What's in the Phytospecific Relaxer??

This is the ingredient list for the Phytospecific Relaxer. Just the straightening cream though because I really do not feel like doing everything that comes in that box because it's entirely too much going on in there. They say it's "non-chemical" and "odorless" but one of the ingredients says "fragrance" and there are "carefully selected molecules from egg and soya" so..........? which one is it?

The DO-NOT'S of the relaxer are:

That's crazy to me. A lot of people think it's so much work to use/make natural products, and honestly whether you're relaxed or natural, using natural products will make and keep your hair healthy, and it'll be worth the effort. Some of these ingredients are used in your cleaning products, and parts of some of them are used to clean rust off metal.... and this is what you're putting into your hair. Anyway. I'm not going to tell you to not use anything, but at the end of the day, there's alternatives for everything. Even relaxers. Yea... But send me a message and tell me what you think about this!

Water <  we don't need to explain that.

Mineral Oil: it's not terrible, but it's not the best. it's a lubricant and forms an occlusive film on hair. That means it doesn't let moisture (water) go in or out of our hair. basically it's a film on your hair. you can't just use any or everything to wash it off because it's a "water-hater"

Emulsifying Wax NF: it's four ingredients:

-Cetearyl Alcohol (a mixture of fatty alcohols),

-PEG-150 Stearate (PEG= polyethylene glycol. used in making cleansers to dissolve oil and grease as well as thicken products. a lot of times used in caustic spray-on oven cleaners. caustic = "able to burn or corrode organic tissue by chemical action." Stearate is a fatty acid. a waxy solid. stearate is derived from the Greek word 'stear' meaning tallow, which is a rendered form of beef or mutton fat and sometimes lard.)

-Polysorbate 60 (used to help "grow hair" by breaking up sebum. we need sebum because its a natural oil. its only potentially harmful to hair when our body creates too much of it; but if that happens, that's why we wash our hair..)

-and Steareth-20. (It mirrors the properties of cetyl alcohol while promoting the thickening features of stearyl alcohol.)

Propylene Glycol: It is widely used as a moisture-carrying ingredient in place of glycerine because it is cheaper and more readily absorbed through the skin. It is related to polyethylene glycol (PEG) and is known to cause contact dermatitis even at very low concentrations. It is recognized as a neurotoxin by the US National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety, and it may cause kidney damage. The Material Safety Data Sheet for propylene glycol warns workers handling this chemical to avoid skin contact. [X]

Egg Extract: see egg oil Lanolin is the smelly pale-yellow natural oil found on sheep's wool. As a waste product in wool processing, it's also known as wool oil, wool wax, wool fat, or wool grease. It's a natural water repellant.

Steareth-100: a cleansing agent and solubilizing agent. A waxy compound

PEG-75 Lanolin:  Lanolin is the smelly pale-yellow natural oil found on sheep's wool. As a waste product in wool processing, it's also known as wool oil, wool wax, wool fat, or wool grease. It's a natural water repellant.

Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate: a synthetic amphoteric surfactant routinely used in personal care products. amphoteric is a molecule or ion that can react as an acid as well as a base

Oleth-20: Organic perfume stabilizer, derived from unsaturated fatty acids. an emulsifier.

Cetearyl Alcohol: a mixture of fatty alcohols, consisting predominantly of cetyl and stearyl alcohols and is classified as a fatty alcohol. 

PEG-10 Rapeseed Sterol:  PEG + the fatty acid component of the rapeseed plant. Used as a surfactant and to help make products soluble.

Hydrolyzed Soy Protein:   The extraction process of hydrolysis involves boiling in a vat of acid (e.g., sulfuric acid) and then neutralizing the solution with a caustic soda. The resultant sludge is scraped off the top and allowed to dry. In addition to soy protein it contains free-form excitotoxic amino acids (e.g., MSG) and other potentially harmful chemicals including cancer-causing chemicals in many cases. A newer method of hydrolysis involves the use of bacteria by itself or in addition to the chemical processes described above. There is a possibility that genetically-manipulated bacteria may be used.

In almost all cases, hydrolyzed soy protein contains a significant amount of genetically-manipulated soy. The hydrolyzed protein products currently added to foods should be considered a detriment to one's health. There are much healthier sources of soy protein and soy nutrients. [X]

Fragrance

Egg Oil: some special process they do to extract natural oils from hen eggs. they used to do it using heat, but now the process is done using hexane or ethanol. 

(hexane is a colorless, significant part of gasoline with a gasoline-like odor. relatively safe when not exposed to it a lot of it.)

