Shea Radiance

Now that I live in New Mexico, I worry about having dry hair more than ever before. Therefore, I am always trying to find ways to keep my hair moist and soft.

Shea Radiance sent me a few samples and I was excited about experimenting with this line because the brand promotes moisture and softness. I am also attracted to Shea Radiance because all of their products are vegan and 10% of the profits go to Agricultural Initiative for Women in Africa (AGRIWA).

From experience I have discovered that my hair doesn’t always like vegan products. So with items designed for kinky, curly & wavy hair, and not expecting too much, I tried the Revitalizing Hair Oil, Moisturizing Hair Milk and Moisture Rich Hair Butter.

After washing and conditioning my hair – below is what I used.

Revitalizing Hair Oil with Shea & Marula Oils – The Revitalizing Hair Oil makes your hair feel wonderful with a blend of shea, marula, hemp and castor seed oils.

Ingredients - Sunflower oil, shea olein, baobab oil, hemp seed oil, castor seed oil, marula oil and Vitamin E oil.

My Experience – I heated the oil in an cast iron skillet. I think the oil soaked up some of the iron from the pan . After applying the oil to my hair, I wore a heating cap for 30 minutes. While the Revitalizing Hair Oil was in my hair it did felt soft and moist, when I rinsed it out, the moisture was still there but the softness really wasn’t.

Moisturizing Hair Milk with Shea Butter - Provides easy-to-comb hair, responsive curls and love-to-touch conditioned hair. The Moisturizing Hair Milk is almost weightless yet eliminates frizz and leaves hair soft and smooth. 

Ingredients- De-ionized Water, Aloe Vera Juice, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine Lactate, Polyquaternium-7, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Phenethyl Alcohol and Ethylhexylglycerin, C14-22 Alkylalcohol (Vegetable Based Emulsifier), C12-20 Alkylglucoside (Vegetable Based Emulsifier), Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate (Vegetable-based Conditioning Agents), Hydroxypropyl Starch (Vegetable-based Conditioning Agents), Vegetable Glycerin, Butryospermum Parkii (Unrefined Shea Butter), Persea Gratissima (Avocado Seed) oil, Ricinus Communis (Castor Seed) oil, Cannabis Sativa (Hemp Seed) oil, Chamomile, Nettle and Horsetail Extracts, Citric Acid.

My Experience – I was able to detangle my hair with no problem, it felt moist, but not so soft, a little brittle. It was weird.

Moisture Rich Hair Butter with all Natural Shea Butter- Gives dry or damaged hair a luscious, nutrient-rich treatment. The Moisture Rich Hair Butter combines high concentrations of pure unrefined shea butter with a host of healing and essential oils. Decreases signs of damage and great for twists and locs.

Ingredients- Butryospermum Parkii (Unrefined Shea Butter), Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed butter, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) oil, Sweet Almond oil, Ricinus communis (Castor Seed) oil, Cannabis Sativa (Hemp Seed) oil, Gratissima (Avocado Seed) oil, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Behentrimonium Methosulfate and Cetearyl Alcohol (Vegetable-based Emulsifier), Glycerin, Panthenol, Calendula, Chamomile, Nettle and Horsetail Extracts Vitamin E, Pure Essential Oils.

My Experience – This product smells great. It reminded my Sicilian fiancé of an Italian pastry shop. It’s creamy, rich and thick. I used the Hair Butter to set my two-strand twists that I left in over night. The next morning my curls were extremelydefined and they lasted for five days. On the second and fourth days I re-applied the Moisturizing Hair Milk and Moisture Rich Hair Butter. I did not reset my twists at all. 

Overall, the products I used provided moisture, however my hair did not feel as soft as I would have liked. Perhaps the alcohol in the merchandise caused my tresses to feel brittle. Any ingredient ending in “ol” possesses alcohol.

On a scale of 1 to 5 curls I give Shea Radiance a minus 4. The minus is for the alcohol.

Dr. Hauschka Cosmetics

One day, to enhance my personal makeup collection, I went to Whole Foods to purchase a few items from my favorite vegan line. As I swatched my selected brand on the back of my hand I noticed a sales representative from Dr. Hauschka Cosmetics. I am familiar with the brand but always felt that the company did not make products suitable for my brown skin. So, because of that, it had been years since I paid any attention to the line. But, given that I was standing right next to a rep, I had to share my experience. The conversation went something like this…

PTN:    So, you are a sales rep for Dr. Hauschka?

DH:      Yes I am.

PTN:    You  know your company doesn’t produce makeup I can wear.

DH:      We do have colors you can wear. 

PTN:    I don’t think so. Especially in a foundation.

DH:      My colleague is African American and she wears this brand.

PTN:    What’s her complexion?

DH:      Like yours’. Actually she’s from Haiti. As a foundation or tinted moisturizer you can use our Translucent Make-up 04. That’s their darkest color.

PTN:    Let me try some on my hand. It didn’t look right. This doesn’t match.

DH:       That’s your hand. Your color is different on your face.

