Peace Love and Sunshine Products

Shea Butter:

Pamper your hair, skin and body with this all natural moisturizer from Africa. Because my Shea Butter is raw and unrefined (meaning not altered in any way from its natural state) it is perfect for use in any hair or skin care recipe! Because it contains no perfumes, chemicals or irritants it is especially ideal for those with sensitive skin and skin allergies.

 Shea Butter can be used in many ways and aids in many conditions including (but are not limited to): Conditions and Moisturizes hair* Prevention and Repair of stretch marks* Face Cream* Heals dry cracked lips* Anti-Aging Cream* Natural Sun Screen *Softens hard dry skin (elbows, feet, knees)*Prevents Diaper Rash & Soothes* Helps control Psoriasis & Eczema* Moisturizes and conditions skin from head to toe

Sunshine….Whipped Alternative to Pure Raw Shea Butter:

Sunshine is a great alternative to Pure Raw Unrefined Shea butter with all the benefits and less work!

Have you ever wished you could apply your Shea Butter quicker and easier? Have you ever been in a rush and became frustrated with the process of melting the butter in your palms before being able to apply it? Are you tired of having big chunks of Shea Butter in your hair after applying it?

Sunshine is the solution!

Sunshine is Pure Raw Unrefined Shea Butter whipped with a hint of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. This rich, smooth, velvety butter will go on easy without losing any benefits of Pure Shea Butter.

Reap all of the benefits of Pure Raw Shea Butter in a creamy texture which is easily applied to hair or skin. Use it the same way you use Shea Butter!

*Conditions & Moisturizes hair *Prevention & Repair of stretch marks* Face Cream Heals dry cracked lips* Anti-Aging Cream* Natural Sun Screen* Softens hard dry skin (elbows, feet, knees)* Prevents Diaper Rash & Soothes* Helps control Psoriasis & Eczema* Moisturizes & conditions skin from head to toe

Ingredient Benefits

Olive Oil has been used for centuries to nourish and moisturize skin and hair! It is chock full of Vitamin E and Beta Carotene and is a powerful antioxidant.

Olive Oil -stimulates new cell generation giving skin a fresh, youthful appearance, tightens and tones the skin with its high concentration of vitamin e and antioxidants, slows the development of wrinkles, creases and signs of aging softens the skin, reduces infection and is effective in treating burns has anti-inflammatory properties alleviates many skin conditions including acne, eczema and psoriasis. When used in hair it adds sheen and penetrates hair shaft to add moisture

Shea Butter- is an amazing moisturizer for the hair and skin that conditions and softens. Shea Butter is known to help protect skin against climate and UV aggressions, prevent wrinkle formation, soothe irritated and chapped skin, and moisturize the epidermis. Shea Butter also enhances cell regeneration and capillary circulation, which helps prevent and minimize stretch marks, inflammations, and scarring. When used in hair, Shea butter softens and conditions hair. It protects your hair from extreme weather such as harsh cold or brutal sun and heat. Shea Butter is like hair and skin insurance!

Coconut Confidence:

Let the sweet smell of coconut tickle your nose while you reap the benefits of this extra moisturizing hair and body butter. Coconut Confidence is the blend of two hair and skin powerhouses in the smooth creamy buttery texture which glides on easily leaving your skin in coconut heaven. Whether you want to use Coconut Confidence Hair and Body Butter on your hair or body, it is sure to be a hit!

 It can be used as: Pre-wash treatment* Conditioner* Hair moisturizer* Great for “setting” hair in braid and twist out styles* Head to toe body moisturizer, toner and sunscreen* Great for sealing ends when braiding* Anti-aging and skin healing cream* And many more…

As a hair cream or "setter" the moisturizing properties of Coconut oil help reduce frizz in your hair and allows natural textures with their curls, to really pop!

Ingredient Benefits

 Virgin Coconut Oil- is high in natural antioxidants and protects skin from damaging free-radicals. When applied to the skin and hair directly it protects against sun and wind damage. It also helps keep skin firm and helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Virgin Coconut Oil can help heal and repair the skin and make the skin smoother and more evenly textured by removing the outer layer of dead skin cells.

