Summer 16″

Ok, Queens well officially begin Summer, and I know you ladies are looking for ways to maintain your coils, kinks, and curls. Looking for protective styles, just plain ole ways to take better care of our crown of curls.

Let’s get started. Here in Baltimore, Maryland the weather is starting to heat up and at night, it becomes sticky and Let’s face it ladies “These curls ain’t loyal”!! Here are a few *Tips* to use to help your hair from becoming fluffy.

Picture courtesy of Google Images

 

Add Eco Styler Gel/ or any clear gel with a hair cream or butter to help with the hold when styling Twist-outs, braid-outs, rods, etc. Hair creams or butters will moisturize your hair, and when the moisture in your hair meets the muggy, humid air, it may become a *BIG* Bush. Not saying I don’t like the Big Bush because you guys know I do. However, if that’s not the look you are going for you may want to add a gel.

It’s best to mix the two products together on your hand first before apply on your hair. If the two products create a white residue on your hand, it will do the same in your hair.

 

courtesy of google images

 

Heat Protectant Serum, spray, or cream. Yes, that’s right. I love the Cream of Nature and Tresemme’ Heat protection and Serum. I know you would normally add to your hair when using heated styling tools, however, these products can help to control fly-aways as well as to hold a good curl pattern for wash and go’s and twist-outs. Plus, it’s perfect for protecting your hair from chlorine in the pool or salt water at the beach. I love big hair (Defined curls), and Heat Protectant helps to keep your hair softer, shinier and helps your hair from frizzing and drying out on those hot summer days.

This is my favorite say it with me now! ***EDGE CONTROL*** Nothing screams summer is here more than melting edge control or edge control that only got your back for the first 5 to 10 mins of life. Quite frankly It’s disrespectful to put all that work and money in a good ( slick down ) just for the edge control to abort the mission. I know ladies it’s hard to find a good edge control that’s not flaky, sticky, leaves the white residue, or just don’t well control the edges. Well, these are a few I love. Yes, I tried each item and loved them all.  These edge controls give me the best slick down of all the slick downs.

The next thing is my Second favorite.  When your hair just refuses to be your friend I mean refuse to give you any act right. Well, it’s time to try an Updo, Flat twist, crown braids, etc. These kind of styles are convenient, easy to do and just plain cute to style.

Picture from Pinterest Flat twist w/2 strand twist

Crown Braid  (Picture from Pinterest)

 

 

Two strand twist(photo from Pinterest)

Single two strand Twist (Picture from Pinterest)

 

Or you may want or miss your curls. You can always unravel your locks (twists and braids) and let’em flow. And Did I mention you can’t go wrong with a High Puff, Rods and crochet braids? These styles seem to be the trendiest styles for summer 2016. 

This is a picture of my beautiful 14 y/o babygirl. (rocking crochet braids)

 

 

 

Red hair don’t care. I just love rods during the summer months. They will start off tightly curled and loosen up by the end of the week.

 

Well, Queens, that’s all for now. If you would like to see any other summer style to help maintain your natural hair. Please feel free to let me know by emailing me ourkinksrcurls@gmail.com or contacting me on my social media pages.

Happy Summer 2016 Queens

Be kind to yourself, Remember to NEVER give up on your hair.

Love Peace and Hair cream.

Blogged By: Tanya

courtesy of google images 

 

Weekly sales Update

Hello Queens,

This is Tanya K giving you a late but it’s here Sales update of a few products.

As I mention on my snap chat Sunday of this week. Our corner stores still have our some of our favorites on sale. Here is a list of the products and stores.

Creme of Nature Products are on sale 20% off at Target. The discount at Target is only useful if you have the Target Cartwheel app, which comes through your phone via Text. Tap the link and the coupon scan bar will appear for the cashier to scan. Walgreens are hosting the same sale for this product 20% w/card. (hey, choose which is easier for you )

Camille Rose Naturals Hair Products are 15% off also at Target with the cartwheel app.

Cantu  Shea Butter Products are Buy one Get one 50% off. This deal is at Walgreens and products can be brought with the card and at CVS for the same discount.

Carol’s Daugther is one of my HOLY Grails. CVS has this product for Buy one Get one 50% plus coupon.com has a $3.00 off coupon for Carols Daugther. Extra Savings. 

CVS also has one of my favorite cleaners for sale Renpure Cleansing Conditioners along with the rest of the line also Buy one, Get one 50%. I personally love the Cleanser. 

Ok, Queens, this is the short list of Products I’ve tried and are on sale and the retailers I mentioned. Also, if you do not not have cards for these retailers you should consider. Lots of savings Queens.

