Lavender Shea Hair & Body Recipe (+Giveaway) [CLOSED]

Hello friends,

I'm back with another blogspot and this time I am giving away my all time favorite body butter for hair and body. This is my all time #1 moisturizer in the colder months to keep my hair and skin moisturized and supple. If you're a follower of my blog, then you know I have a few body butter recipes on the blog, here, here and here. 

A few weeks ago I made a batch and gave to friends who love it.


This is my first contest on the blog and I'm super excited about it. Since I have a small readership of the blog, the giveaway will be open till Friday, 10/17/2014 at 11:59:59 pm EST. Open to followers only | Open Nationally (in the US only).

(Whipped)Lavender Shea Coconut Hair & Body Butter

shea butter

coconut oil

olive oil

aloe vera gel

lavender essential oil (or peppermint if you like)

You will receive the hair & body butter in a 6 oz mason jar! A mason jar that you can always re-use.

How to Enter:

1. Must be a follower of my blog ---> Click 'join this site' under followers on the home page [on the left)
2. Leave 1 comment (any comment) under this blog post

• One entry per person please. 
• I will choose the winner from current, active subscribers who leave 1 comment on the blog
• I make my own hair & body butter in my house, in my kitchen. I don’t have a sterile lab. So, while I try my best to ensure everything is clean.
• I am not responsible if the winner has any negative reactions to any of the items in the prize package—I will include a list of all ingredients and the winner is responsible for ensuring they are not allergic/sensitive to any of them.
• I am not responsible for any negative reactions resulting from misuse (intentional or accidental). They are not food safe, and should not be consumed or inserted into the body in any way, shape, or form. Keep out of eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and all other orifices.
• Entrants CANNOT SUE ME for ANY REASON. I am running this contest out of my own pocket and the goodness of my heart because I am excited about the products that I make and I want to share them with my readers. 
•  I am going to mail the hair & body butter using USPS.
• I reserve the right to update and change these rules as I see fit throughout the duration of the contest
• The winner must reply to the e-mail selecting them as the winner within two (2) calendar days or another winner will be selected (so you should subscribe with an e-mail address you actually check).

I hope this helps,

My Natural Hair Wedding Story

Hello friends,

On deciding the perfect hairstyle for my special day, going with the look I did was a no brainer. As someone who's always donned their natural curls and coils. I knew that an elegant, natural hair style was the best fit for me.

I wanted to make sure that the natural hair style I chose could last all day and throughout the entire honeymoon.

My wedding day hairstyle was inspired by my everyday look, but a bit more glam. I was fortunate that my hairstylist was also a long time friend. We worked very well together. She met with me a few weeks prior to the wedding for a trial session. At that time, we went through variations of the style to figure out the final look. 

My hair was done the day before the wedding to save time, as I opted for smaller twists. My hair was washed, conditioned, and slightly blow-dried for quick drying right before styling. My goal was to have my hair washed the day before styling, but it all worked out in the end. No extensions were used. I used an oil mix and cantu shea butter leave-in conditioning repair cream for styling and moisturizing. 

I wore my style the week following the wedding for the honeymoon. I received tons of compliments and most importantly, my husband loved my hair.

My advice for brides-to-be: It is extremely important for brides to have a trial session(s) with their hairstylist weeks prior to their wedding ceremony. This is your time to figure out what you want and definitely what you don’t want for your hair the day of your wedding. Doing so will help to minimize some of the unwanted surprises that day.

I hope this helps,

Detoxification 101: The Liver (Part 2)

In my previous post, I explained what detoxification means and why we detox our bodies. 

In order to really comprehend detoxification, I think it is important to understand how our bodies naturally detoxes itself. In this post, I will go into further detail about how the liver naturally detoxes our bodies. In addition, I will discuss various foods and herbs that help the liver function optimally.

via pinterest

Introduction

The liver is the primary detoxification organ in our bodies. Along with the kidneys, the liver does a great job of processing chemicals and toxins via sweat, urine and/or feces. This is why I'm so anal (pun intended) about making sure I have bowel movements every day.

