Friday, March 29, 2013

Easter Hair Care

 Easter Hair Care

Easter is this coming Sunday, so you know what that means....millions of children, young an old, will be straightening their hair between today and tomorrow!

I actually had no intentions of writing this post today, but I feel obligated to remind my readers about the importance of using a heat protectant when blow drying, pressing, and/or flat iron those precious tresses.

Heat, when done incorrectly or too often, can take your gorgeous head of hair and totally destroy it in one bad application.  Unfortunately, once you've encountered heat damage, there is nothing you can do to truly fix it.  Yes, there are conditioners and such that help to improve the appearance of the damage, but the deed is still done.

You should aim to always use a heat protectant whenever using any sort of heated straightening instrument.  This will help to absorb most of the direct heat from your heated appliance. Heat protectants come in a variety of forms including lotions, serums, and sprays.  I usually use sprays, due to the ease of application and coverage ability.  I like Giovanni's Flat Iron Styling Mist.  It contains some organic ingredients, and ya'll know I'm a health nut. Regardless of the form, as a rule of thumb you should use something. 

Okie dokie my friends...  This concludes my PSA announcement :-)  Happy Easter!

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

My Two Cents - Tacia Essentials Artesian Soap & After Bath Oil

Tacia Essentials Artesian Soap & After Bath Oil

I recently tried out Tacia Essentials Artesian Soap, along with the After Bath Oil. Tacia Essentials are all natural products made of 70-90% organic ingredients.  I've been using daily for about 2 and 1/2 weeks now. I wanted to be able to give an accurate opinion, and you don't always get that after the first use.  I really like the products!  My skin feels great!

Here are my thoughts...

Fresh Berries After Bath Body Oil
I put this on out of the shower, after I have towel dried.

Pros:
  • The smell is absolutely wonderful.  It's very fruity, but not too heavy. 
  • Skin feels great, soft, and moisturized
  • Non-greasy, so I'm not all oily afterwards

Cons: Can't really think of one

Tumeric & Patchouli Artesian Soap
I've been using this in the shower, from the neck down.

Pros:
  • Cleans well without any harsh ingredients
  • Smell- it has a natural woodsy/rustic type smell.  It reminds me of nature. 
  • Doesn't leave me itchy.  My body doesn't agree well with perfumey soaps, and I will itch afterwards like crazy.  No perfumes in this soap, so I don't have that problem.
  • Last a long time - It's been 2 and 1/2 weeks of daily use and I'm still on the same bar. (I usually soap up twice in the shower)
Con: Slides out of my soap dish.  Not a big deal, this happens to me often times with soap in general.  I end up keeping it on the side of the tub, rather than the soap dish.  Easy fix!


Check out Tacia Essentials for yourself at the following website: Tacia Essentials Nutrition for Skin|Body|Hair



Monday, March 25, 2013

Woman's Empowerment 2013

Woman's Empowerment 2013

I had an awesome time at Women's Empowerment 2013 this past Saturday!  It was great to be amongst so much positivity!  The day was jam packed with acts running throughout the day.  There was something for everyone, regardless of demographic.

The day started with some amazing gospel artists including, LeJuene Thompson, Tasha Cobbs, Bishop Paul S. Morton, and Smokie Norful.  The Keynote Speaker, Bishop TD Jakes delivered an awesome message on instincts, and using the gifts that God has given us.  Don't get it twisted... I'm gifted! The Featured Speaker, Wendy Williams took us through her journey, including the woman she was, the woman she is now, and the woman she hopes to be in the future.  Kandi Burruss moderated the Black Men Revealed Panel which included Malik Yoba, Marcus D. Wiley, Pooch Hall, Stevie J,  and a local Bishop whose name I'm forgetting. The latter part of the evening was filled with National Recording Artist such as RaVaughn, Marcus Canty, Erykah Badu, and Charlie Wilson.  Like I said jam packed!

I went with my dear friend, and fellow curly girl Praise, who got us GREAT seats by the way.  I'm talking club seating with personalized tvs, and leather swivel chairs :-)  We had fun seeing, and talking with the vendors onsite as well.  I picked up a couple hair products which I will talk about in a future post.  In addition I saw quite a few curly girls that day! Three cheers for Naturalista Empowerment!


 
 









Thursday, March 21, 2013

To Bang or Not To Bang? That is the Question

To Bang or Not To Bang? That is the Question 

Lately I’ve been contemplating bangs.  I just have this urge.  I think the last time I had bangs I was probably in college.  So I don't know where this bang anxiety is coming from.  I'm not sure if it's because my birthday is coming up next month, and I feel like doing something new.  Perhaps I want to get out of my comfort zone a little. Or maybe I just want to be like Michelle Obama! She up and cut herself some bangs shortly before the inauguration.

Often times a new hairdo stems from an internal/emotional expression or change.  It can also signify the start of a new beginning.  I know, I know,  it's not a hard fast rule!  Some people just change hairdos for the fun it, with no deep emotional meaning at all. So in the end it's all about personal expression.

What do you guys think?  To bang or not to bang?
 

Friday, March 15, 2013

My “Official Unofficial" Hair Regimen




My Regimen
I am often asked about my hair care regimen.  My routine is not set in stone.  I always leave room for change, because I try to listen to my hair.  So if I’m not scheduled for a deep treatment, but it feels like I need one, then I do just that.  With that being said, here is my “official unofficial” regimen :-) 

Weekly (average - could be between 4-9 days it just depends)
  1. Oil Treatment (if less than 6/7 days since last wash, usually won't do an oil treatment)
  2. Shampoo  (if less than 6/7 days since last shampoo might skip this step)
  3. Condition (unless I use hair wash w/conditioner)
  4. Leave-in (usually… but it depends)
  5. Moisturize
  6. Seal (using butters or oils to trap in moisture from step 5)
  7. Styler - Gel or Cream (this is optional, depends on mood and the look I want)
  8. Oil scalp

Nightly
  • Cover hair with satin scarf, or sleep on satin pillow case

As Needed (on average every 2 days)
  1. Moisturize
  2. Seal

Bi-Weekly
  • Deep Condition/Treatment in step 3 of above weekly regimen

Every 2 Months
  • Protein Treatment

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Tacia Essentials Goodies

Tacia Essentials Goodies

Yay! Just got some Tacia Essentials goodies! I can't wait to try them out!

Tacia Essentials are all natural products made of 70-90% organic ingredients. Only the best butters, oils, herbs, roots, and other natural ingredients are used.  Gotta love that!  I'll be trying out the Fresh Berries After Bath Body Oil, as well as a couple of the Artesian Soaps.  Yippee! I'll let you know how I like.

Check out the following video if you'd like to learn more about the Artesian Soaps. 


You can see the amazing  products for yourself at the following website: Tacia Essentials Nutrition for Skin|Body|Hair
 

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Weekend Unwind - Treat Yourself

Weekend Unwind

Gotta love the weekends!  For me the weekend usually means it's treatment time!  Now of course that includes an oil treatment, or a deep conditioning treatment.....but while I'm treating my lovely strands, I also take that time to unwind.

Don't you just love sitting in the comfort of your own home, watching mindless television (or surfing the net), while sipping on your favorite warm drink.  Be it tea, coffee, hot cocoa.....it all taste that much better on the weekends.

Check out all the amazingly delicious coffee blends and flavors at ROASTe Gourmet Coffee. Use coupon code BLOGME5 for $5 off your first coffee purchase (expires Dec.31st). Gotta love a discount :-)

Website Link: ROASTe Gourmet Coffee
Here's to a relaxing weekend my friends!  Enjoy.  Monday morning will be here before you know it!



Friday, March 8, 2013

Juanita - Curly Girl Extraordinaire

Juanita
One of the main reasons I started this blog was from a suggestion of my fellow University of Hartford Alum and former suite-mate Juanita. She prompted me to start a page to share my hair experiences.  Gracias Querida!

Since Juanita is a fellow curly girl (with gorgeous hair, might I add), I decided to interview her to learn a little more about her hair story.

How long have you been relaxer free?
For about 10 years.

What inspired your decision to rock your natural curls?
I wanted to donate my hair and I wanted for my hair to be healthy and natural.

Did you slowly transition or do a drastic big chop?
I cut my hair and started with about 1/2 an inch.

How did family and friends react to your decision to wear your hair naturally curly?
They know the reason behind it so I get a lot of support to keep it natural & healthy.

What would you say are your biggest hair challenges?
The weather plays a big role. Some conditioners are wonderful the first week but stop working after. The longer it is the hardest it gets to control it.

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only have 4 hair products/tools, what 4 would you choose?
Wow lets see...conditioner. Big brush. Hair ties. Lotion/oil

Do you have any hair inspirations?  If so who?
Of course you! I love your passion for hair and you love trying different styles.

Any words of wisdom or advice you’d like to pass on to others?
I love olive oil. I don't use it as often as I should because I'm always rushing :-(




Tuesday, March 5, 2013

My Hair Journey




Why rock my natural curls?
I’ve  been relaxer free for 6 years now. I’ve always had long and seemingly healthy hair, but I started disliking the chemicals that I was putting in my hair.  Even though my hair was healthy, by most people’s standards, to me it seemed like after each relaxer my hair appeared more and more lifeless and dull.  So I decided to just say no!

Transition or Big Chop?
Photo from my Relaxer Days
I transitioned for about 6 months or so. Initially I wanted to grow it out, and cut out the relaxed hair little by little.   After awhile I got fed up in dealing with the 2 different textures, so I just went for it and chopped it all off for the start of the New Year 2007.

How did family and friends react to my decision to wear my hair natural?
My mom hated it!  She was probably my biggest complainer.  And get this….. she's natural herself lol lol.  I don’t think she hated it so much because it was natural. I think it was the combo of it being natural and short.  Every since I was young she’s always preferred me with longer hair.  Even when I had a relaxer, she would complain whenever I cut it.  She’s on-board and likes it now….but there were some not so positive comments in the first year or so.

Others where shocked.  They just couldn’t believe that I “chopped off all that pretty hair”.  But once the shock wore off, most people loved it.

My hair texture?
I honestly don’t know.  Not sure if I can box myself into one category.  If I had to guess, I would say 4a. My front and crown area are loose coils and the back of my hair has tighter coils. My hair strands are fine, and I have ALOT of strands so my hair is pretty thick.

My hair journey
Overall, my natural hair journey has been wonderful.  There have definitely been ups and downs.  I’ve had many frustrating moments, but also plenty of victories. 

Since wearing my hair natural I’ve learned a lot more about my hair than  my prior relaxer days. In the beginning I didn’t really focus on my hair care practices, or things of that nature.  So those times were a bit of a struggle because I wasn’t listening to my hair and giving it what it needed.  These last 6 years have definitely been a learning process.

Going natural has also been a really freeing experience.  Allowing me to see and love myself how God see’s me.  It has really boosted my esteem to know my hair and I are beautiful the way God made us…curls, kinks, and all :-)

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Attention Raleigh Frugalistas: Shea Butter Bargain



Attention Raleigh Frugalistas: Shea Butter Bargain

OMG, I just went to the beauty supply store!  I was running low on Shea butter, so I figured I would try being proactive by getting some before I ran completely out.  I use Shea butter on both my hair and body.  I have previously purchased at an all-natural beauty supply store in Raleigh (which shall remain nameless) where 16oz retails for $9.99.  I just saw this at K-Discount Beauty in Raleigh, off Glenwood, for $5.99.  That's a whole $4 cheaper!  40% less!  I have been in K-Discount many times, and never saw shea butter.  I probably would have missed it this time if I hadn't taken my time and walked SLOWLY down each and every aisle.  The things you can see when you're not in a rush ;-) 

Even though I went to K-Discount today, I actually didn't think I was going to find any Shea butter. But I went anyway since it was closer than the all-natural store.  So I thought what the heck....it's worth a shot.  And it totally was!

If you live in the Raleigh area and are a shea butter user.  Keep K-Discount Beauty in mind.  Its right off Glenwood, near the Walmart & Burger King.

G3TDYRGWCTXF

Friday, March 1, 2013

Over-the-Shoulder Braid


It's Braid Time!

My hairstyle for today is the Over-the-Shoulder Braid.  This is also known as a side braid, but I like the name Over-the-Should better.  It has a better ring to it :-)  It's super easy and quick, which is right up my ally!  Since I flat ironed my hair the other day, I did this on straight hair.  But this can easily be done in the kinky/curly state as well.  Grab all your hair over your shoulder and just braid all the way down to the end. Don't worry if a couple of hairs fall loose.  It'll actually add to your look, and give that whimsical appearance. 

http://www.wikihow.com/Side-Braid-Hair
If you're interested in seeing a step-by-step pictorial, you can check out the wiki article at the above link, which includes a simple side braid (along with a side french braid).  Happy braiding!