Straight from Eden| Creme of Nature's new plant based product line

We have a lot to look forward to in the year ahead.  One of them is the release of the newest hair care line from Creme of Nature.  It's known as the Straight From Eden line featuring plant derived ingredients such as coconut, avocado and olive oils in their shampoos/conditioners and relaxing system.

The good folks at Creme of Nature were gracious enough to send me the collection so I can give you all a sneak peak of what's ahead.

{Conditioning Treatment} A rejuvanating & fortifying formula created to strengthen and protect the hair from damage and dehydration.  Doesn't contain mineral oil. A







 {Detangling Leave In} Improves manegeablilty of your hair using the goodness of nature's garden.  The leave-in is a protective formula created to condition, nourish and shield hair from damage.






{HYDRATING SHAMPOO}  Sulfate free hydrating formula created to replenish moisture.  Contains avocado, coconut and olive oils.  

{REPAIRING OIL} A powerful restorative formula create to reclaim strength and give a brilliant natural shine to all hair types.  This weightless nourishing natural fusion of oils uses coconut oil to add hydration and incredible softness while strengthening for beautifully healthy hair.







That's just the tip of the iceberg.  They also created a proprietary no lye relaxer formula that incorporates the power of coconut to restore strength and protect hair from damage, avocado to fortify hair and promote overall hair healthiness, and olive oil to lubricate the strands preserving moisture.

There are two relaxer formulas.  Hair Type A for fine, wavy or delicate hair and Hair Type B  for normal to thick hair.  According to the info sent to me, the natural oils added to the relaxer formula are "alive and present" at the point when one adds the activator to the relaxer.  They say that "this is the moment when the true benefits of the coconut, avocado & olive oils penetrate the cuticle of the hair shaft for maximum impact."

Sounds pretty exciting. These just came in so I haven't had a chance to test drive yet.  I did perform the costumary "remove the cap to see what it smells like" experiment. The scent seemed very familiar to me.  It reminded me somewhat of a milder version of coconut lime scented lotion.  Just so happens that I love coconut lime so I'm pretty excited.

To find out more about the product check out the Straight from Eden website.



*Edited to add: The new relaxer system does contain plant based ingredients for a healthier process but isn't chemical free. *

The one product everyone should have in their stash

I'm writing this post as public service announcement to everyone I know.  I don't want to be the cause of people going out and buying more product, but I still feel obligated to share this message, especially after an interesting Facebook exchange I had this week.

The product I'm talking about is It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In.  I've written about this product a couple of times before but I don't think I've truly expressed how import it is to me.  It all started when I saw a video of Tia Williams proclaiming her adoration for It's a 10 after it melted away her tangles.  So I went out and got it.  What I LOVE about this product is that it does it's job.  I bought it for one reason and one reason only, to deal with my tangles.  And that it does.

Whenever I have stubborn tangles, that once before would worry me, I simply walk over to my product stash and reach for my trusty friend.  A couple of days ago, I was contacted by a young lady who found herself in a dilemma when her hair matted up after removing her braids. My advice was to try using oil during the detangling process and, if she could, go out and by It's a 10 Leave In.  Turns out the young lady just happened to have a sample size of the product handy from her birch box kit. It was sitting there, unused, awaiting this special day.

I requested a follow up report after she used the product to let me know if it worked for her like it did for me and Tia.  The next day, I received an update.  She was able to rid herself of all the tangles using her sample sized savior.  What if fate hadn't intervened allowing her to have a bottle for  this very moment?  In her earlier message, she threatened to cut her hair if the issue hadn't been resolved.  Haven't we all been there? Suffering from tangles so severe that we figure cutting them is the only way out?  I dunno about you but I have. Now, when I get extreme tangling, I smile to myself knowing that in moments, the tangles will be a thing of the past (with very few casualties).

So that is why I'm recommending that everyone have this product on hand just in case.  I don't break out my bottle often, but when I do, I'm so glad I have it.  One thing I haven't done is actually use it as a leave-in which I will experiment with next wash day.  I'm not quite sure if I should test out their "lite version" of the leave-in for my roller set or stick with the original.  I'm also wondering about the rest of the product line since I already enjoy the original and the Keratin version..  After reading that Gabrielle Union swears by the It's a 10 conditioner, I'm contemplating  if I should try it for myself.

The best conditioner in the world for under $5.00! Trader Joe's Ultra Nourish Spa

I've been basking in the amazing glow of having found deep conditioners that satisfy my every need.  Kanechom is giving me everything I've ever asked for in a conditioner.  To be honest with you, I thought it would be a very long while before I was buying another brand of conditioner again.

But I had to make an exception because this latest purchase has been on my mind and in my heart for several years.  For years I've heard of the wonders of this conditioner but have not been able to try it.  You see, I live in a part of the country where Trader Joe's doesn't exist.  I'm familiar with the grocery chain from my visits to California.  On many occassions I've heard rave reviews of a humble little conditioner offered by the brand.  Never have I been able to get my hands on it until this week.

