Here's a picture of me with my Fro-Hawk
Since the days of the Kid n’ Play high-top fade, gumby, ramp cut with ducktail to the comb through texturizers and dred locks my hair has seen its share of styles. As I enter into my thirties I can say that I am happily nappy! From the terms of “good and bad hair” to “you must be mixed or have Indian in your family” the African-American culture has been held captive to what main stream America deemed beautiful. I would be lying to you if I would stand here and say that I was not victim to the hype, but I am here to tell you that I have embraced my natural coils and there are so many products that one can use male or female to maintain a natural look curly look using natural products. I have never done a product review but this is my first time so pray for me.
This past week I have been a product junkie. Almost every product that’s on the market I have bought, and I am looking for more to add to my regime. So I was on youtube and Marquise0907 aka NATURALLY MARQ’s videos made me think more about my hair and going back natural. When I lived in NYC I began to embrace myself and my culture and I grew the largest afro in Manhattan, but when I moved back to Texas I got many looks and I decided to chop it short and get dreds. So, in watching Marq’s videos I learned so many little tricks and I had no idea there was a large sub-culture of “naturals” aka people who let their hair grow naturally and use natural products. So here is what I learned and the products I have bought thus far on my happily nappy journey! Marquise0907
WTH is a Co-Wash?
When I first heard this term I thought they were saying COLD-wash! So I thought using cold water in your regular hair cleansing method was the way to go but I WAS SO WRONG! Co Washing is also known as conditioner washing, co-washing is no-shampoo method of cleansing your hair. Conventional shampoos can cause natural hair to become dry, unmanageable and frizzy. Washing your hair with a good rinse-out conditioner can keep your waves, kinks and curls moisturized and healthy.
Product Review
So if you know me personally you know that I am all about healthy skin and healthy hair. It’s a vain Leo thing I guess. So once I made the choice to go natural I began to look for the popular products.
Shea Moisture's Curl Enhancing Smoothie
Shea Moisture Products
I came across Toliahli’s youtube channel and she used the Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie in her finger coil tutorial and so I decided to go to Target and get some. The Curl Enhancing Smoothie feels great to touch it has the consistency of a body butter and has a great aroma. I purchased the Curl & Style Milk and Hold & Shine Moisture Mist. The Style milk feels great to the touch it does not have a greasy residue and has the consistency of body lotion, but I have to say the Shine and Moisture Mist is a BUST! I might as well spray water on my hair. There was no evident texture change and it absorbed fast into the hair. I think for my hair texture this would be a great conditioning regiment as well as used for when my hair is gets longer. Currently my hair is about 2.5 inches long. So I give the Shea Moisture products a A- I do plan to get the Hair Masque and other conditioning products.
Motions Naturally You Curl Defining Creme
Motions- Naturally You
So I was in Wal-Greens about a week ago and being the product junkie that I am I decided to go look and see what they had for natural hair. Then I stumbled upon this nectar from the gods! It is the Define My curls Crème. I LOVE THIS PRODUCT!!! Since my hair is short and I Wash N Go I wanted a product that dried quickly and was going to add shine and moisture to my hair follicle and scalp. Well this one did it for me. If you have short hair and want a product that will turn your TWA (Teenie Weenie Afro) into a crown of curls then this is the product. Don’t be fooled by the way it looks in the jar. A little goes a long way. It has glue like consistency but once worked into the hair the magic happens children. GO GET THIS STUFF NOW!!!
Kinky-Curly
Need I say anymore? After watching numerous videos on this product my girl CoilsKinksCurls youtube videos turned me into a believer. When I was at Target I saw this line but looked over it. Today I Co-washed my hair twice and used my Cantu Leave-In Shea Butter Conditioner with the Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave-In Conditioner/ Detangler and used the Kinky-Curly Curling Custard to style my hair. I was a little grossed out because the Curling Custard has the consistency of snot, but this product worked well in the hair. A little goes a long way. It is a bit expensive but worth every penny. It does take time to dry, but once it has dried there is not oily residue. Remember this product is a gel and must be used on top of a conditioner to avoid crunchy hair. It will shrink you TWA but it will enhance your natural curl pattern.
My natural curls using Motions Curl Defining Creme April 5, 2012
We all have different types of hair and there are so many videos and blogs that tell you to use this regiment and this or that product. I encourage you to go out there with an open mind and let your hair tell you what it likes. The more natural ingredients in the product the better results in hair growth and durability. I am truly excited about my natural journey to nappy-land and I hope that you will take the journey with me. I am so excited that I encouraged my mother and she is doing the same thing as well. I am ready to take my place among the naturals and learn more from the community. I am excited and I hope this blog was somewhat helpful. Until then!
Stay Happy and Nappy!
the Literary Prince…
Rants from The Literary Prince 