Showing posts with label Honey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Honey. Show all posts

Friday, December 30, 2011

Recovery - Moisturizing Pre-poo

So after yesterday's hair lightening fail, my hair felt dry.  I decided to try a pre-poo in hopes that my hair would forgive me:

5 oz Aloe vera gel ( food grade )
3 tbls of coconut oil
1 teaspoon wheat germ oil
2 teaspoons honey

I mixed the ingredients, but since the aloe vera gel was cold, the coconut oil didn't melt.  I wet my hair with hot water in an effort to aid the oil melting. 



That didn't work so I went under the dryer for 15 minutes. Then I washed it out using a basic natural shampoo.  Running my hands through my hair, it felt great.  My scalp felt lubricated, but not greasy. Yay!

I followed up with a retwist using my latest batch of loc butter.

Hair Lightening Fail?

As I already said, my hair doesn't usually take color well without first being lightened.  Sitting on the couch this evening, I started getting restless and decided to start on my 2012 goals.  I pulled out the ingredients for the hair lightening recipe I found on http://www.nappturality.com and got to work. 


Ingredients:
  • 1 Cup Raw uncooked honey
  • 2 Cups Distilled water
  • 1 Tablespoon Ground cinnamon
  • 1 Tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil
  • some Plastic Wrap
  • a Bathing Cap
Method:
  • Mix all the ingredients in a cup at room temperature and let it sit for at least an hour. This allows the peroxide levels to be released and it becomes more effective.
  • Use a long nose root applicator bottle, a spray bottle or a tint brush to apply it to the hair. 
Right here is where things start to go wrong.  I didn't have a big enough cup and made the mixture in a Cool Whip container.  The container is pretty flimsy and when I tried to bend it to pour the mixture into the spray bottle, it spilled out.

I had some more honey left over and started again.  This time, it I just put enough water to fill the 22 oz bottle the honey was in.  I figured I'd just add the rest of the water directly into the spray bottle.
  • You can also try applying it only to those areas you want lightened, and wrap the other parts of your hair in plastic wrap to prevent seepage.
I tried spraying the mixture all over my hair, but the cinnamon and olive oil were sticking to the sides of the bottle and clogging the sprayer.  I eventually just poured in onto my head.
  • Wrap your entire head up in plastic wrap and put on the bathing cap over the top. You may need to put a towel around your neck to catch any drips.
I'm not pleased.
  • It can be left for as long as you want - from an hour to the entire night. 
As I type, I'm about 30 minutes into the process and ready to wash it out.  I'm getting a headache from the swim cap and think it's starting to burn.  It has the burn of relaxer.  That "hmm, can I really manage this?  I want to because it's going to be so worth it."  The thing is, I'm not sold that it will be worth it.
  • To wash it out, rinse gently with warm, running water several times.  If you feel any grit, you haven't washed it out thoroughly. Follow up with your normal shampoo and wash and condition as usual.
Since, the site says, "If at any stage you experience itching or a rash or any reaction, discontinue using the treatment." I don't feel bad washing it out now.  I do feel bad for $16 on the honey.

Guess I'll see how badly this turned out tomorrow.  For now, I'm just rinsing it out.

Thanks to the hubby most of the cinnamon is out.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

The Why

A Listing of Ingredients in the Recipes Provided and the Purpose They Serve:

*My scalp is extremely dry and I suffer from seborrheic dermatitis so most of my recipes are geared toward scalp relief.*

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) - the benefits go on, but I'm concentrating on the aspects that matter to me.
  • Balance pH of scalp
  • Thicken hair
  • Remove dead skin cells
  • Aid with itchy scalp and dandruff
  • Give hair body and luster
  • Hair cleanse
  • Remove buildup and residue
  • Close cuticles


Shea Butter
  • Moisturizes
  • Adds luster to hair - Truth,  I made some shealoe to twist my hair, and there was a definite difference.
  • Treats dry scalp - hmm, undecided




Aloe Vera Gel
  • Contains enzymes which stimulate hair growth
  • Reduces dandruff
  • Can be used to tighten locs
  • Drys out scalp (helping to give that dread look?) so be sure to mix with oil before applying to retain moisture




Olive Oil
  • Moisturizes
  • Improve strength and elasticity
  • Natural conditioner - adds shine and makes hair soft
  • Helps with split ends





Mango Butter
  • Relieves itchy skin
  • Moisturizes and smooth rough skin
  • Treats eczema and dermatitis


Coconut Oil
  • Conditions
  • Helps regrow damaged hair
  • Dandruff relief
  • Helps retain moisture
  • Contains fatty acids which are anti-dandruff agents
Liquid  Lanolin
  • Moisturizes
  • Helps heal chapped skin (winter is coming)


Sweet Almond Oil
  • Protein source
  • Contains Vitamin E
  • Shiny hair
  • Conditions
  • Carrier oil

Jojoba Oil
  • Relieve dryness
  • Mend split ends
  • Smooth frizziness
  • Conditions
  • Antibacterial
  • Cleanse scalp
  • Protect hair when swimming
  • Prevent thinning hair
  • Natural sheen

Avocado Oil
  • Carrier oil
  • Contains proteins, vitamins A, D, E and B6, magnesium, copper, iron, amino acids and folic acid
  • Natural sunscreen




Ylang Ylang Oil
  • Hair re-growth
  • Conditions
  • Anti-seborrhoeic
  • Balances oily and dry skin






 Wheat Germ Oil
  • Increases lost moisture to the hair while adding shine, strength, and softness.  
  • Helps keep the hair cuticle closed and free of breakage.
  • Tends to build up on scalp.  Hmm
  • Of note: It has a "nutty" scent which I am not a fan of




Honey
  • Moisturizer
  • Low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide which had lightening properties




Glycerin
  • Attracts moisture (from the air or you)








Jamaican Black Castor Oil (JBCO)
  • Moisturize, thicken, strengthen and increase hair growth