Friday, January 14, 2011

For Shame!

Shame on you Organix for launching several new products containing argan oil. 
Ladies, in case you're behind the eight-ball, argan or Moroccan oil is derived from the argan tree which is on the endangered species list. PLEASE do not use products containing this oil. The argan tree is on the endangered species list because of western civilization's (that's us, folks) increasing demands for this oil even though it is scientifically proven to be no better for hair or skin than all of the other oils we've been using all these decades. 

Stop falling for the hype and allowing yourselves to be brainwashed by greedy capitalists! You can't be "natural" while contributing to the possible extinction of a species. It's just hair.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Hi Ladies!

I don't know if you're like me, but I can talk hair all day, every day! If you are like me and love to talk hair, have I got a site for you! This site is an online hair forum established by the amazing Donna Kakonge who is working on her doctorate. Ms. Kakonge is using the open discussions to support her dissertation...last year's discussion was compiled into a book and distributed to participants.
The discussions cover everything ranging from the politics of black hair, natural hair in the work place, hair books and videos, hair blogs....if it has anything to do with hair, you can find it here! I've learned so much by joining the forum last year and the discussions we have are open and honest. We also give each other a lot of feedback, sometimes helping us to take a different approach or see things in a completely new light.
If this sounds like something you'd like to take part in, please join us at:

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Product Reviews (sigh)

After much procrastination, I decided to try the "coconut cream relaxer" everyone's been talking about. In preparation, I sent my honey to the store for some plain yogurt, but he brought strawberry yogurt, LOL. But, I was determined to give it a try, so I used it anyway. 

After melting and mixing the Tropical Traditions Coconut Cream Concentrate for at least an hour over a pot of simmering water, I added one cup of the Coconut Cream Concentrate to two cups of strawberry yogurt before sitting under my steamer. My hair was soft after my treatment and smelled like strawberries, but I saw no significant difference between this concoction or anything else I use with my steamer, excepting Yes to Carrots Hair and Scalp Mud Mask. That stuff is awesome, is a lot cheaper and is more readily available. The Coconut Cream Concentrate was a HUGE disappointment. I will try it again in the future with plain Greek yogurt, but if I get the same results, I can't say I'll be using the Coconut Cream Concentrate again...too much work, melting and mixing for nothing. But, I bet it'd make some really nice coconut cream pies!

I also decided to wash my hair with some new products, courtesy of a FB friend. I felt guilty using these products while my homemade shampoos and conditioner woefully stared back at me, but at least I got these at a bargain.
One coil up for this conditioner. While it could be a keeper and has almost as much slip as Herbal Essence's Hello Hydration (my fave commercial conditioner), the price would prevent me from doing so. While I liked its pourable, thick, cream consistency, I had to use almost half the bottle to condition all of my hair.
I've been using this spritz on my hair each morning for a week. As a result, I have to give this product two coils down. While it has a light, refreshing citrus scent, it left my hair rather sticky and had the same effect on my hair as water. So, why pay retail for this (and Uncle products ain't cheap) if water, which is essentially free, does the same thing?
One coil down for this shampoo. Granted it has a fantastic citrus scent, a thick, honey-like texture, and lots of lather, it failed to moisturize my hair as well as my homemade shampoos. At least a little goes a long way.