Food for the Hair: Bananas

Banana is not just for eating. It can be added with other ingredients to make a wonderful conditioner/deep conditioner. What are the benefits of banana exactly? Well, to start off, banana contains potassium which is great for softening the hair shaft. It contains natural oils and carbohydrates, and Vitamins A, B, and C. These are all good in keeping the hair's natural elasticity and preventing spit ends and breakage. Bananas can also create manageability and shine and prevents or controls dandruff. I have also read on some websites that it can also promote growth but I would not put a conformation on that yet. Now for my experience, i did an avocado and banana conditioner a while back when I was transitioning. I can say that my relaxed hair did not like it but my natural roots loved it. The thing I would recommend this time is using baby food bananas instead of whole bananas because the pulp will definitely get stuck in your hair. Now I looked at a couple of recipes and I re-worked it to fit the baby food jars which are about a half of a banana for the stage two jars.

2 stage 2 jars of banana (baby food)
1/4 cup of honey

stir the two together or use a blender/mixer (whatever is your preference). Leave it on for however long you'd like and rinse. Voila!

Now using Avocado:
half of a Haas avocado (this particular kind is small)
and 2 jars of banana baby food (stage 2)

mix together in a blender and apply to hair. I would suggest leaving this one on for a while since it can be used as a hair mask. Maybe 1 hour at the least.
Well, that's it for this post, natural hair Barbz! Love ya. (Peace and blessings).

My Homemade Conditioner: Avocado and Coconut Milk ( and then some!)

Okay guys! I haven't done a deep conditioner in forever so I decided to make one on Sunday. I used avocado, coconut oil, coconut milk, and honey.

Why I chose these ingredients:

1. Avocado: According to an article written by Dr. Phillip S. Chua its rich in vitamins, fatty acids, and vitamins that will bring back luster and soften hair. ("Avocado for your hair", 2009)

2. Coconut milk: Provides slip for easy combing and strengthens hair.

3. coconut oil: Adds shine and strengthens hair

4. Honey: adds moisture.

Measurements:

1/2 Haas avocado

2tbsp coconut oil

1/2 cup of coconut milk

1tbsp of honey

Directions:

Mix everything into a blender. Apply to freshly shampooed hair. After hair is saturated comb through and put on a plastic cap to let hair sit for at least one hour. Wash out and voila!

After results:

My hair felt soft! It wasn't super soft but I did notice a difference. Next time I'm thinking of adding more coconut oil and honey. Check out my video with more pics by clicking here.

Reference:

Dr. Chua, P. "Avocado for your hair"

Retrieved on July 13, 2009 from http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/opinion/view/20090330-197028/Avocado-for-your-hair