If you have been natural for longer then 1 week, I am sure–no I am absolutely certain that you have heard someone say “Co-wash“. If you were clueless about the whole natural thing like I was, then you probably thought this was how someone with an accent says “cold wash”.   A co-wash is easy to do, just wash your hair with conditioner instead of shampoo.  It sounds really bizarre, and it may take you some time to wrap your head around how is it that a product that is meant to restore and add moisture to your hair can also cleanse your hair at the same time.

It really depends most on the ingredients in the conditioner and the state of your hair at the time you plan to use the conditioner.  Let’s break down both.

Cleansing Ingredients in your Conditioner

There is actually science and logic to support this hair care regime. Shampoos are typically composed of about 10-15% detergent. They use surfactants like Sodium Laureth Sulfate or Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate which do an excellent job of cleaning and removing oil from hair.
Conditioners also have detergents, but they are different than those found in shampoos. They use cationic surfactants (or quats) which have the tendency to stick to the hair, which is how they provide conditioning. Common quats are Cetrimonium Chloride or Distearyldimonium Chloride. They’re used at levels between 1% and 5%. Although they do stick to the hair, these ingredients also have the ability to cleanse the hair, which is why the no-poo washing system can work.¹

If you turned your conditioner over you may find the following ingredients amongst a list of oils and other hard things to pronounce:

glycerin, cetyl alcohol, behentrimonium methosulfate, cetearyl alcohol, stearamidopropyl dimethylamine (SADMA), and amodimethicone

These are very common conditioner ingredients. Here’s what they do: Glycerin can provide moisturization in a leave on product, but it doesn’t do anything for hair when it’s rinsed out. Cetyl and cetearyl alcohol are thickening and emulsifying agents are are used to make a conditioner rich and creamy. Because they`re oil soluble they could, in theory, help lift some of the sebum of your hair and scalp. Behentrimonium methosulfate, SADMA, and amodimethicone are very effective conditioning ingredients because they deposit on the hair.²

How dirty is your hair?

If you’ve recently used gels or products with silicones, petroleum, mineral oil, and/or lanolin, then you may want to use shampoo to effectively cleanse your hair, because conditioners just don’t have the same cleansing detergents as shampoo.  If you did decided to use a conditioner only method after using a combo of these ingredients, you could end up with buildup, itchy scalp, lack luster hair and your hair may even feel weighed down.

However, if you’ve managed to avoid all of these ingredients, rest assured, that conditioner alone will do the job.  You can use any conditioner you prefer.  Some of my favorite conditioners are Design Essentials Natural Moisturizing Conditioner, Giovanni Smooth as Silk Deeper Moisture Conditioner, Herbal Essence Hello Hydration Conditioner, and Shea Moisture Yuccaa & Baobab Volumizing Conditioner.

Why not just use shampoo?

Shampoos have harsh detergents that can leave the hair stripped and dry. Depending on the products you used, you may feel the need to shampoo to thoroughly cleanse your hair.  I find that shampoos labeled “moisturizing” work great in my hair even if they contain sulfates. Using shampoo or no-pooing is a personal preference based on your hair care needs.  When I first went natural I used shampoo every other wash day. The wash days in between, I used conditioner only.  I also co washed mid week to give my hair a moisture boost. There are many shampoos on the market with absolutely no sulfates, these are great alternatives to shampoos with sulfates. It’s your hair, use what you want. Just be informed.

Source¹ Source²

I always recommend moisturizing with water and then sealing with an oil. The water is absorbed by the cuticle layer of your hair strand and the oil will seal in the moisture.

Tea Tree Oil is a popular oil, often recommended by naturals to sooth an itchy scalp.

It is extracted from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia, commonly known as Narrow-leaved Tea-tree which is native to the northeast coast of New South Wales, Australia.  Tea tree oil is a natural antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-infection oil. Tea tree oil is an essential oil that is very good for the skin and also soothes patients of sinusitis, tonsillitis, bronchitis, tuberculosis and viral or bacterial infections. Moreover, the benefits of tea tree oil includes its effectiveness to influence and deal with certain hair-related conditions. Tea tree oil is primarily antiseptic in nature and is a recommended bactericide and fungicide. It is therefore that this oil is often used to make tea tree shampoo as it readily heals scalp irritations and infections.

Is Tea Tree Oil Good For Hair?
YES! Many hair problems such as dandruff, cradle cap, baldness, psoriasis, and lice can be solved with the use of this oil.

It is able to unblock the hair follicles and thus, eliminates dandruff.
It moisturizes the hair and scalp.
It treats cradle cap.
It prevents hair loss.
It treats lice.
It is very effective for hair growth.

Add a few drops of Tea tree oil to your regular shampoo to treat hair problems like persistent dandruff, itchy-scalp and even prevent head-lice. Massage it in, leave it on for 5-7 minutes and rinse off.

SheaMoisture is never short of perfection and I am so excited that they have created a healthier option for color care.  Their color system is an amonia-free hair color with natural ingredients such as Flax Seed Oil and Certified Organic Shea Butter, to nourish and moisturize hair. The omission of amonia helps to promote the hair of both you and your hair and scalp.

For those transitioning and/or dealing with thin hair, the hair color thickens strands, aids shine and aids in manageability.

While visiting the SheaMoisture factory last month, I was introduced to the boxes of each color and I was in awe of how beautiful the images were! I knew these boxes would stand out amongst all other box colors because they were actual hand paintings of ethnic women.  The box art was created by artist Michael Jamal, who SheaMoisture commissioned to do a water color for each hair color shade. Each box is an actual original water color painting done by Michael.

