Hair Garden Meet-up #4!
Join us Monday, June 27 at Hair Garden’s 1st meet-up for 2011! This event will take place at Sit A Spell Coffeehouse at 903 Broad Street, downtown Augusta, 30601 from 6-8pm! There will be giveaways and great information! Hope to see you there! Please e-mail me at hairgarden@live.com for details.
Add a comment June 26, 2011
Tags: augusta ga natural hair, Hair Garden, natural hair, natural hair meet-ups
Beer and Bands
Hello, to all my healthy hair fanatics! I want to share my latest experiment! I tried a beer rinse in my natural hair! I have been wanting to try it for a while but always forget by the time I get to the store or gas station!
The benefits of a beer rinse is softening, clarifying and balancing the pH of the hair and scalp, increase in shine and elasticity. more elasticity=less breakage. It has similar benefits as an apple cider vinegar rinse (AVC rinse).
Beer used for beer rinse
I used a 40 oz of Old English malt liquor. It cost me $1.99. Wanted to explain to everyone in the store that the beer was for my hair and not for me! Anyway, I couldn’t find a warm one so I purchased the one out of the cooler. I opened it and sat it on my porch for about an hour. I had to go to work and didn’t want to leave it sitting outside so I opened it and sat it in the trunk of my car when I got to work. After about 6 hours, it still had a little fizz to it. It wasn’t as flat as I wanted but it was good enough.
I shampooed once with Hair Garden Hair Cleanser and did a hot oil treatment with coconut oil, palm, oil and avocado oil. I sat under a hooded dryer with a processing cap for about 15 minutes and then let it sit for a couple of hours. The shampoo and hot oil treatment was done immediately following my purchase of the beer so I let the oil sit in my hair as I waited on the beer to go flat. Once I was ready to do the beer rinse, I got in the shower and shampooed the oils out of my hair twice with the Hair Garden Hair Cleanser. I then took the beer and poured it in my hair slowly. I massaged it in and let it sit as I showered. The beer was really warm from being in the trunk of my car all day. I rinsed the remaining beer out after I showered and then applied Giovanni Smooth as Silk conditioner to my hair to detangle. My hair felt a little stiff and crunchy following the beer rinse, but the softness returned once I used the conditioner. I blotted my hair gently with a towel and applied some coconut oil blended with a little palm oil to my hair. I always follow with oil anytime I wet my hair in any way to restore the oils I lost. It is also good to add such fatty oils to your hair following such an acidic process such as a beer rinse or ACV rinse. It helps maintain a healthy pH for your hair and scalp!
banded hair after beer rinse
I banded my hair in 8 bands using Hair Garden Shealoe and left it to air dry overnight. I could already tell a difference in the feel of my hair while it was drying in the bands. It was very soft and it had a lot of sheen. I used a hard rubber afro pik and a denman brush to detangle and to help distribute product while banding.
- Beer rinsed hair after bands
- Bands removed after beer rinse
I took the bands down the following morning and was very impressed by the results! My hair had more body than it usually does after banding. My hair had a soft, cottony texture when I picked it out into an afro. I would definitely do the beer rinse again. It is advised that you only do this once a month to avoid drying out or over-stripping your hair. I will try alternating months w/ ACV rinse. A friend asked if a higher quality beer wold make a difference. I will try a higher end brand next time and let you all know!
3 comments May 12, 2011
Tags: beer rinse, beer rinse black hair, beer rinse natural hair, beer rinse results, Hair Garden, natural hair
Hair Growth Challenge Update
Greetings all! I have been away for a while but I wanted to come in and do an update on my growth progress! I My goal was to have 10-12 inches by December 2010. I was wearing a protective style (Senegalese twists) in December on into January so I wasn’t able to measure and update.
At the moment, I am at 9 inches. I am very happy with this! I have dusted about 4 times since my last update. I take off about 1/2 an inch each time I trim. I have a never-ending problem with split ends due to my tight curl pattern so I try to dust at least once a month and deep condition at least twice a month alternating with pre-shampoo (pre-poo) treatments and hot oil treatments.
- 9 inches of natural hair
Add a comment April 14, 2011
Tags: 4a 4b hair, 4b hair, Hair Garden, hair growth challenge, natural hair, natural hair care, natural hair growth, natural hair regimen, natural hair tips
Hair Garden Hair Cleanser
Hair Garden Hair Cleanser
I have been experimenting with different ingredient combinations and have finally come up with a recipe I am in love with! This is Hair Garden’s all new cleansing shampoo. I love it because of its great moisturizing properties and because it does not take much product to get a great lather. It does not make my hair feel dry and hard when I lather like a lot of commercial shampoos. While shampooing, I can even fingercomb through my hair with ease! It only takes a few drops to achieve a rich, foamy lather that leaves your scalp feeling refreshed and your hair feeling clean without that “squeeky-clean” feeling.
This shampoo contains all natural ingredients, none of those harsh industrial detergents many of the commercial shampoos contain. The base is an organic castile soap which is made up of natural oils such as coconut oil, palm oil, olive oil, and jojoba oil. Other beneficial ingredients include:
Vitamin E Oil - Nourishes dry hair and scalp, adds moisture, helps prevent split ends
Tea Tree Oil - Natural antiseptic, removes buildup, treats and prevents dandruff, treats fungal conditions, stimulates underactive sebaceous (oil) glands.
Lavender Oil - Relieves itchiness and dandruff, regulates sebum production, great for dry or oily scalp. Effective in alopecia treatment.
Peppermint Oil - Stimulates blood flow to follicle root which provides nourishment, effective for dry, thinning, or slow-growing hair.
Almond Oil - Rich in vitamin E, contains calcium which strengthens and improves hair quality, preserves hair.
Horsetail – Rich in silica which strengthens hair, strengthens hair follicles, reduces shedding from the root.
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) – Clarifies hair and scalp of impurities, smooths hair cuticle, increases shine, kills bacteria that causes dandruff, balances hair pH.
This cleanser can be used by the whole family! It is not only good for cleansing the hair but the skin as well! Want to try this great shampoo? E-mail me at hairgarden@live.com! Thank you for reading!
2 comments February 6, 2011
Tags: Hair Garden, natural hair, natural hair products, Natural hair shampoo, natural shampoo
Hair Garden Hair & Scalp Treatment
Hair Garden Hair and Scalp Treatment
I have been doing a lot of research and put together, Hair Garden Hair and Scalp Treatment, a combination of oils and herbs that are very beneficial to the hair and scalp. I have used it on myself and my clients with great results! I want to share the information about this awesome mixture with you all today! I recommend this product for anyone suffering from dry scalp, flaky scalp, itchy scalp, dry hair, shedding due to dry hair, hair loss due to stress on the hair follicle, or anyone looking for a good moisturizing oil. These are the ingredients and their benefits to the hair and scalp:
Olive Oil- A great hair conditioner, improves elasticity, works to lift impurities from the hair follicle that can cause slow or unhealthy growth.
Grapeseed Oil – Moisturizes scalp without leaving it feeling oily, good for those with overactive sebaceous (oil) glands. Has properties that combat DHT, which is responsible for alopecia (hair loss), encourages hair to move from telogen (resting) phase to anagen (active/growing) phase.
Avocado Oil – Rich in nutrients, amino acids, and essential fatty acids. Supplies vitamins A, B, D, and E. Natural humectant properties, that aid in adding and locking in moisture. Great for frizzy hair.
Aloe Vera – Stabilizes scalp pH. Used to treat alopecia. Helps soothe dry, flaky scalp. Contains a powerful stimulant called aloenin that promotes hair growth. Adds moisture to the hair
Rosemary herbs – Follicle stimulator, increases blood flow to the follicles which promotes growth. Works as a natural astringent. Regulates sebum (oil) production.
Horsetail herbs – Rich in silica which helps form collagen. Collagen strengthens hair, skin, nails, and bones. Contains traces of calcium which bonds to brittle areas of the hair. Helps hair retain moisture.
Clary Sage – Increases the effectiveness of rosemary, effective in treating dandruff, adds sheen to dark, curly hair.
