Back to Basics July 6, 2009

 

Here’s the only way I knew this past weekend to calm my ever ballooning halo/frizz/dry affected hair.

1. Prepoo with Suave Coconut Condish + Hairveda’s CoCasta Shikakai Oil

2. Rinse + Wash w/ Chagrin Valley Neem & Tea Tree Poo/Body Bar

3. Deep Condition w/ Aubrey Organics HoneySuckle Rose ( 20 min under heating cap)

4. Detangle + Cold rinsed, Twist w/ KBB Hair Milk under Afroveda’s Shea-Amla Butter crème.

5. Air Dry

Record time: under 3hrs.

 

Thankfully, my hair opted out of it’s temporary foolery and reduced the frizz significantly. Also attributed to my lack of halo was a drop in the humidity forecast (hallalujahs!)!! Before deciding to return to the basics though, my feet pandered into Sephora after work to glance at a relatively new line of products geared towards the curly girl. Living Proof.

The Gist:

Whether you’ve got curly cues or stick-straight strands, at some point you’ll be affected by the dreaded frizz—the annoying change in hair texture that takes you from slick to static in any humid situation. But before you crawl under that hat, meet Living Proof, your new frizz-busting BFF that keeps moisture mishaps under control. The brainchild of a talented team of hair aficionados lead by an MIT professor, the goal was to find a breakthrough solution “from a physics standpoint” and not through the standard methods of creating a typical beauty product. Instead of traditional silicone-based solutions, Living Proof set out to create efficient formulas based on entirely new molecules using advanced technology, so your toughest hair challenges are solved from a fresh, new perspective. The result is a comprehensive collection of cutting-edge, humidity-resistant formulas that work for all hair types. Whether you prefer it curly or straight, the road to silkier strands just got that much smoother—and you’re about to see Living Proof.

Sounds almost too good to be true! 

Here’s what caught my eye:

Wave Shaping, Curl Defining No Frizz Styling Treatment for Thick to Coarse Hair

What it is:

A daily treatment for optimum frizz-reduction and conditioning.

What it does:

Living Proof Wave Shaping, Curl Defining No Frizz Styling Treatment for Thick to Coarse Hair offers the first new anti-frizz technology in over 30 years. No Frizz addresses the two causes of frizz—humidity and friction. It provides a superior, extremely thin humidity barrier on hair while reducing surface friction. The result is the most effective, lightweight frizz fighter on the market today. This expert styling secret weapon contains a touchable holding polymer to give your waves and curls added definition. Hair is left sleek and manageable without becoming greasy or heavy.

 

I’m thinking….I’m thinking….@ $14 for a 2oz bottle…and my massive hair, I had to temporarily pass.  Granted reviews have been more so on the positive end. Added to my product queue for sure…but for now my AOHR + KBB and Afroveda are three gems that are absolute staples my hair can count on in times of frizz.

In the Meantime… July 1, 2009

MJ

Yep…MIA is my middle name. At least for the past couple of crazy rollercoaster days. To say that I was a bit struck by all that’s been happening in the news lately…I mean it’d be a huge understatement to say the least. Business is of course run as usual..you head to work, eat, sleep …thank the lord you’re here to see another day. Sunday was typical, wake up, head to market, wash/style hair type day…though it felt anything but ordinary. It’s hard…in the industry I work in, the buzz right now is all about solidifying on the hype of MJ. $$$., which makes it a bit difficult to cope with the loss of such a HUGE contributor to some of the BEST memories I’ve had as a child. I was never a bandwagoner of his music or life…though I did feel a deep sense of sadness watching how far he had to fall simply because he’d gotten up so far ahead of everyone in the game.

In the meantime I’ve been listening to vintage MJ, and forcing my ears shut when faced with all the negativity churned on my the press/media. I’m also still in the midst of a laptop crisis, so posting will be scarce until next week.

Have a Blessed & Happy Fourth Everyone;-)!

MJ June 26, 2009

 

 

 

MAXWELL COUNTDOWN! June 23, 2009

Why am I always the last to know! NEW Maxwell after the jump;-)!!

 

 

Poo Bar June 22, 2009

Lately I’ve been on a quiet budget of sorts. Trying my best to conserve any extra $$ because, honestly it just seems like a really cool plan. To have some extra loot in the bank or under the mattress is always a nice comfort. As a result, I’ve been happily delving into my PJ stash, repurposing old goodies and trying out new ones that were on my ‘mean to but never got around to’ list.

So this week I scanned my PJ area, noticed a full jar of Lustrasilk’s Shea-Butter and Mango conditioner/styling crème and went to work. These days I just can’t seem to help myself with the pre-pooing…so I started within those lines using Suave’s Coconut conditioner. To that, I added a couple squirts of Hairveda’s CoCasta Shikakai Oil, twisted into large twists and added a bit more of the CoCasta to my scalp. Massaged the pre-poo, then left on for 5-10 minutes before rinsing. Nixed on the ACV this week as well as a co-wash and happily sampled a poo bar from the Chagrin Valley collection of soaps. My bar of choice was their Neem & Tea Tree body/shampoo bar, which I lathered onto my hair, then applied directly to my scalp. Plenty of lather with this bar, so I was easily able to work up the suds and feel as if my hair got a good cleanse. It’s surprisingly non-stripping, but even BETTER…moisturizing! My hair felt cleansed and fairly soft.

Ingredients:

Saponified oils of an elder flower, calendula, dandelion, and comfrey infused sunflower, neem, and rice bran blend, coconut, palm, castor bean, jojoba, palm kernel, and wheat germ; filtered rainwater; organic aloe vera; essential oils tea tree, lavender, thyme, and peppermint; vitamin E oil; and rosemary oil extract.

The Goods:

Enhanced with jojoba and wheat germ oils, this bar will soothe and moisturize your skin, and add body and vitality to your hair. The liquid oils have been infused with the anti-inflammatory botanicals of elder and calendula flowers, which have been used topically to heal rashes and to help soften and soothe dry, irritated skin and scalp. It leaves your skin and hair clean and soft.

