Search Results: Ashley Glenn
Hair can face many types of stress that affect the overall health of our hair. One of those stresses can be the type of water we expose to. Some curlies are moving to different areas that have a different type of water that their hair, skin, and body are not accustomed to. Some curlies have or currently deal with having hard water, which can cause residue and exposure to rust and minerals. Hard water can cause the hair to be dull, dry, and damaged. Now that we’re in the summer months, people enjoy being outdoors. Constant sun exposure can lead to dry hair and change your hair color to a few hues lighter. If you enjoy swimming in a pool, you have to consider the effects of chlorine. Constant exposure to chlorine without proper hair care can cause breakage and an irritable scalp. It can also cause your hair to turn a greenish color.
There are different solutions to help improve these issues. Some have tried a variety of deep conditioners, rocking hats, and wearing swim caps to limit exposure of environmental impurities. Is there another way that you can try to improve these environmental impurities? There may be an answer for you that can help improve the look and health of your hair.
The Malibu Treatment
The Malibu treatment removes environmental impurities from hair, which improves the, look, feel, and overall health of the hair. The treatment can also brighten and improve the color of the hair. How does this treatment work? The Malibu Hair Treatment contains vitamins that assist with extracting impurities from the hair. The relatively inexpensive hair treatment is available at hair salons and can also be purchased at Walgreens to complete at home. It is recommended for a hairstylist to perform this treatment, however, if you decide to treat your hair at home, make sure to follow the directions on the package.
The process is easy to do:
- Shampoo and rinse your hair
- Pour the desired Malibu treatment into your palm and rub your hands together while adding water to the product. The mixture should be a paste-like consistency.
- Apply it throughout your hair and leave the product on for the amount of time stated on the product package
- Rinse and shampoo your hair again
- Apply your favorite conditioner afterwards
DIY Treatment
If you’re not interested in purchasing the Malibu hair treatment, you can try some DIY treatments for the same result.
- Mix instant lemonade together with conditioner.
- Apply the paste-like mixture throughout the hair.
- Rinse the treatment and follow up with a deep conditioner.
This DIY treatment is more affordable, easily accessible, and smells like yummy lemons.
Have you tried the Malibu Hair Treatment? How was your experience?
We need to change our curly regimens when the seasons change. Now that it’s summer, a lot of curlies prefer more lightweight products for their hair due to the hot and humid weather. Here are the Top 20 Shea Butter- Free Products.
Top 20 Shea Butter-Free Products
Karen’s Body Beautiful Sweet Ambrosia Leave-in Conditioner
This leave-in conditioner contains jojoba oil, avocado oil, and coconut oil. This leave-in conditioner moisturizes hair and helps with detangling. You can also choose from a variety of scents available.
CURLS Cashmere Curls Leave-in Conditioner
Cashmere Curls repairs curls and moisturizes at the same time! Your curls will be shiny, soft, and healthy while using this organic product.
Camille Rose Curl Love Moisture Milk
Love Moisture Milk is moisturizing and light weight. This product contains a variety of oils to provide the hair with moisture and sheen.
MyHoneyChild Coconut Hair Milk
This hair milk includes ingredients such as coconut butter, raw honey, and coconut milk. MyHoneyChild Coconut Hair Milk reduces frizz and moisturizes the hair.
Milk + Honey Curl Delight Mist
Spray this mist onto the hair whenever it’s in need of moisture. The avocado oil, castor oil, and coconut oil in this product will give your hair the moisture it needs.
CURLS Curl Milkshake
Curls Milkshake contains aloe vera milk, coconut milk, and sweet almond milk. This is a great light leave-in conditioner that protects those precious curls.
Eden BodyWorks Jojoba Monoi Hair Milk
Are your curls looking dull? EDEN BodyWorks Jojoba Monoi Hair Milk can help makes those curls pop by giving them lots of moisture.
Darcy’s Botanicals Sweet Cream Leave-in Conditioner
How sweet! This leave-in conditioner has a creamy consistency and will keep your curls quenched and soft. It’s also great for detangling.
Carol’s Daughter Hair Balm
Hair Balm is moisturizing and helps promote hair growth. A dime size goes a long way. If you’re experience issues with breakage and need a moisturizing product, this is a great choice.
Blended Beauty Kick for Curls Aloe Juice Spritz
This spritz is perfect for those that want to get up and go! Just spritz your hair for moisture and fluff those curls, it’s that easy!
Oyin Handmade Juices and Berries
This product is light, moisturizing, and smells fruity! It contains herbs and oils to promote healthy hair growth. Plan on doing protective styles for the summer? This is great for keeping your scalp and hair moisturized.
