Curlitude: Natural Hair Bloggers/Vloggers you need to know

I am by no means an expert on natural hair care, but I do love my kinky coils.  Blogging/Vlogging has done wonders for the natural hair community, creating a place where newbies and experienced naturalista's can reflect on hair care.  There is something out there for every hair type.  Here are a few of my favorites.  I am sure that you have seen  many of the ladies at a meet-up hear and there, or caught them as guest bloggers on some of your favorite websites or blogs.  It's much more than curls with these ladies, topics including weight loss journey's, skin care, style, and so much more. These aren't the only curlies make a name for themselves in the natural hair community, but definitely a few of my faves.

African Export

Photo via facebook 

From her thrifty finds to her news commentary, African Export (AE) keeps it 100 while rockin' a wig every now and then. "The Realest Channel On Youtube," is filled with thrift store finds, wig and product reviews, and so much more. She is not afraid to tell it like it is.  You won't find her jumpin' on every natural hair product bandwagon that comes along and she is not a fan of meet ups. Oh, and did I forget to mention she can sang too.  Check her out on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/AFRICANEXPORT or visit her blog at http://www.africanexportsblog.com/

 Chescaleigh

 

Photo via Facebook

 

Franchesca Bka Checaleigh if the funny girl the bunch.  She adds a comedic flair to her lock tutorials and her parodies will have you rolling on the floor laughing.  If you don't believe me check out her viral video S@#% White Girls Say...to black girls, that got everyone talking about those awkward moments that black girls with white girlsfriends encounter.  I am sure that one day she will be a main headliner on SNL. Check her out on one of her two YouTube channels, Chescaleigh or Chescaloc's.

CharyJay

Photo via Facebook

CharyJay was one of the first vloggers I came across a few years ago when I started this new journey.  I immediately became engrossed in her talk show series "Natural Beauties in the City."  Her channel features fabulous style tutorials and honest reviews on the products that everybody is talking about. You are sure to find some hairspiration and gain knowledge about the do's and dont's for caring for your curls.  I had the opportunity meet Miss CharyJay at a meet up a while ago, and she is just a pleasant in person as she is on YouTube. Check her out CharyJay Youtube Channel

BeautifulBrwnBabyDoll

Photo via facebook

The hair journey parallels our life story and that is so true with Miss Nina Ellis-Hervey BKA BeautifulBrwnBabyDol.  She went from fat to fit, relaxed to natural, and shares her journey through her Youtube channel.  She shares tips on updating your wardrobe,  natural hair care, encouragement for those seeking to drop the weight physically and mentally, and offers helpful tips for seeking higher education.  Find her on Youtube at Beautifulbrwnbabydol.  Visit her on the web at http://beautifulbrwnbabydol.com/blog/.

The Monroe Sisters 

(MsVaughn and MeechyMonroe)

Photo from Naturalhairradio.com

It is rare to find two fashionably curly diva's in the same family, but that is the case when it comes to the Monroe Sisters.  Tameka BKA MeechyMonroe and her sister MsVaughn have taken the blogosphere my storm, sponsoring meet-ups in cities such as Chicago, Atlanta, and Charleston.  I had the opportunity to meet these fabulous gals at a meet-up sponsored by Naturally Flyy Detroit and  as my grandma used to say "they are as sweet as puddin' pie."  They dish out great advice on caring for you curls, frugal fashion finds featuring many indie brands, hair tutorials, product reviews, and so much more.  MsVaughn's channel features style, hair, and make up inspiration along coupon codes so that you can get a great deal on some of the items featured in her videos.  MeechyMonroe's channel is filled with fashion, fun, and photographic inspiration.  Both Meechy and MsVaughn have an artistic approach to natural hair care that will help you embrace a unique you.  Find them on Youtube at MsVaughnTV and MeechyMonroe. Also check out MeechyMonroe.com.

These are just a few of the ladies that are choosing to embrace their natural hair and talk about it.  Some other vlogger's you may want to check out...
Lexiwiththecurls
NikkiMae2003
Colouredbeautiful

CurlyKimmyStar

 KinkyCurlyQueen 

 LuBellaCoils 

PrettyDimples01

kinkypeaches1

Hope you get some hair inspiration. 

Peace and Love,

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks

Thank God I'm Natural by Chris-Tia E. Donaldson

I had the opportunity to read Chris-Tia E. Donaldson's book Thank  God I'm Natural: The Ultimate Guide to Caring for and Maintaining Natural Hair last year. I was so happy when my husband surprised me with it after we attended the Naturally Flyy Detroit meet-up last February, but it sat on my bookshelf collecting dust for quite a while. I wasn't trying to neglect it, maybe a bit more scared intimidated by what I might find beyond the cover of the beautiful black and white bound book.  The truth is that my hair has often went days neglected, lacking moisture my frizzy curls turn into a matted mess.  I knew I was doing something wrong, but part of me didn't want to hear somebody else tell me so. I finally bit the bullet and read a couple of pages. I couldn't put it down.  It was so relevant to where my curls are, had been, and where they could go in the future if I put in the work. 

As a natural it is easy to have hair envy if you don't know how to properly care for your curls. Before reading TGIN I have so say that I was pretty ignorant about my hair. I never really paid attention to what was in the products I was using and I was quick to jump on to the newest trends in natural hair care. 
In this inspiring book about natural hair Donaldson shares her own journey to freeing her curls in corporate America, explains the do's and don'ts of natural hair care, provides recipes for the kitchen beauticians, and supplies a list of natural hair resources.  She includes multiple list of salons across the nation that can provide the services needed to be an effective natural.  It truly is the "Natural Hair Bible."

TGIN is more than a book it is a movement. To find out more check out the website www.thankgodimnatural.com and find great tips for caring for your natural tresses.

Peace and Love,

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks

Product Review: Pantene Pro-V Curly Hair Series Dry to Moisturized Conditioner for CO-WASHING

Note: This product review is based solely on my use of the product for the purpose of co-washing.

I decided a couple of weeks ago , after seeing bad reviews oPantene Pro-V Curly Series, that I was not going to invest in this product. Well I stuck to my guns and didn’t, but I did receive a free sample of the conditioner in the mail, so I figured I could use it for one of my weekly co-washes.  I am not picky about the products that I use for co-washing, but I do require that the product leaves my Type 4 Hair soft, moisturized, with a reduce amount of tangles.  

How I co-wash (Conditioner Wash): Before co-washing I detangle my hair with a wide tooth comb and a spray bottle with a olive oil-water mix. I rinse my hair thoroughly with warm water lifting any dirt that may be near my scalp. After water washing once, while my hair is still damp, I vigorously wash my hair using my selected conditioner, in this case Pantene Pro-V Curly Hair Series Dry to Moisturized  Conditioner. Rinse, add conditioner again, this time leaving it to sit in my hair about 15 minutes. Finally I rinse the remaining conditioner out, add a leave- in conditioner, then a styling agent.

What happened: When I first added the product to my hair, I was surprised to find that it actually felt pretty soft. However after reapplying the conditioner, and leaving it in my hair for 15 minutes it felt dry, the opposite of what I was looking for.  I didn’t feel like co-washing so I decided to use some of Carols Daughter Black Vanilla Leave- in Conditioner and Some of Marguerites Magic.   I braided it up, put on my bonnet and went bed.  When I woke up this morning my hair was soft, with a light coating, just like I like it. I attribute this to my go-to Carols Daughter products.

My View: I tried out this product for one purpose, and one purpose only, co-washing.  I definitely will not use it alone for this purpose again because it left my hair dry. I haven't totally given up on Pantene though. In the future I plan on trying other products in this line,  including the Deep Moistrizing Treatment and Shampoo.  I would also like to try out the Pantene Relaxed and Naturals , Nature Fusion, and  Medium-Thick Hair Solution.

Peace and Love,

Najeema Iman, I AM Curly Locks

Disclaimer: I was not paid in anyway to review this product, this is my honest unbiased opinion.

Judge for yourself, check out some other reviews on Pantene Pro-V Curly Hair Series.