Product Reviews

Good morning bloggers!
It's probably about time for me to do another length check but I don't think my hair has retained much length pass bra strap so not in a big hurry. I've been battling with cutting a few inches just for manageability. I like wearing my hair loose and wild in the summer but the longer it gets the harder it is to manage/tame at the end of the day. If I'm tired and get lazy...trouble, trouble, trouble in the morning.
So anyway, my new product list:
-Taliah Waajid Curly Curl Cream
-Taliah Waajid Detangler
-Garnier Fructis Leave-In conditioning cream
-Organic Root Stimulator Tea Tree Oil
-Ultimate Organic Therapy Coconut Oil
-Cantu Shea Butter leave in conditioning repair cream

A couple of these move to my permanent list while others will never grace my shelves again.
Top of my list is ORS tea tree oil! Love this stuff!!!
Not to crazy about the smell but I think it's growing on me, sorta like Jamaican Black Castor Oil has to grow on some of us. I actually used the ORS as a hot oil treatment yesterday. I damped my hair, applied my usual conditioner (anything cheap but usually a Suave product), then instead of putting on a plastic cap I put heaps of the ORS on my hair. I put my hair in four big twists and put my cap on for probably four hours as I cleaned the house, did some knitting and even dozed in front of the tv. I used a black soap to shampoo because I knew there would be lots of oil build up to wash away. The oil made my very, very soft, I could still feel the oil clinging to my ends after a good soaping and rinsing. My hair looks great and smells 'sexy'...his words, not mine :) So two thumbs up to ORS, a new keeper on my stable shelf.

Another keeper is the Ultimate Organic Therapy Coconut Oil. One reason I love this is that I tried a coconut oil before, a solid one, and it irritated my scalp. The UOT oil does not irritate my scalp and is wonderful for my face after showering. I'm able to apply it directly to my scalp because of the application tip so that's a plus. I also add this to my shea aloe and to my homemade leave in conditioners.

The other keeper is Cantu Shea Butter leave in conditioning repair cream. This is a light weight cream that does a great job of helping me retain moisture. In the middle of the afternoon if my ends are starting to fly a bit around my crown I can mist my hair and apply some Cantu. It goes right to work helping those strays go back to sleep!

So those are my Do's, the other three are my Don't's

TW Detangler is a don't for me. It's not so much that it didn't work, it's more the fact that my hair requires a lot of product and it's just not economical for my hair length. TW's scent is very pleasant of course. I didn't notice any build up and it doubles as a leave in so you get a good bang for your buck.

TW Curly Curl Cream I didn't like at all. For my hair this product dulls my hair and leaves it feeling kinda 'tacky'. Of course because it's TW it has a wonderfully refreshing scent. I still have plenty left in the jar so I may try it again to see if my hair was maybe having a bad day. Then I'd happily retrack my review and maybe consider moving it to my stable list.

My ultimate never, ever again product is Garnier's leave in conditioning cream. Can you spell yuck, phew, nasty!!! All of this refers to the smell. I don't think there's anything else to say about it, just NO, NO, NO. It's not for me with hair being so close to the nose and all.

Keep it real, keep it natural

My perfect bun

I found an awesome video on youtube called Bun Tutorial that shows how to make a bun. Believe me, my previous buns were quite dreadful, kinda flat and sloppy. But it still did the job of protecting my ends as it should.
After finding the tut I realized the problem with my buns was the lack of a donut at all. Nobody told me I needed a donut!!! So, since I don't any black tube/sweat socks I pulled out my yarn and crocheted one. I had to use a different color to start the tube to ensure that I didn't run out of black.
















My donut came out great and my buns are perfections. One of my co-workers actually told me she thought it was a store bought piece!













Keep it real, keep it natural

Good Hair, seriously?

I'm a little slow catching up with this movie since I haven't been outside to see a movie in ages; I prefer the comfort of my quiet home with Netflix and Comcast. So, I finally saw Chris Rock's movie Good Hair...gimme a break. One of the first things to come to my attention is the that fact that in an hour and 35 minutes of filming there is really only one woman with natural hair that was interviewed. Does this mean that there will be a follow up movie about natural hair?

There's a scene with the girls that just finished Dudley's school and they are all sitting there saying how the one girl with the natural fro would be frowned upon if she came to their office looking for work. I was waiting for her to have her turn to speak her mind instead of just having her sit there taking it all in.


I learned things about weaves that completely scared me! Honestly, it made me so glad I don't wear a weave. Chris Rock showed a side of weaves that should have remained a secret! How about the hair from India having to be 'treated'. OMG, it has to be checked for lice!!!!! Call me crazy but...and that poor baby crying as they are shaving her little head. I understand there is a spiritual meaning behind cutting the hair off in India so good for them.


