The Healthy Hair Journey Encouragement....

So I am part of a group called Zedian Natural which is really a great support group for other Zambian naturals (All are welcome really). Its there to encourage and provide resources to make the journey easier. Unfortunately some of the member seem to be a bit overwhelmed and feel a bit left out. This is usually the case when you are new and just starting out, but here is my word of encouragement, and it can go to anyone who just made a decision to have healthier hair...

Information can be overwhelming especially if you have been doing something a certain way all your life. If “that way” worked, a lot of us wouldn't be complaining about things like dryness, breakage, thin edges, dandruff etc….Here are a few tips to help you as you start your healthy Hair journey :

• Accept your hair as it grows from your head – No two heads are the same

• Figure out what your hair needs and set a hair goal - Build a regimen and stick with it…..

• Decide what products will work best for your hair - products can help with things like moisture, sealing, clarifying, styling etc…….

• Don’t neglect TLC - products can do so much, but if your technique is harmful on you hair you could be sending yourself 1 s

tep forward and 2 steps back

• Research can save you the trouble of trial and error - Information on natural hair care is now readily available  We now know better products, techniques, styles that can help us achieve healthy hair 

• Never compare - what works for you may or may not work for me. Listen to your hair and its needs…

This is really preaching to myself, but I thought I would share it....

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Style Series

In an attempt to have a twist out I ended up with the semi head wrap because I didn't like how the twist out came out.....I will continue to try until I get it right....

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Where do I start when building a Hair Regimen 2

With a bit of research I found a few things that could be causing my list of hair issues.......

Ever wonder why your hair is so dry? Here are 10 potential reasons why: 

1. You don’t drink enough water

    Water IS moisture. Drink more water, be more dehydrated

2. You don't moisturize your hair between styles

   Using a spray bottle with a leave-in conditioner at minimum every 3 days, focusing on your ends, helps keep your hair sufficiently moisturized. Moisturize BEFORE you put it into the style, and try using a fine mist spray bottle to efficiently distribute the water in a smaller quantity. 

3. You don’t seal in your moisture

   Sealants trap moisture in your hair. If you don’t do this step, all that good moisture will evaporate into the atmosphere and what good is that?

4. You are using the wrong shampoo

   If the shampoo is the wrong pH it has great potential to wreak havoc on your hair. The natural pH of hair is between 4 and 4.5 so that is what you aim for. If your shampoo also contains harsh detergents that strip your hair of necessary oils, then you need to switch or consider conditioner washing (Cowashing) between your more “drying” clarifying washes.

5. You heat style but don’t do anything extra to compensate for the inherent damage caused

   If you style your hair with heat you damage the hair strands. Period.  Heat styling breaks downs bonds in the hair’s structure. That said, if you choose to heat style be sure to bump up all your moisturizing and preventative techniques, and opt to style on the lowest heat setting possible.

6. You are constantly out in the elements and don’t protect your hair

    If you’ve never consider the beating your hair may be taking due to constantly being in direct contact with the outdoor elements, you may be suffering from dry hair that is entirely preventable with a satin-lined or wide brimmed hat and a protective style or two.  Also remember your coats and high-collared shirts can rub against your hair, dry it out and cause breakage.

7. You sleep on a cotton pillowcase

   If you have natural hair you should sleep on satin, either in the form of hair covered with a satin bonnet/scarf, or hair directly on a satin pillowcase.   Satin does not wick moisture from your hair and skin like cotton does and it reduces breakage due to the friction created while you sleep.

8. You have hard water coming out of your shower

   Every city has a different quality of water supply.  If you live in a city with hard water {read: high mineral content}, your hair may be coated and drying out because of it. Consider purchasing a filter to put on your showerhead for softer hair and skin.

9. You dyed your hair

   Dying your hair works in a similar fashion to heat styling in that it changes the actual physical structure of the hair strands. Same rules apply if your hair has been dyed, ESPECIALLY if  the color has been lightened from your natural color. Increase all your moisturizing and preventative techniques and don’t color often if you can help it.

10. You swim with your hair uncovered

     The chlorine in pool water and salt in ocean water is drying to anyone’s hair, but especially to hair growing from a scalp that doesn't make a lot of oil as it is.  Wearing a swim cap is best, but if you don’t like that at minimum rinse your hair after every swimming session and follow up with a good sealant.
    This answers a few questions and the search goes on...
    PS- Hair points courtesy Glamzini's article Why your hair is dry

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Mixology - Aloe Vera Gel

So I decided to make my own Aloe Vera gel  and tap into its amazing properties. It was quite easy and I will continue to make it. This was one of my key ingredients in my leave in conditioner (kimmaytube inspired) and figured I might use it for more stuff.....

Great uses for Aloe Vera Gel AloeVera.com

Hair issues, such as hair loss or thinning, excessive frizz, dryness, or oiliness, as well as scalp conditions, including dandruff, scaly, or itchy skin plague, millions each day. Aloe vera shampoos and conditioners have been around for years and serves as an ideal alternative to commercial hair products. For gorgeous, healthy looking hair, try natural aloe vera.

Promoting Hair Growth

Aloe vera can be used as a safe and natural treatment to prevent hair loss. It is great for both men and women to promote new hair growth in places that have experienced hair loss or significant thinning. Aloe vera stimulates the production of new hair and may even lessen the effects of Alopecia.

Nourishing Shampoo

The aloe vera plant is packed with essential vitamins and minerals that aid in restoring hair’s strength and beauty. When combined with coconut milk and oils, such as wheat germ oil or jojoba, aloe vera gel can make a revitalizing shampoo that not only works to prevent hair loss but also promotes new hair growth. Aloe vera gel can be added to favorite shampoos to deliver nourishing benefits. When combined with herbs, essential oils, and plant extracts, the nutritive benefits of aloe vera are multiplied exponentially.

Reducing Dandruff

The natural enzymes found in aloe vera can soothe and moisturize the scalp, helping to eliminate the scaly dryness that causes dandruff. It also helps to increase blood circulation in the scalp, which works to stimulate the production of moisturizing oils. Aloe vera reduces the dry, itchy feeling that accompanies dryness or oiliness. It keeps the hair’s natural oils in balance to prevent excessively oily or dry scalp. Aloe vera also brings a refreshing and cooling sensation to the scalp.

Natural Conditioner

Aloe vera acts as a natural conditioning agent that restores the hair’s sheen, luster, and shine. It not only makes the hair soft, but it also enhances strength and suppleness. It naturally combats frizz but does not have the greasy buildup that many hair care products leave behind.

Regardless of the scalp or hair’s condition, whether too oily or too dry, aloe vera can restore the proper balance. It has amazing results for promoting hair growth as well as staving off hair loss. Say goodbye to expensive and often ineffective hair treatments. Try aloe vera, nature’s own remedy for restoring health and beauty to hair.

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My Natural Hair Journey...

I found this totally related to me.......LOL

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Where do I start when building a Hair Regimen 1.

Struggling to find a routine that worked for me and my hair, I am finding it hard to know where to start from. An answer is only given when there is a problem right? So that is where I should start from.

Honestly, starting out on a hair journey you look at every Tom, Dick and Harry and follow what THEY do and think it will work for your hair so in embracing the journey and hair, you also have to acknowledge your hair and what it is lacking.....  So what are my hair problems.? Here are my steps in trying to figure out what my hair problems are and how I may come up with a routine or solution that will work for me....

MY HAIR ISSUES

Dry
Breakage
Thin edges
Hard
Uneven

THE WHY's

To be continued.....................................

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The true Journey begins

So after my BC I think I was naive and continued to think I could use the same processes that I had done while transitioning. REALITY CHECK!!!!!!!...that was not working and of course that would not work. I find myself having to start over and relearn what my natural hair needs. I think the truth is that my info was half and half because I was transitioning and leaning more toward my relaxed side and not my natural side. So here I am starting afresh. I continue to learn and am really thankful for all the resources and information that are there now that weren't there before. The challenge will be sifting through to find the right information......

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My Big Chop

After transitioning for 11 months, I could not take the two hair textures and decided it was time for me to fully embrace my natural hair and this is where the true journey begins..

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