Regular Formula for Normal Hair.

Promises: A new Creme of Nature detangling and conditioning shampoo, featuring organic sunflower and coconut oils to gently cleanse and condition, leaving the hair soft and silky.

Directions: Wet hair. Apply shampoo and work into lather. Rinse thoroughly. Repeat. Next, condition with Creme of Nature conditioner.

Ingredients: Water - Aqua , Sodium Laureth Sulfate , Cocamidopropyl Betaine , Glycol Stearate , Polyquaternium-10 , Cocamide DEA , Amodimethicone , Polysorbate 20 , Polyquaternium-7 , Isostearyl Ethylimidazoliniumethosulfate , Citric Acid , Tetrasodium EDTA , Coconut Oil (Certified Organic), Sunflower Seed Oil (Certified Organic), Peppermint Leaf Extract, Basil Extract, Polygala Senega Root Extract , Watercress Extract, Sage Leaf Extract, Thyme Extract, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Grapefruit Seed Extract, Glycerin , Fragrance - Parfum , Benzyl Benzoate , Coumarin , Hydroxycitronellal , Limonene , Linalool , Methylparaben , Propylparaben , Methylchloroisothiazolinone , Methylisothiazolinone , Red 4 - CI 14700 , Yellow 5 - CI 19140 , Red 33 - CI 17200 , Blue 1 - CI 42090.

The Truth: Finally!! Okay, I've been secretly itching to try this shampoo for a while now based on the good reviews that I've read. I pretty much have my staple shampoo's, however, I wanted to try this one out to see how it compares to the original shampoo and if I could recommend it to other folks.

I'm shocked to say that you can't even tell that this is a sulfate shampoo. It detangled, cleansed and moisturized my hair all in one shot. The creamy liquid easily penetrated and melted my tangles away effortlessly. This shampoo restored my natural moisture balance and smoothed out my cuticles allowing them to lay flat preventing dryness & flyaways. After drying my hair with the t-shirt method, my hair literally felt soft and silky :-)

It was very gentle on my hair despite the fact that it contains the sodium laureth sulfate detergent (since you barely recognize it, I don't know why they added it). Overall, I was extremely pleased with the results I achieved with this shampoo. I would highly recommend it.

Price: $5.99 -7 CAD 8.45 Fl. Oz.

Hairlicious Rating: (5/5) Excellent

♥ Sunshyne

Back in October 2009, I started taking Progressive Women Multi-Vitamins along with Udo's Oil 3,6,9 Blend (look here for a quick recap) for overall health. I took these supplements consistently (until finished) and I did see an improvement in my skin and nails.

The multi-vitamins were somewhat annoying because you have to take 3 pills daily and majority of the time I took 1-2 a day since I would always forget. My skin looked vibrant and remained somewhat clear of acne (did get a few pimples here & there). My nails stopped breaking and started to grow strong. Overall, the vitamins were good. I had high hopes that it would perform better, but I should have taken it the right way in order to see optimal results. Next time around I will buy a vitamin that only requires me to take it 1-2 times daily.

The taste of the Udo's 3-6-9 Oil Blend was AWFUL!! (kind of a nutty flavor). I dreaded taking it every single day. Most days I had to chug it down with juice, food....whatever I could find!! I promised myself that when I finished the bottle, I would purchase capsules (no taste) so that I wouldn't have to go through that horrible process again. I must say that it did improve my digestion where food was concerned. No bloating or heaviness after eating :-)

Oh, I almost forgot, NEVER take this oil on an empty stomach or else you will feel extremely sick and nauseated. That was another "con" in my opinion. If I do repurchase this product, I will purchase it in capsule form.


♥ Sunshyne

Question:

"Is a braid out a protective style?"

Advice: It's so funny how often I get this question, but the answer is No!

A braid out is considered a low manipulation style. Low manipulation, basically means styling the hair with no direct heat. Braid outs, twist outs, bantu knots, pin curls, flexi rod sets, roller sets etc. are all under the category of low manipulation styles. These styles require no direct heat (blow dryer or flat iron) and barely any energy or skill on your part. They are easy to do and healthier style choices since direct heat is the quickest way to dry out the hair.

A protective style is where your ends are protected, shielded away, and invisible to outside elements i.e. weather (rain, snow, wind, sun etc.). These styles really help in retaining length. Some examples would include buns, braids, cornrows, wigs, weaves, lacefronts, french braids, up-dos, phony ponies etc. Protective styles can be considered as low manipulation styles, however, low manipulation styles are not protective styles.

