Influenster Holiday Voxbox

Hey Curly Nation!

It's ya girl MusiQ! Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season and excited about the upcoming New Year that is to come. A few weeks ago, I was so fortunate to receive a Holiday Voxbox from Influenster. Influenster is a website that people can join to potentially try out products for free and give their honest review. Based on certain surveys and badges received, Influenster determines who will receive these Voxboxes and then it's up to you to review the items that you receive. It's an amazing way to try products that you may or may not have heard of and possibly gain new product favorites to purchase in the near future.

The products I received were in various categories from cosmetics to food items. All were nicely packaged and very appealing at first. The items are as follows:

• The imPRESS Press on Manicure by Broadway Nails
• NYC Liquid Lip Shine in “Nude York City”
• Mentos  Pure Fresh Chewing Gum in Mint
• The Softsoap Coconut Scrub Bar Twin Pack
• A Sample of Montage Jeunesse Face Mask in Strawberry
• A Larabar Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Energy Bar
• A Coupon for Larabar Energy Bars
• A Coupon for imPress Nails

Products that I've tried so far:

SoftSoap Coconut Scrub

The SoftSoap Coconut Scrub had an amazingly awesome smell, but oddly enough, it did not smell a thing like coconut to me. lol!
It has a very fresh and scent that I kind of reminds of watermellon jollyranchers only much lighter in scent. I find it to be a very pleasant scent.

What the soap had in scent unfortunately, it lacked in performance. This soap does not create a deal of lather which leaves you feeling the need to use more soap, which could eventually lead to the soap being used up much more quickly than other soaps in theory. The only other positive about this soap is that it doesn't leave your skin overly dry.

NYC Liquid Lip Shine, Nude York City

NYC Liquid Lip Shine's Nude York City is a lip gloss that is perfect for all complexions. It doesn't take much to give your lips a lasting shine that for me did not need to be reapplied for several hours unless I ate or drank something. It's not sticky which is a plus (I HATE sticky lip gloss. Ugh!). Definitely on my list of repurchases once it runs out.








Mentos Pure Fresh Chewing Gum, Mint

The Mentos Pure Fresh Chewing Gum in Mint Flavor was a burst of freshness in your mouth that last for quite a while. As the first hour past the gum still maintained a level of freshness even though it was not as strong as it was when I started chewing it initially. After the second hour, the gum STILL had a fresh taste. By this time, my other gum has the yucky stale taste that you throw away or get another piece by this time. Very effective and worth buying. Looks like I'm gonna be switching. lol!





This concludes my review of the Holiday Voxbox for now. Once I try the other products, I will definitely give you and update. Have a safe and Happy New Year and til next time Curly Nation!

Live Free! Live Natural!




~MusiQ



Where Have You Been Girl?!!

Hey Curly Nation!

It's ya girl MusiQ!! *gasp* Yes....it's me. lol! I apologize for my recent hiatus for over a month. I had a lot going on with the start of a new job along with some personal events that have occurred in my life that really rocked my world in 2011. It's been a very interesting year to say the least, but I wouldn't change a thing. I hope you all are enjoying the holidays as I have and are looking forward to an awesome new year. I will be reemerging with some updates on my current regimen as well as some reviews that are long overdue. Til next tme Curly Nation!

Live Free! Live Natural!



~MusiQ

The Beauty Boudoir Fall Fab Giveaway

Hey Curly Nation!

It's ya girl MusiQ and I coming to you today with my very first giveaway sponsored by The Beauty Boudoir!!! The grand prize is the fabulous earring and bracelet set below known on the Beauty Beauty Boudoir online boutique as the "Jackson."

The rules for the contest are as follows:


1. Like both the "Diary of an AfroCurly Chick" and "The Beauty Boudoir" Facebook pages.

2. Subscribe to the "Diary of an AfroCurly Chick" blog.

3. Like @AfroCurlyChick and @TBBBoutique

4. Leave a comment or respond to a topic on The Beauty Boudoir Boutique Facebook fan page.

5. Type "Enter Me" along with your  Facebook Username, and Twitter Username as a comment below. DEADLINE IS SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2011 AT 11:59PM!!

Don't miss out on your chance to win!! Til next time Curly Nation

Live Free! Live Natural!