SheaMoisture’s Creative Director Jullanar Barron set out to make the hair color artful and a way to express yourself through hair color. Jullanar said,

“I want women to see themselves in the hair color box art, not a heavily Photoshopped and made-up model, who doesn’t speak to our individuality, beauty and personality.”

SheaMoisture’s Hair Color System creatively connects personal style with contemporary art. Just as art speaks to us in different ways, through different medium and technique, so can you. Your hair color and style is personal…as naturally as possible

I know everyone has a lot of questions. Let’s get down to the nitty gritty.

Is it Natural?

While there is NO such thing as a “natural” permanent” hair dye, this is definitely a healthy and safe option for coloring your hair because it is a moisture-rich, permanent HAIR COLOR SYSTEM with natural and certified organic ingredients for any hair type. There is NO AMMONIA and NO SULFATES.

Will it Dry my Hair Out?

SheaMoisture fused their knowledge of natural and certified organic healing ingredients with safe science, insights from top salon professionals and years of listening to real women. This color delivers healthy nutrients that minimize damage while delivering superior hydration, exceptional manageability and brilliant sheen.

This system is enriched with the following natural ingredients:
Organic Shea Butter Provides moisture to damaged hair from roots to tip. Promotes healthy, shiny hair.
Soy Protein Helps strengthen hair by replenishing lost protein.
Flaxseed Oil Enhances shine and dimension.
Organic Glycerin Aids in moisture retention.

How Well Does it Work?

I am asked all the time about what can be used to cover gray and this system is it! It covers gray and lifts color two shades, however will not lighten hair many shades such as dark brown to light blonde.

Now we all know that results will vary right, so keep that in mind when using any color.  Below you can see before and after pics from one of our CurlFriends. She used the SheaMoisture Light Auburn system and transformed her hair from a dark brown/black to a rich warm shiny red!

                      BEFORE COLOR                                                           AFTER COLOR

Check out her video below to see how our CurlFriend applied the color and more details of what is in the box!

What Colors are Available?

Light Blonde
Medium Golden Blonde
Dark Golden Blonde
Light Brown
Medium Brown
Dark Brown
Medium Chestnut Brown
Light Auburn
Bright Auburn
Dark Auburn
Jet Black
Soft Black

Price? What’s in it?

Each Hair Color System kits costs $14.99 and  includes:

Radiant Color Crème
Radiant Color Developer
Professional Latex-Gloves
Salon Application Brush
Raw Shea Moisture Retention Shampoo
Raw Shea Restorative Conditioner
Raw Shea Reconstructive Finishing Elixir

Where can I get it?

Now available at 400 select Target stores throughout the U.S. Click here to view the list of locations near you!

If you didn’t join the challenge in the beginning I’m sorry, it’s too late. Register for the Fall Challenge in Aug.

It’s already week 3 and you ladies are very motivated! I’m unable to respond to all of you but I read your comments and I check out your pics!

I know your hair is growing because sooo many of you are telling me on Twitter, IG, and on FB.  Keep posting your pics and sharing them with us using the hashtag #kccmCastorOil so we can all see your progress.

It really touches my heart when I see all you ladies supporting each other and leaving comments on each others posts. You rock!

Our first official length check will take place during week 5–get ready!

As mentioned last week and the week before, for this challenge, my focus won’t be on the length of my hair, but on the length of my edges. But I hope to inspire you all with this before and after pic.

If you have Kinky Curly Coily hair, then you know that detangling can be a chore. Detangling is a very important part in your hair care because it allows you to an opportunity to remove shed and broken hair. In our natural hair, the shed and broken hair often gets caught up in our afros instead of falling to floor like it did when we were relaxed. Do you remember the days of having a sink full of hair? Or how about having to sweep up what seemed like a ponytail of hair?

In the video below, I share how to make a detangling cocktail using Castor Oil.  This cocktail will take  your detangling session down from hours to minutes!!

It takes me about 10 minutes to detangle my hair from start to finish using this cocktail. Don’t believe me? Watch the video below! If you try it out, let me know how it goes!

Check In Questions:

1. Since going natural have you ever felt really overwhelmed? If so, Why? If not, What have you done to make this journey run smoothly?

2. How often do you detangle your hair? What do you use? How long does it take?

3. How did you use Castor Oil in your hair last week (week 2). Did you use it any different than week 1? Do you see any change in your hair since using the castor oil?

4. (optional) Share a pic of your hair before you went natural

Do you Tweet? Are you on Instagram? If so use hashtag #kccmCastorOil so we all can follow the convo and check out your pics.

Feel free to include me in the convo @BlakizBeautyful (twitter) Blakizbeautyful (IG)

Not just any mask; clay masks are my go to in the summer. I have very oily skin with lots of discoloration and large pores… to sum it up, I have problem skin. If you do too, then you know nothing makes skin problems worse than summer heat which can bring on unwanted sweating and extra dirt and oil.

Cleansers are fine but can be harsh and I prefer the natural method. Two of my favorite summer masks are Fuller’s Earth Clay and French Green Clay. I like to mix the Fuller’s Earth with a rose hydrosol and the French Green Clay with a cucumber hydrosol.

I find that when my skin gets too oily the Fuller’s Earth and Rose hydrosol mask tones and cleanses my skin without drying or irritating.

The French Green and cucumber hydrosol helps me look and feel refreshed when my skin is feeling weighed down, tired or puffy.

I purchase all of the ingredients for both masks from Mountain Rose Herbs they have very reasonable quantities for the price when it comes to the clay and the hydrosols aren’t so bad either.

Which Facial Treatment is Your Summer Must Have?

Cinnamon is scientifically known as Cinnamomumzeylanicum, and originally comes from the most tropical areas of Asia. This herb has been used for centuries for its healing and medicinal properties, primarily its bark. Cinnamon oil is another form that had been used but because it has the tendency to cause irritation and allergic reactions, most people prefer to use the bark, ground cinnamon or the leaves of the cinnamon tree instead.

Cinnamon for Hair
Cinnamon is highly anti-inflammatory and also aids in the circulation of blood. When used in the hair, this helps with removing impurities from the hair and scalp and also promotes hair growth further.

Cinnamon is also very good for treating scalp infections because of its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral and antiseptic properties and can be used both externally or taken internally.

Cinnamon also can significantly change the color of your hair! If you have lighter hair than black, you may notice that your hair may have lightened a bit to a cinnamon brown color. This is not the case for everyone, as some have seen significant lightening of the hair and some can’t really tell a difference unless in direct sunlight. Either way, when trying this for the first time, use sparingly to determine what work and doesn’t for your hair.

I started doing braid outs when I was about 8 months natural and immediately fell in love with them.  Prior to doing my first braid out I would wear my hair in a twist out every single day.  So when I tried my first braid out and saw how much longer my hair was and the beautiful curl definition, I was sold!

Braid outs aren’t hard to do but they do require practice. Like the saying goes, practice makes perfect, right?  In my years of doing braid outs I’ve learned a few things that I tend to think are universal, correct me if I’m wrong.

My Braid Out at 10 Months Natural

Wet vs Dry

When doing a braid out you will get the BEST curl definition if your hair is wet to soaking wet. The only problem with styling your braid out on soaking wet hair, is while you enjoy your beautiful curl definition you will have lots of shrinkage.

When doing a braid out you will get the most stretch/elongation if your hair is damp to dry. The only problem with styling your braid out dry hair, is the exact opposite of styling your hair when wet. While you enjoy the length of your hair your curl definition won’t be as defined.

My Braid Out at 28 months Natural

Small vs Big

When doing a braid out you will get the least amount of frizz if you braid in small sections. The only problem with styling your braid out in small sections is that it takes a lot longer to install and you don’t end up with much volume. To compensate for your lack of volume you can separate and fluff your hair. Be careful, if you separate and fluff too much you will lose all the pretty curl definition you took your time creating.

When doing a braid out you will get the most volume if you braid really large sections. The only problem with styling your braid out in large sections is that if your hair is short you will have lots of frizz and your hair might not be as elongated.

My Braid Out at 28 months Natural

You have to decided what works best for you.  The one thing that  I love about Natural Hair is that you can try new things and get new looks and your hair will still look fab! To see how I achieve my Braid Outs check out the video below

Are you wearing a beanie or tam to protect your natural hair from the weather?

If so, you may want to wear a satin bonnet or scarf under your beanie/tam to prevent the hair from rubbing against the fabric and causing friction. The constant rubbing against the fabric will tug on the hair and eventually cause breakage.

Are you wearing twists/twistouts or braids/braidouts,etc?

Make sure you are moisturizing the hair with a sufficient and slightly heavier creme than you would normally. The colder temperatures will suck the moisture out of your hair and trust me, your hair will need it. Don’t forget to seal those ends. The winter is when I like to put my whipped Shea butter to work on my ends. This keeps my ends from drying out and breaking off.

Are you over manipulating your hair?

I know, I was obsessed with my hair when I first discovered my kinky coils and still am. But, one thing I learned is that constant pulling, tugging and styling the hair can cause breakage as well. I’ve learned to coil or twist my hair and leave it in for at least a week so that I’m not tempted to constantly play in put my hands in my hair. Protective styling such as braids, twists and cornrows are longer lasting styles that can really help you to stop over manipulating the hair.

Are you protecting your hair at night with a satin bonnet or pillow?

The same applies as wearing a satin bonnet/scarf under your beanie. When sleeping, your hair will constantly rub against your pillows causing friction that leads to breakage. Try purchasing a satin bonnet from Walmart for under $3 or a satin pillowcase.

Are you heat styling? If so, are you protecting the hair?

Heat styling, especially for a natural girlie and even more so during winter months should be kept at a minimum. Excessive heat styling can severely damage the hair shaft and cause the texture of your kink/coil pattern to change. Always always use a heat protectant to keep the hair cuticle protected from damage. A few naturals have had to learn the hard way that heat styling can be just as stressful to the hair as a chemical relaxer, without the harsh long-term effects. Many have BC’d a second time due to damage caused by improper styling techniques and/or extremely high temperatures without proper protection when blow drying, flat ironing, pressing, etc.

Are you properly cleansing the hair and scalp?

I know there are naturals who swear by co-washing and don’t get me wrong, I don’t know where I would be had I never learned about it. However, I feel the need to shampoo my hair at least once every week or two. Product buildup can strain the hair and clog the scalp. I like to shampoo to ensure that the gunk is washed out thoroughly. In addition, excessive buildup can cause he hair to dry out, become brittle and even break off from the scalp.

Can you totally stop your hair from breaking off?

