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! :-)

...And then there were NONE!

So, I made the tough decision to comb-out BG "S" locs <tear>.  What?! Why?!  It was an easy but tough decision to make, if that makes sense.  I loved, loved BG "S" locs and the were growing so beautifully but I had some concerns which at the end of the day led to my decision.

For those who know or don't know, over-twisting, product build-up and lint can lead to the detriment of a persons locs.  Locs can literally collect everything from lint to food and the list goes on. Lint embedding into the locs and build-up can lead to your locs looking messy.  Over-twisting can cause thinning which later leads to breakage.  So I'm sure you can imagine how difficult it is to keep lint out of a 2 year old's head (and she happens to be a very active 2 year old).  I was constantly picking at her hair like Mother Hen and re-twisting because she would mess here hair up by rubbing her hands in it (something she's been doing since infancy).  I would get frustrated when she would roll on the floor because I "just" did her hair (she only keeps her scarf on at bedtime).  But I had to remember, she is just being a kid and I don't want to restrict her from doing just that. I want her to still have fun without me constantly picking at her hair just for the sake of keeping her locs in tip-top shape.

I am happy to have gone through this experience with my daughter and can't wait until she gets older (5 or 6) to try again!  By that time she will be old enough to decide as well.  I LOVE locs and I still think locs are great for kids but recommend waiting until about age 5 or 6.  It was certainly an accomplishment to put them in and remove them. In the meantime, we are going to enjoy her loose natural tresses!

The Process of Removing

I did a clarifying wash and conditioning before beginning.  I placed the hair in sections to make it easier to work with .  I started in the back and coated each loc with Qhemet Biologics Cocoa Tree Detangling Ghee , I then took an individual loc and soaked it with conditioner and water and began combing it out.  It took 10-20 minutes to comb down one.  I was very gentle and did not pull roughly at the hair.  So after 19 hours beginning on on Saturday, I SUCCESSFULLY removed BG "S" locs!!!!! I had no idea what I was up against, her hair had already completely loc'd.  Her hair currently has a weird feeling and  is really dry but I'm sure after a few deep conditions we'll be back in business.  So project "Healthy Hair Back", here we come...

Here are some pics of the process...

‎1. All Loc'd Up @ 2.5 months

2. In the works, the tedious process!

3. A completely formed loc saturated with conditioner

4. Loc combed out and hair full length

5. Shrinkage

6. Curls are still there and poppin :)

7. An overworked spray bottled filled with conditioner & water, lol 

8. All the hair lost in the removal process, not too bad for 2.5 months of no shedding or combing (all the white is dried up conditioner)

Product Review: Blended Beauty/Blended Cutie

**Thanks to Blended Beauty for allowing us to review your products**

Blended Beauty SilkShake

Cost: $19.00 (www.blendedbeauty.com/)

Size: 8 oz

Scent: Sweet & Pleasant (Cake)
Consistency: Lotion

What They Say:
Treat your curls and give them a shake! SilkShake will revive dry and lifeless curls and hydrate while boosting shine, with Rice Bran oil. Perfect for detangling damp curls or for a boost in the morning or anytime of the day, on dry or damp hair. You can never spoil your curls too much!

What I Say:
I used this product on (3) unique hair textures and I can honestly say it is great!  It does an excellent job at detangling and moisturizing (detangling was actually a breeze with this lotion).  It provides great slip, adds an amazing shine to the hair and makes the hair so manageable and soft.  This product is also a winner because it can be used as your leave-in.  It also plays well with other products, who doesn't want that?! Check out results HERE and HERE.

Ingredients:
Aloe Water, Vegetable Glycerine, Capryl Isostearate, Rice Bran oil , Natural Conditioner, Natural Preservative Optiphen, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Soy Protein, Silk Powder

**** I give this product a 5 out of 5 Baby Curls****

Blended Beauty Happy Nappy Styles

Cost: $21.00  (www.blendedbeauty.com/)

Size: 8 oz

Scent: Sweet & Pleasant (Cake)
Consistency: Rich Creamy & Thick

What They Say:
A rich and moisturizing styling cream for kinky curls and dreads, or highly textured hair. Style and define your curls or twist locs, while naturally hydrating. Perfect for finger twisting curls! Create defined curls, with maximum moisture and softness. Dries touchably soft and satiny, not sticky or greasy.

What I Say:
This styling cream is the bomb.com!  It is very moisturizing which is a big deal for us, it also keeps the frizzies at bay like no ones business, lol.  It also provides a nice hold.  I have used this product to twists, cornrow and maintain locs.  The definition after taking down twists is unbelievable and I had the best set of cornrows ever! I was surprised at the outcome after using it to maintain locs, BG "S" locs turned out very neat and soft.  You can go days without re-moisturizing with this product.

