Episode 1 of the " It's All for my Hair Series"

Welcome to Episode 1 of the " It's All for My Hair Series"; if you're new to this blog you can view the Prelude to this series, which will explain it in further details.

Squeaky Clean or Squeaky Dirty?

Before this series, I would follow my hair routine to the CAPITAL "T"; I HAD to WASH my hair EVERY week, whether it needed it or not. Now that it's summer and I rather spend my days outside with my kids rather than a 4 hour washing session, an unnecessary 4 hour session. Now, its not like I used a sulfate shampoo or a strand damaging shampoo; no I used mostly natural/organic shampoos. So there wasn't a scare of excessive use of shampoo; but there was a scare of unnecessary washes. By the end of some weeks, I'd find my scalp and hair with minimum dirt or buildup BUT I'd still scruba dub dub my curly curls. So with the persuasion from Florida beautiful heat and my random laziness, I've started Co-Washing rather than shampooing.

 For those unfamiliar with co-washing, it's the fairly simple method of washing your hair with CONDITIONER!!! Yes, CONDITIONER!! LOL It's a safe and swift way of washing your hair without the excessive oil stripping qualities of shampoos. Plus, your hair doesn't get as tangled from the conditioner like it would with shampoos. AGAIN it's EASIER AND FASTER!! LOL! In addition to co-washing, I've decided to wash when necessary. YES, there may be time when I'd go almost 2 weeks without washing my hair but that might be due to protective styles or extremely busy schedules.

So here's a quick comparison of my  weekly washing regimen:
Past:                                                                                         Current:
Shampoo                                                                     Cowash( once or twice)
Deep Condition                                                          Deep Condition
                                                                                   Clarify/Shampoo when necessary or monthly

Shampoo hair,  deep condition and detangle.            Cowash and detangle, OR Cowash,
                                                                                   deep condition & detangle, OR Clarify/shampoo,
                                                                                   deep condition and detangle.

Now some of you maybe thinking, what's the difference if I'm still going through the process of WASHING my hair? Well, the co-wash is way simplier, the detangling is faster , the conditioner is moisturizing and curl popping, and I don't have to wash the conditioner fully out( cue for wash and go's). It's just my preference! Some of you might love the co-wash or hate it, some may be shampoo regimen strict like I was or some might not really care how it's washed as long as it's washed!

COMMERCIAL BREAK
*Steps on soapbox* Unfortunately, there have been a set of "rules" for natural hair, which is ironic because going natural sorta represents the stand of being "FREE". Yet some naturals are stick on the " YOU MUST NOT's, or the OMG YOU DID NOT USE THAT OR DID THAT" rules; making it hard for new naturals to embrace what THEY want to do with THEIR hair" * off soapbox*

BACK TO PROGRAMMING
Another process, that I've changed in my regime is how I wash my hair. Prior to this series, I'd make it a MUST to not only scrub( with fingertips) my scalp but my entire hair. Now, my major concern is the scalp; I make sure that I clean the scalp first. There are days when I don't have the time to do a proper wash, so I'd wash the scalp first and rinse. While rinsing, I'll rake my fingers through my hair making sure the shampoo runs down the strands with the water. It's important I get the scalp cleaned especially if I'm mostly doing co-washes; then I save the whole head routine for the shampoo.

The point of this episode, is to exclaim that washing my hair isn't my FIRST priority; however it is an important one. I just make sure that I wash when needed rather than when my "routine" calls for it!
 Although I co-wash and yes, I stated that it's easier and faster and although, it does make detangling easier, it doesn't make the battle any more fun!

So Stay Tuned for the next episode, ' The Battle of the Strands'  of the " It's All for My Hair Series"

Episode 1: Squeaky Clean or Squeaky Dirty?
Episode 2: The Battle of the Strands
Episode 3: The MOISTruggle
Episode 4: GIRL, that's out of STYLE!
Episode 5: Organic or not organic.....WHO CARES!?!?
Episode 6: Science Class- "THE EXPERIMENT"
Episode 7: The REVILE- "Revisit of the mirror"
Episode 8: EmbraceTHYroots


Sneak me at ViBlackBerri on twitter, Facebook and instagram

Beautiful Textures Curl Definer Styling Custard Review

AH! Beautiful Textures, I remember when they were a " the 'new' best thing since sliced bread" last year...now other hair product lines have taken the limelight. Hmm..that's happening more often that ever. It seems like the limelight changes every week now. Well, lets get onto the review shall we! This review will take place in the Hair Product Supreme Court!

ORDER! ORDER! IN THE COURT!  PRESENTING THE "HONORABLE GET YOUR CURLS ON"
The Defense Side: Beautiful Textures
The Prosecutor: Mz. Tini aka ViBlackberri

COURT IN SESSION! DEFENSE SHALL PRESENT THEIR CASE

Product Line: Beautiful Textures
Type: Curl Definer Styling Custard
Size: 425g/15oz US
Shelf Life: 12m after opening

Claimed Purpose: " To achieve amazing manageability and styling versatility for Curly , Wavy, Kinky-Coily or Frizzy hair. Get soft defined curls, bodacious bouncy spirals and sooth silky tresses while nurturing natural growth for mixed textured hair."

Additional info: " Also provides intense moisture....helps to non-flaking hold and curl control, tame frizz and manage curl separation, stretch curls without the sticky build up."

Directions for best results( paraphrased): After hair is cleaned and conditioned, apply quarter sized amount of the product to the hair in sections from root to ends. Rake fingers thought tresses until you get desired definition. ...Set your styles by sitting under dryer for 25 ins or allow to air dry.
The label also includes additional styling suggestions and ways to use the product; for that information, refer to the pictures below or visit their website at www.beautiful textures.com

The ingredients list: Aqua, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract/Aloe Vera, Tocopherol/Vitamin E, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract/Rosemary Extract, Cocos Nucifera Oil/Coconut Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil/Olive Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Fruit/Shea Butter, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter/Mango Butter, Argania Spinosa Nut Oil/Argan Oil,Hydrolyzed Triticum Vulgare Protein/Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Xanthan Gum, Propylene Glycol, Polyquaternium 11, Imidazolidinyl Urea, DMDM Hydantoin, Polysorbate 20, Parfum/Fragrance, Benzyl Benzoate, d-Limonene, Linalool.

Below are pictures of the product; observe the packaging, label, font, and information provided.

THE DEFENSE RESTS!

PROSECUTOR MAY PRESENT THEIR CASE

I would like to call myself to the stand!
I myself have utilized the product to produce a "wash and go" and found the results very interesting. BUT FIRST, like the defense suggested, let me observe and comment on the PACKAGING.
In MY opinion, it is very appealing; the  large see through jar allows you to view the amount of product left along with it's color and consistency. The font and color of the font is also appealing to the eye; if I must say it's been able to uphold its reputation with it's orange and lime green curls and cute cursive like font. In addition, the information on the package is well informing; if I must say it's very wise and generous of the company to provide such useful information on the products, such as its purpose, directions, styling suggestions, suggesting mix and match products and detailed ingredients. With that said, lets move on to the color,  texture and scent of the products aka the CONSITENCY
As you can see, the color of this products is clear and it's texture is a light jelly like substance that's moisturizing  to the touch. Now the smell is of passion fruit; such a delightful scent!
Now I know it might be confusing at this point of whom side I am on due to my kinds thought of the product so far BUT do keep in mind it is NOT about the packing or consistency of the product, it is about whether it WORKS!

Once I provide you with my experience with the product and visual evidence of its doing, you will be able to determine whether it held up to its claims.

I used this product as suggested and also directed on the bottle, I quote, " Excellent for wash and go styles created in the shower." Now as the defense stated earlier, the directions for best results are posted in the label in detailed directions.
Therefore, after co-washing my hair, I applied a light conditioner to my hair( Herbal Essences Hello Hydration) then took a quarter sized amount and raked it through my sections until I achieved my desired definition. I then shook my hair to separate the curls and dried my hair with a hand hair dyer and an attached diffuser. BEFORE drying my hair, it was soaking wet and the clear product turned white; now with my experience with products that do that, once dried they clear up again. Unfortunately, after drying my hair, the product did not clear up! The product not only remained white but turned into flakes. My hair was covered with flakes. In additional to that, it was left hard and crunchy. A very unattractive wash and go if you ask me!

