Combs We Love...

One of my favorite combs to use on My Sunshine's hair is this Jilbere Shower Comb. It's great for detangling her hair, wet or dry, and it's also a dream to use while deep conditioning because it helps to distribute the conditioner evenly throughout her hair. Some other wonderful features of this comb is that the teeth are nice and wide, which means there will be less breakage when using it, and the tips of the teeth are ball-pointed (is that a word?) so they help to massage the scalp. It even has a little hook on the end so that it can be stored in the shower. All this in one little comb that only costs $1.50 at Sally Beauty Supply! You can't beat that. Try it and let me know if you like it!

Goody Ouchless Rubberbands

Clearly I am a Goody lover! I especially love Goody's Ouchless rubberbands. These are a great alternative to regular rubberbands which tend to pull out the hair. They come as elastic rubberbands and as cloth covered bands - both in a wide variety of colors from black, brown and tan to pink, purple and blue. And they are now creating some with designs. I tend to use the cloth covered bands because I can soak them in Exra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) to make them even more safe for the hair. I found these pics on Walmart's website, which is where I usually get them. (Either there or Target.) Check 'em out!

Goody Brush Review!!!

Okay, I am back from my mini vaca to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. I got to see my family before Christmas, so that was awesome! Now that I'm back I need to post some stuff!!!

Over my vacation, I had time to use the Goody brush on several people with different hair types.

First I used it on My Sunshine. I used it on her freshly washed hair to detangle, and I also used it on her not so fresh hair. The brush that I bought was the large paddle brush. It worked very well on My Sunshine's hair all the times that I used it. I don't have a denman, so I can't really can't compare it to that. I do have a regular conair brush, and I do feel as though there wasn't as much hair that came out with the Goody brush as with the other brush. It left My Sunshine's hair very soft and it detangled very well. I do wish the bristles were a tad bit longer. I felt like I had to take smaller sections to make sure all of the hair was detangled. I don't know if the smaller "styler" brush has longer bristles, but if so I'd go with that one instead of the large paddle brush.

I was also able to use it on my nine-year-old baby sister who has thicker hair than My Sunshine. She likes to wear her hair in a single pony puff. I was able to detangle her hair easily and it really brought out her natural curls. My aunt, who has relaxed hair, also used the brush to smooth her hair down and it looked good to me. I didn't ask her for her reveiw, but I didn't hear any complaints! On the same hand, I didn't hear any praises either. My mom, who wears her natural hair in a cropped style, also used the brush at my suggestion. I think it really brought out the curls and waves. So my overall feel is that this brush is great! Again, I am going to try to find the smaller brush in hopes that it will have longer bristles, but even if it does not the large paddle brush is a keeper!

And the winner is....

Sorry I haven't posted the winner for the Holiday Giveaway! I'm currently at Walt Disney World on a mini-vaca. It's great because some of my family, who I won't be able to see for Christmas, came down to Orlando to watch my little sister's b-ball tournament. We drove down here from Charlotte so I've been busy with preparations for the trip, as well as being on the road. But I'm sure ya'll just want to know who won so...



The winner is.................







Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:19
Timestamp: 2008-12-19 06:01:31 UTC



That means that comment number 19 has won the contest! Congratulations to "The One That Got Away!" You've won yourself a jar of Jane Carter's Nourish & Shine!

For those who are curious, I picked the number by using a number generator form at random.org. Click here to go to the link for the automated number!

Thank you to all who participated! I definitely plan to do another contest in the near future, so keep checking the site for the next one! Hopefully there are other things here that you find interesting, as well.

Have a Merry Christmas!

Holiday Giveaway!!!

Okay mocha moms and dads, I am doing a Holiday Giveaway!! If all goes well, then I'll have more giveaways in the future! The great thing about this giveaway is that you have a list of items to chose from. All you have to do to win is subscribe to my blog and leave a comment on this post. In your comment put the item that you would like to win. You can comment as many times as you like with whatever item you want to win, however you can only list one item per comment. And if you have a blog please post this contest on your site! The contest will end on December 18th at 11:59 PM (EST.) Once the contest ends I will use a number generator to pick the number of the comment that wins. Make sure you sign in with your name to leave your comment, that way I know who's who. If I should happen to pick an anonymous comment, then I will have to choose someone else.


***Note *** To subscribe, click on the button on the left that has an or square with the words "posts" next to it. Then choose which medium you'd like to use. If you have g-mail use google, if you have yahoo, then choose that one. Or you can choose the one on the bottom (Atom.) You just click on it, it will bring up my page as a feed, then you will click on the "subscribe to" link on the page. A little box will pop up, then you will just click "subscribe" again. With the other options you may have to create an account for if you don't have one already.

Anyhoo, back to the giveaway! So, what's up for grabs you ask?!

First we have Qhemet Biologics Burdock Root Butter Cream. This product is great for moisture and curl defition. There are also some ingredients that aide in growth. Learn more about it here.

Next we have Miss Jessie's Baby Buttercreme. This creme is also great for moisture and styling.

Third on the list is Sabino Moisture Block. This humidity blocker keeps hair from getting frizzy after flat ironing. Click here for more info.

Fourth on the goody list is Jane Carter Solution Nourish and Shine. This all natural moisturizer is truly nutritious for the hair. It can also be used on they body. Find out more here.

The fifth option is the Goody brush that I posted about a few days ago. I actually went ahead and bought one. That review will come soon! See my previous post for more info. If you win this one, I will also include some hair candy!

Last but not least, we have products from http://www.curlz.biz/. You have the choice of one of the Curly Q's sample kits (specify which one,) or two of the proucts from the It's a Curl baby product line.

Well there you have it. Post away and good luck!

Great Books ...

I love books and so does My Sunshine. I love to give out books as gifts because I believe that they are very important for the young and the old alike. Two books that I came across that I am loving are both by a woman who I believe is just purely and simply awesome. She is a dancer, singer, actor producer and a true diva extraordinaire. Debbie Allen is also an alumnus of my school, Howard University, so that makes her extra special! :0)

For those who love picture books for the artwork, Kadir Nelson is the illustrator for both of these books. His artwork is phenomenal, so that is a plus for me. I truly belive that these two books would be a wonderful addition to your little one's library:

Dancing in the Wings - Sassy is a long-legged girl who always has something to say. She wants to be a ballerina more than anything, but she worries that her too-large feet, too-long legs, and even her big mouth will keep her from her dream. When a famous director comes to visit her class, Sassy does her best to get his attention with her high jumps and bright leotard. Her first attempts are definitely not appreciated, but with Sassy's persistence, she just might be able to win him over.

Brothers of the Kinght - Reverend Knight can't understand why his twelve sons' sneakers are torn to threads each and every morning, and the boys aren't talking. They know their father would surely put an end to their all-night dance parties. Maybe Sunday, a pretty new nanny with a knack for cleaning, cooking, and getting to the bottom of household mysteries, can crack the case. This cool, clever modern fable bursts with vibrant artwork and text as energetic as the twelve toe-tapping Knight brothers themselves. "Nelson's exuberant figures fill his stage-like scenes. This is a high-flying alternative to the tale's usual dainty renditions." ( Kirkus Reviews )

Images and summaries are from the Bag O' Books Co. website. To order these books click here!

The Afro Puff

An easy style to create in a rush....

The Ballerina Bun...

I love this style for my little Sunshine. It's easy, yet chic which makes it great for the holidays. Check out how I do it:

Tools We Want to Try...

Goody Styling Therapy Add Shine Jojoba Styling Brush.

It comes in three different shapes/sizes. This brush is special because the cushion pad and the bristles are infused with jojoba oil which aids in repairing and adding shine to the hair. Reviewers say this brush helps to detangle afro hair like a dream and some have said that it works as good, if not better than the denman brush. Now I know there is a common misconception in the African-American community that we can't use brushes like this. I used to call this the "white-girl" brush. The reality is that all hair care products, even those that are not marketed towards us, can be used by us and can be helpful to us. Hopefully I can get this brush this week to use on Sunshine's hair, so I can tell you about it! Ooh, I almost forgot check out the website for this brush here. Don't forget to print out the coupon!

