Hydratherma Naturals Line: It Meets all of my MUST HAVES!

Hydratherma Naturals  

 This is a very Smart Product Line!   

Ladies. If moisture and strength is what you are lacking then you may want to give this product line a try.

Super Soft moisturized hair after week 1 of using the line

Let me say now,   while I believe that products can greatly enhance the look, feel, and texture of your hair it will be your overall technique and consistency with your regimen that will most likely get you the hair you want. Also, I am not one to promote entire product lines because typically a lot of the products or circumstances surrounding it can be a hit and miss for me.  I've only done one other product line review in the 3 years that I've owned this blog so this should tell you something about me. I don't give praises freely to everyone pushing a natural hair care product line. 

I will begin by saying that not every product in this line is  100% natural.  However it is a  natural based product line, about 97% of the ingredients are natural.  Some of the products like the oils, the moisturizer, and some others are 100% Natural, while others my have a  mix or ingredients that are a derivative of natural ingredients.(They list every single ingredient on their website)  

Straight hair moisturized with their Daily Moisturizing Growth Lotion

Hydratherma Naturals is owned and operated by Saleemah Cartwright, at http://www.healthyhairjourney.com/   I originally tried her products almost 4 years ago when I big chopped. I  recall being in love with the Moisture Boosting Deep Conditioner, the Daily Moisturizing Growth Lotion, and the Follicle Mist. 

Follice Mist used often to keep edges strong in protective styles

Over the years I held on to the spray but some how forgot how much of a miracle the conditioner is, and that is what lead me back 3 years later.  I decided to add more products from her line to my regimen, and found they work even better when you use them all together! 

Below are my honest thoughts about each of the products that I've tried, and have been using together for atleast 4 months now.  (Please be aware that I purchased all of these products with my own money, and I am not being compensated or rewarded in any way to give this review.)

The Moisture Boosting Deep Conditioning Treatment

I absolutely LOVE this conditioner primarily because it has a ton of slip and it allows me to detangle my hair with ease! My fingers glide through my hair. After  my deep conditioning sessions my hair is soft  very pliable and easy to manage.  If you've got tangles try this, its like liquid gold!

Follice Mist

This spray stimulates growth and prevents breakage it has silk amino acids in it as well so there's a mild protein fix. It's makes your hair  soft and also adds moisture.  I use this primarily to strengthen my edges.  I  use this twice a day when I am in protective styles to keep the roots of my hair strong. Its recommended that you massage the mist into your scalp to encourage growth. I've actually used this to successfully grow in thin spots on my hair line as well. For maintenance I continue to use this on my edges about every other day  to keep them thick and nice,  it does help!  

They have a few shampoos in their line to chose from. One with sulfates that complements the Moisture Boost Conditioner,  that a lot of people love. However, my hair is anti sulfates so I chose this Sulfate Free Moisture Plus Hair Cleanser.  I am not too crazy about how my hair feels once I rinse this out. I expected there to be a moisturizing feel and I didn't get that at all.  The  2 or 3 times that I cleansed with it my hair felt almost too clean, and  a little drier than what I'm use to. 

 However, I will say that once I add the Moisture Boosting Deep Conditioner my hair instantly becomes so soft and light! It feels like this cleanser is fully preparing my hair to receive the conditioner into my strands because there's nothing blocking the deep conditioner from doing its best job.    My hair feels super conditioned, there's definitely a difference in how my hair receives the conditioner when I use this.  If you can get past the initial dryness that your hair may feel after rinsing, and hold out for the Deep Conditioning magic that follows, its worth it!  I don't use this every time I cleanse but will if I feel my hair is really dirty. (Note:  I've noticed when using this cleanser on other natural ladies their hair doesn't always feel as "dry" as mine after the rinse. So this could just be with my hair texture, who knows!)

