Shea Butter Natural Skin Care Center

If you wear your hair natural, you are probably familiar with co-washing, or washing the hair with conditioner only. Conditioner washing avoids harsh results from frequent washing with shampoos and helps to keep natural black hair soft and manageable. Co-washing can be done as often as you’d like, even several times a day (this is a plus for natural hair wearers in the hot days of summer).

Oftentimes the question of “How do I co-wash my hair?” comes up. The answer would seem simple, but there are some steps you can take to get the most benefit from this technique and do it with ease.

* First, find a conditioner that works for your hair type. Search online for keywords “hair types” and narrow your hair type down to one or two close categories. You may be a combo 3c and 4a. This will help you better understand which type of conditioner to purchase among the many available.

* Get to know your ingredients. The long, hard-to-pronounce ingredients on the label can be overwhelming. But with familiarity, you can learn to spot which ingredients you want to keep and which you want to avoid. Ingredients like propylene glycol, cetyl alcohol and panthenol are common. Search online for ingredients lists. One such list can be found at http://sci-toys.com/ingredients/ingredients.html.

* Recommended: Purchase an extended shower head/hose. Handheld shower heads with variable sprays offer the best control for rinsing the hair and are often well worth the investment.

* Rinse the hair with warm water. Avoid water that is too hot (if it initially stings your back, it’s too hot). Cleansing results from the action of water plus cleanser (shampoo and/or conditioner) and agitation (hand movements through the hair). Warm water will clean hair well while hot water can be damaging. While rinsing with water, gently comb your hair with your fingers.

* Apply your conditioner. This can be done in several ways.

(1) Pour a line of conditioner into your hand (as opposed to pouring a dollop) and apply each line onto parted hair sections. Work the conditioner from the roots to the tips. Continue until all the hair is covered.

(2) Squeeze your normal amount of conditioner into a large bowl, preferably plastic. With the shower head, add water to the bowl and mix the water and conditioner well with your hands. Bend your head over the bowl. With a cup or other small container, scoop up some of the mix and pour it onto your hair. You can then lean further over into the bowl and wash your hair with your hands directly over the bowl if you’d like. This allows for even coverage, but note that the conditioner will be more dilute.

(3) Squeeze your normal amount of conditioner into a large clean spray bottle and mix with water. Shake well and spray liberally onto the hair. Again, this mixture will be more dilute than a direct application. This method is great for those who only have minutes to spare in the mornings. Make a large batch of diluted conditioner, spray your hair and rinse out after bathing.

* Comb your hair with a wide-tooth comb with rounded-edge teeth. This step is optional, as there remains a debate as to whether combing while wet does more damage to hair than combing while dry. It has been said that combing while wet can stretch the hair past it’s longest point, thereby causing breakage. However, many who wear their hair natural report that combing while the hair is fully conditioned is the best time for them, as the hair is soft and pliable, leading to less breakage. In either case, comb hair gently by grabbing one small section at a time. Comb from the TIPS first, ensuring there are no snags then work your way to the roots. It’s ok if you cannot comb from root to tip in one stroke. The main idea is to ease tangles and distribute the conditioner evenly.

* Allow the conditioner to set on your hair for at least a few minutes if possible. Both steam from the shower and the conditioner itself will work on your hair during this time. Give yourself a nice salt or sugar scrub while your hair is being conditioned.

* Rinse your hair well, again with warm water. Ease your fingers through each section while the water flows through to remove any remaining conditioner.

* Optional: Apply your hair products at this step — while your hair is dripping wet. Many naturals swear by this technique and believe the best absorption is gained at this time. At the least, your product(s) can be more evenly distributed throughout your hair while it is sopping wet.

* It’s time to dry. Just as with the application, there are several ways to dry your hair.

(1) Dry with a towel. Avoid rubbing your scalp and hair with a towel at all costs! Instead, simply dab and pat your hair dry, or grab sections and squeeze excess water into the towel.

(2) Shake and go. Lay your towel across the back of your shoulders (lengthwise shoulder to shoulder). Grab the bottom corners of the towel and raise it up to your head, almost over your head. Think of Batman’s cape raised up as he jumps off a tall building! With the towel raised, shake your head from side to side (ear to shoulder) and left to right (like saying no), shaking excess water into the towel. This is what I call the “no touch” method. Sometimes drying the hair directly with a towel can remove products you’ve just applied, even helping to separate your freshly-formed coils and spirals. You want your coils to group together to avoid the frizzies. This method is perfect for the warmer months when you possibly can afford to go longer periods with damp hair.

(3) Blow dry, but with care. When blow drying, the use of a diffuser is best. A diffuser will spread the heat from your dryer more evenly and minimize potential heat damage. You can find diffusers at most beauty supply stores at a minimal cost. If you do not have a diffuser, use the low heat or cool setting and blow dry from at least six inches from the furthest part of your hair. Remember, you are not trying to get the hair bone dry — just dry enough to style and go out.

In summary, with the above methods you’ll find shampooing your hair by co-washing is a great alternative to traditional shampooing which can strip your hair of much needed oils and moisture. With just a touch of practice, getting in and out of the shower with a clean head of hair will take less time than applying your makeup, and your hair will benefit greatly from it.

Elle Paris is the owner of My Natural which provides no-nonsense user reviews for hundreds of products for natural hair care.

Natural products can be used to keep black hair healthy and beautiful. Afro-textured tresses are fragile and much more sensitive to the harsh ingredients found in some hair products than naturally straight hair. That’s why it’s important to read the labels of all products carefully before using them on your lovely locks.

There are many bad ingredients that you shouldn’t use in your natural black hair. The most common ingredients are petroleum, mineral oil, sodium lauryl sulfate, isopropyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, and propylene glycol. All of these ingredients are damaging and drying.

Curly hair tends to be quite fragile and dry. Using ingredients that are drying will cause your hair to break and look unhealthy. It is ideal to use ingredients that seal in moisture and nourish the hair.

Instead of drying artificial ingredients look for products that contain all natural healthy ingredients. Products that contain natural oils like coconut oil, sweet almond oil, olive oil, and jojoba oil will help seal in moisture. Natural butters are also good like shea butter are nourishing. Water is moisturizing for your tresses. Glycerine will help make your hair soft. Using products with these natural ingredients will help you maintain healthy tresses.

You can also make your own products at home. It’s not very hard to get started making your own products at home. You just need some simple ingredients and tools. Most of the ingredients you’ll need to make your own hair products can be purchased at the grocery store, your local health food store or online.

Here are some ideas to get you started making your own products at home. One of the benefits of using natural products you make at home is that you know exactly what you’re putting on your hair.

Glycerine Spray

Glycerine will help moisten and soften your tresses. Some people don’t respond well to glycerine and some do. You’ll have to try it out to see if it works for you.

Mix 1/4 cup vegetable glycerine in a spray bottle with 1 cup water. Spray on your hair as needed. You can add essential oils like rosemary and peppermint to this mixture to give it a nice scent and stimulate hair growth.

Conditioning Spritz

Simply mix 1 cup water with 1/3 cup conditioner in a spray bottle. You can also add 2 tablespoons of your favorite oil to the mixture.

Creamy Shea Butter

Combine 1/2 cup shea butter, 1/2 cup coconut oil, and 3 tablespoons of aloe vera gel in a food processor until it’s creamy. I use this mixture when I put my hair in braids or two strand twists.

Are you interested in learning more about caring for natural hair? Find out more about natural hair products and how to grow long natural hair an GrowLongNaturalHair.com

Wish your hair was longer than it is now? I know how you feel and I’ve been there about a year ago with shoulder length hair but now its all the way down my back. By following these rules and guidelines, you can grow your black hair longer and stronger than ever before.

Moisture/Protein Balance -The first method to retaining your length is to balance your moisture and protein in your hair. Your hair is made up of 88% protein. It is vital for the hair to have that protein so the hair structure will not break easily. And through protien treatments this can be done.

Those with relaxers will need more protein than naturals heads, because their hair strands have been denatured due to the chemicals. Moisture is always necessary though.

For beginners that don’t know where to start, this can be a bit hard but by using the strand test, you can determine if your hair needs more moisture or protein. In most purposes, if you don’t know what you need, your best bet is to side with moisture. It is your better choice because African Americans need lots of moisture.

Daily Massaging – Scalp massages your scalp for 5 minutes a day will speed up hair growth. It will also thicken the hair strands which give you fuller and stronger hair. Another benefit of scalp massages is its calming effect and relief of headaches.

For many reasons, many people tend forget this step, thinking that its nothing important. However, massaging the scalp daily is key to seeing effective results faster. In most cases reported, women that have complained about slower hair growth have seen an inch of new growth per month after massaging daily for only 5 minutes.

For only a few minutes a day, I think those are good results. This was an important step in achieve my hair length.

Protective Styling – It is always nice to wear your hair down once in a while but to maintain that length, it must be secured in a protective style. Some protective styles include buns, bantu knots, braid-outs and curling your ends.

The importance of protective style is to keep your ends moisturized and unexposed from the air.

