Prickly Pear Oil on My Legs and a New Diet.


Hi All,

I have shaving bumps, eczema scars and slowly have gotten them to heal using Jamaican Black Castor Oil/ Argan Oil Mix or Pure Mango Butter as a moisturiser.

Recently I have been using the Prickly Pear Cactus Seed Oil on my skin as a moisturiser and after just a week my legs feel so soft.  Really I mean soft my dry scaly legs are just lovely to touch now. I mentioned in an earlier post how in love I am with this oil and it is now my go to for dry skin and hair. 

It can be used as a face oil, skin moisturiser or for hair. I just love this!

SHOP THIS POST

This oil is very light and goes into the skin instantly. It is not sticky. Unfortunately this oil is billed as the worlds most expensive oil due to the time consuming extraction process and the amount of fruit required to make one small bottle so itis a bit pricy.

My New Diet

I have now joined the ranks of Juicers and Smoothie makers and spend quite few hours in teh kitchen, peeling, mixing and blending fruits and vegetables. 
I have cut out chocolate which is my main vice, this was so hard. I found that eating a variety of nuts can stem the craving a little. Hopefull in a few weeks I wont want it so much anymore.

My daily Carrot Juice: Beneficial for those with Asthma
10 Carrots
A hanful of spinich
 2 cloves of Garlic
1 lemon
1 apple

If it is more green than orange you used too much spinach and you'll know. LOL!

On top of smoothie making I have also started making soups and am enjoying buttnut squash and leek soup particulatly. It is always nice sitting down to one of your own creations and this soup is just divine. 

This also helps me feel more energised and I am hoping to see the difference in my skin soon too.

Have you started juicing recently or a health kick?
What's your secret let us know in the comments

Embrace Your Inner AfroDeity 
Leilu

Co- Washing: Should I or Shoundn't I?




Sometimes craeting a routine can be frustrating, and as you your journey progresses you change your routine depending on what works for you.

Last Year at an event I attended a Natural Hair Event and someone in the audience asked an 'expert' hair dresser what was the best way to co-wash. The hair dresser at first didnt know what co-washing was and when the audience member went on to explain he said that conditioners were not formulated to cleanse the hair so this was a bad idea and she really shouldn't be doing it. It was just plain wrong.

What is Co-Washing?
Co washing is washing your hair only with a conditioner rather than with a shampoo and conditioner. This can be useful if you have an active lifestyle. Going to the gym and shampooing everyday is a definite No, No for dry, curly hair. This freshens up the hair enough for a few days until you are able to vleanse properly with your shampoo or regular cleanser.

I have been cowashing from the start of my hair journey, back when I first discovered the blogs 'Rantings of a Creole Princess' and 'Hairlicious' which were my go tos for hair advice. There wasnt really anything else. I had only just started relaxing and had burnt of quite a bit of my hair as I have detailed in 'A Little Bit of Vanity' and '10 Weeks Post Relaxer' Back then the idea of going completely natural hadn't appealed to me and I had just left behind the curly perm which had been unfashionable for some 15 years, so I wasn't really a slave to trends. 

I found that co-washing really did work for my hair. I cowashed once a week and shampoo'd and deep conditioned once a week too. That regime worked for me. I feel that since it worked for my hair and stopped the dryness and breakage I experinced when I washed my hair two and three times a week if I excercised and got majorly sweaty. So I kept at it and my hair thrived. 



Some brands like Carols Daughter and Curls Unleashed have formulated co-washing products. So these are conditioners formulated so that you can us them inbetween shampoo days.
Generally main stream shampoos can dry out our hair. It is getting better and there are a couple of shampoos you can buy of the shelf that arent as drying. However for me it just wasnt enough and my hair needed washing more often and my hair was dry and brittle.

Also as I said this is a journey and I have changed my routine a bit since then. i still keep it simple but now I use clays to cleanse, which also give my hair body and bounce. I do not co wash as often as I used.

I wanted to post about this as I do really think cowasing can be beneficial, you can moisturise your hair and at least rinse it through particularly when you are all sweaty after a gym session and then later on in the week, cleanse your scalp properly, rather than leaving it a whole week (or two) before actually washing your hair, or alternatively shampooing delicate afro hair three/four times a week.

