Monday, February 28, 2011

Beautiful Kinks 1 Year Anniversary!

Hey All!

I have been a bit busy this past week, with final wedding preparations and what have you, but all of that is done now, because I got married on the 27th! I had to figure out my hair last minute, which is a story in itself, but I had a ball!

Funny enough, that date exactly when I first started this blog! It started out a bit bumpy, but I hope now my articles are a bit better! lol

I really just wanted to share, and to thank you all for all of your support! I am going to try my best to keep you guys updated on my natural hair journey and whatever new discoveries I come across!

Friday, February 25, 2011

Twist Out Results Using Shealoe

Hey All!

As you guys know, I made my first batch of Shealoe (a mixture of Shea Butter and Aloe Vera Gel or Juice. I made mine with the Gel) not too long ago, and to tell you the truth...I love it!

It works amazingly for definition, for low manipulation styles like Twist or Braid Outs, also for Bantu Knot outs and two strand twists. It has a way of giving hair a nice sheen as well as allowing it to retain moisture for days at a time, which I for one, love! My hair does not like to be moisturized daily. Trust me, I have tried. Which is why I say, everyone's hair is different!

My only gripe is that it is hard to tell how much to use, because if you use to much, it will stick to your strands rather than blending, and being absorbed.

My favorite style to use my shealoe for is twist outs, it could be my length at this time, but this is my go to style.

I do 12 twists, 6 on each side, oil my scalp with my JBCO mixture, and then use my leave in of choice, usually for twist outs, I like to keep it light, so I use my Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea Reconstructurizer.
I always secure my ends with one my (cold wave) perm rods, to make sure that the ends are uniform with the rest of my hair. My hair is too long for the yellow 5/16th inch rods, so they are perfect on my ends.
The Shealoe comes into play, just before twisting, as I use it as a sealant. I keep my twist overnight and cover my hair with my satin bonnet/scarf, and untwist in the morning.

Here are the results




Here is a mini comparison twist comparison.

March 2010
February 2011


I hope I conveyed how great Shealoe is! So I encourage you to try it!


~Naomi

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Cayenne Pepper Comparison 5th Edition

Hey All!

It is time to do my bi-monthy comparison of my bald spots. I see if the hair on my bald spots have grown in a bit more since December. To be honest, I have not been using cayenne pepper lately, since I have recently ran out. So I cannot really track my growth with the cayenne, as I would usually. So I have strictly been using my JBCO.


Instead of using it 3 times a week as I did when I was doing the cayenne pepper treatments, I now use JBCO 5-7 times a week directly on my spots, and 3 or 4 times throughout my entire scalp.

The only difference with these comparison pics, is that I took them while my hair was wet, so the hair there is sticking together.



The first set of pics were taken, December 2010. The Second set is from this month.


Do you see any difference? I am hoping that I can speed this process up by using another growth aid. I will keep you guys posted when and if I do.

Oh , and I will be using Sunny Isle Rosemary Jamaican Black Castor Oil, for the next month or two, since some was given to me, I have yet to use it, but I can tell you right now, that it is super dark. I am assuming because of the ash content (all JBCO has ash, because of the process it takes to extract the oil from the seed), but this is way more than I am use to seeing with my Tropical Isle Lavender Jamaican Black Castor Oil, so we will see. I will of course review, after a few uses.

Then I can draw a real comparison between Tropical Isle brand, and Sunny Isle.

~Naomi

Monday, February 21, 2011

Skala Avocado Conditioner Review

Hey All!

Last Sunday I used Skala Avocado Conditioner that I was given this conditioner as a gift, as a Deep Conditioner. It is a Dominican brand product, it is for "Dry Coarse Hair", and is for "Revitalizing and Strength". I believe it was purchased for a dollar. (saw price sticker)Not sure from where exactly.

This conditioner is suppose to be used as a cowashing conditioner, but I used this as a Deep Conditioner, and for that I am glad! This conditioner has a thicker consistency than my usual cowashing conditioner (VO5 Strawberries & Cream) so it did not drip, and has a light green hue.

I mixed it with Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and Coconut Oil, it was really easy to apply, and felt great going on. I covered my hair with a plastic bag, and went about my business. I let it sit for a little more than an hour, and rinsed. My hair felt so soft, and was really easy to detangle.I believe it can be found in Rite Aid, or you're local supermarket, it is a bit hard to find though, since this product is not always in stock, so keep an eye out for it!


Ingredients: Aqua, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetrmonium Chloride, Petrolatum, Glutaral, Parfum, Citric Acid, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Fruit Extract, FD&C Blue #1 (CI 42090), FD&C Yellow #5 (CI 19140).

I wish I took a picture of how it looked mixed all together, I did not use more than 3 spoonfuls of each oil.

I like to experiment to see what works, and try and create new 'products', I hope this encourages you all to try making your own DC mix! Please keep in mind that works for me, may not work for you, that is what a HHJ is all about, finding what works for you!!

~Naomi


Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Wedding Hair

Hey All!

Wedding hair comes to mind, because I myself will be walking down the aisle on the 27th of this month!



Even talking about it gets me nervous!


I have been going through a big debate...in my mind, about how I will be wearing my hair. Whether I will wear what is to be considered a "natural" style, or straigtened? Weave or no weave? Done myself or professionally?

Those are the main questions that have been floating around my mind, and I still have not decided. I have narrowed it down though, Fiance delibritly asked that I do not get braids. He is not a big fan of weave, he always complains when I braid or twists my hair with extensions. So I will not be doing that, although it is the most conveinient of styles, as I can get it done a week prior to the wedding, and not have to stress about wetting my hair or ruining my style.

As of now, I am leaning more towards doing a rod set, which is one of my absolute favorite styles. Although honestly, I cannot see myself paying someone to do. At least not what these Natural Salons (salons that cater to those with natural hair) charge. But we will see, I may want to spoil myself and go for it anyway.


A part of me wants to keep whatever style I do a "natural style", so I feel that I am giving my fiance a honest version of myself. Hope that makes sense (lol). Another reason is that there is beautiful natural styles now of days, now that natural hair is becoming more the norm.

A thought that has also been floating around, is geting a "Domincan Blow Out", at a Domincan Salon. They use magnetic rollers to stretch the hair, and then straighten your hair with a round brush, along with a professional dryer with a nozzle attachment. The direct the heat to our roots, and then along the length of your hair.

It leaves your hair extremely straight, without the use of a relaxer, but the only issue that lies is that it requires a lot of heat. Although it would heed to my need of wanting to see my length. Stretching strands is not doing it for me!

So as you all can see, I am torn! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!


~Naomi

Friday, February 4, 2011

2 Product Reviews- Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea Reconstructurizer & Hask Placenta Henna 'n' Placenta Dual Action Pack

Hey All!

I received Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea Reconstructurizer as a gift! It was a product that I had been wanting to try for a long time, mainly because it is a 'two-in-one' product. It's main purpose is for it to be used as a heat protectant, but it can also be used as a leave in.



I have tried it as both. Once to blow dry. My blow dryer is not the best (in terms of quality). I have a remington, which is what you call a 'drug store brand', meaning I can find it any CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aide, etc. At some point I will be purchasing a professional blow dryer, but that is what I am rocking with right now.

Prior to use. I went about my wash day routine, shampoo, cowash, dc, oil scalp etc. I used a Deep Conditioner I have never tried before. Hask Placenta Henna 'n' Placenta Dual Action Pack. It states that it  "Strengthens and repairs dry, brittle, lifeless hair." This 'Henna' product does not change hair color. Although eventually, I would like to invest in purchasing some real Henna, for color.




The consistency was very much like creamy petroleum, and it felt waxy going on. It was easy to apply none the less, and the package was just enough to cover my hair thoroughly. I left it on for about an hour, and covered with a plastic bag. I did not use heat. My hair felt nice after rinsing, not super soft, but nice, and it was pretty easy detangling. It is hard to pinpoint the scent with this one, to me it smells like scented crayons. You know the kind Crayola makes. It was nice, not sure if I would repurchase, but for a pack dc, it did a good job. Maybe I will have to try it again to see if I feel any different about it. For now it gets a 3/5.


