Natural Hair Care: Organizing/Cleaning Out That Cabinet!!!

If you're not someone who's rocking a short style (and sticking with it) then I'm sure, not only have you bought your share of products that you love and enjoy but also experimenting with products you have seen just browsing. Whether it be online, in a store or word of mouth.

After awhile you start to run out of places where to PUT these products that you keep purchasing. You tell yourself "Hey I really need to slow down." But then again, never fails, something catches your eye that says: 'Can help pop your curls, increase moisture', and you're like "OMG I Need This In My Life!"

Been there, done that. And I am still guilty of it when it comes to Youtube videos and I see things that make me go "Why haven't I seen this yet!"

Well two weeks ago I started the dreaded task. The task of Cleaning out my Cabinet.

The first thing you should do when Organizing is Making sure you Separate all your Staple hair products before going through your "Eh, I barely used this after trying it" products.
Then ask yourself:
Am I going to use this product again in the very near future?
Did I enjoy this Product?
Is this something I could give to a friend to use?

A Good portion of this stuff I was not able to even get in this Cabinet before hand. It was all over my counter in my bathroom. Off my sink.

I tossed out items that I don't care to use and cleaned out jars that just had a Dab of product in it. I have Yellow and Ivory Shea Butter that I plan on making into some Butter Creams once I use up the Shea Butter products I have. I have Coconut Oil that I LOVE to mix with my other oils. Figured can wash and reuse the containers with my own product.

I bought a Vinyl Shoe Organizer that hangs off your Door.

You can get these practically anywhere. Walmart, Target, JCPenney's. I bought mine from Bed Bath & Beyond. It was about $13-15 dollars. Not very expensive. Probably can find cheaper online perhaps.

This Dramatically help freed up the space on my Counter, as well as some space in my Cabinet. I had Spray Bottles that had my Pre-Poo sprays or Moisture Sprays that I couldn't fit in there before.
Not done filling that up :-). Also if a reminder for me to try the products I bought that I NEVER tried.

One-N-Only Argan Hair Mask and never used it, ever. I bought V05 Conditioner for Co-Washing and NEVER USED IT! So Now that they are IN SIGHT they are no longer Out of Mind!

I also bought some Trays:

Came with 3 trays. Was $20.00 at Bed Bath & Beyond. 

I put all my clips in this tray. Let me tell you before I had Wicker Baskets and I just put all my stuff in them and the organization was horrendous. I now use one of those Baskets for my Flexi-Rods :-).

Now for my Blow Dryer, Flat Iron - I bought this Rod Hook for $6.00:

To hang them out of the way, as well with my Rod Iron.

Going through my other Organizing bins I cleaned out things I don't need and also found things I didn't know I had - I bought a Straightening Comb (not a Hot Comb but a Comb with straightening handle on it for when you Flat Iron your hair) and didn't remember doing so. I ordered one online and while in the mist of waiting for it to arrive, I found the one I originally purchased - OOPS! Lol.

Just some Ideas on how to un-clutter your Cabinets and Counters. Hope this was helpful :-).

Natural Hair: Productive Winter Styling - Crochet Braids.

It's getting colder. Much colder. I live in Northern Illinois. I can get quite cold here. Luckily with it just now hitting December it hasn't hit the peak of how cold it can get. I'm enjoying the High 30s for now. But regardless of the temperature, the air is dry as well. Cold + dry hair = Dry and Brittle Natural Hair, which is a No-No in anyone's book. One can easily say "just add more moisturizer/wash your hair more" Yeah, I'm sorry but you move slower in the colder weather and one just simply does not have time for that! The Less manipulation the better.

I want my hair to be Styled the Weekend before Thanksgiving. It was also my Birthday Weekend (Nov. 25th). I've done Marley Twists. Thought about doing them again but I don't like how my hair is still out in a way because it's twisted in the hair, I'm always messing with the twists and if the twists are dry, my hair is dry. Also, the Weighted of the hair, PULLING, tension, No no.
I thought about Box Braids, but it's the same concept. I thought about Cornrows but I don't look good with just hair plaited on my scalp.
I came across Crochet Braids. 
Now I NEVER had any type of loose weave, outside of a Wig. I've always had either Braids, Synthetic Dreads or Marley Twists. Never a Glue/Sew-In, No Tracks. And when I FIRST saw this style I thought it was one of those.
Also saw someone saying these are backing a Comeback. Now people should KNOW that styles never die. Just because one loses it's popularity doesn't mean no one is wearing it at all!

