Category: acv rinse

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Removing Lint From Loc’s

The Lupie Chick

Few things look worse in locked hair than lint. What causes lint to build up in locs? It could be a particular product causes your hair to absorb lint like a sponge. Pillow fibers might cling to your locs at night. Your towel lint might be having a party in your hair. Whatever the cause, you want to get rid of it.

Commercial products that remove lint

A good clarifying shampoo might be all your hair needs to remove lint build-up, especially if you don’t have much to contend with. Here are a few products that get locked hair lint-free:

Aubrey Organics Green Tea Clarifying Shampoo ( from website)

This fast-acting clarifying shampoo deep-cleanses with just one application and rinses clean to leave hair shiny, bouncy and full. Herbal extracts deliver beneficial nutrients quickly and reduce drying time for fast and easy styling.

The Lemon Drop is made with an aloe base and is packed with essential oils geared toward soothing oily hair and scalp – lemongrass, lavender, cedarwood, and aloe. It can be used as a clarifier to get rid of product build-up. It can also be used for teen and mature locs.

Invigorates and refreshes the scalp with cooling Peppermint Oil
Deeply cleanses and removes product build-up and daily toxins, without stripping away essential moisture
Restores your hair to its original shiny, healthy state.
Has Rosemary Extract to deliver antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits to hair and scalp. Has Moisturizing Marine Extracts (Algae, Carrageenan, Spirulina and Seaweed) to provide hair and scalp with nourishing hydration
Helps to smooth, soften and boost shine.

Natural remedies to get rid of lint

Apple cider vinegar rinse – An apple cider vinegar rinse works as a natural hair cleanser by gently removing build-up. The rinse can produce a shine because apple cider vinegar naturally closes cuticle scales found on the hair shaft’s surface.

Create an apple cider vinegar rinse by combining:
* 1 cup distilled water
* 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar

*Optional* add 5 drops of lavender, rosemary, lemon , sage or rose essential oil to the basic vinegar rinse recipe.

Pour the mixture over your hair as a final rinse after you shampoo. You might have to do an apple cider vinegar rinse a couple times before you see results.

Baking Soda – This is a powerful way to remove lint from your locs. Baking soda works as a clarifier, leaving your locs squeaky clean.

Make a baking soda clarifier by combining:
· 1 tablespoon baking soda
· 1 cup water
Pour the mixture over your hair, squeezing it into the hair and focusing on troublesome locs. Massage it into the hair for 1 to 2 minutes and rinse thoroughly.

Bentonite Clay – No, it will not build up in your locs. Just be sure to rinse thoroughly. Bentonite clay pulls chemicals and metals out from our bodies, like a magnet. When applied to locs, bentonite clay pulls dirt, lint and product build-up from our hair. When you apply bentonite clay, be sure your locs are freshly shampooed.

Mix equal parts of the following in a non-metal bowl with a non-metal spoon: (If you use metal, you will activate or de-activate certain properties in the bentonite clay)
· Bentonite clay
· Apple cider vinegar
It is normal for the mixture to sizzle. If you think the mix is too thick for you, use a few drops of lukewarm water. The consistency will be creamy. Place the clay directly on your locs, and leave it there for about 20 to 30 minutes. Rinse your hair thoroughly. The lint will come to the surface and easily be removed.

Tweezers – Use tweezers to perform surgery on your locs. Carefully remove lint from wet locs with the tweezers. (Some prefer using a pin or a straightened paper clip). Make sure you actually have lint to begin with! If the stuff on your locs disappears when wet, you have build-up. If the fuzz remains, it’s lint. Go for the tweezers. Be careful you don’t thin your loc out. If it becomes too weak, you will have to cut or repair the loc(s).

How you can prevent lint from getting trapped in your locs
· Wear a scarf at night, when cleaning or doing other chores that might get your hair into close contact with cling-happy fabrics.

· Use dark-colored towels when drying your locs. Light colored towels can shed lint into your locs.

· Avoid products with petroleum in them, hair butters and creamy conditioners because these substances attract lint and other unwanted residue on your locs.

· Stay away from hats and scarves that shed, like angora or wool.

· Check your locs from time to time for lint. It is easier to remove lint off the surface of your locs, rather than having to remove embedded lint.
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My Method of Co- Washing My Hair

The Lupie Chick

I’m often been asked how do I “wash”my hair? When I tell people I wash my hair with conditioner I oftentimes get a “confused” look. So below I’ve outlined my routine. There is no WRONG or RIGHT way to this method.


First, find a conditioner that works for your hair type. I’m a 3B/3C. My co-wash mix consist of Hello Hydration conditioner, mixed with VO5 Moisture Milk ( Strawberries and Creme), with Alma oil, Grapeseed oil, or Evoo Oil added. You can use conditioner right out the bottle- I’m a mixologist- so I mix EVERYTHING!

Get to know your ingredients. The long, hard-to-pronounce ingredients on the label can be overwhelming. But with familiarity, you can learn to spot which ingredients you want to keep and which you want to avoid. Ingredients like propylene glycol, cetyl alcohol and panthenol are common. Search online for ingredients lists. One such list can be found at http://sci-toys.com/ingredients/ingredients.html.

Recommended: Alot of naturals co-wash in the shower- I do not. If you choose to co-wash in the shower, purchase an extended shower head/hose. I co-wash my hair in the sink- I don’t like the feel of wet hair on my shoulders or back-again this is preference

Rinse the hair with warm water. Avoid water that is too hot (if it initially stings your back, it’s too hot). Cleansing results from the action of water plus cleanser (shampoo and/or conditioner) and agitation (hand movements through the hair). Warm water will clean hair well while hot water can be damaging. While rinsing with water, gently comb your hair with your fingers.

Apply your conditioner. This can be done in several ways.

(1) I pour my conditioner mix into a bottle with an applicator tip ( similar to the type of bottle hair dye comes in), I finger part my hair and apply the conditioner ( because of the applicator tip- it come out in a “line” formation”. Work the condition from root to the tips, continue until all the hair is covered.

(2) Pour conditioner mix into a large clean spray bottle and mix with water (optional: add a little coconut milk). Shake well and spray liberally onto the hair. This mixture will be more dilute than a direct application. I use this method when I need to mist my hair or to re freshen twist outs/braids outs.

Rinse your hair well, with warm water. Ease your fingers through each section while the water flows through to remove any remaining conditioner. I do not rinse all the conditioner out- this step is optional

Optional: Apply product and comb your hair with a wide-tooth comb with rounded-edge teeth (detangling comb). This step is optional, I only comb my hair once a week during my weekly detangling session. Comb from the TIPS first, ensuring there are no snags then work your way to the roots. I don’t always add product- depending on how much conditioner is left on my hair- this step varies for me.

It’s time to dry. Just as with the application, there are several ways to dry your hair.

(1) Dry with a t-shirt, simply dab and pat your hair dry, or grab sections and squeeze excess water into the t-shirt. I t-shirt dry in the colder months

(2) Shake and go. Lay your t-shirt across the back of your shoulders (lengthwise shoulder to shoulder). Grab the bottom corners of the t-shirt and raise it up to your head, almost over your head. Think of Batman’s cape raised up as he jumps off a tall building! With the shirt raised, shake your head from side to side (ear to shoulder) and left to right (like saying no), shaking excess water into the towel. This is called the “no touch” method. For me- the less I manipulate my hair- the more my curls pop. You also want to avoid the frizzes. I shake and go in the warmer months

For me, co washing my hair is the way to go! I rarely apply commercial shampoo to my hair. Shampooing is too harsh and it strips my hair of much needed oils and moisture. In place of shampooing I do the ACV rinse ( click here for recipe) & Baking Soda Rinse. If you co- wash- share your method? What conditioners do you use?

