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)

So remember that review on Yes to Tomatoes I did not too long ago?

Turns out that I quite possibly spoke too soon. I don't believe it either. Buuuut. The last few times I've used it I was just less than thrilled with the results. When I got home (to the states) I went on a hunt for more Yes to Anything and found 2 more bottles at Ross. There were more than that but I didn't want to over do it. But as I continued using the bottle that I already had, things seemed to go south.

• First, I just didn't feel the same slip and detangling capabilities that I felt when I first started using it. Like I felt like I had to use alot more and it wasn't all buttery and soft like it had been.
• Then I tried using it as a deep conditioner so I added honey and extra oil. Results: wayyy less than stellar. Seriously. It felt great going on but once I rinsed I couldn't feel a difference. It was really disappointing and not moisturized at all. Maybe I put too much honey in but I don't have time or money to keep re-mixing.
• I also tried it as a leave-in. Genevive soaked it up and my twists weren't that shiny. On top of that, the twist out was dull and not shiny or defined on day 1.

So I thought about it and tried to figure out why everything went down hill when I thought that I had finally found atleast one staple product....I think that the results could have something to do with the organic-ness of the product. I know that we all want organic, inexpensive products. But one think I notice is that there's an expiration date clearly marked on the back of the bottle. My bottle has an expiration date of 1/11/11...meaning it expires next week. This could have something to do with the effectiveness of the product. Also, I opened it a few months ago, in November I think. So maybe on top of the exp date, the product being open and sitting around helped it deteriorate.

I don't really know what I'm talking about here. Just hypothesizing. But I retried the left over Suave Almond and Shea Butter that I have and it works great! Like I was actually really impressed. It helps with detangling and works well with other products. I'm not completely giving up on the Yes to Line because I really think it could work for me. But I won't be retryig it until I have the resources (money and time) when I come back to the states in June. So for now I think I might just end up either getting Herbal Essences or Suave.

P.S. I took the other 2 bottles back and got a nice pair of comfy leggings :)

...More to come!

Ok. So with less three weeks left here in Peru, I've decided to get a list together to start reigning in my PJism.  SN: Can I just say that time has gone by soooo quickly?!

I know that when I get home I'm going to go crazy with trying new products even though I've been fine being a minimalist the last 6 months. But  I also know there are alot of products that I really want to try so I might as well try to control it...especially since I don't really have much spending money.

Products that I KNOW I'm buying:

• Coconut oil -tried it the first few months and I think I used too much so I wrote it off too soon
• HENNA- very curious. And I think it's rather inexpensive.
• Shea butter- heard nothing but good things. And I want to make butters and what not.
• Avacado oil- Genevive loves it. I just didn't have time to buy anymore before I left.
• Castor oil- again I've heard alot about this from people with hair similar to mine.
• essential oils- lavendar, orange, lemongrass, etc. I need some hair perfume! 

Products that I'd like to buy/try:

• Different conditioners for co-washing. I want to revisit Herbal Essences and try Aussie Moist...and maybe one more. I think I'll be buying travel sizes.
• Sulfate free shampoo. I mostly use ACV but sometimes I like to shampoo and I'm not taking back the 2 tablespoons of Carol's Daughter that I have left. Plus it's not sulfate free.
• Oyin Handmade, Aubrey Organics, Shea Moisture etc. 

That's all for now but I'll definitely be adding to the list. I also kind of want to actually try poducts like Oyin, Aubrey Organics and other lines that people are raving about...but I don't know if my (non existant) income can support that right now.

A few months ago when I was packing I thought I was packing the minimal amount. A few bottles of conditioner, a little oil, some other products: the basics. I was wrong. With about 7 weeks left I'm realizing that I have entirely too many products! I never thought I would say this! But I think it's because I've been protective styling. So I don't use as much conditioner and oil daily.

I realize this is probably my first review of an actual product even though I think I've promised more reviews before. I need to dedicate myself to more reviews, especially for all of my non-existant loyal readers.

• Ingredients:  Aqua (Water), Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomatoes) Extract*, Cetyl Alcohol, Capsicum Annuum (Red Pepper) Extract*, Aspalathus Genus (Red Tea) Extract, Citrullus Vulgaris (Watermelon) Extract*, Maris Aqua (Dead Sea Water), Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil*, Magnesium Chloride, Chamomilla Recutita (Camomile) Extract*, Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil*, Benzyl Alcohol, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Oil*, Calendula Officinalis Oil*, Maris Limus (Silt) Extract, Parfum (Fragrance), Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil*, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate Peel) Extract*, Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract*, Dehydroacetic Acid. * Certified Organic Ingredient
• Consistency: This stuff is THICK. And I'm all about a thick conditioner. I have almost a whole bottle because even though I was only using it as a leave in for my twists, I only needed a very small dime sized amount for my whole head. It's creamy too but mostly, thick and gelatin like. I had to squeeze the bottle to get just a little bit. And it also foamed up just a little bit. It was weird at first but it helped for spreading. To co-wash I used about a ping pong ball sized amount and it went far.
• Slip: I feel like I didn't even know what slip was all about until I used this. I used it for detangling and the longer it was in my hair, the easier it was to comb. I was able to first comb, and then use the Denman for detangling. This was probably the most painfree (literally) and thorough detangling session I've had. Atleast in the last 2-3 inches.

Ok. So  my problems with Genevive keep multiplying. Yes. After 6 months, her name is Genevive. Pretty no?

First, the dandruff. Then, the build up. Lately, it's been shedding. My hair is shedding like crazy. And I know it's because I'm not combing it right. I only wash my hair once a week so I'm retaining moisture but I don't have time to detangle. So when I fluff in the mornings, it's not good for poor Genevive.

My flat 2 strand twist is getting better everytime. This is how I've been wearing my hair.
So I decided to try a protective style: twists. I didn't think Genevive has enough length but something must be done so I did mini-twists and I'm trying to keep them up for the whole week. They don't look that bad and I've had a few compliments. I'm going to try to keep this going until October and see if I retain any kind of length. I really like playing in my hair so hopefully I'll wean myself from that.


I'm very proud of my work. I redid the flat twists this morning and they look even better. I'll be a pro in no time!

I did so many new things at once that I can't really review everything I did. Before I twisted I did a deep conditioner with mayonnaise, a little bit of olive oil, and an egg. It kept dripping so I managed to keep it on for an hour. I think Genevive really likes the mayonnaise. Next time we'll throw in an avacado. After that I did an ACV rinse. I added a few drops of peppermint oil and a little honey and my scalp feels great! The peppermint oil and honey helped with the horrid smell of the ACV.  The ACV rinse definitely is a keeper that I'm going to try every 2 weeks or so. It feels so clean and moisturized. I did the twists with a little glob of Yes to Tomatoes and I'm also trying aloe vera gel. At first I couldn't find any but it gives me a little shine and seems to work great on my edges.

I'll try to remember what hair accessories I use through out the week. It took about 4 hours (with about a 40 minute break) so if it lasts it'll definitely be a keeper.

We shall see..

Nappy trails to you.....

OMG! I've been so busy with school and everything that I completely let my nappiversary pass me by. It has officially been 4 wonderful months since me and my natural texture have been reunited. I started writing this 2 weeks ago so technically it's been almost 5 months of natural bliss.

Here are a few pics from the last few weeks. The first is just the most recent pic of my hair, thought I'd bring the location out of my room for a change.
These lower 3 pics are of the impromptu twist out I did weeks ago. I thought it actually turned out ok. Nay, better than ok. I'm planning on doing it again soon on clean/wet hair with something other than a but load of jell.

I'll try to write more now that school's out for the summer but I'm in Argentina right now so don't hate me for not posting frequently.

Also, I got new products that I can't wait to review/ incorporate into my routine!

• Carol's Daughter products including a cream (gifts)
• cocoa butter
• jojoba oil

Nappy Trails to you!

Please excuse the terrible quality, etc. but I just don't have the time or energy to upload pics from my camera.

This is a picture of me from today. I've now been natural for 11 weeks!

My hair is definitely growing and I think I'm finally getting the hang of this! I got discouraged for a little minute because I felt like my hair wasn't growing that fast...and then I picked it out and I have quite the TWA!

Recent purchases (from Wholefoods) :

• avacado oil- promotes softness and shine
• peppermint essential oil- adds a little tingle for deep conditioners
• vegetable glycerine- natural "humectant" (helps draw moisture from the air)

As far as my routine: I'm trying not to wash everyday. Right now I'm focused on retaining moisture. When I co-wash I try to leave a little conditioner in and then put avacado oil in. (Avacado oil is my new fave. It's lighter than EVOO and makes my hair really soft.) Still not really using gel or anything extra. When I don't wake and wash I just use a spritz I made. The spritz has glycerin (the jury is still out, give me another week), avacado and olive oils, conditioner, and of course water. I spritz a few times a day just because I can. :)

I need a new deep conditioner. The cholesterol I was using just doesn't give me what I need. Even after mixing it with oil. It makes my hair feel coated and dry. I had a tragic incident with a hot oil treatment so I won't be trying that again for a while. In case you're wondering, let's just say I used to much oil and it was still dripping even after I washed it out. Was my hair shiny and soft afterwards? Yes. Was it embarrassing to sit at work with oil runnning down my face? YES!

On my Wholefoods wish list:

• honey
• shea butter
• essential oil for scent (lavendar or grapefruit)

Nappy trails...

I promised that I would post it and I'm finally getting to it.

I've been natural now for 2 whole weeks. It's been absolutely lovely. I feel like it's been longer than 2 weeks but I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. I think it's good because that means I'm truly comfortable with this. Passing by mirrors and catching a glimpse of myself is crazy. She looks hot!

This week I tried the less-is-more routine. I really don't feel like any of the products that I've been using are THE ones. I did add in the IC Fantasia gel, which I've heard rave reviews about, and it just doesn't give me what I need. It has a weird reaction with the conditioner and oils and gets whitish.

I'm still just going for shine and health. I can't seem to define my curls. I think there's skeleton hair (not sure if that's a real term). What I mean is my hair doesn't really curl and even though I got a trim after I cut it myself, it's not behaving. I think it'll take a few months just because my ends are colored so they may be damaged. Although my hair cut is bold I just don't think I could shave off all the color so I'll just grow it out a little more. Only time will tell.

*SN: School's been extra busy but I'll devote a post specifically about my products. Not this week but definitely early March. I'm in no rush simply because I'm not excited about those products.

**SN: I went to WHOLE FOODS today for the first time! I am in love. It was everything I hoped for and more. I didn't buy anything but I can see alot of my next check going there. I'l def do a post when that happens.