Product Review - BelNouvo CoCo Castor Pudding

BelNouvo Coco Castor Pudding
Product Description: The perfect synergy of a styling aid and moisturizer!
Size: 8oz
Price: $10
Scent: Coconut

I have used this moisturizing pudding as directed on wet hair and in several other ways. Following the manufacturers instructions I used it to make two strand twists. I am experienced in making twists so I feel safe in saying this product is EXCELLENT for two strand twists as well as the resulting twist-out. My hair (once dry) was shiny, moisturized and felt just luscious! I wasn't impressed by the hold but them I took down the twists. The twist out was gorgeous! It was just as shiny and moist as my twists had been with fantastic definition.

 Ignore the caught talking face and check out the moist shiny twists.

I'm not a wash-n-go girl at all but I will occasionally wear a loose wash-n-go section like a bang. In my less than seasoned opinion, this product has a nice soft hold and adds great shine and moisture. I think it will work on some peoples hair for wash-n-go but others may need a stronger hold.That being said, I totally love and recommend this product. I feel like the $10 for 8 ounces is a good price. It is available here on etsy.com

This product gets five of five Knaps.

Downing the Denman

I just read a blog over on Curly Nikki's site about the Denman brush and I though it was a little misleading. A Denman brush is a tool and like all tools will not work for everyone in the same way or at all. I am not a person who swears by the Denman but I think it lives up to its claims.

In my humble opinion, the Denman brush has suffered the same fate as other instant/magical/super fixer natural hair products, it wasn't instant, super or magical.

According to the manufacturer, the brush is, "effective for giving greater control over styling the hair" it is not and was not designed for detangling. Denman actually carries a detangling brush called the Tangle Tamer.

I have always been advised by seasoned naturals to expect only curl definition from a denman brush following detangling. I CANNOT detangle with this brush regardless of the amount of water or conditioner. 



Yes, using a knock-off version is great because they are cheaper and why pay $9-12 dollars for something you don't know if you are going to like. I bought the real deal because I was newly natural and all gung-ho.

Talk to someone who has successfully used one before or for instruction. My brush sat in a drawer for a year before someone taught me how to use it correctly. It was an eye-opening experience. 

Use product with your brush. It's a brush not magic! If you want curl definition use the brush and a curl definition product. As for complaints of fuzzy roots, I cannot comment on how individuals style their hair but when I could only get curly ends I wore a curly puff or up-do until I figured out what to do to change it.

Finally, removing bristles from the brush to make it a utilitarian item as opposed to an monument to the money you spent being newly natural is completely understandable but if you just like fewer bristles when detangling Denman actually makes a brush with spaced out bristles. It is NOT designed for detangling either it is a volumizing brush.

Just to summarize, A Denman brush is:

• not designed for detangling
• expensive, try a knock-off
• give curl definition, definition (God gives curls, products and tools define them.)
• not magic

Mini Twists with time management

I love Girls Love Your Curls. She has the most brilliant and simple ideas. This time management method can work for adults as well as children.



Her girls hair looks gorgeous!

KiddieWraps Review

Lil KnapsGirl ready for bed.

I purchased a KiddieWrap and have no association with the manufacturer or maker.

Product: KiddieWraps Satin Hair wrap (Blue Island Flower)

Size: One size fits most (adult & child)

 Claims: KiddieWraps satin hair wraps can make every hair combing session a pleasant one by making your child's hair more manageable to comb. Our satin hair wraps stays on all night to prevent tangles, split ends and unwanted knots.

Price: $5.99 + $5 shipping

I used the KiddieWrap on loose hair and a cornrow style. LKG's hair was noticeably less dry and tangled when her hair was loose. This is her first foray into head wraps and she is a wild sleeper and was able to "twirl" it off just before dawn the first night. The second night it was backwards when she awoke but still on her head. 

By the time I braided her hair she was used to it and even let me put in on for naps. Her cornrows are not a week old yet and are fairing pretty well.

 Day 2

Day  3

The idea is that a satin bonnet is hidden beneath an attached decorative bandanna  This is proposed to be in case you MUST go out in public. The bandanna serves dual purposes to camouflage the fact hat you are in public in a protective sleep wrap and to help it stay in place while the child sleeps. I really liked the thought and hence my order. My only complaint is that when the wrap arrived it appeared to be assembled incorrectly. The smooth side of the cap was facing out toward the bandanna, not at her hair. I don't know if this was a mistake or intentional but I thought the "slicker" side was to face the hair. In spite of this, the "rough" side of a satin cap is better than dry cotton sheets and pillow cases. Overall, this is a good product for wild sleepers and children, I don't find the cost a deterrent because at this point I've realized you get what you pay for on the protective sleep wrap front. 

What I Learned: Buying multiple cheap sleep bonnets just doesn't make sense if you really use them regularly, spend the money so you can wash it without worry.

A little off hair...

Being a new mother, I am often found watching my her favorite children's shows. I recently began following a children show on twitter called Bino and Fino. The show is produced in Nigeria and I was initially attracted by the title character Fino's cute afropuffs.

Fino's hair is adorable.

Here are the shows claims:

Bino and Fino is the wonderful educational Nigerian cartoon show about a brother and sister who live in a modern day city in sub- Saharan Africa. In each episode Bino and Fino, with the help of their friend Zeena the Magic Butterfly and their family, discover and learn things about the world.The show is for children mainly between the ages of 3 and 6.

