Latest Posts

DIY Natural Hair Masks

Published by

Promote healthy hair, stimulate hair growth and add nutrients with these simple, diy hair masks!


1. Avocado and Extra Virgin Olive Oil Mask:

The silky texture and nutty smell of avocado puts a smile on my face and boasts several benefits in the growth and health of hair. Avocados are abundant in vitamins B and E, working at the cellular level to protect and strengthen the hair. Avocado is also loaded with healthy fatty acids that provide moisture and overall condition the hair. Avocado leaves hair with a natural shine and lustre while leaving the hair soft and smooth to the touch. Olive oil is also rich in fatty acids (oleic and linoleic fatty acids) that will provide moisture and antioxidants that overall promote hair health and growth.

You will need:

1 Avocado

2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil

Filtered water (optional for texture)
Wash the avocado, de-pit the avocado, remove the fruit and place in a blender. Add the extra virgin olive oil as well. Blend until silky smooth, adding filtered water to your desired consistency. (if you do not have a blender, you can simply mash the avocado thoroughly with a fork)

Section your hair, massage mixture thoroughly into your scalp and throughout your hair from root to tip. Pin hair up with a hair tie (for longer hair) and cover hair with an old whitet-shirt or towel that you do not mind getting dirty. Cover for 1 to 2 hours. Thoroughly rinse with warm water until mixture is completely rinsed out. Pat dry with a towel and style to your desire. (I usually coat my hands with jojoba oil, section my hair, apply oil to my scalp and sections of my hair and twist)

2. Olive Oil and Aloe Vera Mask

Fresh Aloe Vera has wonderful healing and growth-promoting benefits for your hair. In fact it is known to contain at least 75 nutrients that can benefit the scalp and hair. It is rich in vitamins C, E  and Beta Carotene and also contains proteolytic enzymes that repair dead cells on the scalp. Aloe vera also regulates the pH balance on the scalp and prevents dandruff from reoccuring.

You will need:

1/2 cup Olive Oil

1/2 cup  Fresh Aloe Pulp
Wash the outside of your Aloe Vera leaf, slice down the sides of the leaf, removing the spiny projections. Fillet the aloe leaf, removing the slimy translucent pulp. Place the pulp in a blender, adding the extra virgin olive oil. Blend thoroughly (the texture will be frothy) Pour into a spray bottle and let settle.

Section your hair, thoroughly spray the scalp and the length of your hair from root to tip. Make sure the entire scalp and hair is covered with the aloe mixture. Massage into scalp. Place an old white t-shirt around your hair and let the mixture sit for at least an hour. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water until the water runs clear. Style as desired.

3. Coconut and Argan Oil Mask

These two oils create a powerful hair treatment mask that will improve the health of hair as well as help boost growth. Coconut oil stimulates hair growth as it penetrates deep into the hair follicles providing lauric acid, and medium-chain fatty acids that strengthen the hair and condition the scalp. Coconut oil also contains vitamin E which is an antioxidant that helps to repair and build tissue, encouraging healthy hair follicles, thus promoting hair growth. Argan oil, produced from the Argan tree, which is thought to have originated from Morocco, is a beneficial oil that contains high quantities of vitamin E, as well as an abundance of antioxidant properties that fight free radicals, promoting health and growth. These two combined create a powerful treatment that is sure to rejuvenate your hair.
You will need:

1/2 cup Coconut Oil

2 tablespoons Argan Oil

Combine the Coconut and Argan oil in a bowl. Whisk thoroughly with a spoon. Section hair, apply thoroughly to scalp and throughout hair. Wrap hair with a hair baggie and let sit for an hour. Afterwards, rinse the oil mixture out with lukewarm water. Style as desired.

These treatments work great with my hair and I like to incorporate a hair treatment at least once a month to assure optimal growth. Everyone’s hair is different, so try these masks out and see which ones work for you!

Condition Your Natural Hair with Fresh Aloe Vera

Published by


Yes, head over to Whole Foods, your local Farmers Market or Co-op and indulge in these spiny gems. This plant is one of the best natural conditioners for natural hair, with its cool gel containing over 96% of water, it keeps the scalp and hair hydrated, as well as providing vitamins A, B, C and E and 18 of the 20 amino acids found within our bodies. The gel is most known for its healing properties and aids in the treatment of minor wounds, cuts, scrapes and burns. 

According to the University of Hawaii researchers, we can trace the use of Aloe Vera for hair growth and prevention of hair loss back to the ancient Egyptians. The succulent plant contains proteolytic enzymes that directly promote healthy hair growth. The enzymes are able to rid the dead skin cells on the scalp that could be clogging the hair follicle, not allowing proper penetration of nutrients to the hair. Aloe vera’s alkalyzing properties can help bring the scalp’s pH to a more desirable level, thus increasing the promotion of further hair growth.

I prepare my aloe vera solution by removing the thick translucent gel and blending it in my Ninja blender by itself. The consistency is like thick slime, which can be thinned out with the addition of filtered water. 


The consistency may be frothy at first due to the air bubbles created from the blender. It will soon settle and leave a slime-like consistency.


I apply the gel in sections to my freshly washed natural hair, massaging the gel thoroughly throughout my scalp from root to tip. I use this growth-promoting gel as a leave in conditioner, thoroughly coating the  scalp and hair. I, then, twist my hair for the week. I would recommend this treatment twice a month for someone who washes their hair weekly. 

If you wish to use this as a leave-in for a twist-out style, or as a protective style, I definitely would recommend thinning the gel out with filtered water 2:1 parts gel:water (ex. 2 tablespoons aloe vera gel mixed with 1 tablespoon of water) to avoid any flaking. The gel seems to flake if it is not mixed with the water. 

Your hair will be left conditioned, moisturized and supple. Any unused gel remaining can be simply placed in the freezer until it is desired. Please try and add this this simple, nutrient rich mixture to your regimen and reap all of its glorious benefits!

6 Inches of Growth-Hair Washing Regimen

Published by

imageOne week? Two weeks? Three weeks?

It took me a while to figure out what was best for my hair, but I finally have a healthy,consistent, simplistic and growth-promoting hair regimen.

I wash my hair weekly, every saturday morning that is. I am also documenting my hair wash routine every week by video and photos to document my growth. I started this routine in the beginning of this year 2016. Prior, I was washing my hair every 2 weeks. I found this not to be a good choice for my type of hair, which tangles very easily. Once a week is perfect, as the tangles do not have the chance to develop.

First, I have an all-natural hair product that I have made prepared, and I set this to the side (I prepare it fresh on the morning of wash day). I section my hair into 10 large, loose twists. I then incorporate my homemade mixture onto the sections of each twist, focusing mostly on the scalp and gently massaging my scalp with the pads of my fingers. I make sure my hair is coated evenly and place a baggie on my head for 30 minutes.

After the 30 minutes is up, I rinse and finger detangle in the sink. I pat my hair dry and immediately place almond oil on my hair and scalp. I then retwist my hair tautly and  neatly and air-dry. I use nicely sharp scissors to trim any shed hairs on the ends. Simple.

I believe this is week 13 that I am on, and my goal is to document this regimen, and my hair growth to see if I can indeed retain at least 6 inches within a year (My current length is about 6 inches from my bellybutton).

I will put up photos of me and my hair this week. I realize I have been gone for a while, and this is due to my studies in school. Thank you for being patient with me.

 

Be you. Be True.

 

Cantaloupe. The Beauty Fruit.

Published by

Screenshot_2015-06-28-15-32-45~2Screenshot_2015-06-28-15-31-48~2

Best eaten in the months between April and August, the Cantaloupe is considered a summer fruit. As you sink your teeth into the beautiful rich, velvety orange flesh of the cantaloupe, let me inform you of all of its’ luxurious benefits.

This beauty fruit is rich in Folic Acid, Inositol (Vitamin B), Vitamin B Complex, Vitamins A and C, Omega 3’s, and contains much more potassium than bananas.

The orange flesh is packed with beta-carotene which converts to vitamin A in the body and promotes healthy, clear skin.  Vitamins A and C also fight free radicals that cause cell damage, thus fighting against wrinkles and aging of the skin. The main structure in Cantaloupe, however, that aids in the stimulation of hair growth is Inositol, which is a derivative of Vitamin B. Inositol also prevents hair loss.

With all of its wonderful benefits, please make sure to include the wonderful Cantaloupe in your diet this summer, and enjoy its hydration, sweet taste, and health and beauty benefits!

Note: Please consult your physician when trying new foods as a safeguard to prevent allergies.

 

Be you. Be True.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise, Yoga and Accelerated Hair Growth

Published by

Screenshot_2015-06-27-16-12-28~2image image image

 

The take home message is:  your body is your temple. Treat your body like   royalty and be thankful for it, and I promise you, it will reward you. So far in this blog I have discussed the importance of drinking lots of fresh water (adding lemon juice to create an alkaline environment for the body is a bonus) paying attention to what you put into your body by consuming fresh (and never processed) fruits, vegetables and proteins, and minimizing the stress in your life the best way you can. (Going for a walk, relaxing with friends, reading, drinking green tea, or engaging in any positive, healthy hobby that you may have).

