INFLUENSTER REVIEW : Sally Hansen Nail Strips in Frock Star!

"Cool nails!!!"

Those two little words uttered by my boss during our team meeting sealed the fate of the following review....and I am excited about it!!!

INFLUENSTER, the country's leading consumer product testing community was kind enough to bless me with it's Spring Beauty Vox Box, which housed Sally Hansen's Salon Effects nail strips in FROCK STAR. (The name alone makes me feel all kinds of cute).

I've been kinda coveting these little dandies for a while since I am typically , literally on the go & don't have enough time right now to invest in nail-arting my little knubbs - which used to be a passion of mine. And since I'm a smokey-eye during the day, white-wearing after Labor Day rule breaker kinda curly girl, the brightness & glitz of the strips sold me immediately! Nails are surefire attention-getters, & I've got permanent red on my cheeks from blushing so much at the compliments I've been getting on this "polish".

Now, even though there is no drying time involved here, I would suggest if you haven't used the strips before, set aside a few good minutes to review the iinstructions & FOLLOW THEM. I am a great polisher....however I am not a fantastic applicator. Seriously. Not even understanding that, but - I digress.

The strips are easy to adhere to the fingers, easy to cut (one strip covers two of my nails so why waste any of it) & because of all the happy colors, you can't even tell I didn't quite get the tips as awesome as I have seen other ladies do. But since I have plenty left over, I'll shoot for perfection again until they are gone!

At a price of $9.99, the Sally Hansen Salon Effects nail strips at first seem a bit...pricey. The thing is, they are long lasting, and you can double up your stock by cutting them in half during application. You know me....I love saving where I can!

Not to mention, my team gave my mani the seal of approval.

　

Have you tried these strips?

　

There's 2 sides to every FRIZZ ~ natural dancer

Feel The Burn!

Hi, Curlies!

This has been some week...and it's ONLY Wednesday! The tornadoes hit our city of Dallas yesterday, and I am praising GOD for His safety & protection! And guess what? Today is a gorgeous, sunny day! Gots to love Texas!

So, I wanted to ask ya'll about something that's been irking my hide for like, EVER. Wondering if it gets you all, too. Some folk complain about their less than stellar "kitchens"....but my SIDEBURNS are straight whack!

I mean, no matter how much I cut, mend or shellac these bad girls, they are always misbehavin'! I even resorted to using some Edge Control combo'dwith Pink Eco, Clear Eco and Fantasia IC to no avail. They are always poppin' & NOT in a good way! (Ok - seems as though I'm screaming with all of these esclamation points; but this is what I have been reduced to, dear curly friends).

The more I cut them, the faster they grown. Unruly, unsightly, and out of order. But if I take them completely off, I look an even hotter mess.

Uuuggghhhhh. Just can't win with these bad seeds.

So what about you? How do you deal with "The Burn?" Is there a way to tame them? Why are they so disrespectful? And most importantly: WHY, WHY, WHY???!!!!! Lol.......I still ove my coils, though.

There's 2 sides to every FRIZZ,

natural dancer

The Frizz of It! Ampro Pro Style Olive Oil Gel Review

Good afternoon, Curlie-Pies!

So there's this product that acted like it had some good home training when I bounced it off my CURLS, that turned out to be a holy grail for my mom's pressed hair! Can you believe that? An all around natural gem!

The good folk over at Ampro sent some Pro Style Olive Oil Gel to rock against my frizzies and I have to say, this one is golden to my coils. It is light weight, absorbs easily into my strands, does not have an overpowering fragrance, and didn't flake on me. My only con would be because this little ditty is so lightweight for my stubborn, spirals I had to reapply a bit more often than I've grown accustomed to. (I already have such a bad case of Hand In Hair disease...I don't need any extra help, lol!). But I love how it doesn't build up & how great my hair looks & feels with it.

But here is the kicker: Mom also tried it to lay down a bit of frizz on her silver, heat treated mane - and her straight strands LOVE IT! Because the formula is neither wet nor goopy, Pro Style Olive Oil did not force her straight strands to revert and even added a beautiful shine to it! She is actually going to buy up some at the store because she doesn't want to run out! One of my natural dancers also used the gel to lay down the kinks in the front of her puff with great results! Seems this is a keeper for our little group.

Now, I also received the Shine N Jam product, which is best for a light hold, probably on curls that do not revert or frizz with ease. For instance, in my day to day activities (work, yadda yadda) I can rock the jam. But if I DANCE with it, my curls will have a great time laughing in it's face!  What can I say? My beloved coils....tough crowd.

So there you have it curlies! This is a winner for me! If you try it, let me know how it works on your mane.

In the meantime, wish me luck. I'm trying the condish on styling this week. Day #1...and I'm scarrrreeeedddd (Mr. Brown voice)!!!

There's 2 sides to every FRIZZ,

natural dancer

Look Who Is A Year Old!

Greetings, Curlie-Pies!!!

Well, there's been quite bit happening around the Natural Dancer household, so I had to take a step back to get some things in order. But rest assured, GOD is yet still blessing & openng many doors for me through dance, & now....SPEAKING. (More on that later). But I'm back in the frizz business (lol) & let me tell you - I hit my one year mark! I am elated to still be on this journey & I am never turning back!

The one thing I really had to get used to is people touching my hair. Many ask now, so I really appreciate that. I've come to realize, however that curious folk are not the issue...it's my own daggone hands, lol! I can't keep my hands outta my hair. I'm always absentmindedly stretching a curl or fluffing. I'm going to get better though. Well, at least I'm going to TRY, ha ha!

The best thing I've learned? Let it do what it do, baby! My coils simply aren't happy if I try to force them into being what they are clearly NOT. But I have joyful hair.....meaning it makes me smile.

So this is a photo of my one year 'fro. The right side of my hair is always longer than the left, & has already reached BSL. The rest is on the way, woo hoo! Oh, & I created my first real bun....then immediately HATED it. The next day I shook my spirals loose & rocked a stretched curly 'fro.

More to come - I pray your 2012 has been AWESOME!!!!

There's 2 sides to every FRIZZ,

natural dancer

You Had Me At Hello!

Great day, Curlies!

I just wanted to share a quick picture of my coils right before Ordered Steps Productions' 6th Anniversary Celebration this weekend! We had a mighty blast, indeed! Gospel Artists from all over Dallas/Ft. Worth came to share their gifts with us....the ladies were elated (and downright giddy)! We packed the house, which melted my heart because it was such a fantastic outpouring of support.

OSP was schedule to dance one piece. It was a new one, "I Am" by Kirk Franklin. Whoa, that song speaks to me! Anywhoo, this was a shot of me in my two pigtails trying to stretch my coils right before the event started I have Shea Moisture Curl & Style Milk to define & the Curling Souffle with a touch of Eco Gel to hold down the frizz. I was loving my bangs, too. (I used clippies to stretch those babies dow). My hair is soft, shiny & so bouncy. I heart this combo for real.

We had a wonderful time! That was Saturday & my 'fro is still rockin' today.

Let's make it a great week!!! (Uh oh....ARE THOSE CROW'S FEET??!!! UUUGGGHHHHHH)

There's 2 sides to every FRIZZ,

natural dancer

Putting the Test to the FRIZZ: Beautiful Textures Product Review

Great day, Curly-Pies!

The nice folk over at Beautiful Textures sent me some of their new line of natural hair goodies to bounce off my coils so I can share my thoughts with you! Now, this line (available at Sally's retailing between $5.99 - $7.99) promises "amazing versatility" for mixed textures: i.e., curly, wavy, kinky-coily & frizzy strands. I've seen some great reviews on Beautiful Textures, so I gave it a whirl, too.

Ok, so we already know that no two curls are alike, right? Even those taking up housing on our own noggins. My coils are tight, perfect ringlets that don't succumb easily to much styling/techniques. So my satisfaction is solely based on the look & feel of my wild, loose coils. That said, my strands immediately did not take to two of the products: Rapid Repair Deep Conditioner & Tangle Taming Moisturizing Shampoo. Yeah....my curls tangled during the wash process. They haven't done that in ages. Now, so many other people praise the shampoo for its de-tangling properties, but that wasn't my experience. Again, my tight coils just weren't pleased but others may encounter great success with it. I will say, though both products let my mane SOFT. Loved that little surprise.

Here's what my hair ADORED from the line: the Moisture Butter Whipped Curl Creme & the Curly Control Defining Pudding. I used them separately & together. (Beautiful Textures encourages mixing of the products for various results, which I dig as well). Can I say the aroma of these products is.....Heavenly? OMG - I could not stop smelling them! I bounced them off my spirals in a WNG (my go to) & also a gasp....braid out. Now, my braid outs are always frizzy, so it was no exception here. On my second round, I dabbed a bit of my SM Curling Souffle for more hold & I loved the combo. The Beautiful Textures gives a light, bouncy, fluffy finish to manageable, touchable hair. Gotta admit, I couldn't resist whippin' my do around! Oh, yeah I also had much hang time too, which can be a blessing & a curse if you worry about your ends rubbing on clothes.

So there you have it, Curlies! There's lots of other yummy things to try in the Beautiful Textures line. And like I mentioned earlier, it all depends on what your curls like. If you give it a go, please let me know what you think. Specifically, the shampoo & deep conditioner which didn't work for me. All in all, I think this is a good intro to a new line; I'm interested to see more curlies use it. (Btw - please ignore the strings hanging from my new headband...I was in a rush to wear it & didn't cut them off yet.  :)  )



There's two sides to every Frizz,

natural dancer

Showing Some Love: Shea Moisture Curling Souffle

Hiya, Curlie-Pies! So, I really wanted review this product because it has been one of the most polarizing new natural hair goodies we've been introduced to in a minute! I mean, curlies either adore it or hate it....but whichever team you roll with, the feelings expressed are typically strong! Admittedly, I purchased mine back when it came out (last summer), immediately shelved it, & only recently developed a love for it. Because I learned how to use it. The Shea Moisture Curling Soufflé kicked up quite a bit of noise when it was introduced to the natural universe last year. I'm saying, some curlies swore by it, others returned it to the store. Because of my sheer love of Shea Moisture products in general, I didn't take it back to the store - even though my spirals weren't smitten with it upon the first use. The consistency (like unfinished Jell-O) definitely takes some getting used to. Now, because I can at times behave as a product junkie (not in purchasing products, but choking my curls with product) I went about my initial application ALL WRONG. I mean, I just scooped up a big ol' handful & went at it! FAIL. I was left with a cute, but gloppy mess on my noggin. Yuck. MAYBE, if I read the instructions more carefully, I would've paid attention to the little notice saying not to do what I had just done. It took forever to dry, it was sticky and just, ugghhhh. So I put it away months ago. Recently though, I revisited my old foe, and paired it with the SM Curl & Style Milk. I went very light with my application, and POW! Can't (pronounced cai'nt) nobody tell me nothin', lol! Seriously though, my curls are shiny, bouncy, defined, have major hold without the crunchy or sticky dramatic situation I had the first go around. I am receiving so many random compliments on my coils, it's unreal. I really do love this stuff indeed, and it's worth every dollar (even though this little baby costs a buck more than other SM products). I can rock my curly fro for at least a week (pineappling & such at night) and my crown still has a nice sheen & minimal frizz. Shoot, I tried a conditioner only WNG the other night & had to call the Soufflé my rescue from the frizz monster the next morning! It wasn't BAD, per se, but the Soufflé made it a little more polished, you know? I spayed some water, quickly shingled & it was on & poppin. Not to mention, I didn't have to wait for my hair to dry through the Whiteout time (when the condish or styler is clearly sitting on top of our heads, waiting to take up residence in our bed of curls). So there you have it, Curlie Pies! $11.99 at Target, Walgreen's or other retailers who carry SM products. A teeny bit actually travels far through the most stubborn of curls! I love it & encourage curlies who've decided they hate it to try again utilizing a different technique. You just may see a difference. I know I did! There's 2 sides to every Frizz, natural dancer