The Good Hair Blog

50 Ways to Use Coconut Oil

2013-05-16T11:27:00.003-07:00

I came across this amazing article by Anthony N. via .swansonvitamins.com. This post was probably the best one I've seen on coconut oil. I hope you enjoy! This list is amazing and very helpful.

**all images and info are from SwansonVitamins.com**

Cooking and Eating

1) Cooking at High Heat - Some oils are unsafe to cook with at high temperatures, coconut oil is a great alternative.

2) On Toast Instead of Butter - Simply use coconut oil instead of butter on your toast.

3) Eat it by the Spoonful - Coconut oil is that delicious and healthful. Enjoy one spoonful each morning.

4) Smoothies - Add one tablespoon of coconut oil into your favorite smoothie recipe and increase your energy with the oil's MCTs. Check out this post for the Top Smoothie Ingredients.

5) Fry Eggs - Lightly coat the bottom of your skillet with coconut oil to create a non-stick surface and delicious eggs.

6) Popping Popcorn - A sweet twist on a classic snack! To make stovetop popcorn, you need a heavy-bottomed pan. First, add the coconut oil and popcorn to the pot. Coat the area of the pot with the oil, and use just enough popcorn to make a single layer over the bottom of the pot. Give the pot a little shake to make sure all of the kernels are coated with oil. Next, place the pot over medium heat. Put the lid on the pot, leaving it slightly open so that steam can escape. It should take about five minutes for the popcorn to pop completely.

7) Popcorn Topping - Instead of butter, melt a little coconut oil and pour it over your popped popcorn. Then sprinkle lightly with Himalayan crystal salt.

8) Oven Baked Sweet Potato Chips - Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Thinly slice sweet potatoes to about 1/8” thick. Place slices on a baking sheet and brush lightly with coconut oil. Bake for about 15 minutes or until chips are lightly brown. Add salt to taste, and serve with salsa or dip. (Or just eat them plain – either way they’re delicious!)

9) Replace Vegetable Oil for Baking - Next time you make your favorite brownie recipe, replace the vegetable oil with coconut oil. Your friends will be begging you for the recipe.

10) Pan Frying - Next time you fry up a batch of sweet potato fries or a piece of chicken, use coconut oil.

11) Grilled Cheese with Coconut Oil - No need for butter the next time you are making a grilled cheese sandwich.

12) Coconut Oil Coffee - Adding a spoonful to your coffee is a delicious way to start your day with a huge energy boost! Here is a great recipe for coconut oil coffee.

13) Homemade Granola - Check out this delicious recipe for coconut granola.

14) A Spoonful in Tea - Allow some coconut oil to melt and mildly flavor your next cup of tea.

15) Salad Dressings - A simple recipe for a salad dressing with coconut oil can be found here.

Skin Care

16) Cheekbone Highlighter - Apply a small amount on cheekbones over makeup.

17) Shaving Lotion - Close shave and a moisturizer at the same time.

18) Facial Scrub - Combine coconut oil with Himalayan crystal salt and apply to face each night. Washing it off is optional.

19) Body Scrub - Combine coconut oil and sugar. Check out this DIY Sugar Scrub recipe.

20) Makeup Remover - Healthier, stronger and longer eye lashes are just a bonus!

21) Homemade Deodorant - You only need a few ingredients in addition to coconut oil to make this simple deodorant recipe.

22) Homemade Lip Balm or Lip Gloss - Apply directly or create a flavored version with this simple lip balm recipe.

23) Diaper Rash Cream - Apply regularly to the baby's bottom to improve skin health.

24) Sexual Lubricant - Our Facebook fans swear by this one :)

25) Stretch Mark Preventer During Pregnancy - This safe, healthy oil can be applied multiple times each day to help moisturize your stretching skin.

26) Nipple Cream During Breastfeeding - Coconut oil is a popular choice for nursing mothers because it is a natural safe product.

27) Massage Oil - Coconut oil is the perfect choice for a massage oil. Not too greasy and with a relaxing scent.

28) Body Moisturizer - Apply directly after showering.

29) Fade Age Spots - Rub on hands or other areas daily.

30) Sunburn Care - A great moisturizer to use after you've gotten a bit too much sun.

31) Facial Moisturizer - After you wash your face, massage a light layer on your skin.

32) Mix in Bath Water - Melt about 1/4 cup in the microwave and add it to your bath water and soak.

33) Tanning Oil - Put in a spray bottle and bring to beach. Spray on to keep skin moisturized.

34) Dry Feet Treatment - Mix with salt to form a foot scrub.

35) Elbow Rub - Helps manage the dry skin on your elbows.

Hair Care

36) Leave-in Overnight Conditioner - Looking for a deep conditioning hair treatment? Rub a small amount of oil into hair (mostly at ends), comb through and put hair in a loose bun before bed, and wash out in the morning.

37) Hair Flyaway Tamer - Use very sparingly on ends or areas with flyaways.

38) Defrizzer of Split Ends - Just put a tiny amount on your hands and run them through the frizzy areas.

39) Static Reducer - Rub your hands together with a little bit of coconut oil on them and run them through your static-y hair.

Other Healthy Uses for Coconut Oil

40) Homemade Toothpaste - Combine equal parts coconut oil and baking soda. Sweeten with stevia and flavor with your favorite essential oil.

41) Aromatherapy - Whether you like coconut or not, the soothing aroma of coconut oil is pleasing to us all and can help us wind down after a long, stressful day. Read The Beginner's Guide to Aromatherapy.

42) Wound Care - Although you may not be ready to give up your Neosporin, coconut oil can even be used as a topical protector for wounds, shielding them with a thin chemical layer from outside contaminants. You can apply a small amount of coconut oil to small scrapes and cuts.

43) Metabolism Booster - 2 tablespoons per day are proven to rev up your metabolism.

