Category: hair growth

au naturale, castor oil, chronic autoimmune, co-wash, coconut milk, crisco, diet, hair growth, leave in condiitioner, lupie chick, lupus, miss naturale, miss sixx, natural day, pre-poo, relaxed hair

My desire to grow my hair to waist length

The Lupie Chick

Hello Loves-I’m back!!!!!!!

It has been awhile since I’ve updated my blog. All or most of you are aware that I’ve been fighting the autoimmune disease Lupus. I’m starting to “get my life” back as I once knew it and get back into some of the things i love- one of them BLOGGING!

During the last 8 months, my lupus flare up has had an impact on my hair. I’ve experienced extreme shedding, and my texture has changed in some areas ( especially in the middle of my head). I have lots of single strand knots (ouch!) and my lovely curls have begun to take on a wave pattern (more than a curly pattern). I’ve never really cared too much about the length of my hair until I started to see it fall down the sink at every washing. Running my fingers through my hair has become a thing of the past ( as handfuls of hair shed daily). I’ve since decided to challenge my self to reduce (stop) the shedding, and grow my hair to ” waist length”.

Have you ever seen waist length hair-ITS BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!! Some of my favorite You Tubers are waist length ( Kimmy Tube, Urban Bush Babes, Long Hair Don’t Care, to name a few). BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!

**Below is a chart to show the different hair lengths**

Picture of hair after it was washed, deep conditioned and flat ironed using Crisco ( in the blue can). My goal wasn’t to have super straight hair- just straight enough to do a length check. I’m #teamNoHeat- so the mere thought of applying heat to my hair frightens me.

Picture after a trim


I then put in 6-8 flexi rods ( mix of orange and red rods) to achieve a curly look.

Picture after removal of the flexi rods & (finger) styled


I’m introducing a new (simpler) routine to maintain length and (hopefully)continue hair growth

Co-washing- This means only using a conditioner to wash my hair eliminating the shampoo. I’ve always done this, and it has worked GREAT for me. My co wash regimen is often done on Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Deep Conditioning/Pre Poo- For me this provides an extra boost in moisture, I do not buy fancy deep conditioning products because you guys know I’m the kitchen beautician!!!! My pre poo consist of honey and olive oil warmed, part hair in 4 sections, apply (heavily) to each section of hair ‘BEFORE” you shampoo. My deep conditioner (recipe) is 2 jars of stage two banana baby food, 1-2 tablespoons of (raw) honey, 1-2 teaspoons of olive oil or grape seed oil. Part hair into 4 sections, apply to each section ( concentrating on the ends) cover with a conditioning cap minimum of 30 minutes ( I usually go an hour).

Sealing-I had stopped sealing my ends for a while ( just was too lazy) or exhausted. I normally use an even mix of castor oil, coconut oil, and safflower oil ( melted and mixed together in a bottle and apply to my ends nightly). ** I also tuck my ends under a satin scrunchie at night. **

Leave In Conditioner- I apply leave in conditioner EVERYDAY ( with a light hand) to my hair. I mix my own ( distilled water or rose water, aloe vera juice, coconut milk, grape seed oil, and essential oils). I mist my hair “before” i re apply my twist or when I take my hair down in the morning- I will mist it lightly.

Diet-I’m now on a gluten free diet, and transitioning to vegetarian lifestyle. Diet is very important to those that suffer with lupus and I know for overall health and hair growth it start from the inside. ** I’m currently doing the New Moon Detox (fast) for 3 days and upping my water intake to 107 ounces a day ( half my body weight)**

Have you established any hair goals for 2012? If so please share…

Disclaimer: These images may not be reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without the written permission of Mz. Sixx. Use of any image as the basis for another photographic concept or illustration (digital, artist rendering or alike) is a violation of the United States and International Copyright laws. All images are copyrighted © 2012 – Au’Naturale by Mz. Sixx

au naturale, curly hair, free, frizz control, hair food, hair growth, healthy hair, long hair, moisturizer, mz sixx, natural hair, permed, relaxed hair, short hair

FREE copy of the Hair Growth Survival Guide

The Lupie Chick

Get your copy of the Hair Growth Survival Guide – The Do’s and Don’ts of Growing Healthy Hair


It can really be a challenge growing your hair especially with all the elements we have to deal with. In the winter you have to deal with the hot, dry indoor air that sometimes makes your hair dry and brittle…

Then there are the hot summer months that dry out your hair, weigh your hair down with the humid air that adds moisture and extra frizz.

