Chelsea writes:
This question comes after several instances where my aunt has told me that one day all of my hair is going to fall out. She says it affectionately but it sometimes makes me wonder am I going overboard?
The people in my life just can’t seem to understand why I need to; (1) use natural oils (2) conditioner wash or use low-poo, (3) use instant conditioners as leave-ins, (4) style so frequently, and (5) deep treat using things like bananas and honey. I was told I would be eaten alive by ants because of the latter.
It baffles them when I wander in circles trying to find specific ingredients on my ever expanding hair shopping list and they wonder why hair grease and traditional black hair care products aren’t good enough for me. Needless to say I’ve just about quit trying to explain my hair stance to those around me, but the questions and blank stares persist. As we search for our holy grail products and magical growth serums, are we really moving away from unconventional to just plain old crazy (e.g., KY Jelly, bull semen, Monistat, placenta) ?
So questions ladies:
Do you sometimes think that you may go overboard with the mixes?
Are the hair products spilling out of every available cupboard and does your hair product bill creep eerily close to the amount you pay for the mortgage?
Also, what are some of the crazy things you have done in the search of healthier more beautiful hair or what have you heard through the NC/CN grapevine?
Do you ever get people who question what you put in your hair?
Yes, most of the time that question comes along with "How did you get your hair that way?" or "Who did your hair?"
Do you sometimes think that you may go overboard with the mixes?
Yes, because I get a lil' too curious, mixing in different scents with my shea butter concoctions.
Are the hair products spilling out of every available cupboard and does your hair product bill creep eerily close to the amount you pay for the mortgage?
Well, no. I can't let my hair products take priority over the roof over my head (although I have a huge stash). I'd rather cut my hair just to use LESS PRODUCT to make the product stretch for a while.
Also, what are some of the crazy things you have done in the search of healthier more beautiful hair or what have you heard through the NC/CN grapevine?
I haven't done anything out of the ordinary myself, but that MN that I know of lots of naturals talking about putting on their edges just so their hair could grow in thicker and healthier is kinda wild. Castor oil does the trick for me, and it doesn't make my head hurt like the naturals who use MN warn others about.
I use my own line of hair care products, so I've already gone through that phase of trial and error. I totally understand where you're coming from with the questions and opinions people have. I've just left them alone as well.
Oh yes Girl! The people at my work think I am absolutely bonkers because I do not use shampoo. They think my hair is nasty and is going to fall out… I just shake my head. Really doesnt matter what they think- Its my head. It works for me.
Love post. Personally, a lot of my family and friends were concerned until they saw my hair flourishing. Now, everyone wants my stuff. I know that a majority of the people I know that make their own products love the fact that they can use ingredients based on what their hair needs and love to make fluffy whipped shea concoctions. I just feel fortunate that I found a way to keep my hair healthy and happy without breaking my wallet.
LLP~OGC
P.S. I don't comment on other people's hair routines, because everyone uses what is available to them or have their personal preferences. I didn't like walking around with lard in my hair as a youth on a hot island, but I know my Great Grandmother did what she thought was best. I am not a lard fan, but I appreciate the love she use to put into doing my hair.
I like to mix things up a bit, but my philosophy is no more than four ingredients for a hair mix, and usually less than that, more like two and three. The only four ingredient product I use is the Kimmaytube Leave-In. My pre-poo usually features only one or two oils (coconut and/or olive oil). When things start to make me feel like I'm in a laboratory, I reevealuate. But if somebody wants to do all that, that's their business. I will agree with above poster that putting milk in the hair is a little weird to me. And if I am a vegetarian that stays away from eggs, what sense does it make to put eggs in my hair. Placenta and bull semen — that is just plain nasty.
People don't ask me what I put in my hair, but I'm pretty sure that if they did ask I would tell them. I'm wondering why a few of the ladies who commented wouldn't give out the info if someone asked? Spread the love! No need to be stingy or selfish, LOL!
My friends that are permed don't even put grease on their hair, at least the majority don't. They use oils and stuff like that because they know from experience that grease makes their hair fallout. My grandma, who is natural, always gets on to me dor the stuff I put on my hair and me throwing away products with petrolatum, that she bought for me, and products with harsh sulfates. She has laid off now and doesn't really care anymore thank goodness. I share some products with the rest of my natural family though so it's all good =).
they ask me what i'm making so that they can know what to use, lol. and if they WERE to question me in a bad way, i'd look at their head, look at my hair, look at theirs and then laugh wildly! My hair is healthier than any of theirs
1. Nope. It's great to live alone. 🙂
2. Not any more.
3. Nope.
4. I've never done anything crazy myself but then again I'm comparing myself to other naturals online. There's a LOT of crazier-than-me I've read about online. I see some of this stuff and am like: Is having long, non-nappy hair really that serious? REALLY?
LOL This actually hits really close to home because I just recently spent alot of money on natural products for my newly natural hair. Not really a good idea when you are a broke college student but I have been obsessed with my hair growth process alot longer than I have been going to university.
1. Yes! I always get critical looks from my grandmother and other family members when they catch me doing my hair. Then they ask me for samples of my products to try LOL.
2. I do think I go overboard sometimes but I care about my tresses alot and a few sideways glances and smart comments is not going to deter me from achieveing long, healthy, natural hair. My mother often says there are only two things I care about (what's on my head and what's in my head) and I'm going to do all can to better both.
1. Yes, my family thinks it's a little weird to put food in your hair (avacados, coconut milk, olive oil, etc). I explain why its good and they deal with it. But…I've gotten my sister to do pre-poos with olive oil and she loves it. I'm working on them. 🙂
2. Nope. I keep it simple.
3. Nope. I keep it simple.
4. Nothing much…
how in the world does someone say using natural products is crazy? It has been used for thousands of years. I think I am the normal one, for not putting junk on my body and everyone else is crazy.
YES the blended bananas in the hair does sound crazy but its also just as good as a $20 chemical-filled product and its only 79 cents. Makes total sense to me. Questions like those are based on pure ignorance and unwillingness to change.
Interesting discussion. I guess I'm only an amateur mixologist. I mix henna, oils and shea butter. My husband and son love the shea hair product and lotions I make. It's far more effective than lotion. Even Eucerin. And cheaper. So they don't ask much about what's in it. We co-exist happily on a don't ask, so I won't have to tell basis and we all benefit. 🙂
We live in a society that puts all kind of stuff in their bodies every time they eat a forkful of… anything… Women do so with lipsticks and eyeshadows… All kinds of craziness mixed in those products. So, I don't think we are going overboard in the least. This is ONE way we actually have control over ingredients and there is no mystery. That's as good as it gets in my opinion.
I could open my own beauty supply with the amount of hair products I own! I have tried to simplify but its just too hard when I want to try EVERY product in search of the best (for my hair type)
The good thing is, I save my receipt and try to purchase from stores with an excellent return policy 😉
I am a definite PJ, but trying bull semen is just tooooooo much! (on the other hand….. as long as it doesn't damage my hair and it gives stellar results…hmmmmmmmm….lol)
Does the anti-candidal ingredient in Monistat (Miconazole Nitrate) actually repair thinning edges, or are you purchasing the no chafing stuff for the 'cones?
That said, I am not willing to go out and try fringe methods (I'm here eating a slice of carrot cake, so there was NO WAY I'm going to click on the Bull Semen link).
But if that monistat thing is works, hmmm…
I used to at home alot, but when i was at home I had a lot more time and resources to dedicate to my hair. Since being at college, my friends dont really see me do my hair that often and most of their questions are of curiosity. Also since being at college, I dont nearly send as much time on my hair as I used to. My time is nearly cut in half.
oh i did forget to mention that i have been told that i was my hair too much, granted it's cowashing but those that say this have hair drier that the sahara desert and my hair is finally growing past my shoudlders which it hasn't done since the pre perm days (10years old) so who's wrong and whose right?
I don't do too much mixing. But I do use coconut oil, olive oil, etc. And my family thinks I'm crazy! I even cracked an egg open to put in my 9yr old cousin's hair b/c she needed some protein! That got a big laugh & "Kim is crazy" discussion going. I couldn't care less. Their hair is *snap* long & dusty looking while I've grown out about 7in in a year & my hair is shiny & healthy. Not a split end to be FOUND & I haven't had scissors in my head since May.
I don't think I go overboard with the mixing, but I am overboard with the buying! And I'll try just about anything. Besides Monistat & the like (although I did use their chafing gel as a make-up primer & it WORKED!).
i always volunteer info lol! and actually, the only thing people looked weird at me about is the no-poo regimen. but a couple tried it and it worked so… hey.
i love trying new things, but not everything. no monistat or bull serum for me (altho i did notice the monistat non chafing gel is pretty much all dimethicone and fleetingly thought about how it would affect my hair lol). but i will try foods. love honey, oils, egg, and mayo. hated yogurt(tagled my hair) and the avacado/banana mix. it's a hobby, something to do/try and if it works, cool beans.
i'm kind of a pj. i'm getting ahold of myself tho. and the prodcuts i buy are very inexpensive (that's how i justify it lol) so i don't feel too bad about it. plus i have two kids with more hair than me and between us three everything gets used.
Mixing up a henna is as "advanced" and complicated as I get in regards to mixing on the regular. I do it 1-2x/month to keep hair smooth and shiny, as well as a way to force myself to relax a bit and reflect. Not into mixing up hair concoctions to use on a regular basis. Several months ago, however, I got curious about all the different natural oils and ingredients I read about. I went to WFM , bought a bunch of them and mixed them all together. It formed a solid which I keep in the refrigerator and occasionally use as an overnight deep conditioner. It's pretty powerful stuff, as it has 18 ingredients (all natural).
I do think people go too far, partly because folks are looking for the greatest hair results ever but also because for some, natural hair is a hobby and they enjoy the activities/products.
I don't volunteer any information about my haircare to others and most people don't know/ask.
I shampoo and condition weekly. Use a liquid moisturizer with castor oil. Braid in 6 braids and release daily. Spray with water and moisturizer throughout the week as necessary. That's it. I could never get into all the things I see on the hair boards. I don't have the time or interest, and frankly don't think it is necessary for my hair.
My mom and sister jokingly make fun of me when I'm mixing stuff in the kitchen (when I'm visiting them) and they think it's kinda gross when I lay down in a tub full of water to rinse out my henna (makes it so much easier to remove) but they're also the first ones to ask me for advice when they need new hair or beauty products (or try to steal mine)!
I don't think I go overboard, because I don't mix up that much anymore. The most unconventional things I use are food products (yogurt, banana, honey, etc).
My hair products are pretty much under control. At almost 3 years natural I have my routine pretty solid and don't feel the need to experiment with new stuff all the time. At most I'll get one new product to replace an old product.
I definitely think sometimes we naturals go overboard. I have no problem with chemicals in general would NEVER use a medical product (like Monistat) on my head. You have no idea how the active ingredients might affect you, build up in your body or interact with other medications (since I'm sure most ppl aren't telling their doctors that they're applying Monistat to their heads) The fact that it gives some people headaches shows that there might not be something right there.
Fortunately, I don't receive too many questions about what I'm doing to my hair. If it looks good, why complain??
My female relatives live far away. What I've done is slowly introduce them to certain conditioners and give them maybe one or two main tips on keeping their hair nice. One aunt stopped relaxing, and my mom seems more open to certain things. Giving them a conditioner (Giovanni, SheaMoisture) and telling them to leave a little in for softness made them a lot more receptive to what I have to say. They feel for themselves that their hair seems softer and is a little easier to manage.
As for product overload, I gather more stuff in spurts. I'm doing pretty well overall with keeping the stash manageable. I know what works well with my hair and I try to keep it simple.
Its funny cause people that say this seem to keep the same length of unhealthy hair since they were thirteen. LOL
My SO and I were just arguing about this, like, 5 seconds ago! He thinks I spend far more on my "new hobby" than I did when I was relaxed, but I beg to differ. I'm keeping my product junkie-ism in control and my regimen is pretty simple, but I think he's noticed that I spend a lot more time pampering my hair.
hey! don't sleep on bananas and honey… i just tried it this week and i swear my hair orgasmed.
other than that, i am a keep it simple sista. i just pared my massive conditioner collection down to 3-4 after a male friend was afraid to use my shower for fear of a product avalanche. in general, i don't believe a lot of the hype. if my current products are performing well, i'm not about to take a gamble on bull semen. my mother, a former stylist, is the one who calls me about products and such…
I live alone, so I don't have to deal with anyone questioning what I put in my hair. Nor do I volunteer what the exact products are that I do put in my hair whenever people ask me how I got my hair the way it is.
I don't go overboard. The most "unconventional" thing I do is put EVOO, eggs, mayo and honey in my hair.
1. Yes, My daughter, son and SO are constantly looking at me with the "what now?" look when I am in the kitchen mixing Henna or the Kimmaytube leave in or oils. However I've asked for a minifridge to keep in the bedroom for my "mixes. (I don't like going downstairs every morning now that it's cold to get the mixes that require refrigeration out of the fridge to use before work).
2. Actually I didn't until I mixed the monistat and sulfur 8 to put in my hair. When I did that, I though "this might be going a little overboard". My SO agreed and immediately asked me not to use it anymore. – LOL
3.They were, but I dislike the confusion and clutter; so I have reorganized and removed those products that my hair does not like (I am hoping to take it them to the curly meet-up and give them away or trade). I don't buy products over 15.00 each. and I have found that my hair responds to the less expensive stuff, Oils and Aussie Moist, HEHH, Henna, Giovanni direct leave in, KKNT and Garnier leave in.
4. Other than the monistat, the biggest reason for concerned looks has been the use of food products on my hair, ACV, EVOO, Honey, etc.
1. No. Maybe its because I live alone or what I use on my hair (at the gym) doesnt raise eyebrows)
2. I dont do too much mixing besides henna, oil blends and my deep conditioners. All of my stylers, shampoo, etc are off the shelf.
3. No, I try not to keep too many products on my shelves.
1. I dont get people that question what I put in my hair. Thats just because they dont know what I put in it.
2.I think that ppl do too much. Yes. I look at blogs vlogs etc where women mix 5,6,7 different oils just for a pre poo. Are you kidding me??
3. Goat milk. Putting milk on the hair seems weird
-Everytime I put something in my hair or i am in the kitchen mixing something and i get outlandish questiions as to why i can't just use oil sheen or hair grease and why am i so specific as to what goes on my hair and scalp. Those questions are super annoying on a daily basis but basically i care about my hair and scalp so i am selective to the products i use.
-I have definetly gone overboard with the mixing i made some kind of styling cream and i thought honey would be a nice additive and i must have used too much because the next day my twists were rock hard and i couldn't release them for a twist out : (
-I have always put my hair products into one of those small carry on suitcases even before going natural and now it is filled up with all my crap, it never seems empty. The used up items just get replaced with new ones. BUT i dont buy new stuff until i have used up at least two items already in there and i make sure i catch products on sale or with a coupon.
-I haven't really tried anything outrageous but I know i will not be putting semen or placenta on my hair, that's just a bit too much for me oils and butters will do.