MHM Day 11: Product Free Hair

After two times of doing a short MHM version,  I decided to go back to doing the long version.  The reason was to see if I get better results at this stage of the journey.

So tonight, I ACV'd then cowashed (with full strength KCKT) for about 45 minutes. I then left clay in for about 70 minutes. I applied conditioner (full strength) and put on 2 showershowercaps for bed.

Here are pics of my hair without any product after washing out the clay. To be honest, it didn't look different from when I have product in it. I put some jojoba in my hair aftee the conditioner simply because I had too much in my hands at the time.

ANOTHER MHM UPDATE

So on July 30th, I had done MHM 7 times. Its been a week since then and I only did the regimen an additional 3 times, lol! Yay, 10 times in total!

Haha, I'm clearly struggling to keep up but at least I continue to do the regimen and have not given up, so that's good, right?

Here are some more pics -

Wet hair

Dryish hair

A SWITCH UP
On day 10, I switched up the regimen and instead of doing the ACV - Cowash - Clay - Leave-In - Gel process (ACCLG), I did the Clay - ACV - Leave-In - Gel process (CALG). I got great results. Specifically, I did the CALG at night, then twistedd my hair into tiny bantu knots, put on a vented shower cap and scarf and slept. My hair looked like this before I went to bed -

Here is a gratuitous shot of my roots -

In the morning, I took out the bantu knots, and went out with my hair looking like this -

I was too tired to tackle my hair when I got home, so I put it into bantu knots again and put on a scarf for bed. In the morning, my hair looked like this -

It looks a little dry to me, but no matter, as I am about to do the CALG process again. I hope my results are good.

Can't wait for super hydrated hair.

MHM UPDATE

Today marks the 7th time I have done MHM since Monday, July 21st.

So far, so good.

My schedule has been as follows:

1. Monday
2. Wednesday
3. Thursday
4. Saturday
5. Sunday
6. Monday
7. Wednesday

I wish I could have been a bit more consistent, but in spite of the progress, the reality is that there are days when I just CAN'T. And, that's okay. =)

Here are a few progress pictures -

May not be as super defined as some of the other folks out there, but I do get ringlet definition and I am sure with time, it will get better. Oh, and I am getting compliments too.

Concerns:

1. Using up too much product too quickly.
2. Wish there weren't that many parts to the regimen.
3. Wish I didn't have to do it so frequently.

However, I know that in due time, I will only have to do the regimen once every two-three days and then once every 5 days. I'm looking forward to that stage and happy to continue because I see the results and they are phenomenal.

Benefits:

1. My hair is soft (except for some of my ends which are frizzy).
2. Less shedding.
3. Less single strand knots.
4. My hair has sheen and shine.
5. My hair looks jet black (except for my greys, lol!)
6. My hair looks thick and full.

Yup, will keep this up with washes everyday for the next 4 days, then on Monday, I'll do another Cherry Lola treatment and start stretching out my wash and gos (WNGs) to every 2 days.

MHM: Day 2

The second run through of my MHM journey was on wednesday yesTerday. It started with an ACV rinse. I actyally applied diluted ACV to my hair and wore it under a shower cap for about 30 minutes. Then I rinsed it out with more diluted ACV. Then I put KCKT for 20 minutes. Then I applied the clay mix and left it for 60 minutes. I thrn applied diluted conditioner and gel.

Unfortunately, I had more frizz than coils/ringlets. However, my hair wasn't as sticky as the day before.

Hoping that with improved technique my results will get better.

MHM day 3

Soooo, today I managed to complete the 3rd round of my MHM journey.

I changed it up by doing the alternate baking soda method -2tbs baking soda, 2 tbs honey, 1 tbs oil. I applied it to dry hair which was not nice. So I wet my hair and raked it through as best as possible.  It was also my DDs second run. I had her wet her hair thoroughly first.  Applying the baking soda mix went more smoothly.

Anyway, I followed up with diluted conditioner which I left on for about 45 minutes. Then I put the clay mix in and left it on for just over 90 minutes. once done I applied diluted conditioner to wet hair,  put on a shower cap and wrapped it up.

In the morning,  I will put gel in my hair and head out.

Alternate MHM Baking soda mixture

1 – 2 tablespoons baking soda
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon olive oil
6-10 oz of water

Source: Msdeekay's blog

MHM Journey: I Did It! (Day 1)

So, on July 21st around 5pm, I started my MHM journey. the results were pretty good.

My product-free hair before MHM.

Product-free afro

Here's what I did.

I mixed up the modified Cherry Lola (CL) Treatment, the clay mix and the diluted conditioner mix the night before.

On the 21st, I applied the CL and wore a shower cap for just about70 minutes then rinsed outside by the garage.

 I then applied KCKT (Kinky Curly Knot Today) conditioner and let that sit for 45 minutes. I rinsed and applied the clay mix, which was MESSY! I have to thicken up my clay mix so I can really apply it properly on my head.

Anyway, that stayed on for approximately an hour before I rinsed outside. After getting as much of it off, I went into my shower to rinse again and followed up with the diluted KCKT conditioner and loads of gel.

Hair after with gel in it. I later raked to define ringlets

My curls were indeed popping in the form of little ringlets everywhere. I didn't apply the way Pinke and others recommended of doing the hair in sections. Instead, I simply applied the conditioner and then followed up with gel.

What I did do however, was go through the strands again later on to distribute the gel as evenly as possible by raking my fingers through my hair. Then I sectioned the hair into small plaits.

My hair felt heavy and I was impressed to see and feel the ringlets. It looks like I have definition already from root to tip in 90% of my hair. That was good to see.

Positives:
It didn't take me as long as I thought it would. I was done before 9pm!
I loved the end result and was able to style my hair the following day and go out.

Negatives:
I used TOO MUCH gel. It made my hair feel yucky!
I shouldn't do this in the evening as I don't like getting my sheets wet. However, I wore a shower cap to bed, which solved that issue.

Now, due to a super busy Tuesday, I was unable to do another treatment. I will however do one today (Wednesday).

I will do the following -

1. ACV rinse (leave for 30 minutes)
2. Cowash (leave for 30 minutes)
3. Clay rinse (lave for an hour)
4. Leave In
5. Gel

Hope it makes my hair look even better!

MAX HYDRATION METHOD BEGINS TODAY!

I should have started almost 3 weeks ago but life got in the way.

Currently, my hair is very coily/ringlet-y (not a real word, I know). Anyway, I will take pictures of my hair and DDs hair to track our progress.

(P. 127 of thread)

The Max Hydration Method

ooo Version 1(Day/Night regimen) ooo

Night

Step 1. Bakingsoda/ ACV rinse
Step 2. Deep condition/GHE, may add light oils to scalp. You may use thermal heating cap or steam for an hour before wearing the shower cap to bed

Day

Step 2.(continued) Rinse out DC and detangle in morning.
Step 3. Clay
Step 4. Leave in. Hair should be soaking wet, no matter how you go about doing it.
Step 5. Gel/ Oil to set into style (no glycerin or coconut oil)

More detailed version, mixtures, and stretching options:

http://forum.blackhairmedia.com/the-max-hydration-methodfrom-my-other-post_topic368937_post10888148.html?KW=THE+MAX+HYD#10888148


ooo Version 2 (Fastest for All in one go) ooo

Step 1. Wet hair

Step 2. Clay rinse

Step 3. Baking soda rinse

Step 4. Apply conditioner on sopping wet hair under shower. Slide off access conditioner with hands to avoid residue
Step 5. Apply gel on sopping wet hair and keep hair wet. Shake. Or apply an gel or oil and set into style.


