My Current Arsenal: September 2013

I often get asked what products I use so I have decided to write a post about my staples. My go-tos.  My cant-live-withouts. 

Co-wash conditioners

From left to right - Tresemme Naturals, Timotei Pure, Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition

First and foremost, my beloved conditioners. I use these for co-washing, detangling and mixing in my spray bottle to create a leave-in. The reason I have at least three brands is not because I can't make up my mind. It's because the suppliers can't! Grrr. Seriously, if you buy a product from supermarkets here, there is no guarantee you will find the same product three months down the line. So, short of doing some Extreme Couponing style stocking up, every time I see a new, potentially good conditioner, I try it. If I like it, I buy as many as I can afford at the time. So right now I have these three. All of which I love. 

Deep Conditioning Conditioners

Next in line is my Deep Conditioner. You will note from my previous post that this particular one has fallen from favour but I intend to finish it while I search for a new product, preferably store bought but I will also be trying my hand at homemade products. 

Oils

From left to right: Coast Coconut Farms Virgin Coconut Oil, Dr Adorable Inc Jojoba Oil, Tropic Isle Living Jamaica Black Castor Oil

Oils are next.  These really are up there for me as must-haves. I tried numerous  oils before I settled on these and I suggest to anyone starting out to do the same.  Although it is prudent to opt for small bottles to start, oils will never go to waste around the house.  For me, olive and avocado oils made my hair feel greasy while grapeseed was too light and just disappeared. Almond was pretty good but jojoba I love; not too light or too heavy for my hair, plus it is the oil closest in makeup to sebum, produced by our scalps. I mix it into my spritz. My absolutely favourite oil of all time, though,  is coconut oil.  If I could only get my hands on one oil, this would be it. I love it so much I've even been to the factory and watched them press the coconuts. Lovely. I use this on its own for pre-pooing, hot-oil treatments, oil rinsing and as the 'O' in my L.O.C method. It is the only penetrating oil I use. Castor oil works great as a sealant but, because it is quite thick, I use it only on the ends of my hair as they need extra attention.  I also apply a little along my hairline to help promote growth.

Butters

As I just mentioned, I use castor oil to seal my ends but I use Carol's Daughter Healthy Hair Butter to seal the rest of the strand. In general, my hair is not a fan of Shea based butters but this works exceptionally well for me.

Moisturisers

From left to right: Distilled Water, Jojoba Oil, Timotei Pure Conditioner, Worse for wear Spray Bottle

To keep my hair moisturised, I try to use products with a high water content. Up until a few weeks ago, the only product I used for moisturising was my home-made leave in.  This is a simple mix of about two tablespoons of my co-wash conditioner, two teaspoons of an oil, in this case jojoba, and about a cup of distilled water. Shake and spray.  

However, since I bought Shea Moisture's Curl and Style Milk, its high water content (first ingredient) makes it really good for moisturising.  Ideal if i want to re-hydrate my hair but also want it to dry relatively quickly. As it is quite oily on it's own, I may or may not use a sealant over this, depending on how dry my hair felt prior. I have also, on occasion, used it over my spritz for a hyper-moisturising experience.

Clarifiers

From left to right: RAW Apple Cider Vinegar and Tints Of Nature Sulfate-free Shampoo

I clarify my hair every two weeks.  alternating between shampooing and an Apple Cider Vinegar rinse.  The ACV rinse is particularly effective at controlling itching and dandruff, to which my scalp is prone. This is also the reason that I really can not go more than 7-10 days without co-washing.  My shampoo was a little costly (895/-) but I bought in in September 2012 and have been using the same bottle since, once a month, on both myself and my daughter's hair. Great value for money, in my opinion. 

Other

Glycerin counts as an 'other' product because I only add it to my spritz depending on how dry or humid the weather is. Because I make only enough spritz to last a week, this is added very much on an ad-hoc basis. It is a humectant, meaning it attracts moisture, which is sometimes a good thing and sometimes...not so much.  If the weather is hot and/or dry, it actually draws moisture away from the hair so should be used with caution. 

Henna how I love you so. Henna mimics a protein treatment in that it coats the hair strand, making it stronger and appear thicker. I used to henna my hair once a week when I started but it takes so much time and effort that I'm down to once a month. May try up that to once every couple of weeks. 

Hair Therapy Heat Wrap

Last, but not least, is my trusty Hair Therapy Wrap, for any heat treatments I do on my hair.  Why heat? Heat helps open up the cuticles, helping speed up the penetration process.  I use it for hot oil treatments, henna glosses and DCs.  It's not the prettiest thing in the world but it works a treat.

Although not pictured here, my numerous scarves deserve an honourable mention.  They take me through from night time to gym time to lounging by the pool time to dressing up an outfit time.  I couldn't have made it this far without them.

And there you have it.  The hair products and tools I would try to save in a fire.  

What products do you use and why?