30 April 2012

Seriously Ladies...

Black hair is a multi-million dollar industry thanks to some Black women.  Unfortunately, thanks to some Black women, the return to the Black community is less than 1% of the industry and we have no one to blame, but some Black women.  Black women support Korean families.  They use funds from Black families to send their kids to college; to assist their relatives in coming to America; and to take over Black-owned businesses.  It’s some Black women’s fault.  Some Black women are so accepting of the Eurocentric dynamic that some of them give extreme amounts of Black wealth away to Asians to show off their low Afro-esteem.  They swagger with the fakery, thinking they are making themselves more acceptable to those who don’t give a rat’s behind about them.  Some Black women are more comedic relief than anything.  How many times have you received those ‘Black Prom’ emails or the ‘Walmart Shopper’ pictures?  We laugh, shake our heads and keep it movin’.   There is no hatin’ on the Koreans.  They have taken advantage of the opportunity because we have allowed them and have shown support for their business acumen.

We feed the beast because we have not put a stop to it.  We complain so much about the loss of wealth, yet we are the ones watching some Black women throwing money straight to the pockets of Hell.  Tell them to stop it! The Koreans dominate the market and work tirelessly to push Black business out or keep Black businesses from entering the market; fair business practices be damned.   The blame lies on the shoulders of those Black women!  You will not be scolded to stop supporting Korean hair businesses; just know that your decision has dire consequences for your sisters and brothers.  One of those consequences is the jobless rate.  If you notice, Black folk don’t work in Korean owned shops.

It is ironic that some Black women buy weaves and wigs that are made from every other ethic type of hair but African.  They even purchase animal hair, you know, the tail that gets shat upon on a regular basis.  Those weaves and wigs that some think are cute are in fact, extremely dangerous.  The wigs and weaves permanently affect the hair follicles and the glues and other chemicals damage skin and internal organs.   We have seen those Black women with their hairlines back to their ears; the missing kitchen; the bald spots; the tortured ends; and thinned out manes.  The fact that these conditions were created by conscious decisions is disturbing. 

But seriously, instead of putting those Black women down, let us uplift them and encourage them to show off their natural beauty.  Tired and lame excuses are no longer acceptable.  Lead by example.  Every single day, I feel joy when I encounter a natural beauty.  Natural is a daily event because more career women are going natural every day.   I always make a point to compliment them on their hair and I sincerely mean the tribute.  I love hearing about the stories of going natural and the search for the right product to resolve the hair concern of the day.  I am simply satisfied with olive oil, shea butter, and coconut oil or various combinations of two or three.  Yes, I realize that Black owned businesses are not the suppliers of the oils; however, I certainly see Black folks working in the markets or grocery stores where the items are purchased.  I always purchase shea butter from a one who looks like me… a natural wonder. 

Black Organic will always support natural hair and the next generation in the Black Organic family will never know the pain and poverty associated with the hair industrial complex.  Choose pay nature forward. Go natural for our mental, physical and financial health.  Go natural because it is the right thing to do.

Thanks: publicdomainpictures.net

24 April 2012

Good Looks – Green Beauty Trends


There is an array of basic ingredients that you can create innovative beauty products.  These ingredients are inexpensive and they work.   No need to run to the store to purchase the latest costly skincare products that promise miracles.  Natural products work just as well and you can take comfort in knowing the ingredients.  Here are a few ideas:

THIS
4
THAT


Paste of baking soda, salt and water
Lip scrub
Baking soda, water and peroxide
Tooth scrub and whitener
Coffee scrub made at home
Facial or body scrub
Apple cider vinegar
Clarifying hair rinse
Olive oil or coconut oil
Facial moisturizer
Shea butter mixed with coconut oil
Hand cream
Shea butter mixed with coconut oil or plain olive oil
Hair lotion
Coconut oil
Dandruff control
Shea butter mixed with coconut oil
Lip balm
Olive oil
Hair frizz control
Apple cider vinegar
Acne control
Baking soda, salt and water
Mouthwash
Cornstarch, baking soda, coconut oil
Deodorant

The recipes can be found here.  As you can see, quite a few natural products have double duty utility.  Make either small quantities or just enough for one use.  You’ll save money and our environment. 