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I’m a mixologist……and you can be one too

The Lupie Chick

Product junkies will agree — you can spend hundreds of dollars testing out the numerous products available on the market, many of which are supposedly intended for natural hair use. However, breaking the bank is really not necessary for a healthy, strong and shiny natural. You already have key ingredients in your own kitchen and bathroom!

Creating your own hair recipes not only saves money, but allows for a more intimate relationship with your hair — you can gain a much better insight as to what your hair craves, prefers, or rejects with your at-home experiments.

Get creative! There are a few simple rules to follow to find your perfect concoctions:

Don’t mix too many things at once-Start out with simple recipes, say, mixing one main ingredient and adding a small amount of another. It’s much easier to determine what worked and what didn’t when your ingredients list is limited.

Create two-ingredient mixes and try them until you find a mix that works well on your hair. If it’s a “perfect” mix, continue using it! If it’s a “pretty good” mix, retry the recipe with the same main ingredient then alter the secondary ingredient until you reach perfection. You may find you need to reverse the amounts used, making the main ingredient the secondary ingredient.

If there is one particular ingredient you find most always works well on your hair, make it a staple for your hair recipes, adding it as a standard part of all your recipes.

Alter the way you apply the mixes to your hair. Try dousing your hair with your Super Yogurt Surprise while your hair is drenching wet in the shower. Does it work well this way? Try another time by making it a bit more liquidy and spritz it on your dried hair with a spray bottle. Perhaps your hair responds better to this application.

For ingredients, a general rule of thumb is if it’s ok to ingest, it’s probably ok to apply to your hair as well. Pureed fruit, honey, apple cider vinegar and many more items are great additions to homemade hair recipes.

Take note of what works for you and how it worked. Some recipes may be better for clarifying while others make for great deep conditioners.

Search and compare! If you’re a little timid about applying egg whites to your hair, make use of resources available to you before doing so. Search the Internet for your particular ingredients. You just may find others who have tried the same type of recipe and enjoyed success or experienced a nightmare.

Go beyond your kitchen! Many cities have well-stocked health food and natural stores with a huge selection of ingredients to boost your hair recipes. Experiment with essential oils (a few drops go a long way!), xanthum gum (a thickener, also known as xanthan), as well as conditioners and leave-ins you won’t likely find at department stores and drug stores.

Remember, a recipe failure is a good thing. It lets you know what your hair simply does not respond to well. The worst likely thing that can happen with the use of your homemade products is the need to wash your hair again, so get creative!

Note: Use of homemade mixes for coloring of hair is not recommended.

Article Source: www.ezine.articles.com

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Benefits of Bentonite Clay

The Lupie Chick

What is Bentonite Clay?
It is a detoxifying clay that can be used both internally and externally. It is commonly used amongst us natural queens as a hair cleanser but is also great for the skin.

Benefits of Bentonite?
Used as a shampoo, Bentonite removes build up and dirt from the hair and scalp without stripping. It is highly absorbent, so when used on the skin-it extracts oils and toxins from the skin.

How to use Bentonite?
It it mostly commonly combined with plain water, EVOO, or ACV.

Where to find Bentonite?
It can be found at many health food stores.

Bentonite Clay Curl Popping Hair Care Treatment Recipe:

This recipe depends on the length and thickness of your naturally curly hair.

Prep time: 10 mins

Instructions
Mix 1 to 2 parts Bentonite clay
Slowly add *water to the clay until you achieve a pancake mix texture.
Apply to your hair (dry or wet)
Allow to set for between 15 – 20 minutes
Rinse thoroughly until it’s all out of your curls, kinks and coils.

*water can be replaced with your choice of liquid for example: Organic Coconut Milk Herbal infusion or anything you like…* (Source: Anitagrant.com)

While researching info about Bentonite, I found so much information about this wonder clay. It is also effective treatment for skin rashes like Eczema, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, Autism and the list goes on. I don’t know about you, but I am running to my health food store to whip up a recipe this weekend.
I’ll keep ya posted.

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Mixology Tuesday Present-The Carmel Hair Treatment-

The Lupie Chick


The carmel hair treatment-Have any of you heard of this? I was doing some research online when I came across this and I knew right away I had to dig deeper…. Apparently this was the “it” thing to do back in 2006- 2007- again I never heard of this. I was actually able to find the original ” Carmel Treatment” and I also found a replica receipe for all my DIY mixiolgsist. I have NOT tried this- If any of you try this treatment or have tried this- PLEASE provide feedback and post a comment….. I would like to know how well this works…

E’Tae All Natural Hair Products and Salons ( http://www.etaeproducts.com
) sell a deep-penetrating hair treatment called Carmel for $19. On the E’Tae website, the company claims the reconstructor contains olive oil, honey, and other natural ingredients that contain vitamins and minerals to strengthen, condition, and moisturize the hair, imparting shine, softness, and body. After a little research, I’ve found this replica receipe that rival that one for much cheaper keeping the integrity of the product and always ” Au’ Naturale”….

Step 1- Gather and mix your ingredients

6-tbsp honey
6-tbsp evoo
3-tbsp wheat germ oil
2 jars of banana baby food ( or 2-3 overripe bananas)
3 tsp- black strap molasses
1-tbsp of cornstarch * optional *
1- tsp apple cider vinegar
cornstarch- * optional* used for thickening purpose

Step 2

Once you mix the products together you may need to add more corn starch. If the product is too runny it can be a bit of a mess to work with. I heard at that yous should mix these ingredients in a blender- especially if you use the over ripe bananas.

Step 3

After you’ve mixed the ingredients and you’ve developed the right consistency (should be cake batter thick, give or take, depending on how much olive oil you use) wrap a towel around your shoulders, part your hair into for sections and begin applying the product.

Step 4

Start from the root of your hair and work the product to your ends. Do NOT comb the product through your hair, as the thick texture will pull your hair out of it is comb through. Apply a generous amount of the product and slick your hair down as much as possible to get it straight, similar to the way a hair relaxer is applied.

Step 5

Cover hair with a conditioning cap.

Step 6

Leave the product in your hair for 1 hour minimum. The longer you leave it in the better. ** do not keep mixture on your hair overnight- DO NOT sit under the hair dryer with the product on your hair **

Step 7

Rinse the product out and use more of your apple cider vinegar to help cleanse your hair of the product.

Step 8

Once you are finished your hair will feel softer and you will probably notice your curls are more defined and looser. If this is not your result the first treatments don’t fret. It may take a few treatments before your hair reacts.

**Disclaimer**

Carmel Treatment is not a relaxer, it is a great Moisturizing Conditioner that can be an alternative to a relaxer for those seeking to transition out of relaxers, for those who are all natural and for those trying to stretch their relaxer. It is NOT permanent either. The results last for about 4 weeks. Great protectant when using styling tools ( blow dryer, flat irons, curling irons, maxi glide)

** Picture Courtesy of ” The Natural Mixtress”

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Loc Maintenance Oils-Essential & Others

The Lupie Chick

What Oils Are Good

In a previous article regarding loc maintenance, I mentioned several oils — essential and otherwise — that can be good to have in your loc maintenance arsenal. Included in the list were:

Jojoba Oil: A carrier oil; closely emulates the natural oils produced by the sebacous glands

Sweet Almond Oil: also a carrier oil

Rosemary Essential Oil: assists with hair growth; should not be used by pregnant women

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: used for hot oil treatments; can be a carrier oil

Ylang Ylang Essential Oil: very aromatic; used to stimulate

The following herbs, which can be purchased as essential oils as well, should also be considered as part of your hair care regimen:

Chamomile: used to bring out the highlights in lighter colored hair

Horsetail: has a high silica content which helps relieve dry, brittleness; very moisturizing

Mint: stimulates the scalp

Nettle: a stimulant and helps with dandruff

Sage: used in hair rinses to remove dandruff; helps to restore color to hair that is graying

Thyme: treats oily hair and dandruff

You must be very careful in your use of essential oils. Improper or overuse of essential oils can have adverse affects on some. Please be sure that you fully understand the use of essential oils before incorporating them into your natural hair care regimen. There are plenty of resources out on the Internet that can assist you in learning the proper use and storage of essential oils.
One of my readers asked if all the oils listed needed to be used and how should they be used. This article is in response to her questions, and also to further elaborate on how these can be incorporated into your hair care routine.

Carrier Oils

Carrier oils are healthy oils used as a base for other products. They “carry” the essential oils which are added to them to your hair, scalp and skin when a recipe calls for an essential oil to be infused or diluted. Two carrier oils that are great for your locs and natural hair are jojoba oil and sweet almond oil.

Jojoba Oil: Jojoba oil mimics the natural oils that the scalp’s sebacous glands excrete. However, care should still be taken to not over-use this or any other oil. Over-use will cause build up, resulting in dull, grayish locs that attract lint and dirt. This isn’t what we’re aiming for! Use a small amount of jojoba oil in your misting bottle to keep your tresses moisturized. Adding some ylang ylang for fragrance, as well as it’s uplifting properties will invigorate your hair and mind.

Sweet Almond Oil: This light, penetrable oil is also a great carrier oil. It also can be used in your misting bottle to moisturize. However, I suggest you use either jojoba or sweet almond — not both in the same misting bottle. Please remember that this oil is extracted from almonds. Those with nut sensitivities/allergies should be aware.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Although not recommend, extra virgin olive oil can be used as a carrier oil. It is a much heavier oil than jojoba or sweet almond, and therefore is not recommended for this purpose. Extra virgin olive oil is best used as a hot oil treatment, which would be thoroughly rinsed from your tresses, and as an ingredient in conditioners that will also be rinsed out of the hair.

Essential Oils

I cannot stress enough that one must understand the proper storage and use of essential oils. Misuse of these products can cause ill effects. Please read, learn, and understand all precautions of using any essential oil you may choose before incorporating them in your recipes and spritzes. The Internet holds a wealth of information and guidance on this subject. One site that I have used in the past is http://www.fromnaturewithlove.com. I am in no way associated with this site other than being a customer.

Rosemary: This essential oil has been noted to assist with hair growth. I recommend using weekly/bi-weekly. Some have been known to use daily; however, excess use may cause side effects. Rosemary is not recommended for use by pregnant women or those who may think they are pregnant.

Thyme: Used to control oil and dandruff, incorporating a weekly spritz of thyme can promote the healthy production of oil, while preventing dryness to the point of dandruff.

Nettle: Also used for the treatment of dandruff. This essential oil is known to promote hair growth.

Sage: Another remedy some use for dandruff control, sage is also known as a color restorative to hair which is graying.

Chamomile: Chamomile is known for its benefit to light colored hair — it enhances the natural highlights without chemicals.

Horsetail: Hair that suffers from brittleness can benefit from the essential oil, horsetail, via a bi-weekly spritz. The high amount of silica present in horsetail helps to soften and condition dry, brittle hair.

Adding a drop or two of Mint essential oil to any one above in your misting bottle will energize your scalp. Mint is a scalp stimulant, and stimulation is of course beneficial to blood flow and a healthy scalp.

How To Use

The question posed by the reader is “do we have to use them all and how?” The simple answer is “no.” However, there are some things one should consider…

If your hair has multiple, different symptoms of stress such as severe dandruff and brittleness, you may opt to treat one symptom at a time. This will ensure that you can accurately determine if the method you have used to treat the problem is working for you. It should help also to curb any instances of making one symptom worse while trying to alleviate another.

Let’s say you are having trouble with both brittleness ane dandruff. I would think that the first remedy you would like to attempt would be to get rid of the unsightly dandruff. So you would institute in your regimen methods that alleviate dandruff — a good, moisturizing natural shampoo known for its properties to combat dandruff. Then you would choose one of the essential oils mentioned here (or another that you have learned of elsewhere) which have properties that alleviate dandruff and, following proper care and handling instructions, infuse that essential oil in your spritz bottle or other recipe for your hair. You would stick with this regimen for at least 30 days in order to see if it resolves the dandruff issue. If not, you may have to try a different essential oil which is conducive to combatting dandruff.

