Oils that promote healthy hair growth!

On this natural hair journey I've searched for many ways to grow my hair faster, longer, and thicker. Ive taken several trips to the beauty supply store trying fo find products that promised faster hair growth and was met with disappointment. What I've learned on my journey is that you can't make hair grow any faster than what its meant to grow. But what you can do is keep your hair healthy so that it can grow and you can retain length.

Making sure your hair is healthy and growing you have to make sure that you are putting healthy things into your body. Eating healthy foods like green leafy veggies and foods with iron, amino acids, fiber and the right fats can help your hair grow healthy.  Also drinking lots of water. Typically drinking 8 glasses a day (well that's what I was taught in nutrition class).
Exercise is essential as well. Exercise helps stimulate blood flow to the scalp which the hair needs to grow. And exercise also helps reduce stress. Stress can cause your hair to break off. Ive experienced "stress breakage" over the past few years and no matter how many products you put in your hair to keep it from breaking, if you're experiencing a high amount of stress your hair will break off.

To keep hair healthy and growing, oils plays a major role. Oils such as caster oil, oilve oil, coconut and sweet almond oil help stimulate hair growth and moisturize your hair. Here's a list of some great oils that promote hair growth. 

ROSEMARY OIL

Rosemary oil is often used in shampoo. Rosemary has the ability to stimulate the hair follicles, which results in hair growth. Rosemary helps hair grow not only longer, but stronger.

JOJOBA OIL

Jojoba oil has the ability to loosen and remove crusted build up on the scalp. This build up is known to block hair follicles and inhibit hair growth.

LAVENDER OIL

Lavender oil is used for many purposes one of which is hair loss. Several smaller studies have shown that individuals suffering from alopecia (hair loss) who massaged their heads daily with lavender and other essential oils had significant hair re-growth over the course of seven months

COCONUT OIL

Coconut oil is excellent for nourishing hair and helping it have a beautiful shine. Massaging coconut oil into the scalp ensures that the hair is free of lice, lice eggs and dandruff and helps with the nourishment and re-growth of damaged hair

THYME OIL

Thyme oil is used to promote hair growth by improving circulation to the scalp through massage. Thyme provides hair with shine, luster and bounce.

JAMAICAN BLACK CASTER OIL

This Oil works for all hair types. It will moisturize, thicken, strengthen and rapidly increase hair growth. It increases blood flow to the scalp, supplying valuable nutrients to hair follicles. Jamaican Black Castor Oil will also prevent hair breakages, dandruff, eczema and dry, itchy scalp. Jamaican Black Castor Oil has crossed over into other ethnic groups, and is now being used widely for some of the same purposes, as well as new found uses including eyelash and eyebrow hair growth and as massage oil. This versatile oil carries many varied uses.

My favorite Products

Shea Moisture products are my favorite products to use. First, I love them because they're ingredients are 100% natural and they make my hair really soft and manageable. I also use then on my daughters hair. Its the only product that keeps their hair soft and moisturized all day. Another thing I love about Using Shea Moisture products is that it helps repair your damaged hair. So if you're transitioning to natural hair like I am this product will work very well for you.

You can find these procuts at any drug store ( eg. walgreens, CVS, ect.) even at Wal-mart now. Prices range from $7.99- $12 depending on the size and store. They also have starter kits for people who are transitioning with almost everything you need to help you. Starter kits usually start at around $20. In them you'll get their Shea butter leave-in or rinse out conditioner (a must have), shampoo, and finishing elixir. I recommend these products to anyone.

I use these products shown below in my daily regimen. I moisturize my hair twice a day. I use the L.O.C method to seal in the moisture. I start off by spritzing my hair with water or Shea Moisture moisturizing coconut milk (depending on how dry my hair is), then I use a dime size portion of the shea butter leave in conditioner. Then to help seal in the moisture I use Organix Shea butter and Argan oil (also found at wal-mart).

The best advice I'd give to someone who's going natural is give this method and these products a try. This hair journey, for me, has been about finding the best products for me. (trial and error), and learning to accept and love your hair no matter how kinky, curly, or "coily" it may be.

