Multivitamin w/ Biotin for Healthy Hair

Not to long ago I was at my neighborhood Vitamin Shoppe.  I was talking with my oh so knowledgeable vitamin girl about mushroom complex and wellness formula, and suddenly I thought about a conversation I had with one of my coworkers about hair thinning. My coworker was interested in learning how to increase her hair's body and strength.

In talking with my vitamin girl I learned that usually a multivitamin that includes biotin normally does the trick. Biotin has been found to aid in hair growth and overall hair health. She mentioned that most times postpartum woman that experience shedding after childbirth are found to have biotin deficiency.  It helps to strengthen both hair follicles and the hair shaft. Taken regularly, hair will be stronger and less prone to breakage.

My vitamin girl recommends taking a multivitamin with biotin, as oppose to straight biotin. She said the multivitamin that I currently take, Alive! Once Daily Women's Ultra Potency, is perfect as it contains 325 mcg. Another recommendation was Mytrition Women's Personal Packs. 

Although you can take just straight biotin, she only recommends this if you are REALLY experiencing hair thinning/loss.  The usual biotin supplement is about 5000 mcg, which when taking regularly will strengthen your hair something fierce!  The average person does not need that much.  So she only recommends this if you have a serious deficiency, because this will effect ALL of your hair.  As in all over your body! Meaning legs, arms, eyebrows, everywhere!  So only take what is really necessary, ie multivitamin, if you are not really deficient :-)

Anywho, that's my spiel for today! Ta ta for now! 

Tassie - Curly Girl Extraordinaire

Tassie

The other day I had the opportunity to sit down and chat with one of my dear friends Tassie.  This fellow naturalista is a licensed Holistic Skin Care Therapist.  Tassie is the owner of Restorations Holistic Skin Care Services, as well as creator of Tacia Essentials (Skin, Hair, and Body organic product line).   She's a naturalista in about every sense of the word.  So of course I just HAD to interview her :-)

How long have you been relaxer free?

It's been about 9-10 years.

Did you slowly transition or do a drastic big chop?

I big chopped.  Actually, I've done 3 big chops :-)

You did your initial big chop to remove your relaxed hair, but you've also had 2 other big shops since you've been natural.  What were your reasons for the 3?

The 1st time was because I was tired of my hair. The 2nd was because I finally found a support system for natural hair. I wanted to start over utilizing the new support system.  The 3rd time, I felt like my hair should have been longer and it wasn't as healthy as I wanted it to be.  So I just wanted to start over. 

How did family and friends react to your decision to wear your hair naturally curly?

They were very supportive.  (They have no choice, it's my freakin hair lol lol)

What would you say are your biggest hair challenges?

1 - Retaining moisture

2 - Being lazy;  like not doing it every day like I'm suppose to.

3 - I don't want to say styling.... The basic style of the puff I do that alot.  But every now and then styling does become a challenge because I don't really know much.  I get bored with hair so quick.  That's why I could never loc my hair, I would get bored so quick and just boom cut it off quick.

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only have 4 hair products/tools, what 4 would you choose?

1 - Definitely water. That's just obvious. My hair loves water.

2 - Conditioner - It helps to keep it nice and supple.
3 -Tacia Essentials Shea Butter Blend

4 - Paddle Brush - When it's wet with conditioner I take the paddle brush and REALLY comb through it.

Do you have any hair inspirations?  If so who?

There are a few people i like on YouTube.  Let's see... MsVCharles, Longhairdontcare, and +Naptural85 

Any words of wisdom or advice you’d like to pass on to others?

EMBRACE YOUR HAIR!!!!  Love every single stage that you go through because there is always something new to learn.

Product Purchase - Nourish and Shine by Jane Carter Solution

Nourish and Shine


I was in Whole Foods Market this past weekend, and like always I couldn't pass by the health and beauty section without taking a peek.  It always calls my name!!!!  I usually don't purchase anything. Most times I just see what products are there and read labels.  I'm big on "all-natural" and organic type products.  I guess that stems from the vegetarian in me :-)  So of course Whole Foods is one of the biggest chains for "natural and organic products".  It's a vegetarian and health lovers paradise!

Anywho....I decided to purchase Nourish and Shine by Jane Carter Solution.  I've never used it before, but I've heard some good things about it.  It'll let you know how it goes! Wish my luck!  Check out the following video if you'd like to learn more about the product.  It's from the Jane Carter Website.

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!

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

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!

 

 

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?