Honey Curls is a product line specifically designed for children with curly hair.  The company makes a conscious effort to avoid harmful ingredients in all of its products; they are are free of parabens, alcohol, and sulfates.   All of their products are infused with nutrient-rich ingredients like Honey, Aloe, Coconut Oil, Green Tea, and Olive Oil.   Trish, the owner of Honey Curls, recently sent me the Honey Curls Hair Honey Oil Blend to review.   Knowing about these great ingredients, I was excited to try it in my two toddlers’ hair.   And I admit… my hair too.

According to the product description,

A glimpse of the ingredient list reveals that the Honey Curls Hair Honey Oil Blend has some great ingredients!  The first ingredient is honey — a humectant — which attracts moisture to the hair.   The remaining top five ingredients are Canola Seed Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Jojoba Oil, and Meadowfoam Seed Oil.  These oils have properties that restore hydration, impart shine, and prevent hair loss.   What makes this oil blend unique is the inclusion of Borage Oil, Olea Europea Oil, and Karanaki and Organic Green Tea.   I am well-versed on my oils, but I actually had to look up these other oils.  Borage is antiflammatory and fatty; Olea Europea Oil prevents hair damage caused by brushing; and teas are known to noursish hair and strengthen hair follicles.   Long story short, the creators of Honey Curls products have done their research.

To test these products, I tried these products over a two-week period in my daughters’ hair (age 1 and 2) — and my own.  (I tend to use many of the same products as my children.)  For reference, I have 4a hair that is very dense with thick strands.  My 2 year old has 3c hair with normal strands, but it is very dense.  And my 1 year old barely has any hair, but it is a head of soft curls.   Whenever I use oils, I either add it to a moisturizing spritz of leave-in conditioner and water; or seal with oil after using a leave-in.

The verdict? I really love the oil blend! I’m very particular about the products I put in my hair and this definitely passed my test of scrutiny.  The blend of oils made for a rich, emollient oil that was not too heavy.  It is the perfect oil blend for various hair types.  If you have ever used Avocado Oil — one of my favorite oils — it has the richness of that oil.   This oil can be used in either the winter or summer months, but if your hair is particularly thick then you may use a product that is more like a grease in the winter months.   My kids, on the other hand, can use this year round.   I plan on using this as my oil of choice for the remainder of summer.   If you are looking for a new quality product to try, I recommend checking it out.

If your received the oil blend in the April Curlkit or have purchased it recently, let us know your thoughts!

The post Honey Curls Hair Honey Oil Blend Review appeared first on BlackHairMedia.com.

What makes clip on hair extensions so great is the fact that they are cheap and easy to install and even easier to remove.  Unlike permanent hair extensions such as heat fusion extensions, and traditional sew ins that have to be done in salons and cost a lot, clip on hair extensions are easy to install and you can do them at home.

Step by Step Instructions for Installing Clip on Hair Extensions:

Most women can install clip on hair extensions on their own without any external help. However, sometimes you may face the problem of extensions getting detached from the hair or sticking out from underneath.  This can be easily solved if you do it the right way.  You need three things to install clip on hair extensions:  a small tooth comb, good quality hairspray (if your hair is really fine), and of course, some clip on hair extensions.

1. If your hair is natural and or not as straight as the clip ins you choose to use you should press your hair out with a hot comb or flat iron to make your hair as straight as the hair you are installing
2. Part the section of hair just like you do to create a high ponytail except that in this case, you leave a small section at the base.
3. Place hair in a high bun on the crown of your head and      put a clip on it so that it does not get in the way.
4. If your hair is a little coarse at the roots (you have new growth) You can just add your first clip in
5. If your hair is fine you may need to tease and backcomb hair roots with the small tooth comb and apply hairspray.
6. Open the clip on and start by clipping the right clip on to the fuzzy roots of your natural hair, then move on to the left clip, and finally, the middle clip.
7. Undo the section bun on the crown of your head and part another section of hair at the base, making sure that it is just an inch  above the section you just worked on. This is to ensure that this layer of natural hair falls just over the clip on hair extension you just      installed.
8. Repeat the steps for as many clip on extensions that you want to add, make sure that you leave enough hair on the top section of your  hair to cover the previous extensions.
9. When you have to work on the sides, take a small section of hair about three inches above the ear and clip on the extension.
10. Using hairspray makes the hair a bit firmer, which ensures that the clip on hair extensions do not detach easily.

The best way to style your hair after installing clip on hair extensions is to use a flat iron or curling iron.   This will give you a flawless look as it helps to blend your natural hair with the extensions.

It is imperative that you do not brush your hair from the roots because this can potentially move the extensions.  Watch the video to see how this YouTuber installs her clip on extensions.

The post How to Install Clip on Hair Extensions appeared first on BlackHairMedia.com.

Some say there needs to be more education on black hair….but to educate who?  As women of color, you become educated on your hair, (what works for it and what doesn’t) fairly quickly because it is a part of who you are.  So the question remains, who needs to be educated on black hair?  Perhaps the mainstream hair care companies that are beginning to design products for natural hair? Some may say that more information about black hair needs to be publicized so that natural hair won’t be seen as some political movement, but rather just a choice on how a woman wants to wear her hair.

In New York, there was recently an art exhibit called “You Can Touch My Hair,” that featured women of color on the street holding signs that read, “You can touch my hair.”  As you can imagine, there were onlookers, photographers, and people surrounding the women who actually touched their hair.  This experiment/exhibit certainly gained a lot of attention, but was there an education really taking place here?  Or was this simply a spectacle being made of black women and their hair?  What do you think?  As people in general, we have curiosities about others and possibly even other races, but  with that said, do you think any other race would make themselves an exhibit and offer strangers to touch the parts of them that they were curious about?

Please comment and let us know what you think about this!

The post Exhibit Lets Strangers Touch Black Hair appeared first on BlackHairMedia.com.

BHM has partnered with Gaisie Body Essentials to bring you a giveaway full of natural products made with quality ingredients to help you get your hair, skin and body ready for summer! Gaisie Body Essentials’ mission is to always create products that use quality ingredients in all of its beauty products because it is simply the right thing to do.

Three (3) lucky winners will have a chance to win a set of products below.

Prizes: 

One (1) lucky winner will receive the following hair care products:

• Shea Moisturizing Shampoo – 8oz bottle
• Shea Moisturizing Conditioner – 8oz bottle
• Cupuacu Curling Custard – 8oz bottle

One (1) lucky winner will receive the following bath and body care products:

• Cocoa Body Wash – 8oz bottle
• Cocoa Body Lotion – 8oz bottle
• Cocoa Body Scrub – 8oz jar

One (1) lucky winner will receive the following skin care products:

• Green Tea Facial Wash – 8oz bottle
• Rosewater Facial Toner – 8oz bottle
• Green Tea Facial Moisturizer – 8oz bottle

Eligibility:   The Gaisie Body Essentials Giveaway (“Giveaway “) is open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older at time of entry or who have expressed permission from a parent or guardian. Employees, officers, directors, agents and representatives of Gaisie Body Essentials (“Sponsor”) or Black Hair Media (“Host”), their parent, subsidiaries, affiliates, franchisees, advertising/promotion/fulfillment agencies, anyone else connected with the development, production and distribution of materials for or the implementation of this Giveaway and persons in the immediate family of (spouse, parent, child, sibling and their respective spouses, regardless of where they reside) or those living in their same household (whether or not related) as any person in any of the preceding categories, are not eligible to enter or win. Void where prohibited by law.  All federal and state laws apply.  Giveaway begins on or about 12:00:01 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) on May 20, 2013 and ends at 11:59:59 p.m. ET on June 3, 2013 (“Contest Period”).

How to Enter:  Entrants must tweet @BlackHairMedia  and @GBEssentials with the hashtag #GBEgetnaturalgiveaway stating why they want to win the contest. All entries must be received during the Contest Period.

Selection of Winner:  Winners will be chosen by Random.org.  Winners will be posted on the BHM home page, announced on Twitter and notified by Direct Message.

Conditions of Participation:

• Entrants must tweet @BlackHairMedia  and @GBEssentials with the hashtag #GBEgetnaturalgiveaway stating why they want to win the contest for their entry to be valid.
• Entrants can only enter from one Twitter account.
• Anyone found using multiple accounts to enter will be ineligible.
• Posting duplicate, or near duplicate, updates or links is a violation of the Twitter Rules and jeopardizes search quality.
• Multiple entries in a single day will not be accepted.

Winners will have forty-eight (48) hours to respond with their contact information.  If winners have not responded within 48 hours, their prizes will be forfeited and alternate winners selected by Random.org.

The post Get Natural Giveaway Winners Announced! appeared first on BlackHairMedia.com.

Have you been thinking about adding some locks to your mane for the summer? Ciara gives you the scoop on Princesshairshop.com and what she thinks of their “Eurasian Straight/Wavy” texture.   Watch the video to find out!  You can also check out Princesshairshop for yourself:

http://www.PrincessHairShop.com

http://www.Facebook.com/PrincessHairShop

http://www.Facebook.com/APrincessHairShop

http://www.Twitter.com/PrincessHairSHP

Instagram-Princess Hair Shop

http://www.YouTube.com/PrincessHairShop

The post Princess Hair Shop Review appeared first on BlackHairMedia.com.

 Meadowfoam Hydrating Milk

This leave-in conditioner has a light scent of lavender and chamomile.  It is a light and creamy texture, which goes on well and absorbs into the hair.  This was applied to towel dried, freshly washed hair.  The Meadowfoam Hydrating Milk did provide some slip and proved to be a good candidate for a leave-in conditioner that I can rotate through with my other products.

Cupuacu Curling Custard

The Cupuacu Curling Custard was applied next as a moisturizer.  This purpose of this custard was to add definition to curls and provide moisture.  It is lightly scented with lavender and chamomile and is a slightly thicker cream than the Meadowfoam Hydrating Milk and absorbs into the hair well.  When this custard was applied , my curls perke up! The custard added some definition to my curls and moisturized my hair.  When it dried, my hair still felt moisturized, there was no film or reside, and it did not dry crunchy.   Needless to say, the custard was a thumbs up!

Mango Styling Butter

The Mango styling butter was applied to my ends to seal in moisture.  In using the Mango Styling Butter, a little goes a long way.  This is a thick, rich butter melts and glides onto the hair to seal in moisture.  This product has no scent, which can be great for someone who doesn’t like scented products.  This product did a good job as a sealant.

Revitalizing Botanical Spritz

The Revitalizing Botanical Spritz was used the second day to refresh my coils and to add some moisture.  It absorbs well, of course, since it is water-based and it is scented with lavender and chamomile.  It contains rosemary and nettle, which are great ingredients for hair, along with an essential oil blend.  I did not experience any build up when using the spritz each day to refresh my hair.  The spritz is a great refresher to use daily and has conditioning properties that helps to keep your hair soft.

Cocoa Bath & Body Oil

Last, but certainly not least, I tried the Cocoa Bath & Body Oil.  Oh, what a bottle of goodness!  This oil smells like a chocolate candy bar or chocolate syrup!  It smells so good!  When I applied this to my skin, it absorbed quickly and my skin was soft.  The scent is not over-powering, but it stays with you, so the scent is not one that evaporates as soon as you put it on, which is a plus!

Overall, I liked the products from Gaisie Body Essentials.  Even though all of the products, in my opinion, worked well, I did have my favorites.  The Cupuacu Curling Custard was a favorite and the Cocoa Bath & Body Oil with its delicious smell, were two of the stand-outs for me.  The Mango Styling Butter fit right in with my other butters, so it was also a favorite.  Was there anything I didn’t like about the products?  No.   And, for those on a budget, don’t worry….another bonus is that the products are reasonably priced!

The post Product Review: Gaisie Body Essentials appeared first on BlackHairMedia.com.

With a 27-piece short cut weave, you can achieve a variety of short cut styles without actually having to cut your natural hair. A 27-piece weave, which is basically hair extensions, can be bought at hair stores. It comes pre-packaged in certain lengths and colors, therefore you have the ability to choose just about any style.   The best way to get a 27 piece done is to get a quick weave.

A quick weave is done by using a bonding glue method, which requires you to glue the weave to a stocking cap.

If any of you ladies are weave mavericks and you want to do your own 27 piece quick weave, I’ve included directions on how to achieve the look:

You will need:

• Pro styling gel (brown gel)
• Stocking cap
• Shower cap
• Hair Glue
• Set under hood dryer
• Rat tail comb
• Hard brush
• 27 piece weave

Tip: Sit under the hair dryer for about 15mins just to make sure the glue dries completely.

The post 27 Piece Short Cut Weaves appeared first on BlackHairMedia.com.

BHM:  What was your inspiration for starting Gaisie Body Essentials?

Sebrina:  I’ve been making beauty care products as a hobby for years.  I sometimes wondered though, what it would be like to have my own business that allowed me to do something I was really passionate about?  However, I didn’t seriously consider doing it until my parents suggested I try making that dream become a reality.   This journey that I’ve been on since creating Gaisie Body Essentials has been a wonderful experience for me, so I want to publicly say thank you to Kenneth and Barbara Gaisie for always believing in me!!! 

BHM:  You have a line of body, face and hair products.  Tell us about your products:

Sebrina:  Gaisie Body Essentials’ mission is to always create products that use quality ingredients in all of its beauty products because it is simply the right thing to do.   Ingredients that can be found in my beauty care lines are natural oils and butters, botanical extracts and essential oils.   Also, these products can be used on multiple skin and hair types. 

BHM:  Do you think it is important for products to contain natural ingredients and if so, why?

Sebrina:  I definitely think that it’s important for products to contain natural ingredients.   Once I started incorporating more natural ingredients into my beauty care regimen, I could see how it positively affected the health of my skin and hair.  Products that contained natural ingredients actually absorbed into my skin and hair.   Also my skin and hair stayed moisturized and softer for longer periods of time.

BHM:  Your products work best on what type of hair?  Natural? Relaxed?  All hair types?

Sebrina:  The hair care products are great for people with natural and relaxed hair.   Also, many of the hair products can be used on all hair types.

BHM:  Can someone with sensitive skin use your body and face care products?

Sebrina:  Many of the body and face care products can be used by all skin types, including people with sensitive skin.   If someone suffers from issues like nut allergies though, they should stay away from the products that contain nut oils and butters. 

BHM:  Where can people find your products? 

Sebrina:  People can find my entire product line by visiting my website, www.GaisieBodyEssentials.com.  They also have the option of placing orders through the website (or by telephone 646-460-1883, Monday – Friday, 9AM–5PM EST).

BHM:  Are there any new plans/projects/events in the works?

Sebrina:  New plans are definitely in the works for all aspects of my beauty care business!  I’m currently working on the next collections that will be added to my body care line.   I want to be able to offer my customers multiple scenting options, which I’ll do with these new products.   After that I’ll introduce the next set of products to my hair and facial care lines.

BHM:  Thank you so much for allowing BlackHairMedia to interview you about your product line.

Sebrina:  I appreciate BlackHairMedia for giving a small business owner like me the opportunity to speak about my beauty care line.

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Blunt bangs can definitely be worn with long hair.  I love how Keisha Knight Pulliam’s are skimming her eyes.  Don’t worry they can be swept to the side and clipped back for the days you don’t want hair in your face but for the extra oomph, flat iron those bad boys right down into your pupils!

Jennifer’s are a bit higher and rounded rather than straight across, but there is no mistaking the precision of the edge of those bangs!

Well, you know Nicki will be Nicki as far as hair is concerned.  She pretty much always wears a wide Chinese bang.

I forgot about the brief moment Rihanna wore this look.  Not only did she go for blunt bangs but she rocked a full out precision cut!  Haute!

Ms. Banks’ bangs are blunt but just a bit softer than all the other examples.  Cut straight across with a bit of vertical cutting into the hemline, Tyra’s are for those who want to try the trend but think it may be a bit severe for them.

Don’t want to commit to cutting your hair?  Not to worry clip-on bangs are inexpensive and easy to work with.  Grab up a pair, snap it into place, cut and style to your liking!  Easy and removable – something of which I’m always a fan!

The post Trend to Try: Blunt Bangs appeared first on BlackHairMedia.com.

Name

Tell us about yourself: I am a corporate trainer by day and mom, crafter, cook, quilter and YouTube vlogger by night.

How long have you been natural? Why did you go natural? I’ve been natural for about 12-13 years.  My hairdresser at the time suggested I go natural since I had always had such a hard time with scalp burns from relaxers.

What is your hair type and texture? My hair is a combination of kinky, curly, wavy and wonky depending on which angle you look at!  But also very thick and fairly long.

What products and techniques work best for your hair type/texture? The Curly Girl Method has been wonderful in helping me hone in on a regimen that works for my hair.  So whenever possible, I avoid certain ingredients in products such as anything ending in cone or xane.  I also avoid combing or brushing my hair although that doesn’t always work.

What is your hair regimen and how does it fit into your busy schedule? I mainly do wash-n-gos when I’m being lazy and when I get inspired I will do some kind of elaborate twist design that sometimes doesn’t turn out right.  (I post my success and fails on my youtube.com/mahoganyknots  channel.)

Any additional advice? There is no product, tool, or prayer in this world that is gonna make your natural hair look like someone else’s.   So… get along with what God gave you.

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Here are a few tips:

• Purchase a scarf or a yard of fabric.  To make tying the scarf easier, look for fabrics with a little bit of stretch.  Fabrics like stretch cotton or jersey are great options.
• Decide whether you would like to completely cover your hair, or have a pompadour or bangs in the front.  Pull the remainder of your hair into a low bun or do flat twists to reduce bulk under the head wrap.
• Tie your head wrap!  There are tons of step-by-step tutorials on the YouTube.
• Accessorize your head wrap with jewelry.   Find bold necklaces and earrings that will complement your head wrap and overall look.

The styling options are seemingly endless!  Still need tips?  Check out the photo gallery for inspiration!

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The first single, a duet with Erykah Badu, was released at exactly 7:54 PM EST on April 22nd.

Check out the single here!

The post Janelle Monae and Erykah Badu Drop New Single, Q.U.E.E.N. appeared first on BlackHairMedia.com.

MsVaughnTV recreates the popular Teyonah Parris red carpet look.   In January, Mad Men star Teyonah Parris turned heads in her stunning look for the SAG Awards.   She topped off a Monique Lhullier gown and Jimmy Choo shoes with a beautiful coiffed hairstyle.  Her hairstyle by the renown stylist, Felicia Leatherwood, had the web buzzing.   Everyone was asking, “How do I recreate that look?”  Well,  MsVaughnTV  has delivered with a detailed tutorial for a recreation of the look.  Check it out!

The post Teyonah Parris Red Carpet Look Tutorial appeared first on BlackHairMedia.com.

I’m not upset because these lines exclude relaxed and texutrized hair types, moreso confused as to what makes a product for “naturals only.”  For example, my staple line for moisturizers is Bee Mine Products and I love the leave-in conditioner by Jane Carter Solutions.  By most standards, both of these haircare lines are “for” naturals.  But they work beautifully on my relaxed hair!  The products are designed to moisturize right?  So why wouldn’t it provide moisture for my hair?  Are the broken chemical bonds in my strands somehow immune to their ingredients?  Is it because these products do not contain synthetic ingredients that one would think it is only for naturals?  If you think so, allow me to tell you about relaxed ladies – just because we chose chemicals in one aspect doesn’t mean we run to products with chemicals for every aspect of our haircare.  Likewise, not all natural heads use all organic hair products either.  Lack of options in retail locations as opposed to online and price are a couple of the reasons.  There are a plethora of reasons naturals opt not to go all natural in their products.  Furthermore, if the basis of the argument is that natural ingredients work best on natural hair, what about unrelaxed hair that is not virgin because it has been colored?  Makes you think doesn’t it?

I try to support Black owned hair companies as much as possible, but shy away from lines that market for only naturals.  In my mind it is supporting another division among Black women.  Nothing wrong with developing products for curl definition, enhancement and de-frizzing, but to exclude relaxed and texturized hair altogether is a bit extreme.  Especially when talking about items that we all use for the same purposes like shampoos, conditioners, and moisturizers.  Even curly butters and puddings have a place in my home as I use them to create soft yet defined braidouts.  I’m not trying to turn this into a relaxed vs. natural hair debate – honestly I detest those, but am curious if I’m the only one that feels this way.  Of course, to be fair, there are products that are geared towards relaxed hair and will absolutely not work well with natural hair.  What do you think?  Do you think products should be made with both hair types in mind?  Natural and Relaxed?

So, what do you have to say about  “natural hair only” products?  Please leave a comment below so we can discuss!

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The tour, promoting the Carol’s Daughter Transitioning 1-2-3 Kit,  was hosted by Myleik Teele, the founder of CurlBOX.   At each stop, the panelists and attendees talked about various topics related to natural hair including: moisture retention, dating while natural, natural hair in the workplace, and much more.   If you missed out on this wonderful tour, don’t worry.   The tour will be hitting an HBCU near you this fall!  In the meantime, check out the photo gallery from the spring tour.

Photos courtesy of SixOne7 Creative

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BHM has partnered with CURLS to bring you the Cashmere Curl Collection giveaway!

With the Cashmere Curl Collection from CURLS, you can transform dry kinks into shiny curls. The Cashmere Curl Collection includes an 8 oz Cashmere Curls Moisturizer and an 8oz Cashmere Curl Jelly Curl definer. They are both formulated with pure cashmere extract, which is clinically proven to repair damaged hair by improving its strength and elasticity, and restoring depleted keratin.  This collection also provides women with lots of styling diversity!  Afro puffs, fro-hawks, braid outs, twist outs… You name it, you can rock it.

Prize: Five (5) Grand Prize Winners will receive the Cashmere Curl Collection which includes an 8oz Cashmere Curls Moisturizer and an 8oz Cashmere Curl Jelly Curl definer.

Eligibility: The CURLS Giveaway (“Giveaway “) is open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older at time of entry or who have expressed permission from a parent or guardian. Employees, officers, directors, agents and representatives of CURLS (“Sponsor”) or Black Hair Media (“Host”), their parent, subsidiaries, affiliates, franchisees, advertising/promotion/fulfillment agencies, anyone else connected with the development, production and distribution of materials for or the implementation of this Giveaway and persons in the immediate family of (spouse, parent, child, sibling and their respective spouses, regardless of where they reside) or those living in their same household (whether or not related) as any person in any of the preceding categories, are not eligible to enter or win. Void where prohibited by law. All federal and state laws apply. Contest starts on or about 12:00:01 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) on April 5, 2013 and ends at 11:59:59 p.m. ET on April 19, 2013 (“Contest Period”).

Selection of Winner: Winners will be chosen by Random.org. Winners will be announced on the BHM homepage, Facebook page and the CURLS Facebook page.

Conditions of Participation:
Entrants can only enter from one account.
Anyone found using multiple accounts to enter will be ineligible.
Multiple entries will not be accepted.

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