HairPplay: Flat Twistout Parts I & II

Like the Curly set but want something quicker and slightly different? Prefer a soft tossled look with hang time rather than fat curls? Then try this Flat Twistout!

Flat Twistout Parts I & II

How To Video:





More videos to come soon. Thanks for watching,

Kamika lovin this style

Motown Girl Spotlight of the Week

Ya'll come check me out over at Motown Girl. I'm the Spotlight of the Week.

Here's an excerpt:

What advice would you give someone who was thinking of going natural?:

1. As with everything in your life, ask yourself why you want to do this. Truly delve deep into yourself and look around. Going natural was the best thing for me because it promoted my health, improved my self-esteem, and re-ignited a fire in me.

2. Don't make a decision because it's faddish or because you like a certain style, or because you hope you'll have a loose silky curly texture. Make a commitment to YOU as a whole, because if you're committed, when the naysayers come it won't affect you.

3. Become informed!

Read up on hair and haircare as if you were studying to become a stylist yourself. Learn about products, ingredients, and styling tools. If need be find a good natural stylist in your area and pick their brain.

The more informed you are about haircare the less foolishness you will fall for (RIO anybody?) and the more money you will save on useless products that don't work for your hair.

4. Start now by widening your definition of beauty.

Add people with hair similar to yours to your beauty ideal. Create a look book or online album to inspire yourself and keep you motivated.

5. Join a supportive network.

Some good online sites are Motown Girl, Nappturality, Long Hair Care Forum, etc. But don't just stop there. You need a supportive network for your life in general. Hair is only a small part of it. If your spirit is content then your hair will be beautiful.

6. Remember it's your hair!

If you are committed to a healthy you and healthy hair then the occasional pressing, flat-ironing, etc. should be fine. It's your hair! Don't become re-imprisoned by other peoples ideas about what you should do to your hair.

7. Just do it! It'll grow back.

For the rest of the article stop by MotownGirl.Com and check it out. I really appreciate being spotlighted. MotownGirl is a great site to get informed about natural hair care.

Kamika facial video to be posted tomorrow on my YouTube channel. So stop on by!

Hairplay: Elasta DPR-11 Remoisturizer

I've been using this stuff for the last year or so and I still love it. Elasta DPR-11 Remosturizer is one of the best deep conditioners I've ever used and I've used a lot!

~It "contains 11 conditioning botanicals including Peach Blossom oil and Vitamin E

~Penetrates inner hair fibers to surge nutrients to moisture depleted hair

~Perfect hair repair treatment when combined with Elasta QP Protein Supplement.

I usually mix mine with honey, castor oil, and coconut oil, put on a plastic cap and cover my head with my warming heat cap for about 45 minutes. Afterwards I rinse with cool water and style. Instant softness, shine with no tangles or knots.

I you are concerned about cones and certain other ingredients, note that this has Dimethicone and Petroleum in it.

Ingredients: Chamomille, Nettle, Balm Mint Leaf Oil, Coltsfoot Extract, Horse Chestnut Extract, Sage Leaf Extract, Rosemary Extract, Petroleum, Cetyel Alcohol, Cetromonium Chloride, Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Laurus Nobblis Oil, Orange Oil, Neroli Oil, Black Currant Seed Oil.


Kamika Happy Conditioning

Hairplay: Curly Set On Natural Hair

Meant to post this on Friday. If you frequent my YouTube channel then you've probably already seen this. If you don't enjoy!

Curly Set On Natural Hair

How To Video:



More videos to come soon. Thanks for watching,

Kamika lovin this style

Hairplay: Bentonite Clay Tutorial

Sorry! I meant to post this yesterday but I fell behind. This is a tutorial on Bentonite Clay:

Bentonite Clay or "Natural Calcium Bentonite" can be used as an agent to absorb excess sebum, clearing pores. It may be used like a shampoo trapping and removing dirt, debris, build up and other particles from your hair and scalp. You can use this on natural, relaxed, and loc'd hair. Check out more details here at AnitaGrant . I bought mine at my local health food store for $4.99. You can buy the Hibiscus (Jamaica) at your local ethnic grocery store in the produce section.

How to:



This is now a part of my monthly routine. I plan to use this twice a month to clarify and detox my scalp. It left my hair so soft and manageable. I highly recommend it.

BTW, much love to you all (lurkers included) for stopping by and leaving comments on my last Hairplay. It was greatly appreciated! I haven't stopped knitting, crocheting, or sewing. I just haven't been doing those as much and I've been pretty busy with work. I plan to have some updates for you all this week.


Kamika with Love

Hairplay

Welcome 2009!! Happy New Year!

New Year. New Installment. I'm going to be making Fridays my hair day with the addition of the Hairplay column. Each week I'll post pics, videos, and articles about hair and hair care.

First up: The Puff Bun


















How To Video:



Thanks for watching,

Kamika stylin & profilin

A Lil of This & A Lil of That

As I sit here coming down off my sugar ecstasy, I figured I bet to get to writing. Not much to talk about but much ado about nothing. Nothing No. 1 being that I haven't had sugar in my system for nearly 3 weeks and have dropped about 10lbs. Sugar is cryptonite and crack all rolled up into one. When I'm fiending for sugar I start looking like Pookie from New Jack City. I'll beat a negroe down for some sugar. I'll cut em if it's got some pecans mixed in. Look at me, giving away all the details. But my Coffee Lovers from Coldstone was good.

