How is the haircare/CV bars going?

ajane

The bandwagon has slowed, so I was wondering how everyone is doing? rymorg2, how is your scalp?

My CV bars are doing okay, I have used the Honey Beer and really like that one, as well as the Chocolate Almond and Orange Creamsicle. My scalp is a little greasy, mostly because I have been trying to water wash it more and lay off the soap suds on my scalp due to buildup. So, basically still experimenting.

I ordered [buylink=http://www.curlmart.com/Kinky-Curly-Curling-Custard-p-778.html?utm_source=naturallycurly.com&utm_medium=text-link&utm_content=curltalk-post-text&utm_campaign=kinkycurly-curling-custard]KCCC[/buylink] and [buylink=http://www.curlmart.com/Kinky-Curly-Knot-Today-p-207.html?utm_source=naturallycurly.com&utm_medium=text-link&utm_content=curltalk-post-text&utm_campaign=kinkycurly-knot-today-leaveindetangler]KCKT[/buylink] today. I am thinking about ordering the TE lemon or maybe the dairy whips and alternating with the CV bars after reading Memes post on another thread about alternating to prevent buildup. Brilliant! I think that is what my hair needs!

I can't decide if my hair needs a little conditioner or not. I put it in and it seems too much, I don't and it almost feels like it needs just a little.

Hope everyone is doing well with their curly hair journey!

EponaBlackhorse

I'm in the same boat as you as far as conditioners go. I feel a little dry if I don't use any but if I do I feel over conditioned.

I'm still experimenting with how often I need to use my CV bars. I'm trying to cut it down to once or twice a week with a TE mask once a week as well. My hair looks way better on the days I just water wash, so I'm trying to do that more often.

I think I'm going to order some CV soap bars and lotion bars to see if that helps with the dry feeling. But overall, I'm loving going all natural! And hopefully my hair will continue to behave on this routine through the winter.

rymorg2

Hey AJane, thanks for the query! My scalp is ok. I haven't used my CV Bars on my hair in a week or so. I'm in the process of tweaking and trying different things to get it under control. Right now I'm trying to extend the days that I actually wash with poo, poo bars, or something else. So every other day or every three days I've been washing, and the other days just ACV as a wash and oils as conditioner. Today was a vinegar/oil day. I should call it a salad day LOL!!!!!! I've got some KBB coming to me I want to try as well as a sample of another type of poo bar to see if that one works better. And the DH is replacing my showerhead filter today.

pigreyhound

I am using the Chocolate Almond CV bar every two or three days. (thanks rymorg2!) And I typically use TE once a week. I water wash the other days. I did not have great success with the HoneyButter CV soap.

I use aloe vera + FSG most days, but occasionally use the [buylink=http://www.curlmart.com/Kinky-Curly-Curling-Custard-p-778.html?utm_source=naturallycurly.com&utm_medium=text-link&utm_content=curltalk-post-text&utm_campaign=kinkycurly-curling-custard]KCCC[/buylink]/[buylink=http://www.curlmart.com/Kinky-Curly-Knot-Today-p-207.html?utm_source=naturallycurly.com&utm_medium=text-link&utm_content=curltalk-post-text&utm_campaign=kinkycurly-knot-today-leaveindetangler]KCKT[/buylink] combo. I use KBB hair creme to scrunch at the end of my styling, and use KBB hair milk on my between CV bar days.

I find the KBB hair oil to really work well as a conditioner. I use maybe two drops in my hair after I wash and rake or wide-comb through. But my hair soaks up moisture and loves the KBB products.

The last couple times I have done DTs, I used either the KBB hair oil or the TE wash mixed with a couple drops of oil and a bit of extra aloe vera. It made a great DT. (Thanks Kathymack!)

kathymack

I did the clay mask DT today--and continue to like it. I used a pureed banana the last two DTs. I put in extra one in the food processor when I was making banana bread and froze it in two portions. The good news is that I don't have any banana pieces in my hair. The other news is that I don't think it added to my experience.

