Carol's Daughter Tui Hair Oil vs. Proclaim Natural 7 Essential Oil

I have been a Carol's Daughter Tui Hair Oil fan since I have had my locks (2003), but it is getting too expensive to spend $18.00 a bottle (8 oz) for hair oil.  It works well and it does smell divine but I have been on a hunt to, one find an oil that is less expensive and two, an oil I can purchase locally, that is natural, smells good, and does not leave my locks oily. 

I found the Proclaim Natural 7 Essential Oil and it is working out nicely.  I purchased it at Sally Beauty for $3.79 (8 oz), it smells good and does not leave my locks oily!! YEAH!! Ladies we love our locks to smell good right.  I wanted to know if anyone has used this product?  What is your review of the product?  Is there an oil you use that you purchase at your local beauty supply that you like?  Thanks for your input.

It's been a while so I wanted to give you a few updates....

(On our way to church September 2010)

Greetings Ladies and Gents :)

I know it has been a while so I wanted to give you a few updates:

1.  The Hair Dryer attachment device is working out very well.  I used to air dry my hair, and I still do, but now if I need to dry it quicker (2 hours) it is definitely more convenient.

2.  I am still loving my new color and bangs.  This hair style has made my locks more easier to manage and the hairstyles are easier to achieve, because the bangs are the center of it all :)

3.  I do like the Lottabody it makes my curls last much longer, at least 3-5 days.

4.  Shampoo and Conditioner- I have switched once again and so far the Nexxus Therappe (Shampoo) and Humectress (Conditioner) is working nicely.  I wanted to be proactive and prevent any dryness to my locks since I have dye now and it is working.

QUESTION: Does anyone use hair oil for your locks that is not oily?  I have been using Carol's Daughter Tui Hair Oil for years and I do like it but it is a bit on the pricey side. 

Thank you in advance for input.

Blog: I invite you to view a second blog I created to help you become the best YOU! Be encouraged :)

Click here or copy and paste: http://www.sweetaroma2010.blogspot.com/

"Hair Color Inspiration"

For those of you who have asked me about my hair color, this is the photo my beautician used to see what color I wanted my locks, and I think he did a very good job matching it :)

Two "NEW" Items

Greetings,

Ladies I don't know about you but I HATE sitting under a dryer but I LOVE roller-sets. Usually, I let my hair air dry over night but my husband is kind of getting sick of seeing me either in braids or rollers so I had to find a solution quick..LOL..well, I was on someone's blog, I can't remember and I saw the attachment device below made by Conair and I am excited about trying it tomorrow (I will let you know how well it works). In addition, I usually do not use setting lotion for my sets, but I found this Lottabody product that I am going to try as well. I will keep you posted.

Question: Has anyone used the attachment device? If so, how did it work for you? Thank you for your input.

"Chosen Vessel's First Color, Highlight, and Cut"

Ok ladies, I did it, I got my locks colored and highlighted!!! Believe it or not this is the first time my hair has ever been dyed and/or highlighted, even before I got locks. I have never been big on color, but I LOVE IT!!! So at my appointment yesterday with the beautician, I got color, highlights, bangs, and layers. Before the cut, my locks were at the middle of my back but now they are a little pass my shoulders; I plan to keep my locks this length because they are much easier to manage and I still have good length. I will post photos of the back of my hair but for now here are a few photos.

Locked 7 years 1 months (Braid-out vs. Roller-Set)

OT "The Challenge"

High school Prom Night in the Limo

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"The Challenge"

Ever since a friend sent me this photo I have been encouraged to attempt to get back to my high school weight. I know to some of you that may sound crazy or even impossible, but I was an athlete in high school and college therefore I am much more comfortable in a smaller frame and fortunately I don't have that far to go :) So, I have decided to challenge myself. Since my high school reunion is coming up this year and my birthday is around the same time, I decided to give myself 6 weeks from August 1, 2010 (until my birthday) to lose 13 pounds and that would put me at my high school weight.

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My Plan to lose 13 pounds in 6 weeks (All of these things I have already been doing for the past 3 years to maintain a healthy weight but I have to admit I have to get more serious about my workouts)

1. Continue to monitor my caloric intake, based on the website I am using in order to lose 1-2 pounds a week I need to take in between 1100-1440 calories.

2. Work out at least 3 times a week (This is the area I need to improve in).

3. Eat less sweets (My weakness).

4. Weigh myself every morning and every night to monitor my progress.

5. Pray and ask for God's assistance during the process.

6. Stay encouraged and excited about the FAN-TAS-TIC results.

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Diet blog has been a good source for me. It enables you to type in your height, weight, and work out schedule and it will give you suggestions on how many calories you need to take in to maintain a healthy weight or to lose weight. It will also suggest how often you should work out based on your height, weight, and lifestyle.

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For those of you who would like to take on your own personal challenge I would be happy to share other tools I have used to mantain a 30 pound weight loss. If you have followed my blog for some time, you will remember that back in January 2007 the doctor informed me that I was 14 pounds overweight and my intense back pain and sciatica would get worse if I did not lose at least 14 pounds so I decided to double it and lose 30 pounds because back pain and sciatica is NO JOKE!!! By April 2007, I had lost 30 pounds and I have maintained 25 pounds of that since April of 2007 and I have felt so good over the years and the sciatica has never returned.

