PSA: Target is a DANGER Zone!!!

I decided to take a trip to Target today to visit the hair aisle of course ^_^ and to my surprise I found (3) "new" brands that Target is now carrying...hence the title "DANGER Zone".  Target is now carrying Oyin Handmade, Carol's Daughter and Alikay Naturals Products...say what?!!  Yes that's the same thing I said, well if you don't believe me here are a few snapshots.  Of course I have tried something from all (3) brands, but the fact that its in my local Target is a BIG DEAL!!!  The shelves are a bit empty but I believe there were stocking up.  What's not to love about Target?

Oyin Handmade

Carol's Daughter

Alikay Naturals

Are these brands carried in your local Target?

**My Natural Hair is Beautiful**

Let me first start by saying HAPPY HOLIDAYS and follow with an apology for not being as frequent with my posts (life happens ya know)...but posts are on the way! ^_^

We all know this hair thing is truly a JOURNEY!  I have gone through ups and downs with BG "S" hair but we're still pressing forward because after all I LOVE my kids' hair and I want them to do the same! So I wanted to take this opportunity to share this adorable PSA...enjoy!

My Natural Hair is Beautiful

The Struggle: Hair Products

The past couple of months have been a struggle to find the "perfect" product combo or products at all for that matter.  My youngest daughter is only three and I have been thru a ton of products.  Throughout this process I have learned what her hair likes and dislikes!!! #atruejourney

A little background:  BG "M" hair can use most if not all and any products.  BG "S" hair on the other hand is protein and panthenol sensitive and acts funny with glycerine and MOST products have these ingredients.

To get an idea, here is a list of the brands I have purchased with my own money and tried.  The number beside the product line indicates how many products I have tried from that line.

Terressentials (1), JessiCurl (1), As I Am (2), Blended Beauty (5), Shea Moisture (14), Original Moxie (2), Alikay Naturals (3), Eden BodyWorks (4), HoneyChile Hair Love (2), Qhemet Biologics (7), B.A.S.K (2), Ynobe (5), Carol's Daughter (7), Darcy's Botanicals (6), Curls (3), Oyin (4), 4Naturals (1), Luv Naturals (3), Entwine Couture (3), Obia (4), Camille Naturals (2), Noire Naturals (3), Curly Q (3), Kinky Curly (3), Trader Joes (2), All Things Natural (3), KeraCare (2), Beautiful Textures (2), Taliah Waajid (2), Karen Body Beautiful (3), Herbal Essence (2), Uncle Funky's (1), Jane Carter (3), Koils by Nature (1), Reve Essentials (1), Giovanni (3), TresSemme (1), Bee Mine (1), Aubrey Organics (2), Eco Styler (2), Cara B (3), Dr. Miracles (1), Nothing But (1), Curl Junkie (3), MyHoney Child (1), JessiCurl (1) and more...

Here are a few pictures of just some of the products I have purchased...

So as you can see, I have a lot of product reviews to do, lol. I won't be doing reviews on some products because some products just didn't work, not any fault of the product but because they contained ingredients that her hair just didn't agree with, so in all fairness I won't post on them.  However, if you have a question about a product feel free to ask ;)

And just in case you're wondering, any products we disliked or couldn't find a permanent place for in our regimen we sold!!!

Stay Tuned...Product Reviews on the way and our newest staple products!

BG "S" Hair Update (After Removing Locs)/ KLK Protective Style Challenge

Where are we now?!  Its been about a month and a half since removing BG "S" locs.  During this month we have gone through so bumps and hurdles with her hair...but we are overcoming those obstacles.  Here are a few things we have dealt with since going back to her natural tresses:

• Single Strand Knots a.k.a Fairy Knots
• Longer Detangling Sessions
• Frizziness
• Faithful products not as effective 

I cut about 2 inches of her hair, it looked thin on the ends and I could see thru them so I decided to cut them in order to keep focus on getting her hair back to a healthier state.  I have not kept any styles in her hair longer than a week to prevent it from re-locing since the hair was trained to loc.

