Freshen up between Washes

Dry shampoo's are all the rage right now, but my hair and scalp cannot stand them! To dry shampoo's defenses, I have only tried the powdered type and not the spray types but still the powder does nothing for me but make me have to wash my hair sooner. Instead, I use two products to freshen up my hair and scalp.

Philip B pH Restorative Detangling Toning Mist - this is a detangling, leave-in toner for the hair. This super-lightweight toner adjusts the pH of tap water allowing the cuticle of the hair to seal tightly, leaving smooth, detangled, shiny, gorgeous, finished, toned hair. With Apple Cider Vinegar as a natural astringent and pH balancer, together with lightweight essential oils, PHILIP B® pH Restorative Detangling Toning Mist detangles hair, reduces frizz and static, while enhancing shine, leaving your hair with a fresh, beautiful finish.

Because of the Apple Cider Vinegar it helps my scalp feel fresh and clean. I part my hair and spritz it directly on my scalp for a mid-week pick me up. I try my best not to get it on the length of my hair when I'm rocking a roller set.

Since I've been going to the gym more lately, I've been sweating like crazy. All my relaxed and natural's that rock their hair straight know sweat is a problem. When I work out I keep my hair wrapped up and secured under a scarf. I don't unwrap my hair until the sweat has dried completely otherwise, I end up with frizz and curly roots. I turn to DevaCurl Mist-er Right to get rid of any gym scents. DevaCurl Mist-er Right - A lavender infused, curl revitalizer, refresher and rejuvenator for all curl types.

With the DevaCurl Mist-er Right I spritz the entire length of my hair and then wrap it up to dry. The key is to not use too much, it smells great so you might be tempted to use more than you need. Remember a little goes a long way and too much will make your hair less sleek and invite frizzies to pop up all over the place.

Hair Mistake: Over Washing

Kinky, curly, textured, relaxed, or however else you would like to describe your hair doesn't need to be washed every single day. Over washing will strip your hair of it's natural oils and make it dry and damaged. At the most you should only be washing your hair with shampoo twice a week. Please note, I said at MOST. Lathering up with shampoo twice a week would reek havoc on my hair, but everyone's scalp is different.

My Regimen for Washing:

I only shampoo once a week

If I co-wash I do not use shampoo, instead I use a conditioner and vigorous motion to cleanse my scalp.

Design Essentials Solves Scalp Issues with Shampoo

Whenever the seasons change my scalp gets a little freaked out, whether it gets really dry and itchy or overly oil whenever the weather starts to switch up my scalp gets confused. I'm sure I'm not alone on this one, right ladies?

We all know that a healthy scalp is one of the keys to healthy hair, that's why I pay attention to what's going on down on the scalp level to ensure things are going well. Lately, I've noticed that my scalp is really dry in certain areas and nothing seems to be helping. That is until I tried the Design Essentials Therapeutics Anti-Itch Shampoo, I decided I didn't want to use it all over my head and instead I focused on the driest spots which was right in the front by my hairline. Even though the shampoo is gentle, for some reason I didn't want it all over my scalp. It worked good after the very first use and the results lasted even longer after each wash. Now I'm finding that I actually don't even need to use this shampoo anymore so it's back in the hair care closet until it's needed again.

If you can't find this product at your local BSS, you can purchase it online for just $9.90

How to Shampoo a Sensitive Scalp

Check out this Head and Shoulders Video featuring a shampoo technique for sensitive scalps and a way to curl your hair and protect your ends.

Motions Marula Shampoo

When you have a closet full of hair care products it's easy for a great product to get pushed to the back and forgotten. Motions Marula Natural Therapy Shampoo is one of those products. I just dug it out from the back and it's still amazing! The shampoo is super lush and it doesn't strip my hair or make it dry like other shampoos can. After just shampooing my hair, it makes my hair feel like it's had an instant conditioner on it.

Motions Marula Shampoo is still a winner!

Sulfate, Paraben, SLS, Silicon Free Shampoo Wanted!

