by Bennii Blast of The Culture Pine
With a week of exams and essays deadlines waiting for me around the corner, I have allowed myself to take a backseat in the hair world. This is the first time in a while that I have somewhat neglected the care and attention that my hair seems to desire. Don’t get me wrong – I have turned into the national spokesperson for natural hair since starting to transition, and probably annoyed one too many people with it, but I could not justify spending time twisting and what not when there’s work to be done. I mean, have you ever tried fitting 6 weeks of lectures into one day of revision? Trust me – I’m having the time of my life….
However, this current situation has allowed me to realize a few things. Since I haven’t been playing in my hair as often, I haven’t been applying as much product to it. This has left my hair feeling a lot lighter, cleaner and free of build-up throughout the week, with no desperate need to shampoo/co-wash my hair before washday (which just so happens to be today). My hair still feels just as moisturized as usual even though it hasn’t received as more product, which is something I often fear when applying my leave-in. Lastly, it allowed my hair to benefit from low-manipulation which is beneficial for protecting the hair from breakage.
The best thing about all of this is how much money I could potentially save on hair products. I’m a student – broke is a way of life for me. With books costing more than £50 for just one subject, I really don’t have the bank account to be a product junkie. If I’m not applying as many products, I’m effectively saving money on leave-in’s, conditioner and shampoo, because my hair can go longer without all of the products that washing involves. Being a bit lighter handed when it comes to applying products to my hair may just allow me that one luxury every now and again!
Some Chrissy Loubou’s would do me just fine! Too ambitious?
A girl can dream!
Has your bank account ever suffered from a Product Junkie attack? Have you tried narrowing down your product use?
How does using less product work out for you?
I definitely have had to revamp my PJ status. Over the last year I have collected quite a few bottles of things at the time I thought I "HAD" to have and have yet to use. I've found what works so now I really don't have anything to do with these items. I have argan oil eco styler, ouidad gel, all natural leave in conditioner from whole foods. . . the list goes on. I guess accumulating things is part of the natural journey.
I would say I have suffered from PJ'ism, but am currently in the rehab stages. LOL. I am trying to get back down to five products or less. I would like those products to be 1. Terressentials Mud Wash, 2. Yes to Cucumbers Conditioner, 3. Oils – coconut, olive, castor, jojoba and 4. Shea Butter. The fifth might be henna. We'll see.
I haven't suffered from a product junkie attack in years! My wallet thanks me immensely because all I buy now is shampoo, conditioner and leave-in conditioner.
Using less product means that I don't have to remove product build-up anymore. Good thing, I've always hated the washing process!
I've spent absolutely too much money on hair products. I need to put the breaks on!
uh no, i chose to finish all the products i have now, n for those i had the worst experience with i gave them to my friends n family. for me hiding my hair under my (self-made) weaves means i dont have to buy many products to become a junkie.
Nope no bank account suffering but I was only a PJ in the beginning stages of my natural journey. I've since scaled back quite a bit. I need to use all of the stuff I have before justifying buying more.