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Honey has many nutritional and medicinal uses, but did you know it can be beneficial in your beauty routine? Honey is a humectant (which means that it helps to retain moisture”> and an emollient (meaning that it softens and smoothes”>, which “naturally” makes it a great conditioner and moisturizer. It is also rich in vitamins and minerals, so using it in your hair care routine can leave your tresses looking shinier, feeling softer, and in an overall more healthy condition. Recent studies have also shown that because of honey’s antibacterial and antioxidant properties, it can also prove beneficial in keeping your scalp healthy and promoting hair growth! There are many things you can do with honey; try out our latest honey deep conditioner recipe called “Honey, You Need to Deep Condition.”
6 Uses For Honey
Hair Growth Scalp Rub
- Mix 9 parts honey with 1 part water in a bowl
- Use your fingers to rub the mixture directly on to your scalp and massage for 2-3 minutes
- Once your scalp has been covered, pull the mixture through your hair, until it covers your hair from root to tip
- Leave the solution on your hair for up to 3 hours, then rinse thoroughly with warm water
- Repeat once a week
Honey is a natural lightener so it serves as a natural method to add subtle highlights or slightly lift your hair color overall. For a more intense affect, combine honey with your favorite conditioner, and add a squeeze of lemon juice. If you’re looking to darken your hair, consider using molasses as a substitute.
MORE: Honey Hair Lightening: Fact or Fiction?
Oil & Honey Hair Treatment
- Combine honey and extra virgin olive oil in a small, microwaveable dish
- Mix the two ingredients with a spoon and microwave for 15-30 seconds then allow it to cool for 30 seconds
- Use your hands to evenly disperse the honey and olive oil throughout your hair
- Massage it into your scalp and work from your roots to the tip of your hair
- Cover with a shower cap and let it sit for 30 minutes
- Rinse it out, preferably with cold water.
Honey Hair Conditioner
- Combine honey with an equal amount of your regular conditioner
- Rub the two together and use your hands to evenly apply the mixture through your while damp
- Massage it into your scalp and work from your roots to the tip of your hair
- Cover with a shower cap and let it sit for 30 minutes before rinsing it out, preferably with cold water
Honey Glossing Treatment
Honey clarifies the hair as well as conditioning so your hair will look shiny and smooth.- Use raw honey to coat your curls
- Cover with a shower cap for about ten minutes
- Wash your hair as usual
Honey Leave-In
- Combine 1 teaspoon of honey (or more depending on hair length and condition”> with 4 cups of warm water
- After cleansing your hair as normal, pour the mixture through your hair and allow to dry as normal
What is bentonite clay?
Bentonite is an impure clay that usually forms from the weathering of volcanic ash and in the presence of water. There are several types of bentonite, each named after the respective dominant element, like potassium, sodium, calcium, and aluminum.
Clays like bentonite have long been used to help rid the body of toxins and to provide it with nutrients. Sometimes animals turn to eating dirt and clay to help remove poisons from their systems or in times of illness or distress.
Bentonite can be used externally as a poultice, mud pack or in the bath and, in skin care recipes. Good quality bentonite should be a grey or cream color and anything that appears to be “pure white” is suspect. It is often times packaged and distributed in powder form and should have a very fine, velvet-like feel. It is odorless and non-staining.
Bentonite clay is made of aged volcanic ash and is quite unique due to its ability to produce an electrical charge when hydrated. Upon contact with fluid, its electrical components change, giving it the ability to absorb toxins. Bentonite is known for its ability to absorb and remove toxins, heavy metals, impurities and chemicals.
How to use it
When it becomes mixed with water, bentonite clay rapidly swells open like a highly porous sponge, allowing toxins to be drawn into the sponge through electrical attraction and once there, they are bound inside of it. The clay then releases its minerals for the body to use.
Bentonite also helps oxygenate the cells, as it pulls excess hydrogen and allows the cells to replace it with oxygen instead. NEVER let bentonite come in to contact with anything metal, as this will reduce the effectiveness. You can mix it with water, apple cider vinegar, or extra virgin olive oil in a glass or plastic vessel and use plastic utensils to thoroughly mix.
There are many uses for bentonite:
Use Bentonite clay on
- burns
- blemishes
- insect bites
- eczema
- dry hair & scalp
- A paste of bentonite clay and water can be used on the skin for any irritation like blemishes, insect bites, cuts, skin itching or burns. Leave it on until it dries and then wash it off. This can be especially calming to skin suffering from eczema, psoriasis, chicken pox, etc.
- For more severe issues (like burns”>, you can create a poultice by putting a thick layer of clay on the skin and applying a wet gauze or cloth over it, then wrap the area and leave the poultice on, changing every 2 hours.
- For smooth and healthy skin, make a paste of bentonite and water and apply to your face as a mask. Leave it on for 20 minutes and wash off. This can be done once or twice a week.
- Adding a ¼ cup of bentonite to a bath can serve as a very relaxing and detoxifying bath that soothes and softens the skin.
- Bentonite can be used to clarify AND condition the hair (in one step!”>, by effectively removing product build-up without stripping the hair like shampoo, leaving your hair conditioned and moisturized throughout.
Oils used to be the bad guy, but now they’re all the rage. Every curly and her mama is raving about the benefits of coconut oil. But there is more to the world of oils than coconut and EVOO! Here are a few more oils that your hair (and skin”> will be happy to be introduced to.
7 New oils you haven’t tried yet
Emu Oil
Emu oil is an all-natural oil obtained from the inedible parts of the emu, a flightless bird related to the ostrich. Aboriginal tribes in Australia have been taking advantage of the healing powers of emu oil for ages. Emu oil has an uncanny ability to cause cellular regeneration in the skin, making it excellent for burns and scars and even the effective reduction of wrinkles and the renewing of elasticity in the skin.
Because it is hypoallergenic, antibacterial and rich in beneficial fatty acids, hair can also benefit greatly from regular use of emu oil treatments, and actually experience nearly three times its normal cellular activity. Emu oil can help hair appear livelier, healthier and be more resilient to environmental and hormonal stresses.
Since it is also anti-fungal and antibacterial, emu oil helps to break down buildup and residue at the scalp and roots, which can increase volume and manageability. The moisturizing properties of the oil make it an ideal ingredient for conditioners.
Yarrow Oil
You can tell yarrow oil apart by its deep blue color. Add it to your shampoo and massage the scalp as it is known to regenerate the scalp and promote healthy hair growth.
MORE: Foraging for Beauty
Argan Oil
Women in Morocco have been using argan oil for generations to achieve more youthful, healthy skin. It reduces inflammation and redness, improves hydration, and can even been used to treat scars and acne.
You can also use argan oil as a hair treatment for deep conditioning or as a pre-styling product-it restores shine to hair and helps mend split ends. It’s packed with twice as much Vitamin E as other oils so it’s also amazing for your nails and cuticles.
MORE: Argan Oil and Ximenia Oil: Ancient Ingredients Made New
Tamanu Oil
Tamanu oil is a nut-based oil with many known uses from reducing inflammation and irritation to helping with hair and skin regeneration, making it a great topical treatment for acne, sunburns, and scarring. Use on thick, dry hair as a moisturizing treatment before or after shampooing. You’ll find that this oil is a little pricey because the Tamanu nut tree only grows in the Polynesian islands, so dilute it in a carrier oil like jojoba.
Avocado Oil
Avocado Oil is rich in essential fatty acids that strengthen the hair and keep it moisturized, and the vitamin E it contains also conditions and moisturizes, while the proteins in avocado oil can fortify your hair.
Applying avocado oil directly into your hair not only keeps the hair strong and beautiful, it is also beneficial if you are experiencing dandruff or scalp psoriasis. Avocado oil acts as a natural sunscreen, and helps to protect your hair and scalp from the harmful UV rays of the sun.
Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed oil is a light oil that locks moisture inside the skin so cells have enough water to work efficiently. It can be used to nourish the scalp and hair without leaving the buildup of other oils that weigh the hair down.
Jamaican Black Castor Oil
Jamaican Black Castor Oil has a traditionally been known as an all-purpose healing oil. Though it can be used to treat dietary ailments as well as to treat various skin disorders, it is now most popularly used in hair care.
As an unrefined form of castor oil, Jamaican Black Castor Oil is very rich in nutritive properties. Jamaican Black Castor Oil is processed differently from usual versions of castor oil- it is made by manually roasting and then grinding the castor beans. Then the beans are heated up and the oil extracted from the crushed beans. It’s the unique roasting process that gives Jamaican Black Castor Oil its distinct dark color.
Many people turn to Jamaican Black Castor Oil to aid in hair growth. It has been proven to be extremely effective in this because it increases the blood flow to the scalp while also supplying nutrition to the hair follicles.
Because JBCO is rich in vitamin E and omega 6 fatty acids, it is also excellent for treating damaged, dry, and brittle hair by providing intense moisture to the hair and scalp. It also acts as a humectant, so it attracts and locks moisture into the hair shaft.
Jamaican Black Castor Oil can treat and prevent dandruff and dissolves any build-up from hair products or from other sources that has accumulated in the pores of the scalp. In its all natural form, it is also safe to use on eyebrow and eyelashes to thicken their volume as well.
Ah… the joys of motherhood. Along with the rewards of seeing your progeny blossom and grow, you get to learn a whole new level of multitasking, because no matter how much you love your bundle(s”> of joy, they are perhaps the biggest time sucks known to (wo”>man.
