DRYNESS...THE NATTY TIPS ON DRY HAIR

Greetings Chicas/Chicos..I pray all is well with everyone!!
Ok, so let's talk about a subject that is a 'much talked about subject' when discussing natural hair. And that is DRYNESS. Now, keep in mind, natural hair is naturally drier that straight hair due to the fact that the oils that are produced by the scalp do not easily 'slide' down the follicle of the hair due to the curls and bends in natural hair. We should also understand that just because hair shines does not necessarily mean that it is healthy. Shine and health do not go hand in hand and sheen/shine is due to how light reflects off of a surface. This is why straighter darker hair appears more shiny than other hues of hair, and when it comes to natural hair, again, the shine is not as prevalent due to how light reflects..or rather, does not reflect due to the curls and bends in the natural pattern of curly, coily and kinky hair. So, when we want our natural healthy hair to have a sheen, we help it along by adding moisturizers and butters and oils to give it the desired look we want.  Ok, but now you ask, 'how do I achieve healthy hair that does not feel brittle?' Well, let's discuss that now!!

TIP 1

• EXCESSIVE USE OF HEAT: Excessive heat is when we use items such as blow dryers, flat irons and other straightening tools on our hair. Using excessive heat can cause dryness due to the heat pulling the natural moisture from our hair. In addition, you could expose your hair to possible heat damage. When this happens, you melt the protein bond of the hair changing the molecular structure and the once be
  autiful coil is now damaged and straight, known as 'heat damage'. Unfortunately, there is no way to correct, but treat the ends as you would relaxed ends and either clip them away at once or gradually clip them away. 

TIP 2

• CHECK YOUR INGREDIENTS:  Products that are in many commercial, non natural products as well as some natural products are main culprits of aiding in dryness. Products that contain silicones can block moisture from penetrating the hair and many regular shampoos are not formulated to remove many silicones, which is why a hair detox may be needed to thoroughly remove buildup from the hair and scalp. Silicones give the illusion of a faux sheen that acts as wax buildup that can be difficult to remove, aiding in dryness.  This layer of buildup blocks the hair from receiving proper moisture, leaving hair feeling dry and you feeling frustrated. Detoxing the hair requires the use of a strong cleanser, such as Terressentials Pure Earth Wash , various black soap shampoos, such as SheaMoisture Black Soap Shampoo and Dudu Osum Black Soap Shampoo and a thorough cleansing of nothing but the shampoo for up to 7 days (Terressentials website mentioned details the process of hair detoxing). Though I do use natural and organic products, I do a hair detox of 3 days once per year to ensure buildup is thoroughly removed, as natural ingredients can buildup over time as well. Be sure to check your ingredients to ensure that your tresses receive nourishment as some of these ingredients are known to be very drying in the long term use of them. If you are ensure of an ingredients, visit the manufacturers website or google the ingredient to stay 'in the know' of what you are putting on your hair and scalp.

TIP 3

• IMPROPERLY MOISTURIZING:  Dampening hair with water or a water based product are EXCELLENT!! However, water evaporates quickly, so once the hair dries, it is DRY. So, to combat this and ensure the moisture is locked in, first, apply water or a water based product..THEN lock the moisture in with a butter or oil based product. And since our ends are the oldest part of the hair, be sure to pay special attention to them. A helpful tip that I learned from Ciprana of Urban Bush Babes was dip end into water, or mist them thoroughly with water, soak up the excess water with a paper towel or old t-shirt, then apply a heavy butter (shea butter, mango butter, cocoa butter, or your Natty Butter) or a heavy oil, such as castor oil to your ends and protect at night. Protecting the hair at night with a satin/silk bonnet, scarf or pillow case is key to helping the hair to retain moisture as cotton absorbs moisture from the hair. 
  

TIP 4

• PRODUCT BUILDUP: it's great to nourish the hair with natural butter based and oil based products, however, not properly cleansing at least monthly will aid in product buildup. At least once per month, try clarifying the hair using a natural clarifying shampoo (SheaMoisture African Black Soap Shampoo, Dudu Osum Shampoo, Terressentials Pure Earth Wash , Dudu Osum Shampoo or Bentonite and Rhassoul Clay Treatments have been known to work amazingly for removing product buildup). When product is constantly built up on the hair, moisture is not allowed to properly penetrate the hair, therby aiding in dryness and lack luster hair.

TIP 5

• HARD WATER: Because normal tap water contains chlorine and other minerals that aid in dryness, it's great to use distilled water to cleanse the hair..OR.. Apple Cider Vinegar rinses are great for aiding in ridding the hair of mineral buildup. The use of Apple Cider Vinegar as a final rinse is great for helping to close the hair's cuticle, which helps the hair hold on to more moisture and gives hair a shinier appearance. It also aids in protecting the scalp from water and environmental contaminants that aid in scalp issues. Water filter systems are excellent as well, just be sure that your system removes chlorine as well. 

TIP 6

• LACK OF WATER, IMPROPER DIET AND CERTAIN MEDICATION: 'Let Food Be Thy Medicine' a popular quote by Hipoccrates meaning, what we put into our bodies affect what comes out of it. Food is meant to nourish, but as we all know, all foods are not nourishing. So be sure to treat your temple to foods that are healthy and nourishing, especially fruits and veggies. Be sure to get plenty of water. Our bodies are made up of mostly water and we need to ensure to we keep it stocked with water, so bottoms up!! And lastly, certain prescription medication can aid in causing dryness in the hair. Check with your medical professional to find out if hair and skin dryness are side effects of any medication you may be prescribed. 

Happy Natty Day!

Healthy Natural hair with moisturizing aids and butters and oils to seal. Hair that is dry makes a crunchy sound and feels rough to the touch. Properly moisturized hair when pulled, will immediately spiral back into a coil. Hair that is dry and damaged tends to snap and break easily when pulled.

Healthy Natural hair with moisturizing aids and butters and oils to seal. Listen to your hair, feel your hair..get to know your hair and recognize when it's time to step up the moisture game. 

NATURAL HAIR AND HEAT..THE DO'S AND DON'Ts (updated)

Hola Chica/Chicos..I pray all is well with everyone!!
Ok, so I get this question a looooottttttt..so I wanted to update the 'Do's and Don'ts of Using Heat on Natural Hair'. Now, let me first clarify that I do not advise the use of heat as no matter how much precaution you take, you are run the risk of experiencing 'heat damage'. Heat damage is when the protein bond in the hair has been permanently damaged and the hair does not revert back to it's natural curl pattern. It can occur on the first use of heat or after many uses of heat. So these are just some precautions to take when thinking of using heat on your natural hair. And these are precautions that I wanted to put to the test myself to ensure that the method works..Trial and Error, you know how it goes...Hope this helps, everyone!

THE DON'Ts

• DO NOT...Use heat on unclean hair. Using heat on hair that is dirty hair creates a greater likely hood of experiencing heat damage due to the buildup, oils and..well, dirt.
• DO NOT...Use a harsh shampoo that contain 'sulfates'. Sulfates is a harsh foaming agent that causes the hair to dry out..exactly, heat is harsh enough so don't add fuel to the fire.
• DO NOT..Use a conditioner or moisturizer with silicones that are non water soluble (for that list, please see the post on silicones). Heat is harsh enough and silicones are dryings, so we don't want to add fuel to the fire.
• DO NOT...Blow dry on sopping wet hair. Carefully dry hair in sections using either an old T-shirt or a microfiber towel prior to blow drying. Using a towel to dry aids in dryness, friction and frizz. Blow drying hair that is dripping wet leads to dry, damaged hair. 
• DO NOT...Use heat that is too high on the temperature setting. When blow drying the hair, be sure to set the blow dryer on the lowest setting. Kinky, coily and curly  hair have a tendency to be on the drier side, naturally,  so blow drying on a high setting is a no no that aid in drying. 
• DO NOT..hold the blow dryer too close to your hair. Hold the blow dryer 5-6 inches away from your hair. Holding the blow dryer too close to your hair, can also affect your scalp, which can lead to dry scalp and flaking.
• DO NOT...Try to achieve bone straight hair. This too can lead to the possibility of heat damage, and the temperature must be at a higher setting when trying to achieve bone straight hair. Hair will burn and experience heat damage at 450 degrees of heat, so be sure to use a temperature setting much lower than that and even lower for finer textured hair.
• DO NOT..Ever attempt to use heat without first using a heat protectant. Many naturals use pure grapeseed oil, a butter or for me and many of my clients, they use their Natty Butter.
• DO NOT...Straighten the hair on a high temperature setting. Be sure to use a flat iron or straightening tool that has a temperature setting gage. You will know when the temperature is too high due to the smell (you know that burnt hair smell) and the feel of your hair and if you see steam coming from the straightening tool..it's too hot!! Warning, it's tooooo hot!!

THE DO'S

• YES..Blow dry and straighten on clean, conditioned hair that a heat protectant has been applied to.
• YES..Allow your hair to dry 75% before blow drying. This method helps to lessen how much heat is needed from your blow dryer.
• YES..Properly detangle hair before blow drying and straightening the hair. Your hair should be smooth and tangle free.
• YES..before blow drying and straightening the hair, condition with a nice moisturizing conditioner. This improves the moisture and elasticity in the hair. Deep conditioning before a straighening session is key to moisture and shine. Be sure to thoroughly rinse your conditioner as a heavy conditioner aids in buildup which also creates a smoky atmostphere when straightening the hair.
• YES..Apply a heat protectant prior to blow drying and right before you straighten with your flat iron or pressing comb, especially paying attention to your ends.

MY STEP BY STEP PROCESS OF USING HEAT

• I cleaned my hair thoroughly using Terressentials pure earth wash, then deep conditioned with my new Natty Cupuacu and Rhassoul Deep Conditioner, rinsed then used my Natty ACV Ayurvedic Hair and Scalp Mist, applied my Natty Moist as my leave in (not too heavy and no silicones or other synthetic ingredients), then applied my Natty Butter and twisted my hair to air dry a day before attempting to use heat.
• Since my hair was 90% dry, it was perfect for blow drying as I didn't need nearly as much heat to dry my hair. I actually spritzed my hair with my Natty ACV Ayurvedic Hair and Scalp Mist only to moisten right before blow drying and to be sure there were no tangles.
• I divided my two strand twists into halves and applied a little Natty Butter as my heat protectant and proceeded to blow dry. This was perfect as I could easily manage my hair due to my hair being previously sectioned and twisted.
• With each divided section of twists, I applied blow dried heat on the lowest setting. It almost felt slightly cool, but it was enought to get the job done.
• After blow drying a divided section, I applied a little more Natty Butter before using my flat iron. 
• I proceeded to flat iron my hair until straightened to my liking, on the lowest temperature setting (300 was my setting).
• After one divided section was done, I repeated on the next section until finished..Now, since this was a demonstration, I only straightened my bang area as I stated before, I have no desire to press my hair out.
• What I found was that I had NO split ends and did not need to trim at all, and this to say, I always trim my natural hair while curly..Here's a great video that I refer to when trimming my ends while curly: CLICK HERE
• After wearing a straightened style, I cleanse my hair using either Terressentials pure earth wash or Dudu Osun Black Shampoo..Deep conditioned, applied a leave in, then sealed with my Natty Butter and twisted my hair...NO HEAT DAMAGE!!! I was oober excited!! As I stated, this is a style for those who wish to press their natural hair only and I always advise that the use of no heat is the best for achieving optimum healthy hair..but, should you choose to use heat, I hope these tips are helpful in maintaining your beautiful natural curls, coils and kinks. Here are some pics of my results..Hope this helped guys!!

THE RESULTS

MY HAIR WITH DEEP CONDISH...NO HEAT DAMAGE

AFTER WASHING OUT DEEP CONDITIONER..NO HEAT DAMAGE!

BACK TO MY CURLY GIRLY SELF AND ALL TWISTED UP

Have a Happy Healthy Hair Day!!

My Natural Hair Regimen (updated)

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

Well, guys you asked for it..so here it is..(drumroll please)..My Current Hair Care Regimen

I am going to bullet this rascal so that it will be easy to follow, as I can get wordy sometimes...so here goes, I hope you guys enjoy!

Dominique's Weekly Regimen:

• Co Wash: Once per week or every 8-10 days..It just depends on how often I have worked out that week..gotta keep the scalp clean. I use my Natty Moist Conditioner Creme to co-wash ( click here ).. I co-wash my hair in sections so I can really focus on my scalp...check out my co-washing video here: (Co-Washing ). I use the balls of my fingers to really massage around and cleanse my scalp. My hair is usually loaded with conditioner so that I can finger detangle easily.
• After Workout Cleanse: Because I do incorporate an exercise regimen into my lifestyle, it's important to keep the scalp clean. For a quick rinse, I will place my hair in a tuant bun and allow the water from the shower to rinse my scalp..Or, I will do a simple astringent cleanse, which is where I apply pure lemon juice to a cotton ball and apply in sections to my scalp. (You can also use witch hazel and add tea tree oil).
• Rinse: I rinse, at first with warm water to open my pores. I do a final rinse using cool water and ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar). My ratio is 1 TSP of ACV to 1 cup of water. (I'm going to try the rainwater the next time..will let you guys know how it goes...soo excited)
• Air dry: I only use an old t-shirt or a microfiber towel to dry my hair since regular towels create friction, frizz and aids in dryness.
• Moisture: I leave some of the conditioner or add some of the conditioner that I co-washed with in my hair to provide needed moisture, avoiding my scalp area as to not clog my pores.
• Seal: I seal in my moisture using, my Natty Butter since it's packed with oils that I love.
• Style: I usually rock a protective style such as the two strands throughout the week. When I go out, I will rock a twist out or my natural fro. Because this style is so versatile, it is one of my favorite go to styles. I add a dime sized amount of my Natty Butter to each twist, that is damp (you can do the dry method as well, but be sure to apply water or a water based product first), and twist it up.
• Lessen Frizz: Whenever I take my twists down, I use a butter or oil to unravel my twists..My choice butter of choice is, of course, my Natty Butter.

