Naturally Obsessed

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!

When and why did you decide to go natural?

The idea had been lingering in my mind for a while prior to making the decision, but I officially started “transitioning” in 2001. I decided to grow out my relaxer because I missed my hair. I didn’t grow up with relaxers kind of being imposed on me, and actually relaxed my hair because of the lack of information and know-how in styling my hair as a 14 year old. No one around me was natural, so I had no examples to follow. All I knew was slicking my hair back with hair grease, water and a hard-bristled brush.

Were your friends and family supportive of your decision?

I never asked for their support or opinions, if I’m being honest! LOL! I was fortunate in that it wasn’t that serious with anyone. I just did what I wanted. One thing I’ve learned is you have to make decisions based upon what’s in YOUR best interest. Their support, in my mind, was of no significance whether it was voiced or not.

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

I live in the DC area, and fortunately there are many MANY naturals walking around. Loose and loc’d, and I love it. When we see each other, we almost give look of approving acknowledgement. I’ve even seen more children rocking their natural hair, which is such a great thing. It bugs me when I see 6 year olds with missing edges and broken off/damaged hair.

What is your current hair routine?

Simple. To minimize over-manipulation, I keep my hair twisted up about 95% of the time, or in some variation of protective styles. On rare occasions I wear a WnG, but I find that I have to use more product and spend more time and I prefer to keep everything to a minimum. I twist my hair every week or so and doing this has allowed me to literally just finger-detangle as I haven’t used a comb since December(with the exception of the fluffy blow-out I did  a month or so ago…:P).Never thought I’d be able to do that with layered mid-back to waist-length [stretched] hair.

Your favorite hair products are....

• Henna, Amla, and other Ayurvedic (and natural) herbs.
• Cantu Shea Butter Leave In
• PM The Conditioner
• Elucence MBC
• Trader Joe’s Nourish Spa
• Broaer’s Intensive Conditioner

As you can see, most involve conditioners or leave ins.

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

Last year, some ladies and myself from NaturallyCurly.com participated in a grow out-challenge where we didn’t cut our hair for a year. This was to see just how much length we could retain by utilizing low-manipulation routines. I went from APL(arm-pit length) in November 2008 to waist-length and slightly beyond in September 2009 and December 2009 (as pictured below). So I know that I can grow my hair pretty long, so length is not really a goal now. Ultimately, my overall goal is to retain healthy hair, no matter the length. That’s it. And to do that, it involves me being healthy both in mind and body, and using products that allow me to maximize the health of my hair.

Favorite hair style....

My favorite style is ANYTHING that allows me to stretch it for more than 5 days! LOL!

Curly girls have more fun because...

..we just do :-)

Beautiful Sis!! Want to know more about Kindra? Check out her blog NaturalUrbanista.com and follow her on Twitter @SanguineRose81

If you would like to share your hair story click here!

Singer Goapele showed off her creative new do while rocking the stage in Atlanta, for the 1st ONE MusicFest outdoor concert.  I think I've mentioned this before I'm so not into her music, not that I've really tried to get into it. But when it comes to styling her natural hair she brings it! Now this whole gold unicorn look is not for me at all lol! However, she pulls it off and it looks gorgeous on her. The profile is just stunning to me!

 

 I'm diggin it, but what do you think??

Images via Bossip.com

Check out Goapele's interview with The Kenny Burns Show. She talks family, business and her passion for music.

