I planned to put the rest of my TJ product reviews up, but first I wanted to do another mulit-item review entry, like my Lush Bath Bombs and Lush Top Skincare Picks posts. I wanted to do something on a topic a lot of people can relate to, packed with some amazing cruelty-free products. I don't know about any of you, but I can't count how many times I googled "how to grow your hair long" before my hair FINALLY grew, and theres not really an abundance of sites with real info that doesn't involve a miracle pill, a crazy lazer, or extensions- so I figured doing a post on what actually worked for me might hopefully help some of you. Remember, everyone's body is different, so different things work for different hair types. These products are pretty general, and should work for most hair types.
Now to start off: in regards to the previously mentioned "miracle pill", or anything that promises instant gratification when it comes to your hair, let me just say - IT DOESN'T WORK THAT WAY. This is not going to happen overnight, and if thats what you're looking for you should probably go the way of extensions. I used to wear extensions religiously because my hair just would not grow past my shoulders. It was literally the most aggravating thing ever, granted I wasn't doing all that much to help the situation besides throwing a hair mask on now and then & hoping for the best (mostly because the products I was using advertised hair growth, and I was a sucker for good advertisement). Growing your hair is like a science, and it takes more than just product to make it happen.
Trader Joe's Nourish Spa Conditioner
Okay so this is a new addition to my hair regimen, but I already can see a lot more hydration in my hair after two weeks of use. I definitely have less split ends, and even before I put any leave in product in, this stuff has my hair curling up rather than frizzing out. If you google this conditioner you'll see A LOT of hype, especially from girls with curly hair. In your google search you'll also see people pissing and moaning about the recent change in ingredients, which I don't really care about because I happen to love the new formula. Theres also a Nourish Shampoo, which I have and love, but I'm sticking to the essentials for this list, and the conditioner takes precedence over the shampoo.
Tips & Tricks:
I probably overuse this product but it seems to be working, so I suggest doing the same. Put enough in so it covers ALL of your hair and scalp. Then let it sit for a couple minutes, like you would with a hair mask treatment. Now one of the gripes some people have about the new formula I mentioned is silicone as an ingredient; a lot of people are saying they have trouble rinsing it out which ends up making their hair greasy/unmanageable. This has NEVER happened to me, but if you're worried about it just use less product and really, really, make sure you give your hair a good rinse.
Lush R&B
R&B is a leave-in hair moisturizer by Lush, and its preeetty fantastic. R&B stands for "Revive & Balance", which is fitting because this product definitely delivers. The ingredient list includes organic avocado butter, oatmeal, olive oil, extra virgin coconut oil, jojoba oil and candelilla wax- all excellent advocates for healthy hair and scalp. The scent is jasmine and orange blossom- and I'm pretty much obsessed with Jasmine so I loved R&B the second I smelled it. This product is known to work great on African American hair as well as curly hair -and- no silicone! So if you're part of the anti-silicone mob, this one should get you excited.
Tips&Tricks
The jar looks kinda small, but I've had mine for months and it doesn't look like I've even touched the stuff. As with many Lush products, a little goes a long way- so I like to concentrate on my ends as thats where most of the damage is. I only use this product on DAMP hair, You could probably use it on dry hair as a mask, but you'd have to wash it out or your hair will definitely look greasy. I've read that some people do use this product on dry hair for flyaways- I haven't done this, and I'm sure the results are circumstantial (based on hair type), but If I were to try that technique I'd probably only use a tiny bit.
Coconut Oil
The Almighty Coconut Oil! I use this for a plethora of things, but one of my favorite uses is for hair health. Coconut Oil has a ridiculous amount of benefits for your overall health, and if you haven't read about any you should definitely search the web & check out a few pages. If you're looking into purchasing, you want Organic Virgin Coconut Oil- it should be solid at room temperature, but turn to liquid quickly with any heat source. I use this as a mask for my hair every so often.
