Love her hair, don't you?

In Megan Jenifer's own words:

...That look was achieved using blue flexirods and a light setting agent. I have fine bushy hair. It's about shoulder length when the coils are stretched out. To achieve this look, shampoo with your favorite moisturizing and anti-breakage shampoo. Deep condition with your favorite deep penetrating and strengthening conditioner. Make sure you comb through gently with a wide-tooth comb to make sure it's detangled fully. Rinse thoroughly. I usually part in five sections (one part across the diameter of the head through the crown from ear to ear. 1 part down the middle and 3parts in the back. Using your favorite creme hair dress or light moisturizing lotion massage the scalp and put a small amount in hands and work through each section (I usually secure each section as an individual Bantu knot while I'm setting one section at a time.) Starting in the back,using a light setting agent, either a creme or a mouse, I part each section in rows based on how much hair I want to put on a flexi-rod. I do one rod at a time starting from the nape of the neck. Using a bone comb or rat tail comb, I gently comb the setting agent through to the ends until the section of hair to set is almost straight. I secure the ends with an end-paper and then starting at one end of the flexirod, I begin to spiral the hair aroundthe rod and bend against the scalp to secure. The rod should sit vertically on your head. I continue this until the front is complete. Your head will be full of blue flexi-rods sticking everywhere!! !!! You can attempt to sit under a dryer at this time, but the hood needs to be big. Allow the hair to dry completely before removing the rods. Once you remove the rods, separate the coils by hand. Don't comb and try not to upset the curl pattern too much. As the style ages, the roots will swell and the style will get puffier. The curl pattern should remain, but depending on humidity and perspiration, some of the curls at the end will start to shrink back to their original curl pattern, which is still very cute usually. Sleep with a satin pillowcase. You don't have to put a scarf or a bonnet over it if you have a satin pillowcase. This seems to work better to prolong the life of the style. It usually lasts about 1 week.I hope this is helpful!

http://meganjenifer.com - find out who she is.

alternative methods

I have been reading a book on ayurveda. I am really interested in alternative methods, it provides a balance in the mind, body and spirit that no pill can ever give.

In ayurveda, coconut oil, castor oil, amla oil, brahmi oil, or sesame oil is massaged onto the scalp to prevent baldness and to improve circulation at the root of the hair. Dip your fingertips into the oil, and then run your fingers through your hair. Gently masssage from the center of your scalp down towars your ears.

Home remedies for hair loss

• Apply almond oil on the scalp and massage.
• Grind fenugreek seeds in water and apply on your scalp. Wash off after 40 minutes.
• Massage warm castor oil, plus almond oil into your scalp gently. Wrap a hot towel around your scalp so that it gets absorbed into the hair. Do this twice a week for healthy and shiny hair.
• Add 2-3 drops of honey to a glass of water and use this as the last rinse after shampooing.
• Periodic, scientific juice-fasting removes toxic chemicals built up in your body, especially from chemically grown foods, polluted air, water and drugs used, thus producing healthier hair and prevent premature graying.
• An ounce of sage and rosemary, left for 24 hours in a pint of good water, provides a tonic for treating dandruff.
• Apple-cider vinegar, applied as a rinse, is another remedy for dandruff. Heat slightly, pour and let it set for an hour on a towel-draped head before shampooing.
• Vitamin E rubbed on the scalp, is also an effective remedy against dandruff.

Quick Hair-care Conditioner

• Mix 1 egg, 2 tbsp castor oil, 1 tsp vinegar and 1 tsp glycerine. Beat until it becomes frothy and massage it lightly on to your scalp. Wrap your head in a hot towel, steam and then wash off. This conditioner makes hair thicker, shiny, soft and manageable.

Honey Conditioner

• Beat 1 or 2 eggs (depending on the length of the hair), 1 tsp honey and 2 tsp olive oil. Massage gently on the scalp. Steam and shampoo after an hour.

From http://www.indiavarta.com click on women's life, then click on health on the left and click on the article "From Hair to Nowhere" to read the whole thing.

From Tulani Kinard's book:

Fruit Rinses
Mix one part fruit juice to three parts water. Let them sit in the hair 20 minutes and then rinse out thoroughly.
Banana rinse- Excellent emollient, highly natural lubricant and hair conditioner; beneficial to the hair and scalp because it binds with water to hold in moisture.
Coconut milk- Great conditioning proteins. Helps reduce the loss of moisture and to soften and smooth the hair.
Lemon rinse-Stimulates the scalp, dissolves sebum buildup
Apple Cider Vinegar-retards dandruff, provides sheen to hair.
Scalp Oils for Locked Hair
Rosemary oil- Stimulates growth, antiseptic, good for dandruff, good for dandruff; excellent for shine on dark-colored hair
Sage oil- Astringent, stimulates growth, kills bacteria; it is said to have the ability to darken graying hair.
Jojoba oil- Smooths and conditions curly hair, good for dry scalp
Sweet Almond oil- Contains vitamin E and F. Good for itchy scalp, mild and easily absorbed.
Avocado oil- Rich in potassium and sulfur, vitamins A, D, and E. Easily absorbed.
Evening Primrose oil- Moisturizes and conditions the hair.
Birch oil- Antidandruff, effective in treating in flamed scalps.
Calendula oil- Light and astringent. It soothes scalp and eczema problems.

Review of No Lye!: The African American Woman's Guide to Natural Hair Care by Tulani Kinard

I loved the pictures in the book.

Tulani really knows her stuff.

The contents of her book include:

Chapter 1: The Root of it all

Don't get stranded: Understand your Hair's composition

Shape Up: Determining your Hair's Shape

The Look and Feel of It: Determining your Hair's Texture

Texture Test

Chapter 2: The Breaking Point

You are What you Eat- And So is Your Hair!

Keeping Baldness at Bay

Cosmetic Solutions

Chapter 3: Coming Clean- Shampoo And Grooming 101

Just the pHacts, Ma'am

Shampoos

Why is our Hair Dry, Normal, or Oily?

Shampoo Ingredients

The Right Shampoo for You

How to Shampoo Natural Hair

Conditioners

Drying Your Hair

No pains, No strains for Natural Manes: How to Comb Out Natural Hair

Scalp Disorders

Diet for Healthy Hair

There are eight chapters in No Lye! The African-American Woman's Guide to Natural Hair Care.

This is a book for anyone and everyone who really wants to understand their hair and obviously their roots. However, the book left me wanting more. Soemtimes I would be reading one topic then turn the page and a new topic comes up.

But it was a good read overall.