Rollersetting and Baby Banana Food Deep Conditioner

I have been loving banana baby food for my hair lately. It has been a favorite among many of my readers as well. When the lovely Miss Esspi (check out her blog here) asked if I would get fabulous results with rollersets I wondered and decided to give it a try. I had been using this deep conditioner bi weekly for the past couple of weeks and decided to try it out with rollersets recently.

 

So I did my usual, I used the same ingredients I did on my last banana baby food DC post, but this time I added a little castor oil (about a tablespoon). I used my rosewater/ aloe vera juice mix as a leave in and these were the results……..

I have to say I LOVEEE this Deep Conditioner. I used to be a silicon mix freak, but since giving up silicones and many other commercial hair products I have not been rollersetting much, up until now.

So this was my hair hot off the rollers. Very shiny and soft hair. I was very impressed with how well my hair turned out. This deep conditioner put many of my beloved commercial DC to SHAME……

So I combed through the rollerset curls…..

and wrapped my hair in what many call a “Dubbie Wrap”. This helps with the waves at the roots and also gives my hair the straight look without having to use a flat iron.

After a couple of hours I let my hair out. I went out for the evening and wrapped my hair again that night.

The following day and that week I kept my hair in protective styles for the most part.

This is what I have been working with. I still can’t get over how healthy my hair is. I had amazing shine and not to mention softness for days. I have been roller setting more often, of course using this DC as my holy grail and love it.

So once again Baby Banana food has saved my pockets and has left me with amazing hair too. No matter if air drying or with heat styles this Deep Conditioner definitely has come through for my hair, all the while strengthening and moisturizing my hair at the same time. So there goes, not much to say other than this will be my staple DC for months to come.

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Inspired Nail of These Days…..Plus a Journal

I’m not a nail polish kind of girl mostly because the smell of nail polish lingers for way too long driving my sinuses insane.

So I usually just leave my nails bare with clear polish. But I have been getting bored with the same old same old, so I decided to trim my nails a bit and give them some color. While going through my many favorite beauty blogs I came across Glam doll Lumi’s Nail art of the week. Here it is:



Via glam doll Lumi



 She is so talented, My gosh! I instantly fell in love with the design and had to recreate it.

So I went out and got the nude polish which is gorgeous by itself. It’s wet n wild’s Private Viewing. This is my inspired nail…..

I gave my self a trim and a mini manicure….

and this is how they came out. I was complimented all week on my nails and just love how simple it came out. For the cheetah print I just did semi circles and filled it in with the gold.. Very easy. Thanks Lumi you are fabulous!

For those who know me, know that I just loveeeee journals, notebooks, anything with a blank piece of paper really. While shopping for polishes I came across this amazing journal for 3 bucks.

I love to write and needed something to keep my recipes in so this turned out great.

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Homemade Facials: Strawberry and Honey + A Banana and Molasses Facial

A few years back when I first got into homemade beauty and skin care my first ever facial was a strawberry and honey facial. It was my go to for face masks and it always left my skin feeling ultra soft and clear. Now that strawberries are in season I decided to revisit my favorite face mask. It’s been a while since I have done a strawberry/honey facial so I decided last weekend to give myself a treat.

Strawberries are not only delicious when in season, but it’s very beneficial for those with oily skin thanks to it’s natural astringent qualities. Strawberries also contains Salicylic Acid (one of the AHA’s/BHA mentioned here) which naturally exfoliates the skin of dead skin cells leaving you with soft and glowing skin.

Strawberries and Your Skin

Combats excess oil

Helps ligthen skin

Helps clear acne

Tightens pores

although not skin related…..Strawberries also helps whiten teeth naturally.

Honey of course is a natural moisturizer and a natural antiseptic keeping pimples and blemishes at bay. Which is why I like to use this facial when I have pimples. So now that they are in season put them strawberries to use.

I also discovered a new snack, honey dipped strawberries, ultra satisfying for my hard to manage sweet tooth……..

Banana, Honey and Blackstrap Molasses facial

So I had a half eaten Banana lying around the other day which I saved for a facial. I love Banana facials because it gives my skin this amazing glow and ultra soft feel.

