SHAVED SIDES UPDATE! CASSIE CUT.. HAIR LENGTH JOURNEY... NATURAL CUT... GROWTH JOURNEY

Hey loves,

Ive gotten a ton of emails about my shaved side so I figured why not write up a quick post about it..

OK! If you aren't aware back in July I shaved the left side of my head for my birthday and I instantly fell in love.


IT WAS EDGY..
IT WAS COOL..

JULY 2013

IT WAS TEMPORARY..

AUGUST 2013

My last cut was in August right before my interview for my new job and I was practically bald on one side of my head..

Since my last cut Ive grown about an inch of hair.  I have enough now to slick down with some gel if I want to get fancy.

How do you wear your hair?????

For the most part I wear a part down the middle and no one even notices that my hair is missing. If I decide to do a twist out or braid out I make those twists on that side smaller so after I take them out it is extra fluffy

Have you noticed any change in your hair????

Its still to short to see my curl pattern. The left side is naturally a lot looser and more wavy than curly than the right side so I am interested to see if it will grow in curlier than before. 

How are you maintaining your hair????

I really don't do anything differently - no special oil, vitamins, or rituals.. its hair it will grow back!

OCTOBER CURLBOX... UNBOXING... PRODUCT REVIEW ON NATURAL HAIR... NUNAAT REVIEW... CAROLS DAUGHTER REVIEW...

HEY LOVES,

I am such a terrible blogger.. I haven't sat myself down in WEEKS to write out these posts but I have been trying new things and new styles and I have sooooooooooooo much to put out there!

My OCTOBER CURLBOX WAS A WIN!!!!!!! WIN!!!!!!!!! WIN!!!!!!!!! WIN!!!!!!!!!!

Like honestly, I loved everything I've used so far from my box.

I got SEVEN DAY HAIR *squeals* from a B.A.C. using one product from my October CurlBox..

This month I received:

• NuNaat Natural Curl Activator 
• Carol's Daughter Hair Milk refresher spray
• Hydratherma Natural protein balance leave-in conditioner
• Be-Natural Samples
• 10% off Nunaat purchase that expires 11/30/13 nunaatonline.com  use code "RM"
• 20% off hydratherma naturals coupon that expires 12/1/13 at www.healthyhairjourney.com use code "CB10"

So y'all already know how I do -- I stash the samples for emergencies and use the full bottles.

Carol's Daughter Hair Milk refresher spray... 

It does what it is suppose to do. I wouldn't go out on a rant and say this is the best refresher spray and I fell in love BUTTTTTTTTTTTTTT it wrks! My hair was refreshed. I used this on wet hair straight out  the shower as a leave-in and on dry hair - both ways wrk'd for me.

OVERALL EXPERIENCE SCORE -- B 

Its light and airy. It doesn't have any of the NO NO stuff in it. I believe it is curly girl friendly (don't quote me on that). It will refresh and plump up dry hair.  

So why B and not an A?

I don't get the hype.. I THINK you can get the same things from misting your hair with water. I THINK  that half of the naturals proclaiming their love for this product jst wanted a shout out on IG from CurlBox. *side eye* 

The star of the box for me was the NUNAAT!!!!!!!!! 

1st of all terrible name right? what the hell is a Nunaat???? 

No Lie.. My hair was like curliness personified! That was my fiercest most favoritiest flat twist out ever. I got so many compliments and I got SEVEN DAY HAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nunaat Curl Activator..

I washed my hair and sprayed my new fave (review soon) and decided to give the Nunaat a whirl -- it reminds me of gel but its way too loose to be considered a gel. The fragrance is faint and it doesn't linger. 

I wish I could explain how it IMMEDIATELY broke down my hair and I was detangling and twisting in no time.. it was amazing!!! I will warn you not to use too much bcuz it will dry and leave a white flake -- other than that I have no complaints.

OVERALL EXPERIENCE SCORE -- A

It gets an A simply because I got SEVEN DAY HAIR! PERIOD. POINT BLANK.

DAY 1

DAY 7

Have you tried any of these products?? Did they work out for you??? 

GET UR CURLBOX LADIES!!!!!!!

