Captured Curls of the Week: Tamika

I am pleased to introduce to this beautiful lady and her BEAUTIFUL hair!

Tamika has great hair and a great story.

Read Below!

Tell me about YOU

My name is Tamika, I am DC Born, and Maryland raised. I currently work as an administrative assistant, sales associate at Urban Outfitters, and personal assistant to Designer Kenny “KAS” Flannagan of Kas Collection Inc. (www.kascollectioninc.com). I am also an aspiring fashion designer, so working with Kas has been a wonderful experience for me. Coming this spring semester I will be a Fashion Design student at Marymount University.. YAY lol

3.Tell me your hair care regimen (do you use heat, natural products, ect...)

My regimen is simple. I wash and DC my hair every 2 weeks, but if I feel it is a bit too dry i CO Wash when needed. At night I braid my hair in 6 cornrows to keep it from getting matted while sleep and just take them out in the morning. I dont use heat to often on my hair unless I am going to get my hair done, only then do I blow dry my hair. As far as products go, I wouldn't say I'm a product junkie but I do have a few right now my favorites are Carol's Daughter Hair milk, and Lisa's Hair elixer for daily moistureizers. Carol's Daughter Healthy Hair butter to smooth down edges and frizz, and I also use this product when doing flat twists. I DC with a bunch of different conditioners Giovoni's and colesterol conditioners, also the Organix.. Gotta get me some Safi Hair care products and try those too =)

4.Tell me your texture and what works best on your hair type

I am a 4b hair type, so my hair looooves moisture. The above products I listed have not failed me so I'm going to stick with those, and whatever else I find along the way that gives me the results I want.

5.Tell me the reaction you got when first going natural

I first started going natural October of 08 and by the time January 08 rolled around I was attending North Carolina A&T so everyone already thought I was completely natural lol. I received great reactions give or take a few like one chick saying "girl you need a perm" and what not lol.

6.Did you BC or transition, if so when or for how long?

I transitioned from October 2008 until May or June of 2009 then cut off all the relaxed ends I had left.

What makes you love your kinks, curls and coils?

It's sooooo versatile!! I can wear it straight, curly, braided... whatever I want. I love it!

8. Where can we find you on the web?

My twitter, and my blog

www.twitter.com/meeekmillz

www.versitilesimplicity.blogspot.com

DIY: Hot Oil Treatment

                                                                                                     

Yesterday I decided to make a quick and easy hot oil treatment for my hair.

It turned out well so I HAD to share the recipe with you all.

You can find the ingredients and measurements below:

You will need the following:

1.1/3 cup Vatika Coconut Oil

2. 1tsp Jamaican Black Castor Oil

3.1 tsp Bhringgaraj Oil

4. 3 tsp Honey

5. 1/2 cup Conditioner

Step ONE:

Add all of the oils and honey to a microwaveable bowl

and "nuke" the mixture in the microwave for about 35 seconds.

*be careful this stuff gets HOT*

Step TWO:

Whisk the warm oils together.

Make sure that the honey is NOT sticking to the bottom of the bowl.

Honey is a great humectant for the hot summer months.

Step THREE:

Add your fave conditioner to your oil mixture.

I chose "Organix" Coconut Milk because

it smells DIVINE 

and it gives my hair a great feel once rinsed.

**This conditioner DOES contain "cones" for all my ladies who

rather not use them**

Step FOUR:

Mix everything very well before you apply to

your hair.

I suggest parting the hair in sections before applying.

You can also put the mix in a spray bottle

for easier application.

** Appy this to hair that has been RINSED WITH WARM WATER.

The cuticles of the hair will be lifted

and ready to receive moisture.

Let sit for 15-30 

and rinse with cold water to seal the cuticle back in place**

ENJOY!

xoxo,

Alex

Captured Curls of the Week: Kinky Kurly Queen of Naturally Obsessed!

I am so EXCITED to have 

my favorite natural hair blogger featured today.

She has been my inspiration since I big chopped and

I am truly grateful that I found her blog.

KKQ was one of my biggest supporters when I first launched Safi.

She helped me get the word out via Twitter

and she is always willing to try my new products

and give me feedback!

So my beautiful ladies, I am pleased to present to you

Kinky Curly Queen of Naturally Obsessed.

2.Tell me about YOU

 Hi ladies, my name is Shana. I'm a wife, proud parent to my 3 year old niece, daughter, sister and student.  Constantly growing as a woman and striving to be better. Most people think I'm very serious, but I'm actually quite silly and can be pretty random at times lol. Reality TV, Food Network and cupcakes are my guilty pleasures. Oh yeah and I'm team PISCES!!

