My Hair Journey, before & after NAMAWE

NAMAWE had many reasons to start. Not only my self discovery of gentle products in a DIY manner, but later a more serious matter: sensitive skin.

If my husband having eczema was an important approach to make this company a gentle alternative for those in need, my part was the hair quality.

My hair echoed my need for real change

Since prior to coming to Ireland I had serious problems with my hair falling out A LOT. I started having Horsetail and Evening Primrose Oil in tablet form to balance out some symptoms. I say some, because this falling out of my hair was a bigger symptom that needed attention in a holistic manner: I was depressed. My life had been going without a real direction since I graduated in 2011. I tried to find my path, a fulfilling job, and recover from a breakup after 7 years. My life at my family house was not the best either. I was 26, I wanted to leave the nest, be my own person, without a way to fulfill that basic need. 

So when I decided to make that jump and come to Ireland in 2016 I was already coming into an unknown new path. I had to learn again: english, culture, my own fullest being, in & out.

Fast forward into Ireland: trips and experiences, I reconnected my art, my intuition and old patterns that needed attention. But I do not remember having this huge issue with my hair. I was not stressed because my system was in full discovery. When we go away, most of our skin issues disappear. 

I did not use any multivitamins, and I started a new diet from a different culture. I kept my Olive Oil nearby and my fish was a must.

Sometime around 2018, I hit rock bottom again. My biggest weakness from my shadow came back: looking for love outside of myself to fulfill my ego. Being brokenhearted made me realize that this was not the way to go. I had to focus on giving myself what I wanted, forget men for a while and focus on being my own love. 

I don’t remember issues with my hair more than the usual fall off. But I remember that my diet needed to change. I was gaining weight by eating hotel food, I lost track of which ingredients were causing it… and it all started to come to the surface when I focused on reducing my Plastic Waste.

This meant to look into my garbage bin: 

1. Food wraps, food containers, how to change it for more local, bulk, and organic when possible.

2. I looked into my bathroom and I felt this was  the most challenging step ahead. Because it needed the most change. Not only to buy eco-friendly and lasting products but to move into bottle free options for skin and hair.

Of course, I did NOT do it all at once. Beware of this, it is A LOT.

Turning change into curiosity was a healthy challenge

Reducing my Plastic Waste in the Bathroom and Beauty products brought me slowly to a craft side of me that I enjoyed. I learnt so much about how to make my skincare products, starting with my own Castile soap and followed by my Shampoo.

I had already swapped to a solid shampoo in 2017 and gone past the 2 weeks DETOX period. My braided hair was always my way to “hide” my oily hair from customers.

This photo was taken in April 2017. This was my first bar. Combined with a more natural way to dye my hair: Henna. 

This change was OK for a while, until my hair got used to it. Even if I was happy washing it once a week, I felt it left some residue. My hair needed less than this, so I looked into Irish brands.

Some of them gave me an “OK” clean, but didn’t care for my curls. So I kept looking for a way to feel the way I felt before with chemical products for curly hair. I must have tried 5 different bars, including a wonderful Scottish soap bar that I could use on my hair!

This is how I ended up making my own shampoo bar in 2020: a body bar infused with Nettle and Rosemary bits. I was still learning how to make soap and I jumped ahead into what I needed. There is never a mistake but the beginning of a path of discovery! 

I needed my most beloved herb back in my life

Horsetail connected me with foraging and my first hair treatment in Spain. That is how I used to develop my first shampoo bar, which I used from 2021 to mid 2024. In March 2024, seeing how my scalp needed less and less hydration, I made my first communication with Horsetail, which led me to create this other shampoo bar for my stabilised and more regular-oily scalp with care for my fine curls. Once a month, I combine it with my Hair Oil and maintain that me-time by detangling my hair or giving it an extra boost.

I have moved into my own made shampoos following my hair needs, and I know that goes related with my life, my hormones and stress levels. The recent point I focus on is to make my life more sacred, more present, and find ways to reconnect with my ancient wise woman. Once I have my body and mind more or less in check, I look at the connection to the Spirit to keep me recharged and inspired on my path.

I want you to find your own balanced path

Girls, hair quality is dependent on many factors that vary on our life so it is NOT a quick fix that fits all.

Look at all these points of attention to address hair issues in a holistic way (Body, Mind & Spirit):

1. Your diet, one tailored to YOU, one that feeds your hormones and your hair. (BODY)

2. Life and career. Are you doing what you want to do? I know I wasn’t back in Spain. 

3. Move your body in any way that fits you. You need to move your blood, and that includes your hair (head).

4. Stress, mental rest, the capacity to switch off and find your sacred ritual and space to be YOU. The head is where our hair is, I see it as an echo of too much work in our heads, we need to find ways to move to our Heart. Find ways to bring you there. (MIND)

5. Any way to be creative or discover new things? Reconnecting with Creativity and your inner child is a way to reconnect with your desires without any criticism. They show the way to follow to find alignment with your whole being. And it changes all the time, so keep it fresh and interesting. (SPIRIT)

6. Compassion and Honesty with yourself and with others. (We are all one, and we mirror each other and the things to work on). Be clear about your goals and fulfill them at the pace you can. But do not let it out or your inner self will feel forgotten again. Always make YOU the priority. (SPIRIT)

7. Community. Find ways to connect with your most authentic Feminine energy in a circle or ceremony with like minded people. You need beings that support this change and curiosity so that you don't feel alone. Believe it or not, they are sound there! (MIND & SPIRIT)

It's helpful for me to see these steps and be aware of what's needing attention. I hope it helps you, too. Being a busy human, I do forget them, and I know that finding balance is how I get to that point where things become clearer and better.

I also want you to remember (and myself) that it is your life's journey to focus on yourself. Your hair or skin is only a mechanism of your body screaming at you that things need to change. Will you listen to it as I ended up doing?  As I do most times?

Thank you for reading. Thank you for being here.

Blessings, 

Maria.