I sprayed my hair with the Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea, after rinsing out the deep conditioner and oiling my scalp. This product made it easier to blow dry, and my hair did get straighter, near my roots, but it took a little doing with my ends. Again it could be my blow dryer, but to get my ends dried thoroughly, and with ease, I had to respray my ends, and blow dry them. I did this in sections with my ends after getting done with my roots.

The only thing that I was a bit disappointed by, is that it did not give my hair any sheen, but I am sure this coupled with oil sheen, spritz, or simply sealing can fix this. Something else I am not crazy about, is the scent. It smells like cleaning product to me. The smell dissipates quickly, so that too, is not a big issue. It works well as a leave in. This is a spray, and not cream based like my homemade leave in's, so I definitely have to make sure to seal after using this product, or my hair will dry out.

Although I am not crazy about the smell, this product does a great job at straightening my hair in time for heat styles, and works as a leave in, so because of that it get's a 4/5 from me!

I used it again last night, as a leave in, and used my Shealoe to seal, for a twist out. I did about 12 twists, and used Yellow Perm Rods on my ends, so they would be uniform with the rest of my hair. These rods are too small for Rod Sets, so that is mainly what I use them for.

Here is how it came out.








I think I got pretty good results, so I think I will be sticking to this combination for my twist outs!


Just wanted to share with you all!

~Naomi

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Shealoe (Melt & Blend Method)

Hey All!

Yes I did say Shealoe! It is a mixture of regular (unprocessed) Shea Butter, mixed with either Aloe Vera Gel or Juice. Hence, the name.

I made mine using Aloe Vera Gel.




If you are looking for a moisturizer or something that will be good for hairstyling, (two strand twists, bantu knot outs, twist/braid outs) this is it!

I am definitely not the first person to think of this recipe, but I have been wanting to try it for some time. Mainly because you can make it yourself, and it is all natural, which is the best part! I am really getting into making my own products, I love knowing what is in my products, and being about to try new recipes, and of course share with you all!

Anyway, moving along, many people who make Shealoe, will add AVG to their desired amount, and then blend the two, so it will have a nice whipped buttery texture. Some may like it a bit looser but that is all up to the persons discretion.

I did not use this method. I had to do the Melt & Blend method, since I do not own a blender or a hand mixer.

I used the 8oz clear tub thingy my Shea Butter came in before. I purchased a 16oz block this time around, so that is why I was able to split it up. I used 4oz of Aloe Vera Gel, and 4oz of Shea Butter.


(In case you are wondering, I buy my Shea Butter from ebay. this is my second time buying from this person, their Shea comes from Halo's Soaps and Bars, they also make natural soaps, with different scents and flavors if you will. The Shea is of good quality, not crumbly, softens easily, smells nutty, as it should, and she delivers quickly! I purchased my Shea Butter on a Monday, and received it on Thursday. Oh, and I would like to add that it was very reasonably priced, altogether for the Shea plus shipping and handling, it came out to $10.50.)


I used the microwave to soften the butter, no more than 10 seconds at a time, just enough to loosen the texture, and then add the aloe.

Here is how it came out




I repeated this process probably around 5-8 times I cannot remember how many exactly.

I heated it a bit too much at some point and it became a pool of Aloe & Shea.....

so I put it in the freezer for about 20 mins, checking and mixing it every 5 minutes.

I think I may have popped it in the microwave maybe 3 more times after to make sure it was the right texture, and then it was all done. I would say it took me about an hour to complete. Here is the finished product ( I let it sit for a while before taking the pic, so it hardened a bit)


Like I said before, it is great for simply moisturizing your hair, or to use for styling. It also leaves my hair feeling nice and soft!

The only thing about the Melt & Blend method I do not like is that I have to keep melting and blending so I can get that pudding texture I need for the Shea and Aloe to be fully mixed. Just for 5 seconds though , so it is not too bad.

Also keep in mind that it also can be deceiving! It may look like a little bit, but it is a lot, I over estimated the amount of Shealoe I used in my hair, and I had to go cowash! As it does not take much for me to get buildup. Of course it get's a 5/5 from me!

So that was my experience with Shealoe.  I love it to pieces, I would like to whip it next time though, so I guess I will have to invest in a blender or hand mixer.


~Naomi

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