Giveaway Glitch
Heavy sigh. OK, here goes. I love doing Afrobella giveaways, and I try to host them as often as I can. Most of the time, they go extremely well — I review a product I like and I think is worth your attention, end my post with an offer for you lovely bellas to win one of your own, comments flow in, I choose some at random, contact you, send info to the PR, you get a lovely free package in your mailbox shortly thereafter. It’s all good. But there have been some occasional disruptions in the giveaway procedure.
Sometimes I’ll hear from a winner months after the prizes have been sent out, who then says she never recieved her prize. Then I have to contact the PR to ask why, and it gets tricky from there on out. I’ve had some people up and disappear on me, or just shrug their shoulders and say they sent it and don’t know what happened. At that point, there’s nothing I can do except feel bad.
Being a beauty blogger who hosts regular giveaways involves a relationship of trust between myself and the product people, and also myself and you, the reader and giveaway contest enterer. If I don’t hear from you after you’ve gotten your item, I won’t know if you liked it, hated it, or never got it. Or got something you really, really weren’t supposed to. Let me tell you a funny, frustrating story with a super happy ending.
For my birthday, I hosted a Creme of Nature giveaway. Got lots of awesome birthday wishes, came back, chose winners, everyone’s happy, right? Then a month later, I heard from one of the winners. Roshanne. Thank you so much for writing, Roshanne!
She says in part:
“I am emailing to ask you about the contents of the giveaway… Ive gone completely natural and just yesterday i was fed up with my hair and thought about getting a relaxer and saying forget it…..
So today when i opened my box there was a relaxer kit in the box along with a bottle of shampoo..and conditioner….lol…I was like wow is this a sign….but seriously after this long and drawn out email were we suppose to get a relaxer in the giveaway i dont remember..”
OK. Imagine your reaction, if you were me — a beauty blogger with a website called AFRObella, entirely dedicated to preserving and loving natural hair. And a package containing a complimentary box of creamy crack is being sent out on your behalf. OMFG, as the Gossip Girl fans say. I was aghast. Horrified. I immediately wrote back to tell her, NO — this is SO NOT a sign, and I would never ever have asked the company to do that. “Stay strong, girl,” I told her. Sell that stuff on Ebay, or give it to a friend who uses relaxer, whatever you need to do.
Then I e mailed the PR, the lovely Angela, and asked her — did all TEN winners get this additional item in their giveaway package? It took her about a week to get back to me with the answer. Yes. OMFG.
And to think, I would never have known unless one of the winners actually wrote back to thank me and to ask — why the relaxer, Afrobella? Oh jeez.
I am pleased to report, after lots and lots of e mails back and forth, Angela set up a conference call for me, her, and Shawn Tollerson, the VP of Marketing for Creme of Nature. Shawn explained that it was just an oversight, they were trying to just give the readers even more of the products the company has to offer. As it turns out, some are afrobella-friendly, others aren’t. And they just wrapped up a big ol’ package and sent it out without catering to natural hair needs. Shawn was hilarious. She said, “I give you my humblest and most sincere apology. I myself am a natural woman, and my children are natural. When I found out what happened, I was like aaaaaaah! Patrice is gonna kill me!!” She made me laugh out loud. So we talked and talked, and figured out how we’re all going to make this giveaway glitch right.
First things first, the original winners are being sent a brand new Creme of Nature gift pack, which includes the products I like the most — soothing shampoo for dry hair and flaky scalp. the lemongrass and rosemary leave in creme conditioner, and my favorite of all, the red clover and aloe daily breakage relief.
And secondly, for 25 more of you lucky Afrobella readers, we’re offering another chance at a Creme of Nature giveaway. All you need to do is write a comment below that begins by saying, “Pick me, Bella!” And tell me what Afrobella giveaway you’d like to see in the future! As you can tell, I’m trying my best behind the scenes to get you all some of my favorite beauty products out there.
** edited at 6:37 p.m. — I’ll close these comments on Tuesday and pick winners next week!
Happy Friday!