Luckily for me, a Trader Joe's opened a couple of hours away.  I happened to be in that neck of the woods over the weekend so I had to make a stop.  Immediately I swooped up a bottle of the Ultra Nourish Spa & Tea Tree Tingle conditioners.  Briefly, I took a moment to read the ingredient label and was blown away by what I saw.  Lots of all natural goodness like rosemary oil, sea kelp, lavender, lemon grass and more.  The best part of it all was the teenie, tiny price tag.  Not sure why, but I decided to pick up only one bottle. Little did I know that I would be making the biggest mistake I've made in a while.

Fast forward two days later and there I was ready to put this conditioner up to the ultimate test.  Just several days prior, I was stricken with a bout of laziness and decided to air dry my  freshly hair in a bun.  I know for a fact that air drying my hair in a bun is the perfect recipe for massive dread like tangles.  Somehow, I managed to convince myself that this time would be different.  Yep, sure enough, a couple of days pass and my husband literally asks me if I know that my hair is dreading up in the back.  It was that serious.

So here is this cheapie store brand conditioner being asked to do the nearly impossible....salvage my hair from the mess I created.  I got started by trying to break apart the clumps of hair that were fused together. Then I applied ample Ultra Nourish Spa to each section.  I didn't condition with heat, I didn't add protein, oil, or any other booster. I didn't even leave it in that long. I just used the conditioner in its raw form as a co-wash. Can I just tell you how blown away I was by the performance of this product.  Slip like nobody's business and with the ability to moisturize like the best of them.  I'm in love.  Today my hair's moisture levels have been restored and there is zero sign of the dry tangled mess that I've been sporting for the better part of a week. Words can't describe my current state of happiness.

Needless to say, that I'll be flooding my basket with these conditioners on my next trip to Trader Joe's (in Supermarket Sweep fashion).  It'll work perfectly for when I'm doing my strand ceremonies.  This conditioner needs to be in the homes of everyone who has hair. Everyone!  If you've never tried this conditioner, please take heed and follow my advice. You'll be so glad to you did.

Thank you, Marc Jacobs, for making the best eyeliner pencil ever!!!!

For the past week I've been on a manhunt for the perfect eyeliner to use in my every day look.  My objective was to find an intense long lasting product that would exceed all of my expectations.

What makes this mission difficult is the fact that I have a couple of issues working against me.  First and foremost, I have hooded lids which make it extremely difficult to create the same look as others even when I use the same technique.  Because my eyelid droops, the longevity of my liner is at stake as the skin constantly rubs against it. Plus the fact that my eyelids tend to get oily only makes my situation even more dire.

 If that weren't bad enough, I also have naturally dark lids which lessen the intensity of the color.  No matter how black the liner is, it still doesn't appear as bold on me as it would on others.  Determined that I would find my answer I sought out and purchased 3 products.  The first was from L'Oreal Paris (Lineur Intense).  It was good, but not good enough.  Then I visited my MAC store and pick up their liquid liner.  Again, I liked it but I had this nagging feeling, deep down, that something even better awaited me.

Finally, I walked into Sephora and asked some of the ladies for some help.  "I need high intensity and long lasting" I said, looking directly into the woman's eyes.  Immediately she nodded then quickly made her way through the shoppers as she went to fulfill my request.  Moments later, she returned with a small black/white box in hand.  "This is from the new Marc Jacobs collection" she stated. "It's the first ever gel pencil liner.  It's waterproof and the color payoff is insane!"

 She took out the pencil and drew a line on my hand.  I liked the creamy texture and the boldness of the black color. The best part came when I tried wipe it off with my finger.  It wouldn't budge.  As a matter of fact, the swatch stayed in place until I walked to the bathroom later and proceeded to scrub my hand using soap, water and elbow grease. After I got home, I drew three little black lines on my hand using each of the three liners and tried rubbing them off with my fingertips.  The L'Oreal Instense came off so easily, it wasn't even funny. The MAC liner stayed on but was smudged to the point where the line was distorted.  My beloved Marc Jacobs Highliner gel-pencil stood firm.

(after hours of wear, smudging the liner with my finger tip and washing a small load of dishes)

This gel-pencil twists to expose more product.  Unlike other pencils with the twisty motion, it goes both ways.  Meaning I can twist counter clockwise to retract the pencil tip if necessary. Plus it also comes with this nifty little sharpener I can use to create a sharper point.  If I had to give this gel-pencil a "con" it would have to do with the size of the tip.  I really wish I could get as fine as a point as I do with my liquid liners.  But honestly, I'm not trippin' because this liner is so good that I'm just grateful to have it.  I later found out that Marc does have a liquid version in Blaquer which I will be picking up on my next trip to Sephora.

The first day after my purchase I experimented with my winged liner look and was so pleased with the results.  I stopped by the post office to ask a question and my mail carrier was like, "wow, you look different, I like it!"  I told him that I was experimenting with my makeup and thanked him for the compliment.  I've been having lots of fun experimenting ever since.

This liner is a bit pricey but I fully align with the saying that you get what you pay for.  To me this liner is definitely worth it's weight in gold and I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to step their game up.  It seems like I'm not the only one loving this gel-pencil. You can check out other reviews here.

