My current product line-up

These are my current hair product keepers -

Pantene Pro-V Time Renewal Replenishing Mask - I use this deep conditioner after every shampoo. It smells great and makes my hair feel smooth and healthy. What's great about this dc is that you can put it on your hair with a plastic cap for about 5 minutes and still get a great treatment. I also take this to salon too. The cost is about $5.00. It goes on creamy, thick and lasts.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil - I use this to moisturize my scalp and give my hair sheen. I bought an applicator bottle from Sally's to apply this directly to my scalp. All it takes is a few drops. It can get greasy so I go lightly. But I do have to admit that it doesn't leave my hair heavy or with a lot of build-up. I use this a couple of times a week. Cost about $6.00 for a huge bottle and lasts.

Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil - My newest product! I saw this in Walmart and it was reduced to $7.00 for 16 oz. It was in the vitamin aisle. I am so glad I bought this. I use this to roll up my hair, apply through out my scalp, and on my ends. I alternate this with Olive Oil. This is another go lightly product and it doesn't leave alot of build-up like other products. I also use this on my lips and skin.

Mashooq - I love this oil. I used this before I tried the other above oils. It is a combination of some good stuff. Its light and does the job.

I use the above oils also after a salon visit since my scalp is dry after all the heat.

As far as shampoos - I have not found the one to knock my shoes off. While at CVS a couple of months ago, I stumbled across some CVS shampoos that were comparable to Pantene shampoos. They were a buck a piece. I like them when I shampoo at home.

I don't really like styling products because of the build-up. If I need my hair to behave a bit more, I will reach for the Carol's Daughter hair milk and hair butter. I apply overnight put on my silk scarf. Then the next morning your hair will have a nice hold and look smooth. I usually use this to style the week before shampooing and as needed.

Also, since I deep condition - I don't use a regular conditioner anymore.

That's it.

Now as soon as these products run out - I am looking forward to trying Pantene's relaxed and natural products. Also, I am looking forward to trying some dominican products.

I did have to catch myself because I was making frequent trips to wander around Sephora (for no reason) and checking out sites that had expensive products. I've decided that I will not buy any expensive products. Especially after my Carol's Daughter experience - I really cannot trust that just because the price is high or a product is sold at a certain high-end store that I should expect it to work for me.

I'm sticking with what works and my hair is looking and feeling healthy.

Hair Update

I had my last relaxer in early October 2008.

Since then I've been on every possible blog regarding transitioning hair and natural hair care.

So how is my hair doing?

Its ok!

My hair isn't excessively shedding like before. Yes, my bathroom floor isn't covered with my hair anymore!

My hair does feel a bit stronger and looks healthy - another yay! Not sure if its the biotin, changing my eating habits, increase in water intake, various hair products or no relaxer.

I go for a wash, deep condition and occasional rinse (brown or black color) at the local Dominican salon every 2-3 weeks (as my time allows). I also don't want to get too addicted to them. So I make sure that these visits aren't a priority. I still need to relearn how to care for my own hair. I also don't want to rely so heavily on the heat.

Hair growth??

There has been some. My last salon trim was in June 2008. I did a light trim of my own hair in December. Just dusted off the ends. My hair is still chin length. So I am getting impatient! But I have to remind myself that when I check out everyone else's blogs and hair journeys - it really averages about 2 years of caring for the hair, laying off the chemicals and experimenting with styles and products.

I can see the growth in my kitchen (hair in the lower part of the head).

Transitioning?

My take is that its a great thing. I'm glad I'm doing it and wish that I had done it years ago. What a waste to be a slave to a chemical that ended up doing damage to my tresses.

I am not a style queen. I could never braid or really style hair. This was ok when I had long hair. The pony tail was my favorite and for special occasions just sleep on rollers. But I really love checking out the natural sisters with their very funky hair styles. If my head wasn't so big I would just chop my hair off and start from scratch.

So while I transition, I still wear a straight bob.

Now the thing I do find a bit disappointing - is that since I found a number of key products that I like and back up products to experiment with -- I can't justify trying anymore hair products.

Yep -- I don't see many new products ending up in my basket. At least not until I get rid these current products -- which isn't anytime soon.

I hope for my next update that I can really say that I've had MAJOR improvement in the hair department -- we'll see.

Check my next posting for my current routine and products that I like!

Ideas and thoughts are always welcome!

Biotin

I hate taking pills. The biotin I've been taking since late December is no exception. It is a capsule so it does make it easier to swallow. But for the past 3 weeks I've been slacking off. Just taking my pill a few times a week instead of daily.

Now, I started taking biotin because I've heard rave reviews about it. How everyone's hair is stronger, thicker and growing.

But for the month of March, I just felt that my hair isn't thriving. And I slacked off of my regular daily usage.

But as I am typing this, I am peeping at my nails and see the difference. I always keep my nails short and trimmed. But not only do I have some growth, my nails feel strong.

I'm not really a nail person but this is great. Maybe there is hope for my hair (yes, I'm feeling anxious again).

Also, I can't cop out now. I also have read that actually seeing biotin do its thing may take 3-4 months.

So I guess I'll be getting back to taking it daily.

To The Moms

I had to write this to get it out of my system.

My sons are 16. They are beautiful, young men - inside and out. And yes, I take full credit for them. Because in this day and age, when I hear other parents complain about how materialistic their kids are or selfish or the sneaking around and lying... I am just so proud and glad that I don't have to go through that.

You have to understand... I was 25 when I had my guys. I had to return to work when they were 7 weeks old. I had never changed a diaper before I had them nor baby-sat any kids as a teen. So I literally had to get in there and be a mom! I had to grow up!

What I am getting to?

Recently, I've been around some new moms. Now, these new moms are of all ages -- I am not the one to just pick on young moms. And it soo upsets me to see these moms, not taking their mommy duties seriously.

So I thought I would put out some reminders, hints or suggestions... Feel free to send your own or even to forward this to someone you know.

1 - Take your kids with you.

Your kids can only learn by being exposed to many things. This also allows you to teach them how to behave in a library, supermarket, visiting neighbors or how to let loose in the park.

2 - Schedule EVERYTHING.

Having twins doesn't really allow you to do as you want. So in order to get things done I scheduled everything. This means meals, naps, bath time, etc. Tell everyone that they are not to call or visit at certain times. I would tell my friends and family that I couldn't chat on the phone until later in the evening. After my kids were bathed, read a book and tucked in - then I would enjoy a dessert and chat on the phone, or have late night pizza parties with grown folk and enjoy grown folks talk!

3 - Don't be afraid to ask for mommy time.

Tell your support folks - husband, partner, family, etc. that you need some time to get your hair done, go shopping or even go for a walk. You are important too. If you don't take care of yourself, you will be no good to your kids. You have to feel good to be an effective parent. Sometimes you will have so much to juggle you will feel tired, overwhelmed and frazzled - so see that you get some quality time for yourself.

4 - Pay your sitter appropriately.

Who ever is watching your kids.... take care of them. That means paying them well, tipping, and remembering birthdays. Remember that they are taking care of your most valuable possession. Treat the sitter well and don't take advantage.

5 - Discipline your kids.

What is the deal with the lack of discipline? Kids seems to address adults like they are grown. Kids are in the malls running around. If your kids aren't listening to you now at a young age... what will happen when they are teens?

6 - Teach lessons all the time.

Remind your kids that the world is a big and at times a scary place - tell them them must not wander or make risky decisions.

7 - Value their health.

Listen to the doctor, keep a good child's health book in the house. Do not ask others about what to do with your kid. Don't feed your kid buttery, salty and sugary foods. Give their bodies, brains and teeth a chance to grow. Keep them on a bland diet and keep the doctor informed.

8 - Get rid of the bottles!

My sons were off of baby bottles before 18 months. Why? Because I found some tough spill-proof sippy cups. There is no reason why a kid should be walking around all over the place with a bottle. Kids hold liquid in their mouths - this ruins their incoming teeth.

9 - Stop the spending.

If you have a great support of friends, family and neighbors like I was fortunate to have with my sons when they were younger - I was able to save a few dollars. I had a friend that always hooked up my kids with great clothes (so all I had to do was get the footwear), my family always bought them toys (so I didn't have to spend a fortune on toys).

10 - Embrace the time with the little ones.

