Thursday, March 31, 2011

Product Review..AVALON ORGANICS OLIVE & GRAPESEED CONDITIONER


Hola Chicas/Chicos..I pray all is well with everyone.

Ok, so I know many of you have asked about the products that I use, so I will begin doing product reviews along with everything else that I talk about.
Today, I really want to speak on the Avalon Organics Olive & Grapeseed Extra Moisturizing Conditioner. I decided to give it a try because I listed it as one of the products to buy for under $10.

So, here's what the product claims:

Product description: Rich plant emollients plus moisturizing Flax Seed, Sunflower, Olive and Grape Seed Oils provide an intensive moisturization treatment for stronger, shinier, healthier-looking hair.

Features and benefits: Organic Olive & Grape Seed Essential Oils, Borage, Organic Aloe] and Vitamins deeply hydrate, balance and restore dry, brittle, damaged hair for strong, healthy-looking shine.

Ingredients
Aqua (Water), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice(1), Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Polysorbate 60, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil(1), Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Oil(1), Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil(1), Orbignya Oleifera (Babassu) Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil(1), Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Sodium PCA, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Alcohol(1), Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate.


My View On This Product

I loved the fact that it is free of parabens, sulfates, silicones, fragrance and it uses 100% vegetarian ingredients, which means the ingredients are all plant based. The bottle is also made from 100% recycled material..yippee. And no animal testing. The price was amazing @ $5.09 for 11oz


Now I used this as a co-wash (conditioner wash) and as a leave in. I absolutely LOVE it!! I could feel the softness in my hair..IMMEDIATELY! It is an excellent detangler and provides a lot of slip. This was actually the product that I used when I did a natural hair demonstration for a cosmetology class. And the moisture was on point. I love the fact that 'water' is the first ingredient..a natural gal needs moisture. I don't know why I held out this long in trying this product. Well, I know why, I am not a product junky, so I try to stick to products that work for me. Since I've moved to Tennessee, none of the Targets carry my ever so faithful SheaMoisture products and I was tired of ordering online with the shipping costs..sistas on a budget, you know!! So, I cruising the product isle in GreenLife Grocery (or Whole Foods) and I saw it, read the ingredients, and I loved the price $$$. Not knowing what to expect, I was pleasantly surprised by how it made my hair feel and how much slip it provided in regards to detangling. I also used it on my 5 year and 2 year old..same results and one has coarse hair, the other fine hair.

So, bottom line, I would recommend, and yes, it lives up to exactly what it says it will do.

Happy Healthy Hair

where to buy: any health food grocery store

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Whew! I Made it to Month 7..Documenting the Journey




Hola, Chicas/Chicos...I pray all is well.
I truly hope you have been documenting your awesome O'Natural journey. It's so much fun to look back and see growth, mistakes, successes, etc. etc...Have you documented your journey?

Sooo, here is my 7 month growth so far..yipeee





August 6, the day of my BC (Big Chop)..I was super excited and it felt soooo freeing..












This was also in August..I was 7 months pregnant with our 3rd child..and it's a GIRL!











Still in August..aerial view, lol












September..Month1 , I was loving silk scarves and letting them hang..like Jimmi Hendrix, lol










Still September..Month 1, aerial view












October..Month 2, I could get my hair in two stand twists











November.. Month 3..I was rocking my fav..two strand twist out










December..Month 4.. I did a blow out to do a length check









January..month 5..Wash n go fro with a braided front











January..still month 5..I was rocking a twist out fro hawk (ignore that date...forgot to set the date :-(












February..Month 6..I was loving my band fro ponytails with a floral accessory











February..I am loving month 6..This style, I love love love..the Individual Triple Band Fro Ponytail











March..Month 7..this is my current look..the bushy two strand twist out fro..Love the growth, the thickness, the softness, the health!










March..Month 7..Exciting month, introduced my product O'Natural Natty Butter..a 100% all natural moisturizing butter to the world







Happy Kinky, Curly, Nappy Journey!

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Let's Talk Hair: Deep TREATS For Every Curl Type


Hola Chicas/Chicos..I pray all is well..here's a fantastic subject on deep treats for all curl types. And we could all use some DEEP TREATS!!

“Deep conditioners fill in the cracks in the surface of the hair, so there’s no friction between the strands, and the hair is smooth,” says Titi Branch, owner of Miss Jessie’s Salon & Products in Brooklyn, N.Y. “A deep treatment can make all the difference in how your hair handles.”

