Tag Archives: natural hair products

Aug7

Shea Decadence Kinks Review

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This review is sooooooo overdue. You see, I started using some products from the Shea Decadence Kinks line back in April and have continued to use them since. You might have even noticed that I’ve mentioned Shea Decadence a few times in posts over the last couple of months and kept promising a review of some new products that I was using. But … yeah … my penchant for procrastination, evening ennui, and inability to focus have had me putting this one off for far too long.

But, I’m finally getting it together to share my thoughts on this delicious collection of products with you. So, back in April (ugh!) , Sharron, Natural in London and creator of Shea Decadence (check out her hairstory and lovely mane here), sent me several products from her Kinks line:

(Visit the Shea Decadence Etsy shop to purchase in the US.)

Shea Decadence has this to say about the Kinks hair range:

Afro hair is the most fragile hair type in the world and should be treated as such. Our hair needs a balance of moisture and protein to be healthy and grow and most importantly a clean and healthy scalp. Kinks focus is on providing natural black hair care products free from unnecessary chemicals that damage or inhibit the growth of healthy hair.

Our Range is formulated with ingredients proven to help moisturise ‘YOUR’ Kinky hair and nourish the scalp. We only use natural or natural-derived ingredients. Every single ingredient plays a function towards enriching your hair; therefore none of our products contain Parabens, SLS, Petroleum,  Mineral oil or any other harsh chemicals.

Although our range is formulated with kinky, curly, coils in mind, other hair types will benefit. For instance, our Hair Oils and Hair Butters can be used on all hair types as a hot oil treatment  or deep conditioning treatment.

So, what do I think of Kinks? First, the common elements.

PACKAGING

When the box arrived and I broke it open, I was immediately impressed by the way these product were packaged!! They were in quality plastic bottles and metal tins with cute, convenient, and functional pumps. Wei even remarked upon the pump on the Latte … “That’s a win.” These bottles will definitely be repurposed once empty!! The labeling is glossy, professional, and firmly secured to the containers. I used these products consistently for a good month/month and a half, and have learned that the packaging/labels holds up to wet, conditioner-laden, and/or “producty” hands, with no deterioration in the print, slippage, or dissolution of the labels.

Now for the individual product reviews.

Jamaican Black Castor & Nilotica Conditioning Shampoo

Ingredients: Aqua, Sodium cocoyl isethionate, Aloe vera gel, Disodium cocoampho-diacetate, Coco Glucoside & Glyceryl oleate, Ricinus Communis (Jamaican Black castor oil) Vitellaria Nilotica (Shea butter), Glycerin, Honeyquat, Cetrimonium chloride, Guar conditioning gum, Silk amino acids, Phenoxyethanol & Caprylyl glycol and Essential oils. 

Several of the Shea Decadence products are made with one of my holy grail products, Jamaican Black Castor Oil (JBCO). So, it is no surprise that I love this shampoo. It has this invigorating minty fresh smell to it, a light consisteny and a little goes a long way. I use about 3-4 pumps for each quadrant of my head and it provides a very nice, rich lather that feels refreshing and effectively cleanses my scalp without stripping my hair of moisture.

Cocoa Frappuccino Moisture Plus Leave-in Conditioner

Ingredients: Aqua (infused with Marshmallow root), Theobroma Cacao Organic Black (Cocoa butter), Butyrospermum parkii Organic (Shea butter), Cocos nucifera (Coconut oil), Prunus dulcis (Almond oil), Ricinus communis (Jamaican Black Castor  oil),  Behentrimonium methosulfate and Cetearyl alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Wheat protein, Panthenol, Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol (and) Caprylyl Glycol (and) Chlorphenesin Guar conditioning gum & Silk amino acids.

This leave-in conditioner has a creamy and thick consistency, but is not heavy when applied to hair. It DOES smell like a cocoa frappuccino (or, at least what I think they smell like … don’t drink ’em) and is very tasty to the nose buds! LOL!! The leave-in glides on the hair easily, absorbs quickly, and did a good job of keeping my hair moisturized for several days.

Hair Latte Conditioning Hair Milk

Ingredients: Aqua (infused with chamomile), Vegetable Glycerine,  Castor oil, Sweet Almond oil, Behentrimonium methosulfate (and) Cetearyl alcohol,  Panthenol, Hydrolysed Lupine seed extract, glucanolactone and Sodium benzoate, Fragrance oil, Phenoxyethanol and Caprylyl glycol and Chlorphenesin, Guar gum & Silk amino acids.

The Latte comes in my favorite packaging: a spray bottle pump. It also smells like what it’s called, a cocoa latte. The consistency is thinner (hence the spray bottle), like a heavy cream, and this product is used to re-moisturize hair, as needed. I used it maybe once or twice between washes when my hair started to feel a little dry or crunchy after removing twists and wearing it down for a couple of days.

Mocha Latte Scalp Nourisher

Ingredients: Ricinus communis (Jamaican black castor oil), Coffea arabica Seed Oil (and) Hydrogenated vegetable Oil (Coffee Butter), Theobroma cacao (Organic Cocoa butter), Emu oil, Olea Europaea (Olive oil) & Tocopherol (Vitamin E).