How the liver works
The liver detoxifies harmful substances, both internal and external. Most of the toxins that enter our bodies are fat soluble. The liver's job is to convert  these fat soluble toxins into water soluble substances that can be easily excreted from the body via sweat or urine. The liver also filters the blood to remove toxins and unwanted chemicals. The liver is the body's main purification and cleansing system. For this reason, it is important that our liver remains healthy, so we can remain healthy or have optimal health.  You can check out this post, where I discuss some foods that help the liver cleanse.

There are many ways in which you can assist the liver: 

1. Fresh vegetable juices
2. Foods high in leafy greens. Green smoothies allow me to consume as much leafy greens as possible, without sacrificing taste.
3. Bitter greens, such as dandelion and other herbs. For whatever reason, the liver loves bitter foods. Bitter greens and herbs stimulate the liver to produce bile, which is necessary for good digestion.
4. Avocados (my favorite)
5. Add more cruciferous greens, i.e. Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, bok choy, cabbage etc.
6. Exercising especially yoga is great for overall health. Exercise increases blood circulation throughout the body and helps the body to relax and to sweat out the toxins and waste.

http://liliashealthbook.blogspot.com

**Again, you don't need to be on any special diet. To aid my body in its natural detoxification process, I just give my body what it needs to re-energize, rejuvenate, and build. 

I think one of the main reasons we engage in detoxification is because we are often overfed and undernourished. So by engaging in a so called detoxification diet, we begin anew; feeding our bodies with the much needed nourishment it needs.

Our bodies have the ability to naturally heal and cleanse itself. Mother Nature has provided us with all the herbs, plants, and foods it needs to do just that. Eat your fruits, eat your veggies, drink tea, exercise and your body will respond nicely.

** Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or nutritionist. Everything you find on my blog is based on my own knowledge, opinion, and experiences. It never hurts to supplement with your own research as well.

I hope this helps. Please share what you do to help your detox and cleanse itself. We can all learn from each other.

Have a happy holidays. Merry Christmas,

Natural Hair: How I'm wearing my hair this Winter!

Hello friends,

I wanted to share how I will be wearing my hair this winter season. I typically don't wear my hair out loose. I love twisting my hair to create updos. I typically wear my hair in the same manner week to week, month to month, year to year lol. It just works very well for me, because it's easy and oh so convenient. I can't complain.

I simply gathered my hair towards the back with a small bun at the nape of my neck.

If you have any questions about how I created this look and what I used to create this look, simply comment below. Don't forget to use the reaction button, it let's me know what you like and don't like.

June Health & Wellness Favorites

Hello friends!

I wanted to take a chapter out of YouTube beauty gurus who showcase their monthly favorites. Monthly Favorites will showcase the products and/or services that I currently love for the month.

So Let’s begin!  (Though I am bit late since it's already July)

Lilia's Healthbook June Health & Wellness Favorites.

Tea Tree Oil. Like I’ve mentioned before, I have very oily and acne prone skin. Tea Tree oil has saved my face. Tea tree oil is antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-septic, which means it does a great job at killing acne causing bacteria and purifying my skin. How I use: Immediately after cleansing, with my face dripping wet, I take a cotton pad dab a few drops of tea tree oil and gently dab this all over my face. Due to the nature of this oil, it will sting a bit, but it will subside. Afterwards, I will moisturize. I do this every day, 1-2 times a day. Tea Tree oil can be a bit drying due to its potency; so, don't go overboard.

www.liliashealthbook.blogspot.com

Aloe Vera gel. I love aloe Vera gel. I use it primarily for two reasons: To act as a light natural moisturizer for my face and to style my hair. Aloe Vera gel is very light. It does really provide a strong hold, which is what I like for my hair. The uses of aloe Vera gel are endless. Simply Google the benefits of this gel and you will sure to find a use that works for you.