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Click here or copy and paste: http://www.diet-blog.com/

If you plan to take on your own personal challenge, NEVER GIVE UP! GO OVER, GO UNDER, GO AROUND, OR GO THROUGH, BUT NEVER GIVE UP!!! YOU CAN DO IT IF YOU SET YOUR MIND TO DO IT!!!

"Countdown until........August 17, 2010"

I just made it to my 7 year lockversary (July 15, 2010) and boy has this pilgrimage been wonderful. So, my first thought was to continue to let my locks grow until they just wore me out, WELL, I think I am at that point now..WHEW...I have decided with encouragement from Blaq and Monica to go forth and get my locks cut, layered, and have bangs. This is a BIG step for me because in 7 years I have NEVER cut my locks, "trimmed," but not cut so I am VERY excited; especially after visiting Blaq's blog to see, not only was she thinking the same thing I was, but she has already done it and her locks look FABULOUS!!! Check it out: http://www.blaqkofi.blogspot.com/

Reasons to cut some inches off of my locks:

1. The weight of my locks are getting unbearable. I can't put my hair in ponytails because of the tension and weight "I get headaches." I like to workout, swim, etc. so I really need to put my locks up.

2. It takes entirely too long to roller-set (which is my favorite lock style) because of the length, so I haven't done a roller-set in I think 2 years :(

3. It takes entirely too long for my locks to dry, in 7 years I think I have only put heat on my locks maybe, 3-5 times, I really prefer air drying my locks because it is healthier for my hair but because of how long my hair is it is taking to long and some days I go out looking, let's just say, VERY CREATIVE..LOL

4. I am married, and me and my husband do not need to be worried about locks getting in the way...ENOUGH SAID...LOL....I'm jus sayin....

*Ladies, please don't get me wrong, I love my locks and I am grateful that God has blessed me with such a healthy, long, thick, head of hair and I will forever be grateful, I just need to make some adjustments.

"Appointment scheduled for August 17th, I will post photo's"

UPDATED on July 11, 2010- (Chosen Vessel's 7 year Lockversary July 2010)

January 2010 (Braid-out with headwrap) February 2010 (Braidout)March 2010 (Sporting a hat, don't ask me how I squeezed my locks into this little hat...LOL..Whew...)April 2010 (Headwrap)

April 2010 (@ work, headwrap with ponytail) May 2010 (Hair braided individually for braidout)- Ready for bed..LOL

June 2010 (At the computer on Facebook, that is why I am not on my blog as much, that DANG Facebook...LOL)

JULY 2010: Locked 7 years, I can't believe it!!!

Locked 2 weeks (July 29, 2003)

Lock Update: Ponytail-Headband (April 2010)- 6 years 9 months locked

@Work

Product Review "Kinky Curly"

Ok ladies, me NO LIKEY Kinky Curly :( It was not good for my hair. I washed my hair last week and put in the Kinky Curly Curling Custard to see if it would give my locks an even nicer curl and I could not get that stuff to dry. After washing, applying it, braiding my hair, letting it air dry for over 18 hours, and then sitting under the hair dryer for over an hour my hair was still dripping wet with the product (I actually got a horrible cold because I went out to dinner with my DH thinking the stuff would be dry by then). So all that to say, this product may be good for natural hair but not locks, or at least not mines.

Tune in, more to come on the other products. Has anyone ever tried any of these products on their locks? Your thoughts....

Product Review by Abena

Ok ladies, I just purchased a couple of new products that I am going to use on my locks and I will give you my opinion on how the products worked. Also, I would like your input, if any of you have tried either product please share your experience. Thanks!

(Kinky Curly Spiral Spritz for roller-sets, Organic Root Stimulator Herbal Cleanse "Dry Shampoo" to refreshen locks between washes, Fantasia IC P.M. Night Time Oil Treatments to strengthen and shine hair while you sleep, Organic Root Stimulator Hair Mayonnaise for deep conditioning, and Fantasia Pure Tea Silky Gel Mosturizer).

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If this product works well I may be willing to do more roller-sets now that I finally purchased a hair dryer BUT I will definitely be using bigger rollers because I love the roller-set look on my hair but with the regular size rollers it literally takes hours to roll my hair.I am so looking forward to this product :) Something to refreshen my locks between washes seems so ideal.This I tried only one night and my locks did feel noticebly lighter and softer in the morning, almost kind of fluffy. I will keep trying it and give you a more detailed assessment later :)

I have been looking for a deep conditioner so I hope the hair mayonnaise works well.

I have tried this product already and I do like it. It is nice for the locks because it is almost a clear color so it doens't leave any white film and it does soften the locks and it doesn't make the locks look greasy. It is light and smells good.

Product Review by Abena

Paul Mitchell Generic Line: Conditioner

I am truly amazed by this product. After I wash my hair with IC Fantasia 100% Green Tea Shampoo, and then put some of the Paul Mitchell Generic: Detangler I am ready for the conditioner. Now you have to understand I have always been ANTI- generic anything but I tried this product and my locks have never felt lighter and actually fluffy and they even bounce around a lot....I am loving it. I am going to also try one of Paul Mithcell Generic brand Shampoo and I will let you know how well it works in conjuction with the Conditioner.

I hope this was helpful :)

*Product purchased at Sally Beauty Supply

"Breaking News" Chosen Vessel almost cut her Sisterlocks off!! YIKES!!!

Photo taken: 2/14/2010 (6 Years and 7 months locked)

Ok ladies, the news that I was talking about with my Sisterlocks was I was going to get them cut off and start wearing my hair natural (TWA). Why, because I am a ZEALOT!!! and thank God for my husband who sat down and had a longggg talk with me (gave me the reasons why I should keep my locks). He said your hair is SO beautiful and I don't want you to cut it but if you decide to after this talk I will support you. Thank God for that MAN because I know I would have regreted it.

Why am I still sharing this with all of you? I could have made the decision and not shared it with any of you and you would not have ever known that I was considering cutting my locks but I am posting this because I hope that it helps someone who may be considering cutting their locks. Please, please, please do not make a decision until you have weighed the pros and cons, prayed about it, and intensly considered the alternatives.

Cons for my hair: (Hence the reasons why I was considering the BIG CHOP)

1. Friz, FRIZ, and MORE FRIZ...as you can see, I hate the friz but you know what I can learn to live with it. I have also been researching products that may help with this.

2. Length- it sometimes gets in the way, but once again, I can live with this. I actually ALWAYS wanted long hair, so I don't know WHAT my problem is...SMH....

3. Patches of new growth in between locks even after a retightening. NOW this gets on my NERVES!!!!! BUT...I am going to work with my Locktician to hopefuly resolve this issue, if not, oh well, my hair is not going to be perfect even though I am so anal that I want it to be :( JUST BEING REAL...LOL

Pros for my hair:
1. Easy maintenance.
2. Healthy.
3. Great growth.
4. Fits me and my personality.
5. I LOVE my BRAID-OUTS and ROLLER-SETS!
6. Inexpensive.
7. Easy to manage.
8. My husband LOVES it!!!
9. It is natural, no chemicals.
10.I can style it various ways (I just haven't tried many yet, but I will..stay tuned for a post entitled "Sisterlock Hair Show"
11. I love my Loctician.
and on and on and on...when I think about all of this I know I would have regretted cutting my locks....did I already say, I would have regretted it?

In summary:

My husband reminded me of all of the things I HATED about my permed hair, getting braids, natural hair, pony tails, etc. and I SNAPPED out of it quickly. My Sisterlock pilgrimage has been almost, PERFECT, now who could ask for anything more. I think I just got bored and wanted a big change but now I am learning to fall in love with my locks again AND I am going to take them to ANOTHER level by researching more product options, hair jewelry, hair accessories, and maybe even color so all is well with Chosen Vessel and her locks.

I hope this post was helpful and thank you ladies for all of your support over the years and thank you for following my blog and going on this journey with me, I truly appreciate it.

P.S. One more thing, I was in the beauty supply looking for products to prepare for cutting my locks and I struck up a conversation with an AA lady who still has a perm but trying to transition to natural hair and when I told her that I was going to cut my locks she said LOUDLY..ARE YOU CRAZY!!! Your hair is beautiful....then she said all of us Sista's trying to get that length and you are about to cut it...CRAZY...and then she just shook her head and walked to the counter and started telling everyone look at her hair and she is going to cut it...SMH...ok....OK!!!

Spotlight by Abena "Black Hairstyles Magazine"

Hey ladies, check out a new "Black Hairstyles Magazine" on the internet that highlights Black Hairstyles and includes Sisterlocks :)

Click here or copy & paste: http://www.black-hairstyles-magazine.com/sisterlocks.html

Lock update: 6 years, 7 months

Greetings ladies, well I am finally getting around to posting a current photo of my locks. I have reached 6 years and 7 months and I can hardly believe it. My hair is so long that I don't know what to do with it..."Boy I never thought those words would be coming out of my mouth (smile)." I have been contemplating some decisions regarding my locks but I will update you all soon. I hope all is well with you and your hair....Happy Locking!!!

~ Sisterlocks, braid-out, with head wrap~

2/2/2010

Natural Hair: "Why did you get Locks or Go Natural"

Ladies, I know I have been a way for a while but think I am back and in full effect :) Ok, now, the questions:

1. Why did you decide to get locks or go natural?

2. How long have you had locks or been natural?

3. What are some tips you have for women who are considering locks and/or going natural?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! HAPPY NEW DECADE!!!

Sisterlock length- "6 years 1 month August 2009"

Sisterlock and head wrap- "6 years 5 months December 2009" It's been a while, a long while, and I just wanted to stop by and say hi. I am at my 6 1/2 year mark with my Sisterlocks and I really cannot believe I have had locks for 6 1/2 years, WOW!! I hope everyone and their locks are doing well.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! HAPPY NEW DECADE!!!