Are you a Lush-ie? Pt.2

Hello again naturals! It's Jennifer of Curl by Curl!

Here is the continuation of “Are you a Lush-ie?” In the first part I talked about the background as well as the bath and shower items. This section touches on some of my favorite products in the rest of the line.

Hair:
Henna:-Now I can't remember where I read this at the time, but Lush's henna was on a list of ones to try for hair. I recently purchased Caca Rouge Mama, but have yet to try it. it already smells much better than the last henna I used from Rainbow Research Inc. (I will do a separate post on this one)

Face:
Fresh Face Masks can only be purchased in store as they need to be refrigerated
BB Seaweed (Hmm...sounds like a certain TV station if you say it enough times)-it leaves my face feeling fresh and extra soft.

Body:
The next two categories can melt in heat/high temperatures. It is best to get these from a store during the warmer months. But fine to order online in the colder climates...where you receive under 40's and snow.

Butters: Can be used in the bath or shower to exfoliate the skin, while leaving it soft and moisturized
Buffy-one of my favorite! The only way I know how to describe this is "natural" smelling. no extra fragrances with is so, it does not compete with any of the other bath products you've used.

Massage Bars:
Each Peach (and two's a pair)-I was nervous about this one. I have a thing where I don't like artificial peach...anything, the taste, smell! So, it was really helpful to go into the store and smell this one out. It really has more of a citrus (surprise surprise! lol) smell. And you don't need much as it takes some time to absorb in the skin.

Deodorants:
Coconut-now, I really use this more as a dusting powder than under my arms...which I should really pick up a dusting powder...but anyway. It has a nice soft coconut smell, which goes perfectly with the Yuzu & Cocoa scent that I love. Just gives that extra absorbent power on particularly warm/hot days and you want and/or need that to stay feel fresh.

Gorilla Perfumes at Lush:
Yuzu & Cocoa-I cannot tell you how much I enjoy this perfume. It has such a nice smell of citrus and coconut. I feel like I'm on a tropical island each time I spray this on!
Snowshowers-My second favorite perfume. I really like this in the colder months. It kind of reminds me of spiced tea with a hint of orange.

Again, I really recommend going into a Lush store and seeing what fragrances you like. They even try some of the products on you to see how you like it. I will say, that once you've found your favorites you will be hooked! 

Are you a Lush-ie? Pt.1

Hello Naturals!

This is my first review for Bella Kinks and I wanted to bring to light one of my favorite stores! It's called Lush. The company originated in England and has been around for over 30 years, though the name has changed a few times since they first started into what we know today as Lush. They pride themselves in using fair trade and fresh ingredients, thus giving their customers higher quality bath and body products, while maintaining positive relationships with farmers from across the globe. I also like that they are a green company and have developed biodegradable packaging “pop-corn” if you will. I want to add that the prices are a bit high, but they last quite a long time and I believe they have made bath/shower time and self care fun again and are environmentally friendly.

They have several different categories on their website Bath, Shower, Hair, Face, Body; just to name a few. Under each category, they have listed their products that are sure to make you want to use them.
I'm going to list some of my favorites, but really the best way is to find a Lush store in your area and smell them out! (I think you may be able to tell what my favorite scents are!)

My Favorite Bath Ballistics:
How to use: run a hot bath and once you get in, plop one of these in!
(Year Round)
Avobath -which to me smells like fresh lemon grass
Dragon's Egg-which reminds me of a creamscicle
Fizzbanger -Smells like apples
Phoenix Rising -I really like using this in the colder months, but has a bright cinnamon smell
(Seasonal)
Fluffy Egg-comes out during Easter and smells of candy

Bubble Bars:
How to use: While the water is running, crumble a bit under it and watch the bubble rise! (Also helps to maintain soft, smooth and moisturized skin)
Yuzu and Cocoa-this is one of my favorites! (Especially with the matching perfume. You'll be smelling like the beach even in the colder weather!
The Comforter -My second favorite bubble bar. Sweet without being too sickeningly so
Sunny Side-I like to mix this with Dragon's Egg to make an extra orange smelling bath (Does contain glitter)

I have yet to try the bath melts that I have. (They really add another layer of keeping your skin soft and moisturized)

Shower:
Soaps:
Sexy Peel-Smells of fresh oranges and even has bits of the pulp, which I think helps to exfoliate the skin without it being too harsh.
Sandstone-To make all the rough areas nice and smooth. Smells like a tropical drink to me. I love using it on my feet!

