Things I Used to Do that I No Longer Do

So, I have been natural for about 10 months now. I was just thinking about some of the things I used to do that I no longer do. They are below:

1. Braid Hair Every Night - When I first went natural I thought it was imperative to cornrow my hair every night. I did this so my hair would stay looking fresh and defined (for either my braid out updos or afro puffs). Now, I just let my hair do what it do.

2. Pick My Hair (or comb my hair) - I used to be a big fan of the afro puff. I still think it is one of the most gorgeous hairstyles. So, each morning I used to take down my braids and then pick my hair out. Talk about damaging.

3. Wear Headbands - I had a horrible experience back in July 2010 with continuously wearing headbands. In a nut shell, that constant pressure caused me to lose hair in that area and I had a bald patch. That experience gave me a phobia of headband or hair ties. I think it may be alright to rock them every now and then but, I am just too afraid:-( So, I just don't go there.

4. Detangle Wet Hair - I used to detangle my hair when it was sopping wet and soaking with conditioner. However, I tried Moptop Maven's method of detangling on dry/slightly damp hair before washing and I never looked back! It became so much easier to wash my hair on hair that wasn't tangled (dealing with shed hair while trying to wash was a pain). I experienced less shed hair. And I didn't have to worry about water dripping constantly into my as I detangled.

5. Hollywood Beauty Olive Creme - I used to be a major fan of this product. And I don't know when I stopped using it or why. I just realized one day that it was sitting on my shelf and I haven't picked it up in months.

6. Use Conditioners with Cones - Now, I don't know when I stopped using my conditioners with cones and it wasn't a concious decision. I just noticed that on wash days, I usually flock to my Giovanni, Suave, or V05. I'm not saying I won't use my Herbal Essence conditioners ever again, I just don't flock to them like I used to.

7. Let go of all my leave conditioners except one - I used to use Cantu Shea Leave In and Garnier Fructise Conditioning Cream and Cream of Nature Lemongrass Leave in. But, I really did not like these leave-ins. The product build-up, the non-moisturizing factor, petrolatum, etc. So, I only use one leave-in and its one that I adore. And that's Giovanni's Deep Moisture leave-in.

8. Detangling with any wide-tooth comb - I used to use any wide tooth comb to detangle. It really didn't matter to me--as long as it was wide. However, I purchased a Conair seamless comb and it is my staple and only detangling comb so far. I don't think the other wide tooth combs gave my hair major damage. I just feel this new comb is much better.

I just think its amazing to look back at the things I used to do and that I no longer practice. Some of these were concious decisions while others were not choices conciously made.

A Staple Product: Giovanni Smooth As Silk Deep Moisture Conditioner

You already know that I am a big fan of the Giovanni product line. I did a previous review for the leave-in conditioner HERE. And I did another review on the shampoo HERE. So, now I am moving on the Giovanni Deep Moisture conditioner.

I adore this conditioner. I always use it in conjunction with the entire Giovanni line. Meaning, if I am shampooing with the Giovanni then I will be conditioning with the Giovanni. This conditioner has a creamy consistency and is great for detangling. However, since this is one of my most expensive conditioners I usually mainly deep condition with this only.

Pros:
1. Great consistency.
2. No overpowering scent.
3. Provides great moisture to the hair.
4. Great for detangling.
5. Gives great sheen to the hair.
6. Decreases the amount of frizz.

Cons:
1. Other conditioners can provide these same results. So, there is not a need to purchase this particular brand.

Ingredients: Aqua (Purified Water) With *Rosemarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Extract, *Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Valencia Orange) Extract, (Mangifera Indica (Mango) Extract, *Cymbopogon Schoenanthus (Lemongrass) Extract, *Ginkgo Biloba Extract, *Echinacea Angustifolia Extract, *Salix Alba (Willow Bark), *Macrocystis Pyrifera (Sea Kelp) Extract, *Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Leaf Extract, *Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Extract, *Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Extract, *Glycine Soja (Soybean) Extract, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamide Mea, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Acrylates Copolymer, Glycol Distearate, Amodimethicone, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysulfaine, Decyl Glucoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disteareth-75 Ipdi,C11-15 Pareth-7, Citric Acid, C12-16 Pareth-9,Glycerin, Trideceth-12, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance With Essential Oils. *Certified Organic By Guaranteed Certification Services.


I am a loyal consumer of Giovanni and I will be purchasing this product again. When I go to Target, I just pick up all three of my main products from this line--and the conditioner is apart of it. Now, I do plan on trying some of their other products from this line. So, stay tuned for that...

