We’re back, and the results are in!
Recipes are rated on a scale of 1 - 5 Afro Picks… 1 being the lowest rating, and something I would not use again or recommend, and 5 being the highest rating of something I’d most likely use again within the next five minutes. *lol*
And heeeeeeeeeeeeere we go…
No Poo-ing = 
I’ve read more than once that it cab take awhile for your hair to get used to the process, so I can’t accurately say I don’t like it. My scalp is clear of the build up that usually covers it between washes, which I guess is the main premise.
To apply I used the method normally used to apply relaxer, and generously applied the mixture to the part in my hair. I can’t say that I followed the “circle” instructions to a T, but I did gently massage the mixture onto my scalp using a circular motion. Because the baking soda mixture kept drying back into power form, it was extremely helpful to have my spray bottle available to re-wet my scalp periodically. Unlike with commercial shampoos, I could actually see the dead skin cells and other grime leave my scalp each time I sprayed small amounts of water onto my hair. Not that that’s something I’d stay home to watch on a Saturday night, but I guess it can be as proof that no poo’ing does what it’s supposed to do.
All in all, the recipe was simple to mix, simple to use, and effective. As it stands now, the no poo method would not be something I’d do on a regular basis, but I would not count it out as an alternative to commercial shampoo, for the “green” minded. I would recommend it.
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Avacado and Coconut Conditioner =
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH my goodness! Oh. My. Goodness. No seriously… ohmygoodness! *lol* I love this stuff! Simple ingredients that are way easy to mix, and smell absolutely divine! After applying the heavenly goo upon my tresses, I covered it with a plastic shower cap, covered that with my towel, and waited the required fifteen minutes. Upon rinsing I noticed thicker coils and waves, and the fact that my hair WAS NOT tangly when I ran my hands through it. Very pleased with that.
My hair was not as “silky” feeling as it is with commercial conditioners, but it was soft and relatively manageable upon rinsing. A word of warning, however. If you naturally have thick hair and you’re looking to sport a nice “lay down” or “wrap around” style where your hair lays and allows itself to be styled… you might not want to try this recipe. This is a straight up volumizing conditioner, that will give your hair so much body you might not know what to do with it! Ideal for sistahs who are loc’ing, twisting, or fro’ing, or for those with limp tresses who desire more thickness. it leaves the hair with a slight oily feel, so I do not recommend adding any additional oils. Also, unless you use a blender to mash your avocado, be prepared to do a loooooooooooooot of rinsing of pulpy bits.
The recipe, as I found it, it good for at least two applications, with the leftover mixture being able to be stored in the fridge for as long as you would ordinarily keep an avocado based food. I HIGHLY recommend this recipe.
ADDITION 31 May 2008 @ 08:40
I’m finding myself having to lightly press my hair to relax the kink, because the thickness was a bit more than I desired for today.
(left side pressed - right sight unpressed)
This might be managed next time by adding less coconut milk in the recipe, or using a “lite” variety. We shall see.
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Gentle Facial Cleanser =
It seems I am batting 1000 with the facial recipes, and this one here may end up being my cleanser of choice for the duration. Almost effortless to mix, and way easier to apply that the honey and oatmeal recipe, this concoction is soothing to the skin, and smells great! I came away with soft glowing skin, visibly smaller pores, and only a slight feeling of tightness as my face dried. Moisturizer afterward? Nope, not even a light coating!
Any unused mix can be refrigerated for as long as the yogurt’s sale by date suggests. Recipe can be adjusted for oily skin by adding cucumber, and for dry skin by adding a bit of olive oil.
As you might can guess, i highly recommend this recipe and implore you to use it RIGHT NOW! *lol*
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Banana Wrinkle Fighter Mask =
Honestly, does good skin care get any easier than this? Get a banana, mash it up, slather it on your face. No fuss, no muss, and you walk way with a clear, smooth, and balanced complexion women spend part of their life savings to attain… For less than $1 per pound! The Universe certainly got its “money’s worth” when it created the banana, I’ll tell you. Good on the inside and outside!
Applied and left on for the required time and barely knew it was there (despite the fact that I knew it was there). Rinsed with hot, splashed with cold, patted dry and went on about my merry way. No toner or moisturizer needed.
While I am blessed to not need a “wrinkle fighter” mask, and hopefully won’t for a nice long while, I do plan to use it periodically to keep the tautness of my skin.
Another highly recommended recipe!
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And there you have it. Another In the Mix Friday comes and goes, and I have enjoyed every last minute of it. As I suggested on last week, if you plan to use any of these recipes, you might want to play around with the ingredient amounts to find the mixture that gives you the best results for your hair type and condition. If you do try any of the recipes out, I’d love to hear your results. You can leave a comment here or send them to me via Email at goddessidadi@gmail.com.
I wish you happy experimenting and healthy hair!
Blessed Be…
Idadi
[...] Last week’s results were a little more on the “pro” than “con” side, with three out of the four recipes receiving five Afro picks and high recommendations. [...]