Crowning Glory Coils and Kinks

Monday, April 22, 2013

Natural-Laxer Natural Hair Relaxer

Is there really such a thing as a Natural Hair Relaxer?

Baka Beautiful

2 ounces/$14.99
http://www.treasuredlocks.com/natural-herbal-hair-relaxer-texturizer-chemical-free.html

I came across this product last year sometime and really had forgotten about it until a coworker brought up the fact that she was interested in obtaining some betonite clay. I thought a natural alternative to a chemical relaxer would be at least worth looking at and an healthy option for doing something good for your tresses.

The product is called Baka Beautiful and is sold by Treasured Locks (family-owned and operated).

First things first. Let's take a look at it's ingredients:

A blend of carefully selected sun-dried herbs
Mrytle
Valerian
Rose Petals
Red Clover
Fenugreek
Nettle and Sage Mixed with Pulverized Unadulterated Sahara Clay

The product description:

From their website:

Baka Beauty Products' Natural-Laxer MIX is 100% natural powder made entirely of sun dried exotic herbs and Sahara Clay hair leaving it silky smooth. The herbs used in the natural relaxer are completely natural and completely safe. When mixed with the Sahara Clay in the Natural-Laxer MIX and hot water and applied to the hair and skin, it produces miraculous results. This ancient herbal secret has been used dating back to the pharaohs. Available now from Treasured Locks, Natural-Laxer MIX is an advanced spa treatment for your hair and skin that you apply yourself in the comfort of your own home. Each Natural-Laxer MIX is enough for approximately application for a "typical" head of hair, depending on the volume and length of your hair.

Their site furnishes a Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) section for those interested in purchasing the item and may still be on the fence about the performance of the product.

Pros:

It is an "all" natural alternative for the natural ladies out there
The Site gives clear directions on what to expect from product
FAQ section will answer general questions about the product
Site Also Has A Video Showing How to Mix the Baka Beautiful
Site boasts over 274 Reviews of the Baka Beautiful
You Can Purchase Three Jars of the Baka at a Reduced Amount of $13.99 a Jar

Cons:

Apparently Jar Contains "Just Enough" for an "Average" Size Head
For initial best results, apply once/week for 3 weeks. Suggested maintenance- apply every 4 to 8 weeks.
Rose Water (sold separately) Price: $4.99

Finally, they made suggestions on what other products you should consider in purchasing along with your Baka Beautiful:

Baka Natural-Laxer Silk Cream Shampoo at $5.99
Hair Therapy Wrap-Microwave Hair Conditioning Cap Sale Price: $22.99/Reg.: $29.99
Natural-Laxer Silk Protein Conditioner at $6.99
Professional Conditioning Heat Cap - Reg. Price: $40.00/Sale Price: $34.99
Treasured Locks Conditioning Balm - Reg.: $19.99/Sale Price: $14.99
Treasured Locks Hair & Scalp Elixir - Reg. Price: $18.00/Sale Price: $14.99
Treasured Locks Locks of Curls Pomade & Gel - Price $11.99

So, there you are ladies! Please make use of the links in the article, if you are interested or would like to take a closer look at the website for this and other products!

As always,

Happy Curls to You!

Saturday, April 20, 2013

April 2013 Curl Kit -- In Review

Picture By: Kissmy-Jass on Tumblr.com

To get 10% off your Membership Enrollment

Please use Referral Code:

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MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP TO CURL KIT
Each month, CurlKit sends out a selection of 6-9 samples that their team of online experts, researches and even tries themselves. In each CurlKit you'll receive everything from pomades and conditioners to natural hair tools, from well-known brands as well as emerging gems.

This is a SUBSCRIPTION service. $20 will be charged to your credit card when you purchase and then every month on the 15th of the month until you cancel. If you have any further questions please contact -- customerservice@curlkit.com.

Moisture Curl Kit

Greetings Naturalistas!

