Seeking Lovely Naturals to Interview for Features!

OK Ladies... Like I said in my last post, I want to start featuring many of you on my blog. I want to start this coming Sunday, July 3rd. So, for those of you who follow me on Twitter (@1KeetaRay), or maybe even Facebook, please RT or post a link to my blog to make our naturalistas aware :) I'm going to post the questions below that I'd like women to answer. In addition, when you respond please email me at: tayah97@gmail.com, with "Blog Feature" as the subject,  and attach 2-3 pictures of yourself that you'd like to accompany the feature. Remember to select pics that show off your beautiful hair.

Here are the questions (you can copy and paste them into the email along with your pics, to make it easier):

1. How long have you been natural? Did you transition, BC, both?

2. What reaction have you received since going natural? Did you announce your decision or did you just do it?

3. What are your current fave styles to do on your hair? Do you have a staple style? Please share how you achieve it :)

4. What has been the most significant change within yourself that you've noticed since going natural?

5. What do you love most about being natural?

6. What are your must-have products? Any favorites that you cannot do without?

7. Finally, any advice you'd like to give to women who have just BC'd or are thinking of going natural? Please share :)

Thanks, ladies!! I look forward to sharing your stories so we can help encourage other women, letting them know it's okay to be natural :)

KeetaRay

Something New...

Good Morning! :)

I want to try something new with you ladies... I'm going to start posting natural hair interviews every Sunday evening. But I need your help! I want to ask 7-10 questions, what types of questions should I ask? Feel free to throw your ideas out at me. Once I get the questions set, I'll write them up and post them here for anyone who wants to participate to be included :) So, please - JOIN IN!! I'd like to start posting interviews/features by Sunday, July 4th. I know I've been MIA these days - so much has been going on but I am getting back into the swing of things. I don't want to leave you ladies hanging, there is SO MUCH INFORMATION out here for us! I want us to all stay encouraged on this journey and be here to support each other. Soooo... LET'S GOOOO!!! ;)

KeetaRay

Product Review: Smooth & Shine Curl Activator Gel

Long time, no hear! :)
I hope everyone's week is off to a great start. Just wanted to post a quick review on a product I tried. It was recommended by my friend, Alex (see her on Twitter: @AisforAlex). It's called Smooth & Shine Curl Activator Gel and I got it from CVS. It is low-priced - I think I paid about $2-3 for the 10.5 oz jar. It gave me good definition with the perfect hold - not too hard, but not so soft that my hair frizzes up. I did a wash-and-go puff today (my trusty "It's-too-humid-for-twistouts" style).

The first few ingredients listed in order: Water - Glycerin - Propylene glycol - aloe leaf extract

Here is how I applied it:
I co-washed in the shower using Suave Coconut Conditioner (lightly detangled with wide-tooth comb). Squeezed excess water from my hair - I didn't towel-dry or blot my hair with a towel. I wanted it to be really wet. Next, once out of the shower I applied KC Knot Today Leave-In throughout my hair. Then, I applied the Smooth & Shine throughout my hair, in sections. I used small amounts of product on each section (maybe a quarter size). Gave my hair a good shake to separate the curls, then put on my Goodie Ouchless headband for the puff, and that's it. It didn't take my hair long to dry at all. Maybe a couple of hours.

Pics are below. If you try it, Let me know how you like it! :)

BTW - Usually to refresh wash-and-go's in the morning (because I know how it gets flat and just doesn't look good the next day when we wake up), I typically spray my mix of water & veggie glycerin throughout my hair to re-wet it enough for the curls to pop again, shake it and re-style. I usually do this for 2-3 days and will wash it again after that.

Update for Saturday's Natural Hair Meet-Up

Ladies,
A small change has been made to the meet-up this Saturday, June 19th. Instead of meeting at 3pm, we will all meet at 4pm.

Please RSVP via email to dmvnaturals@gmail.com for location address. It will be in Laurel, MD.

Hope to see you all there!!

Keeta

Call it Writer's Block!

I know I haven't posted in a LONG time but I've been really busy with my business. All of my focus and attention has been going to that, but I hope to have something to post SOON. I hope...  Thanks to all my blog followers for hanging in there! I appreciate ya. ;)

Have a blessed day!

Rest in Peace, Lena Horne

Sadly, Lena Horne has passed away at the age of 92. She will always be remembered for not only her acting but her activism. Truly a remarkable woman. Please click the following link for the story: Lena Horne

May she Rest in Peace...

DMV Natural Hair Meet-Up!

Ladies! I am helping to organize a natural hair meet-up on June 19th!! That's a Saturday. The time is TBD, but it will be in Laurel, MD. If you're interested in attending, please RSVP via email: DMVnaturals@gmail.com -- Please don't RSVP via this blog, we (I am doing this along with @Safi_HairCare on Twitter) are tracking all RSVPs using the above email account.

I hope to see you there!!!

Do You Make Your Own Hair Products?

Hi, Everyone!!

I was checking some sites out earlier today and realized (again) that I should/could be making my own hair products for my natural hair. I came across a few sites that I wanted to share with you all.

• You can buy Wholesale Shea Butter from this site: http://www.sheabutterweb.com/ (as well as Black soap, if you're interested.)
• Find several oils (essential oils, vegetable oils, etc.) here: Oils by Nature
• Do you like mixing your own products but don't have containers to store them in? No problem!! Buy them here, at a LOW PRICE! www.specialtybottle.com

Here's an EASY recipe for making shea butter souffle (great hair moisturizer and/or sealant, much easier to apply then shea butter alone):
2 parts coconut oil, 1/2 part shea butter, and 1/2 part castor oil. I came across this online today and plan to try it in the next week or so.

Feel free to share your own recipes or anything else you'd like to add :) We can all learn from each other!

What is a friend, anyway?

So, lately I have been asking myself this question. What exactly IS a friend? Sometimes, I feel I may put a lot of weight on this word. I mean, I take "friend" very seriously. I expect a friend to be there for me, not just when times are good and it's time to have fun, but when times get rough. I look at a real friend like family. Yet, I am always surprised at how other people, even those I've considered my friends, take that word so lightly. There seems to be no loyalty, people are dishonest, and take you for granted. I try to be there for my friends, but I am only one person, so I do the best I can. Maybe they're doing the best THEY can? I don't know...

I have friends and associates - they are two different things to me. Friends are the ones I can talk to about serious issues, who I know will be there for me, and I know without a shadow of a doubt they have my back and for the most part, they can be trusted (I never trust anyone 100% because people are just human and all have flaws). Associates are those I may chat with here and there, go out with, maybe shop with. You know, just the fun stuff.

How do you all view friends/friendships? I'd love to hear and get all your opinions, whether you agree or disagree :)

No Regrets...

Just wanted to share this super-cute pic I saw online! I love it. Wish I could have it in a painting and put it up in my place...