PTN:     Mmmm. I don’t know. Maybe I need to come in wearing no makeup and give it a try.

DH:       I can give you some of our makeup to try. See if you like it. I’ll put together a nice package for you and we can meet back here so I can give it to you.

PTN:     Really?! Sure I would love that. I’m no fool. I am not going to pass up free organic makeup no matter what. Okay let’s meet soon.

About Dr. Hauschka Cosmetics

Based in Germany - Dr. Hauschka manufactures a complete line of natural organic makeup that is BDIH certified. The products are frequent award winners and have received Best Natural Make-Up Range at the Natural Beauty Awards in 2006 and Elle’s Green Star for Best Mascara in 2008. In addition, Bio-Fach alone (the world’s largest natural products trade show, whose awards are considered the most prestigious in the natural industry) has spotlighted Dr. Hauschka’s cosmetics on more than one occasion. www.drhauschka.com

Below are the gifted products and their results on me.

• Translucent Make-up 04
• Eyeshadow in Smoky Violet 07

• Volume Mascara in Perl Anthracite  This color looks black. However, there is a color Black mascara available.

• Powder Duo in Cool Breeze

• Make-up Palette in Cool Breeze - Eyeshadows: Apricot, Brown, Aqua. Kajal Eyeliner: Aqua. Lip Colors:Rosé and Red. I was gifted this palette because of the blue shadow and eyeliner. I was looking for blues in another brand so Kimberlee, the sales rep (kimberleeB13@msn.com), wanted me to try their blues and I love them.
• Rouge Powder 02 
• Kajal Eyeliner 02 in Elegante

• Featuring eyeshadow in Smoky Violet.

• Stone Colours Collection Lip Colour in Brown 04.

• Rosemary Lotion for the Legs and Arms.

No make-up

I have a bit of a red eye.

In the photos I am wearing:

• Translucent Make-Up 04
•  Eye shadows in Smoky Violet, Brown and Apricot.
• Eyeliner: Aqua and the shadow under the waterline is also Aqua
• Checks are contoured with the Cool Breeze powder duo. Blush: Rouge Powder 02
• Lips: Brown 04
• Volume Mascara in Pearl Anthracite

On me, the makeup is not very pigmented, and therefore offers a more natural look. If you are around my complexion, and like the look of a hint of makeup, then this brand can be for you.

 What do you think?

Quick Run

I made a quick hair care product run to pick up just a few items. I actually needed to buy these things. I ran out. That hasn’t happend in a long time. Matter of fact, I can’t remember when.

Homemade Lavender Oil

I like that New Mexico has a lot of local farms and farmer’s markets that sell a variety of organic produce and other foods within an hour or less from where I live.

One morning while driving on Rio Grande at 25 miles an hour (this is the speed limit on this strip and they are very serious about not going any faster than that for at least a mile or so) I discovered a farm that grows and sells all things Lavender.

Since Lavender is one of my favorite essential oils, (I use it in all of my home made stuff) I became excited when I saw the farm and decided to stop and take a look around.

With all of the fresh organic Lavender for sale (I missed the harvest in June) I purchased a bunch for $10 to make my own oil along with the strongest organic Lavender essential oil I’ve ever experienced. That was the best $15 I spent to date.

Below are photos of the farm and how I made my verison of Lavender oil. This was my first attempt at doing this. It’s a very simple recipe. Check it out.

Los Poblanos Farm House.

Lavender fields

My bunch of Lavender

A goat grazing.

Lavender after I pulled all of the flowers off of each stem.

I placed the flowers in a glass bottle.

I saturated the Lavender flowers with organic Safflower oil.

I added seven drops of organic Lavender essential oil to the bottle

And I was done.

I poured enough Safflower oil into the bottle of Lavender to cover the flowers only.

I plan to let the mixture sit in a dark cool place for two weeks before I strain it and use the Lavender oil on my hair and skin. 

I will post an update about the oil in about two weeks or so.

Mixed Chicks Sues Sally Beauty Supply

I may be a little late with this news but I recently saw the below article on Essence.com and thought I would share it.  This particular situation is popular among Korean owned beauty supply stores. My article on black owned beauty supply stores revealed that Sally’s is Korean owned even though some said the chain store isn’t. Check out the issue Mixed Chicks is having.

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This just in: one of the most beloved haircare lines for naturally curly women and kids, Mixed Chicks, just filed suit against Sally Beauty Supply. The reason? Mixed Chicks is claiming that the mega beauty chain's new hair line, Mixed Silk, is infringing on the their trademark. They’re also alleging that Sally Beauty Supply is using the Mixed Chicks logo on its website to direct consumers to their infringing products…

Mixed Chicks Co-Founder Kim Etheredge has this to say: “We’ve worked hard to build the reputation of the Mixed Chicks product as one of high quality. We want our clients to know that the Mixed Silk products have no connection with our products, and Mixed Chicks has not endorsed or authorized them.” We’re fans of both Mixed Chicks and Sally Beauty Supply, and hope that they reach an agreement soon!

