More Reviews Coming Soon...

It's been so long since I've posted about anything! Well, I've been super busy with classes and work-and I have to admit I've slacked with my hair regimen, but I have been using satin covered,foam roller every single night for about 3 months. My hair turns out differently depending on what size of rollers I use. Sometimes, I get really cute curls and other times, my curls seems a bit too tight. But overall, my hair has grown tremendously by simply omitting heat from my hair regimen. I will post pictures of my hair growth and small changes in my hair regimen soon...

By the way, the rollers that I can't seem to live without are Hype Hair brand that I purchased at Walmart not expecting much from them, but they are fab!

Keracare Foam-Wrap Set Lotion Works Wonders

So today I finally decided that it was time to apply my relaxer( believe me, its been too long already!) So of course, I used Africa's Best Organics Relaxer, Creme of Nature Detangling Shampoo, and Aphogee 2-minute. I had just picked up a very pricey bottle of Keracare wrap/setting lotion for $16 bucks! My mom's hair stylist swears by this stuff, so I forked over the cash...I immediately applied the foam to my entire hair and begin to roll(medium sized rollers) and sat underneath the dryer for about an hour and a half, if that long. I was really impressed with my results! My hair has never been this bouncy and curls so well-defined using other setting lotions. I see what all of the fuss is about!

Pros: Can  be used easily to wrap an roller set hair, leaves hair very soft, no flaking, no build up of product on the hair, curls well defined.

Cons: The price is steep...$16.99 at my local beauty supply store.

Co-wash with Suave Coconut Conditioner

Co-washing is a new word in my vocabulary. I didn't even realize that some women use conditioner to wash their hair! I got all of this great information, by the way from http://www.hairliciousinc.com. The co-washing method of washing one's hair is suppose to not strip the hair of its natural oils as when using shampoos. I used a really cheap brand: Suave Coconut Conditioner, mixed with a bit of Lustrasilk Cholesterol. Some people co-wash 2-3 times per week. I will probably co-wash weekly...and its easy to do!



Simple steps:

• I lathered my hair with the conditioner as if I was using shampoo while in the shower
• Added a small amount of Lustrasilk conditioner
• Put a plastic cap on my hair while I showered
• 5-10 minutes later, I washed it out...DONE!

Afterward, I used castor oil (lightly) through my entire hair, used Lustrasilk Olive Oil Hair Lotion, and I let it air dry over night while I slept. The next morning, my hair felt wonderfully soft. I used my regular curling iron to straighten the rest out and here are my results:  I'm 10 weeks post relaxer by the way!
                                                                                                                                                     

Clean and Clear Blackhead Eraser Mask

I don't usually have problems with acne, but every now and then when I eat too many sweets or if my skin get irritated somehow, I use the Clean and Clear Blackhead Eraser Mask. It goes on a greenish-blue and dries a mint green. Avoid the eye area and let the mask dry completely. I usually use it before I clean my face with either Ambi or Aveeno...and only when I'm having acne problems. I used it two days ago and a patch of acne is already disappearing! However, this product's recommended use is 2-3 times per week as a treatment.

Cost: $4.82 4 oz

Pros: easy to apply/smooth going on, no strong odors, works fast

Cons: leaves face extremely dry, but can be remedied with a good moisturizer

 

•  0.5% Salicylic Acid treats and helps prevents acne
• Menthol provides a cooling sensation on skin
•  Recommend for use one to two times per week as a treatment

Hair Color Changed Using Aphogee?

My hair has always been a bit "sandy" colored, but after using aphogee for that first month, I noticed that my hair looked sandier than usual, and especially in the sun. I don't know if any other aphogee users have experienced this effect as well, but I contacted Aphogee via email, clicked on the hair expert link and asked them...why the color change?! I received a response a couple of days later: (please keep in mind that some of the English is a bit broken):

LaTavia,

I’m glad you found ApHogee and are experiencing the benefits of the ApHogee products. One of the lesser know benefits that we tout with the ApHogee Two-Step Protein Treatment is on porous hair, it helps retain color molecules in the hair. This in turn prevents less color shift if you color your hair. This is what you might be experiencing.


Sorry, I couldn’t be of more help.

Thank You.

Hopefully, this may help those with the same question....

Castor Oil Challenge Update

I know I promised a weekly update of my castor oil challenge, but I didn't see an immediate change in my hair after the first week. I really think I did an overkill the first time I used it...my hair was flat and very greasy. So, I've learned how to moderately apply it- I've been using it twice a week on my scalp and especially on my ends. My hair feels and looks healthier and stronger. I washed my hair last week, applied the castor oil (moderately) over my entire hair. I sat underneath the dryer for about 20 minutes and my edges looked nearly "relaxed"-My hair still feels great and I'm not even considering getting a touch up...even though my last relaxer was on November 23rd, 2009. I'm so excited! I've never gone this long without a relaxer.

I'm wrapping my hair at night, using heat only twice a  week, or when I REALLY have to. I'm extremely satisfied with the results so far. I really wanted to try the Jamaican Casor Oil, but the Isoplus brand castor oil has been amazing *crossing my fingers* thicker hair!

KeraCare Oil Sheen...Worth the Money

About two weeks ago, I spent 30 minutes in the beauty supply store circling the aisle that housed the brilliant KeraCare Hair Products. I was in need of oil sheen fast! I had just run out of my Aphogee Oil Sheen which didn't do anything special for my hair. If you are not familiar with KeraCare, it has a great line of products, but it is a bit pricey, well for my budget at least.

This oil sheen is fabulous! The smell is wonderful, and humidity block is included in the formula. This was especially a winner for me with all of the rain and snow in Alabama lately. I only spray over my hair quickly(I don't fog up the place) and my hair has so much shine and it feels very light... it also has no drying alcohols! If you want to invest in a good oil sheen, this one is the best in my opinion!

Pros: Humidity blocker, Doesn't leave a greasy feeling, Conditioning(olive and carrot oils) wonderful smell

Cons: Expensive

Cost: $9.99 11 oz (at my local beauty supply store)

Avlon KeraCare Oil Sheen 11 oz. (312 g.)

The Best Powder for Irritated Skin

I've had so much going on with my skin lately! I've had a irritating rash underneath my breast because of my badly fitting bra, boils on my skin(totally heriditary thanks Dad!) it's been a horendous time for me. My mom suggested that I try Gold Bond Medicated Body Powder over any skin creams I was considering buying. She was right! My rash is almost gone after using for about one week now! It's a bit medicated smelling, so I only use at night before bedtime. It gives me a great cooling sensation when using, and it can be used as a regular body powder.

Uses: Minor cuts and burns, Sunburn, Rashes, Insect Bites, Scrapes, Dries the ooxing of poison ivy, oak and sumac, and any minor skin irritations.

Active Ingredients: Menthol (0.15%), Zinc Oxide (1%)

Inactive Ingredients: Talc, Acacia, Eucalyptol, Methyl Salicylate, Salicylic Acid, Thymol, Zinc Stearate (227-073)

Pros: Works fast and solves just about any skin irritation

Cons: Overly medicated smell

Cost: $7.99  10 oz

Gold Bond Medicated Powder, 24-Ounce Containers (Pack of 2)

Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser vs Ambi

Ok guys...I've strayed away from my regular skin regimen of using the Ambi cleasing bar to the Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser for the past couple of weeks. And I have to admit, my face feels really clean after using the Aveeno cleanser! It doesn't have an overpowering smell it's oil free. But I miss how smooth my skin felt with using the Ambi. So I've decided to use the Ambi cleansing bar in the morning and the Aveeno at night.

Pros: Clean, fresh scent and oil free and helps prevent breakouts.

Cons: Dries my skin more than I would like.

Cost: $5.74

Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid (acne medication)

Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser, 6-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 3)

Castor Oil Challenge

So I've been hearing extraordinary things about castor oil, and I've decided to try it out for a couple of months to see if it does me any good. I've really been stuck on getting the Jamaican castor oil, but I've heard that any castor oil will do. So I've decided to purchase Isoplus Castor Oil from the local beauty supply store near my home-cost $5.79 for a 7.5 oz size. I applied it to my scalp and ends after I washed my hair this weekend. I'm not really use to my hair having this much oil in it, but I will continue to include the castor oil in my hair regimen and see what happens. Will update weekly...

Enjoy the New Year!

I hope that everyone enjoys this new year. This year is going to be awesome! Look out for more reviews and additions to the page in the next couple of days. Be safe and have fun!

The Truth about No Rinse Shampoos

When I wore braids back in the summer, I constantly worried about my scalp and hair being clean. I didn't want to saturate my hair with water and destroy my beautiful braids, so i researched a couple of websites and saw that most people used "dry shampoos" or no water shampoos. I picked up two types of shampoos to try out-one was a liquid and the other was a foam. I didn't like the results of the foam because my "real" hair would kink up from the braiding hair, and would show the obvious separation of my hair from the braiding hair. I had to use a blow dryer to get the "look" back. The liquid brand, which was Clean Life Products in a blue and white bottle worked magic. My scalped was and appeared clean and it lathered! I used a towel to wipe the dirt away! I paid only $2.99 for my 8 oz bottle...a keeper.

• Biodegradable, PH-balanced soap contains no alcohol; leaves hair with a clean, fresh fragrance and no residue
• Easy to use—just shake, apply directly to hair, massage until foaming lather covers hair, and towel dry thoroughly
• No rinsing required

Ingredients: water, triethanolamine lauryl sulfate, propylene glycol, cocamidopropyl betaine, fragrance, diazolidinyl urea, methylparaben, propylparaben, citric acid.