Curly Q Milkshake
Contains sweet almond and coconut milk, this leave in conditioner will help rejuvenate curls and bring them back to life.
Camille Rose Coconut Water Leave-in Hair Treatment
Oh la la! Camille Rose Naturals Coconut Water Leave-In Treatment is refreshing and moisturizing. The coconut water and oils in this formula keep your curls soft and hydrated. I hope your curls are ready to drink up!
As I Am Leave-in Conditioner
As I Am Leave-in Conditioner helps prep your hair for styling and moisturizes your curls. It’s great for detangling too!
Ouidad Moisture Lock Leave-in Conditioner
Ouidad’s Moisture Lock Leave-In Condition is a light product that provides long last moisture. Here is a great leave-in condition to start with if you want to add a curl definer.
Mop Top Leave-it-in Conditioner
Moisturize your curls with this leave-in conditioner that contains sea botanicals and honey. The scent is something that you’ll also enjoy!
Design Essential Almond and Avocado Leave-in Conditioner
Manage your hair with Design Essentials Natural Almond & Avocado Detangling Leave-in Conditioner. This was help make detangling a breeze and will keep your moisturized.
DevaCurl B’Leave-in
Voted NaturallyCurly’s Best of the Best, this leave in conditioner moisturizes and volumizes your curls.
Curl Junkie Smoothing Lotion Leave-in Conditioner
This lotion can be used as a leave-in condition or a rinse out conditioner. It can also be used for moisturizing and styling. Ah, decisions decisions!
Miss Jessie’s Leave-in Condish
Miss Jessie’s Leave-in Condish moisturizes and tames frizz. It’s a lightweight product so it won’t weigh down your hair and it’s great to use with your favorite curl definer.
You see them on blogs, social media, and their YouTube channels. Check out the Top 4b and 4c Natural Hair Vloggers.
We experiment with different oils to see what works for our skin, nails, and definitely our beautiful curls. Essential oils are usually from plants and have benefits that can improve our overall health. Below is a guide of top 20 oils that can be used in our beauty regimens and overall lifestyle routines.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a cleansing and purifying oil that comes from tea tree leaves. By diluting tea tree oil with a carrier oil and massaging into the scalp, you can stimulate hair growth. Tea tree oil can also be used for spot treatments for acne breakouts. It’s a healthier option than using acne skin products containing alcohol and other drying agents.
Peppermint Oil
The refreshing peppermint oil comes from the peppermint plant. The scent of peppermint oil can aid in alertness and help retain focus. Aching from a hard workout? Rubbing a few drops of peppermint oil on aching muscles can help relieve soreness.
Lavender Oil
The sweet and floral smell of lavender oil can aid in calmness and relaxation, which is why this oil is usually common in aromatherapy products. For a peaceful night of sleep, lightly mist your pillow and sheets with a mixture of water and a few drops of lavender. It’s possible that you can have sweet dreams.
Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil comes from an eucalyptus plant. This is a great oil to use while fighting a cold. The scent of the oil can help clear nasal passages for stuffy noses.
Lemon Oil
The bright yellow color of a lemon isn’t the only thing that can bring cheer. Lemon oil is refreshing and its citrus fragrance can uplift a mood. Mist a room with a mixture of water and lemon oil and the fragrance will brighten the room. This oil can also help lighten dark spots or acne scars on skin. Try adding a drop of lemon oil in carrier oil and using it to improve dull skin.
Frankincense Oil
Frankincense comes from Boswellia trees. The warm fragrance can aid in retaining focus.
Rosemary Oil
The fresh scent of rosemary oil can be used for aromatherapy. Rosemary oil can also be used during scalp massages, as it stimulates the scalp to promote hair growth.
Ginger
The spicy warm scent of ginger can help with nausea or stomach pains from digestion. Ginger oil can aid with energy boosts and uplifting your mood.
Grapefruit Oil
The citrus scent of grapefruit oil can help give you an energy boost. Sealing moisture in your skin with the blend of grapefruit oil and a carrier oil will help obtain healthy and glowing skin.
Chamomile Oil
Chamomile oil can aid in relaxation and calmness. The delightful scent of this oil can help to relieve stress. Massage your skin with chamomile and carrier oil and it can help with a good night’s rest.
Thyme Oil
Thyme oil comes from a thyme plant. The cleansing scent can help with concentration. This oil can help improve the immune system and also treat some fungal infections.
Jasmine Oil
Jasmine oil has a sweet floral fragrance and is also used in aromatherapy. This fragrance can help uplift your mood. Enjoy floral fragrances? Apply a few drops of jasmine oil on the skin. It’s a perfect scent for the summer months and even last longer than bottled fragrances.
Sandalwood Oil
Sandalwood oil comes from the santalum album tree. Sandalwood has aromatherapy benefits and can help reduce anxiety. Sandalwood can also repel insects, which is a great addition for day trip and beach summer bags.
Clove Oil
Clove oil has a strong and spicy like scent. Clove oil is great for toothaches. Clove oil can also be used to relieve pain from aching muscles.
Clary Sage
Another 2-in-1 bar with cleansing and conditioning, this bar is great for dry, processed, or heat-treated hair. This buttery lotion bar will moisturize and deeply penetrate nourishment into your hair shaft to protect your strands against dryness.
Neroli Oil
Neroli oil is a sweet oil that is derived from the plants that grow with orange blossoms. This is a great summertime fragrance, especially if you like the smell of citrus.
Orange Oil
Orange oil is sweet, fruity, and fresh. Massaging orange oil on your skin can keep promote calmness or rejuvenate you after a long day. Tired of drinking plain water? Add a few drops of orange oil to improve the taste. It’s a great way to enhance your water’s flavor without adding many calories.
Geranium Oil
If you’re having a stressful day, take some time to massage this oil on your skin. The scent will keep you delighted and at peace. The use of geranium oil can make your skin radiant and healthy looking.
Cinnamon Bark Oil
The spicy scent of cinnamon bark oil can help relieve exhaustion. Cinnamon bark oil can help treat fungal infections and bacterial infections. It can also help boost your immune system, so this is a great oil during colder months.
Rose Oil
Rose oil is great for keeping your skin fresh, glowing, and enhances the overall appearance. It can help seal moisture in the skin and fade scars. It’s a great treat for a home spa day, and the smell definitely enhances the experience.
Lately, more curlies are starting to ditch their normal shampoos because of the sulfates and parabens that are drying to curly and coily hair. Instead of using commercial shampoos, DIY shampoos are starting to become equally effective and a less costly alternative. In addition, they’re easy to make and consist of ingredients that you’re more likely to already have in your home. If a chemical-free shampoo is something that you are looking for, you may be interested in baking soda shampoo. This slideshow will present the pros and cons for you to decide if this is option is one you want to consider.
Pros and Cons of Baking Soda Shampoo
Pro: Affordable
Only two ingredients are needed to create this shampoo, which are baking soda and water. A box is baking soda is affordable and can last a long time. This can help you save money or allow you to splurge on other things that you enjoy.
Pro: Healthier Option
The purpose of shampoo is to clarify hair by removing dirt and product buildup. Commercial shampoos with chemicals remove the natural oils from our hair that we want to keep. When used properly, baking soda shampoo will not excessively remove the oil from the hair and scalp.
Pro: Easily Accessible
Baking soda is a product that is usually in households. It’s also not difficult to find in stores and you won’t have to use a “store locator” button to find it!
Pro: Easy to Make
A batch of baking soda shampoo is easy and quick to make. All you need is baking soda and water. The measurements are 1/4-baking soda and 3/4-water. The shampoo will have a paste like consistency. If you want your shampoo to be a little thinner, add more water to your liking. If you like your shampoo to have fragrance, just add a few drops of an essential oil.
Pro: Save Time
Baking soda shampoo is so cleansing that you may only need to shampoo your hair 1-2 times a month. With this option you can fill your calendar with social events and “me” time!
Con: You have to normalize the pH afterward
Baking soda has a pH balance of about nine. Your pH balance has to be normalized after the use of this shampoo. This means that you have to follow up with a diluted apple cider vinegar rinse to normalize your hair’s pH balance. Not too crazy over the vinegar smell? Add your favorite essential oils to make it smell more pleasant.
Con: No Suds
This shampoo doesn’t lather like standard shampoos do. Some prefer the suds of shampoo because it enhances the experience. Some also associate the suds with the hair being clean. If you prefer shampoo suds, then this may not be an option for you.
Con: Body adjustment
It will take time for your body to adjust to this mixture. Depending on how often you cleanse your hair, it can take up to a month for your body to adjust. Your hair may feel oiler than usual, but be patient and give your body time for it to adjust.
Con: Preparations
In order to maintain the freshness, it’s best to make a batch of baking soda shampoo for single use. Some enjoy the convenience of just grabbing a bottle of shampoo. If creating a shampoo isn’t something that you are interested in, adding a teaspoon of baking soda to your shampoo is another option.
Recent changes to the U.S. Army’s AR 670-1 have sparked a lot of discussions, especially in the natural hair community. According to The Stream, the U.S. Army has made changes regarding grooming and appearance in the AR 670-1 that took effect on March 31, 2013. These changes involve banning hairstyles such as dreadlocks and twists. In addition, the U.S. Army set limitations for braids and specifies sizing and spacing measurements that are considered acceptable.
The Stream also states that the U.S. Army’s PowerPoint presentation about these new changes was leaked on March 20th. The presentation included images of unauthorized female hairstyles. The full AR 670-1 lists the changes and descriptions for each hairstyle.
“It’s very targeted because we all know who they’re talking about even though they never explicitly say the world ‘black’ or ‘African-American.’ We all know who typically wears these types of hairstyles and then they went as far as to include pictures of black women in the PowerPoint,” U.S. Army Veteran, “Tonya”, told The Stream.
However, she isn’t the only one who expressed how she felt about the new changes. Some U.S. Army women have found that natural hairstyles are easier to maintain while performing their duties. Now, their hairstyle choices are limited. They can choose from options such as hair extensions and wigs.
Since the change, the natural hair community has voiced their thoughts about the grooming standards over the Internet, including social media networks. Sgt. Jasmine Jacobs, of the Georgia National Guard, created the White House petition asking for the U.S. Army to reconsider the changes in the grooming standards. The petition states the following:
“More than 30% of females serving in the military are of a race other than white. As of 2011, 36% of females in the U.S. stated that they are natural, or refrain from chemically processing their hair. Females with natural hair take strides to style their natural hair in a professional manner when necessary; however, changes to AR 670-1 offer little to no options for females with natural hair. In the proposed changes, unauthorized hairstyles include twists, both flat twists as well as two strand twists; as well as dreadlocks, which are defined as “any matted or locked coils or ropes of hair.” These new changes are racially biased and the lack of regard for ethnic hair is apparent. This policy needs to be reviewed prior to publishing to allow for neat and maintained natural hairstyles.”
In an interview with Army Times, Jacobs stated, “I’ve been in the military six years, I’ve had my hair natural four years, and it’s never been out of regulation. It’s never interfered with my head gear.” She also stated in her interview that she “kind of at a loss now with what to do with my hair.”
The petition was created on March 20, 2014 and has received over 13,000 signatures. The petition needs 100,000 signatures by April 19, 2014 in order for the White House to make a statement about the petition.
Click here to sign the petition and make an impact on our current military hair guidelines for ethnic women.
Yes, that’s right!
Oatmeal isn’t just a breakfast cereal that we consume before we take on the day. It also has benefits for your hair. The next time you’re searching for a new hair product or you want to try something new with your homemade treatments, look for oatmeal and see the benefits for yourself.
Strength & Length
It can strengthen and help you maintain a healthy length.
Oatmeal can cause the hair to become more elastic which can prevent damage. As curlies, we are constantly manipulating our hair by using a comb or even braiding our hair. We need our hair to be elastic so it doesn’t snap. Oatmeal can be an ingredient in your daily strengthening conditioning treatment. A strengthening conditioning treatment is necessary and can contribute to healthy curls. Daily use of oatmeal can lead to length retention and help you reach your hair goals.
Stop Itch
It can soothe an itchy scalp.
Think about it, oatmeal can used to treat dry and itchy skin. It’s also a popular ingredient for oatmeal bathes to help treat the chicken pox. It works so well on dry skin, of course it can help relieve a dry and itchy scalp! Oatmeal is a natural moisturizer and regular use can help treat a dry and itchy scalp. Also, if you’re having issues with dandruff, oatmeal is an ingredient that you should incorporate in your hair regimen. Massage your scalp with your favorite homemade oatmeal treatment. Not only are you circulating blood flow in your scalp, you’re also exfoliating dead skin cells. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for a great scent!Moisture
It moisturizes and softens your mane.
Lastly, oatmeal is also moisturizing. It contains vitamin B and penetrates the hair which allows moisture retention. Oatmeal contains Polysaccharides which makes the hair soft. Even though we’re almost finished with the colder months, a moisturizing treatment should be stable for a curly girl’s regimen. After using an oatmeal moisturizing treatment, seal moisture with your favorite leave in conditioner, oil, butter, or curl cream.Nutrition
Don’t want it in your hair? Just eat it!
Not interested in these ways of adding oatmeal to your hair regimen? Do it the old fashioned way and eat a nutritious bowl of oatmeal. Just because you choose the old fashioned way of receiving your oatmeal benefits, it doesn’t mean it has to be boring. Add your favorite fruit topping! You’ll still receive benefits that will help you maintain healthy locks.If you’d rather use a hair product with oat properties in it, try one of these curly girl faves:
