Argan & Moisture

Hello!
I have been doing much better in regards to my diet and nutrition but I'm still working on drinking more water daily. I have recently fallen in love with the Shea Moisture Line of organic, all natural, hair loving products. So naturally I had to go out and grab their shampoo. I also decided I needed a leave in conditioner that would help soften my new growth.


As you can see me new growth is coming onto 2 inches. My natural hair texture seems to be a 4b/4c. After doing some research I found that Creme of Natures Moroccan Argan Oil Strength & Shine Leave in Conditioner worked best for my hair texture in softening it. This product does have protein. However since I have two textures it works well to strengthen the line of demarcation between my relaxed hair and my new growth as the hair is often very fragile in that area and is prone to breakage.  I also picked up Shea Moistures' Moisture Retention Shampoo which I have not tried yet but I have heard great things.

 I have also added sweet almond oils into my daily oiling regimen. I mix it with castor oil and a tablespoon of coconut oil in an applicator bottle as seen. It has worked wonderfully to nourish my scalp and new growth and doesn't leave my hair feeling greasy or heavy. Progress is being made ladies. I am very excited about this!

Until Next Time,
Zayna

You, Yourself, & You!

Hello my dears,
   It's been exactly a week since last I posted. That's mostly due to an extremely busy schedule but I have a the day off so here goes. You see a lot of how our body works depends on us and how we take care of it. That includes how much sleep we get, how much water we drink, and our nutrient intake. All of these factors and more affect our body chemistry. This past week has been none stop and sticking to my regimen properly has been difficult, I have manipulated my hair more than I would have liked, I haven't had the best diet  (i.e McDonald's) , and I haven't been consistent with my vitamins.
    In a hair journey a proper diet and over all health is a basis for having healthy hair growth otherwise whatever you may do to your hair, whatever products you buy or oils you apply, it will not grow. Therefor ladies be sure to create a diet for yourself that consist of a health balance of your needed nutrients; emphasizing greens, fruits, and water. If you choose to take vitamins be sure to take them regularly. Also if you are finding that you are very busy be sure to get adequate sleep and take time out of your day, even if it's only 5 minutes to chill out because stress leads to excessive hair shedding which will set you back.
    In conclusion you have the power over how successful this journey will be. We will take it together and that is what makes it all the more amazing. If you have a set back, that's okay. Learn from your mistakes, I know I have. I will do my best to establish a stable diet and update you guys. My daily water intake goal is 1 gallon. Also I have added Sweet Almond Oil to my routine. I will be sure to update you.

Until Next Time,
Zayna

Olive&Castor

It goes without saying that the title of today's post seems a bit familiar. It is in fact the name of my blog. Olive&Castor seems like a strange name for a blog about hair,but it in fact makes absolute sense. In hair care there are certain things that are virtually essential to aiding in growth. One of those things is oil. The application of natural oils has been to aid in increasing hair growth and improving overall health. That is why I choose to name my blog after two of the most relevant oils to hair care: olive and castor oil. These two oils play significant rolls in the health of hair.
Olive Oil
As seen on md-health:

• One of the most shocking benefits of olive oil is that it can prevent and even cure hair loss. When people lose hair, it is due to a hormone responsible for the shrinkage of the hair follicle shaft. However, the production of that hormone, called DHT (dihydrotestosterone), is hampered when olive oil is applied to the scalp.

• Olive oil also has antibacterial properties and anti fungal properties that fight off common scalp and hair problems. Head lice and dandruff are two examples of conditions that can be either prevented or hampered by the application of olive oil to the scalp.

Castor Oil 
Castor oil is a emollient, meaning that it's primary job is to keep moisture locked into your hair shaft by coating the strand. Jamaican Black Castor Oil is the purest and most potent form of castor oil that one can find. It retains all if not most of it's  natural minerals and nutrients. Castor oil has a very thick consistency resembling  that of molasses  An buffer oil is needed in order for you to prevent your hair from becoming weighed down or acquiring a stringy look and feel. Oils such as lavender, almond, or shea butter work well as buffers. Castor is one of the only oils that has has been proven on multiple hair types to grow hair. Using this oil will give results particularly if used along side a good hair regimen. 

