First Impressions: Qhemet Biologics Amla and Olive Heavy Cream

Happy Sunday lovelies!



As promised, I have my review of Qhemet Biologics Amla and Olive Heavy Cream. I have had it for about a week now and feel like I have tried it enough (and in a variety of ways) to give a complete review. So let's start with the basics:

Price: $5.50 (2oz)/ $16.50 (8oz)

Key Ingredients (per Qhemet Biologics website): Amla, Brahmi, African Aloe, MSM sulfur, Olive Oil, Glycerin, Castor Oil

Their Claims: 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.

Use as a:
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.


Let me just say, I absolutely love this moisturizer. LOVE IT!! I have been on a hunt for the perfect moisturizer since the start of my hair journey and I have finally found it! Qhemet Biologics AOHC keeps my hair moisturized for 3 days or so before I have to reapply again (I do apply more to my ends daily before I bun though). It definitely keeps my hair moisturized and although I prefer to use it on dry hair, it can be used on wet hair as a leave in (as a leave in, I find it to be ok....nothing earth shattering though. Hair feels moisturized enough when it dries).

This product is thick and creamy, with a light, pleasant smell. Also, a little definitely goes a long way. It is important to keep in mind that this product is oil based so using too much may weigh your hair down. For that reason ladies with a thinner hair texture should either pass on this particular product or just be aware and use as little as possible since this product may weigh the hair down.

In terms of ordering, I just want to point out that it takes about a week or so to receive your product since it is handmade. However, if you're itching to get it immediately, check out the Qhemet Biologics website (www.qhemetbiologics.com) to see if there is a local vendor near you that sells it! Another thing that I love is that you're able to purchase a sample size before you commit to a full size (which costs more). The sample size is very generous (it looks like I barely put a dent in it)so don't be afraid to try it!

Bottom Line: There are few products that I absolutely love hands down. This moisturizer is one of them! I fully intend to purchase the full size now that I have given this product a chance. My only regret is that I didn't try it out sooner!

Relaxer Day: July 28 2011

Welp. I relaxed last night.


My hair was pretty much signalling that it was about that time.Shedding a lot and just being downright---rebellious. I was 14 weeks and 2 days post--a pretty decent stretch. I try not to stretch too long because, as a self relaxer, I want to have an easy relaxer day. I've self relaxed at 20 weeks post and it was just....a mess. So, I now try to stretch long enough for it to be of benefit to my hair but not so long that becomes a source of frustration come relaxer day.


Anyway, I put my hair in sections and relaxed using Mizani Butter Blends. I neutralized with my Silk Elements Neutralizing Shampoo (I finally finished the bottle--YAY!!) and DCed with ORS Replenishing Condtioner (also finished off 2 almost empty bottles!) for an hour. After rinsing the condish out, I sprayed Aphogee Keratin and Green Tea Restructurizer on my hair and used Qhemet Biologics AOHC as a leave in. To finish off, I used One N Only Argan Oil as a heat protectant and straightened my hair.


Today, I went to SuperCuts for a much needed trim. I'm pretty pleased with the trim. The stylist wound up cutting my lead hairs so that they are on par with the rest of my hair (YAY!)

*PSA: When you go in for a trim, make sure you emphasize you want a trim. Some stylists think that a trim= you want your hair cut in layers. Do yourself a favor and make sure you emphasize that you want a trim NOT layers.*

See how evened up everything is!? Now I can really really begin to predict when I hit BSL. In the meantime though, now that I'm trimmed up...I'm back to protective styling.


On my next wash day, I will lather 1 time with a neutralizing shampoo to ensure that there is no relaxer in my hair and follow up w/ Elasta QP Creme Conditioning Shampoo. I will then DC with a protein condish (Aubrey Organics GPB- I'm big on getting my hair's protein/moisture balance in check immediately following a relaxer) and do a final rinse with Roux Porosity Control. I'll probably wind up air drying my hair and bunning.

BSL Is Gonna Tick Me Off I See.....

Happy Monday lovelies!!

