Scalp and Hair Growth Oil Week 1 Update

My DIY Scalp and Hair Growth Oil - Week 1 Update

I have two main goals for my hair as we transition from autumn to winter.

First, I want to retain at least two inches of hair growth by the holidays. I had a tremendous growth spurt over the spring and summer, partly due to Hairlista's coconut oil challenge.

Yet, because of "life", it's been tedious to keep up that challenge regimen. So although my hair is continuing to get thicker, my growth rate is back on tortoise speed.

My second goal is to relieve my scalp of dryness. With the change of weather, my scalp has been dry than normal. The crown of my head has felt very extremely dry and itchy.

So I composed a DIY scalp and hair growth oil made of the following eight essential and carrier oils that works well for all hair types. Watch the video below to see how I mix and apply the oils.

Carrier Oils

~ Coconut Oil {full of nutrients and anti-bacterial properties}

~ Almond Oil {high vitamin E content}

~ Jamaican Black Castor Oil {promotes rapid hair growth}

~ Hemp Seed Oil {contains essential fatty acid and strengthens hair}

Essential Oils

~ Rosemary Oil {stimulates hair follicles}

~ Cedarwood Oil {has anti-fungal properties and stimulates the scalp}

~ Lavender Oil {promotes hair growth and even regrowth}

~ Tea Tree Oil {soothes the scalp and prevents dandruff}

Application

I lightly apply my growth oil directly to my scalp every evening before bed. With my fingertips I gently massage the oil stimulating blood flow. On wash days I saturate my scalp with the oil, pre-poo the rest of my hair with coconut oil, put on a plastic cap and let it sit for at least an hour before cleansing.


Week 1 ~ First Impression


After the first application of the oil, I could feel the tingling of the essential oils, but not so much since then. So today, I will add a few extra drops of the tea tree, lavender, and rosemary oils.

On day five, the itchiness at the crown of my head has subsided.

The smell of the essential oils packs a punch, but I enjoy the aromatherapy of these oils. The fragrance lingers on the hair for a few hours. I am applying the oil lightly, so after a few hours the aroma fades away. My husband hasn't even noticed. ;)

After only 1 week it's difficult to track hair growth. This is especially the case for me because I am over 8 weeks post relaxer and my new growth is tightly coiled/curly.

Next Monday after week two I will measure my hair against my length check shirt. I started week one between lines 7 and 8. This is where I was on my last relaxer update video. Hence my perception of turtle like growth. If there is breakage going on in the back, I have not noticed.

Overall, I am very excited to have relief from the itching and dryness, and time will tell the story as to how the oil will help my hair growth. Patience is key!


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Co-Washing with Tresemme Platinum Strength Conditioner

Note our new domain name! www.relaxedhairskincare.com! 

Co-Washing with Tresemme Platinum Strength Conditioner

I am just about 7 weeks post relaxer so now is the time to focus on both strength and moisture for my hair.

This relaxer stretch I hope to avoid even more breakage than last time and I will have to be more proactive about preventing my new growth from matting in the back.

I'm back in search of the right products to help me achieve these goals.

I was officially on a no-buy for conditioners over the summer, or until I finished up at least five bottles of conditioner that I already owned. #ProductJunkieProblems ;)

Over the summer I finally finished up five different conditioners by Giovanni, Herbal Essence (2 each), ORS, and Tresemme Naturals. That meant, shopping time!

The Tresemme Platinum Strength conditioner was one that I picked up at my local drugstore. There was a $5 dollar off coupon in the paper that week, plus several of the Tresemme conditioners were on sale at CVS.

To strengthen my hair I was initially looking for the Tresemme Split End Remedy conditioner but it's been hard to find in my area. However, I read great reviews for the Platinum Strength and CVS had that stock.

The claim to fame for the Tresemme Platinum Strength is that it repairs up to 2 years of damage in just 5 washes and protects the hair from future damage. Since I have been on my hair journey for less than two years, the ends of my hair are always in need of TLC.

Wash Day

1. Pre-Poo Treatment with Coconut Oil
2. Co-Wash (washing with conditioner only) with Tresemme Platinum Strength.
3. Deep Condition with Neutrogena Triple Moisture Daily Deep Conditioner and coconut oil
4. Rinse and Air Dry
5. Braid out to style

My wild untamed braid out! :)

To co-wash I applied the conditioner to my damp hair working from ends to mid-length first, and then working the conditioner to my roots. I gave myself a nice scalp massage and rinsed with warm water.

I've co-washed twice so far and my initial review is that this product is amazing. It feels more like a moisturizing conditioner than a strengthening conditioner and has a similar feel and fragrance like the Tresemme Naturals.

When I reach 5 washes I will take a closer look at my hair and see if I notice any damage repair or a just an overall increase in hair health.

The first five ingredients are water, cetearyl alcohol, dimethicone, stearamidopropyl, and dimethylamine. 

This product is not all natural but it does contain key ingredients that gives a really great slip, adds moisture, and gives the hair a smooth finish.

The Platinum Strength Conditioner runs anywhere between $5 and $6. If you are on a hair journey and a budget, this is an affordable product. There are 25 ounces in one bottle and unless you have a heavy hand, the conditioner should go a long way.

I truly love it and I am excited to try other Tresemme products that I have purchased.

My first braid out since 2013. 

What co-washing conditioners are you enjoying right now?

Blessings and Happy Hair Journey

~Candra

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Bobeam Natural Products Shampoo Bar Haul

Last week I received my first order from Bobeam Natural Products!

Stumbling across Bobeam's web site a few weeks sparked an interest in shampoo bars. I have seen many ladies on YouTube talk about them, but until finding this company, I was settled with the shampoos I currently use in my regimen.

Yet being the hair product junkie that I am and having a desire to use more natural products for my hair and skin, I thought why not try something new!

What I love about Bobeam Natural Products is that there are options to buy sample size sets of bars for around $5. You can just can't beat that deal! 

You can choose four different bars from a variety of many. The bars in the sample sets are 2 ounces and good for 3 to 4 washes. If you have shorter hair, you will get more washes out of one bar.

Here are the four I chose....starting with the first one I have in rotation.

Rootz Herbal Hair Grower Shampoo Bar

I am doing a personal hair growth challenge and would like to retain 2 to 3 inches in length by the end of December. This is a tall order for my hair, so I am taking advantage of all the aid I can get. 

I have used this bar twice and I love it! The smell is amazing and it lathers well. It is formulated to promote hair growth and thicken the hair. My hair and scalp gets squeaky clean with this soap but it didn't feel stripped. After conditioning, my hair felt amazing.

This soap can also be used as a body bar. 

Cocoa Rhassoul Shampoo Bar

This bar is made from real chocolate! Do I need to say anything more??? I'm a bit shocked I didn't jump in the shower with this one first! Lol

It is formulated to remove build up and toxins. An all natural clarifier that smells like chocolate....I'm going to love this!

Honey Hemp & Green Tea Shampoo Bar

Honey and Green Tea benefit the hair in so many ways. I think this will be a great shampoo to help condition my dry scalp. This bar is formulated to clarify the hair while adding in moisture.

As an alternative, this bar can be used as a body bar also.

Coco Honey & Amla Shampoo Bar

The ingredients in this shampoo really intrigued me. I'm not too familiar with Amla Oil, African Wild Honey, or Palm Oil. I do know that the oils are rich in vitamins that nourish the hair and promote growth.

Check back to the blog to see my first impressions of the remaining three shampoo bars I have yet to try.

I would love to transition to natural shampoos but I may have a hard time finding anything to replace my Kera Care Moisturizing Shampoo for Dry and Itching Scalp. That stuff is my holy grail of all shampoos! Still, I am looking forward to added more all natural hair products into wash day rotation!

To see the entire listing of available shampoo bars visit Bobeam Natural Products. 

{I have not been contacted by the owner to promote her products. All shampoo bars were purchased with my own money.}

Blessings and Happy Hair Journey Ladies!!!

~Candra

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30 Day Hair Health Challenges Endings and Beginnings

I participated in yet another challenge... hosted by Just Grow Already and RelaxedThairapy!

30 Days of Moisture Challenge (September 2014)

Dry hair used to be a consistent problem for me. In the past it hindered my hair from growing beyond shoulder length. Behind dryness follows split ends and breakage. All hair grows but if it is splitting and breaking at the same time, you will barely see a difference in the length of your hair.

I used the following techniques to achieve ultimate moisture during the 30 moisture day challenge. One or two of them are a bit out of the ordinary and probably #teamtoomuch. Haha…

1. Bunning

I did more protective styling the last 30 days which allowed me to moisturize and seal my hair daily without worry of having weighed down hair. When my hair is in an updo, I can be liberal with product without compromising style. My moisturizers of choice were rosewater, Elasta QP Olive Oil and Mango Butter, and Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In.

2. Deep Conditioning with Coconut Oil

I implemented this into my regimen during Hairlista’s coconut oil challenge. Coconut oil added to my deep conditioners makes my hair incredibly soft and eliminated brittle hair.

3. Hydrating throughout the day with water

On the days I wore my hair down and straight, I frequently hydrated my hair with water. Every few hours I’d go to the sink (at home or work), place my hands under running water, rub the water in my hands (shaking off access H2O) and apply to my hair like a product. It was just enough hydration to soften up hair and keep my ends moisturized. #TeamTooMuch ;)

4. Moisturizing and Green House Effect Under My Hats

Last winter I did a video on how I moisturize, seal, and wrap my hair under hats. I leave a little bang out in the front, but the rest of my hair is hid away. We had a few cool days here in Ohio, so this worked perfect! 

This was a great way lock in moisture and even do the green house effect (GHE) during day while running errands. I GHE by sealing with either sunflower oil, almond oil, JBCO, or hemp seed oil to my hair. I then place a shower cap over my hair to trap in heat. You can do all of this under an amazingly cute hat and the world will never know! :) 

So what challenges am I beginning and continuing in October?

• 30 Days Without Direct Heat Challenge... Hosted by Just Grow Already, Relaxed Thairapy, and Grow It Girl.
• 30 Day Water Challenge... Hosted by hair vlogger, Kay Amoah
• Thickness Challenge... Hosted by Amanda on Hairlista (Ends in December)
• Healthy Ends Challenge... Hosted by Amanda on Hairlista (Ends in December)

Over all, I am beyond satisfied with all the challenges I have participated in thus far in 2014. My hair has grown like never before! 

Blessings and Happy Hair Journey!

~Candra

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Moisturizing Roller Wrap Setting Lotion And Leave In Mix

Some of you know that all summer I have been experimenting with various mixes to create the perfect roller setting lotion for my relaxed hair...that tends to get very dry. Traditional setting lotions make my hair a bit too hard and brittle.

One of my go-to styles is the roller wrap. To achieve this look, roller setting my relaxed hair is a great alternative to flat ironing. In a nut shell, I roller set my hair with large rollers, sit under a warm hooded dryer, remove the rollers, and wrap my hair.

The mix I feature in the video below is an affordable and perfect setting lotion for my hair. I call it a leave in as well because after washing (except for using the Aphogee Keratin and Green Tea Restructurizer) this is the only product I leave in my hair.

If I want to achieve tight curls with a lot of hold, I substitute the rosewater ingredient for some Lottabody setting lotion.

After removing my rollers, I wrap my hair and go to bed. The next morning when I comb my hair down, I have a straight wrapped style with a lot of body, softness, and moisture!

Watch this short video for my updated semi DIY roller setting lotion recipe!




If you have roller setting tips, questions or comments leave them down below!

Blessings and Happy Hair Journey Ladies! 

~Candra

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