Introducing: Blog Reader Questions Series #AskBee

Hi lovelies,

Happy New Month!

I have decided to add a something new to the blog, Blog Reader Question(s). I've received mails and messages from ladies interested in healthy hair. I thought it would be a great idea to share the question(s) on the blog so others can also learn and so that I would not have to answer the same question twice. Once a question has already been answered I can easily refer to the answer on here. 

The frequency of the Blog Reader Question(s)/ #AskBee Posts will depend on how often I get mails/messages. 

So if you would love me to answer your hair-related questions send a mail to hairvolutionbybee@yahoo.com. OR DM (Direct Message) @hairvolutionbybee on Instagram/HairvolutionbyB on twitter. I will reply as soon as I can and also post the question and my answer on here without disclosing your identity.   Let's get this started !!!

Disclaimer : My answers to questions are by no means a rule or law. They are simply based on my knowledge and experience.

xx,

Bee

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.

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

Tips For Starting A Successful Healthy Hair Journey

Photo courtesy: Andrew Ridley 

This post is a guide for newbies to healthy hair care or those that are still trying to decide if to start the healthy hair journey or not. To start with, taking better care of your hair should not really be an option. It's what every female should naturally do. In fact I would rather call it healthy hair lifestyle than healthy hair journey. Calling it a journey might imply that it would end at some point. Even God wants us to take great care of our hair. The scriptures refers to a woman's hair as her glory. When something is your glory and pride you don't treat it shabbily or with a nonchalant attitude but with a lot of care. You would nurture it, not hide it away under a weave or cornrows or wigs without washing for months. You would attend to its needs, and handle with care. Whatever state you decide to wear your hair in; Natural, relaxed / texlaxed; short/long; straight/curly, the important thing is to keep your mane healthy.

Now that you have decided to take better care of your hair. It might seem daunting and like a lot to take on, but be assured that if some people are doing it, you can do it too. Below are some tips that should help you begin and transition you smoothly into a great healthy hair journey:

                                   

Make a decision and stand firm: Decide to take better care of your hair for better for worse. Just like in life, on your HHJ there would be highs and lows and what will keep you going is your determination.

Keep Going!

Thirst for knowledge: All through your HHJ, especially at the beginning, you would have to learn and unlearn things. There are things you have always believed that are actually mere myths. You would also need to change your mindset about certain things. For example, "African hair cannot grow long". There are loads of things to learn on the internet. Google is your friend, YouTube is also your ally.

Knowledge is Power

Patience: It's a journey not magic. Patiently nuture your hair, don't expect your hair to grow from ear length to Bra-strap length within a month. Set realistic goals. You will get to find out that averagely, hair grows about half of an inch per month. So focus on the health of your hair, the length will definitely follow.

Pick hair mentors: Look out for ladies you can relate to (either with similar hair type or on a similar journey - natural/relaxed/texlaxed) that have been on HHJ for a while. You can draw  from their wealth of experience, successes and setbacks. Their achievements can also inspire you and help you believe you can do it too! However, please do not give in to the temptation to compare. Just as you are unique, your hair is too.

Take a starting picture: Photos speak really. The starting picture will help to show you how far you have come. You might look in the mirror and think your hair is not growing, but take a picture and compare with your starting picture, you will be amazed at the progress you have made.

Build a personalised hair regimen: Take samples of regimen from your hair mentors, then develop a regimen that would work for you. Put your schedule among other things into consideration.

Don't be a product junkie: Try not to buy every product you read a review about. Using so many products at the same time will make it difficult for you to identify the product(s) your hair prefers. Using a lot of products at the same time may adversely affect your hair and your bank account (LOL!).  Start with the basics, and as you progress in your journey you will get to know the products your hair loves.

Document your HHJ: Keep a hair diary. It will help you keep track of the products you use and other hair related activities. The hair diary will also help you detect products or activities that affect your hair positively or negatively. Check this one out.

Documentation is Key

Lastly, make sure you enjoy your journey and have fun. It's just hair and getting to know your hair better should be exciting and adventurous not serious and boring.

Fun All the Way !!!

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask in the  comments section.

A post on regimen building should come up soon.

Catch ya!

Bee

New healthy hair blogger alert!

Hello there!

Finally I'm here! So so so...My name is Bobola and I'm a naija (nigerian) hairlista. I started my healthy hair journey in May 2014. I had shoulder length hair but I was frustrated by the amount of breakage I was experiencing ...hair all over the bathroom floor that you have to sweep kind of breakage. So I started surfing the internet for solutions then bang!!! I found some nigerian healthy hair blogs. Lade of www.rehairducation.com especially had me swooning like wah? it's possible for an African to gave waist length hair? Then I lapped all the info on her blog...every single article. I discovered a lot of bad hair practices that I was ignorantly guilty of. My eyes really opened but the major thing was a change of mindset. I realised Africans could also have long and healthy hair. Ever since I've had an insatiable hunger and thirst for all things healthy hair and I've taken charge of taking care of my hair. I really can't remember the last time I went to a salon. DIY all the way.

I decided to start my own blog for the following reasons:

• For documentation - Keeping a blog would help me keep track of the things I'm doing to my hair, products and so on. Sometimes I have to think so hard to remember if it's been a month or not since I clarified. I tried keeping a dairy but I realised a blog would be better.
• For accountability - There is something about knowing someone is/people are kind of with you. It sort of keeps you in check from slacking off or being lazy. A kind of motivation so to say
• My journey/hair is unique - Although there are several healthy hair bloggers even in Nigeria. I realised that each person's journey is different and unique and there is always something new to learn.
• A different demographic - When I started my hhj what really encouraged me was the fact that some Nigerians living in Nigeria were having a successful hhj. So I didn't feel alone, things such as availability of products didn't scare me. However I observed that most hair bloggers in nigeria are either in Lagos, Abuja or Port-Harcourt. Some newbies might easily chicken out thinking it is because they are in the big cities where they have better access to products and tools needed on a hhj. People in other cities even miss out on healthy hair meet-ups and other related programmes. I'm currently in Ibadan, Oyo state so it's high time we got something going on here as well *winks. Ladies outside the 3 cities I mentioned might be able to relate with my experiences And yea, you can also get a lot of products and tools here (will share more on that later)

So again here I am. looking forward to having loads of fun on here. mwwuaaah!

xx