Quench that Natural Hair Thirst!

 

So I tried this new conditioner on top of my honey pre-poo treatments.   I am wetting my hair nearly everyday and I can feel a difference.  WATER IS THE ANSWER!  I am quenching my hair's thirst, and honey let me tell you my hair is thirsty, this is a milestone! It's softer and I believe frequent wetting of the mane is key.  This new conditioner though, OMG made my hair feel like butter.  When I do my cold water rinse I am sure to leave some in my hair, feels great.  Oh, even my frizz and my puffy crown has improved so much so that the beau has noticed, now you know that's big!  I contribute that to the pree-pooing.  I recently purchased an Infusium leave in which I love so much its almost gone.  Along with a Just For Me detangler, yes I did that!  With the mentality, they can't possibly be serving up harmful ingredients to the babies!!  I'm probably wrong but.......  Of course some grape seed oil and coconut oil especially around the edges.  I have still been pulling my hair up and letting it air dry.  Just keeping you ladies posted :-) I think I'm ready for some braids though hmm.....

-MEI

Coil-Out is the New Twist-Out!!!!!

  I felt like it was time to give my hair some attention after getting my natural curls back from straightening it back in May (last month).  I took my time just to see how this look would turn out.  Products used Oyin Whipped Pudding, Cantu Shea Butter for Natural Hair Cleansing Cream Shampoo, and Eco Style Gel with Argan Oil!!

It took me about 6 hours to coil super small sections of my hair but I was completely satisfied with the results!!!!  Also for those hard to detangle moments try using this

Swimming & Natural Hair Care

After the tedious work of straightening and styling our natural hair, who in the earth wants to mess it up by taking a plunge in the pool?? After spending hours at a salon, paying a hefty dollar all just to cool off by taking a dip in the pool.

Today however, the natural hair movement has grown by leaps and bounds having many women like us shaking off their fear of water, sweat and even working out. Gone are the days of running out of the rain, avoiding the gyms and pool parties. YES! Our natural hair frees us up in many ways. While  there will be more upkeep and maintenance if you are a swimming regular, but with care and careful planning we can swim & work out worry-free.

Creating a hair routine, consisting of the the following should help:

• Prepare the hair:  Opt for a swim cap (if u so dare) or swim freely making sure to wet the hair with water only which reduces the amount of chlorine and/or salt our hair absorbs. Also, be sure to twist or braid your hair prior to help avoid tangling.  

• Shampoo/Cleansing: Rinse the hair completely. If swimming often, try co-washing with your favorite moisturizing conditioner vs shampoos; which tends to dry out the hair.

• Condition/Deep Condition: Condition after every wash and D/C twice a week.

•  Clarify: Whether it's your favorite clarifying shampoo, or natural remedy;  such as ACV or baking soda, these specialized cleansers remove buildup from your strands. 

• Protein: An absolute must if color treated. Apply a couple times per month for extra strengthening.  Use products like ApHogee Keratin 2-Minute Reconstructor, CHI Keratin Mist. My two favorites; ORS Hair Mayonnaise (see my prior review) or for an all natural remedy -plain Greek Yogurt mixed w/your favorite oil.  

Happy Swimming!!!!

Pre poo and Notice the Diff!

Do you pre-poo.  Is there a certain combination you like to use when you do?  I have been using honey, grape seed oil, and coconut oil, warming this mixture before adding to my hair and scalp and letting it set for a while.  There are a variety of oils/products you could use instead.  Then I rinse it out and co wash with conditioner.  Rinsing again with cold water and I add my leave in while my hair is soaking wet.  When you pre-poo you are restoring moisture back to your hair.  With all this summer sun and heat this is especially important.  With prepoo's your hair is softer and more manageable, there's decreased frizz and more definition.  I have noticed these things particularly as of late.  I'm sticking with my pre poo combination for now I love the results.  I'm on a wash and go streak, I found a way to pull my thick curls up into a cute pony ;-).

-Mei

Trouble in my Natural Curls.......

