REVIEW: PROCLAIM COCONUT OIL ANTI-BREAKAGE SULFATE FREE SHAMPOO

On the bottle:
Proclaim Anti-Breakage Shampoo is uniquely formulated with coconut oil, vitamins and hydrolyzed silk to nourish weak, compromised hair. Coconut oil acts as a barrier to protect against hair damage and free radical. Gently cleanses, smoothes and moisturizes. Revitalizes and nourishes distressed hair, penetrates the hair to help prevent future breakage and free of mineral oil, petroleum and gluten.

INGREDIENTS:
Water, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide MEA, Glycol Distearate, Sorbitol, Fragrance, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Citric acid, Polyquaternium-7, DMDM Hydantoin, Cocos Nucifera, Silicone Quaternium-16, PEG-4 Laurate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Amodimethicone, PEG-90M, Undeceth-11, C11-15 Pareth-7, Butyloctanol, Undeceth-5, Tocopheryl Acetate, Iodopropynl Butylcarbamte, Laureth-9,Glycerin, Trideceth-12, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Hydrolyzed Silk.

REVIEW:
Pros: great lather, great smell w/o being over powering, thick consistency, One lather cleansing and moisturizing.

Cons:  not moisturizing enough for my hair, keratin in the ingredients (too strong a protein for me)

I can't put my finger on it but this is shampoo doesn't 'wow' me. I don't hate it and would recommend it to other people but don't see myself repurchasing this. I'm honestly thinking of passing the remainder of the bottle to a friend that is getting great results with it. She is the reason I got it but should've known better considering our hair to be so different.
In comparison to my favorite and staple Creme of Nature Argan Oil Sulfate-free Moisture &Shine Shampoo, it doesn't. The Creme of Nature gives me more slip and moisture especially with having hard water.

I'm Back + Update!

It has been nearly a year and a half since my last post. OMG! I miss this so much. Im not going to make this super long so lets jump right in...

January 2015

First off I cut my hair with the thought process that doing so would help in the long run. My ends were so thin from neglect and stress. So here I cut it to start from scratch. I loved the cut but regret cutting so much.

On a whim back in March I decided to shave one side of my head. I don't regret this move either BUUUUT Yeah I've learned to stop doing things to my hair on a whim. My ultimate goal remains for me to reach BSL (bra strap length).

March 2015

I am now grazing EL with layers
Color Treated for grey coverage
9-weeks post relaxer

More to come. :)

6 Inches in 6 Months Challenge 2014

I am a part of a hair care forum by the name of Hairlista. I decided to join a group created by LongNHealthy to challenge all those that join to grow their hair 6 inches in 6 months. For many woman this is an impossible fate but there are those of us that truly believe with the proper regimen, hair care and hair growth aids an inch a month can be achieved. My normal growth rate per month is 1/4 to 1/2 depending on how much love I give my hair that month :)...I will be documenting my participation in this challenge on here and my YouTube page. Check out the group for yourself and join us if for no other reason than to see how much hair you can retain in 6 months. I won't be officially starting the challenge till February 3rd after I relax.

Here are the rules from the group:
 
HHJ!

January 5th Wash Day

My focus has been on keeping my hair as moisturized as possible but I went into this wash day with protein on my mind. I know my hair is protein sensitive so I was trying to balance things but in the end I was not happy with my hair.

1. Shampoo'd using Queen Helene Unscented Garlic Shampoo as my first wash. Upset that one of my kids put a bunch of water in the bottle. I may end of tossing it, don't know yet. I was able to get suds and a clean scalp. Rinsed.

2. Second shampoo using Creme of Nature Argan Oil Sulfate-free Moisture & Shine Shampoo. This still amazes me as to how it makes my hair feel. Hopefully on my next check I'll purchase more in the Creme of Nature product line. Rinsed.

3. Applied Organix Biotin & Collagen Conditioner for 5 minutes. Yes, I actually timed it with my phone :). I will give a review on this product. Rinsed. What I will say now is its purple (didn't know that from other YT reviews) and it spells fabulous!

4. DC'd using CHI Infra Treatment for an hour without heat. I applied a plastic bag, nylon spandex cap and wrapped with a scarf. Rinsed.

5. Leave-ins included CHI Keratin Mist, Creme of Nature Argan Oil Strength and Shine, Organix Coconut Milk Anti-Breakage Serum.

I combed my hair back then tied down using a satin scarf to air dry. I was trying to cut the use of direct heat since I normally blow dry and flat iron after each wash. Most YouTubers suggest air drying as one of the key tips in getting past SL and maintaining/retaining length. This was not the first time attempting to air dry and like in the past I falled. My ends were SUPER DRY!  I had to work next day so I flat ironed  using CHI Silk Infusion and TRESemme Thermal Creations. Without success my ends still came out extremely dry and tangled. I aim typing this blog with pre-poo on my hair and plans to co-wash, DC and add hydration back into my hair.
I've come this far in my journey without a setback and I will NOT start 2014 on a negative note. HHJ!!

My One Year Hair Journey

Here is my first year on my healthy, relaxed, hair journey (2013). I'm very happy with the results and look forward to achieving APL and beyond in 2014 :-)

I'm Still Here

Please be patient with me. I am still here. I am having some difficulty adjusting my work, home and hair schedule right now. I started seasonal work for a major retailer and you know you can't work any where in retail during the Holidays without it being a mad house. I am grateful for the work, especially after I received my first check...whoop! whoop! I can say I have not had a setback but I can admit my hair is being neglected more than I'd like. Instead of my two washes a week I'm barely getting (1). I've increased my moisture balance by moisturize and sealing sometimes twice a day (morning and evening) with Herbal Essence Touchably Smooth Split-end Protector and sealed with Coconut oil. I've been sectioning my hair, spraying my roots with my Rosewater spritz then appling coconut oil to the rest of my hair strand. The harsh weather here in Ohio has me feeling cautious about how dry my hair gets.

Winterizing My Regimen: Lotion, Oil & Moisturizing Spritz

I stopped M&S-ing my hair early on in my hair journey. The products that I was using at the time were too heavy for my hair leaving it weighed down with product buildup. I also think that since my hair was only EL (ear length) at the time very little was needed  in regards to product application.
I may have removed moisturizing and sealing from my regimen but didn't give up on it all together. Its such a beneficial aspect to a healthy hair regimen not to try it again. I came across quite a few people that used Herbal Essence Split-End Protector as their moisturizer. So decided to give it a try, keeping in mind the formula change with the new bottle design. I paired it with Organic Virgin Coconut Oil. With the weather being in the 30s I've needed extra protection to battle the wind, snow and extreme temperatures.

My nighttime routine is to apply one pump of the HE Split-end Protector moisturizer on my hair focusing on the ends before applying a small amount of the coconut oil on top of the moisturizer. I keep the coconut oil in my bedroom with the other hair products versus in my bathroom so that it doesn't liquefy completely. The very top layer has liquefied to some degree so I dip the tip of my finger in the oil, rub my palms together then apply. Before bed I wrap my hair then put on a satin scarf/head wrap. In the morning I comb down and style.

Every other night I'll section my hair into 4s, part my hair and spray my scalp with my moisturizing spritz. I've had this mix for months now but didn't know how to incorporate it into my regimen till now. I use a 4 oz spray bottle to mix in equal parts Aloe Vera Juice, Rosewater & Vegetable Glycerin. I even spray it on my boy's heads to keep it hydrated. Anything heavier breaks them out. On opposite nights I continue to apply my MN mix. The key this Winter is keeping my regrowth and hair moisture balanced throughout the season. So far so good. Happy Journeying to You!