**Product Review** System Hinoki

Hey loves!!!

So While being in Kuwait, I’ve had what I like to call Natural_Queen’s hair adventures. I’ve had many companies reach out to me to do product reviews for them. But this one? This one right here??….

So my most current adventure has been trying the System Hinoki, you can find it at this website http://www.hinoki.com/.

So, here’s a detailed review: As advertised on their website Hinoki is a 4 step system. Read below for more info from their website:

System Hinoki products contain pure Hinoki Oil from Japanese Hinoki Trees. This completely natural oil contains no drugs.

For over 2,000 years, Hinoki Oil has been used in Japan and other parts of Asia. Its purpose was to treat many types of rashes, cuts, abrasions and other skin ailments. For most of that time, Hinoki Oil was only affordable to Emperors and the very wealthy. It was their daily ritual to pour Hinoki Oil into their bath water before bathing. Hinoki Oil is still used throughout Asia for its natural astringent quality which helps kill bacteria, viruses, and fungus on the skin.
SCALP THERAPY

In 1987 Hayashi Worldwide started using pure Japanese Hinoki Oil in our System Hinoki line of hair products. These four products are formulated to drive maximum benefit to the scalp from pure Hinoki Oil. And since 1987, our System Hinoki products have been used by thousands of satisfied customers in many countries around the world, and the only side effects have been compliments!

So the 4 step system is used specifically for thinning hair, PERFECT for me because I wanted to target my edges.
Step 1: Hinoki Shampoo
Step 2: Hinoki Conditioner
Step 3: Hinoki Thickener
Step 4: Hinoki Plus

The way you used the products is in steps 1 through 4. I’ve used the products for about 2 months now. One disclaimer I will make to my naturalistas…this shampoo is a thoroughly cleansing shampoo…It will strip your hair of all oils, like a shampoo is supposed to do. So on time number two, I did an extensive pre-poo…
After washing I used the conditioner…and probably more than I should have because I’ve run out of conditioner! Lol!! We naturals know all about that, right? After the conditioner, on wet hair I used the hair thickener then the Hinoki plus.

As of now, I am protective styling but it has only been three weeks and I can see awesome growth (yes after two months!!) and my edges look healthier too! Even though I don’t wash every week with braids as I would if I was just wearing my hair out, I still have noticed new growth!
I will continue to use the system until I run out, and once I am back in the states I will continue to reorder!

For my ladies that long to have those super thick strands….System Hinoki is for YOU!

Try it and let me know what you think!

I can’t believe it’s not Butter!! ***EverButter Product Review***

Loves, I am pleased to do this product review for EverButter.

Natural Queen has had the pleasure of communicating with the owner of EverButter, Mrs. Kummbareh Owens. Such a pleasant, sweet spirited woman she is!

I received the small EverButter Love box. It is comprised of all the EverButter products, Genesis, Buttermint Smoothie, Lovely Curl Moisturizing Spray, Morning Joy No-Poo Cleanser, Coconut Cream Pie Conditioner, and Chocolate Sufflee Leave-In Conditioner. The EverButter Love Box has everything you need to get and keep you hair looking, and feeling amazing! This Love Box comes in 3 sizes, small, Large, and XL.

I used the products for a month, and I must say I am more than pleased!! As you all know I am currently deployed and I had been on the search for a product that could withstand the temperatures here. Shortly after the products arrived in the mail, I began to use them. My first choice was the Buttermint Smoothie, because y’all know I LOVE a good butter, right?! I fell in love right away, because of the smell, and the texture is amazing!! I am protective styling right now, but using the LOC method and the Buttermint Smoothie as my “C”, I was amazed…days later my braids were still moisturized and my edges were shiny!! I am pleased to say that the EverButter products has been added to my list of “heavy hitter” products!!

EverButter products are very reasonably priced and comes in the cutest packaging!

I am also ecstatic to say that the EverButter team are military supporters!! One very special guest will win a small Love Box at our Army event held in September!!

See below for a list of the products and their all natural ingredients. EverButter products are sure to have you EverInLove with your tresses!!! #NaturalQueenApproves!

Ingredients:
Genesis –
Raw Shea Butter, Raw Mango Butter, Avocado Oil, Organic Coconut Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Vitamin E, Raw Honey, Lanolin, Hemp Seed Oil, Coco Butter, Beeswax, Lemon Oil, & Rosemary Oil

Lovely Curl –
Purified Water, Aloe Vera Juice, Aloe Gel, Glycerin, Hazelnut, Almond Oil, Castor Oil, Lavender, Emulsifier Wax, Stearic Acid

Buttermint Smoothie –
Raw Shea Butter, Raw Mango Butter, Organic Coconut Oil, Glycerin, Avocado Oil, Aloe Juice, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Hazelnut, Purified Water, Hazelnut, Hemp Seed Oil, Peppermint Oil, & Rosemary Oil

Chocolate Soufflé Leave-In Conditioner –
Purified Water, Aloe Juice, Flaxseed Gel, Aloe Gel, Capacoa Butter, Coconut Oil, Glycerin, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Humecutants, Flaxseed Oil, BTMS, Emulsifying Wax, Cetyl Alcohol, Optiphen Plus Preservative, & Citric Acid

Coconut Cream Pie Wash-out Conditioner –
Purified Water, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Aloe Juice, BTMS (active ingredients), Honey, AquaEM, Avocado Oil, Hemp Seed Oil, Botanical Complex, Silk Amino Acids, Capuacu Butter, Lanolin, Cetyl Alcohol, Vitamin E, Aspen Bark Extract, & Citric Acid

Morning Joy Cleanser –
Purified Water, Aloe Vera gel, Castor Oil, Almond Oil, Coconut Oil, Capuacu Butter, Honey, Botanical complex, Ammonium Cocoyl Isethiomate, BTMS, Sodium Cocoyl Isethiomate, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate, Proplene Glycol, Hydroxyypropyl Starch Phosphate, Aspen Bark Extract & Citric Acid

EverButter is not paying me for this review.

One time for my Sisters in Arms!!

Being an Active Duty Service Member has it’s perks…and one of them is while deployed, I get to host a VERY SPECIAL event for my Sisters in Arms!! If you are here with me or know of anyone that is…DON’T YOU MISS OR LET YOUR FRIEND MISS THIS ONE!

The Natural Queen takes her talents on the road…

Hi my loves! Please be patient with me if you don’t see much interaction.  As you all know, I am active duty in the United States Army. I am currently deployed. Buuuuttttt that doesn’t mean that events stop….I have something veeeerrryyyy special in the works for my fellow natural/military sisters here with me! #AboutToBurstWithExcitement!!!

Switch it up, loves….it’s Winter time!

Well my loves, the time is here when we have to modify our hair care regimens. You can properly take care of your mane, so long as you care for your hair, properly.  Here are a few things to do in order to make sure your hair thrives while “old man winter” is visiting.

Moisturize, moisturize, MOISTURIZE- Loves, make sure you invest in a good moisturizer/leave-in. While most are a bit pricey, remember you get what you pay for…so if you have 4b/cish like me you need a good thick butter or cream to keep your hair moisturized. Also, the key indicator that you have a good moisturizer is the ingredients. The first ingredient on the list is what the product is mostly made of, so when shopping around…make you read the labels…WATER should always be the first ingredient. 

Use a good Oil to seal- Natural carrier oils such as Jojoba, Olive, Avocado, Castor, and vitamin E are all necessary for hair care. They seal in moisture and are very nourishing to natural hair. Very different from mineral oil, these and other carrier oils are absorbed into the hair strands.

Shampoos at least once a month- When choosing a shampoo, always make sure it is a moisturizing shampoo, or if you choose not to shampoo your hair you can CoWash (washing with conditioner).

Do Deep Conditioners and Protein treatments- You should do a deep conditioner at least once a week and protein treatment depending on your hair. Protein treatments strengthen your hair and helps prevent breakage. I do my protein treatments every 6 weeks to 2 months…

Do Protective styles- While its colder outside, it’s even more important to protect your ends. Styles like braids, sew-ins, wigs, or even a simple roll-tuck&pin will protect your ends from the harsh temperatures associated with winter time.My loves, I hope you all will find this helpful in taking care of your hair this Winter! Click on the pic above to Like my FB page and show your winter pics there!

