This wash n' go is 5 days old. I kid you not. Keep reading to learn how I did it...

Urban Hydration Naturals is lit.

Here's why.

Urban Hydration Naturals is a Black owned, bath, body, and haircare line that did 👏not👏come👏to👏play! Urban Hydration Naturals gave me one of the longest lasting wash and go's I've had in a looooooong time. I stopped at day 7 because I personally can't see myself going longer than a week without water on my hair and scalp - but come on! When is the last time you heard me say anything about a wash & go lasting 5, 6, or 7 days?

Exaaaaaaaactly.

It's been a while.

Between the gym, hand-in-hair-syndrome, and the fact that I sleep like a wild animal, my wash and go's generally last 3-4 days tops. Pile scalp issues on top of that, and I'm usually headed for a re-wash by day 4 at the latest.

But with Urban Hydration Naturals, My hair made it to 7 days - and looked absolutely amazing in the process. Want to know how I did it? Watch the video for the steps I took to achieve long-lasting definition, shine, and moisture with products from Urban Hydration Naturals.



Want more details on the Urban Hydration Naturals line? I got you. Keep reading for details on ingredients, where to purchase, and which products from the line are my faves - keep reading below! Oh and by the way, to keep this review from going on forever, I had to condense some areas. We're talking about 7 products here!

Silione free. Artificial color and fragrance free. Protein free.

But it's important to note that the entire Urban Hydration Naturals line is silicone and sulfate free (aka curly girl friendly), and protein free as well. Every product does contain coconut, avocado, and argan oils. Most importantly (for me), the entire collection is free from artificial colorants and fragrances.

Coconut Oil Shampoo
Cost
$13.99 for 16.9oz

Where to Buy
Urban Hydration Naturals website, select Sally Beauty Stores, and here on Amazon.

Active Ingredients

• Water
• Cocamidopropyl Betaine: Coconut oil-derived detergent, anti-static, and hair conditioning agent.
• Sodium Cocoamphoacetate: Incredibly gentle organic compound used as a surfactant, emollient, hair conditioning agent, and foam booster.
• Decyl Glucoside: Natural, non-ionic surfactant created using a combination of plant-based fatty alcohols and glucose. It's mild, gentle, and does not dry out the hair or skin.
• Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate: A natural amino acid derivative that acts as a cleanser and foam booster. Enhances effectiveness and feel of cosmetic products.
• Glycerin: Generally vegetable-based humectant that draws moisture from the air.

My Thoughts
One of the key components of my wash and go being able to last so long is having a clean and clear scalp. While the Urban Hydration Naturals Coconut Oil Shampoo isn't a medicated shampoo by any means, it did get my scalp nice and clean without drying it out. I definitely appreciated the use of natural ingredients and essential oils for fragrance - and so did my scalp. I love the viscosity of the shampoo, and if you work in sections, you can use it to help detangle. A few pumps goes a long way - and it left my hair feeling strong, clean, and moisturized.

An ultra moisturizing wash day duo.

Coconut Oil Conditioner
Cost
$14.99 for 16.9oz

Where to Buy
Urban Hydration Naturals website, select Sally Beauty Stores, and here on Amazon.

Active Ingredients

• Water
• Glycerin: Generally vegetable-based humectant that draws moisture from the air.
• Beeswax: Thick wax produced from the honeycombs of bees used to seal moisture and provide a natural hold on hair.
• C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate: Ester and emollient that is used to enhance spreadability, reduce the greasiness of other oils, and create a silky soft feeling in mixtures.
• Ginger Extract: Extraction of the spicy, aromatic root that stimulates and encourages hair growth while fighting free-radical damage. Also conditions the hair, while helping to relieve dry, itchy scalp.  
• Coconut Oil: Oil high in saturated fats (which is why when cold, it is solid). One of the few known oils to penetrate the hair shaft and truly moisturize hair. Coconut oil helps to moisturize, seal, and prevent breakage.

My Thoughts
Omg I LOVE this stuff! The Urban Hydration Naturals Coconut Oil Conditioner needs to be sold in massive jars because it's legitimately bomb! As you saw in the video, I didn't exactly make all the effort in the world to keep my hair detangled during shampooing. That was intentional. Word on the e-streets was that Urban Hydration Naturals had that slip on lock - and I wanted to put it to the test.

THEY PASSED.

With the Urban Hydration Naturals Coconut Oil Conditioner, I was able to use my treasured Felicia Leatherwood Detangler Brush to section and detangle my hair thoroughly with minimal shedding. I'm not sure if you guys know this or not, but I only for real for real detangle about once a month. Most of my wash days are fingers only. Not only did the Coconut Oil Conditioner give me less shedding than expected, it also gave my hair all sorts of moisturizing goodness. Because my hair is on the low porosity side (especially in the front), it takes heat to make any conditioner penetrate into my strands. And as the video showed, 20 minutes later that stuff was ALLLLLLL soaked in! After rinsing, my curls were super soft and ready to style.

Trust me, you'll want these in your arsenal.

Coconut Oil Leave-In Conditioner
Cost
$12.99 for 6.8oz

Where to Buy
Urban Hydration Naturals website, select Sally Beauty Stores, and here on Amazon.

Active Ingredients

• Water
• Glycerin: Generally vegetable-based humectant that draws moisture from the air.
• Beeswax: Thick wax produced from the honeycombs of bees used to seal moisture and provide a natural hold on hair.
• PVP: Form filming vinyl polymer used as a hair fixative and binding agent (aka provides hold). It's a common active ingredient in many gels and styling product formulas.
• Ginger Extract: Extraction of the spicy, aromatic root that stimulates and encourages hair growth while fighting free-radical damage. Also conditions the hair, while helping to relieve dry, itchy scalp. 
• Coconut Oil: Oil high in saturated fats (which is why when cold, it is solid). One of the few known oils to penetrate the hair shaft and truly moisturize hair. Coconut oil helps to moisturize, seal, and prevent breakage.

