Product Review - Pooka Pure & Simple Shea & Olive Hair Butter

Went to Whole Foods yesterday in search of one thing but stopped by the Health and Beauty section first. While browsing, I came across a brand by the name - Pooka Pure & Simple. I picked up the hair butter as it looked interesting and after reading the ingredients, being the product junkie I am, I tossed it in my cart.

Pooka Pure & Simple Shea & Olive Hair Butter:
 


From the website - This blend of Shea Butter & Olive oil moisturizes hair and scalp. Rosemary essential oil stimulates hair growth and Lavender essential to soothe the scalp.

Ingredients: Shea Butter, Olive Oil, Beeswax, Rosemary Oil, Lavendar Oil, Fragrance

The consistency is that of a hair cream. It emulsifies into an oil when you place in your hands before applying to your hair. A little goes a long way with this hair butter. It's not heavy however if you are heavy handed when it comes to applying product beware as I can see how this could potentially make your hair greasy. One thing that may be "off-putting" to some is the smell. The scent of this hair butter is Strong with a capital S for emphasis. But, with that being said the scent is quite pleasant (in my opinion). It smells sweet with a herbal twist which I am thinking comes from the Rosemary and Lavendar Oils. I personally love the scent and found that it doesn't linger long after you apply it to your hair.

I also like the fact that it contains beeswax which some may not like. The beeswax makes this product behave like a pomade in my hair - controlling the frizzies, smoothing down my edges and keeping little flyaway hairs in place.

Lastly, since the ingredients are all natural it doubles as a body butter.

Overall - a good product. Since a little goes a long way I will probably will not repurchase any time soon. I can see this jar lasting me for months and months.

Thanks! PJ3, AW

PS - for those who are curious, feel free to come by and sample the product.

INTERVIEW WITH SHARA

PJ-1:Why did you decide to ‘go natural’?
SHARA: I had been thinking about going natural probably since my early 20s. I wanted locs at first... But didn't have the guts to cut all my hair off. Years passed and the natural idea never left my mind. I really decided I would not perm my hair anymore when I saw a young lady in the salon get her hair pressed and she didn't have a perm (it looked so nice!). I think the more I matured, I became more conscious about being African American...hence I wanted to embrace all that came along with being of African decent, most distinctly...my real hair texture.

PJ-1How long have you been natural?
SHARA: My last perm was Nov. 2, 2007. I cut off all the remaining relaxer exactly a year later Nov. 7, 2008. A little over 2 yrs ago now.

PJ-1 What do you do when you’re having a bad hair day?
SHARA: If I can't wear a hat I try to make it neat, walk with confidence as if it's suppose to look like it does, and keep it moving

PJ-1:How often do you apply heat to your hair?
SHARA: I don't really keep track. Its whenever I'm in the mood to straighten it...is all based on my mood.

PJ-1:5. What hair styles do you get the most compliments on?
SHARA: Twists, twist outs, up-do's, and straight

PJ-1:What product are you really feeling right now?
SHARA: Kizzie's Stay-Put hair pomade by carol's daughter, evoo, evco, Trader Joe's tea tree tingle conditioner, shea butter (raw), eggs & mayonnaise as a conditioner, castor oil creme (jar with the pink top) by bronner bros, super gro by bronner bros, apple cider vinegar tonic for the scalp, miss jessie's curly buttercreme, and h2o (water)!

PJ-1....And she is an example of a true product junkie...I asked what PRODUCT is she really feeling right now and she gave a LIST! LOLOL

ME IN 2007

THE BIG CHOP NOV 7, 2008

ME TURNING 29

ME NOW...

News Anchor Goes 'Natural' & Ratings SOAR

A follower of the blog (Anika) sent in this post:

News Anchor Goes 'Natural' & Ratings SOAR

Nov 30 | by YBF

Going natural is the new trend for many African-American women. We've got the story of a Florida news anchor whose process lead to a ratings increase when you read on...


And yes, we're WELL aware the story came out over a week ago.  But we felt this is a positive story that can never get too much attention and we wanted to post it here as well.  Chill.

Rochelle Ritchie of WPTV-TV in West Palm Beach, Florida decided to let her hair go 'natural' and let viewers see the transformation. During the process, the ratings of Ritchie's show increased. When she first told the idea to the news director, a white man, he had no idea about the process. The news director said," I had no clue this was an issue. I never heard about it, and I had African American friends. I instantly bought into this story. I had not seen this story done. It brings up a safety concern." His only concern was that the viewing audience wouldn't care but the feedback proved positive.

Ritchie also posted her story on a website.

"Making the decision to go natural was not an easy one, especially being a black female reporter. After graduating Western Kentucky University in 2004, I accepted an editor position at a local TV station in my home of Lexington, KY. I had sent out tons of resume tapes hoping to one day be a reporter. But I didn’t get one interview with my relaxed shoulder length hair. One day an anchor, black female, told me I needed to get extensions if I wanted to land a job. I got extensions and made a new tape with my new look and I started getting calls immediately. From there the belief that I needed extensions in order to be hired set in. I spent more money on my hair than anything. In six years I spent $9600, my student loans are $9500, so that should give you an idea of where my priorities were.
“The story about going natural developed while I was having a conversation on the phone with a friend at work. My producer heard me saying, ‘I am going natural, I am tired of wigs, weaves and relaxers.’ She (producer) asked me what I meant by that and I showed her YouTube videos of black women who were on the journey of going natural. She was stunned and said, ‘Rochelle that would make a great story for sweeps.’ I pitched the idea and with her support as well as our female anchor they allowed me to do it. My news director’s response was great. His only concern was just keeping up with the process of my story and hair. My general manager is a great guy and totally supported me as well.
The fear of getting a new job with my new look does not scare me because I believe my work and passion for this business will shine through.
“I have had such an AMAZING response from the community. People of all genders and races have completely supported me with positive feedback. Of course if there were any negative emails my news director does not send those to me. But personally I haven’t gotten one email or Facebook comment that was negative. A matter of fact many of my white and Latino colleagues say I look more professional. I believe this as well. I feel I look more polished and sharp. I also feel like I think better without all that fake hair on my head! lol….
“For my ‘black female reporter hopefuls’ I say let your work show your ability to be a good, excuse me a great reporter. My story is a way for me to pave the way for black women’s hair to be acceptable not just in the professional world but on TV! I would say if you are natural. Keep it neat. And if you are worried about getting a job the fabulous thing is we can straighten our hair for the interview and go back to our beautiful curls when we leave.
“Do I have any regrets? Yes I do. I regret denying my natural beauty. I regret falling into the belief that I needed to look a certain way to get into this business instead of believing in my ability as a reporter. I regret allowing someone to cover me up. But no more! This is me, Rochelle Ritchie a natural, professional and happy television reporter. And I feel more confident now than ever before and look forward to climbing the ladder of success with all my kinky curls.”

Interesting story. And it says a lot that this many people were at least interested in hearing a real story about a YBF woman and her natural hair. Your thoughts?