Sally’s Beauty Supply store charges $5 annually to become a club member sometimes half price during the summer months. As I mention in my video on OKRC page Sally’s and Target take returns if you don’t like the products you purchase.

Go, re-up on a few of our favorites. Most sales last two weeks instead of one. Be sure to check you area Ad’s, online for coupons and on websites for more coupons. P.s  you can use more than one coupon for your products.

Until Next time Love, Peace and Hair cream.

 

Ballin on a Budget for Natural Hair Care

Hello Queens & Happy New week and New Season;

Since I became natural, I would hear and still hear to this very day comments on how “Natural hair products are so expensive. I totally agree Queens, Yes Natural hair care items are on the expensive side and will have you in the store making life decisions between picking out a hair care item you may need, may want to try or lunch and & gas. I hear you ladies and I been there. Unfortunately, when you are a newly natural I recommend to try as many products as possible to find out what works for you and learn to stick with that.

GOODNEWS!!! I’m here to shed a little light on being a product junkie on a budget. Yes, homegirl on a BUDGET!!!  from oils to vitamins I have the list for you.

Ok, Let us begin.

Tip: Always check the websites of the stores, yes the weekly paper will show you sales, but the stores Website are mostly more accurate than the Sunday paper. Walmart & Target carry trial sizes in some products starting prices $2.99 and up.

Walgreens: Currently have Carol’s Daughter on sale Buy 1 Get one-half off.

http://www.walgreens.com/store/store/product/view_product_details.jsp?id=prod6262858

Walgreens has reduced Cream of Nature price (not in sale paper)

http://www.walgreens.com/store/store/category/productlist.jsp?N=360463&Eon=360463&No=80&

Cantu Line for Kids & Adults

http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/cantu-kids-care-curl-cream/ID=prod6269082-product

Nature’s Bounty Hair, Skin, and Nails with Biotin Gummies Buy 1 Get 1 Free http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/nature’s-bounty-hair-skin–nails-gummies-with-biotin/ID=prod6204470-product

http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/nature’s-bounty-hair-skin–nails-gummies-with-biotin/ID=prod6204470-product

CVS

Has Shea Moisture and OGX products for 25% off.

http://www.cvs.com/shop/beauty/hair-care/styling/N-diZdjZdhZ3uZemjrglZiyizZ13twe1Z2k?DCSext.TriadCampID=B2786&WT.ac=Shop-Beauty-LeftNav-Cat-HairCare&sortBy=highestRated

This sale happens often and does not appear in the sale papers. Need to a card for these sales, Plus the extra bonus sign up for coupons to be emailed to you. I a $20 coupon sent to me and my hair products came to $50 with card and coupon, $17.89 after card and two coupons.

Target ( Every natural chica hang out spot) Part 1. Target Beauty aisle is Lit. Depending on your area Target has a Heavy flow of Products for us Curly, kinky chicks with coils. Target always have sales on some or all hair and beauty items Plus, have a $10 off coupon via text and receives a $5 gift card when a certain amount spent. Plus, Shea Moisture has coupons in the Sunday’s paper not as often as we would like, but nonetheless it’s best to use the coupons during the sales.

I love to support Carols Daugther, Shea Moisture, etc., But lately, I decided to venture off to other more cost-effective lines of the store.

Ok, Now I started using this line called Renpure and Hask for my Hair Care. I mention these products in two article I written in May, and it costs less when I may need something that works well with my hair, and I can afford during the (Rent is due week). I fell in love with the line. It’s cheap, and it works well with kinky, coiled hair. I like to add Honey to the treatments. The line is available at Target, Walgreens, and CVS. It’s always on sale as low as $1 for the treatments and $3 for shampoo and Conditioner. Yes, this line works well on type 4 hair. 

This inexpensive line is Great when you need something to get you by.

Another tip is **In-Store Coupons*** usually when you purchase something at Walgreens, Target, and CVS you will get a coupon or two along with your receipt and it usually be a coupon for the product you just bought for you next visit. You can combine these coupons along with others and only pay tax.

Sally’s now prints out $5 coupons for card holders. This is a plus. So ladies if there a product you are itching to try but it’s not in your budget, This is when the coupon come in handy. For example, I have a $5 **In-store coupon** I want to try an item from The Mane Choice line, Let’s say the shampoo and it’s cost $12.89 (Cardholder price), and I give the cashier my $5 off coupon. I only pay $7.89 and stay under my $10 budget for Natural Hair Products.

Moral: Ladies, I know it can be a headache to apply for Club cards, but it’s worth it when you want to save more. All the stores I mentioned in this article cards are free except for Sally’s card. It cost $5. However, you get a $5 in return as a coupon for you next purchase. Plus, every time you visit and make a purchase you get a $5 coupon. That’s pretty cool.

Now: For natural hair oils. I would recommend the Supermarket baking aisle, Trader Joes or a few farmer markets. Oh yes, for oils it’s pretty easy to find and buy. They come in large jars and lasts forever. Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Avocado Oil, Grapeseed oil, Peppermint oil and the list goes on. All can be found easily in any baking aisle in any market or store that has a food goods aisle in them. Coupons for these goods can be found in the Sunday paper or online at Coupons.com.

Happy Saving Queens, I want to hear about you guys saving on these brands and couponing   on these items, Don’t torget your club cards can also come in handy.

Until next time Love, peace & Haircream

Be Kind to yourself first

Blogged by: Tanya K.

 

 

 

WashDay (video)

Hello Queens and Happy Sunday,

It was wash day for me Yesterday, and I decided to snap chat my Steps.

Check out the video and Pics.

 

The Finished look. This look lasted me all day (and it’s been raining in Baltimore, Maryland for more than 14 days)

 

Perm Rods.

These are the Products I used this weekend.

Listed you see the products I used for this weekend wash day.

*Renpure Biotin & Collagen for my C0-Wash.

*Perm Rods (Peach and Orange) Sorry Not good with knowing the correct size

*JBCO (This brand smells soo good, I promise you. I use this oil for my sealant after I apply my Leave-in from the Dove line. NOT PICTURED.

*Honey ( added for shine and softness)

*Carols Daughter, Marguerite’s Magic Hairdress Cream( uses this as a moisturizer in the rodding process)

*Eco Styler Gel( The Holy Grail in the natural hair community) I also use this as in my hair rodding process to give my hair a better hold and define the curl.

*Denman Brush( the best brush I ever used) To help detangle

*Lotta body edge control

Until next time Queens, Please be good to yourselves

 

Love Peace and Hair Cream

Blogged By Tanya K.

3rd year Anniversary Big Chop(part 2)

So, I left off with me posting my

The first time I pressed and trimmed my hair

After, My year anniversary of my big chop I pressed my hair and got a trim. Yes, This was all my hair post big chop. Yes, I waited one year for a trim. I went without heat for the entire year. I had almost NO split ends and No damage from the color. I left my hair straight for two weeks and as most naturals I follow who get their hair pressed for trimming reasons I missed my curls and could not wait until washed day.

15 months post Big Chop and for me, it was getting easier to maintain my health hair. Of course “Wash Day” would be for 2-3 hours a week and I build some serious muscles when I do my twist and braid out. But, I had no reason to complain I was growing thick, healthy hair that I was proud of at the moment.

 

The picture were taken in Feb 2015. This length was the longest my hair has been since I was a child. During my relaxed days. My hair would always need a major trim due to dryness and breakage, so my hair length was limited.

 

This press and trim were in Feb of 2015 I received at Hair Cuttery in Essex, Maryland only $60 and very professional. (See blog named Hair Cuttery review) For my full salon experienced. The hardest thing about maintaining this style was wrapping my hair up at night. (lol) Yes, Queens I forgot how to wrap my hair around my head. (there I said it) I guess it’s true what they say, If you don’t use it, you lose it.

See, It wasn’t long that I was missing my curls, and I couldn’t wait until the end of my two weeks to wash my hair. Now this picture, (half &half) style was right before I decided to cut my hair again. Yes, I cut my hair five months ago, and we will soon get into that.  The summer of 2015, and I wanted something different, so I visited Pinterest for ideas. The half up &half down was my favorite to go hair style until the humidity said otherwise.

October 2015, This picture was taken the night I went to the barber shop. I miss this hair style and my hair. Handling shorter hair is very hard work when you are not used to it.  I encourage if you want something different and not sure which way to go. Look for a wig stylist that can help you design something for when you feel the need to try something “New.”

October 2015, The Cut. I loved it when I first got it and of course, it was the growing it out and having three different layers that gave me a headache. 

The Cut (a closer look) Sides was completely shaved. I missed those first. Achieving my signature high puff style was hard at this point.

Yes, five months after my 2nd mini Big Chop this picture of April 2016 my sides and back grew back in and still growing at a rapid pace. My high puff is back and bigger than 2015. I dyed my hair a few my times more, and my curl pattern remains the same.

Now, that I’m back on track. I colored my hair every color I could get away with at work. I been everywhere from green, blues, reds and purple as of today. Bottomline, It’s your hair and you are free to do whatever you want and like to do your hair. It can be relaxed or Natural. Natural is the very best thing that I could do for my hair and self. My hair is healthier more than ever, edges are full of life and splits ends are little to none. I do not rely on a hair stylist to manage my crown. Yes, it’s my crown that repersents me well each and every day. I’m not saying returning natural means fire your sylist. Do whatever is best for you. However, for me, it saves me money, and time additionally it taught me patience when it comes to handling my crown full of curls.

Happy 3rd year Natural to me and my Curls.

Love, peace and buttercream queens.

~Tanya

 

3rd Year BC Anniversary Part 1

It’s the time of year again. My Big Chop anniversary.

Hello, Queens and Yes I can’t believe it’s been three years since I been chop and four years since my last relaxer and to be honest it has been the best decision I ever made for myself. When I was relaxed, I had to have hair appointment every two weeks. I MEAN every two weeks; I loved my hair then, but I love it more now.

November of 2012 I was relaxed. Dark Hair 

During my “Relaxed hair” days I only cared if/when my hair was done. I didn’t care for the health of my hair; I just wanted it done, and I like when it looked good.

Bleached and relaxed hair 2012

Yes, Ladies my hair was the real meaning fried, dyed and laid to the side. My edges were so crispy and hard. Even though my hair did well with bleach and by well I mean my hair was still thick and looked healthy. However, my hair shed a lot, and I had a mean comb over that covered my broken edges. But, see I wasn’t no fool I knew I had to keep my hair well oiled and deep condition to keep my hair thick and lasting.

The day I decided It had to go. 

I only grew my new growth out for about two months before I Big Chop. 

“FREEDOM” 

The best day of my life. A New Beginning.

Why? You may ask. I had relaxed hair since I was about 11 years old. I always had straight brittle hair. But I wanted a black curly bush like my mother. In fact, I wanted to be like everyone else but myself. Honestly, the day I Big Chop was the day I learned how to love me, all of me. When I shaved my head, I had to get myself mentally ready to be tortured by adults who were used to seeing women with either straight hair, weaves, braids and wigs to cover what they had done to their hair. Not me. I rocked the hell out of my “TWA.”

One month after BC

Summer of 2013, this is NOT bleached its cream of nature Honey Blonde 

 

My Hair grew quickly. These are pics from “Summer 2013” file. Left Pic was when my hair was freshly co-washed, detangled after I used the “LOC Method” Liquid, Oil and Cream created by Rochelle Graham a.K.a BlackOnyx77 Owner of Alikay Naturals Products. Right Picture is my quick look. It’s a wash&Go only using JBCO (Jamaican Black Castor Oil) and Eco Styler Gel for shine and hold.

As my hair begin to grow out, I start to research how to manage and care for my new hair. It’s the first and first year of me caring for my hair without the help of a hair stylist and learning my hair without a relaxer in it.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

Yes, as time went on I tried as many “Natural Hair Products” as I can to find out what better worked for me. And since I love a good color, I didn’t let it stop me from being creative with my “TWA’s” hair style. Don’t worry the colors you see hair are semi-permanent hair color so it washed out in 6-8 shampoos. “Totally Safe” for my curls. as you can see, my curl pattern did not change a bit.

 

Is Natural Unprofessional?

Hello Queens,

While, at work earlier today I was on google and I was in Middle of typing “Natural hair styles, and I came across the title,”Unprofessional hair for work” and this is the pictures that came up with that “supposedly matched” name.

Now, Queens I notice that it’s women of color with natural hair, hair wraps, etc. That did not get me upset in the beginning. Then I begin to search some more for other pictures. There was no women of color with relaxed hair, only some with bright color hair (un-natural colors as my job call it).

Then I searched for “Professional Hair for work” and these pictures was the results

Now, I’m upset. Why? should I be surprised? These pictures touched a nerve and yes it bothered me. I’m known for wearing my high curly puffs and coloring my hair (Unnatural hair colors). I decide to tone down on my hair colors because I would change my colors every few months. I noticed how my co-workers would give me looks and even asked questions and/or say “Rude” comments about my hair.  So, I dyed it a warm color for Fall 2015.

As I were looking to do something different with my hair and even pin it on Pinterest but when I saw these very different pictures of “Professional and Unprofessional” Hair for work. I started thinking this is a serious problem; I have a 14-year-old girl who is at an age that she is trying to find herself, and I’m teaching her to love herself more than ever. With all these options of switching your hair by creating a look to look like everyone around you instead of being you without being labeled as something “negative”.

