Tuesday, November 27, 2012


Taliah Waajid Product Review:  Curly Cream, and African Healing Oil
By:  Lauren Francis-Jackson
 
 
 
In my time as a naturalista, I have tried many products especially in the beginning!  I was using trial and error to see which products worked best for my hair.  Prior to locking, I had 4b/c hair that was tightly coiled in a TWA.  Taliah Waajid was one of the products I tried in the beginning as I was searching how to keep my hair moisturized! 
 
Taliah Waajid is a natural hair specialist who has over 20 years experience as a natural stylist and cosmetologist.  She is best known as the owner of the Taliah Waajid Natural Hair Care Center in Atlanta, Georgia, and creator of the World Natural Hair, Health, & Beauty Show.  The World Natural Hair, Health, and Beauty Show is held annually in Atlanta, Georgia in October.  Next year, that will be the 13th year that it is being held. 
 
 
Taliah Waajid products are typically sold at CVS, Walgreens, Target, Whole Foods, Walmart, and beauty supply stores.  I first saw Taliah Waajid products in CVS, and have seen them at all the above mentioned stores.  The Taliah Waajid line includes products ranging in cost from $7 to $20 for regular sized items and $20+ to 55 for larger sizes greater than 32 ounces.  The products I brought-- the Curly Curl Cream and the African Healing Oil-- were less than $20 together. 
 
 
The Curly Curl cream is a curl definer that it meant to be put on the hair after washing the hair.  The purpose of the product is to help define your curls for a Wash-N-Go look.  The cream smelled pleasant and went onto my hair smoothly.  I applied it to damp hair that I had co-washed that day.  After drying, my hair felt stiffy and extra dry with this cream.  I immediately washed it out the next day because I felt it was super drying to my hair. 
 
The Afrian Healing Oil (Oyl) is a multi-use product that can be used on the hair and body.  Taliah Waajid suggests to use it as a hot oil treatment.  This is achieved by saturating the hair with the oil after shampooing and letting it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing.  The ingredients are natural oils like olive oil, almond oil, and sunflower oil, that combine for mositurizing power.  I actually used it as a pre-poo and the result was amazingly soft hair!  I also have used it with a cream based butter/lotion for the body, which worked well for me too!  I liked this much better than the Curly Curl cream.
 
 
My next product to try is Taliah Waajid Crinkles and Curls as a setting agent for curls on my sisterlocks.  I see the consultants at Natural Clarity LLC using this product as well as water to achieve curly looks with sisterlocks. 
 
 
 
Have you tried Taliah Waajid's products?  What was your experience?  Let's discuss!
 
 
~The Sisterlocked Diva



Sunday, November 25, 2012


 
 
My Fav Five from Nappy Oke
By:  Lauren Francis-Jackson
The Sisterlocked Diva
 
 
Nappy Oke is an annual event in the DC area where karaoke meets natural hair!  You have many natural hair vendors, jewlery vendors, natural hair salons, natural beauty products, as well as a natural hair fashion show all coming together for a great event!!  Just to spotlight a few businesses and vendors that I loved!
 
 
Ivie Rose Boutique
Sometimes, it can be a challenge to find fashionable plus size fashion in the DC area, outside of stores such as Ashley Stewart, Lane Bryant, and the Avenue.  However, Ivie Rose promises to deliver on edgy, fun fashion for the plus sized diva like myself!  The picture to the right is me at the grand opening of their physical store, which is located in Laurel, MD.  The dress I am wearing is a cap sleeve dress with a belt I had in my closet.  The dress is an Ivie Rose Boutique dress called Monroe.  Since it was so cold, I paired it with black leggings from Lane Bryant and hot pink peep toe wedges by Bandolino!  At Ivie Rose Boutique, they carry t-shirts, dresses, leggings, shirts, and skirts for the curvy diva!  After talking to one of the owners, who are sisters, she shared that they began the company in Atlanta, Georgia, and moved the business back to DC when she returned to the area.  These ladies are fun-loving and it shows through their fashion that they carry.  If you want to add some unique pieces to your wardrobe, please visit their store at 389 Main St., Laurel, Maryland inside of Finders Keepers.  Theie shop is open Fridays and Saturdays 10am to 7pm.  They are open by appointment Tuesday through Thursday.  They are on Facebook (Ivie Rose Boutique), Instagram (ivieroseboutique), and Twitter (@IvieRose).
 
 
Na-Klectic Natural Hair
 
This is a natural hair salon in the Baltimore area that offers an array of services such as loc maintenance, loc styling, big chop, loose natural hair styling (e.g., two strands, twist outs, coils), and transition styles. For California divas, they opened up a second salon in Los Angeles, California. According to their website, the owner Natasha opened the salon in March 2004.  She has been a natural hair stylist and loctician for 11 years.  There are currently 5 stylists including the owner in the shop.  One of our page members, Carmen Tucker Richardson, has raved about the salon when she has gone to the shop in Baltimore to get her hair done.  When I met a few of the stylists at the Nappy Oke event, they shared that they have a sisterlock consultant on board.  Perhaps, I may stope through for a style if I am in the Baltimore area!  Find them on Facebook (Na-Klectic Natural Hair)
 
 
Barbara, Natural Hair Stylist/Jewlery Designer
 
At her booth, she had bowties for women, eclectic earrings and purses, and denim necklaces such as the one I have on below!  The denim necklaces are made from old denim patches, gathered in the form of a flower!  Mine is a triple flower necklace, purchased for just $10!
 
 
 
 
 
 Sassy Pleasurable Pieces
 
 
Jacqueline Tycise McDuffie had some chunky jewlery pieces that can set off any outfit!  She specializes in costume jewlery and boots/shoes.  I chose the chunky pearl set as a way to glam up any look as I represent my sorority of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.!  I wore it and many chapter sorors wanted it!  There is a chunky silver neklace and earring set that I am currently eyeing. She is on Facebook as Sassy Pleasurable Pieces.  She accepts Visa, Mastercard, and Paypal. 
 
 
Pretty Little Wire
 
This sweet young naturalista, Allison Frith, began making her own jewlery when she got frustrated with the selection of jewlery once she went natural and was looking for pieces to spice up her look!  She makes a lot of pieces and always has new selection on her website!  I love the pic earring look and was excited when Allison had them in silver.  Here they are!  She is on Instagram as 'prettylittlewire', and on Facebook as Pretty Little Wire.  Love her work!
 
 
~The Sisterlocked Diva