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.
