…So did I really enjoy my first 10K run???

…So did I really enjoy my first 10K run???.

…So did I really enjoy my first 10K run???

I always talk about how much I enjoy running especially the feeling afterwards. I started running about 8 years ago but mainly just for fun; to take in the fresh air, unwind and admire the views and this would only be a 2-3 miles run. I then decided to start running for charity so I signed up for my first 5K in 2008 and I have taken part in the same every year since. Now, last year I started to enjoy discovering new routes and getting happily lost whilst admiring the beautiful views. This meant that I was running for longer so I decided to sign up for the 10K Race for Life in support of Cancer Research UK and the Great North Run (Half Marathon) in support for Muscular Dystrophy. I started training accordingly and read widely about running and nutrition (I am now best friends with CARBS!!!).

Training

I quickly learnt that I prefer running first thing in the morning firstly, because it fits in well with work than when I am tired at the end of the day. Secondly, I am more productive at work when I start my day with a run and weirdly enough whilst my colleagues are flagging around 3pm and reaching for their caffeine fix to see them through until 5.30pm, I am like a bouncing ball with so much energy. That what’s amazing about running!!

Much as I have read that it is better to run 30minutes – 1 hour after food. I never do because I am unable to stomach anything at 6am although I have recently tried a half banana before heading out otherwise it’s normally a few sips of cloudy apple juice, a table spoon of Spirulina and 1 tablespoon of Chia seeds before heading out.

I did 5 miles 3 mornings a week following different training programmes then would aim to do a free spirited long run at the weekend. Although to be honest social life always got in the way so I did the weekend long runs sporadically. Fartlek training has taught me a lot about running and finally appreciating the skill of sprinting!

Race Day

The day I have been waiting for finally arrived!! As usual I was very excited. I had porridge for breakfast with a banana. D was there with me to support me. The sun was out – No I mean it was scorching hot nearly 30 degrees celsius. It was at that moment I realised that it was going to be a hard run. I told D that I did not think I could do it. He encouraged me and gave me a lot of reassurance and constatly reminded me to drink water.

The race started and I felt like I was not moving. There were a lot of people in front of me. It took about 5-7 minutes to start running properly. It then registered that this was going to be a different experience from my usual morning runs. Although I have done 5K’s in a similar environment before, I was neither competitive nor under self time constraints. Nonetheless, I did all my 5K’s around 26-28 minutes.

I was aiming for a sub 1 hour. I have done 57 -59 minutes during training but have also managed to complete a 10K in 54-55 minutes. In essence, I was aiming for a neat 55 minutes!!! First Km in, I knew I would not make my target time simply because of the unbearable heat. Second Km in, I experienced an uncomfortable annoying stitch which lasted until my 3.5Km. My feet were burning as though I had a hot stone in my shoes. My water became warm, every sip I took did not cool me down. When we reached the 5K mark and others were finishing their race, I was more than tempted to finish with them but my inner stubborn voice begged me to carry on. We had to run the 5K route twice. Knowing what was ahead of me made me feel tired even more. Oh finally there was a water station! I was handed a small cup of water, I asked for 2; poured one over my head and drank the other.

My legs were shaking and felt like jelly. I felt this because I had to walk about 3 times then I decided not to have walking breaks anymore as I feared I would give up. Instead, I slowed down to a jog determined to finish. After 7K, the 5K walkers were blocking the way in large numbers resulting in further reduction of my running speed. This was not something I envisaged. I normally use my running times to think and sometimes escape in the lyrics of the music I listen to. During my race, I was neither thinking nor aware of the music I was listening to instead, I was watching others and focusing on the sight of the finish line and eventually I remembered my father’s advice to just concentrate on placing my foot in front of the other and that is all I did until the end.

I contemplated of losing my shoes in order to run bare foot like the Kenyans but quickly convinced myself that I was nearly there and the burning sensantion will soon be over. The cheers from people gave me more motivation.  The cheers were much louderwhen I was near the finishing line, I did not hear what they were saying but in my ears it was as though they were saying ‘you are nearly there now, c’mmom you can do it!’