I continue to use my organic soap bars and like what they do to my hair. Along with the KBB and other natural products, My hair is transitioning into Fall really well. It's the curliest it's ever been. I use minimal product (leave in and curl creme) and my hair stays curly all day long.

rhosyn_du

I'm still loving my CV Chocolate Almond. It works best when I alternate it with other bars, so I have some samples I'm alternating it with, trying to find the best one. I'm currently using the Extra Honey, Beer, and Egg, which is okay, but leaves my length a little coated and my ends a little dry. It's not bad, just non-ideal.

I've also been experimenting with catnip rinses instead of conditioner, and they're working really well. I'm still playing around with the proportions, though. Too little, and my hair isn't conditioned enough, but too much and I get dry and stringy.

ajane

Interesting ideas here and noted-for future experimentation.

pigreyhound: I think about the KBB, but will have to refrain for a little while. Too many expenditures on other hair products!

rhos: Catnip? It acts like a conditioner? Interesting. Do you use fresh?

Epona: I have tried this twice now. I put in AOHR, let sit, rinse out, then use a little ACV rinse, then water rinse again. It leaves my hair moisturized but not too much and better curl formation!

rymorg2: I haven't tried vinegar and oil. I will be adding that to the list. My hair seems to tolerate apricot kernal oil and I haven't used it much yet.

Kathymack: I found citric acid in town the other day! They were out the day I checked, but will be going again tomorrow.

kathymack

I remembered reading in one of the shampoo bar threads about the natural "raw" AVC. I think I'm going to see if my local health food store has it--otherwise a trip to Whole Foods. I want to see if it's any different, now that I'm going more natural. I still have a little waxiness from some of the bars I use, but not from others. It lessens with the citric acid and AVC rinses. I don't experience any build up, but I'm not using the CV bars.

rymorg2

pigreyhound wrote: »

I am using the Chocolate Almond CV bar every two or three days. (thanks rymorg2!)

You're quite welcome! I still love it and am going to continue to use it.....I'm going to start fresh next week with bars and see if maybe it was my filter being out that caused all my problems, now that it's been replaced.

rymorg2

ajane wrote: »

rymorg2: I haven't tried vinegar and oil. I will be adding that to the list. My hair seems to tolerate apricot kernal oil and I haven't used it much yet.

My hair does ok with apricot kernel oil. My hair LOVES camellia oil though. Especially camellia japonica. I'm going to continue the vinegar washes several times a week I think.

rymorg2

kathymack wrote: »

I remembered reading in one of the shampoo bar threads about the natural "raw" AVC. I think I'm going to see if my local health food store has it--otherwise a trip to Whole Foods. I want to see if it's any different, now that I'm going more natural. I still have a little waxiness from some of the bars I use, but not from others. It lessens with the citric acid and AVC rinses. I don't experience any build up, but I'm not using the CV bars.

My local store has raw ACV I believe.....:D

EponaBlackhorse

ajane wrote: »

Interesting ideas here and noted-for future experimentation.

Epona: I have tried this twice now. I put in AOHR, let sit, rinse out, then use a little ACV rinse, then water rinse again. It leaves my hair moisturized but not too much and better curl formation!

Thanks! I'll have to try that!

ajane

rymorg2, I have got to take a little hiatus from ordering on-line for a while. Well, except for Jessicurl has $5 flat rate shipping through the end of the month and I need to restock the [buylink=http://www.curlmart.com/Jessicurl-Too-Shea-Extra-Moisturizing-Conditioner-p-105.html?utm_source=naturallycurly.com&utm_medium=text-link&utm_content=curltalk-post-text&utm_campaign=jessicurl-too-shea-extra-moisturizing-conditioner]Too Shea[/buylink] in my cupboard. If I ever find the camellia japonica in town I will spring for it, but haven't yet. There are a couple of places I can check though!

Epona, I use about 1/4 cup of the ACV rinse that I save from the rinse after my shampoo bar. I did that yesterday and my hair still feels soft and moisturized. Good luck!

orange

Still liking the choc almond cv bar - using it about once a month as a clarifier.

I've settled into an all-natural routine: cowashing daily & styling four days/week.

