Toji Pure Density Hair Nutrition (Vitamins)

I was contacted by toji to ask if I would review their Pure Density hair vitamins. I recieved one 90 day supply for myself as well as one to give away. I was totally solicited and got everything for free. I will begin using these on Jan. 13. FOllowing my ninety day evaluation I will give a review and offer the second set for giveaway.

They arrived packaged exactly as shown.  My only concern is the "proprietory" formula because these things are usuallly not defined or listed with the other ingredients. The supplement facts are below:

Wish me luck and alert me of any red flags you see. :)

*Update: 90 days is too long to wait. I will do they giveaway in 30 days. :D

Uzo Aduba aka Crazy Eyes

Recently Julianne Hough was admonished by the media for her black face halloween costume of actress Uzo Aduba in her role as Crazy Eyes from the show Orange is the New Black. The thoughtless actress donned dark make-up an orange jumpsuit and what I assume were supposed to be bantu knots. She looked ridiculous and racist.

Actress Uzo Aduba as Crazy Eyes

Dressed as a black woman for Halloween

I have no idea how in this day and age someone could be so ignorant as to think that portraying another race is an acceptable costume, I continue to be baffled as to why colorless people think it is appropriate to color their skin for costumes. People of color do not paint themselves white when they wear costumes of other colorless characters. IT DOESN'T MAKE YOU LOOK BLACK. YOU JUST LOOK RACIST.

Appropriate costuming - no race necessary

I also wanted to note that the "Crazy Eyes" look is a character and that actress Uzo Aduba looks fierce on the red carpet natural hair and all. 

This dress is giving me life!!

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

Knaps featured on Carol's Daughter site

Our September 17th post I'm natural and I've lost my swag/mojo/confidence is currently being featured on the Carol's Daughter Transitioning Movement site it is re-titled Wear it Proud! How to Transition With Confidence.

Today's Hair- Fall Protective Style

 Style: Fall Protective Style (updo)

Time to Complete: 20-25 mins (on dry stretched hair)

Products Used: Water, Sof'nFree Nothing But Curl Sealer, Qhemet Biologics Grapeseed Oil and Tea Tree Pomade thinned with castor oil

Tools Used:  brush, rattail comb, bobby pins (lots!)

Reason for style: My continuing quest to vary from twists.

Lessons Learned: Open all products first when using oils and pomades ( greasy hands!), Thinning a pomade with castor oil made a great smoothing pomade with the benefit of the nourishing oils

other side

back view

Every length is a revelation

Immediately after transition

The heyday of my puff

So, I've been natural for a while now a as a blogger/vlogger/product maker I think I'm pretty knowledgeable about the basics of hair care. I know the commandments:

• Thou shalt not comb dry hair
• Thou shalt not use a fine tooth comb
• Thou shall spritz thy hair with water as much as your style allows
• Thou shalt use oils to seal; not moisturize
• Thou shalt clarify regularly
• Thou shalt wash hair in a orderly was to prevent tangles, you are not in a shampoo ad

what I had forgotten was as your hairs length changes so do the rules. Initially, I could wash my hair loose, as it grew I had to section it, it grew longer and I had to twist or braid the sections. 

medium length with curl defining product - mass shrinkage

When my hair was shorter curl definition products made a curly fro, as it grew it was more like a traditional wash-n-go and now the products give a long loose curly look.

long bang tucked in hat with curl defining product

I recently realized that I can no longer detangle and wash at the same time. I was amazed at how much better things went when I detangled before washing. I had a revelation and then remembered I had had several such  revelations previously. 

mini twists medium-long hair - mass shinkage

Every length is a revelation so take advantage. Try products you had previously dismissed, try techniques that may not have worked, try styles and tools you may have already written off. I surprised myself with just a basic change.