And I’m Back Again!

Hi Hi Napptural Peeps!

Yes, I know it’s been a minute.  The home Internet issue is still being worked out, but here I am with an update, and a bit of encouragement for my fellow journeyers!

As you can see from the pic, taken just last week, I’m still trekking the natural trail and the loving struggle still continues.  I found myself experimenting with different twist and twist out styles, such as the one above where I simply wrapped a sheer scarf around the edges and let the ends flow free.  Everyone that witnessed it absolutely loved it, and it gave me a bigger boost of confidence to wear more “free styles” out of doors.  Yesterday I washed, blow dryed, and straighted it all for the poofy Afro people adore so much, and received one of the most enthusiastic compliments I’ve gotten since embarking on the journey from the Bigsby cashier.  It floored my father when he saw just how much hair I have (remember, he has always been my hair’s number one fan lol*), which really got my natural pride glowing.  From root to tip I have about 7″ or so, which is glorious considering the huge amounts of stress I’ve been under in the past three months (see: Feeling Stressed?  How Your Hair and Nails Show It).  Blessedly, my hair is a lot more resilient than I am in some cases. *smile*

I can’t say I’ve been doing anything exceptionally fantastic in the means of maintenance other than keeping heat exposure to a minimum, no-poo’ing, co-washing, and keeping my hands “out of it” so that it does what it does best. I continue with my homemade hair care (ACV-rosemary rinses and coconut milk-avocado conditioning… the latter encourages my hair’s natural oils to flow free, so i don’t have to use as a lot of moisturization products), and try to clip my ends as frequently as possible to promote growth.  There have been monster moments here I was >this< close to going back on the creamy crack, cause trying to style the tresses can be more hassle and headache than labour of love.  But determination and the sheer beauty of my hair’s coils and waves and poof quality boddy stayed my hand and prevent the travesty from occuring.

Here are some recent pics:

And really, that’s about the size of this leg of the journey.  I am hoping to be able to get back into the regular swing of things sometime very, very soon, but till then I’ll continue to keep these impromptu updates coming.

Wishing you all well.

AngelaMichelle

Hi Hi!

Hey Fellow Napturals!

I would like to apologize for the pause in the cause of this Blog, but… well circumstances beyond my control have prevented me from updating as regularly as I would like right now.  I’m not exactly sure when I’ll be able to render my next update, but rest assured it will come before the end of August. *wink*

At any rate, since I am “here” now, I guess I can give a terse update about my progress, eh?  As you can see from the picture (taken in early July), I’m still trudging along the natural path, sporting a full seven inches or so, from root to tip, all the way around!  I haven’t been making much progress by way of styling and/or product experimentation, but I have been doing all I can to keep it healthy and strong, by letting it do what it do. *smile*

So with that said, I’m hoping to be back in the hair game shortly, and thank everyone who has been checking in and leaving feedback.

Blessed Be…

Idadi

Journey Feature — Bucket ‘O Bulletz

This week’s feature is a “newbie” to the natural journey, although her decision to return to her roots took shape a year ago. Sunita, or Bulletz, as we lovingly refer to her in the Blogosphere, is a proud tribal member of the Nanticoke Lenni Lenape People.  Sunita is also transitioning from a Wave Nouveau system, and being of multi-racial heritage the process can oftentimes be harrowing. But blessedly she is persevering, and is sharing her journey with us!

Idadi: When did you make the decision to go natural and why?

Suni: I decided to go natural last year, toward the end. I got tired of trying to keep up with relaxers that were only damaging my hair. I ended up with more broken than length, so i chopped it. I had also not seen my real hair since I was a teenager, so I wanted to know what it was like. I figured, “I’m 28 years old, I should be able to take care of my own hair [now].”

Idadi: And you’re transitioning, right?

Suni: Yes i still have a bit left from the Wave Nouveau, but most of [my hair] is back to natural. I expect it to be long and wavy by the end of next year. Re-learning how to care for your hair is a trip, as I know I don’t have to tell you.

