It's Not Just Hair...I LOVE this Vid

Thanks to Najahface on YouTube for creating this amazing, thought-provoking, and educating video on African hair. We all know that hair is not "just hair". If it were, why would there be hundreds of blogs dedicated to it or millions of dollars spent industry-wide to maintain and upkeep it? We know better. It is a simbol of our African heritage. A distinct and beautiful marker of our ties to the Motherland. It makes us proud and beautiful and unique and amazing. If you have not already seen it, check out this really cool hairstory lesson:

Cross-Cultural Hair Care

I found this interesting list of Historic Hair Care Remedies and thought I would share. Some sound good, some sound bad, some just sound weird. At any rate, I think it is interesting how the quest for beautiful hair is a common thread among many cultures. Does anything sound worthy of a try????

Egypt (Northern Africa)

• Ancient Egyptians used citrus juice to clean their hair and scalps. The acid cut the oil and sealed the cuticle to leave hair shiny and smelling fresh.

• To the Ancient Egyptians, shiny black hair was the beauty ideal. They used a formula of juniper berry juice that darkened the hair and kept it from turning gray.

• To stimulate hair growth, the Egyptians applied chopped lettuce patches to bald spots. Lettuce was associated with Min, the Egyptian god of virility.

• Another hair growth formula included a scalp massage preparation made from Fir Tree extracts. The Egyptians extracted the resin, or made an infusion from the needles, then massaged it into their scalps.

• The Egyptians also used Castor Oil to encourage hair growth. They mixed it with Sweet Almond Oil to improve the aroma and make the oil smoother and easier to spread.

• The Ancient Egyptians believed that thick hair was best and often improved on their own growth with hair extensions and wigs made from human hair or sheep's wool.

Sub-Sahara Africa

• Ancient Africans steeped flowers in Olive Oil to make fragrant hair tonics.

• They also steeped herbs in Avocado Oil for a rich hair conditioner. The astringent properties of Avocado leaves also made infusions that were ideal for treating scalp problems.

• African Shea Butter, also known as Karite Butter, comes from the nuts of a tree found in Central Africa. When used to condition the hair and skin, shea butter moisturizes and protects against ultraviolet rays.

India

• The Eastern Indian culture has used Ayurvedic medicine for 5,000 years to cure a variety of ailments, including hair and scalp problems. Ayurveda was developed by ancient Indian holy men and emphasized prevention over cure. To stimulate hair growth and natural pigmentation, followers of Ayurveda boiled sage leaves in coconut oil and applied the blackened residue to the hair and scalps.

• To treat head lice, Indians mixed Neem Oil (oil extracted from seeds of Margosa or Neem Tree) to the hair and scalp at night and rinsed with an infusion of Neem leaves in the morning. Neem Oil was also used to treat scalp fungi and to promote hair growth.

• For an excellent hair conditioner, a centuries old tradition was to soak Fenugreek seeds in water overnight, then apply the paste to the hair. The mixture was left on, then thoroughly shampooed out.

• Fenugreek was also used to combat hair loss. Indians mixed coconut milk with a pinch of black pepper and Fenugreek powder.

• Amla Oil (made from Indian Gooseberries) boiled in coconut oil was used as a hair tonic to stimulate growth.

The Americas

• Native Americans in the Southwest used jojoba oil for centuries to moisturize their skin and hair.

• The Chickasaw Indians made a solution of wood and twigs from willow trees to prevent dandruff and other scalp conditions.

• The Hopi Indians washed their hair in an infusion made from leaves of Rocky Mountain Juniper to keep it shiny and to prevent gray.

• Mexicans applied aloe vera to add luster and manageability to their hair. The natural gel also protected their hair and scalp from the sun's rays.

The Amazon

• In the rainforests of South America, the Taiwano Indians treated scalp problems with heated extract of banana.

Tahiti

• For more than 2,000 years, Polynesian women have treated their hair with Monoi Oil, a blend of highly refined Nucifera Coconut Oil and Tiare flower. The Tiare is macerated, or left to soak in the oil, for weeks before it's ready to be used. This maceration gave the oil extra moisturizing properties.

