I've Been Gone for a Minute

So, I've been MIA for awhile, but I will try to do better! :) This summer, well, since July, I was wearing a sew-in. Since the beginning for November, I have been weave-free and wearing my natural tresses. I've totally missed wearing my hair and have had fun using new products and seeing what works on my hair. When I initially took out my sew-in, I made a little concoction with unrefined natural shea butter, coconut oil, and Vitamin E oil. I even mixed them products together with my hand mixer! In addition, I used the Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioner, and used Miss Jessie's Stretch Silkening Cream to do two strand twists. My hair came out GORGEOUS! It was shiny and looked thick and healthy! And I got tons of compliments!

Just last night, I re-did my hair (my style was looking a little old), so did a quick wash, conditioned my hair, and did another two strand twist. I'm happy to say that this time didn't take me as long as it did the last time I did my hair. I'm excited to see the results. (I may even share some pics with you all!)

Over the past few months, I've been introduced to some new products that I absolutely love, so on my next post, I'll share what those products are and how I used them when styling my hair. Remember, stay nappturally beautiful!

Vitamin E Oil Works!

I've found I mostly complain about having dry hair. No matter what I use-conditioner, shampoo, leave-in moisturizer-I still lacked non-dry hair. I used to use Vitamin E Oil like it was going out of style. During my latest trip to the hair store, I got myself a new bottle. Can I just tell you guys I have forgotten the benefits of using this on my hair???

When I first used it, I noticed a difference. My hair was very soft to the touch. I also noticed some shine, which I tried to create with a few products, but nothing really worked. I was very pleased with the Vitamin E, and use it at least 3 times a week. You don't want to use too much oil because it will make hair oily, which is no good.

When I apply the oil, I typically will do it after I've braided my hair. I'll apply it in between a few of the braids and massage it into my scalp and hair. Once I wake up the next morning and wear my braid out, my hair is soft to the touch and has a nice sheen to it. Vitamin E Oil can also be used when having a scalp massage or it can work alone to have the affect and feel of one. It has been noted that Vitamin E promotes hair growth and prevents hair loss. (Read more about the benefits of Vitamin E to the hair here.)

I have to admit 2 summers ago, before I started pressing my hair, I had the longest, healthiest head of hair I've had since being natural. I think a lot of that was contributed to the fact I was using Vitamin E on a regular basis. Once I started wearing my hair straight, I stopped using it.

I'm glad I rediscovered my love affair with this essential, natural vitamin. What are some of the benefits that you have found from Vitamin E or any other natural oil?

Remember, stay nappturally beautiful!

My braid out on 5/30/09 (My cousin's wedding)



My braid out on 4/12/11

Benefit Cosmetics B.Right Radiant Skincare

So you have the perfect hair, the right tint to your mane, and the greatest wardrobe for the new Spring season. But you've noticed that over the Winter, your skin has become a little dry and flaky. Never to fear, I have the PERFECT remedy for you!

Benefit Cosmetics has launched a NEW skincare line. B.Right Radiant Skincare has the perfect products to help you achieve a radiant glow this season!

You can purchase these products online at www.benefitcosmetics.com, your department store, or Sephora. If you're in the DC area, I implore you come visit me at Macy's Metro Center at the Benefit counter for a demo. You can walk right in or call the store to schedule an appointment! With a cucumber and mango scent along with a unique tri-radiance complex, you are sure to have the best skin of your life!

Until next time, stay nappturally beautiful!

I Need...

Hello, napptural divas (and the men who love us)!!! It's been eons since I've written (here), but I've been a busy, busy bee! (I know, no excuses!!). My hair has grown exponentially (YAY!), but I still have issues with it being dry. I was about to type "coarse", but I realized I'll probably always have coarse hair (it's just the texture, no soft and wavy here), but dry can be fixed. My main natural hair need is a really good leave-in conditioner. I've heard many people mention Hair Milk by Carol's Daughter, Shea Butter Leave-In by Cantu, Knot Today by Kinky Curly, and Soothing Hair Milk by Garnier Fructis. So, I've tried the Hair Milk (not a big fan) and the Soothing Hair Milk (I actually like it). I've very anxious to try the other two products to see if they work on my hair. But I'm also anxious to hear any suggestions.

