Naturally Obsessed

So rememer a few weeks ago I started the vitamin packs...Well I only had 15 packs and there all gone now and I don't think I'll be ordering anymore. One of the four vitamins in the Nutrilite Women's Vitamin Pack is a hair, skin and nails supplement. And I've now for a while now that most if not all hair vitamins contain Biotin and that it triggers really bad breakouts on my face. I thought this time would be different, because I was consuming a lot more water than in the past and I figured it would curb the side effects. Boy was I wrong! When I got down to the last couple packs I started to get these really deep, almost mosquito bite like, bumps on my face..it was bad! As far as the other 3 vitamins in the pack, they seemed to work great, I just don't see the point of me reordering them and not being able to fully use something that I'm paying for :( However, if your skin doesn't have a problem with Biotin, I say go for it! I'm still on the hunt for a good multi vitamin for overall health though. I'll keep you guys posted on that.

In the meantime I will continue to drink plenty of water, exercise regularly and grow my hair the old fashioned way :)

 

Bubbly personality, crazy sense of humor and gorgeous natural hair...That's Amanda Diva!! Bored on the internet, earlier this week, I started going through my Twitter favorites and found a link to Amanda's videos for Black Voices. Jackpot!  I think I watched almost all of them in one sitting. She talks about the latest celeb news, chats one on one with comedians and musicians and gives you hilarious comedy with the help from her alter egos Black Becky, Topra Shanks and Cuzin Sassy lol! I posted a few vids below, some maybe NSFW. Enjoy :)

 Check out more of Amanda Diva for "The Spark" by clicking this link! http://blogs.blackvoices.com/category/the-spark-w-amanda-diva/

About Me...My name is Jonna (just like Donna, but with a J) aka Monchhichi. I'm married with 3 kids..I mean dogs :-) I work at a local hospital in administrative support and I'm also singer. I have 2 vlogs on YouTube: one for natural hair and fun stuff - www.youtube.com/user/ItsMeMonchhichi and one for my music - www.youtube.com/user/JonnaSharnell. I also have an artist fan page on FaceBook - www.facebook.com/JonnaSharnell.

Where do you live? How is the natural hair community there?

I live in the Hamptons Roads area of Virginia. There is a small natural hair group called Hampton Roads Napturals. I'm about an hour or so from Richmond Va and there is a larger natural hair community in that area.

When and why did you decide to go natural?

I got my last relaxer the weekend of July 4, 2008 and I BC'ed on December 18, 2008. I went natural because I wanted to have a more healthy lifestyle overall. I loved the variety of natural hairstyles I saw naturals wearing and I was curious to see what I could do with my hair.

Were your friends and family supporitive? If not, how were you able to move forward?

My friends and family were supportive, but still very anxious about the change. I tend to be a very independent person who does whatever she wants and has her own sense of style. I think my friends and family didn't feel a need to "pat me on my back" and encourage me. And they know not to come out of their mouths just any kind of way to me, so mostly they just asked "sooo..what exactly are you doing with your hair?" I still that to be supportive. They didn't discourage me, but they just wanted to be sure I had really thought about it and wanted to understand my "why" for doing it.

What is your current hair routine?

Because I have seborrheic eczema, I cleanse my scalp/hair once a week alternating between ACV (apple cider vinegar) rinse and homemade tea tree shampoo (recipe can be found on my YouTube channel). Before I cleanse, I coat my hair with some type of oil ( usually coconut) and cover with a plastic cap for 30min to an hour. Then I hop in the shower to rinse and cleanse. After cleansing, I sort of co-wash with Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Threat Invigorating Conditioner and detangle with Giovanni 50:50 Balancing Conditioner. I also cut out any single strand knots. Apply a leave in conditioner (KimmayTube's recipe), oil my scalp and style. I deep condition once a week with Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Mask. For daily moisturizing, I either spritz with water and add coconut or castor oil or I'll spritz with a mix of aloe vera juice, glycerin, jojoba oil and some essential oils. I spray this on my scalp also to help with the eczema. I also use SheaMoisture Curl & Style Milk to moisturize and SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie for curl definition and to eliminate frizz.

Do you have any hair goals? What steps are you taking to achieve them?

My goal is to achieve more length, maybe bra strap length by the end of the year. To achieve this, I'm taking more time to detangle and wearing more protective styles. As well as eating healthy, drinking more water and taking vitamin supplements.

Describe your favorite go to natural style...My fave is the puff! To achieve this style is very simple. Just wet hair, add some form of moisturizer (conditioner, leave in, glycerin mix, etc), use gel or hair butter/ shea butter to smooth the edges and pull the hair into a puff with a Goody Ouchless band. Leave as so, or add a hair accessory to spice it up.

Curly girls have more fun because...We are all unique, every coil and kink! Variety is the spice of life!!

I love bangs! They frame the face, add shape and give subtle sass to any hair style. However, I'm too chicken to actually cut my bangs. I like to have fun with my hair and try different looks. Cutting bangs, in my opinion, will limit my style options...and that's no fun lol! So bored over the weekend, armed with a fab twistout and one bobby pin. The steps are super easy...just pin down your bang in and upward direction. Check the pics...

