Today, I have a treat for you! I’ve discovered some new natural hair products that are absolutely amazing for moisturizing your curls, blocking frizz, and giving your curls a overall healthier look.
See how I use these Design Essential products to create a protective style for my curls:
Special thanks to Design Essentials Natural Hair for sponsoring this video. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links at no additional cost to you.
Mielle Organics just released a collection of rice water products. Even though I gave up on rice water a while back, y’all know I had to cope this collection to test it out.
This collection comes complete with a split end therapy serum, moisturizing milk, clay masque, and shine mist. Mille Organics is even offering this products for $5 each on their website right now (for a limited time of course). Don’t say I ain’t never put you on game. After you read this blog, head over to their website to order your new products.
So I decided I’d get cute and share a “Get Ready With Me” video of me using the collection for the first time and give y’all my honest opinions on each product.
Y’all know I used to make my own rice water, and I complained about the deadly smell it produced. The smell was one of the main reasons why I stopped using rice water. Surprisingly, these product smell fairly good. they don’t stink and they do leave your hair smelling good. If you know what pure rice water smells, you get hint of it in these products. But nothing overbearing at all.
The split end therapy serum is something I’ve been needing and didn’t even know. I don’t trim my ends as often as I should. I can’t remember the last time I had my ends trimmed. This serum is lightweight product designed to strengthen your ends and can be used daily. I decided to apply it to my hair before applying the clay masque and letting them both sit on my hair for 30 minutes before rinsing out and styling.
Now the clay masque is something special. It smells amazing and I love that it is pink. But it’s not just for detoxifying your hair, you can use it on your body too. I love a product with multiple usage benefits.
I slick have a bone to pick with the moisturizing milk but I’m not going to be picky. It flakes a little — or maybe it was the way I used the product. Overall, the product is thick yet very moisturizing. My protective style was looking well moisturized for a few days. When I did need a little hydration I used the shine mist to refresh my style.
Now, the shine mist is my favorite product from this line. I get real spray happy with this product everyday. It’s easy to spray and it hits a wide range of hair per spray. Best of all it feels amazing on my scalp.
I have been admiring these 2 rose brushes that grown in front of my parents room. They have been there for years. For some reason this year I took a strong interest in watching them grow (maybe due to having to look at them everyday due to being quarantined). Now that they are fully bloomed, all I wanted to do is cut them and make stuff. Don’t worry I didn’t cut all of them off but I did snag a few.
I made my own rose water. This is my second time making rose water. the first time I made rose water I used a Make It Classy DIY kit, where all the ingredient were included and I just followed the direction on the recipe card provided. But this time. I cut about 7 roses from the rose brush and made some homemade rose water. And you already know, I’m going to share with you how I did it in this blog.
Here’s what you’ll need
Some organic rose (Please don’t use store bought roses, they have pesticides on them and you don’t want to spray that on your skin to get in your blood stream)
Distilled Water
A strainer
Container for storage
Okay, so after I cut my roses from the rose brush, I gently picked the peddles from the buds and rinsed them with cold water.
Next, using a pot I boiled about 4 cups of distilled water on the stove. Be sure to let the water come to a boil before adding your roses.
Once your water is boiling you can add your rose peddles and place a cover over the top. Let them boil until the color has left the roses, about 10 -12 minutes.
Finally, let the water cool, then place in a spray bottle or jar for storage.
For best use keep your rose water refrigerated. You can use and store your home made rose water for up to 1 month.
I don’t know about you, but its really hard for me to stick to a routine. I like to have a plan but I can’t do the same thing everyday over and over again. So, when it comes to skincare I can never keep a routine for 21 days. I just have good skincare habits. I know my skin, so I generally know what my skin needs.
When it comes to my hair and skin I love trying different products and brands. I am truly a product junkie. I like to explore what works for me and what doesn’t. Trying a variety of products also helps me with content as a influencer.
Last week I decided to create e video sharing everything I do to my face in 1 week. [Fair warning] This is a lengthy video but its worth watching if your a beauty guru and product junkie like myself.
So I’m bored in the house and I’m in the house bored. I’m such a busy body that I can’t stay still. Doing nothing really bothers me. Sunday was wash day and I decided to do something special to my hair.
Thanks to a few YouTube videos I was able to figure out how to master installing Passion Twist to my natural hair. Honestly it started off complicated, then got easier as I figured out what the hell I was doing. But if I can do these to my on head- SO CAN YOU SIS!!!!!
