Haute & Hair: Recommitment to Hair Care Regimen

Ok so I have a confession to make...I slacked majorly on my hair care regimen this last 9 weeks. No vitamins, no MN, more heat than I've used in 6 months, etc.

But I'm back on the bandwagon. Especially after I got my relaxer last week. Yes my hair did grow, but the middle of my hair is weak. It's soft, strong and relatively healthy, but not quite as long as I had hoped. I didn't retain as much length as I think I would have if I would have continued my regimen.

So I'm back on it ladies and gentlemen...stay tuned for what I hope to be some tremendous results when I get my next relaxer in December!

Haute & Hair: My Vitamins

As part of my hair care regimen, I take a buttload of vitamins. There are mixed reviews about growth aids, including vitamins, but for me, it has worked wonders. I didn't get as much growth this 9 weeks because I didn't take vitamins this time, nor used my growth aids (more on that in a future post). I unknowingly conducted my own experiment to see if vitamains really work for me. So I thought I'd share what I take and how it is supposed to help aid hair growth and retention. I loosely based my vitamin regimen on a regimen I found on Motown Girl's site.

• Super B Complex (Spring Valley): Promotes growth and good muscle tone. Necessary for good vision, skin, hair, nails. Creates and helps maintain healthy skin. Improves circulation. May help restore gray hair to original color. Helps maintain proper balance of sodium and phosphorus in body.
• Chlorofresh Chlorophyll (Nature's Way), 200 mg: Internal deodorant
• Women's One Daily (Equate): multivitamin for overall health
• Folic Acid (Spring Valley), 1600 mcg: helps prevent heart attacks when taken with B6 and B12. Essential for growth and regrowth of all body cells.
• Vitamin C (Spring Valley), 1000 mg: A natural antihistamine. Essential for healthy teeth, gums and bones. Aids in absorption of iron. Major antioxidant nutrient.
• MSM (Spring Valley), 1000 mg: Reduces and prevent hair fall out. Extends growth stage of hair.
• Biotin (Rexall), 5000 mcg: Aids in the utilization of Folic Acid, Pantothenic Acid and B12. Promotes healthy hair.
• Conjugated Linolic Acid (Nature Made), 500 mg: Reduces abdominal fat.
• L-Lysine (Spring Valley), 500 mg: Helps form collagen. Reduces bloodshot eyes. Insures adequate absorption of calcium.

I have had no adverse reactions to taking this many vitamins. But other than that, it's been smooth sailing. Clearly I advise that you consult a doctor before you start any type of vitamin regimen, especially one this serious.

When I first started my vitamin regimen, I had a problem remembering to take them. I would remember at odd times and odd places. And I got tired of taking 12 bottles around with me...LOL. So I went to the drugstore and invested in a pill carrier. I have the one below. It just holds all the vitamins I carry. I really can't add another one...LOL

Using this has enabled me to take my vitamins after a meal wherever I am: work, restaurant, home, etc. For me that has been the key to sticking to my vitamin regimen.

I restocked my vitamin carrier yesterday and am restarting this part of my regimen.

Haute & Hair: Are you Flippin' Serious...Beyonce AGAIN?!?!?!

Ok, so clearly Essence didn't read my open letter to them a couple of weeks ago...*sigh*

I have no words other than to say that I'm officially and totally DONE with Essence. Even if I do like some of their magazine articles, clothes or hairstyles, I can no longer take their total and complete LACK of creativity.

It saddens me to the core of my being that I no longer feel compelled to support what was once a cutting edge magazine for black women.

If you feel similarly, I urge you to write Essence.