Oldie but Goody! Deep Conditioner

There are so many deep conditioners out on the market. Some work well, while others simply don’t work and add a variety of chemicals and other harmful ingredients to your hair. In the pursuit of finding natural homemade recipes I came across this recipe that has been around for quite some time now. Some of you may already know it. It is simple, natural and most, if not all of the ingredients can be found in your kitchen!

Avocado Deep Conditioner!

Ingredients:
1. One Whole Avocado- remove outer skin and seed.

2. Mayo- 2 table spoons. Mayonnaise, believe it or not is a natural product (when made with natural ingredients) for instance mayo is made up of oil, vinegar and egg. If these ingredients are natural then making an all natural mayo is as easy as 1, 2, 3. Another alternative is to purchase an all natural mayo from your local market if you don’t want to go through the trouble of additional measuring and mixing.

3. Essential oils- Your favorite. I.e. Coconut, jojoba oil etc…
A good website to study oils and even purchase them is silkyscents.com

4. Baking soda- 1 Tablespoon

To mix all of the ingredients you will need a small blender or food processor. Make sure that it is properly cleaned and dry. Add the avocado to the mixer and blend until the lumps are removed. Then proceed to add the 2 tablespoons of Mayo and blend those two components together. Finally add your essential oil(s) and 1 tablespoon of baking soda to the mixture and blend until all ingredients are completely mixed.

Once all ingredients are mixed remove conditioner from the mixer and place into a bowl. The conditioner must be applied to damp hair. You may want to wash or co wash your hair and pat dry with a clean towel. When this is complete, now it is time to add your deep conditioner to your hair.

Part your hair into 4 sections (simply for better control and distribution of the conditioner). Apply conditioner to each section individually then if there is any left-over reapply to the ends of your hair along your hairline and roots.

*Note: If there is not enough in the bowl to cover your entire head, make more conditioner. If there is just a little left in the bowl and you may not have any more ingredients, simply add a little water.

Keep conditioner on hair for 30 minutes and wash out well!
Style as desired, your hair will be soft, shiny and healthier with all the robust ingredients you added!

Always Enjoy your Hair!

For any questions and comments feel free to leave a message in the comment box or e-mail me directly at Simply.naturel@gmail.com

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Natural Hair Styles

There are so many wonderful styles for Natural hair. Be creative and explore the beauty you were born with!

The Short look

Medium Length

Braids, Locks and Twists!

Long Hair

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

Always enjoy your hair!

Images provided by Essence Magazine.com

The Natural Steps

Natural hair can be just as challenging as any other type of hair, but like everything in life you try and make the best out of what ever hand you are given. I say this because on the journey of becoming natural, I have encountered both the good and the negative aspects of natural hair. For example natural hair that is more curly, long and possibly even more straight in texture might be considered "Good Hair".

Hair that might be more kinky, thick and short may be considered "Not so Good hair" or "Bad Hair". My response to comments like some of those you just read is what a dear friend of mine said, which was "All Natural Hair is Beautiful!" That conversation started one day when she and I were in class. My friend has had natural hair all of her life and because of that she knows it very well. She knows what works on her hair and what doesn't, she knows a variety of styles that complement her beautiful face and features and she knows the best products for her hair. Her hair type is 3C which is a looser longer curl. I complemented her on her hair one day and being the newly natural lady I was at the time, I made a statement “My hair isn't as good as yours" or "My hair wont style in the same way as yours". My friend looked me in the eye and said "Your hair is beautiful, all natural hair is beautiful".
After that day I took a deeper look at myself and my hair and I realized that It didn't matter to me anymore whether or not people absolutely loved my hair as long as I loved it and It worked well for me. Now I am a proud wearer of my natural hair. I write to hopefully make and or solidify your own thoughts of your natural hair. If you love it great...keep on loving it and if you’re still transitioning, just hold on for the ride you will make it to your destination safely!

It can be a challenging thing adapting to natural hair if you are not given some good advice. You don’t need to know everything right away but a little good advice will go far!

Here are more steps to becoming natural:

1. Determine whether or not you wish to do the BC (Big Chop) which is when you cut off all of your hair or whether you wish to let your natural hair grow out while trimming off and even cutting large parts of your permed hair off.

2. Choosing the right hair products.

-Shampoo: Suave, Nexxus, Aveda Shampoo Shampur (works very well to cleanse the hair, leaves hair feeling a little striped but using less would minimize that feeling). Pantene Pro V (line for natural hair and women of color).

-Conditioner: Nexxus, Suave (any type is fine, however the professional line seems to work a little better), Los caballos (spanish conditioner), Mane and tale (has been around for years and still works great). Pantene Pro V (line for natural hair and women of color) smells great.

-Hair Brush: Soft brush-medium. I don't personally prefer the hard brushes even when I use gel and want to slick my hair back. I understand that for some women they may like the harder brushes but the medium ones work just fine for me. (Use your discretion and study your hair!) Also the Denman brush or one like it which Goody hair accessories sells is really good for curl definition and even detangling. I have been recently using it to detangle to ends of my hair when doing the two strand twist.

-Hair Comb: Wide tooth (easier to comb through your wonderfully thick hair). A smaller comb with a pointed edge is not necessary but will be a great addition once you start experimenting with different hair styles. This smaller comb is not to detangle but only to use for parting the hair so there can be a clearly defined separating design in the styling of your hair.

-Scissors: Trim off those permed edges. Don't be afraid to trim your hair every two -six weeks. Do it little by little (an inch at a time) if that makes you more comfortable. Again you don’t have to invest in a super pricy scissor, I got mine for $4 (small professonal kind), only use them for my hair and they are just as sharp as the day I bought them.

-Leave in conditioner: Infusium 23 (The original formula) I have seen growth and strength added to my hair after using this. I have a spray bottle and add half distilled water (water that is boiled for several minutes and then cooled. This is to get any of the impurities out) I also add half Infusium 23 and a few drops 8-10 of my favorite oils and shake well. I use this for styling in the morning as well as after I wash my hair and want to set my two strand twist.

-Protein conditioner/treatment: Aphrogee. The best I have used, hands down. It smells great, it’s smooth going on the hair and doesn't leave any residue or brittle feeling after washing out! It is affordable and you can purchase it at local drug stores, beauty stores and online.

3. Hair Accessories:

-Bobbi Pins- For styling
-Hair clips- For styling and to hold hair when doing twists or bantou knots
-Head Band- For styling and also working out
-Head Scarf- (Silk or Polyester) This can be worn outdoors and or can double as a bed scarf.

4. Sleep wear:

-Head Scarf- Silk or Polyester to help prevent hair from drying out at night while you sleep.
-Bonnet- Polyester or silk to help prevent breakage and drying of the hair.

When Natural Hair Needs a Relaxer!

Believe it or not ladies, natural hair always needs a relaxer! What I mean by that is Natural hair needs a break too! Yes I know most people thought I was talking about a perm or a chemical relaxer but indeed I was referring to good old fashion rest. A rest from too much twist, curls, flat irons, gel etc... Here I have recommended a pattern to keep your hair experiencing the many different types of hair styles. Your hair can look wonderful with minimal work! Here's how.

Like everything in life, there is an ebb and flow. A time in which is a recurrent or rhythmical pattern of coming and going, or decline and regrowth. Simply put there is a time for everything! Lets make the best time the most useful. I enjoy seeing the world in its natural stages. Lets take the seasons for example.

Winter- This is the coldest season of the year and like most types of hair, the harsh cold elements are not on our side! So in the winter it is best to use the common garb for the protection of your hair. Hats, scarfs and wraps are always great for this cold season. In the Winter I usually wear my hair in twists and put an attractive hat like a french beret or a cable knit beanie on which are all moderately priced and last year after year. In addition to the wonderful hat accessories, I always add more moister to my hair by adding a little more oil in my spray bottle than in the warmer months. Depending on how my hair feels I may even use a deep conditioner twice in two weeks instead of once.
Spring- This is my favorite season ever! I love to see the flowers blossom, the rain comes and soaks my hair and the temperature seems to always be just right! Perfect season for up-do's, wash and go's and slick backs! In addition to being my favorite season, Spring tends to be the season on growth and also productivity- even when it comes to hair! One way to keep track of your hair growth is to keep a log that has the measurements from month to month (you can use a standard inch ruler as a measuring device). If you prefer not to keep a log book or a journal then simply writing it on your calendar will do just fine. This is an easy way to monitor the progress of your hair. Long hair doesn't necessarily mean healthy hair but if growth is a goal of yours then keeping track in any way you feel works best for you is the way to go.

Summer- This is the warmest season which can be both good and bad. With the weather being so hot you can add more water to your daily hair regime and not have to worry about catching cold or pneumonia! However on the flip side, the heat of the summer months can also damage natural hair and cause hair to be heat colored and even fried. The best way to avoid this is to.....here it goes....Moisturize! Yes ladies this is the answer to healthy hair. Moisture adds strength, vitality and health! Also in addition to the daily and even weekly deep conditioner you might want to consider using a Protein conditioner which adds protein and also strength (bounce) to the hair.

Fall- This season is also very good on the hair. It's generally not too hot nor is it too cold. I use the fall season to get my hair done with what is called extensions. This is when a piece of false (artificial) hair is added to your natural hair by way of braiding method. This is what some people call a protective method. I would agree! When I do these extensions of kinky twist extensions my hair tends to not dry out at all, I wash it as usual and after about a month and one half of keeping it in, I finally take it out and my hair has grown 1-2 inches in just a short period of time.

All of these looks are interchangeable, some may be better for the specific season but never limit your self or your creative ebb and flow!

Always Enjoy you hair

For any questions, comments or suggestions for future post
contact me directly at Simply.naturel@gmail.com

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Going Natural for the First Time

Like everything in life, the first time seems to always be the hardest, at least for many people that is. I have been Natural for close to 2 years now and in the beginning it was not so easy. I wasn't sure whether I should do the BC (Big Chop) which is when one cuts off virtually all of their permed or relaxed hair and let their natural hair grow out. Another alternative was to let my hair grow out and cut off the permed edges. I ended up letting my natural hair grow out while weekly trimming and sometimes even cutting off inches of my permed hair.

Styling my half permed and half natural hair was never a challenge because I used to put Bantu knots on my hair every 1-3 nights to blend in the natural and permed hair and created a spray (I will talk more in depth about that in later posts) to keep my hair moisturized and looking healthy.

If you are going natural for the first time here are some tips that will help you along the way! Enjoy

1. When going natural do it at your own rate. Which means if you are comfortable doing the BC then do it. If not then let your natural hair grow while continuing to trim the permed hair off. Either way you hair will end up natural!

2. Dont spend a lot of money buying and trying new hair products out. I will have products reviews and home recipes for you to try that are affordable and easy to make. Get some essentials like a Suave shampoo and conditioner, and mixed chicks leave in conditioner to keep your hair moisturized during the day (This is one of my favorites and is very effective)

3. Ask your friends that may be natural for the products they use. You don't need the whole store to maintain your new look.

4. Natural hair IS CLEAN. Despite the misconception that natural hair is dirty and never clean, thats just rubbish! Natural hair is as clean as permed hair if not cleaner. My hair loves water so I give it what it wants! Instead of washing it with soap, however, I do what is called a CO wash which is simply washing it with conditioner only so that the natural good oils from my scalp won't leave and the bad oils i.e. sweat, buildup etc... will be washed away. I regularly CO wash my hair once or twice a week while washing it with Shampoo once or twice every two weeks. At first it may sound strange and psychologically you may reject the idea but please keep in mind that most women with permed hair go to the salon once in two weeks, which means they tend to not wash their hair in two weeks. This could mean that if you CO wash your hair once in a week your hair is technically cleaner that someone who washes only once with shampoo in two weeks (Hope I didn't offend anyone).

5. Keep your hair very moisturized otherwise breakage may occur. Breakage is when your hair splits and breaks usually in the middle of a hair strand and makes a snap effect. This is not normal and means your hair could use some more moisture.

6. Sleep with a polyester or silk scarf or bonnet. This keeps the moisture and shine in your hair. You want to avoid a cotton scarf because it will strip the oil from your hair and make it dry and dull!


Always enjoy your hair

Thanks for the support
For any questions contact me at Simply.Naturel@gmail.com

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