au naturale, braid out, conditioner, contest, curls, detangle, karite, lupie chick, lupus, mz sixx, natural hair, product giveaway, relaxed hair, shampoo, shea butter, straight hair, twist outs

[CLOSED]Karite Hair Product Review and GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!

Thank you to all of you that entereded into the Karite Hair Product give away.The winners were chosen at random on Spetember 29, 2011. The winners of the Nourshing shampoo and reconstructiuve conditioner set are:

1. All Things Cute & Girly
2. Elizabeth @ Different Kinds of Curls
3. Pamela H
4. Amy V
5. Precious @ Precious Curls

Stay tuned for future giveaways and product reviews!

I received the Nourishing Shampoo, Reconstructive Conditioner, & Leave-In Conditioner 8 weeks ago. This review has taken a little time to complete because I typically wash my hair every 6 weeks ( co wash in between ). For this review I used the shampoo to wash my hair 3x’s, the conditioner 8 times ( co wash), the leave in multiple times per week. I wanted to be as objective as possible and have a couple of washing before providing my review. I love these products! Immediately after washing my hair ( I did not pre poo like I normally would when using commerical shampoo’s), my hair was left soft ( not stripped or dry like it normally feels after using commerical shampoo’s). I noticed less frizz (with my wash n go’s); my scalp didn’t feel tight or itchy( another issue I have when I used commerical shampoo’s). The conditioner provided the right amount of slip to make detangling a breeze, and it was easy to coat the strands (a little goes a long way!).

Picture-3 strand Twist Out

The light fragrance was a plus and the conditioner + leave in during my co wash sessions left my curls feeling moisturized, very manageable and bouncy. Using this product when I did 3 strand twist outs left my hair with body and assisted with that “Cotton Candy Hair” look. Read the ingredient label(s) if you are particular about the bad stuff ( silicone’s, mineral oil, etc), these products may not be for you. My hair loved the products and i will keep a supply on hand. You can purchase the products at walgreens, walgreens.com, or at nuNATT.com

Disclosure: Complimentary products was provided for this review, however, all opinion(s) expressed are my own. I was not compensated in any other way.

5 lucky followers

Will win a Karite Nourishing Shampoo & Conditioner Prize Pack!!!!

1. This giveaway is open until October 1, 2011 at 11:59 pm EST to U.S residents, 18 years old or older.

2. Only ONE comment per follower (comments will appear after I approve them)

3. “follow” this blog (on the sidebar to your right)* or via Network blogs

4. leave a comment on this blog post answering the following question: ” What do you love most about being natural?”

5. Include how you’d like to be contacted if you win (leave your e-mail, twitter ID, etc)

Optional
* You will get an extra 2 entries if you are a subscriber of my
YouTube channel (leave your username; I will check subscriptions before putting in another entry)

* You will get 2 extra entries if you follow me on Twitter @AuNaturaleDC

For your convenience, here is a guide for an entry: If it’s easier, you may copy/paste this as your comment and fill in the blanks.

1) I’m a resident of the U.S.
2) I followed this blog; I used ____ name to follow
3) What I love most about being natural is?/ I love being natural because_______
4) If I win, please contact me via ____

Optional:
please include 2 extra entries for me b/c I subscribe to your YT channel. My user name on YouTube is ______

Please include 2 extra entries for me b/c I follow you on Twitter. My Twitter name ______

The winner will be picked randomly on October 2, 2011. Good Luck!!!!!!!!!

Click Here to Read the Prize/Giveaway Disclaimer
2 strand twist, 3-C hair type, au naturale, bun, detangle, goody spin pin, hair challenge, hair growth, mini twist, miss naturale, miss sixx, natural hair, natural hair styles, wet bun

Bun Lovin

I challenged myself with a 30 protective style. My protective style of choice was mini twist.

After a week or two I was getting “bored”. I started watching checking You Tube vid’s and came across an interesting tutorial on how to make a sock bun. This was my mother’s go to style. She wore her hair in a bun everyday for as long as I could remember.

I made my sock bun, then was anxious to rock it! I’d lusting on this naturalista’s bun I met at the reggae wine festival- I decided to try my hand at recreating her look




Another view of the bun


This was me bun lovin at the beach



Overall, I loved rocking the bun. It was quick, easy, and keep me on target with my challenge.

Some Naturals prefer “wet bunning”

Wet bunning is great for protecting the length of your hair and for obtaining your dream ends. However, if done incorrectly it can damage your hair.The most important thing to remember when wet bunning is to listen to your hair! If your hair hates wet bunning, then do not do it! If your hair is breaking, try a protein treatment and if it persist, stop wet bunning, etc.

Again, Just listen to your hair

Here are basic tips on Wet Bunning


1. Keep your hair clean!: You are wetting and putting product on your hair and inevitably your scalp every day. Shampoo or ACV rinse to attack product build up. Make sure your hair and scalp is moisturized with natural products before putting it in a bun.

2. Do not use a rubber band to hold your hair. The elastic can break your hair. Go for the Goody ouchless no metal elastic hair ties, Goody Simple Style Spiral Bun Pin , Goody Simple Styles Hair Pin, or Goody Spin Pins. For added protection, Soak hair bands in natural oil once a week: This prevents hair from coming out where the band holds your hair every day.

3. Reposition the bun frequently: This prevents thinning in the area where the bun is formed. If you frequently switch it up between high, medium, and low buns, then this should not be a problem. If you see breakage, just stop. Your hair has feelings, and may not like it.

4. Give your hair line a break: Too much of anything is not good. If you plan to wet bun for a long time. Try taking it down once in a while and just braid while at home or asleep at night.

5. Keep your hair detangled: I comb my hair daily while wet to smooth before bunning. This also keeps it from getting ratty, matted and drawn up. You can use your fingers to do this as well. DO NOT USE a shower detangling comb unless your hair is wet because they will more than likely rip your hair out when dry. If you are co-washing then finger detangle in the shower.

I may start a 30 day (wet)bunning challenge- whose in with me???

3-C hair type, 4-b hair type, au naturale, curl defining, damage hair, denman brush, detangle, maintenance, miss naturale, miss sixx, styling products, tangle teezer

Tangle Teezer Detangling Brush

If you have experienced hair breakage or damage from your denman brush- take a look at the tangle teezer. I was put on to this product by a natural sista on Twitter. Check it out the article and let me know what you think..

Tangle Teezer is the first of a new generation of detangling hairbrushes! Upon picking up Tangle Teezer you will notice the teeth aren’t like that of an ordinary brush which is where the hair genius comes in. The unique configuration of specifically designed teeth flex just the right amount to detangle and help smooth the hair’s cuticle which in turn protects the inner cortex from damage.

Using the Tangle Teezer will ensure your hair will appear more lustrous by minimising cuticle damage which in turn will help colour last and reduce the risk of fading. The hair shaft is also better prepared for the onslaught of damaging heat from styling tools. That’s why we like to call it first aid for hair.

SHAUN P SHARES HIS TOP TANGLE TEEZER TIPS

Tangle Teezer can be used for all types of hair and held however you prefer without affecting its high performance. Here I share my tips and advice on getting the absolute best from your Tangle Teezer, helping to put your hair on the road to recovery. As the Tangle Teezer is all about your hair and you, if you have any tips or suggestions for using your Tangle Teezer then please share them and send them to info@tangleteezer.com

HAIR NECESSITIES

• Tangle Teezer is excellent for detangling both wet and dry hair.

• Don’t be tentative! Fantastic, painless detangling is achieved by using a firmer pressure. Remember: it’s like no other brush.

• It’s a workout for your hair. Tangle Teezer gives a blissful, relaxing head massage even for the most sensitive scalps.

• Unlike conventional brushes and combs where you have to try and ease tangles out starting from the ends of the hair and working up towards the roots, Tangle Teezer can be used from roots to ends and mid-length to ends. Tangle Teezer is perfect for those on-the-go with busy lifestyles and fidgety children! Mums have also discovered that Tangle Teezer is a brush sent from hair heaven when it comes to detangling their little darlings’ hair that loves to knot. Hair is calmed in minutes where out go the tears and in come the smiles!

• Detangle hair by using brush strokes from the underneath of the hair with the teeth pointing upwards. Alternatively, brush from the top of the hair pointing the teeth downwards. For those with long hair, turn your head upside down and start detangling from the nape of your neck down to the roots. Ideal for taking conditioner evenly through the hair when wet. Tangle Teezer ensures a light and even distribution of product which adds up to weightless blow-drying. For professional results and to ensure maximum root lift from blow-drying apply conditioner from mid-length to the ends – not from the roots. Tangle Teezer will distribute a fine film of conditioner at the roots which ensures no product overload that leads to flat hair.

HAIR REHAB

• Tangle Teezer is a must-have for hair extension wearers. Tangle Teezer will simply glide though the hair from roots to end, passing painlessly over the bonds without pulling. For those with hair extensions you will find less hair is pulled out and your style will last longer and look better. After three months your hair extensions will continue to look like new rather than pieces of twisted and frayed rope!

• Gives superb results for the daily and on-going maintenance of wigs, wefts, weaves and clip in hair pieces. Tangle Teezer leaves them looking and feeling just like new.

• Excellent results are achieved on even the tightest curls and afro hair.

• Daily brushing refreshes hair for a sleek style and helps to smooth the cuticle for increased shine. While on the go, Tangle Teezer is the ultimate styling tool to give your hair a professional finish all day long.

• To funk up short styles, apply your styling product to the hair and use Tangle Teezer to shape and mould. Great for guys too!

• Tangle Teezer minimises hair breakage, so over a period of time you will notice your hair feels thicker and looks healthier. A results driven brush, the minute you start using Tangle Teezer the sooner you are on the road to beautiful hair. It sounds crazy, but it’s true!

• Three is the magic number! Keep one Tangle Teezer at home, one in the office and one in your gym bag – you never want your hair to be caught without it!

TAKE-OUT SALON TIPS

• When cleansing the hair use a light shampoo along with a gentle massaging action. Remember: you wouldn’t use wire wool to cleanse your face, so why scrub the hair with shampoo? Never pour shampoo straight from the bottle onto the scalp, instead follow the rhythm of: bottle to palm and palm to scalp.

• For mid-length styles avoid aggravating and knotting the hair by gently patting the shampoo through the hair. This will minimise the stress on hair strands.

• Wet hair is more susceptible to snapping, stretching and breaking especially for those with long hair, highlights or with damaged or mistreated hair. For the ultimate conditioning treatment it’s essential to remove excess moisture from the hair. Do this by taking paper towels and scrunching them through mid-length to ends. Pour a deep conditioner onto the palms of the hands and distribute evenly through the hair. Leave on according to product instructions.

• When blow-drying, remember practice makes perfect. To save hair from unwanted and damaging heat practice your style using ‘cool’ tools. Become use to the brush and blow-drying motion of creating your desired styles by putting your dryer on a cool setting. The same with your straightening irons. Use them cold until you feel comfortable you’ve got the technique perfect.

TLC FOR YOUR TANGLE TEEZER

Like your hair, the more you look after your Tangle Teezer the better it will perform. Here I give my TLC tips for looking after your detangler:

• Always place your Tangle Teezer with the pointing teeth up. This way you minimise damage to the teeth.

• Rinse your Tangle Teezer with warm water after using any kind of product.

• Dry at room temperature. Do not be tempted to speed dry by putting on a radiator or drying the teeth with your hair-dryer.

• Clean using a toothbrush by lightly brushing through the teeth with soapy water once a week. Rinse thoroughly.

au naturale, coils, curls, curly fro, detangle, fro hawk, kinks, miss naturale, miss sixx, natural hair

My Knotty Truth- No Lye!

I’ve been natural since off and on since March 1995. I’ve rocked everything from a relaxer to loc’s and everything in between. Last night as I was responding to a natural beauty on Twitter, it hit me- THIS SHIT IS TIME CONSUMING! There I said it!!!!!! Sometimes its too much! I dont always want to braid, twist my hair before bed- I miss the days of just laying down! Don’t get me wrong- I LOVE my natural hair, and I will NEVER- EVER relax again – NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But lets be honest- I’ve never in my life had to dedicate so much time into hair. I mix everything that I apply to my hair-conditioner, leave-in conditioner, deep conditioner, hair butters, treatment oils, scalp oils, henna, hair moisturizing mask/clays and lets not talk about the ayurvedic treatments. One day the hair is poppin.. looking like a million bucks….the next she feeling herself- just acting up for NO REASON!!!!! I’m tender headed to the 10th power and DETANGLING IS HATEFUL!!!! Saturday I had a Twitter friend educate me on testing the PH balance in my water-and why I should do it -OK-WHAT??? Among checking labels, and having a boat load of ingredients edged into my brain of what not to use- Now, I gotta put my chemist coat on, get the testing strips and test the PH level in my water???? {OK} you know I’ma do it right ( hehehehehe).

I love my natural hair- we fight, we argue, when I really need her to show up and show out- SHE DOES ( whipping my hair back and forth right now). Having natural hair has made me more conscience of what I put on my hair, and surely has given me greater confidence and pride about my culture. Back in the day if you rocked any variation of a natural you was viewed as “earthy” or “Afrocentric” today- we are from all walks of life and we don’t have to walk around with the “assumed” impression that we are “earthy” or “defend” our hair choices (BTW: there is nothing wrong w/ being earthy or Afrocentric). There is no greater, stronger bond than the natural ladies who network and bond over “HAIR”. The natural movement is growing and getting stronger, and stronger by the day. I love the feeling I get when I sit down, and ” do my hair” – when people ask me ” who did your hair” I gleam with pride when I say ME! When I go to the grocery store, I have 2 baskets- (1) for my groceries, (1) for my hair crack. I feel a rush when I stumble upon an item in the store that “may ” be the answer to any hair woes that I may be having. I’ve awaken out of my sleep when Ive forgotten to wrap my hair with a silk bonnet- ( lol..lol..) – yes, I m pressed sometimes (lol..lol..) I’m loving how kids (especially my daughter) just marvels at my hair and wanna embrace their coils, kinks, and curls!!! So yes, caring for natural hair is time consuming – it can be hard work, even a little frustrating-BUT I love it and there is nothing else I rather be doing 🙂
almond oil, apple cider vinegar, au naturale, damage hair, detangle, distilled water, hair pack, lemon juice, miss sixx, natural, natural ingredients, relaxer, rinse, sour cream, wheat germ oil

Recipe: Sour Cream Natural Hair Pack

Sour cream and almond oil are especially necessary for hair damaged with acids, highlights or chemical straighteners. Some have said the mixture will loosen curl pattern, strenghten hair,help with detangling, and makes hair less frizzy and more defined. sounds good!

Recipe for Sour Cream Natural Hair Pack:

What You Need:

2 tsp of Sour Cream
2 tsp of Lemon Juice (or Lime Juice)
2 tsp of Almond Oil
1 tsp of Wheat Germ Oil

How to Prepare and Apply:

Mix the ingredients and then apply the hair pack on your hair. Leave the hair pack on your hair for 30-60 minutes. Rinse your hair and wash wash regularly and rinse with water in which you added some apple vinegar. This hair pack should be applied on dry hair.