Fighting Product Junkyism: Don't Believe the Hype!

Every since become natural I have been overwhelmed by the plethora of hair products. It seems as though every month a new product line comes out. Products to make your curls pop, shine, shake, and bounce. Then, there are the products that promise to repair and rejuvenate. With so many products to choose from what's a wide eyed natural to do?

If you are just transitioning or a long term natural, the lure to purchase the latest (and supposed) greatest is tempting. Whether you buy online or in the store, glitzy, styled advertising is waiting to get your hard earned buck. The worst part is when you're on a natural hair forum, YouTube, or hair site and someone does a product review praising how awesome the product is.

The downside of all this overhyped product persuasion is that often times people are spending money that could best be suited to do something else with. Now, before all the product junkies start rolling their necks and waving their Denman brushes in solidarity, please here me out. There is absolutely nothing wrong with treating yourself to a nice product or replenishing your product stash. But, when your savings account is low and you're bathroom cabinets are full, there is definitely something wrong.

How do you keep your sanity, dollars, and level head in a commercial society? There are several ways to be a diva on a budget and have fabulous hair, skin, and nails without breaking the bank.

#1. Shop ONLY when there are SIGNIFICANT discounts or sales. A measely 10% is not enough to get out your credit card to spend. Look for sales that give you the most "bang" for your buck. Bogos such as buy one get one free are awesome because they allow you to stock up at a deep discount.

#2. Shop only when you NEED to replenish a STAPLE product. So, your favorite conditioner has run out and it's time to restock. Now that's a need versus a want. Conditioner and stylers are really important to curlies. You don't want to be caught without it.

#3. Use special occasions such as birthdays, Christmas, and even Valentine's Day to let loved ones know what you REALLY want. You know you'd rather have that hair product set over some cheesy gift you don't want. So, tactfully tell your significant other, family member, and friends or drop big hints about your product preferences.

#4. Hold product swap meet ups or get togethers. This allows you to meet, greet, socialize and obtain those cool products that you've been meaning to try. This is a cost effective and won't have your piggy bank emptied.

Curlies, what are some ways you fight product junkyism and save money?

Natural Hair Wars: What IS Natural and What Is NOT?

So, I was reading a post the other day on a hair forum and someone posted about how someone stated that people who put styling products on their hair are not natural. Hold up! What? The poster went on to say that her friend was saying that people who naturally have curls shouldn't have to put products in them to define them. She went on to share that her friend felt that natural is a big, dry afro with no product. Hmmm... Interesting. After reading this story I went on to think about what exactly do we mean by "natural"?

Before I talk about what I define as natural, I must digress back to my relaxer days, so we can compare. Every 6-8 weeks I would be patting my hair waiting for the time when I could get to the hair salon and get my touch up. I could feel my roots, which were puffing up and coarse unlike the rest of my relaxed hair which was straight. The two textures would battle it out before I could get my touch up and straighten my kinks into submission. I could smell the pungent odor of the relaxer. When my stylist parted my hair I could feel the "slap, slap, slap" of the brush as she applied the relaxer to my new growth. After so many minutes I could feel the burn and sometimes fire on my scalp before it had to be rinsed off then followed up with a neutralizing shampoo. This was a cycle that I followed since middle school up until 4 yrs ago when I decided to let my hair grow naturally.

So, now that brings me back to the definition of natural. In the natural hair community we have two schools of thought. There is the school of thought that believes natural is to wear the hair void of any relaxers. This means simply that whether you straighten, henna, or color your hair it is still natural because you're not using a relaxer. Then, there is the other school of thought that believes to alter the hair in ANY way using heat, color, or henna, etc then you aren't natural. Well, I belong to the no relaxer then you're natural school of thought. All those rules just simply make no sense to me. I'd rather keep it simple. If you're not using relaxer and you've transitioned, then that's your natural texture.

How many times have I encountered a Negative Nelly? Probably more often when I first transitioned. The comments were more geared toward asking me why don't I cut my hair then anything else. It's interesting how YOUR hair can become a topic of someone else's conversation. I remember one time someone asked why I wear scarves on my head so much and am I religious. I simply said "Because I like them." I could've done a variety of things, which brings me to dealing with the natural "Nazis".

I've come up with a short list for battling the natural hair wars and triumphing over natural "Nazis".

When someone wants to put THEIR own opinion on what you do with YOUR hair you can choose ONE or MORE of the following responses:

#1. Smile and say "Thank you". Sometimes idiots just need love. As the saying goes, kill them with kindness.

#2. Look through them and don't say anything. The dummy will be wondering why the silence is so deafening.

#3. Look up at their hair and make a weird "what is that face". This will have them trying to think what is going on with their own head.

#4. Laugh and change the subject. The old blow off usually works and the clueless ninny won't realize that you just basically told her to have a seat without actually saying it.

#5. Say "And this matters because?" Look the person dead in the eye and act like you're waiting for a response. If they do respond interrupt and say "Dang, I gotta go do something. Buh bye!" Now they're standing there looking stupid or if they're on the phone all they hear is silence.

Readers, how do you deal with the Negative Nellies and their comments about YOUR hair?

An Alternative to Hair Grease:Sunny Isle Hair Pomades

A few months ago I was in my local health store searching for some Jamaican Pimento oil and I came across Sunny Isle Rosemary Oil Pomade. You can find Sunny Isle products on their website at http://www.sunnyislejamaicanblackcastoroil.com/. Looking at the ingredients I became convinced that this might be a good product to buy. The ingedients are 100% natural beeswax, Jamaican black castor oil, extra virgin olive oil, extra virgin Jamaican coconut oil, jojoba oil, and rosemary essential oil. Opening the jar my senses were hit with a STRONG herbal, rosemary scent. The color is an herbal color that looks like a brown/ green mixture. You can see small beads of herbs mixed inside the pomade.

Initially, I attempted to part my hair and use the pomade to twist my hair. My curly/ coily hair resisted and my twists began to unravel. So, I tried again cocktailing the pomade with a smidgen of the Shea Moisture Curling Souffle. Eureeka! This combo worked awesome and my twists stayed. Not only that, but after putting a little pomade on my scalp, it felt really refreshed.

I have been using the Sunny Isle Rosemary Pomade for a couple months and I LOVE it. I've been able to achieve moisturized twists and I use a little on my ends to keep them in good shape. This pomade is a great alternative for those who are sensitive to petroletum products. Contrary to popular belief old school petroletum products didn't work for everyone and they sure don't work for me. The best part is that it lasts a LONG time and it is healthy for the hair. Did you know that rosemary has been proven to contribute to hair growth?

Since using the Sunny Isle Rosemary Hair Pomade I've noticed moisturized, shiny, HAPPY hair. My hair doesn't feel greasy or weighed down. A little bit goes a LONG way! This wonderful pomade didn't irritate my sensitive scalp. The herbal scent does linger a little, so if you're sensitive to smells then this may not be the pomade for you.

The Sunny Isle pomades made with Jamaican Black Castor Oil also comes in Ylang Ylang and Lavendar. You can also order the Jamaican Black Castor oil with these oil mixtures. They are all natural and affordable.

What products do you recommend for preserving protective styles?

5 Dangerous Hair Practices That Cause Major Damage

There are so many great YouTube tutorial vids out there, but beware... Most of the persons doing tutorials ARE NOT hair experts. They are the experts to THEIR hair. Keep in mind what works for some does NOT work for all.

I was watching the viral video with the young lady who was doing a hair curling tutorial and she burnt off her hair. She was calmly talking and the smoke was sizzling as she continued to talk. When she pulled the curling iron away her curled hair was still attached to it! Oh, the horror!! Surprisingly enough.. I did the SAME thing to my bangs when I had relaxed hair. Burnt hair IS NOT a good look!!

I've decided to count down the top hair practices that can cause hair loss in some individuals. In fact, I have had personal experiences with many of these dangerous practices. It is my hope by sharing that someone will take precaution and not lose handfuls of hair.

TOP 5 DANGEROUS HAIR PRACTICES

#1. Using products that cause your scalp to burn. A little tingle is not dangerous but if you feel flames starting then that is a BAD sign. Wash your hair and scalp IMMEDIATELY and rinse it well. A few years ago I used a product by Dr. Miracle that caused the burn and I thought it was working. Instead, I ended up with red, irritated bald spots in the area where it was applied. I understand and recognize that some people love these products, but I'm sharing MY experience. Someone else might find that a specific natural oil causes and irritation.

#2. Using hair tools that rip the hair out and cause broken hairs. Combs that have close together teeth and hard brushes are a definite NO. While I don't totally finger detangle, I will say that when using combs and brushes, I am EXTRA careful. Wide tooth combs are way better than the combs with the close together teeth. Detangling brushes like the Tangle Teezer are great but can cause further damage on fine hair. Don't pull snarles. Take your time and detangle from the ends up.

#3. Using products with heavy dyes and fragrances. Some people are not sensitive to dyes and fragrances. But, then there are those of us who have to use products with no dye or fragrance. How does this cause hair loss? Skin allergies translate to scalp allergies. If it irritates your skin then it will irritate your scalp. I've had to return or throw away MANY products because the dyes caused sores and lesions on my scalp. I didn't understand the culprit until my dermatologist told me that I am allergic to dyes. While a product may seem enticing, I pass if it has dye in it.

#4. Using hair accessories that have metal pieces. Now this hair practice is particularly damaging. You find a beautiful hair accessory and you look forward to wearing it. So, you wear it in your hair then go to take it out. Chunks of hair come out with it. Why? Because the metal piece gets caught on some of your hair. Be CAREFUL. A pretty accessory IS NOT worth hair loss.

#5. Manipulating hair TOO tight to achieve a style. You want to achieve a high hair bun, two strand twists, or fake pony and you brush, brush, brush then pull it SO tight that your eyes are stretched. You've achieved the hair style, but your edges are thinning and other parts of your hair are breaking off. Was it worth it? I've learned the hard way that forcing my hair into certain styles takes a toll on hair length retention. Some styles just AREN'T going to happen until my hair grows a little. While some styles may NEVER happen. I've accepted that fact and I've moved on.

What are some dangerous hair practices that you feel stunt hair growth and/or cause hair loss?

World Class Hair Regimens: Building an International Regimen-Part 1

Hair regimens are so fun to build and even moreso when you incorporate hair tips from other cultures! Why are international hair regimens SO effective? They contain tried and true methods for hair growth. These hair growth aids have been used for centuries to grow and maintain voluminous locs.

When I was newly natural I became so interested in finding out how different cultures grew and maintained LONG, beautiful hair. From the lengthy black tresses of the Polynesian, Samoan, and Aborigine people to the gorgeous braids and locs of Carribean and African people, I wanted to know how various people successfully retained hair length. Was it a magical elixer? My curiosity led me to make connections and similarities amongst cultures.

#1. Gentle cleansing removes build up from the scalp and establishes an environment conducive to growth. The plain, old country folk of the U.S. know that there are many uses for apple cidar vinegar including cleansing the scalp. An apple cidar vinegar rinse also balances the PH level on the scalp. The Native American people used the Yucca plant for cleansing. Yucca is known for its natural ability to soap up. Also, yucca is famous for aiding in growth. Shea Moisture Yucca & Baobab soap provides gentle cleansing and aids in thickening the hair. It has a light sense and creamy white pearlescent color.

#2. Oiling the hair and scalp provides antibacterial protection and it seals in moisture. The Aryvedic oil treatments of India provide great benefits for sealing in moisture. Even if you can't afford the more exotic oils, coconut oil has amazing penetrating properties and benefits. Essential oil, such as tea tree has been used by the Aborigine for centures as an antifungal treatment. Jamaicans and Haitians both use castor oil for the hair and skin to keep it moisturized and free of problems. In fact, castor oil is known to produce healthy hair and heal skin conditions. For added benefit try Jamaican Black Castor oil with coconut or lavender oils. You might even blend your own oils to boost the benefits.

#3. The food of champions helps hair to grow long and strong. It is no secret that exotic diets provide the nutrition essential to health and gorgeous hair. Our hair is like a billboard for what is going on inside of our bodies. Exotic spices, consummable oils, fresh fruits and vegetables are excellent for establishing and maintaining good health. The delicious pineapple used in many dishes contains bromeide, a chemical that helps flush your system of excess water.Spicy foods, such as those that contain curry kick up flavor and helps to satiate you.

Readers, what parts of your regimen is borrowed from other cultures?

Lessons from the Hairball & Beyond!

Looking back on my hair journey I can truly say that I have learned from my challenges AND milestones. It is important to not only learn from your mistakes, but also your successes. Just the other day I was styling my hair and I noticed how it is longer and thicker. I also noticed that I don't have as many split ends as I used to have earlier in my hair journey. Finally, it occurred to me that I don't use as much product to style my hair even though it is longer. So, what changed?

Lesson #1. Consistency
I noticed that even if I skipped one day if moisture then my hair would not have a major setback. But, if I had a full week of consistent moisture and sealing, then by the next month my hair was in GREAT shape. This concept is similar to diet and exercise. If you have an off day then get back up and keep going.

Lesson #2. Perseverence
When I look back at my hair journey and even now as I continue on growing my hair out, I have persevered. If you have suffered from a scalp condition and/ or hair loss like me, then you'd understand that you must NEVER stop trying. The proof is in the curl. I kept trying to improve my hair and scalp. As a result, my scalp is significantly better and my hair is growing well.

Lesson #3. Responsibility
I've learned that my hair journey is MY responsibility and no one else's. Thanks to blogger, Golden Blaze at goldenblaze.blogspot.com, for reminding me to trust my own instincts. Products and techniques are not cookie cutter, so I must discover what works best on my hair. This means reading ingredients and researching to determine if it is something that I should invest in.

Lesson #4. Appreciation
I keep photos of my hair in different stages to celebrate my milestones. I can see a visual of when my hair reached past my nose; chin; and now to my chest. It is a reminder to be grateful for every inch of healthy hair on my head. I remember when I could barely get my hair into twists and there were bald spots that I hid with scarves. I'm SO appreciative of my hair becoming healthier and longer.

Lesson #5. Acceptance. So what if my hair doesn't curl the same way another natural's does! So what if my hair isn't as thick or long as someone else's. My hair type is a part of my DNA and it is what makes me unique. It makes me proud of my ancestry and the glorious function of my Afro textured hair. THIS hair is amazing and it allows me to go from curly fro to picked out fro, picked out fro to twists, twists to twist outs, twist outs to blowouts, blow outs to flat ironed. I mean, the possibilities are endless. I accept my unique and versatile hair.

Readers, what great lessons are you learning along the way in your hair journey?

Cocktail n- Style!

Channel your inner mixtress!! Cocktails aren't just for happy hour fun or dinner party hijinks!! Curlies have been cocktailing products for effectiveness for years. One product by itself doesn't produce the results, but two make it just right! So, if you've ever felt like Goldilocks and you just can find the "right" product, then get ready to be bold and experiment with cocktailing.

How do you know what to cocktail? Well, there are many ways to cocktail without making a mess of your hair. But, be warned.. cocktailing can come with a price. If you're an adventurous curly, then this may be for you. You might just produce the perfect product for conditioning, styling, or refreshing.

Cocktailing has helped my hair tremendously. Because of cocktailing I can now have two strand twists that hold together with very little frizz. I remember watching YouTuber Charjay mix together a gel and pomade together and that gave me the idea to mix together the products that I used separately. The first time I did it, my hair felt like it rejoiced. I had the juiciest, firm twists ever!

Here are some easy ways to get your feet wet in experimenting with cocktailing:

1.Conditioner cocktails can allow the hair to receive optimal moisture. Mixing a thick conditioner with another slippery conditioner can give you the perfect mix for deep conditioning or rinse out. Get your favorite deep conditioner and the desired amount of rinse out conditioner.

2. Styler cocktails help the hair to hold style longer. Sometimes a gel by itself doesn't hold the hair well. But, if you combine gel with pomade then there is a moist yet medium hold. Experiment with the amount of gel and pomade to get your desired hold. My all time favorite cocktail is the Nubian Heritage Edge Taming Taffy with the Shea Moisture Curling Souffle.

3. Spritz cocktails can give the hair a boost to condition and moisturize the hair. Add your favorite leave-in with a little water and/or aloe vera juice. For super conditioning add oils, such as castor, jojoba, or grapeseed.

Make sure you test a small amount of your cocktail on a small section of your hair BEFORE using it on your entire head. Often times, cocktailing takes practice but it is SO worth it when you get the desired result.

Readers, what products have you experimented with cocktailing?