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Garnier Fructis
Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Dry Hair

Everyone has different hair requirements. I am a 4a-z with hair that is fine, medium density, kinky, coily, textured, cottony, or nappy. It is rarely hard and never coarse.

Did I mention how fragile and delicate my hair is?

I envy people who can comb, flat iron, and blow dry nearly every day. It's hard keeping my hands out of my hair. At a minimum, I let three days pass before I comb it again.

What I want from a hair product is that it leaves my hair feeling soft, moisturized, and easy to comb. It's amazing how many products do the first two and not the last one!

Research

Periodically, I must switch products.

I read hair boards, searching for conditioners and gels with the best reviews. I evaluate based on hair type. I don't ignore other hair types. I note those with similar problems: dry hair, often brittle, which leads to breakage.

Garnier Fructis Moisture Works Fortifying Cream Conditioner

For now, this product works. I love the smell, and I can comb my hair after I've washed with it.

Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Leave-In Conditioning Cream

The first time I used this product it left my hair a sticky, clumpy mess with a lot of white residue. I don't know if I finally figured out how to use it or what, but I love this stuff now.

It is excellent for helping me unravel my twists or plaits. The drier my hair is the tighter it gets. This product makes my hair slide apart wonderfully and easily. There's no snapping plaits apart with this.

Overall, I'm satisfied with Garnier Fructis for now.

Labels: damaged hair, Garnier Fructis, hair, kinky, nappy, natural hair, plaits, two-strand twist

posted by GoldenAh

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Hair Matters: Don't Do it Again
Monday, March 31, 2008

Trying Something New

I went against my own credo to leave my hair alone and stop experimenting. Out of curiosity - because I'm always curious - I decided to try something new: leave conditioner in my hair.

Now, I'm asking myself: Why did I do that?

I did it, because I wanted to see if I could emulate a loose curl, kinda wavy look for my hair that I get when I put in conditioner. I may still seek out a product that does it, but I don't want a sopping wet, heavy mess that feels like a jherri curl.

What I Learned

I've been seeing breakage on the ends I haven't seen in years. It's not as bad as used to be in the past, but any little amount is alarming to me.

So, I will note to myself: never leave conditioner in the hair again. Sometimes one can overdo it and I have to keep it simple. My hair doesn't want more of anything, it requires less.

Wet Two-Stand Twists

Recently, I've discovered that I can't twist my hair while it's damp anymore. That used to be the fastest way for me to take care of my hair. I'm not big on detangling, or combing hair. I don't see the point. I don't trim my hair either, unless there's a knot I can't undo.

My hair knots up in twists so bad, I can't open the twists without cutting the ends or snapping the hair apart. It's horrible. I don't know why. It doesn't matter what I put in my hair. I just know I can't twist or braid it while damp. I have to wait for it to dry.

That sucks.

At a current length of being an inch or so from bra-strap, or between shoulder blades, my styling options are being challenged. I have to stick with big plaits, but not too big. At the moment, eight plaits work.

The oil of choice, right now, is castor oil. But since I can't wet my hair at the moment unless I'm going to wash it, this is the product that softens my hair.

Maybe it's the weather and come the Spring / Summer the dryness and tightness will go away.

Labels: castor oil, hair, kinky, nappy, natural hair, two-strand twist

posted by GoldenAh

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Hair Dryers: I Own Three
Sunday, March 2, 2008

The Bonnet

I believe in going easy on my hair by not manipulating it too much. I might comb it weekly, biweekly, or more. However, I don't ascribe to the belief that naturals should walk around with a damp or wet head. Perhaps if I lived in a hot climate, instead of the northeast, I would consider that option.

I use the bonnet dryer after I wash my hair, which is almost weekly. I keep the setting on medium heat setting, never high. My ears hurt on high heat. I stay under the bonnet for 10-20 minutes.

I have to use a hair dryer after I wash my hair. It prevents my third day headache and head cold. I envy people who can wash and go. I cannot. I get sick walking around with a wet head.

Hand Held Dryer

The next dryer I have is the common hand held type by Revlon. I bought it because it was one of those new ionic which dries quickly, without static, and keeps my hair soft. I always use it on the lowest setting.

I pull my hair taunt with a concentrator when I use this. It doesn't get it straight, but provides a nice stretch. Even after I use this dryer, which is rather infrequent, I still sit under the bonnet for 15 minutes. I don't take any chances.

The Hand Held Straightener

Last, but not least, is my newest acquisition: Infiniti by Conair Tourmaline Ceramic Wet Dry Straightening Hot Air Styler. Repeat that three times real fast. (Who comes up with the stupid names for these things?)

I'm loving it, which means I cannot use it too often. Bad girl that I am, I used high heat to get it straight (stretched). I was in a hurry, next time I'll stick to medium heat.

Hair Types

For my hair type, this is almost as good as a flat iron (I have one of those too). The Hot Air Styler has four tension settings. My hair is very delicate. I kept it at one - the loosest.

One thing I notice about some products is that the manufacturer gives straight hair the lowest, most gentle settings, and advises thick, very curly, sometimes even fine, hair to use the highest settings. I think that's why there's often damage to nappy, kinky, cnapp, coily, and curly hair.

Nappy, curly, and kinky is not the same as strong, coarse, hard, unmanageable, or problem hair. People have to start with the lower settings, be gentle and stay with it for a while before moving onto a higher or stronger option.