   

 Before I continue, I will own up to a couple of things; the company did not suggest using a conditioner under the product BUT a NORMAL wash and go suggests one uses something that will provide protection and moisture from gels or custards. Now I know you're wondering, would I have attained different results it I did NOT used the conditioner. I DO NOT KNOW but I'm not sure I will want to find out. Due to other reviews online and on YouTube, this product flakes and hardens with and without conditioner; to be completely honest, like all hair products the results varies depending on hair type and porosity. BUT SINCE THIS IS MY EXPERIENCE!! IT WAS A SEMI FAILURE!
Although, it left white flakes and was crunchy, it did, " promote natural curl elongation...". In other words, my hair was well defined and had minimum shrinkage.

So my VERDICT your honor; this product provided a failed wash and go but I am slightly convinced with the review of 'few' vloggers, this product might not be a entirely guilty. Therefore, I request more time to experiment with the product such as without conditioner and maybe only oil, or not as a wash and go but as twist outs or other.

I,  HONORABLE GET YOUR CURLS ON, will allow the prosecutor more time to experiment with the product. Therefore, the defense, Beautiful Textures Curl Definer Styling Custard is proven " LIKENESS UNDERTERMINED" until otherwise; however it the results aren't changed, it will be fined as GUILTY TO SATISFY CUSTOMER!

CASE PROSTPONED

HAHA in other words guys, although I didn't get the best results, I am curious on whether this product will work better under different experiments. I guess I've kind of been convinced it might with different reviews on YouTube.  BUT don't take my word for it!!! Get up and try I yourselves; you can get it from Sally's or other beauty supply stores.

Reviews that changed my mind:

Hair Demo: Beautiful Textures Curl Definer Styling Custard from RyMingTahn

 

Product review: Beautiful Textures Curl Definer Styling Custard  from prettyparticular





Alternate Review:

Products Review: Beautiful Textures Curl Definer Styling Custard from BeautyLuvFashion

DISCLAIMER: I was not paid to do this review nor were they sent to me for review. My opinions are based off of honest experience and thoughts.
I received this product through a CurlBox subscription
 

First Wash And Go

The infamous, "Wash and Go"! Hmm I think its safe to say that the wash and go that we're all familiar with is not really it claims to be. What's a wash and go you ask? Well according to the natural hair community, a wash and go is suppose to be exactly what it says; you wash you're hair( with shampoo and or conditioner), add a light leave in and GO! YES! GO! Leave your hair! Leave your house! Do nothing else to your hair!! It's suppose to be a process where your natural curls and definition show with little to no manipulation. But the " wash and go" process has changed to where a conditioner and styler is used to manipulate those curls and help them enhance!! Now with my hair being a 4a-4b type( very tight curls) I can understand why one would want to use products to help those curls pop and elongate; which would turn a simple 20 min wash and go  into a 45 to 90 mins wash and go. The time it takes to perform a wash and go along with the crunchiness and wet hair made me VERY skeptical about trying a wash and go but after receiving the Beautiful Textures Curl Definer Styling Custard from Curlbox, and also since it's summer I figure I should give it a try. Before I give my final thoughts, let me run you through the play book.

Here are the items I used!

From the right: Motions Naturally You Radiating Gloss, Ouidad Curl Cowash, Crème of Natura 100% Pure Argan Oil, Beautiful Textures Curl Definer Styling Custard, and UR CURLY Quinoa Conditioner 

 

Now after doing thorough research on Google, curlynikki.com and youtube.com. I felt confident and a little annoyed with the  Wash and go must do's and mustn't do's.

 

Before performing a wash and go, your hair have to be thoroughly detangled to prevent knots and tangles when applying the products and after it has dried. "DETANGLE HAIR!!!!" That was what I yelled out when I read that on numerous sites. I thought a wash and go was suppose to be simple. Now if you're hair is fairly short such as a TWA( Teeny Weeny Afro) this may not be a problem for you but for those with longer hair that is prone to always be tangled up, this will be a night mare!!

 

Step 1. Normally my hair a stretched from a 2 week style but that day it was not and I'm a finger detangler, so my wash and go began with a 30 to 45 min detangling session Yaaay!

