Winter Moisturizing

For me, The biggest difference between winter and non-winter moisturizing is oils vs butters. I seal everything with butter instead of oil. I still use a mix of Vatika and Olive oil for hot oil treatments before shampooing regardless of the season, but that is the only oil I use in the winter months.

There is one difference in how I use the butter that I have not seen anyone else do, so I thought I would share. Its simple really! After I finish washing my hair, I put my leave-in and a butter in my hair. Then I detangle one last time and go under the dryer (on cool) for 5-10 minutes. This gives the butter a chance at penetrating more and speeds up the drying time. Since I only use butters that the hair can absorb it also gives my hair a great shot of moisture (kind of like a hot oil treatment) that it can hold onto during the week. When I shampoo I use a heavy butter and when I co-wash I use a light butter. Doing this usually ensures that I do not have to use the butter again during the week, just my leave-in/moisturizer.

Give it a try! You may be surprised with the results!

Mini Haul!

My winter butters have arrived. I tried a different company (Texas Natural Supply) and I am pleased with the texture and smell of them all, however the From Nature With Love butters cost a little less when the shipping is added, so I will buy from them next time.

They are all a creamy consistency with faint odors which is just how I like my butters!
Macademia


Avocado


Olive


I'm still waiting for my Hairveda Shea Aloe butter, but they have had some personal tragedies, so all is forgiven.

Butta!

I love using butters! My favorites are adjacent to my favorite oils. Usually my hair does not deal well with shea butter, with one exception:SheaAloe butter.

Hairveda and From Nature with Love both make a fabulous shea aloe butter that my hair loves. At the same time, coconut butter is often made from a base of shea butter and my hair hates it! I can't explain it, but I stay away from that one. However, many other ladies swear by it.

My other favorites are Green Tea Butter from Hairveda and Olive, Mango, Macadamia Nut, and Avocado butters from From Nature With Love.

Not sure what to try? Well, I base my selections each winter on their heaviness level. I like to use one or two different heavy butters for moisturizing immediately after washing and one light butter for daily moisturizing. So this season I will use, Shea Aloe, Olive, Avocado and Macademia Butter.

If you're still not sure Hairveda sells sample sizes and From Nature with love sells butter samplers.

Heavey Butters:
Olive
Avocado
Shea Aloe
Mango

Light Butters:
Macadamia Nut
Coconut
Green Tea

Winter's a Comin!

Winter's comin! Winter's comin!

Ok, so I live in Florida and my winter has no snow, but its still cold! We get low temperatures as well! So, no snow, but lots of rain in the cold. Granted, we have yet to see cool temperatures yet, but they are expected.

So, what to do for the hair?

Well, this is the perfect time to wear the hair down and up. The frizz factor is way less of a problem because the the friction caused by heat is not a problem anymore. My absolute favorite hair styles for this season are buns, head wraps with cute scarves, braid outs (as always), and of course roller sets. In other words, the exact same styles as summer, lol! At the same time, the cold can suck all of the moisture out of the hair and cause some damage as well.

The best way to take care of the hair is to throw lots of moisture at it. The heavier moisturizers are great for this season. I LOVE butters at this time of year. Hairveda and From Nature With Love makes amazing butters! Also, deep conditioning is a must, but co-washing is not as much an issue. I co-wash once a week at night in the winter so that my hair can dry by the morning. More than that would just be uneccessary.

Also, I make sure that any hats I wear in the winter have a satin or silk lining, so that it does not suck the moisture out of my hair. The hair must be protected from any harsh fabrics, especially at shoulder length.

Winter is definitely not a fun month in Florida, but that doesn't mean my hair should look a mess!

Week 13: Flexi-8 Bun

I was trying to figure out how to label this weeks bun and I decided to just keep going consecutively. I am shooting for 24 weeks of different styles and the easiest way to know when I reach 24 is to just keep the weeks consecutive. So.........

This week we have the Flexi-8 bun. You may say, huh, what, how? The Flexi-8 clip is a decorative hair goodie that can be bought in several sizes and styles and can be used in many ways. I've had this clip for years and I consider it a great way to give the hair a break from buns created with elastic bands and still creat a protective style. There are video's on the Flexi-8 website about how to make various styles using this accessory. Hope you like them!

E-mail Response: Unahppy Biotin Side Effect aka Acne

Q: Hello Miss Music.

The reason why I am sending you this message is to appreciate you and ask you just 1 question. I noticed from your blogs such as; Hair Food and Growth Aids, you reacted to Biotin which resulted in acne. I have gone through the same thing and do not know what to do to get rid of the acne.I have it mostly on my cheeks and some on my chin and forehead. My face used to be flawless before I took the Biotin supplements. My question is what have you done to overcome the acne?

A: Thanks for the encouragement! You are so very kind!
I have to preface this response by saying that I am not a dermatologist, not even close. I have learned a lot about skin care over the years because I have sensitive acne prone skin, but I am no expert, so remember this is what works for me and may not work for you. I do not classify my skin as dry combination or oily, just sensitive.

First off I would have to say that drinking lots and lots of water helps more than I can say. I drink close to a gallon of water a day not consciously, but just by habit. I immediately notice that my skin is not as supple when I do not.

Second, exercise is the best way for the body to get rid of toxins the fastest through sweat, so I highly recommend exercise.

Third, the right skin products. Clean and Clear makes great products that are not too harsh, but very affective. I use their Deep Action Cream Cleanser for sensitive skin twice a day (oil free). I also use their Advantage 3 in 1 Exfoliating cleanser 2-3 times a week and lastly their Acne control moisturizer. The combination of the benzoyl peroxide from the exfoliator and the salicylic acid in the moisturizer are really what helps my skin stay its best. I also use Rose Water as an astringent.

Fourth, Sunscreen! I wear sunscreen every single day. I wear Neutrogena's Ultra-Sheer Dry Touch Spf 30 sunscreen. Sensitive skin is especially sensitive to sun when using anti-acne products. Not using sunscreen can actually cause the acne to be inflammed and cause more acne production.

The last and best thing I did for my skin was to stop taking biotin and start taking GNC Hair Skin and Nails vitamins. I hear that the Hair Skin and Nails Program is geared specifically towards the skin and I hope to try that one in the future. The Hair Skin and Nails Vitamin has lots of biotin, but it also has the necessary nutrients to balance the biotin and create beautiful skin. That product gives my skin such a glow that even with the occasionally break out, my skin still looks great.

Check out these youtube videos on the proper way to care for the skin. It was from these videos that I figured out that sensitive skin can be a separate skin type and how to specifically cleanse and care for my skin.






Personal Hygiene:
How To Care For Your Eyes




Facial Care:
How To Care For Sensitive Skin


Facial Care:
How To Care For Combination Skin


Facial Care:
How To Care For Dry Skin



PS: I also give my skin a massage once a week to combat the aging process and to keep that glow.