In the search for the perfect product to help cultivate healthy hair, many natural hair wearers are unaware that simple, inexpensive ingredients lay right within their own spice racks.

For centuries the spices and herbs that we use to cook our every day meals have been used to prevent hair loss, combat dandruff and help keep hair fresh and clean. Big name cosmetic companies have ushered in the trend of infusing their products with herbal essences for the past two decades or more because they recognize the benefit to hair health. But you don’t need the likes of Clairol or Garnier to gain the advantages or herbs in your hair care regimen.

Read more HERE.

Healthy Hair Wishes,

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Living in Columbus makes it somewhat difficult to do the “natural thang” in a wholly natural way.  Although there is a moderate amount of nappturals on the Capital City scene there aren’t very many salons or product companies that cater to natural hair care here, and so for many, home care and commercial products are the only alternative.  Well Camille McClesky is working to change all that with Yonnea’s Natural Beauty Products.

Combining all natural ingredients and years of natural hair care research, Yonnea’s Natural Beauty offers a variety of products that help to prevent breakage, nourish the hair and promotes growth.  As noted from Camille’s on photos on the Website’s header, Yonnea’s Natural Beauty has granted her full, long locks with just nine months use!  McClesky’s dedication to providing quality product to help naturals achieve health hair is not just a business, it is a life ambition that she takes very personally.

I am very passionate when it comes to hair and beauty, therefore my journey with Yonnea’s Natural Beauty Products will continue for life.  I hope you’ll enjoy my beauty products, jewelry and hair accessories.

So whether you’re a napptural here in Cbus or nationwide and are looking for certified organic products to help maintain your tresses, Yonnea’s Natural Beauty just may be the answer to your hair care prayers.  So drop by the Website at www.yonnea.com, or Email Camille with your questions at info@yonnea.com.

Healthy Hair Wishes!

Many natural hair wearers look to spice up their styles by adding a splash of color, or even undergoing an entire shade change. Whether using a permanent option or a semi-permanent rinse, color is yet another way to express the versatile beauty of natural hair. Because the makeup of curly and coiled hair is not as easy to color as its straight counterpart, oftentimes harsh chemical are needed to achieve “desired” results. While there are cosmetologists who specialize in “safe” color styling, many find themselves unable to afford their services and rely on home color kits to tint their strands.

With the growing concerns over the effects of chemicals used in hair care products on the hair and on the body, natural hair wearers in Columbus and nationwide are seeking healthier and economic color treatment choices. But is it possible to alter hair’s natural pigment using non chemical elements? Here are four possible agents that can help you reach your color accenting goal.

Read more HERE.

Healthy Hair Wishes,

For most the term natural hair immediately brings to mind Angela’s flowing fro, Stevie‘s beaded braids or Whoopi’s lengthy locks. Because most African-American hair types range from loosely curled to tightly coiled, many think of natural hair as less versatile than its straight counterpart when it comes to styling. While this may have been the case in previous decades, present day styling options for natural hair are as varied as the strands that comprise them. Whether salon coiffed or maintained at home, styling natural hair can light your creative spark and play a part in your individual sense of expression.

Read more HERE.

Healthy Hair Wishes,

With the current economic crisis seizing wallets and paychecks across the country, many natural hair wearers are finding it necessary to cut back on product purchases. Additionally, with concerns rising about possibly toxic ingredients in commercial products, many are seeking alternative that are gentle on their hair and the environment. Well the solution for both dilemmas could be as close as your local grocery store or kitchen, in the form of household items used every day.

Most know the story of how Lisa Price started Carol’s Daughter started making her own products by mixing shea butters and essential oils in her very own kitchen. Her multi-million dollar idea did not start out as a way to make Price money. It was born of a need for products that worked well with her hair type before the natural hair product industry was developed. Like Lisa, natural hair wearers can also forgo the store bought brands to work homemade wonders using basic, inexpensive items.

Read more HERE.

Healthy Hair Wishes,

Over the past decade it seems America has seen a positive rise in attitudes concerning their overall well-being. Nationwide citizens are changing their diets to include healthier foods that keep their systems functioning optimally, and working to incorporate regular exercise routines to ensure fit physiques. In addition to these adjustments, citizens are taking strides to make sure the products used to clean their homes are free of toxins that could compromise their health, and harm the surrounding environment. With all the focus on greener living it’s only natural that equal attention is given to the cosmetic products that go on the body since substances used on the skin and hair are absorbed into the system over time.

Within the natural hair community there is an ongoing campaign that encourages product label reading to identify possible toxic ingredients and make healthier hair care choices. Because large numbers of commercial products are known to contain potentially harmful components, many naturals find themselves having to give up their favourite shampoos, conditioners and styling aids in favor of more organic brands. But is the concern justified or just hype and propaganda?

Read more HERE.

Healthy Hair Wishes,

I was a Napturally Me! Lurker-In-Resident for a very long time, just to get a feel for the dynamics of the group.  In my experience over the years I’ve had the misfortune of meeting up with pretentious naturals (read: Nappy Nazis) and those encounters made me apprehensive when it came to forming alliances.  But because I know the way to benefit from any experience, especially from a networking standpoint, you have to be active within it, I took the plunge on the 20th and attended my first NM Meetup event — a potluck viewing of “Good Hair“.

