Product of the month...December

Since I just did a post on flat ironing the hair, I figured why not do a review on a good serum.
 This will be my last post for the year of 2011. I pray that you all have a very prosperous New Year!!
This month's product is one I haven't tried, but will be purchasing, most likely today.

Urban Therapy Twisted Sista Different Strokes Serum

Urban Therapy Twisted Sista Different Strokes Serum is good anti frizz product to use when you want to flat iron your hair. It's especially good to use in the summertime when there is plenty of moisture in the air. 

Here is what the product advertises:

• Instantly eliminates frizz
• Give dazzling curls
• Smooths and seals and helps repair split ends
• Contains UV filter
• For both curly and straight hair styles
• Tested in London salons

Apply serum into palms of hands and smooth through wet hair to defrizz. Style as usual. For instant shine, smooth a small amount over dry hair.
The price is $4.49 and can be found at Walgreens, Rite-Aid, Target and etc or you can go to twistedsista.com.
Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane , Dimethicone , Cyclohexasiloxane , Isopropyl Myristate , Fragrance , Benzophenone-3 , Tocopheryl Acetate , Phenyl Trimethicone , Benzyl Salicylate , Eugenol , Hexyl Cinnamal , Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde , Limonene


Themakeupdivas.com says, "For added anti-frizz protection and styling, try the Different Strokes Serum – like magic, it eliminates frizz and adds shine to define curls and keep straight hair touchable and smooth with a boost of antioxidant support."

juicymagonline.com calls it a "Miracle Worker". They say it's a product that will have your hair able to withstand any and all weather-related issues. This lightweight serum is the perfect consistency for those with fine to medium hair and can be used on wet or dry hair for defined glossy curls, or sleek straight looks. This power-packed serum also includes a UV filter which protects hair from the destructive effects of the sun's rays.
For maximum results use after shampooing and conditioning hair. Pump a dime-size amount of product into the palm and rub between you hands. Trust us, a little bit of product goes a long way. Evenly distribute the serum from root to tip being careful not to slather too much serum on the roots as this will weigh hair down. Let air dry for gorgeous curls and waves or blow-dry for a smooth straight style.

Flat Ironing Tips

Are you flat ironing your hair with sometimey results? Not getting it as "straight" as you would like? Here are some tips that may be just what you need to get what you are looking for.

1. Make sure hair is conditioned well. If your hair isn't conditioned and moisturized well, then don't even think about putting any heat in your hair. Using just a heat protectant on unconditioned hair will not do the trick. Applying heat to dry, brittle hair is just asking for breakage. Only flat iron your hair if you condition it regularly.
2. Never flat iron dirty hair. It's best to flat iron your hair as soon as you finish freshly shampooing and conditioning your hair. If you apply heat to hair that has a bunch of dirt or product in it, then you are just baking that stuff into your hair. If you need a touch up in the middle of the week, use very little heat, once...not every day.
3. Use some sort of smoothing serum. After you have shampooed and conditioned, before blow drying apply a smoothing serum to your hair. This is especially good for straightening natural hair. If there is a lot of moisture in the air, try to find a humidity-resistant formula. Design Essentials Silk Essentials is my favorite.
4. Use a heat protectant. Once your hair is COMPLETELY dry, use a heat protectant on each section of the hair before you flat iron. Although a heat protectant helps, even the best ones out there will not hold up against heat that is too high.
5. Don't use oil before you iron. You may want to put a natural oil on your hair AFTER you flat iron  for a little added weight, if your hair is limp and fine then you won't need it, but using oil before you flat iron will give you too much weight and you won't achieve the bouncy look you are after.
6. Do not put heat on wet hair. For the best results, make sure your hair is totally dry before putting a flat iron to it. Either blow dry your hair in its entirety or if you don't want to put excessive amounts of heat in your hair let your hair air dry until it's about 80% dry then blow dry the rest of the way. If your hair isn't completely dry before flat ironing, it will just frizz up.
7. Take your time. Slow and steady wins the race. Don't flat iron your hair if you are in a hurry. Using slow and controlled movements will give you the best results, but don't linger in one place too long. Get as close to the roots as you can and pull the iron down in one smooth motion. If you  hurry through it, you may have to go over the section again...and again...and again. Don't forget, the less heat the better.
8. Adjust your heat settings as needed. Naturals will be surprised to find that they have two or three different textures in their hair, it's not uncommon. In my case, the crown of my head is a lot curlier and requires higher heat than my nape area, which has a very loose curl. So, just because your flat iron can heat up to 450 degrees doesn't mean you  have to use that much heat on every area of your head. That's a sure fire way of permanently straightening or damaging your natural curls.
9. Don't iron big sections of hair. Big, chunky sections of hair won't straighten to your liking. Try not to press wider or thicker than 1 inch at a time.
10. Wrap your hair at night. Now that you have done all that hard work straightening your hair, why ruin it by no nighttime maintenance!!? If you wrap your hair at night and cover it with a silk or satin scarf, then by morning you won't need to do much of anything besides taking it down and combing through it. You will already have a slight curve and volume...no more heat should be required.

Simple as 1..2..3 or maybe 10!!! LOL!! LOVE YOUR HAIR!!

 

Fix up that Fro!! Accessorizing

Making the decision to go natural gives you a certain  je ne saia quoi, so to speak. One way to keep that certain something popping is to experiment with different accessories for your hair. Accessories can be as simple as you prefer or they can be bold, making a major statement. I, myself, rely on accessorizing when I'm having a "I don't care" hair day. I have gotten the question, "I'm bored with my hair, what can I do with it?" Well, if you're tired of the same old twists, twist outs, braids or frohawks, then rock some stunning accessories.

Scarves: My favorite way of making my "bad" hair look good.  It is very versatile. You can wear it as a head band or cover the entire head. You can tie them any way you like, either with the knot behind your head or in front. Be creative and experiment. You can't go wrong with scarves.

 

Flowers: Another great way to spruce up your style is with flowers. I usually add it over my ear, but the sky is the limit. Put them any where you choose. Have them as big or as small as you want. Heck, put more than one in at a time.

Headbands: For the most part, headbands are usually used to hold the hair away from the face, but why not snazz it up and use it as a focal point of your hairstyle.



Clips, banana clips, barrettes, hair sticks, etc.: Excellent ways to pin your hair up in a stylish way. I have become very fond of using banana clips to pin my hair when they are two strand twisted. It's also a fashionable way of protecting the ends of your hair by tucking them into your style and pinning them up. 

 

Beanies: So, now that it's getting cold outside, you'll want to cover that head with some sort of hat. Beanies are a great way of protecting the hair from the elements and once again hiding "I don't care" hair. I'm quick to toss a beanie on my two week old twists when I don't have time to take them down. 

  

So, have fun fixing your natural hair up with different accessories. You may even do something "dangerous" and step outside your box. Check out some of the pictures for different ideas! LOVE YOUR HAIR!!!!



Product of the month...November

I know I'm a day late on posting November's product, but better late than never I always say. So, although today is December 1st (where did this year go???), we are going to pretend that it's November 30th, Cool?! LOL!!
Anywho...This month I'd like to feature a product that I've used regularly and have seen others use as well with good results.



Cantu Shea Butter leave in conditioning repair cream

 Cantu Shea Butter leave in conditioning repair cream is a very inexpensive way to keep the hair moisturized on a daily basis. I used it a lot when I was transitioning, not so much any more, but I would still recommend it to anyone looking for a good detangler with great slippage and is a leave in.  Here is what the product advertises:
This product is an intensive deep penetrating leave in cream conditioning treatment that is made with pure Shea butter and other natural oils to stop and mend breakage, repair split ends, and add manageability and shine with every application. When used daily, this cream helps promote strong, long, healthy hair. Formulated for severely damaged, dry or coarse hair.

• Reduces frizz
• Protects hair from heat damage
• Hydrates and moisturizes

Daily styling - Apply to towel dried hair. Work a generous amount of product into hair beginning at the roots to the tips. Comb through for even distribution. Do not rinse. Apply more to longer hair at the ends or problem areas. Leave in treatment - Apply as directed for "daily styling" just after shampooing. Re-apply and cover with a plastic cap overnight for maximum absorption and intensive conditioning. Frizz free hair - Apply daily to split ends or damaged areas. Comb through and let dry naturally.

The price is around $5 and can be found anywhere, Walmart, Target, Walgreens and etc.
Ingredients Water , Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) , Glycine Soja Oil (Soybean) , Propylene Glycol , Polyquaternium-37 , Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate , Dicaprate , PPG-1 Trideceth-6 , Cetyl Alcohol , Glycerin , Stearalkonium Chloride , Trimethylsilylamodimethicone , Panthenol , PPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether , Lanolin Oil , Cinnamidopropyl Trimonium Chloride , Hydrolyzed Collagen , Acrylamidopropyltrimonium Chloride , Acrylamide Copolymer , Hydrolyzed Soy Protein , Benzophenone-3 , BHA , BHT , Zea Mays Oil (Corn) , Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate , DMDM Hydantoin , Phenoxyethanol , Fragrance

Here are some reviews from Amazon.com
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent product!!!

By 

MSDYMPLS (IL)

This is the best product I have ever used as far as leave in conditioner. It leaves the hair soft and shiny. My hair is all natural and it leaves my curls and coils very moisturized. I will always have this product in my hair regimen!!!! Excellent!!!!

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for naturals

By 

Naptivia (Riviera Beach, FL USA)

This products didn't do a lot when my hair was permed, it felt greasy one minute and dry the next. But after going 100% natural it works wonders. This is definitely a keeper. I would also recommend only using it with natural oils...coconut, jojoba, olive, etc. for best results.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for a overnight conditioning treatment

By 

maigha Phillips

I use this as a overnight treatment mixed with an egg and some coconut oil. When I wake up in the morning and rinse it out my 4a/b hair is full of life.

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for Braid Outs!

By 

Sydney Brown "S. Brown" (Granada Hills, CA, USA)

(I did not buy this from Amazon, I bought it from my local beauty supply store) I have been using this as a moisturizer while experimenting with doing braid outs on my naturally curly/African American hair (this is my second week). This stuff is awesome! It feels thin but it truly moisturizes. I have used it on both wet and dry hair and I love how my hair feels in the morning when I take the braids out. I always seal my hair after using this with organic coconut oil and I never have any flakes or residue from mixing the two products together. I highly recommend this product, truly does what it says it will.