Confessions of a Natural hair Stylist - I fear build up in my locks and sometimes my hair looks dull :-{
So mission for the next 6 week - eliminate dullness and buildup recurrence.

The History of my build up:
In the 1st few years of my locks (she's 4 yrs old this March!!) I had no idea there was such a thing! I was a salon rat and trusted my hair's health in their hands. Problem: Salons' main mission is make you leave the salon looking fly, feeling fly and having the strong desire to come back in a couple weeks to recreate that feeling? :-) How is that achieved? - gels/waxes/keep-all-your-hair-in-place products. The majority of these products are not removed with a simple wash service. Result : Build up! By year 2 of my locks I was her sole caregiver. That's when I discovered ACV rinses! Lifestyle of my locks got turnt up! Who knew my hair could be that black :-D But then she got dull again - what?! Hence this mission.

Previous Routine:
I shampooed strictly with diluted black soap, no commercial conditioners, strictly natural oils and I employ the LOC (liquid - water, oil - jojoba or coconut, creme( heavier oil) - olive oil) method to seal in the moisture.

Pictured above is my first go with the New Routine: Baking soda paste (baking soda and water mixed to the consistency of a creamy face wash, slather that all over my locks (avoiding the scalp), rinse/spray with diluted apple cider vinegar - to activate deep cleansing power of the two (I literally hear them reacting - fizzing and bubbling and chasing away build up!). Finally I rinse with water. after 30 minutes - to an hour in a cotton tee my locks are ready for some LOCing!
* I avoid my scalp because I have sensitive skin and baking soda can burn if it comes in contact with my skin too long. To ensure my scalp is clean I only rub the residual baking soda on scalp after my locks are completely coated. I amp up scalp care with brown sugar scrubs as well.

For the next Month and half I will be filling you in on the benefits (or pitfalls) of this new Cleansing Routine. Stay tuned :-D

Lock Good, Feel Good!

Keeping Fresh SummerStyle
Biggest problem in the summer? Sweating your hair out! Yes you might be rocking protective styles but sweaty scalp equals funky hair and sometimes you just don't have time to shampoo and restyle! But fro love must continue! How do you combat funk and your fro? My cheat tool -baby wipes! Gentle enough for baby's bottom, gentle enough for your scalp! Cautionary notes:
1. Ensure that you use baby wipes vs antibacterial wipes - less alcohol. We want to refresh our scalp not dry it out.
2. When refreshing loose hair make parts and try not to rub wipes on hair but rather on your scalp. When refreshing hair in braids/twists/plaits/locks aim for your parts and do not disrupt your sections.
3. Allow hair to air dry or you may use a blow dryer on low heat with or without a diffuser. Damp hair = funky hair-let it dry! Once 80%-90% dry massage a light oil on scalp e.g. jojoba oil, olive oil or tea tree oil in your fave carrier oil.
* To really top off your refresher routine spray hair (not scalp) with a light leave-in conditioner or an at home concoction of water and rose petals.Lock Good, Feel Good

The source of healthy hair is a healthy scalp. To be healthy we must care for our scalp an never forget it is the skin if our head. Yeah! Underneath all your hair is skin! How do you care for the  skin on your body?

1. Cleanse It
2. Moisturise It
3. Exfolliate it from time to time
4. Protect it from the sun

Why wouldn't you treat your scalp the same way?
If the "ground" in which your hair root is planted is healthy your hair follicle stands a better chance at being healthy as well.

1. Cleanse It - Sulfate-free Shampooes are highly recommended because they have a less drying effect on the hair, Co Washing (substituting shampoo for a silicone free conditioner/a conditioner made specifically for shampooing) helps to retain moisture in the hair. Shampoo/Co-wash should be focused on your scalp in order to facillitate the cleansing process. This can be achieved by using an applicator bottle (usually used in colour aplication) to get product directly on scalp. One should only use the pads of the fingers to massage/disperse cleansing agent on scalp. Finger nails can tear skin and cause cuts and bruising to scalp.
2. Moisturise It - Try not to apply too much products directly on the scalp, the skin produces its own oils to keep the root of the hair healthy. A few drops of a natural oil of your choice on the pads of your fingers, massaged into the scalp, a few times a week should be sufficient till your next wash day. I endorse and utilise the LOC Method on the hair follicles: L- liquid (first line of moisture for hair follicles: usually water, can also be a leave in conditioner); O- oil (the sealant, the oil will coat your wet hair and delay the drying out process, keeping hair moisturised); Creme - (final barrier, to lock the moisture into hair follicles). The creme is usually your styling product but it can also be a hair lotion or creamy leave in conditioner.
3. Exfolliate - depending on the condition of your skin (oily, dry, normal) your need for exfolliation will vary. Exfoliating helps the person wuth dry skin by removing dead skin cells from the surface of the scalp and allowing it to 'breathe'; persons with oily skin may enjoy the lightness they feel after exfolliating and cleansing hair and scalp to remove some of the oils they naturally produce; persons with normal skin type may exfolliate in order to rejuvenate/stimilate skin.
4. Protect it from the sun - Yes we went natural to be carefree/bold/fashionable, UV rays do not discriminate! the skin on your head is not immune. Please utilise hats, umbrellas and shaded areas as much as possible in the summer. Not because your hair is now thicker and voluminous doesn't mean it is inpenetrable?

Enjoy your wash day and remember: Lock Good, Feel Good

Although late here's your first wash day pep talk =)  
Internationally I feel Saturday is wash day for everyone, in Jamaica land we love, it's mandatory!
How do you balance enjoying the weekend plus washing, hair, clothes and self? Read on!

• Plan ahead. Loosen hair from friday night, wear a twist out, braid out, funky lock updo to whichever friday night activity you will be getting into
• Decide if you will be washing clothes as well. Pick a reasonable hour of the day to get up and do both (simultaneously).
• Start laundry when you get up. Hopefully you'll be machine washing

. If not put clothes to soak and wash those that don't need soaking.

• Wash hair in shower

. Leave in conditioner while you wash your body. If deep conditioning put on a conditioning cap/scandal bag and check on clothes.

• Hopefully it's time for softner. If not it's time for breakfast/lunch

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• While hanging out clothes enjoy the free steaming/drying properties if the sun
• Settle in to moisturising and styling hair with the peaceful assurance that you washed your hair, washed your body, and washed your clothes with one fluid motion (read:sequence of events)!

Remember: Lock Good, Feel Good!