Idadi: Why did you decid to go this route instead of cutting off the relaxed portion?

Suni: I had cut most of it off, and it actually angered some blood (a.k.a my husband). Then I saw there was more to cut and I was like uh, oh! So I kept my length, even at the expense of a good deal of breakage on the very back of my head. It took a few months to grow out to nearly the same length as the rest of my hair, and I am trimming up as the new growth comes down. Eventually it will all be even and natural.

Idadi: How many processes have you taken your hair through before deciding to go natural?

Suni: Not many. I did Wave Nouveau for a good amount of years. It was the best thing for my hair as far as processes go. I would probably still be getting it if the products were still widely available, which they are not. I also did a number of similar natural based relaxers, and the last thing was New Era, which is also not readily available. I liked the soft results without all the effects of harsh chemicals. It’s like a heat wrap that straightens your hair, but does not do so much damage. It leaves a bit of your natural texture in. After that, and the frustration with trying to locate product, and my hair being so damaged… the snap came… and I said NATURAL here I come!

Idadi: I’ve heard so much about WN… how was it different from the Jheri Curl?

Suni: Firstly, it didn’t leave you dripping all over everything. Once it was dry, it was done dripping. It kept its shape and held up in the heat. It actually got curlier in the humidity. It was durable. I only had to get the process once every 9 months I believe, because it blended so naturally with my new growth.

Idadi: But the process was sorta the same?

Suni: I dunno. How long does it take to get a jheri curl?

Idadi: About an hour to an hour and a half, if I remember correctly.

Suni: [Wave Nouveau] takes 3 or 4 hours, and a whole lot of curling, half uncurling, full uncurling — WORK! — with like 10 different products. But the end result was so FABULOUS.

Idadi: What products do you use on your hair most often?

Suni: Being that I can still get the after care products for Wave Nouveau — which is since you cant get the process! — I use their moisturizer. It’s very good at keeping your hair soft and not greasy. I also use Profectiv Break Free Leave-In Strengthner, and Profectiv Daily Leave-In Conditioner. As far as the wash goes, I have been using the Dove Intense Damage Therapy but will probably switch to their curly shampoo solution very soon. Deep conditioning I do with Lustrasilk Aloe Vera Cholesterol about once a month

Idadi: How are those working for you?

Suni: Well, they are working pretty well. I am trying to use the [strengthener] at least once every 3 days and the moisturizer every other day. So far, so good. I just can’t wait to see it all natural and be able to deal with it on its own terms… if that makes any sense.

Idadi: Oh, that makes a whole lotta sense. That’s been one of the greatest parts about my process so far.

Suni: i know. you are always molesting it when you are on plurk. *lol*

Idadi: I don’t be molesting my hair… I be… uh… loving it…

Suni: *lol8

Idadi: What are you looking forward to on the natural journey?

Suni: I am looking forward to having the length without the chemicals. I am really looking forward to having healthy hair that’s all mine again. I have been resorting to wigs and ponytails because of the horror of my hair. Once I can wear it again as a crown, I will be doubly overjoyed.

Idadi: What has been the most frustrating part so far?

Suni: At first, it was the breakage. Now it’s the waiting. I am having hardly and breakage now, so waiting for it to be like I want it is really hard.

Idadi: Aye… I can truly understand that. I think the time passed so quick for me cause I just left it alone

Suni: It’s an ever present issue for me, because I’m not just trying to please myself. I want it to look decent for my husband, too. he loved the length I had more than I did, and I want to have it back at full strength.

Idadi: How supportive has he been throughout the process?

Suni: At first, he didn’t understand the reason behind me chopping my hair off. He was shocked that after four years of marriage I would do something that drastic. I finally was able to explain and reiterate [that] the issue at hand was that my hair was unhealthy and would have broken off anyway, shorter than where I cut it. Once I reassured him that I would be getting the length back, but this time it would be even better, he warmed up to it more. Now he sees the fruits of my labor starting to burst forth, and he is even more a supporter of what I am doing.