{Before}

{After}

You can position the hair pin where ever you like to create different lengths. Also when you twist your hair, twist it towards the front. This will insure that your hair falls down on your forehead on its's own. Super Easy - Super Cute!

Moms! Would you rock it or pass it on to your little one??

MRA: What advice could you give women on hair care tips? Because a lot of people say "Oh, Melanie's hair is nice", but your traveling all the time. So what products do you use and how do you keep your hair....
MF: Yeah hair care is very, very important! I actually had to cut off like 2 1/2 inches from my hair just because the wear and tear of it, traveling, people doing your hair, heat going on it. More so now then ever, the big thing that I have to do is I really try to deep condition ever time I wash my hair now. There's a really great one that I started using by Sebastian (I believe it's called Sebastian) called Penetraitt, just 2 or 3 minutes in the shower, you leave it in and rinse it out. And then I started using Kerastase, there's a thermal nectar treatment that you can put in like a leave in treatment, I swear by it! I use Moroccan and anything that's really going to keep the hair nourished, is really important. And when you put heat on your hair, as much as I do...unlike today. Today I didn't do anything, just washed it and left it. I try to avoid heat whenever I can, but anything that's nourishing. Kerastase products are amazing! They make a really great deep conditioning masque. Another one that's really good is L'Oreal Absolut Repair, it's a really really good deep conditioner treatment.

The Kerastase Nectar Thermique can be found at JoyBeauty.com and L'Oreal Absolut Repair Masque can be purchased at Amazon.com.
To see more celeb chats with Mr. Amaru, including the full interview with Melanie Fiona, please click the link and subscribe! http://www.youtube.com/user/Amarudontv. Also follow him on Twitter @MrAmaru.

According to TheYBF.com, newly married celeb Lala Vasquez was snapped by the paps while heading back to her hotel yesterday. Looking fab in a white blazer and jeans, striped top and bright red bag. The animal printed shoes gave the look some extra flair. Some may think it's a lot going on with this look, but I love it! And remember ladies your smile is your best accessory, wear it with pride ♥

When and why did you decide to go natural?

I've been natural for over 20 years (I'm 37). It wasn't a big decision, I just wanted to cut my hair...shave it off actually. I wasn't trying to be natural I just liked the hairstyle.

Where do you live? How the natural hair community there?

I live in North Carolina. There are some naturals here, but it's not the norm at all!

What is your current hair routine?

I don't use shampoo at all. I co-wash with Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition Conditioner 3 or 4 times a week. I also ust the same conditioner as a leave in. In my opinion, leave in conditioners are just regular conditioners marketed to make you think you need to buy a separate product...it's NOT true! I use my conditioner as a leave in and it works better than anything I've ever done in all of my natural years.

Some days I just rinse my hair with water and a bit of conditioner and let it air dry. I don't do protective styles at all and I wear my hair loose everyday. I also stopped using ouls and butters on my hair. They don't work as good as my conditioner as a styling aid and I don't believe in using 3,4,5 products a day on my hair. I think that naturals pile on products in an attempt to fight their texture. Trying to create a texture that they see on another natural instead of working on their own.

Favorite hair products... I only have 2 favorites....Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition Conditioner and Aple Cider Vinegar to clarify. That's it!!

Do you have any hair goals?

I always shave my head every few years, because my favorite style is the baldie. However, I'm challenging  myself to get to at least bra strap length before I cut again.

Favorite hair style... Right now it's the wash and go. I simply co-wash, rinse add a bit more conditioner and let air dry. If a style takes more than 5 minutes to do on my hair...it's not gonna happen.

Your jewelry line is beautiful! How did you get started designing jewelry?

Last year I started making headbands and peacock feather earings to sell on my blog, Target Queen. I got a great response and figured I could really make it this a full time thing if I applied myself.

You have great style, describe the perfect look... The perfect look for me is big wild hair, simple and effortless pieces and some funky shoes. Not too trendy.

What advice can you give to those who are a bit style challenged?

I think a person that is style challenged is simply afraid to wear what she really likes. She may think she can't pull it off, but confidence is the best accessory. If you wnat to wear the opposite of what everyone else is wearing then DO IT!!!

Curly girls have more fun because... We aren't afraid of the rain :-)

Gorgeous lady!! To see of more of Rachel please visit the links below...

Jewelry Shop: http://rachelstewart.bigcartel.com/ Blog: http://targetqueenjewelry.blogspot.com/ 

Twitter: http://twitter.com/rachelstewart Art Site: http://rachelstewart.net/

Photography: http://csphoto-design.com/

Article written by Stephanie Rose Bird via NaturallyCurly.com

The cacao tree is as beautiful and intriguing as it is useful. One of the top economic botanical plants, theombroma cacaos pods yield cocoa butter, cocoa powder and that confection we desire most of all during February—chocolate.

Savoring cacao’s numerous health benefits is a nourishing treat for skin and hair—adding shine, vibrancy and improving the general health of both. By using chocolate and cocoa butter products on your hair and skin, you get to enjoy the delightful chocolatey aroma and reap the benefits of antioxidants, vitamin and mineral, while skipping the fear and guilt of overindulging this February 14th.

The obroma Cacao tree grows in the tropical rainforests of Central America and Africa (particularly Ghana), where it makes a significant impact on the local economy. The tree is a remarkable sight. It has dark brown bark, resembling the color of chocolate. White flowers grow directly from the branches and trunk of the tree. The delicate, light-colored blossoms create a sharp visual contrast against the deeply colored, rough-looking bark. In fact, the cacao tree is one of the more unusual trees that I’ve seen. The scent emitted by the trees subtle - not the rich chocolate aroma you might expect.

CHOCOLATE

Chocolate itself is a newer arrival onto the skin and hair-care scene. Chocolate is derived from the same parts of the cacao tree, but is processed adding in other ingredients, such as milk, which is also good for the hair and skin. This derivative of the cocoa pod contains flavonoids called catechins—very effective antioxidants. Dark chocolate, which has hardly any sugar, is preferred for health benefits taken internally or applied externally in a spa treatment or hair-care formula. Dark chocolate has 35 percent more of the brown paste of ground cocoa beans than other chocolate so it is a concentrated formula. Lactose acid in milk has been shown to help deter wrinkles as well as smooth and refine skin texture.

For hair, lactose acts as a good humectant that helps curly tops retain moisturizer. The protein in chocolate is boosted by the milk, making it good for “natural” (without chemical relaxers or permanent colorants) hair.

BLACK COCOA BUTTER

Black cocoa butter is one of my newest obsessions. Most of you are probably familiar with the eggshell-colored cocoa butter that has been widely available for quite a while. Most of the ordinary cocoa butter that comes from Africa is processed before the seeds are allowed to germinate. With black cocoa butter, the cacao pods are germinated first, which produces a deep, espresso-colored butter that smells like roasted cocoa. As body butter, it truly lives up to the botanical name Theobroma cacao - “food of the gods.”

If you want to try something a little different in your skin-softening regimen. consider black cocoa butter because it is softer and more readily malleable than the cream-colored type. Black cocoa butter[2] is very easily absorbed by the skin,* and a nice addition to soaps, lip balms and body butters. It is useful as a hot oil treatment to condition the hair. I purchase this from Shea Terra Organics, Inc., a supplier that buys oils and butters directly from African cooperatives.

ANTIOXIDANT BENEFITS

Many of you are already familiar with the health benefits of green tea, and you may have noticed that it’s showing up in a growing number of hair and skin-care products. You might not be familiar with the fact that cocoa has more flavanoids, which means you are gaining a huge antioxidant boost from cacao-imbued products. In fact, chocolate may well be the best available source of flavanoid to use as a dietary ingredient, so just think of what that could do for your hair and skin.

To read the full article click the link! http://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/ingredients/treat-your-skin-and-hair-to-chocolate-%E2%80%93-food-of-the-gods

It's been a minute since my last NaturallyCurly.com review, but I'm back! I have tons of products to tell you guys about, but first up is Carol's Daughter's Rosemary Mint shampoo and conditioner set....

PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONS

Shampoo: "Cleansing is healthy for your body; well deep cleansing goes for your hair as well. This minty scented, invigorating shampoo deeply cleanses and removes product build-up and daily toxins, without stripping away essential moisture. Made with a unique blend of refreshing and hydrating botanicals—Rosemary, Peppermint and Sage—that restores hair back to its original shiny, healthy state. It may be the easiest, natural cleansing experience you ever had."

Cost: $12.50 for 8oz bottle @ CurlMart.Com

Conditioner: "It always feels good to make a fresh start, especially when it comes to your hair. This invigorating, moisturizing conditioner is just the replenishing boost your hair needs to keep it looking lovely. Made with naturally nourishing ingredients—Rosemary, Peppermint, Pro-Vitamin B5 and Jojoba Seed Oil Sage—that deeply moisturizes, so your hair will feel softer, smoother and healthier."

Cost: $16.00 for 8oz bottle @ CurlMart.com

My Thoughts: Whenever I'm reviewing a new shampoo I always like to start on really dirty hair. The label claims that it's "the ultimate hair detox" so I wanted to give it a real test. On throughly rinsed and soaking wet hair, I applied the shampoo. The first thing I notice was the smell...very minty and very strong. Not only was the peppermint to strong for my nose, but my scalp felt a little irratated as well. However, it got my hair and scalp very clean and it made my curls soft and springy. It also had a nice mild lather to it, not too sudsy. Next I applied the conditioner generously through my hair in 2 sections. It goes on pretty smooth and gave an adequate amount of slip. Normally I like to leave the conditioner on for 5 or 10 minutes and then detangle and rinse, but just like the shampoo the mint was to much for me and I couldn't wait to rinse it out. But just like the shampo, the condtioner lived up to the label's claims. My hair was soft, defined and well purified lol!

However, I doubt if I would actually purchase this duo. Even though the final outcome was great, I need to enjoy the full expirence before I pay $12 and $16 for a product. The peppermint was too strong for my scalp, but if hair doesn't mind the mint I say go for it. Good stuff but it's not for me.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Next products up for review are Mizani True Textures Collection, PhytoSpecific and Ori Organics hair care lines.

When and why did you decide to go natural?

