Happy New Years!

I wish you and yours the best, see you in the '09!

Naturally Loved: Part Three

I love to see Black Love, especially between a man and woman that embrace natural hair styles. It's so organic and free of gimmicks. Many of my 'natural hair' friends are in stable loving relationships and my single friends meet great men all the time. I didn't know what to expect when I decided to go natural but I am pleasantly surprised at the gorgeous men that love women who wear their hair natural! My experience with black men is that many of them enjoy having a woman with natural hair since he is able to see her true beauty and trust me men look at things like that, LOL!
If you are apprehensive about going natural just know its all in how you wear your hair. Choose styles that complement you, not every natural hair style is for everyone. Be free and enjoy yourself and people will be attracted to that. Most important of all LOVE YOURSELF. Again I love to see Black Love!

Happy Growing,

L

Natalie

'Tis The Season for Gold, Black and Silver

During the holiday season is a great time to accessorize to give your 'do a little something extra or to make it your own. These are some great accessories that will keep your stash fresh!LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
1. 2. 3.



4. 5. 6.


LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
These are a few of my favourite hair things

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
1. Felix Ray feather and sequin headband
2. Ficcare Waterfall Pony Holders
3. Goody Three-Strand Rope Headwrap
4. Goody Enameled Flower Ponytailer
5. Goody Clips
6. Goody Glass Bean Jean Wires

Wishing You and Yours The Best in '09

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

Combs and Brushes For Us

It's so important to have the tools to maintain our hair. A few things that are consistently needed for combing our hair is wide teeth to avoid breakage and knotting and a the comb that is seamless also helps to prevent our hair from snagging on the comb. Resin and wood combs are great to achieve these two criterias. Brushes that have firm bristles with a cushion are great. A favourite is Denman since it always gets the job done with minimum trauma to the hair. I compiled some great combs and brushes that take hair care to another level.

Solano Wood CombLLLLLLLLLKaKaKiKi KombBrushLLLLLLLLLLThe Body Shop Detangling Comb

Ghair 100% Organic Resin LLLLLLL Ghair 100% Organic ResinLLLLLLLThe Little Original Sprout

Detangler CombLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLTangle Free Detangler Comb LLLLLLTextured Hair Comb

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Here are some sites that have great comb and brushes for Us:

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Tek - They have a great collection of wooden combs and brushes.

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Ghair - Resin combs are AMAZING, I love the Tangle Free Detangler Comb. Their products can be purchased at Honey Fig.

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Americombs - These hand crafted combs are like collector items, check them out.

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

KaKaKiKi Komb Brush - Was specifically design for African-American hair.

Au Naturelle Update

Over the past few weeks I have really embraced a minimalist approach to hair care although I'm still working on my routine and learning what my hair likes and dislikes, wow, it really is a journey. As 2009 approaches I'll be going into my third year natural with natural and organic products for the most part and some products that I still love for those sometimes occasions, I can't help myself. Over the weekend I bought Artisana Raw Organic Coconut Butter for my ends, this sounds delicious more so than the coconut oil. I will be writing a review on it over the next few months. Right now during the winter months my Kariderm Organic Shea Butter is really doing a great job.

My hair is really growing, I know I said I'll be posting pics so please be patient. Last week I put my hair up in a puff and it was puffing real nicely. A nice sized puff might I add. I'm lovin' my natural hair, what took me so long?

Defining Your Eyebrows with Tweezerman

The holiday season means family, friends, good food, parties, being thankful and reflection. It is also the time to polish ourselves for the many social events planned. Grooming our eyebrows is a great way to frame and define our features and to polish up our look. I prefer to tweeze my eyebrows. Tweezerman really gets the job done and I swear by them for catching every hair and delivery well defined eyebrows. For the holiday season Tweezerman has just introduced special holiday edition tweezers to help us get in the festive mood.
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

LLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLLLLL
Here are some Do's and Dont's from Tweezerman

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

*Do tweeze in the direction of hair growth.
*Do open your pores with a hot washcloth to make tweezing easier.
*Do use a make-up concealer to draw your desired brow shape, then tweeze the hairs that fall below the line.
*Don't use creams or moisturizers that can cause the tweezer to slip.
*Don't tweeze nose hairs or hairs growing out of moles.

When finished, using a soothing cream and than a brow gel to set are great investments.

Model Moment: Oluchi

If you don't know who this is than let me introduce you to Oluchi. If you are still not familiar she is a Nigerian born model, who has worked in the industry for over a decade. Most times when she is photographed her hair is styled straight, so I was pleased to see her rocking a 'fro. She has worked with industry elites including i-D, Italian Vogue, Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, Allure and has done numerous campaigns with Banana Republic, Victoria Secret, Gianfranco Ferré, Gap, Express and Ann Taylor. Visit her official site here.

Product Review: Qhemet Biologics Amla and Olive Heavy Cream

I have talked about this product quite a few times but have never reviewed it before. This product is amazing and for the most part when someone uses it they agree. It is very concentrated and thick in consistency. This product can be used as a pre-treatment, moisturizer, scalp butter, body butter, and night treatment. I use this product primarily as a moisturizer and if my hair needs a little extra moisture I add some at night as a night treatment and wake up with well moisturized hair! I love this product, It's the real deal and works amazing on most kynky, coily, and curly hair textures. During the summer it is too heavy for my fine strands so I've discovered the Burdock Root Butter Cream also from QB, this is a great line of products.

Performance: Sooo consistent, I've been using this product for over 2 years! Definitely a staple 2/2

Pricing: 8 Oz for $16.00 US, a little pricey but worth it every time. 2/2

Ingredients: Castor (Ricinus Communis) Oil, Olive (Olea Europa) Oil, Distilled Water, Organic Amla (Phyllanthus Emblica), Organic Aloe (Aloe Ferox) Africana, Organic Brahmi (Bacopa Monniera), MSM (Methosulfonylmethane), Vegetable Glycerin, Vegetable Emulsifier,Vitamin E, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance

* A light citrus scent that is not over powering 1/1

Qhemet Biologics Amla and Olive Heavy Cream 5/5

Product Review: Burt's Bees Avocado Butter Pre-Shampoo Hair Treatment

A product that is multi-purpose gets me excited and this one is! It is a great pre-shampoo treatment, conditioning agent, styling product, and detangler all in one. When I first used this product I applied it section by section and combed for even distribution and I noticed my hair detangled sooo easily. My hair was also well conditioned and shiny, this is a great product.

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Performance: Great results 2/2

Pricing: 4.34 Oz for 10.00 CAD (a little pricey but worth it since I use it only when detangling and once a month as a pre treatment) 2/2

Ingredients: Supposedly 99.33 % natural: glycerin, olea europaea (olive) fruit oil, avena sativa (oat) kernel protein, persea gratissima (avocado) oil, prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, lanolin, tocopherol, urtica dioica (nettle) leaf powder, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) powder, chlorophyll, fragrance

* The lanolin and chlorophyll do give me pause .5/1

Burt's Bees Avocado Butter Pre-Shampoo Hair Treatment 4.5/5

Product Review: Nature's Gate Herbal Daily Conditioning Conditioner

I was surprised when I first used this conditioner for my co-wash. It has a thin consistency compared to most of the conditioners I use so I wasn't expecting anything spectacular but still was willing to give it a try. First it has a herbal-perfume scent that may be too much for someone that is scent sensitive and I did notice that because of its thin consistency it was messy, I guess I have to find a technique to keep my bathroom clean when I use it.

Okay, so I rinsed my hair for about a minute to saturate it and loosen product from my hair shaft. Than section by section I applied the conditioner until all my hair was coated, I repeated and voila! I had defined coils and curls, my hair was not silky but moist, it had alot of volume and was easy to manage, I think I found a winner.

Performance: Great, I've used it a few times and my hair is loving it more and more! 2/2

Price: 18 Oz for $8.00 to $9.00 CAD 2/2

Ingredients: water, quaternium-87, cetearyl alcohol, polysorbate 60, chamomillia recutita (matricaria) extract, urtica dioica (nettle) extract, prunus serotina (wild cherry) bark extract, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) extract, symphytum officinale (comfrey) extractoin, arctium lappa (burdock) root extract, yucca schidigera (yucca) extract, nymphaea odorata (white pond lily) root extract, nelumbo nucifera (lotus) flower extract, quercus alba (oak) bark extract, butylene glycol, methylparaben, diazolidinyl urea, fragrance, caramel.

