August 30, 2012

CurlKit: 31 Bloggers Feature!

Hey Loves!

CurlKit is doing a 31 Bloggers Feature showcasing curlygirl bloggers! [Click here for thier website]. It's a great feature, with tons of amazing curlies sharing their natural hair journey.

Yours truly was featured! That's me :)

Check out my post and others:

31 BLOGGERS FEATURE: via @DemCurls



Thank you CurlKit!! :)



xx

J

Peace. Love. Afro's.
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My Natural Hair Journey: Accidentally Natural


My name is Jhanelle and I am an Accidental Natural.

I relaxed my hair as a teenager and when I went natural...it wasn't because I wanted to proudly rock my afro...or explore my natural hair texture...or even learn more about my curls...Nah.

This was right before I went natural
 permanently. It was the shortest
 it's ever been. I couldn't even put it
 into a ponytail!
I was tired of relaxer burns...having damaged hair...having my damaged hair break off...relaxer burns....not being able to put my hair in a ponytail....relaxer burns....not being able to dance in the rain without ruining my wash and set... relaxer burns....and 6 hour hair dresser visits with false promises of "I know it's breaking but if you cut your hair it'll grow" LIES.

Another major reason I decided to stop relaxing was I was tired of the influence that other people had on my hair (i.e., family, friends, hair dressers). When I went natural the first time (I was 15) I permed it again because everyone was like:

"You can't keep pressing it forever."

"Why don't you perm your hair, it'll be easier."

"Do a texturizer, it'll be milder." LIES.

"Jhan, you need to fix your hair." (This is my father's favourite line lol)

First time natural.

I succumbed to peer pressure the first time but the second time around I was adamant that I wasn't going back. I figured it was my hair, I can do what I wanted with it.

Secretly, I had NO CLUE ....can I repeat...NO CLUE what I was going to do with my hair. All I knew was that I wasn't perming it anymore...whatever happened to it...would happen.  And that made me feel good...a little rebellious...but good.

My first time natural, I put my hair in braids and plaits. I hated braids though. Not for the look, I love the look, but for the pain. And this time around I refused to do pain again. My mom use to say "Beauty is pain." I'd rather be ugly. Honestly.



First Year

So, I was like: NO perm. NO braids. [BOSS FACE]

I pressed my roots for a while and wore my hair up in one a lot. 
First year: In one, slicked back with gel,
water & held with a headband. Yes,
 ladies, I wouldn't comb that out
 for a week! Just reapplied gel and
water daily... *embarassed face*

This was right before I went to England on exchange for six months and my hair was in dire condition. A hot mash up of kinky roots and permed ends.

My family didn't know what to do with me...

"Jhan...what are you going to do with your hair?"

"You cah go England looking suh." (Jamaican patois)

I am not going to lie. I struggled. I was too stubborn to listen to them due to my years of relaxing catastrophes (which I partly blamed them for). But I was also too stubborn to turn back. Basically everything that you can do wrong when transitioning: I did. I didn't comb out my tangles, I didn't moisturize, no deep conditioning, nothing. As a result, I noticed no progress in my hair growth. It just kept breaking.

England

In England, I wore my hair in one just like I had back home. I went out dancing a lot (salsa and ballroom). This lady on the salsa scene decided to make me over one day...hair..clothing the whole nine yards. And this is how Horse was born (name given by my cousin). I cried the night she first did it, because I wanted to be polite, but I hated it. I wore it though...[Boss face] because I didn't know what else to do with my hair.


Disclaimer: I have nothing against wigs, or people who wear wigs. I just didn't feel this look was particularly me. Side note: I was sooooooooooo uncomfortable that night!!

Weaves

When I came back from England, I got into weaves. A friend suggested it and I was like ah why not. Wake up, shake it out, done. Low maintenance. That fit my routine perfectly.

Curly weaves were my thing!

My hair started to grow, like whoa. I would get all warm inside when my weaveologist would be like "Wow, your hair is tall." :D
  
I was a bad weave wearer. I would wear them for 2 months at a time. Maybe wash it once a month and I didn't moisturize.. *embarrassed face*

Beginning of a New Journey




I had no clue there was a natural hair community out there.

I didn't know what DC meant, or TWA, nor that the year I spent wearing weaves was referred to as as transition.

