Avoiding Heat Damage | Hair Update

My hair has been straight for approximately 5 weeks now. Every time I wash it, I anxiously check to make sure there are no heat damaged pieces. You will know your hair is heat damaged because it either won't curl back up at all, or it will have a looser curl pattern than before. Using a heat protectant and as little heat as possible is so helpful. Everyone is different - because I have friends who straighten their hair often but don't get heat damage, and then there is me. My hair tends to suffer from this easily (which is why you haven't seen me straighten my hair more than 4 times in the 4 times I've been natural).

I've been using and happen to really like Moroccan Oil and Organic Root Stimulator's Heat Protectant. I apply the ORS heat protectant prior to blow drying and the Moroccan Oil prior to using the flat iron. I don't pass the flat iron more than 2 times on each section.

When You Have to Eat Your Words...

A friend of mine shared with me some time ago a business that she is involved in. She would give body wraps to women, helping them to tone and firm and lose inches, and also reduce the appearance of stretch marks and cellulite. I was skeptical, and at the time declined the offer to get involved or to even try it for myself. As an esthetician, I know there are so many products on the market that claim to do so many things. And I stand by the tried-and-true "workout and eat right" to get fit. Fast forward 6 months. My sister tells me she is involved in the same business. What!?? Still, I was skeptical. But, I always support my baby sis. So, that  prompted me to look further into the products she offers and to do my own research. I liked what I saw, because unlike my initial thought that people were doing wraps thinking they'd lose weight from just doing that alone, I learned that this is not the claim. The wraps and the other products offered are to be used in CONJUNCTION with a healthy diet and a workout regiment to ENHANCE the results. Being that I recently made some major changes in the last month to my own diet (eliminating meat and refined sugars) and started exercising, this definitely caught my attention. I also learned that other products are offered besides the wraps, like skincare products to tone, tighten, and firm the skin, as well as nutritional supplements and detox products. This is awesome! After learning all this, I had to tell my sister - and eat my words - that I am going to get involved, too. I couldn't pass up this opportunity (not this time), because I love helping women to feel and look better, inside AND out. This is right up my ally!
(click to read more and see my results)

Baltimore Natural Hair Care Expo 2013

I've attended the Baltimore Natural Hair Care Expo for the last 3-4 years and I always enjoy myself. I'm happy to see that it is growing into a bigger event with each year. THIS year, it has moved to the Baltimore Convention Center. The dates are March 23 and March 24 (a Saturday and Sunday). I usually attend on Saturdays because I like to dedicate my Sundays to church/rest. FYI in case you may want to meet up! :)


Link to the event: http://www.bmorenaturalinc.com/
Buy Tickets here: http://www.bmorenaturalinc.com/buy-tickets.html
$15 online; $20 at the door

Baltimore Convention Center
1 West Pratt St
Baltimore, MD 21201

What You Can Expect in 2013

• Exposure to approximately  1000 - 5000 (varies per show)
• Quality and informative workshops, classes and exhibitors
• Instructors/Educators
• Professional and friendly team of staff and volunteers
• Remarkable entrepreneurs opportunity to market products/services to a widespread & diverse audience
• The best in the natural hair care industry, instructors/educations, manufacturers and YOU!

(Above info from Baltimore Natural Hair Care Expo's Website)

Essential Oils - Uses for Lavender

Essential Oils have so many useful properties. If you're anything like me, you prefer home remedies over medications/medicated products. Below, I've attached a useful pic giving many of the uses of Lavender. Lavender oil is an essential oil obtained by distillation from the flower spikes of certain species of lavender. Lavender oil, which has long been used in the production of perfume, can also be used in aromatherapy. The scent has a calming effect which may aid in relaxation and the reduction of anxiety and stress. Check it out, and if you have any other uses for lavender or other oils, do share! :)

Something New

Hi, All! I'm back :)

I came back to my social networks about a week ago. I decided to do something a little different with my hair. I'm wearing it straight for a little while. Here is the thing: I didn't want to straighten MY hair for fear of heat damage. And I didn't want to cut my hair because I am growing it out. So, what's a girl to do?

Some Time Off

Although I am aware that I don't have to "explain" my whereabouts, I do feel a sense of responsibility with you all, and just out of respect for my readers or those who may follow me online, I wanted to share this. I have bonded with a few of you and I don't take it lightly. That being said, I'm taking some needed "time off" from everything (social media, blogging, etc.) for an indefinite time. It may only be a week or two, or it may be a month or two. I'm going with whatever God leads me to do, but I feel this is necessary at this time to recenter and refocus my energy and time into what God is telling me to do. And I can't hear from Him if my mind is always cluttered with everything else. As much as people may think that I am a very social person, I'm actually pretty introverted and can be quite quiet. That's just my nature, I've always been this way. Alone time is something I crave and need from time to time.

I really just want you all to know - I appreciate you! Many of you have reached out to me, and I even know some of you now on a personal basis and I am grateful for that :) Thank you for everything, and I will be back soon. So, don't get worried or think something bad has happened when you don't see posts for awhile. Lol I am truly blessed and doing well, and doing my best to follow God's plan for my life. xo

Keeta

IT'S GIVEAWAY TIMMMEEE!!!

I'm SOOOO EXCITED to be doing this. OK. If you follow me on any of my many social networks, you already know - I have 2 copies of CurlyNikki's book "Better Than Good Hair" - and I am giving 1 of those copies away to a lucky reader!! Yes! Why? Because I really love and appreciate you all, AND I am so proud of CurlyNikki for writing this book for us naturals and educating those who aren't aware of what being natural is, how to transition to natural from chemically-treated hair, how to style our hair, and much more. This book also includes many styling tips and stories from other bloggers who share their own experiences. Definitely a book you want to have in your collection.

So. What are the rules? It's so simple.
1. Follow this blog :)
2. Go to my Facebook page and "Like" it. (www.facebook.com/allthingskeetaray)
3. On that Facebook page, I will have a post already up for this Giveaway. ON THAT POST, I need you to please select a # from 1 to 500 - NO DUPLICATE NUMBERS (so don't post like, 0 or 798 -- Just a number between 1 and 500 Lol). If someone posts a # you've chosen, you'll have to choose and post another number. I've already written my chosen # down. Whoever guesses that # or comes closest WITHOUT going over, gets the book.

That's it!! Simple, right?

*Note: Please do not post your #s on this blogpost. Only on the FB page.

The contest starts once this post goes up and ends on Friday, 2/8/2013 at 8:00am EST.

Thank you for participating, and GOOD LUCK!!

CurlyNikki's "Better Than Good Hair" Book is Available!

OK, the book has been available since this Tuesday, but I wanted to remind you naturalistas out there!! I have a copy of her book on my Kindle and to support, I bought a hard copy, too. Let's support Nikki's mission in getting the word out about OUR hair and how to care for it - let's make this MAINSTREAM by helping Nikki's book reach record-breaking heights THIS week!! Please go to Amazon to get your copy (mind you, they dropped the price down to $8.99 for the book! AND you get a $10 Shea Moisture coupon per CurlyNikki). *Note: In order to get the Shea Moisture coupon, you have to purchase by tomorrow, Feb. 2. Also, be prepared to send a copy of your receipt (you can scan it or take a screenshot from your phone). Then, go to Shea Moisture Giveaway's website to fill out the form -- this offer is only available while supplies last through Feb. 2. Don't forget to SPREAD THE WORD!! xo

KeetaRay

SKINCARE REVIEW: Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner

In addition to using Murad products (I've started alternating between the Vitamin C cleanser and the AHA cleanser, along with the Vitamin C Infusion At-Home Peel - I'll review those at a later date), I've started using a product from the Mario Badescu line - the Glycolic Acid Toner. My skin texture has improved significantly already. In a few weeks I will post before and after pics, I want you all to see the difference. In the meantime, here is some product information.

Benefits: Formulated with 2% Glycolic Acid and Grapefruit Extract which work together to exfoliate, refresh and stimulate dry and congested skin. Helps reduce discoloration from old acne scars as well as build-up that can cause skin to look tired and dull. Alcohol free. 

How to Use: Twice daily after cleansing, pat skin dry and apply lotion dampened cotton by wiping in an outward direction until cotton comes up clean. Avoid eye area. Follow with moisturizer or night cream. 

Ingredients: Deionized Water (Aqua),Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice) Gel,Grapefruit (Citrus Grandis Fruit) Extract, Glycolic Acid

After 1 week, my skin is softer, the small bumps from congestion I had on my forehead, cheek, and jawline are gone, and I can already see my hyperpigmentation getting slightly lighter. I will take an "After" shot in a few weeks so you can see the comparison. I got this product from Ulta. You can also buy it directly from the website or select department stores. This product is good for all skin types but it is labeled for those with dry or sensitive skin. My skin is oily with some dehydration (not to be confused with dry skin). An 8 oz. bottle will run you $18, but it is so worth it.  

Product Review: Shea Moisture Organic Yucca & Baobab Thickening Line

I love the Shea Moisture line of products and decided to try their thickening and volumizing Shampoo and hair mask recently. I was very pleased with my results today.