Hair is growing in nicely, but the styling of my locks will have to wait till they get a little longer. Middle of my scalp is super short, and that has since hinder my styling option. First picture is how my hair looks currently, second picture is how my hair look late last year.

I don't even know where to start with this Head & Shoulders Dandruff Shampoo. I always had a super itchy scalp, but when I had my sisterlocks installed, my itchy scalp double in it intensity. It gets even worst when my sisterlocks are freshly retightened.

I started upgrading my washing to 2 times a week (before it was once a month suggested by my consultant) and then for the past month it has gone up to once a week. I truly believe that wasn't right! How can my consultant and others go a month without washing their hair? I could barely survive a week then. That whole 1 month washing concept dumbfounded me, and I was determined to find a solution once again.

I always thought my issues with my itchy scalp stem from a dry scalp, which I then tried using natural oils to soothe and relieve the problem, but that solution would relieve it temporally. Then I decided to bite the bullet and just tried the shampoo above suggested by a locked friend, and I'm glad I did. The result was immediately, and I honestly thought it was just my imagination, but it has been a months now with no recurring itch like before.

Could this really be the solution to my very dry and itchy scalp? I don't even have dandruff, yet this is marketed for people who suffer from dandruff. This did work for me and I'm glad I took my friend advice and tried the shampoo. Below is my final review of this product.

What it claims

Head & Shoulders Dry Scalp Care 2 in 1 Dandruff Shampoo + Conditioner

Improves Hair & Scalp Health Guaranteed
With aloe & moisturizers, soothes sensitive scalps

Healthy Hair Starts from a Healthy Scalp™
Advanced formula relieves scalp itch, dryness, irritation and helps prevent flakes while improving hair and scalp health.

Relieves Dry Scalp and Itch

-with moisturizers it is designed to relieve dry scalp and itch while cleaning and nourishing the hair
-dual action formula cleans while providing extra conditioners for hair and scalp
-gentle and pH balanced for everyday use even on premed or color treated hair

Like

- Stop the dry and itchy scalp
- The smell is light and clean. It doesn't smell like medicine like I original thought
- Stop the dry white specks

Dislike

- It has a medical drug fact. I really which it didn't, but this must be what is helping my scalp
- I which it was just a shampoo only, and not a conditioner and a shampoo
- People who suffer from hair loss claim that head & shoulder makes it worst. So far I have not suffered from any additional hair lost (will do an updated post on my hair later). I wash my hair only twice a month and use this product both times. I do not use this product twice a week as suggested.

Final Conclusion: I really had reservation about posting about this shampoo, since the current trend is to stay away from commercial product. I completely understand that for a newbie locks, since you want to avoid unraveling & slippages locks as much as possible, but honestly if I knew how well this shampoo worked for my itchy scalp, I would have use it a long time ago. Some people may think I'm crazy, but try it out yourself to see if it work for you. This shampoo has really help relieve my itchy scalp.

Note: I only use this to clean my scalp only! I use my regular shampoos & conditioner to clean my locks. I also still use my growth oil for my thin spots. 

Before we continuing further on this itchy scalp mixology series, you need to figure out if you have dandruff. If you have dandruff, then you may want to check out my previous mixology series on oils for controlling dandruff. Now on to this series!

The most common reasons for an itchy scalp are listed here.
- A very dry scalp (very common after a clarifing wash).
- A fresh retighten/twist/interlock locks.
- Different type of skin disorders
- Stress and Anxiety

If your locks are NOT MATURE, then I don't recommend adding this mixture to your hair/lock. You can use a temporary solution such as Sea Breeze or Witch Hazel for your itchy scalp (soak either solution on a cloth and rub it around the affected area).

Material Needed
3-4 oz Cobalt Blue or Amber Wide-Mouth Jar
2oz (1/4) Measuring Cup
Recipe: Essential and Carrier Base Oils for Controlling Itchiness
7 Drops of 100% Pure Essential Oil Lavender
5 Drops of 100% Pure Rosemary Essential Oil
2 Drops of 100% 100% Pure Tea Tree Oil
2 oz. Castor Oil (heavy) or Jojoba oil (light)

Apply this combination directly to the problem area. NOTE: DO NOT add this mixture to witch hazel, if you do, it will shorten the lifespan of the solution. In other words, this will have a shorter lifespan. If you want to use witch hazel, I suggest using witch hazel to clean the area, then apply this mixture for a double itch relief. Another suggestion is rinsing your hair with diluted Lemon Juice, and then adding this mixture. If you decided to rinse your hair with lemon juice, please understand that if you are out in the sun for a long period of time, your locks will start to lighten up due to the acidic content in the lemon juice .

