10 Natural Deodorants

1. Penny Lane http://pennylaneorganics.com/index.php/shopnow/bath-and-body/natural-deodorant.html $
2. Primal Life   https://www.primallifeorganics.com/collections/stick-up-1
3. Healing Scents http://healingscents.com/
4. Finally Pure http://www.finallypure.com/body.html
5. Kiss My Face http://kissmyface.com/body/grid/natural-deodorants
6. Maryann's Naturals  Amazon
7. Ozone Layer Deodorant + Zero Deodorant https://ozonedeodorant.com/shop/
8. Tom's of Maine Walgreens, Amazon or http://www.tomsofmainestore.com/
9. Primal Pit Paste http://primalpitpaste.com/deodorant/
10. Rustic MAKA https://www.rusticmaka.com/

20 Organic Makeup Brands for Women of Color

Hey Dolls!
I know I've been a bit M.I.A lately but so much has been going on! I'm back in school and my to-do list is slightly annoying. Anywho in the past couple of months I have thought more about veganism and what I am feeding my body. Besides food, beauty and hair products are things that enter and come into contact with my body the most. So, I began a search to find organic beauty products that were not too too expensive (eventhough they mostly tend to be). I found most popular brands were more 50 shades of beige or the deeper color of foundation would make me look ghostly. I decided to compile a list of Organic Beauty for US. We should not be denied non-toxic beauty because we are melanated. Special thanks to ewg.org for giving me insight on toxicity levels of these brands. Check it out for yourself!
*=Black Owned
$= somewhat affordable and/or samples are offered

*1. Sheamoisture-website is sold out, try Target or Amazon. $
*2. Laws of Nature http://www.lawsofnaturecosmetics.com/
3. Healing Scents http://healingscents.com/ $
4. Au Naturale http://www.aunaturalecosmetics.com/
5. Coastal Classic Creations https://www.coastalclassiccreations.com/
6. CoverFX http://www.coverfx.com/
7. Maia's Minerals http://www.maiasminerals.com/Face-s/1897.htm
*8. Valana Minerals---FOR MY VERY CHOCOLATE BABES. http://www.valanaminerals.com/ $
9. BeautyCounter http://www.beautycounter.com/cosmetics.html
10. Daisy Blue Naturals https://www.daisybluenaturals.com/index.asp
11. Gabriel Cosmetics https://gabrielcosmeticsinc.com/
12. 100% Pure https://www.100percentpure.com/
13. Juice Beauty https://www.juicebeauty.com/
14. The Organic Face http://www.theorganicface.net/
15. Willa  https://willa.com/
16. Pur Cosmetics http://www.purcosmetics.com/
17. Mineral Hygienics http://mineralhygienics.com/
18. Alima Pure https://www.alimapure.com/
19. Afterglow Cosmetics https://www.afterglowcosmetics.com/
20. Hynt Beauty http://www.hyntbeauty.com/

If you know of any other brands please comment down below!

KNOTTY REVIEWS: Colourpop ULTRA MATTE LIPSTICKS

Hey my loves! Merry BLOGMAS!

So, last month I ordered some of Colourpop's lippies (FINALLY right?) and I am in love with the colors I chose. People also seem to like them as well. If that matters to you. I literally could give no shits whether or not someone liked what I put on MY FACE. lullz, just saying. Anywho thought I'd give you my unfiltered opinion. I HAVE WATCHED SOOOO MANY REVIEWS on their products and I've wondered why are some of these reviews on one side of the spectrum and others on the other side? If you find yourself questioning like this, just try the products yourself like I did. By the way, I put them in the order in which I wore them, over the span of a couple of weeks.

DR M.  Forest Green 

{lined with black liner} 

-VERY PIGMENTED

-Long lasting

-no reapplication

-very matte

-very drying, but that is to be expected

-very opaque in one swipe

-smooth, effortless application with no cakey feeling

-sinches lips

-STAINS

-comprable to a soft matte lip cream in formula

GUESS Eggplant purple

-VERY PIGMENTED

-Long lasting

-applies patchy

-loose and liquidy formula

-cakes up more

-STAINS

-needs more than one swipe for more opacity

LIMBO Chocolate brown

-Very PIGMENTED

-applies great

-opaque in one swipe

-super comfortable 

-long lasting

-no reapplication 

JELLIES Cobalt blue

-Very PIGMENTED

-long lasting 

-needs more than one swipe for max opacity

-pretty patchy (even had a liner underneath)

-comfortable 

-easy application 

DRIVE IN  Bright fuschia 

-VERY PIGMENTED

-long lasting

-not drying

-super wearable

-definitely used a liner (my preference)

-easy application 

-formula similar to NYX soft matte lip creams

-needs multiple swipes for max opacity 

-stains lips

             

THE 3 Best Songs on Adele's 25

Hey #knottyghels! That's my twitter hashtag for my brand and women who love and proudly wear their natural hair! I've been trying to get lots of twitter involvement from women with natural hair but now I'm rambling. Anyway, I recently bought Adele's 25. That's right, I BOUGHT it. This album is absolutely beautiful and Adele has outdone herself. I have followed Adele from the beginning and the sound in this album and it's energy is just different. I've also heard people say she sounds happier, which I slightly agree with. There is a story told in each song and by the end of the album she ends it with a happy song that suggests she has finally found unconditional love in Sweetest Devotion. Picking my favorites was hard because all of the songs are great and of course, Lord knows Hello has been overplayed enough for a lifetime. Here are my 3 favorite songs from the album that I can listen to on constant repeat while pretending my life is a romantic sitcom.

1. Love in the Dark
In this beautiful and sultry song, Adele is basically telling her lover that she cannot keep pretending to love him any longer. Clearly their love has fizzled out and he will just not let her go. I absolutely love how she used metaphors throughout this album just...YESSS. I've definitely been in this situation which made this song incredibly relatable to me. Why stay in a relationship where there's only love on one side? My favorite line is: I want to live and not just survive. Does she know how to write about heartache or what??

2. Million Years Ago
Now, this song rightchereee! This song gives me the feels. This song is full of nostalgia and my interpretation is that she's writing about the simpler times in life when she had her loved ones around. She shows extreme regret and basically says she feels she has made some fucked up decisions, and doesn't feel like she's really living her best life--that's the ongoing theme of the album. I like how vulnerable she was in this song--I was like wow, even Adele has these insecurities?? Maybe money just cannot buy happiness. Shit, I know I'd be pretty happy if I had 25k in my pockets though. Moving on...

3. Water Under the Bridge
In this song, I think Adele wants her lover to stop playing games with her head and admit to feeling something real for her. Another song with metaphors. This dude sounds like a fuckboy, no lie. He's basically leading her on and downplaying their relationship and she's telling him to stop holding her like they're in love and yet never admitting to his feelings for her. Now that's some bullshit. It's time to say bye bye to these fuckboys. Why'd he have to go hurt her like that?!? #STOPFUCKBOYS2016

Hehe. That's all for now folks! What Songs or albums have you purchased that you constantly listen to? Have you listened to 25 yet? let me know in the comments below. x

Great Oils for Natural Hair

I'm back!

You know when you just have a flow of inspiration and you just have to let it out. That's me right now! I don't know if it's this pandora station or the fact that I slept all day, but I just felt like blogging my heart out tonight! OK, so I'm a lazy natural. That being said, each morning and night I make sure I spray my hair with water and seal with oil or a light leave in. I just have to. It's too cold and my scalp is too dry for me to forget to do this. I also don't overwash, but that's another blogpost! Here's a list of some bomb-ass oils and their benefits.

Coconut Oil:

Now, Y'all know I had to talk about this because CLEARLY everyone is losing their minds over this oil, right now. You can use coconut oil all over your body AND to cook. This oil contains Vitamin E and reduces frizz and damage while still leaving a shine. This oil can also penetrate the hair strands but I still use it with water, just in case! I always have coconut oil on deck. 

Olive Oil:

Now this oil, right here is the shit and urine!! One of my favorite oils and I absolutely love how it made my hair feel and smell. It's great for frizz and a dry scalp which I used it for. I also helps with split ends.

Castor Oil:

You may also know this as Jamaican Black Castor Oil. This oil will replenish those edges and have you acting some type of way. On a serious note, castor oil improves circulation in your scalp to grow new hair and can be used to seal your ends to prevent breakage and split ends.

Almond Oil:

This is great for sealing and protecting you ends!

Grapeseed Oil:

Better seal those ends, againnnn! This can also help a dry scalp.

Jojoba Oil: 

This can be use all throughout the hair to seal in moisture and help grow more hair. Works great as a pre-poo and can help control dandruff.

Argan Oil: 

Helps reduce frizz and split ends. This is also a great Heat-protectant! This oil is great for shine and is one of the most moisturizing oils out there! 

I hope you guys try one or more of these oils if you haven't already. If you have, what are your favorite oils??

Until Next time!

XO, 9jaknots

Fingercombing

Alright, y'all let's get down to the nitty gritty shall we?

It should be self explanatory but Fingercombing is combing with your fingers.

Basically you just gently run your fingers through your hair and find knots as you go through. I used to do this a lot but now that I'm loc-ing my hair I obviously do not fingercomb anymore, that would be very counterproductive wouldn't it? Anyway this is a great way to prevent breakage and learn more about the type of hair you have. If you don't fingercomb make sure you are using a denman brush or a wide-tooth comb of some sort. Once I finally bought a quality wide tooth comb, my life was forever changed. Lastly, y'all, NEVER, ever comb on DRY HAIR!! May your edges flourish this new year!

Pros:

promotes patience- You're gonna need that with natural hair

It's absolutely free- Who doesn't love free shit?

Helps move product throughout your hair

Very Easy

Can be done while dancing to your favorite tunes- I've personally tried that

Helps promote growth if done correctly

Cons:

VERY time consuming-Better get a comfy chair

Not a thorough method just supplemental-I had to go back in with my wide tooth comb

Low Porosity Hair

Hey Dolls!
I have been managing my low porosity hair for 8 years now and it has not been easy, but I find the more I learn about my hair the easier my natural hair journey has been. I hope this post will help you guys, getcho life and replenish your edges by 10 fold!!

What is Low Porosity?
Low porosity hair is basically hair that has a tight cuticle layer that makes it hard to retain water. This type of hair can be quite coarse and dry because of this.


How can I test my porosity?
Just get a strand of your hair and a glass of water. If your hair floats-You have low porosity. If it stays in the middle of the glass you have medium/normal porosity. If it completely sinks, then you have high porosity-which means you probably have overly damaged hair. High porosity hair has too many spaces which also does not allow it to fully retain moisture.
Now back to that Low porosity..

What Low Porosity Hair Loves:
*For Daily Hair Care: light-weight conditioners are the bomb. If you get something too heavy, chances are it's just sitting on top of your hair and not really doing anything! This is where build-up starts. Now, I love me some Shea Butter but, it tends to do this a whole lot. Those more heavy creams are best used less frequently and to seal in moisture.
*For Deep Conditioning: Moderate Heat with a conditioner is what you need to open up your cuticles! I used to wear a baggy on my head for about an hour to make sure it really penetrated my strands. You can also put your conditioner bottle in lukewarm water prior to applying it to your hair.
You also want to make sure you are really clarifying your scalp if you use a lot of different products.
That build-up is not cute, boo!
*3 key ingredients we need to look out for:
Silk Protein, Wheat Protein and Hydrolyzed Protein-These are the proteins Low porosity loves!
Warm water should actually be your last rinse when washing to open up your cuticles and allow the products to penetrate.
Acidic products, like Apple Cider Vinegar are great.
Steam is a great way to seal in moisture as well!


What Low Porosity Hates:
*The overuse of Heat
That means you, Flat-iron fanatics

*Basic (ph) products
Don't be a basic bitch

*Dehydration
Please don't shampoo everyday!! 

*Being overwhelmed by products
I knew being a lazy natural would pay off!

I hope this answered your questions. If you would like to know more, feel free to comment below. Also, have you found any of those proteins in a product in your house? I would love to know which products!
XO, 9jaknots