Empowered selfcare, lifestyle strategies & coaching
My love affair with skincare Y’all already know that I’m a bonafide skincare freak so of course, I have to be on the lookout for awesome ingredients to use in my creations. I don’t apologize for loving skincare because that’s part of my self-care routine. …
The perfect dish for the season Cold winter days make me think of cozy fires, a stack of my favorite books in my favorite nook, and the yummy goodness of a rich and savory soup. This vegan broccoli cheddar soup has quickly become a favorite …
Everyone knows winter can be brutal on your natural locs and that’s even more true for 4C natural hair. When I first moved to the Midwest (I’m in Illinois, USA), the tole that winter takes on my natural hair was the biggest shocker!
These days, I’ve tried just about every moisturizer and deep conditioner for my hair type. Sadly, while some do a more than adequate job I still prefer my own DIY recipes to store-bought brands. To say that I’ve spent a lot of money on various hair care brands is an understatement.
In general, I’ve found that homemade recipes work best for my hair in combination with a select number of store brands. Everyone’s hair is different but in general, find out your hair type and what products work best for it.
Based on my experience and personal research on my hair type, I have 4C very low porosity hair. Which means it takes a lot of TLC and conditioning to keep it healthy. That includes washing, conditioning, and moisturizing depending on the season’s needs.
In general, Low porosity hair has a tightly bound cuticle layer, making it difficult for moisture to penetrate while high porosity hair has gaps and holes in the cuticle, allowing moisture to easily pass in and out. I like the detailed explanation given by Dr. Kari Williams in an article published by shape magazine in July of this year.
If you’re still unsure about whether or not you have high porosity hair (after performing the “float test”), just remember that high porosity hair takes in (and loses) moisture the fastest. By the same general rule, low porosity hair takes in moisture more slowly and loses it slowly too. Keep in mind that these distinctions don’t address the full range of porosity by any means. Consult your stylist or haircare professional for an in-depth analysis of your hair type and needs. My recipes reflect what’s been working for me and my family on our natural hair care journey.
4C hair is made up of tight coils and is typically, extremely wiry and fragile in nature. Most of the time, it appears to be coarse but is actually very fine. When looked at closely, you can see that 4C hair is made up of several thin hair strands densely packed together. I like to call it “high maintenance ” hair because it tends to be the hair type most prone to shrinkage and dryness which in turn makes it vulnerable to breakage. However, with the proper TLC, it grows long and thick!
Pour the filtered or distilled water into your bottle and carefully add your essential oils to it using a dropper. Next, take a small funnel and add the castor oil and the coconut oil to the mixture. If the raw coconut is solid, simply place the container in a shallow bowl of hot water until it becomes liquid. I also add approximately 3 drops of organic apple cider vinegar to help emulsify (incorporate) the oil with the water in the mixture. You can then section your hair into quarters, spray each section until fully saturated, and gently work throughout the hair and scalp. Place a plastic cap over your hair and for about an hour and then air-dry. You can then style your hair as usual. It works very well as a moisturizer and anti-itch spray for protective styles and braids!
When I first created this DIY moisturizing spray for 4C hair, which is my hair type, by the way, I looked for ingredients that nourish not just the hair but the scalp as well. Rosemary, tea tree, and peppermint essential oils all nourish and heal in similar ways. Rosemary boosts hair growth, is anti-microbial, increases blood circulation/flow to the hair follicles. It also helps to strengthen the hair as well as add shine and body. Peppermint is cleansing and stimulates the scalp as well. ACV or apple cider vinegar cleanses the scalp and gets rid of build-up on the hair and is also antimicrobial. Castor oil helps to nourish and seal in moisture and smoothes the hair cuticles while coconut oil does the same as well as infuse antioxidants and other nutrients to the hair.
Adding a moisturizing spray to your hair care routine will make a big difference in the length and health of your hair during those cold fall and winter months. But you also need to make sure that you’re eating a healthy diet loaded with natural goodness. I’ve also made it a point to take supplements as well particularly in the winter when our immune systems generally take a hit and certain am low on those sunshine nutrients (i.e. vitamin D). Always be sure you consult your doctor/dermatologist before you try any of these recipes if you have any allergies to any of these ingredients or you are taking a medication that might be affected. Remember, you are what you eat, so be good to yourself!
FOR ANOTHER AWESOME DIY HAIR RECIPE CHECK OUT MY ALL-NATURAL ACV AND ROSEMARY ESSENTIAL OIL HAIR RINSE RIGHT HERE!
