olive oil – The Lupie Chick Project

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Moisturizing and Sealing Natural Hair

October 21, 2011March 3, 2013 The Lupie Chick

Moisturizing and sealing natural hair is one area that new naturals often find difficulty in, when they’re initially learning how to care for natural hair. Moisturizing and sealing are two basic steps that can be done in a matter of minutes.

The first thing that you need to know is what should be used to accomplish both parts of the process. Moisturizing should be done with water alone, or water followed by a water based leave in conditioner. Sealing is done with natural oils, to prevent moisture from leaving the hair. Natural oils are not moisturizers because most natural oils will not penetrate the hair shaft.

Below are the steps I take to seal and moisturize my hair:

Step 1Find A Water Based Leave In Conditioner
You want to be sure to stay away from products that contain petroleum, mineral oil, lanolin oil, and alcohol because these ingredients are notorious for blocking moisture from entering the hair strand which causes hair to eventually break. Look for natural ingredients like glycerin and natural oils, with water being one of the first three ingredients listed. I make my own leave in.

Here’s the recipe:

Aloe Vera Juice
Rosemary Essential Oil
Lemongrass Essential Oil
Jojoba Oil
Vegetable Glycerin (optional)
Distilled Water
Spray bottle

Fill up 50% of the bottle with aloe vera juice, leaving space to add the essential oils, jojoba, glycerin, and water. Next add 10 drops of rosemary and lemongrass essential oil and three to five drops of jojoba oil. Add a small amount of vegetable glycerin ( 1-2 cap full). Lastly fill the rest of the bottle with distilled water and shake up

Aloe Vera moisturizes the hair and keeps it soft. It is packed with vitamin B12, vitamin C, amino acids, minerals, and salicylic acid. It has been used for general hair health, hair growth, and also as a hair shampoo and conditioner.

Rosemary Essential Oil stimulates hair follicles, therefore increasing hair strength, hair growth, and for dry and flaky scalps. It has also been used as a remedy for mental fatigue.

Lemongrass Essential Oil stimulates hair follicles and also adds a refreshing citrus fragrance to the leave-in conditioner. It has anti-bacterial properties and is calming and soothing to the body.

Jojoba Oil is the closest oil to skin’s sebum. Therefore, is extremely healing and moisturizing for the hair. It is a non-greasy oil absorbing immediately into the hair. This will help with hair frizz and dryness.

Vegetable Glycerin is known for being a humectant. It is an amazing ingredient to add when air drying hair. It is amazing for curly hair and really dry hair. It should be used very sparingly so that it doesn’t create a sticky film.

Some commercial Leave in conditioners that are worth a try are:
Kinky Curly Knot Today and Giovanni Direct Leave In

Step 2Choose A Natural Oil
Natural, unrefined, and virgin oils work best. Extra virgin olive oil and unrefined coconut oil not only seal moisture into the hair but it improves the health of hair as well. Jojoba oil is a good sealant for people who are acne prone since it’s lighter and less likely to clog pores. ( I use a mix of coconut oil, Amla oil, grapeseed oil, and castor oil)

Step 3Moisturize Hair
Starting with wet hair, Split hair into 4 sections. take a quarter amount of leave in , spread it between your hands, and distribute throughout your hair ensuring that you saturate all the strands. Use more for longer and thicker hair and less for shorter and thinner. Be sure to pay extra attention to the ends of your hair since they are prone to drying and breaking.

Step 4Seal In Moisture With Your Oil * optimal on (co)wash day(s)*working from the same 4 sections. Spread a dime size amount of oil in between hands and distribute to each section. Avoid applying more than a dime size amount of oil to each section or hair may become too oily.

Continue the steps until all sections are completed.

Step 5

Style as normal. When I’m not in a protective style, my styling choices are twist outs, braid outs, and buns.

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Are You Still Crunk For Castor Oil??

