How to Achieve a Natural Glow

Natural Skin Care

In today’s society where beauty is considered to be plastered on with what looks to be 10lbs of makeup, how do you maintain beautiful skin naturally? The answer is very simple… meal planning and water.  I know that sounds like it’s too good to be true.  What you put in your body comes out through your hair, skin and nails. So make better decisions on what you eat and drink.

Meals that are well balanced and heavier on vegetables will give your skin the glow you’ve always wanted. I mean did you really think that fried foods, cakes/pies and sodas was going to have looking flawless like Beyonce’, Rhianna or Kim K.? Ensure that your meals include a spectrum of the rainbow. Colorful meals not only look good on a plate but they also provide an abundance of vitamins and nutrients that will aide in beautiful skin naturally.

Take a moment and think of your favorite plant or flower. Now would you nourish that plant or place those flowers in soda or juice?  So why do you feed your body those overly sweetened drinks?  The key to elasticity in skin is consuming plenty of water, at least a gallon a day or as close to it as possible. Keeping hydrated with water significantly reduces the aging process, which curtails wrinkles and saggy skin. Combine with a regular exercise routine and you can look young forever.

Now for those of you that have indulged in unhealthy eating habits and your skin shows it by means of acne, scars and etc. there are some topical remedies that will help. But first you MUST adhere to advice that was aforementioned in order for it to work.

Keep the following items at home as they will help to achieve radiant skin and reduce the visibility of scars:

-       Fresh Lemons

-       100% Pure Tea Tree Oil

-       Jamaican Black Castor Oil (JBCO)

-       Coconut Oil

-       Ground Cinnamon

-       Raw Honey

-       Greek Yogurt

-       Turbinado Sugar

By mixing a combination of these ingredients you will notice smoother, blemish free, glowing skin, which will almost eliminate the need for any makeup.

Lemons are acidic and have natural lightening affects.  By applying fresh squeezed lemon juice to scars on a regular basis, it will over time lighten scars and blemishes.

Tea Tree oil is antibacterial and will help to alleviate acne. Tea tree oil MUST be diluted with a carrier oil such as JBCO or coconut oil when applied to the skin. Best result when used at night before retiring to bed. Or it can be applied then steamed into the skin with a hot towel.

JBCO is used to help reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. It provides a amazing moisture to your skin and aides in keeping that youthful look.

Coconut Oil has a ton of uses and its antimicrobial. It provides a light UV protectant from the sun.

 

Ground cinnamon when mixed with turbinado sugar and raw honey will give you natural looking pink lips. Not only that but it will make you lips softer and more kissable, so pucker up and scrub away! Blend ingredients with fresh lemon juice to lighten dark lips.

Greek yogurt contains natural bacteria that will reduce inflammation and the severity of acne breakouts. It is an alpha hydroxy acid that will exfoliate dead skin cells. Mix with honey and lemon juice to lighten and moisturize at the same time.

These tips, will over time, work with consistent use to give you that “I woke up like this” look, naturally. Eventually you will reduce the need for makeup and be beautifully you from the inside out!

Choosing Products for Locs

With the growing trend in the naturals community more and more people are deciding to rock locs. Also with that increase there are an exorbitant amount of products marketed for locs, braids and twists. Interesting enough as I stated in an earlier blog “Exposing Deception in Natural HairProducts” some of these lines simply add a mere drop of “catch phrase”/ “Trending” natural oils or butters to lure you into purchasing their hair care product.

I know many of you do your own locs at home; either for cost reasons, trust issues, or simply a preference, its really hard to see and reach the back of your head, which leads to you not being able to tell the full extent of what you have going on with your tresses. You can always ask a friend or complete stranger (as their answer will be unbiased) to be brutally honest and tell you what they see going on with your hair. Although they may not have a trained eye and know what to look for, it may help you to get a better understanding of what’s really going on with your locs.

Understand that a little goes a long way. So when using products usually the equivalent of a nickel will cover one entire row of locs and the size of a quarter will do two and a half rows. Some of you go waaaaaay overboard and use hair care lines in excess. You should have learned in elementary school, that anything in excess is not good (or did you? Inserts wide eye blank stare SMH) Also learn ingredient scientific names this way you won’t be deceived. (Exposing The Deception in Natural Hair Products explains this in more detail)

There is this HUGE MAJOR debate going on about what products to use on locs and what products to stay away from. OMG, if I see one more person say that they use XYZ line, I’m going to scream… Aaaaaaahhhhhh  (woo I just saw another post, rolls eyes) Here’s my take on hair care lines… If you like it keep rocking with it. BUT (and that’s a HUGE BUT) if and when you decide to choose a professional loctician to care for your locs and they say you have build up and need an ACV soak for an additional charge, just fork over the duckets and don’t get in your feelings.

If your locs have an ashy or gray cast to them, then your sir or madam, definitely have build up.  Go straight to your nearest sink for an ACV soak and do not Pass Go this step, LOL, But serious. ACV soaks should not be done on a regular basis just as needed. Vinegar will strip hair of natural oils causing hair to become dry and brittle especially on color treated locs if done too often.  I would recommend doing it once every 6 months if you are not active and don’t sweat a lot. For my active loc stars, those that play sports, work out, or just sweat profusely, I recommend once a quarter or every 3 months. This will help with removing that sweaty smell from your locs.

Just be cautious of what you are putting in your hair, locs, dreadlocks & etc. Those unnatural ingredients (made in a lab and not in nature) are also being absorbed in your skin. That skin on your head is called scalp, which is really close to your brain. IJS (that might explain why some are a little… well ummmm… you know) LOL  Use whatever works for you. There are a plethora of hair textures and curl patterns, so what works for one may not work for others. Choose your products wisely, the less you do and use makes it S.imple to K.eep Y.our H.air H.ealthy!

Loc Journey - Understanding the Loc'ing Process

Whether you are starting your loc journey or are a veteran of the loc game. Locs are beautiful and unique to each individual. Your locs won’t look just like anyone else’s. Kind of like how not everyone looks just like another person, well unless you are a twin, triplet or quadruplet, etc. so your locs won’t look exactly like another. Your hair is individually specific to you. Own it and make it fit you, enhance you, and crown you!

On your loc journey you will encounter several phases. I will elaborate on each of the following phases: (1) Budding  (2) Locking/ Teen  (3) Mature and (4) Senior Locs. There are also several mini milestones in between: (A) Hang Time  (B) Mickey Mouse Ears  (C) OMG, their touching my neck  (D) Full Ponytail  (E) Top of Back  (F) Mid back  (G) lower back & (H) butt length or longer; these are all exciting mile markers in your amazing loc journey.

Budding

The first phase of the loc’ing process, this is when you begin to feel a small round hard spot in your hair. Locs begin to lock in the middle first. Then they start to loc towards the ends and afterwards it grows towards the scalp but never locking there. The hair growing from the scalp has to be groomed.  Your hair should start to bud, within usually 2-3 months, with the help of a professional loctician.  You say, “Well, my hair is so frizzy”.  This is caused because your hair is starting to wrap around it’s self to give you that loc look.  “But why does my scalp itch like crazy?” During this phase you will notice more itching, especially if you were shampooing your hair on a regular basis, like once a week. Don’t fret; your scalp is in shock. It’s used to getting cleaned once a week and now it’s been 3-4 weeks and the itching is just its way of screaming for water and shampoo.  Nothing a little peppermint and tea tree oil can’t fix.  Spray your scalp with oil mixture, then take a steaming hot towel and rub through parts.  

Locking / Teen

This is the phase where your hair is beginning to take on the look and shape of locs. By this time, which is usually after 5-6 months, you will need to do loc shearing (should ONLY be done by a trained professional) or interlocking to help remove or intertwine those frizzy hairs from or into each loc. This process will help to create a more defined loc look. (Everyone may not need this service, just depends on your curl pattern) This phase is where you will reach the following mile markers: (A)“Hang Time” YEAAAAHHH, *does dougie!!! LOL – This is where your locs will dangle and have a little weight.  (B) Mickey Mouse Ears- this is where you will be able to pull the locs in the front into 2 small ponytails your the locs will kind of stand up and stick out resembling “Mickey Mouse Ears”.  (C) OMG, they’re touching my neck- will fall in line with the Mickey Mouse Ears and/or the last mile marker of (D) Full Ponytail- When you are able to pull all your locs into a ponytail. WooHooooo *does praise dance while shimmying, Your locs will be in this phase up until they get about just above shoulder length.

Mature Locs

Here your locs will be about shoulder length –  (E) top of back and  (F) mid back, milestones.  Locs in this phase will enjoy the plethora of styling options. Most will say this is the perfect length for locs. I consider this the fun phase. Play in your hair; explore what styles fit you best.  Your loctician will be able to style your locs in a flattering manner.  Sometimes people will try color in this phase as some get bored with their hair at this point. So to spice things up color is introduced either via highlights of full on color via professional loctician. Have fun with your locs, for they compliment you and speak to your personal style

Senior Locs

Locs that are lower back and longer in length; which at this point your locs are beyond maturity, are considered to be in the Senior Loc phase.  Color is also introduced in this phase to give a new life to your hair. In this phase locs will have a few down sides.  Locs can and will feel heavy, more so when they are wet. As because of weight of hair can sometimes cause neck problems. The other “issues” are sitting on them, neck trap – this is when you go to turn your head and can’t because your back is resting on your locs, and here’s a big one, when sleeping in bed with your spouse or loved one they will often lay on your hair if it is not tied up. So getting up in the middle of the night to use bathroom, may become a task of trying to get out of bed then being immediately jerked back b/c you haven’t pushed your mate off your hair. LMAO! Some people will decide to cut or trim hair in this phase. You may also notice thinning at the scalp, especially if you are not seeing a trained loctician on a regular basis. To prevent thinning at the scalp interlocking is recommended to keep bases strong and pull in unlocked hairs. With this length hairstyles will become bigger/bulkier for updo’s. Depending on your style choice and comfortableness you may also be limited on hair designs.  I see many people rock really fabulous styles. So if you like big hair this is where fun truly comes in.