Every curly girl knows that one of the most time consuming parts of her beauty regimen are her tresses. So how does a busy mom juggle taking care of her wunderkind and keep her curls (and the wee bits’”> looking fab? Here are a few tips and tricks!
Tips for Busy Moms
1. Know your texture
First and foremost, know and embrace your natural texture. Don’t waste time trying to turn your hair into something it’s not. While it may be in your feminine nature to want to explore and experiment with different styles and products, once you find a look, technique and regimen that’s tried and true for you, stick to it!
If you haven’t found just the right products for your regimen, look to curlies with similar textures and ask what they use. NaturallyCurly.com and YouTube have countless resources to help you find your holy grails.
2. Moisturize
The secret to great curls is moisture! Use a nourishing, non drying shampoo (I love Clear Ultra Shea Shampoo“>. I also like to further flex my multitasking muscle in the shower by choosing a conditioner that not only covers the basics (slip for detangling, moisturizing, and residue/buildup free”>, but also smells fantastic!
The right scent can turn the shower into a mini spa escape. I love the sweet peachy scent of Elucence Moisture Balancing Conditioner. Try coating your tresses in conditioner and covering it with a shower cap or damp towel. Take your time scrub-a-dubbing, maybe even take a moment to shave your legs (another luxury”>, while the steam from the shower helps the conditioner penetrate the hair shaft.
3. Detangle
Another method I like to utilize to make the most of my shower time, is dry detangling my hair the night before I plan on washing. Using my fingers, or a wide tooth comb, and a light oil (I prefer coconut oil or Mizani’s Supreme Oil“>, I work through small sections of hair to gently detangle them and put in two strand twists. The next day, I enter the shower with the twists still in place, this way it is easier to concentrate the shampoo on my scalp, and my hair remains untangled through the washing process.
After working the shampoo over my scalp, I remove the twists, section by section, and work the shampoo through to the ends. After thoroughly rinsing, I then use conditioner, and often times, because I saved time by detangling beforehand, I splurge and apply a deep conditioner (I’m obsessed with Curl Junkie Curl Rehab Moisturizing Hair Treatment“> to give my tresses a little extra TLC.
4. Wash and go
If you’re like me and prefer the ease of a wash and go hair style, once you exit the sanctuary of the shower, slather your still wet tresses in a creamy styling product (I like Nubian Heritage’s Honey & Black Seed Heat Protect Leave In Conditioning Cream“>, and while your head is flipped, wrap your hair with an old t-shirt or a cloth specially made for curls-like Curls Like Us Curl Cloths, to help it dry.
MORE: Simple Wash and Go Hair
5. Versatile products
Another simple way to save time (and valuable counter/cabinet space”> is to look for products that work for multiple members of your household. As a mommy to 3 girls, all with different hair textures, I know that this can be a bit daunting, but it’s well worth it in the long run.
Some products that I have found to be tried and true for all textures are:
- Eden Body Works Hair Milk (in either Peppermint Tea Tree Oil or Jojoba Monoi“>
- Kinky Curly Knot Today
- Shea Moisture Organic Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie
- Camille Rose Naturals Aloe Whipped Butter Gel
I find that each of these products work for all of us, it’s just a matter of how we use them and the results we’re trying to achieve.
Just remember, the less stressed and frazzled you are, the better it is for you and your little ones. So make sure to take full advantage of those precious moments of “me time”, to relax, rejuvenate, and pamper. A happy you leads to a happy house and having a well maintained head of waves, curls, coils, or kinks is just one simple way to get there!
Prior to last weekend, my only familiarity with the Bronner Bros International Hair Show was what I saw in Chris Rock’s documentary “Good Hair.” Subsequently, I expected nothing but weave, over the top drama and a display of styles not exactly suited for everyday wear for the average woman. I had no idea what a natural like me would find of use in such an environment.
Read More: How to Become a Curly Hair Stylist
Welcome to the show! »
Model from a presentation by Terrence Davidson, hair stylist to Nicki Minaj »
Proto Hair Model »
Read More: How to Detangle Coily Hair
Model in the runway competition held by Moisture Remy Rain Hair »
Zonnique “Miss Star” of the OMG Girls, also on VH1’s “T.I. & Tiny”»
Read More: Armed Forces Natural Hair and Health Expo
Demetria McKinney from “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” »
Bronner Brothers International Hair Show 2012 »
LaTocha Scott (formerly of Xscape”> »
Needless to say, it was a jam packed weekend full of sights, sounds and remarkable experiences. I’m glad to say we caught most of it on camera! Stay tuned for more in depth coverage of the Bronner Bros International Hair Show in Atlanta, GA.
Model for I-Envy by KISS eyelashes »
Dwight Eubanks from “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” »
Model from a presentation by Terrence Davidson, hair stylist to Nicki Minaj »
