Eco Styler gel with Olive oil

'Beauty is not about mere appearances. True beauty comes from the inside.  The more you show who you are the more beautiful you will be'.- anon

Happy Last Friday for February!!!!

So Eco Styler gel can be found in Namibia!!!!! Lol, I bought this along with my Cantu twist and lock gel from my contact at Cantu Namibia and I will be honest and say I have really haven't used it. I have, but only to slick down my edges. So I can say I have used this for my edges only, lets say about 3 or 4 times. The reason I bought this was to try and do a  proper wash n go but I haven't found the time or occasion that calls for a wash n go.

 Girl, that takes way too long for me and I need to be showing it off if I do it. I mean, I must be going out or be in Public or Something!!!!! I can't just detangle, shampoo, apply hair mask, rinse, co wash, then apply gel just to stay at home?!!!! Nah.  So it will have to wait for a special something. Hopefully soon. 

My Eco Styler 

What it says
Ecostyler Olive oil styling gel is made from 100% pure olive oil.  Olive oil helps your scalp naturally regulate its own moisturizing system.  Olive oil helps attract moisture to the scalp and holds it in.  Like all styling gels, it is weightless and will leave your hair with a healthy shine and superior hold.

Lightish greenish color

 It is alcohol free and includes in its ingredients glycerin, olive oil and wheat protein along with other stuff. lol  And its for all hair types. Apparently it leaves no flakes, no tack and its anti itch. As well as tames frizz and offers UV protection.

For me, it has a pretty light faint hint of a smell. Like clean waterish fresh smell. Something like that. Its not a strong smell. I can dig it. The hold is a Max 10. Which I gather that's good?!

Consistency

Nicely thick

I will do a proper review when I fully really use it as intended. I am looking forward to that day. I haven't tried a wash n go with gel since Stockholm when I used IC Fantasia gel and that was a great result. So am looking forward to seeing what EcoStyler does. So that's it.

Its Friday!!!!! Enjoy the weekend.

Peace and Love

Cantu Twist and Lock gel

'There is beauty in Simplicity'.- Anon

Hi my people

Its almost Friday!!!!! Ok we got that out the way, Cantu moisturizing twist and lock gel is a product I bought recently, as in January. The shop that I normally go to for my natural hair products was out of stock and I remembered on Facebook there was a Cantu Namibia page so I hooked up with the owner and asked for her product and price list and there I bought this and Eco styler which I will post about tomorrow.  I love this for the fact that I do a lot of twists and I wanted something specifically for twists and for when I do my individual braids. 

Cantu Twist and Lock Gel

No Sulfates, Silicones, Parabens or Mineral oil

What it says
Moisturizes, de-frizzes and adds manageability to your twists and locks, leaving them soft and shiny.  Made with 100% Pure Shea Butter and formulated without harsh ingredients, Cantu for Natural Hair restores your real, authentic beauty. Embrace your curly, kinky or wavy hair with Cantu for Natural Hair. 

The look is like fluffy whitish clouds

The consistency

Ingredients include
- Aloe Vera gel
- Coconut oil
- Shea butter
- Olive oil
- Avocado oil
- Mango seed oil
- Argan oil
- Carrot seed oil
- Sea Kelp
- Macademia seed oil
- Grape seed oil
- Sage
- Silk amino acids
- Soybean oil
- Sweet almond oil
- Jojoba oil
- Neem seed oil

So its got tons of the good stuff. Now the hold isn't very strong, but for me that's fine. I like my twists to have some movement and no be hard. I also like a product that I can during my wash days wash over and it doesn't leave me with build up. Even though this does have tons of oils in it I still prefer to oil my scalp and my ends. I just like having more oil on my hair. That's just Moi.

This is a good little product for me because I have noticed that I little goes a very long way and thus I end up using very little hence why I still have a full jar.

