Sunday, September 27, 2009

Hair Tool for Naturals: {Part 1} Care for Your Natural Hair: A Better Way {Updated February 12, 2011}

{Updated February 12, 2011}

Is there such a way of caring for natural hair “the right way", well I'd say yes.


Let discuss a few hair care tips and tools every natural should invest in: You can add or enhance these tips in your own Natural Hair Care Regimen




HAIR TOOLS  



Bone Comb Also Called: Bakelite, Resin, Or Seamless Comb

Are made of resin; this type of combs are said to be very beneficial to hair:
  1. Anti Static 
  2. De-tangles
  3. Helps prevent split ends
  4. Seamless- combs prevent breakages and split ends to hair

REMINDER

Bone Combs (Resin Combs) can crack (develop small chips) over time: 
Cause by friction, heat, or shock to the comb, using a cracked comb can cause hair snags or can pull hair out.

Resin is not plastic; they are not as flexible as plastic combs are more fragile.

Please be sure if you buy a Bone Comb to inspect your comb on a monthly basis to make sure your comb does not have any chips, cracks, or hairline fractures.


WHERE TO BUY BONE COMBS? 

Be-aware there are beauty supply stores and some manufacturers are making plastic combs of the same color and calling them "bone" combs. 

Fake Bone combs is low priced: $1.00-$3.00 there cheap and have seams

 Whats are "Seams": Seams are the line running through the teeth of the comb, this plastic line causes damage to hair all combs have seams unless it is created without this manufacturer detail.

Bone Combs are seamless and provide better protection against breakage and split ends then regular combs.

 When buying bone combs online contacting the seller is always a good idea


Ask the seller if the bone comb they are selling are 100% Organic Resin, make sure to specify which comb you are referring to and want to buy

Links to Website Selling Bone Combs are Below:
HairSense Bone Combs (also known as bakelite combs)


Wide Tooth Comb (Shower Combs)

You can buy a wide tooth (or a shower comb) at your local Beauty Supply Store, Drugstore, or Supermarket.

Wide tooth combs (in my opinion) is a good way to ensure less breakage  
(when it comes to combing natural hair)

• Less Stress on Natural Hair

• Less Headache (Literally)

• No Broken Comb handles (Ha ha ha). No really just last week I broke my comb handle, no I wasnt using the correct comb: I shoulda used my shower comb (also called a wide tooth comb).


Brush (Boar Brush)

Honestly I tried to ban my boar brush hard bristle brushes causes split ends and damage to the hair.
 I couldn't throw mines away, I purchase a softer brush instead my boar brush slicks my hard to tame areas: nape, foreline etc

Get a boar brush (you'll need it to create cute sleek styles with your natural tresses), just don’t abuse your hair, be gentle when brushing with a boar brush (any hard bristle brush). A couple of strokes is all it takes: if not, and theres still a few stray hair standing: Put Down The Brush and  Keep it Moving: Don't over do it with the brushing!


This professional salon type Boar Brush is used for styling hair with heat and distributing oils through-out hair, not for regular hair styling.



A small hand size boar brush is a perfect to hair in your Hair Tools          I have a boar brush like these there easier to hold and just right for regular hair brushing


Elastic Scrunchies (No Metal ) "Ouchless" Hair Scrunchies

Yea I know everyone says "buy the NO METAL ouch-less scrunchies", there popular and for good reason:

The no metal scrunchies may prevent less stress on the hair and these come in handy when it's time to de-tangle your hair.

I can't tell how many times my hair has snag, snap, and been pulled out by metal secured scrunchies: I also think these ouch-less last longer than the metal ones too.


Silk Scarf

I cant stress this enough: Silk scarves saves strands! Please buy at least one silk scarf, not only does it retains your natural hair moisture, less fly away's (lays your hair down quick), and keeps your hair from rubbing and breaking off:
Satin and Cotton scarves do not have the benefits that a 100% Silk Scarves has:
Buy at least one to cover your hair at night


Types of Silk Scarf
 Now here's the fun part, there are different type of scarf to buy and wear:


The Headband Scarf 
 If your tired of your silky scarf for slipping off especially when you sleep

"Paisley Dream"
"Bohemian Groovy Chick' Easy Tie Scarf





"Flower Child" Easy Tie Scarf

TIP: Type In Headband Scarf GOOGLE image search you'll find websites where you can purchase these pretty and functional head scarfs.

Heres's a shortcut google link to pictures and websites that sell silk scarfs:
 http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1024&bih=573&gbv=2&tbs=isch:1&aq=f&aqi=&oq=&q=Headband%20Scarf%20elastic

Tips on Purchasing a Good Silk Scarf

Seems easy to do (buying a silk scarf) but there's so many types of silk and sizes of scarves
Silk Satin is a good choice

Here's how to spot a Silk Satin Scarf:

Shiny on one side dull on the other: Soft to the touch

Choose the right size scarf

You don't want to be drowning in a head scarf (Maybe You Do) I Don't Know BUT:

(Measurements Are in Inches)

Sizes Breakdown

"21" x 21"  (Small Bandanna Type)


"35x35" (Bigger Shawl size, ends of scarves can be wrap around head once and tied in the front)

Make sure you know whether the scarf measurements are in Inches and or Centimeters:
The wrong sized scarf can be too big or small for your head.

If the seller has the measurements in CM: Centimeters, you can print out a small list of Measurements to take with you while shopping, if your buying online, you can Google Conversions inches to centimeters, to make sure they have the size scarf your looking for.


Mist/Spray Bottle 

Naturals, I'm sure you have an old leave-in conditioner with a spray attachment cap Reuse! Fill that old spray bottle with purified filtered water (distilled bottled water is gentle on hair, rather than tap water with heavy minerals and sediments).

Spritz you hair every now and then keeps your hair well hydrated.
If you don't have a spray bottle pick one up at your local Drugstore, 99 Cents store, Wal-mart: or you can buy a sets of spray bottles containing 2 or up to 12 bottles that comes with the spray nozzle as well.

Moisturizing Conditioner and\or Leave-In's
 
Have a thick conditioner on hand? You can you a good quality moisturizing conditioner as a leave-in for your hair.

Some ladies on hair website suggest using a Leave-In Conditioner made for that exact purpose

I believe a regular conditioner without protein or heavy synthetic ingredients can be perfect for Leave-In Conditioner:

When using regular hair conditioners as a Leave-In's 

Dilute 2-4 ounces of a moisturizing conditioner to a liquid consistency and massage directly into parted hair or put into a spray bottle and spray throughout hair.

Remember to use only small amount (no more than a quarter size) if using straight from the bottle.

When using regular hair conditioners as a Leave-In's it's important to use as little as possible to soften the hair.

REMEMBER: Most conditioners are meant to be used as a 5-30 minute hair treatment and should be washed out of the hair:

Never Use Protein Conditioners as a Leave-In 

Never Use a Deep Conditioner as a Leave-In

Protein Conditioners and Deep Conditioners are not meant to be use on a every day basis or left in your hair.

Terrible results can happen if you put a Deep Conditioner or Protein Conditioner in your hair and leave it in as a Leave-In Conditioner:
  • Brittle Hair (Prone to Breakage)
  • Product  Build-Up
  • Elastic/Stretchy Hair
  • Sticky/Gummy Hair
So instead of using ANY conditioner to moisturize your hair, pick a conditioner (leave-in) that has NO protein, heavy synthetics, silicone, or alcohols in the ingredient label. Use a conditioner with moisturizing ingredients

This (link below) talks about How To Choose a Moisturizing Conditioner

Care for Your Natural Hair: A Better Way {Part 2}: 
Coming Soon:
Types of Proteins, Do Natural Hair Need a Protein Conditioner?

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Oils for Natural Hair Care UPDATED!

Original Post 
September 29, 2009

When I first started to truly learn about my natural hair, I continue to find threads discussing various types of oils on websites like LHCF: Longhaircareforum, of BHM: Black Hair Media, Nappturality, and NC naturallycurly

Each website discussed  there favorite oils to used for there hair, how some oils had the same or different qualities, and their method on how to "seal" with certain oils.

I had no clue what "Sealing meant" or how anyone could have a favorite oil. I mean besides Olive Oil and Coconut Oil, I didn't know there are so many different types of wonderful oils that can be used on hair; and with so many oils to choose from, everyone seem to have there favorite.

Whatever oil you plan on using in your hair make sure all oils you buy says: Unrefined and or Cold Pressed: these two forms of pressed oil are believed to be the safest and purest form of oils.

I wouldn't suggest anything but the cleanest form of oils since your scalp does absorbs theses oils. There is a lot of research that you should personally look into before settling on Unrefined or Cold Press Oils: Some companies Lie and say their oils are the purest: So please do all the research you can before deciding on how your oil is being processed.

A quick research on wiki and Google.com on these Terms

Cold Pressed, Hexane Free, Refined, and Unrefined Oils: Each is a different process of creating oil. Learning these terms will help you better understand which oil is the best for the overall health and wellness of not only your hair but body.


Oils Commonly Used for Hair




Camellia Oil Also called Tea Seed Oil

Color: Clear Yellow

Consistency: N/A

Scent: N/A

Benefits for Hair: Penetrates 10x deeper and quicker than other oils, natural sunscreen, great for skin also: helps prevent stretch marks.
 



Coconut Oil

Color: Soil white, clear (see through) oil when melted

Consistency: Thin, Light Smooth

Scent: Virgin Coconut oil has a light to strong coconut scent (depends on the brand you buy and how it is pressed Cold pressed Expeller Pressed), its pleasant smell if you like that way coconut smells: I love the way coconut oil smells!

Benefits for Hair: Natural Antioxidant, prevent dandruff, adds shine to hair



Jojoba Oil Jojoba Oil (pronounced "ho-HO-bah": Technically a liquid wax

Color: Stays a clear golden liquid

Consistency: Thicker than Coconut oil, silky smooth feel

Scent: Odorless?

Benefits for Hair: Similar to your Scalps own Sebum:





Castor Oil (Hexane Free Castor Oil, it's the safest form of Castor Oil)

Color: Clear very light yellow

Consistency: Extremely Sticky, Thick

Scent: Medicine like smell (in my opinion)

Benefits for Hair: Thickens hair, retains moisture



Jamaican Black Castor (JBCO)

Color: Dark Brown

Consistency: Extremely Sticky, Thick

Scent:  Black Castor Oil has a light smoky smell, others black castor oils have a heavy smoky scent.

Benefits for Hair: Thickens hair, retains moisture, stimulate hair growth


       

                 Avocado Oil   

Color: Light Green/Yellowish

Consistency: Stays a liquid, thicker than jojoba oil,  feels very oily

Scent: Odorless/ Light "Oil" scent

Benefits for Hair: It contains many nutrients including vitamins A, D and E. Also
some chlorophyll, avocado oil is great for nourishing and moisturize dry or mature skin.






Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Best Quality\Purest Form of Olive Oil)

Color: Ranging from Light yellow to dark green, Stays a liquid

Consistency: Light, thin oil, oily

Scent: Light to strong olive scent: Extra virgin has a lite scent, the darker the olive oil the stronger the smell.

Benefits for Hair: Olive oil is very useful for dry, damaged hair, and has the ability to strengthens hair



Sweet Almond Oil: 

Color: Light Yellow

Consistency (Thickness): n/a for the moment

Scent: Lightly scented oil smell

Benefits: Makes hair soft,  Helps hair retain it's natural moisture, rich in protein, contains many B vitamins which are known to not only stimulate hair growth but prevent hair loss. 



Heritage Products, Grape Seed Oil 16 fl oz
Grape Seed Oil: 
Color: Light Yellow/Green
Consistency (Thickness): Thin
Scent: Lightly scented oil smell
Benefits: Antioxidants nutrients for hair, and helps promote hair growth.








Meadowfoam Seed Oil: 

Color: Light Yellow/Light Green

Consistency (Thickness): n/a for the moment

Scent: Lightly scented oil smell

Benefits: Maintains hair's natural moisture. Natural Sunscreen is perfect for dyed hair (protect color)


Where to buy these Organic oils and oils online?

Organic Oils, Oils, Beauty Ingredients and Supplies
http://fromnaturewithlove.com/searchus.asp

Great Selections of Oils, Essential Oils, Powders and More:
Mountain Rose Herb


Jamaican Foods, Beauty Care, and More: Delivered!
Black Castor Oil
http://www.sams24-7.com/jamaican-black-castor-oil.aspx

Coastal Scents (Oils aren't organic or cold pressed unless stated)

http://www.coastalscents.com/cfwebstore/index.cfm/category/13/carrier-oils.cfm


How To Use Oils to Retain Moisture in Your Hair

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=261337

"Sealing" is a term used applying oil to hair after using a leave-in conditioner/ moisturizer
Using oils as a seal; will help your hair retain moisture longer, of whatever conditioning or moisturizing products you use. Adding oil to your hair slows down water evaporating quickly out of your hair.

Steps on Sealing Hair:

  1. Section your hair in four or more parts
  2. Spray or Rub in a Leave-In Conditioner/Moisturizer
  3. Pour a dime size amount of oil into the palm of your hand, rub into section parts
Don't forget the ends of your hair

Style hair as you like



More info about oils coming soon! 


Next Up Butters: 


What ???? 


Yup Butters, but not the kind you put on your English Muffin in the Morning!

Perfume Review: Diamonds Truly Are a Girl's Best Friend!

Created: 9-26-09

It's that time again, i'm back with another perfume review, whats the fragrance this time?


Giorgio Armani Diamonds


"Diamond smells amazing, it's long lasting, a soft deliciously beautiful fragrance".

 The scent is sophisticated, yet delicately feminine.

Age Range?? This fragrance is for ladies in there late teen (17-19) 20's-and up.

This review is of my own personal bottle of this amazing scent and the reviews on Fragrancenet.com

Though I disagree with the websites"Recommend Use is:  Casual



This perfume is way more than a "Casual" wear all day type fragrance:

This perfume can be worn anytime you want to feel sexy, confident, yet playful:
Which I recommend would be all the time, if you asked me!

But I feel it's more so for evening to night use 


 If you wear perfume(s) as your "signature scent" then, this perfume can be worn during the day and later on during the evening (after a nice bath or shower).

Diamonds is more so for evening to late night perfume, if your a lady who love to switch up your perfumes and\or body sprays, I would say use your body sprays
 (other fragrance classed perfume) in the morning through afternoon, then switch to Diamonds (a sexy and fun scent) by the evening:

Giorgio Armani: Diamonds would be perfect for a night out, date night, or being with your significant other.


DESIGN HOUSE - Giorgio Armani
YEAR INTRODUCED - 2007
FRAGRANCE NOTES - Raspberry, Lychee, Freesia, Rose, Muguet, Vanilla, Cedar, Patchouli, Vetiver

Price Range: $60.00-$30.00

Scent Life: 6-10 hours

Recommended Use:  Casual

Classification: Oriental/Spicy



 
The fragrance comes in 3 bottle size to fit almost anyone's price range:

EAU DE PARFUM SPRAY 1 OZ
EAU DE PARFUM SPRAY 1.7 OZ
EAU DE PARFUM SPRAY 3.4 OZ

Body Lotion and Showe Gel is also available

Sam Sparro - Black and Gold

Aussie Moist Conditioner: Product Review

So I've finally came around to use Aussie Moist Conditioner: All by itself with no added conditioners.

I deep condition with this yummy (skittle's candy smelling ) conditioner and I have to say, I am not impressed. I allow my natural hair to air dry, and well my hair was rough. Not soft to the touch, nor easily finger comb through. I did seal with pretty good moisturizers:

While my hair was damp  I applied

A dime size amount of: Jason Aloe Moisturizing Lotion: Yes it's the acutal lotion, the ingredients are better than many conditioners

Dime size amoount: Jason Mango Butter

Genrous helping of: CocoCastor: Coconut and Castor Oil to the ends of my hair

When my hair completly dried: which took over eight hours, I did not like the result of deep conditioning with this conditioner. My hair was left rough so Aussie Moist Conditioner:


Grade (On a Scale of A+ - F-) Aussie Moist Conditioner Get's a  C-

Aussie Moist gets a Low C: on further evaluation I did seal my ends with Coconut Oil (an moisture inhibitor) coconut oil natually blocks moisture out, which may be the reason why my ends was left dry, but what about the rest of my hair? My entire head was left thirsty so: 

Any product I grade lower than a B gets tossed,

So for all the naturals out there: I'd say pass on this conditioner, it's not even worth the hype nor the $3.50


Thursday, September 24, 2009

Aint No Love....

