MEET NICHI

SO I got a chance to speak to a natural with GORGEOUS hair! Meet Nichi...

CL: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN GIVING YOUR HAIR HEALTHY CARE?

I would say since 2008. In 06, I stopped relaxing my hair after noticing severe damage. I found fotki and LHCF in 2008 and ever since then have been taking care of my hair and unlearning all the years of bad practices.

CL: ARE YOU COLOR TREATED, RELAXED, NATURAL, TEXLAXED OR TRANSITIONING?

I'm 100% natural


CL: ARE YOU HAPPY WITH THE HEALTH OF YOUR HAIR AS OF RIGHT NOW?

Currently, I am. Considering where I came from, it's been a long road. I was NL now I am BSL. I usually wear it natural and i love how soft it feels. It's thick, full and growing so I'm happy about everything right now.

CL: WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE PRODUCTS (THE ONES YOU CANT LIVE WITHOUT)?

I absolutely can NOT live without Herbal Essences Hello Hydration conditioner. It absolutely melts away tangles and softens my hair so much. It's a staple that's not going anywhere soon. I also love Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat & Jason Biotin Shampoos. I believe in low manipulation, so I only use one moisturizer I make myself. It keeps my hair soft. bouncy and moisturized. I melt some shea butter and mix castor, coconut, olive and peppermint oils and whip it with a mixer. It makes a buttery, creamy spreadable hair moisturizer that my friends and I love.

CL: WHAT IS ONE WORD THAT YOU WOULD USE TO DESCRIBE YOUR HAIR.

Transformed! My hair has made a complete 180 from when I started and I dont believe it sometimes myself.

CL: HOW OFTEN DO YOU “DO” YOUR HAIR, AND WHAT DOES THIS PROCESS INVOLVE?

I co-wash (and style if needed) my hair every Thursday to begin the weekend and a full wash and deep condition on Sundays to begin the week. I part my hair in four parts and wash and detangle each section. After moisturizing each section with my shea butter mix, I either do my regular twistout or bun. I've now incorporated flexi rod sets and I love them

Pictures:

SOMETHING NEW

I am getting a little bored with the shape of my hair! I need to find a great stylist in Houston, who can cut some long layers into my hair. Problem is, I dont trust ANYONE! I dont have any friends who wear thier real hair out to even ask for a referral. SUX! I wish this were easier...

MY BUN

Never mind my edges, they arent sick they just havent been layed down. They are indeed thin from years of constanly trying to lay that fine hair down with hard brushes. This was after a humid night in Austin, TX last weekend. I love the size of it!

Breakage

I've blogged about this before, but this is a confusing subject and needs to be brought up again. I was talking to someone about hair not too long ago and she brought up breakage. What she was describing was actually shedding though. Needless to say she had no idea that there was a difference between the two. This isn't the time I had to introduce this knowledge to someone either. Ok so...
Go to your bathroom sink, or vanity area.
Comb your hair as you normally would (from the bottom up, on mosturized hair), but make sure to lean your torso over the sink or counter-top so you combing your hair directly over it.
What do you see?
Nothing?!??!! Great!
Little hairs (shorter than the rest of you hair)?!!??
I would suggest:::
Clarify
Mild protien
Deep condition with heat (put EXTRA on the ends)
Apply leave INS
Style
Everynight until your next wash day use the baggy method with a great moisturizer.
If you are relaxed or wearing a straight style, baggy just the ends with a moisturizer. Simply apply your fave moisturizer, seal with an oil, wrap your hair into a bun, and put a sandwich baggie on your bun.
If you don't mind waking up to wet hair to can whole head baggy. Simply apply for fave moisturizer and put on a plastic bag.
Try baggying for a few days and then try the combing assessment again over the sink.
Is hair still there?
On your next wash day ax the clarifying shampoo and protien. Protien can help stop breakage yes! I would like to add, that until youve gotten your moisture level in check, go easy on the protien because it may dry your hair out even more.
For the next 2 washes only use a moisturizing deep conditioner with steam.
Continue working on this. Finding the right balance for your hair can take a while.
Moisturizers:
Carols Daughter Some of Maugarites Magic
Paul Mitchell The Conditioner
Clarifying shampoo:
Organic roots stimulator aloe rid
Pantene
Elucence
Oils:
Coconut
Olive