Rings & Earrings....,

Some of my bargain buys, I am love earrings, rings and necklaces and the odd bracelet.

I am sure I bagged these from Monsoon and don't be fooled I got them when they were on sale and or not too pricey.

Universal Una Bomba Deep Treatment

Universal Una Bomba Deep Treatment

Promises: Universal Una Bomba Deep Treatment is made with vitamins, proteins and special oils that nourish and regenerate hair that is dry and damaged due to chemical processes and exposure to the sun.

Directions: After washing your hair with the Universal Shampoo La Bomba, apply some conditioner and sit under the hair dryer for 10 minutes. Rinse well and proceed to apply the Universal Rinse La Bomba

Ingredients: Purified water, Chloride Ammonium of Cetiltrimetilo, Olive Oil, Jojoba Oil, Higuereta Oil, Cetil Alcohol, Proteins, Aromatic Spices, Sole of Shoe, Seed Extracts, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol (and) 5-Nitro-1,3 Dioxane, Fragrance. Color Free.

The TRUTH: Three WORDS ~ Stinks, Glue and Plastic. I cannot describe this DC any better it was not moisturizing and it made my already thick hair felt coarse. I DC with this conditioner for 30mins under my hooded dryer.  My hair was not soft and moisturized at all. Beside the lack of moisture and so on……, the awful smell it had my family retching and gagging and they gave me mad stank looks considering the smell of this stuff was awful already. I really cannot give it any rating as I really dislike this conditioner. I even went on to adding various oils and it didn't do a thang for my hair. I will nevvvva buy this DC again. YUCK!

Rating: 0/5

SoftSheen-Carson Wave Nouveau Moisturizing Finishing Lotion

SoftSheen-Carson Wave Nouveau Moisturizing Finishing Lotion

Promises:

Softens and Moisturizes Provides Sheen, Quenches dry, thirsty hair; this rich lotion contains a blend of silicone and humectants to provide shine, softening and moisture to natural and permanently waved hair. Apply as needed to maintain your Wave Nouveau style.

Directions:

1. Apply the desired amount of lotion into palm of hand. Apply evenly throughout hair, massaging thoroughly. 2. Gently comb through the hair and style as usual.

Ingredients:

Water - Aqua , Propylene Glycol , Glycerin , Cetyl Alcohol , Polyquaternium-11 , Stearalkonium Chloride , Dimethicone , Methylparaben , Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein , Fragrance - Parfum , Chlorhexidine Dihydrochloride, Butylphenyl Methylpropional , Linalool , Simethicone , Red 40 - CI 16035

The TRUTH:

Ok I was hoping to like this product. But in the end it did not work for me at all! The first couple of applications seemed to be going well, but there after it went down hill, it has sticky-ness, a slight film IMO that I could always feel on my hands and that was left on my hair that I just could not deal with. I just did not find it all that moisturizing either, it moisturizes BUT not as I had hoped. I have read loads of raves about this product, I may try it again in the future but at them moment I have passed on the rest of it to my mom and sister, they have natural curly hair, they have not complained as of yet!

Rating: 2.5/5

My 'First' Flat Iron!

I got me a bargain on a flat iron, my first ever flat iron. I have never owned a flat iron before as I love my roller setting a lot, but since being texlaxed, I have found the need to owning a flat iron.

I got me an offer on the 'Babyliss Pro 230 Radiance' it was being sold for £97.99 and I got it on offer for £39.19 more than half price SALE! AWESOMENESS I tell you.

'Babyliss Pro 230 Radiance' Promises:

For salon straightness that lasts twice as long,
contains breakthrough Cera-Heat straightening technology

Uses a supercharged heating system with ultra fast heat recovery for constant high heat

Ionic steam enhances the hair condition and eliminates frizz for a high shine finish

Retractable de-tangling fins give a professional combing effect for extra-effective straightening

Up to 230°C with ultra-fast heat recovery for constant high heat and ceramic-titanium plates for ultimate smoothness

My 'FIRST' Flat Iron Experience:

I did my first ever flat iron in June the same day I bought this tool, I was too excited to wait, I wanted to test it out and see the results. I have a few pictures to share with you all.

The two photos at the top shows my hair texture prior to flat ironing, I had already sprayed my hair with heat protectant and allowed it to dry.

The last two set of pictures below shows my hair flat ironed ~ my hair length and a close up view of the flat iron results.

Miss Key 10en1 Super Conditioner

Miss Key 10en1 Super Conditioner

Promises: contains a mix of the 10 most important products for hair damaged by dyes and the sun's harmful effects. It is tropicalized for all hair types. That is why it is considered as a super conditioner.

Directions: After shampooing, apply a small amount and leave in for 10 minutes then rinse with normal temperature water.

Ingredients: Water, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Stearyl Alcohol, Distearoylamidoethyl Monium Methosulfate, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Polysorbate 60, Pentearythrityl, Tetraisostearate, Lactamide, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Dimethicone, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methyl Propyl Paraben, Ceramide, FD&C Yellow #5 and FD&C Red #40.

The TRUTH: I have tried this conditioner twice so far, I cannot say there is anything great about it, it has a unique smell, I am not sure what to compare it to but it is ‘unique’. I don’t find it to be all that moisturizing, slip is very minimal.  I DC with this conditioner for 30mins the results, was not all that. It made my hair feel too coarse, it seems to give a bulk feel and my hair was not easy to comb after it was rollerset and dry. It added body which I already have A LOT of, so the extra thickness………, was not needed. I may have to give the rest to my mom as I cannot deal with all that, her hair is fine and mom loves anything that makes her hair thick.

Rating: 2.5/5

Aphogee 2 Minute Keratin Treatment

Aphogee 2 Minute Keratin Treatment

Promises:

This rich blend of keratin amino acids, botanical oils and vitamins restores elasticity and softness to dry, brittle hair. In minutes it penetrates and repairs damage caused by chemical services, styling and heat. Dry, itchy scalp is eliminated. Even bleached, permed or relaxed hair feels healthy again. ApHOGEE Keratin Reconstructor helps displace mineral deposits from swimming pools and hard water. Recommended for weekly use until hair is restored to healthy condition.

Directions:

1. Gently shampoo hair with ApHOGEE Shampoo. Rinse thoroughly and towel as usual. 2. Squeeze 1/2 ounce into palm. Using fingertips, work evenly through hair and into scalp. 3. For maximum penetration, cover hair with warm towel, or plastic cap, for two minutes. For extreme cases, leave on for 5 minutes. For severe breakage problems, we recommend as ApHOGEE Treatment service. 4. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. 5. Dry and style as usual.

Ingredients:

Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 60, Behenamidopropylamine Behenatem Stearolkonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Chloride, Cocodimonium Hydrolyzed Hair Keratin, Hydrolzed Mucopolysac Charides, Sodium Coco Collagen Amino Acids, Wheat Germ Fatty Acids, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Arachidonic Acid, Squalane, Avocado Oil, Acetimide MEA, Panthenol, Wheat Germ Oil, Jojoba Oil, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sulfur, Amodimethicone, Polyquaternium 10, Linoleamidopropyl PG Dimonium, Chloride Phosphate, Tallowtrimonium Chloride, Nonoxynol 10, Cocoyl Sarcosine, Sorbitol, Fragrance, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.

The TRUTH:

This is a nice light/medium protein treatment good for weekly/bi-weekly use. I like this a lot. I use this product every now and again, I also follow up with a moisturizing DC afterwards but that is just me, I some ladies don’t, and the directions says rinse and style as usual, but I tend to always follow up with a DC after a Protein treatments just to be on the safe side, that is just me.

I do recommend this product if you are just starting out as chances are you will not mess your hair up, and as you learn more about hair care then proceed to the ‘’Aphogee Two-Step protein Treatment’’.

Rating: 4/5

Featured Excerpt: Christine Eke

Where do you live?

Currently going to school in Albany, NY.

How long have you had a relaxer?

Since I was … I want to say … 7 maybe??

What’s your regimen?

Shampoo once a week + Conditioner; co-wash 1-2 times a wee.

Moisture Deep Conditioner once a week + Black Tea rinse

Co-wash 2-3 times a month; Oil Rinse + co-wash 2-3 times a month

Protein treatment once a month + Moisture Deep Conditioner

Clarify once a month; moisturize and seal when necessary (4-5times a week)

Relax every 13-18 weeks (last time was 18, before that was 13 weeks, this time I am going for 15)

Trim when needed

Protective/low manipulation styles 99% of the time

Air dry/cool dry 99% of the time

What’s the best/most effective thing you do for your hair?

That would have to be a tie between moisture deep conditioning and co-washing since introducing both these methods into my regimen, my hair has dramatically improved in thickness.

What has been your favourite product?

Right now it’s my moisture deep conditioner, ‘Olive Moisture Mask’ by Komaza Care. But I’m thinking of purchasing a new line of products once my current one finishes, so that’s subject to change.

What is your ‘go to’ style?

Donut Buns!

What has been your biggest challenge during your hair journey? And how did
you overcome this challenge in your journey?

My Biggest challenge has been my thin ends, and it’s a challenge I am still facing, but I’m determined to overcome it.

What is your ultimate hair goal?

I want to maintain the thickness I have now achieved, but lengthen my hair to at least mid-back length. If I get there and I’m feeling up to the challenge I’ll go for longer.

What does 'good' hair means to you?

Hair that you absolutely love, and wouldn't trade for the World!!

More on Christine and her hair journey can be found at:

http://www.hairlista.com/profile/ChristineEke

SO NICE! I bought them twice......,

My hair and I love these so much I bought them TWICE!

In the picture above, I have the following products:

1. Neutrogena Triple Moisture Daily Deep Conditioner

2. Keracare Humecto Creme' Conditioner

3. Neutrogena Triple Moisture Creme LEAVE-IN

4. EYL Jamaican Black Castor Oil

5. Avanti Silicon Mix Conditioner Treatment

6. Vatika Coconut Oil

7. V05 Moisture Milks Strawberries & Cream

8. Amla Powder (Ayurvedic)

Q. What has been so good to you and your hair that you had to stock up on them? Or bought it twice?

Need a boost in your ‘Hair Growth?’ Anyone?

Caffeine & or Coffee for Hair Growth!

Studies:
Study proves caffeine in shampoo does penetrate to the hair follicle 
Posted on April 3rd, 2007 in Hair Loss News, Hair Loss Studies by admin | 1,333 Views | 
Caffeine is being used as an ingredient in some hair loss shampoos. The reason for this is that an in-vitro study was done where follicles were treated with a caffeine solution and it was found that caffeine blocks the effects of a DHT, the hormone that causes Male Pattern Baldness and damages the hair follicles.

Dr Fischer, who conducted the first trial, took scalp biopsies from 14 men in the early stages of hair loss. He extracted the hair follicles and then placed them in test tubes with solutions containing different levels of caffeine. The follicles that were being treated with caffeine saw their average growth increase by around 46 per cent and the life cycle of the hair extended by 37 per cent, when compared to the control group. This study prompted some manufacturers to add caffeine to their hair loss products.

In this study, researchers in Germany wanted to see if topically applied caffeine could be delivered to the follicle when being part of a shampoo.

According to their study they were able to prove that after 2 minutes of shampooing, the caffeine in the shampoo was able to penetrate into the scalp via the hair follicles and stratum corneum (the outermost layer of the skin).

This proves that shampoo is an effective delivery vehicle for caffeine, provided that it’s left on the scalp for 2 minutes or more.
Follicular Penetration of Topically Applied Caffeine via a Shampoo Formulation.