Naturally, hair sheds and you will experience some breakage. Again, this is natural and you shouldn’t be alarmed that a few hairs are shedding. If your hair as been braided or in some form of protective style for 3 weeks or more, you will notice a moderate increase in breakage. This is normal as your hair continues to shed but by not having anywhere to go, it stays tangled with the rest of the hair until the protective style is taken down.

*The tips mentioned above are simple techniques for eliminating unnecessary breakage. If you are experiencing severe hair breakage or loss of hair from the scalp, you may want to consult a trichologist or dermatologist to determine what is best for you.

Has anyone else been experiencing an increase in breakage since the winter months?

They all used to describe my skin at one point or another, and I’ve used just about every product known to man to help get my skin on the right track.  I spent lots of money on face washes, cleansers, exfoliates, astringent, toners, spot treatments, wipes, and moisturizers in hopes of clearing my skin.

My skin with NO makeup

Nothing worked well enough.  The results seemed promising after the first few weeks, but then slowly but surely the products lost their effectiveness. I was constantly seeking the next best thing.  Until one day I was introduced to African Black Soap.

What is Black Soap?

Black soap, or African Black Soap, has been used for generations as a natural remedy for acne, eczema, body odor, and to alleviate oily skin. Its many uses include using it as a body soap for cleansing or lathering and using it as a shampoo.

Natural black soap  is actually brown and not black (funny, I know). It is a natural source of vitamins A & E, iron and an all-natural cleanser.works for all skin types, from rough to sensitive, and is said to keep skin smooth and hydrated–but without increasing oily skin for those prone to it. It gives your face a deep cleansing leaving it fresh, and healthier.  It helps work against premature signs of aging and wrinkles, alleviates bumps and spots, is great for removing makeup, and is good for deep cleaning without drying out or irritating skin.  It can be used by any ethnicity and for men or women.

A Piece of Black Soap

How do I use Black Soap?

I use black soap on my face only.  I cleanse my face with black soap in the morning and then again at night. The black soap removes my makeup very easily, which has saved me money because I no longer need to buy those makeup remover wipes!  I’ve been using black soap for a year and in the video below you will see an up close and personal view of the condition of my skin.  My skin is clear, smooth, and glows.  My skin has never looked so good and its new health is directly attributed to my use of black soap.

Click HERE to purchase the exact block of Black Soap that I use on my face. You can get it in varying weights.

I can get you some black soap if this website is too expensive. Send me an email and we can discuss!

Video

Source1 Source2

If you didn’t join the challenge in the beginning I’m sorry, it’s too late. Register for the Fall Challenge in Aug.

I’m having so much fun on this challenge – Are you ??

Our first official length check will take place during week 5–get ready!

I mentioned last week that some of you may have noticed your scalp was excessively itchy this week – if this is the case, don’t be alarmed. The first time you start to use castor oil it has to detoxify your scalp. Once this is done, you shouldn’t have any more itching. However, if the itching is unbearable and you are scratching so much that you are causing your scalp to tear, blend your castor oil with another carrier oil (coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba oil) until your scalp gets accustom to the intensity of the castor oil.

One great way to use castor oil is to moisturize your hair before bed. You can spritz your hair to moisturize then add some castor oil before twisting braiding, bunning etc. In this video, I show how I retwist my hair before bed. Try my technique and add some castor oil.

I live in Brooklyn, NY and we have soooo many naturalistas here. Everywhere I go I see women with Locs, TWAs, Afros, Twist Outs, Puffs, funky updos, sophisticated pin ups and that’s just on the way to the store. There’s lot’s of support here from other women and there at TONS of natural hair events. I even started a meetup group to create events and to share events that others are doing, in order to meet the demand of the women here in NYC.

*all pics were taken at my monthly Dinner with CurlFriends event. Join the KCCM meetup group for more info on events Nation Wide.

Check In Questions:

1. Where do you live? Are there many natural women in your town, city, state?

2. Are other members of your family naturals too? Who? Were they natural before you or vice versa? Do you all support each other?

3. How did you use Castor Oil in your hair last week (week 1)? If you had any problems, let us all know so we ALL can support you.

4. (optional) Share a pic of the bottle of castor oil you are using.

Do you Tweet? Are you on Instagram? If so use hashtag #kccmCastorOil so we all can follow the convo and check out your pics.

Feel free to include me in the convo @BlakizBeautyful (twitter) Blakizbeautyful (IG)

I have witnessed similar situations in my lifetime. I avoided being called nappy because my hair has ALWAYS been relaxed. I mention in my hair story that I was relaxed before the age of 10 and remained relaxed until my big chop in 2010.

Anyway, read the letter and share your thoughts.

“Oohh Child! Nappy, nappy, nappy! We have to get you a perm! I can’t believe I have you out here on these streets with you walking around with all these kinks in your head! Just all out in the open. We’re going to have to nickname you Lil Nappy!” stated the young mother, yanking her child’s head in a too-tight ponytail.

Being what people might call “nosey,” I continued to watch the scene of the small 7 or 8-year-old girl being scorned by her loud mother. As in most cases, the young girl was not worried about her hair before her mother made those comments. Her attention was fully on her Cookie Monster doll as she sat on the bench, kicking a pebble in a circular motion. As soon as her mother was finished with her rant, the young girl began to touch her hair over and over again as if she was trying to hide it from the world. She put down the doll and asked, “What’s wrong with my hair?”

