Pleasantly Surprised By AS I AM Hair Products And Avon

Love Yascone my hair on AS I AM

Ok you know you are having a day when you lose everything you just wrote!

Yes, this is my second time writing this.  No, it is not going to be better than the first draft! I am sorry but I am lazy! I was supposed to write this a week ago and I am just now getting around to it so...Yeah lazy, depressed whatever.  Let's get to it shall we.

Two weeks ago I decided to runaway for a little while.  I left with only the clothes on my back and no hair products! Oops, I decided I didn't want to look like a total basket case, so I went to Target because Target always has a good selection of  hair products for natural/kinky/curly hair.  Now for over a year I have been avoiding AS I AM hair products because I thought they were all marketing and no...what is the word I am looking for? Oh well, I thought that it was going to be a waste of money.  Even though AS I AM is reasonably priced I thought it can't be as good as some of my favorite hair products.  Boy was I wrong!  AS I AM has a whole line of products that are perfect for natural hair.  I tried the Coconut Co-wash (smells like coconut), The Leave-in Conditioner, and Curling Jelly.  I loved this combination of products.  The co-wash felt good, cleaned my hair and I could detangle my hair using the co-wash.  The Leave-in Conditioner was rich and made my hair feel healthy.  The Curling Jelly helped define my curls and the combination of the three products made my hair feel healthy-silky-soft.  I couldn't stop touching my hair which is a problem because curly hair gets frizzy when it is touched to much.  The product made my hair feel and look good for days.  I really enjoyed using it on my hair.  Heck, I really enjoyed my hair. What a surprise! 

Note: I loved it so much I bought it for my mother and sister Faith.  I also had Faith try the detangling conditioner and I hope to get her to do a one minute video about the detangling conditioner at a later date.

Second big surprise of that week was Avon.  We had a party at our house.  It was a Family get together/18th birthday party for my cousin.  Now my Aunt CC gave away gift bags with Avon and I was lucky enough to get Avon's Skin So Soft signature silk body lotion.  I have extremely dry skin and the signature silk worked wonders on my dry and itchy skin.  It made my skin look healthy and feel healthy.  I was so surprised.  Avon really made a product that works on extremely dry skin.  I really love it.  Let's face it if I didn't love it I wouldn't write about.  There was a time when Avon was not cool but it works so...I will admit I love it and would buy it!  

So I have soft hair because of AS I AM and soft skin because of Avon.(www.youravon.com/cecekelly)  

Sunscreen/Skin Protection Is Needed For Black People, White People And Everyone In Between (Summer Skin)

My Favorite Sun Protection Sunday Afternoons

Yes, I wear sunscreen.   Yes, black people need sun protection.  Yes, black people get sunburn and have sun allergies.  Guess what some white people never get sunburn but they still need to protect themselves from premature aging.  Yes, Asian girls do get great tans but they still need to protect their skin from sun overexposure.  Heck even pets need sun protection! Are you human? Do you want to look 10 years older than you are? Well, if you are human you can get skin cancer and age prematurely due to sun exposure.  Don't be lazy.  You are worth the time it takes to protect your skin.  Your skin will thank you.  Your life will thank you.  Your reflection will thank you.

There is a major debate about how healthy using sunscreen is, especially in America, where sunscreen advances are 12 years behind Europe and Asia.   Okay, so you don't want to use sunscreen. You can still protect yourself.  You can protect your skin using supplements, clothes and choosing the right hours to go outside.  Just making a few adjustments can make all the difference.

1. Avoid Peak Hours: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Go to the beach/pool before or after these hours.)
2. Clothes: Wide brimmed hats, thin light colored long sleeved T-shirts and linen pants/skits really help.  I know it is hot but just wearing long sleeves in the car will prevent that ugly drivers tan.  I often will wear long sleeves over a summer outfit just to protect my skin and I will take off the long sleeve top once I get to where I am going.  If you are going for a walk put on a hat it does make a difference.  Sunglasses are not just a fashion statement; they are also protection.
3. Supplements: Yes there are some supplements you can take to help you protect your skin.
Zinc, Astaxanthin, and Vitamin E/C/D are a few easy ways to protect your skin.

Do your own investigating.  There are clothes that are treated with sunscreen and supplements that are sold together just for the purpose of protecting your skin.  What the heck I'll even help you get started with some web links:
8 Natural Ways to Prevent a Sunburn (And Sunscreen’s Not One of Them)
Can a Pill Replace Your Sunscreen?
Buy Heliocare capsules, the original sunscreen pill
5 Reasons to Take Astaxanthin Every Day
Wholesale - S5Q Summer Shirt Female Long-sleeve Sun Protection Clothing Thin Anti-UV Cardigan Jacket AAABOH
Sun Protective Clothing by Solumbra 100+ SPF
Sunscreen Clothes: Do They Work?

Okay You are a dark skinned human like me and you hate that white/blue look some sunscreens give you.  Well, not all sunscreens give you that horrible look.  There are some really awesome sunscreens that make your skin tone look, dare I say, even better.  A spray on sunscreen will almost always look good on darker skin.  There are oil based sunscreens that are really good on dark skin, too.  For the face you need to be a little more selective.  Avoid zinc based sunscreen, it gives dark skin that horrible sick look. I have used Olay Regenerist Regenerating Lotion With SPF50 for my face but I am still experimenting.  When I find a facial sunscreen I love I will be sure to update this post.  Oh, and just so you know, wearing sunscreen will not stop you from tanning.  Everyone tans in the sun.  Yes, black people tan and we tan quickly.  If you don't want to tan don't go outside when the sun is up.  Sunscreen is not the same as no sun at all.

Please note after a day of being in the sun please use an after sun skin lotion.  After sun lotions are not just for sunburns but for restoring your skin.  Plus using an after sun lotion or organic oil at night will make your fresh tan a pretty color (this is a good idea for all skin tones).

List of sunscreens I will use and other info:

L'Oreal Paris Advanced Suncare Sheer Protect Sunscreen Oil Spray, SPF 50+
NEUTROGENA Beach Defense Sunscreen Spray
Sunscreen salvos: US products pale next to Europe's protective salves
FDA review of new sunscreen ingredients languishes, frustrating advocates
New, Better Sunscreens Could Be Coming
Many blacks are unaware of a skin cancer that primarily affects dark-skinned people

PS don't be embarrassed to buy sunscreen.  Buying sunscreen does not mean you hate your skin color.  Buying sunscreen means you love your skin.