THIS is the ingredient your deep conditioner is missing!

Heaven in a jar is what I call my deep conditioners now! I know that sounds EXTRA, but when I find something that my lion’s mane, Co Co loves and it makes her more manageable, then I am a happy girl! I feel like my hair either loves something or it doesn’t. There is no middle ground!

When I introduced deep conditioning into my wash day routine as opposed to using a traditional rinse out conditioner, I was pleasantly surprised by how much of a change I experienced. I noticed deep conditioning improved the overall health of my hair by making it softer, shinier, and more able to retain moisture over a longer period of time. I tend to purchase deep conditioners as opposed to going the DIY route since I’m not always sure how much mixture to make due to the length and thickness of my hair. I want to avoid either not having enough or having too much and the mixture going rancid

But after reading a blog post by Christina of the Mane Objective, I decided to be somewhat DIY after reading about her experience with adding molasses to her deep conditioner. Yep, the same molasses that’s in pecan pie (yum!). Ingredients like molasses, honey, and glycerin are categorized, in the beauty industry, as humectants. Humectants are added to hair and skin care products to promote moisture retention. They have the ability to attract water from the atmosphere. Our textured hair needs as much moisture as it can get. Our hair is more prone to dryness and breakage because of the sebum (an oil) our scalp secretes that takes longer to travel down the hair shaft since our hair is not straight. If you’ve ever noticed that if someone with straight hair goes a few days without washing their hair, their hair appears oily and stringy. That’s the sebum building up on their hair.

I’ve used leave in conditioner or styling products that contained honey or glycerin. I noticed my hair responded very well to those products. So I was all for purchasing the Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Mufura Oil Intensive Hydration Masque. The masque performs well on its own, but why not kick it up a notch? I like to spoil myself! So, I added about half of a ¼ cup of molasses to the masque. To apply my deep conditioner, I part my hair in half and create three sections on each side of my head for a total of 6 sections. After I apply product to one section, I two-strand twist it and move on to the section. I noticed when I was applying the mixture, the consistency was very thick, but still pliable.

I deep conditioned for 45 minutes with my Hot Head Hair Conditioning Cap. Deep conditioning with heat is essential for my low porosity hair since heat opens up the hair cuticle and allows the product to penetrate my hair strands and receive all of the benefits of the product. Having low porosity hair means the outer cuticle layer of the hair lies flat making it more difficult for moisture to penetrate the hair. If the cuticle is not open, then product tends to sit on top of the hair causing product build up.

While rinsing out the deep conditioner, I also detangle each of the six sections separately. If you want to know my super quick detangling routine click here to read that post!

This treatment left my hair very soft almost “buttery.” My hair was also bouncy, shiny and soft. I was very surprised by the outcome since molasses is so thick. I assumed it would leave my hair weighed down as opposed to making is so soft and manageable. I still experienced great hair benefits for the days after my wash day. So from then on I have been adding this secret ingredient to all of my deep conditioners!

Have you used products that contained humectants? If so, what was your experience?

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Feature Friday: Chaz Marie

FEATURE FRIDAY: I met this beautiful, ambitious young lady on Instagram. Isn’t social media amazing?!

I’m always grateful to connect with my fellow bloggers in the health + wellness space to support one another + foster relationships + build community!! Check out all of the awesome things she has going on, on her site!!

“Hi! I’m Chaz. I’m 24 years old and in 2018 I decided I want to be a healthier, happier, and more confident me! I’m on a weight gain journey and hopefully I inspire other women to have a great year! Feel free to email or DM me with any lifestyle or beauty questions

http://chaz1.onuniverse.com/

IG: Chazmarie_Ocean”

Thanks, Chaz!!

My Naturally Curly Haired Miracle by Lashonya – StyleInPNW

I’m excited, because I have a guest today! I met a lovely young lady named Lashonya with a passion for fashion! She also shares my passion to empower women to live healthier lifestyles. She also believes this extends beyond what we put into our bodies, but also taking into consideration what products we apply to our skin and our hair. So when she approached me about contributing a guest post for an all natural hair care product collection, I was thrilled! So, if you want to know more about this amazing collection, then keep reading!