15 April 2012

Spotlight – Darien Essentials

Black Organic introduces Darien Essentials of Chesterfield, Virginia. Ms. Ellice Darien is a beautiful woman who considers our environment in making glamorous products using high quality natural ingredients.  Her use of food grade ingredients demonstrates care for our health and our environment.  Black Organic has used these products and attests to the pleasure of applying the warm colors with pleasing textures.  The greatest benefit was the absence of an allergic reaction.  Ms. Darien creates scented and unscented products suitable for users ranging from average Junes to Fabulous Fredas.  Although Black Organic is a strong advocate of making products at home, some things are best left to the professionals … who make their stuff at home.  In support of small businesses that consider the environment in all aspects of creating and marketing products as well as recycling and reducing waste, Black Organic is pleased to share Darien Essentials.

Provide a brief description of Darien Essentials.

Our business creates handcrafted spa and beauty products.

Please tell us the story about the beginnings of your company and why you decided to focus on natural products.

I can start with my father loving this book Back to Eden; me creating my potions as a teen for my friends’ acne, which by the way, some did work; me having a son, taking him to the library and seeing a book on soap-making; everyone loving my products; and watching a cosmetic company on television advertise four different complexions and thinking they are missing a whole lot of colors, let me learn this and customize foundation for my friends.

As a nurse, I would go into stores and think we don't need all that junk in our products, so I would create a friendlier version.  I know that the skin is our largest organ and can absorb medications, so why would I need to absorb junk that we just didn't need. 

Why should we purchase your products?

We strive to be as natural as we can and continue to keep finding ways to add products that are manufactured with the earth and the person in mind.

Please explain your statement, “being natural and being glamorous are not mutually exclusive”.

Our fans love that we customize their body butters and their makeup.  We are all different and some have allergy conditions that might mean that traditional products can’t be used; however, they want to feel and look good, so we help them.

When people think hand crafted they think hemp bag, craft paper, hippie which is cool, too; however, I see the glamour.  I think vibrant colors:  lavender and roses, and I want them to understand you can look and feel great without going into toxic shock.

What are you doing around your home to reduce your family’s impact on the environment?

The first thing we did was get rid of any hair spray. I started creating our household cleaning products and even when we painted we used a low VOC.  We go to our local growers for food and it is a growing journey for this family, especially with pre-teen and teens that think pizza is a vegetable.

Can you tell us some good news about Darien Essentials?

We are opening a shop and I will create from there, ship and retail.

Black Organic is grateful for your efforts to enhance beauty with consideration of our environment.  Thank you.
Picture credit:  Darien Essentials

07 April 2012

Baking Soda


Sodium hydrogen carbonate is the proper chemical name for sodium bicarbonate which we know as baking soda.  It is a non-toxic chemical white powder compound.   Baking soda is a versatile product that is inexpensive and effective for uses for the home and body.   This one product will cover personal care, cooking, cleaning and laundry.  In our home, we use it to clean all over the house and we use it for body products and first aid.  Here are 20 of my favorite ways to incorporate baking soda into health, beauty and cleaning routines.  Baking soda can be used dry or as a paste by mixing with water.  It can also be used with other ingredients to create laundry detergent and deodorant.  This versatile substance can be purchased by the 13 pound bag for a little over $5.00.  The baking soda will keep for a long time if kept dry.  I usually pour some into a large glass canning jar and leave it next to the kitchen sink.   The bag gets stored away.  With multiple uses, we manage to go through about two or three bags a year.  Let’s reject commercial chemical and petroleum based products.  We should be responsible for our own impact on Earth and help our communities send a message to industrial polluters:  “We are not going to buy your garbage anymore!”
Powder Power List:

1.       Gentle facial scrub
2.       Clean stains from coffee mugs
3.       Clean food and oils from stovetop
4.       Soothe insect bites
5.       Sprinkle on floor around toilet (absorbs wayward sprays from little boys)
6.       Deodorize shoes
7.       Deodorize trashcans
8.       Clean tub and bathroom sink
9.       Add to warm water and soak feet
10.   Soak combs and brushes
11.   Mouthwash
12.   Deodorize sink drains
13.   Clean burned cooking pots
14.   Deodorize carpets
15.   Clean and deodorize the refrigerator
16.   Extinguish fire
17.   Sprinkle on dirty clothes awaiting laundry day
18.   Deodorize vacuum cleaner bag or canister
19.   Ant deterrent
20.   Clean stains in cooking pots and glassware