Sunday, September 30, 2012

My Henna Journey

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Henna takes time. It's an intimate process between you, the henna, and your hair. It's like swaddling a baby and watching the array of emotions that drape its face as it sleeps. Because of the very nature of henna, you're required to get really personal with your hair. I'm currently allowing the henna to "set" in my hair. It's been in there for about 12 hours. I've watched the hair and paste beneath my plastic conditioning cap mature from a swampy green to a bright brownish-orange. Once I'd applied the henna I immediately noticed the weight of it on my tresses and how my curl started to loosen. For once, shrink wasn't an issue! The smell is really earthy but through my 12 hour journey, I've fallen in love with it. I, sometimes, work my fingers against the conditioning cap just to get a whiff of the smell...lol. I'm even beginning to fall in love with the creamy feel of it on my hair....this is a tad scary...Henna could EASILY become my new creamy crack! Oh, well, I'm off to rinse my hair and say my final goodbyes to my henna paste. I'll have pictures up soon, and if I can get it completely edited...possibly...maybe...a new YouTube video!

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Henna on the Horizon

So, I've finally decided to bite the bullet and henna my hair! I' also going to take that opportunity to YouTube the experience, so be on the look out for that. I just got my batch of henna and although I ususally encourage patronizing local vendors for all your natural hair care needs, henna is one of those things you can't truly trust to buy local. Now, if you live in an area where hennaing one's hair is extremely popular, then purchasing your henna at a local Indian grocer should be just fine. Unfortunately, I live in an area where I think I'm the ONLY Nappturalista looking to henna her hair, so I order my henna offline. Now, if you're just starting out I'd recommend you purchase your henna from Mehandi. They are the henna for hair experts and they offer high quality BAQ henna at pretty good prices. If you're comfortable in your henna knowledge, then Amazon is also a pretty decent place. Click here to see the brand I recently purchased from Amazon.

Friday, September 28, 2012

Two Strand Twist Headband Twist Out

Check out the latest style pics here!

Feature Friday Is HERE!!

I'm sure you noticed the new tab. It's here to stay. Once a month, on the final Friday of the month I will be sharing a special Nappturalista with you. This page is dedicated to the celebration of hard-working, proud, up and coming Nappturalistas who take as much pride in their growing crowns as they do their work. It is an absolute pleasure to bring these ladies to your attention. They are a source of true inspiration. They motivate me to push harder towards both my hair and career goals. I hope you find them as enlightening as I do. Enjoy!

We're On YouTube!!

The first official YouTube video is live! Check it out @ the NappturallyYours YouTube Channel!

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Some Clairfication

Okay, so I recently posted two different articles about henna and mud washing your hair. These sparked a few questions. So this is just a quick post to clear some things up.


  • Do I DC after a mud wash?
    • If your hair feels dry, DC. If you want to obtain moisturizing properties from the mud wash alone, just add honey and oils into your mud mix.
  • Can I henna and mud wash?
    • Absolutely! The henna will act as both a protein treatment and DC for your hair, while the mud wash will clarify your hair and scalp completely. It will also define your curl and give your hair a soft, springy look and feel.I do recommend mud washing first!
  • I noticed the mud wash ingredients don't include water. How come?
    • Water was not listed as an ingredient because I use water to thin out my mix. Even if you don't thin out your mix, a few drops of water will be required smooth out your mix to a workable texture.
Well, that's it. If you have more questions feel free to drop a comment or e-mail me. Until next time, Nappturalista, be nappily you :)

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Mud Washing

Now, since I've began on this healthy hair journey, I've constantly been on the hunt for products that do no harm to my hair, body, or environment. As a result, I have been pooing my hair with an all natural soap (up until now, I hadn't found a fairly traded, organic poo) and while I was pleased with the results, I wanted more. Finally after scouring the internet, I stumbled upon testimonial after testimonial about Terressentials Mud Wash. Now I know what you're thinking, "Did she just say 'mud'"?. Yes, I said MUD! Turns out the "mud wash" isn't really mud at all, it's clay! Bentonite Clay has long been seen as an all natural cleanser (and one of the best around). I proceeded to promptly make my way over to the Terressential site, I read what type would suit my hair needs (as it is explained on the site), and proceeded to checkout. I came a screeching halt when I saw the final price: $19.50 for one 8oz bottle...I don't think so! Beauty of the Terressentials site is, they list the ingredients to their products on the site. That was my AHA moment! I have the recipe, I can just make my own! Bentonite clay (you can use sodium or calcium) is literally DIRT cheap and every Nappturalista in the know has a bottle of AVJ, ACV, her favorite EO's, and oils at home. So instead of paying $20.00 for an 8oz product, just make your own (as much as you'd like) at a fraction of the cost! Just head on over the Mix & Match page for the recipe and a few others that may come in handy for you.

