I have to say that I’m so happy that Qhemet has become a part of my life.  I’m loving this stuff!  I’ve only tried one product and already I’m ready to try some other goodies from their product line (their Hydrating Balm is calling my name).  Anyhow, I’ve been using their Amla and Olive Heavy cream for the last couple of months and I know my hair is thanking me.

PROS

I’m officially calling it a product staple.  This product would work amazing in the winter because its heavy, but I have no problem using it in the summer months as well.  Its moisturizing heaven and makes your hair feel incredibly soft.  I only need a dab to seal my ends when I’m doing china bumps or a twist outs.  And even when I wear my hair straight, I will use it on my ends and it won’t cause build up.  The product is rich and creamy to the touch and has a very light refreshing smell.

CONS

Unfortunately, there is very limited selection of this product locally.  And its expensive.  To ship internationally, is a pain because of duty, etc and cost $$.

INSTRUCTIONS

• A perfect all-in-one for moisturizing and softening afro’s, coils, curls, pony puffs, two strand twists, braids, cornrows, fades, chemical and color processes, softening new growth and restoring softness and elasticity to dry brittle ends. Also helps weigh down kinks and coils.
• Soothing and regenerative scalp butter
• Post-shampoo conditioner
• Overnight Deep Treatment
• Moisturizing daily leave-in
• Replenishing body butter
• Evenly distribute a small to moderate amount through dry or slightly damp hair.

INGREDIENTS

This ultra thick and luscious creamy butter contains Amla, Brahmi and African Aloe, premium Afro-Indian botanicals used for thousands of years to nourish the scalp and strengthen hair. MSM sulfur nurtures follicles and encourages growth, Olive oil delivers softness and emollience and Castor oil delivers shine, humectancy and helps thicken hair.   Does not contain mineral oil, lanolin, essential oils, proteins or silicones.100% Vegan, 99% Natural

Color may vary from batch to batch from white, yellow or tan due to natural color variations inherent in oils and botanicals. Also, please expect slight variations in texture between batches as they are handcrafted. Some batches yield a stiff cream while others will be slightly fluid. This is not indicative of a formula change and will not affect performance.

Who doesn’t like a sale or a discount?  Frankly, its the best way to shop.  Here’s a couple of July sales that are happening right now – Happy Shopping!

KAREN’S BODY BEAUTIFUL – BUY 2 GET 1 FREE (until 7/20)

• On the following products: hair butter, hair nectar, and super silky.
• If you are interested in buying the Fanatic Size – 16 oz use the following code “B2G1F” in the search block
• Free shipping on orders over $75 (I think only in the States)

DONNA MARIE 35% off SALE (until July 31st)

• use the Code “Moisture Max” if purhcasing Cocoa Hemp Hair Buttermilk and Yanni Juice: Hair Growth and Shine Enhancer

AFROVEDA BIRTHDAY SALE (until July 31st)

• on all items for Him and Her
• including hair oils, butters, shampoos, conditioners, gels, pomades and all “Seven” products
• use code ‘AVBDAY09′

JASMINE’S BATH AND BEAUTY 20%OFF SALE

• sale!! using discount code “hairluv” at checkout will give you 20% off your order subtotal

NASAB 1/2 OFF SALE (July 18th only 6 AM-6PM CST)

• for those who use their black soap or shea butter

All sales are final. Products will be 50% off retail prices and not sale prices. This sale cannot be combined with other promotions, coupons or sales. You cannot add or subtract from your order after the order has been made. Please make sure you have all you need before you order. Orders will be shipped according to queue. Some out of stock items may be substituted. (e.g. 5lbs Black Soap Block may be substituted for 5 1lbs Black Soaps) NO MAIL ORDERS. ONLINE & PHONE SALE ONLY! Orders will start shipping on August 3^rd. Thereafter, allow 4-6 weeks for orders to arrive. International orders allow 6-8 weeks for orders to arrive. Sale will not apply to Discount Sets, Gift Baskets, What’s on Sale, Goodie Bag, Arts & Craft, GNLD

Ok, so what’s up with H-wood?  Why is everyone and their mother razoring their hair off on one side?  Honestly, who knew that Ms Spears would have really started this trend – first it was Cassie, then it was LaLa and now RiRi.  Peronally, I dont think I could do it – maybe if I was a celeb and had a fab hair dresser by my side that could quickly glue in a track, etc – maybe – but me right now.  No way!!!  I wonder who’s next to jump on this half bald bandwagon.  Thoughts?

I’ve been experimenting with a number of different style lately – wash and gos, china bumps, twist outs, braid outs, puffs and roller sets.  Pretty much the one things that is consistent when I style my hair – is i want it off my face – so I tend to part my hair in the middle, make small little braids or twists on each side and then pin them to the side.   Makes for pretty low maintenance hair.

Well, one of my hair icons – Tracee Ellis Ross was snapped with this darling of a french braid that I must try.  I’ve been searching youtube for some how-to french braid videos so I can duplicate this style and I’ve yet to master it.  I know practice makes perfect – but I will probably have to get one of my cousins to do it for me.  If  you have any suggestions – would love to hear from you.  BTW – for anyone looking for a Transitioning style or protective style – this is style would most definitely work!!

So, I accidentally stumbled upon the Curl’s kiddie line by accident – and am rather pleased.  Curly Q line is very similar to the women product line – but is a little bit lighter for baby and kids precious locks.  Anyhow, Chantel (sales girl) suggested that I try it out – saying that it gave a lighter hold than the Whipped Curls from Curls for Women line – but it would be good to use for a twist out styles.  Plus its cheaper!

PROS

Anyhow, I’ve been using it for the last month and I’m liking it.  I use it when I’m redoing my china bumps – I brush my hair, spritz with a little water, apply just a dab to each section (root to tip) and then use a butter to seal my ends.  The next morning, I undo my hair and my hair feels smooth, soft, with some hold, moisturized but not oily or heavy with product.  Basically my hair feels touchable – which I like – no one wants to feel like they are walking around with an oil slick or crunchy hair.

MORE PROS, AND ONE LIL’ CON

I wouldn’t suggest this product for everyone – if you are looking for a light product to redo twists or china bumps then it might be worth try.  I don’t think it work well for wash and go’s – its just to light.  As for the kid’s hair – since it is light I think it might be gentle enough to lock in the curl, control fly-aways and moisturize.

Finally, I must give props to the Curl’s line for including ingredient lists and key ingredient breakdowns on their site.  Very helpful.  Oh yeah, I forgot to mention – this stuff smells great!!!

DESCRIPTION

This rich and creamy custard textured cream provides great curl definition, weight and sheen for curly girls. It is loaded with certified organic ingredients (Certified Organic Sunflower Oil and Certified Organic Aloe Leaf Juice) and moisturizing butters (e.g. Shea and Mango) to hair strengthening ingredients such as Panthenol and Lecithin. Curly Q Custard will naturally elongate her curls.

INGREDIENTS

purified water, certified organic sunflower oil, octyl palmitate, certfied organic aloe barbadensis leaf juice, glyercin, glyceryl stearate, potassium stearate, panthenol, stearic acid, sodium carbomer, allantoin, cetyl alcohol, certified organic sweet almond oil, beeswax, shea butter, jojoba oil, soy tocopherols, phenoxyethanol, fragrance.

KEY PRODUCT BREAKDOWN

Ok, so in addition to doing a grow out challenge – I plan on going on a no buy challenge too.  While I was writing this first line I was thinking of saying I’m going to start it instantly – but then I remembered that I wanted to try Henna or Cassia and maybe this product line called Nu Grow (I’m still researching it)- oh yeah and Cantu Shea Butter, Shea Moisture and Argon Oil.  Plus I really want to have the DevaFuser kit.  But I’ve decided to hold off for this month and hopefully next and the next and the next – unless a really good deal passes my way.  Did I mention I have my eye on Sabino Moisture Lock.  Thank goodness most of this stuff isn’t readily available here in Toronto – if not – I don’t even want to think about it.

In the last two months I’ve either bought or acquired a number of prods that I plan on using and will do reviews on – here’s my list of my latest buys:

• Kerastase products (4 different kinds)
• Ojon
• Curls Curly Q Custard
• Jessicurl WDT
• Jamaican Castor Oil
• Shea Butter
• Suave Strawberry and Cream condish
• Elasta QP Mango Butter
• Qhemet Biologics Olive and Amla Heavy Cream
• Miss Jessie’s Silkening Stretch Cream
• ORS Moisturizing Hair Lotion
• Blended Beauty Reconstructor
• Blended Beauty Volcanic Clean Mask
• Oyin Honey Hemp Conditioner
• Goody Jojoba Infused Brush
• Goody Ouchless Comb
• 2 Packs of small butterfuly clips
• Pack of Headbands
• Tresemme Anti Breakage Conditioner
• Aussie Moist Conditioner
• HE’s Hello Hydration
• Chi Keratin Mist, Infra Treatment and Silk Infusion

I’m sure my list doesn’t rivel some other PJs out there – but for me – this is a little bit too much – so I’m committed to buying no new products (unless I’m desperate) until October 1st.  During that time I plan on addressing my PJism and figuring out why I’m always so hungry for getting my hands on new products.  If you are a recovering PJ – please share your story.

Hello!  My name is Curlista and I’m a product junkie.  I know that I’ve been saying this for a while – but after going to HoneyFig again – its getting out of control.  I thought after going on a spree at HoneyFig a few weeks ago that the hunger for trying new products had been curbed – but it wasn’t.  I decided to go the other day to pick  up Jessicurl WDT – since they didn’t have it last time.   While I was driving down there in my mind I was prepping myself saying, please ‘don’t look at any other products and be strong – all you’re getting is JC WDT’.  Ya right!  I head into the store and head for the JC shelf to grab my stuff and head to the check out – however another customer stops me to talk about my hair and explains that she’s transitioning and is just looking for some advice.  Well once I started talking to her and recommending products that got me looking…here’s what I ended up leaving with:

• JessiCurl Weekly Deep Treatment
• Jamaican Castor Oil
• Blended Beauty Volcanic Clean Mask
• Curls Curly Q Custard

Last week Friday, I had the pleasure of going to the Gro Fro event hosted by HoneyFig and TorontoStyle.com.  Sherika – big thanks for extending the invite!  Now, for any hair obsessed individual like myself – the night was very informative – where the presenters covered everything from hair history, hair myths and some much need style advice. The event was very well attended – and I think everybody really enjoyed themselves.  Its nice to see that Toronto’s Natural Community continues to grow.  Shout out to the Toronto Bellas – Faith and Mona who I chilled with on Friday night and Sabrina – a local member I met from the Naturally Curly Hair Forum.  Sorry I never took pics – but you can check some out here.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Allison Rose – presented the History of Hair

• the anatomy of hair
• what shampoo, conditioners and styling products do
• the importance of reading product labels – understanding what ingredients do what and making notes on what ingredients benefit your hair and which ones do not
• gave an excellent answer on why natural hair is not so taboo in the workplace – its just in our heads

Patience of Chiggy’s Touch – presented on styling

• natural hair should be cleansed once per week, co-washed 2-3x week
• to promote growth – keep your scalp clean
• tired of shrinkage, consider the Keratin treatment – research and then think about it for 3 months before committing
• apply product to soaking wet hair, then blot with micro fibre towel
• DO NOT use a regular towel – it can break your hair
• a twist out is an excellent way for transitioners to style their hair
• Moroccan Oil is great treatment for growing strong, long hair
• Grow your hair to your desired length – then get the cut your hair into a style

Want to be styled by a celebrity hair stylist?  Well here’s your chance to get booked by Dickey and his Hair Rules team.  Dickey has recently opened up his first multi-textural hair salon i nNYC and he’s accepting clients.  While I’ve never had my hair done by Dickey or tried his Hair Rules product – a lot of people rave about his work – so if you are in NYC and are looking for a curly hair cut, his new salon might be worth a try.