Sunday, July 6, 2014

Naptural Counselor Quick Natural Hair Tips

Quick Natural Hair Tips

1) Do not comb or brush hair DRY!

2) Your wash  method/technique is essential!

3) Braid or twist hair up at night to help with detangling, hair growth and easy manipulation! 

4) Detangle hair with fingers FIRST!

5) Detangle in the shower during your wash routine with wide tooth comb & a product with good "slip" ex conditioner!

6)Research ingredients in natural hair products, in order to detect harmful chemicals!

7) YouTube is an excellent source for support, inspiration, techniques, ideas and product reviews. Follow those with similar textures. 

8) Patience! It takes time to undo old habits! Listen to what your hair needs. 

9) No matter your texture--You are beautiful! 




Naptural Counselor's Product Staples & Wash Routine

Naptural Counselor's Product Staples & Wash Routine 

Suave Almond Shea Conditioner-(leave in conditioner & conditioner)

Shampoo Bar 

Shea Moisture: Deep Conditioning Masque-(dry twists/braid outs) 

Shea Butter Mixture-(daily moisture)

Various Oils 

Water (#1 source for moisture)

Coconut Oil 

Shea Butter Mix:
Raw Shea Butter 
2TB of coconut oil 
1 TBS of olive oil 

Oil Mixture: 
1 TBs of each: 
Olive Oil
Castor Oil (fave)
Sweet Almond Oil
Avocado Oil 
Jojoba Oil 

Place it in a small bottle & shake. Use this as your daily oil. You can use some, all or different oils in your mixture. 

Clarifier: 
1 Part Apple Cider Vinegar & 3 Part Water. Place in spray bottle. Massage into scalp and then hair shaft. Do not RINSE OUT. Then add Deep Conditioning Treatment below on top of it. 

Deep Conditioning Treatment: 
2-3 TBS MAYO
2-3 TBS Coconut Oil
2-3 TBS Raw Honey
2-3 TBS Conditioner (SUAVE Shea & Almond)
Add 2 Eggs if you need added protein. 

Cover hair with a plastic bag/cap for 45 minutes. 

Wash Routine 
Section hair in 4 sections 
1) Clarify with Apple Cider Vinegar in sections. Massage scalp. 
2) Deep Conditioner Treatment in sections 
3) Cover with cap 45 minutes
4)Get in shower
5) Take down one section
6) Rinse with water 
7) Shampoo bar 
8) Conditioner & Detangle w/fingers and wide tooth comb 
9) Add Oil mixture 
10) Twist up section
....repeat each section. 






Naptural Counselor's Thoughts on Hair Growth

Top 5 Techniques to help w/hair growth and retention 

1) Maintain Moisture
2) Protective Styling 
3) Trims 
4) Protect hair at bedtime 
5) Healthy Scalp 

1) LOC-B daily method to help maintain moisture 

L=Liquid (spritz hair with water)
O=Oil (add oil)
C=Leave-in Conditioner or Conditioner
B=Butter (heavy cream or raw Shea butter) 

Be sure to apply in this order! 

2) Protective Styling-ANY style that hides the ends of your hair without direct exposure. This term is misused by many. 

3) Trim hair as needed. Monitor split ends and remove all damage immediately. How often should you trim? It varies on how well you take care of your hair. If your ends are split, then cut. 

4). Wrap hair at night with a silk bonnet to prevent snags and tears. 

5). Maintain a healthy scalp free from debris, scars, scabs and dirt. Clarify your hair every two weeks to be sure that your scalp is healthy, in order for hair to sprout. Ex: Clarify with Apple Cider Vinegar and Water. 





Thursday, June 26, 2014

Embracing 4 years Curly!

My Journey is no where near over. It continues to develop as I learn more about the science of healthy hair, unhealthy hair practices and harmful chemicals. 

Why I decided to return to my Natural Curl Pattern? 

After I moved from Kansas to Tennessee in 2007, I noticed a significant change in my hair--such as the lack of hair retention, stunted hair growth &  breakage stemming from salon visits.  I made a choice to transition from relaxed hair to my natural curl pattern & texture. My last relaxer was the end of July of 2009. 

I transitioned by matching my two textures, wigs & with my very first sew-in weave install. I was determined to learn and absorb all the information around healthy hair. My weekends were spent researching, testing different methods/techniques and applying various products. As my story continues to 'play'-I still find success, failure & new discoveries. 

The Freedom Cut:

On June 26, 2010---I documented my big chop (the releasing of the old, dead & damaged to embrace to the new).

Fast Fwd:

4 years later--I stand confidently that returning to the CROWN, I was I intended to wear was the very best decision.  This transformation of "self"  has fostered freedom, confidence , loyalty, liberation, empowerment, health and love. 

I have a strong passion about Natural Curl Patterns...this is clearly evident if you have ever had a conversation about hair with me (I am a true geek). 

I own no secrets-- the expertise I have acquired over the years, I use generously to inspire/consult with others to achieve healthy hair. The Natural hair Community is about embrace, education, empowerment and exercising healthy hair practices. 

Happy 4 year Curly Girl to me!!


"Being a woman with natural hair is not a fad or a temporary movement in our culture--it is a lifestyle change that embraces more than just one's hair" ~ Akua 

My Journey 


4 year Hair Length Check 


Saturday, January 18, 2014

Naptural Counselor's Wash Routine & New Products


Today was wash day for me!!! For all you Naturalistas--you understand completely what this process entails. 

I want review my wash routine which was inspired by Naptural85. I absolutely love her. She is a Vlogger and Life Blogger. I encourage you to go check her out. You will be blessed. 

Step 1: Pre-Poo w/ olive oil & Almond Shea Butter Suave Conditioner for 30 to 60 minutes. Cover hair with a bag. 

Step 2: Section hair in 6-8 loose twists

Step 3: Jump in the Shower 

Step 4: Undo one twist. 

Step 5: Smooth hair with fingers and detangle as the water flows downward. 

Step 6: Apply Olive Oil and Conditioner on sectioned hair. Smooth and detangle with wide tooth comb. Rinse. 

Step 7: Apply shampoo, ACV or Shampoo Bar. Focus on scalp. Rinse. 

Step 8: Twist up sectioned hair with a dab of olive oil. 

Step 9: Repeat until finish 

This wash method will save your life. I can complete all the above steps in 1.5 hours MAX! 

I also tried 2 new products today!!! I am soooo excited to tell you about these! 

First: O.B.I Natural Haircare Shampoo Bar. This tool is absolutely amazing. I will never use regular shampoo again. I placed the shampoo bar on wet hair at the root and instantly got suds/lather. It just took a little to generate a good lather in order to cleanse my scalp. My scalp and hair was squeaky clean. Naptural Counselor gives this product a 10/10! 

Second: Curl Me Up: Curly Pudding by Nice & Curly. The product was creamy, pink and smelled good! I used this product on my medium size twists. I can't wait to see the results of my twistout. 


Friday, January 3, 2014

Naptural Counselor's Product Review: Retain It

Mango Delish 

Purpose:   Nightly Cream to produce hair growth (jar's description)

Overall Product Rating: 9/10

Ingredients:   Mango Butter, Glycerin, Jojoba oil, Aloe Vera Oil, Passion Fruit Fragrance. Naptural Counselor gives a 10/10

Smell:   This product smells deliciously amazing. The scent is light and sweet. Naptural Counselor gives a 10/10.

Appearance/Texture:   This product is a white smooth yogurt-like texture.  The consistency has medium thickness and leaves no residue or film on the scalp. This product was slightly sticky, but did not take away from the product performance.  Naptural Counselor gives 9/10.

Container:   This product is packaged in a jar with a large opening, which allows the product to be easily accessed. Naptural Counselor gives a 10/10.

Quality/Performance:    I used this product on freshly washed/wet hair. I placed the below “Thicken Up Oil” on before applying this product. This product has moderate slip, which allows the hair to detangle effortlessly and absorbed into the hair evenly without leaving buildup or residue.  Naptural Counselor gives a 10/10.


Rosemary Water Spritz

Overall Product Rating: 7/10

Ingredients:   Rosemary oil and distilled water. Naptural Counselor give a 10/10.

Smell:   This product smells earthy and similar to euclaptyus. Naptural Counselor gives a 5/10.

Appearance:   This product is a liquid. The color of the liquid is auburn. Naptural Counselor gives a 10/10.

Container:   This product is packaged in a clear bottle with a spray pump nozzle, which allows the product is be evening disbursed throughout the hair. Naptural Counselor gives a 10/10.  

Quality/Performance:  This product must be refrigerated. I applied this product on dry hair before applying Mango Delish & Re-Moisture Cream. This product hydrated the hair. Naptural Counselor gives a 8/10. 


Thicken UP Oil

Overall Product Rating: 9/10

Ingredients:   Olive Oil, Castor Oil, Pumpkin Seed Oil, Aloe Vera, Jojoba Oil,  Tea Tree Oil, Vitamin E and Vanilla Fragrance Oil. Naptural gives a 9/10.

 Smell:   The smell is light and smells like vanilla abstract. Naptural Counselor gives a 9/10.

Appearance/Texture:   This product is an oil and the color is similar to olive oil.  The oil is light and absorbs in the skin evenly without appearing greasy or leaving a film. Napatural Counselor gives a 10/10.

Container:   This product is packaged in a bottle with a narrow opening with a screw top, which allows the product to easily pour onto one’s hands.  For better use; one can add an applicator top with a narrower spout, in order to gage the amount of product used. Naptural Counselor gives a 8/10.

Quality/Performance:   I used the product as a hot oil treatment on dry/unclean hair.  This product softened the hair considerably--which assisted with the detangling process.  In addition, I used this product on freshly washed hair in the LOC method, as my oil base product. The oil glided on the hair evenly and smoothly. This product made my hair shine shine shine without weighting down my natural curl. Naptural Counselor gives a 10/10. 


Re-Moisture Cream

Overall Product Rating 10/10.

Ingredients:   Shea butter, coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, pumpkin seek oil, honey, tea tree oil, vitamin e oil and vanilla oil. Naptural Counselor gives a 9/10.

Smell:   The smell is light with a slight vanilla scent. Naptural Counselor gives 9/10.

Appearance/Texture:   This product's texture is EVERYTHING—it is creamy, light and whipped to perfection.  Naptural Counselor gives a 10/10.

Container:   This product is packaged in a container with a large opening. The product is easily accessed. Naptural Counselor gives a 10/10.

Quality/Performance:   This product left my hair super soft, shiny and bouncy.  My twists were super defined. My hair was not crunchy or stiff. The product did not leave a residue or build up on my scalp. Naptural Counselor gives a 10/10. 








Naptural Counselor's Thoughts:

A round of applause to the creator of this product line. Felicia Adair has created a Natural Hair product line conducive to all hair types (natural, relaxed, thick or thin). She has engineered some phenomenal products. I look forward to following her creativity as she expands her knowledge and business endeavors! 

The two products from the RETAIN IT line that I would incorporate in my daily routine--would be RE-MOISTURE CREAM and THICKEN UP OIL. I absolutely love these products on my hair.

Retain It products can be purchased on: www.etsy.com Shop Name: Morepoweful. 

Disclaimer: Products were mailed from the creator/distributor with the sole intent to review the products. Naptural Counselor is not an investor or spokesperson for the RETAIN IT product line. 






Friday, December 13, 2013

Product Review Coming Soon: RETAIN IT

A curly girls dream when she receives natural hair care products in the mail. I am anxious to try each of the below products from RETAIN IT hair care line on my natural curls. 

The areas the will be included in my natural product review are the following:

1. Container Type:
2. Fragrance/Smell:
3. Texture/Appearance: 
4. Ingredients:
5. Quality/Performance: 
6. Overall outcome score: