Natural Hair Mist

I have been using a basic water based hair mist since my natural hair journey began.  As I started researching (goggling) hair care I came up with another hair mist that I also enjoy.  I use both daily as I am styling my hair, well not at the same time.  Different days but I mist my hair everyday.  I have natural curly hair and my hair needs moisture so this is a way for me to add that without drenching it and walking around with dripping hair.

Image from: http://water.aiche.org

When you are mixing your hair misters make sure you are careful to clean and sterilize everything you use.  Bacteria and fungi can grow in your recipes and then on your hair.  Always keep products in a cool dry place.  Add preservatives, refrigerate or make only what you are going to use immediately to prevent microbial growth.

My go to recipe that I have been using since the beginning is:
    -water
    -coconut oil
    -add ingredients to spray bottle and shake
One tip is to get the coconut oil to melt is to add warm/hot water and shake.  This usually keeps the coconut oil from solidifying.  However, if it does I run hot water over the bottle or add more hot water inside.

A new recipe that I am trying and like because it makes my hair feel really soft and moisturized:
    -aloe vera juice
    -essential oil (your choice but lavender is good)
    -coconut oil (or any oil of your choice)
    -add ingredients to spray bottle and shake

What are your hair mister recipes? Do you have different ones for different hair issues?

Mist Lightly,
CurlyBeautyBoss

Natural Me Hair Style

I recently Hennaed my hair and decided to see how my hair would look without product.  Usually when I style my hair I use a leave in conditioner and curling gel at minimum.  This time the only product I used was an oil (that I mixed).  This is how it looked with silver hair combs holding up one side.

This side is much curlier.

The top and first time I noticed the red dye from the Henna.

Front, I wanted to add curling product to the front but I resisted.

Left side isn't as defined.  

I like it but would probably add curling gel next time.  What do you guys think? How does your natural curls look without product?


Naturally Me,
CurlyBeautyBoss

Eye Makeup Colored Mascara

Since I cut all my hair off I have been wearing a lot more makeup.  Well a lot for me.  I figured since I didn't have long hair anymore I would accessorize with colors and big earrings.  In keeping with that theme, I recently tried one of MAYBELLINE New York: Great Lash Limited Edition in Totally Teal.  

If you are looking to spice up your look with a splash of color.  I would try one of the Limited Edition Mascara.  They come in four different colors that I know of and I picked teal because it goes better with my brown eyes.  These are my eyes before I applied the mascara.   

  

These are my eyes after I applied Totally Teal.  The color shows up better in person.  

Oh no! Not the big eyes.  

 These are the tools I used from start to finish.

Have you tried one of Maybelline's Limited Edition colored mascara? If so which one and why? If not would you wear colored mascara?



Totally Teal,
CurlyBeautyBoss

Great Hair Gel that Does More than Hold

When I did my big chop one of the first products I used was Fantasia IC Hair Polisher Styling Gel.  I have used it on damp hair, wet hair and dry hair.  I found that it worked best for me when my hair was spritzed with water.  This gel helped define my curls and held my hair styles.  It also left my hair really soft, shiny and manageable.  I realized this one afternoon at the end of the week when I was playing in my hair (apparently this is a curly girl, naturalista no no, oh well) and realized that my hair felt really soft and moisturized.  I started thinking what could it be and realized that I was using IC gel exclusively that entire week.

IC gel is a clear, lightly fragrant gel.  It gives me light hold and slippage without being hard and causing flakes in my hair when it dries.  It says it is "Hard to Hold" but I have short, tightly curled hair so for me it helped define my curls but didn't give me a strong hold.  I picked this gel up in the store because it contained aloe, vitamin E, and wheat protein (which are good for your hair) and NO alcohol.  My curls need water not alcohol.  

There isn't much I didn't like about this gel but it did not provide a strong hold.  When I tried to lay down my hair using this gel, it did not work for me.  I mainly used this gel in styles where my hair was out like wash and gos.  You can buy this gel just about any store for around $4.00 for 16 oz of product.  I also reuse the  container for my homemade products.  Have you guys tried this gel? How did you like it or didn't like it and why? What gels do you use?


