Relaxer Prep

It seems like ages since I've done a hair post, but in this post I want to share with you how I go about prepping my hair for a relaxer in order to get the best possible results. These are the steps/things I would do one week before my relaxer.

• 7 days before my relaxer I would clarify by using a clarifying or chelating shampoo. This helps to strip your hair of excessive product build up. With this, the relaxer will take to your hair a lot faster, and that reduces the processing time. This also cleans your scalp, so its less likely to itch.

• After I clarify my hair, I would follow up with a protein based deep conditioner. The protein helps to add strength to your hair. The relaxer process removes protein from your hair, so its essential to use protein prior to or after your relaxer.

• After I dry my hair (air dry), I would oil my scalp. This helps to provide a barrier between my scalp and the relaxer. So this step is basically for protecting your scalp from the chemicals in the relaxer.

• During that week I would wear extremely low manipulation styles, usually a low bun. With this, I won't be irritating my scalp much. Less irritation=less chances of getting a relaxer burn.

• For that week, I won't co-wash my hair, because I don't want to irritate my scalp in anyway. However, I would continue moisturizing and sealing my hair.

• 1-2 days prior to my relaxer, I would detangle my new growth GENTLY. This will allow the relaxing process to be less stressful on the hair.

I hope this helps you. In another post I will tell you how I prepare my hair before relaxing it, on the day of, so look out for that.

Bye Beauties
Shannon

Hotel Review: Secrets Resort - Wild Orchid

For our lifestyle section we have decided to add resort reviews, from a local perspective that is, because usually when you try to find reviews on hotels in Jamaica its normally from a tourist's point of view. I will start out by reviewing Secrets Resort in Montego Bay, St. James. My bf and I went to Secrets Wild Orchid in the summer of 2010 for 3 days and 2 nights and let me say it was AMAZING!!!

The resort was newly opened, so everything was brand new and modern looking. However, you could still see that minor things needed to be done around the resort. I will tell you about our experience based on different categories.

Service

The service at Secrets was absolutely remarkable from the moment we entered until we left. When we drove in there was valet parking which of course is a plus; after traveling for almost 3hrs from Kingston, the last thing we wanted to do was to drive around looking for a parking spot. As we entered the resort we were greeted with cold towels and a glass of champagne...so lovely :). The front desk agent that checked us in was also very pleasant, and she even sent us a complementary bouquet of flowers and a bottle of champagne (which is normally exclusive to honeymoon guests), so of course we loved that. The hotel staff in general were extremely helpful, we were treated like royalty; normally you would hear horror stories about staff only catering to tourists or if you tip in a foreign currency, but we never got that feeling.


Accommodations

The room was lovely, it was exactly as how it was described on the website. It's the perfect combination of modern and cozy. My favourite part of the room was the bedding, as the sheets were of high quality and extremely comfortable! The jacuzzi was also really good, however I think the layout of the bathroom could have been a little better.

Food
The food was a bit so-so. They have a wide variety of choices because there are several different restaurants on the property, but we thought the taste of the food could have been a little better. I remember going to the French restaurant and we ordered lamb, which was horrible! Their lunch buffet however was really good. Room service is also available and they come in a timely manner, which was good.

Beach

For me, the beach at any resort has to be top priority, because I am the ultimate beach bum. Secret's beach however was extremely disappointing. I thought that since it was in Mobay the beach would have been perfect, but it was far from that. I didn't like the sand and the water felt weird and it itched my skin. Also, it didn't look as amazing as they depicted it on the website. The pool was really nice though and towels were never in shortage!

Activities

They have the general activities that you would come expect from any all inclusive resort in Jamaica, nothing extra special. This is not a big deal for me because the resort is for couples and they focus a lot on providing a romantic setting and experience for their guests, which they have truly mastered.

Overall, I enjoyed my experience at Secrets and it was extremely romantic. I would recommend that persons stay on the Wild Orchid side of the resort, its a little more expensive, but I think its worth it. The downside to Secrets however is the price, it can be expensive, running around USD$500 per person per night. A tip however, to cut the cost is to ask for local rates, usually hotels have a special rate for locals. You should also try to go when its not tourist peak season, as the price is a lot less. The best time to go is between Mid-April to Mid- December. My bf and I went during the time of the Dudus Saga, so my bf says, we got the 'post Dudus discount'...lol, which was a good deal!

