Top 5 Reasons I love Vinegar

I  LOVE using vinegar, very much! It has become a staple in my home. I recently went to COSTCO so that I could by a 5L bottle of white vinegar for less then $4.00. I felt such a rush scoring that deal that I literally giggled as I hauled it into my cart. That is how much I love vinegar.

I typically use White Vinegar for the home and Apple Cider for my hair and skin however, I will replace ACV with WV when I run out.

Vinegar is awesome because it cleanses hair and is often used to treat dandruff. It’s anti-fungal, disinfecting, and Ph balancing properties are also useful when cleansing/healing your body and cleaning your home.

Here are the Top 5 Reasons I love Vinegar

1. I have reduced the use of commercial cold and sinus medications that are full of so much junk with using this homemade cold and flu formula recipe instead

http://nancyvienneau.com/blog/articles/home-remedy/

2. Being pregnant with my daughters made me want to stop using cleaners with heavy fumes so now I make several mild homemade cleaners.

All purpose cleaner- http://wonkywonderful.com/1/post/2012/06/natural-lemon-vinegar-cleaner.html

Tub cleaner- Use 1 part Dawn, and 1 part warm White Vinegar, spray the tub and leave the mixture on there for several hours. Next, rinse your tub with hot to warm water and see the sparkling results!

3. Natural Feminine Wash. Sometimes a lady needs a little extra sumthin, sumthin when washing her feminine parts (esp. after pregnancy or her menstrual cycle) and I find this method very helpful. http://www.ehow.com/how_5680738_use-vinegar-feminine-wash.html

4. I have used ACV rinses for a long time but now I have added a vinegar/baking soda wash during my shampoo process. My scalp is left clean and my hair is fresh and shiny. When my consultant washes my hair, in a similar fashion as this, it looks as though I have used a shine serum because it is super shiny!!

Step 1- Rinse locs very well

Step 2- Take a 1-2 tbsp of baking soda and water to make a paste and then massage my scalp with it. I also smooth the mixture down the length of my locs

Step 3- I use a spray bottle full of vinegar and spray my hair with it till I hear bubbling

Step 4- After I have massaged my locs I rinse the vinegar and baking soda up

Step 5- I wash my hair another 2 times using a clarifying shampoo

Here is the link where I discovered this method. I use Recipe B and I considering using Recipe C, very soon.  http://dirtyprettythangs.com/2010/07/06/kitchen-kures-natural-clarifiers-for-my-locs/

5. Every so often I add 1 cup of white vinegar to my washing machine to get cleaner and fluffier towels. The vinegar will get rid of detergent build up and any musky smells that you get from forgetting your load of towels in the washer…ooops.

If you have a case of stinky mildew towels use this 3 step process.

Step 1- Wash your towels in only hot water with 1 cup of vinegar,

Step 2- Run the towels again in hot water with a ½ cup of baking soda. This will strip your towels of that residue and mildew smell and will actually leave them feeling fluffy and smelling fresh.

Step 3- Dry as usual

I hope that you find a way to add more vinegar to your life, you will not regret it!

Stay Blessed,

TWI (The Woman Inside)

K.I.S.S. and Hot Oil Treatments

K.I.S.S. = Keeping It Simple Sexy

That is what I am doing folks, I am keeping my routine, regimen, and product use simple. It is so easy to get caught up in wanting to try this or that on my locs but I have Sisterlocks and the beauty of Sisterlocks is that they really don't need much. Actually, using too much on these locs can be detremental ie build up, unraveling and slippage. My locs are maturing and I really thought that by now I would start to use a phlethra of conditioners, moisture sprays, and oils. But oil is the only thing that I have added to my simple regimen. (However, I will use a leave in conditioning spray once I color) I had a hot oil treatment last weekend and it was great. My hair feels conditioned, looks shiny, and is stronger.

Hot Oil Treatments are highly recommended for people with dry and/or damaged hair. They are beneficial because the oils can infuse your hair with keratin leaving it strong, and moisturized. It is so easy to create your own treatment. I plan on using the following oils  for future treatments

Coconut Oil - Even though this oil may not be good for everyday use in Sisterlocks (it can build up and be harder to wash out) it is awesome for a Hot Oil Treatments. It penetrates the hair shaft so it is ultra moisturizing. Also, because of it's anti fungal/antibacterial properties, it is great for people having dandruff and other scalp issues.

