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SpotLight: Sa'mani & Raquel

Hi,
My name is Raquel. The photos are of my daughter Sa'mani.




 She is 5 3/4 years old and she is in the 1st grade. We live in Brooklyn, NY. I am a stay at home for the time. I enjoy being home with both of my children because it gives me the chance to see them learn new experiences and also to help them one on one.


Sa'mani was born November 26 2006 she is my baby girl. She loves readings books, playing pretend teacher, painting our nails, doing my hair, and coloring.


Sa'mani loves Happy meals and loves junk (but I monitor her :-)


Awww look at the Pretty Little Princess! Her twists and your curls are G.O.R.G.E.O.U.S! Sa'mani looks like she is a very sweet little girl, thanks so much for sharing!

- If you would like to see your child in our SpotLight, please click here for more information. 

2 Year Celebration Winners!


Well folks it's that time.....

HUGE HUGE thanks to Bee Mine for sponsoring our 2 Year Birthday Celebration! If you haven't tried their products, please visit their site http://www.beemineproducts.com/

Another HUGE thanks to the 5,135 people who entered, WOW. I truly wish you all could win :'( 
But as promised only 2 people walk away with a ($75) Bee Mine Gift Certificate, and those lucky two are...

Click here and look on the contest form. 

SpotLight: Kianna

Today the SpotLight is on Kianna who is 7 years old! 

Isn't she a beauty! I love her curls, they are so defined and poppin!!! Good Job Mama! and thanks for sharing this lovely photo. 

-If you would like to see your child on KandyLandKurls, please click here for more information.  

Made From Earth Product Review PT:2




This is Part 2 of The Made From Earth Product Review. (Click here to read part 1.)


Holistic Honey Body Lotion
Ingredients: Witch Hazel, Coconut Oil, Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Vitamin E, Organic Honey, Grapeseed Oil, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Xanthan Gum, Black Willowbark Extract, Essential Oils, Neem, Rosemary, Mannan, Citric Acid.

Review: I have to start by saying how much I love the scent! It is not all perfumy, but it smells like sweet honey (ahh.) The Honey Body lotion is 100% organic and is very creamy. Honey is a natural humectant so it attracts moisture to your skin, which is a HUGE plus for N's dry skin. But is not sticky, when I think of honey, that's the first thing that comes to my mind. But again it is not sticky. I really like this lotion, it gets a A+ in my book. 


Grapefruit Glycolic Wash


Ingredients: Organic Herbals, Organic Aloe Vera, Decyl Glucoside, Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), Glycolic Acid, Lavender Distillate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Cocamidopropyl Betaine (Coconut Extract), Cocamide MIPA, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Jojoba Beads, Organic Kojic Acid, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, (2s)-2-Amino-5-guanidinopentanoic Acid, Organic Salix Alba (Salicylic Acid/Willow Bark), Olea Europaea (Olive Oil), Organic Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A), Rose Hip Oil, Orange Peel Tincture, Oregano Oil, Tea Tree Oil, Grapefruit Seed, Organic Calendula, Organic Burdock, Organic Red Clover, Organic Rosemary, Ethylhexyl Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol.


Review: Since N is only 7 and doesn't have any skin problems, I did not use this product on her face. I used it on mine. It has a high concentration of Vitamin C, which helps to exfoliate your skin. I have oily skin, so I wet my face and neck. I then applied a small amount on my face, and rubbed it in circular motion for about 2 minutes. After the first use, my skin brightened up. I thought it would feel dryer, but nope. They recommend using it 2-3 times a week. I think that would be a bit much, so once a week is perfect for me. 




Pure Aloe Vera Skin Treatment

Ingredients: Organic Aloe Vera Juice, Organic Rooibos Tea Extract, Emulsifying Wax NF, Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Organic Olive Oil, Palm Stearic Acid, Organic Jojoba Oil, Avocado, Witch Hazel, Vitamin E, Black Willowbark Extract, Rosemary Oleoresin, Neem Oil.


Review: They claim that this is best used to help with sunburns. But it is fall here, so I don't know about that. But after using the Grapefruit Glycolic Wash, I applied this to my face. I didn't notice a BIG difference, but I didn't notice anything bad either. It was so-so for me. They say it should be kept in the refrigerator to help get the cooling effect. But again summer has passed. So I will store this until summer, and I'll keep you all updated. 



