Protein Treatment – Homemade Mayonnaise

November 22, 2013March 7, 2014My Funky Afro 1 Comment

I’m thinking this hair of mine needs a protein treatment. My protein-moisture balance needs redressing. All this shedding; well it can’t be right. Since I spritz and seal every day I figure a protein treatment is the place to start.

I used to use the Organic’s hair mayonnaise in times of need and it has served me well this last decade. But now I’m too sensitive for that long and excessively processed ingredients’ list and besides I like mixing and making lotions and potions.

So I took a basic recipe from YouTube…

and away I went.

The products I used

That is bottled lemon juice. I’m not loving the potassium metabisulphite but Lazy called and I answered.

And I’m not sure that the recipe was specifically calling for ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar) but I couldn’t find the malt vinegar.

The steps I took

3 eggs, 8 oz olive oil, 0.5 oz vinegar, 0.5 oz lemon juice

I put the eggs in and whisked a bit and then I put in the acids and whisked a bit more and then I put in the olive oil and whisked a lot. This is the perfect recipe for an electric hand whisk which I don’t have!

Finally I got to the point where both my hands and forearms were knackered and where I thought the mayonnaise wouldn’t drip off my hair. But to be sure I refrigerated for half an hour for extra thickness.

The finished product

Prepping my hair

I had prepped my hair with an overnight pre poo using Tresemme naturals nourishing moisture conditioner with coconut oil and honey (mixed approximately 1:2:2) which was followed by a single wash using Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat Invigorating shampoo.

Applying the hair mayonnaise

I sectioned my hair into 8 and applied the mayonnaise. I wrapped my head up warm for 45 minutes (shower cap, T-shirt and towels) and then I rinsed it out with water as cold as I could bear (closing the cuticles and minimising the risk of cooking any of the eggs).

I followed up the treatment with an application of Tresemme naturals nourishing moisture conditioner which I kept on my hair for 20mins before rinsing out.

I air dried the hair for an hour or so and then applied Root2Tip triple M leave-in. I sealed in the moisture with the Creme butter in the same range.

I bantu knotted; only stretching them out and pinning them around my head for bed (of course with a satin scarf).

Post scripts

The recipe made loads, I froze the remainder (about half a head’s worth). Next time I’ll pro-rata the recipe based on 2 eggs

Next time I’m also going to try making it with coconut oil since I’ve got 4 containers to use up. A cheap buy which I am certainly not regretting but I have since discovered that coconut oil on its own does nothing for my hair.

How not to do a Curlformer set

September 6, 2013June 11, 2014My Funky Afro Leave a comment

Hair Diary 24th – 31st August 2013

How not to do a curlformer set – part 2 (May 2014)

Saturday 24th August

I had to say good bye to those twists, whilst they were only two week’s old, they were created on the back of 7 ish week old plaits.

So out they came.

That is a pretty limp twist out. I know. Though thankfully I didn’t have to wear it anywhere.

Then came the detangling.

and that’s not bad breakage and shedding considering ….

Then came the overnight Tresemme naturals and coconut oil pre poo

Sunday 25th August

An ACV rinse, conditioner wash and aloe vera juice rinse later you have my naked hair texture in a very blurry shot

It was a bankholiday weekend so a perfect Sunday to loose a night’s sleep.

So in went the Curlformers – set with Flaxseed Gel

Yes I ‘slept’ with those in my head.

Monday 26th August

Out came the curlformers

after the curlformer take down

Look at that frizz.

9 months later a comparison

Bed prep once the day was over.

bantu knots set with:

Beunique’s Moisture Custard and Root2Tip’s Creme butter (to seal) in the back half and

Root2Tip’s Triple M and Creme Butter (to seal) in the front half

Tuesday 27th August

Oh my goodness it’s a stinky kinky coily tangly mess

dry and tangled

Wednesday 28th August

I managed to plait up that mess the night before

and I’m not risking a take down. So I went about like this for the next few days

Saturday 31st August

it’s still dry but a little less tangled

The Afro

How not to do a curlformer set – part 2 – 9 months later

Homemade Flaxseed Gel

August 30, 2013March 7, 2014My Funky Afro 1 Comment

Generally, if I can’t pronounce the items on an ingredient’s list, or I’m Googling to figure out what the f**k they are, or if the count of ingredients starts approaching the high teens and twenties. I stay well clear.

So I like this gel. It has 2 ingredients. It’s easy to make (1/4 cup of flaxseed and 2 cups of water heated until it starts to simmer vigorously and then strained) and it gives a light soft hold. Although it is a bugger to sieve when you heat it too long which is what I did on this occasion.

The flaxseed I used

The gel I made

I added a few drops of Basil, Rosemary and Lavender (for smell) and vitamin E oil (to preserve) and then its good in the fridge for about 3 weeks (until it goes cloudy).

My Hair Diary 12th – 18th August

August 29, 2013March 7, 2014My Funky Afro Leave a comment

This is somewhere about the week 7 mark of wearing these 33 delightful non-chunky, non-statement plaits.

Monday 12th August

August 12th – bunned ponytail with Roman headbands

The week began as so many lazy styling weeks do with a bunned ponytail. This time with two Roman headbands for a raggedy attempt to make the style ‘say something’. I’m starting to long for the ‘fro.

Tuesday 13th August

Not worthy of a shot – bunned low ponytail with one headband

Wednesday 14th August

August 14th – quiff, bun and headband

Oh I like this – it’s saying something.

Thursday 15th August

August 15th – clipped updo

Back to the tales of the unexciting, although there is the subplot of a transition to twists.

My Hair Diary – Week 1

August 23, 2013March 7, 2014My Funky Afro Leave a comment

4th – 11th August 2013

I’ve been rocking this 33 plait look since the 30th June. I’m not loving it, but I’m loving not having to deal with my hair. After washing the plaits and re- plaiting them several times there is now a welcome bit of texture and volume. But essentially 33 plaits it’s always gonna tend to be flat and that’s the styling challenge.

Sunday 4th August