Article of the day

 

 

 

 

Written by Blackhairinformation.com

 

For the whole article please click on the link provided below

http://www.blackhairinformation.com/finding_a_regimen/the-only-hair-type-chart-that-really-matters/

 

Video of the Day

Homemade Detangler Recipes for Natural Hair

Posted by CURLYNIKKI  / Written By NaturallyChelsea via NaturallyCurly

Check out their website great articles and information  http://www.curlynikki.com

As curly girls, we all have those days when no detangling tool can make it through our hair. After lots of tugging and pulling you may want to give up, but have no fear. Just take a deep breath, relax and grab your favorite detangler. If you don’t have one or if you are just looking to save a buck or two, here are four easy homemade detangler recipes you can try yourself.Aloe Vera Gel Detangler

Our first homemade detangler is a very simple one to make and will help to get out the easy tangles. All you will need to do is combine the following ingredients in a spray bottle:

• 8 oz distilled water
• 1 teaspoon aloe vera gel
• 1-2 drops glycerin
• 1-2 drops essential oil (e.g., lavender, jojoba)
• 10 drops grapefruit seed extract

To use this detangler, spray it on sections of your hair and detangle as usual.

---

Diluted Conditioner Detangler 

This is also another easy homemade detangler to make. Combine your favorite conditioner with a few drops of oil in a spray bottle. Then add water until it is thinned enough to be sprayed.

---

Marshmallow Root Detangler 

Marshmallow root is known for its detangling abilities because of its mucinogenic properties which soften the hair naturally and give good slip. The prep work for this detangler is a little more involved, but it’s still super easy to make. To get started grab:

• 1 1/4 cup distilled water
• 1/4 cup dried marshmallow root
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 tablespoon olive or jojoba oil
• Grapefruit seed extract or any essential oils

To Make It: 

1. Place the marshmallow root in a pot with the water and heat it for 15 to 30 minutes on low heat until it begins to thicken and form a gel. The longer it heats the thicker it will be. Make sure that you stir the mixture throughout to ensure that you have an even consistency.
2. When your mixture is as thick as you want it to be, turn off the heat and allow it to cool.
3. To strain it, place a knee high panty hose over a cup and pour the mixture over the pantyhose. Remove the pantyhose from the cup and squeeze it in a downward motion to strain the gel and separate it from the dried marshmallow root.
4. Add vinegar, oil and the grapefruit seed extract to the marshmallow root gel.
5. You can use the gel as is to detangle provided that it is not too thick, or you can pour the gel into a spray bottle and add water until it is thin enough to spray. Remember to shake well before each use.

Please note that this mixture must be stored in the fridge and will last for about 3 weeks.

---

Flax Seed Detangler 

• 1/4 cup flax seed
• 2 cups water
• Grapefruit seed extract or any essential oils

To Make It: 

1. Place the flax seeds in a pot with the water and heat it on low heat until it begins to thicken and form a gel. Make sure that you stir the mixture throughout to ensure that you have an even consistency. The longer it heats the thicker it will be.
2. When your mixture is as thick as you want it to be turn off the heat and allow it to cool.
3. To strain the mixture place a knee high panty hose over a cup and pour it over the pantyhose. Remove the pantyhose from the cup and squeeze it in a downward motion to strain the gel and separate it from the seeds.
4. Add the grapefruit seed extract to the gel, stir it and store in an airtight container.
5. You can use the gel as is to detangle provided that it is not too thick or you can add the gel to a spray bottle and add water until it is thin enough to spray. Remember to shake well before each use.

All these mixture must be stored in the fridge and will last for about 3 weeks.