Idadi: Aaaaaaaaaaaaaw…

Suni: *lol* My mom has been the biggest supporter, though. She is by trade a hair dresser, and has been my personal stylist since I was born . My little sister got the ringlet curls, so she has been natural for a looong time with no problems. Me, well… I got the “wavy, dunno if I want to be a curl or not, hair.”

Idadi: LMAO! It’s bi-curlious?

Suni: HAHHAHA!

Idadi: What styles have you tried so far?

Suni: Gurl how can you style bi-curlious hair? *lol* I have been trying different things in order to keep it under control to some extent. The pics you have are from yesterday when I had braided my hair for a few days then took it out. I guess you might call it a braid-out style. Then there was the day I tried to twist… Utter disaster! I have been trying to avoid using my flat iron, but it does work if I need to go to a formal party or something like that. My natural hair actually gives itself over to heat better than when I had it relaxed.

Idadi: What styles are you looking forward to trying now?

Suni: I will be getting some rod curlers (as my mom suggested) so I can ease the ends of my hair to work in with my new growth, so I don’t look like a raving lunatic in the humidity. I can hardly wait to have an actual ponytail again, instead of the brussel sprout I have sticking up.

Idadi: LMAO! Not brussel sprout!

Suni: *lol*

Idadi: Do you frequent any websites or belong to any natural hair groups for support?

Suni: No. Most of the hair groups that I find are for people who do not have my hair texture. I cannot join Nappturality because my hair isn’t “ethnic” enough in texture. I can’t join the sites for mixed chicks because my hair isn’t white/spanish enough in curl. So I’m stuck in the middle, as always, trying to figure things out on my own. Multi-racial and bi-racial hair is so different from each other, and no one really knows that. They figure it’s all the same.

Idadi: How has your perception of your hair been affected by the natural process?

Suni: It’s more the like the perception of my own beauty changes with the way I perceive my hair. For example, when I did the twists… You said that it was probably my perception of what they looked like, but believe me, they looked like BeBe’s kids had done my hair in my sleep! *lol* I have to get to the point where I’m comfortable enough to say “YES, this is my NATURAL hair and I am beautiful with it”, whether it behaves “properly” or not. Being constantly inundated with images of women of color wearing their hair straight has scaled my eyes to an extent, and seeing women of color who are more ethnically rooted, so to speak — wearing their hair in fros and all the cute things they can do — really disheartens one who has yet to find their natural hair path.

Idadi: So the change in the hair is effecting the change in the woman?

Suni: Very much so, which is why I now understand what my husband was feeling when he saw my hair was cut. With getting back to my natural roots, I have found myself getting back to the root of myself. I have been rediscovering who I am through the process.

Idadi: Your husband’s Native American too, right?

Suni: no, he’s Puerto Rican. [Well],He is Taino Indian, so it is true he is Native American.

Idadi: Well most “Natives” I know have a very strong spiritual connection to hair.

Suni: Funny you should say that. Hair is very near and dear because it symbolizes things. Like in certain tribes, once your hair was long enough to have a braid, you were considered a man, for boys. And women wore their hair as their crowning glory. Natives scalped people not just to kill them, but to take away their honor. Cutting my own hair was a HUGE decision. In the end, I decided it was more honorable to cut it and start over. Can you tell that a lot of things went into my decision? *lol*

Idadi: Yeah… but that’s a good thing.

Suni: I mean it took me four years to decide I wanted to color my hair, then to go through the decision of cutting it? It was almost more than i could bear.

Idadi: But that’s a good thing. The more personally you consider your hair, the better you’re able to make healthy decisions for it, instead of considering it just a thing that covers you head.

Suni: Very, very true.