Optimum Amla Billion Hair Potion Review

The good folks at Optimum Care were gracious enough to send me samples from their new Amla Legend line.  I'd like to talk a little about one of those products today, the Billion Hair Potion serum. I'm pretty familiar with Amla oil.  For years it was one of my staple oils for pre-poo treatments.  Aside from the oil sold at my local indian grocer,  I never seen many commercial products on the market containing this wonderful ingredient until now.

Optimum brand came up with a serum that is meant to "promote visibly thicker, fuller hair." According to the package, Billion Hair Potion is "a formula with Amla oil, Arginine & strengthening ceramide that intensely conditions and wraps the strand to promote thicker, fuller hair.

The Hair potion comes in a 1.9 oz bottle equipped with a dropper.  Unlike other serums, this is more of a liquid than the typical silicone laden serums we're used to. Water is the first ingredient so I will take the liberty of classifying this product as a moisturizing product although I wouldn't go as far as calling it a moisturizer.  I say this because (in my experience) after the liquid evaporates my hair feels like it needs another layer of moisturizer and oil to complete the routine.

Where this product worked well for me was when I applied it to my scalp. When I rubbed a few drops in, my scalp received some much needed moisture.  Not only did my scalp benefit but the new growth as well.  I actually really liked the way the Billion Hair Potion handles my edges and new growth.  One thing that I don't have in my stash is a decent product that manages my edges and new growth. I think I may just have found a winner.

When I posted a sneak peak of the Billion Hair potion on the Facebook Fan Page, many of you shared that you have tried the product and like it.  I predict that Billion Hair Potion will be used regularly (especially when I'm stretching).  When the product runs out, I'm going to experiment by adding an oil/essential oil blend to the empty bottle and using the dropper as an applicator tool for my scalp.  Have you tried this yet? What do you think?

IMAN BB Skin Tone Evener Creme

Finally able to get my hands on the new Iman BB Creme.  I heard about the release of this product late last year but had the hardest time finding it in stores until recently.

I already owned Maybeline's Dream Fresh BB Cream but I longed for Iman's brand because I just knew I would find a better match for my skin tone.

And boy was I right.  I picked up the darkest shade called Earth Deep and instantly knew I made the right decision the moment I tested the cream on my hand.  The color is very similar to my Makeup Forever HD Foundation which is my perfect match.  Makeup Forever gives me high coverage which makes my skin look darn near flawless whenever I apply.  I tend to save it for when I go out or other special occasions. 

Iman's BB Creme provides medium coverage for me.  Not as much as the Makeup Forever yet more coverage than my Dream Fresh. It is somewhat buildable meaning that I can reapply to certain areas where my blemishes are a bit more obvious and get a bit more coverage.  With the exception of a lower SPF factor, the Iman BB Creme seems to be a better choice over Maybeline because of a better color match and higher coverage.  Another advantage Iman has are the integration of natural ingredients such as aloe, grape seed oil, sweet almond oil, vitamin E, and various extracts. 

For those of us who aren't that familiar with BB Cream. Basically, it's an all in one product that moisturizes, color corrects, and protects the skin from UV rays.  So instead of using a sun screen, a moisturizer, primer, foundation, etc. One applies a BB Cream and is ready to go.  BB Creme is great for those of us who wants something light on their skin that takes care of multiple roles at once.

This product is perfect for me because I don't wear a ton of makeup.  Iman's BB Creme isn't heavy on the skin.  Feels like I have nothing on.  Some days I'm short on time and run out of the door with nothing on my face.  When that happens, all I do is whip out my little BB Creme tube and moments later, my blemishes are covered and my skin is protected from the sun.  Simple and easy.  This BB Creme give me a little bit a glow which may have something to do with the oils in the ingredient list.  For those of you who have oily skin, you have the option of finishing with a powder to complete your look.

Iman, I want to thank you for creating this line of product.  I travel quite a bit and having one easy to carry product that does it all is truly a dream come true.

Iman Skin Tone Evener BB Cream SPF 15

Weekend Review: 5 Purchases I can't wait to share with you

Now that my regimen is more stable, I find myself craving fewer hair products. But that doesn't mean that I'm not grabbing other goodies every once in a while.  I've stumbled on some pretty nifty finds that I'd love to share with you.  So here we go.....

I first learned of Baby Face Pure Protein while I was wandering aimlessly through Amazon.com.  What caught my attention were the reviews.  People were saying that this protein product left their hair soft, shiny and healthy.  I went back in forth in my mind for several weeks before I decided to take the plunge.  My hair isn't too keen on protein but, at the same time, it can become really fragile and prone to breakage. What's a girl to do? The decision to buy came after I thought about how much I tend to go for moisturizing conditioners. "What if there were a way to make my favorite moisturizing conditioners a bit more strengthening?" That's when I decided that Babyface was a purchase worth making.  So far, I've used it once.  Because of my fear of stiff, protein hair, I used 3/4 of a capfull in my conditioner mix.  The results were great and without the feeling of protein overload.  Best of all, I see the possibility of this reducing the need for me to buy protein conditioners (which will save me money in the long run).