Recently I went to the hair salon just to see my length and to test this Dominican Salon! I was so impressed with the length and really liked my straight strands.  It lasted for about a week and a half then I was ready to see my natural curls again!  So once I put some water to my hair, and here came the curls!!  The downside to this whole process is that I have straight pieces all over my head!  I think my hair has suffered severe heat damage....any helpful hints....

Twist Out

Hello Guys

High humidity + sunshine = hair love.

It's spring again and my hair loves loves loves the humidity. It's my hair's favorite time of year. I get to let my hair down and breathe a lil....yayyyy!!! After prepooing with my coconut, baking soda & honey mixture, I co-washed with Suave Coconut condish, applied coconut & jojoba oil, veggie glycerin, Talia Waajid Enhancing Herbal Conditioner..sealed with Raw Shea Butter twisted..air dried and untwisted (about 10-12 total). Maintain by nightly pineappling..retwisting & moisturizing every 2-3 days.

BTW: My skin & scalp are really enjoying the baking soda, coconut oil & honey mixture. These 3 simple products are great alone and are staples in my home..along with ACV (but that's another post:) 

How To:

Make a paste 2:1 of baking soda & coconut oil depending on your skin's sensitivity. Add in about a teapoon of honey. Small batches work best as to maintain life shelf, although honey is a great natural anti-bacterial agent. I am still using this mixture to cleanse my hair, toothpaste and facial exfoliant. Next post, I will detail how this mix is helping to remove my acne blemishes and even preventing new breakouts. 

Natural Hair Party!

Calling all Kinky Glam!!  There was a meeting of the manes yesterday, and I must say it was a good time.  We were there to make and try flaxseed gel together, but we forgot the dang flaxseed!  Who does that?  I was really excited because I never tried it before and I feel like I'm missing something, but there is always next time.  We were sure to bring other products though, products or methods we may have wanted to try but didn't for whatever reason.  So we explored and this was an inexpensive way to do so. 

There were plenty of products to try.  I did a honey and jojoba oil prepoo and steamed for a few minutes. I also tried Mixed Chicks leave-in conditioner for the first time, and I was pleased with the definition but not too impressed with the smell.  I just love a good smelling hair product.  Products included Cantu, Shea Moisture, Curls Unleashed, Oyin, there were natural products like Shea, and coconut oil, honey and bananas.  There were some dislikes to the Shea moisture, but it works just fine when I use it.  Peep the satin steam cap in the back....that's the bomb!  I will be getting one of those.  There were raves about co-washing with the White Rain coconut conditioner.  We talked about retaining moisture and the damaging effects of shampoo, the build up and the penetration blockage it causes.  It may be sulfate free but I am sure there are other things in that shampoo stripping our hair of its natural oils.  We checked our strands for protein and elasticity, got to see the difference in thickness of strands amongst us.  There was a sugar scrub performed, and by the end she was about ready to fall asleep because a good scalp massage is no joke!  Below, are some twists, which are still in, let down pics coming soon!  She had complaints of build up and dryness after a straightening :-(, so what did we do?  A sugar scrub and cowash as well as locked the moisture in via twists using Shea butter and coconut oil. 

After the Mixed Chicks leave in I just let my hair air dry to see if I liked the results, and I did so I will definitely use that product again in my wash and go.  I twisted my hair when I got home though with coconut oil and Shea butter and let that marinate until this morning when I let my twists down.  I am now the queen of twist outs LOL.  The hair party was fun, it's a great idea if you have a few ladies that want to get together and try new things, brainstorm on new ideas, and its most beneficial when people can actually show you what they are talking about.  Til next time my kinky friends...

 

 

 

 

-MEI

 

Dust Much?

