Shhhhh...Some of my favorite secret concoctions

I have a confession to make:

I secretly love mixing and blending up a bowl of hair *magic* in the kitchen! I have been trying to become more skillful with using my hands in the kitchen. In addition to trying new recipes (the food type, not the hair type lol), I have been also mixing together some of my own "juices and berries" mixtures for my hair.

The first one that I will share with you is a deep conditioner blend.

In a bowl I mix together:

2 cups of Tresemme Naturals 

1 cup of a cheapie conditioner (I used V05)

1 tbsp of Olive Oil

1 tbsp of Grape Seed Oil ceramide

1/4 cup of Alma Oil (from the Indian Store)

This batch will last me for at least 2 or three deep conditions.

I love it because it makes my hair incredibly strong and soft. I also love it because I'm using Grape Seed Oil, which is high in ceramide content.

Information about ceramides:

Ceramides perform a "barrier function" and help reduce the hair's overall porosity. Ceramides bind to the hair fiber in damaged, vulnerable areas to help prevent natural moisture and protein loss that occurs when we manipulate our hair. Natural ceramides keep the hair fiber tight, and cuticles flat so that the hair shines and has low porosity.

If you happen to use this mix please let me know how it works out for you. Or feel free to share any mixes of your own in the comments below!

Nupur Mehndi

Stopped by the store that I usually go to for my Henna, Castor Oil, Almond Oil..and while browsing the aisles I came across Nupur Mehndi. I do not consider myself to be following a strict Ayurvedic Hair Regimen, but I use herbs and oils like Neem, Alma, and Henna in my deep conditioners occasionally. The Nupur stood out to me because A. The powder is mixed with nine herbs that essentially benefit the hair and B. A friend of mine mentioned using a powder like this and had fabulous results.

The product description on Godrej Nupur's website reads:

Nupur brings to you the best quality Rajasthani Mehendi with 9 carefully chosen natural herbs. The ingredients are added in perfect proportions to give your hair the fabulous shiny & silky feel that you desire every single day. 
Following are herbs used in Godrej Nupur Mehendi with their benefits.

• Brahmi - Promotes hair growth.
• Shikakai - Leaves hair clean & shining.
• Aloe Vera - Maoisturises hair & makes it silky.
• Methi - Conditions, nourishes & revitalises hair.
• Bhringraj - Makes hair luxuriant.
• Amla - Darkens hair colours, adds shine & luster.
• Neem - Fights scalp infection & prevents dandruff.
• Hibiscus - Rejuvenates hair making it shiny & silky.
• Jatamansi - Prevents graying of hair.

 The company recommends mixing the product this way:

Soak Nupur Mehendi in water for 2-3 hours. You may add curd/oil for extra softness. Apply paste evenly from root to tip of the hair. Leave for 3-4 hours. Rince thoroughly with water.

Now...I'm not one for patience. So of course I did not soak the Nupur Mehndi in water for 2-3 hours. Let's try...2-3 minutes? It was late and I didn't feel like waiting until the morning to try this product. Next time I will be sure to soak it for 2-3 hours though.

I added 1 cup of water, 1/4 cup of Coconut Oil and 1 cup Aussie Moist Conditioner to this product.

I loved the results! I cowashed the product out of my hair with Suave Conditioner and followed up with a Deep Conditioner mix. I noticed far less breakage so far. My hair is much softer and stronger as a result of this product. I will be using this again before the month ends.

Product Grade: A+ 

Sidebar: I did not realize that the product would stain my hands (Mehndi=Henna). Doh! I'm walking around with orange fingers/nails as a result. Lesson learned. 

Ooooh...Ahhhh!

I feel like I'm in an Herbal Essences commercial and I'm not even using Herbal Essences.

The first time I used this product I felt like a little girl. That freshly washed hair that I could run my fingers through. The hair that dries soft and bouncy and fluffy. It's remarkable. Same results the second and third time.


So I figured I would let the secret out.

Yeah, this stuff is the truth!

It's usually used in Dominican Salons as a deep conditioner for blow outs/roller sets. I've used it for rollersets and braidouts and I absolutely loooooove the way it makes my hair feel for both. This might just be my staple conditioner!

Neem Powder/Oil

About two weeks ago, I was browsing some items in my local Indian store. I picked up a box of Neem Powder (thinking it was Alma powder....apparently I can't read) and picked up a bottle of Neem oil. I have wanted to try some other products in the Indian store other than Henna and I thought I would do some experimenting.

Once I got home, I began to research the products more. I usually do this before making my purchase, but since my visit to the Indian store was random, I didn't have the chance to. I discovered that the Neem Tree is has a reputation as being the "wonder tree". It has been used in the past and even in the present to treat various illnesses and it is also used as preventative care. For hair, it is usually used to treat dandruff. I don't have a problem with dandruff, but I thought that was interesting. In general, it is used to promote hair health. 

Finally I opened up my new products. I kind of felt like a kid playing with new toys. Until I caught a whiff of the Neem Oil.

Damn near passed out.

Talk about stank. Wheeeweeee!

Nevertheless, I began mixing a concoction of Neem Powder, Conditioner, and Neem Oil. I applied it to my hair. Though I must have walked around the house smelling rather interesting, I kept it in for a half hour.

Washing it out was quite an experience. Not as bad as washing out Henna. But this stuff looks like a paste once it goes on, so it's not like washing out conditioner. Though the smell lingered for day or two (I think I used too much Neem Oil)...I loved the way that it made my hair feel. It made it feel soft and strong. I think I will be using this once or twice a month as a deep deeeep conditioner.

The next product on my "Indian Store Wish List" is the Shikakai Powder. Stay tuned!

Karishma Henna

I have been using henna for over a year. I absolutely love the wonderful effects that henna has on my hair. Henna strengthens my mane, elongates my hair, and even gives it a pretty reddish tint in the sun. I also like that it provides it with an unbeatable moisture (which my hair seems to lack in the winter). I have used two brands since I have started using henna: Hesh and Jamila. Both are great brands of henna. Recently I tried a new brand that I fell in LOVE with, Karishma Henna.

I like that this henna is mixed with herbs such as Alma and Shikakai. This henna stands out from the other bands that I have used because it made my hair feel amazingly soft, like cotton candy soft. Also my curls have been more defined and less frizzy. If I could buy stock in this company, I would. It's just that good :)

Deep Conditioning Basics

Every week, once a week, I treat my hair extra special. I take her out, wine and dine her, and show her a good time. Well...I don't do that per se...but I do give her a special treat.

In my hair journey, I have learned to determine what my hair needs. I usually do not stumble upon a protein problem, my main problem is moisture. But I do not forget to occasionally give my hair a light protein treatment.

Today, I made sure I focused on moisture, since that was what my hair was lacking. Ok, let me rewind...three days ago I put a henna treatment in my hair. I have an issue with patience and let me tell you...henna requires a lot of patience. My patience usually spirals downwards toward the end (the washing out 15 minute session). I learned my lesson this time. Apparently I did not wash all of the henna out and boy did it zap the moisture from my braid out. So my goal today is to pump moisture back into my hair with my deep conditioner treatment.

I mixed Cream of Nature Argan Oil Conditioning Treatment and Hot 6 Oil together. 

A really simple mixture of approximately 90% Conditioner and 10% Oil. After washing my hair with Shea Moisture's Organic Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention shampoo...I then divided my hair, with my fingers, into four sections. I do not detangle the hair at all when doing this. After sectioning my hair, I slathered the conditioner and oil mix onto my hair and proceeded to braid each section.

Once done braiding I then slathered the remaining amount of the conditioner and oil mix onto each braid. I'm not a stickler for time today so I will be leaving this on for about an hour or so....

If I wanted to go even deeper I would sit under the hair dryer, but again...with my patience...no, it's not happening. Sorry hair. But the plastic bag does help to keep the hair and products moist and a bit warm (depending on the temperature of the environment you are in of course)!