CantuShea Butter Coconut Styling Cream/Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie/As I Am Cocnut Co wash REVIEWS!!

A couple days ago I told you guys I would give a review of the three products I used for my twist-out so here they are

 

 

Product- As I Am Coconut Co-Wash

What it is- A cleansing Condtioner

What it does- Gently cleanses your hair without stripping it of your natural oils

Price- $8.00(Sally Beauty Supply)

Key Ingredients:
Tangerine, Coconut Oil, Castor Oil, Saw Palmetto and Phytosterols  Aqueous (Water, Aqua Purificada, Purified) Extracts: Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) and Citrus Reticulata (Tangerine)¹, Cetyl Alcohol², Cetrimonium Chloride, Cetearyl Alcohol², PEG-40 Castor Oil, Stearlkonium chloride, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil², Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil¹, Phytosterols¹, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract¹, Quaternium-18, Potassium Sorbate, Fragrance/Parfum, Limonene, Methylisothiazolinone.
Source: 1-Natural, 2-Coconut

 

IMO- I LOOVE IT!!- It washes all the product I use on my hair  out without stripping my hair of its natural oils  and drying it out because it is sulfate free.



 

 

Product- Cantu Shea Butter Cocnut Curling Cream

What it is- A moisturizing cream that defines your curls

What it does- It defines, softens and adds managablity to your curls

Price- $5.27(Walmart)

Ingredients

Water (Aqua) , Canola Oil , Glycerin , Ceteareth 20 , Fragrance , Cetearyl Alcohol , Ceteth-20 , Butyrospermum Parkii Butter (Shea) , Glycol Stearate , Petrolatum , Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) Leaf Juice , Cocos Nucifera Oil (Coconut) , Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil (Jojoba) , Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil , Persea Gratissima Oil (Avocado) , Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil (Sweet Almond) , Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter , Olea Europaea Fruit Oil (Olive) , Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil (Macadamia) , Melia Azadirachta Seed Oil (Neem) , Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil (Carrot) , Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil (Argan) , Silk Amino Acids , Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract (Honeysuckle) , Laminara Cloustoni Extract (Sea Kelp) , Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract , Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract (Grape) , Urtica Dioica Extract (Nettle) , PEG 75 , Polyquaternium-10 , Phenoxyethanol , Ethylhexylglycerin

IMO- This is my new staple product..Its smells great and it doesnt leave my hair with that dry but greasy feel. It doesnt  contain mineral oil, sulfates, parabens, silicone, phthalates, gluten, paraffin, propylene glycol, PABA or DEA. After I get out the shower I put a mix of this cream and avacodo oil  into my hair and then I proceed to do my two strand twist style. For the rest of the day my hair looks and feels moisturized. :)

 

 

 

Product-  Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing  Smoothie

What it is-  A nutrient rich vegetable butter that conditions your hair, and restores the moisture, body and shine.

What it does- Enhances curls, minimizes frizz and provides curl control. .

Price- $9.99(Walgreens)

Ingredients-Deionized Water , Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) , Cocos Nucifera Oil (Coconut) , Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil , Persea Gratissima Oil (Avocado) , Vegetable Glycerin , Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract , Silk Protein , Ammonium Salt , Melia Azadirachta Seed Oil (Neem) , Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil (Carrot) , Sorbitol Esters , Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B-5) , Caprylyl Glycol , Essential Oil Blend , Tocopherol (Vitamin E)

IMO- This was my first love! She"yes she" that's what I call her, was the one and only hair product I used the first year of my  journey. Shes perfect this product leaves my hair  soft looking and feeling, moisturized and defined all  day all by its self. Its also doesn't leave me with that dry but greasy feeling. I am now currently using  both the Cantu cream and Shea Butter smoothie  every other hairstyle so I'm switching between the two.

 



Twist Out on TWA

FINALLY!..I have enough hair for a hairstyle, you guys dont even know how excited I am:) Before I did my 2nd Big Chop my go to hairstyle was the twist-out. So I couldnt wait to get back to my beloved hairstyle. IMO I think a twist out is doable when you have about 2 and a half inches of hair. When I first big chopped my hair I thought my hair looked good but now that its growing out its in  that weird stage:/ but anyway I think anyone that super low big chopped like me(started with a half inch) that is in the stage im talking about should defiantly try this hairstyle. So I started by co-washing with As I Am Cowash..(Love It!).Its sulfate-free but I do notice that if I over use it ..like 4 or 5 times a week it dries my hair..so I wouldnt recommend it as a every day condtioner if your hair dries out easily. Honestly I dont think you should cowash everyday even if its sulfate free unless your hair is super short like a inch or less. Anywayss.. After I cowashed I deep condtioned with banana(pureed baby food),mashed avacodo , avacodo oil, and honey for about 30 minutes. I washed that out and then lightly patted my hair with a old t-shirt. I leave it wet but not dripping because my hair is easier to work with that way and my hair dries soo fast so I need all the water I can get:)... Then I simply dip my fingers in a little bit of Cantu Shea Butter Coconut Cream or Shea Moisture Curling Smoothie:)(reviews coming soon) and take take pieces of my hair and two stand twist(like a braid but only two strands -very easy-)