Idadi: If you could change one thing about your natural start, what would you do differently?

Suni: I think I would have never put a process in my hair to begin with. But being as it is what it is, I probably would have wrapped my hair up so it didn’t all break off in one spot. That’s something VERY important that i never thought much about. WRAP YOUR HEAD in do-rag or handkercheif or something. I cannot stress it enough.

Idadi: Yes, that’s very important. Either that or sleep with a satin pillowcase.

Suni: Yes!

Idad: Well, I know you have to go soon, so I’ll let you go with a thank you, and best wishes for your process.

Suni: I must say this a fun interview. I hate for it to end!!

~@~

Suni’s Progress in Pictures

(click each image to enlarge)

Would you like to hear more from Sunita? You can contact via her Website at www.bucketobulletz.com.

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Sunita it has been such a pleasure sharing your story with my readers, and I even learned a thing or two. I empathize with the difficulty it is to find sites that cater to your multiracial hair type, so I scoured the Web to see if I found some that came close. Here they are:

BlendedBeauty.com Hair Tips - These Curly Hair Tips are for adults and children with multiracial, afro and curly textured hair.

My Sky - Multiracial Family Life - I saw at least two entries dedicated to multiracial hair. Quite possibly the author has some tips and tricks to share.

Metisse - An online magazine dedicated to multiracial beauty.

Softress - Products for ethnic and multi-ethnic hair and skin.

Hope that helps, or at least points you in the right direction.

I wish you much success in your journey and can’t wait to see future progress.

Blessed Be…

Idadi

Happy to be Nappy?

i was on the phone with my mother a couple of weeks ago, and she was explaining to me how “horribly” her first attempt at two strand twists turned out. She said, and I’m paraphrasing here, they made her look like “Buckwheat on crack.” She laughed, and I giggled, remembering my initial reaction to my first twists. Of course, my mother’s hair is a whole lot finer than mine, and I’m not quite sure what product she used to set the twists, but I can imagine the results quite vividly. I’m sure they looked just fine, but sight unseen, I can’t say that with any amount of authority.

Suni, a friend of mine also going through the journey from chemically processed to natural, expressed the same sentiment after her first try at twists. Since her hair is a mish-mash of cultural textures, and she didn’t think to take pictures (BAH!), I can’t say one way or the other whether her attempt was a pass or “fail”, but like with my mother, I am sure they looked just fine to the outside eye.

More than anything, it’s the personal perception of natural “do’s” that constitutes a person’s rating of how good they look. Actually, that’s only half true. Most of our qualms about natural hair styles are based on how others will think we look, in the face of society’s “straight” beauty standard. While natural black hair is becoming all the rage in certain sects (maaaaaaaan I can not WAIT to get to DC), it’s still a relatively new and controversial personal concept to grasp. It’s one thing to be openly natural at home, with family members who understand what you’re trying to accomplish and why. But to be natural in the streets… open to all the misconceptions, negative opinions, and criticisms… Let’s just say my wraps are like an American Express card for me. I never leave home without them!

So is this to say we “newbies” live in shame of our nappiness? That we dishonour our natural attributes by not sharing our tressed our styles with the world at large? Do we so prize our vanity boosted by other’s perceptions over being prideful in who we really are from root to tip? I don’t think so. But this journey is such a personal one, and the slope can be a slippery one to climb at times, since self esteem is so closely linked with how we look in the eyes of others (kinda bass ackward, but it is what it is). Often times we have expectations of our hair based on the beautiful stylist result pictures we see in media such as this…

or this

or these…

That’s a lot of pressure for hair to live up to when all you have is inexperience and your own two hands, eh?

But all is not lost, my natural sistahs (and brothers, if any of you read this). As I’ve said before, this process takes practice and patience. Remember, you are relearning your hair… getting to know it as it is for quite possibly the first time in years! And like any growing relationship, there is going to be an awkward phase where those “undesirable” qualities show themselves, and you are faced with the decision to accept and deal, or chuck and run. No where is this more evident than when trying a new style out for size, since it changes your appearance in such a drastic manner.

