My Hair Regimen (Newly Natural)

Current Protective Style:  Crochet Havana Twists

So, this is the long awaited natural hair regimen post.  I big chopped at the beginning of February this year, and I needed some time to try out products.  I think I have gotten a routine that works well.  I am still searching for few more holy grail items.  You have actually seen some of the products that I will discuss in this posting in previous reviews.  So, let's get into what I do...which isn't much...


Washing/Cleansing:


I co-wash my hair about 2-3 times a week depending on whether I workout or not do anything at all.  I am currently using As I Am Coconut Co-Wash Conditioner to rinse my hair for each wash.  1-2 times per week I will use Shea Moisture's Jamaican Black Castor Oil and Vinegar Cleansing Shampoo to aid in removing product build up.  Since I have an extremely dry scalp, I will still wash with Head and Shoulders every now and then.


Conditioning/Deep Conditioning:
Right now, I am only using one conditioner which is actually a deep conditioner, Shea Mositure Superfruit Complex 10 in 1 Renewal System.  I love this because it keeps my hair super moisturized without a residue.  I complete my washing, conditioning, and detangling in the shower due to time constraints.  Once my life is more settled, I plan on doing true deep conditioning treatments again.  I am hoping to sneak in an Argan oil deep treatment tonight!

Update:  I have also started using the Shea Moisture Manuka Honey and Marfura Oil Intensive Hydration Conditioner, and it works really well with replacing moisture back into my hair.


Leave Ins:
Once I exit the shower and towel dry my hair, I will spray my hair with a coconut oil and water mixture.  I'll add my current favorite leave-in conditioner, Curls Crème Brule.  I still love my Cantu Shea Butter Leave In Conditioner, but it does not play well with other products.  It often leaves a white residue on my hair.  It works best as a stand alone moisturizer on a day where I may be working out only or spending a lot of time outside and plan on washing my hair again soon.


Oils:
I typically apply shea oil after applying my leave in conditioner.  I use coconut, Jamaican black caster, and/or jojoba oil for my scalp.  I am always adding and trying new oils, so this is always subject to change.


Gels:
I keep the gel to a minimum and only apply about a quarter size amount to my entire head.  Maybe more when my hair gets longer, but I hate crunchy, stiff hair.  My current favs are Ecostyler Gel and Curls Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Jelly.  I have tried a few others but they can't beat these two.


Styling:
These days wash and go's are my best friend.  I am not an awesome braider or flat twister so TWA it is!  By the time this post goes up, I should have my first protective style with my natural hair.


So, let me tell you what I need help with!  Dry scalp...I feel like I have tried every product and natural remedy but nothing works.  Please let me know your suggestions for dry scalp or any other products.  Stay FABULOUS!

  
  

Tea Time: Can Your Hair Scare Away A Man?

This post is meant to add a little humor to your day.  It is crazy how in this day and age, men have such a big problem with African American hair...especially African American men.  I still hear many references to "good hair".  "Good hair" being long, straight to wavy hair.  Now, the current trend is black women going "natural".  There are TWAs (teeny weeny afros) and big hair everywhere.  But, I still find it so strange that people, men or women, have a problem with our hair.

Can your hair scare away a man?  I personally do not think so, but sometimes I think that people forget that beauty can come in various forms.  I would hate to think that something as superficial as hair could make a difference in someone's opinion but it's true.  My long, relaxed hair was one of my most popular attributes for men.  They loved my hair...now my hair is short.  Many who once attributed my beauty to such long hair, now stand speechless.  Many do not have a positive or negative response...just silence.  (Now maybe that is because they learned if you don't have anything nice to say...)  But, I am the same person.  I am not my hair.

But, there are many men who are embracing all women including us "natural hair" wearing Sistas!  So do not let a man influence your decisions on your appearance.  Embrace your uniqueness...and they'll catch up!  Let help you weed out the bad ones.  Stay FABULOUS!

Shea Moisture Superfruit Complex Hair Masque10 in 1 Renewal System Review.

I am easing back into the Shea Moisture, but I will say that I am still not in love with the brand as a whole.  The other products I tried in the past were on my relaxed hair.  It felt as though the products made my hair drier.  But, I sure do enjoy this hair mask though.  With that being said, I am exploring the brand again with my natural hair.  I was drawn to try this mask because of the exceptional reviews of many sites.  Here's what Shea Moisture says:

"SheaMoisture's SuperFruit Masque contains powerful antioxidant properties that support and protect aging hair for the effect of UV exposure and other environmental aggressors. Nourishing oils hydrate and smooth coarse hair."

This product is definitely thick, which is what I need for my hair.  It smells amazing, has great slip, and leaves my hair feeling moisturized days later.  My hair is instantly soft to the touch once I rinse this product out.  This also aids in detangling my hair in the shower.  You can purchase Shea Moisture products at many retailers including Walmart, Target, Sally's Beauty Supply, Ulta, Bed, Bath and Beyond, and many more stores.  The price varies between 10.00 USD-15.00 USD for a 12 oz jar.  This product makes me at least want to try the other products in this line which are the shampoo and conditioner.  Then maybe I may revisit some of the other products.  Definitely try this hair mask...it's worth it.  Are Shea Moisture products in your regimen?  Stay FABULOUS!

As I Am Coconut Co Wash Cleansing Conditioner Review

This has become my current fav for co washing.  This product seems to give a very delicate cleanse and leaves a lot of slip.  It feels as though it is a mild shampoo and lightweight conditioner...hence co wash conditioner.  The price ranges from 6.00-9.00 USD for 16 oz.  So, you get a generous portion of product for the price.  I caught it on sale at Sally's for 5.79 USD.  You can find this product at most retailers including Sally's, Target, Walgreens, CVS, beauty supply stores, etc.  I have not tried any other products from this line yet.  Have you?  Stay FABULOUS!

Curls Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Jelly Review

So, this is the second Curls product that I have tried.  I was absolutely in love with the first one, Curls Creme Brule Curl Cream.  I am still on the fence about this product.  My initial impression was that the product is not bad, but it was not the best either.  My favorite thing about thing about this product is that is smells so good...even better than the Creme Brule.  This gel is pretty tacky compared to products like Eco Styler Gel.  The tackiness of the product caused my hair to clump together is some areas making it difficult to detangle later.

So, after using the product a few more times and looking for suggestions of how to use it on YouTube.  I decided to comb the product through my hair once it was applied.  I originally feared causing more frizz by combing the product through, but I used a demann brush to lightly distribute the product to keep from clumping.  Trying this method decreased the amount of tangles and tackiness in my hair that I experienced the first two times after applying this product.  This gel has great hold, and it makes my curls very defined.  I am still not sure if this is going to be my holy grail gel, but it definitely a nice addition to my hair care routine.

My last con is about this product is the price.  At Target, this product retails for 17.00 USD which is very expensive for a 8 oz bottle.  A little definitely goes a long way, but the price for this gel is much more expensive than the other products in this line.  This is yet one other reason that has me on the fence about this product.  Have you tried any Curls products?  Stay FABULOUS!

Makeup Looks of the Week (3/22)

This is the first week that I have worn makeup all week.  It felt good.  I needed to make myself feel a little pretty despite the stresses of the world.  As you can see I have definitely been embracing the fro.  I'll try to keep posting a collaboration of the makeup throughout the since most of the time it's pretty simple for on the go makeup.  Enjoy!  Stay FABULOUS!

Lips:  MAC Kissable Lip Color in Temper Tantrum

Lips:  Lime Crime Utopia

Lips:  Sephora Lip Pencil in Aubergine and KVD Bow and Arrow

Lips:  MAC Ruby Woo

Lips:  MAC Chestnut Lipliner, KVD studded kiss lipstick in Lovecraft, MAC Oh Baby lipgloss

Lips:  MAC Nightmoth Lipliner, KVD Exorcism, KVD Ayesha

My Big Chop Footage and Pictures (I's Natural Now Y'all)

Yes you did read the title correctly.  I cut all of my hair off!  Now, I did not do this for the current natural hair trend...I wanted something different.  I have never known my natural hair, and I have never had short hair.  Now I have both!  It's been a liberating experience and an interesting journey.  

No, I do not know my texture and all that jazz.  I am not doing super creative hairstyles.  Wash and Go's have been my friend...a true wash and go.  Maybe a perm rod set here and there... I am keeping things simple at the moment.

I have received mixed reactions to my big chop, mostly good.  Right now I feel pretty comfortable walking around with my TWA and shaking off the stares.  People are going to insert their opinion on whether or not my hair should be long, short, straight, etc.  But, some people will always fail to realize that hair grows back.

I transitioned for 9 months before cutting off my hair February 1, 2016.  I still was not sure whether or not I wanted to even go natural.  Then one random day, I said, "I'm going to cut this off, tonight".  You will see in the video where I tried to save some relaxed ends, but my hair was too tangled at the demarcation line.  So I later went to a hairdresser and let her cut the rest of the relaxed hair off.  

I will keep you updated on my hair journey, as well as do product reviews for the products that I am trying.  Enjoy the video and stay FABULOUS!