Tips&Tricks:
This is another product that will make your hair appear greasy if you use too much of it. I use coconut oil on my ends a few times a week before I shower, and I'll do an all out mask about once a month or every two months. With regular use on my ends: I only use a little bit of oil, warming it in my hands followed by pressing it onto the ends of my hair. When I do a full hair mask I heat up the oil so it's easier to apply, I massage some into my scalp and distribute it down through my hair. I generally keep the mask on for 10-20 minutes, then wash/ condition my hair. Usually my hair still feels pretty oily after the initial wash, but after my second wash the oil is definitely out. The fact it takes two washes to remove the oil is why I don't do the mask often, but the benefits outweigh the couple days of greasy looking hair.
Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil
When it comes to Argan Oil, Josie Maran has to be my favorite. I've tried a bunch of "Argan Oil" infused products- and this is the only one thats given me noticeable results. This oil is the real deal, its 100% Argan, and as with most real oil products it's equipped with a glass dropper for application.
Tips&Tricks:
I always start by separating my damp hair into sections, this makes it easier to be sure all of your ends recieved some oil. Next, I apply three drops of the oil into my hands, rub them together, and press the oil onto the chosen section of hair. After pressing the oil in I run my hands down my hair to spread the oil out. I like to spread it up the hair shaft about four inches, mainly because I don't have any issues with split ends/breakage past that point of my hair.
I like to use this on towel dried hair after I shower, but sometimes I'll apply it onto my ends if they're looking frizzy. I don't use this on my scalp, I suppose you could but you may get the greasy- effect that many moisturizing products produce.
The Tangle Teezer
This is one of those products I bought and afterwards couldn't figure out how I lived life so long without having it. I just LOVE this weird looking thing. Its completely plastic, with pointy bristles that massage you scalp and separate tangled hair- wet or dry.
The fact that this is plastic makes for really easy cleaning, which can be a problem for a lot of brushes. The top of the brush is curved to fit your hand, which makes for easy brushing even when dealing with especially snarly hair. Theres a few dupes of this brush now, but I prefer the original because I think "Shawn P" deserves the credit for creating this magical tool, whoever he is. They sell the Tangle Teezer at Sally Beauty, and most likely Ulta although I've never looked there.
The Wet Brush
I found the Wet Brush before the tangle teezer, I loved it from the first time I used it. Before this brush I would have been an idiot to even attempt to brush my hair when it was wet. Seriously, your hair is most delicate when it's wet, and brushing it with a regular is just asking for breakage and split ends. The only con with this brush is cleaning it. Lint tends to get stuck on the bristles and its next to impossible to get off (so annoying). Difficult cleaning aside, the Wet Brush is amazing and definitely a must have.
Professional Hair Scissors & Elastic Hairbands
Lastly- and especially if you currently have breakage or split ends, invest in some nice shears & those funky elastic hairbands. The scissors are for your split ends- TRIM THEM OFF. Don't pick at them or ignore them, they'll continue to split up the hair shaft creating a frizzed out mess on your head. The elastic hairbands are definitely more gentle then the typical bands, and anything thats gentle on your hair is a plus when shooting for growth. You could go get a trim regularly at a salon, but I hate the salon, none of those women ever really listen to how I want my hair.
*I'll post pictures of my hair later, because I'm going to have to get out the wretched straightener aka torture chamber in order to show the actual length of my locks.*
It honestly only took about two years for my hair to grow from a little past my shoulder's to the point its at now (about two inches above my derrière), but 5 years ago I had pretty much given up on my hair ever being long sans extensions. Some people can get length faster than that, but I'm definitely not one of them. Along with the products above, you need to eat well and take care of yourself. I noticed my hair getting a lot healthier when I stopped drinking alcohol, and I know theres basically nobody that will stop drinking altogether for the sake of their hair, so I'll just say cut down on it, eat nutrient rich foods, and get enough sleep. The healthier your body is the more beautiful your hair will be.
