Tag Archives: Coconut Oil

Mar1

Growth : : Bee Mine Mango Serum with Sulfur

Posted on March 1, 2013 by Lauren

Growth : : Bee Mine Mango Serum with Sulfur

I have been DYING to try this!! I got this about a month ago with my other Bee Mine goodies that were sent to me but I had been waiting to finish my Viviscal trial before I started using this. You know how hard it is to see this bottle every day and not use it!? Lol well the day has finally come :o)

It’s the Bee Mine Mango Serum with Sulfur. It’s a 100% natural and organic hair growth serum and retails on the Bee Mine website for $16 for an 8 oz bottle. It comes in Mango scent and also in the original Strawberry Kiwi Scent. You can also buy this from CurlMart but only in the Strawberry Kiwi scent. Bee Mine ALSO has this serum in a No Sulfur formula (for those with allergies to sulfur or with relaxers or other chemical services) as well as an Oil-Free spray formula which I think I will add to my “Hair Growth To Try” list. Bee Mine has a growth serum for everyone! Bee Mine even has all of their products in trial sizes! I love how Tracey, the owner, keeps the customer needs in mind. So you can buy the smaller size, see if you like it (which you most likely will), then buy the larger size! :o)

The serum is actually their signature product, the owner Tracey, began losing her hair awhile back due to health complications so she created her own remedy. She started off making it for family and friends which turned it into a business! I need to ***SIDEBAR again to rant about Tracey lol. I can’t say anything but amazing things about her because she is a BEAUTIFUL spirit, the light in her shines BRIGHT! She is SO helpful, SO kind, just an amazing being (I can only imagine what she’s’ like in person!). That alone makes me want to support her and her business, the fact that her products are AMAZING makes it that much better. She is a living testimony that when God has his hand on your efforts, you will succeed. Just check out the reviews on her site, she has so many and they are all 4 star or above (ALL the serums have 5 stars!). I am just in awe by her!! :o)

Product Description
This is one of the Original Serums if you are not allergic to sulfur or have any health problems this would be the one for you. How to use: Please perform a patch test prior to full use. Shake bottle prior to each time. Apply sparingly to scalp only a little goes a long way. Massage thoroughly throughout your scalp concentrating on the areas that need it the most. You will need to use a moisturizer on your hair after each use to make sure during the process any Serum didn’t get on your hair.

If you are doing any chemical service to your hair such as a perm, relaxer or dye job please stop using the Serum 7 days before the chemical service and shampoo prior to the service and wait 7 days after the service and shampoo before you start using the Serum again. Enjoy and use consistently for healthier stronger hair.

Ingredients
100% Organic Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Prunus amygdalus dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape Seed) Oil, Select Ayurvedic Herbs, Sulfur Powder, Essential Oils, Fragrance (Phthalates Free) & Vitamin E Tocopherol Oil.

The serum looks and feels like a regular oil (since it is oil based) and has a juicy mango fragrance added. I will admit that it does have a slight sulfur scent but you can’t smell it after you’ve had it in your hair for awhile. It is nothing intolerable or overbearing. It is meant to only be applied to the scalp and it’s also recommended that you moisturize the strands of your hair after because sulfur may be drying for some people but some even say the serum makes their new growth really soft and manageable! So i guess you will have to pay attention to how your hair responds best to it.

The bottle has a little flip nozzle at the top which makes it easy to apply somewhat, I still think I may pour it in a needle point applicator bottle to make it even easier and give me bit more precision. It is not a thick oil so a little goes A LONG way! I made a mistake my first use and went a bit over board and had an oily forehead, neck and ears lol!! definitely user error and I also forgot that your head warms up the oil which was why it traveled down from my scalp. I will now just use a few drops in each section lol Oh and I will be applying this 2-3 times a week—basically the same time I re-twist my hair up at night. You can use this daily but my scalp naturally gets oily and I have to wash my hair once a week.

I have never used a product with sulfur so I was really intrigued by it, especially since I have yet to see someone say it did not work for them (unless of course they were allergic to it which is why you should definitely do a patch test first!) and NO this is not the same sulfur in the Sulfur 8 hair grease from back in the day lol. The kind of sulfur in the Bee Mine Serum is great for hair growth because it enhances your natural growth when it is used in conjunction with a carrier oil, which in this case is the coconut oil, grapeseed and sweet almond oils. I believe this sulfur is methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) which is an organic sulfur that actually occurs naturally in the body! (who knew!) It helps grow bone, hair, nails, tissues with keratin base, so it makes sense that this would help grow hair!

I also REALLY love that this serum contains ayurvedic herbs and essential oils which have ALL helped contribute to hair growth for me already so I am hoping the sulfur gives my hair and even large boost!

So there you have it, my intro to the Bee Mine Hair Growth Serum! I will report back on my results in about a month and let you know how it works! In the mean time, go to Bee Mine’s online store and check out the reviews! If anyone wants to join in on this challenge me go for it and let me know! :o)

Jan7

GIVEAWAY! : : Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil

Posted on January 7, 2013 by Lauren

GIVEAWAY! : : Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil

****GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED and winner has been notified. THANK YOU to everyone who entered!!!!****

What’s a better way to kick off the new year than with a GIVEAWAY!

As you hopefully know by now, I am obsessed with coconut oil and love, love, love using it for my hair and skin (you’ll see me mention it in a majority of my posts if you navigate my site hehe). I was gifted a free sample of the Gold Label VIrgin Coconut Oil from Tropical Traditions, and of course, I want to share it with you! Ok so here’s the fun part…. Tropical Traditions was kind enough to sponsor a giveaway along with the sample I received. You have a chance to win a FULL QUART of this coco yumminess!! (that’s 32 oz., duh!)

Here’s a little bit more about this awesome company. *side bar* I was particularly moved by the founder’s story on how he found peace with God. It’s a inspiring story so be sure to check that out while you navigate their site :o)

Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil - 32 oz.

Tropical Traditions is America’s source for coconut oil. Their Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil is hand crafted in small batches by family producers, and it is the highest quality coconut oil they offer. You can read more about how virgin coconut oil is different from other coconut oils on their website: What is Virgin Coconut Oil?

Here’s a video they produced about the Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil:

Tropical Traditions also carries other varieties of affordable high quality coconut oil. Visit their website to check on current sales, to learn about the many uses of coconut oil, and to read about all the advantages of buying coconut oil online. Since the FDA does not want us to discuss the health benefits of coconut oil on a page where it is being sold or given away, here is the best website to read about the health benefits of coconut oil.

Tropical Traditions also has a bunch of videos with recipes and reviews using coconut oil. Check them out! I didn’t realize you can cook pretty much anything using coconut oil! I know I use it mostly for my hair but I am going to have to learn to throw down in the kitchen with it too! Here’s the link to their YouTube page http://www.youtube.com/user/TropicalTraditions

Ok so here’s the juicy part…the GIVEAWAY! Since I discovered Rafflecopter since my last giveaway lol, entering is SOOO much easier AND you have more chances of winning! Just fill out the info in the Rafflecopter below and you are set!

The contest will be open from January 7 through January 14, 11:59pm EST.

***Please let me know if the Rafflecopter widget is NOT showing up!! This is the first time I’ve used this thing***

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winners will be notified via email! Good luck!!!

Dec20

Deep Condition : : Banana, Honey, Coconut Oil Hair Mask

Posted on December 20, 2012 by Lauren

Deep Condition : : Banana, Honey, Coconut Oil Hair Mask

How YUMMY does this hair mask sound? and YES you can definitely eat it! (even though strangely enough I hate bananas lol)

~~I am too broke to spend money buying an expensive azz deep conditioner~~ I wanted to experiment by making a homemade deep conditioning treatment and I was browsing the internet to find something with inexpensive ingredients and what I already had at home.

I came across several recipes that used…bananas!!! I can’t say banana without saying “nana-bar” because my little cousin used to call bananas, “nana-bars” when he was a baby lol so cute :o)

So why bananas? Well, here’s a few reasons that were enough to get my mad scientist on! (not really but you know what I mean lol

Great for dry hair itchy, flaky scalp because it keeps hair hydrated and healthy. With regular use, banana hair masks can increase the moisture content of your hair, smooth frizz and prevent dandruff by soothing and moisturizing your itchy scalp.
Contains vitamins A, B, C, natural oils and carbohydrates which all help prevent split ends, breakage by improving your hair’s elasticity. If you have super dry, color-treated or even relaxed hair, this treatment could be helpful. Also, if you apply heat to your hair a lot as well.
Potassium softens the hair shaft and creates more manageability. Makes your curls super soft and springy!
Decreases hair loss because it helps address scalp issues. I’ve said it before….a healthy scalp = hair that grows and less hair that falls!

I saw that people mixed all kinds of ingredients with the nana-bars hehe but I picked a few I know work well with my hair so this is sort of my own concoction that was inspired from other recipes. I like to keep my recipes somewhat simple, with few ingredient, because I want to get the full effect from each ingredient. I feel like if you go crazy and put a million things in one recipe, each ingredient isn’t as effective.

So I stuck with just banana, clover creamed honey and coconut oil. Here’s the measurements I used (these are approximations, you can use more or less depending on the length, thickness of your hair):

3 somewhat over-ripe bananas
2 large tablespoons of raw honey
1 tablespoon of coconut oil

Yes, my jar of coconut oil has gone through war lol I actually infused the last bit of this jar with some essential oils hehe but in case you were wondering, this is the Spectrum brand of coconut oil.

Some of recipes I saw also had milk or yogurt, dark chocolate or cocoa powder (unsweetened). Some people used the baby food version of bananas (more expensive if you ask me…) I would love to try this with yogurt next time to get that extra boost of protein! The chocolate would make it smell sooo yummy I would imagine…You can also substitute the coconut oil for another type of oil or add some essential oils. I used coconut oil for obvious reasons and the honey because it is a humectant and helps retain moisture in my hair.

One thing I will note, I used clover creamed honey (the kind that is solid) because I like for my deep conditioners to be somewhat thick, I hate when they are runny. That is also why I only used a tablespoon of the oil. I think if I used any more, the warmth from my head will have made the conditioner extremely runny and a big mess!

So I put all of my ingredients in the blender and blended it to a thick puree. I think I should have mashed the bananas in a bowl first though. Usually you need some kind of liquid in the blender to really get it going. I ended up adding some water to try to get it going. It could be the cheap blender I have but after stopping, smashing, stirring, etc. for a while, I got a good consistency. I made sure to smash any remaining chunks of the banana because they will surely get stuck in your hair lol.

I think my favorite part of this treatment was the application! lol it has a SERIOUS slip too it! I guess its because bananas are kind of slimy by nature but it just smoothed in my hair so nicely. I made sure to rub it into my scalp and smoothed up the entire length of my hair. I always apply treatments in semi-small sections and wrap the section around itself and pile them all on top of my head so it will fit under a plastic cap. I let the mask sit on my hair for about 45 mins (much longer than I probably needed to, I just didn’t feel like getting back in the shower right away lol). I also wrapped a long-sleeve t-shirt around the plastic cap like a turban to keep any drippys from sliding down my face and to keep the warmth from my head stay in. ( I have a pic of this on my instagram)

I rinsed VERY WELL to make sure I got out any banana chunks. I followed up with a quick condition with the Nature’s Gate Hemp conditioner ONLY so I could get a quick lather to help dislodge any more nana-chunks and do a quick detangle with my denman brush.

My hair felt….fortified! That’s the main word that comes to mind lol it just felt stronger. I definitely noticed an improvement in the elasticity. One thing I will note is I was due for a protein treatment so my hair didn’t feel as soft as I thought it could (that’s why I want to try it with yogurt next time). I can always tell when my hair needs a boost of protein.

All in all, I will be adding this into my DIY conditioner rotation!

…be sure to drink the leftovers if you like nana-bars! (only if you don’t use a lot of oil, essential oils, etc. duh!)

Dec5

The Many Uses of Coconut Oil — Cute Infographic!

Posted on December 5, 2012 by Lauren

The Many Uses of Coconut Oil — Cute Infographic!

Hey Curlies!

As many of my readers know, I have an undying love for coconut oil (La COCO bella….get it?! lol) Well, the other day I got the daily email from Naturally Curly and saw this AWESOME infographic! I HAD to share it! If you have never used coconut oil or have been curious to try it, read this for some coco inspiration!

Click the image below!

May2

If You LOVE Coconut Oil….

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Lauren

If You LOVE Coconut Oil….

…then you’ll LOVE Dabur Vatika Enriched Coconut Hair Oil! This stuff…is amazing. You may already know how deep my love for coconut oil already is….this just brought it to a whole new level….

Since I have been on an Ayurveda kick, this was one of the products I recently bought at my local Indian market for $3.99. You ready for this?? It’s a coconut oil herbal concoction made in heaven (or India for that matter lol). Let me start by just sharing the incredible natural ingredients and why they are great:

Coconut Oil – Penetrates hair shaft, promotes hair growth & nourishment
Neem – Anti-microbial, fights dandruff & hair shed
Brahmi – Revitalizes hair
Amla – Strengthens roots, delays graying & hair shed
Bahera – Helps maintains hair color
Harar – Protects from UV rays, delays graying
Kapur Kachari – Antiseptic
Henna – Colorant, hair conditioner & restorative
Milk – Nourishes scalp & roots
Rosemary oil – Stimulates hair growth, slows down hair loss & graying, relieves dandruff
Lemon Oil – Astringent, fights dandruff, controls sebum flow

This oil is super creamy, emollient and light…and that yummy coconut scent with a hint of lemon… mmmmm…..

It makes for a wonderful treatment for both your strands and your scalp. It is also great as a hot oil treatment, a pre-shampoo treatment or even an overnight treatment. You can also use it finger detangle or even mix it with your fav conditioner. This stuff just works no matter how you use it. Here’s what the packaging says:

Dabur Vatika Hair Oil is a premium coconut hair oil enriched with Henna, Amla (Indian Gooseberry), Lemon and five other trusted herbs. The unique and natural formulation of Vatika Oil ensures deeper oil penetration. Giving your hair and scalp complete nourishment for problem free, healthy hair. While Henna forms a protective coat to prevent oxidation, Amla strengthens the hair-roots and the astringent action of Lemon prevents dandruff.

I also use it lubricate my hands when un-twisting and as a moisture “refresher” when I fluff my twists. Remember, coconut oil actually penetrates the hair shaft (unlike other oils) so this strengthens and nourishes your hair PLUS the phenomenal herbs penetrate as well! It’s a win-win deal. I have also been massaging the oil into my scalp (only a little) since the herbs help strengthen your roots and prevent hair loss (LOVE the rosemary oil). It leaves your hair super shiny, not oily (if you don’t go crazy with it) and lightly scented. The moisture lasted for a few days without having to reapply (my hair is low po though…)

The only thing I can say I dislike about this product, is the packaging—you have to squeeze it out of the bottle through a tiny hole at the top. So if the oil isn’t above room temp, it will solidify. Good news is, you have to pop the bottle into the microwave for about 16 secs to melt it a bit (or in some hot water). One thing I discovered though, on accident I may add, if you squeeze the bottle hard enough while it is still solid, the white plastic part at the top with the hole pops out lol. That solved my issue with the packaging. Genius. Dabur also has a bunch of other products (like the Amla Oil) that appear to be great products as well. I am kind of excited to try more of them hehe

This product is banging. I will be adding to my essentials list….it is overall #WINNING! Go head and get you some ;o)

Mar18

The Beautiful Coconut

Posted on March 18, 2012 by Lauren

The Beautiful Coconut

What’s in a name?…

La coco bella is a name I came up with to express my devotion to one of my all-time FAVORITE hair products (and food!) of all time—the coconut! Besides the fact that it smells SO delectable (who doesn’t love yummy smelling tresses?), it has so many benefits to the health of our hair (and body!). I have been using Organic Unrefined Coconut Oil in my hair for years now and my hair absolutely loves this stuff. I use the Spectrum brand which can be found in Whole Foods in the cooking oil section. NOTE: there is also a refined coconut oil as well. I have used both (on accident because I wasn’t reading the label lol silly me). I am not sure what difference it makes in our hair but all I know is the UNrefined kind has the true scent of yummy, tropical coconuts! But then again, if you can’t stand coconuts, maybe try the refined kind. Either way, don’t let your hair miss out on this gift from God!

Here’s a few of the “technical” reasons why coconut oil is so beautiful….it’s one of the few natural oils that actually penetrates the hair’s shaft (meaning goes beyond the outer layer of the hair shaft. Most oils act as an outer barrier to seal in moisture underneath the actual oil). This helps prevent breakage (which I have been dealing with a LOT since I dyed my hair *sigh*). It’s also really good for your scalp and can help control dandruff. It’s so light weight and won’t clog the hair follicle.

Love la coco as a daily moisturizer when I un-twist my twists in the morning. When it is time for me to re-twist hair (for 2nd, 3rd, 4th day twist-outs) and my hair already has a lot of product, I will use just a bit of coconut oil to re-hydrate my hair. I can always expect for my hair to be soft and shiny when I use it.

If you read labels on a lot of natural hair products, coconut oil is almost always one of the main ingredients! That’s because it really is that great :o)

So there you have it, I just simply love this stuff.