Europe

• "Shampoo" comes from the Hindu term Champo which means "to knead." By the 1870s, English hairdressers refined the term to include massaging and washing the scalp with soap, water and soda.

• Lead combs were used in the 17th century to turn wet hair black. This method of "hair coloring" promoted lead poisoning and kidney failure.

• 16th century Venetian women applied caustic soda to their hair and sat in the sun to turn it a red-gold color.

• In the 1500s, English women applied sulphur powder and saffron to their hair to create a fashionable red tint. The mixture also led to headaches, nausea and nosebleeds.

Victorian America

• In the Victorian Age, women made a shampoo from white Castile soap and water.

• Victorian women often rubbed eggs into their scalps to remove dandruff and to condition the hair and scalp.

• To create shine, women rubbed Vaseline into their scalps and brushed it through their hair.

• Table salt was rubbed into hair and brushed out to clean the scalp and revitalize the hair.

• To treat oily hair, Victorians mixed Bay Rum with tincture of Catharides (A toxic preparation of the crushed, dried bodies of the beetle Lytta vesicatoria once used as a counter-irritant for skin blisters and as an aphrodisiac). This mixture was rubbed into the hair and scalp each day.

• Hair loss was treated by applying a mixture of cologne, spirit of camphor and tincture of cantharides to hair roots each night. Another preventative measure called for mixing tincture of cantharides with Jamaica Rum, Glycerine, Sesqui-Carbonate of Ammonia, Rosemary Oil and Distilled Water.

• Straight hair was artificially curled by applying a mixture of borax, gum Arabic, hot water and spirit of camphor to hair before rolling it.

• Hair was lightened by washing with bi-carbonate of soda.

• Vigorous brushing was the most prescribed hair care treatment. Using a stiff brush was supposed to keep the hair soft and shiny, while a soft brush was believed to stimulate hair growth.

• Hairpieces and extensions were popular to enhance a lady's assets and could be purchased via mail order for $3-$5.

Miss Jessie's Stretch Silkening Creme...an Update

Hey guys! So I tried this MJSSC and here are my thoughts. I like it for the most part. It has a nice scent and it is pretty light weight. This is not a product I would use every day or week because it does have some hold and it left a bit of a film on the ends of my hair. However, I would use it again to create a certain style or look that I only planned to wear for a special occasion or something like that.
I used it on my hair once and on my mom's hair once, both were two-strand twists. My mom's hair came out pretty nice; her twist-out was defined and shiny. On my hair, I washed, conditioned, detangled, and twisted using only the MJSSC to style. I liked how it defined the curls around my hairline and it laid down the frizz that I get at the crown area. I sat under a hooded dryer to help speed the drying process. Once I took it down, I actually did not wear it out but I pinned it up. That was the night I met up with Curly Nikki and some other lovely natural ladies for dinner. CN posted some shots on her site here. I kept my hair pinned up for the rest of the week so I was not able to really see how it would feel after leaving it out a few days. I have not used it since then so the next time I will try either a braid-out or a twist-out with it.

So to sum it up here were the pros/cons for me:





Pros:
Scent
Texture
Definition
Slight flexible hold
Smooth fly aways

Cons:
PRICE!
Slight film

What the HELL happened to Lil Kim?????

So I almost feel silly for even posting about this but I am just a little shocked! What the hell has she done to herself???? Does no one else see this madness?!!! I always thought Lil Kim was a pretty girl, underneath the bad makeup and weave. But I guess she didn't think so. Wow. I'm almost speechless.

This picture is recent, it's her beside Derek Hough, her DWTS dance partner. I had seen some shots of her since she started this fiasco but this latest is just weird. It's like she wants to really LOOK white! Her skin looks soooo light in that photo and her nose is like, not her nose! I am surprised the hair is black and not blonde (or red or green or blue for that matter, but that's a different issue) but then again it looks like she's copy-cating the Kim Kardashian look. On the one hand, she's grown and can make her own decisions. On the other, what does this new "look" say about how she conceptualizes her beauty and how she presents it to the world? Is this an example of self-hatred (I have my own definitive opinion) or is this just another singer/"actress" who's had work to help her career? I feel sad for her, and for any young women who look up to her (although I don't know any by name, not a judgement just a truth) because of what this new image says. Wow. Aaagghhh!

