On the Couch With Curly Nikki

Spontaneous Raleigh Meet-up

2009-11-10T15:26:00.005-05:00

Well...kinda ;~)

The hilarious and divalicious Queen is celebrating a birthday this weekend, and FrizzCurls427, Naturally Leslie, and several more folks (including moi) are meeting up to help her do it up right!

If you're interested in joining us, head over to the forum and RSVP! I look forward to meeting you guys :)

Later Gators,
Nik

Even More Henna Results...

2009-11-10T14:57:00.005-05:00

Today, we witnessed the wondrous specimen that is FrizzCurls' hair...an excellent example of the benefits of regular henna treatments. Serita, a long time CN.com reader and curly friend submitted her most recent hair pics as well. She also hennas regularly:

Hey Nik,
I was on your website today and saw the "Henna" postings so I decided to submit some of my recent henna pics. I have been hennaing with Punjabi Prime for over a year now. I henna every two weeks. Henna has definitely made my hair shiny, strong, and healthy. See for yourself!
Serita

Share your experience with henna...are you liking the color? Have you reaped the de-frizzing and shiny hair benefits?

FORUM NEWS:
If you've had an issue signing in to the forum in the past few days, or never received an activation email, try it now...I manually activated each and everyone of you :)
Now you can go and participate in the giveaways...Sorry for any inconvenience!!

Frizzcurls427--Updates and Advice!

2009-11-10T06:00:00.001-05:00

The beautiful and ultra fly Frizzcurls427 is back with reggie updates and advice on growing long and strong! She's one of my real life girlfriends...love you chica!

CN: How has your routine changed since your previous interview?

FC: Well, I've tweeked a few things :) I shampoo/deep condition bi-weekly instead of weekly...No special reason. I just start to "listen" to my hair more now as opposed to just doing something to be doing it. Things are more simple now. I have incorporated Jamila Henna into my routine which I have found to be amazing for my hair. Love it! I have been hennaing once a month or once every 3 weeks.
Every once in a while (every 3 months or so) I will straighten my hair which entails shampooing with a non-sulfate shampoo (sometimes if I used a product with alot of cones I will use Suave daily clarifying and prior to henna I use this to make sure my hair is clean and clear of product residue), deep conditioning with a protein reconstructing conditioner followed by a moisturizing deep conditioner. I always, always apply IC Fantasia straightening balm/heat protectant prior to flat ironing and get awesome results!
January 27th will mark my 3rd year of being natural!! I have come a long way since then as I now use less products and don't experiment any more. I wear twist-outs for the most part and buns. Sometimes I will do a wash n go but not often as my hair is too thick to work with if I wanted to pull it up into a bun. Since my hair has gotten much longer now I also do everything in four sections whether it's shampooing, conditioning, co-washing etc. It is so much easier to detangle this way. I do less manipulation to my hair now which makes it so much easier on me as I am not always in the mood to do my hair especially not every day. So I keep the twist-out in for the whole week and if it starts to look a lil "rough" then I bun it and add a hat for extra flair if I feel like doing so. I also use my Jilbere shower comb and denman for detangling if my fingers don't seem to be getting the job done which is usually rare. Oh yeah...Devacurl Set it Free is a wonderful frizz buster/twistout refresher!

CN: What are you current favorite products?
FC: I love Jamila Henna! I have done 3 treatments with this brand and I really noticed a huge difference from the previous henna I had used in the past. I think it really brings out the true beauty of my hair and for some reason I find that my products work better if that makes sense?? I think I get the true benefit from the products I use as long as they are of good quality.
As far as conditioners I still stick to my Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose and I mix it with Olive Oil Replenishing pak, honey and olive oil. Adding honey and olive oil have been a mainstay as far as my deep conditioning treatments. I don't know what it is about Jane Carter Leave in Conditioner but my hair loves it. I usually use this when I do twists on wet hair. It just does what it says it's supposed to do :) I also keep sticking to my Paul Mitchell The Conditioner as a leave in when I am doing a quick wash n go or the first day of bunning when I apply to wet hair and follow up with my Fantasia IC clear gel. Herbal Essences Totally Twisted is my main co-washing conditioner and I tried using it along with the JC leave in for twists and sealed with shea butter and got great results! Love coconut oil to moisturize and add shine but I truly think that henna has brought the shine out in my hair! Tis all for now ;)

CN: Any tips for transitioners?
FC: I didn't transition when I finally went natural in January of '06. I just bc'd but I did try to transition once, and I had quite a bit of new growth but I caved in to the creamy crack! lol...I didn't have much inspiration then but now there is so much information out here that you must stay motivated. Patience is key and think beyond what your new growth looks like because even though it is beautiful during your transition it will be even more beautiful when you cut those relaxed ends off and just let your hair be free. Stay looking at the fotki albums of natural sistas who document their progression and sometimes include albums dedicated to other inspiring naturals...Stay visiting sites like Curlynikki.com which contain tons of helpful information. Youtube has alot of vids of slideshows of women wearing their natural hair in all textures with confidence, beauty and style as well as how-tos on how to detangle, deep condition, henna etc. I think what truly discourages a lot of people from going natural is the distorted self-image they have of themselves as far as what the texture of their hair will be...It's cool if some want to just try wearing their hair natural as a trend or just to switch things up...To each his/her own, but if you truly want to appreciate your kinks, coils and curls and be an inspiration to others then you must understand that beauty is multi-faceted not one-dimensional.

CN: What is your night time routine?
FC: If I am wearing a twist-out, I either wear a satin cap, sleep on a satin pillow case, or put my hair in a high ponytail. I don't like to manipulate it much by applying oils and butters so if I feel the need to moisturize I gently smooth some coconut oil or shea butter on my ends. The high ponytail really works for me even when I am trying to preserve a wash n go. If my hair is in a bun I take it down and wrap my hair into a pony tail with a satin scrunchie and follow with a satin scarf for extra protection after moisturizing my ends with either coconut oil or shea butter.

CN: Your favorite natural hair compliment to date?!
FC: I love and appreciate all genuine compliments that people give me especially random people on the street but one that really stood out was a compliment I received from a white woman in the mall who stopped me and said " Your hair is so beautiful. It really compliments you well." Surprisingly a lot of brothas will compliment my hair as well which I really love because it shows that there are black men out there who love and appreciate women who wear their hair natural instead of the common straight or relaxed styles :)

Click on images to enlarge:

Check out her previous interview and other hair pics here!

Forum Highlights--Laughs, Info, and More Laughs

2009-11-09T22:28:00.005-05:00

The CurlyNikki Community/Forum is popping!!! Thanks to all of you for your participation, insightful comments, questions, and the laughs...oh the laughs!

