Face Mask Monday's

Some have asked how can they keep their skin flawless or at least keep the blackheads and pimples at bay.. I have to ask a few questions... How much water are you drinking a day?, Are you taking any medications or vitamins?How often do you cleanse your face? What are you currently using on your face and in your hair?

If you didn't already know what you put in your hair eventually will make it's way towards your face, especially in the summer time. There are plenty of ways you can cleanse your face: Oil Cleansing, Masks, and Regular Soap. Then you have Exfoliants, Scrubs, Toners, Moisturizers and the list can go on.

Today we will talk about Oil Cleansing and in the following weeks we will cover other methods.

OIL CLEANSING

Oil Cleansing is just what it say. Cleansing your face with Oil. Some of you may say there is no way that can happen, but true enough it can. Some of you are still questioning on if Oil can in fact cleanse. When we think of oil we think of what we were taught "Oils clogs pores". Our face secretes oils on a daily, hourly, and by the minutes. Your T-zones and all of the other zones before and afterwards or either Oily, Dry, Normal, or Just plan  snakelike.. Yeah I said it.  So keep reading... 

There are different oils you can use for different types of skin.. IE Oily, Dry, Snakelike, or Normal. The following I will post up the Oils and the parts you can use that will help you. 

Castor Oil gives you the most Cleansing and Dissolving Factor. And it is high Antibacterial. It can also be drying so depending on your skin type or types I would say to add some of these other oils in on the mix. 

Dry Skin Types

Apricot Kernel Oil

Avocado Oil

Aging Skin Type

Avocado Oil

Apricot Kernel Oil

Argan Oil 

Hemp Seed Oil (Also great for Acne Prone Skin)

Oily Skin Types

Sweet Almond Oil

Grapeseed Oil

Normal Skin Types

Apricot Kernel Oil

All Skin Types

Jojoba Oil (Also great for Acne Prone Skin)

Sweet Almond Oil

Grapeseed  Oil

Sunflower Seed Oil

Olive Oil

Argan Oil

Tamanu Oil

Flaxseed Oil

 RATIOS

Now that you have the list of Oils let's talk about the ratios in which you will use the carrier oils and castor oil together..Remember you will need Castor Oil it is very important for the cleansing portion. In a bottle you can continue to use or just pour the oils in your hand here is the ratios of what you will use.

Dry Skin you will use 1/3 parts of Castor Oil and 2/3 parts of Carrier Oil. Or you can do 1 tsp of Castor and 2 Tsp of Carrier Oil. 

Normal Skin  you will use equal parts of Castor and Carrier. Or 1 1/2 tsp of Castor and 1 1/2 tsp of Carrier Oil. 

Oily Skin you will use 2/3 parts of Castor Oil and 1/3 part Carrier Oil. Or 2 tsp of Castor and 1 tsp of Carrier oil. 

How To??

In order to do the Oil Cleansing Method you will need to have your oils ready, a wash cloth handy (some prefer a Microfiber Cloth), and running water.. Yes Running water is a must. I know your thinking I am asking for a lot out of you but I want you to have a clean face.. And hopefully get your skin issues under control. 

So you will rub the oil mixture into your face in a circular motion for 2 mins.  Let it sit for 30 seconds. (While it is sitting you can be wetting your washcloth with hot water.. As hot as you can stand it) Wring out the wash Cloth and place it flat out onto your face.. There you got it... Your doing great.. Now leave it on your face for 15 sec. When that time is up proceed to wipe your face.. Re-wet your wash cloth and proceed to wipe your face again. Continue doing this til all of the oil is wiped clean from your face. 

And there you have it!! My mixture is Castor Oil and Olive oil this month.. What will your oil combination be?? 

Until Next Time!!!

Hair Growth & Vitamins...

I have been seeing people promoting hair vitamins and how they help with hair growth. I do not take certain vitamins that states they just help with hair growth. I do however take Nature's Way Alive. But then again I am not focusing on just hair growth itself, but on hair health. I dont know if it has helped grow my hair or helped my skin. I do however make sure that I do not eat processed foods, eat plenty of green veggies, I juice, as well as eating plenty of fruits, I cut my sugar intake way down, I exercise, I have a good hair regimen, and I drink a ton of water.. All of these things can help with hair growth as well as keep your skin happy.  Here is some of the vitamins that are located in the Hair and Skin Vitamins but they are also in a normal daily vitamin as well.. If you want an Extra Boost try a prenatal. 

Here is a list of vitamins and what their focus is on and also the foods that you can get the Vitamin from:

• Vitamin A helps form and maintain healthy teeth, bones, soft tissue, mucus membranes, and skin.

Dark-colored fruit, Dark leafy vegetables, Egg yolk, Fortified milk and dairy products (cheese, yogurt, butter, and cream), Liver, beef, and fish 

• Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine) is also called pyridoxine. Vitamin B6 helps form red blood cells and maintain brain function. This vitamin also plays an important role in the proteins that are part of many chemical reactions in the body. Eating larger amounts of protein may reduce vitamin B6 levels in the body.

Avocado, Banana, Legumes (dried beans), Meat, Nuts, Poultry, Whole grains (milling and processing removes a lot of this vitamin)

• Vitamin B12, like the other B vitamins, is important for metabolism. It also helps form red blood cells and maintain the central nervous system.

Meat, Eggs, Fortified foods such as soymilk, Milk and milk products, Organ meats (liver and kidney), Poultry, Shellfish

• Vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid, is an antioxidant that promotes healthy teeth and gums. It helps the body absorb iron and maintain healthy tissue. It also promotes wound healing.

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Citrus fruits, Potatoes, Spinach, Strawberries, Tomato juice, Tomatoes

• Vitamin D is also known as the "sunshine vitamin," since it is made by the body after being in the sun. Ten to 15 minutes of sunshine three times a week is enough to produce the body's requirement of vitamin D. People who do not live in sunny places may not make enough vitamin D. It is very difficult to get enough vitamin D from food sources alone. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, which you need for the normal development and maintenance of healthy teeth and bones. It also helps maintain proper blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. This is important for hair follicle cycling, especially for individuals who live in northern parts of the United States where sunlight is limited. A supplement is also prescribed as a treatment for atopic dermatitis like eczema.

Fish (fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, and orange roughy), Fish liver oils (cod's liver oil), Fortified cereals, Fortified milk and dairy products (cheese, yogurt, butter, and cream)

• Vitamin E is an antioxidant also known as tocopherol. It plays a role in the formation of red blood cells and helps the body use vitamin K. It has been proven to show positive effects to hair such as prevention of hair loss and promoting hair growth by enabling growth of the capillaries.

Avocado, Dark green vegetables (spinach, broccoli, asparagus, turnip greens), Margarine (made from safflower, corn, and sunflower oil), Oils (safflower, corn, and sunflower), Papaya and mango, Seeds and nuts, Wheat germ and wheat germ oil

• Vitamin K is not listed among the essential vitamins, but without it blood would not stick together (coagulate). Some studies suggest that it is important for promoting bone health.

Cabbage, Cauliflower, Cereals, Dark green vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, asparagus), Dark leafy vegetables (spinach, kale, collards, turnip greens), Fish, liver, beef, eggs

• Biotin is essential for the metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates, and in the production of hormones and cholesterol.Biotin helps turn the food you eat into energy and also helps you have healthy eyes, hair, skin and nails. Biotin has reportedly been used to help strengthen hair.

Chocolate, Cereal, Egg yolk, Legumes, Milk, Nuts, Organ meats (liver, kidney), Pork,Yeast

• Niacin is a B vitamin that helps maintain healthy skin and nerves. It is also has cholesterol-lowering effects.Without niacin taken in balance with other B vitamins you can end up with brittle, dry, breaking hair and a dry flaking scalp. 

Meat, Fish, Milk, Eggs, Green Vegetables, and Enriched Cereal Grains.

• Folate works with vitamin B12 to help form red blood cells. It is needed for the production of DNA, which controls tissue growth and cell function. Any woman who is pregnant should be sure to get enough folate. Low levels of folate are linked to birth defects such as spina bifida. Many foods are now fortified with folic acid. 

Asparagus and broccoli, Beets, Brewer's yeast, Dried beans (cooked pinto, navy, kidney, and lima), Fortified cereals, Green, leafy vegetables (spinach and romaine lettuce), Lentils, Oranges and orange juice, Peanut butter, Wheat germ

• Pantothenic acid is essential for the metabolism of food. It is also plays a role in the production of hormones and cholesterol.

Avocado, Broccoli, kale, and other vegetables in the cabbage family, Eggs, Legumes and lentils, Milk, Mushroom, Organ meats, Poultry, White and sweet potatoes, Whole-grain cereals

• Riboflavin (vitamin B2) works with the other B vitamins. It is important for body growth and the production of red blood cells.

