The Long Hair Diaries

Hello all !

2009-09-23T07:53:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry I haven't updated in ages. My hair is shorter than ever but I love it! I'm just focusing on the health of my hair which I feel is more important than trying to grow it right now . I'm really skint right (as you can tell from the increase in adverts!) so I don't have much time on my hands.

A lot of you have asked about Daktarin. I applied it to my scalp using an old hair dye bottle (with the nozzle so you can direct it at the scalp) I mixed roughly 2/3 Daktarin and 1/3 water, shoot it up and squeezed it onto my scalp. I don't use it anymore but when I did, it worked extremely well! I bought it in a pharmacy or drug store in the US. Daktarin is just the brand, any cream containing Miconazole Nitrate will speed growth.

I will try to update more and add photos, product reviews etc. You can ask any questions on this post and I will try to get them answered. Take care everyone!

Sophie xx

Magic miconazole nitrate

2009-04-17T07:52:00.000-07:00

I came across an article the other day about an ingredient that treats fungal infections and how it has been linked to hair growth. Seeing as my hair had been cut quite short I was prepared to do anything for faster growth! There are numerous creams that contain miconazole nitrate or MN (the ingredient responsible for maximized growth) I bought Daktarin which contains 2% MN. I have been using it for about three weeks, applying it in sections onto my scalp at least every three days. I must say, I have noticed faster growth!

I am currently taking Biotin and MSM which could be responsible for my faster growth but I have never noticed my hair grow this fast even when I took both Biotin and MSM before.

MN helps speed up most users hair growth rates but nobody yet knows why it works. If you choose to try these creams out be aware of the side affects :

Headaches
Red inflamed areas on the scalp
Increased hair shedding

Users can gain 1/4" a week to 2" a month from using MN regularly. Daktarin is part of my hair regimen which i need to copy up onto my blog soon : )

Stupid stupid hairdresser!

2009-03-29T02:56:00.000-07:00

So I got my hair cut yesterday, I mostly wanted the layers quite choppy so I could get rid of some of my bleached hair and a choppy fringe. I asked for one cm off the hairdresser asked if she could do an inch as it would blend in more with my chosen style, or whatever, maybe she just wanted to chop lots of my hair off which she did! My hair is now about an inch past my shoulders. I'm so angry but when I think about it in a different light, I feel this is a fresh hair start as my most damaged hair is gone. I'm planning out a new regimen with some of my new products which I will post on here when I sort it out. Im not going to post a photo of my hair length yet as Im still quite upset :(
Sophie xx

Ingredients to avoid!

2009-03-21T04:11:00.000-07:00

Diethanolamine (DEA), Triethanolamine (TEA) - Used as an emulsifier and foaming agent. They can cause allergic reactions and dryness of hair and skin. Toxic if absorbed into the body over a long period of time.

Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate - A cheap, harsh detergent used for it's cleansing and foaming properties. It often comes from petroleum and can cause dandruff, skin rashes and allergic reactions.

Petrolatum - Also known as petroleum jelly, this mineral oil derivative is used for it's emollient properties in cosmetics. It has no nutrient value for the hair or skin, manufactures use it because it is very cheap.

Stearalkonium Chloride - Developed by the fabric industry as a fabric softener and is used in hair conditioners and creams. It is cheaper to use than beneficial proteins or herbs. Can cause allergic reactions.

Get to know your hair better

2009-03-21T00:38:00.000-07:00

Recently I have been confused about what my hair actually needs, not what I think it needs. Having a balance between protein and moisture can help us all to get to know our hair a bit better.

Protein and moisture have a unique relationship, you can't have one without the other. Too much of one and your hair will become brittle, too much of the other and hair will become very dry. They work together to keep your hair healthy. Hair with the right amount of protein absorbs moisture well because water molecules (a moisturiser) bind easily to the protein structure in the hair.

So how do you know weather your hair needs protein or moisture? - Take a good look at your wet hair, especially when touching or combing.

If your hair...

-Stretches slightly and returns to it's original length without breaking, you are balanced. Stick to maintaining the balance.

-Stretches a little more than normal then breaks, you need more protein in your regimen.

-Keeps stretching with no significant breakage, add a bit more protein to your regimen.

-Feels weak, gummy, mushy or limp, you need to add more protein to your regimen.

-Experiences very little or no stretching, and simply snaps or breaks, you need to add more moisture to your regimen.

If your still not sure, add a little more moisture as too much protein in hair causes it to lack elasticity and will break very easily. Too much moisture in the hair will cause it to feel very elastic or overly soft, when combing it will always stretch lots until it breaks.

By scanning through the ingredients of a hair product you will easily be able to spot whether it contains protein or moisture. A moisturising product shouldn't contain any protein (e.g. hydrolyzed wheat protein or hydrolyzed soy protein) therefor a protein product will contain proteins. To help keep the hair moisturised you need to seal with a small amount of oil afterwards, make sure it is afterwards or you may end up sealing out moisture.

I hope this has been helpful, my information source was this article - ( http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/278612/the_fine_art_of_protein_and_moisture.html?cat=69 )

Take a look for some more information about balancing protein and moisture.

Mayonnaise can applied to hair for protein, Glycerin can be diluted and applied to hair for moisture.

Just a quick update!

2009-03-16T13:48:00.000-07:00

My roots are extremely bad, although this is a sign of my hair growing so i guess that is good :D FAST shampoo & conditioner seems to be working well, I only just realised how bad my roots were today. I decided I am going to dramatically cut down on the amount of heat I am using - I will only straighten my fringe and any wild bits of hair. Also I will pre-poo with coconut oil nearly every time I wash my hair, I really want to make sure my new hair growth stays and doesn't just break off! Just in case any of you need reminding how great coconut oil is, take a look at an older post -

http://thelonghairdiaries.blogspot.com/2008/08/benefits-of-coconut-oil.html

Sophie x x

The products I want and need :D

2009-03-15T05:52:00.000-07:00

Im becoming a product junkie, I have lots of hair products already and I want more! Here are some products that I would love to own. I will also tell you a little bit about them. Let me know if you have used any of before :)

Aubrey Organics - White Camellia & Jasmine Shine Conditioner, 2 fl oz spray - Contains Aloe Vera, Camellia Oil & Vitamins A, C & E.

Godiva Solid Shampoo by LUSH (solid shampoo) - It's second ingredient is cocoa butter, contains a wide variety of essential oils and is described as being a shampoo and conditioner.

Lush, Hard (solid shampoo) - Contains Camellia Oil and is designed for people living in hard water areas.

Mane 'n Tail Conditioner 32 oz. - To be used as a protein treatment.

Aveda Dry Remedy Moisturizing Conditioner 16oz - Claims that it's deep-moisture complex penetrates hair to deliver lasting, intense moisture, powered by buriti oil, pomegranite and palm-derived conditioners.

Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Hair Lotion 8.5 oz. (Case of 6) - I have used a deep conditioner from this line before and it was great! Im hoping this will work just as good.

Dabur Vatika Enriched Coconut Hair Oil 300ml - I have used this before but unfortunatly I ran out, I absolutly loved it.

Thicker Fuller Hair Weightless Conditioner - 12 fl oz - I have also used this product before and I thought it worked well with my hair. It contains lots of natural extracts, Im definatly going to try to get hold of some more.

Camellia Oil

2009-03-14T05:26:00.000-07:00

I would absolutely love to purchase this oil, I have searched all over the Internet to find a brand that will ship to the UK but so far I haven't been successful :( Camellia Oil is extracted from the Camellia Japonica plant. You can identify Camellia Oil in the ingredients of a product as it is written as Camellia Japonica. This rich oil is most traditionally used as a hair smoothing and conditioning oil and also encourages a healthy scalp, encourages hair growth and gives outstanding conditioning. Camellia Oil is most suitable for very dry or coarse hair and is very good at looking after chemically treated hair. The oil is extremely high in vitamin E and Oleic acid. Camellia Oil also helps to counteract the affects of hard water (which is good for me as I live in a hard water area!)

Camellia Oil is famous for helping to grow and look after the hair of the women of Oshima island, there are photographs of these women standing on chairs with their hair reaching the floor. The women reported to have the most beautiful hair live in the Japanese island of Oshima.

Although I have been trying to get hold of 100% Camellia Oil I have found a few products that have it as an ingredient -

Aubrey Organics, White Camellia and Jasmine Shine Conditioner Spray ( http://www.aubreyorganicsuk.co.uk/product-46-white-camellia-and-jasmine-shine-conditioner-spray.html )

Lush, Godiva (solid shampoo)

( https://www.lush.co.uk/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=218&category_id=487&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1 )

Lush, Hard (solid shampoo)

( https://www.lush.co.uk/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=266&category_id=487&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1 )

And for you lucky people living in the US, here are some 100% pure Camellia Oil products -

Atopico Skin Care Oil, 100% Camellia Japonica Seed Extract

( http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EZOC00/ref=s9_subs_c2_s1_p194_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1JHHM50SXY172AZJ7PB8&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846 )

Oshima Tsubaki Camellia Hair Care Oil

( http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OWF2M0/ref=s9_subs_c2_s1_p194_t3?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1JHHM50SXY172AZJ7PB8&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846 )

So I finally found some Camellia Oil that ships to the UK -

https://www.truerenu.com/tr/shop/shop-by-brand/oshima-tsubaki/atopico-skin-care-oil--100-camellia-japonica-seed-extract--30ml-5009.asp

https://www.truerenu.com/tr/shop/all-products/oshima-tsubaki-camellia-hair-care-oil--60ml-4066.asp

Information about hair disorders

2009-03-07T06:03:00.000-08:00

Alopecia - a condition in which hair is lost from parts of the body, most commonly from the scalp.

The condition affects 0.1% - 0.2% of males & females.
It is thought that the body attacks it's own hair follicles resulting in suppressed hair growth or hair growth stopping altogether, although there are many other causes of the condition.
The first symptoms are usually small bald patches.
For about 50% of sufferers the hair will grow back within a year without any treatment.
For 90% of sufferers hair will eventually grow back and for the remaining 10% there will be some or no hair growth.
Some think Alopecia is hereditary however the most common cause is usually a physiological issue such as stress.

Telogen Effluvium - a condition in which there is an abnormal loss of hair due to an alteration of the normal hair growth cycle.

For the sufferers, more hair enters the resting phase of the hair cycle than normal which results in an increased amount of hair shedding.
It is thought that Telogen Effluvium is a major cause of Alopecia.
Often a shock to the system such as physical trauma, vaccinations, crash diets or having surgery can cause this hair disorder or hormonal imbalances can also be a cause.
Shock can cause Telogen Effluvium as it results in a proportion of the hair follicles going into hibernation.
The disorder is fully reversible because the hair follicles are not permanently affected.
Treatments for the condition often depend on the factors that caused it in the first place.

Trichotillomania - a condition in which suffers obsessively pull out hair.

Suffers get repeated urges to pull hair, most commonly from the scalp.
The condition often leads to bald patches and broken hair.
The most common causes of the condition is stress, anxiety or mood disorders.
For many sufferers, they have symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
Two affective treatments for Trichotillmania are behavioural therapy or medications.
The disorder isn't just in humans but is common in animals: Mice under stress will pull out each others fur and unhappy birds may pluck out their own feathers.

Traction Alopecia - a condition in which hair sheds because of the hair constantly being pulled on.

When tight hair styles are used, the roots of the hair are being pulled on (traction).
The causes are often things like tight braids, pony tails or cornrows.
When traction continues for a long time, the hair eventually sheds.
The follicles can become damaged from Traction Alopecia which can eventually lead to hair not growing altogether.
This condition is simple if treated in the early stages.
It may take several months for the hair to recover from the excessive strain on the hair follicles.

How heat can benefit your hair

2009-03-05T09:06:00.000-08:00

This is a very simple technique to use! Every time you condition and I would defiantly recommend doing it while deep conditioning, place a shower cap or a plastic bag over your hair which traps in heat and helps the beneficial ingredients intensely penetrate your strands.

You can also step out of your bath or shower and use a hair dryer on your hair with the shower cap or bag remaining for a maximum of about 5 mins to get even more benefits from your conditioner.

Often when I put oil in my hair, right before I have a shower I will heat a towel in the microwave for about a minute & a half then wrap around my head to help the oils penetrate my hair and scalp more deeply.

I will just take the time to recommend a deep conditioner I used the other day, Organic, Root Stimulator, Olive Oil, Replenishing Pak. It worked a treat, the list of beneficial ingredients are endless! I used heat with this treatment, my hair felt like silk afterwards - funny that, it does contain amino silk acids ;)

This is a simple thing you can do everyday which will improve the health of your hair and also you will be getting the most from your conditioners :D

Amazing avocado oil !

2009-03-05T08:25:00.000-08:00

I recently purchased avocado oil after hearing about the fab benefits it has on our hair. If you don't already own avocado oil, I urge you to purchase some and this is why -

Like most oils, avocado oil contains healthy fats which benefit us inside and out. The healthy fats in avocado oil help keep the hair moisturised and shiny.
Summer isn't far off and it isn't just our skin that needs protecting from the sun. Avocado oil has natural sunscreen properties. Tests confirmed that avocado oil is a more effective sunscreen than other oils such as coconut, olive & almond.
By massaging the oil into your scalp, it can help prevent it from becoming dry and flaky.
Avocados have the highest protein content of any fruit so the oil can be used as a moisturising and a protein treatment.
It is high in healthy vitamins such as A, D and E.
On top of all that, you will be happy to hear that avocado oil has a very high penetration rate which means all the goodness will defiantly be delivered to your lovely locks!

I'm back, again :D

2009-03-04T09:08:00.000-08:00

Well it's been a long time since I have written on my blog, my hair has changed a lot - I now have bleached hair which is possibly one of the most damaging things I can do to my hair but according to my family and friends, it looks better than my brown hair. Bleached hair means lots of split ends but it had made me very committed to keeping my hair healthy!

