Viva La Vintage

This was achieved from a twist-out/braid-out that I combed out. I just pinned it up.

Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Replenishing Conditioner

Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Replenishing Conditioner

Promises:

Helps restore moisture

Rebuilds damaged hair

Stimulates the roots of your hair

Deep penetrating conditioner

Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Replenishing Conditioner softens, detangles, moisturizes and strengthens hair. Formulated with olive oil, silk proteins, and sweet orange oil which provides the ultimate conditioning experience. Hair is left restored with moisture and a natural shine.

 Directions: n/a

Ingredients: Water Aqua , Soybean Oil Glycine Soja , Glycerine , Olive Oil Olea Europaea , Hydrolyzed Collagen , Quaternium-80 , DMDM Hydantoin , Amino Silk Acid , Dimethicone Copolyol , Orange Oil Citrus Aupantium Dulcis , D'Limonene , Panthenol Vitamin B5 , Dimethicone , EDTA , Chamomile Extract Anthemis Nobilis , Sage Extract Salvia Officinalis , Nettle Extract Urtica Dioica , Rosemary Extract Rosmarinus Officinalis , Aloe Vera Gel Aloe Barbedensis , Yarrow Extract Achilea Millefolium , Kiwi Extract Actinidia Chinensis , Polyquaternium-37 , Trideceth-7 , Triethanolamine , Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans , Methylchlorosothiazolinone , Methylchlorothiazolinone , Yellow No. 6 CI 15985 , Yellow No. 5 CI 19140

The TRUTH: This is a very, very good it has a combination of protein and moisture. I must say thought that some can get away with using this as DC with the need to follow up with a moisturizing conditioner ~ why I mentioned this is because it contains (Hydrolyzed Collagen) at the top of the list. Some says it works as a light protein for their hair and just to be on the safe side the DC with a moisturinzing conditioner afterwards.

I have used it both ways and find it to be fine, now I don’t bother with the moisturizing DC as it gives the results I need and I have not experience and protein issue with it. To me it works as balance b/n the two protein and moisture.

I never not have this amongst my conditioners, I should have it twice LOL as it is so nice. Also some ladies mentioned they do not like the smell, but I love it!

An awesome conditioner for all hair type, IMHO, hope you try it and like it too.

Rating: 5/5

Silk Elements Megasilk Olive Conditioner

Promises:

• Provides Lustrous Shine
• Moisturizes
• Leaves Hair Soft, Silky, Smooth & Healthy-Looking

Silk Elements Megasilk Olive Conditioner is formulated with naturally derived Olive Oil and Silk Protein to provide lustrous shine, moisturizes and infuses nourishment to dry-damaged hair while leaving hair soft, silky, smooth and healthy-looking.

Directions: Distribute Silk Elements Olive Conditioner evenly through hair and scalp. Rinse thoroughly and style as desired.

Ingredients: WATER ,CETEARYL ALCOHOL ,DICETYLDIMONIUM CHLORIDE ,STEARAMIDOPROPYL DIMETHYLAMINE ,ISOHEXADECANE ,ISODODECANE ,GLYCERIN ,ETHYL ESTER OF HYDROLYZED SILK ,HYDROLYZED JOJOBA PROTEIN ,HYDROLYZED SWEET ALMOND PROTEIN ,GLYCINE SOJA (SOYBEAN) PROTEIN ,VITIS VINIFERA (GRAPE) SEED EXTRACT ,HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) EXTRACT ,CYCLOPENTASILOXANE ,QUATERNIUM-91 ,CETRIMONIUM METHOSULFATE ,PANTHENOL ,HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN ,POLYQUATERNIUM-59 ,DIMETHICONE ,OLEA EUROPAEA (OLIVE) FRUIT OIL ,QUATERNIUM-80 ,FRAGRANCE ,METHOXY PEG/PPG-7/3 AMINOPROPYL DIMETHIC ,BUTYLENE GLYCOL ,BENZOPHENONE-4 ,CITRIC ACID ,DIAZOLIDINYL UREA ,IODOPROPYNYL BUTYLCARBAMATE ,BLUE 1 ,YELLOW 5

The TRUTH: I really wanted to like this conditioner, but my hair did not care too much for it. I have used it in am number of ways but with no luck. It did do a thing for my tress. First off I used as a DC condition just by it self, I just did not find it moisturizing at all, I did it was heat for 30-40mins, and I did get the results I thought I would get. I then mixed in some oils and it helped a bit, but noting major.

