Saturday, April 25, 2009

It ain't easy....being natural

Yeah I am lovin it, but Good Lord, it is work. Sometimes I feel like I spend more time on my natural coils than I did on my relaxed hair. No I am not giving up haven't even thought about it, I loooooove my kinks. I have finally got my "rock solid regimen" (thx BGLH) and have gotten my cowashes down to twice a week, and a cabinet of my five main products that I use and love. Is it safe to say I am on my way? We will see, with the summer right around the corner hopefully I will not have to change what I am doing, it does get crazy hot here in Memphis and the humidity is hellacious, might have to start doing some research on good hair products for that problem. Oh and I am not a product junkie anymore now I just buy my regimen products when I run out, I am healed! Of course it is Saturday and yes I am doing a DC as usual, today I used my Black Earth Healing Oyl as a hot oil treatment, I think I will add that to my regimen weekly if it works out well. Time to rinse. toodles. Also I am still trying to get my videos uploaded for the three strand twists.



My goal!

Thursday, April 16, 2009

I am loving it! Being natural that is. For the past week I have been experimenting with two hair products that I mixed up myself. Since I put myself on a hair budget, hey I gotta do what I gotta do. . . with products that I already have and according what they already do , I mix them together to make them better.

The first recipe was a total hit with my hair, it leaves it feeling soft and fluffy all day.

1. Silk Leave In Conditioner ( this amount lasts cause of my TWA)

  • 3tbsp Cantu Leave In With Shea Butter

  • 3tsp Cantu Shea Butter Super Soft Hair Silk
    Mix, Mix, Mix however much you want!
VOILA! Match made by Naturallady. I didn't like how these two products worked together so I decided to mix them, together they ROCK!

My next recipe I probably use about twice a day, just to freshen up my curls

2. Shea Butter Hair Spritz


  • 6-8 oz water

  • 2 tbsp Organix Shea Butter Conditioner

  • 3tsp Black Earth Products Healing Oyl

  • Spray bottle
Shake all these ingredients together for a perfect spritz. The great thing about the OYL is that it already contains many natural oils in it so you are not buying alot of stuff. The past two days I did not do a cowash I just woke up and dampened my hair with the spritz and applied some of my Lock It Up and was out the door.

Remember what works for me may not work for you, just play around with the amount and see what you get. I got super soft hair. Good luck!









Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Henna /Cassia: What's the Diff?



Four weeks ago Idecided to tyr Neutral Henna in my hair. I must say that stuff is amazing , I fell in love with it even though it looked like I washed my hair in mud. OMG! My hair totally responded well to it. I was thinking I will never use anything else again. Then, all of a sudden I see the words Cassia and Amla, now I am confused, did I miss something? What are they? I had to be nosey so I did a little research, I wanted to find out the difference in these three natural products. What did I find out. . . they are all basically the same thing, there is no difference, they are all totally good for the hair and do basically the same thing. So for all of you wondering the same thing, this is for you.

Henna and Cassia: Same difference. Neutral Henna is actually from the Cassia Obovata plant that helps condition and add shine to the hair. The neutral henna is colorless, that is nondying, and there is also henna that is used to add a hint of color to the hair. Henna/Cassia is a fine, green powder that really does smell like grass or green tea, when mixed with warm water it turns into a pastey substance and can be applied to the hair. Here is some info.



HENNA:
Natural conditioner
Keeps hair shiny and soft
Curl Enhancer and texturizer
Non drying
Can be used once a month
Can be mixed with Cassia and Amla

CASSIA:
Natural hair conditioner, thickener
Adds shine
Curl enhancer
Nondrying
Can be used once a month
Can be mixed with Henna and Amla

AMLA:
Natural conditioner, volumizer
Curl enhancer
Non dryingCan be used once a moCan be mixed with Henna and Cassia
Can be used as a facial scrub and toner
Known as Indian Gooseberry

How To Use:


  1. Mix Henna/Cassia with warm water.
  2. Apply to clean dry or damp hair from the root down (damp hair is better). A perm brush works great for application.
  3. Wrap hair in plastic wrap or put on a shower cap, let set for 1 hour.
  4. Rinse hair thoroughly, removing all residue.
  5. Style.
  6. Repeat monthly for healthy, thick, shiny hair.


The only con is this stuff is seedy so it is a good idea to sift before using. Trust me or you will be picking seeds from your hair. Yes the application is a hot mess but the end result is HOT!



For more info visit

http://hennacaravan.com/

http://mehandi.com/

http://rainbowhenna.com/


http://hennaforhair.com/

Sorry so long but I hope it was good information :)


All in the family

I decided to a few special posts on some of the natural folks in my family. Yeah, I am not the only one rockin this natural thing. From my mom on down to my little sis, who by the way has locs, we love our kinks. Keep a look out for my first interview from my mommy :) on Sunday. Also I have had a lot of questions about Henna so I will be putting a post up about that later on this evening. Peace out!

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Organix Smoothing Shea Butter Conditioner

Organix Smoothing Shea Butter Conditioner: I have been using this product for the past few weeks for my co-washes and my hair loves it. It has a very creamy blend of " shea butter, whipped yogurt protein, and avocado oils," not sticky or filmy at all. It leaves my hair soft and shiney and ready for styling.

