Carrot Juice

As a kid I always enjoyed eating carrots. I used to watch Bugs Bunny on television with a carrot in hand every day. I would eat mine, whenever Bugs ate his, and then said in unison with the cartoon character; “Ehhhh, What’s up doc?” This went on for years, and because of my ritual, my mother had to always kept a supply of carrots in the house.

Years later I discovered juicing fruits and vegetables and all of its benefits. Carrots are the main ingredient in many recipes, and carrot juice by itself provides a lot of health benefits for various body elements, including the hair.

Carrot juice is known to grow hair and is really good at preventing balding and hair loss. Some people have said that drinking freshly juiced carrots regularly has improved the look and length of their hair faster than taking vitamins!

Overall I just wanted to share my love for carrots and write another post on juicing. Juicing may be a lot of work but it is extremely beneficial. Purchasing a juicer is an excellent investment. You can’t go wrong. I highly recommend it.

Willow in Teen Vogue

Willow Smith seems to be sporting a head full of naps in her photo shoot for the newest issue of Teen Vogue. I think she is so cute and is doing a great job performing, interviewing and making appearances. She is an inspiration to young girls teaching them to have fun, express yourself and be who you are. Deep down we all want to do that – young and old. It’s just most folks don’t have the courage to do it so they critize others who do. 

Check out her feature interview with the magazine HERE.

Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk Curl Perfecting Conditioner

I recently finished using an entire bottle of Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk Curl Perfecting Conditioner.

And well, I have to be honest, my hair didn’t like this product. My hair was curly after applying the stuff but I was not sure if it curled from the conditioner or because I wet my hair. It definitely did not feel soft. My hair felt more conditioned after I washed it using my homemade shampoo.

I really wanted to like this product, especially since it was a line I had not tried, but as usual my hair does not respond positively to Carol’s Daughter’s products.

So on a scale of 1 to 5 curls; I will give it a ½ curl.

Kinky-Curly Curling Custard

Now that I am wearing my natural hair everyday I am very excited about experimenting with different products and styles. I have been wanting to wear the curly ringlet look for a while and heard that Kinky-Curly Curling Custard (KCCC) is one of the best curling gels on the market.

I purchased a jar at Whole Foods Whole Body for $30. Pricey. Pricey. Pricey. But I decided to use KCCC over Eco Styler, another popular curling gel, strictly because of the ingredients. It was worth it. Check out the difference.

KCCC - Botanical infusion of water, horsetail, chamomile, nettle and marshmallow, organic aloe vera juice, agave nectar extract, tocopheryl acetate (vitamin e), pectic, citric acid, potassium sorbate and natural fragrance.

ECO STYLER- Water, Carbomer, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, PVP, Glycerin, Triethanolamine, Sodium Hydrxymethylglycinate, Polysorbate 20, Tetrasodium EDTA, Olive Oil, Fragrance, Blue #1, Yellow#1, Love and Pride.

After washing and conditioning my hair, I followed the instructions on the jar for thick course curls and applied the product. At first I didn’t like the way my hair was curling. I wanted the curls to fall a little looser - like a ringlet bob – but they didn’t. I guess I don’t have that type of hair.

Then I realized the coily afro with a part on the side looked kind of cute. Later that day I received a lot of compliments. You can’t really see the cutness of my curls on the photo below. In person it looked a lot better. I don’t know how to properly use my new Nikon Cool Pix L22. I miss my easy-to-use Canon Power Shot A410.

Anyway, KCCC made my hair soft and I did not experience any kind of white product build up. The picture is of my hair on its second day sporting the custard. After day one, that night, I slept in a silk scarf. The next morning when taking a shower, I did not cover my hair with a plastic cap because I wanted my hair to get wet. Afterwards, I just fluffed my fro with my fingers and that was it. I did not apply additional KCCC.

So on a scale of 1 to 5. I give Kinky-Curly Curling Custard 5 curls.

Esperanza Spalding

I just had to show some love to this natural-haired beauty who won a Grammy for best new artist.

