AYURVEDIC MIX, pt deux

Hola Good People!

I hope you're keeping warm wherever you are. It's 24 "balmy" degrees in the ATL. And I won't even mention what the windchill is. Anyhoo, remember the post that I did on my first ayurvedic mix for my hair?... Well, I finally thawed it out to use once again. It went a lot better this time. Although, I believe I should have been more thorough in the application.


It's okay. I still have another application's worth left. Yeah. Really. I made that much. The mix consisted of amla, bhringraj (also known as maka) and brahmi ayurvedic powders along with some grapeseed oil & avocado oil. As stated in the older post, I used WAY too much. Instead of dumping the entire boxes of ingredients in the bowl, I should have used amounts in the size of a tablespoon or two. Learned from my mistake though.

AYURVEDIC POWDERS

Amla - promotes hair growth, controls hair fall, cures scalp infection, controls premature graying

Brahmi - cools the scalp and induces sound sleep, Controls dandruff, Makes hair long, dark, Dense & lustrous , strengthens hair roots

Bhringraj (or maka) - makes hair dense, promotes hair growth, cures Alopecia, removes scurf, prevents premature balding, helps with sun-damaged or color-treated hair

Now between the Brahmi and the Bhringraj(maka), one of these was the culprit of putting some dark, hard to clean grit under my nails. Just fair warning, if and when you use one of these powders be prepared to have to work on your nails. It took forever for me to get them free of the dark powder.

Other than that, this application was a success. I followed it with a steam oil treatment. Woot woot! I used a mix of Bhringraj oil and an oil mix that I had on hand. I'm really digging the steam oil treatments right now. I think they're really benefiting my hair during this cold season.

My hair feels great,detangles very easily, has a nice sheen and seems to hang better. Or maybe it's just growing. I'll take that too!! I've also noticed that my hair hasn't been shedding as much. Usually, I shed a small rugs worth of hair when I do my weekly washes. This amount seems to have been cut in half, maybe more. I think its a combination of the use of the steamer and the oil and ayurvedic treatments. Either way, I will continue to do these things.

Have you done or tried an ayurvedic mix lately? If so, what was your mix?..

Post Title → AYURVEDIC MIX, pt deux

FULL STEAM AHEAD......

Hola Chicas (& Chicos)

So here it is. My post on my hair steamer thus far. Am I enjoying it? Hell yes! Have I fallen in love with it? Hmm...maybe more of an obsession. And only because I’m still learning how to use it with the products I have. So far, I have steam conditioned my hair 4 times. It’s so tempting. I want to steam more often but I also want to keep from manipulating my hair too often so that I won't hinder any growth. But doggonit, it (the steamer) keeps calling me. ..Keeps..calling me.

Uhhhh *side eyes*. Let me share with you what I’ve done and experienced so far.

1st Steam Treatment
Applied Jessicurl WDT & Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Condish with some Aubrey Organics GPB condish on my ends. Twisted with Jane Carter Twist and Lock.

Result: My hair was quite manageable. More so than usual. Happy happy. Joy joy.

2nd Steam Treatment
Did a pre-poo treatment with Hairveda Vatika Frosting (Ooh, that stuffs smells so good. Like frosting.Ummm) Co-washed with Herbal Essences Totally Twisted. Steamed with Hairveda SitricNillah Deep Conditioning Masque. Twisted with JC Twist and Lock.

Result: Hair was still very manageable and soft. Denman brush glided thru hair like a knife thru warm buttah. =)

3rd Steam Treatment
Hennaed 30 minutes under the steamer. (Please note: I lack in the patience department and was so hyped that I immediately rinsed the henna out. Big no-no.)Then deep conditioned under the steamer with Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose conditioner & Jessicurl WDT. Twisted up with JC Twist and Lock.

Result: Hair was not as manageable as I expected but after talking w/Tina over at Elan Tresses (Who btw has named her steamer. Really.) I will handle this differently next time.

4th Treatment
Re-twisted hair with JC Hair Nourishing Cream. Topped with JC Nourish and Shine. Steamed for 20 minutes. Afterwards, plastic capped my hair for about an hour or so. Smoothed with a little oil and wrapped my hair for the night.

Result: Awoke to soft , well moisturized tresses.

I’ve read that around the 5th or 6th steam treatment is when you really notice a change. I will keep you lovelies posted on that. Okay? Cool.

CO

**The products mentioned in the post can be found at the following retailers**
Herbal Essences - Walmart, Target and most all drug stores
Aubrey Organics - Whole Foods and most health food stores
Jane Carter Solutions - Whole Foods, most health food stores, Curlmart & Jane Carter Solution
Hairveda - Hairveda.com
Jessicurl - Curlmart and Jessicurl.com

Post Title → FULL STEAM AHEAD......

MY NEW BABY -- THE STEAMER

Yesterday was a really BIG day for me. My hair steamer arrived! Woo hoo! This is my last hooraw for awhile. After reading so much about it on the 4a Curltalk forums on NaturallyCurly.com, I was convinced to make this investment. You can read about it here and here.

I ordered my steamer from salonsrus.com which everyone is saying has excellent customer service. The cost of the steamer is $139 (did I mention this is an investment and my last hooraw for awhile). There were no shipping fees and you can also use the coupon code “exoticmommies” to receive $10 off your purchase. When everything’s said and done, you pay $129 and that’s it. As you can see from the pic above, it is stand-up equipment and does take up a little space but I still find that it’s worth it.

I ordered the steamer on last Friday and was told that I would receive it by this Friday. Imagine my glee to see that it would be delivered sooner. Don’t tell anyone but I actually skipped my grown azz to the door when the FedEx man arrived. Did I mention that it’s shipped FedEx ground, all the way from Washington? Keep in mind; I’m in Georgia so to receive my steamer on Wednesday instead of Friday is BOSS.

YOU MAY ASK WHY PURCHASE A HAIR STEAMER:

Check out this excerpt from Textured Tresses: The Ultimate Guide to Maintaining and Styling Natural Hair by Diane Da Costa.

Steam conditioning invigorates the scalp. Conditioner and/or herbal oil is massaged into the scalp before the head is placed under a steamer. The water vapors open the outer layer of the hair shaft with moisture, allowing the conditioner to penetrate deeply into the cuticle layer. Steam conditioning promotes hair growth, which is why the steamer is an essential treatment. …botanical and herbal treatments are applied to the scalp and massaged in….Afterward, the client is placed under the steamer for about 15 to 20 minutes. This is especially good for locs, natural hair, and color-treated hair.

I do have one issue, its leaking due to a split stopper. However, after reading a forum thread where another lady had the same issue but after contacting the company received replacement stoppers in a timely manner, I am certain that this will be resolved quickly and easily. I’ve already sent the company an email and will follow up with a phone call once they open. I’ll definitely keep you all posted. =)


{{Hugs}} as I turn in my lurking badge from all hair boards. (Its costing me. Lol.)

Hair whore em...Aficionado,
CO

Post Title → MY NEW BABY -- THE STEAMER