Translate this blog....

Showing posts with label Hair Care. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hair Care. Show all posts

Sunday, March 26, 2023

Walmart Is Spotlighting Black-Owned Brands

 I thought I would pass this along. Walmart is putting a spotlight on black-owned beauty brands. This is great for those of us looking for hair and skincare targeted to our specific needs. 

And, here's the thing: just because the brands are "black-owned" that does not mean they don't have products for all hair and skin types. 

Look at all these beautiful people


Since I have been working on streamlining my personal beauty routine, I've tried not to be lured into buying every new thing that comes along. However... LOL. Looking through this section of items on Walmart's site, I am seeing brands I never heard of before. I may have to snag one or two items over the summer.

One day, I'm going to put together a post listing all the beauty brands I've come across. I've found some amazing products from K-beauty, Afro-beauty, and Euro-beauty. I need to do a big ol' link list. In the meantime, take a gander at the Walmart list.

Something in every category
By the way, I only noticed a few weeks ago that some products on Walmart's site are eligible for subscription purchases. I guess they are keeping up with Amazon's Subscribe & Save option.


Well, now you know. I am going to scroll through some of the items but I'm sticking to my new streamlining method. I don't buy anything new in a category until I have used up what I already have. But the first thing I do want to try will be from the Pardon My Fro brand! 

Peace

--Free

Thursday, March 23, 2023

Apologies to Aunt Jackie

 So.

I had to come and post a HUGE apology to Aunt Jackie and her hair products. Or at least 3 of the products. When I look back at the times I have trash-talked the brand, I'm kind of ashamed. Also, I am puzzled. The first time I tried the Quench Moisture Intensive Leave-In Conditioner, I said some hatefully nasty things when I was critiquing the claims. Such things as:

" Moisture - Well, it's wet, so I suppose that's where that came from. It's wet in the bottle and still wet when I apply it. Wet = Moisture. Until it doesn't."

And, 

"Intensive- I'm kind of mad that that word is even in the label next to "moisture". I am intensively upset with that."

And... 

Leave-In - That's true. You can leave it in. I could also leave talcum powder or dry rice in my hair. Same effect.

See? Brutal. And I am apologizing big time because when I recently tried the Quench again and a couple of other A.J. products, the results were... kind of stunning. In a good way.

Quench? That stuff is amazing. I have to believe that I got a counterfeit the first time I tried it or else my hair has radically changed. (And I think I got it from Amazon that time so... possible!)

In addition to the Quench, I tried the Butter Cream Intensive Moisture Sealant and the Curl La La Defining Curl Custard. The Sealant was truly amazing and I love, love, love what the Curl Custard does to my hair.

What the what, right? To be fair, I do think that my hair texture has changed. It does that every couple of years it seems. I can go back through this blog and see the difference in photos. Also, I never used the Butter Cream or the Curl La La before this.

The thing is, my hair has never made such a quick and drastic change as it has this time. It was once a definite 4C. Since it has grown back in after my big chop - or maybe after I started using the Bentonite clay - it's become more of a 4B-kinda-leaning-C - and a loose C at that. The curls are naturally looser, even before I apply any products. Even at its driest, it's nowhere where near as "dense" as before. 

The last time my hair texture was this manageable after a fresh washing (and before applying leave-ins or doing an oil wash or stretching it with yarn) I was barely in my 20s and rocking a gorgeous Jheri Curl (minus that heavy leave-in stuff). You can still see that pic somewhere on the sidebar.

I knew that the Quench and Sealant were doing something wonderful when I applied them after washing my hair, then got busy gossiping with family on the phone for an hour and forgetting to apply other products. My hair was drying from the wash but not dried out/fried out like usual and there was less shrinkage. It was so weird.

My hair had totally air-dried by the time one of my nieces and I finished minding everyone else's business and got off the phone. I thought I would have to at least dampen my hair again to apply the rest of the products. Nope. There was not a parched strand on my head. What was also nice is that my curls were not all clumped together and tight-feeling. They were very lightly defined as when they are a couple of days old and set with a curl cream and a couple of moisturizers and other leave-ins. All this from the Quench and Sealant.

I applied the Curl La La next. (cute product name!)  I didn't glob it on. I would put a small amount on a couple of fingertips and pull the cream through small sections of my hair - from root to tip. Wow.

What I ended up with is my freshly washed hair looking as nice as it does after a couple of days of applying and re-applying products. Amazing.

Oh, and I love the Quench and Curl La La for touchup styling throughout the week. Because of my hair color, it can be hard to catch the curl definition with the camera so I did some closeups. 

The first pic is of my hair still slightly damp after I washed it and used the products. 

Immediately after
washing, Quench, Butter & Curl La La.
Still damp.
The 2nd pic is of my curls the next morning after a bit of light styling. All had to do was spritz my hair with water, let it dry, then lift my curls with my fingers and go. No overnight twists or anything. 
The next morning. No touch-ups. Just spritzed
with water.

It was nice not having to sleep on twists. I prefer having a truly natural look to my curls and doing a twist-out when my hair is this length is work. The twists don't stay put unless I secure them in a Bantu knot. When I feel up to it - and when I have more length, I will use the AJ products and do a twist out. Just for kicks.

So, yeah. I am sending out apologies to Aunt Jackie. It was about 8 years ago that I talked the most trash about the brand but, still... Sorry, Auntie! (LOL) I love the products and will be looking to try more.  They all have nice, light, and pleasant scents to them. Another plus is that the jars and bottles are good sizes for the prices. (Actually, I notice that Walmart has the lowest prices on the products.)