There I was crossing the finish line relieved but very disappointed with my time! I Grabbed my water, medal and a chocolate crossaint then a quick comforting embrace with D then I collapsed on the ground. Once I got my breath back I could simply utter the words ‘amazing’ repeatedly. D ordered me to eat the chocolate crossaint which I would never have eaten if I were alone but gosh it was the best thing I had ever eaten. I drank more water whilst sat down. ’58 minutes’ D said, I expressed my disappointment to him that I did not finish at 55 minutes but to be honest I thought I would do worse.

So what did I enjoy?

The atmosphere and the feeling afterwards.

What I did not enjoy…..

The heat

 Burning feeling in my feet

Doing two 5K laps in a circle; would have preferred a one 10K circle

The walkers blocking the way

What have I learnt?

It is important to train at different times of the day or at a similar time as race day. Although this would be difficult for me during the week because of work, I need to practice running after food. I train at 6am in the morning on an empty stomach and that’s what my body is used to. I have so far put down my uncomfortable stitch during my race to having food before and this is not something that my body is used to.

Further to above I need to train when it’s hot to get used to running in high attitudes.

Experiment with sugar supplies to avoid that ‘nearly passing out feeling’.

Would I do it again?

A definite YES!! I am now training for my half – marathon and looking forward to a different experience. I shall let you know whether I will be retiring from running and taking up cycling after the race. Although I think I will always be running on my own.

 

M 🙂

 

 

 

Detangling & Washing natural hair

Although I have already shared my regimen, I have recently adapted new ways of washing my hair and thought I should share it with you.

Now that my hair is at medium length (in afro black hair terms!!) I realised that my method of washing hair is not working for me anymore. If you have a TWA (Teeny Weeny Afro) or short hair, enjoy your hair now as the longer your hair becomes, the more complicated and possibly time consuming your hair washing routine will become.

When I used to read about detangling natural hair and how other naturals fight a losing battle with tangles and knots I thought mmmmh what tangles? ..it is just their hair! Low and behold I am now experiencing my own knot affair hence, a new detangling and washing had to take immediate effect.

What am I doing different?

On my wash day I used to wash my hair with shampoo then divide it in 4 or 6 sections, apply deep conditioner, twist each part, deep condition, rinse followed by my moisturise and seal routine.

From my previous posts or those who know me well, it is common knowledge that I more than handle my hair with CARE, my hair is my baby  and I take care of it as such (weird or not?).

After the realisation of the difficulties I faced with tangled hair and fear of hair breakage, I decided to condition my hair prior to shampooing. Here is my step by step wash routine:

• Part dry hair in 4 sections
• Spritz one section with water
• Apply a genorous amount of instant conditioner to the spritzed section (I use Tresemme Naturals or Herbal Essences Hello Hydration – do not use expensive shampoo at this stage)
• Starting from the ends detangle with a wide tooth comb then twist
• Repeat the above 3 steps to the rest of the sections
• Jump in the shower
•  Untwist one section, rinse with warm water, wash this section gently with shampoo then re-twist
• Repeat above step with the other section (yes it takes a bit longer but doable and easier)
• I follow the above with my deep conditioning routine

I have followed this new routine for the past 8 weeks and I am now committed to this new way of washing. I can absolutely see the benefits too. I do not dread detangling anymore. My hair is now easy to manage and I do not experience a lot of shed hair.

A few tips on detangling natural hair

• It is important to ensure that your nails are filed neatly to avoid your hair being caught in chipped or broken nails.
• Do not detangle hair when you do not have enough time to do so and definitely not when you are hungry or tired!! (detangling hair needs a lot of patience!)
• Detangling hair carefully prevents unnecessary breakage thereby retaining length

Do you condition your hair before shampooing? How do you manage knotted hair? How do other natural detangle their hair?

Feel free to share your detangling methods and experiences with knots.

M 🙂

 

Why is hair such a political issue for black women? Who is Lupita Nyong’o?

This post is way overdue!! I was meant to publish it a few weeks ago but social life, family, holiday got in the way!! Though out of date I thought I should post it anyway so here it goes….

