New products and first iron out of the summer...

My best friend bought a few new products for us to try. One was suave Moroccan argan oil shampoo and conditioner, the other was beautiful textures deep conditioner. OMG my hair is shiny bouncy and smells amazing. I'm sitting here as I type sniffing my own hair. I'm lazy well maybe not but I do tend to procrastinate when it comes to doing my own hair. Anyway I'm in love my hair was bouncy, shiny, hydrated, and soft. I can't wait to try it and let my hair just dry naturally. I washed, conditioned, then deep conditioned for maybe 6 hours, rinsed, blow dryer & flat ironed. I also think my hair has out grown my flat iron. What I mean by that is my hair doesn't get straight the way it used to perhaps they are just old or I need a higher height wattage. Not to mention I need my ends clipped, a hydration treatment(Too Groovy Robin I'm coming to see you as soon as I hit Atlanta), and mixed chicks smoothing serum. I'm posting pictures of the products and during the process just washed nothing on it my curls bounced, blow dried looking like I have some extra texture, and ironed out frizzy which is why I never do this in the summer.
I'll post a pic of after I iron it out again tomorrow. Let me know if any of you have tried any of these products and how you feel about them.
Love
Elizabeth

My 30th Birthday

I'll try to make today's post about hair as well. So I left my 20's yesterday and I'm about to embark on what I've been told are the best years of my life. Honestly I believe it. I'm single, no children, educated, and very self reliant. I'm not who or where I thought I'd be at 30 but that's how God and life works. I remember wanting to be an attorney and married by now. NOW I don't even desire to practice law and am not even in a relationship. If anything I want to go to Paris and get a fashion design degree just because I know its my first love. I am happy today, well so far, its still very early. I hope that the rest of my years are as beautiful and blessed as those that I've had. Today's hair is so ridiculously simple its scary...... A low curly ponytail. Basically because its too hot for anything else and I don't want to deal with anything else. Perhaps my sister will make a trip to Atlanta soon and either braid my hair or do a sew in for me..... She's good like that, I can't even braid and have no real desire to learn. I'm all for paying someone who is skilled and talented to do what I can't do. Well no pics for today wasn't looking amazing but my day was cool.
Love
Elizabeth

Bantu knots

So I saw a girl post a pic on one of the natural sites I follow on fb and she had the most awesome Bantu knot out. Mine are a little more complex I two strand twist my hair then Bantu knot it for the sake of a tighter "curl". So I thought hmmm I haven't done my hair in about a month aside from a bun let's try something different for the rest of the week. This is what I got. I did separate them a bit. By the end of the day I had a big poof of hair that essentially ended up in a BUN......smh!!! This humidity is doing me NO justice at all.
Love & Many Blessings
Elizabeth

Old School Love

What's an old school product, tool, or accessory that you used as a child that you came back to on your natural hair journey?
For me its been mane & tail, deep conditioning(wish I had my grandmas heating cap), the small hair combs, banana clips, boar bristle brushes and foam rollers.
I can't wait to hear about the things you've started using again.
Love
Elizabeth

Curly vs Straight

What is your take on wearing your hair straight being natural? My opinion is straight hair while its a texture can also be a style, as are braids, twist, buns weaves, etc. It's a temporary style especially if chemicals are not involved. I've never had a keratin treatment but I've heard many things about them. From what I can tell its a less chemically invasive form of relaxer. At any rate the point of this post was to find out how you wear your hair straight and your take on wearing it straight while natural. As I've stated before I straighten my hair maybe once a month or less especially in the summer months. I will say I try to keep as much heat off my hair as possible. Due to the fact that it does break my hair of and I had a lot of heat damage in my hair that had to grow out and I cut off. I've read many post where women don't agree with "straight" natural hair. As long as its not chemically straightened its ok in my book. Pics are blow dryed and after straightening and curled with rollers.
Live Love Laugh
Elizabeth

It's about what you put in

I used to never be into food facts or the health benefits of what I ate until about 5 years ago. Boy am I glad I became in tune with what God has provided on earth for healthy bodies. Anyway some things that I see working for me are hydration. When I am not drinking enough water I can tell first because my lips get chapped, then in my skin, nails, and hair I get dandruff and it breaks off more than usual. I also eat good sources of protein since I'm Pescatarian I don't eat flesh from animals, just fish & seafood, eggs, and few dairy items, never been a fan of cows milk I prefer Almond Milk. I also love the benefits of healthy fats from nuts, avocado(recently started eating it), olive oil etc. It really shows in my skin and hair. I can tell when I need to detox my skin shows it. My hair has grown so much in one year based off what I've put into my own body. I'd love to know if your diet has changed and if you see the change in your hair.
Love & Blessings
Elizabeth

Favorite Products, Accessories, & Tools

I'd LOVE to know some of your favorite products and why. What do they do for your hair and if you have hair similar to mine any suggestions, tips, or tricks.