** edited again Tuesday morning, at 8:05 — 155 comments! Whew. I’ve now officially closed entries for this giveaway. You’ve given me a whole lot to read, bellas! Thank you! My goal is to post winners by Friday.
Category: Hair
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PICK ME BELLA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Your website has amazing giveaways, and I sincerely appreciate the fact that you show your readers some love with the giveaways. I know this is a beauty blog, but I have learned about some incredible music artists and songs because of you. Thanks to you, I am now a fan of Debarge, Mahalia Jackson, Chrisette Michele and Syl Johnson. It would be cool to do giveaways of your favorite CDs, or of CDs of up and coming artists that you like. My favorite genres of music are R&B and neo-soul, but I have a very open mind to many different types of music and I know you do too. I would love to know what some of your favorite songs from other genres are too…rock, country, dance, techno, opera…you name it!
Ohhh I just came up with another idea! You should start a new feature of the blog called “Bella’s Playlist” (or whatever you’d like). Every 2 weeks, or once a month you could share with us some of your favorite songs of the moment or from your childhood! You could also share any personal stories that you may associate with those songs. From reading this blog, I can tell that music means a lot to you…I hope you consider this idea!
Have a great weekend!!!!!
lol @ the winners being sent relaxer! hahaha! I’m glad they were able to clear that up!
Pick me Bella! I really like your blog. thanks so much for making it for new naturals. i think another giveaway should be maybe a book for naturals like natural recipes. i remember there was one by najahface on this forum called afroglitz.com and also youtube.com
it looks very informative and useful and im sure naturals like me would love to have it!
Pick me pretty please!
I would live to try BDB stretch and glass that I saw on http://www.going-natural.com/. But really any product that is not distibuted nationally would be great.I love Creame of Nature and would galdly accept it but the internet only natural products would be really special.
pick me bella!
hehe i’m trying to keep heat out of my hair this summer but alas im a college student on a budget and have yet to find the right products for my kinky hair
What do i put in my hair? its thick but at the same time fragile
Pick me, Bella!!!!
I’ve been natural for a year now, and I’m still looking for products that will help eliminate my dandruff problems. I’ve been ordering products from Oyinhandmade, but it takes awhile for me to recieve it in the mail. If you have any of the curly pudding by Ms. Jessie’s, or another product line to showcase, that would be great! The only natural haircare products I know of are Oyin and Jessie’s (I’ve never tried Jessie’s) , and I’m willing to try something new! I really want my hair to be healthy and strong. I need something in bulk to last me a while. Thanks!!
I forgot to add, a diy guide on natural hairstyles would be great!
Pick Me, Bella! I love your site. It gives me the motivation to stay natural during the tough periods where I can’t do *anything* with my hair. I would love to see a Curly pudding giveaway or Beauty for Ashes. Or maybe a mineral makeup package.
Thanks
Pick me, Bella!
I stopped relaxing my hair 8 years ago and started to rediscover my natural hair. I love it and am always getting compliments on my curls. I also love that I’m not exposing my hair to harsh chemicals on a monthly basis. So, imagine my surprise when I went to the salon last month to get a hair cut and my stylist tells me my hair has severe water damage from washing it 2-3 times a week to keep the curls fresh and using products heavy in alcohol that are drying out my hair. I guess this is a long winded way of me saying that I would love to see a giveaway of goodies that would help me to keep my hair natural and curly and healthy. I’m open to anything!
Thank you for doing what you do!
Pick me bella!!!
i havent been on the site for that long but i truly love it!!! but i would love a giveaway of this cleansing conditioner called Wen Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner. i have never used it but i would love to and i would love to see how it works on your hair!!!! Im not sure if youve done a post on it but i hope you havent and i hope you can do a giveaway on it!! Much LOve to you
PICK ME BELLA!
I have been natural for almost 3 years now, (my natural birthday is next month!!) I just started blogging about my natural life and I must say I am inspired by you!! I live in Tampa, FL and I come from a Jamaican background! And guess what, this Black girl goes camping too!
Blessings!
~naturalmel
PICK ME BELLA (continued, I had a brain crash)
I’d like to see giveaways with any certified organic hair prouct that you can find, I have trouble finding stuff that I like….
thanks!
