Category Archives: moisturizing hair

Rosewater Flaxseed Gel

Hi Maicurlies,

I have mentioned the benefits of Rosewater for Hair and Skin and in honor of Rosewater (which I LOVE) I have been experimenting. What did I do? Rosewater Infused Flaxseed Gel (FSG)! Verdict? I LOVE it!

Apart from that delicious Rose smell I love the moisturizing effects I get from the gel. I normally make FSG with either plain distilled water or distilled water and Aloe Vera Juice (AVJ) and my hair does feel moisturized from it but the Rosewater seems to give it that edge!

So after weeks of experimenting (I have to do trail and error for a few weeks before I announce anything) I can say I absolute love incorporating Rosewater to my gel!

This is the recipe I use:

2 cups of Distilled Plain Water
1/2 cup Rosewater
1/2 cup Flax Seeds – (use less seeds if you want a thinner gel)
1 teaspoon Grapeseed oil (use any carrier oil of choice)
1/2 teaspoon Glycerin (optional – not everyone hair likes Glycerin)
10 drops Lavender Essential Oil (use any EO of choice)

I manage to get 3/4 cup of thick FSG with this recipe. If you do not like your Gel to be thick you can use less flaxseeds. While the Gel is thick I do not get any flaking or crunch (if I use too much gel and my hair does feel a little “stiff” it goes away once I scrunch my hair.)

I have a video demonstrating how I make my Rosewater Infused Flaxseed Gel on YouTube and as always have linked it here on my Video Page. I also have my “original” FSG recipe listed on my Blog here. I love experimenting so I am sure that Rosewater Infused Flaxseed Gel will not be my last experiment but I must say this is going to be my staple.

Have you used Rosewater in your FSG? If so, what is your recipe and how does yout hair respond to it? If not, how do you make your DIY Gel?

Thanks

Maicurls

Rosewater For Natural Curly Hair

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Hello Maicurlies,

Today is another “ingredient feature” day! And the subject is going to be Rosewater! I honestly do not know where this absolutely beautiful product has been all my life but I am so happy to have met it! (Just by writing about it puts a smile on my face and reminds me of that beautiful intoxicating smell!)

Right lets get down to business shall we.

In Asia, Africa and the Middle East, Rosewater has been a popular natural ingredient that has been used in cuisine and for health. It should come as no surprise then that companies around the world have started to incorporate Rosewater into different beauty supplies and hair products are no exception (with good reason!)

Below are some of the reasons why I use Rosewater (and why you might want to try it out!):

It is known to help revitalize the quality of your hair due to Its natural moisturizing and nourishing properties.
Rosewater is effective in treating hair loss due to the fact that it helps to simulate the scalp.
There are no artificial additives or chemicals (if you purchase pure Rosewater) making it a ‘non-toxic’ product! (Just make sure you are not allergic to Roses.)
Should you suffer from mild scalp irritations or dandruff Rosewater can be used to help sooth irritations.
It leaves your scalp feeling ‘fresh’ and your hair smelling great!

How to use Rosewater:

You can add it to any of your DIY products e.g. Leave-In conditioner, Flax Seed Gel, Deep Conditioners etc. Remember to use a preservative and store the product in a fridge if you are going to mix Rosewater with Oils (in large quantities and want to keep it for a few weeks) otherwise stick to making smaller quantities frequently.
If your Shampoo tends to dry out your hair you can add a little Rosewater with the shampoo – it will moisturize your hair by reducing the “dryness”, soften, give your hair shine and your hair will smell great throughout the day!
You can mix equal quantities of Rosewater and Glycerin together to help moisturize your scalp by using it as a “massage oil”. (Rinse it off after 30 minutes – 1 hour.)
If Glycerin is not your friend, then you can use any carrier oil e.g. grapeseed, jojoba, almond oil etc with Rosewater and use it as a “massage oil” for your scalp. (Rinse it off after 30 minutes – 1 hour.)

I would love to know if you incorporate Rosewater into your routine!

Thanks

Maicurls

Aloe Vera Juice For Hair, Health and Skin

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Hi Maicurlies,

This is going to be more of a “I’m so excited I had to share” post! If you have not already noticed I am a big fan of Aloe Vera and with good reason too (if you ask me.) I do not want to repeat myself but it is great for our hair and skin.

Some people will actually add AVJ to their drinks because when ingested it is known to help:

Indigestion
Detoxify the body of toxins
Boost the immune system
Increase energy levels …and much more

Keep in mind that it is known to be a “mild laxative” and is also known to lower blood sugar levels therefore you should consult your doctor/physician before consuming AVJ.

Now when it comes to our hair AVJ is known to:

Maintain the pH level of the hair and scalp
Promote Hair Growth
Eliminate itchy scalp and scalp dryness
Reduce hair loss
Reduce Dandruff
Acts as a conditioning agent
Restore shine and luster
Help fight against Alopecia

As a skin care agent AVJ is known to:

Prevent early signs of ageing
Reduce irritations caused by shaving
Help keep the skin supple and rejuvenated
Heal small cuts and wounds
Sooth insect bites
Brighten and reduces blemishes
Reduce hyper pigmentation
Moisturise the skin
Remove dead cells
heals cuts and wounds, dermatitis and also insect bites

I honestly just wanted to showcase the fact that I got not one but two HUGE plants and one little one!

I normally would “borrow” a few leafs from my mother’s plant whenever I could so I finally decided to get some and here are a few pictures of the leafs I cut.

Freshly Cut Aloe Vera

Split down the middle

Cut open and then scrape out the pulp

Look at how HUGE they are! I am so excited.

The “baby” plant needs TLC in order for it to grow but grow it shall!

Alright enough raving for today!

P.S. I have already touched upon the benefits of AVJ and how I use it in my DIY Hair Gel and my DIY Creamy Leave-In Conditioner and Spray Leave-In Conditioner.

Thanks

Maicurls

IMPORTANT! I am not a Doctor, Physician nor a Cosmetologist. I am just providing information for educational purposes and any use thereof is solely at your own risk. The information contained herein is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment in any manner. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding any medical condition. Once you have done that, do patch tests before you put anything all over your head or skin. Please consider this as my advice. You are responsible if you choose to follow some of my methods.

Whipped Fluffy Coconut Oil-Cream Video is up on YouTube!

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Good Morning Maicurlies!

So I managed to squeeze in one last video for 2013! It is my simple and quick Whipped DIY Fluffy Coconut “Oil/Cream”. As I have mentioned in my Blog and in the video is use this as one part of some of the mixes I make. I use this for both my skin and my hair however I mainly use the Coconut Oil/Cream as the base of my Face & Body Moisturizer and would add other ingredients to it. I also occasionally add it to my DIY Hair Gel (Flaxseed Gel.) You can read about my Oil/Cream here and watch the video here.

The main ingredient is obviously Coconut Oil and this is actually the only ingredient you will need. I do add Essential oils to my mix (either Peppermint or Lavender) but this is completely optional. The two requirements for the mix are:

To use semi solid coconut oil
You must use a whisk (electric or hand held will work.) You can not use a blender as the blades will heat up the oil and turn it into a liquid.

I hope you enjoy my video! And I hope you are enjoying the last few days of this year with big hopes and dreams for the coming year!

Thanks

Maicurls

H2O and Essential Oil Mist

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Hi Maicurlies,

So today I figured I would do a post on the ” Hair Mists” I have experimented with during the course of my Natural Hair Journey. The basic recipe of the Hair Mists I have used consisted of water and Essential Oil. Usually:

1 cup of distilled or bottled water (based on the size of the spray bottle I use)

5 drops of essential oils

There are different kinds of Essential Oils one can use for different purposes. The Oils I have experimented with are:

Peppermint

Known to promote growth by stimulating circulation
Acts as an antiseptic for the scalp.
Known to remove dandruff and lice.
Help scalp irritation, dry skin and makes hair healthy and shiny.

Lavender

Known for its balancing, soothing, regenerative and antibacterial properties.
Good treatment for dandruff and itchy scalps.
Can help control hair breakage and improve hair growth.
Known to help treat alopecia areata (a condition where you lose excessive hair in patches.)

Ylang Ylang

Can help reduce stress.
Can help increase the thickness of the hair shaft to grow thicker hair.
Can have a balancing effect on scalp oil production.
Said to help with split ends.

Apart from the properties mentioned above I use the Hair Mist as a “nice smelling curl refresher” in the morning when I want to revitalize my curls instead of using plain water. Just shake up the spray bottle before you use it so that you distribute the Oil a little.

There you go Maicurlies! I would love to know what essential oils you use!

Thanks

Maicurls

DIY (Creamy) Leave-In Conditioner Video uploaded and Additional Blog Page: Mai Tips – Hair

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Good Evening Maicurlies,

So I have uploaded another video! I put up my Creamy Leave-In Conditioner Video which I use as part of my Daily Routine. It is the second option of my DIY moisturizers that I use when my hair is feeling dry. Before I apply it I will first lightly mist my hair with water, apply the Leave-In and then Seal the moisture with my Mix Sealing Oil.

I have a link to the video here and you can read a little more about my mix here.

I also decided to create a page where I have put together all of the little “tips” I jot down regarding hair care. For example about trimming my ends, what I take with my when I travel (for my hair), what I do when I go camping etc. The page is called “Mai Tips – Hair“. I will also start with a Skin Tips page shortly.

I hope you have a lovely night!

Thanks

Maicurls

Hair Care While Camping

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Good Afternoon Maicurlies,

So I got back from a camping trip (on a stunningly beautiful beach with a lagoon on the other side) and decided it might be a good idea to share what I take with my in terms of my hair care and what I do with my hair. Look at that view!

Lagoon Side

Beach Side

Lagoon Side

Beach Side

So first of all my hair and Ocean water (salt water) just DO NOT MIX! They are like Oil and Water…it is just a no go! It is fine while I am actually in the Ocean…it is after I get out and my hair starts to air dry that it becomes let us just say vengeful. It feels weirdly crunchy because of the salt in the water. The salt content in the Ocean here is really high and like I said it is just not a good mix for me.

Anyways so while I want to be able to relax, enjoy the sea, swim, chill with friends, eat and party (who does not like a little partying) I also know that if I neglect my hair it will come back to haunt me 3 fold!

So when I go camping (especially if I will be at the sea) I take:

A spray water bottle
A little of my DIY (Creamy) Leave-In Conditioner – I pour some a little travel sized plastic container
A little of my Mixed Sealing Oils – I pour some a little travel sized plastic container

Before I apply anything to my hair I ALWAYS make sure I at least rinse my hair (if I get it wet in the sea.) This helps to remove the salt build up, sand and dust. Then I proceed with applying the items mentioned above.

Now the spray water bottle helps “freshen my curls” but more importantly it helps to keep my hair from feeling dry as well as aids in distributing my DIY (Creamy) Leave-In Conditioner.

The (Creamy) Leave-In Conditioner helps to restore moisture that I know I lose due to the salt in the water, heat, wind and all the other elements that can affect the moisture of my hair.

Finally, the Mixed Oils is used to help retain that moisture I added through the water and (Creamy) Leave-In Conditioner.

Now I do try to keep my hair either in a protective style before I actually go camping otherwise I will put it up in a bun.

Front of my Regular “Normal” Bun

Back of Bun

That is it Maicurlies! Let me know what you do to protect your hair when you go camping, swimming etc.

Thanks

Maicurls

DIY (Spray) Moisturizing Leave-In Conditioner Video Uploaded

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Good Morning Maicurlies,

I am starting with my “Daily Routine Series” videos on YouTube as I finished off my “Weekly Routines Series”. My Daily Routines consist of two parts: Moisturizing my hair and then Sealing in that moisture. The first video demonstrates how I mix my “DIY (Spray) Moisturizing Leave-In Conditioner”. You can see the video here or read through my mix under the “Mai Hair Routines” Tab titled “DIY Leave-In Spray”.

My spray is really “light” and therefore I use this when my hair only needs a little moisturizing. I usually use this in the morning on days when my hair is not extremely dry and will occasionally also use it at night (before bed) just to make sure my hair remains supple and moisturized.

What is your favorite “light” moisturizer?

Thanks

Maicurls