I am the biggest fan of Woman’s Hour on BBC Radio 4, I often download it as a podcast on my mobile and listen to it when we go to bed. Last night I was quite intrigued and impressed by their choice of topic for discussion – Black women and their hair!!!

….recently Naomi Campbell wore an Afro wig at the Graham Norton show whilst Lupita Nyong’o chose to wear her natural beautiful hair at the Oscars!

Why is the politics of hair so complex for black women? Now, this is a question which invites intriguing answers encompassing beauty, style, fashion, self-esteem, confidence….. the list is endless because generally it is not always clear cut with women.

Why would such appearances be worthy of note? Some critics have argued that the politics of black hair raises a lot of issues including how society perceives how black women should wear their hair and that dark is not beautiful. Whilst others oppose this ideology entirely, stating that it purely personal taste mainly due to the fact that a lot of women do not know how to style their natural hair. 

It is a shame that a lot of black women have grown up not understanding how to maintain their own hair. I remember my mum used to braid my hair in bantu knots when it was natural but that’s about all I can remember. I do not remember the texture or how good it was. I had relaxed hair most of my adult life, now I can write a whole page about that!!!

Cost & Maintenance

One of the ladies participating in this debate argued that natural hair is expensive and requires high maintenance. This is a myth!! I have cut a lot of cost since going natural, I do everything at home and nowadays most of my treatments are homemade with ingredients I already have in my fridge or cupboard. Whereas, a standard weave (not human hair) costs £40-£50 + installation and the same for braids. Taking money out of the question, a lot of women will suffer from traction alopecia and thinning hair as a result of weaves, braids and relaxers. (I did!) Whatever hairstyle you choose, it is best to understand how to take care of your hair and what your hair needs. (See my hair regimen post). Weaves and braids can be ok if installed correctly followed by good hair care and maintenance.

How about the ethics of human hair? Should we go there? Are the women selling their Peruvian or Brazilian hair getting their money’s worth? or is it just providing employment?

Who is Lupita Nyong’o? 

Now, I know I am not the only one taken by Lupita Nyong’o’s essence of beauty. Some know her because of her reputation as a style icon after her flawless red carpet appearance this year and some by beautiful bone structure and immaculate teeny weeny fro. However, I was also taken and awed by her speech at the annual black women in Hollywood luncheon speech. This inspirational woman spoke on behalf of many black women and young girls world wide. The star of 12 years a slave delivered an incredible emotional speech about her lifelong struggles with low self-esteem that every woman/young girl should hear.

……..”The morning would come and I would be so excited about seeing my new skin that I would refuse to look down at myself before I was in front of a mirror, because I wanted to see my fair face first. And every day I experienced just the same disappointment at being just as dark as I had been the day before…”

These are moving words!! I was amazed to hear her stand there to utter such words which may lead other women/young girls in a similar position to feel the validation of their external beauty. I personally felt more confident in my own skin when I decided to wear my hair natural!

Lupita has now received the validation she needed… to be seen as a beautiful woman

“….I tried to negotiate with God. I told him I would stop steeling sugar cubes at night if he gave me what I wanted… if he just made me a little lighter. But, I guess God was unimpressed with my bargaining chips because I never woke up lighter.”

“I couldn’t believe that people were embracing a woman that looked so much like me as beautiful. Now I had a spring in my step because I felt more seen, more appreciated by the far-away gatekeepers of beauty.”

Just like hair, beauty does not sustain us “What actually sustains us, what is fundamentally beautiful is compassion for yourself and those around you. That kind of beauty enflames the heart and enchants the soul.  Now these very words are the words I use for women who say they are not beautiful with their natural hair!

I have listened to this speech twice and tears run down my face when I heard it the first time. It moved me and it had such an effect on me. The last time I felt like this after listening to a speech was when Obama made his first speech after being appointed president!!! Hence, the reason I felt I should write about Lupita – trying my best to link it to hair! Those who know me well know that I appreciate important women and yes! Lupita is on my list. It is not about black women or hair rather just WOMEN!!! Women growing up today or choosing whatever career paths need to see somebody different. “It’s about telling girls from a young age that it’s ok to be quirky, it’s fine to be shy… you don’t have to go with the crowd!” (Alek Wek)

Do you like or wish to inspire others? Are you amazed by inspirational women (or men). Please comment below. Do you feel inspired by women with natural hair or perhaps those who have achieved?

