My Favorite (Store Brought) Products

In my brief 8 months of being natural, I want to share with you my favorite products for my hair, thus far...

• Clarifying Shampoo: Pretty Natural LLC - Healthy Roots Mositurizing Shampoo
• Normal Conditioner: Taliah Waajid's Black Earth Products – Enhancing Herbal Conditioner
• Deep Conditioner: Aubrey Organics - Moisturizing Conditioner
• Leave-In Conditioner: Karen’s Body Beautiful - Hair Milk
• Daily Moisturizer: Oyin Handmade - "Frank Juice" and/or Coconut Oil sealed with Oyin Handmade "Whipped Shea Butter"
• Styling Product: Oyin Handmade - Burnt Sugar Pomade

Also, check out my video on why these products are my favorites:

Snip..Snip.. My First Trimming Experience

I was just thinking today, that I never told you about what happened when I went to get my first trim since my BC, so I decided to do the post...better late, than never. Right?

Well, I did my first trim around my 6th month of being completely natural. If you saw my 'Hair Update' video (http://bit.ly/qWgB) you know that I trimmed my ends because I was noticing a lot of shedding; and often times shedding is an indication that it's time to trim your ends.

The salon I went to (Essential Beauty Spa in Laurel, MD) specializes in Natural Hair Care so that's why I chose to go there. I did bring my own shampoo and conditioner, because I don't like to use products that contain any type of chemicals, and I wanted to be on the safe side (I was glad I did!). After my shampoo & condition, I requested to have my ends trimmed while my hair was wet because I don't want to put any heat in my hair, including blow-drying. The stylist agreed and then proceeded to trim my ends...

The only thing that I did not like about the service, was that they did not detangle my hair while the conditioner was in; instead the stylist tried to comb through my hair and trim at the same time..all while my hair was dry-airing. This caused a few tangles and instead of her using a wide tooth comb to detangle my entire head, she tried to pull through my hair with a rat-tail..BIG NO NO!

Overall, the trim was decent, but I think I might do my next trim myself or at least try a different salon and do it dry from a twist out with BIG twists, so the trim can be more even (and less tramatic..lol)..

My Hair Update at 8 Months

A quick video about what's going on with my hair, and also I discuss what I did when my hair was shedding really bad...

My First Twist Updo!

I used my Oyin Handmade Products today and created my first twist updo! I used the Burnt Sugar Pomade (now my favorite for twisting) and of course the Frank Juice (mixed with Coconut Oil) for my Leave-In Conditioner! Do you like ?

Am I Naive About Hair ??

Ever since I made my transition to wearing my natural hair, I've gotten a lot of feedback from people saying that I am naive about hair...is it true???

In my personal opinion, I feel as though ANYONE can wear their hair in its natural state and achieve any hairstyle! Whether your natural hair is course or fine or thick or curly or any combination of textures, your hair is YOUR hair and any particular hairstyle will look how its meant to look on YOUR hair...beautiful!

Yet many oppose this idea, saying "That's not true! You just say that because you have "pretty" hair..etc, etc.." And this is where I disagree, because even if my hair wasn't its curly texture, I would still do all the styles I do now and probably much more!

So I believe I am not naive about hair, I have just embraced MY natural hair and once I did that I learned to see the beauty in ALL natural hair!

Confessions of a Product Junkie...09/23/09

My OyinHandmade Products Have Arrived!

I received my Oyin Handmade hair products today!! I am so excited!!! They have met, and exceeded my every expectation! I ordered the Grand Poo Bar, Honey Hemp Conditioner, Frank Juice Leave-In Conditioner, Whipped Shea Butter (Rich Almond flavor), and Burnt Sugar Pomade. The smell of each one of these products is phenomenal and delicious! Product reviews for each product coming soon...

Fall / Winter Hair Routine?

One of the really big topics in the natural hair community these days is 'The Winter Months Routine'. Most of the newly naturals and some that have been natural for awhile are asking for suggestions on what to do to their hair to combat the cold winter months. And coincidentally, there seems to be a pretty constant response to that, which is "MOISTURIZE & CONDITION" ! Of course, you should be nourishing your hair with these essentials anyway, so what's different in the winter?!

I would say, the frequency should be increased and protein treatments should also be added to the mix! Many people do a deep-condition every other week or once a month, but I would say in the winter every week, or at least every other week would definitely help your hair! Also, do a protein treatment every once in a while. This can be homemade using a few eggs and honey (protein homemade recipe posts coming soon..) or by using a store brought product! You have to remember the colder air is really dry!

Recently, I brought the Aubrey Organics Glycogen Protein Shampoo & Conditioner (product review coming soon) and I will be using this to help keep my hair strong and moisturized...along with my Coconut oil!

What "Natural Hair" Means To Me...

I did I brief video today on a topic that I feel is very important, my opinion on the meaning of "Natural Hair". Please watch and provide any comments, reviews, feedback about the video or your view of what "natural hair" means to you!

What? Why? How?... The BC (Big Chop) for Transitioners

I don't know about you, but I hear a lot of talk from transitioners (& opposers) about "The Big Chop" ! Many transitioners wonder "whats that point?" "what does it mean?" "what if I don't like it?" ..these are all great questions, so let me offer you some words of encouragement & advice.

For starters, 'what is a BIG CHOP or BC'?? A BC is when you cut off all the relaxed ends of your hair at one time. Some people 'transition' before their BC in which they let their hair grow out for a while (several months - year), and this is where the questions arise.

Q: Whats the point? Why can't I just transition until my natural hair is the same length that I have right now?
A: There are several reasons why doing a BC is good:

• You get to learn about your hair as it grows; this is REALLY fun!!
• You are able do a lot of product experimenting to find the best products for your hair.
• During the transition period there is a major break point where the two textures meet, and without a lot of TLC you can cause your hair a lot of stress.
• Less likely to give in to the 'relaxer-addiction' and put a relaxer in your.

Q: I don't like the texture of my hair as its growing out, so what if I don't like it completely natural?
A: From experience, I can tell you, that the texture that grows out with "relaxed" ends is nothing like the texture when its completely natural. Subconsciously, you are comparing the new roots to the "relaxed" ends and of course they will feel different; but once you get rid of the "relaxed" ends your natural hair will take its true, beautiful, form!!

Honestly, the transitioning phase can be trying at times, and you may feel like you just want to throw in the towel and "put a relaxer in" because it would make things "easier" but RESIST!! Think about how much good you will be doing to your hair, mind, and body by not chemically altering the natural texture of your hair! Applaud yourself for not putting harmful chemicals on your scalp for your skin to absorb! In the end, you will be glad you stayed strong because your natural hair will be FUN, EASY, BEAUTIFUL, and SINCERELY YOURS!!

---

Transitioner Support:

Books:
Hair Story by Ayana Byrd & Lori Tharps

Websites:
Nappturality.com - http://bit.ly/1ai1wK
My Natural Hair Care Guide - http://bit.ly/WocAq
YouTube Video Support - http://bit.ly/qo0IX

There is support everywhere, if you need more avenues to discuss your journey or need a pick me up, feel free to send me a message: info@curlynugrowth.com !