Product Review - Alba Cocoa Butter

I was able to get this item on sale at CVS (of course) and was glad to have tried it.

At first when I smelled it - I wasn't too thrilled. It has a very heavy cocoa butter and tropical scent. After I started using it, I got used to it. It doesn't linger strongly after applying - which is good if you are using perfumes/other scents.

This is a very thick and creamy lotion. But what is great is that it rubs into the skin very nice and smooth. It's not greasy, leaves a nice sheen on the skin and does the job of moisturizing the whole body. Its also long lasting, so no mid-day dryness.

At this stage in my life (over 40) my skin basically stays dry. So I have been experimenting with skin care products. My feeling on a lot of lotions is that they offer a lot of smell and little in the moisturizing department.

This product is great for someone with dry/normal skin. It's also hypo-allergenic and I would definitely recommend for the whole family.

Alba did get my attention with this product and I do look forward to trying more of their products.

the photo

I will not be posting the recent photo that was released of Rihanna. If you need to check it out go to some other site or blog.

I was really upset upon seeing it on tv this morning. And what struck me about this photo was the fact that here was a bruised, saddened and frightened women that didn't deserve this. Although I did expect worse - this was bad. You can tell someone totally connected with her face many times. This was intentional. And I dont want to hear about drinking, drugs or any other lame excuse. She was beatdown!

What gives another person the right to strike out at another? Dude just thought it was ok to brutalize her and then leave her on the sidewalk? A rational, kinder, calmer gentlemen would have just taken her home. Let her be mad for whatever reason - just don't feel that its ok to BEAT HER DOWN!

See what has happened in society is we just accept that its ok for... (ok, I'm gonna go there...) for MEN to just abuse, curse, disappear and abandon their women. We have to teach our young men to be respectful of the women in their lives. Its not ok to hit, yell, berate, and use women.

A message to the men - if you are tired of the ol' ball and chain, girlfriend, wife, etc. - then step!! Tell your woman you are tired of whatever, go find a hobby or counselor to relieve your anger issues and leave BEFORE you have these knock-down drag out fights! Don't do the sneaking around behind her back, lying to her, getting other chicks pregnant, etc.

I am so tired of hearing people say - if you are a victim - you need to leave. Well, first off, it ain't that easy. If it was easy many, many women would have picked up and left. Think of how many times we have heard of women that did leave, that did go to court and still they were stalked and killed. Has anyone paid attention to the stats on women that are killed while pregnant? The numbers are high. This abusive situation is much more serious than a few bruises. Its deep, violent, psychologically damaging and deadly.

I want for people that know this is going on everyday around them (whether it is family, neighbors, co-workers, etc.)and we need to get involved.

If you hear it or see it -- just discreetly call the cops! Let's us step up our game in society. Let's write to our politicians and see that we have more serious jail time for batterers. Most of all lets save some lives!

I don't want to hear of the battered women syndrome! If you are living with a maniac -- wouldn't you be afraid to seek help?! So if you know of someone that is living in this fear - don't just tell them to call a hotline - tell them to make a plan, help them make a plan and help them to SAFELY get out!

See, everyone NOW wants a piece of Chris Brown. But where was everyone beforehand! You cannot tell me this was the first time he put his hands on her. Rihanna needs to check the people that she surrounds herself with.

As for him - my only advice is to get counseling and go join the military. Why the military? Because its obvious dude like to throw down and the military needs some guys like that. That fighting energy is what the country needs right now and his career is dead! He couldn't sing/dance on your local street corner for change!

But then again - everyone still loves R. Kelly!

All in all, I hope Rihanna can get past this in one piece! I hope we as a society can stop passing judgment about others and do what it takes to get involved and care about other peoples struggles!

Not cry and attend funerals after!

Product Review - Carol's Daughter Hair Milk and Healthy Hair Butter

So for the past couple of months, I've been in and out of Sephora trying to decide whether to try out the Carol's Daughter products. I didn't know where to start. So I researched online and after all the information... I still didn't know what to buy. I was just about to walk out the store last week and I turned around and bought the Hair Milk and Healthy Hair Butter.

Now as a former NYC resident I remember hearing sisters rave about CD's products back in the mid-nineties. But upon further reflection, I remember everyone raving about the skin care products.

I also didn't want to rush into purchasing more products because of the recent hype and because I wanted to use up other products. Its hard doing product reviews because you want to give a clear and honest review. I don't want to get a free product and feel forced to give a positive review. I also don't want to read everyone else's hype and swept up into it.

