I said I would not do it....

.........but I have to! Thanks to my wonderful Fiance, I can take better quality pics, because he got me a new camera for Christmas! He bought me the Nikon COOLPIX L22, in red!

I am awfully glad, because taking close up pics for comparisons, were tough doing with my old camera.


I hope you guys got all you wanted for Christmas!


Just wanted to share! :)

~Naomi

Soybean Oil for Skin!

As you all know, I recently found out that the 'Vegetable Oil', I use to cook, is actually Soybean Oil, with after doing research, I have found that it can be very good for hair. Soybean Oil for Hair.


So I have been using Soybean Oil to prepoo, as well as adding it to my deep conditioner/treatments, but then I thought it would be a could idea to use it as a sealant.

I recently purchased a new spray bottle from Family Dollar, and wanted to test it out, so I poured a bit of Soybean Oil into the bottle, and the rest with water. I shook the bottle, to get it to mix a bit, and went to spray, and come to find out, the bottle does not work!

I do not know if it is the pressure or what, but either way, the trigger does not work, and it does not spray, so I have bought a useless spray bottle (pictured below). Thankfully it only cost me $1.00 USD, so I was not too upset about it not working.

In bottle: Soybean Oil mixed with water.

I did not want to just toss it out, so I decided to try it out on my skin!

Once mixed up the consistency was much like baby oil, and I would say it has done a good job of keeping my skin feel moisturized and smooth. Of course, like baby oil, I apply it to semi damp skin, that way it can seal in the moisture.

Baby oil really is Mineral Oil with fragrance, which we know is acts as a barrier, and does not allow moisture in or out. Which is the reason it is applied to damp skin.

So my mishap has lead me to learn another use for this wonderfully cheap, and useful oil. Just wanted to share my discovery.


~Naomi

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

Refresh Old Braids

Hey All!

As most of you know, I have been in Yarn Braids, for a month officially now. Thing is, braids can slip, or you can experience new growth, the longer you keep them in. It is great, but it does not exactly look good as they did when you first got them installed. As your roots are no longer inside the braid, and can be seen, and at that point, you are fooling no one! lol

Well, my hair had gotten to that point, but since I have a month left, I did not want to go through it with my new growth being on display, so I opted to rebraid my edges, and my middle row.

I intially intended to rebraid my entire head over, but then I thought it would be logical to only braid the sections of my hair that would be visable. A couple of rows in the back, so I can wear a high bun, or pony if I chose to, the middle two rows-front only, so I can wear my hair parted. So now I look as though I have fresh braids.

I already had pre-cut yarn, because I saved it! From when I was preparing to install my Yarn Braids. I suggest saving unsed portion hair (if in package) or yarn . You can save yourself some money, and effort it takes to go to the store. So that is what I used!

Now my braids look as they did when I first installed them! It really helps because it would have taken me hours to complete my entire head, for the same results. It will help me get through the next month without feeling self conscious.

Anyway, I just wanted to share some tips and tricks I have learned with braids this time around.

~Naomi

Cayenne Pepper Comparison Update/Pics (4th Edition)

Hey all!

To be fair, I honestly have not used Cayenne Pepper since installing my braids, but none the less, I want to give you all an update.

As you all  I have been Cayenne Pepper, as a growth aid since February 2009. I decided to give Cayenne Pepper a try because acts as a stimulant. It causes blood to flow to the area it is applied to, which helps awaken dormant follicles, thus causing hair growth. To get info on how I use and make my treatment, check out previous post.
 Why Use Cayenne Pepper
Part II, of Why Use Cayenne Pepper


I also use (Home Health) Castor Oil, (Tropical Isle) Lavender JBCO, to help promote growth in between Cayenne Pepper Treatments usually, but since the braids, I cannot do them, so I have strictly been using my JBCO/Castor Oil mixture. I am not sure how not doing my Cayenne Pepper Treatments has affected my growth, but to be honest I cannot really tell the difference.

