Happy Nappy Hair Essentials

This blog isn't meant to be a 'hair diary'. Its purpose is just as its address states: a spot of everything. As I previously posted, however, I am increasingly interested in attaining some hair goals about which I have only been lazily dreaming. I need to take and post a few pictures of my hair but the few times I remember to I don't feel like it. So lazy! Anywho, the first step in healthy growth is maintenance and products. I've been surfing a lot of natural hair blogs recently and can recall a few from way back in the day when I dabbled in promoting growth. I judge the advice of other natural beauties by 1) the tone of their blogs and 2) the growth / thickness of their hair. Plus, is their routine doable? Can I reasonably see myself on the maintenance path upon which they set themselves? Once I answer those questions to my personal satisfaction I go about trying to emulate, then divine how well it works for my particular locks.

Most fashion a weekly maintenance routine involving conditioner or co-wash (though some still stick by shampoo, usually a trusted brand); moisturizer; and twists for gentle styling purposes. Also, monthly deep conditioning to provide thorough tress nourishment. The latter dovetails nicely with advice my mother has given to me: condition, condition, condition! It really is important. I worry sometimes about not keeping to a weekly routine but for me, the problems come when too much time passes between hair treatments. That's when I'm liable to forget or put it off once I do remember. Besides I love playing with my hair -- more so than when it was relaxed. Back then I admired length but didn't touch; now I fondle my curls (ew! dirty!) all the time!

Doable routine? Check. Now it's time for the product. Qhemet Biologics is bandied about natural circles much to my delight. I discovered them several years ago making the various good notations a 'squee' moment. I won't lie -- initally I was attracted by their Ancient Egyptian bent (its my faith); even the company's name 'Qhemet' is a translit. variation on Egypt's ancient name. Back then I bought one product, their rosemary and mint clarifying shampoo. I very much liked the effect of the product on my hair which felt very clean after use and the mint invigorated my scalp. I looked forward to washing my hair just because the product was so awesome. It was the first thing I looked for as I scoured their site again. Discontinued. Bummer. Somehow I found something else to buy (like that's hard), three somethings.

Castor & Moringa Softening Serum
Indian Macassar Conditioning Oil
Amla Oil Nourishing Pomade

From my readings castor oil (which is contained in the serum) is hella good for Black hair, as is Amla Oil. Nowhere had I read much positive or negative about Macassar oil but I liked what the site had to say about it so I gave it a whirl.

March 7: I decide to twist my hair and start a winning routine. The past year of once-monthly deep conditoning had repaired my damage hair but I'm ready to get aggressive. I wash my hair with the original Mane 'n Tail shampoo. It's got all the not-so-good stuff in it my nappy head is supposed to avoid, like sulphates, but I have no alternatives and need a guaranteed clean. I follow that with the Castor & Moringa Softening Serum. Its uses are varied -- it can be a leave-in, a hot oil treatment or an oil rinse (moringa has cleansing properties); I use it for the latter. Lastly, the Cream of Nature Conditioning Reconstructor which I leave in while I shower before rinsing. My mother and I have sworn by the brand, Cream of Nature, most of my life. Out of the shower I gently comb through my damp hair. Working in sections, I apply the Indian Macassar Conditioning Hair Oil, twisting as I go. Afterwards I take dabs of Amla Oil Nourishing Pomade and run it along the exposed scalp and hairline.

One week later: my hair has been soft for a week now, not just for a day or two. I'm quite pleased with that result if not with the heavy oil residue. I resolve to skip the oil rinse, leave it for the deep conditioning phase. Also, I have apple cider vinegar or ACV. It works as a clarifier, de-gunking hair and scalp of product. Every natural blog swears by it. It doesn't leave the same pleasant feeling QB's mint shampoo did but as long as it does its job I can live with it. ACV is a pre-wash step. No shampoo this week (or ever if I can help it)! Just the reconstructor. Post shower I follow the same routine as the week before -- gently comb, macassar oil and pomade for scalp. My hair isn't as soft as it was previously. It's still hella softer but not as soft. The ends especially feel dry. Hmm.

This week: ACV, then the conditioning reconstructor. I leave it for longer this time before rinsing. Back to the castor & moringa! I rub it through my hair, then rinse. The same post-shower routine applies. I've gotten better about the amount of the macassar oil I use. No heavy oil residue so far ^^. My hair is back to being super-soft but the ends seem drier by comparison. Not dry-dry, just relatively. Enter the pomade. I bought if for scalp use but it's also meant for styling and softening dry ends. It does the trick. Oh, another thing -- the pomade instructs usage 2-3 times a week which I have been doing to keep that scalp moisturized.

I'm not sure I'm wedded to these products. I suppose that means I'm not in love with them. So far they've performed as expected. There's been minimum breakage, so yay! I'm eager to try it a few other products but it's good to know I have sure-fire fallbacks.