I went to the beauty supply (Keele and Sheppard) store and picked up a medium size bottle of Aphogee Two Minute Keratin Treatment.  I used that for a couple of weeks and in general I had no complaints.  So I decided to take it one step further and try a stronger treatment – Aphogee 2 Step Protein Treatment.  Now I was hesitant to use the product because its says for professional use and while I was doing research a lot of people cautioned against using it unless you were absolutely sure you knew how to use it.

The key thing is, I did my research.  So, one Saturday afternooon I decided to wash my hair using regular shampoo then I appled the 2 step with a spray bottle.  I sat under the dryer and my hair got HARD.  Really hard – it was like I had helmet head.  After I washed it out, followed up with the Aphogee Balancing Conditioner.  I then added created my own deep treatment (no proteins) and left that on over night to ensure that my hair would be well moisturized when I washed it out.

I must say, I will be using the Aphogee 2 Step Treatment again.  The stuff stinks but I think it really works.  Ever since using the product, I feel like my hair is stronger – has more elasticity and I don’t feel like it sheds as much.  Now, the treatment is really suggested for people who have damaged and breaking hair – I had neither – but I do think that my hair benefitted.  It says to do the treatment every 6 six weeks, but i think I will do it once every 3 months.

My advice to anyone who is thinking of trying it – please do you research.  Read the ingrendients, understand what you are putting in your hiar.  Consult a professional.  And good luck!

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.

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

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

Pantene^® Pro-V^® Seeks African-American Women

with Healthy, Beautiful Hair

Hair Care Brand Conducts National Online Casting Call

in Search of Stars for Upcoming Advertising

Pantene, known for providing women with healthy hair, wants to hear from African-American women about why they love Pantene, as part of the “I Love Pantene!” online casting call. Pantene will select four women with beautiful hair to appear in national advertising in 2010.

“Last year we cast in three US cities, but the online casting call gives us the opportunity to see beautiful women with gorgeous hair from all over the country,” said Tippi Shorter, a celebrity hairstylist and judge of the casting call.  “We’re looking for a unique balance of women with healthy, beautiful hair and amazing personalities who truly love Pantene and want to share their hair transformation stories with other women.”

Women will have the opportunity to upload videos July 1 through July 31, 2009 by visiting www.relaxedandnatural.com.  All submissions will be evaluated and finalists will be flown for in-person casting in August.  Final decisions will be made by September 15, 2009.

To be eligible, the following criteria must be met:

• Applicants can have hair that is relaxed or natural, but it must be healthy and beautiful
• Applicants must LOVE Pantene and be able to tell other women why
• Applicants must be at least 18 years old and live within the United States

The women who were chosen from last year’s casting call were given an all-expense paid trip to New York City to shoot the advertising campaign that appeared in national magazines in 2009.

“I’ve used Pantene Relaxed & Natural since 2003, and it truly transformed my hair without breaking my bank account,” said Maria Diaz of Lafayette, LA, one of four 2008 Pantene models.  “It made my hair healthy and manageable, which ultimately gave me more confidence. I was so excited to be chosen to appear in Pantene advertising and share my story.”

“Pantene understands African-American women’s unique hair care needs and wants to help transform the health of their hair,” said Freddy Bharucha, Pantene Marketing Director.  “We are excited to give women an opportunity to appear in advertising and shine on the inside and out.”

Pantene aims to provide every woman with healthy, beautiful hair, at a fraction of the cost of salon brands. The brand offers a variety of products for every hair type, including the Pantene Pro-V Relaxed and Natural collection, designed to help keep African-American hair strong against damage, shiny and moisturized.  To find out more about Pantene’s search for its next advertising stars, visit www.relaxedandnatural.com.

As some of you might already know, I’m a straight up PJ – honestly, I really love trying out new stuff.  Well some Toronto Bellas have been raving about Herbal Essences’ Hello Hydration condish – so you know I just had to give it a try. 

PRO

Hello Hydration = Hello Curls!  I’m loving this stuff.  As soon as I squirted this blue condish into my palms I instantly noticed how thick and creamy it was – which is a major plus in my book.  The thicker the better!  I think the combination of ingredients really attributed to my curls popping and feeling moisturized. 

CON

Wished I had tried this before buying two big bottles of Aussie and Tresemme because even though I’m a PJ – I’m committed to finding some way to use up all my prods – I can’t just let money go to waste.  The other con -  I wish HH came in a pump bottle – I’m not digging the upside down squeeze bottle.

DESCRIPTION

INGREDIENTS

Water , Stearyl Alcohol , Cyclopentasiloxane , Cetyl Alcohol , Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine , Dimethicone , Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract , Cocoa Nucifera Milk Fragrance Coconut , Glutamic Acid , Benzyl Alcohol , EDTA , Methylchloroisothiazolinone , Methylisothiazolinone , Citric Acid , Blue 1

Product Description:

Coconut Milk Shampoo and Conditioner is an exclusive blend of organic coconut milk to nourish your hair, while ultra whipped egg white proteins add strength and elasticity, along with weightless coconut oils to add hydration and balance. The luxuriously creamy, foaming, hydrating formula leaves your hair feeling clean, glowing, softly scented and super soft.

WHAT I LIKED:

I like that it was easy to apply and manipulate the product on my locks.  I also liked that I didn’t need a lot of product and that by spraying some water I was able to distribute it even more.  I also like that my hair didn’t shrink up as much as with other products.  Mind you, my hair did shrink but not as much.  Best of all, it didnt take forever and half to dry – honestly with some other curl defining products I find that it can take forever for my hair to dry.  With CJ – I applied, diffused for like 5-10 minutes and then let air dry.  Within like 4 hours I was almost completely dry.

WHAT I DIDNT LIKE:

Next time I will make sure to layer in a moisturizing product when using the Smoothing Gellie.  I felt my curls were a little parched once they were dry.

MY RESULTS:

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:

Crunch no more! This creamy and moisturizing styling gel is formulated to help get rid of frizzies and smooth your fabulous curls. Rich in shine enhancing Broccoli seed oil and herbal extracts, this “Gellie” gives your hair definition and bounce without the hard hold/crunch. Honey and Aloe Vera are added for their moisturizing and shine enhancing properties. Adding water after application, “activates” the gellie even further and helps smooth and seal the hair shaft for added shine and swing. This moisturizing, glycerin free gel has a light to medium hold and is best for fine to normal hair types. It is not a traditional clear gel, it’s creamy texture is due to the Broccoli seed oil content. Lightly scented with a delicious tropical Mango-Coconut-Papaya scent. Give everyone curl envy!

DIRECTIONS:

Best applied to wet hair. Apply generously to hair, section by section, smoothing through curls with your fingers. Use more water to help distribute and activate product (don’t skip this step!), then scrunch/blot with a towel and allow to air-dry or use a diffuser. I have found that this gel works best with a small amount of Curl Assurance leave-in or styling water beneath it or on top (depending on your preference). You can also apply this gel to dry hair to define curls and smooth frizzies.