Olive Oil - This oil is very nourishing, a great moisturizer for dry hair and scalp but is also very heavy. It strengthens and increases elasticity of the hair shaft.

Jojoba Oil - Is a lighter oil but still gives your hair a nice shine. It mimics the natural oils that we produce (sebum), and helps to distribute that oil so it can help some balance their oil production. This oil is good for people with oily hair.



How to do a homemade treatment: You can do your treatment before or after you wash.

1. Decide which oil/oils you would like to use.
2. Measure out 1/4 to 1/2 cup oil (depending on length of hair) and, if you desire, add a few drops of your favorite essential oils
3. Heat your oil in microwave or pan till warm, you do not want it to be hot BE CAREFUL
4. Add your warm oil to you locs by massaging your scalp and rubbing the oil from root to tip
5. Cover your locs with a plastic cap and either wrap it in a warm towel 30 min, or sit under the dryer for 15min
6. Rinse well with warm water and do a final few minutes with cool water for even more shine


Regimen and products:

Even though I like having a simple routine my only problem is the best shampoo for my locks, so far, has sulfates.  I have tried several natural organic shampoos and either they leave a residue or my ends loosen up. I also noticed that my locs were not as condensed and tight as I like them to be. Now, maybe it's just a coincidence and my hair was just going through a phase but as soon as I stopped using my natural shampoos, and went back to Suave and Dawn, my hair tightened right up. When I am fully locked I may revisit my natural shampoos or look or an even better one.



Shampoo every 2 weeks: At home Suave Daily Clarifying  :  At the salon Gabrel's Lemon Fluff

Hot Oil Treatment: will be every 6 weeks using coconut oil

Spritz- Just water or Seabreeze mix

NOW

Hair is tight and mostly sealed

31 Months

BEFORE
Example of  my ends looking loose and puffy

Side note : Recovering from Post partum Shedding YEAH!!!

Stay Blessed!

Clarifying poo Review # 3 Aubrey Organics (pics)

Clarifying Shampoo Review for Aubrey Organics Green Tea Clarifying Shampoo.

Ingredients: Aqua, coco glucoside (coconut oil/corn), sodium cocoyl hydrolyzed soy† protein, Oryza sativa (rice) starch*, glycerin, xanthan gum, hydrolyzed sweet almond protein, Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) oil*, Panax ginseng (ginseng) extract, Equisetum arvense (horsetail) extract, Urtica dioica (nettle) extract, Tussilago farfara (coltsfoot) extract, panthenol, inositol, Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) oil*, Mentha piperita (peppermint) oil*, Citrus grandis (grapefruit) seed extract, alcohol denat., tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E), Hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) extract, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), Glycine soja (soybean) oil, Daucus carota sativa (carrot) root Extract, beta-carotene, biotin, Polygonum multiflorum (he shou wu) extract.

* Organic

† From organic sources

After hearing about this shampoo in the Facebook group Sisterlocked and Loving it, naturally, I decided to Google it and I found that some of my favorite bloggers anthia-ofo, and Gigglz have used it with success. I found positive results in this product as well and it past my main test, my consultant liked it. 

It claims to quickly and deeply clarify with just one application and rinses clean to leave hair shiny, bouncy and full. Also that herbal extracts deliver beneficial nutrients quickly and reduce drying time for fast and easy styling.

What I found is that even though I still need at least 2 washes (no surprise I have locs) I do get a deep clean and my hair is left shiny. I have not noticed a shorter drying time but that would be hard to gauge because my hair is forever changing . And I love it!

Dec. 2009

. Aug. 2011

Jan. 2012

Pros: It's sulfate/paraben/petroleum free, vegan, and it lathers! I love the smell, and it leaves my hair and scalp feeling super clean. I love to feel me scalp tingle and this definitely stimulates my scalp.