Apple Cider Vinegar – Balances hair pH, brings it to a normal level. Dissolves mineral, dirt particles, and toxins found on the hair and scalp. Removes buildup, great for clarifying, kills bacteria that cause dandruff and scalp yeast. Closes open cuticles, smooths shaft surface on hair strand which increases manageability and shine.
The herbs you see floating in the mixture are the horsetail and rosemary herbs. I left them in the oil to get their maximum benefit. I recommend this oil for hot oil and pre-shampoo treatments, scalp maintenance when wearing protective styles, and for daily use.
Want to get your hands on this wonderful oil and try it for yourself? E-mail me at hairgarden@live.com for more information. Thank you for reading!
Add a comment February 6, 2011
Tags: alopecia natural remedy, Hair Garden, natural hair, natural hair oil, natural hair products, natural scalp conditioner, natural scalp treatment
Pre-poo Recipe (pre-shampoo)
I tried a new pre-poo recipe the other day and was very satisfied with the results so I wanted to share it with my readers. These are the ingredients I used:
•red palm oil (5 tablespoons)
•coconut milk (1/4 cup)
•honey (2 tablespoons)
•yogurt (1/4 cup)
- Pre-poo mixture
Hair after pre-poo is applied
pre-poo
I moistened my hair slightly with water. I applied to mixture to my damp hair, covered with a shower cap and let it penetrate for about 2 hours. I rinsed thoroughly with warm water and then applied some Giovanni Smooth as Silk conditioner. After that, I shampooed once with Hair Garden Cleansing Shampoo and followed with the Giovanni conditioner. I then sectioned my hair into four sections and applied coconut oil to my dripping wet hair before towel blotting it. I let my hair air dry for almost 30 minutes and then detangled with Hair Garden shealoe moisturizer. I braided my hair into three cornrows and let it dry overnight. The next day I had soft, shiny hair and a moisturized scalp!
Give this recipe a try! You can add or exchange ingredients for your experimenting pleasure! I would love for you to come back and share what you tried and your results on my blog! Thanks for reading!
Add a comment February 6, 2011
Tags: condition natural hair, Hair Garden, natural hair, palm oil, pre-poo, pre-poo treatment, pre-shampoo
Red Palm Oil
I want to share some information about an oil I have added to my hair, scalp, and skin favorites! I always see palm oil or palm kernal oil in many natural hair ingredients when I read the labels, but never thought much of it. My mom used to cook with red palm oil all the time when I was growing up. I knew it gave food a great aroma and taste and a distict color, but I was not aware of all of its internal and extral benefits for our bodies. I came across it one day while searching for coconut oil at the Oriental grocery store and decided to bring a bottle home to experiment with.
Palm Oil
Palm oil is rich in beta-carontene which is a great antioxidant. It has a higher content of beta-carotene than carrots and tomatoes. It’s high in vitamins A and E, so it helps repair damaged skin. It is effective in treating eczema, psoriasis, scars, and stretch marks. It is used in a lot of a products geared towards renewing and moisturizing skin.
This oil also has several amazing benefits for hair! It softens, improves elasticity, and adds shine. Red palm oil also has antibacterial properties which aids in providing a healthy growing environment for your scalp and hair follicles.
Unlike some oils, red palm oil does not lose its nutrients when it is heated. It is a very heavy, thick oil and solidifies at room temperature like coconut oil. Due to the intense nature of the oil, it is great for a pre-poo (pre-shampoo) treatment and even a hot oil treatment. I have added this ingredient to my Avocado Deep Conditioner (pre-poo)
I did a pre-poo treatment with the red palm oil. I used:
- 1/4 cup red palm oil
- 1/4 cup coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- a few drops of lavender oil
I melted the red palm and coconut oil before I started. I filled the sink with hot water from the faucet and let it sit for about 5 minutes and enough melted for my mixture. I poured in the red palm oil then followed with the coconut oil. I had a hard time with that coconut milk- I was drinking more than I was pouring! LOL! I then added stirred in the coconut oil and added about 6 drops of lavender oil.
