Recommended Hair Products for HHJ Beginners

This post is majorly for ladies that have just started their hair journey and those planning to start. I have received several messages from ladies asking which hair products they would need in their HHJ. I decided to compile this list and make it a blog post so that anyone interested can go through it. I made the list with my naija ladies in mind, although it can also be useful to everyone, so most of the products are easy to find here. They are also relatively affordable and with good reviews.

However, I have to point out that the success of your HHJ is not about products but about practices. Someone using the most expensive hair products but using heat too often and using fine toothed comb will struggle with making progress with their hair.

Read this post to know how and when to use each category of products in your regimen or how to build your regimen.

Shampoos
Creme of Nature Moisture and Shine Sulphate-free shampoo (sulphate-free; can be used weekly)
ORS Creamy Aloe Shampoo (Clarifying/Neutralising; can be used once a month or more)
Alberto V05 Shampoos  (Clarifying;  can be used once a month or more)
African Naturalista Black Moisturising Shampoo (sulphate-free)

Rinse-out Conditioners
Alberto V05 conditioners
Tresemme Naturals Nourishing Moisturising Conditioner
Suave Conditioners

Moisture Deep Conditioners
Organics by Africa's Best Olive Oil Deep conditioner
Motions Moisture Plus Conditioner
Organics by Africa's Best Tea Trea and Cholesterol Deep Conditioner
Queen Helene Cholesterol Deep Conditioner

Protein Deep Conditioners
ORS Replenishing Conditioner  (Light or Balanced)
ORS Hair Mayonnaise  (Medium)
Organics Hair Mayonnaise  (Medium)
Aphogee Two-step Protein Treatment (Hard)
Aphogee Two Minutes Keratin Reconstructor (Light)
Vitale Olive Oil Hair Mayonnaise (Light)

Leave-in Conditioners
Profectiv Megagrowth daily leave-in strengthener  (Protein)
Beautiful Textures Tangle Taming Leave-in Conditioner (Moisture)
African Pride Shea Butter Miracle Moisture Intense Leave-in (Moisture)
Cantu Shea Butter Leave in Conditioning Repair Cream (Protein)

Moisturisers
ORS Olive Oil Incredibly Rich Moisturising Hair Lotion
Cantu Shea Butter Natural Hair Creamy Lotion
Elasta qp Mango Butter Moisturiser
Luster's Scurl Activator Moisturiser

Carrier oils and Butters
Extravirgin Olive oil
Extravirgin Coconut oil
Avocado oil
Shea butter
Cocoa butter

Essential oils (should be used ONLY Diluted)
Eucalyptus oil
Lavender oil
Peppermint oil
Tea tree oil

A good practice before purchasing hair products is to read reviews online.

P.S.: This list is by no means extensive, there are several other great hair products. I will be updating with new products from time to time.


xx,
Bee.

Simple Hair Regimen for Beginners (Relaxed or Natural)

The hair regimen below is simply a guideline. You can modify and tweak it to suit your hair and schedule. Ladies just starting their healthy hair journey especially should find this helpful.

Daily

• Moisturise and seal
• Sleep with your hair covered with a satin/silk cap, bonnet or scarf. Silk/ Satin pillowcase is also a cool alternative
• Oil and massage your scalp (This could also be done just thrice a week)

Satin Scarf;  Source 

Satin Cap/Bonnet ; Source 

Weekly

• Prepoo/Hot oil treatment
• Shampoo (preferably sulphate-free shampoo)
• Deep Condition ( Moisturising deep conditioner or light protein deep conditioner)
• Use leave-in conditioner
• Detangle ( use wide-toothed comb)
• Air dry and style

Monthly

• Clarify
• Protein treatment  (Medium)
• Dust your ends (cut 0.5 inches or less)

Quarterly

• Hard protein treatment
• Relaxer/Texlax touch-up for ladies with relaxed or texlaxed hair

      *relaxer/texlax touch-ups should be at least 12 weeks apart

• Hair trimming (0.5 inches or more)

It is important to keep your hair regimen as simple as possible. This will make it easier for you to be consistent. As you continue on your hair journey, you will get to understand your hair better. You can then incorporate things like tea rinses, co- washing etc. Better knowledge of your hair can also affect your hair regimen scheduling. For example, I have met ladies that discovered their hair thrives better when they wash less often (about once in 3 weeks. Some other wash their hair about twice a week.

What is your hair regimen like?

xx,

Bee

WashDay Post: Theme - Dry Scalp Remedy

I've not been up to to much with my hair. After my last protective style, I've been using a wig. Wigs help me reduce manipulation to my hair and my ends will be well protected. Wigs also give me have great access to my scalp and hair daily. I either put my hair in cornrows or calabar braids (single braids) when using wigs.

