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

**REVIEW** StaSofFro and L'Oreal EverCreme

Now that I have more length to my hair, I had to switch up my styling products. With the shorter hair, I used a lot of oils and creams to help the growth. Dry and damaged = enemies of growth.

December 2013

March 2014

July 2014

Today

For my shorter hair, I was using a lot of coconut oil, Jamaican Black Castor oil, plus just about anything that tamed the frizz. My hair has grown out quite a bit, so my big thing now is holding a curl, softness and conditioning.

The two products I'm using are ones I've talked about before, but I have a new appreciation for both:

The Leave-in is SO good

Sounds greasy, but it's not

I discovered the L'oreal EverCreme leave-in a couple years ago (according to my post). I like to use it first thing in the morning to add a shot of moisture to my hair. I follow that up with the SaySofFro for some softening and scalp moisture.

Most people think of StaSofFro as being greasy/oily like so many "wet curl" products, but it's a whole other thing. If you apply it and let it absorb for a few minutes, your hair is very touchable. The softening I get with this spray is amazing. After I wash and condition, I like to spray the StaSofFro on my roots and scalp. I massage it in a bit to work it through to my ends, then I spray the EverCreme just enough to get the outer part of my hair.

Since I've been using these two as my main hair products (about 2 weeks or so), I find that I have a lot less breakage and a lot less dryness. It's also nice that my hair is easier to "refresh" in the mornings.

What I like about both products is that they leave my hair very touchable and soft. Also, the price. I can get each for under $6. Can't beat that with a 5-speed blender.

Peace
--Free

***REVIEW*** Well, Well, Well... Miss Jessie's, I Got Ya!

***UPDATE May 14, 2014: When I shampooed my hair last night, I discovered that where Miss Jessie's is only so-so as a styling product, it is TOPS as a conditioner. I failed to take a photo, but I almost cannot describe how wonderful my hair felt and looked. I had tons of big, soft curls. I washed my hair prior to dyeing it, but I really hated to mess with those curls. I have now re-applied Miss Jessie's (my way) and can't wait for my next rinse-out to see if I get those same luscious, soft curls.***


So... 'Memba when, a while back, I was interested in trying out the products by Miss Jessie's? And remember how I mentioned there was no way I could afford the products? And how, even if I could find samples to purchase, that I couldn't afford to have them shipped to me?

If you remember all that, then you remember that I never heard back from Miss Jessie's when I emailed them trying to find another way to get samples for purchase. I pretty much wrote off the company. I figure that, if I don't deserve a customer service response, they don't deserve what they want to charge for a product.

I was done with Miss Jessie's.

~dusts hands~

Until yesterday.

Apparently, no one in Anchorage is willing to pay the originally marked price for a product most of us up here are unfamiliar with. Miss Jessie's products were marked down a bit at Target. Not much (just 5 bucks off for the Pillow Soft Curls), but enough that my sister surprised me with a tube for an early Mother's Day gift.

Still about 18 bucks - on discount! Hmmph.

(You might be thinking that this is a strange Mother's Day gift, but, to me, it was perfect. That's the way we roll, my sister and I. Flowers die, cards get lost, but curls are a beautiful thing!)

Now, is Miss Jessie's worth the price? Well... Not really.

The instructions are to apply a "capful" of the product to "damp, freshly washed, conditioned and detangled hair". When you have "good coverage", you are to scrunch your hair to "encourage" the curls.

Maybe I'm still pissy because of my pre-ownership experience with Miss Jessie's. Right off, I'm irritated that I'm going to have to wash and condition my hair three days after my last wash. That's my own doing for being so anxious to try this stuff.

Next, I'm thinking, "What capful?" There's no cap to fill. (Yeah, so I am being really pissy about this!)

Like I said, I'm determined to make this last (or have as full a tube as possible when I return it to the store), so I'm careful not to over-saturate my hair. I do the scrunching thing and wait for my hair to air-dry.

Results: super-crunchy hair. I mean Cheetos-crunchy.

My dried hair felt like it had a light coating of shellac. Seriously. And I hate that. Crunchy hair is the one of the enemies of a naturalista. (Amen, girls?)

The worst thing about products that crunchy-coat hair - any type of hair - is not just the icky feel, but also the breakage. One of the reasons I went natural was to be good to my hair, to encourage its health and growth. Okay, and because I love the look and feel. Crunchy is not the feel I'm going for. Crunchy is for snacks, not hair.

Because I didn't want to damage my hair, I had to spend long minutes massaging the curls to loosen that shellac-like coating. Then I spent another fifteen minutes or so gently combing through in sections. The whole process kind of defeated the "Pillow Soft Curls" thing. When I finished, there were no curls. I had a big, dried-out looking pillow-puffy 'fro.

~sigh~

Since I had already washed my hair more in three days than is good for it, I didn't even want to do a rinse. What I ended up doing is babying my scalp with my good old reliable Jamaican Black Castor Oil, and easing up my dried out hair with some StaSofFroand and a gentle massage.

By now, it's dang near bedtime. I've neglected my laundry and cleaning for longer than I intended. I decided to just braid my hair for overnight. I was thinking that, maybe in the morning, I can apply this expensive crap to my dried hair to "encourage" the curl and (hmph!) actually have some "pillow soft" results.

Here is a pic taken before Miss Jessie's

It's dry, as you can tell by the part behind my ear

And here is one I just took (post MJ)

I really need to get a better webcam, but...

I know that bottom pic is not the best, but I think you can tell that my hair does look softer and more moisturized. The downside: By touch, you can tell that there is product in my hair. If StaSofFro could get therapist certified to "encourage" more curl, it would be my choice over Miss Jessie's. It's waaaay cheaper, very softening and non-greasy to the touch - plus you can find it almost anywhere.

About 4 bucks & available at most retail stores

By the way, StaSofFro is one of the products I used frequently for a couple of months while growing out my hair from this stage:

Looking like mugshot...

Summary: Miss Jessie's did "encourage a nice curl; left my hair soft and moisturized. Of course, I had to tweak the directions a bit, and I can feel the product in my styled hair. Is this product good? Yep. Is it worth the price? Nah. I could get a cheaper curl cream to use in conjunction with the almost SIX bottles of StaSofFro.

I'm thankful to my sister for the gift, and I will use it up, but I won't be purchasing any more of this particular item in the future.

Peace
--Free