Stay Blessed & Happy Locing!

Ask Writing Addict

Hello queen!

I just stumbled upon your website and seeing that slide show of the beautiful black women with their beautiful locs just makes me all the more eager to begin having my own.

I've been wanting dreadlocs for about almost two years now and I've tried to start with sister locs and I've tried just plain twisting, both with beeswax but they won't hold. Or the roots come undone quickly or the ends of my hair come apart, and then there's the whole fact that I want to have a nice small size to my locs and when my hair comes undone it's too thick or fat.

I've been going natural for a good almost 4 yrs without any relaxers (after doing a little research about how it damages the hair) and just having my mother braid it for me since I can hardly maintain it with just keeping it wash. I don't put anything in my hair so it's been growing.

I need help I don't know what to do to get started or what type of products to use that will keep my hair twisted and loc tight without my locs coming undone. I thought that since my hair is naturally kinky it should be locing without any hassels but it seems i'm having trouble. I'm wondering if I need to use a different type of method...

I got some advice from various people but I'm not too sure, I don't want to rush off and start something again and be disappointed with the results. I just need advice on how to get started..

I've attached three photos of my hair the afro and tried to take a pic of my scalp.

(I hope you can see the pics)

i hope the lighting is enough for you to see my hair (if the pics have uploaded correctly)

I know you get this alot,

BUT PLEASE HELP!! D:>

I want my sad face to turn into a smiley face :D

thanks in advance,

Hey Nita Boo!

Punkin welcome to the Queendom, and I will be happy to help! Now, just as you imagined I have had this question a time or two! Also, you have a whole lotta hair chile…so patience is needed in order for it to lock. Just by looking at your photos it seems as if you have texture 3B-4A (for more on hair textures click here). Its important to know your hair texture in order to know how to groom it.

If you are wanting to loc the hair the product which may work best for you would be protein gel (yes, the black kind!) mixed with shea butter, or you can use Carol’s Daughter Loc Butter, I have use it for a number of years on my 4B hair type and it holds very well. So you take a bit of gel and mix it with the shea in a separate container. Please use sparingly on the roots. Also, with the length of your hair you can start your locs any number of ways depending on the style you are achieving.

Want a manicured, salon look? Then you should section the hair into neat little boxes, about the size you want your locs to be and either braid or double strand twist the hair all over.

Want free form locs? The kind Rastafarians wear? Then grab the hair into sections and just double strand twist or braid it.

You can keep up your newgrowth by retwisting or latch hooking the hair. It is up to you darling. Want more info on how to start off locs? Click here for tutorials and videos. Click here to learn how to latchhook new growth.

I hope I have helped you in your quest. If you need further assistance please contact me by email! Keep us informed on your path to Queendom!

Stay Blessed & Happy Locing!
… Continue

Bull Semen: The Latest Hair Miracle

Bull Semen: The Latest Hair Miracle

Yep you read it right click the link above and be grossed out, or amazed at the latest hair miracle. Lawd folks are desperate...

Stay Blessed & Happy Locing!

You Nappy Headed Heffer!

Lord I just can't! I am just now reading this posting fromgrandmaskitchen.com where appaerntly a dreadlocked lady had an unpleasant encounter with another natural head female. It was some ignorance involved from both sides, but we must choose our battles wisely! Here is that posting:

I must start this post by saying that I have nothing against most women with natural hair but some of you people get on my damn nerves. In comparison to some sisters with relaxed hair who may not have a clue what they’re doing to themselves, natural women can be amongst the most nappy adverse, ill-informed people on the planet.

I went to a spoken word last night with a mixed bag of friends. After we all got together for a little drink, a little smoke and what was supposed to be an uplifting conversation. The night was going well. We were discussing some of the poets, books we’ve read, Obama and what not. We started discussing hair and that’s when everything but picks, combs and brushes were being thrown.

One of the lil girls, a natural, Nappy Headed Heffer, began to disparage dreadlocks. She said, and I quote:

I thought about growing dreadlocks but I couldn’t do it. I have to wash my hair!

