Co-Wash Plan

With all the healthy hair posts that I've done, I've come to a realization that it takes a lot more than a healthy hair routine for you to get sexy naturally healthy hair.

I've been a die hard blow dryer lately, and its made me realize the error of my ways.

Recently, I noticed how disgusting and unclean my hair looked, it was sticky and unmanageable, and although I did neglect my own advice and healthy hair routine and treatments, I think it's safe to say my diet and stress is playing a huge role in it as well. I've been wanting to Co-Wash for quite sometime, I always read about it and people boasted about their sexy silky strands, and even youtubers with gorgeous hair.

Till now I thought Co-Wash is for Black girls, that had kinky dry hair, but I was corrected.


After careful research and analyzing my own personal hair needs, I think I'm ready to began my hair journey.

Step 1:
No matter what you do, you're diet and lifestyle plays a huge role in what you look like, so skip the burgers and opt for a delicious healthy shawarma and plain water.Take your vitamins

Step 2:
Analyze your hair, if you're hair is normal, you might not need to go hard like us Dry-ladies. My hair is super dry, and I've been giving myself anxiety because I think I have bubble hair and I know i  have crinkle damage. With all those sexy curls I rocked all of 2012, it's safe to say I'm going to Hair Hell.

Step 3
This is the main step....The Plan..alter this according to your hair.

The Plan

Tips:
Avoid styling tools
Avoid Silicone
Sleep with a light braid
Use a hair dry turban
Don't tie your hair when wet
use a Wide Tooth comb
Keep a hair log, this will help you keep track of everything. You can always go back and alter the plan to see what works for you better and what didnt. 
Color treated girlies try a Protien filler with deep conditioner right after before you do any of these steps..give your hair about 2-3 weeks before starting this.

Day 1

1. Apply coconut oil mixed with Honey to your hair and leave it on for atleast 3 hours. This will soften the blow from the next step.
2. Use your favorite Clarifying Shampoo (Neutrogena makes a great one, but I'm currently using Garnier pure clean) * Rinse and Repeat*  - This will make your hair DRY as a fucking bone..Don't you worry though. 
3. Apply a thin layer of olive oil from root to tip..if your hair is really dry like mine, Put on a deep conditioner mixed with some of your favorite oil *Except coconut*, try to use one that does NOT contain any silicone. Leave it on for 30+ minutes with a shower cap over your head.
4. Put some almond oil or olive oil to your ends to protect them. 

Next wash (should be within 3-5 days)

1. No more Shampoo for you, so instead of rinsing your hair out with  shampoo, steep some green tea and let it cool. Rinse your hair out with green tea, letting it sit in your hair for 3-4 minutes. Massage your scalp gently to promote blood flow. Skip this step if you want to, but I think it maintains the cleanliness
2. Apply your conditioner and leave it on for 3-4 minutes and wash it off as you would. I wouldn't apply it to the roots, because it can cause buildup.. Opt for a silicone free one.
3. Apply oil to the ends to protect them

 Next wash (3-5 days)

1. Analyze your hair, is your hair really dry, or feels really unclean. 
2. Repeat previous step if you're hair is still feeling somewhat dry or really dry
3. Otherwise take about a spray bottle and mix 1 part Apple cider vinegar and 1.5 part water (preferably distilled) and spray your hair. leave it on your hair...Let it dry and condition as usual
4.  If you HAVE to and you're hair looks like KFC fried chicken , take a quarter size shampoo with no sulfate *Macadamia Oil has a great one* and wash ONLY your roots with it. let the product run through your hair. Skip the conditioner, opt for just oil around the ends..

Repeat till you hit the 2 week mark..
If your hair is doing well with this continue on..whenever you feel like its had too much build up and you just want a squeeky clean, restart from day 1.

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Pre-Poo (Dry, damaged, colored hair)

Hey guys,

I've been looking for a great way to restore tons of moisture back into my hair, as i recently dyed it from lighter brown to blue black. I could feel my hair drying up more and more thanks to the winter weather and my neglect of at home all natural hair treatments!

I decided to research a little and found that what I've been doing for years, is actually a great way to moisturize and prevent Damage. It's called Pre-Poo ! ! !

It's huge in the black people community, as their hair is very easily damaged and super dry. So the sistas did me a favor, I've already been using oils on my hair since I was a kid, and it has worked so well!


Let me share my tips and tricks on your best Pre-Poo yet.

What is Pre-Poo?
Pre-Poo is basically applying your favorite type of all natural oil ; coconut, olive, avocado, jojoba etc to your scalp and hair. You wait anywhere from 30-60 mins and then hop in the shower and go about your shampoo and conditioner routine.

Heat and Pre-Poo?
Many women use hair steamers or heat during their Pre-Poos, i personally just apply my oil and use a hair dryer periodically to let my hair really soak in the oil.

Conditioner?
You don't need to apply conditioners when you pre-Poo, but if you want the added satisfaction, go ahead and add some.

Mayo?
Go all natural and skip the conditioner..Opt for Mayo instead for a lustrous shine
 
Detangle?
use a wide tooth comb to detangle your hair




 Tips:

• Use a natural oil for better results
• skip the argaan oil bandwagon and opt for coconut oil or olive oil
• use blow dryer, because its much safer than a hair steamer and hat dryer
• Put on a plastic shower cap or bag after every blow dry
• only blow dry each section for about 3-4 seconds on high heat
• Apply conditioner after an hour of only oil
• Use a shampoo thats moisturizing as well
• Apply a few drops of olive oil after for optimal results
• Skip the blow dry and go for air dry or low heat setting...Checkout my Healthy Blow Dry Tips
• Do this Everytime you shower, and don't neglect your all natural deep conditioning hair mask
  
  CLICK FOR OIL MASK
  CLICK FOR EXTRA STRENGTH  - INCLUDES More Tips
  

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Deep condition Oil Mask (DAMAGED HAIR)

My Go-To week mask has been Eggs, Olive Oil and Mayo. So I wanted to make my very own mask, that I know will work Amazing.


Mix equal parts
Olive Oil, Almond Oil and Coconut Oil in a sauce pan on low heat.



You can use another kind of oil but try for olive and coconut as 2 major as they are super moisturizing and beneficial.

take it off heat, and let it cool for a little bit

Mix in mint leaves and essential oils like lavender or steeped green tea leaves
(Try to do it in an equal parts as the oil)

Apply to your hair with a hair dye brush :d


Blow dry your hair periodically for a hot oil treatment

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Healthy Lashes

Get your Healthiest Lashes

Rule of Thumb: ALWAYS REMOVE MAKEUP

Natural Lash Treatments

 

1. Apply Vaseline moisturize dry and brittle lashes
2. Honey is a great clear mascara, you can always mix it with some black loose eye shadow
3. Use Surma (Google Surma to learn what it is..I own one and It really does help with lash growth)
4. Use Olive Oil or Castor Oil every night before bed to strip the lashes of chemicals and impurities. Mix it with lemon peel for some extra boost to your daily oil mixture!
5. Trim your lashes! I know crazy right, but it does help!  BUT only consider trimming the very tips of the eyelashes. By trimming the lashes, their follicles will be stimulated to grow the lashes back
6. Massage your eye area gently with a warm wash cloth to open pores and stimulate blood flow

Mascara
Have a Mascara Free day - this helps give your lashes a much needed break from chemicals
Wear Mascara only on 1/2 of your lashes, skip the root and use your favorite blackest black pencil liner on the upper waterline to fill in the spaces between your lashes and make them look fuller. Use a card to ensure you only get half.
Always wear Mascara with a LASH Primer (good quality)

Get a good quality Mascara or try the Physicians Formula Organic Wear.
DIY MASCARA: take a few drops of honey, and mix some loose black eye shadow and use a mascara wand and apply to your eyes. *you can also use JUST honey for everyday and wash it off with warm water*

Master false lashes, you will never have to rely on mascara.
Be careful with the glue, cause it can get stuck on your lashes, and it becomes such a hassle to remove.
Consider Lash Extensions, but only trust a reputable company and always go in for a consultation, and ask what products they use. *it has been reported lash extensions do hurt when they fall out*

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Healthy Hottie: Low Calorie Fried Rice

Delicious Fried Rice

Take your favorite vegetables such as chopped celery, mushrooms, corn, sun dried tomato (small pieces), carrots, peas, green onions, baby spinach. And add them to a wok, with brown rice on low-medium heat, and mixed them together. Add 1/4 cup chicken/vegetable broth, and mix it into the wok. Increase the heat to medium-high, and add 1 tbsp Soya Sauce and mix. Add 2 table spoon of olive oil and stir the rice constantly, on higher heat. Skip the salts and add some lemon juice and cayenne and or black pepper for some zest!

Eat it as a side dish with some grilled chicken or fish.

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Healthy Hottie: Mushroom Saute Side

 








Heat up a non stick pan with a table spoon of olive oil, after the pan is hot, add a cup of chopped mushrooms, and stir them around so they don't stick to the pan.


After about two minutes of cooking, add a teaspoon of crushed garlic. Skip the salt and add some black pepper and cayenne pepper (add as much as you like)

Lower the heat, and cook till mushrooms are brown, and add a table spoon of fresh lemon juice.

Serve with a side of rice and some grilled chicken!

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Healthier Sexier Lips

Everyone wants sexy kissable soft lips, and its quite easy to get them too, here are a few steps you can take, to ensure you have your sexiest lips.

1. Exfoliate your lips regularly, to keep dead skin away, and promote blood flow.
   - Use an old Tooth Brush
2. Apply Vaseline instead of Chapsticks for more moisture.
3. Don't wear Cheap lip makeup, It's important to invest in some good quality lipstick, because cheap ones darken the lips.
4. Remove lipstick every night.
5. Apply a layer of Honey, and leave it on for 2-5 minutes every night, and wash/lick it off.
6. Don't chew or bite on your lips
7. Avoid licking your lips

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Healthy Snacks

Yogurt and Berries

1 cup yogurt (preferably homemade, Low fat/no Sugar or Greek yogurt)
1 cup Frozen Berries
1 1/2 tablespoon honey

Extras
Add 3-4 crushed almonds
Add 1/6 cup Oats

Ingredients

2	egg whites
1	tbsp oil
1	cup skim milk
1/2	cup flour
1/4	tsp salt

  Toppings:

        1 tbsp of low fat cream cheese (regular or flavored)
        1/4 cup berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries)
        1 tsp of crushed nuts

Directions

mix together well, pour 1/10 into pan sprayed with cooking spray, one at a time. cook over medium heat until able to flip easily, then flip and cook for about 20 seconds. after it cools down, put 1 tbsp of low fat cream cheese, and roll it or fold it over. Throw on some berries, and drizzle some crushed nuts.

Optional: Add a few lines of chocolate icing, or a tbsp of Nutella.

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Repair Damaged Brittle Hair

Since it's august, I think its the perfect time to repair the summer damage. Summer is the worst time for hair, because of the humidity, heat, lighter dyes/ombres and styling products/irons. I think all those Bombshell waves, flirty curls and shinny sleek straight will take a toll on your hair. Since Fall is just around the corner, It's better to start repairing your hair NOW!

 

1. Go in for a trim
   This is the most important step to take, if you want healthy hair. I always notice my hair feels a lot better when I get a cut. This will rid you of those pesky split ends, and add healthy shine.
   - If the hairstylist recommends that you cut your hair a bit more than you wanted, it's better to just cut it then and there, then to come back and re cut the split ends again, which is the same thing.
   
   
2. Dye your hair darker
   Although an optional step, it's really for the best to go a bit darker for the fall/winter months!
   - Opt for semi-permanent dyes, which are healthier for you in the long run. Also it would leave a PERMANENT color on your hair, which means you can afford to change it up a few times without ripping your hair follicles
   - Instead of redying your hair for vibrancy, try a gloss treatment, for instant shine.
   - Skip the full head dye, and go for the root touch ups!
    
3.  Treatments at the Salon
   you need to save up a bit, and go in for a hot oil treatment to bring moisture and life back into your hair, your hair will LOVE the pampering and so will you.
   
   
4. At Home Treatments
   I hate it that people go out and spend $$$ on all these products that don't really do much. Everything you need is already in your fridge, so stop wasting your money. You should AIM to fix your hair naturally not chemically.
   - Mix one or two eggs depending on your hair length and thickness, and add as much olive/coconut/almond oil to the mixture as you like and about 1-3 tablespoons of Mayo (I know this sounds gross but trust me) mix the ingredients really well and apply it to your hair. Cover hair with a shower cap, and periodically blow dry your head and put the cap on. Wash your hair after a minimum of 3 hours of applying. the longer you keep it, the better it is. 
   
5. Scalp Massage
   Scalp massage is great for blood flow, so keep running your fingers through your hair!
   
6. Eat Nutritious and Drink Liters and take your Vitamins
   As it says, nothing can fix your hair but you! The healthier you eat the better!
7. Avoid Hairsprays and Mousse
8. Try to straighten your hair once a week or twice a week
9. Use a good heat protector
10. Blow dry your hair instead of straightening
11. Blow Dry your hair, when it's 75% dry
12. Towel dry/ Air Dry
13. Shower at night, and air dry, and then style in the morning for easy style rather than going over the same strand
14. Get a silk pillow to avoid breakage
15. Dont brush wet hair
16. use a detangler on hair instead of brushing it out like a champ

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