Although I arrived “fashionably late” and halfway into the screening (my apologies to anyone I bumped while making my way to the back of the pitch black room *lol*) I was overjoyed to have made it and amazed by the turn out.  Partaking in the festivities was an impressive number of 30 nappturals, which doesn’t even fully represent the 81 member roll!  No disrespect to my culture and heritage but… Ya’ll know unless it’s a club function, church service or give-away, turn out for social functions can be painfully low.  Having founded a couple of writing groups in my time I know this to be painfully true.  So to see so many fellow naturals in one room just for the fun of connecting with other naturals was exhilarating, to say the least.  While I know I’m not alone in my journey thanks to my wonderfilled connections with nappy heads via Facebook and Twitter, it’s always to know that I have access to support in my life outside the Net.

In addition to the pleasant surprise I received from the number of attendees, I was also amazed at just how good “Good Hair” was.  Well… the half of it I saw. *lol*  Going in my expectations were that the movie was going to be a celebrity spearhead fluff piece comparable to Textured Tresses.  Because the Black hair debate has raged on for centuries with very few dips below the surface of texture, type and style issues, I was not anticipating a noteworthy expose from the likes of Chris Rock.  In that, I was not disappointed.  For the record, “Good Hair” will not answer the age old question of just why hair is such a big issue within the Black community.  It is not a dissertation on why natural hair is best, why the “straight standard” has prevailed for as long as it has, or why Black hair is so politically charged.  What it is is documentary of one man’s search to find the answers to those queries in order to know what to tell his daughter about her hair.  It was Chris Rock’s quest to understand for himself (and for his wallet) how to help his daughter take pride in her hair.  It was not meant to decry the use of perms, as many expected, so based on the merit of Chris’s intention, it was a good film.  In the end, hair is what it is based on each individuals perception of what it means to them.  There’s no way to blanketly label it, which is the movie’s conclusion.  To paraphrase Ice T at the film’s end, no matter the enhancements, as long as a woman feels good about her appearance her it’s all good.  I have to make it a point to cop a bootleg *ahem* rent a copy so I can catch the part I missed.  Oh, and for the record… Jason Griggers really should have won the hair show. *snap snap*

Following the screening was an engaging discussion between NM members, about the movie and other hair related topics.  The atmosphere was one of compassionate sharing and educating, showing the roots of everyone’s journey.  Again, it was refreshing to be in the presence of so many like minded individuals without the pretensions of natural “rules” and dogma.  Much to my surprise, Kendra, the groups Organizer, enlightened me to the fact that you don’t even have to be natural to be a member of the group.  As long as you have a love for natural hair and an interest in learning more about it (how to style it, how to keep it healthy) you are more than welcome.  Suffice it to say, I have found my local nappy home and plan to attend many more Nappturally Me! functions in the near future.

Shouts out to our gracious hostess Amber for organizing such a great event, to Akon, Sarai and Chele for the wonderful conversations, and to DaiRita for that kick ass “Black Ass Cake.” *lol*  To all the ladies who provided the delicious and bountiful dishes, thank you oh so much.  I look forward to kicking it natural with all of you again soon.

Healthy Hair Wishes,

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The Savvy Brown Blog is the hot spot for those of us who want to live healthier, but with the state of the economy as it is, also want to do so on a budget.  With sections containing tips on maintaining hair, body and household, The Savvy Brown Blog is the one stop Net spot for cost conscientious shoppers wanting to make a change to a greener lifestyle.

As luck would have it for us naturals, TSBB is helping us keep our tresses properly coiffed by sponsoring The Savvy Brown Kinky Curls Giveaway, offering one 8 oz. bottle of KC’s Knot Today Leave-In Conditioner and one 8 oz. container of KC’s Curly Custard at a price even the most frugal of us can afford… FREE!

The product descriptions are as such:

KINKY CURLING CUSTARD gives moisture and curl definition, hold and brilliant shiny hair all in one product!

It reduces bulk, defines & elongates your curls helping them to ‘hang’ better. CURLING CUSTARD will bring out the natural curl or wave pattern you never knew you had! It is an advanced botanical formula made with ALL NATURAL ingredients that nourish and strengthen the hair. Utilizing the humectant properties of the Agave Nectar, CURLING CUSTARD will give weight to your hair, define your curls, remove frizz, provide long lasting hold and shine without ever being greasy, crunchy or drying to your hair. This high performance product is very concentrated so a little goes a long way.

KNOT TODAY is a creamy herbal conditioner and detangler designed to smooth the cuticle and remove knots, snarls and tangles from thick curly textured hair. After washing hair, apply KNOT TODAY generously and work through troubled areas with a wide tooth comb.Can be used as a regular rinse out conditioner for wavy hair or as a leave-in for thicker curlier hair types. An excellent product to use after removing braids and extensions.

For more information on Kinky Curls products, you can visit their site at www.kinky-curls.com.