* Great ingredients, I'm willing to give full marks. 1/1

Nature's Gate Herbal Daily Conditioning Conditioner 5/5

Just A Question...

I just have to get something off my chest. It has been running around in my mind and I don't know if any of you have experienced it. Okay, so when I went natural I had a few comments from uninformed people like "wow, so you are natural... what are you going to do with it?"; "why don't you just relax it?"; "Is it growing?" and so on. I got some looks when I said I use apple cider vinegar to rinse my hair, I use conditioner to wash my hair and ofcourse when I said "honey, olive oil and avocados are great for hair."
What's so funny about all these episodes is all these comments came from black women trying to understand my decision and my new hair care regime. Have any of you experienced this?

Folica.com Holiday Sale

Folica.com is having their huge holiday sale until December 1st at midnight. Most items are discounted and all items for $50 or more receive free shipping and items $100 or more receive an additional $25 off! they have great customer service so hurry and get your favourite tools to stay looking fresh and polished for the holiday season!

Qhemet Biologics Holiday Sale

Qhemet Biologics is holding their holiday sale on December 1st. Simply shop, shop, shop and receive 10% at checkout. Visit qhemetbiologics.com to view all the natural high quality products!

Naturally Loved: Part Two

The term product junky is used so often to describe someone that has what I would view as an obsession with hair products in an attempt to find the perfect product or combination of products that will deliver "perfect" hair everytime, this miracle product is never found. The product junky never wins since they always think their is a better product or that the latest products will cure their search for perfect hair but that day never comes.

I am a reformed product junky and it is hard not to want to try every conditioner, moisturizer, pomade and oils my eyes lay upon! I have to take a realistic approach to my hair texture, what my hair is able to look like, and the styles I can attain. Ofcourse their are high end products that deliver what they say they will do and worth spending your money on. And their are retail products found in beauty supply stores and places like Wal-mart that deliver too. So you have to know what works for your hair.

My search for the perfect product didn't have anything to do with "what I have doesn't work", although I was on a genuine search to find products that worked for me when I first went natural. It was more about me not able to embrace my hair texture and dedicate myself to learning how to treat it. The products were a mask, I used my constant 'inability' to find my miracle products as a reason to relax my hair or chop my hair several times before officially accepting who I am, A Black Woman! Sure I have my staples, and as my mother says if its not broke dont fix it. She is so right after all those years of her watching me buy product after product and waste my money.

Loving your hair and not using excuses to relax your hair because you may think your hair texture isn't soft, and silky and wont grow anyway because it never has (heard it all) are excuses to avoid who you are, plain and simple. This argument is based on beauty standards given to us and perpetuated from generation to generation. Some women have no idea of what they hair actually looks like because they have relaxed, weaved and braided their hair their whole life. That's sad!

It is always up to an individual how they want to wear their hair but excuses like the ones mentioned above demonstrate ignorance and self-hate. If you are using any of these excuses as reasons not to embrace your natural tresses please educate yourself and YES your hair will grow.

Happy Growing,

Natalie

Karen's Body Beautiful Thanksgiving Sale

Just a note to all Karen's Body Beautiful junkies, this Friday (November 28th) only their will be a sale for the entire store with 25% off any purchase of $50. Just enter the code 25off at checkout to receive your discount. Visit karensbodybeautiful.com to view all her goodies, happy shopping!

Product Review: Taliah Waajid Black Earth Products

Hair Strengthener


This light hair and scalp pomade is amazing. I'm certain I've found an oil that soothes my scalp and conditions my hair and this is it!

After cleansing and conditioning my hair I applied the Strengthener to my scalp section by section. Let me tell you how this made my hair soooo soft and moist after messaging the oil into my scalp for a few minutes and this was before any moisturizer! I did mini twists and a week later my hair is still super moist, I can still feel the Strengthener working in my hair and scalp, no itchy scalp AT ALL and no brittle ends!

Usually with my moisturizer and another oil my ends did tend to become raggedy and brittle after a few days so I was constantly babying them but not as much now.