(ethanol is also called ethyl alcohol, pure alcohol, grain alcohol, or drinking alcohol. it's a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid) 

- Lauren

Product Review: Cassandra's Hair Potion

*I am not being paid for this review in any way. Guarantee to tell the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth so help me God*

SO. Let me tell y'all about my new favorite product: Cassandra's Hair Potion.
Let me start off by saying that I have 3C and 4A hair with a splash of 3B in my 'kitchen'. My hair soaks up oil then acts as if I've never fed it before, so along with conditioning and protein treatments, I either have to moisturize every other day, or put heavier products in my hair to maintain moisture. I went on etsy.com to find some new products to share with y'all (and also shine some light on lesser known businesses), and I came across Cassandra's Hair Potion's page. The picture of the Extreme Moisturizing Cream looked so thick, and creamy, and I HAD to try it, so I immediately emailed her.

Ms. Cassandra was more than willing to share a sample, and I had it in my mailbox in a day. It was very well packaged; I was expecting little tiny jars, but I was blessed with plenty to try. the products came in a thick padded envelope inside another box.  I received Peppermint Bliss, Yummy Gumball, and Strawberry Delight, and a Peppermint Hair Mist.

 

The moisturizer comes in 4 oz ($7) and 8 oz ($12) size jars and 5 different fragrances. I tried the mist and Peppermint Bliss Moisturizer. It's very smooth and thick, and melts fast when you rub it in your hands, and the mist soothes your scalp and stimulates. It has Shea butter, Kokum butter, Cocoa Butter, Coconut oil, Glycerin, Olive butter, Essential oil, and Fragrance oil.

You can use it on wet, or dry hair, and a little goes a LONG way. I tested this moisturizer and hair mist on both my mama's hair and my own. Her hair is more coarse and thick, and it still worked GREAT, and with hair split in 4 sections, I really only need about a quarter size of moisturizer per section.

I prefer spraying or wetting my hair first, to make sure it penetrates, but if I put it in dry hair, I won't have to worry about my hair feeling weird and greasy. It still moisturizes. I only moisturized my hair twice last week, and I honestly really didn't have to, but only did it because i re-flatwisted my hair, so basically I gotta break my habit. My twist out curls are light, bouncy, silky, and smooth.

I love this moisturizer better than using Shea Butter. I'm going to be a regular customer. If you're having issues with keeping your hair moisturized, you should definitely try Cassandra's Hair Potion a try. All the ingredients work together to make you and your hair fall in love, and you can tell that she loves what she does, and puts a lot of love and care into her products.

I asked Ms. Cassandra a few questions so you can get acquainted with her:

How long have you been natural?

About 2 years. Because I didn’t big chop, I don’t have an exact date. As my natural hair grew, I gradually cut the relaxer out. The main reason I went natural is because I wanted my daughters to see the beauty of their own natural hair. I couldn’t expect to show them how to appreciate their own hair, while I had chemicals in mine.

How did you get into the natural hair business?

My daughters have allergies and sensitive skin. Many hair products contain ingredients that my daughters are allergic to, such as mango. Other store-bought products turn my daughters’ skin into a bumpy, itchy nightmare. Products that use chemicals as preservatives and to add heavy fragrances were particularly problematic. Hunting for products became a full-time job – so I decided to make my own. When I would make hair my hair potion for my family, I would also give it out to friends and family. After a while, my friends suggested that I should make it available to others. My labor of love to find a perfect product that would give my girls gorgeous hair without itchy skin became Cassandra’s Hair Potion.
What makes your products unique and special?

What makes Cassandra’s Hair Potion: Extreme Moisturizing Cream unique:

·         Water is not the main ingredient

·         It’s made of natural butters and oils

·         Every ingredient used can be easily pronounced and is recognizable

·         No harsh chemicals

·         No Parabens

·         Helps hair retain moisture

·         Adds shine

·         No alcohol

·         No preservatives

·         Also a great body moisturizer

Where do you get your inspiration for your business?

My daughters inspired me initially. I wanted to create something that would work well with their hair. Then, as I began to hear and read more about other people going natural, I also became inspired by their stories.

Advice/message for new naturals?

There is a huge learning curve in learning what products and hair styles work for best for your hair. Don’t be afraid to experiment and most importantly – enjoy the journey and the experience. I had no idea what a joy it would to understand and work with my natural hair.

Example of product use

I love braid outs. I love how this technique gives a uniformed pattern to my curls while elongating my hair. It’s a style that works for any occasion.
I achieve my braid out by:
1. Separating my hair into sections. I create sections as I go. The amount of hair in section, depends on the desired look. Smaller sections give a more defined look. The bigger the section the less defined it will be. I usually have 12 braids total.
2. Dampen the section just created with Peppermint Hair Mist. Very important that the hair is not wet, but damp. Wet hair will take a longer time to dry.
3. Detangle the section with a wide-tooth comb and/or a Denman brush.
4. I apply Cassandra’s Hair Potion: extreme Moisturizing Cream as my sealant using about a dime-sized amount. Use less or more depending on hair.
5. Comb the cream through the hair.
6. Braid the section.
7. Make another section.
8. Repeat steps above until all hair is braided.

Product sites
website: www.cassandrashairpotion.com 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hairpotioncassandras
tumblr: http://cassandras-hair-potion.tumblr.com/

Available for sale at:
* Amazon
* Etsy
* Ebay

Daily Regime

Hello UntouchMyHair readers! Okay I have been SUPERR busy trying to get financial aid and other things ready to start my senior year at Florida A&M ! Yayy! Okay so, I would like to discuss with you guys the products I use almost everyday and how I use them! I would also like to give you all a quick run down of my weekly wash schedule and everyday regime.

REGIME: 

I style my hair every night either two strand twist, bantu knots, flat-twist or I will put flix-rods in them. I wash my hair everyWednesday- the first three Wednesdays of the month I will co-wash with my hair with Tresemme Naturals Silicone Free Conditioner or Giovanni 50:50 Balanced Hydrating Calming Conditioner and the last Wednesday I will wash with Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo then I will Deep Condition using a homade deep conditioner ofHoney, Sugar Free/Plain Yogurt, Your favorite Leave-in (If you want to turn this deep conditioner into a protein conditioner add a raw egg to the mixture). I will leave the deep conditioner in for 30 minutes with a plastica shower cap and towel over my head then rinse out, then I will style after. 

STYLING:

Depending on how much energy I have, I will section my hair in four equal parts using Goody Ouchless Hairbands or clips. I apply a leave-in conditioner to each section then I will detangle using a wide teeth comb or denman brush, being gentle with the ends of my hair. I will seal my hair with either Unrefined Virgin Coconut Oil, Castor Oil or Africa's Best Herbal Oil (My Favorite!!). I will allow my hair to dry a little because If I style it right away my hair will still be wet in the morning, then frizz will come and we don't want that! Once it's dryed a little I will style my hair whatever way I like using a little Eco- Styling Gel. I put on my satin scarf and in the morning put a little Coconut oil in my hair then set my hair.

PRODUCTS:

 Shampoo:  

Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo

Conditioner:

Tresemme Naturals Silicon Free Conditioner

Giovanni 50:50 Balance Hydrating Calming Conditioner

Leave-In's/Moisturizers:

Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Intensely Smooth Leave In Conditioner

Cantu Shea Butter Leave In Conditioning Repair Cream

Homemade Leave In in Spray bottle (Water, EVOO, Vitamin E Oil, Your favorite conditioner)

Spray Bottle's (EVOO/Water, Aloe Vera Juice/Water, or just plain water)

Oils:

Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)

Unrefined Coconut Oil

Castor Oil

Africa's Best Herbal Oil

Gels:

Eco-Styling Gel

Ampro Olive Oil Gel

Curls Passion Fruit Control Paste

-Toni

He Say She Say They Say I Heard...

I could write a post telling you what to do, what to buy, how to do it, how often etc... 

You can come on here and rant and rave about how frustrated you are because you tried a method someone else told you worked for them, and you expected the same results. I guess this post is for the newbies because I see a lot of frustration on here because some of you had high expectations for your hair, and a couple months later, you're frustrated because your hair isn't growing as fast as you want it to, and it's curls aren't as defined as you were hoping they would be. Some have become complete product junkies and just layer products over each other to get a slick bun, or a shiny twist out. Well I need to tell you something...

Stop.

Your hair isn't the issue. Or a burden. Your hair is doing what it's supposed to. The sooner you realize that shrinkage happens to everyone and that it's not a bad thing, that nobody's curl pattern is the same, and 100 products won't make life easier, the more enjoyable this journey will be for you. Give your hair a chance. Just love it, and take care of it, and you'll be rewarded. Trust me. 

Never take assume all advice or information will apply to your hair. Just because something works for some people and/or the informant has done their research, doesn't mean it will always work for you. If you just want to experiment and see if it works, that's fine. But don't expect everything to work; and don't get upset if it doesn't. Just move on to the next thing. Most, if not all, natural vets have gone through trial and error. We didn't just know what to do, and what to use. You don't get to dodge the mistakes either!

Patience really, really is the key to success with your hair. Be adventurous, be curious, and don't be hard on yourself or your hair when it doesn't turn out how you want. Have fun. Ask questions. Learn about other's experiences, and share your own. You'll be surprised what you learn -- even from yourself!

- Lauren

Summer Time lovin', lovin' in The Summer Time

My brother had his high school graduation last week, so you know that's the symbol of summer.

Summer freedom to go to the beach, travel, work, or lay around in the A/C. But I'll be working hard to bring you guys fresh ideas, products, stories, videos, and more all summer long and beyond.

While I'm doing that though, there will always be video projects going on, giving you a chance to help others in their hair journey. Sometimes reading someone's words doesn't help. Actually seeing their hair, while listening to them tell you about their experiences and give advice works better for some. For those that are camera shy, I have a section for you to tell your own story of your journey and/or send in pictures to accompany them, so that you can contribute in your own way.

I'm also coming up with products to help some of you out (especially my 4c ladies) and I'd really appreciate if I got a couple of ladies willing to try them out, when I create them.....

Anyways, explore the site, and I hope you see something you'd like to get involved in!

I hope to get this page full of activity before 2013 ends and I can't do it without you!

- Lauren

Rub-A-Dub

I keep procrastinating with creating my hair schedule so pretty much I just oil and style my hair until I feel it's time to wash it.... today happened to be that day. I washed my hair about a week or two ago with this vegetablesomethingorother shampoo that... didnt do bad things to my hair, but I wasn't really feeling what it was doing to it, so today i ACV washed. I have one of those applicator bottles, so i put about a 1/4 cup of baking soda in it, then filled it up with water and squirted it aaallll in my hair. Then I poured some baking soda powder in my hand and rubbed my scalp to make sure i got it good and clean.

then i rinsed the bottle, and poured vinegar in it (typically apple cider vinegar is used but i didnt have that... i had white vinegar). I squirted it all in my hair and it started to fizz up and watnot, feelin good feelin great, and i rub and rub and rinse.

After that's all done I rinsed my bottle and put aloe vera juice in it and saturated, sectioned and combed my hair, and put coconut oil in.

Okay i put too much coconut oil in my hair, so my mom rubbed my head and used some oil on her skin -______-

But anyways, my hair feels clean and moisturized, and my scalp feels so good...

- Lauren

Natural Conditioner Experiment

okay so i needed a deep conditioning treatment and i wanted to try to make one so i head to my kitchen and i pull out:

• hemp powder
• honey
• coconut oil
• olive oil
• vinegar
• turmeric

.......... that's it i think.

okay before you gimme that face, understand that these items are pretty normal to use in hair. as conditioners. yea even the vinegar. I did make two mistakes though:

first, i used hemp powder instead of oil. while it didnt do anything bad to my hair, putting it in was kind of messy because it as like putting mud in that quickly turned chalky. then, i used honey even though i know honey does is a baaad idea in my hair. so many ladies tell me they use honey in their hair and i just cant comprehend. it just strips my hair like nobodies business.
but it wasn't too bad though. if i switched the hemp to hemp oil, and ommited the honey, i think i would have something really good.

lemme tell you what does what though:

hemp oil: helps hair hold moisture longer, softens hair, improves elasticity, helps with detangling, and increased natural sheen

turmeric: if you have dandruff, eczema, dermatitis, or some skin issue or condition, this can help (not completely cure) you out a lot. it helps bring circulation and nutrition to scalpy too (heeeyy hair growth)

coconut oil: it brings your hair moisture, helps with split ends, and is a sealant. i would tell you more, but you gotta visit my site :p

olive oil: it's like the natural chick's staple. it's a good deep conditioner, moisturizes and strengthens.

vinegar: i've mainly seen that it helps keep your scalp clean and flaky free. ACV (apple cider vinegar) with the "mother" (that cloudy stuff that lets you know "i'm organic") is better than the distilled though

honey: grrr. i want to like it so bad. but for your sake i'll tell you what i've found about honey, and i'll put this on my website too, so maybe you'll try it and it'll work for you (let me know how it goes and what you did): first off, it's a humectant, which means it draws moisture into your hair. so you got dry hair? it got you. it helps give you hair shine, restores health, helps with hair loss and/or thinning edges (equal parts cinnamon, olive oil, and honey applied to thinning areas 2-3 times a week should help) aaaaaaaaaannd lastly it can be used in a protein treatment (1tbs honey, 2tbs evoo (extra virgin olive oil), and 1 tbs plain greek yogurt. apply to damp hair, put a plastic cap on and sit for 20-30 min or longer if you need it. rinse.)

so at the end, it wasn't too bad. next time, i'll just forget the honey, and maybe add a conditioner base to the powder wont make everything so wet chalky.

if you want to know my exact measurements of my conditioner so you can try it, let me know. but yea, that's my adventure for the day lol.

- LAUREN