What I want for my hair

1. Fekkai Luscious Curls Shampoo + Conditioner
2. Carol's Daughter Tui Moisturising Hair Smoothie
3. Denman D4 brush
4. Bumble + Bumble Alojojoba Conditioner
5. Animal print hair towel turban
6. Bumble + Bumble Creme de Coco Hair Masque
7. Diptyque Satin Oil for Hair + Body
8. Kiehls Olive Fruit Oil Deeply Repairative Hair Pak
9. Nexxus Aloxxi Keramix Protein Reconstructor

Do you feel that being natural has brought out the hippy in you?

I feel like I have become more aware of the "dangers" in commercial products and how deceiving they are. 

Sulphates

Where: Shampoos, soaps, toothpaste, household cleaning products.

Most common form: Sodium Lauryl Sulphates 

Why: It is a type of synthetic detergent + surfactant (cleaning properties) used as a foaming agent.

Problem: Skin irritant, dermatitis, strip hair of natural oils, drying

Similar chemicals to avoid:  Ammonium Lauryl Sulphates

Alternatives: Dudu Osun (Black soap), Baking soda (natural pH 8.2), Apple cider vinegar (diluted with water to clarify after product build up). SLS-free shampoos + shampoos with a balanced pH or just co-wash.

Mineral Oil

Where: Cosmetics, lotions, make-up remover, most black hair grease

Most common form: aka white oil, liquid paraffin, liquid petroleum

Why: Byproduct from distillation of petroleum, inexpensive + odourless

Problem: blocks pores, coats hair shafts, can't be absorbed by skin

Similar chemicals to avoid: paraffin liquidums + petrolatum's

Alternatives: Natural veg oil, fruit + nut oils. Coconut, jojoba, Castor,  tea-tree, olive and almond oil are the most popular choices. Understand the difference between carrier oils (eg. olive oil) and essential oils (eg. orange) and learn how to use them to your advantage.

Just a quick note: essential oils are the ones with scents (lemons, oranges, rose etc.) and should never be put on the skin/hair by itself as they are volatile.  They don't mix with water, so oils know as carrier oils are used to dilute them. Carrier oils don't have a distinct aroma with the exception a few like olive oil. They are used to "carry" essentials to the skin/hair + made via cold-pressing and maceration. I will go further into this topic in another post.

Petroleum Jelly

Where: Vaseline, wax, plasticine, lubricant, Afro hair conditions

Most common form: soft paraffin, petrolatum

Why: Inexpensive hydrocarbon, meltin point 37.5

Problem: hydrophobic so acts as a barrier, block pores, makes hair dry + brittle.

Similar chemicals/products to avoid: DAX

Alternatives: Shea butter, you can make a natural jelly with beeswax, vitamin E + almond oil. Recipe here

These are my 3 products to avoid, would love to know what yours are.

Natural hair care | The 7 wonders of the world

1. Eggs

I know what your thinking..'they should be in my tummy, not my hair' but ever since my late aunt (RIP) told me that her go to product was an egg I haven't looked back (and her hair was incredible). I tried it a few times and I must say it works. For those of you that want an inexpensive deep conditioning product try mixing 2 eggs with 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise (yes food mayo) and a tablespoon of EVOO, then steam or wrap your hair with a damp + warm towel. The egg white is very high in protein and vitamin E (strengthens hair) whilst the yolk is rich in protein and fatty. It leaves the hair looking glossy and it's good for those with frizzy, damaged hair and those with dandruff.

2. Argan oil (Moroccan oil)

My holiday in Morocco was amazing and whilst there I wanted buy as much pure argan oil as I could. I bought about 3 bottles of this golden hair miracle for about £10 bargain right?! (I wish I bought more). When I first tried it, I really didn't like the smell initially..it's has a strong nutty smell but with the oil, a little goes a long way; I am only half way through the first bottle (I use it 3 times a week). My hair loves it, it sits well and gives a great shine and softens my curls much better than almond oil and the same as CO. I would definitely recommend buying the oil, but it can be on the expensive side if you buy a branded one, just because of how it's made, so I would probably buy it directly from Morocco.

3. Shea butter

This is my baby, my angel and my life..lol too far? But seriously it has saved my hair's life and as long as I am consistent with applying it, I am in hair heaven. It's fantantic for TWA and above mainly because it's a natural gel especially when applied from it's solid state. I only use the pure shea butter that my mum bought me from back home in Nigeria (about 4kg) and then cut it and put it in a container so it's easier to use. I also love melting it and mixing it with other oils like EVOO, CO and peppermint oil. Shea butter is inexpensive when bought pure which I do prefer because it is fantastic on its own. If you want want to define your curls, after a wash take about a 50p coin size of shea butter and using your finger work it into sections of hair...voila.

To be continued...