MHM Maximum Hydration Method

So last week I started the Maximum Hydration Method....

What is that you ask...From www.maximumhydration.com:"When it comes to Maximum Hydration (which this regimen is designed to give your hair), think about the effect water has on the hair. When your hair is wet, your hair responds positively to the moisture, getting softer. But because you don't have high enough levels of moisture retention, once your hair dries it feels brittle, rough, frizzy, and dry. This is what "nappy" hair is. This method allows you to understand, manipulate, and control the factors that cause your hair to remain chronically dry.  It allows you to absorb moisture and retain it, changing your hair dramatically. Now imagine what will happen as you build up moisture retention levels within your hair shaft. The water won't just be sitting on your hair anymore, leaving your hair temporarily soft while it's sitting on the closed cuticles, and evaporating and leaving your hair dehydrated. The effect is going to be from the inside of your hair, and more permanent. So even when your hair isn't sopping wet, or has product, it will be able to stay soft and have significantly less frizz while dry. This is maximum hydration."

In order to do this method you have to follow the regimen which looks like this:

Night
Step 1. Bakingsoda/ ACV rinse
Step 2. Deep condition/GHE, may add light oils to scalp. You may use thermal heating cap or steam for an hour before wearing the shower cap to bed

Day
Step 2.(continued) Rinse out DC and detangle in morning.
Step 3. Clay
Step 4. Leave in. Hair should be soaking wet, no matter how you go about doing it.
Step 5. Gel/ Oil to set into style (no glycerin or coconut oil)

You are supposed to do this for 7 days consecutively and then you can taper off to every 2-3 days but NEVER go more than 3.

I will say the first week of implementing this was a challenge because I had to do all of the steps after work and I wasn't use to washing my hair that much.  However, I believe the struggle was worth it.  My hair felt more moisturized every time I completed the regimen.  It was very easy to finger comb and it didn't tangle.

Since I workout a lot I started putting large twists in my hair and will wear them for a day and do a twist out for two days and wash.  My twist out look fab and my hair has even started to curl at the roots when I sweat.

I think I am going to stick with this over the next few months and see what happens.  Here are some early pics.

Day 2- Wash and Go (still frizzy, but best WnG I've had)

Day 3 - Wash and Go ( a little better)

           

I will take more pics soon!

GHE - Green House Effect

Since it is summer and the sun plays a major role in drying out the hair I have been trying to impart more moisture into my hair.  One method of doing this is the Green House Effect or GHE.

In order to create a GHE for you hair you just have to spray your hair with water (focus on the ends) but do not over-saturate.  Then add a cream and seal with a non-water base oil or cream, (which is essentially the LCO method of moisturizing) and then cover with a shower cap.  Cover the shower cap with a bonnet or scarf and go to sleep.  While you are sleeping the warmth from the shower cap and the water in your hair will create a GHE and make your hair soft and add more moisture to your hair because the heat will open up the cuticle.

I tried this the other night and I have to say it was great!  When I woke up this morning the ends of my twists felt ultra moist and my 4b/4c curls had some serious definition.   I will definitely try this again.  They say you can do it everyday but I think I will try to do this at least 3 days a week to keep my hair moisturized.

Have you tried the GHE?

Back to Basics Update

So I have really been sticking to my guns and really gone back to the basics.  I have been deep conditioning every two weeks and keeping protective style and my hair is very happy!  I have seen less tangles and I feel like it has started to grow again. 
I am going to be on the lookout for a few more protective styles to see if I can switch up my twists a little bit.  I love them but as my hair keeps growing mini-twists get harder and harder.  I love how long they last but sitting for 4 plus hours can be a turn off.  But they do make great twist outs!

Back to Basics Original Post

Beauty World - Durham - Hair Product Heaven!

Ok so apparently I have been missing out!  Yesterday I ventured to Durham, NC and went to Beauty World, a beauty supply store.  I know what you are thinking...it is a beauty supply store what is it the big deal?!  Well, Beauty World in Durham is like a Mecca for hair products!  They have Everything!,  Everything...yes ERRYTHANG!  They have a ton of oils and a Fantastic natural hair selection from Qhemet to Miss Jessie's.  They even have products I didn't know existed. 

Who knew Laila Ali had a hair care line?!

The store is set up like a grocery store for hair care.  They had a section dedicated to nothing but gel.  I didn't even know they made that many types of gel. 

Be sure to go in with a game plan because it can be a little overwhelm if you just wanted to "browse".
However, it was well worth the trip.   I think I will make it there every two-three months to restock.

http://beautyworlddurham.com/

check out the pics!
http://www.newbeautyworld.com/stores/durham/

Quickie Updo

GO! Naturalle 2014 "Getting to Know Your Newly Natural Hair!"

Keratin Treatments- Organix 30-Day-Pt.1

or

or checkout the playlist for all the installments
Keratin Treatments- Organix 30-Day-Experience (playlist)
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC-abS-LU661GeG8EknSYMKQJyI5Fj5ta

Check out the my artwork!

For anyone who is looking the art just out my site!  I paintings that feature the loveliness of African-American culture.  The prints are offered in all shapes and sizes for at a variety of prices!
http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/janeen-morehead.html

Back to Basics

So I'm starting to feel as if my hair has hit a road block, a stand still, no man's land....You get the idea.  So I am trying to think back and figure out what has changed.  When I first went natural my hair was growing like a weed.  Now I am almost 4 years in, I have learned a lot of things about my hair and I feel like it should still be on that growth pattern that I had when I first started.  Right?

Well, if I really think about it I haven't stayed true to the things that I believe gave me that super boost when I first went natural.  I think I need to go back to the basics.  The simple things I did when I first went natural that I have either neglected or just stopped doing.  Here's my 2014 run down.

• Stick to what works:  I have become a product junkie (admitting it is the first step).  I hear about a new product that is doing wonderful things for a fellow Naturalista and I automatically want to try it.  Usually, I don't get the same results that they did  (because no two heads are alike) and now I have just spent a whole lot of money unnecessarily.  When I first went natural I had a few staple products that I love and I stuck with them.  For instance, Qhemet biologics Alma & Olive Oil cream and Shea Moisture Shampoo and Giovanni Direct- leave in.  They worked so well and I swapped them for items I thought might work better....well no more~! Life got to me and I got busy, but don't worry hair I'm coming to get you.  No Child Left Behind.
• Star players:
• Aloe Vera Gel
• Amla and Olive Oil Heavy Cream by Qhemet Biologics
• Coconut and Castor Oil
• Shea Butter
• Deep Conditioning every week (or at least every other week):  I use to deep condition every week but as time went on I became lazy and I just didn't want to take the time and sit for 20-30min.  So I just conditioned in the shower and then styled.  However, I remember that my hair was more moisturized when I did the deep conditioning.
• Making my own deep conditioner: Also in my pursuit to cut corner I stopped making my own deep conditioner.  I am not saying that bought deep conditioners are bad or not as good but I think that my hair really responded to the all natural ingredients.  I am not sure it I will make conditioner every week but I think it should definitely be back in the rotation.
• Twist, Twist, and Twist some more: I started to wear my hair out more, the longer it got the more I wanted to see the length and I did styles that allowed my hair to look longer and fuller.  However, they styles usually require nightly manipulation such as re-twisting. combing or pineappling to maintain.  I don't the that my 4b tresses were happy with that.  My hair gets tangled very easily so I have discovered that medium sized twists that I can wear for a least a week or two worked better because it provided lower manipulation and therefore less tangles.

Hopefully going back to the basics of worked best for me will rejuvenate my hair and get it going again.  I'll keep you posted.