AIR = BREAKAGE = LACK OF MOISTURE

So it is necessary to keep your ends moisturized but at the same time it is a must to cover your ends for avoid breakage.

I recommend at least 4 out of the 7 days of the week, that your hair should be worn in protective style.

Now that you know 3 important steps to growing longer hair, use them to guide you on your journey. For more information visit blackhairplanet.com

Skin care, once thought of as expensive and time-consuming, can actually be a surprisingly easy, effective boost to your health and confidence. There are several ways to take care of your skin, including diet, exercise, cosmetics, and the use of natural skincare products. Simple products and choices can elongate your skin’s youthful appearance and prevent future problems. Good skin care can simple. From proper cleansing to using the right skincare solutions, here are a few healthy tips:

1. HYDRATION

The appearance of our skin is affected by our digestion. Many common skin conditions like rosacea and psoriasis have possible root causes in digestive issues. Regular daily hydration – specifically water – is the most effective way to combat problems in digestion. Water cleans out the cells in your body, removing the bacteria and waste that infects your skin. Drinking the recommended eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day will speed the process of cell-cleansing and will lead to better skin cell content.

2. FIBER

The best source for regulating digestion is dietary fiber. While many people lack fiber in their normal diet, it is one key factor that can help your digestive system work properly and make your skin look better. Men and women should consume an average of 30 grams of fiber per day for their digestive system to operate optimally. The average person only consumes about a third of that.

An easy way to increase fiber in your diet is to add snacks like seeds, nuts, and dried fruits. Food sources such as oats, flaxseed, peas, beans, apples, carrots and citrus fruits also boost your fiber and power up your digestive system.

3. EXERCISE

Exercising helps blood circulation and creates perspiration which allows you to sweat, secreting excess waste that sets in your skin. Exercising tightens skin tone and helps the texture of the epidermis. The circulation restores the natural glow that your skin possesses which is usually dulled by the sedentary skin. Exercising will have you feeling more energetic and confident, helping esteem and eliminating stress.

4. AVOID SUN OVER-EXPOSURE

The UV rays can be very damaging to your skin; it is important to protect yourself from the sun if you are outdoors for long periods of time. The sun is the leading cause of wrinkles, age spots, dry skin, and skin cancer. The sun is the hottest in the middle of the day and when the rays are most damaging.

Sunscreen is a must: apply sunscreen before you go outside so it has time to seep into the skin providing you with the most protection. Wear sunglasses when it’s bright out — the UV rays are one of the top reasons for impaired vision. Over time, the sun damages the eyes even when not looking at the sun.

5. EXFOLIATION

Exfoliating is a process that should be performed daily to ensure healthy, more youthful-looking natural skin. The first step is choosing the proper product for your skin. There are many different cosmetics but there are some that contain ingredients that can be harmful to the very goal you are trying to achieve.

Using natural skin care products is a good way to ensure safe, healthy results. Natural sea salts and dead-sea salts are great for exfoliating the body and natural sugar scrubs are a little less irritating for the face. Some products contain hemp seed oil, and avocado, apricot, jojoba or Vitamin E oils as added natural emollients. When cleaning and exfoliating skin use warm, not hot, water.

Water that is too hot will extract the moisture from your skin leaving it rough and less healthy than before. Use a circular motion when washing your skin because the rounded movement opens the pores allowing you to clean hidden dirt. When drying your skin pat it, do not wipe it. Patting will allow some of the remaining water to seep into your body and help with the moisturizer you apply following the cleansing.

6. MOISTURIZING

Daily use of moisturizing natural skincare products is one of the easiest and most important ways to care for your skin. When bathing or showering, many people find ordinary soaps drying to the skin. Shower gels infused with skincare oils such as hemp seed, vitamin e, or natural vegetable-based glycerins soften as they clean. Try to avoid products that use either Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodium Laureth Sulfate, as studies have shown damaging and even toxic effects with long-term use.

Whether it be an all-natural after-bath or shower skin oil spray, a moisturizing skin lotion or skin butter, daily skin moisturizing will offer protection from the elements, anti-aging properties, and will give skin a feel-good healthy glow.

7. NATURAL INGREDIENTS

When looking at skincare products try to shop for those containing natural oils and botanical extracts. Popular moisturizing skin care ingredients include hemp seed oil, argan oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, apricot oil, coconut oil, vitamin e, and shea butter. It should be noted that not all synthetic chemicals are necessarily bad or unsafe.

