Naturally Obsessed

Product Description: Giovanni Nutrafix Hair Reconstructor Conditioner with Eco Chic Technology. the damage is done...or is it? If you over-process your hair, you need deep repair. this penetrating hair reconstructor goes right to the heart of the problem, addressing the damage caused by chemicals and excessive heat styling, both of which can leave hair porous, raspy, weak. dull. Nutrafix fixes these problems by infusing protein. Put this fix in your styling mix so the damage will really be done.

Cost: $4.77 for 6.8 oz bottle @ www.LuckyVitamin.com

Product Description: This moisturizer lasts all day! Scented with calming lavender, it is present while applying to the skin but the scent then quickly fades away. Unlike heavy moisturizers, Mango Moisture Butter is so light that you're able to apply your make-up immediately after use. Does your hubby or special little guy in your life have dry skin? Mango Moisture Butter isn't just for us ladies. Men love it too! Sweet Almond Oil is easily absorbed by the skin, doesn't clog pores and leaves it supple. Grapeseed Oil combats dryness, soothes irritating skin and aides in preventing breakouts. 

Ingredients: Raw pressed mango butter, sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil and lavender essential oil. 

 Product Description: 

An Orchard in a Bottle. Thayers Peach Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera Formula is nectar for the skin. It’s got all the soothing properties you’ve come to love in our Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera Formula Astringents, with a gorgeous, fresh-off-the-tree scent. Thayers Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera Formula Astringents and Alcohol-Free Toners have been soothing, softening, healing and stimulating skin since 1847. Try our hands-on approach. Hamamelis Virginiana? Thayers calls it "The Shrub Of Life". Made of extract from the Witch Hazel shrub (Hamamelis Virginiana) and a blend of other time-tested ingredients - THAYERS Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera Formula Astringents and Alcohol-Free Toners are soothing, natural treatments that cleanse, tone and soothe your skin. Read more HERE.

Ingredients: Thayers Proprietary Witch Hazel, Peach leaves, Orange Flower, Tangerine, Kiwi, Passion Fruit, Vitamin C, Aloe Vera, natural grain alcohol as a preservative (10%) and an Emulsified All-Natural Peach Fragrance

Cost: 12 oz bottle $6.54 @ www.LuckyVitamin.com

My Thoughts: I've been using witch hazel on my face since I started doing the OCM (oil cleansing method) last year. I use it as a toner after cleansing to grab any extra dirt or oil lingering on my face. In the beginning I would use a generic/no name witch hazel from Walmart and it worked fine for my skin...nothing special. When I ran out I decided to look for other formulations before repurchasing the same brand. I stumbled on the Thayers brand while stocking up on conditioner at LuckyVitamin.com and was immediately impressed by the ingredients and product claims. Long story short, I scooped up a bottle and have been using it ever since. The first thing I noticed about this brand was the scent, it actually smells really nice...like peaches lol! My generic brand smelled like rubbing alcohol so this was definitely an upgrade. Another plus about Thayers Witch Hazel is that it not only cleanses my skin, but it makes my skin feel soft and moisturized afterwards. On my lazy days when I have nowhere to go I often and don't feel like doing the OCM, I'll just squirt some Thayers on a cotton ball, swipe my face and be done. It's now a staple in my skincare regimen!

Have you seen this film?? While flipping through the TV this morning, trying to find something to occupy Niecey Poo, I came across the title of this film Happy To Be Nappy. I was like "Huh...What"! That's not a title you see everyday on your TV guide lol! So I quickly clicked it to see what it was about. Immediately my heart was melted! It had already been on for a minutes before I tuned it and I caught it right when these 2 little black girls are talking about their hair. These girls were talking like I wish some adult black women would! They just love their hair...how it moves, what they can do with it and how it's so different from the other girls in their class. The fact that their hair is different didn't matter at all, because they love it!! I look over at Niecey Poo's face and she is hanging on to their every word lol!!I was proud of them like I knew them personally. All little black girls should feel this way, kudos to their parents. After the girls, Mary J Blige narrates a cute poem celebrating our hair :)

The film is not just about hair though. It explores all the many differences that make us who we are and how we deal with them...from a kids point of view. It covers various topics from kids with various backgrounds. It's an awesome film that I think every child should get the chance to see. Heck, even some adults could learn a thing or 2 for these children!

Product Description

Kiss My Face Upper Management Medium Hold Styling Gel shows off natural hair gel at its best. Rich in organic botanicals, Kiss My Face Upper Management Medium Hold Styling Gel is the final step for luxurious locks that stay under your control. Kiss My Face Upper Management Medium Hold Styling Gel contains natural vitamins that nourish your hair and scalp cleanly, without buildup. Kiss My Face Upper Management Medium Hold Styling Gel provides effective control and hair nourishment all in one.

Cost: 8 oz. bottle for $5.44 @ www.LuckyVitamin.com

Ingredients: Purified, Deionized Certified Organic Floral Water (of Nettle, Calendula and Chamomile), Carbopol, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate (Amino Acid derived), Yeast Extract, Panthenol, Tocopherol (Natural Vitamin E), Grapefruit Extract.

My Thoughts: I'd been hearing a lot of good reviews on this styling gel from other naturals, so I decided to try it out for myself. I ordered my from LuckyVitamin.com. I used this site several times in the past, they offer low prices and quick shipping. So if you like using organic (or mostly organic) hair products or are just in the market for vitamins, you should definitely check out the site. On to the review...I wore my braid out for 2 days, but on the night of day 2 I noticed a bit of frizz in the crown and middle sections. So to correct the issue I decided to rebraid my hair and use the KMF Gel for extra hold and of course frizz control. I applied it in pretty much the same way I set the original braids, I made a couple in the back a little bit bigger though. The consistency is thinner and more workable than Eco Styler, it kinda reminds me of the As I Am Curling Jelly but with a little more slip. KMF Gel is pH balanced and contains no parabens, phtalates or SLS. The smells is very fresh and citrus, which worked well with the JC Nourish & Shine that was already on my hair. I use a dime sized amount for each braid, covered with a satin scarf and slept. In the morning, I unraveled some Vatika Oil and lightly fluffed.
Although I loved the outcome, I should have used a bit more, because just like the label says the hold is medium. Other than that, my felt very soft, smelled good and had a nice sheen. What more could you want from 3rd day hair :)

Soft and shiny! A little oily, because I was a bit heavy handed with the Argan Oil, but it wasn't so bad. I would love to wear it down, but I think we're expecting some rain today and/or tonight so I decided to rock a cute pin-up to run some errands...

Product Description: Shea Moisture Coconut Hibiscus Curl & Style Milk has coconut oil, silk protein and neem oil that adds moisture, body and shine to your curls. Keeps curly hair frizz-free, shiny and healthy.

Cost: 8oz. bottle / $9.99 @ www.Walgreens.com (or instore)

Ingredients: Deionized Water , Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) , Cocos Nucifera Oil (Coconut) , Sugar Starch , Silk Protein , Essential Oil Blend , Melia Azadirachta Seed Oil (Neem) , Caprylyl Glycol , Sorbitol Esters , Algae Extract , Hlyssopus Officinalis Extract , Salvia Officinalis Leaf and Equisetum Arvense Extract (Sage) , Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil (Carrot) , Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract (Honeysuckle and Japanese Honeysuckle) , Tocopherol (Vitamin E)

Product Description: Shea Moisture Coconut Hibiscus Curling Souffle with coconut oil, silk protein and neem oil strengthens and repairs damaged and frizzed out curls. Adds moisture, body and shine and keeps your curls looking shiny and healthy.

Cost: 12oz. jar / $9.99 @ www.Walgreens.com (or instore)

Ingredients: Deionized Water , Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) , Cocos Nucifera Oil (Coconut) , Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil , Persea Gratissima Oil (Avocado) , Vegetable Glycerin , Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract , Silk Protein , Ammonium Salt , Melia Azadirachta Seed Oil (Neem) , Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil (Carrot) , Sorbitol Esters , Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B-5) , Caprylyl Glycol , Essential Oil Blend , Lonicera Caprifolium Flower and Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract (Honeysuckle and Japanese Honeysuckle) , Tocopherol (Vitamin E)

Love Love LOVE them!!!  Let me back up a moment and tell how my experience with the Coconut Hibiscus collection began. After taking out my last set of twists, I planned on wearing my hair loose for a few days before putting a new set in to give it a rest. To prep...I washed my hair using the SM African Black Soap Shampoo and conditioned with the matching balancing conditioner. Feeling like my hair could use a boost of strength, I did a quick DC with Aubrey Organics GPB conditioner....I forgot how much my hair luvvvvs this stufff. It always leaves my kinks feeling strong and moisturized.

Once my hair was wash, conditioned and detangled I split my hair in to 4 parts. For a leave in I decided to use the Hair Milk, which made my hair feel really soft and smooth. The consistency is like a lotion not too thick of thin so it spreads well, and the smell was delicious! The look I was going for was a chunky braidout, so to give my hair a little more hold I applied a dab of Eco Styler gel around each section and began to braid. Here's some shots of the wet braids...
I had never done a braid out in this way before so I wasn't sure what to expect when I took them done the next morning. After the were all dry (so I thought) the next day I began to unravel using a little bit of Sweet Almond Oil to coat my fingers. However, once I got to were the loose braid starts and the cornrowed braid ends my hair was still very damp. When I put the braids in I did so very lazily so the braid out wasn't coming out very smooth at all. I had soft hair with absolutely no definition...
Although the braid out was a fail I DO NOT blame the Hair Milk. It was my fault. Poor execution and bad technique killed this braid out. On the flip side, my hair was super soft and had a nice healthy sheen to it. It didn't feel heavy or greasy at all. Even the parts where I applied the Eco Styler were soft.

I really didn't feel like washing my hair again so I decided to twist my hair up...I was going do it the following week so why not just do it now and get it over with. Because of the braids my hair was pretty stretched already and untangled so I didn't have to comb it too much. I just used my blowdryer (on a low heat setting) to dry up the damp sections and to stretch it a little more so my twists will stay elongated longer. Here's my hair stretched...