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

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

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

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

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

Kelp

Kelp is used by many herbalists as a mineral supplement. It is called “herb from the ocean” or referred to as a sea vegetable. It falls under the Protista family of the Six Kingdoms of Life.

 Kelp is one of the fastest growing plants, second only to bamboo. It grows several centimeters daily. Giant kelp can grow up to 100 feet in one year and up to 2 feet in one day.

Kelp is very rich in nutrients. It is 10 times richer in minerals than any known land crop. Kelp contains over 60 minerals and elements, 21 amino acids, simple and complex carbohydrates and several essential plant growth hormones.

It is rich in iodine, calcium, sulphur and silicon. It also contains phosphorus, iron, sodium, potassium, magnesium, chlorine, copper, zinc and manganese. It has a small amount of barium, boron, chromium, lithium, nickel, silver, titanium, vanadium, aluminum, strontium, bismuth, chlorine, cobalt, gallium, tin and zirconium. Kelp is also rich in B-complex vitamin and contains vitamin A, C, E and G. It also contains anti-sterility vitamin S, and it has anti-hemorrhage vitamin K.

Many of the abovementioned minerals are vital for optimum hair growth. These nutrients are carried to the dermal papilla through your blood. The more nutrients in your blood, the more nutrients can be supplied to the hair follicle. Kelp is known to prevent hair loss, and there are claims that it can regenerate hair if the follicle is still alive.

 Another important component of kelp is alkali. Alkali helps your body maintain the balance between acid and alkaline. Our normal pH is basically 7. Your body’s pH balance is dependent on the food you put into your body. When you are sick, eat a lot of low quality foods or consume a lot of foods with high pH, your body becomes more and more acidic. Taking alkali into your body by taking kelp will help you stay balanced and healthy.

 If you do plan to take a kelp supplement, take only one or two tablets a day, and take 2 days off a week and a week off each month.

Those suffering from hyperthyroidism or have heart problems should not use kelp.  If you want to begin taking kelp but are not sure if it is right for you, please contact your physician before adding this supplement to your diet.

Thanks for stopping by!!

2 comments August 19, 2010

Castor Oil

I remember the funny looks I got from people when I told them I was looking for castor oil to use in my hair! They asked me, “The laxative?” This was early before I knew exactly to get the oil I was looking for. I now visit the local natural foods store. I am sure there are several types on castor oil available online. I just use the basic castor oil. It has the consistency of syrup. You can lighten the mix by adding another oil such as olive oil or coconut oil.

 I love the way castor oil makes my hair feel and it is an oil that I will always keep at hand. Castor oil has other great benefits that I think would be very useful to people seeking natural ways to encourage natural hair growth.

On the outer layer, castor oil is great for natural hair because it coats the cuticle of the hair sealing moisture inside. It works as a humectant I advise that when you apply the first coat of castor, to do so while the hair is wet. Humectants draw moisture from the hair to do their jobs. If there is no moisture in the hair to begin with then it has an adverse effect on the hair actually making it dryer. When I apply castor to my hair, I apply after hair has been completely saturated with water after a shampoo or co-wash. I blot  with a towel and apply in sections. It works great as detangler and give my hair lots of elasticity.  I also noticed that it makes my tiny curls bunch. Omega-9 fatty acids are found in castor oil which keeps the scalp from drying which in turn nourishes the hair.

I often include a few drops of castor oil in whatever I oil my scalp with. Castor oil works great to prevent hair loss from the scalp. The oil contains anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties that protect your scalp from infections that cause hair loss. Castor oil also detoxifies the abnormal cells on your scalp, which then stimulates them and promotes circulation and blood flow that promotes  hair growth.

Hope my little knowledge on castor oil is helpful to you!

Personal hair growth challenge update coming soon!

6 comments August 3, 2010

Coconut Oil

I believe that if a product is good for you, in order to achieve the maximum benefit, you must use it correctly. Having a better understanding of coconut oil and its benefits is the reason it will always be one of my staple products. I purchase virgin coconut oil. It can also go by the name of unrefined coconut oil. You want to stay away from the refined kind if you are trying to get the  maximum benefit of the product. One way you can tell if you have the unrefined coconut oil is by the smell. It will have the sweet, coconut aroma to it.  Refined sounds like it would be better right? That’s not the case. Refined means it has been bleached and processed and many of the nutrients have been stripped from it.

Note: For those that do not like the coconut smell, try masking it with a few drops of your favorite essential oil.

The natural oils our body produces is called sebum. There are lots of beneficial substances in our sebum that keeps our scalp healthy and allows hair to grow faster and stronger. One of those substances is a fatty acid called a medium chain triglyceride (MCT). These acids act as an antioxidant, antiseptic, and act as a powerful antimicrobial when broken down by the healthy bacteria found in your natural sebum and on your skin! These acids destroy disease-causing germs, bacteria, viruses, and fungi. They work with natural pH of your body and basically forming a protective layer over your skin. When you cleanse your hair and skin you wash away your natural MCT’s. Ridding your skin of this vital protective layer leaves it vulnerable to all types of organisms, good and bad. Coconut oil is nature’s richest source of MCT so, you can replenish all of the oils you lost naturally!

Coconut oil also has amazing benefits for the hair. Since it is closest to what our body produces naturally, it is also more easily absorbed by our hair. Many of the oils we use on our hair and skin are composed of  long chain triglycerides. The beneficial molecules are too large to penetrate the skin and hair. These oils sit on the cuticle layer providing sheen and assisting in smoothing the cuticle. However, the medium-sized chain is just the right size for hair and skin to naturally absorb. MCT’s flow freely within the cuticle of the hair strand, minimizing protein loss and ensuring maximum conditioning and moisturizing benefits. This is what makes coconut oil an excellent choice for pre-poo and shampoo recipes.

My brother began suffering from acne when he began college. We tried buying him all types of topical solutions and face washes and nothing really seemed to work. With the information I encountered about virgin coconut oil, I gave my brother some to try. I saw him again 2 weeks later, exactly 12 days later. His acne had reduced by almost 60% and his complexion was amazing! I had forgotten about the oil I gave him and didn’t even think he would use it. My mo asked him what he had been doing differently and he said he began using the coconut oil twice daily after washing his face and continued using when he saw a difference. 

I’m a firm believer in coconut oil and its amazing benefits! I hope you also enjoy this wonderful oil! Thanks for reading! :)

On a side note, coconut oil  is even more beneficial when taken internally. The internal benefits are just as amazing as the external ones and it will show!

3 comments August 2, 2010

Hair Garden Whipped Shea Butter

I’ve been waiting to introduce my products to my readers. I make my own natural hair care products at home and thanks to this, I am a rehabilitated product junkie. I had tried so many products (with average or poor results) on my hair and never found anything that gave me the results I was looking for.  I started doing research and came across natural products that work better than anything I had purchased at the beauty supply store! I am so satisfied that I don’t think I will go back to commercial products. I don’t need to! I started off with my whipped shea and once I was satisfied with the results, I moved on and created a shampoo and moisturizing daily use leave-in specifically for my ends. 

The first problem with my hair that I wanted to tackle was  dry scalp and ends. This is one of the main causes of breakage and hair loss. If your scalp is unhealthy, there is no way it can support healthy hair. I also suffer from eczema around my hair line and none of the “hair greases” I tried ever worked to stop the constant flaking. I did my homework and found the richest natural products proven to promote hair growth and put them in my recipe!

Whipped Shea Butter

Shea butter is rich in Vitamin E and excellent for sealing moisture into your natural hair. Olive oil is an excellent conditioner and improves elasticity, honey is a great humectant, melacula is a natural antiseptic, peppermint stimulates and improve circulation, rosemary promotes growth, lavender is a natural disinfectant, and castor softens hair and relieves dandruff. I also add an amino acid concentrate for added softness:)

Back of Whipped Shea

This combination has worked great for me! I had a lot of breakage around my temples from wearing tight micro braids (traction alopecia) and my hair in that area has grown back thicker than before. I simply massage a small amount onto my temple area nightly. I make sure I shampoo once a week and co-wash regularly with an occasional ACV (apple cider vinegar) rinse to prevent clogging and suffocating the follicle.

Thanks for reading!

hairgarden@live.com

5 comments June 1, 2010