Holiday Hair Candy...

Every little girl loves candy! Treat your mini diva to some holiday hair treats from The Mocha Mommy's favorite mompreneuers. Check these out:

This "Feliz Navidad" clip set from Tip Top Lollipop comes with one embroidered button clip and one bow clip. It's perfect for tiny heads and can also be made as a barrette for bigger girls. This seller lets you chose the font type, as well as the clip type. Visit Tip Top Lollipop's etsy shop here!

Lemons and Lollis is have having a storewide clearance sale on all of their handmade hair candy. I'm loving this "Miss Glitzy" piece (top,) and how cute is "Miss Pinky?" Check out the Lemons and Lollis etsy store here.

Mama Bird thinks this bright red beanie with the peony from My Sweet Pea and Company is haute! Loves the genuine Swarovski crystal in the center of the peony. Check out mysweetpeaandcompany.com for goodies galore!

Loves it!!!

One of my favorite leave-in conditioners is Giovanni Direct Leave-In. This leave in is awesome!

It's an organic product, which is especially great for the natural kiddies and it really makes curls pop. Since this leave-in has a thick, creamy consistency, I like to apply it to wet hair. It's great after a co-wash or after shampooing and deep conditioning. If I use it and I haven't washed the hair, I just spritz the hair with water then apply. This product provides great slip, so I don't really feel the need to apply additional detanglers to the hair and I don't have to add a moisturizer because the ingredients are moisturizing enough on their own. I do seal with an oil after applying. On Sunshine, I like to seal with carrier oils like extra-virgin olive oil (evoo,) coconut oil, almond oil, etc. I don't partucularly like to use greases because they tend to contain mineral oil or petroleum which can be damaging to the hair. I order most of my Giovanni products online at vitacost.com because they offer it at a very reasonable price (around four bucks and some change) and they have flat rate shipping for $4.99. What I usually do is order a couple of bottles along with any vitamins that I need to stock up on so I can benefit fully from the reduced pricing and flat rate shipping. Did you think I was kidding when I said I don't do full price?! LOL. Anyhoo, this product is great for any hair type from curly to straight, natural to relaxed, black to white - it's good for anyone. Try it and let me know how you like it!

Ingredients: Aqua (purified water) with *rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) oil, *nettle (Uritica dioica) oil, *thyme (Thymus vulagris) oil, birch leaf (Butela alba) oil, *chamomile (Anthemis nobilus flower) oil, *clary (Salvia sclarea), *lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), *coltsfoot leaf (Tussilago farfara), *yarrow (Achillea millefolium) oil, *mallow (Malva sylvestris), *horsetail (Equistetum arvense) oil, *soybean protein (Glycine soja), cetyl alcohol (plant derived), tocopherol (vitamin E), trace minerals, citric acid (corn), sodium hydroxymethyglycinate, grapefruit seed (citrus derived).Certified organic in accordance with California Organic Foods Act of 1990.

Free Of:

No animal by-products. Cruelty free.

Toys We Love...

My litte Sunshine just turned for and I am in LOVE with one of the gifts that she received. It's the Barbie for President 2008 doll! Not only am I loving the fact that the person who bought it made sure she was black, I love the fact that she has her "White House" outfit, which is very fly. She also has a gala ballgown which is very cute, as well. What's great about this Barbie collector's item is that it also comes with an informational sheet from The White House Project, which gives a list of suggestions on ways to involve girls in the election process, and how to reinforce the importance of our girls making their voices heard and understanding that they can be anything the want to be. For the little girls in your life the Barbie for President doll is a sure bet. Click here to order.

For the little man in your life I am loving the Barak Obama action figure doll! While I don't understand why they had to make his head so darned big, I am loving the fact that there is even a doll of him at all. I came across this picture while I was looking for a pic of the Barbie doll. I'm not sure if it comes with anything, but I still think it's cool nonetheless. I think there are some big kids out there that might even like this. Click here to order.

Miss Jessie's BOGO!!!