Luckily we live in the days of the Internet and Youtube. I came across some Tutorials and I just LOVED the fact that I could Protect my hair, NOT have to add any glue to my hair and Rock this style! I love the fact that I could easily oil and moisturize my hair and scalp underneath the hair that is just Crochet through with a Latch Hook:

All you need is Bulk Hair of your Choice, A Latch Hook and Patience. Oh and maybe some Mousse if you bought some hair with Curls and to help soften them up when splitting them.

The hair I bought, Water Wave. Can get in Freetress or Model Model. Same name under both. I noticed that people seem to CUT the hair in half, so that it's shorter, also they buy less packs. I bought 6 Packs, 5 of a #2, one of a #30 I believe. I ended up needing 7-8 Packs of #2 because I DID NOT cut the hair and I just love me some big hair. Mind you it seems most people use 2-3 backs with it cut so I used triple.

I broke each twist into 2-3 pieces, Using the Mousse to smooth it out.

I am by all means, not the best Braider in the world, I don't cornrow my hair often. Think this is the 3rd time in maybe 4 years. It's not hard, I know, lol. I tried my best with my thick hair.

You noticed I didn't get all my hair on my edges because I didn't want that stress and actually me having them out and smoothed down HELP with the Natural look at the end.

I watched AfricanExport's Crochet Braid video on how she Latch Hooked her daughters hair.

Starting at the back of my head, which was the most complicated. Not only because it's hard to see the back of your head even with mirrors but because your hair, if your cornrow it back is now kinda in a cluster back there. You are trying to crochet your hair and cover it up back there.

Was almost done with my hair, you see how full the right side is.

Finished product.

How long did it take: With JUST The Crocheting Process, 8 hours. MIND YOU - This was my very first time doing these. I had a hard time with the back because I wasn't sure HOW I would crochet it but it ended up very cute and I love it.

Also getting them out is a BREEZE. You just cut slightly above the Knot, pull the Knot and it comes out, like nothing. So much better than braiding. So much better than twisting, lol.

I clean my Scalp with WITCH HAZEL on a Cotton Ball. I only use Oils on my scalp. No Butters. I spray my Cornrows with a Mist for added moisture.

Can keep for 1-2 Months. I would do a Month, then Hot Oil treatment, wash hair, deep condition and do again.

Natural Hair Care: Dealing With Dryness

(Image credit to Google)

I think every Natural, especially New hit the Dryness mark. I call it the 'Dryness Plato'.
"I can never keep my hair Moisturized." "My hair is so dry all the time." "I moisturize my hair all the time and still nothing!" "I cannot keep dealing with this, can you please help me!"

Been there, but how do you get over that if you are currently THERE???

My first questions are what is your hair routine?
What oils/products do you use?
How Often do you Shampoo your hair?
Do you do Hot Oil Treatments and how often?

Your Texture, as well as your hair and scalp needs in general need to be looked at. Also please keep in mind that what might help ONE Natural Hair Beauty will not necessarily help YOU!

One of the biggest leads to Dryness/Can't keep moisture is Over-Shampooing.

We Shampoo our hair to get the dirt, clean the hair, the pores. To generalize it. But how often do you Shampoo your hair and what kind do you use?
We live in a Society that is very into Grooming and those with Straight hair/Oily hair are always washing their hair to get the oils out. That's great except we need to put and KEEP oils IN our hair. You cannot follow the lead of hair that isn't yours!
You can't Shampoo your hair 3 Times out of the week. You're stripping your hair of oils as soon as you saturate your head with it pretty much.
If you using a Sulfate filled Shampoo then you really are leaving no oils behind, even natural oils and you must fully condition (recommend Deep Condition ((DC))) to replace that stripped oils and moisture.

"But I workout a lot/sweat a lot. I don't want my hair to smell."
Fully noted. Using NATURAL products e.g; Coconut Oil/Jojoba Oil/Avocado Oil, will aid in not only moisturizing your hair but also be clean to use and won't just sit on your hair/scalp. If you are someone who feels they must Shampoo 2 times a week then COWASH (Conditioner ONLY wash) your hair every other time you would normally Shampoo. Then work your way down from there.
Some Curlies don't even use Shampoo, they just strictly Co-Wash - usually based on personal preference. As your hair growths and you learn more about hair care, you also learn more about your own hair care needs.

