KISS Instawave Automatic Curler Review

As a woman with a head of hair and the mother of a little girl with even MO' hair, I am happy to be the guinea pig of any device that claims to make hair styling easier/faster. Even if the the gadget looks look it may not be for "our kinda hair," I'm willing to give it a try. Couldn't hurt, right?
Well, the KISS Instawave curls hair without you doing the work. You just slip the end of your hair on to the curler, press the button and it'll twirl it along the hot barrel for you. Let it sit wound around the barell for 3-10 seconds, tug gently downwards and voila! You've formed a perfect curl.
Or so that's the premise...
Here's a video: 

I used my daughter's head to test out the device. She has a head full of thick, luscious hair that could have used some taming so Miss J was just perfect...or so I thought.

Miss J's hair section & ready to curl.

I made several attempts to have the Instawave catch her hair and twirl it onto itself but to no avail. See my video here. It simply didn't work for us and the amount of smoke was worrisome. The device gets extremely hot (420 degrees), extremely fast. But it does automatically shut off in 90 minutes so no need to fret about burning down the house if you forget to turn it off when you rush out the door with your bouncy, fresh curls.

It claims to be easy to use from any angle and any hand....that anyone can use it and that length isn't a problem. Miss J has a ton of hair anyway, so maybe the matter is texture? I feel like there should be a clamp or something to hold the hair in pace while it twirls.

Besides it not working for us, the truth of the matter, I really don't understand the need it fills. Using one's own wrist to twirl a barrel hot curler is a simple task. I don't personally need anything to "twirl" my hair for me. Seems unnecessarily lazy, in my opinion.

I do wish it did work for us though just to see my princess with large, bouncing coils but because it did not, I gifted to a white girl friend whose hair texture is a lot more like the girl in the video.

But hey, don't just take my word for it, try it yourself. Get your own KISS Instawave here:

http://www.KISSInstaWave.com or Target for $49.99.
*Sponsored post powered by Brandbacker*

A Love Triangle aka A Natural Hair Products Review

Today: 3-day old picked braid-out using the Custard.

Fresh twist-out using the Custard.

I'm not really a product WHORE. I'm more like a SERIAL MONOGAMOUS. You see, I am fiercely loyal when I find something that works for my hair and I simply accept its minor flaws ignoring all other products on the shelf with their fancy packaging and alluring coupons.... until I spot a fellow naturalista with similar texture and spectacularly defined curls....then I start to CREEP. Well, I must at least try what they're using to know if there exists an upgrade to my current products, right? Yes, I MUST....and this leads me to my current product love triangle.

The truth is, I totally forget who I courted before Cantu Shea Butter (I just love 'em and leave 'em!) but my daughter's drama school instructor at Newark School of the Arts had the most coil-y, bouncy tight ringlets. I cornered her after class and insisted on her secret. She told me ever so nonchalantly, "My hair is only as good is the products I use. This (pointing to her perfect head of ringlets) is Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioning Repair Cream....girl, it's only like $7-8 and found EVERYWHERE."

This was 3 yrs ago and I've been relatively happy with my routine wash-n-go's with Cantu ever since, when I'm not wearing a protective style.
My wash-n-go technique: 'pre-poo, shampoo, deep condition, rinse then use a basic conditioner for a minute or two and rinse, leaving in maybe 30% of the product. I hand ring most of the liquid out then detangle with my fingers. Lastly, I apply Cantu layer by layer until my entire head is covered. I usually shoot a bit of cold air from my blow dryer to speed up the drying time, then I go about my day allowing the perfect waves to set and fall into place with little manipulation. This leave-in starts off white and creamy but dries clear, leaving my hair soft and curls defined without much shrinkage. It contains pure shea butter, protein, olive oils and essential oils
Its minor flaw? It flakes a quite bit once dry and leaves my hair a bit dull. I must compensate with sheen/oil BUT it has made my hair much stronger and it eliminates the frizz. And it is conveniently available practically everywhere: Wal-Mart, Target, CVS, etc...The flaking part though, kinda sux.

So, last week as I was grocery shopping and perusing the fashion/fitness mags in line as usual, there was this article in one about summer hair-curly texture-products. I didn't expect to see a product mentioned for OUR hair but lo & behold, there was one: Pantene Defining Curls Styling Custard (made for natural ethnic hair). It claimed to be a bit of a Godsend--adding SHINE, defining curls, and controlling frizz. Growing tired of my "flaky" soon-to-be-ex main hair boo, I decided to give it a try. My hair had been braided for 2 months and I just was turned off by the idea of going back to Mr. Flaky once the braids came out so at approx. $4, I felt I had nothing to lose. This "Pantene" was a cheap date. ;) I found it the next day on my Targay run.

The verdict: I'm in love! Well, I haven't used it for a wash-n-go yet but my twist outs and braid outs for both myself and my child are lovely and with no white residue/flakiness, my hair looks inky black and full of sheen. But something about the texture of the custard has me doubting that it would make for a good wash-n-go...I will have to test that theory after the next wash. As for now, I have no complaints. It is more oily than creamy thanks to the jojoba oil and coconut oil ingredients. I think this is the best consistency for my hair. I do notice mild build-up in my hair though...but "it's me; not you, boo!"
I will clarify my tresses with apple cider vinegar next shampoo to be sure I have no product gook in my hair before re-applying.

Now, my affair with Carol's Daughter Monoi Oil began approx. 3 months ago and was not intentional AT ALL. I was minding my own business, using hair sheen, Moroccan argon oil and/or olive oil on my hair daily for moisture and shine. Then I get notice that due to my Klout score, I have earned this wonderful perk from Carol's Daughter. Well, who I am to turn down free full sized products from the queen?

This lightweight, silicone-free, miracle oil reverses and prevents damage to even the most distressed hair caused by heat-styling, color-treating and chemical straightening.

Protect your hair from all damage. Its strengthening power comes from Monoi Oil – a sacred Tahitian blend of the Tiare Gardenia Flower and Coprah Coconut Oil. This silicone-free, restorative oil rebuilds your hair’s structure from the inside out for true repair that doesn’t wash away or weigh hair down like silicones do. It’s also blended with Mirabelle Plum Seed Oil to restore health and Kukui and Rose Hip Seed Oils to reduce frizz and boost your hair’s natural shine. Take your hair to its maximum strength and length – no matter what you do to it.

Plus, No Silicones, No Parabens, No Petroleum, No Mineral Oil, No Artificial Colors

Once I read all of the ingredients and the exotic history of the monoi oil found on the box, I was more than thrilled to test drive it on our tresses.  I do appreciate that a little goes a long way. Just 4 pumps is enough for my head, 5 pumps for my daughter. At $30, it is an investment but it is so light and pure and smells/feels so luxe, it's so worthy! I used it as a barrier when I pressed Miss J's hair last week and I found it to give a great press, as well as, prevented any breakage.
Find it at Carolsdaughter.com and its namesake boutiques.

So now my current routine consists of a love triangle with the 3. Cantu has been reduced to my rinse out hair condition. It detangles wonderfully. Then I apply a few squirts of the Monoi Oil to the damp hair and twist/braid using the Custard. My hair feels great! Everyone plays their position well.
Have you tried any of the above? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Product Review: Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Moisturizing Leave-in Conditioner

Recently I came in as the 1st Runner Up in Munaluchi Bridal's Natural Beauty Contest and my prize was this heap of full-sized hair and body products from Carol's Daughter.

I dove right in. My child's beautiful natural hair was a knotty mess this morning. I took her to the beach on Tuesday and it hasn't quite recovered! LOL The ocean's salty water had turned her once soft afro-puff into a Brillo pad. I decided to take the elastic band off, section the hair as best I could under these conditions and spray in the Black Vanilla Moisturizing Leave-in Conditioner because it promises to "make detangling a cinch."
The verdict:
It is a miracle worker! After a few shots of spray on each section, my comb eased through my baby's knotty crown as it seriously became soft as a cloud. She slept the entire time I combed her hair, which is a rarity! Bonus: It has the warm, sensual scent of vanilla that relaxes me.

Other benefits:

• • Aloe Leaf Juice richly moisturizes your hair so it’s easier to detangle
• • Pro-vitamin B5 works to fortify your hair so it can hold onto moisture better
• • Wheat Proteins help to give your hair a bit more strength

For the $12 price, it is worthy. I totally recommend it. Get your own.

How To Succeed in the Fashion Industry: 3 Fashion/Beauty Experts Give Advice

Hair Design: Goapele

New Goodies!

This is the 1st time I've combined feather, jewels, and metal adornment to a leather headband.

I really like these and will make more. They have a "fascinator" vibe but more casual. All handmade.

All one-of-a-kind. All one size fits all. All $55.

inquiry@jypsea.com for inquiries.

Jypsea.com

Yellow & turquoise curly feather trimmed with a vintage adornment & matching metal chain.

Olive green leather, brown feather + peacock feather headband trimmed with antique gold pyramid studs and antique gold chain.

 

For a bride?  White leather & feather headband trimmed with Swarvoski crystal rhinestones and gold chain.

My FAVE Musician AFROChicks

You Can Unlock Your Locks, if You Choose. Shaving Them Off is NOT The ONLY Option.

Abina with a head full of locks

Abina now. Lock-free.

Meet Abina Wood. Lock wearer for 2 years and 11 months who decided she wanted her 'fro back. Did she take the BIG CHOP and start all over again like we all have come to believe is mandatory? NOPE. Has she defied the notion that locks are permanent and the only way to rid oneself of them is to cut them off? YUP.
Here's her journey.

How did you know it was even possible to "unlock" your locks? One night last year I loosed one in the back and saw it was possible and that I did not lose too much of my hair in the process. Then I retwisted it and waited until I was fully ready (to unlock the entire head). (I did it) using a rat tail comb, Main & Tail spray conditioner to keep the hair moist, and time...it was a 12 hour process.
My hair is actually down to mid-breast now. It is way to much hair to handle so I never wear it out. I have to pay someone to do my hair regularly now because it is toooooo much hair!

Why not just cut off your locks and grow your 'fro from that point? Only because a year before locking, I promised myself I wouldn't cut it off again because I had been cutting my hair off every winter. For years I kept going back and forth...cut or comb, cut or comb. So this was me keeping my promise to myself to not cut. And literally, I locked my hair out of laziness so I didn't have to comb my hair while traveling so I was never really attached to them.
After the combout was complete, I got a trim and blow dry from a master natural stylist Janice Brown of Brooklyn/London Tar Baby Hair Designs (tarbabyhairdesign@yahoo.com), who also helped me in the unlocking process.

Lock being unlocked

Length of Abina's hair after unlocked



Felicity Children Salon

This is one of those great ideas that makes you ponder and say aloud, "Why didn't I think of this?"
Stylish and innovative, Felicity Children Salon is the brainchild of owners Gisselle Singleton and Rhonda Gittens. It is a full-service elegant salon all decked out in a 2,000+ sq ft loft with an organic snack bar, FREE Wi-Fi services, big screen TV and a reading lounge. Smartly, they cater to girls of ALL ethnicities and are located in trendy Park Slope, Brooklyn. Felicity not only provides immaculate service but also teaches the girls to maintain healthy hair and nails and the most important lesson of all, that true beauty comes from within.

Services offered are:cuts, color, highlights, up-do's, curls, braids, twists, spa manicures and spa pedicures. Funky and fabulous, they also have a Party package for pre-teens and teenage girls! Felicity offers great birthday and prom packages as well, which includes a complete make-over for the soon-to-be Prom Queen!

Felicity was recently covered by the Life & Style Reporter, Lauren Glassberg on ABC News, NY Time Out Kids and recently interviewed by New York Magazine.

Book you daughter's appointment at
http://www.felicitychildrensalon.com/