A couple of days ago I got an alert on my phone announcing Jessica Alba,  main mogul CEO of The Honest Company, has gone into battle to capture market share from cosmetics giants like Unilever, Proctor Gamble and of course everyone's business nemesis, cosmetics behemoth, L'Oréal. What's the arena? Well if it's here on Olivia's it's hair of course!

In an interview with NY Magazine, Ms. Alba gave us insights into her thoughts behind  the move into hair care. Alba said hair care was a natural progression for Honest,  but the expansion  was also born out of a very real, very scary personal experience with hair products.

"I was inspired to create it because I had a pretty severe allergic reaction to a couple of hair-care and styling products that everyone uses. I had to be taken to the emergency room on Father’s Day and go on antibiotics. It ruined Father’s Day and my vision was impaired for almost a week. I thought, This was crazy!

I always was a little allergic to these hair products, [which caused] sneezing and watering eyes. But I never had swollen, infected corneas. I gave it to the doctor and he pointed to a bunch of different ingredients that could be the culprit, including a synthetic fragrance."

Ummm.... what did she say? I was astounded by this severe reaction to a hair care products "everyone uses" language! I stopped my leisurely read, and ran my eyes  rapidly from that proclamation to the bottom of the article in hopes that the woman, she, her, Alba - would put the offending products on BLAST! But nothing...I guess she didn't feel like a law suit...or a twitter fight.

But to me, those there were fighting words! I want to know what she used and see if this type of reaction was experienced by anyone else?

With continuing and horrific news reports surrounding Wen hair products, I'm more convicted than ever that WE have to share bad hair experiences as well as good, and vet products out of our cupboards. Before anyone raises their excuse me finger and points to the fact that Alba had an individual allergic reaction that could be uniquely linked to a myriad of things personal to her alone -  let's think this through. How many times have you used a product or gone through a process that burns, itches, tingles (and its not from a tea tree oil infusion)?
​
​In the black hair community, this itching, tingling and burning is associated with getting a relaxer (a perm that makes one's hair straight).  This craziness is endured, every 6-8 weeks or so. Hair color can have the same delightful sensations and for some, even shampoos'.

We suffer through all this, in the name of beauty with those around us saying, "Oh girl.. that just means its working..."

NO!

 ​Back to Honest.

Honest Hair Care is a sub-brand under Honest Beauty which Alba says is  distinguished as separate from the Honest Company.  Honest Hair Care has three different ranges Hydrate, Restore and Style.  Honest Hair Care is  marketed as a prestige brand  at a price point of around  USD$20 - USD$30 per product and is warranted as being of the same organic quality as the rest of the Honest Company product offerings.

​I'm anxious to get my fingers on these heralded products! Ms. Alba will be a speaker at Forbes 30 under 30 Summit, 2016 in Boston October 16 - 19 and I look forward to hearing what she has to say about the expansion of her company as she mentors the young up and coming in attendance.

​If and when you get your hands on Honest Hair Care let me know how it works for you via the comment box below. I'll make sure to get a few bottles across the ranges on my next visit to the U.S. in September!

In the meantime without trying any of the products I must take my hat off to Alba! Good move!
​
​oxox,

​          Olivia

Olivia's is pleased to announce a product giveaway!

Ouidad has long been a personal favorite of mine! Ouidad is one of the premier luxury brands specifically geared toward curly hair in all its variations, from loosely wavy to the kinkiest of the curly!

​Oudiad's products are specifically formulated to address the needs of curly hair, which means that the products provide and assist with moisture and moisture retention keeping curly hair looking prime!

​The product pack, a value of USD $36.00 includes travel sized (1.7 oz. - 2.5 oz.) Playcurl Curl Amplifying line!

​Olivia's offers a product pack only for those registering to win on Instagram!

Rules to enter:
​1. Follow #ohairhooked (if you're not already)
​2. Like the register to win post
​3. Tag three friends in the comments section

One winner will be announced on August 31, 2016

​Hope you'll register to win!

oxox,
​         Olivia

Grooming is constant isn't it? I'm not an overly vain woman, but I feel like I am constantly plucking, waxing, shaving, brushing and bathing  trying to get myself together.

