Giveaway: Silky Cocoons and Pillowcases!



Hello lovelies! Welcome to the giveaway post. Here are some more details about the prizes.


1st set
Charmeuse Satin Giraffe Pink/Brown for Longer Hair Cocoon and Standard Pillowcase
















2nd set
Charmeuse Satin Giraffe Pink/Brown 20” diameter Cocoon and Standard Pillowcase
















              A Silky Cocoon bonnet is made of charmeuse satin fabric with a approx. 1 ¼“ wide soft knit band attached to provide a soft grip when worn. Band can be tied from 20 – 24” with a tab to secure bonnet back without the use of elastic. Protect your hair from frizz, breakage and dryness. The lightweight material provides a silky cocoon for your hair to nestle and emerge anew. These are handmade originals with attention to detail and most importantly comfort. Giraffe pink/brown charmeuse satin is similar to doubled faced satin meaning satin is woven with a glossy surface on both sides. This item does not require a lining.Bonnet, Band & Pillowcase 100% polyester. All seams are sewn using a French seam. A French seam is a seam stitched first on the right side and then turned in and stitched on the wrong side so that the raw edges are enclosed in the seam.

Care Instructions
Hand wash or machine wash on delicate in cold water with mild detergent and line dry.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS OPEN INTERNATIONALLY.

        If you don't win the giveaway and have your heart set on one of her bonnets feel free to visit the Silky Cocoon shop.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

Wishing you all a good hair day,
Sarah @:-) 

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Giveaway: My Favorite Curly Stylers!

Hi guys! Thank you for all your support. Below is the rafflecopter widget where you can enter the giveaway! This is open in the US only. My apologies to my followers that live outside of the US.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you for entering! Good luck! May the raffles be ever in your favor.

Wishing you all a good hair day,

Sarah @:-) 

The Curly Girl Method: Ingredients "Cheat" List | El Metodo Curly Girl: Lista de Ingredientes



(Mira debajo para la version en espanol.)

Hello blog readers! Today someone messaged me asking if there was a list somewhere of ingredients for following the Curly Girl method. The only place this list used to be before was a video description, but I decided to leave it here, so it's a bit easier to read and bookmark. For more information on the Curly Girl method, check out some of the videos I've done or wikiHow.

How to follow the curly girl method:


Please watch the addendum video for more information and clarification about sulfates and silicones:




Detailed page that explains the method in detail, with more tips and tricks for curly hair: http://www.wikihow.com/Follow-the-Curly-Girl-Method-for-Curly-Hair

Silicones found in hair products*:
Bisaminopropyl dimethicone
Amodimethicone
Amodimethicone (and) Trideceth-12 (and) Cetrimonium Chloride (combined together)
Behenoxy Dimethicone
Cetearyl methicone
Cetyl Dimethicone
Cyclomethicone
Cyclopentasiloxane
Dimethicone
Dimethiconol
Stearoxy Dimethicone
Stearyl Dimethicone
Trimethylsilylamodimethicone
Lauryl methicone copolyol (water soluble)
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein Hydroxypropyl Polysiloxane (water soluble)
Dimethicone Copolyol (water soluble)
PEG-Dimethicone, or any other 'cone with "PEG-" in front (water soluble)

*Silicones noted as "water soluble" are fine to use on this method and will wash out with just water and conditioner.

Others
You should also avoid castor oil, mineral oil, and waxes.

Harsher cleansers
Provides foaming, lather, detergents

Alkylbenzene sulfonates
Ammonium laureth sulfate**
Ammonium lauryl sulfate**
Ammonium Xylenesulfonate
Sodium cocoyl sarcosinate
Sodium laureth sulfate**
Sodium lauryl sulfate**
Sodium lauryl sulfoacetate
Sodium myreth sulfate
Sodium Xylenesulfonate
TEA-dodecylbenzenesulfonate
Ethyl PEG-15 cocamine sulfate
Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate

**very harsh - can be drying

Gentle cleansers that are fine to use:
Cocamidopropyl betaine
Coco betaine
Cocoamphoacetate
Cocoamphodipropionate
Disodium cocoamphodiacetate
Disodium cocoamphodipropionate
Lauroamphoacetate
Sodium cocoyl isethionate
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate

Fatty alcohols - ok to use:
Behenyl alcohol
Cetearyl alcohol
Cetyl alcohol
Isocetyl alcohol
Isostearyl alcohol
Lauryl alcohol
Myristyl alcohol
Stearyl alcohol
C30-50 Alcohols
Lanolin alcohol

Drying alcohols to avoid:
Denat. alcohol
SD alcohol 40
Witch hazel
Isopropanol
ethanol
SD alcohol
Propanol
Propyl alcohol
Isopropyl alcohol

From "ingredients commonly found in hair products":
http://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/curl-products/ingredients-commonly-found-in-hair-care-products

This is not a comprehensive list and is not intended to be that way. Usually google can tell you more about an ingredient if you can't find it here! Also please note that the amoutn of ingredient present in the formulation of a product, and the other ingredients they are combined with, can greatly affect how these ingredients perform in your hair. For example you can find harsh sulfate free shampoos and more gentle sulfate shampoos. Something to keep in mind - otherwise happy product shopping!

Wishing you all a good hair day,
Sarah @:-)




______________________________________________________________________
Hola lectores del blog! Hoy una chica me ha preguntado si exista una lista de ingredients para seguir el metodo curly girl. Antes, solo existaba en la descripcion del video, pero decidi dejar la lista aqui, porque es mas facil leer asi. Para mas informacion sobre el metodo Curly Girl, mira mis videos o es.wikiHow.com.

Pagina detallada que explica el método, con mas consejos y trucos para el cabello rizado (en español, claro):
http://es.wikihow.com/seguir-el-método-Curly-Girl-para-cabello-rizado

Como seguir el metodo curly girl:
(para espanol, usa los subtiulos)


 Video adicional sobre el método (sin subtitulos)


Siliconas en los productos de pelo*:
Bisaminopropyl dimethicone
Amodimethicone
Amodimethicone (and) Trideceth-12 (and) Cetrimonium Chloride (combined together)
Behenoxy Dimethicone
Cetearyl methicone
Cetyl Dimethicone
Cyclomethicone
Cyclopentasiloxane
Dimethicone
Dimethiconol
Stearoxy Dimethicone
Stearyl Dimethicone
Trimethylsilylamodimethicone
Lauryl methicone copolyol (water soluble)
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein Hydroxypropyl Polysiloxane (water soluble)
Dimethicone Copolyol (water soluble)
PEG-Dimethicone, or any other 'cone with "PEG-" in front (water soluble)

*Silconas notadas como "water soluble" (soluble en agua) son perfectos para este método y se van con solo agua y acondicionador.

Otros ingredientes:
También debes evitar aceite castor, aceite mineral, y ceras.

Limpiadores severos que son malos:
Alkylbenzene sulfonates
Ammonium laureth sulfate
Ammonium lauryl sulfate
Ammonium Xylenesulfonate
Sodium cocoyl sarcosinate
Sodium laureth sulfate
Sodium lauryl sulfate
Sodium lauryl sulfoacetate
Sodium myreth sulfate
Sodium Xylenesulfonate
TEA-dodecylbenzenesulfonate
Ethyl PEG-15 cocamine sulfate
Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate

 Limpiadores suaves que son buenos:
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cocamidopropyl betaine
Coco betaine
Cocoamphoacetate
Cocoamphodipropionate
Disodium cocoamphodiacetate
Disodium cocoamphodipropionate
Lauroamphoacetate
Sodium cocoyl isethionate

Alcoholes humectantes - buenos:

Behenyl alcohol
Cetearyl alcohol
Cetyl alcohol
Isocetyl alcohol
Isostearyl alcohol
Lauryl alcohol
Myristyl alcohol
Stearyl alcohol
C30-50 Alcohols
Lanolin alcohol

Alcoholes que secan el pelo - malos:

Denat. alcohol
SD alcohol 40
Witch hazel
Isopropanol
ethanol
SD alcohol
Propanol
Propyl alcohol
Isopropyl alcohol


Esta lista fue constuido con la ayuda de esta lista en naturallycurly.com:
http://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/curl-products/ingredients-commonly-found-in-hair-care-products

No es una lista completa. Google te puede ayudar con otros ingredients. :) Tambien, los otros ingredients en un producto pueden afectar como performa uno de esos ingredientes arriba... y ademas la cantidad del ingrediente.

Que tengais buen dia de pelo,

Sarah @:-)

My Week in Photos 03.29.14 - 04.05.14

Hello blossoms! Here are some photos from the beginning of April. How is it Spring already?? This week I visited my boyfriend's family in another area of North Carolina and got my hair cut. I also did the normal college classes grind, and then went to my Senior spring college formal. The formal was hosted by my eating house, which is kind of like a sorority but not really. 

My new filming set up and decorations

Soooo in love with this Steve Madden bag I got off Poshmark.com for spring. <3

Visiting my boyfriend's family and all the dogwoods were in bloom.

I chopped off all my hair!!

I got the cut done at Scott Musgrave Hair Artistry in Cary, NC.


Back at school I snapped this photo on my college campus, but didn't notice the bee and almost got killed. lol

My homemade fried rice. Yums!
All my girlfriends and I at our Senior spring college formal 
Me and the BF <3
 Overall, this was a really awesome week. I got to see lots of fun people and I love my new hair! Thanks for reading along!

<3 Sarah 



My Week in Photos 2.15.13 - 2.23.13


Hey lovelies! Here's another week of photos for Februrary 15th-23rd!

I had a lot of fun making a "hair science" video on hair porosity last weekend.
My girlfriends and I went into the city for a girls night last weekend.

On Wednesday I had a job interview, and asked you guys what I should wear. (I went with the leftmost outfit.) And I got the job! I'm not quite ready to announce what I'll be doing next year, but stay tuned...

A really yummy orange, raspberry, strawberry smoothie. Smoothies make me feel so healthy and energized!

Since my boyfriend was out of town, Jessie and I had a blast together at a college semi formal. We took a lot of selfies... 
Doing what I love <3 filming!

The finished flexirod tutorial results!

Another selfie

All in all this was a bit of a crazy week with lots of partying, job interviews, and homework on top of it all! I'm trying to make the most of my last semester of college, and I think I'm accomplishing that. Thanks for reading blog curlies! 

Wishing you a good hair day,
Sarah @:-)

Hair Porosity 101: Typing Your Hair & Tips for Low and High Porosity Hair

Hello curlies! Today I wanted to write a post about hair porosity; porosity is something that is a little more complicated than curl pattern but very helpful for understanding how to care for your hair. Porosity has to do with how the cuticle of the hair lies and how this affects moisture and nutrients entering the hair strand. Hair can be anywhere on a spectrum from low, medium, to high porosity.

Here are three ways to test your hair's porosity, and some tendencies of low and high porosity hair. Remember that your hair doesn't need to neatly fall into one category, and different parts of your hair may have different porosities. This isn't an exact science unless you send your hair off the be analyzed (which you can do at Live Curly, Live Free) but it's usually pretty accurate.

  • Water test: Take a piece of your hair and place it into a glass of water. If the hair sinks before one minute, this indicates high porosity hair. If the hair floats for a minute or longer, this indicates low porosity normally. Try testing the ends of your hair separately from the newer lengths of your hair. You may find like me that the ends are more porous and damaged, so they sink. 
  • Strand test: Run your fingers down the hair from the root to the end of a single piece of hair. (Tip: The root of the hair has a small bulb, aka the follicle where the hair grows out of the scalp.) Low porosity or normal porosity hair feels smooth to the touch. If you feel bumpiness this is a sign of high porosity.
  • Squeak test: This test is from the forums on CurlTalk. Run your fingers up the hair from the end to the root. If you hear squeaking this is and indicator of low porosity. Normal or high porosity hair should not squeak.
  • Properties of low, medium, and high porosity hair:
    • Low: dries slowly (4-6 hours), resistant to heat, resistant to chemicals & dyes, products sit on top of hair instead of absorbing
    • Medium: dries in an average amount of time (2-3 hours), healthy, absorbs and retains moisture well
    • High: dries very fast (1-2 hours), can be caused by heat or chemical damage, absorbs moisture well but loses it immediately when rinsed, easily heat styled, easily over processed, loves protein and protein treatments
For low porosity hair the cuticle lies flat and products and water have a hard time entering the hair. For normal porosity hair the cuticle lies slightly open, allowing the hair to retain and absorb moisture. For high porosity hair, the cuticle shingles lie very open so that moisture enters and leaves very easily; the hair does not retain moisture well. 


So now that you know how porous your hair is, here are some curly hair care tips.  For low porosity hair, try using a blowdryer and diffuser or plopping to speed up the drying process. You can also use a cotton or microfiber cloth to scrunch out some water before or after applying your styling products. Try using steam (i.e. Huetiful hair steamer) or heat (i.e. Hair therapy heat wrap) when deep conditioning your hair so the moisture can penetrate. Use warm to hot water in the shower before you apply conditioner so the conditioner can sink in. Heat and steam help open the hair cuticle so moisture can enter low porosity hair. My hair is low porosity and I love: As I Am Naturally leave in, Kinky curly leave in, Sally's Beauty Generic Matrix Biolage Conditioning Balm, and Curl Junkie Curl Rehab Deep Treatment.

For medium or normal porosity hair, you need only to maintain the health of your hair and prevent it from becoming damaged. This hair is easy to care for and absorbs moisture readily. 

For high porosity hair, protein treatments are essential. These help fill in the holes of the cuticle so the hair lies more flat. High porosity hair can occur naturally, but it can also occur after damage, so protein is essential as well for rebuilding damaged hair. The Liquid-Oil-Cream (LOC) method for sealing in moisture can help prevent moisturizing goodness from evaporating from the hair. For my looser texture I only like this for braid outs and roller sets, but I do apply a water based leave in, jojoba oil, and then Karens Body Beautiful Super Duper Cream. You can also try a L-O-G (G: gel) method for wash and go days. Another thing you can do are acidic rinses to help seal the cuticle with apple cider vinegar or citrus juices which also add shine to the hair. (Or you can just run cold water over your hair.)

