One Year Heat~Free Anniversary!

365 days ago today I washed my straight flat ironed hair and decided to keep it kynky 24/7.  Ahhhh, the joys of natural hair versatility. I have learned so much about my hair, I don't even miss wearing it straight.  Natural hair styling options have become abundant with the help from photos available everywhere to inspire, shared by Naturalistas around the world.

Every now and then we all need a little styling inspiration.  We can copy our inspiring photo or video or we can add our own flavor to it and create a one of a kind masterpiece, smiling...This is LMK's contribution in hopes these styles will inspire every Naturalista who watches...

Happy Hair Growing!

Naturally Gray~ceful

"It is not by the gray of the hair that one knows the age of the heart."

~Robert Lytton

The beauty and appreciation for natural hair can be developed at infancy and continue throughout a lifetime.  I feel overwhelming joy when I see other naturals regardless of their age.  One of the things I really luv hearing are Naturalistas who decided to go natural entering into or after age 40.  New to natural women are now convincing their mother's to embrace their beautifully textured kynxx.  Lately I've noticed their stories on blogs and vlogs more then ever.  It takes courage to make change especially when "lye" has been embedded in their views of beautiful hair being straight hair, much longer then younger transitioning naturals in their 20's.

 I was looking in the mirror recently and spotted a bright red hair in the front of my head.  I knew right away it was a gray hair that was dyed red during my last henna treatment.  It looks pretty, kind of like a highlight.  It also got me to thinking about what I will do when my hair really begins to turn gray.

Henna and Indigo will be an option but I'm really not sure if I want to cover my gray.  I love seeing women with long beautiful gray hair, relaxed or natural, regardless of their race.  Always have.  My apprehension about dying comes from knowing if I did choose to want to go gray I would have to let my hair grow all the way out again.  Now that I've learned the benefits of Cassia on gray hair I can switch from using Henna as an option as well to prevent having to grow the color out.  I hope I have awhile to make up my mind.

This is Dedicated to all the beautiful Naturalistas rocking their Natural Hair, Gracefully!

This is me for sure...Naturalista for Life!

Beautiful Camille Cosby

Not sure who she is, I just admire beauty when I see it...

Elegant natural styles for every age...

Gorgeous Lena Horne (RIP)

Angela Davis...luv those ringlets!

Stunning!

The Devine, Alice Walker.  She cut her locs and kept the grey, luv it!



Italian Vogue featured 45-year-old supermodel Kristen McMenamy rockin' the gray fabulously!

This is fierce!


...sooner or later Me....hopefully later :^)

I think the coppery~ auburn~ reddish color (not sure how to describe it) is pretty...

HHG!

Naturalista Cosmetics Juicy Leave~In Conditioner

This is the photograph that led me to meeting the owner of the product that has now become my new shampoo and staple moisturizing sealant.  Padrica Norfleet owner of Naturalista Cosmetics offered to send me a few items from her Naturalista Cosmetics product line, after using this photo on her site not realizing that it belonged to a Facebook friend of hers, me.  When I reached out to her about it she was sweet, and honest about getting it off a Google image search of natural hair.  I appreciated her prompt attention to my concerns....True Sisterhood!

Within 3 days after Padrica told me she was sending items from her product line, I received email confirmation that the items where paid for and would be shipped within the next 3-4 business days.  I appreciate the quick service.





Packaging is important in making a first impression on any product in my opinion.  Luv the pink!  Naturalista Cosmetics shipped two bars of their African Black Soap shampoo bars and one jar of Juicy Leave-In Conditioner.  In the package I received a Thank You note and some candies...nice touch!



I hadn't washed my hair with shampoo in 5 months.  I've been saying until I find a shampoo that makes my hair feel the same as it does following a co-wash I'm good, if it aint broke, you know the rest.

Well I found my new shampoo in Naturalista Cosmetics African Black Shampoo Bar!  I was surprised at how easy it was to break in half.  I didn't smell a scent which is fine with me.  I prefer unscented over one I don't like.

Here are a few pics just following a wash with the Shampoo Bar:

 Looked and felt just like a fresh co-wash although it was squeaky clean and my skin felt soft and rinsed extra clean, used it all over...that's what I'm talkin about!

 

Now for the Juicy...I just luv this stuff!  I was a bit hesitant when I received the products and saw the leave in was a Shea butter based product.  Shea Butter is a wonderful sealant, however on my hair, it takes days to wash out was too heavy and that was when I was using shampoo so I stayed away from Shea Buttery type products in fear I wouldn't be able to easily co-wash them out of my hair.  I found the perfect one.

I started with clean hair as shown above and finger parted non uniform 2 inch sections of hair all around my head and two-strand twisted all of it. 

I luv'd the texture...very much like whipped butter or a souffle no need to emulsify this in your hands before you can apply. It was light and the scent is wonderful to me, a combination of natural goodness.

I applied "the Juice" on my hair while it was soaking wet to ensure the most moisture sealing I could get.  I was excited to see how my kynxx were going to react to the Shea.

Got the edges laid down, luv it! Time to wrap and go to bed!



I want to share why I luv this product now...

Sunday

I re twisted for added stretch to my kynxx.  I lightly sprayed each twist (15-20) with water and applied more Juicy to my ends only.  After Sunday night I have not needed to  apply any more of this product and my hair has stayed moisturized, shiny, baby soft, and detangled.

Monday

I pineapple'd over night to keep the twist out from frizzing overnight and wrapped my edges with a satin scarf.  No water no product needed.

Tuesday...still shiny soft and moisturized...I honestly still cant believe it.

Needless to say I  recommend Naturalista Cosmetics Juicy Leave- In to use as a moisturizer sealant.  I can attest through days of results this product is the truth.  I plan on including it as a staple moving forward.  I've been a Kinky Curly user, and still am, however the light feeling of my twist  outs blowing in the wind was great, and I still get the same definition I would when using a custard, gel or milk type product but the moisture lasts longer.    I just co-washed my hair prior to this post with Vo5 and the Juicy Leave In rinsed clean and easy without the residue Raw Shea butter leaves on my hair...that was the final test for me...I'm in luv. 

[Shop Naturalista Cosmetics on Etsy Here]

HHG!

Natural~

[by Rachel Stewart]

Henna Day

In the previous LMK post I discussed 3 types of Ayurvedic conditioning hair coloring powders.  My preference is Henna solely due to not using the other two types.  I was due for a henna treatment a few days prior to Mother's Day and thought I would share my monthly henna day routine.

I gather all my things first.  Nupur henna, henna bowl (used only for henna mixing), conditioner, a very concentrated oil blend of Organic EVOO, Organic Coconut Oil, Rosemary and Lavender essential oils, purified water.

I added the remaining oil concentrate to the henna with an additional 1/2 cup of Organic EVOO shown in photo below.

I added the remaining portion of my Hello Hydrations Conditioner to my mix for the first time.  I wanted to try the henna gloss style application this time for additional moisturizing.  I added remainder of the bottle which is marked at the blue line on this photo.

I applied henna the paste to my hair dry.   I had just taken out the twists I'd worn for 2 weeks prior to this treatment.  Since the parts were already set it made it much easier to apply after a brief finger detangle to my knyxx.  I couldn't believe how my hair managed to stay almost completely tangle free after 14 days.  I contribute it to the Knot Today by Kinky Curly I use.

The color of the henna once mixed with water will be green and turn to a brown color as the dye releases in the paste.  I allow the henna to sit 2 hours at least prior to application.

Once I'm ready to apply the henna (notice the color change in photo on the right)  to my hair I gathered the gloves I will need to protect my hands from discoloring. During my last trip to the beauty supply store I found ear protectors for $1...hope they work!

Henna applications can be a bit messy for me so I always put a sheet over my counter top to protect it from henna stains. I also have a dark colored tee-shirt I wear when I henna.  I section my hair into quads and apply with gloved hands.  Sometimes I use the application brush on the roots to ensure complete coverage.  Very important I make sure the roots of my hair are saturated with henna, this is where it is most beneficial for my growing kynxx.

Once my hair is covered with henna, I use the remaining amount to go back over each section and ensure my hair and ends are saturated with the henna paste.  I also decided not to throw away the remaining henna. I put it in a glass container and froze it (advice given to me by a fellow henna luving natural Tweeter) for my next henna day.

I'm getting better at this!  Much less mess compared to my first time using henna.

Time to wrap it up! I use plastic Cling Wrap to ensure the henna will not run down my clothes or stain my pillow case when I lay down. If I keep the top of the head open I'll get a less intense color. 

I give those $1 ear protectors 2 BIG thumbs up!! 

 

It took a total of 12 minutes to rinse the henna from my scalp and hair.  I rinsed using as cool as I could stand water temperature until the water ran semi clear and I didn't feel any excess henna.  I generously applied my fave co-wash detangling conditioner VO5 to my hair, finger combing to detangle, left on for about 3 minutes and rinsed. 

Henna all gone!...I just luv my kynxx after a fresh henna...my curls have some hang time, at least temporarily.

Healthy Roots! Strong Roots! Clean hair and scalp without using shampoo at all!

Deep conditioning time.  I use Organic Root Stimulator's Replenishing Moisturizing Conditioner aka ORS Replenishing Pak.  This is the only conditioner Ive used following a henna treatment that restores my hairs moisture in the same day.  My kynxx absolutely luv it.

This is all the product I use on my entire head.  A little goes a long way.  I walked around doing chores, cooking and even took a nap in my baggie.  After 2 hours of  heat free deep conditioning
I rinsed the conditioner from my hair.

My kynxx have returned to their normal shrunken selves!

Now the fun begins! Time to get my style on....

I two-strand twist my hair using my staples Knot Today and a very small amount of Curling Custard on my ends for added curl definition.  I secure the base of each twist down with a metal clip  This helps reduce bulky roots caused by inevitable shrinkage. 

Off to bed I go...after wrapping my twists with a satin scarf.

My style of choice is a Twist-Out Up-Do...Look at that shine, shine, shine!

I really do Luv My Kynxx!

HHG!