I think one of the frequently asked questions about tree braids has to do with “what can you do with them once they are in”  Well I like to say everything!  Tree Braids are one of the most versatile styles that are out there! If you use human hair you can curl it flat iron it create a wet set and the list goes on.

Tree braids can be done with any length hair. So if your hair is long and you wanted to rock a shorter look then this can also be the style for you.  I have clients who travel 5 hours to me to get this style done because of the versatility that comes along with tree braids.  (And yes they travel that far with gas prices as high as they are).  So you know this style is the bomb! LOL

If you’re a big fan of African Pride like I am then I want to let you know about two new products that they have.  African Pride Herbal Healing Shampoo and Leave-in conditioner has the same great smell that all their products have but unlike any other shampoo I have tried both the shampoo and the conditioner contain 17 different natural herbs (and spices!) and organic oils strong enough to heal and protect damaged hair, yet mild enough to be used everyday.   I love it!

When I used the African Pride Herbal Healing Shampoo I didn’t feel as if it was stripping all the moisture from my hair and I could literally feel an increase in my scalp’s circulation.  This may because African Prides Herbal Healing Shampoo contains Grapefruit, Rosemary and Peppermint oils.

The Leave-in conditioner was very thick which is different then most leave in conditioners on the market.  My hair was literally softer and easier to comb through after applying it.  My hair is natural so trust me if I can comb through then anyone will be able to notice the difference.  Some of the ingredients in the leave in conditioner that caught my eye was the  Wild Cherry, Jojoba and Sweet Almond Oil.

Also don’t be surprised when you purchase the bottles and you can actually see the hers inside of the bottles and they really work! The response to the relaxer and the leave-in that came with the at-home relaxer kit was so overwhelming, raved African Pride brand manager Anthony Standifer.
“The infusion of these carefully selected nutrients (herbs & oils) creates a unique herbal formula resulting in beautiful, shiny, easily manageable hair.”

The new Herbal Healing Shampoo and Herbal Healing Leave-In Conditioner will be available in mass retailers, chain drug and beauty stores beginning in February 2008.  So get ready to check them out  I know I am going to stock up!

 
Image from TMZ.com

I know I may be late, but I was on vacation so get off my back!

But in case you missed it, can you believe how far Loreal went to lighten Beyonce’s skin in their ads in the September issues of Elle, Allure and Essence magazines?  The Associated Press reported,

Cosmetics giant L’Oréal says it didn’t lighten Beyoncé’s skin tone in an ad.

“We highly value our relationship with [Beyoncé]. It is categorically untrue that L’Oréal Paris altered [her] features or skin tone in the campaign for Feria hair color,” the Paris-based company said Thursday. Read more

The other day I wrote an article about a cool salon in Atlanta and one in Henderson North Carolina.  You know Atlanta the “black mecca” of the United States.  Where you can get more flavor than a liquor store candy isle.   And North Carolina has one of the largest African American populations in the country as well.   But where do you turn if you need to get your cornows done and you live in…… North Dakota?

Well they say necessity is the mother of invention.   Today I learned that a small mind is a terrible thing to have.  I spoke with Tarsi of the Calypso Fargo Salon in Fargo North Dakota and she let me know not to sleep on Fargo’s booming urban scene.  Lets be clear, Fargo will not rival the ATL, Chicago or the NYC for urban flavor anytime soon, but they are making a name for themselves.

Kristen Lock: How is salon business in Fargo North Dakota?

Tarsi or Calyspo Fargo:  Business is going well.  We have been opened for a year and the salon stays Read more

Carols Daughter-Mimosa Hair Honey
MotownGirl

Ingredients:

If you want your hair to shine, bounce and smell WONDERFUL, you’ve got to try Mimosa Hair Honey. Naturally colored with annatto seeds and alkanet root, this product controls frizzies and adds luster to all types of hair, while delivering a sweet citrus scent. While faithfully used by our customers with natural styles, this is also an excellent pomade for permed hair. Controls frizziness and adds luster.

This description from the website is very accurate. I have a lot of fine hair that is in transition. I used this product when my hair was completely relaxed and straight, and also curly. A little goes a Read more

If there is one city that I could point to that I get the most request for referrals, it would have to be Atlanta Georgia.   I love my sisters down there, and you can even see the photos I brought back from the hair show in my gallery.  So when I came across a release from a sister making it happen in Atlanta, I thought I would give her a shout.  Lisa Hampton, has great skills from her site and I plan on stopping by next time I am in town.  So here you are ATL ladies, a pro in your area, drop a comment if you have experience with Lisa.

Hair Extensions of Atlanta owned by Lisa Hampton was Voted 2008 Top Hair Extensions, Fusion Hair and Lace Wigs for 2 years in a row. www.hairextensionsatl.com

August 27, 2008 — Hair Extensions of Atlanta, is celebrating 2 years in a row the achievement of being Voted 2007 and 2008 Top Hair Extensions in the Southeast and Atlanta area by Read more

Brought to you by MotownGirl

Dr. Bronner’s Liquid Castille Soap (Organic Eucalyptus Oil)
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

Ingredients: Water, Saponified Organic Coconut & Olive oils (w/ retained Glycerin), Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Eucalyptus Oil, Citric Acid, Vitamin E\

I began using this soap six months ago. The consistency is sort of watery, but it lathers really well and a little goes a long way. This soap has an eucalyptus scent and it smells fabulous. There are other scents as well, such as, lavender, peppermint, almond, tea tree, and unscented. I love this soap and use it from head to toe. It cleans very nice, but it doesn’t leave my hair or skin feeling stripped of its natural oils.

