Saturday, July 31, 2010

Organix Coconut Milk Shampoo & Conditioner

I know I always talk about products I'm trying or products I like....but I felt it was time to talk about a product I dislike. I heard rave reviews of Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk Shampoo and Conditioner. I saw videos on YT of people who swore by it. Sadly, I cannot say the product has lived up to the hype...for me.



Why do I dislike it, may you ask? I am not a fan of this product because it caused me to have extremely dry scalp. At first, I thought it was the shampoo...so I tried to co-wash with the conditioner. The problem was still there! This was no normal dry scalp. I would have to wash my hair, or face the possibility of people thinking there was a snowstorm on my head. Dramatic? Yes. Truthful? Absolutely.

Some people may love this product, and I am not knocking it if you do. All I can say is that the shampoo and conditioner were not friends to my hair...or scalp for that matter. If you used this product and had a different experience, please share. If you want to share your own horror story about this "organic" (a name that is particularly misleading) product, please do so.

As a matter of fact, I dislike this Nourishing Coconut Milk Shampoo and Conditioner so much that I am swearing off PiƱa Coladas for a year....or 6 months....no, no, a month.....okay, maybe just a few days, but you catch my drift.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Natural Hair...According to Janice

Janice, a long-time natural, who learned to *treasure* her naturally curly hair.


How long have you been natural? 5 years

Why did you get your hair relaxed? As a kid in elementary school, I remember looking at all the other kids around me who had straight hair, and I wanted to be like them. One day, I asked a neighbor how she got her hair to be straight, and she informed me that she had a relaxer. That same day, I asked my mom for a relaxer. She told me I was too young and did not need one. I was finally able to get the much desired relaxer in junior high because I really wanted my hair to be straight. My naturally curly hair seemed unmanageble, and I could never wear it down because it was so curly and frizzy. I was excited to get my hair relaxed in junior high!

Did you big chop? No.

When you get bored with your hair, what do you do? I don't ever get bored with it. I sometimes get tired of the maintenance. When I get tired of it, I comtemplate getting a relaxer or cutting it but I haven't followed through on either of them. :-)

A lot of members of the natural hair community are against cones, heat, and weaves. Are you? No, I am not. I feel that you should use what's best for your hair. I can't judge anyone's hair but mine.

How has the use of heat affected your hair? I haven't used heat on my hair in over a year. I do not remember any negative effects from using heat.

What is your current hair regimen? I wash my hair DAILY (which is what I get tired of). I use the Generic Brand of Matrix Curl Life. I purchase it from Sally's. It is called Beyond the Zone Noodle Head (Orange containers) and it is a lot less expensize than Matrix. I shampoo it and condition it daily and I let it hair air dry. That is all I do!

Were you ever a product junkie? Any favorites? I was at first and I can't even remember all of the products I used. I am satisfied with Noodle Head for now.
How often do you deep condition? Rarely; maybe once in 5 years.

What are some “professional” natural styles you wear? I wear my hair down mostly. I do not like headbands or clamps. I let it freely flow. I joke around and say that my hair does itself every morning! LOL!

What has been your best natural hair compliment…from a man? Good question; I do not know. They usually say that I stood out because of my hair and want to touch it.
 What advice, if any, would you give to newly naturals or those currently transitioning? Hang in there. :-) I went natural because my hair and scalp told me to go natural. They made it very clear that chemicals were not for me. I am not a natural expert...I just happen to be natural. I would say listen to your hair. I do not think everyone should be natural and can relate and understand the relaxed sistas as well. I say do you----whatever that is!

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Protective Style: Braids

Whether you're thinking cornrows, micros, tree, or box braids, this style can help protect the ends of your hair. Can't find a stylist? If you're in the Jackson, MS area, try BB's African Hair Braiding

(micro braids)




Micro braids typically last between 2-3 months, and can be styled according to your liking. Just make sure the stylist does not braid your hair too tightly, as it can cause hair breakage.  Pay close attention to those edges! Happy Tuesday Ladies!!!!