I twist my whole head  and I let it sit for atleast a 1 hour( but the longer the better) for the twist out look. And its as simple as that. You will have to play with it and fluff the twists out it so your scalp wont be so visible but you hair will be more defined. The style lasts for atleast two days. In the morning of the second day all I do is turn on my faucet put my fingers under the slim stream of water and lightly pull, fluff and twirl my curls backto life. Also I do not wear anything on my head at night I sleep on a satin pillow case. My hair is also pretty smashed from the pillow but after about 20 min of fluffing my curls are popping again. I dont use any cream in the morning of the second day just water. Pics will be coming soon......

Sephora Alert!

 

Sephora! Sephora! Sephora!

 

 

I dont shop here very often due to the fact that everything in the store is EXPENSIVE!

Well..it is for this 22 yr old  full time mom and college student, but I do manage to try to get in there and spoil myself from time to time. I was in there 2 months ago and I stumbled upon this

 

AND THIS

 

 

(Not the O.P.I)

But I absolutely FELL IN LOVE:) with  NARS Tinted Moisturizer and Benefits Sunbeam 

 

Let me start off with the NARS Tinted Moisturizer- its a lightweight tinted moisturizer that evens  your skintone and gives you a sheer naturally glowing look and not that caked on look that some foundations and powders can give you.. Its perfect for ladies like myself who are either new to the make up world or just like to keep it simple. Its basically just a face moisturizer  that is tinted with color to make it look like you have on a foundation but this stuff is really lightweight and quick and easy to apply. You just apply it all over with your fingers like any regular moisturizer  and just blend it all in evenly.  You get the moisture and make-up all in one. It comes in 9 different tones from Finland which is for the fairest of skin tones to Polynesia for the darkest of skin tones. Now I have super sensitive skin and this tinted moisturizer doesnt effect my problematic skin AT ALL! And for all the sun conscious people out there it has SPF 30 so it will be protecting your face all summer long. The price at Sephora was $46.50(wow!) I know smh but  thats the price we have to pay for great products and your not getting anything like this at RiteAid !

 

On to Benefits SunBeam..where has this stuff been my whole existence. It literally is sunshine in a bottle.This golden bronze highlighter gives you a natural, sunkissed radiance. When I apply this liquid bronzer It gives me that SoCal beach girl look:) And there is just the right amount of shimmer to give you that glow but it subtle enough for work wear. I apply it right over my NARS tinted moisturizer and they blend perfectly together and it looks so natural. Benefits has a  few other highlighters like Moon Beam and High Beam but those two are for ladies with a lighter skin tone. Priced at 26.50 at Sephora its on the high side but this product is also worth the extra dollars. I'm gonna stop writing about it so you can go to your nearest Sephora and try it for yourself, and thats one thing I love about Sephora is that can can try before you buy. Sooo go try I know you will love these two products just like I do.

 

 

 

 

 

AHH! I Look Like My Brother!!

 

Its 7 a.m the morning after my big chop and  I roll out of bed walk in the bathroom flip the light on and BAM!! it hits me like a ton of bricks ...I Look Like My Brother...smh

I just shut the light off and jumped back in the bed and tried to wake myself from this dream. The short length of my hair didnt bother me but what did was the striking resemblance I had with my older brother( if that makes any sense). I thought I would wake up  roll out of bed look like the next Nia Long or Halle Berry lol i thought my  short and chic cut would just bring out my inner diva. Uhh not so much I had alot of work to do lol. I pretty much been a plain jane my whole life a t-shirt and jeans kind of chick no mkae up no earrings. But one thing that my big chop did for me was bring me out of my comfort zone and made me explore the world of ACCESSORIES!  Earrings,glasses, hats,bags, make -up  all unknown territory for me. I fell in love with it all. My closet went from Blah to Bam lol and honestly it may sound wierd but my big chop broke me out of  my plain shell. It caused me not to hide behind my hair and it gave me self confidence. It forced me to stand out and be creative. I honestly don't LOVE  my TWA but I do love what it has done for me:) #TEAM NATURAL

 

What was you next day reaction to your BC? What did you do to spice things up? And what has your BC done for you?

Natural Hair Lingo!

 

Hey Naturalistas!

 

The first thing I noticed when I was doing my research on natural hair care was  that natural hair has its OWN community and its own lingo. So to not get lost in translation you have to know the abbreviations for alot of  popular phrases. Its tough enough in the beginning to learn how to care for your hair you don't want to have to be like huh?? when you see someone write My goal is a BSL but im currently at EL  and before I BC'd I was at SL..lol So here we go...

 

 

                           

3 or 4 a/b/c: Categories of hair types according to hair texture

APL: Arm Pit length - 

BC - Big Chop: when you cut off all the relaxer; not necessarily meaning you have a TWA

 

Braid Out: A hairstyle achieve by braiding the hair, leaving it to dry and taking it out after.

 

BSL: Bra strap length

 

Carrier Oil: These oils are used to dilute essential oils. Examples of carrier oils include olive oil, coconut oil and jojoba oil

 

CBL: Collar bone length

 

Co-Wash: Washing hair with just conditioner
 

DC:  A Deep conditioner or the act of deep conditioning

 

EL: Ear length -

 

EO - Essential oils: These oils are VERY strong in scent and are only used to make your products smell better. Only a little bit should be used.  Different examples are peppermint oil and lavender oil. Note: Never use a EO as a carrier oil you and your nose will be sorry lol

 

MBL: Mid Back Length -

 

NL: Neck length -

 

Pre-poo: Applying a product like a carrier oil or a conditioner to your hair in some way to reduce dryness experienced using shampoos.

 

Protective hairstyle: A hairstyle that protects the ends of your hair from breakage.

 

Sealing: Sealing moisture in the hair, specifically the ends. Us ually a carrier oil is used

 

SL: Shoulder length -

 

Staple(s) / Staple Product: Product(s) that you use regularly for your hair

 

Transitioning : The period where you are growing your  hair  naturally(without the use  of relaxers) but still haven’t cut off the relaxed parts

 

TWA: Teen Weeny Afro

 

Twist Out: A hairstyle achieve by twisting the hair  leaving it to dry and taking it out once  it drys

 No-Poo- A method that contains a regimen where you dont use  a shampoo.  Naturals that adhere by the No-Poo method wash their hair with conditioner only.

 

Wheww Ok Ladies thats it. Hope this helps you along on your journey#TEAM NATURAL

                   

                           

         

ME!!

This blog will mainly be focusing on natural hair care and and my personal Natural Hair Journey, but it will also be covering various topics like beauty tips and tricks and product reviews.



 Let me start of by introducing myself..My name is Autumn and I am a 22 year old mother and  I have a wonderful 3 year old son named Liam. Ive been natural for 1 year and a half, but I recently had to do my 2nd BC (big chop) this past August because of severe HEAT DAMAGE! :(.. but that is a whole notha post..lol.. But even though I had a major setback I am still enjoying every last bit of my journey.

My reason for going natural is probably not the most popular reason but it happened pretty much by accident and I never had any intention of stopping my use of relaxers. Anyways on April 5, 2011 I was surfing Youtube eating some honey bunches of oats lol in my pjs looking for Beyonce's song Crazy In Love. So when the results came up I just clicked on the first one I saw without reading the whole title and what I clicked on wasn't Beyonce's song but it was a song called "Crazy In Love" by a woman name Alicia James. Pictures of her 2 year natural hair journey were  displaying as her song played. I got half way through her video and I was sold. Her hair was beautifulll! Curly, full and long. Everything my hair wasn't.But don't get me wrong my hair was healthy and it had length but it  was so FLAT and BORING.  I needed my hair to look like hers ASAP. So I spent the next  4 hours looking up the natural hair journeys of different users and doing some research of my own. Then I did the unthinkable, I walked in the bathroom grabbed a pair of scissors and cut off all my hair ALL OF IT!.. I left my self with one inch of hair and then I said OMG what did I do. My BF is gonna kill me smh. But I just told myself this  is what I wanted and its just  hair it will grow back. I knew I could of just transitioned but I didn't want the hassle of dealing with two diff. textures. But anyways thats pretty much how it happened for me. You can already tell im a impulsive person I see something i want and gonna try to get it right on the spot.lol smh. Since that day I never looked back.

 

  One thing I do want to say about this blog is that I think what will set it apart from a lot of other natural hair blogs is that im not a self proclaimed expert on natural hair or am I a licensed cosmetologist and you wont see too many articles about hair care on this blog. There are thousands of sites where you can easily find out "How to do a twist out" or How to properly moisturize hair"  But this blog is a place where I can share what I have learned and what works for me and share my hair journey in hopes that someone can be inspired to go natural. I'm still learning and even when I think I have a technique down someone on Youtube shows me a better way. You will see my fails and my triumphs and I welcome help, personal stories and photos along the way from all my readers.

So on that note thats my beginnings all wrapped up in a nutshell. #TEAMNATURAL:)

5th Grade Picture Day-1 day after I got my very first relaxer!

During my relaxed days My hair length shorted drasically over the years to to over processing

 

My Baby Liam

 

 And Last but defiantly not Least This is Alicia James and the video that inspired me to go natural :)