Thursday, March 29, 2012

TKK Natural Hair Spotlight-Cyrelle George

What is your name and where are you from? 
My name is Cyrelle and I hail from The Bronx, NY.

How long have you been natural?
I’ve been natural for over 3 years.  I did my big chop December 28, 2008. I wore my hair lower than a twa for the first 2 years. 

Why did you decide to go natural? 
I was determined to define beautiful according my own standards.  I was so over hearing so called hair care “professionals” state that as a black woman I needed a perm in order for my hair to become more manageable. 

What is your hair type and how would you describe it (kinky, curly, wavy, spirally, etc)?
I am definitely in the 4 type hair category.  I have a mixture of 4a through 4c in “Cymone”, that’s my hair’s name.

What is your hair care regimen?  
I wash every 7 to days with Terressentials Hair Mud wash, Deep Condition while sitting under the steamer, apply Naturlista Cosmetic Juicy leave –in and finish up with ReVe’ Essentials as my moisturizing styler.

What are your favorite hair products? 
Darcy’s Botanicals Deep/Pumpkin Condition and ReVe’ Essentials Hair & Body Moisturizing Crème.

What has been your experience as a natural? Good, bad, or ugly? How has it affected you? 
In the beginning my experience was horrible because I was not mentally ready to embrace the beauty of being natural.  I was still buying into the notion that my natural hair was unmanageable and it was not polished.  It was not until I was finally able to love my hair that I was able to enjoy it.  Now, you cannot tell me, my cottony soft and shrink in a heart beat hair is not the best thing in the world.  


What is an important piece of advice you would give to a newly natural? 
Every hair journey is unique.  And yes there are resources available to help along the way but ultimately it comes down to what works and was does not work for your hair.  As well as loving your hair and wearing it confidently is what makes this journey beautiful.

Do you have a blog, vlog, or website where we can find you? 
Yes, I have a youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/ctgwillis

Final thoughts or words of wisdom?
Do what is best for your hair. Use all natural hair resources that are available as an aid but not as the ultimate authority.  Every natural hair experience is personal and different.


Thanks for sharing Cyrelle!!






If you are interested in being featured in TKK Spotlight please email me at: TheKinkyKhronicles@gmail.com

Sunday, March 18, 2012

**Eargasims Accessories Double Hoop Earrings Giveaway**


I have another amazing giveaway for my Kinkies, this one is sponsored by Eargasims Accessories. The owner/designer happens to be an active follower on The Kinky Khronicles and I had no idea she had her own company until she reached out to me to do this giveaway. She has some beautiful pieces and I'm so happy to be given the opportunity to host this giveaway for her.

One randomly selected person will win the pair of earrings pictured above. The giveaway will run from March 18th until 12:01am est on March 24th. The winner will be announced the afternoon of March 24th. Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter to win. All entries will be verified so please be sure to follow the instructions so your entries will count.

Good luck!!

Monday, March 12, 2012

Spring 2012 Castor Oil Challenge

As many of you know I decided to do the Castor Oil Challenge hosted by Kinky Curly Coily Me!. My hair totally loves castor oil so I wasn't hesitant at all to participate in this challenge. While I'm not competing in the challenge for the prize I am documenting my growth and making sure I use the oil at least 3 times a week. For the challenge I will use both the Jamaican Black Castor Oil and Red Pimento Hair Growth Oil that I received from Oils From Jamaica

Here are photos showing the length of my hair on March 1, 2012. I did my best at measuring my hair and the measurements are as follows:
  • Back Left-7 inches
  • Back Right-7 inches
  • Front Left-6 1/4 inches
  • Front Right-6 1/4 inches
  • Front Center-7 1/2 inches
  • Crown-7 inches

Here are the two types of castor oil I will be using for the entire challenge. Both can be purchased from Oils From Jamaica at http://www.oilsfromjamaica.com/. Daily I use the regular JBCO mixed with EVCO as my sealant. I will use the same mix if I need to pre-poo at any time during the challenge. I've been using the Red Pimento Hair Growth Oil daily on my scalp. At least 3 times a week I have and will continue to do scalp massages after applying the growth oil to my scalp, focusing on my edges.


