Have You Tried the Castor Oil Challenge?
This is a challenge I’ve heard of for some time now, but surprisingly, it’s something I’ve never bothered to try. The Castor Oil Challenge is a period of three months where you apply cold pressed, cold processed castor oil directly to the scalp several times a week in order to promote hair growth.
I’m a member on Hairlista, and challenges like this are always running amuck; this is probably the most popular of them all. Why? Simple: castor oil is known to grow and thicken hair within a reasonable amount of time. By reasonable, I mean fast. A lot of people just use it to thicken up their edges, but several use it to grow their whole head.
Current Skin and Hair Favorites!
I know everyone’s seen the favorites videos on YouTube from all your favorite beauty gurus… yeah, I’m not really that type. First off, my favorites don’t really change… I’m always using the same thing and I honestly don’t shop much. I do pick up little things that I like to try, but I’m not the hauling type. There are a few things that I’m loving right now, so here goes:
I’ve tried something new with my twist set…
So normally when I do my twist sets, I normally just finger tousle my hair to give it a beachy look. Unfortunately, I’ve become bored with the way the results are coming out so i decided to find some ways to reinvent my hair for summer time!
First, I decided to start doing less twists. Now I only do three… they are much larger and it allows for looser curls.
I make sure to use a leave in conditioner spray to help keep my hair soft. You can even use a bit of shine serum to sit in your hair overnight. This way, you don’t have to apply the serum in the morning and risk losing your curls.
Once I wake up in the morning, I unravel the twists with my fingers, finger tousle them, and then I go through the twists with a wide tooth comb. My curls come out so much more voluminous, and they also have a more natural feel.
I’ve finally found my go-to style for summer 
Let me note: My hair is about a month post-relaxer. This style works for me now, but I have a feeling that once it starts growing out that this style won’t work anymore. For now, this will be my summer style.
Some products you might want to consider using:
Motions Leave-In Conditioner
Spray GVP Silk Remedy
This style can be done with any hair type. You have to remember, your hair will do anything as long as its properly set .
Hello Hydration!
Now that summer is officially here, let’s make sure we stay beautiful. Let’s get one thing straight though: beauty isn’t just about how you look, it’s more about how you take care of yourself. I believe I’m beautiful because I do my best to take care of my body inside and out, and I also have great character. True beauty is about being a natural beauty, and summer time is the best way to show the world what you’ve got! Let’s get a few things straight, there are several ways to get your skin and body into shape this summer without being worn out. Here are a few tricks that you may want to keep up your sleeve:
There’s no better way to keep your skin hydrated than by drinking water. Make sure you stock up on water in your fridge: ice cold agua is the best treat when the sun is showing no mercy on Earth. Water also helps to get rid of toxins in your body. Some of these toxins contribute to skin serious issues. Wipe them out by making sure you’re guzzling water and cleansing your skin daily. If you can’t always have water within arm’s reach, try to carry a hydrating facial mist for your skin. Sun beams can dry out your skin, so you want to make sure you’re getting some type of moisture. You can try Evian’s Mineral Facial Mist. I’ve used it on hot trips to the zoo, and it provides an instant, refreshed feeling.
SPF isn’t just made for your skin, you can also spritz some on your hair. Ladies, if you use a flatiron during the summer months, you definitely want to make sure you’re using SPF for your hair in addition to a heat protectant spray. The same rules apply here; if the sun is going to dry out your skin, it will do the same to your hair. UV rays can weaken the hair by drawing out natural oils, and we all know you can’t have thirsty hair. Using a little bit of SPF spritz when you step out can keep your hair protected and stop it from breaking off so easily. You can also find different oil sprays for some quick rejuvenation. My favorite is the Argan Oil Spray Treatment from One’n’Only. To make a SPF treat for your hair, mix two parts water, a little bit of oil, and a bit of sunscreen in a spray bottle. This way, you have a mist that protects and rejuvenates!
Your lips are also a great spot to keep hydrated. The first thing people see are your eyes, then your skin, and lastly, your lips. Keep your lips on their A game by choosing a light lip balm with emollient properties like jojoba oil and Vitamin E. I tried the EOS Organic Lip Balm stick; it’s ecofriendly, all natural, and above all a great soother for your lips. Also, remember to exfoliate your lips to keep them supple. An easy way to get this task done in a heartbeat is to take a little Vaseline and apply to your lips. Then take a paper towel, put it between your lips and move it in a side to side motion while your lips clamp down on it. This removes dead skin without irritating the thin skin on your lips.
Happy hydrating ladies!
Dope Hair: High bun with a reverse twist
Pinterest is booming with all sorts of DIY ideas, unique hair styles, and creative makeup looks… well, at least to me because that’s all I care about. So I ran across this really cute bun that was jazzed up with a twist going up the back half of the head. This style is perfect for summer styling; it also looks precise but is actually really easy to style. Check out mine:
One of my bobby pins is a little loose from movement, but other than that, the style is really cute! I sported mine with a heavy bang in the front to add a little more styling. Try this look for summer!
VEGAN HAIRCARE? Duh, it’s 2011.
So I recently came in contact with a haircare company that I found very interesting… the name is ELAVA BOTANIK and it’s a company based out of Hotlanta, Georgia. I knew Atlanta was a city with tons to offer, but vegan haircare was something I hadn’t even imagined. I was contacted by a representative, and a product sample was offered to me. As of right now only three formulas are offered: mango, avocado, and papaya. They normally run from about $19-$25, but it’s well worth it. I chose the avocado formula because I’ve tried other mango and papaya products… I decided to switch it up and give this one a try.
Before we jump into a full on review, keep in mind that Elava Botanik wants you to know that they don’t test on animals, don’t use artificial preservatives, are sulfate and gluten free, are pH balanced 4.5-5.5, and don’t contain sodium cloride, parabens, MEA, DEA, or dyes. Using only the finest of ingredients, these products are at the top of the chain for vegan haircare. This product is even perishable… that alone should let you know how fresh it is!
I tried this product about a week ago; I loved that idea of a super natural product simply because reaping the benefits of nature is satisfying, for me at least. The packaging is nice; the shampoos and conditioners come in a durable, blue bottle with a white label. The font is very sleek and the company’s logo is conveniently placed on top. The bottles are ones with screw off tops, not salon pumps or typical squeeze bottles… that’s another feature that makes the product unique.
The shampoo has a very thin, watery consistency but it is still packed with nutrients for the hair and still gives off a decent lather. I had to use the shampoo three times to thoroughly clean my hair… since I only wash my hair once a week, I really don’t mind using a lot at one time (otherwise it will expire). The conditioner on the other hand is very textured and feels soft to the touch. I applied it in my hair and then did my regular comb-through routine to detangle the hair. After I washed it out, my hair felt great! It was soft, manageable, and felt even better once my hair was dry. I think the only thing that I wasn’t really impressed with was the smell of the products. All that is due to the fact that no harsh chemicals are added, which is great, but sometimes I have a hard time keeping my hair smelling girly anyway…. so a great smelling shampoo and conditioner always help.
Even though I wasn’t too keen on the smell, it’s definitely not that big of a deal, and the other pros make up for it! Overall, I would easily rate this product a 5 out of 5. The packaging and overall concept is amazing, I love the sophistication of the line and the product is totally exclusive.
You can find out more about these products at http://www.elavabotanik.com/.
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