Can we talk about the prices!!! I feel so ignorant, the things I didn't know. When I used to be on the creamy crack, I didn't go anywhere near those isles in the stores so I had absolutely no idea about paying upwards of 1k for hair and that's just the purchase not the actual weaving. SERIOUSLY!!!! Lay-a-way plans for hair? Come on, be real. I guess that explains some of the terrible track, weave, whatever it's called jobs I've seen in the heads of ladies attempting to do their own.


Oh, what about the Asian man saying 'Women want the straight hair weaves, it's looks more natural'. What's wrong with that statement...is it just me?


Don't get me wrong, I don't have anything against any woman who feels it necessary to go through all this just to feel beautiful. I remember getting my first relaxer, Vigorol, at 18. That's right, my mother would not let me put chemicals in my hair until then. I really don't recall feeling any prettier because my hair was straight. What I liked was that my hair was definitely more manageable seeing as how I loved to swim, dance and it was just plain hot running the streets of Baltimore. I've always been a down to earth, low key kinda girl and never been caught up in looks or fashion trends.


What this movie did for me is make me appreciate my natural hair so much more. I stand with my head held high on the choice that I made. My hair now makes me feel more beautiful than I have ever felt in my life. So Chris Rock, if you ever want to talk about 'Good Hair' you look me up. Talk to some of us girls who fight to manage what God endowed us with naturally. Those of us who know how to make a bad hair day a good hair day with a little conditioner and water...That's right I said water, good ole H2O! I have developed a great nappitude and love, love, love my hair. Big ups to all my natural sistas out there that made the choice to put down the creamy crack, the weave, the wigs and I don't know what else and live with what you have. So while we wait for Chris to contact us, we can gather and flaunt our nappitude at Happy Nappy Day 2010 next month.

ETA: 7/1/10

Just realized how 'bad' that dvd was to me. I actually called the movie Bad Hair when the actual name of the dvd is Good Hair, sorry everybody. I guess this is what they call a Freudian slip.

Keep it real, keep it natural YY

What I've been up to

I've been a very bad girl when it comes to my blogs! With the pending arrival of my grandniece I've been busy making shower gifts for a shower that was cancelled for personal reasons and making gifts for the baby. Since my niece tends to read my blogs I had to hold off on my writing cause she's so nosy! And more so because I am so excited about her baby that I go home and knit or crochet, most days before I even eat anything so blogging has definitely taken a back seat. Have no fear my modest group of followers, I have been diligent with my hair! I am proud to say that my pjism is under control and I haven't really bought any new products to review lately; all my money has been feeding my other addiction, yarn.
What have I done new, I have been doing hair baggies. Waiting until it got warm to do this was a good idea. If, like me you don't use heat, you can't be running around in 30 degree weather with a wet head. So now that it's warm I have been bagging every night. I guess I'm doing it correctly, I just know I love the results. If someone else does it differently, it's about what works for you.

1. Make sure hair is wet, I usually spritz mine real good in the evening after work with my condish, evoo and water leave-in.
2. Appy shealoe and smooth into two ponytails with those seamless pony holders.
3. Separate each ponytail into 3-5 plaits.
4. Wrap saran wrap around each ponytail or put a baggy on and secure with another ponytail holder. I like the saran wrap because it will hold on it's own meaning less bulk on my head. I'm one of those ladies who hates to sleep in rollers or anything bulky.
5. Put on satin cap/scarf and secure for the night.
6. In the AM remove the plastic and fluff lightly to get rid of the part down the back. The front will remain flat and smooth, so you can put on a head band or whatever accessories you'd like. Now get ready for comps(compliments) all day long as you strut your naptitude!!

What else have I been doing with my hair? What's the problem with type 4 hair girls? SHRINKAGE!!!! I know, I know, I know.
I found an answer that works for me but it's not pretty. I'm working on a better way though remember I tend to march to the beat of my own drums so there probably is already a better answer. Anywho, after washing, moisture and double-strand twisting I pin/clip my hair up. I pull the left side to the right, the right side to the left, the front straight back and the back over that to the front pinning as I go. As I said it's really not pretty when I finish but it's comfortable enough to sleep in so that my hair can completely dry. This I only do when I am not planning on going out so it stays like this pretty much all weekend. I know, I do not have a life, just give me coffee, tv and yarn and I'm a very happy girl!! So, come Monday when you pull out all the clips your hair will fall on your shoulders instead of tinkling your earlobes all day. This is a process that can be repeated Monday night and you don't have to use much moisture. Just pin up again and drop it in the morning; otherwise, it will continue to shrink back up to the those lobes. Honestly, I do have pics but since, I'm writing this during my lunch break those will have to come in a later post.

As promised, below are pics of my hair bagged for the night and taken out the next day.

Keep it real, keep it natural YY

Happy to be nappy

I know I haven't written anything in a while but I was inspired to come up with a few words after reading something on a website about how some people feel about naptural hair.

Hate me, hate my hair, I really don't care
It's in the mirror you should stare.
Snickering, laughing, pointing at me
knowing secretly you want to be free.
Watch me walk with my head held high
While you drool at my hair on the sly
I'm happy, nappy and proud of who I am
What you think of me, I really don't give a ...

Keep it real, keep it natural YY

Happy Hairversary to me!

Woohoo!! My hairiversary month and I am still finding more 'previously owned' hair bling. Honestly, I haven't worn any of these jewels since I went natural. They just kind of fell in the back of a drawer full of headbands, barrettes, pony holders and all kinds of stuff.

The last one I actually wore today with my up in a protective style. I not sure what this is suppoed to be, from this view it looks kinda like a butterfly. I turned it the other way and looks kinda like a ladybug. Well, even being a bit blurry the flowers are easy enough to get right without quinting and standing on one foot. So I definitely liked the look I got with the...BUTTERLADY!!! Yeah, that works, hahaha.

So my hair is in my usual easy double stranded twist and pinned up in a kinda roll thingy like my other styles with one hundred millions hair pins. It's a definite 'do again' style.

Keep it real, keep it natural

Baltimore Natural Haircare Exp 2010 is coming

I'm planning on attending, I hope I see some familar faces.
http://www.baltimorenaturalhaircareexpo.com/2010-About%20The%20Show.html


Keep it real, keep it natural YY

Protective style 3

Ok, so I was hoping to get a couple of days out of my style but I only got one. I wasn't really pleased with it but I wore it anyway. I think my biggest mistake was how I tied it up, I actually flattened it completely. I don't have any pics since my digi battery needed to be charged.

Last night I came home and took my hair down, applied leave-in, oiled my ends and did about six chunky braids. This morning I took the braids out and without combing just started tucking and pinning. Again, I don't bother to really look in the mirror until I am done; otherwise I would be in the mirror too long fussing over my hair.

I also used a nylon stocking; I knew those legs would come in handy. The stocking was used to tie around my head like a headband to help to keep my ends smooth. I really like this one, it kinda reminds me of a french roll in the back but the top is not the same. The top sits high with just a couple of pins to keep it back from my face. Again I'll try to sleep on it; hopefully it wont look so bad in the morning. At least I know not to tie it down like I'm preparing for a hurricane. Hey, maybe I should use my satin pillowcase tonight since I still haven't tried it out yet.

Keep it real, keep it natural YY

Protective style 2

Well, I started working on another protective style that will be more to my liking. After deep conditioning over the weekend my hair felt good but I really did like the way it looked after I took the braids out for work yesterday. It really wasn't a good hair day, but then my hair does have a mind of its own. When I came home from work yesterday I went straight to work on it. I spritzed it with my leave-in mix (suave professionals in the orange bottle, it really smells refreshing; evoo; water), and detangled with my wide tooth comb. Then all of a sudden I had a thought. Standing in the mirror with a section of damp hair in my hand I decided, 'Why not try a bantu knots.' So after combing I brushed the section with my rubber brush and started twisting until the section started turning on itself. I twisted it around and didn't even need pins to hold it in place. Oh yeah, added a bit of Taliah Waajid Tight Hold to the ends, something else I read is supposed to be good for twist. The TW kinda fooled me, it's so light I really didn't think it would anything for my hair. Anyway I finished knotting up my hair. I didn't put much thought into how it was parted or whether the sections were even or not, I just wanted to experiment. I was happy to see that my hair's sheen has returned. I attribute that to the deep conditioning and the Jamaican Black Castor challenges I just started. Look how glossy and smooth.

Honestly, judging by this look I expected to have to spend time trying to figure how to manage my hair this morning and still be on time for work.

This morning I spritzed my hair again before my shower and then it was time. I started knots apart and thought to myself, 'OK, what do I do now, they look like worms!'. Really wish I had thought to take a picture. Instead I grabbing small sections and pinning them up. I didn't look in the mirror. I continued to pin until everything was off my shoulders. When I stopped and took a look...WOW!!! I love you!!!

Of course I did wear my scarf to protect the back of my hair, I took it off for the picture. It's time for me to start looking into getting some hair bling for sure. This style will really rock with something shiny or dangling from it. I was checking out some of the hair bling made by tomoka, who is truely awesome. She makes all kinds of hair goodies and jewelry too. So back on track, I have tied my sides up, or rather down for the night. I am hoping that I will be able to sleep without mussing my hair too much and get a least one more day out of this style, if not two.

Keep it real, keep it natural YY

Hair goals for 2010 and beyond

Up to this point, beyond healthy hair, I really didn't have a goal for my hair. I have read so many postings on so many websites that have truly provided me with an abundance of much needed help on this journey. At times it has been a bit confusing to me because I think I am reading about one type of natural and come to find out she is texturizing, whatever that is. I read another one and find out she stretching her relaxers, whatever that is. I read yet another one and realize she is flat ironing, blow drying, hood drying...heat, heat, heat.

I think I have finally found my reason for creating this site. I want to be the natural that I have chosen to be. I decided that I will not use heat, I will not relax, texturize or use any of the other options that are out there. I decided that to me, natural means walking away from all of these things. I am learning so much about chemicals to avoid in my hair, ingredients seek for my hair, how to make homemade yummies for my hair and all kinds of abbreviations and acronyms (the secret language of natural hair). Something that has become so important to me is being able to show how I was able to transition to a natural without chopping off all my hair. As you can see from the pic from high school, even then I had plenty of hair that was about shoulder length. The only time my hair hasn't touched my shoulders is when I cut it myself. How cute was this, my little boy...er freshman college boyfriend. Anyway thats all my own hair with beads attached.

Honestly, I think if I had to cut off all my hair to do this, it may not have ever happened. I do understand everyone can't do what I do nor can I do what everyone else does but I am enjoying learning what works for me. Even if my way only works for one other sista than I have helped someone along the way just as so many sistas out there are helping me.

So I should mention that one thing that helped with my transitioning is that my hair had been in braids most of '07, when it got raggedy I would just take it all out, wash it real good and braid it back up before Monday for work. Here, I am in Mexico Sept 19, 2007 with a friend I made during a tour of the city. LOL

After finally noticing that every time I took the braids out to wash my hair it got easier and easier to manage, I decided to go with it and see what would happen. Not always happy I decided to investigate taking care of natural hair and found out a lot of what I was doing was good. What I didn't know was about the chems that were hurting my hair, detangling, spritzing and so much more. Now finally, I have evolved and I don't see myself ever turing back. Good days, bad days, my hair is what it is. I have found my napptitude and I am falling more and more in with me!

I recently told someone that my hair tells me what it wants to do and I just let it have it's way. What does my hair do for me in return? My hair feeds my soul with things I never knew before: confidence, pride, power. It may be something that some women possess naturally but not me, so many others I'm sure. To be able to look at my self in the mirror or simply walk down the street with my head held high, enjoying knowing that 'Yep, they're looking at me'. Who knew I'd ever feel this way?

So ladies make your decisions: chop or not, heat or not, relax or not. But whatever you do, make this year the year to love yourself and remember...

Y

Y

Y

Keep it real, keep it natural

Hair challenges for 2010 have begun.

I have joined several hair challenges on blackhairplanet.com. Protective Styling, Deep conditioning, Castor oil, Natural hair maintenance, Moisturize you hair/baby your ends, and Scarves for winter. The castor oil and deep conditioner challenges began today, yeah. I assume the others will be later in the year.

Ok, so my routine:

I decided to use the dry method to start with this time. I loaded my hair, in sections, with ORS Mayo. Now I really get the ors, it feels so good on the scalp. I put on my plastic cap and to help keep the heat in I tied my hair up with my new cotton head wrap/towel that I just made. It looks kinda funny but it really did it's job. I left the wrap on for nearly two hours as I was busy with other things. Combing out in the shower was quite easy and as usual I plaited my hair for easy management. After squeezing out the excess water I tied my head up with my new wrap again (I have to find a name for this thing) for about 20 minutes. The wrap kept my head nice and warm, absolutely no dripping from the sides and a rather comfy fit too. I am so happy with this little thingy but the next one will be just a bit bigger. Anyway, after removing the wrap I applied one of my leave-in concoctions and oiled my scalp with the Jamaican Black Castor Oil. Now my hair is cornrowed for the weekend unless by some miracle I am asked out for an evening. I must admit, that frizziness that I had seen after my last few co-washes was not there. I guess some protein is what my hair has been needing.