I warmed the mix up in the microwave for about 30 seconds and then applied it to my hair in sections. I covered with a plastic shower cap and left it on for about 4 hours. I followed with my cleansing shampoo. I shampooed twice and followed with Giovanni Hair Reconstructor. After rinsing, I applied coconut oil to my soaking wet hair and then towel blotted it. I used a little Giovanni Direct Leave-In and then sealed my ends with shealoe and banded it to dry overnight. The next day, my ’fro was soft and bouncy, I had a lot of movement. My scalp and hair were both moisturized and I didn’t have much styling difficulty the days after, finger styling was much easier.
If you have tightly curled/coiled hair or hair that is very dry, then I would recommend red palm oil as a pre-shampoo or hot oil treatment! I hope you found something helpful in my entry. Please feel free to share any of your experiences with palm oil. Thank you for reading!
*Note: I also use palm oil daily for my skin and I love it. The smell was to strong for me to use it alone so I did a half and half blend with coconut oil in an 8oz container. I added about 8 drops of lavender essential oil and about 6 drops of orange oil. This disguises the smell very well and leaves you with a nice light and sweet smell. Other varieties of essential oils can be used to alter the smell. I enjoy long lasting moisture now that I have added this oil to my skin regimen. I use it all over my body including my face.
4 comments February 1, 2011
Tags: palm oil, palm oil benefits, palm oil black hair, palm oil hair, palm oil hair benefits, palm oil hair recipe, palm oil hair uses, palm oil natural hair, palm oil natural hair benefits, red palm oil
Avocado Deep Conditioner
Last weekend I fell in love with avocado as a deep conditioner. I loved it so much, I made more and gave it away at my last natural hair and health meet-up, because I wanted everyone else to experience this wonderful conditioner!
I had read so much about it, but still had not tried it so I was ready to give it a shot. I was eager to get the process started once I found time to do it! These are the ingredients I used in my recipe and the reasons:
Avocado Deep Conditioner
1. Avocado (ripe, near rotting)- Ranked in the Guinness Book of World Records as the Most Nutritious Fruit! High in monounsaturated fats and omega fatty acids. Contains over 20 beneficial nutrients including vitamins A, B6 (combats alopecia), C, E, and K. Hydrates the hair and skin. Contains almost twice the potassium of a banana.
2. Yogurt (plain, fat included)- Excellent detangler, works to soften the cuticle encouraging slip. Acts as a natural alpha hydroxy acid clarifying hair of build-up and enhances shine. Lactic acid works as anti-bacterial and anti-fungal which can sometimes work to slow hair growth or cause unhealthy hair growth.
3. Honey (raw)- Great humectant (draws in moisture), softens hair and increases elasticity, enhances shine
4. Coconut Oil (pure or virgin) Great hair conditioner, strengthens and protects hair from damage, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, absorbs well into air and skin, closely mimics our natural oils.
5. Olive Oil (extra virgin)- High in monounsaturated fats, high in antioxidants. Conditions and softens hair improving elasticity.
6. Rosemary Essential Oil-Follicle stimulant, strengthens hair roots. Helps eliminate dandruff.
7. Red Palm Oil- Softens hair, adds shine, increases elasticity. Antibacterial properties.
I used one avocado, 1/3 cup of yogurt, 2 tablespoons of honey, 5 tablespoons of coconut oil, 3 tablespoons of olive oil, and a 5-6 drops of rosemary EO. I mashed and whipped it with a fork. I find that using a hand mixer, however, gets out a lot of the pulp which can get trapped in your hair.
I had a busy day with clients so I left it on for about 6 hours and then co-washed it out with Giovanni conditioner about twice. I applied coconut oil to my dripping wet hair and then massaged it into my ends and the length of my hair and then focused on my scalp. I then blotted with my towel and applied a dime sized amount on Giovanni Direct leave-in conditioner. I banded my hair in about 12 sections using my personal shealoe blend (shea, aloe, rosemary and lavender EO) and let it set for about 48 hours. I wore scarves and kente head wraps along with knit caps during this period. I could tell from the hair that was exposed that the conditioner worked well. I could see the shine and my hair looked stronger and healthier! These are the results after I took down the bands.
