Throwback to Mamma's Hair Grease: Yay or Nay?

Hey Lovelies!

As you might be able to tell, I am in constant experimentation mode with my hair products/regimen. I've been back to my natural hair texture since December 2010. From that time, I'm pretty sure I've watched hundreds of YouTube hair care videos and read hundreds of natural hair and black hair blogs.

I've faithfully adhered to many of the hair no-no's

1. No Sulfates
2. No Mineral Oil 
3. No Heat

etc, etc.

I've been careful to read the ingredients label on all my hair products, oftentimes buying more costly items because they are more "natural." I even considered investing in the Miss Jessie's line of products, which runs between about $20-70 per product. 

The thing is, I am a twenty-something with rent to pay, loans to pay off, and money to save. With all the delicious smelling, new, "all-natural" hair products available online and in stores, it is quite easy to be tempted into becoming a product junkie. 

With all of my obsession over products and hair length, I've slowly become frustrated and tired. It's not as though my hair went through a drastic growth phase to the length of many of the hair-fashionistas I admire.

Before the transition period and the big chop, even before the hair-dressers and the creamy crack, my hair was in my mother's hands. She did not have a ton of hair products. These are the products I have the most distinct memory of:

Anyone remember this? I just called it "Pink Oil"

Every morning before school I would use some "pink oil" to slick down the edges of my go-to high bun style. One of the old school brushes to hide frizzes or "ballies" and I was set.

My mom and I experimented with shampoo brands, but I remember this one in particular

When I was little I think my mom washed my hair every other week, then when I got older once a week.

This stuff smelled so good to me lol

My mom loves this pre-shampoo treatment for moisturizing my hair, especially in the winter.

This stuff was amazing!

Every Saturday night my mom would smooth globs of this through my shampooed hair with some olive oil and sit me under the drier for a half hour.

Best Leave-In Ever!

This is how the Infusium 23 bottle used to look when I was little. This stuff made de-tangling my hair soo easy!

Definitely was a staple product in our home

This was the standard grease product at my house.... I used to just sit around and smell it... LOL

                                          

My mom brought in these special forces if my hair was too dry or too itchy. They smelled gross to me, especially the Sulfur 8... but they worked!


I took a moment to recollect the products my mom used in my hair because, prior to going to the hairdresser, my hair was a little past collarbone length. Granted, my hair was relaxed, but considering the number of over-processed heads of hair I've seen... I thought my mom did a great job. For the 2-3 years I went to hair-dressers, my hair shrank to chin-length. I realized that my mom put a lot of tender loving care into my hair that neither hairdressers I barely knew nor I was able to give it.

I've decided to give a yay to Mamma's hair grease. With all the talk of which products we should use or not use, I'm deciding to go with what has been working to keep my hair moisturized and and growing. I'm not saying that I'm going to use all the products listed above, but I think I will take the time to be more open to what has been tried and true to my hair.

Right now, I'm re-trying Dr. Miracle's "Feel It" Formula to "grease" my scalp.

Photo Credit

I like to dampen my hair, at least with some oil moisturizer, before using this. I love the tingling feeling, and so far, I enjoy how it makes my hair feel. My mom used to use this on my hair's scalp too. I know this has mineral oil in it... but it has a lot of other great stuff too. I mention mineral oil because I've read and heard that with repeated application in between hair washes, mineral oil essentially blocks moister from entering the hair shaft.

I don't have this problem because I wash my hair weekly and dampen my hair regularly. Also, I now cleanse, message and grease my scalp just like my mom did. I also add a couple drops of castor oil and mix it into with my finger as I add this product to my scalp.

I don't think it's supposed to be extremely costly and hassling to do black hair. Neither do I think that we have to prescribe to a particular set of products. I think what is most important is that we are doing what we think will give us and our hair nourishment and moisture.

I may change my mind again.... who knows, learning about self-care means to you and how to do it changes. I guess I would call this the nostalgic part of my hair care journey. What hair products do you remember from childhood?

xoxo

P.S. I may go back to red hair y'all!!!

3 Possible Hair Changes on a Meatless Diet & How to Manage them.

Hey Lovelies:

I transitioned out of consuming meat starting last summer, and officially began my vegan date late last year (2013). Since then I have undergone a physical transformation. What's more, my relationship to the food I eat has dramatically shifted (I'll talk about this in another post).

I want to talk more about the physical changes, specifically as they relate to hair. Here are some of the changes I've noticed. I'm not going to label them as good or bad, rather, I see them as a part of the learning process of my hair journey. I will also say that I don't think these changes are restricted to African American/Black Natural Hair; the changes are specifically correlated to what I have been putting in my body--You are what you eat!

1. My hair is thinner. Explanation: The types and ratios of proteins in plants is quite different from the types and rations of proteins in animals (for more information see here). It is noted that some vegetarians and vegans struggle to maintain the same amount of the protein lysine as those who eat meat. Hair is composed of protein, so a lack of protein can result in thinner hair. Solution: Balancing the amount of protein in my diet. Foods like Tempeh, Tofu, and Lentils provide Lysine. As I balance my diet hair will thicken. (For information on protein in the Vegan/Vegetarian Diet, see here.)
2. My growth rate seems to have slowed. Explanation: This one is iffy, because, as noted in my previous post, some of my habits could have contributed to the lack of length retention. However, the thinner haid and this change are related, hair needs protein to grow. 
3. My hair is softer. Explanation: this one has a multifaceted explanation as well. It could be that I am trying a new hair growth regimen. However, it could also be that I'm drinking more water, taking vitamins, and moisturizing from the inside out--basically, I consume a lot more olive oil, avocados, and other healthy fats on a regular basis. 

The most important thing I've realized as my hair is changing is that research and effort are essential to creating results in my hair health. 

1. Explore healthy proteins. Eat different proteins; beans, nuts, seeds, tofu, tempeh, seitan, and leafy greens, and much more, to see which ones you enjoy. These foods are open to anyone partaking in any diet, with or without meat. Incorporating healthy sources of protein in every meal will ensure that you have your daily intake.
2. Drink lots of water. Humans are composed mostly of water. To function, we need to literally replenish ourselves daily. The number of ounces you should drink per day is two-thirds of you body weight plus your activity level. (for more information see here)
3. Take your vitamins! I don't mean hair vitamins like protein or anything like that, I mean your daily intake. Vitamins assist in catalyzing all of the processes in your body, including hair growth. 

Remember, everything is correlated; hair health, skin health, any body part actually, can be used as a marker to measure your general physical health.

Isn't her twist out fly?!

Happy Hair Journey!

xoxo