Oops. I colored my hair with henna without checking to make sure I had indigo left. Now what? Read below. (more pictures below, too)

Hey LUVs,

It's #HairSpaDay Sunday and here's my quick blog post of the week.

I recently did a color touch-up on my gray roots with henna. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that I was out of indigo until the next morning! Meaning, I had brightly colored orange roots from my overnight henna, but no indigo to transform them into black. (Indigo latches on to henna and turns your orange hair into dark brown/black).

This is a first for me because I usually check to see if I have everything I need, as in both henna and indigo, before starting this process.

So I quickly reordered my indigo and creatively hid my orange roots for the following two days.

While I waited, my "Love Me and Leave In" conditioner kept my hair moisturized. I always use it during my monthly color touch-ups to prevent dryness on my ends and for easy rinse outs.

Now for the test. Would this work? Would the indigo latch on to henna applied days previously? I was going to find out.

As it turns out, indigo can still tone down freshly applied henna days later. However, it seems only 50% effective. My roots aren't as dark as they would've been if I had applied the indigo immediately after rinsing out my henna.

So what's the takeaway? The timing of indigo matters. Once you've rinsed out your henna, the clock starts. You should consider indigo to be much more time-sensitive and less forgiving than henna.

Indigo must be used within 15 - 20 minutes after mixing, or else it can become less effective. Indigo must be immediately applied over hair freshly colored with henna for the best results.

You don't learn these lessons until you actually mess up. Fortunately, I've done the experimentation for you.

As for my roots, they will continue to darken over the next few days. When I do my next touch-up in about 3 weeks, I'll go over the part I've just done.
That's another tip. Sometimes if your henna/ indigo session doesn't take as dark as you'd hoped, you can go over it the next time.

With haircare, the learning never ends.

I hope these tips help.❤

-Kim

This is my hair after the henna had been rinsed out. As you can see, it's brightly colored reddish-orange. This is the first step. The second step is immediately applying indigo, which I didn't have at the time!

3 days later, indigo was applied. The great thing about using indigo on dry hair is that it doesn't drip! Indigo is by far, the messier of the two natural hair colorants. Unfortunately, in the future, I'll have to continue applying it to wet hair since it must be placed on immediately after rinsing henna. But it was a nice change!

Post indigo rinse-out. The color will continue to darken over time, but I'm going to hit this part again in 3 weeks. I usually wear my hair in a #HighBun with bangs, so it's rarely exposed.

Hi LUVs!

I've addressed this topic before in the past, but it's still worth a reminder. Even I need reminding sometimes. 

😊

If you use it for coloring, the key to preventing henna from drying out your hair is to be consistent with your weekly to 10-day #HairSpaDay and #MidweekMoisture routine. Midweek moisturizing is the habit of adding moisture to your hair 1 -2 times between your wash days, even if it doesn't feel dry. It's always best to moisturize your hair before it feels dry.

If you moisturize your hair after it feels dry, it's already too late. This doesn't mean your hair is going to immediately break off, but it becomes less pliable. Pliable hair is less likely to break. Midweek moisturizing keeps your hair in what I call the "Goldilocs" or "Brownielocs" state. It isn't too wet or too dry. Like perfectly cooked pasta, it doesn't snap or turn to mush in your hands.

I use two products for #MidweekMoisture, "Aloe Citrus Kisses" (which I spritz on my scalp to prevent itchiness and reduce flaking caused by microscopic dead skin cells)  then "Love Me and Leave-In" conditioner (which I scrunch directly onto my hair).

The entire process takes me just 2-3 minutes and it works. My hair is pliable and protected from breakage.

How do I know? Well, on those rare occasions when I neglect my hair and deviate from my weekly routine, I get a reminding. Over the recent holiday break, my child was sick with the flu for a few days. I, of course, took care of him and was fine for the first 4 days. But soon the germs took over me and I, too, fell ill. I was 2 weeks post my last henna touch up and my hair really needed a wash. However, I wound up delaying it.  By the time I washed my hair, it had been two weeks since my last wash! Those of you who follow my routine know that I'm pretty consistent about my weekly wash, so this was out of the ordinary.

Since I had just did a henna treatment and skipped my #MidweekMoisture sessions on top of missing wash day, my hair was a dry straw mess! Sometimes I feel like I mess up just to prove a point all over again.

It takes a while, but after a few consistent #HairSpaDay wash days, your hair can return back to its pliable state. I expect this to be the case when I wash it tomorrow afternoon because my hair has felt really good this past week (again, midweek moisturizing!). The pH balance of my products certainly help by closing my cuticles.

I hope you'll find this tip useful. Henna can be drying to our hair if we don't protect it with moisture and sealing. Just 2-3 minutes of your time, twice a week, can make all the difference!

-Kim ❤

Happy New Year! Happy New Decade!

I hope you enjoyed a wonderful holiday season. ❤

After cutting my hair to bra-strap length last January, I technically closed the year by achieving my goal of waist-length hair again. The goal I set was more about demonstrating that hair grows back and the importance of a good recovery trim.

It's hard to see much of a difference between August and December and that's because I trimmed the back to get rid of knots. I also wanted to keep it even. So the total amount retained during that time was about 0.5" of hair. 

The middle center section at the very back of my head is the most challenging part to grow. So I’m very happy with it now. Now the sides and crown section are due for a trim.

I did experience a setback in Spring 2019. Due to dietary reasons, the hair along my edges (on the left side of my head) was thinning. Once I realized what was happening, I increased my carbs and (fortunately) the problem was fully resolved within a month. Our diets are so important and even small changes can make a huge difference.

I’m starting 2020 with a #HairSpaDay and fresh trim. I haven’t decided how much to trim from my sides and crown yet, but I know that I want them to be more even and full. And that will be my #2020HairGoal – to keep my hair freshly trimmed throughout the year. Instead of every 3 months, I’ll trim it every 2 months, or as needed.

Although I love encouraging others to grow out their own hair, I prefer keeping my hair at a manageable length. When there’s more of it, it takes more time to maintain. Retaining maximum length requires wearing protective styles most of the time, to reduce wear and tear.

So my goal for 2020 is simply to keep my hair in good shape year-around. Protective styles are more about time-saving convenience for me at this point, rather than a strategy for retaining longer length.

Join me for #HairSpaDay every 7 -10 days and #MidweekMoisture sessions twice a week! ❤

Day #1 - WashDay/ #HairSpaDay (2- 4 hours total)

On this day, you detangle, wash, condition and stretch your hair using our #L1Stretch method. I'm going to immediately place my unraveled twists into the #HighBun pictured above.

Days #2 & 3 Wear your Chosen Style

Night Routine Day#3 -#MidweekMoisturize & Style (2 - 5 minutes)

Midweek moisturizing is essential for keeping your hair pliable in between washings. Doing this consistently keeps your hair in the “goldilocks” state of not being too wet or too dry. The great thing is that it only takes 2 – 5 minutes to do.

Step 1: Spritz your scalp with "Aloe Citrus Kisses" hair acidifier (ACK).

Step 2: Scrunch a dollop of “Love Me and Leave-In Conditioner” onto your hair with a special concentration on your ends.

Aloe Citrus Kisses helps to prevent "scalp itchies" (which are caused by microscopic dead skin cells that build up on all parts of our skin, even our scalp) I lightly spritz my scalp with "Aloe Citrus Kisses" hair acidifier (ACK). ACK has a pH balance of 4.0 which is identical to aloe vera juice. It also contains soothing aloe vera, tea tree oils and vegetable glycerin (a humectant that attracts moisture from the air).

Days #4 & 5 Wear your Chosen Protective Style

I keep my style fresh by wearing a satin scarf at night. For sleeker edges, I apply Smooth Operating Aloe Gel, brush gently with a toothbrush and then set with a scarf for 15 minutes.  

Night #5 #MidweekMoisturize (5 - 20 minutes)

Re-moisturize your hair with “Love Me and Leave-In Conditioner” and set your hair in a protective style. You can choose to wear any of the following:

 #HighBun, #LowBun, #AndroidBun, #PompaBun, #RollandTuck 

Days #6 & 7 (5 - 20 minutes)

If you didn't do so the night before, you can place your hair in a protective style and smooth your edges for a more sleek look. It is completely optional and just depends on your own personal preference. 

Congrats! You've made it through the week! :-)

Total time: 3 – 5 hours for the entire week

Day #1 - WashDay/ #HairSpaDay (2- 4 hours total)

On this day, you detangle, wash, condition and stretch your hair using our #L1Stretch method. You can wear your hair out by unraveling your twists and gently fluffing it out, or sport a #PracticalPony.  

Days #2 & 3 Wear your Chosen Style

Night Routine Day#3 -#MidweekMoisturize & Style (2 - 5 minutes)

Midweek moisturizing is essential for keeping your hair pliable in between washings. Doing this consistently keeps your hair in the “goldilocks” state of not being too wet or too dry. The great thing is that it only takes 2 – 5 minutes to do.

Step 1: Spritz your scalp with "Aloe Citrus Kisses" hair acidifier (ACK).

