i'm bunning it!

that's right. the wash n go's number one fan, me, is taking a break and wearing my hair up in a bun for a while. i tend to struggle with my hair once it gets to APL (arm pit length) and longer because its just too much hair for me to deal with. wearing my hair up in a bun allows me to ignore my hair (yay!) while still protecting it from damage. on the weekends i wear my hair in a wash n go.

random bunning tips:
- take down the bun at night time/bed time. if i keep my hair up, it wont dry. and if it doesn't dry, my hair mildews. i had to learn that lesson the hard way. :( i'll put my hair into one loose braid at night so it dries out, but it still stays stretched out a bit.
- move the bun around a bit--it doesn't stress the hair as much. if i start with a high bun, then the next day i'll smooth it down to a low bun or vice versa.
- raw shea butter is a bun's best friend! i use it to smooth my (wet or dry) edges down/ i also make sure that i put some on my ends daily. it makes my hair sooooo soft and gives it a nice shine.
- if you have thin/fine hair like me, try using a scrunchy, sock, or donut to create your bun. http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Donut-Bun it gives me the illusion of having fuller/thicker hair.

winter hats for curly kids

check out www.curlyzebra.com
theyre satin lined winter hats for kids. sweet.

product review: yes to carrots hair and scalp mud mask

i had heard alot of good reviews about yes to carrots hair care line from the wonderful ladies at http://www.naturallycurly.com but never felt inspired to give it a try myself until now. i decided to go with their deep treatment because you can never have too many deep conditioning treatments!

i must say, i was pleasantly surprised. it has great slip (and i can honestly say i cant think of another deep treatment that is slippery), melts tangles away, and it left my hair feeling super soft. i usually like to add a bit of veggie glycerine, oil, and honey to my dt's but i didnt have to add anything to this mask to feel the results. i know once i do add the glycerine/oil/honey mix, my hair will be ecstatic. its inexpensive ($13?), is easy to get a hold of (got mine from target), and it worked well on my curls as well as the little one's, so i definitely reccommend this product!

here is the product info directly from the yes to carrots website (http://www.yes-to-carrots.com/?CategoryID=428):


C is for Hair Care
Hair and Scalp Moisturizing Mud Mask

250ml - 8.45 fl.oz

Experience gorgeous hair like never before with C is for Hair Care.

Moisturizing, softening, detangling, shining, volumizing… need we go on??

C is for Hair Care contains extracts of organic carrot, organic pumpkin & organic orange, rich with Beta-Carotene, Alpha-Carotene, Vitamin E and other enzymes that keep your locks in tip-top condition.


Key Ingredients

Extracts of organic carrot, pumpkin, orange & honey contain Beta-Carotene and Vitamin E to keep your hair moisturized and full of shine.




Instructions


Apply to towel-dried hair and massage thoroughly. Leave on for 12-15 minutes (no cheating!) and rinse with lukewarm water. Use 1-2 times per week.



Tips

For maximum nourishment use twice a week, concentrating on roots and scalp.



Ingredients List

Water (Aqua), Silt (Maris Limus), Dead Sea Water (Maris Aqua), Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Oil, Glycerin, Lactic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacin, Dimethicone, Algae Extracts (Rhodella, Dunaliella, Spirulina), Ipomoera Batatas (Sweet Potato) Extract, Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Juice, Daucus Carota (Carrot) Organic Extracts, Daucus Carota (Carrot) Juice, Panthenol, Chamomila Recutita (Chamomile) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Juice, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Fragrance (Parfum), Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Oil, Apple Vinegar (Acetum), Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Extract, Daucus Carota (Carrot) Seed Oil, Cetrimonium Chloride, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Peel Extract.

summer products part 2!

redken didnt discontinue my favorite product after all, they just changed the name! woohoo! so here it is, redken color extend sun sparkling shield leave-in smoother.



Helps provide water-resistant protection against UVA/UVB rays, chlorine and minerals while creating a sleek, polished finish.

WHY IT WORKS:
Water-resistant formula helps protect hair from UVA/UVB rays and the absorption of chlorine and minerals
Nourishes and conditions
Creates a sleek, polished look with multi-dimensional shine

KEY INGREDIENTS:
HYDRA-SHIELF COMPLEX
SoplexylTM - Prevents UV Damage
Mango Oil - Replenishes Moisture and Vibrancy
Ceramide - Repairs and resurfaces

Redken’s exclusive Interbond Conditioning System and advanced Hydra-Shield Complex with Soplexyl™, a patented UV filter, provide powerful protection while restoring lost moisture and luminous shine.

How To Use:
Apply to damp or dry hair. Leave in. Reapply throughout the day or as needed. Recommend to clients who swim and need to protect their hair from the sun, chlorine and minerals.

i love this stuff! and it even has little flecks of mica in it for extra bling. doesnt get much better than that...

summertime product!

summer is almost here! i usually dont switch up my routine or products much with the exception of something to protect my hair from the sun. in the past i had used redken's uv rescue. they had an awesome oil spray. but to my dismay, the uv rescue line has been discontinued. *sad face*



last year i used ouidad's sun sheild leave in conditioner for myself and for the little one. here is the product description from the website (http://www.ouidad.com/Sun-Shield-SprayIn-Beach-Conditioner):

The sun is not only dangerous to your skin but it can also wreak havoc on your hair—causing its color to turn or fade and drying out already thirsty curls. Sun Shield/Beach Pool Spray from Ouidad protects against sun damage with effective UVA/UVB blockers, which form an invisible breathable shield to lock out the elements. Spray on prior to sun exposure and any time by the pool or beach when you want to create softer, smoother, shinier curls.

Also effective against damaging environmental factors like wind, salt and chlorine, Sun Shield’s blend of special proteins and amino acids seal in moisture and nourish hair while shielding from overexposure to the drying and stiffening elements common to outdoor activity. Now you can love being outside and love your curls!

i'm a fan and i will be repurchasing. so if youre looking for something to protect your curls from all that summer fun you'll be having, give it a try.

you really want to know what i think?

please, love your hair.
love it for what it does, love it for what it doesnt do.
love it because God chose it just for you.
so treat it right, let it know how good it looks, and dont forget to let everyone else around you know how fab your hair is!

mixed chicks products: a testimonial

an acquaintance sent me this email so i decided to post it here. ive never used mixed chicks products so i cant add to the testimonial, but if anyone else has, feel free to leave some feedback!


I just bought this stuff yesterday & I should be on an infomercial! It is the bomb!! I did [baby girl's] hair last night & when we woke up this morning she still had beautiful soft ringlets & not big crazy hair. [Cousin], I'll let you try some on [your curly kid]. [Subbrock], I don't know what you are using in [munchkin's] hair, but I wanted to let you know about this in case you hadn't heard of it. I've spent almost 4 years looking for a product that works like this. Please pass this website along to anyone that it can help!!

http://www.mixedchicks.net/

shiny hair a la subbrock

a few days ago, someone asked me what i do to get my hair so shiny because her daughter who has natural 4a hair always has dry, frizzy looking hair. to be honest, i really didnt know where to start because there are so many different answers on why my hair is shiny. and here they are:

- my hair is healthy. healthy hair has a tendency to have much more bling ability (i totally just made that term up) than non healthy hair. so that means keeping my hair moisturized, getting trims as needed, and avoiding doing much damage to my hair.
- product, product, and more product! and im referring to quality, not quantity. there are some products out there that make my hair so shiny, its ridiculous. things like veggie glycerine or products with glycerine as a main ingredient, oils (particularly castor oil), gels (kinky curly curling custard, fantasia ic gel w/ sparkelites, ouidad climate control gel), and other "stuff" (ouidad clear control pomade). i do avoid products with non water soluble 'cones in my everyday styling products because even though they give a great shine to my hair at first, the buildup is a nightmare.
- color. i would be lying to myself and everyone else if i pretended like coloring my hair had nothing to do with how shiny my hair looks. after a fresh dye job, its always particularly glossy looking because thats what the color is supposed to do--deposit color and give a shine boost. of course, as the color fades, so does the shine. *color is not something i would ever recommend for a young child. ever.*

so thats what keeps my hair shiny. what about you?

the man and his hair

this is the man's ponytail. he's threatening to cut it all off and dontaing it to locks of love. i must say i will miss the mane. when we first met almost 3 years ago, his hair was a bit longer than ear lobe length. hes a big fan of the same light oil blend i use (i havent told him about castor oil yet) and paul mitchell the conditioner as a leave in. he shampoos no more than once a week and after applying his leave in, brushes his hair with the denman.

Finding a Curly Stylist with Ouidad

FINDING A CURLY STYLIST

For curly-haired people, a great stylist and a fantastic cut is essential to having beautiful hair. If you are unable to visit the Ouidad Salon or a Ouidad Certified Salon, here are some tips for first, finding the right stylist and then how to talk to your stylist about your cut.

Finding the perfect hairstylist:
Word of Mouth - Definitely the best form of recommendation. When you see someone who has your hair type, ask where they get their hair cut.
Reputation - Call a salon in your area that has a great reputation. Describe your specific hair concerns to the receptionist and ask them for a stylist recommendation. Also, be sure to describe what type of cut you are looking for - trendy, classic - this will also help them to point you in the right direction.
Curly Hair - Look for a stylist that has curly hair so he or she already understands some of your needs.

Talking to your stylist: At your first meeting a great stylist will have a consultation with you to establish a mutual understanding of what is going to happen to your hair. Don't just surrender to your stylist!

Your stylist should ask you:
-Your hair likes, dislikes and challenges
-Your daily routine and lifestyle
-Your ultimate hair goal (If they don't ask, be sure to tell them!)

You should also ask about:
-The cut that you both agree upon
-The options with the cut - Can you wear it both straight and curly?
-How much time will you need to devote to styling?

Also, be sure to fess up to any hair crimes including abuse of color, straighteners, blowdryers, etc. Confessing these crimes will help your stylist better understand your hair's condition and recommend a treatment plan.

Finally, if the day comes when you need to leave your stylist simply tell them you need a change or that you would like to try someone new. Just be sure not to leave on a bad note - you want to leave the door open in case you decide you want to return in the future.

Check out ouidad.com to sign up for this monthly newslwetter and to find a ouidad certified salon near you!

perfect curl technique: rinsing upside down

somewhere on naturallycurly.com i read that rinsing your hair upside down provides better clumping. over the past 3 days ive been experiementing with this process and for the moment its changed my life! since my hair cut, ive had to spend more time styling my hair than im used to. and one issues i was having was getting good clumps of curls. now that i have the rinsing upside down thing perfected i just had to share! this is what i do:
- in the shower, wet my hair completely. shampoo, co wash, rinse out a dt, condition or whatever i need to do. using a wide tooth shower comb, detangle my hair.
-after detangling im ready to rinse. flip my head upside down and rinse out hair making sure not to touch my hair too much. i dont want to disturb the miracle of curl clumping!
-once my hair is rinsed completly, i squeeze out the excess water (still upside down). once im out of the shower i flip my head upside down again and briefly wrap a cotton t-shirt or my microfiber towel around the length of my hair and squeeze out any more extra drippies.
- now its product time. i apply my products with my head still flipped over. the key is to get work enough product through the first time, so im not fiddling with my hair too much. so for me i mix some elucence mb conditioner and oil and smooth it into my hair. no raking it through because that will disturb the clumps. next i use a small bit of shea butter and concentate that on my ends. lastly, i apply my gel (aubrey organics mandarin magic jelly).
-now its finally time to stand upright!
- once my hair has fallen into place, i touch up a few of my frizz prone areas with my fingers. for me its the very top of my hair (canopy?) and the hair right above my ears. i basically just smooth/rake each individual curl clump with my fingers to smooth down the frizz that i know is soon to come.
-air dry and wait for the fabulousness to begin.

once my hair dries its moveable, the curls are defined, and have the perfect amount of volume. i might just make a youtube of this one day because im in love with this technique!