I remember how I would try a new product or go to a friend's salon and would agree with 'oh, this is great, I love this'. But would realize later - what was great about that? So I try to keep a very open mind, use the product more than once, not overlap with other products, enjoy the experiment and share with you.

Back to Carol's Daughter. I was surprised to see on someone else's blog they shared their negative opinion about the products around the same time. I was hoping I could like them.

I applied the butter to my scalp. It took some rubbing in and just a dab will do. I parted and applied and ignored the smell.

I took the milk and applied to my hair and ignored the scent. I put my scarf on and removed a few hours later before heading out the door and my hair looked nice. It had a nice sheen to it.

Now my hair was done earlier at the Dominican salon so my hair was already shiny. But after a Dominican salon visit I always moisturize my scalp when I have a chance. So that's why I used the butter instead of my usual oil scalp treatment.

I did this routine for a few days and I'm not too happy with my CD products. They leave buildup and my scalp feels dry. I like what they do for my hair but don't love what they do. I don't have time to shampoo every few nights. And did I mention the smell?

So after a few nights use of the products - I'm kinda ticked off. Is it me? Why aren't I feeling these products. Why can't I get over the smell? Is it only for natural hair?

So I decided to try again.

I shampooed my hair, deep conditioned, toweled dry and then applied the hair milk. I rolled up my hair, sat under the dryer for 20 minutes and then air dried for a couple of hours. I took out the rollers and my hair looked pretty good. My curls looked nice and strong. I finger styled and was kinda surprised still.

So I have found a use for the hair milk on days when I want to curl my hair without using lots of heat.

I will keep up experimenting with the hair milk.

As far as the butter is concerned.... I don't know. I want to like it but my scalp is still dry. I guess I can add a bit of EVOO but I honestly cannot justify buying an expensive product just to add my own products to it.

All in all, CD's products are not the miracle products for my hair. I don't want to knock anyone that enjoys the products, but honestly, what is the big deal? I can see where these products would last a long time. But this is where reading all the hype comes in... after reading about these products, did I expect something more than CD could deliver?

Anyway, I may see if my kids want to try the hair butter (they keep their hair short and natural) and I'll see if they see any difference. They get all my shampoos that I no longer want to use. I like their opinion because as 16 years olds they don't care about hair product names or read hair blogs and will give me a true opinion of how their natural hair takes to the products.

hair decision

I had my last relaxer the first week of October. So for the past few months, I've been reading everyone's hair blogs on how to care for hair - whether curly, natural, transitioning using heat or not using heat or just stretching their relaxers.

At one point I was ready to big chop then the next moment I was about to go back to relaxing. I didn't know if I was transitioning, stretching or what I was doing. This also goes back to the point that I cannot style my own hair. Never have! I grew up with pigtails, pony tails, and roller sets. So trying to figure out how to style my hair has a lot to do with my decision.

As an adult I relied on salons to care for my hair. When I couldn't go to the salon or a stylist moved - I was stuck!

Even now, I scour all the sites for styles and I'm still stuck, but I am no longer intimidated by my hair. I got rid of the fear and I get in the bathroom shampoo, condition, blow dry, sit under the dryer, etc.

I've reflected on how my mom cared for my hair growing up - when my hair was the healthiest, strongest, thicker and longer. And while her regimen is considered taboo these days (hot comb, plenty of grease) - it worked!

So, the decision I've come to... is that I will remain natural. I will not relax anymore. I will not big chop. I will work with my hair as much as I can. I will visit the new Dominican salon that I found right in my own neighborhood right in upstate NY. So I don't feel that I have to make a trip to Rosalina's in Harlem.

Now... have I had major growth or any hair breakthroughs? No. My kitchen (hair at the nape) is still not looking the way I want it which limits my styling choices. But I do have less breakage. My hair is still very dry.

My next step is to continue moisturizing my hair, continue to try new products as needed and make the occasional salon visit.

So far in my hair journey I've found a few products and regimens that have helped a bit.

* moisturizing my scalp
* deep conditioning every time I wash at home or at the salon
* occasional temporary color (i dont mind my grey but sometimes its a bit much)
* silk scarf and satin pillow
* taking biotin daily
* simple styles (i know... boring, but so am I)
* only experiment with hair on wash day
* wash hair every two weeks (I started this in February, before I washed weekly)
* more water, veggies and fruit and exercise daily
* not to measure growth or worry about my hair
* no more bad hair dressers (I will not tolerate any salon that is ghetto, makes me wait to long, is too pricey or the stylist is rude)

I was getting to the point where I was obsessing about my hair, products and growth. This was unhealthy. I reviewed many other hair blogs and realized that with care, gentleness, the right products and most importantly... time - which could be years - that hair will be healthy and grow. So for me to think that in a couple of months I could grow my hair... not happening (I was fooling myself). Now am I planting the seeds for future stronger hair - I hope so!

