3 Month Ayurveda Challenge

[sheba1]

Here are my starter pics. So far, Ayurveda is doing some lovely things for my hair! Wish I had starter pics from a month ago.

I've been rinsing with teas of bringharaj and shikakai, moisturizing with a homemade aloe/glycerine spritz (and whatever moisturizing conditioner is near by as a leave in), and sealing with vatika and amla oil. My hair was certainly stronger but I was experiencing some dryness.

I'm doing a remix for the coming month. Last night I made a homemade buttercream with shea, glycerine, vatika, amla and some tea tree oil. I'll be using this as my conditoner and sealing with vaseline. Last night I used this to put some twists in and, can I just say, my hair is FABULOUS! No pics, though.... not til it's been a month.

When I'm ready, I want to start doing a henna indigo gloss once per month.

 

[trj1922]

Anyone in the challenge have any experience using clarifying rinses in an Ayurvedic regimen? If so, what benefits (or setbacks) have you seen? I am thinking about adding an ACV based herbal clarifying rinse to my reggie by Products of the Earth. I just bought it and I'm wondering how to best use it.

BTW, I'm not affiliated with these folks but its a Chicago-based business that makes all-natural products I absolutely love and they have a strong Ayurvedic element in much of their line, but the hair care in particular incorporates the best of Ayurveda. Check them out at www.productsoftheearth.com.

 

[flowinlocks]

I have a cond. pack sitting on now with my usual powders mixed in , Alma, Brahmi, Bhringraj, Fengreek, Nettle. I have been using powders and oils for a few months now & my hair is thriving!!!! I don't know if it's my imagination but since joining this challenge I have def. kicked up my Ayurvedic game a notch. Cowashing more, rinsing with the teas, etc. It seems like my hair is growing & getting thicker right before my eyes I'm 2wks. post & I feel a little ng, but it's weird, it's like it LOOKS longer, but I don't feel it at the roots. Could it be the Ayurveda softening up what Little ng I do have? Is anyone else experiencing this? I'm type 4a/b so I usually feel the kinks. Or am I just tripping I read a post where someone said their hair seemed like it looked longer after a Henna treatment as well????????????

 

[Eisani]

I have a cond. pack sitting on now with my usual powders mixed in , Alma, Brahmi, Bhringraj, Fengreek, Nettle. I have been using powders and oils for a few months now & my hair is thriving!!!! I don't know if it's my imagination but since joining this challenge I have def. kicked up my Ayurvedic game a notch. Cowashing more, rinsing with the teas, etc. It seems like my hair is growing & getting thicker right before my eyes I'm 2wks. post & I feel a little ng, but it's weird, it's like it LOOKS longer, but I don't feel it at the roots. Could it be the Ayurveda softening up what Little ng I do have? Is anyone else experiencing this? I'm type 4a/b so I usually feel the kinks. Or am I just tripping I read a post where someone said their hair seemed like it looked longer after a Henna treatment as well????????????

I think the treatments really soften and loosen the texture of the hair/NG . This could explain why it looks longer but you don't feel it at the root. Just a theory.

 

[PuffyBrown]

I stocked up yesterday at my Indian Grocer. He did not have KalpiTone . He did not have that Mehendi powder either. I did find some Navratna oil that has some of the ingredients that is in the KalpiTone.

I did my pack yesterday.

 

[flowinlocks]

I think the treatments really soften and loosen the texture of the hair/NG . This could explain why it looks longer but you don't feel it at the root. Just a theory.

Good point!

 

[Platinum]

My hair felt strange this morning (it felt coated) so I may have to nix the Shampoo bar. I clarified and now I'm sitting here with a DC. I hope this helps. I think I'm just going to stick with the powder and condish mixes I've been using. I'm thinking about using henna and indigo again with the next two weeks.

 

[ladylibra]

ok here is my son's starting pic:

ok... i am washing his hair and mine again tonite

 

[Eisani]

ok here is my son's starting pic:

ok... i am washing his hair and mine again tonite

Lil handsome man, even w/his blindfold lol. What are you looking to achieve for him w/ayurvedic? I've been contemplating using it on dd's hair as well .

 

[LiberianGirl]

Ladylibra, your son is a cutie.

I'm so proud of myself--I have not used heat in over a month now. I am loving what Amla oil does to my hair. I've been using it during the day with Oyin Honey Hemp Conditioner which does a good job of masking the smell of the oil. I'm planning to use shikaki and amla powder tomorrow and henna this weekend.

 

[MissMusic]

LiberianGirl I haven't thought about it, but with all of these powders and how easy my hair is to handle after using them I have no desire to use heat either. Interesting.


ETA: Forgot to write about my last wash. I pre-pooed with Amla Oil overnight, applied a shikakai paste to my hair, washed out right after applying, co-washed, DC with ORS Replenishing, applied Hiarveda WHipped Cream, ORS Olive Oil serum, blow-dried and flat-ironed. Two days later and my hair is still moisturized. I think that's what I like most about the effects of the Ayurvedic powders, my hair seems to stay moisturized with less product for longer periods of time.