"No matter how much I use my hair is always thirsty!"
I can most definitely relate to this one. I have 4B/4C hair and not only does my hair get major thirsty if I don't have my proper hair routine but my Scalp gets dry fast and here comes the flaking.

Do you do Hot Oil Treatments? Better yet, HAVE YOU?
Hot Oil Treatments are great for getting moisture into your hair as well as working with any Dryness you have hair OR scalp wise! Also a great way of keeping oils in your hair while washing. Some Store bought HOTs will say to apply after washing. Personally, I feel it's more effective before washing.
I do HOTs before I Shampoo and then I Deep Condition right after I shampoo.
If you have Trouble with HOTs, do you apply heat your heat while you have it covered? Your hair might be Low Porosity so the cuticle is very hard to get moisture in. Heat will help open up the cuticle to allow moisture/oils in.

A Great Pre-Poo is Coconut Oil. It opens up the hair shaft, allowing moisture in and also helps when it comes to Shampooing so your hair isn't being completely ripped of oils and 'bone dry'.
Pre-Pooing also helps with your Conditioning, it has something to hold onto and get into the hair better, faster, and you'll have softer/shiner hair!

Coconut Oil actually Relaxes my curl so I don't like washing with it. I have a Pre-Poo Mixture of Extra Virgin Olive Oil - Jamaican Black Castor Oil - Jojoba Oil - Wheat Germ Oil, Rosemary, Tea Tree that's in a Spray Bottle w/Water. I Saturate my hair with this before I CoWash.

Are you someone who puts heat on their head? Did you just color your hair? Then you might need a Protein Treatment!
Old Fashion Mayo w/an Egg and if you have some oils you want to add will Doctor your head up.

The LOC Method has also been on the Rise lately. Liquid - Oil - Cream/Butter. After washing your hair, you put in your Leave-In Conditioner, then Oil on your hair to help Seal in the moisture and then your favorite Styling Butter/Cream to help retain and maintain moisture.

Usually the cause of the Dryness is not necessarily the product/oils you are using but how your hair is taking them.

The further you go along in your hair journey the more you learn about the wants and needs of your hair. What causes it dryness and how to maintain moisture.

I get really dry hair and scalp, my Routine is CoWashing every 3-4 Days. If I've been in Protective Styling majority of the week/low strand exposure then Once a Week.
Pre-Poo before CoWashing.
Every other Week I Shampoo - Homemade Hot Oil Treatment (Jojoba Oil, JBCO, Wheat Germ Oil, Glycerin, Rosemary, Peppermint). Then I spritz my hair with a Coconut Oil/Water mixture with Lavendar/Glycerin/Castor Oil to open up my strands. Put on a Heat Cap for a good Hour to make sure. Deep Condition after Shampooing - Castor Oil as well as Wheat Germ added to it.

After rinsing that out I put in my Leave-In. Oil my scalp with JBCO, Avocado, Extra Virgin Olive, Jojoba, Sweet Almond w/Essential Oils. Massage my scalp very well with this.

Put my hair in a protective style using a Cream.

I oil my scalp every day/every other day to prevent flaking from Dermatitis.

Hope this is helpful :-).

Black Hair Community Needs To Know Where To Cool It...

 

It's been a very good minute since I did a post and I should do more hair posts.
This one is going to be focused on the Black Hair Community.

Now, The Black Community itself can be a head shaker, as well as a rejoicing at the same time and reminds you why you love your people to begin with. Though some things I just cannot get over and one of those is how the Black Hair Community, which is suppose to be very unifying can also get at people emotionally, especially when it comes to Hair, on a negative.

My hair for instance as you see is Blonde. It's not a Honey Blonde, it is lighter than Honey Blonde. Outside pictures are better to show the color (also a room that was lighted, not with black curtains would as well). Though none-the-less you see the Blonde. You cannot miss it. Let me tell you how much the  Black Community goes against Black folks with Blonde hair when it comes to their own hair. And if you're Natural they really discourage you.
The very first thing that will be said is "YOU WILL DAMAGE YOUR HAIR BEYOND REPAIR." Okay first of all:
Yes, you will Damage your hair, but not beyond repair. Or you would not have any hair shortly after. Another would be "NEVER DYE YOUR HAIR YOURSELF OR IT WILL FALL OUT." This is also one of those "Please take a seat" moments. Now, while yes if you have no knowledge on coloring at all I would go and get my hair professionally done, though I'm sure there are some who have researched and dabbled in color to know what to do for the most part. I Bleach my hair myself. I am not a Hair Stylist. I am a Computer Nerd who knows how to read. I first bleached my hair back in February/March this year. It's been 7-8 months and it's still thriving, growing and my curls were not loss. I used a combination throughout the months of both Powder Bleach to lift the color and Ion Brilliant Blondes 10G for coloring. Last Bleaching I used Level 40 Developer (which is a HUGE no-no, or so the comments will say without professional help) with the color.

