How did this all start? |
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I used to be at peace with all the stereotypes about textured hair, "black hair," does not grow. One day, I thought to ask why? Not so much literally, but to research exactly what it was a lot of people, myself included, were using. After surviving the notorious 'unintentional perm' years, shoulder length was the longest I could maintain. I wanted to see if there was a trend at hand.
At this time, I was around 18. I had always been very interested in sciences, biology, chemistry, etc. while also being raised by a mother who implemented and encouraged all things holistic. We were that family that had a herb for everything! So, why not our hair? Truthfully, growing and keeping a head of hair just was not the most resonating factor my family was known for, but maybe there was more to ponder. I spent lots of time on forums and on websites that cater to explaining what certain chemicals can or cannot do to hair, skin, etc. I was not shocked that a lot of the common ingredients used in very commonly used textured hair products were linked to follicle clogging, were carcinogenic, and overall repelled and prevented absorption.
Most of my life hair health had always felt like 2 steps forward and 3 steps back, so it made sense that what I was using was offering at best, limited results or a mirage of them. I was a broke college student at this point but started modifying my product usage and ingredients in my products as much as I could based on what I was learning. And to stay current, I was also sharing this information in hair groups I joined whenever I saw questions and problems that shadowed my own.
Soon enough, other people were getting better growth, manageability, and health modifying their hair regimens in similar ways and were seeking my input for all things skin and hair. This started the process of me doing online consultation for many on a daily basis for a variety of textures, as well as catering to all the textured heads of hair in my personal life and on campus once word spread or inquiries were made about my own progress. I had a lot of emotional support from the people I was consulting to make my own product line eventually. I was almost a little annoyed at such a request, seeing as how much time, investment, trial, error, experimenting, and effort such a feat could take and they demanded it so nonchalantly. So, you guessed it.. I started research again. I started with a complex whipped shea butter and years later, after much experience and toiling with chemical engineering, several complex formulations I have tweaked to be what I truly believe are honestly useful and nutritious additions to natural hair regimens for a variety of textures.
At this time, I was around 18. I had always been very interested in sciences, biology, chemistry, etc. while also being raised by a mother who implemented and encouraged all things holistic. We were that family that had a herb for everything! So, why not our hair? Truthfully, growing and keeping a head of hair just was not the most resonating factor my family was known for, but maybe there was more to ponder. I spent lots of time on forums and on websites that cater to explaining what certain chemicals can or cannot do to hair, skin, etc. I was not shocked that a lot of the common ingredients used in very commonly used textured hair products were linked to follicle clogging, were carcinogenic, and overall repelled and prevented absorption.
Most of my life hair health had always felt like 2 steps forward and 3 steps back, so it made sense that what I was using was offering at best, limited results or a mirage of them. I was a broke college student at this point but started modifying my product usage and ingredients in my products as much as I could based on what I was learning. And to stay current, I was also sharing this information in hair groups I joined whenever I saw questions and problems that shadowed my own.
Soon enough, other people were getting better growth, manageability, and health modifying their hair regimens in similar ways and were seeking my input for all things skin and hair. This started the process of me doing online consultation for many on a daily basis for a variety of textures, as well as catering to all the textured heads of hair in my personal life and on campus once word spread or inquiries were made about my own progress. I had a lot of emotional support from the people I was consulting to make my own product line eventually. I was almost a little annoyed at such a request, seeing as how much time, investment, trial, error, experimenting, and effort such a feat could take and they demanded it so nonchalantly. So, you guessed it.. I started research again. I started with a complex whipped shea butter and years later, after much experience and toiling with chemical engineering, several complex formulations I have tweaked to be what I truly believe are honestly useful and nutritious additions to natural hair regimens for a variety of textures.