I slacked with looking after my hair for a while which lead to breakage and that meant my hair didn't appear to grow at all, I decided to kick-start my new regimen and purchased FAST Shampoo & Conditioner. I researched it to see if it actually works and I came across good reviews! I have only been using it for a short while and so far, I haven't yet noticed my hair growing like weeds but hopefully the shampoo will live up to it's claims and my hair should grow noticeably faster than it normally should.

God bless, Sophie x x

Hello hair care followers :D

2008-11-12T10:56:00.000-08:00

Sorry for my absence I have a lot of things going on at the moment. I have been neglecting my hair quite a lot recently and it really does make a difference when you let things slip, I had lots of split ends but I just had a haircut so hopefully most of them are gone!
Recently my Mum went on a little holiday and bought me and my sister back a very lovely shampoo and conditioner - Neal's Yard Remedies, Nurturing Rose Shampoo and Conditioner. They contain no edta, mineral oils, synthetic fragrances or colours, parabens, silicones, phthalates and no tea! I have to admit some of the stuff listed above I heard of but if they are boasting about not having them I guess they must respond badly to our body! Anyway more on those shampoos within a week or two :)
In my last post I spoke about my problems with self harm and Trichotillomania. Trichotillomania is believed to affect only 2% of the population. I had never heard of this condition until I posted on a forum about me recently pulling my hair out - from there people responded and my knowledge of this condition increased dramatically. On The Long Hair Diaries I would like to raise awareness of this condition and to support others who suffer from it along with also continuing posting about hair care of course!
Much love, Sophie x x

A big bad hair issue

2008-10-13T07:35:00.000-07:00

My identity on my blog is well hidden, that's why I'm not afraid to admit that I am a self harmer. My life is stressful and confusing, as a result I use self harm as a way to cope, only 5 of my close friends know about this issue and I have only been doing it for about 5 months and it has become quite addictive.

The most obvious form of self harm is cutting, which I do but I hate getting fussed and stressed about covering the cuts and scars. Recently I have been pulling out big clumps of my hair, the proper word for this is Trichotillomania
( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trichotillomania ), which obviously isn't great for me especially because I'm trying to grow my hair long. Recently I have been doing it more and more. My hair is already quite split but because of me pulling my hair out I am breaking hairs and also I am loosing more hair than the average person would do daily.

I am not posting this for sympathy its just quite therapeutic to write stuff like this especially because self harm is a very private thing to me and sometimes I just feel like shouting it but I'm afraid of what people would think. I'm also posting this to let you know I have a lot of things on my mind at the moment that's why I haven't been working much on my blog.

When I get some spare time I should hopefully be updating my blog,

Sophie x x x x

The damage caused by straightening hair

2008-09-24T09:14:00.000-07:00

First of all I would like to apologies for not updating my blog as often as I used to - I'm back at school and I am very busy with all the work :( Now that I am back at school I am more self conscious about the style of my hair so I have been straightening it quite often. To try to prevent me from straightening my hair excessively and to prevent you guys too, I decided to remind myself how damaging straightening is.

Excessive straightening has been scientifically proven to damage the natural protein bonds in hair, which results in split ends, dryness and breakage. The breaking of ends will make hair appear as if it hasn't grown. Once the cuticle has been significantly damaged it cannot be repaired, but you can keep damage to a minimum by taking brilliant care of your hair, especially by regular conditioning. This can help to keep the cuticle intacted, lower friction and reduce static charge, but these problems can still continue to occur if straightening becomes a regular habit.

Edible things that benefit your hair!

2008-09-16T09:16:00.001-07:00

Quite a lot of the stuff that I put on my hair I would be able to consume, my Dad laughs when I put Cayenne pepper or mayonnaise in my hair. Here is a list of things that are edible but also benefit your hair!

Apple Cider Vinegar - Removes buildup, leaves hair shiny & smooth, makes hair easier to manage and is said to promote hair growth. For an ACV rinse mix 2 cups of water with 1/4 ACV.

Egg - Our hair is made up mainly or protein and so are eggs, therefor the egg strengthens hair. You can also get the same effect from putting mayonnaise in your hair.

Cayenne Pepper -Stimulates circulation in the scalp which results in faster hair growth. Mix the pepper with an oil, be careful though because it can become very hot!

Onions - Are used as an 'old herbal folk medicine' for baldness. Grate an onion and massage the juice and onion into your scalp.

Glycerin - Is used for sore throats and is also well known for its moisturising properties, so is brilliant for dry hair! Mix roughly 30% Glycerin with 70% water and apply to hair.

Oils - Oils such as Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Avocado Oil and Grapeseed Oil are all great for your hair. Use them before you shower and wrap your head with a hot towel to encourage the oils to penetrate the hair and scalp. You can also use them after a shower to seal moisture into the hair.

Well that's all i can think of at the moment but if you have any more edible things that benefit hair then feel free to leave a comment :D

My two favorite hair products at the moment : D

2008-09-14T08:13:00.000-07:00

Thicker Fuller Hair, Advanced Thickening Solutions, Weightless Conditioner :

What it claims : Replenish moisturise levels in fine, thin hair with weightless conditioner. This essential formula hydrates the texture and softness of hair, without excess weight or build-up and restores conditioner to hair. Hair will be visibly thicker and fuller with improved manageability. This formula containing plant extracts will improve elasticity and help protect against breakage while providing hair with maximum hydration and moisture.

After using this conditioner I always get great results! My hair always feels stronger, thicker and just generally more healthy.

Dabur, Vatika, Enriched Coconut Hair Oil :

What it claims : Vatika is a Premium Coconut Hair Oil enriched with Henna, Amla, Lemon and six other trusted herbs. Vatika's unique natural formulation ensures deeper oil penetration to give your hair and scalp completed nourishment for problem free, healthy hair.

I only bought this oil about a week ago and absolutely love it, it makes my hair feel soft, smooth and moisturised. It contains Lemon Oil which controls sebum flow and I have noticed since I have been applying it to my scalp my hair becomes greasy less quickly.

Follow me on Twitter!

2008-09-08T09:48:00.000-07:00

I have noticed many of the people with hair blogs like mine have a Twitter account and I thought why not make one myself! It will also help me to build a regimen as I will be noting down everything that I am doing to my hair.
You can find me on Twitter by clicking on the tab in the left column of my blog :D
I have also added a guestbook that you can find in the same column as the Twitter tab :)

Moisturise your hair with Glycerin : D

2008-09-08T08:53:00.000-07:00

Glycerin can be found in chemists and cosmetic stores, it is well known for its moisturising properties and is found in many hair products. I would recommend combining roughly 30% Glycerin and 70% water in a spray bottle and using it on the hair and scalp to benefit from it's moisturing properties.

Glycerin is a humectant which means it uses moisture from the air. When it is sprayed onto hair it gets absorbed by your strands which moisturises, softens and slows down loss of moisture which is highly beneficial for your hair. You can also use Glycerin on a dry scalp.