Then comes your styling products. Sometimes you don’t use the right products that are right for your hair type.

What about your diet? Are you eating the right foods?

Did you know that almonds, raisons and oranges are super foods that can help you grow longer hair? Simply add these simple snack foods to your diet on a regular basis for longer hair. But these aren’t the only foods that will help grow your hair.

THERE ARE MORE! …

If you want to know:
What foods will grow your hair longer
Shampoos you should never use
The food in your diet that could affect your hair growth
Essential ingredients for your hair
The #1 Moisturizer that’s all-natural!
… + so much more! You’ll be amazed!
This book is completely FREE of charge!

Your free e-book is ready for download. Grab it now!

http://www.curlyhairsalon.com/support-files/hairgrowthsurvivalguide.pdf.

This E-book is courtesy of Curly Hair Salon

2 strand twist, 3-C hair type, au naturale, bun, detangle, goody spin pin, hair challenge, hair growth, mini twist, miss naturale, miss sixx, natural hair, natural hair styles, wet bun

Bun Lovin

The Lupie Chick
I challenged myself with a 30 protective style. My protective style of choice was mini twist.

After a week or two I was getting “bored”. I started watching checking You Tube vid’s and came across an interesting tutorial on how to make a sock bun. This was my mother’s go to style. She wore her hair in a bun everyday for as long as I could remember.

I made my sock bun, then was anxious to rock it! I’d lusting on this naturalista’s bun I met at the reggae wine festival- I decided to try my hand at recreating her look




Another view of the bun


This was me bun lovin at the beach



Overall, I loved rocking the bun. It was quick, easy, and keep me on target with my challenge.

Some Naturals prefer “wet bunning”

Wet bunning is great for protecting the length of your hair and for obtaining your dream ends. However, if done incorrectly it can damage your hair.The most important thing to remember when wet bunning is to listen to your hair! If your hair hates wet bunning, then do not do it! If your hair is breaking, try a protein treatment and if it persist, stop wet bunning, etc.

Again, Just listen to your hair

Here are basic tips on Wet Bunning


1. Keep your hair clean!: You are wetting and putting product on your hair and inevitably your scalp every day. Shampoo or ACV rinse to attack product build up. Make sure your hair and scalp is moisturized with natural products before putting it in a bun.

2. Do not use a rubber band to hold your hair. The elastic can break your hair. Go for the Goody ouchless no metal elastic hair ties, Goody Simple Style Spiral Bun Pin , Goody Simple Styles Hair Pin, or Goody Spin Pins. For added protection, Soak hair bands in natural oil once a week: This prevents hair from coming out where the band holds your hair every day.

3. Reposition the bun frequently: This prevents thinning in the area where the bun is formed. If you frequently switch it up between high, medium, and low buns, then this should not be a problem. If you see breakage, just stop. Your hair has feelings, and may not like it.

4. Give your hair line a break: Too much of anything is not good. If you plan to wet bun for a long time. Try taking it down once in a while and just braid while at home or asleep at night.

5. Keep your hair detangled: I comb my hair daily while wet to smooth before bunning. This also keeps it from getting ratty, matted and drawn up. You can use your fingers to do this as well. DO NOT USE a shower detangling comb unless your hair is wet because they will more than likely rip your hair out when dry. If you are co-washing then finger detangle in the shower.

I may start a 30 day (wet)bunning challenge- whose in with me???

antifungal, au naturale, hair growth, Mane n Chic, Miconazole Nitrate, miss sixx, Monistat, Neosporian, Twitter

Monistat or Neosporian for hair growth??

The Lupie Chick


Last night on Twitter as part of Natural Sunday’s- we were discussing un orthodox methods of hair growth. I found out that women are applying miconazole nitrate to their scalp to encourage hair growth. Do you know where you get this substance from? You get it from products like Monistat and Neosporin AF. Whaaat?! That’s what I said too. Vagistat is used to control skin fungus around the vagina area. Neosporin AF is more commonly used for athletes foot. This is an underground treatment women use that is all the rave on hair care forums. I have seen progress picture after progress picture showing hair growth. Along with giving the hair some thickness. There isn’t any experimental proof besides what women have reported on their own accounts at various hair forums. Also FDA has not approved it for hair growth. Some swear that using miconazole nitrate will grow your hair faster. MN use on the scalp is said to have began when women have reported seeing hair growth on the vagina area with the use of this antifungal medicine and someone decided to put it on their scalp.

Be careful the Neosporin AF and some of the Monistat brands contain Mineral Oil (all except Monistat 3 or 7). If you’re going to try it many people suggest using 2% Miconazole Nitrate (check the main ingredient) and make sure you’re buying Neosporin AF as it is different from regular NEOSPORIN (it’s in blue packaging, used to treat athlete’s foot). There’s also Feet Accompli, it claims to be the Ultimate Antifungal Pedicure Cream. It contains the 2% Miconazole Nitrate but also has Aloe Vera, Shea Butter, and Vitamin E. It’s also $34 a tube. I did some research is basically my run down of Miconazole Nitrate.

THE GOOD (According to people that use it)

*Grows hair long
*Grows hair quick
*Can be mixed with oils
*Can be applied daily for optimal results
*Reduces Shedding

THE BAD

*No scientific evidence to support the safety of using on scalp
*Kind of expensive
*Embarrassing to buy
*Cannot be used by anyone pregnant/expecting

THE UGLY

Some have claimed it caused them untolerable headaches (most GENERIC BRANDS except *Family Dollar brand)
*Others claim it’s more of a scalp movement than a headache and it’s not that bad
*Grows hair so fast that it’s scary with some users experiencing as much as 1″ of *growth per month
*USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!
Article courtesy of Mane & Chic

Don’t you use this unless you have done your own research or asked a physician. Don’t go telling people I told you to try this. If you have tried this or had success with other growth aids, leave a comment and let me know how it turned out for you.

au naturale, circulation, color treatment, dandruff, dryness, hair growth, hair steamer, hair treatment, healthy, miss sixx, Moisture, skin cleansing

Hair Steaming

The Lupie Chick

I had a customer ask me my opinion on hair steamers today. I had never heard of this, nor was I aware that there was such a product called a ” hair steamer”. Needless to say I was very interested to learn more about hair steaming.

Here’s some information on what a steamer does for your hair.It is basically like a Sauna for your scalp and has many benefits for your scalp and hair including

Benefits

– Better Circulation in Scalp leading to better hair growth

– Cleanses Scalp, removing dirt and dead skin

– Brings moisture to your Roots and hair shaft

– Leaves your hair soft and smooth

– Great for Dandruff Sufferer’s

– Stops Dryness and hair Breakage

– Makes hair stronger and healthier

– Improves Hair Color Treatments

– Can also act as a Facial Steamer

The reason why a hair steamers are so great for hair treatment is that it will improve circulation with the steam and the heat will then open up your follicles and hair shaft cuticles and this allows moisture as well as your hair treatment product to enter the hair shaft.

The steamer is then set on a cooler setting towards the end of the hair treatment and this then closes the cuticles and hair shaft and locks in all that deep hair treatment product. Giving your great long lasting benefit as well as using natural
h20 to bring moisture to your hair and scalp

How long and often should it be used?

This is a very common question and if very specific to the type of hair treatment you are doing and the level of damage your hair has.

Generally people steam there hair no more than 2 times in a week for about 20 to 30 minutes to get the full benefit from it. Some sessions can go over and hour for more damaged hair.

After your hair steamer treatment you hair will feel a little heavier and full of moisture, during this time handle your hair with care , wait till your hair and scalp have cooled down until styling.

Damaged Hair – Increase Temperature Decrease Steam if possible

Chemicals or Color Treatment – Skip cooling step

Have any of you ever tried hair steaming? Please share your stories…

au naturale, baltimore natural hair, biotin, hair growth, hair loss, iron, maintenance, miss naturale, miss sixx, silica, supplements, vitamins

Vitamins and Supplements for Hair Growth

The Lupie Chick

Supplements such as biotin, silica and iron can help grow healthy hair, prevent thinning hair and may even reverse greying.

Topical hair treatments are often less effective than building strong hair from the inside by dietary means. Ideally hair growth vitamins and minerals should be obtained through diet via whole foods: but if this is not possible or the severity of the problem merits supplements, capsules or liquid supplements can be obtained. Always check with a healthcare provider before taking supplements, as some are unsuitable in the case of pregnancy or various medical conditions, or in conjunction with other drugs.

Biotin (Vitamin H) for Hair Growth

Few people are actually deficient in biotin, which occurs naturally in bacteria in the gut. Nevertheless, therapeutic doses of biotin – also called Vitamin H or B7 – are necessary to achieve benefits in hair health and rapid growth. It is difficult to overdose on biotin – many supplements come in 500 microgram capsules.

