Quick Roller Set for Big Sexy Natural Hair
Glycerin: A Nearly Ubiquitous Ingredient

NaturallyCurly.com writes:
You know that love-hate relationship we have with fatty foods? Well, the same holds true for glycerin, according to Marsha Coulton, founder of Curl Junkie.
“If you use too much, it can be too heavy and feel like an oil in your hair,” Coulton says. “If you use too little, you don’t get the effect you’re looking for."Just as fats (at least the good ones!) are important in a healthy diet, glycerin is a coveted ingredient when it comes to feeding our curls the moisture they crave. Coulton uses glycerin in both of her curl sprays, but in different proportions. Curl Fuel, which is heavier, has more glycerin. But she cut the glycerin by a third for her Curly Boost spray because too much can weigh down curlies with fine hair.
Inexpensive Yet Effective- Natural Hair Products

Michelle T. writes:
What inexpensive products have you found to work that you really never thought would have worked?
Also, for you gel users, Herbal Essence Set Me Up Gel has great ingredients and always gave me soft, defined, long lasting wash and gos. It's super cheap and definitely worth a try!
Other cheapies:
-Shea Butter for sealing and controlling edges
-Aloe Vera Juice or Gel for edges
Hola chicas!
It's that time again! The images below are of CN readers at their flyyest...at work, on the town, and with the fam. Showing us all that natural hair is not a fad, it's a way of life...an extension of our beauty! Click on the images to enlarge them:
I was at my neice's Sweet 16 Party, June 2010. This look is a wash and go. I used a mixture of Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding, Kinky Kurly Knot, Shea Moisture Hold & Shine Moisture Mist (to hold the curls) and a prayer for the best. I am lazy, I do not braid, twist or coil
anymore I just let my hair do what it does and I am fine with it.
Vee
I was looking TOO CUTE for the anniversary of MJ's bday, and did a little faux afro to match my mood. Threw the bow on at the last minute to tie the outfit together.

Hannah
On my way to my daughters Dr. Appt. I am wearing two strand tiny twists with a headband.
PinkRage
This is a scarf braid out using Taaliah Waajid Crinkles & Curls styling foam. I learned this method from zanandrob.com. I love this method because it gives me a consistent curl pattern all the way down. I put 4 braids in my hair. I was in Houston for a conference and this picture was after I had returned from a party.
Tanysha
I just tried my first natural hair style, the Twist & Curl! I co-washed and detangled with Herbal Essence Hello Hydration, HE Totally Twisted as a leave in (may have used too much because I have a little bit of build-up), used Aveda Defining Whip to style and sealed my ends with Dabur Vatika oil! I was nervous about the outcome so I took them out early in the morning to give myself enough time in case I didn't like it. But, I LOVED IT!! My entire family wants to go natural now! Here I am on my way to my Goddaughter's first dance recital.

Just another beautiful day in Texas. Enjoying the sun with a two-strand micro twist; staying cool in the summer heat.

Dana
I was on my way to work. I did the BC on June 26, 2010. This is a wash and go.

Keeta
This is a result of my FIRST Twist 'n Curl. I usually do my twistouts without curling the ends, OR, I'll pin my twists into bantu knots. I like this A LOT better!!! Thanks for the idea on curling the ends. It seems to just make it more polished, for lack of a better description. I was just going to run errands that day.

Nicole
This is a picture of me on my way to a party at George Washington University in April. My hair is pinned up into a frohawk. I loved it! Happy Fierce Friday!!!!

Notthecoolmom
This was my 4th of July Fro. Picked out from a twistout with water, coconut oil, jojoba oil, Giovanni Direct Leave in and Koils By Nature Hair and Body Butter.
We need more for next week!

Lori asks:
I've been a bad girl. I strayed from my Curly Girl routine a month ago and my hair is acting up. Build up I guess? My hair likes all natural products and I knew that, but I let my inner PJ get the best of me.

Self-Concept Thursday!

Hola Chicas,
It's that time again!
Remember that an affirmation can help you replace a negative thought (ex. I'll never find love) with a more helpful positive one (ex. I'm worthy of love, and I will find it in time). By using the power of positive affirmations and by repeating them, you can recondition your brain and change how you feel and think about any situation (your appearance, your hair, a relationship, etc.). You can choose to be happy, no matter the circumstances! It will transform your life.
Share your affirmations here, but remember to revisit and reflect on them everyday-- in the evening before retiring, in the morning before rising, during prayer, meditation, or while exercising! This is one habit you need to develop... as another reader stated, don't just think them, say them aloud! Own it :-)
-I am successful and stable.
-I am beautiful.
Open Question from a CN reader:
How do you define success? According to your definition, do you meet the criteria? Are your standards too rigid?
____________________________________________
***In the meantime, leave your Positive Affirmations below!***
Goody Simple Styles Pony Pouf Clip Review

Hola Chicas!
Time is ever so quickly winding down... I'll be 37 weeks on Friday and the baby feels low (and though she feels as if she's gonna fall outta my butt any second, I'm taking y'alls word that she won't!). The nursery is complete, my bag is packed and dear family and friends will begin arriving as early as next week!
Strange new symptoms? Let's see... since breathing is an activity I find quite enjoyable, I have to sleep sitting up, which I hate. Plus, if I happen to fall asleep laying down, I wake up with very painful cramps in my lower belly and back. So yeah, restful sleep is not happening and I'm so tired during the day. Also, one boob is noticeably larger than the other... but neither are big enough for me to purchase a nursing bra in my size. I've been to two Tarjays and a JcPenny and apparently I have very, very tiny breasts... maybe A cups aren't supposed to breast feed? But dammit I'm gonna give it my all...hopefully the bigger boob (which I now call 'my good boob') will pull the weight! TMI?
Finally, I have a perfectly straight line running down the back of each leg (from my butt to my ankles). To the right of each line, my skin is very dark, to the left, it's very light. So strange! And the kicker is that my mom said the exact same thing happened to her.
Anywho, on to my reason for this post. I tried the Goody Simple Styles hair clip tonight with great results! Here's the description they provide:
Pony Pouf makes the "piece-y" pony so easy! Clever little styling tools and instructional guides to assist every woman in achieving a salon-inspired hairstyle at home.I can see how this product really would deliver what the texture challenged community so desires. Volume. Since we curlies don't have this problem, I truly questioned the reason for even trying it. Glad I did though! It's yet another low stress, low tension way of securing the hair in a chic and easy style. Plus the design allows for ultimate poofage without the hassle of tying a pantyhose around your head. It sort of reminds me of a tiny, modified banana clip. It has two positions (the first for finer hair, and the second for thicker), and the comb portion on the top half makes it easy for you to fluff the hair up and intensify the volume of your puff.
I like it because it gives me the security of a pony tail holder (looped two or three times), with the volume of a pantyhose or goody headband secured puff. It's easy to put in and remove-- snagging and tearing is not an issue. Definitely another tool to add to your arsenal!
You can find the clip at most stores (Target, Walmart, Walgreens) for $6.99.
Simplistic Living- Simplistic Hair
I used to religiously put an oil mixture in my hair everyday. Combo of olive oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba and god knows what else. My hair was moisturized but my skin took a beating! So I stopped. I could go bald, but I'd like my skin to be healthy. Now, I wash once a week, put some moisturizer in every few days and call it a day. With putting even less natural products in my hair...my hair is actually handling it better and my face.
I spoke with the woman from my job a little bit about hair. She told me her's was wavy and that she flat ironed it everyday to keep it straight.
I realized at the end of that conversation which I've known of myself for quite awhile, is that what I seek is to live an authentic simple life. I want to be natural and organic..not just with hair but with every facet of my life. And being sustainable in your life, also makes for a more simple life and gives you time for things that actually matter.
I grow my own herbs instead of buying them most times. Why? Not because I'm on some granola soapbox of the benefits to the world in doing this. But because its simpler. That's why I went natural. It's why I purge my clothes a few times every year.
Everyone has their reasons. To each their own. What I look forward to is the day when we do away with this need for surface level BS and get to a point where we can just be...however we are.
I know one too many women who won't go outside without makeup, without heels, without earrings, without that outfit...and it's sad. But adorning ourselves and attributing worth to it has been pervasive in our world since the beginning of time. But who's to say it has to always be that way.
How Much Product Do You Use?

Jeanine writes:
I go through one 16oz bottle of cheap conditioner a week. I use an 8oz jar of gel in two. Although my favorite products aren't very expensive, the constant re-upping is draining my pocket. The other day while slathering on my leave-in, I began thinking, am I using too much? Is it even effective?
CN Responds: I go through a crap load of conditioner, at least a bottle every two weeks...and I'm talking the family sized bottle of Herbal Essence Totally Twisted or Hello Hydration. I need for my hair to be loaded down and ridiculously slippery in order to feel like I'm doing the least amount of damage possible during the detangling process.
I used to be heavy handed with product during styling, but not anymore. I like the fluffy, almost intentionally undefined look, and I find that it's easiest to achieve this with minimal product. I apply my styler (whether it's a conditioner or conditioner + styling cream combo) one section at a time. I usually use about a pea to dime sized amount per twist, which also aids in speedy drying times.
Bottom line: Loads of detangling conditioner, and only small amounts of styling conditioners/creams.





