Ok so I know I've stated that I'm not going to worry about products or try too many while I'm here..but I don't think I brought enough! I brought a few bottles of conditioner, a few oils, and my Oyin products. I'm now realizing that that won't be enough because a) my hair is going to get longer and need more product and b) I can't find/afford most of what I thought I'd be able to find here. I honestly thought that because it's Europe, I would be able to find more products and ingredients. What I'm finding is that everything is outrageously overpriced. I'm trying to develop a regimen and as my hair grows I realize that I can't just put any little thing in my hair. I brought a regular sized bottle of Suave Professionals and used it today after using some "organic" product I bought at Marshalls. I realized that I've been missing the slip of Suave. But now I have to ration it because I can't find it here...In Peru I saw V05 and other products that atleast seemed like maybe they'd work. Here I've seen Garnier Fructis and even Herbal Essences. But they're completely overpriced. A regular sized bottle of Herbal Essences is 2.79 euro that's 3.79 USD. That might not seem that bad but I don't want to pay that much for a rinse out conditioner...

My PJ wish list is:

• Tangle Teaser. Everyone and their mother has one! I just want to try it...
• A good conditioner. Suave or Aussie Moist or even Herbal Essences..something.
• A leave in. Kinky Curly Knot Today or Giovanni.
• More Oyin! I have enough of the Burnt Sugar Pomade but I'd really love more Shine and Define or Whipped Pudding. And everything else they have...
• Oils. Jojoba, coconut, avacado...all of them.
• A DC. I know I can use oils and whatever else. But I'd also like to just have something good and already mixed to save a little time everynow and then.

I could go on and on. Really...I think I'm just craving what I can't have right now. I wonder how expensive it would be if my mom sent me a care package...

  More after the jump!

So remember that review on Yes to Tomatoes I did not too long ago?

Turns out that I quite possibly spoke too soon. I don't believe it either. Buuuut. The last few times I've used it I was just less than thrilled with the results. When I got home (to the states) I went on a hunt for more Yes to Anything and found 2 more bottles at Ross. There were more than that but I didn't want to over do it. But as I continued using the bottle that I already had, things seemed to go south.

• First, I just didn't feel the same slip and detangling capabilities that I felt when I first started using it. Like I felt like I had to use alot more and it wasn't all buttery and soft like it had been.
• Then I tried using it as a deep conditioner so I added honey and extra oil. Results: wayyy less than stellar. Seriously. It felt great going on but once I rinsed I couldn't feel a difference. It was really disappointing and not moisturized at all. Maybe I put too much honey in but I don't have time or money to keep re-mixing.
• I also tried it as a leave-in. Genevive soaked it up and my twists weren't that shiny. On top of that, the twist out was dull and not shiny or defined on day 1.

So I thought about it and tried to figure out why everything went down hill when I thought that I had finally found atleast one staple product....I think that the results could have something to do with the organic-ness of the product. I know that we all want organic, inexpensive products. But one think I notice is that there's an expiration date clearly marked on the back of the bottle. My bottle has an expiration date of 1/11/11...meaning it expires next week. This could have something to do with the effectiveness of the product. Also, I opened it a few months ago, in November I think. So maybe on top of the exp date, the product being open and sitting around helped it deteriorate.

I don't really know what I'm talking about here. Just hypothesizing. But I retried the left over Suave Almond and Shea Butter that I have and it works great! Like I was actually really impressed. It helps with detangling and works well with other products. I'm not completely giving up on the Yes to Line because I really think it could work for me. But I won't be retryig it until I have the resources (money and time) when I come back to the states in June. So for now I think I might just end up either getting Herbal Essences or Suave.

P.S. I took the other 2 bottles back and got a nice pair of comfy leggings :)

...More to come!

Ok. So with less three weeks left here in Peru, I've decided to get a list together to start reigning in my PJism.  SN: Can I just say that time has gone by soooo quickly?!

I know that when I get home I'm going to go crazy with trying new products even though I've been fine being a minimalist the last 6 months. But  I also know there are alot of products that I really want to try so I might as well try to control it...especially since I don't really have much spending money.

Products that I KNOW I'm buying:

• Coconut oil -tried it the first few months and I think I used too much so I wrote it off too soon
• HENNA- very curious. And I think it's rather inexpensive.
• Shea butter- heard nothing but good things. And I want to make butters and what not.
• Avacado oil- Genevive loves it. I just didn't have time to buy anymore before I left.
• Castor oil- again I've heard alot about this from people with hair similar to mine.
• essential oils- lavendar, orange, lemongrass, etc. I need some hair perfume! 

Products that I'd like to buy/try:

• Different conditioners for co-washing. I want to revisit Herbal Essences and try Aussie Moist...and maybe one more. I think I'll be buying travel sizes.
• Sulfate free shampoo. I mostly use ACV but sometimes I like to shampoo and I'm not taking back the 2 tablespoons of Carol's Daughter that I have left. Plus it's not sulfate free.
• Oyin Handmade, Aubrey Organics, Shea Moisture etc. 

That's all for now but I'll definitely be adding to the list. I also kind of want to actually try poducts like Oyin, Aubrey Organics and other lines that people are raving about...but I don't know if my (non existant) income can support that right now.

A few months ago when I was packing I thought I was packing the minimal amount. A few bottles of conditioner, a little oil, some other products: the basics. I was wrong. With about 7 weeks left I'm realizing that I have entirely too many products! I never thought I would say this! But I think it's because I've been protective styling. So I don't use as much conditioner and oil daily.