I like The Cantu products that I have. They have worked well with my hair type (which I still don't know), they work well with my grape seed oil  and they play nice with my Tresemme  naturals conditioner which I use as a leave in.  And most importantly they are reasonably priced for me. Win win all around.

I would like to try the other Cantu products like the conditioner, repair mask, deep conditioner and shampoo, so will see what the rest of the year holds in terms of trying them out but for now the two which I have, I am very happy with.

So yeps that's it for Cantu.

Freedom, Thursdays and Love

As I am double butter cream review

'Beauty isn't about having a pretty face.  It is about having a pretty mind, a pretty heart and most importantly, a beautiful soul'.- rule of being a lady

Happy Wednesday everyone!!!!!

Let me start by saying, I MISS MY HAIR!!!!! So I may take out this do this weekend and rock a braid out. I just seriously miss washing it and styling it. If I do take out the braid up it would have been styled that way for 2 weeks. Less than the original 4 weeks I wanted but I miss playing in it. 

Anyways, moving along, so last year when I went hair product shopping I also bought the below product which is by As I Am and its a double butter cream daily moisturizer. 

This here for coils and curls

Double Butter cream

Now I loved loved loved everything in it which includes Cocoa Butter, Shea butter, Jojoba oil, Sugar beet root, Wheat germ oil, Vegetable glycerin, Wheat Protein, Panthenol and Lanolin. Every. Thing. Except the price. I found it too expensive compared to my Cantu cream. It was actually the same price and this container is smaller!!!!!! Now I already spoke about how its difficult to get products here and not many shops carrying Natural Products from the USA and all but man, I wanted to love it but the price put me off.  I actually tried this before I tried the Cantu and this had me.

I have this much left... 

I decided to rather gift it to Maya and put it in her hair. Her hair loves it and I don't use as much on her head as I would on my hair. I may purchase it again if I have the money ready. I wont be happy about it but my baby's hair smells so good and it makes it nice and soft. So yeah.

This is the consistency

All in all, I really really did love this in my hair but because my hair is soo thick and long I needed more so I ended up using quite a lot. I may at some point check out other As I Am products that get sold here (the store is currently out of stock with everything!!!). I may also revisit this for myself again. Just to see if I am still in Love. Which by the smell of this baby, I still am. 

I used this in two strand twists and individual braids. They held up pretty good and I didn't need to moisturize as often. This packs a punch in terms of moisture. My hair was consistently soft, well moisturized and beautiful. Just beautiful. 

Sometimes being a Product Junkie is hard. The choices are limited, the prices are high and the time is well.... tooo damn short!!!!! A day in  the life of an African Product Junkie, coming to a bookshop near you!!!!

I send out loving messages to The Universe, Please let me be great!!!! Let me be the kind of Product Junkie I truly believe in my heart I am. I only ask for all the products  and accessories I want at reasonable prices or for free. Which ever. Thanks. Desh.



Peace, Love and As I am 

Afrorage feature

´Sisterhood:  Here´s to good woman. May we raise them. May we know them.  May we be them´.- anon


Hi all, its Friday!!!!!!

Being back home in Windhoek, has opened my eyes to a whole new network of social groups which I have embraced with open arms. I was recently asked to be featured for a website dedicated to African woman and our hair. I was asked a few questions and I sent in my pics.

A quick bio of Afrorage is that its a site started  by 3 sisters and their mom who all have natural hair and best bit they are mixologist who make and sell their own products. I had a chance to smell and see their stuff and as soon as i am done with my stash, I am on to theirs. Yáll know i will try any and Everything right?!

I admire and respect sisters who appreciate and give love to the African woman and her natural hair style because let me tell you, we don´t get that much love in the motherland. The natural hair community is small and growing but we have to fight for our voices and our looks to be appreciated here in Namibia. For every 1 Natural haired lady, you will find 10 weaved ladies. Our own beauty and essences is covered as though we as a whole are ashamed. So I am grateful for a platform that encourages us, appreciates and welcomes us.

