20 Things I Wished I Knew Before I Went Natural

This is reposted from Nappturaliry, I know we all can relate:

1. That I would love my hair so much that I would protect it like a mother Lioness over her newborn cubs
2. That my boyfriend and now fiancé would love it and be protective of my hair like a Lion over his Lioness
3. That my mother would apologize for putting chemicals in my hair and say while touching my hair “I never knew it could look like this” and become completely natural cutting out her texturizer
4. That I would no longer be jealous or envious of body else’s hair. I love mine so much I can appreciate theirs for what it is HAIR. Not a symbol of beauty

that I could never live up to. Not that some days I wouldn’t prowl the hair galleries and get lost in all the other textures until I would find some one with texture like mine who had grown it out 12 INCHES and I thought I can have hair like that!
5. That I would be someone that other women looked to for hair advice…I had a co-worker whose huge puff I ADORED. She has gone on to another company and now people tell me they ADORE my hair
6. That people would tell me they wanted my hair texture! Me the girl who relaxed her 4c kinky short hair incessantly (with probably explains what it was always short, besides the fact that relaxer is a acid)
7. I would feel sexy, confident and free and people would want to touch my kinky hair
8. That I would have so many hair style options
9. That I would have a 5 min morning maintaince routine (Like a white girl)
10. That my hands would stay in my hair and I would have to chant “ I will not touch my hair, I will not touch my hair”
11. That my natural hair looks like me and fits my features
12. That my fiancé loves to stick is hands in it and hold on for dear life!
13. That my hair would teach me how to care for it if I would listen to it and respect it
14. That my hair styling techniques would get better with time. I would have some rough spots (trying to wear a puff on 1 inch of natural kinky hair, having grease all down my forehead, being up late doing my twists, using too much product and noticing in a meeting that my hair had dirty product balls all through my head, I would get headband headaches for wearing mine too tight,
15. That I would devote 1/2 of my dresser to hair care products, I would spend obscene amounts of money that claim to turn kinky to curls and my kinks would win)
16. That it would take hours to two strand twist my kinky hair and that I would have toned and strong arms because of it and lots of patience
17. That I would keep an emergency relaxer under the sink in a bag in the bathroom for months (for emergencies) and never use it.
18. That I would by an electric hot comb, use it once to straighten one section and have my fiancé act like I was burning him saying almost to tears “ You are messing it up, You are messing up the fro!
19. That I regret not doing it sooner
20. That I would feel a kinship with other naturals I see, meet and know. All of my close friends went natural a year before me and I know that my hair could be longer.
21. That I would be at peace with God and know that he didn’t give me bad hair. He gave me good healthy hair (yes even short kinky off black 4c hair! Can be good hair)
22. That I would get more complements on my hair than ever
23. That men YES even black men love it and find it strangely exotic and as natural as rain
24. That my hair is completely unique and completely mine.
25. That I was fearfully and wonderfully made. From the top of my Fro to the bottom of my feet. And I’ juslovinit

~Author: tamikalee312
Published: 2007/2/14

The Perfect Summer Dress...

This has got to be the perfect summer dress...The Miracle Wrap Dress by Butter by Nadia

This wonderful dress is truly amazing! It can be tied in numerous ways, too many to mention. Every woman feels like a goddess in this dress and it has a funny way of making you want to DANCE! So comfortable, you won't want to take it off. Nylon and Lycra Blend.
(YES, BOTH THE BLACK AND LILAC DRESSES PICTURED HERE ARE THE SAME DRESS, JUST TIED DIFFERENT WAYS!)


Neda

Cobble Hill
302 Court Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231
Phone: 718-624-NEDA
fax: Same, Call first

Made in USA. (Brooklyn!)
One size fits 2-12 (Really!)
Available in Lilac, Black, or Champagne Gold
Style # BTR-WRAP DRESS
$225

Loc'd Beauty of the Week

NFL's Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald...

I may not be a big sports fan, but I can appreciate it....hmph

Loc'd Beauty of the Week

The handsome and extremely talented Malcolm Jamal Warner. He ain't the kid on the Cosby Show anymore. He once had gorgeous locs that cascaded down his back; they were meticulously maintained. Nowadays, Mal, as he likes to be called is a musician playing multiple instruments and involved in theater. Enjoy this eye candy!