I hope that clears up any confusion :)

♥ Sunshyne

Promises: Ion Effective Care Intensive Therapy Treatment contains Panthenol Pro-vitamin B5 and Hydrolyzed Vegetable protein to form a two-in-one moisturizer and protein fortifier to rehydrate and repair dry, damaged hair.

• Panthenol Adds Body and Shine
• Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein re-hydrates and repairs
• Adds strength and condition to damaged hair
  

Directions: After shampooing, rinse hair thoroughly and towel blot. Apply Ion Effective Care Intensive Therapy Treatment and work through hair or comb-blend for even coverage. For excessively dry, damaged hair, apply additional treatment to hair ends. Leave in hair 5 to 10 mins. Rinse thoroughly.

Ingredients: Water, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Dicetyldimonium Chloride, Stearalkonium Chloride, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Stearamine Oxide, Panthenol, Lecithin, PEG-5 Soy Sterol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Laureth-12, Methylparaben, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Citric Acid, Fragrance, Benzyl Benzoate, Limonene.

The Truth: After one use, I had already felt the difference in my hair. By difference I mean, my hair had a thicker appearance and of course the texture & strength improved as well. After rinsing out the treatment, my hair felt heavier leading me to believe that my hair was fortified and well conditioned (retained moisture). I witnessed little to no breakage afterward, which is plus!!

For those who are familiar with ION products, this particular treatment is a combination of the Ion Moisturizing Solutions Treatment & the Ion Repair Solutions Hair Reconstructor Treatment, in one product. This is a light protein treatment (with moisturizers), so it can be used weekly if you are relaxed or color-treated. I used it weekly with no problems!

I normally used it with heat for 15-20mins under my hooded dryer and then followed up with a moisture rich deep conditioner to soften my hair up. The scent and consistency reminds me of Nexxus Humectress conditioner, and as a bonus, it doesn't contain silicone or mineral oil (which I know, many of you would love). Overall, I liked it a lot and I would definitely re-purchase. You can purchase this at any Sally Beauty Supply Store.

Tips: Use as a prepoo treatment on dry hair for 15-20mins with heat (30mins without heat), shampoo and then follow up with a moisture based deep conditioner for 20mins with heat (45mins-1 hr without heat). Do this once a week for stronger healthier hair.

Price: $14.49 CAD 16oz

Hairlicious Rating: (4.5/5) Pretty Good

♥ Sunshyne

Since the devastating earthquake (7.0-magnitude) hit Haiti on January 12th 2010, I've been thinking of ways to donate extra money to help the people of Haiti. It has also come to my attention that another earthquake (magnitude-6.1) hit Haiti today. This truly breaks my heart.

A member of Hairlista left me a note asking for us Hairlistas to pull together and make a contribution some how, some way. I whole-heartedly agreed with her!!

From Jan 20th to March 20th 2010, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Hairlista Inc. T-Shirts & Tote bags will be donated to the Canadian Red Cross to benefit & support relief efforts in Haiti—providing medical support, clean water, food and shelter to people who have lost everything.

When purchasing a T-shirt or Tote bag, not only are you representing Hairlista Inc. and investing in your Hair Care Journey, but you are also helping the millions people who have been affected by this disaster, and those who are now left homeless.

Let's pull together and do our part. Your help is needed!



If you prefer to donate directly, here are some organizations to consider:

• The Red Cross is taking donations via text messages. Text the word HAITI to the number 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross relief efforts. It'll show up on your phone bill. Or donate online at RedCross.org or RedCross.ca

• Doctors Without Borders is asking for donations to help the emergency response teams in Haiti. Donate with a debit or credit card at https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org.

• Catholic Relief Services is responding to the aftermath of the massive earthquake that struck near the capital of Port au Prince. www.crs.org.

• UNICEF is seeking donations to the ongoing emergency relief efforts in Haiti and the Caribbean region through www.unicefusa.org/haitiquake or call 1-800-4UNICEF.

• The Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) -- the natural disaster relief arm of the OAS -- is asking people who want to donate to visit its special relief website www.PanAmericanRelief.org.

• Food For The Poor is a Christian relief agency headquartered in Coconut Creek. Donate over the phone at 1-800-487-1158 or online at www.foodforthepoor.org/HaitiQuake


♥ Sunshyne