For the seventh person to email me about the AG product giveaway!

Company Name: Curl Junkie

Product Name: Curl Rehab Moisturizing Hair Treatment

Price: $20.00 8 oz

Ingredients: Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Fruit, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail) Leaf Extract, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Leaf Extract, Melissa Officinalis (Melissa) Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita (Pepperment) Leaf Extract, Yucca Leaf Extract, Rosa Mosqueta (Rosehip) Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Theobroma Grandiflorum (Cupuaçu) Seed Butter, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Vanilla Planifolia oil, Cananga Odorata oil, Lecithin, Fragrance, Citric Acid.

Consistency:  thin creamy

Scent: Gardenia-Coconut (light and pleasant)

Purchase from: Curl Junkie, Curlmart (part of the First Aid Kit)

Review:

So this was the first product I tried from the First Aid Kit that I won and also my first Curl Junkie product. I think I overdid it with a protein treatment a few days ago and my hair felt really dry. I needed moisture!

This provided it! I love it! The slip is fantastic, dentangling was made easier, and the moisture was out of this world. I was able to leave it on for a few hours and when I rinsed, I was in heaven.

I did end up using the whole jar because 1) my hair is thick and 2) I applied it to very small sections liberally to make sure I got complete coverage.

Will I buy this again? It will more than likely enter my rotation once my No Buy Challenge is over

So not related to hair, but completely hilarious.

A comment from debrmitc:

Help…pressed and curled for the last 9 months. Don’t Judge OK !! I work in a very conservative school district and inorder to go to the next level I had to. I know I know but I did..not my hair that has been natural since December 1996 looks straight. I got the position…and am wearing my hair twisted. My 12 inches at it’s longest point is straight at 3 inches. Will it ever come back. I’m currently wearing micro twist with my own hair but it looks so thin. HELP….what can I do to get the Nappy LOOK back..If I have to cut then OK..I will in 2 months….but please help.

I did the BIG CHOP to less than an inch in 1993…and LOVED it. Normally I wear my hair in braids or twist Christmas Break, Spring Break and Summer but this summer I tried to and it didn’t.
I haven’t had a perm since December 13, 1993. However, I started pressing my hair in 2006. Last month it started looking permanently pressed— (HAIR DAMAGE) so I’m transitioning back to just my natural hair. I know some people think that’s natural…? I won’t get into that discussion. If you have any questions or want to discuss the transition process let’s discuss.

As of today my hair is 14.5 inches. I haven’t had my hair pressed in 2 months… right not I have about 2 inches that’s not permanently straight.

Talking about being frustrated.

My reason for pressing is because, I was advised that inorder to move into the job that I obtained my master’s in I need to improve my hair appearance. (it wasn’t said as nicely as that). I’m trying to be politically correct.

Debrmtic, thanks for the great question. First, I will totally not judge you for that. It’s not my business or right to do so. You did what you felt you needed to do.

I think your hair is probably heat damaged and that you will have to BC the damaged ends. I know my mother (back in the day) pressed and curled her hair so much that it just stayed straight. This was great for her because it was what she wanted, but her hair that was damaged never went back to it’s original state.

The only thing I can think to suggest  is to try a good protein treatment.  You can transition from heat damage in the same way that you do a transition from relaxed to natural.

I hope that helps!

So I love, love, love my prize from the CurlSuzy First Aid Kit contest. However, one little product among the kit has a bit too many silicones for me. So, I am turning it into a giveaway. Here is the product:

AG Split End Spa Repair Serum by AG Hair Cosmetics

1.69 oz container

Here are the ingredients:

water, cyclopentasiloxane, dimethicone crosspolymer, dimeticonol, PEG-12 dimethicone crosspolymer, inulin lauryl carbamate, cocodimonium hydroxypropyl hydrolyzed keratin, amodimethicone, cetrimonium chloride, trideceth 12, panthenol, butylene glycol, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed extract, calendula officinalis flower extract, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) extract, trifolium pretense (clover) extract, pinus palustris leaf extract, dianthus cariophyllus flower (carnation) extract, cinnamidopropyltrimonium chloride, 1,2-hexanediol, 1,2 octanediol, tropolone, hydroxyethylcellulose, tetrasodium EDTA, parfum/fragrance

Here is the product description:

Rejuvenate tired strands and delight damaged locks with this sweet treat. split end spa is the secret to soft hair, ease-free blow drying and long lasting style, loaded with a potent blend of Herbal Extracts, Meadowfoam, Sunflower Seed Extract and AG’s color and radiance enhancing complex.

This ultra light serum instantly conditions and repairs split ends while significantly protecting hair colour.

I know there are some cone heads out there ( a term of enderment I assure you ) that would probably love this. It’s gotten pretty good reviews from NC.com. Of course, you know split ends can not be cured by any product, the only “cure” is to cut them off.

The seventh person to send me an email at kcurly@newlynatural.com will win this. If you enter this contest, I only ask that you be prepared to send me a review when you use it.

While browsing around Etsy, I found a store that had a lot of hair accessories that seemed perfect for weddings. If you’re like me, people around you are getting hitched left and right. Tis the season to jump the broom, right?

Here’s the store where I saw these: The Honeycomb. She has a few everyday items as well, but the wedding stuff is what really caught my attention. These are very elegant, feminine, and soft. I really like them. I am thinking of ordering one in case I have occasion to wear it one day.

Tomaka’s Twists is having a free shipping sale! Check it out ladies! (This only applies to the US)

I was greeted with this awhile back when I opened up a container of deep conditioner:

Yes, ladies, that is mold.

This product is one of the many natural products that I have, but this has never happened to me. I do have to admit that the more products I get the longer they tend to sit without being used (obviously). I’m really glad for this No Buy Challenge as I could see that a lot of my products were on the edge of their shelf life (see the benefits and downsides to buying natural products here).

Here are a few of the suggestions I received on Curltalk to avoid having this happen again:

• Keep products refrigerated (Can’t do this, I would need to have a separate fridge for food! LOL!)
• Do not let water get into the container
• Write the date on it when it arrives
• Add Vitamin E to the container or a natural preservative
• Empty the product out into another container when ready to use so that you don’t dip wet fingers directly into container

—

These are all helpful tips which I never really considered. I am positive that water getting into my container was the problem so I’ve taken steps to correct that. If anyone has any other tips, please post them to the comment section and I will add them to the list.

Well, much to my surprise I was chosen as the blogger winner for the FAK contest held by NC.com. For someone who is on a No Buy Challenge, this soothes my little PJ mind like nothing else LOL!

Here is a video that include the winners and their unique hair concoctions:

Here is the CurlySuzy Q&A that includes a promo for 15 percent off your purchase from Curlmart (scroll down and see the little box on the right for the promo).

I’m pretty excited about the products, and can’t wait to recieve them. Of course, reviews will be incoming soon

I posted a few days ago about the African Butterfly Clips. I said in the original article, which I read from the website, that shipping takes 2 weeks. However, I received mine about 4 days or so after placing my order. For free shipping, that is pretty awesome.Hell, for any shipping that is awesome.

It’s very similar to a Hair Zing in that is a series of decorative beads with 2 combs attached on either end.

The combs are plastic, somewhat flexible and the teeth are not sharp on the end. However, compared to the Hair Zing, the ends are a bit more rough. Also, comparing it to the Hair Zing, the string or cord on which the beads are attached is a lot sturdier looking.

I don’t know if I like them better than Hair Zings or not. Though it is essentially the same thing, the style of it is so very different. I like it a lot and will probably order another one at some point.

I played around with it before putting my hair back in a puff. I did kind of a half up, half down thing. It was super sturdy for all of my hair though it took me 2 or 3 times to get it on straight.

Then I put it on my twists and loved it. I wore it all day, no headache or anything (I’m usually very sensitve to tight hair accessories).

I give it a big thumbs up so far!!

I love it even more knowing there is a one year gaurantee.

No matter what you might have thought of him, he still was a great musician and performer. RIP.

Ya’ll, I about died when I read this. I will put honey on my hair, I will put mud, I will even put yogurt and raw egg on my hair, but this will never touch these tresses!

Check it out!

If you haven’t noticed, I haven’t really been posting as much the last few days so I’m going to knock out a few in a row here:

Following my last swimming session, I did a caramel treatment for the first time in awhile. I decided to use JustKiya’s recipe instead.  I saw that she said that her original recipe included wheat germ oil, so I used that too. I think it was a bit too much oil, though.My hair was quite moisturized and soft though very oily, more than I like.

Now that I have the red palm oil and wheat germ oil, I am anxious to experiment with them on their own.

After applying some KBB hair milk, I fingercombed and  puffed it the rest of the day.

Yesterday I put some twists in. I don’t normally put twists in anymore (on dry hair) without banding my hair first and it took longer than I wanted and of course there were some tangles. This was the result:

Sorry for the lack of makeup, I hope I didn’t scare any small children that might be viewing.

These twists are bigger than I like, so I wore them for the rest of the day but took them out this morning for a baby shower. I think I might’ve kept them in longer if I didn’t have to go swimming Monday. Might as well enjoy the twist out for the weekend!

I haven’t separated any of the sections at all. I plan to wear it another day or two and then do it. I find that my twist outs last longer if I do it this way. When I start separating them, they look great, but the frizziness sets in sooner.

Also, to any of you missing swing and bounce, try some twists. My twist outs always move, though I don’t think it’s long enough to swing. My fro…not so much…or at all

My color treated hair...Via Photobucket

There’s always a lot of controversy concerning whether a person is still considered natural if they dye their hair.

On the one hand, many people see going natural as no longer having chemically altered hair. And to alter the hair’s color is still a major change.  Just as most black people do not have naturally straight hair, most do not have naturally red or blonde hair. I can totally see that side of the argument. But is it on the same scale as a texture alteration?

I guess it just really depends on what your definition of “natural” is. To me,” natural” refers to the texture. It is embracing the true texture of your hair in spite of the fact that it is common practice to shun it. I think to most people, that kinky/nappy hair is “natural” no matter what the color.

Here are my real life examples of why colored kinky hair is still natural:

• Slaves did not used lye and axle grease to change the color of their hair. (The axle grease would sometimes darken the hair though)
• Most African American women will not be insulted by being called “that dark haired lady”. But call them “that nappy headed lady” and out comes the Vaseline and off come the earrings.
• It is not a (usually) rite of passage for little girls to get their hair colored, but what little girl didn’t feel like a grown up when going to the salon for the first relaxer?
• Nobody ever dyed their hair to make it more “manageable”.
• A woman who does not relax her hair will often raise eyebrows and get questions about her hair. It’s rarely said to someone who is sporting their natural hair color “Girl, when are you going to color that hair?”
• (This isn’t really a fact,just a thought) In 2008, almost $490 million was spent on home-hair color products. Black hair care in a 4 billion dollar industry. I wonder what percentage of the 4 billion are relaxers and relaxer related products compared to coloring products?

I guess my point is that there’s just a lot more behind the actual texture issue than the color. Some might use the argument that we put chemicals in hair with conditioner, stylers, etc…so aren’t we all chemically treated? I dunno, I can’t get that deep on the subject, nor can I see the point in doing so.

Anyhoo, I won’t be coloring my hair,  but I’ve always thought about it doing it. I won’t be doing it because I intend to embrace my gray and I also fear the damage. If I did color, it would be with henna. Which brings up another question…those who think that color treated folks are not natural, what about henna? Is that ok because it’s a “natural” concoction?

But I digress. To satisfy my curiosity, I did the above picture alteration. How do you like it? I would love to know your thoughts on coloring natural hair.

Resource:

http://www.marieclaire.com

Company Name: Karen’s Body Beautiful

Product Name: Deep Conditioner

Ingredients: Purified Water, Jojoba Oil, Vegetable Glycerin, Vegetable Wax, Aloe Vera, Echinacea, Nettle, Horsetail, Panthenol, Essential and/or Fragrance Oils & Natural Enzymes

Price: $16.00  8 oz

Scent: Many to choose from

Consistency: Creamy

Review:

I liked this “okay” but it just didn’t compare to my precious Luscious Locks. It provided moisture but for a deep conditioner, I really need a lot of moisture. I want my hair to feel drenched in it.

I just didn’t get that feeling from this product. I would probably like this more as a daily conditioner. The slip was nice, but not fantastic.

I still love ya KBB though!

Will I buy this again? No