I was clueless. I didn't have any curly natural hair friends, so I didn't really have anyone to relate to. I thought I was on a solo mission.

It wasn't until I took out some cornrows on a wash day that I looked in the mirror and loved the texture and the volume the released braids gave me. After my wash, I decided to twist my hair and I undid it in the morning. BOOM. A big afro was born.

I felt like I had invented the wheel.

It wasn't until I met my friend Michele at work (she was a natural, check out her hair profile: here) and she told me my wheel was called a "twist-out". Damn. I could've been famous.

So I googled "Twist out". 

And so began my new natural hair journey. I began to fall in love with big afros and learned to appreciate my natural curl pattern.
  

I'd love to hear your stories! Are you an accidental natural too? How did you transition?


 xx

J

Live without pretending, love without depending, listen without defending and speak without offending.





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Length Check!

Hola todos!!

So this is my first length check posting. I've been accidentally natural for about 4 years now...and natural natural (i.e., taking-proper-care-of-my-hair-natural) for about 3 years now.

I'm not overly obsessed with length as much as I am with having healthy hair and BIGness..think Esperanza Spalding...Julia Sarr Jamois...Erykah Badu....Diana Ross..Tracee Ellis Ross....I could go on, but just to name a few :D




I've seen many people do the length check for the middle back length by reaching behind there back to pull their hair down. My hair is not that length yet for me to reach back up there. Either that or I am not that flexible in the arms LOL In any case, it's the same length as the first picture.

xx

J

Peace. Love. Afro's.










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August 25, 2012

Bread and Butter Hair Routine!



Hey m'loves!

So I have a few people in my life who recently did a BC (big chop) and went natural. I am so proud of them! I get a lot of questions, such as: How do I keep my hair moisturized? What should I do with it? How often should I wash it?

This post describes what I like to call a Bread and Butter Hair Routine. The bare essentials. Perfect for a new natural, or someone looking to establish a hair routine.

Before I start, I have a few tips.

1. DO NOT SHOP BLINDLY

Read the ingredients before you buy products and not just the labels. Labels promise false miracles and are designed to grab your attention. It's important to look at the ingredients as well. The label might say: "Contains 100% Shea Butter!" but when you look at the ingredients, 90% of it is petrolatum and other cheap fillers. Aim for more natural oils and butters!

2. Stay Consistent

Remember, you're not going to notice results over night. But if you stay consistent, you'll have healthy hair in the long run.

3. Be patient!

Be patient with your hair and show it some TLC. Curly hair is fragile and more susceptible to breakage, so if you don't have the patience to deal with your hair, save it for another day!
 

DAILY

1. MOISTURIZE

[Or every other day, depending on how dry your hair is. You can either do this at night or the morning]

Moisturizing is ohhh-so very important, especially for curly hair as it can be very dry. This is because the natural oils produced by the scalp don't travel as easily down a curly hair shaft in comparison to straight hair.

How?
1. Mist your hair with water.

2. Apply a leave-in conditioner.

3. Use an oil or butter to help seal in the moisture (i.e., coconut oil, shea butter)

Posts to check out:
Girl, your hair is so POROUS!
Are you LOCing it?!?

2. HEALTHY LIFESTYLE


Remember it's not all about what you put on your hair, it starts from the inside out!

Check out the post: Why Big Mac's Don't Grow Hair
  

AT NIGHT

1. You can moisturize as above.

2. Give your scalp a 2 min massage, it will help to promote hair growth. For some added kick, add castor oil to your scalp and massage. It'll help thicken your hair.

2. Sleep with a silk cap or silk pillowcase. This helps to protect your hair and prevent breakage.


WEEKLY

1. DEEP CONDITION (DC)


[Or every two weeks. My hair can get very dry, so I DC every week.]

Deep conditioning is very important, it helps infuse much needed moisture into your strands.

Posts to check out:
Remix your Conditioner
Condition Dem

2. CO-WASH


As per below, you don't need to shampoo every week. A co-wash is a "conditioner only" wash. Do this instead of your shampoo.

How?
1. Rinse your hair thoroughly with water (water alone will help to remove a lot of dirt).

2. Apply the conditioner like you would a shampoo and rub through hair and scalp.

3. Rinse

4. Follow the Moisturizing steps above and voila!

MONTHLY


SHAMPOO

You do NOT need to shampoo your hair every week. Shampoo-ing can dry out your strands. Do this maybe once a month or when you feel product buildup. I'll sometimes go 6 weeks without shampooing. I find that co-washes do a lot to help cleanse my hair and keep the moisture.
  

IMPORTANT THINGS TO HAVE IN YOUR ARSENAL

1. Leave in Conditioner.

2. Deep Conditioner

3. Natural Oils and Butters

4. Spray bottle with water.

5. Brushes and Combs with wide tooths (or use your fingers!)

6. Cute head bands and accessories :)




Hope that helps!!

xx

 

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...Buskerfest!

Hello!

I have been super busy writing mock cases for the UFE exam in a few weeks. I work for a public accounting firm and I'm in the process of being a Chartered Accountant.

I needed a break! So my friend and I went to the Scotiabank Buskerfest In Support of Epilepsy Toronto.

My goal was to spend $20 that night. So if I don't include donations to Epilepsy Toronto and the performers, I made my goal! lol

4:30 pm - Left work and stopped at Chipotle for some nachos and salsa $2.50


5:15 pm - Reached Buskerfest and got a spray on tattoo :D (I love music) $5


6:00 pm - Bought a hot dog but I was starving, so I ate it before I took a picture $3.50

6:10 - 9:00 pm - Buskerfest Fun!


Couldn't pay me to go up there and
juggle knives and a chain saw...

He fit himself through a
squash racket ...
 
She looked so real!

Drums, dancing and tricks. Fav act!

Grand Total (Food and Fun): $11

Donations: $25 (It's toward a good cause and the acts were amazing!)
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August 17, 2012

Check Out Dem Curls: Danielle!

"In a world where everyone seems to want straight hair, curly people stand out." - Danielle
What’s your name?  Danielle

How old are you? 22

What do you do? Medical Student (University of Manchester)

Where are you? London, England

How did we met? Your Erasmus year and my 1st year at student halls in Manchester

Describe your style. (just clothing) haha I don’t know?

Now Playing: Get Free- Major Lazor, In those Jeans- Ginuwine

Describe your hair type? Loose curls, shoulder length, layered, blonde highlights

Tell us a little about your hair history and what made you decide to go natural?
I have only straightened my hair for a day - twice in my life. The reason for that being that I do not own straighteners and I cant be bothered to spend the time to straighten it. I believe that not constantly straightening my hair or using chemicals on it (relaxers etc), has kept my hair strong and has meant that it has never been damaged. I am very thankful for my hair, it usually helps me stand out in a crowd =)

Describe your hair regime.
Lush is amazing for hair!  I use Curly Wurly Shampoo by Lush and Retread by Lush (their conditioner). They are a little expensive but have made my hair really soft and gives me lots of individual curls. It also helps highlight the colour in my hair. I use them twice a week. After I wet my hair I use R&B by Lush, a leave in moisturiser, and that prevents frizz and that poof look. Lush is the one, trust me! Before I go to bed I plait my hair so it isn’t knotty when I comb it. Brushes create frizz- so they are a big no no. I am quite lazy, so I usually let my hair dry naturally and wear it as it dries.

How do you normally style your hair?  As above - I let it do what it wants

Who is your hair icon? I don’t have one.

What was your Momma’s best kept hair secret? Use a comb not a brush

The one hair product you couldn’t live without? R&B by Lush 

Mistakes that you’ve learned from? Not putting any product at all in my hair.

What’s the best thing about being curly? In a world where everyone seems to want straight hair, curly people stand out.












[J: I met Danielle on my six month exchange to England three years ago! Even though I'm  back in Canada, she's still one of my dearest friends and I was super excited to have her as a feature on my blog. Miss you hun!!]
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August 15, 2012

Tracee Ellis Ross Interview w/Curly Nikki!!!

Can I say I LA-LOVE her! From her acting to her personality to her hair!

I was bubbling with anticipation as I waited for the page to load....Check out her interview with Curly Nikki: "Tracee Ellis Ross on Her Natural Hair Journey!"


:)

J
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Natural Hair Icon: Tracee Ellis Ross


“I was shy, but it came out in a big personality. My turning point was when I let my hair go naturally and I got contact lenses. I am really blind, by the way. I have these big eyes that don’t work!” - Tracee Ellis Ross (on coming out of her shell)



I LOVE her. I love her style. I love her hair. I love her elegance. She's beautiful!

Photo's from: http://www.facebook.com/#!/TraceeEllisRossOfficial

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August 13, 2012

"Girl, your hair is so POROUS!"

The first time someone described my hair as porous, I responded...like a boss ... ."What did you just say about my hair??!!" >:O

Then I learned it's not an insult.

What is Porosity? Porosity is your hairs ability to absorb water. Think of it as how easily water passes into and out of the hair shaft. In general, curly hair is more porous that straight hair. Chemical processing, excessive manipulation (i.e., harsh combing, friction) and excessive heat treatments can also cause damage to the cuticle layer (increasing porosity of the hair).

Normal Porosity: The cuticle layer is neither flat nor completely raised, it allows water into the hair shaft as needed.

Low Porosity: The cuticle layer lies flat and therefore it is more difficult for water to enter or leave the hair shaft. Low porosity hair holds moisture well but it is not easily absorbed. As a result most products will sit on the hair shaft, causing a white sheen or easy build up. 

High Porosity: As the cuticle layer is raised and open, the hair absorbs water easily but loses it just as fast. Highly porous hair becomes dry quickly, can break easily when soaking wet and is easily damaged.

From left to right: normal, low, highly porous.
Photo from hairfinder.com
 
How do I know if my hair is porous?

You'll need a glass of water and a clean strand of your hair.

Allow the water to still and drop the strand of hair into the glass.

If the hair sinks after after 3-5 minutes, your hair is highly porous.

If your hair takes a while to sink your hair has low porosity.


Now that I know...how do I care for Low Porosity Hair?


1. Apply product to damp hair. After a wash, your hair is thoroughly saturated with water. So allow it to air dry and release some of the water before applying product. This way your hair shaft has room to absorb the product.

2. Using heat to open up the cuticle. When applying your deep conditioner, using heat is very important to help open up the cuticle to let the moisture get in.

3. Squeeze out the excess. Sometimes when I apply too much product, it turns my hair white or takes a long time to dry. I'll use a paper towel to blot off the excess. Or run your fingers down sections of your hair (sandwiching it) to remove the excess.

4. You LOVE products that contain humectants. Humectents (i.e., glycerin) help to draw in and retain moisture to your locs. I mix water and glycerin in a spray bottle, to dampen my hair before I seal it.

[Note: I have low porosity hair and I always use to get frustrated with product application because my hair never seemed to absorb it. I use to get product build so quickly! Ever since I learned about the porosity of my hair, I am able to better care for it. All of these tips have helped to make the biggest difference! My hair is better moisturized and stays moisturized longer.]

Click here, to read more on how to care for low porosity hair.

Now that I know...how do I care for High Porosity Hair?

Highly porous hair
Photo from: naturallycurly.com
 1. Layers, layers, layers! As water evaporates quickly from highly porous hair, it's important to use oils and butters to help seal in the moisture. Check out my post on the LOC method: Are you LOCing it?!?

2. Moisture and protein treatments. Protein treatments help to repair the hair and patch up the cuticle. Moisturizing conditioning treatments are also very important as well.

3. You DON'T LOVE humectants. Try and avoid products with humectants in humid climates, as it'll aid in taking water in from the atmosphere and contribute to frizziness.

4. Don't detangle hair when soaking wet. This can lead to breakage from the weight of the water absorbed.

Click here, to read more on how to care for high porosity hair.

Now that I know...how do I care for Normal Porosity hair?

Be happy!  :)

It will require less maintenance, as your hair is absorbing water into the hair shaft as needed. However, continue to keep a good moisture/protein balance!

End Note

Knowing the porosity of your hair is very important in terms of adapting your regime and maintaining a good moisture balance in your hair. Hope this helped!



Peace. Love. and Afro's.

:)
xx
J


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August 7, 2012

Are you LOCing it?!?


Coconut Oil
(Picture Credits from: marksdailyapple.com)

One of the biggest challenges I have faced with my hair since going natural is dryness. Keeping the moisture in my hair has always been an issue.

Curly hair can get very dry, so moisturizing is very important! However, because our hair is naturally porous (water molecules can pass in and out of the hair shaft easily) it's very important to seal in that moisture. Otherwise, you might find yourself having to moisturizer frequently or you might be moisturizing but your hair still remains dry.  

