After using the first three steps in the Kera Care Natural Textures line and being less than satisfied. I visited the follow up or maintenance steps of the line which are:
Step 2: Hair Milk Daily Hair Sustainer(D)pH 5.0- Rejuvenate dry, frizzy, lifeless curls, coils and twists with this carefully selected balance of natural ingredients that protects the elasticity, strength, and health of natural hair.
Step 3: Butter Cream Everyday Moisturizer(D)pH 5.5- A moisture locking souffle that not only hydrates curls and coils, but also employs Lanolin plus Argan, Abyssinian, and Castor natural oils to achieve proper natural oil and water balance.
I attempted to use the Hair Milk to refresh and twist my hair. This is a true milk like product. I is not thick like a moisturizing lotion, but much thinner like milk. It also isn't very oily, or very wet in my opinion. I was only able to refresh one section of hair with this milk because I simply could not tolerate the smell. It isn't a stinch, or an over powering artifical perfume scent. No, its worse. It totally reminds me of the smell of Mint flavored Milk of Magnesia. I smelled one good noseful of this stuff and I was instanly nauseous. The kind of nausea I haven't experienced since being pregnant.
I then moved on to the Butter Cream. It is also for use on dry hair so I tried to use this to refresh my twists. However the Butter Cream is more like a creamy lotion and is not heavy, or moisturizing enough for my hair.
I resolved to emptying the packet into a small 2oz. jar and using it on my finger tips when I untwist. I emptied the Hair Milk into an applicator bottle and made the Kimmaytube leave in, being sure to add a few drops of scented oil. I am unsure how this recipe will work because I haven't tried it with this Hair Milk.
At any rate I will be sure to observe and report my results, when I use the mixture. I still have the Defining Custard for Curls and Coils to use and review before I complete my review of this line. So far I like two of the products in this line enough to use again but not enough to buy at and above average price, and I am sure there are others that can give similar if not better results.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Kera Care Natural Textures Line- Review
I did a wash day using the Kera Care Natural Textures samples that I received from Avlon, the company that manufactures the product. I was on the fence because the initial impression was not instantly good. But as the experience progressed I warmed up to it. Here's a full recap.
The line consists of six(6) products. The products are labeled by the step in which they should be performed, the pH, and a letter D which means use on dry hair, and W which means use on wet hair. I completed steps one through three.
Step 1- Cleansing Cream pH5.0: a sulfate free moisturizing curl wash. I used the cream to wash my hair and I didn't find it very moisturizing. But I have to keep in mind it is a shampoo. There is no wash out conditioner so it is necessary to detangle during the shampoo. It had little to no slip and my hair kind of tangled on itself. It did not help that I'd gone 13 days between washing and had a big bush of free form hair, that was already tangled and dry. So this may work better as part of a regular routine, and on hair that has been properly maintained. I am interested in revisiting this step to evaluate this theory. This cream did leave my hair squeaky clean, and it felt as though I'd used a poo bar. I'm on the fence with this one.
Step 2: Leave In Conditioner pH5.0: After the wash process I applied the leave in and I used the entire 1oz. packet. It is the consistency of a curl activator cream, i.e. care free curl, or a bargain conditioner, that is like a liquid gel in a bottle. It does have slip, and some moisture. However it is not oily to seal in the moisture or prevent drying too quickly on high porousity hair. I distributed the leave in all over the hair. I then sectioned the hair, secured it with butterfly clips, and distributed the leave in evenly with my Denman type(Goody) brush. I could see instant clumping in each section. On to the next step.
Step 3: Twist & Define Cream pH6.5: For silky shiny twists and twist-outs. I applied this cream to sections of my hair and proceeded to twist it. I made some flat twists and some single two strand twists. In my opinion this cream is not a sealing or a moisturing cream. It is for hold, definition, and silkening. It did a really good job of defining my twists. They are not crunchy but they do not have the moisture that I'm used to. Each strand in the twists are very smooth and shiny too, which shows that the balanced pH of these products closed the hair cuticles.
There are also three other products in this line which gives other styling options. They are listed as follows.
Step 2: Hair Milk- Daily Hair Sustainer pH 5.0- to rejuvenate dry, frizzy, lifeless curls, coils,and twists. It is intended for use on dry hair.
