Friday, September 30, 2011

Product Review! Shea Moisture Organic Coconut & Hibiscus Curling Soufflé

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I have been a fan of Shea Moisture Products for quite some time now. Shea Moisture (exclusively found at Target and Walgreens stores) offers a full line of organic and natural hair and body products. Most of the items that I have tried from this line, I have absolutely loved (Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo and Conditioner, Curl Enhancing Smoothie, Baby Eczema Therapy Butter, Curl & Style Milk, Black Soap Balancing Conditioner etc., etc., …).

Imagine my excitement when I learned that a new product would be arriving on Target shelves on August 28th. Organic Coconut & Hibiscus Curling Soufflé with Agave Nectar & Flax Seed Oil sounded pretty darn great to me. If it was anything like my vision, it would be an awesome gel alternative that would allow me to smooth my edges AND create curl poppage without drying to a hard crisp. This should be a score! So I hit the store on launch day halfway knowing that the product wouldn’t be stocked yet. And it wasn’t Sad smile. Finally a few days later I found a jar tucked away in the Shea Moisture bath and body section (kept separate from the line of hair care products) AND at a cost of $11.99 ($2 more than the rest of the hair care line). Hmm? Oh well, into the cart anyway. This stuff must be good.

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When I opened the jar, I noticed the consistency to be pretty much what I expected, a clear gel-like formula. And the smell was wonderful as per usual with Shea Moisture products. However, what I got when I dabbed a little bit on my fingers was quite off-putting. This stuff was greasy and sticky.  Somewhat like a silicone. I already knew that this would leave some sort of film on my hair.

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I thought maybe it would be ok if it also added an abundance of moisture and shine without the hardness that can be left by many products after the hair dries. But I can’t even say that it left much shine or moisture. And the residue was overwhelming! The jar claims that it eliminates frizz. Not so much.  I tried it on my edges and not only did it provide no smoothing hold, but it seemed to UP the frizz factor (???) No comparison at all to my beloved EcoStyler Olive Oil Gel. I tried it as a blow-drying aid as indicated on the jar. No bueno! The residue made me nauseous . I tried it on a wet twist-out. A little better here as it did provide some definition. But again with the residue!! I didn’t even want to touch my hair. I didn’t even take the time to use it on a wash n go. There was no point.

What I like about this product:

  • Decent twist-out
  • Smells great
  • Great ingredients (I thought)

What I don’t like about this product:

  • Silicone-like RESIDUE!!!
  • Didn’t dry hard, but no hold whatsoever
  • Actually costs $2 more than the rest of the Shea Moisture hair product line

Although the Curling Soufflé might work for some heads of hair, it was definitely a miss for me. It had potential if not for the sticky yuckiness. What a disappointment! But hey, I still love you Shea Moisture and I’ll keep my eyes open for the next product launch.

Peace,

SPC

P.S. Just checked out a few other reviews online and I am definitely not alone I see!

Monday, September 12, 2011

30 Day Style Icon Challenge: Day 3 - Michelle Obama

Boy is it a busy time in politics right now. Our nation's chief, President Barack Obama attended the World Trade Center memorial yesterday for the 10th anniversary of the catastrophe that occurred on September 11, 2001. And today he is pushing out his $447 billion jobs bill to Congress. And let’s not forget that we are officially in campaigning days. In light of this political frenzy, I thought I would dedicate today's post for the 30 Day Style Icon Challenge to the woman who stays on the grind just as much as her husband. The woman behind next to the man, First Lady Michelle Obama.

Michelle Obama

Staff or no staff, team or no team, entourage or none, clearly Michelle Obama is a woman who was born with style and grace. She is the epitome of refinement, sophistication, and elegance without being a big ol yawn. She is the first First Lady since Jackie O  who effortlessly presents a polished look mixed with the right amount of sex appeal courtesy of figure flattering cuts and ever so slight baring of shapely shoulders, arms, or legs. What??? Yes, the First Lady is a sexy mother... (that's it, she's just a sexy mother guys).

See for yourself...

And please don't mistake her for some frivolous diva. Sensibility is key in Mrs. Obama's day to day fashion. She's been known to thoughtfully re-purpose outfits and shop at affordable stores like Talbots and Target.

Stunning in McQueen

And casual with the hubby...aww

Gosh I love our President and First Lady!

Bonus: Because our President isn't slacking in the style department himself ;-)

Until Next Time!,

SPC

Saturday, September 3, 2011

30 Day Style Icon Challenge: Day 2 - Erykah Badu

 

So apparently this 30 Day Challenge is going to take me the rest of the year to complete. Embarrassed smileBut moving right along…

If I had my way, I would change my look everyday according to my mood. I wouldn’t be afraid to have fun with fashion and not take myself so seriously. My wardrobe, makeup, and hair would be the paint, and I ,the canvas. My style would be an endless array of creative expression. And whoever didn’t like it could kick major rocks. The next style icon on my list  certainly embodies that …

Erykah Badu

I’m not ashamed to admit my serious girl crush on Erykah. She just oozes confidence and errr um what’s the word?…ugh…Swag. She is a true chameleon who always keeps her fans guessing about what she’s going to pull off next. Afro, locs, braids, blonde, disco, boho, sporty, sexy, freaky. She remains undefined by set standards of beauty, though she is definitely no stranger to gorgeousness.

When Erykah arrived on the scene in 1997, this was  her signature look …

Nobody on the scene was doing it like this. Erykah’s trademark sky high head wrap and eccentric attire was the billboard through which people came to recognize the supreme talent that is Badu.

When Erykah revealed that this was what she was toting under there…

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…and that they were indeed extensions and not her own, boy were people up in arms with many things to say about her “realness”. Soon she let it be known that she was not the type to be pigeonholed…

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BOOM!

This girl is so dope, she has even been credited with turning this…

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Into This--->

 

and…

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  into this --->

 

LMAO!! Luckily these fine specimens were able to recover from Badu’s freakquencies and tone it down a bit to preserve their sexy. Thumbs up

Check out some of my favorite Erykah looks:

Preppy meets A Clockwork Orange Perhaps?

Erykah,bold and fearless at 2010 Lollapalooza in blonde mohawk

and sweet little floral dress.

“Earwings” are from her own jewelry line, Funktional ArtErykah-Badu_11-500x360

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Erykah effortlessly transforms from b-girl…

…to glamorous vixen.

Fashion Designer Tom Ford chose Erykah to be the face of his fragrance,                    

White Patchouli back in 2008 and she WERKED it out

Erykah is even more fabulous…after the break!