My Natural Essentials (for skin and hair)

I've always been in to the idea of using the benefits of natural food for exterior uses, and after years of going through countless books, websites, and articles, I've decided to make a post of all my favorite natural elements and their numerous uses:

Aloe Vera

To start with, I love, love, love aloe vera; I use it just about everyday for my face and occasionally a hair mask with great results.

• Benefits
• Helps repair and moisturize skin and hair without adding oil
• Keeps hair texture light; no weighing down
• Aids hair growth
• How to use:
• Use as a daily moisturizer alone or on top of your regular face lotion
• Replace hair gel by putting a small amount into the palm of your hand, and applying to  slightly damp hair to add a weightless texture and hold. 
• (see more uses with Castro Oil below)

Castor Oil

Ok, after reading the endless comments and praise by a coauthor of The Urban Bush Babe's blog, I was keen on getting myself some castor oil . I had no idea that castor oil is in fact "a very effective laxative" on top of the piles of exterior benefits. I asked a lady who worked at the store where I could find some of this oil, and after giving me a weird look she said, "Ya, I'll look for some, and get back to you. . ." After the woman left us, my sister turned to me and told me what castor oil was usually used for. Minutes later, and, in front of a cute boy, the store lady returned to us and said, "Here's the castor oil you were looking for, hope it's a big enough bottle." So embarrassing! 

So, if after reading the benefits and deciding you would like to obtain in some castor oil, look in the place where the laxatives and ointments are; I advise you not to ask an employe.

• Benefits:
• Natural antibacterial for skin and hair
• Ultra moisturizing 
• Aids reduction of acne
• Breaks up acne scars
• Thickens hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows
• Makes hair shiny and soft
• How to use:
• Apply a liberal amount with your fingertips deep in your hair, on your scalp, cover with a shower cap, and leave to sit overnight.
• With a small amount, simply put a thin layer over your face (if to sticky, flush with warm water)
• At night (or whenever your not wearing mascara) dip an eyelash brush into a small amount of oil and brush through eyelashes(this thickens eyelashes; for added length, mix with aloe vera gel)

Avocado

• Benefits:
• Moisturizing of skin and hair
• Repairing skin/hair
• Restoring natural elasticity in skin
• Vitamins are easily absorbed by skin and hair 
• How to use:
• Mash up avocado in a bowl with a fork like your making guacamole, apply to skin and let sit for 10-15 minutes.
• For hair, mash up and do the same, but apply to hair from scalp to tips and leave for 30-45 minutes (if avocado mash starts to dry, apply coconut and/or olive oil for added moisture.)

Lemon

• Benefits:
• Fades acne scars
• Brightens skin
• Bleaching properties (for hair)
• Kills bacteria
• How to use:
• For skin: lemon can be harsh and irritate skin, but works very effectively with the help of honey (below). Make a blemish erasing mask by mixing one part lemon juice (fresh) and two parts honey and applying to your face. Leave to sit for about five minutes
• For hair: mix the juice from a quarter of a lemon with either deep conditioner or an olive oil-water mixture (enough to cover all your hair) apply, and leave in anywhere from 15-30 minutes.

Honey

• Benefits:
• Adds moisture to skin and hair
• Adds shine to hair
• Opens pores and rids acne causing bacteria 
• How to use:
• Use as a mask and let sit on skin for 10-15 minutes before gently patting with a hot towel 
• For hair, dilute with water and let sit for 15-20 minutes 
• Variations: mix honey with two egg yokes and one tbs. of olive oil and let sit in hair for 30 minutes, wash out and continue with your regular hair washing routine

Coconut Oil

• Benefits:
• Easily absorbs into skin and hair for deep moisturizing 
• Prevents hair breakage
• Has antibacterial properties
• Aids hair grow
• How to use: 
• With a very small amount, let melt in your hands and apply to face, no removal necessary
• With a liberal amount, run through hair and massage head with oil, put on a shower cap, and leave over night. 

Sugar

• Benefits:
• Natural Exfoliant- removes dead skin
• How to use: 
• Lick lips and rub between lips 
• Wet with water, wait until sticky but not dissolved, and gently rub to exfoliate face

Black Tea

• Benefits: 
• Adds shine to hair
• Reduces the loss and shedding of hair
• Brings out natural darks in hair 
• How to use:
• Steep four tea bags in two cups of boiling water, cover and leave in a bowl overnight
• With damp, and freshly shampooed hair, pour tea and let sit for 20 minutes
• Tea mixture still in hair, run deep conditioner through hair and let sit for another 10 minutes
• Wash out 
• Tip: if you really want the natural darkness in your hair to come to notice, do this routine two times a week for a continuos string of four weeks.

Chamomile Tea

• Benefits:
• Brings out natural highlights in hair
• Adds shine
• How to use:
• Steep four tea bags in two cups of hot water, leave overnight. 
• With damp, and freshly shampooed hair, pour tea and let sit for 20 minutes
• Tea mixture still in hair, run deep conditioner through hair and let sit for another 10 minutes
• Wash out 

Olive Oil

• Benefits:
• Lessens hair breakage with improved elasticity 
• Ultra hydrating for skin and hair
• How to use:
• Do a simple oil wash by rubbing oil lightly on face then washing it with warm water
• Mix honey with two egg yokes and one tbs. of olive oil and let sit in hair for 30 minutes, wash out and continue with your regular hair washing routine (also above)

Apple Cider Vinegar

• Benefits:
• Breaks down build up in hair follicles 
• Reduces shedding 
• Prevents dandruff
• Adds shine
• Corrects pH balance in hair
• Aids growth
• Downs frizz
• How to use:
• Mix 1/4 Apple Cider Vinegar with 2 cups of water, incorporated in your regular bathing/shower routine, pour mixture on scalp before your regular shampoo and conditioning.