Henna Treatment 09.21.10

I FINALLY did a Henna treatment after slacking off for over two months and boy was it needed.  For me, I think my Henna treatments are a key element in nourishing my scalp, hair roots, adding shine and definition and growth to my hair. 
I mixed up my Henna the night before with a hearty tea of various moisturizing and strengthing teas and let it color develop overnight. 

The next morning I added about 2 or 3 tablespoons of fenugreek seed infused avocado oil to the mixture and applied to the roots first with a color application brush.  After that I added JessieCurl Deep Moisturing Condish Pack to the remainder of the Henna and applied that to the length of my hair.  With my hair stretched out with the Henna application on it I see that it is easily 2 inches or so below my shoulders. So even with the trims it has grown quite a bit since I big chopped in 6/09.

After plastic capping and sitting under my heat cap for 45 mins (left the Henna pack on for a total of 4 hours)

Filled the tub with warm water and dunked my head to remove most of the Henna and applied a cheapie condish (VO5) and hopped in the shower, after rinsing and cleaning the tub out, to co-wash a few times to remove any left overs.I applied Aussie Moist as my leave-in and had a great hair day today!!  Shiny, soft, frizz-free, defined curls!

Product Review: Aveeno Nourish + Moisturize Conditioner

I'd been seeing references both on line and on the beauty blogs I read about Aveeno Nourish + Moisturize conditioner.  I've used Aveeno products in the past and my current face wash is even the gentle oatmeal liquid cleanser from their baby line.  I made a mental note to pick up a bottle after looking on line at the ingredients.  The third ingredient is Behentrimonium Methosulfate - Naturally derived, but not all natural. It emulsifies and thickens the conditioner. Also aids in static control and comb ability. This is what makes the conditioner creamy and detangling.  Behentrimonium methosulfate is the mildest hair-detangling ingredient available. It is made from non-genetically modified rapeseed oil. This scientifically sophisticated ingredient is renowned for its superior detangling ability, without causing build-up on the hair.

Since my other favorite atm condish - HE Hello Hydration and has the cheaper version behentrimonium chloride ingredient, I was expecting it to be thicker and creamer.  The consistency is liquidy and the scent is pretty much non-existent.  I smoothed it on my hair passed my head under the shower quickly and "lathered" to emulsify, shower capped it and finished my shower.  I blot it dry with either a t-shirt or one of my curl cloths and seal with my Jessiecurl Deep Conditioner. Results in the photo.  I like the conditioner as it does create great curl definition and smooths frizz. 

I've styled today by raking hair back with my fingers while wet and securing with a cute Goody double headband.

Product Review: Anita Grant's Chocolate Banana Rhassoul Deep Condish Spa Mud and MORE!!

I finally got around to using some of my Anita Grant product haul!  I mixed the spa mud with hot coconut milk-broke up the blocks and stirred until it was melted chocolate consistency.  Rhassoul Deep Condish Spa Mud contains Unrefined Black Cocoa Butter & natural Soya based Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) which helps to guard scalp & hair from free radical damage. When hot liquid is added to our Rhassoul Deep Condishes, it swells & increases its surface area like a highly porous sponge. Attracting & trapping toxins into these open porous spaces so that when it comes time to rinse from your hair, the toxins are eliminated and you're left with detoxified fluffy soft tresses.

I washed my hair before hand with their Babassu Amla Shampoo Bar.  It lathers fantastically and rinses out clean.  I applied the mud to damp hair and plastic capped it for about 2 hours.

After I rinsed and detangled with

HE Hello Hydration, then put a little more back in for leave in.  I could definitely tell the difference in the shower even with the moisture, elasticity and smoothness after rinsing out.

I combed into two braids and twirled the ends around my finger and tied a silk scarf over it for sleeping.  The next day I undid the braids and hand-styled.  I must say I was very pleased with the results and my hair is FINALLY happy and moisture filled!...And it is still wonderfully soft and moisturized 12 hours later!

Tonight I added a little Natural Coconut Rosewood Dry Oil, combed through with my fingers and re-braided. 

I added moisture to my ends with JessieCurl Deep Conditioner (my hair hates as a deep condish, loves as a leave-in, go figure), twirled the ends and silk scarfed it.  I am going to see how long my hair will hold up with this nightly routine before I have to co-wash. 

I ordered the 3-30 gram cubes to try it out, but next time I will order several of the large 940 gram blocks to be sure I have on hand.  I'm thinking next time I henna I will do half infused tea and half coconut milk.  I'm sure the coconut milk had more than a little to do with my great results so I am anxious to try it again with other ingredients.

Will keep you posted!!  P.S.  After packing my hair with the spa mud, I also did a facial mask with the sample of  Organic Dark Chocolate & Banana Smoothie Face Mask (which came in a little baggie in powder form).  I added a little bit of the left over coconut milk to the bag and smooshed it till creamy and smoothed over a freshly washed face.  Ohhhh...the smell was heavenly and the softness after I rinsed it off..I couldn't stop touching my face! I have the rest in the fridge and hope to get 2 more facials out of sample.