On fridays, have been water-washing & wearing it up. saturday, using the TE lemon followed by MHC [buylink=http://www.curlmart.com/MYHoneyChild-HoneyHair-Mask-p-349.html?utm_source=naturallycurly.com&utm_medium=text-link&utm_content=curltalk-post-text&utm_campaign=myhoneychild-honey-hair-mask]honey hair mask[/buylink] (just leaving the hhm in for the day). unless i'm going somewhere special, not putting any styling products in on sunday - just leaving in the conditioner for the day.

rhosyn_du

ajane - I use dried catnip from the pet store, the kind that comes in a sealed plastic tub.

It does work like (very moisturizing) conditioner as an end result, but while it's still sopping wet my hair feels kind of weird and has very little slip, then it gets about half dry and it suddenly has tons of slip and is very shiny. I think I'm going to try switching the order of my rinses, doing the catnip first and then the lime juice, to see if I can mitigate the initial weirdness a bit.

I got the idea from a post on The Long Hair Community, which has a very long thread on catnip use here.

kathymack

rhosyn_du wrote: »

ajane - I use dried catnip from the pet store, the kind that comes in a sealed plastic tub.

It does work like (very moisturizing) conditioner as an end result, but while it's still sopping wet my hair feels kind of weird and has very little slip, then it gets about half dry and it suddenly has tons of slip and is very shiny. I think I'm going to try switching the order of my rinses, doing the catnip first and then the lime juice, to see if I can mitigate the initial weirdness a bit.

I got the idea from a post on The Long Hair Community, which has a very long thread on catnip use here.

I only read the first four pages of the link from LHC, but it is mentioned that the catnip is acidic. How come you use lime rinse after?? I'm wondering if it could replace AVC or citric acid?? Do you prepare it as they said?? TIA

rhosyn_du

kathymack wrote: »

I only read the first four pages of the link from LHC, but it is mentioned that the catnip is acidic. How come you use lime rinse after?? I'm wondering if it could replace AVC or citric acid?? Do you prepare it as they said?? TIA

A couple of other 'poo bar users in the thread tried using the catnip without their acid rinses, and had very poor results. Since I've always needed an acid rinse with every 'poo bar wash, I decided to keep on using my lime juice rinse. I may try forgoing the lime juice rinse at some point, but I want to make sure to do it when I don't have anywhere to be, just in case I end up with stringy, tangly hair.

I use a variation on the original recipe, since my hair is happier with a much more dilute rinse. I use 1 tsp. of dried catnip to between 400 and 450 ml of water, let it steep until cool, then strain. I also don't leave it on for an hour, since I'm doing it entirely for conditioning and not for color. I just use the rinse, finish up my shower, and then rinse it out.

kathymack

Thanks.

avsfan

I ordered samples of CV bars, and my honey/butter soap is now gone. So is the volume that it gave me (in my pic below). I didn't realize that was the cause of my volume.

Tried my shikakai bar....not so much for me, but will do as a rotation product.

Most recently I am trying the CV Nettle bar. I like it so far. It didn't leave NEAR the waxy feeling as the honey butter, and it lathers really well. I only had to do one wash with it. My hair and scalp felt really clean, not stripped but really squeaky. If I'm looking for a clean feeling like SLs shampoos give, this is the bar for me!

After I used Nettle, I conditioned and used a little Gio.DL and FSG. Nice curls. Can't complain, as my hair is always dysfunctional.

I have one other CV sample to try, can't remember the name of it. But I'm really curious about that Chocolate Almond....!!

(anyone have CV honey butter soap bar they want to get rid of?!)

avsfan

Also, I read somewhere that the CV bars work best when followed with an acidic rinse. Why?

kathymack

avsfan wrote: »

Also, I read somewhere that the CV bars work best when followed with an acidic rinse. Why?

Here is the link to the vinegar rinse information on the CV site.
http://www.chagrinvalleysoapandcraft.com/shampving.htm

I figured out why the CV bar made my hair disgusting--she uses castor oil in the shampoo bars. To my hair, castor oil is the same as using mineral oil. My organic bars are so gentle--they wouldn't remove the build up from the CV bar.

avsfan, I'd be happy to send you my CV samples. I'll pm you.

rymorg2

kathymack wrote: »

avsfan wrote: »

Also, I read somewhere that the CV bars work best when followed with an acidic rinse. Why?

Here is the link to the vinegar rinse information on the CV site.
http://www.chagrinvalleysoapandcraft.com/shampving.htm

I figured out why the CV bar made my hair disgusting--she uses castor oil in the shampoo bars. To my hair, castor oil is the same as using mineral oil. My organic bars are so gentle--they wouldn't remove the build up from the CV bar.

avsfan, I'd be happy to send you my CV samples. I'll pm you.

Hrmmm....

I wonder if that's part of my issue with them building up on me. They don't do it as fast as with you, but after about a week they drive me crazy. Maybe it's the castor oil.

I took a look at the site, and it's even in the soap bars.....I'll bet that is part of it Kathy, and maybe the shea a little too.....but I can use plain shea butter on my hair with no issues. How goofy. Meh.

kathymack

rymorg2 wrote: »

I wonder if that's part of my issue with them building up on me. They don't do it as fast as with you, but after about a week they drive me crazy. Maybe it's the castor oil.

I took a look at the site, and it's even in the soap bars.....I'll bet that is part of it Kathy, and maybe the shea a little too.....but I can use plain shea butter on my hair with no issues. How goofy. Meh.

It's interesting, the only one of my bars that left residue on my hair had shea and avocado (and they are listed last in the line of oils.) The others didn't. It was no where near as bad as the CV bar or the waxiness when I first used the Swastik Shikakai bar. The only information I could get on the Swastik Shikakai is that it is coconut and other natural oils. I haven't used plain shea butter in my hair, even though I have it. I may order some of the natural bars that have different combinations of the oils, to see if I can figure it out. They have some organic oils, but not all.

rymorg2

kathymack wrote: »

rymorg2 wrote: »

I wonder if that's part of my issue with them building up on me. They don't do it as fast as with you, but after about a week they drive me crazy. Maybe it's the castor oil.

I took a look at the site, and it's even in the soap bars.....I'll bet that is part of it Kathy, and maybe the shea a little too.....but I can use plain shea butter on my hair with no issues. How goofy. Meh.

It's interesting, the only one of my bars that left residue on my hair had shea and avocado (and they are listed last in the line of oils.) The others didn't. It was no where near as bad as the CV bar or the waxiness when I first used the Swastik Shikakai bar. The only information I could get on the Swastik Shikakai is that it is coconut and other natural oils. I haven't used plain shea butter in my hair, even though I have it. I may order some of the natural bars that have different combinations of the oils, to see if I can figure it out. They have some organic oils, but not all.

I think it probably has more to do with oil combinations WITH the castor oil than anything. At least with me. Who knows....at least now I have options, right?

scorpiofire

It would be very hard to determine if its a particular oil thats causing the problem.You see when the chemical reaction that makes soap(saponification) is happening ,even if we had extra oils ,it impossible to tell the percentages of oils individually left over. Castor oil is added to the mix because it provide a nice bubbly lather which is necessary in a poo bar.

kathymack

Scopiofire, thanks for your comment. I read that you are a soap maker, so your insight into this is most valuable. I was thinking about trying my hand at soap making and probably would if I could go to a class and see the right way to do it--before venturing out on my own. Just what I need, another obsession!

Maybe it's a leap to identify castor oil as the offending ingredient--in the CV bars. But I don't have issues with the other soaps I'm using and they don't contain it. My hair wasn't nearly as bad with other products containing castor oil, so maybe it's not that. The day I used the honey butter bar was my worst hair day in the year 2008! I looked like I styled my hair by sticking two fingers in the electric socket!

amy51373

I just used my soap bars this morning that I got from Kathymack and I think I'm in love. My hair felt great and so clean. I didn't use an acv or citric acid rinse yet, but I probably will tomorrow. My hair doesn't look that great today but I also had it cut yesterday so who knows what she put in it. I know the styling products were CG but not sure about the shampoo & condish since I didn't see what she used. I figure a few days for my hair to rebound from the cut and removal of any 'cones she used and I should be good to go! Now I've got to try some of the Dairy Whips too!

kathymack

amy51373 wrote: »

I just used my soap bars this morning that I got from Kathymack and I think I'm in love. My hair felt great and so clean. I didn't use an acv or citric acid rinse yet, but I probably will tomorrow. My hair doesn't look that great today but I also had it cut yesterday so who knows what she put in it. I know the styling products were CG but not sure about the shampoo & condish since I didn't see what she used. I figure a few days for my hair to rebound from the cut and removal of any 'cones she used and I should be good to go! Now I've got to try some of the Dairy Whips too!

amy, glad you liked the bar. If they used cones, it may not be strong enough to remove them. I used a product with castor oil, that I got in a swap, and the bar was too mild to do that. I used the dairy whip, which is stronger. So, watch your hair--you may need to do something else to get cones or heavy "stuff" out of your hair. These bars are a step higher up than no poo, but not a lot.

amy51373

kathymack wrote: »

amy51373 wrote: »

I just used my soap bars this morning that I got from Kathymack and I think I'm in love. My hair felt great and so clean. I didn't use an acv or citric acid rinse yet, but I probably will tomorrow. My hair doesn't look that great today but I also had it cut yesterday so who knows what she put in it. I know the styling products were CG but not sure about the shampoo & condish since I didn't see what she used. I figure a few days for my hair to rebound from the cut and removal of any 'cones she used and I should be good to go! Now I've got to try some of the Dairy Whips too!

amy, glad you liked the bar. If they used cones, it may not be strong enough to remove them. I used a product with castor oil, that I got in a swap, and the bar was too mild to do that. I used the dairy whip, which is stronger. So, watch your hair--you may need to do something else to get cones or heavy "stuff" out of your hair. These bars are a step higher up than no poo, but not a lot.

I plan on using my Naked Naturals shampoo tomorrow which has a low sulfate in it and an ACV rinse. I stopped by my health food store and they had the Braggs ACV but they had another one that was half the price for the same amount. Same exact ingredients and it's raw, unfiltered so I got that instead. I'll probably order the Dairy Whip this weekend as well. I meant to ask the stylist what shampoo and condish she used but my hair was so big and my friend was laughing so hard that I forgot. At least the Graham Webb gel and the Sebastian Thickefy Foam appear to be CG so hopefully it wasn't too much.

kathymack

amy51373 wrote: »

I plan on using my Naked Naturals shampoo tomorrow which has a low sulfate in it and an ACV rinse. I stopped by my health food store and they had the Braggs ACV but they had another one that was half the price for the same amount. Same exact ingredients and it's raw, unfiltered so I got that instead. I'll probably order the Dairy Whip this weekend as well. I meant to ask the stylist what shampoo and condish she used but my hair was so big and my friend was laughing so hard that I forgot. At least the Graham Webb gel and the Sebastian Thickefy Foam appear to be CG so hopefully it wasn't too much.

pj that I am, I did buy 6 32oz bottles of the Braggs, I understand that it's good for other things. Amy, what kind did you get? Gives everyone another alternative.

amy51373

kathymack wrote: »

amy51373 wrote: »

I plan on using my Naked Naturals shampoo tomorrow which has a low sulfate in it and an ACV rinse. I stopped by my health food store and they had the Braggs ACV but they had another one that was half the price for the same amount. Same exact ingredients and it's raw, unfiltered so I got that instead. I'll probably order the Dairy Whip this weekend as well. I meant to ask the stylist what shampoo and condish she used but my hair was so big and my friend was laughing so hard that I forgot. At least the Graham Webb gel and the Sebastian Thickefy Foam appear to be CG so hopefully it wasn't too much.

pj that I am, I did buy 6 32oz bottles of the Braggs, I understand that it's good for other things. Amy, what kind did you get? Gives everyone another alternative.

The one I got was Sunshine Acres Organic. I also saw that Braggs has a 1 gallon size for around $18. As much vinegar as we use at my house I may start buying it by the gallon next time I get some.
I also saw that the health food store had some great looking natural soap bars that I was going to try and remember to check out but of course I forgot who they were made by. They did have the Chandrika Ayurvedic soap that has been mentioned on here, that I might pick up next time I'm there.
I also just placed an order for the Dairy Whip at Flower Moon. I also ordered some lip balm and some lotion from there as well. My PJ Is hopeless.
One question I do have on the ACV... do you filter it before you use it? The Sunshine Acres had a little less sediment than the Bragg's but I didn't know if you guys were filtering it before you used it.