A couple of months ago, I decided I wanted to try silk drops. I stopped into my local CVS and absentmindedly grabbed a bottle of CHI Silk Infusion (it wasn't cheap, either.)
When I saw that I had grabbed the wrong thing, I looked up reviews online, which were mostly favorable, and decided to try it out anyway.
The smell is a bit masculine, but since I don't regularly smell my own hair, I figured that wouldn't really bother me. I really liked it, at first. I smoothed some on my hair and was amazed to see how easily I could comb through tangles.
After regular use, though, I noticed some issues. The smell lingers and it really did bother me. CHI Silk Infusion really builds up in my hair and clings to my comb, even with washing. Combing my hair every morning made my hair look seriously greasy, even if I had recently washed. I was having to wash more frequently, which is a major pain in the butt with as much length as I have. The CHI had to go.
I think the CHI Silk Infusion would probably work better if I washed every day and heat styled (and didn't mind the smell.) For those of you that fit these criteria, you might give it a go if you were curious about it. It does have a lot of reviews by people who really love it, so I do believe it's probably a good product for the right person.
Undaunted, I started looking in my local shops for silk drops and finally found FX Silk Drops. I really like them. They're really light but make my hair smooth and glossy without build up. They don't smell of anything, which is great. It's nice to be able to smooth a couple drops onto my length and braid my hair. Braids stay sleek for longer and don't go "fuzzy" for a much longer time.
I'm going to give it a bit more time before I give it a formal stamp of approval, but so far, I'm really liking it.
Showing posts with label hair care. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hair care. Show all posts
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Monday, July 12, 2010
Catnip, Cat Mint and Calendula Herbal Rinse
I did an herbal hair rinse this evening after I washed my hair. It's really easy to do yourself, but there are different ways to make them.
I took 2 tablespoons each of dried calendula (also known as marigold), catnip and cat mint. Nightblooming carries catnip and also (I believe) cat mint. I got the calendula flowers from an Ebay seller.
Catnip and cat mint is renown for its ability to help condition hair and to prevent split ends. The calendula I added because I'm trying to impart the copper tones the Hawaiian sun has bleached from my hair.
Place the dried herbs into a pot with about 4 cups of water (I use a lot of water because I have so much hair.) Let the water boil or, alternatively, dump boiling water over top of the dried herbs (like making tea.) Make sure the pot is covered so as not to lose all the water.
Allow the herbs to steep in the hot water for at least 15 minutes.
It smells pretty good and my husband even asked if he could have some of my "tea."
Once you're done steeping your herbs, allow the mixture to cool off so you won't burn your scalp.
Take the strainer of your choice (I like the wire metal ones because I think they work better for herbs, but the baby hid it from me again,) and strain the water into a larger bowl or pot.
I'd recommend doing this in the bathtub or at the kitchen sink, so you'll have less of a mess to clean up. Grab a towel and a small bowl or coffee mug.
If you're doing this at the kitchen sink, just lean forward so your hair is dangling into your large bowl or pot. Take your small bowl or coffee mug and scoop some of the rinse up. Pour it over your scalp and length, making sure to get all of your hair.
You can also choose to recline back (in a bathtub, for example,) and just let your hair soak in the mixture.
I rinse for about ten minutes, then lightly squeeze down the length of my hair. I wrap a towel around my head for a few minutes, then air dry.
I've never personally tried any of these, but I've heard of people doing lavender rinses, walnut hull rinses, violet rinses and chamomile rinses. I almost added lavender to my rinse this evening, but since I've never tried it, I'll wait to do that one on its own.
Always make sure to do a skin test before using herbs (or anything else) on your hair. If using something like walnut hulls, which could darken your color, do a test run on a small patch of hair so you don't end up committed to something you hate.
Final results (still wet):
The rinse was a complete success. My hair was soft and silky and easily combed through, even while dripping wet. This will be a regular treatment from now on.
I took 2 tablespoons each of dried calendula (also known as marigold), catnip and cat mint. Nightblooming carries catnip and also (I believe) cat mint. I got the calendula flowers from an Ebay seller.
Catnip and cat mint is renown for its ability to help condition hair and to prevent split ends. The calendula I added because I'm trying to impart the copper tones the Hawaiian sun has bleached from my hair.
Place the dried herbs into a pot with about 4 cups of water (I use a lot of water because I have so much hair.) Let the water boil or, alternatively, dump boiling water over top of the dried herbs (like making tea.) Make sure the pot is covered so as not to lose all the water.
Allow the herbs to steep in the hot water for at least 15 minutes.
It smells pretty good and my husband even asked if he could have some of my "tea."
Once you're done steeping your herbs, allow the mixture to cool off so you won't burn your scalp.
Take the strainer of your choice (I like the wire metal ones because I think they work better for herbs, but the baby hid it from me again,) and strain the water into a larger bowl or pot.
I'd recommend doing this in the bathtub or at the kitchen sink, so you'll have less of a mess to clean up. Grab a towel and a small bowl or coffee mug.
