Healthy Hair From The Inside Out !

Once AGAIN, I’m on the journey of regrowing my hair,

And AGAIN researching avenues to get there. Starting with water and a few superfoods. Here’s what I’ve learned so far. While Products are the go to solutions for achieving healthy hair, be it a healthy hair routine of our favorite influencer or a curl cream that gives us the perfect definition that makes us smile YESSS passing by a mirror 🪞

But while a serious regimen and strengthening products can help us on our journey to hair health, what we put inside of our bodies is just as important, if not more. 

Our hair follicles thrive based on how we feed them, like tending to a garden. 

Lucky for us, there are so many nutrient-rich foods that can give us healthier, shinier kinks and coils — brimming with omega 3 oils, iron, vitamins, and proteins. 

Blueberries

The benefits of eating a superfood like blueberries are endless, including hair follicle stimulation by way of their proanthocyanidins — the plant chemical housed within the fruit.

The symptoms of baldness can also be reduced by eating blueberries as they’re full of phytonutrients and Vitamin C. I start most my mornings fueling on a green smoothie of water, spinach, blueberries, ground flaxseed & carrots. Not only is it good for my crown but every part of my body holding it up.

Lentils

As one of the best plant sources for folic acid, iron, and protein, lentils help to transport blood to your hair follicles. Stronger hair and cell renewal are results of good scalp circulation and lentils boost that! So, get that lentil soup ready… no matter the season.

Salmon

Full of iron, protein, vitamin B-12, and omega-3 fatty acids, salmon is a true miracle food and is consistently one of the easiest, yet flavorful go-tos. This fatty fish helps stimulate hair growth as well as powering the blood vessels, and boosting brain function. It can also help prevent hair loss because it’s jam-packed with healthy B vitamins.

Spinach

Packed with iron, beta-carotene and vitamins, spinach contains nutrients that are the building blocks of healthy hair. Hair growth is stimulated by the Vitamins A and C found in spinach, and these help to produce your scalp’s natural sebum. Keep it simple by adding some fresh garlic and olive oil to spinach for a yummy side dish. And remember that morning smoothie we mentioned earlier? Throw some spinach in there too — it works well with blueberries.

Sweet Potatoes

Pie isn’t the only thing sweet potatoes are good for! They’re a must for healthy hair, as they’re chock full of beta-carotene — a terpenoid which converts to Vitamin A in the body and is a necessity for hair & overall cell growth. They’re also one of the most versatile foods, so you can include them in countless meals.

ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ɢʀᴏᴡɪɴɢ…🪻🪻🪻

Kᴀʀᴇɴ

Fros in the Sun 2019

Summer makes us think of dresses, cookouts, and carefree days of fun! Summer is also the time to have fun with your natural hair and to let it shine. We’re finally free from the cold, snow, and wind of winter that necessitate tucking our hair away. But we also spend more time outdoors in the summer, which presents its own challenges to keeping natural hair healthy.

So before you head out to the cookout, Here are a few tips for maintaining healthy, beautiful natural hair this summer!

SUN: Even though the cold and wind of winter are gone, your hair still needs protection. The sun’s UV radiation can quickly damage your hair if you are outside for long, as well as burn your scalp and even discolor your hair. Use a leave-in conditioner with SPF to protect your hair and scalp. One of my favorite hair dressings protects my hair from the sun’s UV rays and adds impeccable shine, Hair Bling by https://www.originalmoxie.com/hair-glossing-treatment-trial/?sku=HBHS05&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhe_soOPm4gIVEarsCh21jwI2EAQYAiABEgKftPD_BwE If you know you’ll be outside for an extended period of time, cover your hair with a scarf or hat.

HEAT: The sun is already drying out your hair, so don’t amplify the effect with heat tools. (Plus, who wants to deal with a blowout in summer humidity?) So PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE put away the straightener and blow dryer, and make the summer heat-free!

CLIMATE: Humid and parched climates have different effects on natural hair, and require different products.

• In dry environments, the air tends to suck moisture from your hair. In this case, you’ll need to use anti-humectants to protect your hair from drying out. Olive oil and jojoba oil are a few anti-humectants you can try.
• If you live in a humid climate, use humectants which draw moisture in from the air to moisturize your hair. Some natural humectants are honey and glycerin. However, if you hate frizz, don’t use humectants even in humid environments. I personally mix a little vegetable glycerin and water in a spray bottle for hot & humid days. My hair is colored is this helps draw in the moisture.

STYLING: Speaking of humidity and frizz- use them to your advantage! Summer might not be the perfect time for a blowout, but it is a great time to rock an afro, puffs, or other voluminous styles. Pay attention to how your hair reacts to humidity, and use that knowledge to try different styles and celebrate your natural hair.

PRODUCTS: Use lighter products in the summer, and less of them. Since you sweat more in the summer, limiting product buildup on your scalp will keep you from needing to wash your hair all the time, and will keep your hair from looking weighed down. 

SHAMPOO: Even using less products in the summer, you might need to shampoo more often than normal, depending on how active your lifestyle is. Use a sulfate-free, clarifying shampoo after outdoor activities like swimming, hiking, running, biking, etc… anything that results in sweat, saltwater, or chlorine coming in contact with your hair. If you do these activities more than once a week, use co-wash on some days.

ior to swimming. This limits the amount of chlorine or saltwater your hair will absorb (both chlorine and saltwater dry out natural hair.) We also recommend putting your hair in twists, which further limits water absorption as well as tangles. After swimming, wash your hair thoroughly with shampoo or co-wash. If you swim often, integrate protein treatments into your regimen to maintain the strength of your hair.

MOISTURE: This one is simple: keep your hair moisturized. (Do we sound like a broken record yet?) The summer sun and heat tend to strip moisture away from your hair, and shampooing more often makes it worse. Use a moisturizer or leave-in conditioner every day, or try the LOC (liquid, oil, cream) method to keep your hair from drying out throughout the day. I love Shea Moisture’s Jamaican Black Castor Oil Line https://www.sheamoisture.com/jamaican-black-castor-oil-strengthen-and-restore-leave-in-conditioner—6oz/764302215813.html

DEEP CONDITION: Speaking of moisture, deep conditioning is the best way to keep your hair hydrated (and nourished) throughout the summer. Deep condition at least every two weeks, and try doing it more often if your hair seems to be drying out too quickly.

DRINKING WATER: Drink lots of water and eat plenty of fresh fruits & vegetables! If your body is dehydrated or malnourished, your hair will be too. Most doctors recommend drinking at least 64 oz of water a day, which is eight glasses of water or two 32oz water bottles. Remember if you’re sweating, you need to drink even more!

Hope these tips are Helpful! Have an Amazing Summer 🌞

Why Is My Natural Hair So Dry All The Time

DIY Kitchen Hair Masks

Dry, damaged hair? Gunky curls? What if you could pull together items that you already have in your kitchen for a DIY hair mask treatment for damaged hair? Ingredients that are not only cheap, but proven to be some of the best when it comes to vitamins and minerals  – like eggs, coconut oil, bananas, olive oil, honey, or avocado?

Damaged Curls

Hair styling can be harsh on your fragile tresses and scalp. Heat styling, bleaching, dying, and the overuse of hair products mess with delicate pH levels, strip your hair of natural oils, dry the hair shaft, and can leave hair looking lifeless and brittle.

Moisturizing hair mask treatments fill the beauty market, but they often come at a hefty price. They also tend to bear labels marked with ingredients that you’ve never heard of – ingredients that you hope will help your hair, not add to the problem.

DIY Hair Mask That Work

The following eight DIY hair masks take mere minutes to whip up, so you can smooth on your own homemade treatment, slip on a shower cap, and relax in the knowledge that you’re finally doing the best thing possible for healthy hair!

1. The Basic Egg

Eggs are the best! Especially their yolks which are chock-full of protein, vitamins, and fats. For oily hair, egg white can help remove excess oil from your hair, whereas egg yolk acts as a moisturizer for dry, brittle hair. Egg whites also have bacteria-eating enzymes that can cleanse your scalp of any invading nasties.

Apply your choice of egg component to clean, damp hair. Pop on a shower cap to avoid egg-drip, and leave on your hair for 20 minutes. Rinse under cool water, and shampoo your hair as usual.

2. Coconut Oil

Is there anything that coconut oil can’t do?! From cooking to makeup removal, coconut oil is full of antioxidants, vitamins, and essential fatty acids. It also has antibacterial/antifungal properties.

Coconut oil is exceptionally moisturizing and free of all those harsh chemicals that you’ll find in many hair conditioners. 

Perhaps most significantly, coconut oil has been found to be the only oil that can reduce protein loss in hair when used as a pre-poo or post-post-poo product.

So, here’s a basic DIY hair mask for damaged hair that brings the amazing benefits of coconut oil!

Warm ¼ cup of coconut oil so that it’s liquid, and apply it to wet or dry hair. Leave it on for a good hour, or sleep with it in overnight for a truly intense condition – just pop on a shower cap to keep your pillow clean. Rinse the coconut oil out of your hair, and wash it as normal.

3. Honey and Banana

Honey and banana don’t just taste great together, they also form a powerful healthy hair partnership.

Honey is a natural emollient, or moisturizer, and it seals moisture into your hair. This can help to combat breakage. But, it also has some mighty antibacterial properties. Honey may help to ward off itchy scalp issues caused by bacteria, while also soothing any irritation.²

Banana, on the other hand, can help hair manageability, moisturize the skin, and may even help to control dandruff.³ This is because bananas are filled with natural oils, potassium, and vitamins A,B,C, and E.

Want only the best for your hair? Whip up this homemade duo by taking one ripe banana, and mixing it with a tablespoon of raw honey. Apply the mixture to you your scalp and hair for half an hour, then rinse with warm water. Shampoo as usual.

4. Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil forms a thin waxy coating on your hair shaft, making it a perfect moisturizer for dry or frizzy hair. Even though it’s an oil, it’s also able to remove excess sebum that builds up on your scalp and makes hair oily. Massaging jojoba oil regularly into your scalp can assist in good blood circulation and add moisture to the hair and scalp. It may also ease itchy scalp issues.⁴

Mix jojoba oil with either your shampoo or conditioner. This prevents the shampoo from stripping off the natural oil in your hair. Or you can apply some jojoba oil to the ends of your hair after washing as a homemade leave-in conditioner.

5. Avocado and Mayonnaise

Your favorite sandwich duo just became your best hair conditioner.

We already know how good eggs are for your hair, so mayonnaise (which contains eggs) is a no-brainer. It’s also a little easier to use. Mayonnaise also has the added benefit of added oil, which, when combined with egg, adds an extra dose of rich moisture. Avocado is bursting with healthy, nutritious, monounsaturated fats that can help make your hair feel softer and look smoother.

Mash half an avocado and mix it well with two tablespoons of mayonnaise (or you can use an egg yolk or two). Apply to damp hair, making sure to saturate the ends, and allow the mayo mix to soak in for 20 minutes. Rinse, and wash your hair as usual.

6. Yogurt, Honey, and Olive Oil

You just read about the benefits of honey with banana, but another great combo is honey with yogurt and olive oil.

Olive oil is a great moisturizer. It’s rich in antioxidants and vitamins A and E. Olive oil can help protect the keratin in your hair, and it seals in moisture, making your hair stronger and shinier. A little olive oil is also a great quick-fix for dry, split ends after you’ve styled your hair.

Yogurt is high in protein which makes it a serious DIY hair mask contender. 

It’s particularly great for dry and damaged hair as it can smooth those frizzy ends, not to mention the milk fat. Some people also believe that it soothes their itchy scalp.⁵ This may be due to all those good little probiotics, as studies are showing that topical probiotics may also be able to help dry, itchy skin from the outside.⁶

Mix one teaspoon of olive oil with ¼ cup of yogurt and one tablespoon of honey, and apply the mixture to damp hair. Leave in for around 20 minutes, then wash your hair as usual.

7. Apple Cider Vinegar and Argan Oil

Apple cider vinegar and argan oil work beautifully in tandem for both cleansing and moisturizing the hair, sans all those chemical additives in normal shampoo and conditioner. Apple cider vinegar removes product buildup that can make your hair look dull and lifeless. It also has a pH level that is very close to human hair. Some hair products can upset this delicate balance, resulting in dry hair and scalp irritation. Argan oil steps in to deeply nourish your hair.

Mix two tablespoons of argan oil with one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, and work the combo through your hair from roots to tips. Let it sit for around 15 minutes, and then wash and style your hair as usual.

8. Beer and Egg

Settle back for happy hour: just you, your hair, and a bottle of beer! Fermented products, like beer, are high in yeast. Brewers yeast contains large amounts of B vitamins – thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and B6.⁷

Together these B’s help to produce cellular energy and help the body’s cells to divide (including hair cells).⁸

Brewers yeast is also a rich source of biotin which may assist in the long-term health of hair and nails.^9,10 Brewers yeast also contains many essential minerals, like zinc, selenium, and copper. Combine this with the nourishing benefits of a nice fatty egg, and you have a super luxurious, inexpensive, homemade, natural DIY hair mask.

Mix ½ cup of flat beer (leave it out for a while before you use it) with a raw egg. You can also add a teaspoon of oil. Apply to clean, damp hair, pop on a shower cap, and sit for 15 minutes (time to drink some beer). Then, wash as usual.

*If you prefer not to use actual beer, you can easily buy pure brewer’s yeast online. Mix 5 tbsp of brewer’s yeast with ½ tbsp of olive oil to form a paste. Add a splash of water to make it more manageable. Apply to dry hair, then wrap hair in plastic wrap and leave for one hour before washing hair as normal.

Time For Pampering?

If healthy hair is what you seek, remember that olive oil is not just for salads, and frothy ales are not just for toasting friends! And, with the money you’ll save on expensive hair treatments, you can take those gorgeous tresses out on the town for a nice meal instead.

Sources
1.http://www.beauty-review.nl/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Effect-of-mineral-oil-sunflower-oil-and-coconut-oil-on-prevention-of-hair-damage.pdf
2.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3609166/
3.http://www.phytojournal.com/vol1Issue3/Issue_sept_2012/9.1.pdf
4.https://www.healthline.com/health/jojoba-oil-for-hair#research
5.https://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty/g19944968/greek-yogurt-beauty-tips/
6.https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Effect-of-a-lotion-containing-the-heat-treated-NCC-Blanchet-R%C3%A9thor%C3%A9-Bourd%C3%A8s/12ad67cd0134300ded0de81566fcdf5b8aac68bc
7.http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/custom/1323569/2
8.https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/hn-2922005
9.https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320222.php
10.https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Biotin-HealthProfessional/

Natural Hair Barbies ❤️

WHO KNEW? I sure didn’t! What better way to teach Self-Love early on!

Christmas is over but there doesn’t have to be a holiday to teach, celebrate and share who you are and/or diversity! I found a few on Amazon and became so excited, I had to share!

Barbie Fashionistas Doll 33 Fab Fringe – Tall https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014AHMIIU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_0ZQlCbV3FDZT0

Barbie Fashionistas Doll 33 Fab Fringe – Tall https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014AHMIIU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_0ZQlCbV3FDZT0

Barbie Fashionistas 59 Pink Halter Floral Skirt Doll https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N4D27IN/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Z1QlCb7PGMN91

10 Sex Resolutions Every Married Couple Should Make

10 Sex Resolutions Every Married Couple Should Make
— Read on www.xonecole.com/10-sex-themed-new-years-resolutions-every-married-couple-should-make.amp

Naomi Campbell Shares Rare Photo of Natural Hair in Cornrows – Allure

Naomi Campbell has ditched her usual straight hair once again. The super model shared a photo of herself in a new light on Instagram with a selfie that shows off cornrows that she got done in Kenya.
— Read on www.allure.com/story/naomi-campbell-natural-hair-cornrows

#2019 Self-Care

A New Year begins in one day.  Some say not a lot can change in a day, I personally KNOW what a difference a day makes. Either way, small changes we commit to daily throughout the year will make great differences in the long run. We often start the New Year with great vigor, written resolution, a “I can I will” mindset, perhaps a prayer; but ultimately it will take energy, commitment and action to bring the things we are sincere about accomplishing to fruition.

For me it’s tough, but before adding anything new, I like to first look at the goals I didn’t achieve the prior year (if any) square in the eye. If these goals are still important/relevant to me, I resolve to press on with them into the New Year. Last year fitness was a huge goal for me. It didn’t happen. The reasons or excuses are meaningless now as I move into 2019 but the goal is still very important to me.

I feel foremost, the most significant obligation we owe our maker, ourselves and our families is self-care physically, mentally and spiritually. Our temple. The condition of our health not only affects the flow of our lives, but those who love us. Nothing is more important than self-care. Anything we set out to conquer is at risk if we aren’t healthy and whole.

Before I set goals for my career, job, travel, milestone events or anything else, I write down everything I want to focus on from day one & throughout the year to keep myself healthy. For example:

• Keep God first.
• Get more sleep.
• Eat Better.
• Exercise. “An idle mind and body is the devils workshop,” as my grandmother used to say. It doesn’t have to be rigorous workouts at the gym, but move! A few years ago, I joined Girltrek, a national organization of women who walk relentlessly in their communities. The local group in my city of Detroit are loving, supportive and fierce! These women have not only helped me physically but the camaraderie of walking with other women who have similar goals is uplifting!
• Get regular checkups, mammograms & prostate exams. Pay attention and listen to your body. It could save your life.
• If there is anything mentally overwhelming you, seek professional help or speak with a clergy.  Remember troubles don’t last always.

It is my experience, that all of the above set the tone for the New Year Outlook. Every goal, resolution and dream is set on a foundation of good physical, spiritual & mental Health.

Visit girltrek.org for more information on Girl Trek in your community.

Heres to Self-Care in 2019 & Beyond!  

Recovery:Natural,Natural Hair Treatments Part 1// Egg protein treatment.

Recovery:Natural,Natural Hair Treatments Part 1// Egg protein treatment.

https://patkiwara.wordpress.com/2018/12/16/recoverynaturalnatural-hair-treatments-part-1-egg-protein-treatment/
— Read on patkiwara.wordpress.com/2018/12/16/recoverynaturalnatural-hair-treatments-part-1-egg-protein-treatment/

Hair Food for Thought

Many of us want strong and healthy hair, especially as we age.

Healthy hair naturally grows about 0.5 inches (1.25 cm) per month, and 6 inches (15 cm) per year. How fast hair grows depends on factors like age, health, genetics and diet.

Although you can’t change factors like age and genetics, diet is one thing you have control over. Consuming a diet lacking the proper nutrients can lead to hair loss.

On the other hand, eating a balanced diet with the right nutrients can help promote hair growth, especially if you’re experiencing hair loss due to poor nutrition.

Here are some of the best foods you can eat to promote hair growth:

1. EGGS

Eggs are a great source of protein and biotin, two nutrients that may promote hair growth.

Eating adequate protein is important for hair growth because hair follicles are made of mostly protein. A lack of protein in the diet has been shown to promote hair loss.

Biotin is essential for the production of a hair protein called keratin, which is why biotin supplements are often marketed for hair growth. Research has also shown that consuming more biotin can help improve hair growth in people with a biotin deficiency.

However, biotin deficiencies are uncommon if you consume a balanced diet. There is little evidence to show healthy people benefit from consuming more biotin.

Eggs are also a great source of zinc, selenium and other hair-healthy nutrients. This makes them one of the best foods to consume for optimal hair th beneficial compounds and vitamins that may promote hair growth.

This includes vitamin C, which has strong antioxidant properties.

Antioxidants can help protect hair follicles against damage from harmful molecules called free radicals. These molecules exist naturally in the body and the environment

2. BERRIES

For example, 1 cup (144 grams) of strawberries provides an impressive 141% of your daily vitamin C needs.

Also, the body uses vitamin C to produce collagen, a protein that helps strengthen hair to prevent it from becoming brittle and breaking.

What’s more, vitamin C helps the body absorb iron from the diet. Low iron levels may cause anemia, which has been linked to hair loss.

4. SPINACH

Spinach is a healthy green vegetable that’s loaded with beneficial nutrients like folate, iron, and vitamins A and C, all of which may promote hair growth.

Vitamin A helps the skin glands produce sebum. This oily substance helps moisturize the scalp to keep hair healthy,

A cup (30 grams) of spinach provides up to 54% of your daily vitamin A needs.

Spinach is also a great plant-based source of iron, essential for hair growth. Iron helps red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body to fuel your metabolism and aid growth and repair.

Plus iron deficiencies have been linked to hair loss.

5. FATTY FISH

Fatty fish like salmon herring and mackerel have nutrients that may promote hair growth.

They are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been linked to hair growth.

A study in 120 women found that taking a supplement containing omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids as well as antioxidants reduced hair loss and increased hair density.

Another study found that taking a fish oil supplement significantly reduced hair loss and increased hair growth in women with thinning hair.

However, there are only a handful of studies on omega-3 fatty acids and hair growth. More studies are needed before health experts can make any recommendations.

Fatty fish is also a great source of protein, selenium, vitamin D3 and B vitamins, nutrients that may help promote strong and healthy hair.

6. SHELLFISH

Shrimp are popular shellfish rich in many nutrients that have the potential to promote hair growth.

For example, shrimp are a great source of protein, B vitamins, zinc, iron and vitamin D. A 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of shrimp provides 38% of your daily vitamin D needs.

Interestingly, studies have linked vitamin D3 deficiency to hair loss

Despite being very low in fat, shrimp also provide a small amount of omega-3 fatty acids. Diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids have been linked to improved hair growth.

Supplements are always an option, although the best resource of vitamins is food itself.  When buying vitamins a few things to look for and consider include:

• Avoid formulas that contain both calcium and iron.
• Look for activated forms of nutrients.
• Avoid synthetic folic acid.
• Choose multis with a vitamin E complex.
• Beware of additives and fillers.

Here’s to A New Year, Healthier You and Beautiful Hair from the inside out!

Some of this Information was derived from Health Line.