Naturally Obsessed

-Article via BeautyandGroomingTips.com

Cucumbers have a very high water content of around 96% and are excellent body rehydrators. It contains ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and caffeic acid, fiber, along with minerals like silica, potassium and magnesium. One should eat lots of it, especially in the summer. A widely cultivated vegetable in India, it has a cooling and refreshing effect on the body. This nature's cool customer is also a beauty enhancer.

Some of the many uses for the cucumber include: preventing pimples and blackheads, relieve puffy eyes, sore throats and weight loss. Here's a couple tips on how it can also be beneficial to your hair...

For hair growth: Drinking a mixture of cucumber juice and that of carrot regularly stimulates hair growth. The high content of silicon and sulphur in cucumber juice nourishes the hair, nails and skin.

To treat hair after swimming: Swimming in a pool with chlorinated water can cause much damage to your hair. Try this treatment to keep chlorine damage to a minimum. Blend together 1 egg, 3-4 tbsp of olive oil and 1 quarter peeled cucumber. Spread the mixture evenly through your hair, leave on for 10 minutes and then thoroughly rinse.

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!

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After seeing Anita Grant tweeting about how Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) can be for the hair, I decided to do my own research. I found that Fenugreek treats many ailments, like acne, coughing, asthma, dryness, increase sexual drive (!) and reduce hair loss and thinning.

According to EzLion.com, Fenugreek is a natural herb with extremely potent seeds, which have a medicinal effect to reduce balding, hair fall, and hair thinning. For hair fall and dandruff, the crushed or boiled seeds alone have been found to restore the hair shaft. The seeds contain hormone precursors that replenish hair growth. Additionally, fenugreek seeds are a good source of nicotinic acid and protein. Protein is highly important in rebuilding and strengthening the hair shaft. In fact, protein balanced diets are emphasized to reduce hair loss and stimulating hair growth. The amount of protein in fenugreek alone may explain its restorative ability on damaged or falling hair.

Doctors and herbalists have also indicated that fenugreek contains a large amount of lecithin, a natural emollient known to strengthen and moisturize hair. By being packed with such powerful nutrients, many natural herbalists, and even Western Asia beauticians, use fenugreek in hair care products to promote growth, luster, health, and shine.

You can purchase fenugreek seeds from your local herb store. To create a hair growth tonic, boil the fenugreek seeds and allow them to soak in extra virgin coconut oil overnight. In the morning, sift the seeds out and apply the coconut oil mixture to your scalp. Massage the oil into your hair and scalp for 5-10 minutes. Do this consistently for 3 months to see results.

Below you'll find a few do it yourself Fenugreek recipes....

•Take a half cup of dried fenugreek seeds in a bowl and add 2 cups of water. Allow them to soak overnight. In the morning, strain the seeds and place them in a blender. Add a little water and blend into a thick paste. Collect the paste into a bowl...your mask is now ready to use! Apply evenly to the scalp and hair, then wrap your hair in bun once completely covered. Leave it in for 30 minutes and shampoo. {source}

•For soft natural hair crush 15 grams of Fenugreek seeds, add honey and boiling hot water. Steep and strain. Use liquid as a spritz or final hair rinse. {source}

Product Description: Our Rhassoul Deep Condishes contains Unrefined Black Cocoa Butter & natural Soya based Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) which helps to guard scalp & hair from free radical damage. When hot liquid is added to our Rhassoul Deep Condishes, it swells & increases its surface area like a highly porous sponge. Attracting & trapping toxins into these open porous spaces so that when it comes time to rinse the Rhassoul Deep Condish from your hair the toxins are eliminated and you're left with detoxified fluffy soft tresses.


Ingredients: Rhassoul Clay powder (Hectorite/Moroccan Lava Clay), Organic Unrefined Cocoa Butter (Theobroma Cacao), Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Olea Europea), 100% Organic Green & Blacks Pure Cocoa Powder (Theobroma Cacao), Organic Unrefined Murumuru Butter (Astrocaryum Murumuru), MSM (Methyl sulfonyl methane), Organic Chilean Honey (Miel), 1000iu of Natural Soya Derived Vitamin E and LOVE!

Cost: For UK curlies - 3 cubes/$10.60(est) or 2lb block/$92.00(est) at www.AnitaGrant.com For US curlies - 3 cubes/$12.50 or 2lb block/$98.00 at www.Hairrogant.com

My Thoughts: Absolutely Luvvvvs It!! When Anita asked if I would try out her deep condish I played it off cool like "Sure...I would love to", but inside I was saying "Hell Yesss Hunni!" They arrived over the weekend and I couldn't wait to get it in my hair. Now you guys already know I'm a fan of Rhassoul Clay. I've used it several times and I like to use my own little mixture, but I really wanted to see if Anita's recipe worked better or just as good.

