Hair Recipes so good you can eat them!

There is no doubt that beautiful hair is a measure of its care. As mentioned in The Natural Hair Care Regimen, it is imperative that you deep condition your hair at least once a week to keep it healthy. 

Curly hair unlike straight hair often lacks moisture. This is one of the reasons why you need to deep condition more now than when you had a relaxer. Here are a some yummy recipes whose ingredients can be found in your kitchen.  

Avocado and Honey Deep Conditioner

1/2 Avocado

1 egg

1 tablespoon of honey

1 cup of mayonnaise 

In a bowl mash avocado to a paste. Mix all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Apply mixture to damp hair. Cover hair with plastic cap. Sit under dryer for 15 mins. Wash hair with moisturizing shampoo. 

Avocado- Nourishes, smoothes and softens hair. 

Eggs- Add shine and bounce to hair.

Honey- Adds shine and makes hair soft and supple.

Mayonnaise- moisturizes while giving hair shine and body. 

Banana and Coconut Deep Conditioner

1 banana

1 egg

5 tablespoons of coconut oil 

3 tablespoons of olive oil

2 tablespoons of milk

Blend banana and egg in a bowl. Add other ingredients and mix until smooth (blender preferred). Apply to hair and cover with a plastic cap. Sit under hooded dryer for 15 mins. Wash hair with moisturizing shampoo. 

Banana- contains potassium which softens the hair.

Eggs- Add shine and bounce to hair. 

Coconut oil- Deeply moisturizes, conditions and softens.

Olive Oil- conditions the hair. 

Milk- moisturizes and nourishes hair. 

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Rihanna's New Hair Do Unveiled....

Rihanna is definitely a trend setter when it comes to fashion and hair! What do you think about her new hair do? Like it? Love it? Can't wait to try it? Or will you take a rain check?

I have to admit I love this look on her. Stripped tee, booty jeans and nude below the knee open toe boots...NICE!

DIY: Natural Hair and Button Earrings

Studded earrings and short natural hair are a perfect combination! Nothing says elegant and classy like an updo and FAB earrings. Ever pictured a certain kind/type of earring but couldn't find it anywhere? Well here is your chance to create your masterpiece. Below is a Do-It-Yourself guide to creating personalized earrings. 

What do you need:

1. Superglue
2. Earring backs (Purchase online at : www.Hancockfabrics.com or any Fabric store near you.)
3. Buttons, bottle caps or anything with a flat back surface that you think would make a cute pair of earrings. 

How To: 

1. Superglue flat part of earring back to reverse side of flat button, and let dry for 3 minutes.
2. Repeat on second button to make a pair of earrings and viola!!! 

*I'm sure you have some old jackets that have fabulous buttons. If not visit a thrift store and go button shopping. You can even get creative by spraying, painting or decorating your button earrings.*

*WARNING: This can be an extremely fun project if girlfriends are added.*

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6 Summer Hair Survival Tips

Summer heat can do a number on our hair, leaving it dry and out of control. Here are a few tips to keep your hair looking its best as we try to beat the heat. 

1. Condition and Go! 


The summer heat can leave you feeling sticky and gross...and your hair sweaty. Instead of washing your hair everyday, try rinsing it (with water only) in the shower and applying conditioner. Washing your hair everyday can strip away essential nutrients leaving it dry and rough. By rinsing with water instead of shampoo, allows you to wash away the sweat and odor without stripping natural oils.


*Tip: Section hair in twists or braids before rinsing in the shower to reduce styling time.* 

2. Avoid Clarifying Shampoos.


Curly hair is prone to feeling rough and looking dry. Clarifying shampoos provides no added benefit for curly hair. This type of shampoo offers zero protection from damage, especially when hair is in its most vulnerable state. Moisturizing shampoos are best for curly hair because they defend against damage and frizz.

3. Quench thirsty curls.


"Curly hair has more protein and less moisture than straight hair, so it seeks to balance itself by absorbing any available moisture," says Craig Carter, an ethnic-hair expert with the Carlos Lobo Salon in New York City. If your hair is parched, it will pull moisture from the humid air, leading hair shafts to become puffy and frizzy. A weekly deep-conditioning mask will help curly hair stay well-hydrated and will create a humidity barrier.

4. Air drying is better.


Instead of pulling out the blow dryer or sitting under the hooded dryer...opt to air dry. This summer's heat should be the only heat your hair experiences. Heating your hair with styling tools and staying out in the sun is like baking a cake twice. Bantu knots, two strand twists or a good old Wash-n-go are great styles for air drying.

5. Less is more. 

Has your hair stylist ever told you to "Use a dime size of product?"Applying too much product can weigh the hair down and leave it feeling sticky. Use a dime or quarter size amount of your favorite leave in and apply equal amounts to each section of the hair. The results should yield a uniform curl pattern.


*Tip: Remember to apply the product from root to tip. The scalp should always be clean--no product required.*

6. Get wet before getting wet. 


If you plan to visit the beach or pool this summer don't do so before wetting your hair. Rinse your curls before and after you get out of the water, then apply leave-in conditioner. A thick or cream leave in conditioner is recommended for coarse and thick curls.

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We are not alone.

Ladies I think that I've cracked the code when it comes to the world's fascination with our naturally curly hair. After reading the latest natural hair article on CNN.com  "Can I touch it?" The fascination with natural, African American Hair about other races wanting to touch our extraordinary, exotic, eccentric or strange hair. I ran across "A "Hair" -oing Tale: What does it mean for your career?"  in the Huffington Post. Writer Manisha Thakor talks about the disdain that she felt after reading an article in the Daily Beast about Rebekah Brook's "totally fierce" red curls (The article in the Daily Beast was actually written by a sister- I won't get into this right now). This article along with a string of other articles all seemed to be centered around Rebekah Brooks' extraordinary red curly hair instead of the phone hacking scandal. Here is a little tidbit about what the press has been saying about Rebekeh Brook's hair. 

Her hair hung thick and loose below her shoulders like a dense tangle of vines. It was free and unruly; it was hair that had been released from any need to be controlled and tidy.

Brooks' hair was a distraction because it was a ballsy rebuke of our expectations governing how people on the defensive are supposed to tread. There was no suggestion of humility, timidity, or caution. There was no attempt to disappear into doleful anonymity.

That was look-at-me hair -- stare at me, remember me. Me, me, me.

I refuse to believe that the world is still this ignorant to the hair that naturally grows out of a women's head. My words to you are "We are not alone in our struggle to be accepted with afro textured hair." The majority of the world simply can't handle anything that defies the norm.

What are your thoughts?

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The Natural Hair Care Regimen

Natural or Relaxed! Straight or Curly! Hair is Hair and It needs love and care. Ever wonder why some women have beautiful long hair? What is it that they are doing? Maybe it's genetics or maybe it's their hair care routine. 

You can't lose weight without working out and eating healthy. The same applies to growing healthy hair. In order to get long beautiful healthy hair you need a hair care regimen (and like exercising you must stick to it for it to work). "Yea I know some people can eat crap and stay thin...and some don't take care of their and it's still grows." Life isn't fair right? :) 

Someone once told me "Treat your hair like a million bucks and it will treat you back". 

For decades we've had varying hair care practices like: only washing our hair every two weeks or greasing our scalp. These habits were passed down from generations. Just how some things get better with time some things DON'T.......and that includes our outdated hair care regimens. 

I want hair like hers...so here is what you should do: 

#1 Cleansing

Weekly cleansing is very important to get rid of product buildup, bacteria, dead skin cells and dirt that clog our pores. Cleansing the hair and scalp allows our hair to breathe and in turn grow. If you use products that contain mineral oils or petroleum then you may need to use a sulfate shampoo to rinse away the synthetic ingredients. If you use products with natural ingredients then a sulfate-free shampoo is recommended. 

Just so you know....Shampoos containing sulfates can strip the hair of its natural oils leaving it dry and dull looking therefore it is not recommended for weekly use... A sulfate-free shampoo can be used weekly.

How do I know if my shampoo has sulfates? Look for words that are a variation of the following:  sulfate, -fate, laurel, lauryl, and sulfite. 

#2 Protective Styling

The key to growing long and strong hair is protecting it especially the ends. Pay special attention to your ends by trimming them and being extra careful when detangling. Protective styles like bantu knots, braids or the occasional sew-in are good ways to give your hair a break. The ends are the oldest part of the hair and therefore the most fragile. Sebum produced by the hair follicles have a harder time reaching the ends of curly hair because of its spiral like pattern. This means that the ends are more suspetible to dryness. 

Given the hot and humid temperatures of this summer, protecting your hair against UV rays is a must. The less time you spend in the sun the better your hair and skin. Wear a hat, scarf or UV protection products on days when you expect to get extended sun exposure. 

#3 Deep Conditioning

Deep conditioning is important because it allows the conditioner to penetrate the hair shaft. It's also a great way to have a "Pamper Me Party" where you can treat yourself to your favorite magazine or catch up on reading. When purchasing deep conditioners look for products that contain natural ingredients like avocado, honey, vegetable glycerin or olive oil. Stay away from mineral oil or petroleum because these ingredients do not penetrate the hair follicles only build up on them. A good practice is to deep condition at least once a week, wet hair, apply deep conditioner and sit under a hooded dryer for at least 15 minutes. The results should be soft, shiny and manageable hair. 

#4 Daily Moisturizing

Our hair texture requires more moisture than any other hair texture because of its kinks and spirals. Therefore, daily moisture is key to keeping our tresses happy. Since water is the only substance that can penetrate the hair follicle it is important to seek water based moisturizers. Moisturizes make the hair more elastic, soft and manageable. As a result the hair is less dry, brittle and does not break easily. Spray the hair with 100% H20 nightly or before styling to get your daily moisture fix. 

#5 Night time Protective Wraps

Protecting our hair at night time is key to our hair care routine. Since our hair is susceptible to dryness it is important to cover it up while we sleep. Sleeping without a scarf on a cotton pillowcase causes friction between the hair and the fabric. This friction results in the moisture being removed from our strands and sometimes breakage. Have you ever looked at your pillowcase and wondered why so many hairs had shedded during the night? It's because of friction. At night, wrap your hair with a silk or satin scarf or bonnet. These fabrics reduce friction and allow your hair to retain moisture while you get your beauty rest. 

Start your journey to long, beautiful, healthy, natural hair...Let me know how it goes. 

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Natural Hair and The Gym!

I remember my relaxer days like it was yesterday. With a relaxer, I was limited in the amount of activities I could partake in. 

#1- Swimming in the ocean or the pool had to be planned in advance. I'm talking hair appointment booked the day after my water extravaganza. 

#2- Umbrella always on deck. A mini umbrella in my purse, one in the car and one in the house just in case. Switched purses and forgot umbrella meant a day of anxiety attacks if the sky showed any signs of gray. 

#3- Club smoke a no no…I was so happy when the state of North Carolina passed the law banning smoking in public places. 

# 4- The Gym-------

My biggest excuses for not going to the gym: 

#1-Did not want to sweat my perm out. 

#2- Did not want to wear a headscarf in the gym because everyone would look at me like I was from the cast of "The Color Purple". 

#3- The maintenance of fixing my hair after the sweat fest was too much. 

I remember looking at other races working out hard in the gym. ---I mean running for miles and dripping sweat. ---I would think to myself " I wish I could do that." Finally, I realized that the only thing stopping me was my laziness. I had made excuses about my hair and it's maintenance and in the process my overall health was suffering. So I decided to hit the gym hard (head scarf and all) and as a result I lost twenty pounds (in 2008) which I have kept off to this day. 

2008 was a good year for me and my overall health. I started working out regularly and stopped chemically relaxing my hair (July 2008- Nappy Anniversary). If you are a transitioner or all natural here are a few tips that I learned to keep my hair in place while burning calories: 

#1- If you usually wear an afro or curly style, no slip headbands are a must. Sliding the headband around your hair helps to keep the hair away from your face. 

#2 Bobby pins- Are a no brainer of course. Secure hair in a stylish undo so you can still look cute at the gym. Works for naturals and transitioners. 

#3- For easy to go styles- Twist/braid hair in sections and tuck back in a ponytail or undo with bobby pins. If you sweat on your scalp, you can rinse the twists/braids in the shower and let dry for a fresh twist/braid out. 

#4- If you don't sweat on your scalp a head scarf tied neatly around your head with hair out in the middle is always an option. 

Feel free to add to this list. 

New Feathered Earrings and Hair Extensions Trend: Have you tried it?

In case you have been living under a rock for the past year there is a new trend brewing in the fashion industry. Celebrities and just about everyone has started to wear colored feathered earrings or feathered hair extensions. As a women with natural textured hair the latter doesn't really suit my style but I love the feathered earrings. If you've tried it, how does this new trend accentuate your natural style? Feel free to post pics of your natural hair with feathered jewelry to our Facebook page!

Peacock Feathers

Blue Feathered Earrings I wore at a party in London (October 2010)

Peacock Earrings Price: $8 at Aldo Accessories

Blue Feathered Earrings Price: $20 Found at Alikat Cuture

The Natural Hair Look Book from Cornrows to Locs

Here is some Natural hair eye candy that I hope will be an inspiration to you as you change it up this summer....enjoy. 

Oprah Celebrity Stylist:“Kinky hair...that’s the only hair type that I suggest altering with professional relaxing.”

Celebrity stylist Andre Walker has enraged natural hair fans by suggesting that kinky hair should be treated with chemicals.

Walker was Oprah Winfrey’s hair stylist for 25 years, but has now come in for a lot of criticism.

He told Elle magazine: “Kinky hair can have limited styling options; that’s the only hair type that I suggest altering with professional relaxing.”

Oprah and Andre

The natural hair movement is becoming big among African-Americans. Pro-natural campaigners say it’s a political issue.

Black celebrities who straighten their hair such as Naomi Campbell and Rihanna have also been criticised.

However, Walker later posted this statement on his blog, according to the Globe and Mail: “I leave the political correctness of ‘going straight’ or staying natural to a woman’s personal preference … so for those who would like to engage me in a debate about who has more racial pride and self-esteem, based on hairstyle preference and use or non-use of chemical relaxers, know that I believe in personal freedom, and in the use of advanced technology when it yields positive results.”

Feel free to post your comments! I for one am outraged. 

Original Article link: Celebrity Stylist angers natural hair fans