Elasta QP Olive Oil & Mango Butter Leave-In Conditioner - Kinky, 4c Hair Product Review

Sometimes less is more and moisturizing my hair with Elasta QP Olive Oil & Mango Butter Leave - In Conditioner is proof of that. 

I got this product in one of my curlBOX's a few months ago, but you can purchase it for around $10! It's affordable, smells great, and gives my hair life! Check out my review below and see what my typical results look like using this Elasta QP's Leave - In Conditioner below. 

Conscious about ingredients? See the ingredients list below the video. 

 

Ingredients: Water , Olea Europaea Fruit Oil (Olive Oil) , Mangifera Indica Seed Butter (Mango Butter) , Argania Spinosa Nut Oil (Argan Oil) , Cocos Nucifera Oil (Coconut Oil) , Panax Ginseng Root Extract , Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract (Rosemary Extract) , Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract , Butyrospermum Parkii Fruit (Shea Butter) , Tocopherol , Glycine Soja Oil (Soybean Oil) , Propylene Glycol , Dimethicone , Acrylamidopropyl Trimonium Chloride (Acrylamide Copolymer) , Glycerin , Polyquaternium 37 , Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate , PPG-1 Trideceth-6 , Cetearyl Alcohol , Ceteareth 20 , DMDM Hydantoin , Phenyl Trimethicone , Polysorbate 20 , Imidazolidinyl Urea , Daucus Carota Sativa Root Oil (Carrot Oil) , Fragrance , Benzyl Benzoate , Citral , Citronellal , d-Limonene , Geraniol , Linalool

Toni Daley's "The Big Chop" Natural Hair Wig - 1st Impressions Review

I love, love, LOVE tapered cuts, but I have a serious case of style remorse. I love to change up my look from time to time, so cutting my hair to shorter lengths isn't quite ideal.  However Toni Daley, a kinky natural hair vlogger and advocate of supporting black owned business (#SUPPORTASISTA), has changed all that. You see Toni also owns a small business of her own in which she sells earrings, hair tube wraps, and wigs designed to blend with type 4, kinky naturalistas.   

 

I snatched on of her latest wigs called "The Big Chop" which gives me all the kinky hair in a tapered cut life I need. I placed my order and received my wig within a week. So I just had to try it on!   

  Check out 1st impression of Toni Daley's "The Big Chop"wig in the video below! Also feel free to get more specific details on The Big Chop wig and all of Toni's amazing wigs on her website ToniDaley.com.

EASY Roll,Tuck, & Pin - Kinky,4c Natural Hair

Are you a lazy natural? No time to do your hair in the a.m.? No excuse! With this easy roll, tuck and pin tutorial, you can look sophisticated and well put together in no time. All you need is stretched or blown out hair (if you have shorter hair), bobby pins, a headband, and about 5 minutes (if that). This look is great for any occasion I promise you! Add a few pearl beads or an ornate accessory, and you've got yourself a formal updo. Hope you like this tutorial! Xoxo

 

How I Blowout & Trim Kinky 4c Hair (for DIY Naturals)

The ability to learn and do most things on my own is something that I have always valued. It's no different when it comes to my kinky, 4c hair. Once I got my hair cut back in September 2014, I knew that maintaining my ends was something I just had to learn to do myself. I just am not about that "go to the salon and pay someone else to do what you can do" life. Sorry, not sorry! I haven't been in an actual salon in over 5 years (getting my cuz to cut my hair on his porch does not count). 
 
So after a trial run of blowing and trimming my own in January (2015), I had enough confidence to share how I blow out and trim my own hair. So after 6 months, I took out my camera to film the process for you. 

THE BLOW OUT

Kinky, 4c textured hair like mine can be pretty tricky to trim in it's natural state. With factors like shrinkage, it could be easy to snip away hair that looks uneven that really isn't. I find that the best way to prevent excessive snipping, is to blow out my hair before I trim it. I did my blow out on freshly washed hair, and I used the Carol's Daughter Sacred Tiare Styling Cream. It  says that it can be used as a blow out and flat iron cream. Get your clean hair, blow dryer, favorite heat protectant / blowout cream and see how I blew out my hair below. 

 

      THE TRIM   Based on the comments under the video below, many naturalistas have had terrible in the salon experiences when it comes to getting a basic trim. Trimming your hair on your own does not have to be a scary process at all. Not having eyes in the back of your head is no problema either! In the video below, you can see how easy it was for me to trim my hair from all angles.   

I know it's cheesy, but we can do anything we put our minds too. Just stop freaking out and get down to business.

Shea Moisture's Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen, Grow, & Restore Treatment Masque Review

Hey everyone! I've got another hair product notch on my belt. If you haven't seen my review on Shea Moisture's Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen, Grow, and Restore Treatment Masque, check it out in the video below.  If you've seen it, but wanted to see the ingredients check them out below the video. 

Thanks! xoxo

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Cetyl Alcohol, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*, Stearyl Alcohol, Fragrance (Essential Oil Blend), Behentrimonium Chloride, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein PGPropyl Silanetriol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Vinegar, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Niacin, Dextran, Trifolium Pratense (Clover) Flower Extract, Caramel, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract *Certified Organic Ingredient

4C HAIR PRODUCT REVIEW: Carols Daughter Mirabelle Plum Conditioner

Hey everyone! I want to give you a review of one of the products that I did use from the February 2015 curlBOX. Check out the February 2015 curlBOX unboxing below. I promise it's short and sweet and not filled with rambling about a product that I'm just seeing for the first time.

The first product that I've been using is  Carols Daughter' s Mirabelle Plum Conditioner. With key ingredients like mirabelle plum, biotin, grapeseed oil, aloe leaf juice, and sweet almond oil, this conditioner claims to strengthen, moisturize, and improve the fullness of your hair. 

Here's my review of Carols Daughter's Mirabelle Plum Conditioner. Also see the full ingredients for this product listed below. Enjoy! 

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Cetearyl Alcohol, Dicetyldimonium Chloride, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Amodimethicone, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Biotin, Cetrimonium Chloride, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch, Methyl Gluceth-10, Panthenol, PEG-45M, Phytantriol, Polyquaternium-37, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Prunus Insititia Seed Oil, Retinyl Palmitate, Stearalkonium Chloride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trideceth-12, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance (Parfum)

4C KINKY HAIR PRODUCT REVIEW: FELICIA LEATHERWOOD DETANGLING BRUSH

I've been using a new detangling tool during my wash day lately and I absolutely love it! It's Felicia Leatherwood's Detangling Brush! Felicia Leatherwood is a celebrity hair stylist and her natural hair styles have been on the red carpet (of course) and all over Instagram. 

Teyonah Parris , "Dear White People" actress, rocking hairstyles created by celebrity hairstylist Felicia Leatherwood

I got the opportunity to talk with Felicia Leatherwood at the Miss Naturalista "I Am Beautiful" Hair Expo (October 2014). After modeling  my 4c hair to represent the hair type for her presentation, she decided that she would send me a brush. I was so excited to get it and give it a try. It's the only detangling brush that I have ever been interested in trying and I absolutely love it .

Here's a video I just uploaded that talks all about the technique I use to detangle my hair with the brush using conditioner, how to clean the brush, and my overall review. 

   If you found this helpful make sure to like this blog post, subscribe to my LUVMIKA87 channel, and thumbs up the video!

4c Kinky Hair Product Review: Alikay Naturals Lemongrass Leave -In & Shea Yogurt Hair Moisturizer

Hey everyone! Back in October, I finally got my hands on some Alikay Naturals products for the first time ever. I attended a local hair event and not only was there an Alikay Naturals booth, but the CEO of Alikay Natural's, Rochelle Graham aka BlackOnyx77 on YouTube, was there doing hairstyle demos. Ahhhhh! Yes I did have a fan girl moment. Anyways, two of the products that I purchased for my hair were the Alikay Natural's Lemongrass Leave-In Conditioner and the Alikay Natural's Shea Yogurt Hair Moisturizer.

Both the Lemongrass Leave-In Conditioner and Shea Yogurt Hair Moisturizer are recommended for kinky hair as indicated by the hair typing system on the labeling.  

Both products have a consistent smell of Lemongrass that I absolutely loved! My boyfriend asked if I was baking Lemon Cake (one of his faves) when I first used these products in my hair. It filled the room and hallway with it's fragrance. So now I know what I can improvise with when I'm out of air freshener.

OVERALL RATING
 Alikay Naturals Lemongrass Leave-In
5 out of 5 Luvs

Alikay Naturals Shea Yogurt
5 out of 5 Luvs

 How Did I Use Them: I incorporated these products into my LOC (Liquid Oil Cream) method of moisturizing my hair. First I would moisturize a section at a time with the Lemongrass Leave-In (my liquid). Then I would use whatever hair oils I had on hand as you guessed it my oil. Then I would seal in all that moisture with the Alikay Naturals Shea Yogurt, (my cream). I used this method for all styles and even when I just wanted to put my hair in big braids to sleep at night.


How Did That Work Out: My hair was super moisturized as a result of using the LOC method with these products. Not only was my moisturized but that moisture was long lasting. In a weeks time, I only need to remoisturize my hair maybe once. I absolutely loved that I could just retwist/braid my hair at night and not have to use products on a daily basis.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Alikay Naturals Lemongrass Leave-In 

I would definitely recommend that you dilute the Leave-In. It works great in it's concentrated form however I found that I was going through it way too quickly. One of the sales representatives at the booth did make that recommendation, but I was afraid to compromise the efficacy of the product. I did end up diluting the leave in half way through it and again when there was only a quarter amount of the diluted form left. By diluting it, the leave in has lasted me from October up until mid February. Other than that Alikay Naturals Lemongrass Leave-In is the business (or whatever the hip word is at the moment... on fleek maybe?)
 

Alikay Naturals Shea Yogurt

"A Little Goes A Long Way" definitely applies to this product. If you think you have enough on your finger, you should probably put a little bit back. You cannot be heavy handed with this product or you will be Soul Glo-ing in no time I promise you. If you do find that you used to much and the product is just sitting on you hair strands, just wipe it off with an old t-shirt and you'll be fine.
 

 INGREDIENTS

Alikay Naturals Lemongrass Leave-In:  Water (Aqua), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice(Aloe Vera Juice) , Cetearyl Alcohol(Coconut derived), Stearalkonium Chloride(Coconut derived), Silk Amino Acids(Natural protein), Vegetable Glycerin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil, Cymbopogon Flexosus ( Lemongrass) Oil Extract, Behentrimonium Methosulfate (Natural Detangling Agent), Sorbic Acid(Food Grade Preservative), Fragrance (Parfum), Color Additives, Botanical Blend

Alikay Naturals Shea Yogurt Moisturizer:  Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Argania Spinosa (Argan) Oil , Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Botanical Blend , Fragrance

I absolutely love these products and would definitely repurchase them.

Interview with Erica Rivers of Beautè Organics

Hey everyone! I got the opportunity to try out some products from a new natural hair product line called Beautè Organics. This line of products is brand spanking new and I want you to not only learn about new natural hair products that are out there, but I want you to know about the faces behind them as well. The owner of Beautè Organics is a young lady by the name of Erica Rivers. I got the chance to interview Erica and here's how it went. 

Tell me a little bit about your self. 

I was born in Selma, Alabama. However, due to my mother's military career I moved all over the US. I believe this is what caused me to really appreciate life, being able to see such diverse cultures in this country. I then ended up staying at her last duty station in Louisiana where I now call home. I completed my B.S. in Chemistry and moved to New Orleans where Beautè Organics came to life. I am a natural and have been natural going on 3 years with a few haircuts in between. 

Tell me a little bit about your product line. (How did it come into the existence? What motivated you to create the products?)

Beautè Organics was inspired by my love of chemistry and all things beauty related! Initially my haircare products were something I did as a craft on the side while working as a Chemist, but friends and family encouraged me to make this into a brand. This was a huge transition, but I went full force at it and now Beautè Organics is here!

How did you come up with the name Beautè Organics?
The name Beautè Organics seemed to come to me like it was a calling. I thought about what I wanted the company to represent and now here she is!

Your product line is relatively new. What are you guessing will be your best sellers?

I believe the best sellers will be the leave in creme, conditioner and styling butter! So far that is more so what people have gravitated towards.

Are there any products in your line that you would recommend for women with
kinky, type 4 hair?

The thick styling butter is definitely the product I would recommend. I have type 4 hair and to be honest, this has to be one of the best butters I have used! Type 4 hair loves butters and moisture and this product provides both! Twist outs, braid outs, bantu knots etc!

What are 3 hair styling tips or tricks that you can offer to promote
healthy hair and hair growth in addition to the use of Beautè Organics products?

1) Don't skimp on deep conditioning! This process really allows your hair to be refreshed and revitalized. Once a week or twice a month just depending on the state of your hair.

2) When styling your hair, always remember to add the water back into it during the week as a refresher. You can do this with a water based leave in or a light mist spray of water! This will ensure your hair is hydrated.

3) Less is more! With products we use i believe "less is more" is definitely one of the biggest tips I could give!

Where do you see Beautè Organics in a few years from now?

I see Beautè Organics being one of the go to all-natural haircare brands out there. The thing about this line is it can be used on all hair types and the styling butter is a perk for people with curly hair! I also see Beautè Organics as a community builder. I aspire to have a lab where college students are taught proper laboratory skills and are given a chance to showcase their talent. I also want to encourage more children  to work in the science field through out-reach programs. To me, Beautè Organics is more than a brand its encouragement to our fellow neighbors to have growth and prosperity.

How can we stay in the know with the latest news about Beautè Organics?

You can follow us on Instagram and Twitter @beauteorganics or join or newsletter by submitting your email on the website.

Check out my review of the Beautè Organics line HERE. 

Purchase your very own Beautè Organics products HERE.  

Beautè Organics Product Review (on Kinky, 4c Hair)

Hey everyone! I was sent some hair products from a brand spanking new product line called Beautè Organics based out of New Orleans, Louisiana. Check out my review on Beautè Organics in the video below.   I've also listed the ingredients for all the products below the video. 

Give Beautè Organics a try and purchase HERE.

Beautè Organics Hydrate and Balance Shampoo

Water (Aqua), Coco Betaine, Decyl Glucoside, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Behentrimonium Methosulfate (Rapeseed oil Derived), Cetearyl Alcohol (Coconut oil Derived),Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Juniperus Communis (Juniper) Fruit Oil, Gardenia Fragrance Oil, Cananga Odorata (Ylang Ylang) Flower Oil, Optiphen (natural preservative)

Beautè Organics Hydrate and Balance Conditioner

Water (Aqua), Behentrimonium Methosulfate (Rapeseed oil Derived), Cetearyl Alcohol (Coconut oil Derived), Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Oil, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Juniperus Communis (Juniper) Fruit Oil, Gardenia Fragrance Oil, Cananga Odorata (Ylang Ylang) Flower Oil, Optiphen (natural preservative)

Beautè Organics Hydrate and Balance Deep Moisture Treatment

Water (Aqua), Behentrimonium Methosulfate (Rapeseed oil Derived), Cetearyl Alcohol (Coconut oil Derived), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Juniperus Communis (Juniper) Fruit Oil, Gardenia Fragrance Oil, Cananga Odorata (Ylang Ylang) Flower Oil, Optiphen (natural preservative)

Beautè Organics Hydrate and Balance Leave-In Creme

Water (Aqua), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Behentrimonium Methosulfate(Rapeseed oil Derived), Cetearyl Alcohol(Coconut oil Derived), Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Juniperus Communis (Juniper) Fruit Oil, Gardenia Fragrance Oil, Cananga Odorata (Ylang Ylang) Flower Oil, Optiphen (natural preservative)

Beautè Organics Hydrate and Balance Styling Butter

Water (Aqua), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Behentrimonium Methosulfate (Rapeseed oil Derived), Cetearyl Alcohol (Coconut oil Derived), Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Oil, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Juniperus Communis (Juniper) Fruit Oil, Gardenia Fragrance Oil, Cananga Odorata (Ylang Ylang) Flower Oil, Optiphen (natural preservative)

You can also check out the interview I did with Erica Rivers, the owner of Beautè Organics by clicking this link HERE.

Coloring Your 4c Natural Hair with Cream Eyeshadow : Hair Care Tips & Tricks

 I love to see naturalista's with beautiful vibrant hair colors. One thing I love more is to get that same look with a LOT less commitment. Enter cream eyeshadows. They're a great way to achieve a vibrant, pop of color without the commitment of using harsh chemicals. I've colored my hair using cream eyeshadows on multiple occasions, here's some tips,tricks, and answers to some FAQs. 

 
Initial Hair Condition
 
On both occasions in which I colored my hair, my hair was moisturized before hand. One thing I would recommend is that you do not saturate your hair with too much products before you apply your color. These products may interfere with the eyeshadow's ability to set onto your hair.

Side Note:  Get this! Eyeshadows and their packaging were not designed with the thought of naturalista's using it to temporarily color their hair. It's gonna get messy! One way or another your hands are gonna get eyeshadow on them - unless you're wearing gloves. Apparently I like a little "danger" in my life.

Color Application Methods

There are two methods of color application that I've tried that worked really well in my hair.
 
The first method, my personal favorite, is the "thumb press" (I just made that up). You  basically  place your hair between the eyeshadow container and your thumb. Then you press your hair into the eyeshadow with your thumb (hence the made up name) and glide the eyeshadow down your hair shafts. 
 
The second method, is to take a small amount of eyeshadow out of it's container and slide it down your hair shafts. Although the first method is my favorite, this second method works best when I'm running low on eyeshadow and I need to get the last bit of product out of the container.  

The Best Color Pay Off

I would recommend trying the more vibrant and pigmented colors of whatever eyeshadow line you're looking into. I personally have tried "Painted Purple", "Tenacious Teal", and "Bad to the Bronze" from the Maybelline Color Tattoo by Eye Studio Eye Shadow Line.

"Painted Purple" and "Tenacious Teal" turned out great, but "Bad to the Bronze" was a total fail. The payoff was not great from the very beginning. The color was barely noticeable. The fact that I have dark natural hair was not helping either.

Color Longevity?
 
The less you do the better. That's a saying that we naturalista's have come across as it pertains to retaining length, but it also applies in this case. Constant retwisting and manipulation is going to gradually transfer color from your hair onto your hands. 

Color Removal?

Removing cream eyeshadow is embarrassingly simple. Just wash your hair with your favorite shampoo. You may need  a second wash to get the color completely out depending on how much of your hair was colored. 

I hope this helps. Have fun with your hair!
 

PRODUCT REVIEW: Hot Head Deep Conditioning Heat Cap by Thermal Hair Care

  Here's a short and sweet read for you. I rate the Hot Head Deep Conditioning Heat Cap by Thermal Hair Care...   5 out of 5  

 Here's why!  

     

6 Tips for a Long-Lasting 4c Hair Twistout

With thick, kinky hair, the challenge does not lie in obtaining curl definition but in keeping that curl definition for a long time. Naturalistas have spent so many time twisting and twisting their hair to achieve curl definition only for that definition to be gone with the wind within a couple days. I have seen all my hard work at twisting count for absolutely nothing by the end of Twist-out Day 1. Finally I am completely satisfied with the longevity of my twist-outs, that I can share some tips and tricks for my 4c hair (kinky hair for that matter) sistas that want long-lasting twist-outs. Here they are! 

Try smaller twists. Ok. You twisted out your hair, your definition is on point, but then you have a huge, puffed up  mess only a couple hours (if that) into your day. I learned that in most cases where that happened, the size of my twists were medium to larger. Try twisting your hair in smaller twists. If they are larger they may hold the definition for a day or two, but will lose definition shortly thereafter due to humidity, sweat, and other variables. 

The longer the better. The longer you leave your twists in the longer the definition you achieve will last. In my opinion, the minimum amount of time to leave your twists in should be 1 day. This ensures that they set & dry really well. I have done the overnight twist-out and achieved great definition. However, that definition was short lived, due to humidity and the fact that the hair hasn't really set long enough.

(For Dry Hair) Set with Water. If you're not working with freshly washed,damp hair, spritz it with water. When your hair has been twisted and water is introduced, your hair will experience some shrinkage and dry in the twisted form it is in, thus locking the curl pattern in place. 

Use One Hair Styling Product. Now is no the time to play "hair product mixologist". Shhh, I'm guilty of this too. Find one good moisturizing styling product to use to apply to your hair when twisting. Too many products in the hair can weigh it down, increase your hair drying time, and produce results that you just weren't looking for. Carol's Daughter's Marula Curl Therapy Diffusing & Styling Lotion, ORS Smooth n' Hold Pudding, & Alikay Natural's Shea Yogurt have all worked great in my hair. Plain water has too! 

Retwist in chunkier twists. The Pineapple Method is not for everybody! Trust me I know. I re-twist my hair in chunky twists to avoid looking like Sideshow Bob the following morning. When i get home from work, I simply re-moisturize my hair using the LOC (liquid,oil,cream) method and twist my hair in chunky twists. It's important that you do not run your fingers through your hair or do any type of detangling to disturb your curl definition.  Check out the video below to see how I re-twist my hair for longer lasting twist outs.

Love your hair for what it does. I have thrown many twistouts up into a bun instead simply because my curls didn't come out like how other naturals' curls came out. It wasn't a product or twisting method problem, it was a self acceptance problem. The sooner we learn to accept and work with the hair texture we have, the sooner you will appreciate the uniqueness about your hair and how your twist outs turn out.

 What is the longest time your twist out has lasted? Comment below!

CURLBOX OCT '14: Carol's Daughter's Marula Curl Therapy Set Product Review

In October '14's curlBOX, I got the opportunity to try out Carol's Daughter's Murla Curl Therapy Set.  I also received a sample size of Carol's Daughter's MONOI Oil. I did not use the MONOI Oil and it's such a small amount that is not worthy, in my opinion, of providing a reliable review. This set of products claims to soften and increase hair manageability as will as intensify curl definition. 

  This set includes the following products:    Marula Curl Therapy Gentle Cream Cleanser (I got a sample size)- 8.5oz - $18 Marula Curl Softening Hair Mask- 7oz - $24 Marula Curl Therapy Softening Serum - 2oz - $18 Marula Curl Therapy Diffusing & Styling Lotion - 5oz - $20

  HOW I USED THE PRODUCTS:  

I replaced my shampoo with the Marula Curl Therapy Gentle Cream Cleanser for  this particular wash day. I washed my hair as usual with the cleanser focusing first on cleansing my scalp and then distributing the product down my hair shafts to remove any product  build up. At this point, I noticed that my hair was already beginning to soften and I was able to easily finger detangle hair that was clumped together from a week long twist out. Then I switched out my usual detangling conditioner and deep conditioner, and replaced it with the Marula Curl Softening Hair Mask. 

 

I sectioned my hair in four quadrants and applied generous amounts of the hair mask to my hair one quadrant at  a time. My hair got even softer and detangling each section with my wide toothed comb was a breeze! After I detangled each section and secured them with claw clips, I put on a plastic cap, followed by my Hot Head Deep Conditioning Heat Cap. I deep conditioned for about 20 minutes as I tidied up my home and took intermittent sips of my red moscato ;) .
 

I rinsed out the hair mask and blotted out the excess water from each section with a t-shirt. I styled my entire head in two strand twists using the LOC (Liquid - Oil - Cream) Method. The liquid in this instance was simply the moisture still in my freshly washed hair.  I used the Marula Curl Therapy Softening Serum as the oil product, and the Diffusing & Styling Lotion as my cream product. My hair was super moisturized throughout the following week. I remoisturized my hair with a miniscule amount of the Softening Serum every other day as necessary.

I  valued the opportunity to use all the Carol's Daughter Marula Curl Therapy products at once. Individual hair products often recommend that we use all the other products associated with it to get optimal results. This was the first time that I was able to do that with any hair product line and my hair thoroughly enjoyed it.
 

OVERALL REVIEW  

Hair Manageability- These products left my hair super soft and manageable. I rocked my hair in twistouts for that entire week, and retwisting at night (in larger sections of course) was so easy. No detangling was needed.

Smell - The cream cleanser and the hair mask had a  rich almond essence smell. It smells edible and it gave me cravings for  a nice big bowl of Cream of Wheat (it's an island thing). The softening serum and the styling lotion smells like a bouquet of roses. It's a very floral smell, but it's not overpowering at all. 

Moisture - Using the LOC method with these products left my hair very moisturized. A light application of the Softening Serum every other night when I retwisted  was all I needed for a week of moisturized twistouts.

MY FAVORITES

My absolute favorites from this set are the Marula Curl Softening Hair Mask & the Marula Curl Therapy Softening Serum! I just can't get over how delicious the hair mask smells and how soft and manageable it made my hair. It's a rare thing for me to not need my usual detangling conditioner (*ahem Tresseme Curl Hydration), but this mask softened my hair so much that I was able to  easily detangle my hair with it. The Marula Curl Therapy Softening Serum served as a great way to re-moisturize my hair every couple of days until my next wash day. The delicate, lingering scent of spring that I smelled as the wind blew in my kinks was a most welcomed plus.

OVERALL RATING:

4 LUVS OUT OF 5!

 You should give it a try! 
 

If you found this review informative and helpful please let me know in the comments below! 

   

DETANGLING KINKY HAIR: 5 TIPS ON HOW NOT TO OVERDO IT!

With the everchanging  steps, sub-steps, and sub-substeps to the entire wash day process, you can easily over do it when it comes to detangling your hair. As a 4c hair natural of 27 years, one thing I did learn is that there is such a thing as detangling too much. Trust me the frequency in which you detangle your hair can determine whether or not you'll look like Angelica's doll, Cynthia, within a few years. 

 

  Here are 5 easy tips to detangling your hair without over doing it!   

1. ACCEPT THAT YOUR HAIR WILL STILL HAVE TANGLES. You know the saying, "the 1st step to recovery is admitting that you have a problem"? Well that saying can also relate to how we maintain our kinky hair. FACT: Kinky hair  is highly prone to tangling. You can denman brush that hair for as long as your arm  can take it (but keep in mind Cynthia's picture) and it will still have a tangles here and there. The sooner you accept that fact the sooner you'll be okay with the fact that your hair does not behave the same way as looser hair textures.

 

My raw, shrunken 4c hair!

2. ONE GOOD DETANGLING SESSION IS ENOUGH! With the previous kinky hair fact in mind, it's best to keep detangling to a minimum. Detangling before you wash your hair, while you wash your hair, while you're conditioning your hair, and again when you're actually styling your hair is definitely overkilll, especially with kinky hair. I was totally guilty of this in my younger years of trying to maintain my own hair. I felt like my hair had to hang down and be manageable like everyone else's before I even began the process of washing my hair. So I use to comb out my hair before I washed it.


3. SLIDE, SLIDE, SLIP, & SLIDE. "SLIP" is the most important word of the latter four. Products with slip are a kinky haired girl's best friend! A conditioner with awesome slip can mean the difference between detangling for what seems like hours or just a  couple minutes per section. Most conditioners that provide awesome slip contain silicones which could be a no-no if you're super ingredient conscious. However there are also natural alternatives. Conditioners containing ingredients like marshmallow root and slippery elm are almost a sure bet to have the slip you're looking for. My favorite silicone containing conditioner is Tresseme's Curl Hydration Conditioner. My favorite natural conditioner is NaturelleGrow's Mango & Coconut Water Deep Conditioner. With both products, my wide tooth comb passes through my hair like a hot knife through butter.

 

   

4. SECTION YOUR SECTIONS. I think it's established throughout the natural hair community that it's best to detangle your hair in sections and I totally agree. Find the amount of sections you need in your hair to get through the detangling process faster with as little breakage as possible. If your hair is immensly dense, the detangling process may be easier if you have more than four sections in your hair. The more hair that's being fed into your detangling tool, the harder it will be to detangle the hair. The lesser the better!

5. DETANGLING TOOL JUNKIE! Speaking of detangling tools, you do not need every detangling tool under the sun that you see your favorite naturalista's trying out. Sometimes it's just best to keep it simple. I get by fine with just my wide toothed comb and my fingers. Yes, your fingers are a detangling tool too! Detangling brushes (Denman's, Tangle Teezers, etc.)  seem to be great tools for easy twist out separation, but using it to achieve every single style is not necessary. 

  I hope these tips help you out and at least make you question whether or not you're detangling too much!    What is your detangling routine? How often do you detangle? Sound off in the comments. 
Thanks!

GODDESS TWIST 4C HAIR TUTORIAL - ( Inspired by Uzo Aduba's Red Carpet Hair)

I recently jumped on the Orange is the New Black (OITNB) wagon and I have absolutely no regrets. It's a  TV series about the dynamics of these particular female inmates and what they did to be in their current situation in the first place. My favorite character in this series is Suzanne Warren aka Crazy Eyes played by actress Uzo Aduba.  I saw a photo of her at the Critic's Choice Awards in which she won Best Guest Performer in a Comedy Series for OITNB and was inspired by her hairstyle. Hence I tried to replicate her simple, yet elegant protective style and it was a success!

 

The look reminds me of the goddess braid style but with a twist (pun intended). It’s simple and that’s what I love about it. It’s the simple, classic styles that have the ability to transcend occasions. You can rock this look running errands, working in the corporate world, and even fancier affairs such as red carpet events.

Uzo Aduba's Protective Style at the Critic's Choice Television Awards!

With winter right around the corner, this style is perfect  for those days when you don’t want to keep everything under a beanie, but you want to  keep your ends protected. This look can last up to 4-5 days if you use styling products with excellent hold like EcoStyler gel. It’s a superb way to give your hair a little manipulation break.

 

I hope you enjoy this tutorial and share it. Don't be greedy!:)