Battling Postpartum Shedding w/Creme of Nature + manageable tips

After Harper was born, I decided to get a jump start on taking better care of my hair before the postpartum shedding would make their debut. Although I know nothing can stop postpartum shedding, I can do what I can on my end to make my hair more manageable and to possibly retain as much health and length as possible. After all, I didn’t know how PPS would take my hair out or if my hair would come out at all.

I stumbled on some products from the Creme of Nature Argan Oil from Morocco line, the Plex Breakage Defense. One thing that caught my attention was that this line helps reduce damage and breakage , reinforces weak bonds and helps fill in fragile strands. With me being anemic as well, I thought this would be a great way to be proactive. My pregnancy treated my hair so well and I wanted to keep that up with healthy eating and proper hair maintenance. I started using this product back in March and have been using it ever since. I also bought this entire set, 3 times.

The line contains 3 products: Step 1: The Bond Mender Pre-Treatment, Step 2: The Restoring Shampoo and Step 3: The Restoring Conditioner. I use the bond mender right after the detangling process either on dry or wet hair, depending on the state of my hair. After about 20 minutes, I rinse, and proceed with shampoo and conditioner. One thing about the shampoo is that it is very clarifying despite the organ and castor oil, almost stripping my hair. However, the conditioner adds plenty moisture back in my strands. One thing that I noticed with this product is how I experience less shedding and more length retention in my hair.

Results

Top: March 2020; Bottom: August 2020

When I was pregnant last year, I noticed a little breakage and limped strands so I decided to cut my hair to the healthiest point to give myself a fresh start since I was not too far away from the 2nd trimester.

Any other Tips, You Say?

Remember, postpartum shedding is inevitable and you can’t control it. Some have it worse than others. I’ve been blessed to see minor breakages on my edges and a little thinning. Not only that, my body waited almost a year to see the shedding. Here are a few things I did:

Leave my hair alone. //We’ve been in a pandemic all year and I’ve been working from home, so one of my favorite things to do was after I washed my hair, I blew it out lightly flat ironed it

Protein Treatments// Most people only do these twice a year, but I say, do it when needed. For me, when my hair is too soft and shedding too much even after a trim, it is time. My favorite product is the Aphogee Treatment. Their entire line is superb. Stay tune for a demonstration.

Protective Styling// I always talk about protective styling and my favorite are braids. When done correctly, it can help with the growth of your hair. Now that my edges are broken off a little, I focus more on jumbo box braids.

Take vitamins/supplements and drink plenty of water// Taking vitamins or supplements are really hard for me because I forget, but I’ve seen great results when I do, especially when I add plenty of water.

So far, with these tips I’ve been using, my hair has been flourishing nicely. My plan is to continue these tips and we will come back with an update.

How did you do with your postpartum shedding?

My Favorite Budget Friendly Natural Hair Products

So, previously, I talked about natural hair/beauty subscription services and how they’re a good idea, but it dawned on me that a lot of people may not like the surprise that comes with a service like that. You can check that out here. I decided to share my favorite natural hair products to you in hopes you try something new. When someone sees my natural hair, they always stop to ask what products I use and it will turn into a 30 minute conversation and someone’s shopping cart full to capacity.

After 8-9 years of embracing my natural hair, I’ve managed to achieve curly girl success with affordable products that you can find at your local drug store, beauty supply store, Wal-Mart or Target. So who’s first?

SheaMoisture

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Photo Credit: SheaMoisture 

So, I have a holy grail product line and that’s SheaMoisture. They were the first brand that caught my attention and I still use it to this day.  The products have natural ingredients and have a thick consistency for dense or thick hair. There is a hair line for every type of hair. You can find these products almost anywhere. I even found some of their products in stores like Ross, TJMaxx, and Marshalls, for a fraction of the price. You can find these products ranging from $7.99 to $12.99, but I encourage you to take advantage of the BOGO sales they have.

True by Made Beautiful

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Photo Credit: True Collection

So, when I was subscribed to Curlkit last year, I got the conditioning styling cream in my box, and surprised to see a full size product, I decided to use it in a twist out. Let me tell you, the smell is amazing. I have never smelled anything this fresh for clean for my hair. It reminds me of just getting out he shower and you have that fresh clean smell that lingers for days. My hair stayed moisturized and soft and that smell lingered for days. People would try to sniff my hair. I encourage you to try the entire line (shown above) because they’re great for moisture retention and that smell…Did I mention that they are very affordable? Each product is $8.99 on their website and there are two other lines, Pure and Inspire that looks intriguing. I imagine my hair to naturally smell like the true line when I’m in heaven talking to Jesus. In fact, I imagine His hair smelling like this. It is dope. Not saying this is the best smelling product ever, but its right there. Not to mention your hair is super moisturized and soft and hydrated.

Crème of Nature Argan Oil Moisture & Shine Shampoo

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Photo Credit: Crème of Nature

There are not too many shampoos out there that provide moisture and an extra set of hands for detangling, but this shampoo is the truth. I’ve never encountered a shampoo that gives so much slip and doesn’t strip your hair. I can wash my scalp and still detangle at the same time and the smell is amazing. This particular shampoo has sulfate, but never fear, there is also one without. Let me tell you, the sulfate shampoo gives lots of suds. To me that tells me my hair is getting cleaned. Normally lots of suds leads to dried out hair. Not this shampoo! The edge control here is always a plus, it lays my stubborn edges down with no problem and when it wears out, my hair softens and leaves no weird residue.

Carols Daughter Precaxi Nectar

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Photo Credit: Carol’s Daughter

I’m not one to buy anything because someone said so, but I saw the advertisng on these products from their youtube channel, not to mention some of my favorite bloggers try this out and every one of them loved it. The interesting thing about the reviews was that each girl had a different hair type. So I’m like, it works for any hair type? No way. I use this for when I “wash” and ‘go.” The leave in conditioner is very hydrating and the gel gives a great hold without being crunchy. No one likes crunchy hair.

 

Camille Rose Naturals Coconut Water Leave-In Treatment

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Photo Credit: Camille Rose Naturals

There’s something about coconuts. I love the smell. Have you ever tried the Kinky Curly Knot today? Its just like this, only smells better. The amount of slip that it gives you for detangling purposes is unreal. It will literally slide the knots out with no problem. It is on the pricier side ($14) but it will be the best $14 you spent. You can also use it as a styling product too. If you ask me, the entire Camille Rose Naturals lines are to die for. They are very moisturizing, and have a thick consistency so the product will penetrate your strands. Not to mention, they smell like a sweet surprise.

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Throwback: Camille Rose Naturals is  responsible for this style

A few other favorites includes the entire Entwine Couture line. Let me tell you. These products intensifes our curls. Its like you have super juicy moisturized curls. My aunt wanted to try those products so I gave them to her to try and she loved them! These products are definitely on the high end side in my opinion. The crème Jelle styler can cost you $16.99. However, a little goes a long way so these will last.

If you’re a fan of rod sets but benefit from a mousse or setting lotion, I recommend Lotta Body’s Wrap Me mousse. This leaves no white cast residue and gives a great hold without drying out my hair.

If you haven’t tried these, I definitely suggest you should. A plus about these brands, is they carry several other products that will work well for your hair. I have several others that I liked, but these are always in my closet

Wash and Go with Carol’s Daughter Precaxi

 

Stay tuned for my favorite hair stylers!