Happy Styling,
CurlyBeautyBoss

Natural Hair Goal

I found that over the last few weeks my hair has been really dry and itchy.  I actually made my own hair oil to combat this dilemma which actually worked really well since it was my first homemade oil.  Which leads me to my weekly goal:

RETAIN SOFT, SHINY, MOISTURIZED HAIR FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK.

Currently my hair looks like this after a twist out.

I plan on washing, sealing, and moisturizing my hair on wash day to get off on a good foot.  Then regularly moisturize to keep it soft and shiny.  Here are the tools I will be using:

My Homemade Oil Elixir 

Every curly girl should have a spray bottle

My homemade hair butter

Here is my routine to keep my hair soft, moisturized, and shiny.

1. Wash and condition

2. Seal hair                 

3. Twist hair               

4. Mist daily               

5. Oil/Butter as needed

6. Cover hair at night  

Hopefully this routine works and I will let you guys know next week when I talk about my next hair goal.  What do you guys do to have soft, moisturized and shiny hair? What has worked or didn't work for you?

Moisture Experiment #1

CurlyBeautyBoss

Eating Cassava to Have Twins

I recently watched an episode of Real Housewives of Atlanta where Porsha Williams Stewart married to Kordell Stewart retired NFL player (who might also be gay/bisexual) mentioned eating a special type of potato to have twins.  I of course had to Google this information and found that eating Cassava potatoes can increase your chances of having twins.  This information is based off a tribe in West Africa in Nigeria called the Yoruba.  The Yoruba have the highest twining rate in the world.   It is speculated that the high incidence of twins comes from a high consumption of a specific type of yam (cassava) containing a natural phytoestrogen which may stimulate the ovaries to release an egg from each side. Phytoestrogen, an estrogen compound that increases a woman's follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and may induce a higher rate of ovulation.  I recently went on a search to find the cassava and did not have much luck in finding the raw potato.  I did however find these other sources of cassava.

   

The Boba Tea is a milk tea with tapioca balls in the bottom.  The tapioca balls are made from the starch of the cassava root.  The tea was actually really good.  I was pleasantly surprised.

Saw these at the local Farmer's Market.  

But since the cassava has high levels of phytoestrogen which is supposedly the cause of multiple egg release finding other food sources with phytoestrogen can possibly give you the same effect.  Such as soy or this yuca potato I found that is supposed to be very similar to the cassava potato.

If you are looking for sources of phytoestrogen I would try flax seeds, oil seeds, soy beans, tofu, whole grains, walnuts (nuts), herbs like black cohosh, dong quai, alfalfa, mexican wild yam, ginseng, and wild clover.  I should also mention that from doing my research I found numerous resources stating that the flora of the intestinal tract must be in a healthy balance for the phytoestrogens to be effective.  That means eating plenty of pro/pre biotics like yogurt to get the gastrointestinal tract balanced and staying away from sugary,high fat and  fried foods.  The phytoestrogens also need to be at high levels in your system.  You can't eat cassava one day and hope to have twins it must be daily and well before starting to get pregnant.

If anyone decides to increase their intake of phytoestrogens and gets pregnant with twins please, please share your story with me.  Does anyone know someone that ate cassava and had twins? Do you think this will work? Let me know.


Happy Baby Making,
CurlyBeautyBoss

*Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or expert that can give medical advice on having twins.  These are my opinions based on research that I have done and in no way have been proven true.

Passionate about Me

Ever since I can remember I have only wanted to do two things: play sports and travel.  As my High School graduation drew nearer and I did not have a college to play sports for I decided I would work for six months and then travel for as long as I could.  I figured as I traveled I would learn a foreign language, (Spanish perhaps?) and then go take everything day by day.  I relayed this plan to my parents and I they passed me a look of "are you out of your mind".  See I did all the customary bull crap one has to do senior year of high school, I applied to Colleges, filled out scholarship letters, and made sure I graduated (with honors, so I'm not a slacker).  But, I just did not want to go to college at least not at that moment, I wanted to travel the world (or at least to Spain).  That was my plan and I was going forth with it.

Well when you are eighteen without money or a job I had to learn to bend to what my parents thought was best.  In other words I could go attend one of the schools I was accepted into or join the Military.  Well I definitely was not about to go to the Military so I started making plans to attend college.  While making these plans I received an offer to play basketball for a Division I school and that made the decision to attend college much easier to swallow.  Like I said at the time I had two passions sports and traveling, so I was happy.

