Showing posts with label natural hair. Show all posts
Showing posts with label natural hair. Show all posts

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Out Like a Lion...

"Spring" is here, not that you would be able to tell especially when it just snowed last night/this morning.

Sigh, living in the Midwest. Anyway despite the bipolar weather I've managed to squeeze in some "spring" friendly attire over the past two weeks.

I wore my hair out this week. It was fun playing in it, but I"m back to protective styles.
























Sidenote: I've obviously been gone, but I'm definitely still alive just ultra busy. I'm not sure why I haven't posted most of these pictures, especially since I take them with enough time to upload. But I'll try and do better, I might revert back to my outfits of the week format.


Fem

Thursday, January 17, 2013

DIY Avovado Deep Conditoner

Hey ya'll

So I decided to share one of my DC mixes with you guys. It's super easy and really moisturizing.
I've been using this for about as long as I've been natural.

I started using "Curly Girl" friendly products early on, not realizing that that was what I was doing. I steered clear of harsh chemicals and things that I couldn't pronounce in my hair products. I began using food and natural oils and what not instead. This deep conditioner is no different. Aside from the Sauve conditioner the other ingredients are natural.

Recipe
1 ripe avocado
coconut oil (melted)
cheap conditioner (for the base)
Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque (Raw Shea Butter)

other
any other oils or thicker conditioners that you want to add


You DO NOT have to use the same ingredients that I did. If you prefer olive oil or castor oil, you can add those or both etc. And if you don't have those conditioners just add whatever cheap conditioner you have around or a go to moisturizing one (like Tresemme Naturals).

Another thing is measurements are at your own discretion. I wanted the benefits of the avocado to outweigh the other ingredients so I added them accordingly.You do not need to do the same if that is not your intention.

Here is my tutorial. Enjoy.



Hope this helps.

Let me know if you try it out.

Found this video after I had issues saving mine. Very informative!

Deep Conditioning ~ What is it (What you need to know)

 



~Addicted Fembot

Monday, December 24, 2012

Sunday Blues

This is the outfit I wore to church yesterday. I love the richness of the blue and the studded detail on the collar. pair it with my platform leopard pumps and caramel dress pants.

My hair is a 7 day old twist out that was sprayed with water and sealed with coconut oil. Very little twist out definition left, but I love the volume and shape.

This is a new lipstick I picked up from Ulta Saturday, #477 Black Cherry by Revlon. I also picked up some metallic liquid liners by NYX. I'm currently wearing a blue one in Extreme Blue.


















Merry Christmas Eve

-AF


Saturday, December 15, 2012

Natural Hair and Thinning Edges

Got Edges? Also known as the Noami Campbell syndrome, well hopefully not as severe. A lot of naturals, and women of color in general, combat thinning edges, often as a result of hair habits (perms, too tight weaves and braids etc). It can be very limiting and damaging to our self image.




Keeping good health and eating well will help improved your hair health, good in, good out. There are many things that you can apply to the hair itself, but it's what's on the inside that counts. Eating foods rich in protein will provide structure and strength (the main component of hair is the protein keratin).

Exercise also stimulates blood flow. If you eat the right foods, the nutrient-rich blood will nourish each hair follicle, promoting healthy hair growth. Deficiencies of vitamins and minerals result in duller hair. (See list of vitamins/minerals below)

Thinning edges are caused by slow growth, scalp infection or an excessive amount of tension/stress applied to a specific area over a long period of time. To help the hair grow back, the hair follicles need to be rejuvenated and stimulated to improve blood circulation and promote more hair growth. I've noticed that products containing anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties, help combat dandruff and bacteria on the scalp. The removal of dandruff/bacteria unclogs the hair follicles allowing the scalp to breathe resulting in faster hair growth since nothing is inhibiting the growth.

I've compiled a list of potential remedies to this problem

- Rosemary Oil - Needs to be mixed with a carrier oil (too potent otherwise). Known to increase blood flow, therefore, promoting hair growth.

- Peppermint Oil - Needs to be mixed with a carrier oil (too potent otherwise). Gives a cooling effect/tingle to the scalp, and removes dandruff. Purifies the scalp. Known to increase blood flow, therefore, promoting hair growth.

- Castor Oil - Cleanses toxins & impurities from the scalp, nourishes and thickens the hair. Stimulates hair growth while moisturizing dry brittle hair.
- Coconut Oil - Promotes hair growth by revitalizing and exfoliating dead skin tissue from the scalp. Great in removing dandruff so that the scalp/hair follicles can breath and the hair can grow at a faster rate.

- Aloe Vera Gel/Juice - Includes an enzyme that is beneficial in stimulating new hair reproduction.

- Vitamin E - Antioxidant that enhances scalp circulation. Helps to increase and improve circulation of your scalp, promoting the growth of healthy hair

- Miconazole Nitrate - Found in Yeast Infection Creams & Neosporin. Has antifungal properties. If applied to the scalp, it will remove dandruff/bacteria off of the scalp thus promoting hair growth (caution: can cause headaches).

