Daily Archives: October 14, 2011

Oct14

It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown!

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I am not a candy person. I don’t crave candy. I don’t buy candy. But, there is just something about candy corn. So, I mentioned this to Wei on Sunday … and what do I find in my little dresser toiletries box while I’m getting ready Tuesday morning?  Yup, you guessed it. A bag of candy corn. And what did that remind me? That I like candy pumpkins even more!! Mmmmmm … orange food color flavored sugar. Delicious.

LOL!

The good thing? At least these are usually only readily and widely available at Halloween!

 

 

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Oct14

September Update: Krystal

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First waver Krystal gives us her status update and a video!  

by Krystal aka Kaligirl1980

So it has been nearly two months since I committed to this GOC and overall I’m quite happy with myself when it comes to hair. Not so much with my fitness. I’ll talk about what I think derailed my progress and how I plan to get back to my fit and healthy state.

Hair Progress:

I started out with a very basic plan; minimal to no heat,no harsh chemicals and make sure that I condition my hair. I ordered the Dabur Vatika coconut oil with the lemon grass and henna in it and used it ONCE. I know some people are a fan of the stuff, but I think it stinks and I can’t stand to be in my own presense. However, I have replaced the coconut oil with almond oil. I like it and will stick with it until I run out. I’ll go back to coconut oil later just to see the difference. I have been using the DevaCurl One Conditioner and the DevaCare No-Poo cleanser since I have some color in my hair. Both products leave my hair feeling and smelling wonderful. I love then both and plan to buy more when I run out. I try not to cleanse more than once a week. I co-wash in the middle of the week, when I would have normally washed. My hair seems to like it, so I’m going to keep that part of the regimen. I have also added Herbal Essenses Hello Hydration to the mix when I don’t want to burn through my DevaCurl conditioner. It feels and smells great. Who would have thought that such a cheap conditioner would be so wonderful? I have hennaed twice so far, but realized that I ordered the “cheap” Jamila Henna that is in the celaphame packet. I’m going to finish it out and then go with the high quality stuff later. Last but not least, I love the Kimmaytube leave-in conditioner. It really brings out my curls.

As much as I like the way the Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque seals my ends for Braid and Curls, it makes a horrible deep conditioner, especially on wet hair. It’s OK as a deep treatment on dry hair. I don’t mind repurposing products, so I won’t throw it out, but I probably won’t buy it again when I run out.

Styling Issues:

I have made several attempts to wear my hair in twists as a protective style and learned that my hair just doesn’t like to hold twists. By mid-day they begin to unravel or look fuzzy.

Also, I find that the results of a twist out are too similar to my WnGs to warrant all of that extra work (see undone twists pic and black dress pic).

Mini-twist twist out

Perhaps I could try using pure shea butter to lock the ends together. Any suggestions? My hair is a lot like my mom’s. It’s a gift and a curse. While I would love to wear buns, my hair is a little too short right now. Give it 6 more months and I think it’ll look better in a bun. 

For now, I will stick with braid and curls and wash and go’s as my staple styles. I usually dry with my flour sack towel, but if I’m going out with friends, I’ll do some low level manipulation by using my diffuser. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve used it. To add in some visual interest, I use bobbie pins to hold flat twists and bumps in the front where my bangs are. The best thing about going curly is that I’ve been more creative with curly hair than with straight hair. My biggest challenge is keeping my hair conditioned. I have to remember to condition daily since I don’t do protective styling.

WnG

Fitness:

Is it me, or does fitness fall by the wayside when men enter the picture? Am I the only one who has this problem? Anyway, things were fine with fitness until I started seeing a wonderful man. My whole routine was turned upside down and I’m in the process of recalibrating. I refuse to gain “happiness” weight. I faithfully worked out in the morning from 5 to 6, but when I started dating this guy, I wouldn’t workout as hard because I was trying not to sweat out my hair so that I could be cute when I saw him after work. Well, keeping my hair cute hasn’t been good on my waistline. I have gained 8lbs. That weight will be gone by the end of this month! I’m been inspired by Shelli and her dedication to fitness. Her body looks amazing. I’m back on my workout grind and I will not stop until I get to 140lbs; I’m 153lbs right now. It’s not showing yet, but I feel it and that’s what really matters.

Part of my success will be in creating new workout routines for myself so that I don’t get bored and so that I maintain muscle confusion, so that I keep getting results. I loved JKoi’s post and went right out and bought an ab wheel. It’s hard work, but it’s getting easier to use, which means my abs are getting strong. Does anyone have a suggestion on great workout videos? I considered the Insanity DVDs, but I know I won’t put myself through that kind of physical rigor right now.

Here is a video that I made. It sort of goes with my email update.