Natural_Queen’s HAIRFINITY giveaway

Hey loves!! Natural_Queen reached 300 likes today!! So as promised WE’RE HAVING A GIVEAWAY!!! The awesome prizes are sponsored by HairFinity Hair Vitamins. Visit http://www.facebook.com/naturallyqueen to enter!! #ShareThis #GoodLuck!

 

Natural Beauty Boutique ‘Mint Treatment Kit’ product review

Hey loves, so here’s a review on the Mint Treatment Kit by Natural Beauty Boutique. I am excited to do this review, as it will be one of the products in the featured in the Natural_Queen gift bags in the upcoming event on Nov 16, in Sierra Vista, AZ.

The products I’ve tried from the kit and my reviews are as follows.

Peppermint Shampoo: Advertised, this shampoo is specially formulated to moisturize your dry, itchy scalp while promoting hair growth.

– Additional instructions: Give a light shake before use. Use within 30 days (kept room temperature), 60 days (if refrigerated). Will cloud when cold but will clear at room temperature or 70⁰.

– 100% Natural Ingredients: Organic Coconut Oil is great for preventing dandruff. Organic Olive Oil is great for moisturizing, deep conditioning, improving hair strength, eliminating dandruff, and also has powerful antioxidants that can help fight hair loss. Grapeseed Oil protects against moisture loss. Organic Hemp Oil provides moisture. Organic Jojoba Oil promotes hair growth while moisturizing. Organic Peppermint Oil promotes scalp stimulation and clear clogged pores on the scalp. Mentha Arvensis, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Water, Potassium Hydroxide**

Ok, I currently have a protective style but I was still able to use this shampoo with no problem. I love the smell. My favorite thing about this Peppermint ‘poo is that I felt it tingling as I was cleaning my scalp. It helped control my itching and it left my scalp feeling healthy and clean.

Peppermint Rinse 3oz: Advertised, this leave-in conditioner will relieve and moisturize your dry, itchy scalp.

– Additional instructions: Keep refrigerated until ready to use up to 30 days. Shake before use.

– 100% Natural Ingredients: Aloe Vera Gel, Peppermint Tea, Honey, Tea Tree Oil, Eucalyptus Oil, Water, Citric Acid

Now, of course conditioners are my all time favorite of all products. The peppermint rise is one I will most definitely add to my regimen! After using the shampoo on my scalp I used the peppermint rinse…my head felt like heaven! ;’) I love, Love, LOVE this rinse! It smells really nice. It soothed my scalp and I had no itching!

Natural Beauty Moisturizing Hair Crème 1.5oz: Advertised, adds moisture to your hair while promoting hair growth.

– 100% Natural Ingredients: Shea Butter, Olive Oil, Castor Oil, Vitamin E, Vegetable Glycerin, Aloe Vera Juice, Peppermint Essential Oil, Citric Acid.

I love any product that is Shea butter based. My hair ADORES it. Naturally, this product is a win! Even though I have a protective style I put it on the top of my braids to keep them moisturized and it did! I used it every other day…I can’t wait to take my braids out to do a twist out with it…I know it will not disappoint me!!

I am proud to recommend this product line to my loves!! You all know I don’t put the Natural_Queen seal of approval on all product lines…but this one, another go to for me!

Meet the newest HAIRFINITY AFFILIATE……Laydee, THE NATURAL QUEEN :)

Healthy hair from the inside out!

Hey, loves!! I’m EXCITED to announce that I am now an affiliate with the Hairfinity team! I’ve read reviews, and I am sure you all have too. I can say this, I’ve actually used Hairfinity for a few months now, and I can see growth. Although I am not one of those naturals that wants my hair to be BLL (Butt Long Length) ((yes I made that up)), I am more focused on just having a healthy head of hair. Hairfinity works for me, y’all! I love it…I’ve used biotin and it broke me out like a teenage boy! So, I started to use Hairfinity shortly after…no breakouts, no adverse side effects…a decent amount of hair growth. My hair is so much thicker, and healthier since I’ve been using it.

For you label readers, here are the ingredients:

 

Biotin Biotin promotes healthy hair growth and protects against dryness. Increases the elasticity of the hair’s cortex, thus preventing breakage. Helps produce keratin that prevents hair loss.

Niacin (Vitamin B3) Niacin promotes scalp circulation Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) – prevents hair loss.

Vitamin A Vitamin A is an antioxidant that helps produce healthy sebum in the scalp.

Vitamin C Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps maintain hair and skin health.

Vitamin D Vitamin D helps prevent hair shedding which is critical to a voluminous fuller head of hair.

Vitamin B12 Vitamin B12 is essential to the formation of healthy red blood cells and helps transport oxygen to the scalp and follicles, which is required to sustain hair growth.

Vitamin B Complex Vitamin B Complex nourishes and supports a healthy scalp environment and healthy hair growth. Deficiencies in these vitamins can lead to hair thinning, hair loss, graying, and weakening of the hair structure.

Silica Due to its ability to maintain collagen, Silica helps maintain the hair’s elasticity and helps keep the hair lustrous.

MSM The sulfur provided by MSM is required for healthy collagen and keratin, which are essential to healthy hair growth.

EXCLUSIVE CAPILSANA ™ COMPLEX delivers a unique blend of Hydrolyzed Collagen, MSM, and Silica provides 18 Amino Acids, which are the building blocks of the protein that gives hair it’s strength. The exclusive complex also provides sulfur required for healthy collagen and keratin, which are essential to healthy hair growth.

– See more at: http://www.hairfinity.com/ingredients.htm#sthash.qqNhQSKC.dpuf

Loves, don’t take my word for it, click on the pic above an order yours today!!!

 

 

 

**Very Special Event Alert**

Hosted by The Natural Queen.

Come out to the first ever meet and greet for naturals in Sierra Vista. Mix & mingle and network with your fellow Curlfirends in the surrounding SV area. This event is sponsored by Naturalista Cosmetics and Natural Beauty Boutique. Featuring live tutorials by Tiffany, CEO/Master Stylist of Nu Elegance Hair Palace and Tranese, the Queen of Weaves and Braids of Tucson.

Free Swag Bags and free wine tasting for ADVANCE ticket purchases Only!

Purchase your tickets at the following link:

http://www.thenaturalqueennaturalthisnaturalthat.eventbrite.com

Wash day Regimen

Hey loves! I get tons of questions about my hair and my regimen, so to answer a few of my loves…the next few blogs will focus on my regimen, hopefully it will help some of you naturals “zero in” on a regimen for yourselves.

So to start, here’s my wash day regimen…

First I Detangle (15-20 mins)

1. Starting with dry, stretched out curls I clip my hair in 4-6 sections

2. Using my “detangling cocktail” (oil, water, conditioner mixture), I spray and detangle one section at a time. As I finish one section I use a clip to get it out of the way. As I detangle my hair I smooth my hand from root to tip to remove any shed hairs.

3. I rececntly learned to finger detangle from tip to root and when I finish detangling each section I twist it up.

Next is the Wash.

1. With my hair still in twists, I place my head underneath a lukewarm stream of water to wash out the conditioner mix I used to detangle. (I only use shampoo if I can see product build up or if I worked out extremely hard that week…hardly ever! lol)

2. Once each section has been washed, I use a t-shirt or a terrycloth to dry my hair.

Finally (once a week) I Deep condition

I use Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Mask or Anti-breakage mask to deep condition.

1. Maintaining the 4-6 sections, I generously apply the DC from root to ends of my hair.

2. I repeat this step with each twisted section.

3. When I’m finished applying the DC I place a plastic grocery bag or cap on my head for 30 mins.

4. After I’ve finished deep conditioning I rinse out the conditioner with cold water and then style.

I’ve learned that the key to having HEALTHY hair and a healthy scalp is consistency….so loves, if you struggle with maintaing your tresses, start a routine (regimen) and stick to it. Remember, a clean, healthy scalp is a happy scalp! WHAT IS YOUR WASH DAY REGIMEN?