The sample bar ran me a mere $2.60, and will thankfully last a good while. DC this week was the tried and true LustraSilk Shea Butter Cholesterol. To be honest I can’t figure out if its works best as a DC, curl crème or a leave in…?! While searching the label I found no answers, so just went ahead and twisted, detangled and worked my way into a conditioning cap for 45 minutes before my final rinse. Styling this week with old time fav KCKT under Donna Marie’s Lock & Twist Pudding. Twisted into larger twists this week to cut back on time…untwisted this morning to dry hair, but instantly began the battle against humidity. It’s been typically warm and humid some mornings over the past couple weeks, and my hair doubled in size as soon as I began to unravel each twist.

 

Alright, so bottom line…I’m choosing to embrace the added poof! This past Sunday was the official first day of Summer and I think it’s also time to change the expectation of my hair during the warmer months. Volume as an added bonus to curly/afro textured hair adds a great softer look, which if worked/pinned/styled right can look effortless/glam/wonderful!  So with no qualms over the added height of hair, I added a smidgen of KBB hair butter and let the rest be.

Mizani June 17, 2009

 

My Aunt who’s been a Hair Stylist for most of her life was the only stylist I’d ever let go anywhere near my hair with a relaxer. She wasn’t the first one to apply a relaxer to my hair, but she was the one person whom I trusted wholeheartedly, because she could straighten out the curl like the best of ‘em, without making my hair look and feel flat, and lacking it’s natural body. In her arsenal of products, used to gleam and shine my hair to help preserve the longevity of the relaxer was always a Mizani product.  She was, and still is, a fan of their relaxer system, their line of hair sprays, moisturizing gels, shampoos & conditioners.

Today, MIZANI, a division of L’Oréal USA, is a complete line of professional treatments, relaxers, shampoos, conditioners, hair color, and styling products designed to meet the expanding needs of today’s global beauty. Through its advanced, patented technology, MIZANI has discovered new ways to care not only for the hair, but for the scalp as well. Each MIZANI formula is customized to suit the individual needs of each hair type. From naturally curly and highly textured to color-treated, relaxed and everything in between, MIZANI offers a specialized, salon-exclusive hair care system designed to restore every hair type to its ultimate state of balance.

This is by no means a virtuous plug for the Mizani line…but more so a nod in their direction for recognizing the broader range of needs for naturally curly heads and different textures. A few of their NEW products did catch my eye, and sound strangely familiar…

Coconut soufflé:

Natural coils and curls—and even some wavy hair types—require extra moisture, protection and style control. New whipped-texture, Coconut Soufflé Light Moisturizing Hairdress disperses evenly and absorbs quickly for touchably soft waves and curls. Using a concentrated, natural-oil blend of coconut and camellina oils, it instantly envelops each strand and infuses it with uniform moisture from the inside out. Additionally, coconut oil helps strengthen hair and reduce breakage. The result is targeted moisturization, along with extra protection at the “stress” points of curly strands.

Especially formulated for multi-textured hair, Coconut Soufflé Light Moisturizing Hairdress revitalizes and restores curl’s natural luster without building up or weighing hair down.

Okay, so this sounds familiar because it has all those lovely key words natural/curly heads look for….’moisture’ ‘protection’ ‘style control.’ In the past I’ve been sold on these key words alone as promises for a good product, so looks like the folks over at MIZANI are finally paying attention (or looking to broaden their appeal).

Another worth a second gander, is their Butter Rich Nourishing Hairdress:

Naturally curly hair in all its beautiful shapes and forms can lose its shine if it becomes dry, damaged or brittle. The newest solution: Butter Rich Deep Nourishing Hairdress, a weightless, whipped texture hairdress that combines Mizani’s newest aerated-texture technology with an exceptional blend of naturally emollient Shea and Cocoa Butters, humectants and protective Coconut Oil. It provides intense moisturization, extreme softening and ultra nourishment—all in a fast-absorbing formula.

Developed to meet the needs of curly, coiled or kinky hair that’s extremely dry, damaged, porous or brittle, it instantly revitalizes and intensely softens, providing smoothness, flexibility and shine, from roots to ends. Use it as often as needed, and fall in love with natural curls again.

I’ve never truly been a fan of the ‘hairdress,’ all the ones I’ve used in the past have resulted in mighty greasy hair and fingers, so I typically stay away. Far from being completely sold on these products, I’d still love to see the complete packaging including the ingredient list. The site boasts these two products as being mineral oil and petroleum free…yeah, sounds good, but I’d still like to see what else goes into these products other than shea & coconut oil.

 

Naturallycurly.com along with MIZANI are offering those who take a brief survey the chance to win new products from the line.  To enter and fill out the survey click HERE or visit naturallycurly.com for more info.

Oyin Handmade June 16, 2009

Alrighty, so this is going to be a two parter because of my tendency to ramble about stuff. I’ll break the review down into two parts, first starting off with two products, Oyin’s Honey Hemp Conditioner and Oyin’s Shine & Define. I purchased my Oyin stash during my last mini-haul, and used a nifty coupon code that the lovelies over at Oyin Handmade deliver at the end of each of their monthly podcast. The trick is of course to listen to the entire podcast featuring the brains and gustos behind the label, Jamyla Bennu and her husband Pierre Bennu. The lowdown of Oyin truly boils down to the name which means Honey. Here’s a brief descrip from their site:

We are a family-owned company, named after the Yoruba word for ‘honey’ – one of nature’s most versatile beauty products! We make our products from scratch, by hand, in small batches to ensure freshness. We never use petroleum, silicones, or non-nourishing fillers – every ingredient in our mixtures has work to do! In our goodies you can find unrefined shea butter, nutritive sea vegetables, pure aloe vera juice, nourishing vitamins, and herbal infusions carefully chosen for their beneficial and healing properties

Honestly though, my first attempt at using Oyin’s Honey Hemp was half-assed at best. I was in one of those moods where the best possible solution to doing your hair would be to cut it all off. More often than not, I tend to reach these moments…my guess is because of all the freakin hair I have. But I digress to offer my two cents. I liked the Honey Hemp, but had to battle with my hair to get to the ‘like’ part. It’s a light silky conditioner that does well on many fronts. You can use it as a leave-in, rinse-out, or styler. I’ve used it both as a leave in & a styler on two separate occasions. With my first try, I left it in after shampooing, allowed to dry overnight and added a styler in the morning. This might’ve been a mistake, at least for my hair because of my heavy handedness when it comes to conditioners. To use as a leave-in, I definitely used a tad too much and awoke the next morning with a bit of a crunch to my twists. The fix was easy…just a quick spritz of water and retwisted with a curl defining crème. My second go was using it as a rinse out conditioner, a happy medium for me and the Honey Hemp! I conditioned with the Honey Hemp, detangled & left in for about an hour, rinsed out and added a crème styler.

Description:

A creamy rinse-out conditioner has been an often-requested product at Oyin. We are very proud of the Honey-Hemp Conditioner – a light, penetrating, silky blend enriched with aloe vera gel, hemp oil, honey, and hydrolyzed silk protein, it’s got nice detangling slip and serious moisturizing power. It rinses cleanly and also makes a nice pre-shampoo deep conditioning treatment. It can even be used as a creamy, nourishing leave-in!

For $11 you can opt for the 8oz, or the 16 oz for $18. If I were to purchase again I’d probably opt for the 16oz just to be a bit more cost effective. What still interests me about the conditioner is its versatility to be used as a leave-in/rinse out conditioner, an option offered by many conditioners on the market..but very few that have worked successfully on my hair (and scalp).  In the below video Jamyla uses the Hemp as a pre-poo!

 

 

 

The second in my haul was Oyin’s Shine and Define, described as a gentle styling serum from the creators. But I’m going to go ahead and place it in the gel/crème category. The only other styling serums I’ve used in the past have been clear in color, light and greasy in consistency and pack a punch with a whole host of silicones to gloss over hair and frizz.

 

Descrip:

Designed to be nourishing, light & non-greasy, this soft creamy serum contains herbal infusions, pure Aloe Vera, flax seed extract, nutritive sea vegetables, shea butter, and more. It’s like a smoothie for your hair! Smooth onto damp edges & set with a scarf for a sleek hairline; massage into wet or damp hair and squeeze dry for softness, frizz reduction, and definition of your hair’s beautiful texture. Work with your hair, not against it, with this lightly fruit-scented styling aid.

 

Alrighty, as with most products geared for natural hair…trial and error is almost always inevitable, and the same went for my go with the Shine and Define. As soon as I saw the consistency of the serum and most importantly the size of the jar, I knew I’d have to use sparingly. Granted a little goes a long way with this product, but I found that the more I applied, the more my hair cried out for more. Silly me, I obliged and by the time I was done twisting my entire head there was less than half an ounce left in the jar.

 

$11 will get you 4oz of the serum while $18 will get you an 8oz jar.  Applying liberally will not get you far with this product, but what I found it best for was for slicking back edges and moisturizing parts of my hair that needed.  A dime size amount would work fine on either wet or dry hair…though for me it did work best on wet/damp hair.  If you’ve got a TWA, I’d say to consider investing if the price is right and your hair loves a soft moisturizing gentle hold.  The light consistency is perfect for the warmer months, and it helps to cut back on frizz.

 

To visit the Oyin blog and listen to their podcast, click here.  Each podcast unearths a cool discount code that could be used towards your next purchase.

Hair Prospects June 15, 2009

Could it be? I’m posting on time! Well…at the very least, as I type I have EVERY intention of posting this before I head off to lunch. Internet access is still sparse in my parts so I’m making do by sneaking lines and paragraphs wherever I can. The sun barely made an appearance this past weekend…I mean it’s like we inherited the hum drum that is London fog over the past several weeks, with nary a day that we haven’t seen rain. Here’s how I’m taking it…I’m arming myself with a game plan that will consist of up do’s, headbands, and a but load of bobby pins to secure this thing on my head.

I’m blaming it on the weather again, the fact that my body is growing increasingly lazy when it comes to doing my hair each week. The prospect of pre-pooing, washing, conditioning, detangling and styling has honestly felt a bit of a drag lately. My list of ‘things to do’ on my only day off is unfortunately/thankfully growing, but the time it takes to do my hair hasn’t gotten shorter…or easier for that matter. I grumbled a lot this week…even while I pre-pooed with leftover Suave coconut condish, applied my bentonite recipe using marshmallow root powder, nettle powder, ACV, and about three tablespoons of Hairveda’s CoCasta Shikakai Oil. I sat diligently with the mix in my hair for 45 minutes, co-washed with Trader Joe’s Nourish Condish, and detangled at the same time to cut back on time. No DC this week, because apparently I was out! Didn’t realize until the last minute and thought my hair could go without.

After detangling and separating into twists, cold rinsed then styled with KBB’s Hair Nectar and Afroveda’s Totally Twisted Ginger Almond Butter Crème, a somewhat lighter take on the Shea-Amla Creme, so I took a chance and found that it held it’s own.   I dried this week using my Soft Bonnet, mostly due to lack of time, and woke up this morning to about 99% dry hair. Much better than last week, and definitely dry enough so I wouldn’t have to worry about potential frizz once I stepped outside. I smoothed some KBB hair cream over the top for a bit of added shine, and pinned my hair instead of first day twist out hair. It was again raining as I stepped outside, so pinning the hair back was a good choice if I intend for the style to last for the rest of the week.

I’m anxious to try my Curly Fro again this week, if the weather plays nice for a change. I did notice though a lot more tangles and knots in my hair…especially over the past few weeks. Strangely, I’ve been able to retain more length over the past couple of months, and my hair has been growing! This is a good thing, because:

a. I’ve finally gained victory over my heat damage fiasco last year &

b. I must be doing something right with my regime, so kudos to me;-).

But the on flipside to more tangles and longer hair means, proper maintenance, i.e. regular trims. One of my fav bloggers, erin over at http://edotrich.blogspot.com/ , got her trim this past week, and it looks FAB! Her stylist managed to keep a nice shape, and not cross the line of scissor happiness. I’m thinking by the end of this month my hair would’ve reached it’s limit…after all there is so much pulling and tugging a Denman brush can do before it’s worn out.  So either I’ll piece together some pennies and bills or do it myself yet again.