OMGee! I LOVE this stuff!! It smells like chocolatey maple syrup to me, has this creamy and smooth whipped consistency, and just melts into my scalp, leaving it feeling nourished, without a greasy or heavy feel.

Sweet Marmalade Pomade

Ingredients: Organic Cocoa Butter, Kukui Nut Butter, Macadamia Nut Butter, Organic Sunflower Oil infused with Vanilla Pods, Organic Castor Oil, Carrot Seed extract, Cetyl Alcohol, Vit E, Sweet Orange Essential Oil.

OMGee! I LOVE this stuff too!! LOL!! Seriously, this pomade smells absolutely DELECTABLE, like sweet nectarines. It reminds me of the Carol’s Daughter Honey Hair Mimosa, if you’ve ever tried that. But, the marmalade pomade is lighter in consistency and is used on the hair (not scalp) to provide shine. And shine it does!! When I apply a little of this to my hair, it immediately imparts such a sheen to my hair it’s RIDIC!! LOVE, LOVE!!

HOW I USED THEM:

I used this product line consistently for about a month/month and a half. A typical wash day went like this:

  1. Pre-poo and finger detangle with Vatika Oil.
  2. Wash with Shea Decadence Conditioning Shampoo.
  3. Condition/detangle with Herbal Essences Hello Hydration (HEHH).
  4. Deep condition with Darcy’s Botanicals Pumpkin Seed Conditioner or Shea Moisture Raw Shea Deep Treatment Masque.
  5. Cool and seal with diluted HEHH.
  6. Apply Shea Decadence Leave-in Conditioner to hair.
  7. Apply Shea Decadence Scalp Nourisher to scalp.
  8. Twist hair (sometimes with another product, usually ORS Lock & Twist Gel).
  9. Seal ends with Shea Decadence Sweet Marmalade Pomade.

I would usually wear my hair in a twisted updo for a few days (workout and work friendly hairdo), a twist-out for a day or two, then a bun for the rest of the week until the next wash day. And here’s what it looked like.

And that’s that. The Shea Decadence line is a very nice, quality product. My fave products are definitely the shampoo and the pomade, with the scalp balm coming in at a close second. Everything smells delish and works very well and I continue to use all of the products, though not all together like I did for the first month or so (c’mon … y’all know I’m a confessed PJ). So, would I recommend this line? DEFINITELY!! If I was going to grade the products as a group, they would definitely get a solid:

A

So, check out Shea Decandence Kinks if you have been in search of a collection of products that work well together, are natural, nourish the hair, smell great, and provide the hair with lasting moisture!! I don’t think you’ll be disappointed and you’ll be supporting a small, black, woman-owned business!! #WINNING!! Oh!! I almost forgot to mention this! Shea Decadence has a line of body products too!!! I tried the Solid Butter Body Scrub Bars … those things are AMAZE-a-BALLS!! They are so decadently luxurious and moisturizing, it’s crazy. LOVE ’em!! So, if you’re a body product junky and like clever and creative product design, check that out as well!!

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Have you tried the Shea Decadence products? If so, what do you think of them?

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Feb6

Flaxseed Cream Gel (FSCG) Braid-n-Curl

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As promised, here are the results from my Late Night Styling session/braid-n-curl set on Sunday night. I used Shea Moisture Raw Shea Restorative Conditioner as my leave-in and my FSCG to style. As my hair was still damp, as expected, on Monday morning, I left the braids in for the day and just used a jaw clip to put them up for work. I released my hair on Tuesday morning with a little coconut oil whip to nicely defined, but flat, hair.

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I then massaged my roots to give the braid-n-curl a little more volume.

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And, when I got to work, I separated the sections a little more on a bathroom run for the final look above, which my hair at the end of the work day.

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Although my hair is a little piecier than I like it, I think that the FSCG is going to give me the hold that I was seeking to allow my braid-outs to last a little longer. Even though there was humidity in the air outside (light snow) and despite the fact that I wore no  hair covering, my hair didn’t swell! I’m hoping that my hair will get fuller each day while still maintaining definition and shine. Guess we’ll see!! On another note, I can’t wait to use up this batch of FSCG so that I can experiment some more with the next mix based upon some advice given on the gel post and some YouTube videos that I’ve been watching.

Day two hair has yet to be revealed. But, check in later on my Facebook, Twitter and/or Instagram page —————->>>> and you’re likely to find an update ;).

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Do you use gel to give your braid/twist-out sets staying power? What products/combo(s) work the best for you to deliver hold AND moisture?

Jan29

WnG with FSG Cream Gel

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Hey all. Just a  quick post to tell you about wash day this weekend. I had a birthday party and a housewarming to attend on Saturday, so I didn’t have much time to style my hair. Therefore, I ended up doing a pretty quick WnG that turned out pretty well.

Wash Day Rundown

  • Pre-pooed with Vatika Oil (30-45 min. w/heat).
  • Shampooed with Aubrey Green Tea Clarifying Shampoo diluted with water and EVOO.
  • Shampooed some more with Shea Moisture (SM) Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo.
  • Conditioned/detangled with SM Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner.
  • Deep conditioned with Darcy’s Botanicals Pumpkin Seed Conditioner (30 min. w/heat).
  • Rinsed (no time for cooling and sealing).
  • Lightly and quickly squeezed excess water with a towel (yup, towel, not my Curl Cloths).
  • Applied Kinky Curly Knot Today as my leave-in (straight out the bottle; no time to mix w/AVJ).
  • Applied flaxseed cream gel to hair in sections by smoothing on first, then lightly finger combing.
  • Air dried.

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And, that was it. Let me tell, you, the coconut oil was all caked up in my hair when it was wet and it looked like I might end up with flakes. But, I had high hopes that, once my hair dried, I’d be able to smooth my hair to melt the coconut oil. Didn’t even need to do that though. The heat in the car that dried my hair, also melted the oil and all was well with the world.

So, I’m pretty excited about this FSG cream gel!! My hair feels moisturized, is shiny, has decent definition and the gel provided a light hold. And, I got decent day 2 hair too! I’ve been using a new bonnet that I’ll be sharing with you ladies soon and I think it will help me preserve down styles far better than a pineapple.

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I still want to try a braid out with this FSG cream gel. Maybe this upcoming weekend … but I might be busy, so we’ll see.

Lata Gatas!

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Have you tried anything new lately?

Jan22

My Second Bentonite Clay Hair Mask

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A couple of years ago, I tried a bentonite clay hair mask after seeing a few posts about how amazing it was for clarifying hair and reviving curls. However, when I tried it, it left my hair dry and did nothing special for my curls. So, I left bentonite clay for hair alone and solely used it for occasional facials.

Fast forward to April 2012. I decided to try Terressentials Mud Wash (TMW) after watching Naptural85’s YouTube video on it and reading many raving reviews. I ended up liking it, but I did NOT like the price. Actually, the price of the product isn’t horrible at $10.75 for 8 oz. It was the $8+ shipping and how much I needed to use for my hair that were the deal breakers. So, I decided at that time that I would try to make my own. You see, the first two ingredients in TMW are aloe vera juice (AVJ) and bentonite clay. So, I started researching recipes, even bought some nettle and marshmallow root extract for that purpose. But, I quickly lost interest. I think it was because I discovered Aubrey GPB and Honeysuckle Rose (HSR) conditioners, which GAVE. ME. LIFE.

Anywho, my interest in trying to make a bentonite clay mask was recently rekindled after I tried the prototype for Wonder Curl’s (WC) Cleansing Clay Mask. I’ve been toying around with building an all-natural (products) hair regimen. But, a cleanser and detangler are tricky areas for me (you know I LOVE me some DevaCare No Poo and Herbal Essences Hello Hydration). Well, the WC Cleansing Clay, TMW and bentonite clay masks all serve those dual purposes: cleanser and detangler. But, since WC’s mask won’t be out for a while and TMW is so expensive (though I do still have a bottle under my sink), I decided to try to make my own mask again.

The first thing I revisited was this YouTube video on the pH of bentonite clay when mixed with water versus AVJ. Bentonite clay is alkaline and, when mixed with AVJ, it achieves an acidic pH of 4.0, which is close to the normal range for hair (4.5-5.5). When mixed with water, the pH remains in the alkaline range of 9.

Next, I took a look at a recipe I found on HappyHairJourney.com: My Bentonite Clay Cleanser Recipe.

1/2 cup Bentonite clay
1/2 cup AVJ (aloe vera juice)
1/4 cup ACV (apple cider vinegar)
1/4 cup EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
2-3 drops of each of these essential oils (Rosemary, lavender, peppermint & lemon)

And naturally, I also read this post by La Coco Bella that I shared last week.

Ultimately, I decided to wing it with the ingredients that I already had in the house. And, I’ll be honest, I didn’t measure anything, I just threw a little of this, a little of that (EOs and extracts), a lot of this and a lot of that (bentonite clay and AVJ) together until the consistency looked right.

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My Bentonite Clay Hair Mask “Recipe”:

  • 4 heaping teaspoons of Bentonite clay
  • AVJ (enough to make the consistency of the clay like a thick batter)

A few drops of each of the following hair friendly EOs:

  • Cedarwood (treats dandruff and hair loss, improves hair quality)
  • Lavender (treats dandruff, itching, controls breakage, and stimulates hair growth)
  • Rosemary (stimulates hair growth)
  • Thyme (stimulates hair growth)

An eye dropper full of each of the following extracts:

  • Marshmallow Root (mucilage provides slip)
  • Nettle Leaf (promotes hair re-growth, thickens hair, adds shine)

I mixed and mixed and mixed all of the ingredients in a plastic take-out container with a PLASTIC spoon (don’t use metal; bentonite clay draws toxins out due to its negative electric charge; metal decreases the clay’s potency).

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I made the clay Friday evening and refrigerated it overnight. I also applied my typical pre-poo of Aubrey GPB, HSR and Vatika Oil, covered with a plastic baggie and wore my heat turban for about an hour. Then, I slept in the pre-poo and baggie.