Hi everybody, my name is Lashonya. I am a Fashion and Wellness blogger over at StyleInPNW. I am so thankful to have met Sharae because we have many similar passions, one in particular is health a wellness and a second is natural haircare. I was so deeply touched by her sharing her journey to get healthy I asked her if I could share mine as well.

It took me 22 years to get serious about my health. My wake up call was when I found out I was pregnant in 2015. If I wasn’t willing to get healthy for myself, I was willing to turn my life upside down for the betterment of my unborn child. And that is exactly what me and his father did. We changed our carnivorous diet to vegetarian and then vegan. We threw out all of our chemical cleaners and detergent and we did a lot of research and found natural alternatives to a lot everyday products. Thanks to these changes my family is healthy and me and my husband have lost a ton of weight.

​

However, it is the hardest to find natural beauty, personal hygiene and hair products that we really liked. So, when I find something I love I rejoice! Now, my naturally curly haired miracle is two and has a head full of beautiful tightly coiled curls. And I am rejoicing because I just found the most amazing natural, vegan shampoo and conditioner with all my favorite ingredients and without any bad ingredients. What is most important is that it does miracles on his curls and is literally the best hair product I have used on both of our hair to date.

It is WOW’s Apple Cider Vinegar Detox Shampoo and Coconut-Avocado Oil Conditioner Duo. Turns out it has won Amazon’s Beauty Award for Haircare but here is why WE love it. My hair is feels fuller after using the shampoo because the detox cleanses your scalp of flakes, build ups and dandruff. Also, after talking to some other ladies I found out Apple Cider Vinegar is known for being good for your hair as well as for weight loss, natural cleaners etc. Who knew? So anyway, if I wasn’t already in the love, the conditioner SMELLS AMAZING! Then, I tried it on my son’s curls!!

Video of Me and Zadear!

How I treat my son’s natural hair with WOW’s Coconut and Avocado Oil Conditioner: While he is in the bath I generously apply the conditioner to his scalp and hair. I let it set for 10-15 minutes or so. Then, I take small sections are comb them out with a wide tooth comb and a spray bottle for assistance.  His hair is so much easier to comb since we started using WOW! His hair is pretty much already detangled and it feels so silky I could not even believe it. After his hair complete combed through and all the product is washed out his curls are glorious. Then we air dry and apply WOW 10 in 1 Hair Revitalizer – Intensive Natural Nourishment Leave-In Conditioner Serum and gently pull outward and down to give his tight curls some stretch. His first day curls, second day, third day and everyday until the next wash day looks amazing. All we do is wet his hair everyday with water. His curls are less frizzy, more uniform, tamed, stronger and bouncier and have so much more moisture.

Ingredients:

100% Vegan

100% Natural and Raw Himalayan Apple Cider Vinegar

Pure and Natural Botanicals

Organic Virgin Coconut Oil

Avocado Oil

Argan Oil

Almond Oil

Moroccan Oil

Wheat Protein

Free of:

Parabens

Sulphate

Silicones

Salt

24.95​

Click Here to check it out!

Thank you so much Sharae for letting me stop by! I hope this was helpful to everyone. Please feel free to stop by StyleInPnw anytime!

 

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Diagnosis to Victory Series, Part 4. “What’s With Wheat?” Documentary Review

I actually considered watching “What the Health?” but honestly, I was over hearing about it. It was all the buzz on social media for months. With so many people giving their opinions and having their “Aha” moments, I felt like I already watched it. So instead, I decided to watch “What’s With Wheat?” I had this documentary saved on my Netflix list for a while. I intended to watch it shortly after my IBS diagnosis in October 2016, because my GI doctor recommended that I avoid gluten, because it is difficult for the body to digest. I initially had a hard time eliminating wheat, because I grew up eating so much of it. I LIVED for a bologna or PB & J sandwich on Wonder Bread. So, why now at 30 something years old, do I experience digestive discomfort when consuming wheat? It made me wonder, what is in wheat NOW that wasn’t always present? This documentary proved to be eye opening as well as help me answer that very question. My hope is that by reading this post, you gain perspective on the wheat industry and become a more informed consumer whether or not you have a gluten intolerance or allergy. I am not a medical professional, nor and I telling you how to eat. You are free to make your own choices and create a lifestyle that works best for you.

