Flower Power!

Flowers are one of my favorite hair accessories! I have one in just about every color.  They are super cute, and super feminine, and can jazz up just about any hairdo....all while adding a splash of color! 

For a couple years flowers were my signature.  You could just about always catch me with a flower!  The other day I felt the urge to revisit my former signature accessory.  I decided to liven things up, and wore my pink and white flowers with some twists. To my surprise the flowers brought a smile to some normally frown prone faces. It reminded me why I used to love them so much..... They just have a way of brightening things up!

My Two Cents - Pure Shea Store Mango Hemp-Shea Shampoo Bar & Shea Leave-In Conditioner

 

I recently tried out Pure Shea Store's Mango-Hemp Shampoo Bar, along with the Shea Leave-In. Pure Shea Store products are completely natural and created without animal testing, parabens, GMOs or other harmful ingredients. I've been using the products for a couple months now. I wanted the effects of the products for more than one use.  Alot of times the first use is a fluke, be it good or bad. 

Here are my thoughts...

Mango Hemp-Shea Shampoo Bar
I use this like I would any shampoo.  I applied after my oil treatment.

 

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 Coils
Pros:

• Lathers really well 
• Cleans scalp and hair well without any harsh ingredients
• Last a long time - You don't need to use alot
• All natural ingredients
• Price is really reasonable

Cons:  

• Personally it does not provide enough moisture for me.  My hair was super dry. 
• Frizz was like WHOA
• I actually ended up giving this away

Shea Leave-In Conditioner
I used this 2 different ways....  1st as the marketed leave-in conditioner.  I used like I would any other leave-in conditioner (post wash, and conditioner on wet hair).  2nd use was as a pre-shampoo treatment, used with a heating cap (pre wash and conditioner).

As a Leave-In
Rating: 3 out of 5 Coils
Pros:

• All natural ingredients
• Nice smooth texture - Very easy to apply 
• Last a long time - A little goes a long way
• Great at locking in moisture

Con:  

•  I had to experiment some with the amount to use, because my hair is somewhat sensitive to oils post wash and conditioner.  Oils tend to leave my hair on the greasy side.  So it took some trial and error on my part.

As a Pre-Treatment
Rating: 4 out of 5 Coils
Pros:

• Smooth texture is very easy to apply
• Coats hair easily
• Great for my finger detangling
• Smells wonderful
• Hair was soft and moisturized as I rinsed out

Cons: Can't really think of one


Check out the entire line of Pure Shea Store products for yourself at the following website: Pure Shea Store or visit on their retail stores in MD, DC, MI, GA, NC, or VA. 

Pure Shea Store Goodies

While at Women's Empowerment last month, I picked up some goodies from Pure Shea Store! I can't wait to try them out! I got them from company founder Chris, aka "The Soapman" himself :-)

Pure Shea Store products are completely natural and created without animal testing, parabens, GMOs or other harmful ingredients. Their focus is on providing products made with the best possible ingredients. All products are made by hand in their warehouse in Baltimore, MD based on the recipe of the founder's grandmothers (Grandma Pearlie and Dee Dee).

I'll be trying out the Mango Hemp-Shea Shampoo Bar, as well as the Shea Leave-In Conditioner.  I've never used a shampoo bar in my life, so I'm very interested to see how I like it! I'll let you know :-)

Check out Pure Shea Store products for yourself at the following website:Pure Shea Store or visit one of their many stores (locations can be found via the website as well).

Easter Hair Care

 Easter Hair Care

Easter is this coming Sunday, so you know what that means....millions of children, young an old, will be straightening their hair between today and tomorrow!

I actually had no intentions of writing this post today, but I feel obligated to remind my readers about the importance of using a heat protectant when blow drying, pressing, and/or flat iron those precious tresses.

Heat, when done incorrectly or too often, can take your gorgeous head of hair and totally destroy it in one bad application.  Unfortunately, once you've encountered heat damage, there is nothing you can do to truly fix it.  Yes, there are conditioners and such that help to improve the appearance of the damage, but the deed is still done.

You should aim to always use a heat protectant whenever using any sort of heated straightening instrument.  This will help to absorb most of the direct heat from your heated appliance. Heat protectants come in a variety of forms including lotions, serums, and sprays.  I usually use sprays, due to the ease of application and coverage ability.  I like Giovanni's Flat Iron Styling Mist.  It contains some organic ingredients, and ya'll know I'm a health nut. Regardless of the form, as a rule of thumb you should use something. 

Okie dokie my friends...  This concludes my PSA announcement :-)  Happy Easter!

My Two Cents - Tacia Essentials Artesian Soap & After Bath Oil

Tacia Essentials Artesian Soap & After Bath Oil

I recently tried out Tacia Essentials Artesian Soap, along with the After Bath Oil. Tacia Essentials are all natural products made of 70-90% organic ingredients.  I've been using daily for about 2 and 1/2 weeks now. I wanted to be able to give an accurate opinion, and you don't always get that after the first use.  I really like the products!  My skin feels great!

Here are my thoughts...

Fresh Berries After Bath Body Oil
I put this on out of the shower, after I have towel dried.

Pros:

• The smell is absolutely wonderful.  It's very fruity, but not too heavy. 
• Skin feels great, soft, and moisturized
• Non-greasy, so I'm not all oily afterwards

Cons: Can't really think of one

Tumeric & Patchouli Artesian Soap
I've been using this in the shower, from the neck down.

Pros:

• Cleans well without any harsh ingredients
• Smell- it has a natural woodsy/rustic type smell.  It reminds me of nature. 
• Doesn't leave me itchy.  My body doesn't agree well with perfumey soaps, and I will itch afterwards like crazy.  No perfumes in this soap, so I don't have that problem.
• Last a long time - It's been 2 and 1/2 weeks of daily use and I'm still on the same bar. (I usually soap up twice in the shower)

Con: Slides out of my soap dish.  Not a big deal, this happens to me often times with soap in general.  I end up keeping it on the side of the tub, rather than the soap dish.  Easy fix!


Check out Tacia Essentials for yourself at the following website: Tacia Essentials Nutrition for Skin|Body|Hair

Tacia Essentials Goodies

Tacia Essentials Goodies

Yay! Just got some Tacia Essentials goodies! I can't wait to try them out!

Tacia Essentials are all natural products made of 70-90% organic ingredients. Only the best butters, oils, herbs, roots, and other natural ingredients are used.  Gotta love that!  I'll be trying out the Fresh Berries After Bath Body Oil, as well as a couple of the Artesian Soaps.  Yippee! I'll let you know how I like.

Check out the following video if you'd like to learn more about the Artesian Soaps. 

You can see the amazing  products for yourself at the following website: Tacia Essentials Nutrition for Skin|Body|Hair