I began by placing the 3 cubes into a heat resistant bowl and adding 1 cup of boiling hot water. You can use water, coconut milk or flaxseed liquid for your mixture, but I chose water to make it a fair comparison to my rhassoul recipe. I then placed the bowl on top of the pot and allowed the heat to melt the cubes down quicker. After it was all melted, I noticed that I may have put in too much water. So to thicken the mixture I added a teeny tiny drop of Bee Mine's Deep Conditioner and it took on a yogurt like consistency, which I prefer. While the mixture cooled down I hopped in the shower and shampooed with Elucence Moisture Benefits Shampoo....it's an old favorite of my that I found stashed in my cabinet. Once out of the shower I divided my hair in to four sections and began applying the clay to my hair. At first I thought that it wouldn't be enough to cover all my hair, but in the end my hair was evenly saturated. I covered with a plastic bag and left it in for the rest of the day and overnight. This is what it looked like in the morning before rinsing it out....

Hello NaturallyObsessed readers!!

I know it has been a while but I am back with another “Food For Thought” that I think you all will love. Food of the week (drum roll please lol) COCONUT MILK! I know we have all heard of coconut milk being used in hair treatments whether it be a deep conditioner, pre-poo, or as a substitute for traditional
conditioners. Here, I plan to unveil the secrets behind this frequently used hair elixir and why it is so helpful in our health and beauty regimes.

During my research, I discovered the ingredients in coconut milk not only benefit our hair but give great support to our overall well being. According to www.Hubpages.com, coconut milk contains a unique blend of natural fats, protein, vitamins, and minerals that have the ability to strengthen and fortify cells, and this includes hair cells. Because coconut milk contains lauric acid, which is anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial and anti-fungal, it is also great for our immune systems (ehow.com). This information reinforces the fact that what and how we eat plays a major role in the health of our hair, skin, and nails. Hair is something we definitely have to address from the inside out.

There are so many great recipes on how to incorporate coconut milk into our hair regimes but, of course, I chose to include here only those that are curly girl friendly:)

•From www.MyWomenStuff.com I found this really simple technique for applying coconut milk to your hair:

-Lean your head over a sink

-Slowly poor a can of coconut milk (or more if necessary) over the length of your hair

-Let the excess milk run off

-Put a shower cap over your head

-Wrap your head in a towel for 15-30 min

-Shampoo, condition, and style as normal

•From www.ehow.com I found this coconut milk recipe that helps prevent hair loss:

-1 cup fresh coconut, grated

-1 cup water -1/4 cup coconut milk

-3 tsp. camphor lotion

-1 cup plain yogurt

-Amla oil

-1/4 tsp. powdered fenugreek

-1/8 tsp. black pepper

•My personal favorite:

-1 can of coconut milk

-2tsp honey

-1 ripe avocado

-3 tsp of melted coconut oil

After using these recipes, you should a notice more shine, strength, and less tangles in your coils. The protein and fats in coconut milk are what give us these wonderful results. Click here for a cool article on 100 uses of coconut. Who knew it could be used as a floor polisher?!

It is my sincere hope that you have found this information helpful. My ultimate goal here is to discover more organic ways to nurture our hair and skin and I think the use of natures gifts can be great for this. I am learning so much doing the research behind that brings these posts to life. Heartfelt thanks to KKQ and all of you.

See ya in the next post! HeartfeltHoney ♥

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Hello Naturally Obsessed!
Bananas are great for recovering your hair from exposure to harsh environmental factors such as pollution, dirt, and toxins. By using bananas in a hair mask, we can help maintain the natural elasticity of our hair strands which ultimately helps prevent split ends.
I have to say I was becoming increasingly impressed by the benefits of using bananas on hair and resolved to do a banana hair mask on my next wash day. As I continued my research, I also discovered that bananas are excellent for preventing dandruff and alleviating irritable scalp.
In an article written by Lori Polluck, I discovered that bananas can be used to heal psoriasis on both the scalp and body. By using the mixture mentioned here, psoriasis can be cured in as little as five days with daily use. Bananas also help control dandruff, flaking and dry scalp. Click here for more on the benefits of using bananas on the scalp.
Hair masks have been used for centuries to cure hair woes. The Taiwano Indians used heated extract of banana for regular softening scalp treatments. They are especially suitable for people with dry or dyed hair. Banana hair masks give hair shine, strength, calm irritated scalp, add volume, soften the hair shaft, and make hair more manageable.
As an added bonus bananas are great for digestion and acne. Feeling a little irregular? Try eating a banana. The vitamin c helps to settle upset stomach. Battling acne prone skin? Try rubbing a banana peal on the problem area. You will remove bacteria and should notice and reduction in redness. I hope you enjoyed reading this article as much as I enjoyed writing it. I felt so inspired that I decided to do my own banana hair mask. If your looking for an inexpensive conditioner treatment or for organic hair care recipes bananas are a good ingredient to start with. Until next time. I wish you all a peaceful and productive week. See ya in the next post!
But before you go, check out this cool recipe I spotted at EHow•Com.  And if your intersted, visit my YouTube channel to see my expierence with a banana hair mask...here's the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzUEHfKghkM....Enjoy :)
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After getting awesome results from using Kindra's Rhassoul Clay Bar, I was eager to try a mix of my own. I also wanted to see if my affair with Rhassoul was just a first time fluke. Could I get great with my own mix...Yes I can and did! My hair felt great and even shinier than the last time. I'm not sure if I mentioned this in the last post, but Rhassoul (compared to Cassia) is very easy to rinse out of the hair, which is great for those in a time crunch. I think I'm love! I have enough clay to do 2 more treatments and I'll keep you guys updated if I repurchase.