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

ABC's of Natural Hair Talk

There are so many acronyms (and so much lingo) used in the natural hair community that one could easily get confused. Here's a list of some of the most often used terms:

BC - big chop
DC - deep condition
PJ - product junky
TWA - teeny weeny afro
EL - ear length
NL - neck length
SL - shoulder length
APL - arm pit length
BSL - bra strap length
MBL - mid back length
ACV - apple cider vinegar
EVOO - extra virgin olive oil
EVCO - extra virgin coconut oil
JBCO - jamaican black castor oil
KCCC - kinky curly curling custard
Cones - silicones (products containing them)
HH - hello hydration (herbal essence)
BSS - beauty supply store
Cowash - conditioner wash
No Poo - no shampoo (usually cowashes)
Slip - when conditioner helps hair glide through comb
Protective Style - style worn to protect ends of hair and preserve length

*** Just My Lingo ***

OMG - Oh Em Gee (a term you will see me use often)
Cool Beans - everything is okay (term initially used by my friend, Kristen, but has rapidly spread to anyone I talk to)
WTF - Dubyah Tee Eff (I don't curse)
IMO/ IMHO - in my opinion/ in my honest opinion
YT - YouTube




Feel free to add any terms I have not covered!

Friday, July 2, 2010

To Chop or Not to Chop....that is the Question *Allilia's Answer*

Long-time natural, Allilia, provides insight to transitioners debating about whether to BC or Let it Grow Before You Let it Go.



Why did you decide to go natural?
I would wait 13-15 week intervals between relaxers from age 12 (first mild relaxer) through age18. First semester of college, I realized Atlanta had many natural salons, although I never would go to a salon in Atlanta. I would get my hair done (trimmed, relaxed, and deep conditioned) at home in Mississippi over holiday breaks and just maintain it on my own over the course of time. I didn't trust new stylists that easily. That all changed. I had a friend first year in college who was from suburban Maryland. She always wore scrunch mousse to make her hair look naturally curly, and she thought I should try it. We were just wearing the mousse all the time trying something different. Eventually, I ended up just always wearing that mousse and straightening my own hair (because I never sought after a stylist freshman year). Later, I found out that I had been undergoing "the process of going natural" and didn't even realize it. So, by November of my first year, I'd stop receiving relaxers because I liked how my hair looked with the mousse over the roots. Later.. (second year in college) I realized that mousse was tearing it up because of the alcohol percentage.

Did you consider doing the "big chop"? Why didn't you?
I considered chopping my hair off. Yet, I did not. I spoke with different hair stylists and girls who'd worn their hair natural all of their lives, and some who hadn't, and comparing my texture, I decided against it. I kept it trimmed and eventually got layers, but never made a BC while "going natural."


How did you transition to natural hair?
It took me a full 9mos to fully turn over all natural. I kept it trimmed every 2 weeks, and deep conditioned every week. I wore straw sets allll the time. I also wore long spirals. I wore it straight here and there, but the majority of my process was over the summer in the South--not a great idea to wear straight "going-natural" hair a lot. I also just let it go sometimes, as in shampooing, conditioning and letting it air dry into its own style (just to see what it would look like). I had fun with it.

Did you cut your own hair or go to a stylist?
I would never cut my own hair. Ever. If I trimmed or cut anything, it was a stylist.

How did you manage the two hair textures during your transition?
I wore a lot of mousse (of different types), a lot of syrum for moisture, and different leave-in conditioners between deep conditionings. Eventually, and even now, I just leave "regular" conditioner (not leave-in) on my hair after shampooing because it absorbs it as if it's hair lotion. The conditioners (and shampoos) I use MUST always have the extra-moisture formula base. I have very thick hair and I need as much moisture as possible in order to tame the natural fly-aways, etc.

Was your hair easier to manage once you were 100% natural, and not having to deal with the two textures?
It was easier to manage once all of the balancing was done, however, the process of caring for it has never really changed. I still deep-condition it (on my own, or at a salon) regularly (every 2 weeks now) and have it trimmed regularly (once a month).

Do you wish you had big chopped?
No, I do not wish I'd made the big chop. I appreciated watching it grow out into it's natural form. It was fun to wear different styled and test out many different curls (straw, spirals, etc) that I probably wouldn't have done so much had I kept a relaxed look.