While skimming through YouTube videos I came across the LOC method by BlackOnyx77 (click here for the video). I have been a LOCer ever since :)

Step 1: Liquid - Apply a liquid to moisturize the hair. Remember, water is the best moisturizer as it can naturally penetrate the hair shaft. Mist hair with water, co-wash, or dampen  hair. I also use this step to apply my Leave-In Conditioner. Remember to use a water based leave-in.

Step 2: Oil - Apply an oil to seal in the liquid. Coconut oil works best for me but there are so many options!: Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Castor Oil, Jojoba Oil, Avocado Oil...experiment and find which works best with your hair. Coconut oil, avocado oil and olive oil have also been shown to naturally penetrate the hair shaft and help strengthen the hair. Remember oil alone does not moisturizeit seals water out. So misting your hair with water before applying the oil is very important.

Step 3: Cream - Apply a cream to seal in the oil. I switch it up a lot  but currently I am using Shea Butter (I make my own mixture with organic Shea Butter - blog post to follow!). But other products I have tried and loved are (click on the purple name for product link):

Shea Moisture Organic Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie

Curls Souffle Hair Cream

Elasta QP Moisturizer, Olive Oil & Mango Butter


Since using this method, my hair has been so moisturized! Not only is it softer but it retains moisture so much better. Moisturized hair = happy hair.

Happy LOCing everyone!! =)


xo J


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August 5, 2012

Natural Hair Icon: Esperanza Spalding


"I watch while I'm brushing my hair. I'm never doing nothing. If it's been a couple nights since I've brushed my hair out, I put on nbc.com, and I take those 20 minutes and brush out my hair. It's not time that's totally lost. I do something productive, and I get my guilty pleasure at the same time" - Esperanza Spalding [On making time for TV]



[J: I love her fro...the bigger the better :) She's beautiful and one of my favourite naturalists!]
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My Natural Hair Journey: The Year of the Pressing Comb


Photo from:  polishedandcurled.tumblr.com

So I want to share parts of my natural hair journey with you all...but to write about it all at once...would be one crazy long post. So I'll post different parts of my journey in the Dem Curls: My Natural Hair Journey series.

When I went natural the first time (after my first perm), I managed my hair by pressing it. Rule # 1: regular bi-weekly visits to the hair dresser. I planned my life around those appointments, and I never missed a beat either. Between the hours of 8am - 2pm, every other Saturday I was unavailable. I would get up early on the Saturday, reach the hair dresser by 8am...and 6 hours later...I would leave with fried pin straight hair.

I couldn't comb my own hair to save my life. Literally. I didn't know how to handle my natural hair, nor did I have the patience. I grew up with my mom combing my hair and when it became too much for her, she permed it. I went natural the first time because my hair was falling out, but the prospect of having to comb my kinky hair scared me. I didn't want to have to deal with it, so I never missed an appointment.


For the two weeks inbetween my appointments, I avoided water around my locks like the plague. Rule #2: NO WATER. I wore shower caps in the shower, I carried umbrellas everywhere and I tried to avoid activities that resulted in unnecessary perspiration. So this meant no swimming, physical exercise, or extended periods in the sun or extreme heat. When I started monitoring the weather forecasts...for my hair...I knew I had issues.

I remember one day in particular, I had 5 days to go before my appointment and I really wanted to wash my hair. I hardly moisturized my hair when it was pressed...because that would require moisture...or some kind of liquid...which would be in direct violation of Rule #1. But I had dry scalp and it was itching me like crazy. So I thought...okay, let me just get it a little wet...and then I can blow dry it straight or something. Don't ask me why, but it sounded like a great idea at the time.

It wasn't.

My hair shrunk up immediately...as it rightfully should. I got scared and brushed the hell out of it ...tears included (because fine bristle brushes don't work well on 4b hair). I managed to put it into a ponytail and didn't touch it for the rest of the week, other than adding grease and gel to keep it down. When I got to the hair dresser that week, my hair was a tangled knotted hot mess and it took forever for my stylist to comb it out...tears included.

After about 1 year of pressing, my hair dresser and family convinced me to perm my hair for the second time. Everyone was like, it'll do better for your hair, not having to fry it every two weeks. -_- I hated having to do bi-weekly wash and presses, so I gave in. It's a process - 6 hours of my life every Saturday!