I’m normally a laid-back person but I couldn’t help myself. Maybe it was the drink but all I could think to say was “YOU B*TCH!” After the oooows, aaahs and oooohs I said, “What the hell makes you think I don’t wash my hair!?”

First, I don’t appreciate being called a b*tch and you’re not going to disrespect me like that. Second, I wasn’t talking about you specifically. Third, I was under the impression that one could not wash dreadlocks.

One? One!? This Nappy Headed Heffer has a bit of book-learnin’ having gone to an Ivy League school and all so I give her props for attempting to elevate the conversation but I was already in the process of taking off my earrings and shoes and passing them to the left hand side.

I tried to compose myself because maybe I shouldn’t have called her out her name but upon fairly quick reflections I said, “HEFFER, YOU DISRESPECTED ME FIRST! I have dreadlocks. I’ve had them for over 6 years so are you not implying that I don’t wash my hair and that for the past 6 years I’ve been walking around funky? You want to sit hear and talk about how messed up White people are for putting out that Obama cartoon and its underlying tone right? Well then, one shouldn’t throw indirect stones and if one does, one shouldn’t be surprised when they’re thrown directly back.”

The conversation went on this way for some time and at the end of the night after hearing what I thought to be elevated people, with natural hair mind you, use terms like “grade,” “high yella” and “good hair,” all I could think is, where my White people? At least when they’re callous, they really may not know any better. What was these heffers excuse?

To read more of this post and the comical comments go here
You Nappy Headed Heffer!

-----------------------------------------------------

I mean I feel like I spend half my time explaining my hairstyle to people and defending my hair and choices rather than just living and enjoying my hairstyle choice. Is it even worth it? Case in point:

Today I went to go get my eyebrows threaded...I'm laid back in my chair getting taken care of and in comes a sistah talking loud and having a seat to get her eyebrows threaded. Then she proceeded to ask the Indian lady who was threading her for some advice on what to use on, "a couple of pimples, alcohol?" I almost sat upright then and give her the side-eye. Well hell the Indian woman didn't know what to tell her, so she tells her....get this, to use some body spray! That's right some body spray on the pimple cuz it has a bit of alcohol in it! LOLOLOLOL Do you know the lady just agreed and said she would try it? Rolls eyes, I just can't honey I can't!

Then in walks her teenaged daughter, who was obviously with a male friend yells out, "Got perm?" Now, I am still leaning back in my chair eyes closed, but aint nobody in there besides her ghetto ass mamma, the Indian ladies, and myself. So I cock open one eye and say firmly, "NO."

Then her mother goes, "Quisha stop it! You got jokes huh?"

So, I stood up and looked her in her eyes, and she blurted out, "Wow her dreads are long, Rasta or something!"

I just paid my bill and laughed to myself. These silly heifers. I feel like the lady at the beginning of the post.

Stay Blessed & Happy Locing!

Beauty Moment with Advanced Eye Area Therapy, NV Perricone, and Giveaway

So you Queens know I am in my mid-thirties *clears throat*, and I stay fighting all sings of aging. I will go as far as possible naturally, so when I was introduced to Advanced Face Firming Activator with Alpha Lipoic Acid and DMAE I was a bit skeptical. See, I make my own face concoction up that I smooth on at night. I am just really careful about what I use on my face. However, this cream is no joke ya'll seriously. I have been using it for about 7 days and indeed I see a difference! It is made by Dr. Perricone, who is at the forefront of anti aging skin care. This skin cream boasts the following:

Look, I have to tell you all the truth I won't sugar coat anything because no. 1 this stuff isn't cheap ($120 per bottle for a 2 fl oz bottle), and no. 2 everything doesn't work for black skin like it does for others. Still I noticed that I was starting to get large pores and lagging skin especially around my nose. I have always had fine wrinkles around my eyes, my little girl was born with them too. Still I notice the laugh lines outside of the eye area, uggh! Well honey, those pores have closed, and my skin has tightened significantly! But as for those eye wrinkles? Well, I need something else I imagine to tackle those delicate spots. It better work for$120 a bottle! Sheesh...

You only use it once a day in the morning preferably, a little goes a long way. So, I know its a lot to ask anyone; especially in this economy, but if you are experiencing lagging skin, and subltle wrinkles you might want to invest in this product.

