Beloved readers, this is the Sour Cream treatment that I first unveiled in a thread on LHCF.

In this tutorial:

I’ll break down what I used, how I used it, the experience itself, some trouble-shooting ideas, any caveats, and my overall thoughts, including my final, definitive opinion of what it did for my hair! ^_^

I’m natural, as I write this (see my texture here). Though it can also be used on relaxed hair to tame new growth during stretches or just to have extra silky hair. ^_^

MY RECIPE:

I used: I cup Horizon Brand Organic/Hormone free Sour Cream
1 LARGE (like the size of your fist) Sunkist Lemon

That’s it. I didn’t want to add anything to be sure I would experience it’s undiluted power. I’ll come back to the idea of add-ins (honey, oil, etc.) in my trouble shooting/lessons learned section further down.

The Process:

1. Cut the lemon in half, pick out the seeds, and then microwave the halves on high for 30 seconds. This allows you to squeeze out as much juice as possible! I don’t recommend pre-packaged lemon juice unless it is organic, as it often has preservatives; it’s best to keep this recipe as natural as possible.

2. Squeeze lemon juice into Sour Cream. The lemon halves might be HOT, let it cool if need be.

3. Mix until well-blended. It should have the consistency of yogurt.

4. Apply to FRESHLY WASHED/CO-Washed AND DETANGLED hair. I started with a glob palmed gently all over my head. I have a dense TWA as I write this, I must appease the “outer level” of my hair before my fingers can get to my scalp. I then made three big parts:

One down the middle of my head and one down the left and right sides.

5. Massage the mixture GENTLY into your scalp –this will give your scalp a toning treatment due to the citric acid. I didn’t experience any burning or itching. I think, it may have tingled.

Or maybe I’m getting too cute and it’s messing with my head. ^_^

What?

Okay…maybe not so much the “too cute” part.

6. Make-sure your scalp, roots, and ends are evenly coated. This doesn’t make a lot of “treatment” so you may have to double the recipe. It shouldn’t be DRIPPING out of your hair or so thick you can squeeze out a bit of excess. You want JUST ENOUGH. You’ll see why too much isn’t fun, further down.

7. Put on shower cap. DO NOT SIT UNDER A HOODED DRYER! Your body heat will produce enough heat.

8.Let sit for at least an hour. Maybe half an hour for the 3a-3b set.

9. RINSE. DO NOT shampoo if you don’t feel the need. However, fine haired ladies may want to as well as those who relax Bone-straight.

10. I followed the above instructions and let it sit for an hour.

NOTE:

The first time I did this, I did not use full-fat, organic sour cream. The dripping began IMMEDIATELY, drove me mad, and I washed it out.  Thus my earlier, negative reviews. Pick your brand wisely. The second time I used full-fat, organic sour cream. The brand I used is so thick you can turn the spoon over and it won’t fall off. It’s great stuff! About 30 minutes in, the dripping began, but was no where near as prolific. Huzzah! ^_^

11. I rinsed this out and immediately applied my DC. I let this sit for 30 minutes, while I sat under my hooded dryer and took Chemistry notes.

12. I then detangled.

ANOTHER NOTE: DETANGLING HURT. Not due to the Sour Cream mix though. See my “Lessons Learned” section below as to why.

I rinsed out my DC, added my leave-in, and went about my day; I kept an eye on my to see if it really effected my shrinkage. It did. ^_^

Lessons Learned:

WELL! This is an important section here, ladies.

Don’t make my mistakes and this’ll be such an easy process you’ll do it multiple times a week without a fuss!

Lesson #1: PUT SOUR CREAM MIXTURE ON PRE-DETANGLED HAIR ONLY. Why? The citric and lactic acid make your cuticle slam shut (in a good way, moisture still gets in). If they slam shut –while intertwined– they will seem stuck together as if by some invisible force.

Also: DO NOT PUT THIS ON FRESHLY CLARIFIED HAIR.

Detangle, then rinse out whatever conditioner you used to do so before applying your mixture. Your scalp, comb and hair will thank you profusely.

Lesson #2: Wear a spa-band or tie a scarf around your hairline. This should take care of the few drips you’ll get. UNLESS YOU PUT ON TOO MUCH! Then you are at the mercy of your drip-age. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Lesson #3: Do you have dry hair? Add 2 T of ONE of the following TO YOUR SOUR CREAM MIX: Coconut Oil/Olive Oil/ Avocado Oil. Other oils or butters stand the risk of seriously diluting the power of the sour cream and lemon.

MY SUGGESTION: Just DC after wards. That way you get the full power of the mix, plus your hair gets a yummy DC –the best of both worlds without the fear of diluting the lactic and citric acid.

Also note: I wouldn’t add EOs or herbs to this. Why? It won’t hurt, but almost ANYTHING you add will dilute the lactic and citric acid. Just put all the goodies in a DC and apply it IMMEDIATELY after rinsing.

Try it both ways, if you like. This way worked best for me. However, as always: do what’s best for your hair and your hair alone!!!!

More Trouble Shooting:

If you have sores or cuts in your scalp the lemon juice WILL sting. The same for your hands, but that’s a given –it IS a lemon after all.

Having to DC after wards unlike yogurt or coconut milk can be a pain but this is SOOOO much stronger in the “texturizing” department.

My Results:

So…did it make the little golden lamb’s wool any softer? You bet it did! ^_^

It left my hair shiny and soft. It felt stronger too. My scalp was invigorated, as well.

Did it reduce shrinkage? About 40% in one use.

It’s an easy mix. Have a DC on hand and don’t feel guilty about using sour cream and lemon to super charge your “natural” curl relaxing. Yogurt and coconut milk/lime will understand you’re a woman that can’t be tied down.^_~

All in all, this may be as good as the other mixes, but my experience is that it gave me their results faster.

As always, I must put the disclaimer out there that ALL hair is different. My hair laughed at coconut/lime mixes and yogurt, but “shut up real quick” with this.

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