Vatika, Enriched Coconut Hair Oil

2008-09-07T03:32:00.000-07:00

I came across this oil at Tesco for £2.29 and I didn't hesitate to buy it as I am running out of Coconut oil and also nearly all of the ingredients are natural:

Coconut Oil (Coco Nucifera Oil), Neem (Azadirachta india Leaf Extract), Brahmi (Centella asiatica Plant Extract), Fruit Extracts of Amla, Bahera and Harar (Extracts of Emblica officinalis, Terminalia belirica and Terminalia chebula), Kapur kachri (Hedychium spicatum rhizome Extract), Henna (Lawsonia inermis leaf Extract), Milk (Lac) Rosemary Oil (Rosmarinus officinalis Oil), Lemon Oil (Citrus limonum Oil), TBHQ (t-Butyl Hydroquinone), Fragrance.

Only two of those ingredients aren't natural, and I'm really attracted to using natural products.

So how do those ingredients benefit the hair?

Coconut Oil - Protects, nourishes and penetrates hair.
Neem - Strengthens hair and encourages growth.
Brahmi - Used for hair loss, nourishes hair roots and promotes growth.
Amla - Stimulates hair follicles and helps maintain thickness.
Bahera - Maintains hair colour.
Harar - Has rejuvenating and cleansing properties.
Kapur Kachari - An anti-septic.

Henna - Conditions hair and protects it from oxidation.

Milk - Nourishes the scalp.

Rosemary Oil - Stimulates hair growth and is beneficial for dry flaky scalps.

Lemon Oil - Controls sebum flow and adds a shine to hair.

I have used this product quite a lot recently and I have noticed it has made my hair get greasy less quickly, probably because of the lemon oil. This is really a great product!

The benefits of Aloe Vera for hair

2008-09-05T09:38:00.001-07:00

If you don't own an Aloe Vera plant already I highly recommend you buy one, they come at a small price and have so many benefits! You can buy Aloe Vera gel but its never 100% pure. To extract Aloe Vera from the plant cut a leaf and remove the skin with a knife to reveal the Aloe Vera. Once you have your Aloe Vera apply to the scalp and hair for these benefits -

Aloe Vera is used as a treatment for hair loss because it stimulates new hair production and can even fight against Alopecia.
It works very well as an anti-frizz product.
Makes your hair feel very smooth if you apply it after a shower.
You don't really need to rinse it out once its applied to your hair as it doesn't leave hair greasy.
Aloe Vera is an amazing natural hair conditioner, it is found in lots of hair products. In the ingredients its most likely to be written as Aloe Barbadensis.

I tried an Aloe Vera rinse the other day and it worked very well! I simply mixed about a tablespoon of Aloe Vera in a pint of water and used it as a final rinse, my hair felt very silky when it had dried :D

I love your blog award!

2008-09-05T08:35:00.000-07:00

Well I have been nominated for the "I Love Your Blog" award by Sunshyne at Hairlicious Inc. and was very happy seeing as I have only had this blog for a couple of months! :D

Now The Rules:

1. The nominated is allowed to put this picture on their blogs.
2. Link to the person who hearted you.
3. Nominate at least 7 other people and link to them.
4. Leave a message on those people's blog to make them aware that they're nominated.

I nominate:
Hairlicious Inc.
The Coarse Hair Diary
Songbird's Hair
Southern Diva Natural
Product Junkie Diva

The importance of sealing!

2008-09-01T08:35:00.000-07:00

Recently I have been trying to build a good hair regimen that I can follow, I came across this article that helps you build a hair regimen -
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/288340/hair_regimen_building_for_newbies.html?cat=69

Its a really useful article and once I have formed my hair regimen I will be posting it on here! While I was reading the article I read about sealing and how important it is for maintaing the health of your hair.

Sealing is when you use oils such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, almond oil, carrot oil or castor oil to seal in moisture after conditioning. Use a minute amount and distribute throughout the hair, focusing mainly on the ends. Sealing should be essential in a good hair regimen because our hair is porous and moisture can leave the hair as quickly as you put it in!

My monthly measure!

2008-08-30T12:24:00.000-07:00

I measured my hair yesterday while it was wet and from my measurements my hair has grown an inch this month! It has grown to 25 inches which I am very happy about and I am quite positive these measurements are accurate because I pinned a tape measure to the top of my head and got my mum to tell me what measurement my hair ended. My target was to grow my hair at a minimum, 27 inches so if this growth continues on at this rate I should be there in two months! :D

The first time I co-washed!

2008-08-26T09:13:00.000-07:00

Co-washing is when you wash your hair with conditioner instead of shampoo to increase moisture in the hair. I have heard a lot about it but because my hair gets greasy very quickly I hesitated trying it out as I thought my hair would result in being very oily. Yesterday was just a lazy day for me and I had applied coconut oil to my hair the night before and had it in my hair until about 3pm and thought seeing as im going to be staying at home all day I might as well try co-washing so if it goes horribly greasy nobody would know! I also made an ACV rinse to do after as it gets rid of product build up and may improve the results of the co-wash.

I co-washed my hair with a conditioner I found in a pharmacy, the brand is called 'Thicker Fuller Hair' and its specifically designed for thin hair that may look limp when its conditioned. It also contains many ingredients that benefit the hair such as rosemary oil, wheat protein, pathenol, biotin, aloe vera and many more!

So i applied the conditioner throughout my hair and put a plastic bag on my head for about 5-10 mins. When I rinsed it out all the coconut oil was gone, I was amazed! I imagined it being a big oily mess. I then used the ACV rinse. That was my first co-wash and I was very happy with the results. I have been focusing on the health of my hair

because recently I got loads of split ends but the condition seems to be dramatically improving and co-washing has helped with that :D !

How to prevent split ends!

2008-08-21T11:12:00.000-07:00

I have suddenly got loads of split ends! Its making me so angry! I'm cutting off as many as I can because that is the only cure for split ends, but preventing them is better than a cure so here are a few tips on how to do just that.

Don't brush your hair when its wet, so before you shower brush your hair thoroughly so you don't need to brush it afterwards. Start with brushing the ends of your hair and work your way up, use a wide toothed comb or a natural boar bristle brush.

While your washing your hair try not to bunch it on top of your head, you only need to apply shampoo to the scalp unless you have been applying oil or lots of styling products to your hair.

Don't use heat appliances because this fry's the hair making it weak and can cause split ends and breakage.

Using chemicals on the hair such as dyes, perms or relaxers also weaken which can result in split ends.

Interesting hair facts

2008-08-21T06:48:00.000-07:00

Hair grows fastest in the summer.
The anticipation of sex accelerates hair growth rate.
The average life span of a strand of hair is about 4-7 years.
Hair grows the best between 10am and 11am and then again at 4pm and 6pm.
Female hair grows more slowly than male hair.
Split ends cannot be repaired.
The longest hair on record is 5.15 meters.
90% of scalp hairs are growing while the 10% of hair are resting.
Its normal to loose about 100 hairs per day from your scalp.
The average human scalp has 100,000 hairs.

