Impress-ED!

Cute, no?

So, after attending a quite lovely Shecky's Girls Night Out at the Crystal Tea Room (hopefully more on that later), I got a large bag of goodies to try.  Along with a giant jar of Miss Jessie's, some vitamins, and a bunch a samples, I came across a package of hot pink press-on nails by Impress.  After seeing the commercial, and reading a few reviews, I wasn't quite sold on the fact that these nails worked, and didn't pop right off like Gina from Martin's did on that episode of Fresh Prince (lol!).

After my nail got into a terrible accident (with my razor...don't ask), I thought my birthday was the perfect time to pop these things on and take them for a test drive.

The pic above was taken 3 DAYS after I pressed these things on, and I didn't take them off until last night, which was about 6 days later! I probably could have kept them on a few days longer, but a few nails were coming loose at the cuticle, causing hair to get stuck in them when I was doing my hair (annoying!).  Removal was almost as easy as application- slide an orange wood stick or similar device under the side of the nail, and gently pull off.  My nails were in pretty decent shape after I removed the nail, and today they feel stronger and less brittle.  I would say that's the result of the protection from the fake nail covering my real one.

I got loads of compliments, and all my girlfriends could not believe they were press-ons! Give them a try and see if you get similar results!

A Curly Girl's: New Regimen & Products I Love

So, I really am set in not having a set hair routine.  My hair gets bored pretty easily, which tends to yield very sporadic results by using the same products and methods.  Most days I can tell what my hair needs and I pacify it, whether it be a deep treatment, more moisture or oils, or just a low maintenance style.

Well, I was in Rite Aid the week before last and saw a few products on sale that I definitely wanted to try: Garnier Fructis Pure Clean  Fortifying Conditioner and Suave Professionals Conditioner.  Garnier Pure Clean was something that peeked my interest during a commercial since it contained no silicones, parabens, or sulfates, and does not cause build-up in the shower or on the hair. Although I'm not a big advocate of cheapy conditioners (because my hair is crazy thick and I can't get good slip with thin conditioners), a friend of mine with long, thick hair suggested Suave Professionals to me.  Since I know her judgment is as critical as my own when it comes to conditioner, I decided to give Garnier and Suave conditioner a try.

Two weeks ago (the last time I deep treated my hair), I used all the products shown above to make a deep conditioner.  Following an ACV rinse (for more info see this blog: A Curly Girl's: Thoughts on Shampooing & Washing), I added honey for shine and it's humectant properties (it was a rainy day in New York-in which I visited the following day), Garnier Pure Clean, olive oil and coconut oil for it's moisturizing properties, and Suave Humectant for its moisturizing and humectant properties.  I added a dollop of everything and mixed in a bowl and applied it to clean hair and let it sit for an hour.  I then rinsed it and added a little more of both conditioners as a leave-in and styled using my normal drying method.

When I released my hair it was very moisturized and stood up to the weekend rainy weather! Here are some pics below:



At lunch with some friends, shortly after my hair was washed and dried in twists



The following day on my way to NYC...my hair didn't frizz,
but it did curl up a little...it just can't help itself lol

I love the Garnier because it provides great conditioning and definition without any build-up.  I've been using it for styling and it hasn't weighed my curls down.  The Suave is also nice for styling because it is thick but light, and it definitely helps your hair fight humidity.  Overall, I give both products a thumbs up!

I have not been compensated in any way to review these products.  All responses are merely my opinion.

A Curly Girl's: First Deep Conditioning

My inspiration

Ok.

I've been a bad girl.

In 2 years of being natural, I have not deep conditioned my hair.  I know its essential. I'm aware of the benefits.  But I just haven't been able to figure out how I wanted to do it.

For some reason it seemed like this long drawn out process that was difficult to do.

But for the first time in 2 years, I did it last night.

Unfortunately for my lazy nature, it was cake.  Too bad I didn't figure this out earlier.

My hair was in bad shape.  I just had it trimmed (which worked out lovely, might I say), but it just needed something else.  My ends were exceptionally knotty, I was shedding like crazy, and my hair just seemed dull, battered, and dry.

I've read tons of articles on DC'ing (deep conditioning), but always read them like I wasn't capable of replicating the process.  Well when I decided to try an awesome new conditioner I've been hearing about for awhile, I realized it was vital that I engage in this process.

Here's the scenario:

It was 9:30 pm. I had just gotten home from my private tutoring lesson (I was the tutor), and had already eaten dinner.  Earlier in the day, I made a quick rush to Rite Aid to grab a new product I'd just been eyeing: Yes to Carrots Mud Conditioner.  For $8.99, I can get a 16.9 oz bottle to use as a deep conditioner (I heard it was good for that. For regular daily conditioning, I use Herbal Essences Hello Hydration or Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine. Either or, depends on what's on sale and what I can get my hands on). I though that was an awesome deal for a conditioner full of pretty great ingredients, so I decided to indulge the PJ in me and try it out.

To deep condition, I mixed 1 tsp coconut oil, 1 tsp olive oil, and 1 tsp honey in a small bowl until combined.  After that, I added about 1/3-1/2 cup of Yes to Carrots to my oil mixture; basically whatever amount looked like it would cover my whole head.  I took this mixture into the bathroom to be used directly following my shower.

I then proceeded to quickly make an ACV rinse with about 1 and a 1/2 cups of water and about 2 tbsps of ACV.  When I hopped in the shower, I washed my hair twice with Dr. Bronners (I love it. I use it as a shower gel, but also find that its great for clarifying, which I do once a month).  Then I used the ACV rinse to soften and re-moisturize my hair.  After a few cold water rinses, I gently pressed the water out my hair and jumped out the shower so I could apply my conditioner.

After using my hand to remove the steam from my mirror (lol), I washed my hands and applied my conditioner, section by section, being careful to pay attention to the ends and to not get too much product on my scalp. Then I took whatever was left and spread it from the middle of my hair to the ends, being careful not to smooth off the bulk of conditioner that was on my hair.

I used plastic wrap (I lacked extra shower caps) to keep conditioner from going everywhere, and to help the conditioner penetrate from the warmth of my scalp.  I put a scarf on my head and left it in overnight.

In the morning, I rinsed my hair with cool water, and gently pressed the water out my hair again.  It was very smooth and needed very little detangling. Afterwards, I put a little Herbal Essences Hello Hydration on my hair as a leave-in, and proceeded to section my hair in large twists (no styling, I had to go to work!).  I put a satin bonnet on my hair and went to work!

I'm excited to see how soft my hair is. I have a feeling that its going to be glorious.

I will update this blog when I see my results!

A Curly Girl's: Product Jackpot!- Herbal Essences Hydralicious Conditioner

I've found a gold mine for my hair, and it was definitely by chance.

Here's the story:
I was 2/3 of the way through my bottle of Tresemme, hoping it would be empty soon so I could start on a bottle of Garnier Sleek and Shine Conditioner, when I gave up the process and bought a bottle of Garnier at Walmart. It definitely worked wonders for my hair, but I knew it wasn't my product.
So shortly after I went on a rampage to clean my apartment...I was just up to my wit's end and I needed to get crackin' on some cleaning right away, I went into CVS to buy some cleaning products that were on sale, and passed by the hair product aisle to see if any of my old faithfuls (Garnier, etc), were on sale. As I walked down the aisle, a cute bottle of a creamy purple hued substance caught my eye.

I'm no girl for advertising tricks with pretty packaging and a worthless product, but for $2.88, and the wonderful things I've heard about Herbal Essences Hydralicious and Totally Twisted, I thought I'd give it a try.

I had already washed my hair that week with ACV & Garnier, but after all that cleaning I did, I felt compelled to wash my hair again and try the conditioner out with a co-wash. Glorious I say, glorious.

I've tried a new showering and washing routine which involves rinsing my hair with very cold water and combing the front section towards the front of my head with a shower comb. I then apply conditioner to my hair in 4 sections. It really helps distribute the product evenly through my hair. I then comb the conditioner through, leave on for 5 minutes while I wash, shave, etc, and then rinse out. Since I planned on french braiding my hair that night, I applied very little extra conditioner and stepped out the shower. When I looked into the mirror, my hair was so so shiny!

I proceeded to put my hair in 5 french braids and wore it for 2 days. Then I wore it with a side part and it was really pretty and wavy. I love the way my hair looks when I take out french braids but its a little bit of work that I'm not always interested in. Lol.

Definitely forgot to take pics but my hair was sooooo soft! Too bad I was so lazy and just threw it in a bun the next day or I would of had some beautiful hair for a few days.
Anywhoozers, I'm loving the conditioner and I definitely plan on using it again! I might be on to something people. I'm excited!