Jellies:
How to use: These are made with seaweed and you take a piece, put it in a loofah or wash cloth and go.
Woosh-Smells lemony and bright
Snow Showers (Seasonal)-has a sweet and soft citrus smell to it

The Next installment will be listed in Part 2 of “Are you a Lush-ie?”

Out with the old and in with the new!

Changing names...Out with the old and in with the new!


I'm starting this new hair blog as I think it has a better name and because I'm starting a new venture soon that will focus on natural hair . I'll give details where I can, but for now I'm keeping it under wraps! I'm very excited about this opportunity and cannot wait for it to begin!

What you know or something new?

One thing I will say is that before going natural, I have never been a product junkie. I would use any old shampoo, conditioner and styling serums with no extra thought or care. So, when I decided to transition some of the first few products I tried were:
Beautiful Curls: Curl Enhancing Shea Butter Leave-In and Curl Defining Gel
First off, I love the leave in! It actually worked well for me when I would do bantu knots and my hair was so soft and felt super moisturized. For the gel, however, when my ends were relaxed it obviously didn't do anything for me so I kept it around and I'm anxious to try defining my curls when my hair is out again.
Carol's Daughter: Hair Milk, Black Vanilla Moisturizing Leave-In Conditioner and Mimosa Hair Honey
I really liked the hair milk after washing my hair. I think it has a nice pleasant smell, thick and creamy and this too left my hair soft to the touch. For the Vanilla Leave-In the smell is amazing! I don't think it actually moisturizes my hair though, but I like using it when wearing protective styles. It says on their website that it can be used to detangle hair, however, I have not tried to use the product in that fashion...so maybe i'll have to give that try...MAYBE. Now for the Hair Honey, again the smell is pleasant and the consistency reminds me of a hair grease. I use a little bit of this for my puff ponys.
Tropical Traditions Organic Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil 
My hair loves this stuff! It is a recent purchase for me, meaning that I got it in the last 3 months. I use it in my henna treatments and to help seal my ends. (One thing I'm looking forward to trying is the LOC method. Or Liquid (water) Oil (coconut or any other oil of your choosing) & Cream (or a shea butter). I'm not sure if I'm going to stay with my Beautiful Curls Leave-In for the cream part. I'm interested in trying Oyin Whipped Pudding, , (I want to do a separate post about things I want to try out)
So, those are the few things that I first tried out while transitioning.
After I big chopped I ordered 
 Hair Rules Embrace your Kinks kit
It includes: Daily Cleansing Cream moisturizing no suds shampoo & Quench Ultra Rich Conditioner, 8 oz Kinky Curling Cream, 8oz Hydrating Finishing Cream and a 2oz Aloe Grapefruit Purifying Shampoo
My hair loves the conditioner for it's detangling abilities. All of the products smell really nice and are thick, with my hair needs. I will say that after applying the curling cream and my hair had completely dried, my hair was also also dry. (I really want to try the LOC method using this in the end to see if there is any change). I have yet to use the purifying shampoo.
Terressentials: Left Coast Lemon and Cool Mint 
Now, on their website, they say you need to detox the hair and they give directions on how to do this using their products. I absolutely LOVE this for my hair! Who knew that "dirt" would get my hair SO clean and SO soft! The only thing I added to this was a little coconut oil to help my hair stay extra moisturized, but even then I really didn't need it. 
Kinky Curly: Knot Today and Perfectly Polished 
I had read reviews that the Knot Today gave great slip for detangling...which it did, but my hair was not a huge fan of the "moisture" factor from this product. My hair felt very straw like and I was not a fan of that. I think the Hair Rules Conditioner has given me the best slip between these two so far. I use Perfectly Polished more for a pre-cowash/pre-poo treatment rather than a styling aid. 


