Twistout Success

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This week, I got the nice, fat, soft twistouts I've been aiming for since I began trying to do them about a month ago. Pictures of the twists and twistout can be found in my fotki album in the '8-9 months natural' folder. I will provide a link below.
The change in my approach that made my twistouts go from frizzy and thin, to defined and fluffy, is twisting the hair after stretching it and while it's dry.
Here is what I did:
I washed my hair over the weekend with Dudu-Osun shampoo and applied deep conditioner. I detangled in the shower as usual and once I got out, wrapped a tee around my hair to absorb some of the water.
I then applied my shea butter/coconut oil/palm kernel oil mix to hair, sectioned and braided each section. The sections were small only because my hair is still very short.
The next day, once the hair was dry. I removed the braids, gently detangled with a wide-toothed comb and two-strand-twisted small sections of hair, applying Qhemet Biologics Amla and Olive Heavy Cream to each section before twisting and more to the ends as I approached them while twisting.
The results were fat, moist twists, which I didn't know I could achieve since my hair is not thick in general. I kept the twists in for two days and after undoing the twists, applied Qhemet Biologics Olive and Honey Cream which is lighter than the Heavy Cream.
I think my twists were failing before because I was twisting directly after a wash and because I have so much shrinkage in the sides and back, I needed to stretch the hair first and twist while dry.
Next time, I'm going to make my twists smaller and neater so when I rock the twistout, it will look even better.
My hangups are that it is so time-consuming! I have to figure out how to get them done in a shorter amount of time without my twists getting sloppier and bigger, which is what happened because I got tired and annoyed about how long it was taking. I hear that it takes less time as you become better at it so I hope that is true for me. Also, I feel apprehensive about having to detangle my hair while dry. I have always stuck to detangling only when wet but find that before I twist, I have to comb through the hair. If nothing else, I need a detangling cream or product that will do the job water does when I detangle wet.
Alll in all, I'm relieved to know I can actually do successful twists. I was getting anxious that I'd never figure it out. And it has made my less frustrated with my hair because I've found a new style besides the shrunken 'fro which I am fast outgrowing. I just want some more length so I can show off my twists more. Here is the link to my fotki where I've been keeping track of my journey in pictures:
http://public.fotki.com/demena24/8-9-months-natural/

Tattoo Love

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I plan on getting a tattoo behind my ear or around my nape. But I want to wait until my hair grows out to, or past shoulder-length so it'll be kind of like a 'is-it-really-there?', peek-a-boo kind of thing. Like, if my hair is down you won't see it but if its up, you will. I know what I want to get. I haven't had it drawn out yet and it'll be kind of tricky but unless I find out I'm allergic to tattoo ink, it's going to happen.
Speaking of tats, I love this:
...maybe more on her than on me though. :)


Why Am I Doing This Again?

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I've been really doubting my hair journey these past weeks. I lost sight of why I was doing it and with other things going on in my life, I haven't had the energy to extend to taking care of my hair like I was when I first cut it....and I felt guilty about that. Which just added to my mixed feelings about why I am doing this. I haven't been getting much positive feedback about my hair. Added to that, I have no real-life positive examples of natural hair.

 I'm doing something new here I guess - expecting the world to still think I'm beautiful, attractive, pretty, sexy even with short kinky-curly hair. And I'm not feeling the love. To me, it's a part of loving everything about me that has been given through my African ancestry, and kinky-curly hair is one of them. But I am surrounded by people who not only don't love the African-ness in them, but think I'm crazy for doing so...or at least trying to. Which  makes it hard. I'm trying to re-define something not just in my mind but in theirs and expecting them to relate to me the same way and its not happening. I don't see why it can't but then I've always been more of an idealist than a realist. I suppose it doesn't matter why. It just isn't that way.

My mother is a big critic in this. I have always sensed that although she is black (of African ancestry), she has a disdain for anything that is 'too' black. Its one thing to have the broad features, the kinked hair, the dark skin, but to actually think it looks good? To flaunt it? You must be delusional. It seems that black isn't beautiful to her. At least that's what I've gotten from her. So, in my generation, to not just try to ignore that but to stand against it and ask why the hell not? Well, I'm not getting any love. Specifically, I have been made aware that my texture isn't beautiful unless it looks 'curly.' So I was discouraged.

But I haven't given up thanks to my hairspiration below. I mean I would look so awesome with this puff!

Kitty Bonding

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I'm totally lovin' this!

Does My Hair Fall Like Waterfalls?

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So I want to know why Usher is singing a song that says:

"Like waterfalls your hair falls down to your waist...." and he know damn well black people hair don't be falling down to their waist like no damn waterfall!

He is obviously talking about some other race of women or some weaved-up heads or something. And why oh why did Rick Ross have to bring us to the depths of ghetto-ness with a phrase like, "pretty face, thin waist, with the thick weave." Is it supposed to be the ideal now, that black women have some "sick weave?"

I'm not even really noticing Rick Ross since he's not on my he-can-get-it list any day but Usher? I was totally feelin' that song, imagining myself as the love interest in the video, who he's "checkin' out when [I] be puttin' [my] heels on." And then he came to that verse and it just killed it for me. Just killed my Usher video-girl daydream.

So this is how it's gonna be then Usher?

This is how you let me know my natural is beautiful after being a fan since you (and I) were like 13 years old? *sob*

After we've come all this way together.

After I spent many a friday and saturday night breaking a sweat dancing to your latest songs in the club?

I guess you can make it up to me in your next vid by letting a natural-hair beauty represent for those of us who have decided to be true to the hair we were born with.

Or whatever.

Baking Soda In My Hair?

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I have shared my belief that 'natural' is not always better in numerous posts. Meaning just because something claims to be natural or is out of your pantry does not make it good to put in your hair.

I have also emphasized the importance of being informed, the effect of pH on the hair, primarily how it affects your hair's moisture balance.
 In line with my insistence on being informed and understanding, at least to some degree, the chemistry of hair (it's important to understanding its needs), here is an interesting article from naturallycurly.com that speak to all of the above. It's about baking soda. Check it out HERE.

And for a recap of the posts I have shared that addressed the above, check these out:
Soaps, Gentle Cleansers and the Claim That Natural is Always Better
Hair And Moisture - How Much Do We Really Understand?

Jamaica My Love

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I am missing Jamaica like crazy.

