Kinky-Curly Knot Today Natural Leave In/Detangler (A Review)

Image via Curl Mart

According to the bottle's label,  Knot Today is a "creamy herbal conditioner...enriched with botanical extracts and is designed to smooth the cuticle and to remove knots, snarls and tangles from thick curly hair." 

Well, for us, it was a life saver! London has thick curly hair and it was always a chore (for everybody involved) to comb it out after washing it. Not anymore! This was a game changer for us! I used to wrestle to comb out my daughter's hair using a wide tooth comb and a regular leave in conditioner or baby detangling spray. Let's just say, that method was painful for both of us! When using Knot Today, I don't even need a comb to get through all the knots and tangles. It leaves her hair soft and smooth and not at all heavy. Best of all, she no longer wails like a banshee when it's time to do her hair!

Little Miss London and her beautiful curly hair

(Kinky-Curly Knot Today can be found at Target (in stores and on line),CurlMart, and Kinky-Curly.com)

Sunny Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil

I've been experimenting with different techniques, methods, products, and routines in order to find out what's best for the health and appearance of my hair. This month, I've challenged myself to not only not use any heat in my hair (no blow dryer, flat iron, hot comb, or curling irons), but also to refrain from using a comb or a brush. Even though we're only 13 days into March, I'm already seeing a huge difference.

We usually shed between 100 and 150 strands of hair daily, so some loss of hair on a regular basis is normal. One of the reasons I didn't wear my hair curly often was that EVERY TIME I detangled it, I lost copious amounts of hair. Seriously, it was alarming and scary. And I suppose it could be a combination of things (including my daily use of coconut oil and wearing a satin cap to bed), but since I've been finger detangling my hair, my hair loss has diminished drastically.

I've also been using Sunny Isles Jamaican Black Castor Oil products in my hair regimen (video product review coming soon!). Here's a break down of what I've been doing:

First, I use the Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil to detangle my hair in small sections, then I put each section into 2 strand twists...

Then, I shampoo with the Lavender Jamaican Black Castor Moisturizing Shampoo. It has a really great, natural lavender smell that's super relaxing. It also has an unusual but really neat texture; it's kind of like a thick gel. I squeeze about a quarter size of product and apply it on my roots and massage it in to my scalp, then use another quarter sized squeeze to work through the bulk of my hair, then rinse it all out (I do not put shampoo on my ends at all)...

I follow that with the corresponding Lavender Jamaican Black Castor Natural Deep Conditioner. I use enough to totally saturate my hair, twist it into a bun on top of my head and then let it soak in for at least 5 minutes before rinsing thoroughly...

Now, the next step I'm still kind of tweaking. I've heard miraculous things about castor oil (the website says that regular use promotes hair growth, improves the quality of your skin, and helps your eyebrows and eyelashes to grow!), so I was very excited about using Sunny Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil. The first time I tried it, I applied it while my hair was wet, but the product is so richly thick and dense, I had a hard time distributing it in my hair. I couldn't really tell where I had applied the product and where I still needed some.

Because I wanted to see if the products made any immediate difference in the appearance of my hair, I did not use any additional styling products, but there is a Lavender Jamaican Black Castor Oil Hair Pomade that I will be experimenting with soon. 

Here's the thing, I didn't even need any additional products! My hair was soft and smooth and my curls formed perfectly. Once my hair was dry, I could tell where I missed applying the oil, so I think that next time I'll wait until my hair is only slightly damp (as opposed to soaking wet) to apply it. I've also started to apply the lavender enhanced castor oil  at night, and am totally obsessed with it! The scent is absolutely intoxicating (and so relaxing) so it seems a natural part of my bedtime routine. I just massage the oil into my scalp, rub whatever is left on my hands through my hair, and then apply a little more on to the ends of my hair to seal it. 

I promise (PROMISE) to post some pictures this weekend so that there can be a before and after comparison at the end of the month. I'm just getting over some illness and am SO not camera ready. Also, I'll be uploading a video product review to NaturallyCurly.com's YouTube channel this weekend, so please look out for that! 

Disclaimer: All products pictured were provided by the LOVELY people at NaturallyCurly.com!

Mani/Pedi Time is an EVENT in This House...

...because it takes all day! No, really. I've got 3 girls, so whenever they see me paint my nails, they want me to paint their's too. So that means I have up to 80 nails to paint (and we're talking base coat for me, at least two coats of color/glitter for everyone except the baby, and a top coat for Peyton and I), and it is somewhat of a ritual in our home. Application takes forever, not to mention dry time (just visualize trying to make a 3 year old and a 15 month old stay still for long enough to paint and then dry their nails), but it's a real bonding opportunity for all of us, so all in all I truly enjoy it.

I'm very particular about color selection for the little ones. I like bright, bold colors for myself, and even though Peyton and London love my selections, they're not always age appropriate for them. I tend to choose glitters and pastels for Lo...

NYC In a New York Color Minute Quick Dry Nail Polish in 294 Lexington Yellow

Peyton longs to wear some of the same adventurous shades that I use, but I want to keep her as youthful and innocent as long as I can, so sometimes I have to veto her color choices. She likes to choose one main color and a glitter to use on her pinkie as an accent nail...

Revlon Top Speed Fast Dry Nail Enamel in 860 Metallic and  a random glitter from Sally Girl

Originally, I wanted to use Neon Celtic Sun from China Glaze...

It was so bright and pretty and different, and it reminded me of tennis balls, which instantly reminds me of summer, so I had to have it! But then I tried it out and was sadly disappointed :(

The color came out as brightly on the nail as it appeared in the bottle, but the application was kinda sucky. This is 2 coats on top of a base coat, and it still came out extremely streaky. Womp, womp... It will be going back...

I also got Neon Orange Knockout...

The application of this one was much better, but I was kind of disappointed when it dried matte instead of shiny. Nothing a coat of top coat can't fix though!

I was looking forward to having a neon themed mani/pedi combo and with how Celtic Sun turned out, I was short a color. So I perused my collection and found this...

Sinful Colors in Innocent 

And though it costs only $1.99 (compared to China Glaze's $4.99), this is how it applied...

Not quite as bright and yellow as Celtic Sun, but it applied this opaque in one coat, so for me, it's a winner!

Side by side comparisons

I ended up using Innocent on my toes (yeah, I'm so not taking pictures of my feet) and I used 3 colors on my hands...

Sinful Colors Snow Me White, Orange Knockout, and OPI DS Reflection

Long story short, it took all afternoon for me to do everyone's nails! But we had fun, and we're girls, this is what we do! 

What nail trends are you loving right now? Are you into nail art and accent nails like we are? What shades and brands do you gravitate towards? Comment below, my inquiring mind wants to know! Until next time...

Ciao, XxO

Q

Use It or Lose It!

Hello, my name is Quinn and I'm a product junkie. I love makeup, skincare, nail polish, and hair products and am always researching and purchasing new products. I have quite the collection and am in the process of figuring out the best way to store everything so that every product gets it's day in the sun (and isn't a total waste of money). As I sort through my bounty of treasure and attempt to organize everything, I've come to the realization that I have to let some of my cosmetics go. Not because I no longer want them or have no "need" for them, but for health/safety reasons.

Did you know that cosmetics, hair products, and skin care products expire just like food? Some products actually have their shelf life printed on them in the form of a little jar symbol with the number of months it's good for on it. While that information is really helpful, I find that because I do purchase different products quite often, I have a hard time remembering when I bought stuff and then have no idea if I should keep it or toss it. So I bought some little circular labels and whenever I bring something home, I simply write the month and year on the label and affix it to my new acquisition. I do this for EVERYTHING now, but I had to do a little research to find out how long to keep items that don't come with the handy dandy shelf life info. And now I'm going to share my research with you!

Perfume is good for up to 3 years, and maintains its scent and color best if you store it in a cool, dry place.

Sunscreen is good for 2 to 3 years, but often times there is a shelf life listed on it, so make sure to check it.

Body lotion and Shampoo and Conditioner are good for about 2 to 3 years. Try to avoid getting water from the shower or bath in the containers, as it can breed nasty bacteria.

Deodorant is good for about 2 years before it loses its potency.

Blush, Face Powder, Lipstick, and Lipgloss are all good for 2 years. Using clean brushes and applicators EVERY TIME will ensure that your products do not become festering grounds for bacteria.

Foundation can be used for up to 2 years.

Nail Polish is good for up to a year (but there are different methods you can use to extend the life of your polish if you'd like).

Antiaging and Acne Treatments can be good for between 3 months to a year before their active ingredients lose their effectiveness.

Natural Beauty Products are good for up to 6 months.

Mascara  the shortest shelf life and needs to be tossed 3 months after opening to avoid eye infections.


These guidelines are not gospel; if something looks or smells different or funny, it's always better to be safe than sorry, so go ahead and throw it out. Storing your products in a cool, dry place and ALWAYS using clean and sanitized utensils will increase the longevity of a lot of your beauty necessities. Also, finding somewhere other than your bathroom to store things like makeup brushes and even your razors is a good move over all; the constant steam from bathing can cause those items to spawn various bacterium as well.

I hope you find this informative and helpful. I now have the task of rummaging through my beloved stash, and letting some of my oldies (and formerly goodies) go. Sigh. I guess I can look at it, not so much as letting stuff go, but more like making room for new stuff! Until next time...

Ciao, XxO

Q

My Daughter and Carol's Daughter :)

I know Carol's Daughter has been a popular brand for quite some time now, but I really don't have much practical experience with the brand. I am familiar with Lisa's story and she is actually one of my professional inspirations, but as far as using the products, I had never actually purchased any ( True Story: I actually went to Lenox Mall in Atlanta, GA for the grand opening of her stand alone store a while back, where she was making an appearance; I was going to make my first purchase there, but there was so much bedlam that I didn't get within ten feet of the door). It's not that I wasn't interested in trying them; my mother had Lisa's Hair Elixir and every time I went over to her house, I would sneak to her bathroom and put a healthy dose in my tresses. I guess (until recently) I've been more of a drugstore girl, because I'm a bit of a product junkie and experimenting with lots of new and different things is way kinder on the budget at Target than at the department stores.

My oldest daughter, Peyton, even has her own stash of Carol's Daughter products! Someone graciously gifted her with the cutest shampoo and conditioner set that featured the character's from Disney's The Princess and The Frog, some time ago. So it seemed only fitting that when I got the opportunity to test out some products from Carol's Daughter, they just happened to be perfectly suited to her hair condition.

Like I've mentioned before (here), my hair is naturally curly and I've never had a chemical relaxer. However, someone other than myself took it upon themselves to give Peyton a relaxer when she was around 5 or 6. It was maintained for a couple of years, but a few years ago she decided that she wanted to grow it out. And what a journey it has been  since then. 

To make a long story short, we were REALLY EXCITED when I received Carol's Daughter's Olive Oil Infusion Kit! It's a softening and detangling treatment, that's great for all kinds of hair, but especially hair in the delicate "transition" of growing from relaxed to natural. Just right for Peyton!

The kit is super user friendly; you just apply the oil directly to the scalp and then work it through to the ends, then divide the hair into four sections and work the smoothie through, using your fingers (and NOT a comb) to detangle the hair. Then you put on a plastic cap (also included in the kit) and let the products soak in your hair for 30 minutes. Then you wash it out (preferably with a sulfate free shampoo) and condition if necessary and style as usual. 

I wish I had pictures to show off the results, but Peyton got a little camera shy at the end. We were very happy with how the kit worked in her hair; it literally resurrected the texture that has been lost for years! She was so happy to see that she could be a curly girl like me and her little sister, London. While her natural hair curled BEAUTIFULLY, the ends were still super straight, so it was difficult to style in a way that was wearable. While we did end up using a flat iron to straighten her hair, we are so optimistic about continuing to use the kit as her hair grows out and look forward to when she can wear her hair curly and proud. 

The Olive Oil Infusion Kit is something that I highly recommend whether your hair is natural or relaxed and whether you plan to wear it curly or straight. It was so nourishing and highly moisturizing and the smell was divine (kind of herbally, with a minty undertone). 

So what are your favorite Carol's Daughter products? I'm definitely a fan now, and look forward to purchasing some of the brand for my own use. What are the products and brands you look too when you want to pamper your tresses at home? Are you a drugstore maven, or do you prefer high end goodies for your mane? My inquiring mind wants to know! Until next time...

Ciao, XxO

Q

PS-The Oil Infusion Kit was provided to me for consideration by a PR company. I was not paid to review it, or for this post, and the opinions stated are completely honest and my own (and Peyton's). 

A Multi-Purposing Gem

This is just a quick little post I wanted to do so that I could talk about a new product I got to try and am absolutely in love with! I'm a Bzz Agent and from time to time they send me products relevant to me and my life (based on surveys that I fill out), and the latest thing I received from them is Garnier's Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream (in Medium/Dark), and I have to say that I love it!






So here's the lowdown on BB Creams:

• BB stands for "Beauty Balm"
• They were originally created by a German dermatologist in the 1960's to sooth, protect and heal the skin and to cover redness after peeling treatments and other procedures
• They've been a must have product throughout Asia since around 2006

Though BB Creams surfaced in the US market last year, Garnier is the first to bring it to mass market retailers (thus making it affordable for us budget conscience lovelies). Theirs is an "all-in-one" beauty solution that renews radiance, brightens your complexion, evens skin tone and blurs imperfections, hydrates for 24 hours and protects against UVA and UVB rays with SPF 15.

I love that it's kind of a no brainer product: I don't have to worry about whether it's going to blend into my skin or make me look chalky. It blends in so well; it really looks like me skin but better! I also love that it gives a little bit of light weight coverage, but more importantly it is good for my skin in so many ways. 

It's only available in two shades (Light/Medium and Medium/Deep) and while the Medium/Deep shade works perfectly for me, it will be nice if they expand the range of shades to include something a little darker (for my cocoa colored lovelies). Other than that, I can do nothing but rave about this product! I think it's great for someone who doesn't want to wear any actual makeup but wants to improve their skin tone, or someone who is just starting out wearing makeup and is a little intimidated about what to put on their face. 

Good news is, I'm including a coupon for any Garnier moisturizer (including the BB Cream) with the Biore Combination Skin Balancing Cleanser prize pack (click here for details and to enter)! 

Until next time...

Ciao, XxO

Q