Product Review: Thermal Hair Care Hot Head Deep Conditioning Cap

Thermal Hair Care

Hot Head Deep Conditioning Cap 

$29.95 each

The Hot Head Deep Conditioning Cap is a single unit microwaveable cap that is used for deep conditioning hair treatments.  The cap is reversible with terry cloth on one side and a cotton fabric print on the other.  Within each cap are flax seeds, which are used as the heating element providing 25+ minutes of continuous heat.  The cap can be used for deep conditioning, protein, henna, or other hair treatments.

The Hot Head Deep Conditioning Cap is really easy to use.

1. Wash and condition your hair using your favorite products.
2. Place a plastic processing cap over your conditioned hair.  If your hair is very long or voluminous you may need to twist or plait the hair first in order for it to fit.
3. In a clean microwave place the Hot Head Deep Conditioning Cap with elastic side up onto the plate.  Heat for one minute.  Remove cap, shake, then flip inside out to reveal the other side.  Place the cap back into the microwave elastic side up and heat for another 45 seconds.
4. Remove cap from microwave, shake, and place on your head over the processing cap.

The Hot Head Deep Conditioning Cap has quickly become my favorite deep conditioning tool. I used to use my Hair Therapy Wrap for deep conditioning, however this product has been collecting dust in my closet once I got my hands on the Hot Head!  The Hot Head is easier to use, provides evenly distributed heat and the heat source seems to be more durable.

Also new from Thermal Hair Care is the Little Hot Head just for kids which is available in cute kid friendly patterns.

6 Itchy Skin Resolutions

During the Winter months our skin tends to be drier due to the weather conditions. We often slather it up with lotions and salves looking for relief but there is so much more you should be doing for your skin to help it remain healthy and supple.

Photo credit: http://www.blackhistorywalks.co.uk/images/stories/Brown_Skin.jpg

 

1. Launder your sheets. Sweat, dead skin cells, and general outside grime is rubbed into our bed sheets daily.  These irritants may be causing your itchy skin. You should wash your sheets at least weekly add a capful of bleach to disinfect or ammonia if your sheets are colored.
2. Exfoliate. Your skin is a living organ and it sheds skin cells every day.  You need to help make sure those cells are actually departing from your body. Using a wash cloth is a good first step but a loofah or brush is better.  Make sure you ask a friend or loved one to hit your back for you or use one with a long handle. You also want to use a body scrub twice a month to help really smooth out your skin,
3. Turn down the temp. I love a hot shower. Love. But exposing your skin to hot water for long periods of time is drying to your skin. Turning down the temperature of the water and taking shorter showers can help maintain the natural oils in your skin and alleviate dryness.
4. Cleanse gently.  When looking for a body wash or soap many of us pay more attention to how the product smells over how it makes our skin feel.  We also feel like our skin needs to be stripped to be clean, this is untrue. A lot of the cleansers found in body wash we wouldn’t dare put on our hair or face, but we slather it all over the rest our our bodies.  Look for washes without SLS, SLES, ALES and other harsh salts. Also avoid washes with silicones as these create a layer over the skin and this residue can prevent moisturization.
5. Wipe me down. After bathing most people grab a nice fluffy towel and rub their body down.  This is actually contributing to the dry skin problem as well. That water is adding moisture to your skin it is actually better if you leave your skin damp before applying your oil, butter or lotion.  Secondly, that vigorous rubbing is not helping either.  Opt for patting yourself down with a towel or even better using your damp washcloth to wipe down most of the water but still leaving your skin moist.
6. Butter up. Right out of the shower when your skin is still moist butter up that skin to lock in the moisture, replace natural oils lost while cleansing, soften and protect your skin.  Make sure you ask for help for hard to reach areas like your back.

Avocado Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing with AvoPure

As you may recall I received a pouch of AvoPure avocado powder for the purpose of creating DIY beauty recipes.  While I was creating my DIY Avocado Pre-Poo Treatment, I thought “hmmm this would probably make a good salad dressing” and I was determined to find out.

I use a basic balsamic dressing recipe whenever I am making a salad for dinner and my typical salad includes nice chunks of creamy avocado.  I used my balsamic dressing recipe as a base and simply added a bit of the AvoPure avocado powder.  My imagination did not let me down. 

Avocado Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing

• 1/2 c Safflower oil (or a mild flavor oil)
• 1/4 c balsamic vinegar
• 1 tsp honey (or maple syrup)
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp AvoPure avocado powder

Add all ingredients, except the oil, to a medium sized bowl and whisk to combine.  Then slowly add the oil while whisking quickly to incorporate thoroughly. This will yield a medium viscosity creamy dressing.

for the Garden Salad

• 1 head of green leaf, red leaf or Romaine lettuce
• 1 cucumber
• 6-8 Campari tomatoes (or one large tomato)
• 1 avocado
• 1 ounce blue cheese crumbles (optional)

Rough chop the lettuce discarding the core or base and place in a large bowl. Quarter the cucumber and add to the mixing bowl. Quarter your Campari tomatoes, or slice your regular tomato into bite-sized pieces and add to the bowl.  Slice your avocado in half, removing the pit. Then make vertical and horizontal slices into the flesh to create bite sized piece and add to the bowl. Sprinkle in blue cheese crumbles.  Add your dressing and toss. Yields four servings.

I serve this salad several times a week and it is very easy to make.  I like the Campari tomatoes because they have a low acidity and aren’t filled with tomato goo. They are also small which makes them easy to use.  Do not use iceberg lettuce, in fact don’t even eat that crap. It is the just solid water with no nutritional value and no taste. I love blue cheese and it belongs in this salad, but it is just as good without it.

For the dressing you can substitute pretty much anything. I use whatever I have on hand. If I am out of honey I will use maple syrup, agave nectar or even brown sugar.  For the mustard you need it to act as an emulsifier so do not exclude it.  This dressing also makes a great marinade for chicken or beef. You can make it ahead of time and store in your fridge if you like but it is very easy to make on the fly.

US Marine Corps Updates Hair Regulations

The US Marine Corps has implemented new hairstyle regulations for female Marines. These women now have the option to wear their hair in locs or twists as part of the new standard, braided styles were already allowed by previous standard. The Marine Corps is the first branch of US military service to allow locs.

For more information, check out this article on the official US Marine Corps website http://go.usa.gov/cKPNf

 

Avocado Pre-Poo Treatment with AvoPure

If you are like me you love a good DIY treatment for your hair and skin. There is something lovely about making your own products that cater exactly to your beauty needs. One of my favorite natural ingredients to use in my treatments is avocado. It is a beautiful nutrient rich superfood that is just perfect for getting your life together.  However there are a few setbacks in the use of avocados: outside of living in California they are never picked fresh and you have to catch them within that ripeness window, out of season they can be pretty pricey, and they don’t lend themselves to partial use. 

I was contacted by AvoPure, a New Zealand based company that specializes in avocado powder.  This foodgrade powder is perfect for use in nutricosmetic applications such as face masks, hair conditioners, soaps or balms.

From their website:

Avocado is often called a ‘food for the skin’. Nutrient dense, it has superb natural moisturising and anti-ageing properties.  And with AvoPure avocado powder, you can harness the goodness and health benefits of premium New Zealand avocados in your personal care and cosmetic products.  Being 100% pure, with no additives, fillers or manufacturing residues, AvoPure avocado powder can be combined with other ingredients without risk of chemical conflict.  The light weight, soft and incredibly fine powder provides a highly flexible base medium for cosmetics and personal care products.

Needless to say I was happy to get my hands on the packets and start playing around with recipes.  The advantages to using AvoPure avocado powder over actual avocados is that you can use as much or as little as you want, you don’t have to worry about spoilage, and it is much easier to incorporate the powder into your treatments.

DIY Avocado Pre-Poo

• 3 oz Safflower oil (or your favorite oil)
• 1 Tbsp AvoPure avocado powder
• 2 oz conditioner
• Color applicator bottle (example)

Gently warm the oil, I popped mine into the microwave for a few seconds then pour into the color applicator bottle. Add the AvoPure powder and shake until well mixed. Add your conditioner of choice then shake again.

To use: This is a pre-shampoo treatment.  Section your hair into four – six workable sections. Apply the mixture to the hair from root to tip massaging gently into the hair. Cover with plastic cap and allow to penetrate for 10-15 minutes. Shampoo and condition hair as normal. 

For me my hair felt both soft and strengthened after using this pre-poo treatment as compared to my weekly shampoo and condition regimen.  I had wore my hair out in an afro for most of the week so it was very dry and tangled.  The pre-poo treatment really helped melt the tangles away and made quick work of my detangling session.  I am going to incorporate the AvoPure avocado powder in future skin and hair treatments and report back my findings.

 

 

#NoBareLips30 Cycle 4

Once again it’s on! Grab your favorite lippies, unlock your social media accounts, post your pix and tell a friend: #NoBareLips30 is back.

I should have actually written this post before the new season launched, but oh well CP time is a thing. So today is officially day 3, but if you can jump right in and start on day 4 tomorrow.

If you are not familiar here are the #NoBareLips30 Challenge fast facts

Who: #NoBareLips30 is a month long makeup challenge started by Keiko Kaveri to showcase the beauty of women of color.

What: The challenge is to wear different lipstick colors, styles, and techniques for thirty days according to the official calendar.

When: The current challenge runs from 12/11/15 – 1/9/16

Where: All forms of social media including Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Google+. On IG follow me @HereIsMySpout, follow KK @KeikoKaveri, follow the hashtag #NoBareLips30

Why: The mission of this challenge is to celebrate and encourage women of color and our beauty. It is also to learn and share makeup tips.  I have participated since the beginning and I have definitely reaped the benefits of group knowledge.

How: Follow the calendar listed below. You can participate every day or just a few days. I encourage you to scroll the hashtag and see what other ladies are wearing daily. You will learn about drugstore dupes, makeup tips and most importantly see images of beauty that are not highlighted in the media. 

If you have any questions or are looking for tips please feel free to hit me up on Twitter @DerbyCityNat or @HereIsMySpout.

DCN Black Friday Deals List is LIVE

This list is live ladies and gentleman. Be sure to check back early and often and to bookmark the page as I will update frequently. Happy shopping :)

(click anywhere to be redirected to the 2015 Black Friday Deals for Natural Hair)

 

2015 Black Friday Deals

Yes, I will of course put together a list of 2015 Black Friday deals for natural hair products.

Derby City Naturals has become the definite blog for all the best deals on natural hair and body products. Make sure you are subscribed to the blog so you will get the updates straight to your inbox. And once the post is up you want to make sure you bookmark it because I will be receiving new deals daily and updating the list often.

Emails to vendors will go out soon. If you are a vendor and would like your deals to be included please email DerbyCityNaturals@gmail.com with the subject: Black Friday Deals for Company Name. You can also state what date you want your deals to be released and I will make sure not to make them public until then. But please DO NOT wait until the last minute. I am not staying up until the wee hours of the morning the night before to update.