Protective Style Lookbook || Rolled Updo on Twists

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

Model: Anneka

Difficulty level: 2/5

Description: Rolled updo on chunky twists.

Healthy Recipes || Mashed Cauliflower - Low Carb Alternative to "Mashed Potatoes"

Mashed cauliflower that looks and tastes like mashed potatoes ... except with much less starch. Have you tried it?  In an effort to eat more vegetables and less carbs, I decided to give the dish a try.  What's the verdict?  Yo, this dish is DELICIOUS!

Various forms of the mashed cauliflower recipe have been floating around the Web.  Some contain butter while some use olive oil ... some use romano cheese while some use mozzarella.  It really depends on what you want to add to your mashed cauliflower, though I will say a bit of salt and pepper is a must and cheese certainly enhances the flavor.  (I personally use salt, pepper, sharp cheddar, and organic butter.)

Without further ado, here is what you will need at the minimum: 

Ingredients:

1 cup of mashed cauliflower

a bit of salt

a bit of black pepper

1-2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil or melted butter

Optional ingredients:

cheese of your choice (e.g., Parmesan, Mozzarella, Romano ... as much or as little as you want)

garlic powder

etc.

Directions:

1. Steam the cauliflower until it is "mash-able" (i.e., soft but not too soft).
2. Use a food processor to mash the cauliflower.  (If you don't have a food processor, using a blender on pulse is okay or mash with a utensil.)
3. Mix all the other ingredients into the mashed cauliflower.
4. You're done!  Enjoy!

Healthy Hair on Youtube: Megan

If my hair was relaxed, this lady would be one of my biggest hair crushes.  (Okay, well she already is even though I am natural.)  Anyway, her regimen is on point and her hair looks healthy and bangin'!  If you're texlaxed or relaxed and looking for a new hair inspiration or hair care tips, check out her channel.  In the mean time, here are a couple of videos demonstrating her air drying and detangling technique.

 

Study || Palm Oil + Conditioning Damaged Hair

Damaged hair has a higher degree of swelling in water than relatively healthy hair.  Because of this increase in swelling, damaged hair will experience even more damage.  According to a 2012 study, hydrogenated palm oil is effective at preventing water-induced swelling of damaged hair, possibly because it can "penetrate into the cuticle and outer cortex" of said hair.

SOURCE:
"Distribution Analysis of Triglyceride Having Repair Effect on Damaged Human Hair by TOF-SIMS." Toru Kojima, Shiho Tsuji, Masanao Niwa, Kaori Saito, Yasuyuki Matsushita, Kazuhiko Fukushima.  International Journal of Polymer Analysis and Characterization. Vol. 17, Iss. 1, 2012.

Hair Diary || Jumbo Twists and Then What?

Wore small twists for 3 weeks.

Right now I am wearing jumbo twists (not pictured) in an flat-twist updo after about three weeks in small twists.  After that, I'm not quite sure what I want to do with my hair yet.  I have been craving braid extensions -- as I always tend to do during the winter season -- but I don't know that I have to patience to do them myself nor the courage to let someone else do them for me.  I have also been toying with doing back-to-back weekly jumbo twists in February, but that may be too much manipulations.  What is a gal to do?  I have some things to consider ...

... in the meantime, here are a few more hair pics:

Back shot of the small twists.

Side shot.  Circa week #2.
I undid a few twists in the front to create bangs ... and jazz things up a bit.

Better shot of the front bangs.

The new batch of whipped shea butter (the multi-oil one) that I mentioned in an earlier post.
Definitely loving it.

And it melts instantly.

'Til next time!

Mixology || Coconut Banana Deep Conditioner

Here is a yummy recipe (from The BraunSugar Blog) for conditioning your tresses!

Ingredients:
1/4 cup coconut milk
2 bananas
2 tbsps coconut oil
1 tsp honey

Directions:
Combine all ingredients together in a food processor or blender.
Blend until extra smooth.  Make sure that there are no banana lumps.  (They are hard to remove later.)

RECIPE CARD:

Check out The BraunSugar's post for more details.

Camille Rose PRODUCT REVIEW!

This product review was provided by my sister (whom you can find on Fotki).

I received a full 8oz size of Camille Rose Coconut Water Penetrating Hair Treatment from The Coconut Water Collection No. 02. The owner of Camille Rose, Janell Stephens,  was kind enough to send it along as an additional goody with an Aloe Whipped Butter Gel replacement. I had ordered the Camille Rose Aloe Whipped Butter Gel from another online shop and it was leaving a white cast in my hair. I contacted the company and they sent along a fresh replacement jar of the gel, a sample size of their Algae Renew Deep Conditioner and a full 8 oz size of their new Coconut Water Penetrating Hair Treatment. There was no charge for any of the items I received and I was not asked by the company to provide this review. 

The Coconut Water Penetrating Hair Treatment is described as a treatment that "combines super hydrating, thirst-quenching coconut water, aloe vera juice, tropical butters and oils to deeply penetrate and provide maximum moisture and shine."

Some key ingredients include coconut water, palm kernel oil, aloe vera juice, argan oil, hydrogenated vegetable oil, hydrolyzed keratin and a bunch of other hair nourishing oils and butters. 

I love that it contains a small amount of hydrolyzed keratin, which helps to fortify the hair so that it retains its texture and holds onto moisture. Keratin is also the most compatible with hair since hair = keratin + water. 

My Hair:

I have mainly low porosity, fine 4a hair that is high porosity and prone to breakage at my crown. My hair is also protein sensitive, so I use moisture-based products in my regimen and use light protein in moderation. 

How to Use:

There is no description on how to use the 

Coconut Water Penetrating Hair Treatment

, but it is described on the front as a "concentrated rinse-out conditioner for silky, soft hair" so I assume you would use it like other conditioners after shampooing. 

How I Used Product:

I cleansed my hair then applied the Treatment.

The texture of the 

Treatment

 is thick and creamy. The color is a light gray/off-white and it smells like a coconut cream pie with vanilla wafers ;]  It's a pleasant natural smell that doesn't linger. 

As I applied the Treatment, I noticed the slip, creaminess and observed how it was absorbing into my hair.  I did not have to use a lot and I was able to apply it to wet hair without it foaming up.  I rinsed it out after 5-7 minutes, but I assume you can leave it in for more or less time.  This is naked hair right after rinsing out the Treatment.

My hair felt moisturized and had a high sheen. I could feel the oils and butters in my hair after rinsing, but my hair felt nourished and not coated. The Treatment also gave my hair a nice elasticity.  As my hair air-dried, it remained moisturized and springy. I did notice that the Treatment did not leave my hair as smooth or defined as my usual moisturizing deep treatment does, but it was surprisingly more moisturized and detangled. I proceeded to style my hair and let it air dry. 

Overall, I really enjoyed using the 

Coconut Water Penetrating Hair Treatment. 

The oils, butters and keratin all gave a nice balance of moisture and elasticity. I am pleased that Janell has created a product valuable to any textured hair routine. The Treatment is not a filler product, but is useful if your hair benefits from conditioning treatments that provide moisture and strength---the cornerstone of most hair regimens.

This review is my personal experience and impressions of the product.