Performance: consistent and delivers on what it says it will do 2/2


Price: this is affordable and is great quality, a 6oz jar for 5.99 CAD 2/2


Ingredients: Pure Distilled Water, Petroleum, Indian Hemp, Yarrow Root, Rosemary, Chickweed, Nettle, Burdock, Coltsfoot, Sage, Chamomile, Vitamin E, Bio-flavanoids (fruit fragrance, bay laurel).
*Subtle fruit scent
*The presence of petroleum lowers the quality of the product but still sooo effective .5/1


Taliah Waajid Black Earth Products Strengthener 4.5/5

Curls Thankful Holiday Sale

Curls has another sale and this time it's bigger and better! Just go to curls.biz and order to your hearts content. The sale covers the Curls line, Curly Q line and the Its a Curl line. Type in thankful, all lower case and one word in the promo box at the top of the first page and receive 25% off! Remember this code MUST be entered at checkout. The sale is for three days, November 26th, November 27th and November 28th, have fun!

New Evaluation of Products and Tools

Since I've started Nu Kynk I have given detailed information regarding products I use on a regular basis and products I've tested for you and for my own curiosity. Going forward I will continue to give my detailed reviews along with a numerical rating out of 5, this is the breakdown:

Performance 2/5: Does the product/tool consistently perform to give high quality results

Pricing 2/5: Does the price make the quality and quantity of the product/tool worth purchasing

Ingredients 1/5: Do the ingredients make the product healthy for use, this includes the scent/fragrance of the product. Concerning tools, does the materials make it a quality tool that can withstand use over an extended period of time.

To All Miss Jessie's Addicts

To all the Miss Jessie's addicts www.naturallycurly.com is having a sale on all Miss Jessie's products. Buy one and get one free, you dont have to include an extra product they will automatically add in your freebie of the same product ordered, have fun shopping!

Neem Oil and Cayenne Pepper

I have been using neem oil for the past 3 weeks and let me first say it stinks, the smell is annoying and unfortunately I can't describe the smell better or compare it to something that is familiar. When you use the oil the smell penetrates anything it touches so wear old clothing and use a towel or face cloth that is worn.
Neem oil is great for your scalp. I mixed it with honey, cayenne pepper*, rosemary and peppermint EO and messaged my mixture into my scalp for about ten minutes, than I let it penetrate over night using the baggy method. I rinsed in the morning and than did my shampoo and conditioning routine using Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose. I got great results, my scalp is refreshed and I know this mixture has promoted growth over the past few weeks.
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

* The active ingredient in cayenne pepper is capsaicin, this component actually stimulates blood circulation and when first applied can cause skin to turn fiery red. Capsaicin is used in almost all hair lost and growth aid products sold over the counter at your local pharmacist. I found an article that gives more detail about the benefits of cayenne pepper, click here.

Scalp Care

Part of maintaining healthy hair is a healthy scalp. Having a healthy scalp is essential to strong vibrant hair. Here are a few tips that helped me to attain and maintain a healthy scalp:

Maintain a clean scalp. Having a clean scalp promotes growth and allows hair follicles to produce strong healthy hair.

Messaging your scalp with or without oil promotes circulation and growth. Usually this should be done 2 or more times a week.

Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables and protein rich foods such as tofu, lentils and fish gives scalp a healthy foundation of nutrients.

Drink plenty of water, it acts as a hydrator to our body and that includes our scalp. If you have dry scalp or other scalp ailments water assist in lubricating the scalp.

**Try Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar as a clarifier. I use half water and half apple cider vinegar after I cleanse and condition. I simply pour small amounts of about 6 to 8 oz of the solution over my hair messaging as I go until the whole solution is finished. Than I just let it sit for about 5 minutes and rinse.**

The Frizz Factor

One of the main concerns naturals have is frizz. I know all about it and here are a few tips that will help reduce frizz from your hair:

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Use gentle cleansers and rich conditioners to hydrate hair and smooth ends.

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

After cleansing apply product to soaking wet hair, try not to towel dry but squeeze excess water from your hair. If the water is a little too much for product to be applied, allow your hair to air dry a bit for a few minutes than apply your product.

Avoid using a towel after cleansing, the less friction the better

Avoid excess combing and brushing, your fingers are your best friends when it comes to styling and detangling. I usually comb my hair only when cleansing either before or after to get rid of knots and when styling for parting my hair. Invest in a great detangling comb like Ghair 100% Oraganic Tangle Free Resin Detangler Comb and a Denman Brush for styling.

