Mornin’ all,
I’ve noticed something about myself: I respond best to challenges and deadlines. If I’m left to linger around at my own pace, I’ll take forever to do something. But, if I know that it has to be done by today at 12, I’m gonna get it to you today by 12. I guess it’s my journalism training. It was drilled into us from the first day of journalism school: you do not miss deadlines.
I’ve decided to join another Hairlista challenge for those very reasons. I like taking care of my hair, but if I’m part of a challenge and I’ve put out there what I’m planning to do, I’m more likely going to do it. This time, it’s the Castor Oil challenge which started on April 15 and runs until July 15. Here’s the rundown of what I’m going to be doing (from the Hairlista site):
Challenge Levels:
Basic: Apply Castor Oil to a clean scalp 1-2 times per week.
Advance: Apply Castor Oil to a clean scalp 2-3 times per week.
Ultimate: Apply Castor Oil to your scalp 5-7 times per week. You must deep condition with a 1-2 tsp of your Castor Oil mixed in your deep conditioner and/or use it to seal your ends.
Rules:
1. Your Castor Oil MUST be 100% Castor Oil. Grease cannot be used as a substitute on the scalp. However, it can be used to seal i.e. Hollywood Beauty Castor Oil.
2. If you are doing the Basic or Advance level, the Castor Oil must be applied to a clean scalp to allow better penetration so that your scalp can absorb all the nutrients from the oil.
3. One must report any changes, improvements, success in your hair/new growth. This will inspire others!
4. Please upload a photo of your hair progress after the Challenge is complete (there will be a particular thread created for this).
5. NO OTHER GROWTH AIDS can be used while in this challenge.
I have three months to go castor oil crazy — although, I apply castor oil to my scalp pretty frequently already. I’m going to be trying to do this at the advance level — we’ll see how that goes. Yesterday, I ordered the much talked about Jamaican Black Castor Oil from HoneyFig. Now, I had been using my run-of-the-mill clear castor oil, but people online and in the forums made such a fuss about JBCO, I decided to try it for this challenge and keep my clear castor oil for some other things.
Wish me luck, folks! Anyone care to join me?
The Accidental Natural 
I’ve never done a challenge but now seems like a great time to start and these doesn’t seem to difficult.
It’s not difficult at all. The hardest thing is to remember to do it. If you can remember, it’s a breeze… and you see results. Good luck! Let me know if you decide to join.
I can join in a lackadaisical, kinda join but not join way 🙂
I’ll be back in the gym next week, and I’ll be washing my hair daily anyway.
Off the top of your head, can you think of any places downtown [I’m at Uni and King], that I could pick up some 100% Castor Oil? I was thinking of checking out the Health store on Queen and Peter area. I can’t think of anywhere else other than maybe Noah’s up at Bloor.
Yay! Why not — especially if you’re going to be washing your hair every day.
Nutrition House at Eaton Centre has castor oil. I was searching for it too and then I broke down and decided to buy Jamaican Black Castor Oil instead of my run of mill regular stuff. I know that the Nutrition House on the lower level, by Queen subway has it.
Thanks! I’ll check it out this weekend 🙂
I realise I never actually oil/moisturize my scalp – just my hair. Now that I think about it though, that’s what my mom/sister would do, when I was a kid and they plaited my hair.
I notice in my hair i am losing some hair in front of my head some in the back to someone walk in front of me telling me to buy the Castor oil she didnt tell me how to put it on, I just buy Hollywood Beauty Castor Oil what i read so far there is different idea how to put it on 1.Basic: Apply Castor Oil to a clean scalp 1-2 times per week. Apply Castor Oil to a clean scalp 2-3 times per week. Apply Castor Oil to your scalp 5-7 times per week. You must deep condition with a 1-2 tsp of your Castor Oil mixed in your deep conditioner and/or use it to seal your ends.
2. Hollywood Beauty Castor Oil, Mix with castor oil with almond or grapeseed oil.
Which way to put it on i need some advice so i can start using it.
Hi Marlene – thanks for dropping by!
I would tell you to follow the instructions on the jar. What I was doing was a castor oil challenge using pure castor oil. So, we were going hard on castor oil. I don’t know if you need to go that hard. What I would advise is when you finish the jar of the Hollywood Beauty Castor Oil pick up some pure castor oil. I’ve found it in health food stores and at the drugstore. The HB Castor Oil does have paraffin oil (supposedly a petrochemical — I don’t like it) but it’s pretty far down the list. Just check your scalp carefully while using it. You can find out what some other people think of the product here: http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forum6/thread321043.html
Good luck!
If you go to this website: http://www.sams247.com/SearchResult.aspx the JBCO products are WAY cheaper!!!
Hi. So did the challenge work? I just got castor oil last wkend and want to use it for my temple. Please advise. Thx.
Well, I did learn that I love castor oil, but I didn’t follow the challenge to a tee — laziness, I guess. I’ve continued to use a combination of castor oil and olive oil on my scalp and I have absolutely no problems with thinning hair. My sister-in-law uses it for thickening and she finds it works. So, I’d say, ‘go for it!’ Remember not everything works for everyone, so if you find any scalp irritation, stop using it. Good luck!
Hey, I know it was over a year ago, but how did your caster oil challenge go? Did you see any difference? ~Moni