What’s missing from the natural hair conversation?

Morning ladies,

I want to get back to blogging and vlogging. However, first  I would like to know what do you ladies feel is missing from the conversation on natural hair. There are an abundance of “gurus” and amateurs out here talking about all kinds of the same topics. Seriously, have you ever tried to Google any natural hair term/topic/products?  The results are often overwhelming you have to wade through tons of  opinions and reviews just to find your answer. No shade but how many tutorials does a person need on how to do a  two-strand twist? I would like to attempt to fill a void in the natural hair conversation but I am not sure exactly what that void is, so I am asking you guys…

I Was Featured on Curly Nikki

So last Monday (February 3rd) I was my birthday, it was also the day I was featured on the curlynikki.com. Now naturalistas you know that Curly Nikki is like the website for all things natural hair and can I just say that when I saw my pic on the site I literally squealed for joy. It was seriously the best bday present (outside of the trip to the Bahamas) a girl could ask for. I am especially thankful to Patrica of Global Couture for her profile of me which then lead to my Curly Nikki feature. THANKS!!!!  To read my full feature click here

BARBIE IS NATURALLY GLAM!

i big chopped | journey to natural- personal accounts | naturally glam-natural hair idols | on the couch

via Global Couture, LLC

NY Times: The Afro as a Natural Expression of Self

The New York Times online edition has an interesting article  about afros i.e. natural hair as an extension of self-expression and or politics. The article is titled, “The Afro as a Natural Expression of Self” . In college  had a professor who always said. “The personal is political.” And while her statement was more so directed towards the creation of social movements perhaps it has also validity in our current natural hair trend (I don’t really think natural hair is a trend but for a lack of a better word we use it). While I do consider wearing my hair in its natural state an expression of who I am, I am not sure whether I find it to be a political statement. I don’t really feel that by wearing my hair natural I am  liberating myself from some conformist European beauty standard.  I just like my hair in its natural state.

What do you think of the article?

Are you over this whole natural hair debate?

Product Spotlight: Qhemet Biologics

Hi Beauties,

I know it’s been too long and so much has been going on. For one I moved to DC (more on that in a later post) !  the Also, Lola has grown significantly and while I really am going to try to blog more often I just wanted to come through and let everyone know that my love for Qhemet Biologics is real. Like really real, like, “It’s realer than Real Deal Hoyfield!” I have so far used the following pictured products and let me tell each one of them is A-mah-zing!

 

 

 

  Cocoa Tree Detangling: First off this stuff smells so yummy.  I have used this product as both a detangler and a leave-in with great results. If you decide to use it as a leave-in make sure you aren’t heavy-handed because a little goes a long way as the texture is a bit thick.

Burdock Root Cream: I really love this product. I tend to be a bit heavy-handed since the product feels so light and it still doesn’t leave a residue and my hair didn’t feel dry. This particular product was intended for use by people with fine strands while the Amla & Olive Heavy Cream is for people with dry, coarse hair. I found that Lola responds slightly better to this product than the Amla and when I say slightly better I mean my hair feels less weighed down with this product.

Amla & Olive Heavy Cream: I like this product too however, it does leave my hair feeling a bit weighed down. I will revisit this product in the colder months to see if my opinion of it changes. For those of you with thicker  hair strands this may be a better option than the Burdock Cream.

Aethiopika Hydrate & Twist Butter (try saying Aethiopika five times fast): This stuff is thick and has a  citrus -ish scent . While I am not much of a fan of the scent I really this product.  I use this butter to seal my ends and to retwist during the week. It is very thick so definitely don’t be heavy-handed with this product. Also, the product can feel a bit grainy but it’s not something that would deter me from buying again.

Have you used Qhemet Biologics products? What did you think? 

Party Over Hair: We Are Onyx Video Chat + Twitter Party With Felicia Leatherwood

What are you doing later this evening say around 8 EST or 5 to 6 PST? Nothing? Well then  join celebrity natural hair stylist Felicia Leatherwood and Delali Kpodzo, founder of  WEAREONYX.com in their first ever Twitter Party + Live video chat!

 

 

Submit all question on Twitter using the #ASKONYX!

Karen’s Body Beautiful is Coming to Target!

Target is seriously trying to become my favorite store! It has recently been announced that Karen Tappin, founder of Karen’s Body Beautiful is bringing her products to Target. Yes, I said Karen’s Body Beautiful will be in select Target stores starting in February. Are you excited? I know I am!  I am also a  bit worried about my pockets. I haven’t used any of her products but have heard really good things so I am hoping they are available in a Target near me…a girl can dream right?  I don’t have a list of which Target stores the products will be available  but as soon as I do you know I will post the information.

 

Has anyone used her products? What are the definte must haves?

Rethinking the Sink/Float Porosity Test

Morning!

When I first became natural, correction when my hair finally grew long enough for me to pluck a strand from my head, I did the hair strand sink/float test to check my hair’s porosity. I’d found mentions of this method to test porosity on just about every natural hair website and forum I came across. Naturally, (no pun intended) I assumed the test was a pretty accurate way to test porosity until yesterday when I came across a post on http://www.thenaturalhavenbloom.com/ which made me question whether the sink/float porosity test is really just junk science. Quick aside- if your not sure what porosity has to do with hair,  basically it’s the measure of how your hair will absorb and hold moisture.

Junk Science – Hair Porosity Tests / Float or Sink

 

Ok so many of you write to me about porosity tests. These are the suggestions that you can test to see how porous your hair is by placing a few strands in water, wait for 10 minutes and see if the hair floats or sinks.

I have often said that I do believe that these type of tests are really very poor and very unscientific. Let me explain why:

1. Hair in general will almost always float in water. 

Many of you doing this test will note that your hair will float for ages and it may take some prodding to make it sink if it does at all. This is because hair is generally covered in oil. This oil is naturally produced sebum and any extra that you may use in your hair care routine will have an added impact. Now oil will always float on water, so your hair floating does not mean that it has low porosity. It does mean that your hair is light (which it is) and has a coating of oil that repels water (which it does).

2. What would happen if you washed off the oil on hair using shampoo then performed the test?

If you chose to do the test with hair that is freshly washed but not conditioned then that is really an artificial test because you would normally apply conditioner after a shampoo (Of course if you only shampoo then this test is not artificial for you). For most people hair will still float because there is usually still some residual oil.

3. Warm water or cold water?

Some say the temperature of the water does not matter but on a scientific level this is probably not true. The reason for this is

– Hair has a thin oil coating (warm/hot water removes oil to some extent)
– Hair is protein (most proteins will have small changes in structure if temperature changes)

However, the most likely observation that most people will have with a single strand of hair is that it will float.

4. If hair sinks, is this because it has taken up water?

If you place hair strands in water they are going to take up water, this is a fact and this is normal. The more your hair takes up water, the heavier it will get but it may still float because of the oil coating. Hair could indeed sink and many relate this to damage (bleaching or relaxing hair for example makes the cuticle more porous) but it could also be that your hair is naturally dense (i.e naturally weighs more).

So is there a scientific test to know how porous hair is?

Yes, there is and much like the proven tests to see if oil penetrates hair, it is a lab based test that is generally not an easy or cheap method to do. It is called gas sorption and involves detecting the flow of a gas (or air) through hair. It has been used to show that bleaching and UV damage do both indeed greatly change the porosity of hair ( Journal of cosmetic science 59.4 (2008): 303)

Is there a home – test for porosity?

There is no single test that I would say is reliable. Many people think that hair repelling water is a bad thing but it really is not, it is excellent. It means your hair has its oil coating and is working well. The oil coating cannot fully block out water coming in or out, it is a permeable barrier.

I do absolutely advocate for people to reject or accept products based on how they work. If a product leads your hair to be constantly dry, leave it. If a product makes your hair too mushy, stop using it. Find products that work by trusting yourself and your hair.

Written by JC of Natural Haven

Thoughts?

A Natural Hair Event for My New England Ladies

Happy Friday!

Yesterday, I received an email on behalf of the natural hair salon Luv My Natural Curls Boutique inviting myself and my followers to their 2013 Seeds of Luv Natural Hair Fashion Show. The email stated, “The purpose of the event is to empower and motivate women to embrace their natural beauty. To help them build a stronger hair regimen and gain knowledge on how to live a healthier lifestyle. Our Guest Speaker will be Audrey Davis, author of “Science of Black Hair Care”. This event will take place at Lombardo’s Function Facilities, one of Boston’s Finest Venues. This event consists of: 3 course meal, passed hors’douvers/ champagne fountain, Shopping/Vendor discounts, Lots of Entertainment, Door prizes, Lots of product samples and raffle giveaways. A portion of the proceeds will be going to the Lupus and Breast Cancer Foundation. We understand that many women who survive these types of diseases tend to still die from within. They do not feel beautiful enough and they become self-conscience about whether they are “woman enough” or“beautiful enough” for society’s standards. We want to bring awareness to the fact that ‘TRUE BEAUTY’ is not about “body image” but the IMAGE you represent for the BODYof Christ.”

