Aloe Vera: A One-Stop Beauty Aid

Aloe has been used for its medicinal properties for over 3,000 years. The Egyptian queens and well known beauties Nefretiti and Cleopatra used it as part of their regular beauty regimens. I don’t know about you ladies, but if it’s good enough for royalty, it’s good enough for me! Aloe serves as both an internal and external beauty aid. Sort of like a one-stop beauty aid. No need to hoard a myriad of facial moisturizers or hunt for the best hair conditioner – Aloe vera does it all! The gel of the aloe vera leaf contains over 75 nutrients and 200 active compounds, including 20 minerals, 18 amino acids, and 12 vitamins. Aloe vera is one of the best anti-aging herbs available, helping to rejuvenate aging skin and combat wrinkles. Let aloe vera juice surprise you as it: cleanses and supports your digestive system, infuses you with energy, hydrates your skin, soothes and promotes skin renewal, promotes weight loss, and supports your immune system. Just 2-4 ounces per day can yield noticeable changes quickly. For best results, look for the highest quality of organic aloe. Although many believe that a high quality aloe vera gel or juice contains only the nutritious inner gel; not the “whole leaf”, I have seen notable results from using just the “whole leaf” aloe vera juice. After all, how can I go wrong with the “whole” plant?

Aloe Vera is also very beneficial for your hair. It not only stops hair falling, but creates a good healthy scalp as well. It maintains the Ph balance of the hair and cleanses the pores. Massage the gel or juice ( try a spray bottle for easy application) onto the scalp and leave it for 10 to 15 minutes or overnight before shampooing your hair. Do this every time you wash your hair, because aloe vera has the ability to seal in the moisture content of the hair thus preventing it from drying and frizzing. It also stimulates hair production and can treat alopecia. It has amazing conditioning properties and can be used as a leave- in conditioner after shampooing. Plus, it’s a heat protectant! Use it as a hair serum or as a protective gel before using any heated instrument like hair dryer or flat iron. The well-known preparation of aloe vera gel, wheat germ oil and coconut milk is used as a shampoo and has traditionally shown great benefits for the growth of healthy, thick hair.
Additionally, a 2:1 preparation of aloe juice/gel and extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil makes a great softner/detangler for new growth.

So don’t let this timeless, inexpensive beauty secret slip by! Some common brands are Fruit of the Earth, GNC Natural Brand, and Nature’s Way. Pick up some today at your local market or health food store and reap the wonderful benefits!

A No-Nonsense Guide to Choosing the Right Protein Conditioner

Many people may not realize the mechanics of a good hair conditioner. In all honesty, conditioners are far more complex than most other hair products, such as shampoo. Conditioners are designed to treat the hair after shampooing or cleansing occurs. Conditioners often help replenish the look and feel of the hair after shampooing. Conditioners can help moisturize, add shine and manageability. Much like a fabric softener does to your clothing, after being washed in a detergent. A conditioner should, generally, only be applied to the hair shaft and the ends, especially, the ends. Never apply a hair conditioner to the scalp, it may build-up and create a limp look. However, when managing new growth or varying textures, applying protein deep conditioners to the roots is a highly effective way to ensure strength and lessen breakage at the line of demarcation (where the two textures meet).

In order to choose the right protein conditioner for you, you must consider the type of hair you have dry, oily, or normal. You must also consider whether your hair is thick or thin. However, knowing the condition of your hair is most important, whether normal, or mild to severe damage. This will help in defining the type of ingredients you are looking for in your conditioner. Look for ingredients that address your hair’s specific needs. Wheat protein, silk amino acids, and collagen proteins are all useful in increasing moisture retention and elasticity. These types of proteins are safe for weekly use. While keratin, vegetable and animal proteins act more as heavy strengtheners and should always be followed by a moisturizing conditioner. These types of proteins are ideal for those with damage and breakage. Proper application of the conditioner is very important, as well. It is important to either follow the directions on the contents or follow these simple steps: Pour the conditioner in your hands and rub them together, never apply a glob of conditioner to the hair directly. Apply even amounts of conditioner to the hair shaft and ends. As mentioned earlier, do not apply to the scalp and always condition the ends or tips the most. Since the ends of the hair are the oldest and longest exposed parts of the hair, concentrating on this area will certainly increase your growth retention. Additionally, most conditioners, even instant, need to be left on the hair for at least 1-3 minutes. But many women will attest to the sustained benefits of conditioning hair with heat for 15 minutes or more. Lastly, leave-in conditioners stay in the hair until the next washing and do not require a rinse, they offer extended . Just as important as the type of conditioner is the rinsing. It is important to rinse the conditioner off completely and as directed by the packaging instructions. Often times leaving residues of conditioner on the hair can attract dirt and dust, as well as leave you with a "greasy" or hard feel. When combing the hair while wet, be very careful, you're hair is at its most vulnerable state when wet, even after a good protein treatment. This is often when the most damage can occur. Remember! Choosing the right products for your hair is the first step to a successful hair growth journey.

Hair Steaming

Well, I’m sure you guys are familiar with the term hair steaming. It seems to be all the rage in the healthy hair care world. But why?

Hair steaming is the process of conditioning the hair using steam. Using steam helps your favorite oils and conditioners penetrate the hair shaft and follicles more deeply, infusing your strands inside and out with moisture. Steaming also stimulates the scalp by causing increased blood flow and circulation. It helps to loosen and relax the scalp. There are mainly two different types of hair steamers, a table top version and a professional, like those you see at a hair salon. While many like the convenience and space-saving benefits of a table top steamer, many of the professional ones are quite affordable and much sturdier. I personally, prefer a stand up steamer because it's larger and seemingly more powerful than its tabletop counterpart. Still, no matter what type of steamer you choose the benefits remain the same, the most common being increased moisture. I’m sure all of us realize that moisture is often the main culprit of shedding and breakage with afro-textured hair. Afro-textured hair is more prone to drying out and resulting breakage. However, any hair type can certainly reap the benefits of hair steaming. Steaming makes hair more manageable. It’s an excellent regimen addition for anyone “stretching” their relaxers or transitioning to natural hair.

Now the how, while many may not have access to table top or professional steamers, you can still reap its many benefits by using an alternate method. You might try wetting a towel or Turbie Twist, placing it in the microwave 30-60 seconds, carefully place the hot towel/cap on clean hair, “smothered” in your favorite conditioner or oil, and cover with two plastic caps. Adding a knit cap or scarf will also help hold in the heat and moisture. Allow the cap to remain on for 15-30 minutes. Note: Once your done steaming, rinse my hair with cool water to help close up the follicle and hair cuticle and leave the hair shiny and smooth. If you haven’t tried steaming yet, stop delaying! Check out its many benefits:

1. Moisture, Moisture, Moisture!!

2. Increased Shine

3. Increased manageability of new growth

4. Softer hair

5. Less hair breakage
6. Decrease in dandruff cause by dry scalp

7. Easy detangling

Check out LCL Beauty for affordable professional steamers at http://lclbeauty.com/

Product Review from HarMoni Speaks: Getting back to basics with Essentious

Essentious delivers the best without all the mess! No petroleum, no sulfates, no mineral oil, no silicones, and no parabens! Who could ask for anything sweeter? And while we’re on the subject of sweet, Essentious fragrance is reminiscent of delicious butterscotch candy. So you can smell sweet and have sweet looking hair too. Essentious offers a power-packed team of products that are sure to restore the thirstiest, most damaged tresses. The lineup includes the Essentious Exonerate Moisturizing Shampoo. The Exonerate shampoo ingredients: Aqua (Water), Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Phenoxyethanol, Jojoba Oil, Calcium d-Pantothenate (Pro-Vitamin B5), Hydrolized Wheat Proteins, Xanthan Gum (Polysaccharide Gum), Tetrasodium EDTA, Citric Acid, and Fragrance. Essentious Rejuvenate Protein Conditioner ingredients: Aloe barbadensis (Organic Aloe) Juice, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ricinus communis (Castor Seed) Oil, Stearalkonium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, d-Calcium Pantothenate (Panthenol Vitamin B5), Hydrolized Wheat Protein, Hydrolized Keratin, Collagen Amino Acids, Cocos nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Limnanthes alba (Meadowfoam) Oil, Fragrance. Essentious Hydrate Moisturizing Conditioner ingredients: Aloe barbadensis (Organic Aloe) Juice, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ricinus communis (Castor Seed) Oil, Stearalkonium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, d-Calcium Pantothenate (Panthenol Vitamin B5), Hydrolized Wheat Protein, Cocos nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Organic Honey, Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Jojoba Oil, Limnanthes alba (Meadowfoam) Oil, Fragrance. And last but not least, Essentious Shine Daily Moisturizer ingredients: Coconut Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Jojoba Oil, Fragrance.. Now as with all products, we know results may vary, and Essentious is no different. After using the full line of products on my two daughters, my son, and myself, I am glad to say that each of us was very pleased with our individual results. In my oldest daughter’s coarse 3c/4a hair, Exonerate delivered much needed moisture and smoothness. While for my youngest daughter, a badly damaged 4b, with scalp issues Exonerate thoroughly removed the visible residue on her scalp without stripping her hair of moisture. My young son was left with a nice clean scalp and the shiniest oil-free hair. For me, Exonerate helped to soothe my scalp and remove all residue from my weekly castor oil treatments. Since the demise of my beloved Cream of Nature, I have been on the prowl for a new love and I think Exonerate is my star player. But my true love is the dynamic duo – Rejuvenate & Hydrate. These two products deliver just the right balance of strength and moisture. I noticed fewer hairs in the shower even after the first use; these two have stolen my heart. The only downside is the small size. My hair is protein friendly and I’m a bit heavy handed, so the small size doesn’t last too long. Still, everyone knows, a good cake needs a good icing and Essentious has that covered too! The Shine Daily Moisturizer kept it simple, fragrant, and, yes, shiny! With just four ingredients, this oil leaves your hair feeling buttery smooth and blinging in the sun. While many may think these products are a bit pricey, I think my crown and glory is worth the investment. So if you’re looking to step up your hair care game and move to more natural products, don’t miss out on the many benefits of Essentious. You can order by dialing 1-877-621-7843.

What’s in Your Arsenal? Arming for Growth

So you’ve finally decided to lay down the brush, nix the gels, pull of the wigs, and give the weave a rest…you’re ready to grow your own beautiful head of hair! But you’re wondering how to gear up for your quest. What route to take to get you on the growing path? Well look no more! Before embarking on your journey, we’ll share with you some basic essentials every hair soldier needs in her survival kit. And yes, keeping it simple can and will get the job done!

First, finding the shampoo that works best for your hair type is going to be very important. You want to make it sure that it thoroughly cleanses the scalp without robbing your hair of its vital moisture balance. Look for natural soaps or less harsh soaps that do not contain drying sulfates. Or for you militant chics who just can’t give up that favorite shampoo, bathe your hair strands in light natural oils for up to 24 hours before shampooing to help lessen the drying effects.

Second, you’ll find that leaving out your deep conditioner is a lot like leaving your gun in the holster during the shoot out. Look for conditioners that direct you to leave on hair for 8 or more minutes or to apply heat. Deep conditioning weekly is the single most effective and quickest way to steer your hair back to the path of blissful health. Deep conditioning for as little as 15-20 minutes with heat every week will help to heal damaged strands and restore vital nutrients to the hair. The trick is keeping it balanced. Hair is made of keratin protein, it’s the thing that keeps fragile hair strong, and thick hair shiny and resilient. While everyone may not need protein weekly, by incorporating it into your regimen bi-monthly, you’ll begin to notice stronger, thicker hair in no time. And don’t forget the moisture. Moisturizing conditioners help to restore the smoothness and pliability to the hair after a protein treatment. During the hair growth phase, many women believe that our hair requires different degrees of each of these to reach our hair goals. For example, consistent moisture treatments may help the slowest hair grower get passed the shoulder length hump, while those reaching beyond arm pit length may require more protein to keep those old hair ends strong and free of splits.

Next, you need to stock up on a good water-based moisturizer. Moisturizing your hair in-between conditioning treatments will help retain both moisture and hair length. Some women prefer creamy moisturizers or sprays, but whatever you choose, make sure water is the #1 ingredient. Remember to moisturize your hair in sections so nothing gets left out. Concentrate on keeping your ends hydrated because this is where most breakage occurs and length is lost.

Lastly, seal it up! Sealing in your moisture with a good natural oil is imperative. As water evaporates from hair and can leave it feeling dry as the Sahara, you must always remember to lightly coat your hair with oil to help lock that moisture into your hair shaft. Some natural ladies even choose to seal with pure shea butter. The variety of oils available is endless, so find the one that works for your hair. However, for the beginners, extra virgin olive oil and coconut oil are great ones to start with.

Bald Edges

Hey Ladies I have found a problem that some of us suffer with, and that's balding edges. Some may think they have tried everything but some of the simplest things can prevent and even help those edges to grow back. If you love micro braids or braids of any kind for that matter just don't do it. Braids causes stress on edges from the pulling. In some cases the hair can actually be pulled from the scalp from the excessive stress. Another thing give up the phony pony. Usually when trying to put hair into a pony tail we try to get it as smooth as possible, which means tugging until all parts lay down. Stop. You are hurting your edges. You also do not need to keep putting gel on the thinning hair, while it may give you a satisfying appearance, your edges are still suffering. Try to refrain from getting a touch up while your edges are in a weak state. Adding chemicals to an already thinning hair will just speed up the process. While not having a touch up may seem like a hard task you should not turn to the flat iron. A flat iron can be just as bad as using chemicals, because of the high temperatures involved in flat ironing. Show your edges you care by massaging the affected area. Make sure to massage and not rub, because rubbing the affected area will further the problem. Moisturize the area and wear styles that require little to no stress on the edges. Remember you must maintain your regime to get your edges back, because if you don't then the hairline will keep receding. Getting back those edges takes time and patience, and chances are it will take several weeks before you begin to see improvement. However, do not be discouraged, because in the end you will have a head full of healthy locs.

Silicones

African American women are known for having dry hair. If you are natural then you should know that although your hair maybe be stronger, it is susceptible to breakage at every point the hair bends. The coils of the hair makes it almost impossible for the sebum from the scalp to reach the ends of the hair. The looser the coils makes it alot easier for the sebum to nourish the ends of the hair, thus maintaining a balanced pH. Those that choose to relax their hair also have to worry about the end of their hair being nourished along with the overall strength. The chemicals in relaxers not only weaken the hair, but it also dries it out. So what does breakage lead to? It leads to the notorious split ends. Everyday we are bombarded with ads that claim to mend split ends. Alot of products that is said to mend split ends contain silicones.
When most of us hear the word silicone we think of them as being used on the body. However, silicones are used in some of our everyday hair products, especially in those claming to mend split ends. Anyone that knows how hair grows and functions also knows there is no way to repair damaged hair. Once the hair has broken it will remain that way until those scraggly ends are chopped off. Silicones act a glue, and temporarily seal the split ends of the hair. The silicone causes the hair to look healthy, because it not only falsely mend the ends but it also give the hair shine. Once the product wears off the breaking ends will fall off, and sustain damage. The best way to prevent damage is to keep the end moisturized. If you get split ends just get rid of them, because it improve the overall health and appearance of your hair.