M 🙂

 

 

Black Hair & Protein Balance

Why is protein important to natural hair, colour treated hair or to hair which has been changed from its natural state by chemicals?

Protein provides strength and structure to our hair. Our hair is mainly made up of protein and moisture. Both protein and moisture work together to achieve healthy hair. Neither can work well without the other. Most people experience breakage when there is an imbalance of either protein or moisture.

Contrary to the fallacy that water is bad for black hair or that it makes our hair dry, black hair needs moisture and hydration greatly than any other hair type!! I will write about moisture in another post, this post is mainly about protein and black hair. 

Where can we get protein in our hair?

Hair is made up of 70% Keratin protein.However, this varies from hair to hair. Protein is mostly found in conditioners. Depending on your hair type or needs, you are more likely to benefit from deep conditioners as their molecular formula allows them to bind more strongly to the hair. I always stress about the importance of checking the ingredients of any product you purchase as it helps to know what you are putting in your hair according to your needs. The rule is, the ingredient which is listed first makes up a good chunk of the product, whilst the ones listed at the end are only a touch of the product content. 

When I was transitioning I used to do a protein treatment fortnightly and deep conditioning weekly as my hair was suffering from moisture induced hair breakage. This helped me to get the moisture and protein balance right in order to bring my hair which was in a bad state back to healthy. I used a heavy protein ~ Aphogee. This protein treatment is very good for relaxed hair when needed. I no longer use Aphogee protein treatment now that I am fully natural as it is too hard for my hair. Instead, I like to make my own protein conditioner and it definitely uplifts my hair.

Protein deficiency

Those with relaxed hair tend to need more protein in their hair because the chemical relaxer depletes the natural protein bond. Similarly, those with colour treated or bleached hair greatly benefit from additional protein as hair dye compromises the protein structure and makes our hair dry. Nevertheless, genetics or a low protein diet play a huge part in protein deficiency. Black hair can also suffer from protein deficiency from over use of products which are rich in moisture and excessive use or direct heat direct heat (If you are natural, using heat 3-4 times a year is more than enough).

It is a common practice for most naturals to condition their hair overnight either due to sheer laziness or following the misconception that conditioning hair for long periods will make hair soft. Yes, it might make your hair super soft but it does not increase a product’s actual conditioning power. Over conditioning regularly will result in moisture induced protein deficiency. Most deep conditioners can be left on hair for 30-40 minutes, this time can be shortened when indirect heat is used. Whereas, instant conditioners have a high water content and their large molecular size prevents the conditioner from getting deeper into the hair shaft hence, it is unnecessary to leave them for more than the time stated on the bottle.

How do you know if hair needs protein?

During my transitioning journey, it was obvious that my hair needed protein as it was breaking at an accelerating rate. Now that my hair is natural, my hair does not shed except when I have just taken out a long term protective style so I tend to incorporate protein then. I also use a protein conditioner before any long term protective style to give my hair strength and when my hair appears limp, lifeless or about every six weeks.

Here is the recipe for my homemade deep protein conditioner. It is amazing and my hair loves it;

1 egg (2 eggs if your hair is long) – Eggs are a source of protein and gives strength

1 tbsp Mayonnaise – Improves hair’s moisture and shine

1 tbsp Honey – A humectant which draws moisture from the air to the hair

Optional – You can also add a little bit of your favourite oils.

After shampooing your hair, mix the above ingredients together, apply generously to hair (it gets messy), cover with a shower cap.

Leave mixture on hair for 30 minutes then wash with warm water.

Apply your everyday conditioner then rinse.

M 🙂

Vitamins, Your Body & Natural Hair

Vitamins and Minerals are essential nutrients our body need in small amounts in order to work properly. New stories suggest that supplements are unnecessary and according to the National Health Service health choices, many people are able to get all the nutrients by eating a varied and balanced diet. That said, it can also be shown that supplements can play a valuable role. Simply put, a good diet should always come first, on the other hand “extra nutrients  provide ‘insurance’  at times of need”. (Dr Carrie Ruxton, Dietitian and spokesperson for the Health Supplements Information Service). 