Zeena the Magic Butterfly


It was created to provide more animated children’s content for the kids around the world to enjoy. As a parent, wherever you are in the world it is hard to find genuine, quality African made educational media that show wonderful aspects of African culture to your children. This is especially so when it comes to cartoons which kids are captivated by. Africa is telling its story. Bino and Fino will help tell that story to children.

Fino also stars on a Seasme Street style I love my hair t-shirt.

The Bino and Fino merchandise is adorable as well.

I watched a free preview episode and found it delightful the characters were attractive and just as informative and engaging as Dora or Diego. If Bino and Fino were available on television in the US I would love to let my little KnapsGirl watch it.

You can suppport Bino and Fino here on indiegogo

Thank God It's Natural Product Review

I was sent three sample sized products from the Thank God Its Natural line to review. This product line is from the author of the book Thank God I’m Natural: The Ultimate Guide to Caring for and Maintaining Natural Hair by Chris-Tia Donaldson.

Wild Lemongrass Olive oil Soap with Shea butter

If you enjoy the scent of lemongrass (I do) this soap smell heavenly. It is uber moisturizing and makes a luxurious scented lather.The soap is Paraben and Phtlate free, vegan, not tested on animals and comes in Ginger Peach and White Tea and Hibiscus scents

I give this soap 5 of 5 Knaps, without knowledge of pricing.

Organic Shea Butter

This product is exactly what is says shea butter. It has no added scent, so has the characteristic smokey, earthy scent of shea. The butter appears whipped or blended in some way that renders the shea creamy and easily handled.The source of the shea butter is a cooperative helping empower women with competitive wages.

I give it 4 of 5 Knaps because I like my product scented and wtihout knowledge of pricing.

Peppermint Lip Balm with Shea Butter

The peppermint is cooling and refreshing but I found the balm a bit waxy. I had just tested a similar product that comes in a pot and found it much more moisturizing by comparison.

I give it 3 of 5 Knaps, without knowledge of pricing.

They are currently having a sale on the shea butter:

Silky Wraps Review

  

Girls Sleep Bonnet

 
Roxy at Silky Wraps was kind enough to send her product to us for review. I wore the bonnet to cover a twist-out right before the new year. I received the bonnet pictured above with a beautiful black with white polka dot  lining. Here are the products claims from the site:

Silky Wraps is a modern collection of stylish head wraps & bonnets designed to maintain healthy hair for a variety of hair textures.
Hair Wrap:
- Protects hair from moisture loss.
-Helps preserve your style as you sleep and play.
-Adjustable.
-Generously sized to cover nape and edges.
-Durable and comfortable.
-Suitable for all hair types.
You worked hard to get your style, now protect it with Silky Wraps 

This bonnet does everything it claims and in addition will looks adorable on your little KnapsGirl with the optional ribbon closure.

After two days of wear, My twist-out was preserved without being "squished", It has a more substantial feel than other beauty supply satin bonnets I've owned. I assume the heavier feel will translate to better life in the washer. There are more sedate designs for ladies but I was happy with the rainbow butterflies. :) Roxy also makes wraps for relaxed hair. The wraps cost $19.95 each, that being said and regular readers knowing how cheap thrifty I am, I have found that in this area, it is good to make an investment. I have bought countless beauty supply satin bonnets and long rectangular scarves and they have added up to more than $20 before the year was over (they only seem to make it few months in the washer). I purchased a similar product( at the same price) and never looked back. The only drawback I did find was that the rippled bonnets edge may leave an impression on the forehead. Silky Wraps informes me that it is available with a flat edge. When you decide, in my humble opinion, think carefully about how active your little one is while asleep.

Classic Diva Wrap - review here

I give Silky Wraps 5 of 5 Knaps 

because of:

-the beautiful colors ( appealing to girls)

-good quality (kids do put things through a test)

-competitive pricing with similar quality items

Follow this blog to win our next contest, the prize will be a Silky Wrap!

Merry Christmas- It's contest time!

We are kicking off the holiday season with a contest! 

Use all your styling technique and talent to make yourself (or your little KnapsGirl) look like our KnapsGirls. Submit a photo of the style and we will judge who looks most like our little logos and award a tote bag filled with products from the Design Essentials Naturals line. The tote contains:Natural Curl Cleanser, Natural Moisturizing Conditioner, Natural Daily Moisturizing Lotion, Natural Defining Creme Gel and Natural Curl Stretching Cream  The prize package is worth over $50. :D

Here is a sample entry:
After filling out information below, Johnetta Doe sends the photo below in an attempt to look like Curly Pudding KnapsGirl.

Fro Fashion Week -Fall 2011 Recap video

See if you can spot me. I appear three times. :D



It looks like just as much fun as it was!

Video courtesy of Thirsty Roots

Natural Hair Nazi's

If you follow my twitter, you know what inspired sharing this video.

Monica is a speaker.

I was asked to be a speaker at Fro Fashion Week in Atlanta. As regular readers know I am an advocate of thrifty hair care. I will be staging a "Product Intervention" for product junkies. I won't give away all my tips here but you only NEED about five essential products.

I look forward to seeing you ladies there.

There is a Black Friday Sale on tickets. The 1st 20 people will receive 50% off! After the first 20 tickets are sold registration is 30% off for the remainder of the day! Sale starts 12 midnight to 11:59 on Friday 11/26.

Monica -Motown Girl feature flasback

I was featured on MotownGirl's site in 2008.

Tell me if I've changed.

See Monica on Afroniquely You

Ms. Sasha-Shae of Afroniquely You was kind enough to feature me on her beautiful and informative blog here.

Knaps - The Google search story