 

 3. Tell me your hair care regimen (do you use heat, natural products, ect...)

I shampoo and I try to do a Cassia Obovata treatment once a month.  I keep forgetting to order more Cassia which is the reason I 've been slacking on treatments, my hair loves and misses this stuff.  I co-wash and deep condition once a week. I don't straighten my hair very often, maybe once or twice a year to trim my ends.  When I do flat iron it I use beyond The Zone's Turn Up The Heat to protect my hair. 

Some of my favorite products at the moment are Bee Mine Nourishing Shampoo, Giovanni Smooth As Silk & Tea Tree Triple Threat Conditioners, Bee Mine Curly Butter & Hair Milk, Suave Almond & Shea Butter Conditioner, Safi Avocado Shea Butter and Clear EcoStyler Gel.

At this time I'm obsessed with twist outs and braid outs.  They are the simplest hair styles to do on natural hair, besides the puff.  I usually twist or braid on wet hair, rock some cute updo's for a couple days and then BAM...a bangin twist or braid out.  Saves me tons of time and hair, since my hair doesn't tangle easily with these styles.

 

4. Tell me your texture and what works best on your hair type?

My texture is of the 4a variety, there is a little bit of 3c on the top...just a little bit.  My curls are tight and kinky and if I don't detangle properly or wrap my hair at night, I'll have single strand knots like crazy.  I get tons of shrinkage, which used to bother me, now I embrace it my style options are endless because of it.  Trust me trying to fight it will only lead to you to being frustrated.  Low manipulation and protective styling has done wonders for the health my hair.

 

5. Tell me the reaction you got when first going natural?

I didn't really get many negative reactions from others, my insecurities came from within.  I was so nervous and scared of what others would think that I hid my hair under micro braids for about 3-4 months.  During that time I really had time to think about what going natural would me for me. And then I got over myself and took the weave out.  Since going natural I've motivated my friend, my sister and two of my sister in laws to go natural.   

 

6. Did you BC or transition, if so when or for how long?

I was waay to chicken to BC and rock a TWA, so I transitioned for a year and a half until I felt I was ready.  I finally cut the relaxed ends in December of 2007.  However I didn't begin to wear my natural hair until March or April of 2008.  I've been weave and relaxer free ever since!

 

7. What makes you love your kinks, curls and coils?

 That they are mine! Doesn't matter if we share the same numbers and letters(hair typing), my hair is my own.  I try my best to encourage other naturals to love and appreciate the own like I do. Telling my you wish you had my hair is not flattering to me...at all! You can't allow yourself to get so caught up someone else's texture that you lose interest in your own. 

8. Where can we find you on the web?

Blog: http://NaturallyObsessed.OnSugar.Com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/KinkyKurlyQueen

YouTube: http://youtube.com/KinkyKurlyQueen

Fotki: http://member.fotki.com/kinkykurlyqueen

9. Anything EXTRA you want us to know? The key to enjoying and really thriving through your natural hair journey is love and acceptance of self.  Self is love is golden and can't nobody take it away from you.  Thanx for the feature Alex and be beautiful ladies ♥

Baby's Curls!

So my daughter's curls were POPPIN today!

I used my Curl Clouds and Avocado Shea Butter on her hair this A.M.

along with a Aloe Vera Juice/Glycerin Spritz!

See below for pics:

Chunky Twist Out

So, lately at night I have been twisting my hair in big twists.

I love the outcome  of my hair in the morning!

It's soft, manageable and NOT smushed to my head.

When I unraveled the twists today I used my curl clouds product...

I must say I LOVE THIS stuff! *tooting my own horn*

Here are some pictures:

(This jar is for sale on my Etsy, there is only ONE in stock until next week.

click here to see the listing)

I WAS FEATURED ON: The BGLH Blog

It was such a honor to be featured on 

BGLH's Blog!

Her blog is one of my favorites to visit so when she was asked me

to be the style icon of the week 

OF COURSE I said "Yes!"

Click here to see my feature.

THANKS AGAIN BGLH!

(I will be a Black Girl with Long Hair sooner than later! I can't wait for my BIG BUSH!)

Captured Curls: La La of Domini Chulinda Blog

I am pleased to introduce you to one of my FAVORITE BLOGGERS!

She is GORGEOUS and has BEAUTIFUL hair.

Read her story below and visit her by clicking the links provided..

2. Tell me about YOU

I’m a twin to a boy who is a Piscean like myself (but of course). I’m a lover to the same guy for 5 years and we so happen share the same birthday (2 years apart). I love animals and wanted to by a NYPD (good Bronx catholic kid) until I discovered the shady side of the law. College graduated (Bonnie Siegler is my hero).Freelance designer. The world knows me as Lala.

3. Tell me your hair care regimen (do you use heat, natural products, etc...)

A. I tend to Co-wash (conditioner only) my hair a lot with a hydrating creamy conditioner that’s on the TLC side.  I’ve used Tresemme Naturals Conditioner as well as Devacurl one conditioner and both works great! I even use v05 moisturizing conditioner to do the trick.

 B. After I wash my hair and squeeze out the access water I place it in four sections since my hair is very dense I need to make sure I get everything.

C. I spritz a mist of some sort to each section piece after piece (because I work within the 4 section). I love making my mist (aloe vera juice, glycerin, water, etc.). or using something pre-made CHI Keratin Mist Spray, CHI Curl Preserve Low pH Leave-In Conditioner or the infusium spray  mixed with some oil.

Let the hair air dry…no heat.

D. Apply Yes to cucumber conditioner or a creamy conditioner to each section as a leave-in or Tresemme Bouncy Curls + Shea butter mix.

When the second week approaches I shampoo with Tresemme's Naturals Shampoo.

4. Tell me your texture and what works best on your hair type

My hair is considered to be “4a Hair Type” Which means it’s tightly coiled. This hair type leads to breakage if not cared correctly for. My hair is so dry that it’s fragile and breaks with any forceful handling so I pretty much try to do everything at a soft paste.  For protective hair styles I tend to lean towards twist-outs and buns since for low manipulation hair styles as well as afros.

  

5. Tell me the reaction you got when first going natural:

Well, when I first decided to chop my hair I was alone in my head with a head full of breakage.  I just chopped without thinking twice.  Everyone had no choice, but to support it…and you know what? They did automatically. The support system was out of the woodworks. My mom and sister are natural so the two most important people loved it. My boyfriend loves my hair like this verse straight and he has like 2a hair type.

6. Did you BC or transition, if so when or for how long?

I did the big chop. So I’ve been natural (grew all my hair on my head) for 3 years it will be in December 2010.

7. What makes you love your kinks, curls and coils?

 I love waking up to a hair that pretty much has its own rules. So, no middle man full with bochinche involved lol. I know at times I do want to flatten it, but my boyfriend always there to say …”why did you go natural in the first place? to be free of heat …etc”

8. Where can we find you on the web?

- Blog: http://dominichulinda.blogspot.com

- Twitter: http://twitter.com/dominichulinda

- Youtube: http://youtube.com/vitalbuzz

9. Anything EXTRA you want us to know?

Thanks so much for featuring me!! It means a lot. 

Bentonite Clay Hair Mask: Take 2

Today is July 4th!

Happy Independence day my natural hair beauties!

I hope you all are having a great day.

I decided that CoCo Puff needed some love today.

I had some more of my Bentonite Clay mask left over from my last

application--SOOOO I decided to put some on my hair.

I am pretty sure my hair thanked me. 

She was feeling really dry and brittle. 

This D.C. heat is taking a toll on my hair.

I am really considering getting a weave or Senegalese twist's.

Protective style challenges are about to rule my summer.

I am trying to retain length and grow my hair long.

This heat is not helping! LOL.

Hopefully my hair mask will put some moisture back in CoCo puff.

:-)

After:

I had Oyin Handmade's Conditioner (Leave In) on my hair
along with Vatika Oil.
I decided to twist my hair up and rock a twist out this week, probably in a puff.

I will take pics when I unravel.

xoxo,
Alex

Yes! to Cucumbers

Let me start by saying that I LOVE YES TO CUCUMBERS.

It works so well.

I washed my hair this A.M.

applied my Vatika oil and the Fluffy Shea Butter I made yesterday

to my hair...

then I put a quarter sized amount of the YTC

in my palm and massaged it through my wet hair.

OMG.

Coco Puff was in heaven.

She LOVED it too. 

LOL.

My curls starting sucking up the moisture and they seemed to become more defined.

I shook the access water out of my hair and added JUST A LITTLE

ECO Styler Gel w/ Olive Oil.

VOILA!

My hair was done. 

SOOOOOO easy!

The YTC left my hair soft, bouncy and fluffy.

I am so glad I found this product!