Wash Day:

  • I rinsed the pre-poo out of my hair with warm water from the kitchen sink for several minutes.
  • Next, I applied the bentonite clay mask to my hair in sections, massaging it into my scalp first and then smooshing the clay down the length of my hair. I applied the mask like I would henna.
  • I worked my hair in 6 sections (3 on each side of my head; 1 in front, 2 in back).
  • I twisted each section, clipped my ends to the top of my head, and donned a plastic cap for about 45 minutes.
  • Then, I hopped back in the shower, released the twists on one side of my head, and rinsed out the bentonite clay.
  • After I rinsed out most of the clay, I gently finger detangled, and then I repeated on the other half of my head.

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  • Next, I got out of the shower and applied Darcy’s Botanicals Pumpkin Seed Conditioner to DC (30-45 min. w/heat).
  • Cooled and sealed with diluted Aubrey Green Tea Cream Rinse.
  • Finally, I applied a DIY moisturizing flaxseed gel (post on that coming soon!) and placed my hair into two braids. (I had to get out of the house for lunch with the Sci-5ive and didn’t have time to do anything else.)

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The Verdict:
The jury’s still out on this one ladies. To be brutally honest, my hair felt HEAVILY coated as I rinsed and detangled it. Detangling wasn’t bad overall, but my hair felt somewhat gummy, like the strands were sticking together because of the pre-poo residue. I had one really bad knot that it took HE HH and 10 minutes or so to detangle (meaning, I worked most of the strands of hair out of the knot, got it as close to the ends of the strands as I could, and then cut it out). After I was done detangling and rinsing, my hair still felt coated and my curls were NOT popping as I’d hoped. In fact, I think they almost looked better after rinsing the pre-poo. I suspect that my pre-poo was too heavy for the clay mask to cleanse completely. For real, I was thinking that I would end up washing my hair with shampoo when I got home from lunch. But, by that time, my hair had dried and it didn’t feel tacky anymore. In fact, it felt very soft and moisturized. It was also very shiny. So, I just left it in the two braids until that evening, when I went out again. It was still a little damp, so it frizzed a bit. I had an okay braid-out, but it wasn’t anything to write home about … hence why there are no pictures of it. I’m presently in a bun. Surprise, surprise.

Anywho, although my results were less than stellar, I’m not ready to give up on a DIY bentonite clay hair mask yet. I think things may have gone better if I had shampooed my pre-poo out lightly first. Also, I’m interested in trying different recipes, such as those that use ACV and carrier oils (like EVOO). Shoot, Cocoberrie provided a whole LIST of YouTubers with recipes in the comments on this post. I haven’t even delved into those yet!! So, I’m thinking one of those might lend me better results or at least point me in the right direction. And, in regard to my attempt at jerry-rigging my own recipe, I think that marshmallow root and nettle powders might work better for a clay mask than the extracts. Unfortunately, my local health food store only carries the extracts and the powders are pretty expensive on Amazon (and few have Super Saver Shipping). So, if any of you have any leads on where I can get Marshmallow Root and Nettle Leaf powders at a good price (shoot, throw Burdock Root in too), holla atcha girl!! 😉

Until next time …

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Do you make your own DIY, homemade, all-natural cleanser and/or detangler that’s the bee’s knees? If so, DISH please!!

Oct16

Bye Bye Parabens: Free Samples

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Remember my review of Bye Bye Parabens Rosemary Mint Shampoo and Conditioner here?

Well, guess what? For a limited time, you can get your hands on your own free samples!!! For details, click here: http://byebyeparabens.com/products/free-samples.

Sep24

Hello Bye Bye …

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I’m very tentative about trying new products anymore. I know what works on my hair and I don’t want to cause a setback with untested products. I’m especially hesitant about shampoos and conditioners, as those can be make or break products for me. Stylers cause less difficulties. Therefore, I’m more willing to experiment with those when companies send me products to try/review.

Therefore, when I saw the sample size bottles of shampoo and conditioner that arrived in the mail last week … I wasn’t sure if I wanted to try them, especially given the state of my hair. I hadn’t washed it in two weeks and it was a rat’s nest of tangles. I’d styled it in a WnG that I bunned haphazardly and failed to re-moisturize for most of week two.

On Friday night, I pre-pooed with Aubrey GPB mixed with Vatika Oil and it took over an hour (maybe two?) and required the periodic use of scissors to cut out several untenable knots. So, when I say that I didn’t think that there would be enough of the conditioner in the four little 1 oz. sample-size conditioner bottles to detangle my hair on a good day, let alone on a day where it was a tangle-ridden, shed hair filled mess, I’m not kidding you.

But, you see, this wasn’t any random company that had sent me these products. No. They were sent by the wife of a friend of Wei’s who started a new haircare line, Bye Bye Parabens. So, I felt obligated to at least give them a go … though I did so with immense hesitation.

via Bye Bye Parabens

Bye Bye Parabens is pleased to announce the launch of its new luxury line of hair care products. The first product designed to dramatically transform natural or curly hair into soft hair with unbelievable shine, body, and bounce. Bye Bye Paraben products are also sulfate & paraben free and made from non-toxic natural and organic ingredients. Bye Bye Parabens was founded by Tracy Riggs who is an award winning international master stylist and salon owner with over 20 years experience in the hair industry. Tracy has styled the likes of Erykah Badu, Lil Kim, Mary J Blige, and Charlie Baltimore but more importantly servicing thousands of mom’s, wives, and daughters over a 20 year period. Tracy Riggs saw a need for a sulfate & paraben free hair care line that would be safe to use without sacrificing the integrity of the hair and that would achieve optimum results.