July 13, 2010March 3, 2013 The Lupie Chick

I love…love..love.. Castor Oil!! I use it on my edges mixed with peppermint and rosemary essential oil, I use it like a hot oil treatment on my daughter, and I’ve recently started using it on my eyebrows to re grow the hair that has been over waxed/plucked ( errr.. don’t judge me ..lol..lol.. yes, I said my eyebrows!). With the east coast being fried to death in this heat wave we are experiencing, I thought I would re visit castor oil, and provide some additional uses to help treat damaged and dry hair.

Castor Oil Hair Treatments

A variety of castor oil hair treatment recipes are available for specific hair concerns. Castor oil is most popular as a conditioning treatment. Pure castor oil alone serves as a moisturizing conditioner for dry, damaged hair. Adding castor oil to a commercial hair conditioner can improve the moisture level of hair. You can also mix castor oil with other vegetable oils, such as olive oil, for a deep conditioner. If you suffer from dandruff or an itchy scalp, castor oil can alleviate the discomfort. Mix castor oil with jojoba for a scalp treatment. Rosemary essential oil also works well with castor oil to balance the oils of the scalp.Castor oil can help treat hair loss when mixed with thyme, cedarwood, lavender, rosemary, jojoba and grapeseed oil. These essential oils stimulate the hair follicles to encourage hair growth and prevent future hair loss.

Using Castor Oil

You can apply castor oil in a number of ways during a hair treatment. Place castor oil in a clean applicator bottle to distribute the oil through the hair with less spills during conditioning. Put a shower cap over your hair, and sit under a hood dryer for 20 minutes for deep conditioning. Smooth 1 drop of castor oil onto the ends of your hair each night as a light daily conditioner. If your hair feels dry, apply 2 drops of castor oil to the entire hair shaft. Apply castor oil with a cotton ball or q-tip for scalp treatments. This will lessen mess and ensure that you put the oil on the scalp evenly.

Leave a comment let me know-If you’re using castor oil are you using Jamaican Black, Cold pressed unrefined, or just the drug store jump off? What has castor oil done for you?

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Natural Ways to have Great Hair For Less

June 14, 2010 The Lupie Chick

Baking Soda
When it comes to personal grooming, too much of a good thing can spell bad news for your hair. But a thorough cleansing with baking soda at least once a month will wash all of the gunk out of your hair. Simply add 1/2 cup of baking soda to 3 cups of warm water. Mix, Pour, then shampoo as usual.

Freshen up your combs and hairbrushes by soaking them in a solution of 3 cups warm water and 2 teaspoons baking soda. Swirl them around in the water to loosen up all the debris caught between the teeth, then let them soak for about half an hour. Rinse well and dry before using.

Beer
Put some life back into flat hair with some flat beer. Before you get into the shower, mix 3 tablespoons beer in 1/2 cup warm water. After you shampoo your hair, rub in the solution, let it set for a couple of minutes, then rinse it off.

Castor Oil
For healthy, shiny hair, mix 2 teaspoons castor oil with 1 teaspoon glycerin and one egg white. Massage it into your wet hair, wait several minutes, and wash out.

You can also experiment with castor oil for hair on your ends. This rich, thick oil will help your ends becomes shiny and hide the appearance of frizzy, damaged, and split ends. Over time, as you trim damage away, you’ll notice your hair won’t develop split ends as easily. Since it is so thick, try mixing it with Sweet Almond Oil to make it a lighter oil that is much easier to spread and gives it a nice scent.

Mayonnaise
Hold the mayo … and massage it into your hair and scalp just as you would any fine conditioner! Cover your head with a shower cap, wait several minutes, and shampoo. The mayonnaise will moisturize your hair and give it a lustrous sheen.

Olive Oil
Is your hair as dry and brittle as sagebrush in the desert? Put the moisture back into it by heating 1/2 cup olive oil (don’t boil it), and then liberally applying it to your hair. Cover your hair with a plastic grocery bag, then wrap it in a towel. Let it set for 45 minutes, then shampoo and thoroughly rinse.