A while back I asked readers of this blog looking to get their product, business or service out to my readers to send me your details.  I have gotten a few responses, and I hope to make this a regular piece on my blog.  Today’s review is on Barber Eric Cheek, out of North Carolina.  You can find Eric on his MySpace page.  

First I must say that whenever I judge a barber it’s never first based on how his clients look, I always look to see how well kept he is.  A barber with a bad line or one that rarely shaves is an immediate warning sign.  Fortunately for Eric he does not have that problem.  In fact he and his wife are on the top of the list when it comes to keeping themselves, “camera ready”.

Their shop, located in Henderson North Carolina has been operating in our current capacity since March of 2005.  Eric has been major winning awards and I have been referring clients to his shop since I first learned of his styles.   From their site, I found out that,

Eric has been married for eight years to his wife and business partner, Jasmine Cheek. The two seek to represent Christ in all that they do and enjoy a full life with their four outstanding children. Educator, innovator and progressive industry force.

I wish them much success in the future and hope to do some styling at their shop in the near future.  If you are in the area and need a quick cut and yes ladies, he can cut ladies hair too check out his contact info.

I’m looking to spotlight more people so drop me a line when you can.

E-Clips Barber and Beauty Center
1212 E. Andrews Ave
Henderson, NC 27536
Phone: (252)431-0555
Cell:(252)915-9171

www.myspace.com/eclipsbarbershop

This review appears courtesy of MotownGirl:

Curls Milkshake
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

Ingredients:

Purified Water, Aloe Barbadenis Leaf Juice, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behnetrimonium Metosulfate, Jojoba Oil, Cetrimonium Chloride, Soy Protein, Soyamidoprpylkonium Chloride, Allantoin Soy Lecithin, Beeswax Milk, Coconut Milk, Aloe Vera Milk, Milk Amino Acids, Buttermilk, Arnica Extract, Lavender Extract, Chamomile Extract, White Tea Extract, Methylosothiazolinane, Fragrance.

I love this product. Its both a moisturizing leave in and a detangler in one. The scent is like a coconut smell and its consistency is just like its name: a milkshake. When I put it in my hair, it feels just like silk. I section my hair into parts and apply an ample amount. You could use any desired amount, but don’t use a lot though.

You could use it when your hair is wet or dry (like for styles such as a curly afro, braids, two strand twists, coilouts, and other natural styles). I use it to set my styles when my hair is wet and to moisturize and keep my hair styles in longer when dry. I tried all the natural hair styles and it was simply fabulous. I can also refresh my styles by spritzing it with water.

Another point to note is that this product is also good if you are transitioning from relaxed to natural. It will smooth your new growth and your relaxed hair and there will be less breakage between the two different textures. I tried this on my niece when she was transitioning, and it protected her hair from breaking.

I give this product 5 out of 5 stars (wish I could give it 100 stars!)

So what is the most beautiful gift that a woman can make? I think that everyone out there will agree that a BABY is the most wonderful precious gift that can come from the body of a woman.

Lets talk about the growth pattern of non-pregnant women vs pregnant women:  Normally the hair grows about one half inch per month and goes in to resting phase for a couple of months and then gradually falls out especially during shampooing or brushing. However during pregnancy the hair goes in to rest for a long period of time there fore very few hair falls off and thus making the hair thicker and fuller and enhancing their growth.
This phenomenon happens to more than half of pregnant women causing them to become more hairy during their pregnancy… yes I mean hairy all over not just on your head.  Becaue this site is about hair I will focus only on the hair on your head  ;-)  Your hair will tend to grow because of the hormonal changes that take place due to pregnancy in your body. Your hair may become much thicker or growth could becomes very fast.

Well you may be thinking that this is God sent and your hair will be this long an thick permanently….well I hate to burst your bubble but this is more then likely not the case.  With the birth of your beautiful child your hormones will begin to normalize and your hair growth patterns will return to normal and all the hair that didn’t shed during pregnancy will gradually or possibly abruptly fall out.  For some woman it will come out in large clumps other may notice simple excess shedding.  Don’t worry this is normal you body is just trying to normalize.

So how long after giving birth will this “shedding” occur?

It usually happens about 2-6 months after the birth of your child. There are things that you can do to your hair that may cause the shedding to become much worse!  DO NOT HAVE INDIVIDUAL BRAIDS PUT IN YOU HAIR.  I say this because during this time your hair has a propensity to fall out so you do not want to do anything to it that may cause extra stress on the hair follicle.  And trust me individual braids will be extra stress.  Cornrow braids are a much better choice but be careful who does them because you want to choose someone who will not pull your hair too tight so choose your braider carefully!

Once you make it through this temporary shedding phase your hair growth will be normal again and you will look like a million bucks… maybe more.