Now while the cost to you is free, there are a few painless requirements entrants have to meet in order to be eligible. Still interested?  Well then surf click the above link and start the process already!  And while you’re there be sure to browse through the wonderfully informational bank of posts Savvy Brown has to share.

Healthy Hair Wishes,

The decision to transition hair from chemically altered back to its natural state is one that does not come easy. It’s a process that involves mentally breaking through antiquated beauty standards and reeducating yourself from the roots of your hair up. Unlike in the beginning of this most recent natural boom where information on going natural was sparse, there is now a multitude of Blogs and Websites dedicated to the art and beauty of cultivating natural hair. But if you’re starting your journey like most – especially if you live in an area where the natural wave has not caught on yet – the wealth of information presented can be overwhelming. Do you automatically launch into locs, twist your tresses or break out the scissors for a BC? And what exactly is a BC anyway. Well for naturals in Columbus, the answer to that question and many others could be as close as your neighbourhood bookseller.

The Knotty Truth is a 140 page natural hair guide that breaks the transitioning process into bite-sized portions that even the greenest natural newbie can digest easily. Written by Columbus resident M. Michele George, The Knotty Truth offers insight on every leg of the journey, covering the beginning of Black hair history and providing myth-busting facts to help make natural hair care maintenance a breeze.

Read more HERE.

Healthy Hair Wishes,

When I first started out on the natural path I had sooooo many misconceptions about what to expect.  Of course there were the negative myths that had been committed to memory over the years that everyone on this journey has to break through at one time or another; black hair isn’t “good” hair, straight hair is professional, natural hair equated to poor hygiene practices.  You all know the roll.  But those weren’t the misconceptions I’m speaking of.  Once I’d gotten to the point where I knew that my hair was just as beautiful in its natural state as it was when chemically relaxed, I began creating delusions of epic proportion that my maintenance practices would automatically result in Jill Scott type glory.  Having admired Jilly from Philly’s tresses from a far for so many years, not because of the beauty of her styles but because of the apparent pride that emanates through her curls, when I stopped perming I was hyped up about getting to the stage where my hair could achieve such grandeurous states of design.  It wasn’t just Jill’s coils I coveted, though.  Anytime I turned on the TV or saw a print ad that featured a woman rocking a well coiffed twist or braid out, or saw a natural sistah on the street sporting a fluffy fro or perfect puffs, I’d smile to myself and think, “Yeah…  That’s going to be me one day.”  But no matter how I manipulated my locks, how well I cared for them or how much I nurtured them, I just could not duplicate Jill’s or Erykah’s or even the lady on the Walmart commercial’s look on my own head.  Either my hair wasn’t long enough or it was too soft to hold the style, my curl wasn’t defined enough or the product didn’t work as promised.  The disappointments at not being able to get my hair to “act right” caused me to hate my hair for awhile, and for a very hot minute, had me undressing the yellow and purple Motions containers with my eyes whenever I saw them at my local beauty supply store. *lol*

I think all new naturals go through that stage.  As with anything, it’s really easy to foster unrealistic expectations of an experience if you’re only seeing the end result of it.  That is especially true when it comes to the natural hair experience.  It’s really easy to become discouraged when you put your time and effort into creating dynamic styles only to have them come off less than the perfection you desired.  I think this is part of the reason for the belief many hold that natural hair isn’t for everyone.  But the point many naturals (and non-naturals as well) miss is there is no one natural journey that is alike.  Because each of us possesses a different hair type and texture, it is our hair that has to be the standard when we style and maintain our hair.  Because each of the hairs on our head are as diverse as our individual spirits, we can only hope to get close to another’s results in their journey, and must learn to appreciate the ability of our hair for what it can do, not what we’d like it to do.  This can only be achieved by embracing the “now” of your journey and spending time to appreciate it while learning your hair at each stage.  Only through knowing your hair will you be able to realistically achieve styles that compliment you while displaying the unique glory of you.

During an interview with M. Michele George, author of The Knotty Truth, Chele, who has a head full of beautifully formed locs that lay well past her shoulders, we touched on this topic.  She recounted the numerous compliments she has received on her hair as it is now, and the various times she’s heard someone  say “I can’t wait till my hair gets to that point.”  While she appreciated the compliments, Chele never hesitated to keep it real with the commenter, advising them to go back and view the various pictures that showed the progress that led her up to the gorgeous locs she sports now.

“Whenever I tell someone to look at my progress during each step, they always thank me.  What many don’t realize is it’s all a journey.  In order to get here I had to go through the ‘unpretty’ stages of forming the locs, learning to tighten and maintain them… It was not easy, but it was going through those stages that brought me into an appreciation for my hair on its terms.”

There is nothing wrong with loving up on a fellow natural’s style and waiting to achieve it for yourself, but be mindful that your results may not be the same as hers (or his) because you are two different people with two different heads of hair and a multitude of other differing factors.  This goes quadruple for envying the style of your favourite celebrity, who has an entire glam squad in their employ to help them achieve their styles.

As with all things on the journey styling comes with patience, practice and knowing your hair.  Staying mindful of this will help keep you from getting discouraged when your attempts miss the mark of your expectations.

Healthy Hair Wishes,