A Note From AfroVeda (Order Status Update)

A HUGE "Thank You" goes out to everyone who ordered during the Black Friday weekend sale. I know you are anxiously awaiting your products, and I am literally working around the clock to get them to you. I have added a temporary assistant to help with shipping the 350+ orders that came through our doors. However, we are still experiencing delays in shipping by several days. All of the orders from Nov. 26 and about half of those from Nov. 27 are now shipped. The remaining orders will have the following schedule:

All of Nov. 27th orders shipped no later than Dec. 14
Nov. 28th orders = Dec. 15
Nov. 29th orders = Dec. 16
Nov. 30-Dec. 3 orders = Dec. 17
Dec. 4-6 orders = Dec. 18
Dec. 7-9 orders = Dec. 22

All orders received after Dec. 9 may experience a 1-day delay in shipping times, which is currently 7-10 days.

Beginning January 2010, AfroVeda will have three permanent staff members to assist with shipping, email inquiries, sales & promotions, events and other customer service duties that will make your shopping experience much better. We will also add a "Local Pick-Up" option for those in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex (distribution center renovation is almost complete!).

I personally appreciate all of you for your generous display of patience and support. AfroVeda has experienced some growing pains during 2009, and you have been there with open arms and words of encouragement to help me get through those tough moments. As the only employee at AfroVeda, there were many rough moments when working 18-21 hour days weren't even enough to keep up. But because of customers like you, I am encouraged and look forward to all of the wonderful things that are in store for the new year.

I wish each of you a very happy, safe and wonderful holiday season!

In perfect peace,
Mala Rhodes

Happy Holidays!

To all of you beautiful ladies out there, I want to wish each of you a healthy, happy, and wonderful Holiday season! So many of you have inspired and encouraged me to do what I do, and for that I am forever grateful.

I am making a few changes at AfroVeda at the beginning of the year that you will definately benefit from. A few of which are (1) a new "local pick-up" option for those in the area, (2) two additional employees (yay!!! no longer working alone means faster order processing!), and (3) more give-aways, contests and promotions!

Thank you for all your love and support!

In perfect peace,
Mala Rhodes

Napptural Beauty Expo - November 8 in Desoto, TX

Nappiology in DFW presents a "Napptural Beauty Expo & Conversation"! This event, in honor of Nappiology, Inc.'s second anniversary, is FREE to the public and will be an intoxicating napptural experience for both men and women.

Event details:

When: Sunday, November 8, 2009 from 1:30pm-5:30pm

Where: Desoto Civic Center (211 E. Pleasant Run, Desoto, Texas 75115)

One of the featured vendors.....AfroVeda, of course!!

First or Last? Clearing Up Label Confusion

I recently posted a response to someone's inquiry regarding the order in which ingredients appear in AfroVeda products. Although I know and understand the importance of listing ingredients in the order that they appear in the product (heck, I look at labels, too!), I had to admit that I had not taken the time to ensure that they were listed that way on the website or on the individual product labels.

My exact comment "I have not yet mastered the skill of listing products in the order of decreasing amount" may have been misunderstood to mean that AfroVeda did not provide full disclosure of all ingredients in its products. That is not the case. The ingredients listed are exactly what is in the product, and now will be listed (along with their Latin names) in decreasing order on both the website and labels. Amazingly enough, the way that I had them listed really wasn't too far off the mark (its great to have a chemist handy!). INCI compliance takes a bit more time and research, but I feel it is worth it to have AfroVeda's customers fully aware of what they are purchasing.

I just wanted to post a quick note for those concerned. As the sole employee at AfroVeda, sometimes things get past me, and researching Latin names for ingredients was one of those things. There is a silver lining in all things, though, if you take the time to look. I want to say "THANK YOU!" to all of you for your comments because it ultimately translates to the betterment of AfroVeda and allows me to align this growing company with a higher standard of information. And as AfroVeda grows in knowledge, understanding and wisdom, the full benefit of that growth will be felt by it's customers.

Thank you, again, for all your support!

In perfect peace,
Mala

PRANA Conditioner and.....15% Off Sale!!

"Prana" is that life force that keeps the body alive and healthy. Now it is available for your hair!!

To celebrate "Prana", take an extra 15% off your entire order. Hurry! This sale is for 3 days only!!

