Well not really a fail but  since I'm in Spain I just don't have access (or euros) to the products required for this leave in. I still really want to try it though.

The kimmay ingredients:

• 1 oz Knot Today Leave-In (or 2 tablespoons of YOUR preferred leave-in)
• 2 tablespoons of (Whole leaf version) Aloe Vera Juice with a pH 4.0 or 4.5
• 2 teaspoons of Castor Oil (optional. I sometimes do without it)
• 2 teaspoons of Jojoba Oil

What I have:

• aloe vera gel
• grapeseed oil
• regular conditioner (non-leave in)
• castor oil

So as you can see I have quite a variation on what she suggests. The first problem: I have no access to the Knot Today. Not only that but I don't use a leave-in leave-in. I just use a little bit of the same rinse out conditioner.  And I've searched a few stores here and come to the conclusion that the Spanish don't use leave ins.

I've searched many farmacias and natural supplement stores today and have come up with 2 monetary problems. 1) I can find jojoba oil but a tiny bottle was like 20 euros and cheaper bottles were mixed with vegetable oil (ew). 2) Aloe vera juice is stuuupid expensive here! A small bottle cost about 12 euros and a liter of Lily of the Desert cost 24! I know that's a good brand but there's no way I would use the whole thing 2 tablespoons at a time.

So I guess what I'll have to do is create my own mix using what I have. Her mixture is based on science aout pH and based on my own deductions I think that the aloe vera is the most important part. So what I'll do (if I ever get around to my hair) is make a mixture based on her measurements. The conditioner I've been using looks like it has a similar texture to Knot Today and grapeseed oil is about the same consistency as jojoba oil.

I think my own mix should yeild similar results because a) it will add moisture and b) I tried a random sprotz with similar ingredients last week and I think that's why my twists and resulting twist out looks good and has stayed soft all week.

We'll see...(soon hopefully)

Wow! I've been natural for 2/3 of a year! That like 67% (I like to round up) of the year! I've made a lot of progress since February. I'm still learning but I think I can do this. I absolutely hate wash days (it takes too longg) but I'm still just as much in love, if not more, as I was when I BC'd. I feel like it's been longer than 8 months though. Here are a few shots of me...on my 21st Birthday on Sunday! I didn't have anywhere to go but I was feeling myself so I took a few pics. Take note of the one below- kinda artsy huh?






This week I'm trying something diffeent. I still want to protective style but I didn't feel like doing the twists. I pre-pooed with EVOO over night (baggy on head) and most of the day. Then I sectioned and detangled. Then I was going to shampoo and condition in sections...But that failed. I couldn't shampoo in sections. I realized that the shampoo would end up not getting rinsed out in certain areas. So I undid the sections and shampooed. Then I did an ACV rinse. Bad decision. Shampoo+ACV=too clean and clarified. So then I used the Yes to Tomatoes to detangle. It was as easy to detangle as before because of the above "cleansing" combo. My scalp is clean, but detangling was a hassle.

Right now I have bantu knots in. I know I didn't like it last time but I have a little more length and I'm hoping it'll work this time. If not, I'll just wash it out and be free. Pictures are forthcoming.

Also: I was walking down the street with my other friend, who happens to be natural as well, and I saw a store that looked natural. In passing, I could see bottles and green so we slowed to look and low and behold it was a natural store. Not like natural hair, but natural remedies and products. First we saw honey, olive oil, and ACV. Then my friend asked if they had almond oil. Not only did they have that and coconut oil, but they were only S./3 (that's like a dollar!). The bottles are only 30 ml (1 oz.). I think they're more essential oils so we'll see...