With the right amount of time invested and knowledge of your hair gained, you’ll find your confidence building, and your view of how different styles look on you will gradually change. One day, without even realizing it, you might find yourself stepping out with some Bantu knots or a funky looking Erykah-esque fro, sporting a 100% Nappy Tee, oblivious to the stares.

I’m awaiting the day!

Blessed Be…

Idadi

Special Interest - Natural Terminology

While cruising the net in search of useful content, I ran across a glossary over at Naturally You! Magazine, which contains the most frequently used terms when it comes to the natural journey.  And like always, I thought I’d share this resource for those of you who may not be in the know.  So here they go…

ACV - Apple Cider Vinegar rinse, used quite often by loc wearers in the baby loc stage to clean the scalp. Also used by freeform naturals to remove build up from the hair.

Baby Locs - Locs that have just been started and have not yet begun to mat.

Bantu Knots - Hair is parted into sections, and twisted until it folds upon itself, creating a “knot” of hair.

Big Chop - Often used to describe a person cutting off all of their permed hair, down to fairly short natural hair.

BradeLocz - Locs formed by braiding the hair in small sections. Locs formed with this method are often tightened with a tool used to weave the new growth in near the root. This type of locing technique avoids unraveling when swimming, shampooing, or working out.

Braid Out - A style created by braiding the hair, usually wet and/or with products, and removing them to create a crinkly/curly effect. Can be done on freeform naturals or locs.

Comb Coils - Single strand twists formed using a comb to twist the hair.

Co-Wash - Washing the hair with conditioner only, instead of shampoo. Also known as the “no-poo” method.

“Creamy Crack” - A term used by many naturals to describe chemical relaxers.

Double Strand Twists - Created on naturally coily hair, this style involves wrapping two strands of hair together like a rope. The hair can be parted in small, medium, or large sections.

EO - Essential oils are potent, concentrated plant extracts used in various applications in cosmetic, medicinal, and some household products.

EVOO - Extra virgin olive oil. Often used as a hair moisturizer by Black women with natural hair.

Flat Twist - The hair is rolled so that it lays flat against the head, similar to a cornrow.

Freeform Natural - Natural hair worn “loose” and un-loced.

Latchin’ - A method of retightening locs requiring the use of a latch hook. Latch hooks are also used to make rugs and attach weaves. They are available at most beauty supply stores, and many craft stores.

Palm Rolling - A technique used to smooth out the shaft of a loc by rolling it, with or without product, between the palms of the hands.

Product Junkie - A person who continually purchases more and more products to try on her hair!

No-Poo - Washing the hair with conditioner only, instead of shampoo. Also known as the “co-washing”.

Root Bed - The new growth at the root of a loc is described as the root bed.

Shake-n-Go - A hairstyle acheived by washing the hair, applying products, and shaking it vigorously. This process adds volume and helps separate curls.

Shea Butter - Made from shea nuts, a creamy butter used to smooth skin and soften hair.

Sisterlocks ™ - A method of locing the hair using a patented method of intertwining the hair with a tool. Sisterlocks can be started on permed or natural hair.

Transitioning - Allowing the natural hair to grow, while maintaining the permed/chemically processed ends. Permed ends can be cut off little by little, or all at once when the natural hair has reached the desired length.

TWA - Teeny weeny afro, most often worn right after shaving off the remnants of a perm. This is the no holds barred way of going natural. Recommended as the best way among many natural heads, this is the way to start over completely fresh and get to know the natural you.

Twist-n-Clip - A method of retightening locs involving twisting the new growth while damp, and using hair clips to clip the loc in place until dry.

Twist Out - A style created by double strand twisting the hair, usually wet and/or with products, and removing the twists to create a curly/wavy/crinkly pattern. Can be done on freeform naturals or locs.

Source: www.naturallyyoumagazine.com/content.php?id=4

Blessed Be…

Idadi

Special Interest: From the Journey Mailbag

Hi Hi Every People!

Time once again to read though the comments and Email, spotlight some readers and answer a few questions!

In response to Sweltering Sunday Retwist Pics, Shaar, asked:

What are some products that you use on your hair?

Well, although I experiment with several recipes for home made products, I most regularly use the commercial products listed HERE. I am becoming very partial to the Avocado and Coconut Milk Conditioner I tried for the second installment of the In the Mix series, and may use it as my regular conditioner from now on.  I’m also looking into making my own shampoos in the very near future.

In addition to the listed products, I use Organic Root Stimulator Lock & Twist Gel when I do my twist, but will probably switch to aloe vera gel in the future.

***

Richmond offered this tidbit of advice on Journey Special Interest: Slide Some Oil To Me:

Honey too, can act as a good product for taking care of one’s hair.

You are correct, Richmond.  I’ve featured several recipes which utilized honey, and have read many an article proclaiming it’s attributes to hair health.  Thank you so much for sharing!

***

And Eve hit us with a triple comment whammy!

To Considering the BC… Seriously! she offers:

Aww…Sis. Don’t cut it. The fro is beautiful.

On, Journey Feature 04 - Ms. Dani, she replied:

Stunning… I love the texture of [your] hair, Danielle. Another great feature sis… You rock!!

And on Journey Feature 03 - Btrflyed Beauty, so stated:

I know I told [you] personally… but I wanted to be sure to thank [you] here. It was an honor to be featured on[your] site… Thank you. Love ya bunches.

Thank you so much, my seester!  I’m not going to cut my hair, no matter how tempted I get… but there are days when my arms get tired at the mere thought of working with it. *lol*

It’s actually you guys who make the features come to life, so if they are great, it’s because all of you are!

***

In response to Special Interest: From the Journey Mailbag, Lissa commented:

Thanks for the mention. Your site’s great. Very informative.

You’re most welcome, sis.  I enjoy your site as well.

###

Thank you all for the feedback, and the readership.

Blessed Be…

Idadi

Journey Special Interest - Wrap it Up!

One of the “easiest” style to maintain while I transitioned, has been to simple toss my tressed back into a ponytail and throw one of my many bun wraps over it:

Not only is it a “no fuss/no muss” style, it also protects the hair by shielding it from potentially damaging elements, as well as keeps your hands out of it. But the art of tying a proper head wrap can be a bit tricky. I prefer the bun wraps (for now) because they are relatively easy to tie, just gather like a ponytail and wrap the ends around to form the bun. However, there are many other wrap variations to try, and here are some tutorials to demonstrate the versatility of the wrap!

I also discovered some text wrap tutorials on AfricaImports.com, and on the Anyiams Creation Website.

Do you wrap, or know of other wrap styles? Feel free to share them by either commenting here, or sending an Email to goddessidadi@gmail.com.

Happy wrapping!

Blessed Be…

Idadi

Journey Spotlight 03 - Foundationz

NOTE: Journey Features will return next week!

(click the image to visit site)

From the UK with much love, Foundationz is a jazzy, funky little site dedicated to the glorification of natural hair. Oh, but it doesn’t stop there! Foundationz is actually about ALL hair — natural, relaxed, texturized — and ways to keep naturally kinky hair healthy, growing, and ‘fro’ing!

In the pages of Foundationz you can find Kidz Corner, for tips on how to keep the bebe’s coiffed, product reviews, and even an advice column where you can ask ‘Fro-etta just how to keep your tresses looking their very best.

The site is unisex, so fellas, feel free to cruise and browse along with the ladies.

Blessed Be…

Idadi

In the Mix - Results

And here are the results!

