My Staple Products

So as I mentioned in my previous post, my hair officially turned two years old. I thought I should mention a few of my staple products that have never failed me.

I’m not a hair-typer, but for those who do, I believe I have two textures in my hair. The back is 4A and the rest of it for the most part is 4B. I know these producs won't work for everyone, but hopefully some of them will.

Let’s get to it:

My go to shampoo is Scalp TherapeShampoo Organix South I buy it from well.ca (free shipping in Canada). I know some of you are avid cowashers, but I need to wash my hair every week with shampoo. It’s a natural product that does not give me a lot of lather. The scent is not amazing, but I love how it washes all of the residue from my hair and scalp, without irritation which is important for me.

My go to conditioner and deep conditioner is Tresemme Naturals. It’s just magical. I get great slip from this product and I find it makes my hair easier to finger detangle while in the shower. When using as a deep conditioner, I any natural oil on hand.

My go to leave-in is still the Kimmaytube Leave-in with Kinky Curly Knot Today. I know Kim Love now has her own  product line, that I’ m sure it is wonderful, but I haven’t tried it yet and as of right now this leave-in mixture has been great for my hair. I’ve loved the Knot Today, ever since I began transitioning and it has done nothing but good things for my hair.

My go to styler is Jane Carter's Curl Defining Cream. I came across this product by chance at an iHeartmyHair event. I’ve experimented with others and they have been OK, but I always end up re-purchasing the Curl Defining Cream.

My go to gel is EcoStyler – Morrocan Argan Oil. I love this stuff.  It slicks my hair back like no nobody’s business, especially after a misting of water. I often end up wearing a puff or updo, a few days before wash day, since my hair is not interested in doing anything else at that point.

My go to oil is Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. First of all I love the smell of coconut and the way it just melts in my hands. I use it to seal moisture in my hair and to even style flat twists when it’s too early in the week to use gel.

My go to butter is my Shea Butter mixture. There is something about making something nourishing for your tress. My hair loves it and I use it for everything from styling, sealing or even as a body cream. I will say, that I do not use it all the time, it really depends on how I feel and what my hair needs.

I'm looking for great protein conditioner. I need something mild. So if you have any suggestions, send them my way.

 

Blessings and Curls,

B-Curlie 

Product frustrations

So a while ago I asked you guys for your favourite natural hair resources. I got a few replies and also started to do my own research, because I think it’s important that we have a myriad of places to go that cater to us and our hair needs across Canada. I have noticed that Walmart, Walgreens and Target have caught on in the States, that the natural hair market is a lucrative one. I wish our Canadian department store would too. On the flip-side, there is nothing wrong with giving some of the independent manufactures and distributors some support as well.

I have three theories as to why we do not see our natural products everywhere.

1^st theory:

Many live in a hair product bubble

Photo: sxc.com

I truly think those who do not have our type of hair as our, live in a hair product bubble if you will. Not on purpose, but why should they care, if everything they need is at Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart or even a local grocery store? They do not have to search for it as an entire aisle is devoted to their products, while black hair products take up less than a third of that space, and that space is usually for those with relaxed hair.

I also think many who do not have afro-textured, may think we can use the same hair products as them, and therefore would not understand why we need different products or tools.   

2^nd theory:

We aren’t loud enough

In the words of James Brown, “Say it loud, I’m black and I’m proud.” We need to inquire about our product in the stores we go to, on a regular basis. I’m guilty of this as I’m sure the rest of you are, but the truth is if we do not ask about them, we will never have a chance to see or purchase them in the big brand stores. It is 2012 and it is time we are represented in the stores that we have been spending money in for all these years.

3^rd theory:

The Curlie Lifestyle is relatively new

I know rocking natural hair is not new for everyone, but over the last 5-10 years, I think it has really come into its own. In the past it was more so thought of as political statement, but now it’s a form of self-love and to maintain healthy hair without chemicals.  So, if you think about it that way, the Curlie Lifestyle is really, just an adolescent.  It needs to grow and be nurtured like anything else. We have to make it important in our lives and once we do that, hopefully others will follow our lead.

Researched and submitted resources:

So far below are the ones I found or knew of. Please note that it’s also important to check your local Black Beauty Supply stores or even Sally’s, you may be pleasantly surprised. I know there are plenty of other companies/salons in Canada that provide services and products for Curlies. Help me improve this list and send your resources to share!

Online:

Blended Beauty: www.blendedbeauty.ca Phone: 1.877.470.0634
Curly Canadians: www.curlycanadians.ca

Kynk Naturals: www.kynk.ca Phone: 519.841.7559

Hair by Eli: www.hairbyeli.ca

I Love My Curls: http://storefront.ilovemycurls.ca Phone: 902.802.2409

Love Thy Hns: http://www.lovethyhns.ca

Ontario:
Curl Ambassadors: www.curlambassadors.ca

Grace Hair Studio: www.gracehairstudios.com Phone: 416.284.8523

Honey Fig www.honeyfig.com Phone: 416.226.2100

Nanni’s Natural Hair Salon www.nannisnaturalhair.com Phone: 416.243.5151

Nova Scotia:

Hy-Style Beauty Care (stylist: Pauline Patten-Bailey):  http://hy-stylebeautycare.yolasite.com  Phone: 902.431.0556.

Natural Hair Resources

I’ve received a few requests from readers asking where to buy natural hair products in Canada, not only Toronto.

I want to create a list of where Curlies and Naturals are purchasing their products across the country and abroad. For some having access to products, know-how and perhaps stylists, may be the reason they may or may not go natural. Well, I think as a community we should help each other and share ideas and hot spots for product junkies and for those who want to be pampered in a salon…LOL

My plan is to create a page that provides the following: business names, their website, their email address, their phone number and location. So please submit your favourites in the comment box below and I’ll take it from there.

Thanks for your help … I can’t wait to add your resources.

Blessings and Curls,

B-Curlie

Review of Miss Jessie's Curly Meringue & Baby Buttercreme

So a few months ago I purchased Miss Jessie’s Curly Meringue and Baby Buttercreme on sale at HoneyFig. I thought to myself, this is my chance to try these products. I did some research and I found that Curlies either really loved Miss Jessie’s products or hated them. I actually have mixed feelings about them.

Let’s start with the Curly Meringue:

This product smells delicious. It has a wonderful lemon scent that makes you want to indulge in a lemon tart, if that is your thing. The consistency is thick and creamy. I decided to use it on my freshly washed hair, after applying my leave-in. I made sure my hair was moisturized and somewhat sealed before applying the meringue. God knows I didn’t want any trouble, since there is mineral oil in it.

So I proceeded to use half of a finger-tip amount on each twist. I was very happy with the light hold and shine the product imparted on my hair. It felt soft and healthy.

After untwisting my hair, I was surprisingly very happy with the results. I will definitely use this product again.

Moving on the Baby Buttercreme:

The buttercream smells like vanilla cake, which made me happy. The consistency was very thick and buttery just like the name. I applied the product the same way as I did the Curly Meringue. It went on damp hair nicely and seemed to give it a little shine.  Once the twists dried I unraveled them. When styling and separating my twists I found that my hair felt brittle and dry. Nonetheless I worked with what I got and tried to stay positive. By day two my hair was in rough shape, very frizzy and super dry. On day three, FORGET ABOUT IT!! I slept with my satin head tie as I usually do and found a humongous mess. I was in shock! I would like to say that I did not treat my hair any differently than I do with my other twist-outs, that usually last about five days.

So I was in a little panic and almost late for work. I decided to wet my hair to try to create a puff that appeared moist and shine. It was a TOTAL FAIL. The water only made tons of white residue appear in my hair. I had a small meltdown and then savaged my hair with a few twists in the front and the rest was covered with a bean. Needless to say I will not be using the Baby Buttercream again.

Although, this was product did not work for me, it may have work for you. Tell me about your experience and if you love or hate relationships with Curly Meringue or Baby Buttercreme.



Blessings and Curls,
B-Curlie