OH WAIT YALL!

The other day I was in H&M shopping and I went in their dressing room -- something I rarely if ever do and u will not believe it! The light actually made my hair appear to have a reddish brown tint to it *shocking*

I guess something magical did happen from that whole henna experience.. Check the post if you haven't.  Unfortunately, my phone was on E and I couldn't catch a picture of the slight reflection of color I could see. Seeing that fleck of color is a bit encouraging to re henna my hair but not enough to run out and order some right now. That was much too much work for a description like "slight reflection" and "fleck of color"

I will be washing my hair for the first time since my henna experience tomorrow; so during the storm please expect a post about that and well thats it! just wanted to pop in and share that tid bit of information with you curlies.


As always stay blessed!

CHECK OUT "HENNA BABY" AND "HENNA EXPERIENCE" FOR FULL DETAILS

HURRICANE SANDY

I'm blogging through the storm y'all! I haven't seen a drop of rain YET but they say she is on her way...

NYC is officially shut down -- NO MTA, NO SCHOOL.. If any of you know they NEVER EVER RARELY EVER NEVER shut down our city -- super crazy snow storms and terrorism are the only two reasons I can remember for us not having any train or bus service...

ANYWAY... we have snacks, internet connection, vodka and new hair products to try! As long as I don't lose power Sandy can act up all she want outside -- I'll be inside writing up some new blog post!

Bck to the hair.. 

Yesterday was my annual choir day at church and my go to style is ,of course, FLEXI RODS! If you ladies haven't figured it out yet, I am style challenged.. I think I am going to push myself to master a few more styles just to switch it up -- I can't really do tutorials if I don't do anything to my hair *sigh* BUTTTTTTTTTTTT my flexi rods were super cute -- I used giovanni's direct leave-n, twists-n-locks organic leave-n conditioner (samples from CurlBox) and a spray bottle of water to set my hair.

One thing I've learned about my hair since going natural is that it takes FOREVERRRRRRRRRRR to dry! Ya'll ever watch the youtubers and she twists her hair and then edits the video to show the take down in the morning????? IN WHAT WORLD DOES THAT HAPPEN??? That never happens for me -- LOL -- EVER! I set my hair Friday night and Saturday afternoon at 3pm there was still damp hair!  Anyway, It was soft and the curls that were completely dry were poppington. I'll be looking for that twists-n-locks line at my local BSS and I'll purchase the full size to add to my stash.

LOL! YES I snap pics while I get dressed.. @metrocitycurly on Instagram

FLEXI - RODS

I use the yellow rods in the very front and and the back for smaller curls. The middle of my head is longer and I like a looser curl so I use the red rods. I can't remember how many rods I use all together but I think it is about 50 for my whole head.

These four samples were just enough for my big ole head. I'll be looking for the full size so I can come back with a real review for you. 

Heaven in a bottle.. Review coming soon!

MY SECRET WEAPON..

There is a common household kitchen item that is always in my pantry and steadily available.. Its great for marinating meat -- sealing my ends and an EXCELLENT (less expensive) makeup remover!!!!!!!

Girrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrlllllllll what's that?????????

my secret weapon is.......... EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SAY WHAT????? Girl yes! that EVOO is the TRUTH!!!!

Now y'all already know that I would never come on here and suggest something I don't already use on a regular basis and have done the research for so lets get scientific real quick..

Extra virgin olive oil is the highest quality and most expensive olive oil classification. It should have no defects and a flavor of fresh olives. One term that you may see on a bottle of olive oil is "cold pressed." This term means that minimal heating was used when mechanically processing the olives to make oil. This provides the strongest possible nutrient composition from an extracted oil ---- yadda yadda yadda all that means is the oil is good and cost $11 for a damn bottle

OIL CLEANSING METHOD:

When I first heard of this I was completely skeptical but why not try it and see for myself. I saw a YouTube video by HEYFRANHEY on the oil cleansing method and explaining her regimen. I basically massage EVOO onto my face and I can literally feel the blackheads on the tip of my fingers *YUCK* I then get a white washcloth and steam my face two or three times to get all the oil off my face -- I've been sticking to it for about a month now and I've noticed a difference.. 

At first, my skin freaked the hell out and was like Bitchhhhhhhhhhh plz! LOL! I was extra oily and I definitely broke out the first few days but a month later my marks have started to fade slightly and I haven't had any other major break outs.

I will continue to use extra virgin olive oil -- its much cheaper than my acne treatment from Sephora and its natural -- win win for everyone! 

MAKEUP REMOVER:

Massage, Steam and Done! waterproof, shellac, cement, caked up -----> however you wear your makeup, a Lil olive oil will get that right off!

SEALING MY ENDS:

EVOO seems to be that perfect balance my hair needs.. It isn't too light and it doesn't weigh my hair down. It mixes well with my styling products too! I just detangle, apply leave-in and run the EVOO down the shaft of my hair -- concentrating on the ends. It is very simple and it works.

Its gotten to a point where a have a bottle specifically for the bathroom and a separate one for the kitchen.... MY SECRET WEAPON IS EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL  -- TRY IT!

MY HENNA EXPERIENCE!!!!

So last night was my henna experiment... 

First off, THE SMELL.. y'all know how fresh cut grass smells? or cooked green peas? Well imagine that sitting in your hair for 3 hours.. It isn't horrible --like get this shit out my hair -- but who really wants to smell like cooked smashed up green peas???? EXACTLY!

Aside from the smell, it wasn't that bad. I covered my bathroom with towels in case there was some splatter and I didn't even make that much mess. 

I will say that the 2oz of henna was not enough for all of my hair and I added some conditioner to the mix just to make sure I didn't run out of the green goop.

HENNA, LEMON JUICE, WATER, HAIR OIL

THREE SECTIONS AND GREASED EDGES

ALL MIXED UP & READY TO GO

 ARGGGGH!!!!!!!!!!!

OK! So after the henna was finished doing its henna magic I had to rinse thoroughly.. and then rinse again! 

I don't know what I was expecting from this box of dirt but something magical should have happened.

NOTHING! I didn't see any color.. My hair didn't feel like butter..  It doesn't feel stronger.. It doesn't look smoother.. I'm not sure if the henna penetrated my hair shaft OR bonded with the keratin in my cuticle.. The only thing I was able to "tint" was my thumb.. NOTHING HAPPENED! It was a six hour process of mixing, resting, applying and waiting and I don't even notice a damn difference... To say I am a just a teeny tiny bit disappointed is an understatement..

I deep conditioned right after, overnight with my Nothing But "intense healing mask" and just proceeded as usual this morning with my regular wash day routine. My leave-in of choice was Giovanni's "direct leave-in" and I braided up my hair using the African Pride "Shea butter miracle" bouncy curls pudding. Perhaps after my hair dries and I take these braids out I'll experience the henna magic but for now *SHRUGS*

HENNA BABY!

OK... I'm back and today I am going to henna my hair for the very first time *squeals* If you read my post from yesterday then you know that this month I received a box of henna in my CurlBox.

Henna is a natural flowering plant used since the days of Moses to dye skin, hair, furniture and wool.

Henna is an amazing conditioning treatment for natural hair, similar to a protein treatment. It penetrates the hair shaft and binds with the keratin in the hair. Henna fills in the rough spots on the cuticle, leaving your hair feeling smoother and stronger.

SOOOOOOOOOOO IS IT A DYE?? IS IT A PROTEIN TREATMENT??

You are not dying your hair. Henna can NOT lighten your hair! The plant releases a brown/reddish tint onto skin -- there are no chemicals so plzzzzzzzzzzzz do not expect fiery red hair after an application. If you see any color change it will be subtle and more than likely only visible in direct sunlight.

My box included: 

• Reshma Femme 2oz. 100% natural henna
• pair of gloves 
• Reshma Femme haïr oil

The instructions seem simple enough --

1. Pour the Reshma Henna powder into a bowl. 
2. Gradually add water and hair oil. 
3. Mix thoroughly into a thick creamy, paste-like consistency and let sit 1-3 hours. 
4. WEAR GLOVES to protect against staining. 
5. Apply paste to hair evenly. Leave in for 1-3 hours. 
6. Rinse well until water runs clear.
7. shampoo and condition.

Right now my henna is resting in a bowl for the next 3hours..

WARNING: OH! DO NOT USE ANY METAL OR HOT WATER!!! 

The metal can activate the paste and the hot water could cook your henna and impair the results. I added equal parts water and lemon juice to my henna -- it was suggested if I wanted to get the most color pay off!

After a little research I've found that some naturals complain of dryness so to combat this I picked up Nothing But "intense healing mask" to deep condition after my henna treatment. I will probably deep condition for a few hours and style tomorrow depending on what time I go to bed tonight.

I'll be sure to take pics of the whole process and post them tomorrow for you. STAY TUNED!!!!!

HAVE YOU EVER HENNA'D????? WHAT WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE????

OCTOBER CURL BOX!!!!!!

EVERY MONTH ITS THE SAME THING...

I wait like a lil kid on christmas and stalk my mailbox for my CurlBox annnndddddddddddd every month I gush and open it up and squeal like a lil girl and then I come on here to share the goodies with you curlies!!!!!!

*WAVES* HELLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOO LADIES..  

I've been missing (I know) but I have such great metro stuff for you guys so plz plz plz plz forgive me!

Anyway the box! CURLBOX! *SCREAMS*

This damn box is awesomeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!! LOL! No.. Seriously if you curlies haven't tried to sign up yet you are missing all the goodies... This month Myleik and the CurlBox crew have out done themselves and I'm so excited for wash day.

OCTOBER CURLBOX!

THIS MONTH I RECEIVED:

1. Dr. Miracle "curl care" nourishing conditioner"
2. African Pride "shea butter miracle" bouncy curls pudding
3. Reshma Femme henna
4. Eden Body Works "jojoba monoi" hair milk
5. Lustrasilk "keratin amino acid" leave-in creme conditioner
6. Twists-n-Locks organic leave-in conditioner 
7. Bodycology wild poppy nourishing body cream

PLUS:

2 coupons for Ouidad.com and behuetiful.com

- Ouidad is offering free shipping when you enter CURLBOX12 at checkout until 12/31/12

-Huetiful is offering 15% off on ANY item until 11/20/12!!!!!!! I can't give the coupon code tho - its only for one time use and I have my eye on that steamer girl!!!!!

As always, this curlie (ME, SHE, HER, I) am saying TRY IT! Sign up for a box.. It's a monthly subscription for only $20 and its a service every curlie could use. Tomorrow after class might be the only time I have this week to really play in my hair so I will definitely come back with another post, more product reviews and initial overall experience scores..

Love you dolls, Stay blessed.

CALL LETICIA... YOUR BEAUTICIAN...

*sings*  CUZ YOUR HAIR IS GONE NEED FIXIN......  The Dream had the right idea!

A few weeks ago, I asked you ladies on twitter and instagram about maintaining your hair and how that all plays out for "sexy time." I was SHOCKED by some of the responses! While a good 83% said that they forgo their nighttime routine the other 17% were adamant about them damn bonnets!!!!! LOL!

LOL! And it was not just the relaxed ladies -- naturals too! Y'all are serious about 3rd and 4th day hair!

A PRINTED BONNET IS STILL A DAMN BONNET!

THESE FELICIA FROM FRIDAY BRAIDS ARE NOT CUTE!

YOU WASH-N-GO LADIES AINT INNOCENT EITHER!

LMAOOOOOOOOOO... If you are guilty of any of these infractions -- knock it off!!!!!


Give him that sexy time without worrying about your hair. I promise, if he does it correctly you won't even care what you look like in the morning *BIG SMILES*  


Annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd if you just absolutely have to -- invest in some good satin pillow cases!

Around The Way Curls: Young Gifted and Black: An Interview with Myleik T...

So I had to share.. Just had to.. My big sis (in my head) did an interview with around the way curls!

READ IT AND TELL ME SHE ISN'T THE COOLEST PERSON YOU HAVE EVER MET

 Around The Way Curls: Young Gifted and Black: An Interview with Myleik T...

PRODUCT REVIEW!!!!!!!!!

This post is all about my new loves!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is a combination of curl box goodies and my weekly trips to my local beauty supply store..

Y'all already know that my September curlbox included Design Essentials "twist and set" setting lotion and randomly one day I picked up two products from the As I Am line sooooooooooooooooo lets get started!

We have all used that crappy blue setting lotion. We have all messed up the water/product ration and ended up with the crunchiest hair EVER!!!!! Whatever your thoughts are about setting lotion Design Essentials "twist and set" seeing lotion is NOTHING LIKE THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!! This stuff is bomb.com/yes_ma'am

Design Essentials "twist and set" setting lotion

This really is unlike any other setting lotion. It kept my hair soft and moisturized. Just spray and style as usual! Any strict curly girls out there may have a problem with the ingredients -- I'm sure there is something in here that isn't curly girl approved but MY HAIR LIKED IT! The bottle says it is infused with jojoba oil and silk amino acids for shine and moisture and I'm definitely co-signing!!!! This was by far the best product in my September CurlBox! I used this a few a different ways; for twists, my fro-hawk and to set my last flexi rod set

INITIAL OVERALL EXPERIENCE SCORE: 8.35

The smell is mild and does not linger

Gives definition without dryness or crunch

Left my hair soft 

The nozzle is not user friendly (initially)

NEXT UP.. AS I AM!!!

So I saw these products at my local beauty supply store and decided to pick them up. I saw a few YouTube videos reviewing the cleansing conditioner and I just had to see what the hype was all about. First of all, the price is AWESOME!!!!!! The 16oz jar of the coconut co-wash was not even $20!!!! You ladies already know that is amazing -- 16oz for less than $20 is Unheard of! 

The coconut co-wash cleansing conditioner is suppose to be like a milder shampoo, no suds, definitely the same consistency as a conditioner with better cleaning agents for product build up.. Since I am a natural who does NOT use shampoo this was a nice change. My hair definitely felt clean without that dry stripping feeling that you get from a shampoo -- I used the co-wash at least once a week and even with my big ole head this product still lasted for a month!

The leave-in conditioner was great. I used about a quarter size for my sections and smoothed it on my hair -- it smells sooooooooooooooooo good! This product was really good for clumping my curls.. really really good! I put this in my hair and sealed with evoo a few times and just let it air dry! no styling products, no gel, no curl enhancing and this stuff still had my curls POPPINGTON..

INITIAL OVERALL EXPERIENCE SCORE: 9

As a duo these two do EXACTLY what they are supposed to do

The smell is coconut! I happen to love coconut

The leave-in was great for detangling and clumping

The cleanser was mild enough and still got my hair clean

Friday 10/5/12 just AS I AM & EVOO

Red lips.. AS I AM & EVOO

Week old flexi-set 

Morning foolishness

Flexi-rod set... Design Essentials

Chunky braid out.. Design Essentials

I will definitely repurchase all of these items.. I'm also looking forward to trying more from each product line.. HAVE YOU TRIED THESE?? WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS??