Etsy Shop Now Open!!

One of my goals coming into 2011 was to showcase my talents more. I began making hair clips and earrings and find it so relaxing and rewarding when I see the finished product. I was asked repeatedly if I was going to open up shop and sell them but I didn't want to until I built up my inventory more. Well the time has come! If you look over to the right, that is a small sample of my inventory.

bigGirlbigHair presents Arym's Creations. It will feature homemade and handmade fashion and hair accessories to include assorted hair clips and earrings. I will take custom orders. We can discuss what you are wanting before setting a price.

I will have an Arym's Preferred mailing list that will allow those subscribed to it to find out about sales and specials before it's announced publicly. Please send an email with your Name, Email address, and Birthday to bigGirlbigHair@gmail.com

Currently, if you use the code Twitter during checkout, you'll receive 15% off!

Castor Oil Challenge

As much as I love kinky twists extensions and similar extension styles, I hate what they can do do edges/hairlines. I just took out a set of twists after having them in for about 2.5months. My edges are still in tack but just look thinner than usual so I've decided to challenge myself to a Castor Oil Challenge as it supports hair growth and thickness in hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows. I would love for you to join me in it.

Details:
What: I'm using the HomeHealth brand Castor Oil but you can use whatever brand you want (Palma Christi or even any of the Jamaican Black Castor Oil brands)
When: I'll be applying to my edges and scalp once in the morning and once at night on dry hair (using it on wet hair will cause your pores to clog because pores open when they are wet)
How: I'll be mixing it with some EVOO or other essential oil just to help with the smell.
How Long: This challenge will go from Sunday January 9, 2011 to Sunday March 13, 2011. That gives a full 2 months

I'll be posting pics tomorrow of my hair so I'll have a comparison and I encourage you to do the same. If you are interested in this challenge please leave your twitter name in the comment section and I'll be sure to mention (@) you on twitter using the hashtag: #CastorOilChallenge

Natural Hair Expressions -Product Review

I love being able to test products for natural hair. About 3 months ago I learned about a company out in California that was creating and selling natural hair products and contacted them about being sent samples to do a review. I never heard anything back at first but about 2 weeks ago they I sent me a message on Twitter asking if I was still interested. Of course I was :-) I was send the Herbal Shampoo and Misty Hair Spray. So I wanted to share with you all the product info (directions and ingredients) and my review.

Herbal Shampoo- Wet hair thoroughly. Apply shampoo to the scalp and gently massage toward the ends of the hair. Shampoo, rinse, and repeat.
Ingredients: Purified water,disodium lauryl sulfosuccinate (a non-toxic cleansing agent) green tea extract,rosemary oil, peppermint oil, horsetail extract, wheat protein, and hydrolyzed silk.

For those who know me, know that I am a no-poo/low poo girl. I shampoo about 3-4 times a year. So since we're coming into a brand new year I did a full wash. I shampoo'd with the Herbal Shampoo, detangled while using Giovanni 50-50 condish, DC'd with Giovanni Deeper Moisture, and used Giovanni Direct Leave-In. The shampoo was great. The usual issue I have with shampoos is that it dries my hair while I'm washing it and I can actually feel the texture change. This shampoo barely gave me that feeling. It had a tingling to it that felt amazing and the peppermint smell of it was so relaxing. It cleansed really well and had a good lather to it. I used about a quarter sized amount and it lathered like crazy lol, a little definitely goes a long way.

Overall Grade: B; Definitely recommend
Misty Hair Spray- Apply to damp or dry hair and massage thoroughly. For deeper conditioning cover with plastic cap for 10 minutes. No need to rinse.
Ingredients: Distilled water, lavender oil, rosemary oil, and peppermint oil.

As I was previously saying, I did a full wash Sunday night (1/2/11). After applying my leave-in I put my hair into four ponytails and then twisted and bantu knotted the ends and wrapped my hair in my satin headwrap to let it dry overnight and also stretch it naturally. This morning (1/3/11) I loosened up the bantu knots and twists and sprayed the hair mist on my hair to lightly dampen it enough to use my wide tooth comb and achieve the big hair look I was wanting. The mist has that same nice peppermint smell to it as the shampoo. It refreshed my hair greatly without over-wetting it. It left my hair so soft and smelling good.

Here's the final product today. I did a puff with a modified pompadour in front:















Overall grade: A, Highly recommend.

Please check out Natural Hair Expressions to purchase either of these items. The line also includes a styling lotion and conditioner. The founder of the line, Miss Tee, can be found on twitter. I'm not sure if she's still sending out samples but it may be worth it to at least ask.

Thanks for coming by and I'd love to hear your thoughts on other products you've tried that may be worth me reviewing on here.

2011 Natural Hair Goals

As I sit here and type this I am working on my top goal for my hair for 2011; no heat! I never use direct heat but I do sit under a hard bonnet dryer when I do my deep conditioning treatments. A few days ago I was chillin with my best friend and my goddaughter and my bestie was walking around with this foil on her head shaped like a bowl and I asked her what it was and she was saying she was DC'ing with the ORS Replinishing Pack and that the foil kept her body's natural heat in better than just a shower cap. Makes sense right? Well why was I shocked about it lol. After taking off the foil, I touched her hair and it was so incredibly warm. It felt as if she had sat under a dryer. Welp! That did it for me. In 2011 as I near my 2nd hairversary I'm challenging myself not to use any heat!

So here's my complete list of 2011 Natural Hair Goals:
1. No Heat (explained above)
2. More Water (Body loves it, hair can't get enough of it)
3. Pescetarian Diet (Vegetarian + Seafood/// A cleaner, more natural eating lifestyle)
4. More Protective Styles (Less manipulation plus i have Hand-In-Hair syndrome lol)

I want to hear yours. Please leave a comment with at least three goal for your natural hair in 2011!

ALSO: I have created a twitter name in connection with this blog so if you already follow me on beautiifuldream, please add bigGirlbigHair, thanks loves!