REVIEW: ProfilePRO Customized Hair Care

For 40% off a trial size at ProfilePRO use code: DT40OFF

I've never been fussy over shampoo or conditioner. I don't have a go-to brand or type of product that I use on a daily basis. I've used everything - drug store brands like Tresemme and Herbal Essence to more expensive products like Bumble and Bumble, Paul Mitchell, and Wen. I've never stuck with one brand too long and I've never been against trying new brands. So when ProfliePRO asked me to try out their customizable products, I was happy to do so!

The Product:

Basically, ProfliePRO customizes and formulates it's products for your specific hair type based on a questionnaire you fill out prior to placing an order.

You answer these questions, customize the name of your own shampoo and conditioner, and then check out. Easy-peasy!

They've put in the work and done their homework. They've analyzed different profile results and tested them on the various hair types to make sure each custom profile works! Their products are made in a manufacturing facility for cosmetics and hair products in Italy. The products are sulfate free for a gentle clean.

The Review:

My initial thought when I read about this product was awesome. Most shampoos and conditioners I've used only consider one (maybe two) characteristics of hair (re: for blondes, thickening, or smoothing). So to come across a product that's formulated for my type, texture, behavior, and scalp - all in one - was pretty impressive and definitely got me interested.

So I customized my products. My hair is wavy, frizzy, and thick. It's colored. And my scalp is between normal and dry. I chose the Jasmine scent. And done. It was being made in Italy and soon would be at my door.

First off, the signature Jasmine scent is ahhhh-stinkin'-mazin' y'all. For real. It's perfectly pleasant. Some beauty product scents are just too much. Over-bearing and sometimes even overcompensating for the product itself. I'm sure the other ProflinePRO scent options are just as great, but I totally recommend Jasmine.

It took me a couple weeks to really use the product and feel comfortable writing about it. I wash my hair 1-2 times a week, so I wanted to get in a few washes before forming any opinions. Because I don't wash my hair daily, it's important for me to have a shampoo that really cleans the scalp. I use dry shampoo daily and between that and just being out in the elements, I get a decent amount of buildup  around my roots after a few days. So shampoo is crucial for me. I don't care about the brand, it just needs to cleanse and restore my hair.

I had just a couple issues with the shampoo. Each time I washed my hair, I found myself having to use excess amounts to cover all of my hair. The website states that the shampoo does not lather due to it being sulfate-free. I've actually used a couple of non-lathering shampoos that have been great. The problem I had with the ProfliePRO was that it didn't really distribute. Once I put the shampoo in one area, it was almost impossible for me to move the product elsewhere. It felt like it just disappeared into my hair. I subsequently had to use more and more of the product to cover my entire head. I do have a lot of hair, but I just found it annoying that I had to go back to the bottle multiple times per wash.

In addition to that, as I mentioned, I need a product that washes away the buildup and grime; however, my scalp didn't feel as clean as I wanted it following a wash - which could have just been a result of having a difficult time moving the product around in my hair. So that was disappointing. In contrast to that, the shampoo is marketed as gentle and if you're someone who washes daily, it would probably be perfect for you. I need a deeper clean because of my washing schedule.

I think if you wash your hair every day or even every other day you need to try this customizable shampoo and conditioner. If you only wash a couple times a week, you may find it to be too gentle for a really good cleaning. Either way, I highly recommend everyone giving it a try!

***For 40% off a trial size at ProfilePRO use code: DT40OFF***

One Year Later: Finding Out We Were Having Twins

I mentioned in a previous post that in the upcoming weeks and months one year anniversaries will begin to pass by. Since the last year (or so) has been a blur, I’ll be using these one-year markers to remember those moments – joyful and painful. I just want to put into words the memories and feelings those days possessed in order to remember and to share. Since beginning our infertility journey, it’s been incredibly important to me to share these moments – good or bad – in hopes that it could possibly be a small light for those in similar situations seeking some level of comfort in uncomfortable situations. I’ll be the first to tell you, when I need information, I hit the World Wide Web. So I pray that these posts will reach women, men, or families that need it.

So here we are.

One year ago, on August 12, 2014.

Last year on this day Chris and I walked into our fertility clinic and were placed in a small room with an exam bed and an ultrasound machine. I found out I was pregnant two weeks prior via a blood test. My blood work suggested a successful pregnancy with numbers increasing appropriately. Today was the day we would finally (finally!) get to see the life inside of me.

In the past two weeks we had briefly discussed and guessed how many babies we could possibly be expecting. Ultrasounds prior to our IUI showed I had three mature eggs. So we knew it was possible that there could be three babies. Or there could be one. Or two. Or even six if all three released, fertilized, and multiplied (whoa!) - as multiples do run in my family.

But it didn’t matter. God was in control and how ever many were in there would be a blessing and a gift.

In the forefront of my mind, I felt like there was one. Deep in a tiny, quiet and calm part of my heart, I knew there would be two. I knew. God had been preparing me for two. I could not deny that and it was an indescribable deep-in-my-gut-feeling. But no matter what I felt or thought, the answer to our question of how many (a question only those who go through fertility treatment are thinking at the first ultrasound) was going to be answered in a matter of minutes.

I was sitting on the exam bed. Chris was holding my left hand and my right hand was keeping the paper sheet in place that covered my lower body. It didn’t take long and in walked our nurse practitioner and the sonographer.

It felt like a matter of seconds that I was lying on the exam table and anxiously looking at the ultrasound screen. Before I could even cock my head to look at the screen straight on, before I could even make sense of the black and gray images constantly changing shape, before I could even take a deep breath in preparation for the news I was about to hear, I heard the words, “So how do y’all feel about two?”

“What? There are two? Twins?”

“Yes, there are two. You’re having twins! Congratulations!”

It was like confetti was flying across the room and a loud applause began. I wanted to shout in excitement! Scream! Cry! Jump! Do cartwheels! It was the #BestNewsEver

We squeezed each other’s hands. We exchanged a look that I won’t even attempt to describe. Chris leaned down to give me a kiss. I had faint tears in my eyes for the pure joy of the entire situation. I was really pregnant. It was no longer an hCG number or a double line. I saw my baby. I could see BOTH of my babies. I’d finally reached a point in my life that I had desired so badly. I was pregnant. Really pregnant. And there was proof on the screen. Nine beautiful months lied ahead. Life could not get better.

The NP went on to show us baby A and baby B in detail. I was five weeks and two days along. Baby B already had a heartbeat and we got to stare and gawk at the most beautiful and miraculous flicker. Baby A did not have a heart beat yet, but our NP assured us that the baby implanted after baby B and she was confident that A would have a heart beat next week. We trusted her. And sure enough, the following week both babies had strong heart beats in the 140’s.

We spent the rest of that day basking in the fact that we were expecting twins in the Spring of 2015. That our lives would inevitably be flipped upside down in a matter of nine months – but in the best way imaginable. Life was unfolding into something amazing and it was just getting started. We called our parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents, and close friends.

That night we went to bed with smiles on our faces – we were glowing from the day’s joyous news.  Praising God for the two lives growing inside of me. Hands down, the best day of our lives.