So my new flat irons have come in the mail...

And they FRIED MY HAIR!!!!  Unhappy would be putting it mildly, furious would too, but livid describes how I felt after I finished straightening my hair with the Babyliss Pro's.  First, the temp gauge kept blinking, but I assumed that this was what it was supposed to do (no manual).  Secondly, it was uber hot in my apt, so instead of doing my hair in the bathroom, I did it while on the couch, to keep from sweating out my hair.  When I saw what condition my poor tresses were in I almost cried.  All of the protein treatments, deep conditioning, and babying my hair for the last couple weeks, down the drain.  What did I do?  I contacted the seller and explained the problem, but I made sure that I did it as tactful as possible.  I love my soft hair, but it looks like I have to start all over......

Redken All Soft vs Joico Moisture Recovery

I was all too excited when I got my liters on sale for $14.99, but the excitement waned too soon when I tried them.  Being the savvy shopper that I am, I read the comments first to make sure that I was getting the best product for my hair.  Here are my reviews:

Redken All Soft
Pros:   Great price, smells awesome.  Didn't leave a buildup or dry out my scalp.
Cons:  The shampoo didn't leave any softness to the hair after it was washed.  So I thought that maybe the conditioner would do its job.  Sadly it didn't.  My hair was so hard that I had to put in a second conditioner to smooth my tresses out.

Joico Moisture Recovery
Pros:  Great price, smells uber wonderfully wonderful.  The shampoo softens and leaves hair manageable, and the conditioner conditions just like it should.  Didn't leave a buildup or dry out my scalp.
Cons:  I wish I had of gotten another set for the price.

Overall it was a good experience and I'm not knocking Redken, it was just not for my hair.  Joico worked better and I'm pleased with my results.  

So I'm about to do it again...

I have a coupon from Ulta (click here for coupon) that will enable me to purchase one more set of shampoo and conditioner liters that are on sale.  I've did my research and I believe that I'm gonna get the Redken All Soft.  Hopefully they still have some left when I get out there....

What have I purchased in the last month? You don't wanna know... (Products and Reviews)

Okay maybe you do...

Aphogee Two-Step Protein Treatment

Aphogee Balancing Moisturizer

Pro:  Love this stuff because it works to repair the breakage, dry brittle ends, and shedding.

Con:  It’s a little runny and it smells funny.

Blue Magic Mango and Lime, Argan Oil Leave-In Conditioner

Pro:  It works great in the hair if your roller setting, or if your natural.  Also great in the kiddies hair as a deep conditioner/daily moisturizer.

Con:  If you mainly wear your hair straight, it may be a little heavier than your used to.

Elasta QP Crème’ Conditioning Shampoo

Elasta QP Scalp Stimulating Shampoo

Elasta QP Intense Conditioner

Elasta QP Leave-In H2

Elasta QP Breakage Control Serum

Pro:  The Crème’ shampoo is the bizness!!  It conditions without using conditioner!  Love it Love it Love it!!  I’ve only used the Scalp stimulating shampoo once, but it was effective.  The Intense Conditioner softens the tresses impeccably, and the H2 adds needed moisture.  I haven’t tried the Breakage Serum.  And everything is reasonably priced too!

Con:  None. Zip.  Null.

Joico Moisture Recovery Shampoo

Joico Moisture Recovery Conditioner

Pro:  It bought liters of both, because they were on sale.  They retail at $29.95 per, and Ulta had them for $14.99 a piece.

Con:  I haven’t tried them yet.

One N Only Argan Oil Treatment

One N Only Moisture Repair Shampoo

One N Only Moisture Repair Conditioner

Pro:  If I could have purchased stock in the Argan Oil (Moroccan Oil) when it first was introduced, I would have.  This is a staple, and you only need about a quarter size when the hair is still wet, and about a dime every couple days to add shine and softness.  And the conditioner is definitely adds moisture and shine to the hair.

Con:  I wasn’t thrilled about the shampoo because it made my hair so dry and I couldn’t really comb it wet.  

My hair journey...

So for the last month or so I have been purchasing and trying all sorts of hair products; trying to find the one that is right for me.  First, let me give you my hair background.  I received my first relaxer at 10-11 by my sister, who i adore, but she burned the heazy out of my scalp.  Fast forward a few years and I was doing my own hair, and doing it badly.  Between the ages of 19-26 I experimented with every natural (and some unnatural) color known to black hair.  I even cut it all off and grew it out a couple times.  In December of 2009 I decided to go natural, transitioning with the relaxed/damaged/colored hair on my head with the new growth.  That didn't fair too well.  I should have "big chopped", but I was afraid and was left with a mess that didn't look or feel like what i was used to.  So in May of 2010 I relaxed again, then got a cut up to my ear, which grew out, but I missed my color so I colored again.  And cut again.  But this time it was into a nice bob right at the nape of my neck, and that was 3 months ago. My hair is growing, one side preferably over the other for some reason, and I've been blessed because it is getting back to some normalcy.  Even with my color...

Joico Product Review

So I was reading about the wonderfullness (yes that's a word) of Joico K-Pak Reconstruct.  It retails at around $30 for a liter of either the shampoo or conditioner, but Ulta has a sale going on now for 12.99 - 14.99, plus I had a coupon.  So I get it home, and although I just washed my hair two days prior, I was anxious to use it.  So I washed , rinsed, washed again, and put the conditioner in for probably 5 minutes.  My hair was a little dry and didn't have the slip that I normally has with a great shampoo.  I wrapped it wet and let it air dry overnight.  In the morning I unwrapped it and noticed dry flakes coming from my scalp as I combed, no biggie though, because my hair is still soft and manageable.   In the end I liked it, but because I've been battling a dry scalp all summer, and had just got it under control, I couldn't risk a setback.  It's cool though, they took it back and I got the Moisture Recovery instead.  I'll use it tomorrow night and give results.  I may even post a pic or two...  

P.S.  I'm not knocking the Reconstruct at all, it just wasn't for me.  It probably is great for those with oily tresses or those who need to get the healthy back in their hair.  

Greetings!!

As I sit here reading the Long Hair Care Forum (LHCF) like its the holy grail for hair info, I thought to myself that I usually talk about hair to anyone that will listen.  Mainly my sisters and bffs.  So why not blog about my experiences, get everything out, and maybe help someone with some info in the process.