Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Hair Care Product Review -- WELL OVERDUE...

So this product review is well overdue. As I mentioned last month I said I would review the products that I was incorporating into my hair care regimen. Some I was not impressed with and others I have decided to incorporate as a staple in my journey back to healthy hair.

I have a lot of hair. It is a decent length, at BSL (bra strap length), dark and curly. My hair is good at camouflaging damage because there is so much. However, I know when there are major issues in the wasp nest. Over the last couple months I have noticed significant shedding and major split ends. So I have adopted a new and improved regimen than what I was doing before, which was pretty much nothing.

Organix Fortifying Lavender Soymilk Collection

I decided to give the Organix line another try but instead of the traditional Coconut line tried the Lavendar line.

What it is suppose to do:
Nourish your hair follicles, fortify, heal and condition. Strengthen and silken hair making hair frizz-free.

How did I use it:
Regular shampoo and conditioner. Keep the conditioner on a little longer, about a 1-2 minutes longer

Pros:
- Smells great
- Cleans hair well

Cons:
- My hair did not feel any stronger
- Hair was did not feel as moisturized as expected
- Hair still was still frizzy

Overall Rating:
2 out of 5. This product did nothing for me and I was not impressed. NEXT!!!!

Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk Anti-Breakage Serum

What it is suppose to do:
Helps repair damaged hair and cuticles, and mend split ends and frizziness. Promotes longer hair by helping reduce everyday damage while adding strength and elasticity to weak and brittle hair.

How did I use it:
After cleaning hair, section hair and apply root to tip. Applied more while wet and less during daily use on dry hair.

Pros:
- Smells great
- Reduced shedding (not considerably but I did notice a difference in breakage)
- Added moisture to hair
- No build up from daily use

Cons:
- Did not tame frizz as much as expected

Overall Rating:
4 out of 5. I will definitely continue to use the product.

John Frieda Extra-Strength Formula Hair Serum for Coarse/Extremely Frizzy Hair

What it is suppose to do:
Eliminates chronic unruly frizz by smoothing and controlling wild, wiry, and unmanageable hair. Promotes longer hair by helping reduce breakage.

How did I use it:
After cleaning hair and applying Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk Anti-Breakage Serum, section hair and apply root to tip. Applied more while wet and less during daily use on dry hair.

Pros:
- Smells great
- Noticeably tamed frizz
- Added moisture to hair
- No build up from daily use

Cons:
- Have to use more than the recommended amount. The bottle is too small.

Overall Rating:
4 out of 5. I will definitely continue to use the product. However, I wish I could get more for the money. But it is still worth every penny

Monday, June 1, 2009

MAC Cosmetics Keeps Getting Sweeter...New Release 6/11

Introducing the Naked Honey Collection

According to Specktra, MAC has a new release 6/11. Is it me or are they coming out with something every two weeks? I mean the there were 3 releases alone in May, two of which had 2 part releases (Rose Romance and Style Warrior).

I am loving the colors but am not super excited about the collection. I am interested is smelling the two scents that are a part of the collection.

Creations Fragrance: Naked Honey (LE) -$22.50USD/$28.5CDNAn aromatic journey that traces honey’s fragrant heart back to summer’s sweetest blooms. Energy starts to buzz, spirits soar, light floral and woodsy notes float toward an electric finale. Sweet and sexy all the way.

Creations Fragrance: Africanimal (LE) - $22.50USD/$28.50CDNA scent that starts with a honey-ness that’s seductive and given its dash of pepper, not without spice. Add a dark kiss of bergamot and wood, and an aromatic orgy breaks out to create a scent that's all-honey, but far from sweet.
Here is some info on the rest of the collection, courtesy of spectra.net,
Lipglass (LE) - $14.00USD/$16.50CDN
She’s a Star - Light neutral gold (Repromote from Dress Camp)
Queen Bee - Mid-tone apricot with multi-dimensional pearl
Buzz - Dark copper brown with multi-dimensional pearl
Eyeshadow (LE) - $14.50USD/$17.00CDN
Crème de Miel - Frosty light yellow gold
Pollinator - Mid-tone warm reddened peach with pearl
Buckwheat - Dark copper brown with multi-dimensional pearl
High-Light Powder (LE) $24.50USD/$29.50CDN
A high-light powder specially created for the Naked Honey Collection. Features an embossed honeycomb pattern. Super fine, impeccably pearlized, it creates soft highlights. On cheeks, brows, shoulders–anywhere on the body.
Honey Light - A light peachy gold with shimmer
Golden Nectar - Muted golden tan with gold shimmer
Naked Honey Salve (LE) $18.50USD/$22.50CDN
Formulated from honey , organic beeswax, sunflower oil and other natural ingredients, this rich honey–scented and flavoured salve instantly moisturizes and helps recondition dry skin. Multi-purpose . Use everywhere.
Naked Honey Hand and Body Cream (LE) -$22.50USD/$27.00CDN
A sensuous cream made from bio-converted honey, shea butter, and vitamins C and E derivatives. Absorbs quickly for skin-softening moisture. Conditions, nourishes, protects. Use on all areas where ultra-moisture is called for.
Naked Honey Body Wash (LE) - $19.50USD/$23.50CDN
Formulated from bio-converted honey, this body wash cleanses the skin while providing the soothing and moisturizing benefits of lavender, narcissus, jasmine flower and blue agave extracts. Provides a sensual, calming, cleansing experience.

Weightloss Journey...Check-In

Well the doctors results are in...I NEED TO LOOSE A LOT OF WEIGHT!!!! I am perfectly healthy. My blood pressure, cholesterol level, and sugar level came back all normal. But my doctor has put me on a strict diet. Along with my blood work I had to take two tests, one was the Body Mass Index (BMI) test and a caloric consumption and metabolism test. Of course my BMI was entirely to high so I have to work on burning a lot of fat and as for my caloric consumption it was too high as well. As for my metabolism, I learned that I have a normal metabolism.

I was given a diet to follow and I requested some other boosters to help me with my weightloss. I start the gym tomorrow after work and I will start with a 3-days a week workout and eventually build my way up to 5-days a week.

Please cross your fingers and I will keep you all up to date on my weekly weightloss results.