Hair Care: Six Months Later

Hello there Saints! I pray all is well with everyone this day. So sorry for the silence. We had a death in our family right before Thanksgiving so my family and I have been away. To God be the glory. The Lord is still in control. I will be posting details of the death of my nephew Ernest Hoskins, Jr. at a later date.  There are still pending events right now but none the less justice will prevail in the name of Jesus! :o)

So, in May of this year I took the plung and cut my grazing shoulder length hair to ear length. It was a tough decision but a much needed decision. My hair was a mess at the start of my journey in August 2011. My hair broke off so bad in the hair line/edges and various spots in my crown. The right side had broke off the worse. That side broke from

Jamaican Black Castor Oil

Hello Saints! When I started my healthy hair care journey I was not too knowlegable about oils for the hair.  In fact the only oil I knew about growing up was grease.  The only grease I really remember seeing used in my house was Blue Magic or Royal Crown Hair Dressing.  Now after a year of being on a hair care journey, I have almost become an oil junky! There are some oils I have still yet to test out but there is no rush there since I am pretty content with the oils I am currently using in my hair care. One  being Jamaican Black Castor Oil.  I knew about castor oil but have NEVER heard of black castor oil.  Honestly what I did know about castor oil was it was used as a laxative and to help induce labor (I do not know if it works for labor though).  I did not know that it could be used for the hair. Now that I am continuously researching on how to properly care for my hair as well as my family's hair as a whole, I started to see castor oil and black castor oil appear.

 

I started using JBCO almost a year ago when I needed some assistance with growing my edges back in when pretty much my whole hair line broke. My edges suffered the most. I came across Hairlicious and read about how JBCO can help with thickening and promoting growth of the hair. There after I began to Google and Bing about all the benefits of JBCO and where I can purchase some.  Here are a few benefits or using JBCO:

Deep Conditioning Treatment

Hello Saints! Well, it is Friday! Today I am going to do my deep condtioning treatment. I have faithfully been doing deep conditioing treatments once a week. Even when I do not feel like it, I get it done. There are somethings that I do not want to slack in and one of them is being diligent about my hair care. :o)

Last week I ran out of my Beautiful Textures Deep Moisture deep conditioner so I needed to restock. This was a great opportunity to try something different. This time I picked up Elasta QP DRP-11 deep conditioner. I had used it before a few years ago when I was relaxing my hair. They have changed the ingredients since so I am giving it another try on my now texlaxed hair.

Texlaxed

Hello Saints! After a 7 month stretch I texlaxed my hair Friday October 5th. It was the 2nd time this year doing a texlax. I was quite suprised that I was able to stretch as long as I did. I use to faithfully get a touch up every 8 weeks when I would completely relax my hair. Me, go without a chemical service for 7 months? WHAT??!! That was the past and now I am looking forward to the future.

Dominican Hair Product: Crece Pelo Natual Leave-In

Hello Saints! I pray all is well with everyone this day. We had a wonderful weekend. The weather was great so the family and I went to Busch Gardens for the day. We had a wonderful time in the Lord!

 

Well for a while now I had a curiousity about Dominican hair care products. I had my first dominican blow out a few months ago and my curiosity peaked. I wanted to know how is it that women can get this high heat technique once weekly and even sometime twice weekly without seeing damage. We all know that high heat can be harmful to the hair. So of course I started to Google and Bing research about the heat protectants that are used when salon blow outs are done. Primarily I researched domican blow out treatments and products.

My Favorite Moisturizer: S-Curl No Drip!

When I first started my healthy hair care journey in August 2011 I was trying out various oils, conditioners, shampoos and moisturizers. I went through a LOT of trial error my first year especially with finding a good moisturizer.

I have 4a/b-ish hair which anyone with this type of hair texture knows that it runs dry quite often. I live in Florida so our Summers are pretty humid which is great for my hair type but the Florida winters are on the dry side too. Since I started my hair journey at the end of Summer going into Fall I needed to get on the ball to get a good daily moisturizer.