Kim back in the day...

And it just gets weirder....



It almost makes me wonder, and maybe this is a stretch. So...this is what happenes when you mix black self-loathing with tons of excess cash. What would happen to regular black folks if one day we were all dropped a load of cash?? Would more "regular" people run out and 'fix' their noses, lighten their skin, or sew in miles and miles of long black hair??? Scary.

Jai Ho... Tha Remix!!!!

I meant to post about this a week ago. On Valentine's Day I saw the amazing, award winning stunner of a film, Slumdog Millionaire. It is a beautiful story of three kids from the slums of Mumbai in India. If you did not catch the Oscars on Sunday night, you missed the sweep of awards (8 in all) and an amazing performance from A. R. Rahman of the beautiful Jai Ho, a main theme from the film. Interestingly enough, there is a cool remix on the web of Jai Ho featuring Nicole Scherzinger of The Pussy Cat Dolls. Click here to listen. I think it is beautiful and goes well with the beautiful theme of love and destiny from the film. Read the review by Vin Funaro from Desi Hits:

There's just no stopping A.R. Rahman! We got our hands on the remix of the Oscar winning song 'Jai Ho' featuring someone who is all too familiar with Desi Hits!, The Pussycat Dolls lead singer Nicole Scherzinger.

Desi Hits! CEO Anjula Acharia-Bath was one the first to uncover musical genius A.R. Rahman with Interscope records CEO Jimmy Iovine hard at work on the remix of this song from 'Slumdog Millionaire'. "I really think it’ll be a great dance anthem. It had an amazing beat and great writers; this track is the epitome of what Desi Hits! stands for, the collaboration of sounds from the East and West," said Anjula.

So does the song hold up? Well Nicole Scherzinger adds sexy vocals to the drum beats of A.R. Rahman. The song still contains the elements of the original version, which people loved enough to give an Oscar to. And Nicole Scherzinger stated in a past interview with Desi Hits! that she wanted to go Bollywood, and now she has.

She actually fits the instrumental in a refreshing and surprising way. This cultural anthem which captivates the audience during the film 'Slumdog Millionaire' is remixed to give you something new which will continue to give this film even more crossover appeal than it already has. As if 8 Oscars wasn't enough.

Stylistically, A.R. Rahman's instrumentation actually compliments the Pussycat Dolls style. The mesh of east and west comes together making it more into a love song adding lyrics that tell a story. If you close your eyes you can almost picture Latika and Jamal kissing in the train station.

Here is another remix from youtube. It's more of a club remix which I also love:

Green Living

I just got a really cool email from an old high school friend. She sent me a link to SustainLane, a website dedicated to sustainable living. Here's what you can find:

The site connects interested consumers with the tools and information on everything related to green, including:

• The largest directory of local, green-friendly businesses in the United States with over 20,000 small business listings;
• Consumer-generated how-tos, news and product reviews of new green offerings in the marketplace; and
• A community of likeminded individuals willing to share information and personal experiences with each other.

One of the tabs is called "Product Review" where you can get info about all kinds of products. If you click on Beauty and Fashion, you can access a page for natural skin and body care recipes. This is one of those sites you could surf for hours and is probably constantly being updated. Check it out and tell me what you think!

Black-Latino Identity

I used to be a Spanish teacher and one thing I always found interesting was how my students did not know that you could be Black and Latino/a at the same time. They did not know that there were any Black Mexicans or that some Puerto Ricans are as dark as some Africans. This is interesting considering that"In 1570, enslaved Africans outnumbered Spaniards in Mexico three to one, but were reduced to only 10 percent of the population by 1810. On the Caribbean islands, Blacks outnumbered Whites by as many as 23 to 1." Brazil, whose people are often depicted only as light-skinned with wavy hair, has the largest Black population(fascinating article about race in Brazil) outside of Africa. It is no wonder though since most images we see of Hispanic people are either the light skinned Ricky Martin & J.Lo types or the brown-skinned indigenous "Indian" types. While those are definitely accurate descriptions of many Hispanics, you rarely see dark brown men and women representing Latino beauty in the media.
I think about people like Sammy Sosa (Dominican Republic, baseball player), Celia Cruz(Cuban salsa singer) and Zoe Saldana (Dominican/Puerto Rican actress from NY), just to name a few, who are all Latino but to many Americans are just considered Black.