I hope you found this helpful! Comment below whether your hair is low, normal, or high porosity!

For perhaps a better explanation, watch the video about this.



More about hair porosity:

My Week in Photos / 01.26.14 - 02.02.14


Hey guys! I've been meaning to bring a new series onto the blog for awhile where I share my photos of the week with you. Just a nice little recap! I'm in my third? Or fourth week of classes now. :)

My flexi rod set on dry hair came out nicely. And you've gotta love a red lip. 


Pampering my hair with Nubian Heritage products and my eyes with these cool Leaders mask things.


Michael and I went into Charlotte for the day to do job search stuff and go shopping. <3

It's snowed where I live which is rare!




















My new robe from Amazon.💜




















Nails! Essie going incognito for the green and an identifiable bronze by wet n wild.




















Lots of studying of Arabic vocabulary. :P

My makeup for my new empties video. Red lips + winged eyeliner.




















My new glasses! Something new...


Some Cinnapie on Super Bowl Sunday. Mmm!

Whew! What a packed week, but it was lots of fun. Hope everyone's weeks are off to a good start.

Wishing you a good hair day,

Sarah @:-)

Growing Long Hair / Hip Length Hair Goal Met!

Hello curlies! Today I am going to share a bit about my hair growth experience with y'all. I recently reached hip length hair when stretched and I am very happy about that. I'll bring you guys through my length journey (in photos) in this post. And if you want to know I grew out my hair this long, makes sure to watch my "Tips on Growing Long Hair Fast" video that's out on YouTube.

Ok. Let's start at sort of the beginning. So very early in YouTube career, and about five years ago I cut off my hair for the second time and went for a shoulder length bob. This was actually my second time doing this, as I did it a long time ago when I first started to follow the Curly Girl method (first photo). 

2007 - note my ridiculous glasses

5/2009

5/2009 - this bob is so cute. it was cut by Kim who works at an Aveda salon in Lexington, KY.

Flash forward seven months and my hair has already grown to a few inches below my shoulders. I know- I'm sorry. My hair grows like a weed, y'all. XD I guess you could call this the beginning of my journey to hip length hair, but I really wasn't too focused on length then. I was just making hair videos and having fun with my hair.

12/2009

There are a lot of haircuts between the end of 2009 and when I really started to focus on growing out my hair to a long length.  Exhibit A is below. These cuts did not help me grow my hair longer, but just held me back, because although I love this stylist, she always chopped off several inches.

2010 - After a DevaCut by April Couse Walker at Salon Sabeli (Cornelius, NC)

At the beginning of 2011 I started to get serious about growing out my hair and I made my first length check video. I was really excited and my goals were to grow it as long as possible.

1/2011 - when I started my length check videos
Later in 2012 I posted another length check and I learned how to self trim my hair. But then towards the end of the year I got another DevaCut. And *surprise surprise* I was set back again on my length journey. I was positive about the cut, and I stated in a video I made at that time that I wasn't concerned with length too much. But something in my head had unconsciously clicked. Although my hair was growing and it was healthy, my stylist continued to take 3-4 inches off every visit. So I knew... I can't get my hair professionally cut and expect it to grow.

spring 2012

one of my first self trims - summer 2012

another great DevaCut by April - winter 2012
So after that cut in late 2012, I stopped going to the salon. I relied on my self-trimming skills which I learned from the Curly Girl book. And lo and behold my hair grew at its usual weed like speed! Somewhere in 2012 I hit waist length, which was awesome. And then in 2013 I hit hip length. It only took me about a year and a half to go from bra-strap length to hips (when stretched)! But as you, dear blog reader, know I started this journey four years ago by cutting all my hair off, which I had already done two years before that. So it's time again, once the warm weather rolls around, for a short cut. This is the cycle of my hair. So don't be too sad about it. :) 

winter 2012 - freshly henna'd hair
summer 2013

nearly hip length?? - september 2013
september 2013

december 2013

december 2013 - hips


december 2013 - hips!

As a blog or YouTube follower, thank you for coming along on this journey with me so far. I wish y'all the best of luck on your hair journeys. And remember hair is just hair. Any length of wavy, curly, or kinky hair can be beautiful with the proper care. You just have to learn to love YOUR hair. <3

Wishing you a good hair day and a happy new year,
Sarah @:-)


Tips on Growing Long Hair Fast

My Hip Length Length Check & Hair Goals