Say A Little Prayer

I do apologize for my abscents. As I  had mentioned in my last post my Summer had been quite full. Well now the kids are all back in school. We're on week 2 of school. We have Labor Day coming up this weekend. I'm looking forward to some chilln' and grilln'!

Gotta Get Caught Up!

Hello Saints! I'm still out here in blogger land. The last past month has been full for me. I'm not complaining though. It keeps me young. These last few weks my family and I were planning and preparing for our church's 5th Anniversay program which was last Saturday. I still can hardly believe 5 years has already passed. God is still breaking yokes and opening doors for our church. Our ministry is actually in it's final phase of our newly God appointed name change. Our new name is The Change In Me Ministry. I'll be posting our new church website information soon so please be on the look out. There's a whole slew of things that are still in process. In due time I'll get back on schedule in posting my prayers, Product of the Month and my hair update. I have not laxed on the hair. My hair is doing awesome actually. Anywho, I love you all and know that I keep you all lifted in my prayers. Please remember to let me know if anyone needs prayer. And remember to stay near the cross. You never know who you might meet there. Be blessed! :o)

Ayurvedic Friday: Henna Treatment

Hello Saints! I did my second Jamila henna treatment today! However... I did not leave it overnite since I wanted more conditioning then color. I also used coconut milk instead of tea or water.

Side Note: The quanity of henna mix I made is according to the current length of my hair which is ear lenth. As my hair grows the amounts of my ingredients used will increase based on my length

Here are my ingredients:

• 2tbsp Jamila henna
• coconut milk
• 1tbsp Wild Growth oil mix (I had added other oils to it a while back)
• 1tsp Navratna Oil Lite (more for the scent then the benefits)
• 2tsp honey
• 2tsp Maka powder

After mixing, I covered the mix and let it sit for about 3 hours then applied to my dry prepoo'd hair. I covered my hair with a plastic cap and left it in for 4 hours then cowashed it out using Jason Aloe Vera 84% Conditioner. There after I did a moisturizing deep conditioning treatment using Beautiful Textures Rapid Repair Deep Conditioner with heat for 30 minutes. Cowashed that out as well using Herbal Essences Hello Hydration conditioner (you know I had to put moisture back in). After all said and done...drum roll.... IT WAS THE BEST TREATMENT EVER!!. I actually still did get some color but still yet my hair feels sooooo amazingly soft and strong. I love it! I'm going to do this again next Friday (my designanted Ayurvedic treatment day)!

Ear Length = HIGH MAINTENANCE!

So this Sunday will be a month since I cut my grazing shoulder length hair to ear length. Let me tell you, this is a high mantenance length for me! I am doing all I can to keep from using heat on my hair. My first week I was a mess. I was in tears trying to figure out what to do with my hair. I work out 5+ days a week so I cowash my hair every other day. It is a must since I sweat like rain drops. It has been almost 4 months since I texlaxed my hair, so that is an added trial to the situation (yes, it's a situation to me). What did I do? I did the best thing I know to do....I PRAYED! 

Say A Little Prayer

Dear Father God, thank you so much for bringing us safely and soundly through the month of May. Dear Lord, as we go into the month of June, please continue to order our steps and use us according to your will you have for each of our lives. We are willing vessels to be used by you Lord. Please forgive us of our sins. Please forgive us if we have said, done or thought anything that was not pleasing unto to you, Lord. Renew a right spirit within in us Lord! Please renew our hearts and minds. Let everything we do this day and every day be pleasing unto you Lord. We thank you for your Son Jesus Christ for giving His life on the cross so we too can be with you and the Son in the Kingdom. We thank you Lord for all you have done, been doing, going to do and have planned a head for each of our lives. Have your way in our lives. Please send your ministering angels of love, peace, joy and happiness into our presence. No weapon formed against us shall prosper! We bind the enemy in Jesus' might name. We thank you Lord. We love you Lord. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

I pray all is well with you all. As always, stay near the cross. You never know who you might meet there. Be blessed! :o)