I really like the products that I used while transitioning. Beautiful Curls still seems to leave me with soft and moisturized hair. I will still use the coconut oil as I use it in my pre-cowash/pre-poo, henna and just everyday  or every other day maintenance. I will use the Hair Rules Conditioner to detangle while in the shower and possibly add it to the pre-cowash/pre-poo to give even more slip. I will also keep using the Terressentials when I want to detox my hair from product buildup. I certainly know that I will not continue to to KCKT. The other products I'm will to use every once and a while to give it another try. 


So what have you discovered on your natural hair journey? Are there products that you started using while you were transitioning or big chopped that you continually go back to? What new products have you discovered that work just as well as or better than your tried and true staples? Let me know!

In the Beginning...Again

Please Introduce yourself...
Hello Naturals! My name is Jennifer of Curl by Curl! I have my masters of science degree in school counseling. I have been married for almost 8 months and love every minute of it, including my decision to big chop and be chemical free. 


How long have you been natural?
 I big chopped on October 6^th, 2011…two days before my wedding! Prior to that, I transitioned for about 18 months.This is my second time transitioning and looking back on it, I should have remained natural. My first time transitioning was in the summer of 2008. I mainly wore weaves as protective styles and my hair was healthy and strong. In May of 2010, my now husband and I went to Europe for two weeks. In the beginning I stayed strong, but as the days passed I became frustrated with my hair! When we were in London, I saw a salon and I went back to the creamy crack! (And regretted it immediately) Sure, my hair was long and would blow in the wind, but I missed my natural curls and was just able to put it into a ponytail.

(We are in Paris having dinner before he proposed to me under the Eiffel Tower. I was wearing a cute crochet cap.)

And here I am in front of the Houses of Parliament in London with my newly relaxed hair. (Sigh) This was taken in June of 2010. From this moment on I started to grow my hair out again.

What is your current regiment?

I'm still developing that, but right now for wash and go's, I've been using the LOC method. Which is liquid, oil and cream. Before wash day, I spray a mixture of water, extra virgin coconut oil and Hair Rules Quench Conditioner to finger detangle and shea butter to hold my two strand twists. This goes under a shower cap and then my satin bonnet. Next morning I co-wash and style. I try and henna every 1-2 months, but have fallen behind. I still need to develop a good deep condition routine as well as a protein treatment. The crown of my head has some growth and strength issues right now so that is my main area of concern. I've also started taking biotin so, I hope to report back on that with some good news. 

What is your hair type?

I have no idea what my hair type is lol! I know that I have a combination of types though in the 3/4 range. I get some sick curl definition in the back and sides, but the front of my hair is wavy. My hair loves water and loves moisture! 

 This was taken at my bridal shower. I was ready to get rid of those relaxed ends! Trying to detangle and style was challenging to say the least! 

 In London at St. Pancras Station on our way to the Netherlands. Hair is still natural! 

My husband and I at my cousin's wedding in Charlotte. I had stopped relaxing and this is before the color incident. 

 My hair after I big chopped on my wedding day. (She did a blow out and flat ironed) October 8th, 2011

 6 Months later at a concert in Philadelphia. So much growth already!

At my friend's bridal shower this past May.

 My latest length check and trim another ~6 months later. It's starting to get fuller and longer. My next challenge is to go an entire year before another blow out and curling iron session. I will continue to trim on my own and attack those split ends and single strand knots (I hate those!) 

Anything else we should know?

You can find me on blogger at Curl by Curl, as well as contributing articles on Bella-Kinks.com . I think being natural is one of the most liberating feelings I've had in a while. Depending on my mood and outfit I can have a fro, go for curls or even flat ironed. I think the real bonus is meeting some extraordinary women as well as educating myself on how to care for my hair.