I’ve had one too many experiences with perms that I’ve decided not to deal with them anymore. It doesn’t make sense to pay $70.00 per month (with an additional $30.00 twice a week) to have wads of my hair fall out even though I’ve maintained it. I would love to go natural, but the fact I have to to the “big chop” is scaring me and I don’t want to do it. However, I have been trimming my ends (because I’ve Googled and went on YouTube, found some girls who trimmed without the big chop.) every five weeks or so. I do admit I haven’t really been catering to my hair since I’m not home, but I’ve been dealing with lack of products to use. My hair is really thick and halts pass my shoulders (I think). It’s just….. The products. Ugh!! The shrinkage in my hair makes it feel like it’s a damn pillow head or brillo pad, no matter HOW MUCH I wash and moisturize my hair. It just lags…
Shampoo/Conditioner:
Cantu (website): When I first began this “no perm for my scalp” journey, Cantu was the first product I’ve used. I did plenty of research and received mixed reviews on it. Wasn’t quite sure, but for the price, I’ve decided to try regardless. For a 13.5 oz bottle of shampoo and/or conditioner in the price of $4.99, I was amazed. Surely cheapness doesn’t mean success. I was so in a hurry to use it the first hour, at first I was pretty amazed at the outcome. The fragrance was light for once and my hair was soft for the first couple of times. Around the third…fourth…tenth time, I’ve had enough with Cantu. The shrinkage level of my hair was tremendously bad as if I hadn’t washed my hair in YEARS in which I did twice a week. I saw no progress in my hair and I’m pretty sure it didn’t do any justice for me but produce a facade of softness. It didn’t make it any better that some of the ingredients weren’t good for (my) hair. The brittle outcome.. Just. No.
Kera Care (website): Now this product in my opinion was one of the most HORRIBLE experiences I’ve dwell in since not getting a perm. I’ve purchased this product at a local beauty supply store and was recommended it by this lady who worked there. She informed me that it was a good product for the type of problems I was going through. It was two small 12 oz bottles each $8.99 and of course I’m apprehensive, but purchased anyway. Maybe it was the particular bottles, but there’s no way I paid damn near $20.00 for diluted shampoo and conditioner. It was like a light yellow color but it looked so watery. Literally, I used the shampoo twice before it was empty and still my hair was dry and not washed properly. I could still feel that extra layer and I’ve scrubbed my hair to the point of no return. The conditioner was just a big no. I called the hair supply store where I’ve purchased and told them that I would never, EVER purchase Kera Care. Maybe it’s just me.
Taliah Waajid (website): One day, I was out and about with my mother and we came across a few beauty supply stores. The first beauty supply store, this lady was trying to make me buy this shampoo in which I used (forgot the name) and I personally didn’t like it. The second beauty supply store, I met this girl who worked in there and told her my problem and she referred Taliah Waajid products to me. The first couple experiences with these hair products, I was just overthrown and didn’t accept at first until she showed me videos of the product. After that, I thought I’d give it a try. The price of a 12 oz (I think) bottle was $7.99. Personally, this product was by far the best I’ve ever used and that includes when I was getting my perm. I loved the smell, the way it penetrated through my hair and how clean my hair felt. It amazed me how much dirt and grime that came out from washing my hair and to be honest, I was hooked. The downfall I have with this product is how hard it is to be found. I really didn’t have any problems with this product until my recent discovery of finding out that it has Aluminum Sulfate? Very disappointed in that.
I’ve also tried: Motions, Pink Moisturizer, and even Proclaim products as well.
Oils/Moisturizers:
Jojoba Oil
Coconut Oil
Vitamin E Oil
Shea Butter Oil
Olive Oil
and Argon Oil
I love all these products, and I’ve mixed some of these together for my nightly routine and even to pre-poo. I think my favorite so far is Jojoba and Argon. They leave my hair moisturized the most in my opinion.
To anyone reading this, I want to know YOUR regimen. How do you maintain YOUR hair? What products do you recommend? What is good for hair growth?
One of my favorite singers. Ms. Corinne Bailey-Rae.
Love her natural locks.
Is it me or her hair color is phenomenal?! Definitely wanna dye my hair this.
