Old Pains & Praying for a Forgiving Heart

Have you ever had the past reach out and tap you on the shoulder? Like, "Psst, hey you. Remember that time when...?" And it's rarely a good "time when". Yeah. Anyway.

 I recently got a voicemail from someone out of my past. I let the call go to voicemail because, apparently, telemarketers have found my number. Yay. 

Anyway, when I checked the message, I didn't recognize the voice but it was male. The caller's message was aggressively friendly - although "friendly" is not the word. Maybe I should say the person sounded as if they were being friendly. In a weirdly aggressive way. Still, I didn't recognize the name. They were talking as if they were putting on an act for someone. Like, I said, it was weird. Weirder, this message said something about the person having once been a "best friend" of mine. I've only ever had a few "best" friends. All of them are female and 2 of them are dead.

I had my brother call the number and it turned out to be someone from quite a ways back in my past. And this person did not end up being a very good friend (of any variety). As a matter of fact, their last interaction with me seemed to be the start of some of my worst years.

Even people who were not super-close friends (more like very fond acquaintances) had my back when I needed it. This person who called had not had my back at all. As a matter of fact, they turned their back on me when I needed it.

At any rate, I did make an attempt to return the phone call as a polite courtesy. The call went to voicemail. Weirder and weirder, am I right? It's probably a good thing I got voicemail. I was having a really bad "brain day" so I'm sure I might have been incoherent in my stress.

That strange phone call/voicemail dredged up some old pains. At the time, I had too much going on in my life to dwell on how the person had treated (or not treated) me. I left a job that had been important to me and the parting was not nice. My sister was newly coping with her sudden bad health and I was trying to figure out how to stay on top of the mortgage and other bills we had. I was really trying to hold it all together. (And God did bring us through that storm. I did come out on the other side feeling pretty beat up.)

In a space of what feels now like the blink of an eye, a lot happened. I lost (quit) my job, sold the house, relocated for another job, almost lost my sister, sold the new house, ended up married, divorced, relocated back to my home state, started another much better) job, and became seriously ill. It really was a lot.

As I said, God brought me through and the troubles only strengthened my faith. And the storms weren't done with me yet. 

Just as life seemed to be calming down for me, my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer, then we lost my older brother, then I lost my sister, and then I just felt lost.

My best friends - the true ones - went through most of this with me as they were all going through their own stuff. We shared encouragement, prayers, tears, and laughter - because, somehow, we could always find some laughter! Then I lost my sister. Less than a month later, I lost one of my best friends, and my other best friend relocated out of state. 

Do you know who I did not hear from? The voicemail "best friend". I don't remember getting any calls of support or condolences - not even a voicemail.

So I guess I am, as the kids say, feeling some kind of way. And not just because of all that I explained but also because this "friend" is a Christian. Just like my husband's family full of ordained robe-wearing, choir-directing saints who forget to be as holy outside the church doors as they are inside them. It's painful to be mistreated by anyone but it's more painful that that person is a Christian brother or sister.

So, for a whole day, I lay around (because it was my day to take the nastiest of my medicines) feeling not only med-sick but heartsick. The voicemail dredged up so much hurt that I was shocked.

Now that I am feeling better and my brain is not misfiring, I am praying that God help me to have a forgiving heart. I don't want to harbor any bad feelings for anyone. So I have decided that maybe this person from my past has changed and was extending an olive branch. (I know that I have given out one or two long-overdue apologies/explanations. I still have a couple of people to reach out to.)

There are some verses I will be re-reading in the next few days - (I ripped these straight from Bible Study Tools):

• Ephesians 4:32 - Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
• Matthew 18:21-22 - Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.
• Colossians 3:13 - Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Not to mention the part of the Lord's Prayer one I pray every morning:

"And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." (Matthew 6:12)

Anyway, I am just going to try to leave all the past hurts and bad interactions where they belong: in the past. And I hope to be pleasant and forgiving should I ever talk to that one person again. I do wish them well and I do pray for them.

Peace

--Free

Issues I Wish Politicians Campaigned On **UPDATE**

**UPDATE**

I am updating this post with some information from other sources. See each category for the current updates. I will try to continue adding updates (but no promises!).  The update headings will be in boldface red font.

Every election cycle, the politicians focus on the same things: the economy, taxes, abortion, and crime. Those are all worth talking about but I wish someone would start talking about other things that matter to the "regular" men and women.

Here is my list of things I'd like to see become big campaign issues:

Food:

• Why are we still allowing problematic ingredients into our food products? 
• Why is high fructose corn syrup in almost everything on store shelves?
• Why isn't it standard to more clearly label ingredients for what they are? Any salt or sugar under their many names should be noted as salt and sugar. As a matter of fact, every ingredient should be noted for what it really is - additive, preservative, dye, hormone (or hormone-related), etc. Labels should not be able to conceal the true nature or identity of ingredients.
• If obesity and food-related illnesses are as bad as alcohol and tobacco, why aren't there warning labels on food products? We shouldn't need a degree in chemistry (or whatever) to know that we are eating or drinking something that can cause cancer, stunt growth, or otherwise affect our health. 
• We need to raise our standards for school lunches to those of places like Japan and France - anywhere that is healthier than ours.

UPDATES (8/25/24)

• This is Newsweek's list of articles regarding food recalls.
• These are the (current as I write this)  active "Recalls & Public Safety Alerts" from FSIS (use the filters to look at past alerts).

Consumerism:

• Why don't we better support and promote items "Made in the USA"? Why don't we make it a standard that the country of origin of items is very clearly noted on products? More than half the stuff in stores (and on Amazon, Walmart, etc) are made in China. Even long-standing brands that consumers think are American-made are no longer made anywhere near the U.S. 
• In line with the above, why isn't the government encouraging the creation of items Made in the USA? There has to be a reason (not always greed) that manufacturing is being moved to cheaper countries. If we can spend  waste so much money on unnecessary things, can we start moving some of that money to things that really matter? Why aren't we supporting manufacturers of clothing, cars, food products, etc. to do their manufacturing right here in the U.S.? Wouldn't that create more jobs and stimulate local economies? Talk about "Making America Great Again", let's actually do that instead of fighting amongst each other about one political party or the other. 
• Why aren't we spending money on programs to educate families on spending, budgeting, and other basic financial issues?
• In line with the above, why don't we sponsor some community programs for people of all ages - but especially the young - to learn about financial issues? 