For those of you that aren't in the know, here are some must reads:

Henna Experiences--see how henna is treating folks
Curly Police--for laughs
Ol' School Products--for nostalgia and laughs
Family and Friends Reaction to Your Hair
Hair Idols--for inspiration
Your Best Shot--for real world inspiration
Lint in the fro--you'll see when you get there...we've got more than lint!

In other news, I'm now a resident blogger on Tyrashow.com!!! Head on over to my first article and leave your comments! If you have a topic or issue you want addressed, shoot me an email at nikki@curlynikki.com, and I'll do my best to cover it.

Later Gators!
Nik

MariaG-- Updates and Advice

2009-11-09T15:00:00.001-05:00

The lovely MariaG is back, and dishing on her reggie changes and fav products. PJs, get your pens ready...after reading this interview, I added 2 new products to my wish list :)

CN: How has your routine changed since your previous interview?
Maria: You interviewed me last year when I had celebrated my first year of having natural hair. I have 2 years under my belt now and have simplified my hair routine. I try to stick to products that I know work for me and not trying anything new. I love the Afroveda line and I also love Jasmine's Bath and Beauty products. I deep condition weekly with a mix of Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose and Lustrasilk with a splash of coconut oil (my own crazy concoction), I pre-poo once a month with Hairveda Vatika Frosting, I do monthly amla treatments, and butters are my best friends. I change my regimen when the weather changes as well. I co-washed almost every day in the summer time, but now in the fall I will rollerset weekly and keep my hair in a bun.
Click here to read Maria's first interview.

CN: What are you current favorite products?
Maria: Oh goodness... I did say I'm trying to keep it simple right? LOL I love Afroveda Kissi Seed conditioner, Afroveda Shea Amla butter and Totally Twisted butter, Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose as a deep conditioner, Jasmine's Bath and Beauty avocado silk conditioner as a leave-in (that stuff is awesome), Organix hair serum as a heat protectant, avocado butter, Aussie 3 Minute Miracle, I still co-wash with Suave coconut conditioner, Jasmine's shea butter... yeah I'm TRYING to keep it simple LOL!

CN: your growth is bonkers! what the heck are you doing?
Maria: Ha! Everyone thinks my hair grows really fast, but the truth is I get the same 1/2 inch a month that everybody else gets. I was nape length Sept 2007 after my BC and I'm now close to waist length. I probably retain all 6 inches of hair a year due to being a DIYer. I do my own hair (been to the salon 2x this year), dust my ends every few months, search and destroys as needed, deep condition at least 2x a week, co-wash instead of using shampoo, I use ayurvedic powders (amla, henna, maka, etc) to strengthen my hair, I protect my hair with a satin bonnet every night, I am very gentle when I detangle my hair (large tooth comb followed by the denman), I also bun my hair almost every day and seal with a butter, and wash and go's are only for the weekends. I also stopped jumping on every bandwagon out there. I now just "listen" to what my hair wants and change my regimen as the seasons change or my hair grows. For example, I co-wash like crazy in the summer time and stay away from heat. In the winter I rollerset my hair on a weekly basis, I may or may not flatiron my hair afterwards, and then leave my hair in a bun. I do enjoy having my hair down from time to time. My hair is my hobby and I find it therapeutic to do my hair. My goal is to grow my hair waist length by Christmas time so I'll keep you posted on my progress!

CN: Any tips for transitioners?
Maria: Be prepared to have lots of patience, ladies! Sitting there watching your hair grow is probably the hardest thing to do LOL! Try to keep your eye on the prize though and don't reach for the creamy crack! My relaxed hair was somewhat long, but I was a slave to the salon and always suffered from split ends. Transitioning to natural was hard because my hair was a hot mess at all times up until my BC LOL. Now there are so many more pages, blogs, forums, youtube channels, etc you can read for help with hairstyles and what not. Please do yourselves a favor join a forum for support, had these forums been around years ago I would've gone natural years ago. Don't be upset if those around you are not so happy that you're transitioning. I kept telling myself that this was between me and God, nobody else. I only told those around me that loved me and understood what I was trying to accomplish, I suggest you do the same. Baby your new growth, try to minimize heat and write a journal if you can. The most difficult part of transitioning to natural is transitioning your mind. You might not know what that menas now, but you will once you do the big chop. Everything you thought you knew about yourself will go out the window once you cut off your relaxed hair - its liberating and quite scary at the same time.

CN: What is your night time routine?
Maria: If my hair is in its curly state I co-wash at night, detangle, apply Shea Amla butter from Afroveda, do two braids and put on a satin cap. If I have rollerset my hair for the week I apply an oil or unrefined shea butter to my ends, put my hair in a bun, put on my trusty satin cap. I find very few split ends and doing the rollersets have minimized single strand knots.

CN: Your favorite natural hair compliment to date?!
Maria: I had a friend ask me if I was wearing extensions a few weeks ago LOL I thought that was pretty awesome. My co-workers call me "chameleon" because I change my hairstyle so much, I always think of it as a compliment. I think my favorite compliment came from my mom, who was at first very against me going natural, every time I see her she tells me how much she loves my hair and that its beautiful.

Pictures:
1-- first grade picture taken in 1978 when I was 7. I still have the same frizzy hair in the front!
2-- Straight hair flatironed with a CHI - taken Sept 2009
3-- Braidout done in October
4-- Rollerset hair without being flatironed - my winter regimen (notice the shrinkage)
5-- wash and go - I love this hat!

Click to enlarge:

Click here to view Maria's rollerset tutorial

EO Chamomile and Rose Giveaway

2009-11-09T12:00:00.001-05:00

You all have spoken, and the first giveaway sponsored by my PJ Relapse will be the EO Rose and Chamomile Conditioner and Shampoo.

To enter, head over to our Community Forums. Respond to existing threads, and start new and thought provoking ones. Ask the questions you've always wanted answers to...ask the questions you already know the answers to, but feel that it would help newbies! The contest will run from today through Monday, November 16th, at 5pm EST. At that time, the top posting curly (the count starts today) will be chosen to receive the goodies! Good luck!

**To join the Miss Naturally Beautiful You 2010 challenge, check out the links below. Remember you must post once daily, beginning TODAY to be eligible for the henna or shea butter on Friday!!!
Contest Rules and Forum
Miss Naturally Beautiful You 2010

**Other Current Giveaways:
Jessicurl Giveaway, closing November 12th
Aubrey Giveaway, closing Novebmer 21st

Later Gators,
Nik

Dr. Perry Talks Healthy Skin

2009-11-09T07:00:00.003-05:00

Our Resident MD is kicking off this fabulous series with tips on how to achieve glowing, healthy skin.

SKINTASTIC! How to make your face shine

by Patricia Perry, M.D.