People are people. As people there are so many colors, so many hairstyles and designs out in the world yet people get so use to the 'Norm' that they are use to that when something changes it throws them off. Instead of just taking the change, they bash that person.
"Oh that color is horrible! Who was your stylist? They lied to you!" "You should never wear that!" "What the hell were you thinking!"

I didn't know you were getting paid RIGHT NOW to tell me how I should have my hair or how that person should have their hair because I know I damn sure ain't being paid to listen!

There is nothing wrong with giving opinion and advice, but when it's requested. Keep your opinion and how your dis-taste for THEIR personal style choices to YOURSELF! Remember, you're not the one with the Platinum Blonde hair or the Red lips with Blue Eye Shadow. That is not you. If they wearing that like they own it then damn let them own it! I do not care about skin tone. I don't. I am not going to sit here and be like "Oh yeah that shade of Red is just not you!" If YOU like it, who am I to stomp all over your happiness?
Do not let opinions of others dictate your own sound of mind and reason.

*********

As the BHC we should help each other in hair care as well as a persons individuality. Hair is a way of self expression. Who wants to have the same color of hair all the time? I know I don't.

Natural Hair Product Review: As I Am Twist Defining Cream

Been holding off on doing Product Reviews but felt since this product is still Fairly new (released early last year) I would do a review based on my experience with it thus far :-).

AS I AM (Naturally) Product Line is new to the Market of Hair Products and target audience is those with Coils, Kinks and Curly hair.
I purchased their Twist Defining Cream at Sally's Beauty Supply. There is a 8oz and a 16oz jar size, though Sally's only sales the 16oz I believe. I bought the 16oz for $22.00 ($2 off if you're a Member). Which if you're like me who actually make my own Hair Products that seemed pricey for me.
From opening you notice the color is a Slight Pink, and that it has a Citrus-Fruity smell:

Looking through the Ingredients there is BEET in it, so I believe that brings the pink tint to the product. It is Water-based. Not oily. The brief directions on the jar gives information on what kind of curl you are trying to Achieve, whether, tightly defined or loosely defined and whether to use on Wet hair or towel dry. It clearly says Twists Defining so it's used for Two-Strand Twists/Twist-Outs.

Feeling: If your hair doesn't take long to dry then don't expect any speedy drying with this product. My hair takes quite a while to dry itself. Once dry I noticed my hair kind of had a Spritz feeling to it. Untwisting my Two-Strands I can say that the product does indeed Define the curls. Even my Ends held onto their twists when they usually lose it after I unravel, due to Picking.

I know you've seen this picture from my last Circle Lenses review but I had used As I Am Twist Defining Cream when I took this picture via Webcam. My hair type is 4B so at a natural state my hair is tightly Coiled with shrinkage. The cream really helped add definition.

So Far my Pros with the Cream has been:

• Pleasant Smell
• Curl Pattern Defined
• Not Messy
• No need to Reapply for 2 and 3 day Re-Twisting.

Now with Pros there is always Cons and though there is only two for me one of them is Huge and it's Residue.

I noticed that after I took out the twists and fluffed my hair that my shoulders what at first glance would seem like Dandruff, but I know that I don't have Dandruff (I proudly eliminated that problem myself), were light clear pink crystallized specs.

That might not seem like much but that is just the point of my shoulder, when I picked my fro more would come onto my shoulder. I touch my hair a lot when I'm not at work, and even at work during my Breaks I fluff my hair and though I have a Uniform at work that won't show the specs so much, anything of dark color is screaming to show off the specs on the shoulders and collar.

So for me the Cons with this Product is:

• Dandruff-like Residue
• Need to still Oil hair (for me).

All in all I love the results of it but I do not like the Aftermath. I will use this Product up but I won't be repurchasing it again, due to the Residue.