Anyway, that has been my progress thus far! Comment and let me know if you see any difference! Maybe it is my eyes? lol


~Naomi

Soft Roots

Hey all!

I oiled my scalp last night with my JBCO mixture (Lavender Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Home Health Castor Oil, and Africa's Best Ultimate Herbal Oil) and my roots feel so soft! I am not sure whether my braids have slipped on it is new growth but either way, it feels lovely!

I should not be surprised though, JBCO has always left my roots feeling soft and moisturized, which is why it is a necessary staple in my regimen.

So if you are looking for an oil that promotes growth and thickness, while softening your new growth, this oil is it!

I have still been applying JBCO on my bald spots, and I am feeling more fuzz, so I guess that is a good thing. I will be doing an other comparison with pictures, sometime this week, so look out for that post.

You will have to give a little with expectations, as I have not used Cayenne Pepper (promotes growth through circulation) in about 3 weeks, and I usually do 1-2 four hour treatments, with a shower cap.

I also will be washing my braids this weekend along with redoing some braids, at least the ones along my hairline, so they will look decent for Christmas.  I hope I can come up with a hairstyle for Christmas, instead of the usual bun or ponytail.

Anyway, I just wanted to give you all a quick update!


~Naomi

Goodies!

Hey all,

I have got nothing to report hair wise, I have just been bunning, and doing other simple styles, following my regimen, but today I got a surprise!

I got a Secret Santa gift! On BHP, for the first time, we did Secret Santa, and everyone was given a pal to send a gift to. We all wrote a list of things we wanted, and the secret santa could pick from the list and send the gift. I received mine today.

One of my gifts I am super excited to try is, Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea Reconstructurizer. It can be used as a leave in, and heat protectant. I will not be trying this until these braids come out, but it has been something I have been wanting to try since forever. (Thanks again!)

There are a couple of other items I received in my gift box, that I have never tried before. So I will be reviewing those, along with the Aphogee Keratin.

I am hoping I can start doing give away's next year, and do a Christmas/Holiday gift basket. So we will see what the new year brings!


~Naomi

Drying Yarn Braids

After washing my Yarn Braids yesterday, it took about 12 hours for them to dry fully. I washed them at noon yesterday and they were done drying around midnight.

So for those of you who have yarn braids, or are looking to get them, they do take quite some time to dry!I would definitely set a wash day on a day when you have no other plans. I

had to ring my braids out multiple times to get water, as the yarn was trying to retain the moisture, which is a good thing, but not to the point where they're heavy and full of water. Even after doing that they stayed damp throughout the day.

I am sure the length and amount of yarn you used has something to do with the drying time as well.


Just wanted to give you all an update!


Naomi~

Washing Yarn Braids

A process that I was dreading......turned out to be quite simple!


Prior to shampooing I oiled my scalp with my Lavender JBCO mixture, and then coated my braids, concentrating on the top half (where my hair is) with Soybean Oil (Vegetable Oil). I did so by oiling my braids in sections. I made four sections and when I was done with one, I would twist it, and put the length of my twist on top of my head.

It was hard to balance, but I repeated with the other three sections, and then made a bun on top of my head by tucking the ends, and securing with an elastic band. Like so...

I put on my satin scarf, and bonnet, and then went to bed. I decided to wash in the shower since it would be the easiest.

I let the water run over my hair, and then washed my hair in for sections, three times each. Using about a quarter size of Suave Professionals Shea & Almond shampoo. (The hair got sooo heavy!)

The first two times I concentrated on my roots, rubbing with my finger tips (not scratching!) rinsing after each wash, the third time, I focused on the hair, by using both my hands and rubbing the hair between both my palms, and then rinsed.

Since I did not plan on deep conditioning, I followed with putting Suave Professionals Shea & Almond conditioner on my roots, and the top half of my hair, as this is where my real hair is. I then twisted my hair in sections, as I did to prepoo, and tucked the ends and secured with a elastic band.


 I did not keep time, but I am sure the conditioner stayed in my hair for about 10-15 minutes. I rinsed with cool water, and then rung my hair out.

I then oiled my scalp with my JBCO mixture, and then sprayed my hair with my leave in (diluted VO5 Moisturizing Milks Passion Fruit Smoothie & Castor Oil).


To keep my hair out of my face I took the front sections and braided my hair, and left the back loose. It is still pretty wet now, so I am going to have to ring it out some more, but I want leave it down so it can dry fully. Here is how it looks...

It actually was an enjoyable experience. It felt nice to let water touch my scalp again! I'll be doing this process every two weeks, until I take these braids out.


Anyway, just wanted to share my experience with you all!


Naomi~

Africa's Best Ultimate Herbal Oil (w. Ginseng)

Africa's Best Ultimate Herbal Oil

This product has been a staple in my regimen for a while now, and it is a gem!

I originally intended on using African Royale Hot Six Oil, since I heard so many great review, but I decided to go with Africa's Best Ultimate Herbal Oil, since it was easier on the pockets.


 An 8 ounce bottle of Africa's Best Ultimate Herbal Oil goes for $1.99 USD vs. $4.00-5.99 (depending on the retailer) for African Royale's Hot Six Oil.

African Royale Hot Six Oil

I cannot attest to whether one oil is better than the other, as the both contain natural ingredients, all except the last, which is fragrance.

This oil smells like baby powder and has a very light consistency. It is pretty easy to apply. I can tend to run if you use too much, but to combat that, you put the oil in an applicator bottle for easier and more controlled distribution.

I add it to everything, I seal with it, I use it on my scalp, as a prepoo, mix it in my setting lotion for rod sets, in my deep conditioners, I adore this oil! It can also be used for your skin, and nails/cuticles! It always leaves my roots soft, and hair with a nice sheen!



The Ingredients:
Soy Bean Oil , Walnut Seed Oil , Kiwi Fruit Extract , Olive Fruit Oil , Castor Seed Oil , Sesame Seed Oil , Jojoba Seed Oil , Carrot Seed Oil , Sweet Almond Oil , Tocopheryl Acetate , Safflower Oil , Calendula Extract , Yarrow Extract , Cucumber Extract , Carrageenan Extract , Ginseng Extract , Sage Extract , Comfrey Extract , Aloe Extract , Fragrance


For $1.99 this oil is a great deal! It will always be a staple in my regimen. It gets a 5/5 from me!


Until Next Time, Naomi~

(Yarn) Braid Regimen

Hey all!

I am loving my braids so far! I have been experimenting with styles here and there, which I have yet to take a photo of! I will make sure to do next time.

Lately my favorite style so far is a high bun.

Anyway, my regimen so far.....


-Moisturize 4x a week (Using diluted VO5 Moisturizing Milks Passion Fruit Smoothie Conditioner with Home Health Castor Oil)

- Wash 2x a month (Have yet to decide on shampoo)

- Deep Condition 2x a month (Have yet to decide on dc)

-Oil scalp 1x a week (Using a mixture of Lavender Jamaican Black Castor Oil, and Home Health Castor Oil)



I have yet to wash or deep condition my braids, which is why I have not set products for them. I have never deep conditioned my hair while it is in braids, so I am nervous about doing so. I may baggy with oils overnight, in place of deep conditioning.

Either way, I want to ensure my hair gets moisture while in braids, as I want it to grow! However, I do not want to get product build up, which is why I do not oil my scalp too often, and am weary of deep conditioning.

I will be washing my braids and I also want to do a moisturizing treatment next weekend, so I have some time to think about whether I will be deep conditioning or baggying. I plan on keeping my braids for 7 more weeks, and I will be rebraiding my edges in time for Christmas, so they will look fresh for the holiday!