Anyone familiar with dusting?  Is it your chosen method of trimming.  I do, I dust my own hair so I don't leave someone's chair with a new haircut I didn't ask for.  Dusting, how I do it, consists of me twisting my hair and lightly trimming with hair scissors, (very important) just above the split ends.  The point of this is to stop the split ends before it gets worst while retaining as much length as possible which is the goal for me.  You should not be able to tell that you have dusted as there should only be tiny remnants of hair on the sink, or wherever you do it.   You could also use the seek and destroy method when it comes to split ends.  That's just what it sounds like, find them and rid those beautiful strands of splits.  Split ends can cause problems like tangling and frizz, which are biggies to us kinky folk so trimming is important.  Make sure you can see what it is you're cutting away at.  So being consistent is key.  Now I don't do it as nearly as often as I should but it gets done and this is my method of choice!

Mei

CURL BOX

HAS ANYONE HEARD ABOUT THE NEW RAVE?

ONYX CAME UP WITH A GREAT IDEA TO PROVIDE MONTHLY BOXES FILLED WITH GOODIES FOR OUR NATURAL LOVERS.

THIS BOX GIVES YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO TRY DIFFERENT BRANDS AND SEE WHAT WORKS FOR YOU!


EACH MONTH A GORGEOUS BOX OF 5 TO 7 FULL SIZE AND DELUXE SIZE PRODUCTS WILL ARRIVE AT YOUR DOOR STEP!

CURL PATTERN

HOLA MY NATURLISTAS ,

Just wanted to check in and do a progress report for my 30 DAY NO HEAT CHALLENGE

I always wondered how the back of my MANE look after a long day of ripping and running the streets. I was pleasenly suprised to see so much definition after a long day. This picture gives me the motivation to keep going with 30 day no heat challenge. I cant wait to CHECK IN AT THE 15 DAY MARK!

Wash & Go Time Y'all!

With all the heat and commotion the Summer brings wash and go's are definitely in season!  So this morning I simply conditioned and rinsed my hair and added a leave in.  I didn't towel dry or t shirt dry my hair I let it air dry.  This leave in by curls unleashed smells great it calmed some frizz and it's made especially for curly girls like us.  I did use some shea whip around my edges and what not, you know we have to baby them! This is my hair dry the heat helped it dry a lot quicker.  Check out that shrinkage ;-)

Mei

11 Months Natural and COUNTING!!!!!!!

I am super excited to see my 11-month transition!!!   I'm feeling like my natural transition has been worth, I have become a "Natural Believer!"   I honestly felt that my hair was just way to thick for me to be able to go natural and.......vua-la.......

15 MIN WASH N GO

GOOD MORNING MY NATURAL HAIR JUNKIES AND HAIR GURUS

I'M A NEWBIE TO THIS NATURAL HAIR LIFESTYLE BUT I'M DETERMINED TO BRING BACK MY CURLS!

MY PREVIOUS BLOG I STATED I WAS DOING A 30 DAY NO HEAT CHALLENGE- I KNOW I KNOW VERY SCARY BUT I'M UP FOR THE CHALLENGE .

DAY 1 - 15 MIN WASH N GO

SIMPLE AND EASY ESPECIALLY FOR A MOMMY ON THE GO LIKE MYSELF!!

I WASH MY HAIR USING HAIR CHEMIST COCONUT OIL SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER(5.99 EACH FROM OLD FAITHFUL TJ MAXX )

STEP 1- I USED COLD WATER TO RINSE THRU MY HAIR WHILE ADDING THE SHAMPOO

STEP 2- MASSAGE MY SCALP MAKING SURE I REMOVE ALL THE BUILDUP OUT MY HAIR

STEP 3- RINSE SHAMPOO OUT AND APPLIED CONDITIONER

STEP 4- COMB THRU HAIR WITH A WIDE TOOTH COMB

STEP 5- RINSE CONDITIONER OUT

STEP 6- TOWEL DRIED MY HAIR LIGHTLY

STEP 7- SLAPPED A NO SLIP HEAD BAND ON AND WENT ON MY MERRY WAY =)

NO HEAT CHALLENGE

Hey guys!!!!

I'm excited to informed everyone that I will be embarking on a 30 DAY  NO HEAT CHALLENGE!!! The reason I decided to embark on this journey because of the noticeable damage to my edges and curl pattern. My edges became came rough and fried while my curl pattern was all over the place. I noticed after washing my hair I would have tight curls throughout the back and loose or even straight pieces in the front of my hair. Therefore I willing to commit to this challenge to restore my edges and curl pattern.

Wish me Luck guys !!!

What's your hairs Condition?!

I've started using this product in conjuction to my water only washes I leave this in my hair while I wash up and then rinse.  I still use leave ins, but extra conditioner never hurt nobody! (Unless there are too many unhealthy ingredients )

I love the smell it is divine! I've noticed a difference in moisture and frizz after use... i must say I have loved any product I've tried from 3 sisters of nature, this is the sweet honey rose treatment and I highly recommend... what's your fav condish?

Mei

Protein Anyone?

So after enduring cold months of dry, brittle hair,  I did a strand test and found that my hair needed more protein.

         *Strand test: pull a hair strend with your hands to see how              much elasticity it has. If it breaks easily/resistant to spring.            back, then chances are your hair needs more protein.

Usually, I would mix up some Greek yogurt, egg, honey, coconut milk & avocado oil but I ventured out and tried an OTC product...ORS (formerly Organic Roots Stimulator) Hair Mayonnaise. I chose this because its a deep conditioner & protein treatment combined.

While it is enriched with olive oil, egg protein, herbs & wheat germ oil; it is NOT an all natural product...by far. It contains alcohol, cones & bunch of other chemicals...like a bunch:( but the results were absolutely amazing!! My hair is much more manageable, shiny, super soft and my curls popped & sprang back to life.

The process was simple(the usual):
          Washed
          Detangled & Sectioned hair
          Applied product
          Covered w/cap (directions say 15mins) but I did overnight
          Detangled (again...smh@my kinks)
          Rinsed
          Styled: not so mini mini-twists

Unfortunately I ran outta time for pics. As my hair grows... bra strap length...wash times are about 5 hrs now....patience is a virtue I suppose.

Overall: loved the results...not the ingredients. Not 100% sure if will use again. I will continue to research more natural options to repeat in another month or two.

Hope this is helpful.
~Loving

I miss my kinky curls!!!

I'm officially missing my kinky curls.  Can anyone relate?  My hair just feels so vulnerable in this state.  It's constantly in the way of my seatbelt, me putting bags on my shoulders, between my back and the chair, friction on my clothing.  It's much "safer" in its natural state to me.  Lol I know weird right, but I'm going back to my kinky glam look and I probably won't straighten my hair for another 6 months or so.  In the meantime I will continue with my twists.  The warm weather calls for some wash and go's as well but that's all folks.  As little manipulation as possible for me on this journey.  No combs no brushes, I am moving towards all natural ingredients and mixing my own hair products.  Heavy usage of aloe from my aloe plant, castor, coconut, grape seed oil and shea butter sealant.  Every 2 to 3 days with A water only wash cowashing only when necessary. With that said I will check back on my length retention in about 6 mos.

-Mei

Length Check!

Ok ladies I caved and straightened my hair.  It's been a while and there's definitely been some positive growth retention.  It will be a good while before I straighten my hair again so here it is...  I am slightly pass arm pit length close to bra length but no cigar just yet!
ps I have been washing my hair with water only and retwisting every 2 to 3 days using mainly coconut oil, aloe, Jamaican lavender castor oil, grape seed oil, glycerin and locking in with shea butter.

Mei

In Support of My "If I Can't Eat It" Mantra....

Here's another awesome website to support our naturalista lifestyles.

I hope you find some of these yummy finds beneficial. This site is absolutely WONDERFUL, it

covers a wide array of areas including teeth, hair and skin care.

Try one or better yet... some and please be sure

to share your experiences. Enjoy!!

http://www.natural-homeremedies-for-life.com/homemade-facial-toner.html

Look what I found!! Again Lol

Today I found a 96 Oz jar of coconut oil and a 1 liter
bottle of grape seed oil at the Newark Farmers Market on Kirkwood Hwy.  I just thought I would share, I am going to mix and split this with my mom.  It should last for quite sometime.

Mei

I Whip My Hair Bk & Forth!

Ladies,

I have found what has been missing from my hair regimen.  It's shea butter! My sista hooked me up with a shea coconut oil concoction  that I love.  She added a light scent because I thought shea butter to be a little too potent for my liking.  I had never used shea butter in my hair prior, the smell always drove me away, but it's about to be a change up in here.  Plus, appearantly the smell goes away.

I'm so happy I did, because it's the weightless moisture I have been missing.  After having my twist out for days my hair is still soft and hydrated.  My 2 strand twist process has not changed, only I'm using my whip as a sealant, and I'm hooked. My hair has lots of body and moisture, what more could a natural gal ask for!

PS. Loving makes the hair whip.......

If I Can't Eat It...

In my 'attempt' to stay on or as close to an "If I Can't Eat It..It Won't Go In or On Me" regime.
I have found an amazing concoction which is pretty universal..and it's only 3 ingredients!



                        Mix equal parts of the following:   Coconut Oil & Baking Soda
                                                 Add: Approx Tbl. of Honey


This is now my deodorant, toothpaste, facial exfoliant, nail treatment & scalp cleaner(pre-poo).  It has been about 2 weeks and I am absolutely loving its versatility & results, thus far.


                                                                   For Face:
Initially, I was trying to find an all natural remedy to help brighten acne scars and exfoliate & "by George I think I finally found it (at least I hope so)"!  This leaves my skin soft and smooth.  This has been known to brighten facial scars & underarm areas, as well. This mix can be rather abrasive so adjust the ingredients to your skin's sensitivity. On clean skin,  I use it twice a week, followed by Aloe Juice as a facial toner & a dab of Coconut Oil to Moisturize. Will post future updates of the results...

                                                                         For Hair
I then used this as a prepoo to clarify. I massaged onto already dampened scalp/hair, sat under a cap for about 15minutes. Upon rinsing out, the mixture trickles down my strands to cleanse as well. I then rinsed and massaged my scalp with diluted ACV, rinsed with water then conditioned.  My scalp was sparkling clean & left my hair very soft.
 

 

 

I styled using my usual conditioner, coconut oil & shea butter then after a few days decided to take it down.

 

 

 

 



ok. I'm over it!

 So even though my braids are still hanging in there, it was time.  I'm tapping out.... ready to put my hands in my own hair again.  It's been a good 6 to 7 weeks.

My scalp was still clear.  I was using a mixture of lavender Jamaican castor oil and coconut oil on my scalp and braids.  I also spray with water and leave in.

So I took my hair out which took a few hours!  And that's what I was left with, a big poofff lol. 

I co washed and conditioned my hair.  I finger detangle in the shower with the conditioner.  And I sprayed my fav leave in. 

Elasta QP olive oil and mango butter.

Yes shrinkage is a real part of my life lol.

I simply re twisted my hair, (which took another few hours), using a mixture of the same two oils mentioned above a lil glycerin, my home girl T hooked me up with, a lil aloe, and sealed with

Hair milk styling pudding by Carol's Daughter because I had some left.  Leaving them in over night and going crazy with my fro in the a.m.

I don't know how long my hair is but it looks to have grown.  I was itching to straighten it it has been 6 months minimum, but after seeing my growth I'm interested to see what another 6 months of growth without heat would look like...

 Hmm 

Badu...Would You??

Came across a wonderful video,  on non other than our infamous Youtube...smh..Where O Where would we natural gals be without. Anyways, for those hard to style, hair flob days and just flat out needing a quick hairstyle, wraps can be quite the nifty little solution in a pinch.

I personally have attempted a time or two and must say, enjoyed it, especially in the cold...

The video below captures a wide variety of style options; fully & partially covered...


 15 Ways To Wear a Headscarf: http://youtu.be/FbGOK-0POAE


Take a peek and lemme know what you think. How many of you would rock?

My New Aloe Plant!

I went to the Farmers Market today and low and behold there was a small aloe plant, so I got it. The aloe plant was known as "the plant of immortality" by the ancient Egyptians.  Aloe is good for skin and hair, it's infamous for its healing abilities.  Aloe aids in indigestion, heals wounds, cuts, and burns,  helps rejuvenate the uterus, boosts immunity, treats acne and increases skin elasticity, just to name a few but there are many more benefits.  Aloe contains many vitamins such as vitamins A, C, E, B1, B2, B6, B12, folic acid and nyacin.  Every household could put an aloe plant to good use.

MeiMei

Jamaican Castor Oil....

This is the good stuff ladies!! The Castor Oil Plant (Oil Nut Tree) is hand processed  to make black castor oil.  I chose the one with lavender.   The oil is like a thick syrup, with a sort of ashy woody smell.  It works though! I have had my braids for 3 weeks, and using this on my scalp.  No itching and no build up! Quite a bit of new growth though.  I have also mixed it with coconut oil.

MeiMei

9 Month Anniversary!!!!!!

Hello Everyone!! It's been officially 9 months and I'm having a super tough time with my hair! I have been consulting with the most wonderful Ladies for the last two months and for that I say "thank you"!!! I've noticed that the conditioner that I've been using Kinky Curly Stellar Strands leaves a build-up on my scalp and I don't believe it's the product for me. 😢

I also tried twisted my hair for the 1st time, it took quite a while but I was so happy with the results and it really showed me how long my hair has grown!!

Since this winter season, I was on the fence about cutting my hair down because my hair has been so brittle dry! For the record, I ADORE MY NATURAL HAIR 😍 So then I purchased the Cantu Shea Butter for Natural Hair, Jamaica Mango and Lime Tranisition Natural Naturalizing and Sealing Conditioner! The Nairobi Foaming Lotion is a product that I already had at home. The other products is Smooth'n Shine Curl Activator Gel and Blue Magic Hair Conditioner with Coconut Oil.  I also purchased some Glycerin to give me shine throughout the year all four seasons!!! I have not yet used the Glycerin, I think I'll wait for the winter season to end first....

 When I sifted through the natural hair aisles I was so shocked on how many natural hair products are out there and I was running into the fear of trying new products and then the products not working to potentially waste money on products that aren't working. Again, I TRULY ADORE MY HAIR, love to touch it!!

BANTU KNOTS

Supplies

Small Black Rubber bands
Crème of Nature Argan Oil
Elasta QP Olive oil & Mango Butter - Anti Breakage Leave-In Conditioner
Biosilk Shampoo and Conditioner
Blow Dryer
Comb/ Round Brush


Directions

 
Step 1- Part hair in four sections and wash each section separate while detangling as you go
Step 2- Rinse Hair and apply conditioner/ Leave conditioner in for at least 5-10mins
Step 3- Blow each section dry --Leave hair semi damp
Step4- Apply quarter size amount of  Argan Oil and scoop of Leave in to each section
Step 5 - Massage product in hair
Step 6-Part hair into small sections
Step 7- Twist and twirl hair into a bantu form and apply rubber bands
Step 8- Wear a satin bonnet to bed


Make sure when your ready to take your bantu knots out you add extra argan oil and twist each strand around your finger in the direction of the curl.

The Inversion Method!? The Hair X-Games

     It's called the Inversion Method they say its been around for years and it's supposed to get you up to an inch of new growth in 7 days.

First you are to oil your scalp.  I have seen olive oil and Jamaican castor oil used on youtube, but anyway massage it in.  Rinse the excess out, then bend and tilt the head at a slight angle downward for 4 minutes tops.  This increases the blood flow to the head which accelerates hair growth.  Caution is advised, I know you want them inches girl but no longer than 7 consecutive days.  Who has tried it? Would you? I intend to.....

MeiMei

Nine Naturals - Ingredient Glossary

http://www.ninenaturals.com/ingredient-glossary


In my journey to be more health/environment concious, I came across a rather informative website detailing the components of many chemicals found in most hair and skin products.  While I have not tried their product line...which looks very nice btw, I find their website to be very useful overall especially the A-Z ingredient list. Check it out for self. Hope you find this helpful. Please share your thoughts.