~MusiQ

In Review: Curls for a Cause Charity Gala

Hey Curly Nation!

It's ya girl MusiQ and today, I want to share with you my review on a fabulous event that I had the pleasure of attending called Curls for a Cause sponsored by Its Me Monchhichi and Waterfront Millionaires. Curls for a Cause Charity Gala was the brainchild of Natural Hair vlogger/blogger Jonna Scott-Blakes of Its Me Monchhichi and was designed to bring women in the natural hair community together in support of the Menchville House, a transitional facility for homeless women and children in Newport News, VA. Although this event was the "clarion call" to naturals to make their curls count, the event was also open to women (and men) of all hair types to come and support this worthy cause.

The Curls for a Cause Charity Gala took place on Friday September 23, 2011 and from beginning to end, this event was classy and sophisticated. Every person in attendance was greeted at the door and offered to have their picture taken by, professional photographer Dana Haskins of Azulita Imaging before entering the event. Each person in attendance also received a goodie bag filled with various items from Nature's Gate body wash samples to Jessicurl sample packs, Mosaic hair picks, Goody's hair accessories, and more. What a treat!! The beginning of the event consisted of a mixer where everyone could get a chance to mix and mingle, enjoy food & drinks, and just relax all while enjoying the music that was provided by the DJ for the night, none other than DJ Boogeyman.

The event then moved forward to an official welcome followed by a word from a representative of the Menchville House, and a testimonial from a former resident of the Menchville House which was very moving.

The Gala was a colorful combination of hair, music, and fashion. This was evident in the diverse group of vendors that were represented during this event including Mary Kary, The Queens Jewels, Alodeuri Jewerly & Accesories, and Posh Retro just to name a few. Posh Retro also took part in one of the three fashion segments that took place during the gala along with Marshall's and N'Btwn Boutique. If I could sum up the beautiful pieces in two words, it would be "Urban Chic". Each piece was elegant and stylish but still displayed a hint of urban appeal. We were also graced with the musical stylings of Crystal Styles and E'boni, two singers who definitely moved the crowd with their performances! In between each segment there were giveaways including hair products, hair tools, and a beautiful art piece by Toronto Natural Hair Vlogger Toni Daley. It truly was a night where the phrase "give and it shall be given unto you" took on a whole new meaning.

Several members of the press were attendance including Natural Hair Vlogger/Blogger Brandi Turpin aka Thik and Kurly, cofounder of Embracing Your Beauty and Sheora Harris of She.Unique Photography who both covered the entire event that evening. Their coverage from the event can be found on both Facebook and Youtube.

I truly enjoyed the Curls for a Cause Charity Gala and congratulate Jonna on a job well done. She pulled off a fabulous event and raised awareness to such a charitable cause in the process. "It looks like we're gonna have to" is what she said with a smile. You heard it here folks. LOL! Til next time Curly Nation!

Live Free! Live Natural!



~MusiQ

Length Envy

Hey Curly Nation!

It's ya girl MusiQ and I know this is a topic that a lot of us in the natural hair community can relate to. When I took the plunge and went natural, I would take pictures to document my hair growth and do length checks during the course of my journey. From one group of pics to the next, it was plain to see that my hair was growing, which made me excited. Unfortunately, all of the excitement would soon go out the door once I had checked out other people's progress on Youtube.

I would watch Youtube of course to gain knowledge on how to take care of my hair, and to watch other people's natural hair journeys. Everything was fine for a while, until I would see the growth a lot of these women would achieve in 6 months to a year. I'm sure you all know what happens next - COMPARISONS! I began comparing my hair to other naturalistas, and for a minute there, I thought that maybe I was doing something wrong. And then....it happened! I started to experience what I know many of you have experienced during your hair journeys - LENGTH ENVY! I just knew that there must've been something wrong with my hair and that it obviously wasn't healthy because the rate of growth was not as fast as what I had seen. As time progressed, I've finally come to several realizations:

EVERYONE'S HAIR IS DIFFERENT
On average, human hair grows a 1/2 per month. The rate of growth, however, varies from person to person based on such factors as heredity, the environment, and hormones to name a few.