I've always been a quasi-natural by way of the almighty hot comb, but this summer's extreme humidity in Michigan of all places forced me to permanently retire my hot comb and embrace my unruly, unpredictable napfrocurlz!

Were your friends and family supportive of your decision?

My friends and boyfriend love my hair, but my parents are VERY conservative. They haven't seen my head yet, nor do I intend for them to see it until I'm confident with styling. I can take their criticism because they know I'm going to do what I want to do anyway.

What is your current hair routine?

I wash my hair with cream shampoos...for quick washes I uses Pantene's Relaxed and Natural but switch to Mixed Chicks, Carol's Daughter and other luxurious shampoos when I want to pamper my hair. I condition (and I have since I was a wee little girl) with LeKair's Cholesterol with Aloe. I love this stuff and so does my hair. And, its neon green color and gloppy texture make detangling fun in the shower. I follow up with my own leave-in conditioner concoction consisting of various oils, a little leave-in conditioner and water. I let my hair air dry after applying little dabs each of Cantu Shea Butter Strengthening Cream and Eco Styler gel. At night, I wear a satin scarf, but am looking to get my hands on a Sue Maesta hooded headband.

Do you have any hair goals? What steps are you taking to achive them?

I want to achieve a tall afro that can stand on its own and to grow out my hair another six inches. I've retired all heat-producing appliances and am learning to read the labels on products I'm interested in. No mineral oils, petrolatums or alcohol for me!

What new styles or techniques have you learned this year?

Funny you should ask because I just did my first bantu knot-out yesterday! Every week, I want to try something new after wash day.

My definition of "good" hair is....Good hair is strong, thick, healthy hair. 

Curly girls have more fun because....we are as resilient as our curls!

When and why did you decide to go natural?

I struggled with my hair since I was a little girl. My perception of beauty were the images in magazines and actresses on tv with long flowing hair. Nappy was a no-no to me. One day I guess I had an epiphany plus a head full of damaged hair, and I came across this page…Yup it’s me Juanita…told you I would be back! Anyway I was tired of the conformity and wanted to know what it would be like to be au natural! SO... my next step was to just do it (like NIKE)! My last perm was in January, and between January and July I wasn’t sure what to do with my hair because I had the new growth and then I had the permed hair…I was at a lost. I grabbed the clippers and snip snipped away! Greatest decision ever!

Were your friends and family supportive of your decision? If not, how were you able to move forward?

I actually burst into tears because I had no support from my family…their solution was to just treat the damaged hair. Nappy is still a no go for my family, but eventually they came around, my fiancé was actually my barber. My friends were in limbo on the whole situation until they saw the new me, now one of my friends want to put me in a photo shoot.

What is your current hair routine?

As of now I am experimenting, no real routine. I guess I have a semi-routine. I co-wash once a week. MOISTURE MOISTURE MOISTURE everyday and everynight, because my hair is a sponge it sucks up all the water but it don’t hold it well. I use leave in conditioners (Profectiv) and the famous “shealoe”. In the evening I spritz and conceal then wrap my hair in a silk scarf. I spritz throughout the day with a combination of water and moisturizers. I Stay away from heat haven’t blow dried my hair in FOREVER…tempted to see the length but I’m fighting temptation. I learned how to care for my hair with help from this site and multiple sites in addition to my baby girl managing her hair taught me how to manage natural hair like ours.

Do you have any hair goals? What steps are you taking to achieve them?

My major hair goal is to have strong healthy hair…the health of hair is very visible and so is damage. In order to accomplish this I make sure I care for my hair and I feed my body in a way that my hair benefits as well. Once upon a time I was a tomboy and hair meant time..and time was something I just didn’t have. Now I make time for my hair. Oh…I would love to have long flowing hair as well but that will come with time…no rush enjoying this journey!

How has your perception of beauty changed since going natural?

Originally I thought natural meant being too lazy to take care of your hair…but now natural is an inspiration to me. I walk down the block and when I see a fellow au naturella (LOL) we smile at each other with a since of pride. Beauty mean so much more…it means taking care of yourself and being yourself…and ultimately being comfortable with who you truly were meant to be!

What advice can you share to help another new natural?

It’s a scary journey but it is also a time for exploration and discovery, a time to define who you are. I would call it a re-birth. Cry, Laugh, get over it and be Proud of what you see when you look in that mirror!

I'm always on the hunt to find ways properly care for my hair. While doing so I stumbled upon this article written by Audrey Sivasothy a beauty contributor to AssociatedContent.com. She really broke this issue down for me and I highly recommend that you guys read it, because you can never know too much. Here are some of the articles highlights...

Do you find random hairs in your comb, on your shirt, on your sinks and on your bathroom floors? Are you finding hair everywhere but securely upon your head? What is going on? You may have a problem with hair breakage. For black hair in particular, hair breakage is typically a result of an imbalance of important forces within the hair strand: moisture and protein levels.


MOISTURE
Hair needs water to maintain its elasticity, or ability to stretch. Since water is the ultimate moisturizer, water-based products are best for really getting the greatest moisture benefit.