My only pet peeve with this product? Its stinks! LOL yes....this product has a slight smell, and I hold my nose to slather it on. The smell dissipates after you rub it all in though.

Now on to my good news...


Perricone will giveaway there advanced eye therapy to one of my lucky winners! This miraculous product reduces fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness and dark circles (shew I need this!). Advanced Eye Therapy from NV Perricone boasts:

Advanced Eye Area Therapy is formulated with DMAE and Alpha Lipoic Acid to help prevent and correct the early signs of aging that appear around the delicate eye area, making us look older than we really are. It minimizes the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and puffiness, while diminishing dark circles and discoloration with Vitamin C Ester. Paraben-free.

You must answer the following question and put it in the comment section:

Why do you need a product like this for your skin, and what products didn't work, etc?

Also, you have to be a member of On the Road to Queendom and a U.S. citizen (sorry my overseas Queens, I know...)


To read rave reviews and gather more information go here:

• Advanced Eye Area Therapy
• NV Perricone

Good Luck Queens, contest ends December 4th at Midnight and winner will be announced December 5th!


Stay Blessed & Happy Locing!

I can't make this shit up....

Should we laugh at this ignorance? I mean I am sure her parents thought that this was funny. Placing the mommas lace front wig on her newborn daughters head.

This is the type of fuckery I am talking about. They start young with the foolishness. So we wont be surprised when the baby aint even 6 mos old sporting a Just for Me. I promise I can't with these people...

The mother of the baby said, “It’s never too early for my baby to start looking glamorous like Beyonce!”

The mom said she had the wig custom made with human hair to match her own lacefront. “I wouldn’t be caught dead without my lacefront and my baby won’t either!” she wrote.

This mess was found on Sandrarose.com

Stay Blessed & Happy Locing!

Arrested...

Stay Blessed & Happy Locing!

White Girl Hair

You Queens know I frequent the gym at least 3xs a week. Well, today was a gym day and also a hair wash day. Yep you guessed it! I wash my locs at the gym because I like to use up their water! LOL I know, I know I ain't right. Anyhow, I was just going about my business over at the mirrors trying to squeeze excess water out of my locs, and using my cute pink hair dryer to dry my scalp area: when a white woman who was drying her hair goes, "Excuse me, but is all that your hair? No extensions or weave or anything?" I deeply sigh because well, I have to endure this question all the time. "Why yes it is all...my hair." You know what was next, "Well that's just amazing, how long have you been growing it?" I'm thinking, 'what's so damn amazing about a black girl with long hair?' I tell her, "I've been growing it for 8 years." I turn my dryer back on because I ain't about to have this conversation with some older white woman at 7:30 in the damn morning.

Then she says it..."Well I envy you not having to wash your hair all of the time. I mean most black women say they want hair like white women but they just don't know how time consuming it is. It's a pain!"

I just smile and continue on my lil business. Seriously lady? Seriously most black women want white woman hair? What could I say? That's what the media portrays, that's what Chris Rock showed on the damn movie screen, that we black women are dying to have 'white girl hair.'

I really wanted to turn around and march right over to her and yell, "Lady all of us black women don't want no stringy white girl hair! We black women love our natural, kinky, curly, wavy hair!" But I can't say that now can I.

So I continue my ritual wrap my shit up on top of my head get dressed, and marched my happy ass right on outta that locker room.

P.S. I am in no way prejudice you all know this; but this is how I felt this morning. So for all of you who take offense of me saying stringy white girl hair...just hit the next button on the top of the blog. Thank you.


Stay Blessed & Happy Locing!

Loc'd Beauty of the Week!

This Carnival Queen's name is Naomi and she is from the Netherlands and very much in tune with her roots.


This Queen states her favorite past time is spent singing & dancing Brazilian Zouk and Samba!

I love International Queens...

Stay Blessed & Happy Locing!

The Big Chop!

Writing Addict,

Hi, Queen. How are you? Thank you for your addiction to writing. You're site is wonderful! You're bringing so many beautiful sista together in support and love.

I just cut my hair off two days ago (11/14/08). Of course I've dealt with ignorance and negativity already but I've done this for myself and no one else. I've wanted locs for about 8 years now. My scalp hurts so bad if I go over 4 weeks without a relaxer. I'm guessing it's withdrawals so I've decided to cut it all off and go without much new growth for a while so that I don't have to used a relaxer. My scalp should get used to no relaxer and then growing it out will be less painful.

What products do you recommend? Right now all I have is castor oil grease and pink oil moisturizer. I'm guessing natural products are better. What are some ways for me to start locking my hair. How should I sleep. What was your routine for the day and night when you started out?

Thanks, again, for your beautiful and empowering site.

Warmest Regards,

Karian aka Kari B.

Dearest Kari B.,

Well hello and welcome to the Queendom! We are happy to have you! So let me get this straight, you mean to tell me you hid those beautiful features, and that adorable face underneath a head full of hair (Slaps forehead)? Honey, if I had those features I would have been cut my hair off a long time ago trust that! So let’s get to it.

Yes, your scalp is in shock, your brain will send messages to you scalp to try and get you to relax your hair because it is used to the chemicals (that is why we call it creamy crack). Believe it or not from the looks of your picture you seem to have a bit of chemical still in it. Personally, I went all the way down, a total caesar cut to the scalp. You could do that as well, or else you will be looking for product that won’t necessarily take care of your real hair texture whatever that will be. This will be a fresh start you know. Don’t be afraid, doesn’t seem as if you are, to go there you, you are already practically there.

Yes, your scalp will heal; remember you have abused it for so long, with all the products and chemicals, this is not an overnight process. It will take the right products, a healthy diet, and plenty of TLC.

For the grow out process I suggest the following:

· Although you have cut it all off, remember to wash with a natural shampoo & Conditioner like the following every 3-5 days:

Organics Products in Walmart around $5 a complete line of great products

EO all natural soap. Can be used for a variety of things! Available at Whole Foods and most natural food stores.

Jamaican Mango & Lime Tingle Shampoo, most beauty supply stores. Wonderful product smells scrumptious! It will awaken your scalp and leave it clean!

· Eat a healthy diet rich in leafy greens, veggies, fresh fruit, and lots of H2O (8 glasses a day)

· Vitamins A, C, & E; a great Multi-vitamin for women should do the trick!

· Oils: Avocado, Olive Oil, Castor Oil, & Jojoba Oil (massage in the scalp nightly)

· Nice Leave In Conditioner daily

Avoid all petro products (grease), and products with mineral oil. You scalp will remember these products and revert, or crave them. Remember, you are nursing your scalp back to good health, so all natural is the way to go!

So I suggest locing when you are ready, you will need at least enough to twist about 1 ½-2 inches of new growth. However, with your new growth you might find that you don’t want to loc just yet! Your texture might surprise you and you may want to play a little at first with different natural styles.

Again, I started off with a caesar boy cut! I had designs and everything, lol!

I washed my hair sometimes every day, whenever I felt like it! It was great….

I didn’t really start using product but when I did I had enough to brush and comb. I used the exact same stuff I am advising you to use. At night nothing is needed when you do that short, except maybe a do-rag to make those busting waves :p

Have fun with it! Don’t worry about what anyone says remember this is your journey and your journey alone! Cherish it, learn from it, learn to love the real you and promise yourself you will never again punish your scalp! By the way I love your pics, but honestly Queen you look so regal and beautiful natural....

xxoo

Stay Blessed & Happy Locing!

News: Michelle Obama Gets Criticized for Her Staff Size

In the past it's been almost a tradition for America's first ladies to catch flack from their husbands' political opponents over the size of their staffs, and Michelle Obama certainly hasn't been exempt from that. Criticism of her "massive" staff has popped up on email chains, blogs, and chat rooms. But what are the facts regarding how many people are under her employ, and how does the size of her staff compare to that of past first ladies?

On July 1st of this year, the Obama White House posted the Annual Report to Congress on White House Staff on its official blog. A minor uproar over the first lady's staff size ensued. One critic atCanadianFreePress.com accused the president's wife of employing an "unprecedented number of staffers" for someone who "doesn’t perform any official duties," while a widely circulated chain email reported that "there has never been anyone in the White House at any time that has created such an army of staffers whose sole duties are the facilitation of the First Lady’s social life." Many other critics of the Obama administration expressed similar sentiments.

 

Click to read.

Nia Long Speaks about "Good Hair"

Coming out this week is 'Good Hair,' a wonderfully insightful and entertaining, yet remarkably serious, documentary about African American hair culture.

Directed by funnyman Chris Rock, the film explores hair salons and styling battles, scientific laboratories and Indian temples to explore the way black hairstyles impact the activities, pocketbooks, sexual relationships and self-esteem of black people.

Known for her roles in 'Soul Food,' 'The Best Man' and 'Love Jones,'Nia Long was among the celebrities who candidly offered her stories and observations to Rock.

In speaking with Black Voices, Long talks about her involvement, being open about the taboo subject and her short sting on 'The Cleveland Show.'

How did you end up being in the documentary? 

Click to read more.

Tags: nia long, chris rock, black news

Professor Leads Boycott of Beauty Supply Stores

Atlanta, GA October 5, 2009 - Professor Devin Robinson, an economics professor at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, GA and best-selling author of Taking it Back: How to Become a Successful Black Beauty Supply Store Owner, will lead a one week long boycott against Non- Black Owned Beauty Supply stores.

Robinson stated, "Blacks make up 96% of the consumers of these stores, yet represent less than 5% of the retail ownership." As a previous owner of 3 locations, Robinson understands the industry inside out and offers comprehensive solutions for Blacks to recapture this industry. "The problem is with the distributors. Distributors are mainly Non-Blacks and they handpick who they will distribute products to. This oftentimes leaves aspiring black owners disenfranchised", said Robinson.

The national boycott will take place from November 16^th - 22^nd and will be highly supported by some of the country's top Black Media. Robinson, who founded Taking it Back University (www.takingitbackblack.com), has been featured in Ebony Magazine for his work surrounding this issue and over the years has been working closely with his friend, syndicated radio host, Michael Baisden to keep the awareness high.

Robinson expects this one-week boycott to be an automatic people-designed stimulus package for the Black community. He said, "If Blacks only shop with Black-owned beauty supply stores for this one week, we can expect to send $66.5 Million to the black communities. This will send a clear message to distributors on how valuable the black retailer can be."

Robinson will tour the country assisting with rallies and building awareness during the boycott. His tour begins with a Boycott Launch Banquet organized by The Black Hair Project in St. Louis, MO, where he will be the keynote speaker along with other prominent beauty industry professionals.

To schedule an interview or appearance with Professor Devin Robinson please contact: The Going Against the Grain Group at 202-684-6699.

Contact:

Going Against the Grain Group
Taking it Back University

Ph: 202-684-6699

www.takingitbackblack.com

www.iamgoingagainstthegrain.com

www.devinrobinson.com

Taking it Back University

P.O. Box 44503

Atlanta, GA 30336

Ph: 202-684-6699

www.beautysupplysystem.com

Ri Ri Gets Glam....

Pop star Rihanna attended a wedding in Venice this weekend in support of her manager Marc Jordon. She rocked a dark glamour look...which I'm not sure if I would rock for a wedding. None the less, the looked stunning as usual. She is certainly one of my favorite fashionistas...although she can push the envelope at times.

What do you think? Is this look appropriate for a (day) wedding?

The Ebony Fashion Fair is Gone, What of Ebony Now?

 

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, MSNBC’s TheGrio.com, Your Black World 

 

The black journalism students here at Syracuse often come to me to find out how the industry works. They sometimes instinctively wonder if their professors' stories about being in a CBS newsroom in 1982 are going to help them survive in a world run by Twitter, Myspace and Facebook. The answer is a resounding "probably not."

While respecting the journalism professors teaching their classes, I simply use examples like Ebony Magazine to help them realize that black media is changing, and sites like theGrio.com, BlackVoices.com, and TheRoot.com, are examples of how black media has evolved. In fact, a journalist who doesn't understand technology and business models is in danger of starting his/her career as a dinosaur.

When it comes to recent reports about Ebony Magazine being offered for sale, I admit that I was saddened, but not surprised. The Ebony Fashion Fair has become one of the most celebrated events in black America, and the magazine has been nothing less than a tremendous source of national pride since its creation in 1945. But in the age of the web, oversized bureaucracies can be crushed under the weight of their own arrogance. Bloated payrolls, pompous corporate functions and a sense of entitlement make them easy prey for quick, hungry and rapidly evolving competition.

In spite of the tremendous love we have for Ebony/Jet, the truth must be confronted when realizing that it is what radio was to TV or what the train was to the airplane. Like radios and trains, there is still a place for print media, but that role is no longer dominant. The current economic climate only accelerated the inevitable, since advertisers were eventually going to stop spending $50,000 for magazine ads when they can buy the same number of eyeballs for $5,000 or less.

I present the following 5 questions I'd like to ask out loud about both Ebony Magazine and the state of African American media:

Click to read.

Must See T.V

Also check out kimmaytube's channel. She has a great washing and detangling video. It never occurred to me to twist my hair in the shower, to keep detangled hair from tangling again after it's been combed. Great idea.

Do you have a special method or technique for dealing with your hair? Please share it with is in a comment. Until next time....

Emerald Greene Designs in Essence Magazine!

A quick hair update......

• Scalp massage on wash day using avocado oil, rosemary e.o blend
• Nature's Blessing hair dressing on scalp while twisting
• Refresh twists daily with leave-in and seal with oil
• Set twists on rollers (sponge removed) on Saturday night for church
• Twist- out Sunday, detangle and re-twist Sunday night. This is the key to fewer tangles on the next wash day.
  
• Day before washing, saturate dry hair with fave conditioner and finger detangle
• Wash day and repeat

Until next time....

I Like My Men and My Soap- BLACK

 African Black Soap, 100% natural


Actually, I'd be an equal-opportunity dater (if I weren't already married to a delicious Black Man), but it made a great headline.


I've been using this for a year to cleanse my face. I bought it from a woman named Zee at Discover Mills, in Georgia. She now has her own store, Zee Craft, where she sells the best Shea Butter as well. She told me Black Soap would clear up my skin, and it did. Wanna know what else? It is a GREAT shampoo! I just pinched of a small piece and lathered it over my hair in the shower. Once my hair got really wet,  I rubbed the soap directly onto my hair, and worked it in.


Product reads:
African Black Soap is made in West Africa from palm oil, palm kernel oil, and water. The aroma and deep rich color result from the centuries old extraction process that blends the two ingredients together, resulting in the finest skin cleanser available.

Usage:
Relieves acne and removes blemishes, prevents rashes, itching, dry, and scaly skin from developing
Cleans pores and rejuvenates the skin
Clears up eczema
Body cleanser

This soap is dark brown in color, like the photo above. IT IS NOT BLACK! If you are using a black (dyed) bar of soap, THROW IT AWAY! This soap is soft and maliable, like Play-Doh. You can pinch of a small piece to use. One tub will last forever.

Diary of a Kinky Curly Woman

From my friend at naturallycurly.com, to you. Thank you, S.L. :)



These are just notes I've kept for myself over the years.....maybe something will help you.

Hair Care Products
(for natural hair)
- avoid silicones which can leave the hair dry: -sane, -xane, -cone, including cyclopentasiloxane
- amodimethicone is a cone that is water soluble with trideceth-12
- look for cetrimonium chloride for detangling
- fatty alcohols (i.e. cetyl, cetearyl, stearyl, etc.) combined with hard water leave the hair feeling waxy
- avoid stearalkonium chloride (cheap softner that is toxic and an irritant)
- dannon full fat yogurt to loosen curl pattern (leave on for over an hour, lactic acid helps to loosen curls)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CLEANSING / LIGHT CONDITIONERS (for no poo method, look for ones without protein and stearalkonium chloride)
- Suave (Citrus Smoothie, Mango & Peach) => not as good as VO5
- VO5 (Vita Burst, Tea Therapy, Strawberries & Cream, Sun Kissed Raspberry - Vanilla Mint or Kiwi & Lime for clarifying) => contains stearalkonium chloride 
- Curlicious Curls Cleansing Cream => great cleansing, a little thick coming out of the bottle
- Karen's Body Beautiful Hair Shampoo => leaves a coating on hair, do not repurchase
- MyHoneyChild Olive You Scalp Cleanser
- MyHoneyChild Jamaica Island Scalp Cleanser => works well but used a whole bottle in one washing, try again
- MyHoneyChild Banana Creme Scalp Cleanser
- MyHoneyChild Jamaica Island Conditioner => good moisturizer
- MyHoneyChild HoneyNutt Conditioner
- Jessicurl Hair Cleansing Cream
- Naani's Naturals Fallen Moisturizing No Sulfates Shampoo
- Nature’s Gate Asian Pea & Red Tea Rejuvenating Conditioner  => good
- Nature's Gate Jojoba or Aloe Conditioners => do not like Herbal because of smell
- Whole Foods 365 Citrus Grapefruit Conditioner => good for cowashing
- Shikai Daily Moisture Conditioner
- DevaCare No-Poo => don't like consistency
- DevaBrown Chocolate Lust
- TIGI Bed Head Moisture Maniac Conditioner => really like, moist hair
- TIGI Catwalk Oatmeal & Honey Treatment Conditioner
- TIGI Bed Head Superstar Sulfate-Free Shampoo
- Mop Top Gentle Clarifiying Shampoo
- Mop Top Daily Conditioner
- Oyin Handmade Honey-Hemp Conditioner => absorbs well, good leave in
- Elucence Moisture Balancing Conditioner => good conditioner
- John Masters Organics Citrus & Neroli Detangler => good conditioner
- Modern Organic Products Mixed Greens Conditioner for Normal to Dry Hair
- Wen Fig Cleansing Conditioner
- Hair Rules Daily Cleansing Cream => don't repurchase

DEEP CONDITIONING
take regular conditioner and add olive oil, avocado oil, coconut milk, shea butter, avocado butter, castor oil, liquid lecithin and/or honey for extra conditioning and softening
- coconut milk => moisturizes, softens, smooths, and detangles
- Hair Rules Quench Deep Conditioner => don't repurchase
- Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment => overnight treatment, smells bad, don't repurchase
- Back 2 Basics Pomegranate Moisture Conditioner
- Karen's Body Beautiful Luscious Locks Moisturizing Hair Mask => nice conditioner, use the whole jar at one time
- Curl Junkie Hibiscus & Banana Deep Fix Moisturizing Conditioner => nice moisturizing conditioner
- Black Earth Herbal Conditioner
- Blended Beauty Herbal Reconditioner => really like but one jar equals one treatment
- Blended Beauty's Volcanic Mask => a clay mask for the hair
- DevaCare One Condition => don't like the smell but works pretty good
- DevaBrown Chocolate One Condition
- Jessicurl Too Shea Extra Moisturizing Conditioner => light conditioner
- Jessicurl Weekly Deep Conditioning Treatment => good deep conditioner
- MyHoneyChild Honey Hair Mask => good conditioner
- MyHoneyChild Olive You Deep Conditioner => good conditioner
- MyHoneyChild Banana Creme Conditioner
- MYHoneyChild Coconut Papaya Hair Paste => left white pieces in my hair, must use heat, good conditioner, used the whole jar for one treatment
- Jane Carter Solution Nutrient Replenshing Conditioner => ok
- Jane Carter Solution Scalp Renew => good deep treatment oil
- Giovanni 50:50 Balanced Hair Moisturizer => hard to get out of bottle
- Shikai Intensive Repair Conditioner
- Aubrey Organics Island Naturals Conditioner => very thick, didn't really like, don't repurchase
- Mop Top Deep Conditioner => ok, don't repurchase
- Generic Matrix Biolage Conditioning Balm => moisturizing
- John Masters Organics Lavender & Avocado Intensive Conditioner
- Ion Color Solutions Color Defense Intense Moisture => use after Aphogee
- Joico K-Pak (protein)
- ApHogee Treatment (protein)

LEAVE-IN CONDITIONERS
coconut oil is very drying to the hair
- Hair Rules Nourishment Leave In Conditioner => don't repurchase, has silicones
- Giovanni Direct Leave In => one of the best leave in conditioners!!
- Black Earth Protective Mist Bodifier => absorbs well in my hair
- Oyin Handmade Greg Juice => absorbs well, smells funny, don't repurchase
- Oyin Handmade Juices & Berries => absorbs well, smells funny, don't repurchase
- Oyin Handmade Whipped Pudding => contains beeswax, smells good, a little thick
- Wild Growth Hair Oil
- Jessicurl Stimulating Scalp Massage Oil
- Jessicurl Aloeba Daily Conditioner => ok daily conditioner, doesn't absorb as well as other products, don't repurchase
- MyHoneyChild Type 4 Hair Creme => don't like the feel in my hair, don't repurchase
- MyHoneyChild Curl Activator
- Qhemet Biologics Castor & Moringa - Softening Serum
- Blended Beauty Happy Nappy Styles
- Organikah Whipped Hair Butter
- Carols Daughter Hair Milk => doesn't absorb well in my hair
- Curl Junkie Curly Boost Curl Enhancing Spray
- Curl Junkie Hibiscus & Banana Honey Butta Leave In Conditioner => very thick, doesn't absorb well, do not repurchase
- Curl Junkie Coco-Milk Conditioner
- Knot Today => okay but don't repurchase
- Curls Milkshake => okay but some cones in new formula, don't repurchase
- Jane Carter Solution Scalp Nourishing Serum
- Modern Organic Products Leave-In Conditioner
- Karen's Body Beautiful Hair Milk => contains a wax
- Karen's Body Beautiful Hair Cream => nice hair cream, lots of good scents
- Karen's Body Beautiful Hair Butter => like a pomade
- ABBA Nourishing Conditioner => not as good as KBB hair milk
- Afro Detangler => good texture, really like, great for twists
- Long Lovely Locks Curly Custard => lots of butters


STYLING PRODUCTS
- Hair Rules Kinky Curling Cream => contains mineral oil
- Hair Rules Hydrating Finishing Cream
- Curls by Sister Smith Wet Set Hair Pudding => good for twists
- Fantasia IC w/ Sparkle Lites or Color Treated (blue) => gummy, doesn't work well in my hair
- Kinky-Curly Curling Custard => too crunchy and drying on my hair
- Aubrey Organics B5 Design Gel => gummy, doesn't work well in my hair
- Crinkles & Curls by Black Earth Products
- Jane Carter Solutions Wrap & Roll => doesn't work well in my hair
- Jane Carter Solutions Nourish & Shine => good pomade
- Curls by Sister Smith Wet Set Hair Pudding
- Oyin Handmade Burnt Sugar Hair Pomade => nice pomade, good shine, like the smell
- Oyin Handmade Shine and Define Styling Serum => good for twists
- Carols Daughter Mimosa Hair Honey => greasy feeling but works well on skin
- Curly Custard Maximum Definition Hairdress (naanishoppe.com)
- Miss Jessie's Curly Products => not recommended because of ingredients
- Aveda Be Curly Curl Enhancing Lotion => too drying
- Clinique Defined Curls Curl Enhancer
- KMS Flat Out Relaxing Balm
HAIR OILS
- Castor oil, for growth - stable (no exp), cold pressed is best
- Jojoba oil - stable (no exp)
- Grapeseed oil - 1 yr exp
- Almond, Sweet oil - 1 yr exp
- Apricot oil - 1 yr exp
- Dabur Vatika Hair Oil, for growth
- Neem oil, for shedding
- Amla oil, for growth
- Tamanu oil, for inflamation - 6 mon - 1 yr exp
HAIR COLOR
- Bigen (47) => too harsh, don't repurchase
- Clairol Professional Beautiful Collection (B18D Darkest Brown)
- Robert Craig
- NaturColor (naturcolor.com)
- ColorFix (you can do a partial color correction with by mixing the solutions with shampoo. It only lightens the color & you will not have to re-color)
Curl-ease Towel (for curly hair) => great towel