It's Been a Long Time...

Hey THoM family!

I know it's been a LONG time since I've posted on here and I've been fussing at myself as to why...sometimes LIFE prohibits you from doing some of the fun things (like blogging) and I want to make sure I'm giving you all things of substance, not junk.  SO I hope you all forgive me :)

I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of my niece, and have been in a bit of a hair funk these past few weeks.  Well, let me be more honest and say a month...maybe 5 weeks or so?  My hair has been the least of my concerns and I finally could not avoid doing it any longer.  I know, I know....I'm such a natural hair role model huh?  I'm a normal person, and sometimes I just don't like doing my hair.  Those times are very few and far between because I usually LOVE playing in my hair...well I'm getting back to that and it feels SO GOOD!  I'll make sure I post the end result of the amount of hair shed I had...it was beyond the normal amount I usually experience, but I'm not surprised since I had essentially been wearing my hair in and out of a bun.  Can you say a hot tangled mess? UGH!!

Well now that THAT struggle is over, I have some wonderful news to share with you all :) Have you checked out the Facebook page of NaturallyCurly.com? I'M ON THE COVER PHOTO!!!! AND I'm the face of 3C on their hair typing page...how's that for a little natural hair motivation?  I feel so GOOD, my hair feels GOOD, and I and so honored to be involved with such an awesome community. 

It seems so much easier sometimes to post to my Facebook page and I certainly don't mean to neglect the blog site.  I think I'm going to attempt to have something like a schedule on this page.  I want to make regular posts (and videos) as well as share helpful information from some of my favorite sites & bloggers.  Fingers crossed!!

Lisa Michelle!!

Nappturalite Radio Show Info

Hi THoM family!! I was so blessed to be a co-host on The Nappturalite Radio Show today and gave some great information about using natural oils to remedy your hair.  It's SO MUCH info, but here's a list of some of the more popular oils (and I use just about all of them in some way, shape, form, or fashion lol!)

Coconut Oil (Extra Virgin) – Light and non-greasy, coconut oil can easily be used by all hair types.  Coconut oil is one of the few oils that can actually penetrate the hair shaft.  There are several types of coconut oil available, but go for the extra virgin (EVCO).  This oil is typically clear in its liquid form and a white color that is solid at room temperature.  Shelf life: approximately 1-2 years.

live Oil (Extra Virgin) – This multipurpose oil is a staple in many naturals hair care regimen.  Not only is it a great pre-poo and hot oil treatment option, extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) works wonders to seal moisture in and can add a kick to your conditioning routine too.  If you have finer hair you may want to use just a small amount in order to not weigh the hair down.  Shelf life: up to 2 years.

Castor Oil (Jamaican Black Castor Oil) – A heavier oil great for tighter coils, castor oil can be great for sealing moisture into your hair.  Many have also used this oil to help regain thickness around thinning hairlines.  A little definitely goes a long way with this oil; too much can leave your hair heavy and weighed down.  Another popular variation is Jamaican Black Castor Oil (JBCO).  This less refined version can be used to encourage hair growth as well as protect and seal your ends.  Shelf life: can be indefinite.

Avocado Oil – This super nutrient rich oil is heaven for thick haired curlies.  Chock full of natural goodies like amino acids, minerals, and vitamins, avocado oil can help strengthen hair and enhance deep conditioning treatments.  Try mixing a bit of this oil with your favorite conditioner as a deep treatment, adding a plastic baggy or heat cap for added conditioning.  Since this oil is a bit heavy and slightly oily, it’s best for thicker or more tightly coiled strands.  Shelf life: approximately 1 year.
Jojoba Oil – Closely matching the sebum, your hair’s natural oil, jojoba oil is a great staple in your natural hair care routine.  This oil can be used to balance oil production at the scalp, aiding overproducing glands that cause oily hair.  Jojoba is also non-greasy and gives your hair a healthy shine.  At this time, however, jojoba oil is very scarce and that is reflected in the skyrocketing price.  Shelf life: can be indefinite.

Sweet Almond Oil – This light, all-purpose oil is great for all hair types and offers many benefits to naturally curly hair.  Sweet almond oil works great as a sealant so apply a small bit on top of your moisturizer to lock in the moisture.  It’s also great for improving manageability by smoothing the hair shaft.  Shelf life: approximately 1 year.

Grapeseed Oil – This super light and moisturizing oil can benefit all types of curls.  A natural heat protectant, grapeseed oil can actually be used as a thermal agent up to 425 degrees when blow drying or flat ironing.  Apply a bit throughout the hair before applying heat to give your hair added shine and protection.  This oil works great to strengthen each strand, increase manageability and can also be used to combat dry scalp and dandruff.  Shelf life: approximately 1 year

Argan Oil – This rare oil is making waves in the natural hair community for its moisturizing properties.  Easily absorbed and quite nourishing, this oil is great for your hair, skin, and nails too.  For curly girls, argan oil helps with manageability and can also strengthen the hair.  It can be pricey, but a little goes a long way.  Shelf life: approximately 2 years.

Ayurvedic Oils – For ages these oils have worked wonders across the globe and they’re a wonderful option for naturals.  Some of the more prominent oils are amla, neem, brahmi, and bhringaraj; each of these distinctive oils offer their own unique benefits for your curls.  For example, amla oil is great to strengthen and condition the hair, neem oil is excellent for tackling dandruff, brahmi can be used to stimulate hair growth and bhringaraj is great to combat shedding and breakage.

Please make sure to support Nappturalite Radio and tune in every Sunday at 5pm CST for more great info, fabulous interviews, and AWESOME giveaways!  I hope this information helps, and please feel free to comment how you use your favorite oils!!

Lisa Michelle