My hair....so far.

From bald to 10 cm in a little over year. I'm kinda happy with my progress. Right now my hair is in tiny braids  (minimal manipulation). They are really easy to manage and I like to keep my regimen simple because I'm lazy!

My regimen
-Braid hair every 3-4 weeks then I take them out then DC and protein treatment.
-Co-wash with tresemme naturals every other day (I live in a hot ass country..sweaty hair aint sexy!)
-Wash hair with black soap on Saturdays
-Oil hair every night with my homemade JBCO + coconut oil mix (just 2 ingredients..simple!)
-Trim hair every 2-3 months
-If my hair is feeling dry I mist it with my homemade hair mist (filtered water, glycerin and rose water).

-I want to start including hot oil treatments at some point. 

Length: a little over 10cm!!! Going to TRY and get to 15 cm by December.

February...brrr

I'm loving H+M's spring collection - monochromes and florals. I finally picked up a striped shirt (a wardrobe staple), a floral print tee and peplum.Will show how I style them soon.

 

Wearing my favourite camel beanie from H+M, a denim shirt from Monki and vintage clip on earrings.

 

hair update - well the fro is growing and I'm still no way close to knowing what products are best for my hair so I try to keep my routine as simple as possible. I wash/cleanse with dudu osun (black soup), replenish moisture with aussie's miracle moist shampoo + conditioner, aphogee protein and homemade hair oil (coconut, JBCO, olive oil and whipped shea butter). I also use protective styles most of the time now since it's winter in London - my favourites being wigs and cornrows.

skin update - I have dry and eczema prone skin and I was recommended this routine by a friend and I must say it works. So I now scrub my face at night with St Ives apricot body scrub to remove any debris from the day then cleanse/moisturize with Pond's cold cream. I must say my skin is baby soft. I also use pond's in the morning to clean my face instead of shower gel or soap.

ALMOND + OLIVE OIL HAIR MASK

1. almonds- high magnesium which is vital for growing healthy hair
2. Greek yoghurt - high in protein (the whey) + adds shine and softness to hair
3. oats - high in potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and iron.
4. coconut oil- coconut oil is high in vitamin E, antioxidants, fat and is absorbed by your hair strands. 
5. olive oil - keeps hair nourished and conditioned.
6. Jamaican black castor oil - moisturises, speeds growth, high in nutrients and it works specifically on the hair roots.
7. avocado - as natures butter it is a great conditioner that softens and adds moisture to dry hair.
8. mint leaves - the essential oil in the leaves increases blood flow therefore promoting growth.
9. Aussie 3 minute reconstructor
10. pure glycerin - a great humectant
11. milk - high in protein and nutrients.

Blend it all together till it's a smooth paste (add more milk if it's too thick or oats if it's too thin). Apply to hair a section at a time, making sure you massage it into scalp and at the ends. Cover with a shower cap for as long as you want. Then rinse and co-wash hair - the voila shiny hair. About the to wash my hair, will post the results in a little while.

10 sulphate free shampoos + conditioners

Sulphates are the component in shampoos +  soaps that create a foamy lather and sodium laureth sulfate (SLS) is the most commonly used version. They strip the moisture from your hair and skin and SLS is a common skin irritant, so why would you want that anywhere near you?

I have super sensitive skin, so for years I have used natural soaps like Dudu Osun (African black soap) but I never bothered with using anything special for my hair. Going on a natural hair journey helped with exposing me to the advantages + disadvantages of certain products so I just want to share a list of 10 sulphate free products that I've tried or heard that are particularly great for most hair types:

1.KIEHL'S SUPERBLY SMOOTHING ARGAN SHAMPOO
2. MOP C-SYSTEM, CLEAN SHAMPOO
3. HONEY'DO SHAMPOO
4. OUIDAD MOISTURE LOCK LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER
5. FEKKAI ESSENTIAL SHEA CONDITIONER
6. DUDU OSUN (AFRICAN BLACK SOAP)
7. YES TO CARROTS PAMPERING CONDITIONER
8. MIXED CHICKS LEAVE IN CONDITIONER
9. ORGANIX RENEWING MOROCCAN ARGAN OIL SHAMPOO
10. GIOVANNI  NUTRAFIX HAIR RECONSTRUCTOR