I don’t know if I would call this a tutorial or just a video of me doing my own passion twist (I’m no professional by far) but check my video.
Products I used:
Crochet Hook
5 packs of X-pressions Passion Twist Hair ($5.99 each)
Dark n Lovely Jam
Carol’s Daughter Mimosa Hair Honey
Now that I have installed my own passion twist you not gonna be able to tell me anything. I spent less then $40 to and 4 hours to achieve this look. This is be my new go to style when I know I’m not going to want to do my hair for a couple of weeks.
Step 1: Boil a large pot of water and pour it into the mixing bowl. Fill the bowl half way up.
Step 2: Add a few drops of essential oils.
Step 3: Face your face over the the steaming bowl and place the towel over your head. Be sure to cover your head and the bowl entirely.
If you want to be fancy, you can add citrus peels or organic dried flowers to your hot water when steaming you face. Just keep in mind, whatever is in your water is going into you pores. I would not suggest using flower from a store. Organic things only!!!!!
Also, you can steam your face with or without a face mask. I like to something steam my face before cleansing to really open my pores. But either way is affective.
I hope you are able to try this DIY project and it bring you some joy.
COVID-19 has shocked us all. I never thought the 1st 100 days of 2020 would turn out like this. But I’m not canceling 2020 goals, plans, and ideas. Yes, this is a road block on the journey but it doesn’t define anything.
2020 is still lit. Dreams are still coming true in 2020. Businesses are still being started in 2020. The vibes and the energy is still going to be great for 2020 overall. Don’t let this situation stress or depress you. Here are 7 self care practices that have really came in handy for me during this time.
#1 DrinkWater
Try adding some natural flavors to your water. Lately, I’ve been enjoying cucumber and mint leaves in my water. If you’re a citrus person, try adding some lemons and lime. Pinterest is a great source to finding infused water recipes.
#2 Have a warm cup of tea or coffee
All of my healthcare friends have been telling me to drink something warm everyday. Apparently it helps strengthen your respiratory system. I’m a tea lover over coffee. so I start my morning with some Yogi Tea. The green tea blend is my favorite because its a natural source of energy.
#3 Take your vitamins
Make sure you are getting your daily dose of vitamin C or a multi- use vitamin to nourish your body.
#4 Get some fresh air
Even though we are under quarantine, its helpful to take a walk outside at least once a day. Smell the fresh air and allow your skin to get some vitamin D.
#5 Spend some time offline
If you’re like me and you are working from home, spending time away from your computer and phone will help you maintain your self wellness.
#6 Practice healthy eating habits
It’s easy to just snack all day when you’re just sitting at home. Try making a weekly menu for 3 meals a day and snacks in between each meal. This will help you control your sweets intake.
#7 Get a hobby or learn a new skill
This is the best time to try new things and learn a new skill. Each week I use YouTube to try a new DIY project.
So with everything that’s going on I have found myself in need of a lot of self care, and not just my beauty/skincare routine. Recently I’ve been practicing other forms of self care like journaling. I enjoy writing which a main reason why I started this blog. I have some many journals for different things. At the beginning of the year I started a manifestation journal, I have a creative writing journal, a journal for my ideas, and another for my thoughts. It’s mostly like I sleep with these journal now. Overnight before bed and sometimes throughs out the day I am sitting in bed and find myself journaling about EVERYTHING in my head.
Here are 10 journal prompts that I think will be a writing muse to every blogger or writer.
Before you leave, enjoy more cute photos from my latest branded photoshoot at Moo Tea (Duluth, GA) with Ariel from Ariel Views Photography .
Listen, quarantine life is bored. Even as a work from home entrepreneur, I am bored out of my mind. I like to be on the go. This is day 6 of me being in house. With all the madness going on right now, my work load is light. So, I have a lot of time on my hands. To occupy my time I thought I’d try a Youtube tutorial.
Blankets are one my favorite things. I have a collection of throw blankets and quilts. So I thought it would be fun to make a blanket to cuddle with during all this madness.
I found some chucky yarn in my craft stuff so I decided to try to hand knit a blanket. I watched a YouTube video to get me started (click here). Once I got the hang of the technique, I sat back and watched a few episodes of All American on Netflix to relax while I knit. I wish I could do a DIY/ How to blog for y’all but it’s a little to complicated to explain. If you’re interested in making your own hand knitted blanket, just watch the video I linked above.