My favorite shampoo is Jane Carter Clarifying shampoo. I love it because after all of the products and weekly junk my hair is subjected to I get my squeaky clean hair back. Yes squeaky clean is good.

My favorite conditioner is Herbal Essence Hydralicious(blue bottle). I love it because it conditions & leaves my hair soft & manageable.

My favorite cowash conditioner is Herbal Essence Honey I'm Strong(yellow bottle). It keeps my hair soft but durable until my next wash day. I often cowash during the week if I feel like my hair is filthy and won't make it to Sunday. Especially when I workout a lot that week, or have been outside more than usual.

My favorite deep conditioner is Mixed Chicks. I love it because it helps define my curls into these amazing ringlets that I didn't know I had.

My favorite homemade conditioner is 2 eggs, 1 small container of Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons of honey, 2 tablespoons of coconut oil. The protein is what my hair needs but not too much and the honey & oil help with frizz.

I also make a pre-poo serum(before you shampoo) of just honey, coconut oil, and lemon juice. This does a few things for me naturally lightens my hair, moisturizes my hair, and keeps the frizz at bay.

My favorite leave in conditioner when my hair is curly is Mixed Chicks. It's awesome.
My second Favorite is Kinky Curly I use them together typically, MC first then KC.

My favorite leave in/heat protector when I straighten is Jane Carter leave in. I can't use a heavy leave in if I want bouncy flowy hair. So the spray works wonders for me. It's not heavy or oily and I love it.

My favorite Cream is Miss Jessie's Baby Buttercream. When I first tried it I used wayyyyyy too much and thought it wasn't for me. I tried it again 2 weeks later using only about a quarter size amount on really wet hair and realized how much I LOVE it. Not fond of the price but I adore the product.

I am not the gel type at all. But I did a hair demo for a salon, it was for Talijah Waiid products. I really like them, not something I'll call home about, but I use the products sporadically. So all that to say the curl sealer is amazing it really does seal in all the products I've used and helps keep my curls in tact.

When I do want to slick back my edges I use Curlz passionfruit pomade. The scent takes a little getting used to but it last forever. I usually use it at the end of the week or if its rained and I know my hair will be up for the week its much to heavy for my curls as is.

My hair doesn't typically do well with oil. That is until I read a post on naturallycurly.com about coconut oil. I went to Whole Foods bought a jar of unrefined coconut oil, it has all the good stuff in it, and tried it out. Can we say my hair LOVES this stuff...... Not to mention I started buying it to cook with(another blog). It has a very low melting temp but so I keep mine in the fridge. Using it as a solid helps me regulate better how much I'm using. When it gets low I let it melt down and put it in a small plastic container.

So I recently tried a sample of the new Carols Daughter Hair Milk and the Macadamia Collec tion I'm totally in love with both. As soon as my samples are done and I make my way back to Atlanta I fully intend to have a shopping date at the mall and pick up both collections.

If you have never heard of Lush you need to move. LOL just kidding. But no seriously Lush is a brand of products that are all natural and fresh and smell and look amazing. I'm horrible with names but amazing with descriptions so please bare with me. I have tried and purchased and now all out :(...... The coconut shampoo its not a liquid not quite a solid either. It's somewhat like the texture of the icing on German Chocolate cake. The only thing I don't like about the shampoo is I rinsed for several minutes and still had coconut chunks in my hair that I had to comb out. Which by the way seems to be a good scent for me I am always told how great I or my hair smells. The conditioner is a henna conditioner. As I stated in a previous post I'm a tad apprehensive about henna because I've heard it loosens your curls. But this conditioner had my hair so soft even when it was frizzy it was amazing I think I played in my own hair. LOL you can go to the store and request any samples you like of anything they have. It's AMAZING!!!!!

These are just my hair products. You should see under my bathroom sink and my linen closet its a mini Target isle in there. :)

I have banana clips, small combs, bobby pins, headbands, ponytail holders, rollers,blow dryer, flat irons and several other accessories to do my hair with most of which never get used.

I also have a list of things my hair CAN NOT USE by any means I thought I was going to be bald a few times.... Aussie, Cantu, Suave, Twisted Sista, Garnie Fructis, Olive Oil(natural kind not the products), Shea butter, there are a few others I've tried that have had me in tears.

I can't wait to see and hear about what you ladies are using i'll be sure to add a link to my fb album so you can see all of the pics.
Love Live Laugh
Elizabeth

Grey hair

So I found my first grey(white) hair back in march. Like a dummy I yanked it out. Too much of a reality that I wasn't yet 30 and had a grey hair. Not to mention it was more like white than grey. My fear has always been being young and having grey hair. My father has been grey & white haired as long as I can remember. I don't want to be like that with my children whenever I have them. I still have my white hair tucked away in the zipper part of my wallet. I follow a young lady on Instagram who has grey hair, and she is gorgeous, she embraces it and loves it. I hope that when I get to that point I will also. I am starting to think some of my "blonde" is going to turn grey soon. I remember my great grand mother having the prettiest soft grey hair I used to brush and play in. I think I may learn to embrace it with that comes another level of care as well. I'd love to hear your thoughts on and care for grey hair
If you have any. Pictures are my dad over me with his grey hair, my parents and great grandma, and my grey/white hair.  Blessings to you
Elizabeth

Gym Days

Good Afternoon Ladies today's post will piggy back off yesterdays. What do you do to your hair when you go to the gym or workout. I hate sweat so if start to feel my head sweating I HAVE to wash my hair after the gym. I've tried the dry shampoo which is a foam that you put in your hair and comb out. Needless to say I had to deep condition after that experience. I often find myself wearing the only fuchsia polo hat I own. I don't braid, wrap, or tie down my hair at all. So I go to the gym at the end of my day and often walk out looking like I have been attacked by a wild animal. I am still very much into image at the gym, I guess being a Mary Kay consultant kinda makes me that way. While you won't find me with makeup on I do coordinate my outfits and try to still look presentable given I speak to someone about business. Hey I meet people everywhere and in that business I can go on for days at the gym. I've seen the headband/bandana that Nicole Ari Parker created, but I've never seen anyone in real life using it which surprises me because she started promoting it here in Atlanta and she lives here. I'm not a fan of the LeBron James headbands. I refuse to wear my hair scarf or bonnet in the gym. Not to mention I want as little on as possible. My trainer is hard core and our sessions get intense. So wearing anything heavy or bulky on my head would just get thrown off. I tend to take the hat off. I don't know how to cornrow or French braid. So those aren't options. Ladies I'd love some tips and suggestions on great gym hair ideas. Picture was taken at home after the gym I had on my hat but took it off. Before I took the photo.
Elizabeth

4th of July

So I said I'd consistently post daily so I'm working it out. So I love summer especially the month of July(possibly biased because I was born on the 17th). Typically its pretty and hot and I love it. Well it's rained every day thus far here in Atlanta. So what does that mean for me? FRIZZ, wetting my hair, and using products daily. I rarely get to wear my hair a second day as it is, I've yet to master a way that keeps it looking great so I can shake and go in the am. Bonnets protect my hair but always smushes it and I have a huge one. The pineapple leaves my hair sitting on top of my head lol. And nothing at all I wake up looking like I've been electrocuted. Humid wet summer days also always result in a poof, bun, or ponytail of some sort. NEVER is it just out. Too much hair for all that while I do love and embrace my hair I love the curls not the frizz. So I'd like to know what you ladies do in the summer to your hair and what do you do to obtain great second day hair? Days like this make me want to weave it up until September lol..... When I know the temperature starts to cool down and I can maintain it better. I'm lazy when it comes to my hair in the summer. Going natural my hair is thicker than its ever been so I'm not used to handling this much hair at once. I don't straighten my hair during times like this because its a waste of my time and energy. ****SIGH**** I have to figure out something. I can't keep walking around with a poof. Not to mention using styling products EVERY single day.
Pics below are the bun poof I've been rocking lately and last summer how great my curls looked, full, curly, and bouncy but not too frizzy, same products different weather. SMH
Elizabeth

Natural Kids

So I love natural children I've always hated to see young children with relaxers and weaves. I believe if you embrace your child's hair at a young age and love it yourself as their parent they will do the same. I'm sure I'll be that parent who's son will have hair down his back because I'd want him to love it. That is until he wants it cut. My daughter will never hear the word nappy a day in her life. Below is a picture of my Goddaughter in all her natural glory.  Basically I'm glad we as a people have learned to accept what God gave us naturally not only our hair, but our skin, and bodies as well. Much Love
Elizabeth