Rating: 4/5


Hope you enjoyed
Shannon

PSA: CURLY HAIR DIVAS UNITE!!

While surfing on the net last Sunday evening, I came across a rather interesting find and I figured that I'd share it with you guys. It's a Jamaican based support group of natural hair divas that meet up once a month to discuss their natural hair, how cool is that!! The name of the group is Curly-Centric Jamaica and you can check out their Facebook page here. It's the first of its kind in JA and I'm intrigued .... maybe I should attend a meeting, we'll see ;)

If you're transitioning, already natural, or are thinking about going natural this is the group for you. I've been natural for about 4 years now, but I only recently started paying more attention to my natural hair and how to properly care for it, so if you're unsure about how to take care of your natural hair, sign up to attend a meeting via the group's Facebook page.

Here's a sneak peek of my hair right before I was about to go wash it (I took the picture myself so excuse the weird angle) and some of the products that I use on a weekly basis.

From left to right

Creme of Nature with Argan Oil from Morocco Sulfate Free Moisture & Shine Shampoo (wow ! that's long)
Tangle Teaser
Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Conditioner
Cantu Shea Butter Leave In Conditioning Repair Cream
Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque
Spray bottle with a mixture of water, glycerin and rose water
Applicator bottle with homeade scalp oil mixture
Hollywood Beauty Olive Creme Hairdress
Homeade Body Butter/hair moisturizer

We, hope this helps someone out there.

Until next time friends
Debbie

Manicure Monday: Pink Lust

Mondays can be such a drag, so I love starting my week off with a lovely manicure that will lift my spirits :)

Happy Monday 
Shannon

Sunday Afternoon

Last Sunday, the weather here in HK was extremely beautiful which automatically puts me in an amazing mood. I met up with a friend and we had such a lovely day. We went for brunch, did a little shopping, went to relax and have an afternoon cocktail and then we ended the day by sitting on one of the streets in the art district of Central HK and had the most amazing pizza I've had since being in HK.

This is what I wore on this lovely spring Sunday afternoon...

Top - Cotton-On

Pants - Bershka

Sandals - Forever21

Necklace - Forever21
Bracelet - H&M & Bershka

Thanks for visiting

Shannon

Hit List: Affairs of the Heart

Sometimes you hear a song on the radio and it just hits you, it makes you stop a while just to listen and connect...well Damian Marley has definitely won my heart with this song the lyrics, the melody.... everything.

I have this song on heavy rotation, so I invite you guys to sit back and listen to it...and if ever you should hear it playing on the radio where ever you are.... turn the volume ALL THE WAY UP!

Affairs of the Heart by Damian 'Jnr. Gong' Marley. You can check out the official video here.

Enjoy, and have a great night everyone....where ever you may be.

Debbie

Sushi Double Take: Cocoro Restaurant

While still on my sushi binge, the bf and I decided to explore another restaurant that caters to Japanese cuisine called Cocoro. The restaurant is located at the Mayfair Hotel here in Kingston and it has a quaint setting that allows persons to choose either outdoor or indoor dining. The decor isn't much to talk about, on their website they describe it as 'modern' but I beg to differ, it's very lacklustre and outdated and far from modern. On the other hand, the atmosphere was cozy and serene and the staff is very attentive. The food was a stark contrast to the decor, the presentation of the dishes gets an A in my book and everything tasted fantastic; some of the menu items, however, bear a striking similarity to those served at East Japanese - is it a coincidence? I think not .... I heard that the chef Mr. Tomohisa Natsume was previously a part of the East team of chefs until he decided to go solo, hence the similarity.

I must admit that since our initial visit to Cocoro, we have actually been back about three times... I just love it! Whenever I go out to dinner with the bf I prefer a more quiet and private setting and at Cocoro I get just that, and to be brutally honest, unlike some other restaurants they don't slap your bill with a mandatory gratuity percentage so you can tip the waitress/waiter at your own free will, which we always do. The cost of dining is reasonable IMO, based on the fact that it is a specialty restaurant. Dinner for two runs us around JMD$4000 - $5000.

Here are just a few pictures, I was too hungry to take anymore ;)

Cocoro Set

Chicken Teriyaki

Salmon Skin Roll

excuse the picture quality guys... I used my BB phone ;)

Until next time folks!!
Debbie