UPDATE & APOLOGY **REVIEW** CAMILLE ROSE NATURALS Honey Hydrate Leave-In

UPDATE & APOLOGY - 

First, I have to backtrack on all the trash I talked about the product. As with so many other things in my crazy life, most of the problem was due to user error. I need to remember that every product can't be used the same way for every person.

The Honey Hydrate saved my hair after I dried it out trying to wash out an unfortunate dye job. Clarifying shampoo is awesome for getting rid of buildup - with a good single wash. After using it 3 or 4 times in a row on my hair, I ended up with tresses like those straw-headed dolls. And the dye was still horrible.

My hair was so dried out that it felt like damp steel wool. When all the water evaporated, I was afraid to comb it for fear of strands just snapping off.

Honey Hydrate to the rescue!

I sprayed my hair so that it was very damp then I applied the Honey Hydrate to my hair in 4 sections. I ran my palms from root to tip to make sure I was coating the hair well. Then I wrapped my hair in a satin bonnet for the night. In the morning, my hair was softer and felt less damaged, if that makes sense. Still, I avoided combing it for a few days. I just sprayed my hair lightly with water every morning and wore a scarf and let the Honey Hydrate do its thing. 

Now that I have more respect for the healing power of Honey Hydrate, I try to use it more. I don't use it full strength because that's still just too much. What I do is add a couple of drops to my sprayer and use it for curl refreshing or for softening after applying those hard curl gels. I also tend to add it to almost every other hair product I have! 

Basically, I have to use the product sparingly. Otherwise, it's too hydrating.

So, yeah, I had to come back and give Honey Hydrate credit where credit is due.

P.S.: My best friend says that I never tell this update story the same way. Probably. But gist is the real deal! LOL

**********************

 Oh, the hype out there about this stuff! I read, watched, and listened to probably more than 50 reviews about Camille Rose Naturals Honey Hydrate Leave-In. Well, hype is hype but results are what count. The price of this ranges from $14 to $20, depending on where you buy it. I got it from Target for 14 bucks and Amazon has lost its mind and has it for around 17 bucks with free shipping (and up). So, is it worth it? Let's take a look at everything about the product:

The look: It looks exactly like the amber-colored supposed-to-be-honey you find on most store shelves. Well, it might be a touch darker.  When you hold it up to the light, it looks even more like honey because of the tiny bubbles and what looks like sugar granules.

The smell: I've heard other reviewers describe the smell as "nothing", slightly sweet, and "just like honey". Sniffing the jar, I thought it smelled faintly of honey and amber with the tiniest hit of... chocolate??? It's not stinky and it's not strong. However, once I used this on my wet hair, the scent got much stronger and sweeter. It was more candy-scented than perfume-like. When it dries, it retains the sweet scent but is not overwhelming or unpleasant.

The texture: I  saw where other reviewers said that this felt just like honey - very sticky and unpleasant to the touch, in some opinions. Maybe I got a different batch but I don't find this to be sticky at all. It's not lotion-like, but it not overly tacky. You can see from the photo what it looks like just smoothed across my palm and the back of my hand.

A test strand: Before I did my entire head, I tried applying this to some strands of my hair. The first thing I noticed is that it brings out the curl pattern. Second, it seems to have an elongating effect. The hair was *not* sticky but had a slightly "coated" feeling that I didn't mind because it seemed to protect the hair and make it feel stronger. 

Doing my hair: The instructions are to apply to conditioned hair. I use a leave-in conditioner - which seems like overkill but... I use the Hydra Steam that I reviewed here so I applied that first, then applied the Honey Leave-In.

As I always do my twists

I want to note here that, just as mentioned by other reviewers, there really is a warming effect when rubbing the Honey between my palms. I didn't notice this when I was just applying it with my fingers to the test strands. It must be a chemical reaction between the ingredients and it actually feels nice. As I applied this to my hair (I did it in sections), there was that slightly sealing/elastic kind of feel left on the hair that I previously mentioned. 

I was spraying my hair to keep it from drying out as I applied the Leave-In. At the finish, my twists - which are normally only damp at this point - were dripping wet still. I took that as a good sign.

By the way, I have fairly thick hair and I ended up not using a lot of the product. 

Overall results: I am not that impressed. See for yourself. My hair is very moisturized but looks dry.

This did leave my hair incredibly soft but it also 'floofed' out any curl definition. I love the way my hair smells and feels, but it looks like I haven't done any styling at all. 

