Review: Amazing Botanicals

I first heard of this product when I received March's CurlKit. I have heard of pomades and I never really understood the use of it, being that it claims to smooth down edges. I am used to applying Hicks Edges, Organic Root Stimulator (ORS), Carols Daughter Macadamia Hold and Control Smoother and being sadly disappointed. My edges will usually stay flat for about 10 minutes, then the product will melt and become a shiny greasy mess.
I think one reason I have a hard time with pomades is that I have EXTREMELY short, kinky, and fragile edges which makes it harder for them to lay down.

Source: Amazing Botanicals

I was skeptical when I first applied the product to my hair. It is solid in the tin but when placed in the hand, it melts immediately. You probably need about less than a dime sized amount since a little goes a long way. It has a soft hold and it gives my hair great shine. The smell is also very pleasant, it is like a spicy pumpkin scent, that lasts all day. I was shocked to see it was working really well and I was so excited that I found something that kept my edges flat. 


Verdict: A It costs $12 for 2 on www.amazingbotanicals.bigcartel.com/.


Thank you for reading! Have you tried this product?

Moisture, Where Art Thou?

I have no idea what happened to my hair! It has been dry these past few weeks and it is driving me crazy. The only thing I can amount it to is the dry heat of the south. I have to find more products with humectants such as glycerin or honey because my hair is thirstay, lol! 

I don't own this picture

I wash my hair every week and I deep condition. I always add a leave in and a butter or oil to seal...but my hair obviously needs more. What I need to do is to use my Huetiful steamer more and Pre-Poo more often to really hydrate my strands. I think it is both laziness and time that prevents me from finding out what works best for my hair, but I am learning. And if I don't jump on it quickly enough my hair is going to start breaking and I cannot afford that while transitioning. Okay let me jump on it and moisturize these strands!!


Thank you for reading!

Vaseline

I just feel like talking about something. Vaseline.
If anyone is still using petroleum in their hair they should not be attacked or singled out. If it works for them, then kudos. It is funny to think back to how naturals years ago, like my mom, grew long hair and had huge Afros without the arsenal of products most of us have in our bathrooms.


I remember when I was younger on Sunday's, the day before the start of the school week, my mom would wash my hair and get ready to style it for the week. She would tell me to go get the comb and the Vaseline. Now this wasn't any kind of Vaseline. This was the GOOD Vaseline from Trinidad (the country of my birth), it was not as clear as the Vaseline you may know, but it was more of a yellow color. It was packaged in paper and it had a very homey, natural smell to it. I loved smelling it as a child, I would never forget it. But I also never remembered my hair being dry or breaking when my mom greased my scalp and coated my hair with it. 


Now, today's naturals will go crazy if you are to use Vaseline or petroleum in your hair. Personally, I just wont put Vaseline in my hair again not because I am against petroleum in my products its just that, as times change practices change. And I think it is okay that the world evolves and we find different things to work with our hair.


What are you thoughts? Tell me about it below.


Thank you for reading!

Review: Jane Carter Solution-Nutrient Replenishing Conditioner

I have been using this product for about a year now, so I feel like I can give a decent review of this conditioner. I am addicted to conditioners and this one will be a staple in my regime for a very long time. If you want to know more about this product keep  scrolling down.

Source: www.janecartersolution.com

This is a sulfate, paraben and silicone free deep conditioner for hair repair. The product claims to have ingredients that permanently bonds to the hair's cortex leaving it stronger and more elastic (Source). It has a fairly thin consistency and goes on the hair smoothly. Although it is a thin product a little goes a very long way. If you section your hair, you will probably need about a dime to a nickle sized amount on each section (depending on your hair's thickness and length).
One thing that I fell in love with immediately was the incredible slip! I believe the slip comes from the second ingredient BMS, which has great detangling abilities. Detangling very kinky curly hair can be a chore but with this product it makes it very easy. The smell is sort of earthy due to the ingredients, such as rosemary, sage and thyme. It isn't a strong scent that lingers but it does make your hair smell clean after rinsing it out.
The first ingredient is water and it has glycerin in it which is a humectant, that helps to draw moisture from the air. 
After washing my hair I would apply this conditioner and I will either use my Huetiful Steamer or my hair therapy wrap for about 30 minutes. The results are softer, detangled and moisturized hair.
My Verdict: A+


Thank you for reading!

Scalp Massages

Scalp massages have been a staple in my hair regime because I have extremely thin edges. My thin edges are due to the years of perms burning that area and those tight ponytails I did every day didn't help. I regret the years of abuse I allowed my hair to grow through, but I don't think it is too late to revive it. 

Pitiful huh?

Scalp massages are a great way of promoting hair growth by stimulating and promoting blood flow to the scalp. 

Here is the equation, more circulation into the thinning area=the more blood flow to the follicles=the more hair growth. 

But I have found some alternative ways, including massage, to increase blood flow to your problem areas. Check them out below.


Massage: When massaging your scalp, always have an oil or butter of your preference to reduce breakage. I use castor oil, jojoba oil or Peppermint Tea Tree Temple Balm by Eden BodyWorks. I love any of these products because they are very moisturizing and stimulating on the scalp. Massages lasting anywhere from 30 seconds to a minute can help and this is also a great time to lay back and relax from a hard day.


Exercise: I have found out that exercising is a great way of promoting blood flow. Exercise keeps you fit and healthy and also allows for an increase in circulation of blood to areas that need it the most. The heart is able to pump blood to areas that are furthest from the heart, including the head, legs, and arms. I exercise at least 3-4 times per week and it's mainly cardio, which is excellent way of increasing blood flow.


Hanging low: Another easy way of promoting blood flow is hanging your head upside down for about 15-30 seconds. I do this every time before I work out (stretching), by bending over and touching my toes allowing my head to hang freely. You can even lay on your bed with your head hanging off the edge, which ever you prefer.


Water: If your body is thirsty, your hair is thirsty. Water doesn't help to promote blood flow but does help to hydrate the body and hair. Of course the recommended amount of water is 8-9 eight ounce glasses a day. If your hair is hydrated less breakage occurs in sensitive areas. So drink up! 


These are just a few techniques I know of, if you know anymore, please don't hesitate to comment me below. So take your pick and watch your hair flourish!


Thank you for reading!

Is Finger Detangling The Way To Go?

For me, the answer is a BIG FAT NO!! Why you ask? I have 4B to 4C hair. Now I know some people don't go for all that hair typing but this is the way that I classify my hair. Thick kinky, tightly coiled 4B/4C hair. 
I have been seeing a lot of naturals raving about finger detangling lately. I give them all kudos for that. But as we all know not all hair is made equally. If I try to finger detangle my hair, my hair will crack up laughing, pointing it's curly fingers at me, wondering what in the world I am trying to accomplish. The amount of breakage and shedding I will get will be out of this world. For me, a wide tooth comb is the closest I am getting to finger detangling. 
One thing I will tell you is to know what works for your hair. It is okay to look to other naturals for inspiration but do not think for ONE MINUTE that what works for one natural works for the next. I learned that real early in my natural hair journey. 
But if you can finger detangle with ease, go right ahead. But if you can't, don't start crying when you have a clump of broken strands in your hair because your hair won't cooperate. 


What are your thoughts?

New Growth

I recently made a video on how I moisturize and protect my edges from breakage. When I first went natural in 2010, my edges have been struggling to get to the length of my rest of my hair.
When my heat damage happened I decided it was an opportunity to start fresh and take care of my new growth at my edges.
I have been keeping my hair moisturized using Eden BodyWorks Peppermint Tea Tree Temple Balm and utilizing my satin scarf with my bonnet.

Check out the video below for more information!

How do you protect your edges?