My Thoughts
Where do I begin?! My love for the Urban Hydration Naturals Coconut Oil Leave-In Conditioner was INSTANT. Like, magical. Because LA gets some winter-esque weather during the mornings and evenings (with 75 degrees midday), it's pretty cold and not always practical to apply my leave-ins and stylers to soaking wet hair in the shower. Even on my naked, non-drenched hair, the curl poppage with the Coconut Oil Leave-In was instant. As was the shine.

The Coconut Oil Leave-In was honestly thicker than anything I've ever experienced in a leave-in conditioner, but the performance was AMAZING. No white residue whatsoever. Despite its thickness, the leave-in soaked right into my hair, while making it incredibly easy to work through. I literally could not ask for anything more!

These 5th day curls look better than some of my day 2 curls.

Coconut Oil Styling Cream
Cost
$12.99 for 8.4oz

Where to Buy
Urban Hydration Naturals website, select Sally Beauty Stores.

Active Ingredients

• Water
• Glycerin: Generally vegetable-based humectant that draws moisture from the air.
• Beeswax: Thick wax produced from the honeycombs of bees used to seal moisture and provide a natural hold on hair.
• PVP: Form filming vinyl polymer used as a hair fixative and binding agent (aka provides hold). It's a common active ingredient in many gels and styling product formulas.
• Ginger Extract: Extraction of the spicy, aromatic root that stimulates and encourages hair growth while fighting free-radical damage. Also conditions the hair, while helping to relieve dry, itchy scalp. 
• Coconut Oil: Oil high in saturated fats (which is why when cold, it is solid). One of the few known oils to penetrate the hair shaft and truly moisturize hair. Coconut oil helps to moisturize, seal, and prevent breakage.

My Thoughts
OMG - where have you been all my life?! Seriously, once I paired the Coconut Oil Styling Cream with the Leave-In Conditioner, I KNEW my wash n' go was about to be lit. The Coconut Oil Styling Cream, while slightly thinner than the leave-in, doubled up on capturing my curls, adding shine, and priming them for enhanced definition. A little bit goes a long way - meaning the dollop I'd normally use on one section of hair distributed perfectly throughout an entire half of my head. It paired beautifully with the leave-in and Curl Defining Gel, leaving not one single piece of buildup, residue, or "product booger" (you know what I'm talking about) behind.

All in all, the leave-in and Coconut Oil Styling cream played a pivotal part in my wash n' go lasting as long as it did!

Coconut Oil Curl Defining Gel
Cost
$9.99 for 8.4oz

Where to Buy
Urban Hydration Naturals website, select Sally Beauty Stores.

Active Ingredients

• Water
• Glycerin: Generally vegetable-based humectant that draws moisture from the air.
• PVP: Form filming vinyl polymer used as a hair fixative and binding agent (aka provides hold). It's a common active ingredient in many gels and styling product formulas.
• Xanthan Gum: Plant-based thickening and stabilizing agent.
• Ginger Extract: Extraction of the spicy, aromatic root that stimulates and encourages hair growth while fighting free-radical damage. Also conditions the hair, while helping to relieve dry, itchy scalp. 
• Rosemary Extract: Known growth stimulant and extract, used to prevent dandruff and even premature baldness, as well as enhance highlights. The leaves are known to have relatively high levels of antioxidants.

My Thoughts
Has a hair product ever made you really, really emotional? Like, Carl Thomas Emotional? That's how I'm feeling about the Coconut Oil Curl Defining Gel. Now, don't go looking up all the lyrics, because you and I both know that what Emotional ain't got nothing to do with hair gel. 😂

But after watching my hair go from good, to great, to amazing over the course of 7 days, I couldn't help but feel a way about this Coconut Oil Curl Defining Gel. Christina's Choice 2017 is literally right around the corner - and I'm already making some late 4th quarter changes to the roster. I mean, 7 days of AMAZING hair?! Where they do that at?! Apparently, over at Urban Hydration Naturals. The Coconut Oil Curl Defining Gel has the properties that I love (plays nicely with leave-ins and creams) and has the thickness that I go nuts for. It's not quite as thick as Eco Styler, but it's definitely on par with my beloved tgin Curl Bomb.

Y'all, I don't know what else to say about this gel than look at my hair:

Getting cozy with my new bae.

Coconut Oil Daily Moisturizer
Cost
$11.99 for 9.1oz

Where to Buy
Urban Hydration Naturals website, select Sally Beauty Stores, and here on Amazon.

Active Ingredients

• Water
• Glycerin: Generally vegetable-based humectant that draws moisture from the air.
• PVP: Form filming vinyl polymer used as a hair fixative and binding agent (aka provides hold). It's a common active ingredient in many gels and styling product formulas.
• Ginger Extract: Extraction of the spicy, aromatic root that stimulates and encourages hair growth while fighting free-radical damage. Also conditions the hair, while helping to relieve dry, itchy scalp. 
• Rosemary Extract: Known growth stimulant and extract, used to prevent dandruff and even premature baldness, as well as enhance highlights. The leaves are known to have relatively high levels of antioxidants.
• Coconut Oil: Oil high in saturated fats (which is why when cold, it is solid). One of the few known oils to penetrate the hair shaft and truly moisturize hair. Coconut oil helps to moisturize, seal, and prevent breakage.

My Thoughts
I thought I would be reaching for the Coconut Oil Daily Moisturizer on the daily - but that so was not the case. In fact, during the course of the 7 days I worked this wash n' go, I only reached for the Coconut Oil Daily Moisturizer once - on day 2 to break my gel cast. It left my hair shiny, soft, and super moisturized. In the future, I plan to play around with this product more - to see where the possibilities may lie.

Coconut Finishing Oil
Cost
$9.99 for 4oz

Where to Buy
Urban Hydration Naturals website, select Sally Beauty Stores.

Active Ingredients

• Ethylhexyl Palmitate: A derivative of palm oil lipids, acts as a smoothing agent and emollient. Often used in place of silicones as a "dry slip" agent.
• C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate: Ester and emollient that is used to enhance spreadability, reduce the greasiness of other oils, and create a silky soft feeling in mixtures.
• Coconut Oil: Oil high in saturated fats (which is why when cold, it is solid). One of the few known oils to penetrate the hair shaft and truly moisturize hair. Coconut oil helps to moisturize, seal, and prevent breakage.
• Avocado Oil: Omega 3-rich nourishing oil extract that can enhances shine, moisture retention, softness, and elasticity in hair.
• Argan Oil: Oil rich in vitamin E and contains omega 3 and omega 9 fatty acids that provide nutrition for hair. It also contains linoleic and oleic acid that helps to hydrate and moisturize hair. Helps repair damaged follicles, imparts shine, and prevents frizz and rough ends.

