Shampoo: Sulfate free vs. Sodium lauryl sulfate

What does Sulfate Free Shampoo mean?

Sulfate free shampoo means that the shampoo is free of SLS or ALS. So what is SLS? SLS stands for sodium lauryl sulfate which is a surfactant or cleansing product. It is used lots of products ranging from shampoo to floor cleansers. The cleansing agents only clean the surface of whatever they touch, it works very well on oily surfaces and dissolves in water. The cleanser can be very harsh to your hair and scalp, the reason they are used is because they are cheap and make bubbles.

What's behind door number two?
So how do you tell the difference between a good shampoo and one that can damage your hair and scalp. Well ask your self what makes up a shampoo, price tag, smell, and foam. Always keep in mind that the way a shampoo foams means nothing. People sometimes believe the more foam the better it is working which is actually backwards.
The reason a shampoo foams is because the surfactant is mixing with air not oil, which causes it to bubble. So instead of removing dirt and grim it is just blowing bubbles. Just because you see people in advertisements using a shampoo with a mountain of bubbles doesn't mean it's a good shampoo, it is just a sales pitch.
If your shampoo foams like that your are wasting a lot of product. Not to much foam is a good thing. You only need enough foam to penetrate to the scalp any more than that is waste.


Really that just happened?So what made companies start using SLS? MONEY, it is very inexpensive and for a long time no one even bothered to read the back of the bottle. People only realized what was happening with the green movement. Everyone is going green in someway to help the environment or to be a healthier person. Sulfate free shampoo will help you maintain healthier hair. SLS is used in house hold cleaners, degreasers, and things of that nature. Do you really want to put that in your hair.


The ChangeHere are the main reason to avoid shampoos with SLS or AlS. It can cause hair to thin prematurely, this factor is much worse for women and teenagers. You have to remember that you hair and scalp absorbs what ever you put on it. So do you really want to coat it with a harsh chemical? If you were to buy SLS and smell it, it would burn the inside of your nose, and could cause nose bleeds, and things of that nature. Remember they started to use it because it is cheap and bubbly, not because it is healthy.

It's Never to Late
You can reverse the damage done by SLS and ALS by switching to a sulfate free shampoo. You will see after a month or two that your hair will start to look and feel healthier and start to grow back in the thin areas. To please remember buy sulfate free shampoo, you will notice a difference immediately and you hair and scalp will thank you


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3686540y

Kinky Curly Coily Me Product Review: Goin’ Natural Morargan Gold Rare Moisture Butter & Moroccan Oil

