Product Junkism, are you over it yet?

 A Natural hair Confession

Would you say that you are a product junkie or that you have product curiosity?  I’d like to think of myself as being product curious.  So this is a really candid post.   Every now and then I go through what I like to call My Natural Hair Confessions.  I believe in being open and honest with myself and others, especially if I believe it will help someone with their journey.   I’m a pretty practical person with almost everything in my life. I typically don’t purchase too many things that I deem unnecessary. For example, I am not the girl, who will go out and shop just because there’s a sale.  Nor, am I the kind of woman that will go purchase off styled/trendy shoes, purses, etc…just because I “have to have them in my life?”  I like to look cute & stylish, don’t get me wrong, but it’s not something that pulls at me.   I typically build a wardrobe that I’m happy with and leave it be, until I need something else.  But for some reason when it comes to these hair products it’s a different Story?

Where My Product Curiosity began(Also Carol's Daughter not pictured)

 At 27 plus months of being all natural I’ve tried my best not to label myself as a product junkie.  I noticed a lot of women were self proclaimed PJ’s and I said I wasn’t doing that to myself. (Because I’m a practical shopper remember?)   I gave myself 6 to 12 months to try every product under the sun while I was figuring out what my hair loved, well I found that within the my first year.   I stuck with what worked for a while, but my curiosity was still peeked when too many people (with a similar hair texture) would start ranting and raving that some new conditioner or moisturizer is the BEST they’ve ever tried.  And whenever I’d hear the words softer, shiner, easy detangling, cheaper, or local, it would be over; I knew I was going to try it. (Like a junkie, I would find myself up late at night pulling out my Debit Card and placing  that order!)   And then when my new products arrive in the mail,  I am All smiles rubbing my hands together  and within the hour I am already rubbing  it on my hair!

I’ve also notice that I rarely finish a product, and I don’t let my bottles get too low before I’m trying something else, or placing another order. (Afraid that I"m missing something, or that I will  be without one drop of my beloved product.)    I actually thought at this stage I’d be over trying new products, and I guess I’m not??   Truth is,  I actually love the idea of just using one product for everything, or even one line for that matter???  But, I just love products, and not just natural hair products. Skin products too!)   Now, I won’t try any and everything, there are just way too many Natural Hair Care product lines out there.  But there are those key words that I told you about Softer, Shiner, Easy detangling, Cheaper, or Local.. These will set my antennas off every time!   But my heart’s desire is to find one line that will become my signature, and that be the end of it.

My Newest Experiment

And more Product Noisyness!

Love this! Curiosity paid off

   What's sad is that a lot of what I've tried and am trying is not even pictured.  This post would need a Part 2 inorder for me to display everything I've been curious about! So, on this year, I am going to try my best to find one line that I can be committed to.    Not to say that I won’t ever try anything else EVER again, (for fun) but I just want to see if I can at least do it!  I know many think it's cute to be a product Junkie, but I really don't think it's all that cute and really want to get over this hump.   What’s your Natural Hair Confession?  Don’t be afraid to share you might find out that you’re not alone.

Until Next time!!! 

What's your 2012 Healthy Hair Goals?

Protective Style

Happy New Year Everybody! I pray that everyone had a wonderful holiday with their friends and family. I love the Holidays it such a fun time. I enjoyed playing in my hair, to which I was a little forced because I had so many Christmas parties to go to! My hair was down and out a lot more than I cared for, but it was fun. I did enjoy it!

Pinned Twist outs and Braid outs

I didn't do anything elaborate as I am very simple when it comes to styling my hair I don't like too much manipulation so twist outs and braid outs are my signature moves when it comes to creating a base for styles. I  just set the texture and pin here and there.  As I said it was a  blast, but now it's time to get back down to business!   I've had time to reflect on my hair care regimen  from 2011 and I know what I need to do and will do for most of 2012.. 

Protective Style Mini Twist

In 2012 I am keeping it simple with a protective style mini twist regimen.  I've found that I really love mini twists. They are very versatile and my hair stays very soft and moisturized when I have them in. Last year I had more trims than I cared for, and I know the mistakes I made.  My detangling was an issue, I was experiencing minor breakage, so I've switched to 97% finger detangling. I'm slowly getting to 100%  I 've also  increased how often I moisturize and seal my ends and my ends have felt a lot healthier and I have not needed a trim since I've changed the way I detangle(I will have another post coming up on that!)   So yes, I've thought about it, and my hair care is going to be very simple this year, because I want to retain every inch that I grow, I was successful in retaininig all 6 inches my first year because I wore protective styles 97% of the time. Also my ends were healthier, and healthy hair is always my first priority!

My Low manipulation Regimen for 2012

• Cassia & Amla treatment 1x a month
• Wash and Deep Condition every 3 weeks(add leave-ins and moisturizers)
• Put in Mini twist wear in for 3 to 4 weeks(Keep hair moisturized and oiled)
• Scalp cleanses only, while in twist.(moisturize and keep oiled)

             *washing my twists cause them to tangle..badly, and that is counter productive, so scalp cleanses are enough for me during this 3 week period. 

And That's it! This is basically all I will be doing. I have learned when you fine something that works for your hair, you stick with it and this is what brings results! I use to think I needed to deep condition my hair every single week. But I've since learned that the additional manipulation to detangle wreaks more havoc on my hair than not deep conditioning every week. (but trust me it's being conditioned!)  I do plan to have fun with my hair while wearing my mini twist I've gotten pretty good with my Rod sets and pin up styles!  I am looking forward to  a year filled with simple Healthy Hair Care!  What about you?  What did you learn from your hair care regime last  year? Do you plan to continue doing what you were doing, or will you switch it up to match your long term healthy hair care

goals? 

Rodded & Pinned Mini Twists(2.5 wks old)

Until Next Time! : )