Vintage Post: Wash 'N Go

I can thank motherhood for reaquainting me with the wash and go.  On Sunday, I pre-pooed (water, coconut oil and baggied) my hair to prep for a wash.  But Mariah, kept me so busy that I couldn't wash and twist my hair.  Before I knew it, it was time for us to take Mariah to my mom's house so the hubby and I could see Transformers for date night.

So to avoid walking around with greasy hair and smelling like a coconut, I had to improvise. 

Wash 'N Go

I washed with Shea Moisture- Moisture Retention Shampoo and conditioned  with Olive Oil Replenishing Conditioner.  I then put in Giovanni Direct-Leave -in and sealed with African Royale Hot Six Oil. I then added Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie to small sections, detangled, braided, and sealed the ends with shea butter. I then blotted with a t-shirt and blow dried a bit, focusing on the roots, and sealed with jojoba oil. I dressed, pulled into a puff, and put on a headwrap to slick down the front. I took it off before I got out the car at the movies.  And voila!

Co-Wash 'N Go

On Wednesday, I co-washed with Suave Humectants (cheapie conditioner). I finger detangled a bit. I then added Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie.  I did mini pineapples with scrunchies and  dressed.  I used the aforementioned puff method.

Refresh 'N Go

To refresh for second day hair (points above), I spritzed with water and sealed with jojoba oil.  I used the same puff method.

This definitely won't be my go to style since my hair dries out too quickly with a wash 'n go. But when I'm pinched for time, it is comforting to know that I have this as an option.

What are your time saving hair tricks?

Vintage Post: Wash & No-Go

BEFORE

 Why is my hair all over the place? Because I was picking at my scalp, of course. It is a bad habit I picked up from my relaxed days when chemical burns were the norm.  Don't judge me.

THE DILEMMA

Have you heard about the Cantu Shea Butter warning? The one that states that you you should avoid putting the product on your scalp.  Well if you do some further research, you will learn that this rule applies to all leave-in conditioners.  This is particularly important if you have a sensitive scalp like mine.  Thanks to my hard-headedness, I ravaged my scalp.  Imagine how sore and itchy your scalp feels after a chemical burn.  Yup, that was me.  It wasn't pretty.

Hair. Resilient. Scalp. Super-sensitive.  (I bet you thought my hair catastrophe would be fried hair.  Bwahaha.)

When I first BC'd, my go to (modified) wash and go routine was to put Cantu Shea Butter on a dried-up twist-out (approximately 3 days old). The next day did I wash it out? No.  Or, the next day? Of course, not.  So by the the third day, As  you can imagine, my hair itched horribly.  The itch-factor coupled with the strong smell forced me to switch to Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie.

With a new product, I continued the same habits.  (I didn't feel like re-twisting my hair mid-week and needed an easy solution. I'm stubborn. Don't judge me.)  At first, my scalp was ok.  Eventually, the itching ensued. But worst.  By the time I straightened my hair in late February, my scalp was ready for a break.

THE TREATMENT...

 I clarified my hair and applied jojoba oil and castor oil to the scalp, which provided some relief. But I still found myself picking at my scalp and my scalp flaking horribly.  This weekend, I finally decided to do a Bentonite Clay treatment.  Ultimate relief.  Ahhhh! My scalp no longer feels sore and raw. 

LESSON LEARNED

Will I stop using Shea Moisture? No.  It works great for wet twist-outs.  Will I stop putting almost half the jar on my head for a wash and go? Yes. I've learned my lesson.  My scalp doesn't like build-up. I get it.  I'll stop being lazy. I'll do my hair mid-week.  I also will not be one of those people who leaves 90% of conditioner in their hair.  I will stick to leave-ins since they are not as heavy and are designed to be left in the hair.

AFTER

My luscious curls are ready for their close-up.

Has anyone had a similar experience due to misuse of products?  Any suggestions for someone with a sensitive scalp?

Vintage Post: Lessons Learned - 2.5 Weeks Natural

On the right, my hair when I'm too lazy to do it. I finally decided to do my hair after my husband asked if I could twist my hair or something...lol

All done! I used Bee Mine Hold Curly Butter, which I won on Moptop Maven's blog.

I put on a hat to go vote !

The next day after work...

It's hard to believe, but I've been all natural for almost three weeks!  In these past few weeks, I've learned a lot about not only my hair, but about myself as well: 

• I've learned to not be so sensitive. So when my mom smiled and said I looked like a pickinanny (meaning, pickininny), I wasn't offended. I actually thought it was funny and I was happy that she didn't gawk at my hair all night. (My mom has a tendency to poke, prod, and stare.  Imagine my mom inspecting my face after a break out. Not fun. At all.)
• A lot of my appearance is wrapped up in my hair.  I never realized how much I loved my long, thick hair... until it was gone.  I know I am not my hair, but I am. I am!  Patiently waiting for it to grow back. I will NEVER cut it again.
• Overuse and abuse of oil will result in a breakout.  I can't remember the last time I had a breakout, but last week I tried a mixture of olive oil, coconut oil, and shea butter. Fail! Major fail!  Every time I touched my hair, I would have a handful of oil.  That same oil dripped onto my face and caused a major breakout on my forehead and temples. I immediately stopped using olive oil and attacked the breakout with Salicylic acid (Neutrogena astringent).  My face is clear once again.  Now, I stick to my hot six oil/spray, coconut oil, and shea butter. No more trips to the kitchen for me.
• Wash and Gos are not for me. In my hair, wash and gos resulted in a shrunken, matted mess.  And that's ok. They are just not for me. Instead, I do a flat twist-out and for the next 2-3 days, I use Cantu Shea butter.  I get the same results as a wash and go and it's less time consuming.
• My hair loves water-based products and conditioners.  The key to moisture in my hair is deep conditioning, the use of water-based hair creams, and great leave-in conditioners.  Then seal lightly with oil and shea butter when appropriate. 
• The Denman brush is worth all the hype. At least to me.  I thoroughly detangle first with my shower comb, of course. Running the brush through my hair softens and smooths the texture. It results in great twist-outs.  And it doesn't pull out my hair either...
• I learned to curb my PJIsm. Over the fast months, I would randomly buy products because I heard about it on a blog, or YouTube.  I've curbed that habit. Instead, I'm focusing on how to use those products and particular techniques.  I hate Cantu Shea Butter as a leave-in. It has been in my cabinet for months. But on YouTube, someone mentioned that it is a great alternative for wash and gos. So I tried it and it worked.  Try looking up how others use the products you already have.  Also, look up techniques.  Don't be so quick to run to the store. Take the time to learn more about your hair, develop a routine, and figure out what is missing.  The only products I am really interested in purchasing are Shea Moisture (as an alternative to Cantu Shea Butter since it flakes and I'm not fond of the smell), and Aloe Vera Gel (my Bee Mine product has Shea and Aloe Vera Gel. Love it!)
• DO ME! No matter what someone suggests on a blog, forum or on YouTube, I have to DO ME! I have to take the time to learn my hair and what works for me. Some disapprove of cones, my hair has no problem with them.  Some don't believe in washing hair, I do.  Some disapprove of straightening natural hair, but I like the versatility.  It's my hair so I'm going to DO ME!

What lessons have you learned on your hair journey? (Whether it is a natural or healthy hair journey)