Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Tempted to Big Chop

I have been so unenthusiastic about my hair these days and I have been holding myself back from taking my shears to my hair. One main reason I haven't cut my hair is because the length I have is allowing me to do protective styling and with my work schedule, it is very convenient. But I am so tired of dealing with those stringy ends and my failed attempts of making them curly. 
It upsets me to my core when people are just like "Oh, you have to 'train' your heat damage so it can 'remember' how to curl up" I am like that is a big sack of crap, lol. And I am sooooooo tempted to contact the hair dresser that ruined my hair and tell her that my hair has still not reverted. But I am not. I will be patient....and have self control. I actually need to do a trim, it has been about two months since my last trim so it is about time. I also have to continue to remind myself that October is right around the corner and my hair will be back to normal at that point. 
And I don't know if it is just me, but I feel like I am wasting my products on my hair. Using all these expensive and awesome products on hair that is damaged is killing me. One thing that I have remind myself is that I am taking care of my "new growth" with great products, keeping it moisturized and strong, so will have healthy hair when all my damaged ends are gone.
Okay, my rant is over. 


Thank you for reading!

Monday, May 28, 2012

Review: KBB Sweet Ambrosia Leave-In

When I went natural a year and a half ago, Karen's Body Beautiful (KBB) was a name I heard of frequently. Bloggers always raved about her Sweet Ambrosia Leave In, which is one of her best sellers. Since then this product has been on my "Need to Get" list. I was able to purchase this product sometime in January of this year and I fell in love from the first use.
Source:Karen's Body Beautiful
This company is owned by Karen Tappin and she prides her products with having no sulfates, parabens propylene, glycol, phthalates, mineral oil, parraffin, DEA, or artificial colors. This product claims to work best for thick kinks or curls, relaxed, color treated or dry hair. I have both dry and thick hair so I knew from even before I bought this leave in, that it will work for me. 
When I first received the product, I sampled it by rubbing it between my fingers and I was at first disappointed that it was a thin product because I believed that only thicker products worked best for me. But I was pleasantly surprised on wash day when I applied about a dime sized amount to sections of my hair and it was able to coat and detangle my hair with ease. I was really shocked when my hair dried to see the results of soft, shiny and moisturized hair. A little of this product goes a LONG way. Even though Sweet Ambrosia costs $16 for 200ml, it is well worth it. If you follow Karen Tappin on Twitter @KarensBeautiful, she has weekly sales like, Buy One Get One Free or 10% off a purchase. You can choose from 12 different scents, I chose the Vanilla Latte scent which smells great! 


Verdict: A+


Do you love Sweet Ambrosia too?


Thank you for reading!

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Review: Oyin Handmade Juices and Berries Review

I first used Oyin Handmade's Juices and Berries when I received the March CurlKit. I have always heard of Oyin Handmade's products and never heard a negative review. So when I got this product I was very excited to use it. Although I wasn't sure of how to use Juices and Berries I found out very quickly from one use.

Source: www.oyinhandmade.com

This product claims to be an all natural oil free, nourishing blend of herbs leave in spray that has multiple uses. It helps to condition and stimulate the scalp, detangle the hair and a general refresher for wash and go's, twist outs, twists or braids. This product does contain vegetable glycerin which is a humectant (draws moisture from the air to maintain moisture in the hair). The scent of Juices and Berries is a "juicy fruit punch bursting with flavor". There are two other kinds, Greg Juice and Frank Juice that are the same as Juices and Berries, the only difference is the scent.
I have been using Juices and Berries as a moisturizer combined with a butter to help my hair to stay moisturized, shiny and soft for 3-4 days at a time. Prior to the use of this product, my hair was always dry when I used water as my refresher but I have since stopped using water as a way to give my hair moisture. Another great addition is that my hair doesn't shrink up with this product as it does with water, so that was a really nice surprise. I bought a full sized 8oz product at the WNHS last month and I have been using it everyday since and I haven't even made a dent. This is now a staple in my regime!


Verdict: A. Everything the product claimed to do is exactly what it did. The only "bad" thing, is that it is best to use the product within 6-12 months because the ingredients, as it says on the label. Besides that, I love the product and I will be purchasing more in the future. It costs $12 on www.oyinhandmade.com for an 8oz bottle.  


Have you used this product? Do you like it?
Thank you for reading!

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Review: LUSH Henna Review

I purchased Henna from LUSH about a month ago and I was very excited to use it. It came in a block form and you have to break it down by cutting it into blocks and melting it with hot water. This henna contains cocoa butter which makes it super mositurizing, unlike other hennas.
Some great things about this Henna is that it did not discolor my skin or nails as quickly as boxed henna, it is very moisturizing and it is all natural with added herbs. 
I decided to keep the henna in over night and I rinsed it out the next day. It did take some effort to get all the peices of henna out of my hair but after three washes with conditoner and one wash with shampoo (and a deep conditioner with Jane Carter Solution Nutrient Replenishing Conditioner) all the pieces finally came.
My hair didn't feel dry after rinsing it out and my hair felt manageable.


You can purchase it from the website, www.Lush.com and it is $24.95, which is kind of pricey but I am able to get two uses out of this product.


Verdict: B+. The difficulty of trying to get the pieces out of my hair brought it's score down.


I also have a video on my experience. Check it out!


Thank you for reading!

Friday, May 4, 2012

WNHS Haul

I had an AMAZING time at the WNHS this past weekend! It was insane though, crowds and long lines everywhere. I was able to meet two Youtubers, Charyjay and NikkiMae. It was awesome. I still think I missed out on some products..but I have to get over it since I will be going on a NO BUY! I need to finish the products I have first..*sigh*


Well enjoy the haul!




Thanks for reading!

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Review: Amazing Botanicals

I first heard of this product when I received March's CurlKit. I have heard of pomades and I never really understood the use of it, being that it claims to smooth down edges. I am used to applying Hicks Edges, Organic Root Stimulator (ORS), Carols Daughter Macadamia Hold and Control Smoother and being sadly disappointed. My edges will usually stay flat for about 10 minutes, then the product will melt and become a shiny greasy mess.
I think one reason I have a hard time with pomades is that I have EXTREMELY short, kinky, and fragile edges which makes it harder for them to lay down.


Source: Amazing Botanicals
I was skeptical when I first applied the product to my hair. It is solid in the tin but when placed in the hand, it melts immediately. You probably need about less than a dime sized amount since a little goes a long way. It has a soft hold and it gives my hair great shine. The smell is also very pleasant, it is like a spicy pumpkin scent, that lasts all day. I was shocked to see it was working really well and I was so excited that I found something that kept my edges flat. 


Verdict: A It costs $12 for 2 on www.amazingbotanicals.bigcartel.com/.


Thank you for reading! Have you tried this product?