ORS Review

I started using Organic Root Stimulator Carrot Oil last week.  It was around $7 for a 6oz tub.
So far, I really like this product. It keeps C's hair moisturized and makes it super shiny! That's the part I like best!
This has the consistency of a hair lotion, which is nice.  It makes it a little messy, but if you only dip a little out at a time, its not too bad. It doesn't have the best smell, but its not at all noticeable once its applied. 
I would probably buy this again, but I'll also keep trying other things! :)

Description: This product has blended the most strengthening agents found in nature and infused them into a vitamin-rich fortifying creme. The herbal and protein blend of strength building and moisturizing ingredients including: beta carotene, vitamin F (a known moisturizer), nettle (a known strengthener) and amino acids penetrate to help mend and rebuild the hair shaft.

• Helps prevent shredding and breaking
• Excellent for natural, relaxed, pressed or color-treated hair
• No petrolatum or mineral oil
• For weak, damaged hair
• Offers shine

Please note: Due to natural ingredients, product may change color.

• Apply a small amount to the scalp and apply
• Brush gently to ensure even distribution from root to end, paying particular attention to the ends of the hair
• A small amount may be applied to the ends of the hair to aid in the repair of split ends

Ingredients Water (Aqua) , Glycine Soja Oil (Soybean) , Cocos Nucifera Oil (Coconut) , Sorbitol , Isopropyl Palmitate , PEG-25 Hydrogenated Castor Oil , Cetearyl Alcohol , Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate , Cetyl Esters , Lanolin , Carthamus Tinctorius Oil (Safflower) , Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil , Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil (Carrot) , Glyeryl Linoleate , Dimethicononl Methionine , Urtica Dioica Extract (Nettle) , Cholesterol , Dimethicone , Fragrance , Benzyl Salicylate , Cinnamic Alcohol , Citronellol , Coumarin , Eugenol , Geraniol , Hexyl Cinnamal , Hydroxycitronellal , d-Limonene , Linalool , DMDM Hydantoin , Methylchloroisothiazolinone , Methylisothiazolinone , Carbomer , Methylparaben , Imidazolidinyl Urea , BHT , Triethanolamine , Propylparaben

New Washing Routine- Day 3

This morning C wanted her hair down again.  I really LOVE the way her hair looks when I leave it down, especially when its been CO washed, but I always regret leaving it down because of how bad it tangles!
So, today I decided to compromise with C by putting her hair into a ponytail with the hair loose at the end.
I put her hair into this low, fairly loose side ponytail and I think it looked really pretty! It's nothing special, just simple and pretty!

I have been using ORS Carrot Oil for 3 days now.  I used extra today since her hair was being put into one big ponytail. After I got C's hair into a ponytail, I added a little extra ORS Carrot Oil to the ends of her hair. Once again, her hair is super shiny and I love the way it looks and feels!

Here's what C's hair looks like from the back. This photo really shows how shiny her hair is!
I was wishing I would have taken an up close photo of her curls this morning, but I didn't think about that until we were already on our way to school. Maybe when she gets home or tomorrow I'll get a picture of her curls. They have really been looking great this week!

New Washing Routine- Day 2

Last night after I CO washed C's hair, I put it back into the loose braid to keep it from knotting up over night. This morning when I took her hair down, it barely needed any extra moisture! I added some of our ORS Carrot Oil anyway, which really makes her hair shine! I also added a little Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition Spray to her ends and hair line.
Sometimes when I do a french braid, I like to add a little bit of flare to it, just so it doesn't look so plain and boring. I added a ballie to the end of the french braid, and kept braiding regular to the end of her hair. Then I added a matching barrette. That's my quick and easy way to add something extra to a boring hairdo!
Do you have your own way of adding something special to a boring hairdo?

Look how shiny C's hair is today! Her hair is really loving the extra moisture of the CO washes, like it did before I decided to follow the 'rule' of washing only once a week with one CO wash.
I will still only shampoo C's hair once a week, but I think we're going to keep the daily CO washing schedule.  I might switch it up to every other day or even less, depending on what style she has, but I'm definitely going back to regular CO washes!
Today is the first day we used the ORS Carrot Oil, so I'll probably have a review on that later next week- just to give myself a chance to make an opinion.

New Hair Routine- Day One

Today I started C's new daily CO washing routine. We didn't have time to take a photo this morning before school, so here's what her hair looked like when she came home...

Her hair still looked great!  I put this big, loose braid in C's hair since it was a simple style that would keep her hair from knotting up during the day.  Also, it's easy and fast to take down to do another CO wash tomorrow.
I have been using BB Oil Moisturizer hair lotion for about 2 weeks now. It does contain mineral oil, but I like it regardless of the ingredients.  I do like to avoid products with mineral oil and other 'bad' ingredients, (just as a health issue) but if it works I use it! -I also just happened to read that most of the products with 'bad' ingredients really pose very little or NO health risk at all, and most of the rumors about the ingredients were started by small natural product companies to scare people into buying their products! When I think about it... I have used shampoo with sulfates my whole life (I wash my hair everyday) and have experienced no hair loss or anything wrong with my hair! I know of several people who have used petrolatum based products all their lives, and none of them have any health problems, no hair or scalp problems... even have beautiful, long, healthy looking hair! Just to let you know! :)
Anyway, I have been wanting to try Organic Root Stimulator Carrot Oil for a little while now.  Today I finally decided to buy some and try it.  I'll be doing a review later, so watch for it if you're interested in the ORS Carrot Oil!

Throwing Out The Washing Schedule???

One thing I always heard about curly/biracial hair is that you are only supposed to wash it once a week, with the exception of a CO wash one day a week if needed. I started following that 'hair rule' around the time C turned 3 and stopped getting food and play-doh, etc. stuck in her hair everyday, forcing me to wash it more often. 
The thing that got me wanting to throw out our washing schedule is this one simple reason- C's hair is hydrated and healthy looking when it is freshly washed! I used to think that it was gross not to wash your hair everyday or at least every other day! So that was how often I washed C's hair. When I washed C's hair everyday/every other day, it looked and felt much more moisturized and healthy than it has been since I started the once weekly washing schedule.
Lately I've been wondering if this is really the 'right' way to wash hair, and have been thinking about changing my washing schedule.  I decided to do a little research before I start C's new washing routine, and here's what I came up with...

Excessive washing of hair causes hair loss/dryness
FALSE: Frequency of washing doesn’t harm hair. Wash it as often as you like, although the recommendation is three times a week. The right shampoo for your hair type and texture will actually add moisture, body and beauty to your hair.
Read more: http://www.disabled-world.com/health/dermatology/hair/hair-care.php#ixzz1HHz8JpiG

I actually found several articles saying the same thing, and I have decided to switch C's routine, at least for this week, and see how it goes.

I washed C's hair last night (Sunday) and this morning it still looked beautiful and moisturized. By the end of the school day, it still looked good.

*I let C have her hair down once a week (I like to do it Monday's since her hair gets washed Sunday nights and that's when her hair looks its best!) So I'm thinking this will work best if I keep her hair half down or partially down this week.

For this week, C's hair routine will be this...

CO wash daily and add extra conditioner for a leave in. Spray her hair with Garnier Fructis Triple Nourishing Oil Spray, band up to prevent tangling over night.  Freshen her hair each morning by spritzing with water and adding hair lotion. *I'm currently using a cheaper brand that I switched back to (since the expensive products do no better for C) called BB Oil Moisturizer. I like this product and I'll do a review another time.

*I'll be doing the banding to keep from detangling every night.  I always freshen C's hair with water, so I figure I might as well CO wash! If you don't already know, CO washing is where you just wash your hair as you normally would, except you only use conditioner and leave out the shampoo. 
Whenever I wash or CO wash C's hair, I do the Tightly Curly Method.  To do a CO wash, all you do is
apply a generous handful of conditioner to your scalp and squeeze it down to the ends. Once it is rubbed into your scalp and squeezed through your ends, rinse it out as you would do the shampoo, always keeping your ends hanging loose. The conditioner will do what the shampoo would have done, which is to grab dirt and hold onto it while it is rinsed away with the dirt.
When you are done with the CO washing, you can start the Tightly Curly Method.  What you do is, first part your hair off into several small sections and tie each section off with a clip or pony tail holder. 
What you want to do next is get about a handful of conditioner and work it through your hair, one section at a time.  This is when I do my finger detangling (pulling apart knots gently with my fingers) After that, I squeeze the hair lightly to work the conditioner in more, then I pinch off a small amount of hair (about the size of your normal curls or smaller) and smooth the conditioner  all the way down to the ends.  I do this until I have gotten through all the hair and then I take all the sections loose and comb with a wide tooth comb.
When this is done, you have several options...

You can choose to band the hair- this is done by parting hair off into several sections (I usually do 8), and add a pony tail holder to the base of each section.  Then, add another pony tail holder about an inch or so below the base pony tail, until you reach the end.  If you're working with thin hair (like C's), you can use smaller pony tail holders or twist the ends so that they dont tangle.  What I like to do is tuck the end under and add it in with the last pony tail holder, so that there is no loose hair at the end.

You might choose to style your hair-  if you do, I recommend that you wait until the hair dries slightly, and then style with your normal products.  If you need to, you can spritz your hair with some water to keep it from drying out while you style.

Or maybe you just want to let your hair be free!  I do this a lot with C's hair when I want her to wear it down and it helps it to stay looking beautiful and hydrated!   :)


I wont be leaving C's hair down everyday, I will be doing some simple, low manipulation styles to keep her hair from knotting.

So, that's going to be C's hair washing schedule for this week. Hopefully we can get up early enough to have time for a photo each morning! :)

Good, Not So Good...

There's nothing else I can tell you about natural hair care and products that you haven't read everywhere else.
There aren't many styles that I could show you that you haven't seen somewhere or done yourself before.
One thing I can tell you is that I'm tired of trying every expensive product out there because someone else uses it and they have beautiful hair.
I found this product last summer at a local beauty supply store, and I have to say I really liked it.
It does have some un-favorable ingredients, but it has NO petrolatum or mineral oil, so in my opinion, it's still a step up from hair grease!

You might have seen this product before.  I liked it because it keeps C's hair in place. All of her little fly aways stay down, and when I take a style out after a week, her hair isn't all dryed out. It's not brittle, it's not breaking off- it's just fine!
Maybe there are people who have experienced hair loss from using hair grease, but I used it on my daughter until I found out it was supposed to be bad for hair (over 3 years) and I never noticed any hair loss, breakage or slowed growth. In fact, since I have started using all natural products, I have seen no improvement at all in the health or appearance of C's hair! I have always used the same detangling techniques, the same washing routine... Ive kept everything the same except for our combing/brushing routine. I used to think I was supposed to use a hair pick to comb my daughters curly biracial hair, and that's what I used until I knew of a better way. I was never very rough on her hair, but I know now that I was causing breakage!
So, if I'm doing everything 'the right way' now... why isn't C's hair any different than before?
I have seen many people who have the most beautiful hair I've seen, and when I have asked them what they use, I have not once heard anything organic or natural! Everyone has told me they use PINK oil, or even hair grease!
This is why I have decided that not every product is worth the money, even if it is organic, and even if it makes someone else's hair look healthy and beautiful. I have to find what works best for C's hair, and what best fits into our budget. This pomade is just such a product! It can be a little heavy if you use too much (unless you're doing a style you want to last all week), so a little goes a long way.
I haven't seen any build-up, and this product washes out easily with one shampooing. I only pay $4 for a 4oz tub of this, and it lasts us 2 months or longer.
I have only had Bee Mine Curly Butter for a couple weeks, and I have used most of a 16oz jar! I thought it would be worth the $23 if it worked as good and lasted as long as it seems to for others who have used it, but that isn't how it worked for us.
So don't think you have to spend the most money possible and you will get some miracle product- there is NO miracle product. Some things work for some and not others, this is what works for us and if you are looking for something inexpensive (and don't have a problem with the ingredients), I believe this product is worth a try! If you've used it, I'd like to hear what you think!

INGREDIENTS:

• Butylated Hydroxyanisole
• Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
• Soybean Oil
• Paraffin
• Microcrystalline Wax
• Glyceryl Stearate
• PEG 100 Stearate
• Phenyl Trimethicone
• Lanolin
• Cocoa Butter
• Propyl Paraben
• Shea Butter
• Coconut Oil
• Carrot Seed Oil
• Olive Oil
• Mink Oil
• Jojoba Oil
• Vitamin E
• Tea Tree Oil
• Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein Hydroxypropyl Polysiloxane
• Honey
• Amino Acids
• Corn Oil
• Butylated Hydroxytoluene
• Safflower Oil
• Rosemary Extract
• Nettle Extract
• Equisetum Hiemale Extract
• Fragrance
   

RED= Labeled as high health concern

GREEN=Labeled as low health concern

*Note that these ingredients levels are very low, and a company must put a warning label on anything that causes a significant health risk. Dangerous products cannot be sold without a warning.

 

 

Hair Woes...

This is C when she was about 3 years old.

I thought her hair was never going to get long enough to do anything to it, and once it finally did, (when she was around 2) I just never wanted to stop trying new things!

At this point, I think I had just started using hair grease. Yes, I admit it... I used hair grease! I just didn't know any better at the time! I never knew anyone else with a biracial child, and all the advice I got came from her dad and his family (who are of course black) so why should I think they don't know what they were talking about?!

I also used baby lotion and baby oil in both my children's hair until they were over a year old, and I started using the baby oil gel after that. All bad things to use, I know. But once again, I didn't know any better. And actually, my kids had very nice and healthy looking hair. I was always getting compliments, and still do.

Now that I know what some better things to use, I have been using those instead.

But... I was hoping to see improvement in the look, health and length of C's hair. I have been using expensive Bee Mine products, and I honestly don't see how they are worth the money, at least not for us.

I will be posting an update on the products I've been using later.

For now, I'm still trying to talk myself out of switching back to the 'bad' and cheaper products that we used before that worked just as well (if not better) for us, by telling myself I'm doing something GOOD for her hair!

Has anyone else ever used any 'bad' products that you really liked, and if so what are they?

Have you ever thought about going back to them, or have you already?

Apple Pie

I named this post Apple Pie for identity confirmation, but I might have an idea for a style later!

Braid Out

This morning when I took C's hair down, I was hoping it would have a beautiful braid out look.  Even better than usual, since I've been using such expensive Bee Mine products...
That wasn't the case!  Her braids didn't hold any of the shape, her hair just looked like a big ball of cotton.
Here is a photo of what her braid outs USUALLY look like...

If this isn't beautiful I don't know what is!  It was much prettier in person.  Her hair was shiny, moisturized and kept the braid out shape until I washed it.
Until I got Bee Mine, I was using a product my co-blogger sells called Curl-iscious.  It's a pomade, and I think I actually like it better than Bee Mine!
This morning, I had to wet C's hair and detangle it, and I added some moisturizing hair lotion, which is also a curl-iscious product, and added a pretty headband. (I didn't have time to take a photo, since I had to detangle)

Braided Faux-Hawk- Revised Again

Today to change C's hair a little, I just pulled it all back into a ponytail with her new iCarly flower pony tail holder.  I added the Bee Mine Growth Serum to her scalp and moisturized with Bee Mine Curly Butter.

I added some matching blue barrette snaps just for a little extra color, and she was done!
This photo really shows how fuzzy her braids are getting, so I'm thinking this will be the last day for this style.  I don't think the Curly Butter is good as a moisturizer on it's own, which I know it isn't meant to be but I still was hoping for moisture.  Tomorrow morning she will wear the braid out, which is one of my favorite looks!

Same Style, New Look



Don't mind the pajamas! :)


Usually with cornrows, there aren't too many options in switching the style up other than adding accessories.
Since I did some 'corn falls' in the front part of C's head (the braids that hang down), it was a little easier to come up with a way to change the look.
All I did was pulled the 3rd and 4th braids from each side of her head back to the big braid in the back of her head, like the photo above shows...

I added a big flower to hold the braids together, and I braided all of the cornrows together to make one big braid on each side.
Thats it!
I have another idea for tomorrow, so check back to see it!