First Henna Treatment

Hello Saints! Sunday night I had applied my very first ayurvedic hair treatment called 'Henna'. This treatment is one of many ayurvedic conditioning treatments that helps strengthen and improve overall health of the hair from roots to ends. Henna also helps premature greying and promotes growth of the hair. It is an all natural way to permenantly color treat the hair including the grey ones without chemicals. That is one of the other reasons I had applied the henna treatment outside of conditioning. I made my mix Saturday evening since it takes 12-24 hours for the dye to release. I applied the henna to my dry pre-oil conditioned hair Sunday evening prior to go going to bed and left it in overnite to let it do its conditioning and color creation. I used 3.5oz of Jamila henna, 1.5 cups of brewed green tea which I had added honey and lemon then mixed in some various oils. I rinsed it out Monday morning with water and conditioner only. No shampoo. There after I did do a moisturizing deep conditioning treatment with heat which is a must since henna can be drying to the hair.

New Hair Cut!

Hello Saints! Yes I took the plung and cut my hair. It is now ear length. It was just grazing my shoulders when I cut it this pass Thursday. Although it's supper cute, it is really taking some getting use to for me. Having short, 3 months post relaxed, 4a/b-ish type hair is really high matenance for me. None the less I keep having to tell myself it will grow back which it will. It will grow back now nice and even too. I pray I will NEVER have to cut my hair to this length again. (tearing up) It was not a set back by any means but a rather huge step forward is the ultimate care for my hair.

Day 21: 21 Day Hair Fast

Hello Saints! Well I did! I made it through a complete 21 days of zero hair heat styling appliances and styling gels or products. That's the first time I ever did some thing like this. I loved every bit of it. I feel my hair has gotten stronger. My newgrowth wasn't so difficult to amanage giving that I'm three (3) months post texlax. The hair fast gave my hair a nice break from all heat, the additives and various ingredients that are not always beneficial to our hair. You know how they can cause build up or strip the hair. I'm thankful I now have incorporated more hair products with natural ingredients so now I do not have too many concerns about the products that I put in my hair. Well now on to the next!

Day 14: 21 Day Hair Fast

Hello Saints! I pray all is well with everyone this day. I meant to make a post to wish all the mother's a happy Mother's Day but I was too busy taking advantage of this one of kind holiday just for us mothers.

Well, it has been 14 consecutive days since I have not used shampoo, hot tools and styling products. I have to say that I actually do not miss them. It did cross my mind to use gel to lay down my baby hair in the front then I remembered I am on a hair fast. That was about it and I was not bothered by it in the least. I'm going strong though! I have done the GHE (green house effect) every day faithfully. I did a dusting of my ends on Tuesday of last week. My ends are a true mess. I fried them prior to starting my hair fast because I neglected to check the temperature on my flat iron. It is all good though because I have decided to cut my hair.

Say A Little Prayer

Hello Saints. I pray all is well with everyone this day. Now let us pray...

Dear heavenly Father, thank you for bringing us safely and soundly to the month of May without danger nor harm. Lord please continue to bless us with your saving grace as we go throughout this month. Order our steps this day and every day dear Lord. Shower us with your blessings. Annoint us with your love. Dear Lord, forgive us of our sins this day. Please forgive us if we have said, done or thought anything that was not pleasing unto you. Let all things that we do be pleasing unto you. Renew a right spirit winthin each of us this day Lord. Renew our heart. Renew our mind please Lord. No weapon formed against us shall prosper in the mighty name of Jesus! We thank you Father God for our Savior Jesus Christ for sacrificing himself so that we too can be with You and the Son in the Kingdom of heaven. Thank you Jesus for having each of us on your heart on that rugget cross. We bind every hendering sprit. We rebuke the devower. Have your way this day and every day in our lives. We thank you Lord. We love you and bless your holy name for you are worthy to be praised. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen!

As always, stay near the cross. You never know who you may meet there. Be blessed Saints! :o)

 

One Lovely Blog Award! For Me??? YES!

