Save the Date! Nzuri Natural Hair Health & Beauty Showcase!

This event is sponsored by Miss Jessie's.

For more information, go to: http://naturalhairshowcase.com/

In Case You Have Not Heard... There's Still Time!

Hairs a Thought (HAT) is sponsoring a Naturalista Deployment Drive that ends October 1, 2011. HAT founder Briseida Bethancourt, is collecting new and "gently used" natural hair products to send to our naturalista's who are deployed overseas.

Help support our troops and donate natural hair care products they may not have access to. If you are buying any products this week, pick up an extra one to send to our troops. If you have tried a product that didn't work for you donate it to this worthy cause.

Please mail all of your gently used and/or new natural hair product donations to:

ColorMiNatural

17460 IH 35 N Suite 160-314

Schertz, TX 78154

For more information, visit: http://www.facebook.com/notes/hairs-a-thought/the-hairs-a-thought-naturalista-deployment-drive/264788846867416

No Dryers Or Flat Irons For A Year And It Made A Difference!

It's almost been a year since my last blow dry and flat iron experience. I can really see the difference from not applying any heat to my hair. My hair has gotten a lot fuller and stopped breaking off. Over the past year, I have been pretty consistent with my hair regimen and it’s working. The tools that I use are a spray bottle, detangling comb, plastic bag and a scarf. My staple products are a sulfate-free shampoo, detangling deep conditioner, leave-in conditioner and oils.

During the past year, I wore my hair in braid out styles. My weekly routine included a nightly spraying my hair with water, re-braiding in larger sections and wrapping it in a scarf. In the morning, I applied coconut oil to help seal in the moisture for the day. When I did this, it stretched my curls and cut out the "matted" look (a special thank you to Chicoro for the advice on refreshing my braid out). In addition, I co-wash 2-3 times during the week using either Aubrey's Honeysuckle Rose Moisturizing Conditioner or Giovanni's Smooth As Silk Conditioner. This is followed up with a leave-in conditioner (Kimmaytube's recipe) and a little avocado oil on the braids before they are wrapped.

Typically, my wash day required at least four hours. I started the night before by doing a pre-poo. At that time, I detangled my hair with my fingers and added either Amla or olive oil to each section before twisting it. Once completed, I tied a plastic bag* on my hair and went to bed.  I completed the shampoo process using Curls Creamy Curl Cleanser. This shampoo removed dirt without creating a lot of tangles or shedding that I've experienced with other natural shampoo products. After conditioning,  I followed the same steps as above only alternating Argan oil instead of avocado oil to seal my braids.

* (Disclaimer: It is not recommended that you sleep in a plastic bag.)

It has almost been a year since my last flat iron experience. I didn't think that I could last a year without thermal curling my hair - especially for special occasions. The challenge of retaining growth while creating styles that I could wear to formal events or the office was not easy. But, If you are on a no-heat challenge, I encourage you to keep going. You will see the difference within the first month. I will probably get my hair blown out for a professional trim early next year, until that time, my journey continues.

What are your tips for no-heat challenges or encouraging advice that you would like to share?

Natural Hair T-Shirts & Accessories Store Opening Giveaway

Natural Hair Cute-Tees Is Giving Away A Cutie!

You will be just in time for the summer with these new designs of natural hair cuties printed on tees, tanks and totes. Enter to win one free item of your choice from Natural Hair Cute-Tees. 

Click here to view products.

How To Win A Cutie:

1. Go to the website http://naturalhaircute-tees.spreadshirt.com and view products. Pick one item that you would like to win.
2. Copy the product name, item number, color and size (if applicable) from the items in the shop. Post your selection in the comments section below.
3. You must be a follower to be eligible for the contest. Only comments under this post will count. One submission per person is allowed. All entrants must be at least 18 years of age to participate. One winner will be selected after there are at least 100 qualified comments posted below. The winner will be notified and announced on this blog at the close of the giveaway.

What I've Learned Transitioning from Relaxed to Natural Hair

My journey began early in the Fall of 2009. I had my last perm in July and noticed that the top of my hair was starting to thin. I would professionally relax 3-4 times a year, but was still experiencing breakage that kept my hair slightly below my shoulders and now thinning on the top. I was not mentally ready to face a big chop so, I decided to long-term transition. I knew nothing about the level of moisture natural hair needed and detangling the two textures I was dealing with. By the ninth month, I had really bad breakage that was partially (95%) my fault. I hated washing my hair because I would get huge knotted clumps right at the part where the natural hair met the permed hair. Not knowing the value of a good detangler and a gentle hand, I ripped the knots and my hair out of my head. I ended up with a chop by default because the middle of hair had broken off to about 3 inches (flat ironed) long.

At the end of September 2010, I started doing no-heat styles and this was one of my not so great twist outs. Look at the spaces and heat damaged top. Ugh!

After the major breakage, I was still having progress and set backs because I had not developed a regimen and didn’t know what worked on my hair. So, I started watching Natural Hair Care videos on YouTube in the fall of 2010 and learned a lot about my hair. The ladies on these YouTube channels were very resourceful and informative. I am very thankful for all of the tips and information that helped me persevere through my mistakes and setbacks during my journey. They encouraged me to try new products – I admit that I was a product junkie for a minute, but it helped me to learn my hair. I bought books, test strips, researched ingredients and tried countless styles. I was starting to develop a new love for my hair.

What a difference time, patience and education makes!