Sale ends October 3, 2009. Use Coupon Code PRANA15

www.afroveda.com

New Product Alert! PRANA Green Tea Conditioner

AfroVeda will unveil its newest product, Prana Green Tea Hair Conditioner, on October 1st.

Made in the traditional Ayurvedic fashion, this protein-free conditioner boasts a combination of 12 different Ayurvedic herbs and extracts uniquely blended to provide silky conditioning, detangle hair, and add softness. Our Prana Green Tea Conditioner also provides everyday protection from environmental stress and damages.

Don't miss it!!

AfroVeda in Ghana - A Brief Update

After 18 hours of travel, with a brief 3 hour stopover in New York, I arrived in Accra, the capital of Ghana. Clearing customs, I walked out of the airport ready to embrace all that Ghana had to offer. I quickly located Erinn Ransom, professor of Africana Studies at Ashesi University, and the journey began.

It didn't really hit me until I arrived what a profound adventure I had embarked upon. Since I purchase pure, unrefined shea butter and cocoa butter from Ghana for my products, it seemed only fitting that I would travel there to purchase the items directly from the vendors. It was my goal from the very beginning to try to establish fair trade relationships with co-ops there and I must be honest, the issue regarding fair trade is much more serious than I thought. This is especially true once I began to do more research not just into the benefits derived from using Shea butter but how much of a presence this precious commodity has on the global cosmetic and food industry. And even now that I am back home in the States, I realize that even more research will be necessary before a fair trade relationship can be established. However, my trip has encouraged me to continue on, and I have been successful in reaching one cooperative in central Togo with whom I hope to do business with soon.

Accra is a bustling city of entrepreneurs, and there are both business owners and street vendors everywhere. I had several opportunities during my stay to visit with business owners who were very impressed with AfroVeda's product line, as well as the natural, Ayurvedic hair care system we have established. As a result of those meetings, AfroVeda is in the process of establishing its presence in Accra and in the Cape Coast region of Ghana.

Store Closing and Shipping Update

Hello, all!

Due to the overwhelming response to our announcement regarding the trip to Ghana, Africa, AfroVeda will be closed August 25 - September 15, 2009 . No orders will be accepted during that time. Also, no combined orders will be allowed. We will reopen our doors on September 16, 2009.

ALL ORDERS RECEIVED PRIOR TO AUGUST 25TH WILL BE PROCESSED AND SHIPPED NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 1, 2009.

In perfect peace,
Mala Rhodes

AfroVeda in Africa

AfroVeda has been invited to speak at Asheshi University in Ghana, Africa in September 2009, where we will have the opportunity to not only present our Ayurvedic-inspired products to the local communities, but also to establish relationships with vendors to bring Fairtrade products directly from Africa to you!

Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. By requiring companies to pay sustainable prices (which must never fall lower than the market price), Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers. It enables them to improve their position and have more control over their lives. This will most certainly be an extremely rewarding trip, and we sincerely thank Dr. Erinn Ransom, professor of Africana Studies at Asheshi University, for her invitation.

In perfect peace.

You Tube Product Reviews

Monique Fordyce did several You Tube reviews of AfroVeda products. View her videos here: http://www.afroveda.com/AV-TESTIMONIALS.html. If you have done one, and you would like it showcased on the blog (and maybe even the website), please send an email to info@afroveda.com. Thanks Monique!!!

New Product Alert!

For thousands of years, women in India have been using herbal infusions for washing their hair. This formula has now become available for everyone's benefit. AfroVeda's Cleansing Herbal Hair Rinse is great for any hair type. And unlike most other shampoos, it contains no chemicals, preservatives or other additives.

Check it out here: http://www.afroveda.com/AV-HAIRCLEANSING.html.

Happy Birthday, AfroVeda!

AfroVeda is having a birthday, and we'd like to give YOU a gift!

Beginning today until July 31st, enjoy 20% off everything for him and her including hair butters, pomades, shampoos, conditioners and more! Just enter the code AVBDAY09 to receive the discount.