It really goes quick. Don't spend the time worrying about what you don't have. I used to feel really bad that I couldn't get my kids in those fancy mommy and me classes. But now I look back and think why? All I had to do was turn off the tv a bit and just have our own play time.

11 - Keep them away from negative influences.

If someone doesn't have anything positive to offer you or your kids - then you need to keep your distance from them. This could mean anything. If you have a girlfriend that is too gossipy, a relative that just comes over to borrow money, a friend that smells of pot, watching negative images on tv, etc. Remember you are the main influence in your child's life. They think that you are great and if they see that you are ok with your cousins sitting around your place cussing - guess who will pick up these new cuss words?

12 - Stay on top of the schools.

Sorry to break this to you - but as much as you can't wait to get your kids into school - it can really bring on other issues. Teachers that can't teach, bullies, kids that are a negative influence, etc. Keep on top of homework, join the PTA, know your kids friends, volunteer and let the school's staff know that you care about the school and environment your kid is in daily.

13 - Limit the tv.

This is my one regret. My husband and I would get into arguments about the tv. I do think that I could have limited the Barney watching, etc.

I hope that this list will help someone. I just get so frustrated with co-workers and friends neglecting their duties and they should know better.

I recently chewed out my co-worker as she described how she has this great picture of her daughter at 8 months eating a jelly sandwich! Yeah, I lit into her - because her daughter currently at age 6 has had extensive dental work.

I was just at my birthday party this past weekend and so shocked at how much drinking was going on -- this was a party for a 1 year old!

So yeah, I had to vent! Also, if anyone is struggling with mommy duties and needs any kind of advice (scheduling, school, etc.) feel free to write. I've battled principles, strangers and employers - I've navigated my kids safely through day care and other activities. My kids have never had a cavity or major illness - so feel free to ask anything!

Take Care!

Product Review - Bath and Body Works - Japanese Cherry Blossom

I was in the mall a few weeks ago and wandering into Bath & Body Works. I had stopped in there earlier to get some lip gloss and had a coupon.

Now, I make this very clear - I am cheap. I do not enjoy parting very easily with my $$ for stuff that is overpriced.

In the past I have received Bath and Body Works lotions as gifts and thought that they were thick, smelled too strong, too sweet and weren't great moisturizers.

So the salesgirl comes up to me and tells me to try this - its the Japanese Cherry Blossom fragrance. I thought - yeah, ok ...

But then the smell stuck to me.

So I went back and had to have the lotion, soap and hand gel.

I love this scent!!!

Now I may be late to the party on this scent - but I am hooked.

The soap is light and full of suds. It is a great wash and doesn't leave a film. I feel really sweet and feminine after showering and applying the lotion afterward.

The lotion goes on smooth and does a good job of moisturizing my skin (much better than I remember of their lotions in the past). Now this isn't a long lasting lotion - but I can work with it. And most of all the smell, I love it.

So if you have a chance to get yourself a nice treat - stop by Bath & Body Works or order online. This is a great fragrance!

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

After first trying out Carol's Daughter hair milk and hair butter I wasn't too happy. I just kept reading all the positive reviews online and thought that - this is a must have product line. So I had to try something.

In my first few tries - I was disappointed. I was really expecting a moisturizing light product. Which these aren't. These products are clearly styling aids. Then I couldn't get over the smell. Also I was stuck on the price. I had never paid $25 for a total of 2 hair care products. So, yes, I was looking for immediate results...

Anyway, I've been looking in my hair product basket and wondering what am I going to do with these products.

So I started working with them again. I mostly use the hair milk as a finishing aid. After styling my hair it seems to keep it in place and I have less flyaway strands.

The hair butter I told my sons to use. And although they like the hair butter - they still prefer to use my other hair/scalp conditioner.

The hair butter does seem to stop my scalp itchies. I dab and rub a bit into certain areas of my scalp and it seems to do the trick.

And I am learning to deal with the smell.

I have even used the hair butter in the evening for a smooth over before putting on my scarf and was very pleased with the results in the morning. My hair stayed flat, styled and needed very little manipulation the next day.

So I guess instead of giving the products a thumbs down - I would give them a -- ok.

I think as more of my natural hair comes in I may find these to be more useful.