Once you have gotten the dandruff problem under control, then you turn your concentration to the brittleness factor. Infuse a few drops, handled properly, in sweet almond oil and spritz your hair with this mixture once a week. I would not recommend using it more than weekly, else you may find yourself with a build up problem since this is an oil-based spritz and not water-based. Make sure to thoroughly spritz your tresses without saturating them. A gentle massage down the length of your locs will help ensures your tresses can easily benefit from this moisturizing spritz.

Now that you have both problems under control, you want to adjust your regimen to a “maintenance” level to avoid product build up or the adverse affects of over-use of your essential oils. Any product that is over-used, whether it contains essential oils or not, can be damaging to your hair, scalp, and or self. Never overdo it. Moderation is key. Maybe your maintenance can be as simple as a once a week spritz with the essential oil that combats dandruff, daily water spritzing, every-other-day spritzing with a water + humectant such as organic honey, and bi-monthly deep conditioning hot oil treatments with extra virgin olive oil.

I also suggest a bi-monthly ACV rinse (apple cider vinegar), especially if you are putting product in your hair daily (essential or other oils, herbal remedies, etc.). This will prevent product build up and dull looking locs. The rinse is easy enough to make and use yourself — one-part ACV with three-parts distilled water; while holding your head over a large bowl placed in the sink, pour the ACV rinse over your tresses making sure they are all saturated, repeating the process until all of the rinse is gone then rinse hair thoroughly with luke warm water.

Let’s Recap

No, you do not have to use all of the oils mentioned here in your regimen. Choose the oil(s) that will treat the condition(s) you are dealing with or the oil that will produce the benefit you are looking for (i.e., more sheen, softer locs, aromatic scents, etc.). Use of too much product can cause build up. And, again, please be sure you know the proper use and handling of any essential oil you choose. Know if there are other ingredients that you should not mix a particular essential oil with.

You must educate yourself on what you put in your hair before putting it in there! From Nature with Love is an excellent resource for information on the proper use and handling of essential oils. Do some research and learn what is best for your tresses.

Most importantly — Listen to your Locs! They will speak to you. They will tell you what they need and what they are getting too much of. They want to thrive for you. Help them become the beautiful head of natural hair that you have envisioned for yourself throughout your loc journey.

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RECEIPE: Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse

The Lupie Chick

Add shine, bounce and remove build-up from your hair with this simple apple cider vinegar rinse. Apple cider vinegar is a well-known health food and folk remedy. Acetic acid, the main ingredient, will remove build up from styling products and conditioners and strengthen the hair shaft, leaving you with soft, glimmering strands. Apple cider vinegar hair rinse will also balance hair’s pH level, kill bacteria and is a great cure for dandruff. This rinse in not recommended for color-treated hair, as it might strip the color.

Basic Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse

Step 1
Make the rinse by mixing 1/3 cup of apple cider vinegar with one quart of distilled water. Put the mixture in a glass jar or plastic bottle and bring it into the shower or bath.

Step 2
Shampoo hair and rinse well. Apply the apple cider vinegar rinse to your hair. Leave in for a few seconds. Rinse using cold water to seal the hair shaft and create more shine. Since vinegar is acidic, using the rinse daily is not advised. Try it once a week, at most. Pay attention to how your hair responds and adjust usage accordingly. Also, you don’t need to condition hair after the rinse.

Step 3
** Optional** add 5 drops of lavender, rosemary, lemon , sage or rose essential oil to the basic vinegar rinse recipe.

Step 4
If you notice a vinegar scent after you’re done rinsing, don’t fret. The smell will disappear after you towel dry your hair.

Tips & Warnings
Be careful to not get vinegar rinse in your eyes. It will burn.
Do not use on color-treated or processed hair. Acetic acid is a clarifier and can strip hair of color.