I wish to discuss the importance of physical activity as well as stretching   and its effects on hair growth. You must realize, our bodies were meant and created to move, the act of   staying idle or sedentary is the worst possible thing that you can do to yourself and to your body. We live in an unimaginably rapid paced world and our lives are in such a rush all of the time. Slow down. Slow down and set aside a few minutes out of the day for yourself. Clear your schedule for just 30 minutes to an hour for a few days a week, with the primary focus of investing in your body with exercise and yoga and discover its rejuvenating positive effects, as I have.

Although Yoga has been introduced to the western culture in the early 80’s, The discipline of Yoga has increased substantially in popularity and nowadays our newsfeeds and timelines are filled with motivated fit women and men displaying their creative and sometimes difficult elegant static poses. This physical, mental, spiritual discipline and art-form that is called Yoga originated from pre-vedic Indian traditions.

image

 

I have researched the benefits of yoga specifically for hair growth and have discovered that hair loss,  stunted growth and slow hair growth may be due to certain imbalances within the body. Stress, hormonal disorders, disease, nutritional deficiencies and lack of physical activity can attribute to imbalance throughout the body. Yoga can work on the causes of hair loss and help restore and maintain balance within the body. Ultimately this benefits the entire system including your hair. Nutrient-rich, blood circulation is the main contributor to continuous, accelerated hair growth, which Yoga facilitates with its various forward-bending   poses or asanas which encourage a steady flow of blood to the scalp and follicles.

Here is a great reference on a better understanding of yoga, as well as various poses that focus on the prevention and remedy of hair loss:

http://www.thehealthsite.com/beauty/yoga-tips-to-prevent-hair-loss/

Note: Please consult with your physician before performing or attempting any new physical activity or discipline.

 

Exercise and hair growth:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Be you. Be True.

 

Scalp Massage for Stimulation of Hair Growth

Published by

image

Think of the last time you had a good scalp massage, you probably remember it as being extremely relaxing. Well another great benefit of scalp massage is that it has also been proven to stimulate hair growth.

Gently massaging the scalp with the pads of your fingertips helps to increase circulation, which increases blood flow, ultimately distributing oxygen and nutrients directly to the localized area that is being massaged.

I used to love it when someone massaged my scalp for me at the salon, but nowadays I massage my scalp myself. I use the essential oils:  ylang ylang or peppermint oil, I mix with a carrier oil and massage the potent root stimulating oils directly into my scalp.

 

image

Ylang Ylang Oil –

Peppermint Oil –

https://m.facebook.com/royalrooted

 

Ylang Ylang oil – Native to Molucca, Madagascar and the Philippines, this oil is steam distilled from the flowers of its tree and means “flower of flower” This oil has been used for many years, particularly in Asia, to promote and stimulate hair growth.

Peppermint oil – Originating from the plant genus, Mentha, this powerful oil helps to stimulate blood flow to the root of the hair, which provides the proper nourishment for hair growth. This oil is also rich in fatty acids, vitamin A and vitamin C. This oil packs a powerful kick, and you will definately feel a tingling sensation when you introduce this essential oil to your scalp.

 

 

I do not mix the ylang ylang and peppermint oils. I use them for separate treatments. I massage my scalp weekly. Before using any new topical product, please test a small amount on your inner wrist. Remember to dilute these oils with a carrier oil, such as olive, almond, jojoba or avocado oil, as these essential oils are full strength.

Be you. Be True.

Get Active and De-stress

Published by

Screenshot_2015-06-14-13-05-01~2

 

We are all aware of the detrimental effects of stress, and how it can wreak havoc on the body.  We could have witnessed this from friends and/or family members, or even ourselves. Life can get tough, as there will be ups and downs throughout life, but the key is how you handle what is thrown at you. What makes you healthy and happy? Discover what makes you healthy and happy, and incorporate that activity in your life at least once a week. I  enjoy the outdoors, exercise and photography. The picture above is actually a photo I took back in May, here in Houston Texas.

De-stressing your life encourages health. Health is beneficial for the overall body as well as for your skin, nails and hair. Stress can cause the hair to become brittle, dull, and can even cause the hair to shed. Treat your body well by staying active with exercise, consuming plenty of water and definitely reduce stress. The reason why I focus so much on nutrition, exercise and lifestyle is because you must have a good foundation first before you can implement any type of  hair regimen, tutorial or any tips on the subject of natural hair growth.  All of the most beneficial tips and suggestions in the world is pointless if the foundation is broken to begin with. Treat yourself well, your internal and external body as well as your nails, skin and hair will thank you for it.

Be you. Be True.

 

.

 

 

 

 

Power foods for Scalp Health and Hair Growth

Published by

image

 

 

Pumpkin seeds and eggs are just a few of the many natural power foods that promote hair growth and scalp health. Others include: Salmon, almonds, blackberries, raspberries and dark green leafy vegetables, such as kale and collards. Invest in a good quality juicer or blender to help incorporate these beneficial foods into your diet, for everyday or when your on the go.

Three Oils That Penetrate the Hair Shaft

Published by

These three oils have been scientifically proven to penetrate the hair shaft:

 

Avocado oil

Coconut oil

and Olive oil.

 

This is very important information because not all oils are created alike. Different oils serve different purposes. We must remember, one of the most common culprits of reduced hair growth is hair breakage. Most of the time, the key to longer, stronger hair is preventing this breakage of the hair shaft.

Screenshot_2015-06-14-11-38-12~2

 

The hair shaft is comprised of the Medulla, Cortex and Cuticle. As you can tell by the picture here, the Cuticle is essentially the outer most portion of the hair shaft. The function of the cuticle is protection. You can think of the hairs’ cuticle as its’ armour. This is a vital component of the hair shaft.  If the hair’s cuticle is damaged, you are in danger of compromising the entire hair shaft, which ultimately can lead to breakage. Breakage then leads to less hair retention which will make it seem as though your hair is not growing, when in actuality it is breaking at the weak points of the hair shaft.

 

Let me break down how the oils I listed at the beginning of this post can help prevent breakage:

 

Avocado oil – Contains several vitamins and nutrients such as Vitamins A, B, D E, amino acids, iron and folic acid. Avocado oil is one of the best oils for moisturizing dry, brittle and damaged hair, thus, preventing and/or reducing breakage.

Coconut oil – Contains fatty acids which bind to the proteins in the hair, protecting the strands from breakage. Coconut oil also contains Vitamin E, K and iron, which help to boost hair growth. This oil contains anti-fungal and anti- bacterial properties which keep the scalp healthy. The scalp must be healthy for proper  and flourishing hair growth.

Olive oil – This oil also contains anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties that encourage a healthy scalp. Olive oil contains Vitamins A, E and mono-unsaturated fatty acids which help to coat the shaft of the hair, keeping the strands healthy and protected, making it less prone to breakage.

Again, these oils are actually ABSORBED into the hair, providing an abundance of benefits. Not all oils are able to penetrate the hair shaft, so I would definitely keep these oils as a staple in your haircare regimen.

 

I use this brand of Avocado oil.  (Refer to link below) The coconut oil that I use is made from Spectrum, it is unrefined and is listed in the previous posts. The olive oil that I incorporate into my hair regimen is cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil, which can be found in any local grocery store.

image

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Importance of Sleep for Hair Growth and Health

Published by

Screenshot_2015-06-13-15-39-40~2

 

Why is sleep so vital for the healthy growth of our hair and overall body functionality? Sleep is a basic need that is crucial to the quality of our livelihood and can often be taken for granted. Adequate sleep is needed to fight off infection, maintain the body’s metabolism and it keeps our mind healthy and alert. The body actually needs sleep in order for survival and the lack of sleep can have many detrimental effects such as depression, weight gain, irritability, lack-luster skin and impaired judgement.
The required hours for sleep vary per individual, with the average falling between 7 to 9. With plenty of quality rest, the process of renewal, rejuvenation and healing can occur successfully. Remember, the body’s goal is to keep us alive and functioning, if there is a lack of sleep, this causes poor health, and the body will then divert its attention to the most important issue at hand, our vital organs that are necessary for life. This simply means that hair growth and health will become secondary.
So it is truly the lack of sleep that can create a negative effect, and environment for hair, stunting healthy hair growth. Invest in a satin pillow, and try to reduce stress before sleep. I do this by meditating with my favorite tunes, practicing yoga and completing a series of stretches before sleep. I also drink a glass of water before rest as it always seems to help me to relax as well. Do yourself a favor and give your body the quality sleep it deserves and in return it will grant you repairing, restorative, and revitalizing properties for great hair health as well as overall body health.

 

 

Be you. Be True.