Dark & Lovely Au Naturale Products on Sale at Walgreens!!

After dropping the kids off at School this morning, I made a quick stop at Walgreens to obtain a few things I needed for my office.  

Imagine my surprised when I discovered these amazing Dark & Lovely Au Naturale products were on sale! 

I love love Au Naturale by Dark & Lovely and I've recently ran out of the Leave In Conditioner. If you missed our product review early this year, you can read it here: Product Review: Dark & Lovely-LOC Line.

With this BOGO sale, you are basically paying $4.99 for each product!!  Here is a list of the products that you can find on sale:  Walgreens Dark & Lovely Au Naturale BOGO SALE

Needless to say, I grabbed all the Leave-Ins they had... 

If you are a big fan of Dark & Lovely Au Naturale, now is the time to stock up on all your favorite products!!! 

A Recap and This Month's Protective Style!

Hello my beautiful people!! 

This is a recap of the last week of May.  I know, I know, I have been unplugged and "MIA" for a few days but it was good to just relax at the beach with our kiddos.  No phones, no Ipads... just lots of sun and fun with our children.

Well, May is gone, gone, gone and June has arrived!!  I can't believe school is officially over and summer vacation has started.

Although school was over on May 20th, 2016, Calvary Day Summer Camp program, which by the way is our children's favorite summer program, didn't begin until June 3rd.

Therefore, our kids had to spend a few days with Grandmother and Papa so that we could work and make the last minute preparations for our Annual Myrtle Beach Vacation.

Basically our children were only gone for four days (Sunday Night 5/22 - Thursday 5/26th) but it was far too long for this mama! They may try my last nerve but the reality is, they are all mine and I do feel a little bit lost without them.   

This mama was supper happy when they arrived home late Thursday night.   Unfortunately, I was unable to accompany my husband to pick them up because our new puppies needed supervision.  Yes, wait until I share my "Boxer Puppies Post" with all of you!

Little man arrived back home just in time to receive a very important piece of mail.  We posted a quick video sharing the news on our Facebook Page.. click: HE MADE HONOR ROLL!!  

I must confess that I do worry about him and his grades.  I see a lot of me in him when it comes to "math" and we did struggle a bit a couple of times through out the year.  While I have to learn how to "NOT" stress him and me about his studies, I am glad that we have established a routine for those nights when he has to be at practice and/or games.

Having a plan and putting that plan into action has saved a lot of headaches and his grades. Otherwise I truly believe his grades would have suffered at great deal.  Stay tuned because I will share tips and ideas on how we prepare them for the next school year and how we are able to have good grades even when they play sports three nights at week.  

June's Protective Style

Because the warm and dry days have also arrived, it is time to style Ms. Bree's hair into a protective style.   This style also worked perfectly for our Myrtle Beach Vacation.  

I used the following products in the following order (on freshly washed and conditioned hair): 

Blended Beauty Curly Cake Shaker;
Creme of Nature Argan Oil; 
Blended Beauty "Down & Out"; with 
(a bit of) Eco Styler Gel with Argan Oil. 

Using the Eco Styler Gel allows her braids to last a bit longer.  It also helps with a more defined "braid out" if she decides she wants to rock her hair out for a few days before restyling.  

The practicality of this style is amazing.  I was able to easily co-wash and moisturize her scalp as well as her ends after every trip to the water park and beach. 

TIP: Remember, it is imperative to co-wash and moisturize their curly tresses every time they spend time at the pool or beach. Too much sun and chlorine can be damaging to their hair.

Now, stay tuned because we will be sharing wit you our Father's Day Gift Ideas, Ms. Bree's Recital, Billy's 2016 Baseball Season, Our Family Adventures in Myrtle Beach, and we will also be sharing our tips on how to prepare them ready for the next school year!!!  

  

Down & Out by Blended Beauty

Hello my curly peeps!! 

This is a review that is so over due, so let's correct that, shall we.  If you follow our Facebook Fan Page: CaramelCurlzNSwirls, then you've heard of me using this product on more than one occasion and how much I love them.

While I have a few favorite products that seemed to work perfectly on my daughter's hair, Down & Out is one of the best products and the results have never disappointed me.   When I say "it is one of the best", it's because Bee Mine Luscious Moisturizer is on the top of the list.

Down and Out Styles is a Leave-In Conditioner Butter, that helps with moisturizing, conditioning and with the definition of my daughter's hair.  I love to use this butter when I style her hair in twists.  

In combination with Curly Cake Shake, our oil mix and gel always gives me the most beautiful results, as well as a lasting hold.

  

Because Down & Out is enriched with ingredients like Shea Butter, Aloe, and Chamomile, her hair is always soft and free of frizz.   Even during our trip to the beach, her hair remained soft and beautiful.  

Down & Out Styles Ingredients: 

Aqua, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Behentrimonium Methosulfate (and) Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate (and) Cetyl Alcohol (and) Butylene Glycol, Vegetable Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Methylheptyl Isostearate, Soy Lecithin, Cetyl Esters, Parfum, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Preservative (Phenoxyethanol and Caprylyl Glycol and Sorbic Acid), Rosmarinus Officinalis, Aloe Barbadensis, Chamomilla Recutita.

How I apply Down & Out:

Working in small section is the key.  

1. Apply Curly Cake Shake to the section you are working and detangle the section using your fingers; 
2. Apply your favorite oil mix;
3. Apply Down & Out.

At this point you can start styling your little one's hair however you desire.  You can let it all "down and out" or you can style it in a protective style like I do.

Styling her hair in twists allows me to get more out of a hair style.  When styling her hair in twists, she is able to wear that protective style for a week or two, before I let it all down so that she can wear her hair in a fluffy and soft "Twist Out" for another week.  

In reality, from twists to a twist out style can approximately last a month, as long as we take our time to properly care for her ends and scalp, of course. 

The Curly Cake Shake can be used to maintain the hair as well.  This product will hydrate your thirsty curls while giving them the shine they need.

Have you tried these products before?? Share your thoughts!!   

Bee Mine Natural Hair Products: Back to School Sale!

Bee Mine is having another sale, a Back To School Sale!!

Is no secret that Bee Mine Luscious Moisturizer, Curly Butter and Deja's Hair Milk are my all time favorite hair products. 

Bee Mine products are all natural and are handmade.  All of their hair care products can be used on all naturally curly, relaxed, texlaxed and color treated hair.

Bee Mine has amazing scents available: Coconut Cream and Island Mango and 

NOW INTRODUCING STRAWBERRY-KIWI Scent (Curly Butter).

If you have not tried any of their products, we highly recommend that you do and take advantage of this great sale! 

So go on, head over to Bee Mine Natural & Organic website and place your order.  

Sale beings on Friday August 16th at 12am EST through Sunday August 18th at 11:59p.m.      

Our First Criss Cross Braid

I finally did it! My first criss-cross cornrow and I am very pleased with the results!!

It has been approximately five months since I took the challenge of learning  how to cornrow my daughters hair as it's a great protective style.

Below are a couple of links to some great posts which I believe are great for beginners:

"Cornrowing-for-beginners" by Beads Braids and Beyond and Learn Cornrows which is highly recommended by KandLandKurls.  

Now, Rory from Chocolate Hair/Vanilla Care has an amazing technique and many have learned by using a practice board, here is the link to her post "how-to-cornrow".

Although the above posts are great source of information, I'm more of a visual person.  While searching for youtube videos, I came across Kate's videos.  These are the videos that I truly learned from, the link to her youtube video is "How to Cornrow instructions".

Now let me tell you, as a beginner you will make mistakes, and after five months of practicing, I still make mistakes, specially when I have my six year old asking for snacks, or Ms. Bree needs a sudden "potty break".  Please remember it's okay to start over if you are at a point in your cornrow where you can start over, but if you are towards the end of the cornrow, just leave it! Most people will never notice your mistake unless you point it out.

After practicing straight and short cornrows, you will be able to do more than just simple styles.  I wanted to do something different this time.  I have wanted to try doing the criss-cross braid for a very long time, which I also learned from watching Kate's video "How to do Criss-cross Cornrows Part 1" and "How to do Criss-cross Cornrows Part 2".  I watched her video over and over again until I told myself, "this is it, I'm going to do this".

I opted to only do a single criss cross braid because I didn't know how long it was going to take me and i didn't know if Ms. Bree was  going to sit still for that long.

On my next attempt I will probably do as many three or four.

After a few days, I did a little modifying.  I undid the side pony tails and twisted her hair over night.  The next day I removed her twists. (twist out).

 and remember, keep practicing and don't forget to share your pictures and progress with us!! 

you can send your pictures to caramelcurlznswirls@yahoo.com

Styles for Short Curls

As we all know, not every curly top has the same length or amount of hair.  Sometimes you may feel overwhelmed or confused when it comes to styling your little one's curls, especially if their curls are extremely short.  

Ms. J's hair is short and her mommy is totally okay with it and instead of feeling overwhelmed, she has found several styles that work for her lovely daughter.  She has also modified some styles to make that those styles work on Ms. J's short hair.  

Thank you Mrs Rachel for sharing these amazing cute styles with us! 

STYLE 1:

STYLE 2:

STYLE 3:

STYLE 4:

STYLE 5:

STYLE 6:

STYLE 7:

Ms. Rachel says:

"Other simple styles I have done on my daughter are the following:

• Afro puffs are an easy style you can create in minutes, you can create one, two, four... or as many as you want;
• braided buns;
• four cornrows... etc.

Plaits are great protective style and easy to do, it works on all length of hair and they can be done in different sizes as well"

PRODUCTS USED:

THANK YOU again Mrs Rachel and Ms. J for sharing these beautiful styles!!!  

Are the Curls Ready for the Winter?

WINTER IS HERE!!!

Everyone is getting or is ready for winter.  Coats, gloves, scarves, and hats are out of storage and ready to be used. (Some of you are probably already wearing them).

A lot of people not only change our wardrobe but also change their children's hair routine to properly care for those beautiful curls during the harsh cold weather and winds.

We have purchased a few items for Ms. Bree to wear during the cold days.  Although her school curriculum changes in order to keep the kids indoors, they have to go outside sometime and play.

Here are few items you may want to purchase for the winter months.  (This items can also be used all year around) 

Satin Pillow Case and/or Satin Sleep Cap:

  

You may find this at your local hair store, Satin Sleep Caps are usual priced $0.99 to $1.99.  A Satin Pillow case are usually priced $2.99 - $3.99, this also can be found at your local hair store or on-line.   NOTE:  Satin caps can also be worn under a regular winter hat, doing so will prevent the winter cap from breaking and drying the little one's hair.

 or 
Crochet Beanie Hats or vented Bands.  I bought them a little big (Teen Size) because I would be putting the sating cap under it.  They come in several colors, I paid around $2.99 each, you can find them at your local hair store or you can find some really cute ones online.

Ms. Bree's washing routine has changed as well as her products. Her routine now includes the following:

Crème of Nature- Argan Oil Shine and Moisture Shampoo. *Product Review Coming Soon*

 or Herbal Essence Hellow Hydration Conditioner.  This is a conditioner that we have used for years and we seem to always go back to it.  We either use None of Your Frizzinnes or Hello Hydration.

 Crème of Nature-Argan Oil Treatment for Hair. This helps repair dry, damaged hair, strengthens & prevents breakage.

    Bee Mine Luscious Moisturizer.

And thanks to Kandy Land Kurls, we will be adding Castor Oil to our regimen as well.      * I will update our "Washing Routine" Tab very soon.*

It is very important to take the time and care for the curls during the winter, the hair will be amazingly healthy comes Spring!

In a nutshell, these are the things you need to remember: make sure you have a weekly washing routine, do a good deep conditioner, have a good moisturizer at hand, do a lot of protective hairstyles and try not to let the little ones go outside with wet hair.

Please read Kandy Land Kurls post on "Natural Tips and Tricks to Keep Your Child's Hair Healthy This Winter".   It will provide you with very helpful tips.

Picture Day!

ALL READY FOR SCHOOL PICTURES!!   

Today is individual picture day and Ms. Bree picked a very simple style.  I am so glad she did because Mondays are very hectic for us due to the extra activities my son is currently enrolled on.

Ms. Bree has truly enjoyed her twist outs style and she asked me to do it again, but this time she wanted two ponytails so she could wear the flowers she found at the hair store.

To Get The Look:

MONDAY NIGHT: 

1.  Shampoo her hair with Cream of Nature Argan Oil Shampoo;

2.  I used Herbal Essence Hello Hydration and I lightly rinsed the hair out;

3.  Created four sections by parting from ear to ear then from forehead to nape.  

4.  On the bottom two sections:  I created a total of 8 two strand twists.  I use Bee Mine Luscious Moisturizer and a few drops of Argan Oil.

5.  On the top sections I created two pony tails secured by Goody's Ouchless Bands (I only wrap the band twice.  It was not tight at all but since I really didn't see the need for it because I was going to retouch it in the morning);

6.  I created 3  two Strand Twists on each pony tail.

7.  I then pin her twists up so they wouldn't shrink that much during the night.

This morning I carefully removed the pins and retouched her pony tails by making the edges nice and smooth. I re-banded her pony tails and applied the flower clips.

Ms. Bree also wanted the headband so I let her put it on.  

Are your kids taking school pictures??  We will love to see their pictures and styles!