Rosemary Mint Purifying Shampoo Ingredients:
Water, Sodium Methyl-2 Sulfolaurate and Disodium-2 Sulfolaurate/Cocamindopropyl Betaine, Simmondsia Chinensis (Organic Jojoba), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Foeniculum Vulgare (Fennel Seed) Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower Seed) Extract, Keratin Amino Acids, Gluconolactone and Sodium Benzoate, Fragrance, Polyquaternium-4, Citric Acid

Rosemary Mint Purifying Conditioner Ingredients:
Water, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Panthenol, Simmondsia Chinensis (Organic Jojoba), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Foeniculum Vulgare (Fennel Seed) Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower Seed) Extract, Keratin Amino Acids, Gluconolactone and Sodium Benzoate, Fragrance, Citric Acid

SEE 10/25/12 EDITOR’S RETRACTION BELOW REGARDING INGREDIENTS LIST

The Experiment
I was sent four 1 oz. sample size bottles each the Rosemary Mint Purifying Shampoo and Conditioner. I decided to start by diluting about 3/4 of the bottle of shampoo in about 6 ounces of water.  My hair was in 8 twists and I shampooed the roots and then squished the suds through the length of my hair. The shampoo had a refreshing minty scent and a nice tingle. My scalp and hair felt clean, without feeling stripped. Shampooing also didn’t seem to cause any additional matting at my roots, which sometimes happens to my hair with sudsy shampoos. In fact, although I LOVE the Aubrey conditioners, the Green Tea Shampoo was not doing me any favors. Last week, I used it for a body wash because I ran out of the real stuff!! LOL!! But, anywho, I was pleased that my hair didn’t feel any worse for the wear after using the Rosemary Mint shampoo.

After rinsing, I planned to try one bottle of the purifying conditioner on one twist. I even grabbed a new bottle of HE HH from under the sink as I was prepared to need it to finish the job. I just knew that there was no way that those little sample size bottles of conditioner would provide enough product or slip to detangle my whole head. But, after I applied the conditioner to my first twist, I was like, “What’s this here now??” OMGosh!!! The slip was great!! Definitely comparable to HE HH, if not better as I didn’t seem to need to use as much!! I hopped out of the shower to tell Wei, “Color me impressed!!” LOL!! I ended up using three bottles to do my whole head. But, I think that I was a little heavy-handed with that first section and could have gotten away with two bottles if I had spread the wealth around a little more!!

Anywho, after finger detangling with the conditioner under the shower stream (so helpful!), I rinsed and applied Darcy’s Botanicals Pumpkin Seed Rose Conditioner to DC. I kept it in for about an hour using my Thermal Heat Wrap. Then, I cooled and sealed with diluted Aubrey Green Tea Cream Rinse and finally rinsed it all out with cold water.

Initial Thoughts
My hair felt “loverly!!” In fact, it felt so good that I didn’t even apply any leave-in conditioner! I just re-twisted it and applied a little JBCO/EVOO to the twists to seal in the water.

My hair dried quickly and the twists were so soft and plump! My God-cousin’s 30th birthday party was that evening and I simply released the twists with Wonder Curl Polishing Pomade for a fluffy twist-out.

I gotta say that I was impressed by my first experience with Bye Bye Parabens! I am glad that I gave it a try, despite my initial hesitation ;).

Conclusions
To wrap this up, I still love HE HH for the amazing slip and cheap price tag. So, I will continue to use it for henna rinsing. But, because I do like to incorporate as many natural products as I can, this may become a “go to” as a post-shampoo detangler if my next experience is as pleasant as my first one!

10/25/12 EDITOR’S RETRACTION: Last week, I received full-size bottles of Bye Bye Parabens conditioner and shampoo. I looked at the ingredients lists on the bottles and found that both the shampoo and conditioner contain the silicone  DIMETHICONE and the conditioner also contains CYCLOPENTASILOXANE. The silicones are high on the ingredients lists. Based upon the lists of ingredients that were sent to me by via e-mail, I thought that these products were silicone free. They are not. So, they are not a natural alternative to HE HH and actually contain non water-suluble, build-up prone silicones versus build-up resistant cones the HE HH. That being said, this conditioner would not be a natural option or an option for those practicing the CG Method, the TCM Method or following a co-wash only regimen. 

And that’s it. Oh, wait, one more thing. Because I do like to anticipate your needs, I’ll just let you know that the outfit above (it’s not a dress!! It’s a peplum top worn with the skirt that I previously showed you here) was another one that I jacked from Style Pantry!! To see Folake rocking it and find “where to buy” info, click here.

Happy Monday!!

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Calling all reformed, pseudo-reformed or never-been-a PJs who like to stick with what they know works:
Are you willing to experiment with products? Are there any categories of products that are strictly on the “No-No” list? 

Aug23

Natural in London: Paige’s HairStory

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Remember my review of the TLC Naturals products a couple of months ago? Well, here’s the HairStory of Paige, the “natural-preneur” (yes, I made that up!) behind the line!! She’s not only the president, she’s a client too ;)!!