Some of us Anti Hair Slaves are always eyeing up ingredients and looking for the most natural products available.  I have to say since I've embarked on this quest to achieving healthy hair I've noticed how my hair reacts to certain products and one that my hair and scalp doesn't like is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, an ingredient commonly found in shampoos. 

Other ingredients that people seem to avoid include parabens, phthalates, artificial colors, petroleum, and silicones.  Guess what ladies?!?  I've found a shampoo that has none of those ingredients, in fact it's 100% vegan, wheat and gluten free plus it can be found at your local drugstores and supermarkets. 

Keep reading to find out what shampoo it is! 

Wondering what the shampoo is?!?  It's Desert Organics Coconut Shampoo.


Product Description: Bring back shine and health to over-processed, dry hair. Infused with organic coconut oil to provide intense moisture, smooth frizzies, and restore hair’s natural luster. With continued use, hair looks revived, strong, and healthy.

Deal Spotter:  Save 20% DesertOrganics.com $7.19Ingredients:  Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract*, Arctium Lappa (Burdock) Root Extract*, Achillea Millefolium (Yarrow) Extract*, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Extract*, Foeniculum Vulgare (Fennel) Seed Extract*, Sambucus Nigra (Black Elderberry) Flower Extract*, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Extract *, Water (Aqua), Sodium Coco-Sulfate (Coconut Derived), Decyl Glucoside (Coconut And Corn Derived), Propanediol (Corn Derived), Coco-Glucoside (Coconut Derived), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*, Coco Nucifera Coconut) Oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil*, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*, Dehydroacetic Acid, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides (Coconut Derived), Sodium Chloride, Potassium Sorbate (Fruit Derived), Benzyl Alcohol (Plant Derived), Citric Acid, Stearyl Citrate (Vegetable Derived), Lauryl Glucoside (Plant Derived), Fragrance (Parfum).
* Certified Organic

Wash Day: DevaCurl No Poo & One Condition

I've decided that I'm going to use a very moisturizing, sulfate free shampoo, followed up by an extremely moisturizing conditioner.  Why am I going over board with the moisturizing products?  That's because I'm doing extremely well applying my Mega-Tek Growth Mix, since Mega-Tek is a heavy protein I want to make sure that I don't end up doing more damage than good on this Mega-Tek Challenge. 

Pre-Poo:
Saturated hair with coconut oil and did a scalp massage before bed, then applied a plastic cap covered by a scalp to my head and went to bed. 

Shampoo:
DevaCurl No Poo

Conditioner:
DevaCurl One Condition left on for a few minutes

Deep Conditioner:
DevaCurl Heaven in Hair Deep Treatment left on for 30 minutes with heat

Results:
DevaCurl No Poo does not lather so I always find myself using more than I really need to, but it's okay because it has no SLS to upset my scalp.  Don't get up in arms if you are relaxed or just have naturally straight hair, DevaCurl products are for all hair types.  It smells great and left my hair feeling awesomely soft.  The DevaCurl One Condition and Heaven in Hair both compliment the scent of the shampoo and left my hair extremely soft and feeling very moisturized.

Wash Day: Avon Advanced Techniques Moisture Sleek

My last wash day featured Avon Advanced Techniques Moisture Sleek products and my hair came out great, my hair was soft and smooth after I finished.  I did not take any photos because I only dried my hair on a low setting and threw it into a bun.  Here is a rundown of the products I used:

Pre-poo:

Burt's Bees Pre Shampoo Avocado Butter Hair Treatment left on dry hair for 30 minutes with heat

Shampoo:

Avon Advanced Techniques Moisture Sleek Smoothing Shampoo done twice focusing on cleansing my scalp

Conditioner:

Avon Advanced Techniques Moisture Sleek Smoothing Conditoner applied to damp hair and left on for 15 minutes without heat

Results:  I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Avon Moisture Sleek collection worked very well on my hair.  Even though my hair did not feel stripped after using the Moisture Sleek shampoo I won't be over using it because it does have SLS and I personally find SLS to cause my scalp to get overly dry and flakey.  The conditioner was great at providing moisture to my hair and combating frizz.  I noticed that after drying my hair on a low setting, it had less frizz than normal but it wasn't sleek enough to wear out without a flat iron.