Shea Butter- is an amazing moisturizer for the hair and skin that conditions and softens. Shea Butter is known to help protect skin against climate and UV aggressions, prevent wrinkle formation, soothe irritated and chapped skin, and moisturize the epidermis. Shea Butter also enhances cell regeneration and capillary circulation, which helps prevent and minimize stretch marks, inflammations, and scarring.

Sunshine Scents

Hello Sweet Thang! Is a crowd-pleasing fragrance inspired by Hello Sugar! scent by a trend setting big company.

Raw TURBINO SUGAR, LEMON ZEST, MERINGUE, WHIPPED CREAM and MADAGASCAR VANILLA notes make up this sublime concoction. I can't get enough of it!

This fragrance is super sweet but the lemon zest notes tone it down to make it a surprisingly refreshing blend.

This scent is perfect when you want to be noticed!!! But beware…you may have to swat the guys off!!!

Rise & Shine Are you looking for a pleasant powerful scent, something to get you going? 

You found it! Rise and Shine is the perfect blend of energizing citrus. Enjoy GRAPEFRUIT, LEMON AND LIME bundled together to give you the boost of energy you need any time of day, but great in the morning!

Rise and Shine is a friendly and ambitious scent that wants it all! 

Better then Red Bull, re-energize right now with this new Sunshine scent!

Coconut Lemongrass Do you like your scents subtle, soft and sweet? Coconut Lemongrass is the perfect Sunshine scent for you!!

This fragrance is a duplication of the very hot Bath & Body Works fragrance. Inspired by a traditional Thailand fragrance, this blend is a mix of ZESTY LEMONGRASS and FRUITY PINEAPPLE. With middle notes of LILY OF THE VALLEY and PEACH to temper the CITRUS, the blend ends beautifully in a smooth finish of COCONUT and SANDALWOOD.

This sweet fragrance is perfect for the woman who does like to drown herself in fragrance but instead prefers a scent that is noticeable while not overpowering.

Sweet Pea SWEET. PLEASANT. SOFT. DELICATE. SWEET PEA!

My Sweet Pea has PINEAPPLE and PLUMERIA top notes to add a subtle and cheery sweetness to the blend. Sweet Pea also has STRAWBERRY and CLOVER middle Notes and is rounded out with a deep Creamy Musk and Sandalwood for staying power.

This scent will become your favorite everyday fragrance!

Chai Tea

Dive into the holiday spirit with this WARM, RELAXING, YUMMY scent! Chai Tea is a wonderfully warm and comforting drink as a fun alternative to coffee (it still has a good wallop of caffeine in it as well)! It has traditional Earl Grey Tea with its delicious citrus notes of BERGAMONT and SICILY LEMON along with a base and heart notes of NUTMEG, CINNAMON, TAHITIAN VANILLA and a little bit of ALLSPICE. 

Not too strong, but anywhere you spread your new scented Sunshine! on your body or hair you are sure to be treated with this comforting aroma.

And just in time for the holidays. This scent is just what you need to embrace the holiday season!

Thanksgiving Dinner Conversation Topic: Your Napps!

The holiday season is just beginning which means you may begin to see family members and friends you may not normally see on a regular basis. This can be very bitter sweet. Especially for us naturals.

Why?  Because this may be the first time some of them are getting a chance to see our kinks and curls. The holidays can easily turn into you defending your hair to relatives and family friends.

With this is mind I want to know, how do you prepare for holiday gatherings with family members who openly disapprove of your natural hair decision? Does negative feedback from family members make you dread the holidays? Is this your first family get together as a natural?

Have you overcome that hurdle and have some advice for someone who is about to face the family for the first time? How did you get your family to back off?

I have an entire family in Chicago full of cousins, aunts, uncles and family friends, none of whom have seen my natural hair. I think I would be a little nervous if I was going to walk into a room with all of them this evening. But thank goodness I am many miles away and off the hook (for now).

I want to hear from those of you who ARE walking into that room. Was your hair the main topic for discussion today?

Here are some pointers from How to Shake them Haters.

1. Understand where their negative comments are coming from.

Most of it is fear and ignorance about natural hair, but the majority is concern. For so long we have been taught to believe our hair is ugly, bad, unmanageable and taboo. We've been fed those lies so long, that we treat them as truths and are afraid to think otherwise.

Your family and friends are no exception. They too believe that their natural hair and your natural hair should be hidden or manipulated into straightness in order to be seen as beautiful and acceptable.

