What is Hair Porosity?

What is Hair Porosity?

Porosity is the measure of the hairs ability to absorb moisture. To better understand hair porosity, think of your hair strand as the roof of a house and the outer layer or the cuticle as the shingles on the roof. When the shingles lay completely flat, it’s difficult for water to enter or exit the hair shaft – this is low porosity hair. If the shingles are completely raised then moisture will easily enter and escape – this is high porosity hair. In normal porosity hair, the shingles or cuticles are neither completely flat nor raised, but at an optimum angle to allow moisture to enter and remain there.--NaturallyChelsea

Low Porosity Hair

Low porosity hair is usually harder to moisturize since it is more difficult to get the moisture into your strands. In order to moisturize your hair, you should use more water based, liquid products that will moisturize your hair without coating it and making it greasy. Also, use a light oil like jojoba ro grapeseed oil to seal your hair  since heavier oils like castor oil or olive oil will be harder for your hair to absorb and will simply sit on top of it and weigh it down.

Also, if you really have an issue with your hair absorbing products, try to apply them to damp or dry hair since the strands will have released the water and will therefore be able to absorb the product. A temporary way to open up your cuticles so your strands can better absorb product is to do a baking soda treatment on your hair. Because baking soda is alkaline in nature, it will cause the cuticles of your hair to raise. Simply mix baking soda and water until it forms an aerated paste, apply it to the hair and leave it on for 15 minutes then rinse.

Medium Porosity Hair

If you have medium porosity hair then you’re one lucky natural. This means that you have quite a few options for moisturizing your hair. However, there is a new method of moisturizing the hair called the L.O.C. (liquid, oil and cream) method that many women swear by. This method works so well because each layer of product seals the layer before it (i.e. the cream seals the oil which seals in the liquid). To do this method, apply a liquid leave in or moisturizer, then a light oil to seal it in and finish with your favorite creamy moisturizer or styler on top and your hair should be happy for at least a couple of days.

High Porosity Hair

If you have high porosity hair, it probably has a difficult time holding onto moisture because of its raised cuticles that allow moisture to be lost to the atmosphere. In order to keep your tresses happy, apply heavy products to your hair in layers. Try applying a leave in, then a thick moisturizer then a heavy butter to seal all the moisture in. To keep your hair moisturized throughout the week, mix your favorite liquid moisturizer or leave in with water in a spray bottle with a few drops of oil and spray it on your hair at nights then seal with a butter.

To help close your cuticles temporarily to better hold onto moisture, try doing apple cider vinegar rinseswhen you cleanse your hair. Apple cider vinegar is acidic and will temporarily help to close your cuticles. Mix 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with 2 cups of water and pour it over your hair after cleansing it, then dry it and style as normal. You can also try adding more aloe vera gel or juice to your regimen.

Testing Your Hair Porosity?

To find out what your hair porosity is, take a piece of shed hair from your comb or brush. It’s important that you get a shed and not broken hair to test. In order to determine if the hair was broken or shed naturally, examine the ends. If you see a little white ball on one of the ends, it means that it was shed.  Take the hair and drop it in a glass of water. If the hair immediately sinks it means that it readily absorbed the water and has high porosity. If the hair remains at the top, floating, it means that it is unable to absorb the water and has low porosity. If it floats to the bottom slowly then it has normal porosity.

 ©Copyright 2012 Crowning Glory Coils and Kinks - All Rights Reserved

Shea Moisture Curling Souffle -- In Review

I purchased the Curl Souffle from Walgreens while perusing the shelves for another product.  I hadn't heard much about it but the consistency reminded me of Kinky Curly Curling Custard.  I also read the list of ingredients and they were all "natural" and ingredients that must naturalistas laud over.

I was looking for a "natural" gel that I wouldn't have to purchase on-line or pay the high price of KCCC.  It seemed like a good product choice and I purchased it with the Walgreens customer card for $8.99.

Product Description:

This all natural styling souffle with agave nectar and flax seed oil defines and promotes curls, with a soft, smooth after feel.  Coconut and flax seed oils nourish and hydrate hair, seal the hair shaft to protest against external pollutants and assist natural oil retention,  The natural humectant complex of agave nectar, coconut oil, glycerin, and shea butter moisturizes, conditions, and boots shine without frizz.

• Does not contain silicones, polumers, or PVP which could cause build-up and damage hair over time.
• Ethically trawded ingredients sustainably produced.
• Sulfate-free and color-safe
• No Animal Cruelty

Product Usage:

Scoop gel into hands and distribute evenly through cleansed wet or damp hair, following conditioning.  Comb through in sections with detangling comb or hands to shape curls.  Style as desired, allowing some time for drying.  Use on damp hair will result in looser, wavy curls, on wet hair expect riotous curls.  Use on dry hair to minimize fly-aways and frizz.   When using a blow dryer, choose a cool or warm setting.  Use sparingly -- this is a very moisturizing product.

Ingredients:

(shesthecoldest)

Agave Teqilana Leaf Extract: Provides natural hold and shine.
Sugar Cane Extract: Provides natural hold and shine.
Pectin: Provides natural hold and shine.
Vegetable Glycerin: Natural humectant and conditioner. This formula contains just enough to retain moisture, but not enough to cause frizz and dryness in certain climates or temperatures.
Baobab Extract: Contains vitamins A,C,D,E and F to fortify and strengthen hair.
Coconut Oil: Rich in fatty acids, hydrates and protects hair from heat and chemical damage.
Certified Organic Shea Butter: Rich in vitamins and fatty acids, it deeply moisturizes and repairs damage to the hair and scalp.
Pro-Vitamin B-5: Provides moisture and shine, while repairing hair shaft.
Aloe: Conditions and softens hair, while acting as an anti-inflammatory.
Vitamin E (Vegetable Derived): Helps promote healthy hair growth and repair damage.
Flax Seed Oil: Rich in Omega 3 essential fatty acids; promotes strength, healthy growth and shine.
Hibiscus Extract: Rich in antioxidants and assists in enhancing healthy hair growth.
Potassium Sorbate: Naturally protects skin care products from spoilage and is a food-grade natural preservative.
Essential Oil Blend: Our special, all-natural proprietary blend of essential oils offers aromatherapeutic benefits that invigorate the senses.

My Experience With Product:

I applied the product to wet, conditioned hair.  Product application was difficult because the product is very "gooey."   The product is thick and sometimes it took several attempts to poke through the top layer and glide just enough product to apply to small sections.

It made my hands feel sticky and oily.  Once I was able to apply the product to hair, I twisted the hair while damp.  It does takes a while before hair dries but once hair was dried, it was well-defined, soft, and shiny.

DAY ONE HAIR

Pros:

• Shiny Moisturized Hair
• Defined Tresses
• Strong Hold
• Elognation of Curls
• Great Natural Ingredients
• Great For Humid Climates
• Price Range is Good ($9.99)
• Performs As A Natural Gel

Cons:

• Product is Sticky and Greasy/Oily
• Too Much of Product Will Cause Hair to Feel Tacky/Sticky 

Will I repurchase product?  I will update this review at a later date.  I'm going to try this product with different leave-ins and styling methods.  Right now I'm wearing my hair in a protective style with the Shea Moisture Curling Souffle on it and will tell you what the take down was like.

Happy Curls to You!

©Copyright 2012 Crowning Glory Coils and Kinks - All Rights Reserved

Miss Jessie's Curling Pudding -- In Review

Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding

"Get in control of your natural curls with Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding. This cream prevents curl shrinkage, eliminates frizz and adds superior shine to your hair, so you can enjoy your curls in even the toughest weather."


Miss Jessie's advertises the following:

• Created for naturally curly, kinky, and wavy hair
• Eliminates Frizz
• No More Curl Shrinkage
• Maximizes Curl Length and Makes Your Curly Styles Last Longer
• Adds Superior Shine and Healthy Luster, Never Dull

Let me preface this review with the following:  this product will not make the Curly Girl Method Holy Grail list!  It's second product is the demon of hair product ingredients "mineral oil."

For me, this is NOT a problem!  In fact, my 3b/c curls loves, loves, and let me say it again LOVES mineral oils and silicones!  There, I said it!

I do understand the drying effect that these products can cause when used long-term.  However, I'm a wash n' goer as my primary go to style and am co-washing tresses every three days and washing with a stronger shampoo every 10 - 12 days to ward off product buildups.

My tresses HATES long-term usage of only natural oils which, for me, caused an on-slaught of Single Strand Knots due to the coiliness of my hair that tends to wrap and tangle.

Product Ingredients:

Water, parafinium liquidum (aka mineral oil), glycerin, triethanolamine, fragrance, carbomer, PEG-12 dimethicone, dipropylene glycol, silk amino acids, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, avocado oil, shea butter, sweet almond oil, jojoba seed oil, macademia seed oil, oleth-05, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, disodium EDTA, DMDM hydantoin, ext. violet 2

How I Used the Product:

I co-washed with Tresemme Moisture Enhancing Conditioner, rinse some out, and applied the Miss Jessie's Curling Pudding on "extremely" wet hair.  I created 14-sections and twisted my hair, tied-down my hair and went to sleep.  Needless to say, my 3b/3c hair was still damp (I don't apply heat to my hair). so I re-tied with a scarf, commuted to work, and took down the twists.

RESULTS

Pros:

• Goes on Smoothly
• A Little Product Goes A Long Way
• Product Works Great on Hair Types 2 to 3c's
• Light Smell/Fragrance (smells flowery)
• Love the Lavender Color
• Shine is Long Lasting
• Product is Easy to Find in Stores and On-Line
• Consider an High-End Hair Product
• Product Line Works Well Together
• Product Comes In an "Unscented" Version Also
• Product Does Provide a Strong Hold
• Will Make Curly Hair Curlier
• Keeps Hair Moisturized
• Frizz Kept to a Minimum
• Can Last Up to Three Months With Proper Usage 
• Tutorials Are Provided On Use of Miss Jessie's Products
• You Can Now Purchase in a 2-ounce jar for $11.99 on Amazon.com

Cons:

• Price not Reasonable for Average Consumer
• Can Cause Severe Crunch and Flakes When Too Much Is Used
• May Not Play Well With All Conditioners and/or Moisturizers
• Not A Holy Grail Item for "Natural-Products" Naturalistas
• Most 4b to 4c's Don't Have Great Results (However this is a CURL-Enhancing Product!)
• Using Too Much Will Weigh Hair Down and Make It Tacky/Sticky
• You Can Find A Cheaper Product -- "Let's Jam" That Can Give You Similar Results

My Final Thoughts:

The product is able to do what the product says that it can in capable hands.  There is a learning curve, but no more than other products that I've used.  Looking at my hair now, it has great body and isn't matted or "glued" together.  Hair is touchable and shiny.  The nature of 3c hair is frizz.  So to be honest, I have some but my common practice is to mist hair by mid-day anyway.

The movability of my tresses are remarkable!  I'm kinda liking this Miss Jessie's Curling Pudding, even though it pans out to a "small investment!" LOL! 

Will I purchase again!  Definitely!

Please subscribe and leave a comment or just let me know that you stopped by!  Always happy to have you!

Happy Curls to You!

©Copyright 2012 Crowning Glory Coils and Kinks - All Rights Reserved

Crowning Glory Coils and Kinks: Winterizing Those Tresses

Crowning Glory Coils and Kinks: Winterizing Those Tresses

Winterizing Those Tresses

The strong winds of winter can wreak havoc on your moisture-needing tresses!  Brittle and limp curls is not a sassy look or Hair of the Day coif!  This is the time when many naturals close the book on their time-saving wash n' gos.  However, for me, this is my main style and closing that book is not so easy to do on these 3b/c/4 curls.

My curls love, love glycerin and from natural blogs across the nation, we are admonished to abandon the glycerin because it pulls moisture from the atmosphere which will keep your locks moist but in the winter season it does quite the opposite.

So what's a natural wash n' go girl to do?  Here are a few tips:

1. At night section hair and lightly moisten hair with water and coconut oil (you can use olive oil, or oil of your choice) apply mixture to hair, twist, cover hair with a clear shower cap, and tie a scarf over cap (optional) and go to bed.
2. When rising in the morning, hair will be slightly moist, style and go about your morning routine.  This method will allow your tresses to be damp and drying but scalp won't be soaked if you have to run out before hair is completely dried.
3. Another idea is to leave the plastic shower cap on and cover cap with a stylish hat or scarve and commute and upon your arrival to work, style hair as usual.

Share with us ways that you and your tresses keep nourished and stylish through the cold, winter months.

III Sisters of Nature Gelo

This Gelo is being marketed as a hair gel.  Not only a hair gel but one comparable to the infamous Kinky Curly Curling Custard!  Now, that's saying a lot! 

I found this product on the shelf while I was perusing the aisle of my neighborhood Beauty Supply Store!  I did have a good reason to be in there.  I was waiting for the Chinese restuarant, a couple doors down, to cook my broccoli and garlic sauce!  Okay!?

Well, I read the label and saw that it claimed to be comparable to Kinky Curly Curling Custard boast, I just simply decided to try it.  What's another gel on the shelf going to harm?  The price seemed fixed at $9.99, this was clearly printed on the product's label!  Yea, for 3 Sisters of Nature!

Below is the description of their product by 3 Sisters of Nature:

III Sisters of Nature Curling Gelo Description -- 8 ounces

What is Curling Gelo?

III Sisters of Nature Gelo define and elongates curls while enhancing your natural wave pattern.  Curling Gelo is formulated using natural ingredients to condition, strengthen, nourish, soften, and give curls and waves a natural brilliant shine.

Why Does Curling Gelo Work?

Curling Gelo helps keeps you frizz-free, non-greasy, non-drying, and superior long-lasting curls, waves, and twists.  Compare to the more expensive brands and save.

Superior moisturizer -- Defines and elognates curls; -- Enhances waves; -- Superior soft hold; and Brilliant shine.

Ingredients

Water (Aqua), Vegetable Glycerin, Polyquaternium 37, Polyquaternium 10 and PEG 14m, Polyquaternium 7, Polysorbate 20, Sea Grape Extract (Vitis Vinefera), Argan Oil (Argan Spinosa), Avocado Extract (Persea Gratissma), Oat Extract (Avena Sativa), Sage (Salvia Officinalis), Chamomille Extract (Anthemis Noblis), Bay Laurel Extract (Lauris Noblis), Phenoxyethol (And) Caprylyl Glycol, Fragrance (Parfum)

picture by CoilyChi

How I used the product


I co-washed my3c hair with Pantene Naturals.  Rinsed out the conditioner with COLD water and then reapplied the conditioner as a leave-in.  Sectioned hair into eight large loose twists and covered with a clear treatment cap overnight.

In the morning, hair was damp and I shingled the III Sisters of Nature Gelo throughout each section.  Hair was visibly shiny and clumped well.  Hair was more elognated more than with applying EcoStyler over the leave-in conditioner.

Product dried quickly, THERE IS NO STRONG HOLD!

Pros

• 8 ounces can be purchased from $9.59 to $9.99 -- Making Product Affordable
• Product Was Easy to Apply
• Dried in an 1-hour time span
• Hair was Shiny and Bouncy
• Hair was Very Soft
• Most Beauty Supply Stores Carry Samples
• Defines Curls and Waves
• Product is Very Concentrated
• A Little Goes a Long Way
• Contains Polyquarternium 37
• Played Well With My Leave-In Conditioner

Cons

• Still had some frizz by midday
• Can Become Tacky if you use too much
• Product is High in Gylcerin
• When Refreshing With Water, Gelo was very sticky but dried again soft

Polyquarternium 37 is a charged polymer used in hair care products.

Benefits:  They are positively charged, they neutralize the negative charges of most shampoos, relaxers, and hair proteins.  The positive charge bonds to your strands aiding in causes your hair to be easier to comb, elasticity, softer, and shiny.  It also acts as a conditioning agent for your hair.

Side Note:  Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Contains Poly-37

III Sisters of Nature Gelo is clear and filled with tiny bubbles like the bubbles in 7-Up soda or clear EcoStyler or IC Fantasia Gel.  Product  It smelled like a bucket full of crushed cherries.  Smell may be too loud for some.  

Final Thoughts About Product

This product, to me, acts more like a "curl activator" that you can find on shelves at most Beauty Supply Store.  My hair happens to love glycerin and was happy with this product.  If you are even looking for a "flexible hold," this is not the product to use.  If you are looking for a moisturizer and shine factor, this is a great product for that use.

By midday, I noticed some frizz, spritz with plain water and was back in business as I waited for hair to dry.

As far as being a competitor to Kinky Curly Curling Custard, the clear distinction is that this is Gelo and KCCC would be classified as a gel.

Would I repurchase?  Yes.

© 2012 Lady Summerset for Crowning Glory Curls and Kinks

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