Once your hair was 100% natural, did you feel liberated? Or regretful?
 I definitely felt more liberated once it was all natural. I felt as if I were a part of a smaller, stronger community of women who were more in tune with themselves and their bodies and spirits. It's a great feeling. I felt more aware. I still feel that way. Although it's become a huge fad nowadays, it still has it's specialness to knowing you aren't allowing some "corporation" to pour chemicals (from who knows where) onto your scalp. I have been fully natural now 8 years. I still read natural hair articles, visit hair stores and boutiques seeing the "newest" products, and talk with natural friends about processes and products--more so products than processes. It's a community of its own. I even went to the natural hair expo in Baltimore a few months ago, and was a promotional natural hair model for a master stylist in Memphis for 2 years.

Is natural hair really all it's hyped up to be?
I believe it can be hyped up a little more than necessary, especially for the sacredness of the community of women who hold the liberation to a high esteem. I believe it is very cool to be natural, but I do not believe it's the end of the world for people who prefer to wear relaxer treatments. Natural hair is expensive, in that there are many nice products and lines that keep your hair in whichever natural form you choose to wear regularly--straight, curly, braided, locked, etc. I believe the different genres of natural hair also have communities of their own. I do not wear a lot of products that have been commercialized as "natural hair products," mainly because I don't have locks or braids (and I don't plan to). But the locks/braided community is larger in respect to that type of natural look. The hype around wearing 'regular' or relaxed styles versus simply curly and remaining all-natural is definitely hyped up, but mainly where it regards fear for the hair styles/texture looking so different from what your hairstyles were before. This is a huge consideration especially for women working amongst those "professional/corporate" environments that base status quotas on the physical persona as much as their business ethic. This is where sexism and race are implored upon more amongst women who choose to make a statement of purpose wearing natural hair (say, to an interview or meeting with the boss) instead of the "boring but socially accepted" pressed or straight hairstyles.

How did your friends, family, and colleagues react to your natural hair?
Most of my circles loved the transition. Everyone was really surprised! All of my friends loved it. Of the guys I dated, those from natural communities (namely the North), were apt to it, not those from the South. It was a transition that they had to come to understand. My mother was my biggest challenge because she kept my hair nicely groomed in grade school, and not wild and curly. It was a transition, but once she realized just how much more versatile the hair was wearing it natural yet still being able to straighten it, she slowly came around.


 
Do you miss your relaxed hair now that it is a distant memory?
I do not miss relaxer treatments at all. There were moments while working out that I'd think of how much easier it'd be to manage if I had a relaxer, but I still didn't regret having it natural overall.  Now, for me, it really is a distant memory because I can straighten and style my own hair just as well or better than some stylists, so working out is no biggie. I have managed ways to tame my curl pattern in a way that I feel is appropriate for a corporate or formal setting, and I also have the timing down pact in case I need to break out my flat irons.


In your opinion, which do you think is better: Big Chop or Let it grow before you let it go?
Let it grow before you let it go. It further liberates you to see your hair growing out of its "unnatural" shell and back into its natural state. It's beautiful. Embrace the real you! It really heightens the experience.


So ladies, natural hair is really what you make it. And if you're going to make it, you might as well make it fly!

Thursday, July 1, 2010

To Chop or Not to Chop...that is the Question *April's Answer*

(5 years relaxer free)

Why go natural?
I was very unhappy with my chemically relaxed hair. When my hair was relaxed, it always grew to a certain length and then broke off severely. So, I decided that I would try to go natural; I couldn't lose anything!

Did you ever consider doing the Big Chop?
At first, no! Never considered the big chop. About a year and a half into my natural transition, I did....mainly because I wanted to be free of hair duties (lazy).  If anyone didn't know, natural hair is high maintenance, baby! Much attention required!

How did you transition to natural hair?
I made my transition into natural hair by backing away from the creamy crack by extending my touch up periods.  At first, I would get a touch up every 6 months. Then, every 8 and so on. Once I reached the year mark, I said, "No more creamy crack for me" (so, as you can see, it took me some years to convert). During my transition, I wore my hair in roller sets, twist outs, and ponytails to manage the different textures. It took me a total of two and half years to fully transition to my natural state.

