African Beauty!

Hi Ladies,

Here's a refreshing look at African Beauty from around the world:

Enjoy, as I am sure you will see yourself in these images.

Images Provided By: Google search engine- African Beauty (Key word)

African Head Wraps

Hi Simply Naturel Readers,

While at the Natural hair gathering, I met a couple of really amazing women who specialize in African Head Wraps. For years I have been looking for new ways to wrap my natural hair, so when I met these women it felt like destiny.

In addition to their craft, they also work towards a greater cause. This cause is providing an alternative way to dress your head while undergoing Chemotherapy. Some women wish to not wear wigs, therefore draping their head with beautiful fabric is a creative alternative to changing over all appearance and boosting self esteem during a very challenging period.

For more information pls check out Imani's website: www.houseoftafaricollection.com

Check out these pics:

Images Provided by: Melissa Mendez Images

Natural Hair Gathering in Harlem NYC

Hi Ladies,

This past weekend I had the privilege to attend an all natural hair gathering in Harlem NYC at The Audubon Ballroom. This was my first ever natural hair gathering which made it even more exciting. I had been researching them for months and finally stumbled upon the information on the website BGLH. It was a time for mingling, networking and just being in the company of genuinely amazing women! The energy was great. I cant wait for another gathering in the New York area. If any of my viewers know of any, feel free to leave a comment!

So...without further ado, here are some photos I took while I was there:

All Images Provided by: Melissa Mendez Images

Removing Unwanted Body Odor!

Hi Ladies,

As some of you have noticed, I have begun recently writing "Hi Ladies" in the beginning of my blogs. I am making it a greeting because I believe that I am speaking directly to my viewers! I love writing and the part I enjoy the most is helping others in any way I can.

So here we go.... Today's post is on unwanted body odors. I thought about this recently because it is the summer time and people are more likely to sweat than any other season. I would like to share with my audience the little secrets I have been shown over the years and how they have helped me to stay fresh.

1. Lemon Juice- Using Lemon Juice is one of the best kept secrets to staying fresh. In addition, it is very affordable. In most super markets lemons run any where from 3 or 4 for $1. After buying the lemons all you have to do is cut the lemon and apply it to the area where the odor is promenate. For example I apply underneath the armpit. I wash with soap as usual, then rub lemon to area and let sit for 1-5 min depending on how strong your odor is. Feel free to reapply or leave on area for as long as you desire. Be sure to wash off with warm water, then apply deodorant as usual.

2. Apple cider Vinegar- Using Apple Cider Vinegar is a great method of cleansing your body from inside out. I often put some in my tea and it acts as a natural cleanser. Better than metamucile, in my opinion. The more you put in the better it acts. I go for 2 tablespoons in green tea. It adds a bitter lemon taste and is very pleasant.

*Both methods are good to use to cleanse an area of strong odor from outside and also inside. Both are good for drinking in moderation. Please also consult your doctor for continued internal use, while it may be fine for most people, both have acidity and may cause different reactions.


Images provide by:
http://www.bragg.com

Clear Skin

Hi Ladies,

The summer is officially here, and it is extremely important that we treat our skin with special attention.

Each season requires unique treatments that will help to get our skin looking and feeling its best.

Here are some suggestions:

*Clean your skin everyday. Removing dirt helps to get rid of excessive oil which will reduce blemishes

*Use a separate cleanser for your face. I like to use neutrogena deep clean/ no oil. I love the way it gently cleanses my face while removing all unwanted oils and bacteria's. My face is left feeling refreshed and smooth. I always wet my face completely and then put about a quarter size amount of cleanser. Then I rub it on my face for 20-30 sec. I used to think rubbing it was not necessary, but let me assure you, It has made a world of difference to my face!

*Exfoliating is also very important. As it helps to remove dry and dead skin cells and encourage clearer, smoother and healthier looking skin.

*Moisture is essential to the health of your skin. Even if your skin is oily,

be sure to always add moisture. For your face be sure to use an oil free moisturizer. A good moisturizer will help to balance oil production for the rest of the day. If my face gets

a little oily during the day I simply use paper towel and blot the areas where there is too much oil. I never rub, this can spread unwanted oils and bacteria to other parts of your face and possibly cause more breakouts.

*Use sunscreen, this not only protects your skin from harmful sun rays but it also prevents your dark marks from becoming even darker or tanning.

I am speaking from experience. Try these techniques and you will see a dramatic change in your skin. Realistically a good time frame is about 3-6 months. There is no quick fix for anything but a little patience and loving yourself anyway....will get you to the place you want to be.

Some suggested Products and remedies:

*Clinique :Even Better Dark Spot Corrector (Always use sunscreen with this product)

*Clinique : Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel in a tube

*Neutrogena: Deep Clean

*Coffee Scrub: View below posts for recipe. This is great for exfoliating your body as well as your face.

What are some of your skin cleansing remedies? How have they helped you?

Images Provided by:

www.neutrogena.com, /www.clinique.com

A New Beginning

Once in a while there is a feeling of change that comes over me. A new and fresh start to create new energy. So as I write all of this mombo jumbo, I say that I have cut off all of my hair! Yes I Did It!

I have been natural now for a little over 3 years and the first time I decided to start to let my hair grow natural I didn't have the wherewithal to do a BC so I just let my hair grow out without perming it and also styled it in ways to blend the permed and not permed roots. It didn't take long before all of my permed hair was trimmed off and my hair was completely natural.

Now three years later, not one strand of permed hair left and over 10 inches of awesome hair growth, I had the full confidence and courage necessary to take the big plunge. It has been a great process wearing my fro and I am so glad to be wearing .... well not really wearing much hair. LoL. It has also been a learning process for me in regards to doing something when I am ready for it. I feel so beautiful with my cut off hair, but I am not completely sure that I would have felt this beautiful three years ago when I first decided to go natural. Timing is everything and when you are ready to do something it will definitely reflect in your mood, vibe, ora, attitude or which ever word you chose to use. The point is when you feel beautiful then you reflect beauty.

So here we go the before and after- Taken about a week apart.

The top photo is before I cut my hair

The top photo here is two days after the initial cut

Here is a back view

What was your first experience like when you did the BC?

Images Provided: Me

A More Productive Day!

Hi Ladies,

I have noticed that time seems to really be flying now a days. It seems as though there is never enough time to do what you plan to do for the day, week or month for that matter!

One way to solve this problem is by writing it down. A simple yet profound way to get through your day. I enjoy writing down my plans for the day, week or even month. It really keeps me focused in on goals and priorities that are in my life. I like to also spice up my planning experience by using a notebook that encourages me to write. For instance, I love Moleskin notebooks. So I purchased the perfect size for me and decorated the outside with my favorite color lace! I also like to use pens that glide smoothly like a o.5 ballpoint pen or something of that nature. Haha... This all might sound a little crazy but at the end of the day I am doing something that works for me and helps me to get my goals accomplished. The key is finding what works for you and sticking to it!

Here is what my list might look like on any given day:

1. 10 % + 10% Tithe and Saving

2. Pay Phone bill today! Its the last day

3. Call Amanda and make sure we are still on for lunch

4. Order book

5. Wash clothes this week

What are somethings you like to do to stay organized throughout your day?

Images Provided by:

Flower: Flicker

Notebook: Moleskin.com

Money Where Art Thou?

This is my first ever entry on finance. I am very excited because what I am about to share, I have been practicing this method of saving in my life for years now!

Many People wonder where their money is going? Why they are living from check to check? Well, there is no need to wonder anymore because there is an easy way to keep track of your money and also other investments, if you so choose to have such things.

The method I use is the principle of 10, 10, 80. What this means is 10% Tithes (or charity), 10% Saving and 80% which is the rest of your earnings, you will use to live on i.e. rent, food, transportation, leisure, etc.

Another way to look at it is 10,10,10,70- as you probably notice there is an extra 10% added to the equation, this is for dept payment. If you owe credit cards, college loans or any kind of dept there should be a percent of your income that is designated to paying this dept off in a consistent manner.

