Bantu Knot out No No

Tried to do a bantu knot out. Usually they come out pretty good, but not this time! I used Queen Helene Royal Curl "shaping creme" for "hold" and the Silicon Mix Leave in for moisture.
In the past, I have found that the Royal Curl leaves my hair with excellent curl definition, but a little on the dry side. Therefore, I am trying to give it a chance by layering it on top of some kind of moisturizer. My search still continues for that perfect mix. The funny thing is, it defines way better than Kinky Curly, but the dryness really takes away from the product . =(

The result was a hot, flaming mess. Sad sad sad.  Not what I was expecting at all. In addition, there were some white flakes going on. I won't be using these two products together again.

=(

Silicon Mix Review

So, I clarified with my Suave Clarifying Shampoo and DC'd with the Silicon Mix conditioner.
If you don't know about Silicon Mix, it is a Dominican product. For years now, many kinky and curly ladies have been looking towards the Republic to answer their hair troubles. Why? Because black women from the Dominican Republic have hair just has curly and kinky as black women in the U.S., and have found ways to retain length through the use of their products and techniques.
Anyway,  I got my Silicon Mix from my local Beauty Supply Store. I paid $7-8 for the conditioner and $13 for the leave in, which is actually a little expensive. You can buy it cheaper online, but if you factor in shipping and handling, I would've paid that much anyway. If you live in a larger city than Louisville, then you may be able to find it at multiple stores at a more responsible price.


My Thoughts -
The conditioner has the consistency of a thick lotion. The leave-in is like a regular lotion. The smell (at first) smelled like an old school hair grease LOL. But then it reminded me a bit of Philosophy's Amazing Grace, so a bit between grease and light perfume. However it doesn't stink.
Both products left my hair very soft and pretty moisturized. I tried the leave in on dry straightened hair  for a braid out, and I also tried it for my bantu knot. The leave in made my hair pretty shiny, however it is NOT a styling aid.
I will continue using these products in the future seeing as it done a great job moisturizing my hair.
<3

Silicon Mix Leave-In used on flat iron braid-out.

After I rinsed the Silicon Mix conditioner out.

Olive Oil Hair Treatment

If you don't know about the many benefits of olive oil, then you must have been living under a rock. Olive oil is packed full of fatty acids that are not only good for your body, but also for your hair! Olive oil penetrates the hair shaft, conditioning it, infusing moisturize, improving elasticity and creating shine. My mother used to use a few drops of olive oil on my scalp as a baby to prevent cradle cap.

When using olive oil on your hair, make sure that it is 100% Extra Virgin. On many hair boards (and on Rachel Ray's cooking show) Extra Virgin Olive Oil is referred to as EVOO. EVOO is produced from olives that have been cold pressed, thus retaining a lot of their natural properties.

Some women use EVOO as a moisturizer, some use it as a sealer on the ends of their hair, or as a scalp oil. It depends on your preference. I like to use EVOO as a pre-shampoo treatment.

I put EVOO in a color applicator. I may add addition oils or ingredients such as honey (for moisture), Coconut oil, peppermint oil, or even a egg for light protein. I heat the oil for 10 seconds in the microwave and then apply it to my scalp and ends of my hair.

TIP:  if using an egg, don't add any heat. You don't want the egg to cook in your hair!

After I  have applied my oil, I wet a wash cloth, roll it up, put it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds and place that on my head, then place a shower cap over it. The steam from my wash cloth helps open the hair shifts and absorb the moisture from my EVOO mix.

You could leave this pre-poo treatment on for 30 minutes or over night.

Afterwards I wash and condition my hair as usual.
Over time, EVOO pre-poo treatment helps restore dry and brittle hair.

Bunnin'


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Tools: Denman, whipped shea butter, head band, hair pins, and Infusium 23 Leave-In. Twists done on Co-washed hair.



make sure the twists are "smedium" Not too small, not to large. I had about 12. Finger coil the ends.

I used a head-band to make my puff. I only twisted the head-band ONCE so the hair is not pulled tight and creates a fuller bun. I wore my scarf as a headband.

Buns are a quick and cute way to stay cool and protect your ends. Always make sure not to pull your hair too tight, as it may result in tension alopecia (hair falling out around hairline), and also could cause your hair to break off where the bun is.
 I used one head band to pull my hair back, then i just twisted around once and tucked my ends in. Then, I pinned the loose strands with pins.
Organic Root Stimulator and Eco Styling Gel are great products to smooth back those baby hairs. I use a toothbrush, then I put a scarf over my hair for 5-10 minutes so that the hair can lay down.

Whipped Shea



If your butter isn't already soft, pop it in the microwave for 10 seconds. 1-2 Drops of Tea Tree for Dandruff and scalp problems, 10-15 drops of Rosemary for hair growth stimulation, 10-15 drops of Peppermint for scent, growth stimulation and it gives a nice tingle, the rest of my vegetable Glycerin for moisutre (a few spoon fulls), and a couple of spoons of Coconut oil. You can add anything to your butter!

Whip it up with a spoon!

 Looks like cake batter. Yummy!

 Nothing moisturizes like Shea Butter.
If you have thin hair you may find it too heavy, in which case I would only recommend you use it as a sealer. I use it as a moisturizer.


Benefits of the ingredients I used:


Shea Butter


Raw shea butter helps heal scars, burns, bruises, and stretch marks.

• Prevents ashy skin, chapping, and skin rashes.

• An ideal hair conditioner that protects the scalp from sores and rashes.

• Helps prevent hair from breaking, fading, or thinning out.

• Fortifies cuticles and nails.

• Helps rid the scalp of dandruff.

• Raw shea butter helps drain toxins from sore muscles: perfect for sports participants.

• Helps prevent skin irritation for babies: used for generations to help babies sleep better.

• Prevents irritation, and restores skin natural luster after shaving.

• Ideal for dermatitis, eczema, and athletes foot.

• Firms up aging skin and helps clear wrinkles.

• Massage shea butter into areas affected by arthritis, joint pains, or other muscular aches.

• Shea Butter naturally contains vitamins A and E.

Vitamin A & E -  Balances and normalizes the skin. Helps keep it clear and healthy. Particularly beneficial for dry or sun-exposed skin. Vitamin A has soothing and hydrating properties. They provide healthy skin collagen which prevents premature wrinkles, premature facial lines and premature slackened skin.

Vitamin F - acts as a skin protector and revitalizer. It soothes rough, dry or chapped skin on contact and helps soften and revitalize dry or damaged hair. Vitamin F consists of linoleic, linolenic and arachidonic acids, the three essential fatty acids.

Tea Tree Oil


Antiseptic – Studies of tea tree oil have shown it to be effective in fighting bacteria, scabies, mites, lice and other harmful organisms.
Antifungal – Malassezia furfur is the most common dermatophyte to cause dandruff. With only a 5% concentration, tea tree oil is a very effective treatment for Malassezia furfur.
Antiviral – Limited studies have shown the potential for tea tree oil to treat certain viruses such as cold sores (herpes), shingles and chicken pox.
Anti-inflammatory – Like many essential oils, tea tree oil acts to efficiently reduce inflammation due to infection or injury


Peppermint Oil

• It gives a cooling effect to the scalp.
• This oil fights dandruff and head lice.
• Applying peppermint oil will make your hair smell good. It has a fresh and cool fragrance which will make you feel nice.
• Through the use of peppermint oil hair growth is very effective and many people opt for it. It stimulates the hair follicle which helps in hair growth.
• Peppermint oil for hair loss treatment is very effective as it binds the hair roots and increases blood circulation. Read on hair loss solutions.
• Peppermint oil can be mixed with jojoba oil and glycerin. This mixture is known to promote hair growth.
• Another mixture which is beneficial for hair can be prepared by mixing peppermint oil, castor oil, tea tree oil, coconut oil and vitamin E oil.
• It is mainly beneficial for people having oily hair as this oil does not leave the scalp oily. This oil works as an astringent which helps in the normalization of the scalp's oil production and has a neutralizing effect on the scalp.
• Since peppermint oil balances the pH, it can be used for the treatment of dry scalp.
• Peppermint oil is known to add shine and gloss to the hair.
• This oil works as a conditioner.

Coconut Oil


Lauric Acid: One of the most responsible reasons behind hair fall and hair loss is microbial action on the scalp and hair roots. So, to protect hair against them, what we need is an antimicrobial agent. Lauric Acid present in Coconut Oil is one of them. It is basically a triglyceride which yields a monoglyceride called Monolaurin when acted upon by a species of bacteria which breaks the glycerol bonds. This monolaurin has excellent antimicrobial properties

• Capric Acid: This is yet another triglyceride present in Coconut oil, which, like Lauric Acid, yields another monoglyceride called Monocaprin due to bacterial action, having antimicrobial properties similar to that of monolaurin.
• Vitamin-E: Almost every aptly educated person knows the importance of vitamin-E for skin and hair. It keeps scalp and skin healthy and hair rejuvenated.

• Moisture Retaining Capacity: Coconut Oil has high moisture retaining capacity, since it is not broken down easily nor evaporated, being very stable. It does not let moisture escape thus keeping hair moistened and soft. This prevents breakage of hair. Coconut Oil is a far better conditioner for hair than any synthetic one available in the market.
• Anti-Dandruff: The various fatty acids present in Coconut Oil serve as very good anti dandruff agents and are way better than any anti dandruff shampoo. A regular application can help you get rid of dandruffs for ever

Glycerin


Apart from being able to return moisture back to dry hair, scalp or skin, glycerin for hair growth is also used. Using glycerin one can greatly condition dry, frizzy and brittle hair. If you are suffering from dry, flaky scalp then rubbing some vegetable glycerin on scalp can greatly alleviate irritation. This is especially beneficial for Afro-African women, who have dry hair or flaky scalp issues. Apart from moisturizing benefits of glycerin for hair care, it also greatly helps to strengthen the hair, which leads to less breakage of the hair, and less formation of split ends.


Rosemary


Rosemary oil and rosemary teas are used extensively for hair care in shampoos and lotions. Regular use of rosemary oil helps in stimulating follicles, as a result of which, hair grow longer and stronger. It is also believed that rosemary oil slows down premature hair loss and graying of hair. Hence it is an excellent tonic for bald people. Rosemary essential oil is also beneficial for dry and flaky scalps. Regular massage of scalp with rosemary oil nourishes the scalp and removes dandruff. Further, it is often mixed with tea tree oil and basil oil to treat scalp problems




**I just copied and pasted info from google!**