Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Day 9--Product Review

I found a really good product with this one and it was relatively cheap....actually t is really cheap. The name might throw some people off because it is not normally something that I think black people are used to using on their hair...

So today's product is: Suave Professionals Almond+Shea Butter Moisturizing Shampoo

The label is a little tricky....it says NEW 100% NATURAL but the small print says almond and shea butter...so actually the only thing natural in the product are those 2 ingredients. But it is a moisturizing shampoo which is a plus. It is advertised to be good for dry and damaged hair. It claims to work as well as Aveda Dry Remedy Shampoo.  The second ingredient  is sulfate but not all hair (natural or relaxed) reacts to sulfates the same way, so it is worth a try. I have not tried this particular shampoo on freeform natural hair but it is good for locs. It is thick enough to lather but not so thick that it doesnt wash out of the locs.
It is also a very good buy @ $3.00 for 32fl.oz I think that anybody should give it a try. It doesn't leave a residue or a build-up. It also has the best almond smell that really lingers in ur hair. It adds shine to ur hair and it also adds significant moisture to the scalp and hair. This is a good everyday shampoo or just a good go to when u have run out of ur regular shampoo.  I haven't seen it at any store other then Wal-Mart but Im sure it can be found in Target, Walgreens, CVS, or Meijer....

Day 8---Product Review

Today I want to review another product for children...
I have used almost all of the products in the African Pride Kids line because I think that they work well for the most part. Even without them having plat based or 100% natural ingredients they still work well for my daughters.

So today's product is:African Pride (Dream Kids) Anti-Breakage Detangling Oil Moisturizer...


This is another non-natural product that works really well. I have used this for both of my daughters. It is good for detangling after a wash. It is thick but if u work it into wet hair it drys clear. U can also use it on dry hair but just a smaller amount. I have used it to slick up a ponytail but because it is not as thick s a pomade it does not hold. When u use it on wet hair it does give a shininess to twist and braids.

It claim to work because it is enriched with Olive Oil but it also has 10 other oils in it so I don't think that the Olive Oil is very prevalent. It has a very nice strawberry-ish smell. The one thing that I don't like is that it can be a little greasy on my hands. It can also be a little sticky which can cause any sheaded hairs to stick to ur fingers.

I paid $4.99 for a 8 fl.oz. bottle and it has lasted for going on 2 months....so I consider that to be a pretty good deal. I  wouldn't say this is a "must have" but it is good for very tender headed children. I purchased mine from the beauty supply but it can also be found at Wal-Mart.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Day 7--Product Review

Ok...I didn't want to do any ultra cheap dollar store products but I decided, what the heck, why not...So here goes and this ones just for Signet Harding...


So today's product is: Tame Hydrating Shampoo...
Never heard of it? Well neither had I.  So this is a product that can be purchased at any "Everything is a Dollar Store. It is not a natural or plant based product. Over 50% of the ingredients in this product cannot be pronounced. Although it does have water and Aloe Vera juice it also citric acid.
I don't like this product because it is thin and it doesn't lather. You cant wash ur hair with a shampoo that just sits on your scalp. I would not use nor recommend this product. It does not have a good smell...and most importantly it does not hydrate the hair. It does not have any ingredients that will hydrate or moisturize natural hair properly. All in all I will say that cheaper or the cheapest may not be best...
Sorry Signet, but I will have plenty of other product reviews that will be better choices...lol

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Day 6--Product Review

Hey...Everybody today I'm back with a product that I have been using forever. I love the whole product line.

Today's Product is Cantu Shea Butter Leave In Conditioning Repair Cream...

This product definitely helps with curl definition. It adds shine, moisture, it reduces frizz, and helps hide split ends. Even though I am not a fan of overnight conditioning the label says that it can be used overnight with a shower cap to get maximum absorption. Because it adds tons of moisture it is good for daily use when u are doing wash-n-goes, twist outs, or braid outs.  Because it controls frizz it is good for the hot and humid days.
The ingredients for this product are not 100% natural but it does have Shea Butter, Soybean Oil, and Glycerin. On the downside it does have some alcohol in it. Even with the alcohol I still stand behind this product because it does work so well.
I have used Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In for 2Strand Twist, Twist Outs, Flat Twist, Flat Twist Outs, and Wash -n-Goes. This was a staple for me before loc'ing. I would not use it on dry hair because of the thickness and if u have have used other products the build-up of those mixing with this will cause flaking. It is not a good choice for locs or puffs, although it white and dries clear it will make a puff limp if too much is used.
At $4.99-$5.99 for 16 fl. oz this a good buy. You can purchase it at Wal-Mart, Target, and the Beauty Supply. This is definitely a product where a little goes a long way...

Monday, October 17, 2011

Day 5---Product Review

Hey I'm back I guess I took a little break for the weekend but now it is back to business and i will start the week off with another product for the kiddies.

So today's products is: Kids Organic by African Best (Ultimate Moisture Shea Butter Conditioning Shampoo)

I used this product on both of my girls and it worked ok on my daughter with free form hair but not so good for my daughter that has starter locs. It is thick which is normal for shampoos that have the added conditioning element. I would still use a conditioner with this product if u have the time. One thing that I did not like about it is that took a little more then I wanted to use to get a good lather. The bottle is only 6 fl. oz. and that means that it will go very quickly, but it is only $1.99 so I guess that u could just buy more if u like it. The ingredients are not natural at all so if u want to stick to products that have all ingredients that u can pronounce then this will not be the product for u.
I like it for the most part, it is a good go to if u don't have anything else. Another downside is if u are trying to teach your daughter to accept her natural hair then u might not want to show her to see the bottle...the girls on the front have long straight curled hair.
So am I recommending this product? Yes I think it would be good for a good wash and for little girls that are transitioning.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Day 4--Product Review

I'm so excited to be doing these reviews...it is moving right along.

My next product is: Raw Shea Butter Oil
Now I first have to say that I Love, Love, Love Shea Butter! I like usually like my shea butter in the solid form because it seems to last longer. The oil is mixed with Canola Oil, Safflower Oil, Cotton Seed Oil, Wheat Germ Oil, and Macadamia Nut Oil. There are probably more of these oils then the actual shea butter even though it is listed first because it stays in the liquid form. I like the fact that this can be purchased in a tube that has a tip applicator. The tip makes it easier to get down on the actual scalp. If u have all ur hair up in a style or if u have a afro, or basically just about any style that might hinder ur ability to get oil directly down to ur scalp. The tube would be perfect it it could be refilled or reused, but I'm assuming that the cost(.99-1.00) makes it easy to just throw it away when it is empty and just buy another one. Each tube contains 1.5 fl. oz. so it may not last that long depending on how much u feel the need to use it. I would recommend it for someone that has tangley hair or someone that no longer uses a comb(if u get the tip applicator tube).
This oil is not heavy and it can be used on adults and children. I personally would prefer to buy the solid shea butter and melt down small amounts to oil my scalp.
I wouldn't say this is a must have but it is a good go to especially in a travel bag or overnight bag...its good for a quick fast fix when u have itchy scalp or are experiencing some dryness but don't have a big bottle or jar of moisturizer.

Day 3--Product Review

OK so today I have to talk about one of my new favorites. I had never used it before just because I thought that I liked another brand.

So today's product is: Aphogee Moisturizing Oil Sheen
I really like it because it is a little thicker then most oil sheens. It has been my experience that some oil sheens just get sucked up by natural hair and a few minutes later it is like you didn't put anything on it at all. As far as ingredients, of course it is not natural, but I must say I was a little thrown off when I read that one of the top ingredients is Propane. Its something how we never really read labels before going back to natural.
Even though it might not have the best ingredients I think that it works really well. I have sprayed it on my locs and on both of my daughters. I think that what makes it work buying is the integrity of the Aphogee line of products. This is not a product that I would use on transitioning hair or or weave because of the heaviness. I think it adds just enough shine to natural hair to make it look nice and not lack luster.
I do have one problem with it and it could be the product or just the can that I got, but it seems to be jammed. Meaning the can is half full and at this point instead of spraying out it just kind of sputters out. That makes it a little frustrating because it is time consuming. Also it just has a "ok" smell.
Over all I would say that it might be good to try it...not a necessity. It is inexpensive ($4.99) and can be found in the beauty supply.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Day 2--Product Review

Hey I'm back for Day 2...didn't know if I was going to make it...so many products to choose from!

Ok so todays product is for the kiddos: African Pride "Dream Kids" Detangling Moisturizing Conditioner
So I have to say that I usually buy products or my children if they have detangling or moisturizing on the label.
This conditioner, according to the label, can be used as a leave-in or a rinse out.
While reading the ingredients I see it has shea butter, olive oil, coconut oil, soybean oil, jojoba oil, grape seed oil, avocado oil, linseed oil, wheat germ oil....that's seems like over kill to me, that is just my opinion. How many oils do u really need? Anyway, lets talk about the performance of the product.

So recently I tried co-washing for my youngest daughter's freeform natural hair. I do this once a month, mainly because I do not use a lot of products in her hair so her scalp build-up is really low. 

Overall I think this is a good co-wash product for a child's hair...most times I buy different products for my children then what I use. I think that some products are designed for children for a reason, therefore I don't use them.  So I have used the whole bottle and it took me a while to use it and I would use it again. The thing i liked the most was that it was a good detangler. My daughter has extremely coily hair and detangling is a nightmare but what I noticed was that once I worked it through the hair I could then detangle with my fingers.  It did add shine to her hair and it wasn't very drying.
I also used it as a regular condish after a shampoo...it also worked well in this instance because of the moisture element. That is the key to most good conditioners. I would not and have not used it as a leave-in, not because it wouldn't work, but because I am personally not a fan of leave-ins in my daughter's hair.

So I would recommend this product for anyone who has a daughter with tangley, dry, freeform natural hair...use for a good deep condish or co-wash...either way you will be happy with the results.
The cost is good too...only $3.99 at the beauty supply....

Monday, October 10, 2011

Day 1--Product Review

I will start with a disclaimer...this is my opinion on these products. Not all of these products will work on all natural hair. Not all of these products will be natural or plant based. 

My first product is....Jam!
I know that some naturals are not into gels, but this is a really good product. It is labeled as a shining and conditioning gel. The label also states that it has no wax, no flaking, and no drying alcohol. It does contain alcohol but it does not dry like normal gel and it does not make the hair "crunchy". This product can be used on wet or dry hair. I have been using the Extra Hold because I like the thickness. The consistency is very thick...a lot more dense than Eco Styler Gel and Impro Gel, but not as thick as Shea Butter. It reminds me of Jello...lol.
I have been using Jam! for about 2 weeks now and I tried it on multiple styles just to see what it would do. It works wonders for a ponytail...it slicks and smoothes edges really well. I didn't think that it worked better then gel for loc retwist but it did give the locks a shiny, smooth, slick look in the front; which I did like. I like it at the base of 2Strand twist and flat twist. It gives a better grip for the twist if the hair is wet and if the hair is dry it adds some moisture and shine. It also is good for taming frizzies. You can put a little on your fingers when untwisting for a twist out. I would not recommend this product for comb coils because it is heavy. I think it is better for thicker more kinky hair because of the heaviness of the product.
All in all I think that it is a good product for any natural hair wearer to have on hand. I got mine from Wal-Mart on sale, the price ranges from $2-$3 per jar and each jar should last about 1 month.