NEW PRODUCT AT CIOCCOLATINA : COCOA + MARULA HAIR DELIGHT

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Akua
Sheabutter Cottage

GREEN HAIR MONSTER

I have a very simple "KISS beauty" regime which is basically, keep it simple and short.
With the rascals out of the way this morning, I decided to treat my crowning glory to adwengo. Adwengo is unrefined palm kernel oil in my native language. I love the nutty caramel oil which is fantastic in hair products.
Here is the recipe I made up:
45g melted unrefined palm kernel oil (PKO)
25g Jamaican Black castor oil (JBCO)
12g fresh root ginger
5g fresh garlic
2g nettles
1 medium egg yolk - I was in a hurry to separate this that I forgot to weigh it :(

1. Blend the garlic and ginger together
2. Add the nettle - blend
3. Add the JBCO - blend
4. Add the PKO - blend
5. Add the egg yolk - blend till smooth



The texture was just how I wanted it - not too thick, not too runny.
I used my fingers to scoop this concoction and massaged it onto my dry afro hair (not pre-washed) making sure that each strand as well as my scalp was covered.

I used a shower cap to help retain heat on the scalp whilst I went about my housework. The concoction was left on the hair for 1 hour. However, for the last 15 minutes, I decided to have a facial steam (as I have been nursing a nasty cold). I rinsed the concoction out before cleansing the hair with rhassoul shampoo bar. I did not need to apply any conditioner or any butter afterwards.

As with most afro nappturals, I have very thick hair but "suffer" the shrunken afro after wash. My hair measures 5½" when stretched and this was ideal amount for me.

Try it and let me know how you get on with it. This recipe is ideal for all types of hair. The ginger tingles the scalp without any burning sensation but everyone's scalp is different.

You can add essential oils to the mix but I don't mind the scent of this mixture.

HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY

BACK AT WORK

What a week it has been. I had to resume work earlier than the 9th of January as the orders were piling up only to end up working in the cold with no electricity at the "cottage". Yep, there was a problem with the electrics on the farm. Imagine working with thick jumpers and coats for 5 days trying to decant oils that had solidified along side cold buckets of butter.

At least, something good happened this week as Sheabutter Cottage took delivery of more micronized rhassoul. Sheabutter Cottage is now a UK distributor of this fine natural clay.

After months of waiting, I was also able to take delivery of authentic African black soap from Ghana. As part of Sheabutter Cottage's ethical policy, I am proud to help 1 woman help others through trade by representing a small team of women in Ghana build their business. The women are paid a fair price and empowered to produce and sell. Made to a traditional recipe, this soap contains 30% unrefined shea butter.

I really need to get someone on board to help me out with the workload. I have been working on my own for the last 5 years but need a little help especially as the kids are growing up. I hope to sort things out including planning application for the retail section of the "cottage" before my next surgery.

Off to bed now to get some beauty sleep :))

HAPPY NEW YEAR - HAPPY NEW YOU!!!

Detoxify with rhassoul.

Rhassoul is an exquisite spa quality mineral-rich clay from Morocco. It's quite different from other cleansing clays, being exceptionally gentle and beneficial even for dry hair and sensitive skin and scalp conditions. Lavaerde, is a mineral rich clay which was deposited in the sea millions of years ago. The source of this unique clay is to be found deep beneath the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. The word rhassoul or ghassoul derives from an Arabic phrase meaning, 'to become washed'. Lavaerde has Latin and Germanic roots and means 'cleansing earth' - from the Latin lavare, (to cleanse or wash) and the German 'erde' (earth or soil). Used for centuries, rhassoul clay detoxifies from head to toe resulting in glowing soft skin and bouncy hair.

**EDITED: Our simple recipe for hair and face is supplied with our packs of rhassoul clay**.