Now, do NOT ask me why I tried this in the first place, but just let me tell you that Baba de Caracol is not only my favorite conditioner, but now it’s my favorite protein mixer too. Yep, you read right!

You all know that I always say that protein treatments tend to leave the hair a little tough, brittle and sometimes even leads to breakage, if overdone. Well…here’s what I tried:

1 part Baba de Caracol + 1 part your favorite protein treatment.

The first time I tried it I used Baba mixed with Alter Ego Impac. I love Alter Ego, but it seems that no matter how well I deep condition after use, my hair is a little stiff. So, I decided to multitask by mixing my favorite protein with my favorite deep conditioner. I left it in for an hour, rinsed and was so surprised at how soft my hair was! It was strong AND suave!

Ok, so the next time I mixed with Apoghee. Aphogee is excellent when followed up with the recommended conditioner, but my hair is STILL a bit difficult to comb and feels like twice the volume when it’s dried. I’ve noticed that protein treatments leave an extra coating around the strands, which makes the hair fuller (great if you have fine, thin hair). However, for the those of us with a lot of hair, we don’t need and may not want the extra volume.

Anyway, I left the Baba + Aphogee mixture on for a few hours. I was a little nervous that I would overdo the protein, but once again, my hair turned out super, SUPER soft. It was easy to comb, but I combed out less hair than I usually do and my hair was very, very shiny.

So, for the last test I went a step further. Again, I used Baba + Aphogee, but this time I left it on overnight. I rinsed it out the next morning, not knowing what to expect, but let me tell you all…my hair was the softest it has EVER been with a protein treatment. In fact, I almost prefer Baba in conjunction with a protein.

Needless to say, this mixture will only be used every other month or so. As much as I love how my hair feels and combs I am still using protein and do not want to abuse the use of the protein, but I will definitely continue mixing it.
Let me know if try it. I’d love to hear your comments…even if you don’t like it.

Mil besos!

LaNegra

~Crys

Hey there Crys. I’m so happy to know that my site is helpful

Ok, let’s jump right in…I admit that it can be difficult to get your roots straight when you are growing out a relaxer, or simply have very curly hair. The only thing I can suggest, if you haven’t done it already, is to do a dubi, right after you pull out your rolos and sit underneath your dryer for 10-20 minutes. This may not get your hair super straight at the roots, but it should loosen up your waves a bit.

I don’t get my roots super straight when I put my rollers in, which is why I use the blower. I applaud you for not relying on heat to get your hair straight. It’s important to know YOUR hair and what works (or doesn’t work).

Good luck!
LaNegra

I’m so excited, can hardly type. Those of you, who have been following my dilemma, know that I have been stressing ( I mean that seriously) over finding a replacement shampoo.

I do NOT understand why Creme of Nature formula changed. I mean, seriously folks! Did I complain? Did you complain? NO!! The shampoo was working and left my hair extremely manageable. After reading the reviews on the “new and improved” version, I decided that it was not going to be my next love.

You all also know that I bought a gallon, yes a gallon, of the original formula during my last trip to the Big Apple right? Well, knowing that I would not be able to replace it, I have used it sparingly (sniffle, sniffle) and have been experimenting in the meantime.

So, here’s what happened today.

I was trying to transfer some shampoo from the gallon bottle to a smaller, easier to handle bottle. That turned out not to be simple, because I don’t have a funnel. I wasted at least 3 good ounces of my “fix” and was heated. No. Seriously, I was PO’d. I canNOT replace my Creme of Nature, so I cannot afford to watch 3 ounces float down the sewage system.

Rather than fight with the bottle, I decided to wait to buy a funnel, but I still needed to shampoo my hair. I wanted to give one of my other test-and-failed-shampoos a try. The first lather was a mess. I instantly had tangles, couldn’t even get my comb near my hair, let alone through my hair.

The second lather, I tried something a little different. I poured some shampoo into my hand and then about equal portions of a cheap cream rinse into my hand.

