Many people have used blackstrap molasses as a topical hair treatment to smooth and improve the overall appearance and texture of the hair.I recommend massaging the molasses into your hair, covering with a shower cap or some plastic wrap and leaving in for about 1 hour. Then rinse out the molasses. This treatment should improve the condition of your hair.
Dried out hair? Try the Molasses Intensive Hair Conditioner. Here’s what you’ll need:
3 tablespoons cold-pressed sweet almond oil, 3 teaspoons blackstrap molasses aloe gel. Whip together oil, molasses. Add aloe, and stir to form a smooth paste. Dip hairbrush into mixture and apply to clean, dry hair. Cover your head with a plastic shower cap and warmed towel to trap moisture and body heat. Leave on for 30 minutes and rinse with warm water, finishing with a brief tepid rinse. Allow hair to air dry for deeply-conditioned hair. "
Because my hair is very thick I usually use 3 tablespoon of black strap molassess, , 3-4 tablespoons of jojoba oil (subsitute, will try sweet almond oil next), and 1 tablespoon of aloe vera juice (have the juice didn't want to spend any more money). Mix it up, apply to hair, cover with plastic cap/bag, sit under hood dryer for 15 minutes, remove heat from head cover hair and plastic cap with an old shirt (to help keep the heat in) and leave in for as long as I feel like. I usually rinse throughly and then do an ACV rinse. This works like a charm -- makes my hair feels simultaneously stronger and softer. Have no problem combing through my hair. There is no after smell. Shiny hair when dry.
1/4 cup pure cane sugar (pure sugar cane-from Health Store) do not substitute
1/4 cup black strap molasses
3 tbls. Lime juice
1/2 cup Hellman's or Organic Mayonnaise (health food store)
warm in micro wave (do not get hot, due to eggs in the mayonnaise)
Apply to damp hair, cover in plastic. 1 hour. For Extremely Damaged Hair.
Monday, May 9, 2011
African Black Soap
Traditionally, African Black Soap has been used to treat rashes, acne, eczema, dandruff, body odor and much more. The African black soap helps keep the skin clean and helps against premature facial lines. It is great for showering, bathing, washing of the hair, face and the feet. Black Soap is recommended for the young and the old. Black soap leaves the skin smooth and soft & as a facial soap it is excellent for clearing acne.
African black soap has been used in Africa for the treatment of rashes, ring worm, eczema and also as a natural hair shampoo to avoid itchy and dry scalps.
I make a shampoo with Afriican Black Soap,shea butter and coconut oil. It cleans my hair without stripping it and my conditioners work better after using it. I also use it to shower with, it's leaves my skin very clean and the shea butter and coconut oil leaves it moisturized. I use the plain soap for cleansing my face and getting rid of dirt, makeup and leaves it very smooth.
African black soap has been used in Africa for the treatment of rashes, ring worm, eczema and also as a natural hair shampoo to avoid itchy and dry scalps.
I make a shampoo with Afriican Black Soap,shea butter and coconut oil. It cleans my hair without stripping it and my conditioners work better after using it. I also use it to shower with, it's leaves my skin very clean and the shea butter and coconut oil leaves it moisturized. I use the plain soap for cleansing my face and getting rid of dirt, makeup and leaves it very smooth.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR (ACV)
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) has long been used as a natural hair care product to promote healthy hair in both men and woman. Its acidity is close to that of natural hair, it's a good conditioner and cleaning agent and it's also an effective germ killer.
Hair is on the mildly acidic side of the pH scale and has an ideal pH of 4.5 to 5.5, which is close to that of an apple cider vinegar rinse (pH 2.9).
On the other hand, many of the hair care products we use, such as soap-based shampoos, bleaches, hair colors, and permanents are strongly alkaline.
Rinsing with apple cider vinegar will help balance the pH of your hair and remove the buildup that can result from the use of these styling products and inexpensive shampoos.