1. Wash hair.
2. Deep condition.
3. Blow dry.
4. Run through hair with hot pressing comb.
5. Run through hair with curling iron.

That's 3 sources of heat...to get my hair straight. Talk about frying my hair! Once I went to the drug store after my appointment and a guy was in the aisle with his girlfriend. He looked around, sniffing, and said "something smells like burnt hair..." I bounced so quickly out of that aisle. LOL

The next perm was the worst perm...I had almost no hair at the end of it. But I'll save that story is for another time :)

I've been natural over 3 years now and I definitely don't miss having to press my hair. I don't miss the accidental slips of the curling iron on my scalp, the burnt hair smell, or the pulling and tugging on my hair to get it straight.

Have you tried the hot comb to manage your natural hair? I'd love to hear your experiences!


Peace. Love. And Fro-Yo.
:) J


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August 2, 2012

Congratulations Gabby!!!!!



Gabby Douglas made history today as the first African-American to win a gold medal during a woman's all around event. Her and her team USA also won the the gold medal in the woman's team event.

But what are people commenting on? Not the fact that she made HISTORY...but...her hair.

The black hair community can be ridiculous at times. The 16 year-old girl made history, has 2 gold medals under her belt, a gorgeous smile and all people can talk about is her hair. I was amazed at the comments that were exploding on twitter. Meanwhile, I was looking at everyone elses hair...and white, asain and black..not everyone's hair was perfect at the meet.

It's amazing that among all the hardships that we have fought to overcome we must still deal with haters inside our community, and over something as trivial as hair. For every two steps we take forward as a society, why must we take one back? And that's our own fault. I've seen discrimination within the black community over not just hair, but skin colour, education, and peoples accomplishments! People set these standards for what they consider "good hair" ...and there is no gray area: you either meet the standard or you don't. People need to stop being so ignorant. We are more than just our hair. We are our dreams and our aspirations.

So to all the haters: why don't you try tumbling and flipping through the air...and then check and see if your wash and press is still in tact.

That is all.

Congratulations Gabby!!!!!!!!!!!!!

J



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Review: Quidad Moisture Lock Leave-In Conditioner





What is it? A light weight moisturizer.
How much? $22
Size? 8.5 ounce
Where to purchase?


Product Highlights:

Contains No: Parabens- Sulfates- Synthetic Dyes- Phthalates- GMOs- Triclosan

A dose of prickly pear extract draws in moisture from the air and seals it in for superior conditioning while antioxidant green tea and vitamin B5 help protect and promote shine. Arnica extract lends a smoothing touch, sealing the cuticle for fuzz-free results.

 
Key Ingredients Include:

Water, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 Dimethicone, Amodimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Polyquaternium-59, Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Extract, Opuntia (Prickly Pear Cactus) Tuna Flower Extract, Parfum (Fragrance), Butylene Glycol, PVP, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium EDTA, Diazolidinyl Urea, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate.

My Opinion:

I got a sample of this in my CurlBox. I tried it right after a wash, and I found it to be a little too lightweight for hair (I have 4b/4c mash up on my head) - I normally do prefer something slightly creamier and that works better for my hair. However, as a moisturizer on my second day hair, it worked perfect!

It doesn't leave my hair weighed down or sticky, which I love. Paired with a little coconut oil and shea butter to seal my ends, it leaves my hair soft and moisturized. This is my second in command leave-in if I want to switch it up (#1 goes to KC - Knot Today, which my hair thrives with!)


Much Love xxoo
J
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August 1, 2012

Check Out Dem Curls: Oprah!


Oprah is appearing with her natural hair on the September issue of O! While she has had some choice hair styles throughout the years, I love her natural hair! You go girl! :)

[From Oprah.com]

"For the first time ever, Oprah's appearing on the cover of O without blow-drying or straightening her hair. She says that wearing her hair naturally—as she often does on weekends and on vacation—makes her feel unencumbered. But there was a time when she wanted to just cut it all off. "I wanted to wear it close-cropped a la Camille Cosby but her husband Bill convinced me otherwise. 'Don’t do it,' he said. 'You’ve got the wrong head shape and you’ll disappoint yourself.' I took his advice," she says. Although, never one to shy away from a style update, Winfrey is a firm believer that changing your hairstyle can change what we see and feel is possible. "I even notice a change in my dogs when they get their summer cuts: they’re friskier and livelier, feeling more themselves once the weight of the hair is released."

