The day that we completed combing out my locs, my hair was blown out for a trim. I DID NOT LIKE THAT! I was (and still am) completely anti-heat. I wanted "instant afro." So for a few days I wore this blown out version of my traumatized hair. It was even more awkward because the color of my hair was a auburn at the roots. (I was trying a new look for the summer). I noticed a former co-worker that was wearing an amazing Natural roller-set and because I LOVE BIG HAIR, I thought that would be perfect for me. My initial idea was to wear alternating afros and roller sets.
Unlike with my locs, I did a lot of research before I combed my locs out (not enough...keep reading). I was overwhelmed by all of the product selections and techniques. For the first few weeks, I opted to wash and go with shea butter as my styling tool. Something was missing. For weeks, my Natural guru, Katrice L. Mines (that's Kay-triss like waitress), had been telling me to go to Urbanbella, a Natural hair apothecary and salon in Atlanta, Georgia, and get a consultation so that I would know which products would work best on my hair. I did not have a sense of urgency, but I should have.
I finally scheduled the consultation and went to Urbanbella. Once I finished the consultation, I had plenty of revelations about all of the things that I had been doing wrong to my hair for the last 45 days. As the consultant at Urbanbella tested gel-based products on one side of my head and cream-based products on the other, I learned a whole lot. First, I had been detangling my hair all wrong. When detangling Natural hair it should ALWAYS be wet and you should start from the ends with a wide tooth comb and work your way up with your hair in small sections. Second, I learned that any curl enhancing or styling product should be applied to my hair when it is soaking wet and that after my hair was dry with the product in it, I should always apply a compatible moisturizer. Third, I learned that I would need a CLARIFYING shampoo at least twice a month to make sure that I did not have any product build up. She performed a strand test using Kinky Curly Curling Custard, Hair Rules Curly Whip, Jane Carter Solution Curl Defining Cream and Ms. Jessie's Curly Pudding, then she sat me under the dryer with hot herbal tea, so I could relax. (I was really stressed out after thinking about all of the hair that I had combed out before getting there for the consultation). Once my hair was dry, we examined the curls. It appeared that Ms. Jessie's Curly Pudding had performed best on my hair texture, with Jane Carter Solution Curl Defining Cream coming in at a close second. Fortunately, Ms. Jessie's had a buy one, get one free sale at Urbanbella, so I was able to get everything that I needed. I purchased Ms. Jessie's Curly Pudding as my styling aid and their Baby Buttercream as my moisturizer. I also purchased Ms. Jessie's Creme de la Curl Shampoo and their Rapid Recovery Treatment for my deep conditioner. All I needed now, was my Huetiful Hair Steamer and I was ready to care for my Natural hair on my own. I have since used Jane Carter Solution Curl Defining Cream and I am absolutely in love with that product (review coming soon).
As time goes on I will review each of the products mentioned above and so many more. I would like your input about what information you would like to have and see included in a product review by The Natural Darling.
Until Next Time,
The Natural Darling
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