Monicajoi is back on the air.

For my friends and fans on YouTube, I'm back!!

I'm sponsoring a contest (but blog readers get to learn about it first).

The Knaps Train-a-Transitioner contest:

Rules:
1) You must be a subscriber to my YouTube channel.
2) You must have natural or transitioning loose hair.
( Sorry locked ladies I'm not knowledgeable enough to judge ya)
3) Create a tutorial video/slide show that is suitable for hair that is transitioning (two textures).
4) You must be willing to give a out mailing address.

The winner will receive a free shirt from the Knaps Store, KnapsGirl stickers and a sample of a Knaps handmade products.

5) The finale of your video/slide show must indicate which shirt you would like if you win.

Entries will be judged on creativity, ease of style and applicability to transitioners.

The contest begins Feb. 8 and ends Feb. 28

The winner will be announced March 1.

Good Luck!

Qhemet Biologics - They should pay me!

Alrighty here is my first written review, those of you missing my You Tube presence I'll be back soon.
I was already in love with the Burdock Root Butter Cream so I decided to branch out. I ordered the Qhemet Biologics Soften and Hydrate sampler. The products included vary based on availability I recieved:

Amla & Olive Heavy Cream
Karkady Tea Replenishing Mist
Olive & Honey Hydrating Balm
and Cocoa Tree Detangling Ghee

So here is the break down
Amla and Olive Heavy Cream:









If your are familiar with the Burdock Root Butter Cream, this product is virtually the same only heavier. If you are not intimately familiar with the BRBC ( as I am) it is a light colored, light creme( consistency of sour cream) with citrus-like scent. I apply it to wet hair post washing. I find it ridicously moisturizing. The AOHC is slighty heavier with a light earthy scent. Both products moisturize with out any greasiness. Many people use BRBC in the summer and spring and AOHC in winter and fall when the weather demands more moisture. The amount used is personal but I have been natural almost two years and this is only my second time purchasing.
Cost: $16.00
Size: 8 oz

Rating: Five Knaps out of Five




Karkady Replenshing Mist:



Wow! I thought this was going to be the same as the homemade glycerin mixes most of people use, it wasn't. It has a slightly citrus-y scent but after the spritz dries you can feel an appreciable amount of moisture has been added to your hair. This would be perfect for braids, twists and moisturizing styles your don't want to touch. I was impressed and so was my YouTube friend Str8Isis here is her recent review.
Cost: $11.00
Size: 5 fl oz

Rating: Five Knaps Out of Five


Olive and Honey Hydrating Balm:


This was the product I was least impressed with not because it did not deliver on it's claims but because it acted almost exactly like honey. Honey adds shine, hold and helps hold moisture this product does all these things. I just kept thinking I could have bought honey and added a little Extra Virgin Olive Oil for the same effect. That being said I used is on my twist before Christmas and wore a twist out on Christmas day. I didn't see a great difference from other twist-outs but it wasn't worse.
Cost: $16.00
Size: 8 oz

Rating: 3 Knaps out of Five


Cocoa Tree Detangling Ghee



This product is the truth!! I haven't said that since I first started using Shea Butter. It is completely as advertised and it smell like chocolate! You can put this stiff cream on dry or wet hair and comb it straight through. I didn't believe it until I put it on my own hair and did I mention it smells like chocolate :) .
Cost: $14.00
Size: 5 fl oz

Rating: 5 Knaps out of Five


All Qhemet Biologics products contain MSM which is sulfur. Sulfur promotes follicle health and growth, Most products are 100% natural and vegan and if not it is noted in the product description.

Please add your experiences in the comments.

I'm not dead...

Is Monica Dead? She hasn't made a youtube vid in a while. She hasn't posted to the Knaps blog.

NO.

Monica has been hard at work!

1) made a fresh batch of shampoo,
2)scented my own shea butter
3) made and used homemade flax seed gel
4) Opened a store selling Knaps items

The shampoo is old news and all the info is in a previous blog. :) I scented my shea butter vanilla!! A tutorial vid is here: Scenting Shea Butter

I made Flax Seed gel! I checked other blogs and forums and came up with this recipe:

1 c water
3 tblsp flax seeds (whole)
1 tsp shea butter
1/3 tsp coconut oil
scented oil of your choice

Boil the flax seeds while whisking for 10 minutes. Strain seeds from gel. Whisk in oils while gel is warm. Let gel cool and thicken.

This makes just a few ounces which I though was perfect for a sample size. You can add citric acid as a preservative or it must be refrigerated.

**pictures coming soon**

An finally and most important we opened a store!!! If you like the Knaps girls you will love the items. I am also open to any suggestions on items. :D

Visit us!

Denman Devotee or Denman Detracter?

I like many naturals have a Denman brush, I also have a shower brush. I recently saw a vlog where someone was experiencing significant hair loss from using the Denman brush. After some thought, I realized I had heard and read similar stories on hair boards and forums. I use my Denman after detangling in the shower with my shower brush so I haven' t had any problems. In the interest of fairness though, all hair is different and I wanted to let new ( and experienced) naturals know that the Denman brush is not a one-size-fits-all miracle tool.

Please voice your opinion. :)

Tomoka's Twists

Here I am modeling a Tomoka's Twist.

I thought it was adorable, but for the more fashion forward she has "classically" beaded ones with matching earrings. The device is actually a covered wire and was designed for loc wearers. I just couldn't resist the urge to have the words GOOD HAIR sticking out of my puff.

Here's the link to her etsy store: Tomoka's Twists
There is a holiday sale starting Friday-FREE SHIPPING!!

First Mobile blog

Good Afternoon! This is our first mobile blog (yeah!) In honor of this occassion I will be posting a link to a free Knaps wallpaper that you can download. Isn't technology wonderful?

Also...we have stickers! Leave a comment with which of our girls from our banner you like and I will send you two stickers of her. Remember to include your email address so we can get your mailing address.

Have a great Knap-py day!

B. Natural Apparel

I recently posted vacation pics on Nappturality and YouTube. I am wearing a really cute shirt I bought from a vendor at Atlanta's Sweet Auburn Festival. I have gotten inquiries about the shirt and so I'm posting a link to her site. She's a girl with Knaps and her T-shirts let you know.

Here's me in my shirt:











Here the link to her site: B. Natural Apparel

Here my vacation slide show:


I hope everyone had a great holiday.