The documentary provides perspective from farmers, scientists and nutritionists who discuss how gluten intolerance developed and how modern processes may be the cause. The documentary begs the question “So are we allergic to wheat? Or are we allergic to what’s been done to it?”

The documentary opens with a brief history of the agricultural industry. In the 1940’s, people weren’t consuming enough calories. So cereal was invented as a shelf-stable item to give people the calories they needed so they wouldn’t die from starvation.

Also during that time, wheat became fortified with vitamins and minerals in an effort to combat malnutrition. But during that fortification process, the wheat bran and germ were removed and chemicals were added. When those two elements are removed during production, there are few nutrients remaining. Much of the protein and fiber are stripped turning it into the common white flour we see today.

Also during the 1940’s, Ancel Keys conducted The Minnesota Starvation Experiment: “The Biology of Human Starvation” from 1944-1945. He sought to examine the effects of famine on the human body. As a result of his findings, he demonized fat and steered people away from what was a standard American breakfast of bacon and eggs. Some experts suggest he fabricated the correlation between fat and heart disease. So with fewer people consuming fat, they introduced more carbohydrates into their diets.

Another notable scientist during this era was Norman Borlaug. Borlaug worked for the corn and wheat board and sought to mechanize the agricultural production of wheat, known as the Green revolution, to increase output and help feed those in starving countries. He was awarded a Nobel Peace prize for his work. However, to increase output, more chemicals were added to the crops to help the plant thrive and be more resistant against disease and pests.

By the end of 1945, the same manufacturer who was creating the chemicals for warfare were also creating the chemicals for agriculture. Yeah, read that part again.  Instead of looking at the health of the plant, farmers were looking at the yield of the plant. Chemical fertilization leaves foods and crops deficient in vitamins and minerals.

Our wheat has become so commercialized and manipulated over the years that it doesn’t even resemble what it once was, resulting in wheat being one of the most problematic foods in the American diet. The chemicals in wheat are causing inflammation in our bodies. This is why we are noticing an increase in Celiac disease, gluten intolerance and even autism.

Gluten is a protein found in wheat. When we eat a normal protein (not the gluten protein from wheat), we eat it and is goes into our gut, our body pulls it apart into individual amino acids, and then we absorb them. Unfortunately, gluten is poorly digested causing damage to the gut and exposing the insides of the damaged cells to the immune system. Your body sees it as something it doesn’t like and it develops an immune reaction to it. This is known as an immune complex, which is very difficult for the body to get rid of once it develops. It can affect the brain, gut or cause an outward reaction, such as a rash on someone who suffers from eczema. Every part of the body can become inflamed, even the heart.

Another issue with wheat products is that they can be addictive. One documentary contributor noted the look of fear on people’s faces when he told them to eliminate wheat. “So I can’t have cereal? How am I supposed to eat a sandwich?” Aside from sugar, the most common foods people have an issue with are foods that contain gluten, such as bread or pasta. Gluten can be converted in the liver to a morphine like derivative called an endorphin. These morphine’s go to the brain and give that feeling of “Hi! I feel great!” So, it triggers the same brain response we get from a drug.

I will admit that I was also stubborn and didn’t want to give up wheat. But I learned to not focus on what I couldn’t have, but instead focus on all of the other nutrient-rich foods I can still have. Eliminating wheat as much as possible will not leave us nutrient deficient by any means. There are still an abundance of options that I enjoy, such as brown rice, quinoa, sweet potato, squash, corn tortillas, and gluten free bread.

