Natural Urbanista

Second complete rod-set: Another success?!

2012-01-21T18:00:00.003-05:00

Maybe…..just maybe.

I am one of those naturals that has ZERO patience when it comes to styling my hair. Or rather, trying new styles. My hair is long-ish and my limbs tired-ish, so if I find myself getting frustrated, I tend to just give up.

But not this time.

I stuck with it, even with the elastic parts snapping hardly against my cold, wet and stiff fingers. That ish HURT! LOL!

My arsenal:

-xtra small, small, medium-ish and medium rods. (hey…. y’all get what I’m saying :P )

-PM The conditioner & IC w/Sparklites (for color-treated hair….I like it better than the clear)

-Table-top hooded dryer

-Rat-tail comb

-Butterfly clips

Directions:

After washing and conditioning hair, I applied the PM Conditioner moderately to each section of hair. I sectioned my hair into maybe 6 sections(held up and apart with butterfly clips), using the rat-tail to section off each piece.

I then applied a little bit of gel to my fingers, smoothing over each piece being rolled onto each rod, wrapped/rolled hair around rod and secured. I continued this throughout my entire head; using smaller rods in the front and larger ones in the middle and back.

After set, I sprayed hair with a little bit of water to reactivate the gel and sat under the dryer for 2 hours. I have a lot of hair, so the length made it harder to dry.

Once dry, I gently removed rods and attempted to separate. I thought my hair would frizz up completely but it didn’t. But with those stubborn pieces, I just let them be. Hence the varying curl sizes in the back. lol

The end result:

Not tooooo shabby. Next time, I'll pay for someone to do it for me. :P

Natural Urbanista

I'm BAAACCCKKK!!!!!!

2012-01-21T17:04:00.005-05:00

I hope I was missed, even if just a lil bit because I've missed you all!!

While I make no promises that I won’t take another impromptu hiatus, I DO promise to do a better job at updating this blog as I’m quite ashamed of how long it’s been since my last posting.

That’s what happens when you work 10+ hour days, y’all!

BUT, in the midst of working hard but not playing harder, I have had the chance to try out some products AND I plan on getting back into the formulatory side of things. Something of which I have sorely MISSED. More dets to come in the coming weeks, but just know that when I’ve struck gold, you all will be the first I share that info with. :)

And to those faithful followers who have stuck around even though I’ve sucked monkey b*lls, I truly TRULY appreciate it. Blogging itself is a job and some are better at multitasking. Not I as much, but hopefully that will change.

I look forward to sharing my news, discoveries and just random, unadulterated hodgepodge with you all!

Stay beautiful, Naturalistas!!

Natural Urbanista

"Survivor" goes Natural!!

2011-08-22T22:19:00.003-04:00

I don't really watch Survivor. There are just too many reality shows for me to keep up with, although I have enjoyed watching it in the past. As I was perusing Yahoo, I noticed pictures of the new cast and I THEN noticed the beautiful, "spoken word" poet, Semhar Tadesse.

*photo courtesy of CBS

We've got another natural on a CBS reality show. SCORE!

So go ahead and drool over her fluffy 'fro and watch her play "ditzy" on Survivor.

Natural Urbanista

USVI Birthday Vacation(oh and some stuff about my hair)

2011-08-15T10:17:00.007-04:00

It's been entirely TOO LONG since my last post. I will get better....I promise.

As many of you may or may not know, I spent about 5 days for my birthday in the Virgin Islands; my first foray off of the mainland. And actually, my first REAL vacay in my adult years(I guess turning 30 served as my motivation). I had THE best time, so my departure from St. John was bittersweet. For anyone who has visited the island, you'll understand what I mean. But the great thing is I can always go back..... and I will. Next time, for a week or two.

I wasn't a beach person til this trip. I avoided it like the plague(blame it on my non-existent beach body). Now I'm a beach snob. I shall NOT set foot in water that isn't a pretty as the water I submerged myself in while swimming(well, technically laying) in the waters off of Honeymoon beach.

I mean seriously....can you blame me? :P

Okay, back to my hair. I had blown out my hair days prior to leaving and for the first few days; wore a Corinne Baily Rae inspired 'do.

By the time I took this pic, my hair was already expanding. Humidity AND wind, y'all. lolAnd about 2o mins later, it was pulled back into a massive puff. And I mean massive. Sorry, no pics of that. If only I could've photographed folks' expressions! :)

I eventually wanted to swim and pulled the hair in a single braid(which surprisingly stayed put), and did my thing. I tried to take some of my staples(Elucence MBC and shampoo, moisturizer, etc), and managed to make my little 3oz bottles work, but what I wasn't expecting was how HARD the water was. My hair felt HORRIBLE. Even with cowashing everyday. So needless to say, I did a major DT when I came home using One 'n Only Argan Oil Hydrating Mask(which I LOVE, btw....review coming soon!). I'm not sure if that salt water did my hair any good, as it supposedly is great for the hair, but when I DT'ed my hair, it was like butta.

I also found myself tiring of fighting with my hair(it just wouldn't stay DOWN) and pulled back into a wrap. Oh, and you know my hair FINALLY cooperated on the day of my departure, right? Figures. LOL!

So even with my temperamental hair, I had a wonderful time. The food, the CONDO I stayed in, the people, and just the beautiful and unspoiled nature of the island, which is like 60% national park.....perfect. So, if you've NEVER been there.....go. Oh and some advice:

Don't decide to buy toiletries there. You will be set back quite a bit of green(my travel buddy learned their lesson, lol).
Slather on that sunscreen!!! I didn't put on enough and I got sunburned. Hurt.like.HELL. And the peeling is SO not sexy.
Spend your first day just walking around. You'll discover little gems on your excursions.
If you can, rent a place with a full kitchen and make your own breakfast and lunch. Dinners are typically more expensive, but if you're only really spend on dinner, it balances out. Woody's is great for breakfast(massive pancakes...yum)! and Banana Deck had some of the best tasting food. Ate there THREE times!!
Be courteous and say, "Good morning, afternoon, etc." Don't just say hello. Pleasantries will get you far better service with native islanders.
And if you're used to hustle and bustle....get UNused to it down there. It's chill-paced. No one's rushing to do anything, so you'll need to readjust your 'tude and just ENJOY yourself! :)

Natural Urbanista

Is THIS why Ori Organics is on hiatus?

2011-06-16T08:58:00.004-04:00

A fellow Naturalista mentioned on Twitter some weeks about how Ori Organics is no longer accepting orders right now. I was thinking I'd be fine since I still literally have half of a jar of my buttercream and half of my bottle of leave in that was purchased back in January(which is why I LOVE this brand, as they last me a LONG time). But THEN, after taking a break from using the buttercream(about a month) and switching to my Barry Fletcher product, I open my jar to see THIS:

Yeah. That's mold. And for reference, it's stored in my bedroom, AWAY from the moisture in my bathroom and I don't dip wet fingers into the jar for this very reason and scoop out a certain amount and put it in the cap when twisting my hair.

I'm guessing they're reassessing the preservatives used as it's not providing the full spectrum anti-microbial protection necessary in maintaining its shelf life.

Have any of my Naturalistas encountered this problem with this brand or another? What have been your experiences with "natural" products and spoilage?

Natural Urbanista

Use monistat on my hair?! Whaaaa?

2011-05-20T15:05:00.010-04:00

Have any of my Naturalistas heard about this? I hadn't until a former coworker texted me some questions about how to care for her hair. She's transitioning and was looking at videos on YT on products, ingredients and how to mix her own products.

I'm going to say this with as much love and care as I can.... Do NOT mix OTC topical [drugs] that are generally meant for one thing, and use them for another UNLESS you've spoken to a dermatologist about its safety in doing so.

