What's the difference between all-natural and certified organic products?

By J.Naomi Johnson

Hey natural beauties! Do you know the difference between Organic, Natural and Pure? If so good! If not the stores are counting on it. Just because a product is natural does not mean it is good for your hair. You have to be informed. Watch my video (click on the picture above) and then look at your products.

How natural are they really? Do you prefer organic products or are you okay with what you have? Let me know in the comments below.





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Apple Cider Vinegar Is a Naturals Best Friend

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By J.Naomi Johnson

I love apple cider vinegar! Yes the smell can be quite over powering but it goes away quickly and the results of use outweigh the smell. Weather using it for wash day or drinking it for health benefits it has become my go to. I have even replaced it for shampoo in my natural hair regimen. Washing with apple cider vinegar can help regulate your hair’s PH balance. While the harshness of shampoos and conditioners can dry your hair out an acv rinse will leave your hair silky, shiny and clean inexpensively.






Because of its gentle nature it also aids in growth retention. Many naturals experience breakage the most during wash day. However, rinsing with ACV helps to eliminate that. When using the ACV it will lift your hair cuticle and remove build-up from your scalp allowing moisture into the hair shaft. The results are beautiful healthier hair. Try it once a month or in between your normal wash days and you’ll see.
How I rinse my hair with ACV (Based off of a bi-weekly wash routine):






1.I part my hair in four sections.
2.Using 1 part Braggs ACV (with the mother) and 2parts water I put the moisture in a squirt bottle and proceed to the shower. ( I preform this wash in the shower to avoid a mess)
3.With each section I squirt the roots of my hair gently massaging my scalp and then rinse. Then I take my favorite conditioner and distribute it from root to tip.
4.I cover my hair with a plastic cap and wait 15mins.
5.Then rinse and proceed with my leave-in conditioner and style as usual.






Very easy and convent! How do you use ACV? Let me know in the comments below.

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Neem Oil instead of Coconut Oil: Dealing with Protein Sensitivity

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By J.Naomi Johnson

It is not fair. I just do not think it is right. Coconut oil is so cool and the fact that it only works for a small amount of natural beauties and not others is a crime! If you are dealing with protein sensitivity than you have probably had your moments of love and hate with coconut oil but do not fret. There is a oil for you.

Yey, neem oil!

It is time to fall in love with neem oil. Although neem oil may not be as trendy or as versatile as coconut oil (meaning you cannot eat it), it does one hell of a job at all the things coconut oil does plus more!

Watch the video (click on the picture on the left) and read my list of pros and cons on neem oil!

Neem Oil: Pros and Cons

Pros:

1. Neem is antiviral, anti fungal and has in it antibacterial properties.

2. Treats psoriasis, dandruff and cradle cap.

3. Reduces hair shedding from the root.

4. Promotes strong, healthy new hair growth.

5. Reduces thinning hair by improving hair thickness

6. Helps with premature graying

7. deliciously soft, shiny and silky feeling






Cons:

1. Neem oil is strong. I am talking very strong. When using it has an essential oil 2 drops will do. The smell of this oil is probably the reason why most people do not use it. However, if used with a shampoo, lotion or other oils like castor oil the smell can be masked. Some people practice infusion with Neem leaves instead of the oil to avoid the smell all together.

2. Not recommended for pregnant women or women who are trying to get pregnant.

3. Only should be used for external uses. Should never be ingested!

4. Neem oil does become solid at room temp.

Have you tried neem on your tresses? Well, I want to hear about it. Comment below!

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DIY Haute High Bun Tutorial!

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Looking for a uber cute hairstyle! I have just the one. Take a look at my DIY Haute High Bun Tutorial! Don't forget to comment and subscribe!

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AYD2015 Series: #10 Believe in your talents and be the best sign spinner ever!

By J.Naomi Johnson

Note: This is the first post of a series entitled Achieving Your Dream in 2015. To get the most out of this series read the initial post by clicking here and follow along. This series goes from 10-1 and is posted once a month.

Are you talented? No really, I mean do you have an ability that is sought after by others? I am not asking you if you are passionate. Many people are passionate and yes passion is what can fuel your talent to becoming a lucrative option, however, I am asking you if you’re talented. You can be passionate and not talented. There are many passionate people in this world that lack the talent to be perceived more than anything than just hot heads and crazies. This is not a guessing game. This is not a situation where you pick something cool and do it very passionately. I want you to dig deep to that young person you were and remember what it is that you are talented at.

This post it geared toward helping you believe in what you have. Your beautiful God given talent.

First, let us review dreams.

The difference between someone who obtains their dream and someone who is dreaming is simple: They believe in their talent. You should too. Know that you are enough and capable of successfully doing whatever it is that makes you talented. Dig deep. Don’t worry. I have a story.






