Mariama's Flat-Twist Tutorial

Hey guys, recently we went to a family Christening and I decided to do a flat twist, something I never really do (too much effort and I like the fluffier afro look of a normal twist-out). Have a peek at it...

Maz xx

Which Detangling Tool is the Best For You?

Hi guys! Mariama and I recently purchased a few new detanglers: the Tangle Teezer and the Hercules Seamless Combs. We thought it would be best to make our own opinions about them and purchased them. After using them for a while now (along with our Denman brushes) this is how they all compare to one another. Enjoy!

The Tangle Teezer

PROS

• Makes detangling a quick process (it took Mariama half an hour to detangle one half of her head with it)
• Detangles gently without snagging strands
• Easy to use once you get used to it 
• Wide availability! (Although its often sold out because it’s so sought after)
• Smoothens coarse hair making it easier to twist or braid

CONS

Very difficult to get teeny hairs out

• Can become very slippery when detangling hair because of the shape but can get used to it
• Very short bristles so can’t brush through large sections of hair
• Not very easy to clean because the bristles are close together!
• Expensive for a small brush! RRP: £11.20 but can be bought for a little cheaper online. 
• Sounds as though it rips through hair  (but it's not!!) which can be off putting
• Not specifically made for afro hair so difficult to brush through coarse ends (Maz had to use the comb to go through her ends afterwards because all of the knots had bunched up and the Tangle Teezer couldn't get through)

Denman - D3 Medium 7 Row Styling Brush

We take out 4 rows instead of 3, it removes much less hair this way

PROS

• Easy to hold due to long handle
• Detangles large sections because of long bristles
• Easy to remove bristle rows to modify the brush to suit you
• Easy to clean
• Widely available and affordable RRP £6.99 

CONS

• Not very gentle when detangling (I lose more hair with the denman) 
• Can’t be used with heat styling tools as the bristles melt and snag hair
• Have to remove bristles for afro hair (although there is the Freeflow specifically made for detangling longer thicker Afro hair)

Hercules Sägemann Seamless Combs: Detangling Comb 1975 and Magic Star Jumbo Rake HS5660

PROS

• Long handle makes it easy to hold on to
• Durable product which can easily be used for years
• Can be used with heat styling tools without damage as they are made using heat resistant vulcanised rubber
• Detangles really large sections of hair very quickly and gently (especially the Jumbo Rake - it can take 30-45 minutes for Maz's whole head!)
• Less hair lost when used 

CONS

• Difficult to find in the UK
• Largest comb is very expensive and retails at approximately £15. (needs to be weighed up with its lifelong usage)
• The HS1975 detangles hair quickly and thoroughly, but still takes a little more time than the Tangle Teezer (it took Maz about 10-15 minutes longer for one half of her head)

Drum roll please...

Our winner is...

We both agreed that Hercules Sägemann ones were the best, although the Jumbo Rake is pricey (there is a mini version for £10) you have to realise that some of the comments from buyers on the website have said that their combs have withstood more than 20 years of use!! Plus you are paying for much better quality. (Ask someone to buy it for you as a gift if you really don't want to pay for it.) We do like the Tangle Teezer, but it's probably better suited to shorter afro hair as Maz had to detangle her ends with the 1975 comb.

For now, the Denman is staying in the drawer. We're using the Jumbo Rake for co-wash detangling weekly and the 1975 detangler for proper thorough wash day detangles once a month.

Here are the cheapest prices for the all the detanglers that we could find (also check TK Maxx, sometimes their hair selection can surprise you):

HS5660 Jumbo Rake (or click here for the Mini rake)
Tangle Teezer: here and here (With the one from Paks actually check that it is a Tangle Teezer, when I went to buy mine they tried to sell me one from another brand)
Denman: Classic or Freeflow. (My one was from TK Maxx for £5.99)

Zee xx

Mariama's Draw My Natural Journey!

In case you haven't seen it, here's a quick overview of my natural hair journey (there are actual pictures too at the end):

Maz xx

(Late) Winter Haul

Asos 

Duffle Coat: http://www.asos.com/ASOS/ASOS-Bonded-Check-Duffle-Coat/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=2954961&SearchQuery=duffle%20coat&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=-1&sort=-1&clr=Camel

Vintage Kilo Sale Info

http://www.judysvintagefair.co.uk/kilo/

Forever 21 stuff 

Basic Tee: http://www.forever21.com/UK/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=top_basic&ProductID=2000065387&VariantID=

Quilted Faux-Leather Mini Skirt: http://www.forever21.com/UK/Product/Product.aspx?br=F21&Category=bottom_skirt&ProductID=2000109837

Joy jumpers 

Pink: http://www.joythestore.com/lou-curve-hem-fluffy-jumper

Black: http://www.joythestore.com/louche-daira-fluffy-jumper?nosto=nosto-page-product1

The other stuff was all gone!! :(

How To Clean & Moisturise Your Hair When In Braids

As promised (and so your hands don't have to cramp up trying to write everything down) here's a written list of all the ingredients used in my braid spray:

Roughly 100 ml water

1 teaspoon of your chosen oil(s)

1 tablespoon of a leave in conditioner

1 tablespoon of glycerine

3 drops of tea tree oil

3 drops of a fragrance oil (optional)

Less than half a capful (about a quarter teaspoon) of apple cider vinegar 

Most of these ingredients you can buy in your local supermarket/ local hair shop and the fragrance oils we buy from FreshSkin or Amphora Aromatics (the physical shop is in Bristol).

Zee xx

Mariama's First Ever Get Ready With Me!

Zainab reviews three Shea Moisture products!

In case you don't know we've started a YouTube channel (and we've been quite active on there), so what are you waiting for?! Go on take a peek, here are our last three videos all about Shea Moisture...

Deep Treatment Masque

Curling Gel Soufflé

Curl Enhancing Smoothie

Check us out!