Recently I went to Trade Secrets and purchased some "salon quality" products. I love the Abba Color Protect line (no I'm not color treated but it's specifically designed for chemically treated hair) and I've been eyeing the Joico k-pak deep penetrating reconstructor for some time now since I've heard nothing but great reviews about it.

I have used both products and I must say I enjoy them both. I'm still in my testing phase so I can't really give a full review at the moment. Expect one soon!

In case your wondering, "why did Sunshyne pick up these products?" Well to answer your question, #1 I wanted to rotate my shampoo's on a weekly basis so that my hair doesn't get immune to my CON red label. #2 I got the Joico DPR so that I can incorporate more protein into my regimen. Protein is slowly becoming my friend :-)

♥ Sunshyne

This video is long over due. I recorded it a while ago and forgot about it..LOL.

Check out my quick demonstration of how I tie my hair up at night. I don't like to wrap my hair (everyone is different). I've been successful with this method. Since I bun daily, this works out great. If I wear my hair down, I will wrap it (which is rare). I hope this addresses everyone's questions. When I moisturized and sealed, I used Wave Nouveau and Hollywood Beauty Castor Oil to seal.




♥ Sunshyne

Promises: 11 Plant extracts, essential oils and vitamins penetrate hair. Moisturizing emollients renew moisture depleted hair, giving strength and elasticity. Peach Blossom Oil and Vitamin E soothe the scalp.

Directions: Apply to hair. Comb through. Place client with plastic cap under warm dryer for 15mins. Rinse thoroughly and proceed with styling. For extremely damaged, over-processed, or breaking hair, follow procedure above, and process for 25mins. Rinse thoroughly.

Ingredients: Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Extract, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Extract, Melissa Officinalis (Balm Mint) Leaf Oil, Tussilago Farfara (Coltsfoot) Flower Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Aesculus Hippocasyanum (Horse Chestnut) Extract, Rosemarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract in Purified Water/Aqua, PetrolatumCetyle Alcohol, Centrimonium Chloride, Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydroxypropyl trimonium Chloride, Laurus Nobblis Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil, Neroli Oil, Ribes Nigrum (Black Currant)

The Truth: As you all know, I don't use Elasta QP DPR-11 on it's own. I always mix it with AtOne Botanical Reconstructor along with EVOO and Honey. Well today, for some strange reason, I decided to use the DPR-11 with EVOO alone (after a protein treatment) and to my amazement, it turned out incredibly well. Here was my measurements:

→ 5 tsp of EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
→ 3-4 tsp of Elasta QP DPR-11

I went under the dryer for 25mins under medium heat, rinsed, applied my leave-ins (Elasta QP HTWO Leave-in & NTM Silk Touch) then did the Scarf Method, as usual. I must admit there was barely any slip when detangling in the shower (according to the Moisture Vs. Slip Poll, Moisture is indeed better!). It was quite frustrating.

However, my hair does feel very smooth, soft and moist to the touch. I'm honestly shocked because using DPR-11 with just EVOO alone never really "did it" for me. Maybe my hair is responding to it differently, who knows. Just thought I'd share that with you all. I'll start using it a little more (with EVOO alone) now to see if this experience is consistent..LOL.

Price: $7.99 CAD 16 OZ

Hairlicious Rating: (4/5) Very Good

♥ Sunshyne

In case you were not informed, the Castor Oil Challenge Part 2 is set to take place April 22nd 2009. For those who were not able to participate in the first challenge, be sure to join this one. You won't want to miss it. It's going to be fun and I can't wait to see everyone's results this time around.

The group on Hairlista.com has been officially created, so join ASAP!


♥ Sunshyne

Quick snap shot of my hair after air drying (almost 2 weeks post relaxer). I'm amazed at how thick my hair has become. After I relaxed I did not see a difference in the thickness of my hair (since my stylist ran the flat iron on my strands over & over & over again...ugh!), but now I see it more than EVER! Big ups to my Jamaican Black Castor Oil =]

Prepoo'ing has made it's way back into my regimen!! I will post an update on how that's going for me. In the meantime, if you Prepoo, what do you use? How long do you keep it on for? Do you use heat?




♥ Sunshyne

Promises: Use daily to condition, moisturize and restore natural sheen to your hair and scalp. Helps prevent split ends and breakage. Excellent conditioner for natural, pressed, relaxed or color treated hair. Recommended as a conditioner for babies' hair and skin

Directions: Apply daily to wet or dry scalp to keep hair healthy and well conditioned.

Ingredients: Hollywood Beauty Oil Complex (Castor Oil, Mink Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Jojoba Oil, Paraffin Oil, Safflower Oil, Lanolin, Cocoa Butter, Propylparaben, Fragrance.

The Truth: This is a staple sealant for my ends (morning &/or night). I have been using this oil as a sealant since November 2008 (after my big trim alternating with Hot Six Oil). It seals in moisture very well. My ends stay hydrated and even (barely had to trim my ends since using it). This oil spreads easily onto the hair although it's solid. A little goes a long way, so if you over do it, your hair will be weighed down. Sometimes I'll use this on my scalp just before a relaxer. It works great on damp or dry hair.

Price: $4.99 CAD 7.50 OZ

Hairlicious Rating: (5/5) Excellent

♥ Sunshyne

The Castor Oil Challenge on Hairlista.com began Feb 7th 2009 - April 7th 2009. I ended the challenge a bit early (March 31st 2009) because I had to relax April 1st. I have to admit the challenge went really well. The pictures and growth speak for itself. I didn't face any adversities along the way, which is a plus.

I applied Jamaican Black Castor Oil to my scalp every wash day (twice a week). I immediately noticed more growth, softer new growth, thicker roots, and an increase in moisture. I even notice the hair around my nape is much longer and thicker than before, which is a huge plus. This challenge came in at the right time.

I desire to be BSL by summer 2009 and I think I'm very close to my goal. Jamaican Black Castor Oil is now a staple of mine, well let's just say Castor Oil period!

I highly recommend Castor oil to be a part of your regimen if you desire more hair growth.

Tip: Try not to stretch your relaxers out too long when applying Castor oil to your scalp. Once you reach 10 weeks post or so, you have more than enough new growth to relax. Anything longer than 10 weeks would be quite difficult to manage.

♥ Sunshyne

I relaxed today at 10 weeks post with ORS Olive Oil Lye Relaxer. Everything went well !! I coated my hair with Extra Virgin Coconut Oil the day before and the day of for extra strength and protection (my fellow Hairlista's know that I do this). I'm touching my Bra strap y'all!!! I'm so excited. I'll be BSL by summer '09 for sureeeeee. I finished my portion of the Castor Oil Challenge. I must say that it went very well because I've gained length.

My stylist said I needed a trim but never ended up trimming my hair after I asked him to twice..LOL. I'll get my sister to trim my ends for me soon. I will be doing a thorough review on the Castor Oil Challenge. I will be posting comparison photos as well. Here is a quick pic of my hair right now:



♥ Sunshyne