Exfoliating Your Scalp

So Kinkies, our scalp needs a good cleansing here and there.  We need to remove product build-up, dried up sweat, and the old skin cells that are just laying around chilling.  I'm a fan of sugar body scrubs and I did a video on how to use them on the scalp.  Interested in more details?  Check out the video below!

Kinky's Castor Oil Challenge #1

Hey Kinkies! I'm kicking off my first challenge - a JBCO Challenge!! Although it's okay for my Kinkies to use any castor oil, it appears that the majority of them are using JBCO and that's what I'm using too!

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.

Product Review - Curl Prep

Hey Kinkies.  So, I was given a book as a Birthmas gift.  Weird word right?  OK, let me explain... My cousin didn't see me for my birthday in October 2011 so she told me that she's giving me my birthday gift for Christmas... I shrugged, was like okay and just patiently waited for her to say Merry Birthday (she didn't) and hand it over to me.   I was souped to see that it was an AUTOGRAPHED copy of Coif Cuisine, by Candace Kelley.  The weird thing about it is that I was just looking at the email that the same cousin had sent me months prior regarding a meet-up that Candace was going to be at and I wanted to be at but I couldn't make it.  After reading the email again, I planned to go on her website to learn more about her and the book.  So, I read the book, in less than an hour, and learned that she had her own product line.  I reach out to Candace about her products, after looking on her website, and BAM - I have a Curl Prep product (Sweet Buttah) in my hand!  :-) While waiting for the product, a loctician friend of mine mentioned that I should try Sweet Buttah as his client achieved "amazing results" - this sparked my interest even more!!  Come to find out, Sweet Buttah is the most popular product of the Curl Prep line.

What's In Curl Prep's Sweet Buttah?

Shea butter, infused olive oil, wheat germ oil, goat's milk, marshmallow root, emulsified wax, stearic acid, vitamin E, preservatives and essential oils (as per naturallycurly).

What's your first impression of Sweet Buttah Kinky?
I'm going to say that I liked it.  Sweet Buttah is creamy and white, the consistency of custard.  It wasn't too light either, I know some kinkies like a heavier cream.  I liked the results that I got on my dry hair.

I shampooed and deep conditioned my hair, with products not from the Curl Prep line, and let it air dry as I wanted to try Sweet Buttah on dry, stretched out hair.  I had gotten the idea to do it on stretched, detangled hair by watching the Curl Prep instruction video below:

Here is my before picture... how my hair looked before I used Sweet Buttah on it.

I wanted to try a braid out since I had been talking about it on FB page, Kinky Kinetik.  

Here's my transition... 

Here I took out a few braids in the front and wore a headband with braids pulled back into a bun.  I have definition after sleeping overnight for about six hours...

Later that night, I retwisted the front two braids I had taken out... the next morning I woke up and did a braid out for work... here are my fabulous results... first is the back and then the top of my head.

 Smile and say Sweet Buttah!!

 

 On my daughter's type 3 hair, I also twisted her hair while using Sweet Buttah on dry hair.  

This is one twist unraveled.  

 And here's ALL of her twists unraveled.  I did five twists in all...

I may do an updated pic of me with my hair twisted while wet, using the Sweet Buttah.  I can't wait to see the results of that since my hair was so defined when used on on dry hair.  The pictures above speak for themselves...

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

Where to buy: Curl Prep

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 Curl Prep and/or Coif Cuisine and is thereby not responsible for your experience with the product.  

Product Review - Love, Jasmine Shampoo Bar (Banana)

Ok so I've been wanting to try a shampoo bar.  Why?  Because I've heard other kinkies raving about them.  So, I wanted to experience them, as opposed to regular, liquid shampoo.  Given my last product review, I REALLY wanted and needed to wash my hair.

What's in Love, Jasmine's Shampoo Bar?

Vegetable glycerine, USP kosher solid glycerine, all-natural baking soda, white vinegar, pure goat's milk, palm kernel oil, tea tree oil, raw Yucca root, pure lanolin, raw shea butter, vitamin E oil, aloe vera oil, distilled water, polawax and essential oils.  The 'flavors' of the shampoo bars are avocado, pomegranate, banana, cinnamon, lavender, African black soap and cucumber.

On the website, it is noted that the bars are "designed especially for kinky and curly types of hair."  As such, and with most of my reviews that I do, I used it on my kinky hair and my daughter's curly hair.

The shampoo bars as pictured below.  Inside of the fabric was the bar wrapped in brown paper.

 The shampoo bar unveiled...

 Told you guys I shower!!  LoL.  Here's me shampooing my hair.  Please excuse the fact that part of my hair is out and the other part in twists as I washed my hair post a style of twists in the back/twist out in the front.

 To use the shampoo bar, wet your hair and run in a circular motion and this is what you get...

 After rinsing out my hair in the shower, it felt soft to touch and CLEAN!!  Moisture was still there.  Yay!! 

 I should have done a different picture; however, I wanted to also show off my art in the background.  Anyways, my scalp was CLEAN as was my hair... the below pic is my hair after a shampoo and deep conditioner.  

 And here's my princess... she's a big girl (8) and so I let her experience shampooing her hair herself.

 See, her hair and scalp are also clean.  I asked her how her hair and scalp felt while shampooing, she said it was tingly.  It must have been that natural baking soda and essential oils!

So, I would definitely use the shampoo bar again and I can't wait to use the avocado one as I have used fresh avocado on my hair before.  My hair wasn't at all dry or brittle.  My daughter and I both experienced great results.

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

Where to buy: Love, Jasmine

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 Love, Jasmine and is thereby not responsible for your experience with the product.

Product Review - Kynx Hair Care

I was sent almost the entire line of Kynx Hair Care, with the exception of their texture defining gel, I am Unique.

All of the products have cute names that start with I am..  They have I am Natural (softening cream cleanser), I am Strong (silky kinks hydrating conditioner), I am Fierce (refreshing leave in moisturizer), I am Free (miracle kink cream) and I am Pure (Monoi de Tahiti oil).  In order to achieve optimal results, I used the entire line.  For some product lines, it's best to do so.  Their website indicates that "each hair product is specially formulated with the rare Monoi de Tahiti oil, t secret hair softening ingredient of the Polynesian islands."  It goes on to say "The comprehensive Kynx hair care collection allows women to boldly rock various hair styles... women can now lose the boring Type 4 Kinky label and fearlessly flaunt their gorgeous hair!"

Well, while I don't disagree that the products will do as their website says, I don't feel as though the products worked well for me.  Below are a few pics and comments.

This is me before my wash.

After using I am Natural...

After using I am Strong.

After using both I am Fierce and I am Free. Of note, I did also do a little oil treatment with I am Pure.  The I am fierce has a thickness to it.  It reminded me of the bubbles we blew as a kid, just thicker.  Personally, I did not like the feel of it, it was like a melted gel.  It seemed like it would be heavy on my hair.  Here are my twists I did with I am Fierce and I am Free.  I thought it would turn out okay doing them on dry hair since they were both water based.

When I first read about the products, I was initially excited about the using I am Fierce and I am Free.  I was not expecting them to send me I am Pure.  I went against my better judgment using I am Natural and I am Strong as they both include ingredients that I won't typically use on my hair (sulfates, mineral oil, etc.).  However, I must admit that they DO have some great ingredients noted, such as flax seed oil, aloe leaf juice, shea butter, coconut oil, glycerin, jojoba, rosemary. 

My hair was not really moisturized, even after using the baggie/greenhouse effect method.  I tried this method twice in one week, even using the I am Pure product.

 Here are some twist out pictures a few days later...

 

Overall, I would not buy these products as I don't feel it really worked for me or gave me the results it claimed would be since I am a type 4.  I don't want to discourage others; however, just want to note that my experience with it was not as I expected.  Below is a pic of my daughter's hair, I only used I am Free to attempt to smooth her hair for a ponytail.

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

Where to buy: Kynx Hair Care

Disclaimer:  I was sent this product for the purposes 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 Kynx Haircare and is thereby not responsible for your experience with the product(s) and/or the company.

K-Y Jelly... Not Just For Sexing!

So when I say I JUST saw a post about this, I literally JUST saw a post about using K-Y as a hair moisturizer.  I ran right over here to talk blog about it!

Now, I know I already talked about using Monistat on hair and I said thought I had seen it all.  Apparently, I was so WRONG.  (If you didn't read that post about the Monistat, click --> My Scalp Has A Yeast Infection) Some people are literally using any and everything for growth and moisturizing their tresses.  My question is why?

Is hair growth THAT important that you want to resort to usage of Monistat?  Is your hair THAT parched that you have to use lubrication?  Hmm, probably better off using mineral oil... at least it seals in moisture.  (Disclaimer: I do NOT support the usage of mineral oil... I was just being a bit sarcastic.  Please, please, please think of what you are putting in our body.  Know that the stuff noted above will seep into your hair shaft and scalp and travel throughout your body.   Are oils, water, butters and other products geared towards hair NOT enough?

Anyways, just ranting for a bit.  To each their own.  As always - keep it kinky!

Product Review - Goody's Betsy Bobby Slides

So, Walgreens had a sale on Goody's Betsy Bobby Slides.  They normally got for about $5-6 but they were on sale for $2 and you get a $2 coupon  so essentially then would end up free.  Those who don't know, should know, that my favorite words are free, sale and clearance... and if coupled with a coupon - I'm in heaven.

 Anyways, I bought one pack since they said limit one coupon at that time.  I meant to go back and get another but I forgot.  That's okay, there will be another sale... I think... I hope. (crossing my fingers, eyes and toes)

So I had my twists in and I wanted to pull them back into a braided bun.  I don't like to use bobby pins too much as they snag your hair.  I make sure the ends are okay before I put them in but for some reason, when it's time to take them out, at least ONE decides it wants to stay in my hair.  So I used the bobby slider and only needed one!

Not only are they cute and decorative, you don't have to use a bunch of bobby pins to pin down your bun! .

I will buy these again, but only if it's free again.  I don't want to spend more than I have to.

Disclaimer: I purchased the above product and 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 Goody and is thereby not responsible for your experience with the product and/or the company.

Product Review - Coco Curls

I had recently heard about Coco Curls and was interested in trying the product out to see if it would do what the website suggested... and that is giving you sexier curls naturally!  I was thankful when Jeannell sent me out a full-sized product to try.

Like the other products reviews that I have and/or will continue to do, I tried Coco Curls on me and my daughter's hair since we have two totally different hair types.

What's in Coco Curls?

Natural moisturizing ingredients like shea butter and aloe vera, as well as 100% pure essential oils (as per the website).

What's your first impression of Coco Curls Kinky?
I expected it to smell like coconut.  And it didn't.  LoL.  I don't know why I expected it to smell that way, I guess because of the name... it doesn't smell bad, just doesn't smell like coconut... but don't mind me.

Coco Curls has a soft, creamy, pudding-like texture.  I have to say that I like it, for curls, better on my daughter and her type 3 hair, than on my hair.  I don't think that the word 'sexy' and term '8-year-old' should really be in the same sentence; however, for the purpose of this review, I will say that my daughter DID have some sexy curls... see for yourself...

 Her twist out.

 'Sexier' curls... naturally...

I also used Coco Curls daily on my princess' hair to style and slick down her ponytails.

As for me, I didn't dare leave my hair out (trying to do more protective styles).  I used Coco Curls to do my two strand twists and here are the results...

 

 FYI - I really don't like the pic above, but I wanted to show you guys that I REALLY did have the Coco Curls product.  This is me after washing my hair.  As for the pic below, I used Coco Curls on my semi-damp/almost dry hair and I twisted my hair. I would say it was about 75-80% dry.  You can see the product still on my hands and the definition of my tresses.

 These are my completed twists, no parts - just done.  I like how they came out.  Took me hoooooooours!

 Yayness, I'm all done... and here's the finished product...

And here I am later on that night... or was it the next day?  Well, regardless, it was within 24 hours of me doing my hair and I was on my way to celebrate a friend's birthday.

 

 Here I am with my princess, rocking a Coco Curls twist out... 

 And yes, I am aware that the beret doesn't match; however, it was a gift that I was trying on. 

Overall, Coco Curls worked well on my twists, which turned into a twist out.  I left my twists in for a week.  

Thanks for taking the time to read my review on Coco Curls.  As always, keep it kinky!

Where to buy: Coco Curls

Disclaimer: I was sent this product for the purposes 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 Coco Curls and is thereby not responsible for your experience with the product and/or the company.