Tonye Tariah is a Holistic Health Strategist, Coach, and the founder of Freedom at The Crossroads Blog. Tonye helps free women from inaction and unhealthy habits so they can get fit, healthy, and live free. Her belief is that “the cookie-cutter method only works for cookies”. Meaning, she helps each woman in a way that is unique to each her situation. By doing this, she’s better able to help women transform their lives from the inside out. Her ultimate goal is to help women become healthy and empowered through the transformative self-care journey!
Staying fit and healthy through the holiday season We all know how busy the holiday season can get especially when you’ve got multiple tasks to juggle. Let’s not even talk about trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle! This is why I’ve pulled together 5 women’s …
With everything that’s happening today (i.e. global pandemic), this certainly isn’t the time to neglect your health. That’s why I’m pulling out my spiced elderberry and echinacea tincture today! Fall and winter are usually the seasons when we tend to bone up on our teas, infusions, and whatnots, in preparation for the flu season. Over the last few years, I’ve begun to pull back on the use of over-the-counter medicines in favor of home remedies and traditional health support herbs, etc.
Don’t get me wrong, there is a time and place for conventional pharmaceuticals, but I’ve since come to appreciate and realize that traditional remedies can be far more effective and less damaging to the body. I’m not making any health claims here, but for me, I believe traditional medicines seem better able to work in harmony with the body’s own natural mechanisms for healing itself.
Drawing on the traditional teachings of my own ancestors within my family as well as my own experience as a novice in herbalism, this is my preference. Always consult your own healthcare provider for any treatment regimes or medicines. This simple spiced elderberry and echinacea tincture is one I love and have added to my home remedies cabinet! It’s cheaper and works best for me and mine even as I’m sharing this recipe with you.
I always start with organic or homegrown ingredients especially, when it comes to something you’re going put in your body. If you’re like me and don’t have tons of space for a large backyard garden, I love the versatility of dried berries. Organic all the way baby, even the spices! There are so many recipe options for elderberry tinctures out there. I’m using this combination of spices and other ingredients because it not only tastes good, but the spices also have some healing benefits as well!
Echinacea:
Well known for its many health benefits, echinacea reduces inflammation, improves immunity, and lower blood sugar levels. Also, it’s used as a natural pain reducer, helps with digestion as well as skin-boosting benefits too! Extensive research has been done on it’s medicinal properties and confirmed to be antifungal and antibacterial and is safe with few side effects. Also, for maximum effectiveness, it’s best to take it at the first signs of illness.
Elderberry:
Elderberries have been widely studied in Europe and believed to be one of the most potent natural plants for fighting cold and flu viruses. Not only that, they are loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, boosts, fights infection, and supports the immune system. Elderberries have powerful antiviral properties and are helpful for treating upper respiratory infections and reducing fever.
Take all of your dry ingredients, including the spices, and fill your jars ½ – ¾ full. Next, completely cover them with the vodka or rum and then tightly cover your mixture with the lid. Then, gently invert your mixture several times to ensure that the alcohol is fully incorporated. Store it in a cool and dry place (I use my pantry) for 4-6 weeks, periodically inverting it for the entire time frame.
Once it’s ready, simply strain the mixture with a cheesecloth or fine mesh (be sure to get as much liquid out as possible) and pour it into a dropper bottle or small jar. Don’t forget to date and label your tincture and include the recipe.
No refrigeration is needed because of the high alcohol content used in the process. This is why it’s important to use at least 75 proof or higher vodka, rum, etc because it has much lower water content plus a longer shelf life (a year versus a few weeks!).
There are so many health benefits to be found in a variety of fruits, veggies, and herbs. From tinctures and syrups to dried fruit and vegetable snacks. Read my post on making nutritious homemade dried fruit snacks here!
Tonye Tariah is a Holistic Health Strategist and founder of Freedom at The Crossroads Blog. She helps free women from inaction and unhealthy habits so they can get fit, healthy, and live free. Her belief is that “the cookie-cutter method only works for cookies”. This means that she helps each woman in a way that is unique to each woman. By doing this, she’s better able to help them transform their lives from the inside out. Her ultimate goal is to help women become healthy and empowered through the transformative self-care journey!
Just the time for some dried fruit snacks Quick and easy dried fruit snacks scream holiday to me! These recipes are perfect for this time of year and with the fall and winter seasons just around the corner, I’m all for switching things up with …
Staying healthy right now is even more important right now These uncertain times make it even more important that we become more sustainable and environmentally conscious. Fresh produce storage is one way we can really lessen the impact on our wallets and eat healthily! We …
It’s Selfcare weekend again and it’s all about the lovely locks today. This is a time when we’re all looking for ways to save money, but still, keep every part of ourselves healthy. That also includes ensuring that your hair and scalp are well-nourished, balanced, and healthy! Today, I’m sharing a recipe for my favorite hair tonics, the apple cider vinegar hair rinse!
