As I Am Naturally

Hey gals, just wanted to let you ladies know about this website I ran across on FB. It's called AsIAmNaturally.com. They are having a "Love Letter to my Hair Contest" It ends Feb. 28th. You must submit a letter telling them how you feel about your hair. It can be in reference to the one who inspired you to go natural, a love letter to your hair, or something about your hair.
15 winners will be given 4 hair product prizes for FREE!!!

The PJ in me couldnt pass on the opportunity for free products. I havent heard of them and wanted to spread the word. So go ahead check them out here is the link: As-I-Am-Naturally

Look at one if their models:

Here is a copy of the letter I submitted:

To: MyNativeCurlz

I guess the first thing I should do is to apoligize. For all the years of abuse, neglect, and the lyes.... I didn't realize then, what I do now...I dont have to cover you up to walk with my head held up PROUD!!
I must thank you for enduring, and deciding to stick around...The things I did to you at times made me look like a clown.
The dyes, the lyes, the perms, and the weave and with ALL THAT you are STILL here for me....
My kinky, puffy head of curls I really LOVE you, but not all in this world. Atleast I know now it doesnt matter what others think. What matters most now is ROCKIN my curlz without a blink.
So with this I pledge now, I have learned from my mistakes. I will NOT subject my daughter to the legacy of self-hate. I know that doesnt apply to all, so please dont misconstrue...
AS I AM, these words will forever be true!!
Love You!!
Signed,
NativeCurlzGirl77




GOOD LUCK LADIES!!!!

Styling N Profiling

Hey guys, its been a few weeks since I've been able to get some time to update my blog.....I've been soooo busy with going through the process of trying to get a home built, so that has taken up most of my time. Anywho, I have been keeping with my promise to attempt new styling options with my hair. Its only one other style, but hey this process is gradual...I finally got up the nerve to try to do the twist and tuck style I've seen Kim Love try on one of her vids, but SheSingsLovely of Youtube really gave me the inspiration. So I gave it a try. This was my out come:

Here is my 2nd attempt at this style:

I was headed to an interview, and thought this gave me an professional enough look without looking to wild.
This is how the back came out:

I had to add the clip because my center has major shrinkage, and wasnt long enough to reach the restthat was rolled and tucked.

I must say I was pleasantly surprise that it didnt turn out too bad. I dont have the length of either ladies I mentioned above, but I think this goes to show that I do have some options with the length I have.  Also, I did alter it a bit to fit my hair needs...since I dont have the length n front I wasnt able to to the pompadu (sp?) So, I just did a twistout bang.
In other news with my hair journey.....I have been still experiencing some breakage and shedding, but I would like to see this reduce drastically....Soooo, while I was at Walmart browsing the hair section. I ran across this poo and cond called Simply. Check it out:

I like the fact that it doesnt have any protein in it, it doesnt contain any Parabens or Sulfates, and its pH balanced!!!! But the best thing about it was PRICE!!! I got it on sale for 3.50 each!! I was shocked!! I was really trying hard to not slip back into my PJ ways, but I couldnt resist this deal. Plus, I need to try a moisturizing poo and cond to see if the ones Im using now (JASONS) was contributing to my breakage and shedding.

But enough of that check out a few of my styles I have been messing around with since I've last posted:

Can yall tell I been getting a lil snap happy with the cam? Yes, I can admit I have. I will get you all updated on how I like the new poo and cond I bought. As of today, I havent used it yet. Oh. oh before I end this, I forgot I uploaded my 2nd youtube vid. Please subscribe ladies!!Check me out:

Thanks for watching!!

Breakage :(

This is not something that I have just noticed in the past few mths, but its a problem I have faced for awhile now. I have just decided to post about it now, being that Im looking for some additional input. I dont use small-toothed combs, nor do I brush my hair. I dont do alot of manipulation to my hair, yet I still have breakage. I comb from the ends to roots, and I even take my time detangling during washing, so what gives?
Is it possible that some form of breakage is inevidentable for me? I have suspected for awhile now that my hair maybe protein sensitive, so I have made all efforts to use no products that contain proteins. Yet, with the new J/A/S/O/N poo and cons Im using (which is a moisturizing) has plant protein in it, but in small amounts.
Its a bit of a struggle to find a moisturizing poo and con that is moisturing, yet sulfate and parabens free, but doesnt have any form of protein in it.
Ive noticed at my last wash this past sunday, that 85-90% of the hairs I see coming out is shedded hair with the bulbs attached, but I do still find a fair amount of small broken hairs. Whats a girl to do? I have really really fine strands, so I wonder if no matter how careful I am or the products I do or dont use, I will still have "some" breakage.

