Bald spot update – November 2012

Does anyone remember this?

(The date on the photo is incorrect this is from last year November 2011) I had bald patches in the crown of my head due to stress and scratching it. So I started using the Jamaican Black Castor oil on it.So in April, I had some good growth but it was still thin and not full.

And a year later, my bald area is full and thick. I have just kept massaging in JBCO when needed and leaving it alone!

So JBCO really worked for me and it is also what I seal my ends with because it is so heavy and my kinky Afro textured hair likes heavy.

Hope that you have had great results with is also.

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Raw Cocoa butter for hair

There are two types of cocoa butter, ordinary cocoa butter and black cocoa butter. Cocoa butter is often used in lieu of Shea butter and is added into many hair care products such as hair conditioners and creams to give your hair extra conditioning and shine.

Cocoa butter is a pure edible fat that has no solvents or additives. Pure Cocoa butter resembles margarine and has a sightly yellow pigment. Black Cocoa butte has a light coffee color but has the same texture as regular cocoa butter.

According to author Stephanie Bird in her book “A healing grove: African tree remedies and rituals for the body and spirit” 2009, she states “Cocoa butter makes a beneficiary hot oil treatment for most types of hair. Cocoa butter can also be used as a pomade for styling difficult or frizzy hair”.

Different uses for Cocoa butter on hair:

As a hot oil treatment -

Put some raw Cocoa butter in a the microwave until it melts and becomes a liquid and apply it to your hair for NO LONGER THAN 20 MINUTES. Then shampoo.

As a pomade -

Rub a small amount of the butter between your hands and smooth over hair.

As a protective barrier before swimming -

Cocoa butter can prevent damage from chlorine in pools, notes the website B4Tea.com

Chlorine damages the hair shaft, which makes it more vulnerable to pool chemicals resulting in dull, dry, weak and brittle hair. Apply a little cocoa butter to the scalp and smooth over hair before swimming to give a protective barrier against the pool chemicals.

Warning:

Cocoa butter solidifies when it reaches room temperature when used as a hot oil treatment, so DO NOT leave in for longer than 20 minutes.

 

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Neem oil & Neem leaf extract

Neem oil

 

What is Neem oil?

Neem oil is a multipurpose natural product that originates in India. All parts of the Neem plant have the same ingredients, but different amounts. Neem oil is also has the hightest concentration of Aadirachtin. Neem oil has anti-fungal, anti-viral, antiseptic and antibacterial properties.

Benefits of Neem oil for hair:

* Neem oil can relive dry and itchy scalp, dandruff and the symptoms of psoriasis. It should be mixed with a carrier oil such as Jamaican black Castor oil.

* Neem oil gives hair a silky shine, makes it stronger and encourages growth.

* Neem oil has Azadirachtin to combat hair lice.

I personally use Neem oil in some of the mixtures that I make, it really adds shine to the hair. I also use it in my pre-poo mixture.

What about you, have you ever used Neem oil on your hair? If so , how did you use it and what were your results?

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16oz African Shea butter winner is – Reggie Horton

Good morning everyone,

The winner of the Shea butter contest is Reggie Horton.

Congratulations Reggie, please e-mail me with your address so that I can mail you your prize. Yaaaay

I like to do giveaways of the basic items needes for caring for our kinky natural hair. We need oils and butters and conditioners to keep our kinky hair moisturized consistently. In order to retain length, we must keep our ends moisturized and then seal the moisture in.

Thank you to all that participated, and stay tuned for the next giveaway! Have a blessed day!

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Kinky hair tip of the day – How to get the grit out of your Shea butter mixture

Good morning,

This tip is to help you get the grit out of your African Shea butter when you want to make your own Shea butter mixture.

1. First you want to melt down your raw African Shea butter. You can soften it in a pot or in the microwave.

2. Once the butter has completely melted, than you want to sit it out on the counter and let it stand so that it can soften up, do not let it get hard you want the butter to be soft.

Here it is completely melted.

Here it is beginning to harden up.

Here it is softened, as you can see it is soft and not all the way hard. At this point you want to cover it with foil and close all sides to prevent evaporation and stick it in the refrigerator until you want to use it. You will see how smooth it is after it hardens again.

If you want to use it immediately, at the softening stage you can begin to mix it with your other oils.

When you are ready, take your Shea butter our of the fridge and melt it a little and them begin to mix it and you will notice no grit in the mixture.

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Giveaway – 16 oz raw African Shea Butter

Hi everyone, I am doing another giveaway because the seasons have changed. African Shea butter is great for all seasons because it is packed with vitamins that will block weather damage.