EVERYTHING IS NOT WHAT IT SEEMS
Oftentimes, when a naturalista says for example that she is "6 months natural" or "one year natural", that may actually only include the time spent fully natural (post Big Chop), and not the time she spent transitioning. In this case, a person who might be 6 months fully natural may have actually been transitioning 6 months or more prior to BCing.

With this in mind, the best person to make comparisons with is yourself. Compare your hair growth in one picture to your hair growth in another, and if you sincerely believe that something may be hindering or stopping your hair growth, consult with you doctor.

Well, that's it for now ladies! Hope you all enjoy your holiday. I know I will!! LOL! Til next time Curly Nation!

Live Free! Live Natural!



~MusiQ


                  

Is The Natural Hair Community Being Taken Advantage Of??

Hey Curly Nation!

It's ya girl MusiQ and today I have a question for all of you out there in the natural hair community.  It seems like every day, I'm hearing of a new product line that just hit the online market. Even well-known and established hair care lines in the African American community have created new hair care products that cater specifically to natural hair. And now there's even talk of a natural hair sorority! What next? All this sounds well and good "on paper", but is it really ALL good? Throughout my entire natural hair journey, I have heard reports of issues with certain businesses that cater to those with natural hair from price hikes to undelivered orders. Even products coming out the GATE with insane prices before they've even established themselves as a reputable company, and we (or at least some of us) buy into it. This brings me to a question - Is the natural hair community being taken advantage of or is it all fair game in "the pursuit of happyness".....? Let me know what you think. Til next time Curly Nation!

Live Free! Live Natural!



~MusiQ

My Process on Achieving The Most Accurate Product Results

Hey Curly Nation!

It's ya girl MusiQ! Well, my quest for the perfect conditioner continues on with a group of conditioning products to try from the Darcy's Botanicals line, and I am so excited! I won't be diving into these products, however without adhering to a few basic criteria to ensure that my results are at least accurate if not favorable:

Clarify my hair:
Clarifying my hair with a sulfate shampoo will not only remove any build up, but ensure that what is going on with my hair is a result of the products that I'm currently using and not results distorted by other products that have built up on my hair.

Exclusive Use:
As much as I like to switch things up, for the time being I will stick exclusively to the new products that I'm trying so that I can gain some insight into how they actually work. This leads me to my last and final point....

Sufficient Testing Duration:
In other words, I won't use a product one time and think that I've sufficiently learned all that there is to know about the products. An extended period of time will ensure that I have accurately assessed the performance of the products that I am trying. I tend to try products out for at least a month in different ways and then give my final verdict. The only reason I would consider not using a product a great deal of time is if I experience an allergic reaction or other adverse effects. Thankfully, I never have. LOL!


Well folks! I hope you enjoyed reading about how I like to experiment with products. Til next time Curly Nation!

Live Free! Live Natural!



~MusiQ

08/22/11: This Week in Natural Hair

Hey Curly Nation!

It's ya girl MusiQ! It's that time again!! Click on any one of the events listed below for more information on some great meetups and mixers in the natural hair community:



Friday August 26, 2011

1. Happily Natural Day - Atlanta, GA & Richmond, VA

 

 

Saturday August 27, 2011

1. Happily Natural Day - Atlanta, GA & Richmond, VA
2. Karen's Body Beautiful 10th Anniversary Haute Hair Affair - Brooklyn, NY 
3. Natural Hair Support Group - Oklahoma, OK
4. Respect the Fro' - London, UK
5. Styling Party and Product Swap - Charlotte, NC

Sunday August 28, 2011

1. Glamzini's Glam Fab Get Together - St. Louis, MO
2. Happily Natural Day - Atlanta, GA & Richmond, VA
3. No-Lye-N-It Natural Hair Meetup Part II - Delkalb, IL

Til next time Curly Nation!


Live Free! Live Natural!



~MusiQ

Product Review: Aloe 80 Organics Daily Conditioner-Lemon & Rosemary

Hey Curly Nation!

