Word up. Where have I been? I completely disappeared. For months. Wow. That's a little on the rude side. Sorry!
But, let me update you. Not to be confused with upgrading you!
Fekkai is OUT! Darcy's Botanicals is IN! Yes, Darcy's is IN. Those products R.O.C.K.!
I'm on the natural products kick. Love it!
Hair is growing. Big chop in a couple of weeks. Will post pics. Like the Olympics (please catch the reference!)
Medium size twists are in my hair - I did them myself (can you believe it??) and am wearing them pinned in an updo...2.5 hrs to put them in and I get ~8 days of wear out of them. Love it!
What else?
Oh, entered into a hair challenge with my best friend. If I win, I get a free salon visit...but now that I think about it...don't know if that is a prize seeing as how stylists generally suck! Where are the pro-natural/healthy hair stylists???
I want Darcy's Botanicals to come and do my hair. Sigh.
And I want to hit up the Natural Hair Show! Who's thinking of heading out there next year?
Okay...more next time. Later!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Book Review: Ultra Black Hair Growth II
Hey there! Happy Sunday!
I told you that I loved reading so I thought I would give you my thoughts on a book that I read recently: Ultra Black Hair Growth II by Cathy Howse.
Below is the format that I will be using for book reviews...
Rating system:
The Publishers Know They Wrong
Skip It
Liked It
Loved It
Desert Island Worthy
Book Title: Ultra Black Hair Growth II: another 6" longer 1 year from now
Author: Cathy Howse
Edition: 2000
Price: $13.45 (but I paid $1.35 less than this because of my Barnes and Noble Members discount. Go me!)
Overall: If you are looking for extremely basic information on hair care, then this book might do it for you. Emphasis on might. Maybe I went in with too high expectations, but this book fell very short of what I expected. The book is conclusory in so many places that if you are the kind of person that likes to um, have reasoning/rationale for a conclusion, then you will be frustrated when you read this book. I found that a large part of the book was "Do it because I think that it is right" or "Don't do that because, trust me, it's wrong." And that sort of explanation does not work for me...or people like me. I also found myself saying, "Duh" at times because I thought that the information given was so obvious that it should have been used as a building block, not as the "Ah ha!" moment. So, I would skip getting this book and instead have a good read over at The Natural Haven if you want to find out more about the science of hair.
Random: At times, I did like her very "Sister Girlfriend" approach in various spots in the book.
Rating: Skip it
Let me know what you think!
I told you that I loved reading so I thought I would give you my thoughts on a book that I read recently: Ultra Black Hair Growth II by Cathy Howse.
Below is the format that I will be using for book reviews...
Rating system:
The Publishers Know They Wrong
Skip It
Liked It
Loved It
Desert Island Worthy
Book Title: Ultra Black Hair Growth II: another 6" longer 1 year from now
Author: Cathy Howse
Edition: 2000
Price: $13.45 (but I paid $1.35 less than this because of my Barnes and Noble Members discount. Go me!)
Overall: If you are looking for extremely basic information on hair care, then this book might do it for you. Emphasis on might. Maybe I went in with too high expectations, but this book fell very short of what I expected. The book is conclusory in so many places that if you are the kind of person that likes to um, have reasoning/rationale for a conclusion, then you will be frustrated when you read this book. I found that a large part of the book was "Do it because I think that it is right" or "Don't do that because, trust me, it's wrong." And that sort of explanation does not work for me...or people like me. I also found myself saying, "Duh" at times because I thought that the information given was so obvious that it should have been used as a building block, not as the "Ah ha!" moment. So, I would skip getting this book and instead have a good read over at The Natural Haven if you want to find out more about the science of hair.
Random: At times, I did like her very "Sister Girlfriend" approach in various spots in the book.
Rating: Skip it
Let me know what you think!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Product Review: Fekkai Advanced Essential Shea Line
So it's my very first product review.
Here's my rating system from lowest to highest:
Uh, it's me, not you.
I still think we should see other people
In Lust
In Like
In Love
My price legend is, from least to most expensive:
$: under $8
$$: $8-$20
$$$: $20-$35
$$$$: above $35/eek!
Okay, and the format below is how I'm going to rate these products going forward so let's get going!