I accept, for myself, that certain kinds of hair should not be straightened (often) if the only way is to damage it. If hair wont go back to its curly or kinky state it is damaged. Lots of split ends are a sign as well.

Protection

I deep condition and apply setting lotion to my hair before using the Hot Air Styler. I was extremely pleased with the results. My hair came out fabulous. It felt soft and rather silky. However, it didn't last long, because I have a hot head. Plus, I don't know how to keep a style past day one.

I am so tempted to use this every time I wash my hair, but I must not!

Labels: damaged hair, hair, hair dryers, nappy, natural hair

posted by GoldenAh

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Hair Again - The Vanity Check
Monday, February 4, 2008

I lurk on a number of hair boards. I'm surprised that there's still a debate over hair types. Let me be specific: some black women (almost monthly) often wonder whether 100% African Americans (black parents and grand parents, allowing for multi-ethnic, multi-racial great-grandparents) can grow hair past their shoulders. My hair type might be what they seek: nappy, cnapps, 4 a-b-c-z, cotton-like, fine, medium, and completely uncombable. Combs are so overrated. (snicker)

There's quite a demand for proof of long hair. A good search into

fotki could provide these ladies with the answers they seek. I'm constantly impressed by the variety of natural hair styles I see. I wish I was as creative. I can't create clean and precise parts for nothing. The pictures are of unraveled bantu knots (aloe vera and castor oil) before I condition wash.

I don't post responses; this blog isn't a response to those requests. I never doubted that black women can grow long hair - almost every girl I knew during my childhood had long hair.

I was one of the bald ones. It bothered me sometimes. I was certain that it was genetics since my aunts weren't long haired. I only knew what one of my grandmothers looked like. Her hair was shoulder length, so my expectations weren't high. As I got older I figured that this dry and cold climate was my enemy. I was always making plans to live in the South. All the women down there seem to have very long hair.

However, over the past few years, I've finally figured out what worked: moisture and leaving it alone. Duh.

Labels: bantu knots, black women, hair, nappy, natural hair

posted by GoldenAh

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Hair at End of Year: Did I Make Progress?
Saturday, December 15, 2007

I suppose these are pictures of progress. I don't see much of it.

I blow dry to get a little stretch. That's the case in all of the pictures. Going by the rule of half an inch a month, I thought that by December I'd gain at least 4 inches.

Well, if I did, I don't see it. However, it's not that serious with me. (Liar!) Taking care of my hair for health and length is a hobby. Some people body build, I hair build.

As for the weight, I'm running in place. I don't like getting my head wet during this season.

Stinky Sinuses

I just got over a head cold that wouldn't quit, or was it a sinus infection? It was one of those cases where everything smelled funky; my breath was foul most of the time. Not a fun problem to have.

I saw a doctor: You know what they like to do? Have me take two antibiotics plus another drug for the next two weeks, and pretend that's a remedy. Turns out that castor or coconut oil in the scalp is better.

Hair Recipe

I've been experimenting with a new hair concoction:
• shea butter (the gritty stuff),
• aloe vera or curl activator,
• castor oil,
• carrot creme,
• and a few drops of ylang ylang.
• Stir and saturate hair.

Does it make a difference? I use castor oil for the winter. It makes my knotty hair so smooth I can run a fine tooth comb and brush through it - while damp - like it is straight. Wow! And I'm the Queen of Knotty Strands.

I want my hair longer. I'm not satisfied. I'll stop having issues with it when it reaches my elbow, bra-strap, or I get bored. Whichever comes first.

Labels: castor oil, hair, nappy, natural hair

posted by GoldenAh

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Hair Confession: Nappy Head Check vs Relaxed
Thursday, August 16, 2007

I do not believe that black women who do not relax / perm their hair are more politically or socially aware, or even nicer / friendlier than those who do. Nope.

People are complex, complicated beings. A hair style doesn't tell me anything about them.

I think a number of people do make interesting assumptions. Think of the evening news after a mass murder has been committed.

What do the people usually say? "But he was such a nice, normal guy." My favorite is, "That doesn't happen in this kind of neighborhood." I always want to slap the person who utters that kind of nonsense. They are so caught up in their idea of specialness. Anything can happen in any neighborhood. Sheesh.

I do, however, make assumptions with regards to relaxed versus natural hair styles. My thoughts relate to health and normalcy.

I read my share of magazines, and the first thing I do is seek out pictures of black women. I'm always curious as to how the media is portraying us lately.

I'm moderately pleased to see that natural hair is quite popular. The hair styles range from nappy kinky coily curls in Afros to twist outs big or small. All of which I regard as normal.

Yeah, I said it, normal. My internal programming says that a black woman with a natural hair style is normal. Whenever I see relaxed hair, I regard it as abnormal. I'll explain why.

A relaxed hair style makes me think: Wow, I hope she's okay.

I know that may be out of the norm thinking. In fact, a hair study shows that relaxers don't make black women sick. In an age where coffee is good for you one day and bad the next, I'll take that report with a truckload of salt.

This report comes about because researchers have found that a particularly aggressive breast cancer targets black women more than white women.

I'm not making any assertions that relaxers cause breast cancer in black women.

I automatically think there is a connection: I can't help myself.

To recap my hair fixation, if I see a natural hair style I think: she looks normal. If I see a relaxed hair style, in the back of my mind, I'm hoping that the woman lives a long and productive life.

Labels: breast cancer, hair, health, kinky, nappy, natural hair, relaxed hair

posted by GoldenAh

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