Milk & Honey Hair Smoothie Recipe

Here is a recipe I found on Breakink New Ground. This recipe was created by Mahisha Dellinger the founder of the Curls product line. As per the instructions, you can use the mix for styling. This is a rinse out not a styling product. Let us know how it works for you.

Ingredients:

* 1 can of pure coconut milk (rich moisturizer - hydrates, conditions and de-frizzes hair)
 

Ripe Avocado

 * 1 ripe avocado (natural source of protein - chlorine robs the hair of protein)

* 2 tablespoons of pure honey (conditions and adds sheen)

* 2 tablespoons of olive oil (hydrophobic oil that acts as a barrier to chlorine and salt water)

Directions:
Add ingredients to blender. Mix at high speed until your concoction reaches a smoothie consistency.

Store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. You can warm up your hair smoothie in the microwave before next application...just enough to de-chill.


Substitutions:
Feel free to substitute the olive oil for any natural oil of your choice.


Honey



Add more oil for extra dry hair, e.g. 1 tablespoon.

Add more honey for hair that needs more sheen, e.g. 2 tablespoons.


Instructions for Use:
Section hair into 4 segments.

Generously apply evenly to hair, from root to ends concentrating on ends...as they are the most prone to damage. Leave in for about 15 minutes then rinse off.

Smooth hair into a protective style (e.g. braided ponytail, or bun).


Keep it natural!

Omozo

Busy? Tips on how to show your hair love while on the run

Sometimes, life is happening so quickly that you either forget to show your hair some love or you procrastinate on doing so. Like in most relationships (sounds crazy I know) neglect can lead to the deterioration in the health of your relationship and in this case your hair. Some people complain of unusual dryness, split ends, loss of shine, above normal breakage and other things after extended periods of neglecting to properly care for their hair.

We have learned that even though our natural hair looks really tough and strong, it is the most fragile of all hair types. As a result, we have to treat it with care so that it grows healthy. So here are some tips for when you have to zoom around, have little time for those "hair spa" hair care treatments but you want to still keep your hair as healthy and loved as possible.

1) Mix a leave-in oil conditioning daily spray: I mix the following together in a big spray bottle: Water, My favourite rinse-out conditioner, Castor oil, glycerin, Coconut oil, Lavender oil and, Eucalyptus oil. Here are some reasons why I use these ingredients. Water and conditioner to add moisture; Castor oil and Coconut oil to penetrate the hair follicle and to seal moisture in; Glycerin to add softness and keep moisture from leaving the hair; Eucalyptus oil for hair growth, to relieve and reduce itching; Lavender oil to relieve itching and for nice scent; Castor oil for some shine and; Coconut oil for a bit of a nice scent too. Then shake, shake, shake your bottle (not your booty) for the ingredients, especially the conditioner, to mix well. You will still have to shake the bottle well each time before use because water and oil don't mix.


2) Wash your hair and prep it for styling. I wash my hair because the styles I put in will usually last for a maximum of 2 weeks. I try not to go more than 2 weeks because of build-up. If I decide to go longer than 2 weeks (which is rare), I rinse out my hair by pouring some water over it. Then I apply my spray as usual. Honestly, I find that for my hair (I REPEAT, MY HAIR) 2 weeks is more than enough. You may put in smaller braids or twists that may last longer - it really depends on your hair.

3) Put in your style of choice. I usually put in twists or cornrows or braids or Bantu knots or a variation of all these. These styling methods make it easier for me to get up, spray my hair and roll out. Some people also call them protective styling and use these styles to minimize the manipulation of their hair so that it grows longer and healthier. Some other people use these styling methods so that they will have a really low-key daily regimen. Either way, for the purpose of this post; we want an easy daily regimen because we are busy.
After the style is in, I wrap my hair or pack it so that I don't have to worry about styling. So basically, I put my hair in some sort of permanent hairstyle for 2 weeks.


4) Spray hair at least once a day. I spray my hair in the morning before heading out and in the evening before going to bed. My hair gets what it needs and smells nice too. Do not saturate your hair with the spray o! Excess spraying can lead to faster build-up and you may end up taking out your hairstyle and washing your hair earlier than planned. Plus it can make the hair swell and shrink too often which can also cause weakening and breakage of your hair. Just light spraying around the hair is sufficient.

