Silly me for not updating you guys on Fro’s latest products du jour! In passing I’ve mentioned, yes. But here’s the official run-down on what/why/and how often we’re using some of our favorite new hair goodies.

1. So Twitter really is one of the most amazing places to become a PJ learn about favorite new products used in the #naturalhair community. In passing I was able to gain some insight into another blogger’s favorite new hair styler, and low and behold it’s a product that’s easily accessible in pretty much any BSS or drug store for that matter. Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship has made a pretty incredible styler in the arsenal stash, especially when paired with Curl Junkie’s Smoothing Lotion. The slip from both of these makes the detangling/styling process incredibly easy, and a regular sized bottle is able to last for ample weeks. I don’t know about you, but sometimes it’s great to find a product within reach of any local drugstore aisle that actually WORKS on your natural hair. I’ll always love ordering from my fav online stores, but in a pinch, it’s great to have back-ups.

2. A surprise favorite of late has been this cleanser from Hair Rules, their Aloe & Grapefruit Shampoo. Why I love? It does the job of cleaning a scalp that’s often prone to some shady business, smells amazing and doesn’t leave us stripped of all our necessary essential oils. I’ll always be quick to chuck a ‘poo’ for leaving me with stringy, dry hair…so quite pleased after using the Aloe & Grapefruit shampoo on several occasions to reveal great results. And, well hey! A little birdie told me it’s now available at selected Targets, so keep your eyes open!

3. Have I NOT raved about this enough on the blog? Now, if there’s any product that FRO has truly abused and fallen head over for in the  past few weeks, it’s most certainly been this buttah to beat all buttahs! Pooka’s Shea & Olive has even turned my own Mum into a convert, and all because it leaves your hair with the most incredible softness, sheen and YUMMY SMELL that you’ll ever find. I digress. But, really. I slather….seriously, slather some of this goodness during the nightly process and wake-up to some amazing hair. Exhibit A below:

I try to contain excitement during those great hair days, but this was SUCH a keeper. I do apply sparingly (save for the ‘slather’ part) or more so cautiously so as not to weigh hair down (it is a grease after all), but even when using as a regular sealant on your ends, you’re bound to love this! Lately I’ve been able to re-up my stash by heading into a few Whole Foods stores.

4. New to the stash, but making a seemingly great impression overall is this Moroccan Argan Oil Deep Repair Masque that I stumbled on a few weeks ago. If you’re in the NYC area and familiar with the RICKY’s chain of BSS stores, you’re wise to the bevy of hair care lines available. This one from Salon Exotics seems like  diamond in the ruff because it works so incredibly well on FRO & not to mention it’s beyond affordable. I’ve only been able to find the 1.75 oz packs which retail for up to $2.50, yet for the results you get…it’s an overall #win.

FRO does take up two packs due to overall thickness & length, but one pack should be suffice if you’re DC’ing. Not the best amount of slip to help you detangle those stubborn knots, but a quick trick be this—> leave your fav deep condish on for 5-10 minutes under a conditioning cap BEFORE attacking detangling with a comb/brush and strands should be soft enough to manage. You’ll thank me with the results. I’ve stocked up this weekend and aim to go back to Ricky’s and demand s’more (cleaned house!).

Questions, Comments… ? Let’s meet down below & tell me what you’re loving;)

I’m having a hard time believing we’re really about to usher out January and welcome in a new month. See, usually during this time of year I’ve quietly let go of over reaching goals often set during the high thrill of a new year, growing more annoyed by the return of the yearly ‘eczema,’ & taking on the task of treating flareups.

What a difference a year makes! Yes, we’re already knocking on February’s doors but so far I’ve managed to cross off a pretty amazing goal attached to this year’s vision board, and set forth the practice of treating my body to exactly what it needs; a dedicated TLC plan that’ll help prep the skin for the upcoming warmer months.

Typically a body butter snob, I grew excited when sampling the Kukui Cocoa Body Butter from Andalou Naturals last year after discovering their moisturizing line of conditioners. Formulated with Kukui Butter to repair damaged skin, cocoa butter to moisturize & hydrate, and Capaucu Butter to increase skin’s elasticity and fight against dry winter conditions…this made for the perfect solution to this season’s dry skin itch.

So being a body butter snob does come with a few benefits…such as sticking to products and ingredients that are certain to nourish and protect your skin where regular lotions fall short, and indulging in the variety of different scents. Earlier this year I immediately went back to Whole Foods to snag the Lavender Shea Butter (which has my new fav, Manuka Honey!) and have been using it since.

Here’s the deal, I’m no longer shy about slathering on a fair amount of body butter immediately after exiting the shower and concentrating on areas of the body that often go neglected (knees…cracked elbows, etc.) Making a more intentional effort to care for my skin this season has made the most incredible difference as far as eczema flareups & how it’s able to retain moisture.