product review: jane carter solution, devacurl, lush

like many curlies, im constantly on the quest for even better products than what i already have. in general, im disappointed with my new finds and realize that elucence moisture balancing conditioner is truly my HG (holy grail) product. but that never seems to stop me from trying. here are a few things ive tried recently:



jane carter solution twist and lock

product description: This lock cream will help to re-moisturize your locks while adding shine to your hair. If you twist or lock your hair, this product was created for you. Once you use it, you will wonder why you haven't been using it all along. No longer do you need to use bee's wax or that gooey brown gel. Twist and Lock is made with natural butters for shine and a light polymer for hold. Mix with Nourish & Shine for best results. Twist & Lock does not flake or leave residue. It does not attract dirt and dust and it rinses water clean.


my experience: i dont like it. i initially bought this product because i was looking for a daily moisturizer i could use on my dry (as in not wet) hair. granted i neither wear my hair in locs nor twists, but i figured the products wouldnt know. it didnt leave my hair noticeably shiny and it doesnt leave my hair feeling moisturized either. it does leave my hair feeling product-y. it also has a VERY strong herbal smell. i think it stinks. the best results i ever had with it were when i applied it to my damp hair. my hair did feel soft and moisturized once it dried. not sure if i should try to sell it, give it away, or chuck it out of the window while im driving to get another product. if anyone has any insight on how to make this product work for me, please let me know!

deva curl one condition

product description: It's all in one! This super-rich conditioner will keep the moisture level of hair and scalp balanced to perfection. One Condition restores, hydrates and neutralizes detergent and product residue with the fresh scent of lemongrass.

my experience: not completely sold. ive heard good things about this conditioner, so i decided to give it a try. as a conditioner, it doesnt really qquench my thirsty curls. but when i use it as a deep treatment, im fairly satisfied with my results. as i sit here now im using it as a dt. i melted a bit of honey, olive oil, veggie glycerine, and shea butter together in the microwave. then i added the one condition. while the mixture was still warm, i put it on my hair and then put on a plastic cap. i'll rinse it out in about 30 minutes. i did let the man try it out (coarse, thick, dry hair) and he said it left his hair feeling like straw too. ive used it on the munchkin and it works beautifully on her hair (fine strands, dryness isnt an issue for her). this conditioner does contain amodimethicone. so if youre on a strict CG hair diet, youre going to want to skip this product. i wont repurchase, but im not kicking myself for trying it out either.

lush seanick solid shampoo bar

product description: Orange blossom scented shampoo bar makes limp, lifeless hair buoyant. Don't let Seanik's compact size fool you. This little puck of joy buffs and shines like no liquid can. A couple of swipes worked up into a lather to moisturize the scalp, breathe life into the lifeless, and shine your hair like a champ. Economical and easy to use, Seanik's citrus and seaweed combo enriches and enlivens while its fragrance entices all who cross your path. Now proudly SLS-free.

my experience: ive used this shampoo for nearly a year on my daughter with wonderful results. its long lasting--im still on the same bar that i bought last july. its vegan. it does contain a sulfate, but its a gentle sulfate (sodium coco sulfate). for the first time i finally used it on myself and i had the same great results as my daughter: bouncy, shiny, soft, clean hair. very awesome. the closest luch store is about an hour away from me, but i like this shampoo so much id be willing to make the drive or pay for shipping. and that says ALOT since im not made of money!

bad ass blogs

im not much on the science behind curly hair because im not a scientific person and it bores me. but i do appreciate those who really get to the nitty gritty of curly hair via science/chemistry/physics/math/osmosis/what-have-you. so here are two blogs that are very awesome (if you havent already found them):

http://jillipoo.blogspot.com/

http://livecurlylivefree.blogspot.com/

enjoy!

winter hair secrets by ouidad

Winter Curl Secrets by Ouidad

With winter here, I find that many clients' curls are not performing at their best. Here are some of my tips for taking control of winter dullness.

Use Deep Treatment every two weeks particularly during these cold months - it's my curls best friend. Moisture lost due to winter weather is restored.

Letting your hair dry naturally before you head out into the cold is always ideal, but if you must use a blow dryer due to time, make sure that it is on the low setting.

Add a leave in conditioner, such as Moisture Lock, to your routine. It's great for the dry weather. It makes my hair soft and keeps the moisture in on daily basis.

Shampoo once less per week than your regular routine - your scalp has less oil in the winter, so your hair can be shampooed less frequently.

Static can cause hair to expand and have more flyaways. Combat static throughout the day with Botanical Boost spray in conditioner. It gets rid of the flyaways and adds more moisture to the hair to keep your style all day long.

Finish with a few drops of Shine Hair Glaze - it eliminates the dullness so hair looks healthy and shiny.

http://www.ouidad.com/

don't forget to deep condition!

i am the first person to admit that i am horrible when it comes to being consistent, following rules, schedules, routines, etc.
what can i say, im a free spirit!
so needless to say, ive been slacking on my deep conditioning treatments. ideally, i would do them at least once a week but its been much much much longer than that since i had done one.
this evening though, i decided to get back on track and do a deep conditioning treatment.

i used mop extreme moisture and mixed it with a bit of my oil blend. i spritzed my dry hair with a bit of water and then applied the conditioning mixture. next, i parted my hair in 5 sections and detangled with a comb. this also helped distribute the conditioner more evenly. after i finished a section, i twisted it up into a little bantu knot (a little bun). after i finished my whole head, i pretty much went on about my business. for an extra conditioning boost sometimes i will put a plastic cap over my hair and then cover that with either a towel or a knit cap so that my body heat aids in the deep conditioning process. after about an hour i hopped in the shower and rinsed out my hair. my hair feels amazing! im going to force myself return to once a week deep conditioning.

at least once a month i deep condition the little one's hair as well, either using mop extreme moisture or jessicurl weekly deep treatment (which i love for myself as well). on bath day i'll wet her hair as soon as she gets in the tub and then put on whichever deep conditioner i plan on using. then right before she gets out of the tub i rinse her hair. since i dont heat style or manipulate her hair too much, the 5-10 minutes of conditioning time still makes her hair even soften than it already is.

for an extra extra boost i will add oil, honey, and even vegetable glycerine to my deep conditioner before i put on my make shift heat cap (the plastic cap/towel combo).

so please dont be like me and remember to deep condition regularly. your dry thirsty hair will thank you!

no 'poo: it will change your life!

dealing with dry, frizzy curls and waves? have you heard about the 'no poo routine (aka CG or curly girl routine)?
if you have no clue what im talking about, get ready for the best kept secret amongst curlies and wavies...
ditch your shampoo! if youve never herad of this before, then youre probably thoroughly grossed out and/or confused. so here is the extremely short explanation of why many of us are on a no 'poo routine.


most shampoos contain sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate (sls). sls is a harsh detergent which is known to strip curls and waves of much needed moisture. you know how your hands feel after you wash them with hand soap--dry, crackely, and screaming for some hand lotion? thats exactly what yor hair is going through each time you use shampoo with sls or other harsh sulfates. and as a matter of fact, the main ingredient in hand soap is, sls! the same with laundry detergent. which is why most of us have to use a fabric softener after we wash our clothes.


here are a few more articles about sls and why you should leave it alone:
http://www.hairlossbuddy.com/20/sodium-lauryl-sulfate/

http://www.healthy-communications.com/slsmostdangerousirritant.html

http://www.jasoncosmetics.com/sodium_lauryl_sulfate.html

drop the shampoo (or at least find one that is sulfate free) and give the 'no poo routine a try. follow the link for a crash course in the CG routine, courtesy of naturallycurly.com: http://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/curl-products/all-about-the-no-poo-routine-2

where to start

i can credit 3 resources for the majority of the information i have learned on how to care for my curls:

1. http://www.naturallycurly.com/ the greatest website for curly hair EVER! there is alot of information over there so take your time and try not to be overwhelmed.

2. http://www.nappturality.com/ this is the first website i found on how to care for my hair. this site is a great resource on how to care for tightly coiled ethnic hair.

3. Curly Girl by Lorraine Massey. A good book that gives you the basics on how to care for curls.