Pantene Pro-V® Truly Natural- REVIEW

When my hair was permed Pantene hair products were a staple in my hair care routine , fortunately for me Pantene has created a line that is tailored to my hairs current needs. I recently had the opportunity to try out Pantene Truly Natural Line a  line of products designed to help manage your natural hair.

First up Pantene Pro-V® Truly Natural Clarifying Shampoo which is designed to gently cleanse your hair’s unique structure and remove buildup—leaving it shiny, clean and refreshed. I really put it to the test, I used the Clarifying Shampoo after having braids in my hair for over three weeks. It definitely stood up to the significant amount of product and dirt residue. As you can see in the picture above it does not generate a ton of suds, but surely left my hair and scalp clean without stripping it of all it's moisture.

Following the Clarifying Shampoo I applied  Pantene Pro-V® Truly Natural Deep Conditioner  which is an oil-enriched conditioner that moisturizes and detangles natural hair. My hair thrives off oil so I was excited to try it! While the bottle does not tell you a specific amount of time to keep the conditioner on I coated my strands with the conditioner put on a plastic cap and sat under my hooded dryer for 20 minutes. Detangling was a breeze and once I rinsed the product out  my hair felt super moisturized and manageable. 

Pantene Pro-V® Truly Natural Defining Curls Custard works with your hair’s unique structure to define curls and control frizz up to 24 hours, even in humid weather. This styling custard leaves curls manageable and feeling soft. I rounded out my first experience with this product line by doing a Wash and Go style applying the Defining Curl Custard and allowing it to dry completely. It left me with defined curls and minimal frizz although it does claim that your hair would be manageable and soft there was an initial crunch feel that I eliminated by gently scrunching my hair leaving my hair touch-ably soft. Honestly I rarely wear my hair in a Wash and Go style, but instead wear a Flat Twist Out, well I added the custard to my usual routine and boy did it make a difference not only did my twist out stay define through an entire cookout, but it looked  great even days later! 

Pantene Pro-V® Truly Natural Co-Wash Cleansing Conditioner instantly cleanses, conditions, and detangles hair in one easy step without stripping the hair’s natural moisture. This low-lathering formula refreshes unmanageable curls and helps control frizz, leaving hair soft and shiny after use. OMG this is my absolutely favorite product from the line not only was it great in the cleaning department but it made detangling, which is usually a nightmare after a Wash and Go, a cake walk. I didn't have time to deep condition afterwards and my hair remained super moisturized for a entire week of me NOT re moisturizing my hair.

Overall I give the line two thumbs up and will be adding them to product arsenal!


I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

WEN Cleansing Conditioner Review

Why oh why did I do this to myself?!?! A few months back I received a generous sample of Wen's Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner and right away I have to tell you my hair enjoyed it and I enjoyed the simplicity of the process as well! 

I am going to let you in on a little secret I am extremelly frugal, particularly when it comes to hair products. My current staple product do not exceed $5 dollars in cost and I tend to write off any product that exceeds $10 in cost. With that said there is no way I would have tried Wen unless I received it as a gift/sample. So now that I have tried it will I be breaking this $10 limit I have set for myself? 

                                      

WEN Instructional Video - African American Hair

Now if you took the time to watch the above video you would know that for African American hair like my own they recommend that you use a minimum of 40 full pumps of conditioner to your hair for just one cleansing session. I must admit I did not use 40 full pumps because that would have turned my generous sample into a one time experience instead of the four sessions I was able to extend it to. I decided to focus more on applying it to my scalp for cleansing purposes and my ends to make sure they received the conditioning benefits. Otherwise I followed the directions step by step. 

While WEN Cleansing Conditioner was in my hair I did take the time to detangle my hair which is no easy task do to the sheer volume of hair I have, but it  was made easier due to the great slip that it provides.WEN left my hair feeling clean but not squeaky clean like shampoos with sulfates in them does, and  because of its conditioning qualities my hair was super soft upon rinsing it out. 

While my hair enjoyed the tingly feeling the mint left behind, there wasn't any drastic improvement in the overall health of my hair. Yes I applaud the product for doing what it typically takes three products to do for me (Conditioner Wash +Apple Cider Vinegar to Clarify + Deep Conditioner), but the facts remain that I am frugal and even with purchasing all three of those products is still 1/3 the cost of WEN. So I guess I will be stalking QVC for some awesome special in order to enjoy the connivence of this all in one product.

