I am BACK! (again lol) Let’s skip the wishy-washy and get straight into it.
Today I’ve got a new DIY recipe to share: Black African Soap Shampoo.
So as the name suggestions, it is a hair shampoo, it is all natural and yes, it is simple!
As with any commercial shampoo (which I personally don’t use) I use this to help cleanse my scalp from product buildup (my roots) and then I slowly work my way down the length of my hair. Previously I had been using Shikakai as a cleanser and I have nothing “bad” to say about it but I wanted a change and stumbled upon Raw African Black Soap.
What Is Black African Soap?
Black African Soap is traditionally made in West Africa from harvested plants such as sun dried dried plantain, cocoa pods, barks of Shea tree and palm leaves. Palm oil, palm kernel oil and water is also added to form the soap, which is left to “cure” before it is ready for use.
Black African Soap can be used for both your hair and skin ( I will have a separate recipes for the skin – I use it to cleanse my face). Some of the many properties of this soap:
Anti-fungal
Antibacterial
Cleansing
Reducing Oil productions (for overly oil skin since it does contain moisturizing properties to help balance the natural sebum produced by the skin).
Moisturizing
Helps sooth irritated skin
Reduces acne, blemishes and fine scars/lines
Recipe:
1 oz Raw Black African Soap.
8 oz warm Water (I use bottled water because my facet has hard water).
1 tsp Almond Oil
1 tsp Grapeseed Oil
1 tsp Glycerin Oil
5 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
5 drops Lavender Essential Oil
Ingredient Alternatives:
You can use any oil/oils you have at home, you must not stick by what I personally use. You can skip the use of Essential Oils (or replace them with your favorites) I like using Peppermint Essential Oil because it has a tingling effect on the scalp that helps to stimulate blood flow which helps to stimulate growth, it also has cleansing properties, anti-fungal & anti bacterial properties and smells AMAZING! Lavender Essential Oil has a relaxing and soothing effect. I add glycerin to my recipe because it is a humectant and while Black Soap has moisturizing properties on its own I don’t find it moisturizing enough so the addition of glycerin seems to boost that (but it is optional).
If you use Black African Soap, please leave me a comment below with your own recipe! I love learning and love sharing your recipes with my readers! And if you happen to try mine, please do leave me some feedback on what you think!
I am back with my videos and blog posts (finally). Figured it was time to share what my current hair routines look like since a couple of things have changed since I last recorded a DIY hair post (which has been forever ago).
I will be doing a “mini series” and to start things off I am going to share my DIY Ayurvedic Hair Cleanser.
(Optional) 5 drops Peppermint Essential Oil/any other Essential Oil (if you are pregnant please do not use any Essential Oil).
INGREDIENT ALTERNATIVES:
You can replace the Shikakai with Aritha Powder (review here). Aritha is too “harsh” (cleanses my hair too well) leaving it feeling stripped and “squeaky clean”, which is why I do not use it personally.
MIXING INSTRUCTIONS:
Combine all the ingredients together in a container and mix, that’s it!
APPLICATION:
I pour the mix over my scalp first and the roots of my hair and then slowly work down. Some of you might want to strain the mix with a cheese cloth however, it is not necessary. Once you rinse out the mix in the shower you should be left with clean, shiny hair.
I know, I KNOW….its been a minute, more like a few minutes, ok a WHOLE year! (hangs head in shame).
I let life get the better of me and dropped the ball on my blog…and I apologize sincerely. I do not have a good “excuse” other than I lost focus but I do promise to get back into it.
I wanted to start off by sharing some exciting news.
I am in the process of opening an online store! The name will be reveled once I have everything up and running (in my next post so you can connect directly to my store). But, yes, you read that right; a store is in the works! Over the past few, years many of you have been encouraging me to take this step and I am eternally grateful for the vote of confidence and support.
But before you jump up screaming “whipped butta for dayssss” ….it will take time for certain items to be made public ready. I am in the process of figuring out relocating (moving half way across the world) so I need set myself up with a space that I know I will be in for a while before I can start bulk ordering things. Initially I am starting off with my handmade up-cycled earrings (I have a few photos of them in this post) along with a few handmade accessories such as necklaces & chokers.
The plan is to have a fully functioning online store that will provide handmade hair & body products (natural based) along with accessories that are Eco-conscious. So as of June (God willing) my online store will start operating and as I mentioned items will be added as time progresses.
Please remember to follow me on all my social media pages because I tend to post a lot on my Instagram and Twitter (news tends to hit there first). If you don’t already follow me on YouTube please do because I plan on doing more DIY’s now that my focus is back.
Once again thank you to everyone that’s been my cheerleader, your words of encouragement definitely have not been ignored, if anything they helped motivate me.
I want to wish my mama and all the other mothers out there a wonderful Mothers Day! I hope you are spoilt rotten and treated like the strong and beautiful Queens!
I am flattered to have my story as part of her beautiful Blog, Thank You Sharon!
You can read the full story here and please take a few minutes to go over the rest of the wonderful stories and information provided on the Blog. I love the feel, look and content of her Blog and I am sure you will enjoy reading through it too!
Once again Thank You Sharon, you turned my story into a wonderful feature!
I have two recipes to share today. Both of these mixes are for the lips.
I have been using a DIY Lip Scrub and Lip Salve over the last two months and have noticed a difference in how my lips feels and looks which is why I wanted to share 🙂
DIY Rose Honey Lip Scrub
DIY Rose Honey Lip Scrub
This baby is fabulous! I use the sugar scrub 1 – 2 times a week maximum to help exfoliate my sensitive chappy lips. Do not scrub more than twice a week otherwise you run the risk of ending up with a raw, fragile and over exfoliated pout!
Ingredients:
0.5oz Natural Honey
0.1oz Rose Infused Almond Oil (you can use any carrier oil)
1oz. Raw Brown Sugar (you could use white sugar)
Peppermint Essential Oil (you can use any Essential Oil)
Mix Instructions:
I first mix the Raw Honey and Rose Infused Oil together and then add about half the Sugar. After mixing in the first half I add the remaining Sugar. The Essential Oil is added at then end and then everything is transferred to my container.
DIY Rose Honey Lip Scrub
When/How I Apply the Scrub:
As I mentioned I apply the scrub once or twice a week after I have washed my face and removed my makeup (including anything on my lips). I make sure my lips are a little damp with water and then in a circular motion I lightly rub the scrub over my lips. I like to leave it on for about 1 minute and then splash it off with water.
Why I use these ingredients:
Brown sugar – helps to gently remove dead skin from the lips leaving you with a soft supple pout without being too harsh on the skin. (I prefer using brown sugar over white sugar but there is no harm in using white sugar.) Raw Honey – a light humectant that helps to draw moisture in the air to the lips, making it a super moisturizing ingredient. It has light anti bacterial and antiseptic properties so it helps to heal cracked lips. Rose Infused Grapeseed Oil – the oil will help trap in all that luscious moisture from the honey, it is light and therefore will not clog up the skin. The infusion of rose adds to the scent of the mix. Peppermint Essential Oil – this is an optional ingredient but I LOVE it. It helps to stimulate blood circulation giving you a tingling sensation, makes the lips plush and it also helps to keep the scrub from going off too quickly due to it’s anti fungal properties (it is not a preservative but helps to extend the shelf life of a product a little).
DIY Cocoa Rose Lip Salve
DIY Cocoa Rose Lip Salve
Ingredients:
0.8oz unrefined Cocoa Butter (double broil for less than 5 minutes)
0.3oz Virgin Coconut Oil
0.2oz. Rose Infused Grapeseed Oil
0.1oz Castor Oill
2 Vitamin E Oil Capsules = roughly 0.15oz (do not cut your fingers if you use capsules)
2 drops natural Rose fragrance oil – alcohol free (optional)
1 drop Peppermint Essential Oil (Optional – use any EO)
Mixing Instructions:
I first melt down the Cocoa butter in a double broiler for no more than 5 minutes and then add the Virgin Coconut oil to the melted butter (off the heat). The warmth from the Cocoa Butter will melt down the Coconut Oil. I add both the Rose Infused Grapeseed Oil and Castor oil to the mix followed by the contents of two Vitamin E Oil Capsules. The final step is to add the Alcohol Free Rose Fragrance Oil (optional) and the Essential Oil (optional). I then pour the mix into my containers and then let them set in the fridge for no less than 4 hours (usually overnight).
