Let's try some clay one day!

Clay: The Medicinal and Cosmetic Benefits

A Guide to Some of the Most Popular Clays Available and How to Use Them

Clay has been used around the world for centuries by indigenous people as an important medicinal and cosmetic tool. Recently, medical research has emerged which supports the efficacy of clay, and it is now becoming increasingly popular as a rediscovered treatment for many different health and skincare conditions. Externally, clays are used to absorb excess oil, dirt, and toxins from the skin while simultaneously exfoliating and improving skin circulation. Some clays, such as Bentonite clay, are primarily ingested for medicinal purposes such as detoxification or mineral deficiencies. Other clays, such as French Green clay and Rhassoul clay, are used externally for skin conditions and for cosmetic purposes. Clays come in a variety of colors such as red, green, white, gray, and can range in texture from coarse and heavy to fine and fluffy. The different colors of clays occur because of their natural mineral content.

Bentonite Clay

Bentonite clay (also known as Montmorillonite) is an edible clay from naturally occurring volcanic ash sediments, and contains over 70 trace minerals. This clay is one of the most effective and powerful healing clays used to treat both internal and external maladies. The largest and most active deposits come from Wyoming and Montana. (Mountain Rose Herbs stocks a Wyoming variety). Bentonite clay is traditionally used as an internal supplement to assist with mineral deficiencies, and to help bind toxins making them more soluble. Externally, Bentonite is used as a clay poultice, mud pack, in the bath, and in skin care recipes. Bentonite clay has the ability to absorb toxins, impurities, heavy metals and other contaminants from the body, and is ingested to treat mineral deficiencies, anemia, stomach ulcers, diarrhea, intestinal problems, hemorrhoids, and for general organ health.

French Green Clay

French Green Clay (Also Known as Illite Clay or Sea Clay) is very absorbent, and literally "drinks" oils, toxic substances, and impurities from your skin. Its toning action stimulates the skin by bringing fresh blood to damaged skin cells, revitalizing the complexion, and tightening pores. Mined from bedrock quarries in France, it is sun-dried, completely natural, unscented, and fragrance free. Green clay is a bio-mineral, and contains decomposed plant matter as well as many trace minerals, such as: silica, aluminum, magnesium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, copper, zinc, selenium, cobalt, manganese, phosphorous, silicon, micro-algaes, kelp, and phyto-nutrients. Green Clay has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties which make it beneficial for muscular pain, swelling, and arthritic or rheumatic conditions. Cosmetically, French Green clay is revered for its ability to stimulate blood and lymph circulation, remove dead skin cells, absorb impurities and fats, and tone and strengthen connective tissues. After using French Green clay, skin feels fresh, smooth, radiant, and soft. French Green Clay is also marvelous for helping to clear problem skin areas, and is gentle enough to use weekly, or even daily on problem spots.

Fuller's Earth Clay

Fuller’s Earth clay is a naturally occurring sedimentary clay composed mainly of alumina, silica, iron oxides, lime, and magnesia. It has been widely used as a skin-lightening agent, and it produces a lightening effect on the outer epidermal layer of the skin. Because of its enormous drawing capabilities, Fuller’s Earth clay literally draws and absorbs oil from the skin, and is the number one choice for those with oily skin or those who are prone to acne. This clay is highly recommended to those with acne problems, blemishes, and people prone to oily skin. It is also a useful base ingredient in facial recipes for those with oily skin. Traditionally, Fuller’s Earth clay was used to remove oils from sheep wool because of its oil absorption properties. It has also been used in kitty litter, and in autobody shops to help absorb and remove grease and oil spills.

Rhassoul Clay

Rhassoul clay is a truly exquisite Spa quality clay from ancient deposits unearthed from the fertile Atlas mountains of Morocco where it has been used for over 1400 years as a skin conditioner, soap, and shampoo. This clay has a long history, and was used in ancient Rome and Egypt by those of nobility. Rhassoul is a mineral rich, reddish/brown clay that blends extremely well with water making its application to the face and skin a smooth and delightful experience.
Today, upscale spas and resorts across the globe utilize the toning and enriching benefits offered by Rhassoul clay. It is very high in trace minerals such as silica, magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium and sodium, making it truly one of the finest treasures for pampering your skin. Because of the high mineral content, astringent properties, and absorption properties, Rhassoul clay is a wonderful and effective clay for cleansing, detoxification, and for general skin care treatments. In clinical tests, Rhassoul has been shown to be effective on skin elasticity, clogged pores, removes dead skin layers, removed surface oil from skin, improves skin clarity and appearance, and reduces flakiness and dryness of both the scalp and skin. Try using Rhassoul clay in soap recipes, facial masks, body wraps, clay packs, shampoos, and conditioners for a luxurious and decadent experience.

