Another Update

This past week, hair wise, has been the hardest on my strands. I have not been home, and did not take any of my products with me. I ended up staying away from home longer than expected, so after a while my hair started to really take a toll. In between using heat, and it being dry.

I would say that this really has made me realize the importance of cowashing. I planned on doing my own yarn braids for the first time, but since my hair feels so dry, I think it needs a little pampering for a while.


I did do a rod set on my dry semi straightened hair, and I wanted to share some pics with you all, but my camera has gone on the fritz, hopefully I get it working sometime this week.


Until Next Time, Naomi~

Review- Beyond The Zone Turn up the Heat Protection Spray

For quite some time I have been contemplating flat ironing my natural tresses. The problem was that I did not own a proper heat protectant, and I've always wanted to invest in one. Reason being is that I had been using Organic Root Stimulator Incredibly Rich Olive Oil Moisturizing Hair Lotion as a heat protectant. Now, on the bottle, it states that it can be used for heat protection against heat appliances. The problem I encountered, was product kept building up on the plates of my flat iron.

It could be the combination of oils, and the hair lotion, that caused the build up, but either way, I would have to stop flat ironing to scrape the build up off the plates before continuing, which can be damaging, and strenuous. It also could be that I do not own the best flat iron. I actually only own a mini flat iron, which is okay, since I have naturally thin hair. I am also looking into buying some new appliances. I own a Power IQ Mini Mojo Tourmaline Ceramic Flat Iron, which I got on sale at SallyBeauty, for about $15.00 USD.

I went to SallyBeauty, and was done to either Silk Elements Megasilk Heat Protection Spray, and Beyond the Zone Turn Up the Heat Protection Spray, I've heard good reviews on both products, and there was only a 10 cent difference between the two. Silk Element was $7.39 USD, $6.99 if you own a SallyBeauty Club Card, (which you can for the the price of $5.00 USD, for a 1 year membership, it gives you discounts on all products, it can really add up!) the Beyond the Zone ws $7.49, since making the decision between the two was hard for me to make, I left it up to one of the sales associates at Sally's.


She told me that Beyond the Zone was the better of the two, so that is what I purchased.

Now on to the Review!

It is a spray of course, and I sprayed it on my damp hair to blow dry with. Immediately I saw the difference, my roots came out a lot straighter using this product, and less frizzy. The scent is awesome too, it is a cross between cake and candy! Now although my roots were straight it was a bit tough to comb my ends, but it could be that I did not detangle properly before hand.

Another thing I immediately noticed was the shine/sheen! It was noticeable with just blow drying. I also flat ironed with ease using this spray. I did not use it sparingly as the instructions says to do, for fear of heat damage. (Heat damage- is when hair is exposed to excess amount of heat at a time, it causes hair to loose it's natural texture, leaving hair limp and straight, it will not revert, and as far as I know, the only way to rid of it, is to cut the damaged hair off)

I would be mindful of how much is used, because it can leave hair feeling oily, I did not experience that, but I'm sure that it can be a factor.

I also did not experience any product build up on my flat iron, it literally glided through. I'm sure this product would be great coupled with a better flat iron. I like my flat iron, however, it does not make me ends straight, it could be my technique.

Beyond the Zone Turn Up the Heat
CYCLOPENTASILOXANE ,NEOPENTYL GLYCOL DIETHYLHEXANOATE ,TOCOPHERYL ACETATE ,ETHYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE ,FRAGRANCE ,DIISOPROPYL SEBACATE ,DIISOPROPYL ADIPATE


I have not used other Heat Protectants, but as far as how it worked with my hair, I give it a 5/5!

Until Next Time, Naomi~

Homemade Coconut Leave In Conditioner & Bantu Knot Out

 A couple of days ago ago was my cowash day, before cowashing or shampooing, I always do a cayenne pepper treatment (for growth), and then I cowash. I detangle while cowashing, it is the only time I detangle, as I cannot do so on dry hair, as I'll end up ripping my hair out! I oiled my scalp using my favorite oil mixture of Lavender JBCO and Africa's Best Ultimate Herbal Oil (ABUHO) (usually it would also contain Home Health Castor Oil, which is regular Castor Oil, but I was out of it at the time) then it was time to decide what low manipulation style I wanted to do. Since I had not done Bantu Knots in a long time, I decided that that was what I was going to do.


 I discovered Bantu Knots( also called Chiney Bumps) back when I was still relaxed. It gave me the curly/wavy look without having to use rollers, or a hot curler. The reason the hair curls, is because of the method of which the knots are created.


You take a 'strand' of hair, and you twist it (not two strands), but all together twirl it around, I use my finger to twirl, it's easier that way, at least in my opinion. and then you wrap the hair around itself to form a little knot.

 Like this

Now that part was tricky when I was still learning, what really helped me, is of course is practice, but also watching tutorials on youtube. The one video that truly helped ME was a tutorial (how to bantu knot) by crownofHisglory. Her video's are great, and are really helpful!

After oiling my scalp, I used my Homemade Coconut Leave in to moisturize, and Shea Butter to seal.

The problem I encountered, the next morning, was realizing that my hair had not fully dried. I believe I kept them in overnight for about 8 hours or so. It could have been the size of the knots that caused them to dry slower than expected, but I prefer them that way, because my hair tangles when they are small, and that can form single strand knots, which I do not need!

It also could be that the combination of using my coconut leave in, and shea butter, made my hair too heavy. I sprayed the leave in, and then sealed with the shea butter. My hair was very oily when I took my knots out.

Here's how they looked when I unraveled them

Then with my fingers I separated the knots, again because they were not fully dry, my hair did not curl/wave like I wanted it to.

So I added a headband!

Next time, I will not use Shea butter on top of my Homemade Coconut Leave in, because that already contains oils, which could be the reason as to why my hair did not dry fully, as well as it being a bit oily to the touch.

This style is an easy low manipulation style, that generally lasts me 2-3 days. It could last longer if I slept better! Definitely one of my go-to styles.

I'm into my second day of the style, and will wear it for a third time, before wash day this Sunday.

I'm still in love with my leave in, it just can't be combined with any other products, or spray too much, as it contains oil, which is why I call it a moisturizer & sealer in a bottle!

This is not my best Bantu Knot Out, but I hope this still encourages you guys to try this style for yourself. (It also looks great on relaxed hair! Not just for the natural ladies!)



Until Next Time, Naomi~