Here's to Holiday cheer!

Merry Christmas everyone!
Here's hoping you have a wonderful holiday season! All God's best to you and yours for the holidays and for the coming year.

Trading Spaces

Soooo I've outgrown the room I currently work in, I mean seriously outgrown ... for a whilllle now! 

Well, FINALLY I am moving into a larger work spaceeee! Yay! I can't wait to really get in there and start doing my thing. It's been a little tricky with moving going on and orders still coming in, and on top that I fell ill for a couple of days in between, buuuut the process is moving along fairly well. 

Here's a sneak peak of how things are coming along... 

As soon as everything is all done I will give you all the grand tour =)

UPDATE!
So it's all done! Here's the finished product:

Just Bee You! featured on "The New Maroons"

I was fortunate to have Keston Perry from The New Maroons do a feature on that blog about Just Bee You! beauty products and on my journey towards entrepreneurship. 

The New Maroons is a blog about entrepreneurship - particularly the experiences of persons who have lived outside of Trinidad and Tobago and have returned home and started businesses. 

If you are a business owner, or have been thinking about making the leap towards entrepreneurship ... or maybe you would just like to learn about the experiences of those who have made that step, then check out (and follow) The New Maroons.

Here's the feature on Just Bee You!

A New Maroon story: Just Bee You Beauty Products

I'm Just Beeyoutiful! - Spotlight on Akia

It’s time to highlight another Just Bee You'ser and their experiences with the products! This spotlight is on Akia who was able to benefit from our customization services and have a product that was created just for her! Read on to find out more… 

Tell us about your hair…

I have always had natural hair. I have never experienced anything else. My parents, especially my dad, never believed in chemically-treated hair especially when I was a child. I have dreadlocks now and I have had them since 2001; September to be exact. 

Describe your hair care regimen (including the products you use)? 

My hair care regimen is not a very long one - my hair is washed once per month (no, it doesn't smell because of how I treat it), steamed every three (3) months and dyed every six (6) months. I had been using 'Sunsilk' Shampoo and Conditioner (particularly for colour-treated hair) and about two years ago I switched to 'Suave Professionals' Almond and Shea Butter Shampoo and Conditioner (Moisturizing). As for my dye products, I use 'Clairol' Textures and Tones (because of the length of my hair, I usually use 6 to 8 boxes to get that rich colour).

How long have you been using “Just Bee You!” products? How has your experience with the product line been so far?

I have been using the “Just Bee You!” Oils ‘n’ Herbs just about a year now and I recently began using the Baby Bottom Balm (recent as in last week...lol). I love the way the Oils ‘n’ Herbs make my scalp feel and not to mention the shine...it is just beautiful. I have two boys: 4 years old and 4 months old and the Baby Bottom Balm has been working wonders on them both. It is not too greasy and their skin feels so soft.

What is your favourite “Just Bee You!” product?

My favourite product is the Oils ‘n’ Herbs (I guess as it was my first). What I really like about this product is that it is tailored to suit me. I cannot use Olive Oil in my hair; it would itch and that itching is enough to send me crazy. The olive oil was replaced with grape seed oil and that combination has done me well. Even my hairdresser has commented on how healthy my scalp looks whenever I use it.

What are 5 hair items / products you can’t live without?

1. My customized Oils 'n' Herbs

2. Let's Jam (this is what I use to twist my locs)

3. Mango and Lime Moisturizer (I use this one to moisturize to my ends)

… okay, so I don't have 5.

What are some of the lessons you've learnt on the journey to healthy hair?

Be careful who puts their hand your hair. When I started my locs, I had many admirers who would like to touch (most of the time without permission) and in 2003, I thought I would have had to cut off ALL of my hair because my hair began to drop. My hairdresser told me that, if anyone wants to touch my hair they have to ask my permission and I can say no if I don't feel comfortable.

What one piece of advice would you give to anyone trying to maintain healthy hair?

You would not know which product is the right one for you until you have tried them all; experimentation is a key factor. Not all maintenance processes are good; I never interlock my hair because it damages my roots however, another person may do it because that is the only way their hair would stay. Again you have to figure out what is the right process/product for you.

What do you love most about your hair?

I love the fact that although my hair is natural, I can style it just like or even better than chemically-treated hair. I love its versatility. I also love the reaction from my husband when I have a hot, new style! India.Arie said, "I am not my hair." I think she got it wrong, I am my hair and my hair is me.

(Remember, if you'd like to be featured as an "I'm justbeeyoutiful" spotlight, give me a shout!)

Protective Styling 101 - the basics

A Protective Style is any hairstyle that keeps your hair (especially your ends which are the oldest part of your hair) safely tucked away or protected from:

- outside elements (extremely cold or hot weather) 

- rubbing on your shoulders or clothing 

both of which can cause weathering or wearing down of the hair strands and thus breakage. 

Many times we feel like our hair is not growing, when in reality our hair is breaking off at the ends, so that we are not retaining length. Ideally a protective style is something that is low-manipulation or doesn't require you to mess with your hair too much everyday, reducing the breakage that can occur from daily combing/styling. 

Some protective styles include twists, flat twists, finger coils, box braids, cornrows, buns, wigs and extensions (braids, crochet braids and weaves).

Are weaves a protective style?

There's been a lot of discussion about whether extensions, and weaves in particular, are truly protective styles. Simply wearing a style which is deemed ‘protective’ but not taking the time to care for your own hair during that time is where the danger lies. You can't just throw your hair in a weave for 6 weeks and call it protective styling - if you don't have a proper moisture regimen during that period, or you never wash your hair or at least cleanse your scalp, then you may not have the positive result you were expecting from the protective style. In a case like that, the weave is not the culprit but the fact that you neglected your own hair during the process. 

large parts, loose braiding and a solid cleansing
& moisture regimen help keep braids 'protective'

The manner in which a protective style is done can also determine whether it works for you or not. If you put your bun or cornrows in too tightly, or you twist your hair using a drying hair product like gel which contains alcohol, or glue the weave to your scalp, then it ceases to be "protective". I've had great success with braids (using synthetic hair) as a protective style because I never make the parts smaller that half inch squares (even if it looks spacey!) and I do not braid the hair tightly. Do my braids get fuzzy faster? of course, but they don't rip the hair out of my head either!

Protective styling can help with retaining length and maintaining the overall health of your hair (I find that my hair is less dry/brittle when I protective style more regularly than go loose/fro'd out) but be sure that you take the time to maintain your hair while in 'protective mode', you may also want to experiment with a few protective styles to see which ones are best for your hair type and your lifestyle.

twists - my 'go to' protective style

Do you do protective styling? What are your 'go to' protective styles?

How free are we, really?

Today (August 1st) Trinidad and Tobago (and many other countries) commemorate the abolition of slavery - Emancipation Day.

There are so many theories as to why Emancipation happened, how it happened ... whether it was really about granting slaves their freedom or it was just an economic convenience, I think we can use this day as a day of reflection and introspection.   

I saw this Harriet Tubman quote online, which really spoke to me: 

It made me think that about some of the negative mindsets which may be keeping us enslaved up to today - Fear, Self-Hate, Self-Doubt, Low Self-Esteem, Negative Thoughts ... so many of these things hold us back, often without us being fully aware that we are being held captive by them. 

Owning up to these negative thoughts is half the battle in overcoming them. This Emancipation day, why not make an honest evaluation of the way you perceive yourself and then reject those negative ideas and perceptions. 

Stop saying things like: 
"I can't wait for my hair to be longer, it will be so pretty!"
NO! your hair is pretty now! and it will be pretty when it's longer too 


"When I lose this weight I will be so hot" Sure you can exercise and lose the weight and be healthy, but get some really cute outfits that flatter the body you have right NOW and ROCK them!

Don't let a negative mindset hold you back from loving YOU today!

Emancipate yourself from mental slavery.

Product Review by Vlogger BlessedNelly16

"Just Bee You!" product review from one of my fave You Tube Vloggers to STALK... Blessednelly16   =)

Check it out!

Finally...

I've finally started putting videos on my YouTube channel! =) Check out my first video...

Product Review by Vlogger Ayanna Nedd

Youtube Vlogger Ayanna Nedd did a cool review on some of the hair products, have a look...

I'm Just Beeyoutiful! - Spotlight on Kari

It’s time to highlight another Just Bee You'ser and her experiences with the products! This spotlight is on Kari, who’s been using the products to take care of her transitioning tresses. 
Read on to see how she manages the different textures...

bantu knots - protective, pretty and give great curls

Tell us about your hair…
I like to wear my hair in a way that I don't have to fuss much with it - in that, I prefer if it’s braided or cornrowed or in a bun. I am currently transitioning and I have been transitioning for just over a year.



Describe your hair care regimen (including the products you use)?
My hair regimen includes shampoo and condition or deep condition bi-weekly and daily hair care with Just Bee You Herbal Hair Spritz and Shea and Herbs Hair Butter.

bantu knot-out - a stylish way to blend
new growth with relaxed ends

How long have you been using “Just Bee You!” products? How has your experience with the product line been so far?
I have been using JBY hair products from its inception, however, I have been using it consistently for a little over 1 year when the product came fully on stream. The experience has been great. I see vast improvement in the texture and manageability of my hair.

relaxed days

What is your favourite “Just Bee You!” product?
My favorite JBY product, is the Cocoa Shea Skin smoothie.




What are 5 hair items / products you can’t live without?
   1. My wide tooth comb
   2. My Hair Brush
   3. Just Bee You Herbal Hair Spritz
   4. Just Bee You Shea & Herbs Hair Butter
   5. Eco Styler Gel




What are some of the lessons you've learnt on the journey to healthy hair?
Some of the lessons I have learnt on my journey to healthier hair are: natural is always better; what you put into your body plays a major role in the health of your hair; and maintenance of natural hair is not as hard as it is perceived to be, as long as you have a good regimen that works for you and your hair.

transitioning chic ... roller set plaits
blend the new growth with the straight ends

What one piece of advice would you give to anyone trying to maintain healthy hair?
The one advice I would give to anyone is to embrace your naps. If you love your naps, you would do what needs to be done to keep it healthy.




What do you love most about your hair?
I love the length of my hair the most!

braids ... go-to transitioning style

braids ... go- to transitioning styles

buns ... go-to transitioning styles

(Remember, if you'd like to be featured as a spotlight, give me a shout!)

I'm Just Beeyoutiful! - Spotlight on Genevieve

This spotlight highlights another satisfied Just Bee You'ser, Genevieve. Read on to find out how she takes care of her big beautiful kinky hair. Enjoy!

Tell us about your hair…

My hair is kinky. More of a "Z" pattern than a curl. I have had natural hair up until age 16. I jerry curled it for two years and then got fed up and grew out the chemicals. It took a year for me to get to shoulder length and then I cut off the straight ends. I texturize from time to time but it doesn’t seem to make a difference...sigh...its overwhelmingly thick and resists the texturizer chemicals. I am now 27 yrs old.

Describe your hair care regimen (including the products you use)?

Co-wash with Tressemé curl hydration every weekend, while detangling. I shampoo with sulphate free shampoo named Creme of Nature: Argan oil every 2-3 weeks. I use Shea & Aloe Hair Soufflé from Just Bee You! as my "grease" replacer LOL. I use that product about twice a week or when ever my hair feels dry. I use grape seed oil to seal and to add shine. For daily care I spritz it with water and slick with ampro or eco styler alcohol free gel.

How long have you been using “Just Bee You!” products? How has your experience with the product line been so far?

I have been using JBY products for a very very wonderful year! It has exceeded my expectations because I was so accustomed to using grease (which only coats the hair shaft). I cannot imagine my life with out Shea & Aloe Hair Soufflé.

What is your favourite “Just Bee You!” product?

You probably guessed it! Shea & Aloe Hair Soufflé.

What are 5 hair items / products you can’t live without?

   1. Shea aloe souffle

   2. Spray bottle (with water)

   3. Half Wigs that blend with my natural hair well (life savers)

   4. Tresseme conditioner

   5. Gel (alcohol free and must be max hold...MUST BE MAX HOLD!!!!!)

beach hair

What are some of the lessons you've learnt on the journey to healthy hair?

Water is my hair's best friend and I must use oils and things that penetrate the hair shaft.

What one piece of advice would you give to anyone trying to maintain healthy hair?

Not all products work for all hair. Experimentation is key. Also, your hair is your responsibility. Therefore, if you have to find time to manage it, do your best. If it means using chemicals, weaves braids etc, do that BUT make sure the health of your real/natural hair is preserved under it all.

What do you love most about your hair?

Love my hair because of its versatility!

big chop!

big hair!

pressed hair on my wedding day

pressed hair on my wedding day

half wigs - come in handy for a change of pace

I do hope you enjoyed this spotlight, look out for many more! Remember, if you'd like to be featured on the blog as a spotlight give me a shout.

I'm Just Beeyoutiful! - Spotlight on Ria

I'll be highlighting different Just Bee You'sers and their experiences with the products. This spotlight is on my sister, Ria, who was my first customer so I figured it's only fair that she should get the first spotlight too! No, I haven't paid or bribed her to make any of these statements =) In any event, the pictures of her hair should speak for themselves... enjoy the first spotlight and look out for many more!  

Tell us about your hair…

My hair is relaxed and has been since I was twelve. I’ve had bursts of 'natural-ness' along the way, but it’s mostly been relaxed.

Describe your hair care regimen (including the products you use)?

I wash every two weeks: any shampoo or conditioner will do. Then I moisturize with my ever faithful Herbal Hair Spritz, followed by Oils ‘n’ Herbs, and solid 'hair crack' aka Shea & Herbs Hair Butter from "Just Bee You!" and any setting lotion. I keep it set or wrapped during the week and always sleep in a silky head wrap.

How long have you been using “Just Bee You!” products? How has your experience with the product line been so far?

About seven years! Before the company existed =) I have no complaints.... only compliments.

What is your favourite “Just Bee You!” product?

The Herbal Hair Spritz. I love the way it tingles on my scalp, and when I have new growth coming in it keeps it very soft.

What are 5 hair items / products you can’t live without?

1.       my rollers

2.       Herbal Hair Spritz

3.       Olive Oil conditioner (ORS replenishing pak)

4.       my silky head scarf

5.       my boar bristle hair brush

What are some of the lessons you’ve learnt on the journey to healthy hair?

Take care of your hair ends. Keep up with wrapping and setting even with inches of new growth on your head.

What one piece of advice would you give to anyone trying to maintain healthy hair?

Stay away from tight headbands and ‘woogies’ [ponytail holders], they can thin out your hair line or cause a short patch or bald patch in the back, especially if you wear your ponytail in the same place almost every day.

What do you love most about your hair?

 It’s shiny, strong, long and the envy of the party! =)

(If you'd like to be featured as a spotlight, let me know! Give me a shout)