ooo Version 3 (all in one go ACV) ooo

Step 1. ACV
Step 2. Clay
Step 3. Leave in, as in version 2.
Step 4. Gel/ Oil


ooo Version 4 (Bald spot regimen/For people who's hair is too short for gel) ooo

Step 1. ACV (can also add cayenne pepper)
Step 2. Clay (with cayenne pepper and light stimulating oils added)
Step 3. Apply light oils to scalp(I Recommend a light oil mixed with stimulating antimicrobial oils)
Step 4. Deep condition for 2-3 weeks before repeating whole regimen.


ooo Version 5 (For Cherry Lola) ooo

Night

Step 1: Cherry Lola
Step 2: DC overnight

Day
Step 3. Clay
Step 4. Leave in
Step 5. Gel/oil(if doing set style)


ooo Version 6 (Longer version for All in one go)ooo

Step 1. B.S./ACV
Step 2. Steam/thermal heating cap/Warm conditioner
Step 3. Clay
Step 4. Leave in
Step 5. Gel/oil(if doing set style)


For all options, note: Do not dry hair after each step/rinse. You want your hair to be very wet especially when you are applying the leave in. You can even do this under the shower. As you section your hair to apply gel, if the hair section you haven't gotten to yet is getting dry, apply or spray more watered down conditioner to the section, and slide of excess foam off as you work it in. Make sure it gets to your roots too. The wetter and more slippery your hair is after the leave in step, the softer the gel dries.

Basic MHM outline: o Gentle Clarification of product residue and build up that blocks cuticles and gets on scalp.o Cuticles are lifted.o Moisture is introduced and readily absorbed.o Moisture is sealed in and cuticles close.

1. Modified Cherry Lola Treatment/BS vs. ACV Rinse 
1. Apple Cider Vinegar Recipe (30-60 minutes)
   
1. 1:1 ratio
2. Baking Soda Recipe (10-30 minutes)
1. 1.5 tablespoons of baking soda
2. 1/3 cup conditioner
3. Cherry Lola recipe (90-120 minutes)
1. Greek yogurt (2 cups)
2. Baking soda (2 tbsp)
3. Organic apple cider vinegar (2 tbsp)
4. Raw coconut liquid aminos or liquid Soy aminos (2 tbsp)
5. Raw honey (1/2 tbsp)
6. Unsulfured molasses (1 tbsp)
7. Half an over ripe plantain or banana
8. Avocado (3/4 tbsp)
9. 1 egg (optional, but I used it no problem)
2. Cowash (10-15 minutes)
1. Cowash Recipe
1. 1oz conditioner
2. 6-8oz water
3. Clay Application (15-30 minutes)
1. Clay recipe A
1. 1 cup pure clay powder
2. 2-3 cup warm water
3. 1 tablespoon of honey
4. 1 tablespoon of olive oil
2. Clay recipe B
1. - Over 50mls of Clay (Rhassoul)
   - 250 mls of purified water (unheated)
   - 1 tablespoon of olive oil
   - 1 tablespoon of honey
   - 3-5 drops  Argan Oil
   - 3-5  Jojoba Oil
4. Leave-In Conditioner
5. Gel Application

RAW HONEY

Ooh wee! I am learning about raw honey and I can't believe the many beneficial uses it offers to us mere mortals. Reason for my interest is the Max Hydration Method, which requires raw honey as an inportant ingredient in the Cherry Lola treatment stage.

A quick visit to Hippie Brown Girl's fabulous blog enlightened me greatly.

I mean, it can be used directly on the face as a cleanser that has moisturizing, antibacterial and other healing properties!

I love it and can't wait to get that into my life.

With all the beekeepers in Dominica, I would think I could find this easily but, um, nope. Or at least, not yet, anyway.

I have 5 gallons of this stuff in my Amazon cart waiting to be purchased. I might just have Ms. G bring me all the things I need from the US of A! Dang, its at times like this, I miss home.

Anyway, more info on raw honey and many other great things - beautywise -  are available here - http://hippiebrowngirl.com/2014/03/24/homemade-shampoo-conditioner-for-natural-hair/