One of the great things about having a blog is the somewhat anonymity it provides you and when you get approached to be featured it kinda makes you ´famous´ and gives you this great acknowledgement of your work that says hey, I am reading, I see you, I feel you and I appreciate you. I felt this way after being featured on Afrorage, this feeling of acceptance, So please go over and show some love.

Link up to them on facebook as well and show them some love.

Facebook page - Afrorage
Website - Afrorage

Peace, Love and Afrorage

Cantu Shea butter coconut curling cream

'A smile is the prettiest thing you can wear'

Good morning

Cantu products were on my wishlist of products to try out so last year when I found out via Facebook about a shop selling natural products from the USA I naturally went over and bought some stuff. Of course I did!!!!!! The moment I got home, I wash my hair and used this and put my hair into huge chunky twists and I was SOLD!!!!! There was love hahahahhahah. I still kept that original tub til now, so its going on about 4 months now. 

My fav product to date

 What it says
'For Natural Hair, coconut curling cream helps heal dry, damaged hair. Provides intense moisture & strength'

Almost done

Beautiful and Creamy

Thick consistancy

I think the reason that this lasted me so long was because a little goes a long way and I only need to moisturize my hair every other day or I only use it when I am doing a new style. I mean its an 340g (12OZ) jar and it packs nicely.

It contains no mineral oils, sulfates, Parabens, Silicones, Phthalates, Gluten, Paraffin, Propylene Glycol, PABA or DEA. And its made with 100% shea butter.


Some ingredients include
Aloe Vera
Coconut oil
Jojoba oil
Soybean
Avocado oil
Mango butter
Macademia oil
Neem oil
Carrot oil
Argan oil
Silk amino acids
Honeysuckly extract
Sea Kelp extract
Nettle extract
Grape seed oil

You cant go wrong with ingredients like that!!!!!! Its like the Oscars of natural hair ingredients!!!!!

Anyways, My hair loves this as do I. Now I just need a new bottle and life will be well.

I use this in my L.O.C method as my C - for cream. And when needed if I see that my hair needs a boost of moisture.

Laughter, smiles and Cantu 

Tresemme Naturals conditioner

'Simplicity is about subtracting the obvious and adding the meaningful'.- John Madea

Happy Tuesday everyone

Today its a post on Tresemme Naturals Silicone free conditioner. 

This here

Read all about it

What it says : Tresemme Naturals Radiant Care Conditioner with certified organic sweet orange extracts keep hair strong and manageable.  With our unique silicone free formula for lightweight conditioning, hair looks shiny and incredibly healthy looking.  Discover 10x times stronger hair after just one use* Silicone free, dye free, hypoallergenic. Safe for colour treated hair'. 

This is a great conditioner and for me who is heavy handed a little goes a long way. It detangles, co-washes well and smells really nice. I use it as well as a leave in conditioner when I do my LOC method. I think I am on my third bottle now and its a great little product to have.


But honestly, its doesnt really wow me. I mean yeah, my hair is soft, manageable and clean but its just so boring. Predictable. Safe almost.

Look, when I bought the hair mask, I used it and instantly feel in love and now come wash days I LOOK forward to putting it on my hair. Its almost a joy. I know, I am asking too much from a conditioner but its gotta be more than just Nice.

Hello Hydration by Herbal Essences excited me. It really did. I loved that conditioner.
Aussie Moist conditioner also really gave me great feelings of joy.

I guess I will be on the hunt for a new conditioner. Nothing wrong with this one, honestly. But ja, I am over it. I think the problem in Windhoek, Namibia is that products aren't so easy to come by and if you get them, they are hella expensive so you are stuck and just get what you can afford. There is no real choice here and that saddens me coming from Europe and Asia. I mean online ordering aint gonna happen in this lifetime, I aint got money like that. And the shops that sell Natural products (which I think I can count on one hand) are seriously sometimes way too expensive.


Please don't get me wrong, I think this conditioner is fantastic. I mean I bought it, I use it, I like it. I just don't love it like that. That is all.

Someone needs a trip outside the borders, it seems huh?

Life, Freedom and Travel

salon protective style

'Be kind to everyone, including yourself'. - anon 

Hey all

I was very lucky over the weekend to get treated to a styling session at Simana Natural Emporium which is a beauty salon in Windhoek which caters to Naturals and those transitioning and as far as I know the only one thus far, but don't quote me on that. So I went in and met with the Owner Miss K and she talked about what I would like done. and we both agreed NO HEAT. So she suggested a co-wash, hot oil deep condition, small trim and protective style. Everything I like!

The co-wash was with Tresemme Naturals conditioner and the stylist gently detangled my head then added the product and slowly worked it into my scalp and hair. I was given a nice soft head massage and my hair was then rinsed off. She then mixed a few oils to create an oil base for the hot oil deep condition. She used coconut oil, castor oil, tree tree oil and rosemary oil. I think I may have missed one. But those were the ones I remembered. Then she worked this into my scalp  using an applicator brush the type you use when you are coloring your hair in a salon (I hope you all get me) basically she went line by line over my head ensuring that my whole head was covered with the oil. Afterwards it was plastic cover time and under the dryer I went for about 20 minutes. 

My hair with oils under the dryer

All covered up

After the deep oil treatment that was washed out then my hair was gently combed out and the ends were trimmed Professionally!!!!!! We took off just a bit but again like the oil application we went line by line ensuring that the overall cut was even and so that it grows out the same length. then the stylist asked me what kind of style did I want, I told her I really only want something where my hair is off my shoulders and I can apply oil easily to the scalp when needed and a style that will last me about 4 weeks. 

My hair after my little trim ( it is much much much longer than this, shrinkage is a beast y'all!!!!!)

So below is what I came away with.

Braided up from the left and right towards the middle and this was twisted up coming to my front. ( PS I always get red on my scalp from anything, even gently combing and washing my scalp leaves in red. It lasts a few minutes and goes away). 

Neat rows and very easy for me to put my oil in

The front with twisted in two strand twists and wrapped around the main part of the hair. 

Neat, easy to maintain and gorgeous

My stylist told me I could easily wash this out in about 2 weeks and continue with my oil treatment as needed.

The great thing about Simana is that the products used, I am very familiar with like the Shea butter, natural oils, Aloe Hair gel, shampoos and conditioners,  so I was very happy to be in their care for that morning. Its always great being in an environment where I can talk to a stylist who is willing to listen to my suggestions and who gives great advice on natural hair because
1) she is natural
2 ) she actually knows what she is talking about
3) she knows her products and is not gonna just put any old thing in my hair.
And lastly
4) is gentle!!!!! We like gentle hands on our delicate scalps ladies!!!!

My overall experience was fabulous. The staff are very friendly, the owner is very knowledgeable and I met other great naturals. Its like a hidden hide-way for us Naturals in Windhoek.

Its all good. Will do updates with this style as the  days and weeks go on.


Peace, Kindness and Funky styles

Placenta for hair

´Sometimes its controversy, but we all have our choices that we make´.- Solomon Burke

Hi all

Placenta, I had to think long and hard if I wanted to do a post about this and since I had placed it under my new hair routine, I decided to just go for it. I use Placenta for my hair. If you don´t know Placenta is the afterbirth, its the organ that feeds a fetus in a female´s womb. 

I started using it when I was living in Nigeria to strengthen my hair. I don't remember why I needed it but my hair was lacking something then and so  I went into a shop looking for hair products and the lady behind the counter told me about placenta, I found it in the below bottle, went home, researched it, and I tried it, I loved it and I continued using it until I left. I only stopped using it in Sweden because I didn't need it any more. My hair was fine, till I damaged it last year. So I revisited what I know works for me. 

That´s the catch phrase I want to use - It works for me. I have always maintained on this blog, that not everything that works for one will work for another. I do me. I always have and I always will. I do my research, I weigh my options, I think it through and I make my decisions. 

H R Placenta

This comes with 3 bottles in it

Its a small bottle (10ml)

Back 

What it says

´Seals split ends. Thickens hair and gives immediate body. Helps stimulate hair growth´.

Directions
Apply to clean towel dried hair, massage gently for a minute and comb through. No rinsing and can be used 2-4 times a week.

Placenta that is used for hair and skin comes from sheep and cows, however there has been a growing trend of new human mothers eating their placenta for the benefits and other reasons. I am not gonna get into that. To each their own.

I use it for my damaged hair because its high in hormones and proteins such as estrogen and progesterone. It helps to reconstruct the hair shaft, it reinforces the strength of the hair, gives it a great shine and smells nice. I have had experiences with it that worked which is why I am back with it and the second time around my hair still works well with it and it plays along nicely with my other products.

How I use it - on wash days. 

I wash my hair with shampoo, then add my hair mask. Then my leave in conditioner over my hair and then add the placenta (a few drops in my palms- about half this little bottle) over my ends and massage the rest into my scalp, I mainly concentrate on my ends because they are the most damaged. Then I continue with my cream and grape seed oil all over my head and braid or flat twist my hair.

 During the week, I take the remaining placenta and go over my ends again and whatever is left put it over my head. My main concern is really my ends.

Normally here, I would say go out and get you some, but I wont. What I will say, is do some research. Read some labels ( you would be surprised at how many company´s add this to their ingredient list), look outside your comfort zone, look towards the hair history of the Ancient Greeks and Egyptians as well as look to the Orient. See what they have been working with and how far their hair journeys have taken them.

 Don´t take my word for it, but I am gonna do me.  Thanks all.

Peace, Love and choices

Nature´s gate - Shampoo review

´Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself´.- Coco Chanel

Happy Tuesday y´all

My fav new shampoo is by Nature´s Gate and its an Aloe vera containing sulfate free shampoo. I swear, put aloe vera on anything and I may just buy it. But on the real, its a fabulous smelling (it reminds me of a fresh garden after rain has come - its a nice fresh smell. Green smell), great consistency having and thickish lather shampoo. My head feels so clean afterwards. I bought it on whim (at Discherm), I wanted to try out a sulfate shampoo and the price was reasonable (read cheap). 

My new fav shampoo - ´hydrates and restores normal to dry hair´

Ingredients

What it says on the back - ´Nature´s gate Aloe Vera shampoo gently cleanses hair while helping to restore moisture. Aloe Vera hydrates while our 7 Healing Hair Nutrients nourish, condition and soften hair. This superb moisturizing shampoo is gentle enough for everyday use, leaving hair replenished, manageable and silky smooth´.

It really does all of the above. I cant fault this.

Ingredients include
- Aloe vera
- Soy proteins
- Vegetable proteins
- Jojoba oil
- Borage flower seed oil
- Barley
- Avocado extract
- Coconut
-  Glycerin
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E

This shampoo is vegan and not tested on animals. This will probably stay in my stash for a while and when my tresemme conditioner is finished I may go and get the conditioner to this shampoo and have those as my set.I am always glad when something works out product wise. It makes wash-days so much easier and nicer knowing my hair likes a certain product and it works well with it.

How I wash my hair
I first detangle my head either using my fingers or a wide tooth comb (sometimes I do a pre poo with coconut oil but that´s not always), then I wet my head and then put my hair into 4 sections. I like to do this on wet hair. Then I loosen one section, place shampoo into my palms and coat that section with shampoo. With my fingers I go in circular motions on my scalp not using my nails, moving slowing down the hair length to my ends washing that section scalp to ends then I rinse off and continue with all the remaining sections. Afterwards condition.  This is how I have been doing my hair for years. I usually do a final cold water 1 minute rinse when I am completely done.

When I add the mask, I wash with shampoo first, then add my hair mask and leave that on for a few minutes and carry on with my body or whatever and then when time is up, rinse that off and condition.

Disclaimer: I don´t work for Nature´s Gate. I bought this with my own money. Sharing is caring.



Smiles, Laughter and Shampoo

Flea Market buys

'Sometimes your joy is the source of  your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy'.- Thich Nhat Hanh

Happy Monday afternoon to you

So over the weekend mimi me and I went to a flea Martket which is held every first Saturday of the month. It was my first time at the Tuuthikeni (Fashion and Art) flea market. It was great. Great vibe, cool people, live dancers, nice yummy eats (which I didnt take shots off!!!!!) and great music and poetry. All in all, it was all good. Below are a few shots a did remember to take. 

My Maya (I was doing my nails and she wanted also) peeps those cute little toes!!!!!

A few dresses and skirts to buy

Rasta print

My mimi me rocking her African dress

This musician and his puppet had Maya dancing and clapping

 Leather hand made goods

More handmade goods

Pinata any one?

 I didn't buy a lot of stuff  and I came home with 2 books for Maya and 3 new earrings for me. I wanted to go just for the experience and see what it was all about.

What I came home with

Namibian books by Namibian authors. Doing my bit to support.

And these 3 lovely earrings!!!! The lady with the fro is is giving me life!!!!!

It was a good day. Just my love and I chilling and enjoying Saturday.

Love, Freedom and Earrings

My protective style

'Beauty is about enhancing what you have.  Let yourself shine through'.- Janelle Monae

Hi all

I wanted to show you my protective style before I have my wash day tomorrow. I have had this style in since last week Friday and only had to re-plait once. I tried to do flat twists and I failed, so the next best option was to plait my hair into thickish cornrows and tie them at the nape of my neck. Below are shots I took yesterday. 

Nice and thick

My version of neat rows

Not very tight but not loose either

I braided all the pieces together , wrapped the hair around itself and tied it to keep it secure and well moisturized. 

This style is great because it low maintenance, very little manipulation and off my neck. Its easy to apply my grape-seed oil at night and do a quick massage. I can spritz my water and oil over my hair and if need be do a full wash by just untying the back and co-washing the braids. Simple and easy. If i needed to dress this up, I could wear a funky scarf tied at the side, or add an Alice band and hair flower.

On a side note, the grey is too much for me. I may actually have to do a Henna and Indigo treatment soon. I am only vain when it comes to grey hair. lol

Have a great afternoon.

Peace

Stockholm metro art: Hallonbergen

'Tell me and I forget, Teach me and I remember, Involve me and I learn'.- Benjamin Franklin

Happy Wednesday!!!!

So last night I was looking through my folders and I saw I still had a few more metro art pictures that I didn't do posts on. So I want to add this to that online collection. So I present to you,  Hallonbergen station. This is on the blue line in Stockholm and its covered by children's drawings and painting which is said to convey a feeling of joy and happiness. This station was opened in 31 August 1975. Enjoy these cute and sweet drawings and tell me it doesn't bring a smile to your face. 

 Caution :  Extreme loveliness ahead. Be warned!!!!!!! 

So sweet!!!

Hej!

Getting onto the metro

Know how to play this?

Station

Wild horses?

Stop!!!

So colourful

This reminds me of when I was a kindergarten teacher and I would send crafts and artwork home with the kiddies, I had one mom take me aside and Beg me to please Stop. Lol she said she has 4 kids ( one set of twins - which were with me) and has  millions of artworks from them. Cant I just have a folder and keep the drawings with me and tell the kids I will  'send it by post' and perhaps never making it to the post office? I never did coz she was only one mother who asked me (and kids love leaving the classroom with artwork in hand running to meet their parents), But I can imagine coming home everyday to finding new drawings from your kids, how many pictures can you have on your fridge about mom, dad, me, Grammy and spotty the dog, a tree and 2 birds. And a happy sun. Always a happy sun.

Enjoy the rest of your afternoon.

Joy, giggles and artworks from special hands