Cheese, Almonds, Beef & Lamb, Oily Fish, Egg (hard Boiled), Pork, Mushrooms, Sesame Seeds, Seafood, Spinach

• Thiamine (vitamin B1) helps the body cells change carbohydrates into energy. Getting plenty of carbohydrates is very important during pregnancy and breast-feeding. It is also essential for heart function and healthy nerve cells. 

Dried milk, Egg, Enriched bread and flour, Lean meats, Legumes (dried beans), Nuts and seeds, Organ meats, Peas, Whole grains

• Iron Women of childbearing ages or those who don't eat a lot of red meat tend to be deficient in iron. Even those who aren't anemic can also have low iron levels. Iron carries oxygen to hair and promotes growth. 

Red meat, Egg yolks, Dark, leafy greens (spinach, collards), Dried fruit (prunes, raisins), Iron-enriched cereals and grains (check the labels), Mollusks (oysters, clams, scallops), Turkey or chicken giblets, Beans, lentils, chick peas and soybeans, Liver, Artichokes

• Zinc Heavy exercisers and sweaters tend to lose significant amounts of zinc. To regain this hair growth mineral, consume 15-30 mg daily or munch on high-zinc foods like lamb, turkey, pumpkin seeds and chocolate

Seafood, Beef & Lamb, Wheat Germ, Pumpkin & Squash Seeds, Spinach, Cashews, Cocoa & Chocolate, Lean Chicken & Pork, Beans, Mushrooms 


You will see some vitamins and supplements that will state B-complex Vitamins. These have Biotin, niacin and cobalamin are among the most popular B-complex vitamins that help restore shine and thickness to strands. Load up on whole grains, eggs, avocados and legumes, as they are some of the best food sources for B-complex vitamins.





Also remember that once your body gets its correct daily dose of Water-soluble nutrients, whether you eat or take more than your body needs, the body adapts by absorbing just what it needs, and then it usually excretes the excess in your urine -- but not always. Play it safe and just eat and drink your way to healthy hair, skin, and nails. 

Until Next Time!!!

Embracing the Hair on Your Head and Not the Hair in the Ad!!!!

You will have many people who aren't happy with the hair that is on their head. Many will wish that they had looser curls and coils, some will wish their hair weren't so thin, some will wish that when they do a braid out it looked like that picture we all see everyday in some of these hair groups. Well we can wish it but in actuality we have, what we were given so JUST BE!!!

We have always been told that one thing is better than the other.. Light skin vs dark skin, tall vs short, thin vs thick, curvy vs thin, one spectrum of hair vs the other. When some of us grew up we were told that the hair on our head was too "NAPPY" so parents opted to get relaxers put in. We see commercials that didn't represent who we were/are as strong black little girls. We were taught that we weren't enough in the eyes of the people around us. Even now when we have returned back to natural we will hear subtle hints towards our hair. "So you're going out with your hair like that", "Do you plan on combing your hair at any point", "When was the last time you had your hair straightened", or  my favorite one yet " why did you cut your beautiful hair off to get that". and so many more subtle insults or nicenastys with a smile.. Like really!!!!!!!!!! NO I mean Really!!!!!! 

We have to remember that our hair is an extension of who we are. We are queens and Kings. Our birthright tells us so. We should be walking with our heads held high and not with our chin buried into our chest, because our hair isn't what we were taught hair should look like.  We see people on tv advertising natural hair products but not really knowing if that's really their hair. We see a lot of entertainers and tv people showing pictures on Instagram of their BIG CHOPS but then the next they have long flowing weaves. Now we are seeing more and more commercials with the "Natural head Women" but it is either one side of the spectrum or the other. We see all of this and say well at least we are being seen.. But we have always been seen. Just ignored. We get happy because we feel like we aren't alone in the Natural Hair Community. But have we really ever been alone. We can go into any of these hair groups and talk about an issue we are having and I can tell you so many others have been having that same problem or issue. You have a product you want to try, you can ask around someone has tried it. But remember not everything will work on everyone. We get upset when we scour youtube vids and try these styles and they don't come out like the person on the vids hair. We comb through magazines and the hair styles are wonderfully styled and we try it and it falls flat. And we get down on ourselves but never stop to ask "How many times did the person try it before they filmed it?" 

Don't beat yourself up because you hair doesn't look like the next persons hair. Because deep down you never know who is beating themselves up wishing they had your hair. Just be the person you are hair and all. Just be the girl who rocks that huge afro that blocks other people out of pictures. Just be the girl who can rock a fierce wash n go or a wash, shake, n go.. Just Be the girl who when you see people whispering you smile... Because like it or not someone noticed your crown. Whether it is picked out, loc'd up, coiled out, braided out, wrapped up, braided up and so much more. We can do so much more to our hair than you may realize. Don't think of the negative comments that people make, they have no control over our hair or life unless you give it to them. But hey don't keep reading my random ramblings. It is time to go forth and learn to accept that your hair is beautiful. And you are BEAUTIFUL.. And if no one else told you today remember I did.. 