I don’t know what it is about this conditioner, but I did not get anything from it. I sure will not be buying it again, I now have the Silk Elements Megasilk Olive Moisturizing Treatment to try out, watch the space for the review.

Rating: 1/5

Worlds of Curls!

A peek at my 'rollerset' hair. I have always been a sucka for rollersetting and I do it a lot too!

Hair One Olive Oil Cleansing Conditioner

Hair One Olive Oil Cleansing Conditioner

Promises:

Sulfate Free

All natural approach to hair care

No damaging detergents or harsh chemicals

Formulated with natural herbs and oils

Cleans with an astringent and antibacterial properties

Introducing Hair One ... a salon quality product that provides a new all natural approach to hair care and hair detox that leaves hair cleansed, conditioned and in optimum shape. This conditioner has no damaging detergents or harsh chemicals. It's made with an elixir of natural herbs and oils that clean with astringent and antibacterial properties through a luxurious, penetrating cream without the stripping of detergents. Hair is left with remarkable shine, moisture, manageability and polish. With continued use, Hair One Cleanser Conditioner will stimulate the scalp, promoting better blood circulation, allowing for healthier hair growth and prevention of hair loss.

Dry, Damaged: Repairs damage from chemical treatments.

Directions:

1. Rinse hair thoroughly and completely for 1-2 minutes.
2. Dispense the proper amount of Cleansing Conditioner into your hands & rub together. 
Short hair or fine to medium textured hair:
16-24 pumps depending on length
Medium length hair or medium to thick textured hair:
24-32 pumps depending on length
Very long hair or very thick/coarse hair:
32-40 pumps depending on length
3. Work product into the hair starting at the crown and working towards the ends, massaging vigorously. Apply a splash of water to help distribute the product evenly.
4. Really work the Cleansing Conditioner into your hair by pushing it into the hair shaft with your fingers. Remember it won’t lather, but it should feel thick, rich and creamy.
5. Distribute the product through your hair with the Wide Tooth Comb.
6. Leave in for a minimum of 3-5 minutes then rinse thoroughly. The longer you leave it in the better

Ingredients: water, cetyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, amodimethicone, glycerine, aloe leaf juice, butylene glycol and anthemis nobilis flower extract, cofea arabica extract and vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract, roas roxburghii fruit extract, propylene glycol and rosemary leaf extract, olive fruit oil, avocado oil, sweet almond oil, hydrolyzed wheat protein, menthol, panthenol, behentrimonium methosulfate, BHT, Polysorbate 60, PEG 60 almond dimethylamine, guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, citric acid, disodium EDTA, 1, 2-hexanediol and caprylyl glycol, phenoxyethanol, sorbic acid, fragrance

The TRUTH: I use this cleanser on both my hair and my son’s hair and it is absolutely awesome. It cleanses well and leave your hair feeling clean and soft, it is just remarkable. I don’t use the recommend pumps because it is thick, I have always section my hair in four when doing anything to it for easy application of anything, so I just say 5 pumps per section and it is all good. I will do a second wash but leave that on for a few minutes before I rinse. The end result is very soft, moisturized tress; it feels as if I could just style and do not need to DC or do anything further to my hair.

On my son’s hair it make sit all so much more softer, his baby strands are thick, very think he has a few texture up in there, but his hair all the same very thick like mom’s lol. This conditioner just melt those tangles and make his hair so easy to detangle and soft. I only apply it once on his hair and let it sit for a few minutes while I wash him down and rinse just before I Pull him out the bath, I will rinse the conditioner out thoroughly; the results nice soft and easy to comb hair.