After taking mental notes of the entire situation, all I could do was shake my head and walk away. The simple fact that she kept calling her child “Lil Nappy,” and not saying it in a positive manner, made me almost choke on my cappuccino. But the true issue that stabbed me like a knife was that the mother was simply passing down her insecurities to her daughter. Her daughter was perfectly content, and not worried about how her hair looked, until her mother drew negative attention towards her natural curl. At that point, her childhood daydreams quickly turned to thoughts about her hair and how she could hide it.

As Black women, we know that hair is a touchy subject that we keep close to our hearts. From weave to natural to perm, we all have our personal opinion of why our style is the best to rock. Once we grow older, our opinions may change due to life experiences, the finding of ourselves, or simply a change of heart. Especially if you transitioned from relaxed to natural hair later in life, you may go through a mental transition of shedding a stereotypical perspective of beauty that you were taught in your early years.

It’s understandable that there is not a rule book for teaching and parenting a child. It’s a learning process, but one must realize that the parent is the most influential person in the life of a child. What a parent teaches and says to a child holds weight, and will always settle in her or his mind.

At the end of the day, children are beautifully untainted when it comes to the world. They either become more uplifted, or jaded, by what they are taught. Being a young Black girl is a tough road to travel, and it creates a heavier load when you learn that your natural self is not good enough at the tender age of 7. Whether you’re a mother who wears her hair natural, permed, or weave—allow your child to embrace her true self. Black women are constantly taught through media that we are not beautiful enough, and transforming is the key to opening the door to beauty. It’s our responsibility to stop the cycle.
- Ellisa Oyewo

Chime In!

My TWA w/Flower

1) A good beanie cap. Throw it on over a satin bonnet (to keep your moisture from drying out from the beanie.

2) A gorgeous flower hair accessory. Pin up one side over your ear as high as your hair will allow and then stick the flower in your fro.

3) A pair of flyy earrings, bright eyeshadow and popping gloss. Tease your fro with oily fingers in a nice shape that you like. Do your eyes in a way that says DRAMA, put on some bold lip gloss and rock those flyy earrings. All eyes will be on you! Promise.

Some of the best ways to handle a bad hair days for ladies with SAs (Small Afros) is:

Tips 1-3 for TWAs and…

My Puff with headband

4) A good roll, tuck and pin style. Spray with water, comb out with a paddle brush, grab your pins, oil your hands, and finger part the back into 2. Roll, tuck and pin from the neck up the crown. Repeat with other style. Roll front back (pompadour), for a 10 minute protective style that screams GLAM!

5) A good puff. Finger comb hair back and up, squeeze your band to the top and throw an accessory in front of the band to add style.

Some of the best ways to handle a bad hair days for ladies with MAs (Medium Afro’s) to LAs (Large Afros) is:

Tips 1-5 and…

French Braid with bun

6) A good bun. Spray hair with water, detangle with a paddle brush, and oil hands.Brush hair back (or up), tie up with a ouchless band, tuck under and add a cute flower. Or use a donut piece to get that perfectly round bun.

7) A good braid. Spray hair with water, detangle with a paddle brush, and oil hands. Braid all your in a french braid or cornrow from top to bottom for a classy easy protective style. Style with a flower for ELEGANCE. Leave some out for a bang if desired.

Alicia Keys

Teyonah Parris

Janelle Monae

Solange Knowles

Shingai Shoniwa

Who are your favorites?

Item Description/Quality:

For the most part, the items are quality pieces that came in the most precious box. I felt as though it was my birthday or Christmas and everything was also packaged so nicely.

My Experience: 

I was happy with most of the pieces, but unfortunately 2 out of the 4 pieces did not fit me. The sunglasses were too small for my round face and the ring was also too small. According to the website, you can fill out a questionnaire with your preferences so I would just hope that this questionnaire would also ask about your ring size, face shape, etc. Moreover, I also was not pleased that the bracelet was falling apart and turning colors after just a few hours of wearing it.

Like with every subscription service, you will receive things that work for you and some things that don’t. However, you have to option of just purchasing from the shop instead of purchasing an actual subscription.  I do enjoy that the box gave me an opportunity to try things (such as the ear cuff) that I wouldn’t have necessarily bought on my own, but I ABSOLUTELY love! Sure there are some pros and cons with this subscription service, but if you are interested in subscribing, persons who opt for a subscription will receive 4-5 items per month for $35. I think that is actually very reasonable for the amount of items you receive and the overall quality of the items.

SERENA WILLIAMS: GAME ON! …
Her 5-foot 9-inch, 155-pound powerhouse frame is a mind-blowing combination of speed, power and never-before-seen toughness that’s allowed Serena Williams to run roughshod over all comers during the last decade. But two years ago, the champion was engaged in the ultimate match of her life and fighting just to breathe after suffering from a pulmonary embolism. Today, she tells ESSENCE that she’s healthier than ever, and winning not just in tennis but in life. For more on Serena’s story and the July “Body Issue” of ESSENCE, visit ESSENCE.com.

The July issue of ESSENCE hits stands on June 7th!  For more on this issue, visit ESSENCE.com.

