[Tutorial] Swirled Flat Twist Bun for Natural Hair | The #WashDayExperience

My curlformer curls from last week went into bun. *curse you spring allergies!* I co-washed as usual and put my hair in a high puff until today's #washdayexperience. Because I'd left my poor ends to dry out---I tweaked the regimen that I've been sticking to just a little but kept the products exactly the same.

Here's what I used:

Pre-shampoo- DIY Moisturizing Mist (tutorial here) + Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Conditioner  (review here) + Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (Why I 💕 EVCO!) + My Stimulating Essential Oil on my scalp
Clay Rinse- Here's the dets on my recipe
Deep Condition- Jessicurl Deep Treatment Conditioner (review here)
Leave-Ins- Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (Why EVCO is AMAZING here) + Jessicurl Too Shea Conditioner (why I love this stuff here) + DIY Hair Butter (tutorial here)

RELATED: My Minimalist Natural Hair Regimen

And here's how I did it:

This week's theme is Dry Scalp Remedies, so I started by applying my Stimulating Essential Oil (Here's how to make your own) to my scalp. I've used this blend for years and its my favorite cure-all. The essential oil blend soothes itchiness whilst the oil relives dry scalp. Plus it smells divine!

RELATED: 4 Ways To Fight Dandruff and Flakes

Next, I spritzed the ends of my hair with my DIY Moisturizing Mist (tutorial here). Then I slathered my hair in Herbal Essence Hello Hydration (my full review here) and sealed my ends with a little coconut oil. Because my ends felt drier than usual, I covered my hair with a plastic bag and went to sleep.

RELATED: Why I Deep Condition Overnight

An overnight pre-shampoo session was EXACTLY what my hair needed because in the morning, my hair was crazy plump, soft, and uber moisturized! Next, I hopped in the shower, rinsed the conditioner section by section then applied my Clay Rinse with a narrow tip applicator bottle. I usually start my application process from back to front and I noticed that the curls in the back of my hair are completed defined from root to tip. So, next week, I plan to start the application process from front to back so that my curls in the front can get more clay love.


Next, I deep conditioned with my all time fave conditioner Jessicurl Deep Treatment Conditioner (review here), coated my ends in Extra Virgin Coconut oil (here's the kind that I use $) to seal in the conditioner and plopped under my hooded dryer for about 30 minutes.

RELATED: Why I'm in love with the Coco (Coconut Oil of course!) 

I t-shirt dried for about 10 minutes then installed Curlformers using a little more Extra Virgin Coconut Oil + Jessicurl Too Shea Conditioner (why I love this stuff here) + DIY Hair Butter (how to make your own Hair Butter here) as my leave ins.

I had to run grab the minions from the bus before I could figure out how I wanted to style my hair so I threw my curls up into a banana clip.

When I got home, I decided on this Swirled Flat Twist Bun.

Here's how I did it:

1. Begin with stretched hair (I stretched my hair using Curlformers.) 
2. Pull all of your hair to one side. I chose the left side. Then secure with a hair clip.
3. Take a small section near your left ear and section it off. We'll work with it later.
4. Now grab a small section of hair near your right ear and begin your flat twist. This twist will end near your temple. 
5. Begin another flat twist directly behind the first one.
6. Incorporate the first twist into the second twist.
7. Then flat twist along your hair line until you reach your left ear.
8. Then start to curve your flat twist towards your right ear. This will create the swirled effect.
9. Continue flat twisting until you reach the nape of the right side of your hair. Double strand twist your ends. 
10. Release your remaining section. Divide it in half. 
11. Then double strand twist each section.
12. Cris-cross the last two twists and secure the ends into a bun.  

Optional: Polish the look by smoothing your edges with little edge control. I used Curls Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Paste.

I'll wear this style for 2-3 days before I co-wash and bun my hair for the rest of week.

What are your remedies for a dry scalp? Share all the dets in this week's #WashDayExperience link up below!

Besitos!
KLP

An InLinkz Link-up

5 Ways To Increase Shine In Natural Hair

The science just isn't on our side. Curly hair isn't naturally shiny. Our curly strands just don't reflect light as easily as straighter hair.

*womp womp*

But that doesn't mean that your curls can't have a gorgeous glowing sheen--it will just take a teeny bit more effort! Here's 5 ways to get glossier hair in every step of your #washdayexperience regimen:

P R E - S H A M P O O   T R E A T M E N T

Before you hop in the shower, try an oil rinse. To apply the rinse to my scalp, I use a narrow tip applicator bottle (Like this one of these) then let it sit for a few minutes and rinse in shower. My favorite oil rinse has been this amazeball DIY Green Tea Infused Hair Oil.

P R E - C O N D I T I O N I N G

After you've cleansed your hair but before your deep conditioning session try a Clay mask. I discovered clay masks about a year ago (my super simple recipe is here) and they've made their way into my weekly routine. Clay masks are amazingness in a jar and the shine that your hair has afterwards is unparalleled. Masks are a little labor intensive so if you're pressed for time, try this Quick & Easy Clay Rinse. You'll still get all of the flossy shine!

D U R I N G   C O N D I T I O N I N G

I've made a habit of sealing my deep conditioner with oil. Simply work the conditioner through your curls, then apply a little oil to your ends. Cover with a plastic cap then sit under your hooded dryer for 20-30 minutes (or Deep Condition Overnight). This technique deeply moisturizes, softens your hair, and once rinsed gives your hair an incredible shine! My oil of choice is usually Extra Virgin Coconut Oil.

D A I L Y

I've found that keeping my hair moisturized on a daily basis is the best way to increase my healthy looking shine. Which is why I'm in lust with my DIY Moisturizer. The recipe's super nourishing ingredients like Aloe Vera Juice, Glycerin, and vitamin e oil keep my ends from drying out. My curls don't frizz and they stay well defined.

How do you get your hair glossy?

Besitos!
KLP

Quick and Easy Bentonite Clay Hair Rinse For Natural Hair

I won't lie, bentonite clay mask treatments are a labor of love. All that pouring and mixing plus the time it takes to apply and dry can be just too much work to do every wash day. So I started "clay rinsing." It's basically the same exact recipe as my Bentonite Clay Mask Treatment---but its consistency is thinner and can be done in one step in the shower. Which is perfect when you're pressed for time but still want your curls to pop! Here's what I used:

Related: DIY Bentonite Clay Mask Treatment

Ingredients:

2 oz Bentonite Clay (I use Aztec Healing Clay)
4 oz Aloe Vera Juice (I like this one)
1 oz Apple Cider Vinegar (Bragg is the best!)
2 tbsp Glycerin (These are good choices)
Plastic bottle with a lid (Applicator bottles like this one are awesome)

 
And here's how I mix it:

1. I add the clay to my applicator bottle using a funnel. I like to use an applicator bottle with a cap so that it's easier to mix.
2. Next add the apple cider vinegar. It will bubble and foam up---Don't be alarmed!
3. Add your aloe vera juice and glycerin. Secure the lid of your applicator bottle and shake it gently! Your mix should be thin, but not runny. If it's too thick, add more liquid and shake. If it's too thin, add more clay and shake again

I like to clay rinse after a pre-shampoo treatment but before I deep condition (or co-wash if I'm being really lazy pressed for time) because while the clay will cleanse your scalp and give you AHA-mazing curl definition, but it can also make your curls feel a little stiff. Running a little conditioner through your hair after the clay rinse handles that situation! I did a clay rinse this week and I'll share all the dets in tomorrow's #washdayexperience.

Are you clay/mud rinsing? What's your favorite recipe?

Besitos!
KLP

[Tutorial] Braided Headband Tuck For Natural Hair | The #WashDayExperience

My Vintage Tucked updo (you can check it out here) from last week was super cute and kept my ends tucked away but OMG now I remember why I don't use that Scuni Upzing that often; It gives me the worse headache! After two days of my updo, I pulled it down and rocked a twist out.

Then it snowed/rain/sleeted all over the best twist out I've ever gotten. *sad face* *shakes angry fist at the universe* Why won't you let me be great?!?

I had no choice but to wash my hair. Here's what I used:

Pre-shampoo- DIY Moisturizing Mist (tutorial here) + Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Conditioner (review here)
Shampoo- Jessicurl Cleansing Cream (review here)
Deep Condition- Jessicurl Deep Treatment Conditioner (review here)
Oil Rinse- Green Tea Infused Hair Oil Rinse (tutorial here)
Leave-Ins- Jessicurl Too Shea Conditioner (why I love this stuff here) + DIY Hair Butter

And here's how I did it:
I started my spritzing the ends of my hair with my DIY Moisturizing Mist (tutorial here). I initially created this concotoion to moisturize my hair between washes, but now I also use it to detangle pre-wash thanks to an amazing tip from my linkup partna in crime Jen at JGA! Then I slathered my hair root to tip in Herbal Essences Hello Hydration (which has amazing slip btw! You can check out my full review here)

I hopped in the shower, shampooed with Jessicurl Cleansing Cream (review here) and rinsed. Next, I deep conditioned with my all time fave conditioner Jessicurl Deep Treatment Conditioner (review here), coated my ends in Extra Virgin Coconut oil to seal in the conditioner and plopped under my hooded dryer for about an hour.

RELATED: Why I'm in love with the Coco (Coconut Oil of course!) 

After rinsing the conditioner, I used a narrow tip applicator bottle (Like this one of these) to apply my latest potion: A Green Tea Infused Hair Oil Rinse---in honor of this week's #washdayexperience theme "Tea for Two" (Wondering what the heck it is or how to make it? Read the tutorial here) I let the oil sit in my hair for a few minutes then rinsed.

GIIIRRRLLLLL....

I can't even describe it...

Let's just say that I will DEFINITELY do this again, especially with this disrespectful cold weather floating around! My hair felt crazy moisturized strong but soft. I t-shirt dried for about 10 minutes then installed my beloved Curlformers using Jessicurl Too Shea Conditioner (why I love this stuff here) + DIY Hair Butter as my leave ins.

My curls were gorgeous, but I wanted an updo, so I whipped my hair into this Braided Headband Tuck. Here's how I did it:

1. Begin with stretched hair (I stretched my hair using Curlformers.) Then create a heavy side part.
2. Secure your bangs with a hair clip.
3. Using a stretchy headband, place it at the crown of your head. (It might shift about now. That's cool. We'll get it to stay put in just a sec.)
4. Now braid your bangs and incorporate hair from the front and behind the headband. (Trust me---it will look cute) Continue the braid until the end of your hair
5. Gently pull on the sides of the braid to make it wider (and fuller)
6. Then tuck it into the head band
7. Now tuck the rest of your hair into the head band one section at a time until the headband is hidden.

Optional: Polish the look by smoothing your edges with little edge control. I finally ran out of Chi Twisted Fabric so I used Curls Blueberry Paste instead.

How did you style your hair this week? Did you use a tea rinse? Share the dets with the rest of our healthy hair tribe below!

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Green Tea Infused Oil Rinse for Natural Hair

My love affair with green tea rinses began when my hair was relaxed, I was suffering with  postpartum shedding, and I just wanted a way to slow down the shedding. You can read about my many adventures with green tea rinses here, here, and here.

RELATED: Herbal Tea Rinses to Combat Shedding

I don't shed like crazy anymore, but in honor of tomorrow's #WashDayExperience themes, I decided to experiment with tea again. This time---for a Green Tea Infused Oil Rinse!

How I made it:

1. Place 3 green tea bags in a glass mason jar. (I used Celestial Seasonings Green Tea)
2. Cover with 1 cup of warmed extra virgin coconut oil (or other carrier oil of your choice).
3. Bring a pot with 2-3 inches of water to the brink of boiling. Turn off heat. Place the jar in the the water for 15-20 minutes. 
4. Carefully remove jar from hot water. Cover with lid and steep overnight. 

And here are semi-scientific reasons green tea oil rinses rock:

• Tannins- is an astringent compound that binds to and precipitates proteins in plants. The tannins in tea can attached to the hair shaft making the hair appear fuller. Tannins have antibacterial properties that can help soothe itchy/flaky scalp issues that would increase shedding. The tannins also tighten pores, which better protects your scalp from excessive oil and dirt while strengthening your strands to prevent damage.
• Caffeine- Green tea has 35mg of caffeine. Caffeine is known in the hair world for stimulating the scalp, increasing blood flow, and thus allowing your scalp to get more oxygen and more "food."
• Pantheol, Vitamin C and Vitamin E- Pantheol, which is found in tons of hair products, acts as a humectant, drawing moisture into the hair and helps prevent split ends while conditioning. Vitamin C is known as an antioxidant thought to help heal the scalp. Vitamin E also acts as an antioxidant that aids effective circulation in the scalp due to increased oxygen uptake in blood.
• Extra Virgin Coconut Oil- Coconut oil has been shown in studies to be the only oil that prevents protein loss while helping hair retain moisture. It reduces hair porosity making it spectacular for chemically relaxed hair which is typically higher porosity. Washing your hair can cause hygral fatigue, which is a fancy way of saying damage caused by frequent swelling (absorbing moisture) and shrinking (losing moisture) of hair fiber.

RELATED: Why I'm in love with the Coco (Coconut Oil of course!) 

To apply the rinse to my scalp, I used a narrow tip applicator bottle (Like this one of these) in the shower after conditioning. I let it sit for a few minutes then rinsed. My hair felt crazy moisturized strong but soft. (Don't worry, I'll give you all the details in tomorrow's #WashDayExperience!}

Have you ever tried a green tea rinse for you hair? What's your favorite recipe?

Besitos!
KLP

Relieve Itchy Flaky Scalp Fast!

 
For the better part of 10 years, I suffered with extremely itchy, flaky scalp. Most times, even after I washed my hair and scrubbed my scalp, by the time that I got to style my hair, I would have flakes again. This Stimulating Essential Oil blend is inspired by an article that I read in Latina a few years ago, but it's tried and oh so true! No matter if you're relaxed or natural, this recipe is all about healthy hair. The best part is that you can treat your scalp and moisturize your hair at the same time. 

Although the essential oils are optional, I strongly recommend using essential oils because I just love the stimulating refreshing detoxifying qualities that they give. Peppermint invigorates and refreshes your scalp. While, rosemary acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory to soothe itchiness. Eucalyptus is antimicrobial, revitalizing, and clarifying. Start with 5-10 drops of each essential oil to see how it feels on your scalp. If the scent is overpowering, next time use 2-3 drops of each essential oil. Or as you get customized to the sensation, you can add a few drops more. Remember to always use essential oils with a carrier oil such as the ones listed below. Natural oils are highly concentrated and should not be used directly on the scalp.  

I use a variation (it just depends on what I have on hand at the time) of this blend during my pre-poo sessions on wash days. 

Stimulating Essential Oil Hair Blend Ingredients: 
5 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
5 drops Rosemary Essential Oil
5 drop Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Vitamin E
Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
Sweet Almond Oil
Sunflower Oil
Grapeseed Oil
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    
Do you have a favorite stimulating oil blend?
 
Un mil besitos!

KLP