Don't Call It a Problem...but an Opportunity!

            Maryam and I may or may not have a product junkie problem. Lol! Well not a problem but a high interest in using what works for our hair and flair for trying new things. Thanks to our parents for that one! Because we have fine strands, not"everything" will work in our hair. There are many products that easily weigh our hair down and give us build up. We are big fans of oils and leave-in conditioners. They provide moisture as well as act as a styler.

           You might wonder... What qualifies as a great product?! Well...It must be thin enough that it does weigh down,moderately priced (we have so many strands,we run through products), protects the hair, minimizes frizz and adds volume is always a plus. We have used this product exploration to our benefit. Not only have found what works for our hair but we have been able to become an expert to our friends and family (even strangers on the street) on the benefits of various products. 

* Picture 1: Maryam's Products*

* Picture 2: A few of Kam's Products*

 Maryam's Top 5 Hair Products

  

1.   Argan Oil - This is my favorite oil to massage into my scalpabout 2-3 per week and on my ends before I go to sleep every night. Itmoisturizes and fights split ends.

2.   CastorOil - this is such a great product to seal in moisture. I actually became a ware of this product through Kam. Don't be turned off by how thick this natural product is, results when used to seal the ends of your hair are amazing.

3.   Water-I know this is so cliche, but H20 is the truth and the light. It can take things from gumby status to manageable locks. Not to mention its great for your hair when combined with great products and a wonderful sealant.

4.   SheaButter- this is my favorite product hands down. It is really great as a pre-poo, wonderful to bring moisture to hair, and great for the skin. Filled with great vitamins like A (protectant), E (healing), and F ( Shine and Strength). This really is a must have, and it's great because a little goes along way.

5.   MBP Q & S  Pelamos Cinnamon Leave-In Conditioner - so this became a favorite of mine after Kam's inner product junkie snatched this from a friend, which I later inherited. This product is amazing! It proves you don't have to spend a lot on a hair product for moisture. The only drawback Is this is a very hard product to find. It took me on a quest through Providence to even did it. But I did and it was so worth it.

                       

               

                                     Kam's Top 5 Hair Products

1.     Ouidad Moisture Lock – This leave in conditioner is a new favorite of mine. It does just what it says…locks in moisture. I also love the feel of it…not too thick not too thin. The only disadvantage this product has is that it has a sticker price of $22.00 for a 8.5 ounce bottle *phew*

2.     Shea Moisture Organic Yucca & Baobab Thickening Conditioner – after using the Curl Enhancing Smoothie  made by this same brand, I had almost written off Shea Moisture because it didn't work for me. On a whim I purchased this product and it gave me sooo much volume. LOVE!

3.     CoconutOil – this product is my lifeline aside from Castor Oil! I use Coconut Oil as a pre-poo to detangle and loosen up my hair. Usually by wash day… my hair is screaming to be cleansed and detangle; this makes it so seamless for a“tender-headed” natural; all while give you loads of moisture.

4.     Silicon Mix Leave In Conditioner –  gives me a healthy dose of protein. It smells delicious and melts into hair. A little bit goes a long way.I can’t exactly tell you what is in this product other than silk proteins because it’s all in Spanish but its works great!

5.     Banana Clips – I know what you are thinking…  Banana clips aren't products. However they area natural’s best friend. Sometimes when styling….you need the hair OUT OF THE WAY! 

As you can see...we love products... What products have you experimented with and love...or could do without? 

Smile, 

Kam :) 

Ooo Girl You So "Fine"!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

After going natural in October of 2009... I expected to grow these luscious thick locks, don't we all?!?   In the beginning, I admittedly only focused primarily on the curl pattern. IT.WAS.BEAUTIFUL! As my hair grew longer, I noticed that while there was a whole lot of it, my strands were what I thought of as coarse, but "thin". I felt, "I have all this hair...yet I can see through it". After about 2 years of being natural and experiencing breakage, hundreds of single strand knots and finally a drastic cut, I discovered that my curls are FINE!   Not fine in the sense of good looking like myself but fine in texture, lol! 

Through some research, I started to try to figure out what it exactly meant to have fine hair. I consider myself a little heavy handed and therefore somewhat rough on my strands. This had to stop... Fine hair is very delicate, thus, must be treated as such. I also found that I was probably using products that were way too heavy. Previously when a product label read "for thick coarse hair", I would automatically reach for it. This new discovery made me second guess every single product I put in my hair. For example, just about every natural I know absolutely loves Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie; It did my style injustice... It weighed my hair down, made it gunky and immovable.  I had pretty much given up on the line! One day while getting my product junkie fix... I was surfing the hair aisle in my local Astoria, NY CVS drugstore.All Shea Moisture products were on sale.  I thought to myself "Umph... sure would be nice if I actually liked that product"; then a second later I spotted Thickening Growth Milk for Fine, Thin Hair. Hey Hey Hey, maybe there is hope! I grabbed up the product and headed for the register. Many of my friends know meas the coupon girl, if there is one to be had... I got it! I paid $4.50 for a product that normally costs $10.99; it was on sale for $8.99 and I had a 50% off coupon. 

How do you know if you have fine hair.... Below are some characteristics..

1.  YourCurls need to be refreshed with either water or re-twisting nightly to hold astyle for the next day

2.  Hair is very prone to breaking and single strand knots, even when moisturized 

3. Hair looks flat,  you can see through it and straighten very easy (depending on texture)

What I have done to make my hair healthier.....

·       I use Coconut Oil with Deep Conditioners as  Pre Poo

·       Protein Treatments

·       When washing, I put hair in 4 sections detangle then wash with conditioner

·       I avoid shampoos except when needing to clarify the scalp ( Isometimes use apple cider vinegar)

·       Using styling products that "thicken" - aka SheaMoisture Thickening Growth Milk and Living Proof Full ThickeningCream (I swear it makes a difference) 

·       Allow hair to dry as much as possible before styling

·       Castor Oil as a sealant and light Gel as a holding agent

·       Condition, Condition, Condition...Leave Ins have become my bestfriends!

Pictures ofmy hair.....

   Picture 1: Fine Hair Twisted Out 

    Picture 2: Fine Hair in a puff 

  

Not everyone has thick hair, though it may appear to be. I know that many mistakes made with my hair were because I didn't have the knowledge of not just my curl pattern (3c/4a), but also the types of strands I have. 

Being natural... I've learned so much about my hair, and, it has made me more intuitive to my body. I am paying closer attention to the signals it sends me and I aim to adjust my lifestyle accordingly. Moral of the story... Pay attention to the messages your curls are telling you, it will help you learn best how to care for your hair, as well as insight into health and body function. 

Smile Y'all,

Kam