I have a few more product reviews and other ideas - so keep checking and feel free to comment on any of my postings. I welcome all ideas, thoughts, products and your experiences!

Love and Valentines - lets not confuse them!

Valentine's Day is fun. I think its a day that you can actually reach out to your family and friends just to say 'thanks', i love you, 'i was thinking of you'.

I don't think its a day where you HAVE to go out and get diamonds, huge bouquets of flowers, etc. I think it can be as simple as a hug to your children, a sexy message to your partner, a funny card - that you made!

And not to be mean - but for all of you ladies that do not get anything - don't do that 'ordering your own flowers' nonsense. That is just pathetic and desperate. Just go to the store and buy yourself something nice, go out with friends, reach out to your own family, or give yourself a fun day (light candles, get your hair done, catch some flicks, relax, etc). Don't take this one day so seriously!

Where does the love fit in? You should love and appreciate your people all year round! Such as, surprising your mate with a weekend getaway, take your kids out for pizza, or any other random act of love. If you just wait for valentine's day to do these things then it seems cheesy and planned.

So anyway - enjoy your Valentine's Day!

Movie Review - He's Just Not That Into You

Ok, so I get the chance to grab my homie and catch a chick flick, He's Just Not That Into You.

Now, I have to admit entering the movie theater at my age (41) was a bit intimidating. Does everyone have to be under 30 to catch a chick flick? So I was beginning to think I should have just went to see The Dark Knight in IMAX (but I would hate to have to come home and have hubby tell me what dork I was for seeing it again). (Although I want to see it again badly.....)

But I like chick flicks because it creates dialogue among women. On an average day, I work, take care of house, spend time with hubby and sons so I dont get much 'girly-time'. Meaning that I can't expect to talk to my family about hair, lotions, gaining weight, etc. And even though I cant really relate to dating issues - I just like to hear what other women are going through. Its just like seeing someone with a great haircut, I may not want that style for myself, but I can appreciate it and like it.

So I welcome the time with my homie, A. She is a mom of 2 beautiful daughters. So she also needed a break from watching just Disney crap and High School Musical. Sorry Disney, your stuff is legendary but as moms, we can kinda OD on your products after a bit.

This movie is a 4 out of 5 stars. It was enjoyable, interesting and funny. It has a ton of celebs like Jennifer Aniston, Ben Affleck, Scarlett Johansson, and a ton more that you would recognize from other movies and shows like Entourage and Dawsons's Creek.

This flick is about dating and finding the right mate for you. The main characters either are conflicted about their current relationship or currently looking to enter a relationship.

What was a telling part about the movie was the beginning when a girl gets beat up by a boy in the sand box and how her mother consoles her with the whole 'he likes you, that's why he beat you up'. And how men and women can be twisted about certain signals we get from others (are they interested/they arent interested) -- ahh, confusing. Anyway, its a great movie! Go grab your friends - male and female and go check it out! Yes, I do think a guy would enjoy this too. Its not heavily sex and city like -- that is a pure gal thing!

Oh, I have to add this! As an african-american woman, I loved the way there were people of color all over this movie. None were in a leading role, but many were in party scenes, an open house, dining out, etc. I like this because it represents the country that we live in -- a multi-cultural one!


http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1001508

Product Review - Mashooq Hair Oil

The Mashooq people were really great in sending me their samples of hair oil. The products came from overseas and I got them within 2 weeks after my request. Customer service is a big thing with me.

I took my time in using this product so I could get a really good feel for how it works.

All in all the oil is great. Its a tad bit oily. But only lightly just like the scent. You can tell it is all natural.

My hair is very dry and I haven't relaxed my hair since October. I do believe the nearly daily use of this product has helped reduce breakage.

You can use this product in a variety of ways. You can add it to a conditioner, apply to scalp and ends, apply lightly to hair during and after styling for a nice sheen, add before using chemicals and even use as a body moisturizer.

I applied at night before putting on my scarf and in the morning I would have a nice sheen to my hair after styling.

Its not heavy at all and there is no buildup like with other oils or greases.

Even after applying to my scalp the oil would absorb into my hands - so I did get full use of this oil.

Mashooq comes highly recommended from me.

http://www.mashooqhair.com