Friday, August 09, 2013

Food for the hair: Vegetarian

Since I am now semi-based in Bicol I savor every minute I have to do errands and visit my family in Manila.  Not that I miss Manila so bad (okay, a little I must admit) but there are things that can only be done in Manila.  Take for example, I only trust my foot pampering to be done by my suking taga kutkot which is located in Manila.  As for my hands I do not have any problems taking care of it, massage it with hand lotion (lots & lots) and that’s it.  Since my hands are too delicate, a mani doesn’t make it look good.  It gives the reverse effect, my cuticles are too thin and soft that pushing or removing it causes more damage to my nails so I stay away from manicures.  Aside from foot spa, pedis and massages, my hair activities (and hubby’s too) are done in Manila, only in Manila.

I do not post any kikay reviews but I am dying to share a new discovery.  I went to a hair salon in ATC hoping that they could help my hair problems.  I am just being very dramatic hehehe because my hair is soft, smooth and shiny but it is lifeless.  It’s so flat and I am not a fan of the hair dryer.  I went to the salon asking how they could help me add volume and bounce to my crowning glory.  Their solution – a perm to make it wavy.  A what?  No way Jose!  I am not ready to make a drastic and dramatic effect to my hair.  I find it hard to maintain curly locks because I am a sort of a wash & wear girl.  So what’s the plan B, I asked.  They said any treatment like keratin (Brazilian/permanent blow dry which I tried before but after 3 days my hair is back to its usual self, will tackle about this more later) or hot oil will make it more limp.  However they asked me to try a vegetable hair treatment and see the results because regular application of this treatment will improve my hair strand quality.  It’ll be firmer, thicker, will avoid hair breakage and hair fall.  I agreed to give it a try since I went to the salon to solve my hair mystery.

They shampooed my hair, applied the hair cream treatment, massaged my head/hair from the roots to the tips, placed some cling wrap had it stayed in my hair for 30 minutes while the attendant massaged my shoulders and back.  I love it that the whole time my hair was wrapped the attendant kept on massaging me while making small talks.  When the plastic wrap was removed my hair was massaged some more before it was rinsed.  I can smell the vegetable cream they applied, it smells like celery (in a sweet smelling scent and not the kitchen-y type aroma) and aloe vera.  I was advised to have the treatment again after 2 weeks (I know it’s a marketing strategy and I didn't fall for it but I kinda believe that repeating the treatment will make wonders to my hair) instead I asked if they sell the conditioning cream and they do.  I am due back in Bicol that week so it’s not an option to go back to the salon 2-3 weeks after that day.  They gave me some instructions on how to use it.  They even said that I can go back to the salon anytime just bring my purchased product and they will apply it for free on the 1st visit, the next ones would incur a very minimal fee to cover the attendant’s time & effort plus the use of the salon’s equipment and other stuff.  I am pretty much sold with the benefits of the organic vegetable treatment, I even googled it using the salon’s free wifi (hehehe).  The results even made me happier, when my hair was blow dried I immediately felt that my hair strands were happy and full of life.  I was advised not to wet and shampoo my hair for 24 more hours so that the conditioning effect will penetrate my hair strands more.
While making some chika with the attendant, she mentioned that nowadays a lot of organic shampoos are available.  She mentioned that organic shampoos are sulfate free.  She mentioned that when you had treatment done to your hair (like rebonding, perming or coloring, etc.) sulfates in commercial shampoos damages the hair and this makes the effect of the treatment not to last that long.  So I went to my good friend google again to research on sulfate.  Sulfate is the key ingredients in hair products to make it bubbly and foamy when lathered onto the hair.  Although the amount in products is approved and is acceptable to FDA standards it is still harmful when used continuously.  I was more convinced when I remembered the permanent blow dry I had in one of the posh salons in Resorts World.  They claimed it will last 3 months when in three days my hair was limping again and unhappy as it can be.  The treatment I had was erased by the harsh chemicals that can be found in the commercial sulfate laden shampoos.  The sulfate-free shampoos are pretty hard to find and are expensive.  Even botanicals and herbal shampoos in our favorite groceries are not free from these ingredients.  Then I remembered one brand that claims to be organic.  I researched the ingredients and found that they are indeed sulfate-free.  Today is my 3rd day to use the shampoo and conditioner.  I have no complaints yet and it seems to be a great product.  I won’t name it or rave about it yet but will review it once I finished the whole bottle.

Our hair like our skin needs TLC too.  It’s not just about hygiene anymore, we seek for clean and nourishing products to take care of our whole body.  There are women who are not vain (like me) but will always opt to have clean, clear and supple skin.  While I can be the lotion, body and hand cream guru, I am pretty much a newbie when it comes to hair.  I was pretty excited with my discoveries because I know that there are people like me who were just happy with shampooing and conditioning their hair then visits the salons to pamper their tresses once in a blue moon.  And now that I am kinder and gentler to my hair I would love to share facts I have learned to all of you.


It’s the weekend, a long one for us Pinoy boys & girls.  To our Muslim friends, enjoy your festivities and my salute to you all for the culmination of your sacrifices and fasting.  Let’s celebrate and enjoy the days of freedom (from anything!!!).  God bless!