Grow-Out Challenge 2005

carameldiva,

How long have you been using the Shapleys? Have you seen any results thus far, i.e., growth, softness, etc?  I've been reading about this on numerous sites with pretty good reviews (besides the smell---read that was pretty bad ???). I'm tempted to try it but didnt want to waste $$$$ if it's not worth it. I'm pretty new to the boards and trying not to run out and buy everything that I read about. That and I have sooooooooooo many products now I need to finish before purchasing anything else. So what have you noticed so far in changes to your hair?

Ya'll please excuse all my questions, but I'm trying to gather as much info as I can to get my hair back on the right track after much neglect!! This boards have been a great source of knowledge and inspiration for me...I've been at home the last few days w/ my daugther and I have to pry myself away form these sites....

cmesweet, you mentioned using coconut and jojoba oil. I purchased a container of Organic virgin coconut oil today from my health food store. However, it's not in oil form like I thought. It's a thick, white solid substance with a little oil film on top!!??? Did yours come this way? What I did to use it was put a little in a container and melt down in the microwave. Is this ok?   Also, if I'm not being too nosy where did you purchase your jojoba oil? My HFS had a small bottle (appx. 4 ozs) for 13.00!!! Do you know if any other store besides an HFS that I may be able to get this for less and in a larger size? ( I'm kinda leery about online purchasing)  I knew it would be expensive, but wow! And for so little...

Thanks in advance for any suggestions/advice ...

I haven't been in the Challenge that long. But I would like to update. I have been washing two-three times a week. Sometimes I  just put conditioner on my hair cover it with a plastic cap, and rinse in the morning. I got my shealoe butter. I am loving it. I have been putting a little Elasta Qp on my hair, then use the shealoe on my scalp and ends.  I have been putting my hair into two low poneytails to airdry after washing, conditioning, or just wetting it. When It dryes It is usually fairly straight, so I put it into two or three french braids and wear them untill I go someplace, then wear a braid out untill I wash/rinse again. Yesterday after rinsing Out conditoner I slept in I used my Henna n' Placenta finally. Then I followed with Humectress, applied shealoe, and elasta QP Recovery. Then I air dryed and french braided, and my hair looks so shiny and healthy. It is soft and verry moisturized. I just relaxed 2 weeks ago, and don't really see much growth, but I can deffinatly tell the condition of my hair has improved quite a bit. I just needed to show it some more attention, and love.  I should have some growth to report next month!

BrownEyez2 wrote: cmesweet, you mentioned using coconut and jojoba oil. I purchased a container of Organic virgin coconut oil today from my health food store. However, it's not in oil form like I thought. It's a thick, white solid substance with a little oil film on top!!??? Did yours come this way? What I did to use it was put a little in a container and melt down in the microwave. Is this ok?   Also, if I'm not being too nosy where did you purchase your jojoba oil? My HFS had a small bottle (appx. 4 ozs) for 13.00!!! Do you know if any other store besides an HFS that I may be able to get this for less and in a larger size? ( I'm kinda leery about online purchasing)  I knew it would be expensive, but wow! And for so little... Thanks in advance for any suggestions/advice ...

Coconut oil can become a solid, I believe after it hits above 65-70 degrees it has a tendency to become a liquid.  There are multiple ways to melt it but I try to not over heat it so what i do is...run hot water in the sink, make sure the stopper is down so the water can't go out. Then i place the container in the water. This way it melts slowly and u can get the amount u want, without melting all of it. (Over heating can cause substances to loose some of its nutrience, thats why I would do the hotwater method i stated)

I purchased my jojoba oil at a health food store back in my home town, it was a small container but it was like 4.99. Recently, in the college town that i reside in right now, I went to the health food store and they too had jojoba oil in such a small bottle for 13.00.  You may have to try multiple health food stores and sometimes grocery stores will have a few essential oils near the vitamin area or pharamacy location.

Also, try calling around to different health food stores and compare their prices. Sometimes arts and crafts stores carry these oils, I would look in the "make your own lotion" or "beeswax" section.

No you are not being nosy, I'm glad to help.

cmesweet...im using some coconut oil i got from walmart. It's actually for cooking. Is that okay?

Yes, it is ok. Coconut oil can be used for multiple things, cooking, sun tanning, cosmetics and so on.

I have used canola oil (yes the cooking kind) it has soybean oil , olive oil and another kind and i was like, well if u can put all that in your hair i might as well try it. It was all i had at the time, but it made my hair feel the same as olive oil.

Edited by cmesweet

carameldiva, I got it. Thanks so much! I pm'd you back. I really appreciate all of you guys advice. You're so informative and helpful! And yes, I have tons of questions which you'll be seeing from time to time until I get this hair thing down.  I don't have a regimen exactly, just trying to figure out for now what does and doesn't work for me. Hopefully I'll have it all figured out soon. Thanks again!

Just an interesting bit of information for you guys too:

Castor oil is not only good for your hair, but for alot of other problems as well. When taken in it's true form (go to the health food store for this one.) it can knock out the common cold,clear up congestion, gastrointestinal problems, diarrhea, cuts, burns, muscle aches, eye discharge, skin irritation, and dry skin...to name a few. It will also help your hair from the inside out and you'll see the change in just days in your hair and skin. Thought I would pass it on.  

thanks vicky....my hair doesnt seem to be growing since my relaxer ( im like 3 weeks post) since i reduced my dosage of biotin. Ive ordered 3 bottles from puritan's pride. I got some castor oil and mixed it with my other oils and i use this to seal in moisture. i ordered some ylang ylang oil to add to my oil mixture to give it a nice smell. I got a bottle of kenra moisturising conditioner and compared to humectress, this thingy gave my hair a little more slip. im not sure if its actually moisturising but we'll see. I did a protein with joico k-pak reconstructor and i prefer this to aphogee. I just dont like the way my hair gets hard after aphogee....umm...so far i guess im just waiting for my slow growing hair to grow :(

kally, how long have u been taking the vitamins? I heard that they dont start working till after three months....

I just wanted to say I know Im late but count me in the challenge. My hair is natural and my hair type is 3c/4a hair . I just started today Im doing a healthy hair and diet challenge. Im eating healthier  I have cut out all sweets and soda, and Ive up my water intake. Ive also started an egg challenge since eggs have protein and they are supposed to help with hair growth. I will be eating 2 to 4 eggs a day probally in an egg sandwitch or boiled either way i will be getting that down every day. Also im doing the  Robin Wood  Grown and glory method  im following that somewhat but i am changing a few things tho. Im wearing my hair in 2strandtwists for my protectice style Washing and conditioning my hair about 1x a week and deep condition every month. Wearing something at night over my head, and  also either oiling my scalp with shea butter or olive oil, also i forgot to say i leave my hair twisted for 2months befoe i take them down and re do them.

I guess thats it

Good luck to all the ladies.

Edited by Mrs.Robertson

Thank for having me, oh yea and i forgot about other things with protein in them LOL

Again thanks for having me.