I ordered this online but, after one more test, I plan to return to Target when I go back into town. It's just not living up to the hype. The other "test" I plan to do? Since this suggests applying to conditioned hair and I used a leave-in, maybe the low-quality results are on me. Next week, I am going to do a "traditional" wash and wash-out condition and see what happens with the Honey Leave-In. 

Keep in mind that I used this in conjunction with Hydra Steam Curl Designing Cream - which is highly moisturizing by itself.  This next photo is the 2nd-day results of the Honey Leave-in used as described and then the Hydra Steam product used by itself (no Honey Hydrate).

Top - Honey Hydrate Leave-In applied over Hydra Steam Leave-In
Bottom - Hydra Steam Curl Design Leave-In by itself

Look at how those curl pop! with the Hydra Steam. My curls have never been so defined and shiny with less work...

Summary (and to be fair): I saw where some reviewers used Eco Styler and other aids to help with curl definition. As I said, maybe the other leave-in I used over-softened my hair and ruined the curls. Maybe. 

I am not totally knocking this product. I think that results depend on how you use it and what your hair type is - or maybe just your styling method. I don't want to have to buy another product (styling gel) to use with one that costs this much. I would like to use just this and get all the benefits it's hyped for.

I will update this when I use it solo.

To summarize:

Natural hair needs moisture. Afro natural hair needs lots of moisture. Moisture retention is important for hair growth, length retention, and hair health. 

Peace

--Free

UPDATE **REVIEW** Soft Sheen Carson Hydra Steam System

UPDATE:

I had to come back and amend my opinion about the Hydra Steam Masque. I gave it a rough review but, after having used it more than once and contrasted the difference in my hair using ONLY the Curl Design, I think the Masque is good. I have used the Curl Design once without using the Masque first and, um... No Bueno. At least, the Curl Design works ever so much better with the Masque. Now, the Curl Design is pretty awesome with any deep conditioner beforehand but it just works 5 times better with the Masque conditioner.

I want to always be fair in how I review a product and I have no problem admitting when I have been wrong.

 Ladies, let me tell you what...

If you have hair that is dry like mine, hair that doesn't hold curl definition well, and hair that chews up moisture and spits it back out so dry it can be used for kindling. Oh, and 4C hair - which is a beautiful texture but a bit problematic. If this is you, then you will want to try at least one part of a multi-part system from Soft Sheen Carson.

I tried Steps 2 and 4. Step 2 is going to be a return for a refund. Step 4 makes me understand why some people talk about holy grail products. 

This represents a WEEK of groceries

First, let me talk about Step 2  - Hydra Steam Moisturizing System Steam Masque - and why it's a fail for me.

For one thing, the price is ridiculous. Actually, it not that bad for products that work and that come in such a large size (14.4oz) tub.

This is a "steam" system and I know that a while back steaming was a popular hair treatment. I, however, don't have a hair steamer and my conditioning cap is getting old but it's all I have. That's what I used - an electric heat cap with a hot towel inside for added heat. (I read reviews where some people used a simple plastic cap and warm towel setup.) 

I washed my hair and left it almost dripping wet and applied the masque from root to tip. The product doesn't seem to have much "slip" at all, by the way. I sat under the heat cap for the recommended 20 minutes before I did a thorough, tepid-water rinse.

Let's stop here.

I've used cheaper deep conditioners with better noticeable results. This one had not felt all that moisturizing while I applied it. As I mentioned, there was very little slip and, unlike with most conditioners of any kind, my hair didn't seem to be softening or smoothing with the application. However, I didn't want to judge so quickly. I have used other conditioners with the same lackluster application results only to see benefits during or after the rinse. Not so with this one.

Rinsing this felt like rinsing a mild type of shampoo from my hair. It didn't leave my hair feeling awful, just not feeling any different as with no conditioner. (I hope I am making sense tonight.) I was not impressed but, again, I didn't want to judge too quickly. I spent too much money on this to give up now...

After the rinse is when I really noticed that this was going to be a Thumbs Down product. My hair tangles easily but is much more manageable after a deep (or even regular) conditioning. This was only very slightly helpful and it took forever to section my hair. 

Now here comes the good part, Step 4 - Hydra Steam Moisturizing System Curl Designing Cream:

Right away, I felt more positive about this step. For one thing, the texture is silkier. Step 2 has a thick ad lotion-like texture. Step 4 isn't thin but it has a more "wet" feel. Wonderful.

Again, I was working with very, very damp hair. I kept my spray bottle nearby to make sure. I followed the directions (except maybe I went a little heavier on the product than needed) and after applying the cream to each section from root to tip, I styled my hair in loose (or hanging) 2-strand twists. I slept with a satin scarf on and...