 I don't know why. It could be hormonal, as I'm preggers. But I just am. I am missing my grandmother too. I was thinking that my number one dream in the entire world is to be able to buy a home in Jamaica and possibly retire there. The older I get, the more I feel an affinity for my place of birth.
I love the US. I am more an American now than of any other nationality. Patois doesn't come as easily to me anymore and although I thought about working in Jamaica, I realize I don't know the business culture of anywhere in the world except the US. But I think after I have accomplished all I can in the working world. Perhaps after I've raised my children (or child), I want to go rest my tired, old bones in the land where I spent the first ten years of my life.
When I go there, there is just something about it, something in the air, something in the faces of the people I see, that lets me know I'm home. And I hope that won't change when I finally realize my dream of buying a home there. Maybe I'm missing my grandmother because I'm embarking on a new journey and I'm kind of scared. I promised my grandmother when I was about to leave her at 10 years old, a list of things I would bring back or buy for her. I'm pretty sure one of them was a new home.
Sadly, I don't think she'll be around when I finally manage to make it happen. Maybe I'll name it 'The Rose' in honor of her. I plan on giving my first child the middle name 'Rose' in honor of her as well. The more I think about her the more I miss her. I should call her more. But its hard because she can barely hear me now and sometimes she seems off in her own world. She used to tell the craziest, funniest stories. She used to play hide and seek with me. When it was storming outside, she, my sister and I would curl up in bed and talk.
I can't tell you how many memories I have.

Your Skin Is Gorgeous!

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"Thanks, it's actually makeup"

I'm generally a minimalist when it comes to both makeup and fashion but this summer it seems minimal makeup is the new 'hot' thing.

I went out to have lunch with a girlfriend yesterday and decided to try the, 'I rolled out of bed this way' makeup look.

Here are the rules:
No foundation, only concealer. To pull this off, you have to keep your skin looking smooth and summer fresh - I'll post some tips for this later.
No eyeshadow
No makeup smudging
No 'powder-look'

What you will need:
A small concealer applicator brush
Mascara
Eyebrow shaper
Semi-sheer lip color

My concealer is very thick, like a paste, and if yours is too, apply with a damp brush (dipped in water). The result is a creamy application that leave skin looking dewy. 
Some people use primer before applying makeup. I don't think you need it for this one as the makeup is very light. The idea is to look as though you didn't even need makeup.
If your concealer is creamy then your might not need a damp brush...UNLESS you are daring enough to go for even sheer-er coverage and if you've got the skin for it, go ahead. Just dampen your brush, dab into your creamy concealer and apply over blemishes, to fill in creases and over dark areas only. Think: under eyes, around mouth, over spots.
Because you are not using foundation, you must make sure your concealer blends well into your skin (which a semi-sheer finish should help with).
Do your eyebrows next. Apply wax to smooth them and powder filler to make them look cleaner.
If you have small eyes, you may want to add a thin black line at your lashline to bring out your eyes more. Use a liquid liner or a paste/gel liner to make a thin, sweeping line that gets a slightly thicker as you approach the outer edges of your lash line.
For a throwback look, apply mascara to lower lids as well (I often do this look for late evening or night).
Apply semi-sheer lipcolor (whatever is your fav but keep it close to your natural lipcolor for that natural look: Think, pinks, peaches, corals, even red.
Make sure you apply semi-sheer color to clean lips. White gunks of dead cells on your lips show up  more on nude or semi-sheer colors - not cute.
 To clean lips I use either warm milk and a cotton pad, or plain old warm water. Warm milk has lactic acid which helps to exfoliate (great for skin too).
And your look is complete.

Oh yes, tips for dewy summer skin:
Avocados, spinach, carrots or anything with lots of vitamins A and E and lots of good fats (notice I said good)
Lots of water (and not the sugar or high-fructose corn syrup kind). I've been making lemonade with light sugar and cucumbers. It's delish and will keep you hydrated.
Nuts
Multi-vitamins (like supplements)
You can cheat and fake a dewy look this way too: Spray skin with a mix of honey and water or, if you dare, water and glycerin (just a small drop of glycerin to a cup of water).

My skin is volatile right now but I know it's hormonal and not dietary. You can never escape the hormonal effects on your skin so if you get a pimple, don't fret, just spot-treat and cover it up while you wait for it to go away.

Banana Protein Treatment with Slip

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I know I have been MIA for a minute. There has been alot going on in my life and I will share all the details later on when I'm in a more settled place mentally.
Anyway, I wanted to share my banana protein treatment, which I did today. I'll give you a little insight into what my hair and I have been up to. It's no longer a TWA. I'd call it a small 'fro. Shrinkage is serious and very annoying. And because of all the other craziness going on in my life, I have kept it tucked away in 'protective styles', cornrows and braids, as not to mess with it. There is one advice from youtuber natural, Sera, that I found to be invaluable and that is to not mess with your hair when you are frustrated/angry or stressed, because you are likely to take it out on your hair with rough-handling, and not even realize it. So 'protective styles' have saved my hair. 
By the way, I use bananas in this treatment because bananas contain natural protein (so does the Braggs) and the point is to restore protein to my hair (in case any hair strands have become weakened due to protein loss).
Some of you may want to know how I decide what type of treatment my hair needs. The answer is that my hair tells me. I pay attention to my hair. I pay attention to every knot, every split end I can see with the naked eye, every broken strand. And after noticing one to two broken strands while doing my last protective style, I realized a protein treatment is probably a good idea about now.

Here is the recipe for the treatment I applied after shampooing my hair with Dudu-Osun natural shampoo (I still use my homemade shikakai tea as a 'poo but I like to do one homemade treatment at a time).

Banana Protein Recipe
2 overripe bananas
3-4 tablespoons Braggs Liquid Aminos
1/2 tspn brahmi powder
1 tablespoon shea butter (melted)
1 tspn olive oil
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 cup finely ground marshmallow root powder 

Blend bananas in blender, then strain (using mesh strainer) into a bowl to remove seeds (the tiny black spots you see after blending).
If you do not remove seeds, they will end up in your hair.
Add all other ingredients except marshmallow root powder and mix until smooth. Fold in marshmallow root powder and let mixture sit for a few minutes (2-4).
The longer you let it sit, the more slippery the mixture will become. Don't let it sit too long or it will be difficult to massage into your hair due to the slip.
Apply mixture to clean, damp but not soaking wet, hair. Cover with a shower cap. I have disposable shower caps as these things do get messy and don't smell great. Let sit for at least 20 minutes or as long as you like. Rinse out and style as usual.

Ayurveda - Strengthening Hair

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I made a big batch of my brahmi conditioning tea late last week and used some to deep condition. The recipe is here minus the bentonite/marshmallow part. 
Last time I used it, I mixed it with bentonite and marshmallow root powder to form a paste for clarifying purposes. This time I didn't want clarifying, just the basic strengthening benefits of brahmi. I didn't add anything to it to make it a paste. I did add olive oil to the recipe and otherwise I applied it in its watery form, directly to my hair. Here is how I did it:
I made sure to have a thick towel around my shoulders to help prevent drippage.
As soon as I applied the tea, (from a bottle with a tube-like tip), I rubbed it into my hair and scalp for quick absorption. It was still a bit messy but the rubbing helps.
I try to apply just enough to saturate the hair but not so much to make a mess or to waste it.

I mixed honey into the batch I was going to apply to my hair. You can also just apply the honey (melted in the palm of your hand) immediately after applying the brahmi tea. Lately I've been applying honey to all my deep conditioners for both its humectant and antimicrobial properties.

