Thursday, December 16, 2010

Black Hair Care Products Dangerous?? Noooo really?? *sarcastic bbm face*

Hey Divas,

I've been working like a mad woman, but none the less I'm here!! I ran across an article about the dangers of Black hair products and I wasn't shocked at all. Please share this article with someone you love and show them how important it is for us to take back our health out of the hands of companies that are trying to kill us.

http://www.thegrio.com/health/black-hair-products-may-sacrifice-safety-for-style.php



Tuesday, December 7, 2010

REPOST--Winter Hair & Skin Care


Hey ladies it's about that time of year!!!

Fall, Winter, cold, wet, & dry everyday is a new weather adventure! I love the fall months because of the different colors and smell of the leaves in the air. I also like winter. I grew up in Michigan so I've had my fair share of snowy days sledding at the park or down the neighbors driveway!! I remember being little playing outside with my pink snow suit on & my hair hanging outside of my hat wet from the snow. Now a days I will not paying in the snow, instead I'll be dreading my drive to work! I wont be able to do the quick wash and go styles now I need a better thought out plan!

My Hair and Skin in the winter are like oil and water it's doesn't mix well. One of my biggest fears is dry skin & hair, so I'm constantly moisturizing my hands and hair. Here are a few tips to help you get through the winter months.

For your hair


Put a hat on your head!

I can hear my mother yelling this now! Protect your hair from the winds and snow. Line your hats with a satin liner or wear a satin bonnet underneath so you can prevent the your hair from getting snagged in the fabric and drying your hair out.


Time for the heavy oils and butters

It's time to put the castor oil and the shea butter to use to help seal the moisture in your hair from the cold air and blustery winds. Moisture will be a priority during this season, so be prepared. I hate the way castor oil feels on dry hair so I always apply it when my hair is damp it distributes easily to me. I use shea butter all year round it's a staple in my everyday routine.


Less washing please

I wet my hair everyday in the summer months and seal with oils or shea. This wont be the case so much in the winter. limit your hair washing to maybe once or twice a week now including co-washing if you do that. Wet hair takes longer to dry in cold air and plus you're setting yourself up to catch a cold! Wash your hair at night and make sure your hair is not dripping wet before going outside. If you're like me with a TWA well it's not as easy for us. Depending on the size of your afro you need to allow your hair some drying time. If your afro is big make sure you are putting your hair in protective ponytails or braids so you can easily comb your hair out in the morning and go.


Condition your hair

Make sure you're conditioning your hair after you wash, especially deep conditioning. If you haven't already invest in a good heating cap to help your hair take in all it can from the conditioner. I also include a hot oil treatment while I'm deep conditioning instead of doing them separate.


For your face

NO DRYING SOAPS ON THE FACE!! & Moisturize Please

If all possible don't use soap straight on your face. Soap is drying and so is the winter air, don't add insult to injury. Use gentle glycerin soaps, moisturizing bars or natural castile soaps. I use a gentle cleanser made from 8oz of distilled water 1/4 teaspoon of Dr. Bonners peppermint castile soap and I gently clean my face using my hands only. Never rub your face dry with a towel just pat it dry. Next I use a dab of shea butter to seal in the moisture and I know you're like why are you putting that on your face!! Well, when I put it on my hands after I rub it in I use whats left on my face and it doesn't cause me to breakout either. The added benefit of the shea butter is it make dark marks disappear so, bye bye blemish and hello moisturized face.


Stay hydrated & exfoliate
Keeping your body hydrated is important to making sure your skin stays soft from the inside out. Exfoliating is important for removing dead skin cells from your face. Use a gentle exfoliater like a finely ground sugar scrub or one with oatmeal in it. You only want to do this once every two weeks. If you exfoliate too much you will have dryer skin.


Well, thats all I have for today if you have any tips on how to protect your hair and skin from old man winter let a sistah know so I can share it with everybody!!


Nappturally Yours,



MoZaic

Saturday, November 6, 2010

My Computer's Dying

Hey Ladies its been a minute because my computer is dying on me :0( *tears* So, until I get my baby fixed I will post when I can!! I do have some stuff I need to post too I've found 1 of the greatest $10 finds ever AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH ok ok I'm good I'm so excited about it though!!

Until next time ladies!!