Hello Saints! I'm trying this again. Somehow I managed to delete this post yesterday. Anywho, I am proud and truly blessed that Sis Dany of onlymeDany awarded me with the 'One Lovely Blog' award. I actually swelled up in tears (I know I'm a sap *smile*). I met Sis Dany on the social network for hair Hairlista and she is  truly a woman of God and a prayer warrior. I know if I ever need prayer I can count on her to back me up. So a big shout to Sis Dany. Thank you pretty lady!!

Day 7: 21 Day Hair Fast

Hello Saints! Well it has been 1 week since I started my hair fast. I have faithfully not used any hair appliances nor styling products. It has just been various oils, water, my aloe vera mix (which has all pure/natural ingredients) and shea butter. I have not used shampoo of any kind. I have either rinsed my hair with water only or used my organic conditioner by Alba. I did the GHE (green house effect) every day from serval hours to overnite. All is going well and my hair is feeling tremendously moist and strong. I am not having any issue with shedding that concerns me nor breakage. I have 2 weeks to go! I will be doing a heavy protein treatment using Aphogee 2 Step once I complete my hair fast a few days before putting my relaxer in (I actually texlax though). Over the weekend I co-washed and wore my drawstring ponytail when I was out and about.

Day 3: 21 Day Hair Fast

Hello Saints! I'm at day 3 of my hair fast and I'm feeling pretty good. I know it has only been three days but I have been tempted to do a little something to my hair but I'm determined to make it through. Prayer is truly helping me. Although, to some my exemptions I have set for my hair fast is easy breezy to them. Although, I do not use heat on my hair daily and sometimes not even weekly but I have that option to do so if I please (with moderation of course *smile*). Now setting a hair fast and not use ANY hair tools?? Not even to do a cool air dry?? Yes I do need Jesus to give me strength (LOL). I have confidence in myself that I will make it through 21 full days of mainly water, oils and a plastic cap for my hair routine!

21 Day Hair Fast

Yes Saints for 21 days I will be on a hair fast. I know you may be thinking 'What's a hair fast?'. For the next few weeks I vow not to use any hair appliances (ie blow drier, flat iron, ect.) or styling products (ie gel, foam wrap, ect.). I will not even use the cool setting on the blow drier during the 21 days. Just complete air dry. The only thing that will be going on my hair is 100% all natural products, butters and oils. I will keep my hair in the green house effect *(GHE) also for the majority of the days and through the nights. I will let my hair air out throughout the day so it will not get a sour smell from the GHE. On days that I excercise I will rinse my hair with water only or with my all natural conditioner. When I have to go some place I will wear either my half wig or drawstring ponytail. No shampoo will be needed during this hair fast since I will not have any concerns of product build up. I will end my hair fast a day or so after I'm planning to relax my hair.

Birthday No. 6!

Hello Saints! Today is my little girl's 6th birthday today! I'm a proud proud mom. She is my little diva with a diva attitude to match but she's still my princess. I thank the Lord every day for her and my other children. God has truly blessed my husband and I with wonderful children.

For Miss C's birthday hair I gave her two-strand twists. Since her ends do not curl (I caused heat damage unknowingly a few months back) I used flexi rods to create cute spirals. It came out beautifully! I love it. I have various problem areas I'm working out with Miss C's hair but none the less her hair is beautiful Lord willing it will always remain natural. I pray when she gets of age that she will not want to chemically treat her hair in any way. I will keep hope alive. (LOL)

I pray all is well with everyone this day. Be blessed! :o)

Dandruff: What's It About?

Hello Saints! Many of us have been or are still going through a battle with dandruff. Prior to starting my health hair care journey, I suffered with dandruff horribly! My scalp would have patches of flakes not only within my hair but also along the hairline. It was so bad that my scalp literally burned. I needed to make a change. I had tried various dandruff shampoos, products and treatments but no matter what it always returned. So, I got online and began to search what other alternatives I could find to treat and/or cure my dandruff issue.

Say A Little Prayer

This is the day that the Lord has made! I will rejoice for He has truly made me glad!! Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for keeping each of us in your safe keeping as you have brought us from the month of March into April without danger nor harm. Lord, as we go into this new month, we ask that you will continue to be with us. Please continue to keep us in your safe keeping. Order our steps and please let all that we do continue to be pleasing unto you. We thank you Lord for your love and grace. Thank you for granting us traveling mercy as we go to and from our destinations. Use us Lord according to the will you have for us in your life. Please bless our family and loved ones both near and far. Please let your light shine within us for all to see and

Recommendation: Prepoo Treatment

Hello  Saints! Have you ever did a pre-shampoo (prepoo) prior to washing your hair? If you have GREAT! If not I highly recommend it. It really helps add additional moisture, softness and sheen to your hair. It also will helps turn around damaged hair and put moisture back into dry brittle hair.

Coastal Scents: GO Palette - Cairo

Hello Saints! I had purchased some great items on Amazon.com last month. One of the items I ordered was the Coastal Scents GO Palette - Cairo. I really like  the deep neutral colors in this palette! I finally had a chance to use it and all though they're about the size of a dime, they offer great pigment. A little will go a long way.

Upon applying, the colors were soft and smooth. Some of the colors are matte and the others have shimmer. I am a work in progress with applying multiple colors and blending eyeshadow. For an amature such as myself, this palette blended very well. I applied 4 of the 12 colors from the palette. My base color was not from this palette though. I have to say I really enjoyed using this pallet. I do plan on purchasing another GO Palette soon.

Say A Little Prayer

Dear heavenly Father, thank you for watching over us and bringing us safely to see a brand new month. We thank you for all you continue to do for each of us each and every day. We know none of these days have been promised to us but you brought us here anyway. Thank you for watching over my family. Thank you for pouring out a blessing that we do not not have room enough to receive it. You are so worthy to be praised dear Lord this day and every day. Thank you for being the head of my life and my family. Thank you most of all for you being YOU. Thank you for loving me even when I do not feel worthy. Thank you for saving grace. We love you Lord. We magnify your name! Father God as we go forward into the month of March, please continue to order our steps and keep us in your safe keeping at all times. Please bless us with traveling mercy as we go to and from our destinations. Have your way in our lifes Lord. In Jesus' mighty name we pray. Amen!

Awesome Amazon Finds!

My wonderful husband was blessed unknowingly with a $50 gift card to Amazon.com. In turn he blesses ME with it. He is so sweet. Anywho, prior to me receiving the gift card, I was already looking around on the site trying to get the best value for Jamaican Black Castor Oil. I have been able to get it locally here in Tampa Bay but I would pay $10 for a 4oz bottle. As I looked online I could pay the same amount but get an 8oz bottle. You do the math. Granted then there would be shipping/handling costs too. So, turns out Amazon does offer free shipping on various items when you purchase $25 worth of products. After I plugged in the gift card I loaded my shopping cart with Sunny Isle JBCO, The 17 Day Diet and Coastal Scents GO Palette-Cairo.  I recieved free-shipping on 3 items and I still have money left on the gift card for future purchases.

It's Valentine's Day!

Say A Little Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank you for keeping us through yet another month, safely and soundly. Dear Lord as we go through the month of February, please continue to keep us in your saving grace. Please bless us with traveling mercy as we go to and from our destinations Lord. Forgive us of our sins. Forgive us dear Lord if we have thought, said or walked in a way that was not please unto you. Please let everything we do be pleasing unto you dear Lord. Let us open our hearts and mind to look to you dear Lord for guidence and understanding over our situations. Renew a right spirit within us Lord. Let our talk be Your talk. Let our walk be Your walk. Renew a right spirit within us. We ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen.

Be Mine: Fabulous and All Natural



www.beemineproducts.com

I am absolutely loving this natural hair care line! I had first read about it on Hairlicious.com and thought about giving it a try. I finally placed my first order in December 2011 and selected trial sizes of the Strawberry Kiwi Serum (growth aid), Juicy Moisturizing Daily Spritz and Deja's Hair Milk-Sweet Peach. After trying all three products I was sold. I was trying my best to stretch those 2oz bottles as far as I could. The first two I applied was the daily spritz and the hair milk. I would moisturize first with the hair milk, spritz and then seal with oil. I applied the serum to my scalp only on my wash day or I would mix a few drops in my deep conditioner. I loved how each of them left my hair feeling and smelling. I was so pleased with my purchase I sent a personal thank you to the company. To my suprise I recieved a reply from the founder Tracey Q. thanking me in return.

Are People Just Tolerating the Lord?

Hello Saints! I post that question based on what my pastor shared with us at our bible study last night. He had a dream that he was in his home having a get together with many friends and family. He served food to everyone, thereafter he said one of the guests told him that they did not like him. They pretty much just tolerated him to get what they wanted out of him. So, he proceeded in his dream asking all the guests if they felt that way and they all agreed. Our pastor from there shared that this is how some Christians does the Lord and honestly I feel the same way. There are those of us that love the Lord with all our heart and soul. Then there's others that seek Him only when they need something. If some christians felt some other being could supply their needs like the Lord, I would think they would not call on Him at all. It's unfortunate but it's true. God's chosen men and women pastors and leaders of the church are sometimes treated the same way. They are treated at times by members as if they do not have feelings or that they owe them something. The church will support a member on many occasions but the one time the church says no, then the member may call it church hurt. Forgetting about all the other times that the church was there to support them including the pastor. Do not get me wrong, I am not saying all christians and members of the body are doing this. I say this because I hear and see it more and more often these day. Did you know the church is one of the most sued organizations today?

Natural Heat Protectants

Hello Saints!

Below you will find a list of natural oils both refined and unrefined smoking points. The spoke points is the highest tempurature as to when the oil will start to break down and began smoking or burning. The oils in this list are great for use when we use heat on our hair or in the kitchen. On our hair they're in protecting our strands from heat damage. Although, some of the temptures are rather high before beginning to smoke, I would not recommend using excesively high heat on your hair. I personally use grapeseed oil and it truly does protect my strands as well as leave an awesome shine. I plan on using avocado oil too in the very near future. Please feel free to leave questions and comments. Be blessed all!

Say A Little Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day. Please keep us in your safe keeping at all times. Renew our heart, mind and spirit. We are a willing vessel to be used by you Father God. No matter what we may endure, we can make it with you Lord by our side. There is nothing to hard for you Lord. Whatever we are going thru Lord we know you will bring us thru it and you Lord will receive all the praise. Let our talk be your talk. Let our thoughts be your thoughts. May everything we do this day and every day be pleasing unto you dear Lord. Please forgive us of our sins dear Lord. We pray in your son Jesus, name. Amen.

Sulfate, Protein & Silicone-Free Products- UPDATES 2014

****New Updates! July 2014****

Hello Saints! Here is a list of shampoos, conditioners and styling products that has ingredients free of sulfate, protein and/or silicone. I have not tried all of the listed products so please read the ingreidents to be sure they are free of sulfate, protein and/or silicone. Also, reasearch for reviews to any product that you are interested in purchasing. If there are any products that has a form of sulfate, silicone and/or protein please let me know and I will make the changes. If there is any product that needs to be added to the list please let know and I will update accordlingly. If you have any questiongs, please, by all means, let me know. Be blessed! :o)

Happy New Year Saints!

It is a new year. A new beginning to start a year fresh. I chose to bring all my blessings I gathered in 2011 to 2012. After all those blessings played a part in bringing me to this new year. I am ready to recieve my new blessings that awaits for me this new year. I have already been blessed in 2012 by being here. I'm healthy. My family is healthy and our ministry is thriving. Our God is still an awesome God! I pray all is well with you all. Have a wonderful and blessed New Year Saints! :o)