How are you caring for your skin this winter? Are you signed up for this month’s newsletter? We’re talking Winter Survival, dishing out giveaways to get your skin back on track & readers immediately save 15% off their 1st Andalou Naturals order!

It really is an awesome feeling knowing what your hair needs, when to apply what you’ve learned & especially what to use! A few months ago I rediscovered the importance of following up a good hair routine with a protein treatment that would leave hair more manageable, free of tangles and smooth. When the difference really is protein, it’s best to have a go to treatment in your arsenal to whip out once a month.

{{How to Determine if Your Natural Hair Needs Protein?}}

Last week was FRO’s time to get ‘repaired‘ and back on track! The winter weather here in NY has really been taking it’s toll on the weekly routine, and turning to a condish that is loaded with Jojoba Oils, Apricot Kernel Oil and Keratin Protein to help strengthen & leave hair soft was just what was needed.

Really not a huge fan of heavy duty protein treatments with over complicated steps (I’ll leave those to the professionals), but finding a treatment that doubles well as a moisturzing deep conditioner was an added bonus. I’ve used the Curl Junkie Repair Me! treatment a few times to gauge it’s reaction with FRO, & love the results.

Applied on freshly washed hair in sections, Repair Me! has serious slip to further the detangling process (a #winwin if you’re trying to retain length). Coming in a hefty 12oz bottle, I’ve managed to use very little to get the job done. The first attempt at this condish I underwent a steam treatment using the Huetiful Steamer and experienced much softer hair. Other tries were done using a heating cap where results were really no different in terms of texture. You really want to leave in hair for no less than 15 minutes to achieve maximum benefits, and again…no need to use a ton to get the job done!

Using a protein treatment (Keratin is Fro’s Fav!) once a month has made a huge difference in the overall health of FRO, making me a firm believer in incorporating a relative amount to the hair routine. For hair that is especially sensitive to protein, pay attention to where your protein of choice falls in the ingredient list. There are many products tho choose from that contain different amounts so do a bit of homework before diving in!

This really is that time of year where many of us focus a bit more on preserving the moisture quotient in our hair, and hopefully the hair pantry this winter is fully stocked with the absolute essentials?! Yes…no? Maybe?

The transition to more winter friendly hair products really doesn’t have to be an over-thinking process, particularly when you’re aware of which areas in your routine to pay a bit more attention to. Deep conditioning is probably thee numero ONE area of any curly girl’s routine that gets the most tweaking and experimentation…& probably for good reason.

Deep conditioning should be the corner stone to any gals hair routine…simply because you’re able to reep the most benefits that lead to healthy hair. Set your strands up with the most nutrient rich, balanced conditioner on a weekly basis & you’ll never look back. A few weeks ago I added a heavy duty conditioning oil to my arsenal of DC’ers and instantly knew I’d found something special for FRO & I to adore!

I wasn’t formally introduced to Welda Rosemary Oil until aimlessly roaming the aisles of Whole Foods several months back, yet knew it was something special just based on the claims alone. A natural conditioning oil treatment formulated with Rosemary Oil & burdock root to help soothe the scalp and able to restore moisture to hair and improve overall manageability….I was instantly sold.

When a product requires just a little to get the job done, it’s always a keeper. With only a few drops added to hair when deep conditioning, your hair will instantly see results. You’ll notice hair with more shine and softness you thought only reserved for the creamiest of condishes! The oil almost instantly penetrates once applied and works best when leaved on anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour. Try sitting under a heating cap and hair should feel like buttah!

I fell head over heals for this treatment and incorporated it to several areas of the hair routine. Because Rosemary Oil has amazing antibacterial benefits for the scalp, I apply small portions to the pads of my fingers and massage onto the scalp when wearing a protective style or prior to untwisting and rockin a twist-out. The smell is refreshing without being overpowering and because it’s incredibly versatile it’s great to add to some of your favorite deep conditioners for maximum effectiveness.

If you’ve tried Rosemary Oil in the past, you’re already privy to how awesome it is! What oils or deep conditioners are you using this winter?

I haven’t deviated much from a handful of my go-to products over the past few weeks, but what with all the excitement over this past Black Friday, a girl’s PJ spirit was brought back to life! My list was short because I’ve since grown pickier since the ubber haul days, but at the top of that list is always a few hair goodies from the Curl Junkie line. This go round I immediately dropped the Curl Assurance Smoothing Lotion in the cart and waited anxiously to use! Thankfully, I didn’t have to wait long – order was shipped next day and I was able to get down to experimenting pretty quickly!

I’d heard raves about this leave-in conditioner all over the Tubes, and knew it was a keeper after Elle’s review, and just after applying it to one itty bitty section of hair a few weeks ago, I completely understood why! This. stuff. is. awesome. Sauce!!

Curl Junkie has consistently put out great leave-in conditioners, yet this beats the rest if you’re looking for a something especially slippy to help detangle and moisturize your strands. I’m talking serious slippage that trumps a lot of the previous favorites. With Slippery Elm Extract at the top of the ingredient list, you need a fairly small amount to help untangle and smooth out tough knots.

Apply alone onto wet damp hair, or under your favorite styler and hair is incredibly moisturized. I used it mainly to twist the hair prior to rocking a twist-out, and was able to prolong the style for a good 7 days.  For the price ($20) you get a hefty 12 ounce bottle which is bound to last more than a few washes.

Perfect for the winter months when hair tends to get excessively dry, tangled and thirsty for moisture, this makes a perfect addition to the PJ rotation. And, this one’s a definite ‘sniffer’..i.e. can’t resist the temptation to run back to your bathroom cabinet and sniff the jars of your favorite hair products...yep. The smell reminds me of something sweet, sugary yet subtle…nothing overpowering.

I generally do not have a problem reaching 7- day hair when sticking to my nightly routine, though this was especially sweet because of the lack of frizz and great definition. The weather here in NY has steadily gotten colder, so looking forward to using this during those especially brisk days.

If you’ve tried the Smoothing Lotion, let me know your thoughts! What do you use to keep the hair moisturized during the winter?

I feel as if I’ve mentioned more than a few times issues surrounding the ‘scalp situation,’ so much so that I often receive a few e-mails from you guys asking for help on how to treat your ‘situation.’ I’ve been dealing with dryness of the scalp associated with a mild form of dermatitis for a few years now, and the one thing that remains constant is that you must stay on your game! And if you’re wondering where to start, the easy answer is to begin with water.

It’s easy to forget that during the winter months, our skin needs just as much hydration as it does during the warmer months…perhaps even more so due to the lack of moisture in the air, so monitoring water intake is pretty important if you’re prone to scalp issues. Since the old pubescent years, I’ve made water intake sort of a daily ritual…making sure I incorporate at least a liter a day into my routine. On busy days when time does escape me, I make sure to quickly down at least an 8 ounce glass before heading to bed. Ironically, in the mornings…my mind feels clear and I have less of a hungover feeling. Don’t ask why…

But to stay on top of the scalp game, preventative care really is the best deal, and having a team of products in your rotation to help combat the itchies & flakes will do you good! Because the scalp tends to adjust to a few of the remedies I apply on the regular, I rotate and gauge what to apply based on scalp’s needs.

The aim really is to keep the scalp clutter free – free of buildup, flakes and anything else blocking hair health. During each wash session I apply either an easy hot oil treatment mixed with a few fav herbs that have anti-bacterial/antiseptic properties (typically lavender, hibiscus) mixed with essential oils (tea tree, peppermint, lavender, jojoba, avocado). Often when I’m not quick enough to replenish the stash, I turn to old favorites from the Jane Carter line. The Scalp Renew does well as a pre-cleanse treatment by exfoliating and stimulating the scalp. Because of the peppermint & tea tree oils…the slight tingly feeling tells you it’s working! What’s great about the Renew treatment is how little is needed to feel the affects…one bottle can easily last you anywhere from 5-6 applications when targeting specific areas of irritation.

To keep the scalp happy in between washes try not to over apply using various oils. If the scalp is already dry, adding your favorite oil will most likely not help. If the goal is to maintain the moisture level on the scalp, applying a light oil similar to the Scalp Nourishing Serum works to prevent dryness. Keys to applying oils, are to target areas on the scalp that are more prone to irritation as opposed to canvasing the entire head.

If your scalp has no favorites in the oil department, sticking to an easy remedy like Witch Hazel works amazingly well. I’ve been using Lavender witch hazel with a touch of aloe (alcohol free) for a few months and love the soothing effects. Apply with a clean wash cloth or cotton ball to areas that are often itchy or flaky and the scalp feels instantly refreshed. Witch Hazel is amazing for those who have sensitive skin because it doesn’t irritate the surface of the skin, cleanses effectively and moisturizes without the mess.

Feeling experimental? Dry Shampoos have always fascinated me, and while in Sephora a few months ago I lingered around Ojon’s Full Detox Dry Cleansing Spray, a ‘Rub-Out- cleanser that refreshes the scalp using Soap Bark Tree. Awesome because it goes on clear, leaves no residue and has the best cooling sensation once applied…this is a keeper if you’re traveling on the road, a frequent gym-goer or simply have  no time to do the Fro.

A few other factors do matter as well, including using a non-sulfate shampoo to cleanse the scalp. Monitoring your diet, noticing any allergens that might’ve crept into your life (lactose, dairy , wheat, gluten…etc.), stress. If you’re currently heading down the road to scalp recovery…do give it some time. For the most part, it’s an internal dilemma that expresses itself on the scalp, so allow yourself enough room (1-2 months) to notice any significant changes, and in the end, if seeking the help of a reputable dermatologist suits your needs, do it!

:More Reading:

• Think it’s Dandruff?
• Natural Hair Products That Cause Dry Scalp & Skin