We would like to thank all of you for your continued support and patronage. Without you, there would be no AfroVeda!
In perfect peace,
AfroVeda

Michael Jackson - Rest In Peace

Like so many millions of you, I couldn't believe it either. THE Michael Jackson? Dead? No way. It's still hard for me to accept it even as I write this post. I watched BET for hours last night as they showed his videos back-to-back. The one that hit me and brought tears to my eyes was "You Are Not Alone". I love you Michael. You will be missed beyond words. My prayers are with your family. Rest in eternal peace.

Michael Joseph Jackson

1958-2009

Bronner Bros. Hair Show in Atlanta

AfroVeda is headed to Atlanta to attend the world famous Bronner Bros. International Hair Show!! If you plan to attend the event, please be sure to stop by our booth. The event is August 15-18, 2009. See you there!

http://www.afroveda.com/AV-BRONNERBROS.html

You Asked For It!!

AfroVeda products now in larger sizes!! I love to co-wash and style my hair daily, and so do many of you. AfroVeda listened to your requests and are now offering all our daily oil cream conditioners, hair butters and Ayurvedic oils in larger (16oz) sizes. And for salon owners, 64oz sizes will also be available. Look for the website updates next week!

Thank you for your awesome support!!

In perfect peace.

Introducing....AfroVeda for Men!

For black men, vitamins and moisturizers are key to healthy hair. Lack of vitamins can cause slow growing, dull hair and hair that is easily broken or damaged and can sometimes cause thinning. Whether you have healthy or unhealthy hair, keeping a daily hair care regimen will let you get the best look with your hair and also keep your hair healthy and on your head instead of going bald. Prepare your hair for your hair style by giving your hair what it needs to be stronger and healthier for the hair style that you chose!With the right hair care, you can achieve the hair style you want with ease and without having to worry about the after math. So where can black men find natural products for the care of their hair? AfroVeda, of course!

Memorial Day Sale...Stay Tuned!!

Ladies....Start your engines!! Memorial Day is almost here and AfroVeda wants to help you celebrate! Save 10-25% on all of your favorite Ayurvedic hair care products beginning Monday, May 18 through May 31.

Be sure to check the website (www.AfroVeda.com) on Monday for great deals for you and your family!!

New York Style!!

Hello, everyone!! I recently had the awesome opportunity to spend the weekend with my son in New York. It was his 16th birthday and turned out to be a wonderful place to celebrate! I love NY!!

Prior to our trip, I posted a question regarding protective styles because I wanted an easy style for the weekend. Well, here are a few pictures of what I ended up with. It's a sew-in weave that I actually did myself (although far from professional!). It held up pretty good, though, for an amateur! LOL!! I liked it so much in fact that I re-installed it 2 weeks later (after a henna treatment and an intense deep conditioning treatment with the Ashlii Amala). My hair felt so soft I almost hated covering it back up! But this new style has helped me with the hand-in-hair syndrome I seem to have picked up! Now it's growing like a weed!! I keep it moisturized with both the Khorem Hair Serum and the Shikakai Hair Growth oil, both of which I apply daily. I can't wait to see the mad growth when I take it down in 3 more weeks!!

This is my son & I in NY on the subway. We were coming back from China Town...you know what that means! Shopping galore!!
This picture was taken 2 weeks later when I re-installed. Looks exactly the same! I'm a happy camper! :-)

All in all my experience with sew-in weaves has been enjoyable. I have had no breakage and it appears to be doing what I hoped it would do....protect!

In perfect peace!

And the Winner Is......

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

I am so happy to announce that PATRICE MICHAEL is the winner of our "Spring Into Fabulous Hair" contest!

This was AfroVeda's very first contest and we had such a great time! There were a ton of entries and we'd like to give a big "THANK YOU!!" to everyone who entered by offering you $5.00 off your next order!

So....congratulations to you as well! Everyone is a winner at AfroVeda!

If you are Patrice Michael, please contact AfroVeda at contests@afroveda.com and include your shipping address to claim your prize no later than Sunday, May 10th. The gift bag that Patrice will receive includes the following products (all 2oz sizes):

Shikakai Hair Growth Elixir, Curly Custard, Coconut Moisture Milk, Priti Bodhi Rice Bran Hair Oil, CocoLatte Moisture Mask, NU Milk Neroli Goat Milk Hair Lotion, Hibiscus Hair Infusion Oil, Totally Twisted Ginger Almond Butter, Neem+3 Triphala Silk Protein Oil Cream Conditioner, SunSilk Citrus Hair Oil, Shea-Amla Whipped Butter Cream, Kissi Seed Pro V Hair Lotion and our Carrot & Rice Bran Shampoo Bar. Whew! Thats 13 wonderful Ayurvedic hair care products!! How awesome!! Here's a quick photo of her prize.....

Be sure to stay tuned for more contests, sales and give-aways from AfroVeda!

In perfect peace!!

For more information on any of these products, please visit our website at http://www.afroveda.com/.

The REAL Issue With Growing African-American Hair

If you spend a few minutes on the internet you can find numerous articles on how to grow afro hair long. In fact, I almost spent another $24 today for an e-book that promised to give me ALL the tools I need to grow my afro-textured hair to "incredible lengths" in just a short amount of time. But then I realized that growing black hair is just like growing any other kind of hair. What makes black hair different is the way it grows. We have kinky, coily, curly or wavy hair that grows out of the hair follicles in a spiral shape. The tighter the spiral...the tighter the curl pattern. So even though it may seem like our hair is not growing, it actually is. Here are a few "issues" and suggestions for obtaining and maintaining healthier hair:

1. Shrinkage: Since black hair has a curl pattern, the length isn't always easy to see because the hair "shrinks" up sometimes as much as 80%! Unless you straighten your hair or find ways to allow it to remain 'stretched' you might think that your hair isn't very long when it is.
2. Breakage: Breakage can be caused by rough handling, over processing, the wrong products and many other bad hair practices. Bottom line...if your hair is breaking as fast as it's growing, you will never see length accumulating!
3. Slow Hair Growth: A poor diet and lack of essential vitamins and minerals can slow your hair's growth. Take a good vitamin and eat well for health and your fastest hair growth.
4. Scalp Issues: Psoriasis, alopecia and many other scalp related problems can have the effect of stunting your hair's growth.

Once you understand the basics of growing black hair and take control of your hair's health, it can and will grow to great lengths. Here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Start a regimen that revitalizes your hair and will be easy to manage (you're more likely to stick with it!)
2. Steer clear of sulfates, mineral oil, and other harsh chemicals
3. Use a protein conditioner once a month to help strengthen hair
4. Remember: Moisture, moisture, moisture!!

Never let anyone tell you that your hair won't grow. That, my dear, is a myth!

Protective Hair Styles - What's Your Favorite?

Hello, chicas!!

I'm headed to the Big Apple in a few days for my son's 16th birthday bash (what a treat!!) and it seriously had me thinking about my hair. I've been au naturale for 9 years now and normally wear my twist-outs, but considering all the activities we're bound to get into, I found myself *drawn* to protective styling. I certainly don't want to spend all my time getting my 'do' right, so I have to decide on a style that will be SUPA-DUPA FLY and maintenance-free. What do you suggest? I will have to do this transformation myself (no time for a salon appointment...plus I wanna save my money for all the fun in NYC!!). I've checked out a few youtube videos on hair weaves, but WOW! Not sure I can pull that one off by myself. How exactly do you cornrow your own hair in a circle, BTW? I've done half-wigs before (the $20 synthetic kind), but they look really 'wig-y' after I've slept on it.

Here's how I normally wear my hair (it's an old pic, but my hair still looks the same). As much as I love this style, it can be a bit time consuming to recreate (takes me about an hour & a half to do the two-strand twists).

Anyhoo....I welcome your suggestions and any how-to advice you can give! :-) And I'll be sure to post a pic of my final decision.

Chat at cha lata!

Peace & blessings,
Mala

"Spring" Into Fabulous Hair - Free Product Giveaway

Don't you love contests? I do. Especially when I have an opportunity to win the things that I use on a regular basis, or even specialty things (like airline tickets) to take that long-needed vacation I've been dreaming about. Well, AfroVeda has one we know you will love!

Our "Spring" Into Fabulous Hair contest giveaway begins today, April 1st and will end at 11:59pm (CDT) on April 30. One very lucky winner will receive an AfroVeda Hair Care Collection to include our Hair Butter Collection, Hair Oil Collection and our Hair Lotion Collection. A $60 value! These 2oz containers make traveling with all your hair care needs a snap! Right at your fingertips is everything you need to make sure you have a "good hair day"! What about a cleanser, you ask? No problem! We'll even throw in one of our Carrot & Rice Bran Shampoo bars! That's 13 different products! Now how's that for a prize!!