Many naturally-based skin care products require a few chemical compounds to work effectively, maintain stability, and to preserve shelf-life. However, one should try to avoid skin care products that contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Parabens, Phthalates, Propylene Glycol, Mineral Oil, or artificial dyes.

Conclusion: Natural skin care is a key part in benefiting your outer appearance. Apply these simple tips and you will soon have smoother, brighter skin that leave you feeling healthier and more confident!

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If you are someone that cares about your skin then you probably know how important it is finding natural skin care lines of products to help your skin maintain health and vibrancy. There is no guarantee that because a product contain natural ingredients you will benefit from using it.

As you think about the many different natural skin care lines, it is very essential that you look at the ingredients they contain to ensure that they have been scientifically proven to be effective. As you should know by now natural products should not contain synthetic chemicals such as parabens, fragrances, some alcohols, mineral oil and dioxane. These can have adverse effects on your skin and overall health.

I know you find it hard to believe that there are products being manufactured and sold on the market that claim to be natural however contain harmful ingredients. These ingredients can clog your pores, interfere with your central nervous system or cause irritation and irritability. Some are even cancer-causing. So in order to maintain healthy skin, over the long term, never use products that contain harmful ingredients.

When searching for natural skin care lines, there are certain things you should ensure. Make sure that you can verify that the ingredients are indeed natural. This you can do by doing some research online. Next try to figure out what kind of moisturizers they are using. You don’t want anything that will clog your pores. Two great moisturizers are avocado oil and shea butter. They are natural plant-based natural oils that are very similar to the natural oils produced by your skin making them easily absorbedtarget=”_new” into the skin.

Avocado Oil aids in the production of collagen and elastin which are proteins that are essential for healthy skin. It provides the skin with the wide range of Vitamin Bs. It is a deeply penetrating oil that nourishes the skin which helps to fight skin aging.

Shea Butter contains vegetable fats that are beneficial to the skin, it promotes cell regeneration as well as circulation. It works great with stretch marks and dry skin. It is sometimes called “women’s gold.”

There are other ingredients you will want to find in the best natural skin care lines that will work magically to heal and rejuvenate your skin. Such ingredients are Phytessence Wakame which is a powerful antioxidant and known as a beauty preserver in Japan for centuries.

Nano Lipobelle HEQ10 which is a more refined form of COQ10 is also a great source of antioxidant it penetrates deep into the many layers of your skin. It also helps to stimulate collagen and elastin production.

There you have it. Finding a top quality natural skin care lineof products has just been made easier for you. Visit my website to learn about more natural products.

Ingrid Palmer has been using and researching natural skin care product for many years. visit her website for information on the best anti aging products she has researched and recommends. http://www.healthy-body-and-skin.com

There are lots of questions arise when it comes to black hair care.

Why is my hair so coarse and dry as compared to others?

Generally, black hair is easily dried up. Although the components and structure are vastly different but black hair has the cuticles twice thicker as compared to others. Therefore, it is more difficult for the oil from the scalp to reach the end of your hair; hence the hair will be dryer and prone to breakage.

If my hair looks thick; will it be all right if I use normal shampoo for it?

Black hair may appear coarse and tougher than others – although there might be some exceptions. It shows that the hair is more fragile. Hence, it needs extra care and different product which is more suitable. Choosing a good shampoo is a must. You will have to use a gentle cleanser that will concentrate more on your hair. It may be a bit pricey but it is definitely worth the price. If you are not sure which shampoo is more suitable, you can always look out for the type of hair recommended for that particular shampoo. Find the one that is suggested for extra black hair.

Besides shampoo, what are the other products that I should use on my hair?

Having a good conditioner is definitely a must as black hair is dryer. You should also use a leave-on conditioner everyday to maintain the moisture of your locks. In addition, black hair care is incomplete without a weekly hair masque or hot oil treatment to enhance the hydration of the hair.

Do you have any extra tips for black hair care?

You can always keep your hair tied up in braids or wrap up when you were sleeping to minimize the breakage of the hair. Or if you desire, you can always have soft satin pillowcase to sleep as the cotton type may absorb moisture from your hair. Also remember to have a boar bristle brush as the skinny one tends to pull out your hair. You should also carry around a spray mist to ensure that your hair gets the moisture it needs at all time.

Is the relaxing method needed if my hair is very coarse?

A relaxing process can be very damaging to the hair if it is used excessively. However, I personally do not recommend it. By using this method, it can cause the hair to be very dry, not to mention hair breakage or spilt ends as well. Besides, what is the point of making the hair dead and then bounce it back after a few weeks when all the hair textures are badly damaged?

At the end, I’d like to share a website with more information on topics like black hair styles and black hair care. Visit for more details.

What it is: A whipped cream moisturizer that pampers the skin.

What it is formulated to do: L’Occitane Ultra Rich Body Cream Rich in Shea Butter treats and fortifies dehydrated skin. Exceptionally concentrated in shea butter (25%), it offers intensive nourishment and protection.

What else you need to know: The Ultra Rich Body Cream is designed to restore the natural hydrolipic film that bolsters moisture retention and well-being.

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There are a wide range of Natural Oils which can be used for Black Hair Care, ranging from the more well known coconut, avocado and olive to the more unusual and less heard of sapote, moringa and manketti oils.  They each have their own unique properties and are very versatile in the way in which they can be used.

Here are some ideas for using natural oils as part of your hair care routine:

Pre Shampoo - oil the hair prior to shampooing, this helps to counteract the hair and scalp being stripped of its oils during the shampoo process and will also help to soften the feel of the hair.  The oil can be applied at room temperature or warmed as a hot oil treatment

Scalp Oil – this is particularly useful for those who have dry, itchy or inflamed conditions, simply apply a small amount of your oil(s) to the scalp and massage in gently

Herbal Oils - this process involves infusing herbs into your chosen oils, then applying the finished product to your hair and scalp.  Herbs can be selected depending on your desired outcome, for example to encourage hair growth or improve strength

Lock in Moisture – applying a light layer of oil will seal the moisture (use a moisturising product first) in your hair, something which people with black hair often need to do on a regular basis

An addition – to your shampoo’s, deep conditioners, hair treatment masks, henna or indigo colour treatments – adding a little oil will help to improve the slip of your product and will counteract the effects of other ingredients which may be drying to the hair such as henna or sulphate based shampoos.

To help you decide which oils to use, you may wish to consider the following:

a) Thickness and absorptive capacity of the oil.  Some are lighter and more easily absorbed like camellia oil and others like castor are thicker and more likely to just sit on the hair shaft or scalp.

b) The properties and benefits of the oil – choose those which are most suitable to your hair’s needs

c) The price, some oils are more economical than others

The purest and most nutrient rich oils are those which are cold pressed, unrefined and organic, although the refined versions still have their place in healthy hair care.

Here are the properties of some natural oils:

Avocado – rich in vitamins A, B and D, excellent for dry, dull hair, this oil like coconut and olive is highly absorptive and can actually penetrate the hair shaft.

Castor – protects the hair and scalp from the external environment, is said to improve thickness and growth, is a thick and slow to absorb oilso best when blended with other oils. 

Coconut – a wonder oil, beneficial to the scalp, soothes irritations and minor scalp disorders, is able to penetrate the hair shaftand is also antibacterial, anti-fungal and antiviral.  Please note, coconut oil does not contain high levels of protein and yet many people who have used it believe this to be the case. 

Camellia – exceptionally high in Alec acid and vitamin E, helps to smooth and add shine the hair cuticle so useful for frizzes and dull hair, a very light and easily absorbed oil.

Safflower- rich in Vitamin E and essential fatty acids, beneficial for dry and itchy scalps, a light and easily absorbed oil.

Grapeseed - a very light, easily absorbed oil, rich in essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, slightly astringent and therefore toning to the scalp. 

Macadamia Nut – protects the hair from external pollutants, is rich and yet easily absorbed, useful for very dry and damaged hair, similar in structure to the natural sebum (oil) of the scalp and therefore a good scalp oil.

Zoe Penny, Natural Hair and Beauty Product Designer & Retailer
Natural Ingredients and E Book Guides for DIY Hair and Beauty Product Creators

http://www.reviveholisticbeauty.com

Specially formulated entirely from natural ingredients and herbs, this soap will have you feeling refreshed and silky smooth. Restores damaged skin and is helpful in healing chronic eczema, acne, freckles and dark spots. Scented with Osun (Camwood extract) citrus juices and native honey. Bio-degradable. No Preservatives, no preservatives and no artificial colors. Contains ingredients from natural plants and herbs from the tropical rain forrest and savannah regions such as aloe vera and natural vitamins. Pure Honey, Shea Butter, Osun (camwood), Palmkernel Oil, Cocoa Pod Ash, Palm Bunch Ash, Glycerine, Aloe Vera, Lime Juice & Oil, Lemon Juice & Oil, Water & Fragrance

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Nappturosity: How to Create Fabulous Natural Hair and Locs is the #1, most recent guide to the transition, process, maintenance and styles of people with afro-textured hair. This guide lists detailed information, tools and secrets of the experts.

Check it out!