NATURE AND NURTURE HAIR CLINIC AND BARBING SALON

I got interested in discovering and featuring natural hair salons because of the concerns and needs of our ever growing number of naturalistas in the western part of this continent. So if you follow along, you will get to know where and what to expect from your best natural hair salons. Portharcourt city will be my first. Come on , lets explore!

Nature and Nurture Hair Clinic and Barbing Salon
I first met Nature and Nature at their stand at the Natural Hair Expo in the Garden city of Portharcourt. The first thing that caught my attention was the natural hair of her two cuties. It was WOW! A Hairspiration!! 4C hair on fleek!

Right away, I knew Nature and Nuture had the secrets. Three days later, I paid a visit their salon to find out about their services. I am pleased to share with you what I got.

Nature and Nuture hair clinic and barbing salon is an ideal place to cater your natural hair needs. A comfortable top notch salon situated at a strategic location, easy to locate. It has experienced male and female natural hair stylists who are gentle when working with clients hair. They stock assorted foreign brand natural hair products and their own special natural brand products that have proven to be excellently efficient. Take note they also properly care for all hair types whether relaxed or transitioning.

The manager added that on weekends, you can be have freshly handmade organic treatments with no chemicals or preservatives to treat and pamper your natural hair. Her customers always speak well of their experience and are confident to return for more.

Natural hair products they stock
All Cantu hair products (cantu kids also available)
Ecostyler gel
Sunny Isle Jamaican black castor oil
Go Natural Jamaican Castor oil with tropical twist.
Cococure essential oils
Forever By Now essential oils
Forever living essential oils
Elasta QP- Olive oil and Mango butter
Mango and Lime Jamaican Black Castor oil
Mega growth hair products
Natur Vital Henna Shampoo
Tresemmé hair shampoo and Conditioner
Crème of Nature Hair products

Products on request
Shea moisture hair products
Texture my way hair products

Nature and Nature natural handmade products
Special whipped sheabutter with oils
10 - 1 Hair Growth trigger oil

Crochet hair extensions 
Mali Bob
Senegalese twists
Havana twists
X-pression collection crochet varieties
Freetress braids
Marley braid
Nubian braid
Kanekalon Noir Fro Twist Braid
Havana mambo twist
CRO-ARUBA-ROPE and more..

Styling tools/products
Perm rods
Roller sets
Satin bonnets
Hair accessories etc.

They restock new brands .. So you can check them out

Natural hair styles
Crochet braids of all kinds.
Twists
Braids
Buns
Up-dos
Weaves and more..

Additional Services
Hair barbing
Pedicure
Makeup
Reflexology-foot massage

Special services by the salon owner
Assistance in creating a proper hair care regime.
Advice on food supplements for healthy body for healthy hair.
Coaching on body weight management.

I love her calm beautiful spirit. A plus

Location: 106B, NTA Road beside Sizzlers Fast food, Location Junction, Mbguoba . Portharcourt.

Give a call/ chat: 08025013646

Follow her online
Facebook :Nature &Nurture Hair Clinic and Barbing Salon
Instagram:  natureandnurturehair


I will be doing features on Port Harcourt (Nigeria) based natural hair salons and beauty stores that stock natural hair products. If you have any of them to recommend, please let me know.

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Mangoes Recipes For Great Skin - Beauty DIY

The mango season has been here for long now and I know you've been doing justice to the mangoes. Have you tried mango cocktails, like spiced mango shandy or delicious snacks like Tiger nut crumble with mango cream and candied Zobo flowers. If not, quickly check out kitchenbutterfly.com  . She is an amazing traveller by plate, who uses food ways to explore the Nigerian cuisine and the world because she believes ''food is more than eating''. Discover amazing delicacies and enjoy at home with your loved ones!

As much as you savor this sweet naturally packaged fast food, you can remain a slice of your mango or just scoop out a bit from your smoothie recipe to give your skin a treat.

 There are many mango recipes for the skin, but I chose to share two easy ones with you. A mango scrub and a face mask recipe.