Other Methods I Use:

• Scalp Massage: I incorporate a scalp massage almost daily. Scalp massages stimulate circulation, therefore promoting healthy hair growth. I take about a dime sized amount of Sesame Oil or Henna Sooq's Cocoveda oil to do my scalp massage...Lighter oils such as coconut, sesame or jojoba are best to use when applying to the scalp for massages.
• Pre-Poo: This is a method that is helpful in prepping the hair for shampooing by lessening the harshness of shampooing. By using an oil or conditioner on the hair prior to shampooing, it helps the hair with detangling and maintaining moisture. It also helps prevent the hair from absorbing too much water too quickly which can cause swelling in the hair.
• Terressentials or Bentonite Clay Treament: I use this as my all natural clarifying treatment if I have product buildup. The ingredients are Bentonite Clay (as much needed as you think will cover your head), Aloe Vera Gel, and Apple Cider Vinegar. Mix these ingredients until the consistency of cake batter. I do this treatment once per month. There is no need to shampoo, as this treatment serves as your cleanse. Always follow up with a deep conditioner. Or..If I do want to shampoo cleanse, I use Terressential's Pure Earth Wash  or Dudu Osum's Black Soap Shampoo . 
• Deep Condition: I use this method once per month. I apply my Natty Cupuacu and Rhassoul Deep Conditioner,  I sit under my heat cap or now, my huetiful steamer for at least 20-30 minutes, or lately, I opt for no heat at all and just place a simple plastic cap over my head. If you have itchy scalp  you can  add peppermint and tea tree oil (only a few drops) to your mixture. If you have scalp issues, such as dandruff, dry scalp or psoriasis, adding oils like tea tree and neem are excellent.
• Hot Oil Treatment: I like these treatments about once per month. You can blend any oil mixture that you like. My current mixture is Grapeseed Oil, Argan Oil, Jojoba Oil, Tea Tree Oil, Peppermint Oil and Lemongrass Oil. I apply my mixture and sit under my heat cap for 20 minutes. Shampoo, then condition.I choose to make my own, this way I can gage what goes into it..as many commercial hot oil treatments contain petroleum or mineral oil or other harsh additives.
• Trim: I trim my ends using shears that have only been used for trimming hair to trim my ends when needed. I put my hair in two strand twists and trim the dead ends away...snip, snip, snip.

Hope this helps guys..but please, find a regimen that works best for YOU..even if you choose to follow my regimen, tweek it to fit your needs..A bientot (see ya soon)!

MY RESULTS WITHIN 2 YEARS

Happy Healthy Hair!

FEATURED ARTIST OF THE MONTH: SYEED

Greetings Everyone..I pray all is well.

Ok, so I'm going to begin featuring a segment of posts on good music of all music genres..mostly underground artists..I'll give a small bio on the artist and feature their video..I hope you guys enjoy!

Featuring Syeed: What's Your Revolution

MEET THE ARTIST

Syeed was born in Los Angeles, California and raised in Louisville, Kentucky. His love of music, inspired by an uncle who had a very diverse collection of records, was just the beginning of his passion of wanting to educate, inspire and influence people into a more positive and conscious way of listening and viewing music.

In his earlier youth, Syeed was involved in gang activity and was a young man consumed by the streets. The beautiful conscious art-form of music was replaced by music with corrupt messages that promoted violence, sexual perversion, greed and lack of respect for life. He mentioned that during that time he created music that promoted those same messages. It was a conversation he had with a young friend who looked up to him and therefore looked up to his music who was selling drugs and on his way to make a drug deal, was listening Syeed's music and the violent content got him so hyped that when the person buying drugs did not want to buy from him, the young man shot him. That disappointing conversation and some patient mentoring re birthed a man who made it a point to strive to  infiltrate the music scene with positivity and education. From that moment, Syeed changed his attitude, his thinking, his motivation and his music. He understood that music can influence a single person and a generation. Just as certain types of drum beats would motivate warriors of certain African tribes into battle..a quote by Syeed, 'the beat of a drum, the rhythm of a note has powerful influence. Some musicians choose to use that influence to promote negative, I'm an artist who choose to instill positive'.

What's Your Revolution is basically about what is it that you are striving to change for the better. Whether it be your mind, your neighborhood, your city, your county or this world..It's about not only complaining about what's wrong with things, but striving to change what's wrong, by first changing yourself. Syeed made a comment stating, 'why do people go natural? I'm sure the answers vary from person to person. But the motivation, hopefully is that they are deciding to choose a healthier lifestyle, not just for vanity purposes, but truly seeking to live a healthy life.'

Wow! Powerful message and thank you Syeed...so, let's give it up for our featured artist, Syeed.

Happy Healthy Listening!

YUMMY HUMMUS AND VEGGIE WRAP!!

Hola Chica/Chicos...I pray all is well with everyone!!

Well, let's talk eats...healthy eats, that is!! This yummy eat was hands down O'Mazing!! My hubby wanted something light and yummy for dinner and I was inspired to make this after seeing a yummy lentil wrap on HeyFranHey's  facebook page. My yummy eats made from hummus, roasted red peppers, avocado...well, let's just get into the thick of it and check out the scoop on this great eat!!

YUMMY INGREDIENTS:

• Wrap (there are all kinds: spinach, roasted tomato, plain, etc)
• Hummus (you can purchase from your local grocery or make your own..see how to below to make your own hummus)
• Tomato
• Roasted Bell Red peppers
• Avocado
• Spinach
• Red Onion (not as dominant as other onions, so it goes perfectly)

YUMMY INSTRUCTIONS ON THE WRAP

It's actually pretty simple, just pile your ingredients, beginning with your hummus, in the center of your wrap. Once ingredients are packed in the center, wrap your wrap (no pun intended), cut in half and serve with a fresh green leaf side salad or just enjoy solo!!

HOW TO MAKE HUMMUS:

• 1/2 cup uncooked chick peas + 1 & 1/4 cup water
• 1 garlic clove, peeled
• 5 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp tahini
• 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 tsp fine grain sea salt, or to taste
• water to thin out, if needed
• Herbs & seasonings of choice, if desired

1. Rinse chickpeas in a small colander. In a medium-sized pot, add the chickpeas and 1 & 1/4 cup water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and cover, simmering until the water is absorbed or about 10-13 minutes. Stir the chickpeas frequently to prevent them from sticking to the pot.

2. With the food processor running, drop in the clove of garlic to mince. Add the cooked chickpeas, along with the lemon juice, tahini, and olive oil. Process until smooth. Add a touch of water if necessary to thin out.

3. Add salt to taste and other herbs and seasonings if desired.

** Who says healthy eats aren't YUMMY!!!

Until next time..A Bientot!!

NATURAL HAIR GROWTH: Natty Tips on Growing Healthy Hair

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

I thought I would drop in and give the scoop on the question I receive quite often, which is 'How do you get your hair to grow so quickly?' Well, I can tell ya one thing..I don't take vitamins, I don't apply any miracle serum and my own products do not contain magical ingredients that would cause my hair to grow any quicker than what it is naturally intended to grow given that I give it a healthy environment to grow in.
So without further ado, Let's recap Natural Hair and HEALTHY GROWTH.. Now, keep in mind,  hair grows at a rate of about 1/4-1/2 INCH per month. The rate of our hair growth is determined by a few things, a few are: genetics, diet, and how we treat our hair overall. If we give our hair a nice platform/environment to grow, it will grow.  Here's some tips that ensure healthy hair growth, which is the main importance..HEALTHY

MY HEALTHY HAIR TIPS: 

(1)KEEP THE SCALP CLEAN . Applying large amounts of oils and butters only clog the pores on our scalp. Our scalp produces natural oils and many times it has an over production or does not produce as much due to a few things. (a) Years of being clogged using clog poring ingredients (silicones, mineral oil, petroleum, oils, butters). (b) lack of water intake..It's very important that we drink plenty of water (c) Improper diet. Certain foods can have allergic reactions in our bodies and many times,we do not know it unless we keep a journal of foods that cause us to have reactions on our scalp, you will normally see scalp issues such as dermatitis, psoriasis, etc (dairy is known to be a major culprit, but not the only culprit)...Ok, so back on track, be sure to keep the scalp clean and healthy. Making sure to thoroughly cleanse at least once per month using a clarifying cleanser and herbal, tea or acv rinses and co-washing..So again, keep the scalp clean, it's a living breathing organ and is easily clogged which causes it to malfunction

(2) PROPER DIET AND WATER INTAKE IS IMPORTANT: Again. Proper diet, Exercise and good water intake. Exercise is an excellent way to get blood circulation flowing which encourages healthy hair growth.

(3) MOISTURE. Be sure to keep the hair moisturized properly. A wonderful way that has ensured that my tresses stay moisturized is..First, apply water or a water based product to the hair...Then, apply a butter or oil to lock/seal in the moisture.

(4) TRIMMING/DUSTING: Trim hair when needed. Because our ends can make or break our hair, it is of the utmost importance to keep them hydrated and trimmed when needed.

(5) HIH (HAND IN HAIR SYNDROME).  Try at all possible to keep hands out of hair. I know we love love love our natural and want to rub on it, or our significant other loves to rub on it, but this can cause friction which leads to breakage. If it helps, keep hair in protective styles such as twists or braids/plaits, buns (not too often) so it's less tempting to caress our tresses.

