I have been locked in for the past 8 years coming right out of a texturizer into my 1st set of locks. I loved them...they grew mid back and then I had an unfortunate bout with some hair bleach, which destroyed them and I found myself cutting them off and starting over smaller.
Now that I have had these in for the past 4.5 years, they too have grown to my mid back. I have recently cut them short into a very cute style but am a little antsy.... they are growing back and though they have been in pattern for almost five years, there is no true lock formed in any of them. I can just begin to take them out.
That leaves me with my question/confession. Going through this long journey with my hair, I realized that I have never given my God given hair a real chance to just be. I want that chance now but after 23 years in the hair biz, I also realize that I need more education about natural hair, like:
what are good products to use to enhance my natural curl pattern
is there a recipe that I can make in my own kitchen
has anyone tried the new 'wen' product line, if so what's your testimonial
what website(s) are out there that sell products for the soft curl semi afro look
is there a shelf product at the beauty supply
If there is anyone that has some idea or can direct me to a product/website I would greatly appreciate it.
Fufulinda aka Marion Renee
(by the way, I took one out in the front and applied lotion to it and it formed a long ringlet curl so for all you out there thinking to take yours out as well it can be down)
Have you tried
You should try going to Fotki.com or motowngirl.com those are my favorite sites for nappies in any stage of growth and style. They Have locs and loose hair nappies that have all kind of information, recipes,and style inspiration. You don't have to sign up to look through the pages and find recipe. So good luck and have fun looking.
my suggestions
www.anitagrant.com
www.oyinhandmade.com
www.myhoneychild.com
www.prairielandherbs.com
www.kiehls.com
www.motowngirl.com
Sister, I do not play around with making my own hair concoctions that much. However, I do like to make herbal infusions/teas for my hair. I like to play around with different dried herbs and essential oils such as dried lavender or chamomille, steep them, and pour the tea over my hair, and put some in a spray bottle and use it as a sprits. Sometimes, I strain the herbs out and sometimes I dont. The herbal infusions tone and freshen the hair, and they smell very good. I also like to use organic apple cider vinegar as a rinse once a week. This is good to strip away product buildup, and makes the hair super shiny. Prairie Land herbs has a nice selection of dried herbs. I also use their shampoo bars almost exclusively to wash my hair, as they are very good. Their product line is all natural. If you grow your own herbs, you can just dry them yourself, and use them. If you check out the Motown girl website, she has a lot of good information on there, and many recipes that you can try. She also has tons of links to other sisters hair blog sites as well as product reviews. This is a great site, and I visit it often to keep up with what is new.
As far as what products I personally use: I only use all natural products, and support independent business. Most mass produced, main stream products are ladden with unnecessary chemicals and cheap oils and I have found that my hair pretty much hates most of those products. However, there are some mass market products that I consider to be good. These are Dove anti frizz cream, Suave coconut conditioner, and Hollywood Hair, Olive Cream. These drugstore products are not only inexpensive, but relatively gentle, and work well on my hair.
The Oyin product line is my favorite line, and has been a staple for several years now. My curls prefer heavy creams and balms as opposed to oils, and milks. I used their whipped pudding on my hair when I wear it down because it's nice and thick, and it smells soooooo good. The burnt sugar pomade is divine as well--and I do mean DIVINE!!! Their honey conditioner is too light for my hair, so I use it as a daily leave in. These products are very affordable. the entire line is outstanding. Expect a couple weeks wait to get your products.
Anita Grant is based out of England. Her products are very expensive because of the currency conversion, of course the shipping costs. However, the products are top of the line, especially the shampoo bars. I you like to put oils on your hair and scalp, this sister has a very nice selection of natural oils such as monoi, and camelia, as well as several brazilian nut oils. Her whipped hair puddings are very, very good, nice and thick in consistency if your hair likes that kind of product. She has a good selection of herbs and clays too. These are nice products to treat yourself to. And the costumer service, and packaging are five stars.
I like My Honey childs styling aids. This sister is based out of Clayton NC, and is a natural hair stylist. She has an extesnsive selection of products. And they are all handmade by her. Her shampoos, and conditioners are way too light for me. She develelops her hair product to suit the curl type, such as TYPE 2, or TYPE 4 hair. She will even do an online consultation. The selection on this website can be overwhelming if you are not sure what your hair likes or what type of curl pattern you are not sure about the overall condition of your hair and scalp.
Fianlly, my favorite conditioner is Kiehls Olive fruit reconstructive conditioner. This is is nice and thick, and provides a nice slip for my hair. It is pretty expensive at 19 dollars a bottle, but it works well, and my hair loves it. Most of the kiehls conditioners are very good, but this is my favorite.
Anyway, most sites have samples. I urge you to order samples, and see how your hair responds to different things. Over the years I have become somewhat of a product junkie, but I am now going through a process of simplifying my life. I have a great deal of products that are used once or twice, and found that my hair was not happy. Many of these products are things that others have recommended or I purchased on impulse based on packaging and scent. And when I used them, I was not happy with the results. The lesson is, it can be the greatest products for one sister, and another sister will hate it. Perfect example is Miss Jessies Curly pudding and curly meringue. I had heard sooooo much good things about these products, and went on their website, and was really impressed, and I purchased both products--the large tubs. and I was so excited, and when I used it, my hair HATED these products. So, there they sit, under my bathroom cupboard. I was a foolish girl for not sampling first. I have given away many products, and still have many left. The offer is there if you would like to try something, I will gladly send it. I can email you, and let you know what I have, that may work for you--you can just have it.
Have a wonderful day sister.
"Not all those who wander are lost."
Tolkien
Some advice
there are a lot of products on the market...um well off market. Stuff you won't readily find in a beauty supply store. Here are some suggestions.
Jamaican mango and lime
QhemetBiologics.com, love their amla and olive heavy cream
EdenBodyWorks.com
OyinHandmade.com
Blended-Beauty.com ( for multiracial hair), love their soycream shampoo
These are all products that I've tried and I drool over, at least one product, in all of their lines.
I can't tell you what would be the best product for you. You really have to look at your hair and see what it needs. Based on those needs educate yourself on what will work well on it.
here are some links to videos for hair recipes
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Szgyv0535zs
http://youtube.com/watch?v=XIPVOBVG_tE
http://youtube.com/watch?v=G5jDF2Gb4kU
http://youtube.com/watch?v=o2wG-_WH6Fo
http://youtube.com/watch?v=b1E083r3ngs
http://youtube.com/watch?v=oOeYxzalNjw
Thank you!
Thank you for responding. I will check her site out and thanks for the compliment.
Marion Renee
Carolsdaughter.com
I use her natural products on my locs as well as on my daughters very curly hair. we share lisa's elixir hair oil and black vanilla leave in conditioner which smell DIVINE!!! both leave her curly hair more manageable and, really define her curls... and on me they give my locs a beautiful shine and added bounce
your smile is so radiant!!
Peace, Achieng