Initially, I didn’t think that I was going to get a decent lather, but I knew that I would at least have a clean scalp and that I would be able to pass the comb through my hair. Well, after a moment of massaging the mixture in my hair, I felt that familiar foam developing. I didn’t get a real intense lather, but a foam…just like I get when I use my beloved Creme of Nature.

This was only the first attempt, but I’m going to try it next time around to confirm my results. If any of you have done this before, or try it, let me know what the results are like. I’m especially interested in hearing from fellow Creme of Nature fans.

Besitos,
LaNegra

I have been trying to find a substitute for my beloved Creme of Nature shampoo since I learned that the original formula was going extinct. Why do companies change products when consumers are happy with them?!

We could go back and forth pondering why they change recipes, but it will do us no good. So, I decided to find a fill-in for me favorite shampoo. Thus far, I have not come across any shampoo that worked like Creme of Nature. This shampoo was a favorite, because it cleaned my scalp without stripping my hair. It also made combing easier than any other shampoo I have every used.

After mulling things over, it occurred to me that there was conditioner added to the shampoo. Maybe that’s what made Creme of Nature different. I started experimenting with a shampoo that I have that I do NOT like at all. Believe it or not, I found a CHI product that my hair HATES!

CHI Infra Shampoo was not my friend! It gives you a great lather, but for me, it left my hair stripped and feeling that all of my natural oils were totally gone. In fact, my hair felt as if I had used a clarifying shampoo. I only use clarifying shampoos when I go swimming or when my hair is overly saturated with product. What that translates to is, rarely.

I decided to try adding a little conditioner to the CHI shampoo to see if I could get similar results to what I get from Creme of Nature. The first two tries, I added a thick conditioner, some Humectress in varying amounts. I was not very pleased with the results; each time I ended up having to pull out the Creme of Nature in order properly shampoo. There was no lather or my hair still felt like it had been stripped.

Today, however, I decided to give it one more shot. After all, that gallon jug is not going to last indefinitely, right? Right.

This time, I used my last 2 or 3 ounces of CHI with a teaspoon of silk amino acids.

Girls, I think I’m on to something! My scalp felt very clean; my hair didn’t feel dried out and it seems as if I can actually comb my hair without a problem. But, don’t run out and try this just yet, because you know any good experiment has to be tried again and again with the same results. So, let’s just keep our fingers crossed!

While I’m experimenting, I may try adding some silk amino acids to any random shampoo and see what happens. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right? Right

When I first received my Silk Amino Acid, I didn’t know what to think or how to use it. Eventually, it occurred to me that one of my favorite products, CHI Silk Infusion, contained…silk! Here’s the thing. Silk Amino Acid comes in a liquid form, so I received a bottle and wasn’t too sure how much would work.

After experimenting, I wanted to get my testing down to a more “scientic” routine. I wanted to be able to repeat the results, not just get a hit-or-miss recipe. With this in mind, I used a bowl that hair stylist uses for hair dye, or other products that need to be measured. These bowls are pretty inexpensive; you can get one at Sally’s.

1. I poured a bowl full of my Humecto in and the added a cap full of Silk Amino Acid.
2. I left this mix on for about 30 minutes (was unpacking more boxes, lost track of time).
3. Rinsed out.

My hair felt like…SILK!!! I absolutely love the way my hair felt. It was moist, supple and easy to comb.

submitted by Ana, one of our readers.

Now you all know that I have hair products stashed away for every occasion, so I don’t even know why I was feigning like it was a state of emergency, but I digress.

Anyway, I pulled out my rarely-used-jar of UNA Protein Treatment. I used to swear by this product, but because it’s increasingly more difficult for me to find it, I wanted to salvage what I had for such an emergency, as today. There was about 1/4 of a large jar of UNA left and about a 1/4 cup of Aphogee left, so I just poured the remaining Aphogee in the UNA jar and stirred. Then I added a cap full of silk amino acids that I recently purchased online at lotioncrafter.com into the mix and applied to my hair.

