12 inches in 12 months - 2014

Jewell said:

fancypants007

Thank you for your post! About the baggying...I just do the ends...the last 8-10" or so. I've never tried GHE, unless me leaving a plastic cap on my head after applying a regular conditioner that I will leave-in counts as GHE. I mainly do it to let the conditioner penetrate a bit before I apply my sealants. I put the plastic wrap on my ends maybe 2 times a week, and leave it overnight or sometimes for a day or 2 if I will be at home.

The rest of my hair remains covered with a satin scarf. Oh, I use protein about 2-3 times a week, in the form of a mild protein conditioner, like Garnier Fructis Length 'n Strength, L'Oreal Total Repair 5 conditioner, Matrix Total Results Repair, or Silicon Mix Bambu Nutritive Hair Treatment.

Just examples of items I regularly use. I also use a good number of volumizing conditioners, because they often have wheat protein, apple pectin, collagen, keratin, or some protein-like ingredient that strengthens, thickens, swells, and coats the hair shaft. My hair is on the thick side, but I like big, thick, fluffy hair so I use volumizing products for that purpose too. I like it to look and feel as fluffy as possible, lol. Like baby doll or wig hair... another reason I fell in love with air drying years ago...that fluffy, voluminous look it can give hair.

I can't really GHE or leave a plastic cap on my head long...like overnight would kill me. I used to do overnight oil treatments, but I am a light sleeper...that rustling from the plastic bout drove me crazy. Now I do oil soaks or treatments while I'm up during the day. My scalp also starts to itch after a while of having a cap on. Doing the ends I add moisturizer, oil or pomade, then wrap them up. Put it in a bun, and if I do have to go somewhere, I put a crocheted bun cover over it...so u can't see the plastic that way. Hth!

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fancypants007 said:

Thanks for checking in. It's true, we have to find out what works the best for us. I've been sporting these buns which are fine, but I can't wait to put my braids back in at the end of July. That rosemary infusion spray sounds very good. I have a moisturising spray that I spray AM/PM and it makes my hair tingle too. It feels soooo good doesn't it. How does the aphogee green tea mist work out. Do you spray aphogee first before your serum, oil, or after you oil your hair. That sounds interesting because I want to preserve my ends too. Please share.

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llan said:

fancypants007 The aphogee green tea mist does add some strength. It a great way to get some protein in on non wash days. I add it first, before any serums and oils only on the ends, not on the scalp. Its a little acidic and irritates my scalp. I put my twists into two pigtails and spray the last 4 inches, put my leave in and then seal the entire length with the serum/oil. I've recently started heavy sealing my ends with grease as suggested by Jewell. then put my twists into two loose french braids. hth

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Mskraizy said:

I have chunky twists in my hair that's been set using aloe very juice, garnier sleek and shine and avocado butter. The avocado butter is about the same as shea butter in my opinion but a little more.....buttery? If that's the word. Easier to melt I'll say and then too much can easily make my hair overly greasy, but I think I kinda like it so far. XD

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Jewell said:

faithVA I am very sorry to hear about your loss. I pray God gives you and your family the strength you all need to get through this.

fancypants007 You're welcome! I apologize there are not any current 2012-2013 photos posted there...I have some saved on my ph and camera but have not uploaded them yet. Thanks, I hope I can continue to inspire and help others...LHCF ladies have helped me tremendously over the years with learning about my hair.

caliscurls You're very welcome, I enjoyed reading your post!! I can relate!! I type rather fast, which is how my posts end up being kinda long before I even realize it! Glad I could be of help. I found I have MORE retention being relaxed versus natural since I had to keep trimming knots while natural. I also noticed my relaxed hair is thicker and heavier than my straightened natural hair. Odd, but thus far I like the idea of natural hair but not the work involved!

I tried to take some self pics yesterday with this iPad and they were very wonky...uneven and what not. I have a small mirror in my bathroom and as big as this tablet is, they did not come out well.

I will touch-up soon, maybe end of the month (this NG not gonna make it to July 24), and hopefully get SO to take some for me for the end of June check-in/updates. I have had to go from TU's every 6 mos, to every 5 mos, to 4, and now I'm looking at knocking it down to 3. I'll take a before TU and after photo. I guess this reducing time between TU's is due to extra growth, which I am thankful for.

I can't even part my hair by month 5. I will see if I get around to a henndigo application...that will give me more manageable NG and I might be able to make it to the end of July. I just hate the mess I make with henna and indigo...I make a mess with hair dye period. I have to put newspaper all over the floor and everywhere to catch splatters. I hate to go thru all that but I love henna and indigo, along with the other Ayurvedic powders. I think Brahmi is my fave...