Protein Balance Leave in 

I really enjoy using this leave in.  I use to be afraid of it because it has "protein" in the name. I was convinced before using this that my hair was sensitive to proteins and thought it would make my hair hard or dry. But this isn't strictly a protein leave in conditioner. It is a balance of moisture and protein, and  this is what our hair MUST have a balance of to remain strong and prevent breakage so that we can see length retention.  The proteins in this are silk amino acids, and my hair has never experienced dryness from using this. I've learned that that my hair isn't protein sensitive.  I just had to find the type of proteins that my hair responds well to, which are silk amino acids or wheat proteins.  I've noticed this line has both types of protein. This is so mild you can use it several times a week or every night, as the directions suggest.    

Amino Plus Protein Deep Conditioner  

This conditioner makes my hair feel strong and soft at the same time. It really brings my hair to life.  I use it every other wash session too keep the protein and moisture balanced.  (If I feel I need more moisture or vice versa I use  my deep conditioners according to how my hair feels) I also used it when reverting my flat ironed hair back to its natural cotton, kinks, and curls..My texture just bounced back. 

This Hair Growth oil is light and feels very nourishing! Although it does a great job of sealing in moisture I can't really vouch for the "hair growth" claim. I've never used it for that. It does contains Emu oil, which I do believe has been connected to hair growth in several studies that I've read on the benefits of Emu oil.  Amazing Sealant, I don't use it always but when I do, I cherish it!  

Shine and softness! My hair was being sealed all week with this oil

This moisturizing lotion is awesome?  It makes my hair feel really soft and moisturized and not greasy. Its super creamy but feels light on my hair at the same time.  It also smells great, bonus! 

Here's this photo again enlarged to show you how moist my hair looks after using the Growth lotion all week.

Well, that's my review on the Hydratherma Naturals Line(prods that I've tried) She's has so many products that there has to be something in there for every hair texture!  If you like to use good products preferably from the same line you should give this a try.  This product line gets an A+  from me because it covers all of my " Must Haves" in a hair care line:  

•  Super moisturizing 
• Slip for detangling
• Retails locally
• Moderately priced

If one of these Must Haves  is missing in a product line, I find that I lose interest and stop using their entire line. 

 (Note: I do still use Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing smoothie when I'm putting in protective styles only.  I haven't tried any of  Hydratherma's styling aids yet,  but I will, so stay tuned!  : )  

What are some of your MUST Haves in a Product Line? 

How to Keep "Relaxed" Hair Healthy

Hey there Healthy Hair  Seekers! Some of you may  be thinking what is up with this? Why is she doing a blog post on "Healthy" chemically relaxed hair?  And some of you maybe  thinking is that even possible?! Well I'm here to tell you that yes, it is possible!  Although I am partial to natural hair and natural hair care, I am not naive to the fact that there are many women who want to continue  relaxing their hair, and will probably never wear their hair natural. I have readers who are relaxed that want answers for their hair care needs. I also have women who are relaxed asking if they should go natural, so I'd like to offer some answers for those readers. 

 If you've followed me you know that I haven't always been natural. As a matter of fact I've worn relaxed hair longer than I have natural hair.  Most of the tips that I will share I used when I was relaxed and my hair was as healthy as I could get it with the knowledge I that I had. 

My Relaxed Hair

Commonly asked questions below: 

   

Q. Do I have to wear my hair natural  in order to have healthy hair?  

A. Healthy hair, or the "appearance" of healthy hair is mostly manifested in how well you preserve your hair strands.  If you can keep your hair from breaking, shedding, and excessively splitting then your hair will have a healthy appearance.  Hair is its strongest in its natural state and less prone to breakage if you keep it moisturized. You don't have to wear your natural hair texture in order to possess healthy hair. However, in my experience, you have to be more careful with your hair and treat it with more care when chemicals are involved. 

Q.  How do I keep my relaxed hair from breaking?  

A. The short answers are:  Relax your hair less, use protein treatments, and deep condition.  If you currently relax your hair every 6 to 8 weeks, stretch it 10 to 12 and so on.   Stretching your relaxers will help prevent over lapping on previously relaxed hair. Keep your hair moisturized using a water based moisturizer, use even more on your natural roots.

