Lavishly Natural

4C Natural Hair. DIY Recipes. Natural Health & Wellness.

You are here: Home / Archives for 4c natural hair

4c natural hair

6 Fabulous DIY Shampoo Recipes for 4C Natural Hair

by

 

Hello Goddess!

Most of the products for natural hair are rich, creamy, and completely indulgent—so much so that they can leave a little product buildup on the hair. This is normal, but if you have hard water like I do, this little buildup can become a big problem.

The following diy shampoo recipes are wonderful for use any time you want to deeply cleanse and detoxify your hair.

  1. Soap Nut Foam Clarifying Shampoo
  2. Erica’s Honey Love Clay Wash
  3. Chelating Cactus Syrup
  4. Cherry Club Soda
  5. Lavishly Natural’s Herbal Shampoo
  6. Super Bowl Clay Wash

  [Read more…] about 6 Fabulous DIY Shampoo Recipes for 4C Natural Hair

What Every Goddess Ought To Know About…Slippery Elm Bark

by

Hello Goddess,

Today’s healing herb is so good for you and your hair, I’m pretty sure you’re going to add it to your natural hair regime!

I promise.

Slippery elm bark is referred to as a mucilaginous herb (it makes a lot of mucilage like fenugreek seeds and it’s best friend — marshmallow root powder). This herb is often used to  calm an upset stomach, and provide the perfect slip to your diy conditioner.

Don’t tell anyone, but this is the only herb I prefer to drink, rather than apply to my hair. 

Gasp. And clutch the pearls.

 

Here’s Why…

It’s super hydrating to your mind and body, and it’s PACKED with nourishing nutrients that heal at the cellular level.

Slippery Elm is a typically a medium-sized tree, and it’s luscious inner bark is used for medicine. It’s also been used to make boats, baskets, even shelter.

 

slippery-elm-tree-2

Slippery Elm Bark Benefits:

It soothes ALL inflammation, internally and externally* and is PHENOMENAL for healthy natural hair. Especially the kinky coily goodness of 4C natural hair.

  1. Stimulates hair growth
  2. Calms and heals the digestive tract; combines well with licorice, fennel, and cinnamon*
  3. Excellent for coughs and sore throat**
  4. Naturally softens hair
  5. Coats and soothes the mouth, throat, stomach and intestines
  6. Brings peace and compassion to the body
  7. Soothes the scalp
  8. Its a nervine demulcent which means it calms, coats, and protects all mucous membranes, and inflamed or irritated nerves and nerve endings in the body* 
  9. Draws out all irritants including toxins, boils, and splinters**
  10. Stimulates cell growth**
  11. Hydrates & Harmonizes the Yoni (#4 is Slippery Elm, but the entire list is awesome)

 

 

Some of the conditions it’s used to treat:

  • Psoriasis
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Colic
  • Stress-related conditions
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  • Anxiety
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Autism
  • Pervasive Developmental Disabilities
  • Prostate health
  • Syphilis
  • Herpes
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Expelling tapeworms 
  • Serves as an all-natural substitute for pepto-bismol and nystatin for relief of upset stomach in children (check with your child’s pediatrician first, before using this treatment)
  • Protects against stomach and duodenal ulcers, colitis, diverticulitis, GI inflammation, and too much stomach acid

 

Here are 2 recipes you can make today:

 

1.  Slippery Elm Tea

  • 1 tsp organic slippery elm bark powder (I buy mine from here, 4oz $10.25)
  • 8 ounces of water
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (or lime juice)
  • 1 tsp your favorite sweetner (sugar free option: 1 to 2 drops stevia)
  • Optional* 1 cinnamon bark stick

Bring water to a boil and remove from heat. Add slippery elm powder and lemon juice to water. Let the powder sit for 5 minutes before drinking.

Me and DJ drink a cup of this tea every morning. Slippery elm powder creates lots of mucilage (like it’s sisters marshmallow root, flaxseeds, and barley). 

2.  Fenugreek Smoothie

The slippery elm bark in this recipe adds a silky, softness to the recipe that helps your hand glide through your curls as you deep condition or detangle. 

 

 

 

WebMD’s Safety Recommendations for Slippery Elm Use:

Slippery elm is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth. When applied to the skin, some people can have an allergic reactions and skin irritation.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Folklore says that slippery elm bark can cause a miscarriage when it is inserted into the cervix of a pregnant woman. Over the years, slippery elm got the reputation of being capable of causing an abortion even when taken by mouth. However, there’s no reliable information to confirm this claim. Nevertheless, stay on the safe side and don’t take slippery elm if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

 

Herb Confidential:

Back in the day slippery elm bark was so popular for its nourishing and healing properties, it was sold as a medicinal flour in stores and used for cooking (Rosemary Gladstar).

 

Sources

  1. *Family Herbal, A Guide To Living Life with Energy, Health, and Vitality, Rosemary Gladstar
  2. **Slippery Elm, Drugs.com*
  3. ***Slippery Elm, University of Maryland Medical Center
  4. Vegan Vagina, Libido, and Keeping It Moist: Creating A Happy Yoni, Dr. Aime “Breeze” Harper

 

Advice for the New Naturalista

by

newnaturalistagreen-2

Curly girls know #naturallife isn’t a walk in the park, in fact sometimes things can get downright frustrating. If you are contemplating a big chop or beginning a transition, you deserve a rundown on its hardships. Hey gorgeous this information isn’t to crush your dreams, my purpose is to prepare you for the future so you’ll never want a relaxer again!

