Summer Recap

I hadn't realized four months had gone by since my last posting, but I guess that shows that I've had a busy and incredibly fun summer!

Wash Day sales are still going strong and steady, and I've even mentally developed/physically tested a few new products for release later this year! One is a castor oil version of Bounce Butter, one of my bestsellers, and another is a black hair grease! I also might be discontinuing a product and replacing it with another...as soon as I figure out what that is!

I've also had the opportunity to try out a few hair product samples, but they're nothing to write home about. In the future, if I try something that works, I'll review it. Otherwise, I won't waste my or your time.

But, since this was a beautiful summer filled with ideas and intrigues, I haven't been spending much time indoors or on the computer except to catch up on emails and Facebook posts. And, it's been worth disconnecting from technology for bits at a time. 

With time away from cyberworld, I started riding a bicycle! Not only did I start riding, I painted an old bicycle and am now up to 3-4 miles per trip! We have lots of trails to ride in our near future.

Isn't she lovely? Her name is Sassy!

As if that wasn't enough, I decided we should go camping over Labor Day weekend. I don't know why or where I got the idea, but it didn't take much to talk the man into it! We stayed two days and two nights at Muskegon State Park and had an absolute blast, especially when we decided to go on an impromptu hike! Due to physical limitations, I didn't even think I could or even wanted to hike because I absolutely hate walking, but I LOVE hiking and can't wait to hit some area hiking trails.

Our camping experience was so amazing, I've acompiled a Pinterest wishlist of everything I want to buy for future camping trips and we even have Memorial Day weekend's camping trip planned! I'm trying to talk the man into camping once a month next year until it gets too cold...I'm still trying to convince him.

Hanging out inside our tent!

Of even greater personal significance are the Facebook page and web site I found for black people who enjoy camping and hiking. While I did see another black family, as well as an Asian family and several Hispanic families during our trip, I believe more of my people need to go camping! It's a great way to bond with your loved ones without any distractions, it's relaxing (lowers blood pressure), provides for healthier eating options, and is great way to get in some unexpected exercise. 

As for camping with natural hair, I must say it couldn't have been any easier. I pre-planned to wash my hair upon our return, so I kept my hair in some big sloppy twists all weekend. If my scalp felt itchy, I'd just duck my head under the shower (we stayed on campgrounds with modern bathrooms) or dip it in Lake Michigan! Without having to worry about hair and makeup, this trip was a much-needed reprieve from everyday life. I suggest you give it a try.

New Wash Day products and changes!

It's been a minute since I've posted anything, but I haven't forgotten you guys! Just wanted to give a brief update...I've been MIA because I've been developing and testing new products! In the next couple weeks, Wash Day will be expanding a little bit to include four new items! 

Green Grower's Grease, Red Hot Grease and Vedi Good Grease are my newest babies! Green Grower's Grease, pictured below, is an herbal infusion that feeds the follicles! Not pictured are Red Hot Grease which is an herbal and spice blend to stimulate the follicles to encourage hair growth, and Vedi Good Grease which is a blend of seven Ayurvedic herbs to help you develop strong, healthy hair.

Green Grower's Grease

Also in the works are Brownie Butter conditioning bars. I'm super excited about these as they are deep conditioning bars teeming with the indulgent nutrients of chocolate, coffee, cocoa butter and a few other goodies for your hair! These edible-looking nuggets, mixed into any hot liquid and then slathered onto the scalp, has a high butter content which makes them super easy to rinse out.

Brownie Butter

I plan to launch these new products in about two weeks...just waiting on packaging and enough raw ingredients to produce large batches.

And, stay tuned for a redesigned Wash Day web site and a few more new products a little later this year!

OBI Natural Hair Care Update

As promised, I gave OBI Natural Hair Care's Curl Enhancing Custard a full week's try before issuing my final review. (drum roll, please!)

Big, big fail for me, but...

As I mentioned before, I knew I was in trouble as soon as I dipped my finger in the jar...the consistency was all wrong for my hair. Curl Enhancing Custard is like a thick version of Kinky Curly Knot Today which I've repeatedly tried, but could not like. Also, when my hair fully dried, it was hard, crunchy and extremely dry. I'm used to having soft, moisturized hair.

OBI Natural Hair Care's Curl Enhancing Custard is really designed for the style-conscious. If you only want a product to hold your locks in place or don't want someone's hands running through your hair, this is the product for you. I think this stuff could actually stand up in one of those wind test tunnels!

If you aren't style conscious and your foremost concern is having healthy hair, run from this product! Obviously, I'm of the latter ilk, putting health over style every single time so Curl Enhancing Custard is a no-go for me. Yes it held my curls all week without reapplication, but that's all it did. Perhaps the worst part was the thick white paste it left between my fingers when I began detangling. Way too much product build-up and it'd be super nasty if a devout cowasher used this product. GROSS! This gets one coil down!

So, today I skipped my weekly deep conditioning steam treatment and washed my hair loose...twice...with two different commercially-made shampoos to ensure I got all of this goop out of my hair. Now, back to the drawing board with my own Wash Day Bounce Butter for soft, shiny, weeklong curls!!!!!!

Holding All Curls!!!!!!!!

A few weeks ago, OBI Natural Haircare sent me a few full-size samples to try out. Y'all know I'm crazy about my own line, Wash Day, but I do love trying out other stuff from time to time.

Last week, I washed and conditioned as usual before spritzing with OBI's Curl Moisture Spray.

Pretty awesome stuff!

I immediately noticed a wonderful. My hair has some serious combination strands, but this spray helped my curls and waves look more uniform, and my hair felt really good! After a few spritzes and smoothing this through each section, I swear my hair had beautiful coils worthy of wearing it out in a WNG-something that's always alluded me. This product has earned a spot in my hair care closet and definitely gets two coils up! I only wish it came in a bigger bottle. I used almost half the bottle!

Then, I used OBI's Curl Moisture Cream. I might add that it's compatible with Giovanni Direct Leave-In.

Don't be fooled by the power of this light, fluffy cream.

Now, creams and I don't really get along, but to my surprise, this hair cream played quite nicely with my hair!  It's well-known that I wash and set my hair once a week with my chosen styling product, so whatever I use in my twist out has to have some staying power. And, this does the trick...for the most part. Mid-week, I did have to retwist the top half of my hair, but I used the Curl Moisture Spray instead of adding more Curl Moisture Cream. While my hair was gorgeous, it felt and looked dry, and lacked the bounce I'm used to having. So, I give this one coil up. Not sure I'd add this to my arsenal, but in a pinch, it'll do.

This week, I decided to try out the Curl Enhancing Custard, so that review will be posted soon. But, here are my thoughts so far...

Jury's still out on this one!

I'm a little concerned about how my hair will turn out tomorrow. So far, my hair is almost fully dry and it's stiff, dry and crunchy! While I was pleased with the amount of definition I can see I'm going to have and how nicely my ends coiled without any extra help, I do not like how my hair feels. But, I kind of knew this as soon as I dipped my fingers in the jar. The consistency is like Mod Podge mixed with hair gel, and I am not a fan of hair gels. But, if you like Kinky Curly Knot Today, you will probably like this as it feels like a much thicker version. Crossing my fingers...

I also used a different shampoo this week, thanks to the LUSH store in Novi, Mich.

I love me some LUSH, so I was happy to get a freebie of this to try out!

First, let me say it smells amazing, but looks like...chunky orange puke? Aside from what it's designed to do, I was intrigued by the texture which makes following the instructions incredibly important. Your hands and hair must be sopping wet. Scoop out a nickel-size amount of Curly Wurly, lather it up in your hands and apply it to your hair. Honestly, I thought my sample was way too tiny for me to be able to give this a try and I even contemplated stealing my daughter's sample (sorry Ana!), but I only used half of my sample and it lathered my whole head! 

Curly Wurly made my hair soft and if I didn't know any better, I swear I saw curls popping where I've never seen them popping before. Curly Wurly also cleansed AND conditioned my hair without stripping it, and it lathers up really, really well. Since it's chock full of coconut oil, some of the coconut oil did solidify due to our dropping temps in Michigan so I had to pick little white chunks out of my hair, but I like this product. Curly Wurly gets two coils up, but I don't think I like it enough to buy it at $23.95.

Spotlight in and on Leading Ladies of Business

Last night was one of this year's highlights as Wash Day was featured on "Leading Ladies of Business," created and hosted by Naikeya Haley, CEO and founder of the "Nina Network." We also were joined by Donnilah McClendon (aka Nina Simone on Facebook), founder of "just blaque" and co-founder of the "Nina Network."

At 9 p.m., EST, Wednesdays, Naikeya talks with women via live video chat who've parlayed their hobbies and ideas into businesses. And, I'm honored that I got to be one of them!!!! In case you missed it, here's the clip and be sure to tune in on Wednesday evenings! Naikeya has some good stuff, insightful interviews and A LOT of useful information followed by a live Q&A!!!! 

In case you missed the Wash Day interview, here it is! Enjoy!

http://www.vokle.com/events/64896-a-live-q-and-a-session-with-diy-queen-robbin-melton-of-wash-day-natural-hair-products

Wash Day Products

The online launch a month ago of Wash Day, the natural hair care regimen for fuzzy-haired folk, has gone great! Inventory is flying out the door and we're sold out a few items too!!!! We've also got new labels and sample pouches in the works-both to be revealed in May 2012. And, this summer, we'll be adding some totally new products, including some bath and beauty products!

The last of Wash Day inventory!

So, if you haven't already placed your order, you better hurry while supplies last! Free shipping on all domestic orders ends May 1!

MAD definition!

Ok, so I tried the Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie and EcoStyler mix, but my hair was an atrocious, sticky, heavy mess so I immediately washed it out and started over with my Bounce Butter. And, look at the MAD definition...

Close-up look at the definition I achieve with Wash Day Bounce Butter.

Overall look at the definition I achieve with Wash Day Bounce Butter.

And, did I mention that by using Wash Day Bounce Butter, I only have to do my hair ONCE a week! And, that my curls look just as good a week after I've done my hair?! And, my hair moves, stays soft and is crazy sheeny and shiny! 

Get your own jar of Bounce Butter at www.wash-day.com.

Shea Moisture Fail and Wash Day Update

At long, long last, Wash Day's web site is finally live! Attempted assistance from several sources, but nothing ever came through so I did it on my own. Still have some tweaking to do, but for now, here's my baby!

www.wash-day.com

Wash Day is comprised of shampoos, conditioner, hair butter and hair oil...all designed to help you develop your own low-manipulation natural hair regimen and without spending a fortune! While there is a plethora of natural hair care products on the market, after 40+ years, I couldn't find anything my hair would love for more than a few months until I learned how to make my own hair care products. And the rest, they say, is history!

Now, from time to time, I do try out non-Wash Day products and sometimes with decent results. Not this time, however. I know everyone raves about Shea Moisture products, but I'm not real keen on them...mainly because many of their products contain ingredients on the endangered species list. I did finally break down last weekend and bought a jar of Shea Moisture's Curl Enhancing Smoothie. I liked the ingredients, the price, the amount of product in the container and even the smell. But, I hate this product! Two coils down on this one!

With ladies literally killing themselves to take advantage of Shea Moisture's BOGO deals, I was excited to finally give this product a try. I knew something was wrong as soon as I put my finger in it. The consistency was way wrong for my hair texture and it lacked the oomph I hoped it would have. Additionally, I'm on Day Two of my twist out and will have to redo my hair tonight. Not only did Curl Enhancing Smoothie fail to add shine or bounce to my hair, it didn't even hold my curls!!!!!  I also find my curls to be too wild, frizzy and stiff. I'm not used to this. My hair is always shiny, bouncy and does not frizz when I separate my curls.

 Note: I am not being biased in any way, but Wash Day's Bounce Butter and Carol's Daughter's Healthy Hair Butter do a much better job of maintaining weeklong curls.

I don't know what all the fuss is about with Shea Moisture's Curl Enhancing Smoothie, but at least I know I'm not missing anything when I throw this in the trash!

Wash Day Update and Product Review

It's been a hectic past few weeks with Wash Day, but going very well what with my weekly business classes and shipping out Etsy orders. I did have one snafu with my labels, but that's been resolved! I'm also waiting on my domain to be repointed so my website will be up and running. 

Also, look for Wash Day samples in the very near future and the release of a new product to compliment the Wash Day line. If you haven't yet placed an order, do it soon before the free shipping disappears! Wash Day updates are also on Facebook and Twitter. And, if you're on LinkedIn, Wash Day is there, too.

In the meantime, I've been trying out a few products. First up is fellow Etsy seller Brown Butter Beauty's Babassu Cream Deep Conditioner. Conditioners and deep conditioners will always be my downfall (sigh).

I purchased a sample of this a while back, but forgot I had it! A few weeks ago, I used it with my weekly steam treatment and enjoyed it very much. I like babassu butter and I love conditioners, so this is a win-win for me. The product has a light, pleasant scent and is amazingly smooth and creamy. And, it left my hair very soft. I like this very much, but not enough to add to my arsenal of products.

During a visit to my fave local Indian grocer, I found a few more Vatika products so I decided to give their Black Shine shampoo a try. My bad...when I got it home, I read the ingredients and found formaldehyde in the ingredients list.

So, I wrote the company and asked about the inclusion of this ingredient and got a lackluster response. Now, most of you would probably have thrown this away, but I was curious. My hair is strong, thick and is super healthy so I used it. It smells great, has an abundance of suds and is black in color...a boon since I'm trying to keep the greys at bay, but not enough to make me want to use it again given what's in it.

I also tried their Nourish & Protect Styling Hair Cream. HUGE disappointment. This get two coils down.

There was just enough of this product for me to do two sets of twists. For the price, I can live with that, but overall, this product was a huge fail. Granted it's super light and added great shine to my hair, it left my hair feeling filmy. And, after about two days, my hair felt SUPER dry so I had to add more product to my hair which is a huge no-no for me as part of my low-mani regimen. If I use a hair product, I do not nor should I have to use it again until my next wash day.

What new products are you trying out? Care to share?

Wash Day is on now Etsy!

At long last, Wash Day products are ready for sale! 

Tested on human heads for over a year, the Wash Day 2012 product line includes:

• Build-up Buster, a creamy clarifying shampoo
• Muddy Water, an oil-rich Ayurvedic cleansing shampoo
• The Slip, a no-nonsense detangling conditioner
• Snake Oil, a special blend of Ayurvedic herbs and black castor oil
• Bounce Butter, a whipped shealoe hair butter cream

All Wash Day products are created with all-natural and organic ingredients, and do not contain any harsh chemicals or additives. I personally have been using Wash Day products during the past year and attribute much of my hair's growth and health to Wash Day.

As part of an introductory offer, Wash Day is offering free shipping on all purchases. Stay tuned for the Wash Day web site, coming soon!

Brushes, blow dryers and wigs...Oh My!

Wow, so it's been eons since I've posted anything, but I needed to regroup. Now that I'm back, I'm delighted to share a few new things with you! 

I used to abhor the idea of brushing my hair, wet or dry, and have not brushed my hair in more than 15 years (I've always used a wide-tooth comb). But, I swallowed my fear and (gasp), bought the Denman D-3 brush! 

Just last week, my hair was a tangled, nappy mess after undoing the tight, tiny braids I'd put in my wet hair. I couldn't even get my detangling comb through my roots! So, I whipped out my Denman, took a deep breath and was shocked. The Denman glided through my snags and snarls like a hot knife slicing through cold butter. And, not a single hair ripped or snapped! It was an amazing experience and I look forward to adding this to my weekly arsenal of hair maintenance tools! Might I add that this brush also is super easy to clean as the rubber bristle pad just slips right in and out.

I also added this nifty gadget to my maintenance arsenal-the Solano Willie Morrow's Unbreakable Thermo Blow Dry Nozzle Hair Drying Dryer Pik (ain't that a crazy name?!).

I haven't tried it yet, but I will when it's time for me to straighten my hair. It's made of rubberized plastic so I'm pretty sure it won't break. Note: this attachment comes with three adjustable nozzles so it's sure to fit my or your hair dryer. Sadly, I think my hair's become too much for me to do an effective blowout with my trusty old roller brush. Farewell old friend.

But, I won't be blow drying any time soon as we here in Michigan are finally fully ensconced in a white winter wonderland. So, for my protective style (another gasp), I've resorted to wearing Miss "La Jay!" I had to make her a little larger to comfortably fit my head, but so far, I am really digging her even if she does cause a few bad hair days.

On another note, Wash Day efforts have temporarily been placed on hold. But, all is not lost and I hope to rebound from a less than shaky start this spring.

Peddling My Wares Next Weekend!

So, I've been absent from here for a bit, but for a good reason. I've been working on getting Wash Day, the natural regimen for fuzzy-haired folk, off the ground! Wash Day's initial launch consists of two shampoos, a conditioner, a hair butter, and an Ayurvedic hair oil. Also thrown into the mix are bath bombs and melts, bubbling bath salts, and soy candles.

I'm really excited about this new endeavor and wouldn't even be doing it if my products didn't work, but they do and I've been using them and testing them on other people for the past year. So, if you're in the Grand Rapids, Mich. area or know someone who is, let them know that Wash Day will be available at...

http://www.wix.com/dreambig11/sistercircle#!about

The official Wash Day web site will be launched soon!