Saturday, February 26, 2011

It's A Half Wig Lulu

 
This unit was from Hairwigharlem.com. I received this wig in a color #2. This unit is about 16" of loose layered curls.
I started wearing this wig in early March with non continuous wear and great wig care and this wig lasted about about 1-2 weeks. If you are someone who wears wigs continuously, this wig may not be for you. 

PROS: Inexpensive, adjustable straps, decent size combs, nice style, soft, minimal shedding, decent length.

CONS: Tangles very badly, mattes at nape, shiny fibers, curls dropped, bulky oversized cap, doesn't last for a long amount of time, stringy looking after finger combing, flat, no volume or body.

Rating: 3


Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Acne Remedy - Apple Cider Vinegar/Green Tea Exfoliant & Toner

BEFORE









Ingredients and Benefits

EXFOLIANT/MASK:

1 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar has Anti bacterial properties which helps with the cleaning of pores, removal of excess oils and bacteria, helping treat age spots and discolored skin patches.

2 tsp Green Tea (Hot Tea that's been cooled to room temp.)
Green Tea contains a potent of antioxidants which helps fight free radicals. Free radicals are the toxins from radiation which causes premature aging of the skin.

1 tsp Honey
Honey contains antioxidant properties. It is also anti-bacterial. Honey helps with clearing the skin, tightening pores, reducing premature aging and reducing oil.

5-7 tsp Granulated Sugar (Raw Sugar and Sea Salt can also be used)
Sugar is a natural exfoliant which brightens up the complexion, creating smooth skin, eliminating blemishes and restoring the balance of skins oils.

TONER:

1/3 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
(Benefits listed above)

2/3 cup Green Tea (Hot Tea that's been cooled to room temp.)
(Benefits listed above)

See Video on how I prepare the exfoliant/mask and toner

1. Cleanse skin with your normal facial wash. I use African Black Soap. Leave skin semi-damp.

2. Apply the exfoliant to your hands and in circular motions, gently massage the exfoliant into your skin for about 3 minutes avoiding eye area and concentrating on areas that need special attention. Leave the exfoliant on your skin for about 10-15 minutes. Rinse with warm water and towel/paper towel dry.

3. With a cotton pad, apply a small amount of toner then swipe it onto your skin concentrating on areas that need special attention. Avoid eye area. Allow 2 minutes to dry.

4. Apply your usual moisturizer.

5. (Optional) Spot Treat with plain white toothpaste. (This works very good)

You will notice softer skin instantly and clearer/brighter skin within 2 weeks. Exfoliate twice a week. Toner may be used every night. Store in fridge. Expires in 14 days.

Other helpful additions:

Lemon: Helps with brightening complexion
Olive Oil: Helps with dry skin and will not clog pores
Tea Tree Oil: Helps preserve so product last longer

AFTER











Disclaimer: I am i
n no way a practitioner nor a health specialist. This is a specific skin care treatment which has worked excellent on my acne prone skin. I am in no way stating that this will work for everyone. Ask your doctor/dermatologist about your skin before trying.
Exfoliant found at ehow.com
Toner found at ehow.com 


Monday, February 7, 2011

Nye's Hair Journey Product Run Down!


Nye has been 100% natural since Early January 2011. These are some of the products we use to get her hair back and maintain proper health!

An Excellent Ultra Moisturizing Shampoo we've been using is by Creme Of Nature. I cant find this product for the life of me anymore...If anyone knows where I can get this or know of anything similar, PLEASE let us know! This was by far the best shampoo we've gotten our hands on. Talk about Detangling while shampooing! Also cleansing the hair and scalp without the use of sulfates! This product is very much missed! However, what we've been using as a replacement shampoo is by Herbal Essences called Hello Hydration. This provides a balanced amount of moisturizer on her hair. However, it doesn't do the trick to mine! This is also not the best detangling shampoo, but its been our "Go To" product as far as shampooing.

I believe that Co-Washing is very important especially if the shampoo didn't provide enough conditioning powers to help detangle. As a conditioner/co-wash we use the sister to the Hello Hydration Shampoo, Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Conditioner! This has to be one of the BEST moisturizing conditioners we've tried yet! I as well use this on my hair. This product provides an excellent amount of moisturizing benefits to help with conditioning the hair, manageability and softness. We love this product!

Generally a Deep Condition is what provides the "extras" to your hair! The "extras" pretty much means, strength, repair and moisture. With the help of heat, the hairs shaft will swell allowing conditioner to enter the hairs cuticles. With that being done, the hair is more resilient to breakage and helps with length retention. It also helps with elasticity of the hair. A great deep conditioner for us is one of 2 products! As a softer protein treatment, Nye uses ORS Olive Oil Replenishing Pak! This is a staple for myself as well as Nye. This product has a lot to do with the healing of her damaged hair. As a harder protein treatment, Nye uses ORS Hair Mayonnaise! This is used once a month to once every month and a half. Sometimes we skip the hair mayonnaise altogether. This provides a substantial amount of protein to help with severe breakage! A harder protein treatment usually goes hand and hand for hair that is about to take on extreme chemical processing. Its great to put in what chemicals take out, however, Nye is natural! This is great for hair that needs to become more thicker and stronger!

A product that we have came accustomed to is the Jane Carter Solution Revitalizing Leave-In Conditioner. This is one of those products where you can either spray in on after a deep conditioning treatment or spray in on to refresh your hair. Either way, it detangles, softens, penetrates the shaft and seals. This is a product that works great with Nye's hair but not very good with mines.

As a lite weight moisturizer, Nye has been using SoftSheen-Carson Wave Nouveau. This product is a water based lite weight moisturizer great for softening the hairs coils providing shine and movement. Although I believe this product might be for natural hair within the 3c type (wavy) this works pretty good with Nye's hair as well as my own. We really like this product!

Last but definitely not lease is Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In conditioner repair cream. GREAT PRODUCT!!! If you need softness, here it is! If you need moisture, here it is! If you need a product good for braid/twist outs, here it is! No matter what your hair type is, this product is AWESOME! From root to ends it provides extreme moisture benefits. With water being the first ingredient and Shea butter being the second, this products works wonders on both Nye's and my hair! One thing that we've noticed is manageability! Combing the hair has been much easier with Cantu on her hair. With good manageability, that means no breaking of the hair and easy styling! Also softness! That means her hair is well conditioned and moistured pretty good. This product has become a staple!

Along with any shampoo, conditioner and moisturizer, you need a great sealer! Grapeseen Oil has been our choice of oils for Nye's hair. Its delicate, it absorbs the fastest, it leave little to no build up, it. This oil is great as a start. Then transition into other oils if you feel the need. As of right now, Nye's hair is perfect for grapeseed oil due to the fact that she sometimes endure heat appliances. Grapeseed oil is also a great natural heat protectant!

This is Nye's product regimen that got her hair back up to health. Now that she is fully natural, we are trying out new products more on the 'natural' side like pure Shea butter and a variety of great carrier and essential oils. We will let you know once we have established a working regimen.