Hair Carnival: Winterizing Hair

Loving these Hair Carnivals. This time around we are talking about what changes in our hair routine do we make once it gets to be Winter. I must admit first off I struggle writing this post due to the fact where we live the winter is not really as harsh as it is in other parts.

Well one thing I have noticed in the last few years that we have done is around the beginning of December Des tends to get her hair straightened. This is due largely to the fact that the first part of December is when her birthday falls and since we rarely straighten her hair she usual request it for her birthday. I must say that take all the precautions I can think of to insure that she does not get heat damage. I know using heat doesn't sound like it could be at all beneficial but honestly it seems that when it is straight I don't have to do much with it. I make sure that I keep it moisturized with oils. I apply them by rubbing the desired oil in my hands and then my hands through her hair. Since it is colder out there tends to be less humidity which in turns means her hair doesn't revert for quite sometime. As for keeping it straight when she bathes, we just wrap it up and she does her best to keep it from getting wet. I have noticed that we can keep her hair straighter longer than we can keep it in any style which in the long run mean less manipulation and it doesn't tend to tangle much when her hair is straight.

Des' 10th Birthday, early Dec 2010

Since we do not continuously apply heat to keep it in this condition we of course must also take care of her hair when it is curly and "cold" outside. One change in our routine that we make is to use heavier products. For example instead of oils or creamy based moisturizers, I tend to use butters because the butters keep her moisturized for longer periods of time. Des doesn't get her hair shampooed often but it is even less when it is winter out. We do co wash with conditioner though.

Around Christmas time in 2010. 

Another thing that I try to keep on top of is making sure that although it is colder outside that Des drinks water. It is much easier to remember water when it hot or warm out but when it is cold out it is a different story. Water helps keep your body hydrate which includes your hair.

I hope that you enjoyed hearing my insights on winter hair care. Be sure to check out the linkies below for other tips which will help too. Until the next time... Be Blessed.

Nutty for Macadamia Nut Oil (Picture Heavy)

So a while back while research oils in general I ran across some information about Macadamia Nut Oil that intrigued me. I learned that it was very rich in Essential Fatty Acids and distinctively resembles Sebum. Macadamia Nut Oil is an ideal enriching and replenishing agent that allows for it to be rapidly absorbed.

Some of the benefits of Macadamia Nut Oil are that it is intensely nourishing. It provides a smooth and long lasting tangle free, frizz free finish on hair with incredible shine. Hair and skin instantly absorbs the lightweight oil. It also provides natural UV protection and is said to extend the life of color treatments while reducing dryness by 40% to 50%.

Well with all that being said I really wanted to try it but I had a hard time finding it. I found it at Natural Grocers, 16 oz. for $12.99 made by NOW Healthy Foods.

The first time we used it was after co washing Des' hair, while it was in box braids, using Yes To Carrots conditioner, love this stuff for Des and I. Since we were going to do Curlformers I just took one box braid down at a time. I detangled and moisturized her hair with Kinky Curly Knot Today and Macadamia Nut Oil mixed together. I then coated each section with Eco Styler and put the Curlformer in. I repeated this process till her whole head was done. With the exception of the one flat twist that I put in across the front of her face.

The next morning we took the Curlformers out and her hair looked great. It was moisturized and the curls were defined and shiny. Des wore her hair like this to church that day and wore it in a pony tail the remainder of school week and we didn't have to reapply any moisturizer to her hair. I did use a small amount to move her ponytail over from the center to the right side of her head.

We decided to rinse her a week after first application with just warm water and detangle her hair again. We were in a rush so we did this fairly quickly with out any issues. Her hair was not tangled except along the nape of her neck where her uniform shirt rubs and even that wasn't hard to detangle. The only thing we used once her hair was rinsed was Macadamia Nut Oil alone. Des' hair was put up in a high ponytail since we were going to Chuck E Cheese for a birthday party. We were there for about 4 hours, she was running around and playing 90% of the time. I was really worried about the frizz especially since the front of her hair was almost dry when I put the MNO in her hair. Well to my pleasant surprise, we had very lil fly aways and her curls were beautifully defined.

Sunday evening, to get ready for school, we sat down and did rolling twists that lead into a ponytail. On Tuesday morning, I put her ponytail in twist for school. On Wednesday morning, I put the twists into a bun.

Wednesday Night we decided to wash her hair with SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Shampoo and conditioned with Yes to Carrots. I put MNO in her hair prior to finger detangling and then using a Denman brush to brush her hair out. I then put in random twists for the night. I did a twist out the next morning but it went into a ponytail at Des' request. They are doing a lot of PE testing in school and it is still hot here. When she got home from school we did take her hair down and separates her from her twist.

I must say we absolutely love Macadamia Nut Oil. It does a wonderful job of keeping her hair moisturized but not greasy feeling. I love how my hands feel when I am done working with Des' hair. We both enjoy the light nutty smell that it has although it does fade pretty quickly so don't worry if that is not your thing. Her hair looks better for longer and feels better as well. I love that I am not constantly needing to apply more moisturizer to her hair throughout the week. I also did not notice any buildup of dirty or oil on her hair since we have started we using it.

Have you ever used Macadamia Nut Oil? If so, what was your experience?

I hope that you enjoy this post. If you decide to give Macadamia Nut Oil please let me know what you think. Until the next time...Stay Blessed.