Disclosure: I received Wen Cleansing Conditioner as a sample and was not compensated for this post. As always my thoughts an opinions are my own. 

The Body Shop Beauty's Night Out

Recently I was treated to an awesome experience at the The Body Shop at Lenox. From the initial greeting by the General Manager Andre Atchison to the fantastic services provided by my consultant for the evening Channtel I couldn't have asked for a better experience, but what captivated me the most was what I learned about the company and its values. 

Any company that is against animal testing, support community trade, defends human rights and strives to to protect our "beautiful" planet is certainly worth at least a visit. I will warn you that if you visiti this boutique and experience the high quality of there products and customer service you will be won over.

While receiving my skin care consultations and prior to my makeover I enjoyed a hand massage that was taken over the top by the products that were used, the Brazil Nut Body Butter in conjunction with their Body Oil, left my hands super soft and moisturized. During my makeup application I learned that you too can receive the same treatment that I experienced by contacting the The Body Shop at Lenox and booking a Beauty Party for you and your friends to enjoy! 

Disclosure: I received admissions to this event along with complimentary products in exchange for posting about it.  As always my opinions are my own.

Review of The Odd Life of Timothy Green

If you haven't  seen the movie The Odd Life of Timothy Green, what are you waiting for?

When I entered the theater I was expecting that this film would be a feel good movie that would take me on a bit of an emotional roller coaster and boy was I right. The very first scene draws you in and you find yourself immediately invested in the main characters. The movie is saturated with life lessons from accepting everyone regardless of their differences to if you plant a seed and nurture it, it will grow. You will definitely walk away from this film  wanting to appreciate your love ones just a little bit more. The setting of the movie reminds me of a Mayberry like fictional town, which is a perfect setting for the strange/miracles that occur throughout the storyline. This film is appropriate for school aged children and up and is the perfect film to take the entire family!

Watch the Preview

I received free passes to view this movie, but my opinions are my own.

Miss Jessie's Pillow Soft Curls Review

I was fortunate enough to recieve Miss Jessie's new product Pillow Soft Curls at a preview event hosted by Lexi of curlscoilsandkinks.com. I choose to experience the product a couple of times in order to have a more accurate review of this product made specifically for a wash and go style. 

Description: The name says it all.  Miss Jessie’s PILLOW SOFT CURLS™ is the new styling lotion that borrows fabric care technology and marries it to haircare. It is perfect for achieving static-free, big, soft, curly hair that we all dream about. If you don't want ramen noodle definition and instead want a larger, expanded, fluffy curl then PILLOW SOFT CURLS™ is for you! It's the first “fabric softener” type styling lotion that will leave your curls clothesline fresh and fluffy soft.  You will see that  PILLOW SOFT CURLS™ is so easy to apply. It spreads so smoothly and feels as light as a feather on your curls.                                                         

During the preview a licensed stylist shared her technique for applying the product on a hair model. Her technique included applying the product to extremely wet hair and smoothing the hair while twisting it around her finger several times. Then the model sat under the dryer for 15 minutes in order to set the hair. Ultimately achieving these results.

I decided to use the method I always use for wash and go's in order to compare apples to apples. So after cleansing my hair and it is still sopping wet I apply a generous amount of the product to my hair and rake it through. I then vigorously shake my hair to help my curls pop. Here is a picture of my hair 90 percent dry.

My first impressions was that I loved the scent and got compliments on the pure scent of my hair everywhere I went during the first day of application. I enjoyed the simplicity of applying just this one product without having to sacrifice moisture and shine. Second day hair was easily achieved by misting my hair with water and shaking in order to re awaken the curls. With that said like other style products initially there is a bit of a hold/stiff factor to it that is easily remedied by lightly scrunching your hair in an upward motion.

I am not much of a wash and go girl myself because I like my hair in a more stretched state and prefer not to leave the house with wet hair or having to diffuse it in order for it to be dry. But, for you lovely naturals out there that wash and go is a staple style for you this product is definitely one that you must try.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary bottle of Miss Jessie's Pillow Soft Curls.  As always my opinions are my own.

Atlanta's Center for Puppetry and Arts- The Tortoise, The Hare...

     

I had the pleasure of viewing the The Tortoise,The Hare, and Other Aesop's Fables at the Center for Puppetry and Arts with my family. The Lion and the Mouse, the Country Mouse and the City Mouse, the Fox and the Crane along with the Ant and the Grasshopper where the other fables featured in the show. This three woman performance (including lighting and sound) is appropriate for children age two and older. My sons  are two and three years old and both enjoyed the show immensely. This was their first time attending a puppet show and we weren't quite sure how they would handle being in the dark, but the colorful costumes, catchy songs and overall interactive story lines kept them so engaged that they soon forgot about the darkness.  The 50-minute production was the perfect length for the young audience and the intimate setting allowed even those who are seated in the very back to feel apart of the fun!

Photo by Rob Reilly

In addition to the show you have the opportunity to either stay at the center and make you own puppet or  take home a puppet kit to enjoy at a later time. We opted to stay and make our puppets there which was great because they had everything you needed, plus the staff was very helpful with the boys as the hubby and I got somewhat engrossed in our own puppets!

The Center for Puppetry and Arts is an excellent option if you are looking to expose your children to the arts at a young age. This particular production will be running until September 9, 2012. For more details and showtimes click here.

Disclosure:  I received complimentary tickets to this production. There was no monetary exchange and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Flat Twist Out & Curl Enhancing Smoothie Review

Blow Out Flat Twist Out & Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie Review

Disclosure: I purchased this product myself and have received no monetary exchange for my review. As always my opinions are entirely my own. 

She's Seeing Green

For nearly two months the color GREEN has been a constant in my daily life. I have been drinking green tea two to three times a day and I love it! I could go through a laundry list of the health benefits of drinking green tea, but I just want to share with you what it has done for me and what drew me to it.

When I was looking into making small life changes the suggestion to stop drinking soda was always at the top of the list, well I didn't and don't drink soda, so I decided to look for a drink that I could add to my routine and green tea stood out to me. Along with the immediate results that I have experienced, it also boast long term benefits of reducing your chances of getting cancer due to the antioxidants in it and it's said to boost your metabolism therefore promoting weight loss.

Since I have been drinking green tea I have become more regular, which is always a plus. I also have more energy and it is evident in the fact that I have been working out daily, but have been able to skip my usual mid day nap yet am still able to stay up with my night owl husband. I have shed a few pounds, but I can't contribute that specifically to green tea because I have made several healthy changes in recent weeks. 

As I stated I drink tea two to three times a day typically after every major meal. I prefer to drink it with a 1/2 a tablespoon of honey and warm. I drink it warm for two reasons if you drink warm fluid you are able to feel satiety or full for a longer period of time and also the sooner you drink green tea after brewing the greater the health benefits. The oxidation process reduces the potency of the antioxidants in the tea so the simplest way to remedy that is to drink it promptly. You could add an ice cube or two to it immediately after brewing to enjoy it cool while still retaining it's maximum benefits.


If you are a green tea drinkers please share what brand you drink and how you like yours prepared! 

Leap Frog Scribble & Write- More Writing Less Scribbling

Leap Frog products are a staple in our household, but currently the Scribble & Write is shining above the rest. I must preface this by saying that we have had this computer for nearly  1 1/2 years, but only in recent weeks have I really realized how valuable this has been to my child's development. By my oldest son 2nd birthday he was able to identify all the letters and their sounds, thanks to a persistent mom and his love of the Leap Frogs Letter Factory  and Talking Words Factory DVD's and the accompanying flashcards. 

So in order to encourage his love for letters and began to introduce him to writing we bought him the Scribble & Write for his  2nd birthday.The Scribble & Write encourages children to trace lights to practice drawing simple shapes, pictures and upper- and lowercase letters while developing pencil control. Mind you this product is geared towards children that are between the ages of 3 & 5. So really it was know surprise that initially he would only push the buttons to hear the letters and watch it as it appeared on the screen, but in no time he was scribbling right along with it. 

So by his 3rd birthday which occurred in March he was/is able to write most of the letters (Z is a doozie) freehand and I couldn't be prouder. If you recall I stated that I only recently became impressed by this product that is because my youngest son who turned 2 in March, whom I haven't made a honest attempt to teach how to write/trace his letters, has gotten a hold of this learning tool and is now writing 5 letters freehand as well. 

If you are looking for a toy that's not only entertaining, but a learning aid for you preschooler that travels well and is durable I highly recommend the Scribble & Write!!! 

Disclosure: I purchased this product and received no monetary exchange for reviewing this product. As always my opinions are my own.