Beauty

How To Style Your Natural Hair Into Curls

Curly hair is one of the many ways to achieve a different look.

So, it’s important to know how to style your natural hair and other extensions into defined curls.

This also saves you the time and cost of going to the stylist to get your hair and extensions curled.

Here are do-it-yourself ways to style your hair and extensions into defined curls.

3 Basic Steps For Defined Curls

First, there are three basic steps to follow to style your hair into perfectly defined curls.

Step 1 – Section Your Hair

You need to tame your crown into workable sections to be able to achieve your hairstyle goals. The sections don’t need to be perfect but should be secured together with clips or simple braids or twists.

Step 2 – Detangle each section

Once your hair is sectioned, you’ll need to hydrate your crown with moisturizer. It’d be better to use the LOC method or a very good leave-in-conditioner.

Step 3 – Moisturize and seal

After you have nourished your tresses, the next thing to do is to seal in your moisture with the best natural hair products you can get. Sealing in your moisture helps to protect your hair against breakage. It also helps to retain the length.

Natural Hair Styles With Defined Curls

The following curling techniques can only be done after you must have completed the three basic steps for defined curls mentioned above.

Defining our curls has to be one of the greatest challenges we face in the natural hair game. For this guide, the focus is on how to get various styles of defined curls using tested and accurate curling techniques.

Many of the recommended methods below are heatless, simple and guaranteed to last for up to 5 days with the right natural hair products.

Bantu Knot-Out

Bantu knot-outs are simple heatless ways to get defined curls and can be done on different lengths. If you are on short hair, you’ll need to divide your hair into smaller sections. For longer hairstyles the section sizes are flexible.

To get Bantu Knot-out curls:

Twist and wrap the section of your hair against itself like a screw

Wrap it against itself at the base

Tuck the ends at the base close to your scalp or secure with a pin

Leave to dry/set overnight

Unravel and fluff

Flexi Rod Sets

Flexi Rod Sets use Flexi rods to achieve curls that range from tight curls to big and bouncy curls. The bigger the rod, the bigger the curls, the smaller the rod, the smaller the sets. This is how you can achieve Flexi Rod curls:

Decide on the size of the curls you want and use the suitable flexible rods.

You can start on damp or dry hair. Damp hair takes longer to dry and could be shorter due to shrinkage while dry hair gives more length but less definition than damp, in some cases.

Section your hair with a rat tail comb.

Detangle as desired

Apply a leave-in conditioner and sealant, or a setting lotion/foam

Twist the section of your hair around a Flexi Rod

Twist both ends of the Flexi Rod to put your hair in place

Repeat all over your head

Unravel when dry and style

Straw Sets

Straw sets are similar to Flexi Rod Sets but are a more economical choice. They are also great for short hair and best styled on wet / damp hair. To achieve a straw set, simply follow all the steps in the Flexi rod procedure. But instead of using Flex rods, use straws.

Twist and Braid Outs

Twists and braid outs are the fastest and more simple ways to curl natural hair and extensions. While twist outs give more definition, braid outs give more volume and length.

Apply a gel or curling custard. (Optional)

Braid/twist each section.

Unravel when dried, separate curls and fluff for more volume.

Beauty

Natural Deodorant Hacks You Can Try At Home

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to smell good. Unless you’re particularly lucky and have no body odor, you might rely on deodorant to do so.

The good news: it doesn’t have to be the traditional stick. There are other options out there if you want to be intentional about what you put on your body.

If you want to opt out of some ingredients while still smelling sweet, natural deodorant might be the choice for you.

Alternative deodorant options

You might be able to find some of the ingredients below in your kitchen cabinet, and they make great alternatives to deodorant.

Witch hazel

Witch hazel is a versatile ingredient to keep in your cupboard. It’s a natural astringent and it’s anti-inflammatory, meaning that it removes excess moisture from the skin and kill bacteria.

It’s also a popular deodorant alternative because it doesn’t leave residue on the skin. Plus, it gets rid of odor fast.

The main downside to this method is that it wears off quickly and needs to be reapplied throughout the day.

How to use

Simply place witch hazel on a cotton swab or reusable cotton cloth and rub it on the underarm area.

Baking soda or cornstarch

These typical kitchen ingredients are used for more than just baking or cooking. They also make great natural hygiene products.

How to use

Mix 1/8 teaspoon with a little water and then rub it under your arms.

You can also use a mixture of baking soda and cornstarch to fight odor and perspiration. Mix one part baking soda with six parts cornstarch and dust the powder under your arms.

Lemon juice

When life gives you lemons, use it as deodorant?

You may be surprised to know that applying lemon juice to your armpits is a simple way to eliminate odor. Lemon juice is full of citric acid, which naturally gets rid of odor-causing bacteria.

How to use

Cut a lemon in half and squeeze out 1 teaspoon of juice. Dip a cotton ball and apply straight to your underarms. Keep the lemon in the fridge for an extra soothing effect.

Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has a number of uses and benefits, such as being an alternative to deodorant.

How to use

Mix 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with 1 tablespoon of water. Use a cotton pad or reusable cloth to apply the mixture to your underarms.

Coconut oil

Coconut oil is incredibly versatile for hair and skin needs. It’s also antibacterial and antiviral, meaning it can eliminate odor-causing bacteria in the underarm area.

How to use

Take 1/4 teaspoon of oil and rub it under your arms with a cotton cloth or your fingers. Let it dry completely before dressing, as oil can easily stain clothes.

Baking soda & coconut oil

Baking soda is one of the easiest ways to replace store-bought deodorants. It’s simple, effective, and inexpensive.

However, if you don’t want to use a straight powder deodorant, you can mix it with coconut oil. This will create a soft bar that can be applied daily.

How to use

Combine 4 tablespoons of baking soda and cornstarch each with 6 tablespoons of coconut oil. Place in the refrigerator to set and apply as needed.

Forgot your deodorant? Try these hacks

Hand sanitizer

If there’s one thing most of us carry around consistently these days, it’s hand sanitizer. Just squirt some onto each armpit to remove bacteria and get rid of smell.

Essential oils

Maybe you forgot to put on your deodorant before you left the house, but you happen to have some skin-safe essential oils in your bag.

No problem! Blend up your favorites and apply to your underarms. You can keep reapplying throughout the day as it wears off.

Aloe vera

Not only is aloe vera one of the hardest plants to kill, but it’s also incredibly useful.

Aloe has natural antibacterial and antiseptic properties, which means it can get rid of odor-causing bacteria.

How to use

Break off a small piece of aloe vera from your plant and apply the gel directly to your armpits. You can also use pure aloe vera gel from a prepackaged bottle.

Beauty

Dangers Of Organic Skin Care Products

Credit: Kimia Zarifi via Unsplash

Often times, we feel good about making the switch to organic skincare. This is because it seems to be a most logical thought since they are free of parabens, preservatives, and other skin-loving nutrient or so we think.

Most women who have solely transformed their skincare routine find that cystic acne, milia, and a variety of other skin disorders are the price they have to pay. But why is this the case?

Although we usually blame this as an allergic reaction, or simply due to the harsh nature of most skincare products, there is a bigger explanation on why this is happening so frequently.

Why do these reactions occur?

Statistics show that anything you put on your skin enters your blood stream within the first 20-30 seconds of contact. While we all can’t escape using products sans-preservatives or harmful chemicals, it is important to take note of your skin type, and which ingredients don’t agree with the skin you’re in.

The hidden reality with organic skincare is that they actually contain larger molecules which the skin finds difficult to break-down. As a result, they usually sit on top of the skin, and cause additional irritation, redness, and dry patches. These molecules are larger than usual because they contain no preservatives and don’t react the same way as other products.

How can you tell if a product is 100% organic?

A large amount of harmful ingredients are often concealed under different names.

Toxic synthetic chemicals are found in a number of natural products, and this could be the route of all your negative skincare reactions. Even the words ‘organic’, ‘natural’ and ‘all-natural’ don’t mean that your skincare products are free from harmful chemicals.

If you’re unsure of what an ingredient means, you can always look it up.

Invest in skincare which uses natural preservatives instead of harmful chemicals. These include hops oil and grapefruit seed oil which are both certified organic. These products are free from synthetic chemicals, and are substituted with a natural counterpart.

What are some harmful ingredients found in organic skincare?

Nanoparticles

The tiny particles are often found in natural sunscreens, lotions, moisturisers, and certain makeup products. Upon contact, there are immediately absorbed into the bloodstream, and can cause long-term damage since they are mostly untested.

Parabens (methylparaben, propylparaben)

These just a few different variations of common preservatives which are used to prolong the life of skincare and beauty products. While their safety is always at the centre of dispute, they are added in most products to subside the growth of bacteria, and keep products looking and feeling brand new.

Triclosan

Similar to the use of parabens, they are used mostly to act as an antibacterial agent in skincare cleansers and toning solutions. Despite being named as a probable human carcinogen, it is still widely used in the beauty and skincare community, although under a different term.

Which ingredients offer the best benefits for skin?

Anything with plant-based essential fatty acids (EFA’s) will be the best product on any skin type. Antioxidants such as vitamin A, C, and E are all natural and won’t give your skin any nasty side effects – ever! They are also antibacterial, and will keep any unnecessary dirt from seeping into your bloodstream.

Beauty

Top Tomato Skincare Hacks You Can Try

You might already know that tomato is a superfood for many reasons.

It isn’t just great for your gut health but works wonders for your skin too.

They are loaded with vitamins A, C and K. Most of which you find in the beauty products that you use. These vitamins are very healthy for the skin.

Tomato has the kind of acidity that unclogs the pores of your skin and helps treat acne.

It can even be used to do away with free radicals that pollute healthy skin cells.

There is a lot more to what you can do with tomatoes for your skin and so, we’ve got you some DIY recipes to try on your skin.

Tomato face mask for acne

For this, you need 1 tsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tbsp tomato pulp and 2-3 tbsp of oatmeal flour.

Now, whisk the tomato pulp and lemon juice all too well. Then, add the oatmeal flour slowly until you get a nice paste out of the mixture. Apply this mask on your face and let it sit for another 15 minutes.

This mask will help unclog pores and fade acne scars over the period of time. It even works well to combat pigmentation.

If you are dealing with sensitive skin, you need to patch test this mask before you use it on your face.

Tomato face mask for brightening skin

For this, you need 1 tbsp tomato pulp and 2 tsp Greek yogurt.

Mix both the ingredients nicely and leave no clumps. Apply this smooth paste on your face to cleanse and exfoliate your face skin for 10 minutes. Rinse it off with cold water once you are done.

This mask will help in hydrating the skin and reducing the pigmentation appearance as well. Yogurt helps in hydrating the skin and gives you rather smooth and supple skin with time.

Tomato and papaya face mask for combination skin

For this, you need 8-10 cubes of papaya and tomato pulp.

Make a paste of the papaya cubes by blending them and then add equal amount of tomato pulp in it. Mix it well and apply it on your face.

Give it 15 minutes to do its job before you rinse it off with lukewarm water. This mask works great for blemishes and it even gives your skin the much needed glow.