"The Amulet" is a graphic novel written and illustrated by Kazu Kibuishi. The story follows Emily, a young girl who, along with her brother, Navin, moves to their ancestral home after their father's death. As they explore the house, Emily discovers a magical amulet that belonged to her great-grandfather. This amulet has the power to transport them to a parallel world named Alledia, where they encounter various mythical creatures and embark on an epic adventure. In Alledia, Emily and Navin meet a diverse group of characters, including a fox named Leon, a robot named Miskit, and the resistance leader, Enzo. They also confront a nefarious creature named the Elf King, who seeks to control the powers of the amulet.
This is the solution that actively breaks down the protein bonds in your hair and relaxes it. Use clips to hold your hair up. Put on your gloves. Start at the nape of your neck, and apply the solution from about ¼ inch from your scalp to past where the outgrowth starts.
My inexpensive Andis flat iron set at maximum heat did the job fine but it took me a lot of time and effort to get to get my hair perfectly pin straight. Your hair should be strong enough to withstand all the tugging, chemicals , and hair products or tools that a hairdresser will use during the perming process.
They also confront a nefarious creature named the Elf King, who seeks to control the powers of the amulet. Throughout the story, the siblings must learn to wield the amulet's power and navigate the dangerous and ever-changing landscape of Alledia. They face challenges, make sacrifices, and discover the true nature of courage and family bonds.
10 Step Guide to Giving Yourself a Quarantine Magic Straight Perm
Remember the 80s when a great hair day meant bigger the better? My sister and I would get our long hair permed every few months to achieve amazing feats of teased and lacquered hair.
A couple decades later I found myself working at a law firm and needing a hairstyle that was professional, stylish, and above all, low maintenance.
I have been getting the “magic” straight perm or thermal reconditioning (TR) on my hair since 2001 every 8 months at $350-$400 a pop. It is the only way I know how to maintain long, straight healthy looking hair that requires zero maintenance.
The natural texture of my hair is otherwise slightly frizzy. Without TR, I would need to spend time on my hair to make it look somewhat professional and would need to maintain a shorter haircut. I just don’t have the time and patience for any kind of maintenance, so I’ve found that the magic straight perm works the best for me (even if it is boring that I have had the same hair for 20 years).
Six months into the Covid quarantine , my unruly roots had grown out over 5 inches and I was tempted to shave my head. I decided to attempt the magic straight perm process at home. I ordered the treatment from Amazon, which comes with a straightening solution and a neutralizer. There are several brands to choose from (e.g., Yuko, Shiseido, Rusk) but I am most familiar with Liscio by Milbon.
The formula comes in three different strength levels- Mild, Normal and Strong. Any of them would work fine for me but I got strong only because that’s what I found on Amazon.
LISCIO Crystal Cream Straighteners & Neutralizer
*Doing a straight perm or thermal reconditioning yourself at home is not for everyone. Please attempt at home only if you have gotten the treatment done before at a salon and know it works well for your hair type. Do not take the risk as it does not work well for all hair types
What you need for the Magic Straight Perm:
1. Plastic gloves
3. Ceramic Coated Straightener – this one ceramic coated straightener seems highly recommended, but I just used my $25 Andis iron which worked ok on maximum heat.
4. Thin Plastic Comb – to separate hair during treatment
5. Deep Conditioner – for after the treatment to keep hair healthy.
6. A Friend – If you have a lot of hair like me, ask a friend to help with the ironing – I did it all myself but my arms felt like they were going to fall off at the end. Next time I will ask my teenager to help.
Step 1: Prep hair and scalp
Start with clean, washed hair. Clean hair helps the straightening solution stick to the strands. Line your hairline and scalp with a little vaseline, and avoid getting the straightening cream directly on the scalp. If you are only straightening the outgrowth/roots, treat the ends of your hair with a good leave-in conditioner to protect it from damage.