Hope this helps

Reading the Lables

Before I started growing my natural hair out I would buy products based on what the front of the lable would say. For example I bought a lot of products that promised to help grow my hair "faster", thicker, longer, stronger and healthier. Little did I know that many of those products didn't do anything they promised but they also contained ingredients that we're damaging my hair even more.  Once I found out what those ingredients were, I cleared out my cabinet, read the lables of ALL the hair products I use and got rid of the ones containing these bad ingredients. I was a huge fan of the Dr. Miracle's products but had to stop using them because many of their products contain MINERAL OIL & PETROLATUM, which are not good for your hair. My advise to anyone is to read read read the lables CAREFULLY. If a product sounds too good to be true, chances are that it is and it more than likely contains ingredients that aren't healthy for you. An example of a good product that I love is Shea Moisture products. Their products have all natural ingredients and are perfect for natural hair. You can find these products at most beauty supply stores and drug stores like CVS and Walgreens.

Avoid Products containing:

ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL
MINERAL OIL & PETROLATUM
Petrolatum
polyethylene glycol (PEG)
PROPYLENE GLYCOL (PG)
SODIUM LAURYL SUFATE (SLS)
SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE (SLES)
CHLORINE
diethanolamine (DEA)
momoethnanolamine (MEA)
triethanolamine
FD & C Color PIGMENTS
FRAGRANCE
IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA
DMDM HYDANTOIN

click the link for the reasons why you shouldn't use products containing these ingredients.
Hope this helps anyone. Thanks for reading. Feel free to comment. :) and subscribe.

Lovin' my Twists

Just put my twist back in 2 days ago and I think Im keeping this style for the entire summer. Re-braiding every 1-2 months. And yes I braid and twist my own hair using Janet kankelon extensions.

My Natural Hair Journey pt. 1

      Its been over 3 months since I had my hair relaxed and 2 months of transitioning. I must say that Im happy that I made the choice to go natural. Ive seen alot of changes in my hair. Before transitioning my hair was very weak, brittle and thinning. Now my hair is strong, thick and growing.

       I just recently took out my twists I did with extensions(kept them in for over a month) and I noticed growth especially around the nape area (back of my head). My nape was where I had saw the most damage and breakage over the years, especially when I had my last relaxer. It had gotten so short that I could barely grip the hair when I was putting my extensions in. Now my nape is thick and full. I know its going to be a few more months before i see significant growth. But as long as I know its growing healthy, I'm fine with that.

        I'm aware that there are pros and some cons to going natural and the #1 con on my list is "Shrinkage". Sometimes I find myself a little upset because its hard to tell if your hair has grown. When I moisturize my hair it shrinks, making it hard to see actual growth. #2 is that I'm having a hard time with is finding the "right" kind of hair products that are great for 4B hair. I started using Dark ~n~ lovely's new natural mango moisturizer. It makes my hair soft but when it begins to dry it leaves  this flacky white residue in my hair. Finding the perfect products have been a challenge for me. And #3 is time. I understand that growing hair takes time but it can be a little frustrating. Its almost like planting a seed and waiting for it to grow, some plants grow faster than others. I just have to learn that it takes time, everyones hair isn't the same (mines grows a little slower) and to keep reminding myself that it'll all be worth it in the end.

        For the first time in years I'm actually seeing my natural hair texture. I have been relaxing my hair for so long that I didn't know how my natural hair looked or felt . Like I mentioned above my natural hair is a 4B. So it's taking a lot of getting use to. But overall I'm happy. Ive started trimming off my split ends and in some areas my relaxed hair was so thin and damaged I just cut it off completely. I'm feeling like I'm becoming more ready to do the "big chop" and just get rid of all my damaged hair all together.  I'll give it another month or so. Everyone was right, dealing with 2 kinds of textured hair can be a challenge.

       So far my regimen includes using Aphogee 2 step protein treatment every 6 weeks, co washing 1 to 2 times a week using Organix coconut milk conditioner (smells great). When I do shampoo my hair I shampoo once a week to once every 2 weeks depending on the dryness of my hair. I also use Wild growth oil 1 to 2 times a day (usually when I wake up in the morning and/or right before I go to bed at night. I always try to keep my hair moisturized and conditioned. I use Aphogee Pro-vitamin Leave-in conditioner everyday. That's until I can find a better one. Along with the Wild growth oil, I use Argan oil to help seal in the moisture and add shine. I started using Dark-n-Lovely natural hair mango moisturizer but Im probably going to discontinue use because of all the residue it leaves in my hair. I was also using Profectiv root healthy cream but I stopped using it because it leaves my hair feeling sticky. I always make sure my hair is wrapped with a satin scarf before bed. Also on occasion I use CHI keratin mist (I'd say twice a week).

