Nurtured Strands

But if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering.(I Cor 11:15)


Growing hair long without the use of harmful chemicals, irons, blow-dryers, straighteners, or visiting a salon (i.e. virgin hair) can be done using natural food items and products. Below is described my hair routine cycle which may seem complicated but ends up not consuming much time at all when learned. This method is not fool proof, but by God's grace has worked well for the last few years to restore my hair. Virgin hair can be unpredictable and there is no day-to-day cure for strange hair days, but in the long run I think it proves beneficial. My hair in particular is easily damaged and ranges from very straight and shiny to rough textured and curly depending on the weather, what cycle day I am in, how well I washed the coconut  oil out, etc. I remember that our bodies are tents and someday we will put them aside and that we ought to set our minds on things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God, rather than on earthly things


The Cycle:


Day 1: Before bed coat hair evenly with extra-virgin coconut oil (about 2 tablespoons). This is a common practice in India. Coconut oil medium chain fatty acids pass through the membranes of hair cells to nourish and protect them from damage.

Day 2: In the morning wash with a nickle sized quantity of Burt's Bees Super Shiny Shampoo. This shampoo is expensive (~$8 for 12 oz), but you only need to use a small amount so the bottle lasts a long time. 

 Apply about 1 tablespoon of Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle Conditioner evenly throughout hair. Comb with fingers and wait for 2 minutes before washing out. After showering gently comb hair starting from ends and braid for protection (I have to do this because of delicate hair, but you may not need to). After about 5 hours my hair is pretty dry. Before bed unbraid hair and apply about 1/2 tsp of jojoba/olive oil to the ends and put in a low positioned bun in a location that will not bother you in your common sleeping position.

Repeat Cycle. Remember to use a shower cap when showering on the days you are not washing your hair.