Throughout this process, I have found that finger detangling doesn't work for us at the moment because it doesn't do a thorough job of detangling thus causing single strand knots.  When I find a SSK, I just snip them off. The detangling sessions have been longer because the products I used weren't as effective.  I  have since been using some new products and some old products I used at the beginning of her healthy hair journey.  We have made tremendous progress.  Comparison pics coming soon.

Stay Tuned and watch our continued progress...

**We are currently participating in the KLK Protective Style Challenge**

WEEK 1

WEEK 2

Greek Yogurt and Shea Butter Deep Conditioning Treatment

So, its been about 4 weeks since taking down BG "S" locs.  Since then, we have been getting back into the swing of things.  Some products don't work like they use to prior to loc'ing so we've been in a trail period (trying some old products and some new products).

One thing I have been consistent with is Deep Conditioning weekly to get the hair back to a healthier and stronger state.  I have currently been using the Nothing But Intense Healing Masque (review to come), which I like a lot.  This time I decided to try an all natural homemade deep conditioner by way of beauty blogger Coilybella.  You can find the recipe HERE along with the benefits.

Here are some pics of the process

*MIXING*

1.  Starting out with the Fage Greek Yogurt

2.  Remaining ingredients added (AVJ, Coconut Oil, EVOO, Honey, ACV, Shea Butter)

3.  After adding the melted Shea Butter to the mix, it solidified (duh) due to the cold temperature of the yogurt and AVJ, so I warmed the bowl up in a pot of hot water

4. The deep treatment after blending and warming

 

*APPLICATION*

1.  BG "S" hair after applying Deep Conditioning Treatment
2.  BG "S" hair after being left on for an hour with a bag and spandex cap
3.  BG "S" hair after rinsing (yes, it feels exactly how it looks! Like butta...)

FINAL VERDICT

Love, love, love it!  The slip was amazing and it allowed me to detangle with ease.  After rinsing her hair, it was amazingly soft ( I couldn't believe it ).  And the hair was so shiny!  On the flip side, it stinks (which is what the ACV and EO is for) and its messy but I can deal with the smell since I always deep condition before washing. And the mess is certainly worth the outcome of how the hair looks and feels along with the benefits of a natural recipe!

Are you willing to try this recipe?  If so, let us know what you think.

The Ultimate Natural Hair Bloggers' Holiday Gift Guide

Looking for the perfect gift for your naturalista gal pal? Look no further! We've enlisted the help of some of our favorite natural hair bloggers to select their top picks for holiday gifts that are just right for curly queens -- and your budget.

Check out the Essence article HERE and ENJOY! :-)

The Curly Girl Method vs. The Tightly Curly Method

Although I have read about both methods and believe they both have great suggestions, I currently don't suscribe to either on my girls and have yet to try out the methods.  You have to know what's best for YOU and what works for YOUR hair!  

This is just for information purposes and I simply want to inform my readers of the difference and hopefully help someone. :o)

This post is extremely helpful (a chart is also included)...

The Tightly Curly Method vs. The Curly Girl Method

Here are some other helpful resources

Step by Step Guide: How to Follow the Curly Girl Method

Tightly Curly.Com

Sealing with Aloe Vera Juice (AVJ)

After reading the title, I'm sure most people are thinking what?! No oils and no butters!  You read correctly...I have always loved using Aloe Vera Juice (AVJ) or Aloe Vera Gel (AVG) on BG "S" hair.  I use it in homemade recipes to make hair butters, sprays, etc. AVJ and AVG have many benefits on natural hair.  

