I realize this is probably my first review of an actual product even though I think I've promised more reviews before. I need to dedicate myself to more reviews, especially for all of my non-existant loyal readers.

• Ingredients:  Aqua (Water), Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomatoes) Extract*, Cetyl Alcohol, Capsicum Annuum (Red Pepper) Extract*, Aspalathus Genus (Red Tea) Extract, Citrullus Vulgaris (Watermelon) Extract*, Maris Aqua (Dead Sea Water), Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil*, Magnesium Chloride, Chamomilla Recutita (Camomile) Extract*, Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil*, Benzyl Alcohol, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Oil*, Calendula Officinalis Oil*, Maris Limus (Silt) Extract, Parfum (Fragrance), Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil*, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate Peel) Extract*, Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract*, Dehydroacetic Acid. * Certified Organic Ingredient
• Consistency: This stuff is THICK. And I'm all about a thick conditioner. I have almost a whole bottle because even though I was only using it as a leave in for my twists, I only needed a very small dime sized amount for my whole head. It's creamy too but mostly, thick and gelatin like. I had to squeeze the bottle to get just a little bit. And it also foamed up just a little bit. It was weird at first but it helped for spreading. To co-wash I used about a ping pong ball sized amount and it went far.
• Slip: I feel like I didn't even know what slip was all about until I used this. I used it for detangling and the longer it was in my hair, the easier it was to comb. I was able to first comb, and then use the Denman for detangling. This was probably the most painfree (literally) and thorough detangling session I've had. Atleast in the last 2-3 inches.

So I'm still doing the whole twists thing. And as much as I hate to say..Genevive is simply blossoming! Last weeken I went on a trip with some friends to a lagoon called Huacachina. I did the normal endo of the week twist out and then on Sunday did a good old deep conditioner. Nothing out of the normal. I shampooed first just to get it wet. The conditioner this week was mayonnaise, 1/2 avocado, and about 3 table spoons of olive oil. So I did that and left it on for like 3 hours then just rinsed it.

I just had a very deep conversation with a new friend about race/racism/heritage/culture/what have you. I’m currently in Lima, Peru. My new friend is NOT Peruvian, she’s American. So what’s the big deal? Come on Alisa, isn’t that what you went to Peru for? To have these “deep” conversations and leave people feeling culturally richer?


The answer is YES. But I didn’t realize that so many questions what be asked of me by fellow Americans. This girl’s heritage is Italian and Polish but of course in the states she is only white. So why is this weighing so heavily on my mind? I didn’t anticipate that in coming here to learn more about this culture, I would also have to explore more of who I am as a young. Black/ African American. Woman.

It was an intense conversation about growing up and being one of few black kids. And how I’m trying to break racial stereotypes and show people that there’s more than 1 or 2 types of black people. But the question that really got to me was: “Do you ever get mad?”

What? This sincere question caught me completely off guard. I didn’t even fully understand the question. Mad at racial stereotyping? Mad that people make assumptions about who I am based off of the color of my skin? Mad that racism still exists and so many [young] people are in denial? Mad that I’m black?

So I answered as honestly as I could. I said yes. But what does that change? I explained to her that while I’ve encountered racism first hand I try not to let it hold me back. I don’t think that every white person is judging me or treating me a certain way because I’m black. I know I’m black. Always have been and always will be. I guess the point of my ramblings is that every morning I look in the mirror and I’m black. (Obvious) But…

Well I guess I don’t really have a specific point. It’s just that with this conversation today and a class discussion yesterday about race/racism among Peruvians, I’ve started trying to gain some kind of perspective. I know my perspective is from the African American viewpoint, but it’s been a while since I really sat down and forced myself to consider what that means and confront…I guess the stereotypes that seem to be so determined to follow me everywhere I go.

I think I just have alot to think about...

So I've made a slight mistake. I've been waiting all week to upload some pictures from my camera of my hair in various states...but I forgot and deleted all the pics off of my camera today. Boo on that. :/

The pictures were just of my twists but there were also a few of my wet hair. I've mainly been wearing the twists so I haven't taken pictures of my hair just out. And those are the pics I deleted. And I'm stretching the twists for 2 weeks so I won't be taking more until next week sometime.

I still don't really like the twists. They're oh so convenient though. I add oil to the ends about once a week and try to oil my scalp. I'm really bad about not oiling my scalp. I'm going to try to get some jojoba oil on after this...At night I tie it down with a  scarf and redo the front flat twists every few days. And that's it. Even though they're so easy, I'm getting bored. I'm really determined to master flat twists so that I can do awesome twist outs. But I'm trying to wear the twists until when did I say? I think October. So I still have a few weeks.

So Genevive is growing! I know this isn't  really news but I just had what we'll call an epiphany. Yesterday I was doing my little routine: shampoo, co-wash, deep condition, ACV rinse, and I felt like it took so long. Genevive is genuinely THICK. Like I rinsed with the detachable shower head and still had beaucoup conditioner just sitting there. I tried to retwist and do you know it took me 3 hours yesterday and 2 today?!



I keep thinking that I'm not going to know what to do in another inch-probably by December. It's been 7 months and I think it's finally time to develop some sort of system for detangling and separating my hair. I'm thinking of going in search of a wide toothed comb...



*Pics coming soon!*


*EDIT: My hair is a little longer than my middle finger in most places. And this is the length of the twists. I really try not to do official length tests but I bumped into a ruler with inches today so...my finger is almost 4 inches meaning my hair is a little over that. Meaning my hair is growing at a normal rate! I was really nervous for a while there that maybe my hair wasn't really growing. This means that 1/2" per month is about accurate. Yay Genevive! I'm going to try to avoid rulers again until my one year mark in February. I hope I can make it!

So Genevive has been twisted for going on 2 weeks in a row. I'm so proud of myself. I really don't like twists but since they look ok and I have no one to impress, they serve their purpose. I'm really trying to push myself to protective style atleast until my birthday (October 10th). So far so good.

These pics are all from last weekend (after the twist out). I went to Cusco and Macchu Picchu!

Well that's all for now...I'm working on some posts with more...substance...stay tuned!