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! : )  

Amla Powder in the spotlight!

I love using Ayurvedic powders in my healthy hair care regimen. I started my experiment with these wonder herbs almost 3 years ago and have not looked back! I've found that there are so many wonderful healing, conditioning, and strengthen  properties in these eastern herbs that they are must in my healthy hair care regimen.  There's so much information out there about Henna, and a tad  bit about Cassia, but you rarely hear people raving about the benefits of Amla Powder. So I wanted to do my part and rave about it, because I think it deserves a lot more praise in the world of natural hair care. The benefits are amazing, and I can't see not adding it to all my other herbal treatments for optimum results!  So here's a very brief rundown of it's benefits... 

                                                             

Amla powder is created from a gooseberry plant. With this powder you can make a paste that makes hair glossy, dark and Luxuriant! (Just add warm water to make the paste.)

Amla Paste

 (Post rinse: very dark and lush, my hair is not naturally black)

  Amla controls hair loss, stops hair fall, and prevents scalp infections. It also enhances waves and curl patterns in naturally curly or coily hair. (This is a plus for coily-curly haired naturals, and especially to those who have experienced  heat damage and loss of curl) 

Noticeable curl enhancement after 1 treatment, after years of flat ironing & heat damage

 Amla strengthens the roots of your hair and promote healthy hair growth.   Amla also prevents premature graying of the hair.  This is an amazing herb, for women or men with fine or medium density hair looking for more bulk,  because it keeps the hair strong at the roots,  the hair is resistant to unhealthy shedding.  

Fine to medium density( heat/color treated hair) post Cassia & Amla treatment

Fine to Medium Density hair..Post Amla

(The women in the above photos have very fine  to medium density hair, and often use Amla powder in their regimens. They enjoy fuller hair with more density and textured hair.) 

Most of my clients say they can see a noticeable difference after one treatment. You can use  Amla  as often as you like(however pay attention to how your hair responds of course and judge based on that) I use it once a month, along with my Cassia Obavota treatment.  Because the paste is pretty thick I always mix it in with my Cassia Obavota treatments since I do those monthly as well. (If you find the paste is too thick add more water and your favorite oil to loosen it up some.)   So that's my 2 cents!  If you can benefit from any of these properties, I'd suggest you give it a try. : )

For more information on Amla  powder visit Hennaforhair.com

Until Next time, keep it Healthy and happy!