When I was in school, usually during finals and into summer I would, for a month, (ahem...or two) let myself revert back to a state of nature -  I was clean of course! Showering, which in those years meant a full concert performance of Mariah Carey's greatest hits was compulsory. As you can imagine that took a bit of time and so... when  I was making a little bit of money at my very first post college job, my parents presented me with brand new responsibility! ...Payment of the monthly water bill - grimace! Let's just say my creative, octave pushing interpretations of Mariah's vocal catalog were cut to two songs with the water OFF while soaping up.  

During this period of rest/regression  my eyebrows which happen to be thick with a tendency to unruliness would practically grow together and out in every direction so that by the end of the trial I was  very nearly able to brush them up my forehead into a deceptive faux bang.

After these long periods of groomless rest and introspection, during which I descended into serious doubts about  my appeal  as a female homo sapien,  I would gather my coins, beg a 10 or 20 from the parents to contribute to the, "rescue the unfortunate girl living in the third bedroom on the right fund" and head for "my team" of much put upon esthetician and hairdresser who after the long absence would cluck, stare and well... after hours...make a way out of no way.

As the years have gone by and I continue with my shortened "rest" periods I have found that it has done me enormous good to keep the hair care routine to a minimum for at least a month. Over the years I've noticed that my hair shows a lot less wear and tear as a result of over styling and my brows remain thick and full because I haven't violently attacked them one time too many which can happen to us all - but sometimes sadly they just doesn't grow back.

So I want to ask you as we draw close to the end of the summer; Is it time to rest for a change? Would you ever give yourself a month even two weeks sans plucking, fussing, shaving, and carrying on? I always like to think of it as my armagedon, desert island challenge. If I were trapped on a desert island with no cosmetics to save me. Would I still be "okay"? Candidly -  the answer is most definitely no. As I mentioned earlier I like to bathe in fresh water with soap and then rigorously moisturize from top to toe after. I am highly allergic to ashiness  -  just saying!

I am not advocating that you stop washing your hair!!! That will cause other problems. Instead engage in life au  natural and examine the benefits of  follicle rejuvenation by putting a pause on the coloring, bleaching, plucking and waxing.

My rest for a change suggested regime includes the following:

1.  Dry brushing legs and arms - a good exfoliating regime is healthy for your skin as it sloughs off the dead cells that can build up over time and make our legs and arms look lack luster. Instead of shaving and waxing try a two week trial of lightly (emphasis on lightly) dry brushing the skin on your arms and legs with a loofah or bath brush every third calendar day before your bath/shower. Moisturize your skin while damp with a natural oil followed by cream of choice afterwards and enjoy  supple skin! When you do get back to the shaving or waxing you'll notice a wonderful difference!

2. Scalp massage -  scalp massage is a wonderful way to rejuvenate the hair follicles, relax after a long day or just treat yo self!  Hair color can be enhancing and provide coverage for unwanted grays but if you skip your usually scheduled coloring appointment once and instead give yourself  an upright or inverted  scalp massage for four minutes every night with a little tea tree oil until your next coloring appointment you'll give the scalp a truly pampered rest.

For a more rigorous massage pre-shower, wet your hair and give your scalp and follicles a massage with a hair and scalp salt scrub like the Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt by Christophe Robin . According to dermatologist Francesca Fusco, M.D., this will restore damaged follicles and help maintain their health by keeping the blood flowing actively through your scalp. Use your fingertips to gently massage the scrub into your hair for a few minutes, and then rinse it out.

3. Take a vacation from heat styling - I know its hard but put down the blow dryer, curling iron, flat iron and ALL their cousins for a minimum of two weeks! Heat breaks are so necessary (notice I DID NOT say wash break! Please do not show up anywhere looking greasy or dry or gross and say I told you to do so in the name of an au natural hair rest!)  However, Do let your hair air dry!  Too much heat styling can weaken your hair and follicles and may lead to breakage.

A heat styling break is the hardest part of the "rest" but can yield the greatest long term results especially for those with ultra fine hair.

Do you do a rest every now and again? Perhaps you have your own rest tips you'd like to share. Thoughts and comments are welcome below!

oxox,

        Olivia