(6) PRODUCTS JUNKY-ISM. Try, if possible, to remain faithful to a few products..When we indulge in many products, we have a harder time to know what may or may not create an issue with our hair. Giving a product time to work is one of the best ways to know if a product is truly working for your hair. What I have found for myself and other naturals who have achieved healthy hair and awesome growth is that we are faithful to the products we use and usually don't succumb to product junkyism..as tempting as it is. (some awesome women who have achieved wonderful healthy hair and use very minimal products besides me (wink) are Naptural85, Chime with Hair Crush, Pam with Koils by Nature)

(7) NIGHT PROTECTION. Protect your hair at night with a satin scarf, bonnet or satin pillowcase, whichever works best for you

(8) Document your journey..Pictures are an awesome way to see your growth. Because we see ourselves daily, it's hard to see our growth. On those days, weeks, months that I wasn't sure my hair was growing, I would look back on pics and see the growth. Those of us who have FB pages, we love for you to post your pics to our page..then revisit those pages a month or two later and look at those pics again.
(9) USE HEAT SPARINGLY OR NOT AT ALL. The use of heat can create a host of issues on the hair. So if at all possible, use as sparingly as possible and should you choose to use heat, be sure to use on clean hair and apply a heat protectant each time. 

(10) Patience..No matter how many products promise this, that or the third, hair grows at the rate that it is naturally designed to grow..Have patience, love it, nourish it and take care of it and it will grow..but more importantly it will grow healthy!!
  

If you love it..It will Grow..Healthy!! 

..Have a Happy Natty Day!!!

**Where to find: Tee that I'm rocking is available at Tangles And Beyond 

Earrings available at www.nappylife.com

Dryness..Ends..Moisture..OH MY!!

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

NATURAL HAIR PRODUCT: NATTY MOIST

And you thought you LOVED the Natty Moist before, well...Introducing the New and Even Bettery Natty Moist Creme Conditioner..Now in a bottle with a convenient pump for more ease of use!!

• Same GREAT ingredients
• Same GREAT ways to use (Easier application for using as a conditioner for co-washing. Smoother application for applying as a Deep Conditioner. Much silkier application as a water based styler. Velvety feel on the skin as a body creme.)
• Same GREAT SCENT
• Easier and more convenient to use.
• AVAILABLE HERE: The Natty Lifestyle

The New and Improved Natty Moist will be available in a 12oz Beautiful Amber Bottle with a black pump top.

Ingredients: Ayurvedic and Healing Herb (Brahmi, Calendula, Hibiscus, Neem, Lavender and Marshmallow Root) Infused in Distilled Water, Panthenol (Pro Vitamin B), BTMS, Cetearyly Alcohol,  Guar Conditioner, Unrefined Shea Butter,  Potassium Sorbate, Cupuacu Butter, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Aloe Vera Extract, Evening Primrose, Vegetable Emulsifier, Sweet Orange Oil, Tea Tree Oil,Natural Fragrance

The Benefits of the Ingredients:

Ayurvedic and Healing Herb Blend: (Brahmi, Calendula, Hibiscus, Neem, Marshmallow Root and Lavender)

• Wonderful cooling herbs that provides an abundance of slip for easy detangling.
• Nourishes the hair.
• Makes hair dense and promotes healthy hair growth.
• Aids in the treatment of scalp problems.
• Controls hair loss and premature greying.
• Helps relieve symptoms of dandruff and scalp problems.

Shea Butter

• One of nature's best emollients (moisturizers) that softens and soothes hair, scalp and skin.
• Gives a luxurious feeling to hair and skin.
• Helps control frizz by providing excellent moisture.
• Great sealant to lock moisture into the hair and skin.

Avocado Oil:

• A natural protection from ultraviolet light,
• It is an antioxidant and contains phytosterols which have anti-irritation and anti-inflammatory properties, condition skin and hair and promote moisture retention.
• Excellent for dry skin.

Cupuacu Butter:

• This exotic butter from the Brazil Amazon is similar to Cocoa Butter, but has a softer creamier consistency.
• 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.

Guar Conditioner:

• A natural emulsifying agent from the legume family that conditions without causing polymer buildup.
• Helps control flyaway and frizzy hair.
• Promotes shine

Panthenol (Pro Vitamin B):

• Penetrates deep into the skin and hair shaft.
• Has excellent water binding abilities.
• Helps strengthen the hair shaft by imparting an elastic film inside and out.
• Helps thicken the hair and leaves hair feeling soft and silky.

Essential Oils: (Sweet Orange and Tea Tree)

• Soothes and heals damaged scalp.
• Also aids in relieving itchy scalp.
• High in antioxidants which is extremely beneficial for skin and scalp.
• Promotes healthy hair growth.

BTMS (Behentrimonium Methosulfate):

• This is not a sulfate, BTMS is a natural emulsifier derived from Colza Oil.
• Has excellent detangling properties and leaves hair with body and spring.
• Works excellent as a leave in for hair.

Cetearyl Alcohol:

• Naturally derived alcohol from a mixture of coconut and palm oil fatty alcohols.
• Has natural emollient(moisturizing) properties.
• Moisturizes and improves wet/dry comb out.

Vegetable Emulsifyer:

• Vegetable based emulsifier (binds water and oils) from naturally occurring fats.

Citric Acid:

• A weak organic acid found naturally in fruit that serves as a natural preservative. Citric acid is a wonderful ingredient that balances products that may be too alkalinic.

Potassium Sorbate:

• All Natural Anti Microbial to keep natural and food grade products from molding

The New Appearance and Silkier Consistency:

NATTY MOIST: Directions of Use

My results:

WHY A PROPER PH BALANCED SYSTEM IS CRUCIAL FOR OUR HEALTH

 

Yummy Alkalinic Water with Alkalinic Fruits that I make a pitcher of: Cucumber, Pineapple, Strawberry and Lemon..bottoms up!!

Greetings, ATON (All Things O'Natural) readers...I pray all is well and healthy with everyone. Let's talk healthy insides and the importance of having a balanced pH.

With so many dealing with the struggles of obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cancer and other adversities within, many often don't know where to turn to 'get their systems right'. And, even worse, many grow up with the idea of, 'well, that's just what to expect'..because, they saw mom or dad, grandma or grandpa with those same adversities or taking 6-7 different pills to help control whatever illness that's going on in their bodies..We are slowly becoming a generation of thinking 'that's to expect..that's life' instead of being educated on what may really be the problem and how it can be reversed. 

'Let Food Be Thy Medicine' a popular and beneficial quote by Hippocrates. So, when we are faced with those adversities, many of our docs will write a prescription and send us home with the O'So ever popular, 'work on your diet'....But, what exactly does that mean? Should I eat less? Should I eat more fruit? Should I drink more water? What??? Well, hopefully this post will shed some light of how we can do what Hippocrates's quote inspires many to do..'let food be our medicine'.

Click on Chart for larger view

This awesome chart was compliments of : The Smoothie Guys Awesome Smoothie of the Day

The Majesty of HIS MAJESTY..

• Plants and Humans must coexist in order to survive on this wonderful planet..

• Plants give off oxygen and need carbon dioxide to survive. Humans give off carbon dioxide and need oxygen to survive..Talk about a symbiotic relationship.

• Plants thrive in acidic environments but will succumb in alkalinic environments. Humans thrive in alkalinic envrionments but will succumb in acidic environments.

ACIDITY VS. ALKALINITY

• Cancer thrives in acidic environments, but cannot live and will die in alkalinic environments.
• Bacteria thrive in acidic environments, but cannot live and will die in alkalinic environments.
• Viruses thrive in acidic environments, but cannot live and will die in alkalinic environments.
• Yeast thrive in acidic environments, but cannot live and will die in alkalinic environments.

 The Scoop On How an Acidic Nature Can Affect our Bodies.. 

(info found at www.beginingbalance.com)

• The body, in its natural state, is slightly alkalinic. In order to survive properly, it must remain in its slightly alkalinic state. 

• Most of us are natural alkaline producers when we are young. This is why many children can eat what they want and have an imbalanced diet and still be healthy and slender right up into their early twenties. 

• As the majority of us reach our thirties and forties, we have become overly acidic. The reason is due to the many things we are exposed to: environmental toxins, foods and even stress contribute to an acidic condition in our bodies and, unfortunately, our natural buffer systems are not as effective at neutralizing that acid. An acidic body is a welcoming tool for viruses, bacteria and fungi.

• An imbalanced pH affects all cellular activity in the body, leading to the progression of most degenerative diseases, including Acid Reflux, Indigestion or Gout..Cardiovascular Disease, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol Levels, Kidney Stones, Urinary complications, Arthritis, Osteoporosis, Cancer, Diabetes, Weight Gain and Obesity.

• The root cause of many common symptoms, such as Constipation, Digestive Problems, Heart Burn, Headaches, Frequent Colds, Fatigue and Sleeplessness, just to name a few,  are due to improperly balanced pH in our bodies.

Reasons Why A Balanced pH is Critical:

A healthy body pH is between 6.0 and 7.5

Body temperature of 98.6 is normal

• Weight Control: When the body is in its natural alkalinic state, body weight and insulin production normalize. When we do alkanize our bodies, it works so well at dropping excess weight that many lose pounds just by eating more alkalinic foods (see chart above for foods).

• Proper Calcium Utilization:  The body is a survivor and will do almost anything to maintain a balanced pH. This includes leaching important minerals such as calcium, potassium and sodium from the tissues. It literally leaches the calcium from your bones, making them porous and fragile (major contributor to osteoporosis)

• Cholesterol Levels: Keeping a balanced pH helps to maintain proper cholesterol levels so that plaque does not form.

• Cancer Cells: Remember when I mentioned that cancer thrives in acidic conditions? Well, keeping the body in its normal alkalinic state helps prevent cancer cells from forming or thriving.

• Blood Flow: Alkanizing help remove plaque from arteries, veins and heart tissue. 

• Oxygen Flow: Keeping an alkalinic pH helps to flush toxins from our tissue and protects against premature aging.

Have You Checked Your Ingredients Lately??

• Many people exercise, follow a good diet, take nutritional supplements, control stress and do detoxification regimens...But, many times, they don't look at the chemicals they are exposed to or are using such as household cleaners and personal hygiene products at home or in the work place. Remember, our skin and scalp are living breathing porous parts of our bodies.
• Chemicals such as: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, a known carcinogen (are found in shampoos, toothpastes, lotions, etc)
• Cocaminde DEA: harmful ingredient found in shampoos and even some natural shampoos.
• Propylene Glycol: a product found in anti freeze. Culprit for causing contact dermatitis
• Phenol: a coal tar..Causes nausea, convulsions, coma, etc
• Iodopropynl Butyl Carbamate: adversely affects the liver
• Organophosphate: an insecticide used to kill spider mites from farm fields..Farmers, their families and pets are warned to stay away from fields for 48 hours once sprayed..Sooo, why is this found in many laundry soaps??
• Blue #1, Yellow # 5 and Red # 40: All Coal derivatives.

**Just some FYI tips: Here are some store available waters with higher alkaline levels

•  Deer Park: pH 8.05
• Zephyrhillis  7.7
• Crystal Geyser 7.5
• Arrowhead 7.9
• Evian 7.2
• Hinckley & Schmitt 7.3

As always, keep it happy and healthy. Take care of your precious temple.

Later Gators!!

**These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to  diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease.
Please consult a physician or medical practitioner before taking any dietary supplement, especially if pregnant or nursing.

Magical Clay..Bentonite Clay Hair Mask Treatment (updated)

Greetings, Chicas/Chicos..I pray all is well with everyone. Ok, so let's talk Bentonite Clay. Now, I posted on this over a year ago, but this post will address how Bentonite Clay directly affects the hair. It is 'hands down' one of my favorite methods to thoroughly cleanse the hair without making it feel dry or straw like. So, enjoy this video and let's get into the wonder results of using Bentonite Clay for the hair.

BENTONITE CLAY..WHAT EXACTLY IS IT?

• Bentonite Clay is one of the most effective detoxing cleansers found in nature.  Formed primarily from Montmorillonite (an extremely flat crystal flake), it carries a strong ionic negative charge. So, the negative charge seeks something positive to combine itself  with (either Sodium or Calcium) and the result will be either Sodium Bentonite Clay (what we normally use for the hair, but it can be used internally for a more thorough internal overall detox) or Calcium Bentonite Clay (what we normally take internally for cleansing). To make it even more simple, picture the Montmorillonite clay being 2 pieces of bread with a vacuum searching for something to fill the middle in between the bread, and whatever lands in between the bread (Calcium or Sodium) will determine the type of sandwich you have. The two clays, though they both swell and react when combined with water, one swells less (Calcium (internal) Bentonite Clay) making it possible to pass through the colon (for cleansing) without being prohibited. Whereas the Sodium Bntonite, when mixed with water, creates a swelling of 7 times the amount making it extremely absorbing, which is what allows it to absorb the toxins and other elements (buildup) in the hair or skin.

SODIUM BENTONITE..WHAT DOES IT DO FOR THE HAIR?

• Because Sodium Bentonite Clay has a much much higher negative charge, it has a stronger vacuum for pulling heavy metals and toxins that it comes in contact with. With this stronger vacuum that it has, it is able to pull in more unwanted  toxins into its interior.
• Thoroughly cleanses the hair by removing product buildup allowing for better moisture and styling
• Contains high levels of silica and iron, which are excellent for cleansing the hair.
• Greatly enhances the curl pattern in the hair
• Imparts shine to the hair, especially when combined with acidic fluids such as, Apple Cider vinegar or Aloe Vera Juice.
• Aids in making hair more manageable 
• Be sure to only use plastic or wooden utensils when mixing, as the metal will lessen the effect of the clay
• Do not take internally while pregnant

BENTONITE CLAY...HOW TO MIX

• Each batch will vary from person to person, combine enough ingredients to cover the thickness and length for your hair.
• Combine Bentonite Clay and equal parts Apple Cider Vinegar and Aloe Vera Juice (otpional) and mix to the consistency of cake batter. 
• Apply mixture to damp unclean hair
• Allow mixture to sit on the hair for 15-20 minutes not allowing to dry on the hair. 
• Rinse mixture with lukewarm to cool water until all clay is rinsed from the hair.
• Follow up with a deep conditioner

ME AND MY HUBBY'S RESULTS FROM THE BENTONITE CLAY

Clay Treatment in December 2011

Clay Treatment in December 2011

Clay Treatment in December 2011

Clay Treatment on June 13, 2012

Clay Treatment on June 13, 2012

Clay Treatment on June 13, 2012

Clay Treatment on June 13, 2012

Clay Treatment on June 13, 2012

**Bentonite Clay can be purchased at your local health food store or here: Mountain Rose Herbs

Hope you enjoy!

Credits: some info obtained from www.bulkherbstore.com