Back View of Hair
Conditioned Hair After Banding
I left my hair like this and wore a satin bonnet to bed. In the morning my hair was still in tact. I finger-combed my hair and used the tail of the rat-tail comb to blend the sections. I loved how my hair looked and felt. It was very soft and fluffy. I barely had to use my pick, because finger styling was such an ease after this conditioner. This preserves the hair by reducing the styling stress which can cause breakage and increase shedding. I noticed my banding lasted longer also. Later that week I did a braidout after applying some coconut oil and was very pleased with the results. I wanted to see how my hair behaved with my next cleansing. I noticed very minimal shedding. Usually when I go extended periods of time without combing my hair, I experience major shedding during my cleansing routine, but this was not the case this time!
My avocado mixture will now be a part of my deep conditioning family! I wish I did not wait so long to try it! I hope you love this conditioner as much as I do! Feel free to leave me feedback about your experience with this conditioner! Thanks for reading! Blessings!
*Update (2.6.11)- I have added palm oil to my Avocado Deep Conditioning recipe! Check out my article about red palm oil to find out its benefits!
2 comments December 21, 2010
Tags: avocado conditioner, avocado conditioner for natural hair, avocado deep conditioner, natural hair, natural hair conditioner
Hair Garden Meet-Up #3! An Evening of Fun!
On Thursday, December 16, 2010, the Hair Garden Natural Beauties met at Vallarta Mexican Restaurant for the 3rd natural hair and health meet-up! The event took place from 6-8pm. We began the evening by going around the table and introducing ourselves and sharing our natural journey. We had a great turnout this time with 14 ladies attending!
Ladies at the meet-up
Natural Beauties!
Once everyone started eating, we began the natural hair and body care trivia game and the giveaways. We had questions like, “What is propylene glycol and what personal products are they found in?”, “What are good ways to keep your scalp from being dry and flaky this winter” and “What is the difference between a deep conditioner and a protein conditioner?” With every question answered correctly there were prize options such as, natural hair accessories, bath bombs/fizzies (donated by Mrs. Becky!), samples of shampoo, lavender whipped shea butter and peppermint whipped shea butter.
Ladies during trivia with their prizes!
After we finished the trivia I began the drawing for the big prizes! Shannon was the winner of 8oz raw shea butter, Shon won Hair Garden’s Cleansing Shampoo, Michelle was the winner of the peppermint whipped shea (blossom formula), Nicola won the Lavender whipped shea butter (blossom formula), and Tiffany, Kandis, and Danni were the winners of the avocado deep conditioner. All of the products besides the bath bombs/fizzies were handmade by me. I made them fresh right before the meet-up!
Tiffany (left), seated with Cassie, was one of the lucky winners of the avocado deep conditioner!
After the games and giveaways, some of the ladies began to participate in karaoke while others hung out and got better acquainted. Everyone had a great time and left with some great prizes and information! Many of us ended up staying all night until the restaurant closed. We had a very positive, enlightening, and productive time and I can’t wait to do it again! This was the last meet-up of 2010 and I am eagerly awaiting the meet-ups of 2011!
We stuck around until closing time!
One of the ladies that attended the meet-up came in directly after her visit to the barber shop. She got a funky new cut. She said she wanted to try something different and decided on this style. I loved it and thought it was really cute, so I asked her if I could take a picture to post on my blog!
Low all around with two-strand twists at the top.
Thank for reading! Blessings!
2 comments December 17, 2010
Tags: augusta ga natural hair meet ups, natural hair meet-ups
Hair Garden Natural Beauties Meet-up #3!
Hello! Join us at Hair Garden’s 3rd natural hair meet-up! We will meet on Thursday, December 16, from 6-8pm at Vallarta Mexican Restaurant located at 3144 Wrightsboro Road. There will be natural product giveaways, games, info and karaoke! Join us whether you are natural, relaxed, or transitioning! This is all about learning and sharing information about caring for bodies naturally! E-mail me at hairgarden@live.com for more info! Thank you!
Add a comment December 6, 2010
Tags: augusta, ga natural hair, Natural Hair Events, natural hair meet-ups
