Product Reviews!! Don't you just love them...

Okay I was ask by my coworkers to do a product review of the the following products. I get asked all the time about why my hair is so healthy and how I'm growing my hair so fast. So these are the products that help contribute to the success of my healthy hair. 

Thirsty Roots Apricot Castrol Oil

I just love this stuff! From the smell to the consistency, it's the best. Last year my edges broke off really bad leaving me with bald spots in and around my temple area. During that time on my Facebook feed this company was advertising their product and the reviews were great. So y'all know me as the research queen I did my research and the ingredients were fascinating. So for me that was a go! The product is available online at www.thirstyroots.com for $12.00 + shipping is $5.54 so rough fully $17.54 with taxes included. I received this product in no time and when I opened the bottle the smell was amazing. I washed my hair and deep condition it before I placed this product in my hair.  I began with my temples, then I worked the product around my edges, and lastly apply the product to my crown area slowly massaging the product into my scalp. Then only placing a small amount throughout my hair to give it moisture. I use this product mainly on my edges because of the constant tension from pulling my hair back into a high puff. This product is mainly for your scalp or to lock moisture when wearing braids, locks, or twist. This product I just love dearly! You basically can say its the best hair oil for natural hair that's out right now. You have to just try the product for yourself to understand why I'm saying its so great. What drawn me to this product was the great reviews it was receiving from so many women. This product has done wonders for my hair in so many ways. My hair is now able to lock in moisture and not dry out so quickly. Let's not talk about the fullness and thickness of my hair. 

MSM supplements 

The supplements states they're for joint support but this is one of the main ingredients in HairFinity to help your hair growth. These Nature Made supplements are the best when I'm trying to give myself a break from the HairFinity product because it contains Biotin that breaks my face out. I use this product twice a day with a meal preferable one in the morning and one at night before bed. You can find this product at your local Walmart, Walgreen's, CVS, and Target. 

Organix Coconut Milk Conditioner

This product is my go to co-wash. I mean the results are amazing when using this product. The main ingredient is the blend of organic coconut milk to nourish your hair, while ultra whipped egg white proteins add strength and elasticity, along with weightless coconut oils to add hydration and balance. Guess what?? Its Sulfate free. Yasss darling! It's healthy and safe for your hair. This product also has the shampoo to go along with it as well and it's just as great too. You can find this product at your local Walmart, Walgreen's, CVS, and Target. 

Hairfinity Product update!!

Since my last review in January introducing this product and giving a review as well. I decided it was time for a product update.

    My temples have grown back in since the last update. My hair is longer, stronger, thicker, and most of all more manageable. This product has given my hair more life than I ever expected. My hair has grown a complete 6 inches since my original start date in November. I never had any doubts about this product not working. I normally take this product at night with a full glass of water. *Remember this product still contains Biotin, so it's necessary to drink a full glass of water when taking it. My main concern with this product will be in my growth phase. As I noted in my last blog review about HairFinity, your hair has a life cycle that consists of 3 phases: growing, resting, and shedding. Not only is sulfur a building block for your hair, it also has been shown to lengthen the growing phase of your hair. A longer growing phase (before resting and shedding) means longer hair. 

    This product continues to amaze me each month when I see the results of the product. If you don't believe see for yourself. You can purchase the product at www.hairfinity.com at $24 a bottle. Which is a one month supply and they do come in bundles if you want to purchase the product in bulk. 

    Next update will be pressing my hair so you can see the full results of this product. Right now I am just focusing on the thickness and strength of my hair. 

                               

HairFinity Hair Journey!!

So today I come to you with a product review. I was surfing the internet to see if there were any products I can try to grow and strengthen my hair. After hours of searching I was able to find a product worth trying. With over 400 reviews online and YouTube reviews of nothing, but great feedback, I decided to give this wonderful product a try.

   HairFinity is made by Brock Beauty Inc., which is located in Slidell, LA and can be found online at www.hairfinity.com. The price of the bottle I ordered was $24.00 plus shipping & handling. Now they do have the bottles available in discounted packages if you prefer to purchase in bulk.  The shipping process was fast, which was a plus. Before I knew it the bottle was in my hands and I was ready to give it a try. 

   The first week into my bottle of HairFinity (November 18, 2013), I saw a major difference in my hair strength and I was having less shedding when I brushed my hair. Not to mention the elasticity was now noticeable. So I knew the product was starting to work. One of the main ingredients is MSM (Methylsulfanylmethane) which helps promote healthy hair. MSM is quickly becoming known for its role in healthy hair growth but it's original use is for muscle and joint inflammation. MSM naturally occurring form of Sulfur is found in many foods. The life cycle of your hair consists of 3 phases: growing, resting, and shedding. Not only is sulfur a building block for your hair, it also has been shown to lengthen the growing phase of your hair. A longer growing phase (before resting and shedding) means longer hair. Now Biotin is another main ingredient in this hair supplement so you already know what that means. Lots and lots of WATER. Yes, water! Biotin is known for causing break outs, so make sure you ready to sacrifice for healthy hair. 

   Now two months into the product I'm actually loving my results. I have witnessed my hair getting longer and stronger every week. I also see it becoming very manageable now, at first it was a fight just to detangle my hair. I absolutely give this product a 2 thumbs up and 5 stars. It will be a supplement I will use till I reach my goal in my hair journey. 

*NOTE: Between bottles I did use MSM vitamins till the next bottle came in. I received the same results and saw no side effects when switching back to HairFinity.* 

The top picture was taken in 01/14 and the bottom picture was taken in 11/13

Loving my growth and fullness. 