MoZaic

Monday, October 25, 2010

The making of buttered up #NaturalMixtress

Hey Divas,

I've been a whipped shea butter making fool. I'm fulfilling a large order for someone I have about 50 more jars to make!!! AAAAAHHHHH help me lol!! Here is a pictorial view of some of my process of making whipped butter
Is that Shea butter or is that...... lol Naw its Shea 100% pure

Melting my butter by double boiling

Yay the fun long my arm hurts after doing this part lol

Butter is starting to cool and become a cream

It almost looks like cake batter

Shea Butter fluffy goodness ready to be scented

Yay all mixed lets put it in the jars

The 1st 18 of the 90 million I have left to make lol
My whipped shea butter and other delightful creations will become available for purchase soon. I'm working Company Logo, business names, etc etc. Well, I'm going to bed now!!

Nappturally Yours,


MoZaic

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

My Face Cleaning Regimen

Hey Divas,

I had a request from #oneofmyfollowers and high school friend to post my face regimen so here it is!! I use a mixture of the oil cleansing method and what I usually do

Things you need:
  • Castor Oil
  • Olive Oil
  • Small bottle for the oil
  • 1 washcloth
  • Dudu Osun black soap or whatever you feel comfortable using


I deep clean my face at night before I go to bed. I try to do it every night or every other night; especially if I wore makeup that day.

The Oil Mixture:
Ok the oil cleansing method requires an oil mixture that you will use to clean your face. On the website http://www.theoilcleansingmethod.com/ it’s suggested that your mixture consist of Castor oil/Olive oil or Castor oil/Sun flower seed oil. I use the Castor oil/Olive oil mixture I have both oils on hand all the time so it’s just more convenient for me. Here are the recommended blends of oil for the different skin types from the website.

  • Oily Skin: Try a blend of 30% Castor Oil to 70% Sunflower Seed Oil.
  • Balanced Skin: Try a blend of 20% Castor Oil to 80% Sunflower Seed Oil.
  • Dry Skin: Try a blend of 10% Castor Oil to 90% Sunflower Seed Oil.


The Oil Cleansing Method:

I use this method about every other day and on days I wear makeup.

  1. You'll need a soft washcloth, your oil blend, and hot, running water.
  2. Pour about a quarter size of the oil mixture into your hand.
  3. Massage the oil into your face in circular motions. Massaging the oil on your face will remove makeup and dirt from your face. Plus works the oil in to help dissolve blackheads
  4. I usually massage the oil in for about 3-4 minutes
  5. After I have massaged the oil in I take my washcloth and soak it in water that is hot but not so hot its uncomfortable on your face, the goal is to steam your face.
  6. Take the towel and hold close over your face until it cools and then you can gently wipe the oil away. Rinse the towel out and repeat this step about 2-3 more times. 
  7. Oh yeah DON’T SCRUB YOUR FACE that is irritating to your face. 


Black Soap:
Ok yall I really hate bumps and blackheads so I’m constantly picking at my face (I know I know I’m such a bad girl) So, I have a few dark marks on my face from picking at the bumps. I use my Dudu Osun African Black Soap to cleanse my face on days I don’t use the entire oil method. 

This particular brand of black soap is made of plantains & shea butter; which makes black soap a blemish fighter. I hate dark marks so I use this to fade them away. This soap can be drying to the face so I pour a drop of castor oil in my hand and rub it on my face for moisture.

If I don’t have black soap I usually take a drop of Dr. Bronners castile soap to clean my face.

Well, ladies here it is my face regimen I hope this helps you like its helped me and pray I stop picking at my face lol

Monday, October 18, 2010

My Regimen




Hey Divas,

After being threaten by a large mob with a crime boss name @jdeloach5 on twitter I will post my regimen.

***Warning I will not use 60 million products in my hair everyday I am a Keep It Simple type of woman so if you’re looking for bells, whistles and fireworks you wont find it here***

My regimen is really a process that I’m continually evolving if you don’t like something change it and make it yours do what works for you.

My nightly ritual
Spray my hair with my spritzer I make. I use whatever I have available moisture in the spray bottle. For next 2 months my spray bottle will contain the following:
  • Aloe Juice
  • Rosemary EO
  • Navratna Oil
  • Tea Tree Oil
  • Lemongrass/Lavender Oil (for smell good)

**Tip: The spritzer is also used as a moisture replenisher if my hair gets dry during the day. Don’t soak your hair; just give it a mist all over.

I wear a fro a lot and this is what I do to get that blowout look with out the heat:
I spray my hair enough to dampen it and part my hair in to 4 sections
I then take about a nickel size dollop of Shea Moistures Curl Enhancing Smoothie on 1 of the 4 sections brush it with my denman brush** and put it in a pony tail. I do the same with the remain sections; because my hair is still kind of short I just put my satin bonnet on and go to sleep. If you have longer hair you can twist or braid your ends then put a bonnet on
Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie
 **Tip: Take out every other row of bristles from your denman brush it makes it easier to use and detangle hair.

My Morning Ritual
After I have gotten dressed I take my bonnet off, take down each section, take my wide tooth pick and pick my fro out. Your hair should still be moisturized but if my hair is dry in the morning I just put a dollop of the Shea Moistures Curl Enhancing Smoothie in my hand and work it in my fro.

My Weekly Regimen
Wash 2x a week with diluted peppermint castile soap or Dudu Osun black soap
Condition with Silk Elements Olive oil Moisturizing conditioner usually or what ever I’ve bought.
I add 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil or coconut oil to my conditioner leave it in for about 5 mins then rinse.
Dudu-Osun Black Soap

I deep condition only once a week with a moisturizing conditioner with the added oils and I do a protein treatment using Silk Elements Cholesterol Conditioner every 1 to 2 months. I use coconut oil a lot because of his protein content and by using it I haven’t had to do protein treatments often.

My current deep conditioner I mix it up ahead of time to prepare for the week. I use about 3oz of conditioner 3 tablespoons of Navratna oil and 2 tablespoons of coconut oil or olive oil mix it up and put it in a small 4oz jar I got from Wal-Mart they’re food containers and come in an 8pk.
Navratna Oil
Deep conditioner mixture
 I sit under an old school heating cap when I’m deep conditioning to help my hair get all the benefits


After I’ve washed and conditioned my hair I go on to my Nightly ritual above with out the spritzer because my hair is already wet.

Well, This is it lol I hope it can help someone out let me know what you think or if this is something that will work for you!!

Willow Smith - Whip My Hair Back and Forth (Official Video)

Hey Divas!!

I'm so loving this video by Willow Smith!! It is so cute!!! I love how Will & Jada allow her to express herself with her clothes and hair. This video fits her age group to the T and I don't believe her parents would let it be any other way. The hair was HOT, the clothes were the bomb and the music was jumpin!!

Congrats to you Miss Willow you have a long career ahead of you!!
Check out her official webpage and social networking sites

The 10 Spot: Items I bought for $10 or less

Hey Divas,

I bought some items this weekend and one of them is pretty unique!! Ok lets get started!!

Coconut oil both of these bottles came together and cost me 8.99 from my local Indian Grocery Store called Patel Brothers


This next item I also bought from Patel Brothers and its a hair oil called Navratna Oil. The oil was only 5.99 for 200ml or 7oz. It has 9 key ingredients that help stimulate growth in your hair. The ingredients are Sesame Oil, Alma oil, Rosemary Oil, menthol, camphor, thyme leaves, musk mallow, ylang ylang, & jequirity . I used it on saturday night by mixing it with my conditioner and deep conditioned my hair.

My next purchase was from Wal-Mart. I love conditioners so I bought so Suave Professionals to use as a deep conditioner. I paid 2.47 for this big bottle The ingredients are pretty much OK there are no parabens, mineral oil, or sulfates either.

I try to keep plastic shower caps in the house at all times I found a 30 pack at wal-mart for 1.67 or something around there they come in pretty handy. Never mind the open package I was about to condition my hair lol

I also bought a new satin bonnet for 2.00 the elastic in my old one had been stretched out so I got me a new one


Saturday, October 16, 2010

Natural Hair vs Relaxed Hair

Hey Divas,

Tthis is a video about my concern of bickering between people with natural hair and relaxed hair. Take a look at my couple of cents on this topic and leave a comment!!!


Tuesday, October 12, 2010

The Cleveland Natural Hair Expo Review




So, I attended the Cleveland Natural Hair Expo on this past Saturday and I really enjoyed myself. I want to send a very very extra special shout out to Napturalite Radio for the free tickets I won, I received the VIP treatment when I got there!!! The venue was a little hard to find but overall it was a very good event. There were lots of vendors of all types selling goods and services. The 1st booth I saw was #oneofmyfollowers @Sarenzobeads she makes wonderful hair ties and jewelry. The next booth I stopped at was a vendor named LaChae and they offered free makeovers! So, of course I can’t pass up a free make over and I got my face all done up!

There were a number of classes offered that dealt with healthy hair, wholistic living, herbal remedies, hair style demo’s and much more. I wish there would have been more natural hairstylist to demonstrate or showcase various Natural hair styles. I loved how they showcased other types of acts and talents from spoken word artist, rappers, liturgical dancers, musicians and there was a small fashion show.
One of the many showcased acts


The Mistress of Ceremonies & a vendor

I see a bright future for the Cleveland Natural Hair Expo and I can’t wait to see where they have it next year!! I believe it will continue to get bigger and better every year
Some beautiful ladies enjoying the expo

Monday, October 11, 2010

Cleveland Natural Hair Show Part Deux

Hey Divas!!,

Here are more of the pics I will be post more its a tedious job to edit & arrange each pic; plus I'm watching a 4 month old my little niece is visiting me!!

CLICK TO ENLARGE






The Cleveland Natural Hair Expo

Hey Divas,

MY COMPUTER IS BACK UP!!!!!! I almost had a stroke when I got back home and couldn't access the internet but I fixed it #Nerdygirl lol

 I went to the Cleveland Natural Hair Expo this past Saturday and I really enjoyed myself!! I got to meet and greet a lot of wonderful people. I ran into one of my twitter friends Sarenzo Beads she's so awesome!! I also got to see my friend E. Michele George the author of "The Knotty Truth" she has a wonderful book go buy it!!! Well, this will be a pictorial story of my visit at the expo and it will take 2 post so enjoy these pics and I'll post more later.

CLICK THE PICTURES TO ENLARGE







Sunday, October 10, 2010

Posting delay

Hey Divas,

I got home and my ethernet and sound card are not working. So, the pics from Cleveland Natural Hair Expo will be a lil delayed. :0( *tears* sorry for the once again.

Nappturally Yours,

MoZaic

Friday, October 8, 2010

Cleveland Natural Hair Show

Hey Natural Divas,

Last night I won tickets to the Cleveland Natural Hair show thanks to Nappturalite Radio

check out their webiste and join in on a show when you can also follow them on twitter @nappturalite

Im so uber excited right now!!! Im gonna take so so many pictures!! I hope to see some of you guys there!! 

Be sure to check out the Expo website 

YAY Shea Butter

Hey Divas,

I got my 10lbs block of shea butter finally!!!! So for today I will be a shea butter making fool!! LOL

Sunday, October 3, 2010

The 10 Spot: Items I bought for $10 or less


Hey Nappy, Kinky, Curly Divas,

I went on a trip to Whole Foods today I needed to re-up on my castile soap!! Thanks to the $20.00 jar of whipped Shea butter I sold this afternoon, I was able to go out of my budget just a lil bit lol!!

Whole Foods Organic Peppermint Castile Soap

Whole Foods now carry their own brand of castile soap! I bought the 16oz bottle the for $6.99 which is not too bad the size above it was about $3 bucks more which is about the equivalent of Dr. Bronners. The soap is kinda thick I can't wait to use it in the shower tonight!! It also has some cool ingredients like Organic Apple Juice, Coconut oil, Sunflower seed oil, JoJoba oil, water, Potassium Hydroxide, Guar Gum, Peppermint oil, and Aloe juice. 

Dr. Bronner's Almond Castile Soap
This soap is my all time favorite!! I love the relaxing smell of the Almond!! They have actually went down on their price for the Dr. Bronner's just a lil I bought this bottle for 5.99. For those who are new to such products this is a natural soap just like the one above its a more popular brand.

Whole Foods Bulk Flax Seeds

I bought this bag of Flax Seed to make some flaxseed gel when I do my twist out. I found a good recipe on YouTube that of course I will tweek a little bit, but I will be buying some potassium sorbate so it last longer and inhibits the growth of mold. The flax seed was on sale for $1.99/lbs and I bought 0.38lbs of flax so I paid  $0.76 cent

Well ladies thats all I bought today I need to go to the halal market and finish the rest of my shopping list I need a gallon of coconut oil and Olive oil

Nappturally Yours,



MoZaic