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)

Marley Twists - Reloaded!

Hey, y'all!

Unfortunately, I was unable to leave my last set of Marley Twists in for the full 2 weeks I was aiming for because my scalp was itching way too badly. I had to take them out and wash my hair with my prescription shampoo (I have dermatitis. Bleh). I deep conditioned and got ready to style them again. This time, on my own. :-o

So, I had already watched tons of videos and felt confident I could do this. I already had my packs of hair ready (this time I used Modu brand "Marley Braid" hair in 1B which is a very dark brown. I used a total of 4 packs). After I detangled my wet hair with Kinky Curly Knot Today Leave-In, I blow-dried my hair in sections after applying a dime-sized amount of Grapeseed Oil (used as a heat protectant) to each section. I then separated my blow-dried hair into 4 sections (2 in the back, 2 in the front).

I used a rat-tail comb to make neater parts around the perimeter of my head, but didn't use a comb to part at the top and middle. The reason for this was that I wanted the parts to look neat when I pull my hair into a high bun, but didn't want super defined parts when wearing it down.

Natural Hair | FREE Big Chop TODAY!

Hey Hey Hey!! I know it's last minute but I need to share with you all a free event happening today from 3pm - 8pm in the DMV area at N Natural Hair Studio! 

If you or anyone that you know is considering going natural and fully embracing their natural texture, come out to N Natural Hair Studio and get a FREE shampoo, conditioning treatment & big chop! 

WHEN: Thursday, October 18, 2012

3PM - 8PM

WHERE: N Natural Hair Studio

11207B Lockwood Dr.

Silver Spring, MD

To RSVP for the event, visit the N Natural Hair Studio Facebook page [HERE]. Also, be sure to head over to their Youtube Channel and check out footage from their last Big Chop Event [HERE].

(Information above provided by CurlyNuGrowth)

"Natural is Not a Fad" Event

Koils by Nature (Owner, Pam) is hosting their 2nd annual natural hair event, called "Natural is Not a Fad". If you are natural, transitioning to natural, or just thinking about it and live in the DMV area - You NEED to be there. Details are below on when/where/how to get tix. Hope to see you there!

When: Sunday, Sept. 17 11am - 7pm
Where: Westin Hotel
400 Courthouse Square
Alexandria, VA 22314

Buy your tickets here.

Wearing My Natural Hair

Out to dinner with friends: Alex, Christina, and Safa

Hey Hey Hey!
Just a super QUICK post to share that I've taken out my Urban Twists from The Damn Salon. I got them done on Feb. 3 and took them out on Apr 6. I could have left them in longer (they still looked great), but I have an appointment with them on the 13th to get them done again and I wanted to let my hair breathe and give it some TLC beforehand. After taking them out I did a pre-poo (applied coconut oil throughout my entire head and let it sit for 10-15 min), then conditioned and detangled using Trader Joe's Nourish Spa Conditioner. After my hair was thoroughly detangled and and moisturized, I applied my fave leave-in and staple, Kinky Curly Knot Today, and set my hair in large two strand twists to allow it to air dry, sealing the ends with coconut oil. After it was dry, I put my hair into a high bun as pictured below. Let me add, when I initially took my Urban Twists out my hair did not feel dry at all, it was pretty soft. My hair didn't thin out and other than some growth, I don't see a difference in the way my hair was before the twists - which is GREAT. *thumbs up* I am likely to wear my hair in this bun (moisturizing at night) until my next appointment with them. And if you want to know how I did my high bun - I did it EXACTLY like "MsDanti" did in this tutorial:

Hair styled in a high bun 

HAPPY EASTER to all of you who celebrate!! God Bless <3

Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie Giveaway NOW CLOSED!

It's that time! Thanks to all who have entered!! I will be picking the winner and announcing on this blog tomorrow at 10am EST! <3

GIVEAWAY: Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie

Hi, Blog Readers!!

I've decided to do a giveaway for you all :) Below are the product details and the giveaway rules.

Product: Shea Moisture Organic Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie

Ingredients: Deionized Water , Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) , Cocos Nucifera Oil (Coconut) , Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil , Persea Gratissima Oil (Avocado) , Vegetable Glycerin , Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract , Silk Protein , Ammonium Salt , Melia Azadirachta Seed Oil (Neem) , Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil (Carrot) , Sorbitol Esters , Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B-5) , Caprylyl Glycol , Essential Oil Blend , Lonicera Caprifolium Flower and Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract (Honeysuckle and Japanese Honeysuckle) , Tocopherol (Vitamin E)

Benefits & Features:
Nutrient rich vegetable butters condition hair, restoring moisture, body and shine. Enhances curls, minimizes frizz and provides curl control. For thick, curly hair. Sulfate-free and color-safe.

• Coconut oil: Hydrates and protects hair from heat and chemical damage
• Silk protein: Reduces breakage, strengthens hair, adds smoothness and silkiness
• Neem oil: An age-old ayurvedic oil that strengthens hair and provides brilliant shine
• No parabens, phthalates, paraffin, gluten, propylene glycol, mineral oil, synthetic fragrance, animal testing, PABA, synthetic color, DEA, or animal ingredients

Natural product, color and aroma may vary. I use these for my twists outs to get great hold and body.

Here are the Giveaway Entry Rules:

1. You must follow my blog (click the "Follow" button/link to the right side of the page.)
2. Follow me on Twitter @1KeetaRay (usually my tweets are protected but for purposes of this giveaway I will "unlock" them).
3. In the comments section of this post, send me your Twitter name (@MyTwitterName).
(All of the above must be done to qualify. I will verify once I choose the name to be sure)

Note: I am only shipping in the U.S. only, at this time. Sorry :(

Enter by Saturday, Jan. 28th 10pm EST for your chance to win.
THE WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN RANDOMLY ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 29TH AT 10AM EST.


Thanks for entering and Good luck!! :)

Question for My Natural Hair Ladies...

Ladies, what do you use to set your hair (twist-outs, braid-outs, roller sets, etc.)? Currently I use my Kinky Curly Knot Today Leave-In along with an oil to seal AND a product to hold (like ORS Lock and Twist Gel) but I am trying to minimize. Do any of you just use a leave-in and oil sealant ONLY? If so, please share with me what it is that you use :)

Thanks in advance!