Loc Maintenance || Washing and 2-Headed Dragons

I've been following Dewdrop (and other loc'ed ladies) for some years now.  Dewdrop has gone from having sisterlocs to traditional locs (via combining).  She is 5 years loc'ed, uses the latching method for maintenance, and sticks with natural products due to scalp sensitivity to chemicals.  Her youtube channel is very informative with tips on styling and loc maintenance.  Here are just a couple of her videos; be sure to check out her channel for more.

WASHING LOCS:

2-HEADED DRAGONS:

You can now find HHB on Facebook. Share with your friends:

http://www.facebook.com/healthyhairandbody.

Underrated || Mango Butter for Hair and Skin

{Image Source}

While shea butter is extremely popular in hair care and skin care, mango butter is not heard of as much.  Chances are, if you have not tried mango butter, you may be missing out ... especially if you are not a fan of shea butter.

WHY MANGO BUTTER IS GREAT:

1.  It is moisturizing and does not sit on top of the hair.  Ladies who have tried both shea butter and mango butter tend to agree that mango butter is more moisturizing and absorbs into the hair better.  

2.  It has emollient properties.  Mango butter can help to smooth the hair and skin as well as seal in moisture.

3.  It provides more hold and definition.  At room temperature, mango butter is more solid than shea butter.  It is probably because of this characteristic that it is able to provide more hold and definition compared to shea butter.  

4.  Light to mild, sweet scent.  If you find the nutty scent of shea butter a bit strong or odoriferous, you may prefer the milder, sweet scent of mango butter.

HOW TO USE MANGO BUTTER:

1. Mix with an oil (or oils) to make a moisturizer.  For moisturizing, mango butter is best used when mixed with an oil (or oils).  Since it is fairly hard at room temperature, the butter should be melted first.  Then add olive oil, coconut oil, safflower oil, grapeseed oil, and/or your favorite oil to create a more pliable moisturizer than may be applied to the hair or skin.

2. As a holding agent.  Melt the mango butter slightly and apply it to the hair prior to twisting or braiding.  

You can now find HHB on Facebook. Share with your friends:

http://www.facebook.com/healthyhairandbody.

Oldies, But Goodies

1. The UGLY Truth Behind Health and Fitness
2. How to Barbecue Healthier
3. Mixology || Soothing Summer Body Spray
4. Protective Style Lookbook: 20+ Styles on Braids & Twists
5. Healthy Styles for Transitioning or Stretching Relaxers
6. Beet Juice, Beet Smoothie: Blood Pressure & Stamina

Do Sandwiches Always Equate to Healthy Eating?

Check out this slideshow on the "10 Worst Sandwiches".  Schlotzsky's Original Style Turkey Sandwich even made the list.

{Image Source}

Protective Style Lookbook || Grecian Goddess Bun

By popular demand, this is a series showcasing various protective hair styles.  Protective styling does not have to be boring. :o)

Model: Laila

Style description: Grecian style bun.  (Can be done on braids or twists as well.)

Difficulty level: 3/5

You can now find HHB on Facebook. Share with your friends:

http://www.facebook.com/healthyhairandbody.

Loc Maintenance || Tomato Hair Rinse for Deodorizing

{Image Source}

According the originator of this recipe, this rinse can help to deodorize locs, remove buildup, and impart shine.   She used it on her cousin's locs and received great results! 

The only ingredient needed is the tomato. Squeeze out the juice, remove the seeds and skin, spray through freshly washed locs, and let sit for about an hour.  Check out the video tutorial below:

TOMATO HAIR RINSE (starts at 8:19)

For anyone who is interested in her tomato conditioner recipe (more so for those with loose hair), watch the video above from the beginning.

You can now find HHB on Facebook: 

http://www.facebook.com/healthyhairandbody.

Hair Diary || Back to Kinky

This will be a monthly series in which I discuss my hair journey from now through my 5-year nappiversary in February 2013.

I wore my hair straight (previously flat-ironed) for about 3 weeks before returning to my kinks.  During that time frame, I had my hair in jumbo twists (see below) for the most part.  There were a couple of days when I switched up my style to a bun or a ponytail.

Flat-ironed hair worn for ~3 weeks.  This photo was taken towards the end of the 3rd week.

After my usual wash and condition (see "Regimen" tab above), I went back to my routine twists, which I love so much.  Twists have been my staple style throughout my natural hair journey.  I wore the set seen below for 2 weeks then a twistout for 3-4 days.  I will put in a new set of twists and wear them for about 3-4 weeks. 

Twists worn for 2 weeks.

You can now find HHB on Facebook: 

http://www.facebook.com/healthyhairandbody.