The Hair Wash

Hair wash day! it's a lot easier now I have shorter hair and now that I have gotten into the groove of this new style. I've been wearing my hair in a turban for the last few days because I've been giving my hair a deeeeeeeeeeeeep condition, by mixing Deep Treatment Masque from Shea Moisture and Jamaican Black Castor Oil, I warmed it up in the microwave for a hot oil style treatment and it works very well. 

I left it for 24 hours and my hair was super soft and didn't dry out when I did a deep cleanse with Africa Black Soap, which really cleans you hair and I find it feels hard on hair unless I pre poo (pre shampoo)

I conditioned with the Shea Moisture Restorative Conditioner which I left in and seal/styled using Haitian Black Castor Oil and Eco Styler Gel which made a type of custard. The Haitian castor oil has the same benefits as the Jamaican castor oil but I found it lighter so perfect for mixing with my gel, (mixing oil with gel helps to rid the dreaded crunchy hair with loosing definition and hold) 

Eco Styler Gel, Shea Moisture Masque and Conditioner, Jamican Black Castor Oil, Haitian Black Castor Oil, and African Black Soap

Foundation: Hello Beautiful Mineral Foundation

Lipstick: NYX Xtreme Lip Cream

My Hair....

My hair has been in mini twists for over 4 months now, I'm reluctant to call them locs just yet as only a few segments are locked together. I don't do much to my hair, bar washing it weekly and using H20 & Castor Oil. In terms of a locking technique I don't really have one, some parts can still be re-twisted where other parts I have been finger latching, other than that I'm just leaving it to do it's thing.

June 2012

The Review: Honey Curls Mist Conditioner

I've always been a fan of hair products formulated for children, I figure if it is mild enough for our precious little one's then it is mild enough for our own natural curls. Since becoming pregnant lots of brands have sent me products for children (erm note to brands the baby is not here yet and it would be a long long while before we'll be needing hair product!) I however have enjoyed trying out some of the products myself. 

Honey Curls is one that I have found nice to use, especially the Styling Spritz, which I've been using to to refresh my mini  twists daily.  Honey Curls is not 100% natural so perhaps not great for the natural purists out there. But if you are not opposed to chemicals I found the spritz works really well at refreshing my style without fuss.

Honey Curls will be available to sample in the November CurlBox & Curlkit sample boxes

Honey Mist Conditioner™

A conditioning mist that acts as a protective agent and adds moisture and shine

Deionized water, Glycerin, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetearyl Alcohol

Cetyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 20, Glyceryl Stearate SE Caprylic Capric Triglycerides Theobroma Cocoa

Coconut Oil, Amino Acid Blend, Polyquaternium-7, Grape seed oil

Argania Spinosa Creatine, Disodium EDTA Fragrance, Honey, Hydroxyethyl Cellulose

Methylisothiazolinone, Phenethyl Alcohol, PPG-2- Methyl Ether, Panthenol

Sodium Hyaluronate 

Check out the 3 step system at WWW.HONEYCURLS.COM

The Multi Tasking Oil: Jamaican Black Castor Oil

8oz Bottle

Those of you that follow me on twitter will know I've been raving about Jamaican Black Castor Oil (£13.90 8OZ) I've incorporated the oil as a part of my simplified hair and skin care regime.

Hair: I'm still wearing my hair in low maintenance mini twists (as I contemplate my loc journey) JBCO is the best oil I've used in terms of sealing in moisture. I applied to my wet to damp hair and leave to air dry and my hair is left soft to the touch and super lustrous! and doesn't leave my hair oily to the touch.

Scalp: The day before I shampoo I use JBCO on my scalp as an intensive scalp treatment on the weaker parts of my scalp (I have thin area on my crown) I have mixed it with peppermint oil (a stimulant) and use as part of my head massage to get the circulation going!.

Skin: I use JBCO on my skin daily, just a very small amount (it goes a long way) work in the same vain as sealing the moisture into my hair.

A little goes a very long way, and though it is thicker than many oils is not as thick as regular castor oil and absorbs nicely.

On Hair....

JBCO-100% PURE - NO MINERAL OIL, NO SALT, NO ADDITIVES

Sometimes referred to as raw/unrefined JBCO, this oil is pressed from organic castor bean which is grown and produced on a farm out in St. Thomas, Jamaica. 