Product Review

Now anyone who rocks locs knows that they can tend to be a tad bit dry. Therefore it is important to put a little oil on your locs for sheen, and so that it can appear healthy. Natural oil, not oil sheen. Why? Because oil sheen can be a bit too heavy, and it does not absorb into your skin or loc shaft well. It also can through your scalps balance off which will make it produce too much oil, and dandruff. So I have a recommendation for you precious poo's:

My absoulte fav is:

Lisa's Hair Elixir by Carol's Daughter, but of course. Sorry I have tried all types of other hair oils in the beauty supply store but for some reason. My scalp just becomes irritated, itchy, and smelly. But this oil is lightweight, has a pleasant smell, absorbs quickly and makes my locs appear very healthy.

It has sage and rosemary essential oils, it conditions the hair and combats dry scalp while peppermint gives a refreshing tingle.

Benefits:

* Essential oils of rosemary and peppermint promote circulation, strength and contains scalp-protecting antioxidants.
* Performs double duty as a daily shine solution and a weekly hot oil treatment.

You can purchase an 8 oz bottle for $19. Seem expensive? Well it might be, but it does last a long time...trust me when I say a little goes a long way.

I know I recommend a lot of Carol's Daughter, but its because she has great products which are natural and reasonably priced! Trust me I spend my own hard earned cash with them, and have never been given any darn thing (although I wish they would hook a sistah up!). So you can trust my reviews...I haven't been bought off...even if I did get products to review it wouldn't guarantee that company a positive review. I got to keep it real around here for myself and my readers.

Celebrity Interview

Hey everyone! Make sure you check back soon because I have been granted the wonderful opportunity to interview the beautiful, talented, and natural hair actress T'Keyah Crystal. You know her from, In Living Color, and the hit Nickelodeon show, That's So Raven as Raven's mom. She will give us the low down on how she cares for her beautiful hair, and other things!

I will start interviewing celebrities, who rock natural hair on a regular basis....

Stay Tuned!

Relaxation Time!

Hello dahlings....this weekend I had the opportunity to relax at The Spa at Red Rock Hotel & Casino. Let me just say it was wonderful and a real treat. Very rarely do I get the opportunity to steal away some time to myself and just not do anything, not think, not take care of others. So when my boss and his wife gave me a spa package to this particular place I couldn't wait to use it! I don't think I would have gone if it were not a gift. First I checked in, and was taken to the locker area. Which in itself is plush. Your locker has your robe, and slippers waiting on you. Since it is women only, its clothing optional..umm no, I dont fancy walking round in my birthday suit. Some things better kept to yourself. So anyway, the young lady showed me around, there was the jacuzzi, the small cold jacuzzi, a sauna, and steam room, a waiting area for you to rest and make yourself a hot cup of tea before your services. There were plenty of iced down waters throughout the facilities. Overhead showers by the wet area as well. Towels were strategically placed up and down the halls, no need to worry because there was a young lady picking up all soiled towels, and empty water bottles.

So anyway, I quickly undressed, wrapped the terry cloth robe around my waist and slipped into my slippers, shuffled down the hall toward the waiting area. Don't ask me why, but for some odd reason I was a bit shy and nervous. It could have been because I was the only black woman in the place. Usually I don't let this sort of thing bother me, I mean, I do live in Las Vegas, Nevada. But still I longed for a friend to kind of hold on to if you know what I mean. Doing the spa thing is wonderful, but even better when you have your girls.

Anyhow, I sat quietly reading a book when the young man who would be doing my services called my name. Thankfully I jumped to my feet and went over to him, where he ushered me back to the quiet massage room. He was gentle, nice, and very comforting. Told me undress and slip underneath the towels. I was there for a 80 minute scrub & rub.

The scrub & rub entailed him rubbing some type of sugar scrub on my body to exfoliate me for about 30 minutes. I chose this treatment because its Springtime, and I wanted to exfoliate all of the old cells to reveal the soft skin underneath. I want to be shorts, and summer dress ready :)
After he was finished scrubbing me down head to toe, he started a warm shower for me, exited the room where I took a leisure shower to cleanse the concoction off of me. Again I slipped underneath some fresh sheets and the 50 minute massage began. Let me just say, this gentleman had heavenly hands! He took away all of the tension and stress of the three months of cruelty I have been putting my body through at the gym on a daily basis. It was a real treat. I caught myself snoring on the table, where I offered my apologies.

After I came back from heaven, I was ushered back into the spa area. I put on my bathing suit, and sat in the sauna for a bit, the jacuzzi, and back in the steam room. Then realizing I had spent enough time away I took a long shower where the real discovery happened (no get your minds out of the gutter :) I decided to wash my locs in there. I mean I wasn't going to knowing how tedious of a task it is, and the fact that I was gonna be looking like Whoopi Goldberg by the roots (no disrespect Whoopi). But, I said, "What the hell," and washed it anyway. #1 its their water I was about to use up, I could take all the time I needed, and I couldn't resist a high pressured, overhead water faucet. Wow is all I can say, the shampoo and conditioner which I later learned is only sold there in the spa is absolutely fabulous! My locs have never, and I mean never smelled, nor felt so soft! My hubby has commented on my locs, he keeps running his hands through them. Honey, I am going back to that spa as soon as possible to pick up a bottle of the shampoo and conditioner. Guess what? Its only $15 a piece, hey, that may be too much for some. But remember, you need to treat your hair right if you expect wonderful results.

If you can spend money on makeup, clothes, surely you can spend for one of the most precious parts of your body, your crown, your glory, your hair!

Once upon a time I used to go to this place called Beauty School when I thought I wanted to be a hairdresser because I thought I had plenty of experience. I mean I used to hook up everybody's hair in my mothers kitchen, so I was a prime beauty school candidate right? Honey please...no faster than you can say Beauty School Dropout the daggone school closed...something about misuse of student funds. Don't get me started, 0kay?

So this is really going somewhere...seriously. When I am out minding my own beeswax I get the occasional, "Who does your hair?" "Is that all your hair?" "Do you do dreads?" My answers are, "Me," "yes, who else would put some fake nappy hair like this in?" "I can do dreads, but I have a full time job, so...."

Then the fun begins, "Oh great! I have been wanting to find someone to start my dreads, blah blah blah; how much do you charge?" I hate this part...no seriously I do because #1 it aint comfortable talking about money, and #2 folks act like they get a brain aneurysm when I tell them the price. When I first started having my 1 -1/2 inch hair twisted the Loctician charged me $75 every 2 1/2 to 3 weeks. That was way back in 2001, here it is 2009 and your eyes are getting big because I said $85? I don't do kitchen hair, and quite frankly its not even a side gig. I get a kick out of doing people's hair because I love to see women wear their own hair and love it.

You spend way more than that on some tacky ass hair weaves, box relaxers, color, glue, whatever you use. I see you running in Kim Lee's beauty emporium, and Hair Plus Beauty Supply every two weeks. Spending that $40-50 on weave alone. Don't get me started on them janky ass lace fronts you buying that look good for about 3 wears then they turn ratty and a hot mess before you leave the club. So you got the nerve to cop some tude bout a beautiful and natural hair style? Umph...

I usually look at the person's hair length and take it into consideration. If they have chin length its going to cost a bit more, again its my choice. I don't studder or even bat an eye when I tell them what I charge for doing dreads. It takes a lot to maintain and even train the hair, so people if you see me on the street and you stop me be prepared to hear $85-125. If you don't like it, keep stepping cuz I sure will. Hell I keep up my own hair, go to school, work full time, take care of my 2 kids and hubby. Don't nobody have time to play in your hair for a few measly bucks.

That is all

Get tested! You can live with the results...

The jojoba shrub grows in abundance in the deserts of southwestern U.S. and Mexico as well as Australia, South America and Israel. The stickly transparent yellow jojoba oil has a high flash and fire point. This oil is biodegradable and non-toxic in it's pure form. While it's uses have largely been cosmetic, efforts are underway to harness it's benefits to other areas. Today jojoba oil is an expensive component of many cosmetics and hair care products.

Jojoba oil is a natural moisturizer and conditioner for the hair since it's structure is similar to the natural oil produced by the sebaceous glands in the scalp. Regular application of jojoba oil products can go a long way in tackling tangles, split ends and dry hair. A light coating of jojoba oil on the hair keeps it shiny and glossy. Jojoba oil penetrates the hair shaft to loosen and dissolve sebum build-up. Thus the scalp and hair follicles are cleansed and function normally.

I have used Jojoba oil over the course of the years to oil my scalp and to give my dreadlocks a shine. It does not weigh my dreadlocks down, and it does not have any type of smell. You can find pure jojoba oil in many natural food stores such as; Whole Foods, or Trader Joes.

Take care not to utilize petroleum products, or mineral oils in your locs. These oils are used in many types of products that claim to add shine and sheen to your hair. Although they may provide an immediate shine, it does not last, and it also holds smell in your hair.

If you have any questions remember to email me!

*Info on Jojoba oil found here