I just wanted to stop by with a super quick post. Sometime last week, I had a strong urge to do a length check. I mean I've been protective/low manipulation styling for so long and I've had to make some progress right? :slanty face:


Well I did the length check and I've learned one very important thing. This little tidbit is something that I must carry with me throughout my hair life. You ready to hear what it is? Here it goes:

ALL OF THE HAIR ON YOUR HEAD DOES NOT GROW AT THE SAME RATE!!


...that was me yelling at myself, by the way.

As per usual, some of my hair is touching BSL while other parts are inching ever closer. Ugh. I mean I'm glad my hair is doing well...I guess but I would just prefer it if my hair could just sync up for this length goal.

Either way, I'm expecting to hit BSL by early Fall (September/October).

Check it out!

* Oh before you check it out: just note that my hair is not breaking off, it just grows out jankily until all of my hair is about the same length *

Loungin'

.....that was an LL Cool J reference for all you youngins out there.


Seriously though, today has been a lazy Saturday for me. I was supposed to help at a carwash for the local pee-wee football/cheerleading league but that got postponed. Naturally, I wound up making a really good breakfast and passed out.

I woke up to my mail person knocking on my door to deliver my package from Qhemet Biologics (yay!! :hits celebratory dougie:). I purchased a 2 oz sample of the Amla and Olive Heavy Cream ($5.50+shipping). I haven't had much time to do a full assessment of the product (c'mon, I've only had it 2 hours!) but I can tell you some basic things:

1) This product has a thick, creamy consistency. You can tell that a little definitely goes a long way with this product. I only purchased a 2oz sample but you can tell it will last a bit before you run out.

2) It has a pleasant, lemony, citrus-y scent. It isn't overbearing at all!

3) It is another moisturizer that is good for laying edges down. I applied this product to my edges, applied a little Ecostyler gel and was good to go!


So far I have no complaints. I'll post a full, first impressions assessment of this product once I use it a little bit more.

Also, since I'm just loungin' (lol), I have my hair in a loose, high bun. It's very laid back and it makes me feel like I put in an effort to look somewhat presentable (even though I'm not going anywhere lol). Check it out (feel free to check out my edges too!):

So, yall tell me: what are your Saturday/weekend (hair) plans?

I FINALLY Figured It Out!!

Slicking down my edges when I'm wearing a bun (or just wearing my hair back in general) has always been the bane of my (hair) existence.

I have tried every manner of gels, glazes, and pomades and have met minimal success with each. Some would slick my hair down but as soon as I come into contact with the slightest bit of moisture, my edges would pop back up. Grrr. Do you know how frustrating that is!?????Today, however, has marked the end of my frustration. I've pretty much found that the key to keeping your edges slicked down lies on 1 key product: moisturizer.

Yep. That's it. Moisturizer. If your edges are moisturized enough, the easier they are to beat brush into submission. Who freakin' knew?

Now, I can't tell you what moisturizer to use since every head of hair is different but I can tell you what moisturizer worked for me:

Darcy Botanicals Coconut Lemon Transitioning Creme. Oh.Em.Gee. I put some of this on my edges and followed up with the olive oil Ecostyler Gel. Edges are laid down! Even after walking in the sauna that is Birmingham, AL in the summertime, my edges have stayed put!

So there you have it. If your edges seem to laugh at any gel, pomade, or glaze you put in your hair, try moisturizing it first. It may make a world of difference.

Happy Friday ladies!

First Impressions: Mixed Chicks Deep Conditioner

Today I had a little extra money to spend and I decided to take a trip to LeVia's Hair and Body Essentials, a natural hair care store that just opened up here in Birmingham. During my trip, I picked up 2 things: Mixed Chicks Deep Conditioner and Darcy Botanicals Transitioning Creme (no, I'm not transitioning. I just thought it may be a good product for my 13 weeks post hair). I always love a good DC, so I'm always on the hunt for one. I admit it. DCs are my (product) weakness. Lately, I have been into products that are geared toward natural haired ladies. As I have mentioned repeatedly, my hair is still pretty textured (even though I'm relaxed) and craves moisture. It just so happens that a lot of products geared towards naturals have moisture as their hook. That sounds like a match made in heaven for my hair!!

So lets get to the nitty gritty about this deep conditioner!