This is a complex issue for many dark skinned Latinos. Some call themselves Afro-Latino (or more specifically Afro-Cuban, Afro-Panamanian, or Afro-Puerto Rican, etc.), which clearly emphasizes their African heritage. Other call themselves both Black and Latino. Now on forms, there is a "Black (not of Hispanic origin)" box that you can check which I assume is to address this very issue. However, not all darker skinned Hispanic people like to be referred to as Black. For some, this may be an issue of not wanting to be lumped into the "Black" category which brings the burden of many negative stereotypes and disadvantages. For others, "Black" simply may not fully represent the full experience of who they feel they are. This is an excerpt of an interesting article talking about the identity issues that come with being Latino with African ancestry:

Interestingly, efforts to increase awareness regarding Afro-Latino culture and plight can be found on the campuses of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). At Howard University, Nadine Bascombe heads Cimarrones, a 50-member black student union of Caribbean, Central, and South Americans that recently expanded to include a chapter at Benedict College in South Carolina. Before Afro-Latinos can even begin to link the black-Hispanic communities, more Afro-Latinos must embrace their African heritage. "Within the population of what are considered Afro-Latinos, not all people identify with being black, so they'll join the Latino organizations because it's more of an assimilation of being white," says Bascombe, a junior. "It seems that if you relate yourself to being black it's something negative, so with that problem existing within the Afro-Latino population, not too many people run towards having an organization with that name."

This all came to me as I was looking at Latina.com and came across two beautiful Black Latina models. The first is Arlenis Sosa Peña who was discovered in the Dominican Republic.


The second is Sessilee Lopez, who is a self-described African-American fashion model (of Dominican and Portuguese decent), on the cover of Latina magazine. If you click the link it will take you to a letter to the editor written by a woman expressing her emotion over seeing a dark skinned Latina as the cover model.


I think no matter how you choose to label yourself, people will always go on what they see first. Unfortunately, there is still so much negativity surrounding what it means to be Black because of the history of stereotypes and under-representation (in a positive way) in the media. I think it's cool that we are beginning to see more and more people of color being represented in a positive light in our culture.

Clearly, there is no "one size fits all" descriptor for any ethnic or cultural group of people. This is a broad topic and many people have very strong opinions about it. So...do any of you consider yourselves to be Black and Latino/a? Do you know anyone who is? If so, what has been your experience with this identity? I only ask because I find it fascinating how we as Americans deal with the complexities of race (a social construct in my opinion), color and identity. What do you guys think?

A Miss Jessie's Trial

Hi guys!!!! I have not been able to post in the last few days, school is keeping me quite busy and exhausted! But, I wanted to post about a new product I am going to try.

In the past, before my second BC and after for my short curls, I have used Miss Jessie's Baby Buttercream, Curly Meringue, and Curly Pudding. I used the CM/CP for twist outs and wash-n-go's and the BB for moisture/twists also. I liked how the CP smelled, although it was strong at times, and I liked the CM because the hold was not as hard as with the CP. The BB was a bit greasy, but in a filmy kind of way (probably because of the mineral oil and petrolatum) and I did not really like the smell after a while. As my hair grew I started experiementing with other products and have not really thought about Miss Jessie since. That was until today!

My aunt just recently did a BC and was interested in products for her short hair. I remembered how much the CP defined my curls when I had about an inch of hair and so I sent her a link to the site. The website is so different since I last visited and I found myself browsing through all the pictures of beautiful curls. Their product line has also expanded a great deal. One of the new products caught my eye - the Stretch Silkening Creme.

Here's the description from the Miss Jessie's site:

Stretch Silkening Crème is a quicker to dry whipped soufflé that delivers an amazing plump curl and a brilliant shine. Fabulous for fingerstyling. The lightest of the curl crème bunch.