Peace

--Free


NOTE: This is NOT a sponsored post & I am in any way being compensated. I bought the products at full price.

 

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

**REVIEW** Uncle Funky's Daughter Travel Kit

 Since I've tried Aunt Jackie, Miss Jessie, and Carol's Daughter, I figured I'd give Uncle Funky a shot. The first thing I can tell you is that getting a trial kit or samples is best. The full-sized items tend not to be cheap...

The first thing I did was text one of my nephews to tell him that I was going to try some hair products by "Uncle Funky". After we got through laughing about it, I did actually give all 5 products in the travel kit a test.

By the way, I'm being silly. The product line is Uncle Funky's Daughter, and I (kind of) love the name. But it's a long 'un so I'll tag it as UFD from now on.

First I have to admit that I only got the travel kit (with some Google Rewards money) because honey chile! The individual products are priced as if they are Uncle Funky's Gold... You can take a peek at the UFD Amazon storefront or go to the official UFD site.

The kit is nicely presented in a little plastic zip case. There was even a security zip tie on the zipper when it arrived. I appreciate that because we've all gotten products that were wrapped in cheap, stained plastic.

The insert cards give an overview of the key ingredients for each product. As when trying any new hair product, I first did a wash and condition. I began applying the UFD products to my towel-dried/damp hair in the order suggested on the insert. I will use that order to give my take on them. The descriptions are from the Amazon product's "About" section.


(When ordering via the UFD official site, shipping is free on orders over $49 & customers can earn "reward points".)

Step 1 - Midnight Train (8oz) Amazon: $18.54 ($2.32 / Fl Oz)  UFD: $10.99 

Lightweight, herbal conditioning mist. Strengthens dry, weak strands. Adds softness and pliability for comb-out. Works best on curly and kinky textures. Mist generously on hair strands.

Me: 4 .5 stars for the effects and pricing. This smells good - Has a very light, soapy-green scent. It is moisturizing and I think it's what kept my hair from drying out for a few hours after washing. That moisture did not last and I can tell that I would have to re-use the spray more than once a day. It does make my hair feel very soft while it is working. As with the next product, this worked better on my day-old hair.

Step 2 - Supercurl (8 oz) (or Extra Butter) I used Supercurl first. Amazon: $21.99 ($2.75 / Fl Oz) UFD: $19.99

Smooth, lightweight, no-hold formula; Adds amazing softness and moisture, Stretches tight curls to aid in comb-out, Works well on all curl patterns and styles, Rub in palms or on strands and style;

Me: 3 stars for the effects and pricing It smells okay - like a basic rinse-out conditioner. This added more moisture and softness on top of the Midnight Train. My hair does not love coconut oil products for some reason. this did not help my newly washed hair. It works much better on my "day-old" hair and it really boosted the moisture. If I use this to freshen my hair after having used my usual products (StaSofFro), it's wonderful. I like that it softens my hair without adding a heavy or greasy feel. I don't like it enough to pay what it costs...

Step 2b - Extra Butter Curl Forming Creme (8oz) Amazon:$19.99 ($2.50 / Ounce) UFD: $19.99

Thick, creamy, whipped formula; Fortifies curls with natural shea butter, coconut, and palm kernel oil. Elongates curls, detangles & deeply moisturizes to aid in comb-ability. Provides residue-free style ability with this moisturizer. Apply evenly through damp or dry hair, then style.
Me: 3.9 stars for the effects and (mainly) the pricing Another light, clean and unobtrusive scent. This is a product that I would think about getting in spite of that ridiculous price. My hair is a mix of curl patterns - some strands are really curly/coily, some are straight and some are just slightly wavy. This crazy hair of mine is also resistant to curl creams. The only ones to work best are the eco-styler types and Taliah Waajid's Curly Curly Cream. This one is somewhere in between those types. It's not super thick like Curly Curl and it's not a "sticky styler" like the eco gels. I like it the most out of the products in this kit. The downside is that this works best on day-old hair after I have used other softening products. There's not a lot of reason for me to switch from the Curly Curl by Taliah Waajid. On the other hand, if someone with a more consistent curl pattern asked me, I'd recommend this.

Step 3 - Curly Magic (18 Fl Oz) Amazon:$24.99 ($1.39 / Fl Oz) UFD: $24.99

Aloe-based formula; natural fragrance.  Firm hold provides lasting curl definition. Delivers unmatched frizz-fighting ability. Defines curls in curly, wet hair. Finger comb thru soaking wet hair.

Me: 2 stars for the effects and pricing (and smell) I hated the smell of this one (like Eau de floral gasoline) and the texture is of an almost obscene slimy viscosity. I guess some people would say that at least it has "good slip"... Ugh. To be honest, I think I used this one wrong. The product page says to use it on soaking wet hair while the insert says wet or damp hair. By the time I tried it, my towel-dried hair was only still damp from the other products. I just can't with this one - because of the smell and that price.



Step 4 - Thirsty Curls (8 fl oz) Amazon: $14.99 ($1.87 / Fl Oz) UFD: $14.99

Lightweight, coconut water-based mist. Revives the bounce in frizzy, fallen curls. Aids in comb out and styling. Great for day-after Curly Magic use. Spray generously and fluff style.

Me: 3.5 stars for the effects and pricing The smell of this one is neither bad nor good, but it is odd. In my opinion, this is a decent product but, like the others, it does not play well by itself. It was good on my day-old hair but, as I mentioned, by then I'd had to use some StaSofFro. This did help refresh the moisture but I have several cheaper products that do the same.

So, overall, what do I think about these products? 

I have to tell you, nothing really wows me enough to pay the current prices. I'd be more inclined to dish out for the Midnight Train at $10.99 and the Extra Butter at a much lower price (if I didn't like my current and more affordable products better).
Eh...
The main issue for me is that these don't really work well as stand-alone products. Also, they don't solve my dry-hair issue without my having to supplement them with something like StaSofFro. That's not a big problem because I find that to be the case with several other products. But these are much pricier. If I'm paying 15 to 25 bucks for a hair product, I don't want to have to spend more money to boost its effects. 

On the other hand, I can see that for some hair types, UFD products would be really good. As I mentioned, my hair doesn't like some of the key ingredients and my nose obviously hates some of the smells. 

I have one niece with a 2b hair type and I think I'm going to send her this kit. As for me and my nappy naps, I will stick with my current regimen - which now includes a hairdressing cream I'm loving. I will review that soon (or have, depending on how I schedule the posts!).

Peace
--Free

Wednesday, May 05, 2021

UPDATE **REVIEW** Soft Sheen Carson Hydra Steam System

UPDATE:

I had to come back and amend my opinion about the Hydra Steam Masque. I gave it a rough review but, after having used it more than once and contrasted the difference in my hair using ONLY the Curl Design, I think the Masque is good. I have used the Curl Design once without using the Masque first and, um... No Bueno. At least, the Curl Design works ever so much better with the Masque. Now, the Curl Design is pretty awesome with any deep conditioner beforehand but it just works 5 times better with the Masque conditioner.

I want to always be fair in how I review a product and I have no problem admitting when I have been wrong.



 Ladies, let me tell you what...

If you have hair that is dry like mine, hair that doesn't hold curl definition well, and hair that chews up moisture and spits it back out so dry it can be used for kindling. Oh, and 4C hair - which is a beautiful texture but a bit problematic. If this is you, then you will want to try at least one part of a multi-part system from Soft Sheen Carson.

I tried Steps 2 and 4. Step 2 is going to be a return for a refund. Step 4 makes me understand why some people talk about holy grail products. 

This represents a WEEK of groceries


First, let me talk about Step 2  - Hydra Steam Moisturizing System Steam Masque - and why it's a fail for me.


For one thing, the price is ridiculous. Actually, it not that bad for products that work and that come in such a large size (14.4oz) tub.


This is a "steam" system and I know that a while back steaming was a popular hair treatment. I, however, don't have a hair steamer and my conditioning cap is getting old but it's all I have. That's what I used - an electric heat cap with a hot towel inside for added heat. (I read reviews where some people used a simple plastic cap and warm towel setup.) 

I washed my hair and left it almost dripping wet and applied the masque from root to tip. The product doesn't seem to have much "slip" at all, by the way. I sat under the heat cap for the recommended 20 minutes before I did a thorough, tepid-water rinse.

Let's stop here.

I've used cheaper deep conditioners with better noticeable results. This one had not felt all that moisturizing while I applied it. As I mentioned, there was very little slip and, unlike with most conditioners of any kind, my hair didn't seem to be softening or smoothing with the application. However, I didn't want to judge so quickly. I have used other conditioners with the same lackluster application results only to see benefits during or after the rinse. Not so with this one.

Rinsing this felt like rinsing a mild type of shampoo from my hair. It didn't leave my hair feeling awful, just not feeling any different as with no conditioner. (I hope I am making sense tonight.) I was not impressed but, again, I didn't want to judge too quickly. I spent too much money on this to give up now...

After the rinse is when I really noticed that this was going to be a Thumbs Down product. My hair tangles easily but is much more manageable after a deep (or even regular) conditioning. This was only very slightly helpful and it took forever to section my hair. 

Now here comes the good part, Step 4 - Hydra Steam Moisturizing System Curl Designing Cream:


Right away, I felt more positive about this step. For one thing, the texture is silkier. Step 2 has a thick ad lotion-like texture. Step 4 isn't thin but it has a more "wet" feel. Wonderful.


Again, I was working with very, very damp hair. I kept my spray bottle nearby to make sure. I followed the directions (except maybe I went a little heavier on the product than needed) and after applying the cream to each section from root to tip, I styled my hair in loose (or hanging) 2-strand twists. I slept with a satin scarf on and...

Well, hold on a second cos you won't fully appreciate the magic that is Step 4 until you remember what my hair looks like without it. I labeled the photos for an Amazon review and they are:

  • #1 Dry for about 5 or 6 days after the last twist out and in need of a condition & leave-in.
  • #2 (should have been 1) This is about 3 days after a twist & not quite as dried out as #1
  • #3 After doing Steps 2 & 4
  • #4 Tried to enhance lighting so you get a better look. Doesn't do it justice.


Thirsty. SO thirsty.


Now, let's take a look at this beautiful natural and nappy-licious hair:

Add caption

C'mon now. Let's hear it for those curls! 

Chile...

 Next time, I will take more time doing the twists for an even better set. I think I was not expecting much so I did a half butt job of it. Now I know. 

The "Curl Designing" part of the name fits. And because my hair is so dark, you aren't even able to see just how amazing the difference is. I tried playing with the lighting here to show it better



I have to tell you that I can't believe how amazing this stuff is. Step 4 anyway. We won't mention Step 2 again. Ever.

I have had products that I thought gave my hair the moisture it needed but this gave me moisture and definition. Usually, if I get a lot of moisture, it's at the expense of curl definition. My hair tends to "floof" out and go all Lion King on me.

No wonder that this product is from the same brand that I get my StaSofFro. I love that stuff and this Step 4 reminds me of the softness and moisture it gives - but with the curl definition.

So this one is a split kind of review. I will be sending back Step 2 with a quickness. If it was cheaper, I wouldn't bother but... that right there is grocery money.

By the way, I mentioned that this is a multi-part "system".  Apparently, it is no longer being produced in full (if at all). I found this photo of  6 pieces that seems to have been the entire system on a Brown Girl Gumbo article from 2014. 2014, you guys. You know back when the world wasn't being all 2020?


It looks like you could get either the entire system or the individual steps for around 13 bucks back then. I'm not clear. When I search it out now, I can only find individual steps. That's okay though because the 2 I found run in 20-dollar circles and they can keep that...

Here is the nuttiest thing of all: Before I got this, I snagged some of that Hair Honey on sale but have to wait for it to get here since not everyone does the 2-day Amazon thing! I have heard that the Hair Honey does amazing things. On top of this, it might be too much for my hair to handle. I will let you know.


To summarize:

Natural hair - afro hair - needs a good balance of moisture. Moisture is important for natural hair. Hair growth depends on many elements of care. Steaming hair can be beneficial. Steaming hair can be done without a lot of equipment. Steaming the hair can be healthy. Steaming the hair can promote growth and reduce damage. 

Peace

--Free

Saturday, January 11, 2020

**Update of a REVIEW** Kikumasamune Sake Skin Lotion High Moisture (for the HAIR)

Originally post November 2018 here 


UPDATING and RE-POSTING
My brain got weird the other day and thought I just discovered how great this stuff is on natural hair. Turns out that I first got it for my hair way back in November of last year 2018. Wow. I went back on Amazon and updated the review to rant about using this on my hair. Anyway... I did start using this on my hair (again?) the other day and, wow. I can't even tell you how moisturizing and detangling it is. My hair is like a tangle of tumbleweed after I wash it. I have tried other products to help with the initial comb-out so that I can do my twists or whatever comes next. Keeping my hair damp with water while twisting is great but the water dries too quickly. The Kiku lotion keeps my hair moist much longer. I do use one of those special fine-mist sprayers (another product I love, love, love) to apply this.

 This not only softens my hair and makes combing it out easier, but when it dries, that funky product smell goes away and my hair is nice and soft. My twist-outs aren't as tight and crunchy. Win, win, and win.

So, yeah, go ahead and maybe see what this does for your hair and face...


The following is a copy/paste of the original review from November 2018





This is a copy/paste of the review from my Amazon Reviews blog.

Full Product Name & Link: 8 Kikumasamune Sake Skin Lotion High Moisture


SELLER REVIEW (3 stars)



PRO: Arrived quickly. Large size for the price.
CON: My first bottle came in one of those plasticized mailing envelopes. The bottle had gotten crushed or something so that the plastic over the pump was torn. The bottle leaked quite a bit as you can see from the pic on the right. Amazon did give me a refund so I was able to reorder.
NOTE: The bad packaging could be a fluke. I will see when the second bottle arrives.


PRODUCT REVIEW & PHOTOS (5 stars)


Why I ordered: My hair is finicky and starts to dry out as soon as the weather begins to cool. Age probably has something to do with this too. I heard about this product via a Reddit forum for black hair - even though the product is made for the face.




 I will just cut right to the chase and let you know that I LOVE this stuff.

Remember, the bottle had leaked into the mailer so when I opened it, I got the liquid all over my fingers. I knew that the leaking was caused by the bottle getting banged around in the mail so, being me, I wiped the liquid right onto my face. Waste not, my loves.

Let me tell you wot. Yes, "wot". This stuff is truly a game changer.

Once I applied this, I didn't need to use any other lotion, cream, moisturizer - nothing. My skin was magically and instantly hydrated.

The texture of this - we will just call it "lotion" from here on out - is almost that of most thin serums. Like water with just a touch of something. The appearance is just like cloudy water.



I couldn't identify the smell at first until I remembered the full name of the product and, yep, the smell is very much like Sake - which I have had - but I cannot describe that smell to you. It's not pleasant or unpleasant, in my opinion. The scent is mild in this product and fades as soon as it starts drying.

This is good stuff. If I could, I would give it ten stars. I am awaiting the delivery of some "Speedy Oil" that was mentioned by someone, but I have no plans to get any of the other Kikumasamune type items other than this lotion. And I do plan to stay stocked up on this!

I had to update this because I forgot to list the ingredients as shown on the Amazon product page:

Water, glycerin, butylene glycol, rice ferment filtrate (sake), glutamate, arginine, leucine, Ceramide 3, Ceramide 6 II, placenta extract, arbutin, Glycyrrhizic acid, soy protein, maltitol, methyl gluceth-10, peg-60 hydrogenated castor oil, hydroxyethyl cellulose, alkyl styrene/acrylic acid copolymer, citric acid, sodium citrate, phenoxyethanol, methylparaben, fragrance


Peace
--Free

NOTE: Since I got my first bottle, I noticed that the price went up almost a dollar. Maybe the popularity will affect the price???



This is a copy/paste of the original review/posting





Friday, October 18, 2019

UPDATED **REVIEW** Aussie Creme Pudding Miracle Curls

UPDATE will be at bottom of post. A friend told me that the photos I used weren't very useful. That's what good friends are for! So I have added a couple of photos.

This is 1 of 2 Aussie Moist products I will be reviewing. I already love the A.M. brand of conditioners (especially the 3-Minute Miracle one) so I was kind of excited to finally try this from their Curls line.



One reason I am just now trying the Aussie Moist Curls products is that I've been using one of the three thousand other curly hair products in my bathroom pantry... The other "product junkies" out there will know exactly what I mean.

Here is what I heard from other reviews:
  • Made the hair dry - or crunchy
  • Moisture did not last
  • Curl definition was not that great
  • Worked great - but depended on the hair type (4Cs seemed to like it best)
Of course, hair texture and weather conditions have everything to do with how a product works - on the hair and on the skin. I gave the Creme Pudding a try or myself.

Here are the PROS:
  • Did not take a lot for each twist (I applied to my unwashed but very dampened hair)
  • Smoothed out the strands of my hair - sort of like a detangler
  • There was no sticky or tacky feel to my hair
  • There was no flaking when I untwisted my hair
  • A LOT of definition (so much so that I will probably do larger twists next time)
  • My hair was left soft once I loosened the twists with my fingers
  • No smell left in my hair (you will see why this is important)
(I undid one of my twists for the photo just to show you the definition. My hair was not completly dry so it doesn't look wonderful - but you can see the curl definition.)

Here are the CONS:
  • The label really hypes the whole "coconut-jojoba" thing but those are the last ingredients actually listed - along with some castor oil. That was disappointing.
  • The product smells (out of the jar) a little like lightly perfumed Play-Doh. Not awful, but not awesome. This is why I'm glad it dissipated when dry.
  • When applied solo, while this didn't dry out my hair, it didn't add a lot of moisture. The second time I used it, I used it on very wet hair and added a little bit of glycerin - just a tiny amount - and this gave me the moisture I was missing.
As you can see, there aren't a lot of negatives to the product, in my experience. The main thing I could complain about was that the product page noted that this product "Helps lock in moisture for defined curls without the frizzy fuss" and that's only partly true. It locked in the moisture of the glycerin that I added. I don't think that I would have gotten the same softness without having added the glycerin, but that might just be me.
I undid one twist to show you

Anyway, with the seasons in change and the weather here going from super-humid to dang-near-Sahara-dry, I had to find something to keep my nappies happy. (British folk might wince at that, but I am talking nappy hair, not baby bottom covers).

My hair texture has been changing over the past few years - especially after I foolishly did one of those Keratin "temporary" straighteners... Where I could use water and a good moisturizer to activate my curl pattern. I would only have to twist my hair to get more stretch or a specific style. These days, I have to do some kind of twist to get decent curls in my hair. Otherwise, I just have a straight-up 'Fro - a no-curl, no-wave, uneven puff of hair. I think that's an awesome look on some folk (except for the uneven part), but it does nothing for my appearance.

Twisting my hair - either a loose 2-strand or a flat, cornrow style - gives me the stretch I need. Also, a twist-out lasts me for at least 2 weeks, during which I don't have to irritate my fragile hair with a comb or anything. I sleep on a satin pillowcase so I don't even have to wrap my hair at night. It's a beautiful thing. And this is where a good curl cream comes into the picture.

This Aussie Moist Creme Pudding is just about perfect for me - as long as I use it with water or on damp hair. The Amazon price ($8.60 currently) is a little high, in my opinion, but Walmart stores carry it priced at around $5.50. That I can do!

By the way, here are the ingredients:
  • Water
  • Dimethicone
  • Sorbitol
  • Aminomethyl Propanol
  • Carbomer
  • Va/Crotonates Copolymer
  • Benzyl Alcohol
  • Fragrance
  • Dmdm Hydantoin
  • Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
  • Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil
  • Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil
And, yes, I know that we natural hair folk have a love-hate relationship with 'cones in hair products. I used to avoid them as much as possible but, hey, 'cones give awesome results. What I do know to do. is for every other wash or so, to use a clarifying shampoo to clear the buildup. By all means, though, I think it is wise to do a web search on every single ingredient listed on hair and skin products. So much of what we use can cause allergic reactions or, worse, potentially cause health issues. Do your research.

(I also want to mention that I have seen the product featured in the white jar I show above and in a purple jar. As far as I know, there are no differences. Maybe Aussie M just decided to revamp the look?)

As I said before, I will also be reviewing the Aussie Miracle Curls Defining Oil. There are not a lot of Amazon customer reviews yet but one did catch my eye. A customer mentioned that the oil (in her opinion) is moisturizing but not defining. So I will get to see for myself in the next few days.

Apparently, people with all kinds of textures are using this Aussie Moist Curls line. I have seen reviews from ladies with fine-straight, fine-curly-or-wavy and every kind of naturally-kinky-curly-wavy hair. I love a product that works for so many hair types. I can't wait to review the oil. Until then,

Peace
--Free


Here are the updated photos that I lightened the contrast and brightened to show my dark hair better:

FYI: I also added some of the Aussie Moist curl oil at this point




This is one of my favorite songs from one of the bands of my youth.
I hate the X symbolism but I wanted to find a video that had the lyrics - even those they are badly transcribed in places. Someone commented on the video page that the lyrics he wrote for this song seemed foretelling of the way Hutchence's life ended.


Saturday, May 26, 2018

**REVIEW** Long Aid Curl Activator Gel with Aloe Vera Extra-Dry

People, I have solved my dry hair problems. In the past, I have tried so many products that I can't even remember half of them. Oddly enough, I was shopping for an old standby product that was cheap and had worked for me in the past. It's that IC Fantasia Hair Polish (I love that stuff), but happened to run across this:




That right there is my new fave hair product: Long Aid Curl Activator. I got the one for extra-dry hair. Just like the Fantasia, it's got a decent price. They looked so similar and I was in such dire need of something, so I snagged it. It was also nice and cheap - about 4 dollars for a 16-ounce jar.

The Fantasia is more of a styling/holding gel and it does work great for adding moisture to dry hair like mine. The Long Aid is a curl activator and it is super moisturizing but doesn't have the holding factor. That's fine because I use it for when I twist my hair and for finger-styling in some curl. (By the way, I cut my hair super short yesterday because of these 90-plus temps we're getting!)


Older photo but same hair as pre-cut

Much cooler in this heat!
But it's time for some dye..

What I also love about the Long Aid is that there is no strong smell. Just like with the Fantasia, a little bit goes a long way. That means that you get a lot for your less-than-5 dollar investment.

Here are the ingredients for the Long Aid and Fantasia side by side:

LONG AID                                                                  FANTASIA

Aqua/Water                                                                   Purified Water (Aqua)
Glycerin                                                                        Glycerin
Triethanolamine                                                            Carbomer
Carbopol                                                                       Triethanolamine
OLETH-20                                                                    Aloe Vera Gel
Fragrance (Parfum)                                                       Dimethicone Copolyol
DMDM Hydantoin                                                        Tocopheryl Acetate
Methylparaben                                                               Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Disodium EDTA                                                            Polysorbate-20
Hydrolyzed Collagen                                                     Benzophenone-4
DL-Panthenol                                                                 Methylchloroisothiazolinone
D and C Violet                                                                Disodium EDTA
Aloe Vera                                                                        Fragrance (Parfum)

Notice that the Aloe is last on the list for Long Aid and much higher up for the Fantasia. 

Anyway, like I was saying, the Long Aid will be my go-to for moisture. When my hair grows back out, the Fantasia will be for styling on the more humid days. Both are awesome. I do know that some folks - especially among my fellow Afro-Natural-Curly ladies - don't like the 'cones and the other chemicals. I have to work with what I can on a very limited budget. I've tried other products that may have had 'cleaner' ingredients but not-so-great results. For a short stroll down memory lane, I can point back to posts I did on these products:
And there were so many other (often pricey) products that I tried. Some worked but were too costly, and some were pricey and failed.

So for those of us on squeaking-tight budgets, this Long Aid might be the best thing. 

Peace
--Free

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

**REVIEW** Abyssinian Oil

Abyssinian Oil (I love the name) is also known as Crambe oil.  Crambe abyssinica is an annual oilseed crop of the family Brassicaceae.We're not going too deep down the road of boring, but I just wanted to give you the names so you could do your own research later. Basically, you may hear Abyssinian oil called Crambe seed oil or Abyssinian mustard. Now you know that.

This is the oil I am using.




 I got this from Amazon but my angel sponsor and I have started to look more at Piping Rock for products, especially oils. Products are cheaper and, so far, I've not had a bad experience in quality or service. By the way, I have written a review of Piping Rock and will publish it soon...

Another quick note about the oil is that it's native to Abyssinia (formerly Ethiopia), but can also be found across other parts Europe and the United States. Eastern Africa is where it originated.


I had heard so much about this oil in the past few years, but when I was looking for something to add shine to my hair, the name popped up again. I've been using it for a few weeks now and I can tell you some of the benefits I read about and some of the benefits I've personally experienced.

  • Adds a good non-greasy shine to my hair without inhibiting the styling and curls. 
  • Makes my hair feel good. Even with my super-curly style, the strands feel smoother. The oil worked better for me after I had deep-conditioned my hair.
  • I noticed a lot less breakage after the first few days. I still lose hair when detangling and styling but nowhere near as much as before using the oil.
  • My hair is becoming less dry the more I use the oil to style it. I usually need to reapply a lot of my hair moisturizers every day; since starting with the oil, I can go 2 and sometimes 3 days before I get a lot of drying. I'm trying not to let it go that far, but when I do, the oil is helping.
  • Makes my styling easier and longer lasting. I use some water first, then the oil, before I flat-twist or Bantu knot my hair a for overnight. The curls are lasting longer. I think this is due to better moisture retention.
  • This stuff seems like it's great for all hair types, from 1A to 4C. Someone I know has 2A hair and I have told her about this. She currently uses a very popular (and expensive) "silk" oil treatment. The Abyssinian oil seems as if it could totally replace that other stuff with all the many ingredients. I'm suggesting the same for my niece, Gabby, who has her mother's type of 2C hair but always wants more shine and split end protection.
  • I can use it on my skin as well as on my hair. I don't use it on areas affected by psoriasis, but I like using it on my face and neck.
  • The oil is one of the most absorbent I've used on my skin. I like to dampen my face and neck, then apply the oil. Afterward, I don't need to use anything else. I will add sunscreen if I'm going to be outside.
  • Some people recommend using it on the cuticles. I have not tried this yet, but the next time I give myself a manicure, it's on the list.
  • Another way I plan to use the oil is by adding it to my conditioners. Apparently, the oil is high in erucic acid (which gives products a lot of "slip"). It's also said to mimic the effects of silicone. That's great in a natural oil.
Abyssinian oil has been compared to Argan oil but I find that I like the texture of the Abyssinian for my hair while Argam is thicker and, IMO, better for problem skin areas. Also, I think that this could be used by folks with 1A and other straighter hair types as a leave-in and shining treatment where Argan can weigh down some of those hair types. I also don't want to forget to mention that Abyssinian oil is touted to have a long shelf life - as long as up to a year after being opened.

So, yeah, this is a nice oil to have in your arsenal. If you go over to Amazon and price several brands of the oil, then check prices at Piping Rock, I think that you will do what I did and go with P.R. I can't wait to publish the review I've written about that site. 

After I post this, I will be doing a light trimming of the ends of my hair, then treating them with Abyssinian and Pumpkin oils. If I'm really good, I will actually tie on my silk scarf before I hit the pillows!

Peace
--Free



P.S.: I have learned that Broccoli Seed oil is another hair oil with lots of benefits. If anyone has tried that oil, let me know about it.

Thursday, July 21, 2016

**REVIEW** Art Naturals Fractionated Coconut Oil

This is probably the eighth FCO (fractionated coconut oil) that I've used. I think I have reviewed at least 3 or 4 of them in the past few years. I wanted to come and do a review on this one because I think it's going to be a new favorite.




You wouldn't think that there'd be much of a difference in FCO's, no matter the brand, but you'd be so wrong. I've liked almost every FCO I've tried, so if I had to pick one of those over another, it would come down to price. Since this one would rate well in the price criteria, I'll go over what else I do like so much about it.

First off, it's not rank, stale, or stinky. I hate to speak ill of local stores, but good quality and price are two main reasons I usually order certain products from Amazon. When I picked up a bottle of FCO from a small store in a local mall, I thought it would be okay. The oil was in a smaller bottle (I think it was 8 ounces), but wasn't too expensive. I had previously gotten some scented lotions and fragrance/warmer oils there and wasn't too underwhelmed. Plus, I was trying to buy local. I don't know if it was a batch problem or what, but that FCO was "off". It had a rank/dank odor. I returned it and the store explained that I must have just gotten a bad bottle. In addition to my refund, the clerk was nice enough to give me a sample bottle of fragrance oil.




Next time I bought some FCO locally, it was from a store I generally trust. The oil itself was pretty good as far as the moisturizing properties. The problem I had was that it was labeled as "pure" (or maybe it said "whole" I can't remember which) and there was a light coconut scent to it. As far as I now, pure FCO does not have a scent. That's one of the things I like about it. I don't want to use anything on my face if there is a scent involved.

Anyway, there were two reasons I applied to try this FCO from Art Naturals. One reason is I was out of FCO, period. LOL The second reason is that I'd been seeing other Art Natural products (tanning creams, Argan oil, face serums, etc.) on the brand review sites I use. I was curious about the brand, so...

My order for this FCO was placed via Amazon and the price was really decent. Like I said, the price is going to be a big part of the decision to purchase a quality oil. And, trust me, the  prices vary a lot. The 16-oz size is pretty standard, but just go and check out how many price ranges you can find. It's crazy. If you go over to Art Naturals, you'll notice the price for the FCO is dang good.  And, there are two extra reasons for shopping from the site (especially if you aren't an Amazon Prime member):

  1. Shipping. Standard is FREE & Expedited is only around $6.00 (I didn't even see any exclusions for Alaska or Hawaii!)
  2. You can sign up for their mailing list for a chance at free products in exchange for reviews. I think you have to stay tuned for when they are running a campaign but, still.
See the site's FAQs for info on all that. By the way, I noticed that they also have a magnesium oil. Interesting, huh?

I can tell you that I'm happy with the FCO from this brand. Like I said, I had run out since the last bottle that I bought (and liked) at a local health store. I used this one almost as soon as the FedEx guy handed me the box. 

In case you forgot or never knew all the ways FCO can be used:
  • Moisturize skin & hair. Depending on your skin type, you can try using this as an overnight face and body treatment. The good news (especially for you loving couples) is that FCO doesn't stain sheets and clothing. Moving along...
  • Remove your makeup (or just clean your face) with FCO. When the weather or my meds have my skin feeling extra dry, I will use the FCO with a damp face cloth so that some of the oil is left on my skin. Otherwise, I'll wipe the oil off with a cottony baby wipe. That cleans the oil completely off.
  • Hot oil treatment for skin and hair. For the skin treatment, I like to slather on the oil then sit on some towels in the bathroom with the shower steaming the room. (Just be careful that you don't slip-slide and bust your pride!)
  • The oil is great for shaving. I don't have to shave my legs, but I love putting FCO on my pits and leaving it while I shower, then shaving just before rinsing off.
  • For those of you who need scalp moisture, you can apply this to wide parts in your hair and then brush.(I use it a little heavier after I've got my hair twisted for the night.)
  • For people with a smoother (less kinky) texture of hair, a tiny bit of oil can tame or even prevent the "splits". FCO is a nice hair oil because it is so light (and remember - no staining).
  • I've heard that "brushing" the skin is a trend these days. I am thinking of trying that but, for now, I know that applying some FCO and exfoliating is nice. You can try using the oil with sugar, coffee grounds, baking soda, rice powder, or some other mild scrub. I used to use sugar, but now I use the finer-grained rice powder or baking soda. One day, I'll have to experiment with a fine-grained salt.
  • FCO makes a good cuticle oil, lip balm (try mixing it with an EO of your liking). Of course FCO is a wonderful carrier oil for using with EOs.
  • This last one is a personal goodie that I will dare share with the ladies, but guys might want to try it: Throughout those hot (or extra active) days, try cleaning your "private places" with some FCO and a baby wipe. You can grab some small, cheapie plastic bottles at Walmart to keep a portable supply of FCO on hand. This is a nice way to keep fresh on days when you feel self-conscious for whatever reason. I'm just sharing a tip.
If you think that using oils as a part of your hair and skin care routines is worth it, let me share a photo of my 55-year old self. And be sure to keep in mind that I haven't always taken as much care with the rest of my health as I have with my skin. I smoked cigarettes for most of my life, not always eaten well, and messed around and acquired a chronic immune disease. Still...


Born with good skin genes. Upkeep with oils and other moisturizers.

So, yes, there are so many ways to use a good FCO. The one use that I haven't ever thought too much about until I saw the Art Naturals label: "Medicinal". They don't mean for internal use but as a wound cleaner. I thought that was interesting and will have to look into it more.

Peace
--Free


DISCLOSURE: I received one or more of the products mentioned in the post free of charge in exchange for providing a fair & honest review.

Wednesday, July 06, 2016

**REVIEW** Sweet Orange EO by Fab Naturals

Everyone who's read this blog at least twice must know that I love essential oils. LOVE them. After a few years of testing and reviewing so many EOs, I think I've developed a sense for which ones are good quality. The latest one I've tried is Sweet Orange from Fab Naturals.





My preference for one oil over another depends on what I'm using it for. I like lemon, orange, cinnamon, black pepper and clove for their particular cleaning uses. All of them are great, IMO, as fighters of fungus, bacteria and other germ-y things. Sweet Orange has the added Plus of a great smell. Today, I had some lemon-scented wax melts going when I was cleaning with this Sweet Orange. I discovered how good the scents mingle. A long while back, I had mixed some orange and lemon EO with water to spray the trailer and the smell wasn't nearly as yummy. Huh, Live, learn and experiment, right?

























There is a difference in the different types of citrus EOs and this ezine does a great job of breaking down the orange types  sweet, wild, bitter, etc. I'll have to bookmark that for reference!

For me, I just like the scent of sweet orange. It's a lighter and less "tart" smelling fragrance. I've been experimenting with using it in combinations. It's very nice with black pepper EO and I sort of like it mixed with my vanilla-grapefruit fragrance. I'll have to play with the combo amounts a bit more.

Here are some of the way you can use this Sweet Orange EO:

  • Can be used as an insect repellent. (I've seen several sources that talk about this. I heard it when I first started using EOs regularly.)
  • Citrus oils are supposed to be good for acne prone skin. I would be careful to test for any kind of negative reaction. Also, know that citrus oils react to the sun. Don't apply before going out into sunlight. Some people use citrus oils to highlight their hair.
  • Lots of natural hair enthusiasts like to use a combo of moisturizing oils and citrus EOs to condition their hair. The main carrier oils I've heard of being used are olive and coconut, but I'm sure you could use whatever your favorite is as a carrier. Here is what Nappy Headed Black Girl has on the subject. 
  • Apparently, mixing a bit of moisturizing oil with a some Sweet Orange EO makes for a nice lip balm. (Again, think about the effect of the sun on citrus oils!)


Here are the way, I've been using it:

  • Mixed with water in small spray bottle to clean work space and scent the air.
  • A couple of undiluted drops on a damp cloth to clean bathroom counters and get rid of soap scum marks in shower. On a paper towel to clean toilets seat and outer bowl. Toss the used paper towel in bathroom trash can to scent the can.
  • two drops in the 30ml electronic diffuser. The scent is:  a stress reliever/mood lifter, depression fighting and enhances relaxation. (Some people say that they only use this way during waking hours because of an energy lift. It doesn't interrupt my sleep and seems to help me feel more peaceful.)
  • A few drops added to a drop of black pepper EO and some lotion or moisturizing oil is great on my feet, legs and ankles at night. It seems to help with my circulation and I've read that it's also good to relieve swelling.
  • I put about ten drops in a small bottle and added twice as much coconut oil. I keep this mix in my purse so that I can apply some to my wrists or temples. It's a mood lifter when I am dealing with temporary bouts of the blues. There are a couple of different oils and blends I use for this purpose, but this particular EO is the best smelling of all.
  • What I didn't know until today was that this EO is great for applying to foot calluses. Huh! I will be trying this later and updating you on results. Right now, my feet are looking lovely. LOL
  • My favorite new way of using this particular oil is to add some to my twisting cream(s) when I style my hair. Since I don't like to over-wash/dry out my hair, I get some product buildup. Adding the Sweet Orange as an antibacterial gives me some confidence. Also, the scent is just really, really nice.
So, there you have it. There are lots of ways to use Sweet Orange, but the main thing is to get one of good quality. I mentioned somewhere that I've bought a sweet orange EO that was not right. First of all, it didn't smell that great, which should have been my warning. Very soon after I started using the oil, it turned funky smelling. It lost what little bit of citrus scent it started with and picked up a rank odor that got worse and worse. I tossed it out. 

I've been faithful to a couple of brands when it comes to essential oils. Fab Naturals is another brand I'm glad to have found. Right now, I see only a few oils on their site but, if the others are as good as this Sweet Orange, they have something special.


Peace
--Free




DISCLOSURE: I received one or more of the products mentioned in the post at a discount or free of charge in exchange for a fair and honest review.