Vitamins

There are two types of Vitamins:

• Fat Soluble Vitamins – Vitamins A, D, E, K
• Water-Soluble Vitamins – C, B & Folic Acid

If you choose to take Vitamins, be aware that taking too many or for too long can be harmful to your body. However, you do not need to worry about water soluble Vitamins as the body gets rid of extra water soluble vitamins when you urinate.

Minerals

Just like Vitamins, Minerals have a beneficial impact on our bodies;

• Build strong bones
• Control body fluids inside & outside cells
• Turn food we eat into energy

Calcium and Iron are the ESSENTIAL minerals for a variety of bodily functions.

Natural Hair & Vitamins

There is a lot of debate among the natural hair community as to whether vitamins can make your hair grow. I am an advocate of healthy hair and healthy body and believe that if you take care of your body then your hair will also benefit from this. When our bodies suffer from nutritional deficiencies, our hair tends to suffer too. Unfortunately, more of our nutrients go to our vital organs first then to our hair, nails and skin. Accordingly, if your diet is lacking these nutrients, your hair will not be the first priority in getting the nutrients in our body as a result, hair becomes limp, brittle and dry.  

A strong hair regimen will result in healthy hair and eventually growth. However, when it comes to taking vitamins, one needs to develop a healthy body-focused approach than a hair-focused approach. More importantly, ensure that the supplements you choose to take are trusted brands which are independently tested and verified. 

 Hair grows at different rates and at different phases. There are three phases of growth;

• Anagen phase – Hair grows
• Catagen phase – Hair stops growing
• Telogen phase – Hair reaches its dead state

If you are following a consistent good hair regimen but your hair is neither healthy nor growing, you need to check if you are lacking any nutrients in your body. Firstly, if you are a fussy eater this could be a contributing factor. The best thing to do is to consult your doctor for a full blood test to check if your body is nutrient deficient. For instance, I have never been keen on dairy products and was worried of being Vitamin D and Calcium deficient. However, when I had a blood test both were normal phewwww!!! except for my Iron levels!!! I was prescribed a high dosage of  Iron tablets for 2 months. I used to take Iron supplements from my local whole food store but it turned out that the dosage was too low. I did not benefit anything from taking them (oh my money!!!!) so it is best to seek advice from medical professions who will advise you on the correct dosage required by your body. I certainly noticed a change in my hair after 1 month.

Could you be Iron Deficient anaemic? – Do you feel lethargic all the time, tired, shortness in breath, headaches, hair loss? Consult your doctor for a blood test. 

These are the recommended Iron needs for females

14-18 years old – 15mg/day

19-50 years old – 18mg/day

50+ years old – 8mg/day

It is understandable that some women may not want to take any vitamins for various reasons or can not cope with the side effects of Iron tablets. However, it is still important to ensure that your body is not nutrient deficient so eating food which is rich in particular nutrients should be essential. For example; Lentils are rich in Vitamin B and can increase energy by replenishing Iron stores particularly for menstruating women who are more at risk for Iron deficiency so boosting your Iron levels with lentils is a good idea 

Prenatal Vitamins & Hair Growth

Many women attribute their hair growth when pregnant to the prenatal vitamins. Contrary to this belief, it is in fact the estrogen hormone which is produced more when pregnant. During this time the estrogen locks the hair into the growth phase and allows hair to grow longer than normal. This is why most women experience a lot of shedding when the baby is born as hair would now be in the shedding phase.

