Essentially Me...

   Hiya!  Thank you for stopping by!

    UPDATE 2007: Wow! I can't believe I am able to log into this site and actually update stuff. While viewing the pictures and entries have brought back memories, I must say - I am no longer 28 and I am on other passionate endeavors since said time. Yes, still organic hair care, but...more humanitarian perspective. When you have a moment, please visit: A Book of Miracles and consider making a purchase to help others as you help yourself. Just like this site, A Book of Miracles is one more tool to help yourself and at the same time help others find their way.And now...back to your selected programing....THANK YOU for stopping by.

My name is Susana and I have a weakness for herbs and Essential oils.  Obviously this weakness has brought me to this -- a research paper, a web page, and an endless collection of books and articles on the topic.  All this information becomes hard to organize and maintain, therefore this page is sure to assist.

  Without further delay... I am 28 years old and from the Dominican Republic.  I've lived in the U.S. for a little over 13 years and in the process have become somewhat Americanized but not enough to forget traditions.

   In the last few years I've put quite an emphasis on my health and appearance and the first thing that needed help was my hair.  In the process of becoming Americanized I became lazy and started using items which were never really intended for my hair and in my opinion, they shouldn't be used by anyone .  I call them the "Burn Baby, BURN" items.  You know the ones:  curling irons, blow dryers, hot combs, and hair pressers.  It was not long after using these "style fast" items that I found myself asking -- "Where has my hair gone?" 

     In the Fall of 96 I became engaged and I vouched to do something about my hair. I was not going to wear a weave, nor extensions, nor anything that was not going to look like me 10 years later. So began the quest.  The quest to feed my hair and regardless of the length, I was going to make it shine, bounce, look healthy and beautiful.

The first step was a hair cut.  My mother did this for me.  She had been my personal beautician back when I was a teen. She reminded me of my days back home  (because you know when you move out you forget EVERYTHING that your mom tells you).  She said "Your hair is dry, feed it with oils."

During this "enlightening period"  I was living in an arid state and so that meant I needed a new way to moisturize and maintain my hair.  I started with the basics and built a regiment I follow to date.  I have two levels because I started out with hair that was hella out of shape and in need of IMMEDIATE help.  I also sought the help of a book called "How To Grow Hair in 12 Weeks" by a lady named Riquette.  I was curious on how to feed my scalp and my hair and not just make it look nice. Often we forget that stylists are hired for this purpose -- to make our hair look nice ...not make it healthy. The healthy part is up to the individual.

   The picture above (with the deer) is after my mom cut my hair and while doing the Riquette system of caring.  If you can tell, there is a shine, this was not with grease, additional oils, or anything.  This is what I was aiming for. Totally natural shine and health.  This shine was accomplished with my hair being relaxed. As you know, relaxers drain the hair and weaken its physical state. 

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