Two Cent Tuesday!

Hello again my lovelies! It's a beautiful day to review some of the products I've been using for the past month. Some I've used for a shorter period, so I've decided to do a bi-weekly review on Tuesdays of vegan/eco friendly products I've tried.

Remember a while back when I blogged about starting my friend Petra Cleary's Arbonne skin care products? Well, it was March 20th to be exact, and I've been using them daily since. So let's start off there...

1. Arbonne FC5 Complexion Revitalizing Set
arbonne.com

I decided to try Arbonne products because I wanted to get back to regular skin care regimen for my face. I liked the fact that the company touts their products are safe, eco/animal friendly, and pure. See their ingredient policy for yourself here. I also trusted Petra in recommending the right line for my skin type, which is normal to dry. This product line uses cell phytonutrient formulas to hydrate and protect the skin. Formulated in Switzerland and made in the USA, I like that the line contains the following extracts: kiwi, strawberry, mango, carrot, and pumpkin. Each has its own properties. Check out the science here! I used the hydrating cleanser twice daily, and it left my skin clean without being overly dry. I followed that with daytime moisturizer, which includes an SPF 20 sunscreen (important!), and then at night I used the moisturizing night creme. Both moisturizers felt great when applied; not too heavy or greasy. The night creme is my favorite though-it felt very luxurious and has a nice scent to it.

FC5 Hydrating Cleanser and Freshener (contains strawberry extract)

FC5 Nurturing Day Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 20 (contains kiwi extract)

FC5 Moisturizing Night Creme

There is also the Complexion Perfecting Set if you have oily skin.

What's the bottom line? Recommended

I really like the way this skin care line makes my face feel and look. The only thing I felt like I missed was a separate exfoliating wash, just because I like the way my face feels after I exfoliate. However, overall, it's a pretty simple routine and easy to stick to. It may be a bit pricey for some. I bought the set, which is $98 (valued at $108). But, I still have some left, which has lasted about 3 months. At roughly $30 per month or less for the set, it's a pretty good value for quality, natural ingredients. You can purchase separately as well. Arbonne has lots of other products, including health and wellness items. Click on the link above to explore the site!

2. TRESemme Naturals Aloe Vera and Avocado Conditioner

http://www.tresemme.com/Products/Naturals/

I first heard about TRESemme's line of natural products from fellow YouTuber MahoganyCurls. Her hair is gorgeously healthy, so I decided to give it a try. The collection claims to have low sulfate shampoos and silicone-free conditioners which are formulated with USDA certified organic ingredients. They also claim to leave your hair 10x stronger after just one use. Read more here.

Since I'm always on the search for natural hair care products, I decided to give this a try. As you may already know, I cowash about twice weekly depending on how intense my workouts are. There are several Naturals conditioners including Vibrantly Smooth with coconut oil and jojoba, but I purchased the Aloe Vera and Avocado Nourishing Moisture. I found it at K-Mart for $5.99.

I detangled my hair with water and aloe vera juice as usual, and then applied the conditioner in the shower, working through my hair and leaving on for about 5 minutes. After rinsing out, my hair felt amazingly soft and the curls were even more defined than when I used my home made banana conditioner =/

It definitely was shiny, and there was very little shedding afterwards. As stated previously, my hair is very curly and tends to be dry, but this conditioner made a big difference it how it felt. It also smells sooo good!

What's the bottom line? Highly Recommended

I have to say, I am pleasantly surprised with this product and would recommend it to any natural girl no matter what hair "type", but especially if you want to focus on moisturizing and strength. I will definitely be purchasing again when this bottle is finished!

If you have any comments, or have used any of the products above and want to comment-please do! If you have a natural product that you would like me to review, send me a message with the details and I'll get back to you asap! I'll be back in two weeks with more reviews.

Until next time,

Love and Happiness,

Nikki

What's in my hair???

Healthy hair on a woman (or man, for that matter) is always a beautiful thing. Usually, it becomes the topic of conversation and questions then follow about what you do to maintain it.

Plus, I promised this a while back. =/

I transitioned from chemically treated hair to natural hair back in 2008. I have always had a relaxer in my hair from about the age of 12 or so. My hair is naturally thick, coarse, and was always on the drier side growing up. It would get to shoulder length, and then break off. No one knew how to care for it, including me. Remember Dax hair grease?? Ugh!

In college, I just decided to braid it because it was easier to maintain. During those 4 years or so, I noticed as my relaxer grew out, my natural texture was gorgeous and it grew like crazy! I wished I had the knowledge back then on how to care for my natural hair, because I would have saved myself a lot of heartache in upcoming years. After I graduated, I went back to a relaxer, cut it into a fierce bob and rocked it! It was cute, but my hair started breaking again.

Finally, I decided to learn about my hair and how to take care of it. I was determined to have gorgeous locks like my Trinidadian grandmother, and like my birth mother. Although I don't really know her, the pics I saw of her showed THE most amazing Angela Davis type fro I've ever seen.

I truly have to credit girls like AFROSTORY, misskrisnew, Rusticbeauty, whoissugar, and SO many more natural girls on YouTube who taught me how to embrace, love, and grow my hair the way it was intended. Although I didn't "big chop" and start from scratch, I just trimmed the relaxed ends off as my hair grew, and within 6 months or so, I had no more relaxer left.

I LOVE my hair. I have to say that I thought I could flat iron it (of course using heat protectant) in the summer and it would stay straight. Unfortunately, the summer humidity of Atlanta laughed at that plan. Which worked out just fine because all that heat started to break it off again. Yikes!! So during the summer, I twist out or roller set, and in the cooler months I roller set and occasionally flat iron. My hair is now about 20 inches long, or armpit length (APL) when straight. I started at about ear length. If it weren't for the heat damage along my journey, my hair would definitely be at my goal of bra strap length (BSL)now 3 years later, but setbacks are good because they force you to learn what works.

Here's what I've learned:

1. LISTEN TO YOUR HAIR! Not everything someone else does for their hair will work for yours. Honey is supposed to be a natural hair girl's dream moisturizer. My hair detests it. It just gets hard and crunchy. Organic Shea Butter, sealed with sweet almond oil and/or olive oil works best for me.

2. Use very little products at one time to see what works best for you. I used to run out and buy everything under the sun to get my hair softer, longer, shinier, etc. Except I didn't know what the hell was working and what wasn't. Plus, it was a waste of money! Now I keep it pretty simple and my hair thanks me.

3. Drink lots of water, eat fresh foods, exercise, and massage your scalp. Daily. Period. It's an internal and external endeavour. You can't eat processed junk foods, live a stressful life, and be unbalanced yet expect your hair to grow just because you have a great regimen.

4. Supplements are fine for me, but I keep it at 2 only : Biotin 10mg daily (one 5,000mcg caps twice daily), and B12 tab daily since I'm vegan. That's it. I try to get the rest of my vitamins and supplements from my diet of fruits, veggies, legumes, grains, and almond milk.

5. Be patient and consistent. Natural black hair takes a lot of attention and time. I dedicate Saturday or Sunday to wash (or co-wash), deep condition, moisturize, twist, then air dry. I trim the ends every 4-6 weeks and continue to educate myself on what's best for my hair.

6. Detangle slowly, and the less heat the better. My hair is very coily and I have to detangle and be careful with heat to avoid breakage.

So here's a list of my common hair products. I also clarify every so often with an apple cider vinegar wash, and try to avoid any cones or unnatural ingredients in my hair products.


1. Sweet Almond Oil

 I buy this from The Vitamin Shoppe, $4.99
 I massage this into my scalp daily and seal the ends of my hair after a wash.

2. Tea Tree Oil

I bought mine at Walmart, about $8

I only use this once or twice per week, mixed with another oil since it is an essential oil. It has a lot of properties such as antibacterial and anti fungal. It helps unclog my hair follicles and help to stimulate growth.


3. Jamaican Black Castor Oil

I've yet to find in stores. I buy mine at Sam's Caribbean online store, 4 oz $6.99

The site claims: Tropic Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil (JBCO) is know to cleanse toxins from the scalp, nourish and thicken the hair, stimulate hair growth, moisturize dry brittle hair, repair split ends, and give hair body and bounce.
Yessir! It has done all that for my hair. I buy the one with lavender added for better scent and the added hair growth benefits lavender is attributed with. The oil is very thick, and not much is needed. My has has grown about 1/2 inch or so per month since I've started using it. I especially massage into my hairline area which had become weak from years of tight braiding, and this oil has done wonders for it!

4. Khoret Amen Hair Smoothie

 I purchased at Carol's Daughter, along with the Khoret Amen Hair oil for $20.

I use the deep conditioner to help detangle roughly once monthly. I use the oil about 2-3 times weekly. They both have a very strong scent, but the olive oil, ylang oil, rapeseed oil and sunflower oil LOVES my hair. It defines my curls, and gives slip well.  I think it's the patchouli that gives it the strong scent, but it disappears by morning =)

5. Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Replenishing Conditioner

I buy this at Sally's Beauty Supply, about $5

This is my go to conditioner. It makes my hair soft as ish (ew...sorry, but it does!) and smells great. I use it for my co-washes (conditioner washes) when I don't want to use drying shampoos, and also sometimes as a deep conditioner under a plastic cap for about an hour. LOVES!

6. Aloe Vera Gel (organic)

 I buy mine at Sprouts Farmer's Market, about $4

I use this to both moisturize and tame the frizzies when I wear my twist outs in the summer.

7.  Biotin and B-12

 I buy mine at various pharmacies. I got these last at Kroger, 2 for 1 $9

I don't like to give out dosages for supplements or any meds to people because, 1. I'm a medical professional, and 2. Everyone's body responds differently. So PLEASE know that this is what works FOR ME. That being said, biotin is known to cause skin breakouts if you start off with a high dose, so start lower and see what works for you. I had to increase my dose to 10,000mcg (10mg) daily before I saw significant growth. It works for me. Beware, though...your hair growth everywhere speeds up =/

Oh, and my nails will look like claws if you aren't careful =/ 
B12 helps also with my metabolism, allowing the body to use fats, protein, and carbs to grow skin, hair and nails.

8. Nubian Heritage 98% Organic Shea Butter

 The Vitamin Shoppe, $11.49

Pure Shea butter is a gift to my hair. I massage it in daily and it keeps my hair soooo soft! Nubian Heritage has different varieties; the one I use is infused with neem oil, Haitian vetiver, and Indian hemp, as well as the Raw Shea Butter, 99%  organic. It smells amazeballs! Rub it in your palms for a bit so it can melt before you massage in.

9. Mane 'n Tail Herbal Gro Shampoo

Sally's Beauty Supply, about $5

I know, I know. It's for horses...but it works!! I only use this about 2x/month because it does contain some 'cones (way down on the ingredient list) and sodium laureth sulfate (second ingredient). However, the majority of ingredients are natural, and herbal. Plus it's tingly. I love to tingle. I'm currently on the prowl for a natural shampoo, so leave me suggestions if you have any.


10. My hair on wash day! :D

Just wanted to show the texture of my hair as it has grown out over the years. This is 100% natural texture without any chemicals.

 Conditioned and sectioned off in twists. Sexxxy, lol!

Combed out, flat ironed and curled =)




Well, there it is...my hair regimen and journey so far. I'm happy with my progress and my goal for next year is at least 6 inches of growth. At a 1/2 inch per month, that's pretty realistic. I'll show you guys my progress in June 2012!! Let's goooo!

Love & Happiness,

Nikki