On the other hand, non-pregnant women also claim to experience hair growth whilst taking prenatal vitamins. Sadly ladies (and gents) do not spend a lot of money on prenatal vitamins for the sake of hair growth as there is nothing in the medical literature to support that prenatal vitamins makes hair grow. The reason others have experienced growth could be as a result of other contents in the vitamins which your body was deficient of. (Save your money for when you are planning for a baby or when pregnant)

A little bit about Running & Vitamins

Due to my running and exercise life style, I ensure that I am looking after my muscles and bones. I have had minor injuries and have benefited a lot from a good diet and supplements. I always ensure that I eat enough protein to repair my muscles and carbohydrates to keep my energy levels. After spending a few months in Malawi, I noticed a BIG difference in my hair growth and this has made me realise the downside of living in a cold country. I have now started taking Calcium/ Vitamin D supplement to ensure that I am making up for the lack of sunshine which is beneficial to both my hair, metabolism, normal muscle function and healthy bone support!!! Does anyone fancy taking me on holiday?? Somewhere hot????

All in all, healthy hair care starts from the inside and incorporating supplements into a well balanced diet will help in covering many nutritional deficits. In addition, black hair thrives on moisture!!! hence, not only will you reap healthy hair benefits from washing or spritzing your hair but more so when you drink enough water. This should be followed by a healthy hair care regimen.

Has following a healthy hair care regimen made you change your diet or life style? Do you take vitamins for the benefit of your body or hair. Do you check the ingredients of vitamins before buying them?

M 🙂

Shea Butter On My Natural Hair & Skin

Origins of Shea Butter

Shea Butter has been used in Africa for many centuries to alleviate problems of the skin and scalp. It is produced from the edible nut of the fruit from the Karite tree grown in Ghana, Mali, Burkina Faso and other Savanna Grasslands of West Africa.

Shea butter has been used in Africa for many years as a hair balm for dry and brittle hair. Nonetheless, Shea butter is known for its therapeutic benefits for skin care as it has been utilized in restorative healing burns and injuries, to get rid of surgical marks, eczma, dermatitis, and stretch marks.

Shea Butter on my Hair & Skin

Whilst others feel that Shea butter weighs their hair down especially if those with thin hair, I believe that if used sparingly you can benefit from the shea goodness of Shea butter. I always whip my unrefined Shea butter with a hand mixer together with Olive oil, Castor oil, Jojoba oil and Coconut oil. I do this in order to make it light and fluffy for easy application to my hair and body. 

I use this whipped Shea butter as a sealant. I find that I get better results when I use it on freshly washed damp hair. Thus, I only use Shea butter as a sealant after I have shampooed, deep conditioned and moisturised my hair. To add, if you have thin hair it is best to blend more oil into the Shea butter to avoid the heaviness of the butter weighing your hair down. Nevertheless, regardless of hair type, if you avoid using Shea butter because it weighs your hair down or you feel that it just sits on top of your hair then it means you are using TOO MUCH!! Less is more with Shea butter. That said I prefer using Shea butter on freshly washed hair to dry hair except when I use it as a ‘pomade’ for my sides when I bun my hair up. For the rest of the week I use oils only to seal in moisture.

So what do I use the rest of my Shea butter for?

I use most of my Shea butter on my body. I blend more oils to my whipped Shea butter so it becomes more of a liquid blend. I often use Jojoba oil (love this oil) on its own for moisturising my body so my mixture will have more Jojoba oil in comparison to my other oils. I love how it makes my skin soft especially my feet! However, avoid using this buttery mixture when you are in a rush or just before wearing a delicate tight evening dress as it will leave oil  streaks on your lovely clothing. 

Benefits of Shea Butter

• Softens hair and skin due to its richness in Vitamins A & E
• An exceptional sealant to lock in moisture due to its emollient qualities, protects hair from harsh weather
• Believed to protect hair from ultraviolet rays
• It’s inflammatory properties can help to heal infection and damaged scalp
• Prevents skin from drying and cracking. It is great for those winter days!!! (Warms me like a soft Blanket)

Shea butter can be used on both natural and relaxed hair.

Is Shea butter your choice of hair/skin moisturiser? Have you had good or bad experiences with Shea butter? 