Step 3: Defining Custard for Curls and Coils pH5.0- for shiny well moisturized, clearly defined curls, waves and spirals. It is for use during wet styling.
Step 3: Butter Cream Everyday Moisturizer pH5.5- Moisture locking souffle for manageability and vitality. Hydrates curls and coils while promoting healthy hair growth. For use during dry styling.
Overall the products that I used did just what they stated. It is sometimes our expectations for product performance that leads to disappointment. Remember there is no miracle product, just what works best for your hair. These are quality products and worth giving a try. You can see my results soon to be posted on my YouTube channel Chocka77.
The line consists of six(6) products. The products are labeled by the step in which they should be performed, the pH, and a letter D which means use on dry hair, and W which means use on wet hair. I completed steps one through three.
Step 1- Cleansing Cream pH5.0: a sulfate free moisturizing curl wash. I used the cream to wash my hair and I didn't find it very moisturizing. But I have to keep in mind it is a shampoo. There is no wash out conditioner so it is necessary to detangle during the shampoo. It had little to no slip and my hair kind of tangled on itself. It did not help that I'd gone 13 days between washing and had a big bush of free form hair, that was already tangled and dry. So this may work better as part of a regular routine, and on hair that has been properly maintained. I am interested in revisiting this step to evaluate this theory. This cream did leave my hair squeaky clean, and it felt as though I'd used a poo bar. I'm on the fence with this one.
Step 2: Leave In Conditioner pH5.0: After the wash process I applied the leave in and I used the entire 1oz. packet. It is the consistency of a curl activator cream, i.e. care free curl, or a bargain conditioner, that is like a liquid gel in a bottle. It does have slip, and some moisture. However it is not oily to seal in the moisture or prevent drying too quickly on high porousity hair. I distributed the leave in all over the hair. I then sectioned the hair, secured it with butterfly clips, and distributed the leave in evenly with my Denman type(Goody) brush. I could see instant clumping in each section. On to the next step.
Step 3: Twist & Define Cream pH6.5: For silky shiny twists and twist-outs. I applied this cream to sections of my hair and proceeded to twist it. I made some flat twists and some single two strand twists. In my opinion this cream is not a sealing or a moisturing cream. It is for hold, definition, and silkening. It did a really good job of defining my twists. They are not crunchy but they do not have the moisture that I'm used to. Each strand in the twists are very smooth and shiny too, which shows that the balanced pH of these products closed the hair cuticles.
There are also three other products in this line which gives other styling options. They are listed as follows.
Step 2: Hair Milk- Daily Hair Sustainer pH 5.0- to rejuvenate dry, frizzy, lifeless curls, coils,and twists. It is intended for use on dry hair.
Step 3: Defining Custard for Curls and Coils pH5.0- for shiny well moisturized, clearly defined curls, waves and spirals. It is for use during wet styling.
Step 3: Butter Cream Everyday Moisturizer pH5.5- Moisture locking souffle for manageability and vitality. Hydrates curls and coils while promoting healthy hair growth. For use during dry styling.
Overall the products that I used did just what they stated. It is sometimes our expectations for product performance that leads to disappointment. Remember there is no miracle product, just what works best for your hair. These are quality products and worth giving a try. You can see my results soon to be posted on my YouTube channel Chocka77.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
NYC NEW YORK COLOR-Liquid Lip Shine
So yesterday I received my Holiday VoxBox from Influenster .com and in my box among other very interesting things was a NYC New York Color Liquid Lip shine(www.Newyorkcolor.com). I was like "what am I going to do with a nude gloss?" It looked as though it was a color in the container. So I went ahead and opened it and broke the seal and put it on. OMG I was so wrong to think I wouldn't like it. I love this gloss. It is super shiny, I mean high def shine. It is not at all sticky/ or tacky. Yall know what I mean when the gloss feels like it has glue or honey in it, and its all heavy and sticking your lips together, none of that here. And it is not drying, my lips don't feel like they're coated in lacquer. I'm not a make-up wearer, I like glosses and eye shadows so I know what I like and don't like in a gloss and I like this one. It behaves like an expensive brand but you know with NYC it is most definitely reasonably priced and worth trying. I think I will try some other colors or shades now that I'm impressed with this one.
