your conditioner or else it will make your hair very greasy
DeleteGood luck! My hair is always so fragile because of my hypothyroidism, so I gave up trying. I will be interested to find out how it goes!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear of your condition... just looked it up... the natural oils are always something to consider... So smile... Ill definitely update you
DeleteI'm looking forward to seeing your results! I have a dry itchy scalp that comes and goes and using dandruff shampoos don't work, they actually make it worse! I may just have to look more into tea tree oil! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIt has been a couple of weeks trying and at first it was great.. not sure if this particular tea tree oil is working the way it needs to because I am still very itchy.. still working on the best mixture of oils.. you can use apple vinegar as a rinse after shampoo which helps amazingly
DeleteGood luck with that! Cant wait to see your results. I have been using Coconut Oil for the last 6 months on my hair and I love it!! I have naturally curly hair and it keeps the curls so soft and curly. And I can also blow out my hair and it looks smooth and shiny. I no longer use any other after shampoo hair products :)
ReplyDeleteLooks like you have found a lot of great products to try out!
ReplyDeleteSounds like your hair is pretty damaged. Good luck with your hair care regimen!
ReplyDeleteGood luck! I have been wanting to try coconut oil for my hair, as I've heard it works wonders. This post has inspired me to go ahead and try it out. :-)
ReplyDelete