As I went through college I had to decide what I wanted to do with the rest of my life and I went through numerous fields; public relations, architecture, physical therapy, nursing, teaching, law, etc.  However, none of them really struck my interest till I went home one summer and worked at a rehabilitation center with my mom and sister.  I had fun working there and thought it must mean I should be a physical therapist.  I know now it was because I was working with family and that is what I enjoyed.  Through my various dabbling here in there interning, volunteering, working, shadowing I knew that whatever I did I needed to be my own boss.  There my entrepreneurial spirit was born.

Now I had three passions, working for myself, traveling and sports.  I still want to travel the world but responsibility and funds elude me so I settle for small week trips here and there.  I workout and am looking to join an adult league, in any sport I'm not picky.  Now I need to fulfill my entrepreneurial desire but I am not sure how to go about doing that.  I want to enjoy my business and it not feel like a job but still treat it like one so that it will be profitable.  It also needs to be flexible so that I may travel and see the 7 Wonders of the World.  Now end lies my quest to find my passion(s).

To be continued. . .
CurlyBeautyBoss

Hair Emergency

I recently had to fly out of town to deal with a family emergency and I had less than 24 hours to get out of dodge.  Well I was in the middle of a henna treatment when I had to make plans to leave town.  I also sterilized all my hair tools in preparation to make my own hair care products.  (I planned to make samples for family members and friends to get their input on my products.  More on that later.) Needless to say all my staples were being cleaned and dried and just not ready for use.  I also did not have any of my "hair crack" ready for use let alone travel and had to make some hard decisions.  What would I take with me to do my hair? I had to rely on products that could do multiple tasks, not spill in my bag and make it through security in case I only took a carry on.  Needless to say I had nothing prepared.  Oh did I mention my hair was in turmoil? Those of you who have tried henna treatments know they are a pain to rinse out and you need plenty of time to do so and I had to improvise.  I decided to focus on getting all the henna out because if it is not rinsed out properly it will dry out your hair and you will continue to see residue days later till your next wash or co-wash.  I figured I could do my hair on the plane and hoped for the best.  Since it is winter time I wanted to try a protective style which worked for my crisis because then I wouldn't have to worry about doing it while away.  I went with a two strand twist and this product:

I used this product in the beginning of my natural hair journey.  I did not have much success with this product despite the high reviews given by other curly haired mavens.  See my review.  But in my desperation and the fact that I was not going to wear my hair out I threw it in my carry on and ran out the door.  It was the ONLY PRODUCT I BROUGHT WITH ME! Talk about freaking out, I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best.  My usual regimen is to spray my hair with water and a mixture of oils daily and gel if needed.  I could not perform any of my nomal routines and was surprised at how this product worked on my hair.  This product provided me with great slip and I noticed it defined my curls beautifully as I finger detangled and twisted my hair.  It also moisturized it leaving it nice a soft.  Nothing worse than dry, crunchy hair!

Now I am not sure what made this product work better for me but I cannot wait to see what it looks like in a twist out.  Most of my twist outs look like waves and not the nice coils I see on other naturalistas.  I believe this product might do the trick.

One thing I did differently this time was:
1. Henna treatment
2. Conditioner (to rinse out henna)
3. No oils
4. No gels
5. No leave in conditioner
I believe that all the various products playing on my hair did not mesh well with the Shea Moisture Curly Enhancing Smoothie.  I also let my mother use it on her braid outs and her hair was instantly moisturized.  She also used it on her hair before bedtime and the next day her hair was more controlled and defined.  I      should have taken a picture but take my word for it, she looked great.

Second Chances,
CurlyBeautyBoss





What are your Shea Moisture success or distress stories? Have you given products a second chance and found they worked better for your hair?

Brandi and Adrienne of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Fight

I recently watched Real Housewives of Beverly Hills hoping to see the reason Brandi Glanville and Adrienne Maloof were arguing.  What was so harmful that Dr. Paul Nassif had to get in Brandi's face and call her B*t@h? Excuse me but that must have been a huge bomb Brandi dropped about their family.

Kim Richards tells Adrienne and Paul what Brandi said during a tasting for Lisa's restaurant that they did not attend.  Kim said that Brandi was telling people that Adrienne is a liar.  Kim also revealed another tidbit that was edited out but we know it was about their family.  Ok, is the show so boring that they have to drag out gossip? Just reveal what she said so we can move on.  Its not like Brandi doesn't say outrageous things all the time.

Since I like spoilers, I searched the internet to see if the reason behind the fight was leaked.  Beth Sobel of Wetpaint reveals that the comment was about how Adrienne used a surrogate for her kids and did not have a cesarean like she claimed during the taping of the show.  I'm sorry but if that is all and its true is that really a big deal? Camille Grammer is very open with the fact that she used a surrogate for her kids.

What do you think the fight is about? Is using a surrogate a bid deal?



Making babies,
CurlyBeautyBoss

RHOA Kenya Moore and Walter Jackson 's Real or Fake Relationship?

If you were like me and watched the Real Housewives of Atlanta episode last night and became confused about the way Kenya Moore threw herself at every available and unavailable guy (Apollo Nida, Phaedra Parks' husband) in front of her boyfriend Walter Jackson during a trip to Anguilla.  My first thought was this relationship is FAKE.  There is no way a man would just sit by while his girlfriend threw herself at every guy in Anguilla.  On top of the fact that every time the couple are together she is pressuring him to marry her and give her some babies which comes off as desperate.

In a recent interview with V-103′s “Frank and Wanda Morning Show" Walter admits their relationship was fake and Kenya asked him to play her boyfriend on the show.  Walter did admit they dated three years ago for three months and he agreed to play her beau for 15 minutes of fame.  See the clips courtesy of Straight for the A.

Walter also admitted that he was there because she started telling people that he was gay and it was not true.  He also seems to think that she started the rumor because he wouldn't marry her and he was surprised at how she kept bring up the m-word.

Why would Kenya get a fake boyfriend? Did she not get the memo that you don't have to be married to be a housewife? Also is Kenya a little loca? Because the way she acts on the show does not seem normal.



Real or Fake?
CurlyBeautyBoss


What you think Real or Fake relationship? What do you think about Kenya and her behavior on the show?

Real or Fake Housewives of Miami

Real or Fake? Who know but the cast and producers.  I recently saw Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen and he had Kristen Cavelleri and Taylor Armstrong on the show #WWHL.  Kristen played the fifth and answered the question is The Hills real or fake? . . . she answered FAKE! I knew it!

Over the years numerous reports came out on how The Hills was fake and watchers would analyze and provide evidence on the falseness.  Well I happened to like The Hills, the LC version and just enjoyed watching the show.  Its television and there for entertainment.  I actually like guessing if the actors I mean cast are having genuine experiences or faking it.

Which brings me to my epiphany.  As I watch these reality shows because I am a reality show junkie (don't judge me) I often wonder whats real or fake.  Since then I have started researching the drama.  Case in point the infamous news article Karent Sierra interviewed for and how she talked about the Miami Housewives.  I always wanted to read the article well I found the article.  Take a look.  Original Article

"Just when we thought we've unearthed them all, we uncover yet another new cast member of the retooled Real Housewives of Miami. This one, Karent Sierra, likes to multi-task. She's an actress, a spokesperson, a model and . . . a dentist. What she's not is a wife, so she'll fit right in with all the other unmarried women in the misnomer of a franchise. We met her Saturday night with her BFF and bon vivant, party animal Beau Beasley, who will also make his Bravo debut in season 2. We asked her what in her right (?) mind would have her subject herself to such a thing and she told us bluntly that she wanted to promote world peace prove to viewers that not all the women on these shows are classless fame addicts with low IQs and Botox for brains. We can count on one finger hand a few who are smarter than they appear, but smarts don't always equal sanity. Sierra, a Colgate spokesperson with obviously very white teeth, says she has a passion for being out there in the public eye, and wants to do right by Miami. She also tells us that yes, there's fabricated tension between her and all the other ladies who, uh, drill her on camera for, among other things, being a dentist and having a publicist. Sierra says she refuses to stoop to the level of some of the other gals--no table throwing, no screaming, no cursing. So what then? "I'll just kill 'em with kindness," she says, sharpening her teeth. That, or laughing gas. Stay tuned.

