Updated: '40(ish) Days of Curls' Product Overhaul

I've been saying I was going to do an updated product overhaul for a while now. My last one was almost two years ago (horrible, I know). Now that I'm well into my natural hair journey I pay much closer attention to what I choose to use in my hair, and I'm even more selective because my hair is color treated (alcohol is a no no). These products have worked wonders on trying to maintain my hair's health as well as regaining length that was lost in my transition. (I use the word transition lightly because I've always been natural.. I use it to refer to the time when I stopped heat abusing my hair every two weeks and switched to wearing my curls first time.) I arranged the products in the order that I use them, and the coconut oil can be used as both a pre-poo and to seal ends.

From l to r:

LouAna 100% Pure Coconut Oil

III Sisters of Nature Cleasing Co-Wash with Coconut Milk 10oz

Pureology Perfect for Platinum Conditioner, 8.5 Ounce

It's a 10 miracle leave -in Plus Keratin 10oz

Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen, Grow & Restore Leave-In Conditioner 16oz
Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner - 33 oz

Not pictured:
Natural Argan Oil (also used as an end sealant) 

Inspire the Tribe.

Floral Kimono x The One Year Anniversary of My Golden "Crown"

I've been natural my whole life, but it wasn't until recently that I began to fully embrace my hair in it's natural state. I'm coming around on the one year anniversary of giving up being a slave to my flat iron and straightening my hair every other week ( flashback to when I began my journey here. ) While I've lost some length due to my color change, I've learned what works/ doesn't work for my hair, gained more defined curls and fallen in love with the effortless beauty that is my golden "crown." 

It feels good to be completely comfortable in my skin.

I'm now in the process of attempting new ways to wear my hair in this state. Anyone who knows me knows I bore easily ( I'm surprised I haven't taken a bottle of blue black dye to the head by now, but stay tuned ) and I'm excited to try twist outs, Bantu knots and various other ways to style my 'fro. 

If anyone has any natural hair sites that they'd like to recommend, leave them in a comment below.   

( SIDE NOTE: I couldn't wait for Spring to pull out this beautiful floral kimono - one of my favorite trends for the coming season. )

Day 36 x 40(ish) Days of Curls

Day 36.

Length check!

And so, the no heat (40(ish) Days of Curls) challenge goes on. My curls are a lot more defined than they've ever been. They have also stretched out and hang a lot longer than before, which I love.

I know I will need a trim after all of this, but I'm hoping to achieve this same length post-trim.

( SIDENOTE: My hairdresser is using me as a hair model for her new website, so I may have to cut my curly hair journey short by a few days. :( But no worries, the curls will be back as soon as the shoot is through! )



curl check in

day 22
still going strong.

+
snow day (yes, SNOW!) boredom

Here are a few of the products that have become my best friends on my natural hair journey.

L to R:

Aussie Hair Insurance Leave-In Conditioner 8 Fl Oz (Pack of 3)

My go-to leave in conditioner. I use this when my hair is soaking wet, fresh out of the shower.

 Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream, 8.5 ounce

This is my second favorite product when it comes to defining my curls. It has a light fresh scent that I love.

Organic Coconut Oil 14 oz.
I use this when I want to condition my hair throughout the day. It leaves my hair feeling very soft and moisturized, and the fact that it is organic doesn't hurt.

Jane Carter Curl Defining Cream, 6 Ounce
MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE PRODUCT EVER. It does exactly as the name reads... defines my curls to perfection. I can't tell you all how many of these tubs I go through. If you're looking for a new product to try... try this.

Shea Moisture Smoothie & Treatment Masque Duo

This is a new product that I've been using for about a month. It's a little heavier than what I'd like, so it's something I would use as a back up to the Curl Defining Cream and Curl Control Cream. I'm not sure if I'd buy it again when this tub runs out. I'd give it 2.5 out of 5 stars.

Ion Volume Builder
When it comes to my hair, the bigger the better. This helps on days when I have freshly washed hair and want to try to build volume that I usually can only achieve on the second or third day. I just spray it in at the roots and brush it through. (I brush out the bottom layers of my hair to achieve the biggest fro/ bush possible.)

What products are you using? Share with me.

I'm a little late posting this, (exactly one week to be exact), but I decided that this year I really wanted to push myself in what I would sacrifice for lent. I'd given up sweets. I'd given up red meat. Both of which had found their way right back into my diet within a matter of days beyond the fast. This year I wanted to give up something that might bring everlasting change. Immediately I thought of taking a break from heat straightening my hair. It was something I've wanted to try for a while; not only to maintain the health of my hair and hopefully gain some length in the process, but also to learn to embrace my hair in its natural state. 

You see, I've never been one to feel 'glamorous' when wearing my natural.. as silly as that may sound. It was more so something I'd turn to for convenience, or when in between appointments. No matter how many compliments I'd receive, or comments of, "If I had your hair I'd wear it like that everyday," I just wasn't having it. My curl pattern was inconsistent.. there would be too much shrinkage.. and it would get tangled beyond belief.

So here I am.

I decided what better challenge to myself than to face forty(ish)-days and forty(ish)-nights of nonstop curls! I'm challenging myself to feel glamorous in them, to find the beauty in truly embracing myself in my total natural state (I'm not an avid weave wearer but my hair is usually blown out bi-weekly) and ultimately to reach and inspire anyone else that's ever felt this way. I will post pics along the way and share what products worked/ didn't along my journey.

Stay tuned.