Product Name: Fekkai Shea Butter Shampoo
Product Line (if applicable): Fekkai Advanced Essential Shea
Price: $$$ for 8 fl oz
Strengths: Leaves hair feeling clean, but not stripped -sounds like an ad, right? But seriously, my hair felt clean, but not dried out. My hair actually still felt soft/moist after the use.
Weaknesses: None so far....except, it did make my relaxed hair feel stripped. But, since I really could care less about those strands (I don't wear it out in any styles), I don't see this as a weakness. If you are relaxed, wait until I do a second run of this product and we'll see if the dry feeling for the relaxed hair is a fluke.
Scent: Yummy, like something...clean. I can see how it could be overpowering to some though.
Chemical Thoughts: Has no harsh surfactants like SLS/ALS.
Random: Never tried Fekkai before and was pleasantly surprised to find that the shampoo was so moisturizing.
Rating: In Lust (I've only tried it once)
Catch Phrase: Fekkai me, baby!
Product Name: Fekkai Shea Butter Conditioner
Product Line (if applicable): Fekkai Advanced Essential Shea
Price: $$$ for 8 fl oz
Strengths: Leaves hair feeling incredibly soft. It actually made my Type 4a/b hair kinks and coils p.o.p. It was crazy - little coilies were popping out everywhere...even after I rinsed it out. Detangling was sooo easy with this conditioner. My comb just glided through my hair. Oh, and did I mention that my coilies were popping??!!
Weaknesses: Wish it had a pump dispenser. It is sort of thick and squeezing the bottle mad hard was a tad annoying at times. And $23 for an 8 oz bottle of conditioner...not really a great look for the home team.
Scent: Same as the above.
Chemical Thoughts: Low 'cones (silicones). No parabens (check out breast cancer rumors - no proven causal link, but would you risk it given what you read about breast cancer and paraben presence?).
Random: This is the softest that my hair has ever felt with a conditioner since I have been transitioning. My hair is still soft and moisturized a full day after washing/conditioning. I am definitely falling. Hard.
Rating: In Lust (I've only tried it once)
Catch Phrase: Fekkai me, baby!
Has anyone tried Fekkai? How about their curl line? What were your thoughts?
I like to try products a few times to really fall in love. So, I'll keep you posted.
Two fingers. Sideways.
Here's my rating system from lowest to highest:
Uh, it's me, not you.
I still think we should see other people
In Lust
In Like
In Love
My price legend is, from least to most expensive:
$: under $8
$$: $8-$20
$$$: $20-$35
$$$$: above $35/eek!
Okay, and the format below is how I'm going to rate these products going forward so let's get going!
Product Name: Fekkai Shea Butter Shampoo
Product Line (if applicable): Fekkai Advanced Essential Shea
Price: $$$ for 8 fl oz
Strengths: Leaves hair feeling clean, but not stripped -sounds like an ad, right? But seriously, my hair felt clean, but not dried out. My hair actually still felt soft/moist after the use.
Weaknesses: None so far....except, it did make my relaxed hair feel stripped. But, since I really could care less about those strands (I don't wear it out in any styles), I don't see this as a weakness. If you are relaxed, wait until I do a second run of this product and we'll see if the dry feeling for the relaxed hair is a fluke.
Scent: Yummy, like something...clean. I can see how it could be overpowering to some though.
Chemical Thoughts: Has no harsh surfactants like SLS/ALS.
Random: Never tried Fekkai before and was pleasantly surprised to find that the shampoo was so moisturizing.
Rating: In Lust (I've only tried it once)
Catch Phrase: Fekkai me, baby!
Product Name: Fekkai Shea Butter Conditioner
Product Line (if applicable): Fekkai Advanced Essential Shea
Price: $$$ for 8 fl oz
Strengths: Leaves hair feeling incredibly soft. It actually made my Type 4a/b hair kinks and coils p.o.p. It was crazy - little coilies were popping out everywhere...even after I rinsed it out. Detangling was sooo easy with this conditioner. My comb just glided through my hair. Oh, and did I mention that my coilies were popping??!!
Weaknesses: Wish it had a pump dispenser. It is sort of thick and squeezing the bottle mad hard was a tad annoying at times. And $23 for an 8 oz bottle of conditioner...not really a great look for the home team.
Scent: Same as the above.
Chemical Thoughts: Low 'cones (silicones). No parabens (check out breast cancer rumors - no proven causal link, but would you risk it given what you read about breast cancer and paraben presence?).
Random: This is the softest that my hair has ever felt with a conditioner since I have been transitioning. My hair is still soft and moisturized a full day after washing/conditioning. I am definitely falling. Hard.
Rating: In Lust (I've only tried it once)
Catch Phrase: Fekkai me, baby!
Has anyone tried Fekkai? How about their curl line? What were your thoughts?
I like to try products a few times to really fall in love. So, I'll keep you posted.
Two fingers. Sideways.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Allow me to Introduce Myself...
I am a transitioner. I am a natural hair fan. I love fashion. I adore bags. My heart skips a beat for a sexy pump. My mind races when it comes to politics, especially issues affecting Africa and the Caribbean, and world events. I grasp my humanity because of philanthropy.
And I enjoy talking about all of these things, not necessarily in that order.
I might even talk about other random things as they strike me. So I started this blog....
I will probably land a lot on (natural) hair though because well, I'm sooooo into it.
Today I just want to talk briefly about transitioning. For those who don't know, transitioning is when you transition from a relaxer (or curly perm or jheri curl) to natural hair. I decided to go natural in February of this year. My last relaxer was November 13, 2009. So, I have been transitioning for ~10 months. Yaaay me!!
How long will I transition? Until December. Why? Don't really know why I chose December, but I know that I did back in February. And because I'm random like that, I keep my promises, even those that I make to myself...when no one is around. If I don't like the length, well, that will be another story. I'll talk about what I'll do if that happens...in another blog post.
How am I doing it? Lace front wigs are the Truth. I don't use glue or tape (just bobby pins) and I still can wash my hair weekly and touch my scalp daily. Ah, the little things in life.
Why am I going natural? Now that's a question for another blog, but in short: because relaxers are the DEVIL! *for my hair* lol don't you love it when people do that? They say something really bad about a product, technique, etc. and then qualify it with "for my hair." Like that makes the horrible/judgmental statement okay.
It's like: "No offense...but I think you're terribly grotesque! But, you know, no offense."
So yeah, no offense, but relaxers are the DEVIL....for me...so I am transitioning.
What about you? Are you transitioning? Natural? Relaxed? Do you have curly, kinky, wavy, or straight hair? What do you think about transitioning? About going natural?
And going forward, what do you want me to talk about? Leave a comment or email me at thenicchronicles@gmail.com.
Two Fingers. Sideways.
And I enjoy talking about all of these things, not necessarily in that order.
I might even talk about other random things as they strike me. So I started this blog....
I will probably land a lot on (natural) hair though because well, I'm sooooo into it.
Today I just want to talk briefly about transitioning. For those who don't know, transitioning is when you transition from a relaxer (or curly perm or jheri curl) to natural hair. I decided to go natural in February of this year. My last relaxer was November 13, 2009. So, I have been transitioning for ~10 months. Yaaay me!!
How long will I transition? Until December. Why? Don't really know why I chose December, but I know that I did back in February. And because I'm random like that, I keep my promises, even those that I make to myself...when no one is around. If I don't like the length, well, that will be another story. I'll talk about what I'll do if that happens...in another blog post.
How am I doing it? Lace front wigs are the Truth. I don't use glue or tape (just bobby pins) and I still can wash my hair weekly and touch my scalp daily. Ah, the little things in life.
Why am I going natural? Now that's a question for another blog, but in short: because relaxers are the DEVIL! *for my hair* lol don't you love it when people do that? They say something really bad about a product, technique, etc. and then qualify it with "for my hair." Like that makes the horrible/judgmental statement okay.
It's like: "No offense...but I think you're terribly grotesque! But, you know, no offense."
So yeah, no offense, but relaxers are the DEVIL....for me...so I am transitioning.
What about you? Are you transitioning? Natural? Relaxed? Do you have curly, kinky, wavy, or straight hair? What do you think about transitioning? About going natural?
And going forward, what do you want me to talk about? Leave a comment or email me at thenicchronicles@gmail.com.
Two Fingers. Sideways.
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