No. 2, I hit my 3 year nappiversary on August 28th. I've gone from bald, afflicted with alopecia, to very thick and boring. Yes, I said boring! I need to find a natural stylist to take me and my hair to the next level. I got growing it on lock (eventhough advice is always welcome), what I now need is someone to take my styling back to FLY level, so I can feel more put together. Anybody know of a good stylist in LA that's into hair CARE and styling? It's gotta be both. Patrice asked me about a year ago if I ever straightened. Below is about as close as I get at home. I may consider flat ironing more often though just for a style change. I'm coveting that Chi iron.



No.3, been shopping waaay too much! Peep some of the products I bought. Can you say CHI's my baby daddy and I got the hair to prove it? LOL. I'm so in love with Chi products now. Talk about great slip and moisturizing. You don't need a lot of these products, so a 12oz bottle could probably last you a couple of months. An added bonus is that they smell like a really good smelling mens' cologne. I plan to do a review of them soon.



Stopped at Sephora and got some great makeup on the same outing went down to MAC in Nordstrom's and allowed myself to be bamboozled into a whole bunch more of makeup. I came to my senses just before I was about to plop down another $150 to buy FlowerBomb perfume by Viktor & Rolf. As an aside: At both of these stores male clerks (I know, so passe, but what are they called now?) were rocking the latest in makeup accoutrement. I mean full face with a swish. I was weirded out. It wasn't even dark outside yet. LOL, I kid. I don't think I took pictures of it all.


I may get that FlowerBomb this weekend though.


No. 4, I did my first weave. On DM. For Free. She called it free advertising. I called it slavery revisited. She said, "I'm your momma and I deserve it." To which I responded, "You lying lady!" (in my head of course). She's rocking it though. She refuses to wear her own hair. I have greater respect for stylists now. I'm now at her house every weekend washing and curling her up like she Patti Labelle or somebody. I will not be making this a side hustle. I need my hands to knit.



No. 5, I done did something crazy with my latest knit project that I don't even feel like discussing now.

...and last but not least

No. 6, a fellow blogger asked me why he wasn't in my blog roll. Cause shadetree, I ain't even been to my blog let alone updated my blogroll. Besides, you're in my reader and that's all that matters. LOL Ya'll can check out Dr. Rawdawgbuffalo here and over there ~~> On point southern commentary I think we can all use.



Kamika got those books balanced

Ah Hah! Say No To Head Buzz

Just recently I did a quick review of Miss Jessie's Baby Buttercream after shouting, "Wait a Minute Mr. Postman!" In that post I praised the results I got from the product and how much I liked it. At the end I did mention one Caveat - I kept feeling slightly light-headed.

Light-headed. Let's explore this sensation for a moment. Walk with me...

Light-headness - a common and often unpleasant sensation of dizziness and/or feeling that one may be about to faint...feeling as though his or her head is weightless. Wikipedia.

After applying the Baby Buttercreme this is how I felt but without the fainting spell. I constantly felt like I was withdrawing from caffeine. You know, that slightly buzzy feeling? Not a tingle ladies. A warm but bearable buzz. But that's just the tip of it. The skin on my forehead started to become inflamed. I also started noticing breakage and more shedding just from touching my locks. A small patch of my hair in the nape area is missing. Yep, just vanished! I know the trees were there because I have pictures and because there is STUBBLE!!! Stubble can only mean breakage. Breakage in an area that I touch a lot (at times I have recurring Hand-In-Fro disease. It's terminal). I haven't had breakage like this since I gave up the relaxer 3 years ago. Now mind you, my hair looked fabulous but at what cost? I had to research this. I also immediately stopped using the product.

The beginnings of my natural hair journey didn't start with the easing in of transitioning. No, I wanted the full trial by fire experience that only comes with the BC. Considering this, I had no problems chucking a product that kept my hair glossy and made my hair appear more acceptable to the masses. NO! But I digress.

After careful research I believe I found the problem. Acetylated Lanolin! Damn Damn Damn! WOOL!!! I'm allergic to pure wool!! **This is going to be a little exhaustive.**

Acetylated Lanolin, also called Sheep/Wool Alcohol or even Wool Oil, is a thick waxy sebum(oil) secreted by sheep to give there coats a glossy sheen and keep the skin underneath soft and supple. When the sheep are shorn the Lanolin is extracted from their coats, cleaned, and processed for use in all kinds of products. Like most other oils commonly used on hair, when applied after moisture, Lanolin will lock the moisture in making your hair feel softer and more moisturized. It's non-drying and the animal variety can be pretty anti-allergenic. You can find it in lotions, lipsticks, lip balms, shampoos and conditioners, and hair products et al.

So you say, "What gives? Lanolin is found in at least 1/3 of the beauty products out there." True, but it's usually found in smaller quantities closer to the end of the ingredients list and only used as filler or an emollient. Acetylated Lanolin is the second ingredient in this product which means there is a high concentration of it. Behind water it's mostly wool oil.

As stated earlier, Lanolin softens, soothes, and nourishes skin but coats and potentially suffocates hair because of it's thickness and binding properties. (The picture to the left is lanolin on a pole) It becomes wax and we all know what happens to wax after it has cooled. It becomes hard and non-porous which means no water escapes it but none gets in as well. Regular use of Lanolin rich products will ultimately cause build-up resulting in hair that drys in on itself because no moisture can enter in to replenish it. The wax attracts dirt and dust to each strand further clogging the hair follicles. Dryness, dirt, and dust are a proven recipe for tangling and hair breakage.


