8 Fun Hair Facts About My Natural Hair

I'm always asked the question, "How long have you been natural?"  When I answer "most of my life"  I tend to get a side eye like "Yeah, Girl whatever!" but then I'm bombarded with loads of product questions. Even in the moment of skepticism, my "secrets" are still on request for reveal. It's always been a tickling topic to me. Sometimes I have the "basher" (anyone and anything not natural is a problem!), the speudo educator (timelines and posts are their teacher. From their perspective, hairstylist don't know what they're talking about. 0_o) or (my fav) just a woman who likes to talk good haircare.  Many people tend to think that a series spectacular events happen in order for me to achieve the look/s they're inquiring about. Nope! Having been natural most of my life did not exclude me from the trial and error of finding out what works for my hair. However, being a hair professional and product trainer did make the journey a bit easier.  As per some of your inquiries, I thought I'd share a fun fact list of my journey along with my regimen. 

Cheeeeez! 18 months old and afro happy

MY FUN HAIR FACTS

1.I was a toddler rocking  huge afros. I really appreciate my mother for this. She had me wearing braid outs until first grade and I loved it!

2. As a child I maintained my curls with VASELINE and water. My edges and curls were LAID. I thought I had the secret until I went swimming and my hair turned white. My mother had to wash it out with dish detergent.

3. I've only worn a relaxer for 10yrs of my life (age13-23) *whispers* I'm going on 20yrs natural again. *winks*

4. I love hair color! I keep this strictly professional. 

5. People tend to think my hair is a wig or wig piece. I've been called some colorful names when I've replied "It's my natural hair."   One woman went as far as pointing me out to store patrons "she's a lying *BLEEP*" Geesh! She was mad!

6.There are NO holy grail products in my regimen. I switch up products all the time. When I find something I really like I keep it replenished but I still try other things.

7.My favorite hair tool is the Denman brush. A curly hair gift from the heavens. Amen! 

8. I am not a slave to my hair. 

Bonus fact: My husband usually colors, cuts and blow dries my hair. Who is spoiled? Meeeee!

Me today wearing a Wash and go

HAIR REGIMEN

Daily:  leave in conditioner/moisturizer. During the summer I use products specific for sun protection.

Weekly: Shampoo and condition. During the winter when my scalp is most dry, I do a bi-weekly scalp treatment.

Monthly: I alternate with deep conditioners according to my hair needs. I usually use a protein reconstructor of some sort every other month.

Bi Monthly: IF I stick to it then this is when I trim my hair. 

Quarterly: Hair color. new or retouch depending on if I'm using permanent or demi permanant. 

Yearly: Once a year I take off about 4 inches.  I don't have a clue as to how that number became the target but for the last 5yrs that's what it has been.  

See! No tricks or special effects. Just two tired arms trying to maintain what is affectionately known as the gorgeous beast.  Are you natural or straight? How do you maintain your healthy hair? Share some of your favorite hair tips below. 

 

Peter Lamas Avocado & Olive Shampoo and Conditioner Review

It's summertime and the frizz has been high. A pair of bottles in my closet must have heard the hoarse cry of my dry hair shaft.   Peter Lamas Avocado and Olive Ultra Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner has stepped forward to help tame the mane I affectionately refer to as "the beast". Has it been successful? Absolutely! This tag team leaves my tresses Ultra soft, Ultra detangled, and Ultra moisturized. Dare I say that their "Ultra" claim is the truth?  Yes I can!  If  I may be honest, when I read  "to condition and tame curly, frizzy, hard-to-manage hair", I thought "Yeah, I heard this all before. Tame? LOL This beast?! *glances up* Ok! Let me see what you can do."  The moment of truth was instantaneous. I shampooed my hair and was pleased because: 1. My hair color didn't fade and 2. My hair wasn't a rat's nest. Oh My! So far the shampoo held up to it's claim. I could run my fingers through the small kinks (tangles) and the hair would separate. Ok, Alright...The beast was calm but was it tamed?  I had to get this conditioner in to see if it too were as good as its claims.  It's important to mention that the soft scent of lime brought me pure enjoyment. *swoons*  I love lime scented hair and body products. When a brand can give that invigorating scent  and the benefits I'm looking for, it's all a win.  Now back to the conditioner, which claims: "a natural moisturizer and soother"..."to leave hair smooth and ultra-shiny"... and "nourish scalp to give you a lusciously soft, manageable locks."   Surely, this reparative conditioner (just as the shampoo) which is rich in protein and vitamins came to not only contend but to restore and win.  My hair felt so good (and looked good too!). The beast, as you can see from the picture below was tamed and remains tamed during these hot summer days.  Typically I would have had to give myself a few deep treatments to repair and restore from sun damage but that's not been the case after using the Peter Lamas Avocado and Olive Shampoo and Conditioner.  The beast is happy and so am I. Now, if only someone would come massage my arms after all of this. So goes the life of a girl with big hair. lol

My hair is about 60% dry in this picture. I left a little bit of conditioner in my hair. 