To enter to win you must follow all of these steps:

1. Like my Facebook page – If you have already liked my page then that is fine

2. Tell me how you would bless SOMEONE else with this if YOU were to win it.

3. Leave a kinky hair tip on the Facebook page for other naturals.

Very simple and easy, so you must do all three of the steps in order to qualify. If you have already liked my Facebook page, then just do the last two steps.

I will announce the winner on Resurrection Sunday!(Easter)

Have a blessed week!

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Are there any other natural butters out there other than African Shea butter?

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if there are any other butters out there other than the wonderful African Shea butter, so after doing a little research, I found some and I would like to share them with you and how they might be able to benefit your hair and/or skin.

  • Sweet Almond Butter – It properties are similar to Shea butter and it contains essential fatty acids. It is great for a dry scalp because it hydrates the skin and restores elasticity.
  • Cupuacu Butter – is similar to Cocoa butter, but has a softer, creamier consistency. It comes from the fruit tree of the chocolate family in the Amazon. It contains essential fatty acids and phytosterols, and is very moisturizing for skin and hair. It is also a natural protection from UV-A and UV-B rays. It can be used to treat skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis and adds shine and replenishes moisture in the hair.
  • Murumuru Butter – Grows in Moranhao of Northern Brazil along the Amazon basin. The natural butter is rich in oleic and linoleic oil content which promotes nutrition and moisture for the skin and hair. Murumuru is a powerful barrier agent and intense natural moisturizer. As an excellent emollient it helps the skin and hair retain water by creating a protective film. In addition, to emollient properties, it’s natural gloss brings a desirable shine to dry, damaged hair making it beneficial to kinky, highly textured hair.
  • Tucuma Butter – From the same family as Murumuru butter. Tucuma butter is softer and boasts a lovely caramel/ coffee scent.
  • Illipe butter – Comes from a tree that is native to Southeast Asia and Borneo. For years illipe has been know for its incredible moisturizing properties and it’s ability to restore elasticity to hair and skin. It is extremely helpful in the treatment of dry and over processed hair.
  • Mango Butter – Is obtained from the kernels of the mango tree. Mango butter can also provide softness to brittle hair promoting soft, manageable hair. Mango butter is also used for skin smoothing and moisturizing.
  • Avocado Butter – Is a great moisturizing treatment for kinky hair. It makes a good butter for belly balms and lip balms. It can be used as and eye makeup remover and in hair conditioning creams.
  • Coffee Bean Butter – is natural protection from UV light. It is an antioxidant and contains photosterols which have anti-irritation and anti-inflammatory properties, condition skin and hair and promote moisture retention.

So if anyone wants to try a different natural butter because the Shea butter is too heavy or oily for you then here are a few to try. If you do try one, e-mail me and let me know how you used it and what your results were. Have a blessed day!

References and where to buy: www.allthingsonatural.blogspot.com

www.gardenstatenaturals.com; www.texasnaturalsupply.com; www.fromnaturewithlove.com

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Kinky feature of the week – Sharon

  1. Name and where you live?

Sharon and I live in Los Angeles, Ca.

2. How long have you been natural?

About 12 years

3. Why did you decide to go natural?

My hair did not take to the relaxers very well so I would have to endure the burning and risk of going bald every time I had a touch up.  I was sick of the pain, burning, and the breaking dry unhealthy split ends.  Plus, I wanted to workout and not worry about my hair losing the style after spending $75 or more.

4.Did you do the big chop? If so, how long did you transition and how did you feel after doing it?

I did not have to do the big chop.  My hair would become kinky again after about 1 month without a touch up anyway, so I just did styles that hid the 2-type hair till it grew out enough to start doing all natural styles. I did keep it short though.  The change was complete in about 6 months!  It grew out so quickly.

5. What are 5 things that you have learned about your hair?

First thing – It is beautiful just as it is!  No chemicals are needed!
I also learned that – hair reflects overall health.  – eating right, exercise and keeping stress levels in check, will produce beautiful hair that doesn’t need any chemicals.  Hair shines naturally. I also learned that hair doesn’t naturally go thinner as you get older!  Thinning hair is a result of constant heat, relaxers, and coloring.  Another thing I have noticed is – Over the years my hair has changed in texture.  As I get older it is becoming softer and not as kinky or unruly.  Apparently, just as you would ‘train’ relaxed hair to ‘fall’ into place, you can train your natural hair to do the same.  It is so beautiful to have hair that keeps its style, looks strong and shiny even when you go jogging.    The best thing that I have learned is – Taking care of natural hair is just as easy as taking care of your skin.  For my hair I use a little Argon oil and Hair Mayonnaise on my hair everyday… just as I do Coco Butter and Vitamin E on my skin everyday, and it keeps my hair healthy and moist all day.   I don’t need to go to the Salon for a moisture treatment.  That alone has been a huge savings.