 

[Forever in Bloom]

Update: This morning I oiled my hair and scalp, then massaged vigorously for 10 minutes with Himani Navratna oil. I didn't feel like sleeping with it in last night.

I applied a brahmi and amla paste and left on for 10 minutes. After rinsing with a brahmi/amla tea, I tried out my horsetail/fo ti powders and applied to my scalp.

I sat under a heat cap for about 40 minutes while watching Y&R . I rinsed out (funny, these didn't leave any grit or residue in my hair) and am now deep conditioning with Hairveda's Moist Condition Pro. Afterwards, I will rinse with my horsetail/fo ti tea. I'll apply some of Hairveda's Whipped Gelly, shake and go, then head to work. T'is all!

 

[Eisani]

Being lazy-again. I'm noticing the colder it gets my washes are less frequent. I haven't been a 1x/wk chick in some years, but I just really don't feel like being bothered. I haven't washed since Saturday and really don't care!

 

[Platinum]

I'm trying to decide whether to Hendigo this weekend or just do another co-wash with brahmi and maka. I'm going to clarify with baking soda because I wore a phony pony this week and instead of gel, I used curl activator.

 

[sheba1]

My hair felt strange this morning (it felt coated) so I may have to nix the Shampoo bar. I clarified and now I'm sitting here with a DC. I hope this helps. I think I'm just going to stick with the powder and condish mixes I've been using. I'm thinking about using henna and indigo again with the next two weeks.

If the bar is not your cup of tea, do try the Dr. Bronners shikakai soap!! It's liquid and suds just a bit and leaves the hair feeling FABULOUS! Both soft and strong... really nice.

I'm not really a Bronner's castille soap kinda girl. Someone once recommended it and I wasn't crazy about it. But that lavendar shikakai shampoo is the bomb. The first ingredient in it is shikakai extract. And they sell it at Target so no shipping... no waiting.

 

[Platinum]

If the bar is not your cup of tea, do try the Dr. Bronners shikakai soap!! It's liquid and suds just a bit and leaves the hair feeling FABULOUS! Both soft and strong... really nice.

I'm not really a Bronner's castille soap kinda girl. Someone once recommended it and I wasn't crazy about it. But that lavendar shikakai shampoo is the bomb. And they sell it at Target so no shipping... no waiting.

Thanks! I'll check it out!

 

[sheba1]

Thanks! I'll check it out!

You're gonna love it. Here are the ingredients off my bottle:

Organic Shikakai Extract, Saponified Organic Coconut and Olive Oils, Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Lavandin Oil, Organic Lavender Oil, Citric Acid, Vitamin E

 

[LyndseyJK]

I have a couple of questions:

1)Do the ayurveda powders straighten/loosen your curl pattern? I have curly hair(i think its 3B). I dont want to lose my curls.

2) Do the ayurveda powders color your hair? My hair is dark brown/black with honey blonde (i i think) streaks. I like my streaks and dont want to lose the color. Should I not go ayurveda? Are there powders i can use or powders i should stay away from??

3) Other than my weekly DC and moisturizing and sealing I want to do all my hair stuff in the morning. So I dont think the paste or hair rinse methods will be good for me. I am interested in adding the powders to my conditioner and co-washing with it. For people who are doing this, what is your regimen? Do you just cowash with the powder/conditioner mixture, rinse, then add another leave-in condition?? How much of the powder are you adding to the conditioner? And how often are you co-washing with the powder/conditioner mixture?

4) Is anyone using 2 methods such as Ayurveda and MegaTek?

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[PuffyBrown]

Checking in:
I actually did my treatment on Friday.
I did my ususal powder mix. I left on for an hour.
Today my hair is really dry. I used a different leave in this time (wont mention the name), but it did not work. I am going back to my MOP and Giovanni Direct Leave in mixed with additional Glycerine. Oh, I also did a hot oil treatment with my oils, olive oil; almond, oil; narvana oil, brahmi oil, shikai oil, I just tossed that in my paste mix warmed.

 

[Platinum]

I have a couple of questions:

1)Do the ayurveda powders straighten/loosen your curl pattern? I have curly hair(i think its 3B). I dont want to lose my curls. I noticed that my new growth is softer but I doubt if it actually loosens the curls permanently.

2) Do the ayurveda powders color your hair? My hair is dark brown/black with honey blonde (i i think) streaks. I like my streaks and dont want to lose the color. Should I not go ayurveda? Are there powders i can use or powders i should stay away from?? Amla, Brahmi and Maka powders can darken hair over time. Cassia can be used as a neutral (clear) gloss. I can't tell you to stay away from certain powders because I don't know your needs. Are you looking for conditioning, cleansing, or coloring?

3) Other than my weekly DC and moisturizing and sealing I want to do all my hair stuff in the morning. So I dont think the paste or hair rinse methods will be good for me. I am interested in adding the powders to my conditioner and co-washing with it. For people who are doing this, what is your regimen? Do you just cowash with the powder/conditioner mixture, rinse, then add another leave-in condition?? How much of the powder are you adding to the conditioner? And how often are you co-washing with the powder/conditioner mixture? I would suggest adding a few teaspoons of powder to your condition.

