Cracked Out On Kemi-Oyl!

Our natural hair is so naturally dry that it is absolutely CRUCIAL to keep it oiled and moisturized. Kemi-Oyl is one of my personal favorites in combating dryness. I don't know what kind of crack they put in that bottle but I am HOOKED! I cannot live without my Kemi-Crack! LOL! The only drawbacks? It's relatively pricey for a small, stingy bottle of oil and Kemi Laboratories, the company that produces the oil, doesn't list the ingredients in fear that others will steal their "formula". For all we know it could have collard green juice and fried catfish grease in it... Either way, it works like a charm! You can cop it at Walgreens for $3.29 per bottle.

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The Power of Poo

Some naturals prefer to cut shampoo completely out of their hair regimen (a.k.a "no-poo"). They find poo-ing extremely drying and unnecessary, therefore, eliminating it from their routine. Although I do understand the reasoning for doing so, I currently choose to include it in mine. Because I saturate my hair with so much oil, shampoo is the only way to remove it so that I don't accumulate buildup. Buildup can weigh down the hair, gives it a dull appearance, and makes it look like...well, let's just say, another kind of poo! After a good shampoo, my hair is clean, light, and shiny again! Also, I don't shampoo often so I'm not really concerned about the "drying effect" it can sometimes have.


Since shampoo does tend to dry out hair, it is really important to choose one that isn't so harsh. Here's how you can tell if it is or not. Shampoo your hair and then wash it out. Immediately feel your hair. Your hair should not feel like a big bundle of rough, dry straw. If it does, go get your money back and start looking for a new shampoo ASAP. Like finding a great conditioner, searching for a gentle shampoo can also be a matter of trial and error. But hang in there! Taking the time to find the right one is well worth it.

I currently use V05 Split Ends Shampoo with Panthenol. This shampoo formula, like my favorite V05 conditioner I told you about, has been discontinued, reformulated, and repackaged. I was devastated! The new one does not work for me at all. Lucky for me, though, I found a store that had some of the original formula on clearance. In utter desperation, I bought the whole shelf! So now I have a little more time before I'll have to go 'poo shopping again.

Here's the key to poo-ing:

• find a gentle shampoo
• don't shampoo too often
• focus on poo-ing the scalp to prevent dryness
• as you rinse, let the suds clean the length of the hair
• ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS follow with conditioner

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Mint Condition(er): Finding "The One"

One of the most important decisions you'll make in your haircare routine will be the conditioner you choose for your hair. Conditioner plays a key role in combing and detangling, maintaining moisture, adding overall "life" to your hair, and keeping it in mint condition. Finding the right conditioner is often a matter of trial and error. When I first went natural, I can't tell you how many conditioners I tried and tossed before I found "the one" that worked. I felt unthinkable joy when I finally discovered V05 Extra Body Conditioner. It left my hair moisturized, nicely coated my hair, and allowed enough "slip" so that I could easily detangle. It was everything you could ask for in a conditioner and at only 99 cents a pop! I used it for 7 years until V05 did me dirty and switched up the formula, along with the packaging. Needless to say, it was a wrap!




My hair became so parched and dry. I looked high and low, desperately searching for a replacement. In every grocery, hair, and convenient store, I left no shelf unturned. I knew v05 would be hard to match, but it was important for me to find a conditioner without drying ingredients like dimethicone. I finally found Aura's Cherry Almond Bark Conditioner and I must admit, I am really satisfied. I think it might be the bootleg version of Aveda's line but it works!

PROS: No dimethicone. Great moisture. Great shine and slip. Not as thick but detangles better than any conditioner I have ever tried!

CONS: It costs over $11.00 a pop at Sally's Beauty Supply. Dang, Sally! You're really breakin my balls here! (That is, if I had balls... ok, enough about the balls, already!) Overall, this has been well worth the splurge!

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