D.I.Y: Daily Aloe Vera Leave-In Conditioner

Description:

Aloe Vera is great for restoring the pH balance of the hair and adding softness.

Ingredients:

4 oz water
4 oz aloe vera gel
10 drops of essential Oil

Instructions:

Mix the water and aloe vera gel into a bottle with a spray bottle. Add 10 drops of your favorite essential oil. Use daily or as often as needed to restore softness to hair.

Ebony Laquise is owner of Ebony Laquise Beauty Boutique and an avid blogger. To have Ebony Laquise blog posts delivered to you via RSS feeds, please click here.

http://www.ebonylaquise.com   *   http://www.twitter.com/ebonylaquise   *   http://blog.ebonylaquise.com

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Your Dose of Weekend Inspiration: Inna Modja

Link of the Day: Miss Nappturality 2011

From going-natural.com:

Miss Nappturality; America's Next Natural Model
Going Natural.com presents the Miss Nappturality Competition; a pageant that offers the most opportunities for aspiring talented natural models.

Are you the America's Next Natural Model 2011?
You can become the new face of one of our sponsors, get a spread in Sophisticated Black Hair magazine and you can get endorsements.

Who is Miss Nappturality?
Miss Nappturality is a beautiful model who takes fabulous pictures naturally. Her natural tresses are one of her assets that proudly make her stand out. She can't wait to be the new face of the brand of a line she completely stands behind. If this is you, you should apply.

Who can join this competition?
Every woman of 16 and older with naturally nappy, coily, kinky hair can participate. You can also participate if you have locs or want to start them. If your hair is chemically relaxed and you want to join, you will have to commit to cut the relaxed part of your hair in during the competition.

What do you get?
This can be your big break. You can become the new face of one of our sponsors, get a spread in Sophisticated Black Hair magazine and you can win free products.

- Free products. You will receive free accessories, hair and beauty products to use throughout the competition to complete some of your challenges. Yes, you can keep some the products the competition.
- Free personal space on going-natural.com that includes your own album, blog and video space.
- Exposure. If you aspire a model carrier this is your chance. By joining the competition you can use the 10 weeks of free exposure to show the world who you are and why they would miss out if they don’t contact you.
- An opportunity to start building your own social network

What does it cost to participate?
Nothing. If you are selected and you complete eight weeks in the Miss Nappturality Competition your costs are zero $.

What are the requirements?
You need to be photogenic, have a digital camera of at least 5 mp and you need to know how to upload pictures and write down your thoughts in correct English.

What are the terms and conditions?
If you are selected to compete for the Miss Nappturality title you have to commit to complete challenges for 8 weeks. You will receive one task by email each week. You have to complete each tasks by the next Saturday 00:00 EST. Completing a challenge includes uploading photos and personal space at least once a week with text, pictures and a one time video clip.

Only the serious should apply
This pageant is for models who are serious about their careers and can use the exposure for their next step. This is not an easy competition. Not only do you have to prepare for a good photo shoot, you have to think about your approach and interpretation and make sure you deliver fabulous photos for eight weeks in a row.

Is professional help allowed?
Yes. You are allowed to use a professional photographer as well as a professional hairstylist.

Interested?
If you like to be considered, please send us an emailThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with your name, age, location, occupation. We also need to know your Hair color, Hair length, Hair Type, Height, Bust size, Waist, Hips, Cup size, Dress size and Shoe size. The sponsors need to know these sizes.

Also tell us why you have what it takes to become Miss NP 2011 and include at least 3 pictures. We are looking forward to your message. Click here to send us an emailThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Good luck!