Oct14

September Update: Michelle aka Mickey

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Mickey of the Seventh Wave gives us her GOC status update and … what’s this? A Got Skills question! 

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Day one of twist and curl. GO BEARS!!! Big football fan! 🙂

So … I have been a bad girl. My birthday was September 25th, so I got my hair straightened! BUT, I plan to wear twists for the next few months!! I plan to do a trim in January, because I think I still have a little perm on my ends *smh*!! They just won’t curl!! So off they go!!! I hope my hair is to somewhat mid-back length by JANUARY!!!

 SO … my regimen has stayed the same. I try not to wash my hair every week, but I get dandruff. Any suggestions to help my dandruff situation? I am planning to try Jane Carters Scalp Renew?? It’s a bit pricey, but Ive heard good things.

Day 2 TnC

(P.S. I want to try Senegalese twists with hair added. I know, I know … my hair is super thick and  long. I’m just scared of breakage and how long it will take!!! Has anyone tried them?)

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I’ve never had a dandruff problem, but I have had a dry, flaky scalp and Neutrogena T-Gel worked very well for me. However, I am definitely not an expert in this area. So, probably best to seek the advice of a professional or someone else who has successfully dealt with controlling/eliminating dandruff. Any takers??

Oct14

Jamaican Black Castor Oil Protein Conditioner

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pin curls

by Michelle of Radiant Brown Beauty

I rarely write two posts in a day. I don’t want to overwhelm your Reader/Email nor do I want to burn myself out.  However, this one I couldn’t wait to share.

I started to entitle this post, “Da Bomb Diggity Protein Conditioner.” Then, I figured I needed to be a little more professional :-)

I almost couldn’t help it though.  I am from New York and we say things like “Da Bomb” all the time. Well, at least we used to when I was growing up LOL. The “diggity” was for my extra added enthusiasm.

Anyway, I am too excited about a new protein conditioner I bought. After using it, I was amazed at the fast results.  Not only was my hair instantly stronger with virtually no breakage after using it. It was also left pH balanced! How do I know? Because of the way my hair curled right up!

best protein conditioner

I’ve always struggled with straight ends. After reading some things about the hair’s pH balance (plus watching this video), I’m convinced that an off-balance pH balance may be the biggest culprit of my straight ends.

I try so many products at times (the PJ in me), that it’s highly probable that many of them have messed with my hair’s pH balance. Hmmm, time to tame the PJism.

So What Is This New Protein Conditioner?

Jamaican Black Castor Oil Protein Conditioner

It is Tropic Isle Living Jamaican Black Castor Oil Protein Conditioner (you can find it here).  I’m telling you this stuff is friggin’ amazing.  I absolutely love how my hair felt afterwards. Strong and easy to detangle after applying diluted Herbal Essences Hello Hydration (another staple).

Check out the ingredients: Mayonaise, Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Vitamin E, Avocado Oil, Mustard Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Lavender, Pimento Oil

All natural. Double score. The only thing is it smells like pickles. I can deal with it though because the results were so awesome.

A New Hair Care Regimen

staple hair care items

One thing I know is my hair likes protein. However, it needs moisture to balance out the protein. Because I’m natural, I don’t think I require protein treatments every week.

This new JBCO protein conditioner has changed my life (OK that’s a little extreme but you get the picture). This is a new staple for me and is being incorporated into my hair care regimen. It’s changed everything and comes at a good time now that we are entering the colder months when the hair needs more protection.

On Wash Day

  • Pre-poo hair with Vatika and Jamaican Black Castor Oil (JBCO) the night before washing. Leave in hair overnight.
  • Wash hair in 4 twists with Shea Moisture’s Hair Thickening Shampoo
  • Loosen the twists and deep condition with either the JBCO protein conditioner or Shea Moisture Hair Mask with honey added. I’ll be alternating these every other week so I don’t over-protein treat.
  • After deep conditioning with heat for 45 minutes, I allow the hair to cool for 15 minutes
  • On cooled hair, I apply diluted Herbal Essences Hello Hydration and finger detangle before applying leave in conditioner and sealing (It works well. Read why I use this technique here)
  • Apply Kimmaytube Leave In Conditioner and seal with JBCO.
  • Style as normal

Note: Henna and Zizyphus are still in my regimen for once a month.

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Thanks for the review Michelle! I’ve avoided protein conditioners as I do experience that dry, brittle feel from protein laden products. Also, since I henna once a month, I think of that as my strengthening treatment. The thing is, I don’t do a full strength henna on my length anymore! And, I’ve noticed more breakage than normal. So, I’ve been really paying attention to your posts related to curtailing breakage and what is giving you results. So, expect to see a post soon on my recent purchases!