To enter, just send your name, email address and the words "Spring Into Fabulous Hair Contest" to contests@afroveda.com before 11:59pm (CDT) on April 30, 2009, and you could be the lucky winner! Yes, it is that easy!! Winners will be announced on our blog on Monday, May 4th.

Here are the rules:

(1) No purchase necessary.

(2) US Residents only.
(3) IMPORTANT: Provide a valid email address (no email means your entry will not count).

(4) Only one entry per person.

(5) Prize is not redeemable in cash, nor can be substituted for other products.

(6) By accepting this prize, AfroVeda may not be held liable for any loss, damages or injuries associated with accepting or using this prize.

(7) Entrant grants AfroVeda the right to: (A) Use his/her personal information for the purpose of administering the Contest; (B) Use his/her first initial and last name, and city and state/province of residence for publicity and promotional purposes without further compensation unless prohibited by law; and (C) Use his/her name and his/her respective city and province of residence in connection with the Contest Website, other related websites and/or any other media now known or hereafter devised. Personal information will not be provided to any third party other than as provided for in these Contest Rules.

(8) The winner will have one week to claim their prize by contacting contests@afroveda.com; otherwise a new winner will be selected.

And that's it !!!

Good luck ladies . . . you’ve got nothing to lose but perhaps some damaged, dry, dull looking hair!!

Grow It! -- By Chicoro

"Grow It: How To Grow Afro-Textured Hair To Maximum Lengths In The Shortest Time"
(by Chicoro)

I have personally tried all my life to grow my afro-textured hair to unimaginable lengths. I can remember as a child tying a towel around my head and pretending to have long hair -- swishing it around and making it "flow in the breeze". That was so much fun! Then, as I grew older, anything to make it look that way was my pseudo-obsession. My hair was fried, dyed and laid to the side (as my mother used to say!), and I was just amazed at what my hair could do (and endure).

Adulthood (and damage from all that "fun" I had in high school with my ever-changing hair styles) brought me to micros and weaves, yet I still hadn't learned my lesson. I didn't know there was a proper way to take care of my hair so I continued to disrespect it..although not intentionally. Now that I am a mid-lifer I finally am aware of the extreme care and pampering that my hair had been crying out for, and I am more than happy to show it much love!

The book that I am highlighting in this blog was written by someone I truly consider a mentor. She is an incredibly beautiful person, inside and out, and I have gained a tremendous amount of knowledge concerning the care of afro-textured hair from her. When she told me that she writing a book about how to grow afro-textured hair long, I almost fell off my chair! Chicoro, with her long, beautiful locks, is going to share her secrets? Done deal. In my mind, the book was already mine. I knew I had to have it, but needed to exercise a little patience and wait for it to become available. As soon as I found out it was on Amazon, I snatched one up. If you don't have this book already, and you are trying to grow your hair, shame on you! :-) Try it out. I'm sure you will love it as much as I do.

Manifold peace & blessings!!!

Who is AfroVeda?

It's a strange thing, being in business for yourself. Throughout our lives we are encouraged to pursue those things that bring us joy. And if those things happen to be a positive influence to others, well then all the better. We often times search the world over for that lucrative career, perfect mate, our 'purpose' for being here, all to find out that what we really need to do is just be still.

AfroVeda began almost 10 years ago with my desire to break out of the mold I found myself in, and allow my hair to be what it was intended to be. Granted, I loved my relaxed hair and the way it moved with the breeze. But inside I was looking for a more holistic way of life, and growing out my relaxer just seemed to follow along. There was no thought of forming a business around my hair care regimen, I only wanted to 'do right' by my hair.

During the years that followed, I tried my hand at massage therapy as a way to bring a more relaxing atmosphere into my life, and provided care for people living with cancer. In my mind, it was my ideal job and I loved every minute of it. I had been looking for a way to honor my father who passed away from colon cancer, and this seemed like the perfect way to do it. I considered it my own personal escape as well -- those moments when aromatherapy, spa music, and tranquility seemed to take over. I knew I was providing this same escape for my clients, and I was filled with gratitude at every appointment. These sessions were fulfilling that inner cry for freedom, and I searched high and low for every opportunity to inch closer to that ultimate goal.

However, after seven years as a massage therapist, I still wasn't fulfilled. I began to wonder if this was truly meant to be, and my passion for this art started to diminish. Not because of the wonderful benefit I was providing (I still loved doing it), but because I had spent thousands of dollars and endless hours trying to make a business out of the thing that I loved, only to have doors repeatedly shut in my face. At the same time, I was stuck in a rut with my hair regimen, not realizing the true potential I had to grow stronger, healthier hair. Basically, I was just stuck -- mentally, physically, emotionally.

I had visited several hair care boards over the years and enjoyed reading about the many success stories others were having. I basically had one homemade product that I used on my hair religiously (because it worked!), and knew nothing about synthetic chemicals, unnatural preservatives, or the structure of hair strands. It was a whole new world to me, and the knowledge seemed to flow from women all over the world. I was astonished and overjoyed! Finally, here was my opportunity to learn about how to care for my natural hair....and be successful at it!!

The word Ayurveda came up on one of the boards and I was extremely intrigued. I began to research this 'new' technique (actually it's been around for thousands of years) and found out that it means "knowledge of life". I am a very spiritual person and the thought instantly came to me that I was meant to pursue this. More research (books, internet, and my own Indian friends) brough me to the conclusion that this was truly my 'purpose', and that it was something I was meant to do. I began using the herbs and oils recommended for various hair ailments (itchy scalp, malnourished & porous strands, damaged hair) and found that my hair loved it! So much so, that it responded almost immediately!! I went back to the hair boards and posted a picture of one of the homemade products I had concocted and, as they say, the rest is history. Several emails came in saying "if you make it, I will buy it". One week later, the name "AfroVeda" was given to me and I posted a website with the Curly Custard (the product I posted on the hair board), a hair growth elixir, and an oil to be used for hot oil treatments.

That was eight months ago. And because of the tremendous love and support from the ladies on the hair boards, my friends and family, AfroVeda has grown and now offers 20 products for taking care of hair, the Ayurvedic way. The products are all made by hand, by me, in my home and it is truly a joy. I am somewhat of a perfectionist and do all I can to ensure that AfroVeda products are made with the utmost care and safety. There are no parabens, sulfates or other harmful ingredients in the products. The products do contain Ayurvedic herbs, oils and botanicals that are proven to have a positive health benefit. They are all formulated according to your body type (or "dosha" as explained in Ayurveda), which takes into consideration all things necessary to maintain equilibrium in the body. It doesn't matter your race, hair texture, or whether your hair is natural or relaxed. What it does consider is YOU.

AfroVeda is still a baby. Although we are no longer in the infant stage, we are still growing and maturing in this industry as each day passes. You will see changes happening -- with the website (it is being updated as we speak!) and the products we offer. Please, don't be dismayed. I now have an incredible support group of both professionals and everyday folks who are overjoyed right along with me about this new venture, and are eager to help me with its success. I've always heard that it takes a community to raise a child, and I am grateful for those who have encouraged me to step out on faith. Rest assured that we will continue to provide the best quality Ayurvedic hair care products imaginable, and do everything in our power to remain humble and appreciative of this gift.

I'd like to take this time to thank you and invite you to visit AfroVeda.

With manifold peace and blessings, I wish you a good day!!

In perfece peace,
Mala Rhodes

CocoLatte Moisture Mask

It is so important to know your body type (or "dosha", as termed in Ayurveda) in order to know which AfroVeda products are right for you. Why, you ask? Because we make products that are specific to YOU, not your hair type or hair texture. Packed with our own Ayurvedic Herbal Complex containing herbs known for their hair growth properties, oils to soothe the dry/itchy/flaky scalp, and botanicals to nourish hungry strands, AfroVeda products are the perfect addition to any healthy hair regimen.

For example, our CocoLatte Moisture Mask (perfect for Pitta doshas) has an abundance of moisture packed in! No parabens, sulfates or glycol in these products! No siree!!

It's so great at increasing the hair's moisture level that we've named it "Product of the Month"! Why not try some for yourself? Your hair will LOVE you for it!!