15 MONTHS AND STILL GOING...

BEER AND NATURAL HAIR.. BEER RINSES FOR HEAT DAMAGE.. BENEFITS OF BEER RINSES

Hey loves,

So I straightened my hair two weeks ago and I am already back curly! I jst stuck my head under the water one morning and waited for the curls to come back..

Curly to Straight

Back to Curly

The transformation is really amazing and shrinkage is REAL!  anyway, back to the point of this post. After the blow fry my hair bounced back with no straight ends but I still thought it needed a Lil something extra. I've been slacking on the DIY TREATMENTS so it was a perfect time to head to the kitchen and see what I could mix up.

I decided on a BEER RINSE..

• Bottle of beer (I used Budweiser)
• 2 teaspoons of honey
• 3 drops of lemon juice

BEER? WHAT? GIRL....BYE!

YES.. BEER! 

The hops and malt used in beer is very beneficial to any weak, damaged or lifelessness you may receive from heat.. Beer is always really good for restoring moisture, tightening up curl patterns and producing shine.

So after leaving the beer in overnight (that isn't required I jst happened to fall asleep) my hair was soooooooooooooooooooooooo soft! I've decided that I am going bck to my weekly DIY treatments and beer rinses will be in heavy rotation.

Does your hair smell like beer after?

No.. Rinse thoroughly with cold water and you should not smell like a wine-o after!

Have you ever tried a beer rinse? 

Did you see any results? 

Try it out and let me know what you think!

UPDATE! CURLY TO STRAIGHT! STRAIGHTENED NATURAL HAIR! HEAT DAMAGE????

OMG! I've missed you!

Its been so long --- R u still reading? Have you been checking for updates and stuff? I apologize!

ANYWAY!!!!!!!!!! I'M BACCCKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!

OK LOVES!

I started a new job - yay! and I'm still in school - yay! So my time has been limited. I've missed you though.

I HAVE A HAIR'FESSION... I STRAIGHTENED MY HAIR AGAIN...

Dont kill me! Last weekend I had a wedding to go to so I decided to bite the bullet and go have it blown out - if you were around bck in March then u may remember that was the last time my hair was straight!

So it's been six months..

I got another trim and I've managed to retain MOST of my length.. So yea every six months is a schedule that wrks for me.

WHAT PRODUCTS DID YOU USE?

• Motions heat styled straight finish cleanser

• Tresemme naturals nourishing moisture conditioner

• Dr. Miracles Blowout foam

• Tresemme heat tamer spray

My experience in the salon was much different this time around and if it weren't for needing a trim and actually having some place to go I would have walked out! What is it about the non english speaking shampoo girl??? Miss I will have you deported if you yank my head wit that tiny ass comb again! And if I bring in my own products please do not try to sneak in wateva is in those mystery bottles.. Thanx!

So the blow out process was no better -- my regular girl was not there and I opted to use another lady.. She got my hair straight but it HURT! And Im not tender headed so she was really causing pain to my scalp.

Aside from the heat, the tugging and the headache afterwards my hair was actually really pretty. Its grown - I've taken pics and I'll follow up when its time to wash it!

She was killin' my head y'all!

CASSIE CUT.. SHAVED SIDES.. HAIR CUT.. EDGY CUT FOR NATURAL HAIR..

HEY LOVES,

I had a birthday a week ago -- YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I've been sooooooooooooo busy celebrating that I haven't been able to share my latest news... If you follow me on Instagram and you guys already have the inside scoop but for the rest of you..... I CUT MY HAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOL!

I woke up last Sunday and decided to go for it.. I've never in my life had a MAJOR haircut so this was something like a shock but I did it!

I parted my hair off and headed to the barber..

After it was done I sent a pic to my momma and my boo thing -- I got a thumbs up from both

I immediately felt cooler, edgier, modern, dope, stylish..  I could use a million more adjectives for my new look -- I loved my big curly Fro, I love this even more.

My hair is so New York..

Anyway...

The reactions have been pretty good overall (my grandparents only freaked a lil bit)

Its been so hot here in New York that Ive just been braiding or twisting the rest of my hair on the side and tucking the ends into a low bun. Even something as simple as a tuck and pin looks like a complete hairdo because of my funky cut.

BRAIDED ALONG THE SIDE 

Why did you cut your hair?

Ummmmmmm I felt like it - I wanted a different look

Was your hair damage?

No.. There wasn't any damage ,however, this section of hair has a very loose pattern to it so I am interested to see if it will grow in wit a tighter curl.

Are you going to big chop??

Probably not ever -- I love my hair and I still have hair length goals I want to achieve

What are you gonna do with it in the winter?

Weaves most likely. I'm not about that shaved, scalp, cold air life so it will definitely be covered up

YOUNG, WILD & CURLY

Keep it curly!

HOW-TO: SURVIVE SUMMER WITH NATURAL HAIR.. TIPS FOR NATURALS.. MAKE IT THROUGH THE SUMMER WITHOUT FRYING YOUR HAIR

HEY LOVES,

It is 1000 degrees in New York right now -- welcome summer! And with this drastic heat comes a few problems for us naturally curly girls. D-R-Y-N-E-S-S!!!!!!! DRYNESS!!!!!!!!!!!! DRYNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!

DRYNESS FROM THE HEAT..

DRYNESS FROM PRODUCTS..

DRYNESS FROM JUMPING IN AND OUT OF THE POOL..

So I've come up with a few tips to make it through the summer without frying your hair...

1. If you are going to the pool try to deep condition the night before -- you are going to need that extra moisture!
2. It is ok to use silicones before the pool -- silicones create a barrier making it hard for moisture to get into the hair shaft hence making it harder for the chlorine and chemicals to get into the hair shaft..
3. SHAMPOO.. CLARIFY.. Co-washing is not going to be enough to get your scalp clean after the day at the pool or beach
4. Co-wash as often as you have time - our scalp sweats! This heat jst requires more water, more moisture. It may be harder to retain the moisture since the sun is basically baking our hair
5. If you can find a cute hat to fit over your curls -- WEAR IT! Again, This is about the sun baking our hair.. We wear sunblock and sunglasses but somehow forget the top of our heads. Alternatives include: scarves, bandanas, flowers
6. PROTECTIVE STYLING - cute, stylish, & gets the hair off your neck!
7. Use a lighter sealant - I love jamaican black castor oil and olive oil during the colder months but those oils are way too heavy for this weather.. Try almond oil, coconut oil, argan oil instead.
8. The high bun is every curly girls friend --simple style any girl can do and it gets the hair off ya neck!
9. Try to avoid Heat styling -- I mean who the hell are you kidding? Our hair is naturally curly and with all the sweat and water around what is the likelihood that is going to stay straight at all???? Jst avoid the stress and damage
10. LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST -- CHILL! Enjoy the summer!

INTRODUCING... BLOGGER LACEY WATTS.. WWW.DRUNKATBRKFAST.COM.. FASHION BLOG.. BLOG FEATURES ON METROCITYCURLY

Hey loves,

It is a new month and I'm so excited to share our VERY FIRST BLOG FEATURE!!!!!!! *cheers and claps* I met this young lady through a friend and she has been super sweet and super dope since then. She has a unique sense of style and she happens to be a fellow curly girl so let me stop yapping and share the interview with you...

Introduce yourself to the people..

Hi, my name is Lacey Watts! I'm 25 years old from The Bronx.

How long have you been natural??

My last relaxer was in January of 2011 and I cut off my permed ends in February of 2012

What is your go-to style?

Since I've decided to stop cutting my hair and let it grow, I've been doing as little as possible. I'm too lazy to do twist outs and braid outs all of the time, so if its not a wash and go, my hair is usually in a puff or an up do. I've also learned that my hair flourishes when I leave it alone.

Any tips for the new naturals??

Have patience! A lot of people say that it's hard being natural but it's all about trial and error. You have to find what works for you, and you probably won't figure that out overnight. Trust me, a lot of mistakes will be made but once you find a regimen that works - STICK WITH IT! You will see the results you want.

Products that you can't live without...

I can't live without conditioner!! My favorites are Yes to Cucumbers.. Nature's Gate Hemp Conditioner.. Shea Moisture Restorative Conditioner.. oh! and EVCO that's my holy grail.