Depending on your current situation you may end up paying a little more than 10% due to minimum payment requirements or things of that nature. Also... if you live at home with parents or with your partner in which you may not have too many other living expenses, you may want to increase the 10% to another percent to pay off your dept faster, thus reducing the interest you will end up paying in the long run!

Some of you may be thinking "That sounds soo easy, I wonder why I haven't thought of doing that before". I think that it is easy too, especially in theory. However when it comes to actually executing the plan, it takes a lot of dedication, discipline, and goal setting. Below I have a recommended reading which will help many people who read this blog and want to know further.....be sure you are one of those people!

There it is ladies, an easy way to divvy up your income to maximize its use.

Recommended reading:

The richest man in Babylon: By George S. Clason

Images Provided by:

Google search engine, Hellobeautiful.com and Rawmultimedia.wordpress.com

The Power of Separation!

I have been natural for going on 3 1/2 years and counting. At some points time seemed to have rushed by and at other times a snail appeared to be walking faster than time itself. During this period of being natural, I have learned that there are many occasions when we must take our time in dealing with our natural hair. Natural hair is very strong but like anything strong, there is always going to be a weakness. Learning new ways to keep your hair at its maximum strength is something all naturals need to know. Hence this is why separating your hair is key!

At first when I heard about this method of detangling, washing, moisturizing I thought to myself, this will take too long. I was wrong! In fact it cuts the time in thirds! I'm and not joking. As I mentioned I have been natural for some years now and thanks to moisturizing, protective styling and a lot of love and care, my hair has grown significantly in comparison to when I was perming my hair. As my hair grew I started to notice I was spending an extra 15 minutes in the showers after washing my hair. Trying to detangle my hair uggghhh. My hair was shedding like a wild animal! Hairs were every where, not to mention I believe that I also experienced breakage due to trying to detangle a head full of hair.

Then I started to do some research through fellow bloggers and also youtube on methods of detangling natural hair. What I came across was the parting method or what I like to call "The power of separation" method. Where instead of trying to detangle all of your hair at once you put several parts in your hair and detangle one at a time.

Directions:

This is a very flexible method, in that you can part in the middle going vertically and then 1 more part going in the opposite direction or horizontally leaving you with 4 sections. Tie each part or hold with a clip, rubber band or clamp, which ever you prefer, I also two strand twist them. Wet with water each section and apply a creamy thick conditioner to each section. Comb through with a wide tooth comb and remember to always start from the bottom ends of your hair and work your way up to the root. Then do the same for all other sections, retying them once you have completed the procedure. This method should take less than 10 minutes for most hair lengths!

At this point your hair is filled with conditioner. It wont hurt to let it set for a few more minutes, also I try and make a point to do it when I'm in the shower so that after my hair is detangled I can spend time washing my body and the conditioner is deeply penetrating my hair at the same time! Ladies can we say multi tasking!

Enjoy this new method of detangling your hair, some of you may already know about this method. Feel free to comment about your experience and what works for you :-)

Images provided by: Google search engine

Calming Scalp Moisturizer

Many of us treat our scalp as apart of our hair. Indeed this is not true, while the hair is connected to the scalp, the scalp is ultimately skin!

Both our skin and hair should always be moisturized. A classic example of this is when we wake up in the mornings, we usually take a shower and then apply lotion, creme or for those following this site... Shea butter! The same should be done to the scalp. We must always moisturize our scalp.

Here are some methods of moisturizing the scalp:

1. Shea Butter

2. Essential Oil of your choice i.e. coconut, jojoba, olive etc.

Here is a link to a great website that sells oils at an affordable price:

Silkyscents.com

Another element of skin rejuvenation other than moisturizing is exfoliating. This is an easy to do method for keeping your scalp in great condition, let me tell you how!

Honey and sugar scrub!

1/4 cup of Honey

1/4 cup of Raw Brown Sugar (large grain)

*Can be used on the body and also for the scalp!

Directions:

Put honey in small bowl and add raw brown sugar. Simply mix together, until combined.

It is easier if you part your hair into four or even six parts and work in sections.

Apply the scrub to the various sections and massage the mix into your scalp, trying to avoid the actual hair. The sugar scrubs your scalp and any dead skin cells that stay on the surface layer. The honey adds vitamins and moisture to your scalp which helps to heal any damaged cut or bruised scalp areas one might have. This occurs from over styling, harsh products or ruff handling of your hair which pull on the scalp.

I love this scrub, it has many great benefits.

One might ask why don't I use the coffee scrub on my scalp. I think that is a very valid question. I have considered it however the grounds from the coffee are very hard to get out of the hairs after it has been applied. The sugar is strong and the texture will definitely remove any dead skin cells. After you are finished scrubbing your scalp you simply rinse with warm water and the sugar desolves and the honey washes away.

Coffee scrub is great for the skin. If you happen to love the coffee scrub, I would recommend using it on your scalp if you have shorter hair or have just done the BC. It will be easier to get the grounds out! A brush would also help to remove the coffee grounds although you might have several lingering.

Try the honey sugar scrub and let me know what you think!

Nightly Moisture Routine!

Many skin issues such as dryness, itchiness, stretch marks and a like can be hereditary, however, some are self-inflicted. Many people, due to busy schedules and fatigue neglect their skin. Many of us don’t even have a nightly moisturizing routine to help our skin stay supple and fresh.

Here are a few tips to bring the moisture back to your skin and to keep it there:

• Shea butter crème with coconut oil and vitamin E. Apply to the body and face immediately after leaving the shower or bath. Your newly cleansed skin and pores are still open and ready to swallow anything that touches it!
• For a less intense moisture routine simply put a light oil such as coconut, jojoba or sweet almond on the skin before going to bed at night.

*Whichever routine you choose to use, the most important element is to stick to it.

Let moisturizer sit on skin for 15 minutes before putting on your night sleepwear or getting in bed. This is to let the moisturizer set into the skin well before coming off on the bed sheets or sleepwear.

You will notice a significant change in your skin and a reduction of those flaws! In addition to this you will feel great that you gave yourself a little more pampering!

Always love your skin!

For any questions or comments feel free to post them, or contact me directly at Simply.naturel@gmail.com

Images Provided by: Blackisbeautiful.se

Underarm Darkness!

Is there discoloration underneath your arm? Do you scrub and scrub and the discoloration is still there? You may have what many other women experience; this is darkness underneath the armpit. Believe it or not, this is a simple thing to reverse.

What causes this darkness? Through research, it seems that the buildup from deodorant is the leading cause of this skin discoloration. You know if your underarms have a discoloration when they are more than 2 shades darker than your arms, neck and shoulders.

Generally people put on deodorant twice a day (minimum), once in the morning after a shower and then again in the evening after getting home and taking another shower to wash to day away.

Through a questionnaire given to a few women, I have noticed that the more deodorant used the more intense this discoloration becomes. Coming to this realization I now don’t feel the need to put deodorant on twice a day, but only once. This one time deal is in the morning after I shower and am off to my daily tasks. When I am going to bed at night I don’t put any on.

Some may think this is crazy especially if you're not single and there is a possibility of odor. The odor is not as pronounce as one might think, in addition there are ways to help minimize the odor.

Some suggested ways to minimize odor:

1. After applying your nightly routine, simply apply a little of the moisturizer to your underarm.
2. Spray freshener is also good (Lovely Lavender)
3. Spray a little feminine deodorant spray

*Note: It may not be a good idea to apply heavy moisturizer and feminine deodorant spray at the same time. One or the other will do. Too much of anything is never a good idea.

Suggestions to help reduce the underarm discoloration:

• Exfoliate using the coffee ground scrub and moisturize afterwards
• Natural remedy for dark underarms recipe (Below)

Cucumber puree: 5-7 slices blended into a paste
Lemon juice: 1 Tablespoon
Turmeric powder: a pinch of power
Apply to darkened area

Leave on for 15 minutes and apply daily for a month for best results

Try the recipe and let me know how your experience went!

Enjoy and always love your skin!

Images provided by: Hicomspices.com, naturalhills.com, mooseyscountrygarden.com