Recipes are rated on a scale of 1 - 5 Afro Picks… 1 being the lowest rating, and something I would not use again or recommend, and 5 being the highest rating of something I’d most likely use again within the next five minutes. *lol*

And heeeeeeeeeeeeere we go…

Milk and Oat Mask -

Putting this recipe together is as simple as making a bowl of your favourite breakfast cereal. Simply cook the oat, add the milk and honey, and *VIOLA*! Since the oats are cooked, I didn’t have as difficult a time applying the mask as I did with the Oatmeal and Honey Mask from week one. It was, however, just as messy, so if you dare to try this mask you want to make sure you do it over a sink or at the bathroom counter.

Clean up is relatively easy as well, once you get all the honey off, and the after effects are smooth skin and “small” pores. You want to make sure to use a toner as a follow-up to make sure your pores are open enough to get rid of any of the mask that may have embedded itself, and I found it very necessary to moisturize once all was said and done.

While I won’t be personally using this recipe again, I do recommend it for all skin types, at least once a week.

***

Sugar and Olive Oil Lip Balm - 1/2

This may not replace my beloved Blistix anytime soon, but I do hold a slight affinity for this mixture, simply because I love olive oil. I used turbinado sugar instead of regular granulated sugar, to really get the exfoliation effect going.

Application takes a bit of finesse since olive oil has a somewhat drippy consistency, but once the mixture was on my lips the results were almost instant! Not too “greasy” yet very very smooth, giving my lips a full and sexy softness.

Unfortunately, this was not a long lasting balm. Within about two minutes my lips soaked up most of it, and I needed to reapply. A travel container may be necessary if you take this on the go, because several applications might be in order.

***

Cool Tea Eye Compress -

I really don’t suffer from puffy eye syndrome, but I figured I’d give this recipe a try since I read a lot… to give my eyes a “refresher” of sorts.

As simple as making a cup of tea because essentially, that’s exactly what you’re doing! So this recipe doubles as a thirst quencher as well!

I used green tea, and followed the directions accordingly. Once the time elapsed I can say that my eyes did indeed feel a bit “fresher”, if you can imagine that. Beyond that, this recipe didn’t do much for me, but I’d still recommend it for those who do suffer puffy eyes or constant eye strain.

###

So there you have it. If you do try any of the recipes out, I’d love to hear your results. You can leave a comment here or send them to me via Email at goddessidadi@gmail.com.

I wish you happy experimenting!

Blessed Be…

Idadi

In the Mix Fridays

Hey Hey Every People!  it’s that time once again!  I’m stepping into the Journey Test Kitchen and try my hand at some home made recipes for the hair and skin.  This week, however, since i’m sticking with the avocado/coconut conditioner, i’m going to be all about the face!

Since I’m working with limited ingredients this week, the recipes will be very simple and straight to the point, using what’s here in the test kitchen already.

Ready to get facial?  Let’s go!

Milk & Oat Mask

1/2 cup of oats

1 cup of milk

3 tbsp of honey

Warm the milk and add the oatmeal just as you would if you were going to eat it. Add 3 Tbsp. honey, or enough to make the mixture sticky. You can also add a few drops of lavender essential oil.

Apply to face and let it dry. Wash it off with warm water. Leftover mixture can be put in tupperware and stored in the refrigerator for a few days.

***

Sugar & Olive Oil Lip Balm

Sugar

Olive oil

Mix ingredients until it has a paste-like consistency . Put on lips and scrub vigorously. Store in an airtight container

***

Cool Tea Eye Compress

2 bags of green or black tea per application

Place the tea bags in warm water, steep for a few seconds, wrap in plastic wrap and place in refrigerator for half an hour.

Place the cool, moist tea bags on closed eyes. Recline and relax for ten to twenty minutes.

###

And awaaaaaaaaaay I go to try these babies out!  Be back a bit later with the results.

Blessed Be…

Idadi

source: SmartSkinCare.com