Review: The Throwback
Treasure |
Review: The Throwback Treasure
By Felicia Mayers
Ah, the 24-hour drugstore - America's answer to the "need-it-now-quick-fast" dilemma. Out of baby formula at 3 AM? They've got it. Need a flashlight? They have that too. Have a sudden craving for a bean and cheese burrito? Why wouldn't they have that? But need a quick fix to tame naturally textured hair on a bad hair day? That's a bit of a tough one.
Probably one of the most perplexing things that a woman who wears a natural can do is stand in front of that itty-bitty section of the hair care aisle, grab exactly what she needs, and be on her way. Many of us are faced with very few options of products designed specifically to care for our hair. Unfortunately, I found this out during a "need-it-now-quick-fast" dilemma about 3 months ago.
There I was, staring blankly at the boxes, tubes, and jars of empty promises before me. I needed something that would work, now. I had no time for trial and error. I passed over the unavoidable relaxer kit section as the women on front of the boxes seemed to be calling me to come back, but this has been a 3-year journey that I just couldn't quit. I then stooped all the way to the bottom shelf to find 3 neglected bottles of SoftSheen Carson's Sta-Sof-Fro Hair & Scalp Conditioner. The familiar brown bottles with the familiar brown afros on the label sat there waiting. Do I dare? I grabbed it quickly, paid, and took it home, hoping for the best.
I took off my headscarf to reveal a sad, crunchy, lopsided afro. It was just plain pitiful. I raised the spray bottle above my head, closed my eyes and proceeded to douse. Chuckling to myself, I couldn't help but think of Eriq LaSalle playing "Darryl" in the movie Coming to America as he seemed to Soul-Glo his way through the film. However, the sweet smell made me remember the tender care my mother used as she catered to my tender head when I was little as she used the same product on my defiant hair.
Beginning to drip, I stopped spraying and began to detangle. Each flick of the pick was smooth and easy. I swore that each strand was singing, instead of screaming with each swoop of my hand. When I finished, I was amazed to see my hair looking so healthy and, dare I say, sexy! I finally stopped admiring my inner Pam Grier enough to get ready to go out with the girls.
Now, the familiar brown bottle with the familiar brown afros remains a staple in my hair care routine. Sadly, it still holds a place at the bottom shelf at my local drugstore, but sometimes the most rewarding of treasures lie below miles of other possibilities. You just have to know exactly what you want and be trusting enough to go after it.
Copyright Felicia Mayer 2005 all rights reserved. |