My Rhassoul Clay Recipe....

1 cup of Rhassoul Clay Powder

3/4 cups of hot water (add water slowly)

1 tsp of melted Brazil Nut Butter

2 tbs of Bee Mine Deep Conditioner

1 tbs of Coconut Oil

A YouTube commenter asks...

How does Rhassoul Clay compare to Bentonite Clay, which is better?

I have yet to try Bentonite Clay on my hair. I've used it several times on my face as a detox and loved it, but not the hair yet. There are tons of reviews out praising Bentonite Clay for giving them frizzz free, clean and defined hair. Sounds very promising and a lot like my results from Rhassoul Clay! If and when I try it, I will record a vid and take pics to give a thorough comparison.

New video of how I styled my hair after the braids dried...enjoy!

Its been a while since my last DIY Beauty post, but I stumbled upon this recipe and I just had to share.  At Women's Day.com, I found a frizz fighting recipe by curl expert Mahisha Dellinger.  If you don't know already Mahisha is the creator of CURLS organic hair care line and she has some gorgeous curls herself.  She uses this homemade recipe to keep her curls tamed and frizz free.

Ingredients:

1 can of pure coconut milk (hydrates, conditions and defrizzes hair)
1 ripe avocado (natural source of protein)
2 tablespoons of pure honey (conditions and adds sheen)
2 tablespoons of olive oil (moisture)

Directions:

Add all ingredients into a blender.  Mix at high speed until your concoction reaches a smoothie consistency.

• Section the hair into 4 parts
• Apply mixture evenly through your hair from root to tip, concentrating on your ends
• Smooth hair into a protective style (ponytail or bun)
• Leave mixture in hair for 15-30 minutes
• Rinse and enjoy your frizz free hair!

Substitutions:

• Feel free to substitute the olive oil with any natural oil that you prefer
• Add more oil for extra dry hair try one tablespoon
• Add more honey for hair that needs more sheen, try 2 tablespoons

 

Sounds hairlicious!!

I personally don't suffer from an itchy scalp, but apparently a lot Naturally Obsessed readers are struggling with this issue. I found an informative article, written by Amy O'Conner at FindArticles.com, that breaks down the causes of having a dry scalp and she offers some good solutions as well.  Here's a snippet of the article...

Dry Scalp, characterized by itching and sometimes, dry flakes (not dandruff-like clumps), can be caused by genetics or harsh shampoos; in the latter case, the damage can be offset by switching to a plant-based, pH-balanced product. Shampooing hair more than once a day also leads to problems. "People who exercise a lot need to cleanse more often, but they shouldn't shampoo more than once a day--just rinse," says Hamernik. And when you shower, turn down the water temperature. While hot water might be soothing, it can exacerbate a dry scalp problem. "Most of us use excessively hot water, which means you're no longer hydrating, you're dehydrating," she explains.

One of the best ways to treat dry scalp flakiness is with an essential oil, though oily scalps also can benefit. Lazo recommends massaging a few drops into the scalp for five minutes or longer before shampooing. Jojoba oil, which smells fresh and fruity and has a non greasy feel, is "the most effective for breaking up encrusted oil and pollution and helps to break up flakes so that they're easier to remove during shampooing," Hamernik says.

Tea tree oil, a natural antiseptic that combats bacteria and soothes irritated skin, has a strong disinfectant smell, so look for hair products that contain it if you don't want to apply it in its pure form. A good one for normal to dry hair is Desert Essence's Daily Replenishing Conditioner with tea tree oil and jojoba. To ease the itchiness often associated with dry scalp, apply cooling eucalyptus oil. Essential oil of sage moisturizes and soothes very dry hair and a scalp that's been damaged by over processing. To use either of these essential oils, just warm a few drops in your palm, massage them into your hair, wrap head with a warm towel for 10 minutes or longer and then shampoo. A dry, itchy scalp is a bigger problem in winter and may need extra conditioning and essential oil treatments when the air tends to be drier.

The full article adresses other scalp conditions as well, click here to view them.