Biotin is useful for those who want their hair to grow faster: some claim it can even reverse premature greying if the greying is caused by marginal biotin levels. Biotin can be taken alone or in conjunction with other B-vitamins. The latter may be a good idea if you lead a stressful lifestyle – B vitamins help to prevent stress, which is a cause of hair loss!

Silica to Strengthen Hair

Silica is a trace mineral which Westerners often lack due to a denatured diet. Organic produce such as rice, oats, sunflower seeds and potatoes provide dietary silica: capsules are also available. Silica is a large component of the many “Hair, Skin and Nails” vitamins available.

Iron to Prevent Hair Loss Due to Anaemia

Anaemia-related hair loss is the most common form of hair loss. Iron supplements may help the condition, but some find they produce constipation or nausea. Some iron supplements are also more bioavailable than others. Ideally, anaemia should be prevented by eating haem iron from red meats and organ meats. Non-haem iron is less easily absorbed by the body, but can be obtained from dried fruit, tofu, beans and lentils, and of course iron-fortified breads and cereals. Cooking in a cast-iron pot is another way to ensure iron levels stay high: trace amounts of iron enter the food as you cook.

To maximise the iron you ingest, eat iron-rich foods with foods containing vitamin C and avoid calcium-rich foods for a few hours around your iron-rich meal.

Protein-Rich Foods for Hair Growth

Hair is made of keratin, a form of protein. Eating a protein-rich diet helps provide the building blocks to make hair, resulting in thicker and stronger locks. Protein in the form of red meat also helps prevent anaemia, providing your hair with a two-for-one dose of goodness.

Nettles to Prevent Hair Loss

According to Nettles Online, “Nettle Root Extract has been used successfully in Europe as an inhibitor of 5-alpha reductase in treating [hair loss] …5-alpha reductase is a key component in turning testosterone into DHT, the substance that causes the atrophy of hair follicles” (Hair Loss Causes, sourced 9 September 2009). Hence, capsulised neetle root is sold as a treatment for thinning hair. Nettle products are also used as a topical treatment to produce strong, shiny hair.

As hair reflects a person’s general state of health, people with a healthy diet will naturally tend to have stronger and shinier hair. Smoking, stress and genetics also play a part in hair quality. How Fast Does Human Hair Grow? addresses a few of the issues which can affect human hair growth. Gentle Hair Care Techniques discusses ways to minimise physical and chemical damage to hair in your haircare routine.

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GARLIC & ONIONS AS A HAIR LOSS REMEDY

The Lupie Chick


Garlic can also be good for our scalp and hair, as well as for our body.

Garlic stimulates the flow of blood to the scalp and help remove any harmful toxins, which is an important consideration in caring for the growth of our hair and in helping to prevent hair loss.

Adding a garlic extract to shampoo can help to strengthen hair and stop any breakage, while at the same time, adding good body to the hair and a nice gloss.

If you have dry hair or maybe an itchy scalp, a garlic extract type of shampoo will give you relief from many of those nasty symptoms.

An hour before bedtime, slice open a clove of garlic and rub it on the hair loss area. Wait for an hour then massage the scalp with olive oil. Put on a cap and go to bed. In the morning, shampoo your hair. Repeat this remedy for a few weeks, and hopefully hair will stop falling out and re-grow.

Onions are recognized with healing qualities include their antibacterial, cleansing, stimulating, and nourishing powers. Onions contain a number of important minerals and vitamins, such as vitamins C and B6, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and germanium. Onion also has a high sulfur content. Sulphur is a mineral present in every cell in our body, with its greatest concentration in hair, skin and nails. It has often been called the “beauty mineral” and the “healing mineral” because of its ability to promote circulation and decrease inflammation. These qualities also lend to the theory that adequate amounts of sulphur can jump-start hair growth in people with deficiencies. High amounts of sulphur in onions make them particularly effective in regenerating hair follicles and stimulating hair growth. In addition, naturally-concentrated sulphur compounds have been proven to show additional hair-restoring.

Hair loss remedy with onion – apply freshly-squeezed, raw onion juice directly onto the scalp, massage deep into the scalp and hair roots. Left on the scalp for about half-an-hour before shampooing. Do these treatments everyday. In most cases, regular onion treatments will result in dramatic improvement of hair thickness within just several months. Since onion juice restores hair follicles and improves scalp circulation, it will help to promote the strong-hair growth.