If you are interested in claensing with clays check out the Joliette products. Joliette has just released their White Chocolate Hair Mud Mask, bentonite clay cleansing keratin treatment. It is great for stretching relaxed hair and loosing the curl on natural hair making, giving more manageability.

Embrace Your Inner AfroDeity
Leilu

Prickly Pear / Barbary Fig Seed Oil / Jamaican Tuna

Prickly Pear Cactus aka Barbary Fig Seed Oil aka Jamaica Tuna


Hi All,

This year, 2014, I have fallen head over heels in love with Jamaican Tuna (coastal prickly pear) also known in other parts of the world as Prickly Pear, Indian Fig and Barbary Fig. The two most common species in Jamaica are Opuntia littoralis and Opuntia ficus-indica species. I remember a large one in our family's garden when I was growing up. It originally comes from the Southeastern United States, Mexico and South America, however it now grows in Jamaica, other parts of the Caribbean and throughout the Mediterranean and Middle East regions. Both the fruit and the leaves of the prickly pear cactus are used as herbal remedies in Jamaica and many other countries. The cacti grow well in arid conditions and red oval fruit is produced by the cactus and is referred to as tuna.

In Jamaica this plant is used to wash the hair but it can be used for hair skin and nails. Most of the information about this plant is anedotal, but older generations swear by tuna (or prickly pear) to wash hair. It contains numerous small black seeds from which the precious Prickly Pear Seed Oil is extracted.

I have dry afro hair and very dry skin and I have been using this gorgeous light oil as a natural moisturiser. It is a very versatile oil which absorbs easily and quickly into the skin and improves skin elasticity. The variety I have been using is the Opuntia ficus-indica. Prickly Pear Seed Oil is one of the most expensive beauty oils in the world due to the labor intensive and time consuming (up to four days) process to produce 34oz. of oil from 60 lbs. of seeds (and a half a ton of fruits).



Prickly Pear Cactus aka Barbary Fig Seed Oil available in the UK

Prickly Pear Seed Oil has a high concentration of Vitamin E (strong antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties) and essential fatty acids, Linoleic Acid or Omega 6. This oil contains more Tocopherol than any other oil available in the beauty care market (almost 150% more Tocopherol than Argan oil). Prickly Pear Seed Oil nourishes, moisturizes, and softens the skin, tightens pores, has been known to prevents premature aging and wrinkles formation, brightens dark spots and under-eye shadows.



Try Joliette Prickly Pear Seed Oil as a face oil or body moisturiser.


Also New to the range Our Caribbean Coconut Nourishing Shampoo & Hair Treatment Mask with Prickly Pear Seed Oil


Embrace Your Inner AfroDeity!
Leilu


Sources:


Guillaume, D. & Charrouf, Z. (2011). Argan Oil. Alternative Medicine Review

http://www.altmedrev.com/publications/16/3/275.pdf

Official Laboratory for Chemical Analysis and Research, Casablanca, Morocco

http://www.livestrong.com/article/557601-health-benefits-of-the-jamaican-tuna-plant

Event: Divas of Colour: March 22, 2014


AfroDeity will be at Divas of Colour, showing off our new luxury Joliette Range. Come and see us and tweet, instagram or facebook with us and get a free Joliette product. Also if you are intersted in Fountain, The Original Edgestick or Sisay, this is the place to see them in action and buy directly from us!

Divas of colour is the largest gathering of world's most powerful women of colour in the UK in celebration of the many talents of women of colour. 

Supporting and raising fund for the Charity: Glowing future against domestic violence. 

Event highlights - fashion show contest for the title diva designer international - pageant for the title diva face international - trade exhibition - keynote speech - presentation of women of honour and Diva ambassadors. Award recognition. 

Time - 10 am prompt. 