So, you’re driving to work and that is when you see him. Some kid dressed up in a statue of liberty suit holding a sign pointed to the place that you could get your taxes completed at. Thanks, but no thanks. This kid looks like life has punched him in the throat and he would rather be texting his “boo-thang” than making an honest dollar. The light is red and you’re shaking your head.

We can all relate to this. The job the kid has is not his dream. He could care less. Not only is he not passionate about his work but clearly this is not where his talent lies. Like him, the job you have is a buffer and deep down you feel like you’re wasting away. Still you go to that job every day. The excuses pile up. Family, finances even your age has become a limitation to keep you from believing that your talents will find a way. You have rerouted your life because you stopped believing in the talented you that you are. Now you’re living someone else’s life exploiting your talents to someone else’s dream. Green light, time to go!

So you continue driving and suddenly…WOWZA!

Another sign spinner dressed in regular street clothes is “going to town” with his sign on the corner of a busy interstate. This sign spinner is flipping his sign up, down and all around. He is dancing and waving to cars. While jamming out to his IPod he is creatively providing all who watch directions to the nearest car wash. You can’t take your eyes off of him. The boy is amazing. You had no idea holding a sign could be such a talent. Suddenly, you remember it has been a while since you washed your car and you decided to stop by the car wash after work.

End story.

Let’s go back to what we are here to discuss. Believe in your talents no matter what. In the example I used both kids applied to the job assuming that they were talented enough to get the job. However, one kid limited his ability by cutting off his talent flow. The kid in the liberty suit thinks the job is lame and that his talent to spin a sign is not a return on his investment. Whereas, the other kid, BELIEVES he is talented and that there is a return on investment.

You must invest in the vision and plan God has for your life. And unfortunately, you may have to do it blindly.

Not only did the car wash spinner use his street corner to promote his talent through a passionate display of dance moves but his passion for his talent will led him to other things. Perhaps even a promotion. The difference between the two is that one believes that his talent holds limitless possibilities and the other does not. It is because he removed his mental barriers of fear and doubt that he, no matter what his situation is, will have a bright future in spinning signs.

So are you the lame in the liberty suit or are you the underdog kid with moves like Jagger?

Would you agree that all the talents in this universe have not become discovered yet? If you agree than why would you not believe that you are talented enough to attain your dream? Perhaps you make something so important that you change lives or perhaps you provided simple information. No talent is too small or irrelevant. Everybody is necessary in this universe.

Stop severing your potential. When we are young there is something that we know we can do. Something that we love to do and something we can teach others. As children we are asked what we want to be and we say it. It is literally that easy. Up until we begin to limit ourselves with doubt and fear, everything we do is towards that goal. Be the inhibited child you once were.






Believing in your talents is believing in what your cable of. A large part of this includes knowing who you are and what you are good at. Ever feel like you’re at a good paying job just wasting away? Well it’s because you are. You’re contributing to someone else’s dream and not your own.

They are all going to laugh at you.

Just deal with it. You may have some unattractive moments. It’s possible that prior to the sign spinner being able to displaying exemplary talent, he was probably dropping the sign everywhere and almost getting ran over by cars. His days were probably filled with car honks and cold weather. He did not stop. His belief was too great. His internal belief outweighed the external opinions of others. I am sure some days sucked and he was so pissed he could have cried especially when he dropped that sign on his head. Those edges are sharp! Still, he had enough gumption to persevere. That makes all the difference. Now, he is a sight to behold and people are lining up at the car wash. POW. Mission accomplished. Most importantly it did not happen overnight. I guess what I telling you is that 80% of this quest is believing in you. Become convicted by you. Know who and what you are about. You can do it. I believe in you.

Life is so short. It’s over quick. So I will ask you one last time… What are you talented at? Let me know in the comments below!

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4C Natural Hair | DIY Faux Locs Tutorial

By J.Naomi Johnson

I felt like it was time for something different. If you feel that way too than perhaps Faux locs are for you! What I love the most about this braiding technique is that it helps my hair grow, is removable and looks extra cute. I must warn you however this is a high maintenance hair style. You will have to wrap your lovely braids up every night. To moisturize i would spray my favorite moisturizer in a bottle and spray the roots. Then I would apply Jamaican black castor oil to my scalp and go to bed. Weekly I would dip the braids in warm water, aloe and jojoba oil. This works great and whats best is my natural hair is still protected!

If you tried this style tell me about it. If it worked for you and if you will do it again! Let me know in the comments below!

Black People Super Powers: Power On Your Future!

By J.Naomi Johnson
Note: This post is for people who have a dark or dinged past. This is for people like me and the majority of us.

Happy New Year!

Before we put those steps in motion to achieve our dreams (read: 10 Steps to Achieving Your Dreams in 2015), it is time for some housekeeping.

I am writing this in response to hearing a rumor about myself in which someone wanted to bring up my past and justify who they are as a person. Basically, I was involuntarily pulled into a social comparison. Had I not been fully prepared to handle it I might have lost some of my power. Instead, I did not lose my power. Later, I felt that this ability for me to maintain my power should be discussed with you as you go on your journey of dream catching.

I think in order to truly move forward with your planning of future success you have to defeat the past. This post is not about ridiculing those that attempt to hold you to the past and because of it preset your future to a negative outcome. Sorry, no time to waste here on those bandits. We are trying to realize dreams!

Instead this post is about you. That is right, YOU.






You are the one thing that you can control and change. That is our own superhero power: Change. That is all God gave us. God gave us the power to change things. Although not as cool as walking through walls and teleportation, it is a valuable resource none the less. This tool is always handy when planning the future. Obama said be the change you wish to see. That is the amazing truth in our lives. We can change the world. That is our power. But like all superheroes you must protect your power at all cost. You do this through the use of energy. You put energy toward something positive you gain more power. On the other hand, you put your energy toward something negative…well, you get it.

The largest source of energy you use is in the present. This energy is used to form power so that you can change and build your future. Changing and building the future is not possible if your power is gone because you expended all your energy stuck in your past. You Dig?

It is pointless to be at war with yourself about things that happened to you. Furthermore, it is wrong to punish yourself through guilt about things that you cannot change. Black People, stop being at war with you. Conquer the present by acknowledging what happened or the decisions you made and keep it pushing. I know what you’re thinking. It was really, really bad and I will never get over it. My answer is and always will be this: regardless if you have moved past it or not the world is still headed to the future so it would be in your best interest to move forward to avoid getting left behind.

That is what this post is about. It is about helping you realize you are wasting energy being a slave to your past. Take the energy you have and use it to build a better and brighter future.

Let us review the last line of my favorite motivating poem Invictus:

“I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.” -Anonymous

If you get a chance to read the poem in its entirety, Do it! As good practice on my roughest day I recite this poem three times then I tell myself to move on from whatever emotion has me at a standstill. It’s my thing and you should have one too. A thing you do to keep yourself centered when faced with adversity. It does not have to be this poem or a poem at all. Just have something that keeps you unmoved when those haters come out of the swamps. You dig?

I digress, in this last line of my favorite mantra the writer acknowledges that he determines his fate and he, like the captain of a boat, navigates his being or soul. He takes the responsibility for what he is feeling and/or experiencing. Please note that this has nothing to do with religion. He is not saying he is God. The writer is taking ownership of his life. He commands his power. You should do the same.

This is about power and energy. Power can be taken away while energy is transferred. When someone renders you powerless or attempts to take your power you should want to cease that act at all cost. Some people do this through the use of energy. This may negatively transfer their energy to the other person. So, in essence, you are energizing your opposition.

You need your energy, remember?

All these plans you have for 2015 are going to need your full devotion. You cannot hand out your energy to pointless things. You need it to produce power for your future.

I have been there before. Caught up in yelling matches because I was disrespected and violated and I did not want to be perceived as a “punk”. This is incorrect. Later, even after the support from my best friend, I felt like I overreacted and lost valuable energy. Now don’t misunderstand me, I believe people who are out of line deserve to be checked but not everybody deserves your energy.






Energy is usually transferred when you have not dealt with your past. You mentally have to prepare for the moment when someone addresses the elephant in the room. When I say, “move on” I do not mean to suppress or ignore the issue. I mean accept it. Accept that it happened to you or is happening to you. This is what life is about. The sooner you can do it the better. You are living this journey and this thing has happen to you and it is your journey alone. Stop trying to justify it by saying that you deserved it or that it was God preparing you for something greater. I say this because God had good things planned for you anyways. The “thing” that you are dealing with just happened. It just happened for whatever reason. On the bright side, those same blessings that God had for you before are still there. They are still there in the universe’s layaway. Waiting for you to use your superpowers and realign your future.

God is good. Indeed. But he is not a magician. He does not wave a wand and poof that elephant in your living room is gone. No. You have to move on. You do this through complete acceptance. You accept who you are. You accept what happen. You even deal with the concept that it could possibly happen again to you or someone you know. Acceptance is how you keep your power. Acceptance is how you change your future. Acceptance is what helps channel your energy.

The Bottom Line

Everyone has a past but you have to make the move to not exist in it. If you do continue to stay there people are going to wreck you. They will be relentless. They will not care about your plight and will use you as a footstool. You will not past go. Get it?

Accept your past. Live in the present utilizing positive energy in planning for the future. That is power. That is how you will become a super hero for yourself and those around you. With that said, I believe we are now ready. We can begin to get to the business of leaving the past in the past and achieving future dreams.

So let this new year begin with a toast: Good luck and cheers to you and a super future!