Moisturizers are simply products that are water-based and nourish your hair deep within the strand. Products with moisturizing properties tend to be your conditioners and other specific moisturizer sprays or creams. Moisturizers may also contain large amounts of protein, but these protein based moisturizers do not have the moisturizing benefit that moisture-based moisturizers have. Check labels to gauge protein content. Good moisturizers will not contain cheap, filler ingredients like petrolatum, mineral oil, or lanolin. Avoid products that claim moisturizing benefits and contain these ingredients. There is nothing moisturizing about them! Petrolatum and mineral oil are sealants that seal out the precious moisture our hair needs.

SEALING IN YOUR MOISTURIZERS
Our hair naturally contains moisture, but because our hair is also naturally porous, keeping the moisture inside is a difficult task. Providing additional sources of outside moisture, or external moisture supplementation, is a must for black hair care. Water molecules and moisture from these supplemental moisturizing products easily pass into the hair shaft, but they pass out just as easily. The moisture you apply needs to held in by something. Oil. Natural oils like jojoba, olive, carrot, or coconut oil seem to work best.

HAIR BREAKAGE SOLUTIONS
A light coating of oil after your daily moisturizer will help seal the moisture inside. Oils are made of large molecules. These molecules are too large to absorbed by the hair strand. Applying oils to the hair and scalp will coat them and trap the moisture that is inside on the inside and the moisture that is outside on the outside. The key is to use the oil to "lock in the moisture." If you use oils without a moisturizer or before one, the oil will seal the moisture out of the hair strand and lead to a coated feel and eventual dryness. This technique of moisturizing and sealing has really been helpful to me and is a resonating hallmark of my regimen. Fighting hair breakage and achieving moisturizing success is all in the order in which you apply your products.

OILS DO NOT MOISTURIZE!
Perhaps a words like "nourish" would be better than moisturize. Oil alone will not and cannot moisturize within the hair shaft. An oil (grease) can only coat the outside of the strand, and give it shine- the illusion of moisture. Oil molecules are hydrophobic which means they repel and do not readily mix with water. Remember, if you apply an oil product to your hair before you have added a moisturizing product, you have created a seal on your hair strand that water and moisture cannot penetrate.

PROTEIN
Protein is what gives the hair its strength and structure. Hair is about 70% keratin protein by nature. There are a wide variety of proteins that serve different functions and roles in hair care. Some enhance elasticity, while others reduce it. These proteins bind to the hair cuticle and help temporarily rebuild any weakened areas. Protein-based products reinforce the hair shaft, and help it remain strong enough to fight breakage.

I'm sure you've all heard about these afro perms (sometimes called "poodle" perms), but have you seen how it's done? I found these vids on YouTube and they are quite interesting. Take a look and please share your thoughts!!

Things that make you go hmmm! Share your thoughts please!!

Check out this link as well The Fiesty House.

When and why did you decide to go natural?

I began transitioning in August 09. I transitioned for 9 months & BC'd on Sat 5/28/10. I decided to go natural b/c I wanted my thick hair back. The hair I remembered and saw in my childhood pics. My hair had thinned over the years from the constant & more frequent relaxers and was at a growth stand still. My ponytails that used to be long & thick had become ratty looking. And I knew the only way to get it back was to start from "scratch". Also, I was SO over being the 58th girl in the room w/a long flat wrap. (I'd worn that style since high school *BORING*) I was TOTALLY up for a change. I'd NEVER gotten my hair cut before so I was nervous, but excited.

Were your friends and family supportive of your decision? If not, how were you able to move forward?

I asked my man how he felt about cutting my relaxed ends off. I wanted him to be OK with it too because NO ONE wants their man looking at them like WTH and not being attracted to them. He asked me how short would it be & I told him about 4-5 inches. He said well that's cool Baby because I understand it's a process so I can deal w/that. He was and has been SOOOO supportive from day one of my deciding to go natural. My BC length turned out to be 3-4inches but we BOTH loved it! He called me Angela Davis when he 1st saw me. One day my stylist was doing my hair and I happened to look in the mirror. My hair was so curly/wavy from the root until you got to the permed/straight part. I said aloud "Whose curly hair is that?" I was SHOCKED to see that my hair was just like my Dad's. I got my 1st perm in 4th or 5th grade and before then as a younger child my Mom kept my hair in braids. So I had NEVER seen my natural God given texture. I must say, I have NEVER been happier about a decision I've made about my hair EVER. It's the best thing I could have done. My hair has grown so much in these 2 months since my BC, and it's so thick, it's crazy! I absolutely LOVE my hair so I know I made the right decision for me. I feel SO confident now & I LOVE looking different, but in a great way.

What is your current hair routine?

Well I've tried several styles. Wash & Go, Puffs & Twists/Twist Outs. Designed braids with twists on the ends & my list goes on. That's the thing about natural hair, it's extremely versatile! I enjoy going to work looking different every week or couple of days.

What are your hair goals? What steps are you taking to achieve them?

Well I am so looking forward to rockin a HUGE bush! I can't wait to do my 1st blow out, which I plan to do for the first time for my birthday this December. I know the growth will blow me away. I am sleeping with a bonnet nightly, moisturizing, conditioning & deep conditioning regularly and trying to do low maintenance styles to achieve my hair goals.

What new hair styles/techniques have you learned this year?