DIY Cocoa Rose Lip Salve
When/How I Apply the Scrub:
I have become obsessed with this lip salve so I do not only apply it at night but during the day too! Anytime really…but I do make a point of putting it on before bed. I also ensure that after I have scrubbed my lips I apply a sufficient amount of the salve. I make enough of this to keep a container on my bedside table, in my bathroom, my dresser and in my office.
Why I use the ingredients:
Cocoa Butter – an excellent butter that has moisturizing and soothing properties. It gives the salve hold yet still allows it to melt immediately upon contact with the skin providing a light sheen and glisten. Virgin Coconut Oil – is easily absorbed into the skin, has moisturizing properties and leaves the skin feeling soft. Castor Oil – is a humectant as well as being a sealing oil so it attracts moisture in the air to the lips and helps to heal damaged, dry and chapped lips. Rose Infused Grapeseed Oil – is a light oil that helps to seal in the moisturizing and nourishing benefits from the salve and provides a light sheen. I like to use alcohol free fragrance oil, because if provides a luscious scent to the salve and is not damaging or drying. Peppermint Essential Oil – (optional) helps to stimulate blood circulation giving you a tingling sensation, makes the lips plush and it also helps to keep the salve from going off too quickly due to it’s anti fungal properties (it is not a preservative but helps to extend the shelf life of a product a little). Vitamin E Oil – is super moisturizing for the lips, helps generate new skin growth and contains nourishing properties that helps to keep the lips supple and soft.
NOTE: Make sure that your fingers are dry before taking the products out of the container (before application) in order to keep them from growing bacteria. Since the Lip Salve does not contain beeswax it might become a little soft during the summer months therefor make sure not to keep them in your bag or pocket because it can melt and spill. Use the scrub no more than twice and week to ensure you don’t over exfoliate. You can apply the lip salve anytime you want, so if you make a few batches you can keep some handy in random places e.g. bedside table, dresser, bathroom cabinet, office desk etc.
I would love to hear if you try these mixes. If you have a favorite DIY Scrub or Lip salve/balm let me know, I like to experiment (as you know)!
I have been BUSY making DIY mixes, recording videos (editing), taking photos and have come up with an Infused Oil “series”! Do I hear you say: HOW EXCITING! (Yes, it is!)
Infused Oils
If you are wondering why would you want to make an infused oil? I say why not?!
In all seriousness, infused oils give you the option of incorporating your favorite ingredients to your favorite carrier oil – adding more punch, nourishment and benefits for your hair and/or skin.
Uses of infused oils for the hair
Infused oils can be used in a number of different ways such as: Pre-poo’s, hot oil treatments, scalp massages, Deep Conditioners, leave-in conditioners, whipped butters, sealing…ANYTHING! Their benefits depend on the ingredients used for infusion and the carrier oil you use. With each of my infusions I will list the benefits of each and how I personally use them.
Infused oil for skin
You can incorporate infused oils into a DIY Body butters, sugar scrubs or even directly onto your skin to trap in moisture after a shower.
So which Oils have I made (are in the making?)
Rose Infused Grapeseed Oil
Hibiscus Infused Almond Oil
Amla Infused Grapeseed Oil
Coffee Infused Almond Oil
Neem Infused Coconut Oil
Heads up – Rose Infused Grapeseed Oil will be first!
I hope you enjoy this “mini series”.
Do you make your own infused oil? If so what do you make and how? I would love to hear from you!
Maicurls 