Naturally Obsessed

It’s just about safe to say that henna is the most popular method of naturally dyeing any type of hair. I researched and found that henna actually has the ability to only dye hair, or anything for that matter, red. So, do not be fooled. There are plenty of mixes out there that claim to be all natural henna and can dye hair blonde, brown, etc., BUT, they’re all lies. Pure, 100% henna can only dye hair red. Also, henna proves effective the more it is used; so, if you have dark hair, you probably won’t notice any drastic changes to your hair color until after a few uses. I was actually interested in henna, but I have black hair, so henna really wouldn’t be the best solution to my interest in changing my hair color. However, if you have hair of the lighter variety and are looking to spice up your color with some red, definitely try henna.

I mentioned in the original post on henna that using acidic liquids, such as lemon juice or apple cider vinegar would cause the henna to release quicker. It’s true. Mixing acidic liquids with henna will cause the dye to release quicker, however, it could also dry your hair out. BEWARE. If you have naturally dry hair and decide to use henna with an acid, be sure to deep condition regularly to combat the dryness AND keep your hair healthy. Also, I saw that some people said that henna has the ability to change the texture of your hair. However, it completely depends on the person and their curls.

Recipe to bring out Reddish Tint-

•Mix 1/2 cup organic Beet juice and 1/2 cup carrot juice. Massage into hair and let sit for one hour.
•Boil 1 cup Rosehips in 2 cups of water. Strain and massage into hair. Can be left in until next shampoo.
•Boil 3 Hibiscus tea bags down in 2 cups of water until you have 1 to 1/2 cup of liquid. Massage into hair. This can also be left in until your next shampoo.
•Boil down 1/3 cup crushed marigold flowers in 2 cups water. Strain and add 1 cup of red wine. Massage into hair and leave in for 30 minuets.

Rosehips & Cloves-
Make a strong tea of rosehips and cloves, (or use strong black coffee), and then apply to hair.

Beet & Carrot Juice-
1/2 cup of beet juice + 1/2 cup of carrot juice
Mix ingredients together and apply to damp hair. Sit in the sun for about an hour or so and then rinse.


Well, lemons help with dandruff. Just thought I’d start with that. However, lemons are known to dry hair SO, once again, deep condition regularly to combat the dryness. Here’s a few recipes that can be used to lighten your hair color. This will work for anyone with dark brown, light brown, blonde, or red hair. Followers with black hair, you can try, but it will ideally take longer.

•Mix 1 cup organic lemon juice and 3 cups Chamomile tea. Message into your hair and spend some time in the sun. Far faster results repeat a few times a week.
•Mix up mashed organic Rhubarb with 4oz organic pineapple juice. Let the mixture soak into your hair and spend some time in the sun.
•Mix 3/4 cup honey with 1 1/2 cups organic plain yogurt to damp hair. Massage hair and wrap head in saran wrap. Let sit for up to eight hours and rinse.
•Mix 4 tablespoons Cinnamon with 8oz yogurt. Message into hair and let it soak in for 30 minutes.

or

First you will need a simple lemon mixture. Mix one part warm water and 2 parts lemon juice together.
Pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Spray the mixture generously to the areas you want to lighten.
Expose your hair to natural sunlight for around an hour or two. Wash hair our and let dry.

Tea, Yogurt and Oil-

6 chamomile tea bags, 1/2 cup plain yogurt, lavender oil
Bring one cup of water to boil and steep tea bags for 15 minutes. Discard teabags. Combine yogurt and 7 drops of lavender oil with chamomile tea, mix thoroughly. Apply the mixture to dry hair, working through to ends. Cover head in plastic wrap and condition for thirty minutes. Rinse.


Place a large bowl in sink and rinse hair with cooled coffee/tea. Repeat several times, reusing the liquid. Leave final rinse in hair for at least 15 minutes. Rinse with clear water.


Indigo can be used to dye hair black or to dye already black hair a blue-black.
Well, if you aren’t a natural product junkie, you can always go to a trusted professional natural hair salon, or use a commercial dye. Just make sure to DEEP CONDITION to prevent dryness, and regularly get your ends trimmed to prevent breakage.