M 🙂

New Conditioner

As I have said in my previous posts I love co-washing my hair because of my love for running and it enables me to cleanse my hair without stripping moisture off. I have always used the same conditioners for my co-washing routine. The following are my staple conditioners;

However, I am very impressed with my new addition to the above courtesy of my thoughtful and loving husband. A little story behind this – Before we got married D used to bring me what he called ‘a Friday goody bag’! Every Friday was different but mostly it would contain my favourite things, quirky surprises or anything from my favourite shop/cafe (The Eighth Day Vegetarian Cafe); Fruit teas (love, love, love), Black Hair & Fashion Magazines, Chocolates, flowers,Wine etc. Well, this changed to ‘Friday night treat’ at some point but I did not mind because I do not expect them and I know he enjoys doing it. I think its the look on my face that he loves!

So, two months ago he came home with the usual ‘Friday treat’, I thought it would be a bath bomb or massage soap bar as I have been enjoying these lately. I was surprised to see that it was Jason pure natural conditioner!!! First thoughts: oh oh!! he knows I do not use this!! Second thoughts: oh it contains no parabens, no silicones!! ah this could be good!! 

I have been using it for co-washing every week for the past 6-8 weeks and I love it!! I might replace my up-notch favourite conditioner – Giovanni. Here is the pretty bottle:

I like this conditioner because it gives slip – this is what I look for in either deep conditioners or instant conditioners. Since the beginning of my transitioning journey I always check the ingredients of every product that I buy. I do this in order to check if there are ingredients which I try to avoid but more importantly, I look for words like; Aqua (Water), Hydrating, Moisturising, for damaged hair…

This conditioner also contains Biotin, a water soluble B-complex vitamin, which our bodies naturally produces and lack of it can lead to brittle hair causing breakage. I am SOLD!!!!

I have tried to use it on its own as well as adding my essential and carrier oils to it beforehand. I personally like to add these to my conditioners but this conditioner works well on its own.

My husband bought this conditioner from the Eigth Day Vegetarian Shop but I am sure you can find it in wholefood stores. It also comes in strawberry, lavender and other flavours. Looking forward to trying them. That said, I like my everyday conditioners to be in an affordable price range of £3-£5 and Jasons exceeds this amount so I will probably only be buying it when it is on offer.

Happy co-washing

M 🙂

Co-Washing Natural Hair

Whilst on my run today I thought of co-washing my hair differently.. yeah I do think a lot whilst running. As I already said in my regimen post that I conditioner wash (co-wash) my hair mid-week and this would normally be on one of my running days.

Co-washing is washing your hair with conditioner instead of shampoo. Co-washing is amazingly gentle on natural hair as it does  strip out moisture and natural oils. This method can be effectively used both on natural hair and relaxed hair.

Benefits of Co-washing

• Gently cleanses hair
• Ideal for children and those who work out a lot
• Retains moisture and increases shine

Although other naturals swear by co-washing and will only wash with shampoo once a month or others longer, I feel that this can be detrimental to hair. Product buildup needs to be managed effectively in order to maintain healthy hair. Albeit not being one to use heavy oils or other products like butters, I feel that my everyday moisturise and seal routine and sweat still leaves some build up that can only be removed by shampoos. That said, always do what is best for your hair.

My new co-washing routine

I co-wash once a week and wash with a gentle shampoo once a week too. However, if I did not have a running routine I would probably co-wash twice a week and shampoo fortnightly. I begin by mixing my choice of conditioner with a few drops of my choice of essential oils (Tea Tree, Rosemary), mix together in my mixing bowl. I wet my hair in the shower, part my hair in four sections, apply conditioner on one section, detangle hair with a wide tooth comb then twist it, do the same to the rest, cover my hair with a shower cap then I continue with my shower routine. After I have showered, I rinse my hair with warm water followed by cool water. I love my new co-wash routine, it was easy, quick, was able to to easily untangle my hair in the shower. I will definitely stick with it.

I follow with my moisturise and seal routine. Below are some of the conditioners I have been using recently for my co-washing routine.

Happy co-washing

M 🙂

Hot Oil Treatment on Black Healthy Hair

Hot oil treatments help to strengthen hair, protect hair from protein loss, makes hair softer and provides sheen. I make a concoction of no more than 3 carrier natural oils and a few drops of  2 essential oils. I do a hot oil treatment every 4-6 weeks to give my hair a boost, shine and protect my hair from protein loss.

