Thyme is for More than Cooking!

In Jamaica thyme is widely used for culinary purposes and is a good source of iron. However, thyme is also a medicinal herb that can be used to boost the immune system and it helps in preventing cold and flu, as a remedy for tooth and earache, etc.

Use of thyme in hair oils can be traced back to ancient times when African princesses applied them to their long lustrous hair. Thyme is good for oily hair, to promote hair growth, and to help treat dandruff and mild hair loss. Thyme can be used as thyme oil or as a tonic. Regular massage of thyme oil improves blood circulation in the scalp and gives your hair lustre, shine, and bounce. Thyme is an excellent tonic for the scalp and hair, and in folk medicine it has been used to prevent hair loss as it invigorates and sets off new growth and is often used in hair tonics or specialised hair products.

We offer a thyme hair rinse (tonic) at BEAUTIFUL EARTH, which combines raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar with dried thyme to make an infusion. Clients therefore get the benefits of thyme as well as the benefits of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar including:

* An acidity that is close to that of natural hair,

* It’s excellent conditioning qualities, which leave the hair soft and shiny, and

* An effective cleaning agent and germ killer.

Dispelling Myths

Many black women prefer to wear their hair straightened and will put their hair through very harsh treatments as a result.  There is a lot of misinformation that prevents some people from accepting their hair as it is and many still choose to expose their hair to harsh chemicals because of these myths. The good news is that there has been a steady move toward wearing natural hair, and BEAUTIFUL EARTH NATURAL HAIR HAVEN is dedicated to helping both women and men embrace, love, and flaunt their natural beauty. Let's start by dispelling some of the myths about natural, black hair:

1. There are still those who believe natural hair isn't versatile and prefer to straighten their hair or add harmful extensions to achieve versatility. They couldn't be more wrong! There are tonnes of unique hairstyles for natural hair that are both beautiful and healthy for the scalp and hair. Styles include locs, twists, knots, braids, coils, cornrows and many others. In addition, you can combine these to create your own unique style!

2. Because black hair in its natural state has a tendency to shrink, many believe that it doesn't grow. All hair, including black hair, grow on average 1/2 inch per month and length is predetermined by genetics. With proper care, your hair will grow as long as it is destined to be! A relaxer straightens natural black curls so the length is more evident but it does not help to grow hair - it actually can do the opposite!

3. We tend to abuse natural hair because we think it is strong enough to take it, but that's a myth! Black hair is quite sensitive and should be treated with care if it is to flourish. 

4. Have you slathered your natural hair with grease lately? You don't have to oil your scalp for it to be healthy. As a matter of fact, many hair products that are said to be made for black hair contain petroleum and mineral oil, which attracts dirt and clog the pores of the scalp! A better approach is to use natural products and apply to the hair instead, especially the ends which tend to be dry.

5. If you treat natural hair like straight hair, it will be hard for you to manage. Natural hair is just as manageable as any other type of hair once you learn to treat it. Learn techniques that work with your natural texture as opposed to against it!

Embrace your natural beauty. 

Visit us today for a FREE CONSULTATION!

Transitioning: Going Natural with Beautiful Earth

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OPTIONS FOR TRANSITIONING
If your hair is processed (permed, texturised, or jherri curled) the easiest way to go natural is to clip off the processed hair and allow yout natural hair to grow back, what we call the 'big chop.' Here is some advice from Keep it Kinky.

You can grow out a few inches and so have a 'TWA' (teeny weeny afro) when you cut your relaxed ends off

You can take your hair as low as you want, so you can choose to not grow it out and just go low

However, we understand that this option is not the easiest for everyone and so braiding is offered as an alternative transition. Braids allow one the ability to grow back ones natural hair without cutting of the processed part all at once. Also braids are very versatile and so you can go through a range of looks while your hair grows out. Check out a list of our prices for braiding services.

Invisible canerow braids

Fluffy twists

You can transition without braids as well. During the transition process of growing out your relaxer you will need to find good natural hairstyles to wear that way you can allow you hair time to rest while it is growing out. Some of the best natural hairstyles for transitioning is two strand twists, flat braids, and Nubian knots. Using protective styles require that you change up and have variety, due to added stress your hair will receive if you stick with just one protective style method.

Two-strand twist

Two-strand twist with flat twists at the front

Please understand: THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE APPLIED TO RELAXED HAIR THAT WILL TURN IT NATURAL. Eventually the processed hair will have to be cut off when you feels like there is enough natural hair to be styled in a manner with which you are comfortable.

[Other options are available for those who may want to go from relaxed to locs and we will discuss these next week in the blog so stay tuned!]

HOW LONG SHOULD YOU TRANSITION?

The length of time that you transition depends on the person, some have opted to transition for up to a year or more, while others do the big chop right away, and others keep their ends trimmed slowly reducing relaxed ends as their natural hair grows out.

Its important to note that the point where the natural hair and the relaxed hair meet is really fragile, so in order to minimize breakage you will need to treat all your hair as if it is natural, this means to avoid pressing out your new growth to blend in with your relaxed ends. It is important that if you decide to transition for 6 months or longer that you will need to start moisturising and taking care of all your hair as if it is all natural, use products that will help in the process.

PRODUCTS TO USE WHEN TRANSITIONING

While you are transitioning it is important to remember that you will need to moisturise, deep condition and use hot oil treatments, which are all important if you want to gain healthier longer hair. At BEAUTIFUL EARTH we offer conditioning treatments to help you transition more easily.

You also want to have products at home that allow you to care for your hair well. So the first thing to do is to look at the product labels, read ingredients on hair care products, make a list of moisture retaining ingredients so that you can purchase products that will maintain your curl definition, provide softness and manageability as well as retain moisture for added length.  

At BEAUTIFUL EARTH we sell and use products with key ingredients such as Jamaican Virgin Coconut Oil, Jamaican Virgin Castor Oil, and West African Shea Butter, all excellent ingredients for growing long hair and maintaining a healthy scalp.

Honey Locs Twisting Butter, 100% West African Shea Butter

100% Jamaican Virgin Coconut Oil, Soft Shiny Hot Oil Conditioner, Anti-Itch Neem Treatment, 100% Jamaican Virgin Castor Oil

It is recommended to try and get the right pH balance in your hair by using aloe vera gel, coconut oil, and a cream-based leave-in conditioner on the hair. The key is to keep the ends from drying out and breaking off. We carry the Blackwood Beauty line of products, which offer Aloe Vera and coconut oil as two of their main ingredients.

Blackwood Beauty's Cactus Gum (leave-in conditioner and water-based moisturiser)

Blackwood Beauty's Palmarosa Cloud Shampoo, with aloe and coconut

The end result should be healthy, beautiful all-natural hair!