Alright now, so yall should know that we hosted the Curls Unleashed booth at the International Hair and Beauty Show this past weekend and as a result, I got turned out. That Curls Unleashed Leave-in Conditioner and Mousse is no joke. I tried both products out and immedeatly fell in love with the light weight mousse but I needed to fiddle with the leave-in to make it work. The mousse adds with definition and shine without creating and greasy weighed down look and was created specifically for fine hair. The leave-in is great for all hair types but it does contain a bit of shea butter so the first time I used it I liked how quenched and happy my curls looked, but my roots fell flat and looked a bit oily. (Shanti liked it but I was like , “Naw, son”.) So determined to make it work, I tried a different regimen and I am happy to report that my curls were/are pop lockin and droppin it on um. Fine hair curlies, you’ll want to listen closely.

1. Tame the Beast

Detangle. Detangle. Detangle

2. Apply Products!

All products used.

I apply the leave in conditioner to the ENDS of my hair and do my best to avoid my roots. This adds a lot of definition to my curls (at the end of the hair strand) and makes them really pop.

I then apply a very small amount of conditioning primer, focusing mostly on my roots and hair line . This product is very thick (but not greasy) so you do not need a lot of it. Despite it’s thickness it does not weigh the hair down. Read our whipped curls reviewhere.

The mousse is the lightest weight sealant I’ve come across. I have used it on dry hair and the results have been just as good. It’s great for everyday weather and when you want to achieve bouncy (defined frizz) hair but I would opt for adding aloe vera juice/gel to the mix on very humid days or switch all together and use Goddess Curls Gel by Curls as a sealant.

3. Comb/Brush Hair Back

This helps mix and distribute the product. It also helps those who are in the ‘in-between’ hair length phase and suffer from her in their face all damn day. I’m trying to figure out whether I want to continue to grow my hair out or get a new and improved cut. The verdict is out but these sheep dog bangs are in the way.

4. Loosen & Scrunch Hair

I then combed through my hair with my finger, including my roots and helped my curls form by scrunching my hair in an upward motion.

5. Pin the Front

I then take my the front of my hair and pin it up using bobby pins. This helps keep my hair out of my face and helps create body. I do not remove the pins until my hair is completely dry.

6. Diffuse or Air Dry Hair

I’m going to do an updated video on how I diffuse now. So, check back it’s coming soon. The most important thing is that I don’t fluff or pick out my hair until it is completely dry. Anything else besides that just creates frizz.

7. Air Dry Results

These are the results before my pick go to it.

8. Fluff and Pick for Body/Results

Try it out. Let me know how it goes ladies. Holla

Beer* for hair? Yep, you read it correctly! Beer can liven up those kinks by adding body and luster!

Using beer* in your hair is a great way to replenish moisture. In addition, beer is full of nutrients that are beneficial for the hair and can help repair damaged strands and provide a boost in body and volume. Beer can also provide sheen and luster to the hair because of the natural maltose and sucrose sugars levels. These natural sugars can help tighten the hair’s cuticle and help enhance shine as well as prevent frizz.

Washing your hair with beer represents one way to achieve soft, shiny hair. Used for years as a home-brewed shampoo, beer hair wash is simple to make, and you can store it for up to two weeks. This recipe will leave your hair looking shiny and smelling great. The amounts in this recipe make enough beer hair wash to use for several days. If you would like to make more, simply multiply the ingredients.

Grab a beer. You can use canned or bottled, and stale, flat beer works fine. Lukewarm beer works better than cold beer.

Pour the beer and the other ingredients into a bowl and mix together with a wooden spoon. The mixture will be ready to use within only a few stirs.

Smell your concoction to make sure that it exudes the fragrance of lemon and rosemary. The wash shouldn’t leave your hair smelling as if you’ve just left a bar. If your mixture still smells too much like beer, add more rosemary and lemon oils.

Pour the liquid into a bottle for easy use. Funnel your mixture into an empty shampoo bottle or use a fancy glass bottle that will look nice sitting in your bathroom. The hair wash can be stored in the bottle for up to two weeks.

Source

If you didn’t register for the challenge go register first, then come back and check in.

This is the first week of the challenge and I’m sure we are all so very motivated. I know I’m personally excited to see the results over the next 3 months. My hair usually grows at an average rate of 1/2 inch per month, so without the challenge, I could expect to see 1.5 inches of new growth. So then with the challenge I expect to see more than that. Perhaps 2 inches?

Over the next 3 months you all have committed to growing longer, thicker, fuller hair by using castor oil. Rubbing castor oil on your scalp and the roots of your hair will regenerate new hair growth within months. This will also thicken thinning hair. The anti-bacterial and anti-fungicidal properties of Ricinoleic Acid in castor oil protects the scalp and hair from infections which can cause hair loss. The Omega-9 fatty acids in castor oil also nourish the hair and prevent the scalp from drying. Castor oil is a humectant as it draws moisture into the hair and skin. Applying castor oil on hair will keep it looking soft, shiny and strong.

Some of you may notice your scalp will start to itch excessively this week – if this is the case, don’t be alarmed. The first time you start to use castor oil it has to detoxify your scalp. Once this is done, you shouldn’t have any more itching (1-2 weeks). However, if the itching is unbearable and you are scratching so much that you are causing your scalp to tear, blend your castor oil with another carrier oil (coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba oil) until your scalp gets accustom to the intensity of the castor oil and then wean yourself off of the carrier oils until you can use castor oil alone.

1 month natural (BC 3/26/10) and 2 years 11 months natural (Feb 2013)

In the video below I show you what my naked hair looks like after it has dried with NO product and NO manipulation (twists/braids). If you haven’t already, Subscribe to my YT channel for hair tutorial, product reviews, Hair Care Demos & More!

