Divinus Ater - Now On Instagram!

Bonjour tout le monde!

So I have some exciting news for you all, Divinus Ater is now on Instagram! It has been a long time coming I know but we are finally on Instagram. Here is where I'll be posting letting you know when a new blog post or new Youtube video has gone up. If you want to stay up to date, this may be the best way for you! Alternatively you can sign up to email subscriptions which will deliver my blog posts straight to your inbox as and when they're put up. I've also introduced the #divinusater onto the Instagram page. Now this is for me to show off all of my naturalista sisters whether you're natural or transitioning so you can be featured on the page! I love hearing from you all whether you drop me an email, a question on AskFM or leave a comment, you're all amazing! So if you're interested on having your luscious locks posted on the Divinus Ater Instagram page, go ahead and use the hashtag #divinusater.

Follow: @divinusater

I also love featuring hair journeys on my blog so if you're someone who'd love to share your hair care regime and your hair journey with the natural community then please feel free to drop me an email and I'll give you more details! 

Email: inquiries.divinusater@yahoo.co.uk

Divinus Ater has grown so much in the last 9 months and I'm so grateful to everyone for how far we've come. We will only get bigger and better this year bringing you all the best natural hair tips and tricks to aid your hair journey. If you have any posts you'd like to see in particular then please feel free to comment or ask me on AskFM. Otherwise I hope you have an amazing day, see you all soon!

PS. My birthday is only 5 days away, 4th February!

What Oils Are Good Oils For Natural Hair?

Bonsoir tout le monde!
I know for many of you who may have just very recently decided to transition to natural or perhaps may have been natural for a very long time, it's hard to choose what oils are good oils. What are the best oils for moisturizing dry hair? What are the best oils for silky, oily hair? It can be an almost daunting task picking the right oils to incorporate into your hair care regime so here I'm going to break down my top favourite oils for you!

• COCONUT OIL - Great for damaged hair as it helps reduce protein loss in both damaged and undamaged hair, can be used before or after washing. Also aids moisture retention as coconut oil cannot be broken down so moisture can not escape preventing hair damage. Great for anyone who suffers from a dry scalp, coconut oil serves as a good anti-dandruff agent. Mixed alongside castor oil is very effective at treating dandruff.

• CASTOR OIL - Brilliant at promoting hair growth as it boosts blood circulation to the hair follicles leading to faster hair growth. It is also jammed packed with omega-6 essential fatty acids which are responsible for healthy hair. In order to achieve the best results, apply the oil to the scalp and cover with a cap overnight to allow deep penetration. Wash your hair through thoroughly the next day to remove any excess. Castor oil also aids the reduction of split ends and controls hair breakage whilst in turn, conditioning and moisturizing your hair.

• ALMOND OIL - Amazing for adding luster to your hair and making it look and feel healthy. Hair deficient of magnesium can lead to heavy hair fall however almond oil is a rich source of magnesium and can reduce hair fall and can improve hair quality when used once or twice a week. When mixed with equal amounts of castor oil and olive oil, almond oil can be massaged into the hair to get rid of split ends. Almond oil works effectively to cure dandruff by the process of removing dead cells and can be used to soothe the scalp and ensure it is dandruff-free.

• AMLA OIL - As it contains a number of fatty acids, amla oil is used to strengthen the hair follicles and condition the hair. It can also be used to treat dry, itchy scalps. Although amla oil has been known to be an effective hair treatment, there is very little scientific evidence that it works as a hair loss treatment or hinders premature grey hair. Amla oil is often used after the hair has been shampooed in which case it is massaged into the hair. The hair can be covered with a shower cap and left for 15 minutes or more before being rinsed out to act as a deep conditioning treatment. 

• OLIVE OIL - Has natural conditioning properties which can be used to moisturize the scalp. Has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties which allow it to be able to combat many common scalp and hair problems. Enables people to prevent and even cure hair loss as the hormone DHT, which is responsible for the shrinking of the hair shaft, is hampered when olive oil is applied to the scalp. Massage the oil into the scalp gently and continue down to the ends of the strands. Keep your hair wrapped with a damp towel or shower cap to give the oil time to soak into the scalp. Wash and condition the hair after the treatment as normal.

Jireh Edge Control - Finally Reahed The UK!

Bonjour tout le monde!