Did you get almost as much paint in your hair as you did on the walls in your last paint job? You can easily remove that undesirable tint by moistening a cotton ball with some olive oil and gently rubbing it into your hair. The same approach is also effective for removing mascara — just be sure to wipe your eyes with a tissue when done.

Vinegar
Want to put the life back into your damaged hair? You can whip up a terrific hair conditioner by combining 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar with 2 tablespoons olive oil and 3 egg whites. Rub the mixture into your hair, then keep it covered for 30 minutes using plastic wrap or a shower cap. When time’s up, shampoo and rinse as usual.

** Recipe**ACV Rinse to remove product Build up-
Make the rinse by mixing 1/3 cup of apple cider vinegar with 1 qt. of distilled water. Put the mixture in a plastic bottle.

Shampoo hair and rinse well. Apply the apple cider vinegar rinse to your hair. Leave it in for a few seconds. Rinse your hair using cold water to seal the hair shaft and create more shine. Because vinegar is acidic, using the rinse daily is not advised. .

Dry your hair with a t-shirt. If you notice a vinegar scent after you’re done rinsing, don’t fret. The smell will disappear after your hair dries.

Lemons
For blond highlights, add 1/4 cup lemon juice to 3/4 cup water and rinse your hair with the mixture. Then sit in the sun until your hair dries. Lemon juice is a natural bleach. Don’t forget to put on plenty of sunscreen before you sit out in the sun. To maximize the effect, repeat once daily for up to a week.

Aspirin
Swimming in a chlorinated pool can have a noticeable, and often unpleasing, effect on your hair coloring if you have light-colored hair. But you can usually return your hair to its former shade by dissolving six to eight aspirins in a glass of warm water. Rub the solution thoroughly into your hair, and let it set for 10-15 minutes.

Tea
Turn gray hair dark again without an expensive trip to the salon or the use of chemical hair dyes. Make your own natural dye using brewed tea and herbs: Steep 3 tea bags in 1 cup boiling water. Add 1 tablespoon each of rosemary and sage (either fresh or dried) and let it stand overnight before straining. To use, shampoo as usual, and then pour or spray the mixture on your hair, making sure to saturate it thoroughly. Take care not to stain clothes. Blot with a towel and do not rinse. It may take several treatments to achieve desired results.

**Recipe** use after taking out a sew-in weave or braids to decrease shedding:

4 cups of hot water, swish the tea bag around until the water turns color, let it sit and cool. Put on hair and let it sit for a few minutes and comb through hair. Results – easy detangling, less breakage, and less shedding.

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8-Year-Old Removed From Class For Using Olive Oil Hair Product

June 7, 2010March 3, 2013 The Lupie Chick

The NAACP is filing a complaint against a Washington State elementary school after an 8-year-old girl was kicked out of class because her teacher complained about the smell of her hair.

Charles Mudede, a writer for Seattle’s The Stranger, says his daughter was moved to the hallway at Thurgood Marshall Elementary school before ultimately being forced to switch classrooms because she used Organic Root Stimulator in her hair.

Mudede’s daughter was the only Black student in her accelerated learning class but was moved down to a lower class with other Blacks after her white teacher complained about the way her hair smelled.

The NAACP has stepped in and is announcing plans to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education.

Mudede and his wife have since taken the child out of the school and say they don’t’ want her to return “until the teacher had medical proof that our daughter’s hair or something in her hair was to blame for the [teacher’s] nausea. The last thing you want to happen to your daughter is for a teacher to faint or vomit at the mere sight of her.”

The family has since hired an attorney.

** I’m Absolutely SPEECHLESS*

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Just a Bit of Honey

May 7, 2010March 3, 2013 The Lupie Chick

If you are looking to add moisture and manageability to your hair, try honey! Its cheap, effective and can really improve the condition of your hair over time. Honey is a natural humectant, which means it attracts and holds on to water molecules, making a great treatment for dry, damaged hair. It is best to use a good quality of honey. The best time to stock up on honey is during the spring and summer. The honey with the least quality is that which is gathered in the winter.These are hair moisturizing recipes that are simple, natural, and beneficial for ALL hair.These recipes will add moisture, sheen, and softness to your hair.

Deep Conditioning
Add a tablespoon of honey and castor oil to your conditioner, cover hair with a plastic cap or wrap hair in a towel,let penetrate for 20-30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Despite its sticky texture, the honey treatment will rinse easily from the hair, as long as you are using equal parts of honey and oil.

Pre – Shampoo Treatment
1 Tablespoon Honey
1/2 Teaspoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Cup warm water

Mix ingredients. Distribute evenly all over the hair (I add the mixture to a spray bottle and mist the hair). Apply plastic cap for 15-20 minutes. Rinse well. Then, shampoo, condition and style. Your hair should feel softer and more manageable.

Lemon & Honey Rinse
2 Teaspoons Honey
1/4 Cup Lemon juice
4 Cups Warm water

Mix ingredients together. shampoo as usual. Apply mixture thoroughly through hair. Do NOT rinse.

Honey Rinse
1 Teaspoon Honey
4 Cups Warm water
Mix the ingredients. Shampoo as usual. Apply mixture thoroughly through hair. Do NOT rinse.

Note: Honey can lighten the hair over time. If you would like to darken your hair, substitute molasses ( Blackstrap) for honey.

Recipes with perishable ingredients may require refrigeration since they do not contain preservatives. These recipes are quick to make and will save you time and money. As with ANY recipe, you may have to play with the ingredients a little bit to suit you.

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Special Any two for $20- donation to Haiti Emergency Fund

January 13, 2010March 3, 2013 The Lupie Chick

Au’Naturale prides itself on giving back to the community and participating in relief efforts. In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that has impacted Haiti, I have come up with a special containing our best selling products. You may choose any two items listed on this page at the discounted rate of $20.00- that’s right- two items for the low cost of $20.00-that’s a saving of up to $3 if purchased separately. In return, Au’ Naturale will donate $3 from each purchase to the Haiti emergency fund. (http://www.etsy.com/shop/AuNaturalebymzsixx)

Coconut Creme Custard

Coconut Creme Custard is a hair moisturizer creme that is suitable for most types of hair, It is light enough to use every day and never leaves hair feeling heavy and just like all our all natural products, there is never any product
buildup. Made with organic shea butter and extra virgin coconut oil this custard is perfect for use on every member of your family.

It is recommended for use daily on wet or dry hair and scalp or as needed.

Great for wash and go hair!

Chemical Free, Paraben Free, 100% Natural

Ingredients: Organic Shea Butter, Extra Virgin Organic Coconut Oil, Safflower Oil, Almond Oil, and Vegetable Glycerin

Healthy Hair Elixir

Mz. Sixx healthy hair elixir is multi-purposed. It can be used daily as an emollient hair and scalp dressing, and is excellent for use on all hair types. Use it to add natural shine to natural, straight, relaxed, or curly hair. It is at it’s very best, when used as a deep penetrating hot oil treatment. This combo of safflower oil, avocado oil, castor oil,and vitamin E masterfully blended with essential oils to help moisturize the hair while encouraging hair growth.

Organic Coconut Loc Butter

Loc Butter is an exceptional styling aid great for maintaining locs or on any natural twist style you may choose while providing a desirable hold and a satin sheen.

~ Chemical Free, Paraben Free, 100% Natural ~

Made with Organic Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil, Organic Coconut Oil, Safflower Oil, Almond oil, and Essential Oil

Loc & Twist Oil

This all natural oil blend consist of extra virgin olive oil, apricot kernel oil, almond oil, castor oil, safflower oil, blended with essential oils and vitamin E. This oil blend will give your loc’s added shine and help it to retain moisture with a heavenly lemon scent.

As with all hair and skin care items, should irritation occur, discontinue use.

*******************$5.00 Flat Shipping *******************

http://www.etsy.com/shop/AuNaturalebymzsixx

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Carols Daughter Launch The Princess and The Frog Bath Collection

August 21, 2009March 3, 2013 The Lupie Chick

Carol’s Daughter is launching(in October) a new line of bath products inspired by the upcoming film The Princess and the Frog. The film features Princess Tiana, Disney’s first African-American princess, as the heroine.

What: The Princess and the Frog bath collection by Carol’s Daughter

Description: The Princess and the Frog bath collection by Carol’s Daughter is a limited limited-edition line of hair and bath & body products made with natural ingredients such as aloe leaf juice, cranberry extract, sunflower seed oil, olive oil etc. The collection includes a shampoo, conditioner, hair detangler and bubble bath packaged in packaging featuring scenes from the movie. The product line is geared for African-American hair but is suitable for all races.

Product Highlight(s): Affordable, AA owned

Price:$10.00

Where to Buy: Carolsdaughter.com

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Nappy Hair Moisturizers

August 21, 2009 The Lupie Chick

Nappy Hair Moisturizers

Most of the ingredients in these recipes can be found in your refrigerator. Recipes with perishable ingredients may require refrigeration since they do not contain preservatives. These recipes are quick to make and will save you time and money. As with ANY recipe, you may have to play with the ingredients a little bit to suit you. These are hair moisturizing recipes that are simple, natural, and beneficial for ALL hair. These recipes will add moisture, sheen, and softness to your hair.

Lemon & Honey Rinse

2 Teaspoons Honey
1/4 Cup Lemon juice
4 Cups Warm water
Mix ingredients together. Wash as usual. Apply mixture thoroughly through hair. Do NOT rinse.

Honey Rinse

1 Teaspoon Honey
4 Cups Warm water

Mix the ingredients. Wash as usual. Apply mixture thoroughly through hair. Do NOT rinse.

Honey & Olive Oil Conditioner
1 Tablespoon Honey
1/2 Teaspoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Cup warm water
Mix honey and olive oil well. Add to water and stir well. Distribute evenly all over the hair. Apply plastic cap for 15-20 minutes. Rinse well. Style as usual.

Mayo Conditioner
3 – 4 Tablespoons mayonnaise (real mayonnaise, NOT salad dressing)
With hair wet or dry, cover hair with mayonnaise. Apply plastic cap for 15-20 minutes. Rinse, then style as usual.

Note: Leaving a minimal amount in the hair will keep it soft and moisturized.

Hot Olive Oil Treatment
1 – 2 Teaspoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Sandwich bag (with zip closure)

Put olive oil in the bag and zip it. Run hot water over the bag until desired temperature (DO NOT OVERHEAT!!!).Apply olive oil all over your hair. Apply plastic cap for 5 – 10 minutes. Rinse, then style as usual.

Homemade Dandruff Treatment
1/2 Cup White Vinegar
1/2 Cup Water

Mix the ingredients and stir well. Apply to the scalp. Let sit for 5 – 7 minutes. Rinse well.
Note: You can put this mixtue in a plastic bottle and spray in onto the scalp for ease of use.

Homemade Citrus Hair Spray
1 Orange
2 Cups Water

Chop the orange and boil until 1/2 the original contents are gone. Strain, cool, and put into a spray bottle. Add more water if too sticky. Refrigerate after use.

Homemade Hair Gel
1 Teaspoon unflavored gelatin
1 Cup warm water

Dissolve the gelatin in the warm water. Keep refrigerated and use as you would any hair gel. It’s that simple!

oz = ounce
tsp = teaspoon
tbs = tablespoon
c = cup