    I have been keeping my hair in protective styles (twists, braids, even lace fronts and wig caps). I actually enjoy wearing wigs and lacefronts. Its a great way to protect my natural hair and I have fun switching to different styles. I'm planning on braiding my hair with extensions later on this week. I try to make sure that when I braid that its never TOO tight.

I found another helpful website that helps you better understand how to grow your hair and keep it healthy.
How Black Women Can Grow Long, Healthy Hair

Below are some pics of me wearing protective styles and pics braided hairstyles I love

A helpful website for hair care!

Recently I've stumbled upon a website thats been very helpful. I went online looking for ways to grow my hair out healthy and long and this website popped up.
Grow Long Hair if You Are a Black Female - wikiHow

This article has step by step ways to care for and nourish your growing hair. It has the do's and don't's of how to maintain your curls, kinks and coils. For example co washing often and using leave in conditioners. Also making sure you use products with NO petroleum jelly or mineral oils.

I thought this article was very helpful and that's why I wanted to share this with anyone who's interested or still new to this natural thing like I am. ;) 

Bad Hair (My Story)

My story goes way back...so far I can't quite recall where the damage began. As long as I can remember Ive always had issues with my hair. It was extremely rough, corse (almost brillo padish) lol, very brittle, extremely dry and very hard to manage without the aid of relaxers. As a young girl I didnt know any better. I honestly thought relaxers were good for me and that they were the only answer to my problem (my hair). I believed that having long bone straight hair was "beautiful". I wasn't aware of the damage I was doing to my hair. Over several years Ive exprienced some bad breakage. And when I say bad I mean my hair was comming out in clumps! There were even times I broke down and cried because my hair was falling out so bad. I just didn't know what to do. With all of this I still managed to go back to the "creamy crack" (relaxer). I was causing even more damage on my existing damaged hair and damaging my new growth as well. Then I would use flat irons on high heat in an attempt to blend my relaxed hair "better" with my weaves. Years of chemical damage, over-processing and heat damaged left me with more hair in my comb, and floor than on my head. I was so embarrassed. Ive always stuggled not just growing my hair but trying to keep it from breaking off. I was one of those girls who, without weaves or extentions, would get made fun of because my hair wasn't long and wavy. For nearly 20 years or so (mind you Im 26) Ive worn weaves (pony tails, glue ins, sew ins) to cover up my "problem". I even went to several hair stylist who all told me the same thing. "If you want your hair to grow healthy, chop it off and start over!" Hearing that was a nightmare. 1/5/13 I got my last perm (stupid I know). And just like before, my hair broke off real bad. But instead of freaking out I decided to do something about it. I knew I couldnt keep hiding from my problem. I was tired of hiding it. weaves had become more of a security blanket than anything and Ive finally had enough. So this past Feb. I gave up the "perm", let go of the hair glue and weave tracks and let my real hair grow. The only problem was I didnt know where to start. Just like many others I googled "how to make my hair grow" and I did my reasearch. I found many helpful sites. I also read lots of blogs about other women transitioning from relaxed to natural and was inspired to write my own. I made up my mind healthy hair is more important to me than long damaged hair. I understand this will be a long and at times difficult process but its what I need to do to ensure that my hair is healthy strong and growing. Dont get me wrong Im terrified (mainly at what others will think or say) but Im excited at the same time. Im too chicken to do the "big chop" as of yet so Im giving myself a few more months to let my hair get to a length that Im comfortable with. Im in whats known as the "Transitional stage". Im giving myself 12 -18mos. before I do my "BC" (big chop). So for now Its braids other protective styles and lots and lots of TLC. wish me luck. Feel free to comment, give some advise or ask any questions. I hope to connect with people who have been, will be, or are interested in going natural. Every once in a while I'll show and write about my progress, my regimens and favorite products to use.

Products I use: .Dr. Miracle's Gro Oil .Dr. Miracle's Temple and Mape Gro Balm .Renewing Moroccan Argan oil .Profectiv Root health, Temple recovery, Mega grow products. .Wild Growth .Aphogee vitamins, protein treatment, 2-step keratin treatmet, Pro-vitamin leave in conditioner .Mane n Tale shampoo and conditioner