YOUNG, Fly, and Natural

Greetings All and Happy Holidays!  As a nod to the season, I thought I would give you all a nice little "present" to kick off the holiday season.  This is a post that I have actually been sitting on for a while, waiting for the perfect time to release it because it's just that special to me.

Over the summer I got a call from a member of my glam fam...Ms. Randi.  Ran asked me for what she considered a big favor...but what I considered an honor.  Ran wanted to set up a time for her to bring her mini me Cameron, her 10 year old daughter, over for a visit.  A little while back little Miss Cam decided that she wanted to wear her natural (virgin/never permed) hair out in a fro.  And Ran, being the supportive parent she is, granted Cam's wishes.

Initially, Cam's excitement was met with a little opposition from some of her female classmates.  Cam was teased about her hair because it was "different" from the girls in her class.  But, this didn't deter Cam, especially since she had lots of reassurance from her fab mommy that she was beautiful and her hair was fab.

Now...back to the favor...Ran asked if her and Cam could come over to learn about some good products and to get some styling tips.  I don't know who was more excited out of the three of us...I'm willing to put my money on myself.  One Friday afternoon I relished in playing in products and experimenting with different styles in Cam's hair.  She left all smiles...so I'm sure she had fun too.

Cam even gushed about how healthy her hair is in it's natural state and that she observed that some of her classmates who were teasing her before, couldn't say the same.  

I absolutely adore Cam for her confidence in and love of her natural coif! Especially, at such a young age.  She is proof positive that little natural girls rock too!!!

Until next time...

Ms. K

PRODUCT REVIEW: Aveda Be Curly

Hey All!  This is my first jab at a Vlog. The video may not win any cinematic awards, but I promise, future vlogs will get better. :-) Oh and ignore the hair color...that is a long story within itself.  But, I am happy to report my hair is not that/those (lol) colors anymore. 

Enjoy the vid!

Ms. K

TOP FIVE: Natural Hair Products

Hello All!

So almost everyday I have a conversation with someone regarding the products I use in my hair.  Those conversations are what inspired this post.  I polled my top 5 chica's of team natural (including myself) to find out what their top 5 natural hair care products are.  Anybody who knows me, knows that I am a huge advocate of healthy hair.  The perfect recipe for healthy hair is a good diet (lots of water), proper maintenance, and great products.  In this post I am giving you 1/3rd of what you need to have healthy natural hair.  Enjoy!

Adriene:

#1 Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie 

#2 Qhemet Biologics Amla & Olive Heavy Cream 

#3 Eco Styler Olive Oil Gel

#4 Curls Coconut Sublime Conditioner 

#5 Jessicurl Weekly Deep Conditioning Treatment 

 

Jania:

 

#1 Shea Moisture

#2 Cantu Leave In Conditioner

#4 Biosilk

#5 Garnier Hair Milk 

 

Iyonna:

#1 Kinky Curly Curling Custard
#2 A'shea Shea Loc
#3 A'shea leave In Conditioner
#4 Nexxus Deep Conditioning Shampoo

#5 Nexxus Conditioner

Krystal:

#1 Coconut Oil
#2 Aveda Be Curly System
#3 Aveda Dry Remedy
#4 Grapeseed Oil
#5 Ecostyler Gel

 

Krystle (Me):

#1 Aveda Be Curly

#2 Ecostyler Olive Oil Gel

#3 It's a Leave In Conditioner

#4 Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie

#5 Helman's Mayonaise (use as a deep conditioner to increase protein)

Ms. K

PSA: BRAZILIAN BLOWOUTS WARNING!!!!

Hello All!

I recently came across a warning regarding Brazilian blowouts (also known as a Brazilian Keratin Treatment or BKT) that I felt needed to be shared with you all.  I, probably like most of you, have friends who have had the BKT, or at least friends who are heavily considering it.  I remember the first time I heard about the process and I myself was a little leery of a process that uses a chemical to straighten hair, but yet maintains that it's not in fact a chemical.  The proponents of this process maintain that the product is simply keratin, a protein that we have in our hair anyway.  *side-eye*

Strike #1 - I asked my hair stylist (very knowledgeable in hair care and I would trust her with anything concerning my hair) at the time about it and she assured me that there indeed was a chemical in the product and that it was not possible for the product to achieve straightening without a chemical being involved.  I did a little more independent research and discovered that BKT's contain formaldehyde (as in the chemical used to embalm dead people).  I was shocked and appalled!!!!

Strike #2 - Recently, Ash and I were having a conversation and she told me that her dad told her about an article he read that talked about how research linked the BKT to cancer.  Again...shocked and appalled.