Cons: It is not cheap! Especially when you compare it to buying  a Suave clarifying shampoo  that work pretty well for $1. I bought my bottle from Sprouts Marketplace, similar to Wholefoods, when they had their 25% off sale but regualr price was approx $11 for an 11 fl oz bottle.

This shampoo, Aubreys Organic Green Tea Clarifying Shampoo, is a keeper!!!! It is the shampoo that I use to wash my hair at home. However, I still use Dawn for my final wash, every other wash, just to make sure that my locs remain nice and tight. 

UPDATE: I have gone back to Sauve for now because I felt like my hair was getting too 'loose'. When I am fully matured I will revisit this shampoo.

Stay Blessed!

2 year Anniversary!!

2yrs locked, sporting a braid out, with my 10 month old baby girl

I have had my 2 year anniversary and I still can't believe it. I am receiving several compliments, and I even had some women follow me through a couple isles in Costco, admiring about my locks. But the thing that made my heart sing was hearing my mother say she really liked my hair!! Finally!! 

First day being Sisterlocked

First  appointment/retighting by my beloved, Certified consultant, Precious!

First time I really noticed some length.

Now here is my hair at the 2 year mark

My Ponytail (including my kitchen)

Concerns- Build up at the base  of my neck, you can see it in the pick above.

Hair maintenance- *Retights are every 6 weeks  *Wash every 2 weeks.  Currently, when I wash my hair,  I use Suave daily clarifying shampoo for 2 washes, and then for my final wash I use Dawn Pure. Before my retight, Precious uses Lemon Fluff shampoo and it feels so awesome  *I use a Seabreeze spritz every 3 days  *I still use a shower cap and night bonnet.

Goals- 1) an even longer ponytail 2) find my hair color for my first dye EVER 3) take the SL retightening class (will continue to use my consultant but I think it is important to know how to DIY)
 

So Happy to be Sisterlocked!!

Stay Blessed!!

Clarifying Shampoo Review # 2

Clarifying Shampoos are great for removing product build up, and in my case dry scalp build up. They leave your hair feeling lighter, and looking shinier. It's a good idea to clarify your hair at least once a month to get rid of product and mineral deposits. So I have been looking for a good clarifying shampoo that doesn't dry my scalp too much. My last post I reviewed a V05 clarifying shampoo and now I am reviewing:

 Carol's Daughter Rosemary Mint Purifying Shampoo

It is Paraben-free, no petroleum, mineral oil or artificial color and it is SLS/SLES/Sulfate Free. Yeah!!

I loved using this shampoo it stimulated my scalp (great tingle), my hair was super clean when done, and it smells soo good. My scalp issues, mainly dry scalp, was manageable and it I will definitely be using this often. I bought my shampoo at the JC Penny's Sephora so with that I saved on shipping. But it can be purchased online on QVC and the Carol's Daughter website.

Cons: Pricey $12.50 for 8oz. seems steep esp compared to paying $1.25 but you get what you pay for. Really needs to be followed by a conditioner or ACV rinse. I tried to go without my rinse and my hair felt a little to dry. However, I think that might be the case with any clarifying shampoo you use.

Clarifying Shampoo Review

Previously, I was using Dawn in my hair, it is great for keeping your cuticles closed and removing build up. But the product junkie in my was getting bored and I found it didn't help my scalp issues. So after my hair settled, I was given the OK to use clarifying shampoos. Yippee!

My first to try was V05 Kiwi Lime Squeeze Clarifying Shampoo.

The reason I chose this one first was because I have heard other SL sisters talk about it, and the price I paid was $1.50!! I have used this product for 3 washes, 1 without an ACV rinse and the others with. Without the ACV rinse I found my scalp was OK for 5 days, then winter (very dry scalp) arrived. With the ACV rinse my scalp held up for a few more days. My actual hair shaft, with and without the ACV rinse, was very dry, and I do not use conditioner, so I was not impressed with that.

Pros- 1. Very affordable (cheap) 2. Cleanses hair and scalp effectively 3. Smells like heaven 4. Lathers very well

Cons- 1. Has the 'nasty stuff' in it i.e sulfates 2. Hair felt really dry and stiff  3. Did not help fight dry scalp

My next review will be on Carol's Daughter Rosemary Mint Purifying Shampoo.