May Hair Update: Scissor Happy!

I was planning to wait until the end of June or July to straighten my hair and get a little trim.  You see, last year when I had some heat damage chopped off, there was no rhyme or reason to my hair.  It wasn’t shaped and I didn’t care because I didn’t plan on straightening it again for at least a year.  I had been researching salons and was set on a spot in New York that I planned to patronize on my business trip in June. 

I viewed this Youtube video last Thursday and was inspired to try this style out since all of my hair could gather into a substantial ponytail without me feeling like I was giving myself a facelift from pulling my hair so tight.  And the style was a huge success (I only used one pack of hair, not the 2 as suggested in the video).  Anyway, folks loved my bun and I’d settled on the fact that I was going to wear this style for 3 more days and on and off for the next month until I got my hair done professionally.

But then something happened.  I loathed the amount of gel I had to use to slick the hair down.   And then my scalp started feeling a little suffocated.  And then suddenly, I was fixated on getting my hair cut, not trimmed.  Then I talked myself off the ledge and tied a satin scarf around my edges, put on my satin bonnet and went to sleep Friday night with the intentions of repeating the bun.

But…what had happened was…

I woke up at 8:00 Saturday morning and HAD TO wash that product out of my hair.  And then I started digging in my stash of products for the blow-drying cream, and then the maxi.glide was plugged up and then…

A couple of hours later I was in my car, driving to my local chop shop where I have a tried and true stylist that does what I ask.  And I told her to cut my hair…even out the length…layer it. 

It was funny because even though she hadn’t seen me in almost a year she said, “No, you mean a small trim like usual, right?”  I shook my head and repeated my instructions.  She then says, “You know you’ll lose about 1-1/2” of hair off the back, yes?”  And I said without hesitation, “Yep, get started.”  She smiled and got to cutting.

She did mention while cutting my hair that it was very healthy (much healthier than the 1^st time she cut it a couple of years ago) and that with the type of growth I got in the span of 10 months, my hair would grow back in no time if I kept doing what I was doing.  Little does she know that my hair should have been at least 2 inches longer because I had been snipping and clipping ends like nobodies business over the last 10 months.

By the way, I love it!

Pre-Cut

Post Cut

Styled!

Full disclosure: I did have a few splits and knots that can only be attributed to wearing my hair out throughout the winter months.  But said splits certainly weren’t running an inch and a half up my hair strands.  This cut was done because I wanted a noticeable change to my hair.  I also needed to even out the length and give my hair some shape.

Product Pre-Review: Terresentials Lavendar Garden Hair Wash

I learned about this hair product a few months ago on Naptural85’s  YouTube channel here and here. She has nothing but rave reviews about this Terressentials hair wash and I thought that when the time came that I was almost out of my regular shampoo and conditioner, I’d go ahead and give this a try.

Let’s forget the fact that this ‘wash’ is nothing more than mud with a bunch of essential oils in it. It is, however, 100% USDA Certified Organic.  There’s no other product on the market that can claim that, supposedly.  Peruse their website when you get a chance; they have a wealth of information.  But if you do find a product that touts the same, let me know about it in the comments.

I’m not out of my regular shampoo and conditioner but I am, however, tired of my current routine.  Even though I’ve greatly reduced the time in which it takes to wash and style my hair, I need an even shorter process.  If this wash does what Nap85 claims, I won’t have to pre-detangle or deep condition.  Using her videos as a testament to how healthy her hair appears, it works!  This will be a win in my book. *fingers crossed*

The product is not too expensive.  At $10.75 for an 8 oz bottle, it doesn’t break my $2.00 an ounce rule for purchasing products.  But what had me giving this the side-eye supreme was the fact that shipping is $8.75 and the business is only about 60 miles away from my house, in the same state!  I considered driving to the store but with gas being almost $4/gallon, nixed that idea immediately.  Anyway, with shipping, that puts my price per ounce at a little over $2.50.  However, this is (hopefully) going to be a 2-for-1: shampoo AND conditioner product.  To further allay the anxiety of the crazy shipping cost, I went ahead and threw in a body oil (that I didn’t need) – which means I spent more money – to justify the $8.75. Get with that logic.

So the next time I wash my hair, this is the product I’ll use.

And I’ll report back with results in 3 parts: 1^st use; 2^nd use 1 or 2 weeks later; and then final take.

Wish me luck!

Anyone out there tried this?

Target and CVS

Yeah, those are Willow Smith’s favorite places to shop.  How "regular person" is that?  LOL

Restoration

Lord here I am, Lord please have mercy on me.
I left your side, so now I'm making my plea.
I tried to pretend that everything was okay,
Deep in my heart I knew better Lord.
Running around in circles of sin,
Lord I chose you before and now I choose you again.

Restoration, Lord I know that I've gone way too far.
Restoration, Lord I know I've been running for way too long.

I compromised; hanging out with friends from my past.
I thought no harm done, but my flesh took over in a flash.
Even when I was with them my mind wasn't there,
For I knew if you came Lord that I'd be left.
So like the lost sheep that has gone astray,
I went back in the fold and now I'm back here to stay.

Restoration, Lord I know that I've gone way too far.
Restoration, Lord I know I've been running for way to long.

Raise your hands, He'll reclaim you, He'll restore you, and restoration begins.
Raise your hands, He'll reclaim you, He'll restore you, and restoration begins.

Give it up, turn it loose, just surrender, and restoration begins
Give it up, turn the world loose, just surrender, and restoration begins.

Raise your hands, He'll reclaim you, He'll restore you, and restoration begins.
Raise your hands, He'll reclaim you, He'll restore you, and restoration begins.

Give it up, turn it loose, just surrender, and restoration begins
Give it up, turn it loose, just surrender, and restoration begins

Before You Die...

Get Up and Live!

I had no idea that the Celebration of Gospel was scheduled to air this past Sunday.  I don’t recall seeing all the hype as in past years with commercials, radio spots and such but it happened.

I try not to watch BET much for all apparent reasons.  And if you have no clue as to what those reasons could possibly be then, it's better to have folks think you're a fool than open your mouth and prove it AND...look what they've done to The Game!!!  But I did want to check out The Celebration. 

I can’t say I was overly impressed by the show but overall, it was decent.  I could definitely point out some side-eye moments but…I mean…it was the celebration of GOSPEL and I need all the positive points to be written in the Book of Life under the entry that says my name.  Let's just say that I didn’t finish the viewing experience thinking I had lost 2 valuable hours of my life.  I enjoyed the performances, the songs, the tributes and the artists.  Mr. Harvey blessed us with a classic tux (sans sparkles) instead of wearing a suit from his collection.  Thank you Sweet Baby Jesus for that blessing.

Sorry for the huge digression, but stick with me.

One person/performance who rarely, if ever, disappoints is Kirk Franklin.  I know he's not a traditionalists in the Gospel music arena and many folks frown upon his creativity (secular inspiration?) but that little man has a way with a song and performance whether it’s slow and reflective (Imagine Me) or something that is high energy.

I loved his opening act and am in great anticipation of his next project if this song and “I Smile” is any indication of how it’ll turn out.  I joked with my cousin that I would fall straight out if I saw him do any parts of "The Dougie" and by golly, I found myself ‘slayed in the spirit’ when he did!  By the way, I see you Mary Mary.  But for real though…

GET UP AND LIVE!!!!!

BET Videos

Happy Friday and Checking In...

I'm not sure what happened this week but I do know that I have 5 posts drafted that need very minor edits before being published.  How trifling is that? 

Next week will be better.

Check back tomorrow for the weekend show off and until then…

Happy Friday!

Monday Morning Inspiration: I Smile

Weekend Show Off: Spicy Eve

I’m not a vlogger, but I play one in my dreams.  LOL.  Anyway, I do subscribe to quite a few vloggers on YouTube and I thoroughly enjoy their information sharing, candor and humor.

I first found out about Eve from naturally.com.  She’s a 4B sister and makes videos for them from that perspective.  Somehow I found her personal channel where she talks about more than just hair.  She’s a funny gal.  Recently, she posted this video and I knew that I had to share.

Check out Spicy Eve’s YouTube Channel and enjoy.

I Just Love LOVE!

This right here is fabulous!

Release Me

One of my fondest memories as a child is riding in the car with my mom. Even though she used the car to mostly lecture her captive audience (because it’s just not prudent to jump out a moving car), she also used our driving time to expand my appreciation for different types of music.

Her ’76 Gold Ford Elite was top of the line, in my opinion. It had a cream leather hard top, cream leather seating, really nice shiny rims that had the spokes, white wall tires and an AM/FM radio complete with an EIGHT TRACK CASSETTE PLAYER! Yeah, real top notch. I think that was the only luxury car my family owned up until the red Ford Taurus circa 1990. LOL.

On to the music…
My mom’s car music consisted of Gospel (think: Mahalia Jackson, Shirley Caesar and James Cleveland) and Easy Listening a/k/a “Elevator” music (think: Nat King Cole, Barbra Streisand, The Carpenters). That’s how she rolled. Her eight track collection didn’t contain all the Easy Listening artists, but there is one in particular that I clearly remember…Engelbert Humperdinck. Good ole Engelbert. I used to ogle that cassette tape case because he was so very cute to me.



And my favorite song was “Release Me”. Such mature lyrics to be singing for a little girl that was about 5 or 6 years old who knew absolutely nothing about breaking up with someone, but I used to belt those lyrics each time the song came on.
Not only were the lyrics mature, I saw the video on You.Tube when looking for the song.



Kind of racy for 1985, isn’t it? LOL

I really wish I had this memory 2 weeks ago. Engelbert is still performing and he was in Bethesda, MD on Oct. 7th. I would have gifted my mom some tickets for her birthday. It would’ve been a hoot for sure.

Question: What kind of music did your parents to listen when you were young?

SUNSHINE!!!

It's definitely been one of those weeks.

In spite of it all, it's Friday and...I'm just happy that God saw fit to give me another day of life.



HAPPY FRIDAY SUNSHINE!

With love, Lisa

Proof...

...that people DON'T sound better while singing in the shower.



Somebody please tell him to stop. Right.NOW!!!!

(Peep the YouTube comments for some straight up hilarity)

Nigerian Hustle

Today has been one of those days. I have things (well one thing in particular) on my mind that is bothering me. So I needed a laugh in a really big way and Evangelist Charlette has helped to lift my Spirit. I don't know if it's right or wrong to laugh, but gosh this is just funny! Check out her YouTube channel...pretty pretty please!

And yes, this video and all others are recorded live from the A.pple Store.

It just doesn't get any better.

With love, Lisa