 

Alright, off to lunch;-)

Later than Never June 10, 2009

Okay, so this post is late because I’ve just been late with a bit of everything this week. Is it possible to use the word moving without adding chaos to the mix? Yes…No? Well, it’s been a chaotic moving whirlwind on my end over the past couple of days. My workplace is restructuring, and moving office spaces comes with the territory. From lifting and packing boxes last week, to lifting and unpacking crap this week..my arms better look Michelle Obamaish by tomorrow a.m. But Sunday was my rest day AND… me hair day…and because I was feeling a bit feverish with fatigue I opted to keep the process a bit simple…or as simple as natural hair can afford while still looking fabulous;-)!

To keep it simple and hassle free, I stuck to last week’s regime and hoped for the best, Pre-pooed with Trader Joe’s Nourish Spa Condish, followed by a co-wash. ACV’d with a bit of Khoret Oil added, then finished with Nature’s Gate Tea Tree Calming to help alleviate the smell. DC this week was Oyin’s Honey Hemp Condish for 45 min, followed by a cold rinse, styled with KBB’s Hair Nectar & Afroveda’s Shea-Amla Whipped Crème. Clipped the roots down, air dried for 5-6 hours and woke up the next morning to slightly damp twists. I blame it the humidity, but at the same time I completely forgot to remove any excess water from my hair. With the thickness of my hair it’s always a better idea to soak up as much water from hair before applying any styling product.

So the a.m left me with only slightly damp twists…not too disappointing. I applied a bit of KBB hair crème and called it a day. What ended up being the frizz culprit the following day was a string of intense humid temperatures and some freakish rain storms that tore through the east coast. What was initially supposed to look like 2nd day hair, instead reverted to something along the lines of 5-6 day hair….I had poof & volume for days! Still had movement, but had to remoisturize Monday evening with a touch more Shea-Amla Crème. Tuesday night I conditioned the do by simply re-twisting the hair, rolled the twists into tight pinwheel curls and enjoyed a curly fro this morning…a style I genuinely missed because it has the ability to last for days!

Next week will be another bentonite treatment with my root herbs! My hair and scalp seriously thrived after each application, and I definitely felt a slight difference in texture this week. I’m thinking at the very least twice a month with the bentonite, and a slow return to some co-washing (daily or every other day).

 

*I’m late on two fronts. My Oyin Review & my Afroveda Review. All to come when I get the feeling back in my arms;-)

KBB’s Friday Love June 5, 2009

Ask…and ye shall receive…

 

Carol’s Daughter: Hair Milk April 16, 2009

So, what natural/curly head doesn’t have a story about their first time using Carol’s Daughter’s products? If you haven’t already, bets are it’s on your list for a post-BC purchase or a summer investment…I’m just guessing here.

But my own experience with Carol’s Daughter came after my second BC.  I’d just cut off my locs and was looking forward to sampling her line of goodies…a friend of mine who was natural at the time recommended and I gravitated towards their store in Fort Greene like a moth to a flame.  I was a bit timid at the time…and also a bit in awe at the scope of natural products and the sheer fact that they were all catered to women with natural hair.  What a beautiful concept!

After sampling & sniffing just about everything in the store from their cologne sprays, to the shampoos…body bars…hair balms…hair butters…Whew! I left the store with a bag full of goodies, including the infamous Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk.  This was a product I was most excited to try because let’s face it…what natural head doesn’t go gaga over the thought of your tresses being nourished by milk! It’s a bit of clever marketing, calling the product Hair Milk…but it works not just for Carol’s Daughter, but for a whole host of other lines that have come after.  I’m into the whole milky way thing….milk baths…hair milks…milk & honey soap bars. I LUV! For the most part it feels like home.

My first purchase was well over four years ago, when Ms. Price was just beginning the whirlwind tour success story that’s turned into a Sephora gig..etc. Both stores, the one in Fort Greene along with the one in Harlem were gems in my book…but there is something about making it to the halls of Sephora that lets the world know…dang it, I’m Here! If you were a fan of her line before you were either beyond thrilled to see your goodies become a bit more accessible (screw shipping costs!) or a bit disheartened at the possible commercialization of a line…their message, ‘Beauty by Nature,’ would be a bit hard to swallow.

Here’s where I take it back…waaaaay back to when I first started using this line and could count on maybe one or two hands the amount of ingredients that came in a tube of Hair Milk or Hair Smoothie.  Back then, it really did feel as if it were ‘beauty by nature,’ because most of the products required refrigeration or had to be used in a 1-4 week time frame.  I remember having images of Ms. Price and her line of natural ladies mixing potions in her home kitchen…maybe jivin to some Nina Simone in the background.  Crazy …yah. But this was the essence of Carol’s Daughter to me…a rare personalization that you experienced when walking into her store and seeing these beautiful women talk expertly about how to best nourish your hair, & how to best moisturize and cleanse your face. 

I continued to use Carol’s Daughter several months after my BC, but for one reason or another…(probably the price) stopped.  As my hair grew longer, I was drawn to more pocket-friendly products…gels and what nots that would not leave a growing hole in my wallet.  My hair is thick and requires  a heapin pile of product for styling! But I still loved the Hair Milk.  For freshly BC’d hair, it made my little twirls and kinks spiral and stay moisturized for a good day or so.  I had shine, softness and the feeling that I was on the right track as far as my hair went.

Fast forward to earlier this year…I’m much to lazy to go to Fort Greene, and Harlem seems like two worlds away, so I stop into my nearest Sephora and revisit my old friend Hair Milk.  The price….yeah, that went up.  But it wasn’t until I got home that I realized  the other changes.  The consistency was different…the ingredient list fit the entire side of my 8oz bottle…and some were a bit questionable.  Regardless, I tried it and for the most part still liked it! I used it mainly in the mornings to smooth down frizz and re-moisturize my twists.  With my hair longer this was the best use I found rather than using it as a simple wash-n-go styler.