Pick me Bella!
I’d love to see giveaways from Sizta2Sizta, Anita Grant, Qhemet Biologics, or Oyin hair products.
Pick me Bella!
I would like to see more information on products to help keep your hair moisturized. I happened upon your sight today and it was like a God send. I’m definitely going to get your book. I need help finding my fabulous!
I love being natural, but I am not knowlegeable about “good”, preferrably organic products that are available. Thanks for your service to the natural hair industry. You are a great help to many people.
Pick me!! Pick me!! Yesterday I celebrated my 30th birthday and I’ve been all natural for the past 7 years. Currently my hair is locked and I’d love to try something new to get some new life in these bad boys.
Thank you for all you do!
Pick me Bella! I just discovered this site and am in LOVE! I’m rocking a short natural do while working on my PhD in a very small town (spitting distance from the border of IDAHO)in Washington State. We’ve got absolutely nothing in the way of hair products for women of color – except for the creamy crack. lots of that – and it is at least an hour and a half drive to the nearest braiding salon. 6 or more to get across the state to Seattle. My research focuses on racial and ethnic identity formation in adolescent girls of color and looks for ways for them to resist the beauty ideals the media and our society try to force on them. So….please! Help me save some gas and lead by example. I’m not picky. I know that anything you send is better than anything I could ever buy locally.
Sorry for the long post, but I’m so happy to have found you!
pick me bella! how about a……………………………….carol’s daughter giveaway?!
Pick me, Bella!
I’d love to see a natural shine product that doesn’t leave me too greasy or acts as a drying out product.
Pick Me Bella!
I love winning stuff. I love your site…and I love being natural (sometimes)….I love the Creme of Nature line, but it’s hard to find in Austin!!!
Ohhhh pick me Bella!!!!!!
I would love to see gas card giveaways
Pick me Bella!
My head is a mess right now
I’ve started running regularly, and sweaty hair means lots of washes which are drying me out. A conditioner that can help me out a bit would be greatly appreciated. As far as giveaways go I would love to see more skincare products, or beauty books.
Pick me Bella!
I don’t have a specific item but was wondering have you tried any all natural products. I was natural for about 15 years, moved to California to be near my sister and started to perm my hair again. I’ve since come to my senses and have gone back to my natural ways but decided to dye my afro blond. LOVING IT! I am now trying to make sure that my blond fro stay healthy and would love any advice you may have to offer. I’ve even started making some of my own stuff!
Pick me Bella!
I would love to see a giveaway with the redken smooth down line. I have heard naturals as well as relaxed ladies rave about the line especially the smooth down butter treat. I had to give it a try and what do you know, the smooth down butter treat is heavenly.
Anyway keep up the great work with your blog.
Pick me Bella! I have really enjoying your website. I wish I had known about you when I transitioned back in 2004. I lost a lot of hair back then, and it was very hard not to break down and get a relaxer. The only thing that kept me from hitting up that “creamy crack” was that I was pregnant! Well I am still all natural, and I simply LOVE to try new products. My husband will probably freak about me putting yet another product under our bathroom sink(he’s still under the delusion that we “share” that space) , but oh well! A sistah has to look good!
Pick me Bella!
Thank you so much for your web site and wonderful advice. I never would have discovered how wonderful Devacurl no poo cleanser is for my hair. Thank you! For future giveaways, I would love to see reading material such as “Curly Girl” or another publication devoted to coily and curly hair. A book with lots of pictures so when I get fed up and frustrated, I can look at beautiful bellas with natural hair and become inspired once again.
Pick Me, Bella!