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Who are you and from where do you hail?
My name is Paige-Ellean. I’m from London, UK, and I am passionate about kinky, coily and curly hair! I am also a formulator and owner of TLC Naturals, a luxurious hair and body product line, hand-crafted from the finest natural and organic ingredients.

What is the hair norm for Black/Brown women where you live? If natural hair is not the norm, is it becoming more prevalent?
Although the general norm for Black women in the UK is to wear their hair in a relaxed, permed or weaved state, there are a growing number of women embracing their natural hair texture.

What prompted your decision to go natural?
I got fed up of the use of chemicals on my hair and body and I also wanted to embrace my own natural hair texture. Coming from a background of the use of alternative therapies and the use of natural plants for cosmetic, medicinal and therapeutic uses, it only made sense to apply my herbal knowledge and expertise in caring for my hair.

Did you transition or big chop or are you currently transitioning?
I DID try to transition … very unsuccessfully for 3 years! I just didn’t have a clue at the time on the right techniques for caring for my transitioning hair. In addition, although I wore bantu knot-out styles to hide the two textures, I still suffered an immense amount of breakage. Finally, I had enough and went for the Big Chop in December 2009.

What has your natural hair journey been like?
My natural hair journey has been a wonderful experience of learning and self-discovery.

How has your decision been received by family, friends and people in general?
My family and friends were initially shocked, but after seeing the overall health and progress of my natural hair, I am pleased to say that I have converted a few of them over to the natural side :D.

What do you see as the challenges of being natural?
Acceptance is a major challenge for the natural hair community – from other people accepting our natural hair texture to we ourselves accepting what constitutes as being natural for us.

It’s bad enough that outside communities do not accept our hair and still have negative opinions of natural hair, curly hair and dreadlocks. It is particularly saddening when we ourselves bicker over what we think is natural … whether it is to do with the issue of curl definition or not, the use of chemical colours or not, the use of heat (e.g. hot combs, flat irons ) or not and so on.

Not everyone who embraces their natural hair will embrace a natural lifestyle – using natural products, using natural colorants, abstaining from chemical or mechanical processes that cause damage to the hair. This does not make them more or less natural. There should be no “I am more natural than you” vibe among us.

What is your regimen?
My current regimen includes wash day every fortnight: I prepoo with coconut oil, then I wash my hair, and deep condition afterwards with eggs, honey and olive oil. Once every 2 months, I henna-indigo my hair. I always follow my henna-indigo sessions with a deep condition and then a hot oil treatment, using TLC Naturals Shea Baobab Nourishing Hair Oil.

In between wash sessions, I rinse my hair weekly with ACV. Sometimes I brew some rosemary and add it to the ACV. I follow up with TLC Naturals Hibiscus Rose Moisturising Leave In Conditioner & seal with TLC Naturals Shea Baobab Nourishing Hair Oil. My hair style post-wash is normally a bun. If I am wearing twists or braids, I use the TLC Naturals Choco Shea Decadent Hair Butter.

I find that my haircare regimen is much more simplified than before and I have the TLC Naturals products to thank for that. My hair stays moisturised and retains natural curl definition for much longer than before and is also progressing at a better rate.
I have very fine and delicate hair along my edges and slow growing edges are the bane of my life. This is why I never do protective styles longer than a week and I never do small braids, twists etc. Once a week I apply TLC Naturals Grow It Hair Cream to my edges. It is made with MSM, Indian ayurveda plants, growth enhancing herbs and stimulating essential oils. The downside to this product is that I have new growth literally within 5-7 days. This would normally be a great thing, but my gray hairs ALWAYS pop up around my edges leading to extra henna-indigo sessions, which as we all know is not a 15 minute job.

Do you use/prefer commercial or natural products?
I prefer to use natural products – purely because I know that, a) they work and b) they are more healthier for me. I am not dying to be beautiful and I refuse to put my health at risk by using chemical-ridden products. Natural products don’t just make your hair look great, they improve the overall condition of your hair.

Are the products that you like and want to try readily accessible and affordable? Where do you purchase them?
I use my own products, naturally, which evolved from recipes that I have worked with consistently. I launched my product line and made my products available to the general public on the insistence of my readers from my natural hair blog, Care4Curls. They saw my hair bloom as I started making and using my own concoctions, so they naturally wanted a piece. I was only too happy to share. The products can be found at TLC Naturals (http://www.tlcnaturalsonline.com).

Are there any things that you think are unique to where you live? If so, what and why? How do you think they can be overcome?
I do not think there is any one particular thing that is unique to us here in the UK. The only problem I see here is access to quality products for natural hair care. Unlike the US, where there are dozens natural hair care brands to choose from, we only have a handful here. However, I can see this changing in the near future.

Anything else that you’d like to share?
I firmly believe in the efficacy of natural products and natural ingredients. Just like the body thrives when fed a healthy, natural and organic diet, so too does the hair bloom when “fed” natural and organic products. Like I said at the beginning, I am passionate about natural hair. However, natural or not, coloured or not, straightened or not, you can never go wrong when you use natural and organic products on your hair.

