What is Shea Butter?

Shea Butter is a slightly yellowish or ivory-colored natural fat that is extracted from the nut of the African shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa) by crushing, boiling and stirring. Shea Butter It is widely used in cosmetics as a moisturizer, or lotion. Shea butter is edible and may be used in food preparation.

How does Shea Butter benefit my hair?

Shea Butter provides moisture to dry or damaged hair from the roots to the very tips, repairing and protecting against weather damage, dryness and brittleness. It also absorbs quickly and completely into the scalp to rehydrate without clogging pores. It is particularly beneficial for processed and heat-treated hair. It is an excellent treatment for dry scalp. It restores luster to damaged hair.

How to Stop Breakage in Afrikan American Hair

Due to its molecular structure, African hair is the weakest kind of hair. As a result, you have to be especially diligent to take care of your hair.

Follow these steps:

1) Most importantly.... minimize chemical treatments such as perms, and coloring. This causes the hair to be even more weaker than it already is.

2) Avoid styling that requires pulling and tugging(glued in extensions, weaves, and tight braids) This puts stress on the hair.

3) Stay away from heat (Heat takes away moisture from the hair, and if done constantly heat can "fry" your hair).

4) Avoid hair products that contain sulfates (natural oil-stripping detergents), silicones, alcohols or glycols (hair drying and damaging chemicals). This eliminates about 96% of black hair care products available on the market. Silicones make the hair look shiny, but also seal the cuticles and coat the strand so much that additional moisture is unable to penetrate the hair strand.

5) Attempt to wash your hair at least once a week, washing it gets out all of the dirt and old oils out of your hair and scalp. After washing your hair, never rub it with a towel. Gently squeeze it with the towel in your hand, (scrunching).

6) And last but not least... Keep your hair moisturized!!!

Tiffany Pollard from "Flavor of Love" goes natural?

If you're deciding whether or not you should become natural maybe this will change your mind.

The VH1 actress was spotted rocking a natural hairstyle, with light make-up and classy attire, (which means no cleavage for the camera)

"I'm so excited to reveal my natural look," she said during the shoot. "I have a great photographer on hand...you guys have to let me know how you're feeling me."

Big difference right?

Amazing Hair Growth Facts

• Average number of hairs on the head: 100,000
• Red hair: 90,000
• Black hair: 110,000
• Blond hair: 140,000
• Maximum length of hair: 70 to 90 cm
• Annual growth: 12 cm
• Female hair grows more slowly than male hair
• Male hair is more dense than female hair
• Lifespan of hair: 2 to 7 years
• Diameter of hair: 0.1 mm
• Humidity stretches the hair
• Combing is less detrimental than brushing
• Correct shampooing will not dry out the hair
• Frequent washing does not increase loss of hair
• Hair grows faster in warm weather
• Elderly people have slower hair growth and diminished hair density
• Cutting hair does not influence its growth
• Split ends can not be repaired and need to be cut
• Wet hair should not be rubbed since hair is very sensitive

Check out her hair

Special Guest: Autumn from "Curly Chronicles" on youtube

At our last meetup we had a guest who is know on youtube as Curly Chronicles. She drove two hours to our meetup and we had a blast. One of our biggest goals in out group is networking with other naturals from around the country. If anyone is interested in net-working with our group please feel free to contact me. That's Autumn ---->

Showing My Roots Natural Hair of San Diego

Here in San Diego I am apart of a natural hair group called "Showing My Roots Natural Hair of San Diego". I love this group! We have hair workshops every month, photoshoots, product swaps, net-working, hair challenges, product give aways and much more. The site is private so you would have to apply to our group first, attend one of our meetings, be approved by the group, and then you can become a Head Turner! Here is the link... http://www.meetup.com/Showing-My-Roots/

In this picture you will see a few of our members, a couple were not able to make it.

See you there :)

Kinky Curly Curling Custard Product Review

So a couple months ago while I was transitioning my mother bought me the Kinky Curly Curling Custard. I personally did not like it for my hair because it left this white sticky residue. It didn't do anything for the hair besides make it feel slimy. In my opinion the product is way too expensive and does nothing for your hair.

The best flaxseed hair gel recipe

Ingredients

• One cup water
• Quarter cup linseeds
• Optional additions include alcohol, grapefruit seed extract, essentials oils (about 4 drops)

Method

1. Mix one cup of water to a quarter cup of flaxseeds and add to a pan.
2. Heat slowly, stirring often to stop seeds from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
3. Continue to stir gently as water comes to a boil.
4. A frothy jelly will form and it is crucial to turn the heat down a little when seeds settle in the jelly rather than falling immediately to the bottom of the pan turn the heat off.
5. Carefully pour the liquid through a strainer over a bowl checking for any seeds that may have passed through.
6. Essential oils or preservative can be added at this point.
7. Mix the gel carefully adding any alcohol or preservatives to increase the shelf life of the gel.

Popular additions to flaxseed gel include grapefruit seed extract, essential oils with antiseptic qualities, honey and jojoba oil. Seeds can be saved for another batch of gel making it even more economical. This flaxseed gel should last for at least two weeks if kept in the refrigerator- even without preservatives.

Homemade flaxseed gel is an easy eco-friendly way to style curly hair. In addition to being cheap and easy to make it is popular with curly hair users due to the fact it doesn’t weigh hair down, dry it out or create flakiness.

Adverse effects of hair coloring

Hair coloring involves the use of chemicals capable of removing , replacing, and/or covering up pigments naturally found inside the hair shaft. Use of these chemicals can result in a range of adverse effects, including:

-Skin irritation

-Hair breakage

-Skin discoloration

-Unpredictable color results

The better option for dyeing your hair is...... HENNA

Henna is a plant used for Ayurvedix coloring. The orange dye is commonly used as a deposit-only hair colo whose component, lawsone, binds to keratin. It is therefore considered semi-permanent to permanent depending on a person's hair type. Most people will achieve a permanent color from henna, especially after the second dye. With repeated use the orange color builds up into a red and then auburn. While "natural" henna is generally a red color.

Even CurlyNikki uses Henna. (above picture)