Last post for 2012!

Reflections of 2012

It seems like it was just January 1st and now the year is already coming to an end.

This year I can truly say that I have experienced a myriad of emotions, from joy to heartache and sadness, in every aspect of my life and even a little with my blogging.

Lows of 2012:

• Having to take a break from college and basically having to put my plans on hold, but that is definitely changing in 2013.
• The death of my mother. I am still and probably will always feel like a part of me is missing. If your parents are still alive, appreciate them and love them while they are still here.

Highs of 2012:

• Gaining new subscribers to my blog, although it's only a little it's a lot to me because I started off this year with no subscribers. So thank you to everyone that is a subscriber and follows my blog!
• Becoming a teenager for the last time, I'll be twenty in less than two months! 
• Truly realizing what great friends I have.They were and still are there for me during all of my ups and downs!

I don't believe in resolutions but I do have goals that I would like to work towards and achieve in 2013:

• Be a more active and consistent blogger, including taking more pictures.
• Run a 5k
• Get a job
• Getting my license
• Instead of complaining about a situation, I will try to do something to change it
• Enjoy each and every day that I am alive!

What are some of your favorite memories and experiences of 2012?

HAVE A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS 2013!

Until Next Year

Gigi

The hair thing I am most grateful for 2012

Two words, protein treatments.

 These have been a lifesaver for me this year. from homemade egg treatments to the aphogee two step, protein treatment have been my go to whenever my hair is in a crisis. 

The aphogee treatment in particular, stopped me from trimming my hair after I got heat damage that I talked about in my hair regret of 2012 post. After that incident protein treatments have become a regular part of my hair regimen. They never disappoint and they will stay for 2013! 

source

Until Next Time

Gigi

My biggest hair regret 2012!

I got the idea for this post from a fellow blogger (http://findingmynaturalbeauti.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-hair-thing-i-regret-most-for-2012.html)

As crazy as it sounds my biggest hair regret of 2012 is visiting a hair salon. It was my first visit to a salon since being completely natural and my first visit ever to a natural hair salon. I was so excited but sadly my expectations were not met.

Why I regret this experience:

1. For those of you that don't know, I suffer from sebborhea a chronic skin and scalp condition that is commonly mistaken for dandruff and dry scalp. From the momnet I sat down to wash my hair, the stylist continously made rude comments about my scalp and it made me feel very incomfortable, so much that I vowed I would never return to this salon or reccommend it to anyone.

2. I will admit this one might be partially my fault, but I went to get my hair two-strand twisted and she asked of i wanted it twisted dry or wet. I foolishly said dry, so she had to blow dry my hair and I don't think she used any heat protectant but I was sure when I took out the twists and I had heat damage!

But I also consider this a learning experience and I won't be trusting my tresses in the hands of anyone else for awhile.

Stay tuned for the hair thing I am most grateful for shortly!

Until Next Time

Gigi

Happy Holidays!

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I would like to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

This year has definitely had it's ups and downs, but a new year is the time for new beginnings and experiences. I hope that you all have a lovely  Christmas with the ones you love and cherish each and every moment!

Until Next time

Gigi

Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Shampoo (Review)

 

Product Name:  Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curls and Waves Shampoo

Price: $5.00

Size: 12 oz.

Product Description: 

For waves that cascade and curls that swirl, this shampoo is sure to define what’s important to you.

Ingredients: 

Water, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, cocamidopropyl betaine, glycol distearate, orchid extract, prunus serotina (wild cherry) fruit extract, zea mays (corn) silk extract, fragrance, sodium citrate, cocamide mea, sodium xylenesulfonate, dimethicone, citric acid, sodium benzoate, guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, sodium chloride, tetrasodium edta, ammonium laureth sulfate, methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone, blue 1, red 33

My Experience: 

I’ve used this shampoo three times, in order to give it a fair chance. I always detangle my hair with a cheapie conditioner before shampooing and I did that each time I used this shampoo. I had my hair in sections while washing my hair.

Fragrance: 

The fragrance was quite nice. It smelled like a beautiful array of flowers. If it was a perfume I would wear it.

Results: 

It’s really too bad the scent of this product is the best thing I can say about it. I thought if my hair had lots of product buildup it wouldn't be as drying but my hair felt like straw after each wash and I felt afraid my hair was going to break. Because of the feel of this shampoo (it is very thick and creamy) it was very difficult for it to lather up on the first wash and for a minute i thought I had bought the conditioner by mistake.My curls were not defined at all after washing my hair with this shampoo. I had to use quite a bit of conditioner in order to get a little moisture back into my tresses.

Price:

I think this shampoo is quite affordable and I don’t think it will hurt to give it a try considering how inexpensive it is.

Final Thoughts:

I will not be reusing or repurchasing this product and. I am starting to wonder if my hair just doesn’t like herbal essences products. I don’t think this product is best suited for someone with my kinky/type 4 hair and a naturalista with type 3 hair might have better results.

Top ten hair products under $10

Photo: Source

If you have been natural for more than five minutes then i'm sure you have heard of all of the amazing hair brands made especially for natural haired ladies. I'm sure you also know that you would need to skip a few meals a week to pay for them and i don't know about ya'll but a sista needs to eat! So for the curly girl on a budget, here are some really great hair products that you an find at any drugstore or beauty supply for under $10.

1) Conditioner: Herbal Essences Hello Hydration

                        Price: $6.97 for 33.8 Oz (Amazon)

2) Shampoo: Creme of Nature Argan Oil Sulfate Free Shampoo

                     Price: $8.33 for 12 Oz (Amazon)

3) Oil: Extra Virgin Olive Oil

           Price: $8.99 for 16 Oz (Amazon)

4) Moisturizer: African Pride Olive Miracle Moisturizer Lotion

                        Price: $8.94 for 12 Oz (Amazon)

5) Styler: Organic Root Stimulator Lock and Twist Gel      

               Price: $7.86 for 13 Oz (Amazon)

6) Deep Conditioner: Organic Root Stimulator Replenishing Conditioner

                                 Price: $5.03 for 12.25 Oz (Amazon)

7) Clarifying Shampoo: Organic Root Stimulator Creamy Aloe Shampoo

                                    Price: $4.39 for 12.5 Oz (Amazon)

8) Styler: Eco Styler Gel

               Price: $3.92 for 32 Oz (Amazon)

9) Deep Conditioner:  Creme of Nature Argan Oil  Intensive Conditioning Treatment

                            Price: $8.65 for 12 Oz (Amazon)

10) Conditioner: V05 Moisture Milks Conditioner

                          Price: $0.74 for 15 Oz (Amazon)