Brown Sugar Hair Scrub

Reading through information about natural hair recipes, I stumbled upon Harmonyonline's Blog. She talks about how she used brown sugar/white sugar to cleanse her scalp by mixing it in her conditioning treatment. I chose to mix it with my shampoo, as I saw some people suggested this or as a pre-shampoo deep conditioner(Glamzini). I think doing the shampoo option is better for fear of the sugar not coming completely out of my hair. I followed my sugar poo with conditioner that I added honey, avocado and olive oil, and then followed this up with an ACV(apple cider vinegar) rinse with rosemary essential in it. I detangled with the conditioner in my hair, which I learned works better for me and then twisted my hair into sections. I have to say my hair felt so silky and soft, I didn't want put product in it to shingle it using my Kinky Curly Custard. I suggest that anyone looking for a good scalp cleanser, give sugar a try, you'll be surprised at the results.

Herbal Essence Hello Hydration

I started using Herbal Essence Hello Hydration shampoo and conditioner last week, and I have to say it did pretty well in my hair. So, far it has potential to be a go to shampoo when I'm unable to make my own. Only thing I did was add avocado oil to my hair when I conditioned it, which helped tremendously with detangling. I have never been able to detangle with such ease, well that I can recall, but this was amazing. I know some people mix the conditioner and oil in a container first before they put it in their hair, not me I just rubbed on top of my hair. Overall, I think it worked out well and my friend Nora, who two strand twisted my hair afterwards using some Shea butter stuff I made, said my hair looked great.

Curls Products

I have tried Curls Creamy Curl Cleanser, which was good it didn't strip my hair. However, it is not a lathering cleanser, so if you expect this you will be disappointed. Now,  I really LOVE the Curls Coconut Curlada Conditioner. It's just so creamy, and makes my hair feel soft. The smell is not bad either, I think that's my favorite part about this product. I bought my products from Target and I was also told by another Curly Diva that the product line was different from the Curls sold online. I am not certain how true that is, but they work fine for me. At some point in the future I would like to experiment with more products from the online collection.

Rosemary Oil

I had every intention of talking about Sweet Almond Oil but in my research Rosemary keep popping out at me. So, I figured I would start with this essential oil.In my research, I discovered that the rosemary herb is a producer, meaning that it can create its own energy to reproduce. How cool is that? So, this a great plant to stimulates growth by helping with scalp circulation, so what better oil to use when trying to promote the health of my hair. Rosemary oil is great for itchy scalp(I like this).I'm thinking of mixing it with my scalp treatment.This essential oil is not just beneficial for the hair but the skin, and body. I read that it can alleviate and/or help with bad breath as it is a disinfectant. It can assist with dry skin, relief of pain and breathing issues, which I have asthma so this is good to know.Rosemary oil is great for a brain boost, as it can aid with forgetfulness something I've found I tend to do a lot. Where was I? Oh, yes I'm really liking this oil, it seems to be a great multipurpose oil, and it will be added to my list of go to oils especially for the brain boosting, and hair growth. As with any essential oil take care to do a skin test to determine if you will have any adverse reactions and also remember to dilute them with your favorite carrier oil such as Sweet Almond Oil, Olive Oil, Jojoba Oil and such. 

Scientific Name: Rosmarinus officinalis

Extraction: From the leaves of the herb through steam distillation

Common Uses:Hair and skin care cosmetics, Aromatherapy, Cooking

Blendability: Lavender, Lemongrass, Basil, Clary Sage, Chamomile, Thyme, Peppermint, Cedarwood, Juniper, Tea Tree, and Geranium

Recipe: Haven't tried this yet, so let me know what you think

Energizing Rosemary Hair Oil

Ingredients

3 ounces virgin olive oil
5 drops rosemary essential oil
5 drops lavender essential oil
2 drops sandalwood essential oil

Directions: Gently massage a few drops of this mixture into the scalp and throughout the hair.

Note: If you intend to take this oil internally, I would suggest doing this with caution as it can cause some serious issues.So, do some research on this and also talk with your....you guessed it HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.