Mango Scrub
First , wash the ripe mango well, cut out a slice and remove the flesh.
Blend the pulp of the mango to a smooth paste.
Then take 1 tbsp of it and mixed it with 2 teaspoons of semi-grounded quaker oats (any oats will do).
Next, cleanse your face, apply the mixture on your face gently on circular motion.
Leave it on for about 15mins and rinsed of well with cool water. You can chose to scrub it all over body, but make sure to wash it all off.

You will love the smooth fresh glow on your skin.

Mango Avocado Face Mask
This mask will be more suitable for people with dry skin. Presently my face is still NNPC (Nigerian National Petroleum Commission). I am highly experimental with anything natural and organic, so i wouldnt mind trying it out sometime.

What to use
1tsp ripe mango pulp + 1tsp coconut oil or olive oil + 1tsp avocado puree

How to
Blend all the ingredients together an apply on a clean face
Leave it on for 10-15 minutes and rinse of  with lukewarm water. Then pat dry.

Note : Make sure to use ripe mangoes with intact skin and without bruises. Raw, unripe mangoes contain anacardic acid that can provoke allergy, mango latex allergy, in sensitive individuals resulting in itching, swelling and more.

What mango pulp does to the skin.
Mango pulp contains about different vitamins and minerals like vitamin A, B, C, E,  which can treat acne scars, dark spots and pigmentation, delay skin aging, restore and revive the skin and keep skin glowing. It is also excellent in skin hydrating and moisturising.


What's the benefits of the other ingredients in the scrub and mask?

Grounded Oats -It acts an exfoliator in the mixture to slough off and remove dead skin cells.

Coconut Oil - Has active antibacterial, antifungal properties. It has antioxidants that slows aging. It moisturises, hydrates and exfoliates.

Avocado - It heals and revitalizes tired skin. It prevents aging and encourages healthy skin growth and repair.

Simply put, let your skin eat inside and out!

Enjoy!!!!!!

Remember, Eat Healthy! Stay Healthy!

Let me know if you tried this or any mango recipes and how you did it. Share in the comment box below.


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Acronyms/Abbreviations & Terminologies Common In The Natural Hair Community

Natural hair blogs, vlogs and chat forums have their peculiar acronyms/abbreviations and terminologies, the same way any field of study does. Most of us, in one time or the other misunderstood them. I could remember as a newbie, I mistook Jbco for jojoba oil. Only God knew where I kept the C in the Jbco, lol. So whether a newbie or a senior naturalista, a reminder can be helpful.

So, i made a compilation of acronyms/abbreviations and terminologies in alphabetical order. You can save it for reference purposes.


2a, 2b, 2c, 3a, 3b, 3c, 4a, 4b, 4c - hair curl types
3a - loose curls
3b - Tight curls
4a - loose kinks
4b - Tight kinks


A
ACG - Aloe Vera Gel
ACV - Apple Cider Vinegar
AD - Afro Detangler
APL - Armpit Length
ASL - Ammonium lauryl sulfate
AVJ - Aloe vera juice

B
BAA - Big Ass Afro
B.A.L.D. - Baldness After Lye Devastation
BB - Blended Beauty
BC - Big Chop
B.I.B.S. - Beware It Burns Scalp
BNC - Braid-n-Curl
BS - Bra Strap

C
CBC - Collar bone length
CGM - Curly girl method
CHS - Curly Hair Solutions
CJ - Curly junkie
CL - Chin length
CO - Coconut Oil
Co - Conditioner only
CON - Creme of nature
Cones - Silicones
CW - Co-wash
CWC - Conditioner wash conditioner


D
DC - Deep conditioning
DH - Darling Husband
DIY - Do it yourself
DT - Deep treatment

E
EL - Ear length
E.N.H.C. - Encourage Natural Hair Care
EO - Essential Oil
ETA - Edited to Add
EVCO - Extra virgin coconut oil
EVOO - Extra virgin olive oil

F
F - Fine texture
FSG - Flaxseed gel
FYI - For your information
F2F - face to face

H
HE - Herbal essences
HG - Holy grail
HH - Human hair
HHG - Happy hair growing
HHJ - Happy hair journey
HLH - Hip length hair
HO - Humble opinion
HOTD - Hair of the day
HTH - Hope that helps


I
IA - I agree
IIRC - If I recall correctly
IMO - In my opinion
ISO - In search of
ITA - I totally agree
IRL - In real life

J
JBCO - Jamaican black castor oil
JIC - Just in case
JK - Just kidding

K
KCCC - Kinky curly curly custard
KCKT  - Kinky curly Knot today Leave-in
KISS - Keep it simple sister

L
LF - lace front weave
LOCC - Liberating ourselves from caustic chemicals.
LUSH - Loving unprocessed spectacular hair.
L4L - Longing 4 length


M
M - medium texture
MBL - Mid back length
M&H - Milk & Honey
M&S - moisture and seal


N
N.A.P.PS - National Association of Perm Protestors.
Nappyversary - Anniversary of natural hair
NG - New growth
NL - Neck length
N/M - Never mind
No poo - No shampoo


O
ORS - Organic Root Stimulator

P
PHHB - Panty hose headband
PJ - Product junkie
PM - Private message
Poo - Shampoo
Prepoo - Any hair treatment before shampoo
PS - Protective style
PVP - A polymer found in most gels


R
RS - Rod set, Roller set


S
SAA - Silky Amino acid
SAO - Sweet almond oil
SD - Search and destroy
SL - Shoulder length
Slip - Comb slide through hair
SLS - Sodium lauryl sulfate
S.O.S - Save Our Scalps
SSK - Single strands knots


T
TBL - Tail bone length
TIA - Thanks in advance
TL - Terminal length
TWA - Teeny weeny afro
TMW - Terressential mud wash
TNS - Twist and curl
TR - Thermal reconditioning
TTO - Tea trea oil
T.R.U.T.H. - Terminate Relaxing and Unleash your True Hair


W
WDT - Weekly deep treatment
WF - Whole foods
W&G - Wash and go
WIN - Wear it natural
WO - Water only
WSP - Water set pudding


Y
YT - YouTube


Terminologies and their meaning

Baggy - A method of sealing in moisture in the hair by usding plastic caps or shower caps.

Braid out - A protective style that deals with braiding the hair a night before and take out the braids in the morning.

Breakage - Strands of hair that breaks midway or completely.

Carrier oil - base oil used to dilute essential oil.

Clarify - To remove buildup in hair using a clarifying product. Eg. Clarifying shampoo.

Clumping - Strands of hair adhering together to form bigger chunkier curls.

Cuticle - The thinnest outer layer protecting the inner cortex of a hair strand.

GHE- Greenhouse effect- A method of using the baggy method except with water and leave-in-conditioner, a plastic cap and two scarves, so that the body can generate heat to keep the hair moisturized.

Humectant - Attract and retain moisture from air.

Line of demarcation - Where the natural hair and relaxed hair meets as hair grows.

LOL/LCO - A simple hair regimen. A method of L - Leave-in-condition or water , O - Oils, C - Butter or creamy/lotion moisturizer to seal in moisture.

Moisturizer - Applying a moisture based product to hair without washing it out.

Pineapple - Gather hair on top of hair using a scrunch , that is to preserve curls to a 2nd day style.

Plop - A method of wrapping wet hair in T-shirt.

Shedding - Falling out of strands of hair with white bulbs on the root. On average, hair shreds 150 strands per day.

Scrunch - Gently squeezing/pushing hair from end to root.

Shrinkage - Shortening of hair length.

Texlaxed - Purposefully not allowing relaxer to completely straighten hair. Intentionally under processing hair.


If there are omissions and corrections, you can help out in the comment box below.

Thanks lovelies!


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*The worries and fears of going on a natural hair journey
*Raw African Black Soap
*Make your own aloe vera gel/juice
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ONIONS FOR HEALTHY AND FAST HAIR GROWTH

I know a good number of people who hate to have a bite of raw onions of raw onions even in their Suya because of the pungent smell and the odor it leaves in the mouth. I believe after reading this, someone's going to walk around with onion juice on his/her hair. Lools! Hope I didn't hear tufiakwa! (God forbid!) Hehehe, He made the onions.

Onions is an awesome natural hair growth ingredient. It is rich in sulfur. The sulfur is present in the form of methylsulfonylmethane, a major building block for hair. This is the major component that nourishes the hair follicles and makes the hair stronger and shinier. This sulfur is responsible for the pungent smell/odor.

What Onion does to hair.

*It provides hair follicles with sufficient nourishment.
*It is antibacterial, thus preventing hair lice, dandruff and scalp infections.
*It contains an enzyme catalase, an antioxidant, that reduces hydrogen peroxide buildup, the culprit responsible for hair loss. Hence, preventing premature graying of hair.
*A massage of the onion juice on hair improves blood circulation on scalp.

How to use it

Strain out or squeeze the onion juice from a blended/grated onion bulb.
Massage the juice on your scalp and hair.
Leave on for about 20 mins or longer depending on how long you can endure the smell.
Wash it out with mild shampoo, conditioner or just water .
Then moisturize and seal up with oilbased moisturizer.

To get observable results, use a minimum of 2 times a week and several months.

Other ways
You can mix 3 parts of onion juice with 1part of honey, coconut oil or olive oil. It conditions the hair as we help curb the smell.

Interestingly, it is so cheap and available in varieties. Even increase in exchange rate or inflation does not affect its affordability. So, why not switch to natural and save some of your money from buying luxury hair growth products.  By the way, I hope what's happening to our tomatoes now -'Tomato Ebola', does not happen to our Onions. We are consoled, that such occurrences are temporary. They come and go.

There are countable number of success stories of onion juice as natural remedy for baldness and receding hair lines and hair loss. I wiil need to post a real life story of one of them sometime later.

Can you give it a try? Have you personally had success using onion juice to grow healthy hair?


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RAW AFRICAN BLACK SOAP REVIEW

Raw African black soap is that kind of locally made product that has been given a lot of yays around the globe but I am not the type that proudly supports the crowd about any natural product without first giving it a try.

Praises
It has been praised to be effective in skin exfoliation, deep cleansing,  even skin toning, fading discololorations, healing skin problems like eczema and psoriasis and skin fungal infections.



To begin my trial session, I chose to make my raw african black soap (Ghana soap)  into a body wash instead of using it directly in a solid form  and started using it 3-4 days in the first two weeks.

 During the period, I observed the effects on my skin and  then ended up using it every day. Moisturising with oils or oil based lotion is a must within 5minutes after wash to prevent skin dryness.

Positives
 I noticed a gradual even skin toning. Hehehe, I didn't say skin bleaching. It evened the skin areas that usually suffers from sun exposure, reducing the  hyperpigmentation. So, its a skin repair product. I find it to be very ideal for us living in the tropics where the sun is not always kind.

I also attest to its deep cleansing action. Does not really need extra help by exfoliating scrubs. Only the hands and the soap with cool water will do, for a clean feel.

It was also fast in clearing some cluster of skin 'wahala' that popped up somewhere around my mid-chest.

Negatives
But it was not all positive. My face rejected it. In the first few days of use, it was so drying that I couldnt stand the burning pain in some parts of my face like under my nose and the tightening effect as if my face was been stretched. So I  tried using it twice a week. My face felt no better. I tend to attribute this effect , not just to the harsh stripping off of the oils on the face but the pH effect. Raw african black soap alkalinity level was not suitable for my face. It struggled to balance the pH to normal which manifested in discomfort, breakout and acne.

Also bathing with the soap and warm water can leave the skin extremely dry. So cool water is better.

It also stinks and burns on bruise or any opening on skin. Its temporary, though.


Finally, I would say, incorporating the raw african black soap in my skin care regimen was worth it. Yeah, am stuck now. My homemade black soap body wash will always be standing right there in my bathroom.

You can also give it a try. Find out how it works best for you. You can gradually increase or decrease  the frequency at which you use it depending on your skin's response. Find a balance and always make sure to moisturize with oil after use.

Who knows, It could become your BEST!

Note
The original Raw African black soap has an natural earthy scent. No fragrance or perfume. It not hard and jet black. Its loose and crumbly and it looks like 'faeces'. Oh! Am sorry I just said that, but that's how it looks to me. Beware of fakes.

To buy original raw African black soap, click here



What are your views about African black soap? We will love to know. Share with us in the comment box below.


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