I purchased the SSC from a local beauty shop. The total price with tax was around $40. I know, I know! That is a ton of money, and believe me I was hesitant. I wasn't going to get the big size (16oz) but my mom and I share produts and go halfsies. I am hoping it will provide nice hold for two-strand twists/twist-outs as well as some moisture. It smells delicious-kinda like how Pantene used to smell before it changed scents and before the relaxed and natural line came out. There is dimethicone and hydrolized wheat protein, which I know these ingredients bother some people, but I usually shampoo once a week anyway so I don't mind trying things with cones. And I have never had any problems with the wheat protein either. Anywhoo...just thought I would share. I hope to try this weekend so I can post about the results. We'll see!

For my next Shea butter mix...

I have been thinking about my last Shea butter mix and was wondering what I might do differently next time. I was watching some you tube vids about Shea mixing and came across a comment regarding adding some kind of natural preservative to the mix to increase shelf life. One that was mentioned is honey. Click here to read an article describing why honey is considered a preservative. In my mind honey seems like it might make the mix too sticky, although it's probably be worth a try. I also wanted to add some oils to scent the Shea butter since the nutty aroma is a little strong for my taste.

I realized that in my first mix I added a little water. I now know that adding water and not adding a preservative can render the mix a haven for mold and bacteria to flourish in. EWWWWW! So, if you want to make your own mixes like I do, don't forget to add some kind of natural preservative to prevent mold from growing.

There are other natural preservatives which can be used in making your own mixes. Click here to read how essential oils, neem oil, grapefruit seed extract and more can be used.

So as you can see, there is a wide array of things you can use in your mixes. I might add some lavender essential oil next time which would kill two birds, mold and aroma, with one stone! If anybody out there has a recipe they use and would like to share, email it to me (Leslie22sirena@yahoo.com) and I'll post it for everyone to enjoy. Happy Sunday!

L'Oreal's New Line is Sulfate Free

L'Oreal's new line of haircare is called Ever Pure and it's sulfate free. It's being targeted at those with color treated hair as a way to cleanse without stripping color and moisture. I don't color my hair but I know some naturals who do. Apparently, there are some cones in the shampoos and conditioners, which I know are a no-no for many of you. If you're interested in reading what other naturals have to say about this product, click here to read a thread on Naturally Curly. Just thought I'd share. Happy nappy Saturday!

Yejide and Bac-2-my-ROOTS

I came across this online article today and thought I would share.

YEJIDE Njambi Parry has beaten the odds to preserve black culture through an authentic movement she created, Bac-2-my-ROOTS.

She is emerging as a culture icon whose goal is to preserve and enhance Black Beauty, Culture and Heritage through creative means. “Black people are not comfortable with their identity. We need to learn about ourselves, our hair and embrace it. The only way that we can be comfortable with our identity is if we accept and respect the characteristics God gave us. He made all of us in a unique way.” Yejide said in a recent interview.

Yejide’s interest in natural beauty processes can be traced to her childhood. At the age of 12, she was already braiding natural hair. Her passion grew when she connected with the Rastafarian movement as a young adult. She said she was attracted to the movement because its members embrace a natural way of life: “Being one with nature and accepting themselves and their afro-centricity.”

“I love it when they appreciate themselves, when they accept they are somebody. They are black and beautiful. I enable them to appreciate themselves and thus turn away from the myth that black isn’t beautiful. We need to take the kinks from our minds and not our hair. After all, God made no mistake when he made us black with kinky hair.”

To read the article in its entirety click here.

Love and Politics from India

She's back ya'll! The beautiful India Arie just released her latest album entitled Testimony: Volume 2 Love & Politics. First, the cover art is sweet! I love the richness of her smooth cocoa skin and the chunkiness of her fro. I love the black and white head wrap with the red and yellow words. I love the "left" India laughing, head back, eyes full of joy. And I love the "right" India, serious and almost regal looking.

I was not always a BIG fan of India Arie though I always liked her. But after listening to snippets of this album online, I really like it. It feels light and fresh, not so deep that it's depressing but still thoughtfully written material. Her voice is so distinctive, you always know when you're experiencing India which I find refreshing. If you're a fan, check her out here where you can listen to 30 seconds of each song. I especially like Therapy, Chocolate High, River Rise, and A Beautiful Day.

