JBCO: My Liquid Gold and Why It Changed My Hair

I'm going to be honest with you. Being a fine haired curly can be quite challenging to say the least. Fine hair strands make it difficult to avoid breaking the hair when detangling. Also, because my hair is low density, certain styles make me look like a shaven bird. I've tried some of those cut two strand twist styles and frankly, my hair just looks a lot better when it's out. OK, that brings me to another point. When you have fine hair and low density hair you have to work extremely hard to create volume where there is none. Tired of layering twists and trying volumizing products, I encountered Jamaican Black Castor Oil (JBCO).

Hair Trouble and Why I Turned to JBCO
After years of suffering from hair thinning and hair loss, I was at my wits end trying to figure out what to use to stop my hair from falling out. I was losing hair in my crown and edges. I was not feeling very confident, but I always kept the faith that eventually I would find something. As you may have read in my previous posts about my hair journey, I did find great natural hair products that slowed down the hair loss and helped with some regrowth. However, I still saw spots that were thinner than the rest of my hair. This frustrated me and I was determined to find something that would not only regrow hair but thicken up my hair to increase the density. Now, I'm not a scientist, so if you're looking for a scientific explanation then you've come to the wrong blog. I'm just a common everyday person, who is sharing how a simple, natural, inexpensive remedy helped me regrow and thicken my hair.

Why is JBCO so popular? Touted as a miracle oil by many in the natural community JBCO has several benefits including treating skin ailments, increasing hair volume, and eliminating thinness. I won't get into the debate on whether JBCO is better than regular castor oil. I just know that from my experience JBCO changed my hair for the better. It will be a year this summer since I began consistently using JBCO on my hair and scalp. Looking back at my photos I can see why JBCO is one of the most talked about hair oils in the natural community.

How do you use JBCO? JBCO can be used in several ways. I will share with you just a few ways that I like to use JBCO. These uses have helped me go from wimpy, thin hair to va-va-va- voom natural hair that is becoming so voluminous that I get lots of compliments.

The Many JBCO Mixes & Why They Work! I started out using just plain old JBCO. I had to get use to the thickness and stickiness of the oil. But, once I learned that less is more, I began to enjoy the healing therapy and benefits. There are so many different combinations of JBCO and other oils. Tropic Isle Living and Sunny Isle provide quality products with mixtures to fit almost every need and/or preference. Coconut, argan, rosemary, ylang ylang, and lavender are just some of the other oil combinations available. Currently, I am alternating between using the Coconut JBCO and the Rosemary JBCO. There is an added benefit to using JBCO in conjunction with other oils. Coconut oil penetrates the hair strand and rosemary is known to aid in hair growth. Of course, the other oils also have excellent benefits. Choose a plain JBCO or one that has an added oil based on what you prefer and/or need for YOUR hair.

July 2012-BEFORE JBCO

September 2011-BEFORE JBCO 

Add JBCO to Your Conditioner and/or Deep Conditioner

A little goes a long way so just put a couple of drops in your deep conditioner or rinse out conditioner. It will add to the moisture and make rinsing out the conditioner a luxurious experience. It softens my hair and makes it feel so good.

AFTER  8 months of JBCO-June 2013

AFTER 1 month of JBCO-September 2012

Add JBCO to Your Daily Spritz

Just a few drops in your daily spritz to ensure that you are on your way to voluminous hair. I make sure that I add enough so that it is about 1/4 of the bottle. I shake vigorously to ensure that it is well mixed. Since adding JBCO to my daily spritz my hair has a sheen and moisture.

JBCO As a Part of Your Night Routine

I love using just a small dropper bottle to dab JBCO on my thinning areas (my crown and edges). I have a small area right in the front that has grown lots and lots of little hairs in it thanks to JBCO. No more balding areas.


Are you balding, shedding, or have uneven hair due to breakage? Jamaican Black Castor Oil is truly a miracle oil. It REALLY has changed my hair and it may just work for you. I've seen the expensive hair treatments and I've even experienced prescription strength medication. Here's the thing.. I believe that in nature our Creator has provided us with the resources to cure any ailment. Yes, I believe that natural products are the way to go for health problems including hair loss. If hair loss is genetic then of course, there is very little that can be done. But, if you are experiencing hair loss due to allergies, stress, diet, etc. then the cure IS in nature. Yes, JBCO has additives, such as the ash which gives the oil its dark color, BUT, castor oil is derived from the castor bean which is grown.



Where do you purchase Jamaican Black Castor Oil? Check out your local health food store, grocery store, ethnic market, and beauty supply store. If you live in an area in which JBCO is difficult to find then you may order it online.  

Click on the links below to learn more or to order Jamaican Black Castor Oil products.

Sunny Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil Products

Tropic Isle Living Jamaican Black Castor Oil Products

Practical Hair Length Retention for the Forgotten Natural

Many of the hair growth and retention articles and videos provide standard hair growth tips- moisture, protective styling, healthy eating, and exercise. But, when you're a "forgotten" natural, you are a part of the groups who do everything right AND it still doesn't work, it can be very frustrating.  So, what's a forgotten natural to do?

Looking back on my natural hair journey I realized that although I thought I was doing the right things, I actually wasn't. My hair literally stayed the same length for 2 yrs until I found Youtube, began watching, and reading information about hair for myself. The next 2 yrs of my hair journey my hair grew longer and I was finally beyond the TWA stage.

Here are some tips that I learned along the way to moving from my growth plateau:

#1. Closely examine your hair regimen. Are you cleansing too frequently or not frequently enough? Are you using damaging hair tools (combs, brushes, clips)? Do you have a moisture/protein balance for your hair? Have you tried protective styling (no/ low manipulation)?

Don't try to completely follow someone else's routine. You may borrow parts of someone's regimen, but work on designing one for your OWN hair. For instance, I tried co washing and my scalp TOTALLY rejected the idea. But, using little shampoo on the scalp and generous conditioner on my hair works well for me. Unlike some naturals, wearing protective styles like mini twists for months does not work for me. But, I can wear my hair in twists for 7-10 days then cleanse and condition.

#2. Review your staple products. For years I was a severe PJ (product junky) buying every line of products that promised beautiful curls and coils. I kept switching from product to product and my hair suffered breakage and baldness. The light bulb went off when I found the right products that contained the right INGREDIENTS. I began product looping and using products within the same line and/or products with the same top 5-10 ingredients.

#3. Look at your diet. I had to have a serious talk with myself because I was eating too many empty calories (sweets and fats). I began drinking a lot more water and green tea. I added more fruits and vegetables to my meal. I even began taking a healthy lunch to work. I added a great multivitamin like Nature's Way Alive Women's Energizer to my diet.I felt better and it helped my hair to grow back in the bald areas.

#4. Consider going to the doctor and/or dermatologist. My balding and thinning areas were a result of a skin condition known as seborrhea dermatitis. The dermatologist was able to provide a prescription shampoo and ointment to help with the reddening, dryness, and itch. My condition has lessened, but I now use natural remedies, such as Chagrin Valley Neem & Tea Tree Hair/Body & Cafe Moreno bars to control my condition.

Hair growth is probably one of the biggest areas of concerns for naturals. But, the key is to remember than unless there is a medical condition then hair will grow. The goal is to retain length.

My Fav Product Staples
#1. Chagrin Valley Shampoo Bars- Babassu & Marshmallow, Cafe Moreno, Olive Babassu, Butter Conditioner & Neem & Tea Tree Hair/Body Bar

#2. Shea Moisture Yucca & Aloe Thickening & Growth line.
Anti Breakage Masque & Hair Milk

#3. Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie & Curling Souffle

#4. Nubian Heritage Indian Hemp & Tamanu Hair Treatment Masque & Edge Taming Taffy

#5. Wild Growth Hair Oil

#6. TRESemme Naturals Nourishing Moisture conditioner

#7. Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Jojoba Oil, & Grapeseed Oil

#8. Taliah Waajid Protective Mist Bodifier