To Henna or Not to Henna....That Is the Question

So, I've been hearing a serious and continuously growing buzz about Henna in the Napptural Community. I, personally, have never tried henna; however, I am extremely curious. I have read that henna is an incredible deep conditioning treatment for natural hair and that it even helps to ease one's natural curl pattern. So, for you Nappturalistas who have made the decision to henna your hair, here are a few tips to make your henna experience the best it could possibly be for you:


  1. Henna is an all natural plant dye. It should be green in color (like pea soup). If it is red, black, orange, or anything other than green AVOID it! It is most likely a mixture and contains ingredients that may react (unfavorably) with other products you may have or may use on your hair.
  2. Freshness and crop year are extremely important! Because henna is a plant it can grow stale. Stale henna doesn't develop color as well as fresh henna. Also, if you are looking to henna for the color aspects, the crop date may have an effect on that. Different crop years hold different color potencies. I do want to state that henna WILL NOT LIGHTEN YOUR NATURAL HAIR COLOR.
  3. Purchase BAQ or Body Art Quality henna ONLY! Henna seems to be a rather loosely regulated industry. For that reason, Nappturalistas should only purchase henna that has been deemed safe for application to the skin. Take no chances.
  4. While this may differ depending upon the brand and type of henna you purchase, I recommend that you mix your henna with an acidic liquid. Lemon juice, orange juice, whatever you have on hand. If lemon juice is drying to your hair, I'd add a little honey as a moisturizer. It may also help with the earthy smell. (although some people like this).
  5. Wear gloves and henna your hair in a well news papered area.
  6. Beware the curl loosening properties of henna. It doesn't chemically loosen your curl pattern such as BKT treatments or that creamy crack. It simply weighs the hair down as it deposits upon the hair. Now, while this isn't permanent (henna washes out) if you are a frequent henna head, it can drastically loosen your curl pattern.
  7. Don't have concrete expectations for color. The color that henna may give your hair is an absolute variable. The color grows richer and deeper when exposed to sunlight and it largely dependent upon your natural hair color.
  8. Don't rush the development of your henna paste. Allow it to set for each and every minute required per the specifications of the packaging.
  9. Use an applicator brush to apply henna to small sections of your hair to ensure that it is evenly and thoroughly applied.
  10. Rinse henna from your hair thoroughly. If you don't you'll have little grits of green paste in your hair. Not a pretty site.
  11. Lastly, HAVE FUN!

Friday, September 21, 2012

Feature Fridays Coming Soon

Be sure to stop by next Friday when I will be debuting "Feature Fridays"!! I will be interviewing a hard-working Nappturalista on the come up. She's doing big things, everybody!! You're going to want to tune in and check this lady out!

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Style Alert!

Decided to break my own rules and play in my hair a bit today. I've been wearing a twist out, religiously, for the past few weeks and I was starting to bore myself. So, I dediced to play with a few other looks on a fresh twist out. Just head on over to my pictures page for a quick peek at my new looks!

YouTube, Here I Come!

So, after much debate, I have decided to step into the world of vlogging, or video blogging, as well. I've just finished the set up for my very own YouTube Channel and the first video will be up soon. I'll be sure to supply a link for you all here at NappturallyYours, as you all are my Napptural Sistahs and Brothers and have been on the journey with me the longest. I'm super excited about this expansion of the NappturallyYours brand and I cannot wait to share whatever is in store with you all. Until then go forth and be nappily happy :)

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall

Friday marks the final day of summer and I'm reaching for any excuse to visit the beach as a salute to the summer sun. I'm not sure why, but the final days of summer always make me long for a road trip to the coast. If you find yourself aching for those last rays of sun on your skin and the sea in your hair, I've got just the beach regimen to maximize that final stroll in the sand.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Hello, Jello!

Hello, everyone and welcome! This is my very first post of my very first blog....exciting, right? Well, I'm new to this so, I ask for your patience. I promise, what I lack in experience, I have in passion. I started this blog as a way to share my Napptural Journey with the rest of the world. I'm the daughter of a hairstylist and she is a HUGE pusher of the creamy crack! I've been natural for almost a year now, and I'm finally starting to take it seriously. So, although I BC'ed a while ago, I'm still a newb in my mind. I've been thinking like a girl in transition, or even worse, a girl still on the creamy crack for all this time! I have experienced a great deal of growth, but not as much as I feel I would've had I decided to just pull up my big girl panties and accept the decision I'd made. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy this journey with me. I'll post the good, bad, and downright ugly. Promise! BTW, if you're scratching your head and thinking what in the world is she saying?? Just refer to the Say What? page. Welcome to NappturallyYours! Home of The Thrifty Nappturalista!