Rinsing will also close the numerous cuticle scales which cover and protect the surface of each hair shaft. This imparts a smoother surface which reflects more light and as a result leaves your hair shinier, smoother and easier to manage.
Don't worry about the slight vinegar smell you will notice after rinsing. It will disappear completely as your hair dries.
Make your own healthy after-shampoo hair rinse by mixing 1/3 of a cup (75 ml) of ACV into a quart (1 liter) of water. You can then store this mixture in a plastic bottle and keep it in the shower for ready use.
If you would like to prepare a smaller batch of this vinegar hair rinse recipe to experiment with, try mixing 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of apple cider vinegar into 1 cup (250 ml) of warm filtered tap water.
Apply the vinegar rinse after shampooing and then rinse it all out, or for extra conditioning, you can leave the rinse on your hair. This natural hair care product can be used once or twice a week or more often as needed.
By infusing various herbs into the vinegar rinse, you can enhance different hair colors and condition hair at the same time.
Here are some recommended herbs to use with apple cider vinegar:
For dark hair:......Parsley, Rosemary, Sage
For light hair:.....Chamomile, Flannel Mullein, Marigold
For red hair:.......Henna
For oily hair:......Lavender, Thyme, Witch Hazel, Yarrow
For dry hair:.......Marigold
For brittle hair:...Horsetail
To make your own herbal hair rinse natural hair care product:
Place 2 tablespoons of the dried herb (or herb mixture) into a muslin bag or tea ball and put in a warmed tea pot.
Pour 1 pint (500 ml) of boiling water over the herbs and infuse for 2 hours.
Allow the liquid to cool then pour it into a quart (1 liter) jar.
Add 1 pint (500 ml) of apple cider vinegar and mix well.
To add extra fragrance to the herbal rinse, try adding a few drops of lavender or lemon or rose essential oils.
The acids and enzymes in ACV kill the "bottle bacillus", a bacteria that is one of the causes for many scalp and hair conditions such as dandruff, itchy scalp, hair loss and often baldness.The bacteria clogs hair follicles allowing dry crusts to form that itch and flake.
For a simple home treatment for dandruff and itchy scalp, apply full strength ACV to the scalp, rub in, and leave on for a half hour to an hour before washing your hair.
For an extra strength natural hair care product, apple cider vinegar can be infused with herbs such as stinging nettle, southernwood, goosegrass, plantain and burdock root all of which help prevent dandruff on their own. Tea tree oil is another excellent natural anti-dandruff ingredient, which can be added.
Hair is on the mildly acidic side of the pH scale and has an ideal pH of 4.5 to 5.5, which is close to that of an apple cider vinegar rinse (pH 2.9).
On the other hand, many of the hair care products we use, such as soap-based shampoos, bleaches, hair colors, and permanents are strongly alkaline.
Rinsing with apple cider vinegar will help balance the pH of your hair and remove the buildup that can result from the use of these styling products and inexpensive shampoos.
Rinsing will also close the numerous cuticle scales which cover and protect the surface of each hair shaft. This imparts a smoother surface which reflects more light and as a result leaves your hair shinier, smoother and easier to manage.
Don't worry about the slight vinegar smell you will notice after rinsing. It will disappear completely as your hair dries.
Make your own healthy after-shampoo hair rinse by mixing 1/3 of a cup (75 ml) of ACV into a quart (1 liter) of water. You can then store this mixture in a plastic bottle and keep it in the shower for ready use.
If you would like to prepare a smaller batch of this vinegar hair rinse recipe to experiment with, try mixing 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of apple cider vinegar into 1 cup (250 ml) of warm filtered tap water.
Apply the vinegar rinse after shampooing and then rinse it all out, or for extra conditioning, you can leave the rinse on your hair. This natural hair care product can be used once or twice a week or more often as needed.
By infusing various herbs into the vinegar rinse, you can enhance different hair colors and condition hair at the same time.
Here are some recommended herbs to use with apple cider vinegar:
For dark hair:......Parsley, Rosemary, Sage
For light hair:.....Chamomile, Flannel Mullein, Marigold
For red hair:.......Henna
For oily hair:......Lavender, Thyme, Witch Hazel, Yarrow
For dry hair:.......Marigold
For brittle hair:...Horsetail
To make your own herbal hair rinse natural hair care product:
Place 2 tablespoons of the dried herb (or herb mixture) into a muslin bag or tea ball and put in a warmed tea pot.
Pour 1 pint (500 ml) of boiling water over the herbs and infuse for 2 hours.
Allow the liquid to cool then pour it into a quart (1 liter) jar.
Add 1 pint (500 ml) of apple cider vinegar and mix well.
To add extra fragrance to the herbal rinse, try adding a few drops of lavender or lemon or rose essential oils.
The acids and enzymes in ACV kill the "bottle bacillus", a bacteria that is one of the causes for many scalp and hair conditions such as dandruff, itchy scalp, hair loss and often baldness.The bacteria clogs hair follicles allowing dry crusts to form that itch and flake.
For a simple home treatment for dandruff and itchy scalp, apply full strength ACV to the scalp, rub in, and leave on for a half hour to an hour before washing your hair.
For an extra strength natural hair care product, apple cider vinegar can be infused with herbs such as stinging nettle, southernwood, goosegrass, plantain and burdock root all of which help prevent dandruff on their own. Tea tree oil is another excellent natural anti-dandruff ingredient, which can be added.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
I make hair butters
That are very moisturizing for your hair. I use shea,cocoa,cupuacu,murumuru and mango butter in my mixes. Here's some info on all the butters I use.
Shea Butter-Shea butter has been used for centuries in Africa. It is used to moisturize and protect the skin from sun, wind, heat and salt water. It is known as the most effective skin moisturizer and conditioner because of its high content of non-saponifiable fats including vitamin F. It is an excellent skin moistener and is used for aging skin, eczema and all forms of massage. It is also used to relax the muscles and to treat sprains wounds and colds. The unique formula of Shea butter also helps prevent and protect dry skin providing temporal relief from irritation, dryness and wind burned skin.
Shea butter can be used as a hair dressing cream to moisturize a dry scalp and stimulate hair growth. As a hair cream, it helps to hold the hairstyle and lightly relax curls.
Cocoa Butter-Our organic & pure cocoa butter is natural, 100% with many skin benefits. Cocoa butter is an excellent moisturizer and has a wonderful texture. Cocoa butter is often found as an additive to cosmetics, shampoos and soaps, but it is also a natural emollient making it ideal for lotions and lip balms.
Cocoa butter also has antioxidant properties due to tocopherols as well as certain polyphenols that suppress free radicals and soothe skin irritation.
Our Cocoa butter contains no petroleum, preservatives or harsh chemicals. It is hand pressed in Ghana and is from the Theobroma cacao tree.
Cupuacu Butter-Creamy and emollient butter, which promotes a pleasant touch, smoothness and softness to the skin and hair, boosting the recovery of its natural moisture and elasticity. Highly beneficial for dry and damaged skin and hair, promoting deep, long lasting hydration. Its high water absorption capacity, due to its high phytosterol levels, makes Cupuaçu an effective alternative to lanolin.
Cold-pressed, refined, and filtered from the seeds of the Cupuaçu Tree in Brazil. Recommended addition to body butters, hand lotions, lipsticks, and masks.
MuruMuru Butter-The use of murumuru butter can benefit the skin and hair. Murumuru butter is a highly nourishing emollient and moisturizer for hair, and helps the skin recover to its natural moisture content and elasticity. Murumuru butter is used in small proportions in shampoos (0.5% to 1%) and formulas for conditioners, creams and lotions, soaps, lipsticks and deodorants (0.5% to 8%).