Just an FYI: this post does include some affiliate links at no cost to you. I do receive a small percentage resulting from any purchases you make via my shop easy links. 😉
Over the last few months my love of all things wellness, especially DIY, have been reinvigorated and turned up to 10! The universe has also conspired with “these times” to reconnect me with my herbalism roots. As a young girl growing up in Nigeria, I was always fascinated by the discussions my uncle, a traditional herbalist and naturopathic doctor( even before that was a thing) would have with my mom, an educator.
Whenever he would fly in from the UK or some “exotic” place (yeah, India and Asia were always magical to a kid like me), he and my mom would discuss and debate about everything from holistic medicine, herbs, etc to conventional medicine and our flawed and inadequate healthcare ( it’s the same by the way!)systems.
Now, because of and some might even say, destiny, I find myself working in the health care field motivated to embrace my herbalism roots and traditional modes of supporting the body’s health. Not that it took a global pandemic to get me here; my own healthcare journey has been leading me in this direction for some time.
Now, as I watch the failings of both conventional medicine and unsustainable healthcare infrastructures built on flawed market-centered principles rather than on human health and dignity, I’m reconnecting with my ancestral wellness teachings.
My self-care hair treatment is just one of several recipes in my personal materia medica (herbalism recipes). Each ingredient is geared toward supporting and optimizing the natural health of both the hair and scalp!
Just so you know, you can always tweak this recipe and make it your own, depending on your needs or intent. Also, I make no claims to being a healthcare provider, doctor, or practitioner. These are my own traditional herbal recipes that been passed down to me via oral tradition as wells as my own creativity. Bottom line, do your research, and when in doubt, contact your primary care physician, provider, dermatologist, etc.
1. I 1/2 cups of filtered water
2. 5 tablespoons organic raw coconut oil
3. 10 drops lavender essential oil
4. 8 drops rosemary essential oil
5. 8 drops peppermint essential oil
6. 4 drops tea tree oil
7. 1/4 cup organic apple cider vinegar
I use a variety of brands for sourcing my essential oils but for a budget-friendly and good quality brand, I recommend Now Brand Essential oils. Whichever brand you use, make sure it’s one you know and trust!
* Never apply any essential oil directly to the skin or scalp as they can cause irritations, burns, or other adverse reactions. Also, if you have sensitive skin or allergies to any of these ingredients, be sure to check with your dermatologist or health care provider to ensure that they are safe for you to use.
1. 3.4 oz, 8 oz or 16 oz spray bottle, preferably glass for prolonged storage in the fridge as plastic tends to break down and could possibly react with essential oils mixture)
2. All of the ingredients listed in the recipe above
3. sharpie marker for recording date and time of creation.
4. Sticky label (waterproof or you can simply affix it to the bottle or use clear packing/masking tape over the writing on the label).
This mixture should ideally be stored in the fridge no more than a few days; 1-week max since there are no preservatives in this DIY recipe.
1. Apple cider vinegar– strengthen hair and improves luster by lowering hair and scalp pH. It may also reduce scalp infections and itchiness. Apple cider vinegar has been shown to thicken hair and remove dead skin cells that can clog follicles and hinder your hair’s ability to grow.
2. Lavender essential oil– promotes and encourages hair growth, is antimicrobial, reduces skin inflammation (anti-inflammatory), and also has a relaxing effect (aromatherapy).
3. Rosemary essential oil– stimulate follicles, strengthening hair from the root to the tip (making hair longer and shinier), and reduces hair loss.
4. Peppermint essential oil– shares some of the same antimicrobial properties as tea trea oil as well as helping to cool the scalp, eliminate dandruff, and encouraging hair growth.
5. Tea tree essential oil– unclogs hair follicles and is antimicrobial and also antiseptic. This essential oil is also beneficial for the hair and scalp given that it helps remove the build-up of dead skin cells, oil, and styling products. It also increases oxygen and nutrient supply to the hair follicles.
6. Coconut oil– aides overall scalp health, fights dandruff, thickens, and moisturizes dry hair. Coconut oil also reduces breakage and split ends.
For me, nothing says self-care like a homemade creamy avocado face mask. My unending love affair with avocados, won’t be over anytime soon, lol! Today I decided to share one of my go-to Avocado face masks that are great for a dewy complexion and a …
