CURLING WAND METHOD

WANT TO ACHIEVE THIS LOOK?

Here are the tools needed:
- Shampoo
-Conditioner
- Leave in conditioner (optional but highly recommended when applying heat)
- Towel (t-shirt optional)
- Blow dryer
- Rat tail comb
- Flat iron (optional~to get a little straighter than the blow dryer)
- Light sheen or oil mist
-Curling wand

Shampoo and condition hair........apply leave in (optional) and towel blot hair......Hand blow dry hair in four sections (more if your hair is thicker).........with a rat tail comb, section off medium size pieces of hair and run flat iron over hair once (this step is optional).......Clip all hair up out of your way except for the section you're working on. Spray each section, comb with rat tail comb to evenly distribute spray and to even your hair out, wrap hair around top of the curly wand and continue to wrap down the wand until your hair ends......And TADA, mission complete!

~Send photos in if you try it~

TIME HEALS ALL BALD SPOTS

After roughly 6 1/2 months, I am happy to report my bald spots have finally started growing back in. I was told to give it a while (with any specific time frame) and I'll start to see growth but that wasn't a good enough answer for me. I needed to know when, if ever, it was going to grow back. I made several trips to the dermatologist, primary care doctor, beauty supply store for products, and the list goes on. Nothing had seemed to be working. So after about 4 months of that, I stopped. I left it alone and went on to caring for my hair as I did before the discovery of the bald spots. The other day I went to check on them and i could find them. So I started parting my hair in itsy bitsy sections so I can target right in on them and I STILL could find them. What I did find was little patches of hair that was drastically shorter than the rest of my hair...That's when I saw the light at the end of the tunnel.....
So sometimes it's just best to leave thing alone and let things be. I also found other short pieces of hair in the very middle crown area. I'm not sure what caused the breakage but I decided to give the twist outs and wetting my hair everyday a break. I gave my hair a good 4 hour oil treatment (cayenne pepper/EVOO mix and coconut oil), shampooed my hair b/c of product build up and deep conditioned my hair. I then applied some Chi Silk Infusion in my hair and blow dried it and flat ironed. Results are posted below. It's been a while since I applied heat to my hair so I had to switch up. Plus I like to do a length check ever once in a while. My hair is almost back to original length prior to me going natural. Check it out and feel free to ask questions and or comment.
CHOW.......
PJ-1

Freshly blow dried

Leela James watch out ~lol~

Freshly flat ironed

No I'm not naked...Tube shirt

Showing how lite (weightless) my hair is

Products used to acheive the look.....Point! Blank! Period!

CO-WASHING

Hi ll,
Co-washing is a technique used when ONLY conditioner is used to cleanse and condition the hair. Conditioner is used in place of shampoo the first go round and it's used as conditioner the second go round. Natural hair is already drier than relaxed hair so we need to maintain as much moisture as possible. Lots of shampoos have an ingredient in it called SLS (which I did a post on) which contributes to drying the hair out. Some recommend 6-8 weeks between every shampoo, others may say 3-4 weeks. I say use your judgement. If you use a lot of products in your hair you may feel the need to shampoo more often. If you feel and/or see the product buildup on your hair, you need to shampoo. Also when you do shampoo, you should be using a SLS free shampoo.
The benefits of co-washing is MOISTURE and MANAGEABILITY!!!!!
So go stock up on your conditioners...One of my favorite conditioners is Pantene for Women of color (in the brown bottle). It's inexpensive and gets the job done.
LATA,

HAIR MANICURE

Any woman with damaged or lackluster hair can add natural shine to her frizzy locks with a treatment known as the hair manicure. This professional service offered at certain salons and beauty parlors involves using a colored cream to add a slight tint of color and a shiny gloss to the hair. The treatment is similar to deep conditioning procedures and also comparable to the cellophane hair treatment.

Women can choose between a colored hair manicure cream and a clear cream meant to add shine but no color. A hair manicure is not the same as hair dye. While it can touch up dull color or enhance natural hair color, it provides only a slight tint and will not show any drastic changes in the color itself. Most women seek the treatment for the healthy shine it gives them, not for the color. Typically, someone receiving a hair manicure will choose either clear or a color that matches her current hair.


After choosing the right color, the stylist mixes together the hair manicure cream in a bowl. Using a soft brush, she applies it to sections of the hair until the entire head is covered. Next she carefully wraps the hair and places the person under a dryer to let the color set. The entire process takes from 30 to 45 minutes, the same time it takes to do a traditional hair coloring process. After the correct amount of time has elapsed, the stylist checks that the color has properly set in and rinses the cream out.

Major advantages of receiving a hair manicure include livening up dull hair and repairing hair with mild damage, such as frazzled or dry hair from overuse of heated hair products or hair dye. Unlike the chemicals found in hair dye, the cream used for a hair manicure does not cause damage or dryness. While it can help treat unhealthy hair, it can only do so much and works best on those with minimal damage. A stylist may suggest an additional treatment first to help repair the hair before using the manicure cream to add shine.

Pricing for the procedure can be expensive depending on the salon and the stylist. It usually costs about the same as a professional coloring job and for those with extremely damaged hair it may be ineffective and a waste of money. The cream used on the hair is available to buy for use at home, but the process is meant for a professional and it is discouraged for those without professional experience to try the procedure on their own.

 

 

SPECIAL ON HAIR PRODUCT

HENNA UPDATE AND PRODUCT REVIEW

Hey all,
So do you want the good or bad news first? LOL

Ok, here's the bad. So, I gave myself a henna treatment for the 4th or 5th time yesterday. Now prior to purchasing henna I'd read up on henna via websites and blogs that one of the effects it has is that henna will loosen your curl. Well yesterday did it for me! After letting the henna sit in my hair overnight, I washed my hair out and noticed I barely had any curls left. I was upset to say the least.......Now I did notice a looser pattern the 3rd or 4th time after treating my hair but it was nothing to talk about. I've literally lost about 70% of my curls. I'm not sure what's in this stuff but I'm staying away for a while. I've been giving myself henna treatments about every 2-3 weeks now. Although I am satisfied with how soft, heavy, and healthy my hair feels, I'm so not with the side effect of loosening my curls to this extreme. My hair looks like I put a texturizer in it....Ugh! So, based on my experience, if you don't want this to happen to you I would either:
A) Not treat as often and/or
B) Only leave in for a few hours


Now on to the good....My new found conditioner....TRADER JOE'S HAS DONE IT AGAIN!!!!! This conditioner is the bomb for many reasons:
1) It's all natural
2) It has a nice slip (the consistency)
3) It detangles my hair
4) It smells good
5) It's $2.99
6) It's 2.99
7)It's $2.99 :-)
Enriched with Organic Botanicals. Balanced Hair Remoisturizer Ideal for Replenishing Dry, Brittle Hair. Adds Moisture and Manageability. Cruelty Free (Never Tested on Animals) - No Animal Products in Ingredients. Does Not Contain Harmful Laurel/Laureth Sulfates, Found in Most Personal Care Product Shampoos, Gels, Conditioners and Body Washes.

Where are you getting all of that for $2.99



The pics I'm posting are the results of my henna treatment  and the conditioner. I set my hair with coconut oil and a little Isoplus lock and twist creme for natural hair....(They are on the dark side but hopefully you can still see it.)

LATA,

 CHAN, PJ1

EVOO AND CAYENNE PEPPER

HI LADIES I FOUND THIS OVER THE WEEKEND AND I PLAN TO TRY IT WHEN I TAKE MY MICROS OUT...ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This recipe is simple, easy to make, and most importantly, it WORKS! Here it is:

* 4 to 5oz EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
* 2 tablespoons Cayenne Pepper

Add both ingredients to a squirt bottle (one with a nozzle) and shake before use. Apply and massage into scalp the night before washing your hair.

Stimulates growth like you wouldn’t believe. Please NOTE, the cayenne pepper will REALLY make your scalp tingle so don’t be alarmed b/c that’s what it is supposed to do! Also, take caution when rinsing this mixture out of your hair. If it gets into your eyes, it WILL sting. I simply close my eyes when rinsing it out and open them once it’s all rinsed completely out of my hair. Unless you're that good, I guarantee you will forget this your first try at this and it will get in your eyes and it will sting. LOL. But you will learn quickly!

As with any hair growth stimulants, CONSISTENCY is the key and the only way you will receive results. Don't expect to see results right away. You should start to see results in about 4 weeks if you use it CONSISTENTLY, some see results sooner than that. Give it a try and after 4 weeks share your results! Or if you use this now or used to, share your comments! Stay blessed and beautiful.

PJ4

COMBS

There are many types of combs out there on the market. Although I will not list all of them, I'll list the basic ones we see and use on a daily basis.  Although you may say to yourself  "Why do I need more than one comb? A comb is a comb, all I need is one", this is so not true.  These combs are made differently for a reason.


TYPES OF COMBS

• Wide tooth combs: This is generally used for detangling.

•  Rat tail combs or fine tooth tail comb: This type of comb is mainly for styling and parting hair.

• Picks comb: This type of comb is used for  lifting the hair away from the head, it is also used to add volume.

• Regular styling combs: This type is used for styling and smoothing.

• Fine and wide tooth comb (regular comb): This type of comb is divided in two parts and one part have a close and the other a wide tooth. This type of comb is used regularly. 

• Teasing combs: This type of comb is used in teasing hair.

Combs Tips

• Always rinse comb with hot water after each use. 
• Don’t use a close teeth comb on wet hair to avoid breakages, instead use a wide tooth comb.
• Use combs with smooth ends not sharp and/or broken teeth to avoid hurting your scalp.
• Buy strong, sturdy combs not weak ones...even if it costs more it's worth it. 
• All combs style differently so use the perfect comb for your style.

Lata,
Chan, PJ-1

BENEFITS OF CLUB SODA

Happy MLK DAY,

So I was watching Dr. Oz's show the other day and I caught a segment regarding using club soda in your hair to eliminate/decrease frizz. It also removes impurities including chlorine, leaving your hair beautiful and shiny.

Things You’ll Need:

* Shampoo
* Club soda

Step1
You have two alternatives here. You can shampoo first with a mild shampoo and then use club soda, or simply use the club soda as your shampoo. Since the carbonation in the soda works to loosen impurities from your hair, unless your hair is exceptionally dirty, you should be able to skip the shampoo.

Step2
To make things easier, pour a couple of cups of the soda (or more depending on the amount of hair you have) into a container such as a large plastic cup or measuring cup.

Step3
Holding head over a sink or while in the shower, pour the soda over your hair, drenching well. Thoroughly work through hair including the roots applying more soda if needed.

Step4
Rinse hair well with lukewarm water or you can make it your final rinse.

((Apply conditioner afterwards- optional))

Lata,
Chan, PJ-1

HAIRFINITY RESULTS

Hi All,
 So I know I'm a little late with the results of the 30 day test of the Hairfinity pills but here they are. Now as I stated before in a previous post, I had my hair trimmed in the process. So the results are a little off. Over all, it looks like my hair is about the same length after 1 month (including the trim), which mean it did grow about 1in, which is about how much was cut off. The before pics are the ones that I'm wearing the yellow sweater (taken December 2), and the after pics are the ones with the white sweater (taken January 8)

I plan on taking the Hairfinity pills for another month...That should get my hair to its original length before I went natural.

Dec. 2, 2010

Dec. 2, 2010

Jan 8, 2011

Jan 8,2011

I AM IN LOVE.........

With KISS MY FACE Shampoo and Conditioner. It is sulfate and paraben free and totally organic description for both follows below. I got this at SHOPRITE in the organic aisle but i also see you can order it from there website as well. It was on sale for 4.50 for each. But the original price was 9.00 for each. BUT I AM STICKING WITH IT AS THIS IS THE BEST ONE I have found so far.Also they have a gel, I will try it and let all you product junkies know what that is like.

Whenever shampoo gently and thoroughly cleanses your hair without stripping or drying and soothes your scalp with pure essential oils and organic herbs. Especially great for the very sensitive shampooer. It's as effective as it is good for your hair, leaving your locks luminous. The unique, natural aromas will leave you exhilarated.
- for everyday use
- moisture balancing
- appropriate for all hair types

GOOD FOR YOU BECAUSE...Wheat Protein: helps lock in moisture for the hair
Nettle: stimulates hair growth and improves the condition of the scalp
Sage: promotes hair growth

INGREDIENTS:Certified Organic Floral Water of Rosemary, Chamomile, Lemon Balm, Water, Infusion of Organic Herbs of Nettle, Olive Leaf, Calendula, Sage, Lavender, Certified Organic Aloe Vera, Olefin Sulfonate, Cocomidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Sea Salt, Caprylic Acid, Glycine, Lavender Oil, Green Tea Extract, Wheat Protein, Tocopherol, Lime Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid

Conditioner leaves my hair soooooo soft and tangle free and it curls without me putting any gel on it at allllllllll I LOVE THIS PRODUCT LINE

Formulated for daily use, Whenever conditioner restores the hair's vitality and replenishes lost nutrients. The organic botanicals and pure essential oils nourish and strengthen hair while improving manageability, diminishing tangles and split ends, leaving your locks flexible, full and healthier than ever. The scent-uous aromatherapeutic® essential oil blend will leave you uplifted and exhilarated.
- for everyday use
- enhanced nourishment
- appropriate for all hair types

GOOD FOR YOU BECAUSE...Wheat Protein: helps lock in moisture and smooths the hair shaft
Horsetail: adds shine and elasticity
Thyme: promotes a healthy scalp

INGREDIENTS:Certified Organic Floral Waters of Lavender, Hibiscus, Lemongrass, Water, Infusion of Certified Organic Herbs of Horsetail, Rose Hips, Lemon, Red Raspberry, Thyme, Certified Organic Aloe Vera, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Glycerin, Stearalkonium Chloride, Certified Organic Jojoba Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth 20, Lavender Oil, Green Tea Extract, Certified Organic Sunflower Oil, Wheat Protein, Wheat Amino Acids, Tocopherol, Lecithin, Panthenol, Lime Oil, Caprylic Acid, Glycine, Guar, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid
PEACE IM OUT...PJ-4 TAHIRA

MIX AND MATCH MONDAYS

I've been sitting here contemplating on posting this post because...well....it's not about hair. However, how I see it, my hair sometimes is an accessory and sometimes my hair IS my outfit. You CAN'T talk about hair without talking about fashion/makeup/beauty/etc...They all tie into each other...So just to spice things up a little, I'm going to add those topics in 'hair' and there. lol

So, this is more of an FYI for all of those MAC lovers....
Nicki Minaj has team up with MAC Cosmetics to design a limited edition product. Pink 4 Friday is the name of the lipstick that Nicki has designed and named to match her Pink Friday album.

The exclusive shade will cost $14.50 and Friday, Dec. 17th will be the LAST day you can purchase it.

So do you plan on purchasing Pink 4 Friday??
Drop me a line....
Signing off, CHAN, PJ1

Hair Maintenance Tip: Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse

I wanted to share with you guys the results of my first try using the apple cider vinegar rinse (ACV).  First, let me say that I had shampooed and conditioned my natural hair 2 days prior.  However, my hair was really itchy and flaky.  I'm not sure if this was a result of me leaving a little of the conditioner on my hair.  I re-washed my hair with Trader Joes Tea Tree & Peppermint Shampoo then rinsed the shampoo out and applied the ACV rinse (see below for suggested mixture).  I let it sit in my hair for about 10 mins before rinsing it out.  It tingled a little initially (probably b/c I had been scatching my scalp a lot).  My hair felt really soft with the mixture, not coarse at all.  After completing rinsing the mixture from my hair, I towel dried and spray my hair with EVOO mixed with water to give it a little extra moisture before blow drying my hair.  I did not use any conditioner in this process.  The results are AMAZING!!! I have not seen a single flake and my hair looks, feels and smells great!

Vinegar Hair Rinse – Natural Hair Care Product

Hair is on the mildly acidic side of the pH scale and has an ideal pH of 4.5 to 5.5, which is close to that of an apple cider vinegar rinse (pH 2.9).

On the other hand, many of the hair care products we use, such as soap-based shampoos, bleaches, hair colors, and permanents are strongly alkaline.

Rinsing with apple cider vinegar will help balance the pH of your hair and remove the buildup that can result from the use of these styling products and inexpensive shampoos.

Rinsing will also close the numerous cuticle scales which cover and protect the surface of each hair shaft. This imparts a smoother surface which reflects more light and as a result leaves your hair shinier, smoother and easier to manage.

Rough hair shaft with open cuticles compared to smooth hair shaft with closed cuticles.



Don't worry about the slight vinegar smell you will notice after rinsing. It will disappear completely as your hair dries.

Make your own healthy after-shampoo hair rinse by mixing 1/3 of a cup (75 ml) of ACV into a quart (1 liter) of water. You can then store this mixture in a plastic bottle and keep it in the shower for ready use.

If you would like to prepare a smaller batch of this vinegar hair rinse recipe to experiment with, try mixing 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of apple cider vinegar into 1 cup (250 ml) of warm filtered tap water.

Apply the vinegar rinse after shampooing and then rinse it all out, or for extra conditioning, you can leave the rinse on your hair. This natural hair care product can be used once or twice a week or more often as needed.

I hope this info helps, PJ2

Product Review - Pooka Pure & Simple Shea & Olive Hair Butter

Went to Whole Foods yesterday in search of one thing but stopped by the Health and Beauty section first. While browsing, I came across a brand by the name - Pooka Pure & Simple. I picked up the hair butter as it looked interesting and after reading the ingredients, being the product junkie I am, I tossed it in my cart.

Pooka Pure & Simple Shea & Olive Hair Butter:
 


From the website - This blend of Shea Butter & Olive oil moisturizes hair and scalp. Rosemary essential oil stimulates hair growth and Lavender essential to soothe the scalp.

