Thursday, September 29, 2011

The Battle of Dry Scalp


Tea Tree oil is my best friend when it comes to healthy hair. It's used for dry scalps. Water, cream, and oil based to help retain moisture. The key to retaining moisture is about how you wash out conditioner..

When your shampooing you wanna make sure to use warm water to open poors to allow the shampoo to go in and clean your scalp and removes any extra oils and dirt that you don't need. Use gentle shampoo's without sulfate, stuff like that. When you condition your hair and it's ready for you to wash that out you want to make sure you use cool water.. it'll help close up your pores so that it will retain the moisture from your conditioner in your hair

That's the first step..
2nd step is to use a water-based product for moisturizing (rosemary water with glycerine)
Oil-Based Product (saflower oil... essential oils=lemon oil, peppermint oil)
Cream-Based Product (shea butter, coconut oil, and aloe vera gel)

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Wordless Wednesday #2

If you are uncertain about what Wordless Wednesday is, it's an interesting post I do every Wednesday with a photo of my choice that speaks for itself! :) If you'd like to join in on the festivities feel free to contact me for more information. Have a great day everyone!



Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Tuesday Tip - Protein Treatments

Tuesday Tip:

The colder it gets the more protection your hair needs, try Protein Treatments! They're said to add moisture, strengthen and overall result in healthier hair. You can use natural ingredients such as eggs or mayo or go with a good protein treatment product. Natural hair is naturally dry and due to the tight curl pattern it has many weak points and can break very easily. This is why regular protein treatments are vital to grow long natural hair. I suggest doing a protein treatment every 6 to 8 weeks. This treatment strengthens your hair and prepares it for you playing in your hair often and styling it. Doing this will help with less breakage with your regular treatments.

Make sure your hair is in need of protein before you use a protein treatment. If it doesn't need it, you'll know because it will feel hard during and after the process. However, if your hair does need a protein treatment, it will thank you afterwards by feeling soft and moisturized!!

Remember mayo is great for hair because it's a combo of EGGS & OIL. Eggs are protein and Mayonnaise has protein in it. You can mix up some eggs and put it on your hair. You can add oil to it too. You can even put mayonnaise in your hair too. These are all NATURAL protein treatments that don't cost much because we have these ingredients on hand! If your not interested in creating your own home-made protein treatment you could always go and buy one from the store. I hear Africa's Best Hair Mayonnaise or Aphogee are great to try. After your protein treatment, be sure to apply plenty of moisture to your hair. Protein is great for your hair but dry's it out at the same time. So, make sure you have your sprays, oils, and moisturizers ready to battle that dry hair!

Monday, September 26, 2011

Meet Me Monday #28


Questions:

1.  What is your favorite food? Italian of course!
2.  What color scheme is your bedroom? Island lol
3.  Do you carry a donor card? No I don't
4.  In your opinion, is the glass half empty or half full? Half full
5.  Vanilla or Chocolate? Chocolate duhhhh

10 Chemicals to Avoid putting on your Hair

Most of the commercially available hair care products today use harmful, potentially carcinogenic ingredients. In the interest of good natural's health, I list below, what are in my opinion, the 10 worst commonly found product ingredients things you can put on your hair (and body). Check the list of ingredients on your hair products. The more of a particular ingredient you have in a product, the closer it is to the top of the list of ingredients on the bottle:

1. ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL: This is a solvent and denaturant (poisonous substance that changes another substances natural qualities). Isopropyl alcohol is found in hair color rinses, body rubs, hand lotions, after-shave lotions, fragrances and many other cosmetics. This petroleum-derived substance is also used in antifreeze and as a solvent in shellac. Napptural hair reacts very badly to isoalcohol and this ingredient should be avoided at ALL costs. It will dry your hair out and break it off. According to A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients, inhalation or ingestion of the vapor may cause headaches, flushing, dizziness, mental depression, nausea, vomiting, narcosis and even coma in extreme cases.

2. MINERAL OIL & PETROLATUM: The best baby oil is made from almonds. But the oil which being sold as baby oil is 100% mineral oil. Mineral oil is a derivative of crude oil (petroleum) that is used industrially as a cutting fluid and lubricating oil. This commonly used petroleum ingredient coats the skin and hair just like plastic wrap. The skin's natural barrier is disrupted as this plastic coating inhibits its ability to breathe and absorb the Natural Moisture Factor (moisture and nutrition). The skin's ability to release toxins and wastes is impossible through this "plastic wrap," which can promote acne and other disorders. It further hinders normal skin respiration/transpiration by keeping oxygen out. This process slows down skin function and normal cell development causing the skin to prematurely age. Holding in large a mounts of moisture in the skin can "flood" the biology and may result in immature, unhealthy, sensitive skin that dries out easily. Petrolatum - A petroleum-based grease that is used industrially as a grease component. Petrolatum exhibits many of the same potentially harmful properties as mineral oil.
Honestly, this stuff belongs in your engine, not on your hair. Regardless of "Well, my Grandma used vaseline on her hair and it grew ", the bottom line is this stuff is bad. It was bad for Grandma and it is bad for you. Period.

3. PEG: This is an abbreviation for polyethylene glycol that is used in making cleansers to dissolve oil and grease as well as thicken products. Because of their effectiveness, PEG's are often used in caustic spray on oven cleaners and yet are found in many personal care products. PEG's contribute to stripping the Natural Moisture Factor, leaving the immune system vulnerable. They are also potentially carcinogenic.

4. PROPYLENE GLYCOL (PG): As a "surfactant" or wetting agent and solvent, this ingredient is actually the active component in antifreeze. There is no difference between the PG used in industry and the PG used in personal care products. It is used in industry to break down protein and cellular structure (what the skin is made of) yet is found in most forms of make-up, hair products, lotions, after-shave, deodorants, mouthwashes and toothpaste. It is also used in food processing. Because of its ability to quickly penetrate the skin, the EPA requires workers to wear protective gloves, clothing and goggles when working with this toxic substance. The Material Safety Data Sheets warn against skin contact, as PG has systemic consequences such as brain, liver and kidney abnormalities. Consumers are not protected nor is there a warning label on products such as stick deodorants, where the concentration is greater than that in most industrial applications.

5. SODIUM LAURYL SUFATE (SLS) & SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE (SLES): SLS is used in testing labs as the standard ingredient to irritate skin. Used as detergents and surfactants, these closely related compounds are found in car wash soaps, garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers. Yet both SLS and SLES are used more widely as one of the major ingredients in cosmetics, toothpaste, hair conditioner and about 90% of all shampoos and products that foam. They are used in personal-care products because they are cheap. A small amount generates a large amount of foam, and when salt is added it thicken to give the illusion of being thick and concentrated. (SOME OF THE NITROSATING AGENTS ARE: SLS, SLES, DEA, TEA, MEA). Shampooing the hair with a product contaminated with these substances can lead to its absorption into the body at levels much higher than eating nitrite-contaminated foods.
Mark Fearer in an article, Dangerous Beauty, says, "...in tests, animals that were exposed to SLS experienced eye damage, along with depression, labored breathing, diarrhea, severe skin irritation and corrosion and death." According to the American College of Toxicology states both SLS and SLES can cause malformation in children's eyes. Other research has indicated SLS may be damaging to the immune system, especially within the skin. Skin layers may separate and inflame due to its protein denaturing properties. It is possibly the most dangerous of ad ingredients in personal care products. Research has shown that SLS when combined with other chemicals can be transformed into nitrosamines, a potent class of carcinogens, which causes the body to absorb nitrates at higher levels than eating nitrate contaminated food." According to the American College of Toxicity report, "SLS stays in the body for up to five days..." Other studies have indicated that SLS easily penetrates through the skin and enters and maintains residual levels in the heart, the liver, the lungs and the brain. This poses serious questions regarding its potential health threat through its use in shampoos, cleansers and toothpaste,"
Studies show its danger potential to be great when used in personal-care products. Toxicity - A serious problem with these chemicals is that they may be contaminated with NDELA (N-nitrosodiethanolamine), one of the nitrosamines and a potent carcinogen, according to a 1978 FDA report.

Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) - SLES is the alcohol form (ethoxylated) of SLS. It is slightly less irritating than SLS, but may be more drying. Both SLS and SLES can enter the blood stream. They may cause potentially carcinogenic formations of nitrates and dioxins to form in shampoos and cleansers by reacting with other product ingredients. Large amounts of nitrates may enter the blood system from just one shampooing. Contains ether.

6. CHLORINE: According to Doris J. Rapp, M.D., author of Is This your Child's World? exposure to chlorine in tap water, Showers, pool, laundry products, cleaning agents, food processing, sewage systems and many others, can effect health by contributing to asthma, hay fever, anemia, bronchitis, circulatory collapse, confusion, delirium diabetes, dizziness, irritation of the eye, mouth, nose throat, lung, skin and stomach, heart disease, high blood pressure and nausea. It is also a possible cause of cancer. Even though you will not see Chlorine on personal care product labels, it is important for you to be aware of the need to protect your skin when bathing and washing your hair.

7. DEA (diethanolamine) MEA (momoethnanolamine) TEA (triethanolamine): DEA and MEA are usual listed on the ingredients label in conjunction with the compound being neutralized. Thus look for names like Cocamide DEA or MES, Lauramide DEA, etc. These are hormone disrupting chemicals and are known to form cancer causing nitrates and nitrosamines. . These are commonly found in most personal care products that foam, including bubble baths, body washes, shampoos, soaps and facial cleansers. On the show, CBS This Morning, Roberta Baskin revealed that a recent government report shows DEA and MEA are readily absorbed in the skin. Dr. Samuel Epstein, Professor of Environmental Health at the University of Illinois said "repeated skin applications of DEA-based detergents resulted in a major increase in the incidence of two cancers - liver and kidney cancers." John Bailey, who oversees the cosmetic division for the FDA said the new study is especial important since "the risk equation changes significantly for children."

8. FD & C Color PIGMENTS: Many color pigments cause skin sensitivity and irritation. Absorption of certain colors can cause depletion of oxygen in the body and even death according to A Consumer's dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients. Debra Lynn Dadd says in Home Safe Home: "Colors that can be used in foods, drug, and cosmetics are made from coal tar. There is a great deal of controversy about their use, because animal studies have shown almost all of them to be carcinogenic."

9. FRAGRANCE: Fragrance is present in most deodorants shampoos, sunscreens, skin care, body care and baby products. Many of the compounds in fragrance are carcinogenic or otherwise toxic. "Fragrance on a label can indicate the presence of up to 4,000 separate ingredients. Most or all of them are synthetic. Symptoms reported to the FDA have included headaches, dizziness, rashes, skin discoloration, violent coughing and vomiting, and allergic skin irritation. Clinical observation by medical doctors have shown that exposure to fragrances can affect the central nervous system, causing depression, hyperactivity, irritability, inability to cope, and other behavioral changes," (Home Safe Home).
For better health try purchasing unscented products and for fragrance, adding a natural essential oil.

10. IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA and DMDM HYDANTOIN: These are just two of the many preservatives that release formaldehyde (formaldehyde-donors). According to the Mayo clinic, formaldehyde can irritate the respiratory system, cause skin reactions and trigger heart palpitations. Exposure to formaldehyde may cause joint pain, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pains, ear infections, Chronic fatigue, dizziness and loss of sleep. It can also aggravate coughs and colds and trigger asthma. Serious side effects include weakening of the immune system and cancer. Nearly all brands of skin, body and hair care, antiperspirants and nail polish found in stores contain formaldehyde-releasing ingredients.

If the above information is not enough to make you read labels on things before using them on yourself of your babies, nothing will.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Happy Friday everyone!! TGIF right?! I knowwwwww! Well here's my 5Q Friday 
entry. I hope you all have a marvelous weekend XoXo!




1. If you had a weekly newspaper column, what would you name it?
Good question. I'd probably name it something easy to remember yet spicy at the same time :)
2. Who is your mentor/inspiration?
God is always my number one mentor. As far as inspiration I'd say Marion Jones, the athlete
3. What is your wake up beverage of choice?
Pepsi of course :P
4. Would you wear your mom's clothes?
Hell to the NO!
5. When you were a kid, did you put posters on your wall? If so, what were 
they of?
Yes I had posters everywhereeee and I think everywhere is an understatement LOL! I had posters of all my favorite artists, athletes, etc. It was so bad you thought people were staring you down the entire time you were in the room!

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Sick as can Be!

I know it's been a minute but I've been really really occupied with trying to feel better UGH! I hate feeling like crud and right about now yeah that's how I feel LOL! So yeah. How have you all been doing? I'm planning on making this blog bigger and better and not putting it on the back-burner lol. I know I have been for the past what, year or so BWAHAHAHAAAA! Charge it to my mind and not my heart guys! I've missed you I really have. Make sure you are following me on twitter and subbed on YouTube. If you want to find the links look to the right they are in the navigation down there *pointing like you know what I'm talking about* LOL!!! Anywho I hope all is well. God Bless! XoXo

Monday, September 5, 2011

Meet Me Monday #27

Good morning everyone! Today marks the beginning of a new Week among us all. Hopefully you had a very fabulous yet SAFE Holiday weekend :) So, you know what that means right?! It's Meet Me On Mondayyyyyyy *clapping* I hope you enjoy my many questionares I do as well as a lot of informative information on Natural Hair, Military Life, and just Life in general. Now, without further-a-do I present MY "Meet Me On Monday"




Questions:

1.  What is your favorite food? Anything PASTA!
2.  What color scheme is your bedroom? Island/Ocean Themed
3.  Do you carry a donor card? No
4.  In your opinion, is the glass half empty or half full? Half full, Always lol
5.  Vanilla or Chocolate? Chocolate DUHH :P

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Scripture Sunday #2

I know it's been quite a while since my last blog. I really apologize for being M.I.A. for so long. I promise I'm coming back. I'm trying to catch up in the office and in the online world. So how was your weekend? Hopefully well! I'm up super early this morning, I've got some errands to run then it's time to grill YIPPY *big smile* Anywho, I hope you all have a marvelous weekend and a blessed Sunday!


Genesis 1:1-2
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

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