44) Thyroid Supporter - Regular coconut oil consumption has been shown to support healthy thyroid function.

45) Energizer - 1 teaspoon can give you a burst of energy instead of turning towards a caffeinated energy drink.

46) Oil Pulling - Swish coconut oil around in your mouth for 10 minutes before brushing.

Using Coconut Oil Around The House

47) Season a Cast Iron Pan - Here is a nice explanation of how to season a cast iron pan with coconut oil.

48) Use it as a lubricant on small motors/electronics - One Facebook fan uses it to keep his juicer's motor in top working condition.

Coconut Oil for Animals

49) Feed it to your Dog or Cat - Coconut oil isn't just healthy for humans. Here is some good info on the benefits for dogs and cats.

50) Put It On Your Cat's Paw - Put half a teaspoon on your kitty's paw to keep a shiny coat and cut down on hairballs.

Not Hair: French Macarons

2013-05-15T15:02:00.001-07:00

One of my friends got me hooked to French Macarons, not to be confused with Macaroons, that are made from coconut. There is a spot in DC called "The Sweet Lobby" that is tiny BUT packed with amazingness. I am so happy these little delights were brought to my attention because I really had no idea that they were this damn good! I blame Liz and Amber for my new daily cravings of sugar (insert iPhone eye emoji here).

CharBaby and I packed up last Saturday with our good friend Safa and took a trip to The Sweet Lobby. All 3 of us were in love. Char did a great job holding the box for our fab photo too, lol! I got 6 Macarons for $10... YIKES and I ate them all in a matter of hours...DOUBLE YIKES. I will try not to go broke buying these fun and colorful goodies!

Oh, and I also got a cupcake topped with a Macarons. Needless to say, Saturday was SWEET!

How was your weekend?

PS. Happy Belated Mother's Day. I really enjoyed mine.

xoxo,

Alex

Wanna try out The Sweet Lobby?

You definitely should take a trip if you live in the DMV:

404 8th St SE Washington, DC 20003
(202) 544-2404

Captured Curls: Justina

2013-05-15T13:52:00.001-07:00

Fellow awesome blogger, Justina and her "JaFro" (lol) have been featured! I love Justina's Instagram and her hair is always super big and beautiful. I had to have her on the blog with her fab curlies. Read her short and sweet feature below. I am sure y'all will enjoy!

Please introduce yourself?

Hola! I'm Justina Blakeney, Designer, Maker & Mover, Shaker, blogger and mom.

What is your current hair regimen?

Ever since I had my little one, my regimen is pretty non-existent. When I have time I brush it while it has tons of Herbal Essence conditioner in it, then I rinse and rub in a whole lot of Mixed Chicks leave-in-conditioner, then I towel try. I don't do anything special when I sleep, and I keep it up in a big-ass bun on the top of my head a lot to keep it out of my face and away from my little 9-month-old's fingers.

When you travel how do you care for your hair?
Mixed Chicks leave-in conditioner--and a lot of time I wear it in two long braids. Done and done.

How would you describe your hair type?
Jafro (jew fro + afro = jafro) AKA big, dry, loud and radical
Have you been a curly girl all your life?

All my life, yup. Although it's been every length--from shaved off all together in college to now (it's the longest it's ever been--almost down to my booty when wet!)
Did you ever struggle with curly girl insecurities?

Honestly no. I've always loved my big-ass head of hair!What makes you love your kinks, curls and coils?

When I feel like sh*t, I can always let my hair down and it makes me feel sexy, wild and free. yeah!Where can we find you on the web?

you asked for it!:

designer | blogger | tweeter | pinner

Is there anything else you want to share?

Shake what yo' mama gave you!

To Try: Coconut Milk Shampoo

2013-05-10T14:46:00.000-07:00

(image credit)

Crazy for coconut? I think it's safe to say that I am and I have no shame in my game! I stumbled across this recipe on Pinterest via eatgood4life.com and immediatley I knew I had to try this recipe. My hair really loves coconut milk and I love castile soap for my skin. I keep Dr. Bronner's on DECK!

I am not too sure how my hair is going to like being washed with D.B. soap but I think when I need a GOOD clarifying wash this would be a nice DIY shampoo to try. Have any of you tried a mixture like this? Would you? What are your thoughts?

Here is the recipe from Eat Good 4 Life:

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup coconut milk

2/3 cup castile soap (I used Dr. Brooner's brand)

30 drops essential oil (I used jasmine)

2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil

DIRECTIONS:

Combine all the ingredients in an empty shampoo bottle or jar and shake. I used a funnel to pour ingredients in the empty bottle.

You can keep it in the shower for one to two months. Shake well before each use.

Recipe from one good thing by Jillie

DIY: Coconut Coffee Cream Conditioner for Dark Curls

2013-05-09T13:51:00.004-07:00

(image credit)

Did you know that brewed coffee can be used on your hair to prevent shedding, aid in growth AND leave a nice tint/shine on dark hair hues? I love coffee and I usually drink a cup daily. When I heard about the hair benefits of using brewed coffee directly on my curls, I did some digging.

While poking around online and doing some research of my own I came up with an awesome deep conditioner that I wanted to share. In the warmer months my hair can get very dry and when that happens breakage can be at an all time high. Along with protective styling over the summer I will be taking extra time to DC about 2 times a month between styles. Coconut oil and milk will also be my very best friend as it is every year when the weather warms up.

I think the below recipe will work great for my kinky coily haired girls (type 4). If you end up trying it let me know!

*Coffee does stain light hair so PLEASE keep that in mind if you are a blondie. This recipe is for brunettes and darker.*

Coconut Coffee Cream Conditioner

1/2 cup of coffee (keep hot to help melt the coconut oil, you will cool before using)

2 spoonfuls of coconut oil

A few raw cocoa butter chips (melted)

1 cup of coconut milk

1/4 cup of coconut nectar

Blend the ingredients together and make sure that the coconut oil (if solid) has melted into the mixture.

Chill mix for an hour or overnight.

Apply to your hair in sections while smoothing from root to tip.

Cover with a plastic cap for as 30+ minutes.

Rinse and style as normal.

*If you are going to let the mix sit overnight, wash your hair the night before and DC the day after*

xoxo,

Alex

Captured Curls: Temi

2013-05-06T13:58:00.001-07:00

Today's Captured Curls is actually the sister of a very close friend of mine. I am super excited to have her on the blog, her story is pretty awesome! I hope you all enjoy...

Please introduce yourself?

Hey! My name is Temi. I’m from Silver Spring, MD and I work in DC.

What is your current hair regimen?

Hmm, let’s see…I wash my hair once a week, usually on the weekends if I’m attempting to style it. I try to deep condition every other week. I also co-wash mid-week when I’m wearing a wash and go. I usually finger detangle for wash and go’s and use a comb to detangle for twist outs.

When you travel how do you care for your hair?

I recently went to Maui for a week and had no idea what I was going to do with my hair! It ended up being pretty easy, I wore a wash and go/ puff for the entire trip. I ended up having to wash salt water out of my hair quite often but it didn’t seem to have a negative effect. I just made sure to finger detangle with lots of conditioner and seal in the moisture after every wash and it worked pretty well. My curls were poppin! Detangling when I returned from the trip was a different story though…

How would you describe your hair type?

Confused, lol. The back of my hair near the nape of my neck and around my ears is a semi-loose coil pattern. A majority of it is tighter coils and curls mixed in with relentless frizz. The crown of my hair (a small patch of it on top) is a loose wave/ curl pattern.

What type of products work best for your curls?

I’ve pretty much used the same products since I originally BC’ed up till now. I use some combination of Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie and Deep Treatment, Trader Joe’s Shampoo and conditioner, Aussie Moist conditioner for co-washing and my new favorite styler from the Ade Vegan Hair Essentials line: Rosehip Strand Essence.

When did you decide to go natural or have you been a curly girl all your life?

It took PLENTY of convincing from my sister and cousins for me to finally go natural but I am so happy that I finally did it. I decided about two years ago to stop getting relaxers and I BC about a year ago.

Did you big chop or transition? (If you transitioned, for how long?)

I transitioned for a year. My last Relaxer was March 2011 and I cut off the relaxed ends in March 2012.

Did you ever struggle with curly girl insecurities? If so, what helped you adjust to your naturally curly hair over the years?

I definitely did when I first chopped my hair off. It was the shortest that I had ever worn it before and I was pretty nervous about walking into work the next day. I got over it quickly though and bought lots of cute clothes, big earrings and even started wearing a little bit of makeup (which I never do) to boost my confidence!

How did your friends and family react to you going natural?

All of the reactions were extremely positive which definitely helped with the insecurity issue.

What makes you love your kinks, curls and coils?

It’s so big! I love that my hair isn’t perfectly coiled and curled. The frizz that I mentioned earlier is probably responsible for 50% of my fro’s size so I’ve definitely learned to love and embrace it!

Where can we find you on the web?

http://instagram.com/tfa7488

Is there anything else you want to share?

Check out my sister’s hair line: Ade Vegan Hair Essentials. She’s got a great line of all natural hair products that I love using for my wash and go’s and twist-outs. The Rose hip Strand Essence really makes my curls pop without weighing my hair down. Check It out at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/AdeVeganHair

TGHB x Kurlee Belle: Mommy & Me Giveaway

2013-05-01T11:40:00.002-07:00

Kurlee Belle and I have teamed up for a special Mommy's Day giveaway and I cannot wait to see all the amazingness that comes out of this. To get the 411 on how to enter see below!

Have fun and Good luck,

Alex

Kurlee Belle & The Good Hair Blog Presents Mommy & Me Giveaway!

May is Mommy's month! We wanted to show our appreciation for all the mommies out there by doing a special giveaway.

How To Enter:

You must be a mommy.

Follow "@TheGoodHairBlog" and "@KurleeBelle" on Instagram and subscribe to our blogs: www.thegoodhairblog.com and www.kurleebelle.blogspot.com.

Post a picture of yourself and your darling little one/ones with the hashtag #mommymeKBTGHB on Instagram.

If you are not on Instagram, send your pic to info@kurleebelle.com with the subject "Mommy & Me Giveaway".

How It Works:

Your photo will be posted to Kurlee Belle's Instagram page. The photo that receives the most likes wins. To increase your chances of winning, tell your friends and family to like your photo.

Winner will be chosen on May 10th. Contest starts May 1st.

Prizes:

All Kurlee Belle Natural Hair Care Products: Almond & Shea Butter Moisturizing Shampoo, Thirsty Kurls Leave-In Conditioner, Kurl Defining Creme, Banana Nut & Avocado Deep Treatment, and Kurlee Tropical Oils Blend.

I Love Kurlee Belle Tote Bag

Choice of KB T-shirt/Tank: Got Curls?, HNIC, Chic Classy Curly, or Kiss My Kurls.

Loc'd Man: Pablo Luis

2013-04-29T09:01:00.000-07:00

For those people who may not be familiar with you, please tell us who you are and what you do:
My name is Pablo Luis, 23 years old. Originally from Richmond Virginia, currently living, working, and creating in New York City. Art, Music and Design pretty much sums up my life.

How long have you been growing your locs?

Started my senior year of High School, so about 5 years now.

What do you use on your hair product wise, to maintain it?

I usually don’t do anything once I leave the shop except make sure my scalp is oiled. I only use pure Shea butter or castor oil.

How often do you wash/retwist your loc’s and is there someone who helps maintain your hair on a regular basis?

I try to go back for a re-twist every two-to-three months. I am lucky to have a real down-to-earth, half Jamaican, half Spanish woman named Mariana as my dread technician, she works out of a shop in Flatbush, Brooklyn. Her mix of Patios and Spanish always make our communication a little more interesting.

What do you think about women with natural hair and how do you prefer to see your woman wear her hair?

I love women with natural hair. I love women of all ethnicities, and I think, specifically for black women, in this Eurocentric world we live in, it is important to embrace your ethnicity. It can be seen as a statement, but really I see it as common sense. Like, why wouldn’t you be ok with letting your hair naturally grow out of your scalp the way it’s supposed to? I don’t care what kind of hair a woman I’m dating has really. Whatever hairstyle she wants to wear that brings out her confidence, I’m down with; I’m not here to judge. I love seeing the big bushy and curly fros, but women with locs are at the top.

Do you think women who choose to loc their hair exude a certain type of confidence?

Definitely, nothing like it, especially female dread with versatility.

What are the pros and cons about having your hair loc’d?

Honestly I don’t think I’ve had them long enough to speak on the cons, but I probably never will since that’s kind of negative energy, you know?

What made you decide to loc your hair?

I had a regular hair cut for the first 18 years of my life. I remember I just started noticing more and more people around Richmond at the time wearing locs, it kind of jumped out at me. So, I took an anthropologic approach and did some reading about the different origins and cultures of locs, and I decided it was for me.

What makes a woman’s hair beautiful to you?

The woman herself makes the hair beautiful, I mean… The hair is nothing without the person it’s attached to.

Do you have any advice for my readers who are considering loc’ing their hair?

If you are thinking about doing it, do it, and don’t quit.

Where can we find you on the web?

pablopirateradio.tumblr.com

pabloluis.com

Captured Curls: Model Asia Dee

2013-04-29T08:34:00.003-07:00

Does the beauty below look familiar? I am sure you have seen her face all over the net and on American Apparel billboards and ads. I am happy to welcome Miss. Asia Dee and her curls to The Good Hair Blog. Read her curly girl story below. I hope you enjoy!

Please introduce yourself?

Hey there! My name is Asia Dee. I am a model from Long Beach, based in Los Angeles.

What is your current hair regimen?

My hair has a mind of its own. I wash it every couple of days and allow it to air dry. I use conditioner and a hair pomade every day to maintain in between washing.

When you travel how do you care for your hair?

Since my hair upkeep is fairly simple, the only thing I NEED to have is conditioner. Using baby hotel bottles of conditioner is not cute.

Being a model, how do you feel about stylists using too much heat on your hair, if at all?

I honestly don't mind since I never apply too much heat to my hair personally. I just keep an eye out to make sure they don't drown it in hairspray directly after applying heat since it can cause major damage.

How would you describe your hair type?

Big, wild & crazy. My hair has a lot of volume & it’s very thick. I have about 3 different kinds of curls in my hair, some are bouncy coils, some are wavier & some are looser.

What type of products work best for your curls?

My hair works best with products that have oils that aren’t overbearing. My hair eats up moisture so products that keep my hair hydrated are lifesavers.

When did you decide to go natural or have you been a curly girl all your life?

I've been a curly girl my whole life (aside from a few middle school/high school straight hair obsession phases).

Did you ever struggle with curly girl insecurities? If so, what helped you adjust to your naturally curly hair over the years?

I was never so much insecure about my hair but more so burdened with it when I was younger. My mom did my hair every day until I was 13 so when I had to start doing it on my own I was lost. I still can’t do my hair as nicely as my mom did, but I've finally got the hang of making it manageable at the very least.

What makes you love your kinks, curls and coils?

I love that I can honestly say no one has hair exactly like mine. Curly hair comes in so many shapes & forms, I love it!

Where can we find you on the web?

instagram.com/AsiaDee

asiadee.com - portfolio

bookings@asiadee.com

Is there anything else you want to share?

My fun & diverse swimwear line Sycamour Co is launching soon. We’ll have something for everyone. Check instagram.com/SycamourCo for updates.

Not Hair:New Look

2013-04-29T08:16:00.000-07:00

So, you all know I have been waiting to spice up the blog just a little but and L of PartyOverHair.com did a great job redesgining the site. It's colorful, bold and I really like how it looks over all. I hope you all enjoy the new site! Let me know what you think.

xoxo,

Alex

Not Hair: Pieces of Mojo

2013-04-18T15:10:00.004-07:00

In addition to my other obsessions, I adore beanies. My friend and fellow blogger/creator, Jocelyn of CurlyNuGrowth, is pretty awesome at making stylish hats for bush and loc rockers! I think her beanies and tams may be my favorite thus far. The headwear is crocheted in cool patterns and with fun colors. What I really love about Jocelyn's "Pieces of MoJo" line is the fact that she makes the hat with elastic on the rim so it stays PUT! Gone are the days of me bobby pinning my hat to my hair. I also LOVE that you get the option to line the hat with satin which protects our fragile strands.

Pieces of Mojo is indeed my new obsession. I have 6 or 7 hats from Jocelyn that range in fit, slouch and color. CharBaby also has one too! If you are looking for a new fun hat, Pieces of Mojo is the way to go! Click HERE to shop.

xoxo,

Alex

Natural Hair Theme SONG: SuperNatural Me!!

2013-04-16T13:11:00.001-07:00

So, yea... I pretty much love what this cute couple has done! Check out the song below.

Make sure you check out KashTV if you haven't already.

xo,

Alex

Big Hair and Brunch= SUCCESS!

2013-04-15T18:44:00.001-07:00

So, my first event hosted alongside Carlyn of Black List Affiliates went GREAT! The tickets sold out in 2 weeks and the ladies who came out to support were AMAZING. I cannot wait to host another. It was such a low key gathering, which is what I wanted. We came together, we ate, we laughed and had a beautiful time together. Under the jump are a few photos but most are on bighairandbrunch.tumblr.com. Our photographer, Erika Layne, worked her magic at the event and got some stunning photos! Head over to the new Tumblr to see them.

I hope to see the ladies who didn't make it come out next time. It's looking like I will have to have more than 50 tickets available, huh?

xoxo,

Alex

Not Hair: Oyin Goodies!

2013-04-10T08:35:00.002-07:00

I will skip my "I LOVE OYIN" rant and jump right to it! I enjoy reading and CharBaby is learning to read (she loves it)---so why not support handmade and buy Oyin Handmade's tees and children's books?! We did, we love them. I posted the below photo on IG yesterday and the pic was a hit! Want a shirt? BUY HERE.

Thank you Oyin for being such an active part of my hair journey--and now tee shirt and book collection. ;)

xoxo,

Today's Hair: Twist Out on 3-day Old Hair

2013-04-10T08:19:00.001-07:00

I swear the thought of twisting my hair at night annoys the living light out of me! LOL, I can't be the only natural who rolls eyes every time it's time to tackle their mane. I love my hair but sometimes, I am NOT in the mood and that is why protective styling is usually my best friend. I will have my Heat Free for Koils hair installed this weekend and I cannot wait for another 3 months of freedom!

Last night I had no choice though, retwisting before bed was a must! The frizzies were emerging and my strands were a bit dry. Luckily, my bush had been good to me for 2 whole days without being retwisted so I had to show it some TLC. Plus, I have a photoshoot today and cannot have my hair looking a hot mess!

All I did was put about 8 flat twists in and seal the ends with Ouidad's Whipped Curls Daily Conditioner, which I love. Then I rodded the twists, threw my bonnet on and called it a night. My shrinkage is super real though and my hair is expanding as I type this--no big deal, that's the #naturalhairlife for ya! I guess this style is something like an updo? It's clipped up in the back with Sunci Wingless Hair Clips---these clips are amazing!

Over all, I am having a pretty decent hair day. Let's see how much my hair will shrink up by the end of the day though...

How are you wearing your hair?

xo,

Alex

Loc'd Man: Genesis

2013-04-10T06:45:00.003-07:00

For those people who may not be familiar with you, please tell us who you are and what you do.
Hello everybody, my name is Genesis, I am a DJ that currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia. I am 22 years old, West Indian parenting, have traveled the world for numerous artist, playing tunes that make people dance and have a good time.

How long have you been growing your locs?
For about 5 years. (since my senior year of high school)

What do you use on your hair product wise, to maintain it?

My loc'tian uses a small amount of beeswax and honey for retwisting after it's washed and shampooed.

When traveling on the road how do you maintain your hair between shows?
To be honest I don't (even though I know that I should). I really don't bother my hair until its time to get it done. I do take care of it, but regular maintenance on the road, or even at home isn't something I tend to keep up with.

Is there someone who helps maintain your hair on a regular basis?
Besides my mother or anyone she would recommend, it would have to be me. I don't trust everyone that says they are a "loc'tian" for simple reasons, you tell someone your hair is twisted in this direction and they twist it in the opposite direction. Simple things like that turn me off from getting my hair done by people I don't know. Some people don't care about your hair, they just want the quick dollar.

How often do you have to wash and retwist your loc’s?
I wash maybe once or twice every two months and retwist maybe 2-3 times a year.

Do you have a favorite “go to” loc style?
The Spirit Bun (watch Dragon Ball-Z). When I put it up, all my energy is just harnessed on top of my head.

What do you think about women with natural hair?
I love it and I love them. It goes so much deeper than just natural hair too. Be yourself and take care of what was given to you. Find looks that show your beauty in numerous ways.

Do you think women who choose to loc their hair exude a certain type of confidence?
Of course, so many women want to loc their hair but are scared of how it may look at first or even if the locs will be beautiful in the long run. I’m proud of women that have chosen the lifestyle, so elegant and graceful.

What are the pros and cons about having your hair loc’d?

I don't have anything negative to say about having my locs. The everyday to monthly maintenance is pretty low for me. I have multiple ways I can wear my hair by whatever energy I feel that day. They are also a great pass time and women do love to play in my hair.

What made you decide to loc your hair?

Lol! I couldn't get “waves” in high school, maybe because of the texture of my hair, but it just wouldn't happen for me. My mom loc’d her hair sometime around then so just joined the party to be honest. They ended up looking nice and growing on me so I kept them. Then they eventually starting teaching me things and opening my eyes to other views of life.

What makes a woman’s hair beautiful to you?

When a woman is confident in her ways and has a grace about herself, it shows in the way she wears her hair.

Do you have any advice for my readers who are considering loc’ing their hair?

Having locs is like having a garden. You have to keep it up, hydrate and moisturize them, tend to them in a timely manner and keep them neat. The better you take care of them the healthier and longer they'll grow. Neatness and carefulness is key.

Where can we find you on the web?

www.instagram.com/GenesisFTL

www.soundcloud.com/GenesisFTL

Www.twitter.com/GenesisHTX

Not Hair: Nessie Designs Giveaway closed

2013-04-08T13:37:00.001-07:00

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS CLOSED!

So, Spring finally decided to show her face in DC today and I am EXTREMELY happy! With that being said, I was doing my usual Etsy browse when I stumbled across a super cute shop called Nessie Designs. The minute I spotted the amazing butterfly headband on the "Handpicked" page, I nearly fell out of my chair!

How stunning is that headpiece? *swoons*

Anyway, not too long after my discovery I decided to reach out to the designer to see if she was willing to host a blog giveaway, she said yes! So, one of you lucky ladies are going to win a $25 e-gift card to spend on your own accessory! I ended up purchasing the orange monarch butterfly one and cannot wait to get it.

Want a chance to win?!

Good luck!

xo,

Alex

Twist and Curl

2013-04-07T20:13:00.004-07:00

Hey y'all! I just wanted to pop in and give you an update on how amazing my hair was this weekend, I LOVED IT. The bush was in need of a major wash, I think I put off washing it for about a week, I got one good puff ball on the last dirty day that got me a lot of stares... the bigger the hair, the harder they stare is what I always say.

Side note: My hair is between 8-9 inches long now. I was able to retain all of my length and grow 3" of hair while wearing my Heat Free Hair weave for 3 months, yes, I finally did a length check.

*dirty puff*

When I finally got around to washing I used Kurlee Belle's Shampoo, Wondercurl's Clay Cleanser (amazing) and Kurlee Belle's Deep Treatment (amazing). My hair thanked the #naturalhair Gods for finally being washed, conditioned and conditioned some more. My coils were in hair heaven!

(Whatever is in Wondercurl's clay cleanser is amazing. My coils LOVED it and felt so soft after rinsing the product out.)

After washing, I blew my hair out for the first time in a long time, I really need a trim BUT I was shocked at my growth. I did a mini BC last March and was able to grow all of my hair back that I cut off, that was nice to see.

For my blow out I used Kurlee Belle's Tropical Oil's Blend and my hair was sectioned in 6 parts to ease the process.

After the blow out I flat twisted my hair and rodded the ends to yield the GREATEST twist and curl ever.

Products used:

Curl Junkie Smoothing Lotion

Enso Natural's Marshmallow Twisting Pudding (remember this line?!)

Cali Beija Flor's Creme Brulee

Tools:

White and Grey perm rods (6 of each)

6 butterfly clips

Rat tail comb

I allowed my hair to set for 5 hours before taking the twists down. LOVED my results!

Hairspiration: Njena Redd Fox's Locs

2013-03-27T10:00:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I am not going to go into my "I want locs" rant because y'all already know that to be true. Plus, I think I've said it enough for everyone to get the picture, so with that being said I won't bore you today...LOL

(Photo via Tumblr)

Let's jump right into it, I came across a beautiful photo of Njena Redd Fox on Tumblr and fell in love with her loc'd up-do. I've been wearing a bun for a couple of weeks and decided it was time to put my Marley twists back in while I wait for my next HeatFree Hair install (I am trying their new "For Coils" line this time *excited face*). For the twists, I used a brand of hair by Bonne Collection called "dread bulk". The extension hair is really soft but the ends are kinda ratty so I'm not sure if I will be using it again. Either way, the twists turned out beautifully and I love how my up-do looked after I installed them.

I like to name things so let's call this style "Crown Me." Below you will find my Marley twist video that you can refer to if you're thinking about installing your own. In addition, I will try my best to "type you through" what I did style wise. If any of you want a visual, let me know and I will make a YT tutorial.

^How to video ^

What you will need for twists:
Prep time: (1.5-2 hours to install)

*Denman Brush
*Rat tail come for parting
*Butterfly clips for securing sections
*Spray bottle
*Styling product like gel (I used Ouidad's Whipped Curls)
*Shea Butter
* 4 packs of Marley twist hair (doesn't have to be the brand I used)

What you will need for updo:
*6-8 long straight hair pins

What I did:
Prep time: (5-10 seconds to complete after a few tries)

1. Crisscross the twists upward toward the top of your head, alternating right and left sections. (Reminiscent of an upside down french braid but without 3 sections of hair)
2. When you get to the top of your head, two strand twist the remainder of hair.
3. Wrap the long twist to the right of your head (the "crown" should look like the letter "c").
4. Tuck the tail of the twist so that it's hidden and secure with a bobby pin.
5. Go through and pin in the places you see fit. I focused on the middle of the "crown" so that the twists were secure to my head.

Captured Curls: Crissle

2013-03-27T07:39:00.002-07:00

Everyone meet the beautiful, spicy and HILARIOUS Crissle! She is this weeks Captured Curls and I must say, I'm very happy to have her featured. I came across Crissle after listening to her and Kid Fury's "The Read" podcast. I did some research on her writings and such and discovered that she was natural, which only made my love for her double so of course I had to reach out and have her on the blog.

Enjoy Ms. Crissle's curly curly story below!

xoxo,

Alex

Please introduce yourself?

I’m Crissle, I’m 30, and I’m a writer from Oklahoma. I moved to Manhattan about ten months ago to find out what life is like not surrounded by white people.

What is your current hair regimen?

I don’t do much with my hair at all. I’m a really low-fuss person and I don’t have the patience for an extended hair regimen. I sleep in a satin bonnet and use water to fluff my hair out in the morning.

When you travel how do you care for your hair?

I make sure to pack my bonnet, travel bottle of coconut oil, bobby pins, and a wide-tooth comb. I can make anything happen with those four tools.

How would you describe your hair type?

It’s 3B/3C on the hair chart. My hair is neither thick nor thin and of normal porosity. It doesn’t give me a lot of trouble until it gets long, which is why I’m always cutting it off.

What type of products work best for your curls?

On a daily basis, I run coconut oil through my hair when I get out of the shower and then detangle with a wide tooth comb. It usually doesn't need anything else after that. If I’m really trying to go for a defined look, I’ll use Shea Moisture Coconut Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie instead. About once a month, I deep condition with Miss Jessie’s Rapid Recovery Treatment, which is full of synthetic ingredients but works wonders on my hair.

When did you first decided to go natural or have you been a curly girl all your life?

I went natural in late 2000 after my grandfather passed away. I’d wanted to do it for years but stopped myself because my mom didn’t approve. When my grandfather died I decided life was too short to put off a simple thing like wearing my natural hair.

Did you big chop or transition? (If you transitioned, for how long?)

I transitioned for about six months, then one day just wet all my hair and cut off the parts that were straight. I’m a big fan of cutting my own hair and I do it often. I was a little freaked after that first cut, though.

Did you ever struggle with curly girl insecurities? If so, what helped you adjust to your naturally curly hair over the years?

No, I don’t think so. I have always felt really good about my hair, especially when I finally found products that worked for it. At first I felt weirdly brave for going natural, but I’ll chalk that up to being 18 and very “fight the power”.

How did your friends and family react to you going natural?

My mom ended up loving it so I didn't really get any push-back from her, and eventually almost every woman in my family went natural, too. My friends never gave me any grief, either. It was a pretty easy experience.

What makes you love your kinks, curls and coils?

The thing I love the most is that they fit in perfectly with my “I don’t have time for this” mentality. I always hated going to the salon to get relaxers and sit under the dryer for what felt like hours. I don’t have to spend more than 5 minutes on my hair, which means the world to me.

Where can we find you on the web?

I’m pretty much everywhere:
Facebook: facebook.com/iAmCrissle
Twitter: @crissles
Tumblr: crissle.tumblr.com
Youtube: youtube.crissle.com
Instagram: @crissle

I also blog about my move to NYC on www.crissle.com, and do a weekly comedy podcast with my friend Kid Fury called The Read. It’s free and available on iTunes.

Is there anything else you want to share?

Don’t be afraid to be adventurous with your hair. I’ve dyed mine blue and purple, cut it all off multiple times, made custom wigs for myself, etc. It’s okay to experiment and do something outside your comfort zone.

Hair Food: Eggs

2013-03-26T12:13:00.002-07:00

(photo credit)

*clears throat and sings* Eggs, oh how I love thee, on my hair and to eat, you are such a special treat...

Was that too much?!

If you couldn't tell by my little song, eggs are one of my favorite foods, not just to eat either but to slather my hair in as well. Just in case you were unaware, eggs are a great way to give your strands a boost of protein. You can make quite a few awesome deep conditioner recipes with whole eggs and/or just the yolks.

Fun fact: Raw eggs contain a significant concentration of essential proteins and nutrients. Because of the high protein content, eggs can be used to strengthen hair follicles. Likewise, the nutrients work much like conditioners to add volume, shine and texture. (source)

My Egg Deep Conditioner:

2 eggs

1 tbsp Honey

1tbsp Olive Oil

1 cup of coconut milk

1/2 tpspn coconut oil

2 drops of peppermint essential oil

2 drops of rosemary essential oil

2 cap fulls of castor oil

2 caps of jojoba oil

This mix should be added to wet hair in sections.

Be sure to use a towel, it's messy.

Cover with a plastic cap for an hour.

Wash, condition and style as normal.

How do you use eggs on your hair?

Share below.

xoxo,

Alex

Staple Product: Can't Live Without Conditioners

2013-03-26T11:52:00.000-07:00

A lot of ladies ask me what are my "can't live without" conditioners, below you can find my favorites that I will always use and stock up on.

Shea Radiance's Maximum Moisture Conditioner

Curl Junkie's Smoothing Lotion

Hair Rules Nourishment Leave in Conditioner.

(I also love their Quench Ultra Rich Conditioner)

Oyin Handmade's Honey Hemp Conditioner

Shea Moisture's Restorative Conditioner (GREAT as a leave in too.)

Kinky Curly Knot Today

Wonder Curl's Get Slick Hair Smoothie

The above products I really cannot live without and you will always find 2 or 3 bottles of eacg under my bathroom cabinet.

Yes, I might be a products hoarder...

They all have great slip and cater to my type 4 hair which can get dry and frizzy. When I use my leave in conditioners I always add a drop or two of my favorite oils, like jojoba or Jamaican black castor oil. Some of the conditioners, like the Shea Moisture line, can be used as a leave in conditioner. I love products that I don't necessarily have to rinse out!

I hope this list helps you ladies out there in search of a good conditioner All of the above get 5 Afro picks from me!

What are some of your must have conditioners? Share below!

xoxo,

Alex

Not Hair: Stationary

2013-03-26T11:13:00.002-07:00

I have a weird obsession with stationary...

journals, paper, pocket calendars, pens, cute cards--if it's cute and has to do with writing, I probably love it.

I am starting a new section on the blog that's called "Not Hair" just because I have other interests besides hair and to give you guys a bit of change as well.

Don't worry, this won't be often...

I think it'll be s fun twist though!

Side note:Also, I am having the blog redesigned! I am beyond excited about it. L of PartyOverHair.com is going to work her magic and make the good hair blog even better!

The site is set to launch two days before my Big Hair and Brunch event so on 4/12 the blog will have a new look.

Any who, below you can find some really chic paper prints by an Etsy shop called "Charm & Grumption." Their stuff is uber cute and I love the messages, I kinda want to get these for my room... we shall see.

In the meantime check out the prints and laugh at my added commentary...

....and wear a bush.

...with natural hair.

...and go natural.

...your journey and don't look back. #naturalhair

LOL, cute right?

xoxo,

Alex

In Review: Ouidad's Ultra-Nourishing Cleansing Oil

2013-03-25T12:25:00.001-07:00

8.5 oz for $25

You can buy here.

Let me catch my breath because I am not only in shock about Ouidad's new product but I am also in love! In the past this line of products has not worked for my coily mane so when I was contacted to review the new cleanser there was slight hesitation. I've been wanting to like Ouidad for quite sometime and I finally have a winner. This is exciting news!

The Ouidad's Ultra-Nourishing Cleansing Oil is said to be a water-activated cleanser with an advanced oil base that gently removes dirt and build-up while restoring essential moisture. To start, my hair loves oils, my coils and curls need oils so that played a huge part in me wanting to test this product out. I removed my install about 2 weeks ago and went back to my Marley Twists for a week, I forgot that I had the cleanser laying around so on my next wash day (last Sunday) I decided to finally give the oil cleanser a go. My hair has flourished since I've been wearing PS's non-stop so I had to go back to sectioning my hair before washing. With my hair detangled and in 4 parts I applied a quarter size amount of the product into my palm. Let me just say that the slip this cleanser has is beyond great! I was so surprised at how it slide through my hair and made the washing process EASIER *gasp*!

Ouidad's cleanser feels like oil, comparable to castor oil in my opinion. When water hits it the foam starts bubbling on the strands which is actually pretty cool. The upside to this product is that it's sulfate/paraben free (for those of you who care about that stuff) and my hair did not feel stripped at all after the cleanser was rinsed out (huge plus!). Many of you know that I am the co-wash queen, shampoo and cleansers aren't really my thing but I must say, this product is getting added to the staple list. I don't think I have ever use a product that left my hair so soft after washing.

If you are a type 4 curly, I'd say to try this out. Ouidad has a line now that is geared toward kinky hair, which to me, is very comforting to know. There aren't many products on the market that can really get the job done for my hair type, from my personal experience. So, when I find something that works I plan to stick with it!

After I rinsed, I conditioned with a Hair Rules conditioner, which is amazing and I will be reviewing it very soon. My hair felt like butter and my coils were popping I washed pretty late so I didn't feel like snapping pics or doing a length check but those are coming soon. However, the next day I bunned my stretched hair (stretched with cool air and twisted over night with my peppermint hair pudding), and I loved the result. I added a little bit of havana hair to the bun for fullness but other than the style was easy to achieve and very low maintenance.

Headband is from American Apparel.

Have you tried Ouidad's Ultra-Nourishing Cleansing Oil?

If so, share below how your hair did or didn't like it.

xoxo,

Alex

From Ouidad: Our proprietary CR-4 Repair Complex™ – including nutrient-rich Mafura Butter and Kalahari Melon Seed Oil – envelopes the hair shaft with a cushion-like coating of concentrated fatty acids that are vital to rebuilding, nourishing and protecting hair in need of repair. Silk proteins and coconut oils bind to the cuticle to sustain hydration and resist damage while enhancing body and shine.

SULFATE-FREE & PARABEN-FREE.

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate , Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Propanediol, Panthenol, Glycerin ,Trichilia Emetica Seed Butter , Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Seed Oil, Polyquaternium-10, Raphanus Sativus (Radish) Seed Oil, Panthenol, Glycerin , Starch Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Polysorbate 20, Passiflora Edulis (Passion Fruit) Seed Oil, Sodium Chloride, Oriza Sativa (Rice Bran) Oil, Silicone Quaternium-8, Euterpe Oleracea (Acai) Pulp Oil, Cetrimonium Chloride, Cocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Silk Protein, Citric Acid, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance (Parfum)

Hair Food: Broccoli and Spinach

2013-03-21T12:41:00.001-07:00

Yummmmm, veggies! Many of you know that what you feed your body can make a huge difference in the many ways. You hair, skin and nails will either flourish or breakdown depending on the foods you eat--spinach and broccoli are two mean green power foods that will aid in your hair's health. I was sent a pretty cool fun fact today and wanted to share it with you all. Some of you may not be veggie lovers but there are plenty of ways to add green goodness to your diets without it feeling like a chore, for example, smoothies... you can't even taste the spinach when it's blended with delicious fruits.

Fun Fact: Vegetables like spinach and broccoli help to produce sebum, an oily substance secreted by glands attached to the hair follicle. Sebum conditions and moisturizes hair, helping to prevent it from drying out. Hair follicles are connected to sebaceous glands that produce sebum, or oil, to keep hair and skin healthy and lubricated. (source)

Broccoli

Like beans, broccoli derives much of its caloric content from protein, which is essential for hair health and growth. According to Leonard Bjeldanes, professor of nutritional science at UC Berkeley, and Gary Firestone, professor of molecular biology at UC Berkeley, broccoli is high in an enzyme called indole, or I3C, which is converted to diindolylmethane during digestion. Diindolylmethane has been shown to inhibit the actions of DHT, a well-known metabolite in testosterone that has been linked to male pattern baldness.

Spinach

Spinach is an important vegetable for hair growth because it is high in protein and vitamin A and vitamin C, which the body uses to produce oils in the scalp, which can help increase hair growth. Vitamin A and vitamin C deficiencies can increase hair loss or lead to brittle, thin hair that does not grow as quickly.

(source)

*Images courtesy of Flickr. I do not own the rights to the photos above. No copyright infringement intended.*

The Good Hair Blog

50 Ways to Use Coconut Oil

Not Hair: French Macarons

Captured Curls: Justina

To Try: Coconut Milk Shampoo

INGREDIENTS:

DIRECTIONS:

DIY: Coconut Coffee Cream Conditioner for Dark Curls

Captured Curls: Temi

TGHB x Kurlee Belle: Mommy & Me Giveaway

Loc'd Man: Pablo Luis

Captured Curls: Model Asia Dee

Not Hair:New Look

Not Hair: Pieces of Mojo

Natural Hair Theme SONG: SuperNatural Me!!

Big Hair and Brunch= SUCCESS!

Not Hair: Oyin Goodies!

Today's Hair: Twist Out on 3-day Old Hair

Loc'd Man: Genesis

Not Hair: Nessie Designs Giveaway *closed*

Twist and Curl

Hairspiration: Njena Redd Fox's Locs

Captured Curls: Crissle

Hair Food: Eggs

Staple Product: Can't Live Without Conditioners

Not Hair: Stationary

In Review: Ouidad's Ultra-Nourishing Cleansing Oil

Hair Food: Broccoli and Spinach

Broccoli

Spinach

Not Hair: Nessie Designs Giveaway closed