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.

Food Court - Auzonville Shopping Centre, Tunapuna

The new Auzonville Shopping Centre has a small food court on the ground floor. I have only tried the first place on the right (southwest corner of the food area) where you can buy East Indian food aka roti or paratha (buss-up shut), as well as other local dishes such as macaroni pie, rice, stewed chicken etc. I have never tried anything but the paratha which I must say is not of consistent quality but is of good enough quality for me to recommend, because I have had worse. The sauces are usually decent, some very good, especially the massala mango, which I always have. You are allowed two sides with your paratha, but they almost always offer potato and channa, so if you don't want a particular side, feel free to say so before they start dishing out your order. I usually have channa, pumpkin and mango ($1 for the extra side). The best thing about this place is they really do cook WITHOUT pepper and that to me is a big plus. I do not eat pepper but most places that serve paratha which I love, usually serve the sides with pepper and they always say it's just for flavour or "you won't notice/taste it", but I can always taste it! So this place gets top points for recognising that pepper is not a staple but a condiment and for leaving it where it belongs; on the side, as an option, and not compelling poor unsuspecting people to eat what their body cannot tolerate. That being said, I don't think their pepper sauce is the best because it made my friend ill, but I still will recommend the place,...maybe you could just avoid the pepper sauce. Who needs it anyway?
The mall has a Chinese restaurant on the top floor which I have not yet tried. There's an interesting soup place on the north west corner of the ground floor, which I have not tried either. Someone I know did purchase soup there, though and seemed to enjoy it.