0 My hair routine

Like most women I care a lot about my body (well I should say most humans, right?). I try to keep myself as healthy as possible by constantly learning about and cleansing out toxins. Well, back in 2006-2007 ish (my brain is a little fuzzy, alright...) I started changing my diet; I stopped eating out completely, stopped eating food that I deemed unhealthy for me such as pork, certain sea foods, and other junk. During that time my body went through many changes (with the help of cleanses); my skin became clearer, I lost a lot of weight in certain areas, and my hair changed. Before we get into that part let's get some background info....

My mother started relaxing my hair when I was about 5 or so. I remember my grandmother saying, "I don't know why she put that in your hair!". At the time I didn't really know what was going on but, I do remember thinking I had long hair. My hair was about 2-3 inches past my shoulders and it stayed that length until I was about 9-10 (5th grade). In 5th grade I started to notice my hair had gotten A LOT shorter. It was barely to my shoulders and in the middle it was very thin.

Well, I'm not going to go into all of my hair struggles I went through after that because it includes a "S Curl" (Yes.  horrible, right?), braids and then back to relaxed. We would be here all day if I went through all of that. I hated my hair. I hated it natural (when I had braids my mom didn't relax it) and I hated it with the "S Curl". I wanted my hair back to how it was when I was younger; thick and somewhat long.

My hair always had a little "curl" to it, even after a relaxer. And when I got older (high school) the middle of my hair stopped relaxing. It would never take to the relaxer. Well, I started experiencing the same thing in 2007 after I started changing my diet around; my whole head wouldn't relax. I tried Revlon, African Pride, Supreme, and none of them could relax my curls. I was looking a hot mess because my hair was breaking off and shedding. It wouldn't even straighten with the hot comb! A mess!

So, in December 2007 I decided to go natural. I decided I was going to grow out my hair and stop relaxing. I threw out the conditioners I was using and read up about haircare online. I purchased Nature's Gate Tea Tree Calming Conditioner and Shampoo.

I got them from my local health food store. I loved them but, a friend of mine told me about Giovanni and I have been using them since. I love them! I have tried the Tea Tree Triple Treat, 50/50, Smooth as Silk and the Direct Leave In.

I have seen Giovanni almost everywhere; Publix, health food stores, Wal-Mart and Target.

Currently, I use Giovanni Smooth as Silk conditioner. It says deep moisture on the back (each hair product shows how moisturizing it is on the back) but, it is also high in protein. So, if you're protein sensitive this product may not be for you or you may need to use it rarely and alternate with a more moisturizing conditioner.

For shampoo I have used the Giovanni brand and I do like it but, for now I am using the Nubian Heritage Black soap.

I know you might be thinking; soap? Yes. Soap. This soap is all natural and contains no harsh ingredients. It is  very moisturizing and doesn't leave my hair feeling stripped. When I scrub my scalp really well with this soap, my scalp can go without itching for a little over a week and a half. I also use this soap for my body.

To be continued...

• Leave Ins
• Moisturizers
• Co-washing
• Twists
• Deep Conditioning
• Protein vs. Moisture
• Water, Water, Water
• Wet Buns
• Wigs
• and more....