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Scalp Series: Self Exposure

I been coming here for years and being transparent about all sorts of things without feeling bothered. My Scalp Series (6 videos) on YouTube has ruffled me up a bit.  I am surprised to suddenly be feeling a little shy.  I still feel very connected to the old me and while my thinking has changed, I remember exactly where the old Mocha Mom was when she made those choices.

I've posted the first video and am thinking you can follow the trail once you get on YouTube to see the rest.  Maybe you've watched and and think...no big deal.  I'm really asking to hear your thoughts on this one.  Can you relate?

Comments

  1. AnonymousMarch 11, 2013 at 10:31 PM

    hi i just finish reading ur blog i enjoyed it i have a 16 month old black lil girl her hair is a lil close fro i never used rubber band or clips once in a while a head band the issue is her hair is dry very dry she was btrast feed for 10 months organic baby food organic whole milk now great diet etc i have trief ms jessie carol daughter california baby coconut oil olive oil avocado oil jojoba oul etc none keeps her hair mosturized please help i just want her hair healthy and moist

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    1. I am a Mocha MomMarch 14, 2013 at 10:24 AM

      It can be tricky figuring out what her hair will except. her hair may not like one ingredient or all. For babies I like to try one thing at a time and watch the hair until the next wash to see how the hair responds. One oil at a time. One butter at a time and when you figure out what is OK you can mix them.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousMarch 14, 2013 at 6:39 AM

    Hi Natacha, I discovered your blog last week and have watched a TON of your youtube videos so far. It's been addicting because I really appreciate your very honest and THOUGHTFUL point of view on hair care (parenting and LIFE in general, really.) I just watched all the videos in the Scalp Series and found them very helpful and informative. As you said- every person may be different but what I took away from it is the need to really THINK about what you're doing, stop to look at the clues and evidence that you're finding and then decide on your approach - even if that means you need to do a 180 from the path you were on. Thank you for sharing so much and please keep it up! Very inspiring.

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    1. I am a Mocha MomMarch 14, 2013 at 10:25 AM

      Thank you so much for the encouragement! I really appreciate it.

      Delete
  3. TrishanaRenayMarch 26, 2013 at 11:58 AM

    Hey Natacha, I have been reading your articles for a few months now, sadly though, I can't watch you YouTube videos (issue with slow internet from my side of the world). I love the way you learned how to care for your daughters hair and how great its working out for you :), me, not so much. My daughter has biracial hair and I have a 4a/c twa (don't know if you use the hair typing system but just to describe my hair I do) I'm a newbie to natural hair, so you can see my dilemma. Most days, she's just wearing a very curly, very dry fro as I have learned that the oils I use in my hair, feels not so good on hers. I try coconut oil. I plait it sometimes but I don't like to because I have to plait the ends a little tight so it stays, and I don't think that's good for her hair. She's only 14mo so I don't mess with her hair that much, no rush. But its growing and so far I can't find anything helpful in my research that does not involve chemicals. Could you help please? I have no idea what to do :(... Also, where I live, there is no such thing as baby conditioner. Is there a way to make a homemade kid friendly conditioner? I read somewhere that I can dilute any conditioner, is that safe?

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  4. I am a Mocha MomMarch 27, 2013 at 3:54 AM

    Hi Trish,
    I think you may want to consider a new regimen for your daughter. As I was reading your question I immediately thought of the book, "Curly Girl" by Lorraine Massey (check the spelling). She sound like a classic candidate for conditioner washing. I think it would improve the condition of her hair tremendously. A brief description would be using a sulfate free conditioner daily, every other day or so (experiment to see what works) like you would use a shampoo. Rinse leave a small amount of conditioner in. the trick is finding a conditioner that won't build up. Sauve Naturals is a cheap place to start experimenting. You can revive her hair between washes by spritzing with plain water or water with oil in it. Experiment with oils, your daughter's hair may not like coconut oil. Lorraine's book give a lot more detail and her story sound similar to your daughter's.

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    1. I am a Mocha MomMarch 27, 2013 at 4:02 AM

      Also...conditioner washing doesn't have to mean you never use shampoo. I would still use shampoo on a wash, about once a month. I used this regimen on my own hair with success when it was loose. I'm not a big hair typer, but I also think it is useful for description. my hair has several textures, I have a loose almost 3 type at my nape, patches of 4a, but mostly 4b. The conditioner washing worked well for me but not so well with one of my daughters (Mg2) who has a uniform 4b texture. In fact, her hair hates conditioner and I've experimented a lot. I now condition her hair with apple cider vinegar rinses.

      Delete
  5. I am a Mocha MomMarch 27, 2013 at 3:59 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  6. TrishanaRenayMarch 27, 2013 at 11:56 AM

    Wow, thanks so much! This really helped me A LOT! I'm so happy you made this blog :) not only does it help kids but moms like me :) thank you so much! So she's not too young for adult conditioner? I'll also try the Apple cider vinegar. Thank you soooo so much Natacha!

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  7. I am a Mocha MomMarch 27, 2013 at 2:44 PM

    Actually, I've found many of the shampoos marketed for babies to be harsh and drying. Conditioners like Suave naturals should work well. make sure you dilute the ACV alot maybe a tsp in 8 OZ of water. Don't let it get in her eyes--it could sting.

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  8. TrishanaRenayMarch 27, 2013 at 5:37 PM

    Ok, thank you! And I noticed that about baby shampoo too. Once again, thank you, your Godsend!! Thank you :)

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  9. Joy313April 3, 2013 at 10:07 AM

    Thank you so much for your openness and honesty on the Scalp Series. I have had similar problems but I couldn't figure out what was wrong. Now I know! Your videos are so inspiring to me. I am a mocha mom of 3 with one on the way and I am literally inspired to be a better wife and mother and Christ- follower through your videos. I also feel like for the first time in my life (I'm 37, so not young!) I actually am moving towards liking and possibly embracing natural hair. This would be a HUGE step for me, but I'm considering it.

    Please keep up your videos, particularly the homeschooling ones, because my husband have decided in this as well!!

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  10. TrishanaRenayApril 10, 2013 at 11:05 AM

    Hi Natacha, just a follow up on my daughter's hair. Thank you for your advise :) I tried it two ways, both ways with ACV and conditioner and I found her hair responds a lot better if I use the ACV as a shampoo (I have baking soda in the water by default) and then apply the diluted conditioner last. Her hair really retains moisture that way! I want to say thank you for your help and the way you empower women and mothers like myself. Thanks <3

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  11. AnonymousFebruary 10, 2014 at 9:36 AM

    Thanks so much for your candid remarks. Scalp issues have been an issue for my 7 year old for years now. We have learned and figured some things out along the way, however she still struggles occasionally. I really appreciate the information you have shared. I have been praying about what to do for her and feel like this was an answer to prayer. Thank you!

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