Just to name a few:

• Detangles
• Moisturizes
• Heals and Soothes Damaged Scalp from Scratches, Burns, Dandruff, etc.
• Balances pH Level (Porosity) of Hair- pH Balance and Hair
  
  
  

Now to the sealing part...I recently used AVG and coconut oil at the ends of BG "S" hair for some added moisture and to give her curls a little boost needless to say it worked like a charm!  BUT I never thought to use AVJ as a sealant over the entire head o_O.  Say what?! That is until I can across a post via HeyFranHey, she tried a "little sealing experiment".  The Aloe Vera Juice seals in the moisture as a butter or oil would without the added weight plus it adds shine and reduces frizz.

So, I thought since I got good results from using it on BG "S" ends, what the heck, let's do it!  I did this sealing method last night and couldn't have been more pleased! The hair was so soft and very easy to comb.  For the first time ever my daughter sat the entire time to get her hair completely done; since it was easier to comb I was able to move a little faster!  You would use the AVJ just as you would an oil.  I poured some in my hand and applied the AVJ right after the leave-in (I will be using a spray bottle in the future).  

It especially works well for us since I use Qhemet Biologics Amla & Olive Heavy Cream (very thick and creamy) as a leave-in on BG "S" hair.  I didn't have time to take pics but I will definitely take some the next go' round.  I will be using this sealing method in BG "S" Hair Regimen for now and document to see how the hair continue to responds. 

Why Sealing With Aloe Vera Is So Effective

Have you tried it? What are you thoughts or opinion on using AVJ as a sealant?

Natural Hair Lingo...

When I first entered the "world" of researching and blogging on natural hair care, I was hit with acroynoms and terms that had me totally confused and stuck with trying to figure out what the meanings were.  After all, the "Natural Hair World" have a tongue of its own and definitely speaks in code, lol.

Here is a very helpful guide to some of the most commonly used acronyms and terms that you may find in the world of natural hair...

• ACV - Apple Cider Vinegar, typically used to clarify the hair.
• BC - Big Chop, the first time your permed hair off.
• CG - Curly Girl, not using shampoos with sulfates, mainly washing with conditioner and not using any products with silicones.
• Clarify - Washing your hair to remove product build up, dirt, oil or anything clogging the hair follicles in your scalp.
• Co-Wash - Wash hair with only conditioner. 
• DC - Deep Conditioner.
• Dusting - A light trim, usually about 1/4″ or less of the ends of your hair.
• EVCO - Extra Virgin Coconut Oil.
• EVOO - Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
• HG - Holy grail a product your hair LOVES.
• Humectants - Ingredients or type of products that draw moisture from the air and into the hair shaft. Most naturals don’t like to use humectants in dry weather because the products will draw moisture from your hair (since there’s no moisture in the air) and dry it out.
• JBCO - Jamaican Black Castor Oil.
• Manipulation - The amount of time you spend touching or doing anything to your hair on a frequent basis (i.e. brushing, combing, detangling, etc.). 
• Porosity - Your hair’s ability to soak up moisture. The more porous a strand is, the more quickly moisture will be absorbed into the cuticle.
• Protective Styling - Any hair style that protects the ends of your hair from exposure to elements such as the weather, clothing, etc. Protective styles can be worn for days at a time so that there is low manipulation to your hair (i.e. twists, flat twists, cornrows, braids, etc.)
• Sealing - Sealing moisture into your hair. This is done after a moisturizer/leave-in has been applied and usually done with a heavier type of oil or butter. 
• Shrinkage - When your curls tighten and “shrink” making the length of your hair appear shorter than it actually is, usually when the hair is wet.
• Slip - How well a product allows your fingers/comb to glide through your hair. The more slip, the easier it is to detangle.
• Stretching - A very simple technique used to lengthen the curls in the hair without heat. (i.e. banding, twisting, braiding).
• TWA - Teeny Weeny Afro.
• Twist Out - A hair style where two strand twists or flat twists are done in hair, dried completely, untwisted and gently separated to create fullness. 
• Wash- N-Go - A styling method where you wash your hair, apply some product if needed and go, usually allowing hair to air dry.

Credit:  La Coco Bella

More can be found here: Essence: Ultimate Natural Hair Dictionary by Jenelle Stewart & Nicole Marie Melton