I heard of her but many have not. Esperanza Spalding, an acclaimed jazz singer and bassist, made history as she captured the best new artist trophy last Sunday. She became the first jazz artist to win the award defeating Mumford & Sons, Florence and the Machine, rapper Drake, and the heavy favourite, teen pop phenom Justin Bieber.

You go, girl!! Check out her music and AFRO below. She is definately my hair inspiration!

Black Owned Beauty Supply Store Reveals the Struggles to Stay in Business

After posting the documentary about the struggles black owned beauty supply stores are experiencing because of their Korean counterparts, I thought about the number of African American owned beauty supply stores that cater to black hair within my parameter, and after thinking about it, I realized the answer was zero. I normally purchase hair care products throughout Brooklyn and Harlem and every shop I go to is owned by Koreans. Once realizing I couldn’t find a black owned beauty supply store, I researched the issue and found the film by Aron Raven.

Because of Raven’s project I became very curious about the topic, almost obsessed, and went online in search of black owned beauty supply stores. Ultimately, I found BeeTee Beauty Supply Store in East Orange, New Jersey. I called the store and spoke to the owner, Tim. He was very gracious and openly filled me in on the politics regarding the beauty supply store business. After our conversation I had to feature him on Permed to Natural. There was no way I could keep all of that information to myself. I went to East Orange to meet Tim in person and to visit his store. BeeTee Beauty is a large space that is magnificently stocked with products for your every hair care need. I felt extremely proud when I entered his store.

Check out what Tim has to say about the beauty supply store business.

PTN: What inspired you to start your own beauty supply store?

BT: We came from families of entrepreneurs. Our families ran their own businesses from retail, corporations to professional practices. So naturally we gravitated towards owning our own business. Beauty supply was an attraction because despite what you do and who you are, you will always take care of your beauty needs.

PTN: How long has BeeTee Beauty Supply been in business and where are you located?

BT: BeeTee Beauty opened officially in August of 2002. Our information is 516B Main Street; East Orange, New Jersey 07018; 973-678-0046; Website: www.beeteebeauty.com; Email: beeteebeauty@yahoo.com.

PTN: Your competition are the Koreans who also own beauty supply stores geared towards African American hair care. Have you lost customers to Korean owned beauty supply stores in your area?

BT: Well you loose some and you gain some! Koreans have always dominated the industry and our people have come to think that the beauty supply business is the domain of the Koreans only. I think that we as a people should support one another and together we can get our business back. Currently, the Koreans control the market, they have the financial stability, and they have locked down the supplies, the suppliers and the manufacturers, which pose entry barriers into the beauty supply business for the minority black person.

PTN: Have you noticed a change in the way business is done over the years? If so, please tell us about it.

BT: The market is dominated by the Koreans; if you don’t speak the Korean language, they wouldn’t sell to you, when they do sell; the price is higher than for their Korean counterpart. You are often compelled to pay cash, certified check or money order for everything you buy. No return, no terms. In New Jersey where we are located there is an organization called Korean Beauty Supply Association (KBSA). They have threatened to boycott any distributor that will sell to any non Korean beauty supply store. Consequently, these distributors become scared to sell to the non Koreans because of the threat of boycott from KBSA. Have you ever wondered why most stores owned by blacks or minorities are poorly stocked? It’s not because they don’t have the capital. No. Far from it! Majority of them have the money but they can’t find a supplier that is willing to take the wrath of the KBSA.

Secondly, if you do find a supplier or distributor willing to sell, they will suddenly either stop selling or demand their products back.  Then follows the excuses; either the factory in China or Korea has gone on strike or they have burnt down or they are out of stock, and so on…. Or they give you the “proximity” excuse. The proximity excuse is usually used when Korean distributors don’t want to sell to you because you are not Korean. They tell you that you are too close to a customer of theirs and will violate their unwritten code by selling to you. They would say it promotes unhealthy competition. But it’s okay when the store is Korean owned. These stories are real! They actually happened to us and are still happening eight and a half years later.

In November 2002, a few months after our official grand opening in East Orange, New Jersey, our main distributor Jingu (Harlem21) hair company came back to our store and demanded to take their products back. They came with a refund money order (issued from a Korean bank in China Town, New York) and advised that they have been instructed by their CEO in China to refund us our money and return their products. They indicated that their company had received numerous calls and threats from KBSA that they were doing business with us. The KBSA had called their president in China and logged complaints. When Jingu came to our store to collect their products, they came in company with KBSA members to ensure that the products were actually retrieved. Another supplier in California, Jazz Wave, stopped selling to us three months later. Reason? Their factory burnt down and they are getting a lot of calls from the New Jersey chapter of KBSA to stop selling to us, they would eventually confess. Ben’s Beauty (in Philadelphia), Milky Way Hair Collections, Janet Hair Collections (Beauty Plus), Beverly Johnson Hair Collections, Outre, Motions Hair Collections, Sensationnel Hair, just to name a few, had one excuse after another.

PTN: All of the hair collections you just mentioned are Korean owned?

BT: Yes all of them are Korean owned including Beverly Johnson’s Hair Collection. Also Korean owned are Sally Beauty Supply stores.

PTN: How are Koreans able to obtain black hair care products to distribute? Can you go to the same place to purchase products for your store as well?

BT: Korean distributors go to the manufacturers, and some are black owned, to buy products by the trailer load. Manufacturers don’t normally sell to retail stores because the distributors are able to purchase a lot more items and that is how they make their money. There are a few black distributors I am able to purchase from but sometimes they buy products from the Korean distributors because they can not afford to purchase a large amount from the manufacturers.  

PTN: Do black owned manufacturers know what the Koreans are doing to black owned beauty supply stores?

BT: I am sure they do.

PTN: How many black owned beauty supply stores are there in East Orange, New Jersey?

BT: I know of only three including mine. The fourth one was forced out of business by the Koreans due to lack of suppliers and products. So her customers dwindled and migrated to her Korean competition. 

PTN: How many Korean owned beauty supply stores that cater to black hair are there in East Orange, New Jersey?

BT: At the top of my head I can count more than eight in the vicinity where I operate. I am sure there is a slew more of Korean owned black beauty supply shops in East Orange since East Orange accounts for over 75 percent of blacks in the Oranges.

PTN: How do you feel about those numbers?

BT: Discouraging and disproportionately balanced. It is unfair that black people are prevented from entering a market that caters to their needs. But then again, who says life is fair?

PTN: Do you purchase products from Koreans who distribute most of the black hair care supplies? If yes, is it hard working with them? If not, how to do stock your store?

BT: Yes, I do but it’s not easy at all.  Cash up front no credit. There are a few willing to do business with us under the radar. These suppliers very frequently do not want our Korean counterparts to know that they are selling to us.

PTN: How do you think African Americans lost ownership of beauty supply stores for black hair? What can we do to gain back control? Do you think we are willing to do that?

BT: I don’t know but knowing what I know now, I think we sold out! We need to stop selling ourselves short, cheap and gain back our self esteem. I believe in my people and I still think that we can gain back control if we stick together and support those that dare to enter the market. We will gain back control when we start working together, start spending our money within our people and in our businesses and give black businesses a chance. Financial institutions in the black communities need to open up and lend money to grow the community.

PTN: What do you want Permed to Natural readers to take with them after reading your story?

BT: The beauty supply industry is like the mafia. No one tells you until you get there to find out that everything is locked down. It’s a dog eat dog world out there. The Koreans do not want black people in the business that caters to blacks, previously owned by blacks and used by blacks. Where black owned beauty supplies exist, the Koreans are bent at eliminating and wiping them out for good.

I want all your readers to ‘try and support black beauty supply stores out there’ wherever and whenever they can because they are the ones that will create the wealth in the black community and invest the money back in the black community. Ever wonder where your Korean beauty supply store owner lives? Certainly not in your community where they make their money! 

The Denman with Fragrance

Speaking of the Denman…  Did you guys know about Denman hair brushes that come in various fragrances? Well I just found out. Check out the variety of flavors below.

Apple Green Scent

Coconut Scent with wooden handle

Coconut Scent with plastic handle

Wild Dewberry Scent

Lemon Sherbert Scent

Orange Tango Scent

Strawberry Shortcake Scent

To purchase a brush from its UK company click HERE.

The Tangle Teezer

I recently heard about the Tangle Teezer. My peeps on Facebook introduced it to me. Thanks Jannike Bogaerts!  Soon afterwards I started to hear about the Tangle Teezer throughout the natural hair community and decided to do bit of research and found a couple of videos that reviewed the product.

The Tangle Teezer reminds me of the Denman hair brush - which I love. So now I am wondering - should I purchase a hair tool that does the same thing as another that I already have? I don’t like to have too many gadgets. After a while everything starts to look like clutter. 

The videos below touch on the Tangle Teezer/Denman subject. I might break down and buy it, but right now, I am not sure. What do you guys think?

For Colored Girls – The Play

I would like to share an email I received from a non-profit arts society called Visart. This article will benefit those in the Los Angeles area. Check it out.

Visart, a non-profit arts society, is putting together a live production of “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf,” at the Siren Studios Orange Stage at 1050 N. Orange Dr. in Hollywood, CA from February 21 to February 27th.

The ground-breaking Tony and Obie award winning play has not been performed professionally in Los Angeles for over 30 years! This may be the only opportunity to see the play live during its limited engagement.

Ticket prices are $45 for matinee; $65 regular evening shows; $85 for the Oscar event and Show on February 27th, and on February 21, all tickets are $20 for a special Black History Month performance and Presidents Day Community night.

Oscar night and Community night performances are our best selling events. So get your tickets soon. Support the Arts by purchasing tickets now online at http://visartsociety.org/.

For group discounts and more information call 310-595-8696 or email visart.society@gmail.com.

Shampoo Featuring Peanut Oil

In an earlier post I mentioned adding Peanut Oil to my beauty regiment and last night I did. I made a new batch of shampoo featuring the nut oil and washed my hair. Before I reveal the ingredients I want to mention after using the shampoo my hair felt very soft and it was easy to comb. It didn’t feel greasy nor dry but someplace in the between. The texture reminded me of how my tresses feel after I apply a conditioner. My hair probably didn’t need a conditioner but after my monthly henna ritual, I rinsed the treatment out using Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk Curl Perfection Conditioner and applied Genuine African  Formula’s Let-It-Grow Super Active Tonic as a leave-in.

By the way, If you are allergic to peanuts, please do not use Peanut Oil.

What you will need:

• Glass jar – about 20 oz
• Peanut Oil - 8 tablespoons
• Jojoba Oil – 1  1/2 tablespoon
• Almond Oil – 1 tablespoon
• Vitamin E – 1 tablespoon
• Thyme Essential Oil – 3 drops
• Peppermint Essential Oil – 3 drops
• Rosemary Essential Oil – 4 drops
• Patchouly Essential Oil – 6 drops
• Horsetail and Nettles Herb Tea - 1 cup – You can use distilled spring water if you like.
• Pure Castil Peppermint Soap – 1/3 cup

I used a glass jar instead of a plastic bottle. Glass is always better to use when making your own products because it protects all nutrients in your ingredients longer than plastic. This jar holds a little more than 2 cups.

Add Peanut Oil to the jar. Actually, I used more oil than I had planned. You can use less if you like.

Jojoba Oil

Almond Oil

Vitamin E

Thyme Essentil Oil

Peppermint Essential Oil

No Photo

Rosemary Essential Oil

Patchouli Essential Oil

I added homemade Horsetail and Nettles Herb Tea instead of distilled water.

Pure Castil Peppermint Soap

Shake the bottle before use and that’s it!

UPDATE: My hair was moist for about two full days after washing it. then I applied a small amount of hair cream to various places on my scalp and ends. My hair is dry right now and seems to need this type of miosture. Maybe this is because I transitioned wearing a weave for over a year with my hair braided underneath. I am not sure. I am still getting to know my new texture.