And yeah…my hair is longer now, and for the most part is a bit more particular about what I put in it, and while the Hair Milk is okay for now…what it used to be was a bit more special.  Here’s what I do understand though… with reformulations, especially with a business that’s growing, expanding and moving in great directions…is that change is inevitable.  Ms. Price couldn’t have her products sit on the shelves of Sephora and deteriorate in front of customers.  The loss would be both hers and her customers of the natural hair community.

Yet, what I was hoping for were better alternatives to what was inevitably included in the new reformulation.  Personally I wouldn’t know how to spot an Amodimethicone in ’nature,’ so I was surprised to see it in a lot of the now ‘new’ conditioners and moisturizers.  It’s all just hair products right…nothing to worry over.  But, I’m still sort of disappointed.  I won’t be re-purchasing my first forray into Hair Milk’s…and most likely a lot of the other products I’d wanted to sample again.  My commmitement these days is to find better alternatives and to really stick to a game plan.

 

Jeesh…this post is way too long so….et fin!

Time on My Hands May 14, 2009

no...not ice cream

I had just an ounce of time on my hands while my PC was in the shop, and decided to play mixtress for one evening…or two or three!  Back in the beginnings of winter I finally took it upon myself to mix together my own shea butter creme, something that would help with my overly dry skin.  I was super succesful in sifting together a moisturizing butter with a raw-unrefined shea base.  I’d layer it on at night and wake up in the morning to soft, gleaming skin! It was a personal victory considering how far I’d come…over the years I’d tried a million-n-one different over the counter creams and balms to keep the dryness at bay…including taking antihistamines when the dry skin escalated into something surpassing drugstore help.  I was over the top misserable, partly because I’d grown so dependant on the pills to function through a regular day, and second…well I didn’t have insurance at the time, so seeking the help of a dermatologist was strickly out of the $uestion.

So, succesful in banishing my winter dryness I was bored the other day and tried to mix together leftover butters and oils I had lying around.  Using a butter in the spring/summer months is a rarity for me…for obvious reasons I guess.  The feeling of a thick butter being slathered over skin that’s already naturally moisturized is not cute.  Instead, I’m more likely to stick to light lotions and light/fluffy creams.  I didn’t have much to start but the end result was a good start:

• 2  1/2 oz refined shea butter
• 1 tablepoon aloe butter (you can be more generous if you like)
• 1 teaspoon jojoba oil
• 1 teaspoon sweet almond oil
• three tablespoons emulsifying wax
• 1 tablespoon grape-seed oil
• half tablespoon cornstarch
• half a teaspoon Vitamin E oil

Almond Joy

Mixing was easy, but also a bit time consuming because I was looking for a lighter, fluffy consistency.  I melted the butters + emulsifying wax over a double boiler until soft and almost completely melted.  Removed butters from heat as soon as the bits of wax were almost dissolved, once removed you can add the oils and cornstarch.  The butters I used are rich with an already oily, creamy consistency when hard, so I did go sparingly with the carrier oils.  I eyeballed, but still managed  to use no more than listed above.  Once the oils and butters were mixed, I brought out a hand mixer to incorporate everything fully, and to also get the right consistency.  I started on a low speed than alternated as I went along…once the cream began to form bubbles and pull itself together, I added some fragrance oil. (3 tblsp. almond oil; 2tblsp. vanilla bean oil).

To get the right kind of fluffy texture, I ended up mixing for a good ten minutes (still working on how to cut this down), then placed the mix in 2 oz containers, enough to fill 2 equally.  Before allowing the cream to set I dusted the top with dark cocoa powder (cosmetic grade) for a dessert like look! The mix smelled so yummy, with the almond and vanilla that I could not resist! What I ended up with was a light souffle type butter creme, that goes on silky, but not greasy (thanks to the cornstarch), and light enough to use in the coming Summer months.  My skin was left moisturized and glowing after using.  I’m still playing around with scent, but this batch smells like pure almond/vanilla ice cream!

If you’ve been hesitant in the past to try your hand at mixing your own goodies…u need not fret! First of all, it’s easy peezy, COST EFFECTIVE, and you have sites like Mixology and countless others to lead you by the hand;-)!

Back to Roots May 18, 2009

So this week I had focus and a clear goal in mind as far as my hair went.  Cleanse, cleanse cleanse! Because I’d been thrown off track with my ‘hair schedule,’ I had to steer myself in the right direction by removing all the product buildup my hair had accumulated from the slick-back do’s, pinups, and buns that required more gel than I ever like to use.  Thankfully I didn’t have any flareups around my hairline from using too much product, but instead the rest of my scalp felt a tad irritated from lack of proper cleansing. This week to start the process, I first focused on my scalp and worked my way down.

I was long out of bentonite clay, but knew that my scalp could really benefit from a treatment, so I headed over to Vitamin World to score a tub and while there picked up a bottle of Nature’s Gate conditioner (tea tree calming).  In the past, to mix a good batch of bentonite for proper cleaning/nourishing, I’d often mixed in ACV, coconut oil, hemp oil, vitamin E oil, honey & agave nectar…all of which I had lying around, but decided to experiment with some powders instead.   In a mixing bowl went a heaping mound of bentonite clay, marshmallow root powder, nettle powder and enough water to form a cake like batter.  The powders I’d purchased a while back at an Indian Store that supplies a wide variety of herbs.  For $3, I was able to snag about 45 grams of each…a price I still consider reasonable considering I didn’t pay shipping costs! 

Nettle Leaf:

Nettle Powder

*Nettle leaf has been used as a hair and scalp treatment for centuries, and again, those uses are being supported by research as well. Nettle leaf extract seems to promote hair regrowth and thicken hair, as well as reducing dandruff and scalp conditions when used as a rinse. The nettle leaf and root both have medicinal properties, but each is more effective against different complaints. Nettle leaf is used traditionally as a diuretic, and as a treatment for rheumatism and arthritis. In Germany, a standardized extract is sold for the treatment of inflammatory conditions and prostate diseases. Nettle leaf’s effectiveness against rheumatism and other inflammatory diseases is well documented, and borne out by chemical analysis of the plant.

