Saved by the Sulfate! August 23, 2010

Have you ever washed your hair, conditioned it, and when you moisturized, your hair looked like someone dusted it with powder? That’s residue! I had a couple of encounters with it when I had styles that needed a little hold. I used waxy substances to give me hold without the hard. Well, I used my usual Dr. Bronners shampoo to get squeaky clean. No dice. Then I employed my Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla shampoo. Under normal circumstances they work wonderfully, but this time I had to whip out something more heavy duty. Dun dun dun duuuuuuuuuuun!The dreaded shampoo with sulfates!

Why do I hate sulfates? Well, they are the agent in shampoos and other products that make those suds we like to play in. While it serves its purpose by cutting through the grease and grime, those purty chemical clouds strip our hair of moisture. For naturals, this is not good as our hair is already naked to the world and needs lots of moisture.

So what did I do to curtail the moisture thievery? I made sure to deep condition with my favorite conditioner, Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose. I put on a plastic cap, then my trusty hair towel from Pier 1, and let it sit. The results? My little mattress spring curls were back and my  hair was soft and clean. Whew! Thank ya!

Natural ladies, I know we have a list of products that we call the devil of haircare, but today I had to go back to an old standard to get this wax out of my head. Now I can put that moisture thief back and let it hibernate in the  until I put my hair in tiny twists again. *shudder*

Twist Updo July 30, 2010

Just trying to be a little creative when I don’t want to wear my twists down. It usually takes 2-3 hrs to twist my hair, depending on how large or small I make them.

Products used: After a fresh shampoo, Carol’s Daughter Healthy Hair Butter to moisturize and Carol’s Daughter Kizzi Stay Put Pomade for a little hold.

Enjoy!

Earrings courtesy of JC Penny. Giant gold hoops, half of which are wrapped in navy blue thread. Latonya, I see you looking!

I bundled some twists together here and made giant rolls. Yes, I know I could use a little gel for those edges!

Top view of pompadour. Cowrie shell courtesy of my friendly neighborhood beauty supply store. I just inserted a bob pin in the shell to hold it in my hair.

Second twist out do’ with smaller twists. I used Goody satin-covered sponge rollers for a little curl. I left them in maybe an hour. Same earrings but in white thread.

…….stay tuned!

Gimme Dat Grease! July 23, 2010

The product junkie in me has awakened and is fiending to get some critiques out about products I use regularly. It makes me want to buy some more just to give more reviews but alas, I must curb myself!

Below are some products that I have used and believe you all could benefit from my thoughts on them. So here we go:

Carol’s Daughter Healthy Hair Butter- This is my absolute staple. I will drive to the ends of the earth to make sure I have some. The texture is very thick and creamy but it can easily be emulsified. I have found that for my hair texture, thick concoctions work best and I get a good amount of moisture as well as hold. Another thing I noticed about the hair butter is that when I do a twist out or slather it on my edges, my hair is smooth and shiny and not frizzy. Of course after a while, once the humidity hits my hair shrinks some.

Harmony’s Whipped Shea Butter-That’s not what she calls it but I have to distinguish it from the rest.  She makes different scents: mango, coconut lime, etc. I tried the mango and loved it. The last time I used it was right after a swim when I gave myself a quick twist out.  Two hours later my hair was ON POINT! What was most interesting was that despite the humidity I had absolutely NO SHRINKAGE!!!!!!! I even wore my hair in the highest afro I ever had in my life and still no shrinkage. That’s a miracle for my hair because a little moisture makes it coil up. For purchases and info you may contact her at ilovemyfro@yahoo.com . You may also check her on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/FreeWorshipFreeWors and her FaceBook page Ilovemyfro .

Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk-No, danger, uh uh, thou shalt not! Well, I’ll just speak for me. It does not work for my hair at all. After application, my hair was greasy and dry at the same time. This seems to be a complaint for people with my hair type (mainly 4b, kinky but not very coarse). Overall, I have found that lotions do not work at all for me but this one really doesn’t.

Motions Shine Enhancing Pomade-I have used this a few times for a twist out just to see what it would do. Amazingly it gave me nice hold. However, it has mineral oil which coats the hair rather than moisturize it. This is a definite no-no to use on a regular basis. Using this type of product is fine if it’s for a two day style then you’re going to wash it out. I’m not sure if it gave my hair extra shine or not because the products I use always make my hair look moisturized.

Organic Extra-Virgin Coconut Oil-I use this as a sealant to keep in moisture. I also use it at times before I shampoo to make my hair extra soft. I typically decide to do this when I’ve been at the beach or feel like my hair needs some extra TLC.

As many naturals have learned, finding out what is best for your hair is trial and error. However, I have found that people with the same hair type typically can use the same products with the same results. And a tip from Latonya B. whose blog link is to the right on the blogroll (check it out!!!), if you want to stretch your product (in our case the Carol’s Daughter Healthy Hair Butter), mix it with a little IC Shine Serum for extra softness.

Happy Greasing!

Got Naps? July 8, 2010

Latonya B. has done it again! Thanks to our wonderful email exchanges about our lovely locs, she gave me the idea to write about how some naturals, while wearing their hair in its kinky state, are trying their darndest to get their hair to behave in an unnatural manner. More bluntly put, it seems the 4b-4z folks go through great pains to get the loose curls and waves of the 3-4a crowd.

I am certainly not against experimenting with the way our hair responds to gels, mousses, pomades, etc. The problem is that the whole idea of going natural, or at least one of them, is to appreciate our hair in its original state. When some sistas lament over the fact that their hair does not have a curl pattern or is not silky like sistas with “good hair”, it seems to defeat the purpose of veering away from relaxers as all of this curl- pattern- getting business seems to say the same thing: that we have a problem with our hair as-is. All of these custards and mustards are great when you want to change up, but if it is being used as a means to shun what’s truly yours, no amount of slathering will change the fact that those kinks of yours that zig zag are just as beautiful.

As I mentioned to Latonya B., what’s best for my hair is what it does naturally and usually that means no shellacking as I can’t handle my hair being hard. I feel like it’s going to snap off and I work too hard for my inches! Not knocking anyone who does as we all have a right to rock our hair any way we choose. I just want to encourage you on those days you find your custard is finished to look in the mirror and blow a kiss to that cotton ball of yours!

Muah!

Fear of a Black Hair Planet June 30, 2010

My hair twin Latonya B. sent the article at the end of this post about an 8-yr old African-American girl who was removed from her class because her white teacher said she couldn’t take the smell of her hair. The girl was sat in the hallway before being placed in another class. How embarrassing for an innocent child who was the only black student in her accelerated class.

Reading the story reminded me of the time one of my white acquaintances informed me that one of the stereotypes about blacks is that we all smell like coconut because of what we put in our hair. It also made me think about the many hair aversions people in general have about black hair when its worn natural which lead to prejudices and false perceptions. I’ve listed some below which I am sure some of you can relate to.

The Militant-One of my students told me that her first thought of me when I entered the classroom with an afro was that I’d be this stodgy, über intellectual militant professor. My mother complained about this as well, saying that when she wore her hair in locks people assumed she was a militant. A black person embracing their kinks, brown skin, or African ancestry is not a militant thing. The fact that it is considered as such says a mouthful about identity… or a lack thereof.

Lady Conscious-Jill Scott mentioned this in one of her concerts that because she wore her hair natural people thought she was supposed to be positive and therefore should not have recorded a song about whooping someone’s tail for getting in her way. Conscious or positive people are assumed to be these super peace-loving folks who wear oils, don’t eat meat, listen to neo-soul all day, and talk an African past that’s not in history books. All of that deduced from a hairdo!

Miss Feminist-I’ve heard these assumptions too that women with short do’s march in the streets making demands on the male species and prefer the world without them. That’s a banjo I just won’t play, but thank God gender equality and chivalry can exist in the same space!

Afro Evangelist-Going natural does not mean that the person is going to get a mic, generator, and little podium and preach to people about the ills of relaxers. In reality many women choose to go natural for reasons that have nothing to do with a backlash against chemicals. They range from being tired of beauty appointments to desiring to embrace one’s own aesthetic. Also, the push for using all natural products or just good products in general doesn’t necessarily stem from a desire to separate oneself from a chemical past but rather out of an understanding that natural hair is temperamental and needs to be treated more than right to stay healthy.

No matter how you wear your hair, people are going to stereotype you based on what they have been led to believe certain aesthetics mean. Whether your hair is “stinky” or kinky, do you and don’t let anyone put you in the hallway.

Much love to the little girl and her family. I hope they hit the legal jackpot on this one as more people need to make it clear they need to be more careful with these young minds. Article below:

http://hiphopwired.com/2010/06/06/8-year-old-removed-from-class-for-using-olive-oil-hair-product-video/

Shout out to my fellow natural sistas on YouTube.  Those of you interested in homemade whipped shea butter and other hair products, please check the first link. I vouch for the mango whipped shea and fast shipping! Please check the second link for hair tips and fashion to compliment the natural vibe.

http://www.youtube.com/user/FreeWorshipFreeWors

http://www.youtube.com/user/misskrisnew

Muah!

The Dish on Condish June 8, 2010

….and shampoos too but I couldn’t find a way to incorporate the word into the title and make it sound snazzy!

As many of you who have natural hair know, finding the right product is a trial and error type of thing. I have a lot of fun swapping stories about what worked for me, what I can’t live without, etc. Finally I have my well-coiffed ducks in a row and can rattle off my thoughts on some of my finds.

Shampoos

I learned the hard way that using the right shampoo is essential and finding one without sulfates is the way to go. Below are some sulfate free shampoos that I’ve used.

Creme of Nature -I’m talking about the one that is sulfate-free and in the white bottle, not the new line in the orange bottles. I wish I could find this stuff again. I used it when I had the teeny weeny and my hair was soft enough to skip using conditioner (but I didn’t).

Biofusion -It’s Walgreens’ version of Biolage. I used it and I was not impressed. It was on sale, I bought, I used, but I did not conquer!

Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla-I love the smell of this stuff,  it lathers nicely, and it gets my hair clean. I’ve never had a problem with it but whether or not I will buy it again is up in the air because of this next guy….

Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Soap-Now this stuff is niiiice (imagine it said in Bernie Mac’s voice)! Not only does it get my hair clean, but it leaves it so soft that my hair feels more like it’s been co-washed. My hair actually looks healthy and shiny, and it is not an easy task to get kinks hair to get that Orbit White gleam! This is one of my staples that I cannot live without. I use it in the lavender scent but there are others as well.

Conditioners

What I look for in a good conditioner are silk proteins and essential oils. Anything that makes my hair soft just reading it is fair game for me. So here we go:

Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Hair Smoothie-Just like the shampoo, it smells grrrreat! It decently moisturized my hair but the results were not so impressive that I’d swear by it. I will definitely use it again only because I haven’t run out yet. It is not considered a staple product for me.

d:fi  boost conditioner-YES YES YES! I happened on this product while shopping at TJ Maxx. This stuff not only moisturizes my hair but it also gives my hair a lot of slip and defines coils. It is rich in essential oils. I have used this for a quick condition and as a deep conditioner. The results were  pretty much the same so any conditioner that gives me great hair on the spot is alright with me.

Aubrey Organics White Camellia-This is another home run product. Every time my hair is extremely soft and manageable.  This gives my tresses great slip as well. It does not define my coils as much as d:fi but what I love about Aubrey’s is that it is 100% natural.

Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil conditioner-Whether you buy the replenishing pack or the bottle, this product works well and is the best deep conditioner I have ever used. I literally feel a notable difference when I sit under a dryer with a heat cap. It is VERY moisturizing and I’ve never had a time when it didn’t work as well as the last time. My hair will never take this stuff for granted.

That’s it for now. Stay tuned for product reviews on hair dressings.

Muah and be blessed!

What My Hair Taught Me May 31, 2010

I’ve told this story before, how when I cut my hair and was introduced to it in its natural state it was like I was rekindling an old friendship. I was reacquainted with the shape of my head and the texture of my tresses. My hair is hybrid, a mixture between 4a and b with a patch smack in the middle that is actually 3c. I know, weird! Overall my hair is soft and kinky and I love it.

Having done no research before I did the big chop, I just used any shampoo, conditioner, and whatever hairdressing I had leftover from the Relaxer Era. WRONG! Using the wrong products can strip your hair of softness, shine, and health. Also, I learned as my hair grew  I had to grow in knowledge of hair products and what I formerly used no longer worked as well. For example, my hair and scalp didn’t need as much moisture as there wasn’t much to work with. I was able to  use shampoos with sulfates (the foaming agent that strips your hair of moisture)  and not feel the sting of dryness. However, as I began to go past an inch, I noticed whenever I used a sulfate shampoo my hair felt like straw. When I used a hair lotion or oil, my hair was not moisturized. After a while I also had trouble with raw, unwhipped shea butter. My short hair was okay with it but with more length, if the butter wasn’t fully emulsified, it left a film. I finally found that for my hair type, creamy butters were the way to go.

Now that my hair is chin length, I pretty much have my hair regimen down pat. It was not without help. In addition to my own research, I also exchanged tips with my hair buddy Latonya B. and watched a lot of YouTube natural hair videos. I am happy to say that after two years and some good trims, my hair is very healthy and chin length in the front, nape length in the back (yes, you will find your hair grows faster in certain spots).

For those of you beginning the journey, here’s a little advice:

a. Do your homework-read articles, blogs, and watch videos of others who have made the trek before you. Find out what products have gotten the best reviews for your hair type, what ingredients you should look for, etc. It seems like a lot of work but actually it is a lot of fun.

b. Find a hair buddy-it is good to have a hair buddy so that you can keep each other encouraged on bad hair days and in the know about styles, accessories, and products. Little did I know that once going natural, I would become part of an international community dedicated to the natural hair cause.

c. Moisture Moisture Moisture!-kinky hair needs lots of moisture and finding products that won’t just sit on top of your hair but rather absorb into your strands is the way to go (before applying my hair butter, I use coconut oil but jojoba is a great as well). Also, using shampoos with no sulfates and a good moisturizing conditioner with essential oils helps with moisture and softness. Doing what is known as “cowashing”, washing your hair with conditioner rather than shampoo, works VERY well. If you don’t have a lot of product buildup in your hair cowashing gets it just as clean as shampoo and won’t strip your hair.

d. Comb with care-we can’t do like we used to when we were kids, just putting a comb to it and accept that the chunk of hair that comes out in the comb was supposed to happen. No no no my dears! Use a wide tooth comb, start detangling from the bottom, and be gentle. Believe it or not, kinky hair is fragile especially when its dry. Many people have found that whether wet or dry, detangling in sections is an easier way to groom their temperamental tresses.

So that’s what my hair taught me. Treat her right and she just might make it to the stage! A big shout out to LaTonya B. for keeping me encouraged on the journey, and also a shout to YouTuber mstanish1. Please stop by her channel for great tips and styles.

http://www.youtube.com/user/mstanish1

You all be blessed, pass it on, and stay tuned for more!

Hello Napturals! May 25, 2010

This blog is devoted to helping other natural sistas through the process of maintaining and loving their coils and kinks. I’m not a hair expert but rather just another sista on a  journey to love her tresses more and more every day. I will post product reviews, tips, styles, and answer any questions you may have. I’m happily nappy and proud of it! I hope you are too.

Be blessed…….