UPDATES (8/25/24)

• FTC laws regarding "Made in the USA"
• Some older information regarding Chinese imports (vs American exports to China).

Note this piece from that report: "U.S. goods and services trade with China totaled an estimated $758.4 billion in 2022. Exports were $195.5 billion; imports were $562.9 billion. The U.S. goods and services trade deficit with China was $367.4 billion in 2022."

Crime and Community:

• We spend so much money on policing and jailing while crime rates keep getting worse. Why aren't we allocating some money to programs to avoid the need for more police and jails? How about spending some money to find out why communities have a problem with gang or drug violence. Instead of criminals coming out of jail with poor employment prospects, we hire them to help solve problems with crime. (I remember hearing about criminals with computer skills being used to teach authorities how to avoid certain crimes.)
• Why aren't we giving more recognition and rewards to people who aren't committing crimes or who are working to prevent crimes in their communities? If we recognize and reward people for their positive impact, maybe more people would work toward that. Right now, criminals get all the attention. (The idea years ago of not glorifying serial killers by giving them nicknames and press attention could work here.) 
• I am almost positive that the government has its fingers in the entertainment industry. There are lots of movies and music made lauding negative things - extramarital or teen sex, drug use, and other reckless lifestyle choices. Why aren't we making entertainment that promotes faith, moral integrity, or other positive aspects?
• Citizens/residents of a community should be encouraged/incentivized to help keep that community clean and safe. 

Medical, taxes, and the usual:

I wasn't going to mention these things but... There is so much room for improvement. When I talk to my neighbors (I live in a "senior" building), we often talk about what it's like to be "senior" or elderly in America. Some of the things I hear:

• Why aren't glasses, hearing aids, and therapy included in medical plans? I have a Medicare Advantage plan that includes free local gym membership. That's nice but I'd rather have free eyeglasses. Vision and hearing are things that tend to diminish with age. 
• Why are benefits for the elderly and disabled so complicated? Some of my neighbors who are disabled (and receive benefits) would like to work from home or earn extra income some other way (selling handmade items or their skilled services) but are afraid of losing some or all of their benefits. 
• When is the government going to actually start taxing the rich more than they do the poor? We talk about it all the time but the rich have the money to find and pay for loopholes. The poor end up using tax services set up in booths at Walmart...

Americans First:

• Any elder assistance, citizens' aid, or other perks should go to American-born citizens first. I'm no expert but I think this is what other 1st-world countries do.
• Jobs should go first to American-born citizens. This should include job preparation or training.
• Businesses owned by American-born citizens should be shown preference for benefits, tax cuts, and other perks.
• Businesses owned by non-American-born people should be required to hire a certain percentage of American-born employees. 
• Businesses owned by non-American-born people should be required to keep the majority of income in the U.S. economy.
• In place of the above 3 items, the U.S. should implement a "match" system with other countries. Whatever they require of American-born citizens in their country, we require the same for any of their citizens living in our country. 
• If American-based corporations/businesses send money, jobs, or other things out of the U.S., they should be taxed at a higher rate.

The 99% vs the 1%:

• No corporate officer of businesses/companies should make more than a certain grouped percentage of employees. This would include the well-known "golden parachutes" and other perks that reward people unfairly.
• No individual household should pay more in taxes (by percentile) than major corporate officers and/or large business owners. 
• Large corporations/businesses should be required to contribute a certain amount to the communities they operate in. These contributions (outside of employment) could be in funding hospitals, safety services (police, fire & rescue), neighborhood cleanup, and any other beneficial services. Contributions could also be in the form of funding for local educators and educational facilities.
• The same as above should go for any corporations and/or large businesses using the resources of a community or having other impacts on a community.
• The 99% should not be unduly burdened by the pursuits and/or profits of the 1%. 

And my biggest gripe:

Lobbyists. These special advocates have too much freedom and power. Their influence is totally out of sync with that of the average citizen. It's because of them that we have many of the problems mentioned in this post. They have, in effect, a monopoly on power in Washinton that affects too many aspects of the daily life of regular people like myself. 

How do we change the way healthcare is run when politicians are afraid of the lobbying power (and money) or the healthcare industry? The same goes for making changes in the food (and food labeling) industry, banking, housing, and so on. For every aspect of the life of an average citizen, there is a lobbyist for an industry or organization that has more power. 

For everything I've talked about, there can be no improvement as long as there are lobbyists. Or - and this is the biggest - anyone with the money to influence a once well-meaning politician. Someone might start out all fired up to make changes but, once they take their seat at the table (of power), they come in reach of money. Big money. And money influences everything.

I know that I sound like a dreamer. I know that there are no easy answers to a lot of the things that bother the average citizen but we have to start somewhere. 

Whenever I see a documentary about how some other country deals with crime or education or working parents, I wonder why we couldn't do better right here at home in America.

If you have some time, just go and do a search on things like "wasteful government spending"; "American school lunches compared to other Westernized countries"; and "European food labeling vs American food labeling". A real eye-opener is when you start looking at "American ingredients not allowed in European countries."

Some readers might think I am promoting a form of communism. I'm not. I am suggesting we begin normalizing a form of empowerment for all citizens, regardless of finances, power, or social visibility. We should encourage capitalization and reward hard work. We should not penalize anyone whose hard work does not give them greater financial rewards.

Peace

--Free

I'm Such A Neophile (Like My Niece Was)

 Calling myself a neophile sounds snooty - and it's not entirely accurate. Neophiles "have a love of things new and trendy". I have a love of things new, old, or forgotten - trendy or not. Maybe "dabbler" is a better term. I'm a curious dabbler. Yes, that sounds much better.

One reason I like to learn about new things is that it's a way to keep my brain occupied and active. One of my first doctors told me to always find new stuff to think about and do and he thought of it as exercising a muscle. The way I see it, an idle brain makes you old.

Anyway.

In the past year, I have looked into using camel hump fat for skin and hair care; learned about floral waxes; started using boar and bamboo bristle brushes; started making my own perfumes, and now I am making my own tonka bean and vanilla bean oils. 

It wasn't Xmas w/out a 
Gabby-made treat

My family sometimes says I can be childlike in my curiosity. I take that as a compliment. I love learning about new stuff. If I were wealthy, I'd probably spend all my time traveling to different places to see how other people think and play and work and just go about their lives. 

Gabs did a chair makeover

My younger brother made me feel wonderful once when he said that I sometimes see things differently from anyone else he knows. He said this to me when we were browsing a local thrift store. I spotted a beautiful old buffet cabinet and said that it would look great in my living room. My brother was confused until I explained that I could set the television on the top of the buffet and use all the little cabinets to display plants and photos and little bits of decor. It would be something old blending with things new. He thought that was a great idea. (Unfortunately,we couldn't afford the cabinet but I think about it often.)

Her first cake for a cousin's 
birthday. Everything edible
 but the truck!

Laugh at me if you want but I have usually managed to impress my family and friends with the homemade gifts I've given them. My sisters-in-law and nieces still look forward to getting a new perfume from me. Every batch is original and, since I wing the recipes, they cannot be duplicated - even by me. For the coming Christmas, I will be giving all the men boar bristle brushes for their hair (or beards) and the ladies will be getting floral wax balms to use on their face and lips.

The only other person in our family who shared my love of dabbling was my late niece Gabby. She was far more creative than I and she was great at crafting. She made beautiful cakes for the children's birthdays. In memory of her, I have scattered this post with photos of just some of her earliest creations.

When people were making those baby shower gifts crafted from diapers and other cute objects, my niece outshone them all. Just before she passed, her boyfriend had gifted her one of those Cricut machines. She never really got to use it but I was so excited to see what she would have come up with.

A baby shower gift.
Everything useable.

About fifteen years before she died, my niece made handmade Christmas gifts for every one of the family living in Alaska. All the ladies got a box of lotion bars. Some were in the shape of the state flag and some were shaped like the state flower (the Forget Me Not). She had scented them with lavender, peach, lily, and other lovely fragrances. She was an amazing, creative, thoughtful, and generous woman. I miss her presence in my life every single day.

Another baby shower gift
A plane.

I truly believe that God blesses us with our sense of imagination and wonder. Those are the best forms of entertainment there is. I rarely let my brain run idle. My thoughts are sometimes jumbled which can result in hilarious journal entries. And if you guys could see these blog posts before I clean them up...

I'm pretty excited right now to put together these homemade gifts for my family. As I said, I am using floral waxes to make moisturizers and lip balms for the ladies. Since the ladies so loved their perfumes last year, maybe this year, I will make scents for the guys in the family - maybe some colognes and beard oils???

Another thing about being a dabbler is that it staves off depression. I am already prone to that mental nuisance but right now, waiting to get my dentures and watching the weather turn gray, I know the blues will take over if I let them. 

At any rate, I'm going to keep on keeping as busy as my health lets me. Making the balms should take some time and I know I have to be patient with the vanilla and  Tonka oils. My next thing is to start another Bible study. I haven't seriously done a study since last year. 

By the way, as I was going through photos of Gabby's creations, my mood lifted. Just thinking of her makes me smile. Our family get-togethers won't be the same without one of her treats. Here are some more:

I can't remember the occasion but it was perhaps a July 4th celebration. She made these little edible hats -

 

- that held more edible treats inside! Fantastic, right?!?

This cake was for an Uncle's birthday. He had a sweet tooth and M&M's were a favorite of his. Gabby did it again.

BTW - that stick is not holding
up the M&M bag; it's just something
on the table Gabby was working on.

This is for another get-together - for someone's birthday, I think. I know it was for someone who liked gaming.

Gabby is gone now and until I see her again, I have some really good memories of her. Like her, I want to always keep curious and interested and dabbling. Maybe I will leave something behind that my loved ones can have as a tangible memory.

Peace

--Free

**UPDATE** Making Cosmetics for Fun or Profit? (8/16/24)

**UPDATE**

After hyping a certain site for years, I have to cut ties. 

I no longer use Making Cosmetics and have not for about 3 years now. I think the last thing I bought from them was some silk protein or something.

The reason I have had to find other suppliers is that M.C. got too pricey and wishy-washy. I could buy something one day in a certain size or quantity then, as soon as the item got popular (maybe), either the price would shoot up or else the minimum quantity would. 

Also, I figured out long ago that I could find similar (quality or ingredients) products elsewhere. A huge example of this is the Repair Vita Oil I once loved so much. When the price shot up on that one, I found something as good (and, in some ways, better). There are several products similar to the Repair Vita Oil, but I think my favorite one is Palmer’s Coconut Oil Formula Coconut Monoi Luminous Hydration Facial Oil (I can get this at Walmart, Amazon, Target, etc.). Why would I sell an arm and half a leg to buy the M.C. stuff when I can get the Palmer's Oil for under $15?

Also, I think I was just loyal to M.C. and it took me a while to look around at other sources. There are lots of other sources out there, believe me. I found 10 without even looking hard.

The main reason I used M.C. was to be frugal. With that out the door, I can take my pennies elsewhere.

Things for my skin and haircare are luxuries (when I get past the basic hygiene items) and I do not have a luxury budget. So... goodby Making Cosmetics.

WHY THIS POST?

I have blogged here before about a site I occasionally shop from or just use for info. I think this was my very first post about Making Cosmetics. I have only ordered from their site a few times - including for the most recent purchase but I got very my first M.C. product from their Amazon storefront. That was before I knew they had their own site.

Anyway...

That's the Nars looking reddish

Since I have been fussing and ranting these past few weeks about not being able to find a good drugstore foundation with a red undertone in it, I finally decided it was DIY time again. The first M.C. item I purchased was some Wrinkle Blur powder as a substitute for an expensive O.T.C. product that I loved. I can't believe I didn't think of the site from the start of my foundation troubles.