 

Marshmallow Root:

 

Marshmallow Root

*This sweet mucilaginous (a.k.a. plant protein) rich herb has expectorant properties that strengthens the cell tissues and controls bacterial infections.  Marshmallow is  medicated, conditioning herb that provides an abundance of  ’slip’ which helps to nourish and detangle naturally curly, wavy & Afro type hair.

Safe for Skin!

*Boosts the skin’s immunity at cellular level helping to minimize skin inflammation as well as fighting any skin degeneration.

For added goodness, I topped off with about a tablespoon of Hemp Seed Oil, then applied the mix to freshly pre-pooed hair (used Suave Coconut Condish), dividing in sections as I went along to evenly distribute.   I guess the best way to describe the application process is to compare it to how you’d normally apply a regular relaxer.  I start at the scalp, massaging the mix in, then evenly coating each section of hair.  I do this for the entire head, smooth down any potential lumps from the clay mix, and sit with a conditioning cap for 45 minutes.

I began rinsing with lukewarm water to avoid drying out the scalp, then followed with Nature’s Gate Tea Tree Calming Conditioner to help rinse out any remaining residue.  You want to make sure the water runs clear and not murky to ensure you rid your scalp and hair of any clumps of clay.  After rinsing the mix out,  I DC’d with AOHR conditioner for yet another 45 minutes. I detangled, separated into sections by twisting, then cold-rinsed. And just to make sure the process wasn’t long enough, I did a final rinse with ACV, first applying directly to roots to rid any lingering residue, then applied to rest of hair. 

Afterwards, I honestly couldn’t wait to see how my hair turned out, so I raced to a mirror to inspect and noticed my hair was SUPER clean and shiny, and my scalp…felt amazingly fresh! Didn’t truly feel like experimenting with any new goodies this week, so I dipped into my Donna Marie Lock & Twist Pudding, over Alaffia’s  Virgin Coconut & Shea Hair Lotion as a leave-in.   To avoid over-moisturizing similar to last week, I opted for the Alaffia because it’s a penetrating conditioning leave-in that goes on light, sort of what I needed this week to give my scalp and hair a break from too much stuff. I twisted in record time again this week…clocked in at about an hour or so!! Managed to clip the roots to prevent the poof, air dried because I thankfully had time on my side this weekend, and sealed my ends this morning with Afroveda’s Hemp Butter before untwisting  to shiny, bouncy, CLEAN hair and scalp.  And because it’s just become habit and adds that extra ‘umpf,’ I smoothed some KBB hair creme before heading out the door.

 

*Neem info courtesy of  www.mountainroseherbs.com

*Marshmallow Root info courtesy of www.anitagrant.com

 

tiniest of disclaimers: please use judgement when using herbs for medicinal purposes, or consult with a doctor before using.  All recipes or procedures listed are not meant to treat any form of ailment.

Miss Jessie’s Stretch Silkening Creme May 19, 2009

While purging some products a ways back, I decided to jot down the names and labels of products that did and did not work for my hair.  There was a lot to got through because I absolutely refuse to throw away products, particularly products that’ve cost me over $20.  So first up is the much beloved Miss Jessie’s Stretch Silkening Creme.  Now, my Miss Jessie’s post is still sort of waiting in the wings, my quasi thesis outlining my love/hate relationship with the products.  BUT…here I digress to offer my two cents on just this one for the time being;-).

 

 

Description:

Stretch Silkening Crème is a quick-to-dry whipped soufflé that delivers an amazing plump curl and a brilliant shine. Fabulous for fingerstyling. The lightest of the curl crème bunch.

Ingredients:

Water, parafinium liquidum, orange 4, red 40EDTA disodium, butylcarbanate iodpropynyl hydration, DMOM-5, oleth methoxycinnamate, ethylexyl, fragrance, dimethicone leaf extract, hydrolyzed wheat protein, avocado oil, coconut oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba seed oil, olive fruit oil, PEG-12 barbadensis, aloe crosspolymer acrylate, ALKL/C 10-30 acrylates, triethanolamine, glycerin, wheat amino acids,

Price:

Ranges from $7-38 (2 oz – 16 oz respectively)

 

I used this product last year while still holding on to a  good amount of heat damaged ends.  I purchased the creme in hopes of camouflaging the two different textures, and needed a fast drying curl creme that would work when used with my foam rods.  I’m hesitant to say, even a year later, whether or not it ‘worked’ or not simply because my hair does react differently today with my heat damaged ends cut off.  Instead I’ll just point out what I did like which was…well not much.  I used it to two-strand twist my hair and found that while it did dry relatively faster…faster than some other curl cremes…it left a bit of residue.  The smell was a bit strong for me as well, a floral/citrusy thing, but it never lingered on my hair which was good.  Application is easy, not messy at all…yet it does have the tendency to build up on the hair, or to make my strands feel product heavy.  Rarely did I use a detangling leave-in, instead I opted for the spritz  (Jane Carter’s Revitalizing Leave-in). If I were to use a product similar to KCKT I’m almost certain it’d be a heapin mess.  The ingredient list bothers me some, which is nothing new with this line, mineral oil is listed as the second ingredient…something that reacts negatively with my hair.

 

Would I purchase this again?  Not anytime soom…reason being…I think my hair has grown up.  My hair likes different products now that the damaged ends are no more…I’d even say it prefers simpler products with more effective ingredients, rather than products meant to ‘quick fix’ your hair into some enviable style.  I’ve also become an ingredient junkie of sorts, so I’m a bit hair conscious when it comes to picking up whatever’s on the market.

 

Why it could work for you:

If you like curl cremes, I say give it a try. This is my personal experience with the product, but have seen others have moderate to great success after using.  It’s fast drying, so if you’re a gal (or guy) that’s always on the run, loves wash-n’go’s more than you like playing in front of the mirror for an hour and a half each morning…I’d say invest in a 2 oz jar to see if it’ll work for you. 

I do have about 2-3 oz left of the curl creme left, so if you’re interested in sampling drop me a line in the comment section, or e-mail me at backtocurly@gmail.com.  Depending on how many responses, I’ll pick a name by end of week and send out, shipping is on me;-)! 

PJ News! Afroveda Sale! May 21, 2009

 

 

It is ABSOLUTELY gorgeous outside today! And thankfully this fabulous weather is going to leak right into our much needed looooong weekend. To be honest I completely forgot about Memorial Day weekend until my mother asked if I had any plans for the weekend.  Typically with a grande holiday like Memorial Day sales abound left and right whether it’s online, dept. stores etc.  But the Afroveda sale  is the one I’ve been keeping tabs on for a while.  Mala is offering 10-25% off a wide selection of customer favorites! The promo began this past week and ends after the holiday, May 31st.  All my staples are on sale, so I’m taking advantage.  Oh! The seven collection is also marked down!!! I’ve been hesitant to sample because of the price but the Hydrating Hair Creme has been calling my name. 

Rich in Pro Vitamin A, Buriti oil is an excellent moisturizer, antioxidant, and protector for damaged and color treated hair. A proprietary oil complex infused with Ayurvedic herbs provides additional antioxidant protection from the environment and intensive rehydration to the hair shaft. Buriti means “Tree of Life”.

I likey a lot, so it might be this and my other Vata Dosha loot;-)

Rhyme…nor Reason May 27, 2009

It’s definitely been a backwards sort of dazzy maze these past couple of days.  My laptop is back to the PC morgue and I’ll be posting a bit sporadically until I can muster up the courage and the $$ to buy a new one, but aside from those fuddy issues, a girl still has to do her hair right?  Yah…and I truly believed that with the long weekend I’d have zero problem treating my hair to a lovely deeeeeeep condition, and all the other goodness I have in my stash. Well, Sunday came and it was glorious! The air was sweet and warm and sunny…I ended up getting down with my hair well into the afternoon. 

 

I pre-pooed with AOHR mixed with water, followed by another bentonite treatment.  I used the same mix as last week, bentonite, marshmallow root powder, & nettle powder and a couple tblspof Hemp oil.  Application was a breeze, but my place was admittedly getting terribly hot & humid.  I left the mix in for a good hour, co-washed the clay out with Nature’s Gate Tea Tree Calming condish and added Oyin’s Honey Hemp Conditioner to help detangle.  Okay, so I seriously wanted to detangle, twist, then rinse out the condish…but the rising temperature in my room put me in a pretty ansy mood.  I had friends enter, then immediately vacate my room because it resembled nothing short of a brewing sauna. Instead of rinsing the condish out, I left it in overnight, applied Oyin’s Shine & Define on my still damp twists the following morning, retwisted the hair and went about my biz as usual. 

It wasn’t the most ideal way to style my hair, but nonetheless I got the job done and my do held up pretty well for work Tuesday morning.  My only concern with leaving the condish in overnight was of course…over conditioning.  The twists did feel a bit hard to the touch, so I smoothed some Burnt Sugar Pomade over the top.  I think this week’s process was a brief glimpse into how I might need to switch up some things in the coming weeks in light of the change in temperature.  A change in products is for sure on the horizon, BUT…not before I finish the jars and tubs of buttercremes I have lying around.

 

*Full Reviews on all Oyin goodies mentioned above to come!

*Sample of the Miss Jessie’s Curl Creme goes to lady Michelle.  E-mail me your addy, backtocurly@gmail.com and I’ll drop in the mail;-)

Muse May 28, 2009

 

When I first began this blog in the beginning of the year, I was desperately in need of an outlet to funnel some creative energy.  Nothing terribly substantial…after all, pumping out product reviews and outlining my hair regimen isn’t exactly the greatest channel for creative fun…but it was right for the time.  A dam sort of burst allowing me to finally say…it’s alright…really it is, to just talk about hair, beauty products and whatever is on your mind.  So what if there are numerous other blogs, sites & forums touching on the same topics you are…at the end of the day it just feels good to be a part of the machine rather than have to work against it.  I can only speak for myself…but to those who do read this blog, comment…or even host your own space of hair lovin, beauty sharin fun…the good vibes are truly something special.

On the same token…once you do decide to blog and open up your thoughts to the world, countless other influences will eventually seep in…some good…others bad.  Personally, I tend to focus on the good…simply because it makes more sense this way, and also I’m able to move towards my goals at a much faster pace….change comes quicker and much more clear.  But in order to keep moving, it’s always a good idea to actually have a goal in mind…even if you can’t see the finish line…envision it.

Thankfully, the good that’s been seeping in has given me a set of new eyes…ones that are a bit more focused.  I made a list back in January of to-do’s for my hair…I also purchased a datebook/calendar to keep track of that whole ‘new year, new you’ bandwagon feeling.  Honestly, I’ve done good…yet know that I can still do better.  Cutting back on heat has been fair…nary a hot comb or blow dryer has gone near my head! The ‘poo’ has been kept ‘low’ or ‘no’ for the past couple weeks…& my scissor happy stylist and I have bid adieu.

 

Time for  a new list!

 

I’ve always been the high priestess of change over the years and frankly…I miss feeling a sense of liberation with my hair/style. I could blame it on my 9-5, corporate new life…yet I’m reluctant because it feels like a cop-out.  With the blessing of un-official Summer this past weekend,  I snagged an itch to change it up a bit.  A lot of folks call it the restless syndrome…you come bursting out of hibernation, full of energy and more anxious than ever!  Yesterday while looking in the mirror…I was thinking a cut…a new shape…new color?  All possible…I’ve never been too scared of the scissors, length is always good, but for some reason has never been a said goal.  I’m still hesitant to pay anyone to cut my hair these days…funds have been short and it takes time to find someone you trust with your $$ and hair.  Color is ALWAYS an option…and Summer practically demands a girl to accessorize with some kind of hue.

Over the next couple weeks I do plan to focus more on my scalp issues…and by focus I do mean fix this thing that’s been a problem for faaaaar too long.  Applying a bentonite treatment in 90 degree temps last week sort of renewed my ambition;-0! Aside from this blog, I’ve been jotting down rinse recipes that have amazing healing properties for the scalp and hope to revive the mixtress in me soon enough.

 

Looks are important…yah, and I’m feeling a bit brighter these days… change is also in order…at least for the blog, so look for a new ‘look’ in the coming days;-)!  I don’t have a ‘Spotlight’ to feature this month because nothing interesting has caught my eye, so instead I’ll be doing a giveaway! Tommorrow I’ll round up my PJ’ness and post the gist;-)

 

…

 

SheaMoisture Giveaway! May 29, 2009

 

Alrighty, as promised a giveaway to cap off this short week! I’m pretty much done purging and shucking old products in my stash, but have a few that just makes more sense to part with in a more sensible way. Up for grabs is  Shea Moisture’s Shea Butter Leave-in Conditioner, an amazingly moisturizing lotion that seriously leaves hair crazy soft and smelling pretty fine! I used it way back when during my heat damaged stage, yet somehow lost track of how well it worked in my PJ frenzy.  Reviews for this product are pretty amazing across the boards, so you more than likely will not be disappointed.

 

Here’s a brief descrip:

*SheaMoisture Leave-In Conditioner with Pro-Vitamin B 5 Complex is essential in protecting all types of hair from stretching and breakage during combing. As you work in this supple conditioner its detangling agents naturally separate wet hair as the shea butter immediately restores vital moisture and the vitamins strengthen each hair shaft. This exclusive formula leaves hair soft and manageable throughout the day, preventing frizzyness, brittleness and other conditions that render hair easily breakable and damaged. Use SheaMoisture Leave-in Conditioner immediately after shampooing to instantly replenish lost moisture and strengthen hair. Then, apply SheaMoisture Shea Butter on scalp to moisturize and soothe as needed. This is also excellent for use as a daily moisturizer.

Ingredients:

Shea Butter, Deionized Water, Herbal Complex, Panthenol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Cocoa Butter, Aloe Vera, Jojoba Oil, Vitamin E

 

Simple as pie, just leave a comment down below or email, backtocurly@gmail.com, and I’ll pick a winner by Sunday 9p.m. for Monday’s post;-)!

 

Have a great weekend!!

 

*info courtesy of beautyofnewyork.com

Luscious Hair June 1, 2009

WOW! So I’ve been completely Internet free this entire weekend…beginning at 2p.m. Friday afternoon, and I have to say…I was going crazy!  I couldn’t check e-mail, update my Netlfix, check my account balance, update this blog…google conversation tid bits I had at work on Saturday…I was pretty much adrift for 2 1/2 days.  And then again…I survived…popped in ‘The Devil Wears Prada’…washed those dishes….laundry…food shopping…cleaned my place…organized that shelf…cleaned my purse where everything goes to get lost…and washed/deep conditioned/styled my hair!

I had plans to apply yet another bentonite treatment because my scalp has been responding so well to it…but chickened out at the last minute.  I did go ahead with a pre-poo using Trader Joe’s Nourish Condish, an old favorite of mind that works fantastically well whether you’re co-washing or pre-pooing. After applying the Condish, I saturated my hair with H2O, added a bit more Nourish Condish to my scalp and hair to co-wash, then swished in an ACV mix, applicator bottle style…with a bit of hemp oil and Khoret’s Amen Oil.  With some condish still left in my hair, I applied the ACV to my scalp and massaged for a good 5-7 minutes…the extra condish does make the process easier.

To alleviate some of the ACV smell, I finished with Nature’s Gate Tea Trea Calming…massaging into the scalp then throughout the hair.  DC this week was Karen’s Luscious Locks Moisturizing Hair Mask, under a heating cap for 45 minutes.  This was my first time using the mask which I earned during one of Karen’s Freebie Fridays!! It was a 4oz jar that was just enough to cover my entire head, after rinsing I was seriously hearting this condish!

 

Here are the goods from the site:

Conditioning doesn’t get deeper than this because everything you need for your hair is in this jar.  Detangle, soften, strengthen, grow.  Saturate your strands with this rich blend of herbs like shikakai and rosemary which are known to promote hair growth, arnica and nettle to strengthen your hair follicles and aloe for much needed moisture.  It is called Luscious Locks for a reason.

Ingredient wise:

Purified Water, Jojoba & Coconut Oils, Vegetable Glycerin, Vegetable Wax, Shikakai, Amla, Yucca, Horsetail, Nettle & Melissa Extracts, Panthenol, Rosemary Essential Oil, Vitamin E and Natural Enzymes

 

I detgangled quite easily, separating into twists as I went along, cold rinsed then styled with Karen’s Hair Nectar under Afroveda’s Shea Amla Whipped Butter Creme.  I clipped my roots down, but didn’t seal ends with my Hemp Butter because I’m beginning to believe the Shea Amla does a superb job in sealing in the moisture. This week, only addition to my regime was opting to air dry instead of using my soft-bonnet &…. the hair mask which has left me seriously torn!  For $25 you’ll come away with a 8oz jar, but…my PJ budget these days is forcing me to reconsider and find different alternatives…at least for the moment.  Yet it’s still gratifying not to have to search high and low for a DC that would work well with  my hair! Thus far, the serious contenders are my tried and true Curl Rehab & now Karen’s Hair Mask!  This morning after untwisting and separating, I smoothed a generous dollop of KBB hair cream over the top…something that truly makes a difference as far as retaining first day frizz and adding amazing shine!

 

*Shea-Moisture Giveaway update:  So here’s what I was a bit clueless about, the Shea-Moisture Leave-in isn’t readily available at most BSS stores , and because I’m still getting e-mails asking about the leave-in,  I’m extending the giveaway until Wednesday @ 3p.m., so others can still enter to win!

 

BTW…HAPPY JUNE Y’ALL!!

Lucky Winner… June 3, 2009

…of the Shea-Moisture Givaway is…..

kf519!!

E-mail me your address and I’ll snail mail it;-)

 

Thanks to all who e-mailed/commented!! Again, agita is not my thing, so #’s were randomly selected using this handy dandy site, random.org.

 

*shortest post evah! But hope everyone’s well;-)!