Growing larger and smaller from the inside out!

SO!  Let’s talk about holism, growth and Loving U!

Growing larger and smaller from the inside out and taking the necessary steps toward healthy hair, skin, nails, spirituality, physicality and overall growth.   

1. Hair

I first off have to thank my sister Aleah for helping to get me started in the right direction toward growing my hair back. She started a profile at Keep It Simple Sista (K.I.S.S.) hair blog by Traycee and has gotten great ideas for hair growth, which helped the two of us get our long, healthy, beautiful hair back! Now everyone has different types of hair, but for most types, particularly ethnic, moisture is essential! Whether you rock it long and swanky or short and sexy let’s do it with class and a constant awareness of our natural hair's protection, health and growth.

End trims are always necessary for hair growth, but having a reliable stylist is a MUST.You don't want someone who's always "chop shoppin'!"

Sew-Ins are great protective styles, IF done correctly. I personally like to stick with someone who I trust and know will do my hair in a way where I can easily manage and moisturize my scalp regularly. There are so many other methods to using weave, but when I use it, I prefer the common ol' sew in.

You want to make sure you're oiling your scalp once a week AT MINIMUM, just before washing it so that you're not left with that sticky greasy look. No one wants a hot mess weave!!

I am currently managing my natural hair myself and I use some of the same methods I did when I had the sew-in, which helped my hair grow back. I'm sure to load my hair with oil and wrap it the night before washing it, this allows the oil to penetrate during the night (You can also put a heating cap over it for maybe a half hour before you go to sleep if you have one) Being stationed in Kalamazoo, I wash my hair with two gallons of distilled water and spray heat protector on it before blow drying and flat ironing. I also put a light cream on my scalp half way throughout the week.  

Some excellent oils and creams to use are: 100% Virgin Olive oil, Hot Six oil, Castor oil, Jojoba oil, Carrot oil and 100% Virgin Coconut oil. Pantene Daily Oil Cream for Colored Women.

Some great shampoo& conditioners : Pantene, Creme of Nature and Organic Root-Stimulating Olive Oil 

2. Skin

The key here is CLEAR SKIN FIRST! Like hair, everyone’s skin type is different; be it oily, dry or acne prone, but you must find what cleansing products work best for you to give off that FLAWLESS GLOW!!

In the past I've spent lots of money on facial cleansing products and finding what works for your skin can be quite an adventure. I've learned that there are actually a few products that work for me like: Proactiv, Biore and Queen Helene's Cocoa Butter facial scrub. I am currently using Black Soap, which can be found at most beauty supply stores and I love it!

What my sister and I have come to conclude from this experiment with all these products is that after a certain amount of time your skin becomes resistant to them, so it may be beneficial to get into a routine that works!
Maybe use more than one product  at a time and switch them on and off every few months. 
Also be mindful of your foods and drinks, limit your pop intake and instead drink plenty of water. Remember we’re working from the inside out ;)

After you’ve cleansed your skin and embraced your natural beauty, feel free to add make up to enhance it! but remember make-up should do just that ENHANCE not overwhelm.

 Now of course the amount that you apply would vary according to the occasion and the look you're going for; be it another day on campus, at work or a night out with the girls!
Make sure you're not clogging your pores with too much foundation and DEFINITELY not committing the ultimate SIN: Sleeping with your makeup on! But just think, if we work from the inside out, we won't have as many blemishes to cover up anyway. ;)

3. Nails

Every Diva loves a nice nail job, but bi-weekly professional mani’s and pedi’s can be quite expensive for a college girl. So I've been taking these vitamins for hair, skin and nail support called Biotin and this is the FIRST TIME EVER that my nails have been this long and strong, they almost feel like fake nails, I love it!  LOL.  I not only strongly recommend these vitamins to everyone, which are only $2 at Walmart, but I also advise that you use what you have or buy one bottle of fairly inexpensive nail polish per month and GET CREATIVE! Save money and don't damage your nails using Acrylic all the time. 

Pictures found at Google Images

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