I Want Thickness

As well as length but right now my thin hair needs to fluff up.

However as I age, my hair does too, and I am desperately trying to figure out a way to reverse the thinning process.

I have experimented with many tricks including trimming on a full moon and making potions to promote thicker hair. Now I am applying Shea Moisture’s Thickening Moisture Mist in hopes of achieveing one of my hair goals.

I used the product for the first time last weekend. I wonder how long it will take to provide any type of volume. I wonder if it does work will I have to always use it for maintenance. I wonder if it will only give the illusion that my hair is thick but in realty it is still thin.  I wonder if I can really change the texture of my hair. Well… based on personal experience with perms, changing the texture of the hair is very possible.

So, over all, I guess I will just have to wait and see.

Uncle Funky’s Daughter

I recently discovered a natural hair care product called Uncle Funky’s Daughter. I am new to the company and have not had the opportunity to sample any of their items. Are you guys familiar with this line? Have you used it? If so, what do you think?

Most of Uncle Funky’s Daughter’s products boost to be free of Sulfate, Parabens, Petroleum, Silicones and are PETA friendly. I like that. I am a member of PETA.

The husband and wife co-founders’ merchandise include a selection of nine pieces. Some of them are:

RICH  & FUNKY - A Moisturizing Cleanser

CURLY MAGIC – The Curl Stimulator

The Denman with Fragrance

Speaking of the Denman…  Did you guys know about Denman hair brushes that come in various fragrances? Well I just found out. Check out the variety of flavors below.

Apple Green Scent

Coconut Scent with wooden handle

Coconut Scent with plastic handle

Wild Dewberry Scent

Lemon Sherbert Scent

Orange Tango Scent

Strawberry Shortcake Scent

To purchase a brush from its UK company click HERE.

Peanut Oil

While shopping for cooking oils I noticed a bottle of Peanut oil on the shelve with a variety of other seed and nut oils. I’ve seen Peanut oil before – plenty of times – but on this particular day I took a moment to stare at the bottle a little longer and skim the label.

I then remembered I have been searching for a vegan protein source to use on my hair. I thought avocado treatments provided protein but they don’t.  Avocado is an excellent hair conditioner so if you are applying the fruit to your tresses please continue to do so. Back in the day I used to wash my hair with raw eggs which is an outstanding source of protein. But I really wanted to find a vegan homemade recipe that offered some sort of protein and on that day, in the market, Peanut oil registered as a possibility.

Peanut oil is often used for medicinal and culinary purposes. It is applied as a message oil, it sooths arthritis pain, (I told my Mom to use the oil for her arthritis and she said it helped), assists in healing scalp psoriasis plus people like to fry Turkey in Peanut oil among other foods.

I am going to make a batch of hair cream and shampoo featuring Peanut oil and post the recipes for you guys to check out. I am really excited to add this oil to my beauty regiment. I hope I found the key ingredient to help my hair grow ten inches by the end of the year.

Vitamins and Supplements

For a little over a month I have not taken my vitamins. I ran out of some but that is no excuse. Because I want to grow my hair, gain more energy, be healthy and look great, I decided to put together a brand new regiment.

I am experimenting on myself which means I am no expert. Combined with information from a doctor, stuff I read online and videos I watched on YouTube, I organized a daily routine that I think will work for me.

Daily, with a meal, I take one tablet each of the following vitamins and supplements:

• Vitamin E 200 IU
• Vitamin D 1000 IU
• Super B-Complex
• MSM
• Folic Acid 800 mcg
• Prenatal

About the Vitamins and Supplements:

Vitamin E – I have always liked this vitamin. It is good for the hair, skin and nails. It also possess antioxidants, slows down the process of aging, protects lungs, dissolves blood clots and helps with fertility.

Vitamin D – My bone density test results were low, and because I live in NYC and not sunny California anymore, I decided to take vitamin D  daily.  This vitamin is great for preventing many illnesses due to bone loss, it builds calcium and bone vitality that ultimately leads to healthy hair.

Super B-Complex – The Super B improves the fullness of hair, promotes scalp circulation, prevents premature graying (I’m too late) and hair loss and stimulates hair growth. How wonderful is that?

MSM  (MethylSulfonylMethane) – Everyone says MSM is beneficial to hair growth and strength due to its role in synthesizing components such as collagen and keratin. So I decided to try it.

Also, if you are just injured, the December issue of Woman’s World magazine says, “Taking 2 g. to 4 g. of this healing sulfur compound blocks pain signals, boosts blood flow to recently injured tissues and shuts down muscle spasms, cutting the pain of fresh injury 82% within six weeks. And for almost seven to ten women, it banishes pain entirely within three months.”  

Folic Acid – Who knew (well I didn’t) that this supplement promotes hair growth by renewing the cells that grow hair? Folic Acid is also helpful in conceiving twins.

Prenatal- Research says this supplement doesn’t really promote hair growth but the girls on YouTube says it does.

My doses are low and for now that is just fine. After three months I will evaluate everything, including my blood work, and take it from there.