DIY type? Did you know that xanthan gum is used in cosmetic products to emulsify (bind oil and water), give the product thickness, and give it stable shelf-life? Pick it up in your local Whole Foods, online at Vitacost, etc. Don't have xanthan gum? Try other natural thickeners such as acai gum, guar gum, algae extract or pectin.
Versus these high-quality natural thickeners, many cosmetic products use a lower-quality, low-cost synthetic thickener called carbomer. Carbomer is a term used for a series of polymers primarily made from acrylic acid. Carbomers are white, fluffy powders but are frequently used as gels in cosmetics and personal care products. Carbomers can be found in a wide variety of product types including skin, hair, nail, and makeup products.
Picture source: collegecurlies.blogspot.com
If you've watched The ABC's of Hair Speak, you already know all of this! Haven't checked it out? Well what are you waiting for?
Ok. I hate to appear that I'm starting mess because I'm not. I believe in civilized debate so let's go!.......
Call me touchy but I get upset when I see people saying things that make NO scientific sense to me (and I have a BS in Biology from Virginia Union University and a Master's Degree in Public Health from Yale so science is my thing ya'll).
I say it all the time-education is key to a successful hair journey. This means you need to not just follow the advice/opinion of others but you MUST do your own research and fact-checking. Don't trust everything that people tell you (inluding me!).
I LOVE the growth in the natural/healthy hair community but there seem to be a lot of fake hair gurus popping up and I just don't know that the info they pass along is helping folks along the journey. I mean quite honestly, all it takes to be a guru, is a camera and YouTube account. There is NO quality review or fact-checking done by YouTube, Blogger, or most websites. Some of these "natural hair experts" have no business offering advice. They have no science or cosmetology training. They have very limited experience along the journey. And versus science-based truths, they offer a lot of opinion. Well last I checked, opinions are like behinds, everybody has one but half of them STINK! Remember the Type F videos? LOL! That was a great case in point!
Journey to My Roots Parody of the Type F "Natural Hair" Styling Videos
So what got this started? I was just browsing and I read the following post:
"Just so you know a denman brush is made out of plastic which is a bi-product of petroleum. Parabens are also petrochemicals. So a denman brush is really a solid paraben!!! To remain all natural you should use a cactus leaf to detangle your hair with... "
OH REALLY?????? And where is the science behind this little gem of advice?
So what is a Denman? A Denman brush is a plastic or rubber bristle brush. Because plastic/rubber does not conduct electricity like boar bristles, Denman's are GREAT for detangling, reducing frizz, taming and styling. Everybody has their own personal faves but I SWEAR by my Denman brush!
I'm not sure if this was researched but the logic doesn't even make sense to me. I look at it like a math problem.
Petrochemicals = A.
Denmans use plastic so plastics = B (or a fraction of B because they may have other composite materials built in).
Parabens=C.
The logic: Who says B or C= A? I'm not saying this person is totally wrong but 'm gonna need to see some science behind this assertion because for me, I can't get the math to work.
Parabens are synthetic preservatives used in many cosmetics to give them shelf life (ie honey and tea tree oil are natural preservatives). For some people, these parabens cause irritation and while not proven, there is debate as to whether or not parabens are carcinogenic (cancer-causing) That said, we're talking about a brush not a product. Except for ghetto azz Pookie who walks around with a comb in his head all day, what is the risk if your'e not leaving the brush in all day? What real risk is there for irritation? Learn all about parabens and more in my blog
Your hair is DEAD folks. The roots are alive but the actual hair sprouting from your head is a non-living string of protein. So who cares if you brush with a Denman or a strand of celery? So long as the brush doesn't break the hair, who cares what it is made of? Learn all about the structure of hair in Kimmaytube's "Structure of Hair" video on YouTube. Click the link below to see that video. And be sure to subscribe to her channel. She offers GREAT tutorials with EDUCATION on hair.
I'm all for healthy natural hair but I also being in KISS- Keep it simple silly! I also don't believe in going broke to go natural! So pardon me for saying but (in my Emmanuel and Phillip Hudson voice) Some of these natural be doing the most. A cactus brush? Really? Where can I get that and how much does it cost? Doesn't it conduct electricity just like a boar bristle brush? That transmission of electricity = static= damage! So is that truly the answer if the Denman stuff is true (which I DOUBT! )
So in summary , be very wary ya'll. Listen but don't trust anything until you validate it (even the things you get here!). And remember, don't take advice from folks you wouldn't want to trade places with. If the speakers' hair is not where you wanna be, why would you take their advice? Would you take financial advice from someone in bankruptcy? SAME THING!
So perhaps there is some science to what the poster says but I just don't buy it. And I say that with all due respect! Still, for the false hair gurus out there, here is my rant! ...
Does this hypothesis on the Denman brush make sense to you? Am I off base about the cropping up of a lot of fake hair gurus? Share your thoughts in the comments section below OR come over to my Facebook Page and Share Your Thoughts There! Just remember, this is a CIVILIZED debate, not a forum for Napzis to harass or disrespect others who disagree with their opinion. If you pull that crap you WILL BE BOOTED! See ya there!
No sooner than I'd posted this blog that I learned that the "cactus brush poster", Calvis TheCriscoKid Williamson, was actually joking around and poking fun at all the foolishenss that happens in the natural hair community. She and I e-talked and had a hilarious exchange about this topic. But even if not cacti brushes, I think the point remains. There are a lot of fake hair gurus out there offering advice based on nothing more than what they have heard. They've done no research or fact-checking and they don't even seem to give it the common-sense smell test. Check out the video below for the case in point. I have a science basis but never-minding her hide-and-seek edges, I doubt she researched miconazole, the active ingredient in Monistat or other cooter creams. miconazole is an anti-fungal. Do you think she looked that up first? Further, there have been NO tests of miconazole for hair use. To assume a product works on one area of the body does not mean it is safe to use on another area! Lastly, putting the "my bad" screen up" after the fact is not very helpful. She should have pulled the video altogether because I can't help but to wonder how many of the 40,000+ viewers tried this prior to hearing her correction? Siggghhhh!
So the moral of the blog?
Don't be a natural hair Lamont (For you young folks, Lamont was the son of Fred Sanford on the Sanford and Son show. He was constantly calling Lamont "ya big dummy"!). Do your own research. Fact-check what you've read, seen, or heard. To do less makes you a natural haired dummy!
Recently, I lucked upon the chance to get some Quench from Journey to My Roots. I immediately jumped at the chance when I thought there was a special shipment for students with great grades. I sent in my grades and was beyond happy to try out a handmade product from a natural like me. Then, I was made aware that student didn’t mean COLLEGE student but High School student. Even after the mixup on my behalf, Kim still sent me a FREEsample of her infamous Quench to try on my hair. I was so overjoyed that I could still be apart of the student samples for grades deal. WOOOO HOOOO!!!
When my package arrived, it oozed love and care. Upon opening the package, there was this cute little sachet with my sample sized Quench, a handwritten and signed Thank You note. I have bought many different products for Dominique (my hair) but this was the only one that took enough time to say, “Thank You”. I smiled from ear to ear, as if I were opening a gift from a friend or a Christmas present instead of trying out a natural product. I love that she included all the ingredients on the back of the packaging. I have become such the stickler for what’s on labels on my food, hair products and basically everything. So, knowing that she cared enough to include the ingredients was very impressive. I knew exactly what they all were without having to have a scientist cypher the codes felt great. It even smelled like a little piece of heaven. Another great thing about Quench is that it very lightweight and that is also very important. There is nothing more irritating than buying an expensive product and it being so heavy that it makes my scalp and head hurt. Quench in my eyes get 2 thumbs up and 2 snaps in a circle!!! Whooopppppp Whooooppppp
As an individual, healthy hair is so much more important than if it is natural or relaxed. I mean really, who cares if your hair is relaxed if ALL your edges are playing a game of look for me. The same goes for natural hair. Who cares that you did the bc (big chop) if your hair always looks like a Brillo pad. Either case is so not cool. Healthy hair is the ultimate goal and Quench is a great product that works on all types of hair, whether relaxed or natural.
Every test I could think of, Quench passed it:
Appearance
Smell
Ingredients
Lightweight
All in all, I would truly recommend this product to all of many Nubian nappy, kinky, natural and relaxed friends as well.
For more info, contact Kimberly Gray of Journey2MyRoots.blogspot.com Her awesome product is Quench. She is also on YouTube and Facebook. She is a great person. Go check her out and tell a friend!
I've never been the most patient person but since going natural, there are some things that really burst my bubble! Here's a few of them....