Step 2: Apply the straightening solution/activator
This is the solution that actively breaks down the protein bonds in your hair and relaxes it. Use clips to hold your hair up. Put on your gloves. Start at the nape of your neck, and apply the solution from about ¼ inch from your scalp to past where the outgrowth starts.
You can use a makeup brush to apply but I just used my fingers with gloves on.
DO NOT get the cream on your scalp, because it will burn your skin. Try to move fairly quickly so you don’t end up over-processing.
Leave in your hair for 25-30 minutes. Processing time can take anywhere between 10 minutes and 45 minutes depending on your hair thickness and texture. Perform a loop test to see when it’s ready. (See video above). For me, 25 minutes was plenty.
Step 3: Rinse
The next step is to rinse out the activator solution gently and thoroughly (do not shampoo). After rinsing out the solution, gently dry the hair with a towel. Do not scrub or pull as hair will be prone to breakage.
Step 4: Blow dry
Blow it mostly dry, but leave some moisture in your hair to prepare for flat ironing.
Step 5: Flat iron
Set your straightener to 350 degrees, and work in small sections to straighten. Take your time. At the salon, they use a professional flat iron set to a temperature of 350 degrees. My inexpensive Andis flat iron set at maximum heat did the job fine but it took me a lot of time and effort to get to get my hair perfectly pin straight.
Step 6: Apply the neutralizer
The neutralizer works to balance the pH of your hair. Apply evenly all over hair, and let sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing out.
Step 7: Rinse again
Make sure you rinse for at least 10 minutes and get any remaining solution out of your hair. No shampoo. Apply some deep conditioner and rinse.
Step 8: Final blow dry & flat iron
Blow drying your hair in the direction of the cuticles, and get it about 90 percent dry. Finally, flat iron again where needed to so that hair is completely straight.
Step 9: Keep hair dry
Avoid getting your hair wet for the next 48 to 72 hours. This is a key part of the process!
Step 10: Enjoy your super straight low maintenance hair!
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Author: Susan L. Shin
Susan L. Shin is a litigation partner at an international law firm. She resides in New York City with her husband Robert Shin and two children Ella and Owen. Read More From Susan L. Shin
"The Amulet" is praised for its stunning artwork and compelling storytelling. The themes of friendship, family, loss, and bravery resonate with readers of all ages. The series has garnered a loyal fan base and has been critically acclaimed, receiving numerous awards and nominations. The graphic novel format allows Kibuishi to transport readers into a visually stunning and immersive world, bringing the characters and their journey to life. The unique blend of fantasy, adventure, and emotion makes "The Amulet" an engaging and enjoyable read. Overall, "The Amulet" serves as a captivating tale that explores timeless themes while offering a richly imagined world and memorable characters. It has become a beloved series among graphic novel enthusiasts and continues to captivate readers with each new installment..
Reviews for "The Cinematic Moments in The Amulet Graphic Novel"
1. Jane - 2/5
I was really excited to read "The Amulet Graphic Novel" based on the rave reviews it had received, but I was left disappointed. The storyline was confusing and disjointed, making it difficult to follow along. The characters felt underdeveloped, and I found it hard to connect with them. Additionally, the artwork was not as impressive as I had anticipated, lacking in detail and depth. Overall, this novel did not live up to the hype for me.
2. Mike - 1/5
"The Amulet Graphic Novel" was an utter disappointment. The plotline was extremely predictable, leaving no room for any surprises or twists. The dialogue felt forced and lacked any real depth or emotion. The illustrations were mediocre at best, with a lack of attention to detail. It felt like a rushed and poorly executed attempt at storytelling. I would not recommend wasting your time or money on this graphic novel.
3. Sarah - 2/5
I had high expectations for "The Amulet Graphic Novel," but unfortunately, it fell short. The pacing of the story was off, with some parts feeling rushed while others dragged on unnecessarily. The character development was weak, leaving me feeling detached and uninvested in their journey. The artwork, though visually appealing, did not compensate for the lackluster plot. Overall, I was disappointed by this graphic novel and would not recommend it to others.