I've tried Nikki Mae's Fro-Hawk & it came out really good. I followed her tutorial to the T. I am ALWAYS on you tube watching tutorials trying new styles. Mahogany Curls, SheaCocoaLuv, Black Onyx, Pretty Dimples & Nikki Mae are some of my favs!

How do you define "Good" hair?

Good hair is what God has blessed us with. No matter what your hair texture, God created us ALL w/HIS vision in mind. We are a BEAUTIFUL people, SOOOO FLYYYY, SOOOO UNIQUE, SOOOO HOTTT! :)

Curly girls have more fun because...we have embraced our hair & we look SO good doing it. I SMILE EVERY time I see a fellow natural! Since going natural I realize how blessed I am to be in MY skin & have my OWN look. And that it is TOTALLY OK to rock your natural hair!

What advice would you give to a new natural?

Don't be afraid to go natural. Whether it's a BC'er or a transitioner. It's a decision that I hope you'll love just as much as I do. It is a journey that requires so much patience. But it's SO worth it. *Thanks KKQ & all the other natural bloggers that take your time to give your styling tips, advice & techniques to natural newbies like myself as well as seasoned naturals. We TOTALLY appreciate you, this Sisterhood makes me feel SO good!!

Thanks for sharing and you are very welcome LeeTice! I love being apart of the natural hair community too, we support the heck out of each other :-) -KKQ

These pics were snapped yesterday but I got in so late last night that I completely forgot :( Like i mention in the previous Lazy Hair post, I got this style idea from reding Brandi P's hair diary.  Brandi was inspired by model Grace Mahary's video look in the Trey Songz video. So here's my take on it....Create a hump in the center of your head, begin pinning towards one side of your head and then secure the other side with pins. It's that simple!! One of these days I'll do a video demo of this look...maybe lol!

Later on that day I pulled it back into a puff and threw on a scarf...

Fab!

Article written by Stephanie Rose Bird

When and why did you decide to go natural?

I had my hair relaxed at 15, colored at 16 and my hair dresser had to chop the damage at 17. I felt a bit devastated because I went from shoulder length hair to a length above my chin. Even though most of my damage was cut off, my hair was still damaged due to the bleach I used in my hair.  My hair dresser knew how much I loved hair with body so she suggested I started using weaves in my hair. I made my official decision to go natural about 2 years later (last year). After weaving my hair religiously, I noticed that all my perm grew out and I had a lengthy head of natural hair. I still had some hair styles to try, lol, so I continued weaving and had my last perm August 2009. I thought the BC was just too much for me so I chose to continue transitioning using curly weaves and kinky twists. I officially let my real hair out to the world May 2010. Before my hair's "debut," I practically immersed myself in natural hair info. I used to always wonder how do I wear my natural hair and still have a mature look? That thought is what made me very apprehensive at first but after reading up on blogs, I could not wait to just start messing with my own hair again.  

Were your friends and family supportive of your decision? If not, how were you able to move forward?

At first my mom would say "Your hair looked so nice before." But when she seen how many cute styles I could pull off she finally opened up to it.  I don't change my mind easily so her complaints never fazed me. Most of my friends were very supportive about it because my close circle of friends all were either natural or transitioning. My dread-lock boyfriend edged me on as well.

What is your current hair routine?

My naked hair does not have much curl definition as I would like so I do twist out and braid outs all the time. After searching natural blogs such as this one concerning low manipulation, I usually leave a twist out for 2-3 days before retouching, unless I have an event to attend or I leave my hair in twists for days and just wear cute hats to cover it.  I have been co-washing and/or deep conditioning my hair once a coconut oil, castor oil, olive oil, and sweet almond oil (lol so many), I spray my hair until it is saturated, then put on a setting cap and a winter hat over it to use my natural body heat to "activate" the oils in my hair. My scalp is super dry so I use this method as often as possible.  For styling I use either Cantu Shea Butter Growth Treatment or Bee Mine Styling Butter Island Mango scent (after you talked about it on your blog). I also use those products for detangling.

Do you have any hair goals? What steps are you taking to achieve them?

I want long hair. Its just that simple. I love hair with length and body and that is the reason why I started weaving my hair in the first place.  To get there I have been really trying to style my hair less often, using oils and other hair products that promote healthy hair and when the winter months arrive I do plan to either use wigs or weaves to avoid manipulating my hair too often and to hide it away from the harsh winter weather. 

What new styles or techniques have you learned this year?

In the matter of 3 months I have learned so much!! I frequent this site called Natural Sunshine, which I call the myspace for naturals, and i get so many style ideas.  I am obsessed with coming up with new styles for myself of just achieving doing the ones that look difficult.  I found new oils and hair products to use that work for my hair.  Its so easy to get caught up in using a million products but I have been able to find my own hair routine. I have also grown to appreciate hair accessories.  A bad hair days can be easily changed by just sweeping it to the side and adding a flower or feather to decorate. 

What is your definition of "good" hair?

The term "good hair" is an ideology that unfortunately we ethnic people fall into all the time. I believe good hair is manageable healthy hair. The texture can go from course to fine but ones the hair can withstand the usual daily stresses, I consider it to be "good hair"  

How has your perception of beauty changed since going natural?

