Black Friday: Bee Mine Organics

Hello Saints! Bee Mine organic products are the staple brand for me and my family's hair care. I have been using there products since I began my healthy hair care journey in 2011. I had learned about Bee Mine through the Hairlicious blog by Sunshyne. She is a relaxed hair and beauty blogger with the most beautiful relaxed hair I have ever seen. She has been my encouragement through my own hair care journey.

This year I have been ordering the special edition CurlBox Natural by CurlBox. This pass May Natural Box featured all Bee Mine products so needless to say I was FLOORED seeing my staple brand in my box!  There were 5 FULL sized products.  They were Deja's Hair Milk, Luscious Moisturizer, Curly Butter, Juicy Daily Spritz and Daily Conditioner. This special edition box does NOT require a subscription but just like the subscription box, they do sell out fast.  If you would like to learn more about CurlBox please click here.

CurlBox Natural

Hello there Saints! CurlBox. For $20 (plus $5 shipping) a month you would recieve a pakage with samples and/or full sized products for hair care to try. I learned about monthly hair care subscriptions through various blogs and social media on the web. I am not a full blown product junkie. Lets just say I'm a "watered down" product junkie (Teehee). So, I like to try various hair products here and there. And if you are like me, who is fruggle when it come to spending funds, you are always on the lookout for getting the most bang for your bucks.

Long Term Protective Style: Crochet Braid Extensions

Hello there Saints! I'm still out here. I have been hibernating (aka pouting) since I heat damaged my hair in December 2013. After ending my transition to natural in August 2013, four months later I heat damaged my hair majorly! How did you do that CBCLady? I had the bright idea to flat iron my hair in order self trim.  I actually flat ironed twice in the same week. The second flat iron with my GVP flat iron from Sally Beauty was the straw that broke the camel's back. The flat iron itself is awesome however I did not keep my temperature down and the end result...HEAT DAMAGE.

Yes, Saints, I am now currently transitioning out of the heat damage.  I was on the line to just buzz all my hair off when I realized I had damaged my hair. After counseling with my husband and the Lord (of course), I decided to transition out of the heat damage. How are you transitioning out of your heat damage, CBCLady?  Keep reading to find out... ;o)

Update: Natural Journey

Hello there Saints! So sorry for being MIA. Tis' the season for preparation of the upcoming holidays. Well, here I am 2 months later fully natural and LOVING IT!!! I could not have imagine that I could see myself wear my homegrown natural hair. It is such an amazing accomplishment for me! I feel so free and uninhibited being a naturalista. :o)

Now, let me get to the nitty gritty of my natural journey 2 months in. First off, all is well. I'm retaining length still and my hair is growing quite well. I did have a problem area that I really was not aware of until I cut the remaining relaxed ends off. It's an area in my crow that the hair broke off and the texture is on the course side as if it was not getting enough TLC. Given that I have been giving that specific area the TLC it needs to get it going again. It is beginning to soften up and the texture is starting to feel more like the rest of my hair which is good thing. I make sure, when I moisturize, I pay additional attention to that area as well as when I cleanse and oil my scalp.

Operation: Length Retention

Sensationnel Up-Do

Hello Saints! Now that I am confident in caring for my transitioning hair, I have now began focusing on ways to retain my length. I had mentioned before in a previous post about Operation: Length Retention, so in this post I will share with you what I plan on doing through out my transition to help retain length and commitments I am making to see it happen.

What is Operation: Length Retention?

It is methods, styles and products I am using and/or doing to help minimize breakage in order to retain length. Our hair is always growing however if we are not protecting our strands from breaking, we will not see the growth that is happening. I do not believe there is anything that can make the hair grow, however I do believe there are products and supplements that can help strength our hair and keep our scalp healthy for growth.

Transitioning to Natural: 10 Months Post

Hello Saints! Another month down which now puts me at 10 months post! That is absolutely amazing to me. It truly is. I may sound as if this transitioning to natural is an easy thing but it surely is not! Transitioning hair takes alot of commitment and dedication. The hair is battling with two totally different textures and somehow I have to figure out how to give both textures the care and needs that are required. Now at 10 months post, my natural texture is truly overruling what is left of my relaxed ends. I have trimmed my ends some but I'm going to go to a salon and get a professional trim soon. It will more than likely be after the kids go back to school which is this month. 

Transitioning to Natural: 8 Months Post

Hello Saints! Today is my 8th month in my journey to natural.  My hair's current length is shoulder length and all is well. I'm still on my regular standard hair care regimen with trying various products here and there.

Daily

Every day I moisturize with S-Curl No Drip and seal with 100% sweet almond oil.  Before bed I will pull my hair back into a loose bun or do flat 2-strand twists then cover with my satin scarf or bonnet. 

Transitioning: 5 Months Post

Hello Saints! I am 5 months post texlax and still going strong with the transition to natural. I have not had to change nor add any additional treatments or care thus far through the transition.  Right now I am going through trial and error with styles that will be able to blend the two textures.  While still figuring that out I have learned within these past five months that my hair does not require protein as much. I definitely have to make sure I stay up on my moisture.  The moisture needs has increased but the need for protein has decreased.  I no longer  do weekly protein treatments with Aphogee 2 Minute Reconstructor.

Shampoo Day Essentials

Hello Saints!  In order for me to have a sucessful shampoo day, these are my must have items:

1. Comb for detangling
2. Salon mixing bowl
3. Teaspoon
4. Application brush
5. Plastic cap
6. T-shirt

Okay, now I will share why these are my essentials for my shampoo day. 

New Formula: S-Curl No Drip

Hello Saints! I was in need of my staple moisturizer S-Curl No Drip and found out that Luster's has changed the ingredients. I was kind of concerned because I did not know if the change was for the better or the worse. The new formula is now paraben free which is good. However they have added DMDM Hydantoin (formaldehyde preservative) in it's place. The new fragrance is wonderful. Definitely will take the new smell. The other new ingredients are Argan oil and Olive oil. Those are some great oils for hair care so thumbs up on those as well.

Get LOSS!

Hello Saints! Happy New Year by the way! Well now that the holidays are done I come into the new year with extra pounds that I thought I would leave back in 2012. It's only 5 pounds but those few extra pounds can make a difference in how clothes feel when you put them on. So, I'm going back to the drawing board in full. I'm going to start on Phase 1 of the '17 Day Diet' by Dr. Mike Moreno. My husband has decided that he too is going to join in on the journey as well. If you have not heard of the '17 Day Diet' I highly recommend taking a look into it. I started reading and actively doing the diet and I loss pounds quickly and safely. The book is easy reading and there is nothing in there for food that you do not already eat. Dr. Moreno helps us to eat right and get more healthy eating in our lifestyle. By time you get to phase 4 you are able to put back the treats that we liked back in the day every now and then.

Deep Conditioning Treatment

Hello Saints! Well, it is Friday! Today I am going to do my deep condtioning treatment. I have faithfully been doing deep conditioing treatments once a week. Even when I do not feel like it, I get it done. There are somethings that I do not want to slack in and one of them is being diligent about my hair care. :o)

Last week I ran out of my Beautiful Textures Deep Moisture deep conditioner so I needed to restock. This was a great opportunity to try something different. This time I picked up Elasta QP DRP-11 deep conditioner. I had used it before a few years ago when I was relaxing my hair. They have changed the ingredients since so I am giving it another try on my now texlaxed hair.

Dominican Hair Product: Crece Pelo Natual Leave-In

Hello Saints! I pray all is well with everyone this day. We had a wonderful weekend. The weather was great so the family and I went to Busch Gardens for the day. We had a wonderful time in the Lord!

 

Well for a while now I had a curiousity about Dominican hair care products. I had my first dominican blow out a few months ago and my curiosity peaked. I wanted to know how is it that women can get this high heat technique once weekly and even sometime twice weekly without seeing damage. We all know that high heat can be harmful to the hair. So of course I started to Google and Bing research about the heat protectants that are used when salon blow outs are done. Primarily I researched domican blow out treatments and products.

My Favorite Moisturizer: S-Curl No Drip!

When I first started my healthy hair care journey in August 2011 I was trying out various oils, conditioners, shampoos and moisturizers. I went through a LOT of trial error my first year especially with finding a good moisturizer.

I have 4a/b-ish hair which anyone with this type of hair texture knows that it runs dry quite often. I live in Florida so our Summers are pretty humid which is great for my hair type but the Florida winters are on the dry side too. Since I started my hair journey at the end of Summer going into Fall I needed to get on the ball to get a good daily moisturizer.

Ayurvedic Friday: Henna Treatment

Hello Saints! I did my second Jamila henna treatment today! However... I did not leave it overnite since I wanted more conditioning then color. I also used coconut milk instead of tea or water.

Side Note: The quanity of henna mix I made is according to the current length of my hair which is ear lenth. As my hair grows the amounts of my ingredients used will increase based on my length

Here are my ingredients:

• 2tbsp Jamila henna
• coconut milk
• 1tbsp Wild Growth oil mix (I had added other oils to it a while back)
• 1tsp Navratna Oil Lite (more for the scent then the benefits)
• 2tsp honey
• 2tsp Maka powder

After mixing, I covered the mix and let it sit for about 3 hours then applied to my dry prepoo'd hair. I covered my hair with a plastic cap and left it in for 4 hours then cowashed it out using Jason Aloe Vera 84% Conditioner. There after I did a moisturizing deep conditioning treatment using Beautiful Textures Rapid Repair Deep Conditioner with heat for 30 minutes. Cowashed that out as well using Herbal Essences Hello Hydration conditioner (you know I had to put moisture back in). After all said and done...drum roll.... IT WAS THE BEST TREATMENT EVER!!. I actually still did get some color but still yet my hair feels sooooo amazingly soft and strong. I love it! I'm going to do this again next Friday (my designanted Ayurvedic treatment day)!

Ear Length = HIGH MAINTENANCE!

So this Sunday will be a month since I cut my grazing shoulder length hair to ear length. Let me tell you, this is a high mantenance length for me! I am doing all I can to keep from using heat on my hair. My first week I was a mess. I was in tears trying to figure out what to do with my hair. I work out 5+ days a week so I cowash my hair every other day. It is a must since I sweat like rain drops. It has been almost 4 months since I texlaxed my hair, so that is an added trial to the situation (yes, it's a situation to me). What did I do? I did the best thing I know to do....I PRAYED! 

Day 7: 21 Day Hair Fast

Hello Saints! Well it has been 1 week since I started my hair fast. I have faithfully not used any hair appliances nor styling products. It has just been various oils, water, my aloe vera mix (which has all pure/natural ingredients) and shea butter. I have not used shampoo of any kind. I have either rinsed my hair with water only or used my organic conditioner by Alba. I did the GHE (green house effect) every day from serval hours to overnite. All is going well and my hair is feeling tremendously moist and strong. I am not having any issue with shedding that concerns me nor breakage. I have 2 weeks to go! I will be doing a heavy protein treatment using Aphogee 2 Step once I complete my hair fast a few days before putting my relaxer in (I actually texlax though). Over the weekend I co-washed and wore my drawstring ponytail when I was out and about.

Sulfate, Protein & Silicone-Free Products- UPDATES 2014

****New Updates! July 2014****

Hello Saints! Here is a list of shampoos, conditioners and styling products that has ingredients free of sulfate, protein and/or silicone. I have not tried all of the listed products so please read the ingreidents to be sure they are free of sulfate, protein and/or silicone. Also, reasearch for reviews to any product that you are interested in purchasing. If there are any products that has a form of sulfate, silicone and/or protein please let me know and I will make the changes. If there is any product that needs to be added to the list please let know and I will update accordlingly. If you have any questiongs, please, by all means, let me know. Be blessed! :o)