I massage my scalp gently after application and then immediately put on a shower/heat cap. Be careful not to let this stuff get in your eyes and if it does, wash it out with water right away. I keep my head back when I apply to prevent running into my face. For those who are not patient with runny conditioners, I suggest making a paste with a mild clay like white clay or kaolin clay (just make sure they won't leave a film after you wash them out). Bentonite and rhassoul clays are pretty potent in terms of the minerals they provide so unless you want clarifying as well, I don't recommend using them to make a paste if your goal is just to prevent drippage.
I am trying to fix my page to allow links and once I do I will post a link to my fotki album where I keep a journey-in-pictures and I sometimes post hair shots after my hair treatments.

My New Frenemy

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Neem Oil!

Oh that unassuming bottle of neem oil is a monster in ways both good and bad.

Neem is a natural estringent, antibacterial, antiseptic and antifungal. Neem works very well for resolving a variety of skin conditions, including scalp problems such as dry, flaky scalp and other skin ailments including eczema. I have been using it as a part of my homemade shampoo because of its antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic properties.
My theory has been that, with the use of a few drops of this oil in my products, I will need to shampoo less for reasons of keeping bacteria and other harmful microbes off my scalp. Neem has lived up to its reputation in my experience. Since using neem in my applications, I have not experienced a single flake on my scalp - no signs of dryness.

So why is it a frenemy?

The smell!

If you do not know the smell of cold-pressed neem oil, I cannot begin to explain it to you. Just know that once you smell it, it will take hold of your olfactory nerves and hold on for dear life, for days to come. If you think I'm exaggerating, smell it for yourself.
I add only a few drops to my homemade conditioners or shampoos or scalp mixes and somehow it manages to overpower the scent of every other ingredient in the product, and outlast them too.
I have to figure some way to cut the smell.
If you want to try neem oil, for the benefit of your scalp I highly recommend it. If you are sensitive to smells, you may have issue with it until you can figure out how to mask its smell in products. And for the love of everyone around you, please do not apply it to your hair or scalp undiluted! You will have no friends or other loved ones left if you do as they will either have run for the life of their noses or will have passed out from the scent.
The good news is my hair is super-strong and my scalp is the healthiest it has ever been.
With my luck, the neem oil is behind all this. Meaning I will have to continue using it and suffer the olfactory consequences until I figure something out.

Hair Pretties and Makeup

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My hair accessories display.

I wore the feathered headband to the right, to a party last weekend. Here is the pic:



You probably can't see it very much because of the poor lighting (and probably the crazy lady behind me is distracting you - isn't she cute?) but it looked really cute.

I am in love with the blue butterflies hair comb but I have not yet found an occasion to wear it. Maybe an evening event this summer. And I never wear bows but I fell in love with the rhinestone-studded bow headband to the left. It has a rock-n-roll but still cutesy feel to it. I haven't yet worn it though. I will definitely bring it with me on my vacation. I'm already picturing me, walking down the streets of Paris, with it on my head. How cute will that be?
By the way, you can't see it much because of the lighting and because this pic was taken with my phone....I really do need a camera. What kind of blogger can I be without one?.....the quality sucks.
Anyway, here is how I achieved this makeup look:
Orange/coral base eyeshadow with electric blue shadow used as a liner.
The lower lids were lined sharply with black eyeliner and then electric blue used as a liner over it.
There is also yellow-green used on the interior of my lids and where the lids meet at the inner part of the eye.
Lots of mascara on both upper and lower lids.
Eyebrows shaped and thickened with brown shadow and a shimmery off-white powder, I think its MAC Fawntastic, on the brow bone.
There was no foundation because fluorescent lights can be unforgiving to faces made up with foundation, at night. Just concealer. Dab brush in water first for a creamy application if your concealer is thick. Finally, coral lip color. For more on the colors I used, see this post.

Hair Flower Accessories - How-To Video

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I accidentally deleted this post with the video on how I made my hair flower accessories so here it is:




After I uploaded the video I saw that the quality is kind of pathetic so I apologize if some sections are hard to read. Just comment if you have questions or if anything was unclear. In the video I give credit to some naturals who turned me on the idea and have tutorials of their own. To them, thanks again.

My Summer Makeup Palette

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I'm all about electric hues this summer. I generally don't shy away from bright colors and this summer will be no different. Usually in the fall and winter, I stick to deep or silvery colors, but summers are for golds, iridescents, and my favorite - corals.
Corals look amazing on my skin, probably because of its yellow undertones. My all-time favorite colors are in the blue range so electric blue seemed like a perfect start (and it happens to look equally amazing on my skin):


This one is MAC Freshwater veluxe pearl eye shadow. It works well on both yellow and blue undertones so if you have a super- dark chocolate-y complexion, this color will pop just as well.



I looove this color. Why? Its the perfect combo of yellow and green. I was really looking for yellow when I found this. It's very pretty on darker skin tones but I'm sure will look good on lighter skin tones as well. It doesn't pop very much if you have lighter skin tone and yellow undertones so to spice it up, put it against a highly contrasting color (like against a black liner).



I notice that some dark-skin beauties shy away from bright colors. They tend to gravitate toward the safe deep, dark colors (like purples and dark browns).  But bright colors look amazing on chocolate tones! These tones make the colors pop, in a good way. So this summer, whether your skin tone is dark, medium like me, or light, don't shy away from bright hues.
The only thing I've noticed with bright makeup on dark tones is that if the color is not iridescent (is matte), it may come out looking  chalky. To prevent the chalky look, apply your powder eyeshadows over a light oil base (think jojoba oil). You can either do the mixing on a part of your hand or apply the jojoba oil to your lids and shadow over it. If you tend to have oily skin, skip the oil and use water instead.  Be very, very light on the oil (like literally just a q-tip dab).  Remember your makeup will clump into the creases of your lids over time  if you apply too much oil (not cute).
The color above shows up coral/iridescent orange-y on my medium-brown complexion. It's MAC Coppering veluxe pearl.



And last but certainly not least - who can forget the lips!  A pretty glossy pout is a must-have on those hot summer nights out on the town.  And this one is of course my fav color - coral. I really like it because it's actually a conditioning balm with sunscreen (spf 15) so it won't dry out my lips like some lip stains. It's also a subtle coral.  You can apply a bit for just a hint of color, or layer it on for a full-blown orange-y pretty  pout.  It's MAC Gently Coral Tinted Lip Conditioner if you like.

So there is no reason not to look cute this summer, whether its with your little twa, your full-blown 'fro or whereever you are in-between.  I did a series awhile back about playing up your best face features to complement your cute natural.  If you missed it, here are the links:  EyesEyebrowsLips and NailsSkin and Cheeks.

And, yes, I will show you the outcome of my makeup application.  I have a party tomorrow night. If I'm not in too much of a rush, I will try to remember to take some good shots to put up.






