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Getting your hair to look the best it can
Hi Brenda,thank you for all the info, I have learned so much! I would like to know what is the best hair regimen for my 10 year old daughter? Lately I have been trying different products on her hair which seems to make it worse. She has 4a type natural hair which I usually cornrow every Saturday. Her hair ends tend to tangle and knot a lot lately.
Hi Liz,
Sent you an email.
I have to comment (which I never ever do) on your site. FABULOUS! All that I was looking for is right here in one place. I had been searching for healthier, toxic-free products for a while now and there are none. Even the products that claim to be ‘green’ contain potential allergens that irritate my scalp and dry out my hair. I was on the fast track to damaging my hair beyond repair until I found this site. I am amazed and grateful, thank you and please keep up the good work.
You are most welcome Dee.
HELP.. Brenda, I just found out I have CCCA (a form of alopecia). My hair coming out on a daily basis.
I have read your articles, but not to sure where I should start with my now “New” hair journey.
Any suggestions would be really appreciated.
Thanks!
Hi Kym,
When you say “new” hair do you mean your natural hair? Did you do a big chop or cut off relaxed ends or what? Tell me more info. so that I can help you start properly. I did a piece on Hair Regimen For Hair Loss, it should be published on the 27th of February (Monday), that article indicates that a good place to start is within- with the proper diet, massage etc.
Hi, Brenda. Well i am going to perm my virgin hair soon.I have heard the “net masses” raving about the Affirm (no lye) relaxer.Are there different versions of Affirm? Which is the right one to get? The thing is I am willing to use it and additionally, I am not sure which products to get in order to maintain my hair. I am planning to buy hair care products for my soon to be relaxed hair and I am asking for product suggestions and must haves. Can you list a great variety to choose from? I want to get the best result. I had permed my hair about nine years ago and I had kept it permed for only two years, so I have a bit of knowledge on relaxed hair but not much. Also , I want to know about products that will promote the strength of my hair ( prevents breakage).
Hi Candi,
Sent you an email. Hope that helps.
Hi Brenda!
Thanks a lot for your moisturizer recipe”Rosemary and Lavender Moisturizer for hair”. I didn’t have everything so I changed a little the composition (I don’t have any lavender oil, but I added 5 drops of clary sage essential oil) but its great! My hair is bleached and became brittle, extremely dry and oh, so awful!
5 days after starting putting this moisturizer on my hair, it works already! My hair looks shiny and best of all: is far less brittle! I am sooooooo happy! Thanks a lot!
Just a question: as I didn’t have filtered water, I used some demineralized water. Is it the same?
Thanks again!
You are most welcome Katarina, I am happy that you had a good outcome, clary sage oil is a pretty powerful oil and it promotes hair growth and strengthens the hair shaft. Mmmm, maybe I will copy your recipe in the future
Demineralized water is just as good or even better than filtered water in some respects they are the same. In both cases the water is purified.
oh, I forgot to say one thing: I sealed with castor oil. It’s great. I had tested different carrier oils before: coconut, almond, argan, olive, grape seed, even shea butter. But I think I prefer castor oil.
But, maybe it’s difficult to compare because I wasn’t proceeding that way: instead of moisturizing and then sealing, I used to put only a carrier oil on my hair! The result is so different.
Just a question: My 2 year old girl has got curly hair and after sleeping, she wakes up with a lot of knots in her hair. her hair is very thin. I tried the same treatment on her hair, but it doesn’t seem to work that well. Do you have any suggestions?
Thank you for your help!
Hi Katarina,
I too have a bias for castor oil, love it. I feel empty without it. How do you comb or tie your girl’s hair before bed? That could have a lot to do with the knots in the morning. My mom, moisturizes her hair, combs it in big plaits (three or four) before bed and ties it with her satin tie head and when she wakes up it is nice and moisturized. Her hair is thin and curly too, so this might work for your girl. Let me know how it goes.
Hi Brenda,
I just wanted to share with you something really great!
When I went once to the hairdresser (Dessaénges) – I’m French, I live in France, they told me that monoï was very effective against extremely damaged hair. I never followed there suggestion. But as I thought about it this week, I tried, as a pre poo mask and a little of it instead of castor oil, after spritzing my hair each morning.
It’s simply FANTASTIC!! My hair were instantly less brittle, and very soft and smooth!!
Thanks for sharing!
sorry, I wanted to write “DESSANGES”, not Dessaénges!!
I am so grateful to have found everything that I need on one site. Easy to navigate and easy to read and understand. I would like for you to let me know if my regimen follows the standard for healthy hair. I have curly/coily extremely thick natural hair.
1. Shampoo – I used to use store bought shampoos now I will be using one of your recipes. But this is normally my first step, to shampoo. I like to add tea tree oil to my shampoo and sometimetimes peppermint so which shampoo whould you recommend?
2. Deep Condition – Honey, Aloe Vera, Coconut Oil, Grapefruit Essential, Essential Oil of my choice
3. Leave in Conditioner/Daily Moisturizing Spray – Honey, Coconut Oil, Aloe Vera, Coconut Water, Ylang Ylang Oil.
4. Gel (to seal in moisture) – I’ve always thought that hair gel seals in moisture, please correct me if I am wrong. I make my own hair gel from Flax Seeds, and I would usually add my own oils and essential oils. Coconut is my favourite carrier and ylang ylang is my favourite essential.
Is this the right regimen? Does gel seal in moisture? What shampoo would you recommend?
Hey Ronnell,
I am happy that you find the site useful. Your regimen sounds good. Your daily moisturizing spray sounds good- I see you have honey as your humectant. I know you are living in a tropical country because you are using coconut water in your hair. My me, you are going to make fellow readers jealous!
Yes you can use gel (natural, no alcohol) to seal in moisture. I would love to know though, is it easy to comb out the next day? and how exactly do you make it? Do you mind sharing your recipe with us?
I love using Castile soap based shampoos, check the recipe area for the ones I have experimented with.
Hello,
My name is Stephanie I am your biggest admirer. Your hair is so beautiful and is my hair hero . I really hope you receive this message and take the time to reply. This would mean so much to me. I am currently natural. It has been 3 yrs. My hair stretched is a little bit pass collar bone. It is hard for me to moisturize it in its healthy state but my hair is very healthy now, no damage and I got myself a good trim last week to get rid of all my split ends… I am in the process of relaxing my hair . I spent the past weeks researching and putting together my future relaxed hair regimen. I have not have success in the past with relaxer this is why I want to be ready this time and use my virgin hair as a good ground. NOw so far I am interested in the affirm fiberguard relaxer in Mild for my hair. I will be self relaxing as I do not want any stylist to come and mess up my hair . NOw I do not want bone straight hair . I want to texlaxe my hair at the same level as yours. I have been researching for so long . But it is impossible for me to find instructions on how to texlax. This is why I am writing to you I d really appreciate if you could give me any suggestion on how long to keep the relaxer on ( since i ll be doing virgin hair ) the first time and for subsequent touch up. Should I smooth 1st time with my fingers a couple of time or not? should I keep it for the recommended amount of time or half? should I add oil to the relaxer ? Should I keep the relaxer on for the recommended amount of time or just rinse right away.? Do you suggest that I use ORS lye instead of the affirm fiberguard ? I know I have so many questions but please answer to me as I am so scared of having my hair bone straight . Thank you so much for your time and stay Beautiful sweetheart . Thank you so much
Hi Stephanie
I am so sorry for the late reply. And thank you for the compliments, my hair is *blushing*
I have tried self relaxing and it didn’t work for me. I guess I was too scared of messing up those areas that I couldn’t see. I intend to write a full piece on tex-laxing but I haven’t gotten around to doing it yet. There are several ladies who blog about their experiences and their hair looks gorgeous, full of body, with a manageable texture. Here is an article that I found by Scarlet Henderson which gives step by step instructions. Click Here for the link. All the best and stay beautiful.
Do your have an article on using Bentonite Clay Treatment? What can you tell us about it’s pros and cons, please?
Thank you!
Hi Diane,
No, I don’t have an article on that. I must do some research.
What do you think about using Aloe Vera Juice and Water verses using just plain ole water? I saw a lady use it on a YouTube video and don’t want to try it just because someone else did. I like knowing REASONS THE WHY to doing things.
Thank you!!
Hi Diane,
Personally, using aloe vera alone to sit on my hair for extended periods of time makes my hair hard and crunchy feeling. I think its because it contains protein. I would use it with water, essential oils and glycerin. If you want to try it out use more water in comparison to aloe and see how it feels for you. Gradually, you can add more aloe and judge for yourself.