Feelers: Uggghhh! These are the people who lack the home training to realize that sticking your hands in somebody's hair without asking is not only rude, it's nasty! I don't know where your hands have been. You could have been picking your pickables and scratching your scratchables and now you have your hand all up in my hair. NO MA'AM! The same respect goes for children. Do not stick your hands in a child's head without first asking their parents. It's simply R-U-D-E, rude!
Picture by mainlybraids.com! Check 'em out!
Napzis!
What's a Napzi? Nappy + Nazi = Napzi! Napzis are naturals who troll the internet e-thugging others who disagree with their stance on anything related to hair, be it wigs, using mineral oil, cowashing, etc.
Warning! Napzis are also quick to revoke your "black card" if you are an African-American who does anything they view as counter to the progression of the race; you know, life-changing decision such as flat-ironing! Chile please! Imma need you to have a seat somewhere with that messiness!
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The Fake Out
I don't know if they think we LOOK stupid but come on hair product companies! Putting a crappy, over-priced, or misleading product in a pretty green bottle with flowers or coconuts on it does not change the fact that it's a crappy product with crappy ingredients.
These are three of my pet peeves. What about you? Since going natural, what are some of the things you hate??? Share in the comments section. Note: Being asked to say damn, damn, damn, doesn't count. It's a natural rite of passage ***side-eye***
What put you on the journey? For some it's the desire to try going natural. For some it's sheer exhaustion with the salon. For some, it's alopecia. The primary cause of balding, alopecia is a medical condition that affects men and women of all ages and races. In this video diary, you'll learn about alopecia and see the beautiful journey of a sister dealing with this condition.
One of the MOST important things you can do to ensure a healthy hair journey is to educate yourself on ingredients and read ingredient labels. In this video I talk about that topic and walk you through my review of the label for a new product I'm in LOVE with- African Pride's Shea Butter Miracle, Leave -in Conditioner!
With spring/summer right around the corner, swimming is not only a great exercise option, it's a great social activity! Here's a few tips to ensure that your tresses aren't damaged during that cool dip in the pool or ocean!
Cover it: It may not keep all the water out but a swim cap will limit the amount of chlorine or salt-water invading your lovely locks. I like to wear a silk scarf under my swim cap to ensure that the rubber does not pull or tear my tresses!
Drench it: Not into swim caps? No problem. Start by drenching your hair with tap water first. If your hair is saturated with tap water, there's less absorption of the chlorinated and damaging water of the pool or ocean.
Wash it: The chlorine compounds used to clean and disinfect swimming pools are salts. Salts are drying so you want to remove them as soon as possible The only way to do this is to wash your hair; preferably with a clarifying shampoo. If you can't wash your hair immediately,rinse it until you can. The less chlorine in the hair, the better! After washing or rinsing, coat your hair with a leave-in conditioner and nourishing oil to feed your hair that which was taken out.
Protect it: If swimming is part of your daily routine, you want to stick with sulfate-free shampoos.
Sulfates are salts of sulfuric acid. Sulfates are used in shampoos and other products to clean the hair (ie ammonium lauryl sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate, etc) The chlorine compounds used to clean and disinfect pools are also salts. In combination, the salts of shampoos with the salt of chlorinated water= massive heart attack for the hair! It's just too much! It will lead to drying, color-stripping, and damage. So limit your use of sulfates by choosing sulfate-free shampoos/conditioners.
Treat it: Feed your hair that which was taken out. Pre-poo and deep condition as often as possible. I make a simple recipe for both. Check it out....
Apparently some people don't have the upbringing or common sense to know this so I'm gonna spell it out... Do NOT touch another person's hair without first asking their permission!!!
I swear I could become a boxer my "bob and weave" action has gotten so good. All too often, some random person walks up to me and without asking, reaches their hand up to feel my hair. WTH? I don't know where your hands have been! You could have been picking your pickables and scratching your scratchables and now you have your hand all up in my hair! No ma'am/sir!
You should have been raised better but if you weren't you should have the common sense and basic decency to know that my hair is part of my personal being and personal space. That space should be respected...including my hair!
Yes! I know it's shiny, healthy, long, and luscious. And YES I appreciate the compliment and adoration. But before you reach your hand into my personal space, please ask...it's just the right thing to do!
Picture source: collegecurlies.blogspot.com
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