Check out Therapy below (I love it!):


Here's her video for Chocolate High with Musiq Soulchild:

Sweet Almond Oil...an almond update

Selah asks a great question: "This makes me wonder... is Sweet Almond Oil as helpful?"

I have never personally used sweet almond oil although I am contemplating using it in my next Shea butter whip mix. There are so many great natural oils out there that have many uses. Here are a few things SAO is good for:

Sweet almond oil is one of the less expensive essential oils, and it can be used in many ways. High in Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6 and Vitamin E, sweet almond oil is wonderful as a culinary oil. It is odorless and comes from pressed almonds. You can use it on salads or sandwiches, but you can also use it as a massage oil or as a moisturizer.

How to Use Sweet Almond Oil

Step1

Use as a carrier oil for aromatherapy. In aromatherapy, you can use different essential oils to achieve different effects. But many essential oils can irritate the skin if applied directly. Therefore, you need a carrier oil, and sweet almond oil makes a wonderful carrier oil.

Step2

Use for making soap. Sweet almond oil is often used for superfatting soaps because it is a great moisturizer. If you dabble in soapmaking, add sweet almond oil to your soaps because it makes stable lather.

Step3

Use as a massage oil. Sweet almond oil is widely used as a massage oil because it is easily absorbed and serves as a great emollient. It also makes a great lubricant, and therefore it helps combat itching and inflammation. Sweet almond oil is also great for massage because it has a high concentration of oleic and linoleic essential fatty acids, which help relieve muscle pain.

Step4

Use for removing eye makeup. Not only does sweet almond oil remove your eye makeup, but it hydrates and softens the skin around your eyes.

Step5

Use as an all-purpose moisturizer. Use sweet almond oil as a moisturizer after you get out of the shower. You can use it on your face as well as the rest of your body, and it can even moisturize dry cuticles.

Step6

Use as a salad dressing. Combine 3 tablespoons of sweet almond oil with 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon of vinegar and 1 tablespoon of maple syrup. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Check out CurlyNikki's awesome post about using Sweet almond oil in your hair!

Try "Bare" 4 Free!

Sephora is giving away (yes giving away like FREE!!!!!!) a ten-day supply of bareMinerals foundation and a mini kabuki brush. This is a great time to give it a try if you're on the fence about mineral makeup. If you don't have a Sephora near you, you can order online with a purchase using the code FREELOVE at checkout.

The magic of whipped!

Hey guys! So we all know how wonderful pure Shea butter can be for hair and skin. But sometimes, working with it can be a bit difficult, depending on the texture and consistency of the batch you get. Especially when it comes to putting it my hair, sometimes Shea butter can be a bit sticky. So as I was reading about some products online, it occurred to me... why don't you just whip it! I just bought some Shea butter last week but I have only used it as a skin moisturizer, avoiding the task of having to emulsify each little bit to smooth it into my hair. I like the after effect of Shea-buttered strands but the actual application process leaves something to be desired. So......I grabbed my Shea from under the bathroom counter and proceeded to my kitchen cabinet to see what I had on hand to mix with. I didn't have a recipe to go by, I just decided to wing it! I saw that I have some extra virgin olive oil so I went with that. This is what I did:

1. Put all the Shea butter chunks into a bowl.
2. Mix slowly with the hand mixer to create a thick "paste".
3. Slowly add a little water and mix with the hand mixer on medium.
4. Slowly add olive oil and continue to mix with hand mixer on medium.
5. Whip the butter until a fluffy "cake batter" consistency is reached.

Ok, so let me make a disclaimer and say that I did not measure anything. I have no idea how much I added of water/oil, but I would guestimate between 1/8 and 1/4 of a cup. I went searching after the fact for Shea butter recipies and there are many out there. I found this one company on you tube that shows step-by-step how to make a version of whipped Shea butter (see video below!).

I was excited by the soft texture of the butter so I ran to the bathroom to apply to my hair. Well, my hair loves the stuff, as it did when it was just plain old Shea. But this time, I could massage it directly into my hair without all the struggle! It wasn't heavy or sticky and was absorbed almost immediately. My strands feel moist and happy!

When I do it again, I plan to eliminate the water and add some essential oils for scent, maybe somethig vanilla-ish. I might also go with jojoba oil and grapeseed oil instead of olive. There are many versions of whipped butters on the market, especially within the natural hair market, but I figure why buy when you can make your own! So, give it a try, let me know how it goes for you. I plan to keep playing with my recipe until I find something I love for both hair and body. Happy whipping!

Pantene Nature Fusion Collection

So it seems Pantene has jumped on the natural bandwagon. I may be late seeing this but apparently Pantene Pro-V as a new line of products called Nature Fusion and there are two collections, Moisture Balance and Smooth Vitality. The packaging is beautiful and sleek looking, just what we'd expect from a major hair care brand. But I'm wondering what's in the stuff! So I clicked around on the web and this is what I came up with:

Pantene Pro-V Moisture Balance Shampoo:
Water , Sodium Laureth Sulfate , Cocamidopropyl Betaine , Sodium Chloride , Cocamide MEA , Cassia Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride , Cassia Tora Seed , Cassia Obtusifolia Seed , Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder , Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract , Ginger Root Extract - Zingiber Officinale , Panthenol , Panthenyl Ethyl Ether , Citric Acid , Corn Starch , Sugar Cane , Dimethiconol , Fragrance , Sodium Benzoate , Disodium EDTA , PEG-7M , Methylchloroisothiazolinone , Methylisothiazolinone , Sodium Citrate , Sodium Xylenesulfonate , Yellow 5 , Orange 4

Pantene Pro-V Moisture Balance Conditioner:
Water , Stearyl Alcohol , Palm Oil , Palm Kernel Oil , Coconut Oil , Cyclopentasiloxane , Cetyl Alcohol , Palm Oil , Palm Kernel Oil , Coconut Oil , Behenamidopropyl Dimethylamine , Cassia Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride , Cassia Tora Seed , Cassia Obtusifolia Seed , Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder , Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract , Ginger Root Extract - Zingiber Officinale , Panthenol , Panthenyl Ethyl Ether , Citric Acid , Corn Starch , Sugar Cane , Dimethicone , Glutamic Acid , Benzyl , Fragrance , EDTA , Methylchloroisothiazolinone , Methylisothiazolinone , Yellow 5 , Orange 4

Pantene Pro-V Smooth Vitality Shampoo:
Water , Sodium Laureth Sulfate , Cocamidopropyl Betaine , Sodium Chloride , Cocamide MEA , Cassia Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride , Cassia Tora Seed , Cassia Obtusifolia Seed , Bambusa Vulgaris Shoot Extract , Grape Seed Extract - Vitis Vinifera , Avocado Oil - Persea Gratissima , Panthenol , Panthenyl Ethyl Ether , Citric Acid , Corn Starch , Sugar Cane , Dimethiconol , Fragrance , Sodium Benzoate , Disodium EDTA , PEG-7M , Methylchloroisothiazolinone , Methylisothiazolinone , Sodium Citrate , Sodium Xylenesulfonate , Yellow 10 , Red 33 , Blue 1

Pantene Pro-V Smooth Vitality Conditioner:
Water , Stearyl Alcohol , Palm Oil , Palm Kernel Oil , Coconut Oil , Dimethicone , Behentrimonium Chloride , Cetyl Alcohol , Palm Oil , Palm Kernel Oil , Coconut Oil , Cassia Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride , Cassia Tora Seed , Cassia Obtusifolia Seed , Bambusa Vulgaris Shoot Extract , Grape Seed Extract - Vitis Vinifera , Avocado Oil - Persea Gratissima , Panthenol , Panthenyl Ethyl Ether , Benzyl Alcohol , Fragrance , Disodium EDTA , Sodium Hydroxide , Methylchloroisothiazolinone , Methylisothiazolinone , Yellow 10 , Red 33 , Blue 1

Has anyone seen this new line or used it? I don't think I would use the shampoos but I might try the MB conditioner. Maybe... I gotta read up on some of those words first! There is already talk about it here on the Long Hair Care Forum. I know a lot of people have their gripes about Pantene and would never use anything else they make. But others, myself included, use their masks. So...what do you guys think?

A Natural First Lady?