If you have been participating in this challenge since the very first one (Spring 2012 – March to May), then you already know of the benefits. The ladies saw great growth in the all of the 2012 castor oil challenges and the pics don’t lie. Go HERE to see all the progress of the participants from last year! (scroll down to the comments).

My goals:

When I signed up for this challenge, I said I would apply castor oil to my scalp and edges 3x a week. I’ve been dealing with postpartum shedding since about April 2012 and I’ve been nursing my edges back to health. I really want to see them grow in thick and full. So excited!!

Check In Questions:

1. How long have you been natural? Did you Big Chop or Transition? Why did you choose this method? If you are not natural, do you think it is something you would consider in your future, why/why not?

2. Is this your first time participating in the Castor Oil Challenge?

3. What is motivating you to participate in this challenge?

4. (optional) Do you ever wear your hair Naked? Post a pic of your naked hair after you wash it.

Do you Tweet? Are you on Instagram? If so use hashtag #kccmCastorOil so we all can follow the convo and check out your pics.

Feel free to include me in the convo @BlakizBeautyful (twitter) Blakizbeautyful (IG)

This is the last week you can join the challenge. You have until June 7 to register.

Want to join the challenge, visit HERE for details, then come back and check in!

Finding out which products are worth buying and which are not depends heavily on learning how to read hair product labels. This is not easy and does take some research but, thankfully natural hair products are way easier to read than commercial products. Learning how to read product labels also helps you learn how to formulate your own products.

I’m going to use a well made natural product that I love, to show you what makes it so great. I’m purposely going to leave out where you can get some of the ingredients but, a google search will turn up some answers.

Curly Kinks Satin Roots

My hair loves this leave-in the summer time, not so much in the winter. If I didn’t know how to read ingredient lists, I wouldn’t know why my hair didn’t like it so much in the winter time.

Products containing water was listed as follows; water (and water soluble ingredients), emulsifiers, oil/butters, and additives last. Ingredients are also listed from highest to lowest percent. So the last ingredient is usually 1% or less of the overall product.

Ingredients: Distilled Water, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan) Extract, Ulmus Fulva (Slippery Elm), Althaea Officinalis (Marshmallow) Root, Vegetable Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Pro-Vitamin B5 (Panthenol), Persea Americana Oil (Avocado Oil), Brassica oleracea italica (Broccoli) Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Fragrance

1. Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan) Extract:
This set of ingredients is a blend of different herb extracts. Each herb has a different property it lends to the product. The main purpose of extracts is to aid in moisturing and to help strengthen your hair. You can buy extract blends or make your own by infusing different herbs.

2. Ulmus Fulva (Slippery Elm), Althaea Officinalis (Marshmallow) Root:
These ingredients are what give this conditioner “slip”. The herbs contain a lot of mucilage. Mucilage forms a thin film on the hair to help the strands slip and slide between each other easily for detangling.

3. Conditioning Ingredients: Behentrimonium Methosulfate (BTMS), Cetyl Alcohol & Panthenol- Read: how conditioning agents work (link also contains information on BTMS). “The cationic quaternary compound is a positively charged compound – the behentrimonium methosulfate – that adsorbs to our hair strand to give us all those lovely conditioning qualities like a reduction in friction and combing forces, a reduction in static electricity, an increase in moisturization, and so on.” SCM (source)

4. Humectants- Vegetable Glycerin & Panthenol (also a conditioning agent)- Humectants work by taking the moisture in the air and bringing it to your hair. How well a humectant works depends on the amount of moisture in the air; humidity. This is why, this product works better for me in the summer than in the winter.

5. Preservative - Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol

As you can see this is a well made product! Homemade and handmade by an obviously educated person (whom I know and admire!) that knows her stuff! This leave-in conditioner is packed with great ingredients that are meant to strengthen, condition and detangle your hair, just as the company claims!  You can get this product from Curly Kinks.

Do you have a product you would like me to have a look at?

Let me know in the comments below!

Water

Water is the first lifeline to the vitality of your hair. It provides the moisture that hair craves. Misting your hair with water the first few days after styling can wake up your curls and extend the life of your style. Using cool water before you pre-poo or shampoo prepares your hair to absorb any
products.

Oils

Oils, curlfriends provide many benefits. Coconut, avocado, argan and grapeseed oil are lightweight and should be used as needed to seal in moisture. They can easily penetrate into the hair shaft and also provide the
sheen textured tresses can sometimes lack. Heavier oils such as EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) and castor oil are great for more parched hair that needs to seal in extra moisture. My hair which is all types of 4
responds well to all, especially avocado and EVOO.

Essential oils, which are pure and very concentrated and fragrant, possess various properties that promote healthy scalp and stimulate hair growth. Look for peppermint and tea tree oil in your products if you have issues with dry, itchy scalp. Others such as lavender and jojoba help balance the hair and scalp. Choose your favorite essential oils and add a few drops to your shampoo to give hair a long-lasting fragrance. Become a mixtress in the kitchen and create your own blend simply by adding 3 or 4 drops to every tablespoon of any of the oils mentioned in the previous section in an applicator bottle. You can create blends that are custom made to meet the needs of your hair.

Butters

Butters are made of many oils and nuts and have a thick, heavy texture. Hair butters will transform dry, brittle hair into shiny, nourished and manageable strands. You will notice much more elasticity in your hair once you add hair butter to your regimen. Shea butter for example softens and nourishes the hair.

There are many commercial butters available such as Jane Carter Nourish & Shine and the Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie, which are favorites amongst many naturalistas. I use Shea Moisture’s Deep Treatment Masque as a styling butter. Oh the softness!

At home you can heat unrefined shea butter and mix it with your favorite oils and whip up butter quickly and easily. Try Jenell’s Shea Butter mix for a creamy mix that will get your hair excited.

Discovering what works best for your hair is a never ending part of natural hair journey.  Choosing the right products, using water, oils and butter will have your hair looking gorgeous in no time. Defeat dryness and gain the confidence to rock your shiny curls, coils and kinks like never before!

Ruffles

Want to be sexy and classy #atthesamedamntime? Ruffles are definitely they way to go. You can purchase a swimsuit with ruffles going across your shoulder or going down your chest in a deep-v, but just know that your options are endless.

Fringe

Got fringe? No? Then maybe you need to. Nothing says hot and carefree like some fringe. Be sure to only wear fringe on the areas you want to emphasize because it can attract attention to these areas. For example, if you are uncomfortable with your midsection, try purchasing a fringed swimsuit top instead of bottoms.

High-Waisted Bottoms

Regardless of size, many women have some “problem” areas, however, these areas shouldn’t stop you from looking your best. High-waisted bottoms are not only SUPER flattering, but they also give you that retro vibe. They keep you covered, but will not compromise your sex appeal. For women who think they are stuck wearing frumpy swimsuits this season, they are definitely mistaken.

Retro/Vintage

One piece swimsuits and other retro styles have become very popular Remember the days when you wouldn’t even entertain the idea of a one-piece suit? Well, those days are over. One pieces and high-waisted bottoms are IN and you also don’t have to compromise your plunging necklines.

What kind of swimsuits will you be wearing this summer?

We had a blast on May 23rd at the KinkyCurlyCoilyMe CurlHour social mixer.

The CurlHour was held on a beautiful balcony at The View of the World Terrace Club overlooking the Ground Zero monument.

The view was absolutely amazing!! We could see all of lower Manhattan from where we stood.

This CurlHour was sponsored by SheaMoisture. Each CurlFriend was gifted with a full sized product from SheaMoisture.

Join the KinkyCurlyCoilyMe meetup group for info on future events.

Send an email to KinkyCurlyCoilyMe for sponsorship information.

Enjoy the pics!

Show more

If you didn’t join the challenge in the beginning I’m sorry, it’s too late. You can participate in the Summer challenge (June 1- Sept 1). Go Here to register. If you are participating in this Spring challenge and would like to join the Summer Challenge, feel free to join now & sign up for the Summer Challenge Newsletter.

This is it ladies, the challenge is over!

This week is our final week and you know what that means????

Length Check!

This week is length check week!  Take your pics (if you can) and post them with your check in.  It would be great if you could post ONE of your beginning pics and then ONE of your now pics to compare your growth/thickness. You can also post one of the beginning, one of the week 5 check in and one of now, but this is not required.

Wanna put your pics together in a collage? Go to fotoflexer.com or picmonkey.com and create a collage. Or if you have a smartphone you can use the apps picstich, pic collage, insta collage and a bunch of others.

To post a pic, click in the comment box to activate it, then look at the bottom left of the box.  You will see “+image” or an image icon, click that and upload your pic. Note: You can only upload pics from a computer.  If you are checking in from a mobile device, make sure to post your pics when you get to a computer.

If you have your hair in a protective style (braids, kinky twists, any other form of extensions, wigs, weaves etc.) then I understand you won’t be able to do a length check.  Only members who posted a before picture and an after picture along with at least 9 weekly check ins will be in the running for the prize, $100 worth of SheaMoisture products!!!!

Ya’ll remember my focus has been on my edges because my edges were bald. To remind you, in May of 2012 my edges fell out at the hands of post-partum shedding. My son was born in Dec 2011 and my post partum started 5 months later in May 2012.

The pic on the left was during the Fall Castor Oil Challenge (5 months after my post-partum shedding began). You can see that my edges are at the middle of my forehead in October. The picture on the right was the week 5 length check for the Winter challenge in Dec 2012 (2 months after the left pic), and you can see that my edges are to my eyebrows. This looks to be about 1 inch of growth (ballpark) which is average, right?

Here are my final results of the Winter Castor Oil Challenge (Dec 2012 – March 2013).  Pic on left is week 5, as shown above, and the pic on the right was the final length check, week 13. My edges grew from right above my eyebrows to down past the eyebrows 8 weeks! Woop! Woop!

Now on to this Spring Challenge Results. Pic on the left is the end of the Winter Challenge. Pic on the right is the results of this Spring Challenge.  My edges grew from the middle of my eyes down past my eyes. I’d say this is pretty good growth, but not more than average.  My goal for this challenge was to have my edges reach the tip of my nose and while I didn’t make that goal, I still have the next challenge to get to the tip of my nose or past!

Check In Questions:

1. How would you describe your growth from the beginning of the challenge to now? Considering your typical 3 month hair growth -Is this more than average, less than average, or the same?

2. Final Thoughts, comments, feedback etc.?

3. Post your length check pics

To post a pic, click in the comment box to activate it, then look at the bottom left of the box. You will see an image icon or “+image”, click that and upload your pic. Note: you can only upload pics from a computer; no cellphones or ipads/tablets, only from a computer.

I want to say thank you all for joining us on this challenge, I hope to see you all in the Summer Challenge!