Wash Day: Curly Mo-Hawk

Hello Loves,

Back again with another wash day. I did not write about my previous wash day because I am trying to figure something out.

Remember the mud wash I raved so much about. With the softness and smoothness I achieved. Guys, I think the smoothness is due to the fact that it shuts my hair shaft tight!! Does that make sense? Some would say this is good news, but for a low porosity hair like mine, I actually need it open to receive the treatment, hence why I use extra heat with my steamer. I am not a 100% sure, but I think I noticed that my hair felt a bit dry to the touch (although my fingers where "moisturised"), a couple of days after my wash day. This normally doesn't happen, as my trusted LOC method works!!. I will have to try again with the mud wash and keep a close eye to be sure. But yea, that is a theory I have. What do you guy think? Am I making any sense? Let me know in the comment section.

On to the matter of the day though,

Wash day went something like this:

1. Pre-pooed with my staples, coconut oil and hello hydration (Check out my video to see how my pre poo routine goes exactly)
2. Shampooed after about 30mins with Creme of Nature Argan Oil Moisture & Shine Shampoo.
3. T-shirt dried for a couple of minutes and the steamed for 20 mins with Mane choice Green Tea and Carrot deep conditioning mask. After that, an extra 40 mins under a plastic bag.
4. Rinsed that out and styled my hair. Of course, using my LOC method with kinky curly knot today, grapeseed oil and Jane Carter Nourish and Shine.

I would have said my wash that was pretty simple, but the styling took forever. Mainly because I couldn't figure out how to braid my left side with my short hands!! LOL. And the perm rodding technique was failing me. In the end though, after about 2 hours of frustration and nearly giving up, I figured it out and finished. I have a video on how I did it on my YouTube channel too, link here.

And here are some pictures, cause you know I love taking them. PS: I post all my pictures on Instagram first!! So follow me :) @growgrowinggrown

PSS: Check out the other lovely ladies and how their wash day went at #TheWashdayexperience Link up. 

The Inspiration

Take down, Separate, Fluff, Pose

Day Four

 Love,
Dumsy

Healthy Hair Enthusiast in The Netherlands?

Hey loves,

I woke up this morning with the urge to find a healthy hair community here in the Netherlands where I live. I would really like to attend an event centred around healthy hair care. It doesn't have to be a big event, it could be just a couple of girls with similar interests that come together to discuss, share and learn about our hair. I feel like there isn't much going on here in the Netherlands (or perhaps I am not just aware of it), in relation to such.

I see lots of such events around in US, UK and Nigeria, but its very scarce here in the Netherlands. I think one of the issues for me personally is the language, but I wont mind attending one in Dutch. My Dutch may not be close to perfect but it is enough to get me by and understand a few things. Plus, isn't hair a universal language between us ladies?. I am also sure that there are lots of other ladies here in the Netherlands, either here to work or school that do not speak the language either. Most of us, myself included, resort to youtube and blogs to learn and discuss our hair with others around that world.

One of the main reasons I started this blog, was to share my hair story with you guys, while keeping sort of a journal for myself. My aim is not only to inform, but to learn and hopefully inspire someone through my journey. I love that what I do, I love talking about hair and I am glad that in the process, I have meet a few wonderful people from my blog, youtube and Instagram page. It would be nice to meet up with people once in a while and exchange tips and tricks and just have fun all together.

So yes, I see I have a few readers around Europe, and here in the Netherlands, make yourself known guys. I would love to know if you will be interested in having a natural/relaxed/healthy hair meet up event. Where we discuss all about our hair, likes, dislikes, how we care for it and what not. It will also be an opportunity to learn from other ladies and maybe swap hair products. Let me know what you think and if you know people that will be interested in such an event. I think it will be fun.

Hope to here from you soon.

Love,
Dumsy

Wash Day: All-In-One Mud Wash

Hey Loves,

I am so excited to tell you about this wash day. Well, this past weekend, I was inclined too try something different. As you know, I have been contemplating with the idea of starting the Max Hydration Method, and last week, I went out in search for the products and found most of the essentials but baking soda. I also found out about a simple modified way to follow the regimen without having to do the seven day stretch from Dee of DubaiDee. She has also gone further to cut down most steps as she has nearly if not already reached "max hydration". Her recent version involves just two steps. The step using clay and the last step with the gel only.

Well to me it seemed like clay was the main culprit and seeing as I had that, I started thinking about doing a mud wash. I remembered Sandra from Naija Girl Next Door and AB from thekinkandi had both tried it in the past and loved the outcome. So yea, I decided to try it myself using the products in the picture below.

• Rhassoul Clay - is got from Atlas Mountains in Eastern Morocco. It is not only used for the hair, but also for the skin. Some of its benefits include:

-detoxifies (removes impurities)

-deep cleansing and conditioning treatment for hair

-clarifies your hair

-nourishes your hair

-deep cleansing facial and skin cleanser

-does not strip natural oils from your hair and skin

-improves skin clarity, elasticity and firmness

-smoother hair and skin

-treat and heals eczema, psoriasis, and acne

• Coconut milk - It was my protein treatment "day"so I decided to add it in the mix.
• Honey - Because honey is always a good idea. LOL extra moisture never hurt no one.
• Oils (JBCO, Coconut oil & Jojoba oil) - because why not? Each help promote growth, enhance shine and many more.

I mixed everything together-see how in this video-until I was okay with the consistency. Then I applied to my hair. My hair had not been detangled for a week, so I sprayed each sections lightly with water, finger detangled and smeared with the mixture. When I was done, I covered with two plastic bags as well as my stain scarf and left it on for about an hour, 30 minutes of which the last 20 minutes, I steamed.

Initial Thoughts and Final Verdict.

First of all, as I started I realised how quickly it dried up. Conditioner like paste  > cake batter like paste!! Had to add extra water as I was applying it. I think it also had to do with the fact that my hair wasn't very wet. Next time I'll apply it to damp nearly wet hair. Although I sprayed my hair with water, it wasn't enough. I even sprayed more water once I was done with application before putting on plastic cap.

Finally, when I was done with the steaming my hair didn't feel soft. Not as soft as when I use a conditioner, and that left me a bit wary. But it all changed once I stepped into the shower. I was able to rinse it out without any fuss. I also detangled further under the running water with my wide tooth comb!! Let me tell you, I was left with hair as soft as those expensive pillows!! Guys, this made me feel like all the times I thought my hair was "soft", were lies!!! And it felt clean too.

Remember when I talked about how I didn't like Kinky curly Knot Today so much  due to the fact that it didn't apply on smoothly to my hair? Well I this changed my mind fast!! All my products "took"in like never before. My hair shaft felt so smooth. All in all, I was a happy camper.

PS: I questioned why this wasn't what everyone did, I mean  it cleanses and conditions at the same time. But the AB told me that it doesn't clean your hair entirely like a shampoo does. So therefore, next time, I will try using it in place of my deep conditioner and shampoo and pre poo as normal.


Styling

I was supposed to style my hair with perm rods, but I was not getting the technique right, and I didn't have time to try and try again. So I decided to just twist my hair. I was excited with the outcome of the twits, looking all juicy and things. When I took it down at first I had a nice definition, but then separation came and I was left with a frizzy mess. Look at the pictures below. Pulled it into a puff and the next day, resorted to my go to cinnabun puffs!!

Tell me guys, how did your wash day go? Have you tried a mud wash before? How did that go? Share below and do not forget to check out the other ladies sharing their experiences on #thewashdayexperience linkup.

PSS: Guess what? It is my second year healthy hair anniversary!! I cant believe its been two years. I posted this picture on instagram and it got featured on one of the healthy hair pages. I am so glad I stumbled upon that article I spoke about in my very first post. Even if there has been many ups and downs, remember my rant post? I am glad of where I am now.

"It all started on March 4th 2013, I took down my braids after months of little to no care, and was left with tons of thick new growth with damaged ends. Within a year, after learning so much, I was able to turn that around a bit with a few setbacks here and there. Now here I am, exactly two years after, nearly 4 months post big chop & nearly 12 months since my last relaxer" 


Thank you guys for all the support through out these years. I started this blog two years ago although I was only able to summon up the courage last year, to constantly post and also share it publicly, I am very happy I did. I am thinking of doing a give away soon so stay tuned!!


Love,
Dumsy