Where can the people find you?

@_laceyvictoria on Instagram and Twitter and on my fashion blog www.drunkatbrkfast.com

 OK.. Last thing -- One thing you wish a seasoned natural would have told you 

Don't be a product junkie, ha ha! I would have saved so much money if someone would have told me that

Thank You again Lace for being my very 1st feature! Guys make sure you check out her fashion blog..  All of the looks are dope and you will enjoy them!

That's it! If you wanna be featured hit me up via email.

Dont forget to follow us on Instagram @metrocitycurly 

PEACE!

THANK U...

HEY LOVES,

It is sooooooooooooooooooooo great when I get to meet you ladies out in the street, at the grocery store, at the post office! I love all of the love and I just wanted to say thank you..

I love all of the questions and the comments you send me via email too!

It is such an overwhelming and humbling experience to know that complete strangers are reading and enjoying this little blog of mine..

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY LOVES...

Tag @metrocitycurly in your holiday pics so I can see your cookout pics

WANNA B FEATURED ON MY BLOG??? NATURAL HAIR FEATURES - NATURALISTAS - NATURAL NETWORKING

HEY LOVES..

OUR 1 YEAR BLOG ANNIVERSARY IS QUICKLY APPROACHING AND I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU...

I AM LOOKING FOR THE DOPEST CURLY GIRLS TO FEATURE HERE ON THIS BLOG!!!!!!!!!

YES.. YOU! YA FRIEND! YA SISTER! YA BABY MOMMA 3RD CUZZIN ONCE REMOVED!  -- LOL -- WHOEVER!
IF SHE IS A DOPE CURLY GIRL I WANT HER HERE ON THIS BLOG..... HERE!

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS HIT ME UP VIA EMAIL IF YOUR INTERESTED... 


JSTCINN26@GMAIL.COM

THAT SHIT AIN'T ORGANIC! MOTIONS NATURALLY YOU.. CREME OF NATURE..

HEY LOVES

Quick ?

How do you feel about large hair care corporations like Motions and Creme of Nature who have all of a sudden become aware of the natural hair community????

Am I the only natural leery of a company who profited from relaxers and perms for years and years and years and suddenly come out with a "kinky curly coily" line of hair care products...

Sniff Sniff -- smells like bullshit!

I haven't been natural for a long time and I haven't always paid attention to what goes in my hair - hell when I was relaxed whatever my stylist put in it or said I needed I used! no questions asked! But in my hair journey I have done my research and I have google'd and read up on all the ingredients in the popular hair care lines and it is amazing that we have any hair on our damn heads at all!

So now when I see those lines like Motions, Creme of Nature, Mizani trying to make their mark in the natural hair care world I am actually insulted!

Let's take these samples I received in my May Curlbox and use them as an example.

Creme of Nature Sunflower and Coconut Detangling Conditioning Shampoo.. The bottle reads; regular formula for normal hair with "certified organic ingredients" then you turn the bottle around and glance at the ingredient list

• Water 
• Sodium Laureth Sulfate
• Cocamidopropyl Betaine
• Polyquaternium-7
• Gycol Stearate
• Polyquaternium-10
• Cocamide DEA
• Amodimethicone
• Polysorbate 20

But where the hell is the "certified organic ingredients" The list of oils and extracts starts number 15 down the list.. So you mean to tell me you have to put ALL OF THAT in my shampoo before you add any of those certified organic ingredients you are boasting about on the bottom? Why didn't you mention the science experiment you conducted before you actually got to the good stuff!

Motions "naturally you" radiating gloss with Shea Butter, Coconut and Avocado oils -- sounds pretty good right?!

The bottle says whether you are wearing your natural hair in tightly-coiled curls this NEW product is specially formulated to moisturize your hair with essential natural oils. OK! Cool! I'm sold!

• Cyclopentasiloxane
• Cyclohexasiloxane
• Dimethiconol
• Phenyl Trimethicone
• Alcohol Denat
• Coconut oil
• Aminopropyl Dimethicone
• Dimethicone Crosspolymer

WTF????? O_o

DUDE WHAT HAPPENED TO THE ESSENTIAL NATURAL OILS???

THAT SHIT AINT ORGANIC!