- Sulfur 8 - Provides a tingling sensation to the scalp. Helps remove dandruff off the scalp. Sulfur does three important functions in our body. It brings about hair growth, strong nails and smooth skin.
- Mega-Tek - It stimulates and promotes RAPID hair regrowth without the use of silicone, synthetic polymers, oils or petroleum based products. Many ladies have seen great results with this product.


Promote hair growth
Protein: fish, eggs, cheese
Iron: whole grain, dark leafty vegetables
B Vitamins: eggs, meat
Essential Fatty Acids: walnuts, soy
Vitamin E: nuts, seeds
Sulfur: meats, legumes, vegetables

Growth Aids
(apply directly to the hair or scalp)
Cinnamon extract (Essential oil must be mixed with a carrier oil. Too potent alone, may cause irritation)
Grape seed oil
Castor oil
Vatika oil
Avocado oil
Henna
Amla oil

Stunt hair growth
Coffee
Sugar
Fat



Check out the comments section here for other peoples experiences and ideas




Hope this helps

~Addicted Fembot

Friday, December 14, 2012

Top 5 AHOLICS [11]

Instagram
Jeffrey Campbell shoes
American Apparel disco pants
Curly fros
Manicured/Sculpted eyebrows

It's been a while since I posted a top 5 aholics. But there's my list. I had to do some very strategic downsizing ("eeney meeney miney mo") to settle on just 5.

In no particular order the aforementioned items have been things that I've been addicted to. I'd be hard pressed to say that I've gone a day without thinking about/using one of them at least once.

Instagram: I joined many moons ago but never really used it. But early this school year I started posting semi-daily outfit of the day pictures. I've since stopped in favor of posting it to my blog. But I do still use the app as a way to see other peoples fashion, food and randomness. LOVE it. If you have an Instagram account leave ur user name below and I'll follow you. Mine is @f3mb0t. (Same on Twitter) We're social creatures and Instagram is just another medium for us to stay connected.


Jeffrey Campbell shoes: If you don't know this designer you may just live under a rock, and I mean that in the nicest way possible. I love his shoes. LOVE LOVE! As in I'd be willing to give up cupcakes for one TWO months for another pair and I LOVE cupcakes! His shoes are ultra comfortable and absolutely fabulous. They can really spice up an outfit. Check here for my recent haul.


American Apparel disco pants: I bought my first pair last year around the same time I bought my first pair of Litas (Campbells). It was love at first sight. I put them on and basically never took them off. Like my Lita's I took any and every opportunity to wear them out. they are AMAZING and a great investment piece. Heavier than leggings and way more fashionable they were a great addition to my collection of bottom. I've since bought a red pair and will be getting navy soon. Here are some outfits I styled with them here, here and here.


Curly Fros: Since ending my 4 month Hide Your Hair Challenge I've been loving wearing my hair curly. Obviously being natural myself I'm biased towards this look because it's so easily achieved, but aside from that it's really cute and chic look. My favorite method is a flat twist out with the ends bantu knoted. Here's a tutorial on how to achieve the look. I recently did this to my hair as well, here.

Last year



Twist and Curl


TWA



Manicured eyebrows: I don't wax my eyebrows anymore and rarely pluck them so this method helps keep them looking crisp. I don't wear (eye) makeup on a daily basis because I'm in school and just don't have that kind of time. But I've found that just by having nice looking eyebrows my whole face looks put together. It really makes a difference. If you don't do anything do your eyebrows, and it doesn't mean you have to fill them in or line them with concealer. Just brushing them or gelling them down is enough effort.

Simple brows


Perfect Eyebrow Tutorial



Honorable Mentions and Repeat Offender
Law and Order SVU
YouTube
Mint (Financial site/app)



What are some of your latest addictions? How do you feel about mine? I definitely recommend them.

-Addicted Fembot

   

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Natural Hair: Flat twist out

Yesterday instead of studying for my test, and while watching Law and Order SVU I felt inspired to do my hair. Nothing too complicated just a simple flat twist out.

My hair had been in a low bun for a day after co-washing it so it was dry and stretched (using the bun method, tutorial here). I sprayed my hair lightly with water, then used some of Shea Moisture's Curl Enhancing Smoothing and finally coconut oil to seal in the moisture.

I parted my hair randomly with my fingers and flat twisted the sections. There was no real method or special techniques used, as you can see from the before pictures my sections are kinda horrible lol. I detangled my ends with a modified Denman brush and wrapped them up with flexi rods.

The next day I just unraveled the twists, doing minimal separation and picked my roots out with an afro pick.



Before





After













My ends got kind of frizzy because I didn't properly detangle the ends and I was also in a rush that morning to get to my exam. Priorities.

I love the over all look though.

To preserve the style for day two I retwisted my hair in a couple of chunky twist.



~AF

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

OOTD: Real OG

Best Hump day of the year!!!
Today was the LAST day of classes (for the semseter) WOOOT. I'm so relieved, it's been a great semester and year but I'm glad to be done. Two finals and then I'm FREE. Free to study for the DAT anyway.

Anyway, I decided to keep things really relaxed. I had an exam this morning and plan on being in the library for the rest of the day so I wanted to be comfortable.

I wore a thrifted old grampa (OG) sweater and leggings. My hair is a flat twistout I did last night (post soon).

Enjoy






Excited!



~AF