Price: $14.99 + tax ($10.99 on the Mixed Chicks website) for 8oz

Their claim: Nourish, detangle, and restore curly, tightly curled or straight hair with MIXED CHICKS exclusive conditioning blend which penetrates and reconstructs damaged areas, transforming style-stubborn-locks into resilient, easy to maintain tresses.

Ingredients: Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Amodimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Dicetyldimonium Chloride, Octamethylcylotetraxiloxane, Isopropyl Alcohol, Safflower Oil, Cetrimonium Chloride, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate and C14-18 Perfluoroalkyethyl Thiohydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride and Benzoic Acid and Glycereth - 2 Cocoate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Fragrance

Ok. Where do I start with this review? Let's start with the good: I wound up washing my hair this evening with my beloved Elasta QP. I then applied this DC to my hair. I loved how thick and creamy this product is. I also liked the fact that I didn't have to slather my hair in conditioner. A little really goes a long way with this product. I DC'ed (with heat) for about 45 minutes. When I washed the DC out, my hair felt so soft and my Jilbere comb just glided through my hair. Detangling was a breeze!


Now for the bad.....

This DC is extremely scented. Powerfully scented. Oh sweet Jesus is it scented! It has a perfume-y scent that I swear I've smelled before but I can't quite put my finger on it. I've never been particularly sensitive to scents but this DC wound up giving me a massive headache. No es bueno. It felt like my eyeballs were trying to escape through my eye sockets that's how bad it was. Fortunately, the headache went away as soon as I washed it out.

I also have a problem with the price. Paying around $15 for 8oz is not a deal in my book. Especially since I have a lot of hair and no matter how you slice it, I'm gonna use a lot of conditioner. I just think paying $15 for 1, maybe 2 uses isn't worth it especially when I can get a TUB of Silicon Mix for $3 more.


Bottom Line: Mixed Chicks DC does what it says. It provides moisture and it makes detangling easier. However, no product should be so strongly scented that it gives you a headache-a massive one at that. I don't care how good it may be. I also think that $15 for 8oz is just too much. I can find (and have) conditioners (that have more product) that give the same results as Mixed Chicks for way less money. Ultimately, I will finish up the DC but I will not repurchase. The scent and the cost were definite deal breakers for me.

Look of the Day (7/18/2011): Braidout Ponytail

Happy Monday lovelies!

The weekend went by entirely too fast and now it's time for another work week. Le sigh.

This past weekend, I plaited my hair for a braidout today. Now, I fully intended to wear a braidout today I promise I did. However, my braidout had me looking too much like Ms. Ross the Boss (*starts humming 'It's My House'*). Ordinarily, I like big hair but today, I simply wasn't feeling it. Plus, I don't know about yall but we have been experiencing a heat wave so any style that keeps my hair off of my neck is a good one.

So here is my braidout ponytail. Definitely a good Monday morning look!

Twists Are Out!!!

Happy Sunday!

As you know, last weekend I put some really cute mini twists in my hair. Well, I found out that I can only keep them in my hair for a week max. I began to notice that shed hair was beginning to accumulate at the ends and form knots (which could up my chances for a potential setback). I also began to notice some product accumulation at my roots. So, on Friday, I took my twists down and detangled my hair using HE Hello Hydration. I then clarified my hair using ORS Creamy Aloe and followed up with Elasta QP Creme Conditioning Shampoo.

* My 'naked' hair. My mom doesn't call it a lions mane for nothing! *

I also DCed with Silicon Mix. Now that I'm 12 weeks (well 13 weeks this Tuesday) post, I have to definitely make sure that I'm getting enough conditioner on the line of demarcation. For that reason, I have been applying my DC the same way that I would apply a relaxer. I find that it keeps my new growth soft and moisturized. However, on Friday, I was feeling particularly lazy so I DCed overnight. My hair felt so soft! I may have to do it more often. Saturday morning I washed the DC out, sprayed on Aphogee Keratin and Green Tea Restructurizer , and some One N Only Argan Oil and air dried using the scarf method. When my hair was about 80% dry, I put my hair into plaits for a braid out. Since I didn't go anywhere today, my hair remains in plaits and will be taken out tomorrow morning.

I still have no clue when I'm gonna relax. I don't want to push it to 20 weeks because relaxing my hair will take more effort than usual to do (lesson learned from last summer). However, I'm not really feeling the urge to relax just yet. I do know that I want to straighten my hair for my birthday so I will be getting my hair flat ironed for that.

I'm also on a mission to curb my PJism. I'm doing pretty good with that so far in that I'm trying to use up products that I haven't finished up yet. For example, I'm using the Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque as a styling aid (because I wasn't impressed with it as a deep conditioner--it has absolutely ZERO slip!) for my braidouts. I think I like it a little bit better now.

My PJism isn't completely curbed though. Last week I ordered a sample from Qhemet Biologics. I'm looking for a moisturizer that has no protein in it and they offer that. So stay tuned for my review on that!

Well...I've chattered enough for one evening. Good night lovelies! :)

It Be Callin' Me Man....

It being hair products.

This week I've been feeling a little bit like Pookie in New Jack City. All week, I have wanted to go out and purchase hair products. Not any product in particular, just something. Nevermind the fact that I have bottles and tubs of unfinished hair products taking up space in my bathroom cabinets. I just have the itch to try something new.


Fortunately, my attempts at purchasing something have been thwarted at every turn. From the store being closed to me being too lazy to drive somewhere during rush hour traffic, I have been able to return home sans product. Another plus is that I'm actually making any effort to use up the product that I have! :gasp: I know! It's shocking. Today I actually pulled out my bottle of unfinished Hawaiian Silky 14 in 1 to moisturize my twists. I actually forgot how much I liked this product during the summertime (it has glycerin in it, which is a humectant and is perfect for the summer when there is so much moisture in the air).

*Rediscovering long lost products in that cabinet of mine? Heck yeah! :D *

I suppose I should stick to this pattern of using up things that have yet to be used. I know for a fact that I have an entire tub of Cantu Leave In. I don't remember why I bought it and have yet to figure out how to use it.

:sigh: I need to do better with this product junkie business.

Mini Twists: Day 3

At this point I have had my twists in for 3 days and I LOVE them!!! They aren't frizzing up or unraveling at all. I have been keeping them moisturized w/ my Shea Moisture products and sealing w/ One N Only Argan Oil.

I have been doing some research abou twists trying to determine if they are a protective style or low manipulation style. I've found that, depending on who you ask, it can be either or. However, in my humble opinion, twists are a low manipulation style. I say this simply b/c your ends are out and you have to take great care to keep your ends moisturized. Now twists can be made into a protective style if you wear them in a bun or some other style to keep you ends tucked away. However, as it stands, twists are low manipulation.


Today, after an experiment gone wrong (apparently I DO have to set my ends on flexirods every night if I want to have curly ends), I'm wearing my twists in a bun (thus, making them a protective style). I suppose that's a good thing. I had a serious case of hand in hair yesterday and today I'm feeling extremely low key. Also, it has been extremely humid here lately so it just may be better to keep my hair up.

Anyway, here is how my hair is looking today. Still fresh and happy! :)

This Is What Happens When......

.....I have nothing but time on my hands.

Yesterday I had decided to do absolutely nothing. I was gonna lounge around my apartment and like it. Yep that's what I was gonna do. I was doing great on achieving nothing until I went on YouTube and looked up videos for mini twists. That was the wrong move. They looked so cute and low maintenance that I wanted to give them a try. I figured that I have enough texture left in my hair to make twists that actually stay twisted and decided to test that hypothesis. Lo and behold...I actually can do mini twists!! A little over 3 hours later (many thanks to 'Clueless', 'The Wedding Planner', and Keeping Up w/ the Kardashians for keeping me entertained), my twists were complete and I was putting flexirods on the ends of the twists to get them to curl at the end.

I didn't use a lot of product for the twists, just some Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl and Style Milk and some EcoStyler Gel (the green one). I plan on keeping these in for a week or two since they took so daggone long to complete.

Well....what do you think?

My Top 3

So I saw this on the My Healthy Hair Journey blog and the [Hair].I.Am--WORLD! blog and figured that I should give go ahead and fill in my answers. So here goes.....

1) Top three things you love about your hair

-its thickness (it took my hair breaking off for me to appreciate it. Like Joni says: Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you've got till it's gone)
-its versatility ( I am able to do so much with my hair that I thought I'd never be able to do with it)
-its length (yeah I said it. It's never been this long before!)

2) Top Three things you have learned since being on your hair journey

--No one NEEDS a relaxer. It's a styling choice. Your hair is manageable if you're natural or if you're relaxed.
--My hair needs moisture. Ain't no getting around it, under it, or through it.
--Protective styling is only as boring as you make it. Protective styling so frequently has forced me to be more creative with my styles!

3) Top three things you want to accomplish during your hair journey

--I want to get to mid back length--maybe waist length.
--Perfect my straightening technique so that I use less heat (and don't mention rollersetting. I got beef w/ rollersetting lol)
---Did I mention I want to get to mid back length?

4) Top Three things/Products you love:

--Mizani Thermasmooth
--AO conditioners and Silicon Mix
--Buns, braidouts, and bantu knot outs

5) Top three Hair inspirations (youtube or otherwise)

Anyone who is on a journey for healthy hair inspires me. To see AA dispelling the myths that surround our hair care on a daily basis is definitely inspirational to me. It's what keeps me going on in my own journey! :)

Water Has Never Felt So Good!

I am currently sitting under my heat cap, deep conditioning happy as a freakin' lark.

After refusing to wash my hair in that stuff they call well water, I finally got to wash my hair now that I'm back in B'ham. Plus, I had to wash my hair. Aside from the fact that it was dirty, it smelled like smoke (my grandparents smoke) and I had to take care of that ASAPedly.

I swung by the BSS to pick up some Elasta QP Creme Conditioning Shampoo (funds are kinda tight this month so spending $10 for the little Shea Moisture Moisture Retention Shampoo is not really cost effective) and got to work. I'm DCing with Silicon Mix (I have this huge tub of it and I like it....and I figure that I better use it so...yeah). I'm finding that in the summer (maybe due to humid behind Alabama) I can be more lenient with my DCs. However, during the winter I have to alternate between AO GPB and AO White Camellia religiously otherwise my hair will revolt.

Anyway, following all of this, I'm going to air dry (with a little moisturizer, some argan oil, and a scarf) and call it a day! I'll gonna use my banana clip to bun tomorrow (SN: Can you guys tell how much I LOVE the banana clip? I mean seriously. I'm tempted to write an ode to the banana clip that's how much I love it lol).

This particular was day has made me happy. It's like eating after a month long fast. :)

4th of July Weekend and My Hair

Happy 4th of July everyone!

I hope all of you are having an amazing day, eating lots of yummy food, and watching some amazing fireworks. Currently, I'm laid out on my aunt's couch because I have eaten entirely too much. So, I figure it's best not to move...a lot.

So for the holiday weekend, I drove to SC to my grandparents house. My mom and brother drove down from VA and I met up with them in SC too. Now I love visiting my family, I promise I do. However, every time I come to SC I have to make some serious decisions as to what I'm gonna do with my hair. Let me explain. My grandparents live in Middle-of-Nowhere, SC (read: the country) and I have always had an issue with the water at their house. This is mainly because it's well water. It smells like eggs and even as a little girl, I didn't want that water touching me. Well, I have to shower of course but I refuse to let that well water touch my hair with its contents unknown. Nope, I'll just wait to go back to my good ol' Birmingham water. At least I know what's in that.

Anyway, I decided to keep my hair simple. With my trusty banana clip, I wore 3 styles over the course of my time here.

1) Banana clip bun. I absolutely love this bun and it was perfect for my day at the beach with my family. Besides, SC is so flippin hot and humid, I couldn't picture having my hair just out and about.

2) Braid out bun (please excuse my red teeth. I had just finished a wild cherry Icee. It was delicious.) I tried doing a braid out and it didn't turn out the way that I had planned so I bunned it. It was a good thing I did b/c we spent the day playing Putt Putt golf. In the hot sun......yeah.

3) Bantu knot out ponytail? (I did a bantu knot out and put it back with a banana clip. I'm not sure what you'd call that but that's what it is). It wanted to wear a bantu knot out for the family cookout today but then I went outside and knew I wasn't gonna wear my hair out. At all. What you see it the end result.



All in all, I have enjoyed my time w/ my family, meeting my baby cousins, talking, laughing, and carrying on. Now I'm ready to head back to B'ham to give my hair some much needed TLC.