natural hair styles – The Lupie Chick Project

aloe vera, au naturale, bananas, coconut milk, coconut oil, coconut water, curl defining, lupie chick, lupus, miss sixx, mist, natural hair, natural hair styles, potassium, Rihanna

Coconut Water ~ Health~ Skin~ Hair

May 8, 2012March 3, 2013 The Lupie Chick

I have been struggling with maintaining proper potassium levels due to Lupus and some of my medications. The muscle spasms, drowsiness’s, and extreme thirst was too much to deal with and painful ( imagine the worse Charlie horse you’ve ever had then magnify that feeling by 10). I didn’t want to have to take another pill ( supplement) and I’m not a fan of bananas ( a great source of potassium), I sought the advice of my doctor as to what I could do naturally to bring my levels up.

He provided me with a list of good sources of potassium including fresh fruits, vegetables, shellfish, beans, wheat bran, salad, nuts, cereals, meat, and dairy foods. Then he told me about Coconut Water { insert } is that like coconut oil?? Coconut milk?? I’d never heard of it. What is it??

Coconut Water a clear liquid extracted from green coconuts is low in fat and calories, has no cholesterol, and has a natural balance of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium- making it a healthy electrolyte drink. Coconut water is rich in potassium: a typical serving offers 569 mg, which is almost twice the amount in a banana.

The amino acids, potassium, and magnesium that make these tonics such a stellar sip also do wonders for stressed-out skin. You can use coconut water as a facial “mask.” Just apply to your skin and let it rest for 5-15 minutes, then wash off. Otherwise you can use it daily to wash your skin. Coconut water not only cleanses, it also tones your skin. If your skin is oily, you can also add grapefruit or pineapple juice to the coconut water, for added benefits.

Coconut water comes in many varieties ( and price points) and is sold everywhere from grocery stores, specialty markets, to Sephora I had imagined that it would taste like one of those fancy drinks you see people drinking while vacationing in a tropical paradise like Hawaii, Mexico or the Caribbean. I saw many celebrities pictured drinking coconut water so I thought, yeah… this is going to be good.

Rihanna

I went to Sam’s Club and purchased a case for $15.99.

NOW BEFORE YOU ALL RUN TO SAM’S

STOP….WAIT…. PAUSE…

HAVE A SEAT AND FINISH READING THIS POST

I could NOT drink it- everything I read said it was a ” delicious, cool, and refreshing ” LIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That stuff hit the back of my throat and BABY… EEERRRYYYYTHING I had previous digested came up and out!!!!!!! It’s a taste I cant describe except (IMO) it tasted like a mix of high octane gasoline with a subtle note of coconut. ( YUKE!!!!!) I have a case of this stuff- and I WASNT GOING TO LET IT GO TO WASTE- what’s a girl to do??

The mixologist in me created a (natural) Coconut Water Curl Refesher!!!!!!!!

Recipe: Coconut Curl Quench
1 (can/box) Coconut Water
1/2-1 can (Goya) Coconut Milk
2-3 table spoons of Coconut Oil
2-3 table spoons of Aloe Vera Juice/Jelly ( which ever you have on hand)
(optional) couple of drops of Vitamin E

Pour everything into a spray bottle, shake to mix all indgredients. You can use this as a curl refesher or if you need to mist your hair before/during styling/twisting/braiding this is perfect!!!!!!

I will have to seek an alternative method for taking in more potassium. because I cant stomach the coconut water, but my hair LOVES IT!!!!. ** Guess I better start with banana smoothies**

au naturale, co-wash, coconut oil, flat twist, lotta body, lupie chick, miss naturale, miss sixx, natural hair, natural hair styles

Today’s Look- Flat Twist Out

May 7, 2012March 3, 2013 The Lupie Chick

Todays Look

Flat Twist Out

To achieve this look:

Co wash hair ( I used VO5 moisture milk Strawberries and Creme Conditioner)
Detangle Hair
Apply Coconut Oil ( all over pay special attention to your ends)
Spray hair with diluted Lotta Body Setting lotion ( 50/50 mix of Lotta body and (rose)Water)
Flat twist hair going back ( spray hair as necessary with Lotta Body to keep it wet )
Allow hair to air dry over night ( you may also sit under the dryer)
apply coconut oil ( or oil of choice) to hair ( before you unravel twist)
** optional: I keep my bonnet on while I’m taking a shower so that the steam can help loosin the twist **
unravel twist
fluff/separate twist with fingers
** My hair has been cut into layers. This haircut allows for my twist to ” automatically” fall into place. **

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

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Removing Lint From Loc’s

October 20, 2011March 3, 2013 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.