4) Is anyone using 2 methods such as Ayurveda and MegaTek? There are several people using both Ayurveda and Mega Tek.

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here are a few threads to help:

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=194049

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=167723

 

[sheba1]

Hey there,

I have a ayurveda heavy reggie and I megatek, as well. I'm pretty new to both, though, but I'm happy to keep you posted. I will tell you that brhingaraj, shikakai, amla oil and vatika oil have left my hair stronger, softer and more manageable in just one month.

For instance, I had tiny twists that I've been wearing under my wig for about a week. Yesterday when I took my hair down for my twist out it was really pretty! My bf kept saying, "pretty!" and "curly! pretty!" at just random times. I was feeling fabulous but worried that the tiny twists would leave a tangled mess when I went to comb it out. So I sprtized my hair with my brahmi spritz (just a mix of brahmi tea with silk amino acids, tea tree oil, glycerine, vitamin e capsules and eqyss's avocado mist) and detangling was a breeze. Like rediculously easy. Then I shampooed and dc'ed with heat as usual. Twisted my hair back up and the whole time I was so in love with my hair. It just behaved so well for me. What's really great is I don't know what to expect. Will my hair continue to feel this way? Which would be awesome! Or is this just my hair on the way to even better? Oh the possibilities...

 

[LyndseyJK]

my needs/goals are conditioning, strengthening, and growth. i am slowly moving away from shampoo (i'm starting to co-wash more often) so something that can cleanse it good to. Can you tell me more about cassia.

-L

 

[Petite One]

I have a couple of questions:

1)Do the ayurveda powders straighten/loosen your curl pattern? I have curly hair(i think its 3B). I dont want to lose my curls. This may be a case by case situation. Some girls say it loosen their curls while others don't see a change in curl pattern but instead much softer and easier to manage hair. My new growth is looser but I'm using another product known for doing the same thing also.

2) Do the ayurveda powders color your hair? My hair is dark brown/black with honey blonde (i i think) streaks. I like my streaks and dont want to lose the color. Should I not go ayurveda? Are there powders i can use or powders i should stay away from?? When I used the shikakai oil alone it made my hair redder. And some of the ayurvedic oils will say on the bottle they will make the hair darker.

3) Other than my weekly DC and moisturizing and sealing I want to do all my hair stuff in the morning. So I dont think the paste or hair rinse methods will be good for me. I am interested in adding the powders to my conditioner and co-washing with it. For people who are doing this, what is your regimen? Do you just cowash with the powder/conditioner mixture, rinse, then add another leave-in condition?? How much of the powder are you adding to the conditioner? And how often are you co-washing with the powder/conditioner mixture? I cowash with the powder/conditoner once a week and add a leave in after rinsing. I am heavy handed with the powder so I can't say for sure how much I put in.

4) Is anyone using 2 methods such as Ayurveda and MegaTek? Yep I use both and so far my hair is loving it.

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[naturally-devine]

I wish everyone luck in this challenge. Though it's a bit late for me to join, I would like to know where do you all purchase your ayurvedic powders from? Hopefully, I'll be prepared to join the next 3 month challenge.

 

[Petite One]

my needs/goals are conditioning, strengthening, and growth. i am slowly moving away from shampoo (i'm starting to co-wash more often) so something that can cleanse it good to. Can you tell me more about cassia.

-L

Shikakai, reetha(sp?), and neem are good ayurvedic cleansers for the hair. I mix these with my conditioner for my cowashes. I use Hair One too. My hair hated it at first but the more I used the ayurvedic oils the better my hair behaved. I now use it with no problems and I don't have to use as much of it anymore either.

Cassia makes the hair shiny and strong. I don't know if it is an actual protein treatment like henna. I've used cassia on my daughter's hair and liked the outcome.

 

[Missi]

is it too late to join....

 

[Petite One]

I wish everyone luck in this challenge. Though it's a bit late for me to join, I would like to know where do you all purchase your ayurvedic powders from? Hopefully, I'll be prepared to join the next 3 month challenge.

I get mine at a local Indian grocer. You can get them on Amazon.com and eBay too. From Nature With Love have them but I can never catch the products in stock when I check.

 

[Missi]

Oils - Amla, Brahmi, Shikakai, & Vatika
Powder - Amla, Shikakai, Brahmi, Aritha, & Neem

Shampoo - Shikakai

I chopped my hair Oct 1..... i don't have a camera to update and its now Dec 23...so I think I gained over an inch of length...so hopefully someone has a camera when i go home for the holidays....

I have to use my 2 passes already...one for my bday & family photos

 

[Platinum]

Prepoo'd overnight with Sesame and Maha Bhringgaraj oil (actually it's still in now). I'm going to do my usual co-wash with Brahmi and Maka powders. I love Ayurveda!

 

[Dee Raven]

I think the time has come for a little protein treatment, so I'm going to start preparing to do a henna gloss. I'm not looking forward to having to sift through that long old henna thread, but at least I know I can get a wealth of information from it. Yah!