Use less heat to style your hair.  Look for styles that do not involve a blow dryer, flat iron, or curling iron.  Relaxed hair is already weaker, by adding frequent heat you are asking for more shedding and breakage.  Use heat no more than once a week or once every two weeks. Go as long as you can without having to use heat to style your hair.  Rod sets, Rollers, Braid outs, etc.. I used all of these techniques when I was relaxed.   

Don't use a permanent hair color:  Many relaxed women severely damage their  hair by adding yet another chemical process. This can be a recipe for disaster.  Try using a natural color like "Body Art Quality" Pure Henna/Indigo.  You can also try semi permanents or rinses.  Shea Moisture, which is a natural hair care line, also offers a more natural alternative for coloring hair. (For healthier options on coloring hair check out my blog post on Coloring Natural hair here: http://chanshealthyhappyhair.blogspot.com/2012/03/choosing-to-color-your-natural-hair.html#links these tips can be used on relaxed hair as well).

  

Stretching a relaxer

Q. My hair seems thinner, flat and limp?  How do I get it to look fuller? 

A. Chemical relaxers break down the bonds of your natural hair so it's going to flatten it and make it appear less full, and if you have finer hair that is going to be a double whamy for your hair!  Stretching your relaxers help to add density and fullness.  Also don't relax your hair "bone straight".  Meaning you can ask your stylist to leave some texture in your hair by adding the relaxer without smoothing and pressing it into your scalp. Also ask them leave it on for less time, or under process it.  This is similar to texturizing. If you desire  a bone straight or smooth look, allow your styling techniques to get you there.  You don't have smooth your hair stick straight with the chemical.

On wash days try skipping the blow dryer. Air drying your relaxed hair before styling will give you more fullness, or you can sit underneath a hooded hair dryer using low to medium heat.     (*Tip When I was relaxed I always air dried my hair by detangling it with a wide tooth comb and gently shaking my head from side to side. This would speed up the drying process and my hair dried smooth with no tangles.)    

Also note: As we grow older a we can start to experience thinner or less dense hair.  If you continue to relax as you grow older the hair can become increasingly thinner. Some even began to bald and experience more breakage with chemicals than when they were younger.  Hormone shifts can also come into play causing the hair to become thinner and weaker.  So ditching your relaxers may not be a bad idea in this scenario.     

Q. Should I Just Go natural? 

A.  I would never tell anyone to just "Go" Natural.  If you are curious about if you should try testing the waters.  First, try stretching your relaxers as long as you can and see how you deal with your natural roots between your relaxing sessions. This will  provide some good training and hands on experience before taking the plunge.  Don't say "I'm going natural" Just start stretching your relaxers or say "I'm relaxing less." This will give you a good idea of what managing your natural hair texture will be like. (Note: It is a little easier to manage when there is only one texture,, basically after the relaxed ends are gone) 

 Wearing your hair natural takes conviction and commitment to the process. There are many successful ways to transition to your natural hair, but  the first transition must be in your mind.  In order to wear your hair natural a person must have their own personal conviction.  That conviction will help you get through the tough times of not knowing how to style or maintain your natural hair.   

If your relaxed hair is constantly breaking and thinning no matter what you do, and especially if you have tried all of the above and its still breaking, 9 times out of 10 your hair type simply can not handle chemical relaxers and you should seriously consider growing off your relaxer and wearing it natural. Also women with scalp issues like Eczema, Seborrhea Dermatitis, and excessive dandruff tend to have less issues when they stop relaxing their hair.  Relaxing less should help also.      

*I am an advocate for Healthy Hair, and I am very partial to women wearing their hair in its natural state.  However, I cannot deny that if you are relaxed and want to maintain healthy relaxed hair that it can be accomplished. Women have done it and are doing it! You just have to be smart about it.  

Well until Next time!!