Strike #3 - Today i was flipping through my September Essence and on Page 80 I found this warning:

OSHA WARNS ABOUT BRAZILIAN BLOWOUTS -
"In June 2011 the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a hazard alert to hair salons about potential formaldehyde exposure from working with Brazilian Blowout and other hair-smoothing products,  The warning confirmaed an initial investigation done by Oregon OSHA last fall, in which they sampled 105 various hair-smoothing products from 54 salons.  Thirty-seven samples came from Brazilian Blowout Acai Professional Smoothing Solution, and they were found to have formaldehyde level averaging 8.8%, even though they were labeled formaldehyde-free.  OSHA requires anything above 0.1% to be listed on the label.  Since the international Agency for Research on Cancer lists formaldehyde as a human carcinogen, how can you protect yourself? By banning straighteners made with these: methylene glycol, formalin, methlyne oxide, paraform, formic aldehyde, methanol, oxomethane, oxymethylene, or CAS Number 50-0-0."

Lessons learned: BKT is a chemical, BKT contains (the chemical) formaldehyde,  Formaldehyde is a carcinogen (can cause cancer) - thus BKT is a carcinogen (can cause cancer).

Now, althout I'm on TEAM NATURAL, that does not mean that I don't support others who decide to chemically relax their hair.  If you choose to chemically straighthen your hair, be informed and don't be afraid to ask to check the labels of any chemical straighteners that is used in your hair for any of the ingredients mentioned above.

#TEAMHEALTHYHAIR

Ms. K

NATURAL HAIR INSPIRATION: Krystal

Previously I did a post on the women who's natural locs are my inspiration for being a proud member of TEAM NATURAL.  In that post all of the women are celebrities, but there are a number of women who are not celebrities who have swoon-worthy hair.  My cousin (and namesake) Krystal (aka Al) is one of them.  I remember when Al decided to go natural and called me for advice.  Now I think I ask her for more advice than she does of me.  She has gorgeous natual thick locs that she is not afraid to showcase in a myriad of styles.  Her latest coif I instantly fell in love with.  So much so I decided to feature her on the blog.  Check it out.

And of course...because I love you all so much...I had her give me step by step instructions on how to achieve this fab look -

Instructions:

1. Blow dry hair out
2. This part is optional but you can make a part around the crown of your head about .5 inch and put the rest of your hair into a ponytail high on the side of your head
3. Use a flat iron to straighten the hair that was left out - so you can have straight edges
4. Join the straightened hair with the the rest using a seperate hair band
5. Take your hair in sections and finger role each section to the shape/size you want
6. Pin where necessary :)


Ms. K

There's an App for That

I am all to excited to post this blog.  I am an honest believer in the age old adage..."you learn something new everyday."  This weekend I went to visit my bestie Kira in VA.  While having one of what seems like thousands of random conversations this weekend, Kira taught me something new.

She taught me that on the IPhone (this may be an option on other smart phones, but we can only speak for the IPhone) if you go to a web page that you frequent and want to create a shortcut you can add it to your home screen.  By adding the web page to your home screen, you in affect make an App for the web page.

Imagine my delight when she showed me that she has my blog as an App on her IPhone!!!!  Let's just say excited is an understatement, LOL!  It goes without saying that I immediately made my blog an app on my IPhone.  And it also goes without saying that I fully support all of you making my blog an App on your IPhone (or any other smart phone for that matter). ;-)

Ms. K

Natural Locs: My Hair Inspiration

On a previous post I was asked by a follower (hey Val -(((waving)))) what my personal reasons are for being natural.  I gave her the rundown found here.  But...I like a lot of people am a visual learner...so I figured why not share with you all pics of the women whose natural hair inspires me to stay perm free.

Check it out:

Tracee Ellis Ross

Tanika Ray

She needs no introduction...

Marsha Ambrosious

Just to name a few.  And I must say that these ladies are inspiration for me not only because of their big, curly natural hair, but also because they also take pride in having healthy hair.  Having healthy hair is just as important to me as having beautiful hair.

So...who is your hair inspiration?







Ms. K

A Little Nudge

For those of you who know me...you know that I have "gone natural" about 3 times in my adult life (including now).  Let the record show - THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME, as I fully intend to stay natural this time.  Anyway being the expert that I am at this point on natural hair (I actually have learned quite a bit) in general, and my natural hair in particular, I know when my hair needs a little nudge in the growth department. 

Now, in general my hair grows back pretty fast (as you can see from the pics below), but it gets to a certain point where I needs to help it along a little.  Well, i'm at that point.  What I usually do is get my hair braided.  Since I no longer have the patience for that, I a sew in weave is the next best thing.  Don't get me wrong, I love a sew-in weave so I am in no way implying that its second fiddle.

So what did I do...I called my personal weavologist...the fabulous Shanee Greene and as always...she hooked me up.

For those of you unfamiliar with the process...it goes a little something like this...

Shampoo and Condition your hair as usual.

Side Note (SN): Can you believe how much my hair has grown???

Then blow dry your hair until it is completely dry throughout (getting it straight at this point isn't imperative).  PS-Yes, that's Shanee in the background, lol!

All dry! (She kept trying to give me a mohawk).

Then braid your hair in a circular pattern from back to front (if you have short hair, add some synthetic hair in the braiding process to make sure the braid is safe and secure and will not unravel).  Leave enough hair at the front to cover the tracks of the hair.