This picture was taken the same month I began my hair journey with HairFinity in 11/13.  

The ingredients of HairFinity 

My Natural Hairstyles!!

So lately I been trying alot of different hairstyles to see which ones I love and could do without. I have been natural since July 15, 2012, it was a choice I made when perms no longer will take on my hair. So now 1yr and 5mths later I'm now fully embracing it. If you noticed my hair is colored only on the top which I dyed back in March, I'm still debating when I want to dye my hair again. Since I am taking HairFinity vitamins to grow and strengthen my hair. If you can tell they pictures at the top are older and the ones to the bottom are newer and you can see how much my hair has grown since taking the vitamins because you can no longer see my dye once inside a style as before. So here are some of they styles I have rocked in the past months.

Fresh wash(above) & detangled and pulled back(below) 11/13

After wash(top left), flat twist(top right), the take down(bottom)

12/13

Wash and pulled back into a bun 07/13

3 day old bantu knot outs 10/13

a high twist bun using Outre 100% Kanekalon hair 12/13 

A double bun with one bag of Xpression 1B Kanekalon braiding hair 01/12/14

Keeping Things Fresh!!

So this year I basically stated that I will try a little better on keeping my hair done and taking great care of myself. Lets just say that's been hard due to corporate america, my non profit organizations (D&H Foundation for Houston's Youth), and of course my freelancing business. So yes, I stay a busy person. Like right now I'm doing this blog from my work desk computer.

So Saturday morning I decided to take down my quick weave to wash and deep condition. Not to mention to also let my hair breathe from being in a cap for a whole month. To my amazement my hair has really grown(pics coming soon) since I dyed my hair back in August 2012 and March 2013. I only dyed my hair to see how much my hair will grow with proper care while going through the transition phase. Which will make a year this July. Now I have came out of pocket more this year on my hair than anytime before. My hair is not cheap!! That means natural and weave. Lol!! So hear are a few pics of my new do courtesy to my twin brother Herbo tha Divo. He lays my hair right and keeps my hair tight!

At my cousin wedding (before take out)

Hair washed and blown out 

After blow out and flat iron 

My everyday look for work 

MY BOX BRAIDS/ RETRO IS BACK!!

So on September 29th I decided to go retro and get some box braids. I haven't had any since I was in the 5th grade. The place where I got my braids done is at Brown Sugar Braiding Salon in Houston, TX on the Southside of town. Before going I did my research on the shop and the reviews I read were not good, but knowing myself I like to make my own assumptions and not take no one word for things. Upon my surprise 10 hours later and $220 worth, I receive great service and they were nothing like the woman said on the reviews. So here is my new look: 2 toned (top:4/30, back:4) Outre 100% Kankelon hair waist length ends dipped in hot water. I really wanted the braids so I could give my natural hair a break while its in transition.

Natural vs. Relaxed: The Controversy of African American Women Hair

         As I browse through editorials and websites, I see alot of African American women resorting back to their natural hair prior to relaxers. This change has brought on a debate within the African American community whether the nappy roots or society permed & press hair is preferred. Writing this blog is my outlook on this issue.
      

       I remember when my Mom decided to relax my hair at 10 years old, only because she said my hair had become "too unmanageable" for her. Basically too thick and long to where I couldn't bare to have her comb my hair. In other words, tender headed. See my mother is African American and Indian. My father is French, Indian, and African American which is classified as Creole. Having so many cultures mixed in one person like myself, caused my Mom to do the unthinkable. Not having the texture of hair as hers she said she didn't know what to do with my hair besides style it in braids, hot comb (which in Houston heat did nothing but made you regret wasting time hot combing), plates, and a bun. See my Mom was an avid user of the Blue Magic hair grease and water. When she wanted to make a statement on how tired she was of my hair off to a beautician I went to get braids. Now as an adult I actually want to see how my hair texture was that made my Mom just throw in the towel and chose to relax my hair as an alternative. Which by the way she never did my hair after getting one. I found myself every two weeks at the beautician getting my hair done. Which I didn't mind cause I felt like a big girl.
     
       This new era of hair choice has placed a form of segregation within the African American community. More like telling the African American woman to choose your roots or choose what the European culture would prefer you to have. Do I believe this epidemic has gone too far? Yes! The reason why I say yes, is because too many women has felt some type of discrimination cause of this issue. If you have natural hair your making the race proud and if you have relaxed hair your a sell out to the race. That's not right. The natural movement was only put into place cause African American women wanted to embrace their naturalness and to promote healthy hair. I mean I have heard numerous debates about this at my job and when I'm with my clients when I'm freelancing. Every debate has had a common denominator "to each its own".

      Why some women feel its no need to go back natural ie. corporate america, easy to maintain relaxed hair, versatility, and most of all relaxed hair looks professional. Now some might argue you can do the same with natural hair and at the end of the day "to each its own". Both textures require chemicals, some are natural oils and some are alcohol based. Also both textures requires maintenance. So really its "to each its own", right? This debate really comes down to personal choice. I personally prefer a perm but I'm in transition to become fully natural. Eight months into being natural I have four inches of natural with three inches of relaxed hair left chop off. I'm enjoying the change. Ladies let's not place a choice of hair preference as a segregated group like its only meant for the elite or true into our community. We are all beautiful and amazing women regardless of what texture we may choose. Lets keep the unity and not be divided.

XoXo MbP