Let's Love the Skin that We are in!

Are you experiencing dry, scaly, and/or itchy skin? Oh my, we must do something about that!!! Ok, the truth is that we spend a great amount of time in the “natural” hair world discussing winterizing our luscious lively manes, but what about the skin that we are in? It must receive the same attention because let’s face it, no one likes the ash that winter can cause. Winter ash can be downright embarrassing. So in this post, we will discuss how to properly winterize our beautiful skin!

Exfoliate.

Seems counteractive, but it isn’t! Exfoliating is simply ridding the body of old dead skin which will allow the body to accept moisture; you just know that you are giving your body moisture, even though, you see cracks in your hands and your legs that look as if you have scales. I prefer to use sea salt scrubs or a method known as dry brushing for exfoliation. Also, I only exfoliate once a week to prevent skin irritation, and don’t forget the LIPS!!!!

Tip: When dry brushing, brush in an upward motion beginning at your feet toward your heart. Dry brushing is said to reduce loose skin and cellulite.

DIY: To exfoliate your lips try adding a little water to baking soda to form a gritty paste. Rub onto your lips in a circular motion with your finger, soft bristle toothbrush or a washcloth. Rinse and follow up with the lip balm of your choice. 

Moisturize.

Ok, lotion that you use in the summer usually will not do in the winter months. Up the ante and use a butter to lock in moisture. For instance, I absolutely hate sleeping in lotion; but it is a must in the winter, so that I don’t have to spend so much time trying to repair my skin when spring and summer rolls in. So I use a light moisturizing lotion at night and choose to layer a butter over the moisturizing lotion during the day. Look for ingredients such as glycerin in your moisturizers of choice. And don’t forget to moisturize the LIPS, they are a part of your skin too!!

Tip: Bathe in warm water and pat skin dry to help combat dry skin. Moisturize within three minutes of getting out of the shower or bath.You will notice a difference in your skin.

Keep in mind that using a body butter will help to lock in the moisture and help to keep the skin soft and supple!!!

Remember to drink plenty of water. Your body needs it!!!!

Meet Sunday Sophisticant... Ashley

 

Introduction

Currently, I am a full-time student working hard towards a radiology degree to become an Ultra Sound tech. I'm a single  mother of two young ladies Asia & Kadence. I enjoy creating and enhancing different ways to care for natural hair, spending time with my family, and building ways to leave a lifetime legacy for my children. 

How long have you been natural?

This is my second journey; it began in 2007 when I found my calling and became certified in MS as a natural stylist tech. I decided to return to my natural state for many reasons, but the diversity of natural hair really got my attention. 4c chicks stand up!!!!

 

Ashley's Regimen

My regimen is very simple. It includes weekly shampooing, air drying, spritzer mix, finger detangling, and keeping my hair moisturized. Sleeping in a satin bonnet is a must and I utilize protective styling as much as possible. I've learned hair will grow with less stress.

Ashley's Favorite Products

Blue magic, Organically Yours velvet, Organically Yours satin body/hair cleanser , Remi leave-in, coconut oil, shea mango butter, fresh lemon juice( strain pulp), Hot Six oil, Indian hemp(for ends) jojoba and tea tree.

                                                                                                                                                                           

Natural Hair Tips 

If you don't air dry, use a heat protectant! Finger detangle is helpful because brushes and combs puts major stress on the base and ends of your hair and just relax! Length means nothing if your hair is unhealthy... :) 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                              

I steam my hair & I like it!

During these harsh winter months, moisture retention for hair and skin are extremely vital in promoting hair retention/growth and healthy supple skin. The winter air/winds are dry and can be damaging to hair/skin, because it pulls moisture right out of you and creates brittle hair, which leads to breakage, and dry itch skin that becomes tight(wrinkles/lines) and scaly! As discussed previously, water is the BEST moisturizer in the world!!! The internal and external benefits of water are paramount to all other moisturizers. Moreover, the combination of water, conditioner, and a sealant is an unstoppable team! Utilizing this team in the correct manner will create a sure-fire process to win in this natural hair journey!! So, one way I use this combination is through hair steaming. Many naturals use hair steaming to pre-poo, deep condition, refresh styles, and/or as a plain old moisture treatment. I use steaming to pre-poo and deep condition my hair and I LOVE it! I steam 2-3 times a month or once weekly if possible. It takes about 20 minutes. FYI: my steamer has a facial attachment; so, I also steam my face and hands, especially in the wintertime!!

Hair steaming is the process of conditioning your hair through the use of steam. It creates an environment for moisture absorption, in which, conditioners and oils can penetrate your scalp for an extreme deep conditioning. Steaming also stimulates your scalp by increasing blood flow and circulation, which is SO relaxing and promotes hair growth/retention! There are a few types of hair steamers, such as, table top (my steamer below), handheld, and professional free standing(used mostly in salons), as well as, various ways to steam without a hair steamer.

Now, let's get down to the niddy giddy!! Here's why this 4 a-c chick LOVES hair steaming!! As a 4 a-c chick, my hair is kinky, coily, requires more moisture, and sometimes difficult to manage. However, steaming my hair is a GAME-CHANGER!! Steaming leaves my hair super soft, supple, manageable, shiny, and enhances my kinky curl pattern! In addition, my hair is stronger and experiences less breakage, because steaming increases the elasticity of my hair! And because of this elasticity, it is MUCH easier to detangle my hair! Sharing this information with you excites me! Don't sleep on hair steaming! Start steaming today. Your hair will love you for it!! It really is a GAME-CHANGER for naturals!

 

Professional Free Standing Steamer

Handheld Steamer

Meet Sunday Sophisticant....Jacqueline

Introduction

My name is Jacqueline McKinney Spates. I love energetic fun (I'm a big kid at heart), eating out, cooking (when in the mood) and spending time with family (ready for spades at anytime). If I was granted one wish, it would be to relax and watch the Hallmark movie channel all day. I am co-owner with sister, Chervy Lesure, of Crown & Glory Hair Salon; our motto is "Live like you're wearing an invisible crown". We have been in business together for 9 years; but I've been in the hair business for 11 years. Chervy is our in-house expert; she's been doing hair since 1988. A lot of people think we only do locks, but we are a full service salon. The only thing we do not service is glue styles. Other than that we got you covered. When I'm not working, I'm with my husband, Randy and our four children, Jessica(16), Lauren (14), Joshua(11) and Lawrence(7).

How long have you been natural?

When I made the decision to go natural, I was pregnant and miserable trying to tend to two little girls and my own head of tightly coiled hair. Before my big chop, I did a few months of extensions and various styles of braids. I loved my hair after the big chop! All of a sudden I could see that African Queen. I wanted to go out and buy some make up, a choker, and a new pair of earrings! Something about embracing my natural hair was so freeing. I even had a new way of walking. I laugh as I think back on those days.

Jackie's Regimen & Hair Tips

Since I started this journey before natural hair was as popular as it is today, my hair stylist kept my hair care simple. She just went back to what we did back in the day. After a good shampoo and condition, moisturizer and oil was applied. I mainly wore my hair in comb coils during those early days, because it was too short for anything else. A few months of the natural experience proved to me that I didn't like dealing with my own hair, so I got sisterlocks and never looked back!
 

 
Jackie & Chervy's Salon, Crown & Glory is located at 360 Blackjack Road, Tupelo, MS. The contact number is 662-841-5944. Stop by and let Jackie & Chervy take care of your natural hair needs!

 

                  

To Exercise or Not to Exercise...

Not many people enjoy working out. The truth of the matter that most people love the results of working out which is then translated into loving to workout. However you trick your mind into being active is totally up to you. Have you thought about hair health as your motivation for getting or keeping your body in motion?

Let’s face it! Exercising is great for the body, so it would make sense that it is great for the hair; even though we DO NOT like to sweat out our hairstyles…LOL! Research has proven that exercising can increase hair health because it provides healthy sebum (the oil secreted by our scalp that keeps hair from drying out), highly oxygenated blood flow to your scalp, and sweat aids in detoxing your body. Exercising on a regular basis can reduce hair loss and increase hair growth.

Here are some exercise ideas that can prove useful on your hair journey.

1. The old tried and true Scalp Massage is fabulous for hair health, because it improves blood flow of the scalp. Now that isn’t so hard. 
2. Cardio is considered to be great for your hair and body! All of that movement produces oxygen rich blood that the hair and body love. 
3. Yoga, which is my personal favorite, elicits breathing to increase blood flow in the scalp region by way of meditation. Of course, you know that increased blood flow is a plus in overall health.

Bodies in motion are plus in health and hair care. In order to really care for our hair, we must really care for our bodies. Exercise alone is not enough. We must also watch what we eat and how we physically touch our hair. So let’s be active and proactive for our hair and body’s sake!

XXOXX's

The Natural Sophisticant