I left my protein “shake” on for about 10-15 minutes, rinsed thoroughly and then applied KeraCare Humecto to my hair. I left that on for about 20 minutes and braced myself for the worse. I expect to have to fight my tangles. However, that wasn’t the case. My hair was relatively easy to comb and that comes as a huge shock, because I haven’t done a relaxer in a very, long time.

When I looked at the ingredients in Aphogee, I realized that the first ingredient is hydrolyzed collagen and most of the protein conditioners that disagree with my hair are keratin based.

Suddenly, I recalled seeing hydrolyzed collagen somewhere, but it’s slipping my memory right now. I’m wondering if I can get this in liquid form, like the silk amino acid that I purchased from lotioncrafter…again, I digress.

The point of this is to say that I think that the silk amino acid really left my hair soft, supple and easy to comb. I’m not experiencing breakage, but combing is a little tough these days and I have to decide whether or not I am going to go natural, or relax again, but for the moment, I think that my hair is thanking me (and Ayanna) for this protein shake.

The silk amino acid is definitely a keeper!

ADDENDUM: As soon as I touched my dry hair, still wrapped around the rolos, I knew it was going to be a good experience.

My hair felt soft, smooth and silky. In fact, it felt like I had just done a desrizado, a relaxer. My “don’t know how long it’s been since a touchup” roots were even soft and easy to comb.

Now, the only thing to do is figure out exactly what worked for me – was it the mixture of UNA with Aphogee,  the added silk amino acids, or the combination. We will investigate.

I took a couple of pics, but my batteries died, so I’ll add them later.

I will NOT sacrifice the health of my hair.

Ok, I talk a good game, but while many of us are losing jobs and the cost of products is on the rise, how do we keep our locks looking luscous?

We go back to the basics, that’s how!

The first place I turn to is my pantry for pre-shampoo treatments. We have tons of stuff sitting right in our homes that can be used instantly:

• Olive oil > use alone, or add your favorite essential oil to maximize benefits.
• Miel/Honey – add a spoonful to any carrier oil and see how shiny and moisturized your hair will be.
• Eggs  – use as a protein, pre-conditioner
• Mayonnaise – use as a protein pre-conditioner
• Coconut milk – use alone, or add honey and a few drops of rosemary to combat dry, or thinning hair and add shine.
• Avocado
• Cayenne pepper – can be added to carrier oils to stimulate scalp and growth, but can irritate skin, so be careful.

There are a few other items that we should keep on hand to create our own moisturizers and treatments:

• Aciete de Romero/rosemary oil – essential > use for thinning hair
• Peppermint oil – essential > use for dandruff
• Sage Oil – essential > use for thinning hair
• Jojoba Oil – carrier > add a few drops of any essential oil, or use alone to moisturize
• Coconut Oil *not the perfume, scented type. This should be pure coconut oil, which really has no aroma. carrier> add a few drops of any essential oil, or use alone to moisturize
• Almond Oil – carrier> add a few drops of any essential oil, or use alone to moisturize
• Bay Oil – essential >use  for thinning hair

Some of these items have been listed in anothe post, but they are worth mentioning again.

Any of the listed items can be applied to dry hair, left on for at least 30 minutes,  with/withou heat, and then washed out.

For instance, a quick, instant protein treatment is mayo or egg. I don’t always like the smell of either, but in a pinch, they do the trick.

If you have a recipe that you have used and swear by, please share it with us.

You may not want to give your hips any additional treats, but your hair may love you for it.

Take the innards of an avocado (use half if it’s a large avocado) and about a teaspoon of olive oil.  Mash up the avocado in a bowl, then add olive oil. It’s a good idea to warm up your mixture before applying it.

Start at the ends, working your way up the hair shaft. Cover your hair with a plastic bag, and then wrap head with warm towel, or sit under a warm *NOT HOT* hair dryer for at least 20 minutes.

Rinse, wash and condition as normal. Your hair should be soft, silky and shiny.