Way to go NYC, this is a great product.
Way to go NYC, this is a great product.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
COASTAL SCENTS
Today I sold my first body butter order and my customer was very satisfied. I can truly say that it was made with the highest quality shea butter and oils. I had the priviledge to order some shea butter from Coastal Scents and it is amazing. I have ordered shea butter from another company, purchased shea butter in my locsl BSS, and I've been given real shea butter from Africa. All of which were different. The butter from my local BSS was a pale/cream yellow color. It was very stiff and firm, and had a nutty smell. It was not too greasy but it had a noticably high oil content.
The shea butter that was given to me was my third batch of shea butter. It was a creamy/ivory color, had little scent, and a little grit. It went on smooth and clean, with a silky velvet feel. I was very confused, I was not used to shea butter of that texture.
My third batch of shea butter was purchased through Amazon.com from a dealer. It also had a cream/ivory color, a heavy smokey scent, and a very smooth consistency. It was in no way oily, or greasy, and left my skin feeling very soft,satin like.
Now my third shea butter is the butter that I recently ordered form
Coastal Scents, and I am pissed off. I think they really should warn you and say that the butter has such a high quality you should buy five pounds. Did you all think I was mad? Far from it. Had I known this butter was this good I would have ordered 5 pounds during the Black Friday sale. It is smooth, has a creamy beige color, and creamy feel, little smoky aroma, and it is soft. The butter emulsifies in hands when rubbed between fingers or palms. It has a good oil content but is non greasy, non shining, and it feels so very good on my skin. This shea butter is the closest I've experienced to going to Africa. I am additionally pleased with the fact that it is fair trade and still inexpensive, and high in quality. I will definitely continue to buy my butter from Coastal Scents. I now feel that I've been ripped off by other suppliers. So if your in the market to buy shea butter this is a really good quality supplier.
The shea butter that was given to me was my third batch of shea butter. It was a creamy/ivory color, had little scent, and a little grit. It went on smooth and clean, with a silky velvet feel. I was very confused, I was not used to shea butter of that texture.
My third batch of shea butter was purchased through Amazon.com from a dealer. It also had a cream/ivory color, a heavy smokey scent, and a very smooth consistency. It was in no way oily, or greasy, and left my skin feeling very soft,satin like.
Now my third shea butter is the butter that I recently ordered form
Coastal Scents, and I am pissed off. I think they really should warn you and say that the butter has such a high quality you should buy five pounds. Did you all think I was mad? Far from it. Had I known this butter was this good I would have ordered 5 pounds during the Black Friday sale. It is smooth, has a creamy beige color, and creamy feel, little smoky aroma, and it is soft. The butter emulsifies in hands when rubbed between fingers or palms. It has a good oil content but is non greasy, non shining, and it feels so very good on my skin. This shea butter is the closest I've experienced to going to Africa. I am additionally pleased with the fact that it is fair trade and still inexpensive, and high in quality. I will definitely continue to buy my butter from Coastal Scents. I now feel that I've been ripped off by other suppliers. So if your in the market to buy shea butter this is a really good quality supplier.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
WORLD AIDS DAY
This is an illness that is close to my heart. This is something that has taken numerous family members out of my life and the life of my loved ones. I can count six family members I've lost to this killer that is AIDS. Did it have to be that way? Did the stigma of having the disease kill those that died because they were to ashamed to seek treatment and help? Could one question have saved their lives?
I live in Belle Glade, Florida. A small rural town on the southern edge of Lake Okeechobee. We are a farming community, here the haves really have a lot, and the have nots really have nothing. The gap between the population in economics and education is staggering. We are in Palm Beach County, just 40 plus miles away from Donald Trump's Mara Lago. Yet we may never see it outside of the local news, or magazine. This is the very same community that was once featured in a documentary during the early 1980's about how AIDS had destroyed and taken so many lives in our area, and how we had such a high rate of infection, a fact that made many ashamed to admit they were from Belle Glade, Pahokee, or South Bay. Those people that were lucky enough to move away often told others that they were from West Palm Beach, or simply Palm Beach County. It was hard to say they were from here because people automatically -out of ignorance, placed the stigma of AIDS on them. I was born, raised, educated, and still live in this community with nearly my entire family. Our three cities Belle Glade, Pahokee,and South Bay all sit within a ten mile radius of eachother, and are often called the Glades tri-city area.
It is quite different now and we have so much more information and education on the subject of this illness, its effects, treatment, and contraction. I can't help wonder if the stigma had been removed from this illness, had it not been so taboo, would so many people have lost their lives battling, or not battling this disease. AIDS is proof that silence can be deadly. Not sharing or knowing can kill and cause those still living great pain. At this very moment I know someone in my immediate family infected with AIDS. Their face hasn't turned green. It's not stamped on their forehead. They don't have a number tattooed across their face. If they don't inform you of their status you may very well not know they are infected. That's why it is so important to be tested. It is so important to be treated. I know first hand that this person is a survivor, with an undetectable viral load. The amount of infection in their blood is so low that it is not easily detected on some tests. This can only come from treatment. The only way to eradicate AIDS is to stop the spread. It is important to know your status and that of your partner, or partners. Think of it as if your playing russian roulet. Everytime you have unprotected sex, you are putting a loaded gun to your head and not knowing if a bullet is going to come out and end it all for you. No momentary feeling of temporary pleasure, and superficial love is worth the rest of your life. People do live with AIDS and HIV the virus that causes it, but life is much simpler and healthier without it.
Anyone willing to put a gun to their heads should know if there is a bullet in it. The truth is LOVE. If you are truly loved and you truly love anyone in this world you will tell them the truth. You will know your status. You will not put them in the position my family has been in time and time again having to bury and care for suffering loved ones. You will not put yourself in the positon to suffer. When it comes down to it, be polite to no one. Ask the hard questions that hurt their feelings, make them uncomfortable, and uneasy. Ask them their status, when they were tested, to see results, to be retested. Don't just accept an answer, demand proof. Sometimes hurt feelings can save your life. The person I know that was infected was told that the person who infected them was infected. They believed this person when they said they weren't infected. Trust and not asking the hard questions didn't benefit them. They are no longer in that relationship, but the person that infected them looks better than they did before they were infected themselves. They look young and strong, with beautiful smooth skin, physically fit,and nice white teeth. Thats why you must know for yourself. The face of AIDS belongs to all of us because it doesn't look any different.
I live in Belle Glade, Florida. A small rural town on the southern edge of Lake Okeechobee. We are a farming community, here the haves really have a lot, and the have nots really have nothing. The gap between the population in economics and education is staggering. We are in Palm Beach County, just 40 plus miles away from Donald Trump's Mara Lago. Yet we may never see it outside of the local news, or magazine. This is the very same community that was once featured in a documentary during the early 1980's about how AIDS had destroyed and taken so many lives in our area, and how we had such a high rate of infection, a fact that made many ashamed to admit they were from Belle Glade, Pahokee, or South Bay. Those people that were lucky enough to move away often told others that they were from West Palm Beach, or simply Palm Beach County. It was hard to say they were from here because people automatically -out of ignorance, placed the stigma of AIDS on them. I was born, raised, educated, and still live in this community with nearly my entire family. Our three cities Belle Glade, Pahokee,and South Bay all sit within a ten mile radius of eachother, and are often called the Glades tri-city area.
It is quite different now and we have so much more information and education on the subject of this illness, its effects, treatment, and contraction. I can't help wonder if the stigma had been removed from this illness, had it not been so taboo, would so many people have lost their lives battling, or not battling this disease. AIDS is proof that silence can be deadly. Not sharing or knowing can kill and cause those still living great pain. At this very moment I know someone in my immediate family infected with AIDS. Their face hasn't turned green. It's not stamped on their forehead. They don't have a number tattooed across their face. If they don't inform you of their status you may very well not know they are infected. That's why it is so important to be tested. It is so important to be treated. I know first hand that this person is a survivor, with an undetectable viral load. The amount of infection in their blood is so low that it is not easily detected on some tests. This can only come from treatment. The only way to eradicate AIDS is to stop the spread. It is important to know your status and that of your partner, or partners. Think of it as if your playing russian roulet. Everytime you have unprotected sex, you are putting a loaded gun to your head and not knowing if a bullet is going to come out and end it all for you. No momentary feeling of temporary pleasure, and superficial love is worth the rest of your life. People do live with AIDS and HIV the virus that causes it, but life is much simpler and healthier without it.