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Avoid touching your hair, especially when it is loosely styled. If your hair is braided or twisted you will also benefit from keeping your hands out since you will prevent knotting yours ends.

Avoid excess heat, blow drying can be damaging to your hair, especially your ends. If you do use heat use a product that is formulated to protect you hair, usually these products are heat activated.

Keep your hair well hydrated inside and out, drink plenty of water and invest in a good moisturize. A great serum is Elucence Silk Hydrating Elixir it works as a sealant, frizz fighter and light hydrator.

Avoid or keep to a minimum products that contain alcohol and sulfates since these ingredients are drying to our hair and promote frizz.

Beauty: Red Alert

I love red on lips and I love to play it up especially during fall and winter. It is a classic colour that works well with just about any hairstyle and easily moves with you from casual to formal dress attire . I thought I'd show you some products in my make up drawer. My favourite red lipstick is Ravishing Red by IMAN and my favourite lip gloss in red is High Drama also from IMAN, with these I'm good to go. I choose reds that have golden to neutral undertones, I have a caramel golden complexion so these red tones compliment my skin well. If you have a chocolate to deep complexion cool to neutral reds work well with your skin colour, a wash of red like High Drama from IMAN and Benetint Lip Balm from Benefit are great. For a lipstick try Guerlain Kiss Kiss Extreme in Rouge Infini 120. For olive to light skin tones try a neutral red like MAC Russian Red. Neutral to orange undertones compliment this range of skin colour, some other reds worth noting are:

Lancome Colour Design -Sensational Effects Lipcolor in Retro Red

Dior Rouge Dior Replenishing Lipstick in Action Red #526

Lorac Sheer Wash in Sheer Emotion

Clinique High Impact Lip Colour SPF 15 in Red-y to Wear

Nars Lipstick in Heat Wave

Sale at Curls

Just a note to Curls addicts, the newest batch of Curls Milkshake has double the coconut milk so they have given a 50% discount but you must quote the word eggnog in the promo code section which is at the top of the first page after you add a product to your cart, please enter the promo code at CHECKOUT, happy shopping and visit curls.

Ethically Produced Shea Butter

I just bought a jar of shea butter for 20 bucks from my local health food store. Why? Well, first I researched the distribution of shea butter and not all shea butter can be trusted as pure and organically grown. I chose Kariderm Shea Butter because it is Canadian owned, they import their own shea butter eliminating a third party, you will pay two and a half times more on average but the retail price incorporates Kariderm's standards of high quality shea butter that it asks of its partners. Also, they ethically produce their products with the women of Burkina Faso, the women of the Songtaaba women’s association (www.songtaaba.net). These women are guaranteed better working conditions and higher wages for their work. Their are many projects in process at any given time that focus on hygiene, production and development of new products.

As for the product it self, I love it! Visit http://www.kariderm.com/ for more info.

Okay ... l Love Aubrey Organics

I'm bad, real real bad, I have to admit that I used the Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Conditioner again and I LOOOOOVE it. I clarified 3 weeks in a row before using the shampoo and conditioner to get rid of all the build up and I have seen an improvement in the condition of my hair. I bought the Honeysuckle Rose shampoo to use with the conditioner and they are amazing. All I have to say is clarify, clarify, clarify before using all-natural and organic products. The conditioner is not suppose to be used as a co-wash on my hair. If you remember I ranted about this product a month ago. I was on the no-poo trial and after weeks of build up I tried to do a co-wash with it, bad move. Now I know, I'll do better, and I also got the Island Naturals shampoo and conditioner from Aubrey Organics which I will review for sure.

The Honeysuckle Rose shampoo and conditioner left my hair hydrated, silky and full of body. I was shocked! I thought I was going to have hard hair and that by using it again I would confirm what I thought I already knew. My next pick up at my local health food store is the White Camellia Ultra-Smoothing shampoo and conditioner. I think I can use more all-natural and organic hair care products than I thought. My next step is to find an all-natural and hopefully organic co-wash for my hair which would replace my beloved Herbal Essences conditioners.

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

* After clarifying my hair I also tried using the QB Tea Tree and Grapeseed Therapeutic Pomade on my scalp and it also worked great and did not irritate my dermatitis. I will be removing my October 27 update under the original review for this product in order to prevent confusion of my results.

Products used to attain beautiful hair:

Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose shampoo and conditioner (cleanse and condition)

QB Tea Tree and Grapeseed Therapeutic Pomade (scalp pomade)

QB Amla and Olive Heavy Cream (moisturizer)

Kariderm 100% organic shea butter (seal ends)

Naturally Loved: Part One

Your choice to go natural or if you have always been natural affirming your choice to have natural tresses may cause insecurities to arise as to how society will accept your God-given-hair. Women with kynky, coily and curly hair types may first assess the people around them and their reaction to their choice to have natural tresses. Friends and family may be critical, your spouse may have difficulty adjusting to such a change especially if it is drastic, and it may be hard to gage the reaction of colleagues at work. In the end it is about loving who you are and has nothing to do with people.

When I first decided to go natural with my big chop my family and friends were critical, not all, but enough that I found support online and women around me who already had natural hair. I realized that people who could not accept their natural hair texture had the issue and not myself. Our hair is unique and by no means should it be cared for in the manner that society dictates to us through the media that is geared to audiences that naturally have straight hair or who wants to maintain the status quo of what beauty is.

My insecurities went deeper to a level of acceptance by my significant other in my life. Would he accept my kynks and coils, the short length of my hair and the process of learning about apart of myself as a black woman? One of the first lessons I learned is that acceptance is a part of love and anyone who doesn't accept my choice to wear my hair natural is not worth keeping in my life. They have lost and I have gained so much knowledge that has laid a foundation of our history and remedies for maintaining beautiful hair and skin in my life!

From the many articles I've read over the years many women go through this process of insecurity. We are so use to wearing braids, weaves, wigs and relaxing our hair that when the time comes to go outside of our home with just an afro we have second thoughts. It is a mental chain and a lie that must be broken down and understood.

If you are thinking about going natural do research, my site is fairly new but their is a good level of information to help you out and visit thecoilreview.com and motowngirl.com, they both have a wealth of information. Anyone and I cant stress this more, anyone with kynky, coily and curly hair can wear their hair natural, it's all about knowledge and commitment. Two heads are not the same so as I always say, what works for me may not work for you, it is about trial and error until you know what your hair's likes and dislikes, and trust me your hair will tell you.
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
Happy Growing,
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
Natalie

Maintaining Moisture

Moisture is so important for kynky and curly hair especially during winter months. Ways to attain a high moisture level for you hair is by:

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Weekly/bi-weekly deep treatments

this includes all moisture rich conditioners such as Elasta QP DPR-11, Keracare Humecto, QB Alma and Olive Heavy Cream to name a few that can be used as deep treatments. Deep treatments add a high level of moisture to hair to assist with adding elasticity, softening the hair and preventing split ends and breakage.

* I usually add in oil into my deep treatments along with honey for extra conditioning. Placing a conditioning cap on and than going in the shower for the 'steam effect' or using a heating cap helps the conditioner to penetrate the hair for added conditioning.

Co-washing or conditioner rinse

this is a great alternative than cleansing the hair with harsh shampoos that strip the moisture from our delicate hair. Co-washing basically incorporates conditioners that can be easily bought at your local retail store like Herbal Essences, VO5, Suave, and Aussie, and using it with water concentrating on the scalp to gently cleanse.

Sulfate-free cleansing

sulfates can be harsh to our hair and should be used sparingly, a great alternative are sulfate free cleansers. These cleansers usually use a vegetable based cleanser derived from coconut and/or other natural sources. Some great sulfate-free cleansers are Curls Cleansing Cream and Pure ABBA Gentle Shampoo.

Moisturizing

having a great moisturizer will allow your hair to maintain a high level of moisture throughout the day and in between cleansing and weekly deep treatments. The key to knowing that your moisturizer is working is its ability to penetrate the hair, add elasticity and softness. A cream or spritz applied to the hair that just sits on the surface is not placing the needed moisture into the inner layers of each hair shaft.

* If you are frequently applying your moisturizer throughout the day or every day you may need to change to a moisturizer that is more nourishing and heavier for your hair type.

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Protecting the moisture level

tying your hair down with a satin or silk scarf at night or sleeping on a silk pillow case will also protect the moisture level and your hair from damage. I usually tie down my hair every night with my satin scarf and that's good enough for me.

the Joys of Oils

Oils are great as a lubricant to hair and scalp and assist in the secretion of sebum for our scalp, they can be used as a:

Sealant after moisturizing

my favourites are EVOO and coconut oils. Apply to the entire length of the hair sparingly, paying special attention to your ends. This is great to assist the hair to maintain elasticity and as a buffer against any harsh elements that your hair may come into contact with (rough materials such as winter hats, scarves, and sudden changes in temperature such as very cold to hot air.)

Lubricant for scalp messages

my favourite oils for scalp messages is EVOO and sweet almond. I usually mix both these oils together along with a small amount of vitamin E oil, MSM sulphur and add in some peppermint and rosemary EO for a stimulating feeling. This is amazing for the health of your scalp since it softens growth when used regularly, aides in the natural production of sebum and aides with growth.

Added moisturizer when added to deep conditioners

my favourite oils for adding to deep conditioners are EVOO and Jamaican castor oil. I usually use the olive oil in the warmer months and the castor oil during winter. Add about 2 to 3 TBSPS of oil to the regular amount of conditioner you use, mix it all together and add the mixture to your hair messaging the conditioner into your scalp, cover with a conditioning cap and use with heat or without heat for as long as you like, voila!

Hot oil treatment

almost the same as the scalp message but used with heat and without sulphur. Hot oil treatments are intense treatments for lubricating the scalp and are great if you suffer from scalp ailments such as dandruff, dry scalp and dermatitis. Hot oil treatments assist in calming scalp ailments, stimulating sebum and in turn promoting growth. The oil when used with heat also adds luster, elasticity and strength to the hair.

Some oils that are on my to try list are:

Grapeseed oil

Neem oil

Jojoba oil

Transitioning? Try a Wig

Deciding to transition from relaxed to natural can be overwhelming especially if you have never cared for your natural hair texture. For the inbetween stages as hair grows out wigs are a great help as you transition. I found this site, naturegirl.net and they do up wigs real nice. They make wigs with only human hair and lace fronts for those that want a more natural and secure style. Ofcourse for those without deep pockets like myself this site is great for information on how to care for wigs and the latest styles. I am really loving the Brazilian Kinky 3C style, check them out at naturegirl.net.

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

More Reviews of Qhemet Biologics

The Burdock Root Butter Cream is GRRRRREAT! I love it, it has a slight frothy texture that is rich and smooth to the touch. I normally used the Amla and Olive Heavy Cream but my strands are mostly fine to medium textured and in warmer months like in summer it was too much for my hair. I love the Heavy Cream but mostly for winter months, the Burdock Root is a more all around moisturizer for my hair, so its a staple. I'll use up my order of the Heavy Cream for those torturously cold days in Toronto during winter, night treatments and just switch it up between it and the Budock Root.
My hair was left kind of spongy and moisturized at the same time, I noticed I got a slight hold from the cream when I braided my hair up. It has a faint citrus scent that is not overpowering at all. If you haven't already went visit qhemetbiologics.

Review: Qhemet Biologics Tea Tree & Grapeseed Therapeutic Pomade

I just received my order of Qhemet Biologics. I got the Amla and Olive Heavy Cream, Burdock Root Butter Cream and the Tea Tree and Grapeseed Therapeutic Pomade. So far I've tried the Pomade and so far so good. I love the fact that it is all natural and made with only a few ingredients that are effective. this pomade is suppose to be for the scalp to relieve dryness, itching and other sensitive scalp issues including dermatitis. It moistened my scalp without being heavy, and relieved the itching that I was experiencing over the past couple of days. I highly recommend this product for anyone with scalp issues especially during winter months. All products can be purchased at qhemetbiologics.com.

No Poo Results

I finally washed my hair over the weekend. The no poo thing was okay while it lasted but my hair likes a little bit of soapy suds every now and than and even some sulfates when used sparingly. I clarified my hair with Fantasia IC Tea Shampoo. The first time this shampoo was used on my hair was a few years ago at the salon and I went and bought it because it left my scalp clean, my hair bouncy, not dry and not itchy. I know it has sulfates but my low poo routine allows me to use non sulfate and sulfate cleansers. I also bought Aphogee Keratin Two Minute Reconstructor to strenghten my hair and after I used Elasta QP DPR-11 to add moisture, my hair thanked me and over the past few days it is stronger and flourishing way more than when I was on the no poo routine.