Well, hold on a second cos you won't fully appreciate the magic that is Step 4 until you remember what my hair looks like without it. I labeled the photos for an Amazon review and they are:

• #1 Dry for about 5 or 6 days after the last twist out and in need of a condition & leave-in.
• #2 (should have been 1) This is about 3 days after a twist & not quite as dried out as #1
• #3 After doing Steps 2 & 4
• #4 Tried to enhance lighting so you get a better look. Doesn't do it justice.

Thirsty. SO thirsty.

Now, let's take a look at this beautiful natural and nappy-licious hair:

Add caption

C'mon now. Let's hear it for those curls! 

Chile...

 Next time, I will take more time doing the twists for an even better set. I think I was not expecting much so I did a half butt job of it. Now I know. 

The "Curl Designing" part of the name fits. And because my hair is so dark, you aren't even able to see just how amazing the difference is. I tried playing with the lighting here to show it better

I have to tell you that I can't believe how amazing this stuff is. Step 4 anyway. We won't mention Step 2 again. Ever.

I have had products that I thought gave my hair the moisture it needed but this gave me moisture and definition. Usually, if I get a lot of moisture, it's at the expense of curl definition. My hair tends to "floof" out and go all Lion King on me.

No wonder that this product is from the same brand that I get my StaSofFro. I love that stuff and this Step 4 reminds me of the softness and moisture it gives - but with the curl definition.

So this one is a split kind of review. I will be sending back Step 2 with a quickness. If it was cheaper, I wouldn't bother but... that right there is grocery money.

By the way, I mentioned that this is a multi-part "system".  Apparently, it is no longer being produced in full (if at all). I found this photo of  6 pieces that seems to have been the entire system on a Brown Girl Gumbo article from 2014. 2014, you guys. You know back when the world wasn't being all 2020?

It looks like you could get either the entire system or the individual steps for around 13 bucks back then. I'm not clear. When I search it out now, I can only find individual steps. That's okay though because the 2 I found run in 20-dollar circles and they can keep that...

Here is the nuttiest thing of all: Before I got this, I snagged some of that Hair Honey on sale but have to wait for it to get here since not everyone does the 2-day Amazon thing! I have heard that the Hair Honey does amazing things. On top of this, it might be too much for my hair to handle. I will let you know.

To summarize:

Natural hair - afro hair - needs a good balance of moisture. Moisture is important for natural hair. Hair growth depends on many elements of care. Steaming hair can be beneficial. Steaming hair can be done without a lot of equipment. Steaming the hair can be healthy. Steaming the hair can promote growth and reduce damage. 

Peace

--Free

DAE Have Hair Texture Confusion?

(NOTE: The next several posts might be a bit out of order. Sorry but I've been saving up so many posts that I got mixed up. Hang in. All will eventually make some sort of sense.)

There are so many reviews on this blog for hair products. There are so many hair products out there to be reviewed. And I am talking just about the stuff for natural hair types. I can't even fathom how big the market is for every hair type. So, Reddit-style, I am asking a DAE: does anyone else share my frustration?

(By the way, this is a little bit of a gripe post. About hair. And hair texture.)

I am not sure that hair can be properly typed. Trying to identify my own hair type is a nightmare. I have been told that I am a 4C. Okay. First, let's look at just some of the hair charts that are out there:

I am nowhere in any of these ranges! All of these match some of my bi-racial nieces

Not quite any of these fit. I think hair length might have something to do with it

Depending on moisture levels, I might fit between 3B and 4A????

Now, let's look at a couple shots of my hair. I had to do dig around to find these. This first one is where my hair is at its driest (and un-dyed-est!). It's still shorter from a clipping:

~sigh~ Now I'm just confused ...
maybe I fit on the 2 outlined areas? Maybe.

Looks a little 4A-ish???

This is one I found where my hair is holding onto some moisture. Also, it's more grown out than in the other photo.

Looking at all of these, and then looking at my own hair, I think that I am between 4B and 4C. Some of my hair is totally 4B and some is all 4C. So, again, I don't think that it's easy for everyone to "type" their hair texture.

As you can see, I am very confused about how to type my hair. It depends on so much from day to day, If I twist my hair overnight, it comes out looking a whole other kind of way. And if I do Bantu knots overnight, it comes out different from the twisting. I prefer twisting or doing knots over a wash and go style.

I am beginning to think that it doesn't matter what "type" hair you have. As long as you understand your hair's behavior - how water and various products affect it - that's the important thing. Look at any product that sounds as if it should be perfect for your hair type, then read the reviews. There will be at least a couple of people who have your hair type who disagree about how the product works (or doesn't).

In the next post, I will do a quickie review of a couple of products I recently tried - okay, it's 4 products. It was time for me to re-stock and I decided to try some new things. I will be doing photos to show how 3 of those products affected my naps.

Peace
--Free

**REVIEW** Denman Brush

Well.

I have been hearing about the Denman brushes for years but I never tried using one. Until now.

 That is the Denman 5-Row Classic Pocket Styling Brush.


From what I can tell, most people either love, love, love, these brushes or they hate them. Out of all the reviews and articles I read, only a small percentage of people were neutral. On a scale of 1 to 10 - with 10 being the most positive - I land at 8.5.

When I read Amazon reviews, one of the things I picked up on is that some people wondered if they had gotten a faux Denman. I think I got the real deal.

Another criticism I saw was that this brush was too small, but the description does indicate that it is a "pocket" size. Personally, I like the smaller size because I had more control, especially when doing coils.

So, here goes my review:

I wanted this brush for 2 reasons. First, I wanted to use it to do coils (there are lots of vids and other Instructables for this). Second, I wanted it to better distribute products through my hair. Since I had read from some users that the brush had damaged their hair, I wondered if there was a correct way to use it to avoid damage. There is and it's very simple: your hair has to be wet - very wet - and you must work in small sections. Otherwise, yes, there will be LOTS of ripping and tearing of hair.

Since I wanted to do coils and need product for that, I was able to fill 2 birds. The brush worked amazing for creating coils - or at least it did in spots where my hair was "natural". I have a couple of patches of hair at the front of my head that, for some odd reason, lack any curl or kink. When I put product in those spots, the hair just flattens out into a stringy mess. With the brush, my coils were more even than when done with my fingers.

The best thing was the way this brush smoothed product onto every strand of my hair. Even if I don't coil my hair, the brush totally works my creams and softeners into my hair.

I have not yet figured out how (or why) to take some of the rows out of the brush. For now, I love using it as is.

Peace
--Free

**REVIEW** Curls & Naturals Texturizer Hair Softener (Biocare Labs)

It's been a minute since I've blogged. I've had a rough couple of weeks, healthwise, but I am back with a review of a product I really needed after being sick and run-down. Trust me. My hair was wrecked. Nappy, dry, and just totally neglected. So the first thing I did when I felt halfway human again was to take care of these tresses.

Wearing my hair "natural" really works well in the humid summer weather. Once the weather starts getting cooler and dryer, though, my hair starts acting all kinds of crazy. That's when I cheat and use a little bit of texturizer to add some softness and manageability. In the past, I've mainly used African Pride or Softsheen texturizing products. This time, I used a product I stumbled across online.

That is a product from Biocare Labs but you would have to look hard and for small print to see that on the box. As a matter of fact, over on Amazon, you will see the products just listed as Curls and Naturals - even if you search for Biocare Labs. 

I found the product completely by accident. I needed a "change-up" from my usual hair products and Biocare came up in a search. The products on their site are very affordable. The real test is in the results. This texturizer is the first of 3 full-size products and 3 samples. I will be reviewing them all in separate posts.

Like I said, I had totally let my hair go for over 2 weeks. I decided to do this texturizer and a dye job the minute I could get out of bed. And so I did. I managed to snap a quick photo of what the naps looked like (gray and all) pre-treatments:

Told you it as rough.

The main worry I have about texturizers is that they are close to being relaxers. I do NOT want my hair relaxed. Or, at least, I don't want it over-relaxed. I want it relaxed like I am after 2 drinks and not how I am after 3 drinks.

I love my natural hair but it's got management issues. A good texturizer will soften and tame my curls. This texturizer is perfect. My hair came out much softer and I didn't lose any of my curls. It loosened the curls so that they don't tangle together (which causes breakage when I comb or style it). Unlike most other products, it didn't leave my hair hard or "crunchy".

The only downside to the product would be that the 5oz jar is too small for most people. Not for me. my hair in the longest spots is about 4.5 inches, but a lot of it is at 4 inches or less. I only ever texturize the roots and out to the first inch or so of my hair so I ended up with half a jar leftover.

Because this is a pre-mixed formula, I will be able to seal and save the leftover for later use. And, I do mean I sealed the leftovers using my food sealing machine. (I am telling you now, you need to get a food sealer, for real!)

Right after I finished rinsing all the texturizer out of my hair, I could tell that this particular product wasn't as drying. Usually, I have to immediately do a 5-minute conditioning just so that my hair doesn't have that stiff "processed" feeling. Of course, I still did a deep conditioning anyway. Once my hair dried completely, I could really tell that this was a good product.

Will I buy this again? Definitely. The jar is small, but the 5-dollar price is awesome for 5 ounces. To sum up the Pros:

• Product is no-mix and not as messy
• Comes with gloves 
• Comes with a conditioning neutralizing shampoo
• 5 ounces is enough for short hair and more than enough for root touch-ups
• Has mild "processor" smell that fades fast
• Ships from BioLabs very quickly
• Samples come with purchase when ordered from BioLabs site
• You can track your shipment easily

The downsides are just minor:

• Doesn't come with Prime shipping on Amazon
• Shipping cost on Amazon is per product, which is expensive
• Shipping from Biocare Labs is based on weight, shipping & state and can be pricey
• The model photos in the instruction packet is wearing bone-straight hair. This might be confusing if you only want to texturize. 

Like I said, I have no major complaints and will be using Biocare Labs again. The samples they sent were of a good size and good enough that I'd like to try the full sizes. I will do reviews when I get full-sized products.

By the way, I used Nice and Easy, this time in the shade of Soft Black. I like it.

Peace
--Free

**REVIEW** Clairol Nice and Easy Permanent Hair Color

Remember back when I raved about the Walmart Beauty Box?  Well, while I liked everything in that neat little $5 box, I had a couple of favorite items. One was the Foam Conditioner by Pantene (of which I plan to buy a full-size when I'm in need of more conditioner), and the other was the Nice and Easy Hair Color that I was able to get FOR FREE with the generous coupon provided.

Question: When you buy something that is less than the coupon amount, why don't you get the change back? Just saying. The coupon was for $8.99 and I think the product I got at Walmart was priced at $6 and some change. Oh well. The important thing is, I found the product and was able to use it.

Normally, I've used L'Oreal's Colorsilk hair coloring (Dark Soft Brown or Brown Black shade). The price is what attracted me several years ago (even in Anchorage, I didn't have to pay more than $4 for a box) and I found it easy to pick the right shades for my hair so just stuck with it. Had it not been for the coupon, I never would have tried the Nice and Easy. I'm SO glad that I did. So let's talk about this.

When I have dyed my hair with the L'Oreal, I always liked the results, but until now, I never noticed that it was slightly harsh on my hair. It doesn't strip my hair or totally dry it out and I love the conditioner that comes in the kit. Next to the Nice and Easy, though, I have to say the L'Oreal is not as good. There was more of a conditioning effect with the N and E and the color was definitely richer and covered the grey better. The one downside is that, because I am not used to the color charts for the N and E, I went a little too dark... As in, instead of the soft off-black or brown-black I was going for, I ended up with crow-black results. I have since tossed the box, but I want to say that I got the Dark Brown to put on my own Dark Brown hair.

This is what my hair looked like pre-Clairol coloring:

And this is my Jackie Chan Black hair post coloring:

I was going to re-color it to tone down the black but my neighbor told me that it's actually very flattering. I don't photograph well so you don't get the full effect. That color is the same color as my eyebrows.

After coloring and conditioning, my hair was very soft and manageable. The color was very dark and it covered every inch of my grey. I can tell that this dye penetrates much better than the L'Oreal. After I use the L'Oreal, I can rinse some of the dye out a day later. With this dye, there is no residual loss of color so soon after coloring. As a matter of fact, the next time I use this dye, I have to be more careful not to get any on my skin because this stuff stains more than the other brand.

So yeah, I do love this brand and I'm going to be switching away from the L'Oreal. Now if I can just find the best shade.

Peace
--Free

**REVIEW** Ancient Greek Remedy (best oil blend EVER) UPDATED

UPDATE: I sent a question to Greek Bliss about their foot balm and body butter. I heard back and they were nice enough to send me a code to try their foot balm and the soap. I will, of course, be doing reviews on those products asap.

*** *** ***

Almost exactly 2 years ago, I got to try this

It's Ancient Greek Remedy Oil sold by Bliss of Greece

I used it as a nighttime rest treatment, putting some on my neck and bosom to help relax me. The scent was very soothing and calming. I loved it. Then I packed it down with the rest of my many many oils when I got ready to move. When I got settled here in the new place, I didn't unpack all of my oils, just the ones I use on my hair or to clean.

The other day, I was looking for my black pepper essential oil and found the Greek Therapy Oil in the box. Oh, joy! 

Now as some of you know, I've been losing weight on the intermittent fasting regimen. Anytime I lose or gain weight, I take special care of my skin. I will use a lot more moisturizer until my weight stabilizes. In the past few weeks, I've been going extra heavy on the body lotion. Last night though, I went back to the product page and looked up the Ancient Greek Remedy's product page. I remembered how much I liked it but wanted to refresh my memory about the different ways it could be used. This is the full product description with my highlighting notes:

Ancient Greek Remedy Oil is made of 100% PURE Blend of Organic Sweet Almond, Cold pressed Olive, Lavender and Grapeseed oil with Vitamin E, VEGAN, GLUTEN and GMO FREE. Multi purpose moisturizer packed with hair skin and nails vitamins, promotes natural health and beauty solutions which are superior than any single oil. each one from the 4 magical oils is a source of unique Vitamins and antioxidants that together create the ultimate solution all for your health needs.

OLIVE OIL is full with anti aging vitamins and hydrating squalene, making it superb to use as firming body oil for smooth and even skin tone. reduces facial dark spots, promotes healthy soft and beautiful hair, help thickening thin hair, good for wavy, curly, straight & afro hair.

LAVENDER Oil is one of the most well known essential oils in aromatherapy, benefits include its ability to Reduce anxiety and stress, migraine and headache relief, improves sleep apnea, prevent pregnancy stretch marks, Stop chronic scalp itch and cure dandruff, Effective treatment for skin discoloration, Acne scars, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, alopecia, seborrheic and atopic dermatitis.

ALMOND OIL is rich in hair and Skin care Vitamins includes, monounsaturated fatty acids, proteins, potassium and zinc, which explains why its a favorite massage oil and great for firm skin, optimal for treating hair loss and damaged hair, best natural toenail and cuticle Softener.

GRAPESEED OIL due to their nutritional and medicinal properties grapes been used in many home remedies for centuries. GrapeSeed Oil provides lasting moisture for rough hands, feet and cracked heels, tighten loose skin, frizzy hair and healing flaky scalp.

I was wasting this by only using it to rest better!

I want to share a little note about something in the product description. Somewhere is mentioned something about a "fine mist" spray bottle. Unless the design has changed since 2016, the bottle does not have any kind of a "mist" spray. The oil comes out in little squirts which seems normal since it's too thick to "mist". I just wanted to point that out.

Of course, now I am using it all over. When I twisted my hair last night, I put some of this oil on my scalp. I also used some on my feet. To moisturize my body, I mixed this oil in with some of the other carrier oils I have. I can't afford to waste this. 

I'm kicking myself for not having used this on my feet and torso before now. The oil made my skin feel like silk. I had always just slapped some on and went to sleep and I was a little worried that the lavender would be overwhelming for all-over use. Not a problem. The lingering scent is very mild, maybe because I mixed it with other oils. I do know that I will be using this every single day until I get down to my goal weight. And I will keep using it on my feet - which is the one place my psoriasis attacks. 

When it comes to using things on my face, I don't normally go with anything scented. I did test this on my face (concentrating on the blackhead-prone nose area) and was happy there was no irritation from the lavender. I like it best though on my lips first thing when I wake up. After I brush my teeth, I wipe my mouth and it feels better for having had the oil on it.

At the time that I first got this oil to review, I didn't have to buy it. I had gotten this and another soothing oil and the other one was good but very, very pricey. Thank goodness when I checked, the Greek Remedy oil has a better price. Currently it's at $14.99.

One final thing: if you decide to order this and, like me, want to get 2 bottles, you have to make separate orders. For some reason, the seller won't allow you to order more than 1 bottle at a time. I have submitted a message asking why this is and I will let you know when I find out.

In the meantime, you can go over to the Bliss of Greece page to learn more about their other products. The Buy links direct you to the products on Amazon.

Peace
--Free

**REVIEW** Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie

I've been tough on a lot of hair products in the past. Miss Jessie's and Shea Moisture are two of the brands that have disappointed me more than once. Both brands are very expensive for the average working class consumer so I think they should be held to a high standard. I've only found one Miss Jessie's product that I would rate as so-so (which is better than my usual Thumbs Down). Recently, I came across a Shea Moisture product that I actually like quite a lot.

That's the Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie from the Shea Moisture label. It self-touts that it will moisturize and "curl define" thick, curly hair. I know I should be thrilled about all the things the product claims to be free of:

• Sulfates
• Parabens
• Phthalates
• Propylene Glycol
• Mineral Oil
• Animal testing

Oh - and it's also color safe and carries the Allure seal. I should care about all that and I do, kind of. What I care most about though is whether or not the stuff works. That's the bottom line for me. After all, a lot of products make the same above claims, but if they don't work, none of it does me a bit of good.

So. Does this "smoothie" define curls and moisturize the hair? I have to admit that it did both for me. Also, the price works. I think I paid around $8 for the 6oz jar at Sally Beauty Supply. That's probably the cheapest Shea Moisture product I've ever seen.

Here are the other Pros:

• The cream smells amazing. I'm not sure that I smell much of the coconut fragrance and I'm not sure I recall what hibiscus smells like, but the cream smells very fresh and slightly floral. It's not a heavy scent, but it's nice.
• It doesn't take a lot of the product to moisturize my hair even after washing and drying (when it's at its driest), and it really does add definition to the curl pattern.
• The cream also provides a bit of "stretch". This is important right after I have washed and dried my hair because that's when I get a lot of shrinkage.
• I love that the cream is not "heavy" or oily.I can touch my hair without worrying about transferring residue to anything else I touch.
• The moisturizing and defining effects generally last a few days. There's no need for me to twist or coil my hair to get the definition I like. I can literally do the sleep-and-go thing for up to three to three and a half days before I need to remoisturize.

I think my favorite thing is that, because of the lasting effects, I can get so much use out of this one jar. I'm glad for the affordable price and think it would still be a good bargain if I had to pay a couple more dollars.

Now is when I will go ahead and admit that I am pretty hooked on this stuff. It's all I've been using since I got this jar. 

I think I mentioned recently that, since I've changed my eating habits to keto, I've seen an improvement in the health and growth of my hair. Usually, when I get hair growth, I have problems keeping it styled well. My curl pattern gets crazy with any changes in length. This curl smoothie has been wonderful. I love being able to finger style my hair - instead of having to twist or coil it every few days. And the moisture! It's so nice to get some curl without the crunch!

(The photo is one I took for another post, but you get the idea.)

This one product has made me want to take a look at some other SheaMoisture items. Not the hair stuff because I think the smoothie is all I need for my hair. What I'm talking about is the line of makeup by SheaMoisture. I'd heard about them before but, because I was on an anti-SM groove, I refused to even think about trying something else from them. Now, maybe-maybe. If I do try the makeup, you'll hear all about it!

Peace

--Free 

Ketogenics. It's a Balancing Act

Trying not to be this person

So, it's Day Whatever-I've-Stopped-Counting of my commitment to a keto lifestyle. I've lost and gained and lost. Good news is that I've lost more than I've gained. Also, someone pointed out that the bathroom scale is not a friend.

To look at what I have learned and am appreciating about this eating regimen (I love that word), I have to admit that I am more pleased than I expected to be. For one thing, whether or not I lose weight as fast as I want, I am still doing my body (and health) a lot of good.

Pros:

• I don't feel as tired as I did when I was eating so many starches and processed foods.
• My hair loves the keto diet. I think because I'm getting so many good oils in my diet, my hair is staying healthier and more hydrated - even on the days when I don't get enough water.
• My blood pressure is down.
• I am losing inches faster than I am losing weight. (I really do need to come back and do an update on my measurements, now that I am thinking about it.)
• I'm saving money on groceries. Lots and lots of money.
• I'm losing my taste for sugar/sweets. (More on this in a moment.)
• I'm breaking the connection with "bored eating".

Cons:

• It's tough finding the right combination of macronutrients for my personal needs and goals.
• I'm having to get used to grocery shopping in a new way. There's a lot of time spent reading and comparing labels for everything I buy to eat. This goes even for the things that keto allows.
• No one else in my family practices the keto lifestyle. That makes it tough to store and prepare food because of sharing storage space (for foods) and finding time in the kitchen.
• I'm experiencing a sharp decrease in appetite and sometimes have to make myself eat.
• The first couple of weeks was tough because I was quite physically exhausted and felt sluggish.

The positives are definitely stronger than the negatives. All the Cons are things that I can work around or count on improving as time goes by.

You notice that I mentioned I am losing my taste and cravings for sugars and sweets. Do you remember how when I started low-carb eating I spent so much time crying about my Almond Joy coffee creamer? Well,  I broke down yesterday and picked up a bottle. My intention was to just have some as an every-now-and-then treat. 

Guess what? The first time I treated myself, I used the usual amount (about four tablespoons, which is a lot I know) and... Ugh! Too, too, too sweet. I had to dump some of the sweetened coffee and add some fresh black brew. Still, the taste wasn't the same. I almost couldn't bear the smell of it eiher.