Other than the so-perfect-but-unaffordable Nars, I think I have 4 foundations that I can make work for my skin tone but that would be awesomely perfect if they had that tiny bit of red undertone that the Nars Khartoum does. Well, I am not throwing that stuff out like somebody with more money than sense. If I have to, I will keep wearing a little of my Butter blush underneath the foundation even though it's a real pain to get just right. Right now, foundations all leave me with a nice finish but are just a little bit... off from my natural coloring. One of the best quality foundations makes me look a whole other race. I priced some of those shade-adjusting drops and couldn't even find the colors I needed. That left me in a ditch. I have makeup for days but none of it is absolute perfection.

LOVE this blush for
 cheeks and lips

So... I could use up all my blush to tint my foundation or I could try something else. (My blush is Butter London Cheeky Cream Blush that is not even sold on their site anymore and which I got as a gift from my late sister some years back while visiting Arizona... Yeah. I don't want to use it all up. The blush is more than a product I just don't want to run out of; it represents memories and love and it is also as cute as heck.)

The "something else option" that I figured out is the best way to go. It's also the cheapest way. (Took me forever to get here, didn't it?)

So. I've ordered three items from Making Cosmetics that I can use to customize my foundations to my liking. (I hope.) In the MC category of Colors and Color Blends, this is what I'm going to use:

• Iron Oxide Brown (Liquid) - Makeup Brown Pigment Blend Dispersed in Oil (to deepen the shades that are currently slightly too light).
• Iron Oxide Red (Liquid) - Makeup Brown Pigment Blend Dispersed in Oil (to add to the red tones in some of the items).
• Mica Blackstar Red - Fine Dark Red Lustre (For adding some red to the other products).

I know that I will have to experiment. I figure that I might even end up blending together some of the red colorants with the brown pigment to get a shade I can add to a couple of the foundations. To be as frugal as possible, I only got a teaspoon of each colorant. I love that I could order such a tiny amount. Apparently, from what I've researched (hi, Google), it won't take much for what I need. And if I have to go back for different colors/pigments later, I will stick to my teaspoon quantity. (Too bad brands won't sell foundation by the teaspoon so we could find a good shade without going broke.)

Anyway.

See my plan here? If I have to, I will start just getting the stuff to make my own foundation from scratch...

All told, I spent fourteen dollars to (again, hopefully) try fixing at least fifty dollars worth of makeup. Maybe one day I will try making my own line of foundation. It's totally possible.

THE FOR FUN and/or PROFIT PART

Now, I mainly wrote this post to let other women know about the items available on Making Cosmetics. I have never had a problem with them (except when they discontinued some fragrances I loved) as far as quality or customer service. Also, they have a points reward type system based on dollars spent.

Making Cosmetics has been the only place I get items to DIY it with my makeup but they have potential competition. Here are some other places to check out for ingredients or just products that might be hard to find for some reason:

• Inolex (a "specialty ingredients company") I really need to look this one over.
• Althea (for "getting you K-beauty fix outside of Korea" they ship to the USA and elsewhere) I saw a Water Sleeping Mask in the skincare section and...
• Lucas Meyer Cosmetics - They have a variety of natural products that look interesting.
• PCA Skin's site is "under construction" but I found some PCA stuff here & here. They might be other places. I will check back on the brand site to see what's up.
• Hermo appears to be Malaysian and they have a global store site here. For some of my many Asian sisters.

I am sure there are many more places to find and buy ingredients to make or rig your existing products. I like Making Cosmetics because of the detailed information they provide and their onsite resources. They have a large resource section, formulas for newbies, equipment and kits and, if you are timid or just want to go big and produce stuff for sale, they offer both formulating and consulting services.

If you do decide to play around with some DIY cosmetics, this is another good site for looking up info on ingredients - what they do and how they might react together, etcetera. The most important thing is to do your research, check for allergies and BE CAREFUL. DIY projects mean the work put in is all on you and you have to use your head. I am not a professional at anything other than running my mouth so, again, use your head.

To summarize:

You can make and create your own cosmetics. You can create cosmetics for your own use or you can create cosmetics to sell as a niche brand. Do your research. Find reputable suppliers for ingredients. Ask questions. 

Peace

--Free

UPDATE: The products arrived just after this was scheduled to post so I will be doing a show and tell post asap. (Anybody else bored to tears with this COVID lockdown????)

**REVIEW** Bass Bamboo Bristle Brush

 I saw this brush when I was perusing boar bristle brushes. Since I still had my Shopper Panel credits, I went ahead and got it. And what do I think? Well, it's a good brush but, for my needs, it's not as good as the boar bristle brushes.

The brush is really well-made. I guess Bass is known for quality products. This brush sure is up to good standards. The handle is beautiful and solid. All the bristles are intact and set firmly into the cushion. 

What I like a lot about this is how good it feels on the scalp. It provides an easy-to-do soothing massage. It's actually a bit addictive. But what makes it harder for me to use in brushing or detangling my specific hair type are those bristles. My hair is too coily-curly-kinky for a brush like this. The bristles catch on every coil. But back on the other hand, I can use this just on my scalp and that's what I've been doing.

details & quality

Before or after I use the boar bristle brushes, I will part my hair into 4 sections and use this bamboo brush from the scalp to about half an inch down the hair strands. Sometimes, when I have my hair pulled back into a pony or bun, I will run the bamboo bristles through my edges.  Because my hair tends to lay straighter in these styles, I can pull the brush further down the strands. It really is a very soothing feeling - sort of stress-relieving.

The brush is meant for detangling, blow-drying, and scalp massage. It will do all those things for someone with a straighter, thinner, or shorter hair hair type.  Since I can only really use it for the scalp, it's probably not the best thing I ever bought. But I think it would be awesome for those with the right hair type.

Even though this brush didn't 100% work out for me, I'm glad I tried it. For one thing, it gives me an idea of the quality of the brand's product. And it really is such a nice-looking brush.

The handle is absolutely gorgeous and it feels really good in the hand. When I finish brushing my hair, I will find myself running my thumb along the handle - another soothing thing about this!

I don't really care one way or the other when it comes to my beauty products but, for those to whom it matters, this brush is "vegan-approved." It certainly does look pretty lying on my vanity... Also, because the bristles are bamboo, they won't melt when exposed to a hairdryer - another thing I don't have to worry about for myself.

So, overall, I like this (just not as much for myself as for others) and it's made me interested in the Bass brand. And, don't get me wrong, I use this almost every day in the limited ways that I can. Some of my friends who relax their hair or just have hair with a smoother texture will be loving this brush.

The price wasn't bad. I probably would not have gotten it if I hadn't had credits but, it's under $16 so that's great for the quality.

Peace

--Free

**REVIEW** Dève Herbes Pure Floral Waxes **UPDATE**

**UPDATE** Welp, I got to take a good whiff of the Tuberose wax and... It is so strong that I almost burned my nose hairs. I exaggerate. It is a strong-smelling wax and because I have no real idea of what Tuberose is supposed to smell like, I'm confused. This is what AI says about the smell of Tuberose:

it is "a floral scent that's sweet, exotic, and intense, with undertones that can include: honey, White flowers, Creme brulee, Jasmine, Gardenia, Green and spicy notes, Almond, Coconut, Vanilla, and Animalic notes."

Yeah, well, I got none of that... With this wax, I smell pepper, pepper, pepper, turmeric, and not much else. There is almost nothing floral hitting my nostrils. It's not a stinky scent but it's not something I really want to walk around smelling of - unless I can blend another fragrance into it. Oddly, one of my neighbors said she smelled a little bit of Gardenia. That confuses me even more. Also, as AI suggested in my original review below, Tuberose much have more fatty acids. I can feel that it is a lot more pliable right out of the jar than was the Mimosa. And, by the way, the wax's color reminds me of turmeric. Odd.

It feels softer than the
Mimosa wax

When I get a chance to melt this down and use it, I will do another update. As of now, I am going to be gifting the nieces and SILs with tins of both versions of the wax. That means I will really have to find a way to balance out the pepper scent in the Tuberose version... In the meantime, I found my other (larger) tins to use for the wax/oil concoction.

(I have melted it down and the pepper smell is less pronounced, thank goodness. I find this to be more emollient - slightly - than the Mimosa.)

Looks smoother & neater in the tin

If I really want to fancy up the tins when I gift them, I can press a design into the wax with one of those seal thingies...

*****

What, you might wonder, is "floral wax". I know I wondered. Now I know and, ladies, I am obsessed with this stuff...

I'm surprised that I am just now even hearing about floral wax. I've been into natural skincare and haircare for so long that I thought I was familiar with all the oils, lotions, and potions out there.  Then I happened across this:

the wax inside and enclosed in a baggie

That is a jar of Dève Herbes ("herbs of God") Pure Mimosa Floral Wax. Like I did, you might be wondering what a floral wax is. I had to go and have a conversation with ChatGPT to get this:

floral waxes "are by-products of the essential oil extraction process, and they carry many of the beneficial properties of their respective flowers."

Do tell.

The only way I even heard about floral wax is because last year I bought some Fenugreek oil from the Dève Herbes brand and the wax has been coming up in my Amazon suggestions ever since. Finally,  I had to take a peek. And I am so glad that I did because - not to keep wearing out this tired phrase, but - this stuff is a true game-changer.

The brand has 4 floral waxes on its India-based site, but Amazon.us has the Mimosa and Tuberose waxes. I chose the Mimosa to try out first.

What are the possible benefits?

Again, I had to ask Chat...

Mimosa Floral Wax

• Skin Benefits:

  • Moisturizing: Mimosa wax is highly emollient, meaning it can help to lock in moisture, keeping the skin hydrated and soft.
  • Soothing: It has calming properties that can soothe irritated or sensitive skin. This makes it a good option for those with delicate or reactive skin.
  • Protective Barrier: It forms a light, protective barrier on the skin, helping to shield it from environmental aggressors without clogging pores.

• Hair Benefits:

  • Conditioning: Mimosa wax helps to smooth the hair cuticle, reducing frizz and adding shine.
  • Scalp Care: Its soothing properties can also benefit the scalp, helping to calm irritation or dryness.
  • Moisture Retention: It locks in moisture in the hair, making it feel softer and more manageable.

Tuberose Floral Wax

• Skin Benefits:

  • Nourishing: Tuberose wax is rich in fatty acids, which nourish and rejuvenate the skin, helping to improve elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines.
  • Emollient: It provides deep hydration and leaves the skin feeling soft and smooth.
  • Aromatherapy: The luxurious scent of tuberose can have mood-lifting and stress-relieving effects, adding a sensory experience to skincare routines.

• Hair Benefits:

  • Hydration: Like mimosa wax, tuberose wax helps to retain moisture in the hair, making it ideal for dry or damaged hair.
  • Fragrance: It imparts a delicate, long-lasting floral scent to the hair, which can be a lovely addition to hair care products.
  • Scalp Nourishment: Its nourishing properties can also benefit the scalp, helping to maintain a healthy environment for hair growth.

Both mimosa and tuberose floral waxes are gentle and versatile, making them excellent additions to natural skin and hair care products.

Okey-doke then. 

First impressions:

The wax arrived and I was disappointed and confused.  I'd expected to see what I'd recognize as wax. Nope. The jar contained a baggie of various-sized pieces of crystallized-looking rocks. I watch so much crime TV, I wondered if I'd been sent a jar of drugs. Or candy.

Looks a little like crackled candy.

Also, there were no instructions on how to use the wax so I had to do some Googling. To use the wax as a skin or hair emollient (my goal), I'd have to melt it down with some carrier oil. This was complicated, and a bit messy. I used sweet almond and apricot oils as carriers and did the melting in the microwave.

I haven't even used that large piece yet.

What I got:

The first time, I did get a decent result of a product that I could use on my skin but the wax was still more solid-feeling than I wanted and difficult to work with.

The 1st attempt -
not as soft as I wanted

I melted it down again and added more of the oils. Finally, I had something that I could use. I stored it in an empty container I had lying around. 

The 2nd attempt - 
much softer

I can rub my ringers over the oil and apply it to my skin, hair, and scalp. The wax did re-solidify, as expected, but the heat of my fingers warms it enough to use. I don't want to make it any less thick because I like being able to control how much my fingers pick up - if that makes sense. Also, I don't want to over-dilute the wax. (I'm going to do that for the wax I use on my scalp.)

By the way, it wasn't until I had warmed the wax that I could get a good sense of its smell. I'd read various descriptions in other reviews and they ranged from good to bad. In my opinion, the Mimosa scent is lovely, but it is really hard to describe. I get a flor-herbal scent that is more floral than herbal. It's sort of earthy and warm-smelling, the way a beautiful hippie girl wearing flowers in her hair might smell. Weird description, I know. By the way, it does fade not long after I've applied it to my skin. 

The results?

Using it on my face first is where I got hooked. I applied my regular moisturizer (Neutrogena), then applied the wax. Before I applied my sunscreen, I wanted to see how the wax made my face feel so I waited about 15 minutes (to let it settle?), then ran my hands ove-

Oh, my! My, my, my... My skin had a velvety-silky feel and it wasn't greasy at all. I can compare the feeling to what a cream-to-powder foundation feels like. My skin was soft and had a sort of plumped texture. 

The sunscreen that I applied last didn't change the nice feeling. What is even better is that a couple of hours later when I was about to apply more sunscreen to go outside and empty the trash, my skin had lost none of that lovely softness. It really was like the wax had locked in my moisturizer. It feels great now, but it's going to be awesome in the drier winter weather.

Using this on my scalp is harder. That's why I said I will further dilute another batch. In order to get enough on my fingers to apply to my scalp, I had to scrape out a little of the wax with my nail. It might be that I will just need a deeper container for the hair wax. ~shrug~

What I did manage to apply (to about one side and the back of my scalp ) does feel good. Maybe the Tuberose will be better for that... Right now, I'm obsessed with what the wax does to my face.

Bottom line:

Y'all know me by now. Once I fell in love with it, I had to put this wax on a Subscribe and Save. Luckily, it's not pricey (just under $10 on a subscription and just over $10 without), and the jar should last me several months. I have set the subscription for every 3 months but I don't think I will need to re-order that often - maybe every 6 months is closer to what I'd need. It takes very little of the wax to treat my face and neck. I will also be using this on my scalp and hair only occasionally but, still, I won't need to replenish my supply for months and months. (Although, I am thinking of whipping up batches to send the ladies in the family for Christmas.)

Also, I did order one jar of the Tuberose version. I wasn't going to but I went to ask Chat about some of the differences between the two:

Mimosa floral wax and tuberose floral wax, while similar in some aspects, have distinct differences due to the unique properties of the plants they come from. Here are the main differences:

1. Source and Scent:

• Mimosa Floral Wax:

  • Source: Derived from the flowers of the Mimosa tree (Acacia dealbata).
  • Scent: Mimosa has a light, powdery, and slightly sweet floral scent with hints of green. It’s more subtle and delicate compared to tuberose.

• Tuberose Floral Wax:

  • Source: Obtained from the flowers of the Tuberose plant (Polianthes tuberosa).
  • Scent: Tuberose has a rich, intense, and heady floral fragrance. It’s sweet, creamy, and more opulent, often associated with luxury perfumes.

2. Texture and Consistency:

• Mimosa Floral Wax:
  • Texture: Mimosa wax is typically a bit lighter and less dense, making it easier to work with in formulations. It blends well into skincare and haircare products without being too heavy.
• Tuberose Floral Wax:
  • Texture: Tuberose wax tends to be richer and more solid, giving products a more luxurious feel. It’s excellent for formulations that require a more substantial consistency, like balms or thick creams.

3. Skin Benefits:

• Mimosa Floral Wax:

  • Targeted Benefits: Better suited for calming and protecting sensitive or irritated skin. It’s great for maintaining skin moisture balance without overwhelming the skin, making it ideal for everyday skincare.

• Tuberose Floral Wax:

  • Targeted Benefits: More nourishing and rejuvenating, making it excellent for mature or dry skin. Its richness makes it suitable for nighttime or more intensive treatments where deeper hydration and nourishment are desired.

4. Hair Benefits:

• Mimosa Floral Wax:

  • Hair Focus: It’s excellent for adding light moisture and shine, making it ideal for taming frizz without weighing the hair down. It’s particularly good for fine to medium hair types.

• Tuberose Floral Wax:

  • Hair Focus: Better suited for deep conditioning treatments, especially for dry, damaged, or thicker hair types. It helps in sealing moisture and providing a luxurious scent, making hair care feel more indulgent.

5. Aromatherapy and Sensory Experience:

• Mimosa Floral Wax:

  • Effect: Provides a subtle, calming effect due to its gentle and soft fragrance. It’s often used to create a soothing atmosphere in skincare routines.

• Tuberose Floral Wax:

  • Effect: Has a more powerful, mood-lifting impact due to its intense fragrance. It’s often used in luxury products where the sensory experience is a key component.

In summary, mimosa floral wax is lighter, more calming, and better suited for everyday use, especially for sensitive skin and fine hair. Tuberose floral wax, on the other hand, is richer, more nourishing, and ideal for those seeking intensive care and a more luxurious, aromatic experience.

I don't want to subscribe to both scents so I will decide which I like better first. Based on what the Chat said, I'm guessing I might end up choosing the Tuberose version... But I do like the hippie scent of this Mimosa.

Final thoughts:

This is one of those products that makes me feel like I've been missing out on something really good - not in a fad or trend type of way - but as something that can be useful every day, all the time. The price is good and the brand seems to have a good reputation. Their fenugreek oil was definitely the real deal. I am still trying to see if there is a USA-based site for them. The brand site I found is in India, with an international phone number and a WhatsApp account. You can switch the dollar choice between US, AUS, etc. They also have Facebook and Instagram accounts. I prefer to buy their items through their Amazon storefront  (which can be tricky to find), but the inventory is somewhat limited. They have an About Us page on their brand site.

I am excited to have this Mimosa wax and can see myself using it from now on. I am very curious about the Tuberose. It will be interesting to see which one I prefer. I will do another post or an update when I receive the Tuberose wax.

Peace

-- Free

Dental Update #6 (Things Are Out of Control)

 Here are some notes I actually scribbled down over the past week:

"Things I Can't Do Right Now"

• Chew gum. You can't chew gum when all you have are gums...
• How am I gaining weight? I have gained 4 pounds in the past 10 days!
• I've got to get back on the Good Chop regimen.
• Need recipe for yogurt ice cream. (Can you make gelato with yogurt?)
• Why are pancakes so delicious?
• Find a recipe for crepes.
• Drink more black coffee. Or with cream only. Or less sweet cream.

Some of (most of) these little scribblings explain the others. For instance, I have fallen back in love with pancakes. I haven't eaten pancakes on such a regular basis since I was a teenager with the metabolism of an Olympic athlete. 

Here's the thing, all the easiest things for me to ingest with no teeth happen to be calorific. Potatoes that I can roast in the Ninja for 10 minutes; pancakes that I can whip up in less than 10 minutes; coffee with cream; Dalgona coffee with cream. Thai coffee so sweet it gives me phantom toothaches; Sweet potatoes that taste so good with brown sugar, fresh-ground nutmeg, and butter; and did I mention potatoes with butter and a little cheese?

But I am a big fat liar. Those things are all pretty easy to fix but there are also healthier and less-fattening things I can cook. I have been eating quite a bit of fish - flounder, salmon, and cod. I won't be getting more cod though because it tends to be a bit "fleshier" and less flaky than the others. 

There's still a lot of time between now and January when I get my teeth. When I got on the scale the other day during my annual physical, I attributed some of the additional weight to my shoes and clothing. Honestly, though, I don't own enough summer clothing and footwear that weighs that much. My doctor gave me a little bit of a pass. She understands the whole soft food and I'm-sad-because-I-have-no-teeth things. Still, she did strongly encourage me to reign things in. 

My doctor is right. I need to get things under control here. I've taken steps. For one thing, I re-activated my Good Chop membership. They have enough fish and ground meat options that I can justify the cost. Actually, I'm getting a great deal because of my LifeMart discount. I am getting over 6 pounds of fish (salmon and rockfish) and meat (ground beef and ground Italian sausage), delivered for under $110. I am getting the deliveries every 8 weeks or so. And there are other reasons I returned to Good Chop for the fish and meat...

Normally, I have been able to get wild-caught salmon, flounder, and cod from Aldi's or Walmart for some decent prices. However, on the last Aldi order, I had to get a refund because the salmon was... iffy. When I was prepping it to cook, I noticed that the texture was off. When I picked up a piece, I squeezed it a bit and it was way too soft and, well, just "off". That made me think about the quality of the fish I'd gotten through Good Chop, but it was also the idea that I was paying around $6 for a pound  - which is good, but almost too good. According to a quick online search, "Wild-caught salmon typically ranges from $15 to $25 per pound, depending on the type and source" and that tracks. Quality is key.

Anyway. Getting back to Good Chop is the first step I'm making (my next order comes at the beginning of September, right about when I'd do my next grocery shopping), but I am also going back to Intermittent Fasting. 

I know, I know, I've been there with the IF before. However, this time I'm going a bit easier on myself with a 15:9 schedule to start. And, don't forget, I am now drinking more black coffee. Last time, I could not deal with coffee like that. These days, I rarely use my sweet and tasty creamer (Nestle's Sweet Italian was my favorite!); I am drinking Cuban coffee with plain cream or half-n-half and my good old Luzianne Pure Coffee Dark Roast bare bones black! The coffee will be a lifesaver for me. The thing that always sunk my fasting was not being able to drink enough black coffee in the morning before time to start eating and sometimes in the evening. 

 By the way, I was kind of stuck on drinking Navierra Cuban as "creamer-only" coffee. It tends to vary a lot in price and availability though. I'm glad that I found a few other Cuban dark roasts that taste just as good. And there's always good old Cafe Bustelo.

My ultimate goal is not to gain any more weight while waiting to get my teeth. Then, hopefully, when I can eat "regular" foods once again, I can do a protein-heavy diet for a while. And that's not going to be hard at all. I've been making lists of what I want to eat with my new chompers: a grilled hamburger loaded down with veggies; slow-cooked ribs; broccoli and collard greens; chicken wings with Bang Bang sauce; chicken wings with Famous Dave's sauce; rib tips and coleslaw; and a pork roast with gravy... I probably won't go near potatoes or pancakes for the next few years, God willing to let me live and nothing happen.

Anyway, at least now I have a plan. I will have to do another update in a few weeks to let you know how it's going. There are about 150 days until the new year. I hope and pray that I will be getting my teeth as early in January as possible! Let the countdown begin...

Peace

--Free

**REVIEW** Boar Bristle Brushes & Afro-Natural Hair **UPDATE #2**

**UPDATE #2** Okay, this update is about a particular brand of brushes that I have found and like over the rest. 

I happened on an ad for the "WavEnforcer" brand of bbbs. What I like about these over the Diane brand is that the descriptions are more accurate - or rather they are more accurate for my 4C hair needs. When these brushes claim to be firm, they don't lie.  On the Double-Sided Fade Brush, the brushes labeled as "soft" are not flimsy or paint-brush-soft but just soft enough. (And, get this, I paid under $3 for it.)I have been using the Firm side of this double-sided brush for getting to my scalp and the Soft side for regular brushing (to pull the natural oils down the hair shaft). Both sides are just as good as (or better than) the first brush I raved about. Better yet, the Firm side is not reinforced with nylon. The brushes are 100% boar bristle. Thank goodness because I wasn't digging the nylon bristles.

My thinking is that these work better on my hair type because the brand is made for/marketed to barbers (apparently black barbers). Whatever the case, I've found my favorite brand of bbbs. Also, the prices are ridiculously good. This Grooming Brush was under $6 also, and still can't get over paying less than 3 bucks for the amazing double-sided wonder...

I'm pretty set for boar bristle brushes for the next year or more. I did get a bit spend-happy and ordered a bamboo bristle brush strictly for scalp massages. No more Amazon for me this month!

**UPDATE** After washing my hair, I am more in love than ever with boar bristle brushes. The brush really made a difference in my after-wash hair texture. Normally, I would need to use a lot of leave-in products to get my newly clean hair to a soft and workable state. This time, I used a regular detangling brush (with SoCozy Detangler) while my hair was still damp. After detangling and sectioning, I applied some scalp oil and a mix of camel fat and shea to my hair. I also used SoCozy Curl Leave-In. I then brushed the almost-dry sections with the boar brush, twisting each section to finish drying. That was it. When I took out the twists a few hours later (as I normally do), my hair needed no additional softening or curl management products. I will probably be using scalp spray and more curl spray (as I normally do) for maintenance before my next wash day.

I am not exaggerating when I say the boar brush did make a huge difference. I lost much less hair (because the brush didn't snag and pull) and I am really pleased with how my hair feels. Maybe the reason some people think using a boar brush causes hair growth is only because they don't lose hair while using it.

Whatever the case, I am now on board with the boar bristles. I will be looking for sales on small brushes to give as stocking stuffers to family members. By the way, here is another link for information on boar bristle brushes. I tried searching for some before and after images of the effects of boar bristle on African natural hair types but... Google apparently doesn't get the difference between hair types.

I remember that, years and years ago, a lot of men in the black community used a certain kind of hair brush. I noticed it because of the GIs I'd see in the barber shops getting their short hair "tightened up" (aka, shaved, edged, etc.). My father was one of those men. Later on, my brothers joined the Service and they joined that club.

The other week, when I was looking for a brush for my own afro-natural and 4C (aka coarse, dry, curly) hair, I saw a brush that reminded me of one my dad (and brothers) used.

Boar Bristle Military Wave Brush

I swear my father's brush was exactly like this one. I even have a memory of him using the brush on my little brother's hair after a haircut.

Anyway.

I don't know if the brushes the men in my family used were made with boar bristle like the one pictured but... I started looking into boar bristle brushes. As it turns out, boar bristle brushes have some benefits for all hair types, but I like what I read about the benefits for hair like mine:

• Distributes natural oils throughout the hair
• Cleans follicles
• Cleans product buildup from hair

Because of the way the brushes distribute our natural oils, these help to condition our hair in between washes. Also, these natural bristles help keep the hair cleaner in between washing (and we afro-naturals do not like to over-wash and dry out our hair).

I saw some brushes and almost passed out from looking at the prices. However, when I checked the prices on Amazon for one of the most popular brands of boar bristle brushes, I was more pleased. I was able to get a brush for around $5.00. Remember being able to get a full meal at Mickey D's for five dollars? Or the five-dollar footlong? Ah, the good old days...

Since I wanted a brush, I waited until Prime Days. The brushes are already cheap, but I really cheaper out and got 3 of them for around $8.90. 2 of them have yet to arrive (because cheap often means not fast), but the one that I received impressed me right off with the quality of the wooden handle. At first, I was mad because some of the bristles came out while using it, but that only happened the first time. I guess maybe there were some bristles already loose. But then this cheap brush ended up being - - to use an overworked term -  a game-changer. Seriously so.

cheap plastic wrapping

no more loose bristles

I was a bit disappointed at first when I realized this one isn't 100% boar bristle; it's "reinforced" with nylon. Also, it's made in China (but what isn't?). However, after I used it, that's when the game-changing part happened. 

Before now, the only types of brushes I have used in my natural hair have been wide-spaced and (usually) plastic detangling brushes. There's a myth in some circles that using brushes in afro-natural (especially 4C) hair, is taboo. This brush though has changed my mind.

My hair is not only dry and coarse but it tends to tangle badly. When I used this brush, I sectioned it off to work on a little bit at a time. I was really surprised that 1) I didn't get a lot of snags, and 2) how soft the brush left my hair. I also like that it gives a little more of a sheen to my hair. I read somewhere that natural bristle brushes (boar and horse are the main types I guess) have keratin which they impart to your hair. Maybe that's the softness and shine I'm seeing?

As you may have read, I recently switched to a simpler (and gentler) haircare routine. My hair was already feeling and looking better but this brush elevated the game. I am now hooked. I can't wait to see if the other 2 brushes are any good.

The hardest part about getting one of these brushes is choosing which one to get. Because the brushes (bristles) come in various levels of hardness, I had to weed through a lot of soft ones that are made for finer and thinner hair types. Then there are the reinforced ones (like the one I'm currently using). There are different styles of handles. This one has a nice, easy-to-grip wooden handle that doesn't hurt my hands. 

Knowing what I do now (after doing some light research), I am glad that I got this reinforced one and the 2-sided one I have coming. That one has a reinforced (medium strength) side and a 100% boar side that is very firm.  (This one*** is the cheapest of the 3, but I see that the prices on 2 of them have gone up since I got mine. I have a feeling that the cheap one might end up being a favorite.)

If you decide the get one of these, the good thing is that they are cheap. The other thing is to shop around. If you have a local beauty supply, I think the Diane brand will be easy to find. I am really happy with my 5-dollar brush. I see no need at all to pay for one of the $20 - $60 (or more) brushes. 

Of course, I will let you know about the other 2 brushes when I get them. I hope I will have something good to say about them both!

Peace

--Free

*** The brush linked arrived but was not what I ordered. The brush is not extra firm (it is "medium" and actually much too soft, IMO). I am working with the seller to resolve the issue and am surprised that it is taking so long. I expected they would just replace the brush with the correct one. I will try to update.

P.S.: I found one source that explains hair brush types in general and one about boar bristle brushes. 

DISCLAIMER: I am not/will not be compensated in any way for any product mentioned in this post. I am also not connected to information sources linked in this post other than to my own blogs.