So, knowing all of this about wheat, how do we move forward? The purpose of the documentary is to encourage us to ask questions and be more aware, and to understand the way food is produced. As a society, we have forgotten what it feels like to be healthy. The food we eat is sending signals to our DNA, which is our code of life. We are either sending signals that code for health or signals that code for disease. Modern agriculture has suddenly given us genetic information that our bodies don’t know how to handle.

To heal our bodies from the inside out, we have to go back to diet and lifestyle. So eating more whole, unprocessed foods, moving our bodies, meditative practices, and being surrounded by a supportive social network and a loving family.

To read my other IBS series posts, then click the links below:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Why you NEED a Spray Bottle!

_{Trust me! Your hair will thank you! This is something small I incorporated into my regimen that has greatly improved the overall health and appearance of my hair. By giving my hair more of what it loves on a consistent basis, my hair thrives and I am more likely to retain length. So what’s in MY spray bottle? Simply water and aloe vera juice. That’s it! My mixture is ¾ aloe juice to ¼ water. I started adding aloe juice to my regimen a couple of years ago after watching one of Naptural85’s DIY hair recipe YouTube video’s where she used it on freshly washed hair for added moisture and shine. I have been following her for as long as I have been natural because our hair type and length are similar. But the difference between using it now versus then is the frequency in which I use it. I previously would only use it sparingly. Now, I use it throughout the week in a few ways: the first being a precursor to my LOC moisture retention routine. I divide my hair down the middle and then create three sections on each side for a total of six sections. I spritz each section of hair, apply my leave in, oil, and then a cream. I moisturize my hair using this routine three times a week. On the nights I don’t do the LOC method, I still spritz the ends of my hair. Our ends are the oldest part of our hair and are less likely to benefit from the sebum that our scalp naturally secretes. Depending on the length of our hair, our ends could be several years old. The third way I use it to create a faux wash n go. I say faux, because I’m not styling on freshly washed hair. I discovered this third way by accident, actually. So what had happened was…..I tried to create the wash n go look by applying a leave in and then some gel. It turned out horribly, as in huge winter wonderland snowflakes in my hair! Ugh! I styled my hair the evening before a local natural hair event thinking my curls were about to be on a whole new level!! But I was in for a rude awakening the next day. I noticed that after I applied the products, my hair wasn’t absorbing them, but I figured my hair would dry overnight and it would be fine in the morning. When I discovered that didn’t happen, I just rocked my hair anyway. I didn’t have time to wash it and then restyle it before the event. Plus my hair takes like 10,000 hours to dry! Of course I’m exaggerating, but you get the point.}

_{At the event, there was a stylist named Shayla. She gave a presentation and afterwards you could ask her questions. I approached her and told her what products I used and asked what I could have done differently. She explained the issue wasn’t necessarily with the products themselves, but with my method since I styled on dry hair. Hair should be styled when it is wet or damp so it can properly absorb the products you apply afterwards.}

_{So for my next wash n go attempt, I followed her advice. In these photos, I created six sections like always and spritzed each section thoroughly from roots to tips. Then I applied Eco Styler Argon oil gel and sealed with grapeseed oil. Sealing with an oil allows the hair to retain moisture since water evaporates. Oil also prevents that gel cast that makes the hair stiff and crunchy. After sealing, I allowed my hair to air dry overnight. I tied a satin scarf around my edges and slept on a satin pillowcase. And voila! The results I wanted! My curls were shiny, smooth, moisturized, defined and of course no product build up!!}

_{Lesson learned! Hydrate, style, and seal. Got it!}

_{Another benefit to aloe juice is that it can be more pure than water. The water in our homes can be harmful to the health of our hair if it contains high levels of minerals, especially calcium and magnesium. This is known as hard water. High levels of these minerals can cause the hair to feel rough, tangle easily, become dehydrated, dull, and cause hair color to fade. So if you notice your hair is experiencing any of these issues, hard water may be the culprit. You can purchase kits that help you test the water in your home to determine if you have hard water.}

_{The aloe juice I purchase is from Vitamin Shoppe. I like the Lily of the Desert brand, but switched to the store brand to save a few bucks! I also make sure to get the bottle that says “whole leaf.” The benefit to using the whole leaf variety is that your hair can reap the maximum benefits from the nutrients found in aloe, such as vitamins A, C, E and B12. As well as minerals such as potassium, zinc, and magnesium. Also, aloe is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture from the environment into the hair. Since I know how much my hair benefits from aloe, I am more drawn to products that contain aloe. When I read product labels, I search for aloe in the first five ingredients listed. Why the first five? It’s because the ingredients listed in the top five compose anywhere between 50%-80% of the total product make up. The ingredients listed after that may only make up as little as 1% of. So, the first five ingredients have the most effect on the hair.}

_{Have I convinced you yet to try adding this amazing conditioner to your regimen? Or is aloe already a part of your regimen?}

 

It Must be True, Right?! Diet Myths Debunked!

When we hear the same information over a long period of time from a variety of sources, we rarely questions its validity. But information regarding our health and wellness changes as more research is conducted and health care professional gain more knowledge. So I wanted to make this post to debunk some of the common myths that people still believe that are no longer true.

1)      “Eat a Low Fat Diet, because Fat is Bad” – When you see “Low fat” that should be your que to put it down! You can think of low fat as code for “chemical storm!” When companies make foods low fat, they often replace the fat with more sugar and/or sodium to enhance the flavor. You don’t need to ban all fat. The fats you want to avoid are saturated and trans fats. Both are often found in red meats and processed foods. But there are fats that do not raise cholesterol or increase your risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Instead try to consume more Omega-3 heart healthy fats, which help to rebuild cells and will keep you fuller and more satisfied. Some examples are olive oil, salmon, or avocad

2)      “If You Exercise, You Can Eat Whatever You Want” – The weight loss equation is simple, calories in versus calories out. To lose one pound of fat per week, you must maintain a calorie deficit of 500 calories a day for 7 days, which is 3,500 calories. So it takes a 3,500 calorie deficit to lose one pound per week. It’s common to underestimate the amount of calories we consume and overestimate the amount of calories we burn. This is why it’s helpful to use an app such as MyFitnessPal to calculate calories and using a device, such as a FitBit or a Polar watch to track calories burned. You cannot outwork a poor diet

3)      “A Calorie is a Calorie” – While that is mathematically true, not all calories are created equal. You want to focus on the quality of your food. Consume more foods that are nutrient dense and contain micronutrients, such as fiber, which helps keep you full. You can have a candy bar or a turkey sandwich, but which option will give you the fuel you need?

4)      “Eat Less to Lose More Weight” – This is not the way to go! Calorie restriction is dangerous, because you actually risk slowing down your metabolism. Over time, your body may go into starvation mode, because it does not know when it will get more food. You will end up stalling your weight loss efforts. Instead, aim to eat 4-5 times per day. It’s not about eating less, but about eating better. As a general rule, if you are a woman trying to lose weight, your daily minimum calorie intake should not be less than 1,200 calories. Again, this is when MyFitnessPal will come in handy because you can enter in your information and the app will tell you how many calories to consume per day to reach your goal

5)      “Supplements Will do All the Work” – If you aren’t doing your part by changing your diet and exercising, then supplements will not be of any value to you. Supplements are used to enhance your results and should be used in addition to what you’re already doing

6)      “Stick to This Diet to Lose 5 Pounds a Week!”  – Diets are restrictive and will only lead to short-term results. They are a quick fix. Instead focus on a long-term lifestyle change. Consider what is sustainable for you, because what you do to lose the weight is what you will have to do to keep the weight off. So do you really want to be on the “cabbage soup” diet forever? I know when I tried to go “low carb/Atkins,” I felt deprived and frustrated, which only led me to gaining all the weight back plus more

7)      “Weight Yourself Daily” – You will drive yourself crazy if you do this! Change your relationship with the scale. Your success is not tied to the number on the scale. It’s important to also focus on non-scale victories as indicators of your success. For instance, focus on how you feel, how well your clothes fit, how you look, etc. When I was losing weight, I would weight myself once a week at my Weight Watchers meetings. There are several factors that could impact the scale such as fluid retention or if you’re doing strength training. Muscle weighs more than fat, so you may not notice the number on the scale decreasing. But, you may instead notice that your clothes are fitting better and you look more toned and defined. Snatched!

8)      “If the Label Says ‘All Natural,’ It’s Healthy” – The term “natural” is not clearly defined or regulated by any entity. So, technically any company can make that claim on almost any product to influence your buying decision. Instead, look for terms such as “Organic” or “Non-GMO.” Those terms are regulated and companies must prove their product meets certain standards before making that claim on their product labels

9)      “Carbs are the Enemy”! – All foods have carbs, so you really can’t eliminate all carbs. Carbs provide your body with the fuel you need to sustain you through workouts and your daily life. Focus on consuming complex carbs that do not cause an immediate blood sugar spike and will keep you full for a longer period of time. Some of my favorites include brown rice, quinoa, sweet potato (mashed, baked, fries), acorn squash, butternut squash, plantains, spaghetti squash, gluten-free oatmeal, and gluten-free whole-grain bread

10)   “You Can Spot Reduce and Just Lose Your Stomach” – You cannot spot reduce. I repeat! You cannot spot reduce! You must lose overall body fat. You have to burn the fat off your midsection first before you start seeing more definition. A clean diet will be key to helping you see more ab definition. There are many ab exercises you can incorporate into your workouts to give you more definition. Abs are also genetic, so you may not end up getting the same abs as your favorite fitness inspiration

11)   “You Need a Gym Membership” – When I first started, I used DVD’s, I ran outside and I also purchased a treadmill. Over time, I’ve added to my home gym. Click here to see the post on my home gym! Other inexpensive options include taking your workouts outside, following YouTube videos or getting a gym membership from Planet Fitness, which is only $10/month. They have a trainers who can assist with developing a regimen and show you how to use the equipment

12)   “Don’t Eat After 7pm!” – Ummm….last I checked, calories couldn’t tell time. If you consume more calories than your body needs, then that is when you will gain weight. So if you come home late and you’re hungry, then eat! Don’t deprive yourself. Listen to your body. If you don’t eat before bed, you may wake up feeling ravenous the next morning and eating more than you would have if you hadn’t skipped dinner

What are some diet myths you’ve heard that you later discovered were false?

 

 

Length Retention Secret from the Women of Chad

Long hair is coveted by many in the natural hair community. While there are definitely some naturals who prefer to maintain a TWA or tapered cut, there are those, myself included, who can be described as “length whores.” Lol. Yep! Give me ALL the inches!! My healthy hair goal for 2017 is to reach tailbone length. But notice how I mentioned “healthy.” Desiring length is fine as long as the health of your hair is not neglected in the process. It wouldn’t make sense for me to achieve my hair goal, but the last five inches of my hair consists of split, dry and frayed ends. So, you may be wondering, how can I achieve my hair goals while ensuring my hair is healthy? Like many paths in life, there is no one way to get there. There are many techniques and products that can be used to help you reach your goals. The key is developing a regimen that works for you. Trial and error, internet research, reading blog posts, and watching YouTube videos, can all provide ideas on how to improve your regimen to help you reach your desired results. I believe I have a pretty solid regimen. But it’s definitely not perfect and there’s always room for improvement. So when I came across a video on a length retention secret from the women of Chad, I was intrigued.

The video creator is a descendant of an African ethnic group in Chad known as the “Basara Arabs.” She decided to travel to her native Chad to uncover the haircare practices of the women in this ethnic group. The women who belong to this group are widely known for their long, kinky hair that often reaches past their waists. Their ability to reach such length lies in the application of a mixture consisting of Shebe seeds, Mahllaba Soubiane seeds, “Missic” stone, cloves, “Samour” resin, scented oil of their choice, and a hair grease or pomade, also of their choice. Most of these ingredients can only be sourced in Chad or Sudan. To create the mixture, all of the seeds and the cloves are grilled and separated. Then the hair grease or pomade and the oil are mixed together, separately. The powders are then combined in a mortar and mixed together along with some of the oil/grease mixture. Then all of those ingredients are mixed together to create a substance that mimics soil. Then the Missic and the Samour are mixed together and ground into a fine powder and added to the soil-like mixture.

After the hair is damp with water, the mixture is applied from roots to ends, with extra mixture applied on the ends. They ensure the hair is thoroughly coated with the mixture before moving to the next section of hair. The mixture is applied every 3-5 days beginning at childhood. There are some who attribute their hair length to genetics. However, the documentarian notes how her mother and grandmother are members of this tribe and do not have hair this length. So the length they achieve must be attributed to their unique mixture and the frequency in which the treatment is applied.  The women in the tribe also state their length is not due to genetics, because it is not applied to their edges, which are very short. If genetics was the primary factor, all of the hair on their head would be that length.

This mixture provides extreme moisture to the hair. So after the treatment is applied, the hair is sectioned off and braided to retain moisture until it was time to apply the mixture again. The mixture is applied by hand without any styling tools, which helps reduce mechanical damage. Mechanical damage is normal “wear and tear” that occurs just by us handing our hair, such as when we wash, comb or brush it. While this regimen fits the lifestyle of the women in this region, it may not be realistic for any of us since the mixture is not washed out. So imagine applying deep conditioner to your hair every 5 days, never washing it out and then repeating that process your whole life. In addition to that aspect, there are no local suppliers who source the ingredients. And even if you found the supplier in Chad or Sudan, I’m sure the shipping transit time would be lengthy and expensive.

So….since it appears none of us will be using this mixture anytime soon, how about I share with you some practical length retention tips from Sharae in Seattle?! Lol. Does that work? Ok. Great!

1.       I keep my hair moisturized by doing the LOC (liquid, oil, cream) method 3 times per week. I make sure the section of hair is thoroughly coated with product and I add extra product to my ends. After moisturizing, I put my hair in 6 braids

2.       On the nights I don’t do the routine above, I spritz my ends with a combination of water and aloe vera juice

3.       At night I always sleep with my hair tied with a satin scarf or sleep on a satin pillow case

4.       During the week, I style my hair in buns or a soft braid. I usually don’t wear my hair out in a twist out, braid out, or wash-n-go until the weekends

5.       On wash day, I make sure to deep condition my hair. After applying the deep conditioner, I use my Hair Therapy Wrap to open my hair cuticles to allow for maximum product absorption

6.       When I am detangling, I only do so on soaking wet hair with lots and lots of Aussie moist conditioner. I detangle with a wide tooth comb since that works better for me than a Denman brush

7.       I rarely apply heat to my hair. On occasion if I do a wash-n-go, I will diffuse my hair. The last time I blew out my hair was around 2010 or 2011 when I had box braids. And I can’t even recall the last time I flat-ironed my hair. It may have been when I had my last relaxer in 2009

8.       When I am styling my hair, I try to use my hands as much as possible to reduce the possibility of suffering any mechanical damage

9.       I try to keep my ends trimmed. I don’t trim on a set schedule. I just look at my ends and trim if needed

10.   By experimenting with different products, I’ve learned what ingredients my hair likes. So I intentionally search for products that contain those ingredients. In addition to aloe vera juice, I know my hair thrives from glycerin, coconut oil, honey, and shea butter

After seeing the health and length of their hair, there are some obvious benefits to this treatment: all natural ingredients, applying the treatment on a consistent basis, handling the hair with the least amount of manipulation as possible, and maintaining a long-term protective style. If the ingredients were more widely available, I think it would be worth it to try the treatment as part of your wash day regimen, perhaps in place of your current deep conditioner. Oh, and of course, you would wash it out!

What are some of your favorite length retention tips? Or are there some new things you will now incorporate into your regimen to help you achieve your healthy hair goals?