Definition?

Who am I? Where do I belong? What should I do with my life? These all questions among many that run in my mind. I just don't see where I fit in this world. Now, I'm not suicidal or anything. I just can't seem to figure what of the many things that interest me and that I am capable of is really what I should do. I went to school twice, the first time I got my degree in Journalism and the second time my degree as a Librarian. I like to bake, music(hearing people sing), dance and photography. I'm sitting here trying to think of a moment when I felt something, happy I guess. All that comes to mind is being on the football field in front of thousands of fans performing during the half-time show. Going natural has given me a new found freedom, it's just my uncertainty about what to do with it. Maybe the fact that I'm about to be thirty in a few weeks is getting to me.

Naturally Me

I have currently been natural for almost two years, and I find that with it I feel more free. Most people think that kinky hair gives me limitations in styling options but it doesn’t. I have a plethora of options whether I wear it curly or straight. I can braid, twist, coil, curl,rod and even straighten my hair just like someone that goes through the chemical process can do. Only thing is they have to worry about the rain, whereas I’m okay walking out in it with my curly fro…lol! I remember those days of the first couple of weeks after getting a perm, avoiding water at all costs. I have noticed that my hair hold styles a lot longer than when it was permed. I used to pay 75 dollars for a perm and a style, which would only last for about that day then the next day, curls gone. So, things I don’t miss about perms. 1. Not having to perm 2. The scalp burns 3. Sitting in the hair shop for the entire day, this should be number one 4. Having to worry about getting my hair wet 5. The cost to upkeep. Now I’m not saying natural hair can’t get expensive, especially if you’re a product junkie but not so much if I create my own products for my hair. Currently, I make my own shampoo, Shealoe(can be used on the entire body) and scalp treatment. Next, I will tackle conditioners and daily moisturizers until then I will embrace, cherish and enjoy the natural me.

Click here to view my Tumblr

Hair Routine Attempt

So, I need to get some sort of hair routine, a consistent one. Not really being a good hair girl. Yesterday I pre-cleaned my hair with the SheaMoisture black soap bar(this worked great!!), then followed it with my shampoo I made. My shampoo has olive oil and tea tree in it and whatever else was nearby that I don't remember at the moment. I like it best when it was just the olive oil, but I'm going to try it with coconut oil next time. Any who, after washing I conditioned with Pantene Pro-V curly dry to moisturized, using my tangle teaser to get the kinks out. Now I only used this because I didn't have any other conditioner on hand and I made a point of not looking at the ingredients until after I put it in my hair. Needless to say it did well in my hair, but I still like my Curls conditioner until I make something of my own. I rinsed the conditioner out and did a scalp treatment for my Seborrheic dermatitis, then followed this with coconut oil on my hair only. My hair soaks up water quickly, so by the time I got ready to shingle it wasn't wet enough anymore. Now, taking my spray bottle and my Kinky Curly Custard(love this, but can become gunky if you're heavy handed) and my Denman brush, I sectioned each part off and proceeded to wet, apply and brush through the product to get my desired style. I not really a product junkie, it's just that sometimes I'm cool with experimenting with other stuff, but as a way to save money I would prefer to make my own. Hopefully, I will get better at having a routine.

Bentonite Clay

I tried bentonite clay for the first time last night as a facial and a hair mask. I must say it was pretty good. I noticed a number of naturals use the sodium bentonite which looks gray in color, but I used the calcium bentonite which is good for internal and external use and is brown. I can't wait to try this out on my little cousin's hair, she is in much need of detoxification. My hair and scalp felt so soft and clean, much cleaner than just shampooing, which I didn't do before or after the clay mask. I did however, this morning put conditioner in it, which some people suggested to do.I will continue to use the clay in my hair for a while to see the differences in my hair from using it over a long period of time. My mama loves it! She can't stop herself from eating it, LOL! As usual I will continue to research and at some point when I can get myself settled, I will be a semi posting maniac.