Quick side by side:

PEPPER'S SHAMPOO VS. MY SHAMPOO

HOW IS IT THAT PEPPER'S SHAMPOO HAS LESS INGREDIENTS THAN MINE??

I am not ANTI sulfates and silicones because they serve a purpose in your hair care regimen as well. And I understand that there is a science to formulating these products for longer shelf life and creating certain consistencies but I am ANTI BULLSHIT! Stop boasting "all-natural" "certified organic" if it is the farthest thing from natural and organic

Ladies pay attention... Rant over...

LEMME KNOW HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THE TOPIC

CURLBOX CUSTOMER SERVICE & MAY UNBOXING

HEY LOVES,

Jst before June gets here lemma tell y'all about my MAY CURLBOX.

First things First I would have put this out two weeks ago when I got my my Curlbox for the month but there was a problem when I received my box. There was a HUGE GREASE STAIN ON THE SIDE OF MY BOX! My 1st reaction was ,of course, to blame the post office for mishandling and mistreating my stuff and I was sooooooooooo ready to go off  but when I got home and investigated it wasn't the post office fault at all. In fact, one of my products had opened inside my sealed Curlbox and that was the cause of the slick sticky mess.

So I sent an email to customer service about the mess and I expressed my frustration and within two days they had a reply saying they would replace the product and mag card for me. They also asked if every other product inside was still usable and after a quick rinse off the contents inside were perfectly fine.

SHOUT OUT TO WHOEVER HANDLES CURLBOX EMAILS AND COMPLAINTS -- U THE BEST! 

NOW ON TO THE BOX..

Inside I received:

• Carol's Daughter Monoi Repairing Hair Mask 
• Creme of Nature Sunflower & Coconut Detangling Conditioning Shampoo
• Creme of Nature Lemongrass & Rosemary Leave-in Creame Conditioner
• Motions Radiating Gloss
• Lustrasilk Deep Penetrating Conditioner
• May Mag Card

Now the only thing I've tried so far is the Lustrasilk D.P. Conditioner and I'm still on the fence about it so let me try it a few more times and I will get back to you dolls about it.

I've tried the Carol's Daughter Monoi before and that entire product line is great so that will stay in my stash until I really need that extra treatment for my hair.

I am going to write an entire post on the relaxer brands like Creme of Nature and Motions jumping on the natural hair - "natural" ingredients bandwagon so I will reserve my opinion on those products in a later post.

All in all I have to say that this May Curlbox was jst OK! I'm not raving about anything and I haven't fallen in love with anything.

We can try again next month..

HOW DID YOU LIKE YOUR MAY CURLBOX???

UPCOMING EVENTS - NY NATURALS! FIT FOR A QUEEN.. NATURAL'S NIGHT OUT.. SHAMELESS MAYA

HEY LOVES...

Jst keeping you up-to-date on some upcoming events happening here in the city.

Tmrrw -  MONDAY MAY 27th @ 2PM shamelessmaya will be having a meet & greet here in NY @ Washington Square Park!!! If you have no idea who she is check out her youtube channel youtube.com/shamelessmaya and get acquainted with her - watch some of her latest videos where she buzzed off all her hair LIVE! 

SUNDAY JUNE 2ND @ 3PM - FIT FOR A QUEEN is happening! It is being hosted by Christina Brown of lovebrownsugar.com and it is a FREE EVENT!!!!!!!!! There will be a nail bar, hair bar and beauty bar -- its going down from 3pm-6pm @ rooftop 760.. You can RSVP for this event on eventbrite.. again it is FREE so be there early for gift bags and goodies!!

Then the week after..

SATURDAY JUNE 8TH @ 11AM is the 3rd annual NATURAL'S NIGHT OUT... It is hosted by chicandkinky.com and I have been to one of their events - YOU GIRLS DO NOT WANNA MISS!! There will be giveaways and prizes and raffles and speakers and sooooooooooooooooo much more! The event is being held @ the highline loft here in the city from 11am -7pm. The tickets for this event can be purchased on eventbrite as well but HURRY cuz once they are gone there are no more..

If you have any events coming up send me an email I'll be sure to shout it out!