Oh yeah, product updates. I decided to make something to wrap my hair in because the terry turban was a joke. On the cover, it's made to look like it's so soft and plush; like terry cloth...NOT. This thing is tissue thin and water leaked through from my hair. Not to mention how tight it was. I know what you're think, I do not have a big head. It was like giving birth trying to put it on my head but it definitely was not coming off that's for sure! So looks like I have new dusting rag since I wont be squeezing back into that again. I'm so used to sleeping in the satin caps I keep forgetting I bought the pillowcase so reviews on that will come later. The Annie's rubber brush, two thumbs up. It worked great just as I expected. So for now, I'll be sticking with Annie's brush which means more money to feed my pj moments.

Keep it real, keep it natural YY

Protective styles

So, I've been reading about protective styles and wanted to try out a few for myselft. I decided that Christmas would be a good day to give it a try.

I kinda liked the way the back came out with the two layers of rolls, really cute. The front needs some work. I wasn't crazy about the part in the middle and I knew my hair would become more puffy along the sides so I took it down and did my two-stranded twist. I'll keep working on my protective syling, I already have some ideas in my head.

Keep it real, keep it natural YY

Annie's Rubber Cushion Brush

I have been reading a lot of information about the Denman brushes. I have not seen one at the beauty supply store that I frequent. However, there is a brush called the Rubber Cushion Brush by Annie.




















I love this brush. I discovered this brush more than ten years ago when I was still relaxing. I wanted a brush that would give me a good massage as I brush my hair. When I felt this brush through the plastic I knew it was just what I was looking for and I have been hooked ever since.

I stopped using Annie's brush when I went natural because of the pulling. Then, because of all the great websites like blackhairplanet, the coil review and even youtube, I learned how to brush my hair to detangle it. I am so happy seeing that my $1.99 brush works as well as the Denman. I've never priced a Denman but I don't think I get it for $1.99. Maybe one day I'll make more of an effort to find and purchase a Denman for the purpose of comparison. But for now...if it ain't broke don't fix it.

Pros: price $1.99

7 rows of bristles

fantastic curl pattern

excellent for detangling

removable head for easy cleaning

rounded hard plastic/rubber bristles for great scalp massage

Cons: The rubber bed seems to wear away easily (this is pre natural hair. Now I'll get to see if it last a bit longer)

This is the only con I have for the brush but considering a price tag of $1.99, it's not that important to me.

While I was there I also bought a satin pillowcase $3.99 and terry turban $4.99. I haven't used either of them yet but I'm looking forward to it.

Keep it real, keep it natural YY

The Me I Am Becoming

There is so much commercialism available to girls of all ages. What the TV and maggies don't drill into their heads, friends and family certainly will. Am I excluded, of course not, not one of us is untouched by this form of socialism literally thrown on us before we can define ourselves.

In 2008 I decided to do something for me, just to see what it would be like. I thought to myself, 'It's way past time for another relaxer. My hair is so thick you could lose a small child in it.' But I realized I missed my 6-8 week regimen of: pretreated/greasing my scalp, applying and combing (while crying) the relaxer, rinsing over and over, sitting under the dryer or blow drying (another long process) and then still not done because I have to curl and then roll up my hair. But wait, there's more...Don't let it rain. Oh crap! all that curling and now my hair has to go in a ponytail because of the humidity! So throw the hot curlers in my bag and curl it again when I get to work.

Enough of all that! I happen to be blessed with a length of hair that lays on my shoulders but I was so caught up in trying to make my look as sleek, shiny and bouncy as females who were wearing fake hair! No offense sistas It was so bad I couldn't tell if I was looking at real hair or not, even on the baby girls. Not only could I not tell but I once had a female curse me because she assumed my hair was fake.

So now my hair anniversary is coming. I was thinking, 2007 is probably my anniversary but since I can't remember the month of my last relaxer I'm fine using the month I decided to fore go the crack. That right Whitney! crack is whack, even in your hair. Oh in my hair. This posting is strictly about my hair and my journey, I would never be so lofty as to knock someone for their choices.

So, hmm, I do tend to ramble; anywho! THE ME I AM BECOMING, born out of mere freedom to choose, is finding herself and I think I like her. I love knowing that I am not defined by makeup, which I never wore anyway; nor my clothing, which have never been designer labels; nor my bank account, which is quite sparse. I am defined by who I want to be. I choose to never put that creamy crack in my again, I choose to never put heating elements in my hair again, I choose never to add manufactured hair to head again or anyone else's hair for that matter. I choose to not wear makeup, I choose gray naturally and hope it to be gracefully. I choose to continue to strive to a woman of character, grace and virtue. So as I travel my path to a positive napptitude, I am falling in love with YY THE ME I AM BECOMING. YY