Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo Review

Hey! I know it's been a while since my last post, but I'm going to get back on track soon.

I just used Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo for the first time. I was hoping that it would help me with my dandruff. Normally I like to use products more than once before reviewing, but I've already made my verdict on this product:

I hate it.

Why? Because it sucks! That's Why!

But to be more detailed and less elementary about why I hate this product, it's actually a few things that I dislike.

1. Smell:
It smells like a typical essential oil. Personally I don't like the potent smell of essential oils. While I was in the shower, the smell was so strong that it started to burn my eyes. I really don't judge the quality of a shampoo/conditioner on how it smells, but this was unbearable.

2. Stripping:
My hair was so dry after using this. Before hand, my hair was really soft and moisturized. After using this it just felt dry and didn't move at all. Similar to protein overload.

3. Tangled my hair:
Like always, I detangled my hair before I washed it. After using this my hair was super tangled. I tried running my fingers through it to get rid of some of the tangles, but my fingers wouldn't budge. I had to use my detangling comb under running water get all of the tangles out.

Before purchasing this, I read a lot of reviews and everyone loved it. So, I'm on the hunt for another dandruff shampoo.

Ingredients:
Water Aqua , Sodium Lauryl Sulfate , Sodium Laureth Sulfate ,Oleamidopropyl Betaine , Cocamidopropyl Betaine , Mentha Piperita Oil Peppermint , Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil Tea Tree, Linoleamide DEA , Cocamide DEA , Bisamino PEG/PPG-41/3 Aminoethyl , PG-Propyl Dimethicone , Hedychium Coronarium White Ginger , PEG-12 Dimethicone , Algae , Aloe Barbadensis Leaf, Anthemis Nobilis Chamomile , Henna , Simmondsia Chinensis Jojoba , Rosmarinus Officinalis Rosemary , PEG-Dimethicone , Lavandula Angustifolia Oil Lavender.

The ingredients seem okay. The bolded items are things that I know for a fact are bad for your hair. The other things I'm not so sure about, but I can't really pronounce most of the ingredients which, in my opinion, is not a good sign.

*I'm returning this to the salon I bought it at.
*I followed up with Kenra Moisturizing Conditioner
*I didn't buy the conditioner.
*Cost me $11.39

Bath And Body Works

Lately I've been really into scents. The way I smell has become more important to me. Not to say that I smelled bad before, but putting on scented lotions and perfumes didn't make a difference to me. As far as I was concerned, taking a shower, deodorant, and some powder fresh lotion was all I needed. Now my interest in smells has jumped from zero to sixty really quickly.

I've always signed up for newsletters to my favorite stores. When you sign up for newsletters, they'll tell you when a sale is going on, free shipping, coupons, and other cool things happening with their store. On a whim, I decided to sign up for Bath and Body Works' newsletter. The first email they sent me was a coupon for a free travel size item with any purchase. (minimum of $5). Ever since then I've been getting a lot of coupons, some online and some in the mail. Honestly, that's the only time I'll buy fragrant things, but because of it my fragrance collection has at least doubled! When I get those coupons, I always buy a travel size lotion, then a travel size lotion to match. For example: I got the travel size County Chic lotion and perfume. I feel like the smell lasts longer when I double up. (I don't see the point of getting matching shower gels because I always take showers at night)

I also LOVE Victoria's Secret Fragrances.

     *(also, speaking of VS, I only got $30 for the secret reward, aka the lowest amount I could get because I only got three cards and the minimum amount of each card was $10...)

By shopping for these fragrances lately, I've learned that I'm mostly into fruity scents. Random, but I thought I'd throw that out there.

*Also, sign up for their mail sent to your home! You'll also get coupons for BOGO.



my small-but growing-fragrance collection!



Mission: D.A.N.D.R.U.F.F.

I've been gone for a while because of spring break. I flew to Tennessee to stay at my grandma's house to visit her, my cousins, aunts and uncle.
Lately, my dandruff has really been bothering me. A lot. I know it has something to do with my hair not growing at the rate I think it should be growing. (Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp. Healthy scalps do not have dandruff). I really should have tackled this problem months ago, when I first started my hair journey. BUT I thought I did get rid of it.
When I started my HJ it was the first time I ever moisturized and sealed my hair. I thought I was supposed to use the oil directly on my scalp. Doing that didn't get rid of my dandruff, it just masked the issue. I've realized that to really get long healthy hair, I have to quit running from my scalp caring for my scalp.


I've stopped using oil directly on my scalp. (I actually don't think I need oil on my hair everyday-maybe a few days a week I'll moisturize and seal, other nights I'll just moisturize.)


1. What's causing the dandruff?
I've looked up causes of dandruff many times, and few causes apply to me.

1. overactive oil glands (maybe, but I never thought I had 'oily' hair. Especially since I'm black and black hair tends to be dry)
2.  food allergies (none that I know of)
3. stress (Nope...not this either)
4. excessive perspiration (No, I don't work out that often and I'm not a naturally sweaty person)
5. harsh shampoos (Maybe...? Not sure. But I've switched shampoos so often, I'm sure one wasn't that harsh)
6. dry skin (maybe on my scalp, not on my face though. Does your scalp and face have two different skin types?)

 2. Plan to get rid of the dandruff.
Easy. Pre-pooing. However, this time, I'm going to use Witch Hazel. Witch Hazel is a stinky plant that is good for everything! I originally bought witch hazel to be used as a facial toner (before clinique). (Tip for summer: I also use it as after shave to prevent razor burn) I've also read that it can help with dandruff. My plan is to put this directly on to my scalp to let it sit for at least thirty minutes then wash as normal, or then put what ever pre-poo mixture I want to use that day on my hair and let it sit for a while.

This is the brand I use.
I bought it at Target for around $3.

side note: witch hazel is also a crazy witch lady on looney tunes

There are other home-remedies that I want to try also, here are some that sound interesting to me:

-crushing aspirin into shampoo, letting it sit for two minutes, rinsing it out.
-returning to apple cider vinegar rinses
-cleaning my hair brushes more often

100th Post..Vent/Rant

I'm frustrated. It's my sixth month of being on a hair journey and I have seen no real progress. My hair looks the same. Same length. Same health. Yea, it's softer. But my goal isn't to have soft hair. I want long, thick, healthy hair. I've spent so much time researching new products, watching YouTube videos, trying to learn new things to incorporate into my regimen to grow my hair. Nothing has worked. What's the point of spending all this time, effort and MONEY if I'm not getting results?

In the last week, I've watched two people say how easy healthy hair is.
1. Ulovemegz.
Her video was about how it's impossible to fail a hair journey. She pretty much said all you need is knowledge and to be consistent. I HAVE! Don't get me wrong-I love her and her videos, but if that's true, why haven't I reached shoulder length yet? SHOULDER LENGTH!! When most people start their hair journey, the start around shoulder length. I, however, am not even close. I know a lot more about hair now than I did before. I take care of it a lot better. I wash it consistently, don't use heat, use enough moisture, but I am still  and forever will be at neck length. Ugh.

2. Shilinda1.
She said if you're washing it, conditioning it, and moisturizing it, then your taking care of it. I CAN'T TELL! I'm doing all of that twice a week or more, and can't tell the difference between my hair before compared to now. Why should I continue on my hair journey? Why should I spend so much money and waste so much time on something that's not doing anything? Pointless. I could have my hair straight right now but NO! I'm walking around with ugly ponytails for no reason. Heat/No heat. Mineral oil/ no mineral oil. Moisture/no moisture. My hair is going to do the same thing.

...mad.

Black Shatter Nail Polish!

Got my black shatter. :) I love trade secret!

*picture from Trade Secret's Facebook Page*
*Click here to find a Trade Secret near you*

Next Target: Dandruff

Okay, so now I've found a good shampoo and conditioner for me, now I have to tackle another issue: dandruff. I've been dealing with dandruff for a while, since before my hair journey in September 2010. I thought taking care of my hair would also fix my dandruff problem.  Well nope, it didn't. Ever since last salon visit, I've been thinking about dandruff. I co-washed on Thursday and since then my scalp has been soo itchy! I never had a problem with an itchy scalp before, only flakes.

I know the only way to have healthy hair is to start with a healthy scalp, and since my scalp is obviously not healthy, neither is my hair. Which, I think, is one reason why my hair hasn't been growing the way I think it should. (I stopped posting length check pictures, I don't see the point if it's not growing)

In order to make your scalp healthy, it has to be clean. Simply put, my scalp is not clean. I always put oil directly onto my scalp. When I didn't do that on Thursday's co-wash, my scalp has been itching ever since. Also, I've never clarified my hair. Yea, I know. Terrible. Tomorrow's wash I'll clarify my hair with the sample-size 1st lather shampoo that came with the Keracare kit. That'll completely strip my hair of all the oils and build up of products that I've been causing.
Not getting rid of all the oils and products can accumulate on your scalp making it dirty. AKA, in my case, causing dandruff.

so, I guess I'm on the hunt for a dandruff conditioner for co-washes.
(can't use keracare dry and itchy scalp, contains mineral oil)

Couldn't Pass it Up-KeraCare

Yesterday before work I was walking through the mall still clueless of what shampoo and conditioner I would want to try next. To continue my search, I went to the JC Penny Salon just to look around. I looked at a few brands then spotted Keracare. Keracare is a popular brand that I've been wanting to try for a while. Before, I didn't see why I should that much for shampoo and conditioner since Keracare is a more expensive brand. But it only has a few parabens, no silicones (I think), no sulfate, no mineral oil, and no petroleum. Most cheaper brands aren't like that.

Anyways, the keracare bottles were sitting there and I kept moving, I mean, I was only doing a price check. Then I saw a 50-70% off rack and there was a gold box that caught my eye. I picked it up and it had Keracare's sulfate free hydrating shampoo, conditioner and a wrap lotion. On the front it said '24.99' so I wasn't too impressed. I flipped to the back just to see if the ingredients were listed there and I saw a pink sticker saying it was only $9.99. WHATTT?? If you know anything about Keracare then you'll know its not cheap. According to sleekhair.com, all of this would have cost me $39.99 when not on sale!

I set it back on the counter because I wanted to go home and do more research. It took me less than 15 seconds to realize that it was the last one on the shelf and this was such a great deal that I would be absolutely stupid to pass it up. So of course I bought it. I think I'm going to use Herbal essences one more time then keep it in my cabinet for back up. Even if it does go to waste, it was only about six dollars.

So, in the month of March, I got a $30 conditioner (kenra) for $15, and a $40 shampoo/conditioner/wrap lotion set for $10. I'm doin good!

I would upload pics, but the computer is messing up right now! It came in a kit with shampoo, conditioner, wrap lotion and a free sample size of the 1st lather shampoo.

Written 3/13/2011, Uploaded 3/19/2011