The TWA

If you opt for the big chop, be prepared because everyone around you will have an opinion. They’ll ask why you cut all of your hair, and some may even express their disgust. You can’t let them get to you especially since you don’t have too many styling options (unless you wear weave).

Social Media

Since the amount of women with natural hair has exponentially grown you’ll see more photos to spark inspiration. You’ll find tons of styles you like, but how will they turn out? If you fail at an online style, keep practicing and don’t give up.

Your Regimen

It will probably take a few months to find what works best for your hair. Unfortunately as the seasons change so will your hair and soon enough you’ll be on the hunt for something new. Other times, you’ll find a product you love and the company will discontinue it.

Who do you follow for advice?

Instead of following well-known natural hair gurus find someone with the same hair type as you. Admiring someone similar to you will also help you find products that work for your hair type. Keep in mind that just because something works for one person doesn’t mean that it will work for you, listen to your hair.

Going to the Salon

Depending on where you live you may not have access to a natural hair stylist. If your stylist has never done natural hair you should run for the hills, your hair needs special care. Many stylists are known to bribe their clients to stay relaxed so they don’t lose any money, don’t let them influence you!

85c6e73fc8e31df7f139cf8862b50275

My #NaturalLife 

I can’t believe how different life is without the Creamy Crack. Strangers stop me on the street to ask questions about my hair as if I’m some sort of extraterrestrial being. Others are insanely eager and will touch it, only to later explain their curiosity. I’ve come to the conclusion that The Naturalista is a unique being with a mane that confuses but excites; this is probably the reason relaxer sales are down, and coils are sprouting from more scalps.

 

For more Natural Hair Tips from Nina, visit: 

 

 

Product Review: Anita Grant’s Banana Rhassoul Deep Condish

by

 

Hello Gorgeous!

I just took my havana twists out and it’s time for some good ole’ mud in these curls! I’m braiding the girls’ hair this weekend, and we’re all deep conditioning with Banana Rhassoul Deep Condish.
 
Which brings me to this week’s update!
 
This review was originally written in 2012, after I big chopped for the second time due to hair damage (curse you flat iron!).  
 
I’ve included a brief video of hair photos I took during this time. You can see Lavish when she was freshly cut! Have you ever used Anita Grant’s Deep Condish?  
 
 

Original Review:

There are quite a few clay products available now that work well as a deep conditioner. None of them have worked as well for my hair, as the beautiful deep condish from Anita Grant.

I had such an experience with this product, I had to do a review!

I bought the Banana Rhassoul Deep Condish (an earlier version) 3 years ago.  I forgot I had it until recently, used it but thought it was a little old and bought a fresh batch.    

Since I’ve cut my hair and revealed my thick, voluptuous healthy New Growth…I’ve returned to many of the products I used in the beginning.  

Along with my collection of homemade products and a better understanding of what Lavish loves, my hair has gotten stronger, shinier, curlier, and fuller.

Softness was what I was going for and this deep condish seemed like the perfect…well, deep condish.

I ordered the Marshmallow Rhassoul Deep Condish ($8.95) and the Banana Rhassoul Deep Condish ($7.95).  I also bought a few samples of the most delicious sounding hair delights I’d ever heard.  That’s saying a lot considering every natural hair store seems to have the best names for their products.

As I started to mix it, it started to smell more and more like I was making a chocolate cake (I was also fasting from sugar so I was really wanting chocolate cake too:)

 

Before applying, I washed my hair with Terressentials Left Coast Lemon Pure Organic Hair Wash.  My hair was clean, smelled like lemons, and I couldn’t wait to follow bentonite clay with rhassoul clay (I’d heard this was pretty orgasmic).

Her wonderfully detailed instructions suggest adding a very hot liquid.  She recommends coconut milk as it makes the chocolate smell of the organic unrefined cocoa butter (yes:) even more rich.  My hair doesn’t like coconut milk right now so I added hot flaxseed liquid instead (her second recommendation).

 
 
 It was very easy to mix and I used all 3 cubes (my hair is very thick).  

 I applied it to my hair and wrapped it with saran wrap. I put my scarf on and went to bed…

 

 The next morning I washed it out and loved the results.  I didn’t really smell the banana, but it had to contribute to my soft, light, conditioned hair.  My hair felt well moisturized.  I twisted my hair with one of the samples I ordered Whipped Butter Lemon Sponge (smells like a real lemon cake) along with the clay.  

I left my hair twisted for about 5 days and then wore a twist out for a couple of days.  When I took my hair down it still smelled like lemon sponge cake (and I seal my ends with my own oil mix almost every night:).  

Let’s just say I re-ordered a full-sized Whipped Butter ($8.95) plus some other items…and move on. I won’t even tell you that my kids started asking for the “lemon cake one” when I sealed their ends at night!

Check me out!

 
 

My Final Review:  

 I LOVED IT!  I loved making it, smelling it and putting it in my hair.  

I don’t think I used enough liquid for the consistency I like, but this is an easy fix for next months treatment. I’ve enjoyed all of the products I’ve ordered from Ms. Grant.  Her products are very decadent, freshly handmade and I love that her site is filled with great information.  

Did I mention her company is in the UK-Hertford, Hertfordshire to be exact.  I promise you, her products got here faster than some of the companies I order from here in the US!  My order was under $34 so my shipping costs were a flat $10.75 (I may be off with the change but around there).

Well worth it.

If you’re on the fence about this product, it’s worth the cost and lavish hair experience!  

Deep Condition Lavishly:)