It is not as thick nor sticky as the organic Indian castor oil we supply and has a slight smoky scent.  Fantastic as a hot oil treatment, it can also be applied externally to soothe dry skin- Akua Wood

...and Skin

I purchased this oil from the Sheabutter cottage after being given a 10ml sample. they accept paypal

Skin Care: African Black Soap

I've been using African black soap (£3.00) from The SheaButter Cottage for the last couple of weeks, this isn't so much a review as we all know the benefits of using all natural products on our skin and hair but more to highlight a sometimes forgotten beauty staple.

The SheaButter Cottage formula only contains, Unrefined coconut oil, unrefined shea butter, cocoa ash (doh), and water and is made by a small group of women in (Ghana ethically and fair!) 

African Black soap is great for relieving acne, clearing skin blemishes and even removing make up. Beware of fake African black soap, it is hard and died black and does not hold the benefits of the real McCoy! which is unscented, brown and patchy in colour and quite soft.

I've been using African black soap daily as a facial wash and body wash, it leaves skin clean but not tight and can also be used to shampoo hair though I haven't tried that yet.

Due to me baby proofing my life my skin care regime has been stripped back to African black soap, water inside and out, Jamaican Black Castor Oil all of which are natural and multi tasking!

Shea Butter Cottage owner Akua Wood Explains the benefits of African Black Soap.

Make up free, not wearing lipstick my lips are this colour.

The African black soap was a part of my pamper box given to me at my baby shower by Akua 

The Recipe: Tuscan Green Clay

Tuscan Green Clay is a powerful bactericide that is highly efficient at drawing oils & toxins from your skin.
It contains a bounty full of essential healing minerals and phyto-nutrients including Silica, Copper, Aluminium, Magnesium, Calcium, Cobalt, Manganese, Zinc, Iron, Potassium, Selenium, Sodium & Phosphorous.

Tuscan Green Clay, aka: Montmorillonite, was discovered in the late 19th century in Montmorillon (the Poitou-Charentes region of France), but now Green Clay can be found in many locations bordering the mountainous region of France, such as Italy.

Over 200 cultures, including the Ancient Egyptians and pre-Aztec Amargosians, have used the clay in cosmetics and for medicinal purposes. There are many cosmetic companies that still use Tuscan Green clay in their eye shadows and other mineral make up.

 Green Face Mask
Face Masks are used to stimulate circulation, gently remove dead skin cells, absorb impurities, tone & strengthen connective tissues to leave skin smooth, fresh & glowing.

For the following recipe simply:Add 15 to 20 ml of spring or distilled water to 25 grams of Tuscan Green Clay 
Make sure that you add enough water to make a nice thick clay paste. 
Apply the paste to your face (avoiding the eye area) 
Leave it on for 10 minutes or until thoroughly dried 
Rinse off with warm water or an herbal infusion of Organic Lavender *or* Organic Rose Buds 
Follow up with a cold water splash 
Pat your face dry

Use this face mask treatment no more than once or twice a week and follow up with a light non-greasy facial oil like Organic Sapote Seed oil or Papaya oil.

Acne
If you have an acne spot, cut(s), grazes, minor burns, stings or insect bites apply a dab of warmed honey (Agave Nectar for vegans) mix with a thin paste of Good Ol' Green Face Mask.
Apply to the surface of the infected area. 
Allow to dry.
Then rinse off with cold water.
This treatment will draw the impurities to the surface.
 
For your body
Sprinkle a little Tuscan Green Clay on your body or feet to absorb odours and wetness.

As a Poultice 
Tuscan Green Clay is effective in relieving muscular, arthritic or rheumatic pains by decongesting the affected area(s).

Pour 50 grams of Tuscan Green Clay into a large Pyrex jug
Cover with 30 ml of water
Mix with a spoon or fork to form a smooth paste 
(add more water if required)
Leave for up to 45 mins for the clay to absorb the water
Spread the paste onto a piece of clean gauze or pure cotton strip of cloth
Apply directly to the affected area and secure it. 
Leave the poultice in place for up to an hour, sprinkle the cloth poultice with a little water and do not allow the paste to dry out.
 
In Your Bath 
The anti-inflammatory properties of Tuscan Green clay are extremely effective in relieving aches & pains. 

Run your bath water, toss a handful into your bath and gently ease in - you should instantly feel it start to soften & revitalise your skin, whilst alleviating tension. 

Recipe via Anita Grant

Hair Length Check

I may have got some of these dates out of sync check out the my hair tab>>>>

OOTD & Twist Out Results

Tube Top from New Look

Trousers from Ground Pepper

Shoes from Primark

Necklace from H&M

Lipstick by Sleek in Cherry

I'm putting off buying any maternity clothes and trying to adapt my wardrobe to my expanding bump! it's getting tricky but I think I can put off the dreaded elasticated waist for a few weeks.

I took down my twists from yesterdays mis-adventures with Bentonite Clay, i'm still using the two Root2Tip products from my previous posts....love it!

Enjoy the weekend!

xoxo

Impromptu Bentonite Clay Application & Review

Hair before application, my hair is dry.

I have way to much time on my hands of late, so I decided to a Pretty Curls Bentonite Clay treatment on my hair, as this was totally on a whim I didn't have much in stock so I googled some mixtures.

A lot of the online sources mix the Bentonite Clay with Aloe Vera Juice or herbal infusions, I didn't have any of that so I used water, Olive Oil and Pretty Curls Sweet Jojoba Oil.

Bentonite Clay is a sedimentary clay from volcanic ash and is an effective and powerful healing clay full of minerals that are great for cleansing and detoxing hair and skin.

Baby Poo! BIG NO NO DO NOT USE METAL UTENSILS LIKE I DID!!

I think the mixture is suppose to the consistency of pancake mix, mine looked like baby poo (guess I better get used to that!) it took a lot of mixing to get as smooth as possible. applying the clay was very messy and gunky but I managed to get the mixture on my hair in 15 minutes

It was a bit like applying a relaxer....

Half way done

all done!

The finish result looked alot like a relaxer with out the torture of scalp burns! I left the clay on my hair for 30 minutes

wet hair after rinse and condition

washing out the clay was simpler than I imagined and my curls felt nourished instantly and super clean. I conditioned my hair MMMhair conditioner and used Root2Tip Honey Rain Juice as a leave-in, I stretched my hair by smoothing in Root2Tip Twurly Butter then I two strand twisted my hair which I will leave over night.....Now I'm off to order some Aloe Vera Juice so I can use it next time as I'm a Bentonite Clay convert!

Two strand twist

*DO NOT like me use metal spoon or bowl when using bentonite clay as I have now learned it can cause the clay to be less effective! FAIL!!!!!

Day 2 Hair Using Root2Tip

Day 1

Day 2

The Review: Root 2 Tip Twist Out

I was gifted two Products from UK based natural hair brand Root 2 Tip from their kids line Kinki Coili Kurli, I received the items yesterday so this is my initial reaction after using the products for a Twist Out style.

I was sent  Vanilla-Sun Twurly Butter(£9.89) and Honey Rain Juice (£8.49), Honey Rain Juice is a leave-in conditioner made up of 20% Aloe Vera and is said to quench even the driest of hair, the product can be used daily on children's or adults hair.

Vanilla Sun Twurly Butter is suitable for all hair types (from the kinkest to the loosest of curls) it is a creamy butter that works like a gel to smooth hold and define  curly hair types.

I used both products on freshly washed damp-ish hair applying the Honey rain juice on sections and smoothing in the Twurly butter before doing chunky two strand Twists,

The Twulry Butter gave my twists a nice lustre and they looked much neater than my usual twists and they didn't unravel at the ends during the night. My twists stay soft and moisturised throughout the night and I had no need to apply an oil or more product when taking my twists down.

After taking down my twist my hair was defined and shined, I don't usually wear my Twist Outs this neat but the Twuly Butter definitely kept everything in place with out any residue, stickiness or stiffness. I was able to separate my coils easily without them getting fluffy or loosing to much definition

the finished result was great, I love the messy waves created by the Twist Out achieved and the soft moveability the Root 2 Tip products supplied. I will definitely be using both products again especially for this style......I love it!

Twurly Butter Ingredients: Aloe Leaf Juice, Organic Shea Butter, Castor Oil, Avocado Oil, Coconut Oil, Olvive Oil Jojoba Oil, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylol glycol, Chlorphenisin -98% natural

Honey Rain Juice Ingredients: Water, Aloe Leaf JUice, Vegetable Glycerine, Shea Butter, Cetrimonium Chloride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Methosulfate, Panthenol, Caprylyl Glycol & Chlorpeneisin, Parfum, Guar Hydroxyprpyltrimonium Chloride, Hydrolyzed Silk Protein, Honey -98.5% natural