Another major problem. Acetylated Lanolin is slightly different than natural Lanolin in that to be acetylated certain natural molecular properties of the Lanolin are exchanged with Acetic Acid and LYE. Acetic Acid is a mild acid that is corrosive and prone to causing skin burns, eye damage, skin irritation, etc. It descales like Lime A-Way. Naturally found in vinegar it causes the pungent smell and sour taste we are all familiar with. In and of itself Acetic Acid is not really harmful when used in small doses but overtime regular use of it on your hair can be harmful. We all know what LYE is and what harm it can do.


Thirdly, Acetylated Lanolin is highly comedogenic. Meaning it clogs pores and has a tendency to produce or aggravate acne. When using products that contain this ingredient you must be careful to not allow the hair to hang in your face. Nuff said!


So I found my devil in the details. Wool in the form of Acetylated Lanolin. I can't wear pure wool without rashing so obviously the use of it in my hair is no different. My research explained the buzzing sensation and the hair loss I've been experiencing. Since I stopped using it 4 days ago the sensations have left. The remainder of the jar will be put in the "outbox" to be given away to those who are not allergic or trashed.

Baby Buttercream and it's sister Curly Buttercream are useful products, but I don't believe they are for me. I strongly suggest to anyone who may have wool sensitivities or allergies, avoid this product and any product for that matter that has Lanolin in it. If you are prone to acne or facial irritation, avoid using this near your face or placing your hands in your face after touching your hair. If you have found this to be one of your Holy Grail products, I highly recommend incorporating a regular clarifying treatment into your weekly hair regimen followed by a deep moisturizing treatment before reapplying this product. Oddly enough when I started using the product I was cowashing every day to every other day. Cowashing is not recommended with this product. You will only further add to the build-up on your tresses. You need to shampoo.


So there it is. Another Miss Jessie's product bites the dust for me. I'm truly not out to get them, I promise. I've just found that there product line doesn't work for me. I hope this review will be found helpful especially to the product junkies that are fiending to buy these cremes. I will try to find a comparable replacement and if I do I'll post it here. Currently I've gone back to using my Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioning Repair Creme. It has "Lanolin" in it but it's #14 on a list of about 22 ingredients. As soon as I'm done with this I think I may not purchase it again. Even though I like it a lot, there has got to be something out there that doesn't have Lanolin and a whole bunch of chemicals in it.



Kamika Inspector #32

Wait A Minute Mr. Postman!

I've been doing a lot of online shopping lately to satisfy my spending jones. I've been creeping into boutiques IR as well but I don't feel like taking pictures of that stuff. Check out my online scores:

The new Double Stitch - Designs For The Crochet Fashionista book by Erika & Monica Simmons. I preordered this one through Amazon back in April and have been patiently waiting for it up until yesterday. Below are a few items I will be queing up to make. Get yours in the sidebar -->



The book is full of colorful fun knits. Some for rocking around town and others for the sophisticates. I fall into the latter category and as such many are too bohemian for me. The sisters do no disappoint on inspiration though. I think that with a little creativity and a keen study of their designs on their MySpace page you can come up with all sorts of renditions on their already great designs. I really enjoy their stylish departure from the norm of cardigans, sweaters, socks, and pullovers. The stitch is simple but very detailed and decorative at the same time. I am happy to support the Queen's of Crochet Haute Fashion!

The Inaugural Issue of Verena Knitting by Burda (actually store bought). This magazine is really popular in Europe. On the cover it tauts itself as "Europe's top knit magazine." I'm really a sucker for good fashion styling. I try not to succumb to it but I don't think I'll ever change. Good styling is good styling. I guess that's why they do it that way. The magazine is sort of a mix between Rowan and Knit1 - classic designs mixed with the quirky. It's fun and for $6.99 you get 50+ patterns. Below are my faves.




On to hair!! Afrobella announced that Miss Jessie's was having their annual Mothers' Day Sale so I had to check it out. Normally I'm cool on all things Miss Jessies. I tried the Curly Pudding in the past and got a grape scented mess. Plus the price to me was prohibitive for a product I wasn't sure was going to be useful to me. I remember at the time it was $58 for 8oz. The devil is a liar! But, they were offering their Curly Buttercreme at $32 for 8oz AND you got a sampler pack of all of their other products (6 in total) thrown in for free. I figured I had to try it. I bought the Baby Buttercreme and got my order within the week.

I really like the Baby Buttercreme. It really helps with the knots and gives me a silky finish without feeling greasy. I didn't follow the instructions on the website or I would have had a hot greasy mess. You only need a little of this product for it to be effective not globs as the site instructs nor do you need to rake it through your hair with a baby doll size comb. My hair is so fluffy and full after applying just a little to each section and twisting.

Three days later I condish washed and twisted with the Curly Meringue. Meh! I'm not as sold on it. It did give me boingy springy curls but they were not as soft as when I used the Baby Buttercreme. I haven't gotten to the other products yet. All in all I'm very satisfied with the products. I'm happy that I didn't stop with just the Curly Pudding as I would have never tried the Baby Buttercreme. It's about trial and error. The only drawback I'm finding with the line is that there is an ingredient within these products that makes me slightly light-headed. I have to figure out what that is before I continue using. If any of you have experienced the same please do share your thoughts.

In my next few posts I'll post hair pics as well as pics of Oz which is 99% complete. Hopefully I'll have the pattern written up for you as well.

Love

Kamika

Beautiful Tresses Not Winter Stresses

Winter temps in these parts can be hard on one's hair. Natural or relaxed the cold harsh weather can wreak havoc on your style and on the condition of your strands, leaving it dry and brittle. Styling one's hair in the dead of winter's dry air can cause "Winter Static" -static buildup from products and dry air that leads to tangles, knots, and fly-aways. Good looking healthy hair requires moisture and protection from the harsh winter elements. But in a season that's known to be wet and with your mom's old saying "going out in the cold with wet hair will make you sick" in the back of your mind, how do you get the moisture that you need? By the way, that's not true.

Dry hair and by extension a dry scalp doesn't need much to be re-invigorated. As long as you have water and quality natural products (used in moderation) your hair can sing in the rain, sleet or snow. Here's a few things you should know about keeping your hair gorgeous in every season:

• Drink lots of water! I can't stress this enough. Beauty starts from the inside and so do your strands. If your body is not properly hydrated your hair will grow brittle from the root leading to quick breakage and less retainage. Water transports vitamins, nutrients, and hormones throughout your body including to your scalp. It also carries away any toxins. Try to drink as much as half your body weight (in ounces (oz)) in water each day.
  
  
• Eat your fruits & vegetables. Try a salad a day of dark leafy greens for Copper and Iron, which prevent hair loss, and colorful toppings like Avocado - counteracts slow hair growth, Broccoli - promotes supple and elastic (breathable) scalp, Garlic and Red Onions - rich in MSM Sulfur for strong hair strand structure, and a whole host of others. Not only will you have gorgeous hair but a FABU body and skin to go along with it!

• Pre-Condition, Condition, & Deep Condition. Depending on where you live, and the wind chill factor of your locale, will determine how often you can put water in your hair. In really cold areas such as the the east coast and the pacific northwest the weather may make daily washes/rinses prohibitive. Only you can determine what works best for your hair in your area.
  
  Because I'm in Southern California with our temperate climate, I can get away with rinsing my hair more often than others. I say rinsing because unless you've found a good non-drying shampoo (more on that in the future) the sulfates can be extra drying in the winter. To combat this many women create a conditioning regimen for their hair that includes:
  
  >>Pre-conditioning - dry bathing their hair in moisture retaining products such as castor oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, honey, essential oils, and even apple cider vinegar and baking soda. By doing this, you will limit the amount of natural oils made by your scalp, lost during washing.
  
  >>Conditioning - use a moisture rich conditioner either after shampoo or as your shampoo to retain the water from your wash. I'm a big fan of conditioner washing also called no-poo or low-poo. Shampoo is made to cleanse the scalp but can be too harsh for your hair strands, conditioner is made to clean, smooth, and coat your hair strands and retain the moisture. If you don't use a lot of pruducts or if you don't have a problem with build-up no or low-pooing may be the way to go for you. I do this about 2 to 3 times per week and wash with shampoo every 2 weeks (more frequently if I've used a lot of products).
  
  >>Deep Conditioning - combines pre-conditioning and conditioning (low/no pooing) together in one step to be done either after shampooing or after clear rinsing your hair. Mix both of the earlier treatments together, apply to your hair, and for best results apply low heat using a heat cap or warm towel over a shower cap, for at least 15 minutes to open the hair follicles for deeper penetration. Sometimes I even go into the steam room at the gym for an extra conditioning bang. Rinse after and style as usual.
  
  
• Keep products to a minimum. Too many products and/or too much of a product creates product build-up. Product build-up is like a smothering sludge that sits on your scalp closing your hair follicles preventing them from breathing properly. If your hair is closed and not porose then moisture will not get in. Remember our hair needs as much moisture as possible.
  
  Did you know that too much product can aid in the growth of dandruff, prematurely thin your hair strands, give your hair shade a mousy tinge, and cause acne? Did you also know that mixing to many different products from different manufacturers together can be toxic and cause an allergic reaction? Yes, cut back on the product! Less is better.
  
  Another reason I advocate less product is so that you know which products actually work on your hair and which don't saving you time, heartache, and money!
  
  
• Treat your scalp. Gently massage your scalp between washes/rinses. Use a light carrier oil such as olive oil mixed with an essential oil like rosemary or tea tree oil. With a dollop on your finger tips work in circular motions on your scalp. Try not to get it on the hair. If oils are not your thing try a nice cream moisturizer.
  
  
• Reduce Heat. We all know that heat is drying. No matter how it's used, it usually ends up dehydrating, evaporating, and leaving dry something or another. Prolonged heat causes damage and reduces elasticity. Hair with body and movement, soft coils and fat curls require elasticity to be bouncy and spring back into shape. Too much heat hinders this and leaves strands permanently straight and limp.
  
  
• Get regular trims. Yes, make sure the already dead dry ends are gone. They sap moisture from the rest of your hair.
  
  
• Protect it from the elements. In the winter months I tend to put my hair up in protective styles to keep handling to a minimum and to retain those ends. I often wear braid extensions, yarn braids or corn rows to achieve an instant style update all the while keeping my tresses up and protected. Many women wear wigs, weaves, buns or chignons (be careful with your hair line) to achieve the same results. Becareful that whatever style you choose it's not so tight that it pulls excessively at the scalp. The pullng alone can cause stress bumps and dry scalp that looks like dandruff.

Contrary to the the urban legend that your hair grows better dirty- clean hair and a healthy scalp is the way to go. Nothing is more unattractive than a women patting, scratchy, and rubbing her (more than likely dirty) head in an effort to get at the itchies while trying to maintain her hairstyle for 2 weeks or more. Stop the insanity. Healthy hair, be it short or long, no matter how you rock it needs to be clean in order to be shiny and resilient.

I hope the tips above help you to take control of your hair and triumph over your dry scalp. These are tried and true tips that I've learned over the years and have helped me greatly. Questions? Leave me a comment. For a list of some of the products I use, check my hair album here! Great links on the sidebar ~~~~>

Kamika

And the Winners...

... of the first ever Kinky Coils & String GiveAway are!

**Drum Roll**

1. Eve Knits
2. Afiba (Ms. Lina)
3. Sonya

You ladies were selected using a random number counter program so as to make it as fair as possible. I will be contacting these ladies over the next couple of days to get their choices. Eve Knits gets 1st choice and so on. Hopefully each of you will get what you want. They are all great products!

If you get to me before I get to you, please email me at kamikak at MSN DOT com.

Thanks to all who entered and please stay tuned for those hair updates. I'll need your input! Also, hopefully you'll come back to be inspired to knit, crochet, or take up a hobby to bless your self with. As women we need to start doing things for us that will birth out creativity and help us to relieve stress. Knitting and crochet does that for me and so many others, maybe it will do it for you too.

Kamika

GiveAway Update!

The Hair GiveAway is almost over. You have just over 5 hours to enter if interested otherwise I have to move on to my next for my stringfellows. The contest is over at 11:59:59 pm Pacific Standard Time. My Time!

Stringfellows, all I have to say is, "Lorna's Lace." Some of you have begun to salivate I'm sure. So stay posted.

I will post the winners of the Hair GiveAway on Wednesday. I have a full day tomorrow and don't think I can do it sooner. I do want to say that I appreciate all who entered as well as all of those who just stopped by. You ladies have provided me with a lot of great topics to discuss in the future concerning our hair. I'm planning to make Friday's Hair Day so stay tuned!

Kamika

The More You Give...GiveAway!!

Here it is! My first ever giveaway and the beginning of something great! I had planned to do my first giveaway at my blogiversary in March but decided that I wanted to draw some folks out of lurkdom and spread some New Year good cheer! I want to set the tone of this year for giving as much as I can to others. I believe that the more you give the less you lack.

I have been blessed to find some of my holy grail products to help me love and nuture my natural kinky coils. I try to limit my use of products to only those that are necessary so that I can tell what works and what doesn't for my hair type without wasting my hard earned cash. My sure-fire grails are easily gotten from your local beauty supply shop or grocery store and include Castor Oil, Olive Oil, Let's Jam gel, Honey, and the Trader Joe's Nourish line. Yes, fruits and berries baby, fruits and berries.

GIVEAWAY #1: $10 in HoneyMoney to spend on anything you like @ Oyin

On occasions I splurge and allow my hair some treats like those made by the mixtress, Jameelah herself over at Oyin Handmade. I absolutely love the Greg Juice. It leaves my hair feeling so soft and moisturized. I recommend it to anyone who has a problem with dryness be it on natural or relaxed hair. Greg Juice has become so popular that they created two additional scents with the same beneficial formulation called Frank Juice and you guessed it! Fruits & Berries! I also like her Shine 'N Define for smoothe edges and twists without the dry feeling of gel and the Honey-Hemp Conditioner for a luxuriously good conditioning wash. Hopfully Oyin will be your spoil as well!


GIVEAWAY #2: one 4oz bottle of Wild Growth Oil

Let's keep the ball rolling and get on to number two! In the hair world some sistahs just can not live without Wild Growth Oil. They scream about how wonderful it is for hair growth and how they grew nine inches in 24 hours. J/K! Ya'll know how I am about the "magic in a bottle" faithful. I'm a strong believer that products don't grow hair they just help to create the ideal environment for optimal hair growth. **Don't sleep on this basic truth** You will save a lot of money and heartache if you stop running around trying to find your magic growth bullet in a bottle or pill. **off my soapbox**

I will say that recently when I got my hair pressed it did provide a nice non-oily shine to my hair. Applied properly it wasn't heavy and didn't weigh my hair down. It was applied by my stylist and she raved about it. I decided to try it for myself and give a review of it later. I bought two bottles and so I'll share one with you. Be forewarned that many users warn of the strong scent. Mine wasn't strong but then again I like medicinal smells. So here it is.

GIVEAWAY #3: one 12oz bottle of Surge Plus 14 Moisturizer

Blow the trumpet loud! My last giveaway is what you've all been searching for. At least that's what my Feedburner stats tell me. Some of you may remember my post about Surge Plus 14 Moisturizer and how it helped my scalp to heal from nearly 3 years of Alopecia. Well Surge has been discontinued (for whatever elusive and unfounded reason) by the manufacturer and practically unattainable unless you want to pay in upwards of $30 a bottle on eBay. EGAD! That's over a 400% markup. Well I have a few bottles (and I didn't pay $30 for them) and I'm willing to give one away. So dun duna dun!!

