Rose Salve Purchase and an Intro to Lip Care



I have been meaning to buy this for quite some time. Recently, I was in the mall with friends, and ran into the Bath and Body Works to see if they had any of this product in stock. Fortunately, they did. In fact, they had a sale of buy two get one free. I went ahead and purchased two so I could get the third for Free.99. This product has been around forever, and is described as the "all purpose salve". The container says it may be used on lips, cuticles, elbows, knees, and face, or anywhere deemed necessary. I have only used it on my lips and hands. Love it on my lips. As for the hands, not so much. It has a too greasy feel for me, and I have grown accustomed to using light oils on my hands, which give the best results in terms of both look and feel.

I also realized that I may have had this product confused with the Rosebud Salve made by Smith's. This is the Rose Salve made by C.O. Bigelow. The Rosebud Salve looks to have a lighter, more pinkish hue, which is my preference. It is available at Sephora, where I will purchase next time I'm in the mall.

This post had me thinking that I have not talked much about lip care. My lips are definitely a focal point of my face. They must be moisturized at all times or I run the risk of looking jacked up. I have tried many a lip balm and chap stick. My all time favorites, so far, are the following:

1. Carmex - An oldy, but goody. I prefer the chap stick kind over the potted balm formula. This makes your lips feel and look great. This formula also doubles as a cold sore remedy.
2. LypSyl - This one has to be my all time favorite. It is made using beeswax, and gives a similar Carmex feel of a menthol lip treatment. The color is nude, which I like very much, and it is available for purchase at the local CVS/pharmacy. It has described as a Swedish lip care product.

I have not talked much about lip care, but one last thing I will note is that  it is imperative to exfoliate lips. For me, it is at least. I exfoliate my lips one of two ways, as needed:

• Using a warm damp washcloth, I rub my lips gently to remove peeling skin for a smooth lip finish.
• Using refined, white sugar (I may use brown sugar in the future), I wet the sugar, rub over lips, and rinse with warm water. Great results.

Both methods above are cheap and effective. If you have a favorite lip balm or chap stick, let me know. I am open to trying new things.

All I Want Is A Daily Multivitamin...

...that's not the size of a horse pill, won't break the bank, and is 100 percent vegetarian (many vitamins contain gelatin, believe it or not, and other animal-derived products). I would also prefer one that contains no dyes or other unnecessary additives, and won't taste like crap on the way down. It took me years to learn how to swallow a painkiller, and those are not very big pills at all. Anything bigger, and my gag reflex comes into play.



I am also looking, yet again, to become fully vegan by the end of this year. Really, about a month after graduating college, I should have no problems as I enjoy cooking and preparing my own food. Trying to be vegan while enrolled in classes at a school that defines vegetarian as eating chicken and fish is no easy feat.

In all actuality, I plan to obtain the majority of my vitamins and minerals from whole foods (vegetables, fruits, and whole grains) and fortified non dairy milks and cereals. The only supplement that cannot be obtained naturally on a vegan diet is Vitamin B12.

Well, I am officially on the market for a vegan, cruelty-free, relatively small (or at least not the size of a horse pill) multivitamin. After all, multivitamins can contribute to a healthier lifestyle. Just be the kind of person to take multivitamins.

Conditioner Superlatives...Most Slip/Best Detangling Conditioner

When I had more patience to wet detangle, I always knew wet detangling was near impossible without a good conditioner in the hair to provide slip. Slip makes your hair smoother and easier to comb through. I had tried a few conditioners, including my Suave Naturals Tropical Coconut, until I realized that the best conditioner for wet detangling was none other than....Yes to Cucumbers Conditioner.

YTC seems to have done a few revampings of their ingredients, and I was even concerned to see sodium hydroxide listed in the bottle I currently own. However, after some research I found out that SH is used, in small amounts, as a pH balancer. Perhaps the mixture was too acidic before the addition of this ingredient. Otherwise, YTC has great ingredients (such as green tea and cucumbers), a great price, and a great smell. Again, I will stress how great this product smells, very light and crisp, pleasant and cucumbery. Another thing I love about this conditioner for detangling is that it is silicone free. Most conditioners that are touted for their detangling abilities have silicones. Silicones smooth the cuticle and provide slip, but they can also lead to build up which can only be removed with a silicone conditioner. Therefore, its both surprising and refreshing to find an economical silicone free conditioner that provides such amazing slip. This conditioner is also readily available at Target and Ulta. Take note that this conditioner is formulated for use on color treated hair, but anyone who experiences dryness of hair can benefit from its moisturizing abilities.

Honorable Mention: Suave Professionals Almond and Shea Butter Conditioner (old formula), with its ingredients of almond oil, shea butter, and silicones, provides amazing slip for the hair, making detangling wet hair a lot easier. This conditioner is also very economical and readily available. The reason it didn't win this category was because it contains silicones and does not, in my opinion, smell as nice as the YTC.

Will You Ever Grow Dreadlocks Again?

When I entered college, I had about a year and half's worth of loc growth. They quickly became my signature, and every time I visited home my classmates commented on how much they had grown. Since I have cut my locs of four years in May 2010, I also get this question a lot, "Will you ever grow locs again?"



In a nutshell, my answer is maybe. All I know for sure is that I don't want to start growing them now. Locking is a journey. I enjoyed my journey. It was a lot of fun and taught me to question conventional idea of beauty. I also knew in my spirit when it was time for that particular loc journey to end. I also know of individuals who have had several loc journeys (cutting and growing, then cutting again).

I sometimes think about growing locs again, mainly in the sense of what I would do differently. On the one hand, I feel that I would try starting and maintaining them on my own. Other times I think I would go back to the exact same woman who started my locs for me when I was in high school. I would much enjoy going back to only using about five products or less. I also would like to wear them curly and wavy more often. I didn't bother with that as much the four years I had locs. I would also consider trimming them periodically instead of dreading (no pun intended) when they grew longer and consequently became heavier when I washed them. I would definitely use sulfate free shampoos, most likely the Giovanni shampoo line. There are just so many things I would look forward to doing differently.

Also, I would most likely start with a lot more growth than what I currently have. Honestly, I see it happening when I grow tired of maintaining loose natural hair that I decide to loc again. That would be exciting.

Last year, I wore some mini-twists in my hair and so many people assumed I was locking my hair again, which was not my intention. One person even commented, "Why did you cut your locs, just to grow them again?" I assured her I wasn't growing them again, but also thought to myself that if I started them over, it would be my business to do as I please.

Will I grow locs again? Yes. When? I don't know. They are definitely beautiful to me and a journey worth taking. Many loc wearers believe, and I agree with them, that locking your hair is a spiritual process that has the potential to alter your thinking and shift your focus. I even remember that day I cut my locs, I had an intense headache by evening. Even though I like my new short 'do, I don't see the headache as coincidence. My mind was probably mourning the locs I had just severed from my roots. If I do loc, I will definitely document the journey.

Above is a picture of singer Goapele, whose locs definitely inspired me to grow my own. When she cut her hair, I was very upset. But I have realized that it is an individual journey for each person to have.

Conditioner Superlatives...Best Co-Washing Conditioner

Cheapie conditioners aside, I like to use something a bit more luxurious for co-washing. In the beginning of my loose natural hair journey, I stuck to my cheapie faves. As I purchased more conditioners, I experimented with using non-cheapie conditioners to co-wash. By non-cheapie, I don't mean expensive. I just mean not as cheap as Suave Naturals or Alberto VO5. These conditioners always still cost less than ten dollars. I digress. After a bit of contemplation, and after recently using the two finalists for this award, my all time favorite co-washing conditioner is [insert drumroll]...Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat Conditioner.



I originally only bought the trial size of this conditioner from Target to try out. I didn't want to commit to a regular size container and risk not liking it. The idea probably came from the fact that the conditioner is formulated for all hair types. I usually only buy products formulated for dry/damaged or color treated hair types. (Color treated because although I have no color in my hair, color treated hair is usually dry and the products formulated for those hair types work well for naturally dry hair like mine). I took a chance on this one, and was pleasantly surprised.

The scent is not at all overpowering, just slightly minty. The feel of the conditioner in my hair is luxurious. It spreads over my hair nicely and gives a slightly cooling effect to the scalp. Furthermore, it is silicone free, meaning it won't cause build up on the hair after continued use. In essence, this conditioner is great. My only complaint is that it costs more than most are willing to spend on a cheapie conditioner. I don't co-wash nearly as much as I used to, and I have even once used this conditioner as a leave-in. The price is only about $8 for an 8.5 oz container. Not bad, but definitely not as cheap as Suave, Alberto, or even the honorable mention in this category (see below).

If you read my recent post, however, you will know that I have found an online source for liter and gallon size Giovanni hair products. I plan to purchase the liter size container of the TTTT conditioner to use as my primary co-washing conditioner. I love the way it feels, the ingredients are great, its cone free, and if you go to the right place, you can purchase it for a very competitive price.

Honorable Mention: Yes to Cucumbers Daily Makeover Conditioner. The smell of this product is simply divine, just like fresh cucumbers. It was a very close second with the Giovanni TTTT as my favorite co-washing conditioner. The price is about the same for a Giovanni conditioner purchased from Target, but you get twice the amount of product. This conditioner also has a few more great uses, but you will find out what those are later when I give out the other conditioner superlative awards. It is also cone free and paraben free with nice ingredients. The only reason it lost to Giovanni TTTT in the best co-washing category is that it doesn't feel quite as luxurious as the Giovanni TTTT when I put it on my hair. It feels nice, just not as luxurious. This product can be purchased from Target.

Giovanni Conditioners in Liter and Gallon Sizes!!!

[Insert happy dance]. My roommate knows how much I love Giovanni products. When we came back to school for our last semester, she was quick to inform me that TJ Maxx, and other stores such as Ross and Marshall's, sells liter size Giovanni shampoos and conditioners for only $12.99. Naturally Obsessed also shared that she purchased her liter size of the shampoos and conditioners from Marshall's. I was eager to check out these product aisles to purchase my own liter size of the conditioners. For me, I don't see much point in buying the large size shampoos since I don't shampoo my hair very much. Conditioner on the other hand, I use by the bottle very quickly.

Well, I am not the only one privy to Giovanni being sold for the low price for a large size at stores such as TJ Maxx. My friend also told me that she didn't see any of the shampoos left when she went there, except Root 66 shampoo. Root 66 is formulated for volumizing. It seems to me all the naturals in Atlanta are wiping out the Giovanni products before I can even get a chance to hop on the MARTA and buy some. Giovanni is not even as easy to find at Target anymore, since the products seem to run out quickly there, too. Vita Cost sells the smaller 8.5 ounces for a cheaper price. I realized that if a store sells the liter size, surely there must be an online store that also sells the liter size.

I found it! After searching a few message boards on Long Hair Care Forum, a poster shared that www.massagewarehouse.com sells Giovanni shampoos and conditioners in the liter and gallon size. Just enter "Giovanni" in the search box. Furthermore, the price is right at $12.99 for the liter sizes. Sure, you will have to pay S&H, but better than driving to the store only to find out that all the Giovanni shampoos and conditioners you might buy are sold out. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. I have no immediate plans to purchase Giovanni. My VitaCost order, which includes some Giovanni hair products, comes in the mail today. I instead plan to use this website for purchases once I run out of the conditioners I have now.

Take note that a liter size container equals little over 33 ounces. For only $12.99 for the liter size, you come off with a good deal. I'm talking to you Miss Cee C. If you can't make it down to TJ Maxx or Marshall's to purchase this, consider ordering it offline next time you run low. And expect to see some Giovanni in the Conditioner Superlative Awards.



Conditioner Superlatives...Best Cheapie (or Most Economical) Conditioner

After cutting my locs, the first product I purchased for cleansing (i.e. cowashing) my hair during the warm May weather was what would become my favorite economical, aka cheapie, conditioner. The winner of the first Conditioner Superlatives Award in the category of Most Econimical or Best Cheapie Conditioner is...Suave Naturals Tropical Coconut Conditioner.



At around $1 for 15 ounces, $2 for the family size, this conditioner is very, very economical. It has a light coconuty scent which is not overpowering, and the ingredients are decent. It is both paraben-free and cone-free, for those who follow the Curly Girl method. Great for co-washing and buffering detergent shampoos, this conditioner is always stocked in Miss Cee C's beauty cabinet, and for good reason. You can hardly beat the price for the performance this conditioner delivers. Teri LaFlesh also recommends it as a rinsing conditioner, along with other conditioners in the Suave Naturals line.

Why this particular conditioner from the SN product line? This conditioner is white. Yes, I am discriminating, when it comes to conditioner. With a white conditioner, I am most likely assured that no unnecessary dyes have been added that might irritate my scalp. Also, the coconut smell wins most people over. Try the other SN conditioners if you like, but Tropical Coconut will always be my favorite. This conditioner also has a thicker consistency, but not a lot of slip. Remember, however, what you paid for. I am not saying that this conditioner is bad, but for a dollar don't ask for more than it will deliver. I have read some naturals complain that this was not the best for detangling. How much slip can you expect Suave to give you for only one dollar? As a dry detangler myself, I don't mind the lack of slip. This conditioner is great, and seems to be the first to run out of the store when I go shopping. When you see it, be like Miss Cee C, and stock up for a rainy day.

Honorable Mention: Alberto VO5 Free Me Freesia Conditioner comes in a close second for most economical/best cheapie conditioner. Alberto VO5 has conditioners in many lovely scents, and these run for about a dollar sometimes. The reason it loses is because its not as widely available, in my opinion, as the Suave. Suave is usually found in drugstores, department stores, and grocery stores. I usually don't see VO5 in department stores. Another reason that it lost to Suave Tropical Coconut is that it doesn't come in a family size. Free Me Freesia is my favorite scent, but just try any one from the Moisture Milks or Herbal Escapes line and see how you like it.

Conditioner Superlative Awards

Introducing a new blog post series. You all know how much I love conditioner, so I decided to give specific reasons why I love each one. Some conditioners are better for certain things, such as co-washing or even shaving when I run out of shaving cream.



I realize that not only am I a conditioner junkie, owning quite a few that I have tried and loved, but I also have a few that I have yet to try. As I try them out and let you know how they work, I will be posting what I would like the call The Conditioner Superlatives, aka the Conditioner Hall of Fame. Just a few of the upcoming categories include most economical, most slip, and best leave-in/styler. I will also attempt to name a best conditioner all around, which might be the hardest thing ever. Don't be surprised if I can't choose and end up listing three to five instead of just one. Here are a list of the conditioners I have tried and repurchased. Don't judge the large number you see listed below. Remember that many of these conditioners are less than $10, with the exception of the Oyin Handmade Honey Hemp. Expect to see these highlighted in the upcoming posts:

• Alberto VO5 Free Me Fressia Conditioner
• Alberto VO5 Passion Fruit Smoothie Conditioner
• Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Conditioner
• Aussie Moist Conditioner for Dry, Thirst Hair
• Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat Conditioner
• Giovanni Weightless Moisture Direct Leave-In
• Oyin Handmade Honey Hemp Conditioner
• Suave Naturals Tropical Coconut Conditioner
• Suave Professionals Almond and Shea Butter
• Yes to Carrots Nourishing Conditioner
• Yes to Cucumbers Daily Makeover Conditioner

Conditioners I have recently purchased but that I have yet to try are the following:

• Desert Essence Organics Coconut Conditioner
• Desert Essence Organics Italian Red Grape Conditioner
• Giovanni 50:50 Moisturizing Calming Conditioner
• Giovanni Deeper Moisture Smooth as Silk Conditioner

Note that a few of these will be mentioned for more than just one category. They are also more likely to be named as a Best All Around winner. Furthermore, I will take the time to list a few of my least favorite conditioners. These are ones that I purchased, hated for a particular or various reasons, and have no plans of repurchasing. Stay tuned and I'll keep you posted.

Disclaimer: All of the conditioners mentioned were purchased with my money and no one is paying me to vouch for their efficacy. These products are what work for my hair, and am not guaranteeing they will work wonders for your hair. Give them a try, see how you like them, and decide for yourself. Things I consider when buying and using conditioners are price, quality of ingredients, ability to moisturize and make my hair feel soft, ability to define curls for a wash and go, and smell of course, especially a leave-in conditioner.

VitaCost.com Haul



Finally put in my order for some VitaCost.com goodies. Below is what I bought. They have a free shipping special on all order above $49 through the rest of the month. It was hard to decide what to buy, but I finally settled on the following:

• YS Organic Bee Farms Raw Honey (22 oz) - $5.80: This is a lot of honey, but it was the only size I saw that didn't have any added stuff, like cinnamon. I will be using it for both hair and skin as well as to put in my tea.
• Nutiva Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (15 oz) - I bought a different brand of coconut oil last time I ordered from VitaCost, but this brand is organic, unlike the other one. Now that the weather is getting warmer, I will be using coconut oil rather than olive oil more on my hair.
• Nature's Alchemy Rosewood Essential Oil (0.5 oz) - This rosewood essential oil will be added to my oil cleansing formula. If I really like the smell, I may add it to my ACV rinse to offset the smell.
• Aura Cacia Tea Tree Essential Oil (0.5 oz) - I plan to use this essential oil in my homemade spritz miture. Speaking of, I experimented a bit with making my own homemade spritz. I consider the first try only marginally sucessful. But I will try and try again.
• Desert Essence Organics Conditioner Italian Red Grape (8 oz) - Naturally Obsessed gave a rave review of this conditioner. I am excited to try it. The price I payed on Vita Cost was about half than if I had purchased it from a health food store.
• Desert Essence Organics Coconut Conditioner (8 oz) - My hair has loved any coconut based product so far, including the Suave Tropical Coconut Condish, coconut oil, and coconut milk. This product, hopefully, will not disappoint.
• Giovanni Direct Leave-In Conditioner (8.5 oz) - For a much cheaper price than if I had bought it from the store, I could hardly help getting one of my favorite leave in conditioners, which is aloe-based.
• Giovanni Smooth as Silk Deeper Moisture Conditioner (8.5 oz) - Haven't tried this particular condish from Giovanni, but Miss Cee C loves it. Even if I don't, which I most likely will, I can give it to her.
• Giovanni 50:50 Balanced Moisturizing Calming Conditioner (8.5 oz) - Yet another Giovanni conditioner I am eager to try. Whichever one I like the most, I will purchase more often.
• Starwest Botanicals Vegetable Glycerin (4 oz) - I purchased this for making my homemade spritz. My last mix didn't have veg. glycerin. I'm thinking it could only get better with what is purported as the best humectant of them all.

Yo soy muy emocionada about these recent purchases. Check out Vita Cost for great deals on health food store related items, including vitamins and supplements and all natural beauty products.

Note: I didn't put the prices of each individual item, but assume that I got a great discount on each. Check out their website for their prices.

Reflections on my Avocado-Coconut Milk Deep Treatment



This past Sunday, after shampooing with Giovanni 50:50 Balanced Shampoo, I decided to finally deep treat my hair with strength in mind. I used avocado (which I knicked from my school cafateria) and coconut milk (the Goya brand purchased from Kroger). Both avocado and coconut milk are rich in protein. I didn't measure at all, but used about a 50:50 ratio of avocado and coconut milk, then added about a tablespoon each of honey and olive oil for a bit of moisture. I applied this mixture to wet hair that was freshly shampooed. After applying the mixture to my hair, I placed a plastic bag around my head then covered with a crocheted hat. I then went to dinner and let the mixture marinate. All unused avocado-coconut milk mix was placed in the freezer, with a sign warning my roommates to not eat, since it was a hairproduct, even though it is also perfectly edible.

tAt dinner, I was so scared of smelling like a bowl of guacomole, but my friends assured me that they couldn't even smell the avocado. Also, coconut milk does not smell like coconut oil. Honestly, it smells like baby formula to me, but you couldn't smell that either while my head was covered. When I returned to my room, I rinsed out the mixture. I took the leftover coconut milk and applied it to my hair, quickly covered with a plastic cap, then a towel for good measure. The coconut milk is very runny and I used the towel to ensure that product didn't seep down my body.

After rinsing out the coconut milk, I immediately felt a difference in my hair. Simply put, it felt stronger, but not dry. The bad thing is that I still was finding pieces of avocado in my hair, mainly on the ends. I even found a piece in my hair today, and I cowashed this morning. Next time, I will blend the avocado and coconut milk (which can get lumpy), then strain it for good measure. The results are so nice, I'll do it again. This recipe is looking to become my monthly deep treatment.

Also, I used the Shea Moisture Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner as a leave-in. Just a little of this product goes a long way, and I like the sweet smell of it. This coming Sunday, I look to shampoo with the Shea Moisture Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo, then deep condition with the Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque.

The things I liked most about my homemade protein treatment are that its vegetarian (no eggs, mayonnaise, or oyster shells) and its very cheap compared to protein treatments you buy from store. Avocado and coconut milk are now two must haves in my natural hair food pantry.

Ignore Me Sometimes...Silicone Valley Revisited

...when I claim to do something drastic with my regimen, such as eliminate all conditioners containing silicone products. As usual, I did some reevaluation and decided to analyze why I had decided to give up silicone conditioners. The truth is, I decided to do so because it seemed like I should be a CG girl, my HE conditioners had irritated my scalp (which probably had more to do with the added fragrance and dyes), and I was trying to cure my PJism by not allowing myself to buy the majority of conditioners found in the store.



What made me decide to rethink this rule was when I gave away my Suave Almond and Shea Butter Conditioner to my friend and fellow naturalista Dee. Leave it to Dee to fall in love with the conditioner and make me miss it. Then, right when I decided to rebuy it, I find out that Suave has changed the ingredients in the conditioner. I hate when manufacturers tinker with an already good product. In essence, the change resulted in a hard to remove silicone being placed as the second ingredient where an evaporating silicone once was. I don't mean to confuse anyone further, but for reference the new ingredient in the new Suave Almond and Shea Butter Conditioner formula is dimethicone. It stands where cyclopentasiloxane used to be. I wrote about this product in a review, and how I was happy that cyclopentasiloxane was the silicone of choice due to its evaporating capabilities.

What am I to do that Suave has reformulated my favorite conditioner right after I decide to reintroduce it back into my product line up? To begin with, Dee and I were at Target, and like true product junkies, between the two of us we purchased all the Suave Almond and Shea Butter (the old formula) that this particular Target were carrying. I plan to see if I can find the old formula at Wal-Mart as well. After doing a bit of product ingredient perusing at the other conditioners in the Suave Professionals line, I decided to purchase and try the SP Rosemary Mint, described as invigorating. The silicone formulation is very much like the SP Almond and Shea Butter original formula. If I like the Suave Rosemary Mint, I will purchase that in place of the Almond and Shea Butter when I run out of the original formula.

In the meantime, dear readers, never listen to me when I claim to give up silicones. I now consider my cone-conscious rather than cone-free. I am particular about the type of cones I use as well as how often I use them. I just used some Suave Almond and Shea Butter Condish tonight, and was reminded that honestly some of the best performing silicones may have a cone or two. In the meantime, I just have to ensure I prevent product build-up by clarifying them out of my hair periodically.

Did I mention that the Suave Professionals line is very economical? If not, know that this factor also contributed to my decision to keep the conditioner in my line up. My original review of the Suave Almond and Shea Butter Conditioner can be found HERE.

Things I Used to Do That I Don't Do Anymore (Hair Care Edition)

Miss Cee C (my sister) and I. This was her first month natural

and less than a month before my own BC.

As much as you may research about natural hair care and natural skin care, some lessons are learned only from time and experience, aka trial and error. Before cutting my locs, I had heard of co-washing, cone-free conditioners, sulfate-free shampoos, wet detangling (with conditioner, of course) and many other revelations of natural, healthy, and curly hair care. Alas, I needed to do my own trial and error, and am still doing so, in order to find what works for me and what doesn't. Here goes...

Things I Used to Do That I Don't Do Anymore

(Since Big Chopping on May 7, 2010)

1. I used to own less than five products. I am not lying and can hardly believe that myself. The four years I had locs, the only hair products I was guaranteed to have were the following:
• Clarifying Shampoo -- My favorite was Suave Daily Clarifying Shampoo, which was very economical and easily available at the drugstore or department store.
• Moisturizing Shampoo -- This was more optional than the clarifying one, but after washing my locs with the Suave, I would follow up with a moisturizing shampoo. My particular favorite was the Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Shampoo. Both shampoos I owned had sulfates, and now I am sulfate-free.
• Jamaican Mango and Lime Gel -- This gel, also economical, was used to twist my locs. I love the smell. They have various types, but the ones I preferred were the white opaque one and the orangeish looking one.
• Oil Spritz for Scalp -- This oil blend was made by my loctician and worked miracles for my dry, itchy scalp that was prone to dandruff. The blend came in a spritz bottle and the smell was divine. I always turned heads when using it. I plan to buy some more from her soon. The days of owning only four to five products are over for me.
2. I used to shampoo/wet my hair far less. One of the reasons I cut my locs was the hassle it had become washing my hair. My locs would soak up the water and be so heavy that my back would hurt from the weight. My aim was to retwist my own locs about every three weeks. Now, I can hardly go a week without co-washing my hair. Sunday and Wednesday are my favorite days to wash my hair now.
3. I used to own absolutely no conditioners. Now, I own a few brands and am always eager to try more. Self restraint is the name of the game. I particularly want to try the Tresemme Naturals Moisturizing Conditioner. The price for the amount of product cannot be beat. On a mor splurge moment, I want to buy the Oyin Handmade Hair Dew. It has great products and I love my OH Honey Hemp, so I trust them in the conditioner department.
4. I used to eat more food than I put on my hair. Since big chopping, my hair has been fed with honey, olive oil, coconut oil, aloe vera juice, and apple cider vinegar. I plan to feed it with avocados and coconut milk in the near future. My father once jokingly said that I put more food in my hair than on my body. Though not exactly true, I do love to used edible food items in my hair regimen.

India.Arie said that the only thing constant in the world is change. Now, I may go back to some of my old ways (owning less than five hair products seems unlikely, however). In the meantime, as I find what works for me, its funny to look back on the things that I used to do, and didn't do for my hair. In the list below are some things that have not changed, things that I still do.

1. I still let people touch my hair. I know some are very sensitive about this, but my friends are always welcomes to touch my hair. I didn't mind when I had locs, and it doesn't bother me now. The only criteria is that I know you and trust that your hands are clean.
2. I still hate when people pull my hair. When people pulled my locs, as if the hair was not attached to my scalp and therefore their pulling didn't cause pain, it drove me crazy. Now I hate when people pull little curls that usually stick out from my hair in a frizzy look.
3. I still oil my scalp. I currently don't own anything that contains petroleum and haven't since before starting my locs. Blue Magic is no longer a staple for me. Those were the days when I would grease my scalp. My hair and scalp, however, do like oils and I still oil my scalp as needed. If not, the dryness that results would be horrific.

What You Should Know If You Want to Use a Shampoo Bar



Last November, I wrote about in a post, found here, about some precaution to take when using shampoo bars versus traditional liquid shampoo. In essence, shampoo bars are just soap made to cleanse to hair (or not. I know some naturals who cleanse with Black soap, which is traditionally used for the body). I myself have not ever used anything other than liquid shampoo to cleanse my hair. When doing research on shampoo bars, I decided to not use them for the following reasons:

1. The saponification of oils and other fats (including animal fats) to make soap and shampoo bars lead to a far more alkaline final product than a liquid soap, somewhere in the 7 to 8 range. Hair is naturally slightly acidic, in a pH range of 4.5 to 5.5. Using shampoo bars just might be like sending hair on an pH roller coaster. Using a simple diluted ACV rinse after cleansing with a shampoo bar can remedy this situation, restoring the hair's natural pH level.
2. Using shampoo bars to cleanse the hair is an altogether different process than using liquid shampoo. Some curlies will apply the bar directly to the scalp after wetting hair in order to form a lather, others will work up a lather in their hands, then apply that lather to their scalp and hair.
3. Shampoo bars may disintegrate in the shower if left in the way of water, which will cause the product to disappear. I myself use bar soap, not body wash, for my body. I know firsthand how soap bars can start to disappear if you don't put them away from running water while not using them.
4. Shampoo bars perform quite different depending on whether you live in a hard water or soft water city. Luckily, Georgia has very soft water. Shampoo bars, therefore, should work just fine in this environment. If you live in a hard water city, however, this may be more of an issue.
5. Shampoo bars have been known to leave "residue" on the hair, which some have described as conditioners that are meant to be left on the hair. Others would much rather have them off the hair and describe them as a type of film. Again, an ACV rinse will remedy this problem.

Why am I all of a sudden in a shampoo bar mood? Aside from the above considerations, shampoo bars do have their benefits, including:

• Travel Friendly - You can take as many of these bars as your carry on can handle when travelling by plane, and you don't have to worry about any leaks in your suitcase.
• All Natural Ingredients - Shampoo bars and soap bars preserve themselves. Many of the preservatives found in liquid soap are almost never found in soap and shampoo bars because since shampoo bars don't have water, they don't need preservatives to prevent the growth of bacteria. Also, the likelihood of finding parabens are slim to none.
• Conditioning Effects - Shampoo bars that are designed to cleanse the hair may have more oils than necessary for the curing of the soap. These added oils are left in to condition the hair, which is an added bonus. Some curlies have claimed that they felt no need to condition after using a shampoo bar, but I would probably still do so, if only with just a leave-in.

The particular brand of shampoo bars I am looking into are Chagrin Valley. The prices for amount of product you get are great. The ingredients are all natural. The options are almost endless, with many moisturizing options. After researching reviews on them, the customer service is touted as exceptional and shipping is also touted as fast, with many shipping options available to the consumer. I also decided to look into using shampoo bars because since I already have decided to keep ACV rinses in my regimen, I decided that shampoo bars can also prove a welcome addition. Plus, I live in a soft water city. Yay for me.

CV offers sample sizes for just $2.60 of a high selection of shampoo bars for hair, and soap bars for skin and body. The sample sizes are a generous amount, and I have read that many curlies cut the regular size up into more manageable portions. I am really excited, so stay tuned.

Also, even if I don't like the shampoo bars, I will use use them for my body. And I will also continue to have a liquid shampoo on deck for when I want to not be bothered with handling a bar and doing an ACV rinse. I'll keep you posted.

More Helpful Links/Sources:
Curl Chemist (Naturally Curly) Talks Shampoo Bars
pH Balance and Handmade Soap (Chagrin Valley)
FAQ's for Shampoo Bars (Chagrin Valley)

20 Beauty Items or Less...Apple Cider Vinegar

I haven't done a 20 Beauty Items or Less post in a loooonnnng time, which is an injustice to the next item featured on the list...apple cider vinegar. Any item on the 20 Items or Less usually gets extra points, but whose counting, for being able to be used for more than one part of the body. ACV definitely applies. I have used for two special parts of my body--my hair and my face.



ACV for the skin works wonder for those who suffer from acne. The high acidity of the ACV kills bacteria, treating and preventing breakouts. It is also able to tone the skin and fade blemishes. Over the winter break, I used an ACV toner every day for my skin, with half water and half acv. The smell was horrible, drove my sister nuts, but my skin looked great. Hardly any blemishes.

Full strength ACV can be used as a spot treatment for breakouts and other blemishes. I used it as such in the last week when I noticed an annoying bump near my chin. The bump steadily went down each day. If you can hardly stand the smell of ACV, which is strong, you can mix it with green tea, chamomile tea, or rooibos tea to tone down the smell. The teas contain high levels of antioxidants, which is great for the skin. I have a recipe for an ACV toner in mind, but have yet to purchase the necessary essential oil. Essential oils are another great addition acv toners to help with the smell.

The other role ACV can play is as a hair rinse. ACV rinses are very popular because the pH level of the ACV helps to seal or lay down the hair cuticle. This leads to shinier hair that is easier to detangle. I can attest to this personally. I did my first ACV rinse yesterday, and my hair was softer and shinier. ACV rinses also help remove buildup, especially in areas with hard water. I plan to implement bi-weekly ACV rinses into my hair regimen. A good starting point for the recipe is 2 tablespoons ACV added to 2 cups of distilled water. You can use a bit more ACV if you like, but never use straight ACV on the hair. It will burn. Also, avoid getting the diluted mix into the eyes, again it will burn.

Due to its ability to cleanse the hair and remove buildup, ACV can also be implemented for those that follow a low or no poo method. Also, if you are a poo bar type of curly, ACV rinses are effective in removing build up and soap scum.

As a final rinse, ACV can return hair to its ideal pH level, which is between 4.5 and 5.5. I may purchase some pH strips in order to experiment with a concoction that would place my hair in the ideal pH level. Remember that different brands will have different pH levels, so experiment if you have to.

ACV is also dirt cheap, especially when considering you dilute it before using on hair and skin. The only bad thing I can think of is the smell. The saying goes, Beauty is pain. Well, sometimes, beauty stinks. That may sound odd, but for the effectiveness and the price, just suck it up when dealing with ACV and reap the benefits. If the smell really is getting to you, add some drops of essential oil to a diluted mix.

Further Readings:
Naturally Curly Article on ACV
ACV Message Board on Acne.org

Updated 20 Beauty Items of Less Post:

1. Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Soap, liquid form
2. Shea Butter, 100% raw and fair trade
3. Essential Oils and Oil Blends, cold-pressed and organic
4. Witch Hazel
5. Bentonite Clay
6. Castor Oil, unrefined
7. Aloe Vera, juice or gel
8. Honey, raw and preferably local
9. Apple Cider Vinegar

Hair Tools Wishlist: If Only I Had the $$$

As my hair grows, so does my frustration. When I first big chopped, I was co-washing every single morning, with not a care in the world about tangles. (I didn't have enough length to worry about tangles). My satin scarf fit over my TWA perfectly. But now that I am at medium sized afro status, my wish list of certain tools for my natural curls grows steadily longer. I might print out this list and pray over, asking for God to make a way for me to get these things. Also, my birthday is coming up in a couple of months. Maybe my family and friends who are reading this post will get some ideas.

Top 7 Natural Hair Tools Wishlist 

1. Microfiber Towel -- My terry cloth towels are too rough for my curls, leading to frizz for days. My cotton t-shirt is not absorbent enough to soak up the mass amount of water my curls can hold. In the end, I crave splurging on a micro fiber towel, specifically a Curl-Ease towel. This hair tool would make my wash and go mornings a lot smoother, and is sold on Curl Mart. The towel was invented by Zenda, pictured above, who is beautiful, and so is her hair, of course.
2. Silk or Satin Bonnet -- The satin scarf I currently own is smushing my 'fro down more and more as length comes. It also leaves indentations in my forehead. A loose fitting satin bonnet would be nice. I really like the scarves and bonnets made by Pretty AntoiNet, which I originally saw featured on Happy Girl Hair.  In the end, I will most likely purchase one from the BSS.
3. Metal Hair Clips -- This would make sectioning hair so much easier. Styling would be simpler, when I actually do decide to style my hair. I would also like plastic clamps that don't have teeth which snag my hair. Eight would be the ideal number to start with.
4. Micro Heat Cap -- Ever since I saw Curly Nikki rocking her micro heat cap, I have wanted one of my own. My deep conditioning experiences have been less than impressive. I have decided I might have to suck it up and either buy deep treatments designed to perform well without the use of heat, or buy a heat cap to see how much it's worth. The great thing about this heat cap is that it doesn't have to be plugged in, and doesn't make the loud, annoying sound that hooded dryers do. One can be purchased here. 
5. More Spritz Bottles -- I already own a few, but I never seem to have enough for the things I want to spray on my hair or face, including a water-conditioner mix, an oil-water mix, an ACV-red tea toner for skin, a diluted ACV for hair, and a moisturizing hair spritz that I am currently about to make, which will include aloe vera, water, and tea tree oil.
6. Tupperware and Plastic Tubs -- Just as I need more container for my liquids, I need more containers for my non-liquids, although shea butter can become liquid at high temperatures. These containers would hold my shea butter mixes, my deep conditioning mixes, and, when I finally take the plunge, left over henna glosses.
7. Denman Brush -- This might be more hype than necessity, at least for me, but I really want to try a Denman brush. The brush I would like the most is the Denman D83 brush or the Denman D3 brush. The D83 looks like it would cause the least havoc on my curls, but seems too big for the amount of hair I have. The D3 looks nice for clumping and defining curls. On the other hand, some naturals scare me with their accounts of their Denman experience, which is why an alternative to this is... 
8. Tangle Teezer -- Aside from the fact that the company doesn't know how to spell tease, or perhaps that is intentional, this product looks great. Its available at Sally's, and has been reviewed as being gentler than a Denman, and easier to clean. It also comes in many pretty colors, purple being my top choice if I buy one.

Curly Nikki's Wash-n-Go Regimen Modified

In the spirit of Kim Coles's Grow Out Challenge, Curly Nikki posted a very helpful regimen building post on her blog. The orginal post can be found here. The post gives detailed instructions on how to care for and maintain hair depending on the style, including wet bunning routine, dry bunning routine, twists/box braids routine, twist-out and braid-out routine, and of course, my personal favorite, the wash-n-go.

Gotta love CN. Because I am a wash-n-go type of natural, I took Nik's instructions on maintaining a wash-n-go and tweaked it for my own needs. I encourage you to do the same for her instructions based on your style of choice. Currently, my hair is in cornrow braids. When I take them down, I will be wearing a stretched out afro for a few days. I will then do a search and destroy mission, clipping split ends and fairy knots. After all that, I will be more than eager to return to my wash-n-go routine of minimal styling, beginning with a wash session. That is where I will bring in CN's directions.

CN's Wash and Go Instructions:

• As often as necessary, wash your with a low sulfate, moisturizing shampoo, or cowash.
• Rinse and apply instant conditioner as you gently detangle (finger first, then with a wide tooth comb, modified Denman, or Tangle Teezer)
• Follow up with a moisturizing deep treatment with heat. 
• Rinse, and generously apply a moisturizing leave-in conditioner and styler of choice in sections, using a raking motion to encourage definition (you may choose to leave-in your rinse out conditioner)
• Seal your ends with an oil (castor oil, shea butter, olive oil, etc.)
• Allow your hair to air dry, or gently diffuse if you're in a hurry.
• At night, apply moisturizer as needed and either (1) pineapple, (2) gently twist, or (3) don a bonnet.

Great routine, but of course I had to tweak it to my own needs and wants. Nik says wash as often as necessary. I have decided to alternate between washing with a sulfate free moisturizing shampoo, and simply co-washing. I have also learned that wet combing, for me, no matter how slippery the conditioner, always leads to broken strands. Dry combing for me is now the way and light for me, which I do before shampooing, with oil, and which doubles as my pre-poo treatment. Raking will not be done by me, as I like my curl pattern just fine without raking. Not knocking those that do, but since I don't find it necessary, I will skip this extra step. After applying my leave-in and before sealing my ends, I will allow a micro-fiber towel to soak up the excess water from my hair for about fifteen minutes. At night, I will don a bonnet. I always moisturize my hair in the morning, then seal with an oil or butter. Yes, every single day when wearing a wash and go. When wearing a protective style, I moisturize and seal every other day. Most importantly, I have to incorporate my oil rinsing.

I'll be back with my modified version. Stay posted.

Coconut Milk, Avocado, and Deep Treatments

In my quest for a deep treatment with more of a bang, I have been researching everything imaginable. From the cheap products to the more luxurious CurlMart brands, the information seems overwhelming. Another aspect I have been looking into is home made deep treatments. Curly Nikki had a blog post in which she asked what people used when they made their own deep treatments. The blog post and comments can be found here. It seems that many naturals mentioned two ingredients in particular: avocado and coconut milk.

Avocado is a great all natural ingredient for deep treatments. The protein will strengthen the hair (but not overdo it like other protein treatments). It has has been shown to penetrate the hair shaft, being one of only three oils that perform this remarkable feat (coconut and olive oils are the other two). It contains high levels of vitamins and minerals, and has more potassium than a banana. My friend recently did a avocado treatment on her hair, and she instantly noticed more strength and promised to make it a regular part of her regimen. Here is a NaturallyCurly.com article on avocado for the hair.

Another great ingredient I keep stumbling upon when researching homemade deep treatments is coconut milk. Apparently coconut milk, unlike coconut oil, is high in proteins and can lead to stronger hair that is easier to detangle. I could always use hair that is more easily detangled. When using coconut milk for the hair, a diet is shunned. Go for the full fat content, not lite, brand for optimum results. Coconut milk also adds moisture to the hair. Coconut milk is popular in ayurvedic medicine and has been purported to lead to hair growth.

Coconut milk can be added to hair directly or added to commercial products. I even read in the NC.com thread on coconut milk how one curly mixed it with her OH Honey Hemp Conditioner. The thread can be found HERE. I plan to use coconut milk on a regular basis now, assuming that my hair responds well to it, but I am sure it will. I very much am looking forward to mixing it with avocado for a deep treatment mask.

Other great coconut milk recipes include:

• Moisturizing Conditioner (protein free) + Coconut Milk
• Avocado + Coconut Milk + Oils
• Coconut Milk + Bentonite OR Rhassoul Clay
• Thick Conditioner (such as Aubrey Organics) + Coconut Milk

When using avocado, be sure to mix/mash well to ensure you dont have avocado pieces stuck in the hair. Always use full fat coconut milk for the hair.

Kim Coles's Grow Out Challenge

Curly Nikki, NaturallyCurly.com, and Kim Coles (comedienne and actress well-known for her role as Synclaire on the hit sitcom Living Single -- one of my all time favorite shows) have joined forces in a new curly hair challenge. This challenge is a grow out challenge, as Coles seeks ways to obtain big massive hair in six months after her recent big chop.

Coles is an inspiration and I am down for the challenge. The first day of the challenge is today (Happy Black History Month too!) and the specifics can be found on CN.com here. The guidelines are reprinted from that blog post. Here they are:

Guidelines:

• Drink at least 64 oz of water each day (or half your body weight in ounces)
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet
• Take a multi vitamin and other beneficial supplements
• Handle hair gently at all times
• Seal your ends every time you moisturize
• Minimize (direct) heat usage
• Deep treatment at every wash session
• Develop and follow a consistent hair routine, tailored to your specific needs and desired goals
• Document your progress, observations, and frustrations on your personal blog
• Encourage your fellow curlies by sharing tips, advice, and chiming in on their blogs
• Have fun and enjoy the journey!

All of the above guidelines are great things to do to ensure healthy, growing natural hair. I have recently challenged myself to drink more water for better skin and hair. I could use a more gentle hand when styling hair. I seal and moisturize every day when my hair is out, and every other day when in a protective style. Sealing is a common sense follow up to moisturizing. I use no heat appliances on my hair with the exception of a hooded dryer for deep treatments. From now on I will be deep treating after every wash session. My hair regimen is being revised and will be posted for updates soon. Of course, I will be documenting my progress on this blog. And having fun with my hair is always a must. 

P.S. The challenge is sponsored by Jessicurl. I have never tried any of their products, which are available from CurlMart.com, but they look good and the ingredients are nice.