Transitioners Tips

via Kinky-Curly.

Are you ready to go natural?

Not ready to do the ‘BIG CHOP’ and cut off all of your relaxed hair just yet?

Here are some tips to help you make the transition from relaxed hair to a full head of beautiful, healthy, natural hair without cutting it all off right away!

* Remember, you cannot wash out a relaxer. The structure of your hair has been chemically altered and no amount of shampoo or vinegar can remove a relaxer from your hair. You must either grow it out or cut it off.

* The line of demarcation is the area where your new growth meets your relaxed hair, which is very weak and prone to breakage. It is important to keep your hair moisturized and detangled in order to avoid breakage. Always use a wide-tooth comb and good detangling conditioner such as KNOT TODAY TM.

* Do not use heated styling tools during your transition. A blow dryer with a comb attachment can stretch and break the hair. A flat iron or pressing comb used regularly or even just once at too high a temperature can burn the cuticle layer and damage the natural hair that is growing in. High temperatures from heated styling tools can break the sulfide bonds of our hair which can cause your hair to straighten out resulting in many different textures on your head.

* Opt for styles that will blend the two different textures of hair such as roller sets, straw sets or two-strand twist sets. Use of a good styling serum such as SPIRAL SPRITZ TM will ensure a longer lasting frizz free style. Other styles such as braids, flat twists or individual twists also work well to protect the hair and blend the two textures.

* Trim hair regularly during the transition phase as your natural hair grows in cutting off a bit of relaxed ends each time.

* Heal your scalp to prevent 'scab hair'. After years of applying chemical relaxers to your scalp your follicles may become damaged. The shape of the follicle determines the texture of your hair and as new hair grows in through a damaged follicle the result can be dry, rough hair also known as scab hair. A healing scalp tonic can prevent or minimize this.

* When your hair has reached a length that you are comfortable with you can cut off the remainder of the relaxed hair and enjoy the versatility of having natural hair. Some of the styles you used to transition with can still be used now that you are 100% natural. You can roller set on large rollers for a straight/wavy look or twist or braid set for a crinkly look. And best of all you can now sport a wash and go look using CURLING CUSTARD TM,  Apply to wet hair out of the shower, air dry or use a diffuser and go.

ENJOY YOUR NATURAL HAIR!

STYLE Perspective

Once again we have been asked by STYLEDLIFE to help out with their Open Closet night for Perspectives and we are so honored to be a part of this event.
The women of Perspectives are overcoming tremendous difficulties and they are simply glowing at the end of the night. Just glowing!
I am truly inspired by this event and come away having had such a tremendously positive experience.

Pumpkin Peel

I love enzyme facial exfoliants.  My skin is a bit sensitive so they are a lovely break from my favorite physical exfoliant.

For a great DIY version, I highly recommend the one mentioned in this Twin Cities Live segment by Elizabeth Dehn. (I suggest using natural pumpkin vs. the canned version because the enzymes are super fresh and I feel more effective).
Cream, used in the recipe, contains lactic acid and is also a great exfoliant so double duty on this peel!

More Maiden

 Learn more about Maiden Minnesota. We'll see you there as we are one of the featured Maidens.

Rethink Pink

via Campaign For Safe Cosmetics 

What's P&G really doing about breast cancer?

October is breast cancer awareness month. We're sure you noticed; you can't miss the deluge of pink ribbons everywhere, including the cosmetics aisle.

We agree that it's important to draw attention to this disease. For us, that means getting rid of the toxic chemicals linked to breast cancer, and urging companies to think in terms of prevention.

Which brings us to this: Last month, Procter & Gamble announced that it will give 10 cents to early breast cancer detection efforts for every new person who joins the company on Facebook. We agree that early detection is important. But we think P&G should start at square one, and promise to stop using chemicals linked to cancer, hormone disruption, and interference with cancer drugs.

According to the Skin Deep database, P&G still uses parabens – in particular, methylparaben – in hundreds of its Cover Girl, Max Factor, Infusium and other cosmetics products.

Parabens are compounds widely used as antimicrobial preservatives in cosmetics products, including underarm deodorants. They're also estrogen mimickers, and have been found in breast tumors.

A new study from California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco found that methylparaben (as well as the chemical BPA, used in food can linings and other applications) can not only cause healthy breast cells to behave like cancer cells, but also interfere with the effectiveness of tamoxifen, an important breast cancer drug.

Tell P&G that if the company really wants to do something about breast cancer, it should stop using methylparaben and other chemicals linked to cancer or hormone disruption in any of its products. That's the kind of commitment that will really indicate the company is working to protect women's health.