Think you would give this a try?  How do you remedy your summertime frizz?

*product sent by brand rep for review consideration

Review and Giveaway: Simply Smooth Xtend Keratin Reparative Magic Potion

Mixed up weather can sometimes equal confused tresses for many of us.  It's a relief when a product comes along to silence the chaos along the hair shaft.  Simply Smooth Xtend Magic Potion does a superb abracadabra and POOF... the keratin and botanical blend infuses into the hair fibers instantly creating a shiny, sleek seal. (don't believe me?  take a look at the pics below)   Ok, back to the magic potion!  The weightless formula is great for all hair types so whether you're relaxed or natural the mystical tricks are all the same.  An instant and SAFE solution for all of us who have been spooked by the bruhaha about other professional keratin treatments.(straightening is NOT required for this product)  Simply Smooth Magic Potion is sodium chloride free, so there aren't any fumes just a nice light scent reminiscent of cocoa butter.

 Ingredients --> need a little help? read my post on label reading

This power packed wonder potion is brewed and packaged for easy use .After you shampoo, you have the option to use this as a stand alone leave in condition or in conjunction with your regular regimen. Either way, your tresses will be instantly rejuvenated, repaired, detangled, defrizzed, smoothed and shined.  Yes, it's like that trick where the magician KEEPS pulling out colorful scarf after scarf  creating a never ending bout of laughter.  Simply Smooth keeps pulling out benefit after benefit which Xtends the health and structure of your hair.   

 3 sprays onto my hand (a little goes a long way) It dries down without any film or stickiness.

 applied to hair

combed through and semi dry

Since my hair has been entranced by this potion I want to share the magic with one of YOU.  Yes, you can have your very own bottle!!.  It's simple follow this blog (box over on the right), then share this post on your Facebook page or RT it on Twitter, make sure to leave a comment BELOW to let me know you did it.  A winner will be picked randomly on Friday, November 25,2011 (must be 18. US resident only)

for more info visit: Simply Smooth Xtend Keratin Reparative Magic Potion, $30

*product provided courtesy of beautystat.com*

Noodle Head Review

This winter I decided to only wear styles that require me to sit under the dryer, NO WET curly hair. Last winter traumatized me..lol I believe I had icicles in my hair one day. So, I figured finding a great styling product for some twist, knots or braids would be way cheaper than me having to pay for therapy over my hair being frostbitten. I have tried so many products but either they are to oily (saturates down into my face), filmy (the hair has almost a grey hue) flaky(so not cute look when the product resembles grits on your hairshaft), or just plain drying to both my hair and scalp (and the itchiness is madness).

Well, I was happy when Tony over at Well Watered Woman asked me if I had tried Beyond the Zone's Noodle Head. This was right on time because I just finished off a salon product that couldn't stand without a companion. I didn't want to repurchase those products so I headed over to Sally's and grabbed a tube of Noddle Head (they have a curl spray that looks like it might be good for those nights when u want to refresh your twist out without having to shampoo your hair)

I decided to give it a try with some bantu knots. I recommend that knots be done early , (unlike myself, who did them 3hrs before i had to go somewhere) Knots take a loooong time to dry, especially if your hair is thick like mine. So my end result was a little on the frizzy side because I had to pull the knots down before they were totally dry. Noodle Head Curling cream is very light, gives a great definition and it left a wonderful shine. The scent is very light and I found that I didn't need a lot of product when applying to each section. I will use it again this week for my twist out because it worked for me. All in all it was a good buy(under $6) and the sale girl told me it goes on sale quite often, another plus. 

Beyond the Zone

Herbal Essences has got me Totally Twisted

For years I was on the hunt for the product that worked best on my hair. I never found anything that gave me a good defined curl along with proper moisturizing and hydrating. Then, about 10yrs ago I happened upon a professional product that made my hair sing. I was devastated to find out that unbeknownst to me the company had decided to end our relationship. I would have to scour numerous salons or websites to find any trace of my sweet love. In my state of rebound, while cruising through Walmart I was drawn by a display of bright vivid colored bottles with catchy phrases. I immediately went back into my old mode of picking products for moisture & hydration but then it caught my eye, Totally Twisted Curl &Waves shampoo and conditioner. hhhhhm, I had been hearing about this line. I recently tried a brand that i was not happy with and this product was under $3. a major deal from my usual purchases ($10+ a bottle) So in the cart and home came these products. This product delivered on everything it said it would. CLEAN, SPRINGY, HYDRATED, SMOOTH, & DEFINED!! Hair knows when it's treated right..lol My curls not only sang but they danced! The french lavender and jade extracts were so uplifting to both my mood and my curls. I have a new favorite shampoo & conditioner!!

herbal essence totally twisted