It is important to understand what works well for your hair and have some knowledge about the characteristics of your choice of oils. This enables you to develop a good hair regimen in order to have healthy hair. For example, if you have thin hair, it is best to avoid sealing your hair with heavy oils as it will only weigh down your hair.

There are a lot of carrier oils out there which you can try but here are the oils that I am using at the moment:

Avocado Oil – I use this oil a lot!! It is very light hence, suitable for my thin hair. Avocado oil is high in Vitamin E and a great source of Lecithin which forms a protective covering on your hair follicles and prevents loss of moisture.

Jojoba Oil – This is my staple oil! I use it for both my hair and body. It is a close match to sebum, a natural oil the scalp produces. Jojoba oil is great for massaging the scalp to stimulate blood flow and encourage hair growth.

Castor oil – Although this is a thick oil which is mostly suitable for those with thick hair, this oil has worked wonders for my thin hairline! Castor oil strengthens hair and is believed to stimulate hair growth. Due to the heaviness of this oil, I hardly use it on its own, I always add it to my deep conditioner, hot oil treatments and with another carrier oil to massage my edges.

Coconut Oil – Many naturals speak highly of Coconut Oil. Yet, my hair does not like this oil, I tend to use it sporadically either in a hot oil treatment or add it to my deep conditioner but never on its own as it makes my hair crunchy. So I am not a great fan of coconut oil sadly 😦 

Nonetheless, Coconut Oil is one of the best oils for black hair because of its unique properties; it is one of the few oils that can penetrate the hair shaft. According to the Science of Black Hair, Coconut oil’s hydrophobic oil characteristics allows it to inhibit the penetration of water from the surrounding air and environment and it is also able to bind to the natural protein structure of the hair.

Ps: Pure Coconut oil comes in solid form. It is important to read the ingredients of any products you are buying. Pure Coconut oil should contain Coconut oil ONLY! If it has a mixture of other oils then it is not pure Coconut oil!!

Olive oil – Olive oil is one of my vital oils for oil treatments. It protects the ends of the hair from splitting.

Sweet Almond Oil – Contains Vitamin A & E which promotes healthy hair and growth. Almond oil also nourishes hair, promotes shine and smooths hair cuticles to minimise shedding.

Essential Oils

I absolutely love essential oils!!! I have always used them for my baths and add them to my massage oils. I have fallen in love with them more now because of their sensory and scalp skin stimulating abilities and how they have benefited my hair. I add a few drops of my choice of essential oils to my conditioner, shampoo, water spray bottle, my everyday mixture of sealant oils and hot oil treatments (Everything really!!!). Here are the ones I use at the moment:

Tea Tree Oil – Scalp stimulant and dandruff fighter. Controls sebum production

Lavender Oil – Soothes dry, itchy scalp.

Rosemary Oil – Scalp stimulant

Ylang Ylang – Scalp stimulant

Cedarwood – Cleanser and dandruff fighter

Hot Oil Treatment

Place hot water in a big bowl or pan (water bath), put a mixture of your choice of oils and a few drops of essential oils in a separate small bowl or applicator bottle and place it on top of the warm water. Ensure that oil is not too hot to touch. 

#Tip/; I never warm my oil in the microwave as I feel that the dry heat makes the oil lose its nutrients!

Other healthy hair fanatics apply the oil on dry hair but I feel that my hair benefits from this treatment when I apply the oil to wet/damp hair. Besides, the theory of moisture and sealing makes more sense to do it that way – Oils are NOT moisturisers, when applied to hair on their own, they just sit there!!! and do not penetrate!! Oils seal/lock moisture in your hair. 

So, I wash my hair first to get rid of dirt and other products, then generously apply warm oil to hair especially the ends, massage scalp thoroughly, cover with a shower cap then sit under a heated cap for 30 minutes. You can do it without the heated cap or hooded dryer by putting a warm towel over your head for a longer period.

Wash hair afterwards followed by a deep conditioner.

If your hair is relaxed make hot oil treatment a big part of your healthy hair regimen in order protect your hair from protein lost as a result of changing the natural composition of hair.

Happy Hot Oiling 🙂

M xx