Help us end pinkwashing.

It's been a while....

since we've had a storewide SALE and methinks it is about time. We've been so busy with our three-way beauty bars that we just haven't been able to pull one together. Let's remedy that, shall we?

Beginning Monday, October 10th, both StormSister Spatique and 3waybeauty will have 20% off all products.
Sale ends Friday, October 14th. How's that?

Products tend to sell out pretty quickly during our sales, so please be patient if a product is on backorder.

Enter: FALLSALE upon checkout to receive discount. You may call your order in as well. 612 716 5480

Tickets! Get your Tickets!

As one of this years' featured Maidens, I'd like to invite you to Maiden Minnesota. It will again be held at the Graves 601 Hotel in Minneapolis and it's just a few short weeks away so purchase your tickets  for this fun sisterhood event! (you'll save $10)

See ya there!

Splendor in the Grass

excerpted from Spatrade.com

Lemongrass is perhaps best known as a staple in Thai cooking, often paired with coconut or ginger in curries, soups, and salads. But when used as a key ingredient in spa treatments, the results are equally delicious.

“Lemongrass is deeply calming to the nervous system and as such can help treat stress, tension, anxiety, insomnia, and even depression, all of which are common reasons why people go to spas,” says Karina Stewart, co-founder of Kamalaya.

The light citrus flavor and scent of lemongrass are pleasing to the palate, which also makes it a widely used aromatic herb. Also known as citronella, lemongrass is frequently used as a natural pesticide and insect repellant. In fact, 80 percent of local Thai people plant lemongrass trees in their houses to act as mosquito repellent and also to use for cooking, says Wanna Homsanoe, spa manager of Chiva-Som (Hua Hin, Thailand).

But its health benefits extend beyond keeping mosquitoes at bay and making a tasty chicken soup. “Lemongrass is believed to help with stress-related disorders due to its action as a sedative for the central nervous system,” says Stewart. “It is known for its calming effect, which relieves insomnia and stress.”
In addition to being a centuries-old treatment in traditional Chinese medicine, lemongrass is also used in Ayurvedic medicine to relieve cough and nasal congestion. In modern times, scientists are studying its potential as a cancer treatment. “Researchers have found that lemongrass causes programmed cell death in cancer cells,” says Stewart. “The active molecule is citral, which gives it its fresh lemon scent and repels insects, and as little as 1,000 mg—the amount of citral found in one cup of tea—represses cancer cells and helps battle depression.”

Lemongrass also acts as a site-specific pain reliever, which makes it an effective treatment for sore muscles and joints and an ideal ingredient in body scrubs, wraps, and massages. “We use lemongrass for spa treatments to soothe and calm the skin,” says Homsanoe, adding that Chiva-Som serves lemongrass tea in the spa and throughout the resort. “It’s good for bone pain, back pain, and shin pain, and it prevents kidney disease, diabetes, and high cholesterol.”


Lemongrass works well with benzoin, geranium, lavender, tangerine, and ylang ylang, Homsanoe says, because these ingredients help relieve tension, headaches, insomnia, and stress-related conditions.  As an antiseptic, lemongrass gently cleanses the skin. Meanwhile the essential oil tones and firms sagging skin, making it ideal for facial treatments. “Our customers use our lemongrass products to remove the toxins that contribute to cellulite and open blocked pores to fight acne,” says Szilvia Hickman, senior vice president of Szép Elét. It also has useful après-sport sensibilities. It fights fungal infections—like athlete’s foot—and alleviates excessive perspiration.

While skincare experts say there’s no particular ingredient that doesn’t work well in a lemongrass-themed treatment, there are some contraindications to keep in mind. Pregnant women may want to avoid lemongrass, as it may induce miscarriage. It can also cause irritation in those with hyper-sensitive skin. Additionally, lemongrass oil must be properly diluted when used on the skin and should not be used on sunburns or open wounds. “It is a good idea to ask about a history of allergic reactions to essential oils like lemongrass,” says Stewart. “Avoid sun exposure for three to four hours after use of the essential oil to prevent irritation if hypersensitive.”

Big Pink

Certainly one of the best articles I have ever read in regard to "pink washing". 

It is very difficult to be female and abhor the pink money-making monster that is so prevalent this time of year. I am a woman and I should support this cause, but I simply cannot.  It is especially difficult for me to be in the beauty biz and see pink cans of hairspray, lipstick and other cosmetics that may actually contain ingredients with very possible links to cancer. 


Go pink? No. Go home and research the ingredients that are in your stuff. Beauty products are a great place to start.