1. 

   www.liliashealthbook.blogspot.com

    Green smoothies. Since learning about green smoothies, they have become a mainstay of my diet. Green smoothies are delicious; they are an excellent source of fiber, vitamins, mineral, and protein. They help me stay regular and most importantly, they are healthy. They have quickly become my go-to breakfast food.

   

   www.liliashealthbook.blogspot.com

   Do you enjoy the use of any of these items? Comment Below!
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Take the 'No-Shampoo' Challenge!

Hi guys,

No shampoo?! I know you might be thinking well, how do I get my hair cleaned without shampoo? Easy: you use its compliment, conditioner. Conditioner is a great alternative to shampoo, because its milder. Shampoo is often too harsh, leaving hair dry and stripped of its natural oils. I've tried using a less concentrated form of shampoo by watering it down, but I only found temporary relief and I was back to dry hair, which I despise. As I've stated before, dry hair = breakage = less hair retention.

Also the cold and dry air during the winter months make it an unfriendly environment for my hair.

www.liliashealthbook.blogspot.com

 So, if you are experiencing dry hair with your regular shampoo, take the 'no-shampoo' challenge with me this winter season. Your hair will love it.

• Conditioners actually contain cleansing agents that can get your hair clean. From personal experience, I can tell you that you don't need the heavy suds to feel like your hair is clean. In fact, heavy suds for me , usually means that I use too much shampoo, which then means my natural oils are gone. Most importantly, that squeaky feeling on your hair, most likely means one thing, DRY hair.
• This 'no-shampoo' challenge will mean that you will use more conditioner, but more doesn't mean more money. The money that would've used for the shampoo can now go towards purchasing additional conditioner. The best conditioners to use for this challenge are cheap conditioners. My favorite are the VO5 moisture milks brand or the suave conditioners. They are are inexpensive and you can find both of those at the dollar store ($1).
• To make sure that your hair gets cleaned, you will have to really work the conditioner into your hair. Pay attention to your scalp and hairline, where grease often accumulates. I often rinse and repeat this process 2-3 times. On average I usually have 2-3 (natural) products in my hair, so the time it takes to cleanse my hair of those products takes very little time.
• If you experience lots of build-up due to products, then this challenge might not work for you. In that case, shampoo needs to be used to rid the hair of all product build-up. I wash my hair every week; therefore, I experience very little build-up. Due to the fact that my hair type is prone to dryness, I need to add moisture often.

Take the 'no-shampoo' challenge with me and say bye-bye to dry hair and hello to soft curls.

If you enjoyed this post, please feel free to comment|follow| use reaction buttons.

Take care,

DIY Simple & Easy Hair moisturizer

Hi guys,

I thought that it would be helpful to share this simple hair moisturizer that I've been using for almost a year now. I enjoy this moisturizer or styler, simply because it allows me to achieve great twists for my fabulous up-dos and it adds a level of moisturize to my hair that is always needed.

If you like what you see please Comment| Follow| Use Reaction Buttons.

All you need: two ingredients:
1. aloe vera gel
2. oil of your choice (in this tutorial I use coconut oil)

www.lilias-healthbook.blogspot.com

When using this moisturizer for my hair, I always use 1 of 3 oils: jojoba oil or coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil. More information on those oils can be found here.

 Why do I use coconut oil you might ask. Well the benefits of coconut oil are vast. Let's take a look, while focusing on hair shall we:

• Conditions the hair very well, because it is able to penetrate the hair shaft.
• Works well to combat an itchy, dry scalp
• Works well to prevent dryness and breakage. Afro-textured hair is prone to breakage and dryness and we all know that dryness+breakage = minimal hair retention
• Helps to lock in moisturizer that you've put into the hair with water
• Strengthens the hair from the inside
• Promotes hair growth

The Benefits of Aloe Vera Gel:

• Balances the pH of the hair and scalp
• Conditions and moisturizes the hair
• Prevents hair loss
• Provides a slight hold for hair styles (like my twist)
• Helps to detangle the hair
• Defines curls

Now the tutorial ... So simple!

Just combine your two ingredients by mixing well. Mix Mix Mix. Until you achieve a consistency featured in the video below.

If you choose coconut oil, make sure that it is melted first, as coconut oil is usually a solid at room temperature (pictured above). 

I hope you enjoy. If you like what you see please Comment| Follow| Use Reaction Buttons. I would really love to know if you tried this simple recipe and what your thoughts were on it.

Take care,

Jojoba Oil |Extra Virgin Olive Oil | Castor Oil | Coconut Oil incredible for the hair and skin

Hello lovely people,

Another edition of the Good Health Series: Taking care of the Physical. Nature provides us with an abundance of natural ingredients for health and beauty. And I say why not take advantage of all this natural goodness, rather than opting for unnatural, artificial and refined ingredients. This brings me to oils. Currently, more than ever, achieving and maintaining healthy skin, so I want to share some of what I've learned with you.

Jojoba Oil- I love this stuff! I use jojoba oil as my facial moisturizer. I have very sensitive /acne prone skin. Dyes and perfumes irritate my skin so badly that I avoid them completely. Jojoba oil work very well, because it light and odorless. All you need is about 4-5 drops for moisturized and soft skin. Jojoba oil will not clog your pores. In fact, jojoba is so similar to the body's natural sebum (oil).

In addition, I use jojoba oil to keep my hair soft, shiny, and conditioned. It works extremely well to reduce breakage.

Castor oil- I use castor to keep my hair conditioned right after a nice wash. As a child, I watched my mum make castor oil, which she would use on my hair. I do the same thing today. Castor oil keeps my hair moisturized and protected in cold weather. It is a thick oil, so a little goes a long way.

Most importantly, I use castor oil to keep my acne at bay. I take about 3 drops of castor oil, rub on my hair, let it absorb into the skin for a few minutes and enjoy the benefits. Castor oil has anti-bacterial + anti-inflammatory properties, which is great for acne prone skin.

Extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)- This only is not just for cooking. This oil has truly become a true hair staple. I use EVOO solely for my hair as a hot oil treatment and oiling my scalp. EVOO is very beneficial for dry and brittle hair. It keeps the hair conditioned, removes buildup caused by products, nourishes and strengthens the hair.

Coconut oil-- One of the best oils in my opinion. Coconut oil nourishes and strengthens hair, because it is one of the few oils that is able to penetrate the hair shaft. Coconut oil has antimicrobial + antifungal + antibacterial properties, making it great in the treatment of dandruff and lice. This is also a great oil for the skin.

I hope this was helpful to you!

 Don't forget to Comment | Follow | Use Reaction Buttons|

Guinness World Record Holder: Largest Natural Afro

 Aevin Dugas is from New Orleans, Louisiana and she currently holds the title of the 'wold's largest natural afro.' Although she experiences issues with her hair (like it being caught in her car door etc.) she LOVES it and wouldn't change a thing. I think it's dope.

What do you think? **Comment and use the reaction buttons below**

Video credit: GuinnessWorldRecords.

Natural Hair Showcase in the NYTIMES

Hello,

I came across Beautiful, black women rocking their afros in the New York Times magazine today. Some of them you might recognize, such as Corrine Bailey Rae and Solange Knowles. The black and white photography is beautiful. Thought that I might share. You can find find the feature HERE.

My fav pic is below: Featuring Les Nubians

Source: NewYorkTimes

 Hope you enjoy,



 

Elegant Wedding Hairstyle(Natural hair)

Hello guys,

I had the pleasure of attending the wedding of a dear friend this weekend. I was able to achieve this look for the ceremony & reception. This was my first attempt and I loved it.

The front view

Side view

Back view

My Twist Up-do

So, I decided to change it up with the weekly hair-do. To keep things interesting, I did a quick pin-up. I just flat-twisted the sides and two-strand twisted the middle. For the final piece, I just pinned the hair up, making sure that my ends are tucked in. I used about 10 bobby pins to secure this style. I am so proud of myself :o)

the front

the back

the middle