Wig, Handmade by me

I kept the cornrows in for 2 weeks. During this period, I co-washed once with VO5 Kiwi Lime Clarifying Conditioner and deep conditioned twice with Megagrowth profectiv daily leave-in strengthener. I noticed rapid moisture loss from my hair despite my moisturising and sealing. This is probably because I don't have a moisturising leave in conditioner currently. I plan to fix this ASAP, by buying a moisturising leave-in, and my favourite lotion moisturiser - Cantu Shea Butter Natural Hair Creamy Lotion.

Pre-poo: In line with this week's #washdayexperience theme, I added few drops of Estella Pride Peppermint Oil and Tropic Isle JBCO (Rosemary) to my pre-poo mix . Peppermint oil, Rosemary oil and castor oil are known for alleviating dry/itchy scalp among other benefits they possess. The base of my mix was Organics Hair Mayonnaise. I  also added a tablespoon each of Estella Pride Vitamin E. oil and Estella Pride Vegetable Glycerin for added moisture. I pre-pooed for about 20 mins with heat ( I used the electric heating cap I got recently).

Shampoo: I used Creme of Nature Moisture and Shine Sulphate-free Shampoo and lathered twice using warm water. I then wrapped my hair in a cotton tshirt for about two minutes absorb excess water.

                   

                     

Deep conditioner: The deep conditioner for this washday was Aussie 3 Minutes Miracle Deep Conditioner. I applied it generously to my hair, especially my new growth. I covered my hair with cling-film and used the electric heating cap for just 10 minutes. I then rinsed my hair with cold water and t-shirt-dried for about 45 minutes.

Leave-in Conditioner/Styling: I divided my hair into about 6 sections and applied Megagrowth Profectiv Daily Leave-in Strengthener, my oil mix and HairvolutionbyBee Whipped Shea Butter to each section. I detangled and put my hair into 18 single braids. I'm still wigging and I moisturise and seal with Luster's S.curl activator moisturizer once in two days. I also oil my scalp with JBCO + Tea tree oil + peppermint oil + Vitamin E oil using my root applicator bottle twice a week to prevent dryness.

HairvolutionbyBee Whipped Shea Butter 

This Washday was a breeze and I could not believe my luck. Normally, at 11 weeks post relaxer touch-up, my arms would be achy and sore from detangling and unravelling knots. This relaxer stretch is going so well. I pray it continues this way.

Anyway, how was your last washday and how do you prevent dry/itchy scalp? What works for you? Please share by dropping a comment below.

xxx,

Bee

My Harmattan Hair Regimen

Hello darlings,

Christmas is just around corner, Yay! I love this time of the year. The only thing I don'tlive about this time of the year is the harmattan that comes with it. And mind you not because of the cold but the dust and dryness. The air is so dry and dusty. The dry air leads to dry skin and dry hair by sucking out the moisture in them. That is why I  have decided to modify my hair regimen to suit the season.

• Regular deep conditioning sessions with moisturising deep conditioners majorly. I will only use protein deep conditioner once in 6 weeks or based on how my hair feels.
• Daily moisturising and sealing, I normally moisturise and seal once in two days and some times I even slack off. This is not the time for being lazy with moisturising and sealing.
• Heavy butters, I usually moisturise and seal with my oil mix but I will be using the  L.O.C. (liquid.oil.cream) method this harmattan. Sealing with oil alone will not suffice to keeping the moisture in, hence the L.O.C. method. Liquid - Luster's S.curl curl activator moisturizer, Oil - My oil mix, Cream - Hairvolutionbybee whipped shea butter. +2348141112536/7BE9F0DF if you are in South West Nigeria and need a jar.
• Wigging it, Protective styling is compulsory this season. The ends of the hair especially should always be protected. I have decided to keep all my hair protected by using wigs. All the wigs I will be using are handmade by me.                        
  

I will be rocking this for the next 3/4 weeks

Hair used: Xpressions Quatro 4 in 1 Ruby

Holla if you are Nigeria and You'd want me to make one for you.  +2348141112536/7BE9F0DF

• Co-washing, I will be co-washing more frequently than before. Normally I'm a shampoo girl but this season I'll co-wash anytime I notice my hair is to dry before my normal washday and L.O.C. can't fix it. 

These are the major changes to my regimen that i will be embracing this dry season. Ladies, what changes/modifications  have you made to your hair regimen to suit the  season (Winter/Harmattan) ? I Would love to hear from you.