Tip of the Month: Reducing Breakage While Detangling

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So all signs point to combing as the number one cause of hair breakage.  And for our natural hair this carries a heavier weight because our hair is inherently more fragile, and thus more susceptible to breakage.  The comb is our enemy in this regard but it is also our defense against hair knotting, which our hair is more susceptible to as well, due to its tightly curly structure.  It seems sometimes we can't win when its either having to cut out single-strand and multi-strand knots (sacrificing length retention) or detangling more frequently and risking breakage (again, sacrificing length retention).

I don't have a magic solution.  The one thing I know is that how gently we comb our hair directly affects how much breakage we experience and, believe it or not, how much knots we get (especially multi-strand knots).
So I'm sharing my length retention (and overall hair health) tip of the month:
Gentle combing.
I know.  I know.  It sounds insanely intuitive.  Why am I wasting y'all's time?
I am telling you about this (or think of it as me reminding you) because, although its intuitive - we forget.  It's like shaving.  We know shaving fast leaves more knicks but usually we're in such a hurry.   We're shaving five minutes before our girls' arrive to pick us up for that party, or while our hubby's and bf's are nagging us to hurry up and we don't have time to go slow.

This post is about challenging the way you comb your hair. Tip? -  Go slow, like super-slow.  It even sounds tedious but, trust me when I say, it works. I have noticed a huge reduction in the number of knots I encounter when I detangle - when I comb slowly.  Here is my process:
  •  I pick a time to take a detangle when I am not going to be hurried, feeling cranky or feeling too tired.  I detangle in the shower and, honestly, if I am too tired or I am cranky, I skip detangling (of course I still shower!).  Don't detangle while you have food cooking on the stove, or children are screaming/disrupting you or any other thing that'll make you need to rush out of the shower.  I find that if I shower while food is cooking on the stove, I don't relax during detangling because I'm in a hurry to go check on the food.  If I am feeling hurried, tired or cranky, I let the steam get to my hair but I resolve to detangle the next time I shower.  Why?  I don't want my fatigue or irritation to get taken out on my hair during the most important step in handling it - detangling. For this reason, I have reduced my co-washes to several times per week.  I know those of you with longer hair don't co-wash that much anyway but the tip still works.  Do not detangle when you are hurried, tired or in a bad mood!  Re-schedule it if one of these moods reflect how you feel.

  • I apply conditioner before I do anything else in the shower and I leave it on while I bathe.  I wet hair with lukewarm water (not too hot because I don't want the water to strip my hair of moisture), apply my conditioner and then allow the steam and conditioner to work its magic soaking into my hair.  The result is that when I'm ready to detangle, there's optimal slip.

  • I do not agitate my hair before detangling.  I don't scrub my scalp (or I try not to) before detangling because I don't want to create more knots to comb through.

  • I detangle last!  This allows time for the conditioner to soak and allows me to relax when I am detangling because I've done everything else already.

  • I get comfortable while detangling.  I literally sit in my bath, lean back on my bath pillow and relax. This way I don't feel any need to hurry my detangling process because of discomfort or anxiousness to get out of the shower.

  • I detangle in sections and work comb through hair slowly!  And yes, (in case you missed the bold,  italic font and exclamation mark) I do mean slowly.  I know it sounds super-tedious but if you are relaxed, comfortable and enjoying the steam (and even music and candles if you like to indulge with your baths), it really isn't as tedious as it sounds.  And believe it or not, I have noticed much fewer knotting.  It made me realize that some of the knots I encountered while combing through were actually being formed as I was combing through because I was combing fast.

  • I keep a fine-toothed comb and my hair scissors at hand (close to the tub).  This way, if I encounter a knot during detangling, I can use the fine-toothed comb to try and loosen it.  Since the teeth are smaller, sometimes its actually better able to loosen the knot so I don't have to cut it out. And when all else fails, I snip.

  • I only work comb through each section once.  I don't see any reason why you need to re-comb the same section if you were able to work through, knots and all. The more you comb, the more you risk more knotting, and pulling - causes for breakage.

  • When my scalp itches, I gently rub the spot with my detangling comb, after detangling and while conditioner is still in hair. Doing this while conditioner is still in my hair minimizes risk of me breaking hair while scratching. The conditioner provides slip and I'm not using my nails (which is always tempting).

Hair Trim

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I love the feeling of healthy hair (on my head of course)!  There's no way for me to be 100% certain but it looks and feels that way and that's good enough for me.  It feels strong, which my hair never did when relaxed.
I did a serious trim today, a good 1/4-1/2 inch....


....which is alot considering I only have a few inches in length total.  I  was willing to sacrifice the length knowing when it does grow into a bigger 'fro, it will be a healthy one. There was more cut than this but I lost it to the floor.
After trimming, this was my regimen:
  • Washed with shikakai homemade hair shampoo
  • Deep conditioned with commercial deep conditioner mixed with a generous amount of honey.






Can Heat Permanently Damage Natural Hair?

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So I was browsing some of my fav natural sites today and came upon a pretty controversial topic in the natural hair community - hair straightening using heat.

You may have already been hearing some Naturals say straightening is bad for your hair. You may have also heard the varying angles and perspectives as to why. There is the social/ideological angle arguing that straightening hair, regardless of how you do it, is an act against the full acceptance of our natural hair and, to some, ourselves as a whole.  I personally don't have much of an opinion about this  idealogical view  other than to say; 'to each his own'.
What struck me had to do with the physical and impactful consequences on hair that has been straightened using heat.

My scouring of the online natural world turned up Naturals, left and right, recounting their horror stories of heat-straightening leaving them with permanent changes in hair texture (loosening of curls that have not reverted back to their natural state), more breakage than normal and generally frizzy, dry hair. And much like the toppling of dominos, these stories spread and has, in turn, lead other Naturals and newbies to swear off straightening for fear it will permanently damage their hair as well. 
Effectively the question that seems to puzzle us all is this: Can heat really permanently damage hair? Some say yes and insist they have firsthand experiences to show, while others, who have been straightening for years emphatically dispute this conclusion, remarking the consistent health of their hair even after years of heat application.
My answer to this question is based on my understanding of the chemistry behind the process of heat-straightening and it is: Yes and no! Frustrating answer, I know, but read on, you might learn something.

My goal is to shed some light on how heat works to straightens hair and thereby (hopefully) dispelling the fear that heat will permanently damage our precious curls.
So here goes (Remember I'm from a health/bio/nutrition background so expect to get the low-down - stay awake. lol):

The Chemistry of Hair
Hair is made up of a protein called alpha-keratin. This unique permutation of the keratin protein is what lends hair its resistance and pliability, both wet and dry. Like all proteins, alpha-keratin is identified by the amino acids (bio-molecules) that make it up and the way those molecules are arranged (called the structure of the protein).

You may or may not remember from your bio class that proteins are formed by the multiple foldings of their polypeptide chains (linked molecules). The multiple foldings of proteins are categorized as the following: Primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structures. Think of these structural classifications  as dimensions (though it's really not). Each structure reflects an added level of complexity in the folding of the protein molecule. The primary structure refers to the most basic, but core structure, while the tertiary and quaternary structures refers to the protein's final shape with all its complicated folds.
If you are still with me, I'm impressed. :)

We won't bother at all talking about the primary structure of proteins since it is  not generally affected by heat, pH or cosmetic products.  And we'll barely talk about the secondary structure as it is rarely, if at all, affected by heat. What we will talk about (the structure affected when we apply heat to our hair) is the tertiary structure of the hair protein.  This tertiary structure of the alpha-keratin hair protein is formed almost exclusively with folds held in place by hydrogen bonds.

It is important to note, though, that some hydrogen bonds also form the secondary structure of the hair protein.  This explains why heat may affect the innermost layers of a hair strand. Also, of note, is that the more impact there is to the more innermost layers (structure) of the hair strand the more irreversible the alteration/damage (of the keratin, this is called protein denaturation).

Knowing this, the implications of  too high heat for too long is that it can result in irreversible alteration to the structure of hair....but let's back up.

What Are Hydrogen Bonds?



Hydrogen bonds are responsible for the curl that exists in your hair, and, in the tertiary structure of the keratin protein, it looks something like this.
The H in the pic represents the hydrogen bonds that pull the hair fiber into its naturally curled/coiled state.


How Heat Affects Hair Strand
 When you apply heat to hair, assuming the heat level is not too high, the hydrogen bonds of the tertiary structure are affected first.  The keratin hair protein undergoes what is called denaturation, which simply refers to removal of the protein bonds. In this case, the hydrogen bonds making up the tertiary structure are removed, and thus the curl/coil pattern is loosened or removed.
Once hair is no longer exposed to the heat(hair cools), new hydrogen bonds may form on the hair's new  (straightened) shape.  This is what allows hair to maintain its straight texture for some time. However, hydrogen bonds are attracted to (and thus broken by) the slightly negative charge on the oxygen end of water molecules. This means water will break the hydrogen bonds formed after heat-straightening and explains why hair reverts back to its curly/coily state when wet.

Too Much Heat
 When high heat is applied to the hair strand for excessive periods of time and when hair is not allowed to 'normalize' after heat processing, the damage may become irreversible.  The general takeaway is that heat does not permanently damage hair.  But this statement assumes that hair is not subject to excessive heat  (as in enough to fry the hair) and not for more than a few seconds at a time.  Under normal heat conditions, the hydrogen bonds will reform when heat is removed and the hair will revert to its natural shape over time (and with water).
Too much heat damages hair by not only removing hydrogen bonds at the tertiary level but by removing the hydrogen bonds that make up the more inner  (secondary) structures of the hair protein.  The removal of a large number of bonds makes it difficult for the keratin protein to revert back to its natural shape.  And because the function/characteristics of a protein is tied to its shape, the characteristics inherent to the keratin hair protein are lost. For hair, this means loss of elasticity/pliability, loosened curl patterns, and less resistance to breakage.

Heat Control
If you do want to use heat to straighten your hair, apply these measures:
  • Choose the lowest setting that will straighten your hair. If the medium setting gives you results, don't switch to the high setting. The hair will either straighten or it won't. Higher settings just risks breaking more bonds in your hair, and risking irreversible effects.
  • Use a heat protectant product. These products are meant to offset the effects of heat on your hair by offering an added layer of protection. They should lessen the amount of heat that goes into the hair strand.
  • Be gentle with hair. Hair altered in any way is weaker than in its original state. Hair that has been straightened has had an extra layer of protection (the pliability of hydrogen bonds) removed and thus is inherently more brittle and less resistant to breakage. Be gentle during and after straightening.

'Normalize' Hair Between Straightening
 Healthy hair forms optimal levels of hydrogen and salt bonds.  Hydrogen bonds are affected by oxygen  (think water), nitrogen, and other highly electronegative molecules. This means that exposure to anything largely made up of these will reduce optimal hydrogen bonding in your hair.
Salt bonds are affected (including broken) by pH imbalances.  The less of these salt and hydrogen bonds making up your hair strand, the more susceptible your hair is to the damaging effects of heat when you do apply heat.  To return your hair to normal, between straightenings, treat your hair to deep treatments  (protein or moisturizing depending on your hair needs), and maintain proper moisture. Also keep handling of hair to a minimum as bonds, specifically salt bonds, can be broken simply by manipulating hair.

This post was about informing you so you can be confident that you are making good decisions for your hair while still having the freedom to just have fun with it. Hope this help shed some light on this much-debated topic.
For those of you Natural researchers still curious and want to know more, check out these sites:
http://www.austincc.edu/~emeyerth/tertiary.htm
http://www.keratin.com/aa/aa012.shtml
http://public.fotki.com/virtuousjewel/the-disturbing-trut/

Ready...Set...Big Chop! (Transitioners Read Up) An All-Inclusive Guide to Preparing For the Big Chop

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I am super-exhausted from a weekend away from home but I wanted to post some information right away for those transitioners about to start their natural hair journey.
At least for me, a large part of lessening my nervousness about doing the 'big chop' was being prepared (especially if you are only a few months into transitioning and will have only  a few inches of new growth when you big chop).
When I big chopped I didn't have anyone who broke it down for me the way I'm about to break it down for you.  I had to trial and error (and waste some money buying products I didn't really need) to figure out what I really needed for my hair.
Now I'm not going to be product-specific because everyone has their preference of products and the products you use will often boil down to your hair type and cost.  Some are willing to spend more than others. I am also not going to tell you that you have to get all-natural or organic products.  I will only give you a list of the ingredients that should send up a red flag to you if you find them in the products and that should indicate that this product is not the best for you.  I encourage all my other current naturals, veterans and newbies who may have already figured out a thing or two to chime in with comments so we can help our soon-to-be naturals get off to a good start. Here goes:

Key things to know before you start this natural journey and to keep in mind throughout your natural journey.  Never forget them and you are not likely to fall off the bandwagon:
  • Natural black (kinky-curly) hair, needs lots of moisture
  • Moisture is water; moisture is not oil
  • Natural black (kinky-curly) hair needs moisture all the time (I will explain how to achieve this so you are not constantly dousing your head with water).
  • 'Moisturizers' as in oils, butters, or creams (emulsified mixes of  oil and water) act on hair as sealants
  • Not all oils are created equal.
  • The type of oils you use depends on what you want your hair to look and feel like, and therefore depends on your hair type. I don't use a typing system so when I say hair type, I simply mean, the unique characteristics of your hair, (i.e very kinky and coarse, loosely curled and silky, thick, thin, etc.)
  • How much growth you retain will depend on two things only, aside from genetics,: The health of your scalp and your ability to retain the current hair you have - which leads me to the next point:
  • The health of the hair that grows out of your scalp will depend on two things: The health of your scalp and your general health. If your scalp shows signs of ill-health (flaky, dry, excessively oily) this will affect the quality of the hair that grows out of it (i.e. whether the hair that grows is strong or weak).
  • Just like the skin on your face, your scalp needs to maintain proper oil balance to be healthy. Hopefully, if you notice the skin on your face is excessively oily or dry, you look into it, the same should go for your scalp. It is usually partly genetic but the oil balance in your skin is optimized by your diet, your general health and the products you apply to it so PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR SCALP always.
So lets start at the beginning:
There are two main activities you will do as frequently as needed to maintain moisture in your hair. They are:
  1. Moisturize
  2. Seal
Moisturize
Moisture is water and only water.
Discard the myth that oil is moisture. When you were a child and your Mom 'moisturized' your hair with some hair oil, she was really sealing in the natural moisture in your hair. Test this by applying oil to hair that feels very dry. Do you notice your hair now feels oily but still dry?
Don't bother applying oil to dry hair. You are just wasting the oil. The rule I follow is this: Always 'moisturize' (seal) hair before it is fully dry (as in damp or wet).

Seal
Oils, butters, and creams with their wonderful smells and slick feeling do nothing but seal moisture into hair shaft (temporarily - which is why you must do it regularly).

The very air  that surrounds us is constantly robbing, not just our hair, but our entire bodies, of moisture. Remember water in the air is maintained at an equilibrium. This drives evaporation and precipitation. But unless you are in very humid climates, water tends toward evaporation into the air  -  meaning the air pulls water from the surface of whatever it can: Rivers, trees, and, yes, you!

Oils and butters are purely for sealing purposes.
Creams with oil and water, attempt to do double-duty: imparting moisture and sealing. How effective these butters, oils and creams are at it is entirely trial and error and up to what feels right to you.

So the takeaway of everything I've told you so far is this: Your primary duty in taking care of your natural hair for as long as your hair is natural will always be to keep moisture in your hair by applying moisture (water) and sealing it in with oils, butters, creams etc.

By the way, when I say not oils are created equal I mean that some oils, due to the size of their molecular structure, can be absorbed to some degree into the hair shaft, thereby helping to reduce protein loss from the hair strand. These oils are: coconut oil, avocado oil and olive oil. I feel like this is another post since this one is already tres long.   :-)

Your Scalp
Many of us naturals, especially us newbies, become so enamored with our new 'curls and coils' and so fixated on getting perfect curl definition and discovering our textures that we forget the other half (a big part, right?) of the healthy hair puzzle - the scalp.
It's not an interesting part of us. It doesn't curl prettily like our new coils. It doesn't glow like the rest of our skin (I mean we can barely see it, especially if we have thick hair). So its easy to forget that this much-hidden stretch of skin, makes or breaks (literally) our hair. It is the manager behind the scenes, while we are so focused  and enamored with the celebrity on the screen, making it easy to forget that the celebrity that is our hair, does not stand a chance without a happy scalp.
The scalp is no different than the rest of your skin. In fact, the behavior of the skin on your face may indicate what is going on with your scalp. Do you tend to have oily skin? Dry skin? These are clues to pay special attention to your scalp. What your scalp needs most is balance (just like the rest of your skin). It does its magic by producing sebum (in addition to producing hair) to nourish the hair on our heads. Too much sebum, just like on our faces, clogs pores and may inhibit your natural rate of growth. Too little leaves the hair that grows out of your scalp, dry, and perhaps even weak and brittle.

Maintaining A Balanced Scalp

Three things come into play here:
  1. The products you apply to your scalp
  2. How clean your scalp is
  3. Hydration moisture
Does Your Scalp Love Your Products As Much As You Do?
This is where it is important to choose the right products. And this is where I will list the ingredients to avoid when looking for the right products.  Products with certain ingredients will either clog the pores/follicles in your scalp, or disrupt its natural oil balance by causing your scalp to produce too little or too much sebum in response.
When looking for the right hair products, I'm not going to tell you they have to be 'all-natural.' I go this route because its a safe bet that if the product is 'all-natural' (and of itself this is a vague term) it is less likely to have the disrupting ingredients I am about to list.

Ingredients to Avoid (ingredients with asteriks by them mean use in moderation):
-Petroleum-based ingredients in general but specifically: Mineral Oil.
Note: Propylene glycol is also petroleum-based (see previous post about) but scientific studies have not proven that it harms your scalp or hair. There is the risk it may disrupt the natural oil balance in your scalp because it does act as a humectant. Here is a tip: whenever you encounter an ingredient you know to be petroleum-based, do some research on the ingredient to discover if it has proven to be harmful or disruptive when applied on or in the body. Be informed.

-Cones (silicone, dimethicone anything ending in cone etc)*

How Clean Is Your Scalp?
I inspect my scalp several times a week. I gently scratch the surface with my nail. If I see dead cells, or flakes under my nail or if my scalp looks greyish or dull, I know it needs a wash and a treatment. Wash your scalp regularly (shampoo not necessary). And when you wash it, gently scrub it to remove dead cells that clog follicles. Massage it (preferably with oils) to stimulate blood circulation and to seal moisture unto it.

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
I specifically use the term 'hydration' here to differentiate between this moisture and the one we talked about above. Hydration refers to the moisture balance inside your body. If you are dehydrated, your moisture balance is off and it will affect your scalp. When we are dehydrated, our hair, skin and nails are the first of our body parts to be deprived of what hydration levels we do have in our body (the body considers vital organs to be a much bigger priority than your skin and nails when it comes to needing water). So a good indicator of how hydrated you are is how dry your scalp is and whether your nails and hair are brittle (from continuous dehydration). Keep your body hydrated and your scalp benefits as well.

Starter Products
Now the part I know you transitioners have been waiting for.
Below is a list of all the products that should start you off on the right foot as a new natural:

1. Moisturizing Deep Conditioner
 Notice the emphasis on moisturizing. Remember my post about knowing the different types of conditioners? It may help to refer back to it here.
Many new naturals complain of excessively dry-feeling hair when they first 'big chop.' There may be several reasons for that including how you took care of your new growth during the transition period but here is a tip to overcome this temporary but frustrating stage: Deep condition very frequently.
I won't tell you how frequently - its up to you. Just listen to your hair and when it feels dry, deep condition. I am not a fan of baggying (the term for applying deep conditioner to your hair, putting on a heat cap (baggy) and sleeping with it overnight) but if I ever recommend it, it would be during the first few weeks after the big chop (if hair feels dry).

2. Co-Wash Conditioner
You know how when you were relaxed you shampoo-ed at least once a week with any old shampoo? Well, cut it out!
Here are two invaluable tips, I learned along the way:
  • Give up on shampoo (almost). Yes give it up. Curly heads do not need to shampoo often as it strips the hair of much-needed moisture. Moisture is the life of your curls. Strip moisture and you will end up with dry, frizzy hair (goodbye defined curls). Shampooing once a month (for those who tend toward dry scalp) or once every two weeks (for oily scalps) is just fine.

  • Become a conditioner-wash guru. Conditioner-wash (also called co-wash) is the process of using only a conditioner to wash your hair (use it like you would a shampoo -  scrub and massage your scalp and rinse). One of the fun things about having a teeny weeny new afro (twa) is you can do what is called 'wash-n-go's' pretty much every day. But not with shampoo! Use only a conditioner when you 'wash-n-go' and your hair will love it! And generally I don't recommend using your deep conditioner for your co-washes, (especially if you co-wash often) as this will cause buildup.
To find the perfect co-wash conditioner:
Choose a conditioner mild enough for daily use. Do not choose a clarifying conditioner unless you have oily scalp and hair (and most of us naturals do not tend toward oily hair). Daily use of clarifying conditioners, even mild ones, will add to hair dryness. Instead look for a daily use conditioner that says: 'moisturizing.'

3. Sealants (Oils, Butters, Creams)
Make sure you have at least one good sealant that works for your hair type. You may have to trial and error to find the ones that work for you but some good, popular ones are:
Castor oil (my personal favorite)
Shea Butter
Olive Oil
Coconut Oil
If you prefer creams to oils and butters, try ones by these natural-hair focused vendors: (Qhemet Biologics, Oyin).

*My natural sisters, help me out here. What are your fav natural-hair focused vendors out there?*

Gel
Not a necessity by any means but I know part of the eagerness to go natural is to see and rock your natural curls.  And gel is probably the one product that will get you there.  My one caution for you is that gels are drying so use in moderation and always protect your hair before applying gel, either with a sealant or a leave-in conditioner.
You may have to trial and error with different brands to find one that fits your hair type, don't get frustrated. And a tip: Expensive gels do not guarantee better results. Just avoid products with questionable ingredients (again, be informed).

I also recommend stocking up on the following in preparation for your big chop:

Detangling Comb
A wide-toothed comb is a must for detangling. Make sure your comb is free of sharp knicks or edges which can snag on (and possibly tear) hair during detangling. You want to only detangle your hair when it is saturated with a product that provides some slippage for easy comb gliding. Many naturals (myself included) detangle only in the shower and only when hair is saturated with conditioner (which provides slip).  If you insist on detangling dry hair, Qhemet Biologics (and I'm sure there are others) sells a detangling cream some naturals rave about (I haven't tried it so I can't vouch for it personally).
Detangle only as often as necessary. This does not mean detangling once a month unless you are going for free-form dreads!
Remember this, the longer you take between your detangling sessions, the more knots you will have to fight when you do and therefore the more risk of breakage during detangling. I also think, however, that too much detangling (every day, for example) is unnecessary and increases hair breakage.

Water bottle
Water spritzes help restore moisture to hair on dry days when you are not close enough to home to just jump in the shower. Add a bit of glycerin (and I do mean a bit! Think one tablespoonful to a cup of water) to keep those curls looking moist even longer (glycerin acts as a humectant). Do not apply glycerin undiluted! It is a recipe for dry, miserable hair.

Satin scarf
Sleep with your hair covered to prevent knotting and to help retain moisture.

A list of your fav natural hair youtuber links - Watching the vids of natural hair veterans who've been doing it for years and making it work - with great hair to show for it - will be a great pick-me-up on those days when you are wondering why you ever cut your hair or reaching for that relaxer. Find a natural youtuber whose hair type is similar to yours. I may do another post just to list my top favs.

The main thing is to listen to your hair and respond to its needs. Don't get stuck on a regimen. If you are trying a range of products and find your hair is not happy (is dry, brittle, etc) try to find out which product is causing the undesired reaction and replace it with a better alternative. Don't fall in love with your regimen.

Propylene Glycol In My Conditioner??

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One of my favorite deep conditioners arrived in the mail yesterday.


I've raved about this conditioner in several posts on this blog mostly because of how it helped care for my relaxed hair.  I have always been discriminating about what I put on and in my body but since going natural, I've become even more diligent about reading ingredients lists of the products I put into my hair.

I don't want to use any product that will inhibit my hair's ability to do what it is inclined to do.  So even having a history with the phytokarite deep conditioner (I felt good enough about it to buy it in bulk because I got a really good price), did not stop me from looking over the ingredients again.

Nothing on the list made me uneasy....until I came upon it:

Propylene Glycol

The name was looking at me like it was daring me to send the product back. Or daring me to write a letter to phyto and ask them what the hell is up.
I have seen propylene glycol in many products, but I was disappointed to find it here.  The root of my disappointment is not that propylene glycol is harmful (ethylene glycol its distant cousin, is very harmful but propylene glycol has not been proven to be), but that for a brand that touts a natural approach to making its products and for the retail cost,  they could not have chosen a plant-derived alternative to a petroleum-based product. 
Propylene glycol is a petroleum-based product that serves various purposes in cosmetics including as a humectant and emulsifier.  
I know the rationale behind  using propylene glycol comes down to cost.  Phyto gets to continue charging what they do for their products but increase their margins by switching to cheaper ingredients, and guess what, Curlies?  Phyto isn't the only one doing it!  The economic downturn has driven many businesses to make tough decisions with their products: Often the options are either to increase margins by increasing  the cost to consumers or by switching to cheaper ingredients.  And while the idealist is inclined to raise a fist and argue about how wrong this is, the reality is businesses have to make money, and offset rising costs affecting their bottomline (think of the impact to businesses of rising fuel costs).
So if we're being realists about the likelihood of ingredients in our favorite products changing, we also have to be rational and ask ourselves:  Does the change mean this product will do harm to my hair or provide a less desirable result than I am used to?
Faced with this new ingredient discovery, I did ask myself this question.
Finding propylene glycol in my 'plant-based' deep conditioner, make me balk because I am not a fan of propylene glycol in my face products. Why?  I tend to have oily skin and found over time that when I used products with this ingredient, my face would be oilier than ever (and for me, more oil  =  more breakouts).
Despite a lack of scientific support for this observation, I switched to products without any petroleum-based ingredients, and found my skin was better able to maintain it's oil balance.  Only time will tell the effects of a product with propylene glycol on my hair and scalp (and of course I will keep you updated) but I will tell you this:  So far, there has been absolutely no scientific basis behind the propaganda that propylene glycol is harmful when used cosmetically despite what you will read on the internet (and there is alot).

One conspiracy theorist claims it denatures skin proteins and causes liver and kidney abnormalities. Please know, scientific studies have been done extensively on propylene glycol (read about propylene glycol and one such study HERE) and none have concluded any of the claims listed above.  Having done my research, I feel safe using a product with propylene glycol on my hair.
But the key takeaway here: Always do your research. Don't blindly use products on or in you without knowing where they come from.  They may not show harm the first or first ten times you use them but the cumulative effect of anything damaging will show itself over time, even if that's decades later.  We have to be informed about what society offers us or else how can we ensure they maintain quality in the goods they make available to us?  Companies are in business to make money. We, as consumers need to make sure they get only as much as they deserve and only after we get as much as we deserve. 


What I've Been Up To And Upcoming Plans for My Hair

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I'm planning to kick off June with a henna gloss treatment (henna plus my deep conditioner, and a few other ingredients for shine). For this henna treatment I will soak overnight but leave on for no more than one hour (my focus will be not so much on getting color but shine).  I will of course post the results and more details afterward.
I also need to make another batch of shikakai tea for my hair cleansing as I am running out.  I will do that early June and probably make more than last time (a full bottle) since I know the recipe works well for my hair.

Yesterday I did a deep conditioning treatment.  I wish I had pictures but I didn't think of that.  I know I need to so I can share results with you guys. A new camera would help me alot because I've been using my blackberry to take pics and that's not exciting.  I also want to add videos but videos from my phone turn out weird. I promise though, more result pics to come.

Anyway, it was a brahmi tea strengthening treatment.  I applied my brahmi tea (recipe found here) directly to co-washed and towel-dried hair.  The tea was not mixed into a bentonite paste so it was runny (I didn't want clarifying because I had poo-ed with my shikakai tea about 4 days before).  I applied in the shower and  used a shower cap to prevent dripping.  I left the treatment in for about 30 minutes and then rinsed out. If you do this and your hair isn't slippery-feeling after, just run a commercial-brand conditioner through your hair and wash out immediately.  My hair and scalp were happy.  I then applied my 'super-moisturizer' mix and let dry.
 I don't do an herbal cleansing and conditioning treatment at the same time becauseI think  of it as herbal overdose for my hair.  So generally, when I do an herbal hair cleansing, I just use a commercial-brand conditioner after and then a few days later (usually 4 days or more) before my next poo, I co-wash with my commercial-brand co-wash conditioner and apply my homemade herbal conditioner.  I have no reason to think that an herbal hair cleanse with an herbal homemade conditioner will have any negative effects on my hair I just think my current regimen is a balanced approach to caring for my hair. 

That's all folks!

Have You Run Into The Purists?

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Have you run into 'the natural purists' yet?

I call them that because they believe you should 'accept' your hair as it is.  And what they mean by this is that you should do nothing to alter or enhance in any way.  They are against straightening no matter how its done and whether it damages or not.  They tell you that if you have type 4 hair that does not naturally shine, that you should just 'accept' it that way and not try to use any product to get the shine you want.
They tell you that you are too 'reliant' on products.  To me, they make natural hair feel like a religion and that I'm violating some holy sanctity if I choose to enhance what my hair naturally does. And I wonder if they never enhance anything about themselves.  Do they never enhance their eyes with eyeliner, or their lips with lipstick?
I have nothing against natural sisters straightening their hair, and I know some of you feel this way too.  As long as the mentality is not that straight hair is superior to your natural texture and you are not damaging what God has given you, why not switch it up?  Isn't this what makes life interesting and fun?  Being able to try to new things, even a different persona for awhile?
Personally, I  love to enhance what God blessed me with.  Does it mean I'm ashamed of it as it is?  No, it means I'm proud of it so I play with it.  I find freedom in it.
I like my eyes, I play them up with eyeliner and sometimes I leave them as is because I know they speak volumes on their own.  I like my height but I still wear heels once in awhile.
I don't know about you but if I ever meet a 'purist' preaching to me about how wrong it is to do this and that to my own hair, I will have to tell them (ever so politely) to please mind their own follicle.

I Am Featured on Naturelle-Chic!

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The divalicious Miss Zannëta has featured me on her blog.
I felt so honored to to be asked!

http://naturelle-chic.blogspot.com/2010/05/meet-her-dm-rocks-twa.html

Cheapie Tip of the Month (For The Thrifty Natural)

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Don't pay the usual retail price for the products you love. When you find a product you love, comparison shop online (and remember to google for discounts).

Sites like Sephora  (and even the store) will sell you a product at 'the suggested retail price.' But lesser-known sites (there's one called beautydeals.net) can sometimes offer you a better deal as they are often more eager to move inventory even if it's at a discount and will may even tack on additional discounts  through online coupons.  This is how I bought many of my pricier commercial hair products.

You may be thinking: 'But the shipping...!'
But without realizing it, sometimes we end up paying more in the store just to avoid shipping costs.

Here's what to do: Add the shipping in from the get-go, as though it were a part of the cost, then do the math. You will often find that even with shipping, it works out cheaper.

I have gotten pretty savvy at it, and I will actually search around different marketplace or lesser-known sites and divide the cost each vendor is selling the product at, by the number of ounces I get in total. This way I can tell which one will give me the lowest cost per ounce. I have found that sites like Amazon.com and, I'm sure, ebay will sell multiple containers for a single price, like two for one etc.

Be cautious though.
If you are getting your product from a lesser-known site (that you're not familiar with), do your research. This means looking at the About Us page and making sure they are legit; and googling reviews on their web store. If they have been in business for awhile they should have reviews.
Or, if you're shaky about online shopping in general, go through a marketplace site like Amazon or eBay. Amazon is great because if they don't follow through, you can demand a refund.

My Summer 2010 Wishlist

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This just may be my next hair accessory project! I already have the fabric in mind too.


What do y'all think?


On another note, I'm  jonesing for at least some things from this list this summer:

  • A pair of white skinny jeans, even better if they have zippers at the ankle 

  • A flattering hat (I have yet to find one that looks good on a twa)

  • Some bright MAC eye colors - the creamy ones that come in blue and yellow! I would have so much fun with that.

  • A camera I can slip in my pocket  and whip out during that Maxwell concert or while I'm walking around the gardens in Versailles (I'm so excited about my vacay). I've been trying to find one that's small, lightweight but has amazing zoom and take great quality pics.  The Panasonic Lumix is looking good right now.

  • A few patterned tops.  I'm picturing red polka dots on white. With white jeans! Can we say Fierce?! Or a short floral dress.

  • Pair of sexy summer heeled sandals (with my mini dress I will be so ready for Maxwell!)
Eye Candy, anyone?

 

How summery-cute is this top?



 
Doesn't this look so I'm-ready-for-my-vacation? Picture it with some gladiator sandals and a cute little 'fro of course. Net-a-porter has this cool dress for a beyond-my-budget price but I'm hoping I can find a cheaper version somewhere!





I've been eyeing these harem pants all spring. They're silk and look super-comfy. I was just never comfortable with how some harem pants tend to look from behind (I know you know what I'm talking about) but this one looks pretty well-made, it has me wondering if I could pull it off. With a white tank and some cool jewelry? What do y'all think? 

By the way, what are you all jonesing for this summer?