5) Carry on with life! At least your hair is being nourished and looks presentable when life is happening.


 Check out Hydratherma Naturals on her healthy hair journey. Some of her styles and tips can be used to take care of your hair when you are busy. She is on FB and she has a You Tube channel also.

Below, we show you Oghomwen's version of Hydratherma's Lauren Hill inspired twist and pin curl. We made the twists much bigger and used thread instead of pins. It was a perfect style for someone who was going into a busy week.

As always, we welcome feedback. Let us know what you do / what works for you and what doesn't.

Keep it natural!

Omozo

Tips on caring for your daughter's natural hair

When I first started plaiting / making my daughters’ hair, I was not very observant or better still I was quite non-chalant about their routine and hair maintenance. But as time went on and I realised how much time I spent taking care of my own natural locs, I decided it was time to take my daughters' hair into full consideration. So what did I do? I had cut my daughters’ hair after they turned 1 year old. By the time I had learnt how to manage both their hair my second daughter was 2 and a half years old.

The first thing I learnt was that combing their hair did not have to be such an ordeal all the time. I learnt to finger comb their hair when wet. Sometimes I immediately braided their hair and while braiding, I would comb each section separately.

As I read up on stuff concerning my hair, I also read about children’s hair. There are two important treatments I use for my daughters' hair.

1) In a 30 – 35 ml bottle of water (tip: use an empty bottle of coke; properly cleaned) put 5ml of glycerine, 5ml of Jojoba oil and shake it all up together. When properly shaken add between 15 – 20mls of Castor oil or 10 – 15mls of baby oil (Pears Baby Oil brand is a good one). This mixture is very good to use as often as you can on the hair. It gives it a very nice shine and helps retain moisture.

2) In 30 – 35ml bottle of water (Same as above) put 10ml of glycerine and either 15ml of Castor oil or 15ml of Coconut oil. Once again shake very well. This also retains the hair moisture while also softening the hair.

3) Coconut oil and Castor oil are very good for hair. They replace lost oils and soften the hair especially when used consistently.

4) Be cautious when using Eucalyptus oil for children. It can result in unwanted effects on children. Some children break out in rashes, some have inflamed skins and other forms of breakouts. It is best to talk to your doctor before using Eucalyptus oil on your child's hair.

5) A friend uses the following monthly therapy for her daughter’s hair. Wash hair with shampoo. Mix mayonnaise with egg yolk and coat hair with it. Leave the mixture on the hair and cover with shower cap for about 20 – 30 minutes. Then rinse off thoroughly. Please rinse off very very well. Then use conditioner to finish off. Doing this over time also softens the hair.

6) Another friend taught me the following. You do not have to use shampoo every time when washing your daughter’s hair. You can alternate between a shampoo and conditioner. So, wash with shampoo one week and then wash with conditioner the next week. Reason being that shampoo, even though it cleans the hair, leaves it completely dry. So washing every time with shampoo does not do your hair any justice. I also use this principle for my locs: shampoo wash one week and conditioner wash the next week.

Prof Mom

Longer and healthier hair - some thoughts and suggestions (Part 2: Conclusion)

Long Hair!
Long Hair!
My Kingdom for long hair!

Before I continue I will say the following: consult your doctor before you carry out any new hair regimens that have to do with vitamin intake or any other medicinal intake. I am not a medical doctor, dermatologist or Trichologist so this is not medical advice. If you have alopecia, see your doctor. If you have dandruff, see your doctor. If you have unusual hair loss or balding, see your doctor. It is not a bad idea to talk to your doctor about growing longer hair. Remember that genes (and hormones) play a significant role in hair length and speed of hair growth. So be patient and stop comparing your hair with other people's hair. Finally, let your goal be healthy hair instead of long hair, it will reduce the stress you put on yourself.

Suggestions: Please note that the suggestions below do not make up a definitive list
1) Increasing your protein intake is helpful because hair consists primarily of protein. Taking more protein helps to stimulate healthy hair and hair growth. Plus get into the habit of eating a balanced meal while you are at it. Sources of protein include meat, chicken, fish, dairy like yogurt, nuts, soy.