Aerial view of my hair post-braiding, pre-weaving.

Now begins the fun...take a curved weaving needle and begin sewing the tracks/wefts of hair to the braids.  Note: Be sure not to cut the hair into pieces, it interrupts the flow.

Half-way point!

Home stretch!!!!

Finishing touch.

Final (FABULOUS) Product!

Back view.

Side view.

End result - a low maintenance hair do that allows my natural hair to grow just a tad bit faster. ;-)


Ms. K

Countdown to Locdown (Update)

A while back I set a deadline for starting my locs and started my "Countdown to Locdown" on this blog.  The deadline I set was April 30, 2011.  Well I have come to the very real conclusion that April 30th is not going to work for two main reasons.

#1 - I have a full social calendar that day (including my niece's birthday party and my cousin's wedding) so I don't even have time to make the appointment.

#2 - For those of me who know me, you know that I crave versatility when it comes to my hair.  And if I don't have the option to change my hair at the drop of a hat, I flip out.  Therefore, I decided I need to start my locs when my hair grows longer so that I will still be able to be versatile when I get the urge.

So I say all of that to say, that the Countdown to Locdown is being postponed.

I will still continue to provide posts on locs...as in hair...natural hair specifically...but not necessarily locs...as in dreadlocs.

I have already received the side eye from several of my friends, but no worries...the locdown is not canceled...just postponed.

Ms. K

Countdown to Locdown

Last week while I was super swamped with work and dying to drop a new post...I came up with several ideas for future posts.  Including the idea for this one.  Today, during a text message conversation with Al (this is my cousin who I share a first and a last name with...don't ask, lol...I'm Le (pronounced Lee) and she is Al) I realized today is the ideal day to drop this post.  My conversation with Al in pertinent part:

Me: I need a newhairstyle

Al: I thought u were getting locs?  U changed your mind already?

Me: Noooo.  Haven't changed my mind.  Haven't had to time to go get it done yet.

Al: Why don't you make an appointment?  U still not sure? That's what I think

I knew because of the delay in getting my locs started would start to draw attention (and scrutiny) sooner or later.  That is why I decided to give myself an absolute deadline and do a "Countdown to Locdown".  Note in this context locdown does not have a negative connotation.  On the contrary, its completely positive. 

I am actually quite anxious to start my locs and, but for the things I have been doing in preparation for closing and moving, I would have started by now.  Not to mention the project I am working on at work that has me putting in extra time at work.  Oh and I want to color my hair...I won't give too many details on this, because I'm planning a special post on this very subject this weekend...stay tuned.


I honestly don't know how much longer I can hold out though.  But, the one thing I do know is that once I set a deadline, I stick to it.  Hence the countdown. 

I will start my locs by APRIL 30, 2011.  At the latest.  That is T minus 39 days.  Yes I realize that seems like a year, but based on my impending schedule...that is as good as it gets.  I hoping to get it down before then, but time will soon tell. 

Let the scrutinizing begin continue.


MS. K

PS - I am still in need of a new hairstyle to hold me over. :-)

2-in-1

OK, so I was worried that I would have to entitle this post "Epic Fail", but luckily that's not the case (lol).  For the past three weeks I have been wearing my natural hair in its natural state.  When I got tired of the weaves I went out and got a combination of products and attempted two strand twists.  Because the back of my hair wasn't quite long enough to pull it off, that turned into an epic fail.  I washed my hair again and decided to take advantage of my natural curly q's (as I call them).  I put in my leave in conditioner (It's a 10); some moisturizer (Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie); and some gel (Eco Style Olice Oil Gel), and literally grabbed small sections of my hair and twirled it around my finger.  The end result...success, and cute coils that had everyone who saw it thinking I started locing my hair already. 

I repeated this process for two more weeks and decided I wanted to try something new.  This was about 3 hours ago.  I am completely worn out from my day of furniture shopping with mommy and I was not up for the complete process...that is not to say that it is a terribly long process, but still. 

I decided to take a chance at uncoiling my coils and exposing the curly texture of my hair.  To achieve this I simply put a dab of shea moisture on my fingers and separated each coil into numerous curly tendrils.  I was extra careful in uncoling each coil as to preserve the curl pattern.  I'm happy with the end result, especially since I ended up with 2 hairstyles in 1.

I tried my best to get some decent pics of this process to include in the post...I hope you can get the gist of it.

So if you learn anything from this post it should be that being natural is about experimenting what works well with your hair.  If you accentuate what YOU love about your hair...you can't go wrong.

My products of choice...I highly recommend all three of them!

My coils...a week old, but you get the point.

Before I started the uncoiling process I wanted to get a picture of my texture.  I somehow missed this strand of hair when I coiled my hair last week.  The coils looked a lot neater at the beginning of the week.

Halfway through the uncoiling process.

The finished product...not the worse pic of me...but not the best either...*Kanye shrug*.

A close up.



Ms. K