Ingredients: Shea Butter, Olive Oil, Beeswax, Rosemary Oil, Lavendar Oil, Fragrance

The consistency is that of a hair cream. It emulsifies into an oil when you place in your hands before applying to your hair. A little goes a long way with this hair butter. It's not heavy however if you are heavy handed when it comes to applying product beware as I can see how this could potentially make your hair greasy. One thing that may be "off-putting" to some is the smell. The scent of this hair butter is Strong with a capital S for emphasis. But, with that being said the scent is quite pleasant (in my opinion). It smells sweet with a herbal twist which I am thinking comes from the Rosemary and Lavendar Oils. I personally love the scent and found that it doesn't linger long after you apply it to your hair.

I also like the fact that it contains beeswax which some may not like. The beeswax makes this product behave like a pomade in my hair - controlling the frizzies, smoothing down my edges and keeping little flyaway hairs in place.

Lastly, since the ingredients are all natural it doubles as a body butter.

Overall - a good product. Since a little goes a long way I will probably will not repurchase any time soon. I can see this jar lasting me for months and months.

Thanks! PJ3, AW

PS - for those who are curious, feel free to come by and sample the product.

Whipped Shea Butter

So after ordering Whipped Shea Butter from Oyin Handmade that only lasts me about 2 weeks tops with everyday use, I decided to try my hand at making my own as a cheaper alternative. I watched a few videos on Youtube.com about the process and then I went out and bought:
- large container of 100% pure Unrefined Shea Butter
- small jar 100% pure Virgin Coconut Oil
- small bottle of 100% pure Jojoba Oil
- small bottle of 100% pure Argan Oil (I already had this on hand at home; *I used this in place of Vitamin E oil which is recommended)

I melted the Shea Butter by placing the jar in hot water until it softened (not melted), I then placed the Shea Butter in a blender and blended until it was smooth like cake batter. I then added 1 tablespoon of the Coconut Oil, 1 tablespoon of Jojoba Oil and 1 tablespoon of the Argan Oil and blended a little longer. After about 3 minutes, I placed the top part of the blender with the contents into the fridge for about a half hour. I then removed from the fridge, blended for another 2 minutes and then placed the whipped contents into a small container. The end result was a smooth cream.

This concoction can be used as a body cream or hair pomade, etc. Next time, I am going to add some essential oils for fragrance.

PUTTING HAIRFINITY TO THE TEST

Hello Girls (and guys),
 Hope all is well and everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving.
Just want to write a quick post about what 3 of the girls and I are about to do. For the month of December, we are going to take a 30 day supply of the Hairfinity pills. These pills are 'guaranteed' to grow your hair faster by up to 200%...so that's equivalent to 1 inch a month as oppose to .5 inch a month. The ingredients are:

 

Now I know that some of you may be against taking supplements when it comes to your hair/health, but I've done some research and also read lots of reviews on this particular brand; I've even tried them once already and did not experience any side effects. I had a growth spert right after I finished the bottle sooo I  think I wanna blame the growth of my hair on the pills. I will recommend that you guys do your own research if you think about trying the pills. We will take before and after pictures and post. Stay tuned.

Lata, Chan- PJ1

EVOO

Happy Sunday everyone,
 Just wanted to write a quick post on Extra Virgin Olive Oil.  For starters I am on day 5 of my braid out and I was 2.5 seconds from washing my hair and restyling it. It was drying out because I wasn't moisturizing it as I should have and my curls were starting to mat. I took my spray bottle off EVOO and water mix and sprayed my hair all over. I usual do this about 20 mins before I wash my hair. Immediately as I was spraying, my hair started coming back to life. After I was done I had a change of heart ! I didn't feel the need to wash my hair anymore. It was like I woke my hair up. It was rejuvenated and a little fuller. I am going to try to squeeze another day or two out before I wash my hair again.

So just to touch on the Extra Virgin Olive Oil a little, I wanted to know what was the difference between EVOO and regular Olive Oil..... The only big difference is the percentage in acidity. EVOO has 0.8% acidity and Olive Oil has 1.5% acidity. You also have Virgin Olive Oil and Pure Olive in between.
I am a big fan of EVOO. I have it in my kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and pocketbook...
This stuff is used for an array of things. To name a few:
- cooking
- body oil (after showering/shaving)
- facial moisturizer

- hair moisturizer
- oil lamps
- medicinal use
- religious use (ex. Christians use as holy oil)

Product rating: ~Super size~