Tuesday, December 9, 2008

You go first...

I just got off of Amazon.com trying to spend some money...

I'm buying my husband some Christmas gifts...Searching around and hit the Beauty section...I was there for waaay too long...I decided that I'd pick one product to try...I'm such a weirdo with products...I'd click on one, put it in the shopping basket...then look up the ingredients or the marketing....then take it out of the shopping basket...I must have done this with 10 products or more...I was trying y'all...Then I came across this stuff...

Ojon® Restorative Hair Treatment

HEY!!!!

Focus...stop looking at that little hand claw thing...I need you here >...<

So, this 5 oz jar costs $55.00. Whhhhaaaaatttt??? I clicked on that just to see what "hunka, hunka" something would be applying this stuff to my situation everytime I used it...SURELY somebody comes with the stuff??

Seriously...What's the deal? Do you know how much 5 oz is??? Take a kleenex...Blow your nose...THAT'S 5 oz., dude...Okay...I kid, but you see where I'm going...

I looked at the ingredients...Looked at the marketing and the claims and I'm a little annoyed to say the least...The marketing is wacked out...IMO... (http://www.ojon.com/)

Tawira, "the people of beautiful hair" (a phrase that they've trademarked...) are of the Miskito people...Miskito are a Native American tribe of people whose territory spans from Cape Camarón, Honduras, to Rio Grande, Nicaragua...There are sites and publications that state that the Miskito people are the result of runaway African slaves intermixing with the Native American people...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miskito
http://sidewalkmystic.com/Miskitos.htm

So they have this Ojon (also a trademarked name for the palm tree grown there) tree that they produce this fantastic oil from its nuts...Okay....oil...lubricates...aids in moisturizing...sure...got it...

BUT I'm not buying that it's this stuff that causes the magical beauty that you see...I think it's genetics...I'm such a skeptic...ESPECIALLY when it comes to hair/beauty products...If it's such a "beautifier" I'mma need them folks to use it on their skin too cuz some of the pictures I've seen, the people are pretty leathery...NO offense...It's just an observation...And considering hair and skin are made up of some of the same stuff and have some of the same needs...I'm just saying...

I do believe that the harvesting of the product might be a bit more expensive than the ingredients that the mofos who make Dax hair grease or Soul Aid or whatever use but...still $55.00?

I applaud the company using the indigenous people and helping them sustain their environment (if if fact they truly are), but I know you can get less "sexy" (sexy meaning less marketing) at places like http://www.agbangakarite.com/. (Their black soap, shea butter, and red palm oil is the business in a bag...for serious)

Anyway, back on task...Amazon has the ingredients for the Ojon® Restorative Hair Treatment as:

Elaeis Oleifera, Fragrance, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Citric Acid, Serenoa Serrulata, Prunus Africana.

I started researching the ingredients, and lo and behold...all I had to do what scroll down on into thr review section...Somebody broke it down to the brokest...(Whew...now I wont need to spend the day googling...)


It's titled: If people would just read the label............., (I fluffy, puffy, jello heart this person...)

First, let me list both the pros and the cons of using this hair product.

PROS: 1) The product consists of 95% of all natural ingredients that will benefit your hair much better than those alternative synthetic conditioners found on the cosmetic shelves. 2) It can definitely work on all types of hair - especailly ethnic hair which tends to be on the dry side & therefore would need more emollients.

CONS: 1) Most of the ingredients (see below) that this product is made of can be found at your local health food store or ordered on-line from a herbal supply company at a fraction of the cost that Ojon is requesting.

2) The main ingredient in this product is simply oil. It's the same concept of the "hot oil treatment" but marketed in a different way in order to make Ojon seem more exotic. The fact is that using any oil - e.g. olive oil, coconut oil - will give you the same results. Now, I am going to break down the ingredients label so that you can see what you are paying for.


Ingredient #1: Elaeis Oleifera is American Palm Oil. It is native to the tropical Central & South Americas and is a very low cost oil (10 cents per oz) so therefore it is widely used in many industries such as food, candles, & cosmetics. It is very emollient & leaves a non-greasy shine to the hair & skin. The entire base of this 5-oz jar is made up of this palm oil, so the cost is estimated to be no more than a total of 50 cents. Ingredient

I have to interject here...I might add that Abinga Kirite has a great Red Palm Oil...Get that for a FRACTION OF A FRACTION of what 'ol dude is charging... (carry on...)

#2: Lecithin is a natural emollient that is heavily found in egg yolks. It has great conditioning properties & feeds the skin & hair natural carbohydrates. Many local health food stores sell it for about $2 for a 16 oz bottle. A little goes a long way, so for or a 5 oz jar of oil, only 1/4 teaspoon of lecithin is required. Ingredient

#3: Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Ascorbyl Palmitate, & Citric Acid are types of preservatives that many cosmetic industries are required to use to make sure that the oils do not go rancid. They do not contribute any benefits to the hair - they are only additives to ensure the product stays fresh longer. Ingredient

#4: Serenoa Serrulata (Saw Palmetto Extract), Citronellol (roselike odor derived from citronella oil), Linalool (liquid distilled from certain essential oils) & Parfum (a man-made fragrance) are all used to give this product it's unique "smokey" scent. Since most of this fragrance base is synthetic (& cheap), these ingredients do not contribute that much benefit Ingredient

#5: Prunus Africana. This may be the only ingredient worth paying attention to. It is an herbal extract derived from the bark of an African plant that many men have used to treat prostate illnesses. It has anti-swelling & healing properites. I would predict that this ingredient is added to promote balancing to the scalp, or to add a natural coloring to the oil (as most herbal extracts will do). But, since there is only a miniature amount used in this product, it is highly unlikely that there is enough to add any benefit whatsoever. Now that I have listed a breakdown of what you are paying $55 for, it is up to you whether you want to try this product or not. It's not a bad product, but it's definitely not the greatest or most original product either to justify paying that much money. My suggestion to you is to go to the local health food store, buy some natural oils & herbs for about $7, and create your own conditioning hair oil. Apply it to your hair the same way that you would apply this Ojon (as a pre-shampoo treatment) and not only will you get the same if not better results, but you will have enough money left over to go towards something more practical.
Things that make you go hmmmmmm.....

I've got a gallon of palm oil on my baker's rack that I use for soap making...Wouldn't need the preservatives as I'll make small batches...I have my own essential oils, and the Prunus Africana (wild cherry extract)...I can do without...it's the LAST ingredient on the list...If you got the loot to spend, and/or don't like to mix it up...try it...i guess...

Maybe it's that frightful little petrified hand/hook thing that makes it cost so much...

Monday, December 8, 2008

MMMMM....TAYter Tots...

Okay...That was tre corney...

I usually do my showcases on diva's who are natural or going natural, but I decided to take a break from the norm...

As we struggle through our journey of not only better hair care, but with working with the mindset of accepting our NATURAL selves, one has to look back to how that "mind" was developed...So many times I hear people say that "natural" hair isn't for them or they look stupid with natural hair, but it makes me say...Ummkay...The stuff that's growing OUT of your head? The stuff that GOD created??? For serious??? Okay...

I have a girl friend with the cutest little diva. Her name is Taylen, but we affectionately call her TATERS!!! Tay had a challenge getting here, and she fought so that she could bless us with her presence. Her mommy the lovely and loving elementary school teacher, Trice is allowing me to showcase her precious girl...

Trice is committed to making sure Tay learns to love herself from the beginning. I'm very curious to watch this from the cradle...

Anyway...Heeeeerrrrreeee's TATERS!!!



Y'all, Tay is rocking a twist out...Are you ready for that?? Too much...


Trice is narrating this story, so take it away mama...
Taylen came into the world with her head covered with hair. Not a head full of hair. It was straight and it covered her head.

Then the top started growing and the sides sat still. Then it started looking like the sides were thinning out. Her head was just getting bigger. But anyway people starting asking us if we styled her hair in a fro (yes those colored people). So eventually by the time she was 5 months she had a full out frohawk. She would rarely even wear a headband with it because ever since she was in the NICU she had things stuck to her head and she would panic when we put stuff around her head. Twice she allowed me to put a velcro barette in her head. I can remember clearly. I took pictures those days.

I didn't know what to do with her hair so I would put baby lotion or baby oil in her hair after a bath or before we left and let it run free.

(CUUUUTTTTT!!!!!!! Umm...Trice...spank yourself, please...) Okay...continue on...

Then the hair on the top of her head kept growing and the sides started to grow again! She could have ponytails but they looked so weird. I did them anyway. She had three! My mom came to visit and stopped me from using baby oil in my baby's hair. She started using LIV conditioner instead.

(ummm...do yall know they're about the same thing...as far as ingredients go??? I'mma beat on y'all...but carry on...)

I wet her hair and rubbed it in. She moved all the way up to a maximum of 6 ponytails before we started getting places and half of her hair was now out.

The child started taking her ponytails out on our way to places. I'd get to church and her right side would be neat and pretty and the left side would be all over the place. She was eating the ponytail holders. So then...I agreed with her that ponytails were for babies and she was a big girl. She allowed me to twist her hair after a shower and a few days later she had them all out! She wore her afro for 2 weeks. Some nights I would retwist it and let her take it out.


Look at Tayters stylin' in the Tutu I made her!!! Loving the stylish drool under her chin...Work it girl!

She has worn it in french braids/corn rows once but she took them out before I could even put batteries in the camera to take a picture.

I loves me some Tayters!!!! Butterum...Trice...we gone fight like rolling on the lawn if you don't stop using that greasy mess in my baby's hurr...

Sunday, December 7, 2008

So...
I just came out of a very stressed 12 hours...

My mother-in-law is getting married next weekend, and she asked me to make her a fascinator 2 months ago...

I just finished it...today...
No...I wasn't slacking...
I was stressing...
She's getting married in the most non-traditional dress EVA...It's a pewter-ish color. She wanted feathers and browns and metalics and such...I tried a few different designs, and I swear the end results looked like something that needed to be in Beyonce's Upgrade U video...I wasn't having that...
I love my mother-in-law, so I want her to be happy, I also don't want my husband looking back years from now talking about how I had his moms looking a Hot Mess...

She said she didn't want to wear a veil, but guess what...She bout to wear one...Well some...I must be crazy adding that to my stress, right? I'm a fool, but last night I saw the fascinator I needed to make...in my dream...I always have dreams about pieces I create without design inspiration...
So here's what she's going to be wearing...
I think it came out beautifully...Okay...I'm going to bed now...I'm BEAT!!!

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Kickin' it OLD SKOOL!

My mom used to use this stuff on our hair years ago, and I must say I loves the stuff...It's a leave in conditioning treatment. For curly and coarse hair - helps smooth away rough cuticles and tangles. Moisturizes to reduce dryness and frizziness. Improves manageability. Increases shine. You can get it from Sally's Beauty Supply...or online...
It makes my hair softer...Helps with detangling, and gives my tresses some strength...

Here are the types out there:

Double 007 for Fine/Limp hair
Doubel 0233 for Chemically treated hair
Double 0619 for Dry/coarse hair (the one I use)

The blurby-blurb:

See what Fermodyl products can do for your hair:
Improve damaged hair after a relaxer or perm
Restore moisture to dry, dull hair
Enhance colour shine after a colour service
Add fullness and volume to thinning hair
Build body in fine hair

Here's a slick chart to see which one is best for your situation:













Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Vee's Milkshake....

Whether she likes it or not, this piece 'o sexiness will bring the all the boys to the yard. Trust. Soft pink ostrich feathers with the center bling....








CLEAR COLOR????

That's STOOPIT! That's like the ultimate in double talk...

Yeah, well it works...

My hair is naturally this weird sandy color. Not the cute sandy, but the dull sandy. The color that ALWAYS looks dry, no matter HOW much oil, sheen, gloss or grease is in it...UNTIL I learned about clear semi-permanent color THAT CONDITIONS!!!!!

Every now and then I'll use a clear semi-permanent to help with shine, and to add continuous conditioning.

The prices range from @ $4.00 a bottle to $20.00 for an application. I'm in love with Paul Mitchell professional hair color - Inkworks (@ $12.00) This stuff is some Soul Train, let me tell YOU...

Le "blurb" says...INKWORKS is the ultimate fun and professional semi-permanent color solution. • Vegetable Base—a gentle formula of pure vibrant pigments is suspended in a conditioning base of pure vegetable proteins, moisturizers, and shine-enhancing agents • Semi-Permanent Hair Color—incredibly vivid, non-damaging shades last up to three weeks (depending on hair’s porosity)

How does INKWORKS work? INKWORKS sits primarily on the outside of the hair shaft; the greater the porosity and the lighter the base color the more intense the end result. Conditioning proteins, especially in an acid base, have an affinity for the hair fiber making INKWORKS a long lasting, shiny temporary color.

I like the idea of semi-permanent color. They're ammonia free and the conditioning lasts a lot longer...'Specially when I get a little lax with the deep conditioning...

ORS Revisited...


I was in the BSS store the other day looking for some hair clips, and decided to try the ORS Replenishing Pak again. I hate BSS, but that's a whole OTHER story...seriously...


Anyhoo...I tried it eons ago, and never bought it again, but since I've keep hearing great reviews for it, I decided to give it another go...


It's still just EH... to me...


Here's why (I think)...


It has 'cones in it..kinda high on the ingredient list. I can't tolerate too many cones...It conditioned...pretty well, but it left my hair a bit coated...


I can see folks with thicker hair and who LOVE 'cones using this. It WOULD be the bomb.com...BUT if you have really fine, curly, 'cone hating hair, this may not be the stuffus...
I'd love to hear from folks with fine, thin, curly hair. What was your experience???

I broke down...

No...I didn't get no funky perm...

I broke down and shampooed my hair...I was trying to co-wash exclusively for the winter, but I couldn't do it. I HATE excessive build up, and clarifying doesn't do it for me on a continuous basis...I just like to shampoo...

OH and another reason why I broke down is that I was trying out some new shampoo bars that I bought... ;) (that's the reason more than anything...)

I bought some shampoo bar samples from Chagrin Valley Soap.


I bought a few samples, but I used the:

Babassu & Marsh Mallow Shampoo Bar
Here's the "blurb" about the bar:
Emollient rich, deeply nourishing babassu oil moisturizes, and restores hair strength and elasticity, for shiny, healthy-looking hair. Camellia oil provides luster and shine, while it moisturizes, softens, and protects hair. Women from the Japanese island of Oshima, where Camellia tress are very abundant, are said to have the most beautiful hair. A shampoo formulated with camellia oil may help with dandruff and hair loss. Walnut oil, an excellent hair care oil, helps condition hair. Shea butter and avocado oil moisturize, restore luster, and conditioner the hair and scalp. We infused the march mallow in grapeseed oil and created a mucilage, by mixing organic marsh mallow root with filtered rainwater and organic aloe. Marsh mallow root soothes and hydrates the hair and scalp, providing relief from scalp irritation. It also detangles and provides a great natural moisturizer for hair. Aloe strengthens the hair shaft, makes hair smoother, silkier, and more manageable. The essential oil blend has lovely floral and spice scent. Ylang ylang, has a stimulating effect on the scalp which helps promote more luxurious hair. Ylang ylang and lemon help balance the production of sebum making them good oils for all hair types. A Chinese folk remedy recommends rubbing ginger root on the scalp to stop hair loss. Essential oils of lemon and ginger also help restore body and shine.

Did ya get all of that????

I can dig it...Lots of talk, but I appreciate the education and information. I mean really, so many products have so much to say, but really never say anything, right? Well obviously they're into educating...
Anyway, if you haven't tried a shampoo bar, this is a great opportunity. The samples are pretty cheap, so you can buy a few to see how you like it. The downside is that they run of of product often, so there may be a type here or there that you cant order until they're finished curing...
I lathered up twice with the bar. My hair was SQUEAKY clean...It was almost scary. It squeaked and screamed every time I touched it. It was crazy...My hair almost had an attitude with me...seriously...It literally stripped it completely down...I think I shouldn't have shampooed twice...ONCE would have been plenty, but with EVERY shampoo I've used, I have to shampoo...rinse...repeat...
It doesn't smell like much of anything...kinda medicinal...kinda minty...but it's really good stuff...My husband wont let me buy it again (pouts) because he said it looks and feels no better than the soap I make. He doesnt see the point. (BUSTER!)
Here's a picture of the super clean hair...Shhh....Do you hear that? It's my hair squeaking...