Product Review: BEIJA FLOR NATURALS CREME BRULEE

 

Hola Chicas/Chicos..I pray all is well with everyone.

Ok, so I tried a new product that I would love to review for you guys. It's the Creme Brulee for Curls, Kinks and Coils by Beija Flor Naturals. It's a water based Ayurvedic styling creme that has the intention of moisturizing our curls, kinks and coils. So, without furthur ado, let's get into the swing of things with this product review.

Just What Is Creme Brulee?

• Creme Brulee is an everyday leave-in moisturizer with ingredients hand selected for beautiful healthy hair. 
• An infusion of 13 premium natural ingredients create a light cream texture that is perfect for all natural hair types.

How To Use Creme Brulee:

• Can be used on wet or dry hair
• Apply in sections to clean damp hair. This is a stand alone product that acts as both a light styler and moisturizer. It could also be used under another styler or gel.

What Creme Brulee Claims:

• Not heavy, Non-sticky, greasy: 65% organic, 100% Natural, 100% Vegan 
• Good for afros, wash and gos, twists, braids and children styles ;Curls,Waves and Coils of all textures
• Add shine, moisture and protection.

Ingredients:

Herbal Complex (Nettle, Burdock, Marshmallow Root, Rosemary), Organic Shea Butter, Aloe Butter, MuruMuru Butter, Organic Aloe Vera Extract, Grapeseed Oil, Coconut Oil, Vegetable Emulsifier, Stearic Acid, Xanthum, Vitamin E Paraben Free preservative, Fragrance.

Dominique's Review:

Ok, I must first say, the smell is UNBELIEVABLE! And if you know me and have followed my blog or follow me on my Facebook fan page at All Things O'Natural, you know that I am a sucker for Ayurvedic all natural products. Though I am not a product junkie and am very faithful to my products and regimen, this definitely caught my attention..and you may also know that I love and commend those who make their own products. Now, on to the results. I like to use a product after I have stripped older product from my hair using the Bentonite Clay treatment so I can truly see how a product works. After I cleansed my hair, I sprayed my hair with my Ayurvedic herbal moisturizing spritz that I made, then applied the Creme Brulee in sections, then twisted my hair. Once dry, I untwisted using my O'Natural Natty Butter and here are my thoughts...I absolutely loved loved loved the way that my hair felt. It was soft like terry cotton and it smelled (O)mazing!. So, does the Creme Brulee do what it claims? Absolutely..the product left my hair soft and moist and with the addition of my Natty Butter, shiny as well. In comparison to the SheaMoisture Deep Treatment Masque, the Masque leaves my hair a tad bit heavier, but a tad bit more moisturized..or let me say wet to the touch. The Creme Brulee didn't leave my hair wet to the touch, but it didn't leave it nowhere near dry.It was light fluffy and my twists moved about freely. I did like the way that it held up in the hot conditions with little shrinkage or frizz.. So, would I recommend this product? Absolutely..just for the scent alone, it could stop a war..but all in all, I loved the results, the softness, bounciness and shine in combination with my Natty Butter was awesome, I loved the consistency and did I say that I loved the smell? Well, I loved the smell.

My Results:

Where to purchase Beija Flor products: www.beijaflornaturals.bigcartel.com

Making An Ayurvedic Infusion for Healthy Hair

   

Hola Chicas/Chicos..I pray all is well with everyone..


If you've been following my blog or my Facebook fan page, you know how I'm a huge fan of incorporating Ayurvedic treatments into my natural hair regimen. I have rant and raved over the benefits of using Ayurvedic herbs. Well now, I put together a pictorial video showing how you can use your Ayurvedic herb powders to make a wonderful healthy moisturizing spritz.


Benefits of Using Ayurvedic Herbs:

• Strengthens Hair, therefore reducing hair loss
• Excellent for adding and restoring moisture
• Thickens Hair
• Conditions The Hair
• Aids in eliminating issues with dandruff

So, Spritz Away

O'Natural Products for the International Natural Beauty

  

Hola Chicas/Chicos...I pray all is well with everyone..

By super popular request, I have put together a list of companies that ship to the O'Natural Beauties across seas. So, I truly hope this help all of your stunning naturals find the products that will work for you and your natural tresses..Enjoy!

For The International Natural Beauty:

• www.afroveda.com
• www.beijaflornaturals.bigcartel.com
• www.oyinhandmade.com 
• www.purabodynaturals.com 
• www.livingthenattylifestyle.blogspot.com 
• www.koilsbynature.com 
• www.facebook.com/mayleahsorganics 
• www.hennasooq.com 

I hope this helps!!! See ya next time

My 1 Year Kinky-Versary...VIDEO

   




Hola Chicas/Chicos..I pray all is well with everyone.

Well I made it, my 1 year Kinky-Versary! I must say I am totally loving my hair and this journey. Of course there have been good and bad days, but so is life. So, I hope you all enjoy the video and until next time, a bientot!

Let's Talk GOOD EATS: Chattanooga's BACK INN CAFE

 

Greetings Chicas/Chicos..I pray all is well with everyone.

So, if you know me, you know that I love to eat. But, not just eat anything, but good food is such a pleasure that I take very seriously. One thing that my husband and I have come to understand, is how we appreciate being able to have a date night and enjoy a nice evening meal with a wonderful glass of wine. Of course, before our team of children we dined out quite often, so it wasn't as appreciated as it is now as we only enjoy date nights monthly, sometimes twice per month, definitely thanks to being close to my parents and my grandmother for support in watching our children.

Now, I must say, I recently moved back to Chattanooga in November of 2010 after being away for 12 years living in Atlanta, GA. And I am pleasantly amazed at all of the wonderful sights, restaurants, beauty and festivals that Chattanooga has to offer. It is definitely an amazingly beautiful place and has been voted as one of the top places to visit for tourists in the world.

So, here's the scoop on the Back Inn Cafe in the Bluff View District in Chattanooga, TN. Enjoy!!

The Scoop:

• Located in a renovated Colonial Revival Mansion, Back Inn Café offers upscale global cuisine with an extensive wine list. The menu changes seasonally to provide our guests with fresh dishes and the latest innovations in fine cuisine. You may choose to sit in our peaceful library, one of two romantic sunrooms, or outside on the terrace overlooking the river. Reservations suggested but not required. 
• New Special: Wine Wednesdays at Back Inn Café: every Wednesday from 5pm - 9pm you can get 1/2 price wine from our selected wine list, over 40 wines to choose from!  
• "Our top pick for fine fare comes with scenery. Back Inn Cafe in the Bluff View Art District sits high above the river. But the view on the plate rivals." -Southern Living 
• RESTAURANT WITH THE BEST VIEW :Chattanooga Times Free Press "Best of the Best" 2009 
• MOST ROMANTIC RESTAURANT:CITYSCOPE "Reader's Choice" Dining Award 2009
• Offers a wonderful Gluten Free Menu 
• Excellent wine selection

Our Dinner and Experience At Back Inn Cafe: The Appetizers

 Pan Seared Sea Scallops w/ Char Corned Pico De Gallo, Sweet Corn Pomace and Lemon Emulsion

Lobster Bisque

The Entrees:

Rembrandt's Roasting Company Rubbed New York Strip 

 Shrimp and Grits

The Coctails:

The Desert:

Creme Brule w/Fresh Berries

The Ambiance: The restaurant is in beautiful Bluff View Historic District and the decor gives you a feel of a wonderfully maintained elegant bed and breakfast with the hardwood floors, large moulding framing the windows, the cedar beamed ceilings. I loved the option to eat in or outside with the same view of the Tennessee River.

Our Review: The food was absolutely exquisite! The first bite of the scallops, the lobster bisque, both entrees and the desert was absolutely amazing! The seasonings were just right and I loved the actual crescent shape of the grit cakes with the shrimp and grit entree..Definitely an A in our books. The services spectacular! The Ambiance breathtaking! Overall, it was a very enjoyable experience..2 Happy Campers!

Remember, it is not only healthy for your relationship, it's O'Natural to take time away from your busy lives and enjoy the company of your loved one...So, where you going for Date Night!!

Let's Talk Hair: Are You Testing Your pH...Level That Is?

Hola Chicas/Chicos..I pray all is well with everyone.

Ok, it's time to get down to the 'science' of things regarding our hair and scalp and testing its pH levels. I know, I know, more things to do when it comes to our hair..sheesh. But this is really important and it may help many questions that you have in regards to dry scalp, dandruff, dry hair, the frizzies, etc. And believe me, I like simplicity just as much as the next natural, but if one extra step can help answer some of the questions that I have in regards to achieving healthy hair, I'm all in...

What is a normal pH Level?

• Sebum, which is the hair's natural oil, has a pH (potential/power of hydrogen) Level of 4.5 to 5.5, which makes it slightly acidic.
• Each step on the scale is a tenfold increase in alkalinity (moving up the scale) or in acidity (moving down the scale).
• Any substance with a pH that is greater than 7.0 (normal PH for water) is considered an alkali, and any substance with a pH lower than 7.0 is considered an acid. This is based on a scale of 0 to 14. So, in terms, our hair is more acidic than water.
• Battery acid, for example is the contains the highest amount of acid, so that makes it one of the strongest acids. Sodium Hydroxide (the chemical known as lye found in hair relaxers) has the highest alkaline content..Both capable of destroying anything in its path. So, imagine how both extremes are harmful to our hair.

Why is our pH Level so Important?

• Just about every major scalp problem including dandruff, flaking scalp, itching scalp, scalp psoriasis, scalp eczema and the rest are caused by a fungus that grows on the scalp. Normally this fungus is kept in check in the average human being. After all we are exposed to hundreds of fungi everyday that are body keeps in check. An example of this is yeast. When it becomes out of balance women and men can get yeast infections. The same is true with the scalp. You must keep the proper pH in the scalp skin.  
• Many people don’t realize how important the pH of a shampoo is. Hair Shampoos and other hair products can range from a 4 ph to around an 8.5. And for many they may like the feel of their hair better when they use a higher ph shampoo however they are setting themselves up for many scalp problems. 
• It is ideal for us to keep our hair at a 4.5 to 5.5 pH level. Not only is it healthy for our hair, but it helps to keep fungi and bacteria from our scalp..see the importance? When our hair is exposed to too much alkaline, the exact opposite happens..our scalps are more prone to bacteria and fungi exposure. This is because when our hair is exposed to more alkaline, the cuticles are lifted. This is what relaxers (pH Level of 11 to 14 to permanently straighten afro textured hair), mild chemical treatments (texturizers: pH of 8 to 11) and hair dyes do to our hair to change the protein structure. The roller coaster effect happens because our hair is taken from its normal pH of 4.5/5.5 to a pH level of 11+..then back again down to a pH level of 3 (with the use of a neutralizing shampoo) within minutes.

How To Test The pH Level In Our Products..

• Take your pH Level strips (these can be purchased just about anywhere or online at www.vitacost.com ) and dip them into your product and allow to stabalize. Note..product must be in liquid form to test.
• Allow to sit for seconds to minute depending on your brands directions for use.
• Place the strips along the color chart to see where your product would fall on the pH Level scale. Remember, the range is from 0(most acidic) to 14 (highest alkaline content), with our desired results preferring to remain in the 4.5 to 5.5 range.
• Gasp at your results, just kidding!

Some pH Facts About Natural Products:

• Baking Soda: Eeek, this was a shocker to me..but baking soda has a pH Level of 8.3 and higher (even when diluted with water) is way more alkaline than our hair. It takes our hair and scalp in the opposite direction than our ideal level of 4.5/5.5. People who have used baking soda usually describe baking soda as an ingredient which loosens the curl pattern or makes the hair soft. This makes sense because alkalines disrupts the bond in our hair and make our hair more limp and ready to take on any new reshaping, hence the softness. Many dandruff problems and scalp infections are caused by high alkaline solutions. And yes, Baking soda is wonderful for cleaning teeth due to its jagged edges when viewed under a microscope. This is why Baking Soda is viewed as a wonderful household cleaner and degreaser. And bottom line, baking soda is not natural, it is a manufactured product (check your labels on the back of your box..it should read 'manufactured by..')... sorry :-(
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Actually, ACV (pH level of 3.0 more acidic than our hair) is fine when properly diluted. Our scalp is naturally acidic to prevent fungi and bacteria from infecting the skin. Proper dilution ratio of ACV to water would be 1/4 TSP to 4 oz of water and 1/2 TSP to 8 oz of water. So, thumbs up to ACV, which is natural, especially when used in proper dilution.
• Lemon Juice: Highly acidic. It has the capability to eat through hair due to its highly acidic nature. 

So..What Will Work For Our hair?

• Products with a pH Level of 4.5 to 7 works GREAT for the hair.
• The goal of any hair care product should be to leave the pH of our hair alone or to move it slightly towards the acidic direction, which helps it to lie flat..(ACV, wink wink)

Natural Ingredients that Work For Our Hair..

• Apple Cider Vinegar: And here it is again, that wonderfully good yet bitter tasting and highly pungent ingredient that can work wonders for our natural tresses. Be sure to get the ACV to a steady pH level of at least 4.0 by diluting in water until your strip reads the proper level.
• Aloe Vera Juice: Round of applause for this one..it has a natural pH level of 4.0 to 4.5. So it works wonderful as a leave in conditioner and when added to a spritz bottle for a moisturizing mist. It can be mixed with water or not.
• Lemon Juice: Now this guy has a very low pH of 2.0. So it is extremely acidic and you must be very careful when using it, it can fry your hair and it doesn't take a lot to change the pH of water (normal pH of water 7.0).  I have not tried a lemon juice rinse, but many naturals sing praises to it,whether using it as a rinse or adding it to a henna treatment.
• Dr. Bronners, one of my favorite to wash with, well that is until I began using the Chagrin Valley soaps, has a pH Level of 10..Holy Catfight!! Imagine using it on your hair..sheesh.

pH Level Bottom Line..

• After wetting your hair, use an acidifier with a pH range of 4.0 to 6.0 to close your cuticles..ie, ACV..bottom line, water is more alkaline than our hair.
• Keeping our pH levels in check will close the cuticle and help lock moisture in..Thus, preventing dryness and helping to keep the frizzies down.
• So instead of buying a leave in conditioner, mix your own concoction, this is a great one from youtube's Kimmaytube: Aloe Vera Juice, Jojoba Oil and Castor Oil..use your test strip to be sure to level the pH out to a range of 4.0 to 6.0.

Hope this helps to see the importance of using pH strips, I know that this helped me while researching the info and has opened my eyes to a lot of things that I had a lack of knowledge as to what was good and what was not so good for my hair. Trial and error, I tell ya, Trial and error! Now that you have been equipped with some knowledge..Go, my friend, and pH balance the world, one great ingredient at a time.




credits: some info found at www.youtube.com/kimmaytube
photo credit: www.hi-imcurrentlyobsessed.tumblr.com

I've Got A Story To Tell: Meet The Gorgeous Roxanne

Greetings Ladies and Gents...I pray all is well with everyone.

Meet Roxanne, better known as 'Foxy Roxy', a woman who has a lively personality, a great business head on her shoulders and an expertise in the Interior Design world. A wonderful and fun person to hang out with, Roxanne has settled in Memphis with her handsome fiance and is truly enjoying the blessings in life..So, let's take a look at this wonderful feature and I know you will enjoy it as much as I did.

Meet Roxanne

1. Being that you are naturally curly, how did you feel about your
curls growing up?

Some days I loved my curls growing up and other days I wanted to cut
it all off because it was just too curly.

2. How often do you straighten your hair?
Lately I have been just blow drying it with a 1 1/2 roller brush and many times let it air dry.

3. How do you keep your curls so beautiful, what is your current
regimen?
I don't wash my hair everyday. I'll usually wash it every other day.
The reason for that is because it keeps my hair shiny. When you wash
it every day it dries it out. Also, I began  using more organic
shampoos and conditioners that are sulfate and silicone free. Much better for my hair. When I get my hair
cut every 6-8 weeks, my stylist always compliments me on how
healthy and shiny it is. It's kind of funny but the second day without
washing it I usually just dampen my hands with water and put my fingers
through my hair instead of a brush. That protects my hair from breakage.

4. How does your spouse, family or friends embrace your natural curls?

My Fiancé loves my hair in its natural curly state. I get in my moods of wanting it curly
and blowing it out smooth. I always get someone liking my various styles. Even
when I throw it up in a bun. I think people just like healthy hair.

5. Out of all of the wonderful advice available, what's the best
natural hair tip that you have received?

Stay away from to much product, Flat irons, and color.

6. There are a wave of naturals embracing their curly, wavy and kinky
hair, how do you think that helps or has helped others embrace their
natural hair?

I think that by seeing people embrace their natural hair, others are encouraged to explore and emphasize their natural beauty, not chase a hair style that is overly difficult, or damaging in the long run or succumb to the standards of beauty that society has set to follow.

7. What advice would you give a newbie natural on embracing the texture that they are born with?

I didn't understand when I was little with how beautiful my natural hair was, until I was a teenager. My image of beauty was set on the standard. I encourage everyone to embrace their natural beauty and uniqueness. Avoid color, flat irons and protect your hair in the sun and pools. Always apply a conditioner to keep your hair soft and shiny in the sun. Comb your hair starting from the ends to the roots.

The Beautiful Foxy Roxy

Happy Natty Day!

If you have a story to tell and would like to be featured on All Things O'Natural, please send an email request to allthingsonatural@yahoo.com and use the header 'I've Got A Story'..