The next purchase actually arrived this morning so I haven't had a chance to use it yet.  It's a Japanese brand by the name of Hada Labo. Why would I buy a foreign product that I've never used? And not to mention that I can't even read the instructions. Because the reviews were great and I've had favorable experiences with hyaluronic acid (HA) serums in the past. Compared to the price I paid for HA serums at the health food store, this purchase was a steal.  Hyaluronic acid is the stuff that young, moisturized skin is made of.  This acid is a humectant that helps our skin hold water and provides the volume that makes our skin appear plump.

When I last visited Sephora, amazingly I didn't have the normal compulsion to buy a bunch of stuff I didn't need. Instead, I opted to pick up a travel size portable perfume sprayer (I'm sure they're a better name for it).  We all know that it's cost effective to buy large sizes of our favorite scents but that takes away the portability factor.  With this tiny little sprayer, (about the size of a lipstick) I can refresh during the day with any of my favorite scents at any time.

This purchase was totally on a whim.  The moment I saw the rigid white bristles of this Denman brush, I knew that I had to own in.  Thoughts were racing through my mind about how amazing this brush would be for scalp massages.  Moments after purchasing, I sat in my car opening the package.  The minute it touched my scalp I knew that things would be o.k.  I'm in love with this brush for stimulating my scalp. I don't think I'll ever use it as a brush because my hair doesn't seem to like it as much as my scalp does.  My only regret is that I didn't buy the wider version.  Scalp brushing has become my newest addiction.  The sensation is amazing and the act of massaging my scalp keeps my hands away.  The urge to play with my hair is now easily quenched with a simple stimulation session.  I feel like someone who gave up a destructive habit (like smoking) and replaced it with a healthy alternative (running).

Finally, I'd like to introduce you to my Fresh Umbrian Clay Treatment Bar.  This purchase came from a need to have a clay mask when I travel. Sometimes my skin gets congested and all my facial supplies are miles away.  The Clay Treatment bar was suggested to my by the owner of a beauty store in L.A.  The price tag threw me off but I decided to get it because I have several Fresh products and I've never been disappointed.  What I love about this product is how easy it is to use.  Unlike my Aztec Clay, it doesn't have to be mixed. Unlike my Queen Helene, this bar is gentle without over drying.  Because it's shaped like a bar of soap, I simply moisten my face and rub the bar like I would if I were washing my face with it.  Ten minutes later the clay dries and I'm ready to move on with the rest of my regimen.  Ladies, this bar makes things so convenient for me.  Using a clay mask is no longer a big deal that I save for weekends.  It's gentle enough to use daily and has helped my skin improve.

Hope you enjoyed my sharing. In the future, I'll continue to bring these brief posts on random purchases and things I love.

Products I've Used Up.

*Sighs deeply*  Once again, my hair product inventory appears to have gotten a little out of hand.  I've got all kinds of products in there, some I loved, some indifferent to, and others I've hated.  So now I ask myself "is it possible for me to identify the products I tend to buy over and over again so I can finally be at peace with letting all the others go?"

The answer is yes! All I had to do was identify the products I've used up and would be repurchased again when I ran out. So far, this process has been pretty painless.  I'd like to share a few of the ones identified.

Shampoo|
If I were honest with myself, I would throw out pretty much all my old bottles of shampoo with the exception of these three:

• A neutralizing shampoo (I like the one from Motions).
• Neutrogena's Anti-Residue Clarifying shampoo (repurchased 3X). 
• Wen Conditioning cleanser (repurchased 2X). 

Conditioner|

I love mixing conditioners together so a bulk of my hair product possessions fall under the conditioner category.  Although I'm quick to try out new conditioning products, consistently, I repurchase mainly a few brands:

• Kerastase Nutrithermique (repurchased 3X).
• Keracare Humecto (repurchased countless times. Still need to get my hands on the 5 lb size).
• Silicon Mix Protein to Perla (numerous repurchases).
• Aveda Damage remedy (will repurchase in the future).
• Redken Extreme Strength builder (newly added to my regimen will repurchase).
• Suave coconut conditioner.

Strengthener/Hair Repair|

• Aphogee 2 Minute Reconstructer
• Asience Conditioner
• Biolage Cera Repair (repurchased several times)

Daily Maintenance|

• Gleau Argan Oil blend (repurchased numerous times)

Heat Protection|

• Kerastase Fibre Architecte (repurchased 2x)

When I'm gazing into my product stash this weekend, I will ask myself, "if someone took this product without me knowing, would I notice? Would I repurchase if I couldn't find it?"  If the (honest) answer is yes, then I know what I gotta do.

Chaz Dean 613 Review: Is this the greatest cleansing conditioner of all time?

This post is long overdue. I've been selfish girl,  enjoying this amazing cleansing treatment all to myself.  You may remember this post where I denounced many of my long-term loves for something new.  Some of you who read this blog regularly know that I can be a fickle girl at times so I wanted to make sure this was the real deal before the big reveal.  Now that I'm pretty much convinced, I wanted to tell the whole world! 

Before 613 came into my life, I was perfectly content with using my WEN Honey Fig Cleansing conditioner for the wash, and deep condition with one of my staple conditioners.  Then the day finally came when my Honey Fig ran low.  I had a choice to make at that point, "would I be willing to invest nearly $80.00 in a cleansing conditioner instead of replacing my Honey Fig?"  For days I mulled over my options until finally I just said "screw it, let's do it!" 