Natural Hair is NOWHERE near unprofessional. It had taken us years and even decades to learn how to love ourselves and accept who we are. From our skin tones, lips, hips and of course OUR hair. We did everything to your hair to be accepted in a certain community of people, for school, job interviews, etc. Our hair was and will always be one of our biggest challenges that women of color face every day. So, to see these pictures in two different groups of the ethnicity of women marked as Postive and Negative is a setback and give us a mountain of questions in 2016.

1). Is this how we are being perceived?

2). Is this one of the reasons women of color get picked over?

3) Has your job (Boss) questioned your hair?

4) How can I explain to my girls Unprofessional and Professional hair when they are natural and/or has an interview for their first job?

The pictures I googled is not the only problem nor is it just about hair. Our little girls have the internet at their fingertips, and our princesses are always looking for ways to recreate themselves instead of giving positive ways to boost their confidence. The natural hair movement is not only about self-acceptance, it’s about the world accepting women of color without relaxed hair, weaves, wigs or braids.  Our kinks are beautiful curls and are here to stay.

Give us your thoughts.

Looking for a Perfect Gift?

My Aunt is a designer and makes these adorable dolls for any age and any occasion.  Her name is Mary Lee and she these lovely things are her handcrafted dolls. These beautiful comes is all shades of beauty.

Mary Lee is Baltimore, MD base, but willing to ship anywhere.  Please contact ourkinksrcurls.wordpress.com to place an order and have any questions, please email us ourkinksrcurls@gmail.com.

Mary Lee can also make Dresses for all occasions and ages. Have a rip in your pants? She can fix it. Lost weight or Gained some?  Yup Mary Lee can adjust your clothing.  Mary is well known throughout her community because of her gifted hands. Plus, every piece of jewelry  and accessory you can wear including the wings on the gumdrop dolls. Perfect gift for the little princess in your life. 

Here are a few more pictures of Mary Lee dolls.

For information, please contact ourkinksrcurls@gmail.com

Supergirl doll and Gumdrop fairy. Both dolls were hand made and are made to order.

Have you guys tried this stuff?

 

Hello there My lovely Queens and Kings.

So, I haven’t been buying hair products for a while. I decided to cut back and make learn to make my own styling products. However, I still buy shampoo and Deep conditioner products here and there. Anyways, I usually buy my products from the Golden Amazon and I came across this product and people were raving about this product. So, I had to do some research about this product.

1) As you can see from the pic The product is called Silicon Mix. 

I found out this product is from the Dominican Republic and is used  at Dominican Haor Salon  and this product  DO NOT HAVE NATURAL ingredients. ( sorry guys) . But I had to try especially when women with type4 a,b, and c  hair written on amazon  how soft their hair become after using this product.

2).  The Rumors 

Ok, so before I purchased this product I have told my co-workers and a few others first about this product and  I couldn’t wait to order and try. ooohhh chille People who visited the Dominican Salons started to side-eyed me and say, “Tanya don’t do it!! I heard they put some relaxer in their products. So, back to the drawing board.*( insert disappointment face here)*   and I have seen some comments on “THE RUMOR”   so I began to research the ingredients of the product and found NO TRACES of relaxer in it.  It’s a water base product  Here are the INGREDIENTS: Water, Mineral Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Glycerine, Citric Acid, Cetrimonium Chloride, Dimethycone Copolyol, Cyclomethicone, Keratin, Ceramide, Diazolidinyl Urea(and) Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Fragrance. Now as you can see one of the ingredients is Keratin which is a protein. But NO traces of Relaxer in these bottles ladies. So, I would research  the Salon before going for your next Blow -out.

3).  The GOOD PART ( W-A-S-H D-A-Y) 

When my Package came I was too excited to try my New products. Now I pre-poo with the hair treatment first ( conditioner). Allow it to set for 30 mins and washed my hair with the shampoo. I washed my hair with this shampoo 3 times after I washed my hair. I dried my curls with my old t-shirt and apply The Silicon Hair Treatment (conditioner)  for 30 mins sat under the dryer chilled out for a while. You guys when I rinsed my hair out  I FELT the difference as soon I began my rinse process my hair was so soft and after the wash, DC and rinse my curls were poppin ya’ll and the detangling process was super easy. I will Most definitely use this wonderful New product (well to me, LOL)  this weekend  as well.

4). I would definitely recommend this product.

I can’t wait to try other products from this line.

If you guys have tried these products and/or others like it Please let us know. How do you like this product? Would you give this product a tried at home?