The first of each month I will take pictures and measurements of my hair and create a blog post to document my growth. I'm excited to see the results and would love to see yours so feel free to share on the page. Until April 1st...happy growing!! :-)

Sunday, March 4, 2012

***Carisma Designs Polka Dots Button Earrings Giveaway***


To kick off our giveaways for the month of March I teamed up with founder and creative designer of Carisma Designs, T. Marie Jones. Without any hesitation she provided this super fly pair of earrings to be won by one lucky winner. The giveaway will run from March 4th until 12:01am est on March 10th. The winner will be announced on March 11th. Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter to win.

Good Luck!!

Giveaway rules:
  • Like The Kinky Khronicles fan page
  • Like the Carisma Designs fan page
Bonus entries:
  • Comment on Carisma Designs' facebook fan page wall "The Kinky Khronicles sent me"
  • Follow @KinkyKhronicles on Twitter
  • Follow @CarismaDesigns on Twitter
Additional information:
  • The winner will be selected using www.randomizer.org
  • You must complete both mandatory task to be eligible to win (all entries will be verified)
  • Completing the bonus entries will allow up to 6 additional entries in the giveaway
  • The maximum number of entries you can earn is 10
  • If the winner does not respond within 24 hours from the time the announcement is made they will forfeit their prize and another winner will be selected

TKK Natural Hair Spotlight-Tiffany Goodwin

What is your name and where are you from?
My name is Tiffany Goodwin, and I’m from Cleveland, OH

How long have you been natural?
I have been natural since August 2007; I remember this date because I just had my youngest child about 2 months before.

Why did you decide to go natural?
I really didn’t decide. My stylist, Ladosha Wright, basically convinced me into going natural.  After having my son I got back into the routine of going every two weeks, and every appointment I would say to her, “you think it’s time for a touch up?” and she would say “Do you think so?”  I would look at my hair and say, “I guess not really”, because it would really stay straight for like the whole two weeks.  My mother was already natural and going to the same stylist and I looked at her hair and thought maybe it wouldn’t be that bad and from there I guess that’s how I made my decision.

What is your hair type and how would you describe it (kinky, curly, wavy, spirally, etc)?
2C-wavy

What is your hair care regimen?
I usually wash my hair once a week, followed by blow drying and then flat ironing and applying dime size amount of olive oil through out the week.



What are your favorite hair products?
Mizani Purifying Shampoo, Mizani Scalp Care Conditioner, and olive oil

What has been your experience as a natural? Good, bad, or ugly? How has it affected you?
My experience has been good, my stylist has taught me many tricks to keep it straight and avoid frizziness.  I would have to say it has definitely has changed my hair for the better which give me more self-confidence.

What is an important piece of advice you would give to a newly natural?
Do what’s best for you and your hair.  Every technique may not work on your hair so don’t get discouraged.  And sometimes going natural may not be what’s best for you or your current situation.  Going natural really means you have to take the time to style your hair.

Do you have a blog, vlog, or website where we can find you?
I’m currently working on a blog spot where I’ll be sharing recipes, but that’s still a work in progress.  But I’m on FB and twitter.

Final thoughts or words of wisdom?
One tip: When natural to avoid frizziness when you shower or bath use a towel to wrap you hair, not a shower cap.  The plastic collects to steam that causes your hair to get frizzy, but the towel absorbs the moisture.


Thank you for sharing your story Tiffany!!


If you are interested in being featured in TKK Spotlight please email me at: TheKinkyKhronicles@gmail.com

Product Review-Jane Carter Solution

I was given another awesome opportunity to try a product line that I had heard so much about but hadn't had the chance to try. Jane Carter Solution provided me with 9 products from their line to try and in this post I will provide my review for 5 of them. Below I will provide the name, ingredients, product promise, review, and rating of each product. Enjoy!


Name: Moisture Nourishing Shampoo

Ingredients: Deionized Water, Certified Organic Aloe Vera, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Lauryl Glucoside, Cocoamidopropyl Betaine, Poly- quaterium-7, Glycol Stearate, Glycerin, Hydroxypropyltrimonium hydrolyzed wheat protein, Wheat Amino Acids, Tocopherol, Lecithin, Panthenol, Caprylic Acid, Glycine, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid. **

Product promise: This shampoo gently cleanses your hair and scalp, restoring your hair's proper moisture balance. Moisture Nourishing Shampoo is a natural shampoo with extracts of Coltsfoot, Lemon Balm, and Myrrh. This unique combination infuses moisture into your hair, leaving it incredibly shiny and bouncy. It smells terrific and is gentle enough for daily use, plus it's paraben free! **

Review: I used the Moisture Nourishing Shampoo after doing my normal JBCO/coconut oil pre-poo that I do whenever I am using traditional shampoos. Unfortunately, my pre-poo did not prevent the product from making my hair feel like it was stripped. In addition to the fact that the product contains Sodium Laureth Sulfate I did not care for the consistency of it. If you've ever made or used flax seed gel you know that it feels kinda slimy (for lack of a better word), well that is how this shampoo felt in my hands. There are a host of other wonderful ingredients in this product however, the presence of sulfate and the fact that it made my hair feel stripped will prevent me from using the product in the future.

Rating: 1 out 5

Name: Nutrient Replenishing Conditioner

Ingredients: Deionized Water, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth 20, Extracts of: Green Tea, Sage, Rosemary, Basil, Mullein, Licorice, Thyme, and Vanilla, Certified Organic: Sunflower Oil, Aloe Vera, Jojoba Oil, Lavender Oil, Lemon Oil, Wheat Protein, Wheat Amino Acids, Tocopherol, Lecithin, Panthenol, Caprylic Acid, Glycine, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid. **

Product promise: This product does just what is says…it replenishes. It works especially well when used with heat, leaving your hair in better condition than ever before. There is nothing better than soft, shiny, healthy hair. Nutrient Replenishing Conditioner contains ingredients that permanently bond to your hair’s cortex, leaving it stronger and with greater elasticity. Once in awhile, you come across a product that is truly "the best" -and this conditioner is certainly one of those rare commodities! **

Review: Immediately after rinsing the shampoo out I applied the Nutrient Replenishing Conditioner. I first used the product to detangle my hair. Having kinky hair it is important for me to have a conditioner that provides a nice amount of slip in order to prevent the detangling process from damaging my hair. The slip provided by this conditioner was average meaning it was not great but definitely not the worse product that I've used to detangle. I allowed the product to sit on my hair covered with a plastic cap for about 30 minutes. After rinsing the product out I was impressed that my hair felt soft and replenished especially after using the shampoo that I felt had stripped my hair. Although fairly low on the ingredient list this product does contain wheat protein; just an fyi for those of you who may be protein sensitive. I loved the citrus smell and liked the consistency of the the product but because slip is one of the most important factors I consider when choosing a conditioner I can't say this product will be my first pick of conditioners to use going forward. 

Rating: 3 out of 5

Name: Revitalizing Leave-In Conditioner

Ingredients: Deionized Water, Extracts of: Aloe Vera, Comfrey, Watercress, Myrrh, Panthenol, Anthemis Noblis Flower (Camomile), Symphytum Officinal Leaf (Comfrey), Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail), Urtica Dioica (Nettle), Rosemarinus Officinalis Leaf (Rosemary) ,Humulus Lupulus (Hops), Lawsonia Inermis (Henna), Certified Organic Essential Oils: Lemon, Vanilla Extract, Polyquarternium11, Soyamid DEA, PPG30, Cetyl Ether, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium hydrolyzed wheat protein, Phenoxyethanol. **

