My Hair Had Triple The Damage- Now It's Triple Repaired, My Secret

Momma Told Me: I think the bleach has gone to your brain.

Have you noticed my new haircut? Some of you may recall me saying, adamantly, how I have not cut my hair in length since becoming an adult. I've told the story of the 'bowl cut' incident several times here on Momma Told Me; the event which set the tone for my hair styles over the next 15 years. So, it goes without saying, the Trimpocalypse of 2014 was not intentional. In fact, it was much more of a breaking of hair than a manual trimming. In just an hour, with a friend I still wholly trust to color my hair, we both had missed a crucial timing point that turned a lightening into a 'thinning.' She has just found out, quite surprisingly, that she was pregnant 11 years since her first child, and I was not being as studious as I should have about the treatment time. We have almost all been there. Even professional screw up, and even you, with ordinary cleansing and styling can put excess stress and damage on your hair.

As soon as I realized the timing was running too long I run to the shower to rinse the frothy bleach off the tips of my hair, but all hope was lost. Almost a foot of my prized locks were damaged so bad they only curled up in knots against each-other. There were tears shed, then I picked up the scissors, put on a brave face, and watched as I lost 7" of hair. At the time, I was unwilling to loose all of the lightened hair, so I left 2" of blonde to try and build up with treatments of color. The first week was dubious; I'd lose dozens of strands in my hand washing and draining the water from my hair, even gently. When the hair would dry it would kink on the ends and tangle.

Many of my readers see me discuss a product and assume I am under an obligation to do so. I receive many items to try for free, yes, but many of them I am only compelled to provide the company with direct feedback and share consumer reviews and social media shares. What makes it to my blog is only the best of the best. Make no mistake, I am telling you about Neutrogena's new Triple Repair (3 part) System because I have been blown away by my hands on experiences.

Intended to mend split ends, strengthen brittle hair, and prevent damage such as breakage, the Triple Repair system consists of a fortifying Shampoo and Conditioner paired with a Leave-In Treatment. All three products have a very light fragrance that is salon inspired and natural. The Leave-In Treatment is lightweight and easy to apply and does not interfere with styling or leave hair 'gunky.' In fact, it protects hair during styling practices that reach temperatures up to 400F!

Neutrogena claims that their Triple Repair Shampoo and Conditioner repair up to 97% of split ends within just one use of using the products together. That advertising claim is a bit hard to believe, and not something I can speak to as I had to trim my hair after the lightening fiasco. However, I noticed an immediate difference in the texture of my damaged hair (tips) within 3 days, and an immediate increase in volume and vibrancy on the remaining 'healthier' hair in just 1 use. Within a week of using all three products together I stopped seeing hair loss in my palm, pillow and towel all-together.

I can't speak to the studies and claims but I can tell you, without a doubt, I would recommend this system to anyone with moderate to severely damaged hair, from chemical or heat treatment. I have been thoroughly impressed with the transformation of my hair's volume, manageability, and strength and intend to continue using the system once my initial product has run out.

What Daughter Says: Don't let damaged hair defeat you, if my hair can come back, so can yours!

Turtle Brownie Cookies Now Served In A Grocery Bakery Near You!

Momma Told Me: Have some cookie with your ice cream.

Fresh baked goods hit the spot all year-round, but few things satisfy like a warm cookie and a cold glass of milk; or Cookies 'N Cream, or Cookies and Ice Cream. In our house all three are a big late night indulgent for the other half. Somewhere between an hour to two after the last fork had been set on a plate, just as dinner has settled, a craving kicks in for something indulgent and sweet. And, since we only enjoy 'dessert' on Mondays and Fridays, per our 2013 instated health goals, the more sinfully indulgent, the better. So, when Kroger asked me, as a BzzAgent, if I wanted to try yet another Private Selection product, I was ecstatic to learn said product was a range of gourmet cookies.

Unfortunately, there was some initial disappointment when I hit the bakery department and saw only two of the four varieties were available, neither of them allergen friendly; White Chocolate Coconut Almond and Turtle Brownie. At just around $5 a box for 6 cookies, these were certainly priced at gourmet, and the most expensive snack per weight or pieces in the boxed fresh baked department. It appears these gourmet Private Selection cookies are also likely baked in house and packaged regularly, as many of the Turtle Brownie cookies had ribbons of bubbled over caramel that had oozed out, and were not very picturesque in shape. Filled with gooey caramel and pecans, and the stronger of the two options for ice cream sandwiches, we picked up two boxes (yes, I bought a second box) and headed home to enjoy an afternoon treat.

To be honest, we'd expected more of a n aroma when we lifted that Private Selection box, and certainly for the cookies to be softer; like a Pepperidge Farm treat. Unfortunately, perhaps due to the caramel, these were quite stiff, though not crumbly. I popped a Turtle Brownie Cookie in the microwave for 15 seconds on High and we were soon back in business. Not only was there now a wonderful aroma wafting through my home, but the softened cookie was just as enticing as if it had been pulled right from the baking rack at the store. The texture was chewy, like a brownie, and worked splendidly with the chunks of pecans for extra texture. A few times I even experienced some caramel running down my face.

Since these particular Private Selection cookies were a bit stiff, they didn't work too well as ice cream sandwiches, like I'd planned. The cookies hardened even more with the chilly ice cream between them, and the caramel acted as a glue to keep the cookie from snapping beneath a bite. The sandwiches were soon deconstructed for cookie sundaes. Sabrina especially liked that these store bought cookies looked 'home made,' though, as a consumer, I rather found this slightly less premium for the price. Private Selection has two other varieties I'm trying to hunt down; White Chocolate Macadamia and Ultimate Chocolate Chunk. In all, the cookies hit the spot, but the price point was a little too high for something being prepared by employees with varying quality control. I'd be happy to indulge in box for around $3.75-$4.

What Daughter Says: Eat the cookie and the ice cream, just be careful of the texture when you put them together! (Especially if there's caramel involved!)