Nature's Gate Organics Shampoo: Chamomile and Lemon

Cost: On Sale $3.95
Smell: Good
Texture: Smooth, Not Very Thick
Rating: 6/10


This shampoo was a lot different than I expected, lets start with that. It was so light that I was wondering if it cleaned anything. And speaking of cleaning your hair, this shampoo was so gentle I felt that it did not clean my hair. Perhaps this means I should look at the shampoos mission. The shampoo is for dry, damaged hair. I believe the reason it did not feel like it cleaned my hair is because this shampoo is formulated for dry hair, meaning it is not made to strip your hair. Shampoos for oily hair will strip your hairs of moisture. Shampoos for dry hair will not. In conclusion if you want a gentle "non-stripping" shampoo then this is a good one to use over the more expensive Kinky Curly Come Clean Shampoo or Curls Creamy Curl Cleanser. 

Shea Moisture: Moisture Retention Shampoo

Cost: $10
Smell: Good
Texture: Creamy, Thick for a Shampoo
Rating: 8.5/10


    If you want a shampoo that is moisturizing then there is no other organic shampoo than this one. This shampoo is very thick and creamy and very shiny. When this shampoo hits your hair you can instantly feel the moisture that it brings. It lathers up very nicely for a shampoo that leaves behind so much moisture. Speaking of leaving behind moisture, that is why I did not give this shampoo a 10/10. Shampoos are supposed to lift and clean residue out. Shampoos with high moisturizing agents leave residue behind. Your hair is not getting as clean as other shampoos can make it. HOWEVER this shampoo is great for washing hair before a protein treatment, after a dye job, or if your hair is really dry. I would not use this shampoo over the long term due to the build up it may cause. You can use this shampoo everyday or on your wash days if every 1-2 months you will use a clarifying shampoo. This shampoo is a treat for my hair. I highly recommended this shampoo for the dry haired like me, but only in moderation, YOU WILL GET ADDICTED.  

Demi-Permanent Hair Dye

So as a treat for being one year natural, I dyed my hair black. I used demi- permanent hair dye by Wella. This dye is great! It is not permanent but it lasts a little longer than semi-permanent dye as well. 

• This dye is two parts. You have to mix 1 part dye and one part activator. You have to mix this dye very well! The more you mix it the darker it gets. 
• I shampooed my hair with the Nature's organics shampoo then I put the dye in.
• I sat under the dryer for 20 minutes.
• I then used the Shea Moisture: Moisture Retention Shampoo.
• I then Deep Conditioned my hair.

And Viloa! 

 

<<< I am so excited!




Under the dryer I used it all and you an see how dark it got once I kept mixing it. >>>

       Here you can see the difference. These are pictures of my hair freshly washed. 

                                   

Shed Hair vs Breakage

    I am so glad that I finally have reached the point where breakage is minimal and the hair that I am losing is just shed hair. The picture below is a shed hair. It is very long and if you look closely in the bottom left corner you can see the white bulb that is attached. Breakage is usually short and lacks a bulb. This picture also shows you how strong and shiny my hair strand is as well as how curly  my strands really are. My hairs are finally getting healthy. 

This is a single strand from my head. 

     This picture is all the shed hairs I lose in one wash/condition/de-tangle session. This is great considering we lose 50-100 hairs a day. 

This is a hair ball with conditioner in it. 

One Year Natural

A Year in Pictures (not in order) VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL