Wen Story - the first chapter

Overview: My Wen packages finally arrived...I waited so long to pick them up from my free sky box that package #2 was there already. I've used it at least three times so far, the first time I did not use the intensive repair treatment, neither the most recent time. I have to say that they don't explain upfront how much time they recommend you leave in the intensive repair treatment for max effect, it can be as much as overnight. And if you have hair that needs that kind of treatment, then this could get very long-winded! I have yet to leave the treatment in for as long as overnight. Am a bit concerned about keeping my hair wet for that long a period too.

Usage guidelines: I use 15 pumps and it's enough to give my hair a slight feeling of a lather, though it's not like a real lather. I comb through but wish I didn't have to because then I have to look at how much hair I have combed out, hopefully that will decrease with time.

After effects
The good: So far I can see a slight difference in the way my hair behaves after being treated with Wen vs using shampoo, the ends tend to have a bit of curl on their own, which never would happen ordinarily. I have recently relaxed my hair so it generally is behaving well, we'll have a better idea on the impact of Wen, when my roots have grown out a bit. I have to say it works better than another Sulphate-free shampoo I have tried, cannot remember the brand name-which is just as well, I do not want to get sued! What I do remember is that the product did not clean my hair properly - or make it feel as nice as it does with Wen. My hair looks nice, behaves decently even though I have not flat-ironed or tried curling it much. This is a big plus for me and I like the idea of sulphate-free cleansing. It's also a fairly easy protocol to follow, once you get used to it: Just apply the product to scalp, massage scalp - with a bit of water to help with lathering, comb through, leave in for 3-5 minutes. In all the process should take less than 10 minutes, unless you are planning on doing the conditioning treatment as well.

The bad: I have noticed that within two days, my hair gets itchy just as it used to with shampoo, so Wen has yet to correct that problem for me. With something as mild as Wen, perhaps, I can try using it every two days and it will not hurt or do any damage my hair the way shampoo might, though it may hurt my pocket! A note on the contents of the Wen package, the small bottle and the tube of Sweet Almond mint styling creme (such a lovely name but....), but you can see them in the photo above (West and South) - the listing of ingredients in these make me want to send them back because they do not conform to what I believe is the Wen "credo" of natural ingredients. Will post the ingredient list soon so you can judge for yourself. Consequently I have not used those two particular products.

The photo-op: Sorry, no pics of my hair yet, have not had the time, but will try to get some taken soon.

The Cinema 8 Experience

When you think it cannot get any worse, it surely does...right? Cinema 8 is not a favourite place but they tend to run the movies I want to see so I go there, and try to make it on the Tuesday (the 'discount day'), because why should I pay more when I can pay less? Nevertheless, I do not go often, so this minimises the impact of any negativity I inevitably experience.

The last time we were there, we were rudely told we have to come back at [the time stated on the ticket] when we attempted to enter about 20min before the ads/previews aka the printed "start time" of the movie. Now I don't mind waiting outside, but I do mind being informed of that in a manner that leaves much to be desired. I'm guessing the csrs have been trained, but perhaps they need a refresher....or some motivation, because they clearly are incapable of delivering the simplest information with an ounce of courtesy. It's not what you say, it's how you say it, right?

An LOL button!

On Facebook and now almost everywhere on the web, there's the ubiquitous "like" button...cool right...? But what if you just want to laugh out loud at the ridiculous price or something....?
Check this out...it's a $500 used book being sold on Amazon.com by one of their marketplace sellers but "fulfilled by Amazon." It's not even a textbook or adult fiction, it's an Enid Blyton paperback.
http://www.amazon.com/Five-Treasure-Island-Famous/dp/0340796146 (Opens in a new window)
For real? Bring on the LOL button, please!

A Wen girl?

Am I going to be a Wen girl? I finally gave in and ordered the Wen Hair Care solution thing, after they dangled it in front of me through Alyssa Milano and that infomercial that keeps coming back... coincidence that I had been watching Charmed again after not seeing it for a very long while? You tell me!
 It was right after I had just got my hair "did" and was pondering at the back of my mind what I would do about my perennially dry hair. The hair dresser who did my hair - I must say, she made it a very painless experience - claims I will need a "treatment" every two weeks until I see an improvement....so there could be a "confounding factor" in my not-so-scientific experiment at being a Wen girl....IF I decide to follow the hair dresser's recommendation, and use Wen at the same time. What to do?  

Well, the Wen is on its way - the words "Your order has shipped" gets a tingly reaction! Through Skybox, it should be here in a week just around the time when I am supposed to have that treatment, so I have not much time to make a decision. The innate scientist in me wants to avoid confounding factors...my stats teacher would be proud...except that as I am the only "block" being treated, I really have no choice. Plus, if I pay all that money for Wen, I should at least know if it is capable of working on its own or not.

I do not know whether or not this promises to be a riveting story, but I am determined to follow it to the (hopefully not so bitter) end. Stay tuned. :)

Tile Tale

Not a tall tale, by any means, this is a recap of my recent visits to several tile stores in Trinidad, on the hunt for some tiles to make recommendations to contractors working on our labs. Some things stood out.

1. Only one store offered the sample tile for free and the same one also said it doesn't matter if the tile got chipped, he would still buy back the sample. (Kudos to Interior Harmony.)
2. Other stores said they would re-purchase the sample once it was not damaged. (However did not offer to wrap the sample as a precaution.)
3. Porcelain tiles range greatly from as low as 44 to as high as 109 TTD for some very similar looking tiles....
4. All stores who were asked for directions failed to give the simplest possible directions and in some cases, we got wrong directions: some people don't know north from south or right from left!

To those interested in improving customer relations by giving proper directions for customers to find your stores, I recommend the following. Prepare a set of simple and easy to read directions to your location and place them next to the telephone so that whoever answers calls will have this information at hand for callers.
Also, if you have a web presence, plug it. You never know if the caller does not know about the website. Be sure the directions are also posted on the website. Until we get GPS that works on "everyman's" phone, and until every business in Trinidad and Tobago is mapped on Google, this is your next best strategy for making sure customers do not waste time in getting to you.

Tips for writing good directions

• Use North, South (i.e. the cardinal points) instead of left and right.
• Use landmarks that are not likely to be destroyed in the near future to reassure customers they are on the right route.
• Be sure to test and double-check your directions for clarity and accuracy by driving the route yourself or having someone test for you.
• Give directions from all the major highways/roadways your customers may use.
• Include a map, if possible, on your website.

(Source for tips: http://entertaining.about.com/cs/invitations/a/drivedirections.htm)