I have notice that this conditioner kind of have a mint/methanol smell to it, it does not bother me at all.

Rating: 4 – 4.5/5

Featured Excerpt: Amber Bennett

In the life of a Naturalista

Where do you live? 
Sacramento, Ca

Why did you decide to go natural?
I had my first relaxer when I was a little girl (like a lot of us did) when my mother used to style my hair. I had never dealt with my natural hair myself. Plus, it had been so long since I had seen my natural texture that I didn't even remember what it looked like. I decided to change that. It started off with me stretching my relaxer. But I just kept on stretching...and stretching...and stretching.


Were your friends and family supportive of your decision? If not, how were you able to move forward?
Well, my friends weren't really on board with the whole thing. Actually, some of them thought it was a "cool idea" until they saw the rough points of the transition. Then I would get comments like, "Girl, just give up and get a relaxer!" It was hard, but I continued on my journey because I realized that this is MY hair. I was going to be the one to deal with it everyday. Besides, no one (not even me) had seen the completion of the transition yet. If after all was said and done I didn't like my hair, I always had the option to change it. But not before I saw how God originally created me to be.


How long have you been natural for?
My last relaxer was in March 2007, but I never did a BC. I trimmed my relaxed ends away until December 2008. Therefore, I say that I have been natural since I trimmed off the remainder of my relaxed ends in December 2008. 

What’s your regimen?
I can't really say that I have a set regimen. All this time, and I have YET to get into a routine. I give my hair what I think it needs at the time. That's about the only regimen I follow. 


What mistakes have you made with your hair that you’ve learned from?
I would say that the BIGGEST mistake I have made was ignoring my hair and listening to everyone else. I used to have chronically dry hair. No matter WHAT I did, it was the same result. People kept telling me moisture, Moisture, MOISTURE! But I realized that my hair LOVES protein, and would not hold moisture without it. I wish I would have spent more time listening to my hair instead of not trusting what worked. 


What has been your favourite product?
I LOVE VO5 Strawberries N' Cream Moisture Milks Conditioner!

What is your ‘SIGNATURE’ style?

The TWIST-OUT is the BID-NISS!!! 

What has been your biggest challenge during your hair journey? And how did you overcome this challenge in your journey?

My biggest challenge during this hair journey has been the people. These are the people who want to discourage you for not wanting to fall in line with "society" and what is "proper." These people see you going through growing pains (with your hair and in life) and wanna kick you when you are down instead of giving a word of encouragement. I overcame them by loving myself and realizing what would make ME happy. Loving yourself makes it a whole lot easier to shake the haters off.
 
What is your ultimate hair goal? What steps are you taking to achieve that?
I used to have a length goal, but I realized that I just want healthy hair...PERIOD. I have opted to listen to my hair instead of what others have to say about it. One major step in achieving my hair goal is to take care of my hair MYSELF. Too many times my hair has been abused at the hand of someone who won't have to deal with it after I get up out of their chair. No more!

Are there any words of encouragement/advice you would like to offer to those that are considering going natural?
Make sure you are doing it for the right reasons and definitely not because you saw this cute style that you liked, or because it's a trend. That won't keep you when your hair is matted to your head and you can't even get your own fingers through it. Understand that your hair might not look like the next person's. So, put some serious thought into your decision. And if you decide to transition, also love your hair no matter what! This is the way God made YOU so be proud of His creation! If you don't love your hair, no one else will.
 
What does 'good' hair means to you?

I honestly believe that good hair is healthy hair. It seems like everyone wants to have all this long, flowing hair just so others can say, "Look at that girl with the long hair! It's so beautiful!" I think beauty comes in all lengths, textures, and shades... but unhealthy hair is NEVER beautiful. 

Another of my 'HAULS'

Boots {Naked Line}
Vakita Coconut oil

Flexi-rods, CON Shampoo
HE HH, Clips

CON Argan Oil Intensive Conditioning Treatment

Grand OPENING of our *SHOP!*

Ladies and ALL We are proud to ANNOUNCE the Grand opening of 'The Black Hair Diary' SHOP! Please check it out ladies and all......., There are more goodies to come.

A CUPPA anyone?

A CUPPA anyone?

Black Tea to alt Hair SHEDDING!

Black Tea and Antioxidants

Black tea contains ten times more antioxidants than found in fruits and vegetables. Black tea is rich in polyphenols, an important antioxidant which destroys the harmful free radicals formed as a result of metabolism. These free radicals are cell damagers, which can lead to blood clots, cancer and atherosclerosis. Thus, antioxidants from tea help protect our cells from damage.

Black Tea Benefits for Hair
Rinsing your hair with black tea helps darken the hair and add shine to it. To add shine to the hair, people generally brew two cups of black tea and rinse dampened shampoo hair. The tea rinse also helps increase bulk of hair, slows down hair fall and enhances hair growth.

As compared to coffee that has high amounts of caffeine, the low levels of caffeine in black tea boosts the flow of blood to the brain, without posing the risk of over-stimulating the heart.

Black tea dilates the blood vessels that eases out the flow of blood through them. This in turn ensures a healthy supply of blood………,

Choosing the right tea for your hair: http://www.localharvest.org/herbal-hair-rinse-C6366

The TRUTH: I have been using this for a little while now and it is effective in regards to shedding in regards to growth, I honestly could not tell you as my hair grows and has grown always. I use it every wash as a rinse or I will add it to a spritz bottle and spray my hair and scalp, let it sit for a little then apply my DC on over the black tea, then I will proceed to DC for 30-40 minutes under my dryer. The reason I use the black tea this way is I used it as a final rinse once and it dry similar to when you use a protein (BUT it is not a protein) it just acts that way. I then use it and mixed in some coconut oil as a last rinse and it was much better but I did not like how it makes my hair felt even with the oils mixed into it.

Hence why I DC on over the black tea, I get the tea penetrate into my scalp and hair shaft along with the nice moisture and benefits from my DC. I notice a lot less shedding my hair feels strong and it always has s nice sheen.

I also use it to mix my henna mix, cassia mix and also use it to mixed my ayurvedic powders also.

I So if you are experiencing shedding, make a some black tea and sit and have a cuppa with your hair, your scalp and hair will enjoy.

URINE Therapy

UT = Urine Therapy

This was a topic posted on the forum I am a member on and it was an interesting read on the links below and the discussions on some of the links was quite interest and intriguing all at the same time.

On one of the forums below there are ladies that are use this method as a treatment, from washing the hair with their urine, to using as a daily moisturizer and even consuming urine for internal diseases and ailments.

I found this video while researching and reading more on the topic.

This guy runs a urine therapy community, check out youtube, there are loads of youtube videos on people using UT.

My question to you is, would you try UT? Have you tried it? Could you? If not, why not? What is your views on this therapy?

Links for further read:

http://www.all-natural.com/urine.html

http://forum.blackhairplanet.com/f49/who-would-try-urine-therapy-7711/

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19503

http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/urine.htm
Disclaimer: I have never used UT! I just found it interesting and want to hear others views and experience if you have used it

The VO5 Moisture Milks {Strawberries & Cream} Giveaway Winner…..,

And the winner is.....NitaNita!  Congrats deary, please email your full details {name & address} to theblackhairdiary@gmail.com to claim your prize……. Read her response to the prize giveaway below:

NitaNita: I think the VO5 Strawberries & Cream Conditioner is very versatile. I use it as a deep conditioner, for co washes, and for my homemade concoctions for a sweet smelling scent. its also mild enough to use a leave in. overall i think its a great buy.

I would like to say thank you to all who participated.  If you didn't win this time just 'seize and settle yourself' as there are more giveaways to be had in the future……watch the space ;).

In accepting the prize, the winner acknowledges that theblackhairdairy may not be held liable for any loss, damages or injury associated with accepting or using this prize(s). Claiming of prizes requires an email response to theblackhairdiary@gmail.com from the winning sender email address within 15 days of being notified of winning. Failure to respond shall mean that the winner forfeits the prize.