So here's an update... One month was not enough! I want to do this challenge justice and also use a lot of the product and in a month, I didn't do that properly. So I've updated the challenge to a new product line every TWO months. So hello September, and hello I'm still loving my Camille Rose Naturals! This month I'll be adding reviews of some of other products I'v been using in the line and also a look at different hair styles I'll try! Like this one! (Lots of curl maker and creme gel used here... And my Kinky Curly Yaki clip ins. 

I'm still in the first month of my healthy hair challenge and I'm loving the Camille Rose Naturals hair line. (For infor about the challenge click here. For info about the first line click here). So I can tell you all day how I love the products and blah blah but how about you see what each does to my curls? So I washed my hair and separated pieces to put each product on alone and took pictures! Check it out:

Focus on that first piece of hair. It frizzy after the wash, looked nice after I placed the product on and kept the nice definition after it dried. Yes shrinkage got me but look how defined my curls are! I liked that when the product dried my hair was still soft and didn't get that crunchy feeling but still looked defined even without any gel or extra product. This "fresh curls" as it's called did just that and still kept with the slight smell of vanilla cake batter (my words not theirs) which is a huge selling point for me. It's a slight blue/green color which I attribute to the avacado but who knows!

Hello second piece of hair. Check or the before, wet and dry looks. The hair milk did minimize shrinkage for me but it didn't moisturize my curls enough for me. The product is light. Like a 4 on my heavy scale. Where as the fresh curls is like a 6 which I love. The hair milk still had my hair soft but you could feel that it wasn't maintaining the moisture like it could. I usually follow the Moisture Milk with the "Curl Maker" and that defines and holds the curls nicely.

So it's the first month of my year long healthy hair challenge. It's where I'm trying a new hair line each month and only that line along with protective styling and care to improve the health of my hair.

So today I started using Camille Rose Naturals and can I say it smells like heaven? Like I can't stop inhaling to sniff my hair. Tonight I washed my hair and used the deep conditioner. Even though it's cocoa mango, the deep conditioner smells like vanilla cake... and it even has the consistency of cake batter. I love it just for that. (Y'all know I like heavy products)

Here's my hair before using anything on it. We will use this as the before photos for the challenge.

Here's the deep conditioner from heaven. (Or at least the bakery because it smells edible)... its feels super thick and heavy but when it gets on your hair it feels nice and light. The ingredient list is beautiful: from vitamin e, to peppermint oil, shea butter, coconut oil, hemp seed and many other awesome ingredients. With all that in a jar how can it not be wonderful? I've read other Naturals get hooked after one week.... maybe I shouldn't have tried this line first? But I digress....

I washed my hair and slicked it back into a low pony and tied it up for the night... Yeah I left the deep conditioner in, I know I know I'm supposed to be taking better care of my hair, it's the first month, give me a break! Lol

So I've recently found myself with a little extra time on my hands (what?!? How? I need some too) I know right? But that's another story. But I'm always buying buying buying hair products, but with all the mixing and build up, how do you really know which one is working for your hair? Which line (if any) is perfect for you?

Well, that's what I'm going to figure out! Over the next year I'm going to try a new product line each month and only that line. I'll look at my hair's moisture level, curl pattern and overall look to see which products and lines I love and which ones maybe aren't for my 4a hair. I'll try my three main styles (wash n go, high bun and twist outs) with each line and maybe a few other styles too (if I'm not lazy. I'll be washing my hair with the line weekly and ensuring to keep it moisuturized by using a hair milk or something of the sort every other day and spraying it with water daily. Let the games begin!

Month 1: Camille Rose Naturals (August)

By: Aviyah

UPDATE IT DOES WORK -- with time.

According to Vegalash: the "hypoallergenic formula gives you longer looking lashes but also provides greater density, creating a bold, voluminous look as fast as 15 days."

The left picture was 15 days ago. Do you see a difference? If you don't it's ok, I don't either. The website also says "This hormone-free, latex-free, hypoallergenic serum is comprised of a natural, vegan formula for safe and effective results and is gentle enough for sensitive eyes." But it irritates my eyes and I am going to send it back and get a refund. So I give this product two thumbs down... my eyes/eyelids are itchy and my lower eyelid looked very puffy yesterday. I don't know exactly what's in it but I'll stick with castor oil instead.

A two month supply of vegalash is $79 however they do run sales! If it works for you, let me know!

UPDATE as of May 8th

So I didn't send it back haha! Lazy! But eventually the irritation went away and I have noticed a difference! The pictures are one month apart naked lashes.

I didn't detangle or comb the product through my hair (not going anywhere so I just let it air dry). I love that the leave in conditioner makes my hair defined... My curl pattern POP! and my hair feel moisturized. It doesn't just feel like something is laying on top of my hair like some other hair milks or leave in conditioners sometimes do. 
 Here is the final result once my hair was completely dry.

In horrible need of a trim I thought this was a good time to check out how much my hair has grown.... The 2015 picture was right after a trim look at that healthy hair! So from collar bone hair to breast level hair I'd say a good two inches in a year?

So what have I been doing to my hair? Nothing..... okay thats not totally true but wigs are my best friend for work... Rarely do I straighten my hair. I try to wet it almost daily and moisturize it as well. I did break down and color it recently (so much for waiting until 30) but I just did the top. 

I also use Shea Moisture and Mielle Organic products those are my two favs! (Also Curlz from target but I use that mostly when I do the cherry lola treatment)

I love wearing wigs on camera for the "perfect hair" look on camera without having to think about heat damage on my hair... Especially DAILY heat? No thanks! I got this lace front synthetic wig from my local beauty supply on sale for $39 regularly $50.  Freetress Equal  Mariah 4/27 Wig

This wig was great the first few days but then the back of the wig got matted... I put a little heat on it and it was ok but still not straight with the "bumped" look it had at first. Then I washed & conditioned it and let it air dry and it seemed to respond well to that. 

I’ve felt my hair was thinning for a while now, nothing too noticeable but the from of my hair was a tad thin…. So I bag an going hard on my natural hair journey. Really cutting down on weaves and heat.

I’ve been doing great! Used Rogaine on and off but didn’t want to get dependent upon it. So I began using essential oils and and organic root stimulator products.

But yesterday I took out a protective style (French braids under my wig I wear for work) and today I noticed what appears to be balding areas. Now that part of my hair was sore for a while and I’ve been trying to keep it conditioned and leave it alone. But I feel I’m failing!

So tonight I did the ORS scalp scrub… Washed with my ovation hair therapy and put on the cell therapy and covered my hair with a plastic cap.  After rinsing, I used the eryilizing temple balm and put my olive/coconut essential oil mixture on my whole head (and prayed)…. Lol

So this begins my true journey at trying to combat this crazy hair loss. The rest of my hair is very healthy since I’ve been paying close attention to it and keeping it moisturized but now this! 

Crossing my fingers this is just stress.

If you are experiencing anything like it, let’s share tips and see what happens. Hopefully in a few months all will be well.

*********Update********* 4/15

I see little hairs growing in the balding area.. I’ve been using tea tree oil and a fungal treatment I had in my closet on top of the rosemary/olive oil/coconut oil combo

Also this could be linked to a weave I did back in November (I remember two braids were too tight)

Okay I confess. I love weave! And I will also admit I stretch the times I wash my hair when I have weave… You know its just not the same after! A weave has a limited life and even worse once you wash it. But I HATE smelly hair and itchy scalps. Also that does nothing for the health of my natural hair :(. So in my years of wearing weave I had to find a solution! And of course after trial and improvement, I’d like to share it with you!

Here’s my solution for Aviyah Li’s weave potion!

All you need is: Castor Oil, Olive Oil, Rosemary, Peppermint, Sage & Lavender

Olive Oil: You don’t want to use many essential oils on your skin without a carried oil because they are often too concentrated and harm the body if improperly used…

Rosemary:  Rosemary oil is a nourishing tonic for those who are bald or have thinning hair, according to Organic Facts.Net, because the oil has a stimulating effect on hair follicles. Graying hair and premature hair loss may both be improved with the regular application of rosemary essential oil. A popular ingredient in hair products, rosemary oil can be used in a scalp scrub to treat dandruff.Rosemary essential oil encourages hair growth, helps alleviate dry hair and is beneficial for helping eliminate dandruff and an itchy scalp. Rosemary oil should never be used during pregnancy as it very dangerous to an unborn child. Rosemary oil is an antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.

Peppermint: Peppermint essential oil stimulates blood flow to the hair roots, enabling the hair to receive the proper nourishment it needs to grow. Peppermint has a tingling effect on the scalp and this is what encourages blood flow to the scalp, contributing to the hair’s overall health.

Lavender: Lavender oil is a great protector for hair breakage! Lavender essential oil is known to promote hair growth. It is also used to treat severe hair and scalp conditions such as alopecia areata. According to a 1998 article in the “Archives of Dermatology,” a 7-month contro.lled study, conducted by the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in Scotland, concluded that lavender essential oil is an effective treatment for the disease.

Sage: Sage essential oil is thought of as one of the best essential oils for clarifying the scalp. It helps cleanse impurities out of the scalp and works well with other herbs to provide healing properties for scalp conditions like psoriasis.

Take a small container with a dropper and fill it 2/3 with Olive oil, a tablespoon of castor oil and drops of the essential oils. 
UPDATE: You can also use coconut oil (it's lighter) if you don't like the heavy olive oil or castor oil