Your chocolate sweetness . . .

Dipped in the sugar of innocence

Sprinkled with kindness and respect

Seasoned with the tincture of time and evident in your cordial restraint

Salt and pepper grace your chin, shining light emanates from your eyes

Your smooth skin glides its way through my memory and

Your bright smile is like lightning to my soul

I wrote this poem after seeing someone who had the most beautiful, clear skin. Does your skin inspire thoughts like this? If not, maybe I can help you get your best skin.

The skin is the largest organ of the body. Like any living being, it is dynamic, constantly changing and responds to what it is exposed to.

Top five terrible things you can do to be unloving and disrespectful to your skin:

Unprotected sun exposure. Apply a moisturizer with SPF 30 daily to sun exposed skin (UV rays pierce clouds and windshields). When going outdoors for extended periods of time, apply sunscreen of SPF 30 about 30 minutes before going out and reapply every 2 hours. Please reapply after going in water (i.e. beach/lake/pool).
Smoking. In addition to causing lung disease and cancer, smoking assists in aging the skin at a faster rate. If you’ve already started, put down those cancer sticks. If you haven’t started, don’t!
Poor diet/ Poor hydration. As with all other aspects of health, ingesting five servings of fresh fruit and vegetables daily along with adequate amounts of water daily are great for your skin, nail and hair well-being. A general multivitamin daily and an Omega-3 fish oil supplement are also beneficial to skin health.
No exercise/ regular and consistent physical activity. Thirty to forty-five minutes (3-5 times a week) of an activity which raises your heart rate is not only beneficial to lung and heart health, the skin benefits as well.
Poor/No skin care regimen: A consistent regimen of cleansing and moisturizing is of paramount importance in achieving your best skin. Dry skin may need the regular assistance of exfoliation.

Wash your face with clean hands or a soft washcloth and a mild cleanser (i.e. Aveeno, Basis, Cetaphil, Purpose, Neutrogena product lines) every morning and evening. After cleansing in the morning, apply a moisturizer with sunscreen of at least SPF 30. In the evening, depending on specific skin care needs, apply a basic moisturizer or a polishing alpha-hydroxy acid/ glycolic acid containing cream. Many antiaging products which contain retinol, pentapeptides (i.e. ROC and Oil of Olay) are best used at night. These products can improve very fine lines and wrinkles, but are not able to successfully eliminate deeper lines and wrinkles. A visit to the dermatologist for antiaging treatments can be a good way to improve more intense wrinkles. Be careful with harsh alcohol containing astringents and toners (i.e. rubbing alcohol and witch hazel). They can dry out the surface of the skin and lead to irritation. If you have acne prone skin, be careful with excessive scrubbing. You may worsen your breakouts and cause irritation.

Exfoliation can be an effective way to eliminate dead cells which build up on the skin surface. A mild facial scrub which contains salicylic or glycolic acid used a few times a week can assist with this process. (i.e. St. Ives Apricot Facial Scrub). Always moisturize after exfoliating. A visit to the dermatologist can provide you with the opportunity to have a chemical peel. Chemical peels are a wonderful way to rejuvenate the skin and even out the tone. Ask your dermatologist about the Vitalize peel. This is a wonderful peel which works well in skin of color. It contains salicylic and glycolic acid. Treat yourself!

Keep your lips protected by using a lip balm with sunscreen (i.e. Neutrogena and Kiels).

Tip: Always test new products before using over your entire face. It can take up to three days before a reaction occurs, therefore, a test trial should be performed under the chin or on the inner arm area for 72 hrs. Apply the product once a day, for three days, in the same designated area. If redness, swelling, burning or itching occur in that area, discontinue use of that product.

Until next time . . . Take care of yourself, so you can care for others. Do your best to be your best. The better you are, the brighter the world gets.

Disclaimer: This information does not serve as a substitute for individual medical care by a physician. This article is an informative guide to point you in the right direction. All product recommendations and advice are suggestions which may or may not work for your individual needs. Specific medical issues and concerns should be addressed by your health care provider. Patricia Perry, M.D. is a dermatologist in private practice in Southern California who can be reached for consultation at 2625 W. Alameda Ave., Suite 504, Burbank, CA 91505. Phone: (818)559- SKIN (7546). The contents of this article are the literary property of Dr. Perry and are copyrighted.

Related Articles:
Dr. Perry Talks Skin Care and Natural Hair

The Next Giveaway...You Choose!

2009-11-08T19:00:00.003-05:00

Hola Chicas,

There will be more sponsored Giveaways in the coming weeks...lots more!

But in the meantime, I'm completely out of space in my bathroom closet due to my PJ relapse. So, I want you gorgeous gals to choose the product that will be up for grabs in the next giveaway!

Your Choices:

-1 bottle of Trader Joe Nourish Spa--It's from several months ago, and I used it once

-1 bottle of Khoret Amen Hair Oil --Unopened

-1 bottle of EO Rose and Chamomile Conditioner+Shampoo--Unopened

Leave your choice in the comments section below. I'll announce the giveaway tomorrow :)

**To join the Miss Naturally Beautiful You 2010 challenge (and become eligible for the weekly henna giveaways), check out the links below:
Contest Rules and Forum
Miss Naturally Beautiful You 2010

**Other Current Giveaways:
Jessicurl Giveaway, closing November 12th
Aubrey Giveaway, closing Novebmer 21st

Morning After TWA--Salvaging the Fro

2009-11-08T18:06:00.003-05:00

The beautiful Mae writes:

Hi Nikki,

So now that my TWA is growing out, I've been having the case of the "Morning After TWA" blues. You know...when you wake up in the morning and you have a lopsided afro and the back of your hair has been smushed to your scalp, lol!
In the warmer months, I thought I would have to wet it again or even co-wash to achieve the ideal shape, but as the cooler months approached, I knew that this wasn't an option. Now I've figured out how to "refresh" my TWA without the use of any water at all! In fact, I use natural ingredients like coconut oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, etc. and the results are amazing-- I also avoid catching pneumonia by stepping outside in the cold with a wet head!! Just thought I'd share for all the other natural ladies rocking TWA's who encounter the same problem!

Share Your Natural Hair Compliments!

2009-11-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

Let's keep it going! This post has been so motivational :D

We all get them...and usually when we least expect it! While walking out of the grocery store, primping in the ladies room, or ordering a drink at the bar, you've most certainly been stopped and told how amazingly awesome your natural curls are.

I think I get the most compliments on days that I feel like an absolute frizz bucket, and usually from people that are born with straight hair...if you catch my drift. But, no matter who it's coming from, as long as it appears genuine, it feels GREAT and can literally put that swag back in your step. Also, it confirms that all of your time, energy, and moola spent, has been well worth it!

So dish! Share your favorite compliments...

Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle Conditioner

2009-11-07T21:31:00.004-05:00

Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle Conditioner--$4.00/16oz

Product Description: We've worked with an upscale boutique to bring you this salon-quality conditioner that will rejuvenate your hair with its refreshing tingle. A blend of certified organic botanicals including peppermint and tea tree work together to moisturize and clarify your hair while alleviating dry scalp. --(this is the description for both their poo and conditioner)

Ingredients: water, tea tree, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, nettle oil, thyme oil, birch leaf oil, chamomile oil, clary, coltsfoot leaf, yarrow oil, mallow, horsetail oil, soybean protein, cetyl alcohol, vitamin e, trace minerals, citric acid, sodium hydroxymethylgycinate, grape seed

My Experience: Who is responsible for this atrocity?! Seriously, one of you should have emailed me and told me that it would be in my best interest to try this conditioner IMMEDIATELY. I've heard good reviews, and received gentle nudges from several of you (including my friend Terron), but dang, I had no idea it was like this!!!! This ish right here...this right here....!!!!
I bought a bottle last week, and finally popped the top tonight. I was dreading my detangling session--it had been 6 days, and my hair was dry, frizzy, and incredibly tangled. I hopped in the shower and applied it generously from root to tip. I'm not a fan of minty smelling products, but I enjoyed the tingling sesation on my scalp. As soon as I applied it, I swear, my tangles melted away. It is super, SUPER slippery!!! I'm guessing it's the oils? Whatever it is, it' s just as effective as Herbal Essence with fewer, and more natural ingredients. For all of you cruelty free, organic chicas, this conditioner is a must try! It has a bit of protein in it (toward the bottom of the list), so I won't be leaving it in, but it'll probably become one of my staple co-wash conditioners. Oh, and I'm not sure if it was a fluke or not, but I had much less shedding than usual...much less :)

Bottom Line: Excellent slip, moderate moisture, fresh tingly sesation, cruelty free, high quality ingredients...4 bucks. If you're not on it yet, it should definitely be at the top of your PJ wish list.

Natural Hair, People's Opinions, and Self-Esteem

2009-11-07T10:03:00.004-05:00

On the Couch with Coren...

Hi Nikki,

My name is Coren and I LOVE your blog. Very informative and inclusive of all curly hair types. I wanted to present something that I encountered to your readers. I recently got my hair blown straight--I wanted to switch it up a little and needed a more accurate cut. I knew it would receive a lot of attention because I have been wearing it natural for 1 1/2 yr.

Recently, I attended a social gathering and people came up and looked, complimented, and wondered if I had a relaxer, etc. A couple of comments stood out from the crowd. One lady said, "Oh let me see your hair. That looks nice. I like that. You should keep it like that." With that last sentence she had a tone in her voice that said don't go back, you look better like this. And it was written all over her face. Later on, another lady came to me and put her hand on my shoulder and said, "I like your hair like this. It looks good on you." She motioned to my husband and said, "You can run your fingers through this." I got my hair straightened in May and she (the latter) always makes a point to overcompliment (if that's a word) my straight hair.

I have 4B highly textured kinky hair. To be honest, to a lot of people, that is the most dreaded hair texture. I was and am fully aware of this. I really dug down deep when I decided to go natural. Feeding into the lie, I also thought my natural hair would be unmanageable and that those with a 'looser' curl pattern could more readily wear their natural hair. While deciding whether or not to go natural, I did a lot of research (how I found your wonderful site ;) ). Through this process, I found acceptance of my hair and that beautiful hair comes in all textures. Beautiful hair is hair that is well-maintained, healthy, and the owner loves, respects, and nourishes it. With ALL of that said I have embraced my hair and I have learned and I am still learning the do's and don'ts.

I began to wonder, "What if I wasn't secure in my decision to wear my hair natural? How would this situation have affected me?" It's one thing to have your own opinion (however ignorant it is), but to share it with others without any regard to their feelings, fears and/or regrets is unacceptable. There are so many women that battle with self-esteem and self-image issues; we as women need to be more sensitive and mindful of what we say and how we treat one another. Every woman I know has on some level and at some point in their lives looked in the mirror and not liked and sometimes hated what they saw.

I just wanted to get input from the CurlyNikki community. I wondered if anyone else has had this experience...whether their hair was straight or natural. Have any of you ever felt the pressure to keep or go back to straight hair? Have you received unwarranted, and unsensitive comments?

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

2009-11-06T17:14:00.002-05:00

The winner of our first weekly henna giveaway is.......

SheeTacular_Napps!!!

Congratulations beautiful!!!!

To join the challenge, check out the links below:

Contest Rules and Forum
Miss Naturally Beautiful You 2010

Remember, you must post everyday Mon-Fri to qualify for the weekly henna/shea butter giveaway!!!

Later Gators,
Nik

Show and Tell- Fierce Fridays!

2009-11-06T13:29:00.016-05:00

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:

Junebug:
I am new to the site and really enjoyed viewing the show and tell Friday pictures.
I never thought I would submit a pic of myself for ANYTHING, but I received several compliments on my Foxy Brown hair for Halloween, that I said "why not".
I have wanted big hair for several years now, and I am finally able to achieve it.

La'Shara:
I got an opportunity to meet Nene Leakes of RHOA last night and we took a pic together. I only had a couple of minutes to talk. She didn't act all celebrity as I thought she would. She greeted the crowd, took pics, had a DJ request and actually went to the dance floor to get her party on. I'm rocking a week old Twist-N-Curl, I freshened it up with Giovanni's Direct Leave-In Conditioner and Unrefined Shea Butter for my edges.

CurlyNikki:
My mommy and daddy on his 50th birthday!!! Love you guys :~*
So curlies, who do I look like?!

Lameka:
This is me at almost a year after my BC. Going natural was one of the best decisions of my life and I can't wait to learn more about myself and hair.

MsKhemet:

I don't have any pics of me, but I wanted to show off my youngest daughter's hair. Her name is Dorian and she loves to take pictures as you can see. is four 3 going on 16. LOL

NuCurl:
Here are a few pics of my variation on your infamous twist-n-curl. I twist and then roll my hair to the scalp with small perm rods. I then style it to fit my mood. Thanks for the inspiration and keep it coming.

Nya:
Hey Curly Nikki! My name is Nya. I am a 2nd year natural going into my third year in January. This is a pic of a twist out I did on a boring day in my dorm room at Hampton University. It was done on blown out hair. Hope you like!

Uche:
Relaxing and taking 'fro pics on a sunny day in Italy! I'm studying abroad here, and the afro definitely gets me some crazy looks, but I love the confidence I feel with it!

**Don't forget to submit your Show&Tell pictures for next Friday! Use Show&Tell as the subject line!

On the Couch with Afrobella!

2009-11-06T07:00:00.003-05:00

Blogging mogul, and naturalista Patrice of Afrobella.com took some time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions for the CurlyNikki.com community!

CN: Why natural hair? How did the passion develop?
Afrobella: I finally decided to go completely natural in 2002. It was right after my wedding - I got married with a haircut so low that the back of my head was shaved. I'd done so much damage to my hair that it was better just to chop it off. That last relaxer was something I did for my parents, so I wouldn't have to hear complaints about how my hair looked for the biggest day of my life! Even before the big chop and final relaxer, I'd been slowly weaning myself off the creamy crack. But every time I came close to completely transitioning, I'd go buy another box of Just For Me, because I didn't know how to truly care for my hair in its natural state. I always hated caring for my hair with chemicals, having to withstand the burn, the smell...having to spend so much time getting it set then sitting under the dryer.... so the passion for my hair didn't truly begin until I went natural and had to learn first hand what my texture actually was, and how best to care for it. It's been eight years and the passion just continues to grow deeper. It's a natural hair love affair!

CN: What is your current hair routine, and how it will change come winter?
Afrobella: Girl, I don't know how I'm gonna handle winter -- I'm looking for a thick, wooly hair sock/headband to pull it back in when I have to go out and deal with the elements! I can't find a cute hat mighty enough to handle all of my hair! But even now in Fall I'm encountering changes in my hair's needs. My curl pattern's a bit looser (and not in a way that I enjoy), and my hair is craving moisture like nobody's biz. So I've been using castor oil quite a bit. My current routine is, once or twice a week I do a quick conditioner wash and detangle with a wide tooth comb in the shower. Immediately after the shower, while my hair is still wet I use a little castor oil on my scalp. It's been helping to curb the flakes that were plaguing me! I slick a little on my ends, as well. Then I use whatever styling product I choose. That really depends on my mood and how cold it is out there...but recent favorites have been Carol's Daughter Some of Marguerite's Magic or CD Hair Balm (both are very heavy moisturizers), Miss Jessie's Baby Buttercreme, or Curls Souffle. Once a week I do a longer deep conditioner with my favorite oils, and I also love Ojon restorative treatment for that. But it's so expensive I only use it every 2 weeks, tops.

CN: What's in your shower stall?
Afrobella: My current everyday condish of choice is Karen's Body Beautiful, the Honey Oatmeal smells divine and gives the nourishment I need. I always, ALWAYS need DevaCurl One Condition on hand, and I've been giving Hair Rules Daily Cleansing Cream another try. Recently I tried Palmer's Coconut conditioner and it's great for a comb-through but not for my bellas who are very conscious of bad-for-you hair ingredients. I kind of put myself out there to try it all, so I understand that everything I review isn't for everybody. I'm currently reviewing Jane Carter Solution so I've got a bottle of that in there too! We recently moved into a new apartment so my new goal is to cut down on clutter. I try to keep the shower stall clean, clear and under control...but it isn't easy when you're a product junkie, haha!

CN: You have a huge following on afrobella.com, you contribute to aolblackvoices.com, and you were among the press at Fashion Week! What's next for Ms. Afrobella?
Afrobella: Next for me... well, 2009 was a big year. I quit my job, became a full time blogger, moved from Miami to Chicago, went to my first Fashion Week... so 2010 will be a continuation of that. I plan to complete my book in 2010. That's a big goal for me -- I'm working on two books, fiction and non-fiction. I'm getting back to being the writer I was born to be. I'm focusing on fitness and health for the new year, so I don't plan to set a specific weight loss goal but fitness will be at the forefront. Other than that I am staying on my grind, looking for freelance opportunities that are financially beneficial and allow me to do the kind of writing I am proud and happy to do, continuing to make Afrobella the best blog it can be and giving my readers more of what they want - more great writing on hair, beauty, music, culture and more! Oh yes -- I am starting to really love hosting events where I can meet other Afrobellas, bloggers, Twitter friends, and readers. And I WILL be back for another Fashion Week, that's a promise I made to myself. I plan to host more charity fundraising events, and I'm gonna represent for the bellas at every New York Fashion Week if I can!

CN: Any tips for transitioners, and the newly natural?
Afrobella: The best tip I can give a transitioner is, stick with it. If you're wavering in your committment, maybe you're not ready. Because going natural isn't a fad or a bandwagon you can easily jump on or off...it's a real committment. Make sure you're ready and willing to educate yourself, and give your hair the love that it needs. Mainstream haircare doesn't teach you how to properly tend to natural hair's needs. My advice to the newly natural is to read the blogs and message boards. Read Nappturality and Motown Girl, Curly Nikki and Afrobella, BVHairTalk, Mane and Chic, Hairnista, Loc Rocker, Le Coil, Thank God I'm Natural...there are so many natural hair blogs. So many resources now to learn from, get your questions answered, and find natural hair inspiration. Even when you reach a point where you may feel frustrated and not know how to handle your tangles, someone out there has an answer and inspiration for you.

If you missed my interview on AOL's Black Voices, check out the article HERE.

Jessicurl Giveaway!

2009-11-05T16:46:00.004-05:00

Happy Thursday Chicas!

Today was a good day, and I'm in the mood for a giveaway...So let's get it!

Up for grabs is the Jessicurl Full Size Rich Collection...a $65 value! Check out the description below:

Get all the products you need to create soft, well defined curls. This collection features 6 products that are best for thicker, drier hair that needs more moisture. It contains 8 fl. oz of Confident Coils, Rockin' Ringlets, Awe Inspiraling Spray, Hair Cleansing Cream, Too Shea! and Weekly Deep Conditioning Treatment. A flyer is also included with step-by-step instructions for how to use the products.

To enter, head over to our community, and respond to the post entitled Jessicurl Giveaway. The contest will run from today through Thursday, November 12th, at 5pm EST. At that time, one curly will be randomly chosen to receive the goodies! Good luck! If you win, you get to try my holy grail deep treatment for free!!!

**Check out the Aubrey Giveaway, closing Novebmer 21st

**Participate in the Naturally Beautiful You Challenge

Reminders:
The first Naturally Beautiful You Henna giveaway is tomorrow!
Send in your Fierce Friday Show&Tell pics for tomorrow!
Later Gators,
Nik

*No purchase necessary. In accepting the prize, the winner acknowledges that CurlyNikki.com may not be held liable for any loss, damages or injury associated with accepting or using this prize(s). This contest is subject to all federal, provincial and municipal laws. Contest open to Continental U.S. and Canadian residents only. One entry per person. Claiming of prizes requires an email response to CurlyNikki from the winning sender email address within 15 days of being notified of winning. Failure to respond shall mean that the winner forfeits the prize.

Mel-Naturally Glam Hair Idol

2009-11-05T08:19:00.003-05:00

Meet Mel...a natural vet who shows that Fros are appropriate for every occasion. So chic!

CN: How long have you been natural?
M: I had my last relaxer in late 2005 and cut off the last of my straight ends Spring of 2007.

CN: What is your current regimen?
M: Once a week (usually Sunday evening) I wash with DevaCare No-Poo and condition with a very generous amount of DevaCare One Condition. I rinse the excess One Condition out, but I leave some of it in. After I wash and condition, I either use DevaCare Set-It Free or Curls Gel-les’c. (The Curls is a recent discovery and I notice less knotting when I use it, so it might permanently replace the Set-It Free. We’ll see.)
To style I twist my hair in relatively small sections, put a little jojoba oil on my scalp and my twists, and then I sleep in them. (I usually do this too late at night to dry in time for work on Monday, so I usually have to sit under the dryer for a bit, but I need to get away from that. It really dries out the top layers of my hair.) When I wake up in the morning, I untwist and fluff. You might notice that I'm missing a good deep conditioner...I'm lazy about that...but I'm working on it.

CN: How do you maintain length? Moisture?
M: After I style my hair on Sunday, I don’t manipulate it much the rest of the week. I just let it do its own thing, and I think that helps with maintaining length. The combo of One Condition, my styling product of choice, and jojoba oil usually keeps it pretty moisturized. Also, I never ever use shampoo, only No-Poo, so I'm never stripping moisture from my hair.

CN: How do you protect your curls at night?
M: I sleep on a satin pillowcase with my hair out and pull and shape it in the morning.

CN: What would you tell a new natural, or transitioning diva?
M: If your family has a negative reaction to your transitioning plans, take it with a grain of salt!! I love my mom, but she had nothing nice to say when I first started growing out my relaxer. She even threatened to give me a relaxer in my sleep (she was sort of joking, but there was some truth there)! Also, let go of any preconceived notions you might have about your hair texture. It’s a weird thing to reach your mid-twenties and have no idea what your natural hair looks like, but that’s where I was. My granny started pressing it when I was a toddler and I got my first relaxer in elementary school, so my natural texture was a mystery to me and I was scared of it. I was always told that I didn’t have “good hair,” but I’m so glad I didn’t let that stand in my way. I love my hair now. I wouldn’t change a thing!

CN: What's the best thing about being naturally glamorous?
M: Oh there are lots of good things! Here are some off the top of my head: 1) Personally, I think it’s a lot less work, and I’m kind of lazy, so that’s great for me. Yeah, the once a week styling might take a while, but then I don’t really have to do anything else until it’s time to wash again. 2) Compliments on my hair from strangers. 3) My fro jazzes up my outfits. It’s like a really great accessory. 4) I feel more like myself with big curly hair. Don’t know how to describe it really, but I’m sure some naturals out there know what I mean. 5) Last but certainly not least, I have fallen in love with my hair as it grows out of my head. I never thought I would be able to say that.

CN: Anything else you want to add?
M: Come visit me on my blog Life of Belle. I don’t do many posts about my hair, but if more naturals/transitioners start to read and request hair tips/product reviews, I’d be happy to do more hair posts.

Thank you!

**Got questions for Mel? Contact her in our Community forums...shoot her a private message, or call her out in a thread!

Rollersetting Natural Hair

2009-11-05T07:00:00.001-05:00

Hola Chicas,

MariaG, one of my online curly BFFs, and author of our Transitioning section, has resubmitted her roller setting tutorial! If you have the patience, this style is perfect for natural divas, or transitioners! You can wear it out and big, or pull it up into a chic bun. It's also a great (and less damaging) alternative to the blowdryer when you get that itch to flatiron. Check it out:

Bukky O- A Story of Transition

2009-11-04T18:28:00.004-05:00

Meet Bukky O...long term transitioner, learning to work with her two very distinct textures:

CN: Were you a long term or short term transitioner, and why?
N: Long term... I am currently 10 months post and don't plan to BC earlier than 18 months post. My last relaxer was on December 20th 2008.

CN: What is your transition routine?
N: In February of this year, I discovered the joys of co-washing (I tried it in 2007 and wrote it off as a disaster, tried it again this year and it's a keeper) and loved it!!! So now I co-wash 3-4 times weekly. Apart from that, I stick to my pre-transition routine - deep condition twice a week, and moisturize twice daily. I don't use heat (no blowdrying, no flat ironing) mainly because I work out 5 times a week and also because I prefer my hair curly (braidout, twistout, rollerset... when I do rollersets, I usually airdry).

CN: What was your staple hair style during the transition?
N: I love braidouts and twistouts... I tried out braids (no extensions) @ 30 weeks and now they're a huge part of my transition routine! I recently made the decision to braid (no extensions) for 3 weeks, then leave my hair out (twistouts & braidouts) for a week, then go back to braids for 3 weeks. I think this will allow me to transition for as long as I need to.

CN: How are you moisturizing your hair to prevent breakage at the new growth line?
N: I spray with my moisturizing spritz (conditioner, glycerin, EVOO and water) and seal with my shea butter mix (unrefined shea butter, castor oil, coconut oil and aloe vera gel). I also make sure my hair has enough protein, my deep conditioner is a light protein, my leave-in conditioner is also a light protein.

CN: Why did you choose to go natural?
N: I'd reached and exceeded the goals I set while relaxed... Then I suffered a minor setback in December and I wasn't interested in getting past APL (relaxed) again so I was ready :-)
I'd always said I'd go natural in the future but earlier this year, @ 7 weeks post, after spending days stalking naturals fotkis, I made the decision to transition and once I did, I knew that was it :-)
I guess it helped that my Mummy's hair was natural and BEAUTIFUL!

Pictures
Relaxed - August '08
Twistout - Jul '09 @ 28 weeks post
Braidout - Aug '09 @ 33 weeks post
Braids (no extensions) - Oct '09 @ 44 weeks post
Texture Shot - Aug '09 @ 34 weeks post

Fotki: Transitioning Pictures - http://public.fotki.com/mummysgirl/transition-to-natural/

Click to enlarge:

Submit your CurlyNikki Spotlight today!

**Join the CurlyNikki.com Community Today!

Kanyin- A Story of Transition

2009-11-04T18:23:00.002-05:00

This newly natural diva submitted her interview on camera! Check it out, and show her some love!:

Miss Fizzy--Naturally Glam Hair Idol

2009-11-04T14:48:00.001-05:00

Meet Miss Fizzy...a diva that shows us just how versatile natural hair can be! We've got styling options too...just gotta be creative!

CN: How long have you been natural?

M: I've been natural for about a year.

CN: What is your current regimen?
M: It's pretty simple. I wash with Tiens Aloevera and herbal soap (got it from Nigeria) and condition with a really cheap conditioner like Suave naturals or Alberto Balsam once a week or every other week if I have my hair in twists. I deep condition every other week. I moisturize with CURLS quenched curls moisturizer and then I stretch my hair out in big twists or cornrows. Once my hair is dry and stretched, I either rock a 'fro or put my hair in small or medium twists. Depending on how I want to style my hair, I use any of a variety of products. What I use most often however is a mixture of shea butter, coconut oil and aloe vera.

CN: How do you maintain length? Moisture?
M: I usually have my hair in protective styles like twists and I trim my ends whenever they feel icky. For moisture I use the shea butter mixture I described above. It moisturizes and seals my hair at the same time. I use it on my ends every other day if my hair is in twists. If it's out, I spray my hair with a mixture of the above, diluted in water, with a little conditioner added in. It really helps get rid of that dry, brillo pad feel. I wear my twists for a week and a half and then rock a twist out fro for a day or two before repeating the process. I also drink lots of water and I take (regular) vitamins when I remember.

CN: How do you protect your curls a night?
M: I tie my hair up in a satin scarf if I have twists, but I let them hang out of the scarf so that they aren't all crumpled up in the morning. If I have a fro, I sleep with my hair out but on a satin pillowcase and just fluff in the morning.

CN: What would you tell a new natural, or transitioning diva?
M: You have to be mentally as well as emotionally prepared for the changes that it can bring to every aspect of your life. Don't feel pressured to be natural if you don't want to be, it has to be your decision. Being natural might close some windows for you but it will open new doors. Don't expect it to be easy, there will be bad days but being natural is a journey and a process. You won't get there overnight, you won't suddenly wake up and have a huge healthy fro. It takes time and dedication like everything worth having in life.

CN: What's the best thing about being naturally glamorous?
M: I'm like a goldfish in a bowl sometimes (not such a good thing) I get stared at and asked on dates when I have my hair out. Lol. But honestly, the best thing about being natural is being able to nudge other people in that direction too. Other women see me and start to question their own hair choices, they ask me questions and I've actually managed to convert a good few. The others that don't convert at least start to think in that direction and maybe understand that they have options. They see that natural hair can be beautiful and that relaxing is not the only option they have. I also love the fact that I can do my hair myself and I don't have to get anyone else to do it for me.

CN: Anything else you want to add?
M: I love coming to this site and reading the stories of women that you've inspired to embrace their natural hair. It's like you're bringing so much more real beauty into the world.

I have a fotki (just started it) and a blog that details my (and my co-blogger Z's) natural hair journey as well.

Thank you!

Pictures

Pic 1 (above) is mini twists that I did and pinned up into a fro hawk

Pic 2 is a twist out that got messed up when I covered it with a scarf. To salvage it, I pinned up the sides and made a hump in front, then I pinned a flower on the side (not shown)
Pic 3 is my staple style, the twists
Pic 4 is the fro (it's actually a bit bigger now)
Pic 5 is chunky twists that I pinned up at the back

Thank you so much for this Nikki. I hope it inspires some 4b naturals to play with their hair!

Submit your CurlyNikki Spotlight today!

**Join the CurlyNikki.com Community Today!

African American Beauty: Reconstructed

2009-11-04T07:26:00.001-05:00

The beautiful and insightful Leslie, of Naturally Leslie, will be contributing cultural pieces to CN.com weekly! Today will be the first of many fabulous posts. Check it out, and weigh in!

I came across this research paper by a student from Georgia State University (2004) entitled Emulated through Images: The Globalization of Misconstructed African American Beauty and Hip-Hop Culture. The abstract below gives an overview of the what the paper is all about:

"From news coverage to entertainment, the media shapes, reflects, reinforces and defines the world in which we live. In publishing, theatre, films, television and popular music--industries largely controlled by white men--Blacks continually struggle for both a voice and representation. Many scholars write about the stereotyping of Blacks in the media (Meyers, 1999; Davis, 1989). Light skinned Black women with classic European features predominate in beauty pageants, music videos, and in the world of modeling. It is with respect to the world of modeling and music that this discussion will examine the globalization and commodification of Black female beauty. I will examine the historical creation of Black beauty in the United States and Europe and how theses misconstructed images play out globally."

It's kind of long but a good read. How do we reconstruct our own beauty within the context of the greater society in which we live? How do we grow to feel comfortable in our skin and celebrate our sexuality without conforming to or perpetuating pre-existing stereotypes about the oversexed Black woman? It's complicated but an open and honest discussion is the best way to start. Check out the paper over here.

African American Beauty contestants from 1949 supported by a local pie shop

2008 Natural Beauty Contest from ymib

You can find Leslie, and her gorgeous hair, on her blog, HERE!

My Curls and Updates...

2009-11-03T17:32:00.006-05:00

Hola Chicas!

Five things:

Above, you'll find a pic of my hair from yesterday, after using.....drum roll please......SAMY's Curl Creme :) It's 5.99 at Walgreens and promises to define, add shine, and provide a light, touchable hold. It definitely follows through on all three. However, it's not the magic bullet I was hoping for. My awesome hair days were probably the result of a few things; (1) dry, crisp weather, (2) twenty minutes under the blowdryer immediately following sytling, (3) product combo--devacare+set it free+samy. To level the playing field, I only used DevaCare One and Samy to style on Sunday night, and while my results are wonderful, it's not the best I ever had ;~) I did, however, receive two compliments within an hour of leaving the house. One of my colleagues is natural as well, and her eyes got big when she saw me-- she commented, "Your hair looks amazing! What did you do different?' It's super fluffy, uber defined, and has lots of volume...even on day 1. It's cheap, smells delicious, contains only one cone (amodimethicone), has no protein, only a little glycerin, and is the consistency of a watered down conditioner. It also has Behentrimonium Methosulfate...my favorite detangling agent in the world! It'll probably become a mainstay next summer...I'll see how my hair handles the glycerin this winter. I'll do a full review later, but it's definitely worth a try.

Thanks to all of you that joined the Naturally Beautiful You challenge this week! The curlies that started their thread on Monday are eligible to win this week's henna :) Curlies that started their threads today (and later) will be entered in next week's competition and beyond! Sharika is going to switch it up too--hair butter one week, and henna the next! If you haven't yet, join in on the fun! Every participating curly will be eligible to win a prize every single week until the end of April 2010! Sweetness.

Be on the lookout for 4 upcoming giveaways...EO, Blended Beauty, Jessicurl, and.....CurlJunkie! All of these are sponsored by the respective companies and the prizes are full sized bottles ;~) If I didn't like you guys so much, I'd probably keep them!

I went hard at Trader Joes yesterday, and picked up a bottle of the Tea Tree Tingle Conditioner that you all speak so highly of (despite the minor amount of protein). I'll report back soon!

Don't forget to send me your 'Fierce Friday' Show & Tell pics!

Later gators,

Nik

Yesterday:

Today--Less shiny, but the curls are poofier, and I love that!

RoyalEmpress-Naturally Glam Hair Idol

2009-11-03T07:29:00.004-05:00

CN: How long have you been natural?

M: I got my last relaxer in May 2004 and transitioned for 2 years.

CN: What is your current regimen?

M: I deep condition usually overnight with whatever DC or Cholesterol I have on hand before I shampoo with Suave Clarifying shampoo once a week. I condition with either VO5 Nourishing Tea Therapy Calming Chamomile Tea or Suave Humectant or Herbal Essence Hello Hydration/ Totally Twisted. I wash my hair in sections and detangle in the shower w/ my shower comb and Denman brush. Then I style my hair with Qhemet Biologics OHHB & BRBC or Organics Leave-In Liquid Hair Mayonnaise. Just recently got some Kinky-Curly, but haven't tried it yet. I usually do a combination of cornrows and two-strand twists (check my YouTube video).

CN: How do you maintain length? Moisture?

M: My hair has never had an issue with growth, but I would say that not using heat has contributed to me maintaining length because I don't have to cut away any heat damage anymore.

Moisture is actually an issue for me. I still use sulfate shampoo because I have to clarify my scalp weekly, but I just try to use moisturizing products when I style my hair, wear my hair in protective styles, and I always wear my satin bonnet to bed! If I feel my hair getting really dry in the middle of the week, I will put some conditioner or coconut oil on it.

CN: How do you protect your curls at night?

M: I wear a satin scarf and a satin bonnet. Most times just a satin bonnet.

CN: What would you tell a new natural, or transitioning diva?

M: Avoid heat. It's really hard not to get any heat damage at all. Also don't try to do any major haircuts yourself. I had to learn that the hard way. Now my hair is uneven.

CN: What's the best thing about being naturally glamorous?

M: We always stand out and our hair is so versatile. Have you ever seen when relaxed girls try to do the big hair look (w/o weave)? It's usually an epic fail, but we can straighten our hair, twist it, braid it, curl it, stretch it, shrink it,etc. and not only does it always look fly, but it looks healthy too!

CN: Anything else you want to add?
M: I started doing videos on YouTube :0), check them out. www.youtube.com/TheRoyalEmpress

my fotkis: www.fotki.com/RoyalEmpress & www.fotki.com/RoyalEmpress2

Also, thanx so much for the interview! I check curlynikki.com religiously everyday at work right after checking the celeb gossip blogs, lol!

Me and my neice

Cornrow-out

Shrinkage

Submit your CurlyNikki Spotlight today!

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Queen Reviews--Organix Coconut Milk Conditioner

2009-11-02T12:00:00.004-05:00

Queen is back and she's dishing on her latest 'boo'. Check her out:

I’m CooCoo for CocoNUT!....ORGANIX Nourishing Coconut Milk Conditioner

“Pssst… I got that good good.” I was walking down the aisle at Tarjay (Target for my international curly sisters) and I swear the little white and gold bottle on the shelf was toying with my inner PJism. Determined to be strong I kept it moving. I turn to go on the next aisle and there it was laying all alone partially under the wheel of my cart….a damn coupon. Awww damn I thought, now I have to buy it; the thing said a whopping $1.00 off. Not one to pass up a good deal; I bought two bottles and skipped my junkie behind home.

---Here’s what I did:

In the shower, I slapped on some good ole HE Totally Twisted and finger-combed through my strands after I’d separated my hair into 4 sections.

After detangling, I let the HE sit in my hair while I cleansed. I’ve found that the steam from the shower coupled with the conditioning elements in HE really enhance the moisturizing effects.

I rinsed completely and then it happened…. I flipped open the cap to the Organix bottle squirting a generous amount into the palm of my hand and WOW!!! My mouth started watering, conga drums started playing, and the sound of ocean waves crashing filled my little shower. When I say this stuff smells good, it smells gggguuuuuuuuuuuud! I closed my eyes and began massaging it into my hair….ding ding ding ding YO!! This stuff is the BOMB DOT COM! It melted onto my strands, loving on them as I applied from root to ends. But seriously ladies, as a product addict, I’ve had my share of product affairs and I might have to go on and “boo” this one up. Yes I said it, I think I’m ready to commit.

---Why I like this:

I was bummed when my hair rejected coconut oil; I want the vitamins and nutrients it provides and as a junkie being rejected by a product is NO BUENO for my image. Organix Coconut Milk Conditioner gives my hair the nourishing effects of coconut in a medium that my hair appreciates. You see, coconut oil feels great on my hair while it’s wet. Once my hair dries though it feels like greasy straw. My hair feels amazing after the Organix dries which is so relieving.

The ingredients are yummyliscious (it’s a word damnit)…. ‘organic coconut milk, whipped egg white proteins, and a little something called Behentrimonium Methosulphate (I’ve found this is a key element that my hair is really attracted to)’.

Works great as a DT (especially after henna), leave-in, and co-wash condish.

Finally, and very important ladies, the smell alone is guaranteed to get you some. My hubby was losing his mind, face and fingers all in my tresses…you know how I do.

Yea mon, this is Queen and I definitely approve this product.

Price and Where to Buy: $6.99/130z --purchase from Walgreens and other drug stores

Product Description:

Beauty pure and simple.
Indulge your senses with this exclusive 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.
Sulfate free.
Organic coconut milk & oils.

Ingredients:
Dl Water (- Aqua) , Cetyl Alcohol , Behentrimonium , Cetearyl Alcohol , Cetearyl Glucoside , Glyceryl Stearate , Glycerin , Cyclomethicone , Dimethicone , Jojoba Oil , Panthenol , Silk Amino Complex , Coconut Milk , Egg White Protein , Coconut Oil , Tocopheryl Acetate (- Vitamin E) , Tetrasodium EDTA , Fragrance , DMDM Hydantoin, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone

**Hey ladies, since we're here to keep our hair healthy, I can't have you pulling your hair out just because homeboy is doing the fool. Let's chat, hit me up at nadeira@bellsouth.net. I'll respond to your questions here on CurlyNikki.com.**

**Got a product you want Queen to review? Send an email to nadeira@bellsouth.net, using "CN Product Review" as the subject line.