If you're doing this at the kitchen sink, just lean forward so your hair is dangling into your large bowl or pot. Take your small bowl or coffee mug and scoop some of the rinse up. Pour it over your scalp and length, making sure to get all of your hair.
You can also choose to recline back (in a bathtub, for example,) and just let your hair soak in the mixture.
I rinse for about ten minutes, then lightly squeeze down the length of my hair. I wrap a towel around my head for a few minutes, then air dry.
I've never personally tried any of these, but I've heard of people doing lavender rinses, walnut hull rinses, violet rinses and chamomile rinses. I almost added lavender to my rinse this evening, but since I've never tried it, I'll wait to do that one on its own.
Always make sure to do a skin test before using herbs (or anything else) on your hair. If using something like walnut hulls, which could darken your color, do a test run on a small patch of hair so you don't end up committed to something you hate.
Final results (still wet):
The rinse was a complete success. My hair was soft and silky and easily combed through, even while dripping wet. This will be a regular treatment from now on.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Progress Shots
You know why diet programs and makeovers always use before and after photos? Because they work. I know I like looking at dramatic transformations, be it make-up, weight loss, or plastic surgery.
I figured I might be able to dig out some old pictures from before I started to grow my hair. I don't know that it's as dramatic as a 50 pound weight loss, but it's kind of exciting when you think about how slowly hair grows.
So, here goes...
I didn't really start taking length shots until early 2009, so I had to dig through random pictures of me.
My first photo comes from February 2007. I think I'm about shoulder length here. It's weird to look at this photo because I sure look pasty and pale. I guess that's what happens when you move to Hawaii and get a perma-tan.
This next one is from about August of 2007. This was taken on the beach in New Hampshire (yes, there really is a beach in New Hampshire.) It's grown a few inches since the last shot and has highlights in it. I think it looks way healthier now.
I have no shots of my hair between that shot and the next one. This on is in April of 2009. I think I was about a little past bra strap length here. I don't think I had reached waist quite yet.
This next shot was purely accidental. My husband took this shot of my back while we were vacationing in London last November (2009). I had put a "demi" color in it, making it a darker color. That only lasted for a little over a month before completely washing out. It was during my time in London that I re-evaluated my hair and what it meant to me and committed myself to healthier hair.
You can just see my baby's sweet little head poking out of my coat.
I think I even look different from just a few years ago. My face has thinned out and lost that "baby fat" look to it. I never thought I'd be prettier older than younger, but I think I am.
I can't believe how much my hair has grown in only three years! I can't believe how much my hair condition has improved in just a few months. This goes to show you that it's really never too late to help the condition of your hair.
I figured I might be able to dig out some old pictures from before I started to grow my hair. I don't know that it's as dramatic as a 50 pound weight loss, but it's kind of exciting when you think about how slowly hair grows.
So, here goes...
I didn't really start taking length shots until early 2009, so I had to dig through random pictures of me.
My first photo comes from February 2007. I think I'm about shoulder length here. It's weird to look at this photo because I sure look pasty and pale. I guess that's what happens when you move to Hawaii and get a perma-tan.
This next one is from about August of 2007. This was taken on the beach in New Hampshire (yes, there really is a beach in New Hampshire.) It's grown a few inches since the last shot and has highlights in it. I think it looks way healthier now.
I have no shots of my hair between that shot and the next one. This on is in April of 2009. I think I was about a little past bra strap length here. I don't think I had reached waist quite yet.
This next shot was purely accidental. My husband took this shot of my back while we were vacationing in London last November (2009). I had put a "demi" color in it, making it a darker color. That only lasted for a little over a month before completely washing out. It was during my time in London that I re-evaluated my hair and what it meant to me and committed myself to healthier hair.
I think I even look different from just a few years ago. My face has thinned out and lost that "baby fat" look to it. I never thought I'd be prettier older than younger, but I think I am.
I can't believe how much my hair has grown in only three years! I can't believe how much my hair condition has improved in just a few months. This goes to show you that it's really never too late to help the condition of your hair.
The Secret To Awesome Hair
I figured I'd get this post out of the way early on. People ask me all the time what I use on my hair. I guess they think I've found the secret to awesome hair.
Here's the secret to awesome hair; stick to what works for you.
I've tried:
*"cone free" (only using shampoo, conditioner and other products that contain no silicones.)
*conditioner only/"CO"/"no 'poo" (using only conditioner to wash the scalp and length- no shampoo.)
*protective hairstyles
*no heat styling
*frequent oiling
*horn combs
What works for me is keeping my length pinned up in protective hairstyles, frequent oiling and avoiding heat styling. I've been experimenting with conditioner only washing, but I'm finding the need to wash more frequently, so I'm hitting the shampoo bottle tonight. Conditioner only is working very well for my five year old's hair, though, so we'll be continuing that with her hair.
Going silicone free really works for a lot of people. The hard thing is toughing it out while your hair adjusts. I went silicone free for almost a year. My hair was stringy and straw-like and I finally had to admit that it just was not working for me. The minute I washed with silicone shampoo, my hair felt one hundred times better. Silicones work for me and now nothing could convince me to switch.
I love my horn comb. I mean, I really love it. It glides smoothly through my hair, eliminates static and is strong enough to take on my nastiest tangles. Mine is yak, but I also own a cow's horn comb. I vastly prefer the yaks horn. I never use a brush when I can use a comb. Combs don't work for some people, though. Since my hair is mostly straight, I can use a comb straight through. I know a few curly haired people who only finger comb; no brushes, no combs. That works for them.
Because I know people want to know, I'll tell you what products I use on my hair. I'm not recommending that you switch because if you are using something that works well, stick with it.
I wash using Herbal Essence Long Term Relationship for Long Hair and condition with the conditioner version. I've tried other shampoos, but I keep going back to the Herbal Essence.
I oil with Nightblooming's Triple Moon Anointing Oil and jojoba oil. I treat my sometimes-dry ends with Nightblooming's Panacea Salve.
Heat styling is kind of a no brainer to me. Heat isn't good for hair. I've seen those commercials for the product that promises to "polish" the hair while showing steam rising up from the product. That particular product says that it's good for your hair and actually improves the condition of your hair with...heat. It's no secret that people who heat style on a regular basis are getting more damage and split ends. Using a heat serum can help protect your hair from damage. Regular trims can help keep the damage to a minimum. I don't personally use heat on my hair so as to avoid unnecessary damage.
If I want curls, I pin curl. I take small sections of hair, wind them around my finger, then pin them flat to my scalp. I wrap a scarf around my head, then sleep on it. It's not very attractive, but it's comfortable to sleep in and it works great.
Pin Curls
Protective hair styles are, I think, essential to the health of my hair. I wear my hair up just about every day. I seldom use elastics because I have discovered that I have breakage when I use them. I use hair sticks and wooden hair forks because they don't cause breakage. When I do use elastics, I stick to the fabric covered kind (metal free!) or the clear silicone kind.
The bottom line here is don't use something just because it works for me. If you've found something that works for you, stick with it. If you haven't found something that works yet, keep looking! There's so many choices out there that you're bound to find something.
Here's the secret to awesome hair; stick to what works for you.
I've tried:
*"cone free" (only using shampoo, conditioner and other products that contain no silicones.)
*conditioner only/"CO"/"no 'poo" (using only conditioner to wash the scalp and length- no shampoo.)
*protective hairstyles
*no heat styling
*frequent oiling
*horn combs
What works for me is keeping my length pinned up in protective hairstyles, frequent oiling and avoiding heat styling. I've been experimenting with conditioner only washing, but I'm finding the need to wash more frequently, so I'm hitting the shampoo bottle tonight. Conditioner only is working very well for my five year old's hair, though, so we'll be continuing that with her hair.
Going silicone free really works for a lot of people. The hard thing is toughing it out while your hair adjusts. I went silicone free for almost a year. My hair was stringy and straw-like and I finally had to admit that it just was not working for me. The minute I washed with silicone shampoo, my hair felt one hundred times better. Silicones work for me and now nothing could convince me to switch.
I love my horn comb. I mean, I really love it. It glides smoothly through my hair, eliminates static and is strong enough to take on my nastiest tangles. Mine is yak, but I also own a cow's horn comb. I vastly prefer the yaks horn. I never use a brush when I can use a comb. Combs don't work for some people, though. Since my hair is mostly straight, I can use a comb straight through. I know a few curly haired people who only finger comb; no brushes, no combs. That works for them.
Because I know people want to know, I'll tell you what products I use on my hair. I'm not recommending that you switch because if you are using something that works well, stick with it.
I wash using Herbal Essence Long Term Relationship for Long Hair and condition with the conditioner version. I've tried other shampoos, but I keep going back to the Herbal Essence.
I oil with Nightblooming's Triple Moon Anointing Oil and jojoba oil. I treat my sometimes-dry ends with Nightblooming's Panacea Salve.
Heat styling is kind of a no brainer to me. Heat isn't good for hair. I've seen those commercials for the product that promises to "polish" the hair while showing steam rising up from the product. That particular product says that it's good for your hair and actually improves the condition of your hair with...heat. It's no secret that people who heat style on a regular basis are getting more damage and split ends. Using a heat serum can help protect your hair from damage. Regular trims can help keep the damage to a minimum. I don't personally use heat on my hair so as to avoid unnecessary damage.
If I want curls, I pin curl. I take small sections of hair, wind them around my finger, then pin them flat to my scalp. I wrap a scarf around my head, then sleep on it. It's not very attractive, but it's comfortable to sleep in and it works great.
Protective hair styles are, I think, essential to the health of my hair. I wear my hair up just about every day. I seldom use elastics because I have discovered that I have breakage when I use them. I use hair sticks and wooden hair forks because they don't cause breakage. When I do use elastics, I stick to the fabric covered kind (metal free!) or the clear silicone kind.
The bottom line here is don't use something just because it works for me. If you've found something that works for you, stick with it. If you haven't found something that works yet, keep looking! There's so many choices out there that you're bound to find something.
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