Challenge of the Month October 2011: Develop a Hair Care Regimen

My challenge to you is to develop a hair care regimen that works for you! There are several components that are necessary to obtaining a good and effective hair care regimen.

1. Shampoo

You need to find a good shampoo for your hair. Sometimes you might find more than one that you like which is fine. You want to look for something with natural -preferably organic ingredients. Avoid sulfates and harmful chemicals.

Keep in mind that shampoo is made to CLEANSE your hair. While you don't want something that makes your hair feel like straw, know that it will make your hair feel slightly stripped.

Here are some options:

-Nourish spa
-Tea tree tingle
-Shea moisture

2. Conditioner

This is essential! You have to put moisture back into your hair to balance out the shampooing process. The same rules apply for your conditioner, opt for natural ingredients! In the long run you will have the best results!



Keep in mind that conditioners are NOT meant to be left in your hair. This can lead to breakage and crunchy hair! This is the job of a leave in conditioner! Also, conditioners are NOT meant to be deep conditioners!

Here are some options:
-nourish spa
-giovannis (there are many types of conditioners offered within this line)

3. Deep Conditioner

A deep conditioning treatment is so important when it comes to the overall health of your hair! So finding one that works for you is vital to your hair. Deep conditioners do heavy repair. They fight against damage and keep your hair moisturized and healthy.




You should deep condition once a week or twice a month!

Here are some options:
-burts bees
-bioinfusion olive oil
-Shea moisture masque

4. Leave in Conditioner

Leave in conditioners are the basis of keeping moisture in our hair. Opt for a cream based leave in conditioner! And as always you want something with natural ingredients. They will vary in thickness so you have to decide if you like a thicker or lighter leave in.




Here are some options:
-Shea moisture
-Giovannis
-Organix ( they have a wide variety)

5. Essential Oils or Butters

This is of the utmost important when it comes to sealing in moisture!

Leave in conditioner is the peanut butter and oils/butters are the jelly- you can't have one without the other!




You want to choose essential oils and/or butters for your hair to seal in moisture. The possibilities are endless :)

Here are options for oils:
-jojoba oil
-castor oil
-safflower oil
-grape-seed oil

Here is an amazing option for a butter: SHEA BUTTER! (unrefined or raw)

Comment below and let me know what you plan to use for your hair care regimen!!

Challenge of the Month, August 2011: Start a Natural Apostolic Blog

START A NATURAL APOSTOLIC HAIR BLOG!!

I know, thats  big one right?

 BUT, we need a group of girls committed to helping. I will give you several reasons why!

1. I am excited to be one of the first, but I don't know it all.
2. Some of you have great and bright ideas, hairstyles, different products, regimens, etc.
3. I want to hear about your ideas and experiences and so do many other natural pentecostals.
4. We are bombarded with ideas from the world, why don't we create a spiritual atmosphere where we celebrate our hair as our glory rather than our idol? An atmosphere where we don't feel pressured to cut our precious glory?
5. You can influence the girls in your church, the girls in your areas, your circle of friends. It will spread like wildfire trust me!
6. Do it to impact apostolic girls with natural hair in general! I started with no one even knowing me, now every conference I go to, I have girls thanking me. This works and it helps. They are amazed that natural hair can be so pretty, healthy and stylish. You can make a difference.
7. Educate others. Most black girls really just don't know that they are harming their hair. They are honestly just doing what they know or have read.
8. You can be the one who turns them away from a relaxer, excess heat and breakage!

Anyone with me?

I will be your FIRST follower!! :)

Challenge of the Month, JULY 2011: Drink More Water

Hello there beautiful naturals! Here is the challenge of the month- drink more water!

We just do not drink enough water. I have been feeling dehydrated, and my skin and scalp are getting drier lately. I know it's due to a lack of water. In the past I was a competitive athlete so I drank water like a fish. My husband was even worse than me. He used to carry around a gallon of water every day- and he would finish it. I have realized that because of this, my body now craves water! However, oddly enough, I haven't had a taste for it. When I go to drink it, it tastes disgusting to me. So to challenge myself, and hydrate my body- I am going to drink more water!

  

Objective: To drink at least 64 oz of water every day

Long-term goal: To keep our hair, and skin hydrated and glowing!

Suggestions: If you are busy like me, you will want to invest in a nice water bottle that you can tote with you throughout the day. I personally think the tin ones are adorable and they should help to keep your water cooler in the heat.

If you would like to participate, follow these 2 steps:

1. Post a comment below letting me know you will be joining
2. Send me an email letting me know you will be joining. I will be sending emails throughout the month to check your progress and encourage you along the way!

By the end of the month let’s see how we feel! This is more than appropriate to make it through the summer hydrated and healthy!!