Free samples of natural products

As a natural, sometimes it is really hard to find products that works for you. I have wasted so much money on buying different products only to find out that they don't work for me. Would you like to try different natural products without the hassle of buying them? If so, I have attached several companies that offer samples of some of their natural products! I recently called these companies and ordered them myself so I know that they are legit. I have included the websites but I had prompter service by personally calling the companies and asking them if they would send me samples of their products. I will update this list if I come across other companies that offer free samples.I really hope this information will help you to find some great products that will work for you. Let me know which products works best for you!


1.) Miss. Jessie (2 free samples)
     www.missjessies.com
     1-888-537-7436

2.) Ouidad (4 products)
     www.ouidad.com
     1-800-677-4247

3.) Kynx

     Here is how you redeem free samples…

      1. Please visit www.kynxhairecare.comand review our products.

      2. Select what 3 products you want and email the selections to yumi@curls.biz.
      3. MAKE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR FULL MAILING ADDRESS IN YOUR EMAIL.

3.) Sofn' free
     www.mmproducts.com
     1-800-707-8763

4.) Aubrey Organics
     www.aubrey-organics.com
     1-800-237-4270

5.) DAX
     www.imperialdax.com
     1-866-328-9297
* Dax has a 3.00 surcharge but they send you samples of ALL of their products.

6.) Kera Care (5 free samples)
     www.avlon.com
     1-800-332-8560

My Staple Products

9 month twist out

 
I must admit that I am a pj (product junkie) but I do have some staple products that I have to use no matter what.

Shampoo

Senk shampoo bar- I actually got this product from CurlBox as a sample and I have fell in love with it! My hair feels really soft and looks moisturized after I use this shampoo bar. www.senicanaturals.com

• Joico Moisture Recovery Shampoo for dry hair- As I described in a previous post I really love this shampoo!! It does wonders for my hair! www.joico.com (This can also be bought at Ulta, online and TJ MAXX)

Conditioners

• Joico Moisture Recovery Conditioner- I have tried many conditioners but this is my favorite!! www.joico.com (This can also be bought at Ulta, online and TJ MAXX)

Leave in Conditioner

• Kinky Curly Knot Today-  ( Target)
• Eden Body Works Peppermint Tea Tree All Natural Hair Milk (Target)

Deep Conditioners

• Beautiful Textures Rapid Recovery (Walmart)
• Organic Root Stimulator Hair Mayonnaise (Target)
• Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Replenishing Conditioner (Target)

Oils

• Pure Planet Tropic Oil Premium Extra Virgin Raw Coconut Oil (Can be bought at any natural food store)
• Organic Root Stimulator Carrot Oil (Target)

Curl Puddings (Used to do my twist outs and braid outs)

• Beautiful Textures Curl Control Defining Pudding (Walmart)
• African Pride Bouncy Curls Pudding (Walmart)

Gels

• EcoStlyer Olive Oil Gel ( Sally's Beauty Supply Store)

Henna

• Jamila- Body Quality Henna  (www.Mehandi.com)

Setting Lotion

• Design Essentials Natural Twist and Set Setting lotion- I usually use this to do my twistouts. I also got this product from CurlBox and I love it! (www.designessential.com)

What are your favorite Staple Products?

 

Lists of pH balance of some shampoos and conditioners

I must say that researching and understanding the pH balance of my hair and the products that I use have changed my hair experience! My hair is no longer dry and is actually retaining moisture! After viewing Kimmaytube videos over a year ago, I actually found some great shampoo and conditioner by Joico hair products. All of Joico products actually have the pH balance on the outside of the products, which is a major plus!! I would really recommend the Joico Moisture Recovery line if you have dry or damaged hair. The shampoo and conditioner has made my hair more revitalized and less dry. I really haven't found many shampoo and condtioners that can compare to Joico. You can buy the Joico products at Ulta, online or in some beauty salons. You can also find the smaller bottles at TJ MAXX. Below is a description of Joico Moisture Recovery shampoo and conditioner:

.
The Joico Moisture Recovery Shampoo for dry hair ( pH 4.5-5.5) is an intensely, quenching and hydrating shampoo for dry, damaged hair.Carefully selected blend of surfactants cleanse away residue with a luxurious lather that won’t strip hair of its natural moisture, while bio-mimetic peptides, marine botanicals and seawater nutrients provide exceptional hydration and prevent dehydration.
This rich, luxe shampoo will revitalize your dry-to-extremely dry hair, providing hydration, smoothness and increased elasticity(www.Joico.com).


 
The Joico Moisture Recovery Conditioner for dry hair (pH 3.5-4.5) is an one-minute intensely hydrating conditioner for all hair types needing moisture and reconstruction. Marine botanicals, Sea Kelp, Brown Algae and essential minerals restore the hydrolipidic barrier and prevent dehydration.
After just one use, this exceptional conditioner will detangle your dry hair to reduce breakage by 55% as it hydrates and strengthens. Your hair will become smoother and respond to styling better with greater fluidity (www.Joico.com).

You can buy the Joico products at Ulta, online or in some beauty salons. You can also find the smaller bottles at TJ MAXX for a reasonable price.

 I have also attached a list of some more pH levels of shampoo and conditioners that I found on www.thenaturalhaven.com.

http://www.thenaturalhavenbloom.com/2012/02/ph-of-shampoo-ultimate-list.html
http://www.thenaturalhavenbloom.com/2012/02/ph-of-conditioners.html

Understanding the pH balance of your hair Part II

I really hope that you found the information in the previous post about understanding pH balance informative. I actually learned about this concept from Kimmaytube, who is a professional blogger and has many youtube videos. She really goes into depth about how important it is to understand the structure of hair and pH balance of your hair and the products that you use. It can make a difference in the texture of your hair and the manageability of your hair. I have attached the links to her videos. Please watch them in the order that I have attached them. They are very informational!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-i3MC4d-HmY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yT9axA0A6_Q

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAjZjecFPFg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sohj1nnCOGs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBP7CzoiLbQ

Understanding the pH balance of your hair Part I

If you are having problems with dry and brittle hair with lack of moisture, you may want to consider learning and understanding the pH balance of your hair and products.  Knowing the pH of your hair and the products that you use are the most important steps to keep your hair healthy. I have attached an article from www.naturalhairwoman.com that will explain this concept better.

PH Balance and Natural Hair

If your goal for your hair is to be more resilient, stronger and lock in moisture then learning about the PH balance of your hair will help achieve that. Many manufactured products are too alkaline or sometimes too acidic and that can cause the health of your hair to deteriorate. Below is an easy ph scale chart to help you understand more on ph balance and your natural hair.

What is a PH SCALE?

A Ph scale is what is used to control the acidity or alkalinity of a substance.

Why is it critical to curly / kinky hair?

Let’s first explain about the cortex (which is the middle layer of the hair) and the cuticle (which is the outer layer of the hair) and needs to be taken care of. So the cuticle protects the cortex. The cuticle of a healthy hair lays flat and that locks moisture in your hair and protects it from any damage. You can learn how to keep the cuticles of your hair shut by learning about the Ph balance of the products you use.

What are the signs that my hair is not within the right Ph balance?

The hair will feel dry, looks dull and breaks easily.

How do I use the Ph balance to close the cuticles?

Look at the chart above to help you understand the next explanation. Acidic solutions are what shut the cuticles and keep your hair healthy, frizz free and keeps the moisture in. Alkaline solutions opens the cuticles and that causes so much damage to the cortex. Healthy curly hair has a Ph balance between 4.5 and 5.5. Maintaining this Ph balance will give your hair shine and keep it strong.

How do I check the Ph balance of hair products at home?

You can purchase a Ph balance kit which are sold in stores and online and they are packaged with an instruction kit so they are easy to use. This will help you test the Ph of homemade hair products and also store bought hair products that you are using on your natural hair.

Can water be damaging to my hair?

If you are using water on your hair that is contaminated with minerals like lead and calcium, then your hair will be damaged. Use distilled or purified water instead. It also good to note that water has a Ph balance of 7 so you want to lower that to fall between 4.5 and 5.5. Water is the number 1 hair moisturizer.

Which acidifiers can lower the alkaline in products?

If you want to lower the alkaline in your hair products try adding Lemon and lime juice, Aloe vera juice and apple cider vinegar. These are just a few examples.

*Article was abstracted from www.naturalhairwoman.com

Natural hair acronyms

If you have done some research on natural hair, I am sure you have come across some natural hair acronyms or hair terminology that confuses you.When I first started researching natural hair, I was so confused because I didn't understand some of the hair terminology. So, I have composed together a list of commonly used acronyms from various websites that are used to describe natural hair.Hopefully, this list will help you understand the "natural language" better!

ACV: Apple Cider Vinegar - Can be used as a shampoo to cleanse hair
ALS: Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate -

APL: Armpit Length - Refers to current length of one's hair
BC: Big Chop - When someone chops all their hair off and then goes natural
BSL: Bra Strap Length - Refers to current length of one's hair
CG: Curly Girl - A hair regimen that doesn't use cones or sulfates
CW: Conditioner Wash - Wash your hair with only conditioner to moisturize and soften hair without the stripping effects of shampoo
DC: Deep Condition - Using a not-regular conditioner, usually with heat to soften and moisturize ends

Dusting – The trimming of 1/4″ of less of the ends of your hair.
EL: Ear Length - Refers to current length of one's hair
EVCO: Extra Virgin Coconut Oil - Moisturizes hair, great DC
EVOO: Extra Virgin Olive Oil - A great conditioner, pre-poo or scalp oil that can strengthen hair
JBCO: Jamaican Black Castor Oil - A raw form of castor oil that helps grow hair
KCCC: Kinky Curly Curling Custard - A gel-like product that can help define curls

leave in - leave in conditioner
MBL: Mid Back Length - Refers to current length of one's hair
MN: Miconazole Nitrate -
MNT: Mane N' Tail - Supposed to keep hair detangled
NL: Neck Length - Refers to current length of one's hair

No Poo - No shampoo, just conditioner.

Pineappleing - A technique for longer locks to putting it up at bedtime in order to preserve your curly hair style. Pull your hair up to the top of your head into a high but loose ponytail using a satin scrunchie or ouchless ponytail holder.

Scrunching – a technique to help with boosting your hair’s natural curl or wave pattern. Scrunching is taking sections of your hair and crumple them into your hand and work up towards your scalp.

Shingling - a technique of applying a curl promoting styler to sections of your hair as you stretch and elongate to boost your hair’s natural curl pattern.

Stretching – a technique used to extend your shrunken curls, showing length.

Poo - Shampoo
PJ: Product Junkie - One who buys way too many products for their hair
SL: Shoulder Length - Refers to current length of one's hair
SLS: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate - An common ingredient in shampoo known to strip hair of its oils
TL: Tailbone Length - Refers to current length of one's hair, UBER long hair
TWA: Teeny Weeny Afro - A few months after a BC when a girl's hair grows to a small afro

Twist & Curl (TNC) – a curly hair style where you double strand twist your hair and roll the ends.

Transitioning - In stead of chopping off all of your chemically treated hair, you let your hair grow without getting more relaxers with the intent of going natural. When I transitioned I did regular deep conditioning treatments, got 1′ to 1.5 ” of my hair cut every 4-6 weeks and sometimes wore protective styles.

Wash & Go (W&G or WNG) - To wash or co-wash your hair, add a styler cream or gel by shingling in, shake and Go. Let your hair air dry and go or dry using a diffuser.

WSL: Waist Length - Refers to current length of one's hair

CurlBox

"An exclusive, affordable & effortless way to experience products for curly hair"

December 2012 CurlBOx

If you’re looking to try a variety of new natural hair products at once, I would recommend you to try CurlBox. There is a monthly fee of $20 a month and you get 2-3 full size products and some sample products. I am a PJ (Product Junkie) so I really love being a member of CurlBox. Although I do have staple products, I love trying new products and CurlBox allows me to do that at an affordable price! Check out their website at www.curlbox.com to find out more about CurlBox and how you can become a member.


*Below is the official message from Myleik Teele (the owner of CurlBox)

“I am beyond excited to share my latest endeavor with you! Having been ”natural” for over a decade and nearly two years of being immersed in the “curly/natural hair” business, I discovered a serious need. There are TONS of products on the market and some of the new ones come at a steep price. Our curls are like DNA and no one person uses the exact same thing and the next person (even with the same “curl type”). Some of us use 3 products while others use 10+. Texture Trends reports that “Even after product junkies find that “holy grail” product, 46% of curlies continue to try new products and 59% spend $26 or more on products for their hair.” My solution to this problem is curlBOX and you are the first to know!

curlBOX is an affordable, effortless and EASIER way to explore new hair products. You can discover hand-selected curly hair products delivered to your doorstep every month.

WHAT IS IT:Every month subscribers receive 5-7 quality hair product samples for a monthly fee (price will be sent with VIP invitation). Cancel anytime.
WHAT IS IN MY BOX:Subscribers can look forward to extraordinary products from established brands as well as some really great and up and coming brands.
HOW IT WORKS:Join. Each box will have extraordinary value. Discovering what’s best for your hair couldn’t be any easier. We have curated incredible boxes and located some of the best products that we KNOW you’re going to love! If for any reason you don’t, cancel anytime.

For curlBOX inquires email: myleik@artoffactspr.com

Twitter: @curlBOX | Facebook: CurlBox

Are you a member of Curlbox? If so, let me know how you feel about CurlBox and what products you have used so far! 

 

Taking care of your natural hair

I must admit that properly taking care of natural hair can be a daunting task. When I had a perm, I went to the salon bi-weekly and sometimes weekly so I didn't have to really do my hair. Now that I am natural, I spend much more time taking care of my hair because there are not any natural hairstylists in my area and because I have grown to love taking care of my hair. I spend many hours a week taking care of my hair and as a result my hair is the healthiest it has ever been. I have had a lot of people ask me about how I take care of my hair so I am going to share some pointers.

1. Shampoo your  hair at least once a week with a good quality shampoo.Try to find a shampoo that suits your hair texture and type.
2. Always deep condition your hair after you shampoo.Try to at least deep condition once a week.  I am really big on deep conditoning my hair. Deep conditioning allows my hair to maintain moisture and not become dry. Curly Nikki, a professional blogger, has two great articles on how to properly deep condition natural hair and I have attached the links to her articles.

           http://www.curlynikki.com/2012/11/how-to-properly-deep-condition-natural.html
           http://www.curlynikki.com/2012/11/how-to-properly-deep-condition-natural_27.html
 3. Always rinse conditoner out with cold or cool water. When I first started the natural process, my hair would always frizz up. I couldn't understand why it looked so dry and frizzy. One of the reasons was because I wasn't deep conditioning my hair and another reason was because I was rinsing my hair out with hot water. After much research, I found out that rinsing with hot or warm water can cause your hair to be dry and brittle because it can strip your hair of moisture. Cold cold water seals the moisture in your hair and increase shine! I live by risnisng my hair with cold water because my hair looks totally different now that I have started the cold water rinse. I have attached an article that talks about the pros and cons of rinsing or washing with hot or cold water.
http://www.curlynikki.com/2011/05/how-to-wash-your-hair-hot-or-cold.html

4. Seal in moisture. When I talk to people about how I keep my hair moisturized and not looking dry, they always look at me like I am crazy because they have never heard of sealing in moisture for natural hair. This step is great for moisturizing dry hair. Basically sealing in moisture is applying an oil to your hair once after you apply a leave in condition. The water is the moisture and the oils are what seals the moisture in. I use pure, unrefined cocunut oil. You can usually find unrefined cocunut oil in natural stores. I have also talked to some people who love olive oil, joboba oil or castor oil but find an oil that works best for you. You really don't have to use a lot of oil but I promise that if you add this step to your routine, you will have great results.
Kimmaytube, who is also a great blogger, has a great leave in recipe that helps to seal moisture. The recipe for her leave in conditioner can be found here http://www.curlynikki.com/2011/04/art-of-sealing-natural-hair.html. You can alter the recipe but I have tried it and it really works! Also, check out this article by Curly Nikki that shares the art of sealing in moisture.
 http://www.curlynikki.com/2011/04/art-of-sealing-natural-hair.html

5. Dentagle hair. Dentagling your hair while you have conditioner on will allow your hair to be much more managable after you rinse the conditioner out. I have attached a great article in reference to how to detangle your hair.
http://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading//detangling-curly-kids/how-to-detangle-curly-hair

6. Allow hair to air dry. Applying too much heat to natural hair can cause extreme dryness and breakage to the hair. My go to styles are twistouts and braid outs and I usually do my hair at night and let my hair air dry over night before I style my hair. I sparingly use blow dryhairers or heat to my hair because I am scared of the damage it may cause to my  hair. You can use this advise to your discrection.

7. Trim hair when needed. Trimming natural hair is very essentail to health hair growth. Some naturals trim their hair every 3- 6 months but I usually trim my hair whenever it is necessary. My hair usually lest me know when I need a trim because my ends will become extra rough. I usually let a experienced beautician cut my ends but there are many viceos on youtube that shows you how to do it yourself.

Okay, I have listed some pointers on how I take care of my hair. Please let me know if you have any pointers or if you have any questions!

My decision to go natural

I have always admired natural hair on other women but I never imagined that I would  have the courage to give up the "creamy crack." For as long as I can remember, I have always relied and depended on a perm to work miracles on my hair. I would religiously sit in salons for hours just to make sure my hair was bone straight without any kinks. If I detected  any new growth, I assumed that my hair was "napping up" and it was time to get another perm. Everyone I associated with had a perm and it was only natural for me to have one as well.

In June 2011, I had a really bad experience with the perm. It was hard for me to contact my regular beautician so I tried another beautician who always did amazing job on one of my friends hair. Although I usually didn't let anyone but my beautician do my perms, I allowed my friends beautician to give me a perm because I had a lot of new growth. I had to have a perm!!! I was really impressed with my hair after she finished until the next day. My scalp was dry, scaly, and itchy. I battled with the symptoms for weeks. I finally went to a dermatologist and he advised me that the perm she used was probably an old perm and it caused me to have a bad reaction. He also asked me not to get a perm for another 3 months because I had to shampoo my hair everyday with a medicated shampoo. I felt AWFUL!!! I couldn't imagine going without a perm. My hair was too nappy!!! I finally opted to get braids for the following 3 months so that I didn't have to deal with my hair.

Meanwhile, my best friend made the decision to go natural and she loved it! She would encourage me to go natural but I couldn't see myself doing it. I was really scared to take that step because I was scared of what other people would think and what my hair would actually look like!!! I did start researching natural hair and I became intrigued and obsessed with the information that I found. I actually wanted to take the plunge and go natural!!!

On November 27, 2011 two days after Thanksgiving, I couldn't take it any longer. I was visiting my sister for the holidays and I woke up and decided to cut my braids out. Yes!!!!! I cut my braids out... new growth and all! My hair was almost as short as my husbands. When I woke him up to allow him to see what I had done, he was so upset! He didn't like my hair and he didn't have a problem with letting me know that he didn't approve of me going natural. I became very self confident and I wore braids and wigs for the next 3 months just to satisfy him. I also contemplated going back to getting a perm because I of the reaction my husband gave me.

One day, my fifteen year old came up to me out of the blue and said " Mom, I like you hair! Don't worry about what dad thinks and just do you!" I cried like a baby!! I couldn't believe I was letting what someone thought  define my decision to do what I thought was right for me. I finally got tired of covering my natural hair  and I decided to just go with the flow and do me! I found out that the quality of my hair was actually better than I imagined and that made me even more confident! I started wearing my hair out and I am proud to say that I haven't turned back since. My husband now LOVES my hair and can't imagine me going back to the perm!!!

Although it is a lot of work caring for my natural hair, I wouldn't trade this experience for the world!I love my natural hair! I can truly say that my decision to go natural was one of the best decisions that I have ever made! India Arie says it best " I am not my hair" but I am Fanneca Curtis and I am Napturally Beautiful (with two snaps)!