 

 

Now after detangling i was ready to HOP into the shower like a little kid hopping into a bouncy house! Yes it was THAT serious! But I also read that a wash and go requires moisturized hair due to the fact that one is using a styler ( usually a gel). And we all know that gels make the hair hard and crunchy. Step 2 So I decided to do a slight deep condition, which is where the UR CURLY Quinoa Conditioner came in. So I sectioned my hair into 4 sections, and saturated the first section with warm water, then added the UR CURLY, twisted that section and moved on to the next. Now the UR CURLY called for it to be left in for 5 mins, which worked for me since I did each section at a time.

 

Step 3. I then rinsed out the conditioner and used the Ouidad Curly Co-Wash to well.....co wash my hair. Allow me to bow my head in a moment of prayer to thank God for this AMAZING product. The Ouidad Co-wash did things to my hair that I would never imagine!! But that's for another post..*hint hint review on the way* Anyways, I added the Ouidad to the section making sure I apply it to the scalp also, and lightly massaged the scalp and ran the product through the section, twisted and moved on to the next section. The Ouidad suggests that it's left in for a while; so I presumed with my other shower activities(bathing, washing face ect) Step 4. Before rinsing out the conditioner, I did a detangling check up; which is just a quick detangle with a shower comb or deman brush. Then rinsed out the conditioner and hopped out the lovely shower!

 

Step 5. Once out the shower I place a t-shirt on my head to absorb the excess moisture while I get dressed and apply make up.

 

I then picked a conditioner( usually a rinse out conditioner) to apply to my hair under the gel. I chose the Herbal Essence Hello Hydration Conditioner. Step 6.Before apply in the conditioner, I applied to the first section the Crème of Natural Agran Oil to seal the moisture in my strands. Then applied the conditioner and distributed it evenly.

 Now for the styler! I must admit, I was very skeptical of using the Beautiful Textures Styling Custard. I've read reviews about it being hard and crunchy just like gels and leaving a residue. But of course, I thought to myself that the reviewers applied it wrong or too much or whatever, so I decided to give it a try.

Step 7. I sectioned the first section into  a smaller section, took a dollop of the custard and raked it through the section with my fingers. I raked until my curls clumped up and popped into their natural pattern. I HAVE to be honest, I got length and definition but it was WET and STICKY and ANNOYING but I went ahead and pulled a smaller section and repeated the process with the custard until the section was complete.

I was feeling the length and the curls YAAAY GIIIIRLL. So I continued onto the next sections until my head was complete. I was so excited that I shook shook and shook the heck outta my hair; I then realized it was a love hate experience. Again, my hair was WET and STICKY!! UGH.

Step 8.( optional, can also air dry but AINT NOBODY GOT TIME FOR THAT!) So I grabbed the diffuser and my hair dryer and dried my hair. It dried well but was now hard, lacking movement and, like the reviewers said, covered with WHITE RESIDUE. I could not believe it; my hair was covered in white flakes after drying my hair and hard and crunchy. Boy I was disappointed....so later on in the evening I co washed my hair again with the Ouidad Cowash( yes that little bottle lasted TWO washes and I still have some left YAAY)

 

So that's my first experience with a wash and go! It was successful, with the clumping of curls and such but I hated the crunchy hair and white residue. Now I'd blame the residue on the product and not the wash and go process. Will I ever try it again?! YES!! HAHA don't look at the screen like that! I want to experiment more!! I want the try it with conditioner alone or with gel and not that custard UGH! But that's the point of trying something NEW! SHUCKS I came this far by going natural and that's way new and I had to adjust to it until I got comfortable with it, so I plan to do the same with the wash and go. I love experimenting and I encourage you too esp if you're new at the natural hair scene.

 

Here are some pics of my failed wash and go!

 

After adding styler

Top View

Back

After dried

 

 



Prelude to the " It's All for My Hair" Series

Hey everyone...lets grab a cup of our favorite beverage (mines is a hot cup of Foldgers Vanilla coffee), stand in front of a mirror, take a deep breath  and ask our selves out loud, " Have I been taking care of my hair!?" I'll be the first to admit,  I do get breakage and tangles and sometimes excessive shedding and worse of all I IGNORE IT! Yes! Yes! I know, why would I take myself through 15months of the transitioning phase to allow my natural hair to go astray? Well I had a line of excuses written up, ready to defend my reasons of neglecting my hair.
- " I don't have time to properly detangle"
-" No matter what I do, it still breaks!"
-" Maybe its in my genes to have damaged hair!"
-" Finger detangling is the DEVIL!!!"
-" I don't have the proper products!"
Trust me, the list goes on and on. But like everything in every aspect of  life, excuses are unacceptable!!

Lets think about it, while we look at the ends and strands of our hair; what are my hair goals? Now in MY mind, I think everyone's hair goal, natural or chemically altered, is to have long, strong, manageable hair. Am I right?! Now, since I'm not a mind reader, I'll play safe and speak for myself. My hair goals are to accomplish, longer, stronger, thicker, moisturized  and manageable hair! Now that you've thought about your goals, go back to looking at those strands; how close are you to accomplishing those goals? Again, i'll admit, i'm no where closer to my goals. I'll be bold and share picture of my strands but in a later post. Lets focus on what we're seeing; are you seeing frizzy or tamed strands, tangled or untangled curls, smooth curly ends or split ends/ single strand knots or both, and/or straight ends or curly ends( regarding excessive heat users). Now get a sheet of paper, opps forgot to tell you to grab that, and write down your observations. * take your time* Now, lets feel our strands and ends; how do they feel? Dry or moisturized, weak or strong, and/or soft or hard?  Now next to each observation, jot down what you'd prefer your hair to look and feel like. Doing this exercise can help us realize where we are on your growth, healthy, or definition journeys. Here's my list below:

                                   My Hair Analysis

Current                                                              Goal
Visual:                                                                Visual:
a) some split ends                                          a) little to no split ends
b)Some knots                                                 b)little to no knots
c) frizzy                                                         c) less frizzy ends
d) frizzy strands                                           d) less frizzy strands
e) some tangles                                           e) little to no tangles

Touch:                                                               Touch:
a) slightly dry strands                                 a) less dry strands
b) dry ends                                                  b) less dry ends
c) strong curls                                             c) stronger curls
d) soft curls and strands( for now)            d) Always soft curls and strands


 Making this list also might be an eye opener to some that they may not be taking care of their hair; which might be the reason for the excessive breakage, damage, tangles, and frustration. I'll admit, it took me a while to acknowledge the, for lack of better word, abuse I've done to my hair and even longer to take the first step to taking proper care of my hair.



After making that list, I thought of techniques I can use to achieve the above goals; I thought to myself about what I did to my hair daily, weekly and monthly, what I've been doing wrong during those time periods and what I can do to improve on them.

Current                                                      Goal
Daily:                                                        Daily:
Style                                                          Style less 
Moisturize                                                Moisturize when necessary
Mostly and heavily manipulate                Little to no manipulation

Weekly:                                                    Weekly:
Detangle with deman brush and              Detangle with fingers and deman brush when needed
shower comb
Shampoo( with gentle or clarifying          Gently shampoo hair(mostly scalp)
shampoo)
Condition or/and deep condition              Condition AND deep condition
Add leave in conditioner and seal            Add leave in conditioner and seal

Monthly:                                                   Monthly:
N/A                                                           Clarify with clarifying shampoo

Now I know this seems like a little too much to go through just for hair but going natural is a journey that I've became linked to and a part of my life that I want to improve and build. Plus taking care of it now may result in less frustration and work in the future. So to make this extremely long story a bit short, i'm going on a challenge; a challenge to improve each and every one of those techniques above to accomplish my Visual and Touch goals for my hair. I've started this two weeks ago and will post how i'm improving each techniques later into a " It's All for My Hair" series.

No one has to join this challenge but I do encourage anyone who's experience the same or worse with their hair than I am, to take a deep look into your strands and question yourself, " What do I want for my hair?!" I don't know how long I'll be doing this challenge but I know I wouldn't stop until I see the results that i'm expecting and hey if I do get those results then what'll be the point in ending the challenge.

Anywho, I wish healthy hair to everyone!! And we'll chat later on in the blog.  God Bless!