I participate in an online forum called lovinlocs. It is a really great forum with wonderfully informative discussions. Once we talked about natural hair products vs. not so natural (but good) products. Now one of the locticians talked about the chemical makeup of certain products and why they work, and why all natural products will not always give you the best result. All of what she said was true. So why, you ask, do I prefer to use natural products. Well, my reasons have to do with my health and the health of my clients. People don't realize in this day and age there are more pollutants than we care to think about. We are exposed to them on a daily basis. Most people don't do cleanses, vegetarian diets, drink clean water, and exercise. All of these things help you detoxify. These steps help you rid your body of the daily buildup of pollutants in your system. Even wearing natural deodorant that allows you to sweat, but not stink will help. Anyway, my main reason is that I want to live and help my body do what it is supposed to do.
My hair is important to me as I have expressed in other blogs, but not more important than my health. Now let me say this. My hair isn't unhealthy, it means that sometimes I have to work harder and accept somethings about my hair that others don't want to deal with. I don't use conditioner, because I don't care about my hair being super soft. I just want it to be moisturized. I use spritzes, oils, shea butter and, combinations of those products. The shampoo that I use is castile soap and it works wonderfully to remove the heavier products that I use. I take hempseed oil (pill form) to keep my hair from drying out in the winter. I know that it works because when I ran out, my hair screamed bloody murder. I drink almost solely water this helps you to keep your weight down and get toxins out. I also exercise.
All this to say that there are certain chemicals that I can't or won't give up like bleach, but I will be safer where I can. My toiletries is a good area to start. A lot of products have a cumulative affect that our government simply doesn't care about. I put this link here so that you can search some of your favorite products and see how hazardous they are and why. You don't have to give up everything, but make improvements where you can.
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/index.php?nothanks=1
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8 comments:
I've always wondered HOW one would use shea butter in their hair.It seems so thick that I'm scared there'd be lots of build up. Did you ever NOT use oils when you were starting your locs?
Yes, I have been oil-less (made up word LOL)before. I think that the only reason that I don't experience the build up with the shea butter is that I also use the castile shampoo/soap. Depending on how often you shampoo your scalp will make a sufficient amount of oil. If you can go for 3-4 weeks without a shampoo your scalp won't be as dry, but I just can't do it. I shampoo AT LEAST once a week. I also melt my shea butter down and combine it with other stuff like jojoba, olive, or grapeseed oils. That's makes it MUCH easier to handle. It also makes it a lighter weight product.
We do a lot of the same things. I too use castile and no conditioners. Even after I have used other shampoos, I keep coming back to the castile, it really gets the build-up out of the hair. Do you also use the soap for bathing?
I've been experimenting with coconut oil a little. We have so much in common, its like you are my twin. Great information!
LOL.You can move in with us anytime!Not sure how we'd handle the bug issue though!
Evelyn, I would love to be your twin. LOL I do use castile soap to bathe. I have lavendar in the shower right now. I bought some solid Dr. Bronner, because it was on sell (rose & citrus). My favorite oil is grapeseed and in cold weather grapeseed with jojoba. Honey, that mix has your skin feeling like a newborn. LOL Do you like black soap? If so melt it down, add some oil/shea butter, and some EO and you will have the perfect liquid soap.
Stopping by to say Hi, and I hope you have a wonderful week! :)
Take Care~
Great Post!!!
Question...what deodorant do you use? I've been using the Thai Stone and so far it's been working well but I'm always up for trying something new. Baking soda doesn't work for me.
Natural products are the way to go. The Castile soap in itself has so many uses; shampoo, bath wash, facial cleanser, etc. I mainly use Jason products, I think they're all vegan...YAY!!
MeikMeika, I use Lafe's natural crystal deodorant stick mostly. I am trying Burt's Bees deodorant with oil of sage, it's a spray. My husband uses Thai crystal deodorant roll on. Both of us do some type of exercise and it holds really well. You don't smell yourself mid workout.LOL
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