Twinker’ Review: Eco Styler® Olive Oil Styling Gel

Eco Styler® Olive Oil Styling Gel is a staple product for me. The company, Ecoco Inc., makes the following claims:

Made with 100% pure olive oil. Olive oil helps your scalp naturally regulate its own moisturizing system. Olive oil helps attract moisture to the scalp, and holds it in. Like all our styling gels, it is weightless and will leave your hair with a healthy shine and superior hold.

• No flakes, no tack
• Anti-itch
• Alcohol free
• For all hair types
• Used by professionals
• Contains UV protection
• Not tested on animals
• Made in USA

Directions: Apply to dry or wet hair. Work desired amount through hair and style.
© 2011 Ecoco, Inc.

As it relates to my scalp, which is prone to dryness, the styling gel does not regulate “its own moisturizing system” nor does it in my opinion “attract much moisture to the scalp”. I still experience itching from time to time, but that’s due to my own scalp issues. Overall, this product has many more benefits than negatives!

For my colored strands, the gel’s UV protection prevents color fading. It’s a great product for those who wash and co-wash regularly…given the styling gel washes out pretty well. The styling gel makes for a semi-firm hold, which suits my liking. Moreover, when used with other products, this gel does not dry out hair…making it less prone to breakage.

My recommendation for wet hair:

• Apply a leave-in conditioner to the hair, from root to tip
• Detangle the hair completely
• Seal the hair with an oil-based hair lotion or preferred oil(s)
• Begin styling the hair and apply the styling gel as needed
• Complete the hair style with a boar brush, by smoothing edges
• (Optionally) Secure a scarf or neck strips to one’s head…leave it on until a desired look is achieved

My recommendation for dry hair:

• Apply a favorite leave-in or hair lotion the hair
• Seal the hair with a light application of one’s preferred oil(s)
• Begin styling the hair and apply the styling gel as needed
• (Optionally) Secure a scarf or neck strips to one’s head…leave it on until a desired look is achieved

My only caution, with this gel or any styling gel for that matter: be mindful to comb/brush your hair ONLY after applying the gel…minimize hair manipulation however you can. Constant manipulation of hair with dried product(s) will cause unnecessary breakage over time. This is true of improper styling of one’s wet hair as well (i.e. excessive manipulation, pulling, tension, etc.).

With proper hair care, this product enables easy, protective, sleek hair styling! Eco Styler® Olive Oil Styling Gel retails between $2.50-4.00, depending on product amount and retailer’ pricing.

Twinker Davis loves God, collard greens w/ cornbread, and her hometown Detroit.  Current endeavors include writing, www.lovelytwinker.com, and the promotion of practical, applicable advice. Want to know more? Follow her at Twitter© www.twitter.com/LovelyTwinker and visit http://twinkerdavis.blogspot.com!

Twinker’ Review: Garnier Fructis® Sleek & Shine Intensely Smooth Leave-In Conditioning Cream

I’ve used Garnier® Fructis® products off and on for some time now, but most consistently I rely upon their leave-in conditioning cream.

This product claims to provide “3 Day Sleek” to “Frizzy, Dry, Unmanageable Hair”. Moreover, the leave-in conditioning cream contains argan oil and Garnier®’s original signature of apricot extracts.

Before I state the product’s benefits and suggestions for its use, I’ll describe my own hair.

I would describe my hair type as being predominantly 3c/4a, and when straightened, it’s a little shorter than armpit length. I do not chemically relax my entire hair (bangs occasionally) and haven’t done so for five years now. Moreover, the front half of my hair is colored in a copper tone with undertones of blond.

For me, this water based conditioning cream enables me to detangle my hair after it’s been washed and conditioned. I section my hair into several partitions and apply product as needed, from root to tip. Afterwards I apply some type of oil or oil-based product to my hair to seal in the moisture.

I do not recommend using this product on dry hair as it states on the back of the bottle. Possibly one could apply it to dried ends to re-moisturize them. Otherwise, the leave-in will feel like a film and will not penetrate the hair shaft.  In some cases my hair became more prone to tangling as a result of using this product on my dried strands.

In my opinion this product works best on damp hair, to add additional moisture to one’s hair. When used on damp hair, and the application of good habits (i.e. sealing my hair with oil, combing out all tangles and using a ponytail and single braid to bundle hair, air drying, using a silk scarf to flatten my tamed hair),  I did experience less frizz. I don’t attribute the shine of my hair to leave-in completely, as the product claims, however the moisture does make a difference in the overall health and appearance of my hair.

Check it out for yourself! Garnier® Fructis® Sleek & Shine Intensely Smooth Leave-In Conditioning Cream retails at $2.99 at most general stores.

Twinker Davis loves God, collard greens w/ cornbread, and her hometown Detroit.  Current endeavors include writing, www.lovelytwinker.com, and the promotion of practical, applicable advice. Want to know more? Follow her at Twitter© www.twitter.com/LovelyTwinker and visit http://twinkerdavis.blogspot.com/ !

More Links: Joyce Meyer (12/28/2012)

Loved this simple philosophy for finances...Meyer shared it recently on her T.V. ministry, as it is something her and husband live by:  

SAVE SOME 
GIVE SOME

SPEND SOME

IMAGE: http://www.tuscaloosada.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/money.jpg

Be A Snake! (4/18/2008 ORIGINAL)

Have you ever seen a snake go back to its old skin? I know this question is unusual, but roll with it…

I have yet to see that happen, given it’s a natural thing for a snake to remove its old exterior in order to reveal the new. This is also true for anyone trying to become better in this life.

For y'all educated folks, I searched the internet to learn more. Wikipedia stated that a snake removes its entire outer skin at once. And this is done several times a year.

As it relates to me, I'm getting older and I have to handle things like a REAL woman should (i.e. responsibly, wisely, etc). Old, ungodly, un-progressive thinking and behavior should be done away once and for all! This does not mean I will change all of my ways overnight. We know this happens through the renewal of the mind by God’s word (Romans 12:2). It does, however, express the necessity to make a resolve to change AND perform actions that align with that resolve (James 2:14). In fact, the resolve(s) have to be re-established several times throughout my lifetime.

Without a resolve, one is half new…and what’s the sense in being half-way new? Wearing a laid, brand new outfit is bogus if a person’s drawers and undergarments are dirty. If he/she proclaims newness, it must be demonstrated by an entire renewal…not just a visible change or fulfilling minimal requirements.

Additionally, "before the new skin is shed, the snake's vision is blurred. After the dead, decapitated skin is removed, the snake's vision is clearer." I don't know about you, but I intend on removing any old thing that is preventing me from perceiving all things right and according to God’s word. Even if means I have do be disciplined and let go of things I really want.

"[The] primary purpose of shedding is for the snake's growth; it also removes external parasites." Need I say more? In order for anyone to obtain something, or put on something new, that old stuff has to come off...whether it's dysfunctional relationships, negativity, pride, fear, shyness, etc, lay aside those weights and press towards YOUR high calling in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14). 

There’s a position in life I’m destined to occupy, and I want to get there punctually. Snakes don't have to consult their associates to find out if the time is right for a personal change. Like NIKE® they "JUST DO IT"!. 

To all my readers, I challenge you take off that "parasite" that’s doing nothing but hitching a free ride. Be the type of person who is unrelentingly determined to become better. Because, trust me, I'm going get mines. The question is: are you willing to shed the old to get the new? Be a snake! (Matthew 10:16).

2nd Corinthians 5:17 (KJV; emphasis mines)

There for if any man be in Christ, he IS A NEW CREATURE:

OLD THINGS ARE PASSED AWAY;

BEHOLD, ALL THINGS ARE BECOME NEW.