Oh, let me put y'all onto a gem I discovered in Parachute Amla Oil...Dabur Amla gets no love from me anymore with that paraffin it is laden with. Parachute is pure coconut oil plus Amla, and the shine and softness it gives is out of this world. Parachute Amla, though pure coconut oil, does not solidify at room temp. It is a silky-feeling oil, not too heavy.

I would equate the viscosity of the oil to jojoba oil. I love this stuff. Wish they made it years ago before I stumbled upon Dabur Amla...and to think I use to love that stuff. In my opinion, it does not hold a candle to Parachute Amla.

I got a 200mL bottle for $6.75 on eBay. I will order another to do oil soaks.

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Jewell said:

MileHighDiva

YASS, HONTEY...I have used Dabur Vatika Oil since 2006 consistently, and the Dabur Amla Oil since about 2008. I can't really compare Vatika versus Parachute Amla, because Vatika is good on it's own and has lots of nourshing ingredients in addition to Amla. However, the potency and content of Amla is MUCH greater in Dabur and Parachute Amla compared to Vatika Oil. I would consider Vatika Oil a basic souped up coconut oil, and the Amla oil by Parachute to be a coconut oil plus good Amla, if that makes sense. All 3 make the hair very soft, shiny, and after repeated use I could definitely tell a positive difference in my hair vs. not using it.

I only stopped using Dabur Amla when I ran out a few months ago, as I was in search of an Amla oil without paraffin, that was still similar to the Dabur Amla in other respects like fragrance, consistency, and color. Along came the Parachute Amla. I think that Vatika Oil, Parachute Amla, Ancient Formulae (Hesh) Mahabringaraj oil, Ancient Formulae (Hesh) Shikakai Oil, and Ramtirth Brahmi Oils are the best Ayurvedic oils I have purchased and used consistently. I have known and thought of buying others like Nyle Herbal Oil and some of the other Vatika variations (almond, cactus, etc), as well as Navratna Oil, but I have been trying to use up what I have...haven't gotten around to trying those (yet).

I use Parachute pure coconut oil in the blue bottle as well. I would rank all of these oils as 8-9.5 on a scale of 0-10 in how well they perform on my hair and scalp. I use the Parachute in the blue bottle on my skin at times, as well as Vatika oil on my skin, and it absorbs well, leaving it with a healthy sheen, but not sticky or greasy.

The Dabur Amla seemed a bit sticky to me, likely due to the paraffin, but I still loved it until discovering the Parachute Amla, which is not sticky at all. I will use all except the Dabur Amla for many years to come. (If Dabur stops putting paraffin in its Amla oil, i would buy it again). For now, my HGs are Parachute and my other faves. As long as it (Parachute Amla) is produced and sold, I will continue to buy it...that's how much I like it.

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MileHighDiva said:

Jewell what do each of them smell like? Y'all know I'm sensitive to smells.

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faithVA said:

Not to add morbidity to the thread, but I want to thank everyone for the prayers and the words of encouragement. After a long battle, my mom passed away last weekend. Your kind words and thoughts have been of great help to me.

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fancypants007 said:

Do you do your own twists? I have some avocado butter and its true if you use too much it will make your hair greasy, but it definitely defines the curl pattern in your hair. I'm going to mix some with my shealoe butter and use it to seal when I do my braids at end of July.

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Yes I do them.

It does define the curl pattern! I thought I was just kinda seeing things but I guess I do notice that shea butter tends to make my ends "bush out" more and avocado butter tends to "define" them. I love that about this butter! I wonder if it would help with a wash'n go?.....Kay, that may be a little out there.

Jewell said:

Both Parachute and Dabur Amla smell identical in my opinion...like a light herbal yet floral scent. It is not overpowering like some of the oils...mahabringaraj is herbal, nutty, and I smell a citrus undertone in it. Shikakai smells like fenugreek if you have ever smelled that, but to me it also smells a lot like curry powder/turmeric. I tend to like herbal-smelling products, so they don't bother me. Maka oil (I also use) smells the same as Brahmi oil to my nose.

Vatika smells like milk plus the usual herbal smell a lot of the oils have. Kinda hard to describe. Ramtirth Brahmi has an unusual herbal smell, one I really can't describe. The oil does not smell like the pure Brahmi powder as the oil has additional herbs in it aside from Brahmi. I hope these descriptions help!

These scents/herbs are not usually found in traditional American cuisine, health care, or cosmetics, so I would suggest going to an Indian store and smelling them before you buy, if possible!! I would hate for the smell to deter you...these oils are good quality!

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SUNSHINE BABY said:

I enjoy the positive vibe in this thread....so pleasant. I have learnt much though my lurking here and Jewell you have posted a wealth of info.

QueenAmaka how are you liking the Liquid Gold hair growth oil. I bought a bottle recently and is expecting it tomorrow. I really hope i do get good results from it and by that i mean some inches.

I'll continue to lurk.....I have cut quite a bit of my hair this year. I think in total i have cut 3 inches already. I cannot even begin to mention the amount of hair i lose wash days and recently when i flat ironed, that i wont do for a long time to come. BTW i am completely natural and is thinking of relaxing because i have fine strands and medium density.

I dont' think i would have any volume to my hair or any length had it not been for my vitamins. I have been trying to practice moisturizing and sealing day and night and so far i think i have found two products that my hair loves just for that.
Wishing all the challengers here the 12'' you aspire to get and the motivation and will to make it happen.

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Jewell said:

Both Parachute and Dabur Amla smell identical in my opinion...like a light herbal yet floral scent. It is not overpowering like some of the oils...mahabringaraj is herbal, nutty, and I smell a citrus undertone in it. Shikakai smells like fenugreek if you have ever smelled that, but to me it also smells a lot like curry powder/turmeric. I tend to like herbal-smelling products, so they don't bother me. Maka oil (I also use) smells the same as Brahmi oil to my nose.

Vatika smells like milk plus the usual herbal smell a lot of the oils have. Kinda hard to describe. Ramtirth Brahmi has an unusual herbal smell, one I really can't describe. The oil does not smell like the pure Brahmi powder as the oil has additional herbs in it aside from Brahmi. I hope these descriptions help!

These scents/herbs are not usually found in traditional American cuisine, health care, or cosmetics, so I would suggest going to an Indian store and smelling them before you buy, if possible!! I would hate for the smell to deter you...these oils are good quality!

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SUNSHINE BABY said:

I enjoy the positive vibe in this thread....so pleasant. I have learnt much though my lurking here and Jewell you have posted a wealth of info.

QueenAmaka how are you liking the Liquid Gold hair growth oil. I bought a bottle recently and is expecting it tomorrow. I really hope i do get good results from it and by that i mean some inches.

I'll continue to lurk.....I have cut quite a bit of my hair this year. I think in total i have cut 3 inches already. I cannot even begin to mention the amount of hair i lose wash days and recently when i flat ironed, that i wont do for a long time to come. BTW i am completely natural and is thinking of relaxing because i have fine strands and medium density.

I dont' think i would have any volume to my hair or any length had it not been for my vitamins. I have been trying to practice moisturizing and sealing day and night and so far i think i have found two products that my hair loves just for that.
Wishing all the challengers here the 12'' you aspire to get and the motivation and will to make it happen.

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Jewell said:

@Mskraizy

That made me laugh. Lol, No, in my opinion, Amla oil is not stank...but brahmi oil I would say is on the stank side of the spectrum. I don't use the Brahmi as much as I used to since having a lot of nausea since having my son. Smells and foods trigger it...I have to take meds for the nausea so a lot of my oils have only been used after a wash on damp or wet hair...that way the smell dissipates faster. I would highly recommend smelling these oils before you buy!!

My tolerance for herbally stuff might be ok and it would be just totally overpowering to someone else. Aside from the smell, they are gems. I think adding a good-smelling complimentary EO like gardenia, rosemary, thyme, vetiver, or lemongrass to the Amla oil would make it smell better.

I'm thinking vetiver and gardenia most compliment its scent. Sage, shavegrass, cedarwood, sandalwood, and rosewood (basically any musky, woody scent) would be good for mahabhringaraj, and I'll have to figure out some complimentary EO's for Brahmi and Shikakai. They have such unusual scents that it's difficult to find an EO to blend and compliment it. Vetiver smells REALLY good. Check out the Nubian Heritage Indian Hemp and Vetiver soap at a nearby store if you can; that will give you a clue to what pure vetiver smells like. I actually use that soap too.

I really like using Vatika oil on my skin. The milk is good for the skin, the lemon in it is astringent, and the coconut oil seals in moisture, penetrates, and replaces lost fatty acids. Oh and last summer I discovered using mahabhringaraj oil on skin keeps biting insects like mosquitoes away. I'd rather use that than smelly neem oil or chemical DEET sprays on myself and my children.

I gave some to my SO and two lady neighbor friends, and they agreed, no insects came around them...tho that smell can be much to contend with. I felt like I smelled like an Indian woman's kitchen, but I'd rather just wear the oil vs. a chemical spray and shower it off. At least it's good for the skin too.

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It's like you're speaking some other language! These oils sound pretty good! I've NEVER heard of that maho-mushy oil...what was it? Mahabhringaraj (yes I totally sounded that out as I typed ). Do you get it online? I don't know of any Indian type stores where I am. I'll have to check out some spots somewhere cause I'm sure there somewhere....lurkin...

What about peppermint oil? I add that oil to everything that smells bad.