Locs are fun, stylish, fashionable at any length.  Along with regular professional loctician visits your locs will be healthy and creatively designed to fit your personal needs, wants & personality! Your locs can live a long exciting life as long as you care for them as you do your health. Just S.imply K.eep Y.our H.air H.ealthy.

Faux Locs

Ciara

 There is huge trend of women rocking faux (pronounced like foe) locs *if you can't pronounce them by now you should not wear them and by the way; do us all a favor do a twerk dance with a 18 wheeler*.

Zendaya

After Ciara sported them during her pregnancy and Zendaya wore them at the Oscars, now many women are seeking to sport this look. Amongst the natural locs this trend is stirring up some controversy. While natural locs and naturals are saying this is a disgrace to those that are truly natural. Then there is the issue that many professional stylist don’t want to offer this service as so many non professional stylist are “low balling” and charging way less for this extensive service.

Meagan Goode

Many naturalistas say that this is like a slap in the face to those that have grown their locs for many years to have that long beautiful look of natural locs. Where as this style uses synthetic hair; which looks very shiny and plastic like. Some naturals are using this as a protective style during the summer. While others are wearing just because it’s trendy and many celebrities are embracing this look.  I only caution those deciding to wear this style to ensure that you have the right proportion of synthetic hair to the base of your natural hair as well as not being super tight to scalp. These locs are heavy which creates stress to the hair follicle which cause breakage and or alopecia. So choose your installation tech with extreme caution. Cheap doesn’t equate to best or healthy, nor does most expensive either.  Do your due diligence.

Tasha Smith

Professional stylist don’t want to offer this service as because so many unprofessional or home stylist have low balled this service that many people don’t want to pay for the long hours of installation that this takes. Depending on length and size these locs can take 6-10 hours to complete. With that being said many stylist say that they can make more money by taking their regular clients in a day as opposed to taking this one client with such a lengthy service. Faux locs has a very similar install such like loc extensions. This is a temporary style that can be worn for up to 2 months. So stylist other argument is that people who get this service will not return for anything else. As a stylist myself, I do prefer people who will become long term returning client. We, stylists, like clients that we can grow with and become like family and friends.

Jhene Aiko

Either way faux locs are very popular this spring and summer. Whether you are a naturalista wearing for protection or a weave wearer who wants a more natural look or a woman whom just wants to fit in and be a part of the trend. No matter if you are a professional stylist that offers the service at higher cost or the home stylist that does it for the low low. This style is definitely here to stay during the warm months of heat and humidity. Its definitely a personal preference whether you wear them or offer the service. To the stylist, get your coins and to the people who rock this look wear it with pride…Eff the naysayers (well as long as they look good and not a mess LOL)

Rhianna

Blatant Subliminals

While many of you are watching the new Fox drama entitled Empire. Which some of you see the portrayal of the typical black stereotypes and the Willie Lynch Letter being acted out on prime time television. There is a blatant subliminal message that they are portraying and that many are overlooking. 

What is that message you ask? Well its the message of ALS in African American Men. Why all of a sudden is there this surge in promoting awareness to this disease? Hmmmm I am not sure. But with the numbers showing that ALS mainly affects Caucasian Men with a study that was done from January 1 2009 to December 31, 2011 neurologist submitted 5,914 case reports and 75% were Caucasian (between the ages of 60-69), 11% Hispanic(50-69 in age), 9.3% African American (between the ages of 50-59) and 3.6% Asian (60-69 in age).

(courtesy of http://www.neurologyreviews.com/the-publication/clinical-news-meeting-coverage-and-literature-monitor/article/als-incidence-varies-by-race-and-ethnicity/6e443d620fd37220f3174a9e4632f1c9.html) 

So with such low numbers amongst African american men, it makes me wonder if they are creating awareness of this disease with the Empire Show and the Ice Bucket Challenge because they are secretly increasing the numbers by intentionally infecting black men with the disease. There was a study done that shows that Gulf War Veterans are twice as likely to develop the disease. 

When research is done on a disease researchers have to recreate it in order to figure out how to come up with a cure. I don’t trust the government when it comes to disease control and cures. As we all know that cancer has been in research for years and reportedly there is no cure. Yet the pharmaceutical industries, radiation treatments and dialysis companies are growing rich exponentially from “extending lives" by way of offering feel good for now drugs and services. 

There is an epidemic in America where they like to keep everyone sick so that companies can profit off your illness. With the Food and Drug Administration being one huge conglomerate that pumps unnatural things into our food and water supply to keep Americans in this perpetual cycle of fake food and dirty water which makes people sick and sick people buy prescription drugs. Wake up and see what the government is cooking (bacon is on the menu LOL but so serious). 

Let’s be more conscious of what we consume in our bodies. Stop eating fake foods and stop making these pharmaceutical companies rich. Leave the pharmacy and seek out your nearest farm-acy. Grow your own foods or find a community garden in your area. Open your eyes and realize the real lies in prescription drugs that only mask the pain for a short amount of time and never heals the underlying cause. Consider this a friendly reminder that what you put in your body comes out in your hair skin and nails. Its really simple to be healthy and drug free.