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Thursday, July 29, 2010

Frizz Free Revolution



Yesterday I attended the Frizz-Free Revolution Tour it was an event that Cosmopolitan magazine has been running in conjunction with Avon to launch their new Avon Advance Techniques Frizz Control Lotus Shield. They were giving free demonstration. Participants hair was shampooed and conditioned then the Frizz Control product was applied an their hair was blown out.

Big deal! except it was 100% humidity in Atlanta and rain twice during the event. This was going to be a real test!I had just put in a beautiful set of twists Monday so I asked my relaxed friend Traci to be the guinea pig.


Traci before - humid day hair up!

There were no ingredients listed on the packaging but based on their claim of three days free from frizz ,including daily washing, I assume this is a silicone based product. All participants had their hair blown out roller brush/Dominican style then smoothed/curled with a ceramic flat iron.


Traci During - in Avon mobile salon

While waiting we met Dwight from Real Housewives Of Atlanta:

Even more fabulous in person than on television !



And Tommy Ford formerly of Martin:

friendly and funny!

I met many nice ladies, notably Mattie James, Miss Liberia 2009-2010 and Kimberly Walker, beauty and entertainment writer both pictured below:


At last Traci was done, her hair was soft, shiny and this picture was taken with 99% humidity outside. I spent all day with her and although the curls in her hair began to fall there was no discernible frizz hours later.


Traci after with her stylist Dana

I can say that Avon Advance Techniques Frizz Control Lotus Shield is true to its claim to tame frizz after one use and maintain smooth strands. It is reasonably priced at $9.99 and I like cost effective products that deliver on their claims.

Monday, July 19, 2010

The Natural Hair Experts



Last night on the natural hair twitter chat, someone mentioned how easy it was to be duped by fly-by-night natural hair "experts" on YouTube. I agree. YouTube is a great resource but one must be aware it is an open forum. There is nothing to stop someone from making a YT video saying motor oil is the best oil for natural hair. Please watch more than one video on a topic by more than one person. I make YT videos. I share advice based on my experience, I say this often. I can only speak for myself and my hair, I say this often. Many people do not make these disclaimers in their videos. Beware of the natural hair experts.


Don't forget bloggers, books and magazines also get things wrong.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

3-Yr Old Getting A Weave

I thought we were making progress and then this mother has the audacity to do this on national television!! So sad, she should have stuck to 'hair-pieces' like she said they had done in the past. The little girl keeps saying "ouch" during the whole process. SMH



3-Yr Old Getting A Weave Shows Problem: “Mommy It Hurt, I Look Pretty Now My Hair Is Long!” [Video]

Friday, July 16, 2010

Curls are a worst?

I was stumbling through some beauty blogs and found that curls were a worst for 2009 according to The Best and Worst Trends of 2009 on the blog Real Beauty-powered by you.


We love a soft wave or even a more tightly wound tendril, but the length coupled with the crazy curliness of this look seems a tad overdone. Is it us, or did her stylist take a cue from Will Ferrell's '07 Oscar look? Heck, with a body like Karina Smirnoff's from all that dancing, who cares what her hair looks like!


Oh! If she had soft waves or looser curls this would be an acceptable style. I assume from the commentary that this woman's hair does not curl naturally, the implication being who would want tight curls they are ugly. I do not think this is one for the styling hall of fame but far from worst.



To place this in persective the picture below was a best for bangs:


I disagree again these are not the best bangs Ive seen either.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Braids Land N.C. Woman in Emergency Room



The woman pictured above ,Veronica Carter, went to a braid salon in North Carolina,as a result of a scratch from the braiders dirty fingernail, she developed MRSA. The story is here.

"The braid came out and it was like a little white bump," she said. "The headaches became just on one side and it was migraines and it was like a heat sensation."

"My whole face was swollen, my eye was absolutely shut," said Carter.

She went to the emergency room twice and paperwork she was given on the second visit states she may have MRSA,


According to MayoClinic.com: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection is caused by a strain of staph bacteria that's become resistant to the antibiotics commonly used to treat ordinary staph infections.

Most MRSA infections occur in people who have been in hospitals or other health care settings, such as nursing homes and dialysis centers. When it occurs in these settings, it's known as health care-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA). HA-MRSA infections typically are associated with invasive procedures or devices, such as surgeries, intravenous tubing or artificial joints.

Another type of MRSA infection has occurred in the wider community — among healthy people. This form, community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA), often begins as a painful skin boil. It's spread by skin-to-skin contact. At-risk populations include groups such as high school wrestlers, child care workers and people who live in crowded conditions.

This woman went to the emergency room twice and is on four antibiotics. North Carolina, unrelated to this incident, is now requiring that all braiders and braid salons be state licensed, do you think this should be the case in all states?

Monday, July 12, 2010

KnapsGirl tanks

The natural hair hashtag on twitter showed an interest in natural hair tanks for summer. All the Knaps t-shirt designs are available on both tanks and spaghetti strap tops. Color options vary.







Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Brazilian Keratin Treatments




I have been reading up on Brazilian Keratin treatments. I was intrigued because an acquaintance of my sister is struggling with her transition and uses this as a crutch.

This treatment is:

-expensive
-long lasting (compared to traditional relaxers)
-does not guarantee straight hair (smooth relaxed curls)
-just as damaging as traditional relaxers (meaning some have good results and some have bad)
-not regulated by FDA (dangerous as far as shelf life and formula strength)
-contains formaldehyde or a chemical cousin (dangerous when inhaled)
-hair cannot be washed for 3-4 days after treatment
-hair cannot be worn up for 3-4 after treatment
-hair cannot be washed with shampoo containing NaCl

In my opinion, this treatment seems like another version of chemical relaxing not an alternative. I have no personal experience with it because the threads I read were like flashbacks to my relaxing days. The people that endorse it say that their hair is shiny, conditioned and easily blown straight without frizz.

I encourage you to do your own research before believing in the new "miracle straightener".