 

Aloe Vera Pudding

ingredients

2 – 3 aloe vera leaves

1 180ml bottle of rose water or rose water with glycerine

4 table spoon coconut oil (more can be added if desired)

3 table spoon of olive oil (more can be added if desired)

3 – 5 table spoon of Glycerine (more can be added if desired)

2 table spoon of almond oil

optional

2 table spoon of vitamin e

3 table spoon of castor oil

2 table spoon of pepper mint oil

Instructions

1)Cut open the aloe vera leaves and remove meat

2)place the aloe vera meat in the blender

3)add the whole bottle of rose water into blender with the aloes

4)add oils and then blend

5)blend until all of the aloe vera meat is dissolve

* remember not to blend it to much otherwise it will be very thin and watery so make sure it still has body to the mixture.

6) place into jar and refrigerate * the mixture can spoil if not refridgerated*

adminmylife

Well with so many naturals coming out and owning their curls and textures, and with so much information out there now for naturals to take advantage of there has been a surge in the amount of DIY recipes and remedies  out there to help with hair care and not only for afro textured hair but for other types of hair as well. And I must admit alot of them that I have tried have worked great for my hair and others that I know as well. But one thing that has always been on my mind is how safe is this for the hair of my hair. Now let me explain what I mean by that last statement. While most of these DIY recipes are made from organic and natural ingredients (kudos to mother nature!!!) one would think that it makes them automatically awesome right?! Well that might be true to…

View original post 373 more words

How to Make Creamy Leave-in Conditioner

Creamy leave-in conditioner (hair conditioner that isn’t rinsed out after it’s applied) keeps your hair moist. It’s rubbed or sprayed into your hair when it’s dry. To make your own, you will add an oil–such as olive oil, coconut or avocado–to give your hair luster, and silk peptide powder to make it soft. You can also pick your favorite essential oil to add for fragrance, but consider whether the scent will complement the conditioner if you use coconut oil (since it has a strong smell) or the store-bought conditioner you use is scented.

 

Instructions

Things You’ll Need

• Measuring cup
• Hair conditioner of your choice
• Funnel
• Small spray bottle
• 1/8 cup oil of your choice
• 1 1/2 oz. distilled water
• 1 tbsp. silk peptide powder
• 1 tbsp. vegetable glycerin
• Essential oil in the scent of your choice

1. • 1Measure 1/4 cup of store-bought hair conditioner of your choice into a measuring cup.
   • 2Put a funnel in the mouth of small spray bottle.
   • 3Pour the conditioner into the funnel.
   • 4Add 1/8 cup of oil of your choice, 1 1/2 oz. of distilled water, 1 tbsp. silk peptide powder and 1 tbsp. vegetable glycerin to the bottle.
     1. • 5Add three to five drops of your favorite essential oil.
        • 6Screw the spray top on the bottle and shake the bottle vigorously.

      

     Tips & Warnings

     • Shake the spray bottle each time you want to apply the conditioner.

     Leave-in conditioner keeps hair soft and hydrated.

What factors determine Hair Growth?

• Genetics
• Diet & Nutrition
• Age
• Medical Conditions
• Styling Techniques
• Overall Hair Care Maintenance

How we take care of our hair has a direct affect on how our hair grows!!! Yes, over-styling and rough handling of your hair may be the reason you are not experiencing proper hair growth. African American hair must be handled with extreme care because our hair is very fragile.

Despite all of the myths and beliefs, African American hair CAN and DOES grow! Our hair grows just like everyone elses. Hair breakage is the major reason we are not retaining length as our hair grows. Our hair is breaking faster than we can grow it.

Most people are under the false impression that our hair is breaking because of dryness. Moisture is important, but it is NOT the main reason for hair breakage.

It’s the things that we do to our hair that is preventing us from seeing hair growth.

Improper styling techniques, over-handling and how we care for our hairplay an important role in how our hair grows. Take a look at the list of things many of us do to our hair that prevents it from retaining length.

• Over-processing from chemical relaxers – Just about everyone would agree that during retouch time, the relaxer almost always overlapped onto previously relaxed parts of their hair. Only the NEW growth is supposed to be relaxed.
• Braiding hair too tightly – I can remember stylists recommending that I take Tylenol before arriving to get my braids done! I was told to do this because it was expected that I would have a headache afterwards because the braids would be tightly done. Many of us were fooled into thinking that our braids had to be done tightly in order to last and to keep them from coming out (i.e. as with braided extensions. DO NOT allow stylists to perpetuate this myth. Braids worn too tightly can cause traction alopecia which is the leading cause of hair loss amongst African American women!
• Heat – Heat from curling irons, hooded dryers, pressing combs, and blow dryers are very damaging to our hair. If you can see smoke coming from the barrel of a curling iron or pressing comb, it is TOO HOT to be applied to your delicate, fragile hair. Use the lowest heat possible along with a heat protectant to minimize unnecessary damage to your tresses.
• Various methods of hair extensions – Any hair extension or weave method that requires glue & heat is extremely damaging to our hair. This would also include glued-in hair extensions. Sewn in weaves are more expensive, but is perhaps a better way to go because hair is normally cornrowed and protected as extensions are sewn into them.
• Spritzed hair styles – These are styles that “freeze” the hair into place. This stuff is very damaging to black hair. Anything that makes the hair hard and crunchy should be left alone.
• Vigorous rubbing of hair – When drying hair, do NOT vigorously rub the hair with a towel to dry it. Always remember that our hair needs to be handled with extreme care. Gently pat the hair dry.
• Greasing & Oiling the scalp – This is a definite NO-NO. Yes, back in the days when we were young, some of our parents often greased our scalp. It was fairly common back then. However, nowadays it has become widely known that oil, grease, and pomades can clog the pores of the scalp. These clogged pores suffocate the hair follicles and lead to unnecessary hair loss (i.e. oil folliculitis). Oils should be applied directly to hair only, not to the scalp.
• Combing methods – Yes, the way we comb our hair can cause breakage. Be patient and gentle with your hair when combing. Use a wide tooth comb to gently detangle hair before combing.
• Night scarves – Most of us are already aware that satin scarves are the way to go. However, be sure to rotate the position of the scarf when wrapping hair at night so that the point where the knot is tied does not always rest in the same place. The top (forehead) area is ideal since most people tend to sleep on their backs or sides.

These are just a few of the things that we do to our hair that prevent us from seeing and retaining growth. We love to express ourselves through our hair. It’s ok to change up your style every so often. However, too much styling can prove disastrous for our hair and it’s growth. Our hair needs to be handled gently at all times and left alone as much as possible to prevent breakage.

 

What can I do to promote Hair Growth?

Here are a few things that are known to help promote hair growth.

1. Drink Your Water and lots of it – Many people with long healthy hair & skin will tell you that they drink the recommended daily amount of 8 glasses a day. Models (i.e Tyra Banks) and celebrities (i.e. Jada Pinkett-Smith) have all attested to the benefits of drinking water.
2. Diet & Nutrition – Eating healthy plays a very important part in hair growth. Your hair needs the proper nutrients in order to look it’s best and to grow at it’s optimum length.
3. Minimize Heat – Heat is NOT our friend. Avoid it as much as possible. If you must use heat, then always use a heat protectant to minimize damage.
4. Handle hair with extreme care – Be patient and take your time! Our hair is extremely fragile and requires gentle styling, handling, and products.
5. Keep your hair clean – shampoo hair regularly to keep your hair follicles from clogging with dirt and excess sebum (i.e. natural oils produced by the scalp).
6. Eliminate complex styling techniques – Utilize styling methods that will not cause damage to your hair. Always remember that less is more. Keep it simple. Black hair can not handle extreme styling methods. What are extreme styling methods? Styles that require a freeze wave with 12 pin curls on the right side and shirley temple curls on the left with a ponytail attached to the back:) This is just too much trauma to the hair. Our hair requires styles that are easy to care for and that will result in minimal damage.
7. Scalp Massages – Massaging scalp on a regular basis helps to circulate blood and stimulate the scalps production of natural oils.
8. Protect your ends – Oil or moisturize your ends daily to help keep them from breaking as your hair grows. Protective Styles are great for this. They help to keep your hair from rubbing against the collar of your shirts, etc.

 

Ways to Promote Hair Growth

• Braids
• Protective Styles
• Vitamins & Nutrition

Hair Structure 101

Every strand of hair on your head consists of follicles and hair shafts. The follicle is like the “root” of each hair strand and is the place from which each strand of hair grows. The hair shaft consists of the actual strands of hair that you see above the scalp.

Each of us has an average of approximately 100,000 strands of hair on our head. Some of us have more or less hair depending upon our genetic makeup.

 

 

 

What’s in a single strand of hair?

• Cortex – the core of the hair shaft responsible for shape and elasticity.
• Cuticle – the outer layers of the cortex which give hair it’s sheen.
• Keratin – a special protein that gives hair it’s strength.
• Melanin – a pigment that determines the color of hair.
• Sebum – a natural oil released onto the scalp which is produced by the sebaceous glands.

 

 

What make’s black hair coarse or fine?

 

The width of your hair shaft and genetics determines the texture (thickness) of your hair.

Wider hair shaft = Coarser hair

Narrow hair shaft = Thinner/Fine hair

 

 

 

 

What makes black hair different than other races?

 

The basic hair structure for all races is pretty much the same. However, our curl pattern is what makes african american hair different from other ethnic groups.

1. Black hair typically has a tighter curl pattern which makes our hair more fragile than others.
2. Our hair has a tendency to dry out or weather more.
3. Black hair is more prone to breakage due to wears & tears of the cuticle layers.
4. Our hair follicles produce more sebum than other ethnic groups, but due to it’s curly nature the oil cannot evenly flow throughout the hair properly. Therefore, causing the need for additional oils & other hair care products to make hair more manageable and to prevent unnecessary breakage.

 

Hair Recipe Basics

There are a few things that you will need to know before attempting to make your own homemade hair recipes.

• Essential Oils need to be handled with care. Do not allow EOs to come in direct contact with your skin.
• Dilute essential oils with carrier oils to minimize unnecessary skin irritations. Perform a skin patch test if necessary.
• Carefully review the instructions on how to properly make herbal water based and oil based infusions before attempting to make hair recipes.
• Keep in mind that EOs are highly concentrated. You will only need to use (literally) a few drops when making recipes.
• Please educate yourself as much as possible about the uses of EOs to know which oils work best together and which do not.

   

Conversion Measurement Tables

3 tsps = 1 tbsp

1/4 cup = 60 ml

1 oz = 28 grams

2 tbsps = 1 fluid oz.

1/2 cup = 120 ml

4 oz = 112 grams

4 tbsps = 1/4 cup

1 cup = 230 ml

8 oz = 228 grams

2 cups = 1 pint

1 1/4 cup = 300 ml

16 oz = 1 pound

2 pints = 1 quart

1 1/2 cup = 360 ml

1 kg = 2.2 lbs

1 liter = 4 cups

2 cups = 460 ml

3.4 oz = 100 ml

 

 

 

How to make an Herbal Water Infusion

An infusion is merely steeping or making a tea with herbs to release their herbal properties. Herbal infusions can be used as a drinking tea or for other health and beauty remedies.

Step 1 – Obtain an empty mason jar (quart size) that is heat resistant.

Step 2 – Add about 1 cup of dried herbs of your choosing for every quart of water used.

Step 3 – Boil a pot of purified or distilled water and pour enough into jar to fill to rim.

Step 4 – Cover jar with lid and tighten.

Step 5 – Allow herbs to steep for at least 2 hours or overnight.

Step 6 – Strain out herbs with a cheese cloth.

Step 7 – Place remaining liquid in a sterile container and use accordingly.

 

Any unused portions will need to be refridgerated for up to 2 days. After 2 days it may become contaminated with mold and bacteria. Make a note that anything containing water can and will grow bacteria.

 

How to make an Herbal Oil Infusion

An oil infusion is done by allowing the herbs to infuse in a cold pressed oil which is gently exposed to warmth or heat over a period of time.

Step 1 – Fill an empty mason jar (quart size) with about 1 cup of dried herbs.

Step 2 – Add 2 cups of cold pressed oil of your choosing to jar.

Step 3 – Shake and cover with lid then tighten.

Step 4 – Allow herbs to gently steep in oil for at least 1 week using the “sun-kissed” method. (i.e. allow to sit in direct sunlight or sunny window)

Step 5 – Strain out herbs with a cheese cloth.

Step 6 – Place remaining infusion in a sterile container and use accordingly.

A stronger infusion can be made by simply adding dried herbs to the already infused oil and repeating the process.

Cold pressed oils are oils that retain their flavor, aroma & nutritional benefits when they are pressed or ground. Here’s a list of some cold pressed oils that can be used to prepare your herbal infusions.

• Olive
• Canola
• Evening Primrose
• Hazelnut
• Flaxseed
• Hemp Seed
• Pumpkin
• Kukui Nut
• Almond
• Vegetable
• Sunflower
• Macadamia Nut
• Jojoba
• Sesame
• Peanut
• Avocado
• Grape Seed

 

Methods of Heating Oil Infusions

The following methods can be used to heat or infuse herbal oils.

Crock Pot Method– Oil and herbs can be slowly heated over low heat for about an hour. Be careful not to overheat. Heat destroys all of the beneficial properties of herbs.

Double Boiler Method– Water is added to pot which is on direct heat and oil & herbs are added to top boiler so as to prevent overheating.

Sun-Kissed Method– Oil and herbs are combined in a mason jar and set in a sunny area to allow sunlight to naturally infuse ingredients over a period of time. Usually 1 to 2 weeks.

 

 Olive Oil Treatment

3 tbsps Olive Oil

1 tsp Honey

2 drops Lavendar Oil

2 drops Sandalwood Oil

Mix all ingredients in a small bowl. Apply to damp hair from roots to ends. Cover hair with a plastic cap and sit under a warm hooded dryer for 20 minutes. You can also use a thermal heat cap as well. Rinse and style hair accordingly.

 

Herbal Hair Rinse

1 cup dried herbs

2 cups distilled water

Let distilled water come to a boil in a stainless steel pot. Remove from heat. Then add dried herbs, cover pot, and let it steep for 1 hour. Strain out dried herbs with a cheese cloth. Then use infused liquid as a final rinse.

 

Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse

1 part ACV

4 parts distilled water

Mix ACV and water. Then pour rinse throughout hair (use as a final rinse) after washing & conditioning to remove any excess build up from your hair.

 

 

Aloe Vera Leave-In Spray Conditioner for Dry Hair Read more: How to Make Natural Spray Leave-In Conditioner

Things You’ll Need

• Spray bottles
• 2 oz. aloe vera juice
• 3 drops fragrant essential oil
• 2 oz. aloe vera gel
• 10 drops rosemary essential oil
• 10 drops lemongrass essential oil
• 5 drops jojoba oil
• 2 drops vegetable glycerin
• Purified water

 

 

• 1

  Pour 2 ounces of aloe vera juice into a small spray bottle. Add 3 drops of fragrant essential oil. Choose an essential oil with an aroma that appeals to you, as the leave-in spray conditioner will leave a light fragrance in your hair.

• 2Close the spray bottle and shake well before using. Shake the leave-in spray conditioner each time you use it, as the oil and aloe vera juice will separate between uses.
• 3Spray the leave-in conditioner all over freshly washed hair and comb through your hair. Style as you normally would.