Thursday, November 25, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
My Knotty Truth- No Lye!
I've been natural since off and on since March 1995. I've rocked everything from a relaxer to loc's and everything in between. Last night as I was responding to a natural beauty on Twitter, it hit me- THIS SHIT IS TIME CONSUMING! There I said it!!!!!! Sometimes its too much! I dont always want to braid, twist my hair before bed- I miss the days of just laying down! Don't get me wrong- I LOVE my natural hair, and I will NEVER- EVER relax again - NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But lets be honest- I've never in my life had to dedicate so much time into hair. I mix everything that I apply to my hair-conditioner, leave-in conditioner, deep conditioner, hair butters, treatment oils, scalp oils, henna, hair moisturizing mask/clays and lets not talk about the ayurvedic treatments. One day the hair is poppin.. looking like a million bucks....the next she feeling herself- just acting up for NO REASON!!!!! I'm tender headed to the 10th power and DETANGLING IS HATEFUL!!!! Saturday I had a Twitter friend educate me on testing the PH balance in my water-and why I should do it -OK-WHAT??? Among checking labels, and having a boat load of ingredients edged into my brain of what not to use- Now, I gotta put my chemist coat on, get the testing strips and test the PH level in my water???? {OK} you know I'ma do it right ( hehehehehe).
I love my natural hair- we fight, we argue, when I really need her to show up and show out- SHE DOES ( whipping my hair back and forth right now). Having natural hair has made me more conscience of what I put on my hair, and surely has given me greater confidence and pride about my culture. Back in the day if you rocked any variation of a natural you was viewed as "earthy" or "Afrocentric" today- we are from all walks of life and we don't have to walk around with the "assumed" impression that we are "earthy" or "defend" our hair choices (BTW: there is nothing wrong w/ being earthy or Afrocentric). There is no greater, stronger bond than the natural ladies who network and bond over "HAIR". The natural movement is growing and getting stronger, and stronger by the day. I love the feeling I get when I sit down, and " do my hair" - when people ask me " who did your hair" I gleam with pride when I say ME! When I go to the grocery store, I have 2 baskets- (1) for my groceries, (1) for my hair crack. I feel a rush when I stumble upon an item in the store that "may " be the answer to any hair woes that I may be having. I've awaken out of my sleep when Ive forgotten to wrap my hair with a silk bonnet- ( lol..lol..) - yes, I m pressed sometimes (lol..lol..) I'm loving how kids (especially my daughter) just marvels at my hair and wanna embrace their coils, kinks, and curls!!! So yes, caring for natural hair is time consuming - it can be hard work, even a little frustrating-BUT I love it and there is nothing else I rather be doing :)
Monday, November 15, 2010
I'm a mixologist......and you can be one too
Product junkies will agree -- you can spend hundreds of dollars testing out the numerous products available on the market, many of which are supposedly intended for natural hair use. However, breaking the bank is really not necessary for a healthy, strong and shiny natural. You already have key ingredients in your own kitchen and bathroom!
Creating your own hair recipes not only saves money, but allows for a more intimate relationship with your hair -- you can gain a much better insight as to what your hair craves, prefers, or rejects with your at-home experiments.
Get creative! There are a few simple rules to follow to find your perfect concoctions:
Don't mix too many things at once-Start out with simple recipes, say, mixing one main ingredient and adding a small amount of another. It's much easier to determine what worked and what didn't when your ingredients list is limited.
Create two-ingredient mixes and try them until you find a mix that works well on your hair. If it's a "perfect" mix, continue using it! If it's a "pretty good" mix, retry the recipe with the same main ingredient then alter the secondary ingredient until you reach perfection. You may find you need to reverse the amounts used, making the main ingredient the secondary ingredient.
If there is one particular ingredient you find most always works well on your hair, make it a staple for your hair recipes, adding it as a standard part of all your recipes.
Alter the way you apply the mixes to your hair. Try dousing your hair with your Super Yogurt Surprise while your hair is drenching wet in the shower. Does it work well this way? Try another time by making it a bit more liquidy and spritz it on your dried hair with a spray bottle. Perhaps your hair responds better to this application.
For ingredients, a general rule of thumb is if it's ok to ingest, it's probably ok to apply to your hair as well. Pureed fruit, honey, apple cider vinegar and many more items are great additions to homemade hair recipes.
Take note of what works for you and how it worked. Some recipes may be better for clarifying while others make for great deep conditioners.
Search and compare! If you're a little timid about applying egg whites to your hair, make use of resources available to you before doing so. Search the Internet for your particular ingredients. You just may find others who have tried the same type of recipe and enjoyed success or experienced a nightmare.
Go beyond your kitchen! Many cities have well-stocked health food and natural stores with a huge selection of ingredients to boost your hair recipes. Experiment with essential oils (a few drops go a long way!), xanthum gum (a thickener, also known as xanthan), as well as conditioners and leave-ins you won't likely find at department stores and drug stores.
Remember, a recipe failure is a good thing. It lets you know what your hair simply does not respond to well. The worst likely thing that can happen with the use of your homemade products is the need to wash your hair again, so get creative!
Note: Use of homemade mixes for coloring of hair is not recommended.
Article Source: www.ezine.articles.com
Creating your own hair recipes not only saves money, but allows for a more intimate relationship with your hair -- you can gain a much better insight as to what your hair craves, prefers, or rejects with your at-home experiments.
Get creative! There are a few simple rules to follow to find your perfect concoctions:
Don't mix too many things at once-Start out with simple recipes, say, mixing one main ingredient and adding a small amount of another. It's much easier to determine what worked and what didn't when your ingredients list is limited.
Create two-ingredient mixes and try them until you find a mix that works well on your hair. If it's a "perfect" mix, continue using it! If it's a "pretty good" mix, retry the recipe with the same main ingredient then alter the secondary ingredient until you reach perfection. You may find you need to reverse the amounts used, making the main ingredient the secondary ingredient.
If there is one particular ingredient you find most always works well on your hair, make it a staple for your hair recipes, adding it as a standard part of all your recipes.
Alter the way you apply the mixes to your hair. Try dousing your hair with your Super Yogurt Surprise while your hair is drenching wet in the shower. Does it work well this way? Try another time by making it a bit more liquidy and spritz it on your dried hair with a spray bottle. Perhaps your hair responds better to this application.
For ingredients, a general rule of thumb is if it's ok to ingest, it's probably ok to apply to your hair as well. Pureed fruit, honey, apple cider vinegar and many more items are great additions to homemade hair recipes.
Take note of what works for you and how it worked. Some recipes may be better for clarifying while others make for great deep conditioners.
Search and compare! If you're a little timid about applying egg whites to your hair, make use of resources available to you before doing so. Search the Internet for your particular ingredients. You just may find others who have tried the same type of recipe and enjoyed success or experienced a nightmare.
Go beyond your kitchen! Many cities have well-stocked health food and natural stores with a huge selection of ingredients to boost your hair recipes. Experiment with essential oils (a few drops go a long way!), xanthum gum (a thickener, also known as xanthan), as well as conditioners and leave-ins you won't likely find at department stores and drug stores.
Remember, a recipe failure is a good thing. It lets you know what your hair simply does not respond to well. The worst likely thing that can happen with the use of your homemade products is the need to wash your hair again, so get creative!
Note: Use of homemade mixes for coloring of hair is not recommended.
Article Source: www.ezine.articles.com
Thursday, November 11, 2010
How to Lighten Hair With Cinnamon
In my on going search to find natural methods to lighten my hair, I came across this interesting article on lighting your hair using cinnamon. I've heard about cinnamon being good to help with baldness, but a hair lighter?? I dont know, But I may try this over the weekend- Have any of you ever tried this? If so what were your results? Inquiring minds would like to know :)
Things You'll Need:
Cinnamon powder
Conditioner
Hair clip
Shower cap
Instructions
1. Combine cinnamon powder and hair conditioner in a one to one mixture. The amount you will need depends on the length of your hair; however, you should have enough to evenly coat your locks from root to tip.
2. Wet your hair and wring out the excess water. Comb your hair carefully to release any tangles which may prevent even distribution of the cinnamon and conditioner.
3. Apply the cinnamon and conditioner mixture evenly to your hair, mixing an extra batch if necessary. While you can't use too much, if you use to little your lightening will end up uneven and streaky. You can comb through your hair periodically to help move the cinnamon and conditioner evenly throughout.
4. Gather your hair in a bun and secure it with a hair clip. Cover your head with a shower cap and leave the cinnamon and conditioner in your hair overnight. Rinse the mixture from your hair in the morning, shampooing as normal. If you would like to lighten your hair a bit more, apply the mixture again with no worry about damaging your hair.
Article Courtesy of Ehow.com
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
How to Winterize your Hair!
From hat hair to static electricity, split ends to dry frizz, when winter weather hits, a bad hair day can last an entire season. In fact, even if you live in a moderate climate, experts say you're still susceptible to hair-raising changes as the seasons pass. Here are several tips to help you prepare your hair to withstand the harsh winter weather:
Cut down on Wash N Go's & Co-washes (walking outside with a wet head will probably get you sick). Co-washing 1-2x/week should be sufficient. Wash your hair in the evening so that your hair air dries overnight as opposed to when you're outside.
Wear your hair up! Winter calls for thicker clothing, so wearing your hair up will protect your ends from snagging on wool coats, turtle necks, or sweaters you may be wearing.