My Thoughts
Usually, I'm against using coconut oil in the colder months - mainly because if it's solid in the jar, it's solid on the strands. But as you've seen in the video, that's just not the case with the Coconut Finishing Oil. It behaves less like a true oil, and more like a lightweight serum. And if you love what coconut oil does for your hair but can't vibe with the smell - you'll definitely want to give the Coconut Finishing Oil a try. The fragrance is so faint, it might as well not be there!

Overall, the Coconut Finishing Oil provides brilliant, natural shine while locking in moisture for days. I used it to seal in the leave-in and styling cream, and a few days later to help boost shine. Both times, my hair responded beautifully with enhanced sheen and zero greasiness.

A lil' frizz. A lil' volume. A whooooooole lotta definition and shine.

The Bottom Line + What Products Are My Favorite?
As you've seen through this review, I enjoyed using all 7 products. I can honestly say that I was thoroughly impressed by the Urban Hydration Naturals line. I had moisturized, defined curls that lasted for 7 days with little to no scalp drama. I really do believe the absence of artificial fragrances helped keep my scalp from acting up for an entire week. Plus, the style results speak for themselves!

As far as faves are concerned, I got you. I know most naturalistas aren't going to run out and buy 7 products from a line they've never tried. I mean, I'm sure some of you will (and I'm not judging you at all fellow #productjunkie), but the vast majority are probably looking for 2, maybe 3 products to try. My super official, must try picks are:

• Coconut Oil Leave-In Conditioner
• Coconut Oil Styling Cream
• Coconut Oil Curl Defining Gel

But the catch is - you've gotta try them TOGETHER. Like, all at once on the same style. Maybe even with a lil' Coconut Oil Daily Moisturizer the next day. Either way, I'm headed to Sally's as soon as I hit "Publish" on this post. And if the Sally's closest to me is out of stock, I'm headed to Amazon. I don't think y'all understand how impressed I am with this brand.

Will you be giving Urban Hydration Naturals a try? Let me know in the comments below!

This post is sponsored by Urban Hydration Naturals and contains Amazon affiliate links.

Look what santa put under the tree - scalp relief!

Got dry, itchy scalp that flakes and makes it really difficult to wear protective styles - and forces you to wash your hair at least twice a week?

Come here, beloved - we're in the same boat. :::hugs:::

While the conditions that cause scalp issues can range from dandruff and psoriasis to imbalances caused by medications and medical conditions, one thing rings true across the board - no matter the cause, the effect is suuuuuper annoying.

I'd love nothing more than to toss my hair into some faux locs and forget about it - but scalp psoriasis won't let me be great. And even though I cleanse my hair and scalp twice per week, I still have to contend with itching and dryness between washes - especially around my hairline, and in that front/center patch.

For us with natural hair, daily washing (especially with medicated shampoos) is not only impractical, but puts too much stress and manipulation on our textured curls. What's a naturalista to do? Don't stress it - I've got 5 solutions that will help calm your scalp, soothe itching, alleviate dryness, and at the same time, stimulate growth.

Note: Before proceeding with the solutions below, please rule out a lack of shampooing as the source cause of your scalp woes. If your scalp is itching, flaking, dry,and tight, but your hair hasn't seen shampoo in 6 weeks - handle that, sis. You need shampoo more than targeted scalp solutions. 

Also, if you are experiencing flaking that's yellow and waxy or thick and scaly, please see a dermatologist to receive a proper diagnosis first. I'm not a licensed medical professional, and nothing shared in this post (or on maneobjective.com) is to be taken as medical advice. 

Now that we've got that out the way, keep reading to learn more about each one!

P.S. - They're ALL Black owned. Creating solutions for us, by us.

Be Kekoa Be Relieved
During my most recent trip to Temecula, Brandie revealed that she's been a busy bee behind the scenes at Be Kekoa. Aside from another major economic empowerment initiative, she's developed three whole new products! I'll get into the other 2 another time, but the one I want to focus on right now is Be Relieved. Be Relieved instantly won me over because of the design and ingredient composition.

Be Relieved may look small, but it packs a big punch.

Be Relieved is formulated with Be Kekoa's own tamanu oil, kukui oil, Roman Chamomile, lemon, tea tree, Vitamin E, and more. It's a powerful blend of healing and soothing relief that nourishes the follicles while leveraging natural antimicrobials and astringents to treat common underlying causes of dry, itchy scalp.

More: All About Be Kekoa Tamanu Oil

My favorite thing about Be Relieved though? The packaging. I could immediately tell Brandie and her team put a lot of thought into making Be Relieved something that could work for those of us needing relief. First of all, it's in a small glass vial about the size of the average lipstick tube. Meaning, it fits easily into your purse, gym bag, backpack, back pocket, or glove box. But what REALLY got me hype?! THE STAINLESS STEEL ROLLER! No nozzle tips or droppers here, sis!

Be Relieved has a stainless steel roller ball for application. Not like the cheap plastic rollers on the old school lip gloss that always used to get stuck, but a high quality stainless steel roller that not only helps prevent overuse, but feels like HEAVEN. You know that cool, relieving sensation when someone with cold fingers massages your scalp? Imagine having that at your disposal endlessly. That's exactly what Be Relieved feels like.

Grab yours here.

CURLS Blueberry & Mint Tea Scalp Treatment
I've raved, and raved, and raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaved aobout the Curls Blueberry Mint & Tea Scalp Treatment. Oh what - you missed that review? Click here to catch up.

The Curls Blueberry Mint & Tea Scalp Treatment is formulated with organic safflower, soybean, sunflower, and blueberry oils - a combination that is ultra nourishing, high in antioxidants, rich in fatty acids, and really helps lock in moisture on the scalp. But the ingredient I've gone head over heels about? Menthol. And here's why.

