Product Review: Design Essentials Curl Cleanser

Okay, so I currently have Senegalese Twists and I don't know about ya'll but my hair itches so bad with these things in! I know I had a few ratchet-looking moments sitting at my desk at work "patting my weave" lol...But oh well lol! Anyway, when my hair gets dirty my scalp is on 10 and has to get clean so I had to venture out to a product that would cleanse my scalp, wash out easily, and not leave residue in my hair.  This beautiful product was the result of my search.  (Am I ever gonna find a product I don't like??) Now I had heard a lot of great things about it so I don't know what took me so long try it, but I digress. This product was awesome! It lathered beautifully without making my new-growth hard, my hair wasn't dry after washing it out and most importantly, my scalp was clean! The smell is of unscented hotel soap, so not pleasant, but not funky either. I can't stand a stinky hair product! Overall, I was satisfied and would recommend to ladies that prefer a shampoo as opposed to co-washing. Hope this helps!

Stay Beautiful

-NB

What's Your Number

A common question I have gotten since going natural is....what is your hair type?  The answer?  I don't know!  Honestly don't care.  I never understood why people want to put labels on the simplest things.  Hair is hair!  Even if you figure out your hair type the person beside you with the same hair type I guarantee, will not have the same exact head of hair as you.  Most people have more than one texture of hair and every one's hair doesn't react the same to the same products.  My advice?  Find out what you hair requires.  If you find out your hair's needs then it will help you choose the products you need.  Then from there, just pay attention to what your hair likes and dislikes.  Hope this helps!

Stay Beautiful

-NB

Product Review: Infusium 23 Moisture Replenisher

I'm always on the search for a great conditioner even though none have come close to replacing my current one (Aussie 3 Minute Miracle). I recently visited my grandmother and since she and my mom are licensed I trust pretty much anything I find in their closets.  I needed to do a tension blow out on my hair so that I could get Senegalese Twists the next day, but forgot my regular conditioner so I was stuck with looking in the closet for something to make due with. HOOONEY let me tell you!  That stuff up there? THAT. STUFF. UP. THERE?! I had to thank the hair gods because this stuff was my hair savior! Just phenomenal.  I  hate talking up a product because everyone's hair is different, but this stuff right is here the truth for my hair. Immediately when I put a little on a section of my hair I literally said out loud, "oh wow". I pretty much co washed with this in the shower and detangling was a breeze.  Any time you can put a product in your hair for the first time and can finger detangle with ease is a good day for a curly girl so I was more than pleased.  My hair was super moisturized soft and very manageable for my blow out!  I think I may have found another staple product!  This product is 33.8 oz and is $8 at Walmart and worth every penny! So, if you are looking for a moisturizing conditioner pick up the smaller bottle to try (Harris Teeter may have a trial size) and let me know what you think!

If You're A PJ And You Know It Clap Your Hands!

Hello my name is Kyndra and I'm a PJ! What is a PJ might you ask? A PJ my dears is a Product Junkie and that is me and most natural women. For some reason product hoarding normally goes hand in hand with being natural. Why? Of course, I can't speak for anyone else, but for me, its because I'm always on the search for the latest and greatest products that will make my hair be as fabulous as its owner! Maybe its also because most women are hard wired to shop...that RTS (Retail Therapy Syndrome) is a killer! A lot of times I hear about a product, go out and get it, and my hair is like uhhhhhh no ma'am! BUT that feeling I get when I purchase it; that excitement to try it out is kind of worth it. I have gotten better with product hoarding and try not to go over board by either a) using all of the product I buy before formulating my opinion OR giving the product to someone else. Of course I have run across products that were so terrible I wouldn't use them on mannequin hair, but for the most part thats what I try to do. So to my fellow PJ's don't be ashamed! Relish in those excessive impulsive hair product purchases because without them you wouldn't stumble across those awesome products you can't be without! Feel free to share great finds, sales, and new product info with me! Comment or email so I can spread the knowledge!

Top Ten Curly Girl Commandments

10. Do not talk down about your own hair

Too many times I have heard,"girl my hair so nappy" and other less than flattering comments about their own hair, but my question is why??  Its your hair you control how raggedy or how fabulous it is!  Stop talking junk about it and change it!

09. Use sulfate free shampoos

Sulfate shampoos are hair vampires....they suck out of the essential natural oils in the hair and make the overall upkeep of your hair difficult. 


08. Always wrap your hair with a satin scarf, bonnet, or use a satin pillow case

Cotton.  Another vampire.  Sucks the moisture right out of your hair.  Going to bed without wrapping your hair AND sleeping on a cotton pillow case is no bueno.  Our curly coils get caught in the fibers of the cotton so not only does it absorb moisture but it pulls the hair right out of the scalp.

07.  Read the product label

Reading the label before you purchase will save you heartache and return trips to the store.  The worst situation is picking up a product you heard about, getting all excited to try it, then get home, look at the label and see mineral oil, petrolatum, alcohol, and all the other no no's these "all natural products" sometimes have.  Save yourself some time and read the label and weed out those products with ingredients you don't like while you are in store.

06. Moisturize and seal daily

I'm rethinking where this should be on the list, but I feel this is a no brainer so sue me HA! Moisturizing and sealing your hair is the best thing you can for your hair. Moisturized hair is soft, happy hair!

05. Don't be afraid to learn or try new things

This is pretty self explanatory.  If you are thinking of going natural, newly BC'd, or a veteran, you must not be afraid to try new styles, different methods of methods of styling and caring for your hair. If there is a fountain of youth, I would say constant change would be it's chaser so don't be afraid to switch it up and step out of your comfort zone!

04. Trim regularly

Most women have had bad experiences with scissor happy beauticians so after we go natural we don't want to go to someone and have that misfortune, but trimming is a necessity to maintain healthy hair and promote growth (IMO). The method I use to trim is dusting. Its basically two strand twist, trim just a little, untwist, re-twist in the opposite direction of the first twist and trim a bit more. I do this every other month.  Please, please, please purchase a pair of shears. Don't trim/cut/dust your hair with paper cutting scissors, you will be doing more harm than good. Dull scissors cause split ends!

03. Keep it simple

...Your regimen that is. There is no need to have a 12 step regimen...Ain't nobody got time for that!  Finding a handful of products for your regimen will be the best thing you can do for wash day. Quick and simple is the way to go!

02. Do not covet your sister's fro

I know we all enjoy hair porn from time to time, but don't get caught up with wanting the same hair as someone else's. Wanting a style is one thing, but wanting and going out trying to find products to achieve the same texture as some else is totally different. Everyone's hair is different. Accept it. Own and love your hair. If its a style that you are in love with it recreate it and modify it for your hair type, length, and or texture. You are married to your hair, so your eyes may wander, but leave it at that. You can't divorce it so need in lusting after hair you will never be able to have.   

01.  LISTEN TO YOUR HAIR

Your hair will tell you everything you need to do for it to thrive. From trimming, to protein treatments, actively listening to your hair will keep you out the vicious cycle of break ups to make ups with your hair. Not only that, listening to your hair when you are trying or using old products will save you from bad situations. If you're used to your hair feeling baby booty smooth when using certain products, but now its not reacting the same way when you apply the same product it's time to switch! Don't get so attached to products that you become more loyal to the product rather than your hair. Your hair may like different products and methods depending on what stage your hair is in. I have tried products when I BC'd and they were terrible, but in a few months when my hair was in a different stage the same product worked beautifully! Thats just the way it is sometimes. Listen to your hair and it will take you far!

Q and A: Tenderheaded Girl Probs

Question:

What can I use in my hair to style it better?? Im so tenderheaded and it always feels like im using the whole bottle/jar of detangling creams that I have and my scalp is sore sometimes after styling my hair. I wash every two weeks. I co wash every other day. I deep condition every week and moisturize daily. The products I'm currently using are Shea Moisture Raw, Shea Butter conditioner and shampoo, As I Am Co Wash, Shea Moisture Smoothie, Curling Soufle and Deep Treatment Masque and Anti Breakage Mask and olive oil.


Answer:

This is a great question! I think a lot of women are tenderheaded and it can sometimes be a deterrent when considering going natural and it shouldn't be!  Styling your hair starts with your hair care routine. As with anything, too much of a good thing is a bad thing. Over washing will strip your hair of its natural oils and ultimately make it harder to moisturize and detangle.  I recommend simplifying your regimen.  Less is more!  Try co-washing then deep conditioning just once, one week.  Also, detangle as you do your protective style.  This will make it easier to detangle and you will use less product. Start from the ends of the hair and work your way to the root.  Apply your oil then style that section.  Mist your hair with water and moisturizer at night and in the morning should keep you from wanting to wash those soft, lustrous coils! The only styling product I use is Shea Moisture Smoothie and Eco Styler Argon Oil Gel and let me tell you, just a swatch of each per section is more than enough! Seal that with your oil of choice and you got it made!!! Hope this helps!

Stay Beautiful

-NB 

Moisturizing 101

The most common question I get asked is how I keep my hair moisturized throughout the day and to be honest, its pretty easy.  The key to moisturizing your hair is....WATER! That's right, good ole H2O! Drinking plenty of water is the first step, but incorporating water in your regimen is just as important. Water is best source of moisture (that should be no surprise) so there is no need to be afraid of it!! Embrace the spray bottle!! So, here's my method for retaining moisture:

• Nightly rituals!! Come up with a nightly regimen that includes lightly misting your hair, sealing and topping with a satin bonnet. My nightly regimen consists of:
• Lightly misting my hair with plain water
• Adding a very small amount (dime size) of leave in to the hair
• Sealing with my oil of choice (if I seal at night, I use an oil with a thinner consistency, usually, coconut oil)
• Wrap hair with satin scarf or bonnet (the way you wrap depends on the style you're wearing)

• Morning regimen:
• Just add water to "wake up" products to hair (no need to apply product if you just added it the night before)
• Apply whatever styling product is needed
• Seal with oil (I use my favorite, One N' Only Argon Oil) 

And viola! You've got soft luscious coils that will last all day with no fuss!  Very easy!

Stay Beautiful!

-NB