Lavender Oils - Beside it soothing and wonderful scent, Lavender oil is great for providing comfort to an irrated scalp. It is known for fighting off pain (by rapidly aiding in the formation of scar tissues), hair loss, dandruff, as well as burning senstion. This oil is very popuplar due to the fact that it is known to relax the mind and help calm the scenses. As a bonus, this oil can be use in effectively fighting off lice, lice eggs or nits.
Rosemary Essential Oil - If you have an itchy scalp, then I'm sure you are constently scatching it,  this can cause some kind of hair lost. So added rosemary essential oil will aid in hair growth, as will as effectively increase the chance of healing for the scalp.
Tea Tree Essential Oil - Is great for any scalp related aliment period. This essensce oil is marketed in a lot of skin & scalp related products. Its natural antibacterial disinfectant properties make it a great choice for this mixture.
Castor Oil - A natural carrior oil that has a thicker consistency then jojoba oil. It beeh shown to help retain hair, and improve and thicken the natural growth process of the hair. Castor also prevents dry scalp and boost overall scalp health.
Jojoba Oil - A carrier base oil that resemble our natural scalp producing oils. It's lighter then Castor oil and it is an ideal moisturizer. It's also known as a great scalp conditioner as well.

Note: If you been itching your scalp, and have broken into skin, you will get a tingling sensation, but do not confuse this with an irritation. Irritation would be a burning sensation which mean you are either allergic or you need to dilute the mixture some more. 


Please note: This mixture is purely based on research. So use caution and please test on your skin first. If you not sure of any of these essential oils you welcome to contact an aromatherapy specialist for advice and usages. All of my mixture are at a 1 percent dilution. You can go up to 2.5 dilution if your scalp/skin can handle it. Do not use while pregnant or breastfeeding. If you have allergies please test a small amount first. Keep away from small children. It is recommended that diabetics stay away from lavender oil. More Information on measurement can be found here http://www.ehow.com/how_2200143_how-much-essential-oil-use.html. More helpful & caution tips can be found here http://www.aroma-essence.com/mini-guide.html.

Hey guys! I did a Baking Soda Wash & Apple Cider Vinegar rinse yesterday and I wanted to share the result. The main reason you would want to do a Baking Soda Wash & Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse is to remove build up, and or reduce/eliminate dandruff. Click on the image on the right for example of buildup/dandruff.

Whether you are natural or rocking locs, you would benefit from doing a BS wash & ACV rinse.

Reason to do a Baking Soda Wash & Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse

- Product Buildup (Different Shampoos, Oils, etc)
- Dandruff
- Lifeless Locks (dull & heavy locs)
- Mildew Smell

Benefits/Improvement after a Baking Soda Wash & Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse

- Lighter Hair/Locs
- Less flakiness from the scalp
- Reduction of an itchiness
- Deep Cleaning & Conditioning

Below are picture of the after result. Hair feels lighter and the itchiness has been reducing greatly. To find out how to do a BS wash & ACV rinse click here.

Still Bundling :(	Finger Combing
Final Result	Nice & Clean

While browsing through the creator of Sisterlocks Facebook fan pages, I started to wonder why my sisterlocks doesn't look as locked at 10 months like the other ladies on there (with the same time framed). I had two more months to go before my sisterlocks becomes a year old. I remembered my consultant informing me that my hair shouldn't take no more than a year to settle. That was due to my hair type being so tightly curled. So I went ahead and dig up my first installation picture, and did a comparing shot, and boy was I surprised. On the left is when my babies were just installed, and on the right is my 10 month old locks. These pictures are telling enough I think.

My consultant told me from the very beginning not to use any product but water on my sisterlocks. She told me that will help speed up the locking process. She then informed me that when my sisterlocks have settled, I can try other products for moisture retention. I followed her instructions to the “T”. Once she said my hair has settled, and was beginning to lock, I starting looking for ways to soften my locks. I also had issue with my scalp being itchy all the time, so I started looking for product that helps reduce itchiness as well.

So I went ahead and purchased an empty spray bottle. Second purchase was the Sea Breeze for the itchiness and the final purchased was the Next Image Avocado Oil and Shea Butter. I diluted that solution in about 75% water (so you will need a second spray bottle). That product is amazing, it softens my hair but DOES NOT makes it feel oily at all. It also happens to have a very pleasant smell. It comes in two scents, Avocado Oil and Shea Butter and Coco-Mango (I have not tried the Coco-Mango).

The current products I that I'm using on my sisterlocks are as followed: Distill Water: every other day, Sea breeze: 1-2 weekly and Avocado Oil and Sea Butter: 2-3 time weekly.