It's ya girl MusiQ and today I'm coming to you today with a product review of a conditioner known as Aloe 80 Organics Daily Conditioner-Lemon & Rosemary. Aloe 80 Organics Daily Conditioner is a product that is a part of the Lily of the Desert, a brand that consists of various aloe vera based health & beauty products. I found out about this product through a search that I was doing on Vitacost's website (Love this site!).  The conditioner is thick in consistency and has an herbal smell that is reminiscent of the Khoret Amen Hair Smoothie from Carol's Daughter but less strong and much more pleasant. So, what did I think of the product, you ask? Check out my overview along with the final verdict below:

Ingredients:
The ingredients in this product are absolutely wonderful. In addition to having certified organic aloe vera gel, it also has certified organic natural shea butter and contains no parabens, artificial colors, synthetic fragrances, or animal by-products. For all of you who tend to buy products on the more natural side, you definitely be impressed with this list of ingredients:

Certified Organic Aloe Vera Gel, Behentrimonium Chloride and Aloe Vera Gel, Cetearyl Alcohol and Aloe Vera Gel, Cetrimonium Chloride, Certified Organic Natural Shea Butter, Cetyl Alcohol, Organic Natural Shea Butter, Cetyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol (and) Caprylyl Glycol (and) Sorbic Acid, Certified Organic AloeSorb, Lemon (Citrus Medica Limonum) Peel Oil, Jojoba (Simmondsia Chinensis Seed) Oil, Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf) Oil, Potassium Sorbate, DL Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Chamomile (Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower) Extract, Soybean Oil, Hybrid Safflower Oil, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Biotin, Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E).

Price:
The price was quite affordable. I purchased a 16 fl oz bottle from Vitacost for $9.18 including shipping (The price has changed since then.). Not bad considering the fact that even using a generous amount for an entire month, I still haven't even used half of my bottle of conditioner. Now THAT's what I call getting more bang for your buck!

Slip:
Even though the product is thick, the slip was virtually non-existent. For me, this would not be the type of conditioner that I would detangle with right out of the shower after a shampoo.

Multipurpose Use:
I tried this conditioner as a deep conditioner in combination with a hot oil treatment as I often do when I condition my hair and my results were as follows:

Using Heat:
This conditioner worked well with the use of a hooded dryer. I deep conditioned for 15 minutes, and my hair was soft an much easier detangle. 

Without Heat:
I conditioned my hair overnight, detangled my hair, and then rinsed it out. Unfortunately, I did not get the softness and ease of detangling that I received when heat is applied.

Verdict:
 I would say that this conditioner is definitely worth trying if you want an organic conditioner that you could use as a deep conditioner without paying deep conditioner prices. The only catch is that that you would need to use heat to get the best results. Personally, I would not buy this again, because it did not have great slip and it seemed to produce the optimum results only when heat was applied.

Til next time Curly Nation!


Live Free! Live Natural!



~MusiQ

08/15/11: This Week In Natural Hair

Hey Curly Nation!

It's ya girl MusiQ! It's that time again!! Time to check out what's happening this week in natural hair. Wanna mix and mingle with other naturalistas in your area? Click on any one of the events listed below for more information on some great meetups and mixers in the natural hair community:


Tuesday August 16, 2011

1. Natural Beauties Monthly Meet and Greet - Bowie, MD

Friday August 19, 2011

1. DCN Presents: Curls & Cocktails #3 Moisture Sponsored by NAS - Louisville, KY
2. Healthy Hair Care Workshop - London, UK

Saturday August 20, 2011

1. New England Natural Hair Care Expo - Hartford, CT
2. Natural Hair Care Meetup / Pamper Party - Mobile, AL

Sunday August 21, 2011

1. Natural Hair Competition "Natural Cutie of the Year" - Memphis, TN

Til next time Curly Nation!


Live Free! Live Natural!



~MusiQ

My Quest for the Perfect Conditioner

Hey Curly Nation!

It's ya girl MusiQ! As I sit here typing about my quest for the perfect conditioner, what am I doing? Deep Conditioning. LOL! I am trying out this new conditioner (new to me anyway) that I found on Vitacost's website to see if it could possibly be one of my staples. I don't necessarily need a whole list of "go to" conditioners, but if I can find that one that leaves my hair soft and pliable while also leaving it moisturized, that's all I need. Fortunately for me, I have acquired several other conditioners to try through product swaps, free samples, and a giveaway; so I am looking forward to experimenting and writing some reviews for all of you afrocurly chicks and naturalistas out there on the same quest as I. I'm about to go wash this conditioner out in a few, but before I go, let me give you the categories that will be the determinants of whether or not I have found my staple conditioner:

Slip
If a conditioner has good enough slip that you can detangle with it in the shower, that would be a definite plus.