What this tells me is that it's true that every change takes time. It's been not quite three weeks of limiting and then cutting out the flavored creamer. In the meantime, I've been using heaving cream, butter and, in rare instances, a little bit of sugar substitute. I must have gotten used to that because it now is preferable to coffee with flavored creamer. Instead of the Almond Joy, I think I will try "treating" myself by adding a little bit of brown sugar in with the cream and butter.

When I tell you that my hair loves keto, I'm serious. I'm going to find a photo from at least a month ago to compare with one I'm going to take today just for this post:

August 15th 2016

September 15th 2016

By the way, I am using the timestamps form my camera. Just lucky that I found the "Before" photo that was from this date last month. I literally paused in the typing of this post to go and take a bathroom mirror shot for you! (My face has slimmed down quite a bit, but I covered it up because I'm not doing makeup-free photos today. LOL)

When I say that keto is a balancing act, I'm talking about getting the ratios of protein/fat/carbs regulated. Not only is this tricky (because it varies from person to person), but it's also ever-changing.

One of my Instagram buddies was doing keto long before I started (and that's one reason I started following him on Instagram) and he is always tweaking his ratios. Everybody I know of (all only online for now) doing keto mentions hitting plateaus, intermittent fasting, egg fasting, and fat fasting. That's because the way the diet works (basically burning body fat for energy rather than storing it) depends on your energy output and calorie input. I guess this is true for any kind of eating plan, but because keto is based on burning fat, the balancing act is trickier. (I hope that all made some kind of sense!)

I've gone through stages of getting too much protein and not enough fat. That's why I had my first stall in weight loss. Now that I am getting more fat in my diet, I need to concentrate on calories. I need to make sure I am getting enough. This is tough because, like I mentioned a moment ago, I have a decrease in appetite.

This is the way my usual day goes with food:

Breakfast - coffee with heavy cream, butter & maybe some coconut oil. No food. I am not a morning eater.

Lunch - if I eat anything, it's usually a brat that I slice longways down the center so I can fill it with about a tablespoon of cream cheese. (Lunch is easy for me to skip because I am usually writing or running errands. I'll make do by warming up my morning coffee.)

Dinner - An Atkins frozen entree. IF I EAT A MEAL. Lately, I've been snacking instead. I like to eat baby dill pickles and green olives with a bit of cheddar cheese, or a handful of raw almonds and about eight or nine mini-pepperoni slices.

My biggest water intake is from the Pellegrino mineral water. Love that stuff and, thanks to Costco, I can get a case of the 25.3oz bottle for around $20.

Sometime this week, I am going to make some cream cheese/cacao powder fat bombs. I will add some coconut oil, Kerrygold butter, and some sugar substitute. I can snack on those when I just don't want to eat.

I'm glad that the seasons are changing because I can use the winter "down time" to lose more weight. God willing that we are all still here, next summer... my skinny jeans will be in full effect.

Peace
--Free

P.S.:

I know that I have been skimping on product reviews. Sorry, but I will try to get back to them soon. My Amazon Prime is up for renewal in October and I honestly can't say yet if I plan to re-up. The shipping and other restrictions on Alaska customers is just annoying. Even though businesses usually give me codes for free products, if I don't renew Prime, I will be doing fewer reviews since I won't have the free shipping. Prime shipping has gotten so slow and unreliable that, for the annual fee, it's just a bust.

P.S. to the P.S.:

I made the lemon and cream cheese fat bombs. OMG, SOOOO good. One problem: I didn't add enough coconut oil and they stuck to the pan. I think they were supposed to be done on the cookie sheet and not in muffin tins...

**RESOURCES** Hair, Bath & Beauty Brands (you might not have heard of)

While working on my book proof, I'm not posting much other than resources and lists.

Here's a list of haircare, bath and beauty brands that you might not have heard of. I know that some of them are new to my ears. Check them out and, if you do, please let me know what you think.

• Qhemet Biologics is totally new to me. Like their tagline: Ancestral care for modern naturals".
• Besame Cosmetics. "Inspired by the golden age of Hollywood".

• Whipped Goods. "Plant-based & handcrafted".
• Abnormal Beauty Company. Site and "DECIEM" (word? acronym?) a bit confusing to me.

• Becca Cosmetics. I've only heard about the brand. 
• BlackUp "Makeup expert for women of color". (I like that Sephora carries the line. I do still hate Sephora's customer service, though.)

• BH Cosmetics. I love their prices and foundations.
• Mary Kay. You've heard of them, but the shade ranges might surprise you.
• Fashion Fair. It's been a while since I've tried it, but I need to.

That's a good start. I will have to add to the list later. For now... back to writing.

Peace

--Free