"If I can't put an ingredient in my body, I do not want to put it on my body"! -Anita Grant
I am sooo excited about this giveaway! I have never tried this brand before,but I've always been very interested. What's held me back is that the prices are quoted in British Pounds and that currency converter knocks the product junkie right out of me lol! There are many reviews out on the net boasting of how great these products are. The ingredients are yummy, the website is full of useful information about hair care, recipes and tips and tricks for your hair and skin. But what most reviewers comment on is the top notch service that Anita Grant provides and her dedication to not only providing good product, but educating the consumer along the way. Read more about the company HERE!
I've been following Anita on Twitter for a while now and she follows me as well. And one day I was bored and I asked her would she like to partner up for a giveaway and she said yes! I was so suprised that she was excited and wanted to be apart of my little blog. And reward one lucky winner with such a fabulous prize!!
One Lucky Winner Will Receive....
•1 - 100ml of Japanese Camellia Kissi Oil
•1 - 110gram of Unscented Babassu Shamppo 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 Smoothie Face Mask
All together that adds up to $104.06 USD (68.20 GBP) with estimated shipping costs...that's awesome right?!!?  And all you have to do to win this fabulous package is become a member of this blog (member options are in the sidebar) and correctly answer this question....
Which ingredient is clinically tested and proven "effective in stopping hair-fall caused by Seborrheic Dermatitis"?
This question is a tough one so Anita decided to give you guys a cheat sheet, click this link to view it https://anitagrant.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=22&Itemid=36. Your answer MUST be the FULL NAME LISTED on the cheat sheet!  Otherwise, it will be incorrect.
The contest begins today and will end Friday, Aug. 6th at 6pm EST. The winner will be randomly selected and announced on Sunday, Aug. 8th!
To submit your answer and be entered into this contest please click HERE!!!
After you have entered the contest, take a minute to watch some fab reviews of Anita Grant products by clicking here and here! Also check out her interview with Afrobella.com.
THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED! THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY.
Thank you to all those who participated and made this contest a success ♥ KKQ

When and why did you decide to go natural?

The idea crept up on me. It started with frustration. I have always adored long hair, and for as long as I clearly remember, have had straight hair. When I was a little girl, it was all the way down my back, and with a couple haircuts here and there, it stayed that way (my crazy mother once forced me to get a Halle Berry pixie cut against my will. As much as I hated it and her then, it wouldn't that have been the best time to go natural? Dang!). 

Well...after I headed out on my own, I started relaxing my own hair (my mother had always relaxed it at home), and flat ironing. Needless to say, it was damaged. I started seeing regular beauticians (I went through three in as many years), and my hair got better. But... I noticed that it wouldn't grow past my shoulderblades. I decided I was paying too much money for so little growth, and that I didn't like the idea of those dangerous chemicals on my scalp any more. I didn't like wasting my Saturday, I hated being under the dryer, I was tired of the chemical burns and not being able to swim when I wanted to.

I started looking up 'natural relaxers', and decided that I would switch to those. And then I started looking up..well, natural everything. I learned how to pre-poo and deep condition and set my hair in twists, next thing I knew, I was transitioning! My last relaxer was in April of 09, and I chopped off my relaxed length that August!

Were your friends and family supportive of your decision?

My family and I are estranged (happily, on my end). None of my friends had anything but kind words for me and my fabulous new fro, and though my BF had expressed displeasure with short natural hair before, he loved it, and said I looked beautiful-which is good, because he wasn't expecting me to cut it when I did!

What is your current hair routine?

I co-wash 1 or 2 times a week with a cheap shampoo like Suave Naturals or Herbal Essences followed by something better, like Yes to Carrots or Organix or something. If I need it, I'll use Roux Porosity Control or Nexxus Humectress, and the last condish I put in is generally Aubrey Organics or Kinky Curly Knot Today, and I don't really rinse it out. Sometimes I'll do a ACV rinse. I moisturize through the day as needed with sprays or water. On the weekends I DC with a mix of conditioner, glycerin, oils, butters and herbs. OH! and a Behentrimonium Methosulfate/Cetyl Alcohol pellet mix. Sometimes I do twist outs, but I'm lazy (I like to call it low maintenance), and so I normally wash and go or smooth it back with a spandex scarf. I sleep with my hair in a silk scarf normally, after applying water, Carol's Daughter Hair Milk and some castor/olive oil.

What are your hair goals?

I want a huge mess of hair. I keep my ends moisturized, and as soon as I can manage a couple of ponytails in the back, I'll be baggying. I don't trim, but I don't need to, IMO. I'd like for my hair to be waist-length when straight. When my  hair seems to be consistently behaving, I'll experiment with color.

Have you learned any new styles or techniques this year?

Well, I recently mastered the puff, and I love it! I don't do too many styles, but technique-wise, I've started tying a scarf over my hair when I go outside at all. The Florida heat is amazingly bad for my hair. I learned how to shingle with KCCC

What is your definition of "good" hair?

Hair that is loved and well cared for, and thus gets to show the best of its traits.

Curly girls have more fun because...They break the mold!!

Thanks for sharing Britt! -KKQ

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