HOW TO WIN:

Just leave me a comment telling me what you would like to see more of on my blog that will help you to love your beautiful hair. It could be hair inspiration spotlights, hair care research, style tutorials, or even more great links to other helpful sites and hair albums. You name it and tell me what you would like to see. I don't want to reinvent the wheel and in saying that will not duplicate the efforts of those well known sites. You tell me what's missing and if I have knowledge about it I will try to share it here.

I'll leave this open through the weekend and randomly select 3 winners on the evening of Monday, January 26th. You must live in the continental US to participate. Be sure to provide me with your email addy otherwise I will not be able to reach you. The first to respond to my email will get first choice and so on.

Good luck!

Kamika

I'll Try

I've never been one for New Year's resolutions. I think they make liars out of people. Nor do I like to recap or precap, postcap or whatever years. Ya'll were there and if you weren't I probably told you about it! What I am up for at the beginning of a new year or new season in my life is trying something different or even enhancing my life by delving deeper into previously passing fancies and making them sustainable hobbies or past times. I'm gonna try stuff and if I don't like it I'm going move on, no strings attached, no feelings of defeat.

• I plan to [TRY to] run more and become a runner. Not just my usual run 10 miles per week (on a good week) but a consistent got that runners' high runner running a full marathon in a week sans the saggy skin that seems to come with running on pavement. Naw ya'll, I'm a treadmill girl! I'se needs that cushion!

• I plan to take Belly Dancing lessons. I've belly danced before but never have taken lessons. Shimmy on FitTV and belly dancing videos on OnDemand don't count! I want to take lessons in a studio and get my finger cymbals on! Clang! Clang! Clang! I want the outfits and the veils but not all that gaudy [Egad!] makeup.

• I plan [sho gone TRY] to finish 12 units towards my Bachelors by this summer. We'll see.

• I plan [gon make a sure fire effort] to master certain techniques and absolutely try new techniques when it comes to knitting and crochet. As a matter of fact, I think I'm going to go on over to Eunny Jang's site and buy the pattern for her Deep V Argyle vest! Done! It was only $5.25.

• Lastly, I plan [I'm gonna try] to add more hair articles to my blog. I've been getting a lot of hits to the site from women who want more information on hair, hair care, and products.

To continue on from that last bullet...Unfortunately my blog has been somewhat misleading as I haven't put up enough substantial information about kinky coils (not me my hair) and hair at all. Matter of factly, I've been neglectful and my Feedburner stats prove it!

Hair readers I want to draw you out. Look forward to my first every give away this week! I plan to give away something that I know you all have been searching for and haven't been able to get your hands on. And just for the heck of it! I plan to give something away to my Sisters of the Yarn as well. I'll break the announcement on Thursday, January 24th! I'll TRY to! LOL

Talk to soon!

Kamika

Those Aren't Essential Oils

Here's your opportunity to be a fly on the wall:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Store Clerk (SC): Hello! Can I help you find anything?

Me: Yes, I was wondering if you carried any essential oils?

SC: Yes we do. **she directs me to a wall of products that display Omega 3 pills and Fish oil** Are you looking for one in particular?

Me: Yes, I need Rosemary and Peppermint. Do you carry those?

SC: Oh, you mean fragrant/cosmetic oils? **directing me to a smaller display with a large sign that says "Essential Oils"**

Me: No, I mean essential oils. I don't want the fragrant version but the actual essential oil. The pure distilled version of the plant not the alcoholic fragrant version.

SC: **with a look of pity** No essential oils are ONLY those oils that are essential for the proper function of the human body but are not made by the human body. You know like Omega 3 Fatty Acid, Cod Liver and other fish oils...yadda yadda yadda, blasa blasa, blasa, wonk, wonk, wonk, wonk!!!!!!

Me: **by this time ignoring her aggravating GNC regurgitated spiel and reading the description on the actual bottle of Rosemary** I know you don't want to hear this but the bottle actually says that this is essential oil. I'm also surprised that they are so inexpensive here. I'll buy two.

SC: **eyes glossing over** Oh, your total is...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I wish I would have noticed that sign when she first pointed out the oils. I probably would have pointed to the sign and very sternly said, "Yes, essential oils like the sign says." I did notice the sign before I left though, but by that time wisdom had gotten ahold of me.

So anyways... All of this happened while on my quest to create a stimulating hair oil. I've read many good things about the virtues of rosemary oil and wanted to try it as a scalp treatment. Especially since my Surge 14 experiment was over and with it possibly being discontinued (Manufacturers always seem to do that when the product is effective). I found this recipe on Motown Girl and changed it slightly in order to use what I already had at home.
Modified Rosemary Scalp Treatment:

1/4 cup Olive Oil
1/4 cup Castor Oil
4 tablets (4,000mcg) of Biotin (finely crushed)
15 drops of Peppermint Oil
20 drops of Rosemary Oil

** Mix all together in a bowl/cup and pour into dark container and cover between use. Make sure container is clean and dry. Apply every 2 to 3 days to refresh your scalp.

Rosemary has been found to condition dry itchy scalps, cleansing dandruff, stimulate hair follicles and increase brain activity.

Peppermint does many of the same and is also a natural pick-me-up by awakening the senses upon application. Peppermint should NOT be used if you are prone to seizures or epileptic.