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Were your PJ senses tingling? Super-intrigued by Paige’s natural haircare line and itching to try it? Then have I got a giveaway for you!! Stay tuned for the announcement later today!!

Apr2

Terressentials Mud Wash: The Newly Initiated

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Yup. I finally took the Terressentials Mud Wash (TMW) plunge! Since November, my feelings have been bouncing between an intense desire to try it and a fear of the results. My intense desire was due to reading the claims of amazing post-mud wash hair: fullness, shine, body, easy peasy detangling, no need for conditioner, all natural. My fear was related to reading other reviews that indicated hair was tacky, coated and difficult to detangle after the wash. After having my desire to try it reignited and placing the order in mid-March (see here for what prompted the plunge), I became hesitant again once it arrived. I wondered if the Terressentials would remove the protein treatments I’ve come to view as essential components of my regimen. My concern arose due to these statements on Terressentials FAQs page:

Chemical hair treatments permanently alter the outer layer of the hair shaft creating a porous cuticle – under a microscope chemically treated hair looks like Swiss cheese. Once hair is damaged by chemical colorings, perms or straightening chemicals, people are sold a myriad of synthetic products that artificially coat the hair with plastic or protein polymers to make it look and feel undamaged. The more damaged the hair, the more porous it becomes; the more porous the hair, the more it absorbs these synthetic “protein” polymers (e.g. soy, wheat or oat proteins – that are NOT edible foods), plastic polymers such as PVP (petrochemical polyvinyl pyrrolidone) and gum coating agents. These are the substances the “mud” removes in the detox protocol, but the detox process takes time.

Sometimes when people begin using the Hair Wash, their hair may feel stiff, sticky, oily, heavy or dry. This feeling may persist until the residues of protein and plastic polymers have been completely removed …

It is highly likely that your current shampoo, conditioner, hairspray or other styling product contains some type of petrochemical polymer – a PVP vinyl, acrylate, silicone, carbomer, or hydrolyzed synthetic protein (soy, wheat, oat) polymer – all of which add a coating to the hair to make damaged hair appear undamaged. These plastic polymers also glue broken hairs together. Since polymers are difficult to remove with a gentle clay cleanser, it usually takes several washings to completely remove these gummy, oily residues from the hair. As these materials are being removed from the hair, hair may feel stiff, sticky or dry. It may even be a bit more difficult to comb out, especially if it’s long. (emphasis added)

Maybe you understand my hesitation now? I mean, I care about the ingredients in my products, but am no where near using all-natural/organic products. But, after reading the Terresentials FAQS for, like, the 100th time, I realized hydrolized animal protein (as contained in ApHogee) wasn’t listed. In addition, several ladies told me that they continued to use TMW with their normal, non-natural products with no problem. Then, fellow blogger EmilyCottonTop eased my mind further with her posts about loving Terressentials AND ApHogee. Finally, I came across this interesting thread in the NaturallyCurly.com forums, where someone shared the link to this thought-provoking video:

via Denimpixie (aka Quest for the Perfect Curl)


Things that make you go hmmmmmm …

So, finally, after all of that, I suspected that my hair would survive the introduction of TMW into my normal, cone, animal protein and polyquat laden regimen;). And here is how it went!

The Process
As most of you know, I’ve been researching this one for a while and have shared several posts on the Terressentials Mud Wash, including one with a link to Naptural85’s video tutorial. I’m not going to re-hash any of that here. However, if you are interested in checking those out, just use the “Search” box and type in “Terressentials” to find all of the posts on this topic:)!

Ultimately, I decided that I was not going to follow the 7 day detox protocol as the folks over at Terressentials indicated that this was for those who wash daily. Therefore, I plan to shampoo with the TMW once a week based upon my normal wash schedule.

So, this is what I did:

  • I purchased two “flavors”: Lavender Gardens and Left Coast Lemon. I decided to go with the Left Coast Lemon first as I prefer the light, citrusy smell over the stronger floral scent of the Lavender Gardens.
  • Divided hair into 8 sections and twisted each one (I did not pre-poo or detangle).
  • Thoroughly wet my hair in the kitchen sink.
  • Diluted about 3-4 tablespoons of TMW with filtered water in a small plastic bowl and mixed using my fingers (I used too much water, resulting in a runny mix). NOTE: I had to mix more wash as I ran out after finishing half of my hair.
  • Poured diluted TMW into a dye applicator bottle for ease of application (since it was so watery!).
  • Removed first twist and applied TMW to the roots, massaging it into scalp. Then applied more wash down length of hair, working it in and finger detangling the section before re-twisting.
  • Repeated until all sections were treated (this probably took about 45 minutes; I was trying to be very thorough as I wasn’t following the 3 wash or 7 day detox protocol).
  • “Baked” hair for about 10-15 minutes with blow dryer. I did this as the Terressentials FAQs page indicated that the detox process can be sped up and absorption ehnaced by “baking” the mud under the sun for 15-20. There was absolutely no sun in sight on Saturday, so I figured the dryer would do!
  • Allowed mud wash to sit on head, uncovered, for an hour or so. This was another tip from the site to speed up the detox process.
  • Hopped in the shower and rinsed mud. Released each twist to rinse and finger detangle under the shower stream.
  • Applied about another tablespoon or so of TMW for a second and final wash and rinsed.

After this process, I didn’t condition at all … no regular conditioner, no deep conditioner, no leave-in conditioner. I wanted to be able to evaluate the unadulterated results from the TMW as so many indicate that no conditioner is necessary after using it.

So, I blotted with a hair cloth and then allowed my hair to air dry (which it did pretty quickly without any product). When my hair was mostly dry, but not quite, I placed about a dime-size amount of JBCO/EVOO mix in my palm, smoothed it and applied to my hair, focusing on the ends. Then, I proceeded to do two strand twists using some Sofn’Free Mold & Hold Wax on the roots of a few of the twists for control and hold.

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My Thoughts
So, what do I think of the Terressentials Mud Wash? I think it … or some variation of it … is a keeper. After the rinsing (which was very easy), my hair felt heavy like it does after a henna treatment, but with less mess and time involved. My hair also looked like a sheet of waves and looked very defined and shiny. I will say that it did have a very slightly coated feeling, but that totally dissipated and was replaced by softness as my hair dried.

In addition to being soft, ,my hair was fluffy and full. I took the opportunity to finally do some two-strand twists, because I suspected that I might be able to achieve a decent, non-anorexic looking, set. I usually twist on dry hair to get the plumpest set possible. I further stacked the deck by trying a technique Chy’sCurlz suggested for fine-strand naturals here. She recommends twisting in the opposite direction of what feels natural in order to form a plumper twist and I agree that it works!

Back to the wash, overall, I really liked it!! The only cons I experienced thus far are the cost due to shipping and, directly related to that, how much I had to use to wash my whole head!! I’m pretty sure I used half of the 8 ounce bottle!! If the bottle lasted for a year, no biggie. If I only got 4 applications out of it but it cost $4-$5 and could be found on the ground, fine. But, at $10.75 a pop, plus approx. $9 for shipping, this stuff needs to go a lot farther or cost a lot less!!

With that being said, I was trying to do a very thorough “detox,” since I had no plans to wash three times or every day for 7 days. Therefore, I don’t think I will need as much wash going forward. Also, maybe half of it won’t end up on the sink next time ;).

“Final” Verdict
So, I know what you’re thinking. Will I buy it again? Is it worth the cost? Hmmmmm … well, I have a bottle and a half to go and I’m going to continue to use it weekly until it’s gone. I did really like the results and the ease of detangling without the need for a pre-poo or any conditioner. However, I’m already on the hunt for a DIY recipe, because I don’t see myself spending that much for something that I may be able to easily and cheaply make at home. I already have the ingredients that I need to make a “mud wash” (aloe vera juice, bentonite clay, carrier oils and essential oils). It won’t be the exact recipe of course, but I think I’ll be putting on my mixtress cap to see if I can come up with something that closely mimics the results at a fraction of the cost. So, stay tuned for more on that front!

In the interim, if I happen to be in Middletown or Frederick, MD, I’ll probably be making a pitstop at a Terressentials store to stock-up, sans the shipping costs!!

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Have you been dying to try Terressentials Mud Wash, but have hesitated for some reason? If so, what’s been holding you back?

Nov14

Terressentials Organic Hair Wash

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Last week, Adrienne gave us her GOC Update and sang the praises of Terressentials Organic Hair Wash. I wanted to know who else had tried it and what they thought of it as my inner PJ was trying to rear her head again. Well, Chy’sCurlz didn’t help subdue the PJ, as she commented on the post and shared a link for her review of this all-natural, kind of all-in-one product!

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Chy’s Curlz

First Day of Terressentials Organic Hair Wash

I finally bit the bullet and bought the Terressentials hair wash and it rocks!! It is the best thing I’ve ever used on my hair and I’m not exaggerating, not even an iota.

Products Used:
  • Terressentials Hair Wash
What I did:
  • I undid my yarn braids that I had in for all of two weeks (whole other post … smh).
  • I sectioned my hair into eight sections, four in the back and four in the front.
  • I spritzed each section with some water and then applied the mud from root to tip.
  • I made sure to massage the hair wash on my scalp to cleanse the scalp and then distribute it further down the strands.
  • And can I tell you, my hair was so easy to detangle. I know that when I use HEHH, it detangles well, but there was something about the hair wash that made it just that much easier to detangle.
  • I retained the sections and twisted it after detangling.
  • I then covered my hair with a shower cap and let it sit for about 1-2hrs (I just forgot about it).
  • It was time to get in the shower, I let the stream of water run on the hair first and then I undid each twist and washed it more thoroughly.
  • When I got out of the shower, my coils were so well defined and soft to the touch. I didn’t do the three washes, which is partly why I had left it in for as long as I did.
  • Suffice it to say that I’m super excited to see what my hair will look like after the whole 5 days “detox.”

Results after day 1:

That’s it … ’til later.

~smooches

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Thanks for sharing lady!

Check out Chy’s Curlz’ “Final Verdict” on the Terresentials Mud Wash here!

(Yeah, I just watched Naptural85’s first video review of this product too. I’m just sayin’ … there’s little doubt that the PJ will win this one and I’ll be ordering some VERY soon.)