“It’s a moisture issue,” adds Brent Hardgrave, a curly stylist at Salon 124 in Roswell, Ga. “As soon as you step into the humidity, whatever moisture is not in your hair, your hair is going to find it. If you practice preventive medicine on your hair, you have more opportunity to battle the humidity.”

Curl-centric stylists say the key is knowing how to apply the treatment — and making sure it includes the right ingredients for your curl type. Here, expert advice and a deep-treatment guide for every curl type.




Wavy (Curl Type: 2)


Ingredients: Wavies want to look for amino acids for curl repair — since this curl type is most likely to go back and forth between curly and straight — as well as a lightweight, conditioning ingredient like coconut oil, according to Hardgrave, also a Redken artist.

“Coconut oil is extremely moisture-rich, but it won’t weigh your hair down,” Hardgrave says. “Oleo-amido, an amino acid, will also repair the hair from stretching and give it moisture. Every time you pull curly hair you’re breaking down the bonds in the hair, so you need to replenish where the bonds have been broken.

How often: Once a week for dry climates, and up to three times a week in humid environments, according to Hardgrave. “A daily curl refiner or leave-in, anti-frizz detangler, also with coconut oil in it, will really help,” he says.

Timing: Five minutes is usually long enough. If you’re multitasking, you can apply the treatment in the shower and just leave it in while shaving your legs. Or, you can spritz your waves with water, apply the treatment and leave it in while working out or cleaning the house. “The heat from your body that comes from being active will help,” Hardgrave says.

Amount: Less is more, especially for wavies with fine hair. Focus on the ends, not the scalp.

Application: For wavies, start at the mid-shaft of the hair and work your way down. Always use a wide-toothed comb in the shower or dampen the hair and then apply, to avoid breakage. “Don’t just glop it on the top of the head and comb it through,” says Hardgrave, noting that’s a common mistake.



Curly (Curl Type: 3s)

Ingredients: Curl experts agree that shea butter is your best bet, with just enough weight and slip to it so the detangling process works so much easier. Finding a treatment that includes natural oils will also help, according to Anna-Lee, a stylist with Chaz Dean Studio in Los Angeles, Calif. “Your ends are the most porous and need the most hydration,” Anna-Lee says.

How often: For shoulder-length curlies, twice a month; once a week for longer locks. Of course, every curly is unique, so apply the treatment more often if your curls are especially dry or brittle. “Longer hair requires a lot of care with deep treatments because it’s older, so you want to protect the hair and apply as much deep treatment as you possibly can,” Branch says.

Timing: At least 10 minutes.

Amount: Again, it depends on the length and density of your textured tress.


“You want to have enough coverage,” Branch says. For shoulder-length curlies, a golf-ball size amount of treatment should be enough, and simply add more for longer lengths.

Application: Start a quarter-inch from the scalp and work your way down. Always use wide-toothed comb only on wet hair or your fingers.

“If you can sleep with the treatment, and rinse it out in the morning, even better,” Anna-Lee says.


Tight Coils and Kinks (Curl Type: 4s)


Ingredients: “This curl type is very kinky so you definitely want shea butter, which is a very rich emollient,” Branch says. “It allows the hair to be slippery, easily detangled and helps the strands align with one another, so there’s an elimination of frizz.”

Cetyl alcohol, which is a natural fatty alcohol (not the drying kind that often comes to mind), is also recommended as an emollient and lubricant to the hair shaft. “Cetyl alcohol gives the hair a lot of slippage, which is going to create smoothness on the surface of the hair,” Branch adds.

How often: At least once or twice a week. “No deep conditioning is too much for Type 4,” Branch explains.

Timing: 20 minutes. For an even deeper treatment, use a heating cap or apply the product while in the shower; the steam will make it more effective.

Amount: For every four inches, add at least a quarter-size amount of treatment. “Type 4 tends to be the most dense curl type and you want to use enough product to get good coverage,” Branch says. “There’s more strands per square inch on a tighter, kinkier coil then there is on a Botticelli type of curl.”

Application: Again, avoid the scalp and start a quarter-inch from the roots, working your way down. Make sure the treatment is applied evenly throughout and remember to concentrate your effort on the ends — especially important for Type 4 curls, which are the kinkiest and driest of textures.

“With kinkier hair, don’t rinse the treatment completely out, either,” Branch adds. “Leave in about one-tenth of the treatment to protect and coat the hair.”

Finally, always finish with a cool rinse (with ACV..optional) to seal the hair shaft, lock the moisture in and show off a smooth, shinier — and healthier — curl.

Happy Healthy Hair


credits:source for this info found at www.naturallycurly.com
photo credits: www.heyfranhey.tumblr.com

Monday, March 28, 2011

KINKY...It's Just Something BEAUTIFUL About That Word!!


Hola Chicas/Chicos..I pray all is wonderful with everyone.
KINKY..It's just something AWESOME about that word. So strong. So Powerful. So Confident. With so many women and men, American and International embracing their natural selves, this word, which was once, and sometimes still is, used as a negative term, is flowing from the rhythmically flowing from the lips of people with a new found pride and absolute adoration for their God given natural mane.

Now, you have to really think about who referred to this term, in regards to the natural texture of hair, as something despised. The same society that tells you how to talk, walk, act, dress, wear your makeup, what to like, dislike, who to like, who to dislike, what to eat, not to eat..and so on and so fourth...So, of course when we have been made to believe that those of us who have natural 'KINKY' hair that we should do whatever it takes to alter, manipulate, cover or FIX it, in order to fit in with this society. Oh, but the days have drawn near to where we are re-learning to not only appreciate, but absolutely LOVE our natural KINKY hair.
Marcus Garvey had a wonderful phrase that he used 'Remove the kinks from your brain and not your hair'. So today, we are embracing our Kinkiness and singing an ode to our O'Natural selves. KINKY-Licious!

The Beauty of KINKY Hair..So Amazing
















Embrace Your Kinky-ness

Happy Kinky Healthy Hair

photo credits: www.heyfranhey.tumblr.com

Saturday, March 26, 2011

I Really Wanna Go O'Natural...But Do I Have To Do A BIG CHOP??


Hola Chicas/Chicos..I pray all is well with everyone.
Now, I am sure if you are natural you have been asked the question, 'Do I have to do a big chop in order for me to go natural?' Ahhhh, the apprehension of cutting off the glorious locks. Well, when I get a question such as this, I always let them know that they DO NOT have to do a big chop, especially if their hair is not damaged overall and need a complete restart. I explain that they can transition (allowing their natural virgin hair to grow in while having relaxed ends) and gradually clip their relaxed ends off, little by little, until they are completely gone.

Now, I was one who was a long term trasitioner..I transitioned for 8 months before I did a BC. I became tired of the long detangling sessions and trying to constantly blend the two textures..so I BC'd in August 2010. However, everyone is different, and one method is no better than the other.

If you choose to transition, instead of doing a BC (Big Chop), then here are some techniques to consider to decrease breakage.

TRANSITIONING 101: 
  • Detangle hair, starting from ends working up to your roots, in the shower while hair is slippery with conditioner,with a WIDE tooth comb. Sectioning hair into four parts and use clips to keep those parts separated, will make your detangling session easier.
  • Be sure to take extra precaution, while detangling, at the line of demarcation. The line of demarcation is where your natural virgin hair meets the relaxed hair (or ends that have had excessive heat use).
  • Detangle one section at a time, and when one section has been detangled, re-twist or re-braid so it will not become tangled again.
  • Once you have detangled each section, rinse just by letting the water run through the detangled hair. Be sure not to tussle hair while rinsing, so that you will not re-tangle. Let your final rinse be using cool water and a 2 TSP of Apple Cider Vinegar (cool water closes the cuticle and ACV protects the scalp and hair from mineral buildup, fungus and bacteria..It also imparts shine and softness) If a section becomes loosed by rinsing, just re-twist or re-braid.
  • Either leave a little of the conditioner in your hair, while rinsing, or add a little once you have completed your rinse.
  • Seal the moisture (conditioner) in with a carrier oil (Jojoba, Coconut, Grapeseed, Olive Oil) or with a natural butter (Shea, Mango, Capuacu)
  • Style..Styles that work great for transitioners are twist outs, braid outs, twist n curls, cornrows, braids, etc. These styles allow the two textures (virgin hair/relaxed ends) to blend.
  • Be sure to protect your hair at night either with a satin bonnet, satin or silk scarf, satin or silk pillowcase.
  • Be sure to deep condition. You can opt to use heat (using a heat cap), a steamer or just allow your hair to condition under a plastic cap,  weekly, using an all natural deep conditioner. For an added boost of moisture, you can add a carrier oil (olive oil, coconut oil, etc) and essential oil (tea tree, peppermint, lavender, ylang ylang, etc) of your choice.
  • And don't forget to trim those ends gradually, using shears that have been used only for hair.
  • Recap...Shampoo or Co-Wash (conditioner wash), Section Hair into 4 parts, Detangle (while wet and slippery with conditioner), Rinse with lukewarm water. Final rinse with cool water and ACV. Moisturize. Seal in moisture. Style. Deep Condition (weekly). Protect Hair at night. TRIM ends.
I hope this helps...

Happy Healthy Hair


Photo credits: www.heyfraney.tumblr.com

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Essential Oils..True Nature Can't Be Duplicated


Hola Chicas/Chicos..I pray all is blessed. Essential Oils..we've have heard of them, know them or use them in some fashion. Whether for therapeutic properties or for aromatherapy, we can all agree that there is spiritual goodness in these marvelous oils.

Essential Oils were mankind's first medicine. From African hieroglyphics and Chinese writings, we know that priests and physicians have been using Essential Oils for thousands of years. There are essentially 188 references to Essential Oils in the Bible. Oils such as, frankincense, myrrh, rosemary, hyssop, spikenard were used for anointing and healing the sick. In the book of Exodus, The Most High gave Moses a recipe of Myrrh, Sweet Cinnamon, Cassia, Sweet Calamus, Olive Oil as a holy anointing oil. How amazing would that have been to grace your presence with that oil??

It is interesting to know the chemical components that nature combines to make up the oils, but it is also humbling to take note of the fact that even with the best human efforts, should you in a laboratory combine all the chemicals in the correct proportions, you would still not have an identical oil...sorry scientists. Such a copy of an oil will not have the same therapeutic effect as the natural and pure essential oil. And though we pride ourselves on being a technology advanced society, modern science still can not unlock the secrets of essential oils and why they can do what they do.

If you for instance took all the correct chemical components, which will include lavandulol, borneol, terpineol, geraniol and linalol, and try to make up lavender essential oil in a laboratory, you will not have an oil that can successfully treat burns the way that true lavender oil can.

Producing the purest of oils can be very costly because it may require several hundred pounds, or even several thousand pounds of plant material to extract one pound of pure essential oil. For example, one pound of pure melissa oil sells for $9,000-$15,000. Although this sounds quite expensive, one must realize that three tons of plant material are required to produce that single pound of oil. Because the vast majority of all oils produced in the world today are used by the perfume industry, the oils are being purchased for their aromatic qualities only. High pressure, high temperatures, rapid processing and the use of chemical solvents are often employed during the distillation process so that a greater quantity of oil can be produced at a faster rate. These oils may smell just as good and cost much less, but will lack most, if not all, of the chemical constituents necessary to produce the expected therapeutic results.

Benefits of Nature..Essential Oils:
  • Essential Oils are powerful antioxidants. Antioxidants create an unfriendly environment for free radicals. They prevent all mutations, work as free radical scavengers, prevent fungus and prevent oxidation in cells.
  • Essential oils are anti-bacterial, anti cancerous, anti-fungal, anti infectious, anti microbial, anti tumorous, anti parasitic, anti viral, and antiseptic. They have been known to destroy all tested bacteria and viruses while simultaneously restoring balance to the body.
  • Essential oils may detoxify the cells and blood in the body.
  • Essential oils are aromatic. When diffused they provide air purification.
  • Essential oils help promote emotional, physical and spiritual healing.
Excellent Essential Oils:
Peppermint Oil
Tea Tree Oil
Lavender Oil
Ylang Ylang
Rosemary
Eucalyptus
Vanilla
Cinnamon
Ginger
Dandelion
Lemon
Lemongrass
Sweet Orange
Cardamom
Caraway
Clove
Basil
Thyme
Grapefruit Seed
Bergamot


So, bottom line, as advanced as we are in regards to technology, there are just some things in nature that cannot be duplicated...Now, that's the BEAUTY of O'Natural.

Happy Health Day!!

credits: info found at www.essentialoils.co.za

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Excellent Butters For Your Hair and Skin



Hola Chicas/Chicos..I pray everyone is A-OK!! Let's Talk BUTTERS that are beneficial for our hair and skin. Now, most of us have heard of the popular butters, Cocoa, Shea or Mango butter, but there are a whole universe of exotic butters that are super beneficial for our outer beauty, hair and skin. Well, below, here is a list of butters that some of you may or may not have heard of, but are O'So Good... Enjoy!
Excellent Butters For Hair and Skin:
  • Sweet Almond Butter: its properties are similar to Shea Butter and it contains essential fatty acids. It is great for dry skin/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 hair.
  • Tucuma Butter: From the family as Murumuru butter, Tucuma is softer and boasts a lovely caramel/coffee scent. Another excellent emollient from the lush Brazilian rainforest.
  • Murumuru Butter: Grows in the Maranhao area of Northern Brazil along the Amazon Basin. The butter is rich in oleic and linoleic oil content which promotes nutrition and moisture to 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.
  • Illipe Butter: Comes from a tree that is native to Southeast Asia and Borneo. For years illipe has been known for its incredible moisturizing properties for and it’s ability to restore elasticity to hair and skin. It’s extremely helpful in the treatment of dry or over processed hair.
  • Kokum Butter: This butter has the ability to soften skin and heal ulcerations of lips, hands and soles of feet. Kokum Butter helps reduce degeneration of the skin cells and restores elasticity.
  • Hemp Seed Butter: is rich in essential fatty acids that nourish the skin and helps reduce moisture loss from the skin.
  • Mango Butter: Is obtained from the kernels of the mango tree. Has been used in the tropics and rainforest for its skin soothing, moisturizing, and protective skin properties. Mango butter can also provide softness to brittle hair promoting a soft, manageable mane.
  • Kokum Butter: Kokum Butter has the ability to soften skin and heal ulcerations of lips, hands and soles of feet. Kokum Butter helps reduce degeneration of the skin cells and restores elasticity.
  • Avocado Butter: is a great moisturizing treatment for hair. It makes a good butter for belly balms and lip balms. It can be used as an eye makeup remover and in hair conditioning creams.
  • Coffee Bean Butter: is natural protection from ultraviolet light and is becoming a popular ingredient in sunscreen products. It is an antioxidant and contains phytosterols which have anti-irritation and anti-inflammatory properties, condition skin and hair and promote moisture retention. It is good for dry skin.
  • Pistachio Butter: rich in fatty acids that moisturizes and softens skin. It has excellent penetrating qualities – good massage butter. It also has a low comedogenicity (doesn’t clog pores).
  • Macadamia Butter: has a high concentration of palmitoleic acid, a naturally occurring fatty acid. Our production of palmitoleic acid decreases as we get older so this butter is great for mature skin, as well as and dry skin.
So, if you are a homemade mixtress like me, then this lists offers some interesting ways to be creative when making your homemade natural products. Remember, if you have pre existing scalp or skin conditions, please consult your doctor before use, as these are not intended to be medical substitutes.

Where to buy: www.gardenstatenaturals.com.. www.texasnaturalsupply.com.. www.fromnaturewithlove.com


Have A Happy Butter Day!

Monday, March 21, 2011

Let's Talk Mental Health: What Do You Do To Relax YOU??


Greetings Ladies/Gents..I pray all is well with you. Now, let's talk mental health. Things that make you just feel so good. Things that while you're doing them, you get a tingly feeling in your stomach, or things that just give you a burst of positive energy..that's what I'm talking about today. Not only is it important to look good on our outsides, but it is even more important for our mind and spirit to be at peace..for our qi (pronounced chee) to be aligned and balanced so that our internal insides can flourish. I know, I know, sometimes with all of the things that we have going on in our daily lives, it's hard to take a break and just sit back and enjoy what positive things we enjoy. But like it's important to feed our bodies with healthy nutrients, it's equally important to feed treat our minds to something O'So Good. For some, it may be photography, for some it's yoga, for others it may be complete stillness and the list goes on. Because life offers so many ways to unwind that are FREE..why not take advantage of some quality enjoyment and relaxation. With that being said, what do you love to do that causes your qi to be aligned? What relaxes you? How much time have you taken to do what relaxes you?

Well, here is my list of things that I absolutely love to do and gives me relaxing pleasure:




Spending time with my 3 children: 5 yr old, 2 yr old and 4 month old





Spending time with my husband..he can be quite silly











Lounging on my chocolate sofa by the fireplace













Studying and collecting natural herbs















Reading to my kids..This is my 5 yr old's favorite












Receiving flowers from my husband. He's great about bringing flowers home about every two weeks..I love flowers, they add so much life to a room.














Listening to good music on my Detrola...I love Asa, Fela Kuti, Esperanza Spalding, Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, Curtis Mayfield, Sam Cooke, Corin Bailey Rae, my husband's music, India Arie, Astud Gilberto, Nina Simone...and the list goes on and on and on and on












Candles, A glass of Cabernet Sauvignon and my two favorite magazines









Curling up in our sitting area, feet up with a good book, or my laptop













Absolute silence with only a silhouette light













Sleeping..Pure undisturbed sound SLEEP..Adios








Happy Mental Health