(Article via Nuts4Stuff.com) Pools and that awful chlorine can also rob your beautiful hair of its glory. If you're not careful, blondes can find themselves sporting that striking new shade of green. Did you know that just wetting your hair first with regular water not pool water before you jump in and swim can prevent that new shade? However, I found a wonderful homemade spray you can make in your kitchen to help in your battle from sun-baked summer hair. You will need a clean empty spray bottle to fill up with this brew.

Summer Hair Protector Recipe

•sunscreen
•water
•leave-in conditioner

Mix equal parts of all three of those ingredients into your empty clean spray bottle until filled.
Spray your hair every time you get it wet in the pool or give it a squirt through every so often if you're hat less and lingering in the sun for a long time. Be sure to comb the squirt of hair protector through with your hand to distribute it evenly. This will help keep that hair feeling softer and save it from damage!

(Image Source)

Rhassoul Clay and my hair are the best of friends, but due to laziness I skipped last months treatment. Let's just say my hair didn't like that lol! Yesterday I had some down time and decided to give my kinks some much needed pampering. I still use the exact same recipe which you can find>> HERE! What have you guys been pampering your hair with lately??

This letter was not a question and answer type of message, but I wanted to share it with you guys to hopefully encourage anyone going through the same thing. There some things you just can't find answers to by reading a blog, sometimes you must seek professional help. So, if your blessed to have healthcare and you recognize some of the same issues with your own hair, make an appointment asap. The sooner the better!

Tsahai writes -

Hello, just wanted to stop by and say thank you. I read your post about hair loss, seeing that I'm having that issue. Being a young black woman it's hard dealing with being natural on the whole when it's not accepted since it's not "in". But dealing with hair loss as well is hard, and I honestly never had the strength or guts to go to the dermatologist, I researched sites to see who would have info and no one did at least when it came to kinky hair. Reading your post and different things you can try inspired me to see a doctor. I did and was told I had early stages Alopecia, today was my first session of Cortizone (steroids) injection shots to my scalp it's just a small section of my hair but mainly in the middle. The shots I got was of mild dose, 25 shots to be exact, a little uncomfortable feeling. My doctor said more Black women are affected by it due to perm, weaves, braids, etc. I've always had long thick hair and I received my first perm at 9 because of that. She informed me that perm basically burns off your hair after a time. In the section where I'm affected it looks as though I never had hair there ever. I'm 25 now and my last perm was 2009, just made a year with my Big Chop. My treatment is once a month for 6 moths however if it takes 6 months to grow back the shots aren't working. Hopefully I see a change within 2 months. *Crosses fingers. Just wanted to say thank you for the encouragement, you and many other sisters out their really make a difference. Thank you. :-)

Your very welcomed, thanks for allowing me to share your story!!

Enjoli writes...

First, I enjoy your blog and Tumblr and follow you on Twitter. You are my hair crush so I’m reaching out for some help.
I just started wearing my hair naturally after years of using a flat iron. I wondered whether you had a regimen that you could suggest. I was trying to cull information from your site but didn’t see where there was one post where you broke down from shampoo to style. If a post like that does exist, please direct me to it. I’m just looking for some direction as I begin this journey.
Last night, I washed/conditioned my hair and used Aussie Moist as a leave-in for a braid out. This morning I had nice texture and curls but my hair is hard and stiff… It might have been the Taliah Wajiid gel I added at the very end. Do you have any suggestions? Also what do I do tonight? Re braid it. And what should I use to hopefully soften it up for tomorrow. I guess I’m reaching out because you seem to be very well-versed and while I realize my hair is different from yours, I am feeling lost as to where to even begin. Thanks for taking the time out to read.

Thanks for the blog love and compliments. I actually broke down my hair regimen HERE, so take a look at it and feel free to substitute my favorite products with your own. I think your first mistake was using the Aussie Moist conditioner as a leave in. Some rinse out conditioners just don't like to be left in lol! I've never used Taliah Wajiid gel before, but layering that with the conditioner is probably why your hair felt so stiff. Next time  rinse out the conditioner, apply a leave in or oil or moisturizer, and then apply the gel. If you don't have time to wash, then I suggest spritzing your hair with a moisturizing spray and re-braid. This should soften your hair and at the same time maintain the look you were going for.