Please research before use!

Kamika

Product Review: Surge Plus 14

As of late I have been neglecting to do any posts focused on hair. I don't know why other than I didn't want to be redundant and write what was already on the web. I also didn't have a clever way to list any tips or recipes or even pictures for that matter. My goal has been to not make KC&S solely about my hair or show a lot of pictures of myself. I have a hair album on Fotki for that. I'm also NOT a Product Junkie. I stick to what's tried and true and only add new products to my regimen when I have researched them and then only if they make sense. So pardon me for the neglect. As I adjust my regimen for the seasons and for the increased length I'm sure I will have more to write about.

For healthy hair growth and maintenance one must know that there is no magic pill in a bottle. Healthy hair is a combination of genetics, proper diet, proper maintenance, and nurturing. No one product is going to make sure you "Don't Be Bald" or "Doo Grow" or even give you a "Mane" the length of a "Tail." Products can't do that. They only aid in growth and enhance the condition of your hair and scalp. DON'T FORGET THE SCALP! In your daily routine, your mantra should be "scalp first then hair." Why? Because proper hair growth must come from a healthy properly conditioned scalp first.

Today I present to you Surge Plus 14 Hair Revitalizer. Surge is a mixture of Biotin, Keratin Proteins, Aloe Vera and Muccopolysaccharides (Sulphur). Biotin and Keratin are proteins used to prevent split ends and breakage. Muccopolysaccharides condition and stimulate the scalp as well as strengthen the hair shaft. Aloe Vera is a healing agent that softens the hair and scalp. It comes in a 12 Fl oz bottle and can be purchased at some beauty supply stores and Walgreens. Here in So Cal I had to order mine as none of the stores I went to carried it. You can reach them at (888) 816-8144. I ordered mine from Allure Beauty for about $6.50 (I think).

I had heard a lot about Surge through Nappturality and the Long Hair Care Forum, two sights dedicated to the growth of healthy african american hair. The reviews were a mixed bag. I suspect the negatives were from those that didn't know how to use the product properly. But then again, everything isn't for everbody. Surge is NOT just for black hair!

I started using Surge because I have been suffering from Alopecia in the nape area. For a little over 3 years I have had sparse growth in that area, mainly due to improper relaxer applications and terrible maintenance. For a season I tried a mixture of Tea Tree Oil and conditioners. Tea Tree oil is a natural disinfectant and helps to heal the scalp. I saw a little growth with this but more so less itching or dryness on my scalp.

Since using Surge for a little over a month, I have seen significant growth in that area. I'm really excited that I won't have to make such drastic cuts to the back of my hair. The unaffected areas in my nape fall to below my shoulders, but because of the glaring baldness in the affected area I have had to use the longer hair to camoflauge resulting in my hair looking a lot shorter than it actually is. I recommend it if you have been having problems like I have. Surge along with a healthy diet and proper maintenance may just be the answer you were seeking.

Beg - May 25, 2007

Mid - June 23, 2007
End - July 5, 2007

My Routine:

1. Daily or every two day co-washing (conditioner only rinses)
2. Spray Surge directly to the scalp all over twice a day
3. Apply your favorite oil or moisturizer to the scalp and hair directly afterwards
4. Reduce heat and styling applications

The only caveat I found is that Surge can be drying to the hair. That is why it is so important to apply your favorite oil and/or moisturizer after use. This will prevent any drying. Be careful with oils. They are NOT a moisturizer and too much can dry your hair out and make it greasy.

Hit me at kamikak AT msn DOT com if you have any questions or check out my hair album.

Kamika

When All Else Fails...Put It In Your Hair

This post can be subtitled, "An Appropriate Use For ACKrylic."

Ya'll know I hate acrylic yarn with a passion. I can't stand that dang ole fun fur with it's randy willy-nilly ways. I don't like the faux facade or the drying effect it has on my hands. I abhor the mess that is made with it and called knitwear. I will use it though if it's in my stash (throw back stuff to my early knitting days before I became a purist) or if it's blended with another more natural fiber, but I really would prefer not too. I do understand that when blended it can have a dramatic improving effect on the drape of a garment and for this I give it pass. But all by itself I usually try to avert my eyes.

I do love acrylic though for my yarn braids! I just finished my second set on yesterday and wouldn't use any other fiber for them. Below are pics of my 1st set done back in February. I decided to use those pics because they look the same as the set I just put in and because I have been to lazy to take updated pics. I braided my hair up to give it and my mind a break from daily styling. If you look closely you'll notice that these are actually twists. If you know how to braid, then these will be a cinch for you. These should last me a month to a month and a half with rinsing and a concious mind to not take my hair down. Enjoy!

Time: July 6th. 9 hours total
Yarn: Lions Brand Homespun in Black, 1 skein
Extras: Used Scripto Lighter to burn ends and give highlighted look.

Kamika

Hair it is

I do remember before telling you that this blog is about K&C and natural hair care. I've been slacking concering the hair part. I also distinctly remember saying that I would tell you all about my henna experiment. Well SHAZZAM! Hair it is.

In early March of this year I put a henna treatment on my hair. Henna has been proven to strengthen your hair, give it more shine and body and on occasion relax the curl of natural hair. All of this in addition to adding color deposits. I'm quite happy with my nappy hair but I am always looking for ways to become a red head.

On the recommendation of a nappy friend, I opted to go with all natural "body art quality" henna rather than synthetic store bought brands. I read up on it and bought samples from Hennaforhair.com. The samples are about 1g of henna so I bought 2g just in case I needed more for my hair texture. Once received I mixed the sample with red zinger tea, lemon juice, and paprika and let it sit for about 4 hours to oxidize (sorry I don't recall the exaxt measurements of the mix-ins as this was only a sample). I then took hair that I had harvested from my combs and brushes and covered completely in the mix. I placed the hair in a plastic sandwich bag and let the hair sit overnight on top of my stove. The next day I opened the bag and rinsed the hair completely. I then let it dry. Below are pics of the sample process.

Harvested Hair

Hair w/Henna in a baggie

Hennaed hair

After the sample went as planned, I ordered 200g of Jamila Henna from the summer of 2006 crop (I guess henna crops are like fine wine grape crops) from Mehndi Skin Art. The henna came in 100g boxes of which I decided to use only 1 for my just below the collar bone hair. Just as above I created a mixture but this time I used 1 Red Zinger tea (infused with 3 bags instead of 2 to make the red deeper), approx 1/4 cup lemon juice, 2 tbsp paprika, and approx 1/8 cup balsamic vinegar.

I let the mixture cure overnight and I applied it in the am. I let it sit on my head for about 8 hours wrapped in saran wrap and a plastic cap. I then rinsed it completely out and no-poo'd (washed hair with conditioner instead of shampoo). Here are the results of the treatment.
My hair is shinier and has more depth. The color is really vibrant and rich but not bright because my hair is black and henna doesn't dye the hair but deposit color into the shaft. I have much less shedding now, my curl is slightly looser and my hair looks fuller. I plan to do this treament every 6-8 weeks for the health benefits and to deposit more color. I believe that overtime the color will become brighter.

If you are interested in learning more about henna, please visit the links above. Here's a great book (free online) with more info. If you would like to see my complete album, with step-by step instructions on how to apply henna, please feel free to drop me a note at kamikak at msn dot com.

Kamika

I'm Back!

I know I've been gone for a minute. For some reason I couldn't come back and write without pictures. Go figure? My camera's memory card was on the blink and I wasn't able to upload any pictures to my computer. You see I still use a very reliable and fast Win98 system that has stayed virus free and fully functional since I bought it. I refuse to buy into the Windows Vista hype especially since I know it's a 6 month filler program anyway. Microsoft has stated that they plan to bring out a newer more fully functional version of Vista in about 6 months much to the chagrin of those who've already plopped down the $400 to buy the current version. Not only that. Apple products have been getting the coy look from me every since I got my iPod last year. I like the sleekness and the all inclusive functionality of their platform. It's a cult I know! But it sure is pretty on the outside.

Anywhoo, back to what I was saying about my camera and my system pre-digression. My new Sony Cybershot's drivers don't run on Win98 nor could I find a work around so I had to buy an external card reader. It works great and takes up to 23 different memory cards; which came in handy last year when my old camera went on the blink and I had to use it to read my old card or the pictures of my Frohawk would have been lost forever. It kept saying "improper format" so I blew on it a couple of times and massaged it (no really I did) and it started to work again. Maybe it just needed a rest! I'm happy it got one because I was not about to shell out another $40 to get another one anytime soon. My readers would have just had to imagine what I was saying. Not always an easy thing.

Kamika

Miss Jessie Miss Jessie

So since this blog is about HAIR and k&c, i should probably tell you's all about some of my hair exploits. LOL. I was lucky enough to get in on the "Ms. Jessie's Giveaway" sponsored by Motown Girl. She was giving away 2oz samples of select Ms. Jessie's products. I chose the Curly Pudding.

For years I have been hearing rave reviews, opinions of styling costs and ownership quirks aside, about how good the products were. How they really defined and softened nappy curls/coils, and how effective they are at turning our "kinks into curls," yadda yadda yadda. Oh, the mystique surrounding these products is heavy. Over the years (2 years fully natural in August, 4 years contemplating in November) I have wanted to try these products but I just couldn't stomach paying $58 and now $38 for them. I'm not cheap by no means. I just didn't want to be disappointed nor did I want to become a product junkie AND be out half a c-note.

I paid the shipping for the product last week and got it in about 4 days. Kudos to Motown Girl for such fast shipping. I condish washed on Wednesday and then put some Curly Pudding in while wet. Since I use Giovanni Direct-Leave In as my staple, I didn't see a noticeable difference in the definition of my tiny coils. I wasn't deterred though. That evening I decided to do some dry medium-fat twists and rolled them on sponge rollers to set overnight. The next morning I unrolled and untwisted and this is what I got:

... a puffy frizzy mess. My hair was shiny and defined when I took the rollers down. But baby! When I went outside to take these pics, my hair pouffed and became crispy-like. I can't say that my hair was dried out, but it did become crispy, as if I had too much gel on it.

That night I retwisted it (without adding more pudding) and wore it up in a twist pull back. The twists seemed to expand and separate. It also was shiny but not silky. Which is what I'm normally used to with my twists. To sum it up, I think I may give the remainder of my sample to a friend who is considering the natural life. She has curlier hair than mine and it may work well for her. A couple of kudos though. It sure smelled good and the consistency was nice. I'm sure it works great for some, but it's just not for me.

Kamika