It is amazing how their are so many products and routines and a select few can work for someone and at the same time cause havoc for someone else's hair. My hair is all about minimalism, I notice that is when it is most happy, a great cleanser, deep conditioners and treatments, oils, oils and more oils and a moisturizer is reaaly all I need. As my hair grows I notice I do need to cleanse it more often, who would have thought:) ? I hope my no poo challlenge helped.

I will be trying the Aubrey Organics conditioner again, since my hair was not thoroughly cleaned before I used it. Plus I bought it and Im not about to let 13 bucks go to waste.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian Fam! I'll be back tomorrow.

Viktor & Rolf Spring/Summer 2009

The first fashion house to present their collection online, Viktor & Rolf gained critics and a whole new audience. Shalom Harlow modeled the Spring/Summer 2009 collection and the detail given to each piece by the camera is amazing. It is difficult to see such detail at a live show unless you are one of the chosen few to have a private showing. I am loving their whole collection, it is creative in every aspect from the silhouettes to the textures and to the colour co-ordinations, I'm loving the stilettos, the dresses and the uniqueness that each piece brings to an outfit. Fashion is all about new ideas that necessarily do not have to fit a mold but Viktor & Rolf build a mold of their own from what is expected in the fashion world. Both balance the mainstream with the extravagant and odd well. Anticipating their designs over the upcoming seasons is part of the fun, you never know what to expect which makes them fresh and definite trendsetters.

Click here to view the Spring/Summer 2009 collection.

No Poo Update

Over the weekend I took down my mini twists and was going to do a protein treatment with Aphogee, and realized that I completely forgot that I need a new blow dryer since the one I have just broke. My hair was dry and product filled. I am not using all natural products so I do think I need to shampoo my hair but I held on. I co washed and detangled. I had a lot of shedding and broken ends! This is something new for me because my ends never break. I think its product upon product causing my hair to rebel. Clarifying with ACV is great but I do think my hair needs a deep cleansing.
I single braided my hair into small sections with Curls Milkshake (still waiting for QB in the mail) and added coconut oil when I finished to seal. Before I went to bed I sealed my ends with shealoe (Shea butter with aloe vera gelly). I am leaving my hair and not touching it that much over this week, I may unravel a few braids to see if it is still breaking a lot but I'm pretty sure all I need to do is clarify with a shampoo, do my protein treatment, deep treatment and trim my ends and I'll be good to go. The two styles I will be wearing for the week is scarves and putting my braids into a bun until I can do my treatment for this weekend.
This no poo thing is getting kind of complicated, again with naturally kinky and curly hair you need to try to see what works and what doesn't for your hair. Trial and error, that's what it's about.

So Far So Good

My hair is still doing great. I did style it into mini twists which took 6 hours to do on Sunday and are starting to look like starter locks because of the frizz. Every other night I put coconut oil on my dry hair, put on my conditioning cap and go into the shower, when I come out my hair is conditioned. I put my satin scarf on and go to bed. In the morning I use Curls Milkshake every other day, my Phyto Specific Integral Hair Care and my Aveda Humectant Pomade to add definition and moisture at the same time.
My ends are starting to really knot so I need to do a trim when I take these bad boys down! The no poo routine is working especially in the colder weather. I retain moisture and curl definition, the conditioners and apple cider vinegar are enough to keep my hair and scalp in shape. I am waiting for the colder weather to hit so I can start using my QB Heavy Cream and QB Tea Tree and Grapeseed Therapeutic Pomade.

Michael Kors' Fall Essentials

I am loving Michael Kors, his collection is full of key pieces that allow an outfit to be complete and unique. He is full of ideas that bring out the best in a woman's curves and his style is not over indulgent, he has a subtleness that is classic. Some of his Fall pieces that I thought are essential and worth looking at:

Chalet Boot $425 LLLLLLLLLLLLLPromo Bootie $380LLLLLLLLLLLID Chain Tote $1295

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Animal Jacquard Knit Scarf & L Bit-Temple Sunglasses $235LLLLOversized Frame w/SilverDetail

Fur Ear Muff $40 - $105LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLLLL LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL$225
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL