Awkward Moments & Triumphs 1

That awkward moment when you've put in your doofy wash twists you wouldn't dare been seen wearing, then realize you're out of your staple product.

That triumphant moment when you can improvise with something in your kitchen.

DIY Recipe: Avocado and Oatmeal Face Mask

Today the weather was icky, so I decided to give myself a home spa treatment. The ingredient of the day: AVOCADO. I deep conditioned my hair with my staple moisturizing protein deep conditioner and pampered my face with an avocado oatmeal mask (placing chamomile tea bags on my eyes.) Avocado is a super fruit with so many benefits to hair and skin!

Avocados contain many essential nutrients, proteins, vitamins A, D, E and K, B vitamins, magnesium, copper, iron, folic acid, potassium and amino acids. These ingredients help to repair and replenish dry and damaged hair. The proteins, vitamins B and E found in avocados can also increase the strength and elasticity of hair, giving it a healthy shine and texture... Avocados are high in sterolins, which help to reduce age spots, and help heal sun damage and scars. These sterolins (also called plant steroids) are what help to soften the skin and moisturize it. Using avocados in facemasks can also have a deep cleansing effect, working to remove impurities, wastes and dead skin cells. Facemasks tighten pores, remove excess oil from the skin, and moisturize and replenish dry skin.

Source: http://www.avocado.com/

Click here for my Coconut milk & honey & avocado moisturizing protein deep conditioner.

Avocado deep conditioner in hair,
 avocado oatmeal face mask,
& avocado plant growing  behind me.

Avocado and Oatmeal Face Mask

Ingredients

• 1 Tablespoon of Oatmeal Finely Ground
• 2 tablespoons of Avocado
• 1 Tablespoon of Full Fat No Flavor Yogurt
• 1 Teaspoon of Honey

Instructions

In a bowl, mash avocado. Mix in yogurt, honey and oatmeal. Stir well. Apply to face and leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse mask off your face and pat dry.

Source: http://www.squidoo.com/

Why I Love the Kitchen Salon...

I live for moments like this: doing my goddaughter's hair!

What do you love most about a kitchen salon or DIY hair care?

THANK YOU: The Kitchen Salon Featured on Natural Sunshine

I've come a long way since my first timid post on Natural Sunshine at the start of last year. I was learned about the online forum from a YouTube video and was immediately impressed and grateful for this community. I've since witnessed and participated in the amazing growth of the forum, and now it is (I would argue) one of the largest and most dynamic online communities supporting not just natural hair, but women of color!

The founder Sunshine Abuwi has shown me nothing but love since day one, and it is her support and her own blog Sunshine in the Making, that encouraged me to start The Kitchen Salon. Below is a video recently posted on Natural Sunshine that shouts out the sites top blogs/bloggers of the week- and I'm featured!!!

Thank you Sunshine for all of your continued support and for being such an inspirational woman. I am continuously inspired not just by your perseverance, but by your honest transparency too. Here's to powerful Black women! Ashé!

My Styling Wish List... I think I can, I think I can!

When I see interesting, fierce, and elegant styles on other people, I want NEED to try them myself. The internet makes it impossible to keep up with everything but I'm obligated to try. It only worsens my HIH (Hand-In-Head) syndrome, but try not to judge me or yourself if you're inspired to try a few.

OMG!!! I've gotta figure this out, I'm intrigued. It looks like a fold and tuck style, but something about the sides. Hmm... wish I could find a back view perspective.

via Afro Glitz

Oh yeah... def adding this to the list! Priceless throwback. Said to be a photo from Madagascar, I'm guessing nineteenth century? (Don't quote me on that!)

via Afro Glitz

I ran across this style sported by user doulacubanita on Natural Sunshine. This has to be added to the list of styles I want to try.

via Natural Sunshine

Shut the front door! This is TOO FLY! Ok, I'm departing the Afro Glitz site right now, cause this is too much for me in my condition (see HIH syndrome). It's a braided fold and tuck! Oh wait, did anyone else notice how the style above is so similar to this one? I wonder if doulacubanita was also inspired by this picture...

via Afro Glitz

Style Tutorial: Fold & Tuck Updo

 

So I've been wanting to try my hand at this fold and tuck technique ever since I first saw this tutorial by Lovingyourhair on YouTube. I tried my hand at it today after taking down my twists from wash day (two days ago). I love it with the texture of the twist out! I like the messy look, so I kept my finger parts from the twists to make the rolls. This style took me 10 minutes and 10 bobby pins! What do you guys think?