 Limited Early Bird Tickets at $40 are going FAST!!! Tickets will be $75 after January 31st. TICKETS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE! ( The website lists 2 ticket prices a $40 ticket and a $60 VIP ticket). Tickets can be purchased on the their website http://www.luvmynaturalcurls.com/ or through EventBrite.

 

Will you be attending?

January curlBOX

Morning Curlies,

I received my January curlBOX the theme of which was “New Year, New Rules, New You!” Let’s check out what was inside.

Elentee Soy Organics Twist & Lock Gel: (Full size product) Elentee Soy Organics Twist and Lock Gel formulated with special herbal ingredients to deeply soften the cuticle for total control when coiling your hair into twists and locks. It conditions by restoring moisture and strengthens the hair to prevent breakage. Provides a long-lasting hold and dries fast. Directions For Twists: Apply ample amount of Elentee Soy Organics Twist & Lock Gel to the root of one section and part into small subsections using a comb. Twist hair into neat coils with a small com or with fingers. Sit under dryer for 15 to 20 minutes or until hair is completely dry.

Oyin Hair Dew: (Mini Size): This creamy, conditioning leave-in is light enough for every day. it’s great on ‘naked’ hair immediately after a cleanse, or as a way to reinvigorate tired hair all the way through your hair care cycle.

Cream of Nature Argan Oil Moisture & Shine  Sulfate Free Shampoo (Pillow Pack): Sulfate-free formula that hydrates hair and adds exotic shine, while gently cleansing without harsh moisture stripping agents. It strengthens hair while optimizing the moisture balance of the hair and scalp

Cream of Nature Argan Oil Intensive Conditioner (Pillow Pack): An intensively deep conditioning treatment that strengthens, revitalizes and gives exotic shine. It prevents hair breakage and deeply infuses moisture from the inside out. Ideal for all hair types, including relaxed, natural and color-treated hair, this treatment can be used after every shampoo as a quick conditioner, or every week as a reconstructor.

Cream of Nature Argan Oil Perfect Edges (Sample): Hair gel infused with Argan Oil controls and holds down edges, while moisturizing and adding Exotic Shine to the hair. This nutrient-rich formula makes hair stronger and gives superior hold without flaking. Perfect for creating sleek, smooth styles, ponytails, sculpting & styling the hair.

Mizani True Textures Curl Soft Moisturizing Leave-In Creme (Pillow Pack): This weightless leave-in conditioner envelops curls to deliver flawless, frizz-free definition. Create curls with moisture, protection and softness.

Evolve Deep Stimulating Brush (Regular sized brush)-

My thoughts: First,  let me say there were variations in the boxes some people received Soy Organics Ant-Breakage Moisturizer instead of  the Twist & Lock Gel. There were also variations in the Oyin products with some people receiving either the Honey Hemp or the Juice and Berries instead of  the Hair Dew. What is listed above is what I received in my curlBOX. Now on to my opinion, I have to admit this is not my favorite box and I do understand that every box can’t be amazing. But to me most of the boxes have been pretty good and maybe my expectations have become a bit too high. When I opened this box and saw the contents I didn’t get that desire to rip open these products and get to doing my hair. I don’t know about you but whenever I get a product I am excited about all I want to do is try it out. That being said, I will try everything in the box and perhaps once I have used the products I will have a greater appreciation of January’s box. I am looking really  forward to using the Oyin Hair Dew and to giving the Mizani True Texture leave-in a try. February marks the first anniversary of curlBOX, so I know the contents of the box will be fabulous! If you are interested in joining curlBOX the list opens January 19th at 3pm.

Updated: New Products From SheaMoisture

Last week I wrote a post  about new products from SheaMoisture that are only available at select Targets, well SheaMoisture has released a list of Target’s where the products are available. Click on the list to enlarge picture.