Olive Oil: Not Just for Pasta

Well, it is that time of year again--cool air, foliage, frost, and dry, dry, dry. My humidifier is going full blast twenty four-seven and my skin is as dry as can be. So, I use my grapeseed oil, specially scented by Aroma Sanctum here in Salem (she ships!), on my skin after every shower. But, my scalp is my big concern.

Your scalp is one of the most delicate parts of your body and needs to be treated kindly. I only shampoo my hair every three days, but I condition every day. On my shampoo days, I deep condition with My Honey Child's Olive You, an olive oil based deep conditioner. Olive oil is organic and one of the best oils for your hair; it will moisturize the scalp, remove impurities, promote growth, and strengthen the hair. It is also most cost effective than buying hair oil. So, on my wash days, I have taken to rubbing extra virgin olive oil into my scalp and letting it rest (with or without a shower cap) for about an hour. (If you try this, less is more and let it stay on the scalp for at least 30 minutes.) Then, I condition the hair with my daily conditioner, and (with the conditioner still there) I shampoo. This is called co-washing and is a good idea in the dry, chilly months. After a good rinse, I add more daily conditioner and my deep conditioner, pop on a shower cap, and hang out for an hour or so.

Sounds weird, right? Well, my hair has never been healthier. A little weird can go a long way, I suppose. :-)

It's a New Day for Curls and Skin!

First, I apologize for the hiatus. Work and grad school got ahead of me. But, my hunt for the right goods for skin and hair has continued.

My little favorite store, Rouge, introduced me to Caudalie skin products a few months back and I am a total convert. For my combination skin, I use a mix of the Gentle Cleanser and the Instant Foaming Cleanser. I also use their Toning Lotion and I love the Creme-Sorbet Moisturizer and eye cream. Wonderful items! Quick note, though, the gentle cleanser needs to be put on to dry skin. My skin feels and looks great.

I also have started to use Neutrogena Naturals' Purifying Facial Cleanser in the morning. It is great and can gently remove any makeup that you just may have forgotten to wash off the night before.

But, the greatest discovery of all came in the mail last week. I purchased Curl Cloths by Curls Like Us. My curls have never looked better. The cloth works with your styling product and removes just enough moisture to keep the curl pattern intact. Let me put it this way, I wash my hair last night, used the Curl Cloths, it is rainy and humid here, and my curls still looked amazing all day today. No frustration, no rubber bands. I bought a second set of cloths for travel. And, I think they may need to be gifts.

In addition, I have finally started to use Ouidad's Heat and Humidity Gel, in my endless quest to find just the right product. This gel is a definite keeper. While Ouidad's "rake and shake" product application may work for those with tighter curls, scrunching is the way to go for me. Curls of all types should try this one.

I mentioned my endless quest for the right product and I want to mention that it truly is endless. What works one day may not work another. Be patient and experiment. The products I have used in the past I will surely go back to as my hair changes. Remember, your hair is ever-changing.

New Product Discovery!

First, please pardon the great hiatus. The last few months have been very busy.


So, I decided to spread my net out a bit for products and I have tried Hair Rules's Curly Whip. And, I really like it. It did take a lot of getting used to but the rewards are great!
Cons:
-Hair must be soaking wet so that is something to get used to
-You really need to mix it with anti-frizz serum
-You need to invest in a purifying or clarifying shampoo

Pros:
-Curls are amazingly well formed
-Hair stays soft
-Curls patterns stay intact, even if you play around with your hair

Next on my "to try" list are CurlFriends's Clarifying Shampoo and Hair Rules's Quenching Conditioner. Stay tuned for updates!

Upcoming Change

It is no secret that I love my hair. She is long and wavy and auburn and I put a lot of time into her. So, here is the shocker: she will be chopped off.

On August 20th, at 11 a.m. EST, I am chopping off about eleven inches of my hair to donate to Locks of Love. There is not a lot I can donate to the world on a teacher's salary, but this is something.

So, think on it and see if you would like to join me.

Moisture, Moisture, Moisture

I know that most of us only consider moisturizing our skin daily in the dry months of winter or when we get an itch. Moisturizing, all over, is just as important during the summer. As we sweat, we get rid of toxins but we also get rid of water, which our bodies need. So, take a warm to cool shower (not cold! never cold!) and gently pat dry. Moisturize your arms, legs, and torso with a quality lotion, preferably one for extra-dry skin. Thicker, creamier lotions will help your skin to retain hydration and should be used more often than not. This also helps to keep your tan golden and healthy looking. :-)

As always, remember to moisturize your face. I keep using my normal moisturizer here, but some change it up. If you do, a lighter moisturizer is fine for the summer, as long as your cleansing routine stays normal.

N.B.: Your hair and insides need water too! Be sure to drink plenty of water (room temperature is best because your body can absorb it more easily) and deep condition weekly to beat frizz.

Recommended Products:
-Lubriderm's Advanced therapy for Extra-Dry Skin
-Eucerin's Calming Creme
-Bioelements's Absolute Moisture (for face)
-Garnier Nutritioniste's Skin Renew Anti-Sun-Damage (for face)

Summer Skin Care

Summer is in full swing here is New England, so here are some tips for you beach bunnies:
1. Always wear some form of sunscreen. We should wear no less than SPF 15 in order to protect from harmful rays and deter wrinkles.
2. If you have tattoos, put SPF 70 or 80 on them liberally, before applying the rest.
3. Use makeup and hair products with SPF. I also like to use scalp oil and color preserving spray before I hit the beach--the sun gives these products an oomph.
4. Put sunscreen on your legs! Our legs rarely see direct sunlight and will burn... unevenly too.
5. You should reapply sunscreen every two to three hours, more often if you take a dip.
6. EXFOLIATE when you get home to scrub off the sunscreen and aid in circulation; you ought to use a nourishing or hydrating body wash when you do this.
7. Stay hydrated. Drink twice as much water as you usually would.
8. And, please, continue to deep condition your locks!

Recommended products:
-Coppertone Spray-On Sunscreen
-Aeto Scalp De-Toxer Oil
-Joico Color Endure Spray
-Nalgene BPA-free water bottle
-Aveeno Fig and Shea Butter Body Wash
-My Honey Child Olive You Deep Conditioner

Have a great summer and blessed solstice!

Less is More

Today, I took some time to wander around town, read by the dock, and revisit some shops I have not been in in quite some time. A worker in one of these complimented me on my hair and this gave way to a lengthy conversation about hair care. She asked me what I did and I told her, "I shampoo every three days, deep condition at least once a week, and I use as little and as few products as possible." I want to stress this last point.

The more product on our hair, the more weigh down and lifelessness. The more we pull and prod our hair with styling, the more frizz and loss of control. Here is what I suggest: on damp hair, spray on leave-in conditioner or vitamin spray all over your head (be sure to have the nozzle about eight inches away from your head to avoid excess concentration), deposit a dime to nickel sized drop of frizz fighter to your palms and rub together, add in your styling cream or gel and rub again, swipe through your hair with open palms and spread fingers (start in the under layers and move to the canopy), and end with a light scrunch or shake. Now, leave it alone.

Three products (at most!) is all I use in any one day and my hands stay away from my damp locks. The result ends in spiral ringlets and a golden sheen... and compliments. :-)

Products I recommend for this:
-Hair Rules Curly Whip creme
-Giovanni Frizz Be Gone
-Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly gel
-Bumble and Bumble Defining Creme
-Bumble and Bumble Tonic Spray
-Alterna Hemp with Organics Spray Leave-in Conditioner with Color Hold
-AG Conditioning Mist