***Do Not Use the Following Ingredients in your HAIR!!!****

1. Mineral Oil- A crude oil (same as petroleum), that is used industrially in lubricating oil. Mineral oil forms an oily film over the scalp that hinders scalp respiration by keeping oxygen out…

2. Propylene Glycol- Cosmetic form of mineral oil. Found in Anti-Freeze!


3. Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)- Carcinogenic Petroleum! Increases the appearance of aging and makes you more vulnerable to developing a bacterial infection. Also used in cleansers to dissolve oil residue and oven cleaners.

4. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)- Used in car washes to make their bubbles sud! Used in garage floor cleaner and engine degreasers. This ingredient is used in 90% of products that foam. ***This is the reason many natural hair care sites advise you to use sulfate free shampoos. They may not sud as much as the Pantene Pro-V (even the relaxed and natural collection) The following pics are sulfate free shampoos. Organix Line can be found in WALMART!

5. Alcohol- Very drying to hair and scalp. Contains an irritating solvent and dehydrator made from Propylene and petroleum.

6. IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA and DMDM HYDANTOIN: These are just two of the many preservatives that release formaldehyde (formaldehyde-donors). According to the Mayo clinic, formaldehyde can irritate the respiratory system, cause skin reactions and trigger heart palpitations. Exposure to formaldehyde may cause joint pain, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pains, ear infections, Chronic fatigue, dizziness and loss of sleep. It can also aggravate coughs and colds and trigger asthma. Serious side effects include weakening of the immune system and cancer. Nearly all brands of skin, body and hair care, antiperspirants and nail polish found in stores contain formaldehyde-releasing ingredients.
*http://nappturality.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=52:ingred-avoid&catid=34:careinfo&Itemid=30

7. DEA (diethanolamine) MEA (momoethnanolamine) TEA (triethanolamine): DEA and MEA are usual listed on the ingredients label in conjunction with the compound being neutralized. Thus look for names like Cocamide DEA or MES, Lauramide DEA, etc. These are hormone disrupting chemicals and are known to form cancer causing nitrates and nitrosamines. . These are commonly found in most personal care products that foam, including bubble baths, body washes, shampoos, soaps and facial cleansers. On the show, CBS This Morning, Roberta Baskin revealed that a recent government report shows DEA and MEA are readily absorbed in the skin. Dr. Samuel Epstein, Professor of Environmental Health at the University of Illinois said "repeated skin applications of DEA-based detergents resulted in a major increase in the incidence of two cancers - liver and kidney cancers." John Bailey, who oversees the cosmetic division for the FDA said the new study is especial important since "the risk equation changes significantly for children."
*http://nappturality.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=52:ingred-avoid&catid=34:careinfo&Itemid=30

***Please make it a habit to read label on the products before you purchase them! When I first started out, I had the ingredients listed on an index card so that I would be able to recognize the list of NO-NO's for your hair!***

*****Please share with your friends and don't forget to subscribe to the blog before you go****

Hi Naturalistas!!!

As human beings, we are made up mostly of water. We need to drink water for health, and it is necessary for life. However, many do not drink enough water each day, resulting in bloating, weight gain and illness as the body tries to hold on to as much water as it can get. Some people dislike the taste of water and choose not to drink enough.
The human body is generally composed of approximately 60-80% water. When deprived of adequate water to sustain cell health and reproduction, the body becomes dehydrated, which directly impacts hair growth.
In my ongoing search for a miracle fast hair growing product I started by researching “natural hair growth” and I was bombarded by various hair vitamins and other grow hair fast remedies. As I continued to pour over countless articles, there was one main ingredient that kept coming up……WATER! When one is chasing long, beautiful tresses, they will often reach for hair vitamins but skimp on an important ingredient. A natural "miracle" that supports hair vitamin consumption is surprisingly water. You can be sucking down fistful of hair vitamins and related hair growth supplements, but if you are not downing enough H2O to meet your body's daily minimal levels, your cells that drive hair growth will not even reproduce and your hair will become parched. Lack of proper daily water supplies creates another problem with the membranes that cover all cells including skin cells, the cells that cover the scalp and impact the hair roots.

The amount of water that one should drink daily has always been the traditional 8 to 10 glasses per day. However, in my research I came across a surprising fact. The best way to avoid dehydration of your body, skin and hair is to drink lots of water, especially on hot, dry and windy days. Water is always the very best option as compared to other liquids such as juice, tea, coffee or soft drinks

“Experts agree that the amount of water one needs for health and ideal weight is half of one's weight in ounces of water each day. For example, a person weighing 160 pounds would need to drink 80 ounces of water daily. A 100-pound person needs only 50 ounces of water total for the day. You will learn ways to make it easy to drink the required amount of water each day to keep your body healthy, hydrated and at your ideal weight.”
(Read more: How to Drink Half Your Body's Weight in Ounces of Water Each Day | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2300792_drink-half-bodys-weight-ounces.html#ixzz1gM5aj79t)


Since reading this article about 2 months ago and drinking at least 100 ounces per day, I must say that my hair looks healthier and my face is SUPER CLEAR!!!! I have lost 9 pounds and I must say, I feel GREAT!!! Although, I do use the bathroom OFTEN, I would say that if you can drink that much GO FOR IT! When I first started drinking water it was VERY difficult to drink so much! However, I just kept thinking about the benefits it would bring to me.


The easiest way I drink that much water is to buy the biggest bottle of water Poland spring sells (50 ounces) and I drink two-three of those per day!





Easy ways to drink water:

1. Add lemon to your water. This will not only make it go down easier, but is also good for weight loss. Lemon is a natural diuretic and will allow you to lose your water weight easier.



2. Try and drink “warm” water. It is easier to get the water down than to drink a glass of ice water.



3. Carry your water in a reusable bottle, that way you can fill up at your job’s water cooler.

4. If you are a coffee or tea drinker, add an extra glass of water after drinking each cup of coffee or tea with caffeine. Water is lost when drinking caffeinated beverages, and this is a way to ensure you are still getting enough water.

5. Try and drink the most water when you are nearest a bathroom! You WILL be making frequent trips to flush all of those TOXINS out your body!!

DRINK UP LADIES AND HAVE A FABULOUS DAY :)

Can My Kinkz ever be moisturized?!?!?!

Happy Friday Everyone!

I hope this Friday is treating everyone fantastic.  I just wanted to stop by and quickly and discuss your kinkz and moisture (Especially during the winter months)!!!

Our hair is often subject to abuse. When going to the salon to have the hair styled, permed, cut or colored, the hair strands are exposed to harsh chemicals which may damage your hair in the long run.  Over-the-counter beauty shampoos, conditioners, styling gels and other hair products may also leave the hair dry, brittle and damaged (as well as contain ingredients that are a big NO-NO). Even the simple act of combing or blow drying can lead to hair breakage and damage.

 I have to be honest and say that I have yet to try any of the super expensive hair products like Miss Jessies (simply because my budget won’t allow it) and have had to find other alternatives to keeping my natural kinkz moisturized!!  This task can be daunting since it is natural for our NATURAL hair to be dry

Since doing my BC on 11-14-2011 I have become OBSESSED with using oils in my hair for daily conditioning and deep conditioning.  I first learned about what oils are best for natural hair by googling and looking at youtube (for what seemed like hours at a time).  Leaning what works for your hair is trials and error.  All of the oils I am about to list I purchased at my local beauty supply store.  For daily conditioning I combined all of the oils in a spray bottle with H2O.  It is difficult for me to provide measurements as I normally just eye it out. 

1.  Jojoba Oil- Jojoba oil is produced from a desert plant called Simmondsia Chinensis.  Its oil is highly regarded as an effective conditioner, moisturizer, cleanser and softener for the skin and hair.  Jojoba oil also promotes new growth and is non-greasy and will leave your hair feeling light and moisturized. 

2. Grape Seed Oil- The benefits of grape seed oil, has the same antioxidants as green tea, black tea, berries and red wine.  The antioxidants in the oil are called procyanidolic oligomers (PCO’s), known for their health giving properties, and are more powerful than vitamin C and vitamin E.  It is very rich in vitamins, minerals and protein. Grape seed oil contains a high amount of linoleic acid, which is a fatty acid essential for the health of the skin and cell membranes.  This is the reason why it makes such a wonderful moisturizer, as it really nourishes your skinhelping keep it smooth and subtle.  Make sure you are always using organic cold pressed Grape seed Oil.

3. Shea Butter Oil- (I use the Shea Butter oil opposed to melting down whole shea butter because I find that the regular shea butter that I have to melt down solidifies once it comes into contact with the water and other oils.)  Shea butter is FLEXIBLE, LUSTROUS, PROTECTS, MOISTURIZES, REVITALIZES, RELAXES. REFRESHES, MAINTAINS SKIN & HAIR MOISTURE. Shea butter benefits to skin & hair are endless.

4. Morrocan Oil- Moroccan oil is also commonly referred to as argan oil. The oil, which is derived from argan trees in Morocco, is known to offer a wide array of hair benefits. Here are some of the reasons why you may want to consider incorporating Moroccan argan oil into your daily hair care routine.  One of the main benefits of argan oil is that it moisturizes the hair.  This oil Increases Hair Shine, Offers Healthy Vitamins and UV Ray Protection; and Moisturizes Hair and Reduces Frizz.

5. Vitamin E oil-  Resembles the same benefits of Grape Seed Oil.

6. Rosemary Oil- Rosemary essential oil is mostly extracted from the leaves.  The rosemary bush belongs to the mint family which includes basil, lavender, myrtle, and sage. Rosemary oil and rosemary teas are used extensively for hair care in shampoos and lotions. Regular use of rosemary oil helps in stimulating follicles, as a result of which, hair grow longer and stronger. It is also believed that rosemary oil slows down premature hair loss and graying of hair.  Regular massage of scalp with rosemary oil nourishes the scalp and removes dandruff. Further, it is often mixed with tea tree oil and basil oil to treat scalp problems

7. EVOO- (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)-

For Added Slip – EVOO is an oil that may be added to products to provide extra “slip”, which makes the product go through the strands easier; this makes manipulating the hair easier.

As a Detangler - EVOO may also be used as a detangling agent.  The oil may be applied to the hair, and be worked through your coils in order to make detangling a breeze.

As a Sealant – Extra Virgin Olive Oil may be used to “seal” in moisture that comes from moisturizers in order to give the hair an extra layer of protection.

To Enhance Your Conditioner’s Properties – Your conditioner may be fine on its own, but it may be spectacular once you add in evoo.  Through trial and error you can quickly find out if your hair loves added evoo in your conditioner.

**The oils were NOT expensive.  The most expensive oil was the Morrocan (argan) oil.  It was 10.99 for about 8 oz.  The other oils I was able to purchase in a squeeze tube for about $1.99

Transitioning anyone?

Happy Thursday everyone!!!

So--the reason why I wanted to create a blog is because I am newly natural and wanted to document my journey; and perhaps help another along their natural journey.  I have learned SO MUCH about my hair, what it likes, dislikes and what works well for it.  The more information I learn about my hair that more thirsty I am to share it with the world.  I am part of many natural hair support groups and communities where there is just a plethora of information and support from fellow naturals. 

I transitioned for 8 months before I decided to do the big chop.  One thing that I learned about going natural is that it is probably much easier to do the BC right away then attempt to struggle with two types of hair on your head.  I just could not face the fact that after the bc I would practically be bald headed lol.  In our society, having hair is being beautiful (no matter how wrong that is).

In my other natural communities that I am a part of I have realized that when someone is transitioning they may be lost in how to deal with their two different textures.  SO, I have a few pointers for those that may have stumbled upon this site looking for pointers. 

1.  Start to treat you hair as if it is already natural!  I learned so much about my transitioning hair through goggling that key phrase "transitioning to natural", as well as you tubing natural hair techniques and protective styles.  

2.  You may be asking yourself what are "protective styles?”  Protective styles are hair styles that don’t consist of the hair being worn loose. Wearing the hair in a protective style requires that the permed ends, which are the oldest and most fragile part of the hair, are usually tucked away and sealed with some kind of moisturizer. Popular protective styles that I wore during my transitioning phase were Bantu Knots, Twist outs, Braid outs and plaiting my hair (which is just making chunky cornrows) and placing a beanie over top of it. 

3. You must seal your hair when you moisturize it.  In order to seal your hair, you must first apply the water to your hair then spray the hair with oil.  The reason you want to spray your hair with water first is because the oil molecule is bigger than the water molecule.  Therefore by spraying the water molecule first and oil molecule second, you are essentially trapping the water onto the hair which provides the most moisture. 

4.  Familiarize yourself about which ingredients you should stay away from (those that DON'T work well with natural hair).  I can develop a post about this if anyone is interested?

I didn't want to ramble on and on if no one is reading this...lol, I will post pics of my journey and be as helpful as I can!!!

Have a beautiful day everyone and stay NAPPY!

:)

xoxox

Nickie