Let's backtrack a little bit so I can help you understand why I made this decision.  First, I was very pleased with the Honey Fig Cleansing Conditioner but, from what I read about WEN 613, I knew this would take everything to the next level.  Just check out this product description so you can see what I'm talking about:

What is it: Using an innovative and modern approach to hair care that he began in 1993, Chaz Dean has infused his Six Thirteen Daily Cleansing Treatment with a blend of 11 amino acids to help restore strength and elasticity to hair. The unique combination of more than 25 natural oils and extracts helps to nourish your hair and scalp, making Six Thirteen perfect for those with sensitive skin. Full of luxurious ingredients, Six Thirteen is the indulgence your hair has been waiting for.

 Who is it for: Six Thirteen is designed for all hair types and can be used on people of all ages. Why is it different: Six Thirteen is ideal for cleansing and hydrating the scalp and hair. 

How do I use it: Rinse your hair thoroughly and completely with cool water. Apply enough Daily Cleansing Treatment to thoroughly coat your hair from scalp to ends. Make sure you are using enough to saturate the hair and scalp. For short hair, use a minimum of six to eight pumps. For medium-length hair, use a minimum of eight to 10 pumps. For long hair, use a minimum of 10 to 12 pumps. For really long hair, use a minimum of 12 to 14 pumps. Add a splash of water--this is very important to help evenly distribute the Daily Cleansing Treatment through your hair. Comb through with a wide-tooth comb and clip up hair for the remainder of the shower. To ensure maximum cleansing and conditioning, Chaz recommends that you cleanse, rinse, and repeat, using half the pumps for the first cleanse and the remaining pumps for the second cleanse. The longer you leave it on, the better. Rinse thoroughly with cool water and apply a dime-sized amount to soaking-wet hair from mid-shaft to ends as a leave-in conditioner. 

Average Customer Rating:

4.6

 out of 

5

(866 Reviews)

There are nearly 1000 reviews of this product online and the average rating is almost a perfect 5.  To me, that says a lot about what we're dealing with here.   But enough about what other people think. Let me share a little about 613 from using it over the past several weeks.  Both the good and bad.

First off, let me start off by saying that this product, to me, doesn't look or perform like any of the other cleansing conditioners I've tried.  In fact, if the words "Daily Cleansing Treatment" weren't on the bottle, I would have never put it in the same category as Hair One or Honey Fig.  Chaz Dean 613, to me, has deep conditioner written all over it.  In fact, it looks and performs so much like a deep conditioner that I have decided that this replaces some of my main DC products.

Why do I say that 613 is like a deep conditioner?  Well first off, it's thick.  It's really thick. So thick, in fact, that I dilute it to get optimal results. When 613 first arrived, I didn't use the handy, dandy, pump that came in the shipment. I just tried to squeeze the conditioner out of the bottle opening. It was honestly a struggle to get the product out and when it did, the conditioner maintained it shape in my plastic bowl.  That's when I decided that I needed to use a really watery conditioner to dilute it.  My first thought was Suave's coconut conditioner. By the way, when I actually started using the pump, the product came out much more smoothly and evenly

Diluting the 613 with the Suave (or water based) conditioner works really well for two reasons.
#1:  It brings the cost per ounce of 613 down quite a bit.
#2: The water based conditioner further elevates the moisturization properties.

If you read my #2 reason closely, you might be asking yourself, "why would this product need greater moisture, isn't 613 the holy grail  moisturizing product?  To answer your question honestly, I would say "not really."   My favorite things in the world are moisturizing conditioners. I love them more than anything.  But I'll be honest with you all and say that (on it's own), this cleansing treatment isn't what I consider a high moisturizing product. Chaz 613 is more of a high nourishing product.  So now you may be saying "Nadege, what's the difference, in your mind, between moisturizing and nourishing?"

I'll try my best to give share with you the differences from my perspective:

Strengthen|| verb: to make or become stronger
These are the conditioners that come into play when we are experiencing excessive breakage. Protein is the name of the game when it comes to strengthening conditioners.  Normally, after use, we require a moisturizing conditioner to bring back balance and elasticity.

Moisturizing|| adj: to impart moisture or make less dry
These conditioners offer lots of slip and leave the hair feeling soft and less dry to the touch immediately after use.  Moisturizing conditioners are generally more watery in texture than strengthening conditioners. 

Nourishing|| adj: containing substances necessary for growth, health and good condition. To me, this type of conditioner offers the best of both worlds.  After use, the hair feels strong, moisturized, and balanced.

So that's what I mean when I say that Chaz Dean is nourishing.  It leaves my hair totally fulfilled and lacking nothing.  For this reason, I was able to move away from both my ultra moisturizing conditioner (Kerastase Nutri-Thermique) and my strengthening conditioner (Aveda Damage Repair).  613 does it all. The only thing I wish 613 had is more slip when I rinse out.   For the past few weeks, I've been using this product mainly as a deep conditioner. Meaning I sit under the dryer for at least 20 minutes to intensify it's impact.  And, as a deep conditioner, it performs nicely.    Since I ran out of the Honey Fig, I've been substituting with other moisturizing shampoos.  So even though I have been "shampooing" my hair again for the first time in years, my hair still pretty amazing after deep conditioning with a cleansing product.

Let's talk for a moment about the cost of 613.  At first I classified it as the most expensive hair product I've ever owned, but when I looked a little more closely, I realized that I was mistaken.

Kerastase Nutri-Therminque|| According to the Kerastase website, a 6.8 ounce jar of Nutri-Thermique is $61.00 or $8.07 per ounce.

Aveda Damage Remedy||  I bought a 1 liter bottle for $72.00 (pre-tax) which totals around $2.13 per ounce.

Chaz Dean 613|| A 32oz bottle on the QVC website goes for $61.00 plus $7.22 S&H.  Without the shipping costs, 613 costs around $1.90 per ounce.  The total price rises to $2.13 per ounce once I factor in the shipping.

After breaking down the cost factor, I got over the initial sticker shock and became comfortable with my decision. Plus I also realized that even with the insane amount of conditioner I use each week, a 32 ounce bottle of product usually lasts me a very long time.  Plus, ever since I've been using my pink Sprush to apply my conditioner, I noticed that I've been using less product week after week.

Finally, I'll leave you with the greatest determining factor of why I finally took the plunge.  The ingredients, where the proteins are light and the oils are plentiful. Take a look and let me know what you think.

Water (Aqua), Cetearyl Alcohol (Plant Derived), Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Panthenyl Hydroxypropyl Steardimonium Chloride, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Vanillin, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Pogostemon Cablin (Patchouli) Leaf Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Oenothera Biennis (Organic Evening Primrose) Oil, Marsh Mallow/Althea Extract, Lotus Corniculatus Flower Extract, Loquat (Eriobotrya Japonica) Leaf Extract, Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Oil, Honey Extract, Ginseng Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Flower Extract, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus (Lemongrass) Oil, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Sweet Neroli Orange) Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Fruit, Borage (Star Flower) Seed Oil, Polysorbate-60 (Plant Derived), Glycerin (Plant Derived), Bambusa Vulgaris (Bamboo) Extract, Amodimethicone, Sodium PCA, Citric Acid (Naturally Derived), Hydrolyzed Quinoa (Chenopodium) Protein, Sodium Lactate, Menthol (Analgesic), Arginine (L-Arginine), Aspartic Acid (L- Aspartic Acid), PCA, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Tetrasodium EDTA, Glycine (Naturally Derived), Alanine (L-Alanine), Serine (L-Serine), Valine (L-Valine), Soluble Collagen (Marine Kelp), Simmondsia Chinensis (Organic Jojoba) Seed Oil, Olea Europaea (Organic Olive) Fruit Oil, Lycium Barbarum (Goji Berry) Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea (Acai) Fruit Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernal (Argan) Oil, Abyssinian Oil (Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil), Tocopherol (Antioxidant), Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Myristica Fragrans (Nutmeg) Extract, Proline (L-Proline), Threonine (L-Threonine), Isoleucine (L-Isoleucine), Propylene Glycol, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide-70, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Phenylalanine (L-Phenylaline), Histidine (L-Histidine), Glycogen, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Fragrance (Parfum).

If I were to compare this product to Hair One and Honey Fig, I would say that there's no comparison. In fact, I will be re-ordering some more Honey Fig to complete the package.  I don't even think there's a need for me to do a battle post between Honey Fig and 613 because they are different (in my opinion).  I wouldn't deep condition with the Honey Fig and I wouldn't co-wash with only the 613.  Hopefully this was helpful.  If any of you out there were thinking about this product, I would say go for it. I can't imagine anyone not liking it.  If you do purchase, try it in various ways to see how your hair enjoys it most.

613 will be a staple of mine for a long time to come.  

Amen.

Sprush! A review of the Spatula-Brush Hybrid

I'm big into technology.  Anything that advances to become better, faster, more effective, has my full and complete attention.  Sadly, there doesn't seem to be much revolution in the world of hair care. At least that's what I thought until I stumbled upon these babies!  I finally found Sprushes! The geniuses who created these combined the idea of a brush and spatula together and voila!

     

So in order to give the sprush a proper review, I thought I would systematically go over all the claims listed on the back of the packaging and give my perspective based on my first experience.  I should say that I only used the green one so far. I'll use the pink on with the rounded tip next go around.
Let's get started!

Closer to Scalp I thought my old applicator brush did a decent job of getting close to the scalp, but it does not compare to the amount of precision I had using the sprush. Once green tip touched my scalp, I knew exactly where the product was placed.   And yes, I did feel like I was able to get my product really close to the scalp just as promised.

Reduces application time I'm sure this will be a bi-product of using the sprush long term but for my first experience, I didn't feel like I saved a bunch of time.  Probably because I was analyzing everything as I went along.  Plus I had a ton of detangling to do along the way.  I think the precision offered by the sprush will help to create a more effective application process overall which will automatically mean less time with future uses.

Less overlap Agreed.  Again, it has to do with the precision offered with this tool.  With the green sprush in particular, I feel like I can apply relaxer, color, or whatever to a specific part of the hair without having concern of overlapping or worse, over processing.  Long term, this will be huge in the creation of healthier hair. 

Use less product Every week when I deep condition, I fill the same small bowl with a mix of conditioners.  Usually, I don't mix enough and I have to go back and mix another smaller batch just to make sure I get the level of saturation I want.  This week, I tried filling the bowl with less than usual to see if I could do the job with less. In the end, I still had to make a second batch but I'm pretty sure that even with the second batch I probably did use a little less than I normally do.  I really like the possibility that I could be using less product weekly and achieve equal or better results. 

No residual contamination Cross contamination is a big deal in the restaurant world.  One wrong move and you can be making hundreds of people sick.  Same goes for our hair. I was using one applicator brush for touch ups and deep conditioning. Even though I washed the brush out with neutralizing shampoo, I still couldn't help but wonder if traces of the chemical relaxer remained on the brush without my knowing about it.  With the sprush, the product rinses clean away without the fear of small traces of product hiding behind the bristles or in other crevices.  Once it's cleaned, it's cleaned.

Long lasting The picture below shows my two applicator brushes, the one with the dark bristles is damaged from repeated use.  It likely suffered the effects of having repeated contact with chemical relaxers.  The one on the right is a new one I purchased to replace "old faithful."  I have no doubt that in the future, the white brush will eventually meet the same fate as it's predecessor.  But when I look closely at the sprush, I'm pretty confident that they'll last forever.  So even though, they cost a little more up front, I get my money's worth in the long run.

 I was never aware of this until I got the sprush, but look how much space is between the bristles of my old brushes. Looking back, I think this can promote the likelihood of uneven application (especially during deep conditioning).  When I applied by product with the sprush, I noticed that the product was pretty evenly distributed throughout that section of hair.  The only drawback was that I had to re-dip my sprush and reapply conditioner when I got to the ends of my hair.  Because my ends are a bit thinner than the rest of my hair, the green sprush wasn't able to flex to the change in hair thickness. Bristled brushes offer a little more flexibility.

One I finished applying conditioner with my sprush, I allowed the conditioner to marinate under a plastic cap overnight.  The next morning, I washed and roller set.  I'm not lying when I say that I lost the least amount of hair during the roller set than I have in a very long time.   Was it because I deep conditioned overnight or did the sprush have something to do with it? Perhaps everything worked together like a musical symphony to create a wonderful masterpiece.  Either way, I'm very pleased and I can't wait to take these babies for a spin on relaxer day. 

Using Heat and Mainting Healthy Hair Part 2

Let's continue on in the conversation about heat usage and healthy hair shall we?  As you recall from my last post, I brought up the subject of heat usage in an effort to understand if we can incorporate heat into our regimens in a powerful way.  Using heat (for good and not evil) isn't an easy task.  We all know those who have fallen as casualties to the destructive powers of heat.  We don't want to be one of them so let's take a moment to identify some of the factors that cause/create heat damage.

• Styling tool used
• Frequency of heat usage
• Ineffective protection of the hair from heat 
• Lack of replenishment (rebuilding of) the hair before/after heat usage
• Improper use of heat

Now here's the good part where we dissect each of these factors one by one.

Styling tool used

 I've invested a couple of hundred dollars on flat irons even though I use heat only a few times a year.  Why?  Because:

1.  I can not afford to have a sub-par flat iron ruin my hair because I tried to save a few dollars. 
2. Flat irons are evolving into less damaging tools (and I want to take advantage of the newest technology).

When I use my Sedu ceramic iron, my hair feels smoother & silkier than with my old flat iron.  Does this mean that my hair is healthier when I use my Sedu?  Possibly. But what's really more important is that because my hair feels better when I use this quality iron, I tend to avoid using it again because the need isn't as great.  Even though I love my Sedu, I still  purchased a titanium flat iron because (allegedly) titanium is said to be smoother (when viewed under a microscope) than ceramic.  My search for the perfect flat iron plates may continue, but for now, I won't blindly close my eyes to the dangers of heat and use it inappropriately just because they claim to be healthier for the hair.

***side note:  Those of us who visit salons may notice that our hair feels  really healthy after getting it straightened.  One thing to note is that it's very likely that your stylist uses a quality flat iron on your hair which can create a smoother, silkier result. Quality does matter. ***

Healthy Heat Usage Tip #1:  Go for the best tools you can afford

Frequency of Heat Usage

If you break out your flat/curing iron more than once every week, you are asking, no begging, for heat ravaged hair.  It's inevitable.  Let's think about this for one minute.  Hot metal plates, which can easily burn our skin is applied (with pressure) to our hair strand.  This initial use of heat may have the ability to seal the top layer of the cuticle layer down.  Steam rises as the moisture in our hair evaporates.  Then.....three days later.....you put your hair through the same process again.  Your hair is probably already be straightened from the first instance, now you're doing it again to "freshen up" the style.  That is a huge risk to your hair.  I remember the days when girls would break out their flat iron to bump their ends every morning.  No wonder everyone was walking around with perpetual neck length hair.  All the ladies I talked to with (healthy hair) used heat every week or every two weeks.  Breaking out the flat iron between wash days was a no-no!  Honestly, I don't think using heat every week is a good idea but some people are able to do it.  Like Phoenix mentioned in the comments in part 1 of this post.  Those of us who relax our hair shouldn't have the need to use direct heat for at least the first 2 or so months post relaxer.  Any heat usage before that may be considered overkill.

Healthy Heat Usage Tip# 2:  The flat/curling iron is a SEALING TOOL, not a styling tool.  Use it as a styling aid and heat damage will become your new best friend.

Lack of Replenishment before/after heat usage

Let's say you're someone who visits the salon every week or two weeks for your wash and style.  Chances are, you are getting a deep condition (under a hooded dryer) with every visit.  If you're like our friend Toni, you may even be receiving steam treatments when you deep condition.  When I was introduced to the Mircromist steamer, my hair faired beautifully after my blow dry and flat iron session.  In fact,  Marie promised me that if I visited her regularly, she could have my hair at a healthy waist length in no time.  Why?  Because she would take the time to nurture my hair with each session prior to the heat styling.  The heat styling would then become a method of sealing all of the high quality products into my strands.  For those of us who don't put in the work of fortifying the strands ahead of time, using heat on the hair can will be highly destructive. 

Healthy Heat Usage Tip #3:  Only use heat following a deep replenishment process (deep conditioning or steam treatment).

Improper use of heat

I've mention several times that our heat irons should be used as sealing tools.  But I don't want you to get all excited about  what I like to call "reckless sealing."  The iron shouldn't be doing all of the work.  You've got to do all you can to seal your hair prior, during and after, so your iron doesn't have to do all the heavy lifting. There are a myriad of ways to help your iron do it's a job.  Rinsing with cold water, apple cider vinegar, and even acid water will help seal the cuticles before the drying process.  When using the iron, opt for additional tension (the chase method as seen in this video) and more pressure versus turning the temperature dial higher.  Also realize that bone straight hair can be achieved with the help of the iron and other techniques like wrapping the hair, or tying it under a scarf to manage bulk.  So basically, don't look to your sealing tool to do all of the work. 

**p.s. I know some of y'all are wondering about this "acid water" I mentioned earlier. Acid water is the newest addition to my hair regimen (as of this afternoon).  Once I've had a chance to play with it for a few days, I'll post my thoughts.**

Healthy Heat Usage Tip #4:  Seal your hair prior to flat ironing and leverage tension so less heat is required to achieve desired results.

Ineffective protection from heat

Investing in quality "sealing tools" is one thing, but getting the best in heat protectants is the holy grail of effective heat usage.  Heat protectants have two main purposes including "protecting the hair from heat" and helping to promote that smooth, silky feeling.  I'm here to challenge our way of thinking about heat protectants which I will now refer to as heat-activated strengtheners.  If the product you are using isn't a heat activated strengthener.....toss it.  For the longest, I used Gleau whenever I flat ironed.  Was it the best choice, who knows? But I used it because I knew that whatever product I utilized would be seared into the hair strand through the use of heat.  The heat protectors in my arsenal were not heat-activated strengtheners so I chose to go without.   It wasn't until my salon visit with Marie that I finally found a heat activated strengthener that, I thought, was worth using. 

Ladies can I introduce you to my homie, Kerastase Fibre Architecte?

Seriously, my hair never felt as silky and soft and when I left Marie's chair when she first introduced Fibre Architecte to me.  Then I learned that this product contained a Pro-Keratin complex, wheat protein, and ceramides (the holy trinity of healthy hair).  I didn't even bat an eye at the $40.00 price point.  The cost meant absolutely nothing to me because this product manifested itself as a perfect heat-activated strengthener.  Each time I used heat, my hair would be receiving reinforcement beyond what occurred during the wash and condition. Along with the Fibre Architecte, I also snatched up the Ciment Thermique Heat Activated Reconstructor Milk.  This product feels like a thick moisturizer. You can apply to wet/damp hair before using a blow dryer for added strengthening.  Since I don't normally blow dry, I use it as a moisturizer when I notice some breakage.  I also use it on my hair before apply the Fibre-Architecte so I have two layers of heat-activated strengthening.  For now, these are my strengtheners of choice.  If I find something more powerful, I will certainly let you all know.    

 Healthy Heat Usage Tip #5:  Your hair deserves the best, use quality heat-activated strengtheners!

When we visit salons regularly for heat styling, they tend to use quality products to replenish the hair and they may even do a decent job of protecting the hair from heat.  What I think they miss is when it comes to improper use of heat.  Sometimes the tension used is excessive along with a high temperature setting.  Hence the long term damage and thinning one experiences.  With these tips mentioned perhaps you can incorporate the good while eliminating the destructive parts of heat usage.  I'm hoping to give you some things to consider if you choose to use heat from time to time as a part of your regimen.  To be honest, some people do o.k. with heat as long as the rules are being followed.  And of course, you can also give your hair a break from heat as necessary. If your hair does better when the strands are sealed, consider these healthy heat usage tips as a part of the road map on your amazing hair journey.

Safe travels.