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Wednesday, 2 January 2013

Happy New Year!!!!!!

I'm back!!!! After a long break away from my blog I've finally gor round to posting an update - but there's a good reason for my absence, and that reason is this:




I have spent most of 2012 developing and marketing my own range of natural, handmade hair products.  The range is called Naturally Simple Haircare and is the result of much trial, error and experimentation. My mission statement for the range is:

To provide a simple, natural hair care routine for natural afro hair.

Description


Naturally Simple, is a 3-step hair care routine based on one essential factor - MOISTURE. No matter how loose or kinky your natural hair is, moisture is the key to growing and maintaining healthy hair. The Simply Natural product range is based on the following 3 steps:

1 - Moisturise the scalp & stimulate growth
2 - Moisturise the hair itself
3 - Seal in the moisture

Using the Simply Natural 3-step routine, as well as drinking PLENTY of water, can help to manage and maintain natural hair with as little fuss as possible. We like to keep things simple!


I have had the opportunity to sell at a few events and I had such a good time! It was good to actually get out there and meet people and talk about the products.  I'm a strong believer in personal service so I think it's very important for my customers to get to know ME - the Mixtress behind the mixtures!





Yeah Live



Natural November



Natural November


The products have been/are selling really well and the response has been fantastic!  I am currently improving a couple of the recipes and waiting for my new labels to arrive so I can re-launch the product line.  I have big plans for Naturally Simple this year, so don't be surprised to see the products on shop shelves by the end of the year!


In other news - I am back loc'ing my hair again!  I've started with braids this time as my hair unravels too often with twists and coils. 



Braids done 2/10/12





My hair during & after a bentonite clay treatment




Waiting for the coils to loc





It's gonna take a while to get back to where they were, but with good maintenance and patience, I'll get there eventually.  Until then - ciao!



Thursday, 19 April 2012

Hair update & new product sneaky peek!

So I figured it was time for another lil update!  My hair is growing really well!  I can honestly say that it feels healthier than it has in years and I'm loving the fact that it has grown back a lot thicker too!  Here are a few length and texture shots:


Slicked down with EcoStyler Argan Oil Gel


The 'fro!





I am now able to style my hair in different ways (although not QUITE able to put in one yet), so I feel a lot more excited about deciding what to do with it.  I'm trying to wear protective styles like cornrows, twists etc... At the moment, I'm rocking the Frohawk (as you can see, my edges are back!!!):







I've been using my own product range on my hair.  This is a project I've been working on for the past year and I'm finally at the stage where I'm 100% happy with the ingredients, consistencies etc...Here is a quick preview of the range:




A full detailed post explaining the products and benefits will be up soon, so watch this space!








Wednesday, 1 February 2012

It's been 10 MONTHS!!!!! (time for an update methinks...)

Soooo.......yeah.... I know this update is LONG overdue, so you have my full permission to put me over your knee and spank me for it!  I do have to apologize for my tardiness in maintaining my blog, although I have been super-busy being a mother/student/makeup artist/cake decorator and general and Jack of all trades.  But I digress - onto the important stuff!

It's been 10 months since I shaved my head and I can honestly say it's the BEST decision I have made with regards to my hair (apart from leaving the creamy crackhouse).  I probably should have a little more growth than I currently do, but for some reason unbeknown to neither myself nor anyone else, I shaved my head AGAIN just before my birthday last July - actually, that's a big fat FAUX PAS!  I shaved it because I bought a boooootiful full lace wig to wear for my 30th and I wanted to make sure I had the perfect [bald] base on which to apply it.  So, um, yeah, that was the reason.