I call this my scalp crack.

Listen, my scalp does a few weird things. I have psoriasis, so it itches between washes. A massage with the Blueberry & Mint Tea Scalp Treatment soothes it SO much. Y'all have NO idea. I read on the googles that some women are using Vicks VapoRub on their scalp to stimulate and encourage growth. I've also read that some psoriasis and eczema sufferers are using Vicks to soothe itching and scalp irritation. And I'm not too ashamed to say that I've tried it for the later reason. But you best believe that ever since I got my hands on the Blueberry & Mint Tea Scalp Treatment, my Vicks (well, Up & Up brand if we're keeping it all the way real) is now relegated only to helping me breathe easy. Because babyyyyyy that Blueberry & Mint Tea Scalp Treatment is the truth.

Grab yours here.

Kriya Botanicals Herbal Tea Hair Rinse
Sometimes, your scalp needs a water-based solution - and that's exactly where Kriya Botanicals' Herbal Tea Hair Rinse comes in.

In my feature, I fawned over Kriya's thoughtful inclusion of turmeric into their products. When Claire (Kriya Botanicals founder) learned of my scalp psoriasis, she sent me the Herbal Tea Hair Rinse - a dry leaf botanical infusion of quite literally the best ingredients to treat, stimulate, and nourish the scalp.

Even though I'm not much of a DIY-er, I had to give this one a go. It's made with organic rosemary leaf, bay leaf, turmeric powder, peppermint leaf, cinnamon bark, calendula and more. Upon opening the envelope, I was like - is this gumbo file or nah?😂

But after I steeped the hair tea, magic happened.

Use this herbal tonic two ways for maximum benefits!

Via stovetop, I brough approximately 2oz of water to a boil, and added a spoonful of tea to the water. I immediately cut the flame and stirred until the herbs began to release (like 30 seconds). The fragrance changed from bay leaf to cinnamon spice with a hint of turmeric. No kidding, it smells like a winter spiced tea.

I allowed the tea to steep and cool for about 20 minutes, and then strained it into a small amber bottle with spray nozzle. I spritzed the tonic onto an itchy patch of my scalp and you know what happened? Instant relief. No major mega cool tingling, but a soothing, calming relief. That lasted alllll day long.

I've also been battling a particularly stubborn psoriasis patch at the front of my hairline. No matter what I do - it reappears 24 hours after wash day, like clockwork. Even after using medicated shampoos. I've been treating my hairline daily with spritzes of the Kriya Botanicals Herbal Tea Hair Rinse, and you know what?!

It's getting better. Not miraculously cured, but slowly clearing up. Over the course of about a week, I'm getting more progress than I've had in several months. For anyone dealing with a condition like psoriasis - that's HUGE.

Now, this is just how I choose to use the Herbal Tea Hair Rinse. You can brew it up like a traditional tea rinse for wash day - and those instructions are similar, just use more tea and more water. If you're like me and looking for something more day-to-day, steep it spray bottle style and keep it in the fridge for up to two weeks. Either way, you're winning.

Grab yours here.

Mello Hair Scalp Stimulating Growth Serum
I've become a huuuuuuge fan of Mello Hair's Scalp Stimulating Growth Serum, because it provides amazing relief for something else special that's been going on with my scalp for a while.

Dating  back to my teenage years - whenever my hair has a growth spurt (noticeably with seasonal changes), my scalp gets really tender. Not inflamed or tension tender, not 'scab hair" tender, and there's no redness, swelling, or signs of infection. But rather,  the kind of tenderness where you wanna take an ice cube and run it down your scalp. Have you ever done that on a hot summer day? it's heaven.

Growth and relief, all in one!

What made me realize that it was growth related was that I could always feel and see the new growth, too. Back in my straight hair days, new growth was easy to spot. I can still see it with my natural hair, but I can feel it more than anything. My hair is weird like that.

 A few days ago, I had one of those spurts come about, and I needed something fast. Mello Hair's Scalp Stimulating Growth Serum was the closest thing to me, and I went innnnnn. The cooling relief was virtually instant. I got that amazing tingle plus soothing relief on site. The Scalp Stimulating Growth Serum packs enough punch to be effective, without being greasy or weighing the hair down.

It's packed with scalp nourishing oils like safflower, castor, flaxseed, avocado, babassu, and hemp - plus peppermint, tea tree, and arrowroot to purify and stimulate the scalp.

Grab yours here.

Design Essentials Detoxifying Tonic
This one is a newbie! Design Essentials literally just released a Scalp and Skin Care collection earlier this month. And while the new collection contains four different solutions, I'd like to zero in on one in particular - the Detoxifying Tonic.

And here's why.

You'll never catch me within 10 feet of a can of dry shampoo. Why? The main ingredient is alcohol. Not the creamy, fatty kind - but the SD 40 kind. The isopropyl kind. The drying kind. That' why when a new wave of scalp cleansing products geared toward protective styling popped up from brands like Cantu, I was intrigued. Carol's Daughter even caught me for a second, then I came back to my senses. I almost laid down coins for the Cantu ACV Root Relief, but then I popped the lid on the ingredient list.

Water, Alcohol Denat.... Denatured alcohol? That drying stuff? Oh noooooo..... I immediately changed my mind. Putting alcohol on top of a scalp condition like psoriasis is just asking for problems - and that's where the Detoxifying Tonic comes in.

Light years ahead of the competition because it's alcohol free!

It's not an oil, but feels more like a serum - and it's completely alcohol free. In fact, it's witch hazel based, which is amazing for soothing inflammation associated with conditions like psoriasis. It's a natural astringent too, which helps remove dirt, oil, and debris. Witch hazel is a part of my everyday skincare routine, so I'm completely comfortable using it on my scalp.

The Detoxifying Tonic is clear, virtually odorless, and contains other scalp purifying ingredients like eucalyptus, lemon, and peppermint oil. It also contains glycerin, which is a heaven-sent ingredient to relieve dry scalp. It doesn't require water, shampoo, or rinsing - so it's perfect for refreshing the scalp after working out, or while wearing protective styles. It's also great for folks like me who want to eek another day or two out of their style before washing, but suffer from issues that cause dry scalp and flaking.