I am so excited that Miss Jessie's is having a buy one, get one sale on their products. I have always wanted to try these products for Sunshine (and for myself) but I refuse to pay full price for anything, so I loves it when the sales come around. I am tempted to get the Value Pack so we can try out all of the products, and then maybe a jar of the Baby Buttercreme. But I've heard good things about the Curly Pudding and Curly Merengue, so I don't know what to do! What's the difference between the three products you may ask? Well, the Curly Pudding and the Curly Merengue are styling cremes. The Curly Buttercreme and the Baby Buttercreme are moisturizers that double as styling creme's. The Baby Buttercreme has a lighter scent than the Curly Buttercreme. Miss Jessie's has a wide variety of products that we really want to try, but the ones mentioned above are what we are the most interested in buying this go 'round. While you can order the products online, most stores that carry Miss Jessie's honor the BOGO. To find a store that carries Miss Jessie's products near you go to the website and click on "where to buy" at the bottom of the page, then contact the store to see if the offer is available there. Let me know which products you like and which new ones you have decided to try!

"A Santa Like Me"

Do you want your little one to get a letter from a Santa that actually looks like them? I mean, I don't know about ya'll, but we only do mocha dolls in my house. That means mocha Barbie's, mocha Baby Alive's (Sunshine named hers Dinah?) and all other "people dolls" must come in a shade that matches my child's! Well if you're anal like me about the color thing, then you should definitely visit the website http://www.dollslikeme.com/ where they have all kinds of wonderfully lovely things for children of color. One of their items of special note is their letter from Santa which you can order with a black, asian or latino Santa!

It comes postmarked from the North Pole. You can add the names of two of your child's best friends, their good deeds, an item from their wish list and it is "hand signed" by Santa. Now, the hubby and I have not come to a consensus on the whole Santa thing - do we really want to pretend that some fat guy in a red suit is paying for the gifts we (a.k.a. the hubby) worked so hard to pay for? She's just now getting to the age where she understands all the hoopla surrounding the different holidays and I'm not sure how we're going to handle it. But for those who are okay with it, the letters are only $5.99, but you must order by December 10, 2008. Click here to order.

Detanglers That I Love!!!

Every good hair care regimen for curly haired children should include a good detangler. I prefer a leave-in detangler that is moisturizing and not drying. I also prefer liquids detanglers as opposed to the creamy ones because I usually use a moisturizer afterwards. Also the liquid detangler sprays work better for me than the creamy ones. I have three detanglers that I use alternately.

The first detangler that I love to use on Sunshine's hair is Silken Child Leave-in Detangler. Silken Child is a kid friendly line made by Silk Elements. I love this because it is very moisturizing. It includes great ingredients like silk amino acids and aloe vera and it smells yummy! This is not a "cone-free" products, so please be aware of that. But, I love this for my dd - I even use it on myself sometimes. It is only sold in Sally Beauty Supply stores, but you can also find it in some online beauty supply stores.

The other detangler that I love is Sofn'Free'n'Pretty Olive Oil Detangling Spray. This detangler is very lightweight and gets the job done. I don't think it moisturizes as well as Silken Child, but it does what it's supposed to do and it's pretty easy to find since it's sold at stores like Wal-Mart and your neighborhood beauty supply stores. My only dislike with this product is that it does have mineral oil as an ingredient on the list.

The last detangler that I love is Africa's Best Kids Organics Shea Butter Detangling Moisturizing Hair Lotion. I know, that's a mouth full, right?! Since this one is a creamy detangler/moisturizer, I usually only use it after I wash her hair, or if I choose to use a liquid leave-in that is not doubling as a detangler. This product works really well, but I actually don't use it as often as my other products. I do know that there are many mocha moms out there who love this product for their dd's hair. There are even women who love this for their hair, as well. It works especially well for course hair. Be aware that this product does contain protein, so it needs to be balanced out with a moisturizer from time to time.

I like to detangle Sunshine's hair in sections. So, I'll take one section, get it really wet with detangler, then I comb it out with a wide tooth comb from tip to root. Then I moisturize, seal with oil, and style. What do you use to detangle?

Interview with a Mocha Mommy...

This is my interview with another mocha mommy, Blessed Angel, from Long Hair Care Forum. Blessed Angel is very involved when it comes to taking care of her daughter's hair. She is always posting wonderful pictures of styles that she has created for her daughter and is always willing to help newbie moms who may have questions about caring for their children's hair, so I thought that she would be the perfect mom for my first interview. Thanks Blessed Angel!!! Read on!

How old is your daughter?

My daughter is 3-years-old (she just turned 3 in August 2008)

Is her hair natural or relaxed?

Her hair is natural (it's never been relaxed).

What is her haircare regimen?

MY DD'S REGIMEN:

1. Poo with NTM Moisturizing Shampoo (less harsh & drying) or Infusium 23 Moisturologie Moist Poo.

2. Condition with Infusium 23 Moisturologie Moisturizing Conditioner or Nexxus Humectress (massage scalp and leave it on for 5-10 min with shower cap on). Detangle (with wide tooth comb in small sections).

3. Rinse. Then dab the towel to each sections of the scalp to encourage faster drying.

4. “Grease” entire scalp with Jane Carter's Nourish & Shine. Massage scalp.

5. Detangle (while still wet/damp) with Kids Organic Detangling Shea Butter Moisturizing Lotion (do very tiny sections at a time).

6. Seal hair (each tiny sectioned part) with N&S immediately after applying KODSBML.

7. Braid into 4 or more plaits for bed. The hair will be dry by the morning. (please be sure that the room the child is sleeping in is warm; especially in the winter months if you're washing hair at night. We don't want our babies to get sick) **A few days later when scalp looks dry, moisturize scalp and hair with JC N&S or Vatika Frosting. When doing braids, I add some Nexxus Leave-In Conditioner (and add Vatika Frosting or N&S to her scalp and seal hair with either one) to give slip. It also helps the braids keep a fresh look longer.I also use Kenra's Clarifying/Chelating Shampoo to remove build-up and deposits from her hair once a month. I also have a hair journal for her to help me keep track of what products I use and when.

Re-Cap of Regimen (Simplified):

Poo's: Infusium 23 Moisturologie Condtiontin Shampoo OR NTM (Neutrogena Triple Moisture) Moisturizing Poo.

Condish: Infusium 23 Moisturologie Moisturizing Condtioner OR Nexxus Humectress Moisturizing Conditioner.

Leave-In: Kids Organics Hair Lotion"Grease" & Moisturize: Jane Carter's Nourish & Shine OR Vatika Frosting.

Curl Definition & Moisture (used ONLY for ponytails): Elasta QP Feels Like Silk

Styling (to hold down edges): Murray's Beeswax followed by EQP Glaze.

Styling Tools: 1. Bone Comb (wide tooth comb), 2. Bone Fine Tooth Comb, 3. Boar Bristle Brush

NOTE: This regimen is subject to change. I am still open to trying new products and procedures.

What are you favorite products that you use on her hair?

1. Jane Carter's Nourish & Shine
2. Elasta QP Feels Like Silk
3. Kids Organics Hair Lotion
4. Elasta QP Glaze

What tips do you think mom's and dad's should know about healthy haircare?

What mom's and dad's should know about healthy haircare is that the hair should always be moisturized. It's wise to not use heat at all, or minimally with a heat protectant. Healthy hair means a clean scalp and hair. Healthy hair is ensured with good products and styling tools. If the hair was relaxed, it will need extra care that natural hair wouldn't require!!

If she is natural do you think you will ever relax her hair?

I don't know if I will ever relax her hair. It depends on what she and I wants to do when she is old enough to decide. I think she'll be old enough when she turns about 15 or so. I will not consider relaxing her hair for about another 10 years.

Why or not?

I am still learning how to take care of relaxed hair (such as my own). And though it may seem easier to maintain, it requires more of a commitment to following one's regimen than natural hair does. Relaxed hair is more prone to breakage and damage; and that would hinder the progress that her hair has made and will continue to make. I love how healthy her hair is, and I'd like to keep it that way!

I'm back!

Sorry guys! Life has been hectic lately but I promise, from this day forth, I will keep the blog updated! I am starting by posting my first interview with one of my favorite mom's from Long Hair Care Forum, Blessed Angel. I'll have it posted in a few, so please check it out!