Your thoughts? IM FRUSTRATED!!!!

Hard vs Soft Water (Hair & Skin Health)

Getting to the bottom of why some products I use (not just hair products) doesnt seem to be quite affective have lead me on the fact finding mission about water properties and how good quality water benefits us in MANY ways. I have read about HARD water and how it can cause build-up on your hair, and cause some of your products not to work as effectively, so in searching for a good shower filter here is some info I came across that can be beneficial to us all on the hair journey, AND save us some money in the process.

For this blog purpose I have highlighted the statements that are hair related

HARD vs SOFT WATER

What is Hard water?

“Hard” water contains large amounts of dissolved calcium and magnesium. On the other hand, “Soft” water is water that contains small amounts of calcium and magnesium. One of the primary disadvantages to hard water and the reason it is described as, “hard,“ is more soap, detergent, shampoo, and/or cleanser, is required to get whatever you are washing clean. It is literally, harder to get anything clean with hard water. Hard water builds up scale on the inside of water pipes eventually reducing the flow. Hard water coats your water heater element greatly increasing the cost of heating water. 

Hardness is measured in parts per million (p.p.m.) or grains per gallon (g.p.m.). 21 parts per million or 3 grains per gallon, is considered “hard” water and with each increasing grain, hard water challenges are increased 10 fold.

My water is “Hard.” Why should I care?

For watering your lawn, cleaning our streets, irrigating crops, and many other uses, hard water rarely a challenge. However, for bathing, washing dishes and clothes, shaving, washing your car and many other uses “soft” water is far more efficient, effective and convenient than “hard” water.

Soft water:

Saves you money in several ways;

·       By improving cleaning efficiency up to 250%.

·       It saves on shampoo, cleansers, soaps, and detergents.

·       Your clothes colors stay brighter and last much longer.

1. Soft water and your favorite soap create gentle suds that help give your skin and complexion the smooth, fresh look of health and beauty. When you shower in soft water that temporary “oily” feeling is caused by your natural body oils. This is how your body feels when it is truly clean. The “squeaky clean” feeling we get from showering in hard water is caused by a layer of calcium and magnesium that remains on your skin, even after rinsing. In reality, we are “squeaky dirty.” Hard water minerals clog your pores and coat every hair on your body. This “crud” can serve as a home for bacteria, cause diaper rash, minor skin irritation and itchy skin. Does your scalp itch. . .
2.  Soft water leaves your skin (your largest organ) free to breathe and your hair bright, soft and easier to manage. Razor blades cut closer and stay sharper without the hardness to dull them.
3. When hard water is heated, the minerals create a scale that can eventually plug your hot water pipes and water heater, causing premature failure, necessitating costly replacement. With soft water your water heaters will use 21 to 29% less energy to heat the water. Tip: Draining/flushing your water heater once a year helps reduce the build up of hard water minerals.
4. For many commercial and industrial uses, the hard water minerals interfere with various processes, causing inferior product production.

You can read this link: Natural Health Techniques for more infomation on what can be done to check if you have hard water and what can remedy it. Which brings me to this next pic. Check it to see where your state falls on regions prone to hard water.

 My state of Ohio and my home state of Michigan are two states that are prone to hard water. UGH!! No wonder I;s a recovering product junkie(PJ). Nothing has been working to its full potential, PLUS the added calcium and magnesium deposits has been causing hard, brittle feeling hair. Not to ention, we spend a TON on detergent for clothes washing. Im not happy until I see some major sud action going on....SMH what a waste. Damn hard water......

Anywho, I mention in one of my original postig that I had my fingers crossed for a shower filter for Christmas, but I didnt get it!! BOOOO!!!! Nah, Im not complaining tho, I got a nice lil laptop that made for forget all about that shower filter, but I DO NEED IT, ASAP!!!

Here's two I had me eye on:

Im going to continue to price shop, these things are expensive. I had one before I moved here to OH, but forget to take it with me before I moved. These healthy hair business can get expensive if your not careful. So in the meantime I'm still boiling water once a week on hair wash day***pouting*** I know this is pretty much done in vain being that boiling water can NOT remove all the impurities. From what Ive researched, calcium is the only likely substance to be removed during boiling.

I'll take what I can get for now**shoulder hunch**

Once again, I hope this information will be helpful on your natural hair journey, and thanks for reading!