Add An Extra Dose of Moisture: Your hair will benefit from an extra surge of nourishment in the winter months. Keeping your hair and scalp well conditioned will ensure that your hair stays healthy strong and protected from the cold.
For dry scalp: If your scalp is dry or feels tight, use a lightweight scalp oil to moisturize and soothe, without weighing the hair down. Miss Sixx Peppermint Clove Scalp Oil which uses grape seed oil, extra virgin olive oil, castor oil, clove oil, lavender oil, and vitamin E masterfully blended with essential oils to improve scalp condition and promote micro circulation.
For dry hair: Boost hair's resistance to breakage and split ends by restoring moisture balance using a hair moisturizer. Massage Miss Sixx Shea it Isnt So! Moisturizer into hair and scalp for healthy-looking shine.
Bring out the heavier products! For example, Miss Sixx Alma Essence, Miss Sixx Carribean Glam Jam, Cholesterol Conditioners, Pomades, or Butters (Shea, Cocoa, Mango).
Increase and Intensify your Deep Conditioning Sessions: The dry heat inside the house and the cold air outside can pull moisture from the hair. Remember to deep condition with a heat source (steamer, hooded dryer, heat cap) for at least 30mins. Here is an example of a natural deep conditioner that I use to prevent dryness caused by the atmosphere:
To strengthen hair you can add 1 egg or 1/3 cup of mayonnaise
Directions: mix all ingredients together, apply to hair ( I separate my hair into 4 sections for easier application), cover hair with a heating cap for 30-90 minutes, rinse
Seal in your water-based moisturizer or conditioner with heavier oils: For example, Shea Butter, Castor Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Avocado Oil, Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Hollywood Beauty Castor Oil, or other emollients. This will provide extra protection from the brisk weather.
Try Hot Oil Treatments: You can do them as a pre-shampoo treatment (20mins with heat) or after you shampoo. For an extra kick, mix oils into your deep conditioners for a 2-in-1 treatment. Here is an easy peasy receipe for an all natural hot oil treatment
Directions: add oils and honey to a clean bottle, insert bottled oil into a cup of hot (not boiling water), allow oil to warm through, shake well, and apply oil to hair. Pour a small amount of oil into the palm of your hand. Rub palms together and gently apply to ends of hair. Once the mixture has been applied, wrap your hair in a warm towel ( or cover with a heating cap) and leave on for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, wash the mixture out of your hair and follow up with a mild shampoo.
Protect Your Hair: Wear scarves or hats to protect your hair from cold temperatures and wind. Add a satin/silk lining into your winter hats, stay away from rough wool hats, which can lead to breakage, and stick with soft, smooth fabrics like silk and soft cottons. Lubricate the ends of your hair with oils, such as: Sweet almond, jojoba, or castor oil will help to prevent the results of friction to your hair.
Don't Over Style: Keep your use of hot styling tools to a minimum. Blow drying and flat ironing can dry out and damage your hair. If you need to use heat, always use a thermal heat protector on your hair before blow-drying or flat ironing and never turn the dial past 400 degrees. Increase protective styling, this will help retain length and lock in moisture. You can try buns, French Twists, Braids, Wigs (Half or Full), Weaves etc.
Divas, get healthy and great looking hair with Au'Naturale By Mz. Sixx Hair Products. All products are enhanced with a lush combination of natural oils and shea butter. This unique combination helps to stimulate hair growth while simultaneously moisturizing and nourishing the hair. For more information, please visit http://www.etsy.com/AuNaturalebymzsixx
Cut down on Wash N Go's & Co-washes (walking outside with a wet head will probably get you sick). Co-washing 1-2x/week should be sufficient. Wash your hair in the evening so that your hair air dries overnight as opposed to when you're outside.
Wear your hair up! Winter calls for thicker clothing, so wearing your hair up will protect your ends from snagging on wool coats, turtle necks, or sweaters you may be wearing.
Add An Extra Dose of Moisture: Your hair will benefit from an extra surge of nourishment in the winter months. Keeping your hair and scalp well conditioned will ensure that your hair stays healthy strong and protected from the cold.
For dry scalp: If your scalp is dry or feels tight, use a lightweight scalp oil to moisturize and soothe, without weighing the hair down. Miss Sixx Peppermint Clove Scalp Oil which uses grape seed oil, extra virgin olive oil, castor oil, clove oil, lavender oil, and vitamin E masterfully blended with essential oils to improve scalp condition and promote micro circulation.
For dry hair: Boost hair's resistance to breakage and split ends by restoring moisture balance using a hair moisturizer. Massage Miss Sixx Shea it Isnt So! Moisturizer into hair and scalp for healthy-looking shine.
Bring out the heavier products! For example, Miss Sixx Alma Essence, Miss Sixx Carribean Glam Jam, Cholesterol Conditioners, Pomades, or Butters (Shea, Cocoa, Mango).
Increase and Intensify your Deep Conditioning Sessions: The dry heat inside the house and the cold air outside can pull moisture from the hair. Remember to deep condition with a heat source (steamer, hooded dryer, heat cap) for at least 30mins. Here is an example of a natural deep conditioner that I use to prevent dryness caused by the atmosphere:
Ingredients
2 jars of stage 3 banana baby food
1/4 cup of (raw) honey
2 jars of stage 3 banana baby food
1/4 cup of (raw) honey
1 tablespoon of evoo or oil of choice
To strengthen hair you can add 1 egg or 1/3 cup of mayonnaise
Directions: mix all ingredients together, apply to hair ( I separate my hair into 4 sections for easier application), cover hair with a heating cap for 30-90 minutes, rinse
Seal in your water-based moisturizer or conditioner with heavier oils: For example, Shea Butter, Castor Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Avocado Oil, Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Hollywood Beauty Castor Oil, or other emollients. This will provide extra protection from the brisk weather.
Try Hot Oil Treatments: You can do them as a pre-shampoo treatment (20mins with heat) or after you shampoo. For an extra kick, mix oils into your deep conditioners for a 2-in-1 treatment. Here is an easy peasy receipe for an all natural hot oil treatment
Ingredients
Olive Oil or Grape seed oil ( or 50/50 mix of each)
2 tablespoons of honey (optional)
Directions: add oils and honey to a clean bottle, insert bottled oil into a cup of hot (not boiling water), allow oil to warm through, shake well, and apply oil to hair. Pour a small amount of oil into the palm of your hand. Rub palms together and gently apply to ends of hair. Once the mixture has been applied, wrap your hair in a warm towel ( or cover with a heating cap) and leave on for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, wash the mixture out of your hair and follow up with a mild shampoo.
Protect Your Hair: Wear scarves or hats to protect your hair from cold temperatures and wind. Add a satin/silk lining into your winter hats, stay away from rough wool hats, which can lead to breakage, and stick with soft, smooth fabrics like silk and soft cottons. Lubricate the ends of your hair with oils, such as: Sweet almond, jojoba, or castor oil will help to prevent the results of friction to your hair.
Don't Over Style: Keep your use of hot styling tools to a minimum. Blow drying and flat ironing can dry out and damage your hair. If you need to use heat, always use a thermal heat protector on your hair before blow-drying or flat ironing and never turn the dial past 400 degrees. Increase protective styling, this will help retain length and lock in moisture. You can try buns, French Twists, Braids, Wigs (Half or Full), Weaves etc.
Divas, get healthy and great looking hair with Au'Naturale By Mz. Sixx Hair Products. All products are enhanced with a lush combination of natural oils and shea butter. This unique combination helps to stimulate hair growth while simultaneously moisturizing and nourishing the hair. For more information, please visit http://www.etsy.com/AuNaturalebymzsixx
Monday, November 8, 2010
A'Yianah-She So Fly!
Style: Protective Up Do
Complete: 1 Hour
Products Used: Shea it Aint So ( new to product line up) and Peppermint/Clove Scalp Oil (new to product line up)
Tools Used: Rat tail comb, my fingers
Reason for style: Protective Style for the week
How To Achieve style: On freshly washed and conditioned hair, section hair into two parts (1) for the corn rows in the back, (1) for the twist/braid out. Take the back section and corn row upward - make 6-8 cornrows- twirl the ends into bantu knots. The remaining section in the front- apply product and braid as if you were doing a braid out- BUT roll the hair on rollers to the scalp. Allow hair to "air dry" over night. Remove rollers, apply oil of choice or shea butter to your hands and undo each braid. Once all rollers and braids are removed, "finger"style- apply flower to the side or back. Wrap hair with a satin scarf or bonnet at night
Complete: 1 Hour
Products Used: Shea it Aint So ( new to product line up) and Peppermint/Clove Scalp Oil (new to product line up)
Tools Used: Rat tail comb, my fingers
Reason for style: Protective Style for the week
How To Achieve style: On freshly washed and conditioned hair, section hair into two parts (1) for the corn rows in the back, (1) for the twist/braid out. Take the back section and corn row upward - make 6-8 cornrows- twirl the ends into bantu knots. The remaining section in the front- apply product and braid as if you were doing a braid out- BUT roll the hair on rollers to the scalp. Allow hair to "air dry" over night. Remove rollers, apply oil of choice or shea butter to your hands and undo each braid. Once all rollers and braids are removed, "finger"style- apply flower to the side or back. Wrap hair with a satin scarf or bonnet at night
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
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