2) Massage your head as often as you can, especially problem areas. It stimulates blood flow and thus hair growth. You can massage itchy spots instead of digging your nails in and scratching. To massage, apply pressure and use the ball of your fingers to make circular motions on your scalp. You can massage while watching TV or just before you go to bed. Try asking your hair dresser to do this before they wash the conditioner off your hair. 2 minutes is sufficient. If your hair dresser looks at you strangely after you make the request, just smile and lean back.

3) Be disciplined in your hair care routine. Wash and condition regularly with products that add extra moisture to your hair. Cover your hair with a satin or silk scarf or use a satin or silk pillowcase while sleeping to retain moisture. Dry hair is more likely to break so moisture is very important especially for natural hair. Deep condition your hair (I deep condition and steam every 2 weeks). Do not underestimate the power of regular and intentional hair care routines. Water is your best source of mositure - it is also inexpensive and very accessible.

4) Take care of the ends of your hair. They are the oldest part of your hair and thus can be drier than any other part of your hair. Dry ends can lead to split ends which leads to damaged hair that needs to be cut. When conditioning and styling your hair, pay attention to your ends. Add a little more Shea butter or Coconut oil or Castor oil (or whatever oil you use) to your ends and encourage your hair stylist to do the same when using conditoners and styling your hair.


5) Take a second and third look ... in fact be weary of "miracle" products that promise longer hair. I am not sure how well they work and they can be expensive. Instead spend your money on ...

6) Simple home made recipes like:

Rosemary spritz: Put 2 tablespoons of Rosemary herb leaves  in 2 cups of boiling water. Allow the rosemary leaves to  steep (i.e. sit in the hot water for about 5 minutes, or longer, to extract the juice). Remove the rosemary from the water (rosemary leaves should be soft after being steeped) then allow the water to cool. Pour into a spray bottle. After washing and conditioning your hair, spray the rosemary water on your hair, especially the root of your hair and scalp then massage well into the hair.You can also use the spray in between washes. Rosemary helps with hair growth because it stimulates the follicles. Do not use heavily concentrated rosemary because it has side effects. You should be able to find rosemary herbs at your grocery store because it is commonly used for spicing food.

Eucalyptus hot oil treatment: Add 9-10 drops of eucalyptus oil to half a cup of olive oil or Shea butter (or any other base oil of your choice). Heat up the mixture. Let it cool but not get cold. It is a "hot" oil mix. Apply to your hair and scalp carefully. Coat your hair completely with it and massage your scalp well. Cover your hair with a shower cap and wrap a towel over your head. Leave for 30 minutes and then wash normally with shampoo and conditioner. Some people leave the oil treatment on their hair overnight and then wash off.
Eucalyptus oil helps improve blood circulation, improves hair shine, stimulates hair growth, reduces dandruff and increases elasticity of hair. Better hair elasticity reduces hair breakage enabling better hair growth. Some people add eucalyptus oil to their shampoo. Do not buy aromatherapy oil o! Buy eucalyptus essential oil. You should be able to find eucalyptus oil at health food stores. For those in Lagos Nigeria, you can get eucalyptus oil in Ojota. There is a street where people sell various oils, chemicals and plastics. A litre costs around N500. Or you can email us at onaturals@gmail.com.

Finally, be patient and try things out to see what works for you and stick to it. Be inspired by the collage below - you too can grow healthy and long hiar.

We would love to hear your stories and comments.

Keep it natural!

Omozo

Longer and healthier hair - some thoughts and suggestions (Part 1)

Long Hair!
Long Hair!
My kingdom for long hair!


I have heard that black people cannot grow long hair. I have also heard that black people with long hair are not full black and must have their blood/genes mixed with other races. This is bollocks! It is untrue therefore it is a lie. Black people can and do grow long hair. Black women who keep their hair natural can and do grow long hair. There are so many examples of this around us -  open your eyes and look around. My sisters are daily examples of this.

 Trust me, they are FULL BLACK NIGERIANS with no mixed blood what-so-ever. That's my sister (above) showing the current length (as of yesterday) of her hair.



At some point, I also thought that I could not grow long hair. It was brought to my attention that if I stopped chopping off my hair annually I would have longer hair. Who knew! ;p I do have longer hair (longer than it was before) but it does not show like some other hair textures. So if you want to keep your hair natural and have it cascading down your back you may want to get some form of dredlocs (see pictures) or put your hair in a style that shows the length like threading, twists or braids.

 There is some psychology involved when discussing long hair. Many people equate long hair with healthy hair. I am not sure if this is true. However, I tend to lean towards the camp of healthy hair could lead to long hair. So I advocate that we should aim for healthy hair instead.

There is also the belief that women with longer hair are ... 'better' than women with shorter hair. I was told that this is because of the unconscious (or sub-conscious) need of humans to mate with those that have "superior" genes. Longer hair is generally seen as evidence of superior genes. So this becomes an issue for black women. If it is true that we cannot grow longer hair then it means we have inferior genes then it means ... see where this line of thinking can lead? There is an evolutionary tone to this type of thinking and it can be problematic.


Genes (and hormones) do play a role in this discussion but not in the "good genes" vs "bad genes" tone. Some folks have the tendency to grow long hair quicker because of their genetic make-up. While some of us learn patience through the hair growth process. So two people using the same hair growth technique under the same conditions may get different results because of their varying genetic disposition. I have met women who struggled to grow long hair but got long and healthy hair when they were pregnant and their hair is still very long today. Some other pregnant women did not experience this biological reaction to pregnancy.  So before you run out screaming "I'll never get long hair like her!" you may want to think "I don't have genes like her." OR "My body does not respond to ... like her".

This leads to my final point, comparing yourself with another person rarely brings satisfaction or contentment. So put comparisons in a bag, then put the bag in a dustbin and wait for the garbage truck to pick it up and get rid of it! Do not use comparisons as a hard and fast rule for judging the progress of your hair. Yes, we look at someone's hair and notice it is shiny and soft and we want that. But declaring or concluding that your hair is BAD or NOT GOOD or WILL NEVER BE because it is not like Ms. Shiny Hair over there is just not going to take you any where. Instead, learn about the principles of good hair care and adopt those good habits in a way that your hair will respond. Doing the right thing for your hair is far more productive and rewarding.


Many women have gone to great lengths (pun definitely intended) to grow long hair. They have spent large sums of money, gone to far away places, and put in many hours dedicated to growing long hair. Once again, I advocate for healthy hair. Most of us stopped using relaxers and went natural because we noticed that our hair was unhealthy. Perhaps it is time to go back to the basics.


The next post will contain some suggestions on things you could try to grow healthier and longer hair. So till then ...


Keep it natural!

Omozo

NATUREAL'S Shea Butter Whip & Glycerine Mix recipes

Hi! We did an interview of Ehizogie Ero who is the founder of Natureal Hair products. Read interview here. She has graciously given us two simple recipes we can try ourselves. To order any of her products, please email her at ehirox@yahoo.com. Let us know how the recipes work for you. Enjoy!

Shea Butter Whip 

Add Shea butter, glycerine and any essential oil and whip everything together.

The use of glycerine depends on how your hair reacts to glycerine. Some people’s hair does not respond well to it. However, if you have 4a type hair exactly like mine, your hair will love it and thank you for it.  

Glycerine Mix

You need glycerine, water, coconut oil or any oil your hair loves (my hair does not like olive oil). For every one part of glycerine, you need 3 parts of water. Now, because I go swimming a lot, I add aloevera to my mix.

Remember in my interview I said I make my stuff myself? Well I have an aloevera plant in my kitchen, I take the "leaves" from it, blend it with the 3 part of water I need and use a sieve to strain the skin out.

Mix the glycerine, 10 drops of coconut oil (or any oil your hair loves) with the blended alovera in a spray bottle. Give it a good shake.

Spray your hair with it every morning and lock in the moisture with the Shea butter whip and "your"/ my hair feels sooooooooooooo soft. Mind you the coconut oil does congeal in the winter. However if you have it near a little heat (hot water, hot air in the bathroom while having your bath) it melts like snow.

Keep it natural!

Omozo