Locks of Love

Last week my 17 year-old stepdaughter got her hair cut so she could donate it to Locks of Love, which will use it to make a wig for a child who suffers from medical hair loss. I'm so proud of her- she has had hair past her armpits since she was 3. I am so glad that she does not feel defined by her hair!

Here is her hair before the cut, at a prom a few months ago:

And here is her hair after the cut. Her friend made the comment on facebook that she still has longer hair than most black girls, lol!

This is a picture of her braid. It measured almost 10 inches. She was required to donate 8, but she went a little longer.

Product Review: Aubrey Organics White Camellia Ultra-Smoothing Conditioner

I posted a few days ago that I bought this conditioner. I'm working on increasing my hair's moisture level, and I believe I need to start with the conditioner I use. I was planning on buying the Honeysuckle Rose flavor, but Whole Foods didn't have any. I've read good things about the White Camellia, and it was on sale, so I bought it.

Product Description

Tame unruly hair and replenish much-needed moisture with this intensive, ultra-smoothing conditioner. Vitamin-rich formula nourishes as it protects against heat styling damage and breakage, restoring manageability for the look you want—whether it's silky, shiny lengths or soft, controlled curls.

* Deep-conditions & smooths; enhances shine
* Replenishes moisture
* Nourishes & protects

Directions:

Shake well before using. After shampooing, apply to damp hair and work through,

concentrating on the ends. Leave on for 1 or 2 minutes, then rinse.

For deep conditioning: Apply to dry hair and distribute from scalp to ends. Leave on for 15 minutes, then shampoo and condition as usual.

Ingredients:

Coconut Fatty Acid Cream Base, Organic Aloe Vera, White Camellia Oil, Wheat Germ Oil; Extracts of Fennel, Hops, Balm Mint, Mistletoe, Camomile and Yarrow; Organic Geranium Oil, Organic Rosemary Oil, Organic Sage Oil, Carrot Oil, Aubrey's Preservative (Citrus Seed Extract, Vitamins A, C and E).

My Experience:

I pre-poo'd without heat for a few hours with Organix conditioner, shampoo'd with ORS Cream Aloe Shampoo, and did a protein treatment with Aphogee's 2 Minute Reconstructor. I then applied Clairol's Beautiful Collection semi-permanent hair color in Wine Brown. I haven't used a semi-permanent color in over 4 months since I've been trying to get the black out, and I really love how well it conditions my hair (plus my platinum hair along my edges were really out of control). I sat under the dryer with the color in for about 10 minutes, rinsed it out and applied the Aubrey Organics conditioner. I was a little worried before I put it on because I read that it was thick and hard to apply, but it was easy for me to work into my hair. As soon as I applied it to one section of my hair, I knew something good was happening. My hair instantly felt soft and smooth. After I applied the conditioner to my whole head, my shower comb slid through my hair so easily. My hair had more slip than with my usual ORS Replenishing, which is really saying a lot. I sat under the dryer with it for a little over 15 minutes, rinsed and rollerset my hair.

I know it's only the first time, but I kinda love this conditioner already! I didn't even have to apply any moisturizer! I'm 6 weeks post-relaxer with a good amount of new growth, and my roots feel great. I thought the smell was a little strong in the bottle, but I didn't even smell it once I rinsed it out. I've also read that this is best on fine hair, so maybe that's why my hair loves it so much.

Next time, I will keep it in a little longer to see if the results are better. I also want to try the GPB protein formula.

Less is More

Although my hair has been feeling dry lately, I've been experimenting with the amount of moisturizer I apply. For the past 3 nights, I have been putting on a few drops of moisturizer on my hair and ends, and then nothing in the morning. Well, last night I felt like my hair was the most moisturized it's been in months!

I remember an old stylist of mine telling me years ago not to use any moisturizer and that my hair gets its moisture from the inside of my body. At this point, I only half agree with that. I will rely on the majority of my hair moisture from conditioning and drinking water, but I do need some topical moisture, even if only to retain my length.

For me, moisturizing at night is key too!