Step 2: Scrunch a dollop of “Love Me and Leave-In Conditioner” onto your hair with a special concentration on your ends.

Aloe Citrus Kisses helps to prevent "scalp itchies" (which are caused by microscopic dead skin cells that build up on all parts of our skin, even our scalp) I lightly spritz my scalp with "Aloe Citrus Kisses" hair acidifier (ACK). ACK has a pH balance of 4.0 which is identical to aloe vera juice. It also contains soothing aloe vera, tea tree oils and vegetable glycerin (a humectant that attracts water).

Days #4 & 5 Wear your Chosen Style

I keep my style fresh by wearing a satin scarf at night. For sleeker edges, I apply Smooth Operating Aloe Gel, brush gently with a toothbrush and then set with a Spandex Band for 15 minutes.  

Night #5 #MidweekMoisturize (5 - 20 minutes)

Re-moisturize your hair with “Love Me and Leave-In Conditioner” and set your hair in a protective style. You can choose to wear any of the following:

 #HighBun, #LowBun, #AndroidBun, #PompaBun, #RollandTuck 

Days #6 & 7 (5 - 20 minutes)

If you didn't do so the night before, you can place your hair in a protective style and smooth your edges for a more sleek look. It is completely optional and just depends on your own personal preference. 

Congrats! You've made it through the week! :-)

Total time: 3 – 5 hours for the entire week

My #ProtectiveStyleChallenge ends September 30th. If you've been following my personal account on Instagram, you'll know that I've been wearing my hair in protective styles, exclusively, for the past two months.  Yes, since August 1st!

My next tutorial will be on my #AndroidBun, which is my take on Janelle Monae's classic updo.

I've also been experimenting with recoloring my roots with henna and indigo every 10 days, because my hair grows in pretty fast. Henna and indigo are permanent hair colors, but your new growth will always need coloring.

Day #1 - WashDay/ #HairSpaDay (4 hours total)

On this day, you detangle, wash, condition and stretch your hair using our #L2Stretch method. Then set your hair in a #10TwistBun

Days #2 & 3 Wear your #10TwistBun 

Night Routine Day#3 -#MidweekMoisturize & Style for #HighBun (1hour)

Moisturizing on this day may not feel necessary if your hair has normal porosity and especially if you use our "Love Me and Leave-In Conditioner", but it's important to do so every 2-3 days.

To prevent "scalp itchies" (which is caused by microscopic dead skin cells that build up on all parts of our skin, even our scalp) I lightly spritz my scalp with "Aloe Citrus Kisses" hair acidifier (ACK). ACK has a pH balance of 4.0 which is identical to aloe vera juice. It also contains soothing aloe vera, tea tree oils and vegetable glycerin (a humectant that attracts water).

On my ends, I lightly spritz "Aloe Citrus Kisses" hair acidifier and allow them to dry for a minute or two before resetting my style to a #HighBun.

Days #4 & 5 Wear your #HighBun

I keep my style fresh by wearing a satin scarf at night. For sleeker edges, I apply Smooth Operating Aloe Gel, brush gently with a toothbrush and then set with a Spandex Band for 15 minutes.  

Night #5 #MidweekMoisturize (5 - 20 minutes)

Re-moisturize your hair with "Aloe Citrus Kisses" hair acidifier and set your hair in a protective style. I usually rock an #AndroidBun (tutorial coming next week!)

Days #6 & 7 (5 - 20 minutes)

If you didn't do so the night before, you can place your hair in a protective style and smooth your edges for a more sleek look. It is completely optional and just depends on your own personal preference. 

Congrats! You've made it through the week! :-)

Total time: 6 hours for the entire week

Nutrition is a critical part of growing the fullest, strongest hair possible. But if you don't provide your body the amount of vitamin and minerals it needs to function, it will prioritize supplying your organs over your hair and nails.

I take a daily iron supplement to ensure that I'm getting all of the RDA (recommend daily allowance) iron I need. I've been using this brand for nearly two years.  At 18mg, it is the perfect amount for women under the age of 55. Since iron is absorbed best by the body when paired with vitamin C, I drink a glass of apple juice or coconut water when taking it.

This post is not sponsored and this item was purchased with my own money. There are affiliate links included. - Kim Love (Owner of LUV Naturals)

Your RDA of protein depends on your weight and level of physical activity. As a rule of thumb, adults need .8 grams of protein for each kilogram they weigh (or .0.36 grams for every pound).

But you don't have to break out your calculator! You can simply use the USDA link below.

Protein Calculator:

https://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/interactiveDRI/