Chocolate Inspired Products for Your Hair

Here are some products I’ve come across that contain some version of chocolate. Now I just didn’t pick some random lines, these are all products I would and plan to try in my hair. Most are all natural, silicone and sulfate free.  Enjoy these yummy selections and the rest of your Valentine’s Day and remember LOVE IS IN THE HAIR! (I’m corny but hey I can’t help it I’m on a mission to spread my love for natural hair if you haven’t noticed yet!)

Well here is the lineup:

Carol’s Daughter Chocolat Smoothing Collection

Qhemet Biologics Cocoa Detangling Ghee

CURLS Whipped Cream

B.A.S.K. Cacao Bark Deep Conditioning Hair Treat

Darcy’s Botanicals Cocoa Bean Hair and Body Oil

Alba Botanica Real Repair Cocoa Butter Shampoo and Conditioner

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Your Man and Your Natural Hair

I came across this video a few weeks ago and all I can say is LOVE IT! I love when men share their love for natural hair. The question of natural hair in relationships comes up a lot especially in the black community because most men aren’t used to seeing natural hair. The question of whether or not to dump your man if he does not like your hair is crazy to me. If a man is that worried about your hair you need to reevaluate your relationship.

Check out this brothers take on the subject . He is so knowledgeable on the crazy natural terms we have come up with, I found it hilarious. Now every time I say “pre-poo” I won’t be able to help but laugh!

 

 

Would you leave a relationship if your mate was unhappy with your natural hair?

Treat Your Hair to the Benefits of Chocolate!

Happy Valentine’s Day Curlies,

Hope you all are feeling the love in the air today. No reason to be sad you don’t have a Valentine. I am a huge advocate of spoiling myself around the holidays and especially my hair.  Why not try out a yummy deep treatment and sit back and relax with a cup of tea?

One thing I love about Valentine’s Day is chocolate. I love anything chocolate but haven’t seen many options for hair but then again smelling chocolate all day would make me crave it more. There are, however a ton of benefits to chocolate whether you are eating its or using it on your hair and body.

Check out this article on Naturally Curly by Stephanie Bird:

The cacao tree is as beautiful and intriguing as it is useful.  One of the top economic botanical plants, Theombroma cacaos pods yield cocoa butter, cocoa powder and that confection we desire most of all during February: chocolate.

Savoring the numerous health benefits of chocolate is a nourishing treat for skin and hair—adding shine, vibrancy and improving the general health of both. By using chocolate and cocoa butter products on your hair and skin, you get to enjoy the delightful chocolaty aroma and reap the benefits of antioxidants, vitamin and mineral, while skipping the fear and guilt of overindulging this February 14th…

Click here for full article.

Stay tuned I have found a few products with chocolate and cocoa!

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How will you be treating your hair this V-Day?

Music Lover Mondays: Les Nubians “Afrodance”

Hey curls!

One of my loves is music and I plan to share new music every Monday and an occassional song of the day from now on. This song shares my love for music and hair. I think it’s going to be one of my official hair theme songs. I have been a fan of Les Nubians for a while. Part of me wanted this song to be in French but I don’t think this song would rock out the same. Well hope you like and jam out on this Monday!

Enjoy luvs (and do ya AfroDance…shake ya Afro 🙂 )

Chrisette Michele’s Big Chop

Today’s fab curl is Chrisette Michele! She worked this TWA (teeny, weeny afro). I love how she spiced it up with big lashes and a statement making, huge feather earring. Her makeup is flawless and very natural looking too. To achieve this style you can do a wash and go leaving a light spray leave-in conditioner and seal with an oil or hair pomade. I think a combo of one of Oyin Handmade’s juices and pomades would work great. That line smells sooooo yummy! You could also achieve this look doing a coil out with a soft hold styler or hair butter. I was surprised to have read that Chrisette colors her own hair. Deep conditioning is a must weekly if you decide to color because keeping those curls moisturized will prevent damage and promote healthy hair.

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Have you recently big chopped? Please share your experiences and what products you use.  Do you want to BC soon? Would you rock this look?

My Winter Regimen and Monthly Length Check

Since mastering how to manage my hair I have gotten way more organized. I try to create a regimen seasonally to cater to my hair’s needs and goals. I also try to keep things simple to ensure health and promote growth. Last year my hair grew from ear to neck length. This year my goal is to grow my hair to APL which is about 10 inches in the back when straightened, which is about shoulder length curly. Shrinkage is not a big deal to me.

Currently my hair’s length is 9 inches in back, 7.4 inches on the side, and 5 inches in back. December 2010 my hair was cut into a bob with the longest in front and shortest an upside down “U” shape in back. The front of my hair has always seemed to have grown fastest and compared to last months measurements (7.5, 6.5, 3.5) its seems that it really does. On average hair grows .5 inches a month so in order to retain length you have to protect the ends. They are the oldest which require the most moisture and gentle care.  Some say hair grows slower in winter and with age. Some also say hair grows faster in warm months. I have to research this more but I plan to track my hair monthly to see what the case is for me. My hair grew approximately 1.5 inches in the front and back and .9 of an inch on the side. I said approximately because I think I may have measured incorrectly last month.

My Winter Regimen

Before Straightening and Trim:

• Clarifying Shampoo
• Protein Treatment
• Moisturizing Deep Treatment

After Straightening:

• Heat Protecting Serum
• Penetrating and Heat Protecting Oils

2-4 Weeks after Straightening:

• Sulfate/Silcone-free Shampoo
• Protein Deep Condition

Curly Hair:

• Clarifying Shampoo monthly
• Deep Condition weekly (alternating between protein and moisturizing)
• Gentle Shampoo (sulfate free/silicone-free), Ayurvedic Mask, or ACV Rinse  weekly
• Cleansing/Detangling Conditioner 2-4 times a week
• Detangle w/ Shower Comb and Denman Brush followed by fine tooth comb
• Moisturizing Leave In
• Creamy or Buttery Styler
• Oil or Butter Sealant
• Essential Oil Scalp Massages as needed or as Pre-Shampoo

Styles:

• Pinned Up, Banana Clip, Ponytail, Occasionally Loose when straight
• Twistouts, French Braids, Protective Styles (wigs or  weaves), silky turban or hat (satin bonnet underneath) when curly

Sleeping:

• Satin Bonnet or Silk Scarf
• Satin Pillowcases

Other:

• monthly length checks
• pictures of length check after trim and return to curly
• occasional henna treatments
• trims every 12 weeks – 90 days

You can see what products I use in my previous post of my staples. What works for my hair and my hair type may not work for you. However you can use this as an outline to create your regimen and choose products appropriate for the needs of your hair. The most important thing is making sure your hair is moisturized and measures are taken to retain length if growth is your goal. When you focus on growth and obsessing over other people’s hair you tend to lose touch with reality and in my experience it usually ends up with a hair cut or overdue trim which could have been avoided. Love and learn the hair you have, the results will lead to happy and healthy hair!

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What is your winter regimen? What goals do you have for your hair this year?

Curl of the Day: Kelis and Her Big Chop

 

Since starting her career singer, Kelis has been known for her big hair. A few years ago she chopped it all off and has been rocking it like this ever since. Her sides were originally shaved so that’s why it has this tapered shape.  This is how my hair looked after my BC (well chemo chop), too bad I only wore it out once. This style is so easy to achieve. I would shampoo (before I knew about co-washing), condition, and leave in a conditioner or curl cream. This look is beautiful and I would like to encourage all my lovely big chopped curls to rock their hair. Don’t always cover it up, if I could do it all again I definitely would!