Monthly Archives: July 2010

Skin care based on ethnicity?

Just read a very interesting article in Allure magazine, called “Skin Deep”. The article talks about how each ethnic group has specific skin types, and the best product for each.

Some of the bullet points – Black skin makes more pigment, thus more scars. Also,skin doesnt wrinkle as quickly – but it does sag. They recommend: Olay Regenerist Night Recovery Cream, and Aveno Ultra Calming Foaming Cleanser (which I am currently trying now).

White Skin: Sun damage and skin cancer is biggest problem, fine lines begin earlier as collagen and elastic tissue begin to wear. They recommend: Olay Definity Illuminating Cream Cleanser, Lancome Absolue Night Premium Bx.

East & Southeast Asian: Similar to black skin, but often very sensitive. The recommend: Boots No.7 Gentle Foaming Facial Wash, Dr. Jessica Wu Cosmeceuticals Dew Cream, Aveno Positively Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF30

South Asian & Dark Middle Eastern: skin drops, susceptible to melasma. They recommend: SkinMedica TNS Essential Serum, RoC Retinol Correction Deep Wrinkle Night Cream

Latin: they have a mix of all the different ethnicities. They recommend: Neutrogena Rapid Clear Treatment Pads, EltaMD Skincare UV Clear SPF46.

This is the first skin care recommendation I read in a magazine that makes sense to me. While all skin is different, and I’m sure there are deviations in their charecteristics, it seems logical that my skin is more similar to those that share the same heritage as me.

I’ve tried so many products that were recommended by Allure, Lucky, Glamour, etc.. and most of the time, they dont give me the results that people in magazines are raving about, which is why I am so excited to try my ethnicity based skin regimine.. I bought every single product they recommended – I’ll keep you posted!

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Carols Daughter Black Vanilla Hair Smoothie

I’ve been experimenting with deep conditioners and I really like Carols Daughter, Black Vanilla Hair Smoothie. The consistency is very thick, and it really holds onto the hair when you put it on in the shower. End result is much softer, more hydrated hair. Less brittle and dry! One thing I will say about Carols daughter is that some of their products are a little funky smelling, like African incense- but this one is much milder, like a light vanilla extract, and I really feel the difference in the overall health of my hair.

Goody Spin Pin

What a clever little hair pin! It’s surprisingly easy to put it in and take it out of hair, and two of them will gather a full shoulder length head of hair into an up-do! I have really thick African hair (you can’t pull your fingers through) so I was sort of shocked when I was able to get this thing OUT of my hair. The twisty action manages to grab so many bits of your hair that you only need two to hold even a longer head of hair twirled up into a bun.
It’s sort of magical in it’s simplicity!

Kozy Shack – Original Rice Pudding

Six ingredients – Milk, Rice, Sugar, Eggs, Salt, Natural Flavors. This has got to be one of those products that you’ve probably slept on. You’ve seen it in the dairy section since you were a kid, but have you tried it yet? If you have, you are a loyal follower – like me. Eating it, loving it, on a daily basis.

Just good rice pudding. Like homemade. Not too sweet, perfectly creamy, with great texture. If you like rice pudding, it doesnt get much better than this.

http://www.itryilike.com

Zzang Candy Bars – Original

When a candy bar costs you 5 dollars, that doesn’t neccessarily mean it’s going to be delicious, but it better be. When I ate this, I wanted to shout Zzang Gina! (wow that was lame) but I’m just trying to emphasize, somewhat cheesily, that this thing was delishy. I heard Rachey RayRay yummos these to death, so I had to give em a try.
What makes it so good is the caramel, it tastes like homemade, sort of burnt caramelization, not that processed light sugary snickers fake stuff, it’s the real deal. The ingredients list is simple- all real quality ingredients.

Sometimes candy bar chocolate is as bad as those waxy choco-coins you used to eat before you ever really understood what real chocolate was supposed to taste like, this stuff is perfect, nice dark and rich. Worth the $5!

Some people don’t wear deoderant

I wish this wasn’t true, in fact, I wish the lady sitting next to me on the train as I write -was not one of these people. It’s offensive, painful, and when we experience a NY heatwave – it’s downright nauseating.. So today’s review is on powerful deoderants/antipersperants. Actually even too powerful for me to use regularly, but gets the job done. The product, Certain Dri, certainly will keep your pits as dry and cool as two blocks of dry ice. They should have a commercial where when the guy lifts his armpits, cool air conditioned vapors come out.

Curl-ease Towel

In my hair re-discovery, I have learned many things. The most important thing I’ve found in maintaining a curly head, seems to be what you do to it right out of the shower. I saw the Curl-Ease towel, and figured Id give it a try – it is super absorbent, and nice and thin, long enough to make a cute little turban with ease. The real beauty is in the fabric – it doesn’t frizz or pull apart any of my fragile ringlets, so when my hair is dry, it still keeps its curly definition. $19.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond or at http://www.curlease.com

Miss Jessies Curly Buttercreme

Oh goodness, I love this stuff for my kinky curly ‘do. Be forewarned – its thick, its minty, and probably would make a straight haired head look like it was covered in an oil slick. This stuff is like curl makin’ magic on my hair – right out of the shower, I smooth it on, and put my hair in my special curly hair head wrap (review to come), and I sit back and enjoy the cool winterfresh feeling on my scalp. AWESOME for this ridiculous NY heat. And the jar, huge.. It’ll take me at least 8 months to get through it – woopie!

Co-Washing

Before I start telling you about all the fabulous products Im loving on my hair, I thought I’d rave a bit about co-washing or Conditioner Washing. First, about me – Im half black, half filipino with very course kinky hair. For years I have relaxed, straightened and chemically ravaged my hair. Recently, on a vacation to Bermuda, I decided I had had it with doing my hair. (I have sometimes gotten so frustrated with my tangly frizz that I have contemplated shaving it off – but my husband has told me he would be very unhappy if I did this)

SO I started reading curly hair and african hair websites to see what others in my situation were doing about their hair, and I found the method of cowashing, which basically means washing your hair with conditioner rather than shampoo. The first day, I noticed my hair was much softer, my curls were a little more defined, less frizz.. Day 2 my curls were noticeable even when I pulled my hair back, softer and less fried feeling. I continued co-washing daily until about day 5, when I shampood (To help remove all the conditioner build up).

Not for everyone, especially if your hair is oily, but definitely worth a try for those with dry or damaged hair (if only maybe every other wash)