Did you cut your own hair or go to a stylist?
Stylist. I would go to my favorite natural hair salon in Atlanta, Too Groovy, and get my hair blow-dried, straightened, and ends clipped every six weeks. That way I would shed the relaxed ends instead of just doing the big chop.

How did you manage the two hair textures during your transition?
I manage like 4 different hair textures! I had one side that was wavy, one curly, one straight and a super kinky side. Lol! But I managed with different hair styles like, wet twist sets, spiral roller sets, etc. I believe that you can train your hair to do whatever you like so I was very persistent with having it in a style that showcased all of my hair as the same texture!

Was your hair easier to manage once you were 100% natural, and not having to deal with the two textures?
YES! Less tangles! Thank God for Knot Today by Kinky Curly!

Do you wish you had big chopped?
NAW NAW NAW

Once your hair was 100% natural, did you feel liberated? Or regretful?
Liberated! I love my hair so much more now! It's beautiful, it's healthy, and I have endless options for hairstyles!

Is natural hair really all it's hyped up to be?
I really don't feel that it is as hyped as it should be! Natural hair, believe it or not, is for the high maintenance! Whether you're rocking dreads, an afro, or have your press-n-curl game going, you have got to take care of it for it to look good! But it's worth it; my hair is not me, but if it's on me, it will look good!

How did your friends, family, and colleagues react to your natural hair?
Family and friends that didn't understand were non-believers until they saw my long, healthy strands of hair hanging down my back. That usually would shut the negative peanut gallery down! Thereafter, I would get calls and questions on tips about "how you do that?" or "what you do to your hair to get it like that?"

My coworkers, on the other hand, never said they didn't like my hair.  Funnily enough, whenever my hair is straightened, they are quick to let me know how pretty it is. But when I'm rocking my hair in its natural state, um...not so much the same reaction. But what can you say, society has its own way of thinking.

Do you miss your relaxed hair?
Not by a long shot!

In your opinion: Big Chop or Let it grow before you let it go?
Can't really say because everyone is different.  For me, I clearly think the let it grow process is better and that is just because I am a very deliberative thinker.
                                                                  

                 
*If you liked April's interview, check her out on Check Please! She knows good hair and good food!

To Chop or Not to Chop...that is the Question *Shonta's Answer*

Remember the song "Chante's Got a Man," by Chante Moore? Well, I'd like you to meet another Shonta' who has a different song. 



Why did you decide to big chop?
I decided to BC because the two textures were doing more harm than good to my hair. Struggling with both in all actuality was ripping my natural hair out also.

Were you nervous?
Very nervous, I have had long hair my whole life. I knew people would be like wtf! LOL

Did you cut your own hair or did you go to a stylist?
Hahaha! Well, first, my mom cut my ends off. Then, a couple weeks after that, I went to a stylist because I still had straight ends sticking up. My mom was afraid to cut anymore off. I wish she had, though, because the stylist was a disaster! She gave me a Boosie fade. (I guess Shonta's Got a Fade)  LOL No lie. I had a pretty good size fro when I did the BC, I just need to get the straight ends cut off. Despite giving the stylist clear cut instructions, I walked out with a fade. Sooooo yeah!!!

(Rapper, Lil Boosie)
I.N.D.E.P.E.N.D.E.N.T.


What were your first thoughts after seeing your hair on the floor, rather than on your head?
There is no turning back now!!!!

Did you feel regretful or liberated?
I felt like I did what I wanted to do.

What reaction did you get from family, friends, & colleagues?
EVERYBODY was surprised that I actually did it. Of course people made the “but your hair was so long” comments but I think all in all they grew to like it.


Do you miss your old hair now that it is a distant memory?
Umm I don’t think I do. I like my hair as it is now.  I am constantly telling people that if I were to straighten it, it would probably be back to the same length.

In your opinion, Big Chop or Let it grow before you let it go? 
I say to let it grow a little, but don’t hold on to it. As soon as you get a little length cut it.