Mango Butter-Mango Butter has natural emollient properties, wound healing, and regenerative activity. Mango Butter has been traditionally used in the rainforests and tropics for its skin softening, soothing, moisturizing and protective properties and to restore flexibility and reduce degeneration of skin cells. It has a protective effect against UV radiation. Mango Butter will provide improvements and benefits in all the conditions listed below. As you experiment with this butter you are likely to discover additional uses. Dermatologists often recommend Mango Butter for the treatment of wrinkles, as most people who use it will notice decreased signs of aging and the disappearance of lines and wrinkles within 4 to 6 weeks of daily use.
Shea Butter-Shea butter has been used for centuries in Africa. It is used to moisturize and protect the skin from sun, wind, heat and salt water. It is known as the most effective skin moisturizer and conditioner because of its high content of non-saponifiable fats including vitamin F. It is an excellent skin moistener and is used for aging skin, eczema and all forms of massage. It is also used to relax the muscles and to treat sprains wounds and colds. The unique formula of Shea butter also helps prevent and protect dry skin providing temporal relief from irritation, dryness and wind burned skin.
Shea butter can be used as a hair dressing cream to moisturize a dry scalp and stimulate hair growth. As a hair cream, it helps to hold the hairstyle and lightly relax curls.
Cocoa Butter-Our organic & pure cocoa butter is natural, 100% with many skin benefits. Cocoa butter is an excellent moisturizer and has a wonderful texture. Cocoa butter is often found as an additive to cosmetics, shampoos and soaps, but it is also a natural emollient making it ideal for lotions and lip balms.
Cocoa butter also has antioxidant properties due to tocopherols as well as certain polyphenols that suppress free radicals and soothe skin irritation.
Our Cocoa butter contains no petroleum, preservatives or harsh chemicals. It is hand pressed in Ghana and is from the Theobroma cacao tree.
Cupuacu Butter-Creamy and emollient butter, which promotes a pleasant touch, smoothness and softness to the skin and hair, boosting the recovery of its natural moisture and elasticity. Highly beneficial for dry and damaged skin and hair, promoting deep, long lasting hydration. Its high water absorption capacity, due to its high phytosterol levels, makes Cupuaçu an effective alternative to lanolin.
Cold-pressed, refined, and filtered from the seeds of the Cupuaçu Tree in Brazil. Recommended addition to body butters, hand lotions, lipsticks, and masks.
MuruMuru Butter-The use of murumuru butter can benefit the skin and hair. Murumuru butter is a highly nourishing emollient and moisturizer for hair, and helps the skin recover to its natural moisture content and elasticity. Murumuru butter is used in small proportions in shampoos (0.5% to 1%) and formulas for conditioners, creams and lotions, soaps, lipsticks and deodorants (0.5% to 8%).
Mango Butter-Mango Butter has natural emollient properties, wound healing, and regenerative activity. Mango Butter has been traditionally used in the rainforests and tropics for its skin softening, soothing, moisturizing and protective properties and to restore flexibility and reduce degeneration of skin cells. It has a protective effect against UV radiation. Mango Butter will provide improvements and benefits in all the conditions listed below. As you experiment with this butter you are likely to discover additional uses. Dermatologists often recommend Mango Butter for the treatment of wrinkles, as most people who use it will notice decreased signs of aging and the disappearance of lines and wrinkles within 4 to 6 weeks of daily use.
Henna, Henna, Henna
I love henna for the color and the conditioning properties. I henna once a month and do a gloss one a week. Here's some some henna information from henna for hair...
Henna, lawsonia inermis, is a plant. It is a large bush, or small tree, that grows in hot, dry climates. There is evidence from Egypt that henna was regularly used to dye hair five thousand years ago, and may have been used in Jericho as early as eight thousand years ago. Henna was used to keep hair healthy and to color gray hair.
Figure 1: Henna, lawsonia inermis
Henna leaves are harvested, dried, and powdered. When mixed with a mildly acidic liquid, henna will stain skin, hair, and fingernails reddish-orange.
I use chamomile and lavender flowers to make a tea and mix it with my henna. I let it sit for 3 or 4 hours and then I add some honey and hibiscus petal powder to it. I apply to clean hair and let it sit overnight. I rinse my hair for about 10-15 minutes to get the henna out and i co wash with VO5 moisture milks conditioner and follow up with a deep conditioner. I love the way hair looks in the sunlight.... Here's a picture of my hennaed hair.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Meadowfoam Seed Oil
Meadowfoam Oil is pressed from the seeds of Meadowfoam (Limnanthes alba), a plant which received its name because of its resemblance while in bloom to the white foam blowing on the ocean. Meadowfoam is native to northern California, southern Oregon, Vancouver Island, and British Columbia. It has proven to be invaluable in the body care and cosmetic industries, and is also being studied for pharmaceutical and industrial use.
Meadowfoam oil contains over 98% long-chain fatty acids, and also has higher quality triglyceride levels when compared to other vegetable oils. In addition, it has three long chain fatty acids that were previously unknown before its discovery. It also has amazing moisturizing and rejuvenating capabilities, is very stable, and may be utilized for many different purposes.
I highly recommend incorporating Meadowfoam oil in your natural body care recipes because of its outstanding qualities. It is widely used in cosmetic and hair care products because it is moisturizing, extremely stable, and capable of adhering and staying on the skin. In addition, Meadowfoam oil is one of the most stable oils, and will actually extend the shelf life of less stable ingredients. When applied to the skin, it forms a moisture barrier and will assist the skin with preventing moisture loss. It is a key ingredient in many different products such as massage oils and lotions, facial creams, sunblock, hair and scalp products, cosmetics, body lotions, and shaving creams. In hair care products, it will add shine and moisture to the hair, and will remedy dry or damaged hair. When added to lotions and lip balms, it will remoisturize dry or cracked lips and skin, and will make balms last longer. In summary, Meadowfoam oil has these beneficial characteristics:
Moisturizes the skin
Rejuvenates and adds shine to hair
Ultra-violet protection (sunscreen applications)
Non-greasy feeling, soaks into the skin easily
Reduces wrinkles and signs of aging
Blends well with other carrier oils
Very stable, even under heat and air exposure
Adheres well to the skin
Binder, helps products retain their scent longer
Stability extends product shelf life when combined with less stable ingredients
Additional Benefits
Aside from these amazing cosmetic uses, Meadowfoam oil is also beneficial for our environment! It was first developed in the 1970’s, and was introduced as an alternative to sperm whale oil in order to protect the species. The pressed seeds are fed to cattle and other livestock, and are a source of nutrients for these animals. While grown in the field, birds, insects, mice, and other critters, also eat the nutritious seeds. The Meadowfoam plants themselves are a renewable crop, and are usually grown as a rotation crop for grass seed farmers. This eliminates the need to burn the fields in between grass seed plantings, and also provides farmers with additional income. Meadowfoam also requires less fertilizer and pesticides than most crops, assisting farmers and the environment. Scientists at Oregon State University and the US Department of Agriculture, as well as other scientists, are all currently studying Meadowfoam oil, in order to discover new applications for this versatile oil.
Meadowfoam oil contains over 98% long-chain fatty acids, and also has higher quality triglyceride levels when compared to other vegetable oils. In addition, it has three long chain fatty acids that were previously unknown before its discovery. It also has amazing moisturizing and rejuvenating capabilities, is very stable, and may be utilized for many different purposes.
I highly recommend incorporating Meadowfoam oil in your natural body care recipes because of its outstanding qualities. It is widely used in cosmetic and hair care products because it is moisturizing, extremely stable, and capable of adhering and staying on the skin. In addition, Meadowfoam oil is one of the most stable oils, and will actually extend the shelf life of less stable ingredients. When applied to the skin, it forms a moisture barrier and will assist the skin with preventing moisture loss. It is a key ingredient in many different products such as massage oils and lotions, facial creams, sunblock, hair and scalp products, cosmetics, body lotions, and shaving creams. In hair care products, it will add shine and moisture to the hair, and will remedy dry or damaged hair. When added to lotions and lip balms, it will remoisturize dry or cracked lips and skin, and will make balms last longer. In summary, Meadowfoam oil has these beneficial characteristics:
Moisturizes the skin
Rejuvenates and adds shine to hair
Ultra-violet protection (sunscreen applications)
Non-greasy feeling, soaks into the skin easily
Reduces wrinkles and signs of aging
Blends well with other carrier oils
Very stable, even under heat and air exposure
Adheres well to the skin
Binder, helps products retain their scent longer
Stability extends product shelf life when combined with less stable ingredients
Additional Benefits
Aside from these amazing cosmetic uses, Meadowfoam oil is also beneficial for our environment! It was first developed in the 1970’s, and was introduced as an alternative to sperm whale oil in order to protect the species. The pressed seeds are fed to cattle and other livestock, and are a source of nutrients for these animals. While grown in the field, birds, insects, mice, and other critters, also eat the nutritious seeds. The Meadowfoam plants themselves are a renewable crop, and are usually grown as a rotation crop for grass seed farmers. This eliminates the need to burn the fields in between grass seed plantings, and also provides farmers with additional income. Meadowfoam also requires less fertilizer and pesticides than most crops, assisting farmers and the environment. Scientists at Oregon State University and the US Department of Agriculture, as well as other scientists, are all currently studying Meadowfoam oil, in order to discover new applications for this versatile oil.
Virgin Unrefined Coconut Oil Profile (Organic)
There is no mistaking the wonderful benefits of coconut oil for the softening and healing dry and damaged skin and hair. Coconut oil works wonders for burns, cuts, bruises, and speeds the healing while it fights infection. Coconut oil is different from other saturated fats because it is composed of medium-chain fatty acids, MCFAs. Dietary oils are composed of triglycerides that break down into fatty acids in the digestive process. These fatty acids have antimicrobial properties, and the most active are the lauric acid and capric acids which form 50 percent of the fat content of coconut oil. Lauric acid is was first identified in the fruit and seeds of the bay laurel, which has been used in folk medicine since ancient times.
Coconut oil is used to treat dry and damaged hair and adds a tropical aroma to hair pomades and conditioning oil treatments, and as a lathering ingredient for natural shampoos and soaps. Apply warm coconut oil to damp hair and keep covered for 15 minutes. Shampoo and enjoy luxuriant shiny hair.
Coconut oil is used to treat dry and damaged hair and adds a tropical aroma to hair pomades and conditioning oil treatments, and as a lathering ingredient for natural shampoos and soaps. Apply warm coconut oil to damp hair and keep covered for 15 minutes. Shampoo and enjoy luxuriant shiny hair.
I've been natural for 6 yrs
And i wouldn't have it any other way. My natural hair is my godgiven hair and it's beautiful. Going natural is a journey in which you have to find your own way. People will talk crazy to you about your nappy hair and ask you the ago old question "When are you going to relax your hair" If you have a thick skin like mine you'll chose to ignore them or people will really hurt your feelings. Simply because natural hair is not main stream.However this is my hair on my head and as long as it's neat and clean I'll wear my hair as I chose.
I'm back to blogging again
I left for a while because I was so sick of talking hair, but I have friends and family that need my help. So I'm back!!!!!
Thinking of going natural, then go natural and learn your hair. Some of us start out as product junkies and we really don't have to. In trying every product that did wonders for someone else's it may not work for your hair. Find out what works for you and stick with for a while. I make some of my own products that really work well for me and they'll work for you because they are so simple. I use shea, cocoa, mango and brazillan butters along with oils that work for all hair.
Thinking of going natural, then go natural and learn your hair. Some of us start out as product junkies and we really don't have to. In trying every product that did wonders for someone else's it may not work for your hair. Find out what works for you and stick with for a while. I make some of my own products that really work well for me and they'll work for you because they are so simple. I use shea, cocoa, mango and brazillan butters along with oils that work for all hair.
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