Price: Walgreens: $6.99 for 13oz. I have been using for three weeks and still have half a bottle, but remember I only use for co washes.

Would I Use Again: I will definitelely be buying this product again, as soon as I run out or catch it on sale again. Thanks Walgreens!

I give this product 5 stars!
* * * * *

Friday, April 10, 2009

Protective Hairstyles

I have been debating about what types of protective hairstyle I should get, there are so many to choose from. I haven't made up my mind yet but here are some ideas. Here are my top four and a littel info on them:



Two/Three Strand Twists: This is where you use two or three strands of hair and twist around each other all the way around until you reach the ends of the hair. Two strand twists are easy as are the strand twist but they are a little bit difficult to explain how to do. I like the three strand twists because they hold better than the two strands. I do three strands on my daughter because they hold her fine hair better. I found out about the three strand twist on youtube a couple of years ago, I will try to get a video uploaded on how to do a two strand twist.



Roller Set (Using perm rods): Farely easy to do, perm rods are the small colorful rollers with the elastic band on it. Using your favorite products wrap your hair around the roller, let air dry or sit under a hairdryer. After hair is completely dry carefully remove rollers and and seperate curls into about three sections. Beautiful curls!



Braids: Self explanatory. You can use your own hair or add hair extensions, whatever floats your boat. They can be individual or cornrows.





Flat Twists: Flat twists are much like cornrows except they are twisted using two strands of hair. Very simple to do with some practice.

Basically any hairstyle that keeps you from manipulating your hair is a protective style. Try which ever style makes you comfortable, is easy for you to do, and is easy for you to take care of for a few or several days. What ever style you try make sure you Rock It!

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Embrace the Curls

I have decided that since I am embracing my coils that I want my daughters to embrace their curls too. I have decided to let them know that having curly, natural hair is just as beautiful as having long, straight hair and that everyone has a different kind of hair. I am going to help them by using the right products in their hair and just letting them keep their curls after washing instead of blowdrying it straight or running the straightening comb through it every three weeks. I know, I feel like such a hypocrite, stone me. Together we are going to embrace our curls and coils naturally and and have healthy hair. Besides they love wearing their hair out and since it is finally warming up I guess I will let them. Now I just have to work on finding products that work in their hair and not damaging. Wish me luck!

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

What else can be done?

I am thinking of getting some braids for a while my husband thinks I am crazy because I just cut all my hair off, surely it is not a bad idea. Right now I am getting so tired with work and school and all and on top of that worrying with my children's hair. My hair is now at an awkward stage, it is very thick and curly, not too short but not long enough. I love my teeny weeny fro but just need a break from this ritual. I was thinking about doing a wash and then straightening it and wearing it like that for a while, I don't know, I even thought about a sew in. Don't worry, I know how to do hair, it definitely won't look homemade. I don't know I will make up my mind by this weekend.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Sunday Inspiration: Circimcision of the Heart

Moreover the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendents, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 30:6

Today's Scriptur recalls the days when God called the Israelites to be circumcised. This physical cutting away of the foreskin symbolized that they were God's own, a chosen people. God would someday perform a circumcision on their hearts as well. Does your heart need a check up?
This thought coming to mind because I spent this past weekend, all weekend, being mad at my husband instead of enjoying my time off as a family. We finally made up this afternoon, after he apologized and I finally accepted it. OH the thoughts that went through my head. I had hardend my heart towards him alittle. But all is well now, can't let the little things upset a beautiful marriage. Circumcise my heart Lord.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Family Pics

It is time for family pictures and I am nervous about this. My first set with this natural do. I got the outfit picked out with just the right accessorie, cause of course I have to be cute. With a little make up I will be good to go. And of course a fresh wash so I can have that shine factor. I made sure to run out to get my Black Earth.
Off the subject: I have been trying to post some videos I made but can't get the darn things to upload, they are not very long so I don't know what the problem is. If I finally get them up and you see them just know that they are from one week ago.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Can I get ya'll to leave Obama alone...

Okay so last night my local news station did a story called Memphis in Black and White and of course they had to talk about Obama, is he black or is he white? OMG can we let the man be black please like he is. I look at it this way, if President Obama walked into a store and no one knew he was mixed they would definitely see him as a black man. He grew up in Chicago and was treated just like a black person, he is married to a black woman, and they definitely have black children. Heck, he even says he considers himself black. Then they had the nerve to show this preacher on tv saying "don't tell your children that an historical event has taken place and some other yadda yadda stuff" now he made me mad. You know what, he may have played "a" race card because he is black, and got many black votes, but had he been white he would have gotten many white votes. Anyways what does he being mixed with black and white have to do with how good a president he is going to be. I like Obama and yes I voted for him, let African American people have some time in the light. Remember the one drop rule? I am not a racist, I love all people red, yellow, black, and white, I don't discriminate I have friends of many colors , my children's Godmother is white and we love her to death. Sorry I just had to ramble on about this issue, but that little bit of news just mad me a little upset. Gotta go now and get back to work. Hit me back and tell me what you think. If you want to check out the news go to myfoxmemphis.com

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Love of My Life



Happy Birthday


To My Hubby !!!


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