Denman Brush Wash n Go

I bought a Denman brush. After all this time, I finally got one.
Not sure what model but I got one.

Chock full of pics so peep after the jump

End of Year Hair Rant

2013 is almost done and I can't believe it.

The end of a year always brings about an itch to do something different with my hair.

I really want to color the lightened sections of my hair back to black but I want to use Shea Moisture hair color due to how great my hair felt but it isn't here in the UK :-( 

I'm also thinking of straightening my hair. Not revolutionary but I've never actually done it myself, the last 2 times my cousin has done it so it would be a new thing for me.

I may not end up doing it because I can't be bothered (a lot of hair man)

 Le sigh. I also thought about doing yarn twists or twists in general but again.. Where I live in the UK, getting hair is a feat. A Caribbean shop is in my town and the lady sells some hair but the prices are racked up because black people are scarce. 

I may do mini twists on blown out hair. That's it! 

What do you think? Itching to do something new with your hair approaching the new year?

Youtube Goodness

Hello my Lovelies!

If you haven't been keeping up with my YouTube channel,

I have two recent videos. One on my hair regimen and one with holiday hairstyles!

Check them out below and subscribe if you aren't

Enjoy =)

Hair for the Holidays

My Hair Regimen

Christmas Wishlist

So Christmas season is upon us..

All the ads are rolling full steam over on this side of the pond and it's making me wanna slap some things on a wish list..

Yes I have a hair product wish list. There are things I've been eyeing for tiiiime but finances and life in general have said heck NAW to pretty much all of it. I'm sharing it with you all because well.. I feel as if you all get it and me. So bam.

Starting off the lust.. I mean list. (no lie thats what my fingers typed when i meant list :)

-Curlformers

these babies are all over naturlista's heads and they work well to stretch the hair while giving it a nice curl. they're uber pricey too and I do not have the dough to blow on them.

-Anita Grant Rhassoul Deep Condish Block

I am head over heels for this deep con dish and the last time I used it.. 90g was just enough for my hair and that was 2 years ago! So clearly the block is the way to go. But it's so expensive!

-Curls Curl Soufflé & Whipped Cream

I want them both at the same dang time. I really want to do a compare + contrast review on these since they both seem like they would work for my hair even though they are marketed differently. I smelled the Whipped Cream once in a beauty shop in London.. LISTEN! I wanted to eat it and then slather it on my hair.

-Curl Junkie Coffee-Coco Curl Creme

Been eyeing this since I did my BC. How many moons later, I'm still oh so curious about this product. The chocolate coffee combo bit is pulling me in as well. i got a thang for em both ;)

-Carol's Daughter Hair Milk Collection & Chocolat Smoothing Collection

Love the chocolate line. LOVE IT! Thang made my hair silky smooth every time, whether straightening or simple curly wear. Smells divine as well. I've been curious about the hair milk collection as well so its on le list too.

Product Review - Shea Moisture Deep Cleansing Shampoo

Look at me hitting y'all with another product review

another Shea Moisture joint

so this isn't a popular product.. popular in the sense that most people go weak in the knees for it

but i'm one of those few people.

see i have eczema (i've probably stated this fifteen hunnid times on hurr)

but i gotta keep saying it cuz its for realsy

it's horrid and living in the UK in the cold makes it even more horrid

i get it on my scalp, mostly by my hairline and it can do this weird thing when if not kept in check, breaks out on my forehead and eyebrows :-|

so when i decided to try this here poo last year summer.. it said NAWL to the zema and that thang left!

it didn't cure but with regular use, i don't itch and no flare ups!

I love this shampoo because it is the only shampoo that effectively cleanses my scalp and hair without irritating it. it isn't a moisturizing shampoo and the hair isn't left feeling stripped either.

it feels clean. 

the consistency is runny and lathers up decently.

no sulfates and other random things i don't know how to say

this is a keeper in my books.

what say you? have you ever tried it?

MANE-ly Speaking - Nicole

Got another lovely MANE-ly Speaking feature with this gorge gal!

South Florida stand up! Take a peek into this model's mane story

Who are you?

My name is Nicole Arnold.  I’m a 25 year old Mommy of a 3 year old little girl, and a LPN nursing student. 

3 words you would use to describe yourself.

• Social
• Goofy
• Dreamer

Why did you go natural?

For multiple reasons.  Excessive blow drying and flat ironing caused tons of damage.  So I looked for alternatives.  I began to watch Taren916 and LoveIslandBeauty on YouTube and got my inspiration to go for it!

Was it difficult or easy to go natural?

It was pretty simple in the beginning.  It didn’t tangle easily and it was usually quick to style (half hawks or mohawks).  The downside was it never really looked good as a wash and go, so I spent hours twisting it every night.  I went through an awkward stage at around a year I believe where my curls just weren’t acting right, but I’m loving the stage my hair is at now. 

4 words to describe your mane.

• Big
• Frizzy
• Fun
• Unpredictable

Tell us a little about your regimen. 

To be honest, I’m not too consistent with a regimen.  I’m all over the place when it comes to products.  It changes every other month.  But currently my routine is wash day Sat or Sun, I shampoo with Pantene or Herbal Essence shampoo (I’m not picky with what it’s specific for… moisture, hair damage repair, volume..none seem to work better than the other for my hair), The conditioner I use is usually Pantene also.  I slather that on my hair to do the initial detangling, rinse it out, then I put either Loreal’s Moisture Mask or Damage Erasing Bomb on to comb through my hair.  I leave it on for a few hours, rinse it out and diffuse.  As the days go on my hair gets bigger and bigger.  With a little help from my pick and blow dryer.  Usually lasts the week then it’s in need for some serious detangling.

What have you learned on your natural hair journey?

PATIENCE my dear, patience.  I began with such unrealistic expectations, thinking my hair would grow over night and would be effortless every morning.  Boy was I wrong.  It took a year of crazy hair days and lots of long nights combing out my hair to get to where I began to be satisfied.  Expect for a different hair day every day.  Curly hair has a mind of its own.  Just make it work for you (accessories are a big help).  I’ve gotten the most genuine compliments since becoming natural.  It’s an instant boost of confidence and such a fun playful look.  

Candidly speaking.. 

Blow drying your roots does wonders!!  I’ve gotten so much extra length from my curls by blow drying directly on the roots while gently tugging on the section I’m focusing on.  It even works when the hair is dry.  Every morning it takes me about 5 minutes just to style.  

Tip: Pull up and out instead of down if you want BIG hair rather than just length & always use a heat protectant (like a light weight spray) . 

                                          

Find Nicole on Instagram - @nic0le_chantal

Winter Wash N Go

I have a love affair with wash n gos. I admit it. 

The girl who used to loathe them because they just did not look right has now a thing for em. 

I love seeing my actual curl pattern(s). This was achieved using Miss Jessie's Curly Meringue as a styler.
I think I may like their stylers for winter wash n gos.. well some. 

I used Tresemme Naturals as a leave in ..eh. 

I prefer using the Mixed Silk.. hair feels more moisturized. 

This was probably day 2/3 after being outside in the wind and rain.

I like to do my wash n go's when its cold outside the day before I plan on rocking it.

So I do it the afternoon before, giving it time to fully dry before heading out.

I apply a leave in and seal with oil before applying the styler.

I applied the Meringue in four sections.

Shrinkage at it's finest!

Back in the day, the shrinkage was too real. I don't even hate shrinkage but the different curls I have in my head.. man I couldn't rock WnGs after awhile. Right when I BC'd? sure. but then my hair grew..

Anyways.. WnG is a style I now rock.

Love wash n gos? Rock them in winter? 

Refuge & Strength

"But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress." 

- Psalm 59:16 (NLT)

Felt like sharing this on the blog today. Was doing my devotional and this was one of the verses in it The devotional was on praise and thanksgiving. 

-an excerpt-

Praise is not optional in a life that wins over worry and doubt. Praise is essential in a journey of faith. It is a demonstration of trust and the acceptance of a circumstance without insisting that God change it. When we choose to praise God, we choose to trust Him. And when we choose to trust God, we will win over worry.

Look man, God just loves to speak to my heart at the right time. ALWAYS!

I cannot deny that He exists, when I pray to Him about things and He responds.

What an awesome God I serve!

So I don't know who will read this and what you are going through, even if you aren't going through anything in particular.. PRAISE HIM!

He will rescue you. He is the same God who delivered the Israelites from Egypt.

So this devotional led me to listen to one of my fav Christian artists, Kristine Alicia.

First I listened to "Unfailing Love" & "Praise Dance" off her album Get Ready

then another song, "Rescue".

Sharing the vid for Rescue here and I pray you'll be blessed by it.

(oh and she just happens to have bomb behind natural hair :)

Artiste Spotlight - Jane Macgizmo

Today's spotlight is on Jane Macgizmo

She's really a 'Jane of all trades'

Photographer, Model, Producer, Creative Director, Magazine Editor + how many more!

Real Jamaican with the bagga jobs :) and now she's blessing the world with another talent

singing.

Artwork by Janile Salmon

She just released her first single "Black Skin" on Soundcloud & I'm smitten.

Yes she's gorgeous and her voice matches the looks.

The track is in the realms of neo-soul with a Jamaican flavor (of course)

Produced by SOS Dynamiks, the beat is infectious.

I'm excited to see where Mizz Macgizmo goes with her music, but for now take a listen.

Enjoy =)

Product Review - Shea Moisture Restorative Conditioner

I plan on doing more product reviews on here

I've used a handful of things and haven't reviewed them!

so with that said, here is a review on the 

Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner

$9.99 (average price)

Ingredients
Deionized Water , Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) , Argan Oil , Coconut Oil , Behentrimonium Chloride , Essential Oil Blend , Vegetable Glycerin , Emulsifying Wax , Sea Kelp Extract , Panthenol (Vitamin B-5) , Avocado Oil , Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower (and) Lonicera Japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Tocopherol (Vitamin E) , Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil 

Our leave-in or rinse out conditioner detangles, moisturizes, repairs and restores lifeless, damaged hair.

Work conditioner through hair from root to ends. Leave on for 3 minutes, then rinse. 

For deeper conditioning, leave on for up to 15 minutes. As a leave-in, work a dime-sized amount through damp hair, then style as desired.

I've used this product quite a lot.  I have used it as a co-wash, rinse out, deep conditioner and leave in.

Co-Wash- on wet hair, this glides on perfectly. It moisturized my scalp and hair and rinsed clean. My hair felt lightly cleansed and moisturized at the same time. I could do a slight finger detangle with it but nothing much.

Rinse Out - I do love it as a rinse out. I love when a conditioner deeply moisturizes my hair and it feels soft and supple after rinsing which this does. The downside is not much slip and the size of the product. I would go through a bottle really quickly if I used it for this nature and $10 for a product is a lot. Especially since it's even more in the UK!

Deep Conditioner - the product is thick and creamy in nature and works great on its own as a deep conditioner or if you add some oils to it. With my hair under plastic bags for at least 30 mins, the product penetrated my strands and left them smooth. I even detangled my hair with a paddle brush before placing under the plastic bags and the brush glided through with no trouble! (I did detangle my hair prior to shampooing hair)

Leave-In - this is the way I mostly use the product. It is a staple in my product stash, especially for the Fall/Winter seasons. Again, the creaminess of it and the thickness is great for when my hair needs extra moisture in the cold climates and it delivers. My hair is always soft and left smelling really good.

Overall

This is a product that has and will always be a staple in my product stash because I can get multiple uses out of it. For the size and price, it is more economical for me to use as a leave-in and the occasional deep conditioner or co-wash. I love that is readily available in the US, hate that it isn't readily available in the UK and twice the price.

Have you tried this product? What are your thoughts?

November

The temperatures are dropping, 2013 is fading away...

November is here and that means October is gone.

If you follow me on Instagram, you would know I was partaking in a challenge to read the book of Proverbs for the month while trying a new hair style each day. I didn't do much follow up on the blog but a post on the challenge is needed.

My sister participated actively and I think some others as well. My sis and I failed miserably at the hair style part.. I've come to accept that I'm not one of those natural hair gals that rocks out of this world styles. And I'm ok with that. 

I did enjoy the challenge though as I got to read through a book that has so many gems, and correlates to different books in the Bible as well. It was great sharing the verses that stuck out to me and hearing others talk about how that particular verse spoke to them. I find it amazing that God's Word is consistent and true, that it resonates with everyone and how God brings people from all walks of life together. I really wanted to share the chapters in whole, or type numerous paragraphs as my Instagram caption but I refrained. 

Sometimes I felt like not sharing any verses due to the busy-ness of a day, feeling tired and so on. That was a challenge within itself.. I thank God for giving me the strength to persevere through it all and to complete the task!

My sis and I are hopping over to the New Testament for November, tackling Romans!

She was sending me hashtag suggestions lol but I'm not sure if I'm going to approach Romans in the way I did Proverbs. 

So challenge completed! Big ups to all who joined in :) 

Daily Fix of Hair

 Today's fix is from last week

its a wash n go gone reaaalllll frizzy

(used my mix of Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie & Curling Souffle)

I'm missing my fully black hair though. Womp.

DIY Whipped Shea Butter

Hiya Lovelies!

I decided to make my very first whipped shea butter blend the other day

I normally use raw shea butter straight from the container 

but the last tub I ordered came in blocks rather than filling the jar, making it harder for me to use even with oil on my fingers

So I decided to take the plunge and do a whip!

Now I've seen most people use a hand blender and I don't have one, so I went searching for the method that would work best with a whisk.

I used this method from LabMuffin here

Updated Regimen - Fall/Winter

 REGIMEN

One should always have some form of regimen for their hair

Something. it doesn't have to be strict, but a pattern you know works for your tresses and keeps them in tip top shape.

Mine hasn't really changed and I did touch on it a bit in the Fall Products but here are pics from a wash day of mine

Daily Fix of Hair

Today's fix is a throwback of Moi

The year was 2010.. sometime in the Summer

think this was an old bantu knot out .. like ooold.

Wash N Go Routine

Hiya Lovelies!

Check out my latest vid up on my YouTube channel

where I show how I do a Wash N Go!

if you haven't subscribed yet, please do :) 

Enjoy =)

MANE-ly Speaking - Melody

Hey Lovelies! 

Got another MANE-ly Speaking with the beautiful Melody.

 Such a beautiful soul this gal is & I'm pleased to feature her. Do get into more after the jump!

Who are you?

My name is Melody. I am a Senior at the University of Central Florida, majoring in interdisciplinary studies with concentrations in Health Sciences. Beyond the basics, I am a lover of life, music, good food, and good vibes. 

Daily Fix of Hair

Today's fix is from a month ago

I think this is an old twist out.

If it is the twist out I'm thinking of, it was done with Shea Moisture Curl & Style Milk on wet hair

that's it!

#Fall4P31 Challenge - Update

Hiya Lovelies!

If you've been following me on Instagram, you have seen that I'm currently in the throes of the Fall For Proverbs 31 Woman Challenge.

I invited others to join in but it's really only been my sister, myself

and a lovely Youtube subscriber of mine. (S/o to SapphiraNew :)

Now as I'm in it.. it's really a daunting task.

Reading the chapters daily isn't as hard because I have my sister alongside with me.

(we tend to post the same verses and similar hairstyles too)

Speaking of hairstyles, that is the part I am finding difficult.

If you prance about through my blog you will notice I really just wear my hair out most of the times

A bun drops in the mix a lot of the times and maybe some twists..

It's only day 9 and i feel stuck :|

iIalso feel like a self crowned selfie queen because I post a pic daily of my hair

I try not to include my face on some because I really don't want my IG to become selfie land

If you wanna see the pics, find me @CandidCinni :)

Artiste Spotlight - Mapei

Haven't done one of these in a proper minute

but today's spotlight is on Mapei

I came across her through my Flipboard app. I saw that pic and thought "who is this chick with the luscious curls??" 

Tap on the article and find out she's a singer who just released a single 'Don't Wait'

In doing more research to find more songs (and pics of her hair)

found out she was an "Artist to watch" in the LATimes in 2009

Somehow she dropped off the radar and now she's back 

This Rhode Island born, Swedish bred woman has an infectious voice and the track is one that I shall have on repeat. I really am hoping to see an EP or mix tape from her soon as I feel it will be something great.

Get into it below. Enjoy =)

Warm Cinnamon Apple Chips

Hello Candid Cinni followers! 

My name is Jessica of Jessiker Bakes and this is my guest post on Candid Cinni's blog. I am starting back my foodie posts and I will be doing foodie themed blog posts to satisfy your sweet (and sometimes savoury) cravings! Everyone does love to eat, right? Great. Today's post will be a delicious back to school/fall recipe!

Give us your feedback so I can cater these guest posts to your desires!

Happy reading and even happier eating! 

- Jessica @ Jessiker Bakes

My Fall/Winter Mains

So tomorrow the #Fall4P31 Challenge starts!

I'm excited because this is a great way for me to kick off being 22.

So I needed to wash my hair in preparation for this challenge & well my hair needed to be washed.

Now that I'm back in the UK, climate change and all that..

products have changed and my regimen!

These are my mains.

My Fall/Winter regimen is almost the same as last year's.. read here

- I detangle before cleansing. This may be done with applying some oil/moisturizer/conditioner to my hair and either brushing it out with oil or combing it.

- Cleanse with the Shea Moisture African Black Soap Deep Cleansing Shampoo in 6 sections.

- Deep condition with a DIY concoction with the Tresemme Naturals as a base.

- Apply Shea Moisture Restorative Conditioner as leave in with a bit of Mixed Silk leave in.

- Seal with Karen's Body Beautiful Heavenly Jojoba Hair Oil [review here] 

- I also follow up with Shea Butter to set my braids/twists.

- I use the KBB Creamylicious to do twists/braids on dry hair. Review on that here

Do you change your regimen when the seasons change? What are your mains?

#Fall4P31 - October Challenge

Hello Lovelies!

So now that Fall is officially here, that means colder temps

(for those in tropical climates.. hurray! none of that lol)

So since October is couple of days away and my BDAY month

I've decided to challenge myself with hair styles & Scripture

and I want y'all to join in!

Fall For Proverbs 31 Woman

Turning 22 means one step further into adulthood and my walk with Christ

Life can become mundane, same hairstyles

same ol' same ol' when it comes to the quiet time with God

I wanna switch it up when it comes to my hair & my daily devotions

I'll post pics on IG w/ hashtag #Fall4P31 

Post pics of yourself w/ your style for the day & fav verse from chapter

Hashtag so we can support one another!

I'll blog weekly about the styles I did for that week + the chapters that was read

& show a tutorial for my fav style of that week and what I learned from the readings

Why am I doing this?

Well I dub myself a 'lazy natural' - I really just wear my hair out or in a bun

which is cool but I always say how natural hair is versatile but I don't do much with my hair

& there's so much to being a woman than the outer beauty 

SO

reading & meditating on a Proverbs chapter per day should be splendid!

I figured Fall is the perf time to try stuff out especially my Bday Month.. 22 new thangs!

Now I probably won't be doing elaborate things, you guys can though.

I wanna see what you all come up with!

Challenge starts on OCT 1. 

Gonna join in on the challenge? 

Tweet me @CandidCinni w/ #Fall4P31 and let me know!

Daily Fix of Hair

Today's fix is of J of the Atlantic Beauty

my lovely UK (now based in the US) blogger friend in Christ!

shot by me

Bantu Knot Out

Hola Lovelies!

Summer may be done for some but I'm still on a roll with mine

speaking of rolls.. 

while trying out a product, I decided to clip my ends annnddd do some bantu knots a week ago.

(I know them as chiney bumps :)

It kinda just happened as I was putting away the hair I already clipped so I went with it.

Peep after the jump for more..

Product Review - Keracare Cleansing Cream

Hello Lovelies!

I promised a review of the Keracare Cleansing Cream so here it is

Retails for $11-$12

I've been using this product as part of my 2013 Summer Regimen. 

I tried it out last summer when I received a 2 oz sample from a natural hair meet up. 

This product is very creamy, goes onto the hair easily and a little goes a long way.

I finger detangled with it in. It doesn't have great slip, it's kinda thick but not too thick where I can't detangle. Don't try to detangle with a comb, not a good idea. It has a bit of lather, more on second use which is only necessary if you have a bunch of product buildup. 

It cleanses efficiently in one round. I saw my curls popping after rinsing out!

Overall I really like it! 

I tried it in place of using shampoos but due to my eczema, I need a good shampoo that helps get rid of my issue. It does well in calming my scalp but I can't take out a poo in my regimen. I love that it actually cleanses my hair and conditions it. 

I've used it and then added a leave in after, no rinse out or deep condish necessary.

It's great for a quick wash. Idk how it compares to cheaper co washes.

Have you used this product before? Are you an avid co wash user?

Not My Hair

Smile Blue Apparel
Photo taken by ME

India.aRIE had women around the world singing "I am not my hair" on the top of their lungs back in the day. Even now with the growing of the natural hair community and women seemingly divided by hair types and no-lye relaxers, that mantra seems to be shouted at every corner. But is it true?

We tend to define people by their physical features.. "That chick with the full lips, dude with the fade, he dating that Latina girl down the street" I am known to many as the girl with a lot of hair. A nickname for me at work was "Big Hair Don't Care".. even my boyfriend has me saved in his phone as Big Hair. I know I am more than just my hair but a lot of people know me for that, that is the first thing they see and I like to talk about hair in general. If it wasn't for my hair, you wouldn't be reading this.

So with that said, I am my hair because my hair is apart of me. It is one the many things that make up who I am at the current moment. Is it the most important? Heck no. I am more than my hair but I am my hair.

So I'm fabulous.

I was not compensated for this post. My girl Phyona from my days at FIU hooked me up with this banging' tee. Love it? Get at smileblueapparel.bigcartel.com

Shots of Life

Haven't done one of these in a bit and I've been meaning to.

My scuzzies (sister cousins.. & my actual sissy) had a fun filled weekend

more like a day where we hit NYC and did some fun stuff.

9/11 Memorial, Picnic in Central Park & Dinner!

These are (some of) the day pics.