So I thought I'd let everyone know some absolutely exciting news - Jireh Edge Control has finally reached the UK! This edge control is absolutely brilliant and out of the vast number of edge controls I've tried, I can truly say this is my top (alongside my beloved Gorilla Snot).

Here's a low down on the edge control:

Give your hair the definition you want with a light hold and shimmering shine. This non-greasy, alcohol free formula combined with natural ingredients will penetrate the hair for superior styling. You will have a silky smooth look without buildup.  This 2.0 oz jar contains many vitamins, minerals, nutrients and amino acids.  Nutrient enriched, Jireh Edge Control not only styles, but fortifies the hair. 

Ingredients:

Aloe Bardadenis
Contains many vitamins, minerals, nutrients Aloe also reduce inflammation in the scalp which reduces flakes.

Glyceryl Cocoate
Natural emulsifier, eliminates oil in hair and promotes moisture.

Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Promotes hair growth

Castor oil
Penetrate hair shaft instead of laying on top

Olea Europaea Olive Fruite Oil
Easily absorbed nutrient. Softens hair and scalp.

Yes, it is now available to buy in the UK and I am happy to say that I am the Official UK Distributor! You can currently grab your own 2oz jar for £12 on eBay, coming soon to Amazon UK. This edge control is also being shipped internationally across Europe so my fellow naturalistas living in Europe can also get their hands on one too! I'm so excited to have teamed up with Jireh Edge Control to ship these to my natural sisters in the UK and Europe and this is only the beginning, hopefully I'll be bringing you more amazing US exclusive hair products in the near future!

Grab your own edge control either by searching 'Jireh Edge Control' in eBay (Amazon very soon) or clicking here.

More products coming soon, au revoir x

MyKindaCrown - Hair Company

Bonjour tout le monde!

So I thought I'd let you know that I've joined up with an amazing hair company called MyKindaCrown! This company was originally set up by its talented founder Montana selling beautiful and affordable wigs for all. Montana originally started out as the sole wig make but since the rapid growth of her business, has hired a number of wig stylists to aid her. MyKindaCrown primarily specialise in custom wig units (human hair, synthetic units coming soon) as well as having bundles and closures for sale. 

Now I know there will be many of you out there thinking 'I'd never be seen dead in a wig!' Or that 'wigs never look real, you can always tell they they're wigs'. I'd like to say you couldn't be more wrong even if you tried! Wigs is seen to be a good protective hairstyle as your hair is able to experience very low levels of manipulation as its in cornrows whilst not having any serious tension on the hair as perhaps weave would have. Wigs will definitely be one of my top protective styles this year so I'm sure you'll be seeing me in all different styles, lengths and colours! Hopefully in the very near future I'll be doing some hair reviews on some of MyKindaCrown's very own wig units to give you guys a better idea of how fab the quality of the wigs and hair is! 

Here are some of my favourite units:

Human Hair wigs start from around £160 and can also be custom dyed to your preference. MyKindaCrown also offer a wig making service for £40 (providing you supply your own hair) and a hair dyeing service, £10 per bundle and £5 per closure.

My personal favourite wig unit, Daniella, is the first and at present only synthetic unit in the range. Made from 18", 20", 20", 22" with a 16" closure, this wig unit can be curly as well as straightened up to 200 degrees celcius. Furthermore, the Daniella unit is only £55!

Interested in purchasing hair bundles or a wig unit? Be sure to use my discount code 'KayMKC5' to receive 5% off your total order! If you have any questions to do with the hair or wigs or want to make a purchase, email: 

orders.mykindacrown@gmail.com. 

Otherwise to see the full wig range, check out their Instagram:

@_mykindacrown

Website coming soon and hair reviews on MyKindaCrown wigs coming from me soon so stay tuned!

Au revoir X 

New Youtube Video - Bantu Knot Tutorial

Bonjour tout le monde!

Divinus Ater now has a brand new Youtube video which is now live for all to see! It is called 'Divinus Ater - Bantu Knot Tutorial' and this is the video version of my Bantu Knot Tutorial blog post so feel free to give it a look! If you have any video suggestions for me then please feel free to contact me via email or AskFM and I'll try my best to get that done for you! I'm aiming to be uploading much more regularly so keep your eyes peeled for more from Divinus Ater!

Hope you guys enjoy!

Au revoir x

The Year of Protective Hairstyling

Bonjour tout le monde!

So as you know from my previous post, I have cut my hair down rather short and I am dedicating myself to growing my hair this year. It has be different for me adjusting to the new length of my hair but I do not regret cutting it, it's time for some new, healthy hair to grow back in its place! The best way to aid hair growth is to keep your hair in protective styles. I somewhat neglected this towards the later part of last year but I'm going to be rigorous and make sure my hair is always in a protective hairstyle. That's not to say for special occasions I won't have my hair out but, for the most part, my hair will be plaited away.

My protective hairstyles this year will vary from hairstyles on my natural hair to braids to weave and finally wigs. This is the best way I've found over the course of my hair journey to get my hair growing. Hair is able to grow in these styles as it's able to retain moisture and there's minimal to no manipulation of the hair which means no unnecessary breakage. My hair seems to flourish in these styles and if ever there was a time to kick start my hair growth, it's now! I've also decided to re-incorporate biotin into my hair regime this year as it aids healthy hair, skin and nail growth. I'll give you guys a review of this product in the months to come so be on the look out for it.

This year, not only am I planning for my hair to grow, but my blog to grow also. I'm dedicating myself to my blog to provide all of you fellow naturalistas with post that care aid your hair growth whether you're mid way through your journey or just beginning. I love recieving messages for my fellow natural sisters so feel free to email me via the contact form to your right or leave me a question on AskFM.

Here currently is my hair in braids that I did myself. I'll be taking them out in a few weeks and will be unveiling my birthday hair! (my birthday is 4th Feb for anyone looking to send me flowers)

I hope you guys enjoyed, au revoir x

Water Infuser Bottle - Orange and Vanilla

Salut tout le monde!

As many of you will know from my previous posts, I've been using my water Infuser bottle for a little while now. I'm trying to cleanse my body from the inside out and keep myself healthy. So over the next couple of weeks I'll be showing you different recipes if you will for you to follow to keep yourself healthy! 

Now you do not need a water Infuser bottle to follow these recipes, they work just the same with a normal water bottle. However, if you like the look of a water Infuser bottle or find it easier, you can purchase your own on eBay for around £4-£5. To me, a water Infuser bottle is a lot easier because I don't have the fruit slices floating all over my water bottle and it's a lot easier to replace the fruit slices when I'm done. Okay so today is  orange and vanilla and is a pretty easy and tasty recipe. 

To begin with all you'll need is:

- 1 Orange Sliced

- 1/2 tbsp vanilla extract

- 220ml cold water

Begin with just slicing up your orange thinly and placing it into your water bottle or Infuser bottle. Add the water to your bottle and add your vanilla extract to the water. Allow your water bottle to sit for 1hr so the flavours can infuse and there you have it! 

It's a really simple recipe and has a lovely flavour to it! For those of you who may be wondering 'what has infused water got to do with healthy hair?' It's simple, take care of your body and your body will take care of you! You'll see improvements in your skin, hair and more importantly, you'll just feel great! I hope that was helpful and I'll see you guys soon,

Au revoir X 

Water Infuser Bottle - Body Detox

Bonjour tout le monde! 

It's 2016 and as always, this year starts with many people spouting the same phrase, 'new year, new me' without actually making any changes to better themselves. Now I will say I can be guilty of that myself at times however I've decided if I'm going to excel this year, I've got to take care of my body from the inside out. That being said, I'm starting with my insides. I got a water Infuser bottle and for those of you who may not be aware of what that is, it's a bottle with a section in the middle to allow you to place chopped fruits in there. The juices from these fruits seep into the water giving it a natural taste minus the sugar and preservatives. 

This has many benefits to your body, my favourite being the benefits brought about by the consumption of lemon water:

- Clearer skin

- Aids better digestion

- Speeds up metabolic rate 

- Aids weight loss

- Speeds up the replenishment of cells in the body

Plus many more! If you aren't enticed by one or more of these benefits then you must be crazy! The benefits brought about from merely drinking a bottle of lemon water a day is insane. So I've made it my mission to get myself healthier and in better shape for summer. Everyone wants glowing skin and to look amazing in a bikini however such results do not come about from lying around eating food all day! Alongside regular exercise, I'm determined to drink a bottle of lemon water a day to see the improvement in myself. This all also relates to hair growth as an unhealthy body will be unable to produce long healthy hair and that's a fact. So if you've made 2016 your year to focus on growing long, healthy hair or perhaps retain the length you already have, maybe this may be an option for you. I'll be changing my Infuser up putting various different fruits inside to give you the lowdown of the benefits of each fruit!

