Okay so with the freedom of Sisterlocks there's no need to be a product junkie! But low maintenance hair does not mean no products! We still have to wash our locks and if you color your babies you have to condition to keep your locks healthy. In the winter we might need some EO to help keep our locks moisturized. There are still many products available for locks from the Carol's Daughter's to the Taliah Wajiid's. It's important you know what products are good to put in your hair and the one's that are not. Even if your rocking a TWA this list is for you! Ingredients to avoid: 1. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) - dries out the hair strands 2. Propylene Glycol - can cause allergic and toxic reactions 3. Mineral oil and Petrolatum - coats the skin and keeps it from breathing naturally also dries out the skin 4. TEA (triethanolamine) - dries out hair and toxic 5. Imidazolidinyl Urea and Diazolidinyl Urea - used in shampoos and is known to cause contact dermatitis 6. Synthetic Fragrances - contains toxic ingredients that can cause headaches, dizziness, rashes and irritation. 7. Synthetic Color additives and hair dye - which I used all the time when I colored my locks but now taking a break from the coloring. 8. Parabens -used to preserves shelf life but can cause allergic reactions and skin rashes. 9. Alcohol - including isopropyl can be drying and irritating to the scalp INGREDIENTS TO LOOK FOR: 1. Aloe Vera - promotes healing of damaged or dry hair 2. Shea Butter - has restructuring effects on dry and fragile hair 3. Jojoba Oil - identical to sebum the oil the scalp naturally produces and can be easily absorbed by hair and scalp. 4. Natural Herbs - Rosemary, sage, lavender are just some of the natural herbs you can find in a health food store. Great for EO ( essential oils) 5. Vegetable proteins 6. Vegetable glycerine - often used in conditioners to add moisture 7. Panthenol - known for revitalizing and conditioning effects used in shampoo's and conditioners 8. Biotin - used in hair formulas to add body and shine also to promote hair growth and prevent hair loss 9. Cholesterol - our natural hair oil sebum is high in cholesterol and it can be beneficial in hair products. Basically always remember Less is More so you don't need a dozen products to care for your natural hair. At the moment I'm using Carol's Daughter's Rosemary Mint Shampoo and Conditioner. I spritz my hair with my Naturally Unique Herbal Spray made up of Rosemary, Tea Tree, Peppermint and grapefruit.
