Love Month Giveaway #1 - Sunshine's Natural & Loving It!

Yay it's February AKA Kinky's Love Month!!  

Kicking off Kinky's Love Month Giveaways's is this fabulous tee from SunShine's Natural & Loving It.  For the entire month of February, I'm sharing some of my favorite earrings, products and apparel with all of my kinkies.  When I first saw this shirt, it was love at first sight.  The shirt is FIERCE and you know it!!  Would you like to win it??  I'm sure you do!  

The giveaway will run from 2/1 - 2/7/12.  The winner will be announced on 2/8/12.

Love Month Giveaways!

Do you see the 's' on giveaways?  Ok, just making sure!!

So, the month of February has a lot of 'holidays' and days of observance.  There's National Freedom Day, President's Day, Groundhog Day, and Leap Day (you know, since this IS a leap year).  In addition to those days, there's also Valentine's Day!  Well when you're hanging with Kinky Kinetik, Valentine's Day turns into LOVE MONTH!!

During the entire month of February, I am doing giveaways for some of the items that I absolutely LOVE!!  Why?!?  Uh well, just to show my kinkies that I love them and appreciate them!!  From winning earrings, shirts and/or hair products, a few of my kinkies will be soooooo happy!!

To be eligible to win, you MUST be following my blog and 'like' my Facebook page!  Who knows, there may be some extra entries for some things.  You have to be in it to win it so make sure you stay tuned!

PS - aside from those one-day holidays, there are a few other days that have the most significant meaning, to me at least... It is the entire African American History Month.  Didn't think I forgot that did you?  ;-)

Feel free to also check me out on Facebook, Kinky Kinetik

~Keep it Kinky~

Kinky's Konnektion With Urban Vibe, Inc.

Urban Vibe, Inc. 

Owner: Sheeba Chastang of Northland, CA

Product(s) sold: Jewelry and other accessories

Sheeba, what made you design your own jewelry and accessories line?  I have always loved to be creative, making things like beaded jewelry, candles, hand/body oils, lip balms and so much more.  I would always crochet different things, like hats, from time to time but that was really about it.  Then one day I crocheted a hat and I love it so much that I wanted to try to make some earrings to go with them.  The more earrings I made, the more I loved them.  I would sit around for hours at a time and create items and when I looked up, I had so many different items!  I was like 'oh my God, I should share this with the world' because I know its many women in the world that likes having their own style, their own way.

Please name all of the items you currently sale.  Currently I sale crocheted items (jewelry, hair flowers, wallets/makeup bags, headbands, necklaces, scarves, hats, tank tops, pull-over tops, hair clips, and bangles), fabric items (earrings with crochet bows, hair bows and button earrings), lip balm, hand balm, lotion and beaded earrings.

What is it that you want women to feel as they are wearing your pieces?  I want women to feel that they should always feel at their best, no matter what.  If they don't then sometimes the smallest things can make us feel better.  Mainly with being natural, we love to have accessories that help make our hair style stand out even more.  So I just want all women to know and feel that we are pretty, sassy, sexy and loving women.  A lot of times we are always so busy that we don't put ourselves first.  With my jewelry and accessories, we always will.

I feel you on that Sheeba.  How long have you made jewelry and accessories?  I have been making jewelry and accessories for seven years.

What inspires you to create your jewelry and accessories?  Me and my everyday life inspires me to create.  I love colors and I love to be different from others.  I sit down and I see what happens.  I could be making one item and come up with something else.

What's your favorite piece to design/make and why?  I don't think I have just one piece that's my favorite because when I create something, I think to myself 'oh my God, I love this,' then I create something else and fall in love all over again.  So, I love them all.

Since you make your own jewelry and accessories, do you buy from other lines that also make jewelry and accessories?  Yes.  I love to buy other jewelry and accessories but they really have to be something I don't make myself.

Do you have plans to branch out and make more items than what you already sell?  Yes I plan on branching out to make more items than I make now, like candles, lotions, body oils, lip balm, body glam and much more.

Where can people purchase your items?  For now, I'm on Etsy.  You can purchase at Urban Vibe, Inc.

Below are two pairs of crocheted earrings from Urban Vibe, Inc., one of which I will be giving away on my blog in February 2012.  Stay tuned!

Feel free to also check me out on Facebook, Kinky Kinetik

~Keep it Kinky~

Product Review - CARA B Naturally

I haven't been able to find an affordable product line that I could use for my daughter's hair.  Usually I would use whatever products I have for on my daughter's hair; however, I would love for her to see that there are natural products, apparel and accessories that are made for children, just like her.  At least for the products, I have to look no further!

On their website, it is noted that they "are chemical-free, certified natural and committed to promoting the belief that our Children Are Always Beautiful, Naturally." 

I had the opportunity to review CARA B Naturally's product line, with the exclusion of the Baby Bar Soap Bundle.  

On my daughter's hair, we used the Shampoo/Body Wash, Moisturizing Hair Mist and Leave-in Conditioner/Daily Moisturizer.  I loved the results, as did my daughter.  She said that the products smelled 'natural' and she took pride in using them. 

What's In CARA B Naturally's products?

Shampoo/Body Wash: Deionized water; natural coconut oil, cornstarch and sugar soap blend (decyl glucoside); natural chamomile fragrance blend; vegetable glycerin; sugar (glucose); vitamin E; aloe vera barbadensis leaf juice; citric acid, guar gum (natural thickener); caramel; glucose oxidase & lactoperoxidase (natural preservative).

Moisturizing Hair Mist: Deionized water; vegetable glycerin; coconut oil (capric triglyceride); sweet almond oil; jojoba oil; sugar (glucose); natural chamomile fragrance blend; aloe vera barbadensis leaf juice; vitamin E, potassium sorbate; glucose oxidase & lactoperoxidase (natural preservative); citric acid.

Leave-in Conditioner/Daily Moisturizer: Deionized water; natural emulsifying wax (cetearyl alcohol); shea butter; jojoba oil; coconut oil (capric triglyceride); vegetable glycerin; natural emulsifier (cetearyl alcohol and cetearyl glucoside); natural chamomile fragrance blend; cocoa butter (stearic acid); sugar (glucose); xanthum gum (natural thickener); natural emulsifier (glyceryl stearate); aloe vera barbadensis leaf juice; vitamin E; caramel; potassium sorbate; glucose oxidase & lactoperoxidase (natural preservative).

What's your first impression of CARA B Naturally Kinky?

First, the packaging was cute.  Secondly, my daughter's hair looked amazing!  She liked it, I liked it and those that are on my Kinky Kinetik Facebook page liked it.  I had done her hair on a Wednesday, after school.  She then went to visit family from Thursday until Sunday and I had forgotten to pack the CARA B Naturally products for her to use daily.  However, she did have her bonnet.  When I went to pick her up on Sunday, I was shocked that her hair was still intact, for the most part, and did not appear dry.  In looking at her hair, you could tell that it was soft, moisturized and still manageable.  When I took her twists out, her hair was bouncy and just too cute!  I am definitely going to use CARA B Naturally products again!

Check out the pictures of her hair...

Ready to be shampooed (I let her do this herself and check to make sure all tresses are fully covered.)  Of note, the shampoo is not too thick, not too watery.

 

Next up, TWISTING!  After I shampooed her hair, I misted on the Moisturizing Hair Mist and sealed the moisture in with the Leave-in Conditioner/Daily Moisturizer.  Here are the results...

For the weekend, she went to visit with family.  She did not have any products with her (bad mommy forgot them); however, she did have her bonnet.  Here's how her hair looked when I picked her up...

 I decided to take down her twists and see how her twist out would look.  Drum roll please...

Well, it looks like there's a pretty little princess that absolutely LOVES her hair.  

I didn't shampoo and condition her hair just yet though, I retwisted it all over again.  Below is a picture of her twist out, before the retwist.  I used the hair mist on it again and then applied the leave-in to seal in the moisture.  The leave-in is pictured below.  The results... the same as above!

SB - the lotion smells the same as the other products and is about the consistency as the moisturizer.  

Please feel free to check out my other product reviews and/or come visit me on Facebook, Kinky Kinetik.  Also, stay tuned as we will be partnering for a giveaway later this month to celebrate the launch of CARA B Naturally at CVS!