I've slacked a little lot with my vitamin regimen, but I have kept up with my oils and potions.  My hair really loves Jamaican Black Castor Oil, coconut oil and shea butter - those 3 things are my fail-safe products to use.  However, now I have a lil afro puff going on, I have found that my hair is considerably softer and thicker.  I was having my first, long-awaited 'bad hair day' a few weeks ago and I was away from home without my hair kit (madness, I know...) and the only thing I could get my hands on was Sof'n'Free Curl Activator Lotion.  Y'know what?  That stuff is the TRUTH for my hair!!!!!  It makes it so soft and easy to comb through and it washes out easily too.  I never thought of using a curl activator before, but it seems to be doing the trick for me.

Anyway, without further a do, here are some comparison/update pics which show how my hair has progressed from May 2011 until now:

Front

Left side

Right side   

And do you remember that annoying bald strip at the back right-hand side of my head?  Well...
Back  
I haven't measured the exact length of my hair, but I'm just happy to be able to do something with it again.  Most days I just rock an afro puff like this:





And here are a couple of texture shots for you (I honestly think the sulfur serum and JCBO has softened/loosened my hair texture slightly):




Anyway, until next time, catcha later!


Tuesday, 24 January 2012

I have been MIA...

Yes, I know it's been a hot minute since I last updated my blog - and to be honest, this post probably won't impress a lot of you because it's not even a hair update!  Anyhoo, I just thought I'd leave a lil note to say sorry for the slackness and I WILL be updating you on my progress as soon as I can get a spare minute to take photos and let you all know my progress (and believe me, there IS progress!!!)


Ciao for now!!!!

Saturday, 7 May 2011

Update - Week 9

So it's been 9 weeks since I shaved my head and I'm pleased to say "I HAVE HAIR!!!"



Gifs at Giftube.com


As I was beginning to sport a Lego-type hairstyle, I went to the barbers for the first time ever and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous.  There was one other guy waiting before me so I decided that I'd sit and watch that hair cut like a hawk.  Now, I have a husband and two sons, but it has never occurred to me to actually watch how a mans hair is cut, so you can imagine my complete horror to see the barber create a hair/no hair-type fade!  As my heart rate increased and I sat there trying to think of a way to get out of that barbershop before he made me look like a Kid 'n' Play wannabe,  I realized that that was not the final look.  Thank God!  So in the end, I came out with a rather dapper-looking fade & shape up which has actually grown out quite quickly.  Here we have it:



The fade



That stubborn patch at the back is starting to grow!



And the edges are coming along too!



Shape up from the front


I'm still getting used to the new look, but I'm sure it won't be long til I can flick my hair in the breeze!  

Until next time...

Thursday, 5 May 2011

How to make your own sulfur serum

Whilst researching natural hair remedies, one of the things that kept cropping up was sulfur.  I have to admit, before embarking on this hair journey, I had never really known much about sulfur and it's uses knew NOTHING about sulfur and it's uses.  One of the ladies I follow on twitter is an avid natural hair product advocate and when I found out that she made her own sulfur hair serum, of course, I had to know more!  So without further a do, I am pleased to introduce to you I Am London Diva as my first 'guest blogger', with her [very detailed] post on how to make your own sulfur serum.


How to make your own sulfur serum for faster & thicker hair growth
Sulfur based products are have become very popular as a growth aid over recent years with new hair care companies creating and selling their own sulfur based products to sell. Although the products do work, and I would love to continue supporting these businesses, I’ve realised that it’s far cheaper to buy my own ingredients and make my own homemade version. The quantities made will last a lot longer, therefore saving in product and shipping costs overtime and unlike other hair care products, this is one which can be replicated with ease.

When used on the scalp, sulfur is an active ingredient used to increase existing hair growth, helps in areas where hair loss may have occurred, and to treat scalp ailments when applied topically.

In my personal experience of using sulfur based products, I have experienced faster hair growth, a tighter and softer curl pattern and increased thickness with the new growth.

The best and only type of sulfur to use for topical use is ‘sublimed sulfur’ which is commonly known as ‘flowers of sulfur’ and is easily available to purchase on-line or in most herbal stores. This type of sulfur is not to be taken orally.

I would recommend eBay as a quick and easy source to obtain sublimed sulfur powder, where many sellers have this product listed. If you do a search on eBay try both spellings of ‘sulphur’ and ‘sulfur’ when doing your search.  If you have no luck finding any sulfur on eBay you can try a Google search for your country and purchase some at an on-line store if you have no herbal stores in your area that stock it.

What ingredients will I need to make my own sulfur serum?
The ingredients needed for this particular sulfur serum can be pretty varied depending on the individual, but you will at least need TWO very important ingredients even if you decide to leave out the rest;

  1. Sulfur powder 



  1. An oil of your choice

Extra Virgin Olive Oil


Coconut Oil



The oil you choose will serve as a carrier for the sulfur and will also moisturise your as sulfur is very drying to the hair itself. This serum is strictly for use on the scalp and not on the hair.

If you wish to use more than one oil in your serum, that is fine. In the example I’ll be giving on how to make your own I’m going to be using a mix of coconut oil and EVOO [extra virgin olive oil] that I picked up very cheaply from my supermarket.

Another optional ingredient is an essential oil of your choice. Some people with very sensitive noses do not like the aroma of the sulfur and wish to mask it. A few drops of your essential oil to your sulfur concoction can either be used as a ‘perfume’ or an addition to your growth aid, e.g. Rosemary Oil, which is said to have beneficial properties for healthy hair growth.

Rosemary Essential Oil


When it comes to essential oils, please be careful which ones you purchase. They are not to be used directly on the scalp and do need to be diluted. I purchased an organic essential oil of Mango and Kiwi in jojoba oil from a trusted homeopath on eBay. When it comes to essential oils please go for quality, over what could potentially be a cheap synthetic product.

Aside from the ingredients you’ll also need a plastic bottle to mix and keep your product in. You can either buy a new one or re-use an old. I use an old bottle as I don’t use the product from the bottle straight onto scalp [I will explain why further on].

How to Make Your Sulfur Serum
Take a teaspoon of sulfur powder and pour it in the bottle.
Coconut oil solidifies at cold temperatures, so you may want to use less of it in your coconut oil to olive oil ratio.
If your coconut oil is solid then you can warm it for a few second in the microwave, or sit the jar/bottle in some warm water.
Pour the desired amount of coconut oil into the bottle with the sulfur powder.
Put the lid back onto the bottle and shake the bottle mixing the sulfur powder and coconut oil.
Fill the remainder of the bottle up with EVOO, but leave some room in the bottle at the top. This is because you will need to shake the ingredients once again, and before every use.
Add a few drops of your selected essential oil to mask the fragrance of the sulfur if you choose to.
Shake the bottle a few times a day and leave the bottle for a couple of days before using for the first time.

How to Apply Your Sulfur Serum
From past experience I never apply the serum to my scalp using a bottle that contains a nozzle. No matter how small the hole it, you will experience unnecessary dripping on your face, neck and ears after applying it to the scalp.

Remove all jewellery before applying. 

If you wear an anklet and wash your hair in the shower remove the anklet as it will tarnish when washing the sulfur out of your hair.

Shake the bottle to mix up the sulfur powder and the oils.

Pour the amount of oil needed to use on your scalp into a small dish or container. Do not use a metal container.

Part the hair and apply the serum sparingly on the scalp. Do not vigorously rub it into the scalp. Sulfur is drying, so combined with friction it is not a good idea. This method reduces dripping onto the face, neck and ears.

As sulfur is a drying ingredient always moisturise your hair after applying Moisturise as close to the scalp as possible whether that be with a hair cream, lotion or spray. Apply your moisturiser to the entire length of the hair. No matter how careful you are in applying to your scalp, traces of sulfur will make contact with other parts of your hair.

How often you apply the serum to your scalp is entirely up to you. I have applied as frequently as daily to weekly. I did see faster results the more I applied on a daily basis.

After applying the serum, limit what you touch. I always have a damp cloth or towel around when using sulfur to wipe any excess away or clean my hands. Most metals you come into contact with sulfur will tarnish. I don’t even touch my metallic door handles directly after using it.

For example, if you scratch your scalp then touch your earrings, they will potentially tarnish. It is easier to remove the tarnish from sterling silver than yellow gold [which I’ve found to be practically impossible].

Since doing this method I have had no problems with a white gold ring I own, or my sterling silver earrings. Nothing has tarnished and I credit that to the way I apply it and making sure I wash my hands thoroughly before putting my jewellery back on.

Pros
·      Faster hair growth.
·      Curlier or a looser hair pattern depending on your hair type.
·      Thicker hair.

Cons
·      Tarnishes jewellery.
·      Some people may experience mild headaches, if new/not used to using sulfur before.
·      Creepy/crawling feeling on the scalp. Some people don’t like this feeling but this has been attributed to faster hair growth occurring, so for some it can be deemed either a pro or a con.
·      Smell of sulfur on your headscarf and pillow.
·      Sulfur will break the hair if applied to it. So only apply it to the scalp.



Copyright © Naomi Miller 2011 All Rights Reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced without written consent from the author.

Thank you so much London Diva for this very useful and informative post -  I've already ordered my sulfur!  Be sure to check out I Am London Diva's blog at http://www.iamlondondiva.com/

Wednesday, 20 April 2011

Nurturing my hair from the inside out Pt.2

In my last post, I introduced all the oils, pills & potions I am using to nurture my hair and encourage growth.  As I said before healthy hair starts from the inside, so in order to grow strong, healthy hair, we need to take a good look at what we're putting into our bodies.  Don't get me wrong - I'm not on a mission to grow hair all the way down to my backside (I've never been a great fan of length).  I'm more concerned with quality rather than quantity, so without further a do, here are the products I am using. PLEASE NOTE: These are what I find works best for ME and MY hair.  They are not necessarily suitable for everyone.  ALWAYS consult your own GP before taking any kind of medication or supplement.  In order to give the correct information, I will be using internet resources and citing my references:


OILS


Coconut Oil




Coconut oil is one of the best natural nutrition for hair. It helps in healthy growth of hair providing them a shiny complexion. Regular massage of the head with coconut oil ensures that your scalp is free of dandruff, lice, and lice eggs, even if your scalp is dry. Coconut oil is extensively used in the Indian sub-continent for hair care. It is an excellent conditioner and helps in the re-growth of damaged hair. It also provides the essential proteins required for nourishing damaged hair. It is therefore used as hair care oil and used in manufacturing various conditioners, and dandruff relief creams. Coconut oil is normally applied topically for hair care.  This is my personal favorite hair oil, as it is very light, doesn't weigh my hair down, and a little goes a long way.



Jamaican Black Castor Oil (JCBO)
Jamaican Black Castor Oil is made using roasted Castor beans prior to extraction, this creates a natural occurring activated charcoal.   This is the reason it is so dark in colour.  It is known to  cleanse toxins from the scalp, eliminate dry flakes, nourish and thicken the hair, stimulate hair growth, moisturize dry & damaged hair and protect both hair and scalp from infections which hamper hair growth.  The only downside to this product is due to the fact the beans are roasted, it does tend to leave your hair smelling like old cigarettes.  I only use it at night (much to my husbands distaste) that way I don't have to go out smelling like an old ashtray. 


 
Amla Brahmi Bhringaraj Hair Oil
Amla Hair oil is made with the best known oils & herbs recommended in Ayurveda, among them the king of all medicinal fruits – Amla.  Amla stimulates hair follicles promoting hair growth, prevents premature greying & dandruff. It is the best source of Vitamin C to strengthen & nourish hair roots thus preventing hair fall.  Amla Oil is one of the world's oldest natural hair conditioners making hair soft & glossy by improving texture and preventing split ends. As an Indian herb, amla oil has been used in since a very long time.
With its added ingredients of Henna, Brahmi, Neem and other special herbs your hair is strengthened and protected against dandruff, premature greying and damage caused by weather conditions and excessive blow drying.  According to Ayurveda Amla has cold potency, it prevents the scalp from over-heating, one of the main causes of hair fall & scalp infections.
Amla hair oil is fortified with the most potent herbs which stimulate hair growth & prevent hair loss including Brahmi & Bhringaraj.   Amla Oil enriches hair growth and pigmentation. It prevents premature greying of hair, dandruff, increases the strength of hair follicles and is preventing hair-fall.  Amla hair oil gives a natural shine and soft texture to the hair. It also helps to rejuvenate hair that is dull and damaged. It also prevents split hair ends.  The ingredients are:

· Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower Oil)
· Emblica Officinalis (Amla)
· Eclipta Alba (Bringaraj)
· Bacopa monniera (Brahmi)
· Nardostachys jatamansi (Jatamansi)
· Cyperus rotundus (Nagarmootha)
· Symplocos racemosa (Lodhra)
· Terminalia chebula (Haritaki)
· Terminalia belerica (Bahera)
· Azadirachta indica (Neem)
· Sesamum indicum (Sesame)
· Lawsonia inermis (Henna)
· Cinnamomum camphora (Camphor)
· Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Almond Oil)
· Tocopherol (Vitamin E)

I chose to try this ayurvedic oil as it is all natural and contains NO mineral oil.



SUPPLEMENTS


Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)


 Methylsulfonylmethane is a relatively new dietary supplement form of sulfur that is found in our living tissues. MSM supports healthy connective tissues like tendons, ligaments, and muscle, as well as skin, hair and nails.  Be careful with this one though - there are a few odd side effects.  I have experienced crazy - and I mean CRAZY - vivid dreams and when I first started taking MSM I also experienced headaches (although I managed to combat that by increasing my water intake).



Cod Liver Oil w/Evening Primrose Oil
 Norwegian cod liver oil has traditionally been one of the most popular natural sources of Vitamins A & D.  Cod liver oil also contains the Omega 3 Fatty Acids.



Biotin
 Biotin plays a role in carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism and assists in the release of energy from cells. It also helps to maintain healthy skin and hair, as well as supporting nervous system function.  Biotin is found in most skin, hair & nail supplements.



Vitamin B6
 Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) plays a role in protein and glycogen metabolism. Vitamin B6 is also involved in the formation of red blood cells, normal function of the nervous system and supports the regulation of certain hormones.  I use this because a lot of my hair loss was due to hormonal changes after I had my second baby.


Silicon Dioxide
 A biochemic remedy for for impure blood and for boils, brittle nails and lack-luster hair.  Prepared from safe, natural and non-habit forming ingredients.   I was introduced to this by a friend and I can honestly say that since taking it, I have had no brittle, splitting or breaking nails on my hands or feet.



Vitamin D
 AKA Sunlight!  We don't get enough of it here in the UK.  Vitamin D is necessary for absorption and utilization of calcium from food. It plays a role in the maintenance of normal bones and teeth, supports cell division and can be manufactured by the body on exposure to sunlight.
 


Flaxseed Oil
 Also known as Linseed Oil, another source of omega-3 fatty acids.

 


Sea Kelp
 Kelp is a rich source of the trace mineral iodine. Iodine is required for normal thyroid function and the production of thyroid hormones. Iodine has also been shown to support normal energy metabolism and can help in the maintenance of normal skin. 



Vitamin E Oil


This is just a great all-round beauty oil.  I use it on my hair and my skin.




Water

WATER WATER WATER WATER WATER WATER WATER WATER and more WATER!!!!!!!!!!

So there we have it.  As I said before, this is what works for ME.  Everybody's hair has different needs, so you just need to do your research and find out what works best for you.





References: