THE DO'S & DO KnoTs of Natural Hair care

        Spring is upon us and summer is not too far behind, and so we must continue with our NATURAL HAIR CARE REGIMEN. Many naturalistas have questions on what products they need to use. I’m going to help all of you to narrow down your search by telling you what ingredients you need to look for so that you won’t waste your money going thru an array of shampoos, conditioners or styling products. While some products may appear natural because they use the word “NATURAL” it does not mean that it is. No two products are created equal. Here is a list of the DOs and DO NOTS when it comes to ingredients you should look for and a list of those you should shy away from.

Natural Hair DOs

1. Products w/natural oils (can be purchased from your local natural health store/found in natural haircare products)*

• coconut
• carrot seed oil
• grape seed oil

   2.  Natural Butters

• shea butter
• cocoa butter 

    3.  Food derived proteins and essential oils *

• lemon
• orange
• geranium
• lavender
• vegetable glycerin

Natural Hair Do NOTS (these ingredients are synthetic and prevent moisture from entering the hair shaft)*
 Stay away from products that contain:

-Parabens (methyl-propyl-, butyl-paraben, etc)
-Sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate (SLS or SLES)
-Petrolatum (Petroleum Jelly)
-Propylene glycol
-Diethanolamine (DEA) and Triethalnolamine (TEA)
-Imidazoldinyl, urea and diazolidinyl urea
-Silicone
-Ethxylated ingridients (those starting with PEG- or ending with -ETH

READING LABELS CONCERNING HAIR PRODUCTS IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS READING LABELS ON FOOD ITEMS.  PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE IS THE KEY TO HEALTHY HAIR =)  Here is a video on my haircare regimen that perhaps you can use as a guide =) Enjoy

SpriNg/SummeR 2012's answer to the SKINNY JEAN!!

 

 The Skinny jean appears to have "staying power."  They are in magazines, on the catwalk, on the sidewalk...on MEN! In fact I believe they will be here with the roaches when all of humanity is GONE! LOL  And while they are rather HAUTE some people just cannot get with it or are looking for an alternative to it.  I've got good news ladies.... the WIDE LEGGED PANTS are back!  Spring is looking better already.   No matter what your body type is you can feel comfortable & be stylish at the same time, and I am here to show you how.

DRESS IT DOWN pants from THE GAP  www.gap.com

This shirt actually belonged to my mother in the 70's... cool huh? I think so! 

Try your local thrift stores for shirts similar to this.

Paired with some shoes from Charlotte Russe
& some earrings that I made myself with some
wood beads.  It gives you that 70's vibe.

DRESS IT UP : Blouse from New York & Company http://www.nyandcompany.com/nyco/cat/Latest-Trends/Bold.-Bright.-Beautiful?addFacet=1002%3Acat4980038