I decided that I was going to do a protein treatment. I found this recipe from Agrlcanmac a few months ago and decided to try it out. I didn’t know if my hair neede any extra protein — it seemed to be thriving , but I read that it is important to protect and strengthen your hair with protein treatments every so often.
A Friday night, I decided to do it. I got all of my ingredients and whipped them up in the kitchen:
- a couple of tablespoons of mayonnaise
- a dollop of honey
- some oils including castor oil and olive oil
You can see that I’m not really one for exact measurements when I make some of these mixtures. I mixed everything up and took it upstairs to the bathroom to apply it to my hair in sections and then braided it. The mix was a bit watery, so it was getting everywhere: running down my face and back, on the floor, in the sink, on the mirror, etc. I finally got it all on my hair and I covered it up with two plastic caps.
I smelled like a Subway sub — I was not impressed, but if it’s good for my hair, I’ll do it. I was trapped in my bathroom because the mixture was so watery, I was scared to wander too far and hear the Hubby fret that I was leaking mayonnaise around the house.
After about 30 minutes, I went to detangle and wash it out. It felt like there was a film on my hair — I’m wondering if it’s not from my hair products mixing with the treatment. Detangling wasn’t as easy as it normally is, but my hair did feel a bit stronger. I co-washed, did the routine and styled.
My twist-out came out well — a little dull in colour and it felt filmy to me. I’m not sure, but I think I still smelled a little like Subway…
Would I do it again? Definitely, it did make my hair feel stronger. I think I’ll redo this next weekend before I get my braids in. I’ll add some more oils to help me detangle and I’ll wash with my castile shampoo after to remove any residue. Now that I have my heat cap, I’ll deep condition after. I’m sure that will make a difference in the outcome.
What about you, readers? Have you tried any mayo protein treatments? Did you like, not like them?
The Accidental Natural 
i hate mayo treatments. the smell alone is enough to deter me, and i have never found them beneficial on my hair.
you keep stealing my blog post ideas! 🙂
by the by, protein treatments can be a little drying on black hair… this as told to me by a top black stylist when i used to work for a hair mag…
Really? I heard that they can be beneficial — especially if you have split ends or weakened hair. I have neither, that’s why I don’t do them often. I am going to try it again before the braids and see what happens.
I saw the new blog — you’re on my blogroll now.
Protein treatments are very beneficial to black hair, they improve the hair’s strength and elasticity, (perm or natural) but yes they are very drying. My hairdresser (who is all about hair care) just told me recently after giving me a protein treatment that you have to put a good moisturizer on the hair after doing the protein treatment or else the treatment will leave the hair very brittle, dry and hard. She also puts me under the dryer for 40-45 mins whenever I get any treatments.
That’s good to know. That’s why I’m going to do a deep condition after the treatment. My hair didn’t feel too dry or brittle, but it didn’t feel like how it normally does. This is the reason I’m scared to try Aphogee products. I heard they are good, but that they can be really drying. My hair is pretty dry to start with. I’m willing to retry the mayo treatment because I’m hoping that it’s not as harsh as something like Aphogee.
LOL….I ‘m laughing because I have no idea what “Aphogee” products are. I’m a novice when it comes to hair products and usually just go to the hairdresser and use something like motions products to wash when I don’t feel like going. I’m just learning about products because a) my babygirl’s hair, b) its time to see my natural texture again and c) your blog…thanks. So tell me, what is “Aphogee” products? My hairdresser always tell me we (blacks) need to use products that adds moisture not take it away, stay away from “Aphogee” if it doesn’t work for you no matter if someone else swears by it 🙂
Aphogee is a line of products I’ve been hearing about — and seeing in the Black hair care stores. A lot of people swear blind by them for protein treatments, but they can, from what I understand, be drying if a) you don’t use them correctly and b) if they don’t suit your hair. Because I’m a novice like you when it comes to this, I tend to err on the side of caution. That being said, I probably will check out the Aphogee stuff next summer. Winter is already a drying time of year for me, so why compound any problems, you know? I’m going to have to read up on these products before I dive in.
Really? My little, ol’ blog is helping you? I’m happy then. I don’t pretend to be a hair guru — I’m just learning as I go. Like you said, there are many times that things work spectacularly well on someone else’s hair and suck in mine. I’m just going through it by trial and error — hopefully, the errors won’t make me cut off any hair 😉
LOL…that’s what I’m afraid of, your hair cutting off. I went back and read what I missed on your blog today, when I read the post today I thought to myself, isn’t urbansista afraid that trying all these different things in her hair will do more harm than good . I tell you bwoy, it takes a brave soul to try these experiments with their own hair, maybe you should get a afro mannequin 🙂
Since Jaz’s hair started to grow in at her hair texture and not the baby hair. I was like maybe I should stop perming my hair to try and empower my little girl to love her natural texture. Right when I found out about your blog I was due for a perm but I was in two minds about it. I haven’t permed since early July and I realize that I don’t need to. I go and get treatments and blowouts and have the ends cut, once the perm is completely out I won’t get blowouts all the time because I’m tired of straight hair and have been for a long time. I was thinking of putting in the twist, but my hair line is very weak right now. Not sure if this happens to natural hair but sometimes after a pregnancy( about 3 months in my case) your hair falls out in chunks at a time and I lose a lot at the hairline. I’m going to keep on treating it and keep cutting off the permed ends.
So yes the blog is helping me with my goal of not perming my hair (I’m not saying never again but not now). I’ll pay more attention to products once I make it to that goal. I’ve asked my hairdresser a lot more questions since I started reading the blog. Its also a source of entertainment, something to look forward to (I know, I know but remember I’m on mat leave and spend most days with 2 babies 🙂
LOL! The Hubby was just saying the same thing. Whatever I try, I know I can wash out and within a few days (weeks if we’re talking about the Jamaican Mango and Lime products) my hair is going back to normal. I’m pretty lucky — my hair is resistant. Considering all the foolishness I’ve done to it: dyed it red, dyed it blond (I had blond bangs back in the late ’90s), permed my hair until my scalp was oozing and scabs — a little conditioner can’t hurt me 🙂
I’ve heard that about pregnancy. I guess the baby takes all the nutrients from you. I’m sure that breastfeeding doesn’t help either. I won’t say I’ll never perm my hair again, but it’s very, very unlikely. After this, I think I’m going to try locs — but that won’t be for another few years. Having daughters, I would think, would make you rethink a lot of things. Something like relaxing your hair — which wasn’t a huge deal five years ago — can affect how your little girl sees her hair.
That’s good that you’re asking more questions — that’s what the purpose of this blog is: empowering us to know about our hair and not just think that we have to relax it or that a hairdresser is the only person who can deal with your hair.
I cyan talk ’nuff too (that’s some Bajan for you ;))
Bwoy mi caan chat (dropping some yardie on you)! Why are my responses so long 🙂
I LOVE putting mayo in my hair. I make a “Hair Guacamole” out of mayo, avocado, coconut oil, and sometimes raw honey. http://bit.ly/aUVn1v IT leaves my hair super soft, and my twistous look great after!
– savvy
http:savvybrown.com