I am a black woman living in a Canadian city where I don’t have very much access to black hair products. I would love a package to help me get started on my path to natural hair. I have been doing research into transitioning ever since my hair began to fall out. The dermatologist says that it has nothing to do with processing my hair, but it sure can’t be helping! That started me thinking about how I have never met my natural hair. I started processing at age 6, and haven’t stopped. I see my mixed race nieces hating their curly hair, and wonder what kind of example I am setting for them by chemically altering my hair. I worry for my own children when they come, and can it possibly be safe for me to have those chemicals on my skin while I am pregnant? I recently cut out plastic bottles because of the chemicals they can leach into the water, but what about the chemicals I willingly put on my own body in search of a kind of beauty, when my own natural beauty should suffice? Why aren’t I good enough the way God made me? Anyway, I am committed to transitioning, but it would be a huge support to have some products to help with the process…
Thank you so much for your blog! I have learned so much about my own hair here, and found a community of women in your readers who have been down the path before me. Every set of feet before me makes that path a little straighter (or curlier!) and easier to travel. Thanks, Bellas!
By the way, I would love to see a Devacurl, Ouidad, Miss Jessie’s or Ojon giveaway at some time in the future!!!
I am not very comfortable posting this but I am a big fan of Creme of Nature products and have been using them for years and I PROUDLY relax my hair. I would have been very happy to recieve the creme relaxers as I keep them on standby when I can’t make it to my stylist. So please consider me for your contest. I can’t tell whether this contest is for persons with natural hair only or not. You didn’t specify.
I love the make up giveaways and would love to see more of them.
Thank you for your hair work. It is appreciated!
Pick me, Bella
I’d like to see more giveaways of natural products like Qhemet Biologics or Carol’s daughter — anything along those lines would be cool.
Pick Me Bella!!!
When I started to read your post and I got to the part with the relaxer in it..I cringed!!! ;0) but it’s good to see that everything was able to be fixed.
I think the next giveaway should be of L’Oreal’s HIP makeup collection. The eyeshadows are to die for and they give MAC a run for their money. I absolutely love them and I think other women should too!!!
I absolutely love your site. It’s one of my daily blog reads…Keep it up!!!
Pick ME Bella!
I would love something free and natural for body care. Lotions, body butters, body balms. I love Carol Daughter’s products.
Thanks!
Pick me, Bella!
Okay, actually – Hi! I’ve been lurking here for a while because I love your reviews of hair/body/beauty products and your focus on products for women of color made by women of color – I’m a hair product junkie and I love to support businesses that cater to women with my hair type.
I’d actually like to see more of what you’ve already been giving us – product reviews, tips and the occasional political piece is fine with me as well. I’d really like more features on natural hair maintenance. Until earlier this month, my version of ‘natural’ was no relaxers but I heat-styled my hair all the time (hot press, anyone?). I just started med school in the caribbean and I can already tell that I’m going to have to redefine “natural” since the hot comb and flat iron aren’t going to cut it in this humidity! As for future giveaways – I’m always willing to try a new hair product, especially one with all-natural or organic ingredients.
Anyway, thanks for caring about what your readers think and giving us presents for reading!!
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Pick Me AfroBella:)*´¨)
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I have never entered one of you contest before.
I love your blog. I would love for you to give away more make up products. I am starting to become more of a makeup person.
This giveaway is wonderful because, it allows me to experiment with more types of shampoos and conditioners. I only use deep conditioners and conditioners on my hair to help keep it moisturized. I dont trust shampoos to much to do it, but I want to give it a try.
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Pick ME, Bella!
I would love if you gave away more make-up products. Maybe some spa like products too?
Pick ME Bella!
Even though I’m a relaxed head I love this blog and I would like to see a give-a-way of Afrobella’s Essentials. Maybe like 5 things that if you were stranded on an island that you would HAVE to have. Hair products, beauty products, or whatever you would just HAVE to have.
Or an Ease into Transitioning Give-a-way. Something for the ladies who are trying to transition into being relaxer free, maybe like moisturizers, shampoos specifically for dry hair, leave-in treatments, etc.
Pick Me Bella! I am 13 year old, who is trying to wear my hair natural. I’m really trying to find the right stuff to put in my hair to make it healthy, long and shiny. I’m trying really hard not to relax itttttt!!!! Love your blog by the way!
Oops! I forgot to tell you what I want to seee as giveaways. Ummmmm, I like Mixed Chicks and Elucence and the Deva Curl stuff. My auntie is really into hair, so shes always testing stuff on me!!!
Pick me, Bella! I would love makeup that would work well during the scorching hot summer!
PICK ME BELLA!!!!!!!!!!!!
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE WHAT YOU ARE DOING WITH YOUR CUTE SELF…I NEVER WIN ANYTHING SO THIS WOULD BE AWESOME, I’M REALLY TRYING TO WORK WITH MY NATURAL HAIR SO I’M ALWAYS OPEN TO NEW PRODUCTS.
IN THE FUTURE, MAYBE YOU COULD GIVE AWAY SOME OF THE CURL PRODUCTS OR MISS JESSIE’S (I CAN’T AFFORD HER ON MY OWN:(
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK BELLA!!!!!! HUGS AND KISSES FROM NYC
“Pick me, Bella!” I would like to see an Ojon or Oyin giveaway, and maybe a headband giveaway.
Pick me please!
I love this website. Keep up the great blogging.
OOps forgot to say. “Pick me, Bella!†(Mondays!)
Pick me Bella!!! Oh pretty, pretty please pick a sistren
!! You can’t imagine the many ways you inspire me! I’ve emailed a little of my story before. It’s been about 6 mnths since the big chop and my Afrobella discovery. I’m devoted and Afrobella has become a lovely part of my day. Never thought I would enter a giveaway, (I think its the 25 that has me all open and hopeful) plus my Walmart is missing so, so many pieces of the new Creme and Nature collection that the wait and see approach just ain’t working out… LOL! So pick me!
I’d also love to see the brunsli ties and perhaps some Shea Radiance or Valana products.
All I can say is keep, keeping on sistren…
Pick Me Bella!
I love your blog, read it every day. Even have it as one of my viigo channels so I can read it from my BlackBerry.
I would love to see a Ojon give away, or a Ms.J’s Buttercreme.
Keep keeping me up.
Paz.
PICK ME BELLA! Both me and my 16 year old daughter are in the beginning stages of transistioning and need all the help we can get! I am not yet sure of our hair type, however, we both have super thick long hair. I am almost arm pitlenght and she is is past her sholders. Both our hair hair has a naturs “S” curl pattern and we excited and afraid!
Thanks!
Pick me, Bella! I’d love to see a carol’s daughter and/or Miss Jessie giveaway. Or a makeup giveaway – (why is it impossible to find a Tinted Moisturizer with SPF that doesn’t oxidize and/or run all over the place that comes in darker colors?)
Pick Me, Bella!!!
Hello, I actually stumbled upon this site a few weeks ago when I was googling info about natural hair. I am a recent natural goer and it is a learning proccess to understand how to care for natural hair. We do not go about it in the same manner we would with processed hair. I was very pleased to see the wealth of information you have available and the variety of products, from the high end to the most economical end.
A product that I’d like to know more about would be Carol’s Daughter and Miss Jessie’s.
Pick me, Bella!
First, I want to say thank you for having such a wonderful blog. It is such an inspiration to have a woman who advocates for natural hair, out here. I decided to go natural on my 16th bday, I went to get my hair done, for my birthday, kept it nice and wrapped up, when it was time to take it out for my party it was frizzed up! in addition to the burnt scalp (ouch)! From that day forward I said enough is enough. Foremost, I was tired of doing a constant 4-6 hour process. Secondly, learning and immersing myself in social justice for my African American community, I felt personally, I need to accept everything that made me part of the African diaspora and I believed one of those things is my natural hair. So here I am 5 years later with natural hair.
TO be honest, I am still trying to figure out how to have the healthiest hair and a god regiment for myself. THat is what I appreciate the most about your blog:
(And this is what I would like to see more of!!) I can constantly, get tips on new products, affirmations of why natural hair is it!
Again Thanks!
Best: Adora
Pick me Bella!!
I would love to see more giveaways for beauty products as well as Natural Hair care products. I do not wear much make up but I would like to start. I’m looking for products that are natural looking and will take less than 5 minutes to complete the look. You reviews on the B.L.A.C. products would be an excellent giveaway to host!
Bella I’m your girl!!
I love your BLOG and try to read it everyday. Informative and fun to read.
I’ve been natural for sometime now and I find that I get more compliments now then ever before.
Do Ya Thang Bella!