Natural Hair a Growing Trend in Pop Culture

There is a myriad of reasons for the increase in people donning their naturally kinky, curly, coily tresses. When I stopped perming my hair in 2000 there wasn't yet a natural hair movement with terminology, methodology and discourse. As more naturals appeared online more of them appeared on the streets. As more natural heads appeared on the streets more were seen on television, on film screens and on magazine covers. Wearing natural textures that were once considered unattractive or problematic is now trendy- and I LOVE IT! There is something profoundly transformational and freeing about learning to love one's unadulterated natural state.

Though trends are usually fleeting, I think natural hair is here to stay! Don't believe me? Read another article I wrote about the rise of natural hair in pop culture and check out these pop music videos featuring mine and other dancing kinks, curls and coils.

"XO Boyfriend" by Gordon Voidwell

"Spring Fever" by Iron Solomon

 

"Ivy League Circus" by Gordon Voidwell

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is a Magic Potion

Gurrrrrl or Duuuuude! Let me tell you about the new love of my life. Yea the hubby is swell, but apple cider vinegar (ACV) is my boo! Don't laugh at me, I'm seriously professing my love over here.
Ok all jokes aside I really do love ACV, simply because it is a literal cure-all that has been used since the B.C. era!!! This magic potion serves so many purposes; I started using it for a hair rinse and now use it for home and body care!

Unpasteurized organic ACV

When using ACV as a nutritional supplement use the unpasteurized organic version with "the mother." Bragg is the most common brand; co-founder Patricia Bragg has a published book on the many wonders of ACV. The mother is a clump of fibers that occur naturally during fermentation and contains crucial nutrients. I think using the pasteurized non-organic version is fine for household or for topical body care uses.

Here are just a few of the magical properties of ACV:


- Total body care
The solution that I drink twice a day is very popular as it supplies many nutrients and keeps my body's systems running smoothly. I like to call this the Magic Potion: 2-3 tablespoons ACV, 1 tablespoon unsulphered blackstrap molasses, 1 cup of water. The water should be at least room temperature so the molasses will mix, but I prefer to drink it as a hot tea. I drink this every morning and night, and my body has been feeling so much better for it!

- Household disinfectant
Mix a solution of 1 part ACV and 1 part water in a spray bottle. Apply the solution to shower and tub walls, kitchen counters, stove tops, windows, mirrors, etc. The smell will lessen as the solution dries. For tougher stains allow the solution to sit for a few minutes before wiping clean. This can also be done with white vinegar if you are concerned about the color staining.

- Facial astringent and toner
After using a facial cleanser, apply undiluted AVC as a toner using a cotton ball. The ACV will draw out any additional oil or dirt from your pores. The smell will subside as the vinegar dries, but if it it bothers you rinse again with cool water (to keep pores closed).

- Hair rinse
Mix 1 part ACV and 6 parts water for a clarifying and neutralizing hair rinse. The disinfectant properties help remove excess oil, dirt and product buildup (clarifying) and the mild acidity helps to balance your hair's pH (neutralizing).

- Rash and burn treatment
Undiluted ACV may be applied topically to soothe localized skin rashes and mild burns (whether from the sun or other heat sources). For larger affected areas, soak in a bathtub with 1 cup of ACV added to the water. Applying aloe vera after the soaking will provide additional relief.

- Cramps and muscle soreness
Soaking in a bathtub with a few tablespoons of ACV added to the water will help relieve muscle soreness and cramps.

- Women's health
ACV is The Creator's gift to women, I'm sure of it.  Drinking the Magic ACV Potion can provide relief for menstrual cramps and bloating, heavy menstrual flow, ovarian cysts and fibroids, hemorrhoids and morning sickness during pregnancy. For relief from yeast infections you can create an ACV douche with 2 tablespoons of ACV in one quart of warm water. NOTE: Douching should not be done frequently. If the problem persists you can try a bathtub soak mentioned above.

Are there any that I missed? Only a few hundred others... You can check out Bragg.com for further information and more great ideas. Have you been using ACV in your home and body care regimens? Please share them with us!

Reasons to Start Your Own Kitchen Salon

Ingredients for my Winter Hair Mask

There are two trends in the natural hair community that have inspired me to make major changes in my lifestyle; greater interest in DIY hair care and greater interest in natural products. What started as a quest for healthy long natural hair has completely shifted my approach to my nutrition and expanded an already growing interest in reusing and recycling. It's amazing how much I've learned about the multifaceted uses of common items that are always in my kitchen and bathroom!

I'm sure many people are reading this thinking it sounds nice but time consuming- isn't natural hair time consuming enough? When I first started making my own hair products it was very time consuming. But I must admit I loved having an excuse to block off an entire day for pampering. Now that I have a routine and an understanding of how to balance the products, it doesn't take much longer to do my hair with purchased products than homemade products. Like with anything you improve with practice.

Still need to be convinced why you should try your own DIY Kitchen Salon? Check out the benefits I've reaped:

- I've save money because the items I use for my hair are already on my grocery list.

- I've expanded the use of packaging from previously bought products, saving a few more items from a direct trip to the landfill.

- There is no worry of harmful chemicals in my homemade products, its all natural and mostly food. If its safe enough to go in my mouth, it's safe enough to lather all ova' my booooooooody!

- Now that I understand how various ingredients work for my hair and body I can adjust the balance as needed. This is extremely important for moisture and protein balance!

- My hair has improved tenfold! It is much more resistant to breakage; maintains greater moisture and retains length (after eight years of staying at the same length without ever trimming).

- Did I mention I SAVE MONEY?!

So how many of you have I converted? How many already have a thriving kitchen salon? Tell us why you started your kitchen salon and what you love about it.

Those who are new to the DIY practice can go here for some tips on starting your own kitchen salon.

How To Start Your Own Kitchen Salon

Making flax seed gel.

Do you want outstanding hair without an outrageous price? Want to be able to pronounce all of the ingredients listed on your hair product? Then perhaps you should consider starting your own DIY kitchen salon. If you're considering it but don't know how to start, check out what I've learned.

Basic Tools

This short list of tools to keep on hand will have you set for nearly any recipe.

- A glass mixing bowl or jar. This doesn't have to be large, I use an old 8 oz. jar from a facial scrub I had years back. Glass is best because it can withstand heat. Plastic is known to release toxins when microwaved that can seep into your products.

- An empty spray bottle, or two or three, depending on how many mixtures you like. I reuse leave-in conditioner spray bottles. Its not a good idea to store mixtures for too long because bacteria will grow. I make small batches of a water and aloe juice solution for each use so as not to be wasteful.

- A few containers with screw tops for storing mixtures that are non-perishable or have a long shelf life. I also reuse old containers for this purpose. Placing a layer of plastic wrap tightly under the top can extend the shelf life a day or two.

- An old stocking will serve a few purposes. You can cut it at the top of the thighs, sew or tie the loose ends and use as a stocking cap for sleeping or dryer styling. You can use one leg as a head band or hair tie and use the other leg as a strainer for your flax seed gel. Stockings are as functional as they are fashionable!

Basic Ingredients

These ingredients can be found in most grocery stores and pharmacies. They are either non-perishable or have long shelf lives and all are useful in a variety of ways.

- aloe vera juice

- apple cider vinegar (ACV)

- baking soda

- canned coconut milk (I use half for my hair and half in a meal)

- castille soap (like Dr. Bronner's)

- [extra virgin] coconut oil (EVCO)

- essential oils

- flax seeds

- glycerin 

- honey

- [extra virgin] olive oil (EVOO)

- vitamin E

Excited to get started? I hope so!

Any of you veterans want to share what's worked for you or what have you learned never to do again?

DIY Hair Care Isn't Food Waste! a.k.a. You Betta' Back Up Wit Dat

Coconut Milk Avocado Honey Conditioner

So I'm a bit peeved, if you couldn't tell. I'll admit this is an old issue (as in the incident that set me off took place some time ago), but it is an argument I always have with my husband and now other people. I'm tired of people suggesting that using food items for my hair care is a waste of food. *PAUSE*

Food is essential to health and body care inside and out and a multifaceted use of food items is not wasteful. Besides the chemicals to make health and beauty products are made to mimic what fruits, vegetables and herbs do naturally. So aren't DIY methods more natural and in fact, the way we were intended to take care of ourselves (albeit maybe not with such elaborate recipes)?

Coffee Facial Scrub. Want the recipe?

I follow a blog by Jonathan Bloom called Wasted Food (check it out if you, like myself, find yourself throwing away rotten food way too often- or check it out anyway). I was drawn to an article that was wagging the finger at kitty litter made from corn. I do agree with Jonathan that we should be conscious and considerate of frivolous food consumption, especially when so many people in the world are starving. However considering personal hygiene is not at all a frivolous thing, I would not lump my practices into that category. I don't think using half a can of coconut milk on my hair and the other half in my beans is wasteful. I don't think using my coffee grinds as a facial scrub after my daily cup o' joe is wasteful.

Well, there's my rant. But what do you all think?

Rethinking Old Hair Habits

Rethinking Old Hair Habits
By Fran of HeyFranHey.com

Photo courtesy of heyfranhey.com

Check out my fellow Obie (Oberlin College alum) Fran of Hey Fran Hey, featured every Monday on the Black Girl Long Hair (BGLH) forum. This week she discusses her old hair habits, some she's discarded and some maintained.

In considering my old hair habits there are many I  let go and a few that I've returned to. I no longer buy cheap V05 shampoos and conditioners, but I've definitely returned to the simplicity of good ole' oil and water. Hmm... whoddathunkit?

What are some of your old habits? How many of them have you chucked and how many do you cherish?