Staple Products

Hello Lovelies!
     Last night I finally got around to initiating a routine of sorts. I decided that I would try co- washing my hair. I used Suave Humectant Moisture after doing much research on what conditioners worked well with relaxed hair. The reviews on this product were, for the most part, phenomenal. Ladies of all hair types agreed that it definitely did it's job, moisturize. The product cost all of $3 at my local Walmart. I detangled my twist out section by section and experienced quiet a bit of breakage.
      I applied the Humectant to the shaft of my hair after detangeling each section. My relaxed hair actually curled up in reaction, it was a sight to see. I proceeded to co-wash with cool water as that better locks in moisture than using hot water. I then added my deep conditioning treatment:  6 drops of eucalyptus oil for the shedding and scalp therapy, 2 Tbs Coconut oil (Protien), 1 tsp Jojoba oil (moisture), 1/2 cups of Suave Almond and Shea Butter Conditioner. I then applied the mixture from root to tip of my hair. I them applied a plastic cap.
     The mixture had my scalp tingling. At first I was a little worried because it was a kind of mentholated burn going on. The steam from my shower was intensifying the feeling. It wasn't painful at all, just a bit intense. When I stepped out of the shower the movement made my scalp further tingle. After 10 minuets  I thoroughly rinsed the mixture from my hair with cool water. My scalp felt incredible and my hair smelled amazing. I moisturized with coconut oil and Shea butter. I also placed a dime sized amount of the Humectant in  my hair as a leave in conditioner. The next day my hair felt so soft and happy. My new growth is almost none existent my hair is so moisturized. My hair was still partially damp so I applied so Edge Control to my edges and tied a scarf around my head to set them then  I put my hair up in a bun as a protective style.

                       

Until Next Time,

Zayna

Awake!

Good Morning,
So I went out on a little early morning business today and rediscovered the glories of Tea. I went up to the local Starbucks to get my fix for the day, but a friend suggested that I instead try the Tazo Tea's. Now, I hadn't had them in a long time so I forgot what they tasted like, but I figured why not. I choose the Awake tea being as that's exactly the state I needed to be in. She instructed that I not let the bag brew too long or else the tea would become bitter. After about a minuet and a half I removed the tea bag that was rather large a filled with the herbs. I sweetened with Raw Brown Sugar and wow, the taste was amazing. Most importantly I actually felt awake!

These black teas have serious health benefits for your hair. Black tea rinses are an immediate source of relief from excessive shedding. Shedding is cause by an excessive build up of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) that shrinks the follicles and make the hair follicle an uninhabitable waist land for your hair. The high concentration of caffeine in black teas counteract the DHT build up, therefor restoring the pH of your follicles and dramatically reducing hair shedding. This allows you to retain your length, volume, and overall health of your hair. A detailed routine including a black tea rinse may be found in a future post.

Until then Lovelies,
Zayna

Why Hello There!

It has become apparent to me that life, particularly mine, is beginning. After graduating High School some five weeks now I've had one epiphany after another; my most recent one, "I should start a blog!" It's always been a thought edging in the back of my mind, but I've just never had the time to do it. Now that I have begun my hair journey I feel it's a good aid in watching my progress as well as a boot to keep me on pace. This blog will be centered on hair care and my health routine related to stimulating my hair growth, but hopefully this will become more of a life style blog with various aspects to it.

My current hair length is at my shoulder:

                
As of July 1, 2013 this is where I stand. My goal is bra-strap length by December.The picture above is shown with me wearing a clip-in. I currently wear my hair in a twist out (pictured to the right) as a way to minimize manipulation and as a protective style overall. I still need a fixed routine. Once I figure one out that works and incorporates the essentials I will be sure to update.

Until then loves ,
Zayna