Product Haul: Oils, Vitamins & Shea Butter! *Long & Pic Heavy*

One of my main goals for the last quarter of 2009 was to purchase some Multi-Vitamins and Fish Oils to implement into my day-to-day lifestyle, not for my hair, but for my overall health.

I didn't want a single, "one a day" style multi-vitamin tablet. I wanted something that would protect & nourish me throughout the whole day and something that's specific to my gender and age.

I paid a visit to Planet Organics Grocery Store (Toronto ladies, Hwy 7 & Bayview, Richmond Hill) and picked up a bottle of Progressive Women Multi-Vitamins for $29.

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This vitamin is specific for adult women and it's loaded with great stuff, here's a little rundown of what it contains:

1. Free Radical Defence - a unique combination of antioxidants including beta carotene, vitamin E, coenzyme Q-10, selenium, zinc, glutathione, and green tea extract help to protect us from ongoing exposure to free radicals.
2. Cardiovascular Protection - hawthorn berries, ginkgo biloba extract, coenzyme Q10, niacin and vitamin E promote and protect proper heart and cardiovascular function.
3. Enhanced Digestion - betaine hydrochloride and the plant based enzymes protease, amylase, lipase and cellulase assist in the digestion and utilization of both the nutrients contained in this formula as well as in the food we consume.
4. Balanced PH - highly alkaline green food concentrates such as spirulina, chlorella, alfalfa, kelp, green tea and broccoli extracts have been added to help balance and restore a healthy ph level.

I will start taking the Multi-Vitamins this week and keep you all updated. In addition to the vitamins, I wanted more EFA's in my diet, although I eat an adequate amount of fish, I needed something more. I picked up some Udo's Oil 3,6,9 Blend.

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For those that don't know, essential fats serve many functions in the human body. If taken in the right amounts/ratios & sources, EFA's can help establish and maintain good health. The benefits of EFA's are as follows:

• Increase energy, performance, and stamina.
  
• Strengthen the immune system.
• Lower most risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
• Improve brain function: mood, intelligence , behavior, and vision.
  
• Aid in weight reduction. EFAs help keep mood and energy up and suppress appetite, thereby aiding in weight loss.
• Regulate organs and glands.
• Speed recovery and healing. EFAs are necessary for cell growth and division. They form all cell membranes and regulate vital cell activity;
• Support healthy child development.
• Improve digestion.
• Decrease infection. EFAs have anti-fungal, anti-yeast, and anti-microbial properties, helping to protect against infections.
• Keep bones strong. EFAs aid in the transport of minerals that keep bones and teeth strong, helping to prevent osteoporosis;
• Protect genetic material.
• Ease PMS.
• Produce beautiful skin, hair, and nails. Some of the first signs of EFA deficiency are dry, flaky skin, dull hair, and brittle nails.

There you have it! EFA's (Essential Fatty Acids) are so essential. I purchased the Oil blend for $14.99. I will start taking it this week and provide you all with updates in a few weeks.

Moving on...

I stocked up on some Coconut oil for my Deep conditioners and Pre-poo Treatments. I bought 2 because one is specifically for my hair (Omega Nutrition Organic Coconut Oil), one is for my skin (Nutiva Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil).

While at the Beauty Supply Store this weekend, I picked up some 100% Natural African Shea Butter for $7. I've always been curious about it but I never had the guts to purchase it since I don't know the best method or place to use it. So far I must say, I love the way it feels, it's EXTREMELY soft and moisturizing on my skin. Here are some pics I took:


















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If you have any creamy delicious Shea butter recipes for your hair or skin, please feel free to share them!!

♥ Sunshyne

Hair Question: Is Lanolin Good For The Hair?

Question:

"I am curious about the lanolin oil in the hollywood beauty castor oil. I've been reading that lanolin is a bad ingredient to have in any of your hair care products, so what about the hollywood beauty castor oil with mink oil? Is that ok to use ?"

Advice:

Lanolin is a very greasy material produced by the sebaceous glands of sheep. Lanolin is a mixture of fatty acids, wax esters, and a complex mixture of other organic compounds. In its natural state, lanolin contains about 25-30% water by weight. When applied to skin or hair, it is very effective at penetrating the surface and enhancing moisture retention. Lanolin is also beneficial because it continues to absorb moisture from the air, and can thus act as a humectant for the skin or hair.

Lanolin is sometimes considered to be too thick and greasy to be used liberally on curly hair, as it can really weigh down the curls and create frizz, but this is really dependent upon the degree of curl. A person with extremely curly hair would find it very beneficial to their hair. Its unique and complex chemical composition should make it very easily removed from the hair with a gentle shampoo or conditioner wash.

In summary, lanolin is an excellent conditioning agent for hair, but consideration of hair type should be used when selecting products for hair. People with extremely curly hair (such as those with 3C, and the 4’s) can most likely use lanolin-containing products in their regimen and enjoy soft, smooth hair without losing curl or gaining frizz. Those with wavy or slightly curly hair (such as 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B type) may find products containing lanolin to be too heavy.

Source

♥ Sunshyne

Oils Haul: Got My Coconut, Grapeseed & Avocado Oil

I went to Planet Organic food store and found some Avocado oil (finally), Organic virgin coconut oil, and grapeseed oil.

I can't wait to add these oils into my regimen. I'm thinking about adding them to my protein conditioners and using EVOO (Extra virgin olive oil) and Honey strictly for my moisture deep conditioners - we'll see.

Side note, I'm so glad I found non-deodorized virgin coconut oil close to home and for a reasonable price ($11). It's so rare!



♥ Sunshyne

Add These Oils To Your Regimen!

Did You Know That...

Coconut Oil (prevents/stops hair fall and strengthens the hair) can penetrate 90% into the hair's cortex (hairs inner fiber), while olive oil can only penetrate up to 25% in the hair shaft (which is still good). Sunflower oil and sesame oil, they can penetrate 5% into the hair.

As far as I'm concerned, Avocado oil is also an inexpensive oil that penetrates into the hair's cortex very well (up there with Coconut Oil and Olive Oil), truly repairing the hair and not just coating the hair strand like most conditioners (never going past the cuticle).

A good way to incorporate these oils would be in the form of a prepoo (preferably overnight), hot oil treatment, or added in your Deep Conditioner. I would like to try prepooing with these oils all together (Coconut Oil, Avocado Oil, Olive Oil) to see how my hair responds.

I've been doing a lot of research and these oils seem to be SUPREME in restoring your hair back to a healthy state. So far, I've been prepooing with EVOO overnight this week and I ADORE the results!! I've been eye-ing Avocado oil for some time now. I might just cave in and purchase it =]

♥ Sunshyne