Another problem I have is wanting to buy a whole bunch of stuff when I go to the hair store or Target. I don't necessarily NEED anything (except the leave-in conditioner) but I look at shampoo, conditioner, curly puddings, and the like. Thankfully, I don't need an intervention, but I need someone to tell me it's ok to be happy with what I have.

Lastly, I need some new styles. This may sound crazy, but my hair has gotten too long for a braid out. Last week I braided my hair (after not having done so for about a year), and my hair was sticking straight up!!! Not a cute look. I realize that twist outs are much better for me. My co-workers jokingly called me "Sunburst" last week. As I stated here before, I have 4B type hair. So even though I found a girl whose hair is great, I don't think her style is going to work for me...but I may be wrong. I need to find that YouTube video again...

So I don't seem like the needy girlfriend, I want you guys to tell me what you need from me! Do you need tips, suggestions, advice, a shoulder to cry on, anything??? I'll share the little bit of knowledge I have!! Since it's been a while since some of you have seen me, I'm sharing a few photos, one even taken today after a fresh twist-out. (Oh, on my hair last night, I used the Garnier Fructis Soothing Hair Milk, Jamaican Mango and Lime Locking Creme Wax, and Miss Jessie's Curly Meringue, which I'm actually growing to love.) I used the milk and wax all over (too avoid adding to much product to my hair) and added the meringue to individual sections of my hair before twisting it. Until next time, stay nappturally beautiful!!!


Me in December 2010


Me on NYE 2010 (Don't worry, it didn't last! :))


Me in Feb 2010


Me last month at my PT job


Me today!

I've Found It!

Happy Tuesday, napptural divas! I have FINALLY found some products that I love to give me the look I like. As I've mentioned before, I love just about anything from Miss Jessie, and now I've paired her Curly Pudding with the Curling Custard from Kinky Curly. I do have to say that using the Curling Custard from Kinky Curly by itself did not turn my hair into what I wanted it to be. After some research, I discovered I was a 4B (find your hair type here). But I would like my hair to be curly, like it is right after I've washed it. I was hoping using the Curly Custard would help achieve that. Yeah, I was wrong. When my hair dried, it was a nice, tight, TWA aka teeny weeny afro...I hate those. The next time I washed my hair I put on the leave-in conditioner, the Curly Custard all over, then I parted my hair and put it in two strand twists. For each section, I put a little of the Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding on. I let my hair dry as I slept. When I woke up the next morning, I had nice ringlets that I LOVED! I know what works on my hair to achieve a certain look. I will probably try cornrowing my hair again, but in the meantime I like twisting it because it leaves my hair curly and (most importantly) it's less time consuming.

I'm still looking for a leave-in conditioner to use. I do have the Black Vanilla Raspberry conditioner from Carol's Daughter. And I've found Fruits and Berries from Oyin Handmade. I actually need to start using more of their products. What items do you use? Do you have a leave-in conditioner or any other product to suggest using? I can't wait to see your suggestions. Continue to stay nappturally beautiful!

P.S. Don't worry; I'll post pictures soon! :)

Happy Black Girl Day-Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Hello, natural divas!!! Today is Happy Black Girl Day, and in recognition, today's post will be all about taking care of self. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and there are all types of walks, fundraisers, and prevention awareness. The most important thing that we must do is conduct a monthly breast exam. Check in the mirror, feel in the shower, even have your mate feel your breast to see if there are any abnormal lumps. To make things easy, pick a date each month, like your birthdate or favorite number, to check yourself. Next, know that there are foods that aid in the prevention of breast cancer, specifically for African-America women. Those foods are broccoli, greens, and carrots. Having two of these veggies per day reduce your likelihood of developing breast cancer. Lastly, know your risk factors. Have your family members had cancer? If so, not only should you be checking at home, but you should also get checked during your annual check-up with your physician.

I recently met a breast cancer survivor a few weeks ago. This person was a man-yes, men can get breast cancer, too-who discovered he had breast cancer while training for a track meet. He had bleeding from his chest, but ignored it. As he was training, he got injured and had to go to the doctor. When asked if he was suffering from anything else, he mentioned the bleeding. It was discovered he had Stage 3 breast cancer and probably wouldn't live to see 31. Add to this the fact his grandfather was dying of cancer as well didn't help. I am happy to report this young man celebrated his 31st birthday last week and has recovered 100%!

So yes, I know this is Happy Black Girl Day, but any story of triumph belongs to us all!!! See what you can do to support breast cancer in your neighborhood, and make sure that you are always aware. Stay nappturally beautiful...and healthy! (Don't forget to wear your pink ribbon this month!)

Is Natural Hair Professional in the Workplace?

Happy Tuesday! Veronique George of Naturally You-The Hair Journey will be a guest blogger today on the diaries. She has written a post today regarding natural hair in the workplace. When I first decided to go natural, I struggled with my decision in regards to how it would be received when I worked in corporate America and had some of the concerns mentioned in this post. So, enjoy the post, feel free to comment and share your experiences (good and bad), and definitely check out Veronique’s blog!

Watching me, watching me

Watching me, watching me

Watching me, watching me

Watching me

AH
And you keep sayin’ that I’m free

And you keep sayin’ that I’m free

And you keep sayin’ that I’m free…

Many times African-American and other multicultural women who wear their hair natural are not considered professional or conservative in the work place. Instead of embracing natural hair, businesses sometimes shun, or even discourage, it. After working in some of Corporate America’s top companies, I believe that natural hair is not accepted in the workplace because employers and their employees do not know what to make of it. They look at natural hair and think, “Why is it so curly? Why does it look like that? Why can’t they comb their hair?” Most companies have an idea of what professionalism is, and most times it does not include tightly or loosely coiled curls, braids, two-strand twists, and the like. It does not look like a large afro or even an afro puff tilted to the side. Rather, professionalism is limited to the constraints of long, straight hair and even pulled back in a pony tail depending on how conservative the company may be.

Long, straight hair may be a preference even if you are natural. That is fine if women choose to do so because they want to. However, a work environment that only accepts or encourages that particular hairstyle may not be a healthy situation for natural hair wearers or the company. I have heard a lot of women say to me that they have considered going natural for a long time, but they have to wait or they just cannot do it right now for whatever the reason may be. It is very disheartening to know that women want to wear their natural hair, but are afraid because they may lose their jobs or even credibility from their counterparts. Natural hair is not a rebellious act of free speech or entitlement; it is your hair, my hair, our hair. It is an extension of the divine will of the Most High and there is nothing unprofessional about that. Our hair is an extension of who we are, our adornment. Our intricate styles dates back to Zulu women of the Congo region and beyond and celebrate our rich history.

Rather than shying away from women with natural hair, businesses have to learn to embrace them. In doing so, they embrace themselves, by embracing their consumers and the world as we know it. Diversity of thought, culture, and even hair should be supported and celebrated. Work place environments should reflect the colorful DNA of the world and reflect the neighborhoods, grocery stores, beauty parlors, and shopping centers where companies conduct business.

Natural hair is here to stay. It is beautiful, it is professional, it can and cannot be “conservative.” It must become standard that when businesses hire minorities, including African-American women, they hire their hair as well. Now this does not mean women can nor should come to work without putting their best foot forward and properly caring for and maintaining their hair. But a job offer should not be contingent on the conditional statement: we will hire you if and only if you do something with your hair. Professionalism relates to the expertise and know-how you bring to the table, how you conduct yourself in business settings, and a well-kept appearance. Women with natural hair should not be watched, scoped, demoted, or considered not to be a “good-fit” in the workplace. Instead, they should be able to freely and unapologetically wear their natural hair tresses.

Veronique George, is a marketing and advertising consultant. She is also a natural hair consultant. Her blog, “Naturally You: The Hair Journey,” can be found at: www.hairspiration.webs.com