Bo Beam Lemon Drop Oily Hair/Locs Shampoo Bar ( from website)

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.

Carols Daughter Rosemary Mint Purifying Shampoo ( from website)

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.

au naturale, cultivated locs, dread locs, loc maintenance, loc styles, loc's, lupie chick, miss naturale, mz sixx, natural hair, natural hair care, natural hair styles

Loc it up Thursday

October 6, 2011March 3, 2013 The Lupie Chick

Hairstyles are courtesy of

Twist & Curves
Distinctive Afrocentric Braids, Locs, Twists, & Natural Hair Designs
For The Man/Woman Who Dares to be Different!
Hartford, CT
860-523-4844

Twist & Curves

Hairstyles are courtesy of Twists and Curves
Join them on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/twistandcurves

These images may not be reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without the written permission of Mz. Sixx or Twist & Curves. 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 © 2011 – Au’Naturale by Mz. Sixx.

DIY, easy, leave in condiitioner, mini me, mini twist, mz sixx, natural hair, natural hair care, natural hair styles, shea butter, tween, updo

Mini Me Updo for Picture Day

September 7, 2011March 3, 2013 The Lupie Chick

Today is school picture day for mini me.. She has in 2 week old twist (she’s been swimming in these twist over the holiday weekend-hense the fuzzies).

She styled her hair herself by applying a lil shea butter creme, leave in conditioner, a few dabs of aloe vera gel on her egdes,and a couple of bobby pins. She grabbed a few sections, twisted them to one side-secured with a boby pin, and fluffed the lose twist.

Yesterday it rain cats and dogs.. Her friends were running because some of them had just gotten a relaxer.. She was ” strolling” along and loaned her hooded jacket to a friend. the friend said: ” You don’t need it? ” Her response: ” Naw, I’m natural.. my hair loves the rain” Get it mini me!!!!!

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 © 2011 – Au’Naturale by Mz. Sixx.

3 strand twist, 3-C hair type, 4-b hair type, au naturale, back to school, makeup, mini me, mini twist, miss naturale, mz sixx, natural hair, natural hair styles, teenagers, tween

Mini Me First Day of School -2011

August 31, 2011March 3, 2013 The Lupie Chick

Wow, where did the summer go? School finally re opened for mini me after Hurricane Irene. Every year since she entered kindergarten, I always took mini me to school on the first day. We would go to Starbucks, have our coffee beverage and a pastry and talk about the importance on staying true to yourself and not getting mixed in with the wrong crowd-aka- Mean Girls. I was super excited about our yearly tradition *squeals*, mini me had alternate plans {insert gas face}. She politely informed me that she was riding the bus on the 1st day { gasp}! The Bus!!!! what about our Starbucks date? What about tradition? Her response- we can do it tomorrow-followed by ‘ Moooooooom- I want to go with my friends on the bus” {insert face crack}.

She is a few months away from officially becoming a “teenager” she is ready to say “I’m 13”. Is this what I had to look forward too- my mini me dissing me to hang with her friends {sad face}. I tried to act like my feeling wasn’t hurt, and I managed to capture a few pic’s.

She is coming into her own style and has discovered MAKEUP! {screech}. Now she is asking for her own make up and brushes, double ear piercings, and teenager earrings ( the larger style hoops- I told her only teenagers and adults wear them- well she is banking on a pair for her 13th b’day)

whew, she is JUST LIKE ME- and I’M NOT READY!!!!!!! I wish I could turn back the hands of time- when she was 5 or 6 years old and she pranced around in my heels, my jewelry, and tried her best at imitating me. NOW she wants to WEAR my heels, and jewelry to school!!!!!{ locks the drawer on everything!}. I think she is trying to give me a run for my money on her perfected model walk {she has a show coming up September 17th} she can rip that runway- Just Like Her Mama {lol…lol..}

Natural Hair Looks

Mini Me Hair– Mini Twist – sides pulled up, “hump” in the front

Mz. Sixx- 2 french braids in the front, 3 strand twist-out in the back ( 3rd day hair)

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

August 11, 2011March 3, 2013 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???