hair care

Review: Majestic Pure Fractionated Coconut Oil *sponsored*

Review: Majestic Pure Fractionated Coconut Oil *sponsored*

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PREMIUM QUALITY 100% PURE AND NATURAL FRACTIONATED COCONUT OIL 

This fractionated coconut oil is ODORLESS, COLORLESS and NO GREASY FEELINGS, does not stain and easily washes out of clothing and sheets. Does not become solid like regular coconut oil but keeps all the great properties. Due to the fractionating process this oil is very stable and has a very long shelf life. Fractionated coconut oil is excellent on skin, a natural and very safe moisturizer, softener. Although Virgin Coconut Oil is rated as highly comedogenic and cause clogged pores and acne when used on the face Fractionated Coconut Oil is safe to use on the face and does not clog pores. After using for a few weeks I’ve found this oil leaves my skin and hair feeling soft with no greasy residue. 

This oil applies very smoothly to my skin and spreads easily. I like to use it after a bath and before bed because it absorbs so quickly but still leaves my skin feeling smooth. The only thing I dislike about this product is the packaging. It can get pretty messy with the pop top nozzle and I probably would have liked a pump or a dropper better because they tend to be less messy

OTHER USES: 
Coconut oil one of the most versatile oils. It’s used as moisturizer, in recipes for tooth paste, as lip balm, in coconut shampoo. It’s used a natural deodorant, for face wash, as hair conditioner, eye makeup remover, as shaving cream, in sunburn remedies, for massage, aromatherapy and many other household uses and benefits.

Available on Amazon

Argan Oil Hair Mask, Argan Oil & Vitamin C Serum

Argan Oil Hair Mask, Argan Oil & Vitamin C Serum

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I told you guys a few weeks ago that I’d be reviewing some more of Instanatural’s products soon. So here they are. I was sent these products for review but honestly I think I’m kind of in love with this company now. All of their products are natural or organic and use quality ingredients while maintaining an affordable price point.

Instanatural sent me another of their skin serums to try because I didn’t exactly love the first one I tried. The serum comes in a heavy glass bottle with a dropper. The Vitamin C Serum has been working amazingly for me. It goes on very smooth and has a nice citrus scent that fades quickly. I feel like the Vitamin C Serum has helped to keep my skin smooth and my pores nice and tight

They also sent over two hair products, an Argan Oil Hair Mask and a bottle of 100% Argan Oil. Being a natural girl, I’m something like a product junkie so I was really eager to get my hands on this mask. The mask has a thick creamy consistency and smells like lemon pound cake! I love sweet smells so they pretty much had me at hello. I’ve used the mask in lots of different ways, on wet hair, on dry hair, and for a braid out. This mask makes my hair feel very soft and moisturized when used as a deep conditioner. When I’ve used it for a dry braid out I liked to use the 100% Argan Oil as a sealant to lock in the moisture. I’m not a fan of Argan Oil on my skin because it’s a little too heavy for my taste but it works great for locking in moisture to my hair during this ridiculously cold winter weather (hey -20 wind chills I’m looking at you). The Argan Oil comes in a nice glass jar with a convenient pump, which I love cuz I’m clumsy and I spill everything. I’m loving both of these products right now to help keep my hair from turning into hay in the cold.

Available on Amazon
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Kitchen Beautician: DIY Healthy Edge Control

Kitchen Beautician: DIY Healthy Edge Control

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Want smooth edges but don’t want to end up looking like this?
(O.O) 
Welcome to the Black girl’s struggle. lol. But seriously so many methods that are used to get smooth edges such as excessive tension, high heat, and harsh gels can leave you with a less than desirable hairline over time. 
Try a simple mix of:
2 parts Aloe Vera gel
to gently smooth hair down AND help to keep those edges thick and healthy! The Aloe Vera gel helps to moisturize the hair and provides a light hold. I prefer “Fruit of the Earth” brand because it’s a little thicker and less runny than others. JBCO has also been shown to strengthen and help to REGROW hair. So if your edges are already showing signs of chemical or traction Alopecia this mix can help to restore them. 
I used this mix to smooth my edges when I was wearing twists and box braids earlier this year. I LOVE that I can use it pretty much daily with out any build up or flaking like I get with ecostyler. I also plan on using it all week as I will be “bunning” as my protective style until I can get to someone else to braid my hair. My twists were slipping like crazy, had to let them go (RIP lil homies). Anywho, I just add a little of this mix to my edge smooth into a bun and tie with a scarf until I’m dressed and ready to go. Did it this morning && my edges were like butter baby! 
xx
Natural Hair: stylin & what not

Natural Hair: stylin & what not

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Now let me start this by saying I AM NOT a hair stylist and I actually hate styling my hair! I’m entirely to lazy for all that. lol. That being said I’ve been trying to wear my hair in more “styles” this summer to help protect it from the elements and save me a little time in the morning getting ready! Here are a few pics of a style I did last week, I thought it was really simple & nothing special but I got a lot of compliments on it. 
More pics below…

 
I parted off the top middle section of my hair and put it in medium sized twists. I pulled the rest back and put it into a super easy bun using one of these. I mixed aloe vera gel and JBCO to slick back my edges & BOOM! #done! lol

My Faves: Natural Oils

My Faves: Natural Oils

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In the land of a million products, aka my bathroom, sometimes I just like to take it back to nature and keep it simple. How do I do this you ask, by using natural oils on my hair, most of which you might already have in your kitchen. I’ve been using natural oils over the past few years to seal in moisture, strengthen, regrow, and generally transform my hair. Check out some of my faves.


Coconut Oil is a natural emollient great for locking in moisture to the hair strand. Coconut oil has also been shown to strengthen hair, as it is able to be absorbed into hair cuticle instead of remaining on the surface. Coconut oil is also soothes scalp irritation and prevents dandruff. Coconut oil can be found at most grocery stores in the “ethnic” food sections or your local Whole Foods store.

Olive Oil has very similar properties for the hair and scalp as coconut oil but is slightly thicker in consistency, great for coarser hair. EVOO also contains lots of antioxidants which can reduce hair loss.

Grapeseed Oil gives your hair great shine and reduces brittleness. Grapeseed oil is very light and non-greasy which makes it great for all hair types. As grapeseed oil contains vitamin E and linoleic acid it makes the hair
follicles stronger and healthy. This is why applying grapeseed oil to
hair is one of the best home remedies for hair growth. Grapeseed oil can also been used as a heat protectant to protect hair when heat styling.


Castor Oil is great for promoting hair growth. I prefer to use Jamaican Black Castor Oil (JBCO) as it is less refined and more nutrient rich but refined castor oil can also have the same effects on your hair. Apply castor oil regularly to bald or thinning areas caused by chemical and/or tension damage to help them to regrow. Castor oil can also be used to thicken the rest of your hair as well. Castor oil also has tons of healing properties for the scalp to prevent infection and irritations. Castor oil is also great for sealing the ends of hair to prevent frizz and split ends. Due to the thick syrupy texture of JBCO it is easier to mix it with a thinner oil such as coconut or olive oil to help disperse it through the scalp and hair strands.  

Argan Oil may be one of the more expensive oils on the list but it’s well worth the price. The essential fatty acids present will strengthen your hair proteins
resulting in stronger hair with fewer split ends. In addition, the rich
sources of vitamin E will repair hair damaged by destructive agents and
the non-greasy argan oil will add shine and moisture without the
horrible greasy feeling. Argan oil will also help to fight frizz and lock in moisture to the hair.


Tamanu Oil is another pretty expensive oil, it’s available in stores but I’ve found the best deals online. Although I use Tamanu oil primarily on my body as it has skin healing properties that help to repair skin and reduce scars and stretch marks. Due to the price I do not use Tamanu oil on my hair but it works great as a scalp product to heal and nourish the scalp especially nice for those with scalp conditions like seborrheic dermatitis and eczema.

Tea Tree Oil has strong anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties to cleanse and clarify the scalp. It can also soothe an itchy scalp and help rid you of dandruff and flakes. Tea Tree oil unclogs the pores of the scalp which can help to increase hair growth. Because tea tree oil can be so strong that it may burn I DO NOT recommend using it undiluted on the scalp. It is best used by adding a few drops to other oils, or your favorite conditioner.

I like to use all of these oils (mixed together or separately) for hot oil treatments, scalp massages, and by mixing them in with my conditioner before sitting under a heat cap for an amazing deep conditioning. I also love to use oils to help in the process of detangling my super curly hair before I wash. I also use oils on my wet hair before styling, or layered over a water
based moisturizer (hair lotions, leave in conditioners etc.). Remember that oil DOES NOT moisturize hair, that’s waters job, but it helps to hold water into the hairs cuticle (sealing) thus keeping hair moisturized longer.

All of these oils and more can be found out your local grocery/health food stores or here and here online.

My Hair: A Process

My Hair: A Process

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Just some pics from my hair styling process last weekend. 
 
 
Freshly washed no product…

Products I used in case you’re wondering…
Pre-Poo/Deep Condition: Aubrey Organics  GPB condish
Conditioner: Aussie Moist
Leave In: DIY mix of Fermodyl 619, aloe vera juice && condish

excuse my face lol… 
Blown out (to about 85-90% dry) using the Body Shop Grapeseed Serum
usually I would do a dry twist out from here && end up looking like this:
OO hey @cocobrownsugaba && @foxdale21!
BUT I was in desperate need of a real trimming so…

I got a flat iron and trim to take off those nasty ends by my co-blogger Taylon.

LOVED IT! She gave my like short but sexy Victoria’s Secret with all the curls && layers! lol. Excuse my grainy iphone picks it was late & I was too lazy to find a real camera. Too bad we never made it out the house that night tho. all dressed up with no where to go. smh.
How to Take Care of Your Beautiful Color-Treated Mane

How to Take Care of Your Beautiful Color-Treated Mane

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Hair coloring could be achieve in multiple methods performed by a colorist or professional cosmetologist. When you are receiving an hair coloring service you are allowing your natural hair to go through a chemical process. Color-treated hair should be handled with proper maintenance. Here goes a few of my recommendations to proper maintenance for color-treated hair.

 1. If you are using hair coloring products you should limit your straightening and perm products. I know that most women are concerned with using relaxers to straighten their mane but using multiple products could result in over-process hair. If you must continue to relax or perm your mane I consider that you wait at least 2 or 3 weeks before applying a color service to reduce breakage.

2. You would like to use a good conditioner. A moisturizing conditioner would allow the hair to gain moisture and soften.

 3. Avoid the sun as much as possible with a hat. Sun exposure can allow your mane to get dry, frizzy, and unmanageable.

 4. A wide tooth comb can decrease tangles and stress to the hair strands while wet.

5. Make sure to use shampoo formulated for color-treated hair. If you have to shampoo your hair everyday make sure to shampoo it only once. I know that you would hate to dry out your hair.

6. Try to use as little heating appliances like rollers, pressing combs, and curlers as possible. The less heat, the better to reduce frizz, split ends, and damaged hair.

 7. Trim your ends every five to six weeks to avoid split ends. There is no point waiting for your hair to grow out if your hair appears to have split ends. The split ends will continue to grow up the hair strand toward the hair root.

8. Use a deep conditioner or aromatherapy hair treatment once a month.