Anyone willing to put a gun to their heads should know if there is a bullet in it. The truth is LOVE. If you are truly loved and you truly love anyone in this world you will tell them the truth. You will know your status. You will not put them in the position my family has been in time and time again having to bury and care for suffering loved ones. You will not put yourself in the positon to suffer. When it comes down to it, be polite to no one. Ask the hard questions that hurt their feelings, make them uncomfortable, and uneasy. Ask them their status, when they were tested, to see results, to be retested. Don't just accept an answer, demand proof. Sometimes hurt feelings can save your life. The person I know that was infected was told that the person who infected them was infected. They believed this person when they said they weren't infected. Trust and not asking the hard questions didn't benefit them. They are no longer in that relationship, but the person that infected them looks better than they did before they were infected themselves. They look young and strong, with beautiful smooth skin, physically fit,and nice white teeth. Thats why you must know for yourself. The face of AIDS belongs to all of us because it doesn't look any different.
HOW I STAY HEALTHY!!
Lets face it, no one wants to get ill. But for me illness can mean disability, long term and some permanent because of my Devics Disease. In this season when the weather begins to change the behavior of people changes a nd this causes people to stay indoors, spend more time in re-circulated air and in close quarters. Its true that the weather doesn't cause colds or other viruses, but the behavior of people in close proximity to eachother does. So wwhile all these germs circulate my germaphobia kicks in and I go OCD to the third power.
One way I stay germ free is by using bleach. Bleach is my friend and I love the smell of something just cleaned in bleach especially my dishes and my bathroom. It is a great disinfectant and deodorizer. The best bleach for cleaning is the off brand or store brand bleach. This bleach tends to be less buffered. Most bleaches made for clothing has some type of buffer so that it doesn't cause harm to the fabric with repeated use. It is still good for disinfecting and cleaning but I prefer no brand bleach, just my preference, not scientific.
Another tool that I have in my tool box is to do as much physical activity as I can tolerate. Exercise is really healthy in helping you stay healthy overall, and being sure to drink plenty water. These two things help to boost your metabolism and flush the body of impurities, which may cause illness or effect your well being. It is also important to keep hands washed with soap and water, and to wash thoroughly. I taught my kids to wash while singing a verse of their favorite song. Personal hygiene and cleanliness is very important to staying healthy.
My next tool to staying healthy is to boost my immune system with Vitamin C support. The immune system helps to fight off the things that can cause us harm. It is widely believed, though not supported by the FDA, that Vitamin C helps support good immune health. You should also know that I've discussed my health practices with my physician and received the okay to supplement with Vitamins. I also give my kids supplements too, they come in contact with so many other kids and germs, and need to be protected too. I hope these easy tips help someone avoid a horrible cold or flu this season.
One way I stay germ free is by using bleach. Bleach is my friend and I love the smell of something just cleaned in bleach especially my dishes and my bathroom. It is a great disinfectant and deodorizer. The best bleach for cleaning is the off brand or store brand bleach. This bleach tends to be less buffered. Most bleaches made for clothing has some type of buffer so that it doesn't cause harm to the fabric with repeated use. It is still good for disinfecting and cleaning but I prefer no brand bleach, just my preference, not scientific.
Another tool that I have in my tool box is to do as much physical activity as I can tolerate. Exercise is really healthy in helping you stay healthy overall, and being sure to drink plenty water. These two things help to boost your metabolism and flush the body of impurities, which may cause illness or effect your well being. It is also important to keep hands washed with soap and water, and to wash thoroughly. I taught my kids to wash while singing a verse of their favorite song. Personal hygiene and cleanliness is very important to staying healthy.
My next tool to staying healthy is to boost my immune system with Vitamin C support. The immune system helps to fight off the things that can cause us harm. It is widely believed, though not supported by the FDA, that Vitamin C helps support good immune health. You should also know that I've discussed my health practices with my physician and received the okay to supplement with Vitamins. I also give my kids supplements too, they come in contact with so many other kids and germs, and need to be protected too. I hope these easy tips help someone avoid a horrible cold or flu this season.
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