Organic Lip Balm (Citrus & Blueberry)



Ingredients: (Citrus) Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Beeswax, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Essential Oils of Orange, Lemon and Lime, Vitamin E, Rosemary Extract, Organic Calendula


(Blueberry) Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Beeswax, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Blueberry Flavor, Vitamin E, Rosemary Extract, Organic Calendula.

Review: I gave the Citrus one to N, so she could use it in school. She has a bad habit of licking her lips and causing a crusty ring around her mouth. It annoys the heck out of me lol. So since kindergarten I made her keep some chapstick/lip balm in her bookbag to apply after lunch and during the day. After a week I asked her what she thought about the Citrus Lip Balm and she said it smells like oranges.....That was all she said. Getting a opinion from a 7 year old is like pulling teeth lol. So from a 7 year old's mouth, I guess its safe to say she likes it. 

I used the Blueberry for the week, and I used it as a base for my lipstick when I went out. It smells great. I honestly think most chapsticks are alike lol. But the reason why I would choose this, over any other brand, is the fact that it isn't filled and made out of junk. Simple as that. I'm always using and reviewing natural hair products, but neglected natural products for my skin and body. So since this is the same price as regular chapstick, I rather use this. 


Winner Of The Miss Zee Giveaway!



Thank you to Miss Zee for sponsoring the giveaway! And a BIG thank you to all who had entered the giveaway. 

And the Winner is.....

Click here and look on the contest form.

Thanks again everyone! 

Miss Zee Coloring Book Giveaway!


Do you remember Miss Zee? 

Back in May of this year, Miss Zee was our Online SpotLight for that month.  
 Miss Zee was trying to get off of the ground, and with everyone's help. They have successfully reached their goal!! (woohoo) As a thank you for your all of support in the Miss Zee project. Miss Zee is generously sponsoring a Giveaway.

(1) Lucky winner will get a Miss Zee Coloring Book
  




-Ready to win your own Miss Zee Coloring Book? 

Fill out the form below. 
Please wait for the form to load or click "read more." 

Homemade Shea Butter Mix

I recently shared this picture of N on Facebook making her own Shea Butter Mix. 


I posted a year ago on here, how to make a basic Shea Butter Mix.

I have never stopped using shea butter since then. 
I pretty much use it daily, or every other day. 
Whenever I moisturize N's hair, I make sure to use a product to seal the moisturizer in, and this is the main product I use. 

Now since our original post, I continued to do research on different ingredients that help kinky/curly hair. I chose these ingredients based upon the needs of N's hair. I found several really good ingredients, that target her needs, and have added them to our mix. Below is the list of all of the ingredients and main benefits of each one. Along with the steps on how to cook up your own batch. 

Ingredients:
Shea Butter 
Coconut Oil 
Extra Virgin Olive Oil  
 Castor Oil 
Peppermint Oil 
Aloe Vera Juice
Jojoba Oil 
Argan Oil 
Mango Oil
Vitamin E Oil 

There are tons of different oils, make sure to do your own research on them, and don't be afraid to throw in different things. 

Benefits:

-There are tons of benefits for each below. But I'm listing the main reason why I chose this ingredient.

Shea Butter: Rich in Vitamin A & E which helps to prevent dandruff.

Coconut Oil: Helps retain moisture.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Improves strength & elasticity.

Castor Oil: Helps with balding or thinning hair. 

Peppermint Oil: Stimulates blood flow to hair follicles thus aiding in growth.

Aloe Vera Juice: Makes hair soft & prevents frizz.

Jojoba Oil:  Known to keep hair moisturized.

Argan Oil: The fatty acids help strengthen brittle hair. 

Mango Oil: Shields against UV rays.

Vitamin E Oil: Preservative.


Instructions: 
(measurements for 8oz jar)

Shea Butter (1/2 lb)
Coconut Oil (1/2 cup)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (1 Tablespoon)
 Castor Oil (1 Tablespoon)
Peppermint Oil (4-5 drops)
Aloe Vera Juice (2 tablespoons)
Jojoba Oil (1/2 teaspoon)
Argan Oil (6-7 drops)
Mango Oil (8 drops)
Vitamin E Oil (1/4 teaspoon)


1.) Melt the Shea Butter on the stove. Melt on low heat, and remove once fully melted.

2.) If you have a jar of coconut oil, leave it closed. Place it into the sink with hot water. Let it sit until it melted. (Melting it like this is better than the microwave, which kills some of the good nutrients.)

3.) Add the melted coconut oil, to the melted shea butter. Then mix until blended. 

4.) Next, add all the other ingredients. 

5.) Pour the mix into a empty jar/container, and place into the freezer for 10 minutes.

6.) Remove from the freezer, stir, and place mix into the refrigerator. 


7.) Let it sit for several hours, until solid. It may be hard. So
when you are ready to use it, let it sit out for a bit at room temp. 

8.) Once you scoop some into your hands, rub them together and it should melt instantly due to your body's temperature. Then apply to hair & scalp.  

Note: Shea Butter (without adding these ingredients, has a shelf life is approx 2 months.) So make sure to either refrigerate your products, or use them within the time frame.  

To make a creamier batch of Shea Butter. (alternative)

Complete step number #5, but leave it in the freezer for 20 mins. 

 Use a hand mixer, or spoon, and mix/whip until it becomes creamy.

 Let it sit overnight.
Enjoy!


Natural Tips and Tricks to Keep Your Child's Hair Healthy This Winter


Natural Tips and Tricks to Keep Your Child's Hair Healthy This Winter 

The onset of winter can mean bad news for your hair. The sun is closer to the Earth in winter, and although the rays are less direct, they can still wreak havoc on your hair, especially when intensified by reflecting from surrounding snow. Freezing temperatures make your hair dry and brittle. Wintertime heating indoors contributes to additional dryness from a lack of moisture in the air. Basically, winter is a hair nightmare! 
The results can be split ends, frizziness and flyaway hair from static electricity. If your children love playing outside in the winter, the constant in-and-out with extreme changes in temperature means their hair is even more vulnerable to wintertime hair damage. But you also don't want to expose your child's sensitive scalp to a lot of synthetic or chemical products. The good news is that there are plenty of completely natural tips and tricks to keep your child's hair healthy this winter. 

1. Moisturize. The key to combating the worst of wintertime's excessively dry conditions is to keep your child's hair well moisturized. The most effective dry hair treatment is with essential fatty acids. They both attract and hold moisture in the hair. Good choices for this are olive oil or safflower oil. Apply when hair is dry in between washings. Just put a few drops on the palms of your hands and then rub them together until the skin is evenly gleaming, then start at the ends of the hair and work it in. The odor of coconut oil can also be a pleasant reminder of summertime.

2. Less Washing. Frequent washings with shampoos contribute to drying out both the hair and the scalp, which can lead to dandruff. Avoid daily washing and go for every third day or every other day at the most. If you want to go really natural, use baking soda instead of commercial shampoos to wash your child's hair. Then you really don't have to worry about what's in the shampoo.

3. Wear a Hat Outdoors. Moist body heat exits primarily through the head, so making sure your child is wearing a hat outdoors will keep that moist heat in. The hat will also protect their hair from icy cold winds as well as damaging ultraviolet radiation from the sun's rays. 

4. Dry Your Child's Hair Before Going Out. Never let your children go out in winter with wet hair. The freezing temperatures can quickly freeze the water in their hair, leading to breakage. But don't use a hair dryer, as blasting hair with high heat contributes more to the general wintertime dryness problem. Allow enough time for your child's hair to air dry. 

5. Frequent Trims. Do a monthly trim to keep damaged ends from getting any worse. 
6. Vinegar Rinse. If you miss those summertime highlights that nature so gracefully painted into your child's hair, do an occasional rinse with a quarter cup of vinegar to bring out the natural colors and tones of your child's hair. 

7. Occasional Deep Moisturizing. Despite your best efforts, your child's wintertime hair may still need the occasional deep treatment. In this case, use a full cup of any of the oils mentioned previously. Just be sure to rinse really well - you're going for hydrated hair, not greasy!
Following these 7 simple, all-natural tips and tricks will help keep your child from having a bad hair day that lasts an entire season.

About the Author: 
Timothy Jenkins is a salon professional writing for http://www.philipjamessalon.com/. When he’s not working, you can find Tim studying at Chicago’s Art Institute. 

2 Year Birthday Celebration & Giveaway!



It's KandyLandKurls 2 year BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION! 


I started this blog in 2010, and I have learned so much during our 2 years. Our journey is far from over since she wants to reach floor length hair lol. But as a thank you to all of you, for following N's hair journey. I want to give you this opportunity to win 1 of 2 ($75) Bee Mine Gift Certificates! 

That's $150 worth, of Bee Mine Products

Very simple to enter, just fill out this quick form below.  Wait for it to load or click "MORE" to view the form.

Product Review: Made From Earth Products (Part:1)


I was given the opportunity to review several products from Made From Earth. Not only do they have 100% organic products for hair, they also have products for skin. I have to admit, I'm one of those people who will read the ingredients on every hair care bottle, but when it comes to skin and foods. Well, sadly I don't even glance at the ingredients. I decided to not only review their hair product, but also their skin care line. 

Lavender Calm Soap


Our Lavender Calm Soap contains relaxing essential oils and plant materials designed to soothe your skin and calm your senses. Lavender’s natural properties soften and cleanse, while providing aromatic wonders to lift you to a peaceful place. The calming properties of the lavender flower are recommended and gentle even for the most sensitive skin types. A must have for those seeking harmony and tranquility in the shower.
Ingredients: Saponified oils of Coconut, Lavender Essential Oil, Lavandin Essential Oil, Alkanet Root, Comfrey Root, and Rosemary Extract.



Blood Orange Soap


The moisture-rich Blood Orange Soap is designed to invigorate the skin with vibrant citrus groves aromas and light moisturizers to repair and leave skin soft. The Blood Orange Bar Soap contains an zesty scent with a hint of blood orange spice leaving the body clean and refreshed. Excellent for use while showering in the morning.

Ingredients: Saponified oils of Coconut, Blood Orange Essential Oil, Bergamot, Orange Essential Oil, Tangerine Essential Oil, Madder Root, and Rosemary Extract

Lemongrass Tea Soap


Contains essential fatty acids and antioxidants to prevent skin damage and cleanse your skin. This lemongrass soap is a citrus blast with an herbal tea undertone. The aroma is designed to sedating the nervous system for soothing headaches and aiding relaxation.

Ingredients: Saponified oils of safflower, sunflower, palm, and coconut (with retained glycerin), essential oils, rosemary leaf, annatto seed, rosemary extract.



Review: Fall is here and winter will soon follow, N's skin has changed over the past 2 years. She had regular, to kind of oily skin and was never ashy. But last winter, I noticed her knees and elbows were becoming dry. She started to apply cocoa butter to her skin after her bath. Then in the morning I would add some baby oil to those areas, to help her skin to not look dull & dry. This worked okay :/ So I knew we needed to step our skin care game up for this winter. She bathes with these soaps, and then I add some olive oil to her bath. This works sooo much better, than the cheap cocoa butter she normally used. Since these soaps contain oil, there was no need for me to add anything the next day.

Now, when it comes to shampoos and soaps, there is 1 thing I cannot stand!! and that is a product with no lather. Well ladies & gents, these have a really nice thick lather! Which is an A+ in my book, and they also have a "true" scent. Some products that contain lavender, lemon, or orange, either have a faint smell, or is too overpowering. All of these scents were great. My favorite soap would be the Lavender Calm Soap, the scent was perfect. I bathe my Son with this, and we all know what that scent does to the little ones. Yes, he was knocked out shortly after his bath. Normally organic stuff is a tad pricey, but these prices are great, ranging from only $4.99-$6.50. Now that's a deal!

Twisted Updo


I love browsing pinterest, if you are on it come follow us at http://pinterest.com/kandylandkurls/
I seen this style and instantly knew I wanted to try it out! 
She loved it, and so did I. Now you can try it, in these 7 easy steps. 


Instructions: 
(Click on photos to enlarge)

1.) I created 3 cornrows starting from her ear, and I stopped near the center of her hair.

2.) Next, I created 6 smaller cornrows going slanted, again I stopped at the center of her hair.

3.) Finally, I did 5 small cornrows at the bottom of her hair....and yes, I stopped at the center of her hair :)


4.) I repeated steps 1-3 on the other side of her hair. 


5.) In the center section, I made medium-sized two strand twists.

6.) I used several bobbypins to pin the hair in the back, upwards towards the front.


7.) For the front, I swooped the twists across the front section. Then pinned it down. 


We have been obsessed with accessories lately lol. I added a cute black flower, we got from Claires.  


 Products Used: 
Eco Styler Gel mixed with Bee Mine Curly Butter
Bobby Pins

(style maintenance) 
Moisturized daily with Cara B Naturally
Sealed with our Shea Butter Mix

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