Introducing Elizabeth

It's been a year since we've posted mostly because we both have been so busy but we are ready to share our experiences with you ladies. Gentlemen don't be afraid to check us out as well I'm all for the natural long hair man(curls, locks, etc). So to introduce myself to you my name is Elizabeth Im 29, 15 days away from my 30th bday. I'm in Atlanta where everyone here either has natural hair or weaves to their butts or in some cases both. I am also guilty of being natural and wearing weaves. Honestly I see nothing wrong with it for me its a great protective style and it helps me greatly especially during the summer when my hair doesn't know what it wants to do, Except frizz. It keeps me from adding heat to my own hair as well. Natural means different things for each person. For me its no chemical relaxers and minimal heat like once every three months. I'm still torn on the color thing while I don't have color now I used to be the honey blonde or golden blonde queen. Needless to say I'm starting to appreciate my multi colored hair and my few natural blonde highlights so I'm looking into natural hair coloring to try in the very near future. I don't want to try henna because I don't want to loosen my already very loose curls. I wash and condition weekly. I deep condition once a  month. I use whatever I have as far as shampoo and conditioner and that varies from every "natural" brand you can think of, herbal essence, tresemme, mane & tail, to regular baking soda and apple cider vinegar. LOL I don't quite have any "staple" products I use what works for me and I've tried MANY different products. As far as styling when I wear my hair curly I use Mixed Chicks leave in, Kinky Curly Leave in, Miss Jessie's Baby Butter Cream or the NEW Carols Daughter Hair Milk, and unrefined coconut oil to seal it all in, that's all on very wet hair. I don't dry my hair I squeeze the water out in the shower then apply products and comb them through individually first with a wide tooth comb then a rat tail comb to saturate every strand and it helps my curls clump better. I have several other products that I've tried and like and will use randomly. My straight hair days are surprisingly less complicated. I use Jane Carter's spray leave in, a small amount of kinky curly, yes I blow dry my hair and ceramic iron it out, then my coconut oil and wrap my hair up. But again this is rare in the summer and maybe once or twice a month in the fall & winter.  A little background story on me and my hair. I've always had the long curly somewhat obnoxious hair. Old easter photos show proof of how it had a mind of its own and I was 8. Growing up my mother "did" my hair which means put in ponytails with hair balls, barrettes, and in some cases banana clips. We never wore cornrows with beads. Anyway she did our hair every morning. Except when she forgot in 4th grade and my older Aunt who wasn't skilled at doing hair had to do it. Who knew you could braid MY hair to itself???? Can't describe what I mean definitely not a french braid or corn row. At any rate on holidays, picture days, and special events my grandma and Aunt did our hair. My grandmas product of choice was mane & tail, we sat under the dryer and my sister got her hair pressed mine just spiral or as we called it then banana curled. Fast forward to 7th grade when my mom finally let me do my own hair I probably broke it all off that first year wearing it in ponytails and buns daily. Using the tubs of brown or pink gel and spritz. 9th grade I poured a bottle of peroxide on my head and it turned orange. She made me keep it that way. I think by 16 I had a relaxer and color in my hair. My hair was thin, shorter than it should have been and just damaged. Remember the Gold & Hot flat irons yeah those probably burned my hair out through all of high school & college. All I used was motions, pink moisture glossier spray, pantiene, and Mizani. I was putting heat on my hair daily. 2003 I stopped the relaxer because I went super blonde I didn't bleach but it was light. So I would wear it curly and hated it and I'd straighten my hair again almost daily. That grew out I dyed it a lighter brown. Then got mad and cut my hair in a really short BOB in 2008 before my bday. Had not an inch of hair in the back and was short for me in general. So decided new years day 2010 to let it grow and to go natural. All this right after I put the relaxer in the day before. Which all I used at that time was elasta qp, and proclaim products. So fast forward to January 2011 when I start learning about my hair type and what to do with what I used to call "this mess" so I played around with twist outs, braid outs, bantu knots, all dealing with 3 different textures of hair. Some days I wanted to just cut it all off but I'm convinced my head is too big. Other days it took everything in me not to go to sallys beauty supply and slap some creamy crack in my head. But I made it and I'm happy I did 2011-2012 was trial and error with different styles, relaxer growing out, hair growing and me trying new products specifically for natural curly hair. My first product was Cantu. I was in Dillard's at the MAC counter buying lipglass & liners and the MUA's hair was like mine but gorgeous and long and her curls were amazing I wanted it. LOL so I asked her what she used and immediately went 2 streets over to Target(to my Atlantians I was in Atlantic Station) and bought the entire Cantu collection. I used it for a while felt OK about it but didnt think I was getting the results I wanted so I tried Shea Moisture. Mostly the orange and yellow items and I fell in love. Jan 2012 I had my first steam treatment and fell in love with Too Groovy Salon. Robin Groover the owner had my hair all kinds of shiny and amazing and bouncy and omg I could go on. Stopped going to save 150 a month. I started using mixed chicks(the entire line),  kinky curly(leave in conditioner), then Jane carter(love the clarifying shampoo & spray leave in), carols daughter(hair milk products and macadamia products and a few others), miss Jessie(baby buttercream and pillow soft curls), Talijah Wahid(curl gel I think.... I like it a lot) Lush(coconut shampoo amazing, henna conditioner super amazing) won't get into body products another blogpost for another day, and several other brands and products. I'm not stuck to one brand there are products that I love from each brand I use. I have pictures of most of them I'll post them soon. I can't wait to chat and get to know more of you.