Until Next Time..  

Hair Date Anyone!!! Do you date your Hair??

So as I am sitting here talking to my husband about my writers block that I seem to have. If you don't know already or it has been a long time I will tell you about my hair date.. Sometimes it is an all day affair. All products I use are from CC's Naturals. You can  receive 15% off your purchase using the code "naturallycamille".

There are times I get a little frustrated.. You see the thing is my hair isn't short anymore. And you forget how long it is once you get through the grueling process of dealing with it patiently.  Well the problem is I am not as patient when it comes to my hair as I need to be or should be. I have posted a blog about my hair routine a while ago and it has changed since then. Not by much but it has. But we are here to talk about hair dates. What I mean by that is taking time out of the day to love on your hair. Washing, conditioning, Deep Conditioning, all of that good stuff..

Well my hair date was today. It was supposed to be last week but what had happened was Steve and I went to New Orleans for the Essence Festival so my hair was partially neglected. I say partially mainly because Steve did do his weekly  detangling session on my hair. (If that didn't happen my hair would have been tragic) So a week later and now my hair loves me again..

So Jezebel started out in a puff that was 6 days old. I didn't want to wash her because I love her at that stage because she just gets bigger and bigger.  But it had to be done. Steve Co-Washed and Detangled my hair and it came out liking me again.. 

 

 ..

Now that was last week. She hasn't had her weekly DC as she is accustomed to, and I could tell she was throwing her usual toddler tantrum this morning. So I had to break out the big guns. I used the Smore's DC Pods first. Now I added a few extra things into the mix because like I said it has been a few weeks since my last Deep Conditioning date. A pic of them are below. I melted them down with a tea made with slippery Elm, Marshmallow Root, Sage, Basil, Burdock Root, and Fenugreek. I also  added Wheat Germ Oil, Molasses, Amino Acid, and Aloe Vera Gel to the mix. So this was an awesome treat to add to my hair. And to be honest it smelled like cookies. I guess because it had Cacoa Powder in them. And I let it sit for 30 mins to penetrate my hair.

After that I washed her with the Pina Colada Soap from CC's Naturals.  All of the Body bars that doesn't contain bits of herbs in them, we use on our hair as well as our bodies. I then conditioned my hair. My hair has been dyed red for a while now. I didn't use anything to lift, well because I am a little scared. But the color can be seen in the natural light as a tint. Or you can really tell on my grey strands which is a lot. Now we move on to the rest of the process. I told you it was a long one..

TIP** Remember when you are rinsing out conditioner or shampoo, if you want you hair to hang in the front you want to rinse the hair while it is hanging to the front not with your head tilted back.

Now we move to the process of styling the hair::

NOTE** I do not style my hair when it is damp.. My hair is always soaked and still dripping.

I do use the LOC method. I have tried a few other method but this method has worked very well for me. If you don't know what the LOC method is I will explain it now.

 (L)= Liquid - Tea Rinse- Leave In Conditioner or a high water content product (This is where the moisture comes into play )
(O)= Oil or Butter (You will use this to lock in the moisture. The oil or butter will coat the hair strand so that none of the moisture will escape the strands)
(C)= Cream/Creme - Butter based- more Oil and Butter than Water/Liquid product (You will use this to seal in the moisture.

Ok now that we got that understood here is what I used on my hair and what I will use for the Month.

Today I styled my hair using #s 1,2 and 3. I will be using #1 everyday. There will be days I won't use all of them. 

I have been back to natural for 3 yrs now.  My last relaxer was June of 2011 and I big Chopped in Oct of 2011. 

Well there you have it my hair date!!!! How is your hair date? How long does it take you? Mine took me 2 hrs from start to finish. And it was wonderful. Take the time to know your hair, have patients with your hair, and Don't rush it to grow. Nothing will make it grow faster, or healthier than treating it right. 

Chart your hair growth with pictures. Make a Hair Journal. Know your hairs likes, dislikes and loves. It makes it so much easier for your next Hair Date!!!

Until Next Time!!!

How well do you know your Butters?

Hey today's post is all about Butters...

What do you know about your butter? 

There are so many different butters out there on the market.  