Product Review: Goin’ Natural Morargan Gold Rare Moisture Butter & Moroccan Oil

By Kashina — August 19, 2012

Product Name: Goin’ Natural Morargan Gold Rare Moisture Butter
Price: $19.99
Size: 12 oz (purchase)
Product Description:
Goin’ NaturalTM RARE Moisture Butter is infused with organic certified nutrients to seal moisture in every coil. Our special blend of butters and oils strengthens hair and prevents breakage by penetrating easily into the roots and feeding them with rare nutrients that restores the natural pH balance of the hair. Goin’ NaturalTM RARE Moisture Butter can be used daily to enhance natural styles or maintain braids, twist, or dreads.
Ingredients:
Shea Butter, De-ionized Water, Coconut Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract (and) Sunflower seed oil, Sweet Almond oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (and) Mango seed oil, Argan oil, Avocado oil, Vegetable Glycerin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Fragrance.
Product Name: Moroccan Oil
Price: $29.99
Size: 3.34 oz (purchase)
Product Description:
Goin’ NaturalTM 100% PURE MOROCCAN OIL has been a treasured secret of the Berber
women of Morocco. This rare oil is highly rich in vitamins A, E, F and antioxidants which translate to PURE LIQUID GOLD for the hair. Our organic certified oil hydrates, repairs and penetrates to the cortex layer of the hair which leaves the hair nourished, renewed, and restored. Goin’ NaturalTM 100% PURE MOROCCAN Oil is great for all hair types’ and styles.
Ingredients: Argan oil
My Experience:
I attempted to use this product with multiple styles which included a twist out, braid out and wash n’ go. The twist out and wash n’ go were completed on freshly washed, damp hair.
For the twist out, I sectioned my hair into four sections and used the cream as a leave in moisturizer. The Argan oil was used as my sealant. I then added a gel to give my hair a slight hold.
My wash n’ go was completed the same way as the twist out, except instead of twisting my hair, it was allowed to just air dry.
I tried to do a braid out on old twist out hair, by grabbing sections applying the moisturizer and then Argan oil. The twist out and braid out were taken down the following day. The wash n’ go was allowed to air dry all day.
Fragrance:
The fragrance of the Rare Moisture Butter was pleasant and reminded me of a mango-Mmmm! The smell was light and did not linger in my hair for long. The oil was also a light smell.
Results:
Moisture Butter, For my hair, these products worked best as a twist out. I could see the moisture butter slightly enhancing my curls and the definition was on point with no frizz. The product did not make my curl pattern become extra curly to the point I looked like I had a jheri curl, when doing a twist out; however, this is how my hair appeared with the wash ‘n go.
For my wash n go, my curl pattern was very enhanced and shrinkage was alive and well. I was happy to see these results because the product description doesn’t mention that you can use it for a wash n go.
The braid out was decent, but nohing to brag about. It was defined but not as well as the twist. I’m sure it wasn’t as defined because I did my braid out on old dry hair. If I were to try a braid out again I would do so on wet clean hair to get the best curl definition.
The Argan oil, made my hair feel good. One benefit that the bottle says is that the oil will restore shine. When I applied the product it didn’t just sit on my hair and I the sheen left on my hair was very apparent.  The oil doesn’t feel too oily on my hands or my hair. I will say a little goes a long way. Olive oil has always been my oil of choice but with Argan oil you don’t have to add a lot to feel your hair is moisturized.
Moisture:
Using this moisturizer along with the Argan oil provided moisture to my hair. I did have to re-moisturize about every two days which is not bad at all. When I use other products, I can usually go three days before having to be re-moisturize my hair.  My hair was baby soft after each usage and when I applied both products I didn’t have to worry about frizz, which pleased me; however, due to the glycerin in the product, my hair would sometimes puff up from the humidity. But I didn’t mind it at all.
Price:
I consider myself to be cheap when it comes to hair products. $10.00 has always been my limit and after being natural for two years I have not gone over my limit; however, I think I would be willing to purchase these products as a combo. The oil seemed to make my hair feel a way that Olive Oil has never done. It gave shine, softness, maintained moisture, and I didn’t have to use a lot. The moisture butter was able to help my hair maintain moisture and curl definition. I think the price is worth it; therefore, it will be on my Christmas list so that someone else can foot the bill.
Final Thoughts:
These two products combined have given me ok results in terms of curl definition and moisture. I still am actively searching for a product that gives hold (so gel is not needed), moisture and definition. Will I continue to use this product for the two things it provides? ABSOLUTELY!

Have you tried it? What do you think?

Goin’ Natural Morargan Gold STRAIGHT TRANSITION Thermic Blend SolutionProduct Review by Kinky Curly Coily Me!!

Product Review: Goin’ Natural Morargan Gold STRAIGHT TRANSITION Thermic Blend Solution

By Timesa — August 26, 2012
Product Name: Goin’ Natural Morargan Gold STRAIGHT TRANSITION Thermic Blend Solution
Price: $29.99
Size: 4 oz (purchase)
Product Description:
Goin’ Natural Straight Transition Thermic Blend Solution allows you to transition from relaxer to natural hair without the “BIG CHOP.” Our special aminokeratin blend softens natural new growth to allow excellent straightening with ceramic irons that can last 8 to 12 weeks. STRAIGHT TRANSITION DOES NOT breakdown the bonds in the hair like relaxers. Therefore, your straight hair is temporary and can last 8 to 12 weeks.
Ingredients:
Delonized water, oxoacetimide carbocystene, oxoacetimideamino acid, glycerin, knojoc manan & polyquaternium 37, aloe extract, garacilaria extract, honey, marigold extract, papaya extract, kiwi extract, sweet almond extract, polysonbate 20, fragrance, imidizoiidinyl urea.

My Experience:
Due to the fact that I was afraid to straighten my hair, I followed the directions provided step by step. This was the only product from this line that I had so I used my own shampoo and rinse-out conditioner as part of step 1. Step 2: I parted my hair into four sections and applied the product. I believe that I used about two pumps per section and I combed it through, ensuring that all sections were saturated. I left the product on my hair for 15 minutes before blow drying. Step 3: I used my blow dryer and Denman brush to thoroughly blow dry my hair. I set my flat iron between 430-440 degrees. The directions stated to flat iron the hair at 425-450 degrees. I styled my hair or I should say I attempted to style my hair, but I did not like the results. There are steps 4 and 5 listed on the bottle for when you decide to wash your hair. Based on the directions you do not have to apply the product again. Step 4 states that you can wash your hair and apply their moroocan oil. Step 5 is a repeat of Step 3 where you can blow dry and flat iron your hair.

