I thought this could be particularly useful, since there is still so much I don't know about natural hair ingredients. Hope it is helpful for you.
1. Shea Butter: High in fatty acids, shea butter is an emollient—meaning it provides a layer of oil on top of the surface of a hair strand, significantly reducing the amount of moisture (water) lost. This is what Naturally Curly girls mean when using products like this to “seal” their hair.
2. Coconut Oil: Another emollient perfect for sealing moisture into the hair.
3. Aloe Vera Juice/Gel: Aloe vera adds true moisture to the hair. It is actually absorbed into the hair strand. Try it as a daily moisturizing spritz!
4. Vegetable Glycerin: Acts as a strong humectant—meaning, it attracts water to itself and binds to it. Creates a layer of oil over the hair strand, thus aiding in the retention of moisture. Can be combined with aloe vera juice to create an even better moisture spritz!
5. Jojoba Oil: Another humectant. Perfect for adding to damaged ends.
6. Extra Virgin Olive Oil: EVOO is an emollient that seals and softens the hair. The “extra virgin” on a label means it was produced using only physical means (no machines involved) and has no chemical treatment to alter it. Use it as a quick pre-poo or a deep conditioner.
7. Castor Seed Oil: Not only is this vegetable oil a humectant, it also has anti-fungal properties. This will ensure a clean scalp, with the hair follicles clear and prepared for better hair growth. Some apply it to the temples to increase the thickness of thinning edges.
8. Honey: A light humectant that also has antibacterial properties. Check out Oyin Handmade products! They use tons of Oyin—the Yoruba word for honey—in their sweet hair treats.
9. Avocado/Avocado Oil: They’re packed with Vitamins A, D, E, and contain more potassium than bananas. Easily absorbed into the skin, avocado oil is a quick way to get multiple nutrients onto your scalp for improved hair growth.
10. Tea Tree Oil: With potent antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, tea tree oil is a soothing remedy to a dry scalp. It is an essential (concentrated) oil, so a little goes a VERY long way. Over-application of a potent essential oil may actually cause irritation.
P.S.- Definitions
-Humectant: Substance that preserves the moisture or water content of the skin. Most dry skin lacks moisture rather than oil, and therefore humectants and moisturizers are needed instead of creams or oils.
-Emollient: A mixture of oils found in most body creams. The purpose is to seal in the moisture so that it can't escape from the skin. Especially important during the winter months.
~Lista~
Saturday, July 31, 2010
yayyyyy Shea Butter!
My boyfriend must love me! He just bought be me some Shea Butter and I'm beyond excited to try it.
The game plan is to do some two-strand twists tomorrow or Monday. Picture updates when I get them!
Toodles
~Lista~
PS- this means I have to try to some Shea Butter recipes :)
The game plan is to do some two-strand twists tomorrow or Monday. Picture updates when I get them!
Toodles
~Lista~
PS- this means I have to try to some Shea Butter recipes :)
(Fox's) Shea Butter Conditioning Cream
1 part Shea Butter (1 Tablespoon)
1 part Conditioner (1 Tablespoon)
1/2 part Oil (1/2 Tablespoon)
1 part Conditioner (1 Tablespoon)
1/2 part Oil (1/2 Tablespoon)
Make sure Shea Butter is soft. This can easily be done by setting it in the sun. Mix with an equal part of conditioner. I prefer to use natural conditioners (Aubrey Organics) so no chemicals will effect the properties of the Shea Butter. Add in a half part oil, like jojoba, meadowfoam seed oil, or Monoi, and mix well. Allow to cool and harden. If the mixture tends to separate, stir a few times during the cooling process and it should stay well mixed.
Apply a pea sized amount to your ends. This may feel slightly sticky at first, but it will not leave your hair sticky.
http://www.longhairloom.com/haircarerecipes.html
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Oh No!: No job= no money for hair products!
Well here's the deal guys, I have been unemployed since May and my funds are pretty much down to nothing. And right now, I am almost out of hair products! I am freaking out. My hair is getting dry and unmanageable and just overall unhappy!!!
But I figured out a way to remedy that situation: HOMEMADE PRODUCTS!!!!
I've been looking on blogs and through search engines for product recipes and I've found some that might be promising. Since I'm a broke/unemployed person I have the benefits of getting on the bridge card. They give me more than enough money for food. So that leaves a some funds left over to buy some supplies at the grocery store! I have already bought some olive oil, eggs, apple cider vinegar, honey, and coconut milk so I'm going to try the recipes that include those first. I will tell you how it goes!
Here are some recipes that I am thinking of trying!
Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
Vinegar rinses can do wonders for the hair! They are great at removing the residue and build-up left on the hair that come with regular use of styling products, which cause the hair to look and feel dull and lifeless. Vinegar also cuts through excess oils, which sometimes give the hair a waxy feeling. The result is soft and shiny hair that is manageable and has tons of body.
• ½ cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup water
Mix ingredients together and use as a final rinse after shampooing. Be sure to distribute this mixture throughout your hair evenly for complete coverage. Leave on for two to three minutes and then rinse with cold water. What a cinch! Use bi-weekly as a hair clarifying treatment. Take care to avoid getting this treatment in your eyes. It does sting.
Hot oil conditioner
Ingredients:
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup boiling water
Directions:
Combine ingredients then warm on low heat. Massage mixture into the scalp and hair. Wrap hair in a hot towel for 15 minutes. Shampoo & rinse out.
Honey Conditioner
Ingredients:
1 tsp honey
2 Tbsps olive oil
1 egg yolk.
Directions:
Mix all ingredients in small bowl. Massage on hair in small sections. Wrap head with shower cap for 30 minutes. Rinse and shampoo.
Egg Conditioner
Ingredients:
1 egg yolk
1/2 tsp olive oil
3/4 cup lukewarm water
Directions:
Beat egg yolk until it is thick and light colored. Add oil beat well. Slowly add and beat the water into the egg mixture. Pour mixture into a container. After shampooing, massage all conditioner into hair and leave on for a few minutes before thoroughly rinsing.
Homemade curly conditionerIngredients:
1 avocados
3 tablespoons of honey
1 cup of coconut milk
1 egg
Directions: mix all ingredients together (you can let it sit in a container overnight in the fridge).
Apply mixture to your hair, work in well with fingers, put on a shower cap (it can get messy) and let sit for 30 minutes before rinsing. Style as usual.
*****If you try these recipes, definitely let me know how they turned out! Happy mixing!*****
~Kallista~
But I figured out a way to remedy that situation: HOMEMADE PRODUCTS!!!!
I've been looking on blogs and through search engines for product recipes and I've found some that might be promising. Since I'm a broke/unemployed person I have the benefits of getting on the bridge card. They give me more than enough money for food. So that leaves a some funds left over to buy some supplies at the grocery store! I have already bought some olive oil, eggs, apple cider vinegar, honey, and coconut milk so I'm going to try the recipes that include those first. I will tell you how it goes!
Here are some recipes that I am thinking of trying!
Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
Vinegar rinses can do wonders for the hair! They are great at removing the residue and build-up left on the hair that come with regular use of styling products, which cause the hair to look and feel dull and lifeless. Vinegar also cuts through excess oils, which sometimes give the hair a waxy feeling. The result is soft and shiny hair that is manageable and has tons of body.
• ½ cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup water
Mix ingredients together and use as a final rinse after shampooing. Be sure to distribute this mixture throughout your hair evenly for complete coverage. Leave on for two to three minutes and then rinse with cold water. What a cinch! Use bi-weekly as a hair clarifying treatment. Take care to avoid getting this treatment in your eyes. It does sting.
Hot oil conditioner
Ingredients:
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup boiling water
Directions:
Combine ingredients then warm on low heat. Massage mixture into the scalp and hair. Wrap hair in a hot towel for 15 minutes. Shampoo & rinse out.
Honey Conditioner
Ingredients:
1 tsp honey
2 Tbsps olive oil
1 egg yolk.
Directions:
Mix all ingredients in small bowl. Massage on hair in small sections. Wrap head with shower cap for 30 minutes. Rinse and shampoo.
Egg Conditioner
Ingredients:
1 egg yolk
1/2 tsp olive oil
3/4 cup lukewarm water
Directions:
Beat egg yolk until it is thick and light colored. Add oil beat well. Slowly add and beat the water into the egg mixture. Pour mixture into a container. After shampooing, massage all conditioner into hair and leave on for a few minutes before thoroughly rinsing.
Homemade curly conditionerIngredients:
1 avocados
3 tablespoons of honey
1 cup of coconut milk
1 egg
Directions: mix all ingredients together (you can let it sit in a container overnight in the fridge).
Apply mixture to your hair, work in well with fingers, put on a shower cap (it can get messy) and let sit for 30 minutes before rinsing. Style as usual.
*****If you try these recipes, definitely let me know how they turned out! Happy mixing!*****
~Kallista~
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