Benefits of Shea Butter

Origin: The Shea nut which is about the size of a plum is produced by the Karite tree. This natural emollient is mostly found in Central and West Africa. 

Ingredients: The most natural form is processed through dehydration. Then the nut is cracked and the Shea butter is extracted and go through a few more processes before it's ready to be used.

Benefits: Shea Butter has numerous benefits for the skin and hair. This is due to all the different vitamins (A, E & F) that are inside this butter. From a hair standpoint it provides moisture to the hair   thus reducing breakage and promoting growth. Shea Butter is also good for the scalp, especially to reduce dandruff. You also don't have to worry about build-up

because this butter is very light.

Cost: It all depends on where the butter is purchased and the purity of it. Keep in mind the purer the Shea Butter equal better results that you will reap from using it. 

Warning: If you're allergic to nuts do not use.

Flat twists

My daughters flat twist out and Bantu knots take down

Benefits of Black Soap

Origin: Can be found all over the world. But it is mostly hand made in Africa.

Ingredients: majority of black soaps contain various oils, like coconut oil, palm oil, palm kernel oil, shea butter and cocoa butter. Black soaps also contains ashes from other plants. Water is used as a base in making this soap.

Benefits: Black soap has great benefits for skin and hair. But I will focus only on the benefits for hair.  For hair: great cleanser. It is by far the best product that I have used in the past and currently to remove build up from my scalp. My hair felt squeaky clean after. I use this product about once a month.

Cost: Its inexpensive. You can get it as a bar or in liquid form from any health store or online. 

Hair Products Under My Sink

Confession of a former product junkie: I’ve tried a number of hair products over my 4 years natural hair journey. During this period, my hair has fallen in love with a number of different ones and my hair has also hated some as well. The reasons are varied, but from the love list I've narrowed my buying to the hair products listed below. However these days I'm no longer interested in trying new hair products. Instead I am focused on exploring oils and creating my own formulas. 

• Burt’s Bees Hair repair- deep conditioner
• Burt’s Bees avocado pre-shampoo
• ACV homemade formula w/o the apple
• Homemade leave-in conditioner
•  Herbal Essences Totally Twisted curls & conditioner
• GoingOhm sweet hair pudding 
• Cantu Shea Butter leave-in conditioner
• Shea Moisture shampoo
• Shea Moisture conditioner
• Shea Moisture Curl Smoothie
• 100% Shea Butter
• Sweet Almond Oil
• Peppermint Oil
• Jojoba Oil
• Coconut Oil

Personal Decision: Going Natural

I have heard many reasons from different people as to why they decided to go natural. Some did it because of self-actualization, bad perms that resulted in hair loss, and for others the decision was solely based upon it being a fashion statement or even trying something new. However no matter what the reasons were we've all decided to take this journey. 

As for me my number one reason was based upon the fact that I have inherited the genes for early graying form my father. So I started to color my hair when I had a perm, needless to say that was not a winning combination for me. As a result my hair started to thin out and also break off. I knew I had to choose, so I decided I was going to go natural. 

Of course as any Naturalists can tell you it's not an easy journey, because many of us have not seen our hair in its natural state since we were in Elementary school. Going on this journey is a chance to find out what products best work for our hair and what hair styles best suit our lifestyles.

Even beyond figuring out what and how to care for our hair in its natural state, some of us have to be concerned with how the people in our lives will accept our decision to go on this journey. For example women who are married are often time concerned with their spouses acceptance (this is not always the case, because many spouses/significant others are supportive). The need for acceptance doesn’t stop there, because sometimes we are even concerned about our friends and other family members reactions on our choice to take this personal journey.

Thankfully, for me I had no such worries as my friends and family are supportive of my choice to wear my hair in its natural state. 

Homemade Deep Conditioner

About a year ago I found this homemade deep conditioner treatment on www.motowngirl.com and I wanted to try it out to see if it works. But I never got around to it. Now I'm ready to test it for 3 months to see if it works.

 This homemade deep conditioner is supposed to help to strenghten the hair and also promote hair growth. I'm inviting everyone to go on this journey with me.

Recipe below:
1 tablespoon honey
1 egg yolk
1/2 teaspoon almond oil
1 tablespoon natural yogurt

Directions: mix together apply to hair and let sit for at least 1/2 hr. Rinse with cold/cool water and style as usual. Use once a week for 3 months.

Tip of the Day: Essential Oils

Essential oils should not be applied directly to the hair prior to being diluted. Generally speaking, they should be diluted with carrier oils, except for lavender oil. The potential danger of essential oils is based upon the grade level of purity.

Listed below are three of my favorite essential oils:

1. Peppermint Oil contains numerous minerals and nutrients. It is beneficial to the hair because of its cooling effects to the head, the removal of dandruff and lice. It is often considered as the world’s oldest medicine. Peppermint is a cross between watermint and spearmint. By far, this is my favorite oil to add to my shampoo and conditioner.
2.  Lavender Oil  can be used to stop hair loss. It can also promote growth and can be used by itself or with other essential oils for hair treatments.  
3.  Rosemary Oil  is used extensively in shampoos and conditioners. Regular uses of this oil strengthen hair follicles and promote longer and stronger hair growth. Rosemary oil is also good for dry scalp, thinning and brittle hair. Usually mixed with Basil Oil to treat any scalp issues.