I've finally found time to review the April 2013 Curl Kit! This Curl Kit was ALL about MOISTURE! Oils, Shea Butter, moisturizing leave-ins is on the menu of this box! I must admit that most of these products were not familiar to me and the fact that they were all natural was a plus!

http://honeycurls.com/curly-hair-solutions/the-hair-honey-oil-blend.html

Honey Curls Hair Curls
(In Sample Bottle with White Cap and Yellow Contents)

The Honey Hair Oil Blend (2 ounce size)

Ingredients: This Hair Honey Oil Blend is the perfect blend of nourishing oils infused with ingredients such as Honey, canola seed oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, Meadowfoam seed oil, wheat germ Oil, Shea Oil, Borage Oil, Olea Europaea Oil, (Olive) Oil, fractionated coconut oil, organic jojoba oil, and Karanji and organic Green tea, vitamin A, B, and E No SLS or ALS sulfates No petroleums No artificial colors No artificial fragrances No silicones No parabens No mineral oil No petroleums No artificial colors No artificial fragrances

Price: $22.00 for 8 ounce size

I have a rather large supply of oils in my cabinets and more than likely will be giving this bottle away but I did like the fact that it was a FULL-size product!

Ampro Pro Style

Vitamin E Oil - 6 ounces

Ingredients: Our Vitamin E Oil is specially formulated to help repair dry or damaged hair, skin and nails through regular use. It can be used as a reconstructing hot oil treatment and is suggested for hair that has been severely damaged as a result of chemical processing or the elements. Our Vitamin E Oil also restores the moisture levels to dry or irritated skin.

Size: 6 Fl. Oz for $3.69

Picture By: Seizetheday-ra

The following product, apparently, was so new that there actually wasn't an image available of the product on the web. Product was creamy in texture and smell of shea butter.

Ori Essential

Moisturizing Leave-In Conditioner (Full 8 ounce Size)

Ingredients:

Ingredients: purified water, glycerin,Cocos nucifera(Coconut)oil, Stearic acid, Persea gratissima(Avocado)oil, Triticum vulgare(wheat germ)oil, Vitis vinifera(Grape seed)oil, Urtica dioica (Nettles) extract, Equisetum arvense(Horsetail) extract, Anthemis nobilis(chamomile) extract, Aloe barbadensis(Aloe Vera), Panthenol, Tocopheryl, acetate(Vitamin E), Phenoxyethanol ,Capryloyl Glycine, Undecylenoyl Glycine, Fragrance. 8oz

This was a product that I was particularly interested in purchasing a full-sized product. It has great reviews across the web. It's packaging is sophisticated and sleek.

Karen's Body Beautiful

Sweet Ambrosia Leave-In (2 ounce sample)

Ingredients: Purified Water, Jojoba, Avocado and Coconut Oils, Vegetable Wax, Pathenol, Arnica, Calendula, Echinacea, Nettle & Horsetail Extracts, Vegetable Glycerin, Wheat Germ Oil, Essential and/or Fragrance Oil, Ascorbic Acid & Vitamin E

Prices: 7.1 (8 ounce) $16.00/16 ounce size is $24.00

I was very impressed with this next product! It smell nice, fruity. Texture was smooth and applied easily. Over all reviews on the web was good. Looking forward to purchasing a full-sized container of this product.

http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/juicyleavein

Naturalista Cosmetics

Juicy Leave-In Conditioner (2 ounce sample)

Ingredients: Shea Butter, Aloe Leave Juice, Castor Oil, Jojoba Oil, Avocado Oil, Hemp Seed Oil, Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Panthenol, Vegetable Gylcerin, Vitamin E, Honey, Lemon Peel Oil, Orange Peel Oil, Fragrance, Natural Preservatives.

Ingredient Attributes: silicone free, sulfate free, paraben free, protein free

Price: $22.00 for 8 ounces

Smelled fresh and inviting. Not into spritzers but am looking forward to giving this product a try as a style refresher. I do like the smell of mint and the sample bottle is easy to carry in my pocketbook to refresh my tresses during the day!

2 ounce Sample Size for $4.50/8 ounces for $12.00
http://amazingbotanicals.bigcartel.com/product/aloemint-spritz

Personally, I'm not a regular gel person. I do like Eco's Olive Oil Gel but I prefer a natural gel or use my flaxseed gel. Since these are in packets, I'll be taking them to work and leaving in my desk drawer for those bad hair days emergencies at work! LOL!

Amazing Botanicals

Aloe Mint Sprint (2 ounce sample)

Ingredients: Distilled water and Aloe Juice infused with Marshmallow root, Burdock, Nettle, Horsetail, Plantain, Irish Moss and Peppermint,Shea Oil, Black Castor oil,Panthenol,and Rosemary

Shine Jam Silk Edges

Silk Edges Gel (sample)

Ingredients: Water, Ceteareth-25, Glycerin, Oleth-5, PEG-20 Hydrogenated Lanolin, MIneral Oil, Fragrance, Olea Europea (Olive) Fruit OIl, DMDM Hydantoin, Hydrolyzed Silk Protein, Iodopropynl Butylcarbamate, FD&C Yellow #5, FD&C Blue #1.

Product Description: Ampro's Silk Edges conditioning gel delivers a strong hold while keeping your edges in tact! It is enriched with silk proteins and is also free of alcohol and parabens. Silk Edges works perfectly on all textures without weighing down the hair or flaking.

Conditioning Gel (sample)

Ingredients: Aqua (Water) , Isoceteth-20 , Paraffinum liquidium (Mineral Oil) , Glycerin , Oleth-2 , Propylene Glycol , Fragrance , Sorbic Acid , Methylparaben , DMDM Hydantion , Ethylparaben , Benzyl Benzoate , Linalool , Benzyl Salicylate , Hexyl Cinnamal , Butylphenyl Methylpropional , Hydroxycitronellal , Benzyl Alcohol , Limonene , Citronellol , Geraniol , Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde , CI 42090 (Blue 1) , CI 19140 (Yellow 5)

Product Description: Let's Jam Gels are pure excitement for your hair. Let's Jam Gels give your hair super shine and control with no wax, grease or alcohol. This conditioning gel with extra hold is perfect for molds, wraps, or sleek styles.

Picture By: Likealuv on Tumbl.r

It has been reported by blogger Kimberly Foss of My Natural Hair Journey that "due to so many complaints, Curlkit shut down people writing on their Facebook page." I know that Curl Kit is experiencing some growing pains but I've yet to have a "major" issue with receiving my Curl Kit Box.

I must say that I look forward to receiving mines each month. Use the referral code at the top of the page to receive a discount on your first order!

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©Copyright 2013-04 Crowning Glory Coils and Kinks - All Rights Reserved

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Deciding on Your Natural Hair Routine

What is your natural hair routine? Has it Changed? Do You Have a Routine at all?

Most naturals have gone through the above stages. First, not having a natural hair routine. Second, developing a hair routine, and finally, adjusting one's hair routine as hair continues to grow or be styled and cut.

This will include first and foremost the changing of what products that you chose to use on your tresses!

Naturals who have been on the journey at least six months can attest to the fact that when they did the Big Chop they experienced the first moments of feeling
free and uncumbered! You could simply jump into the shower, co-wash and condition your tresses, dry off from the shower and throw some gel on your hair and be off to the events of the day. However, when your hair begins to grow and you encounter that "in-between" length, too long to be a TWA and too short to be pulled into even a short pony tail.

I have also discovered on the journey of hair growth that products that I started out didn't work for me in the "In-Between" length and then once passed it, I tried them again and fell in love with the products again.

As you hair continues to grow, the weight of the strands can cause tresses to form a different curl pattern. For instance hair can be bushy at the roots but twirl in beautiful coils at the end of your strands! On this journey you will develop several hair routines.

Wash Day Routine

This routine will be the basis for how your hair will perform until you determine that it's time to wash your hair again. As most of us know, some no longer "wash" their hair but "co-wash" their tresses. This routine will include:

Pre-pooing (optional)
Detangling with Conditioner
Co-washing or Washing Hair

Morning Routine

Hair is taken down from curlers, bantu knots, twists, and scarves and prepared for styling. Oils can be used to take down the hair and give added shine and protection for your ends.

Night Routine

Hair is usually moisturized, twisted, set on curlers, bantu knots, and/or tied down. This step is important and hair should be prepared neatly in order to get a smooth set for the morning.

What is the Most Important Part of a Routine?

Simplicity! Make your routine as simple as possible. This means keep how many steps of preparation of your tresses to a minimum while using the least amount of products to avoid product build-up, weighing down of strands, and the necessity of having to "clarify" your tresses often.

For some naturals, we can survive on a GOOD shampoo/co-wash product, an excellent leave-in or moisturizer/sealer, and your favorite styler (your shea butter/oils/gel)!

What complicates matters is that some of us are still in search of that MAGIC product that we will be able to slap on our tresses and Voila! a good hair day! We usually end up with a graveyard of product clutter and an eye on the next NEW product!

A good hair care routine, along with protective styling/low manipulation, the occasional trimming of tresses will keep your hair happy and healthy!

As Always, leave your comments, ideas, and questions below!

Happy Curls to You!

©Copyright 2013-04 Crowning Glory Coils and Kinks - All Rights Reserved