Super-moisturizing Lavender Hair Spritz

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1. Add ½ cup of aloe vera juice.
   • Aloe vera juice relieves itchy, dry scalps and acts as a conditioning agent that reduces frizz.
   • I buy the Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Juice. It comes in a large 1 gallon jug and has a shelf life of 1 ½ – 2 years (when stored properly in the fridge).
2. Add ½ cup of rose water.
   • Rosewater helps to balance the pH of skin.
   • It has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce and prevent irritated skin and clogged pores.
   • It’s antioxidant properties strengthens and regenerates skin cells.
   • Rose water also hydrates and refreshes hair, and helps with the retention of moisture.
   • I love the rose water by Heritage Store.
3. Add ½ cup of distilled (not tap) water.
   • If you live in a hard water area like I do, this is a CRUCIAL step.
   • It is imperative that you use distilled (or filtered) water. Don’t use tap water, especially if you are unsure of the water content (or if you have never tested your water)!
4. Add ⅓ cup of vegetable glycerin.
   • Glycerin is a natural humectant. It helps to attract and retain moisture to your hair’s follicles.
   • I adore the 100% pure version from NOW Solutions. It never fails to soften and moisturize my parched tresses!
5. Add ½ teaspoon of vitamin e oil.
   • Vitamin e oil has anti-aging properties that prevent damaging effects from the environment (e.g., free radicals).
   • This nutrient-rich oil heals and repairs skin and hair.
   • It is also an antioxidant that helps to keep the spritz fresh by extending the shelf life.
   • After trying several brands, I’ve locked onto Sundown Naturals vitamin e oil.
6. Add 20–30 drops of lavender essential oil.
   • I used lavender essential oil for its regenerative, soothing, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, you can use any essential oil you prefer (i.e., rosemary, tea tree, peppermint, etc).
   • The essential oil also helps to extend the shelf life of the spritz.
7. Shake vigorously to incorporate all ingredients, and enjoy!

After tinkering with the proportions for two months, this has become my go-to daily hair moisturizer. I use it on my twist-outs, wash ‘n gos, protective styles, everything! When nothing else will moisturize my hair, this will. Trust!

Follow-up with your fave oil. I normally gravitate to whipped shea butter but, this summer, I’ve been reaching for extra virgin olive oil more frequently. Just use what your hair loves.

 

My 2014 New Year’s HAIR Resolutions + Encouragement

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So, it’s a new year, and it’s time to put pen to paper concerning our New Year’s resolutions. No, I’m not talking about exercising more or paying down my student loans. (Gasp!) That’s on a different list. LOL! I’m talking about my New Year’s HAIR resolutions. One of the things I’ve learned now that I’ve been natural for 11 months (Man, does time fly!) is that healthy hair doesn’t happen accidentally. If you want stronger hair, it requires a lot of dedication and commitment, utilization of proper hair techniques, and a healthy dose of patience. So, here’s my plan for better hair in 2014 …

1. Moisturize! Moisturize! Moisturize!
   

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   • It’s easy to get bogged down by life and neglect the basics your hair needs. I found out the hard way that when I don’t set aside time to take care of my hair, it usually results in dry, dehydrated tresses that break or have minimal growth. I’ve learned that my hair needs to be moisturized daily, even if it’s just misted with water. And, as always, I’ll seal that moisture in with one of my fave oils.
   • I’m still toying with (and trying to perfect) different moisturization techniques (i.e., the LOC method) but, right now, moisturizing and sealing is the minimum I can do to maintain healthy hair.
2. Deep condition at least once a week! 
   

• I noticed a drastic difference in the health of my hair last year when I failed to deep condition it for 4 weeks straight.
• My natural hair loves moisturizing deep conditioners the way my relaxed hair loved protein treatments.
• Deep conditioning is a must for me!
• Use more low-manipulation/protective hairstyles.
  

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  • Last year, because of the length of my hair, I couldn’t really take advantage of the numerous protective hairstyles I came across online and fell madly in love with.
  • Now that I have more length to play with, I plan to experiment with some of those styles I’ve been coveting.    🙂
• Air dry as much as possible.
  

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  • Last year, I air dried my hair 99% of the time. I only blow dried my hair once! I think that really helped with the overall health of my hair.
  • This year, I plan to continue this good habit I formed and air dry as much as possible.
• Limit the use of flat irons.
  

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  • Flat irons can create beautiful, sleek looks. But, don’t over do it.
  • I made the decision early on in my healthy hair journey to limit my use of flat irons to only 2-3 times per year MAX. I’ve been natural for 11 months now, and I’ve only flat ironed my hair ONCE. I don’t plan to flat iron my hair again for another month (on my 1-year naturalversary)!
  • When I was relaxed, one of the reasons I struggled to obtain healthy hair is because of my constant battle with split ends. Limiting the frequency I straighten my natural hair has completely eliminated that problem. My ends are split-free and healthy!
• Curb my product junkyism. 
  • When I was relaxed, I was a serious product junky. Whenever a new product launched, I had to try it. No matter what! When I became natural, a lot of the products I had in my arsenal no longer worked on my newly natural hair. So, in some sense, you almost have to be a product junky your first year of being natural by default … Because trying new products and lots of products is really the only way you will know what will work for your hair.
  • I also noticed that my hair goes through stages … A couple of the products I tried when I transitioned and then BCed (and loved), I ended up hating as my hair grew out and got longer. So, there will always be a careful balance between discovering something new and useful and collecting products like trophies!
  • Of course, companies that discontinue your fave products creates a whole new dilemma … But, sometimes a discontinuation can be a blessing in disguise. Early into my natural hair journey when my favorite Lustrasilk deep conditioner was taken off the shelf, it forced me to research products and read labels like crazy. I ended up finding two deep conditioners that I absolutely adore. If I can’t find one, I buy the other and vice versa. I’ve been using one of the two for the last 9 months! The same goes for my co-wash conditioner. I’ve been using the same one since I made the decision to transition.
  • I still like to try new products, but when I find something that works, I plan to stick with it.
• Throw out my brush and comb!
  

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  • Ok, not really! But, it is important to avoid manipulating your hair needlessly.
  • In 2013, I realized that I brushed and combed my hair … A LOT!!! Around month six or seven of being natural, I started to finger detangle my hair. I started slowly … from whenever I could remember to about 75% of the time. I’ve noticed less hair fall in the shower and on the floor!
  • Now, I use my comb predominately for creating clean parts (when styling my hair) and my Denman brush for shingling product into my hair/my boar bristle brush for gently smoothing my edges. I use a comb/brush maybe once a week. Sometimes once every two to three weeks!
  • I used to think that people who finger detangled exclusively were insane, now I can’t imagine my hair regimen without it. Who knew?
• Stop jumping on bandwagons!
  • Sometimes, it’s easy to get caught up with the latest fads. I’ve always been the first among my family and friends to test new products, especially those related to hair care. There’s nothing necessarily wrong about wanting to try the latest and greatest in beauty and hair care. Just be realistic! And, do your research.
  • Before you drop $200 bucks on the newest innovation in heat styling, read reviews online, ask questions in hair forums, and talk to people who have tried the product first hand to see if the item can actually fulfill a need, or if you are about to become the next victim of a three a.m. infomercial.
• KISS (Keep It Simple Sista).
  

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  • Don’t use a million products if two will do.
  • Don’t manipulate your hair every day if you can get away with only manipulating your tresses two to three times a week.
  • Don’t install an elaborate hair do if you don’t have the time to maintain it.
  • More isn’t always better. Sometimes more is just … well … more!
• Be consistent.
  • Healthy hair takes a lot of work. You can’t take good care of your hair for a couple of weeks and expect to undo a lifetime of damage or poor hair care practices.
  • Create a hair regimen and follow it for at least a month or two. Then, judge whether your regimen needs to be tweaked to better suit your lifestyle or hair needs.
• Practice patience.
  

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  • Healthy hair takes time to cultivate.
  • Period!
• Ignore the noise. 
  

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  • You can’t please everyone all of the time. There will ALWAYS be naysayers. Sometimes a co-worker, close friend, or even a family member will “mean well” but wrinkle their nose when you Big Chop or say, “I liked your hair better when it was longer!” (a.k.a. relaxed)
  • Regardless of whether you are relaxed, transitioning, or natural, do what works for you and your hair! I had to learn this one in the beginning stages of my Big Chop when my confidence plummeted when certain people I cared about made less-than-encouraging comments about my über short hair. I felt embarrassed. I thought that maybe I had made a mistake. However, one morning I woke up and realized that I was tired of trying to conform to others’ expectations of me. So, I made the decision to be confident about my hair, regardless of the length. And, guess what? Confidence begets confidence!
• Embrace my hair’s limits.
  

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  • Not all hair types can easily shift from hair trend to hair trend, change from a plethora of styles from week to week, or use a million different styling techniques on a whim like a contortionist in Cirque du Soleil. It doesn’t mean it’s good or bad. It just … IS!
  • There are certain immutable facts about certain hair types and rules (as well as exceptions to the rules) within each “type” and for each person. Just because your 4c BFF can get away with only washing her coils once a month and protective styling for 12 weeks at a time,  doesn’t mean you can, too!
  • All hair is created equally BUT differently. Accept the limits of your hair, and move on to what DOES work for you.
• Love my hair unconditionally.
  

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  • I am still a work in progress, and every blue moon I sometimes look in the mirror and question myself. But, then I remember how damaged and unhealthy my relaxed hair was and how strong and healthy my natural hair is. Suddenly, the only opinion that matters is MY own. 

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DIY Multi-use Beauty Spritz Recipe

This blog post contains affiliate links (e.g., to Amazon, eBay, etc.), which means that if you click on one of the product links and place an order, I’ll receive a small commission. This helps support my blog and allows me to continue to create content like this.

Thank you for your support!

1. Place 1 part pure vegetable glycerin into a spray bottle.
2. Add distilled (not tap) water.
   • Add 4 parts water for oily skin.
   • Add 3 parts water for combination skin.
   • Add 2 parts water for dry skin.
3. OPTIONAL:
   • Add 2-3 drops of your favorite essential oil (i.e., tea tree, rosemary, lavender, peppermint, etc).
   • Substitute 1 part rose water for 1 part distilled water if you have extreme redness in your skin.
   • Substitute 1 part witch hazel for 1 part distilled water if the mixture is too “sticky” for your taste.
4. Shake vigorously until well mixed.
5. USES: 
   • Set your makeup. 
   • Moisturize your skin. 
   • Refresh your face after an intense workout session (esp. if you use lavender or peppermint essential oils). 
   • Moisturize and add shine to your hair.
6. Enjoy!

I use the recipe above for setting my makeup and as a skin refresher after an intense workout. For my daily hair moisturizer, I use 4 parts water to 1 part glycerin, add about a tablespoon of castor oil to the solution for additional hair health benefits, and complete the spritz with 10-15 drops of tea tree essential oil. This is my go-to DIY spritz.