Ingredients:
Aloe and Chamomile Water, Rice Bran Oil, Shea Butter, Natural Conditioner, Polysorbate 20, Vegetable Glycerin, Capryl Isostearate, Soy Lecithin,Guar Gum, Natural Preservative Optiphin, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Silk Powder

**** I give this product a 5 out of 5 Baby Curls****

Blended Beauty Down & Out Styles

Cost: $21.00 (www.blendedbeauty.com/)

Size: 8 oz

Scent: Sweet & Pleasant (Cake)
Consistency: Rich Creamy & Thick

What They Say:
A gentle, moisturizing, conditioning and curl defining butter cream. Enriched with shea butter, chamomile and aloe, for smoothing, defrizzing and defining curls. Silk and Beantree create body and shine even on defiant frizzies. Wearing your hair down and out has never been easier!

What I Say:
This product appears to be a lighter version of Happy Nappy Styles.  Although it doesn't provide the hold that HNS provide, it did an excellent job at moisturizing and providing shine to the hair.   The hair was also full of bounce and body....oh and frizz free!  Pictures HERE.

Ingredients:
Aloe and Chamomile Water, Rice Bran Oil, Shea Butter, Natural Conditioner, Vegetable Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Soy Lecithin, Capryl Isostearate, Guar Gum, Natural Preservative, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Silk Powder

**** I give this product a 4 out of 5 Baby Curls****

Blended Beauty Jelly Cream

Cost: $19.00  (www.blendedbeauty.com/)

Size: 8 oz

Scent: Sweet & Pleasant (Cake)
Consistency: Thick Lotion

What They Say:
A soft hold moisturizing gel lotion that defines and conditions curls, while nourishing the scalp and hair. Smooth and define each curl with natural conditioners. Absolutely no plastics! Only silky and bouncy curls...naturally! Jelly Cream has twice as much hold as the Down & Out creams.

What I Say:
This product certainly defined and conditioned the hair.  It laid down and smooth the hair but didn't provide much hold.  The hair also felt very smooth like "silk" and left the hair frizz free.  I can still feel the product on the hair after re-spritzing with water (I'm not sure how much I like that...). Although it worked well on my niece's hair type, I don't have much use for this product on my daughters' hair type.

Ingredients:
Aloe and Chamomile Water, Shea Butter, Vegetable Glycerin, Rice Bran Oil, Capryl Isostearate, Natural Conditioner, Soy Lecithin, Guar Gum, Natural Preservative Optiphin, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Silk Powder

**** I give this product a 4 out of 5 Baby Curls****

What's your favorite Blended Beauty Product?

Simple Cornrows using Blended Beauty Products

Two weekends ago, I washed and styled my 2 year old God-Daughter's hair.  I didn't have much time plus I had my 2 year old and my other God-Daughter who is 1.  Her mom wanted something that would last for the week, so I thought cornrows would probably be the best option.  I am not much of a "corn-rower" at all and usually avoid doing it at all cost but I think I did a pretty good job, probably the BEST so far!  I had another opportunity to use Blended Beauty Products and must say I was even more amazed this go' round.

BEFORE WASHING

AFTER WASHING

BACK VIEW 

SIDE VIEW

Products Used

Shea Moisture Yucca & Baobab Thickening Shampoo

TRESsemme Naturals Nourishing Moisture Conditioner

Blended Beauty Silkshake (Detangle)

Blended Beauty Nappy Happy Styles (Moisturize & Style) - I LOVE THIS STUFF!!!

BG "S" 1 Month Loc Update & Products

I am so loving her locs and she loves shaking em', lol!
Her locs officially turned 1 month on September 27, 2012.  This update is super late but here it is...

Stay tuned for BG "S" 2 Month Loc Update...

Twists & PonyTails (Blended Beauty Products)

This is a quick hair style I did on my niece this past weekend.  Let me start by saying, her hair is very different from my daughters' hair, it is long and fine with very loose curls (tangles very easily).  I don't consider myself to be equipped with the "necessary"products for her hair type but when I typically do her hair, I do what I can with what I have.  So this time, I had the pleasure of trying some new products from Blended Beauty children's line called Blended Cutie (Thanks KandyLand Kurls & Stacey).  You can find these products at www.blendedbeauty.com.  I really enjoyed using these products!  Stay tuned for a detailed product review of each product.

Products Used (Blended Beauty)
BC SilkShake (A natural detangling lotion spray)
BC Jelly Cream (A soft hold moisturizing gel lotion)

BC Down & Out Styles (A styling cream and moisturizer)

Before and After Washing 

All detangled. It was a breeze after using the SilkShake  (Look at that sheen, my daughter even said , "its so shiny")

Look at that definition (After approx. 10 mins)

Playing Dress-Up

Deep Conditioning Locs w/ Homemade Deep Conditioner

I love, love, love this deep conditioner.  It leaves the hair so soft and super moisturized.  Not to mention it has to be one of the easiest recipes I've ever done!  Deep Conditioning has always been apart of BG "S" hair regimen but not since loc'ing.  As many of you know or don't know, one of my favorite store bought deep conditioners is the Shea Moisture Organic Yucca & Baobab Anti-Breakage Masque.  I am a little nervous to use this product due to the possibility of buildup in the locs since its so thick and creamy.   So for now this homemade deep conditioner will be our new deep conditioner. After all her locs is still HAIR and her hair LOVES some coconut oil :)

Deep conditioning the hair have MANY benefits. Check out the benefits of deep conditioning your hair HERE.

What is your favorite homemade deep conditioner?