Posted by Lesley Abravanel at 09:50 AM in "Real" Housewives | Permalink"

So there you go the big hoopla.  I kind of, like, don't get it? Why were they upset? Oh yeah, FAKE!



Keeping it Real,
CurlyBeautyBoss

Black Friday Virgin

**This is late coming but I wanted to post it because I had such a fun experience.  Here is my story of Black Friday Madness 2012.**


I have never shopped during Black Friday.  I have however worked retail during the holiday and it was an experience to say the least.  This year I decided to tackle Black Friday and maybe a shopper or two.

Fight broke out over down comforters!

 OK, not really but I plan on venturing out to Walmart to photograph the madness! So armed with my D3100 and pen I will experience the chaos and try not to spend.  But I do need photoshop, bedding, shoes, jeans and an imac. . . . maybe I should stay home.  I am on a budget and unemployed.

They sectioned off aisles for various electronics.  

 After wandering around Walmart and running into people (ones I knew and didn't know, excuse me) and looking at all the sales n steals.

 I succumbed to the madness and pressure of $3.88 food processors and blenders which I could really use in mixing my hair crack.  See I need these things, therefore, I am shopping with a purpose.

I also went for the down comforters.

Sorry babe! Praying my card goes through.  Hello my name is CurlyBeautyBoss and I am a Black Friday-aholic.  Don't judge me.

I thoroughly enjoyed my first Black Friday.  I am no longer a Black Friday virgin.  It was fun, exciting and if you like people watching as much as I do it is an experience you will never forget.  Next year I will leave my credit card at home, or just budget for more madness? Hmmmm. . .


Happy Shopping,
CurlyBeautyBoss


How was your Black Friday? Did you have a list or just bought random stuff you think you might need someday? Share your stories.

Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie Review

When I first did my big chop I tried to use Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie.  It was supposed to enhance curls, minimize frizz and provide curl control but it did not work for me.

While it did moisturize my hair, it also left a white residue.  Which did not go away after it dried and every time I parted my hair white flakes would fly everywhere like a white Christmas.  So not sexy.  I continued to experiment with using this product hoping it would work.  I researched different products used by other natural chicas and found they loved this product.  I was determined to make this product work for me and tried using it various ways:
1. On wet hair
2. On dry hair
3. As a sealer
4. In combination with oils and leave in conditioner
5. As a styler
6. On damp hair
                                           7. Wash outs

                  

Despite the various ways and consistently using this product, it just did not benefit my hair.  I was so disappointed.  The last straw for me what when my hubby looked at my hair and started giving me hair advice.  I knew I had to put the product down and move on.  I have since moved on to other products and am looking for what works on my hair.

Find what works for you and just cause curly hair guru XXXXX uses it and has good results does not mean it is for your hair.




Happy Journey,
CurlyBeautyBoss

What products do you love? What works on your hair? Have you used this product? Did it work for you? Share your story.

Royal Prank

It is a sad day when a joke leads to death.  I am not sure why the nurse that connected DJs MC and Mel (of Australia) to Duchess Kate's nurse but mistakes happen.  Reports are saying it was the prank call that led the nurse to commit suicide but we do not really know.  I do not understand suicide and would hope those that are considering it seek help or send out some kind of signal so that steps can be taken to help them.  I have had experience with friends and family attempting suicide or were successful.  Death is never easy and when someone is taken before their time brings even greater sadness.

In case you have not heard Kate Middleton is pregnant and was admitted to the hospital for hyperemesis gravidarum or extreme morning sickness.  While in the hospital Australian DJs MC and Mel called into King Edward VII Hospital in London pretending to be Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles.  Here is a YouTube video of the call:

Kate's nurse divulged information about her condition, Prince William and visiting hours to DJs Mel and MC over the telephone.  Today reports that the nurse who transferred the call to Duchess Kate's nurse committed suicide.  If you want to check out the DJs of the royal prank call here is their website: www.2dayfm.com.au

Love & Health,
CurlyBeautyBoss

What do you think about the royal prank? Was it harmless? Huge invasion of privacy? What do you think should happen to the DJs? Share your comments


**As a side note: Congratulations to Gisele and Brady for their new baby girl Vivian!**