As we discovered with Be Kekoa, I'm a sucker for a good application method, and I've got to hand it to Design Essentials here. The nozzle tip on the Detoxifying Tonic is super narrow, which helps prevent overuse and makes it easy to target specific areas without serum dripping down your face. Basically, everything about the Detoxifying Tonic is a winner.

Grab yours here.

Interested in learning more about my journey with psoriasis while managing my natural hair? Click here.

I promise, I kept Drake references to a minimum for this review.

There's a lot going on in Southern California right now. With each new report, I start feeling a little bit more like the entire bottom half of Cali is on fire. By the way - many thanks to those of you who have sent random messages checking in on me. By God's grace, my family and I are not in any evacuation zones - but we are definitely feeling the impact in terms of air quality.

It literally smells like someone's been BBQ-ing every day for at least a week now.

One of the crazy things about Southern California right now is that not only is the air smoky, it's DRY AF.

Like, dry cough dry.
Make you wonder if you're sick dry.
Wake you up in the middle of the night dry.

Have you ever slept in air so dry and disrespectful it had the audacity to wake you up at 2am?!

Needless to say, my hair has been craving moisture. I've had to put my beloved Eco Styler on the back burner, in the off chance that it would turn my curls into a brush fire. I've been rocking with products that intensely hydrate, nourish, and lock in moisture.

Enter: Up North Naturals.

I'm no stranger to these natural hair gems from the 6ix, and if you've been around these parts - you shouldn't either! I've done a full line review, and a few Up North Naturals products have even won the prestigious (in my mind) Christina's Choice award. Peep all that here.

In the time since my last review, Lisa has been busy cooking up all kinda goodies - two of which have now earned their rightful place in my regimen. I'm talking about the Curl Ease Styling Lotion and Healthy Edges Smoothing Gel.



What's so special about these two gems? Keep reading and I'll break down exactly why. "Cuz if I don't share the wealth, how the [bleep] we 'sposed to grow?"

Sorry.

I had to throw at least 1 Drake line in there. It just wouldn't be right any other way.

Have you ever tried to take pictures using real aloe vera? Talk about a challenge!

Curl Ease Styling Lotion
Cost
$18.99 for 8oz

Where to Buy
Up North Naturals website

Active Ingredients
Note: For this product, I just went ahead and broke down the entire ingredient list. It's really short - which is a great thing.

• Rose Water: Distillation of rose petals in water, done to harness the antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, pH balancing, soothing, and blood-circulating properties of rose essential oils. 
• Aloe Vera Juice: Acts as a natural conditioning agent that restores the hair's sheen, luster, and shine. It not only makes the hair soft, but it also enhances strength and suppleness.
• Distilled Water
• Xanthan Gum: Plant-based thickening and stabilizing agent.
• Grapeseed Oil: Pressed oil from the seeds of grapes, high in Vitamin E and linoleic acid. It is an antioxidant, moisturizing, and nourishing oil.
• Safflower Oil: Oil naturally rich in Vitamin E, which delivers antioxidant and regenerative properties to the hair and scalp. Also has been known to improve blood circulation and stimulate hair growth.
• Optiphen Plus: Paraben and formaldehyde free preservative
• Vitamin E: Vitamin E is an antioxidant, which is good for hair growth, skin rejuvenation, and repair. Vitamin E moisturizes, nourishes, and protects hair to prevent damage and hair loss. 
• Rose Essential Oil: A multu-functional oil created from rose petals with hydrating and moisturizing properties for the hair and skin. Rose essential oil can also help stimulate the scalp, fight inflammation, and has antiviral and antibacterial properties. 

Protein Free?
Yes!

Curly Girl Friendly:
Yes! Even though it is silicone-free, the polymers present are still water soluble.

The Good
I'll spare you the misery of writing another paragraph on my fragrance obsession and just say this - Healthy Edges smells like a very faint version of Curl Ease. Also, no artificial fragrances (as you can see by the full ingredient list above).

I will say this - Healthy Edges is unlike any edge control I've ever used. The ingredients are different. The look and feel is different. And I mean different in a good way.

Edges laid, effortlessly.

Up until this point, my favorite edge controls (tgin, CURLS, etc.) have all had similar ingredient profiles (as far as the styling polymers and hydrogenated oils) and consistency. It's hard to describe it, but if you remember Let's Jam from back in the day, then you'll get this. Did you ever tap or beat on the bottom of a full jar of Let's Jam? You know that hollow reverberation sound you got? Pretty much every edge control I've ever used does that - and it's largely a function of the presence of similar active ingredients for hold and consistency. No judgement, just observation. I love them no less, just using them to state that Healthy Edges is different.

When I tap the bottom of Healthy Edges, I hear a solid thud. No reverberations. It's not like a jelly or jam. More than anything, it feels like a hybrid putty and pomade that glides easily onto the hair. Even though it's opaque and white-ish in color, it goes on clear, doesn't cake up, and doesn't leave residue behind.

Healthy edges is not sticky, tacky, or greasy. It makes my edges feel smooth and look sleek, without making them appear glued to my forehead (for which I am thankful, because my forehead is big). It's buildable, which means you can use it day after day without buildup or flaking. As an added bonus, it can be used to smooth out frizzy bits - improving the longevity of style.

Can you tell I'm in love?

The Bad
The only downside to Healthy Edges is that it comes in smaller (and a little pricier) than the competition. Most quality (the operative word here is quality) edge controls hover around $9-$11 for 4oz. With Healthy Edges weighing in at 2.8, it's not as much of a "bargain" as others. It's not a deterrent for me, and it shouldn't be for you if you value your edges. I'll explain why in a bit.

The Bottom Line
Healthy Edges is worth it - point, blank, period. If you're tired of feeling like all edge controls are the same, I promise Healthy Edges will change your mind. If you want to use an edge control that's going to help keep your edges on your edges, give Healthy Edges a try. I love it, and it has definitely earned a spot in the top edge control rotation.

A little goes a long way, and it's incredibly effective. Oh, and if you're concerned a bit about pricing, just know that it's likely the rose oil and distillation to blame. As a cosmetic ingredient, rose anything is expensive - because it's expensive to produce. It takes over 8,000 pounds of rose petals to produce 32oz of oils.

Just marinate on that.

Either way, I'm adding Curl Ease and Healthy Edges to the list of Up North Naturals products that I'm a tremendous fan of.

Will you be giving Curl Ease and Healthy Edges a try? Let me know in the comments below!

This post is sponsored by Up North Naturals.

Photo credit: Mr. Samuel

I'm a homebody.

Not an introvert - but a homebody. Meaning, I'm perfectly content curled up under a blanket with an order of BJ's Root Beer Glaze Wings watching reruns of Teen Titans Go or American Dad. And while I could possibly do this every single weekend, there's a part of me that knows I can't work, build a business, and thrive solely under the roof of my home.

For my own sanity's sake, I have to get away from time to time.

While today's social media culture of stuntin' dictates that getting away = passport stamps and staged pool selfies, it really doesn't take all of that to experience a change in scenery. Sometimes, you can't afford to. Other times, your calendar is just too packed to take a week off and jet somewhere tropical. Either way, I'm here to let you know there's absolutely nothing wrong with traveling within your state, or even city for a small getaway.

That's exactly what I did.

In partnership with DriveShop and Toyota, I took the roads about 2 hours outside of LA to Temecula, California - spending the day with Brandie and the Be Kekoa team.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to drink any wine (it gets dark soooo early now!), but there's always next time. Besides, my day was still full of laughter, learning, and love - without the vino.

I spent all day inside the Be Kekoa salon, surrounded by what I'm most passionate about - natural hair! I watched in awe as Brandie, Mary, and Frances transformed colors, big chopped, shaped hair, and set twists faster than I've ever seen in life.

While I was there, I got to experience one of theeeeee most relaxing services ever - a heavenly scalp massage from Mary with the new Be Relieved oil roller. Let me tell you - and I'm sure you know this already - but there's nothing that feels better than someone else's hands massaging your scalp. Self-scalp rubs are nice, but don't feel the same.

This trio is amazing. You'll want to head to bekekoa.com and grab yourself one!

I don't want to spill the beans too much here about Be Relieved (I'm writing about it in another post soon), but just know it's a vial of genius. From ingredients to packaging, it's going to be your scalp's new bff - at home and on the go. Stay tuned for that blog post.

I was also able to experience the new Tamanu Kukui Bath Truffle Melts - which are exactly what they sound like. Ultra moisturizing, skin nourishing truffles that melt in your bath water, helping to soften and heal the skin.

All in all, my Be Kekoa daycation was a single day, spent around beautiful women who are empowering women to embrace their natural hair, with positivity and love. The Be Kekoa salon is such an affirming space - if you ever get the chance, I highly recommend you visit.

Even though I spent the day learning, I got such a charge of energy from being around Brandie, Mary, and Frances. As I drove home in bumper-to-bumper-to-bumper-to-bumper (and did I mention to bumper?) traffic, I was notably less stressed - because I knew I got exactly what I needed while out in Temecula. A quick change of scenery + positive energy = refreshed and ready.

Ready to hit the road for a mini getaway of your own? Here are 5 tips to help you make the most of your day out:

5 Tips for Maximizing Your Self Care DayCation

1. Get a great set of wheels and a full tank of gas
If you're going to be driving some distance, I highly recommend driving a car that isn't yours. Not only will it save you miles, but it adds to the 'adventure' of the day. It's purely psychological, but a rental car (or just someone else's car) will make for an easier ride, leave you less stressed about wear and tear on your daily driver, and amps up the "getaway" feeling.

I also drove down to San Pedro, to get my workout on at Cabrillo Beach. #selfcarecomesinmanyforms

I'm so thankful that I was able to partner with Drive Shop and Toyota to take the new 2018 CH-R for a spin. This blue beauty was fully equipped with everything from bluetooth and heated seats to climate control and rear view camera. It was my first time in a true crossover vehicle, and I'm HOOKED. No more sedans for Christina.

2. Get on the road EARLY
Don't leave at 10am with the expectation that you're going to make the most of your day. Especially if you live in or around LA. After 9am, everybody and their cousin Shirley is on the road. I know it seems counterintutive (because who doesn't like to sleep in on a weekend), but the early bird really does get the worm here. If you can help it, get up, at 'em, and on the road by 7am. Trust me. It's worth it.

The Toyota CH-R is Bailey approved. Follow her on Instagram here.

3. Make a dope playlist
I have 3 main playlists that I work from, all which are amazing for long car trips. There's my Gym Werk list, which fulfills my desire to listen to music from artists like Cardi B, Vince Staples, Migos, and Drake. It also gets me hype in the gym and is perfect for waking me up on the early morning drive. Then, there's my gospel jams. Sometimes, you gotta praise your way through the traffic and construction zones. My final list? 90's and early 2000's rap and r&b. Because depending on the distance you're driving, there will be some lonely roads that are perfect for belting out Dru Hill lyrics at the top of your lungs.

And thanks to the Toyota CH-R, I was able to seamlessly skip around and enjoy my music while remaining a safe driver on the road.

4. Have a plan, but be open to new experiences
I went to Temecula with visions of hanging out at Be Kekoa for sure, but also dabbling in a winery or two. It didn't happen as I thought it would, which is okay. Release yourself from the added stress and burden of expectation. After all, you've only got one day. Go with the flow, and trust that you're going to get exactly what you need out of your time.

Photo Credit: Samuel

5. Detach from social media
I know you thought for sure that I was going to Snap and Instagram my whole Be Kekoa experience, right? Because that's what bloggers do - document everything. Not this time around. It's so important to unplug occasionally. To be present. To not get so caught up recording the moment to share that you miss out on the experience yourself. #issaword

When was the last time you hit the road for a day of discovery and self care? Let me know in the comments below!

This post is sponsored by Toyota and DriveShop.

Make 'em for someone who loves carbs. I promise they'll love it!

I  love blueberry muffins. But they don't love me back.

I mean, they don't make my life difficult or anything - they're just chock full of calories - more specifically, fats and carbs.

As my fitness journey progresses and I make adjustments to my food selections, I find myself having to whip up alternatives to processed foods in my own kitchen. Personally, I love the challenge of making something healthier taste just as good as the original.

And that's exactly what these Grain Free Blueberry Bliss Muffins are.

CURLS #TripleThreat

I was so inspired by the CURLS #TripleThreat collection that I had to create a recipe! As I grow, I'm learning that what goes inside of my body impacts my hair just as much as any product. I've become more ingredient conscious, and learned more about macronutrients and what they do for our bodies. While I won't claim that this is a clean eating, paleo, keto, or whatever recipe, it is inspired by all those things, and rooted in eating whole foods. I can say with absolute certainty that it is grain and gluten free - so if you're avoiding those things, this recipe will definitely work for you!

Read: How I Preserve My Curls Overnight with CURLS Triple Threat

This recipe also works with a few variations, so feel free to switch it up! It's really hard to mess up. I promise.

Let's get started!

Ingredients You'll Need

• 1 cup blanched almond flour
• 1/2 cup almond meal for texture
• 2 large eggs
• 3 tablespoons turbinado
• 3 teaspoons stevia, truvia, or splenda (your preference)
• 1/4 cup unsweetend vanilla almond milk
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons nonfat, plain Greek or Icelandic yogurt
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 cup fresh blueberries (please don't use frozen!)
• 1 pinch of salt (I use Himalayan pink salt)
• Cooking or baking spray

Let me know in the comments if you'll be giving this recipe a go!

You're in for a real treat...

I've gotta give it to Mahisha Dellinger and the CURLS team. Watching the Bluebery Bliss collection expand and take on a life of its own has been nothing short of amazing. What started out as a Blueberry Bliss Edge Control (which I clocked here and here in 2014 as a dope product to try) has expanded into a line of nearly a dozen products, including the first liquid vitamin released by a natural hair brand.

More: Check out my #GrowAndSlay 3 Month Challenge Results here!
More: Valentine's Day Style with Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Jelly

Obvious product junkie-ism aside, I could not wait to get my hands on the new Triple Threat bundle. This trio is literally everything I need to maintain my curls overnight and revive them in the morning. It's no secret - I'm on a healthy hair journey. My goal is not only to grow my hair as long as possible, but also to retain as much length as I can.

With the CURLS Triple Threat Trio, I'm able to stimulate my scalp for growth, while keeping my strands strong and hydrated to resist against breakage and damage. In this video, I'm sharing my tips and hacks for maintaining my wash and go's for multiple days with less manipulation, to keep my hair as healthy as possible. You'll see me prep my hair for bed, as well as how it looks the next morning when I take it all down!

I can't get enough of how shiny and juicy these curls are! #teamhealthyhair #shrinkageispartoflife

By the way, if you're as fanatical about all things blueberry (I can't blame you - they're an amazing source of antioxidants), click here for the grain and gluten free blueberry breakfast muffin recipe I created - inspired by the CURLS Triple Threat trio of products.

Let's jump right in to this review!



Aloe & Blueberry Curl Moisturizer
Cost
$13.00 for 8oz

Where to Buy
CURLS Website

Active Ingredients

• Water
• Organic Aloe Vera Juice: Acts as a natural conditioning agent that restores the hair's sheen, luster, and shine. It not only makes the hair soft, but it also enhances strength and suppleness.
• Glycerin: Vegetable-based humectant that draws in moisture to the hair.
• Polysorbate 20 and 80: Vegetable-based fatty acid surfactants used as thickeners and stabilizers to aid in mixing ingredients that would normally separate.
• Organic Blueberry Fruit Extract: Antioxidant-rich extract that reverses signs of damaging and aging in dry, damaged, over-processed hair. Blueberry extract also shows promise in promoting hair growth.
• Organic Green Tea Extract: Beneficial natural antioxidant that is a proven DHT blocker (one of the main causes of hair loss), antibiotic, and stimulates blood circulation to hair follicles, all which promote hair growth.
• Organic Chamomile Extract: An extraction of chamomile that provides soothing, anti-inflammatory support to the scalp and follicles.

Protein Free?
Maaaaaaybe. Contains silk amino acids which are the building blocks of protein, but no hydrolyzed proteins itself.

Curly Girl Friendly?
Yes.

The Good
First of all, I love the consistency of this stuff. It's clear, but definitely thicker than water - but less viscous than glycerin. It hydrates, adds shine, and defrizzes all in one. It's a multi-use product that can be used as a leave-in or refresher. As soon as it hits my hair, it becomes instantly pliable, soft, and way more work-withable. For 2 days leading up to the style in the video above, my hair was in this stretched ponytail situation, The only product on my hair was the Aloe & Blueberry Curl Moisturizer, and it held its own on my hair for sure. My hair felt soft, moisturized, and not dried out.

I love shooting CURLS products. The label colors just POP!

I'm usually not a fan of refresher sprays, but I definitely plan on keeping this one in the stash . I LOVE the shine that it delivered, and I must say that using it on my ends has kept them super hydrated and healthy. As you can see in my nighttime and morning routine, the Aloe & Blueberry Curl Moisturizer does not cause the hair to frizz up or lose definition. #win

The Bad
To be honest, I have better luck spraying it into my hand than I do around my hair. Because of the consistency, it comes out like a shot of spritz instead of a mist. Just know that going in so you're not surprised.😂

The Bottom Line
If you love refreshers, spray-based leave-ins,  and moisturizers - then you're going to love the Aloe & Blueberry Curl Moisturizer!

Blueberry & Coconut Hair Milk
Cost
$15.00 for 8oz

Where to Buy
CURLS Website

Active Ingredients

• Water
• Cetearyl Alcohol: "Fatty alcohol" -- NOT to be confused with drying alcohols such as ethyl. Acts as a lubricant, thickener, and emollient. Also give conditioner its velvety feel without making hair greasy. Is additionally used to keep product ingredients from separating.
• Behentrimonium Methosulfate: Gentle surfactant made from non-GMO rapeseed (canola oil), and is one of the mildest detangling ingredients out there. It doesn't cause buildup or irritation to the scalp.
• Octyl Palmitate: A derivative of palm oil used as an organic replacement for silicones. It's mild, skin smoothing, and gives products a slippery feeling similar to silicones. 
• Organic Coconut Oil: Oil high in saturated fats (which is why when cold, it is solid). One of the few known oils to penetrate the hair shaft and truly moisturize hair. Coconut oil helps to moisturize, seal, and prevent breakage.
• Cetrimonium Chloride: Compound close in composition to Behentrimonium Chloride. In addition to having the same penetrating, conditioning, and anti-static properties, centrimonium chloride has been scientifically proven to strengthen the hair when activated by heat.
• Glyceryl Stearate: Mixture of glycerin and stearic acid (fatty acid) used to give products a creamy, velvety feel while softening and preventing moisture loss in the hair.
• Organic Blueberry Seed Oil: Cold pressed oil from the seeds of blueberries. Rich in phytosterols which serve as anti-inflammatory and help the skin repair after damage. Also helps chapped, cracked, and dry skin, while improving cell regeneration, protecting hair and skin from UV damage, and helping to prevent water loss in the hair. 

Protein Free?
Yes.

Curly Girl Friendly?
Yes.

The Good
I got suuuuuuper attached to the Blueberry & Coconut Hair Milk during the time that I played with it. Like, I love the Blueberry Bliss Leave-In, but there's something about the Blueberry & Coconut Milk that just hedges it out a teeeeeeny bit. They're both creamy, but the Blueberry & Coconut Hair Milk is just a lil' bit richer. More slippier. Feels amazing on the strands. Not only is it a great detangler, but it helps moisturize the hair and soaks into the strands.

Not only did it soak into my strands, but it left them virtually frizz free and primed for styling. The Blueberry & Coconut Hair Milk is literally amazing. Like, I can't stop singing its praises! The moisture, the slip, the shine - it's all there y'all!

The Bad
I literally cannot complain about a single thing. Did you see my hair in that video?! Just in case you forgot, here's another pic:

YASSSSSSSS!

The Bottom Line
If you're looking for some moisture that won't weigh your hair down, will help you detangle, and serve as a leave-in for your styles - this is definitely the way to go.

Blueberry & Mint Tea Scalp Treatment
Cost
$12.00 for 4oz

Where to Buy
CURLS Website

Active Ingredients

• Organic Safflower Seed Oil: Oil naturally rich in Vitamin E, which delivers antioxidant and regenerative properties to the hair and scalp. Also has been known to improve blood circulation and stimulate hair growth.
• Organic Soybean Oil: Carrier oil used to lubricate and nourish the hair, providing softness and shine.
• Organic Caprylic/Capric/Myristatic/Stearic Tryglycerides: Vegetable based blend of triglycerides and fatty acids used to moisturize and replenish skin.
• Organic Sunflowerseed Oil: Pressed oil of the sunflower seed, rich in omegas 6 and 9 which help stimulate growth, improve elasticity, and ciments the cuticle layers to help improve moisture retention and correct porosity issues.
• Menthol: Organic compound derived from the peppermint leaf. Know for providing a cool, tingling sensation, menthol aids in hair growth by increasing blood flow to the scalp, while alleviating scalp issues like dryness, itching, and tightness that are common with conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and seborrheic dermatitis. 
• Cetrified Organic Coconut Oil: Oil high in saturated fats (which is why when cold, it is solid). One of the few known oils to penetrate the hair shaft and truly moisturize hair. Coconut oil helps to moisturize, seal, and prevent breakage.

Protein Free?
Yes.

Curly Girl Friendly?
Yes.

The Good
OHMYGODSOMEBODYPLEASEGIVEMEALIFETIMESUPPLY. I've seriously become hooked on the Blueberry & Mint Tea Scalp Treatment. It's like crack for my scalp. I love the menthol/minty fragrance, the tingling, the cool sensation that lasts at least half an hour after massaging - EVERYTHING.

Listen, my scalp does a few weird things. I have psoriasis, so it itches between washes. A massage with the Blueberry & Mint Tea Scalp Treatment soothes it SO much. Y'all have NO idea. I read on the googles that some women are using Vicks VapoRub on their scalp to stimulate and encourage growth. I've also read that some psoriasis and eczema sufferers are using Vicks to soothe itching and scalp irritation. And I'm not too ashamed to say that I've tried it for the later reason. But you best believe that ever since I got my hands on the Blueberry & Mint Tea Scalp Treatment, my Vicks (well, Up & Up brand if we're keeping it all the way real) is now relegated only to helping me breathe easy. Because babyyyyyy that Blueberry & Mint Tea Scalp Treatment is the truth.

Day 3 curls. Still poppin'. Still tons of shrinkage, lol.

The other weird thing my scalp does? And this one dates back to my teenage years... Whenever my hair has a growth spurt (noticeably with seasonal changes), my scalp gets really tender. Not inflamed or tension tender, but the kind of tenderness where you wanna take an ice cube and run it down your scalp. And I can always feel the new growth, too. My hair is weird like that. A few weeks ago, I had one of those spurts come about, and Samuel was refusing to massage my scalp like a hater. That Blueberry & Mint Tea Scalp Treatment was SOOO clutch. It gave me soothing relief like none other. I'm sad that I'm almost out.

Mahisha - can a sista get a lifetime supply? I'll love you forever. #putitintheatmosphere

The Bad
The only downside to the Blueberry & Mint Tea Scalp Treatment is that I can't get it by the vat. Y'all think I'm playing. I normally don't even fawn over scalp oils like that. But this right here? It's the truth, Ruth!

The Bottom Line
Put down the Vicks (Up & Up and Equate) VapoRub and grab you some Blueberry & Mint Tea Scalp Treatment. You're welcome.

Several blueberries were harmed in the making of this recipe, lol.

I fell so far in love with the Curls #TripleThreat collection, that I was inspired to create a recipe! Click here to get the 411 on my Grain Free Blueberry Bliss Muffins. Perfect for those interested in eating healthier, cleaner, paleo, or gluten free!

This post is sponsored by CURLS.