White Cosmetic Clay

White Cosmetic clay (also known as Kaolin clay) is one of the most versatile clays, and is also the mildest of all cosmetic clays. It is commonly found in skincare preparations and cosmetics because of its gentle nature, mineral content, absorbent properties, and ability to “fix” scents. White clay is made up of fine clay particles, and has a lightweight fluffy consistency. This clay is more widely used than any other cosmetic clay, and is frequently found in powders, body packs, skin care products, deodorants, soaps, scrubs, poultices, cosmetics, facial masks, and toiletries. This clay will gently draw impurities from the skin without removing natural oils while simultaneously exfoliating, cleansing, and stimulating circulation. White clay is suitable for all skin types, whether it be oily, blemish prone, normal, sensitive, dry, or mature skin.

I have heard a lot of great things about Rhassoul Clay. Let's think about implementing Rhassoul Clay in our regimen (maybe bi-weekly). Not only does it detoxify our hair (we would never have to 'clarify' again), bit it's also EXTREMELY moisturizing. AND you can buy pounds of this shit at a time. Yesss Lawd! I'll post a YouTube video that made me even more intrigued with this clay.

Holla back.

N*

Yarnbraid pictures

Anyone else in favor of keeping this blog going?

Yarnbraids

I am so proud of myself!! I am in the process of putting in yarn braids as a protective style. This is my second time getting them but my first time actually doing them myself. Michelle is helping me and we started Monday. We did the perimeter first and I did about 15-20 braids myself last night. We are finishing the rest up tonight and curling the yarn.

I am using 2 skeins of Red Heart yarn in a dark brown, I believe the color is called chocolate. I used the regular size skeins, not the Gigantor size. I am using the 2-strand method all around. I am wrapping my hair rather than braiding all the way around. I like this method because It is easier to take out and it looks more like dreads and it hides my own hair completely from the elements.

I plan on keeping this in for at least 2 months with re braiding the front periodically. I'll moisturize with an oil + water mix daily, at least twice a day. If I can find it in Sweden, I'll use the VO5 clarifying conditioner to wash my scalp 2 time a month.

I will post some pics of the finished results!

Hair update!!!!

3 months into the challenge and we are in the home stretch!

Super exciting. Experienced a lot of growth. Stayed as consistent as I could, but there is room for improvement.

I attached 2 pics but I also put something up on YouTube. I thought I could post the vid on here, but I don't really know how. I'll figure it out tomorrow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJHaBsmz-sI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Nia*

I Am Slacking

Totally didn't do a hair update for the blog. I'm going to do it tonight.

Pinky promise!!!!!

Nia*

Felicia's 2 Month Update :)

Hi Everyone...Happy Holidays!!


So I've just taken my hair down from Senegalese twist which I kept in for 3 weeks! I needed a break from my hair and 3 weeks did me just fine. While my hair was in the twist I moisturized every other day with my mix of Shea Butter and Jojoba oil mostly concentrating on my ends so they wouldn't get dry and start to break. I shampooed once at the 2 week mark to cleanse my scalp and that was pretty much it with that!


After taking the twist down I soaked my hair with conditioner (VO5 Moisture Milk) and let that sit over night. In the morning I rinsed and detangeled in the shower, I didn't shampoo because my hair was still very clean from shampooing it the week before. I feels sooo good to have my hair back although I'm not looking forward to dealing with it every morning before work lol. I went ahead and check for growth and to my liking I've gained an inch which is right on target for 2 months YAY!!! My hair is different lengths all over and grows faster/slow in some sections like everyone else so my inch of growth isn't all over. Here are my measurements and some pics


Measurements:


Front: 6in
Nape: 7in
Right Side: 9in
Left Side: 9.25
Crown: 9
Back Right Side: 8 1/2

 My ends are very healthy and that's because of the Shea Butter mix...My hair loves that stuff. From wet hair I moisturized and detangeled, then while holding my ends I blew out the rest of the strands and this was my result...

Oh here is my 1 Year Healthy Hair Anniversary Video...forgot to post it :)

Where did everybody go?

I know it is the Holidays and all but where did everybody go? How about some pics of Holiday Hair? I got nothing for you at the moment, been wearing my hear back with a fake bun on it for the last few days. I did buy a fly as wig for when I go to Sweden, I might have to get some more. I am addicted to wigs! Cute and protective and conveniently detaches so I can give my hair some love. It is a win win situation. I have about 5 right now and I am not done, ha ha.

Anyway, Christmas party is Friday so I might have to rock my new do then. I'll post a pic!

Happy Holidays!

Cecile