So I took it out of the peel and it was perfect for a facial.

You can just add the honey for it’s rich moisturizing benefits…..

But I decided to add Molasses too.

Molasses contains Glycolic Acid which is also a natural AHA. It naturally exfoliates your skin allowing for new healthier skin cells to take over.

I just mixed the honey, molasses and banana together and left it in for about 15 mins. I rinsed and was left with soft glowing skin.

I tend to do one or the other facial once or twice a week, especially before a big night out since it tends to make my makeup look 10 times better. You can easily try these facials as well as add a wide variety of ingredients, like yogurt, milk,essential oils or whatever your skin may need.

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Burning Incense: Dragon’s Blood

Recently while stocking up on incense I got the usual (Frank, Myrrh, Sandalwood) but this time I wanted to try something else and decided to try Dragon’s Blood. I’ve heard of dragon’s blood incense before but never really got around to getting it, this time I picked up a small sample pack of resins for about 3 bucks.

Dragon’s blood resins has been known to be used for a variety of uses such as medicinal and spiritual. The resin, comes from a variety of the plant species known as Daemonorops draco, and many others known throughout Africa, Europe and other parts of the world. Dragon’s Blood is known to heal wounds, treat intestinal disorders as well as an ideal dye for a variety of things from wool to varnishes.

Dragon’s Blood spiritual aspects are associated with protection. It is a very potent incense to burn to help overcome all types of negativity. While clearing my house be it for an intended purpose or when I feel like my house needs a little positive and productive energy boost, I typically reach for Frank and Myrrh. I find that they help balance the energy around the house, helping maintain a calm and peaceful environment. Dragon’s blood can also be very useful for this purpose as well, especially if you find the energy around you to be stagnant, chaotic, confusing or just plain draining.

Dragon’s Blood incense can be a very potent incense to have as I have come to learn. Ruled by the fiery planet of mars associated with fire and war, dragon’s blood can be a very beneficial incense to burn for protection from all types of low and non productive energy.

 

Dragon’s blood scent reminds me of camphor which has this very sterile almost medicinal scent to it. It’s really not the ideal incense to burn just for the scent, which is why it’s typically used for cleansing rituals. It is said that dragon’s blood helps enhance vibrations which is why I typically mix it with sandalwood. Sandalwood is mostly to purify whereas Dragon’s blood is meant to repel and banish.

Since it’s just me and my boyfriend in my home and I seldom have much people over, I don’t really need to do a house clearing very often. Usually once or twice a month helps maintain that positive balance we strive for on a daily basis. On the other hand many of my family members maintain a very active household where sometimes the energy can be a bit chaotic. This past weekend I was petitioned by my cousin to do a little house clearing for her since she got word from my sister on how well it went for her the last time I did a house clearing at her house.

I immediately put dragon’s blood to work along with frank and myrrh for a triple dose of protective energy. I then followed the mix with sandalwood which helps balance Dragon’s blood rather sterile scent. Sandalwood’s sweet scent helps purify while creating a pleasing and soothing aroma.

While burning dragon’s blood you can’t help but be mesmerized by the rich red color the resin burns into. So if you are a bit curious about incense and their ability to help shift energy around you, don’t be afraid to grab some dragon’s blood incense and see how well it can work for you.

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Natural Hair Notes: Blackstrap Molasses Hair Treatment



Dec 2010 before trim



 

I finally got my hair trimmed this past Feb after about a year and 2 months since my last trim. I don’t know what took me so long but I finally got it over with. I did not have a lot of bad ends but enough to have made a difference in my hair. Since trimming I find that my hair is much bouncier and thicker, so I will make sure to trim at least once every 6 months or so.

I’ve been a bad girl as far as the salon visits and all the heat I have been exposing my hair to. I have gotten a little too flat iron happy lately so I have been deep conditioning and protective styling for the most part of February.

I decided to do another Black Strap Molasses treatment since I was due for a protein/strengthening treatment last weekend. I tend to use eggs and mayo but decided to try molasses again since it did such a nice job the first time around. I decided to use it as a pre-shampoo treatment like I did the first time. I did not mix it with anything. I used the molasses alone with a little bit of water since molasses can be super sticky and difficult to distribute throughout the hair if not diluted with water.

Molasses used as a hair treatment, helps soften and strengthen the hair especially if you notice a bit of shedding all the while providing shine to the hair.

I simply parted my hair in four sections and made sure I coated every strand.

This is what it looked liked with blackstrap. It made it look like I had a hair dye in my hair. I left it in my hair for about an hour rinsed and followed with an avocado hair treatment.

Please make sure you wear clothing you don’t need since it can get a little messy.

I followed up The Black Strap Molasses treatment with an avocado Deep Conditioner I made. I simply added honey and castor oil and left it in for 2 hours.

These were the reults soft, shiny and strong curly hair.

I used my rosewater and Aloe Juice mist as a leave in and once my hair dried, I used Bee Mine’s Balancing Cream, Sealed with castor oil (switced to castor from grapeseed) did a long braid in my hair and that was it.

 

 

I have been basically keeping my regimen simple. I try to do a homemade treatment every week or so. I’m also loving how soft my hair is when I use aloe and rosewater as a leave in. I will use Blackstrap in my other hair treatments since it helps keep my hair strong, shiny and soft.

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Revisiting Dry Brushing + My Current Skin Care Regimen for Soft Glowing Skin by Spring

My poor little loofah…….. Soon as the cold weather came around I have basically abandoned it. Which has really been a shame considering how dried out my skin has been this winter. But now that the warm weather is approaching it will make a much welcome come back into my skin care regimen (along with my body scrubs and new found love for body butters).

Everyone is familiar with the bath loofah, however like I mentioned in my last post not all loofahs are created equal. I won’t get into too much detail in this post but you can check out the post here where I elaborated a bit on it.

I use my loofah while in the shower but every now and then I like to dry brush. Dry brushing not only exfoliates your skin leaving it soft and supple, but it can also benefit your health in many ways.

The Many Benefits of Dry Brushing

Tightens Skin

Stimulates Circulation

Helps with Cellulite

Strengthens Immune System by stimulating The Lymphatic System

Aids the body with Detoxification

Benefits the Nervous System

Promotes Skin cell renewal essential for soft and healthy skin

You don’t necessarily need this type of loofah to dry brush, so long as you find something with natural bristles. I’ve seen exfoliating gloves and brushes at my local drugstore and natural health store so look around and see what you find. It’s recommended to dry brush in the morning since dry brushing tends to stimulate you, but I have found that it helps in the evenings as well. So it can be a great way to get your day started feeling invigorated and refreshed.

For more info on dry brushing check these sources out:

Jash Botanicals

Natural Health Techniques

Healing Lifestyles

So right after dry brushing I jump in the shower and grab my homemade body scrub I make every couple of weeks. As you all know Vanilla Oil and I have an amazing affair and I still can’t get enough of it, using it in everything.

What I Used

1 cup of Brown Sugar: Contains Glycolic acid which gently exfoliates and dissolves dead skin

1 tablespoon of Coconut Oil: Contains antimicrobial and anti oxidant properties also softens and moisturizes the skin

1/2 Tsp of Sweet Almond Oil: Moisturizes, soothes and softens dry skin

1/2 Tsp Grape seed Oil: Antioxidant, Antinflammatory, Astringent and antiseptic (ideal for oily acne prone skin) Tones and tightens skin

1/2 Tsp Vanilla Essential Oil: used for scent which helps relax

1/2 Tsp Vitamin E Oil: Antioxidant and used as preservative

In my empty container I added the brown Sugar Followed by Coconut oil

Then I added the rest of the oils about 1/2 tsp of each

I just mixed it all together and started scrubbing away……

For an even more ultra amazing silky feel I followed up with my home made body butter. This time around I whipped it which left me with a very nice texture.

This batch came out a lot better and I got the consistency and texture I was looking for after about 20 minutes of non stop whipping, by hand! It was worth it though because I just loveeee how soft and smooth my skin feels. Definitely posting my tutorial soon.

So basically that’s my routine now, Dry brushing, exfoliating and experimenting with body butters, soft glistening skin just in time for summer!

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