For this project I used 3 bundles on Roving Yard that were 78 yards each. I randomly found this this yarn on sale for $5 (regularly priced $16.88) a bundle at Walmart. The label said it was great for arm knitting or crochet projects. I think I just bought it cause I’m a collector of craft junk and thought that I’d use it for something one day. And look, I did!
It’s been a while since I’ve written a empty product blog, but I’ve been collecting empty products. And I have a lot of them, so this is going to be a long post. Go ahead and grab you a snack while you read and escape the madness of this coronavirus outrage for a moment.
Taliah Waajid Green Apple & Aloe Nutrition Curl Definer
It’s something about this thick creamy curl formula that makes my curls more defined and my twist out longer lastings. One of the major benefits of this product is being able to use it daily without producing a overwhelming amount of product build up. The green apple nutrients in the formula helps strengthen and balance pH levels for optimal hair and scalp health. This curl definer is definitely a hair essential for me now.
Taliah Waajid Green Apple & Aloe Nutrition Apple Seed Oil
This apple seed oil give my hair life! So, this oil is a major key when it comes to doing the LOC method for a wash n’ go. It really sealing the deal to help hold your product in place to give you them popping’ curls you desire. I love that this oil is some nutrient rich with sweet almond oil, avocado oil, organ oil, and bergamot oil. I’m a little heavy handed with applying oil to my hair on a daily basis, because I hate dry looking curls. So, I should have purchased more than one of these 4 fl oz bottles. I like the screw top tip on the bottle so that you can apply product directly to your scalp. I personally don’t ever apply oils directly to my scalp, I like to pour it in my hands first and finger comb it into my hair. I think this bottle lasted through 4 hair styles, so about 4-5 weeks before I was completely out of it. This is a product I don’t mind spending my own money to purchase and re-purchase.
As a small business owner myself, I try to always support black women owned businesses whenever I can. These 2 items were my first introduction to this brand and I’m hooked. I recently posted a video on my Instagram using these products and the CEO saw my video and loved it so they sent me a few more products to try. Blessings!
I purchased both Taliah Waajid products at the Curls, Kinks, and Coils Festival in Atlanta, GA they were $10 each.
Shea Moisture Coconut & Cactus Water Pick Me Up Lite Masque
This hair masque has become one of my favorites to deep condition my hair. It just really leaves my curls feeling amazingly soft and smelling fresh. You really don’t have to let the product sit in your hair super long to see results in your curls. The directions say to leave it in for 5 minutes then rinse with cold water and if you follow those steps you will see a softer distance in your curls. I wish it came in a larger package size than 8 oz. I think I get like 3 to 4 usages out of this 8 oz. jar because I’m really heavy handed with applying product to my hair.
This conditioner is great during the summer or hotter month of the year, when you just want to wet your hair to refresh your curls overtime you leave the house. I mostly used this product to refresh curls from a wash n’ go every other day. I think the coconut oil and coconut milk ingredients helped my curls remain smoother and softer longer. If I’m being honest I hate the packaging, the label design is cute and fresh looking. But this “pump” is horrible. The finger pump is super hard to press. It literally takes 2 hands to pump product out and when you’re in the mist of doing your hair, you’re hand are already slippery. It’s really annoying. Also the straw inside the bottle is too small for such a thick formula, so at a certain pump its slow pumping out. At one point, I added water to the formula to loosen it up a bit so that I can use the rest of the product. I don’t plan on repurchasing this product until they change the packaging.
This conditioner is another on that is great for the summer months. I found it to be very greasy and the formula was super thick. It made my curl feel a little stiff, I like it when my curls shake and move when I move. But I did find benefits in using this conditioner during the times I was going swimming multiple times a week. we all know pool water can be damaging to natural hair, but this conditioner help protect my hair from breaking during pool session. Just like the other product I mentioned, I hate the packaging. There is a corner of product left in the bottle that I’m just over trying to get out of the bottle to use. I feel like I’m throwing product away but I’m sick of trying to force it out.
Shea Moisture Coconut Custard Make it Last Wash N’ Go Shampoo and Conditioner
Aside from my HATING the packaging of this duo, I love love love the Make it last/ Wash n Go line. The I feel you, you couldn’t tell me my wash n’ go styles weren’t popping’ this summer, honey! I can’t wait for this heat to heat so I can start back rocking my wash n’ go style. I think the plant peptides in the formula really works to coat every curl on your head for the best results you’ve experienced in a wash n’ go. I literally hated doing a wash n’ go style before being introduced to this product, Now, I can’t get enough of this entire product line.
Each of these products were sent to me by Shea Moisture in my SheaBassador monthly boxes.
Aunt Jackie’s Curls & Coils Coco Repair Deep Conditioner
Curl friend, you should be using s deep conditioner every time you wash your hair. You don’t have to let it set for hours, but at least 5 to 10 minutes overtime you wash your hair. This repair creme not only smells amazing but really nourishes my curls from roots to ends. It’s very affordable and effective. I think I purchased this from Walmart for $5 or $6 and I was able to use it at least 5 wash days.
Pantene Gold Series Hydrating Butter- Creme
Honestly, I loved this butter creme formula when I first bought it. But after using it maybe 2 times I was then introduced to other curls creams and this one got kind of pushed to the back of my product shelve until I was out of all the other stuff again and needed a curl cream to style my hair. I was actually surprised that Pantene had a natural hair product txt I actually enjoyed using on my hair to do a protective style. I purchased it in Kroger for less than $10. I would re-purchase this product eventually.
Carol’s Daughter Wash Day Delight Water-to-Foam Shampoo
This is a natural hair game changer! if you have not tried this shampoo, please go buy it and try it. I was a little concerned about trying it when I first received the product but after using it the first time I fell in love with it. The packaging is perfect. the screw top lid really helps your apply the product direct to your scalp so that you are able to really cleanser your scalp from all the product residue and build up. I received this product free in a Voxbox from Influenster.
Camille Rose Lavender Shaken Hair Spirtzer
This spritzer is a hair refresher and detangling spray. It became apart of my daily rotation of products to refresh my curls. I love the bottle design, the spray trigger is super easy to use with 1 hand to spray directly onto your hair. I purchased this product during the World’s Natural Hair show last year and it lasted a fairly long time considering how often I used it.
Victoria’s Secret Tease Parfum
I’m not a big fan of expensive perfume. Honestly, I’ve never owned a expensive perfume. All of my scents come from Victoria’s Secret and Tease is my favorite scent. I love that they have these roll on sticks. I literally keep this thing in my purse for on the go moments.
Biossance Rose Vegan Lip Balm
This lip balm is extremely hydrating and leave my lips feeling like satin and looking luscious and kissable. I apply lip balm like every hour of the day, so this little tube of product didn’t really last a complete month. I received it from a VoxBox from Influenster, but I don’t think I could afford to purchase it at regular costs.
The Honey Pot Company Normal Foaming Wash
I’m so glad the honey pot is now a part of my life. This feminine wash the perfect wash for me. I’ve been needing this all my life and didn’t even know it. The formula is foam and plant based. It has allowed me have a well balanced pH level all month long. I love the label and packaging, its great for travel and the pump is easy to handle with one hand in the shower. I think 1 bottle lasts me at least a month and a half, sometimes 2 months. I have re-purchsed this several times, just so I have stock of it so I never run out when I need it most. the first time I purchased it, I was in Target for $8.99 but when I went back a month later to purchase it again, it was sold out. So I started ordering all my honey pot essential directly from their website.
Aveeno Positively Radient Micellar Gel Cleanser Makeup Remover
I’m a sucker for micellar water and gels. So this cleanser has been my go to cleanser for a while now. When talking about skincare and what I use on my face, I am always telling people about this product. I have been in love with Aveeno skincare products for a while now. I plan on re-purchasing this after I use my other Aveeno cleanser. The brand actually gifted me this product to try and review back before the summer.
Shea Moisture Coconut & Cactus Water Quench & Refresh Body Scrub
If you can remember, my February blog posts were all about exfoliation. It is super important to exfoliate your skin. The refresh body scrub is gentle and made with your skin in mind. I use this scrub before and after I shave or wax to keep my skin feeling smooth and free of ingrown hairs. This product will be a essential in my body scrub rotation.
Shea Moisture Tranquility Candle
I received this candle in a SheaBassador box and it has become a key player in my weekly self care routine, It smells amazing and I’m sad it’s all burnt out because I don’t think you can buy it anywhere.
White Barn Black Tie Candle
Hands down my favorite candle scent ever. Every year when Bath and Body Works hosts it’s annual candle sale, I’m sure to get as many of this scent as I can. It’s a seasonal scent but I love to burn it all year around.