Where to buy: CARA B Naturally

Disclaimer: I was sent this product for the purpose of a review and I was NOT paid to do this review.  The above review/opinions expressed was based on MY experience using the product. Kinky Kinetik is not affiliated with CARA B Naturally and is thereby not responsible for your experience with the product.

Interview With Daphné, She Big Chopped & Loc'd... Twice!

Hi Daphné , thanks so much for taking the time to do this interview.  When you told me that you had big chopped twice, loc'd your hair and then combed it out - I just HAD to know more about you and your journey.  Let's get started... 

For those that don't know you, please introduce yourself and tell us how long you have been natural.  Hi!  My name is Daphné.  I am a wife, mother, sister, and daughter!  I've been completely natural for a little over 9 years.

...and your hair type is?  Oh... I hate the hair type system (insert Kinky's giggle here) but if I must, I am considered 3C with a little 4A.

Who, if anyone, influenced you to go natural?  No one really influenced me to go natural, but I am determined to stay natural for my kids.  I think it is really important, especially for my daughters, to see me natural. I believe that I need to be a role model for them and having my hair natural, just like them, is one way for them to see that.  I agree and totally respect that.

So I know that you big chopped, what made you do it not only once but twice?  Well, the first time I did the big chop, I was in college.  Why do college kids do anything - no reason whatsoever!  What I did not expect was falling in love with the "natural me," but my family did not.  My decision to go natural at that time was considered very taboo.  

The second time I did the big chop was right after I graduated from college.  I wanted to start locing my hair and I decided heck, why not go to the barber and cut my hair off.  Instead, I asked my brother.  He used his clippers and literally shaved my hair off right in the middle of our parent's kitchen!  He must have enjoyed cutting his sister's hair and not getting in any trouble!!   LoL.

Okay, so your hair grew and you went from free flowing tresses to loc'ing your hair.  What's the story behind making that transition?  I always wanted to loc my hair but having locs was not something people in my family approved.  When I decided to loc my hair, I was older, wiser, and just more committed.

I couldn't start my locs myself so I went to a natural hair salon in Massachusetts and the loctition there gave me starting locs.  I have to admit, I hated the way I initially looked with my twists, but I knew that passing the "transition" phase in the loc process was going to be the hardest.  Luckily, I have an adoring husband who lied to me really well and kept telling me I looked great.  The truth is, maybe I looked great but the transition hair looked BAD!  Anyway, I passed the transition phase and kept my locs for seven years!  Some call that transitioning phase the 'ugly' phase... the time you have to get used to your locs, that may appear a bit unkempt.  The outcome; however, appears worth it.  Anyways, kudos to your husband!!  That was too cute!

Then after seven years of being "loc'd" up, you then decided to comb your hair out... why?  How long did it take?  'Til this day, I have NO idea why I initially decided to comb out my locs.  Honestly, I think it started out as a: can I do it? -> to I'm doing it -> to I did it!  It took close to two months for me to complete the process.  I do believe that it would have taken less time, but finding time to sit and comb out the locs was pretty hard.  My husband and I would comb out about two to three locs a day.

I'm assuming that you prefer your hair our since you took the time to comb your locs out.  However, what's your favorite way to rock your natural hair - out or in locs?  Why?  Both are great, but my preference is my locs.  My locs were simply me.

Do you have any advice to give to those who have considered loc'ing their hair, such as myself?  Just do it!  You will always regret not trying something but you will never know what something is like if you don't try it!  

In thinking of a celebrity, who is your hair inspiration idol?  Wow - celebrity hair... I guess I would say YaYa for loose, natural hair.  For loc'd hair, I would say Lisa Bonet.

What's your regimen now versus when you had locs?  Loose hair maintenance - I wash/wet my hair approximately every three days.  I try to deep condition every two weeks, moisturize and seal my ends daily.  Loc maintenance - I washed, conditioned and twisted the roots when necessary but I wasn't worried about split ends or fairy knots.  LoL.  Man, thinking about this makes it seem like my locs were much easier to maintain.  Well, it definitely sounds easier... no knots, no arms being tired from twists, no search and destroying of split ends...

What was your favorite style to wear your locs?  Also, what's your favorite style to wear your hair in its current state?  My favorite style versus the style I wore the most are two different things.  My lazy girl style with both my locs and my loose hair is a bun.  It's a simple, classic look.  My favorite way to wear my locs and my loose hair is out loose.

Thanks so much Daphné, I truly appreciate your time and consideration of doing this interview.  I'm glad that you have shared your story and journey with me and my kinkies.  

See below for pictures Daphné... loc'd and unloc'd...

  

Check me out on Facebook, Kinky Kinetik

Where to contact Daphné - Une Autre Naturelle's Blog and Une Autre Naturelle on FB

As always... keep it kinky!!

Wires 'n' Thangs by TeneeleMichelle Giveaway

When I first saw these earrings, I fell in love.  I love hoops and I love the colors Teneele used when making them.  Do you love these like I do?  If so, enter below for your chance to win 'Southwest Charm.'

The giveaway will run from 1/28 - 1/31/12.  The winner will be announced on 2/1/12 and has 24 hours to contact me with their mailing address. If not, another winner will be selected.  

I Am Knot Going Out With My Hair Looking Like This!!!

We have all heard of the pineapple method right?!?  That's when we gather our twist, braid and/or bantu knot out at the top of our head and hold it together with a scrunchy.  We then resemble a pineapple.  Well I tried this method last week and it was an ultimate fail!  I just HAD to do SOMETHING with my hair but didn't know what...  I could NOT wear it the way it was.  It was either do a wash and go, uh scratch that, it's cold in Jersey. The other option was a puff.  Let's see how I made out... 

Uh uh, do y'all SEE this?

  

Now what in the world am I going to do with this?  I can't go outside looking a mess!  My twist out is looking like a twist OUCH!

Hmm, all the while I THOUGHT pineappling would work.  Guess not!!   I have to figure SOMETHING out!!

But wait a natural pickin' minute - do y'all REALLY see this?!?

Ok Kinkies, I got this!  No need to worry!!  Nothing some water, a bit if product (or natural oils/butters) won't fix.  Get an over-sized ouchless headband, wrap it around your puff twice (not too tight), smooth your edges and voila - a puff that's presentable!!  

SB - Too bad I don't know how to make a comic strip with photos!  LoL.  I hope you enjoyed this Kinkies!!  :-)

Please feel free to check out my other product reviews and come visit me on my Facebook page, Kinky Kinetik

Product Review - Curly Kinks

Whether you are natural or relaxed, you will come across  some products that you like and there may be some products that you love and I can honestly say that I found a product that I LOVE!   I bring to you my review on Curly Kinks...

I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to review three products of the Curly Kinks line.  I am reviewing Curlycue ReNew, Satin Roots and Coil Jam.

What's In Curly Kinks products?

Curlycue ReNew: distilled water, certified organic burdock root, certified organic amla, certified organic horsetail, pathenol, BTMS, cetearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, glycerin, calendula officinalis flower extract, sunflower extract, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, carrageenan extract, slippery elm, marshmallow root, guarsilk, olive oil, avocado oil, meadowfoam oil, phenoxyethanol, caprytly glycol and fragrance.

Satin Roots: distilled water, calendula officinalis flower extract, sunflower extract, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, carrageenan extract, slippery elm, marshmallow root,  vegetable glycerin, cetyl alcohol, BTMS, pathenol, avocado oil, phenoxyethanol, caprytly glycol and fragrance.

Coil Jam: distilled water, calendula officinalis flower extract, sunflower extract, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, carrageenan extract, marshmallow root extract, sea kelp, xanthum gum, dehydroxanthum gum, vegetable glycerin, agave nectar, olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, meadowfoam seed oil, phenoxyethanol (and) caprylyl glycol, fragrance, and citric acid.   

What's your first impression of Curly Kinks Kinky?

I said it above and I will say it again, I love Curly Kinks.  Of all the products that I have reviewed, these products have to be one of the best brands out!  I love how my hair was soft and manageable after deep conditioning with Curlycue ReNew.  I was able to detangle without problem using Satin Roots (which is a leave-in detangler) and my twists, which turned into a twist out, had gotten so many compliments in person and on Facebook, all thanks to Coil Jam.  

The Curlycue ReNew and Silk Roots are both creamy and thick.  The Coil Jam is more of a jelly-like texture.  All of the products smell the same.  I can't exactly describe the scent; however, I will say that it is not displeasing.  It is not fruity or similar to a smell of desserts...

Enough of me talking, let me allow the pictures to speak for the products...

In the left picture, I have no product in my hair, I just washed out Curlycue ReNew .  The picture on the right shows my hair with Satin Roots on it.  I had twisted my hair after deep conditioning to prevent my hair from needing additional detangling.  My hair was damp throughout the process.

 This is the picture of my finished twists, using Coil Jam.

And now for the twist out...

This is the second day of my twist out.  I did NOT 'pineapple my hair or apply additional product.  I slept on my side and back with a bonnet only.  You can see that my twist out is still intact.  I just shook my hair back and forth and was on the go...

Lastly, my twist out after the third day.  I again only used a bonnet.  My hair was a bit 'sweated out' as I worked out the night before.  To achieve the puff, I simply applied some Coil Jam to DRY hair and slicked/smoothed with my hands (only) up into a puff.  Here's a back view...

 And here's me... loving Curly Kinks!!

Please feel free to check out my other product reviews and come visit me on my Facebook page, Kinky Kinetik

Where to buy: Curly Kinks

Disclaimer:  I was sent this product for the purpose of a review and I was NOT paid to do this review.  The above review/opinions expressed was based on MY experience using the product.  Kinky Kinetik is not affiliated with Curly Kinks and is thereby not responsible for your experience with the product.

Hey Kinkies, It's My 1000 Likes Giveaway!!! (2 of 2)

I have been having so much fun interacting with my Kinkies, doing product reviews and figuring out what to do next.  I've gotten a ton of support and to show my appreciation to you all, I'm doing ANOTHER giveaway!!  


I am so happy that B. Natural Apparel is sponsoring a giveaway for my Kinkies.  I absolutely love her shirts and earrings.


One lucky kinky will win one of her in-stock shirts of YOUR choice (excluding the My Beauty Comes Naturally hoodie and the limited edition shirt).


In order to be eligible, you MUST do the following:

1. Like my FB page Kinky Kinetik and while you are at it, go over to B. Natural Apparel and tell them who sent you.
2.  Post a comment on my FB giveaway note saying 'Keep It Kinky.'

Bonus entries:
1. Follow Kinky Kinetik's blog  (Kinky's Blog) and comment on this giveaway blog post that you are following and what your FB name is.
2. Refer five friends to my FB page and make sure they tell me who sent them.

The giveaway will run from 1/22 - 1/28/12.  It will end at 11am EST and the winner will be announced on 1/30/12.

The winner will have 48 hours to reply once announced (since everyone does not accept inbox messages, please be sure to also check back on the Kinky Kinetik FB page on 1/30/12).  The giveaway is open to US residents only.

To view the shirts that you can choose from, visit B Natural Apparel

Good luck Kinkies!

Hey Kinkies, It's My 1000 Likes Giveaway!!! (1 of 2)

I have been having so much fun interacting with my Kinkies, doing product reviews and figuring out what to do next.  I've gotten a ton of support and to show my appreciation to you all, I'm doing ANOTHER giveaway!!

I was happy to have been one of the first hair pages/bloggers to do a product review for Reve' Essentials.  I loved the product so much that I HAD to share it with my Kinkies!  One fabulous Kinky will win part of the the gift set pictured.

(you will win a sampler of the shampoo, moisturizer, butter and pomade)

In order to be eligible, you MUST do the following:

1. Like my FB page Kinky Kinetik as well as Reve Essentials (tell them who sent you)
2.  Post a comment on my FB giveaway note indicating what encouraged you to go natural.

Bonus entries:
1. Post a picture on Kinky Kinetik's FB page
2. Follow Kinky Kinetik's blog  (Kinky's Blog) and comment on this giveaway blog post that you are following and what your FB name is.
3. Refer three friends and make sure they tell me who sent them.

The giveaway will run from 1/22 - 1/28/12.  It will end at 930am EST and the winner will be announced on 1/30/12.

The winner will have 48 hours to reply once announced (since everyone does not accept inbox messages, please be sure to also check back on the Kinky Kinetik FB page on 1/30/12).  The giveaway is open to US residents only.

Good luck Kinkies!

Product Review - Reve' Essentials

I was happy to have been given the opportunity to do a product review on a new product line called Reve' Essentials.  Rebecca and Eve's products are reasonably priced and smell great.  One of the great things about this line is that you are able to pick the scent of the products that you order.  I was sent their hair/body moisturizer, hair pomade, and hair/body butter in the birthday cake scent.  When I opened the product, my daughter agreed that it truly smelled like birthday cake frosting.  I think she was disappointed that she could not eat it.

What's In Reve' Essentials products?  

Pomade: raw unrefined shea butter, soy wax, castor oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, vitamin E oil, and fragrance.

Hair/Body butter: raw unrefined shea butter, olive oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, castor oil, vitamin E oil, and fragrance.

Hair/body moisturizer: water (infused with horsetail, slippery elm and marshmallow root extracts), aloe vera juice, BTMS, cetyl alcohol, jojoba oil, rosehip seed oil, castor oil, coconut oil, optiphen (preservative) and fragrance.

What's your first impression of the Reve' products Kinky?

I like the products better on wet hair than dry hair.  On a daily basis, I would apply first the moisturizer then the butter.  Once I had to use the pomade as I left the butter in the car (and didn't feel like going back in the cold to get it).  I used the pomade mainly on my scalp as a natural hair grease as I do have dry scalp at times, and to help smooth my edges for a partial fro-hawk do (see pictures below).  Generally, with most water-based products, that should be enough to dampen the hair and then you're able to seal it in with an oil, or in this case, a butter.  I used this method and  as a result, my twist outs were not as defined as (1) I wanted them to be  and (2) as they were when I did them on wet hair.  I later realized that I should have wet my hair (not soaking but damp) and then applied the moisturizer and butter.  If a product is water based, it should be able to moisturize hair just a bit; however, this did not.  I think that my results would have been a better, more defined look.  Don't get me wrong, I liked the big, full look I achieved; however, I am at a point where I prefer definition over body.  As I liked the products and have a bit of the butter and pomade left, I would definitely use the products again and I may post an update here.  

The moisturizer is soft and creamy and feels so smooth on your hands.  It seemed to melt in my hands and into my wet hair.  As for the butter, it reminds me of actual cake frosting, or a thick pancake batter texture.  The pomade, on the other hand, is more solid and thicker than the butter.  Here is a side-by-side picture of the latter two:

The following pictures were taken over the week that I used the products...

I accidentally deleted the picture of my hair the morning after first applying all of the products on wet hair.  However, I would like to add that I was loving the results that next morning.  I loved how my edges were laid down.  I left the twists in for a few days.  The second picture below is from when I started to take them out. 

Below are two pictures of the actual twist out after leaving them in for 2-3 days.

This is after retwisting using the moisturizer and butter on dry hair.  

I used enough of the moisturizer to dampen the hair somewhat.  

Again, I recommend wetting your hair with water before using the products, if looking to achieve definition.  

 

 I still have some definition after doing the chunky twists...

 And here I am with somewhat untwisted chunky twists.  I am preparing for a funky hair style...

 Trying to rock it out.  I was pleased to have gotten compliments on this style.

 A side view (and close up).  I used the moisturizer and butter to achieve this look.

So, overall Reve' Essentia was okay.  I am definitely going to use the remaining product that I have; however, I am not sure if I would repurchase all of the products again.  I am thankful to also be having a giveaway of the above products, plus a sulfate-free shampoo.  This giveaway will start on 1/22/12 and end on 1/28/12.

Please feel free to check out my other product reviews and come visit me on my Facebook page, Kinky Kinetik

Where to buy: Reve' Essentials

Disclaimer:  I was sent this product for the purpose of a review and I was NOT paid to do this review.  The above review/opinions expressed was based on MY experience using the product.  Kinky Kinetik is not affiliated with Reve' Essentials and is thereby not responsible for your experience with the product.