I Am About That Ayurveda Life!

I know that I have been MIA, but I have been continuing to pursue some great hair practices. I have always been obsessed with growing long, strong hair. So, it should be little surprise that my search has led me to incorporate Ayurvedic herbs in my regimen. My love of henna, Sukesh Ayurveda, and Moroccan Red Clay has caused me to experiment more.

Currently, I am mixing various powders and rotating hair pastes/ masque for maximum effectiveness. This has been occurring since this summer. My rotation of powders always includes warm water, aloe vera gel, or coconut milk, coconut oil, and avocado oil. Here's my top fav Ayurvedic mixtures:
1. Cassia Obavata/ Amla: Curl definition, shine and softness!  Great conditioning herbs.

2. Amla/ Brahmi: Excellent for scalp issues. My oily scalp gets a deep treatment.

3. Sukesh Ayurveda: A wonderful mixture of herbs that can be mixed with a conditioner for added softness and strength.

4. Zizyphus Spina Christi, Brahmi, and Neem: Great for cleansing and scalp treatment. Works well for scalp issues, such as seborrhea dermatitis.

All of the herbal powders that I purchased were ordered from HennaSooq.com. They come freshly sealed in packs. I typically order 3 packs of an herb, so that I don't run out. Also, it is very important to use a deep conditioner after using Ayurvedic herbs because some herbs can be drying.
Have you tried Ayurvedic herbs? If so, which ones. If not, then why?

Naturals on the Move: Meet Meosha Thomas

Naturals on the Move is our NEW weekly spotlight on naturals, who are "SHE-ROS" doing great things in their careers and/or communities. We were inspired by these ladies and we hope that you will be inspired by their beauty, strength, and tenacity. 

Meosha Thomas, age 32, is the founder of One Savvy Veteran, a non profit in Chicago, Illinois that provides services for women veterans. 

How long have you been natural? 

I decided to go natural once I discovered I was pregnant with my youngest daughter. I began my natural hair journey in October 2010, almost 4 years ago. However, my hair had outgrown all the relaxer by February 2012.

How do you describe your hair? 

I have 4A hair type. My hair is thick and healthy with a coily springy curl pattern. My hair is just as beautifully fierce and willfully free as me.  

How did you transition to natural? 

I did not big chop (my head is too big for that, lol) I transitioned my hair, allowing the relaxer to grow out. I wore protective styles such as braids and sew-ins during my transition to combat the two different textures in my hair. It took 16 months to be rid of all the relaxer. Transitioning my hair definitely taught me patience, creativity and love for my hair and myself. I fell in love with my hair, its texture and curl pattern. Like any relationship, I had some rough patches (literally) but I learned what worked for my hair and to work with my hair.

What is your weekly hair regimen? 

I shampoo, deep condition, and detangle my hair twice a week, usually Thursdays and Sundays. After conditioning, I two strand twist my hair, then put Bantu knots in it. I will leave twists/Bantu knots in my hair for at least a day before I take them out so my curls can be extremely defined. I moisturize my scalp daily with a light crème and sleep with a satin bonnet every night.

What are your staple products?

Luster's You Be Natural "Tangle Me Knot" Detangling shampoo

Luster's You Be Natural "Mayonnaise Conditioner"

Cantu Shea Butter Leave-in conditioner 

Aunt Jackie's Curls and Coils "Knot on my watch" Instant Detangle therapy 

Tell us about how and why you started One Savvy Veteran.

I served 10 years active duty in the United States Navy before I was injured supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. I was honorably discharged and retired from military service due to my extensive injuries and sent home in 2010. When I returned home, it was hard to find a place that had all the information I needed to help me transition from military service to civilian life. The few organizations I did find gave inaccurate information. It was a very frustrating and lonely time in my life. In the military, we are a part of a team with a purpose. I was isolated and missed the camaraderie that comes with the sisterhood of military service. I also noticed that as few services as there were for veterans, there was even FEWER services for women veterans. My mother instilled in me that “if you are not a part of the solution, then you are a part of the problem.” I wanted to create an organization that I did not have when I got out of the military. An organization that encouraged, educated and empowered women veterans helping them successfully navigate from military service to civilian life.  One Savvy Veteran is a source of support, assistance, resources and camaraderie for women veterans. I created a solution like my mother taught me and the military trained me.

Tell us how the readers might find out more info and/ or contribute to One Savvy Veteran.

For more info on One Savvy Veteran please visit https://www.facebook.com/one.savvy.veteran or email us at one.savvy.veteran@gmail.com or call us at (708) 462-2682

If you would like to contribute to our cause please donate at http://www.gofundme.com/veterans-in-need

A SPECIAL thanks to Meosha Thomas for enthusiastically agreeing to be our FIRST featured Natural on the Move. We are grateful for her tireless efforts to provide quality services for our veterans. We know that her work is making a difference in the lives of our veterans. She is an inspiration to us ALL!!!

Cantu Shea Butter Curl and Define Custard

Imagine my delight when I was minding my business and spotted a jar of Cantu Shea Butter Custard. I quickly grabbed a jar in hopes of trying this product. I wanted a curl custard that would hold my curls in the summer heat. Would this custard live up to the hype?

According to the directions the custard must be used on "sopping wet hair". I cleansed my hair by doing a quick clay wash with the leftover  clay wash I made. See my post on Moroccan clay wash for directions on how to create your own. Anyway, after cleansing my hair I gently sectioned my hair. The clay wash made my hair easy to detangle. Next, I applied Cantu Shea Butter Curl Activator Cream to sections of my hair. Then, I applied the Cantu Shea Custard to small sections of hair until every section was covered.

What is my final verdict?  If I want a stronger hold then I will reach for the custard. I may have used too much because it made my hair somewhat hard.By day 3 I was able to get a softer hold by using the Cantu Shea Butter Coconut Cream. I give this product 2 out of 4 hairballs because it caused my hair to shrink more than usual. I purchased this product at CVS store with my own money. I think you get a good amount of product, but be careful because the custard is very sticky. Try it and let me know what you think!!

Easy Breezy Clay Wash

Clay washes are as old as humans. People have been using clay to clarify and cleanse the skin for centuries. One type of clay in particular has been touted as one of the best to use for skin and hair-Moroccan Red clay. I have been intrigued with the idea of a clay wash for sometime so I researched then selected an easy recipe from a hair forum. The difference in my recipe is that I used coconut agave and added rosemary oil.

PRODUCTS/ MATERIAL
Red Moroccan Clay
Aloe Vera Gel
Organic Coconut Oil
Coconut Agave
Rosemary oil
Tea tree oil
Lavender oil

HOW I PREPARED
The night before I spritz my hair with coconut oil mist. Then, I detangled my hair and twisted into four big sections then tied my hair up with a silk scarf.

MAKING THE CLAY WASH
Get a plastic spoon and bowl or container. Add 3 Tbsp of Moroccan Red clay. Heat up about 8 oz of aloe vera gel with 1 tsp of coconut oil in the microwave for 45-50 seconds. Slowly add it to the clay powder. Next, add 1 tsp of coconut agave. Then, add 20 drops of lavender oil, 10 drops of tea tree oil and 10 drops of rosemary oil. Please note: Do not add rosemary if you have high blood pressure.
APPLYING THE CLAY WASH:
I applied the wash from the scalp to the tip starting with the back of my hair.
After each section is completed allow the clay wash to sit in your hair for 30 minutes.

RINSING THE HAIR
I rinsed my hair thoroughly in the shower. I made sure all remnants of the clay were washed away. I noticed that my hair felt so soft and there were absolutely no tangles. My curls felt like deep crinkles and my scalp felt refreshed.

THE FINAL VERDICT
I give Moroccan clay 5 out of 5 hairballs. If I could I would say a 10. Mixing it can be a little messy but get some towels and wipe up any spills. I ended up with some clay wash left over, so I put it in an old dropper bottle and placed it in the refrigerator.  It does not have preservatives so the left over mix has to be refrigerated.

If you like well conditioned hair then try a clay wash. The only conditioner that I used was a leave in conditioner. My hair feels so wonderful! Try this recipe and let me know what you think!

The Ultimate Easy Ayurveda Treatment

The Sukesh Ayurveda powder from HennaSooq.com has been a staple in my Ayurvedic regimen. I use it alone or in my henna. According to the Henna Sooq website Sukesh Ayurveda promotes hair growth.  That is because it consists of all the wonderful Indian herbs: cassia, amla, neem, tulsi,  brahmi, etc. All of these herbs work well to clean the scalp and strengthen  the hair follicles.

I have been doing the Sukesh Ayurveda treatment every couple months for about a year now. I just discovered the easiest way to do the treatment for my hair. Here's a breakdown of how I do the Sukesh Ayurveda treatment:

PRODUCTS USED:
1/2 pkg of HennaSooq Sukesh Ayurveda
1 Tbsp Lily of the Desert Aloe Vera Gel
1 Tbsp Spectrum Organic Coconut Oil

Henna Sooq Mad Moisture shampoo bar
V05 Tea Therapy Smoothing Conditioner
NOW Jojoba Oil
Chosen Foods Extra Virgin Sesame Oil
Cantu Shea Butter Naturals Leave-In Conditioner

1.DETANGLE & PREPOO OVERNIGHT
To prepare my hair for a Sukesh Ayurveda treatment I detangled and prepooed my scalp with jojoba oil. Then, I twisted my hair into jumbo twists. Next, I wrapped my hair and went to bed. 

2. MIX & APPLY
In the morning I mix the Sukesh with warm water, 1 Tbsp of Aloe Vera Gel, and 1 Tbsp of Coconut Oil. Be sure to melt the coconut oil before you add it to the mixture. I made sure to use a plastic spoon and bowl,  because metals interfere with the herbs. The paste was the consistency of pudding.

I let the paste sit for about 10-15 minutes. Next, I divided my hair into 4 sections with butterfly clips. I applied the paste from front to back. I put a plastic bag on my head then wrapped a scarf and tied it down. I left the paste on for about an hr. The instructions on the box said to leave it on for about 30 minutes but I like to leave it in for longer.

3. RINSE, SHAMPOO & CONDITION
I rinsed the paste out in the shower with warm water. Then, I used my shampoo bar to cleanse my scalp. Next, I rinsed out the suds well and applied my conditioner. I grabbed my sesame oil bottle and added about 2 large squirts of oil in my hand then applied to my hair root to tip. I allowed it to sit in my hair for about 3 minutes and rinsed. After getting out the shower, I applied my deep conditioner leave-in. 

THE END RESULT

I give Sukesh Ayurveda 5 out of 5 hairballs. This is by far my favorite mixture because I didn't need a lot of ingredients. It left my hair so soft yet strong. My curls are very defined but slightly tighter than when I used the amla mixture. There was hardly any shedding. Try the mixture and let me know what you think!

Amla Obsessed

Just today I decided to add amla treatments to my Ayurvedic hair routine. Why the big decision? Well, I had read some great things about it, so I figured it would be a wonderful addition to my routine.

To prep my hair I detangled and moisturized each section with Cantu Shea Butter coconut oil, spritz, coconut oil, and Cantu Shea Butter hair lotion. I made about 4 twists on each side of my head. Then, I wrapped my hair up with a silk scarf and went to bed.

In the morning I opened up the amla powder and dumped it into a plastic bowl. Then, I added really warm water and stirred until it was the texture of pudding.

I put a thin layer on my face for a skin treatment. I could feel a slight cooling sensation.

I sectioned my hair and began putting amla in the back section and then the sides and front. I could see my hair curling up and it looked almost like deep waves. I was getting excited from the definition.

I give amla 5 out of 5 hairballs for curl definition and conditioning effects for the hair and skin (bonus). I purchased fresh amla powder from hennasooq.com.

The Incredible DIY Conditioner

Let me just say that this DIY recipe is the BEST deep conditioner that I have used thus far. I found it on the Internet on several sites and I decided to try it on my freshly hennaed hair. After using it the first time, I washed my hair again a few days later and I was astonished by the results. My curls softened and became even more defined. I could not believe it!

Here is what I used:
1 can of Coconut Cream
2-3 Tbsp of Greek Yogurt
2 tsp of Honey
2 tsp of Castor Oil
2 tsp of Jojoba Oil

Mix ingredients and refrigerate to allow it to gel together. If you use it fresh then be prepared to have it runny. Otherwise, leave the mixture in the refrigerator overnight or for a few hrs.  Take it out and let it warm up before putting it in your hair. I did it straight out from the fridge and it was cold! Put a plastic cap on and use it with or without heat. I kept it in for about 30 min.

So, there you go .. easy breezy.. deep conditioner.  Cheap and effective! Tweak the amounts to suit your hair properties and enjoy!