₦airaland Forum

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i was able to register yesterday, easy-- it took about 10 mins, in Ikoyi. Very happy.

I agree 2-1 thing is not enough conditioner. You are definitely relaxing your hair too much!
how do you relax? How long does the relaxer stay in your head? how many times do you wash the relaxer out?

I personally noticed that my hair is more easier to deal with and grows faster when I am not relaxed! I think learning your hair is key here! No one wants to put in the work it takes to nurture your hair! please ladies, I am in the hair replacement business, and seeing a lot of black women with alopecia caused from " too tight ponytails" relaxers, over processing, heat and too tight braids is not cute! Please nurture your hair so that you may keep it!

Relaxing:
Do not over relax - relaxing once in two months is okay, only relax new growth! If you relax, hair that's already relaxed, it will shed and break,
Use a base, to protect your scalp! Wash; wash; wash and wash, rinse with Apple cider vinegar to restore its ph balance

Condition! Condition! Condition! and balance that out with a protein treatment every two months.

If your hair is properly moisturized, you will not have problems with it in its natural state.

I like tatase's regime! Only you should go easy on leave-ins because the contain protein, and you don't want too much protein in your hair.

Also, deep conditioning, once in two weeks is key! your hair will love you for it.

Uzwu

What type of comb are you using to comb your hair?
I think you should manipulate your hair less! If you are using a small tooth comb please switch to a larger one.
Also, try not to comb/detangle your hair when its dry! Keep the hair moisturize. I think the strands are most likely weak
and you need a protein treatment!

@tatase, I agree, I also suggest she does the 2-strand twist but I am not sure if she is interested!

There is really nothing you can do! The products you purchased are fake, after a certain time you can not make a claim with paypal, also, paypal will not fight for you since the seller can prove the products were delivered.

You can plead with the seller, he may be willing to work with you!

Use Black Soap to clean
Aveeno for the face and body!
Make sure what you use on the face has SPF.

I also highly recommend Ori( shea Butter )

It will have to be:
Creme de lar mer face moisturizer

Can we vote online?
I think the contestants are great!

I am also, looking forward to Big Brother Africa! without the shower hour! lol

Here is a great Fotki!
http://public.fotki.com/alynxx

YAY! Start early too!

Information about sisterlocs,
http://www.sisterlocks.com/Information_Packet/Information_Packet.html

http://blaqkofi..com/


Locks,
http://www.dreadlocks.com/

http://www.howtodread.com/

Products:
http://www.perfectdreadlocks.com/

@blue -- I don't conditioned daily because I really don't need it anymore, but when I did, I spray Curl Free curl Gold on my hair daily! My hair really loved it, I also deep conditioned weekly, and wore extensions(sew-in) as a protective style.


Apparently, the vatica is not all that good, but not all that bad either. See reviews here:
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40141

My regime is:
Deep conditioned once a week or two weeks(depending on time) the easiest way I find to deep condition is get home Friday night, apply Hair Mayo seal with olive oil(I have a jug of Olive oil at home as it also goes in my lotion, and several other things) wear a plastic cap, secure with a silk scarf-- wake up in the AM and wash the hair -. Do a final rinse with Apple Cider Vinegar(available at your local grocery store)

I normally let my hair airdry - which is an all day thing- so sat. or sun is perfect for me

Protein treatments every two to three months.

During the week, I co wash, wash the hair using conditioner only!

If I feel that my ends are brittle and dry, I do the baggie method.

I also use a supplement in the AM- I use Folic Acid - and One a day for women.

I wear extensions (sew-in's) as a protective style

@Tessy! Do you have a list of the ingredients in that product you posted?

If you are experiencing breakage it could be a couple of things:
1. Your Diet - I was using Garlic supplements when my hair was breaking really bad! It works -- I took the pills because I could not stand the smell of garlic in my foods.

2. Moisture is lacking! Are you deep conditioning?

3. What type of comb are you using to comb your hair?

4. Are you using heat every day? this will ultimately break your hair and leave it brittle. I use heat once a week - I use a ceramic iron -- rollers are great for your hair! You should roller set the hair if you want to keep your curls; or wrap it at night!

Plastic caps generate heat -- that's why its good. you can wear the plastic caps and wear a silk scarf over it! You can also just do the plastic cap thing for about 1 hour and take it out.


washing your hair is good! Water is good for you! I wash almost every 2-3 days, and do a deep conditioned every weekend!

the products you use to wash is the problem -- to keep your hair looking nice and flowing, you have to wash it!

I suggest using Nexxus( which I see at most drug stroes here) it has Sulfates but not enough to do damage! I hate sunsilk! I have probably use every product line, I highly recommend using Baking soda to wash once a week, if you are unable to get access to non sulfate products. This is really the best way to clean(clarify) your hair. I normally mix my baking soda with Glycerin

You can use Nexxus Conditioner and seal with Olive Oil. Or if you can get Glycerin (vegetable kind) and mix with your conditioner, that will be great!

Who has time to moisturize everyday? A person who care about the health of their hair will do it! its not hard,

Sealing with oil works! When you moisture, you have to seal with some sort of oil for the moisture to stick.
@ blue, where are you located?

I go to the salon, but I take my own products, and tell them what I want, and how to do it! I can do it myself, but time will not permit me.

I don't use Gels! I use Pomades though, Aveeda has a really nice one!

Unfortunately, I can not recommend any products like Pink Oil; dark and lovely, etc, because they sucks! DO NOT WORK! most of these products are out there to exploit women, black women expecially, its not going to work! Do your research! Buy online, read ingredients!

Its easy to mositurize everyday, you can do it at night! to prevent split ends, do the "baggie" -
~ Baggie for your ends and your hair:~
I also baggie my hair to keep it healthy and strong.
this how I baggie:
I put my hair in a ponytail, I put CFCG and seal with oil (evoo) and I put it in a bag(sandwich bag) and wrap a scrunchie around it. (I will post pic if you want to see) I sleep with the baggie, in the morning you wake up with nice, soft, easy to manage hair.

you can also baggie your whole head if you want, I do not, but some pple do. its just a matter of putting in moisturizer, seal with oil, and put a shower cap on it, let it sit overnight or a couple of hours. no heat.

if you do not have a protective style, you should baggie daily or at least 3 times a week.


There is no miracle product, there are regimes, things to do; small lifestyle changes to help your overall health!

I think even if you wash and condition your hair every three days, its enough to have it grow! Moisture is key!

Chemical peels helps!

I normally buy my hair products online- at Amazon.com
I also purchase hair products at discount stores like:
Tjmaxx
Ross
Marshalls

I was at TJMaxx yesterday and spent about $200 on hair products!

I buy Sexxy hair products at TJMaxx you can also purchase on Amazon, aveeda products can be purchased on their site, or on FOlica.com

@amosexy
Are you in the sun a lot? Do you use a lot of products? How clean is your hair?
Also, your hair could be too porous! You may want to try a porosity shampoo!



Here is a good resources for hair!
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=5863de487f00995fb7a316d9686573e0&f=6

( I need to learn how to quote on this site)

Beauty Secrets! What are they?
What are the things you do to make yourself glam?

Here are a few tips!
1. To whiten theet I sometimes brush with Baking soda and peroxide, its not an everyday thing, but I do it once in a while, i also gargle with Peroxide to kill germs
2. I add Extra virgin Olive oil to my lotion! It give me a nice glow
3. when I am going out, I use Nars body oil! its haute! love the glow.
4. I acutally scrub my feet in the shower every day, no crusty feet here, I also use soemthing heavy like Shea butter or vaseline to soften my feet!
5. Witch Hazel as a toner
7. Sugar scrubs! I mix vegetable Glycerin, lemon juice; and sugar for face scrubs


Add yours!

@blue
You can get Curl Free Gold in any store, walgreens; duane reade etc

The most important to know is that you do not want products with alchol, sulfates etc, you want your product to have:
water; glycerin, as #1 and #2 listed on the ingredients list. You can also make your own products! this is another topic though!


I love this site for hair like us
http://tightlycurly.com/Welcome.aspx

@ Blue

When I transitioned– the whole thing was about a year, I clipped my ralxed ends every two to three months – at some point I had more natural hair than relaxed hair and it was causing my hair to tangle ridiculously, I finally had to snip all the relaxed ends off!

The most important thing is to not thug, and pull on your hair, don’t use those small tooth combs to comb your hair! Your hair is fragile, although it may not look it, it is, treat it like you would silk!

Here are some tips!
1. Moisturize daily - -Its easy, you can spray with Curl Free Gold, and seal with some sort of oil, use Coconut oil, or Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
2. Use protein treatment every two to three months
3. Find protective styles, this is to protect your hair while it grows, ponytails, two strand twists, braids wigs, extensions are all examples of protective style. I use extensions (sew-in) as a protective method! Hide your hair while it grows!
4. Use a supplement. Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin E etc, are all good supplements!
5. If you want you can use a growth aid, ex. Ovation - http://www.ovationhair.com/
6. Minimal Heat, try not to use Heat on your hair! Heat is damaging – it will kill your natural hair! Whenever you use heat, make sure you are using a ceramic iron, and use a heat protectant serum
7. stay away from products with Alcohol and sulfates!

We should have a growth challenge on here! It will be fun!

Sissy, you only need the protein treatment once every 2-3 months. Its good as it strengthens your hair.

@ Sissy- yes, I use Aphogee Protein treatment - it helps to strenghten your strands.

@omonaija - You may think the braid is not tight, however you may be putting undue pressure to the hair, bumbs are bad! do you add extensions to the braids? maybe the weight of the weave is causing the stress- I suggest, using a warm towel whenever you feel the bumps, add shea butter(Ori) to treat.

@ Gators - Just say No to Cantu! I personally did not like it! Use Sexy hair chocolate products for scent. Or just add pepermint oil to your products!

I do not like Cantu Products, I personally do not like most products that are "made for black women" as most are filled with sulfates! When you are looking to purchase a product look at the ingredients.

Products I hate:
Cantu
Dr Miracle
Pink Oil moisturizer
Pantene
Dove
Oil Sheen, I hate Oil sheen in general, I prefer Serums,

I also love Chi Organics,

The first thing you need to use, which no one has mentioned is:
SPF 45
Use something to protect you from the sun which is damaging

Things like:
Apple Cider Vinegar
Peppermint Oil
Coconut Oil - 100% natural
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Baking Soda
Burts Bee
Shea Butter - Ori
Chi Organics
Aloe Vera
Vegetable Glycerin
Whole Foods has lots of Organics products too! Do not be afraid to try new things, also, dont label things as white pples products, or black pples products.

CFCG is Curl Free Gold - Image attached

Here is what Baggie'ing looks like:
http://www.coarsehairdiary.com/2007/09/baggy-method.html

Gator, I know this sounds like a lot, however, if you do it for a month, you will see the difference in your hairs health! And you will figure out what works for your hair and what does not, I really like using natural/organic products for my hair.

#1 Shoes
#2 Shoes
#3 Shoes
#4 Bags - Big Bags
#5 Hair Extensions - I love hair extensions, the bigger the better
#6 Clothes,

Baggie - its a way to moisturize your ends, it keeps your ends from breaking, I would do this once a week
Here is how I baggie:
put my hair in a ponytail, I put CFCG and seal with oil (Extra virgin Olive Oil, or Coconut Oil) and I put it in a bag(sandwich bag) and wrap a scrunchie around it. (i will post pic if you want to see) I sleep with the baggie, in the morning you wake up with nice, soft, easy to manage hair.

you can also baggie your whole head if you want, I do not, but some pple do. its just a matter of putting in moisturizer, seal with oil, and put a shower cap on it, let it sit overnight or a couple of hours. no heat.

Actually thats what I did, I just stopped relaxing my hair -- but I used extensions (sew in weaves) to protect my hair, I trimmed the ends every 2 months to cut off the relaxed ends - It was hard at first, because the relaxed ends was causing my hair to tangle at some point, I ended up cutting it all off about 3 months ago! My hair is super healthy and strong! All Natural.

I would not mix the castor oil with conditioner, I would use it separately

Since I can not sleep -- let me add my Grow your hair long tips!
If you have any questions about any of the products or steps listed, let me know.
The first step is to make sure your shampoos(poo) and conditioners (con) does not have sulfate. Sulfate is bad for your hair,

I do not use poo anymore, I mainly condition wash my hair.but if you have to use poo then I will recommend the following product line:

Recommended Sampoo and Conditioners
Aveeda
Abba
Giovanni
Burts Bee
PUREOLOGY
SEXY HAIR- 'Healthy Sexy Soy Milk Chocolate'

I use Aveeda or Giovanni or Abba Personally
Second step:
Do not be afraid of water, u have to wash your hair at least once a week. at the lattest 2 weeks, and at the most 3 days a week. I wash my hair every sunday.

Third Step:
Deep condition, you have to deep condition once a week.
this is the steps I take:

I use Lekair or queen helene's cholesterol
you can add egg, or 1 table spoon of honey and 1 tablespoon of castor oil to it. I add 100% natural coconut oil to mine.

I slather it on my hair and use a bonnet dryer for about 45 minutes. I sit with a shower cap on for about another 30 to 45 mins. depending on time.

after this, I go and wash my hair.

Step 4.
you need a good clarifying shampoo to rid your hair of product build ups!
I do not have one, I use Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) which does the same thing.
I use this once a week. this is the last thing I do, I just dilute it with a little cold water, pour it on my hair, and rinse with cold water.

If you do not want to use ACV here are a list of other clarifying poo's:

Frederic Fekkai Apple Cider Clarifying Shampoo
Pantene Pro-V Purity Clarifying Shampoo
Paul Mitchell Clarifying Shampoo
Herbal Essence Clarifying shampoo


Step 5: Protein treatments
I do this once every three to four months(when I take my weave out) you can do this every 2 to 3 months,
here are some good Protein treatments:

ApHOGEE Treatment for Damaged Hair(cheap- this is what I use, although I read somewhere recently that they have changed the ingredients and its not as good as it used to be)
http://www.folica.com/ApHOGEE_Treatme_d115.html
Dudley DCR 28
Motions CPR
Aubrey Organics GPB
Affirm 5-n-1 Reconstructor


Daily care:

its best to moisturize your hair on a daily basis.
I use either Nexxus Humectress or Curl Free Gold Activator (yes, its jerry curl juice) to moisturize. you have to use oil to seal the moisture in. I use EVOO or coconut oil. Evoo is a little lighter so its good for daily use

other good daily moisturizer: (make sure the first ingrident in your product is water)
Neutrogena triple moisture leave in conditioner
Joico
Organic Root Stimulator Carrot oil creme moisturizer
SheaMoisture Sheabutter leave-in


Tips:
Try not to manipulate your hair too much- Do not comb too much; pull on it. Always use wide tooth comb to comb your hair, use a Denman brush to de-tangle.
Use as little heat as possible, stay away from daily flat ironing- use rollers instead.
Try to do a lot protective style (sew in weaves, wigs, buns, braids healthy ponytails (not too tight) scarves etc.
Use Fantasia IC styling gel instead of the regular Gel.
Stay away from products with Alchol, sulfate etc.
Glycerin, aloe vera, and peppermint are good for your hair. I buy natural oil from Amazon, my next thing is to massage my temple and nape area with peppermint oil at least twice a week.

DO NOT OVER PROCESS YOUR HAIR!!!
If you are relaxed, please keep relaxing to a minimum. Do not over process, use Vaseline, oil, or grease to coat already process hair, that way you reduce the risk of over processing. It takes about 2 to 3 days for your hair to return to its ph balance level afer chemical processing so in that three days, stay away from heat etc.
Always wash your hair 4 to 8 times after relaxing and use a clarifing poo afterwards. Do not leave the relaxer in for too long, this will damage your hair. i basically relaxe my hair 80%!!! I do not let it stay in too long, my hair is more of a looser curl than a straight texture after relaxing.

I perm my hair every 3 to 4 months, I can get away with this, cause I wear weaves(protective style). if you can not wait that long, at least wait 2 months.

Baggie for your ends and your hair:
I also baggie my hair to keep it healthy and strong.
this how I baggie:
I put my hair in a ponytail, I put CFCG and seal with oil (evoo) and I put it in a bag(sandwich bag) and wrap a scrunchie around it. (i will post pic if you want to see) I sleep with the baggie, in the morning you wake up with nice, soft, easy to manage hair.

you can also baggie your whole head if you want, I do not, but some pple do. its just a matter of putting in moisturizer, seal with oil, and put a shower cap on it, let it sit overnight or a couple of hours. no heat.

if you do not have a protective style, you should baggie daily or at least 3 times a week.


Supplements- you need a supplement, you may just get, skin, hair and nails(From GNC) or pple use MSM,
I use one a day.

Gators: are you relaxed? If yes, its not happening! lol,
The only thing I can advice is a two strand twist, which looks like this
http://indulgenceiskey..com/2009/02/two-strand-twists-meets-flexi-rods.html

I like this style,


Yes oh! you have to moisturize daily, its not bad, and it keeps your hair soft and healthy!

Some of the "Natural Hair" posted are hair extensions, just a natural looking Hair extensions!