HOME REMEDIES

Who says you have to run out and buy everything from a beauty supply store? Not me. I try to be as economical as possible and thanks to some research I've done, I've found some really great substitutes (or permanent additions) to my hair regimen right in my own kitchen.

First up is LEMON JUICE AND WATER:

1/4 cup of lemon juice

1 cup of water

I use this mixture to pre-clean my scalp before I co-wash. It helps remove some of the left over residue from products I've used when styling my hair, kind of like an astringent. I part my scalp, squirt some of the mixture onto a cotton ball, and rub my scalp with it. It's all tingly and feels GREAT.

This is definitely a permanent addition. What are some of your "home remedies?"

OH YEAH!!

FRIZZY EDGES ARE NO MORE!! I am so excited I stole this little piece of heaven from my stylist :)

I've been searching high and low for something that will slick my edges down without flaking. And would you believe it, Trade Secret had it all along. I told y'all that store is product HEAVEN.

So, I slicked a little (and I mean like a fingertip) on my edges and pulled my hair back with my headband and was so excited my edges laid down and did not frizz on me.

Transitioners, Newbies, and Naturalites alike, I'm sure this will work for all of us.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

A question was asked at The Symposium about where we could get information about the ingredients in some of the products we use. The panelists suggested picking up a copy of A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients by Ruth Winter, M.S. It goes for about $17 at Barnes and Noble and it's available electronically as well, but I'm sure you can get a good used copy from Half Price Books or something.

I scanned through the copy online and it is truly a dictionary of any and everything cosmetic. I figure the way to truly learn what products are good for our hair is to get educated about what ingredients they actually contain. This will be a guide to help us read labels so we can be educated consumers. Remember KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. You don't want to use something that's bad for your hair and not know it.

What are some other educational tools we should know about?

WHAT WOULD YOU DO??

So, a good friend of mine sent over this article. Let's just say I had to regain my composure. Some company policies are just plain ol' ignorant. Being the advocate that I am, I would sue the pants off each and everyone those supervisors. Click the link to find out "What's really goin on?"

http://www.rolandsmartin.com/blog/index.php/2010/04/20/two-women-are-outraged-after-they-say-they-were-denied-jobs-at-six-flags-because-of-their-dreadlocks


Just goes to show you how far we STILL have to go.

WHAT A SUCCESS!!!!

TO EVERY MAN, WOMAN, AND CHILD WHO ATTEND THE "AU NATURALE HAIR CARE SYMPOSIUM"

UJIMA, INC. EUCLID FOURSQUARE CHURCH, AND THE NATURAL GIRL'S GUIDE TO CLEVELAND SINCERELY THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!! WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE THIS WITHOUT YOU ALL!!!

BE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR MORE EVENTS COMING SOON!!

ARE THEY SERIOUS??

How can you tell if a stylist knows what they're doing when it comes to Natural hair?? I mean so many claim to be "Natural" Stylists and a promoter of "healthy hair," but how do you REALLY know they're not just faking it to get that almighty dollar??

One way I can tell is they do CONSULTATIONS. Not the kind where you just come in and they ask "Why do you want to go Natural?" and YOU proceed to do a 5 minute talk on your reasons why, blah blah blah... I'm talking about a serious, at least 15 minute discussion on the whole sha-bang. They should want to know if you're on meds, if you are stressed, are you a lazy hair person (like myself), do you workout...the questions are endless. How can they move forward and have a success path when they don't know your past? This will give you both an opportunity to dialogue about where you want your hair to be. It should be crystal clear about the route you're taking to Naturalville. THEN you book the appointment (and more often than not, it won't be the same day).

COMMUNICATION is KEY! How can you go to someone and they don't know/care/want to know your hair history? I need someone who's going to treat me and my hair right. This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship (hopefully) and you both need to be on the same page to get the job done successfully.

What are some your warning flags the stylist might not be able to deliver?

TRIED AND TRUE

Ok, so I had writer's block for a second, but now I'm back in business! First up MISS JESSIE'S. I was put on to Miss Jessie's a while ago and have been using their products when I do my twist sets ever since. I didn't know what to get at first, so I just got the sample pack. It was 7 little 2oz. bottles of their most popular cremes ie. Curly Pudding, Curly Buttercreme, etc... It turned out to be quite the investment.

The Curly Pudding and Buttercreme are my faves. They leave my hair surprisingly moisturized, considering I have GOT to have one of the driest heads alive. The Rapid Recovery did wonders on my head as well.

and GUESS WHAT?!?!? YOU DON'T HAVE TO ORDER THEIR PRODUCTS ONLINE ANYMORE!! MISS JESSIE'S HAS COME TO CLEVELAND!!! YEAH BUDDY ROLLIN LIKE A BIG SHOT...!

Check them out at Target on Cedar and in the Steelyard!! I might be hype right now!

University Heights - 14070 Cedar Rd. University Heights, OH 44118 Tel: 216-416-0025

Cleveland South - 3535 Steelyard Dr. Cleveland, OH 44109 Tel: 216-325-1107


Check them out at http://www.missjessies.com/, they have how-to's for their different products as well.