C you girls at the nxt events!

PRODUCT HAUL! SLIGHT MISS JESSIE'S RANT!

I hope you girls didn't think jst bcuz I was away that I stopped playing in my hair - HA! NEVER! - in fact I think I've been trying out more and more stuff jst bcuz...

Anyway.. I have all of these products that I am absolutely in love with so I decided to share a quick product haul/review with you guys

1st.. NOTHING BUT PURE PUDDING: Defines & enhances curls & coils w/o the crunch

• It was $6.49 but I had a $1 off coupon for 8.8oz 

• NO petrolatum, mineral oil, sulfates, parabens, colorants or phthalates

I have been loving this styler for my twists and twist outs and braid outs.. It leaves my hair super soft and supple with no crunch! This product is absolutely no good if you are looking for hold - its jst not that type of product but if you mix it wit a Lil Eco then your problems are solved. It has a nice clean scent to it - not too perfumey which is awesome!

2nd.. 3 SISTERS OF NATURE SWEET BOUNCE BACK: Elongates curl, softens & moisturizes

Now I stumbled across this product on a whim one day and I decided to try it... and the thing about it is on the bottle it says "Compare to Miss Jessie's super sweetback treatment" if any of you girls have been natural long enough then you have probably heard about Miss Jessie - that was really the first product line i ever tried on my natural hair. If you've tried it then you knw that it is SUPER EXPENSIVE wit a bunch of CRAP ASS INGREDIENTS!

Honestly Miss Jessie's is all HYPE - DON'T WASTE YA MONEY!!! IT IS EXPENSIVE CRAP!!!

But bck to 3 sisters..

• All natural product containing no alcohol; no waxes; no silicones; no petrolatum; no mineral oil, no parabens; no formaldehyde; no carbomer; no gimmicks and no hype!!!!!!!!

• It was $11.99 for 8oz

I have been using this product for my wash-n-go's.. The Mr. Mr. loves my hair in a w-n-g so I try to oblige him sometimes. This product gives me GREAT DEFINITION! It clumps my hair together like nothing else I've ever used! I don't even need gel when I use this stuff - It is amazinggggggggggggggg. In comparison to Miss Jessie's and 3 SISTERS the only thing comparable is the bubble gum pink color and smell - THAT'S IT! I freaking love this product!

3rd.. 3 SISTERS OF NATURE ONCE A WEEK NOURISHING TREATMENT

Again the bottle says "compare to Miss Jessie's rapid recovery treatment" and again they got it right! Hell the remix is better than the damn original. This stuff is all natural as well and it was $11.99 for 8oz

The deep conditioner has a very thick and creamy consistency - I've used it alone and with my homemade yogurt mix and both left my hair feeling like butta baby..

4th.. ELASTA QP DPR-11+ deep penetrating remoisturizing conditioner

This deep treatment conditioner is THE TRUTH!!!! 

Now I will say that THIS IS NOT AN ALL NATURAL PRODUCT but the natural oils and extracts are so high up on the ingredient list that I'm not bothered by the other stuff in it. 

I love it! I've used this when my hair has been screaming for wash day and i either don't have the time or am being lazy and this stuff gives my hair the moisture it needs. All i do is spray my hair with water and work in the magic.. I have left it in all day and went to school, I have used it under a plastic bag for a few hours, I have even done a quickie rinse jst to wake my hair up. CRACK IN A BOTTLE 

5th.. OKAY 100% COCONUT OIL

I haven't made it to whole foods to pick up any coconut oil so I was super excited when I saw this in my beauty supply. Its coconut oil - love in a damn bottle plain & simple! Now that the weather is getting warmer I prefer coconut oil over olive oil bcuz it is a lighter oil and olive oil seems to weigh my hair down in the warmer months.

A dab will do ya. I seal my ends and rub this through my hair after it has been cleaned and conditioned. My hair is soft and shiny for days after this stuff

PRODUCT HAUL!!!!!!!

LEMME KNW IF YOU HAVE TRIED ANY OF THESE PRODUCTS

Don't forget to follow us on instagram @metrocitycurly and tumblr.com/metrocitycurly

Thank you so much for all the support - stay tuned for new posts and reviews