Multipurpose Use
The conditioners ability to double as both a daily conditioner and a deep conditioner is key for me.

Responds With or Without Using Heat
I use heat during deep conditioning sessions when I'm tired or in a hurry to finish, but I mainly prefer to deep condition without the use of a hooded dryer. This is why a conditioner that responds well with or without the use of heat is important to me.

Price
I don't know about you ladies, but I don't want to be spending an arm and a leg on products. Don't get me wrong. I like buying products just as much as the next girl, but I just believe that you can find great products that do the job but won't break the bank.

Although all of these characteristics would be preferred, I know that some conditioners have a tendency to excel in certain categories and fall short in others. This will definitely be an interesting adventure and experiment to say the least. So, what do you think, Curly Nation? Will I ever find the one conditioner that is the perfect conditioner for me or are my standards just way to high? Let a sista know! Til next time Curly Nation!


Live Free! Live Natural!



~MusiQ

This Week in Natural Hair....

Hey Curly Nation!

It's ya girl MusiQ! Wondering what's going on in the world of natural hair this weekend? Click on any one of the events listed below for more information on some great social gatherings in the natural hair community:


Friday August 12, 2011

1. The Kiddie Salon "Good Hair" Meetup -Toledo, OH

Saturday August 13, 2011

1. A Curly Affair: Naturals Night Out - Jacksonville Beach, FL
2. Kim Cole's Grow-Out Challenge Wrap-Up Celebration - Los Angelos, CA
3. Meetup with Glamswagger at Vappiano's in DC - Washington, DC
4. Natural Hair Meet-up Extravaganza - McComb, MS
5. Styling Natural Hair Meetup and Soul Food Dinner at Aah Salon and spa!!!!!!!! - Hampton, VA
6. Tapas & Twist Outs - San Antonio, TX
7. The Queen's Jewels Jewelry Party & Product Swap - Norfolk, VA
8. UK Natural Hair Workshop - Soho, London

Wherever you are in the world, be proud of your natural tresses and have fun doing it! Til next time Curly Nation!

Live Free! Live Natural!

~ MusiQ "that AfroCurly Chick"

Waterfront Millionaires Presents Curls for a Cause Charity Gala

PRESS RELEASE

Waterfront Millionaires presents Curls for a Cause charity gala in support of Menchville House

Newport News, VA, September 23, 2011: –

Waterfront Millionaires invites Hampton Roads and surrounding area community members to attend their first "Curls for a Cause" charity gala event on Friday September 23, 2011 at the Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center in Newport News, VA.

The "Curls for a Cause" charity gala, sponsored by Waterfront Millionaires, is geared towards anyone interested in natural hair and will benefit Menchville House, a long-term transitional facility for homeless women and children located in Newport News, VA. Tickets for the event are $15 each for regular admission, but the first 50 guests who purchase tickets will receive VIP reserved seating. All attendees will receive a complimentary "goodie bag" filled by event sponsors.

The gala starts at 6:30 PM with complimentary food and drinks until 7:30pm, giveaways from event sponsors, performances by local artists, a fashion show, and more all being a part of the night’s festivities.

Area women can enter the "Big Chop Bombshell" makeover contest for a chance to win a complimentary haircut, style and makeup, along with other prizes from event sponsors. For more information or to enter the contest, please visit http://bigchopbombshellmakeover.wordpress.com.

For more information or to purchase tickets or donate online, please visit www.curlsforacause.eventbrite.com. For sponsorship opportunities, email h2omillionaires.events@yahoo.com.

About Waterfront Millionaires

Founded in 2010 and based in Hampton, VA, Waterfront Millionaires is a leading provider of music artist management, telecommunications and event management solutions for the Hampton Roads community. Visit us at http://waterfrontmillionaires.wordpress.com.

Media Contact:

Jonna Scott-Blakes

h2omillionaires.events@yahoo.com

(prefered method of contact)

(757) 285-2982

Dear Natural Nazi....