4B Hair with 3C Dreams

It's easy to see a bunch of natural hair pictures and Youtube videos and then think that you're ready to embrace your natural hair. Before I big chopped I told myself that I was not going to become obsessed with my hair's texture; however, that's exactly what I ended up doing. I didn't really care for looser curls, I just wanted mine to be more defined. I tried all kinds of curl activators hoping that my 4a/b curls would "pop," so that I would be more comfortable rocking my TWA. I read about all kinds of curl-defining methods from leaving a little conditioner in your hair while it's soaking wet to using the "shingling method," nothing worked. Thankfully, I reached a point where I gave up and didn't care about having defined curls. I learned to love my hair for what it was and started focusing more on styling and finding products that kept my hair moisturized. It's not until recently that I realized how hard I tried to have hair that at the time, naturally wasn't mine. And now that I haven't cared about defining my curls since I first BCed 7 months ago, my hair is becoming curlier...funny how things work.

A lot of people talk about having curl envy and wishing they had someone else's hair texture. You can wish and pray all day to replace your 4B hair with someone else's 3B hair, but odds are it will never happen. The time spent hoping for someone else's hair can be used instead to find methods and products that work for your own. I'm not saying that you should never try to define your curls; it's a great styling option to have as long as it doesn't become obsessive and you remain realistic. Once you learn what your hair loves, it will flourish and you won't care about comparing your hair to other people's.

Featured Onyx Rose: Felicia

OR: Where are you from?
Felicia: I am from the boring side of the world.

OR: Random fun fact about yourself?
Felicia: I love fast cars and the ones that go boom. Therefore, I always wanted to be a Nascar driver.

OR: What inspired you to go natural?
Felicia: Well "inspired" may not be the word, but if I were to use it I would say I went natural because I hid behind my hair for so long. I also became fed up with my hair. It never took well to the chemicals that were supposed to make my hair straight. All throughout my life I was told I had “good hair.” What was good hair? I have no idea, but I never would imagine my hair to be that. I began to transition in January and on June 7th I BC’ed. Although I felt relieved, I was still ashamed of my hair, so I received micro braids due to the rude remarks I received from my family. Then in August I trimmed my hair again to make it even from the first time I BC’ed. I decided that I was going to love my hair for what it was and love myself no matter what!

OR: How long did you transition/Describe your transitioning experience.
Felicia: I transitioned for five months from the beginning of January to June 7th. I wore weaves and twist outs the majority of the time. Not to mention Beanies, lol. I was so afraid of heat damage, so I barely used a flat iron. It is a good thing too because I recently found out that flat ironing transitioning hair is bad.

OR: What do you love about your natural hair?
Felicia: I love the fact that I get stared at like I'm a whole new species. I also love that I’m embracing me for me.

OR: What's one natural hair myth you wish would die?
Felicia: Natural hair is too unmanageable.

OR: Has your natural hair changed how you view yourself?
Felicia: I have definitely changed my views on myself even though it’s still a work in progress. I feel as though I see myself in a more positive light. I am more open for change and new things. I never use to feel motivated to get up and look pretty, but now I get up in the mornings with a smile to hope to catch the eyes of people.

OR: Name your top three hair products and what you like about them.

Felicia: Water - Keeps my hair super moisturized.

My Sheabutter/aloevera/grapeseed mix - seals in my moisture

Ecostyler Gel - great for wash 'n go’s on the run.


OR: What advice do you have for those thinking about transitioning?
Felicia: Take the step into becoming the you for you! Meaning God has granted you with kinky/curly tresses for a reason, embrace them. Every woman should at least “experience” her hair for what it is once in her life. The process may be rough, but you are strong. You can do it!

OR: Where can people find you online?

Twitter
Blog

Onyx Rose Welcomes Ebony Laquise as a Guest Blogger!

Many of you have already read Ebony's Onyx Rose feature (she was the first natural featured!). Now she will be a guest blogger for Onyx Rose Online! Here's some info about her:

After many years of sensitive scalp, dandruff, and hair breakage, Ebony decided to cease the monthly ritual of getting a relaxer. Having been permed since the elementary school, Ebony started the journey to naturally, coiled hair.
“Growing up in rural Alabama, I knew nothing other than pressed or permed hair. It was only after I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area that I saw the beautiful diversity of natural African American hair,” Ebony recalls. Finding salons and hair products that specialized in maintaining Type 4B hair was a struggle. With that, Ebony began to experiment with natural ingredients in her own home to create hair, bath, and body products.
The products are designed to work for people with naturally curly hair, sensitive skin, and an affinity for using all-natural products. “Good hair is healthy hair. Good skin is glowing skin,” Ebony explains, “Anyone who is on a journey to healthy hair and healthy skin will love Ebony LaQuise.”

Ebony has an abundance of helpful natural hair information to share. Can't wait!

Featured Onyx Rose: Netta

OR: Where are you from?
Netta: St. Louis, MO

OR: Random fun fact about yourself?
Netta: I love doing nerdy things, like reading history books nonstop, lol.

OR: What inspired you to go natural?
Netta: This is my second time going natural. Before my 21st birthday, I decided my b-day weave was going to be my last one. Which is why my birthday weave was so big and over the top, lol. My hair wasn't healthy, was not growing, and was breaking off in the back. Mainly, my hair would not stay relaxed, so I decided to stop fighting the inevitable and chopped it all off.

OR: How long did you transition/Describe your transitioning experience.
Netta: LOL, there was NO transition! On mother's day, me and my mom went into the basement, she got out the clippers, and went for it.

OR: What do you love about your natural hair?
Netta: I love the potential my hair has. I love to change styles and this is the best idea I've ever had, lol. When it grows longer, I can't wait to see what kind of hairstyles I'll be wearing. My natural hair is very versatile.


OR: What's one natural hair myth you wish would die?
Netta: I wish people wouldn't think that all people who wear natural hair are "tree huggers" or on the neo-soul movement. Or still living in the 70's.. that's like 3 myths, but I want them ALL to go away!

OR:Has your natural hair changed how you view yourself?
Netta: My hair has given me more of an "eff you, it's my life, I'll do what I want" attitude. When I first cut it, no one close to me liked it. But because my hair is a part of me, friends and family had no choice but to readjust.



OR: Name your top three hair products and what you like about them.
Netta:
Vitale Olive Oil Deep Moisturizing Shampoo is my LOVE! My hair always feels soft, clean, and conditioned after using this product.

Miss Jessie's Curly Meringue really gets my curls to pop, without weighing my hair down. Also, it's not a heavy product, I love it.

My oil mix which consists of raw shea butter oil, carrot & aloe oil, tea tree oil, vitamin e oil, and olive oil. A great product to oil my scalp with at night before I go to sleep.


OR: What advice do you have for those thinking about transitioning?
Netta: For anyone thinking about transitioning, I would just say, DO IT! Be brave, don't second think it, try it out and see the lovely journey your hair takes you on. Think of it as GROWTH.

OR: Where can people find you online?
Netta:

Blog
Twitter
Youtube

Why the Hype Over Hair Type?

I don't mean to burst anyone's bubble, but I believe that hair typing is a fraud. I'm not sure who's smart idea it was to tell people that knowing one's hair type aids in choosing the right products for one's hair. Hair typing makes perfect sense visually because yes, some people have looser or tighter kinks/curls than other people. However, that's where the usefulness ends in my opinion. No matter how much you may think someone is your "hair twin," no two heads of hair are the same. There could be 5 women in a room with 4a hair that looks exactly the same, but it's likely that each person's hair would react differently to the same products. So, someone please enlighten me.

What is the point of hair typing and is it truly effective?

Featured Onyx Rose: Isabel

OR: Where are you from?
Isabel: I'm from the Lone Star State, Texas.

OR: Random fun fact about yourself?
Isabel: I've done 3 big chops since 2004.

OR: What inspired you to go natural?
Isabel: The first time I just wanted to try something new. The second time, it was a friend of mine doing her big chop that inspired me to go back natural.

OR: How long did you transition/Describe your transitioning experience.
Isabel: For my most recent time going natural, I did the big chop 3 months after my last relaxer. My experience wasn't that difficult because my transition was so short. I wore a rod set once, a couple of straw sets, and then I big chopped.

OR: What do you love about your natural hair?
Isabel: There's so much that I love. First off, I love how it looks. There's so much diversity in our textures that I just get excited thinking about it, lol. I love that there's a lot of versatility in how we can wear it. I love that I can do most styles myself and I don't have to go the salon every two weeks, and I love that the weather has minimal impact on my hair. I can run through the rain with no worries.
OR: What's one natural hair myth you wish would die?
Isabel: That our natural hair won't grow past a certain length.

OR: Has your natural hair changed how you view yourself?
Isabel: Not really. I'm still the same person I was before I went natural. I guess I am more confident because I know I'm rocking a TWA that a lot of women wouldn't feel comfortable with.

OR: Name your top three hair products and what you like about them.
Isabel: Kinky Curly Knot Today - I think the is the best leave-in out there for my hair. It's great for clumping my curls on my wash n gos.

Shea Moisture Restorative Shampoo - This is the first shampoo I've used that leaves my hair clean without stripping it. When I use this shampoo my hair feels more moisture than I've ever experienced with any other shampoo.

Aussie Moist Conditioner - This conditioner has great slip for me and helps reduce my frizzies.

OR: What advice do you have for those thinking about transitioning?
Isabel: Go for it! I think all black women should wear their natural hair at least once in their adult life. If you don't like it, then go back to what you were doing before, but definitely give it a try. Also, be patient with your hair.

OR: Where can people find you online?

Blog
Youtube
Fotki

Link of the Day: Kohl's "Ghetto Fab Wig"

Yes, this is actually from Kohl's site.


Description of the wig:

Dance the night away in Halloween costume wigs. The disco-inspired Afro style of this adult wig makes it perfect for your festive outfit. Shop our full line of wigs and Halloween costumes at Kohls.com.

*PAUSE*

If you want to sell afro wigs, that is perfectly fine. However I'm not sure where the "ghetto fab" part comes in. Some things are just disasters waiting to happen and this is one of them. What exactly is "ghetto fab" about afro hair? You don't know? Me either. Sometimes the extra two seconds it takes to decide whether or not you should do/say something saves you chaos in the end. I logged into Twitter and all I saw was how mad people were at Kohl's for the name of the wig and Kohl's timeline was full of apologies. I don't know how anyone thought calling an afro wig "ghetto fab" wouldn't be offensive. Or maybe there's nothing wrong with the posting because a white woman is wearing the wig . Let's do better. Please and thank you.

Mineral Oil is the Devil! (Really though?)

...well at least some people act like it is. Personally, I don't care for products that have mineral oil as the main ingredient. Why? Because they're usually thick greases and ever since I was a little girl, grease made my scalp itch like crazy. That doesn't mean that I won't use a product that has mineral oil in it (towards the end of the ingredients list, lol). For example, Silk Elements Mega Cholesterol has mineral oil in it, but it works well with my hair. I remember watching this Youtube video of a woman using straight up Vaseline on her hair and nothing else, but guess what? Her hair was thick and down her back. I know I like to promote all natural/mostly natural products, but at the end of the day...some people's hair loves mineral oil, so why harass them and tell them to stop using it? This goes for other popular "bad" ingredients like sulfates. I love the idea of sulfate-free shampoos, but I have noticed that the sulfate-free shampoo I use strips my hair more than the clarifying shampoo that I use. Hmm...go figure

Should people be conscious of the ingredients they use on their hair? Sure. But I also think that when it comes to retaining length, how you take care of your hair matters a little more than what you actually use. If you're using a product on your scalp daily that has mostly mineral oil in it and you only wash your hair once a month, it should be no surprise that your hair stays the same length. On the other hand, some people are using all the natural products in the world, yet their hair is the same length that it was a year ago and it's probably because of HOW they care of their hair, not what they use. When it comes to hair care, do what works best for YOU. I assume that you know your hair better than anyone else, so don't allow the opinions of others to prevent you from reaching your hair goals.

Sesame Street: "I Love My Hair!"

I know everyone and their mama has already seen or posted this, but I like this song so much that I'm going to post it as well, lol. What a great message for young Black girls:






And here's the Willow Smith "Whip My Hair" mash-up with Sesame Street's "I Love My Hair" (which I love even 10x more!):

10 Things I Want to Say to a Black Woman

His name is Joshua Bennett. I saw him on the Mo'Nique Show last night. Wow!

Featured Onyx Rose: Wande

OR: Where are you from?
Wande: I am from London. Whoop whoop.

OR: Random fun fact about yourself?
Wande: I am really goofy and love all thing luxe.

Relaxed Hair. My hair didn'tgrow past this point.

OR: What inspired you to go natural?
Wande: I have been battling with going natural for a few years now! I’d go natural, and then have like a Christmas ball to attend, then relax it. Silly I know. I was then seeing a guy who embraced my natural hair. I didn’t understand why until he taught me many things about natural hair and what relaxer does to your scalp. Imagine a guy having to tell me, CRAZY! I half-heartedly listened, and began my research. I was astonished. Not long after Good Hair was released, and I when I saw the chicken experiment, I have put off relaxers or any chemicals for life.

OR: How long did you transition/Describe your transitioning experience?
Wande: I grew it out for a few months, found it difficult managing the two textures, and found my hair breaking, so Christmas day 2008 I did the big chop.

OR: What do you love about your natural hair?

Wande: The thickness, baby the thickness. Oh, and did I mention the thickness!

My hair in twists!

OR: What's one natural hair myth you wish would die?
Wande: It’s not versatile, it so is. If you’re not creative enough to think of new hairstyles there are a billion and one blogs and YouTube channels that teach you about looking after your hair and doing stylish hair styles. The picture of me with a style in my hair is one I learnt, and adapted to my own hair length.





OR: Has your natural hair changed how you view yourself?
Wande: No not really, why should it have.

OR: Name your top hair product.
Wande: Organic Root Stimulator’s Range is great for my hair.

OR: What advice do you have for those thinking about transitioning?
Wande: It’s not a must to do the big chop. I used braids and weave to grow mine out for a few months, so you can too. Relaxing your hair actually kills brain cells, so it’s always good to keep your hair in its natural state. Plus, it defines you!

Washed natural hair to stretched natural hair. I never knew my hair could reach my neck.

OR: Where can people find you online?

Wande:

Blog

Youtube

Facebook

Twitter

Product Review: Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Conditioner

Price: $8.99 for 11 oz. from The Vitamin Shoppe

Ingredients: Coconut fatty acid cream base, organic aloe vera, organic shea butter, wheat germ oil, organic jojoba oil, organic Rosa Mosqueta Rose Hip Seed Oil; extracts of fennel, hops, balm Mint, misltletoe, camomile, yarrow, chrysanthenum, angelica, forsythia and magnolia; honeysuckle oil, carrot oil, Aubrey's Preservstive (citrus seed extract, vitamins A, C and E).

Description: Detangles & smoothes for ultra-soft, shiny, touchable hair.The sweet smell of success for your hair. Trade those dry, thirsty tresses for vibrant, touchably soft hair with this moisture-intense conditioner enriched with restorative herbal emollients. Detangles and rehydrates to overcome dryness and brittleness and leave hair ultra-silky and irresistibly fragrant.

My Opinion: This. Right here. Is my staple.
Initially, I wasn't too fond of the smell (it was kind of strong), but I guess it's grown on me because I love it now. As the name suggests, it has a strong flowery scent that just puts you in a good mood. This product has a thick consistency, but it's not hard to rinse out at all and although it's only 11 oz, a little goes a long way. I use this as a deep conditioner and once I rinse it out of my hair, my hair is so soft and moisturized! Some may think that this product is expensive, but with the natural ingredients and great results I get every time, I don't mind spending extra money. Words can't fully describe how much I love this conditioner. When they say this is the "sweet smell of success for your hair," they are not lying. It's simply amazing.

Rating: 5/5