I used to be obsessed with relaxed, long hair. And if I didn't have it on my head it was just simple for me to just add some tracks to it to achieve what I wanted. Most of the styles I wanted were styles I had seen on white celebrities.  Now that I am natural I have grown to appreciate the natural hair God has blessed black women with, such as myself.  Now I cant get over seeing other women with their natural hair of any length or texture. To me it makes a statement of stepping away from conformity and showing our true colors.  It has allowed me to grow a new appreciation for being Black and the culture I had ignored.

Curly girls have more fun because....we can wear our hair carefree without worrying about nature elements affecting our curly do's!

Very nice sis, thanks for sharing :-) -KKQ

Giovanni Smooth as Silk is not only a great conditioner, leave in and deep conditioner...I now know that it's a great styler for twist outs too. If you read my hair post yesterday then you know that I got real lazy this past weekend and instead of using this, this and that for my twists I only used the Giovanni Smooth as Silk conditioner. My hair has been twisted since Saturday and it was still a little damp this morning went I started to unravel them. Here's the look...

Gotta ♥ big soft fluffy hair!!! I totally have 2nd day hair on the first day and even with the frizz its fab to me! I must note that last night, before I went to bed, I took a little coconut oil and rubbed it into my twists to give it some sheen. Can I still claim conditioner only?? LOL!

Stay tuned today for Part II of this post....I took some pics of how I styled it with a handfull of hair pins lol! I got the idea from yesterday's Hair Diary: Brandi P!

If your interested in being featured on Naturally Obsessed please follow the steps below....

Hair Diary: Answer the following questions and send your answers along with 3-4 (Clear) pictures of your hair to naturallyobsessed@yahoo.com

1. Tell us about yourself.
2. Where do you live? How is the natural hair community there?
3. When and why did you decide to go natural?
4. Were your friends and family supportive? If not, how were you able to move forward?
5. What is your current hair routine?
6. Do you have any hair goals? What steps are you taking to achieve them?
7. What is your fav go-to style for your natural hair? Tell us how you achieve it?
8. Finish this statement: Curly girls have more fun because...

TWA Hair Diary: Answer the following questions and send the answere along with 3-4 (Clear) pictures of your hair to naturallyobsessed@yahoo.com

1. Tell us about yourself.
2. When and why did you decide to go natural? Who or what inspired you?
3. Were your friends and family supportive? If not, how were you able to move forward?
4. What is your current hair routine?
5. Do you have any hair goals? What steps are you taking to achieve them?
6. How has your perception of beauty changed since going natural?
7. What advice would you give to a new natural who may be struggling with her new look?

 

Please be open with your responses and give details...no one likes a boring Hair Diary.  And remember, you never know who may read your hair diary, your words have the power to inspire!

When and why did you decide to go natural?

I decided to go natural in May 2006. I permed my hair one last time before putting in a weave for graduation. It wasn't really a conscious decision, I just did it. Soon then after I chopped off all of my permed hair and continued wearing weaves for the next 3 years. In January 2009 I was laid off from my job and had to move back home to Baltimore with my family. I decided to shed myself of everything that reminded me of what I no longer wanted to be, and that was,a fake hair wearing, Corporate America working, money driven, highly irritable and emotional young woman. The first step would be to take out the weave!

Were your friends and family supportive of your decision?

Most of my friends were in support of my decision, mostly because they were tired of seeing me sport the 16" 1B Yaki lol! Majority of people were accepting and quite supportive of the idea of me finally feeling comfortable enough with myself to wear what God has given me naturally. Although till this day I'm certain I've been turned down for at least 2 jobs because of my curly mop top and I have grown accustomed to the glares from my less cultured friends! :-)

Where do you live? How is the natural hair community there?

 I live in Baltimore, Maryland. The natural hair community seems to be growing at a exponential rate. In the last year and a half since I've been back I've seen a drastic change in the number of women wearing their natural hair. Just recently I attended a natural hair festival so apparently the community is large enough to host this type of event.

What is your current hair routine?

I co-wash and deep condition my hair every week and wash my hair once a month. When I do shampoo I use any brand of Coconut Milk as a pre-poo (Pre Shampoo). I usually put a shower cap on and let the coconut milk sit in my hair. Then I wash it out using any brand of apple cider vinegar(ACV).  I cowash using Organix Coconut Milk and deep condition using my own recipe of avocado, olive oil, and honey. I usually twist my hair every night then unravel in the morning. I prefer to keep it VERY simple, because hey who has time to fool around with hair all day long!

What are some of your favorite hair products?

My fave 5 (I can't live without) World of Curls/Qhemet Biologics Amla & Olive Heavy Cream and Cocoa Tree Detangling Ghee/ Carol's Daughter Tui Deep Conditioner and  Mimosa Hair Honey.   

Do you have any hair goals? What steps are you taking to achieve them?

My goal (don't laugh at me) is to grow my hair to my waist by the time I turn 30. Its important for me to prove to myself that I can grow long healthy hair if I take care of it. I co-wash and deep condition my hair every week, trim regularly and seldomly straighten. 

What is your favorite natural hairstyle?

I like to rock the side mohawk.  I double strand twist my hair at night, take the twists down in the morning and pin to one side.  My style inspiration for the side pony/mohawk is model Grace Mahary from the Trey Songz video.

Curly girls have more fun because.... "We can dance in the rain!"

Thanks for sharing your story Brandi!! If you have a Twitter account you can follow Brandi @FollowMe_LoveMe

Congratulations to lucky #83 ERIN PAYTON from Minneapolis!!! You correctly gave the answer to this question.... Which ingredient is clinically tested and proven effective in stopping hair-fall caused by Seborrheic Dermatitis? And the answer was Organic Sapote Fruit Seed Oil!! Erin's entry was randomly selected by using Random.Org.
Your fabulous Anita Grant package will include the following...
1 - 100ml of Japanese Camellia Kissi Oil
1- 110gram of Unscented Babassu Shampoo Bar
1 - 110gram of Babassu Organic Kelp and Ylang Shampoo Bar
3 - 30gram Rhassoul Deep Conditioner Cubes
1 - 100gram of Organic Dark Chocolate and Banana Face Smoothie

I will be emailing you shortly to collect your information :)
Thanks again to all those who participated, no sad faces if you didn't win, there will be more giveaways in the future!
For more information about Seborrhiec Dermatitis please click HERE!!

NCR: Top 10 Concerns For Curly Heads!

NaturallyCurly.com asked their CurlTalkers for their biggest concerns about your curls and kinks, and they told us. The answers covered a wide range of topics, from self-image issues to finding a good stylist. Here are the ones that rose to the top of the list.

1. Triangle Head! On a similar note, many people cited “Flat Top.”

2. Finding a stylist who understands how to work with curls “Finding a stylist who knows how to deal with curly hair without making their curly client look like a mushroom when done. (nightmare process! I just went 6 years without a professional cut!),” said CurlyCassieRo.

3. Finding Holy Grail products “Countless people can say, ‘oh this product really worked for my hair and it’ll work for you too’ but then you try this billion-dollar product you end up with straw-hair. Believe me, it’s happened to me!” says Alannah Angel.

4. Unpredictability “With the same routine every single day for 30 days, I can have 20 different heads of hair in a month, and maybe only half of them are good, if I’m lucky,” says PrettyPorcupine. “I know you’re just supposed to ‘embrace’ its “unique” personality and be all “free and easy,” but let’s face it. That is just not realistic when you have to look decent for work every day, want to be sure you look good on a date or for a special event, or because you just are so fricking tired of not knowing how the hell your hair is going to look at any given time.”

5. Acceptance of curls in society and in the workplace.. “Every time I pick up a magazine or see a segment on a TV show about “how to manage your curls,” the answer is always to straighten them! It’s insulting,”says Tinah. “The mainstream media pushes straight hair as the only acceptable option. Just once I’d like to read an article on how to manage curly hair that actually tells me how to manage curly hair, not how to make curly hair straight. I’m pretty sure we ALL know how to make it straight! We’ve spent years doing it!”

If you would like to read more click the image above!!

What are your top curl concerns?? Share your thoughts below!

After much practice, I think I finally have the flat twist look down! It's been the one style that has frustrated me so much, because I can't do it on my own head. So the other day I grabbed my niece, who has been puffin it up all summer long, and began twisting.I t took me a couple tries to get into it, but after one nap and two movies I had accomplished the flat twist. I used Blue Magic on her scalp, BB Hair Lotion w/ Castor Oil and a little gel for hold. I didn't want to waste my good stuff on just a practice look, so next time I use Bee Mine's Hair Milk and some gel instead. Here's the outcome....


My Hair Update
For all the length lovers out there who asked me to measure my hair, here are the measurements....

• Front - 13 in
• Top - 14 in
• Side/Temple - 12 in
• Middle Back - 12.5 in
• Back/Nape - 12 in

Not bad for a self trimmer :-)
I'm also trying to challenge myself in the following ways...

• Drink More Water- This will be very hard for me. I love juice and teas, but my lack of water intake has not been so good for my skin. i really need to get my pores down to normal size lol! And I'm certain that my hair will benefit to me drinking more water also.
• Take My Vitamins...Everyday - I hate vitamins, but I know the body needs it. I currently have Nutrilite Women's Packs. The packs consist of 1 daily multi, 1 Cal Mag D, 1 Hair Skin and Nails Complex, and 1 Ocean Essential Balanced Health vitamin. I received these earlier this year from Youtube vlogger DontUWishUKu, and I started taking them and then I just stopped. I buried them in my kitchen cabinet and forgot all about them, until recently. I have about 15 packs left, so I'm going start taking them again. I'll reorder more once I run out. Also, when I was taking them before I would throw away the Hair Skin and Nails vitamin, because it contains biotin and it has broken my face out in the past. But I think now that I'll be actually drinking more water I can curve this affect ...I'l keep you guys updated.
• No More Trimming - I've been a bit scissor happy this year and it's time to cut back. The only cutting I'll do is to get rid of single strand knots. I'll measure my hair again at the end of the year for the length lovers!

I'll keep you guys update on my success with this little challenge. Join me if you would like too :-)
Also I was bored the other day and decided to try out NaturalChica's hair bow tutorial, here's my results lol!


Super easy..super cute!