6. What is your wash regimen and  must have products? 

I wash my hair 2 times a week because I am very active and I compete in open ocean sporting events. Salt water is very drying to the hair.  Carol’s Daughter are good products but not cheap.  My low budget alternative is Frizz-Ease shampoo and conditioner for dry hair.  Once a month, I do a vinegar rinse ( 2 table spoons vinegar in 1 liter of water, rinse through after shampoo and conditioner.  Let the vinegar water sit in your hair for 10 minutes then rinse out with cold water ) I do this to control my dry scalp issues and give the hair a shine.  Then I work some Hair Mayonnaise with a little Argon oil into the wet hair, then comb and style (doing little twists) with a little Flax Seed Gel from Aveda to hold.  The twists are a way of controlling the kinkiness while drying.  When dry, I undo the twists without combing through.

7. Do you straighten your hair? If so how often and what products do you use as a heat protector?

I don’t straighten my hair very often.  Maybe once a year I will go to the salon for a hair cut and my hair is blown straight for a neater cut.  I really don’t know what she uses.

8. How do you keep your hair moisturized?

My main item is Hair Mayonnaise.  It can be found at CVS.  It’s a great bargain. It works on wet or dry hair.

9. What is your favorite natural oil to use for sealing your ends?

I like Argon Oil.  It has a unique smell but the odor goes away after awhile.  Just a little goes a long way.

 9. Do you protect your hair at night? If so with what?

I wrap it with a silk scarf.  I found an old silk scarf at Goodwill for $5.  It works well.

10. What natural hair styles do you like to rock most?

Just letting it go free!!

11. What natural hair tips would you like to share with other naturals?

Don’t be afraid of your natural beauty.

Thank you Sharon foreseeing your kinky hair as being healthy by taking care of it today!

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Which conditioners help your hair grow longer? By growitlong.info

Conditioners by themselves don’t actually make your hair grow.
What conditioners do is protect, strengthen, and increase
moisture to your hair so that you retain the hair which you have
grown.

The right conditioner is vital to your hair growth process.
It’s important that you know which conditioner to use and when
to use it.
For example when your hair suddenly starts to fall out you may
assume that it needs more moisture but what it may need is a
strengthening conditioner.  You must be able to test the
elasticity level in your hair to know what it needs.
There are conditioners which add moisture – Those conditioners
are designed to put back whatever moisture has left your hair.
Those conditioners should be used regularly as coily hair always
needs more moisture.  The more moisture your hair has the less
likely it is to get dry, brittle and break.
There are also strengthening conditioners – Your hair loses
much of it outer layer to excessive chemical processes, leaving
it thin and unable to lock in the necessary moisture it needs to
stay long and healthy.  A strengthen conditioner helps to build
back that outer layer, temporarily.  The stronger your strands
are the better it is able to withstand the daily manipulation of
styling as well as the numerous products many of you use on your
hair.  You will notice that after a good treatment your hair
feels tougher, breaks less and able to withstand daily
manipulation.
Strengthening conditioner should be used less frequently then
moisturizing conditioners.  Once a month is sufficient enough;
unless you are suffering from severe damage where you may want to
apply a treatment once a week in order to build up your hair.
Treatments which nourish the hair – Natural oils which
penetrate the strand and stimulate the blood flow to the scalp
are the best conditioners to use on a regular basis because they
keep the strands nourished from inside out.  They are able to
penetrate the strands where other store bought conditioners sit
on the outer layer of the hair.
These treatments help to prevent much of the hair disasters you
may have in time.  Wash, then steam your hair with the right oils
to maintain supple, strong hair.  Discover which oils I love for
longer, fuller hair growth.  http://www.growitlong.info

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Protective styles of the week – Tierra

Hi everyone,

With this cold winter weather beating at our kinky hair, it is very smart to put your hair up into a protective style to protect our ends from freezing off and drying up.

Two strand twists: The two strand twist is a great way to keep your hands out of your hair. The less we touch and manipulate, the less damage.

OOh they look so healthy, soft and shiny.

Two strand twists pinned up. This style is great for keeping your ends hidden from the weather and from rubbing against your clothing. You can leave some out to hang as a bang or pin them all up and add an accessory.

Twist out – We can rock this for a special occasion or just to let our kinky hair down in the winter, but not for too long. If you are going to wear this style, make sure to use some raw African Shea butter or Coconut oil when taking them down to give your kinky hair and added line of protection from the weather.

By protecting our kinky hair and the ends with protective styles, we will be able to retain length while protecting it.

Have an awesome day everyone! Happy Jesus’ birthday!

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