FAQs 

Dress code: Evening gown / red carpet glam, with a touch of purple Men - tuxedo, black tie and smart. Anyone not properly dressed may be denied entry. This is a top class event with dignitaries and personalities from across the globe confirmed to attend . 
Will there be refreshment at this event? Yes. There will be canapés , soft drinks , red wine and water served from the hotel. These are guaranteed only for VIP ticket holders. However, we have cupcakes also for everyone. What else could be happening at this event? There will be music performances, poetry and product sampling and demonstrations. 
Are children allowed in the event? Yes. However, it is more convenient not to bring children under 6 to the event. Children from 10 years may have to get tickets. 
Can one ask for refunds? Yes. Refunds can be asked for a week before the event. However, we're unable to make refunds because one missed the event. 
Location and transportation: Hilton hotel tower bridge London is located at the heart of London City. 4 mins walk from London bridge station and 2 mins from London dungeon. There are buses 47, 343, 21, 48, 133, etc to London bridge, also for tube there is a jubilee line. If you have any specific question not shown here, please contact us via email Mbwprmgt@gmail.com Media enquiry and accreditation 

See www.fauntee.com Twitter - @mbwmgt 
also www.fauntee.com/blog

Curl Hair Magazine Launches on Kickstarter


Curly Hair Magazine launches on Kickstarter

We aim to create an innovative new hair magazine for women with curly, coily and kinky hair! Putting UK curlies on the map! Be part of the UK's newest and hottest hair title Curly Hair Magazine by supporting the venture on Kickstarter.




Curly is a new hair magazine supporting and showcasing natural hair and beauty. It allows readers to search for the new trends, and best products to maintain and style their natural , gorgeous curly hair. Supported by the UK's most knowledgable and influential hair bloggers, writers and editors, Curly Hair Magazine is the  only title you'll ever need to bring out your natural beauty. We’ve answered the cries of every girl with natural hair out there - we're here to bring you more information!
If you want to see something new, fresh, different, intelligent and relatable on your newstand then help us kickstart our business - on Kickstarter!

You can sign up on the Curl Hair Magazine website to find out more about the magazine:

Check out the Kickstarter and help us get the donations we need here!

Sounds all very exciting! 

Embrace Your Inner AfroDeity 
Leilu




Afro Hair & Beauty LIVE 2014!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Release: Afro Hair & Beauty LIVE 2014!

May Bank Holiday weekend hosts the ultimate hair and beauty experience. Europe’s biggest showcase for Afro Hair & Beauty LIVE is back, taking place on May 25th and 26th 2014 at the Business Design Centre, Islington.


Afro Hair & Beauty LIVE is the only place you’ll find award winning hairdressers, specialist beauticians and cutting edge fashion all under one roof. Take the time to be indulged with a customised manicure at one of the many pop-up beauty booths or take the stress off you mind with an Indian head massage or spa facial. The show has everything you could wish for from henna tattoos to professional eyebrow threading and eyelash extensions – all at cut prices.


Not only that but the runway stage will be in full action with fashion shows, dynamic hair competitions and show special presentations from the leading names in the ethnic hair and beauty industry. If any of the clothes you see catch your eye visit the Afro Hair & Beauty Fashion Boutique to bag a one-off piece at a special show price.

Other features include the Sensational Icon competition where top hairstylists display imaginative avant garde styles that can only be described as visual masterpieces. Along with the fiercely charged WAHL Battle of the Barbers competition which sees barbers from all corners of the UK work their skills.

Take advantage of this spectacular weekend and see the latest product innovations on the market and interact with the best of the best in the industry, including the fabulous natural hair celebrity stylist, Felicia Leatherwood known as the ‘Hair Whisperer’ who will be at the Beautiful Textures stand.



After the success of last year the interactive debate will be returning, a chance for you to put your burning questions to our top industry panel. Plus this year for the first time ever Afro Hair and Beauty LIVE are bringing you a beauty interactive debate with our panel to consist of well-known names in the beauty industry.

Take advantage of our FREE seminar programme which covers a wide range of hair and lifestyle related topics, and the many giveaways up for grabs.

With SO much going on, this is a show not to be missed!

Special offer 2 for 1 tickets are available until end of March so hurry to insure you don’t miss out!

Afro Hair & Beauty LIVE
25th and 26th May 2014
Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street, London N1
Nearest Tube: Angel

For more information visit www.afrohairshow.com