2. Acknowledge their concerns and share yours.

Now that you know they are trying to help you, you can feel more comfortable around them and start having open dialog.

The next time someone says something against your decision, try something like this:

--Cathy I know you're only saying that because you truly believe I am making a mistake by wearing my natural hair and I appreciate your concern. But I am (going) natural because *********. That is how I feel and I don't think I'm making a mistake.

Sometimes when confronted we have the tendency to shrink and not speak our minds. This is not the time for that. Share with your loved ones why you are (going) natural and what it means to you. Make sure they understand why it's important to you.

3. Set Boundaries!

The truth is, despite their good intentions, at some point enough is enough! You should not have to constantly defend yourself, or decision. After you have explained your reasons for going natural, be clear that the topic is no longer up for debate.

As long as you allow them to put you in the hot seat, they will continue to do so. Let them know you are done!

Respectfully yet firmly inform them that you have made up your mind and feel the constant questioning and taunting is too much and is hurtful. Tell them that you respect the fact that you all have differing opinions on the matter, but at the end of the day it is your choice. As a friend or sister or someone who is supposed to have your back, you wish they would be supportive of your decision since that would mean so much to you. If they cannot be supportive, you would appreciate it if they said nothing at all.

The sooner you put your foot down the better! Hope this helps someone.

Peace

Happy Thanksgiving & Black Friday Savings

Happy Thanksgiving!

Peace Love and Sunshine Products is getting in on Black Friday Traditions. Log onto 

http://peaceloveandsunshine.etsy.com for major savings beginning Black Friday 

(the day after Thanksgiving)

Take advantage of the deals all weekend long (or while supplies last!)

My Naturally Fabulous Hair Idol!

Do you know the Target Queen, Rachel Stewart? You need to! She is very beautiful and very talented. She is an artist, a blogger and she designs jewelry. I just ordered two pairs of earrings from her today and I CANNOT wait to get them.

She is my current Hair Idol and hands down gets the Most Naturally Fabulous  Blogger of the Year award! No matter what length, she ROCKS her natural real hard. She styles her hair beatifully with each phase.

Target Queen, you're my hair idol! I want to have your versatility when I grow up =)Thanks for letting me swipe your pictures and Happy Birthday!

Yeah! Yesterday was her birthday, go visit her site and bless her with well wishes (and orders!).

Peace

~Sunshine

FUCKYEAHBLACKMEN

Am I late or something? I just happened to stumble upon this AWESOME site today.  It’s called FUCKYEAHBLACKMEN and it is full of nice eye candy for ya!

Here are a few shots I swiped from their site on Tumblr.

I love men with hair!!!

 Go check it out! YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!!  I promise.

Peace

~Sunshine

Natural Hair & Motherhood

I have to SHOW IT OFF!! How I style my tapered TWA

I am so in love with my hair these days! The new hair cut has made my life so much easier. All I have to do is a simple co-wash-n-go and my hair has style and looks GGGRREEAATTT!

Here's how I do it. I co-wash with Organix Vanilla Silk Conditioner. I apply the conditioner to my hair and I allow it to sit on my hair while I shave my legs or wash my face. After the conditioner has sat for a few minutes I take a large tooth comb and comb my hair from front to back.

Then I hold my head down and comb from back to front. I give my hair a wild shake to pull the hair down that I just combed upwards.  Then I style my hair with my fingers, encouraging the shape I like (voluminous on top, laid down on the sides and back). After styling my hair, I rinse the conditioner out.

Then I apply a quarter sized amount of conditioner in my hair to act as a  leave-in conditioner. When I get out of the shower while my hair is still dripping wet, I apply a quarter sized amount of Coconut Confidence to my hair. First I run my hands from front to back, then  back to front. Then I  use a dry towel to absorb the excess water from my hair.

This is what I end up with! I do all of my styling in the shower and have great results!

U. K. R. by Brandiss: "Flashback - TWA Love"

[This pic is after my 1st BC around Jan/Feb 2007]

I always hear ladies say they can not do a BIG CHOP because their  head is big, or its too nappy or it wont fit their face or _________ (fill in blank with other excuses)!!!! LOL I know you may not have worn your hair really short ever in your life before, but for most people that decide to do a big chop, they DO get over that initial shock of not having much hair.

Or wait...

Am I being insensitive??

My apologies.

But really though, if you want to do a big chop and sport a TWA (teenie weenie afro), then by all means go for it. Its like the easiest hair style ever! Sometimes women have a way of letting people make decisions for us-- it can be direct or indirect. I think hair is somewhere at the top of that list of "things". Its your head... and it will always be with you... some of the nay sayers may not.

My official big chop day went something like this:

Me: Hey, get the scissors, Im ready!

Him: For what?? To chop all your hair off??!!

Me: Yep! Now lets get to work!

Him: So what do I do? How low do I need to go?

Me: Just go down to the nappy roots.

Him: Oh ok

--snip, snip, snip (half way done)

Me: (looking in the mirror) Haaa! I can't belive this!!! Oh well... cant turn back now!

Him: Your folks gonna think you went crazy!

Me: Bump that! It's my head! (deep down Im believing him though)

Him: Okay, all done (looking puzzeld)

Me: I look like a crack head! LOL

Him: You can just go to the barber shop and get it fixed up and you'll look fine.

Me: Um... Okay.

LOL...I remember that day like it was yesterday! After he (my ex) cut all of my straw curls off, I thought I looked ridiculous. I ran to find the nearest cap to put on my head until I found a barber shop that was still open. Once I got it all evened out, I was good to go. Water, conditioner and olive oil became my best friends!

I shared my story to show that we may all have some insecurities within us, but I promise you, your hair WILL grow back if you decide to go that route. I can look back on this day and laugh now. Back then it was more shocking than anything. I BC'ed once again in May 2008 and may do it again in the future... who knows?!

So to all of my transitioning divas, you can be beautiful with your hair at any length and/or texture. To those of you who are already rocking those TWA's... rock on!

If you have recently done a BC, please share with us your experience (down below). Or you can share why you won't... It's all love here :)

Let's show them just how DOPE natural hair is!!

The more I involve myself in this beautiful on-line black natural hair community, the more I wish to see natural hair in the physical. In the small southern town of Beaufort, South Carolina where I reside, most of the time I am in the only natural in the vicinity. I see way more wigs, weaves , perms and damaged hair than I see healthy, curly, kinky afro’s. I see an overwhelming majority of black women who have shame and negative emotions associated with their natural textures. I see women who have no idea how to care for their hair in its natural state. Women who find natural hair taboo.

I believe those women would benefit greatly from an introduction to Curly-Kinky Land.

Blogs like Black Girl with Long Hair, A GRL CAN MAC, Natural Chica, Leave in the Kinks, and Le coil remind us how dope natural hair is. It reminds us that we are not alone in this journey. They help us make it through the obstacles that come along with learning our natural texture. WE love watching natural hair videos on YOUTUBE because we get to see other women taking care of and rocking their natural hair. We get to see black women with hair that is beaituful, healthy and strong. It’s a community that motivates and educates us.

Good for us… that we found it right?! So now what about them?^^ Remember the ones who see their kinks and curls as negative? I want them to see them how beautiful natural hair can be. I want to share with them the wonderful resources we natural’s have.

I e-mailed women in my address book links to some of my favorite natural hair sites. In the e-mail I told them about my decision to go natural and how I wanted to share with them a peek into the growing natural hair community on the internet.

At the very least they’ll click on a link and see some beautiful natural hair-styles, learn a little and then…. still choose to relax their hair. The whole point is showing them their options. I don’t think ALL black women HAVE to wear their natural hair. It really should be a choice. But a choice where all options are given consideration. For many women, natural hair isn’t even a contender when making the decision about hair. Straight hair is generally the starting point for most of their ‘options’. My hope is for black women to find natural hair beautiful, and more important, acceptable. I want them to know that natural hair isn’t all the bad things we’ve been socialized and taught to believe THEN they can make a CHOICE to wear their hair however they choose.

In sending them the links they’ll get a chance to see their other options. They’ll see that natural hair is within their reach, they just have to take the first step.

So what do you think? Do you know women who have NEVER considered natural hair? DO you have people in your life who still mock you for being natural? Are you considering going natural and have people in your like trying to dissuade you? Send them a link to your favorite natural hair site. Show them what natural hair is really like!

You know I sent one to the sister who said, “I know you hope the baby has good hair!” I’ll let you know how that turns out.

You game?

Peace

~Sunshine

Before and After my Haircut

before

after

before

after

before

after