After all the makeovers she’s done in O magazine and on TV, Oprah stands firm that the only makeovers that are maintained and sustained are "those in which something inside the receiver clicks, aligning with that which is being received. The only way to real transformation is through the mind."

Don't miss O's September 2012 makeover issue, on newsstands August 7th."

Read more:
http://www.oprah.com/style/Oprahs-Natural-Hair-on-O-Magazine-September-2012--Oprahs-Real-Hair#ixzz22M5cDDeS
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10 Summer Musts!



[Note: Click on anything in purple, for links!)

1. Street Festivals
Music, good  food, vendors, people, dancing on the streets....what’s not to love?!
I love street festivals and they are everywhere in the GTA this summer. Recently, I was at Salsa on St. Clair and Midnight Madness in Oakville. I know it’s already August, but there’s still time check out some of the other festivals coming up this summer:
Aug 2 - 5  - Caribana (aka the Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival) – Celebrating the music and culture of the Caribbean! Being of Caribbean descent..Jamaican born...I definitely recommend! :)
Aug 10-12 – Taste of the Danforth - I love Greek food!
Aug 10-12 – Oakville Jazz Festival - Featuring live music and bands, and great food!
Aug 23-26 – Buskerfest – Street performers festival including magicians, mimes, and other forms of entertainment.

2. Fifty Shades of Grey

I was very skeptical about this book before I read it, but it is by far my favourite read of the summer. My inner goddess nods in agreement...50 Shades is a must read! :)

3. Mini-Vacay’s
Can't afford to go to Europe or on a big trip to the Caribbean? Take a Mini-Vacay! There are many great places close by that you could bus or drive to.
Spend a weekend checking out the falls, exploring haunted houses, and doing wine tours in Niagara Falls. Take a wilderness tour through Algonquin Park. Or bus to New York City for the weekend! Last year, I went to Washington, DC and NYC. Both of which were very affordable.
This long weekend I'll be roaming around old Montreal with my cousin, should be exciting! :)

4. Get a Curly-Doo
Welcome to Curl Ambassadors, a natural hair care salon servicing people of all ethnicity's, catered specifically to curly hair. My friend told me about them a few months ago, and I went for my Curly-Doo at the beginning of the summer.  I have since been back for a cut, and highlights. I la-love them! They use natural products and the stylists are very knowledgeable - they will help you work towards your hair goals. They service all types of curly's too! The salon is also super cute - very Victorian looking.
Try the Signature Curly-Doo(Wash/Condition/Curly Style), which is only $20 for first time customers! Check out the website to book an appointment: www.curlambassadors.ca 

5. Food Tours
I la-love food. So a food tour? Count me in. It's like a bar-crawl...but with food! :D I did one in Washington last year and I couldn't walk after. It's a great opportunity to learn more about a city and discover some great eats!
Check out these food tours in Toronto:
6. Bright pants
Bright colours are everywhere this summer! Including pants. My favourite pair that I own are bright yellow. It's like I'm wearing sunshine on my legs :) These pants from Gap are currently on my wish list! 

GAP - 1969 cropped legging jeans

7. Kizomba
I love dance. I have done latin and ballroom, and currently I am a part of a salsa team. A dance style that is beginning to turn heads in Toronto is Kizomba. Originating from Angola, with the music generally sung in Portuguese, it is one of the most sensual and sexy styles of dance I know. To check out one of my favourite couples (Albir and Sara) on YouTube: click here. I loveeee it! :) I was first introduced to it while on exchange in England, but only recently started to dance it more in Toronto.
So whether it's Kizomba, Zouk, salsa, or ballroom, try a new dance style this summer!
8. Superhero Movies
There are so many superhero movies out this summer:
Marvel's The Avengers
The Dark Knight Rises
The Amazing Spider-Man
I'm not a big super hero/comic-book buff, but the Avengers was ah-mazing. The other two are definitely on my Summer Must list.

9. Fro-Yo
Frozen yogurt is the ish.

10. Watch a sunrise.
We often go out on weekends, sleep past noon and therefore miss one of the best parts of the day. So try going to bed early one night and waking up early to watch the sunrise. If you're in Toronto..and close..walk down to the lake, it's lovely! :)


~
Peace, love and fro-yo ya'll! :)
J


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