Dear Natural Nazi,

I've known you for quite a while, and for a minute we were cool. The zealous exuberance that you displayed over embracing your natural tresses could be felt by all. Unfortunately, so could  your brash comments. SMH. Your wealth of knowledge is amazing. Unfortunately, you fail to realize that not everyone wants to hear it. This doesn't stop you, however, from spreading the gospel of natural hair to every non-natural woman that you see in hopes that those who have succumbed to the "creamy crack" will come to the light. Even your fellow naturals must hear your message in order to "properly" embrace the natural lifestyle. After all, we wouldn't want anyone to go astray, would we? Although your intentions, I'm sure, are pure; your actions fail to interpret that. You belittle those who are not like you and talk down to those who care to learn. Because of your staunch and overbearing stance on natural hair, those on the outside looking in assume that all natural chicks act this way plunging us into a war of Relaxed vs. Natural (Click here to read my homegirl Kira's take on the subject). Even your fellow naturals feel the strain of your presence within the natural hair community, and it needs to end. Although your excitement for natural hair is admirable, there are a few things that you must understand. Everyone's idea of natural may not be yours, but if it works for them, why condemn it. You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar. Having said that, if you want to convert a relaxed sista to the natural hair community, you might want to focus on the positives of being natural versus the negatives of being relaxed. No one likes feeling attacked or looked down on for a decision that they feel is the best for them. It's okay to disagree, just as long as it's respectfully. And just in case you're in doubt as to whether or not you should sing the praises of natural hair in a room full of non-naturals, think on this. The best time to discuss natural hair is usually when the ones you are conversing with bring up the subject. I sincerely hope that you take heed to this heartfelt plea from one natural to another, and consider a new approach to walking out this natural journey. Much love to you!



Sincerely,




~ MusiQ "that AfroCurly Chick"

TMI: Too Much Information

Hey Curly Nation!

It's ya girl MusiQ! As I listen to "Remember Me" by Swoope, I wanna talk to you about the myriad of resources that is out there for afrocurly chicks like you and me. Yeah....it's a wonderful thing, right? Uhhhhh.....LOL! I would say it is and it isn't. I remember when I started transitioning over a year ago. I did my research like so many newbies through blogs, natural hair sites, and Youtube channels; and it became so confusing. Who's right? Who's wrong? From conflicting to just plain wrong "facts", it was just WAY too much information!! What is a natural chick supposed to do?! EXPERIMENT! That's right! Turn your hair into a lab experiment and record your results:

• What works?
• What doesn't?
• What does your hair like?
• What does your hair hate?

And the list goes on.....


The task to find a hair regimen that works for you may seem daunting, but here are a few basic things to remember on your quest:

1. Clean hair is healthy hair.
Shampooing your hair regularly is important to cleanse the scalp and thus aid in the growth of the hair. In order to avoid the stripping effect that is often experienced as a result of using shampoo, be sure to find a sulfate-free shampoo that is rich in moisture.

For those of you naturalistas that prefer cowashing (conditioner washing) your hair, I would highly recommend shampooing your hair with a clarifying shampoo at least once a month to avoid product build up.

2. Conditioner is your friend.
I don't know about you ladies, but I am in love with conditioner! Finding good conditioners is key in detangling (i.e.,daily conditioners/leave-in conditioners), ensuring softness and manageability (i.e.,daily conditioners/deep conditioners), and maintaining moisture (i.e.,daily condish/deep condish/leave-in condish). Whatever your personal hair needs are (moisture, reconstructive, anti-breakage, protein, etc.) should determine the types of conditioners that you will use.

3. Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize!!
We afrocurly chicks need all the moisture we can get!! Starting off with water or a water-based product followed by an oil will help keep the hair moisturized. For those who find that simply adding a moisturizer and an oil is not adequate, try also using a cream-based moisturizer in addition to the first two for added moisture.

MY BEST ADVICE: At the end of the day, it's YOUR hair and only you can determine what's best for it through time and trial and error. Having said that, I hope all of you newbellas out there have fun getting to know your hair and enjoy the journey! Until next time Curly Nation!


Live Free! Live Natural!




~MusiQ

So Just What Does It Mean To Be Natural?: Everyone's Got An Opinion

Hey Curly Nation!

It's ya girl MusiQ, and today, I would like to discuss the concept of "being natural". Just what does it mean to be natural anyway? I actually thought I knew what it meant until I visited various chats and online discussions, but now I'm a tad bit confused.:( I've always thought that being natural in its basic definition was being free of relaxers. Now, after being a part of different online conversations, I've found that concept of what is natural can vary from person to person. I remember visiting a Facebook fan page that was not a natural hair page, and they posted the question "What does it mean to be natural?" Of course, I looked at several people's answers before posting my own and was shocked and amazed that some people actually believe that being natural included being free of weaves, wigs, and any type of extensions (such braids). I thought that was rather absurd considering the fact that your natural hair will still remain natural even while covered under weave, because it does not alter your natural hair pattern (I digress). I then proceeded to give my opinion which was along the lines of what I stated previously, and tried to educate people on the use of extensions as protective styles by natural women. I was then verbally chastised by one young woman and told that women who do that only do that because they don't want to do their hair. She also told me that she had been natural for quite a while and didn't use protective styles, that I didn't need to either, and that people should do their own hair in a nutshell. I did try to explain that everyone is different and that there is no right or wrong to this natural hair thing, but I wasn't going to argue. I just left the conversation with a "to each his own" type of comment, and kept it moving. Upon further analysis of this whole natural hair debate, I've realized one thing. For some people, natural hair is a state of being and not just a simple change in hair texture. In other words, unless you're rocking your own natural hair 24/7, in some people's eyes, YOU'RE NOT NATURAL.  I say, WHO CARES! Whether you rock your natural hair as an Afro or under a weave, we all belong to the same sisterhood of naturals and should embrace each other for our differences as well what we have in common. As I climb off my soapbox, I hope you all have a wonderful start to the week! Until next time Curly Nation!


Live Free! Live Natural!




~MusiQ

Hair Image: Did any of you experience this when you went natural?

Hi Curly Nation!

It's ya girl MusiQ and today, I wanna talk to you guys about hair image. As I stated in my first blog entry, I used relaxers for over 20 years before I actualy went natural. Most of my life was spent with straight hair, so I guess it shouldn't have been a surprise to me what happened when I finally did my big chop. Before I explain my experience, I wanted to ask you all a few simple questions. Have any of you ever realized that you had a "relaxed" image of yourself once you went natural? And if you did, did your appearance as a natural ever come in conflict with that "relaxed" image? Let me explain what I mean....

Rewind to when I got my big chop. My first reaction was relief because I no longer had to deal with the two textures that were on top of my head. That relief was short-lived, however, and I felt the need to get my hair braided because I wasn't ready to rock my hair in it's natural state. Once I did get the courage to deal with my natural hair, I realized something that was very interesting before and after I would look at myself in the mirror each day, and that was that the image that I had of myself post-relaxer was still that of a woman with a relaxer. It might sound crazy to you, but this REALLY happened to me. That image of myself was so strong in my mind, that for a while, my actual appearance in the mirror would come as quite a shock to me. It was quite a strange phenomenon that really made it difficult to embrace the natural me for a while, but eventually, an image that took nearly twenty years to build was broken down in less than 3 months. Now, I'm embracing who I am naturally and it's a beautiful thing. 

To all the Naturalistas out there, let me know if you've had a similar hair image experience. I would really love your feedback on this subject. Until next time, Curly Nation!

Live Free! Live Natural!

~MusiQ

Just Let Your Soul Glow!! Just Let it Shine!: My Moisturizing Regimen

Hey Curly Nation!

It's ya girl MusiQ! As I look back on the years when I had a jheri curl *shudder*, one thing I remember was how moisturized and shiney (too shiney rather) my hair looked. To understand just how shiney my hair was back then all one would need to do is watch the infamous Soul Glow commercial on the movie Coming to America. Yep, it really was that shiney. lol! After I went natural, however, I found myself on the opposite side of the moisture scale, and it was no picnic. TRUST ME ON THAT! I tried using oil alone, and that did not work. Then, I learned that using water or a water-based product and sealing with oil was a the key to moisturizing success. I did this for a while, but for some reason I just wasn't getting the optimal results that I needed to get my hair properly moisturized. It wasn't until I saw a video on Youtube by Blakizbeautyful (Click here to see her video) several months ago that I was inspired to create my own variation of a moisturizing regimen that works for me. Believe it or not, my moisturizing regimen is very simple and can be summed up in this very simple equation:

        WATER OR WATER-BASED MOISTURIZER

              +          

OIL (SEALANT)

    +

        CREAM-BASED MOISTURIZER

         ____________________________________________

         OPTIMUM MOISTURE

My application of this equation starts with the Shea Moisture Organic Coconut & Hibiscus Hold & Shine Moisture Mist (water or water-based moisturizer). Then, I seal in the moisture with extra virgin olive oil. And finally, I add the Shea Moisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque (cream-based moisturizer) on top and style as I wish. The result....AMAZING!! My hair is left feeling so soft and moisturized that I don't have to reapply for at least a couple of days. Plus, the combination works great for twist outs. It works wonders for my hair, and I hope that if any of you are still looking for your regimen that maybe this will work for you. I know how tough it is to maintain moisture in your hair, and I also know that what works for one does not always work for another. Of course, there's nothing to it but to do it, so get to experimenting and feel free to try my moisturizing regimen or check out Blakizbeautyful's amazing moisturizing regimen video. Who knows. Maybe you'll come up with your own variation as well. *wink* Until next time, Curly Nation!

Live Free! Live Natural!

~MusiQ

Wash n' No Go

Hi Curly Nation!

It's ya girl MusiQ and I want to talk to you today about my frustration with the elusive Wash n' Go. I remember my first attempt at a wash n' go. *sigh* How sad of a day that was. I attempted to do a wash n' go using Eco Styler gel. I washed my hair and did a hot oil and deep condition treatment and then washed it out. I made the mistake of using a leave in conditioner other than Knot Today, which I heard is a great leave in for wash n' go's. Unfortunately, when the hair dried it left a flaky mess. In addition to that, I didn't use enough of the Eco Styler, so it dried with little to no curl definition when it was all over. Not a very good hair day at all!! March 23, 2011 marked my second try at a wash n' go and it was a successful failure. While the product I used did the job of defining my curls, the shrinkage was out of this world!! Some people may embrace shrinkage, but it always makes me look like I am two or 3 months post BC (big chop). Yeah....me no likey at all. LOL! Fast forward to the present and I am still determined to do a successful wash n' go. I will probably try again some time this summer. Don't get me wrong. I am NOT obsessed with defining my curls, but I am a fan of quick styling. This is the one reason why I am so determined to try it again. If it doesn't work out, life as we know it will go on. lol!  But enough about me. How about you ladies. Have you been frustrated with trying to achieve a successful wash n' go? Or maybe you've finally succeeded at the ultimate wash n' go. Let me know your thoughts on this subject. Until next time Curly Nation!


Live Free! Live Natural!



~MusiQ

Let Me Introduce My Hair

Hey Curly Nation!!!

It's ya girl MusiQ, and I would like to start off this blog by telling you just a little bit about my hair journey leading up to my decision to go natural. From birth to adulthood, my hair and I have gone through thick and thin together.....LITERALLY! Prior to kindergarten, I was natural. Then from kindergarten to third grade, I was the victim of *gasp*......THE DREADED JERI CURL!!!! Yes, the jeri curl. I don't tell many people about this because of the embarassing jokes that you hear about jeri curls, but it really happened to me. Unfortunately, my hair and the jeri curl didn't agree with each other and I eventually was reduced to hair the length of a big chop. After growing my hair out, I eventually got a relaxer, which became my best friend from fourth grade to adulthood. Throughout my 19 years of relaxers, I experienced some good days and bad days with what some naturals call the "creamy crack," but some negative experiences with relaxers were not my reason for going natural. Last year, I began realizing the beauty of natural hair from the naturals that I saw on my college campus as well as in my family, but I was too scared to actually become natural myself. I wasn't quite sure if I could pull it off. It wasn't until my younger sister successfully transitioned from relaxed to completely natural, that I decided to take the plunge in May of 2010, and I am so glad that I did, Don't get me wrong. It hasn't been a bed of roses. Some days are better than others, but the rewards far outweigh the tough days. I think the hardest thing that I had to face about being natural was the mixed reviews from some of my friends and family. Being a soft-hearted person, that was pretty tough. The lesson that I learned in that, however, is that what's most important is what YOU think about yourself as a natural and not anyone elses opinion. Well, now that I have bored you with my story (lol), I will take my leave now. Until next time, Curly Nation!


Live Free! Live Natural!



~MusiQ