Straight Hair Minus the Heat

Have I mentioned I did this?

 Brazilian Blowout

This treatment is AAAAmazing!  My hair is seriously hard to deal with and especially in the summer.  Three weeks before I did this treatment, my hair was in a pony tail every day because the humidity had it out of control and not to mention it felt like straw.  I really struggled committing to one of these treatments for several reasons:

1.        I’ve heard a lot of scary accusations about the chemicals involved.  The rumor that it contains formaldehyde is not 100% true.  However, it does contain chemicals that if heated to a certain temperature, they can convert to formaldehyde.  There was a big stink (no pun intended) that came out about it and wanted to pull it off the market, but the company was able to prove that the amount of chemicals in the straightening product was miniscule.  They also provide that if used in a well-ventilated area, they would not be harmful.  Let’s be honest here though…did you really think a semi-permanent straightening treatment wasn’t going to have some chemicals in it?  When you get to the point that I was at…YOU DON’T CARE!

2.       It’s expensive…period.  The price depends on how long it actually takes on your hair.  Obviously if you have longer hair it will cost a bit more. 

3.       The Brazilian Blowout is product specific.  You cannot wash your hair with any products containing sulfate or sodium chloride.  Supposedly these are cleansing chemicals that most shampoos contain to give you all those suds.  However, if you have dry or damaged hair, they can add fuel to the fire.  A lot of companies have tried saying sulfate-free products are better for you and more organic.  Supposedly sulfate gives you cancer, but what doesn’t?  Sulfate-free products are pretty easy to find.  Right now I am just using the BB products, but found some sulfate-free products at Sally’s that were very inexpensive. 

With all that being said, my friend Lauren convinced me that her roommate had done it and had awesome results.  I hopped on You Tube to see the live action and couldn’t believe how it could work so well…even after a couple of months.  So I did it and check it out!

Dried Naturally

Straightened with low heat and just a few passes with an iron...crazy!!!!

Powerful Day

I admit.  I can be a bit self-centered at times.  I grew up an only child and not that it's an excuse, it’s just the name of the game.  So, I have a bit of a self-centered wish.  I witnessed one of the most amazing experiences today and I pray that it isn’t the last time I visit.  Living in Memphis certainly has its disadvantages.  The lack of nature and scenery, segregation and crime (have I mentioned there was a double homicide two blocks over in my neighborhood last week?).  Among all the bad there are some very special aspects of Memphis that I would put up against Time’s Square, the Washington Monument or the Grand Canyon any day. One of which I visited today. 

St. Jude Children’s Hospital.  It literally brings tears to my eyes to try and articulate some of the images I saw today.  My team at work went and took a two hour tour (which I demand anyone do that lives near Memphis) today.  Obviously I couldn’t take pictures to post on this blog, but I can tell you what I experienced.  Among many memorable images: multiple waiting rooms filled with patients under 18, barf bag holders, funny sayings everywhere, inspiring artwork covering the long hallways, a baby sister carrying her big sister on her back because she was too weak to walk, unimaginable hope and courage, parents pulling their toddlers in wagons with masks covering their tiny faces and a mother carrying her 10 year old like a baby after an intense round of chemo because he was too sick to walk. 

I found myself at that back of my group almost all morning.  Almost too much for me to take in.  I don’t remember everything our sweet tour guide unveiled to us because I was so busy watching all of the magic.  It’s incredible.  Living in Memphis you hear so much about St. Jude…everywhere you go they ask you to donate money to St. Jude…and you do because you’re a Memphian.  But until today I didn’t really know why it was so important for me to add on that extra dollar to my Fresh Market bill or even more importantly, give my time at Make-A-Wish to honor these sweet individuals. 

My self-centered wish is obviously to take a trip to this incredible hospital and give your money, time or talents to this sacred place.  Or, just find something that is important to you or that makes your spirit tick and donate your time or money to it.  Then go visit and see where your hard earned dollars go or what your time means to that organization.  I promise you this…it’s better than any vacation you will ever take, more encouraging that buying a house or a car and it makes going to work every day that much easier.  We’ve got it made….so be thankful.

Want to visit?

http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=181febc7a7319210VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD