Read my feature about eco-living on this blog: http://cluelesscurl.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/green-light-rosemary.html

Just because it is natural...

Doesn't mean that it is effective or will work well on your hair. You can save yourself money on the expensive natural items (as there are still some cheap natural products out there).

My best leave-in that conditions my hair so well, is Cantu Shea Butter's Leave-in. This stuff is gold, and it isn't a natural product. Like I said in the It's My Hair Video, if something works, it works. I look at Indian women's hair and I wonder, apart from the cherished coconut oil, if they place any importance on whether a shampoo has any silicone or not.

I know, I know. There is no harm in having a few products that are 'non-natural' (my moisturiser is natural) but there are many long haired naturalistas who are not on a natural regimen.

Sensitive Scalp

I have had to make a few changes to my product stash (as if it's a lot) because of my sensitive scalp - a video is coming soon where I will discuss this! My edges are particularly sensitive. 

• Last week I did a apple cider vinegar rinse and my edges started hurting. I feel like the acid in this rinse has made my scalp more sensitive over the years. So I have bought the shampoo that I used to use during my healthy relaxed hair journey: Schwarzkopf Gliss Liquid Silk which has keratin in it for my thin, fine hair.
• I tried to use a cold Aloe Vera juice rinse as a final rinse on wash days but everytime I use it, my scalp tenderises. I don't know what it is, I just know that the properties in the liquid are sensitising my scalp. I might use it as a daily moisturiser or just use water instead.

There isn't much information out there about sensitive scalp, but I have had to take notes from my hair and take precautions. I can't just put any treatment on my hair. I won't be experimenting with anything anymore. I tried the black tea rinse last week and now my hair feels so limp. One time I tried the onion, garlic and ginger rinse and my scalp turned red and started burning. It tells me something. Not everything will work on your hair. Your hair won't die because you are using a few silicones or hard water. 

I'm going to stop trying out these things, maybe unsubscribe from some natural hair blogs and websites that always post articles about new things to try or possible things you are doing wrong. Every hair is different! Don't risk it. Your hair will grow, if you leave it be. Just like your nails grow. The natural hair movement has come a long way, but there is that extra set of information out there to keep you reading their blogs and websites. All of these new solutions, and new treatments to interrupt the natural growing process of your hair. Many men have long hair and they don't read these things. Let's not feed the anxiety of hair growth and lets be confident that the knowledge that we have about OUR OWN hair is enough for it to grow.

My hair profile: You will never stop learning..

I'm almost approaching my 2 years of growth stage and I still feel like I have a lot to learn about my hair. No matter how much knowledge and information you have acquired and how much you know about other people's hair regimen, you need to definitely learn about your own hair. And this learning, is continuous. I thought that I would stop when my hair reached a years of growth but no, there are many changes that I have had to make and habbits that I had to stop throughout this year.

I guess it is up to me to embrace it, and thank God that I have not hit a set back like many women have in this hair journey.

Most of all, I've stuck to my minimalist regimen, and I've realised that it is just hair. It's just hair. Learn about it, don't argue with it, and let it grow.  If it doesn't like something, stop. If it does, you know what to do. I will talk more about this in the following post.

All I know about my hair is that it is: tightly coiled (looser in some parts), and has thin/fine strands. In terms of density and thickness, I think it will come with time but I don't mind.

I can't use hair pins for too long otherwise the section that holds it starts to loosen up and eventually break. I knowwww, this hair. Ugh. What can I do.

I can't wrap a satin scarf tight around my edges otherwise they break off to.

I can't touch my hair at all. Even the tiniest bit of manipulation through the hands-in-hair-syndrome (that I WILL break free from soon) breaks it off.

This is my hair profile. I have to accept it, that way, it won't be as stressful and I won't want to scream.

DIY FLAXSEED GEL & Benefits of Flaxseed Gel

I have been eyeing this recipe for a while now so I decided to head to Holland and Barret and was lucky to find this crazy deal (two packs for £2.75). In addition, I am not so keen on the ingredients in the very popular eco-styler gel.

Benefits
via LiveStrong.com

Flaxseed oil, derived from the seeds of the flax plant, is rich in essential fatty acids, which can be beneficial to your health in a number of ways. In addition to helping with skin disease, cholesterol and digestive problems, flaxseed oil may also assist with hair growth and the replenishment of brittle hair or dry scalp. While evidence supports the use of flaxseed oil to promote healthy hair, there is no solid proof of its effectiveness.
Why Flaxseed Oil Helps Hair
One of the reasons flaxseed oil can promote hair health is because it is rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids. Omega-3 essential fatty acids are known to support scalp health, while a deficiency can result in dry scalp and dull hair, says Jim White, R.D., a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, according to “Men’s Health.”
Flax seeds also contain lignans, disease-fighting compounds that may help fight hair loss. But because lignans are found in the shell, whole seeds are a better source than oil

via Urbanbushbabes 

• Leaves hair soft, shiny, and moisturized
• Promotes hair growth
• You can reuse the flax seeds
• Cost effective (more for your money)
• Nourishing for the hair rich in omega 3
• Gives great curl definition
• Gives hold with no crunch/non flaking/not drying to the hair/doesn’t cause breakage/or shedding
• Fast drying
• Mixes well with oils/conditioners/ many products
• All natural

My experience

Simply put: I have never had curl definition like I have had with flaxseed gel. Added to my staple? Yes, why not. It gives my tresses that extra moisture boost as I twist up my hair and makes detangling much easier.

What you'll need
- Strainer or stocking sock

- Wood spoon
- Air tight container ( you can use an old product container and place stocking sock over the top part to strain it)
- 3 cups of water
- 1/4 of flax seed (linseed) depending on how thick you want it
- 3 drops of lavender oil (preservative and scent)

My Video for more tips

My Heat Cap: Aphrodite Hair Conditioning Cap

Price £32.99

I often use a heat cap to condition my hair and the benefits are great. It is insulated and gives more heat to allow all of that good moisture to penetrate into your hair strands. Amazing.

My mum bought it for herself but I decided to try it on and I love it. My staple product. I've used it in my Conditioning video:

Life in the living.

Aloe Vera Juice Benefits

My Experience

So I have changed from water to aloe vera juice because it just changed how my hair feels. My hair feels soft, conditioned and super healthy when I moisturise it. I also feel like with aloe vera juice, you don't have to deal with the hard water vs soft water issue that you do with tap water (unless ofcourse on wash day). It's a great natural alternative to water with all of these loaded benefits:

Benefits

via Aloevera.com

Aloe Vera is a plant that originated in North Africa and has been used historically as far back as 6000 years ago in Egypt where the plant was depicted in stone carvings. It is a legendary healing plant used historically by the North Africans, Greeks and Native Americans. The aloe leaves contain a clear gel that is often used topically (externally on the skin, scalp and hair). The green part that surrounds the gel can be used to produce a juice or a dried substance (called a latex) that is taken orally (by mouth).

The Chinese call it ‘the harmonious remedy’, the Egyptians ‘the herb of immortality’ and the Russians ‘the elixir of youth’. It’s also mentioned in the Bible in John 19:39 -40: He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. 40 Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.

Promotes hair growth

Aloe vera can be used as a safe and natural treatment to prevent hair loss. It is great for both men and women to promote new hair growth in places that have experienced hair loss or significant thinning. Aloe vera stimulates the production of new hair and may even lessen the effects of Alopecia.

According to University of Hawaii researchers, using aloe vera for hair growth can be traced back to the ancient Egyptians, who caught on to the miraculous healing and balancing properties of the spiky green plant.

Packed with replenishing enzymes and proteins, aloe vera provides all the necessary nutrients for strengthening lackluster strands. The enzymes help to remove dead skin cells on the surface of the scalp hindering hair growth, as well as deliver a proper pH level to the roots – a necessary component to growing hair.

Reduces dandruff

The natural enzymes found in aloe vera can soothe and moisturize the scalp, helping to eliminate the scaly dryness that causes dandruff. It also helps to increase blood circulation in the scalp, which works to stimulate the production of moisturizing oils. Aloe vera reduces the dry, itchy feeling that accompanies dryness or oiliness. It keeps the hair’s natural oils in balance to prevent excessively oily or dry scalp. Aloe vera also brings a refreshing and cooling sensation to the scalp.

Natural Conditioner

Aloe vera acts as a natural conditioning agent that restores the hair’s sheen, luster, and shine. It not only makes the hair soft, but it also enhances strength and suppleness. It naturally combats frizz but does not have the greasy buildup that many hair care products leave behind.

Regardless of the scalp or hair’s condition, whether too oily or too dry, aloe vera can restore the proper balance.

• Improved detangling

• Moisturisation

• Scalp healing

• Restoration of pH levels

• Decreased frizz

• Anti-inflammation on the scalp

• Hair growth stimulation

I love this stuff!

Fun video!