Product promise: Looking for a light product that is ideal for detangling? This is it! Revitalizing Leave-In Conditioner seals in vital panthenol and humectants and acts as a protective barrier against heat styling and sun damage. Use it daily as a re-hydrator. Mist your hair in the morning and evening, and it's great for flat ironing or roller setting fine hair. A "must" for every bathroom. **

Review: I will admit that my initial thoughts on this leave-in conditioner was that I was not going to like it. I normally use creamy leave-ins which my hair responds well to. However, I immediately inserted foot in mouth after using this leave-in. I was wowed!! I loved that it did not leave my hair feeling like it had a residue on it as some spritzer have in the past. While I had previously detangled my hair I was still able to see how awesome this product would be as a detangler. As I spritz my curls they automatically began to separate. This product smells great, feels great, and simply is great!! I would definitely recommend it and use it again.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Name: Wrap & Roll

Ingredients: Deionized Water, Anthemis Noblis Flower (Camomile), Symphytum Officinal Leaf (Comfrey), Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail), Urtica Dioica (Nettle), Rosemarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf, Humulus Lupulus (Hops), Lawsonia Inermis (Henna), Certified Organic Essential Oils: Lemon, Grapefruit, Coco-Sultaine, Glycerine, Phenoxyethanol. **

Product promise: Wrap & Roll is the best soft mousse, setting and wrapping product available on the market today. It dries clean and soft without leaving any residue. Great for dry color-treated or damaged hair, the natural glycerides, essential oils and moisturizers leave your hair soft and shiny. Cut dryer time in half by applying Wrap & Roll liberally to wet hair, then wrap/set and dry as usual or let it dry naturally. **

Review: I used the Wrap & Roll to set my curls while using faux curlformers. I applied a small amount of product to each section of hair prior to putting the curler on. I slept with the curlers allowing my hair to set over night. The next morning I removed the curlformers and was greeted by soft, bouncy, and shiny curls. As with several other products in the line I loved the smell and most importantly I loved that my hair was not left crunchy. I can honestly say of all the wrapping products I have used in the past I enjoyed Wrap & Roll the best. I will use this product in the future when setting my hair with rods or curlers.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Name: Nourish & Shine

Ingredients: Shea butter, Kokum butter, Illippe butter, Mango butter, Vitamins A, D, & E, grapefruit essential oils, squalene. **

Product promise: You have never experienced a product as fabulous as Nourish & Shine! We blend all natural vitamins and essential oils to create this incredible hair nourisher. It completely melts in your hair and adds amazing shine and never leaves your hair feeling greasy or limp. Nourish & Shine helps reduce dryness on your scalp and your skin! Be careful … daughters and husbands have been known to abscond with this product, so buy two for them and one for you! **

Review: Nourish & Shine was by far my favorite of all the products I tried from this line. I had high expectations as I've heard nothing but good things about it. I love that this product is able to be used on hair and body however since it cost $22 for a 4 oz jar I would mainly use it on my hair. A little product goes a long way which is a good thing given the price. I used the product as a moisture sealant when twisting my hair and to minimize frizz when separating my twist and spiral curls. My hair was left shiny and soft as a result of using the product. The consistency of the Nourish & Shine is similar to old school hair grease but does not leave your hair feeling greasy at all. It has a light citrus smell that I find to be very pleasant. This is definitely a product I will look to score at natural hair expos where I can get it a discounted price.

Rating: 5 out of 5


My hair after using Wrap & Roll to set my curls and Nourish & Shine to separate them.


Jane Carter Solution products can be purchased from select Target and Whole Foods stores. Or visit www.janecartersolution.com to place an order. 



**information obtained from the Jane Carter Solution website
 
Disclaimer: I was given the above mentioned products solely for the purpose of completing this review. I was NOT paid or encouraged to provide a positive review. I have given an honest description of my experience with these products and I am in no way responsible for your experience with the product and/or company.