A Staple Product: Giovanni Direct Leave-In Weightless Moisture Conditioner

So, I have had the Giovanni Direct Leave-In Weightless Moisture Conditioner since I first became natural. I really didn't know how I felt about the leave-in, which is why I have been hesitant to review it. However, this past weekend I used it again and I realize that I do like this product. My initial hesitant feelings was mainly due to the frothy white residue that is on the hair after you apply the leave-in. I guess I was used to leave-ins that don't leave any type of residue. Yet, what's amazing about this residue is that is soaks into the hair and eventually disappears. So, here's my thoughts on this leave-in conditioner...

Pros:
1. This product has great ingredients.
2. This product promotes moisture in the hair, which is always good.
3. There is not an overpowering scent to this product.
4. This product soaks into each strand of the hair once applied.
5. This product does not leave a build-up.
6. This product gives control to the hair but, it keeps the hair soft.

Cons:
1. There is a white frothy residue on the hair but, it eventually leaves.
2. The price may be considered too high--considering that you can get these same results with some cheapie conditioners.

Ingredients:
Aqua (Purifed) Water, Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis) Oil, Nettle (Urtica Dioica) Oil, Thyme (Thymus Vulgaris) Oil, Birch (Butela Alba) Leaf Oil, Chamomile (Anthemis Nobilis Flower) Oil, Clary (Salvia Sclarea), Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia), Coltsfoot Leaf (Tussilago Fargara), Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium) Oil, Mallow (Malya Sylvestris), Horsetail (Equisetum Arvense) Oil, Soybean Protein (Glycine Soja), Cetyl Alcohol (Plant Derived), Tocopherol (*Vitamin E), Trace Minerals, Citric Acid (Corn), Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Grapefruit Seed (Citrus Derived)

Overall, I am pleased with this product. Will I be buying it again? Most likely. I am loyal to the Giovanni line of products. They have some great products. So, I know that when I go to my local Target to restock on my Giovanni I will be repurchasing this product. Also, I think its good to spoil yourself sometimes.

There will be more reviews of the Giovanni line coming in the future...

A Staple Product: Herbal Essence Dangerously Straight Conditioner

Do not be afraid of the title of this conditioner. It will not straighten your hair. However, I will tell you what it will do.

I used the Herbal Essence Dangerously Straight conditioner last Sunday when I was putting in my twist for a twist-out. I used this conditioner as a leave-in. I am already a fan of the Herbal Essence Hello Hydration and the Herbal Essence Totally Twisted conditioner. So, I decided to give the Dangerously Straight a try. I may not be a product junkie but, I do adore conditioners.

These are the pros of this product:
1. The scent is simply divine. It is pear flavored.
2. It provides great slip for the hair.
3. Helps with detangling the hair--very easily.
4. This has a thick consistency so, it distributes in the hair perfectly.
5. This product really helps control frizzy hair. My twist-out was much more defined for a longer period of time.

These are the cons of this product:
1. This product will leave more residue in the hair when used as a leave-in. I apply oil to eliminate the residue but, I still has some residue. This may not be a problem if you do not use conditioners as a leave-in.
2. I adore the scent however; some may think that it is too strong.

Overall, I do like this product. I like the control it gives to my hair. I will be purchasing this product in the future because of the many benefits it has. This is another staple conditioner in my line of conditioners. This is my hair on Day 1 with the HE Dangerously Straight. This is my hair on Day 6 with the HE Dangerously Straight. There was a light drizzle on this day and my hair still held up.

A Staple Product: Herbal Essence Totally Twisted Conditioner

In a previous post, I discussed the importance of buying cheapie conditioners. I am an avid co-washer and it is imperative that I am always stocked with my conditioners. I have a few of my staple cheapie conditioners and I am usually reluctant to try new types. However, my sister Auset, is an avid buyer of conditioners and she bought me this Herbal Essence Totally Twisted (it was a 2 for $5 special).

I must admit that I simply adore this conditioner and it will be added to my list of conditioners that I regularly buy.

These are the pros of this product:
1. It has a thick and creamy consistency.
2. It leaves the hair with a nice sheen.
3. It is great for leaving in because it gives a nice hold without being hard.
4. It is made specifically for hair that has curls and waves (my twist-out is super defined today).
5. The smell is just divine. It consists of lavender and jade.

The cons of this product:
1. Because the texture is thick and creamy it will leave some white residue on the hair. However, I alleviate this by applying my olive oil after my hair is fully dry. (This may not be a con for most people because they may wash their conditioner out, but I leave it in my hair.)

Below is the result of my hair from using this conditioner as a leave-in.

"Curly Like Me" Method by Teri LaFlesh

Recently, my sister Auset, bought a book entitled "Curly Like Me" by Teri LaFlesh. This is a really good book and I plan on purchasing my own copy in the future. Especially, since she will be going back to school soon.

In the book Teri suggested leaving regular conditioner in the hair after washing it because it will provide many benefits. These benefits include the following: (1)allows for easier detangling (2)weighs the hair down (3)helps to decrease the amount of frizz in the hair (4)if the conditioner has silicones it helps to give a protective layer over the hair and (5)it gives soft hair.

I must admit that I was VERY hesitant to leave conditioner in my hair. I was scared because most conditioners clearly say to wash after leaving on for some minutes. However, I realized I clearly break the rules when it comes to washing my hair with conditioner (co-washing). So, why not try something new. I also decided to try it my second week of vacation just in case I did not like it.

In three words...I LOVED IT!

This is my method for applying the conditioner:
1. She suggested dividing the hair in two section and applying a handful amount of conditioner to each section. Because my hair is shorter than hers, I divided my hair in four sections. I squeezed a large amount of conditioner into my hands for each section.
2. She suggested to NOT try to work the conditioner into each strand. Instead, she said I should act as if I'm conditioning a sweater. I did this exactly for each section. And sure enough, my hair was thoroughly conditioned.
3. After working with a section, I clamped my hair out of the way with my clamps.
4. After all sections were conditioned, I went back to the first section and began to twist my hair. I promise you that I twisted my hair SO fast because of the slip the conditioner provided!
**I first co-washed with Herbal Essence Hello Hydration. I used the Suave Naturals in Coconut conditioner for the leave-in.

And it should definitely be noted that the amount of shedding was such a small amount. I don't usually have a lot of shedding, but this method GREATLY decreased the amount of shedding I had.

The next morning, I oiled my hair with olive oil while the twists were still in. I then oiled my scalp with my essential oils that I buy from a local supplier. Lastly, I sealed my ends with my shea butter/olive oil mixture while taking the twists down. My twist out was defined, shiny, very soft, and beautiful! This method is known for accentuating the natural curl pattern of the hair.

Please Note the following:
1. The hair will not dry as fast when leaving the conditioner in. So, allow ample time for the hair to thoroughly dry.
2. There will be a white residue on the hair, but this will leave once the hair is fully dry and oiled.
3. There is no need for a gel for the twist outs because the conditioner provides adequate hold. It is essential to avoid build-up. (Though, this routine will be added to my regimen I don't plan on throwing out my hair gels.)

Below are the results of my twist-out using this method: This is Day 1 hair.
This is Day 3 hair.

Part II coming later, which will detail how I implement the method...

A Staple Product: Cheapie Conditioners

Cheap Conditioners are a must for me since I have been natural. I co-wash (washing with conditioner only) my hair once a week and sometimes twice a week. So it is imperative that I have my cheapie conditioners.

The reasons I co-wash are listed below:
1. Retain my natural oils in my hair.
2. Avoid harsh sulfates on my hair.
3. Effectively clean my scalp.
4. Moisture, moisture, moisture!

There is a vast amount of information on co-washing on a number of blogs/websites if you wish to learn more. Google it:-)

My favorite conditioner that has been a staple--even when transitioning--is Herbal Essence Hello Hydration Conditioner. I learned about the benefits of this conditioner from CurlyNikki.com. I buy this product in the family size bottle because I use it that much. I love the following about this conditioner: (1)the texture is rich and thick (2)provides great moisture to the hair (3)the smell is wonderful.
Another conditioner that I buy in bulk is the V05 Moisture Milks conditioner. This is the cheapest of the conditioners with a price range of .77 at my local CVS. I love the following about this product: (1)comes in a wide range of flavor (strawberry, passion fruit, lavender, etc.) that smells simply divine (2)very inexpensive (3)provides moisture to the hair (4)and though the texture is very thin/watery I still love that it is effective.
The last conditioner I will discuss is the Suave Naturals Cocunut Conditioner. I have just started using this product because my sister Auset is a faithful user of it and she loves it. So, while at Target I bought a bottle for $1.12. This past weekend was the first time I ever used this conditioner and I must say that I love it. This is what I lvoe about the product: (1)the texture is not too thin or too thick (2)the cocunut scent is wonderful but, not overpowering (3)this conditioner made my curls/coils POP! (4)provided great moisture to my hair.
These are the cheapie conditioners I am currently using. If I try any new conditioners I will be sure to provide a post about it. In addition, I use all of these conditioners to deep condition my hair. This simply means I saturate my hair in the conditioner and then put a plastic shower cap on my hair. I usually deep condition for 15 minutes and then wash it out.