My deep conditioner : )

2008-08-21T04:25:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was looking at my hair closely and I was annoyed about how weak, damaged and split it has suddenly become and thought I defiantly need a deep conditioner as they penetrate the hair shaft more deeply than normal conditioners, which can restore moisture and protein in the hair. I went to town and looked throughout the hair section for a not too expensive deep conditioner and came across Botanics 3 Minute Deep Conditioning Hair Mask, it contains Rice Bran protein and Grapeseed oil. I like products that contain natural extracts so I bought it :)

Later that night I used it, I didn't time how long it was on for but I think it was longer than three minutes. When my hair was dry it defiantly appeared to be more healthy.

What deep conditioner do you use? As I'm sure this will run out quickly lol ;)

Sophie's Scalp Stimulating Formula!

2008-08-17T04:38:00.000-07:00

I find it quite hard to add all these things on my blog to my daily regime, so last night I decided to make a mixture of things that should make hair grow when it's massaged into the scalp!

To make my scalp stimulating formula combine -

2 Tablespoon of Aloe Vera (preferably from the plant)
1 Tablespoon of grated onion
1 Teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar
1 Teaspoon of Cayenne Pepper (or less depending on how hot it is)

Then use an electric whisk to get rid of most of the lumps and store in the fridge in a closed container.

It makes one or two applications. You should take your time to massage the formula into your scalp and leave on for as long as you want.

Im now going to do this daily :)

I got highlights!

2008-08-16T11:38:00.000-07:00

My natural hair colour is a dark blond and I have wanted to go back blond for a while, well the other day I did it and got my hair highlighted. Now because I had dyed my hair dark so many times before they had to do the highlights in bleach, and bleaching hair is possibly one of the worst things you can do to your hair, it raises the hair cuticle and penetrates the hair shaft then disperses colour that is already there. Bleaching the hair is a very harsh process and defiantly causes damage that in some cases cannot be reversed.

I only got half a head of highlights and some of my highlights have gone slightly ginger where my hair has been dyed before, but let me get to the point, even though I only got half a head all my hair seems to have become very damaged and I can see the breakages in my hair! There are lots of little white dots on many of my strands, they break easily so I have been cutting as many off as I can. My hair hasn't been like this in ages, since I dramatically reduced the amount of heat appliances I used on my hair and stopped dying my hair the damage seemed to have been repaired but now it has come back within just a couple of days. I am quite angry!

In the photo the half that is tied up is the half that was dyed, the blond isn't very visible in the photo and I'm not sure why.

I suppose dyeing my hair will give me a bigger challenge towards achieving long hair, and can also help all those people out there that have chemically treated hair too.

Onions for hair growth! Updated

2008-08-11T11:59:00.000-07:00

Rubbing an onion that is cut in half onto the scalp is a type of old herbal folk medicine that is still used today because it is known to stimulate hair growth. It is thought that the reason for this is because of its high sulfur levels.

Sulfur can be responsible for keeping hair, skin and nails in top condition. MSM is formed from sulfur and has been shown to improve hair growth, it is known as 'the hair mineral'. You can buy MSM as a supplement at most health food stores.

I'm defiantly going to buy some text time I'm in town!

I bought a MSM supplement today and I am very excited about taking it, I found out about a experiment in to hair growth and MSM, it said -

'A recent, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot trial, performed by Ronald M. Lawrence, M.D., Ph.D., showed that 100% of the subjects on MSM (methyl-sulfonyl-methane), a nutritional supplement that provides biologically active sulfur, showed increased hair growth compared to the group on placebo.'

When I was searching for some information about MSM someone claimed that it improves hair growth everywhere, including facial hair which defiantly isn't a positive for me. Has anyone who takes MSM found that it improved facial hair growth?

Australian Organics Shampoo

2008-08-11T02:03:00.000-07:00

I was in Holland & Barret and came across Australian Organics Shampoo for dry, colored or chemically treated hair. I took a look at the back, here is what it said:

Especially effective for dry, coloured or chemically treated hair types, this gentle pH balanced shampoo is formulated with soya and wheat proteins, 6 pro vitamins, organic plant extracts, pure essential oils and UV filters. Moisturises and protects as it cleanses and nourishes the hair and scalp. Salon developed and tested to meet and exceed professional standards. A unique formulation that gives your hair exceptionally improved appearance, condition and shine.

Unlike most products, we do not use petrochemical or animal bi-products. Instead of harsh chemicals that can damage your hair, skin and scalp, we utilise herb, flower and other plant derived ingredients. Pure essential oils are used in place of synthetic fragrances, and plant extracts are used instead of synthetic colours.

The 6 pro-vitamins are vitamin A, E, B, B5, F and vitamin H, also known as Biotin. So after scanning through the ingredients, I bought this shampoo for roughly £3.50! I will defiantly be using this until all 350ml has gone, and I might consider buying it again.

It seemed to work pretty well, here is a review on the product that I have found -

http://www.essentialdayspa.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=21246

The benefits of Coconut oil!

2008-08-10T13:41:00.000-07:00

I use Coconut oil nearly every day in my hair-care routine. I often leave it in over night, distribute tiny amounts throughout my hair after a shower and massage it into my scalp. I know its highly beneficial for the hair but I want to know exactly what it does...

Coconut oil is an excellent conditioner for the hair.

It provides essential protein required for nourishing damaged hair.

If regularly massaged into the scalp it can prevent dandruff and help hair growth.
Coconut oil is found to reduce protein loss remarkably when applied to hair before shampooing (pre-poo).

Sounds pretty good then!

Cutting your deads ends off makes hair grow faster : true or false?

2008-08-08T11:01:00.000-07:00

The answer is false. It is said that cutting your ends off makes your hair grow faster, it can appear to grow faster because if your ends are damaged and split they will probably break very easily. So even if your hair grows fast, if your ends are damaged it will appear not to grow at all. Think of it as your hair growing a centimeter and then a centimeter getting chopped off, not much length then.

I am quite prone to split ends and hated getting my hair cut because the length was getting chopped off but recently I bought my own pair of hair dressing scissors. I recommend this to anyone trying to grow their hair because if you get your ends cut off at a salon they often cut an inch off the end of your hair, well what if your split ends aren't all at the end of your hair? I remember getting my hair trimmed hoping all my split ends would be gone, but I could still find many. Now with my hair dressing scissors I can pin point split ends and snip them off before they start splitting all the way up the hair shaft.

For anyone who plans on cutting their own ends from now on, in case you didn't already know, using the hair dressing scissors is very important so you get a clean cut. If you use your old kitchen scissors you will be more prone to the hair splitting easily because they aren't as sharp as the hair dressing ones. They aren't too expensive either, mine were £7.10p from Boots.

Anyway I hope you are enjoying my blog so far, I have had it for about a month now if there are any suggestion on how to make it better then don't hesitate to drop a comment : D

The exotic ingredients of Garnier Fructis hair care products!

2008-08-06T13:01:00.000-07:00

I used to be a total hair noob and didn't know a thing about hair care! About a year ago I bought Garnier Fructis Smoothing Cream, it's an anti-frizz serum which works very well and I used it everyday. Soon I wondered why the underneath of my hair was brittle and split and all my other hair seemed to be strong and shiny, it took me months to work it out but I soon realised I was applying the serum only to the tops of my hair, and not underneath. This made me realise I had actually found a hair care product that did what it claim :

'From 5 applications the active fruit nutrients leave your hair up to 3 times smoother for really shiny sleek hair.
From 10 applications the active fruit nutrients leave your hair up to twice as strong.'

The serum contains ingredients such as, sugar cane extract, avocado oil, lemon peel extract, apricot kernel oil and more!

I found a Garnier Fructis shampoo and conditioner in my bathroom cabinet earlier, they contain almost the same ingredients as the serum so I will defiantly start to use them!

Why conditioning is so important!

2008-08-05T06:33:00.000-07:00

Some of you may have read my post when I said I used to not condition my hair. Yes its true and it has left my hair damaged : (
For anyone who does not condition their hair or thinks conditioning is not important I am about to inform you how important it is! And for all you people who just want to boost their hair-care knowledge read on too...
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There are many types of conditioners on the market, if you are like me and sometimes are confused about what conditioner to buy and aren't quite sure what you are looking for or are confused about what all these conditioners actually do, read on...
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Rinse-through conditioners : These are the conditioners that are worked through the hair for detangling. They affect the outer layer of the hair shaft, it smooths the hair cuticle, making the hair feel silkier and more smooth.
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Treatment or repair conditioners : These penetrate the hair more deeply and often contain ingredients that restore protein and moisture in the hair. High protein hair care products are designed to gently swell the hair, allowing it to pass through the cuticle of the hair shaft and replenish the proteins in the cortex, restoring the strength and elasticity of the hair. The deep hair care treatments should be used no more than once a week.
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Leave-in conditioners : Are designed to protect the hair, add extra moisture without weighing the hair down and to tame tangle-prone hair. They are especially good for fly-away hair caused by daily shampooing.

I hope this has helped some of you to pick the right products and to make the most out of your money. Also if any of you are willing to recommend a deep conditioning treatment to me that isn't too expensive please could you post a comment because I am currently searching one. Many thanks.

Information source and picture : http://www.hairfinder.com/hairquestions/hairconditioners.htm

My monthly hair measure!

2008-07-31T10:42:00.017-07:00

I will be measuring my hair at the end of every month to record my progress. The last time I measured my hair was just under a fort night ago but I will still see if there was any growth :)

I hope my measuring is accurate because if it is then my hair has grown 1/2 an inch in 12 days! I have been trying to research on average how much hair grows in a month, I heard an inch a month, then 1/2 an inch and then a quarter so I'm pretty confused about what the average actually is. Anyway I'm not quite sure if I can believe my hair has grown half an inch, but I do know there has been quite rapid growth because I can see my natural hair colour more. I thought I would compare a picture of my hair I took 12 days ago and one I took today :

Excuse my frizzy hair in the photo to the right :P my hair is quite damp in the one to the left, ugh and also excuse my dirty mirror...how embarrassing lol.

Hair food : )

2008-07-30T11:14:00.000-07:00

Recently I have taken up drinking a pint of soya milk a day. Soya milk helps to stimulate hair growth possibly because of its high protein content. I also take these three supplements that grow healthy hair :

Biotin (300µg) - Biotin is a B-vitamin but is also knows as Vitamin H, it is often thought to be 'the hair growth vitamin'.

Folic Acid (400µg) - Taking Folic Acid will help you grow healthy strong hair and a Folic Acid deficiency can result in hair loss.

Iron (14mg) - An Iron deficiency can result in hair loss and Iron contributes towards healthy hair growth.
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Who has had success taking those supplements and drinking soya milk often?

VO5 Perfect Lengths Conditioner.

2008-07-29T06:00:00.000-07:00

As I hopped into the shower I noticed my Mum had bought a new conditioner. I took a look at it and scanned the ingredients, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Keratin Amino Acids, Pathenol, Biotin and no parabens, now I don't know too much about ingredients in products but I knew those ingredients would defiantly benefit my hair! Just so I could inform myself a bit more about these ingredients and inform you guys I did a bit of research.

Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein - It penetrates the hair fibre, delivering moisturising and conditioning benefits.

Keratin Amino Acids - Keratin enables penetration of each individual hair shaft with essential amino acids and nutrients.

Pathenol - Fills cracks in the hair shaft which results in strengthened hair.

Biotin - Enhances strength of the hair.

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No parabens - Parabens are used as preservatives and have been found to be linked with cancer.

It seems to be very beneficial then! I wasn't planning on using it until I had finished my Aussie conditioner but I smelt the conditioner and the smell reminded me of something when I was young and also it does generally smell nice, so I decided to use it. My hair felt very smooth after. Then I had an Apple Cider Vinegar rinse, usually when I use my Aussie shampoo after the rinse my hair doesn't feel as soft as it was before but my hair still felt as smooth!

I would defiantly recommend this conditioner to anyone!

Spice up your scalp!

2008-07-27T12:15:00.000-07:00

What is it about putting food in the hair and scalp? After more research on how to maximise hair growth I came across the claim that Cayenne pepper massaged into the scalp stimulates hair growth.

Cayenne pepper is well known for improving circulation so therefore when it is massaged into your scalp it will get more nutrients to the hair follicles, resulting in faster hair growth!

Here is what others have said about Cayenne pepper for hair growth:

'It works!!! It's ironic how this thread was bumped b/c I was going to post a new thread today. I have been doing it for 2 months now. There is major growth. I can kick myself because when I read this post I didn't believe it would work.' -

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44710&page=8

'Vodka and cayenne remedy for loss - mix one jigger of vodka with a 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (test on skin first for sensitivity) and rub it on the scalp; blood rushes to the hair follicles stimulated by the vodka and cayenne pepper - be careful if you try it.' -

http://www.articlefriendly.net/Art/13858/82/Hair-Loss-Remedies-Get-Informed-Now.html
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Be careful some Cayenne pepper is hotter than others and please please don't get it in your eyes! Mine is quite mild, I mix it with Coconut oil (which also benefits hair growth and strengthens hair) so it is kind of like a paste then I massage it into my scalp and leave on for as long as desired :)

Benefit your hair with Apple Cider Vinegar!

2008-07-26T12:40:00.000-07:00

If you haven't already, I highly recommend you go out and buy some Apple Cider Vinegar ASAP! You can benefit your hair in so many ways with this strong smelling marinade. Use it as a final rinse in the shower (1/4 cup of Apple Cider Vinegar to 2 cups of water) leave for as long as desired, then rinse out with cool water afterwards.

Apple Cider Vinegar benefits hair growth because it promotes blood circulation. It also gets rid of product build up which should discourage dirt and bacteria that may plug the hair follicles which can cause slow hair growth.

I saw this shampoo recipe on http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art41572.asp and decided to give it a go. To make the all Natural Shampoo (ACV), add the following ingredients in a blender:

1 oz/25g Olive oil
1 egg
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon ACV.

It doesn't lather as it doesn't contain any soaps so I just massaged it into my scalp. It felt like it had left some oils in my hair so after I have rinsed it out I jumped out of the shower and blow dried parts of my hair to see if it had worked well (I don't normally blow dry my hair also it was on the cool temperature). I was amazed at the results, it was so shiny! My hair wasn't very greasy when I washed it so I'm not sure if it had worked that well at removing grease. So after I had checked out the results of the shampoo alone I got back into the shower and conditioned my hair with Aussie Miracle Moist Conditioner, then followed with an Apple Cider Rinse then when I was out of the shower I sprayed Aussie Miracle Hair Insurance Leave-In Conditioner onto my hair. The conditioner's all cover the smell of the vinegar :)

Has Apple Cider Vinegar worked well for you?

Seaweed for hair growth : D

2008-07-25T08:39:00.000-07:00

Eating seaweed sounds like it is very beneficial for fast hair growth. On the Long Hair Care Forum there is a discussion about it, one person said:

'Komba, nori, and arame seem to be top ones for hair growth. The Komba had 775% Iodine per serving, the nori 70%, and arame 100%+ of iodine per serving. I remember my hair having a three inch growth spurt in two months time a couple of years ago, and I remember that back then i ate the SAME thing for dinner each night: a bowl of miso soup, salmon, rice, and seaweed added to the miso. I even snacked on seaweed throughout the day.'
Here is the link to that discussion http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=105659 .

This sounds pretty promising! I have made sushi in the past and I have all the ingredients in my cupboards already, I think i might try to take up eating sushi daily, who's with me?

Im not very happy guys : (

2008-07-24T14:00:00.000-07:00

After all this massaging coconut oil into my scalp everyday I seem to have about four huge painful spots on my scalp. It must have blocked my hair follicles or something, this can't be very good for hair growth can it? It really piddled me off. So after spending a couple of hours lying in the sun (Lovely weather over here by the way!) a light bulb lit up above my head! I once read Aloe Vera was meant to be good for hair growth and moisturising hair, it's also non-greasy so won't block my hair follicles, so I thought massaging that into my scalp will work well. Has anyone used Aloe Vera for hair growth and been successful?

I recently found this on http://www.add-hair.com/circulation-enhancers-hair-regrowth-activators.htm :

'Aloe vera is a wonderful product. Aside from it's well known moisturizing effects, it contains many of the products that seem to be effective in fighting hair loss. Like biotin, b-vitamins, zinc and even inositil. It also has anti-bacterial properties that help keep the scalp healthy, controling the bodies immune response which we know can have adverse effects on hair growth. In addition the moisturizing qulities when applied to the scalp increases the blood circulation to the hair follicle.

Aloe-Vera in the Strategy

Nourishes and moisturizes the hair and scalp.

Keeps scalp healthy thanks to its anti-biotic properties.

Promotes hair growth due to the many hair friendly vitamins it contains.

Increases blood circulation to the hair follicles.'

I do use Aloe Vera everyday, (I have a slight obsession with this multi-purpose plant) it is very good at keeping hair straight and I have been using it as a substitute for straightening my hair. Okay so it doesn't work as well as GHD's but defiantly tames frizz better than any anti-frizz product I have used before.

To the right is one of my seven Aloe Vera plants, luckily this one hasn't been as hacked away as the other ones lol.

A recipie for long hair!

2008-07-23T05:29:00.000-07:00

Just came home from my last day of school and my tummy started growling for food so I thought I would make a nice healthy smoothie! After blending it I realised this smoothie would definatly benefit my hair growth. Here are the ingrediants I used if you are intrested in making one of these tasty hair growing smoothies:

300g of any fruit (I used mangos.)

125g of any flavour youguart (I used a peach youguart.)

100ml of soya milk, sweetend or unsweeted (you may want to add more if you'd like it to be less thick)

2tbp of wheatgerm.

The fruit you use in your smoothie will no doubt contain levels of Vitamin C & E which can contribute to healthy hair growth, Calcium in the youguart also contributers to this. Soy protien from the soya milk is found to stimulate hair growth. In a study into this, hair growth increased by 15%. For the 2tbsp of wheatgerm, it contained 4.5g of protien (which is essentail for improved hair growth), it also contains Vitamin E & Niacin which both stimulate scalp circulation and Zinc which can spark hair growth.

This is my own recipie (not copied from anything) and the drink is served best chilled ;) lol.

Just straightened my hair!

2008-07-22T14:16:00.000-07:00

I have resisted the temptation of using heat on my hair for quite a while but I just used GHD's, that heat damage best be worth it!

It is my last day of school tomorrow so I thought it would be a nice idea to make an effort to look nice :) I did saturate my hair in my TRESemmé heat defence spray and applied Aloe Vera (which locks in moisture) which should hopefully reduce the damage of these very hot hair appliances.

The TRESemmé heat defence spray contains some important ingredients that contribute to hair strength that you should look out for in hair care products:

Glycerin : Well known for moisturising, you can buy it pure and add to hair care products when diluted for extra moisture.

Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein : Reduces brittleness of hair and adds body and shine.

Pathenol : Increases the strength by penetrating the hair shaft.

What do you use to protect your hair when using heat appliances?

Feed your hair with mayo!

2008-07-22T08:50:00.000-07:00

It's tasty with pastas and baguettes, so give your hair a tasty treat with a mayonnaise hair mask!

The egg in the mayo is a good source of protein so it adds strength to the hair. When my hair used to be in very bad condition I would apply mayonnaise to it and leave on for anything up to an hour then shampoo out in the shower and I would really see a difference. To make the mask extra beneficial you can add things like coconut oil or aloe vera.

Using a raw egg instead of mayonnaise gives the same affect but can be sticky in the hair, where as mayonnaise smooths on more easily.

Be careful not to have the water too hot when your washing the mayo or egg out - I have heard stories where the egg starts to cook in peoples hair!

Biotin for hair growth : )

2008-07-20T09:38:00.000-07:00

I was extremely happy when i purchased my Biotin supplement today. I have heard many good things about Biotin improving hair growth!
I only have two days left of my skin, hair and nails supplement, in that supplement i was consuming 200.01µg of Biotin, my new supplement has 300µg of Biotin. I can't wait to see the results :D !
I found a few articles relating Biotin and hair growth which you may find interesting :

http://www.add-hair.com/Biotin-hair-loss.htm

http://www.hairfinity.com/BiotinHairGrowth.htm

(If you are thinking about buying a Biotin supplement I got mine at Holland & Barrett for £3.99, it contains 100 tablets, so please don't go spending a fortune on something you can get relatively cheap!)

Mmmm Aussie : )

2008-07-20T07:47:00.000-07:00

Don't all the Aussie hair products just smell so so nice ?!
I bought two Aussie conditioners yesterday (Miracle Moist Conditioner and Miracle Hair Insurance Leave-In Conditioner) I haven't yet used them because I skipped a hair wash yesterday but I can smell them every time I am near them I can't wait to use them tonight :D
I do like to know what I'm putting in my hair, so I thought I would do an ingredient research to find out what is in these conditioners.

I picked 5 ingredients, at random for each conditioner and researched them...

Aussie Miracle Moist Conditioner :

Cetearyl Alchohol : It is not actually alcohol (which would be drying), it is made from vegetable sources and is used for moisturising and as a thickening agent.

Linalool : I come across this in many ingredients and discovered it is found in plants and is used for it's scent.

Aloe Barbadensis : I didn't have to research this one because I knew it was Aloe Vera which is used for moisturising and protecting.

Anthemis Nobilis : That is the Latin name for Chamomile, it is widely used for Aromatherapy so may have been added for scent.

Ethylparaben : A preservative.

Aussie Miracle Hair Insurance Leave-In Conditioner :

Citric Acid : A weak organic acid which is used as a preservative.

Cetrimonium Chloride : An anti-septic.

Simmondsia Chinensis : Latin for Jojoba. Jojoba is moisturising.

Hexyl Cinnamal : A common additive to perfumes and cosmetics.

Melissa Officinalis : Latin for Lemon balm, it has a gentle Lemon scent (which I can slightly smell when I sniff the product).

I don't know about anyone else but does this ingredient research thing bore you or interest you? Just wondering cause personally I find it quite interesting cause I don't think enough people actually know whats in their cosmetics these days. If researching these ingredients bore you just say please and I will stop doing it lol :P

Talc saved my hair!

2008-07-20T05:22:00.000-07:00

I actually can't beleive I used to do this, and I'm not sure if the damage is permament but basicly untill about a month ago I only conditioned my hair about once a week. I did this even when i dyed my hair so much and straightened it everyday! I should be ashamed, but the reason I did it was because my hair gets greasy very quick and whenever I conditioned it it would get greasy even quicker, even if I just conditioned the ends.

I knew that talc (baby powder) was good for greasy hair but I never really used it, now I swear by it! I conditon my hair so much now, even right in the roots.

After a shower, when my hair has air dyed I put talc in it. You need to do it the right way or you may end up with white hair. Bad times.

I do this everynight so if I do get a bit of a white problem it has hopefully rubbed off on my pillow or my hair oils have soaked it up. Part you hair and sprinkle on small amounts, one section at a time.

My hair never gets as greasy as it used to and sometimes I can even skip a hair wash! :D

Massage your scalp for maximised hair growth

2008-07-19T11:19:00.000-07:00

I have been massaging my scalp everyday for about 3 weeks in belief that it will maximise hair growth :)
I think it may have worked because I have roots and can see my natural hair colour. I massage my scalp with Coconut oil because that is meant to promote hair growth.

I have found a video on YouTube that has a nice-feeling head massage tecnique, take a look : http://youtube.com/watch?v=MVsjmtgVRIg

Head massages promote circulation in the scalp, bringing nutrients to the hair follicle which should maximise hair growth.

So i thought, in theory if you have good circulation then your hair should grow quicker? I reaseached how to improve circulation I found out...

Don't smoke (an obvious one :P ), the herbs Cayenne and Ginger improve circulation you may be able to buy supplements of them or add them to food, exercise often, Ginkgo Biloba is a good circulation supplement too and in the shower alternate from hot and cold water on your scalp.

My mother goes to the gym 5 times a week and does those aerobic classes. Her hair grows so quickly, so she exercises often which should improve circulation, I think my theory could be right :D

Did anyones hair benefit when they improved their circulation?

My Shampoo : )

2008-07-19T09:48:00.000-07:00

I wash my hair daily with Colour Care Therapy, Shampoo with Protecting Serum for Darkened Hair. It is a pH balanced formula and I like the fragrance, it lathers well and makes my hair feel soft.

Now I don't know too much about ingredients in shampoos but I will copy them down and if anyone knows anything about the ingredients I would appreciate if you shared your knowledge about them. Also I will be picking 5 ingredients at random and researching them :)

This shampoo contains : Aqua, Sodium Laureth Sulfate (A) / Sodium C12-13 Pareth Sulfate (B), Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Dimethiconol, Glycerin, Glycol Disterate, Parfum, Carbomer, PPG-12, Sodium Hydroxide, DMDM Hydantoin, Citric Acid, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA, TEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Glyceryl Oleate, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Lysine Hydrochloride, Fumaric Acid, Silk Amino Acids, Imidazolidinyl Urea, PEG-180M, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, BHT, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Mica, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Amyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Alcohol, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Citronellol, Coumarin, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, CI 16255, CI 77891.

The 5 ingredients I researched:

Cocamidopropyl Betaine : Is used as a thickener in cosmetics, reduces irritation, reduces static, and has anti-septic properties.

Sodium Hydroxide : Neutralises acidic materials.

Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride : Imparts conditioning properties to shampoos and after-shampoo hair care products.

Silk Amino Acids : Adds softness, repairs hair structure and penetrates to add body and strength.

Coumarin : Found in plants, it has a sweet scent and has been used for perfumes since the 18th century.

Post update : As you can see someone posted a comment saying there is too much sulfate in the shampoo which is bad for the hair, thank you for that comment and you will be happy to know I have changed my shampoo!

My daily skin,hair and nails supplement : )

2008-07-19T08:58:00.000-07:00

Currently I'm taking Holland & Barrett's, Naturally Inspired, Skin, Hair and Nails Formula. You take 3 tablets a day I only did that until recently because i didn't read the directions properly and was only taking one a day lol :P

By taking 3 tablets a day, the vitamins and minerals I am consuming are:

Vitamin A : 1500µg, Vitamin D : 2.49µg, Vitamin E : 10.08mg, Vitamin C : 60mg, Thiamin (Vitamin B1) : 5.01mg, Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) : 5.01mg, Niacin : 25.02mg, Pantothenic Acid : 15mg, Vitamin B6 : 5.01mg, Vitamin B12 : 8.01µg, Folic Acid : 200.1µg, Biotin : 200.01µg, Calcium : 834mg, Iodine : 112.5µg, Iron : 3mg, Magnesium : 99.9mg, Phosphorus : 330mg, Zinc : 7.5mg, Betaine Hydrochloride : 25.02mg, Choline Bitartrate : 75mg, Citrus Bioflavonoids : 25.02mg, Inositol : 30mg, Magnese 5.01mg, PABA : 25.02mg, RNA : 30mg, Rutin : 12.51mg, Selenium : 12.51µg

Some of the stuff in this supplement I have never heard of before :/ but others I know are very good for hair growth like Biotin. I have noticed a spark in hair growth since I have been taking these, my nails seem to be pretty long too :) I just realised I only have enough tablets left for 3 days ! I may buy these again or research what other vitamin and minerals can spark hair growth, I will report back as soon as i can ;)

Introduction : )

2008-07-19T08:33:00.000-07:00

Hiya I'm Sophie, I'm from the south of England and I'm wanting long hair desperately!

I'm making this blog to record my progress of trying to reach my goal of having hair, at minimum 27 inches (this is measured from front of my hair) and sharing what helps hair grow and good hair products.

Currently my hair is 23 inches and I'm finding is quite hard to grow because it is weak and breaks easily due to dying it too much and using heat appliances too often. I have been successfully resisting the temptation of both of those hair sins and moisturising my hair often.

Feel free to share hair information on any of my posts as this will help me on my way to long hair and will help anyone else with the same intentions :D

Sophie x