I hope this post proved useful to everyone and may I wish you guys all another Happy New Year! I have big aspirations and plans for Divinus Ater so be sure to stay tuned and travel with me on my journey! Contact me via my email or AskFM or check out my Twitter or Instagram account by clicking the mini icons under my photo on the right side of the page (bottom of the page of viewing on a mobile). 

Au revoir X

Why I Cut My Hair

Bonjour tout le monde!

Now as you'll be able to tell from the title, I cut my hair!
Many of you may be confused as to why but I'll tell you. My hair had been dry and brittle for a long time and has extreme split ends, more and longer than usual. I hadn't been taken as much care of my hair during the winter months and often left it exposed to the elements which worsened the condition of my hair. I had also used heat on my hair (As you'll see from my post 'my first straightening experience') which hadn't done wonders to my hair. In that post you'll see that I say heat isn't the devil and I still believe that but only in moderation and whilst taking good care of your hair. Applying heat on the current state of my hair only made it worse and led it to become heat damaged so I decided to give my hair a big 'ol big chop. 

This may be weird for some of you as I am well and truly on my natural hair journey but stranger things have happened! I decided it was the best course of action to take as it allows be to get back on track with my journey and start again, putting all of my time and effort into my hair. I cut off around 3-4 inches of my hair and my hair is rather short now I must admit. I know many people may be petrified to cut their hair even if they hair is heat or chemical damaged or just haven't seen any growth in their hair for a long time due to their hair just being damaged but NEWSFLASH - hair DOES grow back! This thought gave me the confidence to cut my hair knowing that not only will my hair grow back, but it'll be longer and healthier than ever and after all, doesn't every naturalista want long natural hair?

I'm deciding to keep my hair in protective styles for the next couple of months to keep it protected and allow my new healthy tresses to grow.  My hair isn't SUPER short but it's the shortest I've ever had it but it'll be a fun and interesting twist to my journey! I'll be posting a variety of my protective styles in the weeks and months to come but until then, if you're scared to cut your hair or want any advice, feel free to email at:

inquiries.divinusater@yahoo.co.uk

Other than that, have a good week!

Au revoir x

Bantu Knot Twist-Out - Amy

Bonjour tout le monde et bonne année!

We're finally in 2016! For many, 2015 has been an interesting year full of laughter, sadness and unexpected turns but I'm sure we're all determined to make 2016 an even better year!
What better way is there to start the new year than with a collab with one of my closet friends, Amy. In this post you're going to see the Bantu knots that I did for her and how it turned out on her hair.

So for a little bit of background information on Amy. Amy is an aspiring fashion designer who has her own fashion blog called xhijackmycloset. On here she gives her lowdown on the current trends as well as her celebrity fashion icons and her own styles that she creates. I recommend that you check out her blog and be sure to stay tuned! Amy is also the lovely lady who shot the pictures I used for my blog post 'Top 5 Hair Products' and my most recent most 'Updated Bantu Knot Twist-Out Tutorial'. She has relaxed hair but is looking to slowly but surely transition to natural without doing the big chop. So without further adieu, here's how her look came about!

So like my previous Bantu knot tutorial post, we followed the same method to do Amy's hair. I parted Amy's hair into four sections and then sectioned the hair off. On each section I applied a small pea sized blob of Aunt Jackie's Twisting and Curling Custard which gives Amy's hair a good hold. I twisted her hair and wound it around itself before securing it with a rubber band. I did this all over her head and here's how it looked!

Amy kept this in for about 20 - 30 mins whilst we continued to be cheeky and take some pictures. I usually keep my Bantu knots in overnight to ensure the custard has fully dried however if you're in a rush, you can bring that time down to about 15 - 20 mins with the help of a blow-dryer. Amy took out the rubber bands and teased out the curls using her fingers to make her hair bigger and more defined and here's the final pictures of her hair!

Amy decided to style her hair by tying up the front section of her hair into a top knot. She absolutely loved the look and said she's going to try it herself in the near future!

I hope you enjoyed this post and feel free to email me or contact me on AskFM if you have any styles you want me to do as I'd be more than happy to! Thank you again to my amazing friend Amy and be sure to check out her blog xhijackmycloset!

Au revoir et bonne année x