Hair Regime Changes

Well, a few weeks in and already we're changing up Violet's hair/skin care regime.

We were using an olive oil paste a few times a day in her hair, but after learning some new information about hair products heavy in mineral oil, we're switching things up a bit.

(There's an amazing blog about naturally curly hair called "Happy Girl Hair" and the author, Katie, is sweet enough to respond to each question personally. She informed me of the following: "ORS Olive oil Creme is a leave-in heavy in mineral oil. Mineral oil is an occlusive moisturizer like petroleum and while those can be very effective for skin, using them on the hair is a different story... On the hair, mineral oil and petroleum coat the hair, keeping existing moisture in but keeping additional moisture out... Regular use of occlusive moisturizers on the hair will keep additional moisture from the air penetrating the hair. This may be desirable in a very humid climate, but not in most of this country. Elsewhere, it will eventually lead to dry, brittle hair and heavy buildup. When using products heavy in mineral oil, beeswax, or petroleum on the hair, most people agree that they seem to work for a little while but then more and more product is needed to achieve the same results, and eventually they stop working altogether because the hair is so dry. Most drugstore products aimed at African Americans contain large amounts of mineral oil, petroleum and beeswax.")

She was right... the olive oil creme had already become less effective over a few week's time.

So I took her suggestion and checked out a site called Blended Cutie - I ordered a sample pac for Violet's hair type (4b, I think) along with a leave in conditioner called "Curly Cake Shake" that I keep reading rave reviews about everywhere.

So far, I'm in love. I have tried out "Swirly Curls Shampoo" and the "Tug Me Not Conditioner"... all the products smell amazing and are all natural. They don't feel heavy but still manage to keep Violet's hair perfectly moisturized. We are bathing her 3 times a week, but only washing her hair with shampoo once or twice. After all baths, we massage lots of Aquaphor all over her body - face included - and it does an amazing job of keeping that moisture in for at least a day or two.

We're still learning lots - I imagine this learning curve is only getting started.

And until Violet's hair is long enough to style, I'm practicing on myself. I look pretty hot in Bantu Knots and Two Strand Twists.