In Jay's Heart for Lil Mama?



While I did not see the talk about unwelcome entrance of Lil Mama on the VMA's during Jay-Z's and Alica Keys performace of Empire State of Mind, I did get a clip, and man I feel for lil mama. As a fellow brooklynite: I could understand the overwhelming emotion of wanting to truly rep the beautiful city of New York. Now, would I have crash the damn stage in the middle of a very intimate clabo between Jay and Keys performance, mmm no, that "plan" was ill thought out: then again that wasnt Lil Mama's plan (well at least I dont think it was).

I took Lil Mama's absentminded "stunt" for what it really was: absentmindedness: I mean I understand: when your so in love with the lyrics of and the droning of the beat: Lil Mama was undoubtedly caught up in the moment.


Clip of the VMA Incident with Lil Mama and Jay-Z Shunning Her: Icy COLD!


Lil Mama Invites Herself On VMA Stage While Jay-Z Performs



Poor Lil Mama: while on stage Jay gaved her the "move out the way your blocking my path" walk, and swerved right passed her while on stage, letting Lil Mama know, he did not condone her crashing of a very special duo of him and Alicia Keys. The perfomance that Jay-Z & Alcia Keys peformed together Empire State of Mind was beautiful and I could tell that it was a moment between Jay-Z and Keys that was suppose to be just the two of them harking a beautiful melody to remember; Lil Mama accident or not, messed up a very special moment.


With that between said: Lil Mama apology may have been too much, since she was caught up in the moment and the "crashing" was not done purposefully out of rudeness or spite: Lil mama should have called Jay (if she could) and give a personal: "My Bad" I am so sorry to both Jay-Z Alicia Keys (Though I do not think Keys even notice Lil Mama on stage till last minute when the song was ending. An on air apology was too much for an act that was done for the Love of New York: I mean Lil mama went on and on (with her apology), as if she shot Jay-z dog!

Below is Lil Mama's apology





Empire State of Mind Feat Alica Keys

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Perfume Review: Fragrance VS Edition

Created 9-1-09

Usher for Women





VS






Usher UR





Usher for Women

Scent: Masculine, Woodsy, Oriental, Warm

Strength: Strong, and it lingers

So I bought Usher for Women tried it, didn't like it that much, have gotten compliments when wearing Usher for Women, but it smells like a very expensive good smelling cologne


On A Grading Scale: A+\F-

C - Usher for Women gets a C minus: It does smell good, but it'd smell better on a attractive guy: It's way too manly smelling for me








Usher UR

Scent: Lightly Sweet, soft, floral

Strength: Light but lingers sweetly

I just bought UR: It's a light scent but carry's very good, I can smell the scent even from a couple of feet away, but it doesn't overwhelms me.

It's sweet, yet not too sweet (not kiddie or candy like), I seem to have to take a close whiff of the perfume every couple of seconds to remind myself how good it smells. I sprayed it on and it smells very nice: it carries well. The scent smell better the closer than it does far away.


On a grading scale A+\F-


B - I'd give Usher UR a B minus

And for a B\C (and sometimes A) student I think thats a pretty good score



Staying Power (How Long the Perfume Last: 7 Plus Hours

I even workout with a light spritz of this perfume and after a 3 hour workout routine, it smells fresh and sweet.

The scent is nice, but capturing the true scent is a little difficult since all the fragrance notes do not carry: only some so it smells like a different scent up close then farther away: If that makes sense.


I like a perfume that has the whole bouquet I can recognize, Usher UR only some of the scent carries, which makes me think its a whole different perfume altogether.


It's still a nice casual perfume, maybe even a signature scent for a lucky girl.