Journey to Hair Health

I have been natural all my life but that does not mean I've been taking care of my hair. Heat damage fried up my hair! I started to become conscious about what I do and put in my hair and this awareness allowed me to grow my hair thicker and longer!

The two pictures above were taken in 2008. I started off at armpit length hair. I used to blow dry and straighten my hair once a week. My hair was fine, thin and shedding and It was not healthy. Once I decided to get my hair healthy, I gave up the heat products. I began caring for my hair by wearing it in its natural state: Curly! Buns were a favorite style!

Banana Clip Hairstyle

                                                        Bantu Knot Out

I did those styles for a few years using natural hair products for conditioning, moisturizing and I saw an improvement. This is my hair today after 4-5 years of care and maintenance.  My hair is way more healthy in thickness and shine!
                        Curly

                      Straight

 

Getting my hair healthy has been a journey of  really getting to know It's likes and dislikes. The ultimate goal is finding what makes it prosper! I'm still learning and my goal is to maintain this hair as best I can. If you have any questions regarding 4a ish hair or hair growth in general, ask away! 
-Az

Grow Long and Prosper: The Hair Edition

Friday evenings are solely dedicated to rewarding my hair for a week's long manipulation. I pamper my kinky tresses in some concoction of whatever conditioner mix, oil, hair mask I've got laying around. When I'm feeling a lil fancy, I'll pick up an avocado to blend into a hair smoothie (which quickly becomes too irresistibly yummy not to ingest~add a banana and it's BLISS). Now that I've revealed how incredibly bland most Friday nights are for me, I can let you in on the solo fun I had today after my visit to the local indian store. I picked up the main stuffs of the deep conditioner mix- henna powder and brahmi for $3
soooo cheap. 
I  henna when I feel my hair is just BLaghhh. When I shed long strands and my hair gets noticeably thinner. I make the henna mix (brahmi powder + jamila henna + cooled tea + coconut oil) in a bowl over a newspaper, apply it through my hair in 4 sections and leave it on overnight tight in plastic bags to prevent stains on my bed. (I also get a large plastic bag to cut open and tape on my pillow to make sure ther are no leaks) I  wash the mix out the next morning under high pressure warm water, co-wash with an entire bottle of 99 cent conditioner (v05-strawberries and cream) and comb through. After drying, my hair looks and smells awesome. Rejuvenation complete...Aaaah!

Here's some pictures detailing the process.

Henna + Brahmi powders emptied into a mixing bowl

Cooled mint tea       +

           

      Note:  I wore gloves to apply the goop (hehe) to my hair. the stuff can get messy if it's too watery.

      

I'll post the results tomorrow after I wash it out. I hope you guys are interested enough to try. I know alot about it, so leave any questions you have!  I'll leave you with a song that I really dig. It's quite fitting.