Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Maintaining My Hair


The purpose of this post is to address a few questions that I have received. I will list the questions and the answers. I'm proud to tell you all that maintenance to my hair is done by...none other than...yours truly! Yay me! My locks were originally started as Sisterlocks (TM). I started with this method because I had permed ends at the time and really wanted to get started locking my hair. After one year of having my hair maintained by a consultant, I took on the task myself due to the costliness of the retightening. This was very scary at first because I am not a loctician and was new to being natural. So...of corse, I turned to the internet. I found information on how to maintain with a latch hook but, to be honest, it just looked too difficult for me. Then, I found the web site for the Nappylocks(TM) tool and ordered it. It came in the mail rather quickly in a cute little bag and it works like a charm. I would love to have taken the Sisterlocks (TM) class but it was too expensive to me, especially since it came to Hawaii in December, around Christmas time.

*** NOTE: Sorry for the bad quality pics in my car of me but wanted to show my hair freshly washed. I did an updo for an Army ceremony in a hurry and accessorized with a flower on the side which is barely visible, but, at least you can get the idea***

How do you maintain your hair?
I maintain my hair as well as my daughters hair with the Nappylocks (TM) tool using the
4 point rotation on most of our locks. I have recently started using the 2 point rotation on
some of the locks after hearing through the grapevine that it will help some of the skinnier locks to expand a bit better. The Nappylocks (TM) tool comes in a variety of sizes as you can see in the picture.




What shampoo do you use?
I have three different shampoos that I rotate between because I love them all soo mcuh.
Shampoo #1 - Aubrey Organics Normalizing Shampoo (Swimmer's formula for active lifestyles)

Cost: $8.99 for 11 FL oz
I use this shampoo because it has all natural ingredients, no harsh detergent or chemocals and is recommended for sun, salt, chlorine and perspiration exposure. Living in Hawaii, y'all know I need this. It is also said to help with dryness and brittleness as well as remove minerals (from the hard water in HI) chlorine, and other impurities. This shampoo does not lather well but it leaves the hair feeling clean and moisturized.




Shampoo #2 - Head & Shoulders dandruff Shampoo (refresh formula)

Cost: about $4.99 14.2 FL oz
This is great when my hair gets a bit itchy. Unlike the Aubrey Organics, it does lather well and leaves my head feeling clean, clean, clean. This shampoo contains pyrithione zinc which is said to help regrow hair and to thicken, thinning hair. Although it contains the pyrithione zinc, it also contains sodium laureth sulfate which is a harsh detergent which is said to strip the hair and aid in hair loss. So I use this product sparingly.





Shampoo #3 - VO5 Moisture Milks (Strawberries & Cream Moisturizing Shampoo)

Cost: $.75 - yep..that right! $.75 15 FL oz
Umm...umm...umm! This smell Grreat! It also lathers well and leaves my hair feeling clean. The smell lingers a wile and I like that. This product however, has sodium laureth sulfate in it as well so I use it sparingly.

All three of these shampoos are on my "Keepers" list but I use the Aubrey Organics regularly because it is all natural. I add the Head & Shoulders when my hair is super itchy, and I add the VO5 when I would like a fruity smell. I condition my hair about once or twice a month using the Aubrey Organics normalizing conditioner (Swimmers formula for active lifestyles). Again for the fruity smell I sometimes mix in the VO5 Moisture milks Strawberries & Cream Moisturizing Conditioner). Sometimes I do not use shampoo at all and just co-wash (wash the hair using conditioner). I especially co-wash when I am working out or if I want to was more than once a week. In this case, I use the Aubrey Organics conditioner.


So...That's all folks!


Lock on wit yo bad self!
HN

5 comments:

  1. Niki, your hair looks great! Before becoming sisterlocked, I used Aubrey Organics products and loved them. I am only 5 months into the process; therefore, I still use the sisterlock starter shampoo, but cannot wait until I can try something different.

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  2. I agree with Denise, your hair does look great!

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  3. Thanks for sharing your tips. How do you do a 2 ponit rotation? Some of my locks are so very thin that I plan to combine them if they don't thicken up. Is it working for you? By the way your locks are so very lovely. I don't have a blog, but your is very nice!!

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  4. Hibiscus Niki, i really like your hair, would like to become a DIY my self but i am scare. I am currently a 4 point reverse rotation, and my hair and locks are very very thin, can you please explain to me about the two point and how is it done? Please

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