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