You have:

African Shea Butter (white and yellow) - Gana, West Africa

Mango butter - India

Cocoa Butter - Ivory Coast, West Africa

Cupuacu Butter - Brazil

Kokum Butter - India

Lanoline Butter - United Kingdom

Pumpkins Seed Butter - North America

Shorea Butter - Ivory Coast, West Africa

Tucuma Butter - Brazil

Murumuru Butter - Brazil 

Lets talk Butter Blends since we now know of all of the natural butters that I listed above. Butter blends are a blends mostly made of Extracts, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, other oils and Butters You may ask "What is Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil made of well since Vegetables doesn't contain anything that will produce an oil?" It is Soybean oil as well as Palm Oil.  

Here is a list of Butter Blends I have came across:

Acai Butter Blend 

Almond Butter Blend

Avocado Butter Blend

Aloe Butter Blend

Argan Butter Blend

Brazil Nut Butter Blend

Chamomile Butter Blend

Coffee Butter Blend

Cranberry Butter Blend 

Green Tea Butter Blend

Horsetail Butter Blend

There are so many more. Do you know whats in your Butter or Butter Blends?

Until Next Time... 

So your Natural and want to Dye your Hair

First let me say, I don't take to change to well. But I have been itching to dye my hair. I have been natural for over 2 yrs and have cut my hair 2 times since going back to natural. I have mulled over the cutting as well. My journey hasn't been about length it has always been about health with that being said I have researched the different dyes for my hair. Then it went to what color I wanted to walk around with. You may hear people say its just hair and they are right but I have a thing where even though it is just hair it is attached to me. So it is apart of me. Each hair style and each time I put my hands to my hair my energy is released to it.

Now with the dye I will answer the questions that I have asked myself and if you have other be sure to ask.

1) People will say once you dye your hair you are no longer natural is that true?  Depends on who you ask. Me: your natural as long as your not putting a chemical that relaxes the curl/hair.

2) Will dyeing my hair damage it in anyway? As long as you keep your hair moisturized it will not. So deep conditioning your hair is a must. Also be sure to do a protein treatment to keep the strength of your hair.

3) Can you dye your hair after applying henna to your hair 4 weeks ago? Yes. Again keep your hair moisturized. Use the LOC or the LCO method. 

4) How often can you dye your hair? The box says 4-6 weeks. But I would say hold off 8 weeks before you reapply.  You do not want to over process your hair. Yes dyeing you hair is processing it as well.

5) How many different types of dyes are there?  There are 3 different types of dyes. There is Semi, Permanent. and temporary.. 

1. Semi/Demi Permanent and Rinse dyes just coats the hair strand with color and will fade each time you wash your hair. 
2. Temporary Dyes will wash out after one wash. 
3. Permanent Dye requires the hair cuticle to be lifted and alters the proteins that gives us our natural hair color. In other words it will permanently color your hair it will not wash out but it will grow out eventually. 

Now let's talk about how your hair should feel while having it dyed. 
It is the same as it should feel while it isn't. If it feels super dry it needs moisture. If it feels like it is brittle and you can hear it when you put your hands in it.. You will need to do a deep condition with some sort of protein or a protein treatment asap. Always remember Natural hair is fragile. If you are just learning your hair and how to treat it on a daily/weekly basis. PLEASE hold of on doing anything that will chemically alter it.

Remember Natural hair takes work. We may get frustrated with it, with all the detangling, finger detangling, shingling, twisting, braiding, bantu knots, twist/braid knot outs,  keeping up the moisture levels, washing, co-washing, conditioning, leave in conditioner, creams, oils, butters, and the list goes on and on.. Looking at it and the terms it may seem like it is a lot. But remember to have patients, because at the end of the day that's what you will need for it to grow and be healthy.. 

Black Friday is Coming

Black Friday is Coming!!!!

Are you ready for it??

As many of you know Black Friday is the day that many wait all year for to get the best deals and sales.  Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving Day. It marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season.

Our Sale will start on Thanksgiving Day at 9pm. The details are as follows:

 11/28- 9pm - 11/29 6:59am 40%off Code BF40

11/29- 7am - 12/02 11:59pm 30%off Code BF30

 And as always FREE SHIPPING on all orders of $35 or more after the coupon code

You will enter the discount code after you put in your paypal information. The screen after that will state your total. The very next screen you will see a place to put in the coupon code. 

We will be offering the following scents in our butters, Sugar Scrubs & Lotions only:

Cookie

Candy Cane

Pumpkin Pie

Vanilla Bean

Chocolate

Sweet Potato & Brown Sugar