1st Twistout Pics and KT Leave-in Review

Well, I finally got around to taking my crochet braids down. Im not sure if or when I will be doing any of those again. Im concerned that the lacthhook tool used could be doing some damage. I dont have any proof of that, but its a concern of mine. So, I mixed up the Kimmaytube leave-in conditioner (no problems there) and applied if to y freshly washed hair. I wasnt too impressed on how it felt going on, and while I was twisting my hair. It just didnt feel like anything special.....BUT, after my hair was dry. OMG!! I could really feel a different in my hair. It felt really moisturized, and wasnt stiff like it usually feels. This is my first take at it, but so far so good. Im HAPPY!! No complaints here!!!
Here a pic:

So, I decided after I twisted my hair up, I would rock my 1st twist-out. I was surprised t the outcome. My hair felt soft and wasnt crunchy. I added a little castor oil to my fingertips as I took the twist down.
Here are some pics:

Sooooo, how do I look?

My 1st YouTube Vid

I have alot of learning to do with this vlogging, but I will get the hang of it soon! Check it out!

Leave feed back if you feel so inclined.

Thanks!!

Protective Styling and LEAVE-IN Cons

So, I"ve put off doing this post long enough. I want to share with you all just a few protective stylings that I use to keep me out of my head for any period of time. Im BIG on touching my hair which Im sure has some adverse effects on my hair goals, so a while back while doing some YT surfing I ran across a poster (toysvoice) or something like that who did a tutorial on doing crochet braids. I was really liking the after look so I decided to give it a try. Take a look:

It was a bit time consuming being that Im not very good at french braiding my own hair, THEN add on top of that I added some hair to add extra strength to the braids. I had never done this before on myself or anyone else for that matter so that extended the process a bit. After my first successful PS w/ crochet braids I decided to give it a try again about 6mths later (which was the day before new year eve this yr). But, this time I decided to use a tighter curl that I did before. Here's some pics:

I wasnt too happy with the outcome, AND it took me forever this time!! UGGHH I was so mad at all the fuss this curl pattern gave me, PLUS it was so hard keeping the knots tied in tight, so I had to add a step due to the softness of the hair and put so glue on the ends to keep it from slipping. Can you say VEXED!! That was me, so currently I have this style in. Its been almost 10 days I think and I canta wait to take it down. Not so much cause I dont like it but I'm ANXIOUS to get in my hair. Why you ask? Well...Ive been a subscriber to kimmaytube channel for a few mths, and it has taken me some time to get through her pleathra of videos, but it was worth. She seems pretty cool and knowledgable about hair. Im not new to her name, Ive heard her before on the hair forum I frequent, but never really looked into her techniques until a few mths ago. Ive heard the rants and raves about her leave-in con concotion, but being a recovering PJ I just blew it off.....Well, take a look

Im going to give it a try. If it can work wonders on my dry hair, then I must give credit where its due. I havent try it yet, but as soon as this style comes down in the next few days I will be giving KIMMAYTUBE LEAVE-IN conditioner a try. So stay tuned for me thoughts on it. Oh, if your interested in giving it a try and need the measurements here it is:
            KIMMAYTUBE LEAVE-IN Conditioner
                                   
             1oz/2Tbs- Kinky Curly Knot Today
                  2Ts- Castor Oil
                  2Ts- Jojoba Oil
             2Tb- Aloe Vera Juice (Lily of the Desert-whole leaf)
Kim prefers to use the Lily of the Desert brand, but stresses you can use a brand of your choice. Also remember after mixing you need to refrigerate. Here's is her link to herYT vid on how to make if you need visual aid  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXi2k4cFFhI




Also, as I said in my Developing of Regimen post, Im looking for products that will become my staples so I'm in trail and error stage. So while I was at Whole Foods getting the items I need for the Kimmay conditinioner they had a great deal on JASON products I couldnt pass up, So Im going to be giving these a try:

I havent heard anything bad about these products, to be honest I havent heard much. I did search the forums for some reviews and a few ladies had good things to say, so Im going to give them a try. PLUS the price waas doable for me AND they dont contain the No-No's (Parabens and Sulfates) so I cant go too wrong right? Well, my hair is a bit sensitive to protein poos and cond so (which these contain) but I decided to give it a try being that it seems to be in small amount since its one of the last 3 ingredients listed. Im hoping to have a good experience with these. I still have the Alikay products in my sights, but we will see.