Grape Seed Oil | for Type 4 Natural Hair

Those juicy red, green or purple grapes you love to eat chilled on a hot summer’s day are not only a healthy junk food alternative but are also the source of one of nature’s most powerful natural oils.

All About Sweet Almond Oil | Type 4 Natural Hair

*Allergy Alert: Sweet almond oil should not be used by individuals who suffer from allergies to nuts.

Sweet almond oil is a natural oil derived from the nut of the sweet almond plant. These nuts, generally known as almonds, originated in the Middle East and are used widely across the globe for cooking and baking and are often eaten raw or roasted.

All About Olive Oil | for Type 4 Natural Hair

Olive oil is good for so much more than making salad dressing and cooking your favorite vegetables or cuts of meat. The same characteristics that make olive oil one of the healthiest oils to consume make it exceptionally good for nurturing your precious kinks, coils and curls to ultimate hair health.

Olives are the fruit of the olive tree which was originally found in the Mediterranean thousands of years ago. According to Wikipedia, the tree was cultivated and grown around the globe throughout history and has been used by citizens of notable ancient civilizations like ancient Egypt, Rome and Greece. The use of olive oil is even recorded in the Bible.

How to Use Castor Oil | For Type 4 Natural Hair

Not quite sure what to do with that bottle of castor oil you that’s been staring back at you from that shelf in your bathroom that’s stacked high with half used jars and bottles of hair creams, shampoos and conditioners? Concerned that you threw away almost $10 on something you’ll never use?

No need to worry. Using castor oil on type 4 natural hair is easy.

The great thing about castor oil, and most natural oils, is that they are simple to use. It doesn’t matter whether the castor oil you purchased is sold specifically for use on hair and labeled not to be taken internally, or sold as a stimulant laxative and labeled safe for internal use (to be taken orally) – both products will produce the same benefits for your coarse, type 4, natural hair when applied topically.

Castor Oil | Everything You Need to Know

Good, old fashioned castor oil, used for generations to relieve swelling and to treat ailments such as constipation has taken on a revived role as hair growth aid for many determined naturals who have committed themselves to the task of cultivating strong, healthy hair.

But, what is it and where does it come from?

Glad you asked.

Castor oil is derived from the bean of the castor plant which is indigenous to India, the Mediterranean and Eastern Africa. The robust plant can grow up to ten feet high resembling a small tree upon reaching maturity.

What's the Difference? Penetrating Oils vs Sealing Oils

Penetrating oils are natural oils that are absorbed inside of the hair’s cuticle layer and as a result provide added moisture to the hair.

These oils include coconut, avocado, and olive oil with coconut oil being the most penetrating of the three. Add penetrating oils to your conditioner to create an excellent deep conditioning treatment. 

Sitting under the dryer or applying a plastic cap will help open the cuticles even more for better absorption of moisture. These are a must for highly porous hair but also beneficial for all hair types.

Relieve an Itchy Dry Scalp in Just One Step

If you are among the many people who experience dryness of the scalp or itching and flaking, try oiling your scalp with vitamin E oil for immediate relief.

I began using vitamin E oil after hearing a stylist say that he applied it to the scalps of clients who were suffering from hair loss. He literally bought vitamin E capsules, broke them open, and applied the oil directly to the hairline of clients whose hair was thinning near the temples.

I figured trying it couldn’t hurt, so I headed down to Sally’s Beauty Supply and purchased a bottle of Hollywood Beauty Vitamin E oil for less than three dollars.

While using vitamin E oil to promote hair growth I discovered that it also stopped my scalp from itching.

What is Shea Butter?

Ever wonder what Shea Butter is and where it comes from? Well, this miracle butter has a very interesting source.

According to Reference.com, Shea butter is a natural fat that is extracted from the fruit of the Shea or Karite tree which is native to 19 African nations spanning from Senegal in the west to Sudan in the east.

YouTube Pick: Creamy Whipped Shea Butter by KT313

One click on KT313's YouTube video and I was inside her kitchen preparing to make a light and fluffy basic Shea butter cream. I almost felt like I was visiting the home of a relative.

Her warm, down to earth approach to presenting her recipe makes her YouTube video one of my favorites.

I was near giving up on the use of Shea butter because I found it difficult to use.