Posts filed under: ‘Uncategorized‘
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
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
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
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
See Me Speak at Fro Fashion Week 2011!
Hello everyone! I have received and accepted the honorable invitation to speak at Fro Fashion Week 2011! This is an exclusive conference where all of the trendsetters of the natural hair care industry get together. My presentation will be “Why Should You Go Natural? Facts vs. Myths”. I will be presenting Saturday, February 19, 2011 from 1:30-2:45! Here is the link to get more details: http://www.naturallymemedia.com/fro-fashion-week/! Hope to see you there and thank you to everyone for your support!
-Aphropuphs
2 comments November 25, 2010
My Special Rosewater
Hello! I want to share my latest mixture for my natural hair. It is my Rosewater with horsetail and rosemary. I know you’re wondering what rosewater is and what it does.
Rosewater is basically water with the nutrients and benefits of a rose through distillation. It is used as a natural toner for skin and has softening properties. Horsetail is great for restoring strength to weakening hair and reducing dandruff. It is high in silica and mineral salts. These things are great for restoring and healing your hair, skin, and nails. Rosemary is a follicle stimulant which promotes growth. I felt like this would make a great combination for my moisturizing and strengthening routine. I added my rosewater to aloe vera gel. Also is a good moisturizer.
Rosewater can be made a number of ways, but after doing a lot of reading I picked the simplest way for me which was the oven method. I pre-set the oven to broil. I had about 10 roses and plucked all of the petals off. I rinsed the petals off with cool water and sprinkled them into a glass baking pan. I sprinkled my horsetail and rosemary herbs in with the rose petals and poured distilled water in the pan until the liquid came over the petals.
Rose petals before going in the oven.
I placed the baking pan and its contents into the oven and let it simmer. As soon as it began to simmer around the edges a little I added small amounts of distilled water, because the tops of the petals were burning. Once it came to a boil, I turned off the oven, stirred, and covered the blend.
Rosewater blend after it came to a boil.
I let it sit until it cooled. I did not have any vodka to use as a preservative and it was Sunday so a store run was out of the question. My alternative was to put the remainder of the liquid that I was not going to use immediately in an ice tray for future use. I will thaw out a few cubes a time when I need them! Without a preservative and without being refrigerated, rosewater can last about a week (4-5 days).
Rosewater after it has cooled in the oven
I poured some aloe vera gel into a spray bottle (about 2 tablespoons) and then added the rosewater mixture (about 4 tablespoons). I shook it up and used it as a moisturizing detangler after shampooing. I sprayed it in and massaged into my hair and scalp. My hair had great slip and I had no problem detangling with my fingers or with a wide-toothed comb. I used this rosewater in place of my Giovanni leave-in and followed by banding my hair and allowing it to air dry. I have only used it once so far, but I will have to continue use before I can tell any major difference. I used the mix following a hot oil treatment so my results may vary after a basic shampoo and condition. I will post another blog after giving it another try!
Thank you for reading about my rosewater experience!
Add a comment November 16, 2010
Baggying
Baggying is a conditioning practice consisting of simply wearing a shower cap! I like to baggy my hair after sealing my ends in between shampoos and co-washes. I usually baggy about 2 to 3 times a month. I baggy 2 different ways. I use the wet and the dry method depending on how long I want to baggy.
When I do the wet method, I apply a water/olive oil mixture or a water/coconut oil blend to my hair. I wear my hair in a few cornrows or plaits or twists or leave it out in an afro. You can wear your hair in any way you choose whether its bantu knots or simply a few puffs. I wear the shower cap in the for a while (about an hour) before and after I shower and let it dry completely before styling. I usually let it dry overnight. I don’t leave it on for more then 2 hours with moisture applied because I didn’t like the affect it had on my scalp when I left it on overnight with moisture.
If I’m baggying with moisture during the day and I need to step out I just use a nice wrap to cover my head which also adds a little heat boost!
When I do dry baggying I leave the cap on for about 3 or 4 hours but I use a heavier product like plain shea butter or castor oil.
You can customize your own routine using your favorite leave-in conditioner, oils, creams, etc! There are many possibilities!
Thanks for reading!
Add a comment August 20, 2010