Fragrance:
The product itself does not have a fragrance but there is a slight odor during the blow drying and flat iron process. I believe that the odor may come from the oxoacetimide carbocystene, and oxoacetimideamino acid ingredients. The odor is not strong; I personally think it is very light but noticeable.

Results:
I have been natural for 2 years so I decided to use this product because it stated that I could go from natural to straight. I was very impressed with how straight it made my hair. The only problem that I experienced was that my hair felt like “straw” prior to blow drying and at the ends after flat ironing. I would try to run my fingers through my hair, but my fingers were held captive. I used my flat iron a second time to go over my hair and I still had the same results. So, I washed my hair and, thank you Jesus it went back to its curly state with no heat damage. I decided to use it on my sister’s 4C tresses and initially she had the same results, but once she added a small amount of oil to her hair it was very soft and silky.

Price:
Although it is a bit pricey, you do not need very much of it–a little goes a long way. If you are transitioning or you straighten your hair often, I would recommend this product.

Final Thoughts:
I do like the fact that after I washed my hair it was easier to manage. I noticed that my hair was softer and my curls were stretched and not as tight as they usually are. It has been two weeks with several washes and my hair still feels the same. Too bad I’m too “scary,” or else I would add this to my rotation.

Have you tried it? What did you think?

Moisture Mania: Overcoming Dryness!

Moisturizing your coils is key to strengthening and growing your natural hair! Our natural hair need, desire and love moisture.  Moisturizing daily is beneficial, however, for some moisture may only be needed two or three times a week. Your environment will determine the frequency of how often you should moisturize. Due to the summer humidity, your hair may need less moisture than it does in the winter.

Using a daily moisturizer, such as Goin' Natural Morargan Gold's RARE Moisture Butter, will moisturize your coils while defining your natural curl pattern.  Using a natural oil, such as Goin' Natural Morargan Gold's 100% PURE Moroccan Oil, will allow you add incredible shine while infusing moisture in every strand. You will have to determine how much moisture your hair need by the feel and overall look of your hair. 

Your Personal Moisture Guideline:  If your hair is feeling dry and brittle, it’s best to moisturize daily.  After day two of moisturizing and your hair begins to fell mushy, or you have an oily build up, you should moisturize less frequently.  For more information on moisture products visit www.goinnatural.com.

Working Out...Naturally!

Summer is just around the corner and a lot of natural sister's have started their summer workout routine.  Several studies have shown that African-American women are less likely to work out due to not wanting to alter their hairstyle.  Well, we have now found out that transitioning from relaxer to natural can be a plus when it comes to your workout regimen.  There are so many options on how you can style your hair and still have an effective workout. 

Check out some tips below and see how you can work out your figure and your style!

Ladies, now you are armed with an arsenal of styles to plan your workout. So, let's show the world that natural woman can work out too! ...And look good doing it!

Images shared from: forum.blackhairmedia.com, theforeigndomestic.com

Happy Mother's Day To Our Natural Inspirations!

We want to take time to say Happy Mother's Day to all of our natural mothers who encourage their children and grandchildren-to-be to embrace their natural coils. 

By rockin' your natural locks you inspire all of us to love our natural beauty and to not be afraid to conquer the world!  You are truly an inspiration!

We Love You!,
www.goinnatural.com

Image Sources: thecoilreview.com, planningprayingplaying.blogspot.com, haitiangloria.com

Loving Your KINKS & Embracing Your CURLS!

Looking for an easier way to tame your kinky and curly locks?  Add these four steps to your maintenance routine and you will have more time to...Live Life Naturally!


STEP 1: Patience is a Virtue!
Kinky and curly can easily deceive you. While it may look strong it can be very dry in its natural state and encounter breakage frequently.  So, take your time when combing or styling your hair.  Your coils will appreciate it!


STEP 2: The Wider the Comb...The Less You Will Moan!
Using a wide tooth comb to detangle your kinky and curly hair is the key to having a stress-free maintenance regimen.  Just wet your hair with water or a moisturizing leave-in conditioner before detangling. Truly, your scalp will appreciate it!


STEP 3: Small Sections Equal Perfection! 
Working in sections, one at a time, and beginning with the ends takes the stress off you and your hair.After detangling each section, twist the hair and pin it to keep it separate from the tangled hair. This is a Win-Win for everyone!


STEP 4: Find Products That Embrace You Naturally!
Goin' Natural Morargan Gold RARE Moisture Butter is an essential for detangling and moisturizing kinky and curly hair at any stage of your natural process.  Goin' Natural Morargan Gold products are available online at www.goinnatural.com for purchase or check out the store locator on the website and find a store near you!