Winter Hair And Crisco-What I Did For My Natural Hair This Winter

Okay so winter is the hardest on natural hair. It makes your hair dry.  Air drying becomes a major problem, health hazard and COLD freezing freaking cold!  I found that the following products made my hair hydrated, less frizzy and it gave me fewer wash days.  Now the Kinky-Curly makes my hair perfect every time but I save those products for the days I need to look my best.  I needed to find a cheaper way to look good on regular days.  I needed to find a way to make my wash and go last longer than one day.  Please note: I only air dry my hair so 30 degree temps are extremely cold for me.  I needed something to seal the moisture in my hair for a few days.  Crisco, yes I said it, crisco did the trick.  Not only did it seal in the moisture from the two conditioners I put in my hair but it cut down on tangles.  In fact many people use crisco to detangle their hair.  I have read some people online complaining about build up from crisco but I never had that problem.

Here was my routine:
1. Wet hair completely down
2. Wash Hair with Herbal Essence Cleansing Conditioner (Co-Washing)
3. Rinse
4. Condition with Pantene Repair & Protect
5. Wash the rest of my body and after maybe slightly rinse out conditioner.  I leave some of this product in my hair.
6. Apply Pantene Curl Perfection Conditioner and I leave it in; only adding a little water to work it through if needed.
7. Take a dab or two of crisco, melt it with your hands body heat and distribute through your hair.  This seals in moisture and keeps the frizz down.  My hair also felt silky to the touch.

I am writing this info down because by next winter I may forget what I learned or I may have a completely new routine.  The crisco worked better for my hair than coconut oil.  I think because coconut oil gets hard in cold weather and the crisco melted into my hair strands smoother.  This is what worked for me.  You need to find out what works for your hair in winter.

So my winter hair products are:

Crisco
Herbal Essence Naked Cleansing Conditioner
Pantene Repair & Protect Conditioner
Pantene Curl Perfection Conditioner
Kinky-Curly Knot Today and Curling Custard
I also did Caramel Treatment

In The Anime World Capricorns Rule

Capricorn Super Couple
Urahara and Yoruichi

Okay, my birthday is today which makes me a Capricorn but I am no ordinary Capricorn.  I happen to have five planets in Capricorn (correction I have 6 in Capricorn).  By the way in astrology the word “planets” refer to more than just planets.  Planets in astrology is a term used loosely so, don’t get hung up on the use of the word.  The sign Capricorn is ruled by the beautiful planet of Saturn.   I love my ruling planet but in the world of astrology there is not much love for Saturn.  Saturn is the, teach you a lesson planet, the no fun hard times planet.  When Saturn comes to your sign it is all gloom and doom.  At least that’s how many people feel, so having five (correction 6) “planets” in Capricorn can be a very heavy thing.  My Sun, Moon, Mercury, Jupiter, Mean Mode are all in Capricorn. (Correction I have 6 things in Capricorn because I also have Capricorn in True Node.) When things are going bad for Capricorn I get five times (make that 6x) the bad.  My sisters would make fun of me, “You do that because you’re ruled by Saturn.”  This statement would be just the beginning in a true fight.  Their statements can be brutal and being a Capricorn can be used against me.

I am a very proud Capricorn.  Capricorns are smart, loyal and have a very unique sense of humor.  The traits of Capricorn make great traits for anime characters.  When I get a little down on myself I remember I am a Capricorn and I like being a Capricorn.  Everyone has their opinions about my beloved sign but my favorite interpretations of the sign Capricorn comes from the anime world.  Even when a Capricorn is a villain you respect them and that is awesome.  I find my sign to be represented well in both manga and anime.  I like seeing how Capricorns are defined in the stories of anime.  I watch Japanese anime a lot but I never blog about it. I love being a Capricorn, I love anime and I love seeing both worlds together.  I made myself a promise Fall of 2014.  I promised that on my birthday I would talk about anime.  Well there are thousands of great blogs already out there for anime and I read them from time to time.  The point is I don’t need to blog about anime but I do want to celebrate me.  Being a Capricorn and watching anime is a big part of me.  It is my personal fun.  So in honor of Capricorns everywhere I have a Pinterest Board just for Anime Capricorns.  I find many anime characters inspiring so if you want to see what inspires me also take a look at My Anime Inspiration.  The Anime inspiration board is my favorite of the two boards.  I love Capricorn characters in all stories but in anime they are magic.  I need magic in my life always and this is one way to do just that.

Albert Einstein Quote

New Cleansing Conditioners That Are Great For Those Who Co-Wash (Herbal Essences is Wen Alternative)

Herbal Essences Naked Cleansing Conditioner

This cleansing conditioner is the real deal.  I have used it for the last two months and have loved the results.  Detangling my hair comes easy with this conditioning cleanser and it really cleans my hair.  In some ways it is better than Wen.  My hair detangles faster with this product.  In fact no other product works as well as Herbal Essences Naked Cleansing Conditioner at detangling my hair.  For a long time I wanted to find an alternative to Wen.  I love Wen but the cost not so much.  Herbal Essence Cleanser is better than just co-washing because it leaves my hair soft, clean and feeling healthy.  The price is also a money saver.  One thing, this conditioner cannot be left in your hair as a leave in conditioner.  I wish it could and frankly so does my little sister Faith but the scent is very strong, too strong.  We have allergies and this cleansing conditioner must be washed out due to the strong fragrance. 

Herbal Essence also claims you don't need to condition your hair after rinsing out the product.  This is true for most hair types but not all.  Plus I use conditioner to style my hair so...I always add a conditioner or a leave in conditioner after.  The fact is my hair feels and looks great after rinsing the product out and if I had my mother's hair type (2b-3A) I could rinse and go, but I don't so I can't.  That said this is a great product for all hair types.  If Herbal Essence would come out with a leave in conditioner with the same chemical make up and a softer scent well my life would get a whole lot easier.

Please note: My husband would proofread my blog for me and now that he has crossed over I no longer have a way to check my mistakes.  I am a typo waiting to happen but at least I can laugh at myself.

Get Ideas For Your Diet and Exercise Routine

Sometimes you just don't know where to start when trying to improve your body.  Should you start with diet, exercise or both really depends on you and your body.  You can't look at only what works for a guru, or your friend.  I personally feel that each body is different, just like our hair.  No one person's hair grows in the same pattern as another.  Like finger prints our hair is unique and I believe this is true of our bodies as well.  The best thing to do for your body is to learn what works for you.  Study what works for others.  Use your own imagination and creativity.  Find what works for you.  That's what this blog is about, finding your own way.  Combine the knowledge of others with what you know about yourself.  I am providing links to help you find your own way.  Some of the diets I have tried.  Some blogs I really like but I cannot say I agree with everything.  I must say some of the ideas that I like you may hate.  Things that I find useless may be the very thing you need.  This is a place to start your body journey.  The number one way to lose weight is to accept who you are.

Diets, Books, Programs & Blogs

The 4-Hour Body   The Bulletproof® Diet   DDP YOGA   The Beginner’s Guide to Intermittent Fasting   Experiments With Intermittent Fasting  The 5:2 Fast Diet  Correct Food Combining Principles   6 Food Combining Rules for Optimal Digestion  Ayurveda Food Combining  Suzanne Somers Diet  Ketogenic Diet Plan  Lose Weight by Achieving Optimal Ketosis  30 Day Ketogenic Diet Plan  Starting a Raw Food Diet  Raw Food Diet  A Low Carb Diet Meal Plan and Menu That Can Save Your Life  How Much Carbohydrate is Right for You?  The Benefits of Calorie Restriction  Want to Live Longer? Don’t Try Caloric Restriction  Counting calories: Get back to weight-loss basics  CalorieKing   Calorie Counting - A Guide to Calories & Weight Control   Tracy Anderson


Exercise

Butt
How to Get a Better Butt: Step Up Your Knowledge
Butt-ology 101: How to Enhance Your Gluteal Muscles
The biggest problem areas for runners : the results!
6 Glute Exercises to Improve Your Runs By Nikki Kimball
 Runner’s World
Clams: The Ultimate Pilates Butt Exercise
Gluteus Medius Hip Exercises
Gluteus Medius: Activation and Strengthening Exercises Note: Had a hard time adding so had to share this video as its own blog

Gluteus Minimus Stretching Exercises : Training & Stretching Tips

Gluteus Minimus

Exercises to Isolate the Gluteus Minimus : Working Out the Body

Exercises for the Gluteus Minimus & Piriformis : Tone & Trim the Body

Gluteus Medius Isolated Activation

Get a firmer butt like Beyonce using a pillow

The Beyonce Butt Workout

Butt Workout - The Best

Abs
Fast Abs  

Pilazies! Sexy Abs from Bed

Standing 10 Minute Ab Workout Real Time: Melissa Bender

more STANDING ABS, how to get a flat stomach, ab workout

Jillian Michaels: Standing Abs Workout

Legs

How to Strengthen Your Adductor Magnus   Biceps Femoris, Semimembranosus and Semitendinosus…ever heard of them?   

2Min Challenge: Legs!

Active Isolated Stretch for the Adductors

Open All Three Hamstrings and Attachments - Active Isolated Stretching

How to NOT stretch hamstring and get MORE Flexible! Stretching is making you tighter!

Tight Hamstrings Freed without Stretching -- Feel It Happen.

Tight Hamstrings? Don't Stretch, Do This Instead

How to Restore Tight Hamstrings

Combo Exercises

POP Pilates: Serious Standing Pilates for Legs, Butt & Obliques

Standing Workout Thighs, Hamstrings, and Glutes (Real Time)

Release Tight Hamstrings in Seconds

Gluteus Medius: Activation and Strengthening Exercises

Sunscreen/Skin Protection Is Needed For Black People, White People And Everyone In Between (Summer Skin)

My Favorite Sun Protection Sunday Afternoons

Yes, I wear sunscreen.   Yes, black people need sun protection.  Yes, black people get sunburn and have sun allergies.  Guess what some white people never get sunburn but they still need to protect themselves from premature aging.  Yes, Asian girls do get great tans but they still need to protect their skin from sun overexposure.  Heck even pets need sun protection! Are you human? Do you want to look 10 years older than you are? Well, if you are human you can get skin cancer and age prematurely due to sun exposure.  Don't be lazy.  You are worth the time it takes to protect your skin.  Your skin will thank you.  Your life will thank you.  Your reflection will thank you.

There is a major debate about how healthy using sunscreen is, especially in America, where sunscreen advances are 12 years behind Europe and Asia.   Okay, so you don't want to use sunscreen. You can still protect yourself.  You can protect your skin using supplements, clothes and choosing the right hours to go outside.  Just making a few adjustments can make all the difference.

1. Avoid Peak Hours: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Go to the beach/pool before or after these hours.)
2. Clothes: Wide brimmed hats, thin light colored long sleeved T-shirts and linen pants/skits really help.  I know it is hot but just wearing long sleeves in the car will prevent that ugly drivers tan.  I often will wear long sleeves over a summer outfit just to protect my skin and I will take off the long sleeve top once I get to where I am going.  If you are going for a walk put on a hat it does make a difference.  Sunglasses are not just a fashion statement; they are also protection.
3. Supplements: Yes there are some supplements you can take to help you protect your skin.
Zinc, Astaxanthin, and Vitamin E/C/D are a few easy ways to protect your skin.

Do your own investigating.  There are clothes that are treated with sunscreen and supplements that are sold together just for the purpose of protecting your skin.  What the heck I'll even help you get started with some web links:
8 Natural Ways to Prevent a Sunburn (And Sunscreen’s Not One of Them)
Can a Pill Replace Your Sunscreen?
Buy Heliocare capsules, the original sunscreen pill
5 Reasons to Take Astaxanthin Every Day
Wholesale - S5Q Summer Shirt Female Long-sleeve Sun Protection Clothing Thin Anti-UV Cardigan Jacket AAABOH
Sun Protective Clothing by Solumbra 100+ SPF
Sunscreen Clothes: Do They Work?

Okay You are a dark skinned human like me and you hate that white/blue look some sunscreens give you.  Well, not all sunscreens give you that horrible look.  There are some really awesome sunscreens that make your skin tone look, dare I say, even better.  A spray on sunscreen will almost always look good on darker skin.  There are oil based sunscreens that are really good on dark skin, too.  For the face you need to be a little more selective.  Avoid zinc based sunscreen, it gives dark skin that horrible sick look. I have used Olay Regenerist Regenerating Lotion With SPF50 for my face but I am still experimenting.  When I find a facial sunscreen I love I will be sure to update this post.  Oh, and just so you know, wearing sunscreen will not stop you from tanning.  Everyone tans in the sun.  Yes, black people tan and we tan quickly.  If you don't want to tan don't go outside when the sun is up.  Sunscreen is not the same as no sun at all.

Please note after a day of being in the sun please use an after sun skin lotion.  After sun lotions are not just for sunburns but for restoring your skin.  Plus using an after sun lotion or organic oil at night will make your fresh tan a pretty color (this is a good idea for all skin tones).

List of sunscreens I will use and other info:

L'Oreal Paris Advanced Suncare Sheer Protect Sunscreen Oil Spray, SPF 50+
NEUTROGENA Beach Defense Sunscreen Spray
Sunscreen salvos: US products pale next to Europe's protective salves
FDA review of new sunscreen ingredients languishes, frustrating advocates
New, Better Sunscreens Could Be Coming
Many blacks are unaware of a skin cancer that primarily affects dark-skinned people

PS don't be embarrassed to buy sunscreen.  Buying sunscreen does not mean you hate your skin color.  Buying sunscreen means you love your skin.