Okay, now....in looking at the ingredients, the inactive ingredients are generally okay:

Inactive Ingredients: Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil Base, *Benzoic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Myristate, Polysorbate 60, Potassium Hydroxide, Propylene Glycol, Water (Purified), Stearyl Alcohol

*Is considered a preservative and inhibits the growth of yeast and mold, so while I wouldn't necessarily want this on my hair, it's a derivative of Benzyl alcohol, which is non-volatile and shouldn't affect the texture of your hair.

You can fine most of these ingredients in many of your hair care products. BUT, the MAIN active ingredient is Miconazole Nitrate, an ingredient used to treat the fungal infection(yeast). It's defined as the following(via WebMD):

Miconazole is used to treat skin infections such as athlete's foot, jock itch, ringworm, and other fungal skin infections (candidiasis). This medication is also used to treat a skin condition known as pityriasis (tinea versicolor), a fungal infection that causes a lightening or darkening of the skin of the neck, chest, arms, or legs. Miconazole is an azole antifungal that works by preventing the growth of fungus.

Now, upon doing a little more digging on WebM D, I also found additional information concerning uses for the ingredient:

Ringworm of Groin Area, Athlete's Foot, Ringworm of the Body, Fungal Infection of the Skin with Yellow Patches, Skin Infection due to a Candida Yeast.

If you have issues with dermatitis, then it's recommended to consult with a dermatologist for adequate treatment, NOT consult YT. And if my memory serves me correctly, the active ingredient in most shampoos used to treat seborrhea dermatitis is salicylic acid!!

While many of our fellow Naturalistas are helpful and mean well, many are not qualified in doling out advice of this nature. Especially if they aren't cognizant of the potential side affects of combining certain ingredients or the application of said ingredients/products outside of its/their intended usage.

You should NOT be using this product on your hair. NOT AT ALL. And if you're using this product and mixing it with other ingredients not knowing how the ingredients will respond because no pH test has been administered, or because you have no prior knowledge/information on the ingredients in general, this can potentially be a recipe for a hairtastrophe!!!

So ladies, before you go trying to play kitchen chemist, be careful and wary of every video telling you to mix PRE-FORMULATED [medicated] products with other pre-formulated products or other ingredients. It can be the difference between a head of healthy hair, and damage that canNOT be repaired.

Natural Urbanista

Twist Like This.....A Product Review

2011-05-03T18:42:00.005-04:00

After a long and unintentional hiatus concerning natural hair blogging, I'm BACK with my first product review in a few months.

As you all know(or most of you), I like getting more bang for my buck. In terms of natural hair products(or products in general), if I'm spending over $15 bucks PER product, it needs to last longer than 3 months, and it must deliver in its claims. And if it can be substituted for more expensive and less readily available products....SCORE AGAIN, as I really don't like ordering online but my current staples aren't available state-side.

Anyway, back to my review....This past weekend, I went shopping for a product for my twists since I had just run out of my Ori Organics stylers(my curl styling buttercream specifically, as I still have more than half an 8oz jar of the moisture balancing buttercream since purchasing in JANUARY). Went to my local BSS and found a local line I already had familiarity with, as I had used their custard many years ago for my WnG's(with success). The product purchased is called, Twist Like This Herbal Putty by Barry Fletcher. Came in multiple sizes, but the 16oz jar at $17.99 was the better deal. As per the labeling:

Penetrates, holds and protects natural hair(jar had grammatical errors....I corrected them, lol)....Can be used for braiding, texturizing or natural setting.

Jar also states that it provides a "firm, glossy finish." Ingredients can be seen in Picture 3, which are all natural, which I like.

Pros:

This jar could last me through August, if not September. I barely skimmed the surface of this jar doing more than 70 twists. The ability to spread out usage is a HUGE deal, as I'm all about getting my money's worth and using products that last for more than 3 months.

Hair felt moist/soft. Now, considering it's SUPPOSED to provide a "firm hold", I'm actually glad that it didn't. I don't really need hold for my twists, I just need it to seal in moisture and help to keep my twists looking good for at LEAST a week.

Easy application. It goes on smoothly on each section being twisted.

Works well over my leave in. No dreaded hair product balls!!!! LOL!

Ingredients are natural. And pretty simple. Sometimes simplicity is a good thing. The aloe (if juice or gel) is humectant-based, which means this product will be good for use during the spring and summer(if your hair isn't highly porous and you don't live in a high-humidity region) in that it'll help to draw in and HOLD moisture.

Cons:

I'm a stickler for products doing what they say, and it DIDN'T provide hold. Now, the hair may have needed to be more than just damp for there to be moderate hold, but if your claim is that the product provides x, y and z, then it should.

Semi-vague ingredient listing. Is "African butter" shea butter? And is the "oatmeal" oatmeal powder, or the "aloe vera" the oil, gel or juice? Because its shelf-life will be reliant upon this knowledge, and water-based products(if indeed aloe juice OR gel-based) NEED an antimicrobial based preservative to prevent rancidity and bacteria growth. I had to put that in bold because this is very important.

Non-important con, but it looks like their relaxer. LOL! It even smells somewhat like a relaxer. I was ready to cut some folks if it indeed wasn't what it was labeled as. That's most Naturals worst fear....using a product and finding out it's a relaxer.

All in all, it's a good product. I haven't had the opportunity to use it over other styling products that I use, and I'm hopeful they will work well with them. And if they don't, I will update this review accordingly. So if you happen to see this on your local BSS's shelf, I say it's worth a try. And considering I've paid $10+ for 8oz for OTHER products and this is double for less in terms of $$ per oz, it's a win-win (although I will say those 8oz products can last me a LONG time. :P)

Natural Urbanista

After all the time I've been away, my first post here is non-hair related....

2011-04-29T20:11:00.006-04:00

It's Fashion Find Friday!!!!!

I know......Long time no see, right? Miss me? Sure you have. SO much has been going on, but I wanted to revel in my frugalista-ness today. I'll get back to hair related stuff later. :P

My mother taught me very early on how to be a good shopper. Never pay retail for ANYTHING, and look for pieces that can be worn with different separates and are generally timeless. And you don't wanna just buy CHEAPLY, you want to look for quality w/o spending an arm, a leg and your future offspring. I haven't always taken her advice(we sometimes fall for trends), but I wanted to share at least a few of my finds.

I'm the QUEEN of clearance shopping, or finding an impossibly good deal. Today I found a too cute jacket from French Connection and realized how cute it would look with a dress I bought from Mod Cloth, and a pearl necklace and shoes. Two of the items were purchased from Loehmann's(one on clearance) and the necklace from Filene's Basement. All items pictured below totaled UNDER $115 (not incl tax).

Farylrobin Joy Panna leather/canvas wedges. Retail: $159. Purchase Price: $29.98

http://ak1.ostkcdn.com/images/products/P11662607.jpg

French Connection Linen Jacket. Retail: $178. Purchase Price: $49.99

Style File Dress by 3+1 audrey. Purchase Price: $13.99 (it's no longer on Mod Cloth's site, so I couldn't reference it's original price, but it was on sale. :) )

Multicolored natural pearl necklace. Purchase Price: $19.99

Here's the look together. Cute right? I'm not a fashionista, but I like what I like....and I like a good deal.

Natural Urbanista

I've been a naughty Naturalista

2011-03-21T17:10:00.004-04:00

I've neglected you all over here.....yet again. It's been a crazy, STRESSFUL last 30 days(loooooooong story, but it's work related). But I'm hopeful I'll have more time to dedicate to my blog. It's Spring, which means the ability to POSSIBLY let the "lioness" free a bit more. :)

Look for new blog postings and just general randomness!

And thanks to those who continue to follow me over here. It's appreciated!!! :)

Natural Urbanista

Are bloggers and hair sites contributing to your growing PJ-ism?

2011-02-21T09:29:00.008-05:00

*photo from: Vain

I was perusing Twitter one day and talk of that Tangle Teaser was all the buzz. Various bloggers and v-bloggers were posting reviews of the product, which were RT-ed and links to those reviews were provided by loyal subscribers. I remember hearing about this product a couple of years ago on NaturallyCurly, and before this, there were countless others that appealed to the growing PJ(Product Junkie) in many of the the newly (and the NOT so newly) natural.

It had me thinking back to all of the years that I've been natural and led me to asking the following question: Have these sites created to help naturals on their journey ALSO help contribute to the need of constantly trying EVERYTHING? In other words, have they contributed to growing product junkie-ism?

I think yes, but of course, it also revolves around impulse control and knowing what works for your hair. Reviews that pique interest can be helpful, but ultimately, everyone's hair is different and products used may not garner the same, satisfactory results. Many ladies are also still trying to find that "holy grail" of hair product, while others just like experimenting and trying new things, but I always wonder.....at what cost? Literally?

Do you find yourself trying to set aside money for your product fix? Is it taking up a bit of your discretionary/disposable income? Do you have a graveyard of products sitting under your sink or in your bathroom closet(looking like the picture above).....collecting dust? Likely hundreds of dollars worth? Do you find yourself bandwagon jumping when a large number women sing praises of certain products or techniques? If yes to any or most of these questions, I'd venture to say slow it down. LOL! I guess there is no true harm of trying things out if it doesn't put you in a financial bind. But, I think when you know what you're seeking and the results(realistic in scope) that will help contribute to maintaining healthy hair, the need to try every new product will be minuscule at best. At least it is to me now, as it will be my 8 year naturalversary in August. :)

You don't have to always appease the PJ inside of you. Save that money for a rainy day. :) And if the bug has bitten, get rid of those products by swapping for the products you'd like to try. That way, you're able to try a product w/o committing to the price if it doesn't work. Remember.....that's why most of those products are sitting under your sink. ;)

Natural Urbanista

Length check......sorta

2011-02-09T19:45:00.003-05:00

You know how you get bored and need to change things up? Even if just for a week? Yeah, that's what I did and did a length check of sorts. Well, actually I hacked off a few inches BEFORE doing a length check. I can never tell how much my hair has or hasn't grown til I straighten it out, then I'm surprised. But I can tell you this....protective styling is THE TRUTH!! I never had hair this long as a teenager or even a pre-teen. Can't count being a kiddo because I was shorter and everyone looks like that hair is really long when they're 2 feet tall. :P

I'll probably cut more before going back to my twists, but it's a nice little change. And it's nice seeing my progress.

Sidenote: I'm just slightly perplexed at how many more compliments I get with straight hair. Even when it's pulled in a PONYTAIL that is tucked into a bun. It's really nothing special to me, but apparently garnered a bit of notice. *shrugs*

*Pictured above is after blowdrying and wearing in about 10 twists before straightening the next day. Products used: Elucence MBC(as a leave in) and Jojoba and Sweet Almond oil.

*Pictured here is after lightly straightening. Meaning, I didn't do a hard press with my flat-iron. I used Natural Oasis Hair & Scalp Conditioner as my protectant(which is AWESOME...review coming soon).

Natural Urbanista

Did you know that Tiffany "New York" Pollard was natural?

2011-01-31T09:19:00.006-05:00

I found out a year or so ago that she's natural. You just never know what's hiding underneath pounds of weave and lacefront wigs, but I have to say.....I like her more natural look. She actually looks good. I've never been a big fan of the too much hair and too much make up-look. Some folks can get away with it when done right(I think....lol), but I hope to see more of this look in the future because it really is becoming on her, and I'm not saying this because I'm partially biased.

She looks good. :)

What do you all think of her look?

Natural Urbanista

Naturally FaF-Super Bowl Edition!!

2011-01-26T14:17:00.001-05:00

I’m not particularly a Green Bay fan, but I’m a football AND natural hair fan. So I’m rather disappointed in myself because I NEVER noticed this fine specimen of a man….who happens to wear his hair long and natural.

Did I mention he’s fine?

Although on IR for most of the season due to a season-ending injury, Nick Barnett is known for being a leader for the Packs and I think worth a FaF shoutout.

And yeah….his hair is awesome.

Natural Urbanista