Updated Hair Regimen! (Fall 2013)

Hey, guys! If you want to see my updated hair regimen, click here. http://curlsofinnocence.blogspot.com/p/my-hair-regimen.html

Yes, I have a separate page for it now. The reason being is that when I change something in my regimen, I'd like to see what I was previously doing the months before, or the year before without having to guess. I can see my progress, revisit old products, and better evaluate what works for me and what doesn't work so well. So on this page, I will make any updates that are needed. Hope you guys enjoy! http://curlsofinnocence.blogspot.com/p/my-hair-regimen.html

Oh, and check out my latest video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khzhZegEuYU It's about the natural lightening process in the previous posts. ;)

~Epic Realist~

Third Time Around: KCCM Challenge, WEEK 4

So, I'm doing the KCCM challenge yet again. Looks like I'm going to be continuously doing these until I win (hehe), so I might as well same some of my answers here to copy and paste for the future. If there are any changes, I will make them on the challenge page. 

1. There are so many products on the market, what are your favorites for washing? What are your favorites for moisturizing/styling? What qualities does a product have to have in order to become one of your favorites?

I LOVE all Shea Moisture shampoos. They are a staple for me until I actually feel like trying something else. I also love anything Shea Moisture... their conditioners, their deep conditioners, everything. I tend to use their deep conditioners as a leave in, especially the deep treatment masque in the tan packaging. A product has to be at least 90% natural for me to even consider it. No mineral oil, no waxes, sulfates, or parabens, and especially no odd colors.

2. Since using the castor oil, has your hair seen any of the benefits listed in the list above? Which ones?

Oh, yes. I have had lots of growth as usual, as well as baby soft hair. Since the last two challenges I've participated in, I have grown in my baby hairs very well, and dandruff is a thing of the past.

3. How did you use Castor Oil in your hair last week (week 3). Did you find yourself losing momentum or are you still going hard?

I never lose momentum. LOL! I am still going hard, using castor oil on my scalp every other day, on my edges, and on my ends.

4. (optional) Share a pic of your natural hair in one of your favorite styles!

Done! I LOVE braid outs.

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I hope that you guys are getting great results as well with this. I love castor oil!

~Epic Realist~

Syriah's 2nd Length Check! WAIST LENGTH!

Hola, you curly naturals!
I'm doing a short update on Syriah's hair length. Her last length check was in October 2012.

So now, it's May and I have done another one. Her hair has seriously grown in 7 months! 

It's 18 inches long, which is ironically the same length as my hair, but because she's shorter, of course, it'll be waist length on her. I am totally impressed with myself and how I've been taking care of it!

Her routine/regimen is pretty much still the same as I updated it last time, but I've been using random samples from the hair show on her just to try them. Taliah Waajid's kid's line is pretty awesome. That Easy Herbal Comb Out is silky, has no chemicals, and smells soooooo good. I might actually have to pick it up in Walmart one day if I see it. Looks like she can rock a wash and go with that stuff. ;-) 

As you can see, I'll be using my new logo on my pictures and what not. Free marketing! I have jars of my whipped shea butter here for 12 dollars if anyone cares to know how I got Syriah's hair this long and healthy. Questions or comments? Hit me up! Peace out, curly mamas!

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"What Products Do You Use?"...Really? -__-

Well, well, well, what do you know? In a previous post, I mentioned that Walmart sold Shea Moisture products for two dollars more than Walgreens does.
Tell me why I checked Walmart today and saw that they lowered their price to match the Walgreens one... Actually, to be 'fashionably cheaper', they went down to $9.98 instead of Walgreen's $9.99. Wow. -__-
It's not a bad thing, though. I just found it funny. Ha!
You know what annoys me about some mothers of daughters? They see someone else's kid's hair looking really nice, and then the first thing they ask is, "What products did you use?" To me, it's irritating because people actually think that if they use the same products or use the same regimen, then their kid's hair will come out looking the same way. That's not necessarily true, people! I never ask what product was used because to me, it doesn't matter. Just because it worked for one person doesn't mean it's going to work for me. I'm pretty sure that some women go out and buy that same product just because someone else raved about it and got good results.
That's not me. I do my own research. I don't base my results off of someone else's. Ultimately, I don't care what products you used or what your regimen is. So sue me already.
Alrighty, that's my little ranting and raving for the day on the hair topic. If you want raving on other random topics, check out my other personal blog! Hehe. http://www.epicrealist.blogspot.com/
Peace out, curly mamas!

~Epic Realist~

Tips for Reducing Tangles and Knots

Morning, curly mamas! I'm going to share some tips on reducing knots and tangles in our hair. One of the biggest problems is hair breakage due to misuse or overuse of certain tools or products. This mostly happens when it's time to wash the hair, and a lot of hair is shed and broken off. Something we've probably heard growing up is to never comb your hair when it's wet, never ever ever! Well, that doesn't exactly have to be the case. We CAN comb our hair even while it's in the most vulnerable state... IF you follow these directions.
1. ALWAYS use a wide tooth comb, aka 'shower comb'. All of those other tiny combs you have stashed in your bathroom are not for use on wet hair. Your hair will fall out with those. Use something with wide teeth. It is best to only comb after shampooing and you're in the conditioning part of your regimen.
2. It is best to prepare your hair for washing, as in use some type of oil to 'soak' your hair in. It can be olive oil, some type of conditioning oil, whatever you like to use. I usually use extra virgin olive oil in mine and my daughter's hair the day before I wash it so it soaks in overnight. The extra moisture really helps. I don't even need to use a conditioner!
3. Wash your hair in sections. This greatly helps. I  have tried it my hair and my hair didn't get as nappy afterward. Part your hair with your fingers in two or four sections, whichever you feel like comfortable with, and shampoo it that way while parted. This greatly reduces unnecessary knots.
4. Use a detangling shampoo. Even if you do not have a sulfate free shampoo yet, use one that detangles, or at least claims to. Much easier to manage your hair.
5. DO NOT be afraid of water! After shampooing, it's okay to re-wet your hair if you're applying a product that works best on wet hair. Another thing we've grown up on is to keep our hair away from water, that water is the enemy. Water is NOT the enemy! Water is good for our hair, contrary to popular belief.
6. Style your hair in sections. If you're already on the natural journey, then more than likely you'll want your curls to show as much as possible. After shampooing and conditioning, use a thick moisturizer on your wet hair, especially if your hair craves moisture. Do not use any brushes. Braid or twist into several sections and let it air dry. I say air dry because it is the healthiest way to dry hair. Heat isn't always needed here, unless you're going for a certain special style. Even then, I would still recommend using a hair steamer such as this one on this website.
http://www.behuetiful.com/store/steamer/cat_5.html?gclid=CKO5rZuX7q4CFY1R7Aod_3WeKA

I currently do not own a hair steamer yet, but one day I will. I am not an advocate of heat on hair. I barely straighten my hair at all, and I don't blow dry or sit under a dryer like we've all probably grown up doing.
7. DO NOT 'overwash' your hair! I know some African-American women who are constantly washing their hair, like three times a week. That is not necessary at all. Unless you're sweating profusely every day or in a swimming class where your head is always laced with chlorine, there's no reason to wash your hair more than once a week. Our hair requires as much moisture as possible, but sometimes, too much water can dry it out and create more tangles than necessary. Thus, the excessive dandruff and itchiness. Water is not the enemy, but it can be if you overuse it. If you absolutely have to wash your hair more than once a week, then you should not use a drying shampoo. You should consider getting a good co-wash formula or just simply condition it while wet, which I will talk more about at a later date.
These are all the tips that I can think of at the moment. I will add more if I remember any more. Hopefully, I've helped you guys. These tips are awesome on little girl's hair, because even though they may have 'baby hair', their hair is more prone to tangling up because of them being active little girls, running around, possibly having their little heads all over the floor, all that. These tips work on my girl's hair, and her hair is NEVER tangled after washing and she hasn't had any breakage in months. This is due to me constantly studying her hair and studying what works with it and what doesn't.
So, I hope you enjoy my tips and try them out. Let me know what happens! Comment here or on the Facebook page. Happy curling! =)
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