Hey guys! Now that we have a beautiful Black first family in the White House, it got me to thinking about how it will affect America's idea of the Black family in general. Of course like any race or ethnic group, there are different types of families within each group. But, it is rare that an intact Black family (I mean a father and mother married with children) is shown on t.v. and it not be a sitcom like the Cosby show. Another thought I have had is how Michelle Obama has already become a style icon and her two adorable daughters have made quite an impact on the fashion scene as well (J Crew Inauguration Outfits anyone??) I've noticed that when Sasha and Malia are not at an "event" they tend to wear their hair in natural styles like braids and two-strand twists. I think that is so awesome! In much the same way that President Obama's election has such significance for Black men, imagine the impact First Lady Michelle Obama could make on women and girls by rocking a natural head of hair! I like her hair the way it is and I think she always looks very elegant. But I can't help indulging in the thought that we could have a first lady with natural hair. What do you all think? Do you think Mrs. Obama might one day embrace her kinks and curls for all the world to see? Or, do you think America is not ready for its first lady to have natural hair?

Apparently, I am not along in my thinking. This article from KNX 1070 News addresses this very issue! Here is an excerpt:

A hair change shouldn't be a radical notion; every beauty magazine I've ever read trumpets makeovers every month. But black images -- indeed, the very idea of beauty -- are still inherently political, mirrors of our national mood about race and ancient tensions between reality and what we prefer to see. Hair is a particularly good mirror. A reality check: In this alleged new era of racial enlightenment, how would we see Michelle if she switched to braids, twists, curls or dreads, if she looked more like the black person she is? We applaud the sparkling new role models in the White House. But do we expect the Obamas to define a new black mainstream or to hew to an idealized model created by a white mainstream that blacks internalized long ago? Read the whole article here.

I specifically like the last question in this excerpt. I recently posted to ask how do we define culture. How do we define Black? Will the Obamas be able to create a new idea about Blackness in America? If Mrs. Obama does "go natural" will WE accept her? ( I say "we" because sometimes we are more critical of ourselves than others are.)

For Ingredient Label Readers...

I know many people have become avid label readers....and that's a great thing! It seems like every day there is a new study or article about what chemicals lead to cancer, irritate skin, cause hair loss, etc., etc. Sometimes it's hard to know what a certain chemical or ingredient is based on the name so here are a few sites that offer comprehensive ingredient lists with definitions and uses. I hope you can use these and find them helpful. If there is any one particular site you use, please fill me in!

cosmeticsinfo
cosmeticscop
dermadoctor
All About Hair
Salon Web
U.S Food and Drug Administration
These are just a few and there are many more out there!

Raven-Symoné is so fly!

“I always enjoy helping girls feel comfortable about themselves and I’m thinking about whose watching with my projects,” -from Essence.com

I love this young lady! I am so glad that she is out there being a positive image for young women. I have never heard any one negative thing about her in the media or seen any scandalous pics of her flashing herself. In a time when most child actors-turned-teens are falling into drugs and bad behavior, Raven-Symoné has continued to mature and stay grounded. Working with kids in schools, I see many young women who are dissatisfied with their bodies. They believe what they see on t.v. and in magazines is real. I love doing girl's groups to teach them about the reality of the media and how to build positive self esteem. I think she looks lovely and and I am so glad to see that she is now working with Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty to help young women develop healthy ideals . It is so sad to see girls at younger and younger ages wishing to be stick thin. I hope she continues to spread the message that beauty is not just about what you look like on the outside but how you treat others and how you treat yourself. You go girl!

Jennifer the Beautiful!

I don't know if I could have done it. Just months from losing her mother, brother and nephew, Jennifer Hudson took center stage and blew the house down. She sounded great and looked even better. And I don't just mean that in a clothes, hair, makeup kinda way, although that was fabulous too. She looked composed, elegant, confident. I was so glad to hear her version of a song that has been sung so many times and so many ways. And curiously enough, while she was singing and I was thinking about all she is working through right now, I couldn't help but think, "And we have a Black president too!" It just all came together hearing her soulful rendition of our national anthem. The words have new meaning now and to hear them sung with such conviction gave me chills. I am not a football fan and honestly did not see one play of the entire game. But I am so glad that I got to witness Jennifer's triumphant return to showcase her amazing talent!

In case you missed it, hear it here: